tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82529786255794675592024-03-12T19:57:36.828-04:00A Grace-full Lifenurturing eternal soulsMarciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.comBlogger397125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-89454525761277931672012-01-24T09:56:00.000-05:002012-01-24T09:56:17.123-05:00Thank you and Come On Over<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I really appreciate all my followers here at A Grace-full Life and I am sorry it had to be shut down. However, we are not gone! I have begun a new blog that is along the same vein but with much more focus. <br />
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I would really LOVE and APPRECIATE it if you could join me at <a href="http://www.lovinggodwithspiritmindandbody.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Spirit, Mind and Body</a> and follow me there as well. <br />
Thanks so much for your support!</div>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-36418748102167939012012-01-05T16:32:00.002-05:002012-01-05T16:32:53.947-05:00shutting down<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">A Grace-full Life is shutting down. Probably permanently. It is not going in a direction I am comfortable with, and since I receive so little positive feedback, I figure what's the point?<br />
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I need time to refocus.</div>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-30199435745115603952012-01-04T21:30:00.000-05:002012-01-04T21:30:02.342-05:00I have to be honest<p>One week ago I had my heart broken.  I called a friend to  share what I considered to be good news.  She answered without realizing she had answered. I know this because I heard her ask her husband to check the caller ID on the other phone because “it isn’t showing up on this one”. When he read off the number (I could hear him plainly), I heard her groan my name and then she proceeded to say some very hurtful (and untrue I might add) things about me and then she said “I wish they (including me) would just leave me alone”.   Before she said these things I was yelling into the phone to let her know we were connected, but she must have set the phone down because I heard a lot of background noise and she never knew I was there, hearing every word. Eventually the phone disconnected.  </p> <p>I sat there with many emotions raging, but I must say I was not actually shocked.  I knew her to be a woman who gossiped and slandered as easily as she took a breath, but somehow I thought our friendship was different. That it was real.  All those times she talked about mothers at the school or in-laws, I figured she just needed to vent and tried to be supportive all the while trying to redirect the conversation to a more positive, or at least neutral, direction. I also knew, from her own proud admission, that she has a history of not being truthful. In fact, she once verbally delighted at the thought that she was a “good liar”.  After hearing what I heard, it became obvious that I was not safe from her tongue lashing anymore than the next person.</p> <p>Now, normally I would not blog about such personal observations of another person.  I do not share this in an immature effort to slander her.  I want you to understand the source of my pain and conflict.</p> <p>Within a few minutes of processing what I heard, I knew I had three choices.  I could: 1. rant, rave and declare pay back(which I spent a few minutes doing); 2. pout and cry over the betrayal (which I have done a little, okay, more than a little) or 3. forgive and walk away.  </p> <p>Jesus would (and does) forgive for far worse transgressions.  Thus, I must do the same.</p> <p>Here’s my conflict though:  forgiveness is easy when it is desired.  Meaning, I would find no problem forgiving if she were to approach me with an apology.  Yes, she knows that I overheard.  During my #1 reaction phase, I phoned her mother and asked her to relay a message for me. I told her mother to tell her I am sorry if I bothered her and that I would not do it again.  I meant it. I also told my sister, who mentioned it to her that same night.  The selfish-human part of me wanted her to know I over heard.  </p> <p>I understand that we all sometimes say things that we don’t mean as a result of fatigue or feeling overwhelmed at the end of the day.  I can easily get OVER what she SAID.  What still hurts me is that she knows that I overheard and has not attempted to contact me to talk it over.  I am hurt  over what has NOT BEEN SAID.   Her week-long silence leads me to come to two possible conclusions: either she 1. meant what she said; or 2. finds her pride more important than our  friendship.</p> <p>Either reason leads me to #3 of possible reactions.  I forgive but what choice do I have but to walk away?  My heart still aches at the loss of a friendship that spanned many years, but if she is unwilling to reconcile what more can I do?  Jesus tells us to “turn the other cheek”, but does He say anything about us willingly ASKING to be slapped? </p> <p><font style="background-color: #ffff00">Forgiveness does not mean the transgression is condonable and that we should accept it for what it is.</font></p> <p>Furthermore, God tells us that “evil company corrupts good habits” (1Cor. 15:33). Thus, I have to think that while I’ll continue to love and pray for this woman, it is best if we part ways.  What good can come from a close relationship with a woman who so easily slanders others and is so slow to apologize?  </p> <p>Jesus knocks and we must open the door to invite Him in.  He does not just come barging in.</p> <p>I must surrender my human emotions to Christ and pray for His guidance, direction and comfort.  I also trust He will place people in my life that will encourage and strengthen me in my walk.  I also pray that I am a good ambassador for Christ as a woman offering encouragement and words of wisdom to others.</p> <p>Have you found yourself in a similar situation?  How did you respond and what lessons did you learn from it? I’d love to know!</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-28495423993902804962012-01-04T11:21:00.001-05:002012-01-04T11:24:18.791-05:00Free Reading Assistance<p>Have you tried free reading?  <a href="http://www.freereading.net">www.freereading.net</a> is a FREE resource when teaching a child how to read.</p> <p>Used in Florida’s schools in 2008-2009, freereading is designed to provide complete reading instruction for grades K-1.  A kindergartener who may be a little behind is recommended to begin with Week One.  A delayed first grader can skip to Week Twenty-one.  The instruction is activity based and requires approximately 30 minutes a day, depending upon the number of students.  The activities are designed for an entire class room or just a small group.  There are links provided to a PDF of picture cards and/or word cards which you can then print for use.</p> <p>As an open-source program, freereading’s users are able to add content which may be helpful to other users.  There is an entire section for Sharing Lessons and Ideas.  If you do not want to follow the preplanned lessons for each week, you can browse the list of activities or content added by other users and create your own curriculum.</p> <p>I am using it as a supplement of sorts for Beauty’s reading instruction.  I find the activities a fun and refreshing alternative to the desk work required by our current curriculum (<a href="http://www.spalding.org/">The Writing Road to Reading</a>).  The combined resources make for a complete curriculum that is working for us so far.</p> <p>Teaching a child with Beauty’s specific challenges requires patience and perseverance, and the understanding that she does not learn some things at the same speed as her peers.  Freereading is helping to make the process a lot more relaxing for me, which means it is less stressful for her.</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-9770724890100853042012-01-01T01:26:00.001-05:002012-01-01T01:28:08.271-05:00Happy New Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I already made my resolution list, which you can read <a href="http://www.agracefulllife.blogspot.com/2011/12/pre-resolution-list.html" target="_blank">here.</a> I've also made a list of goals for 2012; the usual homemaking kind of stuff. If reading that sort of thing really floats your boat, then check out the page tab above.<br />
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Have a blessed and happy new year!</div>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-2959939606779575722011-12-29T23:18:00.001-05:002012-01-04T11:24:26.957-05:00Don’t Let Thomas Get Wet!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h4YA_b71h9k/Tv07e2svVPI/AAAAAAAACmo/0JMkTW7OKWk/s1600-h/108_4006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_4006" border="0" alt="108_4006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e3KbYi5M0S8/Tv07fZr5f4I/AAAAAAAACmw/APpCj28hoic/108_4006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p>We’ll see. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xWluBa2YObM/Tv07fh5Z0UI/AAAAAAAACm4/K_ZmAWEN16g/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-15992900558293749062011-12-28T20:05:00.001-05:002012-01-04T11:24:41.161-05:00Is Your Phone Attached To The Side Of Your Head?<p>If you even have to think about it for a second, then let me tell you about a series released today in the blog world.  </p> <p><a href="http://www.raisingmightyarrows.com/2011/12/put-phone-down-and-be-wife.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RaisingMightyArrows+%28Raising+Mighty+Arrows%29"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="putthephonedowngood" border="0" alt="putthephonedowngood" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VQqfbV5H5-c/Tvu832dxm6I/AAAAAAAACmg/CdgKZbWgkXM/putthephonedowngood%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="137" height="137" /></a></p> <p>Heather at <a href="http://www.raisingmightyarrows.com/2011/12/put-phone-down-and-be-wife.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RaisingMightyArrows+%28Raising+Mighty+Arrows%29">Raising Mighty Arrows</a> has opened the series with “Put the Phone Down” ….and “be a wife”.  She has linked to six other ladies writing about the same theme.  </p> <p>I for one need this reminder.  Sometimes we all (well, at least I do) neglect our responsibilities in exchange for a friendly chat on the phone.  Calling a friend to share some recent exciting news or for a specific PURPOSE (i.e. prayer request, passing on of important information) is perfectly acceptable. But we need to keep it short. Not only does being on the phone too long cause us to neglect our duties, but it is also the breeding ground for gossip or slander cleverly disguised as “venting” or “being concerned”.  </p> <p>So, after the kids go to bed take a few moments to click the link above and read some helpful and sound reasons as to why we should put down the phone (and other techy distractions).</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-89669114194095019232011-12-27T08:42:00.000-05:002011-12-27T08:42:00.425-05:00The Sweet Potato<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v006QZnjadc/TvkUvulZ-vI/AAAAAAAACmE/Xb5dnp-IDRA/s1600-h/images%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="images" border="0" alt="images" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tmtYs5DC9ys/TvkUv2U8koI/AAAAAAAACmM/pYVrwLusPAk/images_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p>I mentioned a few posts ago that one of my resolutions is to eat more whole foods.  Thus, I began making a list of foods that we are likely to eat more of which then led me to look into their health benefits.</p> <p>First on the list is the sweet potato.  Here are some health benefits associated with this root vegetable:</p> <p>*<a href="http://www.vitaminstuff.com/definitions/definitions80.html">carotenes</a>: gives sweet potatoes their orange color and  acts as an antioxidant in humans, actually boosting antioxidants</p> <p>*good source of vitamins B2, B6, pantothenic acid (B5), C and A</p> <p>*good source of fiber, manganese, copper and biotin</p> <p>*unlike the regular potato, sweet potatoes are an <a href="http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/what-can-i-eat/diabetes-superfoods.html">approved food</a> for diabetics since they have a lower GI.</p> <p> </p> <p>So how to prepare the sweet potato for the dinner table?  Some people peel, boil and season as one would the regular potato.  I usually cut in half vertically and place in a shallow baking dish in the oven until the flesh is soft and mashable Then I add butter and sprinkle cinnamon. We eat them either as a baked potato or mashed potatoes. YUM!</p> <p><a href="http://www.allrecipes.com">www.allrecipes.com</a> has a variety of <a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/candied-sweet-potatoes-5/">recipes</a> to suit your mood, from candied to casseroles to steak fries.  We’ll be trying a few!</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-11230173753651090392011-12-26T16:36:00.002-05:002011-12-26T20:15:43.346-05:00We’ll Never Make the Tour of Homes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">nor will we ever be featured in Home and Garden and our home will certainly never receive praise from Martha Stewart. But that’s okay.<br />
When you walk into our home, hopefully you’ll see more than just a family who lives on a tight budget. You’ll see that kids do indeed LIVE here. Watch out or you might slip on a stray Hot Wheel. Their toys are not confined to the closets and shelves in their own bedrooms. We live in this home. These walls hear the laughter (and sometimes bickering) of little voices. The floors echo the pitter patter of little feet. Our kitchen table may be disguised as a secret cave, covered by blankets. Our kitchen walls? They may be mistaken for a kindergarten classroom. That is what they are after all. Books, and brightly colored posters abound. This is where little ones learn. And grow. Yes, the wall paper in the hall may have a few strips missing here and there. Little fingers just couldn’t resist the urge to pick and peel the edges. I’ve decided that’s okay. We needed to replace it anyway. Someday. You may discover the kitchen floor is a little sticky when you walk. That’s from where a little one spilled their juice and then tried to clean it up without asking for help or expecting mama to do it. Our furniture is, well, loved. They are functional at best. We live in this home. We learn and love in this home. Constant cleaning and decorating and saying “No don’t touch that” or “don’t mess up your bed” takes away from the precious moments of learning and loving.<br />
One day I may have a designer home. Spotless. Stylish. No unknown funky smells. And pretty walls. But I hope that day takes forever to get here, for it will mean that THESE days…days of learning, discovery, giggles and hugs…would have passed away. <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vvlZSyao_2o/Tvjo6YXNAII/AAAAAAAACl0/NS2yQ9ruEhY/s1600-h/thumbnailCA0O9MVB%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="thumbnailCA0O9MVB" border="0" height="191" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tbZzOPfJy1I/Tvjo652uEZI/AAAAAAAACl8/M6-DaFwN81o/thumbnailCA0O9MVB_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="thumbnailCA0O9MVB" width="240" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.vandaprints.com/image.php?id=337731">image credit</a> </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.titus2atthewell.com/project-52-live-fully-in-the-now-with-meaning/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+titus2atthewell+%28At+The+Well...In+Pursuit+of+Titus+2%29" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cEKIhxV830Y/TvkcGpwYB2I/AAAAAAAACmY/JQSSTqF9aRs/s1600/k33uoj.png" /></a></div><span style="font-size: xx-small;">This post is linking up with Project 52 at </span></div>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-60120561136894511042011-12-25T23:37:00.001-05:002011-12-25T23:37:06.389-05:00Christmas 2011<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X464DwJSwsQ/Tvf5XVKxcOI/AAAAAAAACf0/1eCk2Zz0k_s/s1600-h/IMG_2471%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2471" border="0" alt="IMG_2471" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_WOktm5tQzs/Tvf5Xn6hKvI/AAAAAAAACf8/UYtMZvY0KEM/IMG_2471_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Christmas Eve began at Memama’s house.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pooNVoZzFbM/Tvf5YoV010I/AAAAAAAACgE/4w2vs3Xf1gM/s1600-h/IMG_2467%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2467" border="0" alt="IMG_2467" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UpUT3Bpas2E/Tvf5ZCuosjI/AAAAAAAACgM/tZntQtfVcwI/IMG_2467_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EVT63okTcMg/Tvf5aHrNW2I/AAAAAAAACgU/Usc_qHEdVO4/s1600-h/IMG_2469%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2469" border="0" alt="IMG_2469" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eF_fHuVNLbk/Tvf5aZ7II2I/AAAAAAAACgc/2MXYR6q2wMI/IMG_2469_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BCnG0juxM3k/Tvf5bgDsEOI/AAAAAAAACgk/kzGTc0FmXJU/s1600-h/IMG_2468%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2468" border="0" alt="IMG_2468" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6d-xnXdqbeA/Tvf5b6kyeSI/AAAAAAAACgs/8-HC8XsFWDQ/IMG_2468_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Tess and Myree</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-te2LnK-UTFs/Tvf5ce1cwAI/AAAAAAAACg0/D_inbozzzl0/s1600-h/IMG_2462%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2462" border="0" alt="IMG_2462" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ry82QYq7l80/Tvf5dhBlfCI/AAAAAAAACg8/G4IgefLun_A/IMG_2462_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a>Uncle Mike</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8n730vxVxo0/Tvf5errJPTI/AAAAAAAAChE/TzGGHX0OLF8/s1600-h/IMG_2473%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2473" border="0" alt="IMG_2473" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-e2oyOW6COPw/Tvf5fCiKhGI/AAAAAAAAChM/5r_gbb5Hm2w/IMG_2473_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="174" height="240" /></a>Miss Em and Buck</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hA85u_Oefoo/Tvf5fgp1LtI/AAAAAAAAChU/QLBqXVlKmC8/s1600-h/IMG_2470%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2470" border="0" alt="IMG_2470" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZJCg-bHX1EY/Tvf5gFBlkBI/AAAAAAAAChc/SWYQPV_HTsQ/IMG_2470_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gfChEahil28/Tvf5g5CUyJI/AAAAAAAAChk/RYm8hGmN43s/s1600-h/IMG_2465%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2465" border="0" alt="IMG_2465" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mk4j1tvxB-s/Tvf5hHJ9M1I/AAAAAAAAChs/wwiqzy0KMRs/IMG_2465_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a>Trying to sneak a Pepsi</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vmTuFmgWndU/Tvf5iCzmHTI/AAAAAAAACh0/jlmlFYVL63M/s1600-h/108_3971%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3971" border="0" alt="108_3971" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IE9cXb0OBWI/Tvf5iSYyv7I/AAAAAAAACh8/1VcRi1HyxpM/108_3971_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Then on to Mama Jean and Grandaddy’s. Here is Grandaddy fixing his egg/sausage casserole. It’s a tradition.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ByoYtxI4-AY/Tvf5jCslVUI/AAAAAAAACiE/Who97xrxFzA/s1600-h/108_3975%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3975" border="0" alt="108_3975" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NzOq9JW8Mqk/Tvf5jcIHxNI/AAAAAAAACiM/4OMdgb_NURI/108_3975_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Aunt Stacey showing off her Christmas sweater.  It’s a running joke.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tx0jCG1JIGA/Tvf5kdNLfdI/AAAAAAAACiU/oCTDVz_ICUY/s1600-h/108_3980%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3980" border="0" alt="108_3980" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tsQZUrRD6ds/Tvf5k8Jp1WI/AAAAAAAACic/sJKgHmNoCqw/108_3980_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Buck got a new pair of cowboy boots.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c_dqjuUZkDI/Tvf5lzntKgI/AAAAAAAACik/t-UBxGhYU2I/s1600-h/108_3981%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3981" border="0" alt="108_3981" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5GmS6dvEs_I/Tvf5mb4zJ6I/AAAAAAAACis/y-fWsqSnM-c/108_3981_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>He’s so proud of them!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DQs_9_BwJUU/Tvf5nkHY_7I/AAAAAAAACi0/V207bfk3PMc/s1600-h/108_3982%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3982" border="0" alt="108_3982" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sSz6nqvavzA/Tvf5oADzhZI/AAAAAAAACi8/qoBx6hXWOUA/108_3982_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZqUd9UQvI9E/Tvf5pFVticI/AAAAAAAACjE/uaaxDRh7dmg/s1600-h/108_3983%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3983" border="0" alt="108_3983" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OljfPC_sztQ/Tvf5pVHyYgI/AAAAAAAACjM/YT1qw20DGRg/108_3983_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fZTsoNYsjQg/Tvf5qoK0-II/AAAAAAAACjU/ONnSNL9XaO4/s1600-h/108_3987%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3987" border="0" alt="108_3987" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HBcNrCVG_WM/Tvf5rIxCa-I/AAAAAAAACjc/cJZkJHPFZRE/108_3987_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>This is what Beauty’s been asking for for months.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R9xZ_5vTXEI/Tvf5s-l6BTI/AAAAAAAACjk/nQhf9kq8t9A/s1600-h/108_3988%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3988" border="0" alt="108_3988" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AFgNcF0N968/Tvf5tS1uZyI/AAAAAAAACjs/_jBx8McumJE/108_3988_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vfcyxzOam94/Tvf5uKrpJaI/AAAAAAAACj0/CsO9TpEqjK0/s1600-h/108_3991%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3991" border="0" alt="108_3991" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nppEMOx4WCA/Tvf5ugrTT2I/AAAAAAAACj8/eo7cFBjyMPU/108_3991_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="215" /></a> Opening their stockings on Christmas morning.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4XmWcWuLU6Y/Tvf5vyc79II/AAAAAAAACkE/1As-C02MQHQ/s1600-h/108_3990%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3990" border="0" alt="108_3990" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kdx50If0Vc8/Tvf5xVzbV2I/AAAAAAAACkM/09_d4Wj99Ig/108_3990_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3wDgrobd89s/Tvf5yONIflI/AAAAAAAACkU/GsONMwYA4gU/s1600-h/108_3992%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3992" border="0" alt="108_3992" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fcPGy9xUgas/Tvf5zPE6coI/AAAAAAAACkc/M4SqiGwNQck/108_3992_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Beauty playing with her playdough dentist  kit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u8EOpHLkkUA/Tvf5z4-w9KI/AAAAAAAACkk/oi02RMu8gcc/s1600-h/108_3993%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3993" border="0" alt="108_3993" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VTD2O_yqmaE/Tvf50cdfdCI/AAAAAAAACks/odP5Cs3g9jQ/108_3993_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Give them a good cleaning!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kP_XQoMzP6A/Tvf51DrIn0I/AAAAAAAACk0/Lzva5rUmh34/s1600-h/108_3995%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3995" border="0" alt="108_3995" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PP4dPZfHtHc/Tvf52PvUU_I/AAAAAAAACk8/DUtQ7O_XxgI/108_3995_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Buck loves his big remote controlled truck.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mjnZFht36a8/Tvf52hTJ4hI/AAAAAAAAClE/ybL1WZmkJEY/s1600-h/108_3996%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3996" border="0" alt="108_3996" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EkKy__oDgQU/Tvf53H95u1I/AAAAAAAAClM/xM5wz-k2FhY/108_3996_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>What could it be?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hTleU09CIbM/Tvf54SvZ52I/AAAAAAAAClU/Z0Mm5abi9q4/s1600-h/108_3998%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3998" border="0" alt="108_3998" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gvU2lob8k2c/Tvf55QKMQoI/AAAAAAAAClc/2DTMFjtsIck/108_3998_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pTdWH5ZA8Og/Tvf57Bh-TBI/AAAAAAAAClk/MWD8aNDRNfU/s1600-h/108_3999%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3999" border="0" alt="108_3999" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CD1hz5fuC1c/Tvf58Fa8Q1I/AAAAAAAACls/8rE9TsQiVPs/108_3999_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Play time at last!</p> <p>As usual, God blessed us abundantly and it was a wonderful Christmas.</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-40880882366878977662011-12-23T20:20:00.001-05:002011-12-26T16:56:03.119-05:00Her Son Was In a Bag<p>That’s what my high school friend Sandra saw when she entered into her son’s school last week.  You may have read or heard about it.  It’s been on our local news, but it is also gaining national coverage through sources  such as <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/school-accused-putting-autistic-student-bag-182229844.html">Yahoo News</a> ,MSNBC.com and <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/autistic-third-grader-put-a-duffel-bag-school-officials-mom-article-1.995922">NYDailyNews.com</a></p> <p>Her son is autistic and Sandra was called to pick him up for misbehaving. When she arrived, she found him tied up inside a large drawstring bag intended for gym balls. She demanded that he be let out, which of course he was. Immediately.  She was told this was not the first time her son was placed inside the bag and set out in the hallway of his intermediate school. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k22E9-DntKY/TvUo5A6wHfI/AAAAAAAACfk/qrqmfi9xzqc/s1600-h/404423_2542078423609_1003151662_3217%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="404423_2542078423609_1003151662_32172939_295238090_n" border="0" alt="404423_2542078423609_1003151662_32172939_295238090_n" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RnEn97Nl71A/TvUo5p0VXsI/AAAAAAAACfs/_zELYQ6xJ18/404423_2542078423609_1003151662_3217.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a>This is the picture Sandra provided on FB to show an example of the bag. This is NOT the actual bag, but a representation.  The actual bag, she says, is a little bigger.</p> <p> </p> <p>The superintendent’s official public response is that it is unlawful for him to issue an official public statement either confirming or denying the allegations, but that they are complying with the ensuing investigation and that the school district strives to treat all students with respect and provide the best education possible.</p> <p>If I were not home schooling, this would be the district in which Beauty attended elementary school.  He is only one year older than she.</p> <p>With the help of some wonderful people at change.org, she has begun a petition to the board of education to request changes in their policies in the disciplining of special needs children and to request that all staff involved with the special education department be properly trained in autism awareness.</p> <p>Honestly people, if someone were to enter your home and found you had tied your child up in a bag like the one pictured above, they’d be pulled from your home so quickly your head would spin. As they should.  What is not appropriate discipline at home should not be allowed at school.  Isn’t that not only common decency, but common sense as well?</p> <p>I’ve been told that some of these kids need restraining so they don’t  hurt themselves or others.  No one is saying they should be allowed to go all Kung-Fu on the classroom, but appropriate forms of discipline need to be enforced.  Being tied up inside a bag is not an appropriate form of discipline.  I understand that sometimes physical restraint is necessary, but again…to be tied up inside a bag?  They are not the spoils from a rabbit hunt.</p> <p>Special needs children are not animals.  They are human beings created by God, in the image of God and deserve the same respect as anyone else. Furthermore, they deserve our protection for they so often cannot defend themselves nor even verbally ask for help.</p> <p>If you would like to read and /or sign the petition please <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/end-abuse-of-autistic-students-in-mercer-county-kentucky">click here</a>.</p> <p>I am very proud of Sandra for taking a stand and trying to change her world and that of her son and children like him.</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-9624311408666237702011-12-22T11:38:00.000-05:002011-12-22T11:38:00.265-05:00Pre-Resolution List<p><font face="Book Antiqua">I always love the new start a new year brings and usually make at least mental resolutions even if I don’t announce them.  I usually don’t announce them cause, well, I know ME and the likely hood I won’t keep them. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_TRKfsHDWw8/TvFi-IeLr6I/AAAAAAAACdI/sMA2xfdclHA/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  My self-reflection has begun earlier than usual this year and I want to make a few notes about the changes I would like to make.  </font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua">First of all, it would be pointless for me to even begin if I did not immediately surrender all my intentions and plans to God.  So, I do.</font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua">Here’s the semi-official list:</font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"><u>More quiet time with God.</u>  It seems lately the kids’ eyes pop open the minute my feet hit the floor, so prayer time and devotional usually happens with them chaotically fluttering about.</font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"><u>Incorporate more Whole Foods into our diet.</u>  Much more.  As the mother of a special needs daughter, one would think I had jumped on that band wagon years ago.  I have not, but now have one foot up in the air ready to heave myself onto the wagon of “limited processed foods”.  I am not naïve or foolish enough to think we can make a complete transition to no processed foods at all.  They seem nearly unavoidable, and let’s face it, sometimes convenience wins the meal-time war.  I do want to make the effort to serve more fresh fruits and vegetables, or at least  frozen, so we may reap the nutritional benefits.  I KNOW that I know that I know that the benefits are many and we’d all FEEL so much better if I just take the time to prepare nutritious well-rounded meals.  </font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"><u>Drink More Water.</u> And no, sweet tea is not the same thing. Duh.</font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"><u>Play.</u> Lately my idea of a good time is to be curled up with a book. While that will always be among my favorite pastimes, it is a solitary one that has does not offer the relational and physical benefits that acting silly or DOING something fun provides.</font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"><u>Time-Management</u>. So that my days are more productive and I don’t work myself to death one day a week to make up all of the neglected house work.</font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"><u>Simply. Must. Practice. Self. Discipline.</u> This is a biggie and none of the other goals can be achieved without it.  It covers a broad range of areas in which I must control myself: what I think; what I say; how I spend; how I teach; how I train;how I spend my free-time; how I manage household chores.  Every facet of my life basically.  (Lord, I really need help with this one!)</font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua"></font></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua">Have you begun your resolution list?  If so, I’d love to know what’s on it!</font></p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-9961668630048304232011-12-21T12:48:00.000-05:002011-12-21T12:48:00.071-05:00This Mama Is So Proud<p>On Sunday, December 18th, Beauty was in her very first Christmas play. She did not have any lines, but sang in the choir.  She could not read the words, but held her choir book proudly and belted out the songs from memory.  She did so well!</p> <p>Those of you who have a child with significant learning challenges can appreciate what I am saying.  She stood still, during a scene where she needed to be seated while Luke 2 was read, she sat still.  She announced her name at the end during the cast introductions.  She was wonderful.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-psIjyqiDD-0/TvFzd7u7mXI/AAAAAAAACdQ/3oPKYAR3dsM/s1600-h/379128_10150422556247051_579812050_9026600_1176759726_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="379128_10150422556247051_579812050_9026600_1176759726_n" border="0" alt="379128_10150422556247051_579812050_9026600_1176759726_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vtvdnej6xFg/TvFzeXVgndI/AAAAAAAACdY/cMvOxa4pLTE/379128_10150422556247051_579812050_9026600_1176759726_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="155" /></a> Here she is, to the right and behind the guy with the beard (who happens to be my brother-in-law).</p> <p>I am so proud of her!</p> <p>Looks like it may run in the family- during the choir’s concert, Buck ran out of the pew and up on stage and stood next to his sister. He turned to the audience and said “Hidee!”  He’s a ham.</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-44580297260028954412011-12-20T22:34:00.001-05:002011-12-26T16:56:15.696-05:00A Most Tragic Deception<p>A man Hubs knows hung himself on Saturday evening.  They had not spoken in years, but it was one of those relationships that do not break.  They were not close, but still bound to one another.  I cannot give any more details than that.  </p> <p>The young man leaves behind two very young sons and a devastated family. No one saw it coming.  His mother found the suicide note just moments too late.  What ifs are fueling their grief.  My heart breaks for his mother, extended family and of course for the two boys and their mother.</p> <p>Many emotions swell and toss about when I hear about a suicide.  Thankfully I have not experienced if first hand through a loved one of my own and I pray I never do.  But we all know someone who knows someone……</p> <p>Mostly I cry at the tragedy of it all.  An eternal soul that is now on the other side, that has reached the point of no return.  All hope is gone. No do-overs.  </p> <p>I realize how this sounds.  Like I am assuming he was lost.  That is not for me to determine.  Only God knows the condition of his heart and the circumstances leading to his final decision.  It is my sincere hope that he is indeed now at peace.</p> <p>Still, I have to ask myself “What goes through a person’s mind to lead him to end his life and leave behind a family and two small boys?”  What lies had the enemy used to convince him this was the best and only solution?</p> <p>What caused him to ignore God’s promise, “And the LORD, He <i>is</i> the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”(Deuteronomy 31:8) and </p> <p><i>“Let your</i> conduct <i>be</i> without covetousness; <i>be</i> content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, <i>“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”</i> <sup>6</sup> So we may boldly say: <i>“ The LORD</i> <i>is</i> <i>my helper;</i> <br /><i>I will not fear. </i><i>What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 31:5)  and instead believed there was no hope.  </i></p> <p>I mentioned before that depression is something I have struggled with for years.  There have been days when I felt overwhelmed, when the enemy has whispered to me that “nothing will ever get better” and suggested I drive my car into a tree.  But those thoughts are immediately taken captive for Christ and I am reminded of His words in Matthew: “ <sup>28</sup> Come to Me, all <i>you</i> who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. <sup>29</sup> Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. <sup>30</sup> For My yoke <i>is</i> easy and My burden is light.”  There is always Hope and Victory in Christ.  The cross shines through the shadows and we can live because He lives.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u8xbuqBYQgc/TvFTrHT0mjI/AAAAAAAACc4/7F_rD0IEg6U/s1600-h/cross-of-jesus%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="cross-of-jesus" border="0" alt="cross-of-jesus" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-53Kdfhx7tBw/TvFTradtMxI/AAAAAAAACdA/fQ-OcD535R4/cross-of-jesus_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="239" /></a><font size="1">click for image source</font></p> <p><font style="background-color: #809ec2"><sup>10</sup> The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have <i>it</i> more abundantly.  (John 10:10)</font></p> <p>Dear ones, I pray that we all remember this Christmas, and always, to share the Good News to everyone we meet.  Let our lights so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-13962340377571242202011-12-19T23:35:00.001-05:002011-12-26T16:56:26.626-05:00A Good Day<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hwsq_oM9AXQ/TvAQbhmDtCI/AAAAAAAACa4/s5FLFAmLc8Y/s1600-h/108_3952%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3952" border="0" alt="108_3952" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XzWyEksFEBw/TvAQbzAyjFI/AAAAAAAACbA/Vf5zRMcrXDE/108_3952_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Visiting with Grandma and Papaw</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JgJu9zXraB4/TvAQeGZmRII/AAAAAAAACbI/nPs9H-BFMGI/s1600-h/108_3953%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3953" border="0" alt="108_3953" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zq6IAYCGQrU/TvAQeqlQofI/AAAAAAAACbQ/aONNMnC5PwI/108_3953_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Arrowhead hunting on Papaw’s farm</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QorH4ghQk4E/TvAQf3aCtMI/AAAAAAAACbY/ujny2YvhhDg/s1600-h/108_3965%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3965" border="0" alt="108_3965" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R9QE3rUMmq0/TvAQgDOwWjI/AAAAAAAACbg/HEsLuv_eW-0/108_3965_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Beauty enjoyed the fresh air and being outdoors for a change.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8sL9lyq_AqE/TvAQg3-WQ_I/AAAAAAAACbo/hKBDzz7gHbc/s1600-h/108_3963%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3963" border="0" alt="108_3963" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GT2SGrjMmCg/TvAQhLhk3wI/AAAAAAAACbw/UxHcbQQQTlc/108_3963_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240" /></a>This is about as close as Hubs got to seeing a deer this season.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ApzFs6mWiPs/TvAQhl4I_QI/AAAAAAAACb4/JoLhspU4XoI/s1600-h/108_3968%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3968" border="0" alt="108_3968" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hi56tx7Sx2A/TvAQhxMlt_I/AAAAAAAACcA/diejiJ28sxo/108_3968_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>I actually found an arrowhead! Yeah I know it’s a bit rough….</p> <p>Hubs was not about to be outdone by a GIRL, so he later found this one:</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mFtNUGaIjJ8/TvAQiZRujOI/AAAAAAAACcI/Wdg3hmf9Omc/s1600-h/108_3969%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3969" border="0" alt="108_3969" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qj2cQS_jP30/TvAQi2EXbcI/AAAAAAAACcQ/wH6KcV8ExjE/108_3969_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>It’s a dandy with only minor tip damage.</p> <p> </p> <p>------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p>These pictures were not taken today, I just felt like adding them to our online scrapbook.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fKexHQvhaSE/TvAQjOFRGmI/AAAAAAAACcY/_W9jbbqjql0/s1600-h/108_3942%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3942" border="0" alt="108_3942" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9NO1iaw7d_8/TvAQjSSdJMI/AAAAAAAACcg/MtBHhHlOIcc/108_3942_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="109" height="240" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PphmqA7OcSs/TvAQkKds-9I/AAAAAAAACco/RzawRQUv4iE/s1600-h/108_3945%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="108_3945" border="0" alt="108_3945" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DIRse1UxM3w/TvAQkYOD4kI/AAAAAAAACcw/WJv3sH-H2xc/108_3945_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="239" /></a></p> <p>If we go wading in hip-high swamps, Buck is good to go.</p> <p>Hubs and his “bucks”.</p> <p> </p> <p>Have a wonderful week and a Merry Christmas!</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-52933598827149517112011-12-16T23:55:00.000-05:002011-12-16T23:55:54.306-05:00Controlling Our Tongue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;">Jenny from <a href="http://www.amothersheritage.com/" target="_blank">A Mother's Heritage</a> wrote a guest post at <a href="http://www.aboverubies.net/2011/12/mothering-moments-in-proverbs.html">Far Above Rubies</a> concerning how we speak to our children. I came away convicted and thought you might want to check it out too.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-37579873846622986512011-12-12T21:35:00.001-05:002011-12-12T21:39:30.301-05:00Why is Christmas so Special?<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nw4QRICmW2A/Tua5xvFbW0I/AAAAAAAACZw/Z5IVoIkSXjQ/s1600-h/thumbnail%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="thumbnail" border="0" alt="thumbnail" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nxt2S28KbWI/Tua5yLxp68I/AAAAAAAACZ4/ZLMf31HJ0n8/thumbnail_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="240" /></a></p> <p>This year I announced I wanted to shake Christmas up a bit and not participate in gift giving every where we went.  It was not that I wanted to be a scrooge and withhold gifts from other children, it was that I wanted to teach my OWN children that Christmas is about something much more important than getting presents every time they turned around.  And let’s face it, we cannot buy other children presents but tell their parents NOT to buy us anything. </p> <p>I wanted to teach my children the value of just gathering with family around a meal and enjoy spending time together.  I wanted them to learn the joy of thinking of other people, of visiting great-grandparents and giving them a gift to show our love and appreciation for them.  Without. Expecting. Anything. In. Return.</p> <p>When I mentioned this to a few people, I got an old-fashioned chewing out.   I was accused of cruelty, greed and selfishness.  I was told that children expected gifts at Christmas and to deny them that was taking away something special.  “Children need that fantasy and excitement”, I was told.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qcXUBbq_Q_M/Tua5yR2zVUI/AAAAAAAACaA/5p62qcELW4c/s1600-h/thumbnailCAEGB8SG%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="thumbnailCAEGB8SG" border="0" alt="thumbnailCAEGB8SG" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0ZSp_NKEc9I/Tua5y8LqBaI/AAAAAAAACaI/vgwev7c1Hx0/thumbnailCAEGB8SG_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="198" height="186" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font size="1"><a href="http://www.zimbio.com/Christmas/articles/9DNzhviXzTo/Cash+strapped+county+tries+fire+Santa">image credit</a></font></p> <p>Let me explain by adding that we have never taught Santa in our home.  Beauty knows who he “is” of course-she DOES live in America and we do let her out of the house on occasion <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WIMNWm623p0/Tua5zG9gTwI/AAAAAAAACaQ/jP8FhUKTnFk/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> - but we’ve never told her her presents on Christmas day were from Santa or that he delivered them on Christmas Eve.  Now you may see why I was accused of “robbing” my “children of the joy of Christmas”.  I mean, first no Santa and now no gifts from people she sees but once a year?  You get the picture.</p> <p>While I conceded to keeping with tradition, to keep the peace in the family, I still must shake my head at the craziness of it all. </p> <p><font style="background-color: #809ec2">It is amazing to me how people will fight tooth and nail to uphold a lie to their children, claiming it makes Christmas "special" for their children-when the real reason of Christmas (God coming in the flesh to redeem the world) seems pretty doggone special to me.  In fact, there is nothing more special. </font></p> <p>When dealing with nonbelievers,  I expect such an attitude.  But when dealing with self-professing Christians, I am highly disappointed.  It saddens me to think that the same people who throw a big stink about saying “Merry Christmas” versus “Happy Holidays” are really no different than the rest of the world when it comes to the ultimate emphasis of the holiday.  When presented with two conflicting ideologies of December 25th, which is the one children are going to be more excited about?  Everyone loves receiving gifts.  Children are no different; and there isn’t necessarily anything wrong that.  BUT, no matter how much we talk about the nativity, or participate in Advent or attend services, Santa is the REAL reason children love Christmas.  How can a baby born in something called a stable over 2000 years ago compete with a jolly grandfatherly-type who brings them presents while they are asleep?  And then eventually, when reaching a certain age, they discover that whole thing was just a big sham.  A deception.  And one they are willing to pass on to their own children….because why? Because that’s what we do and really, what was the harm?  We didn’t grow dysfunctional because we learned the truth.  Right?</p> <p>Well, God tells us to love Him above all things and that He is a jealous God-meaning, He wants our full devotion (remember <a href="http://agracefulllife.blogspot.com/2011/10/when-can-being-jealous-be-good.html">El Qanna</a>?)  Do we really think He is okay with sharing Christmas with a pagan character?  How does He feel hearing us say that children need Santa in order for Christmas to be special?  We were separated from God by our sin, with NO HOPE of ever redeeming ourselves, so He sent Jesus (Himself in the flesh) to the earth to bridge the gap.  He left His kingdom on high to live the life of a man, though sinless and pure, and die a ghastly and painful death as punishment for crimes He did not commit.  <font style="background-color: #809ec2">He bore our sins, and their punishment, Himself because He loved us so much.  This is the best news of  all time!  How can anything be more special than that?</font></p> <p>Quite simply, at the mention of Christmas, I want my children’s first thoughts to be of a Baby in a manger, and why He was there.  I want them to understand why we DO participate in gift giving among ourselves-to share God’s love and show appreciation for one another in celebration of the birth of the Savior.  Our primary focus is to be on Christ, then others; and ourselves shouldn’t even enter the picture beyond what Christ has done for us.  </p> <p align="center"><font style="style"><font style="style"><i><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-V-Ji55wVyQ4/Tua5zmq0QAI/AAAAAAAACaY/SSJo1MlYVm0/s1600-h/thumbnailCA1Y76QA%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="thumbnailCA1Y76QA" border="0" alt="thumbnailCA1Y76QA" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DSP7qqkZcUU/Tua5z_FByTI/AAAAAAAACac/0bxZ8y54kEc/thumbnailCA1Y76QA_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="176" /></a></i></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font style="style"><font style="style"><font style="background-color: #809ec2"><i>Therefore</i> <br /><i>Come out from among them</i> <br /><i>And be separate, says the Lord.</i> <br /><i>Do not touch what is unclean,</i> <br /><i>And I will receive you.  2 Corinthians 6:17</i></font></font></font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font style="background-color: #809ec2">You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness <i>of anything</i> that <i>is</i> in heaven above, or that <i>is</i> in the earth beneath, or that <i>is</i> in the water under the earth; <sup>5</sup> you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, <i>am</i> a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth <i>generations</i> of those who hate Me, <sup>6</sup> but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.  Exodus 20:4-6</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><font style="style"><font style="style"><font style="background-color: #809ec2"><sup>30</sup> <i>And you shall</i> <i>love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’</i> This <i>is</i> the first commandment. Mark 12:30</font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><font style="background-color: #809ec2"><sup>5</sup></font><font style="background-color: #809ec2"> But He <i>was</i> wounded for our transgressions, <br /><i>He was</i> bruised for our iniquities; <br />The chastisement for our peace <i>was</i> upon Him, <br />And by His stripes we are healed. <br /><sup>6</sup> All we like sheep have gone astray; <br />We have turned, every one, to his own way; <br />And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.  Isaiah 53:5-6</font></p> <p align="center"><font style="style"><font style="style"><font style="background-color: #809ec2"><sup>10</sup> Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. <sup>11</sup> For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. <sup>12</sup> And this <i>will be</i> the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” <br /><sup>13</sup> And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: <br /><sup>14</sup>“ Glory to God in the highest, <br />And on earth peace, goodwill toward men! Luke 2:10-13</font></font></font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hsZ9O8lijnY/Tua50byQseI/AAAAAAAACak/iucmFMSp-jA/s1600-h/3_12_shepherds_angels%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="3_12_shepherds_angels" border="0" alt="3_12_shepherds_angels" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Kfo6Sbcgfmw/Tua508rIcTI/AAAAAAAACaw/sayejGrNdQY/3_12_shepherds_angels_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="182" /></a></p> <p align="center"><font style="background-color: #809ec2"><font style="style"><font style="style"><sup>17</sup> Now when they had seen <i>Him,</i> they made widely<sup>[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/#fen-NKJV-24987d">d</a>]</sup> known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. <sup>18</sup> And all those who heard <i>it</i> marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. <sup>19</sup> But Mary kept all these things and pondered <i>them</i> in her heart. <sup>20</sup> Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them. Luke 2:17-20</font></font> </font> ( Sounds like a pretty exciting and special time for the shepherds, huh?)</p> <p><sup></sup></p> <p align="center"><font style="background-color: #809ec2">But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5</font></p> <p align="center"><font style="style"></font></p> <p align="center">Again, I ask, What can be more exciting and special than THAT?!</p> <p align="left"> Soli Deo  Gloria and Maranatha! </p> <p align="left">Merry Christmas!</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-26669005260539850372011-12-07T21:31:00.000-05:002011-12-12T16:55:13.057-05:00My Autism Team<p>If you have a child on the autism spectrum, you may have already joined <a href="http://www.myautismteam.com">My Autism Team</a>dczz, a social forum for parents, caregivers and professionals of autistic  children.  If not, let me suggest you register!  </p> <p>Beauty has been seen by two separate panels of specialists and they both diagnosed her with MR and assured me she was not autistic.  However, a school psychologist told me children with MR often exhibit autistic characteristics.  I joined up with My Autism Team, revealing Beauty’s official diagnosis as non-autistic, but they welcomed me with open arms anyway.  Beauty’s tendency toward autistic behavior is so strong, that I was given the impression that many of my new friends think she has been misdiagnosed.  I do too, at least partially misdiagnosed.  I can not deny the MR diagnosis.  I am her mother as well as her primary teacher.  I can not argue with the fact that we have spent the last four years on basically the same material (and it isn’t from lack of trying, or neglect).  However, she also has several “smaller” diagnoses in addition to the MR:  expressive/receptive language disorder, poor muscle tone and ADHD.  Personally, I think she falls under the spectrum as well.  The similarities are too great and too consistent.  We were told Beauty’s eye contact and overall friendliness are too strong to “qualify” her as autistic, but I’ve learned there are many children on the spectrum with excellent eye contact and are very friendly.  </p> <p>It makes no real difference to me what the experts say; what her diagnosis is.  She is who she is.  I am just thankful for this resource of parents with similar struggles.  It helps me remember I am not alone and also provides me with  the support I need as a mom of a very special little girl.</p> <p>If you have a special needs child and are needing that extra support or a venue in which you can voice your frustrations and cheers among people who KNOW what you are going through, then I suggest you visit My Autism Team and sign up now.  It’s free, but the support/encouragement it offers is PRICELESS.</p> <p><a href="http://www.myautismteam.com"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="myautismteam" border="0" alt="myautismteam" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Y3zt0BJnvKA/TuATgcilsHI/AAAAAAAACZo/J5QuZZ6RkKA/myautismteam%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="240" height="47" /></a></p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-90384539213543613202011-11-24T08:19:00.000-05:002011-11-24T08:19:00.465-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<p>Happy Thanksgiving!  I hope yours is filled with joy, contentment, family and an appreciation for all that is good.</p> <p>I am thankful for many things this year, of course. Grace. Love. Family. Home.  Food. Clothing. Hub’s job. Wants fulfilled as well as Needs.</p> <p>I am deeply grateful for the country in which I was born, raised and continue to live.  Sure, the moral decline of our nation broadens each day; but we still live in the greatest nation on Earth.  I also live in a wonderful state.  I have the freedom to worship God and raise my children in the Lord without fear of death or imprisonment.  As a woman I have equal rights and freedoms as man.  I am able to home school my children with no involvement or interference from the government.</p> <p>God bless America and God bless you this special day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WCxEcgC6nm8/Ts2b3WCtW_I/AAAAAAAACY4/pdPYEMsDsGo/s1600-h/1280x1024-Thanksgiving-Wallpaper-2%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="1280x1024-Thanksgiving-Wallpaper-2" border="0" alt="1280x1024-Thanksgiving-Wallpaper-2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kCBTKG_s3gc/Ts2b3oXIyKI/AAAAAAAACZA/trhOqEJIDWI/1280x1024-Thanksgiving-Wallpaper-2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="153" height="115" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-stU5zV225iU/Ts2b3igJbjI/AAAAAAAACZI/f5PWl4rY6Uc/s1600-h/thumbnailCAPOVMEC%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="thumbnailCAPOVMEC" border="0" alt="thumbnailCAPOVMEC" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QVue3DwxJaE/Ts2b4MJZYvI/AAAAAAAACZQ/Vyu0eoiqv78/thumbnailCAPOVMEC_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="116" height="127" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ijnazPXvPsc/Ts2b4AqWiaI/AAAAAAAACZY/a0yUyz9g06Y/s1600-h/kentucky-state-flag_full%25255B6%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kentucky-state-flag_full" border="0" alt="kentucky-state-flag_full" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kyqtYbqJd5I/Ts2b4fnEJPI/AAAAAAAACZg/4O1sM7CvBto/kentucky-state-flag_full_thumb%25255B4%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="147" height="105" /></a></p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-29670453259870208892011-11-13T21:32:00.001-05:002011-12-12T16:55:27.368-05:00Pre-holiday Pictures<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fn9CIc7_cP4/TsB9jIHzY9I/AAAAAAAACX4/2vxEYVTmyps/s1600-h/IMG_5434%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5434" border="0" alt="IMG_5434" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-USYRSe092J0/TsB9jlUQ4fI/AAAAAAAACYA/agWl4I4eO80/IMG_5434_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="196" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Lc-KQXvKUa4/TsB9k4izuTI/AAAAAAAACYI/dbEriONQoB4/s1600-h/IMG_5437%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5437" border="0" alt="IMG_5437" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yol7IsjrDmQ/TsB9l5YeQcI/AAAAAAAACYQ/SGn02gQSSVQ/IMG_5437_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a>What did I do?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mr8UEBF0Ghc/TsB9m_m_CHI/AAAAAAAACYY/7Kcipt5y-ys/s1600-h/IMG_5440%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5440" border="0" alt="IMG_5440" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-C-nBojSBroc/TsB9nXmpQuI/AAAAAAAACYg/ExIIc9IZfCg/IMG_5440_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="154" /></a> Us</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-py5qwArn2Ss/TsB9o2jrUyI/AAAAAAAACYo/yBS7_OGTFJ4/s1600-h/IMG_5462%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5462" border="0" alt="IMG_5462" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5pEUfc-1n4U/TsB9pJnXXNI/AAAAAAAACYw/fDKoz-rFZ5U/IMG_5462_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="160" /></a> The kids and Mama Jean (my mom)</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-85325371830429013302011-11-05T22:36:00.001-04:002011-12-12T16:55:38.882-05:00Dancin’ with Chuck E. Cheese<p>My mom and dad treated Beauty with a trip to Chuck E. Cheese today as an early birthday present.  Eastwood, my sis Stacey and I went as well.</p> <p>As usual, Beauty had to be right up in the middle of the dancing. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OG0ncUigpEg/TrXygokZeFI/AAAAAAAACU4/3-osiwWTok0/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>She is so precious!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:451de442-242d-4aa8-b1b3-f7becf7c6115" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="6664f6b0-b9a0-40a4-9b31-56a3edefb006" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhgBQU-nqM4&feature=youtube_gdata_player" target="_new"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FnOsnkV1m_M/TrXyg87DhyI/AAAAAAAACVA/_-flKJvfr1A/video72f8d9690d7e%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('6664f6b0-b9a0-40a4-9b31-56a3edefb006'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/HhgBQU-nqM4?hl=en&hd=1\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/HhgBQU-nqM4?hl=en&hd=1\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"448\" height=\"252\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p>We also played some games.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UZpX4QcNAhI/TrXyhnZdvQI/AAAAAAAACVI/icW18zNvlas/s1600-h/106_3879%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3879" border="0" alt="106_3879" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QdauevHb61c/TrXyiJSw33I/AAAAAAAACVQ/XoN5zPzS9iI/106_3879_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vs5fXsPgbuo/TrXyirDnjnI/AAAAAAAACVY/HjTnVbOKO1I/s1600-h/106_3878%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3878" border="0" alt="106_3878" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PKgBJvRSF_I/TrXyjFTSI4I/AAAAAAAACVg/MktSjq5_1Gk/106_3878_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p>I think the adults played more games than the kids!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OurQgZ-9_fk/TrXyj-IzzWI/AAAAAAAACVo/rACsJ_u9boU/s1600-h/106_3872%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3872" border="0" alt="106_3872" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZikvwVGAM9I/TrXykWpm5UI/AAAAAAAACVw/DDyk4c3aBVI/106_3872_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>My dad.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3ntD98JksDg/TrXylOT1-XI/AAAAAAAACV4/9AbFLYGCjKs/s1600-h/106_3880%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3880" border="0" alt="106_3880" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BntIPQY52ic/TrXylc1sJNI/AAAAAAAACWA/3l0GbBTuWro/106_3880_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>My dad…again!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i9nsQ9UB32Q/TrXymR2hDeI/AAAAAAAACWI/6oghPK-bdqg/s1600-h/106_3874%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3874" border="0" alt="106_3874" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l6CMqBQyKeI/TrXymvBOJSI/AAAAAAAACWQ/sJUTFfxcGXQ/106_3874_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Stacey</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7c_-zSD4jEE/TrXynWaKMbI/AAAAAAAACWY/JesMoFUG5Ag/s1600-h/106_3870%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3870" border="0" alt="106_3870" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DyycONZ3ZLM/TrXyoGBsIkI/AAAAAAAACWg/to8Z7ICK9g8/106_3870_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>  Notice they spelled Beauty’s name wrong?  I decided to let it pass.</p> <p>We had a great time!</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-87030380936829878952011-10-26T15:39:00.001-04:002011-10-26T15:39:00.681-04:00Thanks!<p>I want to thank <a href="http://schoolinginthesun.blogspot.com/">Schooling in the Sun</a> for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger Award!</p> <p>Check out her fun blog!</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-1981243855108726762011-10-26T15:31:00.001-04:002011-12-12T16:57:56.779-05:00When can being jealous be good?<p>When we think of jealousy we often associate it with coveting and envy.  Since God tells us not to covet, we assume jealousy as a bad human emotion.  When displayed in the form of covetousness or envy, jealousy is a harmful, unproductive and unnecessary emotion of the flesh.  But did you know there is a “good” form of jealousy?</p> <p>One of the many names of God is El Qanna, the Jealous God.  God first refers to himself this way in Exodus 20:5- <font color="#c0504d">you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, <i>am</i> a jealous God</font></p> <p><font color="#ffffff">El Qanna refers to a “marriage” relationship between Yahweh and His people.  This symbolism makes it easy to understand how God can be jealous.  Think about it.  Do you want to share your husband’s affections and devotion with anyone or anything else?  My guess is no.  I know I sure don’t!  The marriage covenant is holy and unlike any other relationship we will ever enter into.  Just like we don’t want our husbands to be intimate with another woman, God does not want our loyalties, attention and praise to be directed toward anyone/thing but Him.</font></p> <p>I like to think of it as a form of being protective.  He is willing to “fight” for us, even to the point  of death on the cross and once we are His (reconciled through the blood of Jesus), He will not let us go and is “jealous” of anything that may try and woo us away.</p> <p>We should exercise this same form of jealousy towards guarding the Truth in our homes.  We should remain diligent to not allow anything profane to leak into our homes, where we strive to raise our children in Truth and to the glory of God.</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-34745238787806808512011-10-18T23:55:00.001-04:002011-12-12T16:57:56.780-05:00Yoga, Hinduism and the western world<p align="center"><font color="#000000" size="1">The following is part of the Guarding Our Stewardship Series:</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#c0504d">O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane <i>and</i> idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— <sup>21</sup> by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. 1Timothy 6:20, 21</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lvr1NMNAUeI/Tp5KF5jxo6I/AAAAAAAACN4/JExshoSWPw4/s1600-h/imagesCAZJ49SD%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="imagesCAZJ49SD" border="0" alt="imagesCAZJ49SD" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GGcGkNmF2Ho/Tp5KGbtFkjI/AAAAAAAACOA/ATpcykOvRuY/imagesCAZJ49SD_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="190" height="240" /></a></p> <p>Did you know we can contribute a huge percentage of today’s “new age” philosophies to Hinduism?  Did you also know that there is no such thing as “Christian Yoga”, although it is becoming more prominent in modern churches?  Yoga is not just a form of exercise.  It is a means by which its practitioners can reach enlightenment and tune in to their own divinity.</p> <p>In short, it is yet another lie chanted to us by our society.  It relates simply to the original sinful desire of wanting to be “like God”.  Yoga is dangerous and should not be allowed into our homes and lives.  </p> <p>Too often we think we can poke around in activities which derive from religions of the world; we think there is no harm in adopting bits and pieces of a secular philosophy.  In doing so we  obliterate our Biblical worldview and defile the Truth.  Do not entertain even the most seemingly innocent concept/activity/etc. if it does not align with the Word of God.</p> <p>Lamb and Lion Ministries recently aired two eye-opening episodes on their program Christ in Prophecy concerning this very subject.  In fact, the purpose of this post is to share them with you.</p> <p>Both episodes interview Caryl Matrisciana, who was raised in India and spent her young adult years as a follower of new age ideas and even experienced the altered state of consciousness obtained through yoga.  Hers is a fascinating story!  <a href="http://www.lamblion.com/television/programs_religion8.php">Click here to view it!</a> Or click below.</p> <p> </p> <iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z_AKPHNtsiE" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p>Episode two deals primarily with the purpose, definition and dangers of yoga.  <a href="http://www.lamblion.com/television/programs_religion9.php">Click here to see it!</a> (Or below)</p> <iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8_yfxZmRokg" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p>Please take the time to view the above clips.  You’ll come away amazed.</p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252978625579467559.post-22648373442375367102011-10-17T21:24:00.001-04:002011-10-19T00:02:38.549-04:00Glasses!<p>On Monday, October 10, Helana visited the ophthalmologist, Dr. Rivard, and was prescribed her first pair of glasses.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KLiM6I_69Ho/TpzU421h2OI/AAAAAAAACKI/cLUQ6m5-hoM/s1600-h/106_3752%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3752" border="0" alt="106_3752" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ouPBeHhM1gM/TpzU5cLYRlI/AAAAAAAACKQ/w3P4lfrvTFc/106_3752_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" height="244" /></a>  She looks so cute and grown up!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Friday October 14 we visited the local pumpkin patch with our church’s youth group.  <a href="http://www.devinescornmaze.com/">Devine’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch</a> is so much more than a pumpkin patch.  There is a corn maze to get lost in, a farm animal petting “zoo”, a cool  slide made out of a huge drain pipe and much more! After dark they light a bonfire and roast marshmallows.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-48kRWtEkQ84/TpzU6vKNUDI/AAAAAAAACKY/UBs-HFEDKrU/s1600-h/106_3759%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3759" border="0" alt="106_3759" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t_W7NAIBzZM/TpzU7KgSVnI/AAAAAAAACKg/JlGBVL89rgU/106_3759_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Inside the drain pipe slide.  Beauty wasn’t so sure about going down a second time.  You slide very fast and have a bit of a rough landing-most people love it!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ni3OJkjJUiY/TpzU8TZGBYI/AAAAAAAACKo/DWuiW9_uM2A/s1600-h/106_3758%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3758" border="0" alt="106_3758" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-idvH60bcCis/TpzU855u41I/AAAAAAAACKw/WuDu3E4_NB4/106_3758_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Buck went down only once, then decided it was safer to play in the hay and the “baby slide”.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0Ezzb3Fy_EM/TpzU-M0e-BI/AAAAAAAACK4/d9a_pQEIDQg/s1600-h/106_3762%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3762" border="0" alt="106_3762" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GiVaDDi8_Jg/TpzU-ne6x9I/AAAAAAAACLA/Ymzt3NdwvR4/106_3762_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>My dad being a goof.  No one would race him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-79Rfyy0CWtQ/TpzU_idXPAI/AAAAAAAACLI/YZNYnnE2zgM/s1600-h/106_3763%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3763" border="0" alt="106_3763" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OnpuZxwoFWc/TpzVAAVDMAI/AAAAAAAACLQ/P4qd5KKR0M0/106_3763_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>The huge bouncy-thing was a big hit.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nQKNCcQbT0k/TpzVBOJWSMI/AAAAAAAACLY/UL3O3HL4hHA/s1600-h/106_3767%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3767" border="0" alt="106_3767" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6LOIKcnncx8/TpzVBuX6mbI/AAAAAAAACLg/0RTGIM5ZSeI/106_3767_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Buck wouldn’t ride this train made from barrels and pulled by a four-wheeler.  Beauty liked it though.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n5RKWyNnEk0/TpzVCzr0fsI/AAAAAAAACLo/ZgcQeHRVmSY/s1600-h/106_3772%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3772" border="0" alt="106_3772" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dKM4ftqa2tA/TpzVDT70oCI/AAAAAAAACLw/6StCyw61t1k/106_3772_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Buck, my dad and Beauty at the entrance of the less complicated “Kiddie Maze”.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZGcu0gYYt-4/TpzVEALmSNI/AAAAAAAACL4/qv28-MXnyqo/s1600-h/106_3776%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3776" border="0" alt="106_3776" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9PMmlgSGiJg/TpzVEiKfPLI/AAAAAAAACMA/nr64Dj67ILM/106_3776_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Hayride to the pumpkin patch.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rPppbiEZ-t8/TpzVFvGMLCI/AAAAAAAACMI/e5Ss2G-Guto/s1600-h/106_3775%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3775" border="0" alt="106_3775" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-om8-PnuEA0o/TpzVGAouBJI/AAAAAAAACMQ/7DAdYUMf1rU/106_3775_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dK3_QGrTTLQ/TpzVH3kR4VI/AAAAAAAACMY/u6X1pUFPsoQ/s1600-h/106_3779%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3779" border="0" alt="106_3779" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S_-1flDDZX0/TpzVIWVPD3I/AAAAAAAACMg/gjlVNUps_pQ/106_3779_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Searching for a pumpkin at twilight.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-caM35-vArEs/TpzVJaZKm8I/AAAAAAAACMo/hyO__AMseV8/s1600-h/106_3780%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3780" border="0" alt="106_3780" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GnKZQkIAePk/TpzVJ6oy-sI/AAAAAAAACMw/-TX8sgWPSPI/106_3780_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Buck and Hubs found theirs early and headed back for the wagon.  Notice the cool sky!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dPVVu3LyZ9w/TpzVKyAXniI/AAAAAAAACM4/7GJderRXt18/s1600-h/106_3787%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3787" border="0" alt="106_3787" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uCpBoQtKEuQ/TpzVLNyWm-I/AAAAAAAACNA/w5UZRTuFQTI/106_3787_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Bonfire</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NG0PnHgUX84/TpzVMaFrjAI/AAAAAAAACNI/LkHgPHoDQ68/s1600-h/104_2615%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="104_2615" border="0" alt="104_2615" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oJeI3GrW-Dc/TpzVMoZv74I/AAAAAAAACNQ/PUBOtPR6jwk/104_2615_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>Buck last year at the farm animal petting area.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-orpuJY2XuUU/TpzVN1QDcxI/AAAAAAAACNY/Ru7TQDpW5AI/s1600-h/106_3760%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3760" border="0" alt="106_3760" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IWP2BLScUFU/TpzVOUDuxUI/AAAAAAAACNg/m45LB2rPJpI/106_3760_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a>This year he couldn’t get enough! <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B21hDxCYoiA/TpzVPU3DqnI/AAAAAAAACNo/qnxU1NFDUqs/s1600-h/106_3764%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="106_3764" border="0" alt="106_3764" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iYRavgiSxS4/TpzVP1Lpq7I/AAAAAAAACNs/qTqScf2OeRQ/106_3764_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="180" /></a></p> Marciahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17974315184297504423noreply@blogger.com0