tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68562129612572481912024-02-07T01:31:45.147-05:00behind the scenesopenly sharing a wonderful crazy life!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-7291456256863990042012-08-03T09:50:00.000-04:002012-08-03T11:50:51.447-04:00seven: the journey<br />
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<strong>day one: August 1</strong><br />
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one month. seven foods. quinoa, chicken, tomatoes, spinach, plain greek yogurt, strawberries and eggs. i got ready and had my quiet time. and right off the bat, i felt God speaking to me. <br />
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this is what i read:<br />
deut. 8:10-18 <sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup><em>When you have eaten and are satisfied, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5148A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>praise the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God for the good land he has given you. <span class="text Deut-8-11" id="en-NIV-5149"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">11 </span></sup>Be careful that you do not forget <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5149B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day.</span> <span class="text Deut-8-12" id="en-NIV-5150"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">12 </span></sup>Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5150C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span><span class="text Deut-8-13" id="en-NIV-5151"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">13 </span></sup>and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied,</span> <span class="text Deut-8-14" id="en-NIV-5152"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">14 </span></sup>then your heart will become proud and you will forget <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5152D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.</span> <span class="text Deut-8-15" id="en-NIV-5153"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">15 </span></sup>He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5153E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5153F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5153G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup></span><span class="text Deut-8-16" id="en-NIV-5154"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">16 </span></sup>He gave you manna <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5154H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5154I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup>to humble and test <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5154J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)"></sup>you so that in the end it might go well with you.</span> <span class="text Deut-8-17" id="en-NIV-5155"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">17 </span></sup>You may say to yourself, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5155K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)"></sup>“My power and the strength of my hands <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5155L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)"></sup>have produced this wealth for me.”</span> <span class="text Deut-8-18" id="en-NIV-5156"><sup class="versenum"><span style="font-size: x-small;">18 </span></sup>But remember the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-5156M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)"></sup>and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.</span></em><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">i felt the Lord telling me to be thankful. remember all he has given me during this time. and know that it is all from him. </span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">my day was going to be great. the Lord was already revealing himself and it wasn't even 6:30am yet!</span><br />
<span class="text Deut-8-18">then on my way to work, i got the sweetest text from a dear friend, courtney. it read: <em>thinking of you this morning, sweet friend! you and your family are in our prayers as you start this incredible new journey. i can't wait to hear about the ways God reveals himself to you and how close you feel to Him!! have a wonderful day :) </em></span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">i arrived at work feeling pretty confident. then, BAM, out of nowhere...pickled okra!! one of the sweetest girls i work with had brought it and was so excited to be sharing it with me. so, the explaining began. "i'm only eating 7 foods for the month. i read this book. jen hatmaker. decrease so God can increase. i can't eat the pickled okra." Lord help me. this is going to be hard!</span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">for lunch, i was having some grilled chicken with quinoa and sauteed spinach and tomatoes that i had made the night before. it wasn't bad. but some of the girls i work with decided to order pimento cheese from the athens favorite, marti's at midday! homemade pimento cheese and pita chips, i die.</span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">i decided the best thing for me to do was eat and leave. i had to run to the bank so that was my excuse for <em>gettingtheheckouttadodge</em>. on my way to the bank, i prayed. i prayed that God would give me strength to get through this month. i mean it was all i could do to get through the day. i needed help. but while i prayed, everything i was giving up kept coming to my mind. and it wasn't just food. it was the "gathering" that i was missing. we gather at work when we eat. we gather with friends on the weekends to eat and fellowship. i felt like i was losing that. </span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">i got home from work and had three eggs and a glass of red wine, don't judge. pulled up facebook to read some of the comments on our group 7 page to see how everyone else was doing. i'm being honest, i was glad to see people so opened with their struggles. one sweet girl described how <strong><em>there weren't any fireworks</em></strong> like she had expected. there was no sparkle. just struggle. and that was exactly how i was feeling. i didn't hear anything from God. nada. nothing. zilch. zero. </span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">but this morning, day 3, i read more comments. so uplifting and encouraging. </span><br />
<span class="text Deut-8-18">one person commented that when we feed our flesh, our spirit starves. but when we feed our spirit, our flesh starves. that is what i want. a full spirit. full of jesus and empty of myself. i want to focus on what my spirit is receiving not what my flesh is missing.</span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18">and then someone else commented...<strong><em>the fireworks, they come at the end</em></strong>. yes, they will. He promised.</span><br />
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<span class="text Deut-8-18"><strong><em>James 1:12<sup> </sup>Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him</em></strong></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-33205826048269032902012-07-27T12:40:00.000-04:002012-07-27T12:49:36.186-04:00let the games begin<div style="text-align: center;">
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do you get as excited as i do about summer olympics???</div>
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the diving. the gymnastics. the beach volleyball. the synchronized swimming. <span style="font-size: x-small;">and yes my friends and i did practice this event growing up. it's a lot harder than it looks folks. </span></div>
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i will be glued to my t.v. starting tonight. sweet jesus thank you for not pushing me to start with media month. amen.</div>
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but this summer games is different. i will be keeping my eye on one particular person this year. </div>
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john orozco. </div>
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have you heard of him?</div>
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he's a native from the bronx. he started his gymnastics career at age 8. but being from a low income family just struggling to make ends meet, he sometimes used the streets to train. using light poles to do pull-ups.</div>
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he received his first gymnastics medal at age 9. but he didn't keep that medal for long. he noticed another little boy crying from being teased for a bad performance and quickly handed the medal over to him, saying, one day you'll be better than i am, don't cry. <em>oh, there are no words. </em></div>
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he got teased by all the other kids in his neighborhood. in the bronx, the cool thing was playing basketball or baseball, definitely not being a gymnast. but this was his dream and now it is his reality. </div>
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his mother, who didn't just take him to every practice and drop him off, but stayed there with him to make sure he worked hard, says this:</div>
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"<em>The person that he is, the heart that he has, the dreams that he has, he's a gold winner already so anything on top of that is just gravy," she says.</em></div>
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don't you just love that?</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-61369737941902718312012-07-26T14:45:00.000-04:002012-07-26T15:33:00.189-04:00seven<div align="center">
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<a href="http://www.jenhatmaker.com/books.htm" target="_blank">7 by Jen Hatmaker</a></div>
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<em>7 is the true story of how Jen (along with her husband and her children to varying degrees) took seven months, identified seven areas of excess, and made seven simple choices to fight back against the modern-day diseases of greed, materialism, and overindulgence.</em></div>
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<em><strong>Food. Clothes. Spending. Media. Possessions. Waste. Stress.</strong></em></div>
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<em> They would spend thirty days on each topic, boiling it down to the number seven. Only eat seven foods, wear seven articles of clothing, and spend money in seven places. Eliminate use of seven media types, give away seven things each day for one month, adopt seven green habits, and observe “seven sacred pauses.” So, what’s the payoff from living a deeply reduced life? It’s the discovery of a greatly increased God—a call toward Christ-like simplicity and generosity that transcends social experiment to become a radically better existence.</em></div>
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that's it in a nutshell. but where my journey will take me will far exceed trying to fit in a nutshell. i'm certain of it.</div>
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i'm sure some who read this will think i'm crazy for taking this step. questions will be asked such as, "why would you want to do that?'</div>
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read what jen wrote in the book....</div>
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<em>...i've developed something of an immunity to sermons. typing that is embarrassing: it makes me sound so unteachable. teaching by example, radical obedience, justice, mercy, activism, and sacrifice wholly inspire me. i'm at that place where "well done" trumps "well said." </em></div>
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i want to live my life how jesus taught us through his word. </div>
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i want to sing a worship song on sunday or any given day in my car or in my home and actually mean the words i'm singing. </div>
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i want to hear a sermon or do a bible study where my knowledge is put into motion. </div>
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i want the excess of my life to become much smaller so jesus can become much bigger. </div>
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i live in a place where i have been blessed with so much. but some of these blessings <em>ahem</em>, a lot of these blessings have become distractions and are being abused, by me!!</div>
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my pantry is full but i can't decide what we're gonna eat. </div>
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my clothes addiction is insane but i never have anything to wear.</div>
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i know the latest happenings on facebook but we haven't talked about how our day was as a family. </div>
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if i want an item, within reason, i buy it. period.</div>
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if there are leftovers from dinner, 9 times out of 10 they will end up in the trash. i don't like leftovers.</div>
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at any given time, 4 televisions can be running simultaneously in our home.</div>
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excess.</div>
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i've asked kevin to join me in this. but i don't want to dictate to him how he needs to go about it. my journey is my journey and his journey is his journey. the end. i will have my boys going through it as well. and yes some months will be harder than others, but i think we're all ready. </div>
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i've also joined a group on facebook of fifty or so committed people. we'll all share in our experiences together. it will be good to know there are other families and individuals struggling and persevering through this at the same time as me. </div>
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so on august 1st food month will begin. </div>
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7 foods for 31 days. that's it. no more. no less.</div>
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i'm still narrowing down my foods. </div>
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first it was salmon, greek yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, and quinoa for sure. with spinach, broccoli and tomatoes up in the air. but now, i'm rethinking salmon just because it's not as accessible as say chicken would be. but i still have 5 days to make this decision and you can bet it won't be final till that 5th day is here!</div>
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so i hope you'll follow along as i journal my way through the next 7 months. or maybe even better, you'll start a journey of your own!</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-73714629690635660882012-07-03T08:44:00.000-04:002012-07-03T08:44:15.269-04:00only eight summers left<div align="center">
i was cruising blogs the other day and ran across <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2012/06/18-summers-how-many-do-yours-have-left.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.</div>
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how many summers do i have left?</div>
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with ethan it's 6. i'm counting this summer and the one after his senior year.</div>
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with eli it's 8.</div>
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to me, that's not long. not long at all. </div>
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it's so easy for me to come home from a long day of work and want to retreat to my bedroom and completely shut off from the real world. </div>
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facebook...</div>
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pinterest...</div>
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blogs...</div>
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television...</div>
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all play a part during my isolation.</div>
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but i want the boys to remember their summers at home as a time where i was fully present. there are memories to be made and moments to treasure. i don't want to be remembered as a mom who never played outside or who always had her nose in her smart phone or the computer. </div>
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we've talked of camping...</div>
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we'll definitely make a trip to six flags...</div>
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i would love to take the boys to centennial park...</div>
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and swing by the georgia aquarium...</div>
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and i'm sure we'll catch one of these....</div>
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but most of all, i just want to spend time with them. i don't have much longer. i want every minute of every day to count. it's hard. it's hard to be intentional. it's hard to be fully present in every moment. and sometimes it just doesn't happen. but i'll give it my best. and i'll do it because i know it matters. </div>
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how many summers do you have left?</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-69070797748364304302012-06-23T19:21:00.001-04:002012-06-23T19:24:18.628-04:00yep, i'm still martha<div align="center">
i don't feel like i'm as bad as i once was, with details that is. you know, when you're having guests over and...</div>
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you have to get every blade of grass off the floor. </div>
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every fingerprint off the windows. </div>
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pillows perfectly fluffed.</div>
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beds perfectly made.</div>
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coutertops as if they were just polished.</div>
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you know, the details.</div>
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i'm hosting a bible study with some amazing women this summer. today was our first session and to be honest, i didn't feel any of the stress i used to feel when having guests into my home. </div>
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don't get me wrong, i swept. i wiped countertops. i cleaned the guest toilet only because i have two boys and sometimes they seem to hit everything but the inside of the bowl. but this time i was so much better about the details. ask my family... i was better.</div>
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but for some reason today once everyone was gone, i really felt God leading me to revisit the story of mary and martha. </div>
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<em>but lord, i know this story. i know martha cleaned and was busy with the details while mary sat at your feet and listened to you. i get that. i know. but i did a really good job leading up to today. i didn't stress. i didn't clean like a mad woman. i was fully present with these women. fully focused and engaged. so right now, i'm gonna put on my swimsuit and lie on my float and soak up some of this sun. mmkay?</em></div>
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and that's just what i did. i lounged on my float. soaked up a little sun. and all the while mary and martha's names kept playing over and over in my head.</div>
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<em>ok ok. i'll look up and read the story. it's short. it won't take that long. luke 10:38-42. </em></div>
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so i grabbed my bible and i read the story. and nothing. nothing happened. i didn't feel the lord speaking to me.<em> nothing</em>. </div>
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then he lead me to the story of lazarus. mary and martha's brother. </div>
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in this story, jesus sees how upset mary and martha are with the death of their brother. he comforts them. he tells them that lazarus will rise again. and then he wants them to lead him to their brother's tomb. </div>
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<strong><em>"roll the stone aside," jesus told them. but martha, the dead man's, sister protested, "lord, he has been dead for four days. the smell will be terrible." john 11:39.</em></strong></div>
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and there it was. the lord spoke directly to me. directly to my heart. </div>
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<strong>amanda, you're still worrying about the details.</strong></div>
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no, i don't stress out about the details of my home. at least, not as much as i used to.</div>
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but i haven't stopped focusing on the details of my life. </div>
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i <em>still </em>concentrate too much on the </div>
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what </div>
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when</div>
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how </div>
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why</div>
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where.</div>
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but today the lord told me...</div>
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<strong>if i can raise a man from the dead, even after being in the grave for FOUR DAYS (not a minor detail),</strong></div>
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<strong>then i can handle the details of your life as well. you need to trust me in this. </strong></div>
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just like martha, i get so caught up in the details that i forget to stop and see God's greater picture for my life. and i forget to trust Him to take care of those details. </div>
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so today, God showed me that, yes, i am still a "martha". but He also showed me that if i trust Him to control the details, He will raise me to a new life, one that's better than anything i could ever dream for myself.</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-91832282560893535272012-06-19T21:14:00.000-04:002012-06-19T21:14:08.933-04:00follow My lead<div align="center">
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adoption.</div>
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it used to be about wanting a little girl. we have four very precious nieces in our lives but some how it isn't the same as having a daughter to call your own.</div>
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i grew up part tomboy part girlie girl...can that happen? well, that was me. and i always knew i would have a little girl. hairbows. coordinating outfits. nail polish. that's right up my alley.</div>
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but God blessed me with two healthy boys, despite their start to life. i'm so blessed. we have a wonderful family. my boys are almost fourteen and eleven. practically independent.</div>
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and then i read blogs like these...</div>
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<a href="http://flowerpatchfarmgirl.blogspot.com/">flower patch farm girl</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.myuglycouch.com/">my couch is ugly</a></div>
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<a href="http://likethelove.blogspot.com/">like the love</a></div>
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these families have given birth in their hearts for the little ones that have no voice.</div>
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they've struggled.</div>
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they've endured sicknesses.</div>
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they've had some really tough times.</div>
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but they've allowed God to carry them through this life. they lean on Him. He holds them in the palm of His hand.</div>
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and i read books like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrtwjqdKPg7ldmpnvt6f8CH7gr-pVKGVcdmNbnJh3f7jyLlm4Biue0-K781S7wVfQBJHK9yCItPirjSAD6w4bAAqgINwMd0M6nsMk7AY0WRvOFCKMJyXJQVOjzk6QiaNdkosQTkBLsVo/s1600/anything.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXrtwjqdKPg7ldmpnvt6f8CH7gr-pVKGVcdmNbnJh3f7jyLlm4Biue0-K781S7wVfQBJHK9yCItPirjSAD6w4bAAqgINwMd0M6nsMk7AY0WRvOFCKMJyXJQVOjzk6QiaNdkosQTkBLsVo/s400/anything.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anything-Prayer-That-Unlocked-Soul/dp/0849947057/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340152335&sr=1-1&keywords=anything#_">anything by jennie allen</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwP1yMzTUrubVFNx4Qo-HXWrctDNlQFuxy9mV9g94XMZXQIJHR8ioIBwvK92TBiVScWRwisp_b1KJjKBcFvKGkwyDH2cDTeH-TxSIouRu32N5WWw1tMqhqIyVm1YrBuuf8_SyD4o7XeM/s1600/katie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwP1yMzTUrubVFNx4Qo-HXWrctDNlQFuxy9mV9g94XMZXQIJHR8ioIBwvK92TBiVScWRwisp_b1KJjKBcFvKGkwyDH2cDTeH-TxSIouRu32N5WWw1tMqhqIyVm1YrBuuf8_SyD4o7XeM/s400/katie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://kissesfromkatie.blogspot.com/">kisses from katie</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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i'm starting this bible study on saturday...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnOMFa1tEGwp51go6kT4Hq_KBjulj0NQsOucQdZwfmyraFbnaOssPMKt0Vp3TdgKnw0lkQnCM6f8Sn3Sntk8jlPdxEY4_JZM5YQURhFMSkfJu1pncRjNMeDXDQ3Ws3nLpGLHTWZoedW4/s1600/nehemiah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnOMFa1tEGwp51go6kT4Hq_KBjulj0NQsOucQdZwfmyraFbnaOssPMKt0Vp3TdgKnw0lkQnCM6f8Sn3Sntk8jlPdxEY4_JZM5YQURhFMSkfJu1pncRjNMeDXDQ3Ws3nLpGLHTWZoedW4/s400/nehemiah.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.lifeway.com/Product/nehemiah-a-heart-that-can-break-member-book-p005371581">Nehemiah: a heart that can break</a></div>
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but then i ask...</div>
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do i really want to start over?</div>
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i mean our boys are practically out of the house..just kidding but they will be before we know it!</div>
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how can we afford this?</div>
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adoption can cost up to $45,000!!</div>
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could i really raise a daughter to recognize she's the true daughter of a King...a real life princess?</div>
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i see so many girls hungry for attention..but the wrong kind. i see bullying. i see mean girls. </div>
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raising a daughter in this world would be tough.</div>
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but then i ask...</div>
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do i believe if it's God's will for my life that he will make a way for all of this to happen? </div>
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yes, i do.</div>
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do i believe what he tells us in scripture?</div>
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yes, i do.</div>
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<strong><em>pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you</em></strong></div>
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<strong><em>james 1:27</em></strong></div>
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i don't know what God's plans are. right now, i can tell you kevin and i are not on the same page with this. and that's ok. i will continue to pray. i've been praying for over a year now. i don't pray for kevin to change his mind. i pray that God's purpose for us will be fulfilled. i pray we will obey. whatever that may look like. </div>
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i know God has placed this desire in my heart for a reason. i choose to follow, not knowing where He will lead me.</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-79176071838761369072012-06-15T07:18:00.000-04:002012-06-15T07:18:23.526-04:00porch party!!<div align="center">
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i have shown you several pictures over the last several weeks of our porch.</div>
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but rhoda at southern hospitality is having a<a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/porch-party-summer-inspiration/"> porch party</a>...and i love a good party so i wanted to join right in!</div>
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let's look how far we've come...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwPBRucvosrls8vKewsc8QNYOnNjBHj4ULcxF8RtN97-F8vr2PX3Cr2nQD3peWq6x7tnhYWKUqVMEof0ZylEkDWOML9pExw-fSPff4B2-kfzy9bk-rpM4AWTAzUNbXToaHHbr-5vyiLo/s1600/porch+before" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwPBRucvosrls8vKewsc8QNYOnNjBHj4ULcxF8RtN97-F8vr2PX3Cr2nQD3peWq6x7tnhYWKUqVMEof0ZylEkDWOML9pExw-fSPff4B2-kfzy9bk-rpM4AWTAzUNbXToaHHbr-5vyiLo/s640/porch+before" width="640" /></a></div>
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not much to write home about huh?</div>
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the view from our porch wasn't much better either...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYf_P4UTzx5EqkVpVJ1UHSQNT5yKxClK9_mLsWvr41zIwZmUX3OM5BcgjgJmcm-nF5NZJTCF4l_0NKnV_aZ23HX-6QhWL8vKri_AsdyVnUIP0QTFPdkeG2_oSsL4B78tdtxGsssVKym0/s1600/porch+before2" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYf_P4UTzx5EqkVpVJ1UHSQNT5yKxClK9_mLsWvr41zIwZmUX3OM5BcgjgJmcm-nF5NZJTCF4l_0NKnV_aZ23HX-6QhWL8vKri_AsdyVnUIP0QTFPdkeG2_oSsL4B78tdtxGsssVKym0/s640/porch+before2" width="640" /></a></div>
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we had lots of work to do.</div>
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there was painting </div>
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cutting down some trees</div>
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getting rid of that play set</div>
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and taking down that trampoline <span style="font-size: x-small;">this one isn't quite completed yet.</span></div>
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we still have some work to do but here's what's happened so far...</div>
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we painted the porch floor with porches and patio paint from sherwin williams.</div>
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we added some rocks and shrubs to the beds off the front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvIjGo499UpdEntsDkvr2QtgGQPiqj-EYLw7H-8b53JPgtoH5hv4ddOoW6OnNTqPfoF3bBHVB23FD6mQo6s0KqiS4QFQd0MoNpGHOZbfG10dMoD0M-kQUUKvPM_sOZaMG0Lnm6aMyaU0/s1600/porch+floor" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisvIjGo499UpdEntsDkvr2QtgGQPiqj-EYLw7H-8b53JPgtoH5hv4ddOoW6OnNTqPfoF3bBHVB23FD6mQo6s0KqiS4QFQd0MoNpGHOZbfG10dMoD0M-kQUUKvPM_sOZaMG0Lnm6aMyaU0/s640/porch+floor" width="640" /></a></div>
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i also added some hanging baskets. and the trees were cut down. sod laid and filled in with sand.</div>
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i got to put my cushions on my furniture out there because my porch had finally become a place i wanted to sit and relax!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0BOAFgn8bs2EOi7J-1eReg2cDH1Zo_yCP2I9H1Uw98RUy8Y7ilz0jBUV_ZPKDQ_5KAceW8-fSO4cH5RD3NgW75sCqlTq1JcHjkdoCeSzFQ6ykXZpYgK9B-YsbwTmcAus0Q_86SSgJng/s1600/garden+stool" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0BOAFgn8bs2EOi7J-1eReg2cDH1Zo_yCP2I9H1Uw98RUy8Y7ilz0jBUV_ZPKDQ_5KAceW8-fSO4cH5RD3NgW75sCqlTq1JcHjkdoCeSzFQ6ykXZpYgK9B-YsbwTmcAus0Q_86SSgJng/s640/garden+stool" width="640" /></a></div>
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and purchased this cute little garden stool!</div>
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here's another view of our yard...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl-GG3Wc6NBEhjTPyLs3T36_5U3aCPVSlXd-ht_Iv8ktclc-d3fPmYXWTthoygBRRbg3tLHFCHogQq0qHREqrSKBTuejNy7cprOX6dlN61j5LbqdmjKFtU29DhoLKeXuctBZIVBNpDwA/s1600/pool" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNl-GG3Wc6NBEhjTPyLs3T36_5U3aCPVSlXd-ht_Iv8ktclc-d3fPmYXWTthoygBRRbg3tLHFCHogQq0qHREqrSKBTuejNy7cprOX6dlN61j5LbqdmjKFtU29DhoLKeXuctBZIVBNpDwA/s640/pool" width="640" /></a></div>
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and here's a wider shot of our porch...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKsQI4z2kFW4wZkCfbL9oDG7SDzy3djdNpBKnpEzVsfs2_vMzGBViI0_CwdypOPA37ujzRp6whQDXS4ftvNYvGpNr8I9W4FSG9F0QB-uzt3q_L84o0I0TFT4hhrZREsGjYgFTtCVnaGs/s1600/wide+shot+porch" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrKsQI4z2kFW4wZkCfbL9oDG7SDzy3djdNpBKnpEzVsfs2_vMzGBViI0_CwdypOPA37ujzRp6whQDXS4ftvNYvGpNr8I9W4FSG9F0QB-uzt3q_L84o0I0TFT4hhrZREsGjYgFTtCVnaGs/s640/wide+shot+porch" width="640" /></a></div>
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and you see that space to the right of those windows? well, that space will soon hold this cute sign my aunt has made for me...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uxb_cybfMw6xjE3NcnZGcr6leWOlSYXW_smycqpZtDjDMTy4lARPNNpj8stL_iU9XVAOhXdsNve1JZtYyvVOAAJstv-qT-xfq_DpXEnKwbOsQlNoq0_9FNYnLDCppBVBvUrHlBW8-ds/s1600/porch+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Uxb_cybfMw6xjE3NcnZGcr6leWOlSYXW_smycqpZtDjDMTy4lARPNNpj8stL_iU9XVAOhXdsNve1JZtYyvVOAAJstv-qT-xfq_DpXEnKwbOsQlNoq0_9FNYnLDCppBVBvUrHlBW8-ds/s640/porch+sign.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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it isn't completely finished (distressing and framing is next) but isn't this perfect for that space?</div>
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i know, right!</div>
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well there it is...it doesn't look like a lot but there has been many blood sweat and tears going into this yard! </div>
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hope you enjoyed my little tour!</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-41970224852660089012012-06-13T05:53:00.000-04:002012-06-13T05:53:11.691-04:00eclectic style<div style="text-align: center;">
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i have always played it safe when decorating. <br />
my color scheme always flows through my home. accessories are always the right shade of whatever. <br />
everything was or still is rather, <em>safe.</em><br />
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i'm tired of safe. i'm tired of having something in my home because it's the right color. i'm tired of seeing something in a store that i love and thinking...<em>oh well, it doesn't fit with my colors</em>. i'm tired of feeling <strong>trapped</strong>!<br />
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well, i'm here to proclaim, <em>not anymore</em>!<br />
i'm ready to mix things up a bit in my home. <br />
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i want funky lamps...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Uz_UDhjwFPcW_Bt9tRg3FM5WN0yy7mmJemkqgyfrMjF_kbyCI8ysTffCnLjZ6y9mLm9D_JJ8orUIrttotowbJ-RBGYWjIVwkJ8tjKIcwbfQKj6oJCwBgzjghkAyuTcVGEyIi3ijM83Q/s1600/lamp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Uz_UDhjwFPcW_Bt9tRg3FM5WN0yy7mmJemkqgyfrMjF_kbyCI8ysTffCnLjZ6y9mLm9D_JJ8orUIrttotowbJ-RBGYWjIVwkJ8tjKIcwbfQKj6oJCwBgzjghkAyuTcVGEyIi3ijM83Q/s640/lamp.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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i want real art that i love to look at...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDMAwDHbihy1W4RUHlhdX8KWfd55TIIgxnkuPiw3tyhcAS9eje9vuZozSrdq6ioOUP4C1DhpmtI2HM7pvn_I-xNQtjZCJW8r99D4LjUMSmpk1-_E00kfeVgY9BoMpPTvYi0-IvrFX91c/s1600/owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDMAwDHbihy1W4RUHlhdX8KWfd55TIIgxnkuPiw3tyhcAS9eje9vuZozSrdq6ioOUP4C1DhpmtI2HM7pvn_I-xNQtjZCJW8r99D4LjUMSmpk1-_E00kfeVgY9BoMpPTvYi0-IvrFX91c/s640/owl.jpg" width="632" /></a></div>
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i want to mix instead of match...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGIg1XGUIsH1M2PAWiL8VJdiClSsX2NPyMIVyeNvBD-hz6scv1bttSbZf7lzaSm-cFOV5eKuFzpZHY-fmTWsj9kG-bfCH_QYGzhU9RPVke5480be46F_JpXi9jN9U-DiFMsTt2_ZN2vE/s1600/color.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCGIg1XGUIsH1M2PAWiL8VJdiClSsX2NPyMIVyeNvBD-hz6scv1bttSbZf7lzaSm-cFOV5eKuFzpZHY-fmTWsj9kG-bfCH_QYGzhU9RPVke5480be46F_JpXi9jN9U-DiFMsTt2_ZN2vE/s640/color.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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i want curtains made of wonderful color...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6olxVT3bQMb72SxDLkqaisXu4_F0-Y4867QRjm-Qi_qCmlm7L1PNkXfyOnQpVhnsgOwveYxtg0I4HFsdekeLSoJVLkoT3K8d7fehwb_dPyLoBZSt5YcSijh9h2b5gVU3MbfilR2U5_Aw/s1600/fabrics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6olxVT3bQMb72SxDLkqaisXu4_F0-Y4867QRjm-Qi_qCmlm7L1PNkXfyOnQpVhnsgOwveYxtg0I4HFsdekeLSoJVLkoT3K8d7fehwb_dPyLoBZSt5YcSijh9h2b5gVU3MbfilR2U5_Aw/s640/fabrics.jpg" width="479" /></a></div>
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and rooms filled with cute accents...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdDkzo-xs8tTSg8QbXg3ins-r6bCQ-9sSoX0PAnRgfmFL7HnffR3O79LlUGLppZZ7kik08pDuKqMlwGsOofnnd7EfoF3nWON8rvXw_IQNy5rlqAG6ij1x5AGzAYFZ8ruq9KXpJcAr2bk/s1600/eclectic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdDkzo-xs8tTSg8QbXg3ins-r6bCQ-9sSoX0PAnRgfmFL7HnffR3O79LlUGLppZZ7kik08pDuKqMlwGsOofnnd7EfoF3nWON8rvXw_IQNy5rlqAG6ij1x5AGzAYFZ8ruq9KXpJcAr2bk/s640/eclectic.jpg" width="572" /></a></div>
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i'm still working on my dining room. the walls will be painted very soon. and right now i'm looking at some great fabrics for curtains. can't wait to post pics when we're finished!!</div>
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what's your style?</div>
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<em></em></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-84832519019658867342012-06-09T09:45:00.002-04:002012-06-09T10:14:04.261-04:00life lately in pictures<div align="center">
we finished up our soccer season :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQRIZ81NiMMjuYfFbKGGeffuhzBqmxmaIyIqZzgcYP8gkxd6cy6RzyZy7r98l5xDsWSoF0g2_zg5HUxZ0alk_TI0b_L1DcK62gsQRtYUtF6FnGDqmXqBTLY-N6_ToDenvvacQ-bv4hR0/s1600/126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQRIZ81NiMMjuYfFbKGGeffuhzBqmxmaIyIqZzgcYP8gkxd6cy6RzyZy7r98l5xDsWSoF0g2_zg5HUxZ0alk_TI0b_L1DcK62gsQRtYUtF6FnGDqmXqBTLY-N6_ToDenvvacQ-bv4hR0/s640/126.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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kevin's dad actually dozed off during a game...the man can sleep anywhere!</div>
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eli graduated from fifth grade. no more kids in elementary school. yep...emotional wreck!</div>
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kevin had a basketball tournament for all of his wildcat alum. i think they all had a great time! </div>
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memorial day was full of cousins and friends. cooking out and homemade ice cream. but ethan accidentally dropped my camera so i only have a few pics. praise the lord for insurance!!!</div>
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this is a buffet we purchased awhile back off craigslist. of course it didn't look like this. it was stained a dark brown with brass knobs. but annie sloan's chalk paint and crystal knobs from hobby lobby can work miracles i tell you! so can these super cute lamps from hancock fabrics! and in case you're wondering, we're getting ready to paint our dining room. right now it's chocolate brown. but it will soon be desert castle...hence the sample above the trim.</div>
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our backyard is coming along. trees were cut down. new sod was laid. it feels so open now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6bayh_opu4YaZ4LvWBdORnsBd2ogThWpTgodmwdTrDQSDT5NQzx7_R_h3zA2s2WEQGuCG2UtudawoYalo1kHsvO4QAr9KvsXbj9S7DJdvHyLlSvK8KlZNY296eXEQk7-1Hs5JMp9pGw/s1600/437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6bayh_opu4YaZ4LvWBdORnsBd2ogThWpTgodmwdTrDQSDT5NQzx7_R_h3zA2s2WEQGuCG2UtudawoYalo1kHsvO4QAr9KvsXbj9S7DJdvHyLlSvK8KlZNY296eXEQk7-1Hs5JMp9pGw/s640/437.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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loving my covered porch. and see that blank space to the right of those windows....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVTLzxtvBr1v2Dl3r7VSBcFmRXHLk2s0r5gSPpszaBIYzD-_u3FDSwvIKuJyj5A4afoZi3-C3cLY686NC_B9lxuEv9WDS3apIqRt9G0EJbElQgS4QFZ_WGb_5kQWpcIoM1bzvfvfFUXg/s1600/438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVTLzxtvBr1v2Dl3r7VSBcFmRXHLk2s0r5gSPpszaBIYzD-_u3FDSwvIKuJyj5A4afoZi3-C3cLY686NC_B9lxuEv9WDS3apIqRt9G0EJbElQgS4QFZ_WGb_5kQWpcIoM1bzvfvfFUXg/s640/438.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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well my aunt kathy has made the most fabulous sign for that space. it isn't quite completed (distressing and framing is next) but i couldn't wait to show you. it will definitely be my most favorite spot in this space...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z9oP9rYUzFNAHlsSjzmT13ZIaDktM_T9ugoDZLW-qszF16N93f-jv-aJMDGWvrrc4FonQFF05_KL4Ol_BNCDqBV4kuFOCw606DOMIftHNqytAeAIjQyaZwyFvUQEE8C6Wr6x1It254w/s1600/porch+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8z9oP9rYUzFNAHlsSjzmT13ZIaDktM_T9ugoDZLW-qszF16N93f-jv-aJMDGWvrrc4FonQFF05_KL4Ol_BNCDqBV4kuFOCw606DOMIftHNqytAeAIjQyaZwyFvUQEE8C6Wr6x1It254w/s640/porch+sign.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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just ordered this bedding for ethan's room. he'll be using kevin's childhood bed. can't wait to get started on his room!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCIiPP6C35xAJclzZRPHUR9MQV14bazPT35lYPw4uWXh2xPpEu64v0i4wm9oYdvXkqm25XCS4zj7lHmiwklhnKc2Rhbu-YMgOtXY33IOKdw5_SA1k0snzaQ2eiUhm0V2w404racZ-Khk/s1600/bedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVCIiPP6C35xAJclzZRPHUR9MQV14bazPT35lYPw4uWXh2xPpEu64v0i4wm9oYdvXkqm25XCS4zj7lHmiwklhnKc2Rhbu-YMgOtXY33IOKdw5_SA1k0snzaQ2eiUhm0V2w404racZ-Khk/s640/bedding.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and last but not least, i'm getting ready to start this study in a couple of weeks. kelly minter is such a relateable down to earth bible teacher. and i'm doing the study with some incredible girls, all eager to jump into God's word this summer and deepen our relationship with Him and with each other!</div>
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so there you have it....hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-22536972253595522122012-05-24T21:54:00.000-04:002012-05-24T21:54:56.475-04:00letting go of anything to have everything<div align="center">
let me just start by saying i don't even know if this post will make sense. so continue to read, but know you were warned. </div>
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i've been wrecked by the words written by jennie allen in a book called<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anything-Prayer-That-Unlocked-Soul/dp/0849947057/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337910702&sr=8-1"> <strong><em>anything</em></strong></a>. and yes, i know i hear people say things like this all the time and i think <em>really?? you look pretty okay to me. </em>but a few days ago <a href="http://flowerpatchfarmgirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/anything-review-and-giveaway.html">this girl</a> posted on her blog about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anything-Prayer-That-Unlocked-Soul/dp/0849947057/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337910702&sr=8-1">this book</a> and a giveaway for it...count me in! so i read her description of it and decided to sign right up to win! but something inside wouldn't let me wait til she posted a winner. so i quickly downloaded it onto <strike>my</strike> eli's nook and began to read. </div>
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<strong><em>Anything</em></strong></div>
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"God, we will do anything. <i><i>Anything,</i></i>"<br /><i><i><i>Anything
</i></i></i>is a prayer of surrender that will spark something. A prayer that
will move us to stop chasing things that just make us feel happy and start
living a life that matters. A life that is...<br />Surrendered. Reckless.
Courageous.<br />If we truly know a God worth giving anything for, everything
changes.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>book description from amazon</em>.</span></div>
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her words in this book hit a nerve with me ok, several nerves. </div>
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<em>it is too easy in this country for blessings to become rights, for stuff and money to become what calls the shots in our lives. and before we know it, God's gifts have replaced God himself.</em></div>
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my questions come when i ask myself, if he ever told me to give up some of those things...</div>
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a nice car</div>
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a spacious home in a safe neighborhood</div>
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shopping at name brand stores</div>
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dining on occasion with friends</div>
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going on nice trips</div>
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would i, would i give up a comfortable life and do <em>anything</em>?</div>
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i want to live out the lyrics to this song. one of my most favorite songs. especially since colton dixon sang it on american idol. :)</div>
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i want Him to be my purpose. my Everything. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/EX9LknONTIA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-38728402078781495322012-05-21T09:26:00.001-04:002012-05-21T09:26:27.429-04:00you can take the girl out of the country but...<div align="center">
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i just recently saw the movie <em>the lucky one. </em>and yes, while zac ephron was dreamy to look at, i couldn't help but become facinated with the farmhouse where it all took place.</div>
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i grew up on a farm. i don't just mean a little bit of land and an old house. it was a full.blown.farm. we had a dairy farm and two hundred twenty acres. that's right. 2-2-0. my dad would get up at four o'clock every morning and milk cows with his dad and his granddad on our farm. and they would do it all again at four o'clock in the afternoon. every.single.day.</div>
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growing up on land was so much fun. i remember as a little girl always riding the tractor with my daddy out in our field while he baled hay. i remember feeding our baby calves with bottles. i remember my brother and i riding our dirt bikes for hours through the open land. </div>
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no cell phones. no xbox. no computers. just going outside in the mornings and not coming in til it was dark. that was the life and i didn't even realize it at the time.</div>
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so when i saw this movie...all of those memories came rushing back. oh how i would love for my boys to be able to experience land living. a simple life. a life full of imagination. full of hot summer days where no one complains that it's <em>too</em> hot. and full of cool nights sitting on a back porch with a tall glass of sweet tea. </div>
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so i did what any of us would do...i created a <a href="http://pinterest.com/amandabmorris/country-livin/">new pin board</a> and began pinning all images that reminded me of that time and the dream that's stirring in my heart.</div>
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here's some of what i found...</div>
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love this house. maybe in white?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwQ0izqRDaO998gnaYZV_XF-XHfjT2UCjX6N2Mp-czVCQX3NDSwHN75TKq569rWd2rmMIcdkIYU2MH_QcAy4E0KXt9kW0TYEbd4XuaKQo14YTwv31dkXt2k1ulry4R4THRfR5mfJOOkg/s1600/fh8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwQ0izqRDaO998gnaYZV_XF-XHfjT2UCjX6N2Mp-czVCQX3NDSwHN75TKq569rWd2rmMIcdkIYU2MH_QcAy4E0KXt9kW0TYEbd4XuaKQo14YTwv31dkXt2k1ulry4R4THRfR5mfJOOkg/s640/fh8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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it would need a couple of these...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTelM2_6UPnoNvxd5yCmw8XsEpe0p2qj9xyyyfh6J5dc2F0U8zSjrc1Cyl0chIpMgaAR3t4HpEZeAz67ZWj3W8jjLJUymDzQcAwBqwcR2qROq6x3wwTY-b1ttRXVTAxt204omKlZl18k/s1600/fh12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVTelM2_6UPnoNvxd5yCmw8XsEpe0p2qj9xyyyfh6J5dc2F0U8zSjrc1Cyl0chIpMgaAR3t4HpEZeAz67ZWj3W8jjLJUymDzQcAwBqwcR2qROq6x3wwTY-b1ttRXVTAxt204omKlZl18k/s640/fh12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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i would definiitely need a screen door like this that leads to the porch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo6VpNCDl6AbqD0_TYz-hAQ1F69D8qzl1ba40hAySHKm4G1voC3Tz-6loKwdXKkNdgOL3B3NDEZ372mz-Uc4v9-s0Nr3QfcAwRystUZvBnL4-jX7ZPqorkRBJI_JGJZQCcIncc0NhS7U/s1600/fh10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCo6VpNCDl6AbqD0_TYz-hAQ1F69D8qzl1ba40hAySHKm4G1voC3Tz-6loKwdXKkNdgOL3B3NDEZ372mz-Uc4v9-s0Nr3QfcAwRystUZvBnL4-jX7ZPqorkRBJI_JGJZQCcIncc0NhS7U/s640/fh10.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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or what about this one....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLl7Kj46y01PS4XxENyF8RfEQF4v3j8HoK56YTSlTf1gS1YL-WVHV0uB01yruQ_0nJm_DStMTzGQJGa9sIE7bbqVQscznDEvxvpA_rnBybIoLjzZz-5ssTO4RB3IzbHXM1Mz7-i2A71U/s1600/fh3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLl7Kj46y01PS4XxENyF8RfEQF4v3j8HoK56YTSlTf1gS1YL-WVHV0uB01yruQ_0nJm_DStMTzGQJGa9sIE7bbqVQscznDEvxvpA_rnBybIoLjzZz-5ssTO4RB3IzbHXM1Mz7-i2A71U/s640/fh3.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
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my kitchen would look like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EPQrQtTUy7oL6zDd7eebaKyHLyzkP0_7NfMX8UgAIdjt4LZyL646kr2LOueo8O2EO9TwNCV5RlnxMNWk8qxlViXi2hyOofpkeOygnbEygLHnkdXDQ9QampvyEJIOgEzDLrRTPh-RsgI/s1600/fh14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EPQrQtTUy7oL6zDd7eebaKyHLyzkP0_7NfMX8UgAIdjt4LZyL646kr2LOueo8O2EO9TwNCV5RlnxMNWk8qxlViXi2hyOofpkeOygnbEygLHnkdXDQ9QampvyEJIOgEzDLrRTPh-RsgI/s640/fh14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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where i would cook veggies from a garden that looked like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnKFqAM8USOIx06YwLGqrOiRzCKjGHh_gfL9txc0h15PsXR7sUCCBouwx45lbNOkdhJwQSKaCkNNS52vxU8-_RgYx6NZxN9qSfozh0_xPApXfyZI9zc-5_4xEq653za8RK1nKo0lk_iE/s1600/fh6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnKFqAM8USOIx06YwLGqrOiRzCKjGHh_gfL9txc0h15PsXR7sUCCBouwx45lbNOkdhJwQSKaCkNNS52vxU8-_RgYx6NZxN9qSfozh0_xPApXfyZI9zc-5_4xEq653za8RK1nKo0lk_iE/s640/fh6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and eggs from these guys...</div>
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<img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKXa6Sy2wC1eNUcTz1BIu17U6RnTr_cov2PnErZB7ixZexxgVlVy35DgejmPUDcNOLCXDbgSz6Tv_ML4qpJHy_v13xFmCqse7QxIASMkRITlY8va7RCOJ0Cc_VU5khhTX9cJ3sh6T1yg/s640/fh2.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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and we'd live at the end of a road like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMTuPN47VcN8yu1gECo3czE9RFWCtn_puR9P7X0jwxJ9Nvl4AqszDoQxHqg_iSjsfY_b20B8ZYLNHI3Hv8A6B3eQ-9muZ9zUi-a9pnJopfmUxxtzrsZxcLgfkjL6zZW10WYRm0PZAWU8/s1600/fh13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMTuPN47VcN8yu1gECo3czE9RFWCtn_puR9P7X0jwxJ9Nvl4AqszDoQxHqg_iSjsfY_b20B8ZYLNHI3Hv8A6B3eQ-9muZ9zUi-a9pnJopfmUxxtzrsZxcLgfkjL6zZW10WYRm0PZAWU8/s640/fh13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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oh how i would love this living...maybe someday!</div>
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what have you been dreaming about lately?</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-59147599341653203232012-05-11T05:39:00.001-04:002012-05-11T05:39:56.287-04:00remembering a mother and honoring one<div align="center">
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it was 1996. i was about to start planning a wedding. newly engaged. newly in love. my life was, in a way, just beginning.</div>
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i remember the exact day all too clearly. my mom sat me down on our living room couch. "i have cancer." those were the words out of her mouth. it was almost like i didn't even hear what she said next. everything became foggy. something about going to houston for treatments. something about it spreading from her ovaries to her abdomen.</div>
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growing up, my brother and i were my mom's life. she always told me she didn't know what she would do if something happened to one of us. there wasn't a basketball game my brother played in or a sporting event i cheered at that she missed. </div>
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she would bend over backwards to make sure we had everything we needed and most of the time what we <em>wanted</em>. she did without just so we could have more. </div>
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my friends loved her almost as much as i did and she loved them.<br />
by the time i left for college, our relationship had taken a whole other turn. the arguments and disagreements that we had in my adolescent years had diminished and it was starting to become a real adult relationship between the two of us. </div>
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she was so excited when i got engaged. she loved kevin. she was also constantly asking him if he was sure he knew what he was getting into with me. she knew i could be hard headed at times :)</div>
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so here we were, planning a wedding in the midst of chemo treatments and taking trips to m.d. anderson in houston. </div>
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not once did she miss a chance to help me make a decision about the biggest day of my life. she was in every detail of the whole event. </div>
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we finally made it to our wedding day. she donned a navy dress and a blond wig. she was gorgeous. </div>
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our first year of marriage she did what any mom would do. she gave me advice on washing clothes, cooking and just becoming adjusted to this new life i had. </div>
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then she got sick. really sick. her cancer had gotten worse. it was superbowl night, january 25, 1998. we had both our families over that night to eat and watch the game. while everyone was in the kitchen making sub sandwiches and my mom sat in her wheelchair because she was too weak to walk, we told them we were expecting our first child. </div>
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just two short months after she found out i was pregnant with her first grandchild, my mom lost her battle with cancer. it was march 23, 1998.</div>
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this was one of the most difficult seasons of my life. there was a lot of things going on in my personal life at the same time my mom was dealing with her illness that i won't share. but there was also one person there giving me advice through it all. not too much and not too little. kevin's mom shared with me some of her own story. she opened up to me which in turn opened a door for us to start this new beginning that God was creating for the both of us. </div>
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if i had to sum it all up, this mom is a woman of faith.. she puts God first and foremost in her life. she puts her husband (kevin's dad) a very close second. and she has taught me to do the same. her first piece of advice for me, almost immediately after giving birth was, "remember you were a wife before you were a mother". </div>
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she believes in the power of prayer. i went into labor with our first son, ethan, while kevin's parents were at our house. i was twenty-nine weeks pregnant. something happened. i was in our guest bathroom and blood filled our toilet <span style="font-size: xx-small;">sorry about the details.</span> i was screaming for kevin to come quickly but i think his mom made it to me first. i just remember her wrapping her arms around my neck and praying out loud for God to watch over ethan and me.<br />
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she and i have a lot in common. she often asks if i'm sure i'm not really hers. we love to decorate. when she's adds something new to her home, she can't wait for me to see it. and i'm the same way with her. </div>
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she has been a role model for me in what i want my marriage to look like. she's shown me in many ways how to put God first in my marriage and let everything else fall into place. </div>
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in any one conversation we have, we can talk about decorating, raising kids, and something we're learning in God's word....in no particular order. </div>
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i had a wonderful mom growing up. God blessed me with being able to spend the first 22 years of my life with her and for that, i will be forever grateful. </div>
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but what i'm also grateful for is how He created this relationship for kevin's mom and me to have to carry me into these adult years of my life.<br />
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<em>happy mother's day mama!! i couldn't have asked for a better mom to share the younger years of my life with. i love you and miss you each and every day!</em></div>
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<em>happy mother's day pat! you have taught me so much. i love you and thank God that he put you in my life to guide me, teach me, and to be the mom He knew i would still need as i continue to grow as a woman.</em></div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-58386454912055938002012-05-09T06:00:00.000-04:002012-05-09T06:00:12.770-04:00monterrey chicken<div align="center">
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<span id="goog_2143531837"></span><span id="goog_2143531838"></span>well...we had another<em> kid tested mother approved</em> meal from our beloved <a href="http://pinterest.com/amandabmorris/cooking-up-a-storm/">pinterest</a> this week.</div>
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this one is almost too easy. but i had to share nonetheless.</div>
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monterrey chicken. </div>
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here's what you'll need:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek1hIJ7O_8RSamsjDV9D4tOyrk9bnJIPiSXoaKeM_dAyO3bnGHJaBMfRdb3qnrSb8teARGFdrWBdOkS0Jb_dqGyIrH4gkvqSYo6AudhJn4Ix5BfQdPP42qEUHDDvczglTmCyJJsY_kjI/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjek1hIJ7O_8RSamsjDV9D4tOyrk9bnJIPiSXoaKeM_dAyO3bnGHJaBMfRdb3qnrSb8teARGFdrWBdOkS0Jb_dqGyIrH4gkvqSYo6AudhJn4Ix5BfQdPP42qEUHDDvczglTmCyJJsY_kjI/s640/001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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shredded sharp cheddar cheese, real bacon pieces, rotel tomatoes (all i could find at the store was the chili version) sweet baby rays bbq sauce (or your fav brand) green onions and of course, the chicken.</div>
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i have some grill mates mesquite flavor seasoning so i put that on some chicken breast and kevin cooked them up on the grill.</div>
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once chicken is cooked place on a baking sheet and top with above ingredients. the order in which i did this was...</div>
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bbq sauce</div>
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bacon</div>
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cheese</div>
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tomatoes</div>
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green onions</div>
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once toppings are on, place in a 350* oven until cheese is melted.</div>
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that's it. we served ours up with some grilled corn on the cob and cheese bread! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1myGrL8Q4NBxjZNDUVCPm9esikAX54PU0xm960Cf-Y14IHgf0RmnkRhrjtrvRRYSSEQFVb_9dQ61xQ0B6Ntz2oJ2cEa3GFbXwXXuZMsGq79GwaOAdgWWgjVkH25Lg86gat2ipEbjXWwg/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1myGrL8Q4NBxjZNDUVCPm9esikAX54PU0xm960Cf-Y14IHgf0RmnkRhrjtrvRRYSSEQFVb_9dQ61xQ0B6Ntz2oJ2cEa3GFbXwXXuZMsGq79GwaOAdgWWgjVkH25Lg86gat2ipEbjXWwg/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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it was delish...y'all enjoy!</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-76484153966096063292012-05-07T08:40:00.000-04:002012-05-07T08:40:27.411-04:00playing with fire<div align="center">
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well, we're still working on our backyard. seems like it's a never ending process. but we're slllooooowwwllllyyy getting there. </div>
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we have a good sized backyard. not too big. not too small. it's a space where i can easily utilize every inch without it feeling overcrowded or too spread out.</div>
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just like our home, our back porch, patio and yard are very open, which i love! nothing feels closed off and separated and there's such an easy flow from one area of our space to the next. </div>
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so far we've cut down four trees, added some azaleas and gardenias (which add the most wonderful fragrance as you enter our backyard) i've added some hanging baskets to our covered porch. and thrown in some cute accent pieces. we've added some river rocks to a couple of beds right off the house and added pops of color with flower baskets and potted plants. </div>
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with it raining on and off, our sod (the next step in this design) has been put on hold. hopefully we'll be getting it later this week. </div>
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but even with the rain and the yard kinda at a stand still, it hasn't kept me from still finding that perfect design that fits what we're looking for.</div>
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our next idea is a firepit. this was kevin's idea. but of course, i was totally on board with it. and it wasn't long after the words came out of his mouth, that i logged into my <a href="http://pinterest.com/amandabmorris/indoors-out/">pinterest</a> account to immediately start locating the perfect one for us.</div>
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we want an area that will be perfect for hanging out with friends and family by the fire on cool spring and fall evenings but we also want a space that's kid friendly for the nights when we roast marshmallows and load up on s'mores!</div>
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needless to say i found <strike>thousands </strike>several pictures i loved. here are just a few...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5ksHiXMHY3TEsyXx8-foxT2XyxeptUBOeEranNEaxE4b8q2yc3hjQcNMrhS6SG0_5l63v0nsfj6-81Blj-VB4W4x10yz2iPscB2Ni8hs1wiX50pB-D2N528OmyH29L2uy2fYiiXlLUc/s1600/firepit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd5ksHiXMHY3TEsyXx8-foxT2XyxeptUBOeEranNEaxE4b8q2yc3hjQcNMrhS6SG0_5l63v0nsfj6-81Blj-VB4W4x10yz2iPscB2Ni8hs1wiX50pB-D2N528OmyH29L2uy2fYiiXlLUc/s640/firepit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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love all of the nature surrounding this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsBAdQy6EqPdAwa-7OGx7nAjt28nTjJzoMwSA3kKiJ_AfnzsqSSzyn5sOmtHmlWbQmBRw0H2tsqxYNuEjlpehReM33xhrdwva72ZTHdd4qKMMu5UGT4QXDmmax8ceHnWt0cn3uMO_vZw/s1600/firepit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsBAdQy6EqPdAwa-7OGx7nAjt28nTjJzoMwSA3kKiJ_AfnzsqSSzyn5sOmtHmlWbQmBRw0H2tsqxYNuEjlpehReM33xhrdwva72ZTHdd4qKMMu5UGT4QXDmmax8ceHnWt0cn3uMO_vZw/s640/firepit2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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built-in seating with great pillows</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbHWs3_I_VaKXt7hviEMn_sBJFjH13JzV52i5ljzig_lIkDfu5wx9zfrzxhlIpeyGwinPdn4sjN5BUw7xEOtlyOVHcuLaguj7L_1iI9QJXsuXggbp9L8aznRI0PKekofZPB3t6T6ayzU/s1600/firepit3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbHWs3_I_VaKXt7hviEMn_sBJFjH13JzV52i5ljzig_lIkDfu5wx9zfrzxhlIpeyGwinPdn4sjN5BUw7xEOtlyOVHcuLaguj7L_1iI9QJXsuXggbp9L8aznRI0PKekofZPB3t6T6ayzU/s640/firepit3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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shade, benches and hanging lights!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinggbQW7WdGmmIHssnNK3UT52GHPR0Dsfh4cDpwrwFdmm6kGPLYUuU5RQoxDLt2AMrPHm2fOxwpU98Gw3zj3dWkWbao-2Bu39mlHXG2TyS197Fc6-TyPh_qlQNYmXiUxE8OlCBO8hSe7o/s1600/firepit5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinggbQW7WdGmmIHssnNK3UT52GHPR0Dsfh4cDpwrwFdmm6kGPLYUuU5RQoxDLt2AMrPHm2fOxwpU98Gw3zj3dWkWbao-2Bu39mlHXG2TyS197Fc6-TyPh_qlQNYmXiUxE8OlCBO8hSe7o/s640/firepit5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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so cozy yet so open!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W9Iej_xJPeJnFRB_4DwsE4y5hN9qqFYi3EzVgIHz40RZcsMmIAmbfgvhlfOQ-Tr5pEUkwKnaI0WgOy6P-TlccGtK0IWvH408GFLkfnJfEtHrYbWBJvQQwqaOUSomk0kSltZOWJx5970/s1600/firepit6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2W9Iej_xJPeJnFRB_4DwsE4y5hN9qqFYi3EzVgIHz40RZcsMmIAmbfgvhlfOQ-Tr5pEUkwKnaI0WgOy6P-TlccGtK0IWvH408GFLkfnJfEtHrYbWBJvQQwqaOUSomk0kSltZOWJx5970/s640/firepit6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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great space for entertaining</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL4XlmNTxSJUy-NaetfwzkaEx3HnjosulpUPdzHIN8zF93rZYKoS3QRCErjNhQsrzsOVp5Ezbq9gPk80EqrXe9mrQkn7CLRkQp93kF5QWGfZcm0r7e7UbnF9YHR7eFdeCdlhs0flC4hA/s1600/firepit7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIL4XlmNTxSJUy-NaetfwzkaEx3HnjosulpUPdzHIN8zF93rZYKoS3QRCErjNhQsrzsOVp5Ezbq9gPk80EqrXe9mrQkn7CLRkQp93kF5QWGfZcm0r7e7UbnF9YHR7eFdeCdlhs0flC4hA/s640/firepit7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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love the flagstone!</div>
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so there are just a few of my ideas....i'll post pics of our whole process from start to finish once we're complete!! </div>
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hope you all have a great week!!!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-54145007498253661422012-04-29T14:31:00.000-04:002012-04-29T14:31:45.478-04:00obedience<div align="center">
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most of us learn at an early age to obey our parents. or that's what we <em>should </em>do. and as we become christians and grow in our relationship with God, we learn we <em>should</em> obey Him as well.</div>
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let's face it, there are times in our lives when we do this and there are times in our lives when we don't.</div>
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for me, it's so easy to obey when he's asking me to do something that comes naturally to me. it's in the <em>out of my comfort zone </em>issues that obedience becomes a problem. </div>
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i have a wonderful church family. every sunday you can always look across the isles and see people from all different walks of life. it's one of the things, as a partner with this church, i'm most proud of. our motto, if you will, as a church is simple. <em>to make christ known in the lives of people far from God. </em>that's it. simple. to the point. </div>
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this morning was like every other sunday morning sort of. i got up. grabbed my coffee and started reading my bible. usually i'll sit and watch someone like charles stanley or david jeremiah on t.v. but i've started a <em>read your bible in ninety days</em> plan. so that's what i was doing. i've just started this plan so i'm still in the book of genesis. and this morning i was at the story of isaac and abraham. how God had asked abraham to take his son, isaac, and place him as a burnt offering before the Lord. remember that story? abraham did as God had said even though it was such an unimaginable task. he obeyed. </div>
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after some time had passed. i got ready. kevin got the boys up and had them moving around. then kevin left to go pick up a ball player that always comes with us to church. the boys and i usually head out on our own. </div>
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it never fails when we get in the car, my youngest son always asks if i'll turn the volume on for the particular movie he is watching so he can enjoy fifteen minutes worth of entertainment before we make it to church. and every sunday it never fails. i say no. we usually just listen to music. now he might have the dvd player on but no sound is coming from it. which was exactly the case this morning. </div>
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as we got closer to where our church meets, i saw a man walking down the sidewalk pushing a grocery cart. older gentleman. jeans. t-shirt. truckers hat. and all of a sudden this feeling came over me. our motto rang out like a fire alarm in my head. but i kept driving til i made it to our church parking lot. still i could not get this man pushing a cart off my mind. did God really want me to ask him to come to church? is this what i'm suppose to be doing? picture me here and my comfort zone about a hundred miles away. get the point? </div>
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so i parked our car and sat in silence. the boys looked at me like <em>why are you not getting out of the</em> <em>car?</em> but i was frozen. should i go back? is the reason i'm feeling this way simply because it's what we've claimed as a church? God doesn't really want me to go back and ask him to come to church, right?</div>
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so in that moment of silence in my car, i asked "God is this really what you want me to do?' and without missing a beat, my youngest son spoke through the silence. "hey mama, you know if Mrs. Tuohy hadn't stopped the car that night to pick up big Mike, i bet he'd be dead by now." </div>
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eli had been watching the blindside on the way to church. and it was in that statement God told me what the answer to my question was. </div>
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the boys got out of the car and headed in. i picked up my phone and immediately called kevin, who hadn't made it to church yet. the tears were flowing as i told him everything that had happened in that small five minute span. he said he would go check to see if the man was still there and ask him if he'd like to join us today. </div>
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now i would like to tell you that this story ends where the man walked through the doors a few minutes later with kevin and he worshipped with us and it was a beautiful thing. but he didn't. kevin found him. asked him if he'd like to join us. he said no. he was picking up cans to make money to pay a power bill. and that's what he wanted to do. the one thing kevin noticed when he reached him was the trucker's hat on his head that read...jesus is my boss. </div>
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today in His word i read of abraham's willingness to go to great lengths to obey God. and today in my life i acted upon something i truly believe God was asking me to do. </div>
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was the outcome of the task in either of these situations what i really needed to focus on? no. i believe that there are some things God will ask us to do just to deepen our capacity to obey Him and to build us into the people He wants us to become. </div>
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i feel in more ways than one, He is molding me and shaping me into who He wants me to become. and though it hurts sometimes. and sometimes it feels a little or <em>a lot</em> out of my comfort zone, i'm learning to be more and more obedient to Him. </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-17015305106025516012012-04-23T19:55:00.000-04:002012-04-23T19:55:56.271-04:00taco stuffed shells<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sEaLBMBE50Jw9GDejfJS_8hAgRmTqwR2CWEJ3-fRNmXxv34H5SQF_qEjEEwwjJ-52KroCNHG0As1BlkyY6t7YC56P62jla_NoQZUktuPHJASx7J7WF5RMSDmM11X91Jgw43R9k9g370/s1600/192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9sEaLBMBE50Jw9GDejfJS_8hAgRmTqwR2CWEJ3-fRNmXxv34H5SQF_qEjEEwwjJ-52KroCNHG0As1BlkyY6t7YC56P62jla_NoQZUktuPHJASx7J7WF5RMSDmM11X91Jgw43R9k9g370/s640/192.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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this was what we had for dinner....taco stuffed shells!! can i just say, it was so good, we cleaned up after eating and i immediately came to post the recipe here so you could enjoy it too!</div>
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what you'll need:</div>
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1 pound ground beef</div>
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bottle of taco sauce</div>
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pkg of taco seasoning</div>
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jumbo pasta shells (i used half the box)</div>
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8 oz container of cream cheese with chives and onions</div>
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salsa (whatever kind you prefer)</div>
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shredded sharp cheddar cheese</div>
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preheat oven to 350*. bring large pot of water to a boil (don't forget to salt your water!!) and cook your pasta to al dente. while your pasta is cooking, brown your meat. once meat is fully cooked, drain off all excess fat and add pkg of taco seasoning according to the directions. once seasoning and meat are combined well and mixture is no longer soupy, add in your container of cream cheese and remove from heat. continue to stir until cheese is completely melted throughout the meat. set aside the meat mixture to cool. </div>
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drain pasta and also let it cool. pour salsa (just enough to cover) in the bottom of a 9X13 baking dish. begin filling each shell with the meat mixture and layer in the baking dish. once all shells are filled pour small amount of taco sauce onto each shell. cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 min. at the end of 30 min. uncover and top with shredded cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes. </div>
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you can serve with all of your favorite toppings (black olives, diced tomatoes, green onions, sour cream, etc.)</div>
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enjoy!!! </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-54942283064001203442012-04-20T08:47:00.000-04:002012-04-20T09:46:51.679-04:00jesus loves me this i know...<div align="center">
this has not been the week i had really hoped for. don't get me wrong, i've enjoyed spending time with my boys and being away from work. </div>
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but this week looked different in my head. </div>
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i had plans. we would finish most of our backyard. i would have friends over and we would lounge by the pool while the kids played. we would have cookouts. it was going to be a great week. let's just say, none of this happened. </div>
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our weather hasn't been the greatest this week. it hasn't been this cold since march. it has rained a lot and the ground is still soggy. i'll have a picture post of the things we <em>did</em> get to do this week later. but there's something i want to share with you today. </div>
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we came home last night from a scrimmage soccer game for my youngest son. i decided to sit down and peruse some of my favorite blogs. and one of my most favorite is<a href="http://angiesmithonline.com/"> bring the rain</a>. i've followed angie's blog for a few years. i've read her book "i will carry you" and i got to see her at the women of faith conference this past year in atlanta. </div>
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in her recent post, she described something that i didn't even realize at the time i was doing. how her attention has been on everything <em>but</em> the One it needs to be.</div>
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i mean let's face it. life happens and our attention can easily be shifted to ...</div>
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soccer practices</div>
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having friends over</div>
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braves games</div>
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yard work</div>
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movie night</div>
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(well, this was where my attention was this week) </div>
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i never want to paint a perfect picture of our family. there's a lot we do right <em>and</em> there's a lot we do wrong. we do have family devotion time every morning before the boys go to school and before kevin and i leave for work. but what we <em>don't</em> do is have our devotion time when school is out. </div>
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i had plans this week. and out of all of those plans, none of them involved making sure i had my quiet time with the Lord and so did the boys. </div>
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so when i read angie's post last night, i felt guilty. i felt like i'd had this whole week to really focus my attention on Him and once again failed miserably. now let me just say, angie's post is great. and you should really read it. but her honesty in her own life, really made me sit down and think about mine. </div>
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i want to do better with my quiet time. i really want to focus on having family devotions. school or no school. weekends or weekdays.</div>
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so this morning i decided i would get up and get our devotion book (jesus calling for kids) and my bible and i would have some quiet time with God. and this is what he told me...</div>
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<em>do you know that uneasy, twisty feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you have to give a speech? or you're up at bat? or you're next in the dance recital? you worry if you'll be good enough, and if people will like your performance. </em></div>
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<em>sometimes you can even get that uneasy, twisty feeling about Me. you wonder if you are doing enough to be worthy of My love. well, the answer is no. it doesn't matter how great you act or how many things you do to serve Me, you can never be worthy of My love. no one can. but that's the greatest thing about My love--you don't have to be worthy. it's a gift--free and clear. you don't have to earn it. you just have to accept it. </em></div>
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<em>so relax. do the best you can. and know that i will love you--no matter what!</em></div>
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<em><strong>let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.</strong></em></div>
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<em><strong>psalm 31:16</strong></em></div>
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i was so thankful He reminded me once again, there's nothing i can do to make Him love me more. His love is unconditional. i want to please Him and do the right things. but even when i don't, His love never fails.</div>
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after reading this devotion, i realized i had read the wrong day. i read the devotion for april 19th instead of april 20th. coincidence?? i think not. </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-54545553302545924132012-04-14T21:10:00.000-04:002012-05-04T18:47:19.853-04:00pulling weeds<div align="center">
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i told you we've been working in our yard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OzXYArLLCUHf-ju2pMrnQrvkfX65-NXEL0NLpRT64i_EkUwP438OpPJ1DLz_NtnjXJguiftQ60TdzWDKNtUi6dSQsy-Uj2t24y4k_2FVGrLuPtSW2hCaanynkp32CRYWciW5FRhhMTg/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7OzXYArLLCUHf-ju2pMrnQrvkfX65-NXEL0NLpRT64i_EkUwP438OpPJ1DLz_NtnjXJguiftQ60TdzWDKNtUi6dSQsy-Uj2t24y4k_2FVGrLuPtSW2hCaanynkp32CRYWciW5FRhhMTg/s640/008.JPG" width="425" /></a></div>
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it <em>has been</em> and <em>is</em> <em>going to be</em> a long process.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_SPHFN5t-N9HifU3ua_ZY4j9n0wCesmvSmZcp1xOeaKPdrc63nEqxOjPq7fGA_uC7TzOoZ2ePKkwkId7irzSNMbVV6VzVQbOhNREOmc2mzeVoBfnwl0FHMhlACHGiKfFuUgZ5zeDqXQ/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_SPHFN5t-N9HifU3ua_ZY4j9n0wCesmvSmZcp1xOeaKPdrc63nEqxOjPq7fGA_uC7TzOoZ2ePKkwkId7irzSNMbVV6VzVQbOhNREOmc2mzeVoBfnwl0FHMhlACHGiKfFuUgZ5zeDqXQ/s640/003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and although i want it done now, i know these things take time.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TuvzDcA9yWSIJYjSWEPgWL0gExij66buWl5LPQtb3umguJeRNwJ3f-lZhprlS3fK_4e5FcGNdPVAXBGyJc9lY5fbbUCQiA4L0U0CxdBSkecizf1flj4d3ANxXkWNx7PTzzLi8qux2Tg/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TuvzDcA9yWSIJYjSWEPgWL0gExij66buWl5LPQtb3umguJeRNwJ3f-lZhprlS3fK_4e5FcGNdPVAXBGyJc9lY5fbbUCQiA4L0U0CxdBSkecizf1flj4d3ANxXkWNx7PTzzLi8qux2Tg/s640/005.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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we've spent hours...</div>
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<em>pulling weeds. </em></div>
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<em>laying down weed barriers.</em></div>
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<em> making sure everything has a clean foundation</em>.</div>
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this whole backyard process has me thinking.</div>
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this is the exact process our heavenly Gardener uses to eliminate the weeds in our own lives. </div>
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he shows us the weeds in our lives that need to be pulled.</div>
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<em>Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts</em></div>
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<em>psalm 139:23</em></div>
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he is our barrier. our protector. </div>
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<em>my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my
salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior--from violent men you
save me.</em></div>
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<em>2 samuel 22:3</em></div>
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and he makes our foundation clean everyday.</div>
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<em>Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning</em></div>
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<em>lamentations 3:23</em></div>
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so just as i work tirelessly at pulling weeds in my backyard to make it exactly how i want it to be, God is doing the same thing in my heart. he's pulling weeds to reveal more of who he wants <em>me</em> to be.</div>
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are there weeds in your life that you need to allow him to pull? </div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-75537700341585903282012-04-09T21:38:00.000-04:002012-05-04T18:48:41.688-04:00slowing down...somewhat.<div align="center">
hope everyone had a wonderful easter weekend. i know we sure did!!</div>
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we spent saturday at eli's soccer game. sunday with our church family and sunday afternoon and evening with our immediate families.</div>
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just to fill you in a little on what's been going on these last weeks. eli had his acting debut in the play "oklahoma" with one of our local high schools. we went every night. ahem...kevin went every night (remember i went to <em>girl's night live</em> one of the nights) God love him for going!! the play was wonderful. the high school did such a great job and the kids were fantastic...i really can't wait til the next one!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn4oo6VUhhXd4H3dIGMW8kv8NMAEv75xF18lJp_xJrmHVlMCnfxSYSh-cngqi4nQlwN5ziXOuagEn62uC3TV_jBxX4okmvibEjt6l1xOZQdmic7gdvXUfdhY8vv8Om81h8EwmdOcHkUA/s1600/eli+ok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn4oo6VUhhXd4H3dIGMW8kv8NMAEv75xF18lJp_xJrmHVlMCnfxSYSh-cngqi4nQlwN5ziXOuagEn62uC3TV_jBxX4okmvibEjt6l1xOZQdmic7gdvXUfdhY8vv8Om81h8EwmdOcHkUA/s640/eli+ok.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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cutest.kid.ever.</div>
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girl's night live was unbelievable. mandesa, laura story and anita renfroe...all so different but such amazing godly women. and i was there with some of my favorite people to boot!!</div>
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we've started working on our backyard.</div>
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remember when our patio looked like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACef3nmyjW2EozM3TW5lSSLmLs-L4uSbA5n7TSBaSSaSwtiPw-0pMaUmKGJGAZW-TxgMm3lTP4xQ2VKm5wJhvov4g9fApSR_HnnT7qKrPMOG6zUYGrhvDISZwYh9jQlWLtBkTXwpuEmU/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiACef3nmyjW2EozM3TW5lSSLmLs-L4uSbA5n7TSBaSSaSwtiPw-0pMaUmKGJGAZW-TxgMm3lTP4xQ2VKm5wJhvov4g9fApSR_HnnT7qKrPMOG6zUYGrhvDISZwYh9jQlWLtBkTXwpuEmU/s640/007.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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well, we're not finished yet but right now it looks like this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaxKtGRm3AqTG4rOvRLxDCzmgn39nCBti8Kw5oRqWXGKSyu-YNv_mrP1nE3wpCZobMNvwD_wiVWVgSYjDdRsDabTpYBUThyuWfM7H8D4WEeh7Bj_ZRVIg-IKt0mKMKohlKrtaGU37xXs/s1600/143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaxKtGRm3AqTG4rOvRLxDCzmgn39nCBti8Kw5oRqWXGKSyu-YNv_mrP1nE3wpCZobMNvwD_wiVWVgSYjDdRsDabTpYBUThyuWfM7H8D4WEeh7Bj_ZRVIg-IKt0mKMKohlKrtaGU37xXs/s640/143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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now <em>this</em> is a place i want to sit on weekend mornings and drink my coffee!</div>
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we've worked tirelessly on our yard. every spare minute we get is used to get little projects done. but we still have a looooonnngggg way to go!</div>
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last week was filled with the usual soccer and basketball practices. </div>
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and then good friday came. our weekend slowed down. thankfully. this past weekend was one of the best ever. </div>
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we had a some special people spend easter at church with us. a few of kevin's basketball players came with us. and juan, a guy that's been painting with kevin on and off for the last year, joined us as well.</div>
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i wish you all could have been there this past sunday for our easter experience. i can't even put into words how i felt during this service. truly the best easter ever.</div>
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when we left church, we headed to my aunt's house in hartwell, georgia for easter lunch with my family. </div>
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we sat outside the entire day!! it was perfection. i love my family gatherings. we all sit together. a t.v. is never turned on. and we hear story after story of my dad and his siblings growing up. and then my grandmother denies everything that is said. it is truly some of my most favorite memories.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz78R0pex3dTVH_BDyDRkjqaH6x2GNPLQ2NJLUfRBykjiCa6MPgnwSA5opT6WKDc6VOdwi4pG95Wnuz_pQmKmrRR-Inh2wBGlj4Uro01xaDsgQnuosDN1Z1vJgqhScVCH_vqFAU6BbEd8/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz78R0pex3dTVH_BDyDRkjqaH6x2GNPLQ2NJLUfRBykjiCa6MPgnwSA5opT6WKDc6VOdwi4pG95Wnuz_pQmKmrRR-Inh2wBGlj4Uro01xaDsgQnuosDN1Z1vJgqhScVCH_vqFAU6BbEd8/s640/039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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my sweet niece, bailey anna, hunting eggs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjan2VxXuvDyIyze3Zl_SAgFoBRXGIl4hhrP6ZEcLkS1jr_MS8yBd0YHuHy0x-8I5oNDd85tZ0hFrCm04Eze33Le-D1jxzfyPhMuB7lPdSBRYej44Bu1S7vJkOD5pmqVdjBHED3Rldxlo8/s1600/041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjan2VxXuvDyIyze3Zl_SAgFoBRXGIl4hhrP6ZEcLkS1jr_MS8yBd0YHuHy0x-8I5oNDd85tZ0hFrCm04Eze33Le-D1jxzfyPhMuB7lPdSBRYej44Bu1S7vJkOD5pmqVdjBHED3Rldxlo8/s640/041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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they found eggs in the tree!</div>
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time to eat the candy! notice ethan asleep in the background!</div>
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sweetest 13 year old ever!</div>
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sweetest face ever!!</div>
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kevin letting bailey anna play angry birds while avery kayt watches</div>
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after spending time with my family, it was off to spend so time with kevin's mom and dad, sister and her family.</div>
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these kids love each other....i mean L.O.V.E!!</div>
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kevin's mom decided this year she would have a scavenger egg hunt. each kid had a certain color of egg. and inside each egg was a clue leading them to their next egg. they had a ball!</div>
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carly hunting her eggs..</div>
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calleigh reading her clue...</div>
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our lily and brody (kevin's mom and dad's shih tzu) taking a break after chasing each other in the yard.</div>
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yes. this has been our last couple of weeks. we are slowing down some. we only have one soccer game this weekend. and come friday at one o'clock, i'll be off of work for a whole week!! yippppeeee!</div>
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our spring break is next week. i'm taking off to spend some time with the boys and get a little more yard work accomplished. kevin will have some golf tournaments at the beginning of the week, and then he'll break to spend some time with us too!</div>
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hope you all had a wonderful weekend and got to celebrate the resurrection of our savior with the ones you love most...i know i did!!</div>
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-20280426196651007212012-03-26T20:22:00.000-04:002012-03-26T20:22:46.499-04:00busy bees<div align="center">hey y'al! it's been a while since i posted, but it has been nonstop around here. </div><div align="center">our weekend was packed full and this upcoming week doesn't look much different.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">we started our weekend with a soccer tournament. my youngest plays on a local travel team. this weekend had us in monroe on saturday and athens on sunday. but i soaked up plenty of this glorious weather we've been having so it was all good!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUR0mYKTRNsdXhBZDevweKkd7vZWp1AIZExJruscGNz5NajUWsrFhkn9w21wivHbtoadUiJWGarZpY4syo1boN0CnG9UBpcYRzpPPUCregECn7rQOn0hTYxnVHodujrG9nxhiKK_lacw/s1600/DSC_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUR0mYKTRNsdXhBZDevweKkd7vZWp1AIZExJruscGNz5NajUWsrFhkn9w21wivHbtoadUiJWGarZpY4syo1boN0CnG9UBpcYRzpPPUCregECn7rQOn0hTYxnVHodujrG9nxhiKK_lacw/s400/DSC_1409.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">saturday night we had date night with some of our very best friends. do you have that certain couple where your relationships seem so paralleled. both guys act pretty much the same and so do the girls. well, that's us with this couple. and i'm here to tell you, every time we go out with them...nothing.but.fun. the one word to describe our relationship with them is simply this...easy.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">we tried a "new to us" restaurant called <em>chops and hops</em> that's located in a city right outside of athens . y'all we ate til we couldn't eat anymore. i mean kevin looked at the menu and ordered appetizer, main course AND dessert! whaaaaaa? he doesn't do that very often. </div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">sunday we had an awesome worship service with our new church family. <a href="http://synergychurch.cc/">synergy church</a> officially became our family a couple of weeks ago. but we've felt they've been our family since we first arrived on their launch date of january 22 of this year.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">we're getting things ready with our church team this week to, as lindsay (the cutest pastor's wife you've ever seen) posted on twitter, <em>egg</em> barrow county. and spread the word about our easter service which is sure to be amazing! we're stuffing plastic eggs to hand out in goody bags to everyone we come in contact with over these next couple of weeks.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"> love being a small small part of this group of people so willing to put others before themselves.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">on top of soccer practice for eli, spring basketball practice and a game for ethan, eli is making his acting debut in the high schools rendition of <em>oklahoma. </em>okay, he doesn't have a speaking role, but he is acting all the same!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">he has practice three nights this week with the play running friday, saturday and sunday. he is beyond excited!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">i am gonna miss saturday nights performance simply because i had already purchased tickets to go to <a href="http://girlsnightlive.com/">girl's night live</a> with kevin's sister and her church group. but let me tell you, i'm so excited! a very good friend of mine and i will be driving toward atlanta saturday for a little dinner and some girl time and i.cannot.wait. if you don't know what girls night live is...click on the link! </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">so that's my life past, present and future...in a nutshell. probably won't have time to do anything but breath for the next week but i'm embracing it with everything it has to offer. oh and btw, i did find a couple of new recipes on pinterest i thought i'd share with you.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz8hA6iiuVqLKrIgxSrZ0Y3bpIgi0YRUs_vycIskjTvaBCTgRoRMUhgDndiOQOlh6T9NA-95TtylEBciei43XMui7RBkdSmY3v3uDm2Hr4PlyNG9rfOW-QlcdAfYsJ0TX9Fr1uZCwbjU/s1600/chicken+tacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAz8hA6iiuVqLKrIgxSrZ0Y3bpIgi0YRUs_vycIskjTvaBCTgRoRMUhgDndiOQOlh6T9NA-95TtylEBciei43XMui7RBkdSmY3v3uDm2Hr4PlyNG9rfOW-QlcdAfYsJ0TX9Fr1uZCwbjU/s400/chicken+tacos.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/173388654373879283/">ranch chicken tacos</a></div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22bT0QQMSGM7LVaGO2nG6SqR0Q1OejThtHPjwH0_7OAtmCpwPZYEkVHGY4Ja0XkpkN_bhyHn49vQiul-GMBK7-S1-6mG6RSGggRWXDrZngxr7iHNnGZZJMaBbCufhkwG8vnu4gSFeJ_0/s1600/monterrey+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22bT0QQMSGM7LVaGO2nG6SqR0Q1OejThtHPjwH0_7OAtmCpwPZYEkVHGY4Ja0XkpkN_bhyHn49vQiul-GMBK7-S1-6mG6RSGggRWXDrZngxr7iHNnGZZJMaBbCufhkwG8vnu4gSFeJ_0/s400/monterrey+chicken.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/173388654373879284/">monterrey chicken</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"> i think i'll try these this week and let you know how it goes! <a href="http://amandabmorris.blogspot.com/2012/03/gathering-round-table.html">last weeks recipes</a> were a huge hit!! especially the alice springs chicken!!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">y'all have a blessed week!!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-52127651287373523222012-03-19T19:49:00.000-04:002012-03-19T19:49:34.532-04:00gathering 'round the table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaVHgj48BQveJUtbEdhZLkJ1P57riOyJ8r6-ga3l290EIFgDvZapLp2xu7wN8clRnsKkZzvYXrR0T0DEm2JATaKjQHF_YIYw5FEy5nsD265DC7HEWFojDhOvCKcDVlehRhtZHp1ONMAE/s1600/spring+table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZaVHgj48BQveJUtbEdhZLkJ1P57riOyJ8r6-ga3l290EIFgDvZapLp2xu7wN8clRnsKkZzvYXrR0T0DEm2JATaKjQHF_YIYw5FEy5nsD265DC7HEWFojDhOvCKcDVlehRhtZHp1ONMAE/s400/spring+table.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/">dear lillie blog</a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">hey y'all! i thought it would be fun to post our menu for the week again! and along with the pictures of the foods i will be preparing, i wanted to share a beautiful tablescape to go with them. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">it's very important for us to sit down as often as we can and eat our meals together as a family. we work hard at this. and when i say "hard" i mean sometimes it's eight o'clock before we can all gather around our table for dinner...<em>but we make that effort</em>. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">kevin is a coach so most of his days are long. and both boys are in sports. eli is playing travel soccer and ethan is playing spring basketball. our weeknights are full. and when i'm looking at the upcoming week, there are only a couple of things i look for when planning our meals.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">one. is it easy.</div><div align="center">two. will we like it.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">i have tried a few of my pins from pinterest. some have failed. some were hits.</div><div align="center">i saw a comment from another blogger the other day that does a "taste tested" board to let you know she liked the meal. i really would like to implement that. right now, i'm doing good just to type on this blog and briefly browse through pinterest. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">anyway here are our meals for the week. i will tell you that i fixed the first one last night and it was a huge success!! and easy peasy!! let me know if you try any of these or if you have tried them and i shouldn't waste my time!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygp9BN8fkgbfcSujqM5hqVK2auyTBz5IHm2OABakSjPKSJk_GkWCST9D1cMSJDcNoMD7dqh6nwjZATmPqeyYHD2q1sYzi0ggqGHSoEfkz8E9EAstbUsxXnAeX6R2z7-xz7h0VVWEQG-Y/s1600/taco+casserole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiygp9BN8fkgbfcSujqM5hqVK2auyTBz5IHm2OABakSjPKSJk_GkWCST9D1cMSJDcNoMD7dqh6nwjZATmPqeyYHD2q1sYzi0ggqGHSoEfkz8E9EAstbUsxXnAeX6R2z7-xz7h0VVWEQG-Y/s400/taco+casserole.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/173388654373548322/">taco casserole</a></div><div align="center">now i will say, i didn't use cottage cheese i just used more sour cream in this. it was deeeelish!!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKm3nsJAUIxx0FCeiFyhBxmkQJ-re2LE8FlphCAWVRdkuSznMtwuH4lLPRJI5Rmkv_yUhckIcj6LjoDbfZiTROy-g1qXdZqe_tTHDNaL6jwWIunCR0eO14CMgkeBDEh-68YwF_5kqBfw/s1600/outback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKm3nsJAUIxx0FCeiFyhBxmkQJ-re2LE8FlphCAWVRdkuSznMtwuH4lLPRJI5Rmkv_yUhckIcj6LjoDbfZiTROy-g1qXdZqe_tTHDNaL6jwWIunCR0eO14CMgkeBDEh-68YwF_5kqBfw/s400/outback.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/173388654373430094/">outback alice springs chicken</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hope you all have a great week!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-33759194776782194912012-03-17T06:55:00.001-04:002012-03-17T06:58:35.806-04:00the luck of the irish<div align="center">i think green is the best color in the <span style="color: red;">r</span><span style="color: orange;">a</span><span style="color: yellow;">i</span><span style="color: lime;">n</span><span style="color: cyan;">b</span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">o</span><span style="color: purple;">w</span>. and it's no wonder it has a day all of it's own.</div><div align="center">thought i would share some of my favorite <span style="background-color: white; color: lime;">greens</span> from my favorite <a href="http://pinterest.com/amandabmorris/">address</a>. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXR7XEFM5kiWhJD9yCUKO6ucU2BoLRJ43YKdxUGNv5wKJHSaO_t4tgF9WeKLW5qasGqsHsaAxRPqciKeO871avgGByIzFddLRYvfE162Um76XNcv3uaUAw7uqWMGHMdgDs3XWbV1Ct88/s1600/green1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBXR7XEFM5kiWhJD9yCUKO6ucU2BoLRJ43YKdxUGNv5wKJHSaO_t4tgF9WeKLW5qasGqsHsaAxRPqciKeO871avgGByIzFddLRYvfE162Um76XNcv3uaUAw7uqWMGHMdgDs3XWbV1Ct88/s400/green1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i (heart) this look. and that dress would be an easy piece to use for fall and spring!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYuY2xPJMXBtny0MVe0lEHtR8fVvQK7tv7cIzdgK-DDN_Cv1aAAUnhhyphenhyphenoT2-3rPpHNXSpdW4GKBkeAP0jV_7lQBmSi0rfIL98KxSmBrWxK_FXduPu-9GPlVIlrSpfppgw9RoNj8ibEbw/s1600/green2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkYuY2xPJMXBtny0MVe0lEHtR8fVvQK7tv7cIzdgK-DDN_Cv1aAAUnhhyphenhyphenoT2-3rPpHNXSpdW4GKBkeAP0jV_7lQBmSi0rfIL98KxSmBrWxK_FXduPu-9GPlVIlrSpfppgw9RoNj8ibEbw/s640/green2.jpg" width="464" /></a></div><div align="center">love a green field...this screams, "spring is here!!!"</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm3Rrck2SyE7SoOVnnFPP_2Hfapw5kCrZF6smHStUcpB-fPkcfx_ffm2dbSz5aDb5pluLcqHvOz1UqDRz7i6Uio3jyh3FY3vVbBiwnk8Q7-ZdDEXSobTQ1VhTHkYmrPTtWLoLv8Dxs14/s1600/green3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWm3Rrck2SyE7SoOVnnFPP_2Hfapw5kCrZF6smHStUcpB-fPkcfx_ffm2dbSz5aDb5pluLcqHvOz1UqDRz7i6Uio3jyh3FY3vVbBiwnk8Q7-ZdDEXSobTQ1VhTHkYmrPTtWLoLv8Dxs14/s400/green3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">avocados are my fav...this is the perfect summer salad!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFyc9Hqgv2GUyzmP36tNhJDAiJUUlbb_xt8yyyuRs8x0CBb1ZsGVbTl5QO8D7pQkq3X2L03SnaJPIXsZ8TedVNIjPMR3DGzvFgWwtjB8o0A3aN7CkTFqgiBdOG5g3MGpMvdMG6DlBi4s/s1600/green4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFyc9Hqgv2GUyzmP36tNhJDAiJUUlbb_xt8yyyuRs8x0CBb1ZsGVbTl5QO8D7pQkq3X2L03SnaJPIXsZ8TedVNIjPMR3DGzvFgWwtjB8o0A3aN7CkTFqgiBdOG5g3MGpMvdMG6DlBi4s/s400/green4.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><div align="center">you can't go wrong with this</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTXzjb00QIEPaQKDOf9nApXwG1hFKHnltPhCVCBJ06mLMibyWQil45EUCKqtL5EKutCtOEx46GnxuU6rNoO0byJu2Q21rfnS2TFRwq46YTRH2vSIIZ5RzruDQ6qxpkM5YLBDbj1drT50/s1600/green5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaTXzjb00QIEPaQKDOf9nApXwG1hFKHnltPhCVCBJ06mLMibyWQil45EUCKqtL5EKutCtOEx46GnxuU6rNoO0byJu2Q21rfnS2TFRwq46YTRH2vSIIZ5RzruDQ6qxpkM5YLBDbj1drT50/s400/green5.jpg" width="397" /></a></div><div align="center">love my toms...i would love them in this perfect green</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa_lktZhEmsmg8q1I7vMInDile-7TVa8biDkrqZ1bIimXDwUmx8l9FpRytLcDwWaQtNRsFIUNseurSbtB8KKIl58jfXcliQPz4IUzXM3PfXpSlzD2qrx7n6RoV4PqkhRyZONQeSfpzd4/s1600/green6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUa_lktZhEmsmg8q1I7vMInDile-7TVa8biDkrqZ1bIimXDwUmx8l9FpRytLcDwWaQtNRsFIUNseurSbtB8KKIl58jfXcliQPz4IUzXM3PfXpSlzD2qrx7n6RoV4PqkhRyZONQeSfpzd4/s640/green6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center">open shelving and sage green cabinets. this is so bright and airy</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-lQzlSI4F1uR4VXPD-N_zQ1OUz494LVqlA8fDcFxicXey2Mepd-QWUCbviV1JBMQG_rimsZNZUN3zg5qy_g48MyLMZNCP2v2ZOttVHP6dxaUSRR1eQ9hVHcciv-UqbWnki9AiLbvdbk/s1600/green7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-lQzlSI4F1uR4VXPD-N_zQ1OUz494LVqlA8fDcFxicXey2Mepd-QWUCbviV1JBMQG_rimsZNZUN3zg5qy_g48MyLMZNCP2v2ZOttVHP6dxaUSRR1eQ9hVHcciv-UqbWnki9AiLbvdbk/s640/green7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center">perfect spring time family room</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW-6Xtf1GEfhV1NZ3m9MDjN8fmhxFzoXeY5biDY5M1x38_VXFPlXUahTjXnZH0XAPKNVmF45qztBYVFr9ByzaZpmX-R1N14N9rH0U1MrbY-XXbTKvMRA8ha3FyIdlm35njGuwwyq7noY/s1600/green8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRW-6Xtf1GEfhV1NZ3m9MDjN8fmhxFzoXeY5biDY5M1x38_VXFPlXUahTjXnZH0XAPKNVmF45qztBYVFr9ByzaZpmX-R1N14N9rH0U1MrbY-XXbTKvMRA8ha3FyIdlm35njGuwwyq7noY/s640/green8.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">my favorite paint in my favorite color!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE28OhLyvygmNSLLlijr7Cy5tQgGnw-eg77VUr5QHqs_EP0rp6QJl0ZImY_LhcQKIIBx0ZBr1zdNHgw4j7L7kDJct_TXCipQOWBQpK5w6SxpTgWFE0EhPQtRZqzLN7xAtgfo1nHAYN9So/s1600/green9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE28OhLyvygmNSLLlijr7Cy5tQgGnw-eg77VUr5QHqs_EP0rp6QJl0ZImY_LhcQKIIBx0ZBr1zdNHgw4j7L7kDJct_TXCipQOWBQpK5w6SxpTgWFE0EhPQtRZqzLN7xAtgfo1nHAYN9So/s400/green9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">green shorts...a must have for my spring wardrobe</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrslktMUdt-cMoQCFsDjMu5L3hNvi6IztX9yAkMW-CxU2GUpgRpRC9n-haU9rZsvjMq6gaRXLH_ulp-janGxqATm8V2ttNEzlE-rO9pVT2ESi2PTzpDmHzl565aF-pd6lau05uJvjBLGc/s1600/green10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrslktMUdt-cMoQCFsDjMu5L3hNvi6IztX9yAkMW-CxU2GUpgRpRC9n-haU9rZsvjMq6gaRXLH_ulp-janGxqATm8V2ttNEzlE-rO9pVT2ESi2PTzpDmHzl565aF-pd6lau05uJvjBLGc/s400/green10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">emeralds...love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EPBEWY_mv3FFLy80OHY2Lo48GrIostq7ahah6zonD2UjyWUFwNb2p7Qf_X4PdqfLL0NdVHeRJ5PDBKrqODZb5ZSWwNb6qel8De7qpWdqHB6vZWoK_PzW35-fj4zyCI-8xeu_vTTEkNg/s1600/green11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3EPBEWY_mv3FFLy80OHY2Lo48GrIostq7ahah6zonD2UjyWUFwNb2p7Qf_X4PdqfLL0NdVHeRJ5PDBKrqODZb5ZSWwNb6qel8De7qpWdqHB6vZWoK_PzW35-fj4zyCI-8xeu_vTTEkNg/s400/green11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center">and who could forget the most famous green of them all....</div><div align="center">the emerald city!!!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">happy weekend and happy st. patrick's day!!!</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">(all the pics can be found <a href="http://pinterest.com/amandabmorris/">here</a>)</div><div align="center"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-34365372905621401172012-03-10T15:50:00.000-05:002012-03-10T15:50:24.608-05:00a dream redefined and being refined<div align="center"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZS4oG1fUgiHEI2SI5pBAIpp5qdC6mt05OcvDZ2Heme8XMMpFGELhzCvg8_-MK12RLTWgY5UwTGm1QHRuoF6gXKCSbRhnQHytaf3T9XpCYhUxxyykzuuuM6Z5yZ8sKckitDXtt0448v6A/s1600/fire.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZS4oG1fUgiHEI2SI5pBAIpp5qdC6mt05OcvDZ2Heme8XMMpFGELhzCvg8_-MK12RLTWgY5UwTGm1QHRuoF6gXKCSbRhnQHytaf3T9XpCYhUxxyykzuuuM6Z5yZ8sKckitDXtt0448v6A/s640/fire.png" width="425" /></a></div><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">remember in <a href="http://amandabmorris.blogspot.com/2012/01/background-check.html">this post</a> when i gave you a little background history of us, my family and me? in it, i told you how just a few short years ago we built our dream home. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"> now back then, dream home meant BIG. enough space and then some. all the latest appliances. granite countertops. hardwoods throughout. high ceilings and heavy trim. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">in the build of this "dream home" i got just about everything i wanted. you name it, i found a way to make it happen. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"> i'll be honest with you. we didn't pray about this house before we built it. never even came to us that we should. but God already knew what would happen. He's kinda like that, you know. He had it all planned out. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">we had no idea the market would tank. real estate would simply become a title i held, not a career i made money in. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">but He knew. He provided. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">He provided a way in which we could keep this "dream house". i had to go back to my former career in radiology. working five days a week.<br />
</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">these last few years God has shown me so much about myself. the good. the bad. and the extremely ugly.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">i've learned my "dream house" really wasn't my dream after all. it was what i thought i wanted. you know, the whole <em>bigger is always better</em> scenario. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">yes, my dream has changed.<br />
i want my money (God's money) to count for something more than just a monthly mortgage payment. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">i've realized there are some things we <strong>just.don't.need.</strong> i don't want my boys growing up thinking the<em> <strong>things</strong> </em>they surround themselves with is where they get their worth. i want them to know the <strong><em>One</em></strong> who gives it to them.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">i want my house to be about the people inside, not the things inside.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">last saturday kevin called me. "have you been praying about selling our house?" he knows over the last few years i've started to pray specifics. an agent had called him to ask if she could list our house. Huh?? do you realize how upside down we are right now in this house? do you realize we aren't gonna pay someone to buy our house from us? do you realize it will not be in your best interest to list our house?</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">he actually said all of those things to the agent. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">truth is, i do pray about financial things. and truth is, even in this tough economy, if God wants our house to sell, it will sell. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">so we'll take the first step and put it on the market. and pray. we'll pray for God's will, not our own. and we'll wait. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">i'm so thankful He allowed me to go through these last couple of years. this has been such a refining process for me.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><strong><em>He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness. malachi 3:3</em></strong><br />
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my study bible describes this verse perfectly:<br />
<em>in the process of refining metals, raw metal is heated with fire until it melts. the impurities separate from it and rise to the surface. they are skimmed off, leaving the pure metal. without this heating and melting, there could be no purifying. as the impurities are skimmed off the top, the reflection of the worker appear in the clear, pure surface. as we are purified by God, his reflection in our life will become more and more clear to those around us. </em><br />
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i know this was a small fire He put me through. i know He's not finished. there's more refining left to be done. but i have to know when He pulls me from the fires, i will be more like Him. and to me, that's so much more important.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-28536521947256609862012-03-03T12:14:00.000-05:002012-03-03T12:14:04.996-05:00i've got sunshine on a cloudy day<div align="center"><br />
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</div><div align="center">we had a bad set of storms come through georgia last night. this morning we woke up to our pool being filled to the rim with water. and it's still raining. there's nothing i love more than a wonderful outdoor space. but right now....you ain't gonna find that here.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">we (or should i say "i") have plans for our outdoor living space. i have had them for a while now. kevin even bought me some fabulous cushions last mother's day for our patio furniture that sits on our covered porch...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKC01BmDxOQWmHPfW4Oe0DYIB5ZUpiR8x8Oj50zh9TV5k1PcJqFrp1CoqYCEJIiSvXCGIRxG8oujIoz0F3sTfWDib4R6f1VaErKBoi4LHzKfRi0MXrMYOx6JjYP2jIXwvU0iHC7zSfsg/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKC01BmDxOQWmHPfW4Oe0DYIB5ZUpiR8x8Oj50zh9TV5k1PcJqFrp1CoqYCEJIiSvXCGIRxG8oujIoz0F3sTfWDib4R6f1VaErKBoi4LHzKfRi0MXrMYOx6JjYP2jIXwvU0iHC7zSfsg/s400/001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><em>i've yet to use them</em></strong>! </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">the main reason for that, is this girl...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpyoqnnVd7fyzBIy-vXLlAsp_dG18T0UaaGipyRJJHl8cD_2H1Z-bjuU57k7zfocjfNXsfZ3A-z7zsIzOoXSamkthiaiI29zOtfAbUE6Q-r8Zcv1GmI1amv7ajv7XUGzoYDNMJ1Sflq4/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCpyoqnnVd7fyzBIy-vXLlAsp_dG18T0UaaGipyRJJHl8cD_2H1Z-bjuU57k7zfocjfNXsfZ3A-z7zsIzOoXSamkthiaiI29zOtfAbUE6Q-r8Zcv1GmI1amv7ajv7XUGzoYDNMJ1Sflq4/s400/003.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">she's our jack russell something or another mix. sweetest thing when she's not digging holes in our yard, chewing up our pool pump wires, tracking mud onto the patio...cuz she loves to run in the rain, basically when she's <strong>just.standing.still</strong>. the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i love our patio...really i do. i just wish i got to use it. here's a wide shot of it. take notice of the furniture. you can practically see it begging for cushions!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_obvlIwO3kK21BwN-JsGRpUwAWr0ZxRHulQ1L5i59DTDpzOKjpAODWfb_idCmq2maW3o0FU-ekM54r8zKerct_FfFpDEwkFibxvaX6H-SRxqwrR0ZIotvxPywZ7GwwgGXHjyf1hEld4g/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_obvlIwO3kK21BwN-JsGRpUwAWr0ZxRHulQ1L5i59DTDpzOKjpAODWfb_idCmq2maW3o0FU-ekM54r8zKerct_FfFpDEwkFibxvaX6H-SRxqwrR0ZIotvxPywZ7GwwgGXHjyf1hEld4g/s400/007.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">look at those empty seats and lovely mud stains...who wouldn't want to sit and drink coffee out here...oh yeah, ME!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i will say when we (and i mean me) thought about the design of this space, the first thing that came to mind was an outdoor bathroom. we have a pool and in the summer time when kids are splish splashing around, i don't want them trottin' through my house all drippy. so this was the perfect spot for one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the bathroom is behind the door in the far corner, see...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbWLx97W4BgX5_lYheurPr5vvfympSulUIf0uCmPoAv4AxDtiaQza7_27agIu0nIAL-pOctukRphXOCZOFhK_F2cLVdTL7c_pFYgFcljj_3UBk2xSWbXixG6UMlqrimPCbCN9pJvBCDY/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbWLx97W4BgX5_lYheurPr5vvfympSulUIf0uCmPoAv4AxDtiaQza7_27agIu0nIAL-pOctukRphXOCZOFhK_F2cLVdTL7c_pFYgFcljj_3UBk2xSWbXixG6UMlqrimPCbCN9pJvBCDY/s400/009.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the door to the right of it is our pool storage room...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBuKOJAdFPv-DND8T7H4ckx4U6Vw6cMJvbstLxwQfwixubbkgIFC2QC2_0dEC8C-nC0Yt7lLHvrJ_6HfH-ncxe1-kHhzbL8rXasjFWUVERSmXXz74H55z_ix1052NwYFAOY3L2bML9_g/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWBuKOJAdFPv-DND8T7H4ckx4U6Vw6cMJvbstLxwQfwixubbkgIFC2QC2_0dEC8C-nC0Yt7lLHvrJ_6HfH-ncxe1-kHhzbL8rXasjFWUVERSmXXz74H55z_ix1052NwYFAOY3L2bML9_g/s400/010.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">it's perfect for our pool floats and chemicals. and for our frig that holds all of our favorite summertime drinks!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and beside these two doors, hangs this cute little sign...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r8wRNVhjQHmBDfROA7VmI2Z8gl5NM9ZUXg2KtjTA-1b8Gk-0siT1Q-H81gR_s9BeJCTjkntnBNii_SW3MPGwjoNn4nSM-1Jbna4VJ61UHMwUYIda58EVTEva1pc1Orn65akCYuqQx2o/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7r8wRNVhjQHmBDfROA7VmI2Z8gl5NM9ZUXg2KtjTA-1b8Gk-0siT1Q-H81gR_s9BeJCTjkntnBNii_SW3MPGwjoNn4nSM-1Jbna4VJ61UHMwUYIda58EVTEva1pc1Orn65akCYuqQx2o/s400/008.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">i snagged this on clearance at PB several years ago. all of our towels, the boys' swimsuits, goggles, basically anything wet hangs here after a long day in the pool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you might be thinking, well that's not so bad. so you have empty chairs and stains on your concrete floors. but brace yourselves and check out this view....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTIRLrmMMFe56mCFCWT9t7jxyB7FffIaTkUQssE8ttAz1GizSG0fpj5ZcWvvmGql1K0IatcKA0DyaW6gOu-ARmwQlqF416XYnwDdcpTq4WvmOdx7krzofMP7BDDNnSk1YyHacFZqhYXQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVTIRLrmMMFe56mCFCWT9t7jxyB7FffIaTkUQssE8ttAz1GizSG0fpj5ZcWvvmGql1K0IatcKA0DyaW6gOu-ARmwQlqF416XYnwDdcpTq4WvmOdx7krzofMP7BDDNnSk1YyHacFZqhYXQ/s400/005.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this ground is completely saturated at the moment. the remnents of what use to be a playset lay over to the side. and an ugly trampoline is right smack dab in the middle as a huge focal point. see told ya.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pretty hopeless one might think. but not me. remember i have plans. i can see the bigger picture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> ok, this is not where i was going with this post but i literally had God just speak to me so i'm gonna keep typin'. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> the devil likes to tell us that things can't change. that we can't change. but the truth is the only thing that <em>doesn't</em> change is God. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>He doesn't change</strong>. <strong><em>but</em> He has the power <em>to</em> change</strong>...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">circumstances</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">situations</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">people</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and you know what He says. you might think things are hopeless...but not Me. remember I have plans. I can see the bigger picture. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">thank you God for a bigger picture in my life. thank you for loving me enough not to leave me this way. thank you for the plans that you've made. thank you for change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ok. sorry but i truly felt God wanting me to share that. even if it was in the middle of this post!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> now, i do still want to show you some things i've found that i hope to incorporate into our outdoor space. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">that muddy concrete floor will be replaced with tile pretty similar to this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0m2YjdBz2bZlpB1okeGxxgkvrPClznvOHep25xVAAPKb_Gw4vvLm2ZIYCCiaUGe0TgeB2gG-yItb9S0xgvPPX5-8TvR_PB7z4K8iifkWWr2goobhUwiWKFhbfxQi8WnJk-eJmBKYl4s/s1600/patio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0m2YjdBz2bZlpB1okeGxxgkvrPClznvOHep25xVAAPKb_Gw4vvLm2ZIYCCiaUGe0TgeB2gG-yItb9S0xgvPPX5-8TvR_PB7z4K8iifkWWr2goobhUwiWKFhbfxQi8WnJk-eJmBKYl4s/s400/patio.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">below are some fabulous garden stools that will fit perfectly as end tables and extra seating when needed. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuQy88dHVsfsycAhDBLg-mS3v8aAsyLjTsoMb8gT9ijy22PNjzX1XP6dLqqfbTYqrNesoqTi8SakhwjHfUBY2K1xVFT5SdtcvdCJrxBIJt1rT1jMev90Drp79ZBUe7QlIfYqKIywFbew/s1600/garden+stools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCuQy88dHVsfsycAhDBLg-mS3v8aAsyLjTsoMb8gT9ijy22PNjzX1XP6dLqqfbTYqrNesoqTi8SakhwjHfUBY2K1xVFT5SdtcvdCJrxBIJt1rT1jMev90Drp79ZBUe7QlIfYqKIywFbew/s400/garden+stools.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and i really want to fill our patio with wonderful greenery. i think it makes all the difference in a space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6iNa9LR2yZwrWLMN8k6Nf45TcJJBksp46gjPf45f6sHRsk1rb4njDtXqDHgIM5t6DRpTHY2bWPbF-WMJi6dHa2HXBW7FhOwLln3fdFUlIBG1RodEM18X4AzRvitiNBg_Jf2gmK4WMLI/s1600/patio2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6iNa9LR2yZwrWLMN8k6Nf45TcJJBksp46gjPf45f6sHRsk1rb4njDtXqDHgIM5t6DRpTHY2bWPbF-WMJi6dHa2HXBW7FhOwLln3fdFUlIBG1RodEM18X4AzRvitiNBg_Jf2gmK4WMLI/s400/patio2.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">as for my yard, we definitely want to put in a firepit where the trampoline sits. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyOrRD-mrzF0973ukvd9FIMIE4uhl1WrccWys7YJAjsgB4-NKKrSwsK-ruadLHs-fX5dD7wTHxmGKZpivXo2J1EQYkOFluscPnGNPmhY7AYRRHSV-X5lyL666GZh5EzL8q5aWxEJ5wv0/s1600/firepit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpyOrRD-mrzF0973ukvd9FIMIE4uhl1WrccWys7YJAjsgB4-NKKrSwsK-ruadLHs-fX5dD7wTHxmGKZpivXo2J1EQYkOFluscPnGNPmhY7AYRRHSV-X5lyL666GZh5EzL8q5aWxEJ5wv0/s400/firepit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and i want the natural spaces in my yard to look more like this....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dejKYfmaw9yPXibFXMyooTVWIS8jNGApjaZ9dn7T29bwH8knvgO4YuW-xDcyDrn_2kFnbs6QV-1lQ09zv3nH5lgeHT0D_yTxqtoMXcmji-pX-1YYV9UYZOsv7dLn7N9o84kHlFLoL8g/s1600/shade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dejKYfmaw9yPXibFXMyooTVWIS8jNGApjaZ9dn7T29bwH8knvgO4YuW-xDcyDrn_2kFnbs6QV-1lQ09zv3nH5lgeHT0D_yTxqtoMXcmji-pX-1YYV9UYZOsv7dLn7N9o84kHlFLoL8g/s400/shade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi641CJeKcS-z5qnXLdseiWilKJA221GDFS_Tt-nRJL4dlQnLXv-2UxtPVeQBghaahsQXsZVFAHtiaP8vDDeEGw-i4AEEihtyCZ3qiw-nWM5JI32cTcv-p2dJKcO34ILX_UXw5MFauo_H0/s1600/backyard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi641CJeKcS-z5qnXLdseiWilKJA221GDFS_Tt-nRJL4dlQnLXv-2UxtPVeQBghaahsQXsZVFAHtiaP8vDDeEGw-i4AEEihtyCZ3qiw-nWM5JI32cTcv-p2dJKcO34ILX_UXw5MFauo_H0/s400/backyard2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">these are just some of the ideas i have for our outdoor living space. you can check out my <a href="http://pinterest.com/amandabmorris/indoors-out/">pinterest board</a> dedicated to spaces as beautiful as these. remember spring is just around the corner!!! Yay!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">hope you have a wonderful sunny weekend, wherever you are and no matter what it actually looks like outside!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div align="center"></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6856212961257248191.post-4508336150359627152012-02-23T18:55:00.002-05:002012-02-23T19:09:44.037-05:00the perfect prison<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVDVjUUcf1q6RC_YwbGxBt8ioamJNpei_tR9ZpiBf9vMJYn3KcNz3GF1oEzbB3Ah8b9_RpkDECZLNJ2PJ20o8cFiEWEK9b3qHwyMTus1mJjyVBL5DJBJISLWVbaISFU4V9s0j8bGJik/s1600/hands-bar_op_800x585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkOVDVjUUcf1q6RC_YwbGxBt8ioamJNpei_tR9ZpiBf9vMJYn3KcNz3GF1oEzbB3Ah8b9_RpkDECZLNJ2PJ20o8cFiEWEK9b3qHwyMTus1mJjyVBL5DJBJISLWVbaISFU4V9s0j8bGJik/s400/hands-bar_op_800x585.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">i have a confession. i've been in prison most of my adult life. it's not something i'm proud of but it's something i feel needs to be shared.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's the prison of perfectionism.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1JE8qIYCNw3lXZsitBEUAjIN6h0UpjKGoEUEAg5c9-9mcryyNGCJstKHN-lQx7LUK2AIVpXEIBY68zujkwU7_323Q32joKzTVu7EKz5PdZuoPfxiVrCK5bbC4xJXRw20bHvg8CrphQs/s1600/monica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1JE8qIYCNw3lXZsitBEUAjIN6h0UpjKGoEUEAg5c9-9mcryyNGCJstKHN-lQx7LUK2AIVpXEIBY68zujkwU7_323Q32joKzTVu7EKz5PdZuoPfxiVrCK5bbC4xJXRw20bHvg8CrphQs/s400/monica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">does she look familiar? (monica from friends)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi258z4UxFJWV3WYrrhPEZUuf0mb32CwzibIKTuQYaMICaN8WowrWmY2xSTQR5yqcqYq9pKPQJvvm8W3-DL2iOSAJM22ssqdDdxCdK14rXN-XntjdDKs2ri876f9immBQue_t1ff41Lngs/s1600/Sleeping+With+the+Enemy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi258z4UxFJWV3WYrrhPEZUuf0mb32CwzibIKTuQYaMICaN8WowrWmY2xSTQR5yqcqYq9pKPQJvvm8W3-DL2iOSAJM22ssqdDdxCdK14rXN-XntjdDKs2ri876f9immBQue_t1ff41Lngs/s400/Sleeping+With+the+Enemy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">what about him?? (creepy husband from sleeping with the enemy...i can still hear that scary music that was always playing when he was close by!) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i ran a close race with these two. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">everything in my world had to be perfect</div><div style="text-align: center;">perfect house.</div><div style="text-align: center;">perfect family.</div><div style="text-align: center;">perfect relationships.</div><div style="text-align: center;">perfect children.</div><div style="text-align: center;">perfect "look"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">do you know how exhausting that is?? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the thing about it is as women, we are brainwashed by the world to think this way. look at the cover of any magazine.</div><div style="text-align: center;">models airbrushed to have perfect bodies. hair. clothes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">homes that have the perfect furniture. wall colors. lighting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">for me, it was an addiction. an obsession. it caused me not to be fully present at certain times in my life.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">when having friends over i would constantly be thinking about all the cleaning i was going to have to get done when everyone was gone. or even before they arrived, was everything in its proper place. or i couldn't even have friends over because the house wasn't decorated exactly how i wanted or the yard wasn't landscaped just perfectly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">going out on dates was a whole other issue. was i wearing a cute enough outfit? was i having a good hair day? because let me tell you if those things didn't happen, it would set my mood for the night. i couldn't fully enjoy myself without having these thoughts in the back of my mind.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">the stress of my boys having friends over to play. what kind of mess were they making? did they have to drag out every.single.blanket we owned and rearrange all the furniture just to build a fort that would be played in for a total of five minutes?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">see the pattern???</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is what i've learned.....</div><div style="text-align: center;">my friends don't come over to see our house, they come to see us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's not what my clothes or hair or outside appearance looks like, it's the character of my heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i want my boys to enjoy having their friends over. i want them to enjoy using their imagination.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">these chains are slowly being loosened. i still have more moments than i want where these "need to be perfect" feelings come right back. but i will say i'm not confined to this twenty-four hour prison cell anymore. although i do still visit it from time to time, it's just that...a visit!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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visit <a href="http://www.thenester.com/2012/02/its-not-perfect-but-its-beautiful-party-time.html">the nester</a> for more perfect imperfections!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10241638764696469399noreply@blogger.com1