tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26772635143477183542024-02-02T12:50:59.756-06:00Dancing with Cinderellabecause midnight comes too soon!TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.comBlogger342125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-75126448868482409972013-08-08T12:26:00.001-05:002013-08-08T12:26:19.180-05:00Mommy guiltI love to read inspirational stories. Stories about people who have overcome obstacles or who make mistakes and recover from them. I like stories where people find themselves in unexpected situations that turn out to be blessings-in-disguise. I see a lot of these going around facebook and I sometimes get them in my e-mail They encourage and inspire me. I especially love stories that are written from a mom's perspective to other mom's to lift them up. A favorite that I have seen lately and even shared the link on my facebook page is <a href="http://www.shortstopblog.com/2013/08/to-moms-of-one-or-two-children.html">this one</a> from <a href="http://www.shortstopblog.com/">Short Stop</a>. Check it out, it's a good read.<br />
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But, as much as I like those, there are some others that make me cringe. They're written with the intent of being encouraging, of reminding moms about the important things in life. They talk about stopping to smell the roses, about enjoying your children while they're young, about valuing people over things. All good things that we DO need to be reminded of from time to time. But beneath the pretty words and the sweet pictures they paint, they all say the same thing to me-"You're not doing it right." If I don't immediately drop everything to look at the watercolor rainbow my child painted, I've wasted a precious moment that I can never get back. If I don't allow my child as much time as she needs to pick an outfit for church even if it causes us to be late, I've rushed her and taken away her joy.If I put my child to bed and without reading the 10th "just one more story", I'm gong to regret it because someday they won't want me to read them bedtime stories anymore...<br />
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I read through these stories and poems looking for encouragement, but all I feel by the end is guilt. I remember all the things I didn't do right and I feel guilty because I can't change them. I don't get a do-over. I've messed up my kids and there's nothing I can do about it. I can try to do better tomorrow, but I'll probably just mess it up again.<br />
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Instead of feeling inspired and uplifted, I feel used up and worn out. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Am I the only one?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of my friends have lovingly teased me about being "super mom" or the "model parent". Believe me, I am FAR from being either of those. I mess up. I yell (*gasp*). I'm impatient, I don't always want to have the kids with me 24/7. </span>I don't always listen to their stories or love when they bring me a handful of dandelions to put in a plastic cup on the windowsill. I'M NOT SUPERMOM.<br />
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But there's good news for me (and for you). God didn't call me to be supermom. He knew that I would have shortcomings and failures. He knew I would mess it up. He knew that I would never be able to do it right. But, it's okay.I don't have to do it all right because where my weaknesses lie, God's power takes over.<br />
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2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, " <span class="text 2Cor-12-9" id="en-NIV-29032"><sup class="versenum">9 </sup>But he said to me, <span class="woj">“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”</span> Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.</span> <span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033"><sup class="versenum">10 </sup>That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."</span><br />
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<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20corinthians%2012:8-12&version=NIV"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Bible Gateway</span></a> </span></div>
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<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033">What a relief! I don't have to strive to be the perfect mother with the perfect children anymore. I don't have to pretend to be strong and to have it all together when I don't. All I have to do is the best I can and let God take care of the rest. </span></div>
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<span class="text 2Cor-12-10" id="en-NIV-29033">So, I'm off to turn in my Supermom cape. I don't need it anymore. Who's coming with me? </span></div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-8225269913187268002013-08-06T00:04:00.001-05:002013-08-06T00:04:51.160-05:00Good soil<span class="text Matt-13-8" id="en-NIV-23548"><span class="woj"><span class="text Luke-8-4" id="en-NIV-25250"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have been so blessed to get to be a part of an awesome ladies' Bible study group for the past several months. I love it! We meet at the coffee shop on Saturday mornings and spend a couple of hours chatting, encouraging, offering advice, and studying together. I love hearing all the different perspectives and learning from the other ladies. I have made some great friends through our time together on Saturdays.</span></sup></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-13-8"><span class="woj"><span class="text Luke-8-4"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our last study was on the book of Luke. I learned so much! One week in particular, God really spoke to me through the reading. We were reading Luke chapter 8, which contains a story that is very familiar to me.</span></sup></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-13-8"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span class="text Luke-8-4"><sup class="versenum"></sup></span></em></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text Matt-13-8"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span class="text Luke-8-4"><sup class="versenum">"4 </sup>While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable:</span> <span class="text Luke-8-5" id="en-NIV-25251"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">5 </sup>“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-8-6" id="en-NIV-25252"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">6 </sup>Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-8-7" id="en-NIV-25253"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">7 </sup>Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-8-8" id="en-NIV-25254"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">8 </sup>Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”</span></span></em></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="text Matt-13-8"><span class="woj"><span class="text Luke-8-8"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span class="text Luke-8-11" id="en-NIV-25257"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">11 </sup>“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25257H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text Luke-8-12" id="en-NIV-25258"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">12 </sup>Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-8-13" id="en-NIV-25259"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">13 </sup>Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25259I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup></span></span> <span class="text Luke-8-14" id="en-NIV-25260"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">14 </sup>The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-25260J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup> and pleasures, and they do not mature.</span></span> <span class="text Luke-8-15" id="en-NIV-25261"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">15 </sup>But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."</span></span></em></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%208:4-8&version=NIV" target="_blank">Bible Gateway</a></span></em></div>
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I have heard this story so many times. Usually the emphasis is "we need to be the good soil and yield a crop for Jesus." But as I read through this passage again, a different picture came to my mind. </div>
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Think of a farmer sowing seeds. He depends on the seeds for his living, so he's not going to just carelessly toss them out anywhere. He wants them to fall on good soil, so before he sows his seeds, he invests time and energy into preparing the soil. He breaks up the hard ground, removes the rocks, pulls up the weeds, and even adds fertilizer to the soil to feed his crops. </div>
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Good soil doesn't happen on it's own. </div>
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It takes effort to prepare it and work to sustain it before it can produce anything. As Christians, this is our job. We can't just go around halfheartedly sharing our faith and hoping it "sticks" to those we come in contact with. We must be intentional. </div>
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Sharing our faith must be more than just wearing a t-shirt or posting a scripture on facebook. Not that these things are bad, they are, as people often say, "planting a seed." But if that's all we do, what are the chances of those seeds growing into anything more? How do we keep those seeds from being lost to the birds, rocks, and thorns of life? How do we help them grow?</div>
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We help them grow through relationship, through connection, and through love. Verse 15 says "...by persevering produce a crop". I love the definition I found for persevere at <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/persevering?s=t">dictionary.com</a> "<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">to</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">bolster,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">sustain,</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">or</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">uphold". This requires outside assistance. Good soil can't make itself good, nor can seeds that are sown grow and produce a crop on their own. Someone must continue to tend them and help them reach their potential.</span></span></div>
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<span><span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">We need to be there for people when they need us. We need to love those around us and invest our time into their lives to build relationships. We need to know when they're hurting and when they are struggling and love them through it. We need to celebrate with them and cheer them on. </span></span><span><span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">This is how good soil is developed. This is how the seeds grow and produce a crop.</span></span></div>
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<span><span name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"><em>Lord, help me to go beyond the surface in sharing my faith. Show me how I can love the people you bring into my life like you love them. I pray that the seeds that are sown will fall on good soil and will produce a crop of souls who will come to know who you are by what they see in me. Thank you for your love for me that teaches me how to love. </em></span></span></div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-67219924605085784302013-08-02T10:48:00.001-05:002013-08-02T13:32:57.996-05:00Cracked Watermelons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few weeks ago, the kids and I ran into the grocery store to pick up a few things. My goal was to go in, get only what I needed, and get out as fast as possible-not an easy task when I have all my "helpers" with me. We were making good time, with only a minimal amount of "put that back" and "we don't need that today," and were ready to head out the door. All we needed was a loaf of bread and we would be on our way.<br />
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To get from the bread aisle to the checkout counter, you have to walk through the produce section. I didn't have any fruits or veggies on my list, so it shouldn't have been a problem. Straight through to the checkout and on to the van. <br />
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Except that, directly in our path, sat three large boxes full of watermelons. <br />
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Well, what little boy can resist? My son ran right up to the first box and picked out the biggest watermelon he could see. It's almost as big as he is and way too heavy for him. "Please, mom! Can we get a watermelon?" <br />
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"Not today. We'll have watermelon for the 4th of July. Put it back." He was disappointed, but didn't argue. He walked back to the box and placed the watermelon back on top of the stack. <br />
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That's when it happened...<br />
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As he turned to walk away, the watermelon began to roll from the top of the pile. He saw it a moment too late and, before he could catch it, it landed with a loud crack on the floor. <br />
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I'm going to be honest and tell you that my first reaction was not what it should have been. Had I been by myself, I would have put that watermelon right back in the box and hit the road. But there were 8 little eyes looking at me waiting to see what I would do. So, I picked it up and put it in the cart. After all, "you break it, you buy it", right? So, off we went to checkout, the kids without a peep because they knew. Mom was NOT happy.<br />
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When we got in the van, I started with my mom speech. "How many times have I told you not to pick things up in the store? Didn't I tell you we weren't buying anything that wasn't on the list? If you had just listened to me, we wouldn't have this problem." You know how it goes. In the moment, I decided that the best consequence would be that he didn't get to eat any of the watermelon. That would teach him!<br />
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As we drove way, my little boy with his tear-stained face in the seat behind me, the anger started to subside and the reality of what had happened started to set in. Was it really a big deal? Yes we ended up spending an extra $5 we hadn't planned on spending. Yes, it had been embarrassing. Yes, the whole situation could have been avoided if he had listened to me. But was it really, now, that big of a deal? I fought the urge to go back on what I said. He needed to face the consequence of his actions. After all, he had been told a hundred times...<br />
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That's when God began to speak to my heart. How many times have I done things I shouldn't do even though He's warned me a hundred times? How many times have I tried to do things on my own and ended up making a mess of it? How many times has God tried to stop me from doing something that will hurt me but I have ignored Him? Ouch!<br />
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Then I thought of that tear-stained face. Landon was sorry. Not sorry that he got caught, not sorry that he got in trouble, but genuinely sorry that he had disobeyed and sorry that he had caused a problem. He was sorry that he had upset me.<br />
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So many times, that has been me. Running to God with my tear-stained face, sorry for what I have done to disappoint him. Sorry I've made a mess of my life. And his response has always been the same. Not a lecture. Not "how many times have I told you?" Not, "now you get to watch the rest of us eat the watermelon."<br />
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His answer is always GRACE. I fail. I mess up.I do things I'm not supposed to do. But He forgives me. He doesn't give me what I deserve, He gives me His love. <br />
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Acts 13:38-39 says "<span class="text Acts-13-38" id="en-NIV-27401"><sup class="versenum">38 </sup>“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27401A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span> <span class="text Acts-13-39" id="en-NIV-27402"><sup class="versenum">39 </sup>Through him everyone who believes<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-27402B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses."</span><br />
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<span class="text Acts-13-39"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2013:38-39&version=NIV" target="_blank">Bible Gateway</a></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Acts-13-39">Isn't that awesome? According to the law, I should be punished. I should have to face to consequences of what I've done. I shouldn't get to "eat the watermelon" and receive the good things God has planned for me. But, through Jesus, I am forgiven! I receive grace and love and freedom from the punishment I deserve. </span></div>
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<span class="text Acts-13-39">I'm so thankful for God's grace! And I'm thankful for the opportunity He gave me to be an example of His grace to my kids that day. Landon did get to eat some of that watermelon and I got a great reminder of God's love for me.</span></div>
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<br />TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-26944935535416868062013-04-17T09:04:00.001-05:002013-04-17T09:11:26.653-05:00Wordless Wednesday-God's beautiful creation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-8742898721654289422013-04-13T23:13:00.000-05:002013-04-13T23:13:18.252-05:00A fun weekend, part two-tournament<div style="text-align: center;">
Saturday started out bright and early. We were all up, dressed, packed, and out the door for breakfast by 8. It was so nice to already be in OKC and not have to leave the house at 6:30am! We may have to do that again next year. </div>
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Then, we were off to the tournament. We got everyone registered and in their uniforms, then they went off to warm up while we settled into our seats for the day. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dakota</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's Cheyenne at the top left.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Landon<br />
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I have lots of video from the tournament, but not many pictures. I was so proud of all four of them! The competition this year was tough. We didn't come home with many medals, but they did their best and hung in there.</div>
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Here's Landon waiting for his forms competition to begin. There were so many kids in his group! This was the first time for him to compete as an orange belt. He did a great job!</div>
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This picture breaks my heart and makes me proud all at the same time. This is the moment when he realized he wasn't going to get a medal. He handled it well for a seven year-old.</div>
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Sierra also had a really large group. She did a great job! After a tie-breaker, she placed 4th.</div>
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Here is Cheyenne bowing in before her forms competition. She did a great job, too. She also placed 4th in her division.</div>
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This is Dakota waiting for her forms competition to begin. She worked really hard and spent lots of time practicing at home. It paid off, because came in 3rd!</div>
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The kids did really well in sparring. It was the first time for Cheyenne, Sierra, and Landon to spar at a tournament. I think they all learned a lot for next time. Landon was so close to a medal. He made it through 3 matches and lost the fourth by only one point. He ended up 4th place in his division. <br />
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Dakota sparred last year in the tournament and placed 2nd. This year, she knew more what to expect and was better prepared. She did awesome and brought home GOLD!<br />
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What a great weekend! Love getting away and having fun together!</div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-29082068107851407462013-04-11T20:53:00.002-05:002013-04-11T21:40:13.752-05:00A fun weekend, part one-Sam Noble Museum of Natural History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have had a busy couple of weeks in the Harmon household. Mostly doctor appointments, homeschool group activities, 4-H activities, and tae kwon do classes. Lately it seems like we constantly have somewhere to be or something to do. I am ready for summer to come so things will calm down a little. I love all the activities we get to do, but a little break will be welcome, too.</div>
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This weekend, we made room for a little fun among our busyness. Dakota's birthday is coming up next week and she had asked to visit the<a href="http://www.snomnh.ou.edu/" target="_blank"> Sam Noble Museum of Natural History</a> to celebrate. The kids had a tae kwon do tournament in OKC on Saturday, so we decided to go up on Friday and make weekend of it. We had a great time!</div>
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(get ready for picture overload!)<br />
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At the entrance to the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, there was a giant inflatable spider. I made sure to keep my distance!</div>
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The first area we went into was a special exhibit on insects. There was a scavenger hunt for the kids to do and then turn in for a prize.</div>
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We found this sign on binomial nomenclature in the insect room. Dakota just learned about this in Biology, so I made her pose by it. Ha!</div>
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After the scavenger hunt, it was time to get on the "dinovator" up to the second floor. This is the view from the top.</div>
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The kids went back downstairs to check out the mammoth up close and were attacked!</div>
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<span id="goog_1944671571">Back upstairs, we went into the Hall of Natural Wonders to see what kinds of animals we could spot. We learned a lot about the animals native to Oklahoma. </span></div>
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<span id="goog_1944671571">Our next stop was the Hall of the People of Oklahoma. We met a very nice gentleman who talked to us about how Native Americans used all the parts of the buffalo. </span></div>
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<span id="goog_1944671571"> Next, it was back downstairs to the Hall of Ancient Life. Finally, it was time to see the dinosaurs!</span></div>
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After the museum, we checked into the hotel and relaxed for a bit while Daniel searched for a new restaurant to try. He has a knack for finding great pizza! He did not let us down. We had dinner at Joey's Pizzeria. It was amazing! </div>
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If you're ever in downtown OKC and have a chance, stop by Joey's! The pizza was delicious and the service was outstanding. And tell Becky we said hello.</div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-86265384676834271362013-04-04T18:45:00.000-05:002013-04-04T18:45:29.144-05:00SickI mentioned before that I have recently joined a ladies' Bible study group. I have to say that I am loving it! It's such a blessing the hear things from other perspectives and to learn from other people's experiences. One week, only myself and one other lady were able to make it, but I still walked away with a lot to think about.<br />
One of the best things that I've gotten out of the study is learning to look deeper into the scriptures and find how each one applies to me. We're going through the book of Luke right now. Each day there is a passage to read with a verse or two as the focus. Today's verse was Luke 5:31-32<br />
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<em> Jesus answered them, <span class="woj">“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.</span> <span class="text Luke-5-32" id="en-NIV-25140"><span class="woj"><sup class="versenum">32 </sup>I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”</span></span></em></div>
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<span class="text Luke-5-32"><span class="woj">Jesus was talking to the Pharisees, the super religious people of the day. The Pharisees knew the law and followed it. They wore the right clothes, said the right prayers, hung out with the right people. They were righteous. They weren't looking for a Savior, they were just fine on their own.</span></span></div>
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As I thought about this verse, I was taken back to the day I went to the hospital with blood clots in my lungs. I had been feeling bad for a couple of days. My heart was racing, my head ached, I felt very anxious. And yet, I didn't go to the doctor. I didn't want to admit that there was anything wrong. I thought I could just take something for my headache and rest and then I would be fine. I didn't need any help. </div>
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It wasn't until I was at the point that I couldn't even cross the living room without stopping to rest that I finally acknowledged I was in trouble. I was sick and I needed a doctor. I had to finally admit that I was sick and that, by myself, I couldn't get better.</div>
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It's the same way when it comes to my need for Jesus. So many times, I try to get by on my own, thinking that I've got it under control and I don't need any help. All the while, I'm digging myself deeper and deeper into a hole. It's not until I am stuck in the bottom of the pit with no other way out that I finally cry out and ask Jesus to help me. And He does! EVERYTIME!</div>
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But, how much better off would I be to admit my need for His help from the beginning? How much trouble would I save myself by calling out and asking for his help before I start digging to begin with? </div>
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Jesus came to call the sinners to repentance. But we have to recognize that <strong>we</strong> are the sinners he came to call. We can't do it on our own, we need Him to save us. And the good news is, He is just waiting for us to ask! </div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-66657887404478904902013-03-23T21:41:00.000-05:002013-03-23T21:41:27.843-05:00Crepes<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of weeks ago, Dakota checked out a cookbook for teens from the library. She's been dying to try a recipe out of it, but we never seemed to have all the ingredients she needed or the time to experiment with something new. Finally, she found a recipe for crepes with strawberries and cream and I agreed we would try it on Saturday for breakfast.Neither of us had ever cooked or even eaten crepes before, but it seemed like an easy enough recipe, kind of like pancakes. </div>
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We started with the filling-cream cheese, whipping cream, powdered sugar, and strawberries-yum!</div>
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Then we whipped up the batter in the blender and started making the crepes. </div>
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They actually turned out pretty close to the picture in the book!</div>
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And they got the thumbs up from most of the family.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5NZmWRg5IhyphenhyphenPyQotHYqMzqjWvDSxA899y6u7WIBywtvgzIVZ03gW_F8JAaR7-AnADNEcjA1ObRoeVgOcx3hYGG5QyZT2jMXpdPailrqQCra_eHn4prMbaDsHYZLrJrp2VlOEfTr3yg/s1600/IMG_0461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5NZmWRg5IhyphenhyphenPyQotHYqMzqjWvDSxA899y6u7WIBywtvgzIVZ03gW_F8JAaR7-AnADNEcjA1ObRoeVgOcx3hYGG5QyZT2jMXpdPailrqQCra_eHn4prMbaDsHYZLrJrp2VlOEfTr3yg/s320/IMG_0461.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Overall, the crepes were a success. The major drawback is that you have to cook them one at a time in the skillet, which takes forever when you have to feed a family of 6. It took about an hour and 15 minutes to cook them and everyone else had been finished eating for about 20 minutes by the time I got to the table. I'd much rather make pancakes 4 at a time on the griddle so we can all eat together.<br />
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We saved the leftovers in the refrigerator for the kids to eat later this week. We also had a ton of the filling leftover, so we are going to have it on waffles in a day or two. <br />
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It was fun to try a new recipe. A friend suggested we try them with Nutella and bananas sometime. That sounds really yummy! <br />
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If anyone has any suggestions for how to cook crepes faster, I'd love to hear! Leave me a comment and let me know.</div>
TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-80285777574914669172013-03-23T00:08:00.000-05:002013-03-23T00:08:45.524-05:00Pretty Packages<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Around our house, it is well known that Daniel is the gift-wrapper. His gifts are always perfect-the paper is exactly the right size, the edges are nice and straight, and the paper is smooth with no wrinkles or little tears. Mine, not so much. So when I can, I always get Daniel to do the gift wrapping for me. But sometimes, like on HIS birthday, I have to do it myself. </div>
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Sometimes I cut the paper too small and I end up having to make a kind of patchwork wrapping on the back to hide the gap. Sometimes, I cut the paper way too big and the ends are too long. But, what I do really well is I make the FRONT of the gift look good. Kind of like this </div>
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It may not be perfect, but it's pretty. Since I didn't have the right sized box, I had to put the gifts into a paper grocery bag and then wrap that, which made it a little odd shaped. I cut the paper a little big, so the sides are a little overlapped. But, it's presentable. Something I would gladly display on the gift table at a party, right?</div>
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Well, I might, as long as I could be sure that the only side that would be seen was the front and as long as I knew no one would look at it too closely. Because if you looked from a different angle</div>
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and got a little closer</div>
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you'd see that it's not quite as pretty as what I let you see from a distance. </div>
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Isn't that the way a lot of us are with our lives? We spend a lot of time making sure that the image we put out there for other people to see looks good. We are very careful which pictures of us make it to facebook and which ones are quickly deleted from the memory card. All of our posts are inspiring quotes or uplifting scriptures. We put on our smiling, happy faces when we go out and when someone asks us how we are, the answer is always "Couldn't be better." </div>
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And we keep everyone at arm's length so that's ALL they see. </div>
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We avoid invitations for dinner at friends' homes because our children may misbehave and we'd have to discipline them, thus shattering out image of being perfect parents with perfect children. We push aside the urge to invite friends over to our home because we don't want them to see that the floor hasn't been mopped or the furniture is a little worn. What would they think? And, for sure, we don't ever share a problem or ask for prayer from our friends. We don't want people to know we have problems and issues in our lives. </div>
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But, this is not the way God intended for us to live. He wants us to be connected to those around us. He wants us to be real. And the only way we can really be real is to let people in. We have to let them see our "not so pretty" side. We have to share with them when we have a problem so that they can help us. </div>
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Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 in the NIV says, </div>
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"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. And, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+4%3A9-12&version=NIV" target="_blank">Bible Gateway.com</a></span></div>
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I hesitate to publish this post because I know these words are mostly speaking to me. This is on my mind for a reason-God is asking me to get out of my comfort zone and get connected with people more. I'm doing my best to do just that. I've recently joined a ladies' Bible study group on Saturday afternoons. We're studying the book of Luke and each week we read a chapter at home and answer some questions, then discuss what we read on Saturday. Of all the questions over the 3 weeks of the study so far, the hardest one was "Tell us about yourself." </div>
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So, if I can do it, you can too. My challenge to you is to do something this week to connect with someone in a real way. It may be inviting someone over for dinner, even though your house isn't "company ready". Or it may be that when someone asks how you are, you say "You know, I'm having kind of a hard day today and things just aren't going my way. Would you please pray for me?" Whatever it is, step out and do it. Take a chance and let God bless you for it.</div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-65761136645316756432013-03-20T06:40:00.004-05:002013-03-20T06:40:58.665-05:00Happy Birthday!Last week, this awesome guy<br />
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had a birthday.<br />
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His "real" birthday was on Monday but since he was going to be at work, we started the celebration early. We had dinner at one of our favorite local Mexican restaurants then came home for some cake and ice cream. <br />
Let me tell you just how great he is. I asked him what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. He said "How about some strawberry?" Strawberry cake happens to be MY favorite. Yes, I got a good one! <br />
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This may or may not be his actual age...okay and it may or may not be mine too.</div>
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Doesn't it look so much cooler in the dark?</div>
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We had a great time on Saturday, but the fun was not over yet. We had a surprise up our sleeves.</div>
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On Monday, the kids and I surprised Daniel with a second birthday cake. They were so excited to show it to him.</div>
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3...2...1...Surprise!</div>
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The kids loved that we got to "shave" Daniel's beard. <br />
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Happy Birthday, Daniel! We love you!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Thank you to the <a href="http://www.clumsycrafter.com/2013/02/duckdynastycake/" target="_blank">Clumsy Crafter</a> for the inspiration!</span></div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-64148009643935793112013-03-18T22:52:00.000-05:002013-03-18T22:52:02.551-05:00Good intentionsHas God ever asked you to do something and you had every intention of doing it, but just never got around to it? Maybe it was a phone call or a note to a friend that you meant to write "tomorrow" but when tomorrow came, you were just too busy and then you forgot about it. Maybe it was a kind word that you wanted to say to someone at church or at the store but you were afraid it would be too awkward and by the time you worked up the nerve to actually do it, the person was already gone. Maybe it was a project you wanted to do with your kids for a holiday that you just never found the time to do. Or just maybe, it was a blog post that you were supposed to write but didn't...<br />
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So many times over the past several months since I last posted to this blog, God has put something in my heart that I knew I needed to write. I would have the whole post going in my head and would be so excited to get the kids to bed so I could get to writing. But then, we'd have a 4-H meeting or Tae Kwon Do or church, then dinner and dishes, then showers, then tucking kids in...and by the time I did all that my brain was mush and I just wanted to check my facebook and go to bed. I didn't have the energy left to put two sentences together, much less a whole post. So I'd promise myself that I'd get up early in the morning and do it.<br />
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Then in the morning, I'd convince myself that I could sleep just 15 more minutes and still have time before the kids got up to get it done. Of course, that would be the day the kids would decide they also needed to get up early and the opportunity would be gone. No matter how good my intentions were, I just never seemed to get it done.<br />
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But this week, I had an experience that opened my eyes to something I'd been missing. <br />
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There had been a day a while back where God prompted me to pray for a friend of mine. I felt it so strongly but I resisted. She hadn't asked me to pray. In fact, it had been quite some time since I'd seen or even talked to her. But, when I was having my quiet time that morning, I began to write in my journal what God had put into my heart to ask for. Once I finished, I put my journal away and didn't really give it another thought...<br />
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...until last week when I read a post from my friend that brought tears to my eyes. God had done something amazing in her life and it was exactly the thing that I had prayed about months before. So awesome! <br />
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Then, I started to think-what if I hadn't followed the prompting I felt to pray for my friend? What if I had just rested on my good intentions of praying for her "later" without ever actually doing what I knew I needed to do?<br />
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I am completely convinced that God would have still provided the miracle my friend received, for God doesn't need my prayers to "talk him into" anything. He already knew what He was going to do for her. It would have happened with or without my asking. Our prayers aren't for God, they're for us.<br />
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God prompted me to pray for my friend as a way of blessing ME. When I read my friend's post telling of what God had done, it was not just a cool story of what God had done for someone else. Instead, it was a personal and very real answer to my prayer. Through my prayer, my heart was opened to know God in an even deeper way. God hears my prayers and answers, they aren't just out there bouncing around in space where they MIGHT somehow get to God. How amazing to think that the creator of the universe is also so near that he hears even ME! <br />
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So, I've been thinking...how many blessings have I missed out on because I had "good intentions" but no action to go with them. Have I missed out on making a new friend because I didn't give a word of encouragement to the new mom with the crying baby at the grocery store? Have I missed out on seeing God work in someone's life because I said, "I'll be praying for you about that" and then promptly forgot about it. How many people did I not reach with God's words of encouragement because I didn't take the time to write that blog post I had on my heart?<br />
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So, I'm back to Dancing with Cinderella. Will you join me? Let's move beyond just having good intentions! Let's put our intentions into action. I can't wait to see what God has in store!<br />
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-84964602973656861152012-10-08T23:01:00.000-05:002012-10-08T23:01:56.355-05:00Fruit of the Spirit Unit-Love<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xRJmAvwxFCG1JAi9LV8zVl8flHOb7uTi6XR3oD2eYa9xILcAhhFZ4ExGhO3XBAHLOoauXYNZvc3s6PcJnGF9i07UYIvIHSJ3wDyRjwbymiDFr96_WygaltHJSLR1SB40ceg8ECb9iQ/s1600/100_3017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>We started the second day of school by playing a three-digit-addition bump tournament. I discovered this game last year and we love it! I love that there are so many different versions available online so I don't have to try to create my own. I found this one on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/" target="_blank">teachers pay teachers</a> right <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Welcome-Back-Bump" target="_blank">here</a>. (I love this website! So many awesome resources!) Cheyenne was the champion of the day.</div>
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After the tournament, I had them draw their beginning of the year self-portraits. I've had them do this at the beginning of each year so far and also at some point later in the school year. It's fun to see their personalities come out in their pictures of themselves.</div>
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Next, we talked about ways to show love and I read the story of The Good Samaritan. We watched all three parts of this video on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">youtube</a>. I almost didn't show it to them because I was afraid it wouldn't keep the interest, but they LOVED it. I'm sure we'll be watching it again sometime.</div>
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We also watched this video and sang along. It's been stuck in my head ever since!<br />
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We talked about ways to show love and things that were not loving. I gave them a piece of paper with several hearts on it and had them write ways to show love on half of the hearts and things that are not loving on the other half. They cut them out and put them in an envelope in their lapbook.<br />
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I also printed out <a href="http://www.lapbooklessons.com/FruitoftheSpiritLapbook.html" target="_blank">these mini-books</a> for their lapbooks. We used them to write a verse for each fruit. The verse for love was 1 Corinthians 13:4, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."<br />
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After a little recess, we finished up with journals, apple experiment notebooks, and reading from our science textbook.<br />
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Another busy and fun homeschool day!</div>
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TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-11641600933033091152012-09-25T15:18:00.000-05:002012-09-25T15:18:01.794-05:00First day of school 2012!<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXiCWEq2wfngjRnVH2we8fplYwJ3139on9vaT-frPxzdlk6sDIvAb7GPLuM89wHZGIMT4X0MzihayMtXpDJTD5V5xltnbeCwXH9SWoyk8rZ0lcpnKdVj3teogTBQGUsCBdl3LH7FVmdg/s1600/100_2981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>After our looooooong school year last year (our last day was August 20), we finally started back to school on September 24. Our break was just a little over a month long, but some days it felt so much longer than that. We actually got a lot accomplished during that month, but that's a story for another post. I discovered this year, that a month is about all the break we need, though. By the end of the last week, they were bored and grumpy. It was definitely time to get back into the school routine.</div>
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Here are the kiddos' first day of school pictures.</div>
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A special start to our first day of school-chocolate chip pancakes. Yum! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7:00 came really early after getting to sleep in for so long!</td></tr>
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I didn't get to place my curriculum order until last week, so we are improvising for the first week or so until everything comes in and I have a chance to organize it. After searching everywhere for a topic we could all do together, I decided we would do a unit on the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). I found some things that they all can enjoy and some things that I can adapt a little for the older two.</div>
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First, I read to them Galatians 5:22-23 and the Fruit of the Spirit story I found at <a href="http://www.dltk-bible.com/cv/fruits_of_the_spirit.htm" target="_blank">DLTK.</a> Next, we made a "fruit of the spirit tree" on the sliding door.<br />
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For the first day, we just added the leaves, then we'll add one fruit each day as we talk about it. We're using the fruit from this craft from <a href="http://www.christianpreschoolprintables.com/Pages/BibleCrafts/BibleCraftsFruitoftheSpirit.html" target="_blank">Christian Preschool Printables</a> for our tree. The kids like that it's kind of silly with all the different kinds of fruit growing on one tree.</div>
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Next, we made mini-books, also from <a href="http://christianpreschoolprintables.com/Pages/BibleMinibooks/BibleMinibookFruitoftheSpirit.html" target="_blank">Christian Preschool Printables</a>, that will go in our lapbooks at the end of the unit.</div>
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As each child finished their book, I sent them outside with a timer to jump on the trampoline for 5 minutes to give them a little break. Landon did his five minutes and came in asking for another five so he did Sierra's five minutes with her. As they came in from their break, they did copywork (followed by another 5 minutes on the trampoline for Landon) and journal (followed by 5 minutes on the trampoline for Landon. ha!) then went back outside for some free time.</div>
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I surprised them when they came in by telling to sit down at the table immediately. They were all wanting to go wash up, but I told them they had to wait. I had a plan!<br />
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We were going to start a science experiment that I found at <a href="http://www.growinginprek.com/science.htm" target="_blank">Growing in PreK</a>. I cut an apple in half and we passed one half around the table touching it with our dirty hands. It was pretty gross by the time it went all the way around.<br />
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We put that half in a jar labled "dirty". The other half we put in a jar labeled "clean".<br />
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We're going to watch it for a week or two and look at the difference. I haven't decided totally on how I'm going to make the connection between the moldy fruit and the Fruit of the Spirit, but I have some ideas.</div>
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I had them all go wash their hands then and we started science journals for our apple experiment. I love how you can see the progress from Landon's through Dakota's books. </div>
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Next, I cut apart a copy of the mini-book we made earlier and we used it to help memorize the Fruits of the Spirit. We started with them face up on the table. Each person took a turn reciting the fruits in order while looking at the cards. For the next round, we turned the first card over and did it again. Then, turned the second card over, then the third, etc until we could name them all without looking.</div>
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By that time, it was time to eat lunch and get ready to leave. I had an afternoon appointment in town so we had to call it a day a little earlier than normal. </div>
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It was a pretty good first day!</div>
TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-84562507372141315772012-07-11T00:00:00.003-05:002012-07-11T00:00:46.966-05:00Camp Wow part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, yesterday I told you all about the fun the kids and I had at Camp Wow. Today, I want to share a little bit about my experience at camp as an adult. It was truly a life-changing week!</div>
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I signed the kids up for camp all the way back in November, right before Thanksgiving. At that time, I already had decided that I was going to be going down to help (it's only about 25 miles from our house) during the day with whatever needed to be done-making sure kids got to where they needed to be, watching kids at the waterfront, sitting next to kids during service to help with behavior, etc. The main reason I was going was for Landon. He'd never spent the night anywhere other than grandma's house and because of his school experience, I was a little nervous about how things would go at camp. For multiple reasons, I didn't want to stay at camp at night, but planned to stay until lights out and then head home.</div>
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As soon as the kids were signed up, I began to pray for camp-not everyday, but a couple times a week at least. Mostly, I prayed for the kids to be safe and healthy during camp and that they would grow closer to God. I also prayed that they would have fun and make new friends or get closer to their old friends.</div>
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A few days before camp, we had a meeting and were given our leader packets. In them, were the schedule for the week, the devotion topics for each day, the kids' cabin assignments, and team assignments. That's when I learned that I wasn't going to just be a "helper", I was going to be a co-leader of a team! For someone who's main goal is to be invisible, this was a big deal. To say I was nervous about this is definitely an understatement.</div>
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That same evening, during our Wednesday night service, Pastor T. had two posters at the front of the church-one for youth camp and one for kids' camp. He asked us to write some specific things that we were praying for our kids during camp week on each one. Since I had kids going to both camps, I wrote on both of them. For youth camp, I wrote friendship and for kids' camp, I wrote confidence. Those are only two of the million things I prayed for my kids to get from camp, but at that moment they're the things that were most on my heart.</div>
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The day of camp arrived and I had to be at the church early for a leaders' meeting and to help get kids' checked in. We took over 100 to kids' camp alone, so it was a bit crazy for a while. Once things settled down, the kids went to the gym for lunch and pictures. I stayed with a couple of other ladies in the lobby to catch any late arrivals. We had such a good time just hanging out and getting things ready to go. It was a great way to get my camp week started.</div>
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When we got to camp, the kids headed into the cafeteria for orientation while several of us ladies stayed at the cabins (or dorms or whatever you want to call them) and unloaded luggage from the trailers. Then, we helped the kids get settled into their bunks. Making beds for 20+ little girls is a big job. There were 4 other moms in my cabin. I had talked with them some at church, on facebook, and one mom is even in our homeschool group, but I didn't really feel like I knew any of them well. That was definitely going to change! I have to say that those four ladies are some of the funniest ladies I have ever met. We laughed so much!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQtbbp08WKh2N1xRzco7AbGazPuguUJJ8lmMADdPRP9mlijZOpGFTGR_0PhlxejZcmmhc-2hferH8NbKTnURLdzwoW0DJut4WN2qL3vynZNbTMT711QJLC6nFj90faL1rBDsdMwGDdQ/s1600/camp+day+1+029.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQtbbp08WKh2N1xRzco7AbGazPuguUJJ8lmMADdPRP9mlijZOpGFTGR_0PhlxejZcmmhc-2hferH8NbKTnURLdzwoW0DJut4WN2qL3vynZNbTMT711QJLC6nFj90faL1rBDsdMwGDdQ/s320/camp+day+1+029.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheyenne took this picture of me from her top bunk on day one. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I told you a little about how we spent our camp days in my last post. Remember the picture of Landon playing the game with the cotton balls on his nose? Well, I failed to mention that there was also a competition each night between the leaders of each team. Again, not in my comfort zone AT ALL. I try really hard not to draw attention to myself (in person anyway. Online is a different story-ha!) But when you're standing in front of 100 kids and your team is cheering you on, it tends to draw attention to you. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is me on day one playing the oreo game. You had to move the oreo from your forehead into your mouth using only your facial muscles. I'm not sure if it was legal for me to have my hands up there or not, but after I dropped the first one within 30 seconds, I wasn't taking any chances.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily, I had an awesome teammate who gave me some good advice for round two. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Each night, one team was eliminated from the competition. Wouldn't you know, our team stayed in the whole week, so I got lots of chances to get out of my comfort zone and in front of the group.</div>
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There were so many more amazing things that happened during that week, more than I could ever fit into one post. Times I felt loved, accepted, appreciated, and valued just for being who I am. Times I did things that I never thought I would do. </div>
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One night, as I was walking to my van at the end of the night-way later than I should have been leaving-a group of ladies pulled up in an ATV. I won't give away their identities, but it was 4 of these lovely ladies (you know who you are!) </div>
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They told me that they had found something cool that I needed to see and asked me to jump in with them. When I got in, they said "put on your seatbelt." Uh-oh! As soon as I was buckled up, the <strike>crazy</strike> driver hit the gas and we took off. It was a crazy, fast, bumpy, buggy ride (I think they really just wanted me in the front seat as a bugshield!). If I had known what they were up to, I NEVER would have gotten in. But it was SO MUCH FUN! I haven't laughed like that in so long! After a few minutes of fun, we switched drivers and took off again. I think the second driver was a little <strike>crazier</strike> faster than the first. At the end of her turn, she pulled back up to the parking lot by my van, got out, and said "Your turn!" I tried to resist, but when they started chanting my name (peer pressure anyone?), I gave in. I still can't believe I drove that thing! We somehow managed to make it back to the van in once piece. I headed home and they headed back to the cabin. (Thank you, ladies, you'll never know how much that little buggy ride meant to me!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here they are showing their true colors-hahaha!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Everything that happened that week was fun and I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. But, the best part didn't come until the last night during the evening service. At the end of the service, Pastor B. asked the leaders to come to the front as the kids came forward for prayer. I had the opportunity to pray over several kids, something I had never done before except little bedtime prayers or at mealtime with my own kids. I don't know that I was very eloquent in my prayers or that I even did it right, but I do know that it doesn't matter because I did it from my heart. I can't even describe the feeling I had that night! </div>
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After we were home and I had a chance to reflect back on my week at camp, I realized that the things I had prayed over my kids for their camp week turned out to be the things that God chose to bless me with. Health, safety, fun all were a part of my camp week. But the most amazing thing to me was that He chose to give to ME the two specific requests that I prayed for my kids on that Wednesday night before camp-frienship and confidence.</div>
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And I will never be the same!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN22oZhjp4tqPyMwRZY16iShZZjODUXUEx4iPUi1i7ICSdMLTNwT-qUYHq1slRubRQoX9oT7hDOJkEfUv1nJr0rJcWsNjDPvZc-aWq7X1hqGJ3Tj_SQwQmGquQjqaC2t11_0vadPdLw/s1600/599110_483258555033668_606998584_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQtbbp08WKh2N1xRzco7AbGazPuguUJJ8lmMADdPRP9mlijZOpGFTGR_0PhlxejZcmmhc-2hferH8NbKTnURLdzwoW0DJut4WN2qL3vynZNbTMT711QJLC6nFj90faL1rBDsdMwGDdQ/s1600/camp+day+1+029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-91068265957205113332012-07-09T23:58:00.000-05:002012-07-09T23:58:05.602-05:00Camp WOW!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8qZ5_xVsyImI7FdHiMyQCeDFnnJOyLqUxz2gZhYdxiDDqhGLoWK6wVComrsdr3Uyb8tgPf6TYz4xxZot5c2QTMdL3RxQlXH3Ev9rM84PaJ0-gvgYwr4ksmU7DU-zywGUU3r5FkWSEw/s1600/camp+day+2+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Last month, the kids and I went to church camp.It was so much fun! Camp Wow-which stands for Walk on Water-definitely lives up to its name. We all had a blast! The girls went to camp last year, but this was Landon's first time and my first experience with being an adult "sponsor". It was an amazing experience and I'm so thankful we had the opportunity to go. Here is just a little of the fun we had.</div>
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The kids were divided into six teams. On the first day, we met with our groups and came up with a team name and a cheer. My team was the Purple Champs. Landon was on the Orange Cheetahs (also affectionately known as the Orange Cheetohs). Sierra's team was the Green Angels. Cheyenne was on the Blue Thunder team. We also had the Black Rolling Thunder team, and the Red Lightning. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span>Each day, we met with our team for morning devotions, to work together
on the low ropes course, and to compete against the other teams in rec
games. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">While we were having kids' camp on one side of the campground, the teens were having youth camp on the other side. It was basically two camps going on at the same time, although we did overlap with them a little during mealtime. Dakota was at youth camp while the rest of us were at
kids' camp, so I didn't see her much. Their teams were named with
letters from the Greek Alphabet. I believe she was on Zeta Phi. Next year, I'm going to have to make sure I go over there and get some pictures of her, too.</span></div>
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(Most of these pics aren't mine. Thanks so much to our pastor's awesome wife, Shinista, for letting me use her pictures!) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xqYHFXy4AyTcJq4OQ5h5W_vAM1_mQCMv7_gP4KregHg_rPTKB6s7X2ycGFdXAB11wy9JrCcOOLYzRnUk1lcNQFUQ5LEKoqcYko_nuNJmTOQrsjy8SEiK1rmcVPhLmRjlWJ7ImSeZmg/s1600/206117_483280558364801_1422229042_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xqYHFXy4AyTcJq4OQ5h5W_vAM1_mQCMv7_gP4KregHg_rPTKB6s7X2ycGFdXAB11wy9JrCcOOLYzRnUk1lcNQFUQ5LEKoqcYko_nuNJmTOQrsjy8SEiK1rmcVPhLmRjlWJ7ImSeZmg/s320/206117_483280558364801_1422229042_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the spider web. The challenge was to get your entire team through to the other side only using each hole once. Harder than it sounds when you have first and second graders as the majority of your team-ha!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC22_c2mqwx_VU1mO98R9AdDod9PAjeMdSJ3ldA-aUT2o12m44UkwckdD4v1Iq-MauuOSqUdZ551AvpNagHapp0q4RtKSVkYVT7cZWC7SlOUc6kFcq5r9gmd_Gh4jQz1IrgJ6Ou33pUA/s1600/521558_485461194813404_1393205392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC22_c2mqwx_VU1mO98R9AdDod9PAjeMdSJ3ldA-aUT2o12m44UkwckdD4v1Iq-MauuOSqUdZ551AvpNagHapp0q4RtKSVkYVT7cZWC7SlOUc6kFcq5r9gmd_Gh4jQz1IrgJ6Ou33pUA/s320/521558_485461194813404_1393205392_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Landon doing the trust fall. I remember doing it when I was in high school. It's an amazing feeling when they catch you.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDT3Nc1JTqgmC4pvv0zFWyb0TzeletXlBCv9T0imYoKX_PiVfX2iYkQ6IMX9LffYgUJpPJxTNubmA27Tvx9PyFbTx7rBO_NbxsphN5-U1vc2-ucrNpIGRoTqVxPL5gcgx712IFaIT3Qg/s1600/534310_483266145032909_255977766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDT3Nc1JTqgmC4pvv0zFWyb0TzeletXlBCv9T0imYoKX_PiVfX2iYkQ6IMX9LffYgUJpPJxTNubmA27Tvx9PyFbTx7rBO_NbxsphN5-U1vc2-ucrNpIGRoTqVxPL5gcgx712IFaIT3Qg/s320/534310_483266145032909_255977766_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's my team doing the trust fall. This one wasn't sure she wanted to do it after she got up there and saw how high it was. It took a little convincing but she did it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzpEjOhdUAQcN7QYdMQ75gkUwE2CMg4NLWbuyeLFun95B58mGhYkt8uZsAl-JsNiT7g2LTXaMWcSvmOuXytdDxuE-rz1YM3FABjxmFYMfnAkldxxIdKpzoyhpQ12kfc8fJ3_9_xzHRg/s1600/556573_485458094813714_1528596159_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzpEjOhdUAQcN7QYdMQ75gkUwE2CMg4NLWbuyeLFun95B58mGhYkt8uZsAl-JsNiT7g2LTXaMWcSvmOuXytdDxuE-rz1YM3FABjxmFYMfnAkldxxIdKpzoyhpQ12kfc8fJ3_9_xzHRg/s320/556573_485458094813714_1528596159_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Sierra and her friend on the trust vee. There are two wires in a vee shape. As it gets wider, you have to lean on one another more and more to keep your balance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IqDctebdIb5d4D7fgsVNIrGI-bIXXII4Q-T7uWPNmC5SjuwoVAdjIhqlscYWDPUNXBYs0hy87O7JkYKufx6DnlQ9xLnNTUcK8DFq7Dh-clO-mk1RN8gj-ADeRvn5ZhJw0gCYid6l-w/s1600/599707_483271515032372_247670651_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3IqDctebdIb5d4D7fgsVNIrGI-bIXXII4Q-T7uWPNmC5SjuwoVAdjIhqlscYWDPUNXBYs0hy87O7JkYKufx6DnlQ9xLnNTUcK8DFq7Dh-clO-mk1RN8gj-ADeRvn5ZhJw0gCYid6l-w/s320/599707_483271515032372_247670651_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's Cheyenne's team (she's on the left in the black shirt) playing Giant Soccer. The staff member who was in charge of this game was so much fun! During the game, she would randomly yell out "mooing". The kids had to drop to their hands and knees and moo like cows. They could win their team spirit points for this. I'm proud to say that our team won the spirit points for our game.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7w8-96jmhqByLzSFo7-657OMI9meKWVUxf1phrd8NmygxGUwLqZxQodSjmx0hus_LgoU6hTJR-QEWx8woXOQ2C3SabB14yG8U2tu4334_eUu2Je3anV8w8XweuM_ofikTJ1sUiZbbA/s1600/camp+day+2+058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7w8-96jmhqByLzSFo7-657OMI9meKWVUxf1phrd8NmygxGUwLqZxQodSjmx0hus_LgoU6hTJR-QEWx8woXOQ2C3SabB14yG8U2tu4334_eUu2Je3anV8w8XweuM_ofikTJ1sUiZbbA/s320/camp+day+2+058.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to balance this giant seesaw was tricky. The first day we tried, it didn't work very well because everyone wanted to be the person in middle and the kids on the ends kept moving around. The second time, though, they got the idea and we were able to balance it.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Once rec games were over, we had a little bit of down time before the
kids had their afternoon free time. During free time, they could play
basketball, volleyball, go to the snack shack, or go to the rock
wall/zip line.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNqAZtBv1yG0AdnJQ1ZpvX5o6MA8vyXz9CGYtliIaCpn8LQQPf0Jvgl7tuKq85RFboPq9WXtp1xLlU_h9Gf-azaJXF18q8QeKfednzEdavqh7NYCAcWwncejWZ_Ky0rrjtAKaLh7bOw/s1600/camp+day+1+013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNqAZtBv1yG0AdnJQ1ZpvX5o6MA8vyXz9CGYtliIaCpn8LQQPf0Jvgl7tuKq85RFboPq9WXtp1xLlU_h9Gf-azaJXF18q8QeKfednzEdavqh7NYCAcWwncejWZ_Ky0rrjtAKaLh7bOw/s320/camp+day+1+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheyenne hanging out in the cabin on the first day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg80_6Yhf_RospInoGNKbC94xKDCaaP_jmBYRojPFu9WWdfgSvGhi19ovksLBM-rjtCliLiuNHBkPp35ifjRroNwEyGxd3BJGqVw1p8y4OJq3zoE73UFT6WBnVs9m8BFV0ksaRTZXAtw/s1600/389175_483263278366529_525351958_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg80_6Yhf_RospInoGNKbC94xKDCaaP_jmBYRojPFu9WWdfgSvGhi19ovksLBM-rjtCliLiuNHBkPp35ifjRroNwEyGxd3BJGqVw1p8y4OJq3zoE73UFT6WBnVs9m8BFV0ksaRTZXAtw/s320/389175_483263278366529_525351958_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra's favorite place to be during free time was the volleyball court, but not to play volleyball. This girls LOVES to play in the sand!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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I didn't get a picture of the rock wall and zip line, but it was a favorite! All four of my kids did it at least once. When it's your turn for the rock wall, you can choose the easy wall, hard wall, ladder, or cargo net for going up. You also can choose to climb the power pole.</div>
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The first day, I was in the cabin when Cheyenne decided to climb the power pole. When she told me about it, I promised her that if she did it again the next day, I would come watch and take pictures. She did it and it was awesome! I was so proud of her!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLalattdbtRx2OPDto5CodRt5pnOf_LYG0InNaIFqPELC19Ux_41kC3LqwdO_7yHTa7JNfWi_PtQBVc_RHrl9noJzjdeuUCq_MK79AWjO9wzr8Cvbhz5SiOLCw9wKi0Mw-S5e-3H2ELQ/s1600/camp+day+2+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRym2AV5L0NuON3gLlKwuKLK74ana_hC_6NaunCDxNGcc2Tc0KfSwFDBCFbCGFPA_O2BOzIMKdKIwp6l-4oufe5Y21jBvazn4lynygXO_A0phqi-kJtfbqJ60sISjLT8sE0rN5TBBeLw/s1600/camp+day+2+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRym2AV5L0NuON3gLlKwuKLK74ana_hC_6NaunCDxNGcc2Tc0KfSwFDBCFbCGFPA_O2BOzIMKdKIwp6l-4oufe5Y21jBvazn4lynygXO_A0phqi-kJtfbqJ60sISjLT8sE0rN5TBBeLw/s320/camp+day+2+075.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That thing is so tall! I don't think I would ever have the nerve to do it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EK1yR8g57wb7LstjXV0FZGg9p-yhQvYg0k4O2rhg6iMIhdh50qO4Tv6GkA8M39otOfoyaS6mxfJWwysUi24HlomyZ82BBjueY-1BwevSix-w91UQLuRZW5YTuHXkj2KtCxhDVF51Tg/s1600/camp+day+2+080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6EK1yR8g57wb7LstjXV0FZGg9p-yhQvYg0k4O2rhg6iMIhdh50qO4Tv6GkA8M39otOfoyaS6mxfJWwysUi24HlomyZ82BBjueY-1BwevSix-w91UQLuRZW5YTuHXkj2KtCxhDVF51Tg/s320/camp+day+2+080.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once you get to the top, you have to balance on the tip top of it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcU_n4rptPYSZHxlgoPQmYADAmAQDNd_5HfuX0q73cn9X7nc9J9uytpcQh1WlntJgqDmWRsaGfTGe9AWNvjXMR8KeJk0SAOCzIEGlmYhiCdQR5PlP9unCp-byaKhjZx-3zKB6xzxk-Q/s1600/camp+day+2+083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcU_n4rptPYSZHxlgoPQmYADAmAQDNd_5HfuX0q73cn9X7nc9J9uytpcQh1WlntJgqDmWRsaGfTGe9AWNvjXMR8KeJk0SAOCzIEGlmYhiCdQR5PlP9unCp-byaKhjZx-3zKB6xzxk-Q/s320/camp+day+2+083.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She said it was really shaky at the top.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5tqtkLpSvJ40omZ-mMeA74vEoUitIJLQvLdCA_41ttj37zUkSyQr2M6z3sNlpo79Dj3eiHWXBKsJ0Bswy64NKZTokIxxiGuQgTflqp5cGZadezY1o8UgfwAduaxIHo5Dpln4Cii8qw/s1600/camp+day+2+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5tqtkLpSvJ40omZ-mMeA74vEoUitIJLQvLdCA_41ttj37zUkSyQr2M6z3sNlpo79Dj3eiHWXBKsJ0Bswy64NKZTokIxxiGuQgTflqp5cGZadezY1o8UgfwAduaxIHo5Dpln4Cii8qw/s320/camp+day+2+086.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just getting to the top was a huge accomplishment, but she didn't just climb it...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNGbt5CXiyl-1dBPzHJg0WHTh8OioJle0tw286XYVPdidBBgGcculKMGGQ4CCQ2JS8wGGZqzgdaTMQ_4ibomej60IewnL0Qmkxf3obAj7lQljPeRwxKIRMMIjUc7eiRX1wO5sUi2dgQ/s1600/camp+day+2+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGNGbt5CXiyl-1dBPzHJg0WHTh8OioJle0tw286XYVPdidBBgGcculKMGGQ4CCQ2JS8wGGZqzgdaTMQ_4ibomej60IewnL0Qmkxf3obAj7lQljPeRwxKIRMMIjUc7eiRX1wO5sUi2dgQ/s320/camp+day+2+087.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She jumped off! She missed the bar by just a few inches. If she had been a tiny bit taller, she would have had it. I still can't believe she did it! She's much braver than I am!</td></tr>
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After rec games, it was time for the water front. The lake at Camp Wow is so much fun! The kids can swim, zip line into the water, go down the water slide, swim out to the platform and jump off the diving board, go on the "blob", or ride the tube behind the jet ski. I didn't get any pictures because I was too busy swimming! I didn't brave any of the other things, but it was fun to watch. I think my kids' favorite thing was definitely the tube. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdECO6UO5z0hqcd7YCRRoISGgZcq43WbfvBXhs_iBeLDOiORWIc-j-K5EV06MCMXl0rXqh6bTiVO4lfuYQRpTNzdWjtKgHzaKpX4VZZ76jf-QeP-MdReOfM-W2aWn1F62HTtGn1fMzOQ/s1600/camp+day+1+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdECO6UO5z0hqcd7YCRRoISGgZcq43WbfvBXhs_iBeLDOiORWIc-j-K5EV06MCMXl0rXqh6bTiVO4lfuYQRpTNzdWjtKgHzaKpX4VZZ76jf-QeP-MdReOfM-W2aWn1F62HTtGn1fMzOQ/s320/camp+day+1+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I did get this one picture of Cheyenne ready to head down to the waterfront the first day for the swim test. Everyone has to take the swim test on the first day to see whether or not you have to wear a life jacket in the deep areas. I was pleasantly surprised when I actually passed the test. It's been a very long time since I have swam that far.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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All the games and activities were super fun, but the real reason we were there was to help kids grow closer to God. Each day, we began the morning with a short worship service and each evening we had another service after dinner. I loved getting to worship with the kids at camp! It touched my heart every day.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8qZ5_xVsyImI7FdHiMyQCeDFnnJOyLqUxz2gZhYdxiDDqhGLoWK6wVComrsdr3Uyb8tgPf6TYz4xxZot5c2QTMdL3RxQlXH3Ev9rM84PaJ0-gvgYwr4ksmU7DU-zywGUU3r5FkWSEw/s1600/camp+day+2+008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN8qZ5_xVsyImI7FdHiMyQCeDFnnJOyLqUxz2gZhYdxiDDqhGLoWK6wVComrsdr3Uyb8tgPf6TYz4xxZot5c2QTMdL3RxQlXH3Ev9rM84PaJ0-gvgYwr4ksmU7DU-zywGUU3r5FkWSEw/s320/camp+day+2+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheyenne and her friend waiting for service to begin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86ZPiK6WK4XFk_cLLqMCSV5q4g4hh0CvXiHiEgbH1bfoyTq9r_mHrjy9__UGKhCqT_InCvoZ1HJLWq-czlR_kMzLzB2Z0zpKlTgepptBoPxCNGpG94ptfh13lP_eFqme070-RrKV3rA/s1600/527619_483275425031981_1006622257_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86ZPiK6WK4XFk_cLLqMCSV5q4g4hh0CvXiHiEgbH1bfoyTq9r_mHrjy9__UGKhCqT_InCvoZ1HJLWq-czlR_kMzLzB2Z0zpKlTgepptBoPxCNGpG94ptfh13lP_eFqme070-RrKV3rA/s320/527619_483275425031981_1006622257_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids worshiping God together (that's me at the back on the left). Can you see Landon down front? He's the one with both hands in the air.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB17txeNul2BFDS0HpMBFJpZLHb1cjB0g2G45izSpdlAIQgzlPa-wiQK2e-18mxwBhqj5iL5UBbvgpsC5bhnEBFXhvlki5oz2RP_bk76_dP_lFMFi9gWppA2_EKVaI75eRA08yoCzZ9Q/s1600/550449_483277301698460_1894167957_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB17txeNul2BFDS0HpMBFJpZLHb1cjB0g2G45izSpdlAIQgzlPa-wiQK2e-18mxwBhqj5iL5UBbvgpsC5bhnEBFXhvlki5oz2RP_bk76_dP_lFMFi9gWppA2_EKVaI75eRA08yoCzZ9Q/s320/550449_483277301698460_1894167957_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the beginning of each service, there was a boys against girls ice breaker game. For this one, Landon had pertroleum jelly on his nose and had to use it to pick up cotton balls and move them to the other end of the stage. It was too funny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hhNCcUyNHRAL4AnOpcqmKLzZWLMt6_WODYvhYFiiX9znqZNM9AFj3yIHefZVR_4Yg84vCUoCP_aWuF9No0A_RFZyIhzLbwyFJ03A053ObjIDkKftj9ZeuMWTb3d-IJ3UDmRSzaQy_g/s1600/camp+day+2+090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_hhNCcUyNHRAL4AnOpcqmKLzZWLMt6_WODYvhYFiiX9znqZNM9AFj3yIHefZVR_4Yg84vCUoCP_aWuF9No0A_RFZyIhzLbwyFJ03A053ObjIDkKftj9ZeuMWTb3d-IJ3UDmRSzaQy_g/s320/camp+day+2+090.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best part of every day.</td></tr>
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I had such an amazing time at camp (have I mentioned that already?). I think I had more fun than the kids! I can't wait to go again next year!</div>
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<br /></div>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-13563577739202907802012-07-06T00:02:00.000-05:002012-07-06T00:02:11.640-05:004th of July<div style="text-align: center;">
Where in the world did June go? This summer is flying by! We're still plugging away on the end of our school year, but there's finally a light at the end of the tunnel. Landon, Sierra, and Cheyenne have finished their math books, Sierra just finished Language Arts, Landon has two days left of reading, and Dakota has just about 4 days left in her math book. We officially still have 28 days left that we'll be filling with science and history along with some reading and math games.</div>
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Our 4th of July celebration was a little different this year. Daniel found out on Saturday that he was going to be leaving Sunday evening on a two week trip for work. (He ended up only being gone 5 days! Yea!) Since he wouldn't be here on the 4th, we celebrated with him on Saturday night.</div>
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We started with a trip to the fireworks stand. The kids had fun picking out their own little bagful of fireworks. It was funny to see their different personalities when it comes to spending money. A couple of them went through and bought whatever they saw that looked cool until their money was gone and a couple of them worked really hard to get as much as they could for their money. They all ended up with some pretty cool stuff.</div>
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We came home and hung out a while until it started to cool off a little. Daniel fired up the grill and cooked us some yummy hot dogs for dinner. While we were waiting for dinner, we played with a few of the daytime fireworks. </div>
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We did some snakes,</div>
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sent up some satellites,</div>
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(boots and shorts-he dressed himself!)</div>
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ran through some smoke bombs,</div>
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and made a huge streamer mess with party poppers.</div>
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After dinner and dishes it was dark enough for the fun stuff.</div>
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I took about a million pictures of the kids playing with sparklers. Here are a few of my favorites.</div>
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I love this picture of Sierra!</div>
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Sunday morning, we all went to church. It was the first time in a really long time that Daniel's been able to go with us, so it was extra special. After church, we went to Grandma Debbie's house for lunch and homemade ice cream. We hung out there until it was time to drop Daniel off for his trip. </div>
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On Wednesday, we started our celebration with some "fireworks" pancakes. Yum!</div>
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I'm trying to get us through these last few weeks of school as soon as possible, so I didn't want to miss a day for the holiday. We did a 4th of July version of our school day. We spent most of the day watching a documentary about the Revolution and talking about it. Then, we did some 4th of July worksheets and coloring pages and watched a video of God Bless America on Youtube.</div>
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At lunch time, I tried a version of the red, white, and blue drink I've been seeing all over <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a> . I used slightly different ingredients, so mine didn't turn out quite as cool as the examples, but they weren't bad. Cheyenne told me they tasted like gummy worms. Mmmmmm!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9X0fXrccno71dxV1oSJJ8Re4bj8cCwJr5Qfdfx-_MYVkzqAAq68rEj5DeNOD3VuGVP75c6jhLqRbm_DyjlaSv9G_d9S_oy-y0KVAdgRnVfttJtGEfcL5fMz88jOwsGqq8Nh-4qoJPCA/s1600/4th+of+july+034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9X0fXrccno71dxV1oSJJ8Re4bj8cCwJr5Qfdfx-_MYVkzqAAq68rEj5DeNOD3VuGVP75c6jhLqRbm_DyjlaSv9G_d9S_oy-y0KVAdgRnVfttJtGEfcL5fMz88jOwsGqq8Nh-4qoJPCA/s320/4th+of+july+034.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's a version without the red.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0u7xjRteM07FD63mCM_HGfVhwIz0R2qibvAyb5h1JZd3_Ag0l_2m0gHVnK4x-ySUFA4giW9FGMOEYXf-9bz7iRViWgz1QL9G0lh09VBIUJlUZCOz_CizQDEZ3wtBUTa3ElaNUIacaQ/s1600/4th+of+july+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU0u7xjRteM07FD63mCM_HGfVhwIz0R2qibvAyb5h1JZd3_Ag0l_2m0gHVnK4x-ySUFA4giW9FGMOEYXf-9bz7iRViWgz1QL9G0lh09VBIUJlUZCOz_CizQDEZ3wtBUTa3ElaNUIacaQ/s320/4th+of+july+035.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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That evening, we headed out with Grandma Debbie to watch the fireworks at the fairgrounds. It was crazy because we somehow missed the memo that they were changing the location of where they were going to set the fireworks off. For years, they have set them up on the softball fields to the west of the expo center, so we were all set up to watch them there. When it got dark, there were fireworks going off behind us. It's not unusual for people to bring their own fireworks and set them off while they're waiting for the big show, so we didn't really pay attention the them for the first few minutes. We finally realized that they weren't stopping and figured out what had happened. We missed the first 5 or so minutes (well, I think the kids actually were watching them, just the adults missed them) but the rest of the show was great!</div>
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When the fireworks were over, all the kids loaded up with Grandma Debbie to spend the night at her house and I went home to a very quiet house.</div>
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We missed Daniel a lot, but we had a pretty good day. </div>
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What kinds of fun things did you do with your family for the 4th?</div>
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I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!</div>
TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-72863204379454284162012-06-10T18:24:00.000-05:002012-06-10T18:29:17.797-05:00Country fun-planting pumpkins and watermelons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some of you may remember a few years ago when we decided to <a href="http://howaretheharmons.blogspot.com/2009/06/our-garden.html">plant a garden</a> and <a href="http://howaretheharmons.blogspot.com/2009/07/our-garden-update.html">ended up with</a> a <a href="http://howaretheharmons.blogspot.com/2009/08/another-garden-update.html">pumpkin patch</a> instead. Well, we've been saving the seeds from our pumpkins since then and finally decided that this was the year we were going to plant them. </div>
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While we were working on school work one morning, Daniel went down and started preparing the garden spot. Then, in the afternoon, we all loaded up in the buggy and went to help finish smoothing things out and get rid of rocks and sticks. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCoPn56RPpxNhKFIKSUe-ISt8dVea9gexzwEvd7z3UjUP2bX3dlffAU9AWLkvmpSfnAH2O6FTWgcSd72iu5qRKh3c-ZxZn9R5WNWzcBR2msATJ4JWpVuMtwyBVq2g0NXTLux8DWLvYA/s1600/graduation+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCoPn56RPpxNhKFIKSUe-ISt8dVea9gexzwEvd7z3UjUP2bX3dlffAU9AWLkvmpSfnAH2O6FTWgcSd72iu5qRKh3c-ZxZn9R5WNWzcBR2msATJ4JWpVuMtwyBVq2g0NXTLux8DWLvYA/s320/graduation+028.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAUbSrY12mTtjlAyIaGrh8SqD7s5MkmyNXUMhBsy0VVPzIYotJVtY24CQ88KnYgt5wscZhraZOhHrlAMblE-ruSLbMKHj9qav5UJIFLniKgxJI8pY7KllYwE7EADwwwwA3z5mpOn0aQ/s1600/graduation+033.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAUbSrY12mTtjlAyIaGrh8SqD7s5MkmyNXUMhBsy0VVPzIYotJVtY24CQ88KnYgt5wscZhraZOhHrlAMblE-ruSLbMKHj9qav5UJIFLniKgxJI8pY7KllYwE7EADwwwwA3z5mpOn0aQ/s320/graduation+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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Here's the "before" view of our pumpkin patch. Just a tiny bit bigger than the last time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvA2l1O8T40syIjkkrRM1ISIpdeH5DW5Jepo845MkxQ04QZqXKII3OMNOy8_c_8aM5M9pArG2DVbOpMTM0DLaIIG-UX9kMdmFM32eSddPxkll3LUH6YlaLJc_flEYSF7fQIqowfpA_g/s1600/graduation+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvA2l1O8T40syIjkkrRM1ISIpdeH5DW5Jepo845MkxQ04QZqXKII3OMNOy8_c_8aM5M9pArG2DVbOpMTM0DLaIIG-UX9kMdmFM32eSddPxkll3LUH6YlaLJc_flEYSF7fQIqowfpA_g/s320/graduation+030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We made a few rounds with Daniel in the buggy and then hopped out to watch while he finished up.</div>
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...you might be a redneck. Ha! Whatever works.</div>
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While we were waiting, the kids took pictures next to this big machine thingy. Not sure what it's called, but it's big and it's cool.</div>
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Here's a view from the other end.</div>
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Butter was on hand to supervise.</div>
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Once Daniel had everything nice and smooth, it was time for the kids to get busy ridding the garden of rocks and sticks. I really wanted to help, but I couldn't. SOMEONE had to operate the camera!</div>
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This poor tree became the target for flying rocks and sticks.</div>
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Sierra kept coming over and saying, "Take my picture with this one!" So I did.</div>
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With all the seeds we had saved from our first "garden" plus the seeds we saved from our Halloween pumpkins last year, we must have planted about a million pumpkin seeds. We also bought some seeds for white pumpkins (casper, I think) and a couple of kinds of watermelons. Yum!</div>
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Daniel's grandma said later that she thought maybe you're not supposed to plant watermelons next to pumpkins because the watermelons will take on the flavor of the pumpkins. Oops! I guess we'll find out!<br />
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<br />TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-88358030538092393182012-06-07T22:26:00.000-05:002012-06-08T06:39:15.280-05:00Graduation/promotion<div style="text-align: center;">
A couple of weekends ago, our homeschool group had a graduation/promotion ceremony to celebrate the end of the school year. It was an exciting day for us because Dakota graduated from 8th grade! It's so hard to believe that I'll have a high schooler next year. I know these next few years are going to fly by. My prayer is that I will remember to take the time to enjoy them before they're gone.</div>
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I'm so disappointed with the pictures I got. My camera's batteries were dead, of course, so I was using Cheyenne's little camera. To make things even more difficult to shoot, my kids apparently were nervous and were moving a super speed so they could get off the stage as fast as possible. </div>
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Even though they are terrible, I'm going to share what I got anyway. You'll get the idea...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN06ffbScPTySv3BH13fMn1yZIFzatRkFCsmf9MPYp2Kaw9exda56NDEIUzCqZXx7zOHSNMxm9ssaFYfp0doVg_wVZPwlgJvO7TjAesaTAZSOh4FyZx-vkUFOPFbJjuakZx9ATQDq9rQ/s1600/graduation+006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN06ffbScPTySv3BH13fMn1yZIFzatRkFCsmf9MPYp2Kaw9exda56NDEIUzCqZXx7zOHSNMxm9ssaFYfp0doVg_wVZPwlgJvO7TjAesaTAZSOh4FyZx-vkUFOPFbJjuakZx9ATQDq9rQ/s320/graduation+006.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEbrD-oAjA07_hLrsFOKqW0sN-cUPW7tQcRPoWni90ms9HCv4aArTbWD2kiTtMAGGi8AEVxFnPSfHRwP5pMVUXpvoxI-X8E6KB7XPbOu9WOpLXTG2z9y1Wg088b18kk0574Gxa4gs1A/s1600/graduation+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrEbrD-oAjA07_hLrsFOKqW0sN-cUPW7tQcRPoWni90ms9HCv4aArTbWD2kiTtMAGGi8AEVxFnPSfHRwP5pMVUXpvoxI-X8E6KB7XPbOu9WOpLXTG2z9y1Wg088b18kk0574Gxa4gs1A/s320/graduation+011.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra did actually pause and smile, but very briefly. I couldn't quite get the focus right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheyenne stayed on stage the longest. At least it's mostly in focus.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Landon and Dakota were sitting next to me, so I did manage to at least get a picture of them with their certificates.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGrccVstZmF29YAJ7IGxeZIKPgabjcbM8R2Sk8sgWjrYhFL5M0RVGILhAsbELDBLGRfOkndKKzy-cC2A1pvWhFoIqNF5uXtgXJAzI0s1n5pI-DsEpOyknI283BaAqkPGw_ksIJnac9w/s1600/graduation+010.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGrccVstZmF29YAJ7IGxeZIKPgabjcbM8R2Sk8sgWjrYhFL5M0RVGILhAsbELDBLGRfOkndKKzy-cC2A1pvWhFoIqNF5uXtgXJAzI0s1n5pI-DsEpOyknI283BaAqkPGw_ksIJnac9w/s320/graduation+010.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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After the ceremony, there was a fun reception. We had a chance to sit and visit with some of the other moms and dads while the kids played in the indoor playground and the gym. I love spending time with our homeschool friends! </div>
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It's been so much fun to watch the group grow this year. When they started, there were four families. By the end of the year field trip, we had over 40 in attendance. 23 students participated in the graduation/promotion ceremony. I can't wait to see what next year holds! We're talking about some co-op classes and even more field trips. It's going to be so much fun!</div>
<br />I'm so proud of these kids! They've worked hard and learned a lot this year! <br />
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We still officially have 39 school days left before our (very) short summer break. The first week of September we will begin our new school year with a 9th grader, 6th grader, 3rd grader, and 2nd grader. Wow! I'm so thankful that I have the privilege of being their teacher and their mom! I wouldn't want to do anything else!</div>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-16642384843675505542012-05-17T22:57:00.000-05:002012-05-17T23:01:05.843-05:00The OTHER picturesLynnette over at <a href="http://www.lynnettekraft.com/">Dancing Again</a> is having a fun link-up today. The idea is to make a post using all those less-than-perfect pictures we all have that never seem to make it onto the blog. She says, "Let's show the less than perfect, goofy, strange, odd, and unusual side of the ones we love." Sounds like fun to me!<br />
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Apparently Sierra's invisible friend recently had a birthday.</div>
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Why my hair is suddenly turning gray...</div>
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I promise we feed her.</div>
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Cheyenne, why so blue?</div>
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I think they were both really excited to have their picture taken, don't you?</div>
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Wonder why no one sat by us...</div>
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Dakota looks a little concerned about her potential sparring partner!</div>
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I think he said yes! </div>
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You just can't take some people out in public! </div>
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Not sure if this is shocked, angry, or mid-sneeze. </div>
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Dakota giving a reenactment of how she felt during the 30 Hour Famine. </div>
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This is what she calls a "sassy pose".</div>
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So, now that you've had a good laugh at us, go over and check out <a href="http://lynnettekraft.com/2012/05/the-other-pictures-link-up.html">Lynnette's post</a>. She has some good ones! </div>
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<br />TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-34651703332241316822012-05-09T06:27:00.001-05:002012-05-09T06:27:45.234-05:00WW-Tag! You're It!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK1p5ibTD3hUPyICFhlXe3gm6zTxzX7Cg1uArC0GAIJXrxEz5nEvVfn9TCGsdCQ6uY_-wnJc9Srpsqt71fCA5ntbMbdDuEy8Gsi9cuMt5mauDGDyQWFKy8VVgQVyAWkbm3JJ_EBC-1A/s1600/renaissance+fair+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjK1p5ibTD3hUPyICFhlXe3gm6zTxzX7Cg1uArC0GAIJXrxEz5nEvVfn9TCGsdCQ6uY_-wnJc9Srpsqt71fCA5ntbMbdDuEy8Gsi9cuMt5mauDGDyQWFKy8VVgQVyAWkbm3JJ_EBC-1A/s320/renaissance+fair+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-12972463705219914042012-05-08T01:41:00.002-05:002012-05-08T01:41:49.934-05:00Fun-filled weekend<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZvoXdMF8IF9E5wfXJ9IFpGzJ8jGhLS1xAZoeprgk7nt4X4FOUkcMZkijFvA9C6-A-vqwQfYaPQka0jo1cK-tAWy-sJ6Ygn-3gx2XMBkOGEOn3HxjEgBiRuOQ9Ylld3GqN480yvQkWw/s1600/cake,+turtle,+etc+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>This weekend was a busy one, as usual. When we got home from the Renaissance Fair on Friday, we loaded Sierra and Cheyenne up for their camping trip with Grandpa and Grandma. They headed out for a weekend of playing in the sand dunes at <a href="http://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.4581">Little Sahara State Park</a>. </div>
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It was awfully quiet in our house with only 1/2 the kids at home!</div>
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Friday evening, Dakota and I went into town for her Tae Kwon Do class and to pick up some calizone for dinner. Yum!</div>
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Saturday morning, we had to get up early (for us) for Landon's 8:45 Tae Kwon Do class. As soon as class was over, we hurried downtown to get a good spot for the Armed Forces Day parade. Grandma Debbie and Dakota met us there. It was fun! There were lots of airplane and helicopter fly-overs, several bands, military vehicles, fire trucks, and more. Landon's favorite part was the candy. He got a ton! </div>
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When the parade was over, our group split up again. Grandma Debbie and Landon ventured out to the airport to check out the planes, helicopters, and kids' activities there, while Dakota and I went back to Tae Kwon Do (sometimes I feel like I should just bring my sleeping bag on Friday night and save a trip home. Ha!) Landon got to climb the rock wall for his first time ever. </div>
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We met up again for lunch, then Landon and I set out for home. It was Dakota's turn to spend the night with Grandma Debbie, so we were on our own for the rest of the afternoon.</div>
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I had already been warned by Landon that he didn't want to do any "lame stuff" while the girls were gone. My allergies were going crazy after two days of being outside in the wind, so we were limited to indoor activities. We decided to bake a cake.</div>
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Landon had so much fun! Usually, he has to take turns putting in ingredients or stirring. Without any sisters here to share with him, he got to do EVERYTHING himself. </div>
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Cracking the eggs is a big deal at our house. Usually the cake mix calls for 3 eggs, which is really hard to split between four kids-someone always gets left out. It was a great moment when he realized he got to crack all three eggs! It's all about the little things.</div>
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His reward for being such a great baker!</div>
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It came out great! </div>
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He even insisted on frosting it all by himself.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqg0zzLopaue-Sy7HL6O8KVwB2W9ZztN_c-sosNka9n8bqHiye3bw9Z1Tn0GQno7SKiDyXUcxipcjRGqw1w6uLgjWPhJ3u_rf5zx6jTncggAZs7XKrCo1Ji-lkMX4TpE2dWKiM568KA/s1600/cake,+turtle,+etc+030.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqg0zzLopaue-Sy7HL6O8KVwB2W9ZztN_c-sosNka9n8bqHiye3bw9Z1Tn0GQno7SKiDyXUcxipcjRGqw1w6uLgjWPhJ3u_rf5zx6jTncggAZs7XKrCo1Ji-lkMX4TpE2dWKiM568KA/s320/cake,+turtle,+etc+030.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Since we were already in the cooking mode, I also let him help me peel potatoes. My kids LOVE to peel potatoes and I don't take the time to let them do it often enough. It took twice as long and there were peels everywhere when we were finished, but it was worth it. </div>
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While I was finishing up dinner, Landon went out to play and ride the buggy with Daniel. </div>
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Sunday morning, Landon and I went out for breakfast together at McDonald's before church. We had a little extra time, so he played on the playground for a few minutes. There were a couple of little boys around his age to play with and they had so much fun! He doesn't get a chance to play with little boys very often! </div>
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It was a special day at church on Sunday-the new indoor playground was finally open. Landon and I spent about 10 minutes in there after church. It is so cool! </div>
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After church, there was more Tae Kwon Do and then we picked up a couple of tired, dirty little girls from Grandpa and Grandma's house. The kids played outside for a while until it was time for dinner. The camping girls had showers, and then we hung out in the living room eating popcorn and watching The Blind Side until bedtime. Sierra couldn't make it through the movie after so much fun. She fell asleep on the couch.</div>
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I love busy, fun weekends! For the past 4 weekends, one or more of the girls have spent at least one night away from home. I'm looking forward to having everyone together under one roof this weekend!</div>
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</div>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-63045670782267930502012-05-06T10:31:00.000-05:002012-05-06T10:31:00.308-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnDen_0ow56g5hcGQ3xhJVODkRfswkcuWgEtMvsLPEU90K3pM4QcshE4ibl7DM9rCVvY0QKMd8Lgn8H56tWOQ_0AhVZXMbnyiT-BP4S32KkndzheFxxe4b4AUAgMhludM-X-2IMB_tSg/s1600/renaissance+fair+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Friday, our homeschool group took a field trip to The Castle at Muskogee for the Renaissance Fair. We had a great time! We are definitely planning on going again next year!</div>
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When we arrived at the gates, we were greeted by members of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/RoyalGauntlet">The Royal Gauntlet</a> and their awesome birds of prey. It was so cool to see these beautiful animals up close.</div>
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We walked around and saw lots of cool things. The kids really liked watching this guy on stilts.</div>
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Everyone got to help with an oil painting. The artist said by the end of the day over 200 people would have helped with the painting. We looked for him when we were leaving, but he wasn't there. Wish we could've seen how it turned out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoMbNQJqUEJdFA42jw5g4Iv6_v9jzI8OVsV9DuzZkRgaN_SdWEjx63fD8eYdoSRbj9eynK0a4jM7uPsZqSK8yYvHNWP6F9AxIgcELgsp-7sD3UapEZYEM2LCb3DQmUMlLNtCwLx3VGw/s1600/renaissance+fair+024.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoMbNQJqUEJdFA42jw5g4Iv6_v9jzI8OVsV9DuzZkRgaN_SdWEjx63fD8eYdoSRbj9eynK0a4jM7uPsZqSK8yYvHNWP6F9AxIgcELgsp-7sD3UapEZYEM2LCb3DQmUMlLNtCwLx3VGw/s320/renaissance+fair+024.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6k49ySO5kl_v3HgkQbLerh4ykKuIzSAvjmw7q-IMNoinUqqgvgFyJB-F5tEFuB3NfEy8iLWM_ZFDlZO8z36FSt7Z5y6Prr2SilWB0FvTQm_c_MIl0WpO6PHqkPyu0_jqaVLP0AJ7-w/s1600/renaissance+fair+026.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6k49ySO5kl_v3HgkQbLerh4ykKuIzSAvjmw7q-IMNoinUqqgvgFyJB-F5tEFuB3NfEy8iLWM_ZFDlZO8z36FSt7Z5y6Prr2SilWB0FvTQm_c_MIl0WpO6PHqkPyu0_jqaVLP0AJ7-w/s320/renaissance+fair+026.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugDwwXpBKRnLUPH1_pwPA_OOB_k-Bg5s7FV1RxjSY8UK2IFMCVqAJ7lNtbkW_KTnZa-7HUsIHcpU8NVCGuejW9oqTyrkN6EugQKwa__vUyGU9aybumh-ifWEyBucxK4ee4WL9QJTz6Q/s1600/renaissance+fair+027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugDwwXpBKRnLUPH1_pwPA_OOB_k-Bg5s7FV1RxjSY8UK2IFMCVqAJ7lNtbkW_KTnZa-7HUsIHcpU8NVCGuejW9oqTyrkN6EugQKwa__vUyGU9aybumh-ifWEyBucxK4ee4WL9QJTz6Q/s320/renaissance+fair+027.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx1GHkeIOJ1fpgRsiTxf2FSCgpniQ78NB1VEgeYdCOIUERYR-wo2KdvayoZ0G33IUAIM9oz86fbK_OHA4bg7lUdER9AGJ1shu6DqLzySBqV2P3sc7oVCxSzfljaPnKhnYo7IimbjK3Q/s1600/renaissance+fair+029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmx1GHkeIOJ1fpgRsiTxf2FSCgpniQ78NB1VEgeYdCOIUERYR-wo2KdvayoZ0G33IUAIM9oz86fbK_OHA4bg7lUdER9AGJ1shu6DqLzySBqV2P3sc7oVCxSzfljaPnKhnYo7IimbjK3Q/s320/renaissance+fair+029.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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They got a lesson on how to use the juggling sticks. Cheyenne was really good at it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6PeTFB5yLsY_mMhqAkWgu70_A2de-k_z6orNb924HIqRkCp2EOZzkmjsBLC5JzVWpGmAAK4mT1nzhUeLIz7QubsCNSAGk_Im3s2ky2vSo_sPs9TELNwxg1YpVaQCoQ_iMYu0CIzYWw/s1600/renaissance+fair+034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD6PeTFB5yLsY_mMhqAkWgu70_A2de-k_z6orNb924HIqRkCp2EOZzkmjsBLC5JzVWpGmAAK4mT1nzhUeLIz7QubsCNSAGk_Im3s2ky2vSo_sPs9TELNwxg1YpVaQCoQ_iMYu0CIzYWw/s320/renaissance+fair+034.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Then, we found a "real" knight. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMeWzt_wXluPk6gCTUWqHyZusRhMWdetQ_RB2n-ApZn_8x3BROOVwyLw4ojgC8LYlU_k7XYH41YVRprcDxuJDX0lUx_eo0E-csVWm9d4OCV8vLQZuLYNcupw4fW6OGpXnWxU-njkzMw/s1600/renaissance+fair+035.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMeWzt_wXluPk6gCTUWqHyZusRhMWdetQ_RB2n-ApZn_8x3BROOVwyLw4ojgC8LYlU_k7XYH41YVRprcDxuJDX0lUx_eo0E-csVWm9d4OCV8vLQZuLYNcupw4fW6OGpXnWxU-njkzMw/s320/renaissance+fair+035.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xFnGpt3TcIKBujxmQhL61H9X6izpzh6Qs3Ny-uY4Oi_GibB-5EijcRg2HohBTi9KZZ9Ns6hOoB6pzg9qdGlt5LBl9-6hoIoBAxy4YBlxUHS8ceAvGDVRfT1JYDI8KoBmkql3ZdEqew/s1600/renaissance+fair+036.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4xFnGpt3TcIKBujxmQhL61H9X6izpzh6Qs3Ny-uY4Oi_GibB-5EijcRg2HohBTi9KZZ9Ns6hOoB6pzg9qdGlt5LBl9-6hoIoBAxy4YBlxUHS8ceAvGDVRfT1JYDI8KoBmkql3ZdEqew/s320/renaissance+fair+036.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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We went into the castle where the kids sat on the king's throne. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA6bqLItBLVN9MugQ3z7YspYpYuNPrBp_T7JofIyvgWggVz4YrQk9sk1aRjrGSz-h5muNv0Z66ZB5NSURlTMBxVjFwfhh_wTxU_4OMhSFIYyb0KCMnVczlw43d8zPIQEHfxf-rqwzmg/s1600/renaissance+fair+039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA6bqLItBLVN9MugQ3z7YspYpYuNPrBp_T7JofIyvgWggVz4YrQk9sk1aRjrGSz-h5muNv0Z66ZB5NSURlTMBxVjFwfhh_wTxU_4OMhSFIYyb0KCMnVczlw43d8zPIQEHfxf-rqwzmg/s320/renaissance+fair+039.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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Then, they tried out the guillotine.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BlvWtVMD5IPTDYepLpqkKqYL99PjNRciUFVEM6qo3wt-o1lLx1WYfeDLky9Bp3HwoUKhH6LvGPwBDHpNHTRbVY4iW-_2Qr0FRVwSh4k_EqSKVbbhVQXScXVpPz5_pMZEngqCMqZw9Q/s1600/renaissance+fair+040.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BlvWtVMD5IPTDYepLpqkKqYL99PjNRciUFVEM6qo3wt-o1lLx1WYfeDLky9Bp3HwoUKhH6LvGPwBDHpNHTRbVY4iW-_2Qr0FRVwSh4k_EqSKVbbhVQXScXVpPz5_pMZEngqCMqZw9Q/s320/renaissance+fair+040.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNM77WpYNkxbKhNYyUuyxv5_AB6DtEFjJyAqy4f65K0FZ0NCPEam8FQUUnsBT6DtV_DMBoDLssR9eyd2FH47jtCCI3F-S0Lu9N7UE-OItVrH3XTW87xY0wLTdNqjJsUQPJ-wT-6WfG3w/s1600/renaissance+fair+041.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNM77WpYNkxbKhNYyUuyxv5_AB6DtEFjJyAqy4f65K0FZ0NCPEam8FQUUnsBT6DtV_DMBoDLssR9eyd2FH47jtCCI3F-S0Lu9N7UE-OItVrH3XTW87xY0wLTdNqjJsUQPJ-wT-6WfG3w/s320/renaissance+fair+041.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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Back outside, we passed by the knights on horseback. They were going to be jousting later in the day. That is on our list of things to do when we come next year! Can't wait!</div>
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The kids were really interested in watching the potter. They sat and watched her for quite a while.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-b_pLadVAqntJ7O9Tf-OmyACQke8ukq2ER4Wem5oDogCesX_0hmJ2i_9p728RInXxhjtyioDeL5WPqcweb-pXHEAnPHstfj-NYjff4pyl5TsemXOKS7bhyphenhyphenzeL1Q9ALZusY99dEJYrg/s1600/renaissance+fair+049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-b_pLadVAqntJ7O9Tf-OmyACQke8ukq2ER4Wem5oDogCesX_0hmJ2i_9p728RInXxhjtyioDeL5WPqcweb-pXHEAnPHstfj-NYjff4pyl5TsemXOKS7bhyphenhyphenzeL1Q9ALZusY99dEJYrg/s320/renaissance+fair+049.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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As we were watching the potter, the Royal Family came by leading a parade!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYebN8GxLcOn-xZm3SyYuWbQOpp7KbmcYTdYXeQc0JADRmJytWL2TMI4efyS5UTM5isUVshlDMjQOq82yRCfXPfmA3a0CH4BlJzMqJNz0Abt-m_EEeMuQN5-jFsjVARV_mbZBWFLhCA/s1600/renaissance+fair+047.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYebN8GxLcOn-xZm3SyYuWbQOpp7KbmcYTdYXeQc0JADRmJytWL2TMI4efyS5UTM5isUVshlDMjQOq82yRCfXPfmA3a0CH4BlJzMqJNz0Abt-m_EEeMuQN5-jFsjVARV_mbZBWFLhCA/s320/renaissance+fair+047.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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We had time for a couple more things before we had to leave. </div>
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Rope making was fun!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwK2rx9fDJg2BWbdIRM2Rk0jwbnmqXWqfW_JXPgqqyNzW6Oj7VPKlcHj2ehwh7K4B4qemFfYTE-cKDPZjk5WPm6qkrx4z_ZpPxJGunMGa3IeIpeb640EM1Hg11m-lgaM_nX6HaYwE8w/s1600/renaissance+fair+050.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwK2rx9fDJg2BWbdIRM2Rk0jwbnmqXWqfW_JXPgqqyNzW6Oj7VPKlcHj2ehwh7K4B4qemFfYTE-cKDPZjk5WPm6qkrx4z_ZpPxJGunMGa3IeIpeb640EM1Hg11m-lgaM_nX6HaYwE8w/s320/renaissance+fair+050.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Landon got to try on some chain mail. I think he has a little more growing to do before it will fit!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiLKYDY-hhlwne2UwL4K5ZLz1kcrT9U7xHwKQU7GjVkjJ2irypp-KxiYNRBvGaJMnASQfl-Wjax6fW16yIPrbbOXWY_Hn8JpQreDh6i8AiYKpO5qtBdIdO-uSnV6tZqYahMtihp7NuQ/s1600/renaissance+fair+051.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiLKYDY-hhlwne2UwL4K5ZLz1kcrT9U7xHwKQU7GjVkjJ2irypp-KxiYNRBvGaJMnASQfl-Wjax6fW16yIPrbbOXWY_Hn8JpQreDh6i8AiYKpO5qtBdIdO-uSnV6tZqYahMtihp7NuQ/s320/renaissance+fair+051.jpg" width="240" /> </a></div>
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A couple of fun pictures, and it was time to go.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKBvNTU9juhCSjgutTLYDZ1fRp-3peFkOTOzzIvr-46SxpKyFjDgChcw8i769UJ4UFkAe2sOgkEKEZXtHkq4tnv9BtmQF1J_yU64_AwKr1jf_YKcFBKwVamMRgEjV1WGpwVFdcJ4SBw/s1600/renaissance+fair+052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaKBvNTU9juhCSjgutTLYDZ1fRp-3peFkOTOzzIvr-46SxpKyFjDgChcw8i769UJ4UFkAe2sOgkEKEZXtHkq4tnv9BtmQF1J_yU64_AwKr1jf_YKcFBKwVamMRgEjV1WGpwVFdcJ4SBw/s320/renaissance+fair+052.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQN88-O7QgVfN53iaRFj5cpNTUh_BRB5kMiMBGIpaYHmQVEbEncYru5Rk7hWfdCaTcEIpPxN_vIUBVsQKJnNOcW441HU-fRw9bUPJ3Z2ydnvDqpyYxvzfLH2zxmNdpMrZya6Zy_AmyVQ/s1600/renaissance+fair+053.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQN88-O7QgVfN53iaRFj5cpNTUh_BRB5kMiMBGIpaYHmQVEbEncYru5Rk7hWfdCaTcEIpPxN_vIUBVsQKJnNOcW441HU-fRw9bUPJ3Z2ydnvDqpyYxvzfLH2zxmNdpMrZya6Zy_AmyVQ/s320/renaissance+fair+053.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5GxM0oS3BzZNNo4VZL9Dc2jDK6Eaq2rxx_tl8K9u5BLwMJwVffPBH6qNKoS1uzWQ_hiXZ3eXvqqSsLdRnWgX2e0EXnTNGXv0cX-eBJvMQ0JthShFvU52Fr_TZhFRgKuHqtYxmDbUBQ/s1600/renaissance+fair+054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5GxM0oS3BzZNNo4VZL9Dc2jDK6Eaq2rxx_tl8K9u5BLwMJwVffPBH6qNKoS1uzWQ_hiXZ3eXvqqSsLdRnWgX2e0EXnTNGXv0cX-eBJvMQ0JthShFvU52Fr_TZhFRgKuHqtYxmDbUBQ/s320/renaissance+fair+054.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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What a fun day!</div>
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When we got home, Sierra and Cheyenne loaded up and headed out on their camping adventure with Grandpa and Grandma. I know they're going to have a great time. Sierra's been begging to go camping for months. She was so excited! I can't wait to here all about it when they get home!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y0e3eG_f5x3rUvFhyphenhypheniuIgE__f-N13Exzg-VzhJYi-6S-xspnlJpQ6yUu1JHUwp8wbnbI66_RZlcj8A_P6flPEzqX55OXkaCsLD0h9TxxRz8ZOMoZ4sP-xBwk1Aae7MppCcZ8eldLFQ/s1600/renaissance+fair+042.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Y0e3eG_f5x3rUvFhyphenhypheniuIgE__f-N13Exzg-VzhJYi-6S-xspnlJpQ6yUu1JHUwp8wbnbI66_RZlcj8A_P6flPEzqX55OXkaCsLD0h9TxxRz8ZOMoZ4sP-xBwk1Aae7MppCcZ8eldLFQ/s1600/renaissance+fair+042.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-79801519806633847352012-05-05T00:41:00.000-05:002012-05-05T00:41:00.727-05:00Mmmmmmoon phases!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBoV3KtRoq6HgHFoT3c8eciPi3ZXw5BZ_3KCH9KDZT-iSUNFMHjuZCtZPglfm96KplMCyJG4WNdZ-g0e-OdgZ_keN1GvaBJ7pogIZwJgtCKZqkmV3ZIQBJ2pg_uGGnth4ruGdCTKxfA/s1600/school+pics+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>In science, we are still learning about the solar system with Apologia Exploring Creation with Astrology. So far, we've learned about the sun, Mercury, Venus, and Earth. Now, we are studying Earth's moon. </div>
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Last week, we did a fun activity to help us remember the phases of the moon. I've seen this many times on Pinterest and couldn't wait to try it out with the kids!</div>
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All you need are some paper plates and a bag of chocolate cookies with cream filling. You can print labels for the phases from the computer like I did, or you can use a marker and write them directly on the plate. If I was only doing it with the older kids, I probably would have made them write the words themselves. For the sake of time with the younger ones, I decided to help them out a little.</div>
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First, glue the labels around the plate like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4n_3uRVgU8m_UvDUvFIro4oeV1lUQnJNlWAYFlQVChtRWw4bSWPTGsQfQh2-pyFpEmYoyNmqh1BNqMPgQO1mMfKrg310XPpOs1eUR2nPOk_ixBih9VgyzVP4suTfpHH6dnqE-bQM6A/s1600/school+pics+022.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4n_3uRVgU8m_UvDUvFIro4oeV1lUQnJNlWAYFlQVChtRWw4bSWPTGsQfQh2-pyFpEmYoyNmqh1BNqMPgQO1mMfKrg310XPpOs1eUR2nPOk_ixBih9VgyzVP4suTfpHH6dnqE-bQM6A/s320/school+pics+022.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBoV3KtRoq6HgHFoT3c8eciPi3ZXw5BZ_3KCH9KDZT-iSUNFMHjuZCtZPglfm96KplMCyJG4WNdZ-g0e-OdgZ_keN1GvaBJ7pogIZwJgtCKZqkmV3ZIQBJ2pg_uGGnth4ruGdCTKxfA/s1600/school+pics+020.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBoV3KtRoq6HgHFoT3c8eciPi3ZXw5BZ_3KCH9KDZT-iSUNFMHjuZCtZPglfm96KplMCyJG4WNdZ-g0e-OdgZ_keN1GvaBJ7pogIZwJgtCKZqkmV3ZIQBJ2pg_uGGnth4ruGdCTKxfA/s320/school+pics+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Next, take the cookies apart and shape the cream to look like each phase of the moon (the chocolate part represents the sky, the cream represents the moon). There are two methods of shaping the cream.</div>
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You can cut it into the correct shape like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV8p5mkyiETqo98JDSDryzu_CYQ7t8d4j9Y9N9GQQEgymJKeF8T18YO20S3G4ydIp0mNvlN2QVjF5cT19CfrE1hwyHyuEPgeYQu-w_2rZP8wS3eZ6VLwQl_VpTmEoehpVVwo8SfmSww/s1600/school+pics+025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV8p5mkyiETqo98JDSDryzu_CYQ7t8d4j9Y9N9GQQEgymJKeF8T18YO20S3G4ydIp0mNvlN2QVjF5cT19CfrE1hwyHyuEPgeYQu-w_2rZP8wS3eZ6VLwQl_VpTmEoehpVVwo8SfmSww/s320/school+pics+025.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Or, if you prefer, you can do it like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZcgbAQtq_wsilo8qhX2V1XhpxXMo3uYNJD5tWR4PDyWbe4o0vqNrtrXGKa332kvzsG7QP4DTeJKt1yL6nmjX3z1cnj78RHmo0EsaRwMG-ZXVN34R7UxU3BD6oS1WOyqpoApJYPUJcg/s1600/school+pics+028.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZcgbAQtq_wsilo8qhX2V1XhpxXMo3uYNJD5tWR4PDyWbe4o0vqNrtrXGKa332kvzsG7QP4DTeJKt1yL6nmjX3z1cnj78RHmo0EsaRwMG-ZXVN34R7UxU3BD6oS1WOyqpoApJYPUJcg/s320/school+pics+028.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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But, whatever you do, don't eat the leftover chocolate pieces yet. You might need them later if you break one. (guess I should have said that ahead of time.)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVni90DNRz1rNHTNVLxWSYzNbOCPHb_RXiYkMRAui_5SexCWTd0vRZA4viLNA7ehBT7xmC_7xF31D1e7YzOWuXwQQ5eT_-X87wlv4wiUDMZVvkUbd1v725eqyCxNO9hDe9PtnrcfKpQ/s1600/school+pics+029.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNVni90DNRz1rNHTNVLxWSYzNbOCPHb_RXiYkMRAui_5SexCWTd0vRZA4viLNA7ehBT7xmC_7xF31D1e7YzOWuXwQQ5eT_-X87wlv4wiUDMZVvkUbd1v725eqyCxNO9hDe9PtnrcfKpQ/s320/school+pics+029.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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When you get each cookie and cream shaped the way you want it, place it on the plate next to the correct label.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e-M15Itqsl7T3TBQiX5v9QI7j9tR4f0vhe55Btw0iFblu9RAAQbuwo2nHmB3ZvWnxgYVi9uvlymDZ8QGIP7yDBO8AH9QpDTxV4thCWhq-ECAFHBldMcFGtyC30-_GxwN46m8cBE7pA/s1600/school+pics+037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4e-M15Itqsl7T3TBQiX5v9QI7j9tR4f0vhe55Btw0iFblu9RAAQbuwo2nHmB3ZvWnxgYVi9uvlymDZ8QGIP7yDBO8AH9QpDTxV4thCWhq-ECAFHBldMcFGtyC30-_GxwN46m8cBE7pA/s320/school+pics+037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When you get all the phases of the moon done, THEN you can eat them! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlcPB7mm9N6xag5uNnUVyj9uP7b6Dbsv9zpBOVcO1KyGikP0paOJxXRpsQsy-KCTISmyggvwGIGEamDh9d73TQeBIQfLxDoN2bL4GFaPSKTKoWyBjg96wkh1tlAk19zqZJNHZ_Tqu_Q/s1600/school+pics+032.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlcPB7mm9N6xag5uNnUVyj9uP7b6Dbsv9zpBOVcO1KyGikP0paOJxXRpsQsy-KCTISmyggvwGIGEamDh9d73TQeBIQfLxDoN2bL4GFaPSKTKoWyBjg96wkh1tlAk19zqZJNHZ_Tqu_Q/s320/school+pics+032.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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Yum!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2A2r-moLNU2JQ4wIeBhkcStMFigMkZzX-uP9fPiHa3qh9qOwK98V1-7oUeBtnkKGpwfNSJ_vUKURtwwbd-kwZ8DWpWp_uHT77fRhC2jVleoKGLqaDNar-BUWoTmvl7K9f6bY3YpTWQ/s1600/school+pics+034.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2A2r-moLNU2JQ4wIeBhkcStMFigMkZzX-uP9fPiHa3qh9qOwK98V1-7oUeBtnkKGpwfNSJ_vUKURtwwbd-kwZ8DWpWp_uHT77fRhC2jVleoKGLqaDNar-BUWoTmvl7K9f6bY3YpTWQ/s320/school+pics+034.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsV8p5mkyiETqo98JDSDryzu_CYQ7t8d4j9Y9N9GQQEgymJKeF8T18YO20S3G4ydIp0mNvlN2QVjF5cT19CfrE1hwyHyuEPgeYQu-w_2rZP8wS3eZ6VLwQl_VpTmEoehpVVwo8SfmSww/s1600/school+pics+025.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-62725519805303522292012-05-04T02:00:00.000-05:002012-05-04T02:00:13.058-05:00Haven't done one of these in a while...<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>I haven't done a Five Question Friday with Mama M. (or much other blogging) in forever! It's about time, don't ya think?</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i>Here we go!</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0e1029; line-height: 20px;">1. </span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">What did you wear to prom? Include a picture if possible.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I actually went to three proms-</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My junior prom </span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMygwD99fEGfdB9yhujiI0XBBgeDYP1ul-zM5NqWW_im8OyNJRtmMYjEv9u7_fUYSzcopJ6RAxgEgR2AhVm_DrVq1aYxTS27rQu350ck2A8r66VhD4Rx7FOtfByKHwHkqEHnH8c9DX3Q/s1600/prom2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMygwD99fEGfdB9yhujiI0XBBgeDYP1ul-zM5NqWW_im8OyNJRtmMYjEv9u7_fUYSzcopJ6RAxgEgR2AhVm_DrVq1aYxTS27rQu350ck2A8r66VhD4Rx7FOtfByKHwHkqEHnH8c9DX3Q/s320/prom2.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"> <i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Daniel's senior prom</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(this dress was my favorite!) </span></span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vlSAcdk2Iis4Q_QX5wkgB1JK2jbWWx77SR-GUQ0njEc9W_LaIuZo2-gaLJWfW-8mySQfC8IzgqVEgL96tR5WWDj7_2IuqDdQDQ5BYP-mrqz-fc_qWA-Ooeu_Q5J-KQok7SXAeT5Blw/s1600/prom+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vlSAcdk2Iis4Q_QX5wkgB1JK2jbWWx77SR-GUQ0njEc9W_LaIuZo2-gaLJWfW-8mySQfC8IzgqVEgL96tR5WWDj7_2IuqDdQDQ5BYP-mrqz-fc_qWA-Ooeu_Q5J-KQok7SXAeT5Blw/s320/prom+4.jpg" width="234" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">and my senior prom.</span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DhmUz1TBwuHp0BU9xqHQartraUL2q7HXoCJlBeKemOg3sj3m-dxC6Gt8N8ODBuu5e7RBkRqnOCNCewFLQ8aLOu2G_jFBn-VKdrXxUFV_Kv9ES7Wzh5-cNlysPnjbS5rQvs2DG_WNCg/s1600/prom+3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DhmUz1TBwuHp0BU9xqHQartraUL2q7HXoCJlBeKemOg3sj3m-dxC6Gt8N8ODBuu5e7RBkRqnOCNCewFLQ8aLOu2G_jFBn-VKdrXxUFV_Kv9ES7Wzh5-cNlysPnjbS5rQvs2DG_WNCg/s320/prom+3.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>And while I was digging out those pictures, I found this one. Not sure why, but it's one of my very favorite pics of the two of us together. It makes me smile!</i></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctfM0TwH610TCrCwtUrLOXlcHS6f7AuVHSVNQUg6lB_Qt3DHVuuEl-djpbKqtUNhu3fKeEnVEit6T2JjXqV2sZ5GJtGhlg4sZrl7gHVn7JBEoFrybdi0vBd-9BngkTbMTsA_wVpjs8Q/s1600/prom+1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctfM0TwH610TCrCwtUrLOXlcHS6f7AuVHSVNQUg6lB_Qt3DHVuuEl-djpbKqtUNhu3fKeEnVEit6T2JjXqV2sZ5GJtGhlg4sZrl7gHVn7JBEoFrybdi0vBd-9BngkTbMTsA_wVpjs8Q/s320/prom+1b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Has it really been 16 years? Crazy!</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3DhmUz1TBwuHp0BU9xqHQartraUL2q7HXoCJlBeKemOg3sj3m-dxC6Gt8N8ODBuu5e7RBkRqnOCNCewFLQ8aLOu2G_jFBn-VKdrXxUFV_Kv9ES7Wzh5-cNlysPnjbS5rQvs2DG_WNCg/s1600/prom+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">2. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">Would you rather be on the biggest loser or a food eating challenge?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'd definitely love to take a shot at The Biggest Loser, but I can't imagine being gone from my family for that long. I have a lot of respect for the contestants on the show. It takes a lot of courage and hard work to do what they do.</span></i> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">3. D</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">one fave sonic drink? Refreshing summer drink? (Hey, Kristina...was that a typo, or some "done good" Southern thing?)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-style: italic;">My favorite used to be blue coconut slush, but now that I have to keep an eye on my sugar, I have a new favorite-Diet Cherry Sprite! Yum!</span></span> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">4. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">What was your first car, and what did you call it?</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My first car was a '66 red mustang. I believe we called it "The 'Stang." I loved that car! So many fun memories!</span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Good news! I have an update </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">on </span></i><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"The Stang" since the <a href="http://howaretheharmons.blogspot.com/2011/05/true-story-tuesday.html" target="_blank">last time I posted about it </a></span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8HlWULETgdRsvURVl4wIi9zzGIyimAU7yeeDQNeuTduTABpnKj14OZOR8P1kmQ97CyJ_0vQhMIrNjlFi9DKksnQHyJ1l4jHUwx_DWuZWBNhtubJxnYf9ipriNXdzCwJUSxJis60Cvg/s1600/june25,2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She has come to live with us! </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Last summer, we moved the mustang from my mom's garage to the shop on the ranch. One step closer to getting back on the road! </span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some day! </span></i></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8HlWULETgdRsvURVl4wIi9zzGIyimAU7yeeDQNeuTduTABpnKj14OZOR8P1kmQ97CyJ_0vQhMIrNjlFi9DKksnQHyJ1l4jHUwx_DWuZWBNhtubJxnYf9ipriNXdzCwJUSxJis60Cvg/s1600/june25,2011+012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8HlWULETgdRsvURVl4wIi9zzGIyimAU7yeeDQNeuTduTABpnKj14OZOR8P1kmQ97CyJ_0vQhMIrNjlFi9DKksnQHyJ1l4jHUwx_DWuZWBNhtubJxnYf9ipriNXdzCwJUSxJis60Cvg/s320/june25,2011+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span></span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Here's the mustang looking all shiny and clean after going through the car wash for the first time in forever! </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Such a bittersweet day for me. I love that I have the mustang, but it just felt like such the wrong time. It should still be in my dad's garage, and not mine yet! One of my hardest moments since we lost him was when I opened up the door of the mustang and found his hat still sitting in the seat. I left it there because that's where it belongs... </i></span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">5. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">What's one thing your child or spouse does that sends you over the edge? </span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>I can't take it when the kids fuss at each other over things that don't matter-who sits where in the car, who's turn it is to push the button to open the door at the library, whether or not to pause the television while someone goes to the bathroom... It drives me nuts! Love my kids, but can't stand the arguing! </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i> </i></span> </span></span></div>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2677263514347718354.post-50816089881607411322012-05-03T23:57:00.000-05:002012-05-03T23:57:39.488-05:00Dakota's 30 Hour Famine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BCCowcQQ-jG75YDpFF7pTad0_nD6N1mStlw74Y6GTPZosX9hhUEXIrhFthg5xETtyssrrHOB-2dZToYYEEIQlrWCh0sLV11CgUcprvgwq12uV9n7VFV1IueF6xW6_9H17qkdaE0_4Q/s1600/156186_2768611189388_1681209126_1743238_401035548_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">A couple of weeks ago, Dakota had an awesome opportunity to participate in <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/">World Vision's</a> <a href="http://www.30hourfamine.org/">30 Hour Famine </a>with the youth group from our church</span></i>. <i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The teens (and the adults with them) fasted for 30 hours to help increase awareness of poverty and hunger in the world and in our own community.</span></i></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-cmCKVJshgPLws1HYHI9G3wAz3TQL2OrBth1jBUKGdfBF0whaXh1KeHVXa-AECoeaNx3nfgdJV689vFnCJhdgihEBlymLZnNzmzzq-uBJmHES8nhD_A2w1IZWXqYZ-is6twDwqIu8w/s1600/373974_2768607669300_1681209126_1743235_1371257959_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The famine began on Saturday night at midnight and continued through Sunday morning at 6:00am.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The group met at the church around noon on Saturday. Their first order of business was to make shirts to wear for the event.</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbaQMjYyHmNcBIJvUyTfeLjFb3E4l1LBF3atNmFqjTyARYHCT5ur4oRaRBa6RlZoJVbyI9G5xpgYVYvrH3CyiVw3IzUaUfYCyv-iZbSt6Kr1MkaFdksVSSlxQB37g5zzmGHHstpps1g/s1600/546017_2768536587523_1681209126_1743090_1053724098_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbaQMjYyHmNcBIJvUyTfeLjFb3E4l1LBF3atNmFqjTyARYHCT5ur4oRaRBa6RlZoJVbyI9G5xpgYVYvrH3CyiVw3IzUaUfYCyv-iZbSt6Kr1MkaFdksVSSlxQB37g5zzmGHHstpps1g/s320/546017_2768536587523_1681209126_1743090_1053724098_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>Next, they learned some statistics about world hunger. Dakota's word was that the stats were "staggering." The one she talks about the most is that more people in the word have a cell phone than access to a toilet! (Wow! How crazy is that?!) The kids made posters about some of the statistics and posted them around the church. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>The 30 Hour Famine wasn't just about not eating, it was about serving in the community. Saturday afternoon, the group traveled to a nearby town and worked with another organization from our community to operate a clothing give-away. They took the "mobile clothing unit" along and helped those who came find clothes for their families. </i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-cmCKVJshgPLws1HYHI9G3wAz3TQL2OrBth1jBUKGdfBF0whaXh1KeHVXa-AECoeaNx3nfgdJV689vFnCJhdgihEBlymLZnNzmzzq-uBJmHES8nhD_A2w1IZWXqYZ-is6twDwqIu8w/s1600/373974_2768607669300_1681209126_1743235_1371257959_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif-cmCKVJshgPLws1HYHI9G3wAz3TQL2OrBth1jBUKGdfBF0whaXh1KeHVXa-AECoeaNx3nfgdJV689vFnCJhdgihEBlymLZnNzmzzq-uBJmHES8nhD_A2w1IZWXqYZ-is6twDwqIu8w/s320/373974_2768607669300_1681209126_1743235_1371257959_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BCCowcQQ-jG75YDpFF7pTad0_nD6N1mStlw74Y6GTPZosX9hhUEXIrhFthg5xETtyssrrHOB-2dZToYYEEIQlrWCh0sLV11CgUcprvgwq12uV9n7VFV1IueF6xW6_9H17qkdaE0_4Q/s1600/156186_2768611189388_1681209126_1743238_401035548_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BCCowcQQ-jG75YDpFF7pTad0_nD6N1mStlw74Y6GTPZosX9hhUEXIrhFthg5xETtyssrrHOB-2dZToYYEEIQlrWCh0sLV11CgUcprvgwq12uV9n7VFV1IueF6xW6_9H17qkdaE0_4Q/s320/156186_2768611189388_1681209126_1743238_401035548_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Later that evening, they returned to the church to learn more about the issue of hunger. They each took on the identity of a "child" who was hungry. Some of them had handicaps or hunger related problems. They played some games where they had to simulate their character's disability or hunger-related problem. Dakota carried her backpack with her stuff inside to represent being "weak from hunger."</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-zYYXbtX6PSGBy5KuKfQfB1oae8kwvEiWTfiur_vD75642XV-UmBCghSnDZnR2UvynY-o6oZl5hJytzNU6RC1dRtl9HnaILqZrpVnCq_OlJ7Eh_P78yegUE54zKbCuKJeBk6y_Bgtg/s1600/582728_2768589548847_1681209126_1743212_1610681506_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-zYYXbtX6PSGBy5KuKfQfB1oae8kwvEiWTfiur_vD75642XV-UmBCghSnDZnR2UvynY-o6oZl5hJytzNU6RC1dRtl9HnaILqZrpVnCq_OlJ7Eh_P78yegUE54zKbCuKJeBk6y_Bgtg/s320/582728_2768589548847_1681209126_1743212_1610681506_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This was Dakota's "house" for the night. They each had a box to sleep in (girls in the gym, boys in the classroom down the hall). </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkzLyiibKI-ykIubT7hXt_LDzqswsgjD7eEWBv14zO9W2QyV16w3zMlFbbFVVuV7fqmHiEMWMbPFfg6QgCcbxIKrEt1G8sInroluBiClAQ95LaVxJpvw_DhkfBLUmCNxRgj2dhRUPmg/s1600/578563_2768550027859_1681209126_1743124_757903403_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkzLyiibKI-ykIubT7hXt_LDzqswsgjD7eEWBv14zO9W2QyV16w3zMlFbbFVVuV7fqmHiEMWMbPFfg6QgCcbxIKrEt1G8sInroluBiClAQ95LaVxJpvw_DhkfBLUmCNxRgj2dhRUPmg/s320/578563_2768550027859_1681209126_1743124_757903403_n.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">She said she got pretty cold during the night and she was pretty sore from the hard gym floor. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When they woke up Sunday morning, the fasting was over. They had some breakfast before time for service. One of the rules for the famine was that they were not allowed to change their clothes before church. They came in the clothes they had worn all day Saturday and slept in Saturday night. No showers, make-up, etc.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is my very favorite picture from the famine. </span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkkb9OsQb0RwIZV0NDc_8YMZaBGozuUnxBehrc57Ga8qXIgXiHwfJyH7SFbTYEHtAoM4QOyobqgLmOKO9x34CG30oDVfrg6DuiHAWfC8Y8hBIRHnCvEYZ5DtaIqQqL-6tYfSH5pm6jA/s1600/580471_2768531827404_1681209126_1743081_825198017_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkkb9OsQb0RwIZV0NDc_8YMZaBGozuUnxBehrc57Ga8qXIgXiHwfJyH7SFbTYEHtAoM4QOyobqgLmOKO9x34CG30oDVfrg6DuiHAWfC8Y8hBIRHnCvEYZ5DtaIqQqL-6tYfSH5pm6jA/s320/580471_2768531827404_1681209126_1743081_825198017_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am so thankful that Dakota has the opportunity to belong to such an awesome youth group! The teens are so incredibly blessed to have a wonderful youth pastor and great adult volunteers to work with them. I know this activity was life-changing for Dakota and I'm sure for the other teens as well!</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> I asked Dakota to write a report about her experience for school. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes from it:</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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"When I woke up it
was already 6:00 AM. The famine was over! We could eat again! People were
already up, snacking on granola bars and chatting. T’s dad came with breakfast; sausage and
egg biscuits and biscuits with gravy. I don’t normally eat eggs, but after
thirty hours I was ready to eat just about anything, and the biscuit was really
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;">"The famine extended my horizons and showed me
just how good I have, and just how bad things are for other people. I’ve become
more thankful for what I have, since other people don’t have nearly as much as
me."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am so proud of Dakota! She has a desire to help people and I can see God working to lead her to her purpose. Can't wait to see what He has in store for her!</span></i> </span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></i></div>TIFFANYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03789939654634243987noreply@blogger.com0