tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-581666915328359662024-03-14T11:27:49.537-07:00the little things in our lifeMandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.comBlogger244125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-18770310182486923072015-09-18T12:44:00.000-07:002015-09-18T12:44:11.777-07:00Moving on...<div style="text-align: center;">
come on over to the new blog...</div>
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<a href="https://thislovelypath.wordpress.com/">this lovely path</a></div>
Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-75879465842570539642014-08-16T13:16:00.002-07:002014-08-16T13:22:35.956-07:00The Homeschool Planner!<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I must admit...</div>
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in my 3 previous years of homeschooling a planner has been non-existent.</div>
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Well, <i>kinda</i>.</div>
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The first year I purchased a well-known homeschool planner and before my first week I filled the entire thing out-in ink people!</div>
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That worked so well when I threw out half our curriculum in the first week.</div>
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The second year I purchased another one...and never filled it in at all. Maybe I was scared after the previous year, but the big part was that it just didn't fit 'us'. </div>
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Last year...flying by the seat of my pants!</div>
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This year?</div>
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I found a planner I can customize and use the way I need it to work!</div>
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<a href="http://www.aliciahutchinson.com/2014/08/creating-custom-homeschool-planner.html">Alicia @ Investing Love</a></div>
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has created a printable, cheap, perfect planner!</div>
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I am not receiving anything for telling you this, I am just honestly thrilled about it!</div>
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I'll be honest, I was somewhat anti-planner due to previously mentioned fails, but...I watched Alicia's video because of her washi tape.</div>
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You heard me right. She had the loveliest, cutest washi tape I'd ever laid my officesupplylove eyes upon and so, I watched her video to find out where it was from. And I found a planner I could not only live with, but love!</div>
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{I totally went out and bought the same exact washi tape too of course, no shame in copycatting here}</div>
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I give you: The Homeschool Planner</div>
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Rather than having it bound {one of my things I hate about premade planners} or a three ring binder, I use the ARC system from Staples. It is basically a punch that you push onto the little circle tabs. This allows me to have a flat lying planner but the ability to pull pages in and out as needed. I'll be honest, at this point I am unsure whether it was worth the money. While the pages do stay in place, ones that get moved a lot wear out quickly and will not 'attach' correctly to the discs.The front page and back are laminated.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_R5CoGmjMQ/U--2FLKHhNI/AAAAAAAACBw/XXtgODuXHOw/s1600/aug'14%2B043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_R5CoGmjMQ/U--2FLKHhNI/AAAAAAAACBw/XXtgODuXHOw/s1600/aug'14%2B043.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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because of my obsession with the washi tape, I went with the green and pink theme in my planner, enhancing Alicia's cost efficient and beautifully simple design {thank you <a href="http://www.aliciahutchinson.com/2014/08/creating-custom-homeschool-planner.html">Alicia</a> for not making it cost me $60 in ink!}. I used Martha Stewart Adhesive Tabs rather than dividers.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO-Ta_Ye97E/U--2a1UhUuI/AAAAAAAACB4/1W4nCt-sWnw/s1600/aug'14%2B046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GO-Ta_Ye97E/U--2a1UhUuI/AAAAAAAACB4/1W4nCt-sWnw/s1600/aug'14%2B046.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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Each tab is placed at the beginning of each month, which I started with the Goals Sheet.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWW2DjnY3kU/U--2cknGdxI/AAAAAAAACCA/BirkEuTfjCc/s1600/aug'14%2B047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fWW2DjnY3kU/U--2cknGdxI/AAAAAAAACCA/BirkEuTfjCc/s1600/aug'14%2B047.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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Each Goals sheet is followed by the Monthly Calendar pages, where I will write out which unit we're on for the particular weeks.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ehhM0-bthw/U--2lWpc_sI/AAAAAAAACCI/_UF5yFFJaW8/s1600/aug'14%2B048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ehhM0-bthw/U--2lWpc_sI/AAAAAAAACCI/_UF5yFFJaW8/s1600/aug'14%2B048.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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The monthly calendar is followed by the weekly lesson planning sheets, which I have yet to fill in.</div>
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*Since I DESPISE writing in pencil, and we all know how it went for me last time in ink, I will be filling out each weekly sheet in ink...only on the Sunday <i>prior</i> to that week!*</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4X3bAcUZK4/U--5j41HS2I/AAAAAAAACCk/ZKR0DhhBg4U/s1600/aug'14%2B049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4X3bAcUZK4/U--5j41HS2I/AAAAAAAACCk/ZKR0DhhBg4U/s1600/aug'14%2B049.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I ended each month with the Books We Read page. This is something I've always wanted to keep better track of and never have! yay!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlVJroxEr5E/U--2xblzihI/AAAAAAAACCQ/BQBgnvi1zAk/s1600/aug'14%2B050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlVJroxEr5E/U--2xblzihI/AAAAAAAACCQ/BQBgnvi1zAk/s1600/aug'14%2B050.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also have a tab at the top for my Notes pages.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT2CJRzoyl0/U--2y_Y_FOI/AAAAAAAACCY/7L2tqUgEESI/s1600/aug'14%2B051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FT2CJRzoyl0/U--2y_Y_FOI/AAAAAAAACCY/7L2tqUgEESI/s1600/aug'14%2B051.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
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I also printed out Daily Schedule pages for each kid but didn't snap a picture of that.</div>
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I didn't print out any record keeping sheets or attendance sheets Alicia has available because I don't use those.</div>
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We fortunately have lax homeschool laws in Oregon so I'm not required to record all that. She also has Quarterly sheets and other things in her download available that I didn't print. But I love that if I change my mind I can print them out and slide them in wherever. Go support fellow homeschoolin' mama <a href="http://www.aliciahutchinson.com/2014/08/creating-custom-homeschool-planner.html">Alicia</a> and get this awesome planner for $7!!! </div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-61292046682063603922014-08-06T13:02:00.001-07:002014-08-06T13:07:56.228-07:00Curriculum 2014-2015<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, it's almost that time of year again!</div>
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I am excited to get back into routine and have some cooler, beautiful Oregon Autumn weather.</div>
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I have most of our school year figured out, but I have yet to sit down and write it out, that's what August is for ;)</div>
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We will be starting school the week following Labor day.</div>
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Last year was the first year I can honestly say we all loved the curriculum we used so we will be sticking with it again this year.</div>
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<img src="http://www.geomatters.com/learning_series/images/POS_Text.png" /></div>
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<a href="http://www.home-school-curriculum.com/learning_series/">Trail Guide To Learning</a></div>
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this year we will be in year 2, Paths of Settlement.</div>
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The curriculum for this year is geared for 4th-6th grade, and I only have 1 kid that actually fits in that range.</div>
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<i>BUT</i>, I will just have my 3rd grader do most of the 4th grade work, but not all, and I purchased the middle school supplement for my 8th grader. My first grader will just do what he wants and finds interesting {i.e. the nature studies}.</div>
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For math this year my 2 oldest kids will be trying out Teaching Textbooks. We have never used this before but I am thrilled to have them learning on the computer <strike>without my involvement. </strike></div>
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*cough* </div>
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the third grader will be sticking with Rod & Staff math for now.<br />
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The only part of the Trail Guide series I didn't love last year was the spelling, so all kids will be trying out the Phonetic Zoo by IEW.</div>
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In addition, each kid will do a daily grammar page from Evan Moore and we will be adding in some 'extras' here and there along the way with art and science.</div>
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the 3rd grader will continue doing some Explode the Code along with my 1st grader.</div>
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The 1st grader found some Star Wars workbooks at Fred Meyer and begged for them, and well, since I wasn't sure what I was doing for him yet anyways I just bought those. I'm sure they're not the *best* I could be using, but he's excited about them and I take school pretty light the first years anyhow. </div>
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Happy Planning!</div>
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I'm joining the<br />
<a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/nbts-blog-hop-2014.jpg">blog hop</a></div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-86844485761929091022014-07-26T19:03:00.001-07:002014-07-26T19:03:12.990-07:00Book Recommendations for Mamas!<div style="text-align: center;">
First off,</div>
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I read Last Child In The Woods last month.</div>
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" /></div>
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While this book was a little tedious to read because of the statistical info and psychology stuff, the point of it was something EVERY parent needs to hear.</div>
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The author explains how much of today's culture has pushed kids into a 'nature-deficit disorder' psyche, and why it needs to change.</div>
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It was great information, some of which I had never thought of and some which I had.</div>
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I highly recommend.</div>
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The other mama book I recommend is Surprised by Motherhood.</div>
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<img alt="Product Details" height="320" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51O1nw4gANL._AA160_.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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Lisa-Jo Baker does not tell you how to be a better mom, how to discipline, etc, etc.</div>
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It is NOT a parenting and/or self-help book. It is basically Lisa-Jo's biography and how she became a parent after yrs of not wanting to be.</div>
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It is honest and beautiful.</div>
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I teared up on a few occasions and laughed out loud at others.</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-4873729453224066362014-07-15T10:35:00.000-07:002014-07-15T10:37:17.214-07:00summer flowers...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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summer flowers. </div>
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one of life's simple pleasures that bring me so much joy...</div>
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<br />Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-39950367144798740632014-07-04T22:13:00.000-07:002014-07-09T10:33:04.186-07:00He's 13...<div style="text-align: center;">
someone pinch me.</div>
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he's 13!</div>
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{<span style="font-size: x-small;">playing with the lighter-typical}</span></div>
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As America celebrates so does my Aiden.</div>
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They have a lot in common.</div>
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Fiercely independent, brave, determined and with an inner strength I admire so much.</div>
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We had chosen the name Aiden not knowing , of course, that he would arrive on the 4th of July wailing and strong.</div>
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Aiden means little fire.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">{covering his face from the camera-typical}</span></div>
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How fitting.</div>
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He has been a firecracker from the get-go.</div>
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He is a hard worker and amazingly wise beyond his years.</div>
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He keeps me on my toes and on my knees I always say.</div>
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I know that his strong nature will help him do amazing things one day.</div>
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He spent the afternoon on the Rogue River with his dad in a tahiti.</div>
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He had tacos & ice cream cake .</div>
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He got a scope for his gun</div>
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{he was very excited about this though I thought it the most boring gift ever}</div>
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I am so blessed to be his mom.</div>
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Happy Birthday A.</div>
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Happy Birthday these United States Of America.</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-46388549497136087832014-07-02T20:37:00.004-07:002014-07-09T10:33:31.212-07:00These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things {kids edition}...<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids just watched Sound Of Music recently, so I am inspired to share some favorite things of late.</div>
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<b>1} </b><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/squire-scroll-tale-rewards-pure-heart/jennie-bishop/9781593170790/pd/170793">The Squire and the Scroll</a></div>
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<img alt="The Squire and the Scroll: A Tale of the Rewards of a Pure Heart" src="http://g.christianbook.com/g/slideshow/1/170793/main/170793_1_ftc_dp.jpg" height="241" width="320" /></div>
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this is such a wonderful story. It had Biblical principles told through an engaging story of adventure. </div>
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<b>2}</b><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098900/">Avonlea</a></div>
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<img alt="Avonlea (1990) Poster" src="http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTYxNDkyMzcyN15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwMTQ5ODA4Nw@@._V1_SX214_AL_.jpg" /></div>
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I watched it as a child, we have already watched it as a family a few yrs ago and want to watch again. It is based on a book by the same author as Anne Of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery, and aired on the Disney channel originally put out by Sullivan Entertainment. All my kids have loved it.</div>
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<b>3}</b> Oh My gosh, I LOVE these clothes at<a href="http://littleskyechildrensboutique.com/girls"> Little Sky</a>. Granted, I can't actually <i>AFFORD </i>any of them, but it's fun!</div>
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<img alt="Alice N. Dress" src="http://cdn-us-nj.dutchdrops.com/littleskye/media/image_cache/MAP_7003-433x550.jpg" /></div>
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<img alt="Cream Camille C. Dress" src="http://cdn-us-nj.dutchdrops.com/littleskye/media/image_cache/MAP_6873-433x550.jpg" /></div>
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and my fav:</div>
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<img alt="Sweet Cream Prairie Dress" src="http://cdn-us-nj.dutchdrops.com/littleskye/media/image_cache/sado%20prairie%20dress%201-433x550.jpg" /></div>
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<b>4}</b> <a href="http://www.myubam.com/p/1554/sticker-dressing-second-world-war">Usborne Sticker books</a></div>
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<img alt="Picture of Sticker Dressing Second World War" src="http://www.myubam.com/content/images/thumbs/0002464_300.jpeg" /></div>
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my kids absolutely love these high quality sticker books. My only complaint is that they are not reusable, but they have so many fun titles that are educational and beautifully done. </div>
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<img alt="Picture of Historical Sticker Dolly Dressing Country Estate" src="http://www.myubam.com/content/images/thumbs/0005357_300.jpeg" /></div>
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<img alt="Picture of Historical Sticker Dolly Dressing Victorian Fashion IR" src="http://www.myubam.com/content/images/thumbs/0006118_300.jpeg" /></div>
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<img alt="Picture of Sticker Dressing Knights" src="http://www.myubam.com/content/images/thumbs/0001180_300.jpeg" /></div>
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<b>5}</b>watermelon spritzers!</div>
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the kids loved these last yr with our own tweaks, but here is a recipe similar...</div>
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<img src="http://static.tastykitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2012/05/wms9-410x610.jpg" /></div>
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<a href="http://tastykitchen.com/blog/2012/06/watermelon-spritzers/">tasty kitchen</a></div>
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{Picture from her site as well}</div>
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with temps over 100 here the last few days and continuing, I will be making these tomorrow :)</div>
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Hope your summer is wonderful! </div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-17849199899229393522014-06-02T15:39:00.001-07:002014-07-09T10:34:15.378-07:00Why I Used To Want To Kick King David In The %$#@ {and how God is working in me}<div style="text-align: center;">
Once upon a time there was girl who loved to be good.</div>
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She obeyed her mom, respected her teachers, attempted to be kind to her class mates, etc.</div>
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She loved Jesus early on and because she went to church and prayed and read her Bible she was 'good'.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnsgsWM3r6Q/U4z8gfkO_6I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/dmtJGJ8_bDY/s1600/may2014+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EnsgsWM3r6Q/U4z8gfkO_6I/AAAAAAAAB-Q/dmtJGJ8_bDY/s1600/may2014+114.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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Okay, okay, I'm sure you know that the 'she' is me.</div>
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And I really did {& do} love Jesus.</div>
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I wanted to share my faith, which is<i> good.</i></div>
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I started a prayer circle before school each morning, which was <i>good</i>.</div>
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I encouraged people to come to youth group and church, which was -you got it- <i>good</i>.</div>
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I didn't disagree that I was sinful, I knew it.</div>
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But my sin simply wasn't as bad as most people.</div>
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I followed the rules!</div>
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I wasn't drinking/having sex/speeding {fill in the blank}</div>
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Fast forward into my 20s.</div>
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I'll just say it, I despised King David.</div>
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Ya, ya, his Psalms were pretty and his story pretty cool.</div>
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BUT!!!</div>
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The guy was nasty!</div>
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He watched some chick bathing!</div>
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He had sex with her!</div>
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And killed her husband!</div>
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And, let's not forget that the guy had multiple wives! </div>
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He danced naked in the street!</div>
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and had a daughter raped by his son and did nothing!</div>
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he sucked as a father!</div>
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He was a womanizing, disgusting human being.</div>
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I didn't <i>doubt</i> God, when He called David a man after His own heart. But believe that I would have told God just what good lil me thought had I been right there.</div>
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I remember a sermon I heard as a young mom when the pastor talked about how much he admired King David, how much he couldn't wait to meet him in Heaven.</div>
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I remember thinking<i>, ~oh, I'd like to meet him alright. And kick him right in the, um, well, where it counts.~</i></div>
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{except of course in my mind I actually said the naughty version}</div>
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I recognized myself cringing whenever he came up, in church or in my own readings.</div>
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And I went on a quest, if you will, to see why this jerk was called a man after God's heart.</div>
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I read through the Kings, Samuel, and Psalms. I did Beth Moore's study on David.</div>
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I sought to understand how this sinful man could be a standard Christians strove toward in their own walks.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqMx4-nmQqA/U4z8OT72hPI/AAAAAAAAB-I/vps0Fcdk2QU/s1600/may2014+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqMx4-nmQqA/U4z8OT72hPI/AAAAAAAAB-I/vps0Fcdk2QU/s1600/may2014+108.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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What I came to learn was a lot more about me then David.</div>
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I learned how to say, "search me oh God and show me my own sin."</div>
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I learned that when I was telling people about Jesus as a teenager I was generally obnoxious.</div>
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That when I called aside Christian friends to confront their sins, many times I did it with harshness & without love.</div>
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That when I argued with teachers teaching evolution {repeatedly}, I was more concerned with being right than I was with being loving.</div>
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I came to learn...that my own heart was pretty filthy.</div>
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I could do all the right things, but the sin in my heart was just as black as David's.</div>
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My sins may not have been as obvious, or even as bad by worldly standards.</div>
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But I was claiming to live by God's standards.</div>
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And guess what?</div>
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In God's eyes we ALL fall short.</div>
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whether by murder, or lust, or self-righteousness, or lying, or gossip, or sex outside marriage, or drug use, <i>or ,or ,or.</i></div>
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My good deeds are as filthy rags!</div>
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And more so, they mean NOTHING without love.</div>
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<i><b><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">"<a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-1.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">1</a></span></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-2.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">2</a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/13-3.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">3</a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned,</span><span class="footnote" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #0066aa; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 1px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"><sup><a href="http://biblehub.com/esv/1_corinthians/13.htm#footnotes" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;" title="Some manuscripts deliver up my body [to death] that I may boast">a</a></sup></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> but have not love, I gain nothing."</span></b></i></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f37xSNOH_q4/U4z8VE16WQI/AAAAAAAAB-M/jGi6YaygtcM/s1600/may2014+106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f37xSNOH_q4/U4z8VE16WQI/AAAAAAAAB-M/jGi6YaygtcM/s1600/may2014+106.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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See, David and I were opposites.</div>
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Somehow, His heart knew the Lord intimately and loved God with passion.</div>
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He had a longing, an unquenched thirst for God that I lack.</div>
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But outwardly, he was pretty screwed up.</div>
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Outwardly I was doing all the 'right' things, the 'good' things.</div>
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Inwardly, I was loving God, yes, but not really perusing a deeper relationship with Him or recognizing my desperate need for His grace and redemption.</div>
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My heart was full of unrepentance and self-righteousness.</div>
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I won't lie, I still struggle a little.</div>
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I won't say that David is my favorite guy in the Bible, or even in the old testament.</div>
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But these days if I were to meet David, I would shake the guy's hand.</div>
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And tell him I'm just a sinner like Him longing to know our God more.</div>
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<i><b><span class="versetext" id="ps63-1" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">1</span> O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="2"></a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ps63-2" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">2</span> I have seen you in the sanctuary<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="3"></a> and beheld your power and your glory.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="4"></a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ps63-3" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">3</span> Because your love is better than life,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="5"></a> my lips will glorify you. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ps63-4" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">4</span> I will praise you as long as I live,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="6"></a> and in your name I will lift up my hands.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="7"></a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ps63-5" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">5</span> My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="8"></a> with singing lips my mouth will praise you. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ps63-6" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">6</span> On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="9"></a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ps63-7" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">7</span> Because you are my help,<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="10"></a> I sing in the shadow of your wings.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="11"></a> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: start;"></span><span class="versetext" id="ps63-8" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="versenum" style="margin: 0px 3px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;">8</span> My soul clings to you;<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="12"></a> your right hand upholds me.</span></b></i></div>
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<span class="versetext" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: arial; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start;"><i><b>Psalms 63- by David!</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*photos by me of the bald eagle we saw on the beach!*</span></div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-15531064863781904892014-05-12T11:32:00.001-07:002014-05-12T13:33:53.021-07:00Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm back!<div style="text-align: center;">
yay!!!</div>
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somehow, blogger had kicked me out of here, I even started a new blog though I never actually wrote there. </div>
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Today, after months of having given up, I tried again.</div>
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Blogger let me in! So, I now have access to my blog and will start posting again soon.</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-54608487296650251432013-11-16T09:55:00.000-08:002013-11-16T10:33:51.619-08:00My Thousand Gifts Smash Book...<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">I'm such a slacking blogger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">I apologize!</span></div>
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So, along with the rest of the civilized world I've been keeping my <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/one-thousand-gifts-book/">one thousand gifts.</a></div>
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I also happened to have a handy-dandy smashbook I had bought with no clue as to what to do with it.</div>
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My only thought was how they used Smashbooks in Sweet Valley High books, and well, I was a little past those stages ;)</div>
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So I turned my list of one thousand gifts into a smashing list!</div>
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I had NO plan {it's how I roll}, no preconceived thoughts as to how it would flow. I just started writing, randomly gluing when the notion struck and came up with this.</div>
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She's not pretty or perfect. Kids have scribbled, it's been left on counters where coffee has spilled.</div>
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I didn't keep track of how it would work out, but wouldn't you know?</div>
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My thousandth gift ended up on the very last page!</div>
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Here she is:</div>
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some pages are quite plain, some are chalk full of random stuff.</div>
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I printed out some of the things Ann offers on her blog and pasted them here and there. </div>
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And I got some use out of my poor, neglected scrapbooking supplies.</div>
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and now, I need to go buy another smashbook to continue my counting!</div>
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this one took slightly over a year of counting gifts.</div>
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so, there you have it. </div>
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How did you keep track of your thousand gifts?</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-5476520613101563252013-09-09T18:49:00.001-07:002013-09-09T18:49:58.573-07:00Our Homeschool 2013-2014...<div align="center">
here is a peek inside what we're doing at Pathways Academy this school year...</div>
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<span class="st"><em>Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.-prov. 3:5&6</em></span></div>
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<span class="st">First of all, the students:</span></div>
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cute, huh?</div>
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Our curriculum this year is <a href="http://www.home-school-curriculum.com/learning_series/Paths_of_Exploration/">Paths of Exploration from Trail Guide To Learning.</a></div>
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I LOVE it so far. I know, it's only been a day, but this is the first time I have felt I LOVE the curriculum I chose! </div>
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It is so nice for the kids to be basically learning their work all together. This includes English, science, American history, art and geography.</div>
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For math we have stuck with Rod & Staff, which I am content with but don't love.</div>
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But it is math, therefore love wouldn't be realistic.</div>
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Kindergartner is using Saxon Phonics, How to Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons.</div>
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I will also add in here and there some Explode The Code work for the 2nd, 4th and kinder.</div>
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How is your homeschool year shaping up?</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-82322669895511747572013-09-05T12:12:00.001-07:002013-09-05T12:21:15.348-07:00Raising A Strong-Willed Child- pt. 2...<div align="center">
The first post on this topic is <a href="http://thelittlethingsinourlife.blogspot.com/2013/04/raising-a-defiant-child-when-you-wish-God-didnt-trust-you-so-much.html">here</a> if you missed it.</div>
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Life is difficult with a kid who presses you at every turn. </div>
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And usually I'm at a loss as to what to do. </div>
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Just. Lost.</div>
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But as I've prayed for discernment and wisdom, God spoke to my heart this morning.</div>
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My son, as usual, started his day with, "I am so bored. This family is stupid.</div>
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I wish this wasn't my family." </div>
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what to do with that?!</div>
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well, I'm hoping this morning's wisdom from God {not me!} will help.</div>
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I called my son to the computer and sat him down to look over and choose a child from Compassion International to sponsor.</div>
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He chose a boy his own age from Africa.</div>
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{I am trusting the Lord to provide that extra $ each month, as He is faithful!}</div>
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I'm wanting him to see the life of this sweet boy and learn giving, compassion, gratitude and the spirit of Christ through it.</div>
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I am wanting to bless another child who is not so blessed as my own son, to let him know he is loved, prayed for and give him hope.</div>
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Will this make every day from here on out with</div>
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my own son easier?</div>
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probably not.</div>
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But perhaps a seed has been planted to look outside of himself and into the heart others.</div>
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Have you found something in your own walk with a strong-willed child that has helped? If so, please share!</div>
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p.s. after doing this, he asked me if he could make my coffee for me and serve it to me. progress? yes, I take ever ounce of hope the Lord wants to show me~</div>
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even in the form of lukewarm, weak coffee from a boy who is trying.</div>
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that my friends, makes this mama's heart overflow.</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-7635593702352292852013-08-22T21:19:00.004-07:002013-08-23T08:54:06.022-07:00In Honor of 13...<div align="center">
Monday is our 13th wedding anniversary, so I am resharing my Aunt Sandie's very favorite post from the 10th anniversary... </div>
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<em>He's the jelly to my peanut butter.</em></div>
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<em>The band-aid to my cut.</em></div>
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<em>The warmth within my quilt.</em></div>
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<em>The cheese topping on the pizza.</em></div>
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<em> The Gilbert to my Anne. </em></div>
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<em>At times he's the crust on that sandwich.</em></div>
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<em>He can be a pill taken without enough water.</em></div>
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<em>Or a hot sun when you want the shade.</em></div>
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<em> The salt you thought was sugar.</em></div>
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<em>The stinger on the bee</em></div>
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<em>I am the wind behind his kite.</em></div>
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<em>I'm his rose amidst the thorny, fruitless yard.</em></div>
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<em>The ammo in his gun.</em></div>
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<em>The chocolate milk in his coffee.</em></div>
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<em>I get to be the salve on his painful wounds.</em></div>
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<em></em><br /></div>
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<em>At times I'm the drippy faucet he can't turn off.</em></div>
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<em>The sand stuck in your shorts after a day on the beach.</em></div>
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<em>The itchy wool blanket, that keeps you warm in an annoying, scratchy way.</em></div>
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<em>The crusty gunk on the plate that's supposed to be clean.</em></div>
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<em>The chatter when he needs silence.</em></div>
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<em>10 Years of Marriage.</em></div>
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<em>It's been quite a journey.</em></div>
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<em>I was 19 when we got married, he was 23.</em></div>
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<em>We <strong>KNEW</strong> God had ordained this bond from nearly those first dating days.</em></div>
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<em>I waited ( sometimes impatiently).</em></div>
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<em>He asked in his shy way</em></div>
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<em>(after making me hike 6 miles!)</em></div>
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<em>I said yes.</em></div>
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<em>6 months later we said "I do."</em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g1_IQsD-M1w/THaPnxpr9NI/AAAAAAAAAaA/w-LSaM5zk5k/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_g1_IQsD-M1w/THaPnxpr9NI/AAAAAAAAAaA/w-LSaM5zk5k/s640/scan0002.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<em>4 kids,</em></div>
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<em>job changes,</em></div>
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<em>leaps of faith,</em></div>
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<em>in times of health and way too much sickness,</em></div>
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<em>in plenty and in want,</em></div>
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<em>in bills and diapers and 'no time for us', </em></div>
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<em>in a world that says 'it won't last', </em></div>
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<em>but a God who says "it can and it will."</em></div>
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<em>We have made it here.</em></div>
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<em>As much in love as we've ever been.</em></div>
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<em>We still LIKE hanging out together.</em></div>
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<em>His arms are my favorite place in the whole world.</em></div>
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<em>And I know he feels the same.</em></div>
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<em>Where we have sinned, God has given grace.</em></div>
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<em>Where waves have crashed us down at times,</em></div>
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<em>faith has given us wings to rise above.</em></div>
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<em>There have been moments of pain.</em></div>
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<em>And a ton of laughter.</em></div>
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<em>There has been words said in anger,</em></div>
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<em>and apologies and forgiveness offered and accepted.</em></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_g1_IQsD-M1w/THaPTNAh0ZI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/VXLpNiIVQe0/s1600/scan0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" ox="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_g1_IQsD-M1w/THaPTNAh0ZI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/VXLpNiIVQe0/s640/scan0001.jpg" width="433" /></a></div>
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<em>A foundation was laid 10 years ago.</em></div>
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<em>Walls have been built.</em></div>
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<em>Sometimes overnight, </em></div>
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<em>sometimes a brick here and there.</em></div>
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<em>At times it gets chipped at.</em></div>
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<em>Ever so often a storm comes and what we thought was firm gets shaken .</em></div>
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<em>But it never falls.</em></div>
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<em>It stands .</em></div>
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<em>Our marriage is ordained.</em></div>
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<em>Sanctified.</em></div>
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<em>Set-apart.</em></div>
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<em>We aren't ignorant.</em></div>
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<em>We know that our kind of marriage is particularly just the kind the enemy wants to dissolve.</em></div>
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<em>It won't work.</em></div>
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<em>We are a cord of three not easily broken.</em></div>
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<em>I know without a doubt that I am the center of Jerad's life </em></div>
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<em>(apart from Christ).</em></div>
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<em>And he is my world.</em></div>
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<em>We are in love more today than ever before.</em></div>
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<em>Alongside friends who have seen heartache, divorce and pain that won't cease this side of Heaven.</em></div>
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<em>It pains me to watch.</em></div>
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<em>And then I rejoice in what I have.</em></div>
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<em>A good man. An honorable man.</em></div>
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<em>A God-fearing man.</em></div>
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<em> We walk by eachother's side, not because we have to but because we WANT to.</em></div>
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<em>Thank You Jesus,</em></div>
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<em>should you tarry could we have another 70 or so just like the last 10?</em></div>
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<em>Amen, </em></div>
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<em>Mandy</em></div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-90597312498614526462013-08-20T18:10:00.002-07:002013-08-21T11:34:59.788-07:00Dinner...<div align="center">
I'm not great at sharing recipes around here because so much of my cooking is 'a little of this a sprinkle of that.'</div>
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hard to share, ya know?</div>
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but, I'm going to share this one, which is probably my 5th favorite meal I make. I'm not an awesome cook, but I am capable at blending flavors and coming up with yummy.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Creamy Chicken Pasta</strong></span> <br />
{I just made that up since I've never had a name for it ;)}:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL9rDNPsVAY/UhQStT123tI/AAAAAAAAB4M/_iC1xBO3uBI/s1600/august+2013+157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oL9rDNPsVAY/UhQStT123tI/AAAAAAAAB4M/_iC1xBO3uBI/s400/august+2013+157.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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3 generous cups of cooked and chopped chicken {I use the left overs from baking whole chickens}</div>
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a box of spaghetti pasta {we like barilla plus, not as healthy as whole wheat, but picky palates here}</div>
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2 1/2 cups of shredded colby jack cheese. keep the 1/2 cup reserved.</div>
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a cup or so of homemade 'cream of' soup {just say no to cream of crap in a can! If you don't know how to do this it's easy-peasy. Just melt 2 Tbsp of butta in a saucepan-if you want to add fresh pressed garlic-yum!, add about 2 Tbsp of flour until combined. add about a cup of milk, stir, stir, stir over med. heat until thick and bubbly!}</div>
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2 cups of chicken broth {once again, this should be homemade-<a href="http://thelittlethingsinourlife.blogspot.com/2012/01/cookin-in-chicken.html">found in this post</a>}<br />
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1/2 cup sour cream<br />
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1 small white onion finely chopped<br />
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EITHER a tiny can of green chilies or a 1/2 bell pepper chopped fine.<br />
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a sprinkle of cumin<br />
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salt & pepper<br />
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mix all up in a 9x13.<br />
sprinkle with reserved cheese. <br />
bake @ 350 til melty good{or, about 1/2 hr.}<br />
this makes enough for my small army plus.<br />
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*******<br />
the only way to make this dinner taste better is to serve with roasted brussel sprouts.<br />
YUM!!!<br />
they have to be one of my favorite foods ever.<br />
they can run a little bitter at times, but if you do a quick steam before roasting it lessens it a bit.<br />
I must tell you a secret.<br />
On two occasions I have made an entire dish of brussel sprouts for dinner and eaten the.whole.entire.thing. before anyone knew.<br />
then I had to rush to add another veggie, and couldn't take a bite of the rest of dinner I was so stuffed.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Roasted Brussel Sprouts:</span></strong><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9tgqKwokfI/UhQSu5Ka6vI/AAAAAAAAB4U/0zCNANENuas/s1600/august+2013+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P9tgqKwokfI/UhQSu5Ka6vI/AAAAAAAAB4U/0zCNANENuas/s400/august+2013+158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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2lb of brussel sprouts, end removed and sliced in half<br />
a few cloves of garlic roughly chopped<br />
a slice or 2 of bacon, chopped with your kitchen shears into tiny pieces<br />
coarse kosher or sea salt<br />
pepper<br />
evoo<br />
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mix all up on a cookie sheet with enough evoo to cover it all and cook at 350 for about 20 min.<br />
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enjoy!<br />
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-32692566731871649462013-07-23T09:56:00.002-07:002013-07-23T10:55:06.548-07:00My Mom Of The Year Trophy Needs Dusting...<div align="center">
We just got back from a beautifully relaxing trip to our family cabin for 3 nights.</div>
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It was glorious as always.</div>
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because somehow, even when the kids are whining in the back of the van because mom and dad want to drive for 2 hours up into God's country on the mountain tops, you can just kind of ignore your children and escape in such beauty.</div>
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It's what good moms do.</div>
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It was a last minute trip we weren't expecting to be blessed by, so a few things were forgotten.</div>
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<strong>like my 7 year old's SHOES.</strong></div>
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as in, he <em><strong>wore</strong></em> no shoes and took no shoes.</div>
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awesome.</div>
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anyone who knows us in real life is not shocked by the fact that my brilliant 7 year old often leaves the house forgetting certain necessities. he is truly brilliant...he's just absent-minded.</div>
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So, it also probably wouldn't surprise many to know that my oldest 'planner' child took three pairs of shoes for a 3 day trip.</div>
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therefore, child 3 wore child one's way too big flip flops the entire trip.</div>
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because I'm super mom.</div>
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I also forgot my camera.</div>
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you can see pictures of last month's cabin trip <a href="http://thelittlethingsinourlife.blogspot.com/2013/06/life-is-good.html">here.</a> </div>
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pretty much the same.</div>
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just picture monkey 3 without shoes. ;)</div>
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since I'm on a roll with my 3rd child, let me share what he said at breakfast Sunday morning.</div>
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me: " C, are you going to eat your yoke?"</div>
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C: " I only eat yolks on Wednesdays and Fridays. This is Sunday, so, no."</div>
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my word the kid comes up with some good ones.</div>
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enjoy your week, I'm off to polish my trophy now.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mh220NyvFY/UGI3Nzq0VuI/AAAAAAAABpE/ZJOZwtjOsCw/s1600/sign+off+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mh220NyvFY/UGI3Nzq0VuI/AAAAAAAABpE/ZJOZwtjOsCw/s1600/sign+off+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-20959225039259484082013-07-10T21:50:00.000-07:002013-07-10T21:50:38.077-07:00flashback...<div align="center">
flashback post!</div>
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this post was from December of 2011:<br />
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the good, the bad, and the ugly...</div>
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i am the mom that says she'll blog 3x a week and then a month goes by.</div>
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oops.</div>
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i am the mom that doesn't flinch when her kids decide they need marker tattoos and end up scribbled head to toe in neon green.</div>
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i am the mom that freaks out when shoes get left hither and yon when there are no less than 3 shoe buckets on the premises.</div>
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i am the mom that screams at her children to be quiet because i am trying to read a book about being being a more present mom.</div>
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i am the mom that spends extra money we don't have to buy organic milk and eggs at the grocery store, only to hit up Mc D's on the way home because there is NO way i'm cooking lunch after shopping.</div>
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i am the mom who will sweep and do dishes 5x a day.</div>
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but not fold the 5 piles of laundry sitting in my living room.</div>
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i am the mom who sees nothing wrong whatsoever with still needing to sleep with a 3year old monkey to get him to sleep.</div>
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i am the mom that would love to get a breast lift and lypo,</div>
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but would not get my stretch marks removed, believing they are part of a very special story.</div>
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i am also the mom against plastic surgery.</div>
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i am the mom that will remind my kids how essential modesty is, </div>
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then walk by and grab my husband.</div>
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i am the mom that fasts for her children in prayer, then realizes there are mint kisses in the pantry, and thinks God will overlook fasting for the sake of mint kisses.</div>
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i am the mom who has amazing ideas and intentions,</div>
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but lacks the follow through on 90%.</div>
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i am the mom whose children would never talk that way,</div>
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whose children now constantly use such language as idiot and shut up.</div>
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i am the mom who doesn't balk at crayon on the walls or new white furniture, but cried like a baby at the first "i hate you!"</div>
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i am the mom who has now grown accustomed to those i hate yous and simply says "well i love you"</div>
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i am the mom who has nursed four babies,</div>
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co-slept with those babies,</div>
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and never let them cry it out.</div>
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i am the mom who doesn't believe in having huge birthday parties every year.</div>
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i am the mom who too often says one thing and does another.</div>
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i am the mom that once stood on my front porch, baby on a boob, phone to the ear, while shooting at a deer with a bebe gun in our veggie garden.</div>
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and i'm the mom who didn't think that was weird til i retold the story.</div>
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i am the mom that went through thinking two of her babies had cancer/tumors,</div>
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and rejoiced when they did not.</div>
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i am the mom who thinks it's perfectly acceptable to bribe your kids</div>
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(God bribed Moses to the promised land with milk and honey right?)</div>
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i am also the mom that second guesses everything she does and feels guilt about nearly all of it.</div>
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i'm the mom who never left her kids, even to run to the grocery store by myself.</div>
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so now i'm the mom that feels weird having bunco or a girl's day out every month.</div>
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i'm the mom who never once considered working outside the home, regardless of financial situations.</div>
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i'm the mom who likes to get all dolled up.</div>
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and wear a pony tail and yoga pants the other 5 days.</div>
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i'm a mom who plays her music so loud in the car, i fear for my children's ear drums when i get back in the car and realize how loud it was.</div>
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i am the mom who sings off key, ridiculous songs to annoy my kids.</div>
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i'm the mom who sometimes 'fights' the fit by throwing myself on the floor and screaming too.</div>
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i'm the mom with cracker crumbs in the van, the couch cushions and in my cleavage.</div>
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i'm the mom that knows how very blessed i am to have 4 little loveys.</div>
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i am the mom blessed to have such an easy time getting pregnant and easy pregnancies.</div>
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i'm the mom who was quiet and graceful through all my labors.</div>
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(if you can be graceful spread full eagle with sweat dripping down your face).</div>
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i am the mom who gives way too many lectures and gets drawn into the arguments.</div>
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i am the mom who is usually patient and kind during potty accidents, broken things and owies.</div>
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but i'm the mom who yells for everyone to just stop yelling.</div>
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i'm the mom who has forgotten to shut public restroom doors because i just forgot they shut.</div>
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i'm the mom who loves my monkeys unconditionally.</div>
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i'm the mom trusting God to help me enjoy this beautiful and crazy ride i'm on.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gYzAyH10q3o/UCcPOSSzw1I/AAAAAAAABXg/ZrZkfUTw2Vk/s1600/sign+off+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gYzAyH10q3o/UCcPOSSzw1I/AAAAAAAABXg/ZrZkfUTw2Vk/s1600/sign+off+blog.jpg" /></a></div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-79612761184771200112013-06-29T23:08:00.001-07:002013-06-29T23:09:44.898-07:00Life is Good...<div align="center">
we're on summer break and enjoying the pace of life.</div>
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while 100* is way too stinkin' hot for this girl, there is not much else I could complain about right now!</div>
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we spent a few days in one of my favorite places ever, my husband's family cabin.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ty4SdLCrqJA/Uc_BIevo9mI/AAAAAAAAB2E/wu6KmRg7bbg/s1600/June2013+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ty4SdLCrqJA/Uc_BIevo9mI/AAAAAAAAB2E/wu6KmRg7bbg/s400/June2013+038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyC5kOP_gR4/Uc_BWQtnZTI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/TVZKfr2TVFw/s1600/June2013+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyC5kOP_gR4/Uc_BWQtnZTI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/TVZKfr2TVFw/s400/June2013+062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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if it weren't for insects this place would be what I consider heaven. </div>
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it's glorious, peaceful, lovely.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sIUBMlN1Ew/Uc_CjUPspPI/AAAAAAAAB2k/07qqQEPr6E4/s1600/June2013+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2sIUBMlN1Ew/Uc_CjUPspPI/AAAAAAAAB2k/07qqQEPr6E4/s400/June2013+095.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSFbqzlo_G8/Uc_JAjbND5I/AAAAAAAAB3U/HvswLDrzwcU/s1600/June2013+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OSFbqzlo_G8/Uc_JAjbND5I/AAAAAAAAB3U/HvswLDrzwcU/s400/June2013+091.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I've also been so blessed that </div>
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last couple weeks have been very good with my oldest son, who can sometimes be...trying. I am hoping this is a turn around point, but even if it isn't, I love that the Lord allows me glimpses of more and gives me hope.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5p5uhQL7PE/Uc_HaKMXblI/AAAAAAAAB28/bsiHgDxTCQ4/s1600/June2013+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k5p5uhQL7PE/Uc_HaKMXblI/AAAAAAAAB28/bsiHgDxTCQ4/s400/June2013+128.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YHLtX_ZXCI/Uc_JVOrtwvI/AAAAAAAAB3c/g6v2M1pqHFY/s1600/June2013+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YHLtX_ZXCI/Uc_JVOrtwvI/AAAAAAAAB3c/g6v2M1pqHFY/s400/June2013+104.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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we celebrated this little one's 7th birthday up there too!</div>
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I am amazed that the time really does flash by in a wink. If only I could bottle it up and hold them tight to this place right now.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViKjsV9hoH8/Uc_DhVHs80I/AAAAAAAAB20/LPz2irCqE8I/s1600/June2013+114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ViKjsV9hoH8/Uc_DhVHs80I/AAAAAAAAB20/LPz2irCqE8I/s400/June2013+114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naxlCY6iQxQ/Uc_I4n-cx8I/AAAAAAAAB3M/KmQgW2piXtg/s1600/June2013+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naxlCY6iQxQ/Uc_I4n-cx8I/AAAAAAAAB3M/KmQgW2piXtg/s400/June2013+026.JPG" width="266" /></a> </div>
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After the 4th of July, the 1st Monkey's 12th birthday<em> {SCREAM</em>}, we will be getting back to some school work and in more of a groove.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlYWwHvUuGo/Uc_Jdo6genI/AAAAAAAAB3k/u5ZLbaWAUF4/s1600/June2013+133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HlYWwHvUuGo/Uc_Jdo6genI/AAAAAAAAB3k/u5ZLbaWAUF4/s400/June2013+133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I hope to be blogging more, but blogger and I break up a lot and we don't always play nicely:)<br />
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<img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UjqBkE4KKJs/Uc_J6_gli1I/AAAAAAAAB30/-nvOlButwRQ/s400/June2013+100.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIc8NbGnwOA/Uc_J0h-cIvI/AAAAAAAAB3s/1SMuRlsZaPc/s1600/June2013+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nIc8NbGnwOA/Uc_J0h-cIvI/AAAAAAAAB3s/1SMuRlsZaPc/s400/June2013+003.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn_cS-gNE1U/Uc_J7JQjE6I/AAAAAAAAB34/haCEeA-Cjqw/s1600/June2013+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vn_cS-gNE1U/Uc_J7JQjE6I/AAAAAAAAB34/haCEeA-Cjqw/s400/June2013+011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hope your summer is going wonderfully, and that you are in much cooler weather than I am!</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-366441276770282592013-05-20T19:45:00.002-07:002013-05-21T10:58:17.698-07:00Just Stuff in May...<div align="center">
the 5 yr. old spent all his birthday money on this...</div>
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{and he loves it to pieces}</div>
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my house in bloom...</div>
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fish hatchery...</div>
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exploring...</div>
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{an old homestead}</div>
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monkey # 3's school paper...</div>
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sk8ters...</div>
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redneck pool...</div>
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and more pictures to share of our visit to a lovely farm soon :)</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-48135605489846505372013-05-09T21:48:00.003-07:002013-05-09T21:49:01.622-07:00when seasons change...<div align="center">
I have to admit it, this season is both refreshing and heartbreaking.</div>
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The djs on k-love this morning shared a clip about calliou. </div>
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and it struck me how long it's been since this home last aired an episode of that bald 4 year old.</div>
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last month I *may* have googled what it takes to have a reverse tubal.<br />
{this month I have chosen sanity}</div>
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I carried, birthed and nursed babies for so long, that these last couple years have felt a little strange. </div>
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my baby is now 5!</div>
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If the pattern of the previous years had continued I'd have 2 more by now! </div>
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There are days i am thrilled.</div>
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The mornings when I haven't felt well, and have been able to say, " I'll be down in an hour. Get your breakfast, do your chores and watch a show." have been heavenly. {though not often enough ;)}</div>
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The convos with friends at the park who every few seconds are interrupted with toddler chasing?</div>
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It's kind of nice to not sweat it.</div>
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us, me preggo with the last one...2007</div>
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But i do miss my babies being babies.</div>
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I miss that precious 1-3 year old stage, which is my absolute favorite.<br />
I just wish I could rewind!</div>
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I know that our little family is blessed and complete, unless the Lord deems otherwise.</div>
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I just really miss calliou.</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-34165630474062237282013-04-08T14:18:00.000-07:002013-04-08T14:18:32.367-07:00When You Wish God Didn't Trust You Quite So Much...<div align="center">
there are parts of every one's lives that we like to keep quiet.</div>
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those deep seated fears, failures, and flops.</div>
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you know, the "f" words.</div>
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over the years I have tried to break out of my fear of talking about the one thing I fear judgement from more than all others,</div>
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and that's my strong-willed child.</div>
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people who do not have a strong willed child like to voice advice, and while I can appreciate their heart, </div>
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they might as well stick my head in a gas oven for all the good their advice will do me.</div>
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James Dobson says to a mom of a strong willed child ,</div>
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"There are some families with 4 or 6 kids, and none of them have a defiant temperament like we are describing. Such moms and dads are inclined to assume that parents who struggle to maintain control at home are just weak or ineffective. Sometimes that is an accurate assessment, but in other cases, the difficulties result from the nature of that particular child. Help people grasp how difficult it can be to raise a defiant youngster. Your daughter didn't simply disobey occasionally, every child does that. You were in a war of wills with {her} from almost the very earliest moments of life." </div>
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-The New Strong-Willed Child, By Dr. Dobson, page 15.</div>
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While I know and realize I have made many mistakes in raising my children, God is really <strike>dragging</strike> bringing me to a place of accepting that this child's strong will is not the result of my parenting style or inadequacies.</div>
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This child is a result of how his Creator formed him, with a purpose and a plan, a sin nature thrown in.</div>
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I could tell from the first moments of life that this child was...spunky.</div>
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He was born on the 4th of July and his name appropropriately means "little fire".</div>
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the signs were all there. ;).</div>
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I remember calling my mom at about 9 days old at midnight or so crying, "I thought babies <em>slept</em>?" </div>
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no, not my child.</div>
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he never slept unless in my arms.</div>
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and by never, i mean <strong>never</strong>.</div>
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naps during the day?</div>
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nope.</div>
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awake all night nursing every hour or two?</div>
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yes.</div>
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bottle, paci, blankie, anything that pacified him?</div>
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no again.</div>
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only mama.</div>
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when he was about 9 months old I developed an excruciating breast infection that left me in tears with each feeding. {I never cried during labor if that gives you a clue to my pain tolerance}.</div>
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While he was old enough to wean, he was so 'uncomforted' by anything else, I pushed through 2 or 3 of the most painful weeks ever.</div>
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I nursed him til he was two and I became pregnant with my next child.</div>
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He went through awful night terrors from 2-3 yrs old.</div>
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I believe he slept through the night at 4 YEARS for the first time.</div>
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Spankings resulted in him 'yelling' at me.</div>
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Time outs required my restraining him to keep him down.</div>
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When he was 4 I turned my back while he was on time out and he ran out the front door and into the street.</div>
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And I couldn't catch him!</div>
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He ran!</div>
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I called my husband panicking that this kid truly would escape our cul-de-sac.</div>
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We did what the 'books' said.</div>
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I read the Christian parenting books by the box.</div>
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Nothing worked for my little rebel.</div>
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The harder I tried to reign him in, the harder the kid would push.</div>
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At one point I thought we had solved it.</div>
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We had changed time out to a 'quiet time' in his own room where he could just 'chill' til his timer rang.</div>
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It struck me as odd that the time of peace flew by, but hey, it was working.</div>
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Until I realized it <strong>was</strong> getting shorter and shorter.</div>
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It wasn't my imagination.</div>
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So I secretly stuck my head in a crack of his door one day.</div>
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I saw my 3 or 4 yr old child piling his stuff, moving his bed to reach up to the high shelf I had placed the timer on, only to reduce the time down! He then moved everything back to where it belonged and came out with a smile and announced his time out was up!</div>
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This is what I was up against, and the next years would hold even more challenges.</div>
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My son is now 11.</div>
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Life is a battle everyday with him.</div>
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But I am determined to share my story for other young moms with similar children feeling like they are failing. </div>
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This is hard for me to share, to express the vulnerability here.</div>
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I am determined to walk this out with Jesus, trusting that this road is leading to life abundantly for this boy.</div>
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Most days I fall into bed battle worn and weary.</div>
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I wonder what moms of compliant children feel like and want to puke a little.</div>
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I am everyday laying this before the Lord,</div>
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trusting in His perfect will.</div>
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I know that the reason God gave him such a tough spirit is because it will serve a greater purpose,</div>
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and I will share a little more as we travel this tough road of raising a defiant child.</div>
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I will be doing part 2 in When You Wish God Didn't Trust You So Much: Raising a Defiant Child soon.</div>
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If you have a defiant child, I would love to read your story as well! Please share!</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-66940444457032843912013-04-05T17:01:00.000-07:002013-04-05T18:59:10.666-07:00Marriage 101...<div style="text-align: center;">
i saw a journal book the other day where you can fill out marriage advice for a soon to be bride. it got me thinking what i would say to a young person, or my children one day when they get married...so, this is my version.</div>
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i am 32.</div>
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i have been married for 12 1/2 years.</div>
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i was told i was wasting the best years of my life, that i was too young, that i needed to get a formal college education before 'settling down',</div>
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i needed to see the world, date around, find out who i was before making this life long commitment.</div>
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the people who really knew me weren't worried at all.</div>
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i was always 40 trapped in a teenager's body.</div>
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but the people i knew from the health club i worked at scoffed & tried to talk me out of it.</div>
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and here i am 12 1/2 years later while most of them are divorced.</div>
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i should preface this by saying i don't believe i'm in any way the marriage expert full of grand advice.</div>
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there are people whom i deeply admire that have walked a much longer road of marriage with oodles more wisdom than me.</div>
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i have done a million things wrong in this relationship, and about 5 right.</div>
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marriage is hard work.</div>
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neither my husband or i grew up with a super healthy marriage role models.</div>
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we are learning as we go together how to make this work.</div>
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marriage is about constantly, <em>constantly</em> , dying to self in service to another.</div>
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not in a door mat kind of a way, but in a i'm-a-selfish-brat-and-need-to-get-over-myself kind of a way.</div>
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putting other's needs before my own. <br />
***none of this is for my dear friends who have walked a road of abuse. i am talking about mutually respectful marriages!***</div>
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<br />
<br />
i've come up with my top ten things you can do as a wife that have made a difference for us.<br />
i realize every marriage is different, but these are things i think are crucial for a healthy marriage.<br />
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#1:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">have a faith that grounds you.</span></strong><br />
when your marriage is built on a solid foundation it is not as easily shaken.<br />
when hard times come {and baby, they will!}<br />
you need to remember that this is a covenant with not only your spouse, but God also.<br />
your husband will fail you.<br />
he is human.<br />
God will not and He ordained this union.<br />
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#2:<br />
while what i said in #1 is the most important,<br />
i think you also have to <span style="font-size: large;"><strong>let go of expectations to a degree, you aren't your husband's Holy Spirit.</strong></span><br />
i think every Christian woman who gets married pictures her husband as the Godly, Bible leading at the breakfast table type.<br />
while this is ideal, i believe many men struggle with living up to this and fearing failure in their role.<br />
i have learned to set aside many of my preconceived notions about what a Godly husband should be in my mind, because HELLO, i am not his Holy Spirit!<br />
i want my husband, the man he is, not the man i push him into being.<br />
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#3:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">respect him.</span></strong><br />
and tell him you do.<br />
i am constantly trying to remember to tell my husband that he is my hero.<br />
he needs to feel that his role is appreciated, just like we do.<br />
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#4:<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>give him all the sex he wants.</strong></span><br />
did i really just write that?<br />
yes, i did.<br />
and i think this is an important way to validate our husbands as men.<br />
God created sex to be an intimacy between a husband and wife and to withhold that for any reasons that are short of serious health/mental issues, is depriving your husband of something you both need to feel connected.<br />
so - no more headaches ladies, <br />
<em>make it your mission to never say no!</em><br />
and hey, it's not so bad for you either ;)<br />
and remember, i'm talking to those with healthy marriages and healthy ideas of sex!<br />
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#5:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">little things everyday.</span></strong><br />
what makes him feel appreciated?<br />
a clean house?<br />
clean underwear when he needs them?<br />
a meal on the table when he walks in the door?<br />
sometimes these stretch us, while i almost always have a hot home made dinner on the table when he comes home, i do sometimes neglect taking the wash out of the machine, leaving behind that nasty mildew smell.<br />
but if i remind myself how important it is to my husband not to stink, it makes it easier to get off my butt and remember to change the wash over.<br />
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#6:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">talk</span></strong>.<br />
while a house with 4 ever-present children makes this really hard, <br />
we try.<br />
sometimes it's before he leaves for work, sometimes it's at night,<br />
but actually talk! even a little everyday!<br />
how was your day?<br />
etc.<br />
i can't count how many moms i've heard say they've gone on trips with their hubbys and have nothing to really talk about.<br />
to me that's crazy!<br />
talk about politics, talk about the latest movies, talk about theology, talk about the 'old days', just talk!<br />
worse comes to worse, you can buy those little books of questions that can generate some interesting conversations.<br />
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<img alt="" id="main-image" rel="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51XC7B5N5WL._SY300_.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: inline;" /><br />
not an affiliate link<br />
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#7:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">have common interests.</span></strong><br />
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if you have none, or have neglected them, find some new ones!<br />
my hubby and i love antiquing, movies, etc.<br />
having hobbies in common shares passions and develops a fun atmosphere amidst bills and kids and work!<br />
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#8:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">set boundaries.</span></strong><br />
this will look different for every couple, but i think it is super important to have 'rules' set up.<br />
no friends of the opposite sex that you spend one on one time with.<br />
no business trips with opposite sex,<br />
open access to all emails, bank accounts, cell phones.<br />
no marriage is immune to temptations, no matter how good it is, how godly you are.<br />
while this may seem ridiculous for adults,<br />
i've seen enough marriages fall apart that could have been preempted by these things being transparent.<br />
falling apart marriages don't happen over night, they happen in small cracks in the door that should have stayed shut!<br />
and if you have nothing to hide, why do so?<br />
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#9:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">spend most of your time together.</span></strong><br />
{aside from work of course}.<br />
what i mean by this, is if you are running out the door 4 nights a week to hang out for mom's night outs, or poker nights, etc., it's maybe too much.<br />
i go out on my mom's night out, but 95% of my time is spent with my family.<br />
we all need breaks, i'm not saying they're bad, but if you are flying out the door for the next thing when your hubby walks in on a constant basis, it will start to wear on the relationship.<br />
i have seen this happen to so many friends, even ones who are using that time for "good" things.<br />
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#10:<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">remember we are all human &</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">say you're sorry quickly.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
be prepared, have a plan, hold on to each other through hard times rather than moving apart.<br />
don't be too stubborn to say you screwed up.<br />
if you have a stubborn spouse that won't budge, you go make amends even if you weren't the instigator.<br />
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if i listed all the millions of mistakes in marriage i've made, this would be an unending post, but we're doing a few things just right.<br />
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-35938131587170868522013-03-27T20:17:00.002-07:002013-03-27T20:24:07.134-07:00Around These Here Parts...<div align="center">
Notes passed in 'class' {i'll allow it}:</div>
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daily regime-ugh:</div>
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fits about math:</div>
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texts that melt me:</div>
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reorganizing-double ugh:</div>
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his love language is vaccuuming {again , I'll take it}:</div>
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shows we're watching: </div>
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oh yes, we are</div>
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and I'm reading this:</div>
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because i think chesterton and duck dynasty go together, no?</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-47816804579875674822013-03-03T20:07:00.001-08:002013-03-03T20:22:37.763-08:00In Defense of Christian Rock<div style="text-align: center;">
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my name is mandy and i love Christian alternative rock.<br />
i am not 18 or a 'new' convert.<br />
i'm a 32 yr. old homeschooling mom to 4.<br />
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lately i have ran across several blogs and a homeschooling book, that warn against the 'evils' of modern Christian music, in particular, the harder rock music.</div>
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i am annoyed by this to be blunt.</div>
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one of the blog posts went as far as saying k-love<em> {k-love?!}</em> is taking away from the gospel and substituting mushy music for real faith.</div>
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to that i say hogwash.</div>
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do you have to like Christian rock?<br />
absolutely not!<br />
we all have tastes that vary.<br />
i personally don't care for the Christian hip-hop K-love sometimes plays, and i don't like some of the super hard screaming like stuff, but i don't think it's wrong.<br />
i just don't like it.<br />
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i've read that because it resembles the 'world's music' it is just a carbon copy of it with some Jesus thrown in.<br />
that logic kind of baffles me.<br />
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i pondered all morning on how someone could possibly say that music with a loud, rockin' sound proclaiming Jesus could think that it is evil or of the world.<br />
and i came up with the only comparison i could.<br />
let's have a look at those loathed television evangelists.<br />
they usually give me the heeby-geebies, i'll confess.<br />
what generalizations could i make about them?<br />
most of them to me water down the gospel, depress you and want your money.<br />
this may or may not be true, but that's the gist of most complaint against them, correct?<br />
so...if i really needed to weed through and see if they are genuinely honoring God, what would i do?<br />
i would hold it up against the lens of God's word and filter it wouldn't i?<br />
if it matches with God's word and doesn't mistreat it, no matter how much i don't like the preaching style,<br />
i can't complain!<br />
i can choose not to watch, i can even question their authenticity, but if what they say and do matches up with the gospel then it is honoring to the Lord! only He can judge the heart!<br />
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well, i believe the critics of 'hard' Christian music should be non-judgemental enough to do the same.<br />
i am sure there are some Christian artists who are money hungry.<br />
there may even be some wolves dressed as sheep.<br />
we will see that anywhere.<br />
but let's hold up some of the lyrics of 'questionable' Christian groups to the lens and filter of the word shall we?<br />
in this home, we happen to really like Skillet, so i will pick one of theirs i'm very familiar with.<br />
here is a video for the song Rebirthing:</div>
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and here are the Rebirthing lyrics:</div>
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<h2>
by Skillet</h2>
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Verse 1<br />
I lie here paralytic inside this soul<br />
Screaming for you till my throat is numb<br />
I wanna break out<br />
I need a way out<br />
I don't believe that it's gotta be this way<br />
The worst is the waiting<br />
In this Womb I'm suffocating<br />
Pre-Chorus<br />
Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen<br />
I take you in<br />
I've died<br />
Chorus<br />
Rebirthing now<br />
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me<br />
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow<br />
Rebirthing now<br />
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything<br />
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow<br />
Right now<br />
Right now<br />
Verse 2<br />
I lie here lifeless in this cocoon<br />
Shedding my skin cause I'm ready to<br />
I wanna break out<br />
I found a way out<br />
I don't believe that it's gotta be this way<br />
The worst is the waiting<br />
In this Womb I'm suffocating<br />
Pre-Chorus<br />
Feel your presence filling up my lungs with oxygen<br />
I take you in<br />
I've died<br />
Chorus<br />
Rebirthing now<br />
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me<br />
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow<br />
Rebirthing now<br />
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything<br />
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow<br />
(I come alive somehow)<br />
Bridge<br />
Tell me when I'm gonna live again<br />
Tell me when I'm gonna breathe you in<br />
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside<br />
Tell me when I'm gonna feel alive<br />
Tell me when I'm gonna live again<br />
Tell me when this fear will end<br />
Tell me when I'm gonna feel inside<br />
Tell me when I'll feel alive<br />
Chorus<br />
Rebirthing now<br />
I wanna live for love, wanna live for you and me<br />
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow<br />
Rebirthing now<br />
I wanna live my life, wanna give you everything<br />
Breathe for the first time now I come alive somehow<br />
(I come alive somehow)<br />
Right now (I come alive somehow)<br />
Right now (I come alive somehow)</div>
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hmmm, let's see.</div>
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crying out to God from the depths of his soul for God to come in and fill him up when he is wasting away in the flesh.</div>
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sounds to me like a hint of David's psalms as he sat in the cave awaiting the evil of saul's army.</div>
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and FYI, my hubby has been to one of their concerts that was full of prayer and praise!</div>
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all glory given back to the Savior!</div>
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if you'd like a taste of their 'softer' side, check out the song Lucy, which is about the regrets and ramifications of abortion. an amazingly, beautifully sad song that gives a hugely pro-life message.</div>
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i know, totally evil, right?</div>
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if you don't like the half-screaming lyrics that's fine, don't listen to it ever again!</div>
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but you can't tell me that their music is evil.</div>
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are they always blatantly Christian?</div>
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nope, just like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, you sometimes have to scratch the surface to find the Truth.</div>
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But Truth it is.</div>
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and i don't know about anyone else, but my spirit doesn't always feel sing-songy.</div>
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sometimes my spirit is crying out to God with everything i am, and to me, that's what Christian rock encompasses more than anything.</div>
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whether it be a praise song, or a prayer song, or a song about the pains of this world,</div>
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it's a crying out to the Heavenly Father!</div>
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here's another one for you to flavor by a new group, who is quite possibly my new favorite next to NeedtoBreathe.</div>
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this is the Rhett Walker Band, and as he is new, he doesn't yet have any videos, but here is his song with the lyrics.</div>
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um, DRIPPING with the gospel.</div>
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p.s. all of his music is fantastic.</div>
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as in, i've played it for the last week straight and am not sick of it.</div>
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let's hit one more 'alternative' christian band for the sake of variety, shall we?</div>
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this is seventh day slumber performing surrender:</div>
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oh sheesh!</div>
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just because they play their guitar a little loud and hit their drums with gusto should we label them unholy?</div>
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for goodness sakes, let's have their lyrics:</div>
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I'm giving You my heart<br />
And all that is within<br />
I lay it all down<br />
For the sake of You my King<br />
I'm giving you my dreams<br />
I'm laying down my rights<br />
I'm giving up my pride<br />
For the promisse of new life<br />
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And I surrender all to You<br />
All to You<br />
And I surrender all to You<br />
All to You<br />
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I'm singing You this song<br />
I'm waiting at the cross<br />
And all the world holds dear<br />
I count it all as loss<br />
For the sake of knowing You<br />
For the glory of Your name<br />
To know the lasting joy<br />
Even sharing in Your pain</div>
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i even read a blog that criticized Third Day.</div>
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i am sure they are familiar enough to not need to post their work, but really!</div>
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those guys LOVE the Lord, their songs are all praise.</div>
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at their concert, it was prayer and praise and worship.</div>
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i believe the Bible allows us amazing freedom within Christ,<br />
and i believe that as long as we walk within the boundaries of His word we are FREE to honor Him as we wish.</div>
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For Heaven's sakes, if this music makes you feel dirty, if it tempts you to listen to music that is ungodly, don't listen!</div>
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But please don't tell other Christians that it is 'evil' or dishonoring to the Lord.</div>
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Some of us are in seasons of falling to our knees in worship, some of us stand with arms high in praise. both are worshiping our God.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and
rejoice, and sing praise</span>.~psalms 98:4</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-59115374422091637622013-02-27T21:57:00.001-08:002013-03-06T13:33:09.309-08:00The School Room...<div align="center">
a.k.a. the dining room...</div>
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as much as i desire our own school room, it's not going to happen while we live here.</div>
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we have 1500 sq. ft.</div>
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4 kids.</div>
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and we homeschool.</div>
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that means we have no choice but to cram and pile.</div>
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shut your eyes now if your idea of decorating means clean lines and no clutter. </div>
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i'm all about the clutter.</div>
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curriculum cupboard{these are 2 separate pieces. the bottom is a new piece from fred meyers. the top is the old kitchen cupboard out of my husband's family cabin. my father in law was kind enough to offer it to me and i love it!}:</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/56882688-ef33-492a-8246-5748b8a8254e_zps8061dca2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/56882688-ef33-492a-8246-5748b8a8254e_zps8061dca2.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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inside the cupboard. everything grouped by subject:</div>
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the bottom half holds the kids current curriculum. each one has a set of drawers labeled with the subjects...</div>
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the 3 drawers are 'teacher' only drawers. {i heart office supplies}</div>
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next to the curriculum cupboard is the art shelf {the ones with my globes}.</div>
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this was a garage sale find from to elderly ladies, it holds the crayons, rulers, pencils, drawing paper, flash cards, etc.</div>
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and then there are these new lockers my aunt robyn {a.k.a. best junker ever} found for me! i'd been looking for.ever. yay! thank you auntie rara!</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012027_zpsa021aa0e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012027_zpsa021aa0e.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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the piece next to the lockers was my one and only ever craigslist find. we can't tell if it's genuinely old, but i believe it is based on the dovetailed joints. either way, it's probably one of my favorite furniture buys ever.:</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012026_zps181abb51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012026_zps181abb51.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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all the little apothecary-like drawers hold randoms:</div>
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and the baskets below hold fun learning items like pattern blocks and math multiples:<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012028_zpsaf7b4ac2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012028_zpsaf7b4ac2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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and keepin' it real...that second shelf's stack is my 'to file' school work. ha!:<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012031_zpsf0d6e1ca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012031_zpsf0d6e1ca.jpg" width="266" /></a> </div>
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on the other side of the window, we have the kid's plants they bring home from the library's master gardener program:</div>
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next to it is a hutch i painted that was my moms.</div>
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at one time it was ugly honey colored oak. and apparently i was drunk when this was taken?</div>
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it houses my hubby's stuff and extra art supplies, the junk drawer, etc.</div>
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and next to that, my corner. under the flour sack is a scrapbook organizer. the basket has my purse, store take backs, my 1,000 gifts smash book, my camera, etc. my homemaker's binder and other current books get piled here too.</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012035_zps4f540d0b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012035_zps4f540d0b.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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in the other corner is my scrapbook station. this whole armoire is scrapbook supplies. {um, guess is should have put the broom and vacuum away}</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012037_zps35b2678a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012037_zps35b2678a.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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the big wall contains our cork board and white board, etc.</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012017_zpsa45bf567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012017_zpsa45bf567.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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i'm awesome at keeping up with paper work as you can plainly see. ;)</div>
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the coolest part about this wall though {no. not my organizing skills}...</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012018_zps15061554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012018_zps15061554.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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my vintage pull down school map!</div>
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i love this, but we leave it rolled up most of the time to prevent further damage and access the other boards.</div>
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this was a garage sale score for $20!</div>
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and from there, it's our kitchen:</div>
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<a href="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012038_zps328e5ab2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://i1165.photobucket.com/albums/q594/mandyslovelylife/feb2012038_zps328e5ab2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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as much as i would love a school room, i am thankful to have a large dining area and this fun space.</div>
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but during the winter months, most of the actual school work gets done in the living room hovered around the wood stove!</div>
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thanks for touring!<br />
linking here!<br />
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58166691532835966.post-25954760056350338312013-02-07T12:30:00.002-08:002013-02-07T12:42:02.569-08:00meanest.practical.joke.ever.<div align="center">
i planned on continuing the farce all night, but one look at my husband's horrified face</div>
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{and the lingering fear of being served divorce papers}</div>
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had me pulling the wig off quickly.</div>
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this is the man who says after i get a trim, "don't you think it's too short?"</div>
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poor guy almost had a heart attack.</div>
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Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10041240496017131851noreply@blogger.com4