tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18186690250639835212024-03-04T23:19:27.230-08:00Mountains and MeadowsChadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10878320233682850285noreply@blogger.comBlogger398125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-6907521338476101712010-05-30T10:03:00.000-07:002010-05-30T11:49:29.506-07:00Parenting in the Spirit<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqsjGio08AFJvU_ERF-SqrUlRrvvP6L5y2vVu4Xr_olmNvx8p2juCa5-MS9_zYM_kq_txtSU4ps0Bzf9V5KpOD9oajsrjiR_1tKdEXHiHwkojgGmZEZFAwfDKkA4ZHybgrNPv79XMqQLao/s800/IMG_7882.JPG" /><br />Spirit. Spunk? Life? Joy? Holy Spirit. Life! Love! Fullness! Walking in the Spirit... Living life to the fullest, finding great satisfaction in obeying, honoring, adoring my Savior and living each day as though it could be my last. It is loving my children are unloveable, having hope when life feels hopeless and choosing to listen to His still small voice.<br /><br /><blockquote>The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. I Kings 19:11,12</blockquote><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXg051gIBj4-uY5I0U413rU8PeWUpFpvBdmb_opT5llkAVsUV7tOqz6-ByIuhze9JBII8NuVbKsIuw5FaPE8dOEpq3dCpBfrv_qpoBLjVVY3WYiO5P3emp6ZJFlXZlXgLOHJGsEYGSNOi/s800/IMG_7862.JPG" /><br />A dear sister in Christ, <a href="http://nationsaroundourtable.blogspot.com/">Shonni</a>, was inspired by another <a href="http://fromglory2glory.blogspot.com/">sister in Christ who shares her passion to adopt</a>, to continue this work the Holy Spirit has given us...to not strive to complete the work in the flesh. I was also greatly inspired at my church's recent womens' retreat to think about how different my parenting is when I am walking in the flesh compared to when I am walking in the Spirit. Yes, living by the Spirit's leading most definitely affects our choices in adding to our family, continuing in the process of adoption, and many other enormous life choices, but how great is the reward when we see our everyday lives through His eyes!<br /><br />This was so evident to me the other day as I was listening to one of my favorite songs..."when fears are stilled, when strivings cease" He can become everything to us when we realize it is not in our power to be everything to everyone. As a mama we have the greatest influence in our home and on the choices made for our family. What we feel we can handle and what we think we are able to be good at completely changes what our husbands think they can provide for and what they can handle. Whether or not we like it, we set the tone in our homes. I laugh everytime I hear the old saying, "If Mama aint' happy, ain't nobody happy." Isn't it true?<br /><br />It comes back full circle to what we allow the Holy Spirit to keep charge of in our lives. Everything. I want Him to control everything I do, say, think. My thoughts will determine my words, my words will determine my actions. Everything I <em>believe </em>I can handle. Every challenging behavior in each one of my children. Each pet sin that rears it's ugly head, once again. He is the author and perfector of my faith! He is responsible for finishing this work he has begun in me! Praise God it isn't in my strength or nothing would be finished. Not this post. Not the breakfast dishes. Not homeschooling or bills or menu planning. Everyday. Every task. It is all by His strength I succeed and will eventually hear Him say..."Well done my good servant. You have been found faithful." </div><p align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvfuDu0cQJElatjreBv_LSqKQTT7exrkV3jw_PsGFYlkm9W6lDUMPMiGW2vrZ1cePX4sxq3fJQUt_InM5CuorRgtGdApYwbvh9Kb4Jme-lC6lHxutEJLUybHnDK9_fNVCnHPSVIq_BdhjZ/s800/eere.jpg" /></p><div><br /> </div><blockquote><p align="center"><br />In Christ alone my hope is found<br />He is my light, my strength, my song<br />This Cornerstone, this solid ground<br />Firm through the fiercest drought and storm<br />What heights of love, what depths of peace<br />When fears are stilled, when strivings cease<br />My Comforter, my All in All<br />Here in the love of Christ I stand<br /><br />In Christ alone, who took on flesh<br />Fullness of God in helpless babe<br />This gift of love and righteousness<br />Scorned by the ones He came to save<br />‘Til on that cross as Jesus died<br />The wrath of God was satisfied<br />For every sin on Him laid<br />Here in the death of Christ I live<br /><br />There in the ground His body lay<br />Light of the world by darkness slain<br />Then bursting forth in glorious Day<br />Up from the grave He rose again<br />And as He stands in victory<br />Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me<br />For I am His and He is mine<br />Bought with the precious blood of Christ<br /><br />No guilt of life, no fear of death<br />This is the power of Christ in me<br />From life’s first cry to final breath<br />Jesus commands my destiny<br />No power of hell, no scheme of man<br />Can ever pluck me from His hand<br />‘Til He returns or calls me home<br />Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand </p></blockquote>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-37458961580263497052010-04-19T22:53:00.001-07:002010-04-20T10:54:41.506-07:00My oh my, how time does fly!Life is truly full right now. Full of laughs, tears, hard work and play...the day flies by before I know it I fall into bed exhausted and wondering if I accomplished everything on my to-do list. Time for blogging has had to come second, or third or fourth...or rather not at all! Our computer died and so we've been sharing Chad's laptop(s) which makes editing pictures and posting them tough. But all is well and here are a few pictures to prove it. :o) Well I've tried three times and no such luck! I'm not meant to blog/post pictures I suppose!<br /><br />the last few months...<br />~falling in love with a 4.5 month old puppy...Chelsea :o)<br />~training said puppy, loving on said puppy, training, loving, training...<br />~homeschooling at the park on nice days...so looking forward to REAL Spring<br />~chase toddlers around, giggling, snuggling, loving their voices and all they say<br />~stepped down from "Children's Ministry Leaders" still teaching though<br />~decided to homeschool all the kids next year...joined a great co-op for one day a week...Annah and Viktoriya will take Guitar & Marine Biology, Aidan will take Body by God's Design, Ethan and Ry will take Character First and all three boys' second class will be a writting/spelling class, Hope & Halle are taking Preschool Music and a Preschool Nature class...we're looking forward to it! AND we'll have a year book too...all 7 kids in the same yearbook will be fun!<br />~we decided to end our foster care liscense...our home is full :o)<br />~ Chad went to town on the new garden early this year...we just had our first salad from the garden...our mini farm is providing us with eggs (duck, chicken and goose) , rabbit meat and soon fresh goat milk!<br />~planning stairs for the deck...and some landscaping<br />~Taking Annah to see Beth Moore's "So long insecurity" simulcast this Saturday...lots of our family are meeting us there! Then next month I get to take Viktoriya on our churchs' women's retreat.<br />~We got a piano...what a blessing! Thank-you Grandma Sharon! It's so exciting! My friend Jada will begin private lessons with the 3 boys in May!<br />~A&V have been growing in the Lord and closer to me as well. I began praying/talking with them every night and it's been beautiful.<br />~Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-77780764523238625152010-02-11T18:38:00.000-08:002010-02-11T22:12:32.328-08:00gaurding his flock<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ASvrj6CKfA5-kReIiMvs9ILLYf-_4zztNJzbr7Cp8_eXXKyKgyMjWe6RNwO2Y4TiRU1hx47SlXxpM_0uPb656wwKa_SAFXS5liAN2XCAihw78lQzKq2XOlMaowX2Gb-1m6ZDWV9dTKXc/s576/July+4th+09+(2).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437187668583757218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi569K1UGiubdTKhq-EkfwRkC-rvwVCvreA3hG7zC81nzSUvlZT7nzfeu2VKcuBG6IaAvpw2Vhn1TBhydIuyp8IWhel4hOqCj_91-QtLjQw9kcfK86xwHuzoDj2QwRK-8OucTWU_5GXkYwq/s576/Jan09+More+Tennyson+(5).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437185059602856594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWj-VICcKNY1hgJXd9qNE_jBsjVaTMmC1hvG38t5BLsnJ8LjYGqEMT9ZpfPct6GVYSPvkFcqL2nRkk91d0NhWw91dJJ3LS3eCWCF7T6qqYWREZ1AChlS5C0Q7crAr5fODHW9dB7uMa6XXX/s576/May+09+MFF+8+(24).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437185051071303154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT20IzIXrC4bj5qbBWl9p4oWKCXA5hm6qGL-J7Z6sW7kvQkY4WQjfSgSV00Nqtyk1yHe0vPFe8sKcRrl4JyegUMRGx7u2HV3NI5KvJKvjm8o0vjbWzWVbvBIVaX38i56-NRMTVlJ0red6K/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(8).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437185039052073666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifvghyphenhyphenD-PpJcpAxgwllsIGWa2xj_07O5xIu_NNlB1XJ6h-eHz5Om0uy1IJz3DY-BV6k13YQkbWtpGopd5C4zdF9yWXcEnr_DzU30gxpOOUA1y_jL93JNsQHFRG3_hbrFJ16vJO9Unab4R2/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life+.JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437185032985638322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dyhhYDS8EBpn9GGG132L7i5Y0qWfWW7IZdP00cEapgSpc0nXQWc7cSspHAk0VbXXIBnkWr-CJm0PzkwKbkfsPs38wLdhLA8h7rozueBcnjGcl374gJ5BjaAqBR97YEIo11tsJp-Hghpo/s576/Feb+10+cuteness+(11).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437185016286469810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi7MPGN8aGfRZ4h0F5vXVJJTnnn8L4Emnisk7zG-iv-osU3HDnjxXWNJvXVJfeD53bKzM2k4X-1XlcbM7tYRU-faneGtq0tQ5YwpNGwenC8C6QbOKaMUqFDGSBLgP8IDhTCmKQobW50IP/s576/Feb10+MFF.JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437181766040867106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifd10exdKcmOtS_C07azFsN__Fa81vMej1871_WxftahVKuXjBguNp7oZzmYNR9eXOAIVLC2FBZeIFkVaaufnQDVvCRRtcWwm8cFJ98bKimZm81ZZS4f2yxwNEs05J57EeMQKIZGkjNGyZ/s576/Feb10+farm+life+(12).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437181798582109970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep_oX8S6TWvXYHYStzNuYPjcdFOXZ4qrB_OVmr1lXujPGt6FRXw6VCh0fVNcDzxfjnki4ylturdJ3A7tszkdkJNAhMATsUY5Anz51onfvoxlN_Ex4wVXMdG-L4NUwdqNRiOmqWbwIwdZ_/s576/Feb10+farm+life+(3).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437181756817608210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgatk0OmTBTW-ovyInM_w23s_dgmGGUEVxY1vXrTH4lYVRtBXYjFnU12Diprf-skZJMlsOsz7kQgeTLc3LR-0G76JaLOy40utjC38saLLg14l8cF9-Ob_13Ufb_rPw7ygSMsIBQfz42c5s_/s576/Feb10+farm+life+(11).JPG" /></center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-19294614056904531532010-02-05T13:23:00.000-08:002010-02-08T09:33:24.447-08:00FreedomAll I could think today as my five younger kids ran, danced and played with Tennyson, was freedom. How beautiful it is to be so free! To twirl and yell, to laugh and play hide and seek. Sigh. Gorgeous. <br /><center><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieEYYVUqd2VUlWbCgC-oGcR04KAgruncvpLx6xCtLn6L1QLE9q6992c384NGJZyxFLO6SR90dpq_DNfDA7qzA0Mis5EpOwN_aUUVNVy9V6GvI1LlKBm3CSiqv2o6dz5aLNNX31sg1mewQX/s576/Feb10+MFF1+227.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLDW_D9keBoyAyLTewaYBGfeI4oMkMPqmp_SSeXT7FDH6IZMOHjISot4WWe8DORwTrPUM6a-1eRSsC5Z6UoPvI6EJghF738oUWOn4ed3fzHlQu2sxfoehBircwcAGKiEZUgJFyBepr4Zc/s576/Feb10+MFF1+167.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZTzo9A8kDKO-X0vQXGIRexP1zXhkSmCi5oqUuxNp50SC-Z1uKWoOY7wmUnOoe7rYc0VrNT75eXO2wWBQ4AQxHGrdTqbUM-dxC5l10AWg7AWhTxAUSNH0i5kffo7y96XmSa8yLp2NUdUMe/s576/Feb10+MFF1+246.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivS5LmnHNZ74FoVaqJG946ZJnOoXoVkqgpuxGhCk9OnrfSvzMGfScfA_WDbYeSk4bTnsfbrbGhk8DBSoDkRzI-e9DtitTF6Wk0jdctfY-rAvZmo9pTDTxQLick0GkxnDOHWTS9ZJ8nRqlH/s576/Feb10+MFF1+088.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaM5ahQFD0JFn4dQ_Vn8L3GevDZAZLpqBdk6Vrs7URaRVUq46embZdbR1txfpQYJjyvdHTbeGK4VCsrLIdmtsM4SohmVMCbvCsFNy_PejgWpKXrdjgoqLSs7N2ls9MsZrMCeTs-ArFiHo/s576/Feb10+MFF1+195.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWoqWF8EpQimXYjjevU9K7u4DwkIsffDZXjA-kBDM3xSyA89psejFV_oIck3nhHAQHq4qbwsXEycBnFl37lvaD8ExEBC4G8F59Kl1dpDSD2VAG-WXTb5yasd4cXcDhXZu0B6_kBnMtPJu/s576/Feb10+MFF1+132.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvgHS5_hC4xSWAmR7OW8V8EEnweE59S-VlOquHElDiHAAe5sejBpELzYgKGtXiYM43iyH3os5-2Dup8RKOTpbS8Gk-vCTYBDd6BETn6_tPGQlJFHQy2fg-JD1bRWbHHM69xQkVBaUb2dW2/s576/Feb10+MFF1+193.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90zJnS_4I4hHcMuWJ-cuZBaaTCQj6zWYvsLAnJDOXv7LNHwp3hEp2T3xssvN3fZmXGF3o-WBlpIqQp7PW8cKihg_A74LGygK1GMrdveaoOlLNAfUWS8Dc0PtGE-CSTp_9ekvbrbD6sHp9/s576/Feb10+MFF1+091.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRsodivA-waWkQ25saYkettuBuE4Lhad2qiYd8EPpsjTYVhy82jV9YL1q9L1OyKYDdX24FvddyuqWu2-eo3LTMWzeH7WwtNDC6wBzjco4ITLTdUYD1EG2lNSPeDJDv26ZPqWAOHJ_W-FF-/s576/Feb10+MFF1+155.JPG" /></center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-88121635710391926572010-02-01T09:45:00.000-08:002010-02-01T10:20:32.315-08:00an extension of one's self<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKpAdP5gaxE6PeHPM1kiKwf1cxWUfBTomS-b5m_EjbBHImaH4A99iir3VfNUAnSmy2R1oCPxeCxf7DLYLsoYGFdq6pwyGMJJjWkEg41tJo6UH3krAK-VNEx3edoKOKMz75lPyuFexP3-J/s800/Jan10+cuteness+017.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433337661199744530" /><br /><br />As a twin, Halle thinks of Hope as merely an extension of herself, one to played with, loved on and hugged whenever she wants to. Hope, however, thinks of herself as a separate being, one to given space and <em>asked </em>to be hugged. This makes for some interesting mornings as of late. <br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnXgl7SvjsJHpHVhgZTfM_O0qYZH0KLGm6pEpMXzTFsHPrd35dJZOpJKYQkvPIRo5_uB5ek2rGuYbei19yWCoerKX9v0gp73yXpptsKRycq1RIFaulHqskEhLgFbX0_btrIgoLGBF694C/s576/Jan10+cuteness+019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433337680034602386" /><br /><br />Halle wants to listen to Hope's heart. Hope wants to fold laundry with Mama.<br />Halle wants a hug from Hope. Hope wants to lay on Tennyson.<br />Halle wants to sleep with Hope in Hope's bed. Hope wants Halle to sleep in Halle's bed.<br />Halle wants to hold Hope's hand. Hope wants to help Mama rinse the fruit.<br />Halle wants to sit in Hope's highchair. Hope wants Halle to sit in Halle's highchair.<br />Halle wants Hope to sing with her. Hope wants Halle to be quiet.<br />Halle wants to drive Hope crazy. Hope wants to be left alone.<br />It's a rough life.<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV3AiH0bZrR46O9gKw5c9vCNxsyGltd53GYsi6IxrHAYq7jVxTPWg9_Jsh6qkNgdFE4L9hwWJKP79-Wqy8dAOudb_ukoBReGL8QQiZK4PSUGMCIIJci17tlqu3SN-h4WR8yC8YhO0klEyP/s576/Jan10+cuteness+018.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433337674283918130" /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghka-MlT8Lz0cCvzmp2URqLOWhT2xkpKaPvXW3dIYLtXDXiYMXpf4wT7OYosYJwtZX5Gp3V5BR6CyMwL2ZNPxs23pkbu-ccxY9VGQalzXo9ciN0LI_V8GErAAuVWIrQmwkkC_nml4dCF-t/s576/Jan10+cuteness+023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433337689390032754" /><br /><br />Until she can't find her twin. "Haaaaaaaaaallleeeeee. Halle where <em>are </em>you?!?!?"<br />"Hopie!!!!" "I <em><strong>LOVE </strong></em>you!" "I love you <em><strong>too</strong></em>."Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-6846830922531281112010-01-30T09:10:00.000-08:002010-01-30T09:26:19.958-08:00I'm amazedeverytime I do something so simple with my toddlers, like making scones, just how much fun they have. :o)<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1tu8hwBjJG-EntsoKsj1D0wmeKapcD6kcACzIS4qxF8Wx3gT1bwQLjZ7zGZ3GP4gL2G-OAzVEj-sqfdfpBwatWLAqnwsTLNQwQQjelJBHPKVrQ9v63exU1WhJmaSzcyh8pvWzJCoVd46/s576/Jan10+more+farm+life+030.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF3YVv1zP4odkQwuL-i1qjSVKw3VVUA2Z962pdxFkqXuCv-CYB4xm58ernEn-xGgE9Q7SQknVqI0jHqBAXciN_7aS9XQiNfCLe_yrEUC56bnFeSs70Q_0hqxXrkGgwJy83b9P00wCBtlaf/s576/Jan10+more+farm+life+025.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQq65eCtplr90TK1GpjRqvPQdEEl0JqTmF1uIw0O9whjhAHYsYyz9xHUmGXXTVgC2-fQj7EHvaLLk_NZTAXWek3ZdZsQ-4D5YgTsKS4WL0TsfgfKXr0cGZXxAabj06CRDbjXbVuue5PNS_/s576/Jan10+more+farm+life+029.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigacZlPqoA2r_7zQ2w5m5uWP07JiQqkOy5or51zp21yZYx5EECPsliS6OgIj4ZR-eLkvsZ9hVWUcQkA2_luLW4UnysH3krmC2vhitu7wxJXXksQRDStMmOf3NqbpcwuhWY0MfugzCPgvtx/s576/Jan10+more+farm+life+024.JPG" />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-37127152664324247042010-01-27T08:35:00.000-08:002010-01-27T08:36:20.374-08:00I Surrender AllI Surrender All<br />Words by Jud­son W. Van De­Vent­er<br />Music by Will Win­field S. Weed­en<br />1896<br /><br />All to Jesus, I surrender;<br />All to Him I freely give;<br />I will ever love and trust Him,<br />In His presence daily live.<br /><br />I surrender (I surrender all),<br />I surrender (I surrender all),<br />All to Thee, my blessed Savior,<br />I surrender all.<br />All to Jesus I surrender;<br />Humbly at His feet I bow,<br />Worldly pleasures all forsaken;<br />Take me, Jesus, take me now.<br /><br />I surrender (I surrender all),<br />I surrender (I surrender all),<br />All to Thee, my blessed Savior,<br />I surrender all.<br />All to Jesus, I surrender;<br />Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;<br />Let me feel the Holy Spirit,<br />Truly know that Thou art mine.<br /><br />I surrender (I surrender all),<br />I surrender (I surrender all),<br />All to Thee, my blessed Savior,<br />I surrender all.<br />All to Jesus, I surrender;<br />Lord, I give myself to Thee;<br />Fill me with Thy love and power;<br />Let Thy blessing fall on me.Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-1702928903887972732010-01-25T13:47:00.000-08:002010-01-25T21:38:57.080-08:00Mini-Farm {Mini-Homestead?} LifeSomedays it's a chore {think rain}. Most days it's joyful {sunshine helps}. Almost always...I love it. :o)<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430798623621785218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u_TtLATOBQW32Z73y51x9KwxtvDoSRzoV9i4uS_8N6HF269kQUF0fWoTw_j1SJqj1Ky9kU-SDYQKqzUC-Nrctgy1AaRH8PijriaRZKeocTuyjY2QMgavvIBNyoCz8JRsy-L4lZW-JqKW/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(36).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZII-os2azOtNQ-YEyc-cgtvNa7yIGkkT_h12SNH3fBHGDuvZ-jl4RANmqEY44jXk6qaibKJeHqnfH_beLQVh3hEniT9-5zedmX5ZPbi8D6sf4shWjRylHMXzc5lKp6IxQIHkWNSz1KrJQ/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(29).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP1NenRt35B6FbgGEDUdYv5G7pxzhGR_nPtpNoPBi-TQe_-c8E3cNplBIKHmhWn-5A2MUCMzWTUT5YcVSWQy_UQ8k1gFRQz3dsPVsIJVb_p5Q6GDfF9-6GaPuS4poTq6CdyMZ60MRqie3/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(7).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430798617932102034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Y5Jhb_tqwlIt4dDhsCMecTexjujA2tQMtGeNJDCWCZWOSdiWPdzlFen4NShoFoVALRPbczEHts32pQ26_Qj6iL7RT46etnqU6ucSyJXV6xUw1jimBwQCeHsU4e-zZJ5fKpgN1FZKnGoR/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(4).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430798607393671314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheHHONOeM4yjINAOMIzkoqdXEYcn7phTMilslqXzWhbhDZDZWgkFLSKcdoQMTC_JQjrDEV1D61MZG0yNFM2dxYIIqoG7mipMbgFWfgfOQtu1Fe5hg-68YUpI6UBRiSChGMSrthP4aKUaXQ/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(3).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430798600871898818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9WozgVaKgRexm2-fYQJ9-jZAaB689BuTtjFGi-ixoNGwtFUO_50KV4ZrCWDVAMu8kP4aBv_0v99c4QNWxshAfxOSLiYWVz1CcKmjL1RxAag3j6_h6yuMYps6Gv320tqkYLn-Wzld-4VT/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(2).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430798589908675074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3hqWxdAa8uxrPqglvOHp6v6sh9CT3oRnlLeRpJiMe7boDmfpb9bXN9j4SWoMU4VsCON26aqXHJVpsBVe9HknfEXc05hdCzKCIZ93FTzlaqWPBYRHXlCNcUTBVuSp7i6IzneV3LABYph6/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(5).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430799311920190930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcEmDllg4gqTx4HmFw66TjNudad-4mWn_eg2wupfzZ5J12UnyulkcBqVkEdx6ZhwKcASHQARXzAMJBj0tIQxhYbXUem1HDsw1pEalwDKlwKoH69SlCbearcWg6Dh5JPY7HGsaFfWiEjJO/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(36).JPG" /><br /><br />I'm really looking forward to Spring when we have baby goats (I couldn't just write 'kids' because someone may think we're adopting again!;o)), goslings and ducklings (hopefully!). We think Ashtyn miscarried when she ate something she shouldn't have; so we'll try again soon with her. Emily is most likely newly pregnant...we'll know Feb 11th. They have a 5 month gestation. We'll see how much I like homesteading once I'm in charge of milking twice a day! ;o)<br /><br />These two mini-farmers make it more fun...<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6TVzcrogZPm5Lg5Dzgc1p959wPMQ4GmUpLnSCjS54XmqzIRln4RKGgEsN5nNW0XvK3TNrdq3mnBZtoW_WM7HzQ2R8XOnt1BTR9PKdcoSbieKw1dyMhUG4dflHvFm0Hll2-MkVIz7zH8f/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(35).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1cHvL9JZhqCCRlOkrFvl8o0dOOeyiH095bO-w7QVC8Lx9h944CtkUaJhkkMDApnhSP98hy3gdRestEhh0Nun5VNifPi90zOtpEW1TgReaWonTyswCDTRegWqlr_-vyz8SHwBvnzmbF1ZQ/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life++(33).JPG" />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-143812461194363382010-01-24T10:07:00.000-08:002010-01-24T10:16:37.233-08:00Guess who is 7 today!?<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvFPtreAny1dHG8YTxdRRL0EUSVqtacrJCUlzf4WOKPSyZzeNOVjMIHLOR0qX9wDJzP9sWeXtxYuouN_JEgSI96ReEMfdE2UMyeV69sOwPFgWgSus3VFxkU15H4ObewRDoqZklTaBddW7H/s576/Jan10+Farm+Life+030.JPG" /><br />Ryland Christian. Picture taken yesterday.Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-16913265838287764082010-01-22T08:41:00.000-08:002010-01-23T20:37:15.144-08:00A day I will never forget...Yesterday we celebrated the faithful life of one of God's servants...Chad's grandpa. He fought the good fight and he finished the race. We began with a morning graveside service.<br /><br />Watching the deer run in the green of the cemetery and feeling the warmth of the sunshine was not a small gift from God on this January day. Our 7 children were quiet and behaved, reverent and respectful. Not an easy task and one I do not ask of them often (the quiet part, anyway). I was in awe of all our family, gathering to pay tribute to their father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband of 69 years.<br /><br />As a song was sung and the guitar made beautiful music Chad's aunt and Grandmother raised their hands in praise. He was there, in heaven with his Savior and King, rejoicing! We all laid a rose on his casket and smiled remembering his sweet nature and his mischievous sense of humor. All the way until his dying day he was playing jokes on his loved ones. Even more admirable was the way he led people to the Lord even when he was sick and in pain.<br /><br />At only 19 years of age, a shy Warner was called to ministry, and without fancy degrees or titles, he served. He drilled wells, helped with farming and walked many miles in the snow of Minnesota to visit his parishioners. As we listened to his children describe his faithful life, Aidan's heart was touched. The large church we met in, had begun as a prayer meeting in Warner and Pearl's home. Aidan smiled, "Just like our church began as a Bible study in our home!"<br /><br />When we watched a slide show of photo's Chad made, Aidan remembered how at only 3 he would tuck his little orange Gideon Bible under his arm and jump up onto a toy box and preach his heart out. He would line up his stuffed animals and teach about God's ways. From age 90 to age 10, the Lord uses Godly examples to inspire and encourage. Aidan looked up at me and whispered, "Mama I want to be a preacher too. I hope He calls me too."<br /><br />Later as Grandma lifted her tired, 93 year old arms up for yet another hug, I told her that Chad and I want to commit to praying daily for all the family members as she and Warner did for all those years. How valuable were those prayers! I know this without a shadow of a doubt. She smiled and said she would love that. Then I told her what Aidan said about wanting God to call him to be a preacher and her blue eyes widened and she smiled ear to ear, stretching our her sweet wrinkles..."Oh, oh, wouldn't that be <em><strong>wonderful</strong></em>!"<br /><br />Look at all this offspring gathered in joyful remembrance and thankfulness of a godly heritage...<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429622429107183602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8mXH6lvF3A8WRld5Zxd3vN5qzAJFpn7y9c1KE8v-RhvziALVdGoOSWWuYY0-8LiPRiR3xt2wCZiyo3CCYpJMrk6wGOOiQ_ny5xOp3QMfagvg6WvNx9UDg6dzn9yHwVrUyuwumtK1rj3G/s576/Jan10+Grandpa%27s+Memorial+(18).JPG" /><br />We were missing two families...Steve and Katarina and their two daughters and Chad's sister Micki and her two children, as well as Heidi's husband and their two boys. <br /><br />Something I realized when we were there was that of all the family members, our three sons are the only ones to carry on the Keller name. There are still two guys, one married and one not, that may have a boy someday!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429622418579632722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEDqZoJl7yqD6Q_9TLbiWVTIVoXiRFmzqNLUIDju9_Xxqxjh36L3TO_82OZ4QXw4_d2W2_2UKcXkAHO3t8dC8Lgq6yA9nfqWxkilq1urooIzSoc6g0qLUa2socIUtagGbTRAsE2QUGkFE/s576/Jan10+Grandpa%27s+Memorial+(13).JPG" /><br />All of the great-grands!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429622409108775890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivmdHV8u_CCsGw_gtWVE6PBYeMe9wyrtoNl2FSBsHmSxl5FcKEA9HnJF7lpUorHNDd031vZQx-JpZ70UAH3Wz8DaG6bVCWGThXawLLAPYTcLQCcA8bXGa6id1st9W4ubDLCwuSPrtXnSu/s576/Jan10+Grandpa%27s+Memorial+(7).JPG" /><br />Aunt Barb, Grandpa Rick, Chad and I<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429622406344963922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiei3JmYIBneIhV-2j-_kodWrBGZSoqKGioCkYi7puhykCt2uBu3yWxMXMpkKnmZM2mc3s6J5UHogrA07_OawBukzWgY9xzhSzx6EM-nPGg092afyjgiQ8eb-iHDewctiNaEeiP5soqiDGp/s576/Jan10+Grandpa%27s+Memorial+(6).JPG" /><br />Grandpa Rick, Great-grandma Pearl, Chad and I<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429622395356617442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7I2y5S37TjqJ7n5HRJnP1mzjYe2oVIGXLctWwgGn5tQNVGarUtg69vpZwc_qhJ-wuOnzLxfpdei_V5dn8jKxiGRvALy5IR0KwF5vUqgTR_DLEsdU5U8nudZNXt1hJk3C_nMheZEIzUkCF/s576/Jan10+Grandpa%27s+Memorial+(21).JPG" /><br />Aidan and Hope as the service began.Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-60619204919423591042010-01-13T13:40:00.000-08:002010-01-13T21:47:01.154-08:00Deeeeelicious!Hi my name is Halle and I love to eat healthy food. Smoothies are the best! I ask for them everyday. This is my favorite smoothie Mom makes. I have a name for it but Mom doesn't understand me when I say it. Sigh. The yogurt is plain and unsweetened. The honey and fruit are all the sugar I need. I don't even know there is anything green in it (but you can see a broccoli bit in the last picture)... it's still deeeeeeeelicious!<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNq7MrAgBsggLrJUFS9gFBtxNC0bUv3C6KDdjTsJg3kjN3BJMUDcg4Ngqw3I0eWoRRtyzlaEn-Bu3X_YPcjsVnrXFHd-HdlYOiAEeZdq7s7wOMuvhSn6nMOR9fc8MHD9p1K4vplEW2yCYe/s576/Jan10+MFF32+009.JPG" /><br /><br />1 cup plain yogurt<br />4 peeled clementine oranges<br />1 large apple, cored & sliced<br />3 tablespoons raw honey<br />1 cup crushed ice<br />3 broccoli florets<br />1/4 cup flaxseed meal<br />1/2 cup blueberries<br />3 large strawberries<br /><br />When Mom makes it for herself she adds:<br />1/2 cup chocolate protein powder<br />1 packet truvia (from stevia plant)<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwZGmUGtgb_HVzX1yuKOpDqo-TTvVUObn4dsZIKt62T35zczd9z4Cy-zwTLU1bjUryumhiymEsEdKC1o7XLoljILpYHW-X3c6LbQOxCxOeX-_A40EMsMY9YybhuY4w4t4VuitGL_nAxBEG/s720/Jan10+MFF32+012.JPG" />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-62156294910803477032010-01-12T13:47:00.000-08:002010-01-12T14:21:57.127-08:0010 on 1.10.2010<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425978928647173874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9ks7fUWcOx4gO6PW4lh86Zvnc5gYqItlwmY11BMZ9F8zhGTCBaBFiGOHWXhmF6mEZ5dnu_NH_CyzJgypKJPHpKQBBAoliaWtkL3nU1_CrOubmbKsSRi4etE_hnLIMuiS6gfHSN3g6O7y/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(14).JPG" /> <div><div><div> Aidan's 10th birthday party was special. Special because he's double-didgets. Special because we toasted to his specialness. Special because I had to refuse to do a pinata and party favors. It was simple and special. He didn't even want any planned games. He wanted an ice-cream cake and his friends there. We toasted Aidan and everyone shared what they loved about him. He loved it. And we love you Aidan!!! My amazing 10 year old...<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425978320506680770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3DWcbRVdyTqc3yPUt4MyODlZEvIwdFZyYAQ7tYmm1oSxKYFoIgs0DqOggKEToxNBqkEh1a96yTeWglIXlElxEfHCff0UcF0Vx22aFT4JrfA0ufABTcpvX9OhqnMdOfkIg_o9GPJGJZQ-/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(11).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425980559265393234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsFtgcnI-19S6WFKee2dKIpGG5KSWxXL98-ZZTaKqZK5SnzicDPHCMxNgxP9ICrrz5UfGvaIaZYERGlqSx-sPb78ucAQ5TJFbyQuEesrwHiSZCsOXRFcmHQmQgfEGatlvKIiK5_qNGirNi/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(4).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425978922194325554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCt_NHODr_89NI5SQ13TeMEnDEkglZ9onmawqVyGUbXIP2n_JSC4lB8T8VZeQ10PtyhtXkCAY73l4QoM-0O3rseIZNWsmQXWN1UbjW_BYw83dDst1MTWX2Jyw2MUVX2OLOzwDbhbYSe32/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(6).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425980570996993602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFtQjlyYYjPNq1KtvcXVJSSCKNMXVm6pb7bUWwxjWqPavu_HEl_uY65T-6IOa2wvyGA-dDUMPfPwGpAZNJvCh8IKtsby517NMx1W53ajcRD368GhL7kFuSwhEmaXWlIYaFrXbxw4zhb2B/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(21).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425980582436154290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWERxK3p2kahL0MOu3vrmfQB2F38TFBuNLpHHvRG7isxoZtbpNYE0j-d3JzIAGk8TKxcj0SK4BLqZXfot5v8jxNc4OPeem9EIPPtV2ef8ufrdSKQkmLi0VVwIUqsu63uaEvTQfsC4RvL58/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(38).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425980589142095410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPHcdKa1XrdRHfY3vkizXtsDGUc2At1uf42x0S5E5-3aHkBxZ7nCzS6sbXQYgwyrNdopU5HH7dlsm8oD7BpuqtEbz8mMXD61tGIEqQQncFnLalUKbNlFzI57JZm7AnYU6bD5kO9opwgZY/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(32).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425978944667392130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinEX63YCShh6-qg702FsnqrGxgnZpeRkzpfRq1COStzRspXFylLiY6g6mcZbc1nSS_goVEaNIKwRzqkYWaAoIqY86bq5pIRTjm_T50gBSf5biEwHn5tU3EPB9V37bvWX1ABAFUq3UTHzj6/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(46).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425980580369698914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt2bRSPFDBRIsKKV6wFqUeRoSJFGY5NgXAd8qYoxb0IHZcr5TWCF-vpMylyuiAhJQ3aA5hQSPMCUO1xqqeuEx4423nHF1IGSkyG425S7JfU928zKs6hr5ktafmXS9OgX87LiEBGinREjn/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(27).JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425978939654392418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_NlCuhyphenhyphenVOarJK1TT1khYouuFMelCzCeSEGgNs_6aPkMIqCg-D7LwltvzMxAfd43Ybh4rwHafomh45idNSi29No10qbhuBEe7Sxm8ngX6abnQbHx8GE15-KcPU0p8sUvGOHIngcrS_0Ni/s400/Jan10+Aidan%27s+10th+bday+(48).JPG" /></div></div></div>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-57636443864383325392010-01-06T08:10:00.001-08:002010-01-06T09:09:59.060-08:00Loving the COLOR!<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga8KegOdunlzwPyVg8PM_Z9un5V4xRZsKcwN_yiFv6HeO0xo8wQ5uRLH4x5bAl85aSI93VhcgNS1uMJ-rBQYwxSTEs46YUqO4rW5HRbo_61Ks0r9imXJ34XmGAhlRVC0mGuklE0k9oq_R/s800/oijpo+006.JPG" /><br /><br />It's a bit loud, yet a bit soothing as well. Strange I know. We love it!<br />Viktoriya and I had so much fun bonding as we painted this room together...<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJWm886Z_5-R_f4u5Vp5iSh1hHO-7JKtdHo9fu2lf4rNy6SwaSK_3GWA5Kqbb05YmgKFyk-edajKHNdy5ssamGOBcJVPwBt2JBFfLBkfK55aJpj5fcGp9lgQazlP212g-rm-f_ICKM0it/s576/ghjfgj+070.JPG" /><br /><br />A before shot of our playroom in a boring shade of builders white. It's been in some serious need of a paint job for about 2 of the 4.5 years we've lived here. </center><center><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixM2zGL2dG5_r2BZIfbpcBDdZPR6HBxStyJrdrmBUiMTc4Ck-C53VmjfrTzMI20HAabkL7UWL202cUJIQZGz0CHgcXqCa1nVgLzvsG95pDg_XkivkYSbUBxYJSRfjEaSI_Ocf8zAt1LPBQ/s576/ghjfgj+099.JPG" /><br />We had lotsa helpers.</center><center><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlnzcEdaf__LpoM9FlXY0elJUUWHmw48di5Ct6ZHh0ZrpZ9uln0Ps4sEgqRondZ3ebJy6qm13FbtB3QrcDfqA6Emqc3iXqcOLEIg_RQJjqObaPlmLQ5E5fSbBjAKjU7cB1xR5fwoqt1yd/s576/ghjfgj+103.JPG" /> </center><center>This picture cracks me up; see a goat and a goose in the background? Reminds me of the beginning of this movie <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Screen-Keira-Knightley/dp/B000E1ZBH2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1262796442&sr=8-1">Pride and Prejudice</a>. This here is my wonderful, crazy, hectic, beautiful life.<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvOFXZ-x2FNUX4ikdb68psN3FJ8neSwIM4cpLjLjG_DQ5I5gEL5lWPiB6CgvY044IayYzB5powG7cd2vi_EpWMYx4w0GRvOl9x_QWGV4ORuyVm_3X3lYUcP3ukPk_g8TRhyphenhyphenLB8tlbM3bCJ/s576/ghjfgj+131.JPG" /><br />At this point I was thinking "What have I <i>done</i>?" But now I really do love it. And Chad even just requested that we paint his home office the same color when we make the room switch. </center><center><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAdaCCRV1jF8vVujX2hlVtiTJt8EvuWKu2BVhsLi_nc2S-vcX8PVWwXMWZMEUZq_3ks-nkcJR-AdPzYplMpPi1X8I5C0w2fcJNTvaSc7kU5PAqg8Rc3Blj3lZ5M7__QqdYrWCEjD0TyjL/s576/ghjfgj+135.JPG" /><br />Oh come on, give me a kiss! </center><center><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYrJBKV7CctHYKiPe1xGNv8L2WNekxMO3xeW3g0JY0PQUrsfT86HlseEbsYO6INRNKB8lGVOMKL6i73X3Gnww4AxQEo5oqYHIKO0eObHHvazOHO7GW6VlPiB2R3Qxqd8MQ-fbwfOJwBtV/s576/ghjfgj+130.JPG" /><br /><br />"Why does she think it's funny to degrade me in this way?"<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9SPHoljDJLrXTNoAPPw3SooiUf-x_KBOLZ76sWiiEwtV08L1rM49GRhTbTosqH0I8Dxa5tQkv8ruehYuQgJEQ50Xuta2yCoYkbd3W_GCgMtwZOnMcqayRPmEo_NzVUuxNhaCMXzNqA8aK/s576/ghjfgj+116.JPG" /><br />Enjoying an ice cream break before removing the tape. </center><center> </center><center>We had the BEST paint ball fight ever after we were done this room. It has become a tradition we look forward to. After we remove the tape, we ball it up really tight, aim and FIRE!<br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_O8kJVGrJScYlVnvys8csfP4Lm1pQZHf0StW-aGTHtcRB7NLOE9Jkks15IGIavhdWHo87DPeI2Z2d9wAk4-YWwY1c4xXoF_BJQvdOk0EXMIPOhTWJvb4z59Wwpb6fYBJSE5gZgnpxTqG/s576/oijpo+004.JPG" /> </center><center>Ta-da. </center><center>The perfect room in which to curl up with a good book and a sibling. </center><center>I'll post a better pic after the decorating is done. </center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-33896343888287392352010-01-06T08:05:00.000-08:002010-01-06T09:01:50.360-08:00riding lawn mower unnecessary<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoXu7JR7rASulhloMhmmD6pvPSXRGez_xotCY-T9W1359RnUINGvcq2vhulvRWzKgYKikpRUqwF47rLtRs53b0mWTOAjekPUU4mNfDx-PnPCRcoRsgjrByx07Zi7MuJJdauu5fT5tSsD8/s1600-h/dec09+to+seel+006.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423659763601413778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoXu7JR7rASulhloMhmmD6pvPSXRGez_xotCY-T9W1359RnUINGvcq2vhulvRWzKgYKikpRUqwF47rLtRs53b0mWTOAjekPUU4mNfDx-PnPCRcoRsgjrByx07Zi7MuJJdauu5fT5tSsD8/s400/dec09+to+seel+006.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtiSVtevHIN9MgKUQnJw057hjEoSaxB9hv2MVR0cY6Rg9nePrJbQzJ_x-2Rk2gVpt2AIzHAbcr4dzhB5tFw16verLofsM3-Sq6CGRYqjEsrxjkJnKFKEdJpAU2m0BfJgL6nuult61CAGP/s1600-h/dec09+to+seel+005.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423659749994335314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtiSVtevHIN9MgKUQnJw057hjEoSaxB9hv2MVR0cY6Rg9nePrJbQzJ_x-2Rk2gVpt2AIzHAbcr4dzhB5tFw16verLofsM3-Sq6CGRYqjEsrxjkJnKFKEdJpAU2m0BfJgL6nuult61CAGP/s400/dec09+to+seel+005.JPG" /></a><br />we've listed our riding lawn mower on craigslist~can you tell why?Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-37809048116842285132010-01-04T22:41:00.000-08:002010-01-04T22:56:11.456-08:00Random beauty<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSCsgotpvy9LYwToAqmnL1SsKf1WlyJotUa7L0rVq-3wo3aByadTZ0cN7KASPxmsKz13XhvrSeVVYiFHxqfCRv9V4RYu5C01FyZ0ipggASGBohSrDunCggyayofc0rb5A5AsAsNsKmlbq/s576/Dec09+MFF+777+015.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1turBM92m3BP6gvoFl9Vr0rbmVelEyJENbG6yFDSRXwOp8etHlaPGjYwp3cou8EKaPxmFHF1wA5MgLwMoVCQOHjJyWild3JaHn7mg_zuLLPohxHJEvjSey2chBIGaS519kKegeDeRghX/s576/Dec09+MFF+777+018.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHyho8urHhPQjZ5uej3bQ3nC0HwnMohnJutUDwIMwfqwrZs4yoDLXhyhsH6mCLlh77HL_NsonjpT61am2Gi7X2BYWImc2affbWofMI0YkvEnixadb3eu49-uWUC98mrKXZRTHBHxpmtq4/s576/Dec09+MFF+777+016.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MzQUOM3YtN9xo7pBzziM0528F69P3IetuZlGEZQxd5IxmeXTtR2uCXLgSzPB4I6vxQSeIk-FWOCBY2HNpgqt7M9tfsqlCMWM-nvR0bV9MnoFQgFWLIG5a6V1ZUDgqwH4VWApNZYEEHuZ/s576/ghjfgj+104.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSMAohmRDM5kBFI6MDdNAHDSmQthlVI4SI35pboUG7JrQUaffkPqIko1bchzflhI_bTlMIUVvbWeXIDHTNSUxmnlvSr6EBmhz1m_0lg-EUG0OIYGq3lIhrK8r7St4UhxglQhEBaPkLWMm/s576/ghjfgj+087.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-tYb0qWsmhAaZfCSlazzxwL98PnnUNwh-JdKXvDKDGJ4IrJRoGoDnDvDO14BFGIasG_MwyrfD258VkrLKENAlilU0jBrSXadewydSz7kPUQmLTpuon5USpyoIo71sHuOCK8Kwc6gYVrl/s576/ghjfgj+012.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0STDERWmHAprgeJxc0kFp4R4vUW1ZBjTYAqeAOle5CSPVqv6oYB9bu99pMklm2SWyArDFkc8fz5AijbOfwyHI4ySssyTXzzQJTXBlzDR8cRcB9qUulYukWjvC1JaLyKRDhqJPVMhPS0lL/s800/Dec09+MFF+777+035.JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIODHlWwmxlDnF-3fIk3q85TP3qPrBMyswwt4e1juQ2YkVCaOcRhRTmvlbE2FZ0w4PPvRbhL51D3tZ2xankK1vNHR1B1jV7722z_GZV8z60nmJH2yfWjaSv3raT5fhXV9yUD7i0hSBvQIL/s576/Dec09+MFF+777+024.JPG" /><br /></center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-63207633819594018252009-12-29T21:22:00.000-08:002009-12-29T22:20:57.102-08:00Happy 15th Birthday Annah!It's hard to believe Annah is 15! We have two 15 year olds for a little while. Chad didn't get a picture but I made her a white cake with chocolate frosting covered in shaved coconut. Yum!<br /><br /><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4zTTnai_4mt41cTm7U0IdrtAehRGIXFoF4jgadZys843G7Re0L84t4x44EZn_W3gpXrboUi8_m9TaJsIrqO0rHt5zrTxWDHRXFq3j5E2Lv8vJ4pBFvtl8JU-cAn8AI73MvNycs0BwGzrM/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(3).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iyYfcPbaHJmJ2IlBDFfePfl7CnPihhRRA49E3dPRIoxFbDng7TNLFPn0rWdDvaHEe4UJvDFJXpS0inmfXgeIeL3THj-32oNxDO37X_zOlc5WpPg63H9kbOXcrxNUGLXO5oJg-m1eTO5m/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(33).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJcG7w-0qsFBaxPDKHS6QLQG7KqGphINJQL8D0FwGOLtjDtNYPETntqIKE9t5qGrs3I1GA5rN_AXxQTXgWquB3KX55kdV_DIra574ZkZeAG61XWAAqA7hROYBbufHCMzj3Xe_8a7TS0sM/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(12).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JwZSTQx5Ajvxb_-eMm6Gu80CM0mXBOaZ-p7XTjfiqRHJkqB8ZlC5gyfA6xDVoOGj-82vyfCUGRvByUVNERmG02wx0hS9hSqp8OKxCMbkIgxdI7yD8NFrq4uaMej6mJUhmlvnYYj__9vI/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(2).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiQAgsIEwk_YxdQf27GmaAJ4tNsW4dvMSn5oWGYYs-iLm8yqxtSd89MQ4m00X6-w-HHps0sZoqLlBReclMVhdoAx8DWENURKPKKZKO8tAH2iblR8MK2ZiZL3mE9bWGrnUWF7Rt3ROMsiou/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(16).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420908939900056450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6uO2_xNvq6NDhuMjuofQm9NJoEiDl2lRVZ_IuTYSh21V19WWUc5eebR0AEBQgLpxPIDAAcgNkCbluHkJBEexp9EvyBRG6Vx2AzaJjPYyr7PBgGEiBam4INGdqR_3o_OFbaqDEJ7z9zpJC/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(39).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420908934584449618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wZDgnTohH6DU3hgSsjYh_SBff2JSwLtyN6LokzxGdRDgDaUGhkI3x_WDfGkIy6QAmSBa2WieCi2gPtQiGY7ukdDjd267-j-2XO_q1ggjWSs3hqDRVEncGVM3eU-cATfkRqpvfEmrqAEE/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(30).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420908915447104946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0nZJoFb3xxJpT-dwbpY_qLhve5YXjlaAF_6NjWKfnmDRcrCovb_0ESpYnTkgQfad2trk8wU6htY4CZTemwVn2fQUPEuTZmx3q3dZ3W5WMWqmVbGhU1yC6sZceFknWVrEjz0dC7Ew7EPwp/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(42).JPG" /></center><center> </center><center></center><center><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420908923962088866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmSbizCUpWGDlhNvPPa37NP4OiSjvA5x7DAJMhiUlFhZszapEDFZvROxTLMW9lQ5rYOLaqjrvJaxmtiRPzllzuzfqV5JIp8rmOXp_NChS32v-bsK8WiwPJTDzCN-cg0960TBEtrOr0ukuK/s576/Dec09+Annah%27s+Birthday+Party++(10).JPG" /> </center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-28693709720731032482009-12-25T08:56:00.000-08:002009-12-28T10:56:32.145-08:00Merry Christmas!<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXo7MR7sQo560tKWPxinQz9TRgkWYj6fQy2lE24NRKKFC4Mk2HDxrB5AalOFTdH-8RxA0ltX9NdxJSerY6-2okuV9ngjhej36pEgBduzUjdsMRljHEjiIV1-EHTIjPLRW0grPkx-XrKdcb/s576/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(6).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUSuXEEKWE4kzlL_jg0aCDLXvvPezbvtDiQsYiHZCMNxfcklvTaze3y8R9o7rQYT0sLdTv5NShT45bDGldGhQh5T2ifZ8opsvJ7M0W2S8ZogCAoH16M7rsFr6cknrrnoXVebFGmP7Nlmq/s800/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(2).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGClz0pmtB3_smXeoqkkqY2YomlFY7rt2oAVLXmNWnoSBC45DOm2J63h_YvD2_Ty7XE1bE0CT6-OwB8hsFujtxK3jRb_yvWrpVin7lIBQoobcGclaiPzp5CMAyL1Tw8DjI3wgcZufyrl2S/s576/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(51).JPG" /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420362718491832914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtibJawOj6MFnPjri7Cb-mHQVAvhYlxM-u9TezsF6375BvfyOnPp9coymkztzTExPlVaUaH56U_Brsb3HJ2iX0rkQqcirG37ATGMw5Htj1bcgiVV6NTsoG5PZUh5HixMT0Xz_NaP-yY5uy/s576/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(9).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiST_ZA73MtUcew8ZY2pCd4_fBABIET9o3cYN3UOnzd4V73WMrKr53Cpvp_Rt6nZYyuSAC432PndL9lEqc8jgpO_9U7dYz5GvDntfianU1vE7py3pPWoxNA1qSMMRQonv-Vh-6ncOgxu7Vt/s800/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(58).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJGZ2Ji8Ekc0b7G8O2s3ft77P9-uqE_h1vB8pwQSnZWCpcYWCH6-7xwm_iZk6cF-gb3tmxIzubeNlRV39F3KOI5pTMvWTkJPzcddG9A9H4kzQkcDAb4MCzF8FM5Qv5Nu3zBeZt0sFygYra/s576/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(86).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLieRCOnUXu0Ket_7kRWBW_JjrfzjeuzbWrEp412Ois-ozvwj9hkjsWCiptUVQOcqoNm0mmuZBzsfbRXx9mE1DNTSlfPsAWtQ7Mu-sNlh2RiLGIplPTJ7ekp7YZRE1UEZmGmF6L3N8mMOE/s800/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(107).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi821LucTCt_LwKxAjD0GNWoMlkZ7NeP_R6hmrIqayNxBNr-tFOcH58BApZrFDg2MZhnFHS0WEODSkpHV81qEEoLuXGyNqNxWaumE-pr-KO2BoFQzHq0S8UOtpFPk_ya1uMxx2rwnX-LWxu/s576/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(45).JPG" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid8hgGX1Sa9QeR40s-EOrbDPGiSjjz3q-CqaKbinxN3hjG_abt5col105luwMXPiWh3NXZ2qczMiB6yj4dWU7teg8I24lT5UEds3xenh2j_t_-zQ8mnMlwSzrhNlDxIbddl-bMjCO-UZcc/s800/Dec09+Christmas+DAY!+(50).JPG" /><br /><br /></center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-14441527086944828802009-12-23T11:31:00.000-08:002009-12-23T11:31:00.310-08:00w.w.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJBWyeo5MRVsYHQqs6vW8g222QB09OEQRplqG13ZfaQ_S60RXQKZaXtQ5a51FlXD1NHKFnQr54ocY21xQgV_ZWE_771yNXKAmEGpL-jzrCTkrvPzmQqllD6aTXz3wFBshJFhJlg0H2IMJ/s576/mff+4544+058.JPG" /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9G9mfPYapVddDo0dM9jUvAezblLFuRxvvnc2LA2NpU4XYhWT3Mx7b5WFOijH_JoJvB5xMPcVxBw2EELI3NAH5aZzt1bo_ZE9YmHCJdyz4fe2dxUmRSkMdLs1C2qjEj9JpZs6_JYzCb-A/s800/mff+4544+053.JPG" />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-2760903784062981182009-12-22T14:40:00.000-08:002009-12-31T10:38:06.771-08:00When is a home full?<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZs-8vz11Xz5C2Dw74goO_4CG-rkHZ48-29UmUMUFUo7cA9nYeo60UM6ktbtTZ2LUwoWNdrrlfcqoXtLGjgg2ww7sb_HyqSJi1ZqDUysxGF8Uxeq1eCV1_J8ULHnNp6TPaLmuiiYqY2YY/s576/Dec09+Christmas+FUN+006.JPG" /></center><p>Our week was wonderful. Normal and wonderful and somehow ended up surpising me completely. There were friends, Christmas lights, hot apple cider, pony rides, hugs, laughs, presents, home-made fudge, cookies and so much more. Caroling along the streets with a horse-drawn carriage, freezing in the rain at the Lights (lines) of Christmas, a gift exchange with no less than 15 kids at my sweet friend {newly family!} Corrie's. We've become family now that she is adopting Annah and Viktoriya's youngest brother Ven. Lidiya, Andrey and Ruvim were there as well.</p><p>Dampening the joy was the revelation that Lidiya's family does not plan on allowing her to stay in contact with her biological siblings. They actually went as far as to say that Lidiya should forget "her old family". Thankfully this is not how Lidiya rolls and hopefully she'll be able to stand up to them and stay in contact with her sisters. She stayed the weekend with us and she fit in well with our family. All five girls had a sweet sleepover in A & V's room...<br /></p><center><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5e8T_f_9LWKwVUpPTXMGi2r3Oz0Pzlms7qCCgx80RU04cwjIGwxVpfmBooGQHQ2bthFL9mSKX6gO0gIlwwOmDFjZl2B9DXaadJQc4WH0DdwTzP0jC3kjtP1uXPDU39jDPnWx7n3Bp9dLd/s576/Dec09+Christmas+FUN+015.JPG" /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7X5g320ZQyFO_8U9CXyfx7VN7bsa8wpfe80z7UbsMwPoasOy49e9PLsOrCpbtgFvuT_J0g1tkVGiXd6wRXtnX5h5mGSR-_3zf1UF-CDuVTtGCDP-K2IeVTCTwLXTjNCafwBfeZ3jA47om/s576/Dec09+Christmas+FUN+014.JPG" /><br /></center><center></center><center><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Dvw8cQNBxy5F7zaP98Y71KFTPj5WWK4p6qmmVc8huKkcrF-FRUdeuPMdXiHlCb335ZZ7JFw5oZP782j2X7VyWpw342aBGw9UitoZogr_sg3UhNC0yagMMpPRkTyca194J0bQ2P-PJH3H/s576/Dec09+Christmas+FUN+013.JPG" /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWmYyW1FPY01eCN0aEHFTZH2xNqK8ExQVK6Enl8rApV6cqqrfKVbaZ_v3IGOUanBBAVIzeA_Z1xwnS4t-E5YwjJhhWsr5PVTZAr77V6zn5z3H1KEmXN8i_C8iuN2RoducNA6yySslPKD9/s576/Dec09+Christmas+FUN+012.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;color:#00cccc;">{These walls may hold another sweet russian girls name but the closet won't hold her belongings, crowded as it is, so I think it's possible to make our bonus room/family room into the boys room and then move A & V into the boys bigger room so Lydia would fit; I would turn H&H's room back into an office....the current family room houses the tv etc. so I would put the pc into the new office making room to move the tv upstairs into the great room along with another chair and couch }</span></center><p>Annah told me Saturday night as she went to bed "Mom, I've been thinking, but we can talk about it tomorrow." :o) We talked about it the next day (yesterday) and she asked if we prayed about it, might we fit a bunkbed in her room and allow Lidiya to become part of our family too. I had already begun praying that His will would be done. I thought our home was FULL. As in even after Hope and Halle. Then after Annah. Then after Viktoriya.<br /><br />As I was praying that morning (Monday), I felt the need to bring Lidiya down to Seattle to meet up with her family. {This made for a wonderful opportunity to spend time with Nana, Joyce and Sharon!} Their social worker came too and we chatted for a bit. After Lidiya and her family left, the SW and I discussed the fact that the state has no say or opinion on family size once you are not a foster parent any longer. Meaning that while we are foster parents we are limited to 6 kids and NO more. Unless God says different and changes peoples minds. ;) BUT, once you've adopted children (ie: Viktoriya and Annah which should be finalized by February or March) you can adopt as many as you want. This was news to me.<br /><br />So from the Northgate mall, I called my sweet husband. Laughing as I tried to think of a way to ask him if he might consider yet another teenage girl to join our family. Thinking I may shock him, Chad turned the tables and shocked me... "Of course. I thought all along they should've stayed together." What a man. The world needs more men like him. I'm hoping that's what we're raising in Aidan, Ethan and Ryland. </p><p>And speaking of these three...we have three votes for Lidiya to join us as well. Now it's completely up to the Lord. But even if He doesn't have for Lidiya to join our family, I have a feeling our home isn't full for good. It begs the question...</p><p>When is a home <em>full</em>? When is <em><strong>our</strong></em> home full? Is 2550 sq ft too small for 8 {or more} children? I'm thinking not. I love our home so I have some ideas. One version involves finishing our basement which would add another 750 sq ft but another version does not. I think the second version (described above in turquise :o)) would work since we'll need to wait another year or so to get the work done. And I'm beginning to think the Lord can make anything work in us if it is His will. Am I a slow learner or what?</p>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-30129917569946020592009-12-19T09:57:00.000-08:002009-12-22T23:23:05.786-08:00These little girls...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflV_6OLNUDlDVqsQAWPigYVlj7iEwsMg8z7KI1uMa1qndsFaVMudJRtFUN27-q12iR2HMF6fU6YdMLr6SjGOjygN_Bd_KoDz34r8cn5Qdwg90l_8CSKljaMhsbvgE97jdTG23OMjOx-5j/s1600-h/Dec+09+CCM+Ladies+Christmas+Tea+080.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5418328291969170962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiflV_6OLNUDlDVqsQAWPigYVlj7iEwsMg8z7KI1uMa1qndsFaVMudJRtFUN27-q12iR2HMF6fU6YdMLr6SjGOjygN_Bd_KoDz34r8cn5Qdwg90l_8CSKljaMhsbvgE97jdTG23OMjOx-5j/s400/Dec+09+CCM+Ladies+Christmas+Tea+080.JPG" /></a>are so, so....girly! lol Yesterday, as Hope pulled her socks up as high as she could and said "Soccer Mama! Hopey play soccer!" I asked her if she wanted to do soccer or ballet. And she jumped up ran to the front door and said "Ballet Mama!!! Hope do ballet. Pleeeeease Mama. Now, ballet!" And that's all I've heard since then. We even ask her if she's sure she doesn't want to do soccer and she says, "No, silly Mama, Hopey princess. BALLET!!! Today!!!" So cute. And Halle agrees 100%. I've got two girly girls on my hands!<br /><br /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDlaafA38DMrfLgPIGqKp_u96gt2JQfunGwBET_vmMbKnVu5mZClYyvAvsu7aUuZxEjhe2Nt8YF8ZkNB5l8hIDlNWEqOeJXLcRgje8lvhlu6BFp5Pg3quqmvTL1dvQyM1KFIy_3wc93Bm/s576/Dec+09+CCM+Ladies+Christmas+Tea+068.JPG" />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-16522451830256737412009-12-18T07:39:00.000-08:002009-12-18T07:57:24.403-08:00Galatians 6:1 ParentingI'm loving the book I'm {slowly} reading right now... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Good-Angry-Exchanging-Frustration-Character/dp/0877880301">Good and Angry: Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids! </a>by Turansky and Miller.<br /><br />It would be an excellent choice for a Christian Parenting class to do together because at the end of each chapter there are questions for discussion with scripture to help dig deeper.<br /><br />At the end of the chapter I read last night they talked about the godly ways of correction found in Galatians 6:1. I've never thought of this in relation to parenting but it is good, especially for teenagers.<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="color:#33ccff;">Gal 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should <strong>gently </strong>and <em><strong>humbly </strong></em>help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.<br /><br />Gal 6:2 Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.<br /><br />Gal 6:3 If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.<br /><br />Gal 6:4 Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.<br /><br />Gal 6:5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.</span> </blockquote><br />Isn't this a beautiful and truthful example of how to correct a child or teen who is straying. One of own struggles is getting into an argument with my kids instead of focusing only on the behavior, being careful to not be led into a boxing match. So I am trying to more gently and humbly focus on the sin itself and what needs to happen differently, being careful to not attack their character, and guide them back onto the right path.<br /><br />So we're aiming to 1) Help carry their burdens, while not falling into the same sin (such as arguing in my case), 2) Watch that you have an attitude of humility (they respond so much better!, 3) Test your own actions and 4) Remember the goal...Restoring them gently.<br /><br />They show how to focus on what they did wrong, using your words only, and if they do not respond well to the discussion they go take a break to think about it. This is not the obligatory, punishment type time out. It's a break to calm themselves and return ready for correction. Then if they respond positively, great. If not you may need to add a consequence. Then, and I love this part, always strive for a "positive conclusion" where they have hope that they can make a better choice next time.<br /><br />I highly recommend this book :o)Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-10765753783340891552009-12-16T09:21:00.001-08:002009-12-17T09:23:39.391-08:00a happy good-bye to {toddler}babyhood<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbR89x7JhguSwZA_Y4PpQp8F8LcHG5FA42W9sA3g0hQkg8lEIFRFyowB_yvUPDwcq3DnRhZw94QnA-GhR-zkz-MQ8CO_nojgypX2T5NgSEn2jOCUOUktnjUlcWajUv0Kulo8GBihbyC-8R/s720/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(26).JPG" border="0" />Doesn't she look so much older all of a sudden???<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">The twins new big girl bedroom is small yet perfectly simple and super sweet. Nothing new except 2 sets of sheets and a new bunkbed.<br /><br />They love their big girl bed and the transition has been relatively easy! They decided amongst themselves that Halle would have the top and Hope would have the bottom.<br /><br />Their conversations are absolutely adorable. Their budding friendship is beautiful to watch. More on that later...but for now some pictures of their nearly finished big girl room {all that is left is to finish painting their pink armoire!}...</span><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8igM6m5RDtl-TGW4GvDSub7uhOhaO-Da3p-dW525RcaVlxCFFxK-lhThFQl1xVDs2KgNzu5gC3zg0AOXhyphenhyphenowfUyaMURyNlqNB8q_23Ai7wTmrSckg55djBHEOOpIn4V70Ubxn05PdlUD/s720/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(2).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiFFln_l8sME4MBjRdOdMD8JwtSOZkNDbS_wH9P7i_J7XCI8rGwq5l0dnuYJ3OtophQ74JdgMpdjEeuGsi8P1dtKBYqpDBXwM3CIYsR7DjVQwoJQhG3dMS5a-u-7yEMrZwDYFfVW1dhZF/s800/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(31).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bZ1XTIIhBnBX-MOVmIaCzRZltU0_dQid6AQPN9uvxJOc0me6Of4DylyfGg7bjHb6eurykMnqrqwWACZ0WZa-A99FATmJi_pPerbI3iqUv-lsowiDV_Ps9YQI23MQ3U_xWW6AkFoKfUd-/s576/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(15).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjOEvybV_DEnXYwD1u0g-wV6bWkSEzRzvzGgdH14CiOHh-db9YjUQL7UJNUELa7ofcvHYTWaCtvMIqNDN-obokZf-y7DqjNicjTSErvvxuCQ0alg6hItVbf3BgZ2ueGfXaOVVdLdmBwsD/s800/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(7).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFlaQ1fIjWzDOmTcbCTMEdiaw4CFD7TSXFF6MfO_GK8DsdLDiCsvMuoH1mV1mHipGjDHq5edsb1IKeo8AyAPRZACcrlgMjDpMw7BMJZ11o9EH_K6caD9XKTCdxk_9jnyFWxfJvm0HYvSr/s576/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(6).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxicctIyBxTP0Sv6QCVUlgNoE0YtuX49k8t5VOBebOkLHMcSSpaLsRJsqWK54swpfUBVafuKnp0YJ7zoIPbLiitFJwAYGdUkcrF4oqBHfVqxE852vjNro9QDzN9bwLxmIeyl8TNREHEdK/s720/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(8).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIoxfaSDbMZXGgWkqWNXWDT8HAJYuT5xfVe_rCjTh6ev_HWSbQR8lvVccLbg7R3VFcwFoM7XvGscUVPfZF3JiG63QIzrTb4sqlLUD7JNRZOUXAaHcM1APeSbJgF5CI0n0aBBYhmHD99io/s720/Dec09+Big+girls+bedroom+(4).JPG" border="0" /></center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-85021803437908940072009-12-16T07:00:00.000-08:002009-12-16T08:42:11.587-08:00w.w.<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_FGBBnjucByncLDrhbxVX4O-Ohm85anfdKQAlKq4yss4EO5mqTHWdo3CT6OieN4Q3wXJVS8NsAz8-lOugF7s6U8iboWT5bpYV9PzXX_Ea3R-zdqrZDEfm6qpTKpCKTRdGKJDQNc9ssh4/s800/Dec+09+MFF+(38).JPG" border="0" />Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-73774370793011392452009-12-15T09:56:00.000-08:002009-12-15T12:09:49.022-08:00some serious sadnessAny guesses on why the long faces?<br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVRh0ZLo4aCzobb6T__rJqP2WLCXVV4HYd9vPIH8fVzbkOFv4gxHSvT8CdaiKeAgi4slt1FV0G-EjH_6JgdxXLT8CLK2i0kpr1R0jBkTKB6blkYgostqz5u4dlmO_TZk-ENrop0PCZ5I6/s800/Dec+09+MFF+(18).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415529089873515410" /><br /><br /> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj49xAHjOOPWnS_B7hsvAwrfWmLP6rDISPvPmtBrQ6_Zp1Z_fSu3FtYbB_t8_M3V8wYsWWvfFZrNkfKsZpxjYLzN50uUv3ow0so_fm8ZJWOUk50uecHpkFG5jktwBojVa2urzIaq8f-hdER/s800/Dec+09+MFF+(16).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415529074905396290" /><br /><br />On a side note I figured out the html on making the pictures bigger. It's the little things sometimes. :o)<br /><br />The answer is..."Sorry girls, we used up all our frozen shredded zucchini from our garden. We'll have to make do with store-bought now. And Mama needs to go to the store so we cannot make zucchini bread today." lolBeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1818669025063983521.post-2606101682269457292009-12-14T09:52:00.000-08:002009-12-16T09:19:42.933-08:00aiming for even more beauty, cheer, joyand love in our hearts than in our home...<br /><center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_P1aO9Nh5ysiN6kIhgvQid9qhes889wlXnU-GQGmihr_-Q21U7Og7zgo3QNAB-IeS4jGA0OCwDwofUyzbYERZRF5HoO-BShgegyuG_o9Sh0tMBI6M7DjiuKqSOZlSKnpw7iOUsBG1HyZP/s576/Dec+09+Christmas+Decorating+(34).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZdFt3hpugwX74FHLd1jvnh4_sh2CdwXz6bJV5cyss82VuKXGxhp0rvGeOy0FGMLTBF-ppRz8oxKwLTsHw-ngg920cFbNBDP5tLq0stkwQIr_uL83z2o6UOO6DX6Mrutb-C0EiPTGxVc5/s576/Dec+09+Christmas+Decorating+(32).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-K_o3CEcfyO0U0LEooSorq6b0jAofq0OiUdHnOMMKmyfhO9ualSAEbNqcm2tfGzcBImZUuOd8pn4eako2Q5NCvzPKhDMQc0tiWMpn0tg2X3okhiLCvJgNJOu6LiTjUtIQP41IlkhFyPIx/s576/Dec+09+Christmas+Decorating+(43).JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bMOFHaSybrPG6s0bwrZMwrnSaiRslMukXjn8rRkYHBb9zQAqpmmFDPjvkSsqauLWrGJ4RArgwHUsJwcSgKhxJJcsCaL_lYTFxuGDRAx35Hyq5Mf1WCUJvFI0UfLHJZRo8CzsTKIBtKPB/s576/Dec+09+Christmas+Decorating+(23).JPG" border="0" /> <br /><br /> </center>Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17228918553511348632noreply@blogger.com2