tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39569389261536324372024-03-14T02:57:31.403-05:00Husband, Wife, Blessed Lifekristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-3071446294361155972014-07-12T14:58:00.000-05:002014-07-12T14:58:22.885-05:00the clutter that weighs me down.<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3CqKMJS1DCOOYGiVlF9UmGvug4zYcAPK-FMYjyMvON05KU_yfQvZzd3t4kfVGooyAD_5aIrCwXOwtGEfKSpHKZPHGRjTmfx-dQcU7SFtbrwIZzQ9MPms-dxwdRbsI0Bf7hoFy3qHZPQ/s1600/IMG_4876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3CqKMJS1DCOOYGiVlF9UmGvug4zYcAPK-FMYjyMvON05KU_yfQvZzd3t4kfVGooyAD_5aIrCwXOwtGEfKSpHKZPHGRjTmfx-dQcU7SFtbrwIZzQ9MPms-dxwdRbsI0Bf7hoFy3qHZPQ/s1600/IMG_4876.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFE_feNRRHT2RwSpisHpQ-tyF3SOkB6oms9VIEtiTUNCLDUN_S3zokx8aTUjsJjbrZ0Nzxa7VsGt16MjmIIfVk4f8aC7Ym8AFwf793GA5czsnN-8aBtgLNCPpiIlta0TDkiTVxcw-7LM/s1600/IMG_4879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFE_feNRRHT2RwSpisHpQ-tyF3SOkB6oms9VIEtiTUNCLDUN_S3zokx8aTUjsJjbrZ0Nzxa7VsGt16MjmIIfVk4f8aC7Ym8AFwf793GA5czsnN-8aBtgLNCPpiIlta0TDkiTVxcw-7LM/s1600/IMG_4879.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswf_NBx3Stsns060TwjKNbcUUJgmWyT95T97Z04oxvmbSD5nryOAjtIQkWT46hRssJx6425lLDE9WElZOYWZDbDQRgSLApepnmKGdtTAln3Tf_HDq1yNAFyPAcoTj8p54bq6gsJWblUg/s1600/IMG_4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswf_NBx3Stsns060TwjKNbcUUJgmWyT95T97Z04oxvmbSD5nryOAjtIQkWT46hRssJx6425lLDE9WElZOYWZDbDQRgSLApepnmKGdtTAln3Tf_HDq1yNAFyPAcoTj8p54bq6gsJWblUg/s1600/IMG_4877.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4GDTX3MNoBMg4Z9FpM5ImbPCb9eoTx82cPLV14edxH2FmX3J0yxcpxZojhyphenhyphenS5G7JXsrER5m5a9-SfT1NZpBZxD6TrZiww-vZXepgImBNa6ejxMXcm9PlLEjSYjrFvUYilCcZVCE-_68/s1600/IMG_4874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4GDTX3MNoBMg4Z9FpM5ImbPCb9eoTx82cPLV14edxH2FmX3J0yxcpxZojhyphenhyphenS5G7JXsrER5m5a9-SfT1NZpBZxD6TrZiww-vZXepgImBNa6ejxMXcm9PlLEjSYjrFvUYilCcZVCE-_68/s1600/IMG_4874.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IlBCXbtARuo-_ZR-fg-ngcAwpzEtQsSrDpiisy_Ps0B_hA7riXD7qul9rbhb02p6jfTqHfsXGOAFxBIU2jxTDD1Q2bnlZ6pOtBhuv2pgrdrUdDrAU-Qf6mrwcxhj4r2vCHrs200FC6o/s1600/IMG_4881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IlBCXbtARuo-_ZR-fg-ngcAwpzEtQsSrDpiisy_Ps0B_hA7riXD7qul9rbhb02p6jfTqHfsXGOAFxBIU2jxTDD1Q2bnlZ6pOtBhuv2pgrdrUdDrAU-Qf6mrwcxhj4r2vCHrs200FC6o/s1600/IMG_4881.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHh4QJ7SCqG6SH59b8vgVHjHC9dAG5Y0f1yb1t4fS-Z5O2cQjITQdw0uGN1FbvmRoYYQHRkpI1DnqJYlEwDVCzs2UBnj3jDu30zZGvntyFsO7ZzhHZ0JSMlJBibD9wdb9YXULR02TuxI/s1600/IMG_4878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyHh4QJ7SCqG6SH59b8vgVHjHC9dAG5Y0f1yb1t4fS-Z5O2cQjITQdw0uGN1FbvmRoYYQHRkpI1DnqJYlEwDVCzs2UBnj3jDu30zZGvntyFsO7ZzhHZ0JSMlJBibD9wdb9YXULR02TuxI/s1600/IMG_4878.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBSKI9_CDqvnfNEwoeAH2adzD_bnFutHXDihDows7XHq6U-Wv8gVPBO3hO5jVoyx2Rcpg5jEJJ3YguuLtd8vIfHHwvXAU6wxHWAVR6nHy9S5YD5T9RNXIYLLOSWWPcrFD3PGCWVoJpb4/s1600/IMG_4875.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBSKI9_CDqvnfNEwoeAH2adzD_bnFutHXDihDows7XHq6U-Wv8gVPBO3hO5jVoyx2Rcpg5jEJJ3YguuLtd8vIfHHwvXAU6wxHWAVR6nHy9S5YD5T9RNXIYLLOSWWPcrFD3PGCWVoJpb4/s1600/IMG_4875.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox7D1PB22qiSaCLHtSvNZUaAJOWhSQ5UIbiv5ssXL6xDL572MzGxcMVil9g7Ec-k-wokOTJgzZUcy9SOyyx1acg0RCUKmmJjViphtOkXyU2bMffwvefWSV-TJ8KJJVDYILfbjfvnCkCQ/s1600/IMG_4880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiox7D1PB22qiSaCLHtSvNZUaAJOWhSQ5UIbiv5ssXL6xDL572MzGxcMVil9g7Ec-k-wokOTJgzZUcy9SOyyx1acg0RCUKmmJjViphtOkXyU2bMffwvefWSV-TJ8KJJVDYILfbjfvnCkCQ/s1600/IMG_4880.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">lately, i have been in the mood for chang<span style="font-size: x-small;">e.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> i am in the process of going </span>through every room in the house<span style="font-size: x-small;"> to </span>organize, <span style="font-size: x-small;">sort, and purge<span style="font-size: x-small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it feels good. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it's freeing. </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i love <span style="font-size: x-small;">to get rid of the clutter</span>...the things we are no longer using or needing. i'm the type of person who <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">becomes</span> e<span style="font-size: x-small;">asily overwhelmed by <span style="font-size: x-small;">clutter</span>. it make<span style="font-size: x-small;">s me feel anxious and it<span style="font-size: x-small;"> b<span style="font-size: x-small;">ecomes</span></span> all <span style="font-size: x-small;">i <span style="font-size: x-small;">can </span>think about<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">today i focused on benny's room. i <span style="font-size: x-small;">put away 9 & 12 month clothing, reorganized his 18 month <span style="font-size: x-small;">clothing, rearra<span style="font-size: x-small;">nged a few things, and created a rainbow library on <span style="font-size: x-small;">the top of his dresser. that dresser <span style="font-size: x-small;">has been a dumping grounds of sorts --</span> full of junk since we've moved in<span style="font-size: x-small;"> 2 years ago. it was high time something was done with that little space.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i feel good about getting on<span style="font-size: x-small;">e <span style="font-size: x-small;">room completely</span> done. now it<span style="font-size: x-small;">'s onto the next room...</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(thank you t<span style="font-size: xx-small;">o any of <span style="font-size: xx-small;">the </span>loyal readers who <span style="font-size: xx-small;">are</span> even reading this! i know, it's been a long while.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> please say hi!)</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></center>
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhy96SrvV68yQZ9zDqSH4BpPtoFk9vemZSCf9tSBgRrHZQi7vBQtl7uzVRfTGsYPzy_xYaGN2C9bRLqDHSIVAUdbLKKac5W3_kUtXgblSfYsBnqebgrcHPBu0gQYNXU8MViwYemQevQchN9WnJ2UOt1GHNIggI9q3eXlHE3UcHvMWftUDjwkz2Ij2ZvaNM=" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1099.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fg400%2Ftankandtink2%2Fkristin-signature-2.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhy96SrvV68yQZ9zDqSH4BpPtoFk9vemZSCf9tSBgRrHZQi7vBQtl7uzVRfTGsYPzy_xYaGN2C9bRLqDHSIVAUdbLKKac5W3_kUtXgblSfYsBnqebgrcHPBu0gQYNXU8MViwYemQevQchN9WnJ2UOt1GHNIggI9q3eXlHE3UcHvMWftUDjwkz2Ij2ZvaNM=" -->kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-81547902321028347762013-12-07T15:43:00.001-06:002013-12-07T15:43:20.067-06:00desperate.<center>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">I needed to read this today:</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">"You are exactly the mom your children need. He created you for these good works from before the foundation of the world, and as you walk this great call of motherhood with Him holding your hand, you will be amazed at how He weaves the beautiful thread of redemption through the pattern of your life. He brings light to the dark places through you, something you could only have accomplished by embracing His wonderful call and embracing these very precious children who were inextricably created as part of the design for your life. May He bless you and fill you with great joy in this journey."</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: x-small;">-Sally Clarkson [Desperate: Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe]</span></center>
<center>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3956938926153632437"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-17747370700540348752013-09-16T07:00:00.000-05:002013-09-16T07:00:03.950-05:00harvest barn.<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">last year, by accident, my mom and I stumbled upon this adorable barn <span style="font-size: x-small;">just outside of <span style="font-size: x-small;">town<span style="font-size: x-small;">. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj783eIXgJbboMXIbpJ-wSwHCJ3BU9Ge-L7p1eRGsG3Z5UiqTzU7tM460ZLd9Q4H6GS-dam7BfoEFxvLyJGY4E_MQQIBJz8PIUAjoK9PMmoQ2S6XsrlqDhYJBr5i92WN4fpzu36jzb4fr0/s1600/hb+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj783eIXgJbboMXIbpJ-wSwHCJ3BU9Ge-L7p1eRGsG3Z5UiqTzU7tM460ZLd9Q4H6GS-dam7BfoEFxvLyJGY4E_MQQIBJz8PIUAjoK9PMmoQ2S6XsrlqDhYJBr5i92WN4fpzu36jzb4fr0/s640/hb+sign.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I had no idea it existed, but boy am I glad we decided to st<span style="font-size: x-small;">op and check it out<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">if I could live on site, I probably would.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">we took a trip back <span style="font-size: x-small;">to the barn on Friday and it was just as I remembered...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">marvelous!</span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkae75YIs0bAX_9aULLB19rYfWjBzN6aApvSyVJQbxaQYgmAWgomarJykSYeU3uHtR7j-6oMmO5sg0BoFMxqdOzqp-cxiJjGYbiPix86kQoDlr_psH6zt00SwOry_xuByHSKIwCNRYK2Q/s1600/harvest+barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkae75YIs0bAX_9aULLB19rYfWjBzN6aApvSyVJQbxaQYgmAWgomarJykSYeU3uHtR7j-6oMmO5sg0BoFMxqdOzqp-cxiJjGYbiPix86kQoDlr_psH6zt00SwOry_xuByHSKIwCNRYK2Q/s640/harvest+barn.jpg" width="508" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">where do I even begin?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">when you first pull in, the entrance to the barn has <span style="font-size: x-small;">a beautiful disp<span style="font-size: x-small;">lay of pumpkins and all things <span style="font-size: x-small;">fall/harvest.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I nabbed several <span style="font-size: x-small;">small white pumpkins (my favorite!) to disp<span style="font-size: x-small;">lay <span style="font-size: x-small;">at home.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">aren't they the cut<span style="font-size: x-small;">est?</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zIfaqlYZgnFFzM5kn-BAjHMrA3G8Ot5yjLkmFUwqd5MOGilfh8iZUkyxe2Y57iasG5bMd0xt19xVLHkSCb_PgF4aJLiMHOTQmbTMCk0dOxzyNFN4cgAHNA3ESY8wC8N4-G5JE85IRMk/s1600/pumpkins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zIfaqlYZgnFFzM5kn-BAjHMrA3G8Ot5yjLkmFUwqd5MOGilfh8iZUkyxe2Y57iasG5bMd0xt19xVLHkSCb_PgF4aJLiMHOTQmbTMCk0dOxzyNFN4cgAHNA3ESY8wC8N4-G5JE85IRMk/s640/pumpkins.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">there are also <i>tons</i> of <span style="font-size: x-small;">kid friendly activities to do on-site...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">visit <span style="font-size: x-small;">the farm animals (J loved seeing the cows, sheep, and pigs <span style="font-size: x-small;">up close!)<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">walk through <span style="font-size: x-small;">a corn maze,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">play in a <u>real</u> combine harvester<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">play in a corn bin<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">wagon rides...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the list goes on and on!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">then you go inside.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the inside is fi<span style="font-size: x-small;">iiiiiilled with holiday decor.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the <span style="font-size: x-small;">main l<span style="font-size: x-small;">evel has fall decorations perfectly placed about<span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfwcQ1HthHBSRyj5E0Rp2MyqoV8AdCgl5hXZfuCinTAPx-AZq3wtT4J1burw85oJU-myoPqMTbfDJw5QrqtPGJKZlNK1-RTTEYaBwUf0QlyPcn9hkQCAg7-yED-RSDjcZzLCnLzmvqwU/s1600/hb+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOfwcQ1HthHBSRyj5E0Rp2MyqoV8AdCgl5hXZfuCinTAPx-AZq3wtT4J1burw85oJU-myoPqMTbfDJw5QrqtPGJKZlNK1-RTTEYaBwUf0QlyPcn9hkQCAg7-yED-RSDjcZzLCnLzmvqwU/s640/hb+cabinet.jpg" width="342" /></a> </div>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeT9ECumbKMaqRP0No5aRVIqBmbxoQoP0KqBeph7sqGaIsdVZ1EH14BB_2Zz1NmXa-RwsbYt4J41RiXYSJyjPufiqhRd8lMR250NX7rTTzwzzz3cXsrw6QHUKypw-2A0wwgaVNosTErg/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeT9ECumbKMaqRP0No5aRVIqBmbxoQoP0KqBeph7sqGaIsdVZ1EH14BB_2Zz1NmXa-RwsbYt4J41RiXYSJyjPufiqhRd8lMR250NX7rTTzwzzz3cXsrw6QHUKypw-2A0wwgaVNosTErg/s640/sign.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and a counter to purchase a <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>huge</i> variety of </span>homemade fudge,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">as well as other food ite<span style="font-size: x-small;">ms.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpADLsXsLuqs3DlPF5GI_1y8wZfG41XIZxkTqzn57N0NuTaeaxxJl74N-8aIbwveFZv_JpFvleCFh7zscd9j3YNejv82alDSmdLPnfN5ns9IkctikERRB5packah5zU326rc4NSCDv11Y/s1600/jars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpADLsXsLuqs3DlPF5GI_1y8wZfG41XIZxkTqzn57N0NuTaeaxxJl74N-8aIbwveFZv_JpFvleCFh7zscd9j3YNejv82alDSmdLPnfN5ns9IkctikERRB5packah5zU326rc4NSCDv11Y/s640/jars.jpg" width="632" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I sampled these two and<span style="font-size: x-small;">, well, couldn't leave without th<span style="font-size: x-small;">em.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">DELISH, I tell ya<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">moving along...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">then you walk up the stairs to the</span> top floor <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the most magical, in my opinion!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and find that it's</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">ALL</span> CHRISTMAS!</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b3J54myGY14RLfFFesnCKaKMt7lmeqCQZpZZ1FcspPPkzrbpfPDozcYse9uXZp4cMJJZhaihmp0R0IBxUCazoNb2DyYEyVij3yixNOjVuvRdw_k666XIRqZvzXdxrqGUz61k_r_z_P0/s1600/2nd+story.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1b3J54myGY14RLfFFesnCKaKMt7lmeqCQZpZZ1FcspPPkzrbpfPDozcYse9uXZp4cMJJZhaihmp0R0IBxUCazoNb2DyYEyVij3yixNOjVuvRdw_k666XIRqZvzXdxrqGUz61k_r_z_P0/s640/2nd+story.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Go4mEHhZdcTo5ZL_Jl1B_xJ2j5vrczCMTVaIcZQOFN8zJqFgR0xwW5GO-NsshaHYYosP7BvQC-8-HtmtTNXtMUwxVQ4Lqg6g_eh-Ybo3Z9vOboo1G2RFlLmrQcwEv2jMoKzdlc5OZM/s1600/christmas+decor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2Go4mEHhZdcTo5ZL_Jl1B_xJ2j5vrczCMTVaIcZQOFN8zJqFgR0xwW5GO-NsshaHYYosP7BvQC-8-HtmtTNXtMUwxVQ4Lqg6g_eh-Ybo3Z9vOboo1G2RFlLmrQcwEv2jMoKzdlc5OZM/s640/christmas+decor.jpg" width="586" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">do they <span style="font-size: x-small;">not have the cutest decorations<span style="font-size: x-small;">?!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I wanted one of everything...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">oh, and check out the arched ceiling on the second <span style="font-size: x-small;">story:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc6ugvNM2zttEmjLXEXy8Cy8f9D0xsLo-abFZEXa5pHWuPerj9KkqZU4wu5_PaCcQHxZFKTc2-evAtAm-gtc8Lkbzsp39qQW6U_mkG-l8FzdRUc6jpu5e6Nj024P1UPWb0RIEDx5jwX8/s1600/inside+barn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAc6ugvNM2zttEmjLXEXy8Cy8f9D0xsLo-abFZEXa5pHWuPerj9KkqZU4wu5_PaCcQHxZFKTc2-evAtAm-gtc8Lkbzsp39qQW6U_mkG-l8FzdRUc6jpu5e6Nj024P1UPWb0RIEDx5jwX8/s640/inside+barn.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span>the detail is just beautiful!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">everything about th<span style="font-size: x-small;">e barn is <span style="font-size: x-small;">cozy and perfect. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">if you're ever in southern iowa during the <span style="font-size: x-small;">Fall season</span>, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">do yourself a favor and stop by the barn! </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span> </center>
<center>
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></center>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-82270433341019418912013-09-13T07:00:00.000-05:002013-09-13T07:17:28.972-05:00operation: finish playroom<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">when we moved into our house just over a year <span style="font-size: x-small;">ago, there wer<span style="font-size: x-small;">e some<span style="font-size: x-small;"> thi<span style="font-size: x-small;">ngs that just didn't match our style.</span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">since that time, we've slowly been <span style="font-size: x-small;">working on and checking <span style="font-size: x-small;">off said items<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">we<span style="font-size: x-small;">'ve torn down lots of wallpaper<span style="font-size: x-small;">, patched up <span style="font-size: x-small;">spots on the wal<span style="font-size: x-small;">ls</span></span>, and <span style="font-size: x-small;">have done our fair <span style="font-size: x-small;">share of painting.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">one of t<span style="font-size: x-small;">he items on our list was to <span style="font-size: x-small;">address James' playroom.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">when we moved in,<span style="font-size: x-small;"> two of the four walls were painted <i>neon orange</i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (the other two were white, phew!) </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">with a Ch<span style="font-size: x-small;">icago Bears border <span style="font-size: x-small;">on the top of the wall surrounding the room<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it wasn't what we had envisioned for James' playroom,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">so fortunately, Michael and his parents got to work.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">they were <u>busy</u><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">after everything <span style="font-size: x-small;">was</span> a<span style="font-size: x-small;">ll said and done,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the border was torn off,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the walls were primed and painted in Antique White,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">new baseboard was installed,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">we added a chalkboard wall,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and put in a new rug.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i couldn't do much to aid in the process since i was 7 months pregnant and painting is <span style="font-size: x-small;">generally frowned upon;</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">however, i did<span style="font-size: x-small;"> find a few projects (::cough::<span style="font-size: x-small;">bunting::cough) to keep me busy.</span></span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the end result is better than i envisioned...and James was floored as well<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">here's a look at his new and improved playroom<span style="font-size: x-small;">:</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvhC0EBI10rCfn2uM9AHxQc4wnlb8j4Ic1cDLQqsq_1swXWgosGXJYi1D24dKM7SnVq02ImVPjBHj4jlRiVEg7USIWxN5-GEle9hKFj__R1iEP4ZupwTCmoQXDA7oALj_C3Q8RZxZgsE/s1600/playroom+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQvhC0EBI10rCfn2uM9AHxQc4wnlb8j4Ic1cDLQqsq_1swXWgosGXJYi1D24dKM7SnVq02ImVPjBHj4jlRiVEg7USIWxN5-GEle9hKFj__R1iEP4ZupwTCmoQXDA7oALj_C3Q8RZxZgsE/s640/playroom+1.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4QPhIlMW6d6P8pZanP-4mO1kzu1Cxt_eFrPDF-O5qghu5CUqKzo_Tw8otPTHglckdOjmk13Bf-R2X4VXm86NaC95clzwhOf6giAQxrdcLRFsXn1dKjqBi2fVdBjDIqc9voPtBhQm3iw/s1600/playroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4QPhIlMW6d6P8pZanP-4mO1kzu1Cxt_eFrPDF-O5qghu5CUqKzo_Tw8otPTHglckdOjmk13Bf-R2X4VXm86NaC95clzwhOf6giAQxrdcLRFsXn1dKjqBi2fVdBjDIqc9voPtBhQm3iw/s640/playroom+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5sHWB6-o2Pn8WdUP8GTPJmT6-LmU7gmxbfFPm1WZyc88990vlVzA_taj9TDGtU6hNevtWHVSxiJjbkkC6Ky9dxp29XJoxxhNUwTvrHXz_ls5ov9d_tOY9GW3HBSUW4bSdwSlb4RxwvU/s1600/playroom+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM5sHWB6-o2Pn8WdUP8GTPJmT6-LmU7gmxbfFPm1WZyc88990vlVzA_taj9TDGtU6hNevtWHVSxiJjbkkC6Ky9dxp29XJoxxhNUwTvrHXz_ls5ov9d_tOY9GW3HBSUW4bSdwSlb4RxwvU/s640/playroom+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsbQZ_fo8wSmzHhctDLSjA84Q9Y4MW25k5hoqs2SlN4mm3zdS2gQxkz3OA0cqg5g4q7I0_GQkf35uC3GbGw7BTRQ54BKDJq-t87ueelpbQQVnWPDvTUmZ4OOr4nLipb5PDuMU3CrLU-E/s1600/playroom+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSsbQZ_fo8wSmzHhctDLSjA84Q9Y4MW25k5hoqs2SlN4mm3zdS2gQxkz3OA0cqg5g4q7I0_GQkf35uC3GbGw7BTRQ54BKDJq-t87ueelpbQQVnWPDvTUmZ4OOr4nLipb5PDuMU3CrLU-E/s640/playroom+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoag2gIT_dKWTu6mwaQOjqdxEugb8_RVhB0r1wyfgelYQEn1CUVmD8wT1lV_fDhloVpGOL2hIMo9lWhxdiIfYfzG66zL7hBFcWo5U4XmE-GadJKQ-4c6rUAGquzSN6s-cFeiWyabTilk/s1600/playroom+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMoag2gIT_dKWTu6mwaQOjqdxEugb8_RVhB0r1wyfgelYQEn1CUVmD8wT1lV_fDhloVpGOL2hIMo9lWhxdiIfYfzG66zL7hBFcWo5U4XmE-GadJKQ-4c6rUAGquzSN6s-cFeiWyabTilk/s640/playroom+4.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIAoW8c2PTFaRlEiueV2QKE5c1KC0nx-pGIlzuKm1Y25u9Cow5Wv6B2I_sUEUNAs29brztfP26e7VuEI76RkqYgUT8UXk4aBHQYU_9nTiuaxEUefkkLMyDl4ejkORsGJkiZU601NXKXU/s1600/playroom+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIAoW8c2PTFaRlEiueV2QKE5c1KC0nx-pGIlzuKm1Y25u9Cow5Wv6B2I_sUEUNAs29brztfP26e7VuEI76RkqYgUT8UXk4aBHQYU_9nTiuaxEUefkkLMyDl4ejkORsGJkiZU601NXKXU/s640/playroom+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdDaPHF454OmKQ-L-36rhzZ8V7UJtzXKEusEIWr5ZbFGBfFh8s8QP9jZyCDTrCyZwxFpCEkXT0sZfrDBCd2SVF8zVwLsT5lZ-xxSSOi1BQstneFuvqm-RYyTLGcPK-5O7x_sE87VASQQ/s1600/playroom+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdDaPHF454OmKQ-L-36rhzZ8V7UJtzXKEusEIWr5ZbFGBfFh8s8QP9jZyCDTrCyZwxFpCEkXT0sZfrDBCd2SVF8zVwLsT5lZ-xxSSOi1BQstneFuvqm-RYyTLGcPK-5O7x_sE87VASQQ/s640/playroom+7.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_6O187FpO57BXLcd1i9QCo9Of6GmR6S5ptukiwFdfg6hhbygW2AdsdzZaEtyKjAPW28A7XXdA48pxziyjYW2ghJ2s4x1XWEqMu_AEzlY8RjHxbdvMDOPMooTzvk_s04iu5ZBiFGqGuQ/s1600/playroom+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_6O187FpO57BXLcd1i9QCo9Of6GmR6S5ptukiwFdfg6hhbygW2AdsdzZaEtyKjAPW28A7XXdA48pxziyjYW2ghJ2s4x1XWEqMu_AEzlY8RjHxbdvMDOPMooTzvk_s04iu5ZBiFGqGuQ/s640/playroom+8.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">we are slowly<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;">turning this house into our home<span style="font-size: x-small;">. :)</span></span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-47557634846215087362013-09-12T14:04:00.001-05:002013-09-12T14:04:37.814-05:00when fall comes knockin' at my door...<center>
</center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it's th<span style="font-size: x-small;">at</span> time of year!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">no...not THE<span style="font-size: x-small;">E most wonderful time of t<span style="font-size: x-small;">he year (::cough::Christmas::cough::),</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">but the next best<span style="font-size: x-small;"> -</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">fall! </span> </span></span> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">school is back in session, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">football has begun, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and my September calendar is </span>a constant reminder of the changing months.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">now if only the<span style="font-size: x-small;"> weather would get the memo<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">has been <span style="font-size: x-small;">in the<span style="font-size: x-small;"> upper 90's/<span style="font-size: x-small;">100's here, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and this pregnant lady is <span style="font-size: x-small;">noooooot</span> groovin<span style="font-size: x-small;">' on it<span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i digress. </span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">with baby boy #2 <span style="font-size: x-small;">on his way (l<span style="font-size: x-small;">ess than a month to go...eep!),</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i've decided to bust out my fall decorations. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">here's a glimpse into our home...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfLUzKbpfft0Em7hIa-wxOQQszg0w3rlY4EwkPE4B8f0vND0hMeQ3EoVjpl7pNeqQWF4EiDAYD3yvrFedBS2BdV4RAu531p6CWbcV4xGlHd4Gei9-r2IhsoYOBbd-Vc6d53de9NBkM0Y/s1600/fall+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYfLUzKbpfft0Em7hIa-wxOQQszg0w3rlY4EwkPE4B8f0vND0hMeQ3EoVjpl7pNeqQWF4EiDAYD3yvrFedBS2BdV4RAu531p6CWbcV4xGlHd4Gei9-r2IhsoYOBbd-Vc6d53de9NBkM0Y/s640/fall+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9pd1OAiSyo9Pz0QvpZ3xaSmfGqZasDyPFD9gNXNjuG_LxnyH3iLrigDEhGv-CTFMsmza0GR19vF4kGPLU0mQeWQ4x-1tFdhUJWyNVjDzTefYOML4D8AAmcukt9BwZTAAybUAQpPcf-s/s1600/fall+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9pd1OAiSyo9Pz0QvpZ3xaSmfGqZasDyPFD9gNXNjuG_LxnyH3iLrigDEhGv-CTFMsmza0GR19vF4kGPLU0mQeWQ4x-1tFdhUJWyNVjDzTefYOML4D8AAmcukt9BwZTAAybUAQpPcf-s/s640/fall+9.jpg" width="566" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhFEjIsuMo_QLF_Crmj1-jtUgBscfQvyD-TehsZd5gBD6ircpv3LjZkcMwvk5AcRIzdO_BbB1d1Ykx_19uxJesz1IVlAEVrelGIjkWiw2da16wwLlq88sg9M40eRwA2K9NTBUiwKeHlk/s1600/fall+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDhFEjIsuMo_QLF_Crmj1-jtUgBscfQvyD-TehsZd5gBD6ircpv3LjZkcMwvk5AcRIzdO_BbB1d1Ykx_19uxJesz1IVlAEVrelGIjkWiw2da16wwLlq88sg9M40eRwA2K9NTBUiwKeHlk/s640/fall+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U-Kn4JF-Gh-Io3npFSP9fNyA_6evydP7YVlQenbk6wdTLgs0NoLpBqawpWTREgLFwY-zaWZb28lvjYo7C87AQYS7Dl6jOeI4cq_VmakUI61u4zjrMkbZ9oSVhRGkTHYfO7jjCctuEPU/s1600/fall+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6U-Kn4JF-Gh-Io3npFSP9fNyA_6evydP7YVlQenbk6wdTLgs0NoLpBqawpWTREgLFwY-zaWZb28lvjYo7C87AQYS7Dl6jOeI4cq_VmakUI61u4zjrMkbZ9oSVhRGkTHYfO7jjCctuEPU/s640/fall+3.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQQBgGEE5OL1SzUTSM1oznUh-Y7VBAafaeLbx7TkbS8DKanv6UPWWNjOYYPw9RDquHFILFNjfrliOWl-dw6Q1lubpBV_q8m8xG5Y7RGyjNOWR8NqF9a2qQVD8tnm0dDqIQeYXO_QFpJA/s1600/fall+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQQBgGEE5OL1SzUTSM1oznUh-Y7VBAafaeLbx7TkbS8DKanv6UPWWNjOYYPw9RDquHFILFNjfrliOWl-dw6Q1lubpBV_q8m8xG5Y7RGyjNOWR8NqF9a2qQVD8tnm0dDqIQeYXO_QFpJA/s640/fall+4.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAc7gUS7jDRofjlE3oJkvE6Qjp56DMoDPyBoDyBn-2Iw2rDU65Fh6B0r9xzVlbYem4JKHz0i-KplZO5hIrZf9gdo5XYnoVHRI9ttKUYGzZu0JA_zRP_6oNDkEdU9CCPYkqUXLIibNPoY/s1600/fall+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAc7gUS7jDRofjlE3oJkvE6Qjp56DMoDPyBoDyBn-2Iw2rDU65Fh6B0r9xzVlbYem4JKHz0i-KplZO5hIrZf9gdo5XYnoVHRI9ttKUYGzZu0JA_zRP_6oNDkEdU9CCPYkqUXLIibNPoY/s640/fall+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQorV8eDzhX6MTvcGBoThI14XBFOfIndIMRk0GEVCg5CIt8k-3R04abvyadUDvFxEq-HrOv8sjoihI6swNzYnajyYCNVZbZheGvEhp_0oQUT_tUlyGHUu95aBPFe7yBJGE4mu2pQ60m_4/s1600/fall+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQorV8eDzhX6MTvcGBoThI14XBFOfIndIMRk0GEVCg5CIt8k-3R04abvyadUDvFxEq-HrOv8sjoihI6swNzYnajyYCNVZbZheGvEhp_0oQUT_tUlyGHUu95aBPFe7yBJGE4mu2pQ60m_4/s640/fall+6.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcZ7glPl-vesH0o-cN5MkzyJDSbYUjUvT3wpQ5nxYnQ20-YMHzTZMFki6zmuv2tM5RDAR4jLJFIE_KA9aw5sOvusZFZwj59EbL7L2fKbdyUQpp9rdeFxvrEX-QZ-NwRsqxqk0M4JX0Rk/s1600/fall+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcZ7glPl-vesH0o-cN5MkzyJDSbYUjUvT3wpQ5nxYnQ20-YMHzTZMFki6zmuv2tM5RDAR4jLJFIE_KA9aw5sOvusZFZwj59EbL7L2fKbdyUQpp9rdeFxvrEX-QZ-NwRsqxqk0M4JX0Rk/s640/fall+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LAjJHnp7NsqC1wtvGrXzRgyNtIEIpEdFhaGRev1W53c_-waAiI0zlg3cMh6OBKgAnccwCl7C72lum0Ey4poCrQFRJCUeI1eFvr_EBQncIovZKyjFVL0ZfZ1TCFNpuZ9ht5_T_jPggtM/s1600/fall+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6LAjJHnp7NsqC1wtvGrXzRgyNtIEIpEdFhaGRev1W53c_-waAiI0zlg3cMh6OBKgAnccwCl7C72lum0Ey4poCrQFRJCUeI1eFvr_EBQncIovZKyjFVL0ZfZ1TCFNpuZ9ht5_T_jPggtM/s640/fall+8.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2RTVs9ZpeQC9DFqkNW5Sc9nefmRaPWOhwu0TylQNic_AWJI4KSY4kbFMFY3Vai0_8a3wqOZcU7yaTZq7ql097sSIhGWfeK9yZsgzVyx3yNApZQnavHwOPz-VSgdP7shVRyRDjzif2DQ/s1600/fall+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2RTVs9ZpeQC9DFqkNW5Sc9nefmRaPWOhwu0TylQNic_AWJI4KSY4kbFMFY3Vai0_8a3wqOZcU7yaTZq7ql097sSIhGWfeK9yZsgzVyx3yNApZQnavHwOPz-VSgdP7shVRyRDjzif2DQ/s640/fall+10.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx4yCfoeuaF-QuYZBKXUj0msVHakoN2qSrBWyhOzolO4KWZVlf0pItexAeXv9GHHjy6uJCbRJScyvSALEmlNy61osvPx369CgYauZ_aDontTA5UXeFwdgju5jBnB2cvBgOmYfhL2NLO8/s1600/fall+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifx4yCfoeuaF-QuYZBKXUj0msVHakoN2qSrBWyhOzolO4KWZVlf0pItexAeXv9GHHjy6uJCbRJScyvSALEmlNy61osvPx369CgYauZ_aDontTA5UXeFwdgju5jBnB2cvBgOmYfhL2NLO8/s640/fall+11.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">tomorrow's high is supposed to be in the mid <span style="font-size: x-small;">70's (what!?<span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">can. not. wait.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-42594292088796350912013-07-08T15:23:00.000-05:002013-07-08T15:23:42.153-05:00a quick catchup.<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">oye.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I have NOT been good about this blogging thing lately...so here is my attempt to get back on board.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here are a few snippets from life the past few months:</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><i>a fun walk/bike ride around the lake with GiGi</i> </span></b></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was the perfect day to spend an hour or two outside before nap time.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and bonus! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we got to see a mama (or maybe daddy?) bald eagle feeding three babies. </span><b><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></b></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it. was. awesome! </span> </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgz3j5-itR_HDVbb9bPcNRIkrLIzNUWP37VjJIwezfmVSRRP2wdbzXdnHvVljuHKZXx0tyHFGIdfVfn1PkyHflJPgwhkDxU-wTTYZxmUxrDS87TD-GltWMz1bJPxqdINLF0d-5tBX4-M/s1600/IMG_3799.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgz3j5-itR_HDVbb9bPcNRIkrLIzNUWP37VjJIwezfmVSRRP2wdbzXdnHvVljuHKZXx0tyHFGIdfVfn1PkyHflJPgwhkDxU-wTTYZxmUxrDS87TD-GltWMz1bJPxqdINLF0d-5tBX4-M/s640/IMG_3799.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh26zHTNyrIK4BruZ4b9BVjOQkwY_JzzhVdl0TDyL11CDjpcfCgIZxLdm1KP-FJsWPl4MTQrg77h-tD6H05wuTAMq18Msbf_PXbEXT9Fl22o6krAw0j0H-TuHZfTusVD0fekY-B1B5KOE/s1600/IMG_3801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh26zHTNyrIK4BruZ4b9BVjOQkwY_JzzhVdl0TDyL11CDjpcfCgIZxLdm1KP-FJsWPl4MTQrg77h-tD6H05wuTAMq18Msbf_PXbEXT9Fl22o6krAw0j0H-TuHZfTusVD0fekY-B1B5KOE/s640/IMG_3801.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQtAAoAbwrBLpTNV7gEiGM7g_VfB06Wr9TqLAcxLKH5gJ8WwVAm9SBwNn0IwZXhwzvJcTWtRYSY5RoA6adyeSJQ-4k1IxMxO_P3fjQnKHqPyGsDIoNwRLGFzPARRdHJvwAu6RRJXcKaE/s1600/IMG_3807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTQtAAoAbwrBLpTNV7gEiGM7g_VfB06Wr9TqLAcxLKH5gJ8WwVAm9SBwNn0IwZXhwzvJcTWtRYSY5RoA6adyeSJQ-4k1IxMxO_P3fjQnKHqPyGsDIoNwRLGFzPARRdHJvwAu6RRJXcKaE/s640/IMG_3807.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3QbPua0pzwp9SbiADijtOB5JDU680HXXB2QlEa5ySVhWem7KhyMGr0ZxURy_CzWFZNtGicZxlJEfbwtu_PPvLy7HsPRv4HCF4BDSbET69NkpnLDZNWO45wwOF5msOINaCGdDtvpGiNk/s1600/IMG_3815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN3QbPua0pzwp9SbiADijtOB5JDU680HXXB2QlEa5ySVhWem7KhyMGr0ZxURy_CzWFZNtGicZxlJEfbwtu_PPvLy7HsPRv4HCF4BDSbET69NkpnLDZNWO45wwOF5msOINaCGdDtvpGiNk/s640/IMG_3815.JPG" width="428" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9hUqpMNjXMUgLO5rOyeWcBUpoWXD-jxnoxJ5-2GP8Xt5HPZNl65QnkpKfYkDR34yc8zwgE9i990apzQUdq_r86kzDAHGZIfgpEjgoBcYMKRh5Wk4GymJF8fefjK3WIEH6nTlCrnh-pM/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9hUqpMNjXMUgLO5rOyeWcBUpoWXD-jxnoxJ5-2GP8Xt5HPZNl65QnkpKfYkDR34yc8zwgE9i990apzQUdq_r86kzDAHGZIfgpEjgoBcYMKRh5Wk4GymJF8fefjK3WIEH6nTlCrnh-pM/s640/IMG_3819.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvos3vZ8lF7PJ-K4flplbaIKgj3QbzuN30VoCqFaKecBR0NDWVk9jpt8BE8MOWyRyUc-J93yBuvK_byTOFsvcj1mmXF4L5TPOSs7bRVPy3tVZccuXzHfS-7FTxpSuEHPZoTOZ3WbuZlE/s1600/IMG_3829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvos3vZ8lF7PJ-K4flplbaIKgj3QbzuN30VoCqFaKecBR0NDWVk9jpt8BE8MOWyRyUc-J93yBuvK_byTOFsvcj1mmXF4L5TPOSs7bRVPy3tVZccuXzHfS-7FTxpSuEHPZoTOZ3WbuZlE/s640/IMG_3829.JPG" width="410" /></a></div>
<center>
<br /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><i>my Grammy's 92nd birthday party</i></b></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><b><i> </i></b>almost all 3,000 of the family members on my dad's side (or so it felt!) got together to celebrate my Grammy's birthday.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it was so wonderful to see and catch up with all of the family.</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3zVRFdVs-x6kFaGPeHh-CS4CzqWOBgGZE79L76gH3SoiZequ40w7uvFPYcV7mvzz21ahXRfYf25ZZpz2itbQrkFodn-5i5DIOc-CzKJOnWuVfA459FaGYyq7D8IYsdHgqqatKcTOW1I/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3zVRFdVs-x6kFaGPeHh-CS4CzqWOBgGZE79L76gH3SoiZequ40w7uvFPYcV7mvzz21ahXRfYf25ZZpz2itbQrkFodn-5i5DIOc-CzKJOnWuVfA459FaGYyq7D8IYsdHgqqatKcTOW1I/s640/IMG_3841.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuy1Pxl2NLhiWDVZMkp7q0i86PDErF-rKuBpzp9SzO5AQicjw4rBanPKsKJfY6kiA3Ed6Z-sBtpzTKZXbKC5e7OWwBCnZi79xcxPvDN6UrJ97PT8CoxB282lAsu4HABWs_PF5bC1urQ4/s1600/IMG_3854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuy1Pxl2NLhiWDVZMkp7q0i86PDErF-rKuBpzp9SzO5AQicjw4rBanPKsKJfY6kiA3Ed6Z-sBtpzTKZXbKC5e7OWwBCnZi79xcxPvDN6UrJ97PT8CoxB282lAsu4HABWs_PF5bC1urQ4/s640/IMG_3854.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEGfMHn1UWh2UYuWJgT4Bt05FVQB_kW92NzwCIuhylFYZzZtLQ8jwLynf7z7zg3dZKv-xBWBw_xNhmw2Z1FXs6c-_tHvz1t8Toi2kbKCDxH7bYNScwYyURnARDMyGzI_bcMNf81NaOVQ/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyEGfMHn1UWh2UYuWJgT4Bt05FVQB_kW92NzwCIuhylFYZzZtLQ8jwLynf7z7zg3dZKv-xBWBw_xNhmw2Z1FXs6c-_tHvz1t8Toi2kbKCDxH7bYNScwYyURnARDMyGzI_bcMNf81NaOVQ/s640/IMG_3857.JPG" width="268" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJrSltv4avt4teSXRN01n04Xt5_gl8ncl4KOI3P79V4bZjjTzCe4DqRVx2OgREwhj9bHeT_9PjR_v4uKZjXSFoBcwmh2bDnYdbTQc-_rq1btKR3ymCccZl5kM8DtqW9ecMo2t1dlYhBo/s1600/IMG_3864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJrSltv4avt4teSXRN01n04Xt5_gl8ncl4KOI3P79V4bZjjTzCe4DqRVx2OgREwhj9bHeT_9PjR_v4uKZjXSFoBcwmh2bDnYdbTQc-_rq1btKR3ymCccZl5kM8DtqW9ecMo2t1dlYhBo/s640/IMG_3864.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc2VaF7UMIHhOUt1TszzwGWRBEy5kXX_e5B-OVJ1KFlUJ1YmwxXDrdrpcJwYb26Q7vpKRLS6nwE2OLfd1aniWCcgA903Nh9ANZFirFhFPtDKvnK0CYfQ7lNPG1vB_pataHFrPsSlUibg/s1600/IMG_3874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnc2VaF7UMIHhOUt1TszzwGWRBEy5kXX_e5B-OVJ1KFlUJ1YmwxXDrdrpcJwYb26Q7vpKRLS6nwE2OLfd1aniWCcgA903Nh9ANZFirFhFPtDKvnK0CYfQ7lNPG1vB_pataHFrPsSlUibg/s640/IMG_3874.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<center>
<b><i> </i></b></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><b>adding to the family...Michael's younger brother got married!</b></i></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">so excited to have another sister-in-law to add to the mix. :)</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">their wedding was amazing (even though it rained)...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">from the decorations,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">to the food,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">to the love felt between the two newlyweds.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I love them both dearly and had such a fun day!</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OQgorpBjbCFXCrW-gMvWtdDHD9SLQIRpDlpcOju-1JByQ6k5LrqfdAG_aj57SlLWNPUnyqU4GBuyFinFP-Fb_O4aE6mvu0OB-SMP4edFU79dOU8XicTnCC1uSTvf8M4p6D5P0sXyjY0/s1600/IMG_4062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8OQgorpBjbCFXCrW-gMvWtdDHD9SLQIRpDlpcOju-1JByQ6k5LrqfdAG_aj57SlLWNPUnyqU4GBuyFinFP-Fb_O4aE6mvu0OB-SMP4edFU79dOU8XicTnCC1uSTvf8M4p6D5P0sXyjY0/s640/IMG_4062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6e67rLWlHdfTMNRpr7DhTwSJ2P4mkJUKVOdKbb8SQGVssSNAOkL31FYljsWbwnCImmcpYug_mwqGqEehr7zElhpbwEtMXBepQEwuDkg0HcQ4t8ef9fLWSQn5ALUJgAuQZkgZIbK6Big/s1600/IMG_4063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm6e67rLWlHdfTMNRpr7DhTwSJ2P4mkJUKVOdKbb8SQGVssSNAOkL31FYljsWbwnCImmcpYug_mwqGqEehr7zElhpbwEtMXBepQEwuDkg0HcQ4t8ef9fLWSQn5ALUJgAuQZkgZIbK6Big/s640/IMG_4063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yycnDFSl-tfUl4hRAuJuh7ZxAK0_OsFO_3lm6obduju-2WNr7h3Rgb-spXhLrRBxx-WPiifEE8XfxjKHKMSEKfrgDEXY9SlTYBFwfYcWs_XnrjnhBOuOjNOgEdkXcybcwFDWX6dGWt4/s1600/IMG_4074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yycnDFSl-tfUl4hRAuJuh7ZxAK0_OsFO_3lm6obduju-2WNr7h3Rgb-spXhLrRBxx-WPiifEE8XfxjKHKMSEKfrgDEXY9SlTYBFwfYcWs_XnrjnhBOuOjNOgEdkXcybcwFDWX6dGWt4/s640/IMG_4074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jM38iJLwvh5WgNQbVVpgp86HunIqY9Y7cbmpOIxquIvEwCtn_wTCNF362pnQrP-ucHMWZao1FFpjLHjZ3zZmkT4Lcel9aFPQqvz1iDRuKsgEYcIqx6KMmr3cYcoft9P_B-QOm5H2fGg/s1600/IMG_4099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4jM38iJLwvh5WgNQbVVpgp86HunIqY9Y7cbmpOIxquIvEwCtn_wTCNF362pnQrP-ucHMWZao1FFpjLHjZ3zZmkT4Lcel9aFPQqvz1iDRuKsgEYcIqx6KMmr3cYcoft9P_B-QOm5H2fGg/s640/IMG_4099.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh5KFr9S4vkSOrCadXNeM82XIGRQvgNauTmStsGD06GqWZ8is4w3CqIrrj4o5RtuFbJswkbD_YKt6Hwr2bzqrLu0zjA3afGEou6VdSb5einXtPhcqqAHjNMIeZg-CX75hYvVSnH28Cds/s1600/IMG_4102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxh5KFr9S4vkSOrCadXNeM82XIGRQvgNauTmStsGD06GqWZ8is4w3CqIrrj4o5RtuFbJswkbD_YKt6Hwr2bzqrLu0zjA3afGEou6VdSb5einXtPhcqqAHjNMIeZg-CX75hYvVSnH28Cds/s640/IMG_4102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6cXvQKQwID_yhSPDyxiYe8n-Basa9ti_DUzUgVW-ctKl0QgFNMuqXqXrniWd5lH2Bb4dVroZW4oC-qFlLiWIwwMHCFx8I2izaErQQ1VXocJRuGEc16zcE50MHWFBObsun22sIZQkuV4/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6cXvQKQwID_yhSPDyxiYe8n-Basa9ti_DUzUgVW-ctKl0QgFNMuqXqXrniWd5lH2Bb4dVroZW4oC-qFlLiWIwwMHCFx8I2izaErQQ1VXocJRuGEc16zcE50MHWFBObsun22sIZQkuV4/s640/IMG_4109.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGNMYveYcAHCTt45BZ2LbnWBIq-UrYsA5UKS_s8AZ3kG1QmkTR62dexo_Qz9ptjPvAkhLVobtmttGAMUwugmXQHRd-m2yz1gOjc4m6PpHhyRbuvcGbQBfq06bLbVQEvzNVOzwpSi7e-I/s1600/IMG_4126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGNMYveYcAHCTt45BZ2LbnWBIq-UrYsA5UKS_s8AZ3kG1QmkTR62dexo_Qz9ptjPvAkhLVobtmttGAMUwugmXQHRd-m2yz1gOjc4m6PpHhyRbuvcGbQBfq06bLbVQEvzNVOzwpSi7e-I/s640/IMG_4126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVcoIRRvq3nbTG9fc0uq6FNk9DrWPqCIuTJcJ8TkdHp_0XSei8Lv4JN3sBLxTT2CZYwjr3AocO9RJJrH60BxZhcVL8auNQZr1RRGHMuy-qIZxFffOssB4Kfhq98sEXFhcwWAwUmvaX5o/s1600/IMG_4128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilVcoIRRvq3nbTG9fc0uq6FNk9DrWPqCIuTJcJ8TkdHp_0XSei8Lv4JN3sBLxTT2CZYwjr3AocO9RJJrH60BxZhcVL8auNQZr1RRGHMuy-qIZxFffOssB4Kfhq98sEXFhcwWAwUmvaX5o/s640/IMG_4128.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<i><b> </b></i></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">whew!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">picture overload, but it will be nice to have these memories documented. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">up next...J's 2nd birthday </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(I promise it won't take me 3 months to write again...hopefully...) </span><i><b> </b></i></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-55435567408653257332013-04-28T19:00:00.000-05:002013-04-28T19:00:03.790-05:00a junkin' weekend.<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> my <strike>completely unintentional, <span style="font-size: x-small;">i</span> just had zero motiv<span style="font-size: x-small;">ation</span></strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>blogging hiatu<span style="font-size: x-small;">s </span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">has <span style="font-size: x-small;">come to an end!</span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">not sure if I have an<span style="font-size: x-small;">y rea<span style="font-size: x-small;">ders lef<span style="font-size: x-small;">t<span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">at this point...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">moving on! </span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> this weekend was <span style="font-size: x-small;">a <span style="font-size: x-small;">fabulous weekend for multiple reasons<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the weather was BEAUTIFUL,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it was spent with friends and family,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and it was<span style="font-size: x-small;"> filled with junk<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (jubilee, that is).</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span> </span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkm-KnJbX5sMsWPcJr_-TfkELOutTu4S6GQp62clvbnWrXNp-ukz6mdbs-KhwLyPe5DjS6-FpSKgwzac_3G4NZocV4RkNpCi8qHq6i6nkbcfZwehoefJCEx8K5qhvAeEBT4Fdn2Je2BY/s1600/junk+jubilee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkm-KnJbX5sMsWPcJr_-TfkELOutTu4S6GQp62clvbnWrXNp-ukz6mdbs-KhwLyPe5DjS6-FpSKgwzac_3G4NZocV4RkNpCi8qHq6i6nkbcfZwehoefJCEx8K5qhvAeEBT4Fdn2Je2BY/s640/junk+jubilee.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">j</span>unk <span style="font-size: x-small;">j</span>ubilee is this <span style="font-size: x-small;">amazing 3 day event where vend<span style="font-size: x-small;">ors from all over come and set up shop<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">so <span style="font-size: x-small;">people can peruse through their treasures.</span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXllA3cMdRohpU9sAg_HruAp5QkZbceHYqpXFGw6NvHgp9W-WxcaNAhJeiRwXyDOt6LEysGhTEoIwhpgg4MSuqFFmyfNLVIxnl8tZHnkOEDSyxJsnRSh72D33hgOz88ZzCq3U-6MrZtNs/s1600/IMG_3770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXllA3cMdRohpU9sAg_HruAp5QkZbceHYqpXFGw6NvHgp9W-WxcaNAhJeiRwXyDOt6LEysGhTEoIwhpgg4MSuqFFmyfNLVIxnl8tZHnkOEDSyxJsnRSh72D33hgOz88ZzCq3U-6MrZtNs/s640/IMG_3770.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the crew, ready to take on the crowds and jun<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">k</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">it was extra special this go around, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">because my mom and<span style="font-size: x-small;"> aunt had their <i>very own booth</i> (a<span style="font-size: x-small;">nd I felt like a proud mother, snapping pictures<span style="font-size: x-small;">)!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGmcdDi47PSE61TZG2h9NvT8B33NM8EaZV8uNI452QdBq4DnKuLYyqWi9v0cR-xx4mW0r6J4nfuxDJS-icSMgwenVe2nZNfogZ_Jh8tTK8apL4P1FGrzsyWF60bpDnGA3cn0kLLalUgM/s1600/IMG_3773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGmcdDi47PSE61TZG2h9NvT8B33NM8EaZV8uNI452QdBq4DnKuLYyqWi9v0cR-xx4mW0r6J4nfuxDJS-icSMgwenVe2nZNfogZ_Jh8tTK8apL4P1FGrzsyWF60bpDnGA3cn0kLLalUgM/s640/IMG_3773.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aren't they the cutest!? my mom is on the left, aunt is on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmXUAgFUBJb-_bxESLaC24U1ZBNc_Tj9H5ob9oKELsQtg613JuOoCpqcNx3gxSvsmRMT2E7Wc6r6kkJgAWlCGK8hC8AHDPU6EDaEsYxGKIfafaeXL8Y6CscuJG-mt1BOkCtuENlNALfc/s1600/IMG_3774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmXUAgFUBJb-_bxESLaC24U1ZBNc_Tj9H5ob9oKELsQtg613JuOoCpqcNx3gxSvsmRMT2E7Wc6r6kkJgAWlCGK8hC8AHDPU6EDaEsYxGKIfafaeXL8Y6CscuJG-mt1BOkCtuENlNALfc/s640/IMG_3774.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVjAubuxIpuI3r3yZ9H_E0VW-fcIH0aE3UmszUfaYK1c_AOxPu70ST8szPZGb3h2AIMSDT-gbL0iz_RnKy0ejrzN4gIxFlZLxQ1Sfx6e3Sb-6v-TZGzacZb9qP48k7WYs-0TKUqwKqqA/s1600/IMG_3776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihVjAubuxIpuI3r3yZ9H_E0VW-fcIH0aE3UmszUfaYK1c_AOxPu70ST8szPZGb3h2AIMSDT-gbL0iz_RnKy0ejrzN4gIxFlZLxQ1Sfx6e3Sb-6v-TZGzacZb9qP48k7WYs-0TKUqwKqqA/s640/IMG_3776.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">michael and <span style="font-size: x-small;">i seriously considered purchasing this awesome windmil<span style="font-size: x-small;">l</span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">for our backyard, but backed out at the last minute.</span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">we weren't ready to make quite the comm<span style="font-size: x-small;">itment,</span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">or haul out that 9 foot piece of metal<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span> </span> </span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<br /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the day bef<span style="font-size: x-small;">ore the<span style="font-size: x-small;"> jubilee started<span style="font-size: x-small;">, </span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">my mom was busy getting everything ready to go.</span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">James and I came over to <strike>get in her way</strike> help her out,</span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">so i was able to snap a few more pictures of <span style="font-size: x-small;">her items for sale.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i legit wanted to purchase every item she had! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwbnv73Nsi0rfFUJodBbwi8tRccQ1rhgy2YGZfQ2YC4WK92FYuvBv-DDERUUrjZXoZfavcNJ2iXAifVlfVs7rt9gV6omOkJnUPZ3Y0sSov5Dqix6fLzsBAfAA1u1hutO7_7lp9jC5Dlc/s1600/IMG_3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwbnv73Nsi0rfFUJodBbwi8tRccQ1rhgy2YGZfQ2YC4WK92FYuvBv-DDERUUrjZXoZfavcNJ2iXAifVlfVs7rt9gV6omOkJnUPZ3Y0sSov5Dqix6fLzsBAfAA1u1hutO7_7lp9jC5Dlc/s640/IMG_3757.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EUw606sKKSmWwUlEfp_uAmzIdPlJxI-ezOeVpzi9hacTIqeuMOTeHAWvH-5cudknjZX3aOd8q2Mxn-ThYKI2GHaVDQJYBi01bM8-WFak0imvxcyDdgt5GYvhTlpKB82Bf3TJh9uMgQg/s1600/IMG_3763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EUw606sKKSmWwUlEfp_uAmzIdPlJxI-ezOeVpzi9hacTIqeuMOTeHAWvH-5cudknjZX3aOd8q2Mxn-ThYKI2GHaVDQJYBi01bM8-WFak0imvxcyDdgt5GYvhTlpKB82Bf3TJh9uMgQg/s640/IMG_3763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BBWBzf9uquK4Qn25U8zKfsCIZaYrc49hOSz44NqRVdmGkDOPSZcsIgmny7M34QXjIjJSI8Bdat1ZPWMrJQDodsTxDT0mNHmtAD_spbyAaxsA15HI_6O_swit3m8mh22oyR0uhMh6B7w/s1600/IMG_3766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9BBWBzf9uquK4Qn25U8zKfsCIZaYrc49hOSz44NqRVdmGkDOPSZcsIgmny7M34QXjIjJSI8Bdat1ZPWMrJQDodsTxDT0mNHmtAD_spbyAaxsA15HI_6O_swit3m8mh22oyR0uhMh6B7w/s640/IMG_3766.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and here's J doing what he does<span style="font-size: x-small;"> best... </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOGzfIJ4u7uIG0ru1BfqsHJnCQDQyxLxnXXWkqT19FBaGzQVvSBNEWjgnBPzeWicFGxzggsyHibAgi9g2gwTLzyCfwyLm1ZfxDbqllJK6yigFBCA7Fe5wpx8eo01oBD69a2hRZXoNuLU/s1600/IMG_3761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUOGzfIJ4u7uIG0ru1BfqsHJnCQDQyxLxnXXWkqT19FBaGzQVvSBNEWjgnBPzeWicFGxzggsyHibAgi9g2gwTLzyCfwyLm1ZfxDbqllJK6yigFBCA7Fe5wpx8eo01oBD69a2hRZXoNuLU/s640/IMG_3761.JPG" width="426" /></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">playing outs<span style="font-size: x-small;">ide and loving life!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">now hopeful<span style="font-size: x-small;">ly it won't be so long before i post again...</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-92106825655541638092013-03-25T10:22:00.000-05:002013-03-25T10:22:22.384-05:00a tiny (but actually really big) announcement.<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin104_S8ME_L62zTi-K2fLK_d3NUr4G5iNFp5pf1bijp0cxQey2l5-21wYYJp-XjYiHUkR5lCZe0esTryL58W6KlrpNU_PBj2bimihM5h_1vNcacGmXpHjj3nm-LEcWd_1-vj9mTCt5JU/s1600/announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin104_S8ME_L62zTi-K2fLK_d3NUr4G5iNFp5pf1bijp0cxQey2l5-21wYYJp-XjYiHUkR5lCZe0esTryL58W6KlrpNU_PBj2bimihM5h_1vNcacGmXpHjj3nm-LEcWd_1-vj9mTCt5JU/s640/announcement.jpg" width="394" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so excited to <i>finally</i> put it out there that we're expecting baby #2!</span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the last 12ish weeks have been <i><span style="font-size: x-small;">very</span></i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> different </span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">from <span style="font-size: x-small;">the first 1<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 weeks of pregnancy with james.</span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">have <span style="font-size: x-small;">you noticed my lack of posts lately?</span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">...that tiny bump in the picture is why.</span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span></span><center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i have been tired, experiencing <strike>morning</strike> all<span style="font-size: x-small;"> day<span style="font-size: x-small;"> sickness, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and trying to keep up with a very active 20 m<span style="font-size: x-small;">onth old.</span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span></span></span></span><center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">we had a slight <span style="font-size: x-small;">scare a f<span style="font-size: x-small;">ew weeks back, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">but i was able to <span style="font-size: x-small;">get</span> an ultrasound to make sure all was well.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">sure enough<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span> a healthy, active little peanut was in the<span style="font-size: x-small;">re,</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">s<span style="font-size: x-small;">trong heartbeat and all!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">thankfully, i'm st<span style="font-size: x-small;">arting to feel <span style="font-size: x-small;">more like myself again.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">we didn't find out the gender<span style="font-size: x-small;"> with j, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and we plan on not finding out with the second<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">,</span> as well.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">so th<span style="font-size: x-small;">ere you have it!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">can't wait for <span style="font-size: x-small;">october to roll around this year...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">although that<i> is</i> the peak of football season.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">let's just hope i don't g<span style="font-size: x-small;">o into labor on a friday night. :)</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-50050211836087627222013-03-21T23:01:00.000-05:002013-03-21T23:01:38.357-05:00resting in truth.<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87M7hZLJ47efvoYC0HHM1OgO0DZOkA0IzgytJAdUGLZz2gkG46BXfPjXneP5vy4MrtTb4VI8Z8Pn7JrBHdAVF82DT0A-ucG6zhVmm2RVYLdCibZ8p5McwaE-qZ38V0_CUJY_NNPl4Lxc/s1600/winterwildflowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87M7hZLJ47efvoYC0HHM1OgO0DZOkA0IzgytJAdUGLZz2gkG46BXfPjXneP5vy4MrtTb4VI8Z8Pn7JrBHdAVF82DT0A-ucG6zhVmm2RVYLdCibZ8p5McwaE-qZ38V0_CUJY_NNPl4Lxc/s640/winterwildflowers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<center>
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong3334499346" name="gsSong3334499346" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=33344993&style=metal&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=33344993&style=metal&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=Florence%20and%20the%20Machine%20Shake%20It%20Out" title="Shake It Out by Florence and the Machine on Grooveshark">Shake It Out by Florence and the Machine on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i've been struggling with some things lately,</span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">but am reminded again and again that God will bring me peace.</span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">He is on my side.</span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a</span>fter all, he <i>has</i> overcome the world.</span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"it<span style="font-size: x-small;">'s always darkest before the dawn."</span> </span></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-33238351407356388802013-03-18T15:17:00.000-05:002013-03-18T15:17:24.028-05:00our mini getaway.<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">michael had a few days off for spring break (darn you, snow days!),</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> so we decided to take a quick family trip to omaha for a long weekend.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we had a wonderful and sleep deprived (for the little one) time.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">lots to do and see meant little to no naptime.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sleeping in the same room as mom and dad meant forget sleep, let's hang out!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">needless to say, lights were out extra early for michael and i, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as we <strike>wanted</strike> <i>needed</i> our child to get sleep.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">anyway, sleep is overrated (ha!), so we made the most of our awake time.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we spent some time in the old market,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a morning at the zoo,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a lovely afternoon trek around a local lake, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and lots of time exploring the city.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">oh, and our drive to omaha consisted of several stops</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to explore some of the neat sights that western iowa has to offer. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">wonderful memories were made for our little family.</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb0h8n0s_42F8sipZxLPBLLlDmAHCulKviBsuiROvKEhC_UV0jHchZiYCvNgzsKOOK41RcLWFjvpF2a_B_PHQAu6gHhrp_es-rjWMup-oNRRfT_q2jf1Wqq_ujdCemIPthKsw_WH3lvY/s1600/rock1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb0h8n0s_42F8sipZxLPBLLlDmAHCulKviBsuiROvKEhC_UV0jHchZiYCvNgzsKOOK41RcLWFjvpF2a_B_PHQAu6gHhrp_es-rjWMup-oNRRfT_q2jf1Wqq_ujdCemIPthKsw_WH3lvY/s640/rock1.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfub6WYsJBNQWYKcLCxDRdvIcqMJXxRkgROWbERhsz8zZ0lYTBROlzM4uRd0R5qqmvATeuqiQWfNrHqLuECTfL4ao7X0OKOnqGv5UoEerc59trGy0Y8Xd26Wzpvqu5H2kbsVB5O71KHs/s1600/rock2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYfub6WYsJBNQWYKcLCxDRdvIcqMJXxRkgROWbERhsz8zZ0lYTBROlzM4uRd0R5qqmvATeuqiQWfNrHqLuECTfL4ao7X0OKOnqGv5UoEerc59trGy0Y8Xd26Wzpvqu5H2kbsVB5O71KHs/s640/rock2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j1Q2AZbNBsN6hl20DZLDpLa8UYKp4g6df80VKhiS-thJ0EJp0RSDFQl3lmNV3kMzbWSnPYKCnL-YXEoed9SudriPzqBLG0PwOmnijWQZNPLJMJbeemf7j3zyzwxJm1DTiuY5Z_ML2qs/s1600/rock+artist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9j1Q2AZbNBsN6hl20DZLDpLa8UYKp4g6df80VKhiS-thJ0EJp0RSDFQl3lmNV3kMzbWSnPYKCnL-YXEoed9SudriPzqBLG0PwOmnijWQZNPLJMJbeemf7j3zyzwxJm1DTiuY5Z_ML2qs/s640/rock+artist.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdocGvQaoRsyBu28IEIe1l3EDMIXdphePYzEXJDmcSgN-jto7r8B_19ho_N3pQG54mhN_b5B0McU9XbWAaUUHtuO2yUksC7NayQ_-vTAjIlAR8Kyn10E762f28f0yRuwoYz9XqvBwyok/s1600/J+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdocGvQaoRsyBu28IEIe1l3EDMIXdphePYzEXJDmcSgN-jto7r8B_19ho_N3pQG54mhN_b5B0McU9XbWAaUUHtuO2yUksC7NayQ_-vTAjIlAR8Kyn10E762f28f0yRuwoYz9XqvBwyok/s640/J+flowers.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1AAdWZ6ziPZdLhY23IcAZzpRWhogKkBoZSgGr56o-BwW62uJEHGahIGJInXeHjuiB0ff75Uw8EFqSqNXnra0Ug63Rvr9tkdIT0M9QNumXR1HawwU4FGsAO7-FLVZHI6gBRQqvHFAxtE/s1600/windmill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1AAdWZ6ziPZdLhY23IcAZzpRWhogKkBoZSgGr56o-BwW62uJEHGahIGJInXeHjuiB0ff75Uw8EFqSqNXnra0Ug63Rvr9tkdIT0M9QNumXR1HawwU4FGsAO7-FLVZHI6gBRQqvHFAxtE/s640/windmill.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra4noe7B4KNEcnAXm20pGnooTqXUnS3ysW4hn_MJq3atgf7yY6kctkSOXNiQbhQGx31mHcNaXNjwmuDOHjwk2_CSZA7GBox5BV3_gkq3uez44kR0OARSDoT-QHejZA1gz4pTQiBapa0g/s1600/buildings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgra4noe7B4KNEcnAXm20pGnooTqXUnS3ysW4hn_MJq3atgf7yY6kctkSOXNiQbhQGx31mHcNaXNjwmuDOHjwk2_CSZA7GBox5BV3_gkq3uez44kR0OARSDoT-QHejZA1gz4pTQiBapa0g/s640/buildings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrevCEWqRHr1DUlX2MkgWooqP_IWgR5QyEaSVO7raGKXVKrXqGvfuqy8SFe1vENcntuBPoI4Am1GtXNSzr5MRqovUsQQB6zB1-CpQErrmtdyTbzEY5AVO2IjJ-c9wcq16mrz0vdGwK2P4/s1600/night+crane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrevCEWqRHr1DUlX2MkgWooqP_IWgR5QyEaSVO7raGKXVKrXqGvfuqy8SFe1vENcntuBPoI4Am1GtXNSzr5MRqovUsQQB6zB1-CpQErrmtdyTbzEY5AVO2IjJ-c9wcq16mrz0vdGwK2P4/s640/night+crane.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv-1-rgn419rCQr36bpLNKfh6kTFQsgXReTqgWc8v2uI4kuVp9lzQ15qcxgMJKmNf0lo2qoJ1yVYm9x7LDnIqPLOthcy6RHtOVceKA0YqrBouYrvjoJ4et_J35GwXiBA0PUWQf3DI-VI/s1600/brew+co.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv-1-rgn419rCQr36bpLNKfh6kTFQsgXReTqgWc8v2uI4kuVp9lzQ15qcxgMJKmNf0lo2qoJ1yVYm9x7LDnIqPLOthcy6RHtOVceKA0YqrBouYrvjoJ4et_J35GwXiBA0PUWQf3DI-VI/s640/brew+co.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOTDuvBj3eeMF7KhPU6rMcdWFVRppZ6LwxZvUsMoaCsYe5zvcNb2BfFemPIyKnnUgVoqyLC2ynRKlsfXCKibn-6GYlMsgS9vwsNZFd5OYjnNuJImgNaBadgCe6kUqwiIBWkWLbnGK398/s1600/old+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOTDuvBj3eeMF7KhPU6rMcdWFVRppZ6LwxZvUsMoaCsYe5zvcNb2BfFemPIyKnnUgVoqyLC2ynRKlsfXCKibn-6GYlMsgS9vwsNZFd5OYjnNuJImgNaBadgCe6kUqwiIBWkWLbnGK398/s640/old+market.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0I50U5BO3hrhUuiYQm3i6om8PgNjLz1aJJoa_BKhaHkaGVhFa6Eb_d8TX4iXZ2Kov1unE4j9LVXkmpclUs3ykPmdpGJyaLOuYjauu4EC_l_MGS38BJu3zEjDiBtuz0RdwnIU0XAvOEE/s1600/old+market1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0I50U5BO3hrhUuiYQm3i6om8PgNjLz1aJJoa_BKhaHkaGVhFa6Eb_d8TX4iXZ2Kov1unE4j9LVXkmpclUs3ykPmdpGJyaLOuYjauu4EC_l_MGS38BJu3zEjDiBtuz0RdwnIU0XAvOEE/s640/old+market1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BoaPOvUhVUBmWtHyJpHS0pjpoOet3vah-_PwFDLN1152kCLY2f9aGuHj2tGf59JyxZLIp4tEKpJqvHKZeTHiHgz9fpovNRA3zkAhftLKTpT9sXpDlYrGEg89GzsPFBKSr0XU-ElDBAs/s1600/zoodad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4BoaPOvUhVUBmWtHyJpHS0pjpoOet3vah-_PwFDLN1152kCLY2f9aGuHj2tGf59JyxZLIp4tEKpJqvHKZeTHiHgz9fpovNRA3zkAhftLKTpT9sXpDlYrGEg89GzsPFBKSr0XU-ElDBAs/s640/zoodad.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ7ilFzU67qR6F9RqPGlSucXlUMIS-2yJmcMHfeBZvvkJ0mF6b9fog_QYTZvGVvUD1Jeydof_PA9FDShl6NpG9zlcR6Y2kQhTcEl3uU8_fw1tmcCvFTtE7DFZl2oflQPWSEyiZNSWkpA/s1600/zoomom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJ7ilFzU67qR6F9RqPGlSucXlUMIS-2yJmcMHfeBZvvkJ0mF6b9fog_QYTZvGVvUD1Jeydof_PA9FDShl6NpG9zlcR6Y2kQhTcEl3uU8_fw1tmcCvFTtE7DFZl2oflQPWSEyiZNSWkpA/s640/zoomom.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvsNwNZEFMq4Ggle_0_fXAuC-MX4lWEkBegAWt-y_SDBFsb5NummnfHKeXeniUiFAex_efRP4Fv-NyvSwDELOMv1tiGLLw6ApWH1xW9x6i715_oNOfNckB7P42Dm0eW1YiWyTYwb-ETE/s1600/desert+dome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvsNwNZEFMq4Ggle_0_fXAuC-MX4lWEkBegAWt-y_SDBFsb5NummnfHKeXeniUiFAex_efRP4Fv-NyvSwDELOMv1tiGLLw6ApWH1xW9x6i715_oNOfNckB7P42Dm0eW1YiWyTYwb-ETE/s640/desert+dome.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uijHnSvmqB63BKBV7kDLM0wwr2vFc3OCFI1tJ4IvpHd0u03Sj7PNQ3rxIRkDZ0OoLJZOm6LiapEobXkRsA_RP_25vCpkCrn5zQiSnBsTIc0IA95NO3Q3xs5LrdbreFkGK6gDY4VoXs4/s1600/jdome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uijHnSvmqB63BKBV7kDLM0wwr2vFc3OCFI1tJ4IvpHd0u03Sj7PNQ3rxIRkDZ0OoLJZOm6LiapEobXkRsA_RP_25vCpkCrn5zQiSnBsTIc0IA95NO3Q3xs5LrdbreFkGK6gDY4VoXs4/s640/jdome.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5313dCvxScAX4jkNCyIs810aAdQZmpd3H1t2_rlItikDdHOSUQ5AHB6m1N9UxAtaiRJw8Y9MiLGN4-kInEO8pDkqPMq9bwXmJiFxaIrU55BzI5etRciNacwC-qaah9X2axyCDjfrhV2I/s1600/gorilla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5313dCvxScAX4jkNCyIs810aAdQZmpd3H1t2_rlItikDdHOSUQ5AHB6m1N9UxAtaiRJw8Y9MiLGN4-kInEO8pDkqPMq9bwXmJiFxaIrU55BzI5etRciNacwC-qaah9X2axyCDjfrhV2I/s640/gorilla.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwa5txitXgwC1zFnuCNph8DWB8V_duO-FiEoguZYzzAQ0JBB3qe2R66hW2884U9BPvoEGjY4Vny002VAGa4OOMBaw803FwNPrnsC1_EM4YC187Nq9wxNq8nL4rUDGSgoxq0qhQjHHfbg/s1600/gorilla2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRwa5txitXgwC1zFnuCNph8DWB8V_duO-FiEoguZYzzAQ0JBB3qe2R66hW2884U9BPvoEGjY4Vny002VAGa4OOMBaw803FwNPrnsC1_EM4YC187Nq9wxNq8nL4rUDGSgoxq0qhQjHHfbg/s640/gorilla2.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2gss0Nc23kywdcE9JzwXK-azYCmJiW3q96wYIyJwPJmzXQkIi2Wp2srhI_n8P9d8wV-Djr3K9rlMlHShmPby8u25SXhFz08Zyj_uB_Zl9rBYtQFboJYVk6-GmE60k0eQh3OO7Uy1qIA/s1600/lion+cub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP2gss0Nc23kywdcE9JzwXK-azYCmJiW3q96wYIyJwPJmzXQkIi2Wp2srhI_n8P9d8wV-Djr3K9rlMlHShmPby8u25SXhFz08Zyj_uB_Zl9rBYtQFboJYVk6-GmE60k0eQh3OO7Uy1qIA/s640/lion+cub.jpg" width="466" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfVBBT9QruS-iYDetXJaQdwgzt7Ug8OpA3HVom-dBsL74NZHTeSZhKH7UbNPrGkXLHIhqB8w0o8eoWFOE2NzzR8C-nbYwX2Y7-Zsrrihwcl5pk2kI2ZL_u6s8vGcLsAdDMPqfjPAoeqI/s1600/mama+and+cub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfVBBT9QruS-iYDetXJaQdwgzt7Ug8OpA3HVom-dBsL74NZHTeSZhKH7UbNPrGkXLHIhqB8w0o8eoWFOE2NzzR8C-nbYwX2Y7-Zsrrihwcl5pk2kI2ZL_u6s8vGcLsAdDMPqfjPAoeqI/s640/mama+and+cub.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIXzaHnv5VIJJ4Ixd0JhBzpX1BoVMa_odiQFdIo5pOK2p8ibp81d-a7K5LzVVT3IVV6MOaOetUg-SklbMeU82OfaDyoUqksQ9qvtdK75vZeKLTOjLxTUgNNN8H0qlV6JdXqBvT3CDW5o/s1600/j+and+m+aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioIXzaHnv5VIJJ4Ixd0JhBzpX1BoVMa_odiQFdIo5pOK2p8ibp81d-a7K5LzVVT3IVV6MOaOetUg-SklbMeU82OfaDyoUqksQ9qvtdK75vZeKLTOjLxTUgNNN8H0qlV6JdXqBvT3CDW5o/s640/j+and+m+aquarium.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO_0M3xkBgQUmlHZsP9weDVW5oIFunpPhbLe5vpl0niaHrbm0bChSU5Ow_EnuEgc9Wq3bmd7ktC754RS1WlUAV3ytSj0E7wC-1_e_xobsIAwz2f-tL3P66rTuzz3WOKoejGCqpjCkh28/s1600/jellyfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZO_0M3xkBgQUmlHZsP9weDVW5oIFunpPhbLe5vpl0niaHrbm0bChSU5Ow_EnuEgc9Wq3bmd7ktC754RS1WlUAV3ytSj0E7wC-1_e_xobsIAwz2f-tL3P66rTuzz3WOKoejGCqpjCkh28/s640/jellyfish.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7DRW2DyAHKl1fTLzRIE8I-U1t1IrSN6ruvzkxTXayzS8DH2rQ4VHhi3Pitj2Xj7sQNY93JL6GTD0oL5ECKZa898bbpSsU8ynkYKL59i7ghZbbNf0vMLtwVl2MdAywkqFVq-3H_lmBU8/s1600/jellyfish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7DRW2DyAHKl1fTLzRIE8I-U1t1IrSN6ruvzkxTXayzS8DH2rQ4VHhi3Pitj2Xj7sQNY93JL6GTD0oL5ECKZa898bbpSsU8ynkYKL59i7ghZbbNf0vMLtwVl2MdAywkqFVq-3H_lmBU8/s640/jellyfish1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqgKbvyTT0Mqqk4M55KxmxRowP9Dgu4BeTHK5AD4ZzbAsSo3xj4EBeGX_VyO3DmzBaqxeD7tGMXYwaRWmzbA5X0NqyeRahnYjfirszYXO4KKcxL3MX0_Ax3Ecieshkex7-JHa-C7j5Jc/s1600/k+and+j+aquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqgKbvyTT0Mqqk4M55KxmxRowP9Dgu4BeTHK5AD4ZzbAsSo3xj4EBeGX_VyO3DmzBaqxeD7tGMXYwaRWmzbA5X0NqyeRahnYjfirszYXO4KKcxL3MX0_Ax3Ecieshkex7-JHa-C7j5Jc/s640/k+and+j+aquarium.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiTCASDF1yuwUDAkLxhxJxMf-FvclCxwmY2erx4FPojhPEL8K9c1UWFHV5eUFcqe26mICdp3fD95SH2bMhXahvpXkx5KfPsCFqlzp4FstJGc79hRfBxcCP6kTLetfuRs70WC_gex1g7g/s1600/waterfall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiTCASDF1yuwUDAkLxhxJxMf-FvclCxwmY2erx4FPojhPEL8K9c1UWFHV5eUFcqe26mICdp3fD95SH2bMhXahvpXkx5KfPsCFqlzp4FstJGc79hRfBxcCP6kTLetfuRs70WC_gex1g7g/s640/waterfall.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-71180469485258635562013-03-13T21:50:00.002-05:002013-03-13T21:50:24.483-05:00lately.<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8JI0xPkYcEoZNPG0ZDfZe2jxZYeURx326YGlWs6grHUyonud6AgHQNvRuLtS9yGmdnlqIOxXd5bsCEj9CRDewV3rnqdm7dRvIzWKMxJE0BInheKfXQnYuuODMhc_yVdFbAd6ZzKCHWY/s1600/camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8JI0xPkYcEoZNPG0ZDfZe2jxZYeURx326YGlWs6grHUyonud6AgHQNvRuLtS9yGmdnlqIOxXd5bsCEj9CRDewV3rnqdm7dRvIzWKMxJE0BInheKfXQnYuuODMhc_yVdFbAd6ZzKCHWY/s640/camera.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUPffNEK-HA733JKyE9JCZk_EqGOmlqJszCUzH6XwlUVHwoeX2eqzw6mdonvk_VqsSKMhwcdcMSuT8ccbNF0gBT07f68IlKpRhsO3SCgWo64Y9qHpnQTmNM1F3rH7wO2vuQHQfxqsRAM/s1600/blocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUPffNEK-HA733JKyE9JCZk_EqGOmlqJszCUzH6XwlUVHwoeX2eqzw6mdonvk_VqsSKMhwcdcMSuT8ccbNF0gBT07f68IlKpRhsO3SCgWo64Y9qHpnQTmNM1F3rH7wO2vuQHQfxqsRAM/s640/blocks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyNAwH9dZ_rz4kjd8lvIze-u_u6QFwy90w4AnbGTZip044O-OIlqC1chx2IWQAfxz2BLVcKGOaXxnxAqWvTIwMNo8L8XAkfNkfVzW9tp9K5BlbAM2KIk4wgk6wLzUbHJTo81n6xmOcbQ/s1600/camera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyNAwH9dZ_rz4kjd8lvIze-u_u6QFwy90w4AnbGTZip044O-OIlqC1chx2IWQAfxz2BLVcKGOaXxnxAqWvTIwMNo8L8XAkfNkfVzW9tp9K5BlbAM2KIk4wgk6wLzUbHJTo81n6xmOcbQ/s640/camera.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pJjSa7etmdfNwH3uZyfnXhiZnR3z2krYZ7dulC7MdriZVtuBxN6Fj0DvlnqXjDYYyoPagYeh_8RCDrRfI_xIDdkfKfJutuEC0UUlqh6uBwf5sY0hZQ9EVxrBZNwoYmiZy16PsjCx02A/s1600/devo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pJjSa7etmdfNwH3uZyfnXhiZnR3z2krYZ7dulC7MdriZVtuBxN6Fj0DvlnqXjDYYyoPagYeh_8RCDrRfI_xIDdkfKfJutuEC0UUlqh6uBwf5sY0hZQ9EVxrBZNwoYmiZy16PsjCx02A/s640/devo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUvtgiD7Riau0nmDHvwJ3j3kjRXtgxsO-xY0aLz4fbgbnVo6h1fgR_hpKOlIuIB2Jagkft1nGDcIZ652AUDGnlEZJH41jkXSJ8yv91gKGQcGEOryKkrm0w5u5NMKzbDedzEAQum6GfNU/s1600/turtleneckofheart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUvtgiD7Riau0nmDHvwJ3j3kjRXtgxsO-xY0aLz4fbgbnVo6h1fgR_hpKOlIuIB2Jagkft1nGDcIZ652AUDGnlEZJH41jkXSJ8yv91gKGQcGEOryKkrm0w5u5NMKzbDedzEAQum6GfNU/s640/turtleneckofheart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDejGnZoulMrdOcphRICUbRWuhptZtBsaynWydShYj6W_KV92_mqUqMgdvuhqK9QpbCVNRUPRVJzNgvYhQ5mzxdz9XRgeeUypKupqJN3jRT63iCIiuUauDPc2TkNijubkcuGVIjDl9NLE/s1600/jman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDejGnZoulMrdOcphRICUbRWuhptZtBsaynWydShYj6W_KV92_mqUqMgdvuhqK9QpbCVNRUPRVJzNgvYhQ5mzxdz9XRgeeUypKupqJN3jRT63iCIiuUauDPc2TkNijubkcuGVIjDl9NLE/s640/jman.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">life <span style="font-size: x-small;">lately has been good. busy, but good.</span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i must admit, i like busy.</span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a few weeks back, my mo<span style="font-size: x-small;">m signed me up for a 7 week photography cla<span style="font-size: x-small;">ss as an early birthday present (thanks, mom!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i look forward to each tuesday night.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>those two hours are so good. SO<span style="font-size: x-small;"> so good.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it's extremely overwhelming, yes.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">by 9:00, my brain is <span style="font-size: x-small;">practically mush.</span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">but i'm learning <u>so</u> much.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ok, and also, i have a bone <span style="font-size: x-small;">to pick<span style="font-size: x-small;">-</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">why does photography have to be <i>such</i> an expensive hobby?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">sheesh.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a couple thousand for a camera lens<span style="font-size: x-small;">?!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i don't have that kind of m<span style="font-size: x-small;">oolah, people.</span> </span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">sigh.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">my <span style="font-size: x-small;">j man continues to ama<span style="font-size: x-small;">ze me on a daily basis.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">a little sponge, soaking up anything and everything.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">the other day, <span style="font-size: x-small;">i caught him <span style="font-size: x-small;">grabbing my camera to s<span style="font-size: x-small;">hoot a couple photos.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">he even had the camera twist down <span style="font-size: x-small;">and everything!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">lucky for us, it's finally <span style="font-size: x-small;">becoming semi-decent outside, so we're able to get <span style="font-size: x-small;">out in small spurts.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i have to mentally prepare myself<span style="font-size: x-small;"> for <span style="font-size: x-small;">those outings, though, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">because <span style="font-size: x-small;">whe<span style="font-size: x-small;">n he hears, "it's time to go inside!"<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">he melts to the ground in a puddle of tears.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">it's pretty dramat<span style="font-size: x-small;">ic, i tell ya...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">that <span style="font-size: x-small;">self take of me above<span style="font-size: x-small;"> is not a frequent occurance, so don<span style="font-size: x-small;">'t you worry.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">one of my favor<span style="font-size: x-small;">ite bloggers, <a href="http://www.thenatos.com/" target="_blank">jami nato</a></span>, <span style="font-size: x-small;">is extremely passionate about <span style="font-size: x-small;">women dressing modestly </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(and rightfully so...you should really read her <a href="http://www.thenatos.com/search/label/marriage" target="_blank">amazing</a> stor<span style="font-size: x-small;">y)</span></span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">anyway, each <span style="font-size: x-small;">tuesday, she host<span style="font-size: x-small;">s a hashtag gathering of sorts on instagram...</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">#turtlenecksof<span style="font-size: x-small;">theheart</span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">i wanted to join in on the fun.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">modest is hottest, people. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">oh, and that devotional up there for today?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">toooootally what i needed to hear. </span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </center>
<center>
<b><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Rest in <span style="font-size: x-small;">My <span style="font-size: x-small;">P</span>resen<span style="font-size: x-small;">ce, receiving Joy that no one can take away from you."</span></span> </span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">amen. </span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">God is so good.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SO so good. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">P.S. tomorrow is the start of the big 1<span style="font-size: x-small;">2 tour<span style="font-size: x-small;">nament...i've gotta show my love.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">GO CYCLONES<span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span> </span></span> </span></i></b></span></span></span></span></span></span> </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-40501279386758014362013-03-12T18:00:00.000-05:002013-03-12T18:00:03.260-05:00a dear friend.<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">alright, ya'll...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">one of my <i>real life </i>friends has jumped right in to the blogging world, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and you have GOT to meet her.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i absolutely adore her. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we have both changed and grown, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but have remained friends through it all. </span> </center>
<center>
<br /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here's our story in a nutshell:</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we met freshman year of college...we lived right across the hall from each other and became fast friends.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+we went to football games...</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1BqOC-bRvhHegEXTi7NhTbJkA8mmQb08OB_XFFQY_O4hUsgXhMRRFd4u2Awq9A_LUUvYYrcdl_UqiDTA2z_Xu0RQ-WCYwjNzPQQGFOJVi-CC8PemXL7eosJJtG3fq-VtDPFrtZVjcPo/s1600/friendsatluther.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1BqOC-bRvhHegEXTi7NhTbJkA8mmQb08OB_XFFQY_O4hUsgXhMRRFd4u2Awq9A_LUUvYYrcdl_UqiDTA2z_Xu0RQ-WCYwjNzPQQGFOJVi-CC8PemXL7eosJJtG3fq-VtDPFrtZVjcPo/s640/friendsatluther.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ hung out with friends in our dorm rooms...</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FrQqakD8qxt1PubvK-wYpkCL1aNZS4BOMvtlKmJM568uyFnRVbDGKO_cS-ud51sANZDiiskgQCSmxb1-aVLfuaBCg8mbhVKPbs4FWhNTp6jKj3f5bIEwQ3x4sNWELFABSxlmPEGcnyE/s1600/katie%2526kristin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4FrQqakD8qxt1PubvK-wYpkCL1aNZS4BOMvtlKmJM568uyFnRVbDGKO_cS-ud51sANZDiiskgQCSmxb1-aVLfuaBCg8mbhVKPbs4FWhNTp6jKj3f5bIEwQ3x4sNWELFABSxlmPEGcnyE/s640/katie%2526kristin.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> +lived it up on single's awareness day (aka valentine's day) by making a giant monster cookie...</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbBtEVkWfy5Ikutbd3vUyYchxJmc4TRP-ISeky6PRwmTN7fSOnqG3qqTldWAHXPXoeK8VY6hBamNJqNnFi7qPU4ogvpmUkoauqaPzCd6MZ-SW4M7imKydwMhMuXN7Bqi_cVpwBQTYv4M/s1600/finishedcookiemonster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbBtEVkWfy5Ikutbd3vUyYchxJmc4TRP-ISeky6PRwmTN7fSOnqG3qqTldWAHXPXoeK8VY6hBamNJqNnFi7qPU4ogvpmUkoauqaPzCd6MZ-SW4M7imKydwMhMuXN7Bqi_cVpwBQTYv4M/s640/finishedcookiemonster.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> +frequented coffee shops...</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vk8ojtlB8cU1ZBuiPCPc9gg91P7tFRV3Lr95n6wL8H_Z-DgpP9qfK2NIZpalj6gpIgxZtvjRfz97Wi_ZIfxrK3o8d-GzKawqKFIprqBiomlGuWJbPDq2D1qKDhHSCdOsIKyF_2D6p10/s1600/kt%2526kdubjavas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vk8ojtlB8cU1ZBuiPCPc9gg91P7tFRV3Lr95n6wL8H_Z-DgpP9qfK2NIZpalj6gpIgxZtvjRfz97Wi_ZIfxrK3o8d-GzKawqKFIprqBiomlGuWJbPDq2D1qKDhHSCdOsIKyF_2D6p10/s640/kt%2526kdubjavas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+attended Bonnaroo...</span></center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p0Kv_qcKLQcFB9nc7jCmyoI7gWy0QQeVTwABkmjk9x8wM33rlPPs75tUVS_vOTSAnt75piQ36pwkJP1c8k8MSdzHP4_9pl6ANFsxnX87OMesTt8wgToTrCp1kzS61yKA-bIMaDQYQ6U/s1600/AuntBs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p0Kv_qcKLQcFB9nc7jCmyoI7gWy0QQeVTwABkmjk9x8wM33rlPPs75tUVS_vOTSAnt75piQ36pwkJP1c8k8MSdzHP4_9pl6ANFsxnX87OMesTt8wgToTrCp1kzS61yKA-bIMaDQYQ6U/s640/AuntBs.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the adorable bed & breakfast we stayed in...no icky camping for us!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxb555xJrUAhog7beivfvi61zK0_H45XCkkushxoQqI7nL3WHnVtKXQYNcdm1jgfKeJtp1g3tnuCv0pNXfmLfSf-tk5DMDz-bA6J0pnjXK72NvyUaL2_tfCJFFY3DOXIGKa4ICNdO6d8/s1600/SamBush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzxb555xJrUAhog7beivfvi61zK0_H45XCkkushxoQqI7nL3WHnVtKXQYNcdm1jgfKeJtp1g3tnuCv0pNXfmLfSf-tk5DMDz-bA6J0pnjXK72NvyUaL2_tfCJFFY3DOXIGKa4ICNdO6d8/s640/SamBush.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we were pretty proud about meeting sam bush</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> ...and then i transferred schools.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we have still remained good friends, though, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and i'm so excited for her to start this blogging journey.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">she's got a killer <a href="http://strawberryhallsforever.blogspot.com/2013/03/30-before-30.html" target="_blank">bucket list</a>, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">she learned a great lesson from a <a href="http://strawberryhallsforever.blogspot.com/2013/02/lessons-from-stray-dog.html" target="_blank">stray dog</a>,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">&</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">she broke a <a href="http://strawberryhallsforever.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-weekend-i-broke-world-record.html" target="_blank">world record</a> this weekend! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBQ54Es6oNIDTdndq6AfX9LrIe25zbGwWND3lOznD6KV9seyQz79H3_aD4HkQoFbfYQbOVnceDfygJ5ZFF0jauba4EWUoEyxmba2mdFuhcqGOm-CIfZTaQJlPcpagbgzOJjVvJRIe09Bq/s350/IMG_280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBQ54Es6oNIDTdndq6AfX9LrIe25zbGwWND3lOznD6KV9seyQz79H3_aD4HkQoFbfYQbOVnceDfygJ5ZFF0jauba4EWUoEyxmba2mdFuhcqGOm-CIfZTaQJlPcpagbgzOJjVvJRIe09Bq/s320/IMG_280.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">now go meet my sweet friend, <a href="http://strawberryhallsforever.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Katie</a>, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and welcome her to the wonderful world of blogging. </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-1394488772435971992013-03-11T18:00:00.000-05:002013-03-11T18:00:04.166-05:00my boy.<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5kbpWOwS7OF4a_Qzzjn_qm8it3pNJiPQ9pMT1Y7P-S1nyJtZ9kYD76Vo-8rOgI3tDXllQ35BKAis0xC9R1B02Pw1dv_rhkEyb5pulGWY148j8t1igqnE5aspH2oTLsMh1k0tSK4sEa0/s1600/guys1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk5kbpWOwS7OF4a_Qzzjn_qm8it3pNJiPQ9pMT1Y7P-S1nyJtZ9kYD76Vo-8rOgI3tDXllQ35BKAis0xC9R1B02Pw1dv_rhkEyb5pulGWY148j8t1igqnE5aspH2oTLsMh1k0tSK4sEa0/s640/guys1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKSyfpysQ-LD5ei73Hp-fkNJrVy9ZabMzq921NHWWLTw6xnUF0A9OtTzC3Kv9ouoo5vYwOFnNcww2bgFvlI4M_3VZwUZivlpk0KC558RN_03MjWSp7es5lqGONGD4kkARMfSDhLGllkY/s1600/guys2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKSyfpysQ-LD5ei73Hp-fkNJrVy9ZabMzq921NHWWLTw6xnUF0A9OtTzC3Kv9ouoo5vYwOFnNcww2bgFvlI4M_3VZwUZivlpk0KC558RN_03MjWSp7es5lqGONGD4kkARMfSDhLGllkY/s640/guys2.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7X4C8hB0vbIoX5jRZm6FMiiqmL6rPWZTDsXnvWb6_5Zrix1_DXD194Z0WjH2RofcyDGMgc7EY1gECnUUfFJvkMejldJWB3mzeJlsmeIVmDl3dKHApYjeRn5Ml62T9ueHZHffb4HZfJbs/s1600/j+toys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7X4C8hB0vbIoX5jRZm6FMiiqmL6rPWZTDsXnvWb6_5Zrix1_DXD194Z0WjH2RofcyDGMgc7EY1gECnUUfFJvkMejldJWB3mzeJlsmeIVmDl3dKHApYjeRn5Ml62T9ueHZHffb4HZfJbs/s640/j+toys.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and goodness, isn't that quote up above so true?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i'm learning daily from him. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this little boy has <i>completely</i> captured my heart.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in fact, he did from the moment he was placed in my arms.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it really is an amazing feeling, isn't it?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">one minute, it's just you and your significant other... </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and the next minute, BAM! you've become a family of three.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">how is it possible that in the blink of an eye,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he went from such a tiny little nugget to a full blown toddler?</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb_qqPcY8CywDuwwt09PtFpFwphKMaX3oKHaOP7fSZveYToBjzavEK8NX7AhfkQXsecex5MY9r0e6ZoTICn9LRbpUjTquQ_YOMjhDh3o_kgxFInO2GQpRPK1yc_GCLOez_FYHFYWkCuc/s1600/P8120845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUb_qqPcY8CywDuwwt09PtFpFwphKMaX3oKHaOP7fSZveYToBjzavEK8NX7AhfkQXsecex5MY9r0e6ZoTICn9LRbpUjTquQ_YOMjhDh3o_kgxFInO2GQpRPK1yc_GCLOez_FYHFYWkCuc/s640/P8120845.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> it both baffles me and saddens me,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but don't get me wrong! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i love the stage he is in now...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">starting to speak in sentences,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">singing his ABC's,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">counting to 20 (on a good day),</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">praying with us,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and ohhh that indenpendence.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"NO mama!" with the swat of his hand was a favorite </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">until the hubs and I quickly nipped that one.<br />"how about we say 'no <i>thank you</i>', instead? </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">...and we don't hit. hitting isn't nice."</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he has to try his hand at anything and everything,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and i <i>love</i> that about him.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he's a go-getter like his father. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">putting on socks,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">feeding the cat,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">helping empty the dishwasher,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">putting on his hat and jacket,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">buckling any buckle (carseat, booster seat, etc).</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he is a little sponge, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">learning how to live and function in this crazy world. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">james-y, if and when you read this,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i want you to know that your mama and daddy love you oh SO very much.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">you brighten our day.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we pray for you.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we give thanks for you.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we look forward to each new day with you.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">...and now i leave you with this video from yesterday.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">j can't wait to play with the "big guys".</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/8J4SFypxTXI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-31482658415777977212013-03-07T05:00:00.000-06:002013-03-07T05:00:08.729-06:00...and out we went!<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">stop the presses...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
guess what?!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
we actually got to go outside today...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">for an extended period of time!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
it. was. <i>gloooooorious</i>!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I was a fan.</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD4V_8o82C_zOf6y5qes5Ns_1QZKeLHncLXGXX0QKyRSgA3gS01rukuD5hZwqvT3uHjpIke8W9_gOddaJuBTL917517MS1Gju_hmg3j8vpUeig_l62UdTOq5o0u7vjhMnADJbjdYfKpk/s1600/GiGi+J+Walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkD4V_8o82C_zOf6y5qes5Ns_1QZKeLHncLXGXX0QKyRSgA3gS01rukuD5hZwqvT3uHjpIke8W9_gOddaJuBTL917517MS1Gju_hmg3j8vpUeig_l62UdTOq5o0u7vjhMnADJbjdYfKpk/s640/GiGi+J+Walk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqMePYQamRDpAFWFhdcUR6pE-LWPPTu5OAy2SNlvNaNtYyMSnSCQePpXSWnpIjUPL7fycAa0cK-MgWS4PmYhvpbyVw6Ddo2IcpHxX4GlNYshXhdofWkuxpX621sUeUpUyJ_0NN67N5dg/s1600/geese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqMePYQamRDpAFWFhdcUR6pE-LWPPTu5OAy2SNlvNaNtYyMSnSCQePpXSWnpIjUPL7fycAa0cK-MgWS4PmYhvpbyVw6Ddo2IcpHxX4GlNYshXhdofWkuxpX621sUeUpUyJ_0NN67N5dg/s640/geese.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAzd4IVlGM2ZRdrRCS9NjsMyXdjOhYvrPw1wfFjDKR06a64pukyePup5ezeVIhNYvUs_XEtQOU0pZcQYZO8_tELU1z9ycChBaxeUj47JB_qcYEDznbZ6IKhdANInKwHjaFEjzZ6XzS5g/s1600/tracks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxAzd4IVlGM2ZRdrRCS9NjsMyXdjOhYvrPw1wfFjDKR06a64pukyePup5ezeVIhNYvUs_XEtQOU0pZcQYZO8_tELU1z9ycChBaxeUj47JB_qcYEDznbZ6IKhdANInKwHjaFEjzZ6XzS5g/s640/tracks.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbZIKIJ7ZfRkAlzvkL402CzKo_-LEOdXw5-rTRpA3fay_MEAGz6949zPld8gzFXX6PpZW1fCA6yCwjUvWnd6w8N1uvYMOQkAkBTByDTbmlFXRQgpwXMDMDpOtW0jE35crzjSEiD3znXw/s1600/creek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbZIKIJ7ZfRkAlzvkL402CzKo_-LEOdXw5-rTRpA3fay_MEAGz6949zPld8gzFXX6PpZW1fCA6yCwjUvWnd6w8N1uvYMOQkAkBTByDTbmlFXRQgpwXMDMDpOtW0jE35crzjSEiD3znXw/s640/creek.jpg" width="532" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDY8ccdLbdEmbhZNc76FijX28YlqBZGmYu3Ol0WMreOc0wZ8e8Pm9pEqd2RyUBZ3yDzeOQn0g-dRmfj512vAgkZ4sRHGoIu6eSNw0f8HOvkgPv8JPNWhUfg3unUUBDT_fABLe-idEyY0/s1600/throwing+sticks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDY8ccdLbdEmbhZNc76FijX28YlqBZGmYu3Ol0WMreOc0wZ8e8Pm9pEqd2RyUBZ3yDzeOQn0g-dRmfj512vAgkZ4sRHGoIu6eSNw0f8HOvkgPv8JPNWhUfg3unUUBDT_fABLe-idEyY0/s640/throwing+sticks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiBF-ZJ2_l1oHepRsBA4dEBdj4FHCmrLtiK5nAEhmlqx1ygNo_RitSf1w85xnku9h9E3-CWDvfe3r449xrLGoR9SZKA63As2Ss3wUB2kI2FmhZT9psZ7PvFJ5saQiTbC1nIL0OfCgvI4/s1600/James.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUiBF-ZJ2_l1oHepRsBA4dEBdj4FHCmrLtiK5nAEhmlqx1ygNo_RitSf1w85xnku9h9E3-CWDvfe3r449xrLGoR9SZKA63As2Ss3wUB2kI2FmhZT9psZ7PvFJ5saQiTbC1nIL0OfCgvI4/s640/James.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RFTtF-yoUDuu7SFSED4-9co9fs607l4mLlYo7rtuGjDx03S8ul07uKvsQqldMNdmcgPh3skJRLwbLDChDcXGxGZp_qpYSkGMfGmTvhG9jbMt3Ig2mIboB1e83atPSAWSFjZYE5-1ufg/s1600/water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_RFTtF-yoUDuu7SFSED4-9co9fs607l4mLlYo7rtuGjDx03S8ul07uKvsQqldMNdmcgPh3skJRLwbLDChDcXGxGZp_qpYSkGMfGmTvhG9jbMt3Ig2mIboB1e83atPSAWSFjZYE5-1ufg/s640/water.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRIlP6Yih-jVECQgxDBhcGdAujYDCYi1CuUgq_8pGE7A6me-nv0ZL9tXXGsViCl6J8MO3bD5-CfOypCPb-V2d10EOuT7yc1NXXyxSQ-64EcwVD4YH74_FoLiHm97g90tqKTwTT73bRfg/s1600/swing+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRIlP6Yih-jVECQgxDBhcGdAujYDCYi1CuUgq_8pGE7A6me-nv0ZL9tXXGsViCl6J8MO3bD5-CfOypCPb-V2d10EOuT7yc1NXXyxSQ-64EcwVD4YH74_FoLiHm97g90tqKTwTT73bRfg/s640/swing+.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there's this great nature trail close to my parents </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that we frequented regularly as kids.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my mom and I decided to get bundled up </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(it was in the mid 30's today, so nothing balmy by <i>any </i>stretch of the imagination!) </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and hit the trail.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I am SO glad we did.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">J had the best time watching the geese and ducks lazily wading in the partially melted creek, crunching his little feet in the remaining snow, stomping through puddles, swinging at the playground, and <i>running</i>. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my goodness, does that boy like to move.</span></center>
<center>
<br /><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I didn't realize just how confined and trapped we were with this icky winter season,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">until getting out today to stretch our legs.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the little one had a full. blown. meltdown. as we walked back inside </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">after our 30+ minutes in the great outdoors.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he was absolutely not ready to be back inside, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and quite frankly, I can't blame him!</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">alright, 60 degree weather...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i'm <i>more</i> than ready for you to grace us with your presence!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">----------------------------------</span></center>
<center>
on another note...</center>
<center>
another thing I'm a fan of? meeting new blogger friends.</center>
<center>
I was recently contacted by Brittany from <a href="http://thelilyfield.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">The Lily Field</a> and am so encouraged and inspired by her!</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Here are a few things you should know about her...</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<a href="http://thelilyfield.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1244.photobucket.com/albums/gg565/supercoworker/button200fav_zps4e56cf48.jpg" /></a></center>
<center>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">"I grew up as a homeschooler in a small town where everyone knew your name. The town was small, but my heart was BIG. I've always been a dreamer - getting carried away by the holy and whimsical. I've spent my life giving my heart to God FIRST - allowing Him to fill me so that I can try to love and serve others like He would want me to. He gave me a deep, cannot control, LOVE for writing and ministry. I pour that passion out at The Lily Field! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 16px/normal "times new roman", "new york", times, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I am married to the man of my dreams and have been blessed with two boys... so far! I stay at home, practicing the art of raising warriors - and hope to be a beacon of LIGHT in this world! My name is Brittany... come visit me in the field."</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
+ read a post that all mama's can relate to <a href="http://thelilyfield.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-confession-of-bodily-proportions.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></center>
<center>
+ read an amazing post on the art of raising warriors <a href="http://thelilyfield.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-art-of-raising-warriors.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></center>
<center>
+ read a touching post about her relationship with Christ post kids <a href="http://thelilyfield.blogspot.com/2012/12/hey-god-im-with-them.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
be sure to stop by her space on the web and tell her hi! </center>
<center>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-48452757507582735652013-03-01T13:15:00.000-06:002013-03-01T13:15:29.585-06:00feel good friday.<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">happy friday!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">guess what?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it's snowing again.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">this just doesn't even surprise me anymore.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">here's how completely unamused we are:</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndr5MerBmq9wl_kLJFfQZtU1e4_B65miQjLEq7Zg_ftXWwdbnAUNrMEpv2h2A3khq3aAeixHeLqlJKNrVz0KRB7yQ8nw6GdIRJ3pWY0d8yYGndNaXLhczL7MelI5UkL_oaedjw97LEHU/s1600/bored.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndr5MerBmq9wl_kLJFfQZtU1e4_B65miQjLEq7Zg_ftXWwdbnAUNrMEpv2h2A3khq3aAeixHeLqlJKNrVz0KRB7yQ8nw6GdIRJ3pWY0d8yYGndNaXLhczL7MelI5UkL_oaedjw97LEHU/s320/bored.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">in more exciting news, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Michael, J, my parents, and I are heading out this evening </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">to go visit Michael's parents.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">I love that our families get along so well.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">we've got a lot of fun things planned,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">so hopefully I can recap on Monday.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">now, onto the feel good part of this post...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> i've watched this video countless times, and it gets me every time.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">so incredibly heart warming.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">we need more people in the world like this coach </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and the player on the opposing team.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">**grab some tissue before clicking play!**</span> </center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JW8jjS4CCpk?rel=0" width="500"></iframe> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">what are your plans for the weekend?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-22544203693290454302013-02-28T18:00:00.000-06:002013-02-28T18:00:01.981-06:00hope.<center>
</center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwuqG8FhlRRLCbNxHNCbp-0CY6Esvp4n2euAvewvMOBckQWXv4CJY84xKD2hI6DwAwNae0sNWQFWNmfRp793BpDk1DqAUxe3IlYC7-9VbrJUkxTSdM7pCI52x3-jdRAY5rPuz4gZrNQg/s1600/hope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwuqG8FhlRRLCbNxHNCbp-0CY6Esvp4n2euAvewvMOBckQWXv4CJY84xKD2hI6DwAwNae0sNWQFWNmfRp793BpDk1DqAUxe3IlYC7-9VbrJUkxTSdM7pCI52x3-jdRAY5rPuz4gZrNQg/s640/hope.jpg" width="464" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I don't know about you all, but this weather has got me in a funk.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the wintertime blues are no joke, people!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i'm so over being cooped up inside,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">doing the same things,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">trying to keep a 19 month entertained with limited options...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">basically, i'm ready for spring,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">which equals nice weather (am I right!?) </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as J and I were preparing to sit down and eat our lunch this afternoon, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a flash of red caught my eye.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I looked out the window to the neighbors tree </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and saw the most <i>beautiful</i> bright red cardinal.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it brought tears to my eyes and reminded me of two things: </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">first, it was a sign of hope, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and I have no doubt that God sent it especially for me.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was almost as if He was saying,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"hold on. spring is just around the corner. be patient, my child."</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it also reminded me of my grandpa, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">who is no longer with us.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">both he and my grandma <i>loved</i> to look out the window in their home </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to see all of the wildlife outside, especially the birds. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">...and it just so happens that his favorite baseball team was</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><i>the cardinals.</i> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was just the sign I needed to keep trudging through this season...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it will be over shortly, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and there will be new, exciting things on the horizon.</span> </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-22797561900375494432013-02-26T18:00:00.000-06:002013-02-26T18:00:04.507-06:00compassion and kindness.<div style="text-align: center;">
<object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" height="40" id="gsSong3416485638" name="gsSong3416485638" width="250"><param name="movie" value="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=34164856&style=metal&p=0" /><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://grooveshark.com/songWidget.swf" width="250" height="40"><param name="wmode" value="window" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="hostname=grooveshark.com&songID=34164856&style=metal&p=0" /><span><a href="http://grooveshark.com/search/song?q=M83%20Outro" title="Outro by M83 on Grooveshark">Outro by M83 on Grooveshark</a></span></object></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETCEduDuJwvNAPbxtuB-M1mkl2d4FiKUodze_dNtYhAJmxNPqE5ltPaMc6Bp_5gbrbZ-uRyUN4GTJUnCrz2tI0VzROlVgDttYzlNA4dljwtQwHWsxLoZRnnvwpzJrajYK3A6TUU843N8/s1600/car+snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETCEduDuJwvNAPbxtuB-M1mkl2d4FiKUodze_dNtYhAJmxNPqE5ltPaMc6Bp_5gbrbZ-uRyUN4GTJUnCrz2tI0VzROlVgDttYzlNA4dljwtQwHWsxLoZRnnvwpzJrajYK3A6TUU843N8/s640/car+snow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE31ecW8YU_MWgZAm1rolPypAuGczUBFuR_HkTRzXT1OEgisb1oRJRXaphP4FWZy2p4kqAwwpaqlx_9AvPvWCXmkMkL1Zt_iNlo_j5nJEpngeCRdxUIrgrkaXlKZFXIkdRKMPzFw_GMY/s1600/bush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE31ecW8YU_MWgZAm1rolPypAuGczUBFuR_HkTRzXT1OEgisb1oRJRXaphP4FWZy2p4kqAwwpaqlx_9AvPvWCXmkMkL1Zt_iNlo_j5nJEpngeCRdxUIrgrkaXlKZFXIkdRKMPzFw_GMY/s640/bush.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVjnd7uSj-I2f3rSy_WjVcayds71ya-rs87is-rFvUmCnWNyUNtf4Xfn8Rdoljx_a27GxwgfvgZJojyTQkOQxdiII2fMMp094b6EoGIXmOcHKLqYTlgbnmiOOthapSANt6YaTp6YRHH8/s1600/boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVjnd7uSj-I2f3rSy_WjVcayds71ya-rs87is-rFvUmCnWNyUNtf4Xfn8Rdoljx_a27GxwgfvgZJojyTQkOQxdiII2fMMp094b6EoGIXmOcHKLqYTlgbnmiOOthapSANt6YaTp6YRHH8/s640/boots.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4VIj0fqSBqSAeE4RKiB9BCVK8A_YoOPnaJXKLxP-aR0xJN5r9vhz1ZPKDUaU5jmu9V_AXL0_JPRFwR8PZI_pkVxNPOe0DRhE4HFCPI1W_h_G5zB_I2s43G1vtRz06A76uG97s1IW9a8/s1600/weathervane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP4VIj0fqSBqSAeE4RKiB9BCVK8A_YoOPnaJXKLxP-aR0xJN5r9vhz1ZPKDUaU5jmu9V_AXL0_JPRFwR8PZI_pkVxNPOe0DRhE4HFCPI1W_h_G5zB_I2s43G1vtRz06A76uG97s1IW9a8/s640/weathervane.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJ-wu9QzE0y_axolh16HQm-9Yi97K8JiuC7WV-I0mvOLnQ1uxnf8DNsPh_sqcqFBwDuTuPe8gRMQkovzaKXYCkw5FkAGgYS3K7v-IMjVAi0gJodwWJ66gaZr4GckjTC9RIMdclGGNAPY/s1600/bushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuJ-wu9QzE0y_axolh16HQm-9Yi97K8JiuC7WV-I0mvOLnQ1uxnf8DNsPh_sqcqFBwDuTuPe8gRMQkovzaKXYCkw5FkAGgYS3K7v-IMjVAi0gJodwWJ66gaZr4GckjTC9RIMdclGGNAPY/s640/bushes.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the song above moves me.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I often listen to it on repeat.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>I feel like it inspires me.</em></span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so...the other day, my mom and I were discussing the importance of kindness and compassion.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">how it can truly make a person's day, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to be a source of <em>light </em>in a dark place.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I need to work on this.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I want to be </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">kind.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">compassionate.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">understanding.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">forgiving.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">loving.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I want to be an encourager.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a motivator.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><em>I want to be more like Jesus.</em></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-16647826650567580432013-02-21T19:00:00.000-06:002013-02-21T19:00:01.550-06:00I don't even know...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG36dowKCWs166G-tuEBtKwVCF1DP87ZqAJjB4Qt40JwM6dbEA8qOv4CyA3TgxsC1er6bFlLi2iXe99upel0j5AWmC069-4r9ovNhmqQgS5-GFrvCFhSL5mYkFBfdbut-AElDpBbxvPk4/s1600/snowstormQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG36dowKCWs166G-tuEBtKwVCF1DP87ZqAJjB4Qt40JwM6dbEA8qOv4CyA3TgxsC1er6bFlLi2iXe99upel0j5AWmC069-4r9ovNhmqQgS5-GFrvCFhSL5mYkFBfdbut-AElDpBbxvPk4/s400/snowstormQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">today has been a blah day.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I probably shouldn't be writing a post, but oh well...too late.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it looks like cabin fever will be lasting several more days, as Winter Storm "Q" is settling into our neck of the woods this afternoon.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboT02UhI1wDTpr1oxOAyklrvhG5xIMPTCnaGe6bOvR1RD8I7kt6rUlNo1A46z-wuTG4Ebf1BbiPdU_i2SUjZKo0mccqcaztl-TNTno9oQQlWVcIt3RNfq1ikCibEf6RttNJ5PwDwuLHQ/s1600/snowQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjboT02UhI1wDTpr1oxOAyklrvhG5xIMPTCnaGe6bOvR1RD8I7kt6rUlNo1A46z-wuTG4Ebf1BbiPdU_i2SUjZKo0mccqcaztl-TNTno9oQQlWVcIt3RNfq1ikCibEf6RttNJ5PwDwuLHQ/s640/snowQ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf784X-j0axWx_enTbVrKJVWIhoG_FZcajZELa8O7sIXJ_rF-DMAfebtgvDedtPBScxESyKjbBsGA722NLG2PjrUXVBGd-zeFjEOyjXQkr3h-K5D87D9YqGHYufF8FEy7c-K9YUXF36JA/s1600/snowQ1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf784X-j0axWx_enTbVrKJVWIhoG_FZcajZELa8O7sIXJ_rF-DMAfebtgvDedtPBScxESyKjbBsGA722NLG2PjrUXVBGd-zeFjEOyjXQkr3h-K5D87D9YqGHYufF8FEy7c-K9YUXF36JA/s640/snowQ1.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the snow is lovely and all, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but this family is so ready for nice weather so we can get outside and play. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">oh, what a difference being outside can make!</span></center>
<center>
<br /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">to <strike>try to</strike> ward off cabin fever, we've been busy reading <i>lots </i>of books, playing with toys, and shooting hoops.</span></center>
<center>
<br /></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy4ga2VEz4ppko-YWpx80WE1vw4pNNF1vJQI0aRAf-rd5zNLWJ8nVziGSa05f5rtgPjvBRAvElB3ozFvKnCNiC3a1UN0ryz-KiTNxz01z5FrLmVkGSz2kEhQ5GkqQ685lbt4O-w8EnUs/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy4ga2VEz4ppko-YWpx80WE1vw4pNNF1vJQI0aRAf-rd5zNLWJ8nVziGSa05f5rtgPjvBRAvElB3ozFvKnCNiC3a1UN0ryz-KiTNxz01z5FrLmVkGSz2kEhQ5GkqQ685lbt4O-w8EnUs/s640/books.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHBsefwn0r5rLwAgAsx5WfxCFSnO0VAokht5hJjzkAeRAK14iJ8R1Up3_WsILflINs6vU6AqHlUB8Z_Rdf7jQb0rLVKYdSw6UdHM-Xup4SEHP-mb7IFuARyYTxF4tvkWEKXZAXGV1gls/s1600/bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHBsefwn0r5rLwAgAsx5WfxCFSnO0VAokht5hJjzkAeRAK14iJ8R1Up3_WsILflINs6vU6AqHlUB8Z_Rdf7jQb0rLVKYdSw6UdHM-Xup4SEHP-mb7IFuARyYTxF4tvkWEKXZAXGV1gls/s640/bus.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">apparently Mary (Jesus' mom) chose to ride the bus today...aka we haven't put James' nativity set away yet. oops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi52nIE6g689ALi40MwRKt5UdrMDH7WIPTBrYz7_Q_KTZNRdGXMTsJuSlfNroSZypLU9jtT0TVgVbkoP-D0qXcpggX9qowbVzl5CgaOR_1hD_r5nMpQAYNFgLCbQAm1X8PtbFmi5OCur8/s1600/bball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi52nIE6g689ALi40MwRKt5UdrMDH7WIPTBrYz7_Q_KTZNRdGXMTsJuSlfNroSZypLU9jtT0TVgVbkoP-D0qXcpggX9qowbVzl5CgaOR_1hD_r5nMpQAYNFgLCbQAm1X8PtbFmi5OCur8/s640/bball.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<center>
<br /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">oh...and i've also been trying to overcome a bout of shingles.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ick.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">who knew 20 somethings could even get shingles?!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">not I...until the doctor confirmed it on Tuesday. </span></center>
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">without going into too much detail,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">God is most definitely teaching me faith, trust, and patience through this all.</span></center>
</center>
<br />
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i've been extremely tired and don't have much of an appetite.</span></center>
<br />
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">moral of the story?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i'm ready to be done with this!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(and when I say <b>this</b>, I mean shingles <i>and</i> cold weather!) </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here's to hoping more consistent, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">more exciting posts happen in the near future.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I just haven't been feeling it lately.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-78990494599412838872013-02-18T18:00:00.001-06:002013-02-18T18:00:08.462-06:00a little surprise.<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my dear, sweet blogger-turned-real-life friend, <a href="http://spipeandsprinkles.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Katie</a></span> <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sent me a sweet facebook message a few weeks back.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">she wanted to know if James and I had an interest in swapping Valentine's with her and her adorable daughter, Maile (who is close in age to J).</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">oh, but of COURSE! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I mean, isn't there a special joy when opening the door to see a package addressed to <b>you </b>sitting on the doorstep?!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> we set a price limit (goal: don't exceed $10) and a date (February 10th) to get our respective packages in the mail.</span></center>
<center>
<br /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">then came last week...guess what was sitting on our doorstep?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a special package sent from Colorado. hooray! </span></center>
<center>
<br /></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Katie and Maile sent us <i>the best</i> treats in the mail...it brightened our <strike>day</strike> week!</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzurtIMKGflP6X_jXM3VZncYKAlIQE9X7DuUUeWmw6LCUVg6y8hHriTkUyc2HG4mP6F716FTA0wKhDnO92bkAa7td_StAN2SFyAEYXGJ1_mc0gkeEajCnUsSSRCSvwy5Pvi0dH9Sla9cU/s1600/katie+gifts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzurtIMKGflP6X_jXM3VZncYKAlIQE9X7DuUUeWmw6LCUVg6y8hHriTkUyc2HG4mP6F716FTA0wKhDnO92bkAa7td_StAN2SFyAEYXGJ1_mc0gkeEajCnUsSSRCSvwy5Pvi0dH9Sla9cU/s640/katie+gifts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> (oops. I forgot to add in the fun goodies that James got!)</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the point of this post isn't about the goodies (although James and I scored BIG time with our little gifts!)</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it's about the fun and friendship that blogging can bring.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this blogging community can open up so many doors.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it can bring along so many wonderful and encouraging people who are going through very similar things in life.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it can bring along lifelong friends,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and for that, I am so very thankful.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">thank you, Katie and Maile, for being our Valentine's this year! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we may have to make this an annual thing. :)</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*sidenote: she wrote <a href="http://spipeandsprinkles.blogspot.com/2013/02/give-me-rest.html" target="_blank">this</a> incredible post today. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">hop on over and say hi to this sweet lady! </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-2631195152012630342013-02-11T11:04:00.000-06:002013-02-11T11:04:00.846-06:00praying parent.<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZFPHw67apVK6Q0XygJ5AI3DEa9TuhhDjEfGJh9-Q1nouhxP4Si311bbjVfl5hUdDx0jFwHDGsPvv22i6nCcvityklGscM1xd2LFyj8eEjwsGbBfh5g0vd0K-eZmYRQmtKZXSfCd3lr8/s1600/jammies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZFPHw67apVK6Q0XygJ5AI3DEa9TuhhDjEfGJh9-Q1nouhxP4Si311bbjVfl5hUdDx0jFwHDGsPvv22i6nCcvityklGscM1xd2LFyj8eEjwsGbBfh5g0vd0K-eZmYRQmtKZXSfCd3lr8/s640/jammies.jpg" width="363" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">please ignore the awful picture quality...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as I sit and type this, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a certain little boy is upstairs for an unplanned morning nap.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this age, 19 months old, has been both exhausting and wonderful.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he is full of words and full of songs.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he is into sports, dancing, and music.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">...and oh so independent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">when James was itty bitty, I purchased </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><u>The Power of a Praying Parent Book of Prayers</u> by Stormie Omartian.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">The first few lines of the introduction sold me:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>"I don't know how to be the perfect parent for my children," I said to God in desperation one day.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>"I need You to help me raise them."</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>God responded by impressing on my heart the following words: <i>If you are not covering your children in prayer every day, you are leaving their lives to chance."</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">woah.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">WAKE UP CALL.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">leaving their lives to chance?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">no. thank. you. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">with each new day, I'm realizing just how important and crucial parenting is.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it is Michael and I's job to pray for him, guide him, love him, teach him, discipline him, praise him, keep him safe, provide a loving and nurturing environment, allow him to play and explore...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">the list goes on and on and on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i'm no expert, but I do know this-</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">parenting<i> isn't</i> an easy job, especially if it's done right.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">there are many nights where I lay my head on the pillow and think, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"Should I have done that differently today? Did I say the right thing? Did I discipline in the right way? Did I show him I love him enough?"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">there will always be questions.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">there will always be doubts.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">...but I believe Stormie says it best, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>"I learned that I didn't have to be a <i>perfect</i> parent; I just had to be a <i>praying</i> parent."</b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span><center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">oh, what great comfort I find in being a praying parent.</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-85629342582114457192013-02-05T13:52:00.000-06:002013-02-05T13:52:30.455-06:00chocolate chip banana pancakes.<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">J and I have been a bit under the weather with a crummy head cold the past few days. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">hopefully I'll return to regularly scheduled posting <i>sooner</i>, rather than <i>later</i>. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I love you all. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">------------------</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a few weeks back, Michael developed a craving for pancakes.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I had put that little request on the back burner until last Wednesday when Michael received an unexpected, mid week snow day (score!) </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was time to bust out some <b>chocolate chip banana pancakes</b>.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> I mean come on! </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> they </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">would make for a yummy and cozy Wednesday evening dinner</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">AND I had all of the ingredients at home. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHpno4_CDWNhCxbbdX83itkNsTzyglXdawaIBsGCZ4zLpFyARDbvddqe3wM-0w2hv5ggUVIN6Md-UPKo54_CdUAjsk8rfNxo9q0yepz_OzCND57M0p5k9MWBKGCMRvEeHx6vkTt9u3t0/s1600/bpancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHpno4_CDWNhCxbbdX83itkNsTzyglXdawaIBsGCZ4zLpFyARDbvddqe3wM-0w2hv5ggUVIN6Md-UPKo54_CdUAjsk8rfNxo9q0yepz_OzCND57M0p5k9MWBKGCMRvEeHx6vkTt9u3t0/s640/bpancakes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Here's what you'll need to make yourself a batch (do it!):</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> + 1 1/2 C. flour + 1 1/4 C. milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> + 1 Tbsp. sugar + 1/2 C. mashed banana</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> + 2 tsp. baking powder + 1 egg, lightly beaten</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> + 1/2 tsp cinnamon + 1 tsp. vanilla</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> + 1/2 C. (mini )chocolate chips</span></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> 1) combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and cinnamon in a bowl. mix well.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> 2) stir in milk, banana, egg, and vanilla.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> 3) fold in the chocolate chips.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> 4) heat a griddle or frying pan (sprayed with oil) on medium heat. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> pour batter onto pan making 3-4 inch rounds. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> 5) cook approximately 2 minutes, or until tops start to bubble.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> flip pancake and cook another minute or until golden brown.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> 6) repeat until batter is gone (add oil to pan for each new batch)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> 7) for extra flavor, sprinkle powdered sugar and chocolate chips on top.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span> </div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Michael and J both <i>loved</i> the pancakes,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and (bonus), there were even enough for breakfast the next two days.</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOe7FwoU2bhv5U6S1AvWvqmNwpcmY_SHCMzQPU3lx-i45gps8hqTTL4aai5cqCDGP0RH8Rc_rfblDSxhiCQMdY8OeUPx-z6VjcWRJz5ph93WENIBDZgINliTV5AOudpH1oOoKKcKiegM/s1600/banana+pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOe7FwoU2bhv5U6S1AvWvqmNwpcmY_SHCMzQPU3lx-i45gps8hqTTL4aai5cqCDGP0RH8Rc_rfblDSxhiCQMdY8OeUPx-z6VjcWRJz5ph93WENIBDZgINliTV5AOudpH1oOoKKcKiegM/s640/banana+pancakes.jpg" width="448" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">go make yourself some of these pancakes...and enjoy!</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-70624705065088075312013-01-31T17:36:00.000-06:002013-01-31T17:36:31.635-06:00dance party.<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">lately, J has been dancing his way through life.</span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">he loves music and he <i>loves</i> to dance,</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">so we typically have an afternoon dance party before dad comes home from work. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">lucky for us, Michael had a snow day yesterday, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">which meant he was able to partake in our dance party.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/NqUHAJo18v8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">oh, and don't you enjoy his <b>dancing shoes</b>?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">{the name he has so lovingly given his black dress shoes}.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-25527692290705811382013-01-29T21:00:00.001-06:002013-01-29T21:00:39.817-06:00little green pouch.<center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">when J first started eating solids, Michael and I made his food.</span></div>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">did it take a lot of time? yes. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">was it worth it? yes.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but then, for convenience sake, I started buying those wonderful puree pouches </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that have popped up in baby food isles everywhere.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">not only was it super easy to use (unscrew the cap, hand to J), but it had a combination of fruits <i>and</i> vegetables...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">veggies he'd normally turn his head at.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the only problem?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the cost (and the waste).</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">cue the <a href="http://www.littlegreenpouch.com/" target="_blank">Little Green Pouch</a>. </span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1OaHJ5QkthTHbOvjfxXqJcVSNVGvsut0T9uEtU1A0hIR80a86wFHBfTzSGC2WzXgXyfPZdhfXiIm27eVbwB2-LdghXXBsW3yQTkvRPxeYbCX_pbWVPkwoXXSsbgQJ5CWoK_v92XmG7U/s1600/love+pouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1OaHJ5QkthTHbOvjfxXqJcVSNVGvsut0T9uEtU1A0hIR80a86wFHBfTzSGC2WzXgXyfPZdhfXiIm27eVbwB2-LdghXXBsW3yQTkvRPxeYbCX_pbWVPkwoXXSsbgQJ5CWoK_v92XmG7U/s640/love+pouch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">these pouches have been a <i>lifesaver</i> around these parts.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here are a few reasons why I love them so:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ they hold more than the regular puree pouch </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(6ish ounches, compared to 4ish ounces)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ in the long run, they will save us money</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ we won't be dumping multiple empty pouches in the trash week after week</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ they were created by <i>two moms</i> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ a little superficial, but I like the way they look</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(green <i>is</i> my favorite color, after all)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ they're super easy to fill and wash</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(to wash, simply unscrew the cap, open up the zipper, rinse out the bag, and place it on the top shelf.) </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ they are dishwasher AND freezer safe</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ they aren't just for kids! adults can use these too!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">+ they are easy to grab and go </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_NWR_Macg0s6bt30VpCY0MTxF_ABEly3Kp5erYwZJ_fU5XylDKHsZShmEh_6BdqigV8wwjVwO_G9dAZYtkD64nLNOZ3LkzPzfBUUYp8NBEDAcbqkw9Ong_hHLtq9rayxWERu2mpkQKQ/s1600/win.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_NWR_Macg0s6bt30VpCY0MTxF_ABEly3Kp5erYwZJ_fU5XylDKHsZShmEh_6BdqigV8wwjVwO_G9dAZYtkD64nLNOZ3LkzPzfBUUYp8NBEDAcbqkw9Ong_hHLtq9rayxWERu2mpkQKQ/s640/win.jpg" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU46lofKTdQM8zK9p947WuMzwr3v3KdZ0c9NfUI_8fYLZmqlTaj9TsdOpHRXxTJ9JSwwkjS0nO4QbUYNuo08D2sTX3iJmrOgMlbIc8tpE7_knT8Tu09OWEzFfk6t62QXtlmcLxJCnf3S8/s1600/back+side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU46lofKTdQM8zK9p947WuMzwr3v3KdZ0c9NfUI_8fYLZmqlTaj9TsdOpHRXxTJ9JSwwkjS0nO4QbUYNuo08D2sTX3iJmrOgMlbIc8tpE7_knT8Tu09OWEzFfk6t62QXtlmcLxJCnf3S8/s640/back+side.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I was curious to see J's reaction when I handed him the LGP for the first time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> he gave it a once over and cautiously tested the pouch (he knew exactly how to use it). </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it came as no surprise that he quickly guzzled the pouch </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">until there was nothing left.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">hooray for sneaking in some butternut squash masked with appleasauce! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsdRTkfdi9JZYpN_NyMYCL8arb-m2uaD6A6MLLzOXm8yhclORq5CjRELnPhLVwt-cBsOpI5j8ziuxMQX54ajrNV4kxckmQh6HS4r6-5IMZv8P0RXXy21XO2u0XXiboNDtPNQMX-Sa-Sw/s1600/j+questions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsdRTkfdi9JZYpN_NyMYCL8arb-m2uaD6A6MLLzOXm8yhclORq5CjRELnPhLVwt-cBsOpI5j8ziuxMQX54ajrNV4kxckmQh6HS4r6-5IMZv8P0RXXy21XO2u0XXiboNDtPNQMX-Sa-Sw/s640/j+questions.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNv-C2lzcNIMuhojrnk7V0FETeOt9AXOEw6YqPHwZf9sPS2_CMxdoSMl-TSGiclT8CkvpQ9ruu2wzCa4Vj8-Vb0dNbPso1qL7GhGhYnKL94oVZqyG4DxFkatKFUWjjDlxsY3vtUYGt9w/s1600/j+likes+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNv-C2lzcNIMuhojrnk7V0FETeOt9AXOEw6YqPHwZf9sPS2_CMxdoSMl-TSGiclT8CkvpQ9ruu2wzCa4Vj8-Vb0dNbPso1qL7GhGhYnKL94oVZqyG4DxFkatKFUWjjDlxsY3vtUYGt9w/s640/j+likes+it.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AID-Dwu2pdydtrRMXtrIH-3OwVhr1mDxCdHzm3SItJbBfLs5kt-oqAfVLYtCozvfR4rVsQZh-o3emQNZIHXS18Jioct2bCG5maxVI4Vu5-eXjqW84Y887R6Bi09GJmXtSxvMI7TQnM8/s1600/j+end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AID-Dwu2pdydtrRMXtrIH-3OwVhr1mDxCdHzm3SItJbBfLs5kt-oqAfVLYtCozvfR4rVsQZh-o3emQNZIHXS18Jioct2bCG5maxVI4Vu5-eXjqW84Y887R6Bi09GJmXtSxvMI7TQnM8/s640/j+end.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">so my point in all of this?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">go get yourself a pack (or three) of pouches.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it's more than worth it!</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">[thank you, Little Green Pouch, for sending us a complimentary box! please note, I'm not getting paid for this and all opinions are honest and my own.] </span> </center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-26858870640486612742013-01-28T22:32:00.000-06:002013-01-28T22:32:08.680-06:00zombie burger.<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so i've been meaning to post this for awhile, but forgot until I was </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">looking through my photos. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
oops.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">by the way, please ignore my awful photos below.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">all I had was my cellphone to document. boo.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a few weekends ago, my family and I decided to try something different for lunch </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(we kind've get stuck in our ways).</span> </center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we opted for something in the East Village, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a fun shopping/dining district downtown.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">several friends and family members had mentioned </span><a href="http://www.zombieburgerdm.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Zombie Burger,</span></a><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">claiming they have the best burgers in town.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">
quite honestly, the name Zombie Burger left me a bit apprehensive, </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but I was ready to give it a shot.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">when we got down there, the place was <strong><em><u>PACKED</u></em></strong>.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">people standing outside, people standing inside, every table </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">occupied...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was clearly a hit with many people.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">since the wait for the full service side was over 30 minutes, and we were pushing James' naptime, we opted to go through the "to-go" line and try our luck at getting seats in the open seating area.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"></span> </center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we got lucky. </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">just as we placed our order, a group of seats opened up </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and we were able to stay and enjoy our hot burgers and fries </span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">right then and there.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I got the Raygun and oh. my. wow.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it consisted of monterey jack cheese, fried jalapenos, carmelized onions, <strike>bacon</strike> (I opted to not have bacon on mine. I don't like bacon...so sue me!), guacamole, and chipotle mayo.</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHn4cvPuDzQhRt-zaFOHyIRJwuwyRkbzlPKnmenNkne3508sj7o6xlFFxj_9gbIb3GsfLRxHTAiFt-Bq-rxdP1fUXbyELo_uZuFq0aWzobnIg2Vdy6-a3cV86YjKbSUr3P6hr8s7REFg/s1600/burger+up+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHn4cvPuDzQhRt-zaFOHyIRJwuwyRkbzlPKnmenNkne3508sj7o6xlFFxj_9gbIb3GsfLRxHTAiFt-Bq-rxdP1fUXbyELo_uZuFq0aWzobnIg2Vdy6-a3cV86YjKbSUr3P6hr8s7REFg/s640/burger+up+close.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I can honestly say, I've never tasted a better burger.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(there...I said it!)</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that combo was deeeeee-vine.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and the best part?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">all of us raved about our burgers (and we all got something different).</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><strike>if</strike> when I go again, I know I'll need to try something different...</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but if you know me, you know I don't stray from my usual when I find something good.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it is what it is...i'm predictable like that.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ok, now let's talk about the fries...but more importantly, their <em>fry sauce</em>.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I do not know what they put in their sauce, but they hit the jackpot </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">with this stuff.</span></center>
<center>
<em><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so. good.</span></em></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrDaH7jwn_1A-35D1bNKwH6rzAPXF15yG2vp8yDqnJj6kudJN9kZDxAR90w0dlrX9Nbbi2FpJTqTgshhCK26na-daio2-Hdk7_Mv256iE5kkJ5hFtVZ3-OKWcCdMVqnzHvxWq1iVGv_c/s1600/fries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLrDaH7jwn_1A-35D1bNKwH6rzAPXF15yG2vp8yDqnJj6kudJN9kZDxAR90w0dlrX9Nbbi2FpJTqTgshhCK26na-daio2-Hdk7_Mv256iE5kkJ5hFtVZ3-OKWcCdMVqnzHvxWq1iVGv_c/s640/fries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i'm ready to go back (although my arteries may not be...)</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">do you have a favorite burger?</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">what's on it?</span></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></div>
<center>
</center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3956938926153632437.post-19597631783996660782013-01-27T20:36:00.000-06:002013-01-27T20:36:23.921-06:00another God moment.<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I was planning to write about my weekend, but decided instead to share this incredibly moving story that my mom posted.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">It's lengthy, but well worth the read.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I had the opportunity to meet Gil once, and am so thankful I did.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">I'm incredibly inspired by my mom.</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">********</span></center>
<center>
</center>
<center>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">On
Wednesday, January 23, I received a rather strange and eerie phone call. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My cell phone rang and a lady identified
herself as working for the Polk County Medical Examiner. She explained that she
received my number as somebody who may know a person by the name of Gilbert
Colgrove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought for a minute and
could not place the name, so I told her that it was not anybody I knew or was
familiar with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She asked me again, “So
you do not know Gilbert Colgrove?” and I said no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her exact words back to me were “That’s
interesting….he had your phone number, but thank you for your help.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At no point did she indicate that she was
attempting to find next of kin for a deceased person, but I knew that was the
purpose of the phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many thoughts
ran through my mind during and after that phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My very first reaction, after hearing the
words ‘Polk County Medical Examiner’, was that my heart starting pounding and I
feared that a family member had died.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That pounding heart lasted long after the phone call ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was horrible and my heart breaks for
anybody who has ever received such a phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second feeling was that I was sad that it
was not obvious who the next of kin or loved one was and the ME’s office had to
resort to calling random phone numbers they may have found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, I became aware of all of the people
in this world who are not necessarily family, friend, or loved one who have my
phone number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People I may have done
business with, either with teddy bears, antiques, Craigslist, contractors or
delivery persons.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somebody had died….of that I was sure and I
did not for one second think it was a hoax or prank of any sort.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">The phone call was
still weighing on me the next day when I drove to Kansas City with my daughter
and grandson. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I began to tell my story
to Kristin and she indicated she had read my post on Facebook concerning the
phone call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She got a very enlightened
look on her face and turned to me as if the solution to this puzzle had just
been whispered in her ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without
hesitation she asked about a man I had befriended several years earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wasn’t his name Gil or something
like that?” she asked me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew
immediately she had it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gil did not pronounce his name with a hard G as you
would think a shortened form of Gilbert would be, but instead it sounded more
like the sound you make when you say Zsa Zsa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was a sweet soul who I first encountered standing at the parking lot
entrance/exit to the neighborhood grocery store where I shopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gil was a small man, a bit bent over, bald
and walked with a cane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had only a
few teeth left in his mouth and I assumed he was most likely not as old as his
battered exterior would indicate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
stood there with his sign asking for donations or food and he was accompanied by
a small white dog I later found out was named Pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gave him some money that day, as I did
every time I saw him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One evening as I
pulled into the parking lot with my daughter, it was pouring down rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got out of the car and headed into the
store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing underneath the overhang
was a very wet Gil and his dog, Pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Gil had roughly fashioned a “raincoat” for Pocket out of what looked like
an old shower curtain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him how he was doing and he answered
that he was waiting for the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had he
had a meal recently was my next question, as I wanted to buy him something to
eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He answered that he had not and
would appreciate a meatloaf meal, so off we went to the deli and I bought him
several meals to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we took it
back outside to Gil, I asked him if he would like me to take him home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That would be so nice of you….are you sure
you don’t mind?” was his reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
instincts told me that Gil was a peaceful man and would do us no harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We helped him into my car and off we went to
a small brick one story apartment building on the edge of our downtown
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked him his name and he told
me Gil -- with the unique pronunciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He told us he was not originally from Iowa and I cannot recall if he told
us where he was from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had lived with
his Mother until she died and he had been a delivery person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me his apartment was subsidized, he
was on several medications, and that he received a bit of help from some church.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t ask too much about his personal
situation. He told me about his dog, Pocket, and it was obvious that this dog
was his world. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The name Pocket came
because when Gil first found this small white dog, he carried the tiny puppy
around in his pocket. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I helped him carry
his food inside a very small & sparsely furnished apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before I left, I gave him my cell phone
number and told him to call me if he ever needed anything……he never did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would give him some money whenever I saw
him at the grocery store entrance……which was not often, and occasionally would
stop at his apartment with groceries or cash for him and sit and visit for just
a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over time, I no longer saw him
around and lost touch……until the phone call from the medical examiner’s
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When Kristin & I arrived in Kansas City, I
called back to the Medical Examiner’s office and spoke with the lady who
answered the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I informed her of
the phone call I received the day before and of the memory jog my daughter had
given me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kind lady confirmed that
the person was the same as the name I had been given the day before….based on
where he lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had died of natural
causes in his apartment earlier in the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She said she would have the lady I spoke with the day before call me
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Sarah called back, I asked
about Pocket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She said that Gil had a
note taped to his wall, which appeared to have been there for a very long time,
giving the name & phone number of a lady he wanted Pocket to go to in case
anything should happen to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lady
rescued dogs and had apparently visited Gil on occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah said that Pocket had been taken to the
local animal rescue league and the lady had been called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I requested that she please give me a call if
she heard that the lady was not going to pick up Pocket, as I would take
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also asked about Gil…..what would
happen to him if no next of kin were to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here is the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wait for 30 days and if nobody claims
the body, it is cremated and kept in storage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was told about every ten years these unclaimed ashes were buried in a
common grave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought made me sick
to my stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody should have their
life end that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I have a strong
faith in God and I know that after death, our body is merely an empty vessel,
devoid of the soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it felt so
disrespectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked her if I could
have a Christian service for Gil after cremation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah’s response was that they would keep my
name and phone number and if no next of kin claimed the body, I could choose a
funeral home to work with for the service and cremation of Gil’s body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The county would pay for his cremation since
he had no funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ashes would then be
turned over to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be
responsible for processing all of the paperwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So
now I sit and wait the 30 days for a call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I want to have a service for Gil and I will invite people I know to the
ceremony. Even if it is only me who attends, at least there will be somebody to
pay respects to a life which God created for a purpose. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please say a prayer for the soul of Gilbert
Colgrove and tell your loved ones today how much they mean to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wonder when the last time was that Gil
heard the words, “I love you” from anybody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He
was 66 when he died. </span>I hope as I write this he is sitting at the feet of
Jesus in Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God Bless you, Gil. </span></span></span></div>
</center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">Rest in peace, Gil.</span></center>
<center>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">May this story be a light to others.</span></center>
<center>
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1099.photobucket.com/albums/g400/tankandtink2/kristin-signature-2.png" /></a></center>
kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14167557313133977275noreply@blogger.com2