tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3413430598639183232024-03-13T08:56:05.559-05:00Life in God's CountryLife out in the country...hmmm, should be interesting!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.comBlogger445125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-48694105042595878562013-10-13T16:32:00.002-05:002013-10-13T16:33:19.010-05:00Review: Blessed Child by Ted Dekker and Bill Bright<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Book Description</h2>
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"“Whoever said that a straightened hand was more dramatic than a healed heart anyway?”</div>
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"A young orphaned boy was abandoned in the midst of an invasion and raised in an Ethiopian monastery. He has never seen outside its walls—at least, not the way most people see. Now he must flee those walls or die.</div>
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"But the world beyond is hardly ready for a boy like Caleb.</div>
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"When relief worker Jason Marker agrees to take Caleb from the monastery, he unwittingly opens humanity's doors to an incredible journey filled with political intrigue and peril. Jason and Leiah—the French-Canadian nurse who escapes the monastery with him—quickly realize Caleb's supernatural power to heal. But so do the boy's enemies, who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Jason and Leiah fight for Caleb’s survival while the world erupts in debate over the source of his power.</div>
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"In the end nothing can prepare them for what they discover."</div>
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Review</h2>
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I've read several Ted Dekker books before. Some I've not had any trouble reading and others I just couldn't ever get into. This one was a combination. I had a hard time getting into it, but once I got past the first few chapters, I was hooked. I couldn't put it down! The suspense of what was going to happen next kept me coming back. Following Jason and Leiah's transformation, as well as Caleb's, was fascinating. Caleb has a way of opening eyes (including mine) to the realm unknown. Pair this with the discussion we've been having at church about spiritual warfare and I just couldn't get enough. I can't wait to read the sequel <i>A Man Called Blessed</i>.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http: ooksneeze.com=""> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http: cfr255_03.html="" cfr="" nara="" waisidx_03="" www.access.gpo.gov=""> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</http:></http:></span></i></div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-35771343786571684592013-07-02T16:23:00.000-05:002013-07-02T16:23:27.348-05:00When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey-Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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What marks the boundary between a miracle from God and the imagination of a child?<br />Leah is a child from Away, isolated from her peers because of her stutter. But then she begins painting scenes that are epic in scope, brilliant in detail, and suffused with rich, prophetic imagery. When the event foreshadowed in the first painting dramatically comes true, the town of Mattingly takes notice.<br />Leah attributes her ability to foretell the future to an invisible friend she calls the Rainbow Man. Some of the townsfolk are enchanted with her. Others fear her. But there is one thing they all agree on—there is no such thing as the Rainbow Man.<br />Her father, the town psychologist, is falling apart over his inability to heal his daughter . . . or fix his marriage. And the town minister is unraveled by the notion that a mere child with no formal training may be hearing from God more clearly than he does.<br />While the town bickers over what to do with this strange child, the content of Leah’s paintings grows darker. Still, Leah insists that the Rainbow Man’s heart is pure. But then a dramatic and tragic turn of events leaves the town reeling and places everyone’s lives in danger. Now the people of Mattingly face a single choice:<br />Will they cling to what they know . . . or embrace the things Leah believes in that cannot be seen?<br /><br />
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Review</h3>
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This book kept me on the edge of my seat through the entire book. I never knew exactly where it was going. Tom & Ellen Norcross moved with their daughter Leah to a small town in the country to get a fresh start. Leah begins talking about The Rainbow Man and says he is telling her to do and say things. As she trusts him, she begins to have more believers along with her. Many, however don't believe and think she's just crazy.</div>
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Billy Coffey provides enough description but allows your imagination to work as well. I enjoyed the mystery in the story and wondering where Leah's pictures would lead the town.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <</span><a href="http://booksneeze.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #0c6bbf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://BookSneeze.com</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <</span><a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" style="border: 0px; color: #0c6bbf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-36706514063638535952013-04-20T13:50:00.001-05:002013-04-20T13:51:12.256-05:00Review of The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years, by Erin MacPherson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519zdtGrdQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/519zdtGrdQL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Mamas-Guide-Grade-School/dp/0849964768/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1366483151&sr=1-4&keywords=christian+mama%27s+guide" target="_blank">The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years</a>, by Erin MacPherson<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Erin MacPherson uses her experience as a mom to talk about how to help your kid be the best they can be (in God's eyes) as they begin grade school. She uses real world examples to talk about the best ways to get your kids (and you ready) for that.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved this book. The author is down to earth and has lots of insight into your child starting grade school, whether you choose public, private or homeschool. It's less about how to deal with the actual issues your child will face (although that's in there, too) and more about dealing with the "why" of the issues that come up. Like, why your child lied to the teacher (maybe they just didn't want to get in trouble). I bookmarked many of the lists in this book (I'm a list person!) like The Fifteen Factors, ways to build social-emotional skills in your kids, how to use your kids' interests to help them learn, and ways to incorporate scripture into praising your kids. I can see myself reading this book many times in the next few years!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <</span><a href="http://xn--booksneeze-0oa.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #0c6bbf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://BookSneeze®.com</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <</span><a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" style="border: 0px; color: #0c6bbf; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;">> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</span></div>
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-65869099169113498752013-01-25T12:37:00.000-06:002013-01-25T12:37:02.947-06:00Every Perfect Gift by Dorothy Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Every Perfect Gift is set in the 1880's in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee. It’s the story of Sophie Caldwell who comes back to Hickory Ridge, her childhood home, to restart the local newspaper. Through her newspaper reporting, she meets Ethan Heyward, the architect of the Blue Smoke Resort. He has a troubled past and has spent years trying to keep it hidden. But, he can’t keep hiding it from himself or Sophie, with whom he falls in love. This story had just a few twists in it and that really kept me interested through the whole thing. I’d love to read more from Dorothy Love.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the
publisher through the <a href="http://booksneeze.com/" target="_blank">BookSneeze®.com</a> book
review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The
opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with
the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : <a href="http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html" target="_blank">“Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”</a></i></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-79408325229231244382012-10-20T08:41:00.001-05:002012-10-20T08:42:25.859-05:0022 months<div class="mobile-photo">
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Anna is becoming too much a little girl. But, she's still my baby (always will be!).<br />
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It occurred to me that yesterday was Anna's reverse birthday. She was born on 12/19/10. Yesterday was 10/19/12. How cool!</div>
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We're off to enjoy the ACU Homecoming parade this morning. Have a great day!</div>
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Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-44749585227545538552012-10-11T13:48:00.001-05:002012-10-11T13:48:50.973-05:00Review: Prayers of a Stranger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I realize it's been months since I posted. I realized that I needed to not worry about a blog and instead focus on my girls and what's happening here. So, I'll be using this blog to post reviews of books I've gotten from <a href="http://www.thomasnelson.com/" target="_blank">Thomas Nelson</a> through the <a href="http://booksneeze.com/" target="_blank">BookSneeze</a> program. Just be warned, I'm not the best review writer! I just love reading!<br />
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Prayers of a Stranger is yet another feel-good story with a happy ending. I love those! Amanda Vance lost a baby a year or so ago and has been grieving ever since. She's been in a good job where she is loved and valued, but has been out of the job she once loved, because it was with babies. She finds herself going to the Holy Land with a neighbor and there finds healing for herself as she helps heal a child.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-4427834913657824612012-06-20T16:30:00.000-05:002012-06-20T16:30:24.694-05:0018 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At 18 months, Anna weighs 20.4 pounds (same as last month) and is 30.75" (about the same as last month). She's adding more and more words and is just as cheesy as ever!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-43079909004487127332012-06-20T16:27:00.001-05:002012-06-20T16:27:13.693-05:00Dr. Seuss<br />
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Last weekend, Abilene held the first Children's Arts and Literacy Festival (CALF). This year's theme was Dr. Seuss and we were excited to be part of it. Bogie's was open for the kickoff during Artwalk on Thursday night and opened on Saturday as well. Emily, Anna, Pearlie & I attended readings of Dr. Seuss books and various other activities during the weekend. We got to hear The Cat in the Hat, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Horton Hears a Who, Yertle the Turtle and The Sneetches (Papa joined us for that one). It was really a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to next year when the theme is "I Spy, Walter Wick."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cat in the Hat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily & Pearlie listening to Horton Hears a Who</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Horton Hears a Who statue</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily & Pearlie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-37Zo74cm2_4/T-I5bhgWOdI/AAAAAAAAHcs/LvRLQBnDpY4/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-37Zo74cm2_4/T-I5bhgWOdI/AAAAAAAAHcs/LvRLQBnDpY4/s320/IMG_0830.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mommy & Emily</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily & Yertle the Turtle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-17698044501451384012012-06-13T15:48:00.000-05:002012-06-13T15:48:14.084-05:00Emily is 4!It seems like we just brought Emily home from the hospital for our 11 day stay in Mesquite. But, here we are 4 years later with a bubbly, bouncy, happy girl.<br />
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This girl loves giraffes and, in February, announced to me that she wanted a giraffe cake for her birthday. (She brought it up!) So I started thinking and looking and my mom found a cake book she'd had for years that had a giraffe in it. Perfect! (Thankfully, I had access to large pieces of cardboard!)<br />
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Emily and Reagan are inseparable so Reagan helped Emily open her
presents! She got lots of fun things. The best? A train set (another
love of hers!) and a bean bag chair. Both have been used daily and I
expect that won't change much. <br />
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(I told you they were inseparable!)</div>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-61730714363405574372012-06-05T15:48:00.000-05:002012-06-05T15:48:14.985-05:00Swimming!Yesterday was Emily's first day of swim lessons. As any good mom would, I stayed and took pictures! She did great and loved Teacher Sherri. I didn't get to take her today because I was working and I really missed it! But, I'll get to take her again every (week)day for the next two weeks.<br />
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Emily loves her new goggles and wore them for breakfast last Friday</div>
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Listening to Teacher Sherri tell the rules</div>
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Swimming with Teacher Sherri</div>
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Splashing on the side of the pool</div>
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Jumping to Teacher Sherri </div>
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After naps yesterday, Emily wanted to swim again, so I set up her swimming pool at home and the girls played for a little bit in there. Anna wasn't too sure about it and kept wanting to get in and out of the pool. (Emily would tell you that's the first rule Teacher Sherri told them...don't get in and out of the pool!) Weird, because she LOVES baths! I guess I need to make sure to get toys in there before they're in the water next time.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81a3J7WyzEo/T85uFq09aOI/AAAAAAAAHOM/rcNxbkKd61Y/s1600/20120604+005+In+the+swimming+pool+at+home.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-81a3J7WyzEo/T85uFq09aOI/AAAAAAAAHOM/rcNxbkKd61Y/s320/20120604+005+In+the+swimming+pool+at+home.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-30331578517484512482012-05-29T19:45:00.002-05:002012-05-31T21:46:31.636-05:00BookSneezeHey guys, I have a favor to ask. I'd really like to be a <a href="http://booksneeze.com/" target="_blank">BookSneeze</a> blogger, but I have to have 30 followers. Right now, I have 22. If you read my blog but aren't a follower, would you mind doing that? Toward the bottom of the page, there is a button that says "Join this site". Once I get 30 followers, I can get free books to review. Thanks for your help!<br />
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*Update...I'm up to 27. Just need 3 more of you to subscribe!*Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-49157726517467419282012-05-19T14:56:00.000-05:002012-05-19T14:56:36.572-05:0017 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Such a big girl! Anna now weighs 20.4 pounds and is 30.5" tall. She is running all over the place and just can't do without a bruise on her forehead. She constantly wants to be where Emily is and has learned "no" very well. She is loved by all who take care of her, at church, at MOPS, at home. She is so happy most of the time.<br />
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She's starting to help out at home, bringing her laundry basket to the laundry room or carrying things to her room. Such a big helper, but still likes to cuddle when she's really sleepy (which apparently is NOT this afternoon--still awake after 1.5 hours in the crib).<br />
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She still can't have peanuts, grapes or raisins, but she loves bread, chicken (on some days) and applesauce, among other things. She wants whatever drink you have, but will also take milk and water.<br />
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Her vocabulary is expanding daily and I can't keep track of what all she can say.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-58856596205580140782012-05-17T11:49:00.000-05:002012-05-17T11:49:50.987-05:00Firsts and lastsWe finally got Emily's hair cut last Friday and, while I like the ease of the new cut, I miss the curls my baby had! I don't know if they'll come back so that's a little heartbreaking. I do not, however, miss the screams and fighting we had while combing her hair every night, while she was overly tired anyway. That much, at least, has been better. So, now, the pictures.<br />
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Before </div>
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After</div>
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Monday night was Emily's end of year program at preschool. Hard to believe that it's already been a year! She did great and sang with her class like any proud mama would want her to! She's second from the left on the front row (actually doing the motions!).<br />
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First day</div>
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Last day </div>
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What a difference 8 months makes!</div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sUvhY-U1ygk/T7LptOLrsWI/AAAAAAAAHMk/KI_F1IFA_xY/s1600/20110908+001+Emily-first+day+of+preschool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sUvhY-U1ygk/T7LptOLrsWI/AAAAAAAAHMk/KI_F1IFA_xY/s1600/20110908+001+Emily-first+day+of+preschool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sUvhY-U1ygk/T7LptOLrsWI/AAAAAAAAHMk/KI_F1IFA_xY/s1600/20110908+001+Emily-first+day+of+preschool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sUvhY-U1ygk/T7LptOLrsWI/AAAAAAAAHMk/KI_F1IFA_xY/s1600/20110908+001+Emily-first+day+of+preschool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sUvhY-U1ygk/T7LptOLrsWI/AAAAAAAAHMk/KI_F1IFA_xY/s1600/20110908+001+Emily-first+day+of+preschool.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-17053797529577977512012-04-23T14:34:00.002-05:002012-04-23T14:34:38.067-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ok, so I'm starting to stink at updating this! Anna is now 16 months (and 4 days) old. She's getting into everything, rarely stays still unless she's sleeping and will hardly eat anything unless it's bread. Yes, we're still fighting that battle. She will pick out purple fruit loops and grudgingly eat the others. She will eat eggs most of the time, chicken some of the time and a few bites of yogurt. Yet, she's still growing...some, anyway!<br />
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She's running and climbing and loves to be tickled. She's very happy most of the time and she adds so much joy to our family.<br />
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Emily is in the throes of the terrible twos. Yes, I know she's almost 4. Whoever coined that phrase hadn't had a 3 year old yet! She'll be just fine one minute then throwing a huge tantrum the next. It's very wearing on this mama, but I'm surviving. She'll be finishing her first year of preschool next month and she has done so well and loves going.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-82801821884767667472012-03-19T21:29:00.001-05:002012-03-19T22:08:55.722-05:0015 monthsOne more post for the month...(please forgive the quality of the photos...trying to make the iPhone my only camera, but indoor lighting is quite an issue)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Much happier</td></tr>
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At Anna's 12 month check up last Thursday (yes, you read that right), she weighed 18.6 pounds (2nd percentile), was 30" (39th percentile), and had a head circumference of 16" (0 percentile). The good news is she's on the charts where she has been all her life.<br />
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She's talking more and more (2 new words just today!) and signing some too. It's rare that we can't figure out what she wants. <br />
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She's quite the ham and keeps us laughing. She loves to wave at people. She'll sit and wave to customers in a restaurant and they've never even seen her!<br />
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She has 9 teeth now, including a molar that is coming in and, perhaps, causing her a bit of trouble. She's been clingy at bedtime and had a little fever tonight. :-( But, she's still sleeping well, so I'm grateful for that.<br />
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She's eating a little better, sometimes. At lunch, she ate an <a href="http://sixinthesuburbsblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/breakfast-omelet-muffins.html" target="_blank">omelet muffin</a> easily, but wouldn't touch her supper of chicken, corn, broccoli and beans. But, I'll take what I get. If she eats, she eats. If not, she'll eventually be hungry to eat what I give her.<br />
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~~~~~</div>
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Guess who else is 15 months. ;-)<br />
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-67669027319929910822012-03-17T15:37:00.000-05:002012-03-17T15:37:00.428-05:00Food blogSince I talked about food so much <a href="http://babyratliff.blogspot.com/2012/03/mish-mash-of-thoughts-and-some-pictures.html" target="_blank">here</a>, I thought I'd follow up with a couple more food-related items. Some time ago, I found <a href="http://www.michellesjournalcorner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Muffin Tin Mom</a> and loved the concept. I haven't do it too many times, but Emily does enjoy it when I do. We'd had a rough morning yesterday, so I decided it was time to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in style. Here's the lunch I came up with.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>2 shamrock PB&J sandwiches, shamrock Velveeta, shamrock strawberries, hot dog and green milk to drink</i></span></div>
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I've been <a href="http://pinterest.com/hmt90a" target="_blank">pinning</a> like crazy. Ok, maybe not as much as some of my friends, but I do pin things that look like fun for Emily (and me!). In the past couple weeks, we've tried a couple of my food ideas.</div>
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Last week, we made fruit snacks to take on our trip to Aunt Jenni's. I followed the recipe <a href="http://blissfullydomestic.com/family-bliss/homeschool-family-bliss/valentines-day-heart-homemade-gummies/114692/" target="_blank">here</a>. They were good and not too messy and tasted just like Jell-o. (But, they do melt in the warm car!) But, I think I want to try <a href="http://www.mommysavers.com/c/t/164335/dollar-store-crafts-homemade-fruit-snacks-from-100-juice" target="_blank">these </a>too.</div>
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Today, we tried fruit leather from <a href="http://thecopycatcook.wordpress.com/2011/06/03/fruit-rollups/" target="_blank">this </a>recipe. Emily didn't like them and I thought they were only okay. Don't know if I'll try another recipe or not. But, <a href="http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/recipes/dried-strawberries-ruscalleda/" target="_blank">this </a>recipe of dried strawberries looks like something to try.</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-87625210541160725972012-03-16T15:23:00.003-05:002012-03-16T15:23:48.511-05:00Mish-mash of thoughts (and some pictures :-) )To the seven of you who still check this blog for updates (LBE, you know!), I frequently have blog posts written in my head, but by the time I leave the bathroom in the morning, they're gone. :-) All that to say, when I started this blog four years ago, I had no idea I would ever have over 22,000 visits. I started it to keep my family updated on my pregnancy with Emily. So, thank you for visiting!<br />
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I've heard that, in your busyness, you will make time for the things you really want to do. Cleaning is not one of them for me. It is definitely a chore. This blog has become a chore to me...one more thing I <i>have</i> to do. And, for now, I'm doing it once a month, on Anna's birthday, because that's what I did for Emily. And I'm all about being equal. (Starting to learn that fairness and equality are not the same thing.) But, it's where I am right now. I don't often just get a chance to sit and enjoy quiet time on the computer. Usually, it's a mad rush to get the finances taken care of or get an email or two sent or a giveaway entered. All that to say, I'm still here and I'll still post at least once a month until December, but I probably won't do much more than that. It's hard to put yourself out there when there's very little interaction on the part of the reader.<br />
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What usually goes through my mind is questions. So, I'm putting them out here today. Answer them or don't. At least I've asked. And there's about as good a shot of them being answered here as on Facebook where I usually post them.<br />
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How do you know when to cut your daughter's hair for the first time?<br />
How do you really get kids to eat veggies & fruits, not just crackers and goldfish for snacks?<br />
Will feeding my kids always be a struggle?<br />
Will I ever feel like I know what I'm doing? (Ok, I know the answer to this one!)<br />
How do you break into a group of people and start <i>real</i> friendships?<br />
Does anyone have suggestions for good, portable, non-carbohydrate snacks that 15 month olds and 3.5 year olds will eat? (read: no crackers)<br />
(Can you tell food is a big issue right now? For the past month, Anna would eat only crackers or goldfish or bread or some spoon-fed things. The doctor said it's time to start playing chicken...literally. Force her to eat fruits & veggies, meats, cheese before giving her breads. A snack and 2 meals have been awful so far!)<br />
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In other news, the weather has been awesome lately (at least some!) so we've been going to the playground. This week has been especially nice because we can use the one at the elementary school just a few minutes away. One of the perks of spring break! Here are a few shots from the playground (from a couple weeks ago and this morning.<br />
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At Fort Imagination a couple weeks ago...now a favorite picture!</div>
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At home, jumping from stepping stone to stepping stone</div>
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My little hams this morning at the playground</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-1323454403925596662012-02-19T17:58:00.000-06:002012-02-19T17:58:02.717-06:00Valentine's Day, Zoo Class & 14 months<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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On Tuesday, we went to Granddaddy's house for Emily to give him his Valentine. Through 10-15 takes, this was the best picture. Such cuties!<br />
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The Abilene Zoo has preschool class once a month where they learn about various things about animals. This month, they learned about big animals and made rhino horns. So cute!<br />
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Emily is so intense when <strike>playing</strike> using someone's phone. Here, I think she was playing a game on Pearlie's phone. I love her concentration.<br />
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My baby girl is 14 months old today. She now has 8 teeth (as of Friday) and eats fairly well. She has meat days and cracker days. Some days all she'll eat is meat (plus her muffin for breakfast) and other days all she will eat is crackers. I guess I still need to work on veggies, though. She won't touch those. She's about 19 pounds and 29". A growing girl!</div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-87865278306816975252012-02-09T14:49:00.003-06:002012-02-09T14:49:58.908-06:00Italy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many of you know we went to Italy on our honeymoon. We loved our week there and would love to go back.<br />
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However, that was a bit out of my price range when I started planning a date. So I settled on <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/just-the-two-of-us/bella-notte/" target="_blank">this idea</a> I found at <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/" target="_blank">The Dating Divas</a>.<br />
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After we dropped the girls off at my parents' house, Phillip and I went back home to make calzones. We've made them before, but I think they were the best we've ever made. Maybe because we used more meats than we've ever done. They were so yummy and filled our plates and tummies!<br />
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While those were baking, we finished mixing up the strawberry gelato and got the ice cream freezer going.<br />
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After supper, we retreated to the living room for our Italian "foreign film." We watched "The Italian Job." There's a long-standing joke that I can't stay awake to watch that movie. Ok, so it's not really a joke. I think we've watched it five or six times and I've seen all of it one or two times! But I made it through this time because we took a break to get gelato in the middle. Pure deliciousness!<br />
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If you need some date night inspiration, I highly recommend <a href="http://www.thedatingdivas.com/" target="_blank">The Dating Divas</a>!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-88758951976040681272012-01-20T08:53:00.000-06:002012-01-20T08:53:02.472-06:0013 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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13 months. Is that really right? This last month has flown by!<br />
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At 13 months, Anna weighs 18.4 pounds (a gain of 2.4 pounds in 1 month!). She has started eating table food most of the time, but we still have to feed her messy things like applesauce & yogurt. Yep, you read that right, we started her on yogurt this week and haven't seen any major issues with the milk! Yea!!! I guess her little tummy just wasn't ready for milk a year ago but is okay with it now. She will eat many meats and most fruits. I'm still working on getting veggies back into her diet since I stopped spoon feeding them to her.<br />
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She's running all over the place and loves to be chased. She also loves peek-a-boo and her bunny blanket that she sleeps with.<br />
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She sleeps about 12 hours at night and takes 1-2 naps during the day for a total of 2-4 hours.<br />
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Emily (3 1/2) runs all over the place and never stops talking. She's really enjoying preschool and making friends. She loves watching Little Einsteins, but will still watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or Word World when we force her to (it doesn't take much convincing, usually!). She weighs about 30 pounds and seems like she hardly eats anything. She tries my patience, but makes us laugh quite often too!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-36141436680725183492011-12-30T21:05:00.000-06:002011-12-30T21:05:00.314-06:00Guest PostCheck out my guest <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/12/how-to-make-your-own-cloth-napkins.html" target="_blank">post</a> on Money Saving Mom. I might have posted this sooner, but I didn't want to spoil the Christmas gift for my sister!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-74225320579516463242011-12-22T20:06:00.000-06:002011-12-23T15:44:51.904-06:00One Year Old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe Anna is one year old. It seems like she just joined us, but it also seems like she's been with us forever. Unfortunately, she was not able to enjoy her birthday much. From last Thursday to Tuesday, she had fevers ranging from 100 to 103.7. Yikes! No known cause, just made her more cuddly and less likely to eat. I'm trying to get her started on solid foods again today. We'll see.<br />
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At her appointment on Tuesday (check up, but also to see about her fevers), she weighed 16 pounds and was 28.5". A little peanut to be sure, but happy as all get out! (Well, unless she has a fever!)<br />
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To celebrate her birthday, we had family over and I made the traditional lamb cake. (Everyone as far back as at least my mom and aunt (and maybe their cousins) have had a lamb cake for their first birthday. Sure makes picking a theme easy!) Anna wouldn't even touch the cake, much less eat any. But, she did enjoy unwrapping the presents.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-82567865352344279902011-12-18T19:04:00.002-06:002011-12-18T19:04:28.525-06:0052 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anna's in her pjs, as she has been most of the day. Since Thursday, she's had a fever of 100 or higher (up to 102.5 this afternoon). While I love the cuddles I'm getting, I hate that she has fever. I think it's just from teething because she's mostly acting normal, though not eating normal. We had her birthday party yesterday (post coming!) and she just didn't enjoy it as she should have. :-( Hopefully this will be over soon!<br />
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I'll post her 1 year stats after her doctor appointment on Wednesday.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-88224034302392334252011-12-11T14:50:00.001-06:002011-12-11T20:34:21.856-06:0051 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QA_jwc3sGf8/TuVlGydwHEI/AAAAAAAAHIU/8JAgP2ql9n0/s1600/20111211+004+Anna-51+weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QA_jwc3sGf8/TuVlGydwHEI/AAAAAAAAHIU/8JAgP2ql9n0/s320/20111211+004+Anna-51+weeks.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Is that right? 51 weeks? Anna still seems so much like a baby. But, she's walking now! (Need to get some better shoes for her...her feet are smaller than Emily's were when she started walking!)<br />
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Speaking of walking, she got her first walking injury today. At church, she fell and cut her eye. But, she was a trooper. I'm not sure she even cried! It doesn't look too bad now. Just a little red and a little swollen. Hopefully, since we got ice on it pretty quick, that's all it will be! (Of course, this happened just days before all her 1 year pictures! Oh, well!)<br />
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She's starting to eat table foods, but we still spoon feed her cereal and other veggies & fruits (with meat mixed in!). I guess it's time to start feeding her breakfast! Until now, she's just had cheerios, if she's even awake for breakfast since she's still nursing. But, I'll try to find something (maybe baked oatmeal?) that she can feed herself. (Nutrigrain bars were great for Emily, but they have milk in them. I have found some recipes online to try, though.)<br />
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And, I wanted to include Emily in this post, too! She's such a good big sister. She really looks out for Anna and lets me know when Anna's getting into something she shouldn't. Such a helper!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08jw4ftZPS0/TuVlC8O3_QI/AAAAAAAAHIM/eg4KU9W3ulk/s1600/20111211+002+Emily+%2526+Anna.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08jw4ftZPS0/TuVlC8O3_QI/AAAAAAAAHIM/eg4KU9W3ulk/s320/20111211+002+Emily+%2526+Anna.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-341343059863918323.post-86520213020435729432011-12-03T20:25:00.001-06:002011-12-04T16:34:11.798-06:0050 weeks and other stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Anna continues to take more and more steps. I think she'll be walking by her birthday. She's had a few stomach issues lately leading me to think she has an issue with large quantities of grapes. No big surprise...Emily did too.<br />
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Friday night, Highland had a Mother & Daughter Mad Hatter Tea Party. Emily and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We had tea party food (she loved the cupcake that said "Eat Me"), made hats, painted tea cups and Emily painted our fingernails (mine & hers!). Then we got to watch a little of Alice in Wonderland, but I think she wasn't quite ready for that yet. Maybe next year.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKuz7Snp_L0/TtrcchdPHgI/AAAAAAAAHGs/fJPmnmLSbWE/s1600/20111203+012+Anna+%2526+Emily+with+Santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YKuz7Snp_L0/TtrcchdPHgI/AAAAAAAAHGs/fJPmnmLSbWE/s320/20111203+012+Anna+%2526+Emily+with+Santa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84KgwAawr6Y/TtrcNA3XIII/AAAAAAAAHGc/CgWIuA7WpiY/s1600/20111203+002+Anna+at+Breakfast+with+Santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-84KgwAawr6Y/TtrcNA3XIII/AAAAAAAAHGc/CgWIuA7WpiY/s320/20111203+002+Anna+at+Breakfast+with+Santa.JPG" width="240" /></a> Saturday morning, we went to Breakfast with Santa at Westgate Church of
Christ where <a href="http://blasingamefamily.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Robert & Lauren</a> go. As you can see, I got a picture of
the girls with Santa. :-) Typical! But, I also got 2 great pictures of the girls and Emily made frames for them to go in on the tree.<br />
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Mom and I spent a couple hours yesterday getting food and the house ready for our annual Christmas party. It's nice to be able to share that responsibility!<br />
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Tonight we're off to a Christmas program at the Paramount. I can't wait to see what Brandon has put together!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-meT1GG4KAt8/TtrcBGbaBMI/AAAAAAAAHGU/NlytdUlh254/s1600/20111203+001+Emily+at+Breakfast+with+Santa+-+Cropped.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-meT1GG4KAt8/TtrcBGbaBMI/AAAAAAAAHGU/NlytdUlh254/s320/20111203+001+Emily+at+Breakfast+with+Santa+-+Cropped.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08270193575014561575noreply@blogger.com0