tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87079814490573347792024-02-20T20:18:50.405-05:00Ten For The RoadLori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-58511779146708936652014-11-09T18:26:00.000-05:002014-11-09T18:26:12.463-05:00What a BEAUTIFUL Sunday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What a gorgeous Sunday today was! A couple special things happened today.</div>
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The first thing which doesn't sound like a very big deal at all, except that it IS, was that Matthew actually COLORED/SCRIBBLED with a crayon. Now, I will be the first to admit that that was probably a STUPID thing for me to encourage him to do, since he might just get the urge to repeat the activity at home ON THE WALLS or in some other less-than-appropriate spot. But Matthew is one of those kids who just doesn't engage with activities easily, so if I can find just one more activity that he enjoys, it makes me happy.</div>
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The other special thing that happened today was that we discovered this handicap-accessible park, just in the next little town over from us!</div>
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The picnic tables have overhangs on the ends so that wheelchairs can fit under. So, we took our lunch and ate out under that beautiful fall-blue sky!</div>
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The BEST part of all was this swing set! They had wheelchair swings! And not just one, but TWO! They KNEW we needed TWO! MaKenzie and Jared loved them! They have been on these kinds of swings before, but it's been a couple years. What a treat to find them close to home!</div>
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Lena helped Matthew navigate the slide, which gave him the giggles.</div>
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And they played hide and seek and played in the leaves. </div>
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And just hung around.</div>
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Can you see those sun rays? It was such a beautiful day!</div>
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What a blessing to find this little spot where my kids can be kids--and SO CLOSE to home! I'm so thankful for The East Ky Gearheads and CSX Railroads for providing such a wonderful thing for our local community!</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-43754828560815021222014-10-28T15:59:00.000-04:002014-10-28T15:59:00.640-04:00So Proud of John Wesley (and MISSING him)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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(Where has the time gone???)</div>
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Early this morning, around 5:30, I heard steps outside my bedroom door. I knew it was John Wesley. He was getting ready to head out the door in a bit to go to work. I got up to talk to him for a couple minutes and hug him goodbye and couldn't help it when my eyes leaked a bit as he drove away.</div>
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Even before he graduated back in June, he had been applying for jobs here locally with NO luck. He had some mowing/yard jobs through the summer, but there was no response to any of the applications he submitted. But he did find one family that we knew through church who needed lots of odd jobs done. So, he works at their home and property for 2-3 days a week. Then a few days a week, he travels (a little over an hour away) to work for a musician friend of his who is building a house and owns a contracting business. He spends the nights there when he's working for him. And he's also working a night or two at a college in their dining hall, when he can get hours there. And, of course, when he's not working, he's trying to divide his time amongst all his other passions--fishing, music, hunting, and of course trying to spend as much time with Christine as he can--so he's spread quite thin these days, which means I'm MISSING him LOTS!!!</div>
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But I'm so proud of him. Watching him become who God has made him is such a blessing to me! I feel a little sorry for him that he had to be the oldest because that means we made all our biggest mistakes on him--we had to practice on SOMEBODY!!! He works so hard and has such deeply held convictions. He analyzes EVERYTHING and gives his heart 100% to the people and things he believes in and loves! I can't wait to see how God is going to use that intensity and to find out where God is taking him! I'm so very thankful that I've had a front row seat in his life.</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-71514287849092547992014-10-27T15:53:00.001-04:002014-10-27T15:53:41.369-04:00William's Driving Solo!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Okay, I need to have a chat with whoever it was that kept telling me that being a parent would get easier as my kids got older! It's just not true.</div>
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Since January (or so) of last year, I've been driving into town 3-4 evenings a week (sometimes more often depending on the rehearsal schedule) to deliver William and sometimes Lena to dance classes and Cody and Jonas to martial arts classes. It has become my routine. Hurry up and finish everything I need to accomplish (or don't) by 3:15, make sure Harold, Mom, or John Wesley is here to watch the other kids (or load some up to ride along), and head out the door. And that was my evening. We'd get home between 7:30 and 9:30 pm. </div>
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Today, that routine has changed. I'm still trying to talk myself into being happy about it, but so far I'm not doing a very good job. William got his license today. 3:00 rolled around and I wasn't scurrying around to get ready because William and Lena were heading to the car ON THEIR OWN--without ME. I found myself doing the weird mom thing, telling him where to put his cell phone so it wouldn't fly away from him and be unreachable in the event of the unthinkable. (Hey, I know it's morbid, but you never know...) Harold quickly added, "Just put it in the center console that closes. That way WHEN the car rolls, it'll be safe till you come to a stop." I really DID NOT need that visual!</div>
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As William and Lena headed out the door, of course, I followed close behind with my camera (and Jared) to document the bittersweet moment. William and Lena were admonishing me to hurry so they wouldn't be late, while Jared was hollering from the porch, "William, be careful with my sister!!!!" Indeed, all you other drivers out there in the big wide world, be careful! I have precious children out there. John Wesley has been driving for a couple years now and I still don't sleep well until I know he's in for the night! Being a mom DOESN'T really get easier, just hard in a different way! I'll be way relieved when they get back home tonight safe and sound. Until then, I know nothing will happen to them that God hasn't approved. So, they're in good hands. (I can still stress about it a little, though, right?)</div>
Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-37792344426273934432014-10-26T01:42:00.001-04:002014-10-26T01:42:47.613-04:00Ballet, Battles, and Belts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Disclaimer: I DO realize the photos in the post below are grainy, fuzzy, blurry, and generally of poor quality. You'll have to do what I did--get over it. My good camera had a dead battery and I have spent far too many years worrying about "perfection" at the cost of enjoying "good enough." These pictures, blurry and grainy as they may be, represent memories that are precious, therefore they ARE precious and...good enough, yea, nigh unto perfection. In fact, there might be lots more grainy, blurry pictures on this blog. Who has the time to worry about photo quality when you're stopped at a red light snapping selfies with your sweet daughter? Isn't she beautiful???</div>
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Now, on to the subject of this post... Friday morning, Cody headed off to battle (Civil War reenactment), John Wesley and William went to work for a family at our church, and the rest of us carried on with business as usual. That evening, on the spur of the moment, Lena and I decided to take a quick trip to watch a performance being put on by a dance studio down in Pikeville. We dressed up in our better-than-Sunday clothes (which only means it wasn't blue jeans) and she got to enjoy actually WATCHING the dancers instead of being one.</div>
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Then Satuday morning, Lena volunteered at the library to help work at a Family Fun Day event. (She is a cave-person, in case you are wondering.) The library folks dressed her up for the part she was to play in their who-dunnit activity. Lena's decided that books are her thing. That makes the library a pretty special place in her opinion.</div>
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Then, Harold and some of the kids headed to the battlefield to pick up Cody so that he'd be back in town in time for his and Jonas' martial arts test.</div>
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This was the first time we had gotten to see them in action. They just started martial arts classes a few months ago, and this was their first demonstration. </div>
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As soon as I saw them bow to each other before the sparring, I started wondering what on earth I was thinking to have allowed this? I knew I had been hearing more and more thumping and clumping coming from downstairs since they'd begun classes, but in the interest of my sanity I had not investigated.</div>
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I'm sure if I investigate next time, I'll probably see something like this. Kicking, jabbing, and all manner of limb-whacking. Maybe it's best for me to ignore the noises.</div>
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They must've done a fair job kicking, jabbing and limb-whacking, because in the end, the instructors awarded them both their yellow belts. </div>
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Now I suppose it's on to the next level. I wonder what new manner of noises and thumps I'll start hearing?</div>
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Aren't these guys so handsome? I'm so proud of them--but not because of the martial arts stuff. That's great and I'm glad they're enjoying it, but I'm PROUD of WHO they are and who they are becoming. See the smiles? Those are the faces I see everyday. No bad attitudes, willing workers, tender hearts, sweet to their Momma, respectful to their Daddy. Good boys. I'm just a little partial--and blessed.</div>
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To celebrate, we headed out to eat. We were quite a sight to behold. In we walk with 2 wheelchairs, a Mex/American, a Haitian, and a Yankee soldier. Sprinkle in a few not-so-regular regulars and that's us--and we have a problem being quiet. Add to that the fact that we had 3 tables shoved together at the FRONT of the restaurant by the door. We have always traveled a lot and go out to eat pretty regularly, and have always gotten our more-than-fair-share of looks, but for some reason, tonight we seemed a little extra "out-standing" (if you know what I mean). I'm pretty sure it was the Yankee soldier.</div>
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I love the diversity in our family and I love that God makes it all work, weaving all the strands together. Each strand is beautiful and precious by itself, but when they are all put together, it is truly a masterpiece that only God could create.</div>
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Masterpiece or not, sometimes our family is a bit silly. Jared decided that the barbecue sauce was so good that it would be a shame to leave any in the cup. After dinner, it was time for Harold to take Cody back to the battlefield so he could fight in the next day's battle.</div>
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Our kids sure are growing up on us! Every time we are blessed with a day or weekend like this one, I feel so privileged. Already the kids are so busy with their activities and becoming who God has made them to be. We all seem to go in a thousand directions most of the time and it has become rare to all be together, so I'm treasuring these days with these treasures of mine.</div>
Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-481992096510136632014-10-23T21:21:00.000-04:002014-10-23T21:21:42.523-04:00Let's Play "Catch-Up"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been about a year and a half since I've updated here. Life has moved on and our family has experienced milestones corporately and individually. We've all grown in years, in faith, and in wisdom. </div>
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There have been birthdays and driver's permits and licences.</div>
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Harold and I celebrated 25 years of marriage! I can hardly believe that one!! I've been so blessed to share this life with him. His love for me, for our family, and for the Lord is the glue that makes our family strong.</div>
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John Wesley became the first official graduate of Hope Academy Homeschool. That was an emotional day for this momma.</div>
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But it was a GOOD day. We celebrated HIM. And now he's out in the big world making his way, working and learning and chasing God's plan for his life.</div>
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This past year also saw our family take a super fun trip to New York City and the New England states during the fall at peak leaf viewing time!!!</div>
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I loved getting to experience the sights with my crew, watching them see things that they had only ever seen in pictures or on TV.</div>
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We continued to worship and grow beside our church family. John Wesley's participation in the worship team has yielded a passion (and talent) for music that he is continuing to nurture. </div>
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We went to Winter Jam where we (especially Jared) rocked and worshipped with the Newsboys!</div>
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We've praised the Lord through dance.</div>
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And we've had just plain fun with dance.</div>
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We've had fun with our animals!</div>
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And fun on a boat. </div>
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And fun on the battle field, where Cody has discovered a love for Civil War reenactments.</div>
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We've spent precious times together as a family thanking the Lord for His love, His provision, and His protection.</div>
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I got to visit with my beautiful friend, Mary, who has known me forever! It feels good to "be known."</div>
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And we got to put our toes in the sand. It's been a good year and a half! We have so much to be thankful for--so many gifts. It feels like it would be a shame not to record them here, so it's time to pick our story up here where we left off.</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-28785100095856099982013-07-08T10:41:00.000-04:002013-07-08T10:41:09.605-04:004th of July!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year we have so enjoyed having the space to bring friends into our home! We know that God didn't give us this space for us to just rattle around in and keep as a museum. These rooms and walls are intended to serve--to make a place for LOVE. And our aim is to FILL it to the brim!</div>
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Each Sunday, we are blessed to host our Community Group here. I don't wanna brag, but we have THE BEST group of friends EVER. These folks are family to us.</div>
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There are about 40 of us (give or take a few) when we're all together.</div>
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More than half of that number is children.</div>
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These are folks that I could not have picked on my own. Totally God-matched. He knew EXACTLY who to put together in this community.</div>
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Because this isn't just a church-prescribed "Community Group." It is a true COMMUNITY of believers--a family. And God is the architect of families.</div>
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So, what do families do on the 4th of July?</div>
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We party! (Or not...Christian played with cars, and Jared watched his TV. Anyone surprised?)</div>
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We play.</div>
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We love.</div>
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We relax. Together, of course.</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-29492088322762881472013-04-09T19:33:00.001-04:002013-04-09T19:46:26.002-04:00My Gorgeous Little LadiesOf our 9 kiddos, only 2 are girls. And I'm not exactly a big-time girly-girl. Oh, I wear make up and like my purses; but as far as spending much time on my hair or nails or wearing pretty clothes, it just doesn't happen. And sometimes I forget that my girls ARE girly-girls and love it when I do things like that with them. <br />
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So, today, they were on their way to go listen to a band with their Daddy and I decided that we would spend a little time getting pretty. Lena had gotten some hot rollers for Easter, and MaKenzie had just gotten a few new outfits, so we played around with hair stuff and nail polish. The result? Daddy had 2 beautiful little ladies to escort to the singing.<br />
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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmhri3j2-IwcgevDifBD14-cxzkb3P62nIBCxVtuukERwNehzWZIYqrzGeuhfLhgqhLQDUHY6wfv0qey6DSfi90IoYKEkuURB8__EATPYZyQvWOxXcFfZBFOMfXL7MLRaCsYzfFbKeiw/s640/blogger-image--1329450735.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR735eHf9av2vjWiOmmvQEe3luGaS_mRjBiLzmzlESfk5HrDLcqd7_1aW7oIVndxG9XDUlqlqhLPFKtQPME22p0rZ40ik43OnjMSjuuLzwRZrJWEukhDBHr4Na5bp8saJGqm1efvvDMus/s640/blogger-image-1908850008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR735eHf9av2vjWiOmmvQEe3luGaS_mRjBiLzmzlESfk5HrDLcqd7_1aW7oIVndxG9XDUlqlqhLPFKtQPME22p0rZ40ik43OnjMSjuuLzwRZrJWEukhDBHr4Na5bp8saJGqm1efvvDMus/s640/blogger-image-1908850008.jpg" /></a></div>Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-52590384711192157052012-12-28T11:31:00.000-05:002013-02-21T12:07:30.756-05:00Christmas 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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For years, since our oldest boys were very little boys, our family has celebrated Advent. Sometimes more faithfully than others, but every year we have an Advent wreath and an Advent devotional. Our kids represent a wide range of ages and understanding, so it has always presented a bit of a challenge to find a good intellectual fit for everyone, thus the variability in faithfulness. This year, I found Ann Voskamp's Advent Devotional. It includes printable ornaments to be hung on a Jesse Tree.</div>
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We weren't really familiar with the idea of the Jesse Tree, so we didn't know how it would go, but I committed to giving it a try.</div>
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Each night, as we gathered around our table or in our living room by the fire, we read the stories from Scripture--the stories that show us WHY we need a Savior, the stories that remind us WHO we are, and more importantly WHO Jesus (descendent of Jesse--thus, the Jesse tree) is. Each night, as we read, we remembered. We revisited HIS story, and thereby, our own. Each night, we lit the candles and hung up the ornament that corresponded to the story, and each night we prayed. The time we spent together as a family each night is truly my favorite Christmas gift! </div>
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Here is a link to Ann's Advent devotional. It's free and printable. I would recommend it without reservation. It was a great fit for everyone in our family. Our littles enjoyed reviewing all the Bible stories, our biggers got the benefit of Ann's commentary and a deeper understanding of how all of the stories, individually, are great, but when you put them all together--WOW--what a tapestry of mercy, grace, and redemption.</div>
(<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/11/free-christmas-family-devotional-jesse-tree-ornaments/">http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/11/free-christmas-family-devotional-jesse-tree-ornaments/</a>)Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-46167490380437352572012-12-24T11:02:00.000-05:002013-02-21T11:03:12.580-05:00John Wesley turns 17!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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John Wesley is 17 and all I can think is, "He's ALMOST 18!!!!" I have to remind myself to breathe, that he is God's, not mine, and that he is growing up and growing in the Lord, just as he should be, and that instead of dreading that I only have a few short months before he is ready to find his own way, I need to treasure every moment that he is HERE with me. And I do. But there are moments that all I can think is, "He's ALMOST 18!!!!!" Oh, how I love this young man!</div>
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For his birthday, he told me not to make a cake because he wouldn't eat it. He has more self-discipline than anyone I know. So I made him a big bowl of fruit and bought a pound cake for those of us who like having so many birthdays because it makes for good cake-eating excuses! </div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-53733492068509531522012-12-15T10:49:00.000-05:002013-02-21T10:55:17.941-05:00Cody is 16!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Look at this grown-up young man! It is hard for me to believe that he is the little chubby baby that God gave me 16 years ago!</div>
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This year Cody is looking forward to finally getting to drive his Suburban. When we retired our big green suburban (that was made before he was even born), he immediately claimed it as his own. So it is.</div>
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I'm not sure how my mommy heart will take having two boys on the road. I know I have to "let go" sometime, but gee, they're still just babies, aren't they????</div>
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No, I know they aren't. I have always said that we are raising young men, not boys. I am so proud of the young man Cody has become, and so blessed that he calls me "Mommy." </div>
Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-64107181499684342012-12-05T15:00:00.000-05:002012-12-05T15:00:05.823-05:00Decking the Halls...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's our tradition. Every year, when it's time to put up the tree, we make it into a party.</div>
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We have finger foods, </div>
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snacks,</div>
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and Christmas music. </div>
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We sometimes eat more than we work. </div>
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And that's okay.</div>
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Because, (as Jared is demonstrating in this picture) decorating can be overwhelming.</div>
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But eventually the tree goes up. </div>
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And the lights go on. </div>
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And some years, when we're lucky, they actually WORK and I don't have to make a trip to the store to get more. </div>
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Everyone has their favorite thing to do.</div>
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Some like to assemble the tree.</div>
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Some like to pretend they're choking to death to provide comic relief from the stress of decorating.</div>
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Some like to hang the ornaments. </div>
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Or make sure the lights are spaced just right.</div>
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And some like to manage the whole affair. Wonder who?</div>
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Everyone has their favorite ornaments, as well.</div>
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All of them are special. </div>
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Most of them have a story.</div>
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These were mittens my older boys ACTUALLY wore when they were babies.</div>
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And these are the handprints from those sweet little hands. </div>
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Here is the ornament I always make sure *I* get to put up every year. My sweet Katy.</div>
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And these were the shoes I wore when I was a baby. The moose is the hand and foot prints of my once-littles and their artwork of trees and reindeer and hats and candycanes. It is less of a decoration and more a collection of keepsakes, our tree.</div>
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And this year, we've added Chuck's seashells.</div>
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Alas, the finished (for now) product.</div>
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Atop the armoire is Chuck's nativity along with the framed print of my brother's wise words as a backdrop for the wise men who looked that night at the babe who became the Savior whom Chuck now sees face to face. And this year, more than ever, I'm so glad for the babe in that manger. For the sweet hope that first cried in the hay. How grateful I am for that baby hope--that tiny would-be Savior who loves those I love even more than I can.</div>
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Old jars with winter scenes on the shelf of the hoosier my honey gave me just 'cause he loves me so.</div>
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Soldiers guarding hope and peace that I so desperately need every day.</div>
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And stockings <strong><u>ALL</u></strong> hung by the chimney with care. </div>
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Traditions. Stockings from our childhoods. His.</div>
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And mine. And all of ours.</div>
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And a little boy too tired. </div>
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Losing patience with the too-long day.</div>
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Looking forward to bedtime. </div>
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Waiting for rest. </div>
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Needing comfort. </div>
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Wanting peace. </div>
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Like all the world. </div>
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Come, Lord Jesus. <br />
We all are waiting, sometimes with joyful anticipation, <br />
but sometimes too tired and out of patience, like my sweet tired boy,<br />
needing the peace only you offer.</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-1636030250079205032012-12-04T16:00:00.000-05:002012-12-04T16:00:00.326-05:00Jared Turns 10!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I know I always start out every birthday post by saying the same thing, but it's the truth, so here goes again. <u><strong>I can't BELIEVE</strong></u> that Jared is TEN years old!!! It truly seems like yesterday that I got the phone call that there was a little 3 month old baby in the hospital at UK who needed a foster placement and would we please consider fostering him? "Oh," the social worker on the other end of the line said, "there are some things you need to be aware of. This baby is brain damaged, leaving him deaf, blind, and without a suck reflex. He may not even make it, but they are releasing him from the hospital because there is nothing more they can do for him." That was true. </div>
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Indeed, there WAS nothing more THEY could do. But God? Yes, BUT GOD! Wow! He had a hope and a future in mind for this seemingly broken little boy. The very night he came home, he jerked out his NG tube and began sucking from his bottle. A few weeks later he was visually tracking us as we walked around the room. And one Sunday morning, miracle of miracles, he STARTLED when Harold made a loud noise! HE COULD HEAR! I remember Harold and I both crying with the joy of it. </div>
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Yes, this young man has defied the odds. He tells his Sunday School friends how God made him see and hear again. And he knows that his friend, Dustin, was baptized "because he loves Jesus." This understanding is a far cry from the little baby who "may not make it." A far cry from the little boy who the neurologist gravely proclaimed would never speak or understand. </div>
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I am so grateful for that phone call nearly 10 years ago. I can't imagine how much quieter this house might be without my sweet boy hollering at me every few minutes making his "friendly" demands and asking his million questions all for the millionth time. What a privilege it has been to witness first-hand as God has worked so many miracles in Jared's life! What a sacred privilege it has been to be his mommy.</div>
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<br />Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-38582940145571299942012-12-03T22:35:00.000-05:002012-12-03T22:35:39.524-05:00Thanksgiving at Our House...<div style="text-align: center;">
This year, we had the privilege of hosting my family's Thanksgiving gathering. There were 38 of us. It was so much fun to have everyone in. Of course it was also very hard because it was the first Thanksgiving we spent without my brother, Chuck. However, we did get to spend time with Carolyn. I am so thankful she was able to come.</div>
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Beautiful sisters-in-law. </div>
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Hannah, Raisie, and Isaiah, and the rest of the crew in the background getting ready to gather 'round for the blessing. </div>
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Time to eat. It's not hard to host Thanksgiving when a family this big all pitches in. Everybody brought something to add to the meal, so we had lots of everything!</div>
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Desserts. The kitchen countertops were full, so we put desserts in the laundry room.</div>
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One of the "adults" tables. Of course Matthew qualifies because it's where Grandma & Grandpa sat. He had to be with them or he wouldn't have been "thankful."</div>
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Jared at his Cars table.</div>
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We set up a "kids" table in Jared's bedroom. Some adults (including Harold and me) overflowed to this table since there wasn't enough room at the two adult tables in the dining room.</div>
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The other "adults" table. Some kids, too, since they needed to be close to their parents.</div>
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And, of course, cutie-pie Raisie at her seat.</div>
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The bigger kids were able to take their plates to sit at the table downstairs.</div>
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Some boys just don't like me to take their pictures.</div>
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Cards for the players.</div>
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Snacks for the observers.</div>
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Movies for the littles.</div>
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Nehemiah is such a handsome little dude!</div>
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What a trio of trouble! Haha! Not really, they were all good as gold.</div>
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Jonas entertained Isaiah and Matthew, or they entertained him, not sure which.</div>
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I love this shot of Isaiah, because it reminds me of John Wesley when he was little. He used to gather up EVERY car he owned and line them all up.</div>
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The littles enjoyed a Diego marathon before they hit the hay for the night. After we put all our kiddos to bed, some of us stayed up and enjoyed an impromptu stand-up comedy routine featuring Jennifer and Jamie. I loved going to bed that night with so much of my family under my roof. But I wasn't so crazy about saying good-bye to them the next morning. Who would want to say good-bye to this sweet face?</div>
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<br />Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-51523757768225015692012-10-06T01:03:00.002-04:002012-10-06T01:03:48.045-04:00Happy Birthday in Heaven...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't have the words yet to process verbally what I want to say about my losing my brother, Chuck. But I know I want to recognize this day for the celebration that it is. Today is his birthday. So today I choose to celebrate. Today is a celebration of a brother who used to tease me mercilessly.<br />
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A celebration of a brother who used to chase me across campus with an axe. (I don't <em>think</em> he was really going to use it.)<br />
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A celebration of a brother who was charged one afternoon with the task of babysitting me and instead of bossing me around or ignoring me, he sat at the kitchen table with me and ate a whole package of mac and cheese and an entire angel food cake mom had made for some other purpose. (We both got in trouble for that!)<br />
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A celebration of a brother who let me climb in his bed one night when I was about 5 years old and too scared to sleep and told me not to cry because it made me look like a bunny rabbit. (I think of that almost every time I cry--which has been a little more often these days.)<br />
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Yes, today, I will celebrate my brother. I will celebrate because of the gift he was to me--and to everyone who knew him. He was a rare, sparkling gem of a human being. His sparkle made the room seem a little more alive, and lent an extra air of celebration to all our family gatherings. He was warm, funny, generous, and he lived his life with integrity. So today, I choose to celebrate his life for the gift it was. Happy Birthday, my sparkly brother. I will miss you for the rest of my life.<br />
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-69130164854538518412012-10-04T17:43:00.001-04:002012-10-04T17:45:25.876-04:00Just a Change of Address...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I couldn't let the day go by without paying tribute to my forever baby girl. <br />
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Katy Lu has been gone for 18 years now. Well, that's not really true. Perhaps she has been absent bodily, but she's not gone. <br />
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She lives right here...in this house, in this crazy, large, diverse family that she taught us to want. <br />
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She lives...in the decisions I make that would have been made differently if she had never been. <br />
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She lives...in the love I feel for children who have special needs. <br />
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She lives...in the compassion I feel for mommas who lose their babies (and not-so-babies).<br />
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She lives...in the insane and unreasonable fear (that never leaves me) that I will lose another child somehow. (Just being real, here.)<br />
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She lives...in my desire to make sure that NO CHILD EVER has to endure loneliness or the pain of being unloved.<br />
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She lives...yes she does...in the way that only one who has made an immeasureable difference in this world can continue to live even after she is gone. She lives in me, in Harold, and in this family that her influence had such a HUGE part in building, even though she never got to utter her first word. <br />
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This was the day 18 years ago that she changed her address from my home to my heart. Even though I miss her every day, even after all this time, I know that she really never left and I can't express the comfort that that brings. <br />
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I am so grateful that she came, even for so short a time. I wouldn't change a thing. I know that God used every second of her 5 1/2 months to His glory and His purposes, and I am so privileged to have been part of her life.<br />
<br />Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-15092700566699365982012-10-04T17:19:00.000-04:002012-10-04T17:19:13.095-04:00William Had A Half-Birthday...Yes, indeed, he did. Yesterday, in fact. Back in April, he turned 14, so yesterday would've been his 1/2 birthday--so now is as good a time as any to get his pictures on here, right? Yes, I am just a bit behind getting our pictures and stories on here. Our family has had lots happen over the past several months. God has answered some of our prayers in a BIG way. But I'll tell you more about that later! For now...<br />
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William turned 14! I just can't figure out why he thinks he needs to get so tall! (And handsome...)<br />
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In the spring, William took his first mission trip to Haiti. He loved it! He had been wanting to go for quite some time. Plans are in the works to go again this year if he can save enough money. <br />
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This is also William's first year of high school, and even though he won't admit it, I can tell he's enjoying his courses. Why else would he find books related to what he's learning and stick them in my Amazon account's shopping cart? <br />
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My 14 1/2 year old son also has a wicked sense of humor. He gets out of many a scrape with that sharp, quick wit. In fact, many many times I find myself getting ready to jump on his case and then I just can't because I'm laughing too hard. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing. For him--definitely good. <br />
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I couldn't be more proud of this young man! I'm so thankful that I get the joy of being his momma! Happy half-birthday, William.<br />
<br />Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-71444144597794094512012-10-01T17:48:00.000-04:002012-12-06T17:50:56.038-05:00Air Show...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our small local airport had an airshow recently. There were several different types of aircraft for the kids to tour.</div>
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Even the littlest ones had a good time.</div>
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There were military planes and helicopters.</div>
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Seasoned pilots who were available to share their enthusiasm for flying.</div>
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Jared got to talk to a retired military pilot.</div>
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Grandma & Grandpa spent the day with us looking at all the aircraft.</div>
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The bigger kids all got to actually ride! </div>
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William, Cody, and Lena got to ride this one. </div>
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Can you see them through the windows? </div>
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And CODY actually got to FLY the plane! </div>
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John Wesley took a ride on a different plane. </div>
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One of the pilots let Jared and MaKenzie sit in the cockpit of his plane. They thought that was big stuff! </div>
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I think Jared was ready to close the door and take off! </div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-22587223363786998692012-09-17T20:00:00.000-04:002012-12-06T17:07:55.457-05:00More Birthdays!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past week we had the blessing of celebrating TWO birthdays!</div>
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MaKenzie and Lena's birthdays are on consecutive days, so it makes sense to celebrate them together. So they shared a cake. This year is was our friend, Janie's, recipe for ice cream cake that we used! And it was a hit!</div>
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MaKenzie and Lena both have stories (and if you know MaKenzie, she loves to tell a good story). Stories whose beginnings didn't forecast a promising ending. Like Jared's story, both of their stories began with physical hardships that had physicians saying things like, </div>
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"not sure if she will make it, </div>
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severe brain damage, </div>
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lack of oxygen for extended periods, </div>
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heart stopped, </div>
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seizures, </div>
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disability, </div>
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attachment disorder." </div>
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Those were just words, though. </div>
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And while those words and events surely impacted the lives of my girls, ultimately God wrote their stories using His own words. Words like, </div>
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"healing, </div>
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redemption, </div>
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love, </div>
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miracle, </div>
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recovery, </div>
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ability, </div>
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attachment, </div>
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and happiness." </div>
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Can't you see those stories on their faces--in their eyes? I do...every day.</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-10526743033493957422012-09-03T17:39:00.000-04:002012-12-06T17:39:33.702-05:00School at Our House...<div style="text-align: center;">
As we settled into our school year this year and found curriculum that fits each of us best, it has been such a pleasure to have the space for the kids to spread out and find their own nook or cranny where learning feels best. </div>
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Sometimes it starts early in the morning at the dining room table as she's still eating breakfast. </div>
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Sometimes the recliner fits the bill.</div>
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The hammock on the porch is an oft-negotiated-over choice. And of course Matthew enjoys getting to sit with whomever is reading at the moment.</div>
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Sometimes it's snuggled under a mound of blankets on the couch.</div>
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Or at the computer where math and other research (and even sometimes games) takes place.</div>
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Jared likes to sit at his own Cars desk to watch his videos. And Matthew thinks the best spot is anywhere that he can roll up like a little bug and get cozy. The best part of having the extra space is that not only can our bodies and belongings spread out, but so can our minds. There is room to THINK--and I love it!</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-40589145400271316352012-06-27T11:52:00.001-04:002012-06-27T11:55:45.791-04:00A pressing question...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This morning Lena came to me with a pressing question about her school assignment. (Yes, we are doing school IN THE SUMMER. But you know those gorgeous FALL days? That's when we play outside if we want, or travel with Daddy, or go on fun adventures, or...or...or...) Anyway, I digress. I could tell the girl was vexed by this troubling conundrum.<br />
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With a puzzled expression, she queried, "What exactly is <em>an encyclopedia</em>?" And I had myself a good laugh. I proceeded to tell my children a story, which began with the words, "Once upon a time, long long ago, before the days of Google, there was this collection of books called an encyclopedia..." Of course it muddied the waters when I explained that if you wanted to research "The Amazon," you would look in Volume A. Because, of course, we all know that Amazon only exists online, right? :) After finding a better example, I could tell that her mind was greatly relieved. I sent her on her merry way with my iPad to research the subject on Google, the modern child's encyclopedia.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeSqQ_aK244/T-sn-MYOiUI/AAAAAAAAEbg/_b_aeIiXy-A/s1600/DSC_0059-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EeSqQ_aK244/T-sn-MYOiUI/AAAAAAAAEbg/_b_aeIiXy-A/s320/DSC_0059-001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-11380124192777657562012-06-25T20:00:00.000-04:002012-12-06T17:06:15.580-05:00Jonas Is A Teenager!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jonas' birthday this year came just afer we had moved to the new house. In fact, his was the first birthday our family celebrated here. Can you believe Jonas turned 13? He's a TEENAGER!</div>
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And, what a fine young man he is becoming! He is trustworthy and hard-working. He finds things that need to be done and does them without being asked--and that endears him to me immeasurably! And...he and I have a "date" coming up. We're going to see <u>The Hobbit</u> when it comes out! Lucky me to get to spend the day with such a handsome young man! Lucky me to get to be the momma to such a precious young man!</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-72645214446729263792012-06-04T17:19:00.000-04:002012-12-06T17:20:18.740-05:00My Newly-Turned-Nine-Year-Old...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Can you see that? Sure you can--that glimmer in those deep brown eyes, that unmistakable spark of life and mischievousness? He knows we're watching and he knows he's rotten. This is my boy who would NOT make eye contact and would NOT let anyone hold him. Now, he seeks out affection. He gets up in my face so that I will look him in the eye. He runs after MaKenzie when she yells, "Matthew, chase me!" This newly-turned-nine-year-old boy of mine loves his family. But he especially loves his Grandma & Grandpa! They are the ones who truly bring out the spark in those beautiful brown eyes!</div>
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Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-47123495964858258772012-02-19T02:27:00.000-05:002012-02-19T02:27:37.220-05:00Valentine's Day Dance and Banquet...<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CfJr8cRUHbE/TzicIjNmFnI/AAAAAAAAEW8/wOKwStd7OMc/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CfJr8cRUHbE/TzicIjNmFnI/AAAAAAAAEW8/wOKwStd7OMc/s400/DSC_0687.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> For the past several years, our church's youth group has put on a special Valentine's Day banquet. The youth plan, decorate, serve, clean up, and even do the entertaining at this banquet. The past two years, this event has raised money specifically for the Haiti mission trip. In addition to the meal, there was also a silent auction. Individuals and businesses from the community donated items to be put up for bid. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8O8HgPNlTo/TzicKYIU4QI/AAAAAAAAEXM/2qvXrifkWRo/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j8O8HgPNlTo/TzicKYIU4QI/AAAAAAAAEXM/2qvXrifkWRo/s400/DSC_0689.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">John Wesley has gone to Haiti with our church group for four years in a row, now. I went with him one year, and this year, William will go for his first time. This banquet is special to our family because it is for a very precious cause.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOiAvTvgnHg/TzicJVdFRII/AAAAAAAAEXE/1vNf8q112eM/s1600/DSC_0688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aOiAvTvgnHg/TzicJVdFRII/AAAAAAAAEXE/1vNf8q112eM/s400/DSC_0688.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Here is Cody, looking very handsome as he balanced several plates, serving our table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbgGa7xjeHE/TzicXGBrkZI/AAAAAAAAEZM/fJr0OW1k6ew/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XbgGa7xjeHE/TzicXGBrkZI/AAAAAAAAEZM/fJr0OW1k6ew/s400/DSC_0680.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jonas and Jared were preparing to enjoy their salads.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmA_xiI-B_E/TzicX8qIoUI/AAAAAAAAEZU/yqGKgVlejAw/s1600/DSC_0684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tmA_xiI-B_E/TzicX8qIoUI/AAAAAAAAEZU/yqGKgVlejAw/s320/DSC_0684.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> William also looked quite dapper as he served Grandma and Grandpa's table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ceIrSoKhOws/TzicVqbMLSI/AAAAAAAAEY8/tz3sWl8u8Lg/s1600/DSC_0676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ceIrSoKhOws/TzicVqbMLSI/AAAAAAAAEY8/tz3sWl8u8Lg/s400/DSC_0676.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I thought the youth did a fabulous job decorating. They always try to do these banquets on a shoestring budget because the more they can save on the actual banquet, the more they can put toward the Haiti mission trip, and that's the whole point of the banquet! The kids spent hours planning and preparing for this event. I am so proud of all of them!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqKOeBBMbjw/TzicKzz6omI/AAAAAAAAEXU/0HjMZm2GZnM/s1600/DSC_0692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xqKOeBBMbjw/TzicKzz6omI/AAAAAAAAEXU/0HjMZm2GZnM/s400/DSC_0692.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This year's theme was 1940's era New York City east coast swing. Several of the youth put together a dance to perform and to my great surprise and delight, William and John Wesley both chose to participate! They had so much fun! There were several practice sessions, and they learned something new--broadened their horizons, so to speak. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDpgYfxltpg/TzicLzDLZjI/AAAAAAAAEXc/xrws2neFXng/s1600/DSC_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nDpgYfxltpg/TzicLzDLZjI/AAAAAAAAEXc/xrws2neFXng/s320/DSC_0693.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> John Wesley and his partner, Bre, did a fabulous job!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNGCm9hlfzw/TzicMsMhZPI/AAAAAAAAEXk/aoXfEzT21XM/s1600/DSC_0698.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNGCm9hlfzw/TzicMsMhZPI/AAAAAAAAEXk/aoXfEzT21XM/s400/DSC_0698.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> William and Dani also did great! I know that I would never have been able to remember all the steps they learned!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ce-NduQt8LI/TzicS-ha7rI/AAAAAAAAEYk/aTmBC3baFt0/s1600/DSC_0707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ce-NduQt8LI/TzicS-ha7rI/AAAAAAAAEYk/aTmBC3baFt0/s400/DSC_0707.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Makayla (also part of the youth and also a four-time Haiti mission trip participant) actually choreographed and instructed the kids as they learned the dance steps. She also sang several songs for us. She has a beautiful voice!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bztZY0-gAK0/TzicT5e1JRI/AAAAAAAAEYs/SFjZ0ViA8mY/s1600/DSC_0712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bztZY0-gAK0/TzicT5e1JRI/AAAAAAAAEYs/SFjZ0ViA8mY/s400/DSC_0712.JPG" width="277" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The dance floor was opened up to the rest of the folks in attendance, so MaKenzie got out there and did her thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMy50o-w2-g/TzicQqZmioI/AAAAAAAAEYM/algEt4OLZlM/s1600/DSC_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMy50o-w2-g/TzicQqZmioI/AAAAAAAAEYM/algEt4OLZlM/s400/DSC_0725.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The youth took a minute to rest from their work of serving and dancing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXRhUu5cmVg/TzicRcmmTtI/AAAAAAAAEYU/xyvV65lP_ps/s1600/DSC_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HXRhUu5cmVg/TzicRcmmTtI/AAAAAAAAEYU/xyvV65lP_ps/s400/DSC_0729.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Harold took Lena, Jared, and MaKenzie out on the floor for a spin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPIPCQpeeVM/TzicPCZMPdI/AAAAAAAAEX8/j9A-DYxb6jw/s1600/DSC_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bPIPCQpeeVM/TzicPCZMPdI/AAAAAAAAEX8/j9A-DYxb6jw/s400/DSC_0715.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jared has music in him! He loves singing and dancing. He stayed on the dance floor the whole time swaying and moving his chair to the music.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7UZGr0kFpe4/TzicOBV8H4I/AAAAAAAAEX0/kM4mVFKFF9Y/s1600/DSC_0701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7UZGr0kFpe4/TzicOBV8H4I/AAAAAAAAEX0/kM4mVFKFF9Y/s400/DSC_0701.JPG" width="331" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> What a great night we had! I love that our church family not only worships together, but also "plays" together. I also love that missions are a true priority and that our YOUTH are putting their time and talents to work to make a difference in their world. But what I really love is that it gave me an excuse to have a nice dinner out with my very own Valentine! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5OeydfHrTQ/TzicUzNOUQI/AAAAAAAAEY0/CsF35xu7m24/s1600/DSC_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r5OeydfHrTQ/TzicUzNOUQI/AAAAAAAAEY0/CsF35xu7m24/s400/DSC_0672.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-43511595226626830242012-02-14T17:58:00.001-05:002012-02-14T18:00:45.421-05:00Valentine's Day 2012...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNYalavygxc/Tzq_iQe0RkI/AAAAAAAAEZs/adZdJitaD5w/s1600/DSC_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uNYalavygxc/Tzq_iQe0RkI/AAAAAAAAEZs/adZdJitaD5w/s400/DSC_0736.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ah, Valentine's Day! It's one of my most very favorite holidays. I think it's because it doesn't have the pressure surrounding it that Christmas does. Christmas equals stress for me. But Valentine's Day? Valentine's Day is all about the fun. And it doesn't have to be expensive fun, either. Although, in years past, I have found myself shelling out BIG bucks for huge piles of candy and fancy-schmancy cards. Not this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YsNmSwRE5m8/Tzq_gUhY7zI/AAAAAAAAEZc/Zgvq7ggGSSk/s1600/DSC_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YsNmSwRE5m8/Tzq_gUhY7zI/AAAAAAAAEZc/Zgvq7ggGSSk/s400/DSC_0733.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In fact, this year, a couple of my kids even said to me, "Mom, I hope you're not going to go out and bring home tons of junk food this year." How can I argue with that? One of the benefits of me eating healthier these past few months is that my kids have begun being more aware of their own food choices. I love that! So, for the kids who I knew still needed some sweets to make them agree to being my Valentine, I still bribed them with sweets. For the ones who wouldn't consider being my Valentine if I sugar-coated it, I kept it all-natural. This morning, they woke up to a corny (cheap, printed at home) Valentine greeting at their place at the table along with ONE treat, not tons of treats! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEzGT1yaCd4/Tzq_holMzPI/AAAAAAAAEZk/asqoxLgHnqk/s1600/DSC_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AEzGT1yaCd4/Tzq_holMzPI/AAAAAAAAEZk/asqoxLgHnqk/s400/DSC_0732.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">As they ate breakfast, I declared Valentine's Day a fun day and told them we would put off schooling for the day as long as they promised to play games and watch movies all day. It was a hard bargain, but they finally agreed. I know I'm such a dictator! Then, for lunch (always served on the heart plates on Valentine's Day), I put my new Pinterest obsession to work and made the ham and swiss sliders I had pinned a few days ago, along with Paula Deen's homemade mac-n-cheese. Yum. A Happy Valentine's Day all around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TsEujCjrWxo/Tzq_jTTcjkI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/tw3iDJ6vUns/s1600/DSC_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TsEujCjrWxo/Tzq_jTTcjkI/AAAAAAAAEZ0/tw3iDJ6vUns/s400/DSC_0740.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></div>Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8707981449057334779.post-33078705487337907462012-02-07T02:25:00.000-05:002012-02-07T02:25:24.560-05:00Christmas 2011<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This Christmas, like all Christmases, was filled with lots of activity and lots of joy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lijQ69LYI4hHw9jCUJfH9KR00TXNyvP8M7RXvVauKbpL0VupcrxomyZDy1iQF2M6UqO9cxtMGcXX1zsStwayWgZX_FYYlo74MIqHxwACAxbdEOXw2dLXve4hXAFGUSKrm66Y4oVXXV4/s1600/DSC_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lijQ69LYI4hHw9jCUJfH9KR00TXNyvP8M7RXvVauKbpL0VupcrxomyZDy1iQF2M6UqO9cxtMGcXX1zsStwayWgZX_FYYlo74MIqHxwACAxbdEOXw2dLXve4hXAFGUSKrm66Y4oVXXV4/s400/DSC_0478.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Jonas and Lena sang Christmas carols at the nursing home with a group from church.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjwOyD7WxcQGHz0Ic-tpbD7WKpf3dNLZLY0OnhXcRfs8jUC-BIJiS0rpIEpIavzl2P2Av4rfyu_m0Tbi2HW_aG2jiWprMdJbbM5o1DRn-LKsCp7TIwNvUccKwDlVvR3JS5zy9UebsWXA/s1600/DSC_0477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBjwOyD7WxcQGHz0Ic-tpbD7WKpf3dNLZLY0OnhXcRfs8jUC-BIJiS0rpIEpIavzl2P2Av4rfyu_m0Tbi2HW_aG2jiWprMdJbbM5o1DRn-LKsCp7TIwNvUccKwDlVvR3JS5zy9UebsWXA/s400/DSC_0477.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (Don't all Christmas trees have a piglet hanging out underneath?) This is John Wesley's potbelly (mini pig), Wilbur. He's just about full grown and he's only about 7 pounds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UV87H-I3lXI/TzDOErXBhJI/AAAAAAAADWA/PE2Ke3iNK1c/s1600/DSC_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UV87H-I3lXI/TzDOErXBhJI/AAAAAAAADWA/PE2Ke3iNK1c/s400/DSC_0494.JPG" width="290" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The kids always draw names and buy gifts for each other. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf-cWRzJIXs/TzDOFV2bYWI/AAAAAAAADWI/jtAO4TZL2zc/s1600/DSC_0506-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tf-cWRzJIXs/TzDOFV2bYWI/AAAAAAAADWI/jtAO4TZL2zc/s400/DSC_0506-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This was the year of the Nerf wars. All the boys conspired to buy each other Nerf weapons. It's supposed to be a secret, but this year they coordinated things and I think everyone knew what they were getting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KYWcndt1yM/TzDOHxbUQ_I/AAAAAAAADWg/97n15P7WElo/s1600/DSC_0519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_KYWcndt1yM/TzDOHxbUQ_I/AAAAAAAADWg/97n15P7WElo/s400/DSC_0519.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> It seems like they all enjoy each other's presents as much as their own. That's probably because they share everything anyway, so it's just as much fun to see what you got in someone else's box.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C0BvDAXwYE/TzDOIkYBJrI/AAAAAAAADWo/FEdlLol15xQ/s1600/DSC_0497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" sda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8C0BvDAXwYE/TzDOIkYBJrI/AAAAAAAADWo/FEdlLol15xQ/s400/DSC_0497.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Part of the fun is them getting to wrap the present for the person whose name they drew. John Wesley wrapped this Nerf axe for Cody. He used tons of bubble wrap to disguise it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAeWULHerKU/TzDOHAv4lTI/AAAAAAAADWY/ors30BB3TM4/s1600/DSC_0514-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rAeWULHerKU/TzDOHAv4lTI/AAAAAAAADWY/ors30BB3TM4/s400/DSC_0514-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Grandma & Grandpa came over and got in on the present opening too. What a blessing it is to live so close and to have them as part of our everyday lives. What a rich heritage for our children to know their grandparents so well and to have them involved in their everyday lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouxlLOvPZ3Y/TzDOGLUz3xI/AAAAAAAADWQ/zS-ql_oEdyI/s1600/DSC_0508-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ouxlLOvPZ3Y/TzDOGLUz3xI/AAAAAAAADWQ/zS-ql_oEdyI/s400/DSC_0508-1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Seriously...I can't even imagine life without all these precious children and all their unique personalities. Look at the joy on those faces. THESE are my gifts, on Christmas, and every day. I am so blessed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egn3xl_TV48/TzDOJWi--WI/AAAAAAAADWw/u4DwiS4029g/s1600/DSC_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-egn3xl_TV48/TzDOJWi--WI/AAAAAAAADWw/u4DwiS4029g/s400/DSC_0505.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Lori in KYhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00881406357319800096noreply@blogger.com0