tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90238448314773781302024-03-13T16:36:35.620-04:00Following CloselyFollowing Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.comBlogger247125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-13915653948198406922014-11-06T10:59:00.002-05:002015-09-05T21:23:11.725-04:00Here I Am!<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve had several people get on my case about not writing in
this blog for an unreasonable amount of time. So here I am! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where have I been?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been off thinking (always dangerous) and
making some changes (scary) in our lives and now we are finally getting into
the swing of things.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few months ago I read a book called The World Book of
Happiness by Leo Bormans. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
shortage of books or blogs out there on the topic of happiness as most people
are constantly trying to seek happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Most authors conclude the same things and give a lot of the same advice.
As turbulent as my life has been the last 3 years, I figured it was fine time I
research bringing more happiness back into my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously I look at things from a biblical
worldview and alter concepts to fit into my biblical worldview, but here are a
few things that stood out from Bormans’ book.</span></div>
<br />
<ol style="direction: ltr; list-style-type: decimal;">
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Accept
what you have if you can’t change it.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Change what you don’t like if you can.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Cherish the ones you love and cut out the ones
who drag you down.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Don’t compare.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Stop worrying what other people think.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Always be positive.</div>
</li>
<li style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal;"><div style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1;">
Live like there is no tomorrow.</div>
</li>
</ol>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I began to look at these ideas one by one and there are
certainly areas I need to work harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
things in my life needed change and over the course of several months I changed
several things that just were a constant burden on my heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve written months ago about our move from the hectic world
of the dreaded commute to homeschooling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Homeschooling worked for a season of time and now our kids all attend
public school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part, public
school is going well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has really opened
our eyes regarding having our children in the same Christian bubble all their
lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have grown so much in the
last few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must say I am SO
proud of them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God has truly blessed us
with amazing children!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We also have chosen to attend a different church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no one thing about our former
church that made us leave and we harbor no ill will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are just times in life when it’s best to
pack up and move to further His Kingdom in other places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you think about the early churches in the
New Testament, moving around and ministering in different areas expanded the
gospel so much better than if, say, the Apostle Paul had driven down roots in
just one church for his entire adult life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In my opinion the church is not a building any way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church is the body of Christ and those
relationships never go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My brothers
and sisters in Christ are always going to be my friends and brothers and
sisters in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Attending a church in
a new location doesn’t change that. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
continue to be sensitive to God’s leading and where He wants us to serve and be
served.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve found that it’s in silence most times that we hear from
the Lord the most.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In silence rest
occurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we hear from the Lord and
are rested, healing can begin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happiness
is the Lord.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ll talk more about these things in the future, I’m
sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for now, I better make this
post so it doesn’t get too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’ll
ask you to consider if any of these points stand out to you in your own
life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is sucking the happiness out
of your life?</span></div>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-28283343257257865552014-09-19T14:13:00.002-04:002019-09-17T09:34:05.540-04:00It Takes A Village<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">It takes a whole village to raise kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it takes even more than that when
you are raising an adopted older child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think most adoptive parents could agree with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thankful for my village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My village includes neighbors, friends,
teachers, family, doctors, and so many others.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A few days ago, I contacted our friends who adopted the same
time as us from the same orphanage and their child is the same age as Matthew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They expressed that their child also
struggles with basic math such as 5+5 and 2x4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They expressed that their child also cannot read well in English even
after 7 months of daily tutoring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also
have an older child that they adopted from Ukraine many years ago who said this
new child can’t even read or write well in Ukrainian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it looks like both children did not get
much of ANY education EVER.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m still
trying to grasp this concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are
starting with a 12-year-old from ABSOLUTE scratch.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">This week while working on 2x4=8 for the 7<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> month
in a row, I finally asked Matthew, “What did you ever learn in Ukraine in
school?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His answer was a defensive, “Nothing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I learned nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mama and pop had no money and they say I
know nothing and they not spend money on a boy (who knows) nothing. They say I
stupid.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held back my saddened
emotions and continued, “Well, if you learned nothing, then what did you do all
day long, every single day?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
answered, “My mama and pop, they leave early when it still dark, they lock me
the door, I stay home alone, one piece of bread and some water. They come home
after dark, maybe 12 hours.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if I
understood him correctly, he was left alone from the ages of 4-7 all day, every
day while both his parents worked. I recall the apartments in Ukraine had these
old-fashioned shaped keys that you had to turn to open the door and turn to
lock the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t have latches
like there are here in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have
to have a key to open and close the doors.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping in mind that
these people are actually his adoptive father, and a step mother, I continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When did you go to school?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “I went to school maybe 7 (years
old), then mama said (that) I know nothing and (that) she did not want me. I
too stupid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She want (her) own babies,
not me. I go to (orphanage) and they teach me, (but) I still know nothing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I really had to choke back the tears. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone called MY little boy STUPID and it’s
hurtful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was crying at this point in our talk. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am actually the THIRD MOM in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His bio-mom is elsewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to him and the director his step
mom didn’t want him because she wanted babies of her own, not an older boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this really makes sense why he is so
guarded with me while very open with Tim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I assured him that he is NOT stupid and he DOES know things
and that I LOVE HIM and I WANT HIM.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
I asked him, “Well, do you want ME to teach you to read and me to teach you
math?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“Will you promise to try to learn?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">“I honestly don’t know HOW to teach you, but I promise to
TRY to teach you if you TRY to learn, okay?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">He nodded and more tears flowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wiped them away like a tough guy and we
got busy with more times tables and reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When we finished he gave me a GIANT hug and said, “Mom, thanks for
teaching me to read and math.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
such a great feeling!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m excited that it’s been a great couple of days as he gets
home from school and grabs his book and ASKS ME to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not like it’s been the last 7 months
where I feel like I’m talking to a brick wall, and he feels like learning is
some kind of punishment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s open and
he’s actually REALLY improving quickly. And it’s neat because reading time
together every day is kind of our “thing” now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s our special time of laughing, snuggling on his bed and reading
together.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m thankful for our adoptive friends who gave us that
encouragement that this is NORMAL.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
kids are not taught anything in some of the orphanages in Ukraine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">I’m thankful for our neighbors….A few weeks ago the boys
were getting a little wild with their air soft guns. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m doing the best that I can to balance not
being the hover-helicopter-mom trying to protect my baby boy because of what
happened to Brandon, while letting “boys be boys” while being realistically
SAFE. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">One of the boys got hit in the inside of the nose, right by
the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since Matthew didn’t do it, we
gave him a verbal warning to ONLY SHOOT at the designated targets that we
bought from Dick’s Sporting Goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few
days after the eye incident, Matthew came inside sheepishly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m finally picking up on his facial
expressions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess one of the neighborhood
girls was struck in the ear by a bee bee that had ricochet off of a light
post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The father of this girl disarmed
ALL THE BOYS in the neighborhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again,
Matthew was NOT to blame for that misfire, but I was OH SO GLAD this dad
stepped up and took away all their guns and said, “Have your mom or dad come
get your guns from me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This held these
boys accountable to either tell their parents what happened or not get their
expensive guns back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate their
wisdom when our backs are turned.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Wednesday Matthew came home from school looking highly
stressed out and frankly a little sheepish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t open to talking when I asked him
what was up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A half hour later the
doorbell rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outside there stood an
upset mother with her son in an orange shirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She explained that “orange shirt” had been
bullied by our Matthew and that there were several boys bullied by Matthew and
they are all afraid of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She mentioned
on Monday there was an incident that had happened where Matthew knocked down “orange
shirt.” He then looked me in the eye and said to me, “I just want peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want to go to school and come home in
peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want none of that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I quickly apologized for the incident,
thanked her and “orange shirt” for letting me know of the incident and assured
her that we’d try to resolve the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We exchanged phone numbers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
heart sank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really did not want to
hear that MY son is being a bully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">After she left I went into Matthew’s room and asked him what
happened because I wanted his side of the story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said that orange shirt pushed HIM first
and so he retaliated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Of course that’s what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what any boy would say that didn’t
want to be in trouble.</i> At this point, I wasn’t sure what story to believe
because it’s one boy’s word against the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I called Tim and he got off work
immediately to “handle things.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Tim ended up spending the next 2 hours walking with Matthew
down to 5 different boys’ homes around our neighborhood and speaking with both
the boys and the parents of the boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
it turns out, Matthew was telling the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This group of boys was goofing around knocking back packs, pushing and
shoving in a playful way at first and then things escalated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Orange shirt” pushed Matthew down first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew lost his balance because he wasn’t
expecting the push, and the backpack was quite heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Orange shirt’s” friends started laughing at Matthew,
so Matthew gave him a solid push back knocking “orange shirt” down and walked
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the end of this investigation
the boys apologized and the mother apologized for blaming Matthew and it all
worked out. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We were proud of Matthew for telling the truth and I was
thankful Tim was able to get to the bottom of things before it got any
worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was SO relieved that Matthew is
not a bully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He does have a history of
fighting in our neighborhood, but thankfully his fighting is generally more self-defense
than instigation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone throws a
punch he has no problem defending himself so kids don’t usually mess with him a
whole lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will admit Matthew can be obnoxious
with his “talking smack” around peers, especially if girls his age are around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, yes, we are at that wonderful age in a
boy’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God help us and the world!!!
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Anyway, Matthew seemed happy to know that Dad had his
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fun to look out the window
and see Matthew happily skipping alongside of Tim yapping a mile a minute as
they walked home after things had been resolved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came home from school the following day
all smiles and said, “(Orange shirt) said he (is) sorry and he like(s) me. We
(are) friends.” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Again, I am so thankful for “the Village.” It is NOT easy
being parents in the 21<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">st</span></sup> Century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is not always a walk in the park for raising older adoptive kids with
language barriers either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was glad Orange Shirt’s mom came to let us
know that something had been happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m thankful for the boys that are Matthew’s friends and walking
buddies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful for the neighbors.
Any and all help we can get from others is greatly appreciated. It definitely takes
a village! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">My village will definitely be extra useful as these kids inch closer toward adulthood with driving right around the corner. What about you? What do you like about your "village?" Comment below or send me a message at <a href="mailto:followingclosely@gmail.com">followingclosely@gmail.com</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><br /></span></div>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-17480166683710225972014-09-07T09:35:00.000-04:002019-09-17T09:35:25.087-04:007 Months Home!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPetX3atiXRd_6BiapWfj9TeuQeeUxu_XN0sdAybLVIBr7e5hsSAScf8e7fwPKpLZDOeWOvBMnmMz7ukl2jvNjt3JDJuk_z1bgOWWLtrAdUeAuk3g6km7Zi6KatNQfGbv2UqfZiTQMYeg/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPetX3atiXRd_6BiapWfj9TeuQeeUxu_XN0sdAybLVIBr7e5hsSAScf8e7fwPKpLZDOeWOvBMnmMz7ukl2jvNjt3JDJuk_z1bgOWWLtrAdUeAuk3g6km7Zi6KatNQfGbv2UqfZiTQMYeg/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></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/AVvXsEgTUCQ2rwxRt3lTXKm1NqU-q_GEwZgU7k2MWHKAQvtRz2VQfSL7thAFtBooiu1bvXP6GETMSUt1rnDibQ0lWuacah2Kse4lwgpifUA8tXG-UPsfGdxZPlbmqjhLcGWrUnGZ9C_sBUhsFQ4/s1600/2014-09-08.Iphone+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTUCQ2rwxRt3lTXKm1NqU-q_GEwZgU7k2MWHKAQvtRz2VQfSL7thAFtBooiu1bvXP6GETMSUt1rnDibQ0lWuacah2Kse4lwgpifUA8tXG-UPsfGdxZPlbmqjhLcGWrUnGZ9C_sBUhsFQ4/s1600/2014-09-08.Iphone+036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Today marks the time when seven months ago we set foot on American soil together! This boy has grown 3 inches in such a short time! He's looking pretty tall these days! I wonder what his director would think of all his long HAIR! She only ever saw him with all his hair shaved off.<br />
<br />
This has been a transitional month for Matthew. Prior to this month he was at home and basically playing all day. This is the first month where he has had to get up every morning and spend 7 hours at school each day. He actually seems to enjoy school. He doesn't come home exhausted like Brandon used to back when he attended private school. I swear Matthew has an eternal dose of energy and is rarely tired out.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure what all the school is working on as far as ESL. We try to ask Matthew, but he jabbers on and on about anything and everything except what he's learning at school. I have yet to receive an email from any of the teachers of his latest team working with him in 6th grade. I assume if there was a problem, someone would be contacting us. <br />
<br />
When he gets home every afternoon, I have him listen to some phonics pronunciation cds and then I have him read to me for about an hour. He can read maybe 3 pages in a full hour in a 1st grade reader. He's being tested now at school to see if he has a learning disability or if it's more behavioral, but he's not improving with his reading much at all. He still struggles with what sounds each letter makes. His orphanage director told us over and over how smart he was so maybe the public school is correct that it is behavioral. Maybe it is a different cultural opinion of what "smart" is. I know a lot of the work in the orphanage was just copying word for word what was written on the black board. There wasn't a whole lot of memorization. I've read a lengthy thread in an adoption forum that said, "Until you can convince an older Ukrainian boy that an education will benefit HIM, you will be hard pressed to get him to do anything." Probably 20 or 30 families agreed with that statement and elaborated that culturally Ukraine boys do not see a value in education.<br />
<br />
This is just one of those things that a lot of adoptive parents struggle with regarding their older adopted children. We don't know how hard to push him, but he needs to be pushed. Matthew has high hopes of being a sniper in the US Air Force when he turns 18. The problem is, he HAS to graduate high school in order to enlist in the Air Force. They no longer accept the GED for the US Air Force. However, if he is 12 now and not even able to read, he is really going to have to work hard in the next 5.5 years to fit everything he needs to in order to graduate. So, dear friends and family, if you could pray that a light bulb goes off soon that would be wonderful!<br />
<br />
In the meantime, we are enjoying this spark of energy! This past weekend I went on a date with just him to go see a movie. It was the first time I got to go out with just him so it was special. He was dying to see the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie. He absolutely loved that movie. I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed the movie as well. We had popcorn and slushies. Afterward we went to a restaurant to have delicious sub sandwhiches, which was what he requested. It was so much fun and a great time of bonding.<br />
<br />
If any of my fellow adoptive parents have an creative ideas for us to help him learn his phonics or any parents of boys who have ideas on how to motivate a 12-year-old boy to learn, we are open to suggestions. Feel free to comment below or email me at followingclosely@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-11981728020229990012014-09-04T12:41:00.000-04:002019-09-17T09:36:47.739-04:00These Kids!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsWJfdBeuZ64trDXzHGZtBZhHm5gj0i3wEG9d-CYpymPCAkD97ouq6Z_3o_LSzEdq1Rl7vrmOU_G-jh1uUX5R5kkrde0iu4xXthWjfRcPWFF0YNUaXDzo5znalQVCZNjyWxcJdYD81IQ/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsWJfdBeuZ64trDXzHGZtBZhHm5gj0i3wEG9d-CYpymPCAkD97ouq6Z_3o_LSzEdq1Rl7vrmOU_G-jh1uUX5R5kkrde0iu4xXthWjfRcPWFF0YNUaXDzo5znalQVCZNjyWxcJdYD81IQ/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+018.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Things are going really well so far this year with homeschooling the girls. The girls do their video courses for 4 of their online classes and then I teach them individually English, Literature/Reading, Spelling and Poetry. They all have said they enjoy the one-on-one time I give them as a teacher. So far we have straight A's and wonderful attitudes! The above picture is Haley reading with wonderful expression and clarity POOLSIDE!!! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7lsgF19GmQlDtjcv6MPQTRGQN-P_EQKPXvbVavdSCn9beKfPvA7wAuIHu8s7xA5IksJp5UTSo0rAd-KXtdNHW2TlUZRiHGU6jeN-hWcrR3b6q3tZwEaxParOLRhWyD-9BG1X3HrHLlQ/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7lsgF19GmQlDtjcv6MPQTRGQN-P_EQKPXvbVavdSCn9beKfPvA7wAuIHu8s7xA5IksJp5UTSo0rAd-KXtdNHW2TlUZRiHGU6jeN-hWcrR3b6q3tZwEaxParOLRhWyD-9BG1X3HrHLlQ/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+033.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The other day Haley was sitting in her bedroom "listening to her video lecture" while gazing outside and somehow she spotted a lizard swimming in the pool. She is SO easily distracted from school and I swear she has freekishly good vision to be able to see from her bedroom window such a small critter in the pool!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSHr4ykSPALrXd6DeAUidI55GgsHKc4iFjiu-ti5Z48MAwNOkRztV5d_C9yAYGxGQ9CDQ4rshk4uyDPfTNNeZDy5oF9M8FgbhwqnAANbVeh9hkntbwMbc1YLqWUdEEKgriYCQdQzE78A/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizSHr4ykSPALrXd6DeAUidI55GgsHKc4iFjiu-ti5Z48MAwNOkRztV5d_C9yAYGxGQ9CDQ4rshk4uyDPfTNNeZDy5oF9M8FgbhwqnAANbVeh9hkntbwMbc1YLqWUdEEKgriYCQdQzE78A/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+036.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Oh, how this child loves her critters!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCcfnuHzjSLAspLaf_ASxYL9qf8fUHahiz6hLWv4C8xzaD8pSezl-GAtgVHfxEFqvhxsheD0kME2euD_kMp0HWpV0QtduBVPkNcp5S876e_YVuE14O3-5aPAjzS4kFmifkJF_yNX4JE0/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCcfnuHzjSLAspLaf_ASxYL9qf8fUHahiz6hLWv4C8xzaD8pSezl-GAtgVHfxEFqvhxsheD0kME2euD_kMp0HWpV0QtduBVPkNcp5S876e_YVuE14O3-5aPAjzS4kFmifkJF_yNX4JE0/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+037.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
The poor lizard died later that day because I don't think the pool chemicals were good for it. Matthew thought he'd be funny and throw a lizard at me and I screamed and jumped so high I almost landed in the pool fully dressed....Thankfully the lizard he threw was a rubber one, but he got a good laugh out of scaring the absolute daylights out of me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW4mKwJTpsmeENqYlcncwyjJehhTZ33ru8lAOQRS_BV6DtCjzE2bh8izLldooJBXqBWQDeWR8L6Opq-BQ6cZOZcaInwTmm68dEt-3ysi1Rnf2u0ytls-PGKhQPmyS1y4t7tDVN9Et2iE/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVW4mKwJTpsmeENqYlcncwyjJehhTZ33ru8lAOQRS_BV6DtCjzE2bh8izLldooJBXqBWQDeWR8L6Opq-BQ6cZOZcaInwTmm68dEt-3ysi1Rnf2u0ytls-PGKhQPmyS1y4t7tDVN9Et2iE/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I've been teaching the girls a little each day how to cook in kind of a hands-on cooking class. One day for lunch Kylie chose to make Velveeta Mac and Cheese. I had her read the instructions herself to make her meal. She accidentally mis-read the instructions and added the packet of liquid cheese to the boiling water along with the noodles. She somehow missed the steps that said to boil the noodles first for 10 minutes, then drain them, THEN add the packet of liquid cheese. She was so unbelievably and uncharacteristically angry that she screamed, "Ohhhh!! I HATE HATE HATE cooking! I hate it! AHHHHH!!!!" She wasn't screaming AT me. She was just screaming into thin air. I went in my bedroom and closed the door to answer a phone call. I guess she assumed I was upset at her outburst, so she slid the following note under the door:<br />
<br />
"Dear Mom, Sorry I yelled @ you. It's just that cooking frosterates me. Remind me not 2 cook again. Sorry if I spelt wrong. I love you. Love Kylie."<br />
<br />
I love her tender heart to apologize over becoming "frosterated." She is always so quick to apologize. She's a precious girlie! She has since successfully cooked Velveeta Mac and Cheese!!! If at first you don't succeed, try, try again! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy9JuuB7eJcbXeyeXWM9SAxOExH4MqmIcB4-SXqH_uidEtOFAQ-kVwDAZjLU7jAoKGsCsMYpHx9xeDgctwH3fB37RvajdfNF7AjM_OBGTXy8aBqBK0FDPREbcvvn8_EolWuGFFl22kEg/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWy9JuuB7eJcbXeyeXWM9SAxOExH4MqmIcB4-SXqH_uidEtOFAQ-kVwDAZjLU7jAoKGsCsMYpHx9xeDgctwH3fB37RvajdfNF7AjM_OBGTXy8aBqBK0FDPREbcvvn8_EolWuGFFl22kEg/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Bella, in her old age, has discovered how to jump over the baby gate to get out of the kitchen. I came out one morning and she was not in her kitchen, but comfy sleeping on the couch. Thankfully she didn't go through all the garbage cans and shred everything like she normally does! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz92lVpnCYJTysgtd6rG20efptDTMa0Y0m-6KXWAAZQH5skDq1KcAmHR8F5TpmDz048DR-Tyx6CLNp94WCMNiyfjy-gdDMYIwd73DqLALF0qncB0dxbPSUMTWa9G_LkpI7PCuq1C4Lbr0/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz92lVpnCYJTysgtd6rG20efptDTMa0Y0m-6KXWAAZQH5skDq1KcAmHR8F5TpmDz048DR-Tyx6CLNp94WCMNiyfjy-gdDMYIwd73DqLALF0qncB0dxbPSUMTWa9G_LkpI7PCuq1C4Lbr0/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+029.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWEnbOzlpIAdRv6vE59k5vN_JtJtva-zjJzhNxALKqOcgMRWkB5Gmb4KDO8rIcN7NbwRpd_-g0HmrPmmohQGHJRnR3WiZgz24mH37xn5qsJH4FqzHkfV9xFR5AzsClalpE6x5bI_UNmg/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidWEnbOzlpIAdRv6vE59k5vN_JtJtva-zjJzhNxALKqOcgMRWkB5Gmb4KDO8rIcN7NbwRpd_-g0HmrPmmohQGHJRnR3WiZgz24mH37xn5qsJH4FqzHkfV9xFR5AzsClalpE6x5bI_UNmg/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+038.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Kylie is in the midst of her very first volleyball season. She is improving every day. She has made new friends and I'm so thankful she is dedicated to practice. Tim usually works with her a little each day on how to hit or serve the ball correctly. Volleyball is one game I never learned well. I just play sand volleyball whenever for fun, but I'm sure I don't hit the thing correctly. I'm just glad when I get the ball over the net! Anyway, it seems all Kylie does is practice, practice, practice!! She's amazingly disciplined in that way!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi06yIZyFIJ7HQaNqaG9r5eTzriPs9LRkjjOXYFst0x-zyd_M9yUO6kn3rdGTVpLTZ5m8lgVP7ljo0gEGWq5HFygv4pcVc5wvfh835aFIiAV-1Nq2GsQ3Y6VqkyQD7_44EiVuHCpG5xSk/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi06yIZyFIJ7HQaNqaG9r5eTzriPs9LRkjjOXYFst0x-zyd_M9yUO6kn3rdGTVpLTZ5m8lgVP7ljo0gEGWq5HFygv4pcVc5wvfh835aFIiAV-1Nq2GsQ3Y6VqkyQD7_44EiVuHCpG5xSk/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+042.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa4nlp8MjPyWhMjbdYvy9bb3nEmOads3a06yfAoE0bK5Hvq6_RsarivgIQZbPhI15OVOzQ_LgcF8Oxg5rxZOD1yvxX94NsPDFhDitXM19f2mwf3ShNhx2SKa0GvElYYI-_FD1K4NePe0/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa4nlp8MjPyWhMjbdYvy9bb3nEmOads3a06yfAoE0bK5Hvq6_RsarivgIQZbPhI15OVOzQ_LgcF8Oxg5rxZOD1yvxX94NsPDFhDitXM19f2mwf3ShNhx2SKa0GvElYYI-_FD1K4NePe0/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+045.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiyz5GmSUEkDowHEup8TrLiQhr5PCBkoMV7utUHPa0JzYFElJ3n4Xvi3Y9aBfoPN-NhS25CdziYWf17oBZxCPB7BlmETvpnNcQa7MZQNhoT4sJsm2Hbh2HtFvCHVC5x6Vtg5YHPfEnmM/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiyz5GmSUEkDowHEup8TrLiQhr5PCBkoMV7utUHPa0JzYFElJ3n4Xvi3Y9aBfoPN-NhS25CdziYWf17oBZxCPB7BlmETvpnNcQa7MZQNhoT4sJsm2Hbh2HtFvCHVC5x6Vtg5YHPfEnmM/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+107.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgt-C-n9oJze_pdpFT7mu5UJOl2EWG-LODf-B6DNOSdaJjD3iZ2_Sh-wAJUTnutIDX9PXaWmHC8lSDNimBPIzjxA02CxFjncb6TKZAY8H_Wix8-Q5WpohjJDGJwyXAvWONy3whK5drpg/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhgt-C-n9oJze_pdpFT7mu5UJOl2EWG-LODf-B6DNOSdaJjD3iZ2_Sh-wAJUTnutIDX9PXaWmHC8lSDNimBPIzjxA02CxFjncb6TKZAY8H_Wix8-Q5WpohjJDGJwyXAvWONy3whK5drpg/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+108.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Fall is always such a busy time of year. We love it though! We are anxious for the weather to cool off a bit! This week has been in the 90's every day. Every weekend in September is full of something. We have Tim's birthday coming up. Next weekend is Kylie first volleyball tournament and Katie's first all-day craft fair of the season. The following week Katie has a youth group trip out of town to a theme park and Christian music concert. It's a good thing iPhone has a calendar so I can keep everything straight for these kids! Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-63793058082018245822014-09-01T12:14:00.002-04:002019-09-17T09:37:48.743-04:00The LakeYesterday our family had a blast at the lake! All of our kids are truly water babies and LOVE the lake. Our girlies have been in water since a week after they were born. Kylie even started swimming when she was 2!! Katie and Haley swam well by 3. Matthew just learned to swim since he came to America, but he's just about keeping up with the girls.<br />
<br />
We enjoyed the tubing, kayaking, swimming, dinner, brownies & ice cream, rock climbing, roller blading, arcade games and so much more. The kids played HARD the whole time. It was nice just getting away from town and relaxing at the lake with our friends. The weather was absolutely gorgeous, though it was a little nicer later on because it was cooler once the sun went down. <br />
<br />
We all came home with bruises, scraped elbows, sore muscles and exhaustion, but we could not have asked for a better time! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_8rpfTutZ14SvU1rvhjis2liJ2BPH1eFFcxjZQimuI1iKpdOHYgq6nhMSdlgkGXkXHhP4JPhMLl2WlwjPZ5qOVQBKlCa7Em12yQ1HPskGij49PpcgWlX3LF6eFL1ySE2gB4d3KNaY_A/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_8rpfTutZ14SvU1rvhjis2liJ2BPH1eFFcxjZQimuI1iKpdOHYgq6nhMSdlgkGXkXHhP4JPhMLl2WlwjPZ5qOVQBKlCa7Em12yQ1HPskGij49PpcgWlX3LF6eFL1ySE2gB4d3KNaY_A/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The guys at the lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7rzeL-K2YzDv-uxQviWr8HMHO5Fq-aSimzT7GevVnLo3rYrd71akswgV8NK020clPY7SHLZvGrK1fkM-pQEkmB8WFHLG2ByctmZbg57SSK_3ONnj24CYGjF3AobkO2ADqZEsNlWIZ6M/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7rzeL-K2YzDv-uxQviWr8HMHO5Fq-aSimzT7GevVnLo3rYrd71akswgV8NK020clPY7SHLZvGrK1fkM-pQEkmB8WFHLG2ByctmZbg57SSK_3ONnj24CYGjF3AobkO2ADqZEsNlWIZ6M/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+046.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXL3fREFZea0EI16Mc2kD2t3VY5YFNRw8QDNaLWjgHastWGNRxszlt8BLU3WvZpx69ZcBKT806j2-OB289YqS3_-fofJpyPwqkKHcNQc7Q4I_cUle-xSPXQP2t-S93mOKptoSybBcBfE/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSXL3fREFZea0EI16Mc2kD2t3VY5YFNRw8QDNaLWjgHastWGNRxszlt8BLU3WvZpx69ZcBKT806j2-OB289YqS3_-fofJpyPwqkKHcNQc7Q4I_cUle-xSPXQP2t-S93mOKptoSybBcBfE/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+049.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet teen girlies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmu64y9yGEo1pscsiv5nvOWjkwVkR4DBWAxiCGYFQDs5t_6dfurQaKEjRuKEwF5PNDOXWgS9Ay4rKfjckOTPmAEScKW9rWwengq32OqLxxZpuqS38bLF-0Gr8-KQGqqDudiB5MTBPRy0/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCmu64y9yGEo1pscsiv5nvOWjkwVkR4DBWAxiCGYFQDs5t_6dfurQaKEjRuKEwF5PNDOXWgS9Ay4rKfjckOTPmAEScKW9rWwengq32OqLxxZpuqS38bLF-0Gr8-KQGqqDudiB5MTBPRy0/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlCxKhchKZoGrNVKYV7rRYScQu9coqp6gb8c5gzXv1281oC1NegKmihqe6z2Xun916zE_tRGWf2wmw87N9dyF7xVH5pLREcuLBOveE6AFfRTain-2L_lEnD5OFgnPkOdgHpiZSrl5vDU/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlCxKhchKZoGrNVKYV7rRYScQu9coqp6gb8c5gzXv1281oC1NegKmihqe6z2Xun916zE_tRGWf2wmw87N9dyF7xVH5pLREcuLBOveE6AFfRTain-2L_lEnD5OFgnPkOdgHpiZSrl5vDU/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+054.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gorgeous lake...my friend took this pic and she was kind enough to let me use it</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0WCOiQ9v00XVCCS7z2kAgF8O4iecU2lneOGp8nyB65q1KMVxnuw7N5b70xqoBCKp5ZTK9SHcAiIPn7eA4b0SG2bR7ObAvKja8dwqIaDMSkivNmJpzKnPcWZslAH1tpGVqHfcZeH8-8A/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+114.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0WCOiQ9v00XVCCS7z2kAgF8O4iecU2lneOGp8nyB65q1KMVxnuw7N5b70xqoBCKp5ZTK9SHcAiIPn7eA4b0SG2bR7ObAvKja8dwqIaDMSkivNmJpzKnPcWZslAH1tpGVqHfcZeH8-8A/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+114.PNG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One tired boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-71863708898753809452014-08-31T11:58:00.000-04:002019-09-17T09:38:50.353-04:00Money and PrioritiesThe other day I read a quote by Dave Ramsey that reads, "How a family spends money represents its value system. What you do with money shows who you really are." That really jumped out at me because it's Scriptural. The Bible teaches "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; <span style="font-size: large;"><b>f<span class="highl">or where your treasure is, there your heart will be also</span></b></span>." (Matthew 6:20, 21).<br />
<br />
<br />
I was curious what our value system is in our home so I took a photo of my checkbook to evaluate. As an accountant I love looking at this type of stuff! <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstA7DgPXzDAja1VZJOupV2L4dj0gGSC2RhT6eZqS5IgGGBMSLHnr6MRWyBcTHeJcEW5A9j7CCooI6YdlW4avNyRC9SkI2WQtTEPyFYrDUH-jG_V1xm-500Z_Z3BRy5dJ8lbMBq10UdCs/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstA7DgPXzDAja1VZJOupV2L4dj0gGSC2RhT6eZqS5IgGGBMSLHnr6MRWyBcTHeJcEW5A9j7CCooI6YdlW4avNyRC9SkI2WQtTEPyFYrDUH-jG_V1xm-500Z_Z3BRy5dJ8lbMBq10UdCs/s1600/2014-09-01.IphonePics+055.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_558741232">The top entry was a purchase of tickets for Church @ the Lake for our family. Every Labor Day our church has morning service at the church, then goes down to the lake for an afternoon and evening of fellowship together as a church family. This photo also shows gas, a check reorder and some food purchases. We had Hungry Howies Pizza at the beach on our family getaway. The Red Box movie was the "God's Not Dead" movie we watched on Friday night. Our family really enjoyed that movie and the message it gave. GNC, this was to purchase women's mufti-vitamins for me. Tim and Matthew had Vanilla Frosties together at Wendy's. We contributed to savings accounts, gave BBC and Score International charitable contributions and finally, we paid our car insurance. </span><br />
<span id="goog_558741232"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_558741232">This is a decent usage of money. Most of these purchases have to do with our family, church and simply paying our bills on time. That is basically our life!</span><br />
<span id="goog_558741232"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_558741232">One thing I'd like to encourage others to do is give. The Bible says to "Lay yourselves treasures in Heaven." This is the idea of giving to others because it honors God and cheerfully donating makes people joyful. Material items may bring joy momentarily, but those that focus on eternal things will bring even greater joy in Heaven. </span><br />
<br />
<span id="goog_558741232">Most of the time people do not give because with so many charities out there, they don't know which charities are authentic and which ones are shady with the resources they've collected. One recent example is the ALS research. Some of you may have done the ice bucket challenge to raise awareness of the disease. I read a few articles online that said that ALS research money was not going to be used for as much research as you might think and also some of the research is done on unborn babies scientists have murdered. I know there are several adoption charities that are more likely child trafficking businesses than legitimate orphan care organizations.</span><br />
<span id="goog_558741232"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_558741232">It's best to first give to your local church and then give to a well-researched organization in which you are passionate about. I wanted to list 3 great charities that I love.</span><br />
<span id="goog_558741232"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_558741232">1. Score International (www.scoreinternational.org). We fell in love with this organization when we went on a short-term mission trip to the Dominican Republic. We support and have kept in touch with our missionaries from that trip. Score International specializes in sports mission outreach, short-term missions, orphanage ministries, and Spanish language studies. They hold sports camps for sports such as soccer and baseball and spread the love of Christ to the children. When we were in the Dominican we shopped for and donated cleaning supplies, diapers, food and clothing to the orphanages and the poor families in the outer villages through Score. I love this ministry and they stretch every dollar given to meet the needs of the people and evangelize the lost!</span><br />
<span id="goog_558741232"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_558741232">2. Show Hope (http://showhope.org/sponsor). Show Hope is an organization founded by Steven Curtis Chapman and his family in honor their adoptive Chinese daughter. This organization provides grants to adoptive families, provides funds for life-saving medical care and cares for older orphans with various special needs. While our family never was awarded a grant from them for our adoptions, we have friends whose adopted daughter had a cleft lip repair paid for by this organization, and other friends who did receive an adoption grant. This non-profit is close to my heart because they experienced a similar accident and death of a child as our family. The book they wrote "Choosing to See" ministered to my grieving heart in the months following Brandon's unexpected death. </span><br />
<span id="goog_558741232"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_558741232">3. Little Flower Projects (info@chunmiaolittleflower.org). This non-profit provides specialized care of abandoned infants, nurturing love to orphans and education for older, disabled orphans in Beijing, China. I follow their work and the progress of several little ones online. It is absolutely amazing to see the life-changing medical care and love this organization provides.</span><br />
<span id="goog_558741232"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_558741232">I could go on and on with legitimate organizations, but these three are the first ones that came to mind as I began to write this post. Feel free to write to me at followingclosely@gmail.com or visit their website if you'd like more information on donating to these companies.</span>Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-4830231104034533882014-08-28T11:37:00.001-04:002014-08-28T11:37:58.982-04:001st Day of School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3TZHk89Slck9QGM_CYaGZ8TsdcrasabONFJG-oCrYEFf9XqqBg5UcCikGn1CffiaDMBYcD7Sj3X_8oCPh88IeHrH3Lhi331sxYfB2V0xN8POkvVYr8y_vVpQKFzjkoemhaVHOHJpv9Y/s1600/Mfirstdayofschoolphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3TZHk89Slck9QGM_CYaGZ8TsdcrasabONFJG-oCrYEFf9XqqBg5UcCikGn1CffiaDMBYcD7Sj3X_8oCPh88IeHrH3Lhi331sxYfB2V0xN8POkvVYr8y_vVpQKFzjkoemhaVHOHJpv9Y/s1600/Mfirstdayofschoolphoto.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Matthew had an awesome first and second day of school! He had a great first and second day of try outs for soccer! He says he's already made a lot of friends. He made it through the first round of cuts for the soccer team and was pretty excited about that. <br />
<br />
The last two days he has been pulled out of mainstream classes for 45 minutes each day for ESL testing. I received a call yesterday afternoon from the school counselor that they are going to go ahead place him back in 6th grade because he cannot read or write in English or do any math. I'm thinking that he's at "information overload" because he knows how to read at a 1st Grade level and knows his times tables up to the 4's. He came to America knowing none of that so he's making strides of improvement. Anyway, in 6th grade there is remedial help, so the one-on-one help from the ESL professionals will be exactly what he needs. They said he could stay in 7th, but their recommendation was that he go back to 6th, so with went with their opinion. They are the education experts and we trust their expertise.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately the school rules are if a child is not in 7th grade they cannot try out for middle school sports so he was pretty bummed about that. We are hoping to work with him a little bit with his soccer skills and then next year he will go back even stronger for the team. He had absolutely no problems with the fitness and speed portion of the tryouts. His areas to work on is the foot work and ball control since he has never been taught those elements to the game. Since Tim and I both played soccer back in the day we have plenty of ideas and time to work with him. The coach has a handout with drills and such we can work on. We hope to send him to a few soccer camps in the area and definitely next summer and those will also really help build strength and skills. <br />
<br />
His first day when I drove him to the school I asked him if he'd rather I park and walk him in to his homeroom or if he wanted me to drop him off at the door like all the other kids. He was quick to say that he wanted me to walk with him. It was a good thing I did because they had changed his schedule again for the 4th time and he had a whole new homeroom and a whole new team of teachers. I stood for a minute making sure he was headed in the right direction for his newest homeroom and held back the tears. He turned and waved at me several times looking scared, but determined. I waited until I got to the car before the tears spilled out. He looked so small in that big school! <br />
<br />
Anyway, we are excited for him this year. There are a great bunch of teachers and administrators that really seem to care about his success. They have encouraged good communication between us and them so we know exactly what is going on. We think he is going to do an amazing job and grow so much this year! God is good!<br />
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-66326637308999713042014-08-22T13:07:00.003-04:002014-08-28T10:31:29.819-04:00Ready or Not....Last night we attended Matthew's new school's open house. We went down his schedule and met each of his teachers one by one. All of the teachers that we met were very friendly and very helpful as far as accommodating his English limitations. We had to purchase his PE clothing, gym bag, his lock and a student planner.<br />
<br />
He had the opportunity to meet and speak with the soccer coach, if he makes the team. It will be difficult to make the team since he's never actually been trained in soccer or learned any disciplines. However, we figured it doesn't hurt to let him try out so he can see where he needs to be to make the team. We think it will be a good learning experience for him. If he does make the team, it will be great for him to finally have some soccer training and learn the actual skills and disciplines of the game. <br />
<br />
We needed to get his sports physical and shots before the first day of school. His regular doctor's office is out of the shot he needed until October and the doctor was out of the office today so she couldn't fill out his Sports Physical paperwork, so we just went to the Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic because they do Sports Physicals. It was fast and easy. It just cost extra money since they don't take insurance for Walk-In Sports Physicals.<br />
<br />
When we got home from open house Tim worked with him on how to open his lock with the combination inside the box. He picked it up pretty quickly and he taught Kylie and Haley how to open his lock as well. We went over his schedule and where the different classes are located. We told him what to do if he gets confused or lost at school. We went over what room number he needed to show up for his soccer briefing and practice and reviewed what the coach's name is. We went over what different school supplies are called, "Notebook," "3-ringed binder," "Planner," etc. He has so many things to learn and understand. It's all of these things you really don't think about until you have a child who has no clue what the English words are for these things.<br />
<br />
Today we had to go shopping to get him a few smaller clothing items like socks and underwear. He needed soccer cleats for his tryouts and PE sneakers. He wanted me to teach him what outfits "matched" for school and what shoes look best with what outfits. He is very particular about matching and looking nice. He likes things ironed and neat. He likes to wear cologne and smell good as well so that is a real blessing. I love having a neat and clean boy because I know so many boys his age are NOT neat or clean and they definitely can't keep track of their belongings like he does!<br />
<br />
Monday we have to go meet the ESL director at a different public school. He wants to check Matthew's laptop for progress on his Rosetta Stone. Then we will need to sign the laptop out for this entire school year. The ESL director will give us another briefing on how the ESL program works. It is my understanding that they will pull Matthew out of his regular classes for ESL tutoring every day for 30 minutes a day. Somewhere in there they will do some testing on him to see exactly where he is and if he has any learning disabilities.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We have had a lot going on with getting him ready for school. It is exciting to me that his school seems to be so helpful and motivated to help him succeed. He looked a little nervous on Open House night, but he told me today he is really excited for school to start. He prayed last night in family devotions that he would do really well in school and learn English really fast. We think he will be stretched this year, but he is a very competitive boy and I believe he will work hard to catch up to the other "guys" in his class. With his positive attitude and determination we really think we will see a lot of growth and maturity in him. Ready or not.....2014-2015 School Year, here we come! (Pray for him...and also for me. I will probably cry for him like I cried for the girlies on their first day of Kindergarten!!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-19941799197619189522014-08-21T08:40:00.003-04:002014-08-21T09:03:23.321-04:00Summer's Almost Over---Myrtle Beach 2014 What a hectic, crazy summer with my job searching, school touring, traveling, Tim's business trips, tutoring Matthew, camps, and so much more! We received a 25% off coupon to use for a Myrtle Beach resort, so we decided to take the kids on one final vacation before the hectic school year begins.<br />
<br />
We almost cancelled our trip because the Honda Pilot needed repairs and also the forecast was 70% chance of rain the whole time. Boy, are we glad we didn't cancel because the weather was absolutely gorgeous! The ocean was warm enough to swim and boogie board, yet the breeze coming off the ocean made the 93-degree temperatures bearable to just sit and sun bathe. <br />
<br />
We spent our days in the ocean, in the lazy river, in the pool or hot tub, watching free movies and shopping. The girlies spent their money on a ukelele, sweatshirts, t-shirts, beach towels, beach bags and earrings. Matthew saved most of his money, but found a pocket knife he wanted. It was funny because we spent the afternoon Monday shopping, and then Tuesday the girls had decided they wanted to exchange most of their things, so we spent Tuesday returning to all the stores we went to Monday. Buyer's remorse much? (The guys rolled their eyes, but after all, it's a woman's prerogative to change her mind!)<br />
<br />
We enjoyed frozen yogurt, Krispy Kreme doughnuts, bagels, a breakfast buffet, the beach snack bar and pizza. It was a treat for me not to have to cook or clean up. It was so nice to get away from life for 3 days. We didn't have to worry about school, work, the news reports on suicides, beheadings or politics. We cut electronic and internet usage down to a bare minimum. We just enjoyed our kids and lived in the moment. It was a much needed break and we are so very thankful our Honda Pilot repairs did not cost too much so we didn't have to cancel our small vacation. I'm so thankful for my precious family that God has given me, for good weather and for 25% discounts for family vacations!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtKIY7LLcx8UtFciWrl49yR7Cc6ywW1_UE8-iBCc372UYmPLufcl-viOekoJ7Mk-XgYKWVXyDnkxAFVGgoKg6jxZ2c89rtBFcbVKR8qCKyD262xvl2o-O6vyhLa8-uLuo98LLJHXgSkw/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLtKIY7LLcx8UtFciWrl49yR7Cc6ywW1_UE8-iBCc372UYmPLufcl-viOekoJ7Mk-XgYKWVXyDnkxAFVGgoKg6jxZ2c89rtBFcbVKR8qCKyD262xvl2o-O6vyhLa8-uLuo98LLJHXgSkw/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+006.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCqQ_6gQtgDIlxYf0V73XFVrKGiVfsrgXpz5vdIDj1ixhG2w_BPzvhOcyURDO-grYdPHDEVemuIo6UEyQQHkLQPgUY0jh2h1M4BzLUueF7RZY3hbRmQKwUNZHOeZTAJpyXpaKTcMSGw0/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQCqQ_6gQtgDIlxYf0V73XFVrKGiVfsrgXpz5vdIDj1ixhG2w_BPzvhOcyURDO-grYdPHDEVemuIo6UEyQQHkLQPgUY0jh2h1M4BzLUueF7RZY3hbRmQKwUNZHOeZTAJpyXpaKTcMSGw0/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+035.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew and Haley caught a good wave!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBwVvsO2fwBT1VycPYbOZB6IDBv9IMYJm2hmLwUPpt3HtS59GgatxmL2GTVfEa7bgcAw-V3FHq44gS2gp3cNyexhKw7IkippJAjSk9Q1lmCH8ST-kw9Z4Ty0ldbZ5D_hkRLoZeX5YQ0o/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBwVvsO2fwBT1VycPYbOZB6IDBv9IMYJm2hmLwUPpt3HtS59GgatxmL2GTVfEa7bgcAw-V3FHq44gS2gp3cNyexhKw7IkippJAjSk9Q1lmCH8ST-kw9Z4Ty0ldbZ5D_hkRLoZeX5YQ0o/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+041.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylie and Matthew waiting for a good wave</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpAH5e-RWIDlfGu-kmwHVxuz_v6lquSStGwAZiqmDMzz-dmkkFG4VWkHygwtLntomXtWr9lYclHJujmDgdnPaQrGq4M7z6t783ycJSnK0iR1H6wpxMIBLqZwF4w8AyaTy_N3S2_fPZVE/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpAH5e-RWIDlfGu-kmwHVxuz_v6lquSStGwAZiqmDMzz-dmkkFG4VWkHygwtLntomXtWr9lYclHJujmDgdnPaQrGq4M7z6t783ycJSnK0iR1H6wpxMIBLqZwF4w8AyaTy_N3S2_fPZVE/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+047.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's grown so tall this summer!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgWgEOHq3trJnoxhcBDqBW07NY5x2Dn3t0_lFbdMW5yfpNXJEuHpJLPPsqD-S_j8afDvnRrLiKDXiMdns-OBlM5DOxwpNDvtCUxKDSCSGB1a-Kds3T56kJRvNJaYTGx2LkMYmwNUvYPo/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxgWgEOHq3trJnoxhcBDqBW07NY5x2Dn3t0_lFbdMW5yfpNXJEuHpJLPPsqD-S_j8afDvnRrLiKDXiMdns-OBlM5DOxwpNDvtCUxKDSCSGB1a-Kds3T56kJRvNJaYTGx2LkMYmwNUvYPo/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+063.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylie playing volley ball with Dad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9g5_f-K66zhFNTF_ghAw6RZZb8AwWe2ov3BCXNZr9TprpAXE9aFHhAVrhgX7-daIbt3mPwCST-wZVi__1oYZwJ5HAIAOlmgRGNLmOYgsRku52DJJY5xImVIzVeGOjWp7tyGhr3nQKzk/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9g5_f-K66zhFNTF_ghAw6RZZb8AwWe2ov3BCXNZr9TprpAXE9aFHhAVrhgX7-daIbt3mPwCST-wZVi__1oYZwJ5HAIAOlmgRGNLmOYgsRku52DJJY5xImVIzVeGOjWp7tyGhr3nQKzk/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+066.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew and Haley digging a giant hole</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnqNZXqUxqiHIMYrqyNqYXIvp_ZITgdUpUWubsQMPxH0CX33-rU5qZGSPUQGpkWNNDL1hY3kws0aRzkixhMywQde0PiItPPMSQZDUx214LGKy6HAxz69Anf70-j_EDe_-Uvm5und5tP4/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvnqNZXqUxqiHIMYrqyNqYXIvp_ZITgdUpUWubsQMPxH0CX33-rU5qZGSPUQGpkWNNDL1hY3kws0aRzkixhMywQde0PiItPPMSQZDUx214LGKy6HAxz69Anf70-j_EDe_-Uvm5und5tP4/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+080.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Man made beach chair</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV6NQGkiNVCyGrlINChmdNgshSev5EdYeacYp-kf_ayv4Yk71-6mUCI0allASWyGz6Rsu5tuOgpK0lwjL27F6uqG1_w6t4x7G2FIErf-NiTUmTJ7IAgJs82W0_R9ED0w2jhPNINbeK30/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEV6NQGkiNVCyGrlINChmdNgshSev5EdYeacYp-kf_ayv4Yk71-6mUCI0allASWyGz6Rsu5tuOgpK0lwjL27F6uqG1_w6t4x7G2FIErf-NiTUmTJ7IAgJs82W0_R9ED0w2jhPNINbeK30/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+124.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lazy river wasn't so lazy with these two knocking each other off ;)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJSW09kVbLI_wYuKxab7c3vvC5U2QOcQgkmuz66e-LGbJRrAloXprg7Pcbsjo9Y1xGUBfxE-OOLrbD4DxdxfK1eTYNwXCpyF19yE70AG7eLkAQuIXzZw4p3rHUo4bWZ05Wx9eM1Cs2Lw/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJSW09kVbLI_wYuKxab7c3vvC5U2QOcQgkmuz66e-LGbJRrAloXprg7Pcbsjo9Y1xGUBfxE-OOLrbD4DxdxfK1eTYNwXCpyF19yE70AG7eLkAQuIXzZw4p3rHUo4bWZ05Wx9eM1Cs2Lw/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+129.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katie Bug</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUE4Yq5zilIwXZPvFmvkPh2FiUtnwMeebO7uw_IAQSPkIIRZvy_f7-Vpg93Y1XSM9qcTQTibM_oKKDOKCcKQeHplmLcUhAxo9i_2FseFm_K94WdTJCbyAqZ6vuy65eH6MBqKybybl2Ds/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUE4Yq5zilIwXZPvFmvkPh2FiUtnwMeebO7uw_IAQSPkIIRZvy_f7-Vpg93Y1XSM9qcTQTibM_oKKDOKCcKQeHplmLcUhAxo9i_2FseFm_K94WdTJCbyAqZ6vuy65eH6MBqKybybl2Ds/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+131.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew and Haley enjoying the hot tub--it was Matthew's favorite</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wZcBCpdlDlFr6idRjC2wgr6SZ5K5FNbEI4lTsVWatNZk_PjZ9GAwNhnqUUT8VeBo9eqzXqhREiCz8ZM3UkjC5bLxUlHnA9iSJ6E-NkR849pPoQVGd5RmVYTGfK9srR-ucgRAca_yr5c/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wZcBCpdlDlFr6idRjC2wgr6SZ5K5FNbEI4lTsVWatNZk_PjZ9GAwNhnqUUT8VeBo9eqzXqhREiCz8ZM3UkjC5bLxUlHnA9iSJ6E-NkR849pPoQVGd5RmVYTGfK9srR-ucgRAca_yr5c/s1600/2014-08-18.MyrtleBeachVacation+140.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our view from our hotel balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCiuVi-zNInRHPDB23UeQdkQYmPaXqqdVs0B0uABNOQpeSbdV68VA6cpmY_NdXv1umG9XR602Nx4xYF6o-We1nWB1UIyNjvIT2tRH4kjpwaKA3hfz8uDFn2BRJ26Eq-WGC57qgQTG0Z8/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbCiuVi-zNInRHPDB23UeQdkQYmPaXqqdVs0B0uABNOQpeSbdV68VA6cpmY_NdXv1umG9XR602Nx4xYF6o-We1nWB1UIyNjvIT2tRH4kjpwaKA3hfz8uDFn2BRJ26Eq-WGC57qgQTG0Z8/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+087.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew killing time while the girls shop, Tim in the background sleeping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWbxre_5LgklDfboZR77eMl9Iqaa_S8I60gseM0SfPlVjJ4g5ram1a58eWf55cW6iahWABV4CP92xV2azba_8-2X0knOKKwuJsafk1VHQUG45hnx3wJm6x6FiU7pAhtqJOO0Fe1P6XLk/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWbxre_5LgklDfboZR77eMl9Iqaa_S8I60gseM0SfPlVjJ4g5ram1a58eWf55cW6iahWABV4CP92xV2azba_8-2X0knOKKwuJsafk1VHQUG45hnx3wJm6x6FiU7pAhtqJOO0Fe1P6XLk/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+096.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooling off with some frozen yogurt</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLeItGr9Jr5lsTOt0HhYOU83TY1KTDclMSVtfVf2TG09dy35Cd9BqMg8RyzUnEnSHh26AVq83rqg5b9xiESzBzdzhMDVUyNbqBZ8ahkw5CA2IYbQX3F3wq9XNw5CVKKBaDPK5nmMt5yg/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLeItGr9Jr5lsTOt0HhYOU83TY1KTDclMSVtfVf2TG09dy35Cd9BqMg8RyzUnEnSHh26AVq83rqg5b9xiESzBzdzhMDVUyNbqBZ8ahkw5CA2IYbQX3F3wq9XNw5CVKKBaDPK5nmMt5yg/s1600/2014-08-20.IphonePics+099.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girlies' favorite pass time!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-30642762375685397302014-08-10T18:10:00.002-04:002014-08-10T21:33:15.652-04:00Matthew's Been Home 6 Months!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipqPdo3c7A5psvmNVzi1t6NmA0H_CzAgy0PhVA_psW35WhjMzU8Lx1rH1sHs8ByymH-3R-oH0tnZvhzl1qToPoqIxVumTQjaY8Fut-mh2qqpa0j7wRCAIBuXmfQiWvBo0dNfihQaay-4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipqPdo3c7A5psvmNVzi1t6NmA0H_CzAgy0PhVA_psW35WhjMzU8Lx1rH1sHs8ByymH-3R-oH0tnZvhzl1qToPoqIxVumTQjaY8Fut-mh2qqpa0j7wRCAIBuXmfQiWvBo0dNfihQaay-4/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Look how much this boy has grown and changed in only 6 months! He started out 6 months ago in size 8 boys' jeans and size 4 shoes and now he's in boys' 14 slim jeans and size 7 mens' shoes. He's 5 foot tall already! It won't be long before he is taller than me! He hasn't gained any weight as he's grown in height most likely because he is never still so he burns off any weight he may have otherwise gained. He eats ALL the time so perhaps when school begins and he has to sit still more often he will begin to gain weight. I can't believe he's been here 6 months already. Time flies when you're having fun and this boy is a blast to be around!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
He has been enjoying the last month or so in Summer Day Camp with the local Recreation Center. Day Camp has all kinds of neat activities throughout the day like dodge ball and field trips. He's been introduced to Zumba, bowling, bouncy houses, police representatives, soldiers and other heroes of our community. We take for granted that most boys his age in America would have already done all those things for years. He is 12 and never has been exposed to any of this and he's had a blast each day. We were hoping with the full immersion into English camp he would improve in his language skills and we think that our strategy worked out very well. The idea of camp was to get him used to getting up every morning and heading outside the home. He has also met some kids who will attend his new school.<br />
<br />
He is going to begin his Fall soccer league soon as well. He will be a
busy guy here shortly, but he thrives best by staying busy and staying
out of trouble. <br />
<br />
Summer is coming to a close and he will begin 7th grade. We
are praying he does not go into culture shock from the American public
school. (By "culture shock" I mean that he's been doing nothing but PLAY for 6 months, and all the sudden he's going to be around 2,000 kids his own age and he's going to have to sit still at a desk and adhere to a schedule. He will really struggle with that at first because there is no play time in middle school. His orphanage only had 101 kids in it and they did a lot of playing there as well.) For the past
6 months we've been attempting to home school him and he hasn't learned all that quickly due to lack of motivation, so hopefully the "experts" in the school
system can motivate him to want to learn. We are optimistic that he
will catch up to his grade level very soon because he is very smart! He just chooses to be lazy academically and would rather play. Still even after 6 months home, he's only about a 1st
grade American level in math and reading. We are very thankful for the 6
months we had with him at home to get to know him and bond with him and
now it's time for him to settle into real school and perhaps mature a
bit.<br />
<br />
We are praying this next month of changes in his life will run smoothly and that Matthew continues to grow and thrive here in America! We pray God will send him solid, guy friends who have integrity and who will not lead him into foolishness. We so much want to be able to trust him to obey the first time and to tell the truth. We want to teach him to be a boy of good character. We are praying he will see his need for a Savior. We so are excited to see what God is going to do in his life and we are thankful for our friends and family who support us and pray for us daily.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-38054003749427477112014-08-05T21:22:00.000-04:002015-09-05T21:30:17.546-04:00Practical Jokes and Foolishness<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One of the many things that 12-year-old boys need to learn is the difference between practical jokes versus foolishness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Webster’s dictionary a joke is "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something said or done to cause laughter</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foolishness is defined as “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">having or showing a lack of good sense or judgment.”</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Many of you know that our firstborn son, Brandon, died after a bike accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I found him on the ground (dead), the first thing I said to him was, “Brandon, stop fooling around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re scaring me.” I hoped and prayed at the time he was joking around. Brandon had a history of teasing and pretending to be hurt or dead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He once got in our Christmas tree box, crossed his arms over and closed his eyes, pretending to be dead in a casket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, it made me cringe to see him lying there in the box, and I quickly said, “Brandon, quit that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get out of the box.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely he was just a boy and “boys will be boys,” but not even a month later, he truly was dead in a casket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That memory is still burned in my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I have a good sense of humor and enjoy laughing at a good joke, that somehow wasn’t funny to me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last night I was inside watching a horse movie with the girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew was outside playing with the neighborhood boys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The door bell rang and outside was Matthew hunched over holding his stomach moaning and groaning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he spewed what appeared to be vomit from his mouth and he continued with this behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Panic set in my gut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My arms tingled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I reached for my phone to dial 911.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I panicked as I recalled I would not be able to reach Tim for several hours as he was in route flying home from a business trip. The day Brandon died, I could not reach Tim for several hours either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> To this day, any time I cannot reach Tim, I panic. </span>Last night my breathing picked up and I broke into a cold sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> My heart palpitated. </span>Thankfully the neighborhood boy started laughing and Matthew soon followed in rolling laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a practical joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only I wasn’t laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The girls were not laughing. </span>It took me a good hour to calm my nerves so I could call him inside and then speak coherently to him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I sat him down and explained to him, that not even a week ago he did a similar joke about getting critically hurt and Daddy spoke to him then about jokes like that not being funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tim explained then if he ever actually was hurt or sick we may not believe him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He explained how Brandon did the same thing and it wasn’t funny back then either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Tim explained he is not allowed to pretend to be sick or hurt again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I asked Matthew if he thought it was funny that he scared me so bad and that I almost called the police and the ambulance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He burst into tears, “No ma’am” he answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I emphasized that if it happens again, we are coming down on him hard. “Yes, ma’am. I understood this scared you (and it is) not funny,” he responded after he saw the tears in my eyes as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This is the second time that he has pulled this “hurt” foolishness, but he’s played MANY other tasteless and foolish jokes on the girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s even lied about an intruder coming into the house which scared the girls so bad they slept in our room for almost a week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bible says in Proverbs 22:15, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but correction shall drive it far from him.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our goal is to teach our son the difference between jokes where both parties think it’s funny and can laugh and what foolishness is. We want to teach him to make good friend choices so he is influenced wisely and not influenced in foolishness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lying and faking illnesses/injuries is foolish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Disobedience or deceit to make others laugh is foolish. It is a difficult job for us as his parents because we both love a sense of humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We joke and tease the kids as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew is really a very funny boy and he contributes well to making our home fun and happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t want to squash his spirit or ruin his sense of humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just need to figure out how to direct him to have better taste in his humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We want to raise our son to have good self control and to be wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray for us and we navigate through this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Fy7sXpwAykspgpPtondXpLDlofv9I50zqJdLpI03rphMPygK-CmDrrz54ClrPnbxjt8uWvfzTScTcrVkyd-AMVw1_0flCq0K8PG7M0XcKiDP2PKabH_EsL7UPGhTeuDV9GqQrKhcZT8/s1600/2014-08-02.MatthewPhotos+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Fy7sXpwAykspgpPtondXpLDlofv9I50zqJdLpI03rphMPygK-CmDrrz54ClrPnbxjt8uWvfzTScTcrVkyd-AMVw1_0flCq0K8PG7M0XcKiDP2PKabH_EsL7UPGhTeuDV9GqQrKhcZT8/s1600/2014-08-02.MatthewPhotos+127.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our big GOOF BALL!!! Matthew "modeling" his pajama bottoms and Katie's Sperry's shoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">On a lighter note, </span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Haley told Matthew last night he's "eye candy." (Seriously, where'd she learn that terminology? She’s only 9!! I don't particularly care for that language.) He answered, "Disgusting, I don't have candy in da eye! You're eye candy!" Haley, "Thanks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In English 'eye candy' means you're CUTE." Matthew: "Oh, you're no candy in da eye." Haley shrugs. Never mind. Language barriers.</span></div>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-41808207966150788312014-07-31T19:03:00.003-04:002014-08-21T22:12:42.969-04:00Changes in Border Control<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over the last ten years or so I have been changing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My eyes have been opened a bit more as I’ve
been exposed first-hand to more of the world outside my comfortable bubble than
ever before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Curiosity has made me an
open-minded student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer do I
believe ideas or take sides to an argument based on what someone says.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like to research things myself more
thoroughly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Change can be very exciting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It can be refreshing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be
an adventure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good choices can result in
change that causes better quality of life and happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pursuit for change drives people to
better themselves physically and to go the extra mile to succeed.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There is also an ugly side to change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Change hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s unfamiliar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sometimes causes
doubt and easy discouragement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of
change can be very bad. Many people seek to bring change into their lives
believing “the grass is greener on the other side.” Every choice in life ushers
in more change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not all change is even
the result of a conscious choice. Life’s circumstances or superiors may decide
upon change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our nation voted for “change” when President Obama was
running for election.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has definitely
brought about change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d argue our
nation has changed more under his leadership than any other president before
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One great change was when he passed
into tax law the Adoption Tax credit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our family has qualified for this tax credit for our International
adoption and it’s definitely helped us out a lot with the expenses for our son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know many adopting families have utilized
this tax credit and it has made adoption more attainable for them.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One change I’m not so sure about is with our border controls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not on one side of the debate or the
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read the debate of the Left
and I’ve read the debate of the Right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
a sensitive debate and I’m not even sure what the right answer is even with all
the reading and research I’ve done.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On one hand I know I brought our son into the States <u>legally</u>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We filed legal paperwork with USCIS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to be fingerprinted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to stand in long lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This legal process was very expensive and time
consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one of the many
reasons it took our adoptions so long. It was why I was held up waiting in
Ukraine on at least one occasion. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know
how much having our son home now costs us to feed, give health care to and he’s
a very healthy boy with no diseases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
know how much he costs the public school system to get him up to par with his
English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is just ONE boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read that more than 60,000 minors have
already entered our country’s borders illegally since 2014 began and thousands
are still flooding in every month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Laws and the constitution are in place and have been in place for a very good reason: You have to draw the line somewhere. Everyone cannot come to America. </span>Taking care of illegal immigrants
is very expensive for a nation that is already in trillion dollar debt. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I won't even get into the discussion about the diseases coming in through illegal aliens.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other hand I’ve been to several third world countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen the poverty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve walked among the raw sewage that runs
down their streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve read about the civil wars in their
countries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched the videos and
documentaries of young girls being gang raped and the young boys forced into
violence and war at an age younger even than my own son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve seen the pain in the eyes of the parents
who simply want to provide for their children and desire for their kids to be
safe, just as you or I want our children to be safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am moved to compassion to care for the poor
and especially the children. I can’t imagine coldly rejecting sickly children
who have spent months traveling to the borders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve looked into the delicate eyes of small
children who long for a better life in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s heart breaking to not be able to help all the needy children of the
world.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m perplexed and I’m puzzled and I can’t help but wonder
these things:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is the change in America
that we are currently experiencing dragging us down the path to becoming
exactly the kind of nation these children are running from?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are we setting ourselves up financially and
spiritually for an incredible fall?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t know what it is, but after all the research I have completed I feel we are
becoming increasingly vulnerable to destruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We definitely need change: Our nation needs a
healthy fear of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The better question is HOW
will our nation ever turn back to Him?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Therefore, my beloved
brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain</i>.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I Corinthians 15:58</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCJ0UPxwo66bkjEyfEJ15U6ykaDQoIC7W_VO9l6LsYqZyEaL39ACHBVIN2WoGbRqdl50HGDMR_CgwExclrJI0lwwTu9ymvVCt_UzJKx1YMDZlU8In2kz891NtF73kFo8Izw3L9nd4NNg/s1600/2014-02-10.FinishedKievHOME+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCJ0UPxwo66bkjEyfEJ15U6ykaDQoIC7W_VO9l6LsYqZyEaL39ACHBVIN2WoGbRqdl50HGDMR_CgwExclrJI0lwwTu9ymvVCt_UzJKx1YMDZlU8In2kz891NtF73kFo8Izw3L9nd4NNg/s1600/2014-02-10.FinishedKievHOME+043.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">US Embassy in Ukraine where we finished legally getting our son citizenship</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-41617847356887641372014-07-24T11:06:00.000-04:002014-07-25T11:09:47.708-04:00Throw Back Thursday: Brandon Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love it when I stumble across pictures of Brandon that I haven't noticed before!! I found these two random pictures from about 3 years ago when we were hiking in the mountains together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first picture is when Brandon tasted S'mores for the first time. He was not a fan. He did not like super sweet things. Still he smiled as he ate it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The second photo is a blurry picture that Haley took of Brandon and I. She was only 6 when she snapped the photo. I look hot and sweaty; my hair is pulled back in a pony tail, which I hate, but I still love it because it's a photo of the two of us together. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I miss this beautiful blond boy who was always so kind and loving. He did not ever harbor ill will towards anyone. Even when someone was annoying him, he still was kind. My heart just can't stand the pain of missing him sometimes! The water just falls out of my eyes sometimes without any control. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm so thankful for the glorious hope of seeing this sweet face again one day in Heaven!! I'm so glad he gets to enjoy heaven and God. I'm thankful for the gift of his life here on earth and the joy he brings even this long after his death. I love you, son! "See you in a little while!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5eaPf6DQRU2LcIW5NV_8O5ICiAKvHJ0DHx9ap37nXfIrhbMDx2mrf8KV1DYY6W67mHiRu_FGQvZ7iy65qTsQZP9w4OUptFUesfPLV4fOHdnZbaFj4Cx-cs0AHJ8r7wuzZ50jCfhtZ1c/s1600/Mountains2011.1+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5eaPf6DQRU2LcIW5NV_8O5ICiAKvHJ0DHx9ap37nXfIrhbMDx2mrf8KV1DYY6W67mHiRu_FGQvZ7iy65qTsQZP9w4OUptFUesfPLV4fOHdnZbaFj4Cx-cs0AHJ8r7wuzZ50jCfhtZ1c/s1600/Mountains2011.1+002.JPG" height="400" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUWDYWpkqwbBYYlYKj3qzMSRoowkIoZxCcvKRsM9yX_TyWL64xVnSjiZafYhVxBkLjQpI6Y7nE2A1gtkk3aP2RHk4GSUTPKx4M9RLXanNqPZpKXm3o-5wXFP8SMHyaokpUehoP10N4dY/s1600/Mountains2011.1+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUWDYWpkqwbBYYlYKj3qzMSRoowkIoZxCcvKRsM9yX_TyWL64xVnSjiZafYhVxBkLjQpI6Y7nE2A1gtkk3aP2RHk4GSUTPKx4M9RLXanNqPZpKXm3o-5wXFP8SMHyaokpUehoP10N4dY/s1600/Mountains2011.1+152.JPG" height="320" width="230" /></a></div>
<b>1 Peter 1:3-9</b> “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-15285515769728963902014-07-21T10:40:00.000-04:002014-07-21T10:46:25.533-04:00Raarrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!This past Saturday night I was over at my parents' house working on a surprise for Katie's birthday. Tim was home alone with the kids.<br />
<br />
<br />
Haley found a sweet stray kitten and brought it into the house. Tim was upstairs "working" on this computer. Haley nonchalantly went upstairs and asked Tim, "Am I allowed to bring a cat into the house?"<br />
<br />
<br />
I imagine it took Tim a few moments to realize and process the question because he zones out when he's "working" on his computer. <br />
<br />
<br />
"NOO!!!!" he finally said and jumped out of his chair.<br />
<br />
<br />
Haley: "Oh, cuz I kinda already did and now I can't catch it to put it back outside."<br />
<br />
<br />
Apparently Reese (our cat) is VERY territorial and was aggressively chasing and attacking the sweet baby kitty. Under the bed the cats went screaming and hissing. Out of the bed. Under the bed....RAARRRRRR!!!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Tim was finally able to catch the frightened cat only because Reese had cornered her in our walk-in closet. <br />
<br />
Usually Reese is a very friendly cat. She thinks she is a human. She is commonly found on someone's lap purring. So it was definitely out of character to her to be hissing and it shocked Haley. Reese made it very clear she is not open to making new friends. <br />
<br />
Most times stray cats stick around after someone is friendly and feeds them milk. Not this poor kitten. Reese effectively claimed HER territory and was not very hospitable to Haley's new furry friend.<br />
<br />
<br />
OH, that Haley!!!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ngO7Nwwz3DwQK0amXxzvOl0Fr0bk_0ZMfR677eH0VkA_ifJ7yiYn1WNnU91Vz7n1FJ5Z8tPDMrfDbEksvr3HoS3a0GI4Vpn0R57wGA989JGI0odoeO1CCmq3rrtpXz6TW_PlZmGlk0M/s1600/2013-12-05.IphonePhotos+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ngO7Nwwz3DwQK0amXxzvOl0Fr0bk_0ZMfR677eH0VkA_ifJ7yiYn1WNnU91Vz7n1FJ5Z8tPDMrfDbEksvr3HoS3a0GI4Vpn0R57wGA989JGI0odoeO1CCmq3rrtpXz6TW_PlZmGlk0M/s1600/2013-12-05.IphonePhotos+001.JPG" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who me? I didn't see any stray kitten.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX96PP5tYwicUY9mupbfB-xnQFY9BgLEIccp4iWuEAz8vIyTdyzFtaLOyaC_HGkYwhkqww0gZfGooE2h0cvGKxzIJ6AKxPfLtIgldZnEg7ig6kw0_fxMjwYv9sK8lRe6s7f5dKri63CWw/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX96PP5tYwicUY9mupbfB-xnQFY9BgLEIccp4iWuEAz8vIyTdyzFtaLOyaC_HGkYwhkqww0gZfGooE2h0cvGKxzIJ6AKxPfLtIgldZnEg7ig6kw0_fxMjwYv9sK8lRe6s7f5dKri63CWw/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+127.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reese snuggling and purring on Haley's lap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-37561166398953820522014-07-19T19:30:00.000-04:002014-07-21T08:57:59.266-04:00Update on CampThe first day Matthew and Haley were at camp I was okay with them being gone (okay, the first 12 hours I was okay). By Tuesday afternoon, I was really missing them. I was basically stalking our church Facebook page searching for any posted pictures. I wanted to see their little faces and if they were smiling or tired-looking. Were they sitting alone? I think the whole week I saw maybe 5 pictures of the kids, so all that stalking for basically nothing (lol...I realize that there is limited internet access at camp and it is not anyone's job to photograph my kid all week and there are other children attending camp where their parents prefer their child NOT be photographed/posted on the internet and I realize when I was growing up my parents did without ANY pictures of me. I get all of that). I was thankful that at least they were smiling in the few pictures I did see and it gave me some kind of peace that they were okay and having a good time.<br />
<br />
<br />
It was Haley's first time away at camp and she's the baby of the family and she has that history of seizures when she gets dehydrated or overheated, so clearly I worried about her. I am proud of myself for only sending one text message to the chaperones all week because I seriously wanted to send several a day. Of all the kids, Haley did the best her first week of camp. Go figure cause I worried the most about the one that is most independent. <br />
<br />
<br />
Matthew did say that she cried as the bus pulled away and she cried a little more that evening. Haley has not admitted to that yet (haha...she's innocent until proven guilty). She is a social butterfly and loves to be around her friends and she loves to make new friends. She very much enjoyed her counselor and I'm sure she talked her ear off. She had an absolute blast at camp and cannot wait to go back next year.<br />
<br />
<br />
Haley says her favorite part about camp was, by far, getting saved. We are thrilled with her decision to trust Christ. Her counselor led her to the Lord one night after chapel. Haley said she's wanted to become a Christian for a long time, but she didn't know how or even what questions to ask. Haley also loved going on the water tube with her counselor and other friends. She said that her counselor squished her on the water tube, but she laughed because she was the only one still on the tube at the end of the boat ride. Haley said she dug her hands into the rope handle and held on with a death grip. No one could have pried her loose (She's such a goof). She also liked the snack bar and climbing the rock wall. She liked seeing the snake in the water as well (snake?). <br />
<br />
<br />
Matthew had a blast with all the teen guy counselors. He was a lot older than a lot of the boys that went from our church. He didn't feel lonely though because he fit in well with the guy counselors. He followed them around all week teasing them and they'd tease him back. I guess a bunch of them threw him in the lake with his clothing on. He didn't have a favorite part about camp, but he said he liked it all. He liked the chapel time. He liked the games in the gym. He liked being out on the lake. He says he definitely wants to go back next year. <br />
<br />
<br />
The following Sunday after they came home was Camp Day at our church where all the counselors come for a visit. Matthew and Haley were so excited to be able to introduce Tim and I to their counselors. I asked Matthew's counselor if he understood Matthew at all. His reply? "Dude, not really." That made me laugh. I do believe this teen-surfer-sounding-kid addressed me as "Dude." I must admit I'd rather be called "Dude" than "Ma'am." Here in the South I get "Maam'ed" a lot more than I appreciate. Anyway, it was awesome that this teen allowed Matthew to hang around him all week and goofed off with him. It meant the world to Matthew and also us.<br />
<br />
<br />
We told the kids that if they came home from camp with all their belongings that I packed for them, we'd celebrate by taking them to Sweet Frog (a frozen yogurt place) when they got home. I didn't actually think there was any possible way Haley would come home with everything, but she did (minus a yellow sock). They held me to that promise. <br />
<br />
<br />
I will note that Matthew not only came home with all his belongings, but he also had all his dirty clothing folded and put in the plastic bag. I love my organized and neat boy!!! He's just awesome! And I'm so proud of my scattered-Haley-Bee for turning a corner to maturity and keeping track of her belongings for a whole week all by herself.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdYXwgNjOOEg1kXmnwCOLnlK0V75Qu6qQT4Up2RsNKMWJqPZl_q6eIR7k7YBn4ESGmm9hvDYXKqf_kvIGy-oO83BwMEN5JxHGX95T6ULzkuoFV2FCxK6T8TeqwohrXNpWewUeO6ow1VU/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCdYXwgNjOOEg1kXmnwCOLnlK0V75Qu6qQT4Up2RsNKMWJqPZl_q6eIR7k7YBn4ESGmm9hvDYXKqf_kvIGy-oO83BwMEN5JxHGX95T6ULzkuoFV2FCxK6T8TeqwohrXNpWewUeO6ow1VU/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+049.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It does this Mama's heart good to see her baby beaming with joy at camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL7o2YD0f-Q74M5gr7ZiQFIzqF71t2Gazff9vvl4DPIW9an7B92a6k02iI9VLZ4ywQMBvDU_0IzEpZ_vvv9RSFChxikwb9YtzYV3ptI4FkavX1_q_KL5pDBv_owdE0eaHIDc7zrJtxDs/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzL7o2YD0f-Q74M5gr7ZiQFIzqF71t2Gazff9vvl4DPIW9an7B92a6k02iI9VLZ4ywQMBvDU_0IzEpZ_vvv9RSFChxikwb9YtzYV3ptI4FkavX1_q_KL5pDBv_owdE0eaHIDc7zrJtxDs/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+051.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the gym at camp and it looks like a smile on his face</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74DgaeGZ4LzhbocEfJ2bjj-LZZttYYeVUBxFT6PDJp6fBMJ-fbfn5kZD2Qzf-xI4A_9goR64yrV2UM1hZLJru7CBekLIzyhCWqRUg3ytM8Mnqaamhk_LFAhQdJ3GdNxLQHRXyv56Z7m8/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh74DgaeGZ4LzhbocEfJ2bjj-LZZttYYeVUBxFT6PDJp6fBMJ-fbfn5kZD2Qzf-xI4A_9goR64yrV2UM1hZLJru7CBekLIzyhCWqRUg3ytM8Mnqaamhk_LFAhQdJ3GdNxLQHRXyv56Z7m8/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+128.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She left for camp my baby and came back this tall, lanky child!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOQZ40yRIr84iS13odLwGhun-fEhuzWO-MSQCeT-Jw4sZa2_tHKBSzmeLv_ei5EFTZ6ZQHeYCO3WCFGxV7XiKkL1vOLj8Wv3zmkyePWE_Wu-J7IW0iXMsK4HegMU3WE4N0FTGTnY1JYQ/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOQZ40yRIr84iS13odLwGhun-fEhuzWO-MSQCeT-Jw4sZa2_tHKBSzmeLv_ei5EFTZ6ZQHeYCO3WCFGxV7XiKkL1vOLj8Wv3zmkyePWE_Wu-J7IW0iXMsK4HegMU3WE4N0FTGTnY1JYQ/s1600/2014-07-20.CampKTBday+145.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crazies getting some Sweet Frog....Good job Haley and Matthew for bringing home all your stuff!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-43185533427164899922014-07-09T12:08:00.002-04:002014-07-09T12:46:13.886-04:00Mom Strikes Again!Last year when Katie went away to summer camp, I did a complete remodel of her bedroom as a surprise to her.<br />
<br />
This year it is Haley's first year to go away to summer camp. Haley is the youngest child in this house and she generally puts up with the hand-me-down clothing, the left over furniture that no one else wants and she has the smallest bedroom in the house. We really wanted to do something special for her this year, so we updated her bedroom a little. She has no idea, so we are looking forward to seeing her reaction to this surprise. <br />
<br />
It was a lot of fun working with Katie and Kylie on this little project. Daddy did most of the painting while I supervised ;). The girlies and I went all over town looking for discounts, using 50% off coupons and seeking other thrifty deals to get the best bang for our buck. Katie and Kylie are surprisingly gifted at coordinating decor!!! Haley used to have grey paint (left over from when it was Tim's office) and no wall art on the walls. It definitely looks a lot more cheerful with the new paint color and it really suits our Haley-Bee's happy disposition. Don't forget this is a SURPRISE. So if you see her before I do, don't spill the beans!!! Here are a few pictures of our little 2-day project.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTuVJmh2zv7Lj37XvPAYOH_FqThPtcotT1B-GF3_8UdV9Orut6KrpD1HcyaKfUWHjRvfmOghOqSHdW_RJBlgIFTPMjiBWgP-sfO08Yiksh8SKJn5VILWePw7Lfa3-3KaJpAgwFjMeYzg/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLTuVJmh2zv7Lj37XvPAYOH_FqThPtcotT1B-GF3_8UdV9Orut6KrpD1HcyaKfUWHjRvfmOghOqSHdW_RJBlgIFTPMjiBWgP-sfO08Yiksh8SKJn5VILWePw7Lfa3-3KaJpAgwFjMeYzg/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+081.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXoZXNVhqTzEbQdNHN6snrRsy2Xld5TeysDiwO3A-YO6uQcmm_Bg41XS6V_Rnet9SBJWVbfcIfY7AYjD4qgbmjVGWkzTc08J7lBwPFABWFv8A3rwyVSNNVxHVZCQVmUS0GW785Q3sPMM/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXoZXNVhqTzEbQdNHN6snrRsy2Xld5TeysDiwO3A-YO6uQcmm_Bg41XS6V_Rnet9SBJWVbfcIfY7AYjD4qgbmjVGWkzTc08J7lBwPFABWFv8A3rwyVSNNVxHVZCQVmUS0GW785Q3sPMM/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+089.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmocqW_VeK-U-CjYdkGJ5XZXe40DTyOg0EwYNwpgWvwcUlWEkRXJVqfZNhesdXzBMe2L0OcVSAUHlgYzYNltArPM_zFiWcffruTpUvST6OdcYu57lMswIlslV7kysZVFqBgweTYJrPHg4/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmocqW_VeK-U-CjYdkGJ5XZXe40DTyOg0EwYNwpgWvwcUlWEkRXJVqfZNhesdXzBMe2L0OcVSAUHlgYzYNltArPM_zFiWcffruTpUvST6OdcYu57lMswIlslV7kysZVFqBgweTYJrPHg4/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+092.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCparSPzu_REwV0rVTwy-Hph_8OF3b6CtnRUb4ISoBK7ngprhY_PHxuOSNdkRzuYVqwJfO2Fnj_cUsSGdp8XLlCpmcj_vOnWM7R_Y9yQ_lEbiMXp_EsKnHak-MFUHmHf63-DU89Ms8zg/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCparSPzu_REwV0rVTwy-Hph_8OF3b6CtnRUb4ISoBK7ngprhY_PHxuOSNdkRzuYVqwJfO2Fnj_cUsSGdp8XLlCpmcj_vOnWM7R_Y9yQ_lEbiMXp_EsKnHak-MFUHmHf63-DU89Ms8zg/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+093.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This little mannequin has her 3 favorite necklaces on it--her "H" locket, her Brandon photo necklace and her trinket necklace </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESceVO1oGVwiU-ow8t6zIXs6XwwzvE-hSlCJpi-EJi041_42CGiOMhZoZmkw6UWDmtDy-j5s9AVyicjYiCcUeBqyMfFx0P-L7NIYW7rDEX1aPlqe00feRjxLGRKp1CSuCtNn1IxLZtPA/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESceVO1oGVwiU-ow8t6zIXs6XwwzvE-hSlCJpi-EJi041_42CGiOMhZoZmkw6UWDmtDy-j5s9AVyicjYiCcUeBqyMfFx0P-L7NIYW7rDEX1aPlqe00feRjxLGRKp1CSuCtNn1IxLZtPA/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+094.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-5861321303859860582014-07-09T11:47:00.000-04:002014-07-09T12:41:53.342-04:005 Months Home!This fifth month has been a month where we have left behind the honeymoon stage and really peeled back some layers in Matthew's life. Right now we are in the midst of summer "vacation" where a lot of decisions are being made. Matthew is a precious boy, and he has specific needs that we are doing our best to meet. There are a few areas about him where we are having to adjust some things and work on with him especially over the coming weeks.<br />
<br />
<br />
The first area is his personality. Back in January, I turned in my resignation so that I could homeschool him. I wanted to make sure to slow his world so that he bonded well with the family before pushing him into the American lifestyle of running from the early morning until late at night. The first few months of Matthew being in America, this calmer lifestyle worked out really well. He had a chance to learn about American culture and also how our family works together to function as a unit. He has bonded really well with our family and definitely takes an active part in being a family member. However, as time goes by we realize that he very much needs to stay busy. He takes teasing to a whole new level. He takes "active, all-boy" beyond any other boy I've ever met. He cannot be idle at all or he will get himself into trouble. He completely exhausts me as I try to keep him busy and active. Honestly he could probably use 10 adults to tag team all day long to keep him busy. His energy level COULD be a wonderful quality since he LOVES to help out and would be a wonderful worker on a farm or in a lawn mowing business. It's just not easy to find people who need a 12-year-old boy to help out. It is just tiring keeping him busy 24/7 because I don't have a whole lot of hands-on work around the house to keep him busy. Anyway, it's nice because of his active personality, the American lifestyle is perfect for him! So as a result we are confident he is ready to enter traditional American school this Fall.<br />
<br />
<br />
The second area is his education. Anyone that has worked with a stereotypical European boy realizes European boys do not value education as being necessary. In their minds men work with their hands and they do not study. School is for girls. Trying to get an excessively active boy to sit still and learn is A LOT harder than it sounds. Add to that, he has never been taught to memorize. This is a problem. Everything about American school requires memorization. Retraining his mind to read English letters when his mind is still thinking Ukrainian Cyrillic is hard. I've worked with his learning style to get him up to reading at a 1st grade level and he also knows through the 4 times tables. He still really struggles with basic math concepts such as addition, subtraction and multiplication. The +, - and X all mean different things and he struggles to differentiate between any of those symbols. He's definitely a bright boy. He just needs a gifted teacher who can really motivate him to want to learn. If someone can get him to WANT to learn, the sky is the limit because he is passionate about anything he does. He always wants to be the best at everything. That force to be the best makes him unstoppable. It's just tapping into his own mindset that school is in his best interest, and it is not only for girls.<br />
<br />
<br />
As we've learned over 5 months a bit about his personality and education mindset we've been praying where to send him to school. The private school that Brandon went to is really great with loving on children and things like that, but it has no resources to teach English as a 2nd language. The 2nd private school we looked at near our house considered taking him, but they wanted to put him in 2nd grade. Matthew is 12. He does NOT belong in 2nd grade. Yes, his education level is 1st-2nd grade, but his body is still 12. He acts like a 12-year-old. He needs to play with other 12-year-old boys or he could seriously injure the other children. He does not know his own strength. Not to mention he takes being in 2nd grade as a put-down, or a punishment. He does not deserve to feel punished just because he does not understand English, and has never been taught to learn properly. I talked a bit with Tim's aunt, who retired from teaching in the public school system, and she gave me the confidence to go talk with the neighborhood public school. This was a big step for me, because I've always heard every bad thing you can think of about public school and how it will destroy a quality child. I've always heard quotes like, "If you send him to Caesar's school, don't be surprised if they turn out like Caesar."<br />
<br />
<br />
Let me tell you, from the moment I walked through the doors of that public middle school, I was impressed. I was introduced to the principal, counselors and ESL teachers. Tim and I truly had a peace about enrolling him in public school. They placed him in 7th grade and he visited the school and is VERY excited about going there. I've never seen him so excited about SCHOOL. He also knows some of the boys that attend there because he's active in our neighborhood and he played soccer for the recreation center with several boys who go to this middle school. He generally makes friends very easily. He's definitely NOT a shy boy, and has no problems in the confidence area.<br />
<br />
<br />
We enrolled him this past Thursday. Friday was July 4th holiday. Monday morning received a call from the head of the County's ESL program. This head had reserved a free laptop with English Rosetta Stone installed on it for Matthew to use indefinitely. He enrolled him in a week-long ESL reading summer camp. Matthew is also signed up to get whatever testing for an IEP during this camp. This head of ESL was SO kind to explain all the ins and outs of the ESL program and treated me like royalty. I was impressed that he'd read up on Matthew's profile that'd I'd only filled out this past Thursday. All the teachers and counselor's knew about him already were calling him by his name, and recognized that he was from Ukraine. They gave Matthew a bunch of books in Ukraine/English, dictionaries, websites with reading/math games, and lots of other resources. The head gave me his business card and told me if we had ANY problems or concerns whatsoever with his care at his middle school to give him a call and he'd take care of the concern.<br />
<br />
<br />
This week Matthew is away with Haley at a Christian Summer Camp. It was such a blessing that an anonymous someone paid his way to camp so that he could go learn about God and also be fully immersed in English. If they had not done that for him, we would not have been able to send him to camp this year. He was excited to go, but nervous because he didn't really know any of the other boys attending. I was proud of him for being brave and going even though so much was unknown for him or unfamiliar to him.<br />
<br />
<br />
It is SO neat to me to see how God is working out the details in Matthew's life and in the rest of our family. My nerves are settled as far as him attending public school with over 2,000 kids. Matthew is excited. It is neat to see him trusting us as his parents to care for him and make good decisions on his behalf. It's neat to see his confidence and bravery. We are praying that he really takes off this year with his learning and maturity. We look forward to watching his growth! We are SO proud of how far he's come in only 5 months! He is an active bundle of JOY! God is good!<br />
<span id="goog_9730439"></span><span id="goog_9730440"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC0I1MshGKoMu3QjNA7PKP0BunhvWOZ326EFeMxqfn777q-9wcpMXNtM7J6yMKTO_1DiA8CvYM4ZKj5aRrnWdKSp1l6qbzak2TjXl3uVqWQsyDpXmdR2l9c5K08Ok9G3naPhKeJz6rAk/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKC0I1MshGKoMu3QjNA7PKP0BunhvWOZ326EFeMxqfn777q-9wcpMXNtM7J6yMKTO_1DiA8CvYM4ZKj5aRrnWdKSp1l6qbzak2TjXl3uVqWQsyDpXmdR2l9c5K08Ok9G3naPhKeJz6rAk/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+035.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This boy can hoolahoop for 3 minutes straight without stopping, eat an snow-ball popcycle treat, AND yap a mile a minute. Who says men can't multi-task?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1mrUJqrcT-WYEP7eKVPdWOF6cJsL6n2_372g7HV9vcxk-bK1zBfBJ5FujrxglVzlLC9VOQ2O5NZtBn2gnniC-R-_xto3ABUsWvn30Qk5_DT8PvuYmxK8zbZnojwmW3b4pVieDUKYV3Y/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1mrUJqrcT-WYEP7eKVPdWOF6cJsL6n2_372g7HV9vcxk-bK1zBfBJ5FujrxglVzlLC9VOQ2O5NZtBn2gnniC-R-_xto3ABUsWvn30Qk5_DT8PvuYmxK8zbZnojwmW3b4pVieDUKYV3Y/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+070.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew & Haley ready for summer camp!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlc3pGK-TgSGH6RyLLPfLNsc8rojgB02-ky4vTt4HoQdICE9hcmx9OnuHdTMgwLxw0q0EejfjBeUA6nSZx2-1H5sEioTTWF50njkmVtPm6WNaaz8Yo-kjvr01o4eBmPAiuRIB-aDFAzI/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlc3pGK-TgSGH6RyLLPfLNsc8rojgB02-ky4vTt4HoQdICE9hcmx9OnuHdTMgwLxw0q0EejfjBeUA6nSZx2-1H5sEioTTWF50njkmVtPm6WNaaz8Yo-kjvr01o4eBmPAiuRIB-aDFAzI/s1600/2014-07-09-IphonepicsHaleyRoomCamp+073.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go away for the week! (I'm more nervous than they are!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="UPLOADING" height="266" id="BLOG_video-UPLOADING-0" width="320"></object></div>
<span id="goog_9730439"></span><span id="goog_9730440"><br /></span>Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-4255728839365774382014-06-14T11:26:00.001-04:002014-06-14T11:31:11.713-04:00Happy 12th Birthday, Matthew!Matthew had a great 1st American Birthday! The weekend before his birthday he had one of his friends, JT, spend the night. They swam, played dodge ball together, hit baseballs at the park, rode bikes, played the Wii and had a great time just doing guy stuff. It was good for Matthew to spend time with another 12-year-old boy! He enjoyed it very much and it meant a lot that his friend could come to his house.<br />
<br />
On his actual birthday, June 10th, we took him to his favorite restaurant for some "Shushleeks" or Steak Kabobs. He loves those along with mashed potatoes. We got him a soccer ball M&M Blizzard ice cream cake. It was funny because it had "Happy Birthday Matthew" written in blue, but the lid of the cake smeared the words, so I had to carefully take a knife and discretely scrape off the blob of blue everywhere. He had no idea it was supposed to be any different. He loved his cake.<br />
<br />
Speaking of his cake, this guy is getting too smart for his own good. The day before his birthday, I called up Dairy Queen to order his cake. When I hung up the phone he was laughing hysterically. I asked, "What's so funny?" He said, "I understand, you telephone. My birthday cake, soccer ball, blue, ice cream and M&M's." (Laughter). I guess he's understanding more English than I give him credit for! I'll have to be more careful talking around him now. :-)<br />
<br />
My parents, sister & kids came over that evening for cake and gifts. He was so thankful for all that he received and loved his iPod, bike, water guns, and money that everyone sent to him.<br />
<br />
It was so much fun to see his excitement and to be able to celebrate his birth for the first year with him. What a great kid, I'm so glad we have the opportunity of parenting! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgWhZA1OuRTfF-YfOpkOrDdSM4WMOIffXEsYB4mAo8O4fiWdKH8hHoPfCw9WBlAWHu56qpngvBWldD1KMh_iEHN5cBnvYK56jdKPgIIdrcobmP_QWFKyMJgDEWBNRbX829NvcgbV-NnY/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgWhZA1OuRTfF-YfOpkOrDdSM4WMOIffXEsYB4mAo8O4fiWdKH8hHoPfCw9WBlAWHu56qpngvBWldD1KMh_iEHN5cBnvYK56jdKPgIIdrcobmP_QWFKyMJgDEWBNRbX829NvcgbV-NnY/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+020.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbRUhIB9pHDbfHhoiH2OlsA5otXW4SlhDAONKpACn4LlPa2J-X5HVGZ-yWON1T3btj13Em0SnfvDNYUavbQ5EAAJZRXVra5M0LJ9qGe8uiJKDKy2cjSfY1wx5quK2EjrrCBvEnAa4u1o/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvbRUhIB9pHDbfHhoiH2OlsA5otXW4SlhDAONKpACn4LlPa2J-X5HVGZ-yWON1T3btj13Em0SnfvDNYUavbQ5EAAJZRXVra5M0LJ9qGe8uiJKDKy2cjSfY1wx5quK2EjrrCBvEnAa4u1o/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+022.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOCImBt9y9HUdBOwoIkGvPa-Ub3OZZaFioUocgOJ7-A5PAevz9ostnzl1Igs-sNZ942A9pKdZd8uXKZL6riKSTdoB1-A-5lAYn-hqF3e8u4Z-CoQk8bIwTLyI4yWQ9I2TfTtFPmZdmtk/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOCImBt9y9HUdBOwoIkGvPa-Ub3OZZaFioUocgOJ7-A5PAevz9ostnzl1Igs-sNZ942A9pKdZd8uXKZL6riKSTdoB1-A-5lAYn-hqF3e8u4Z-CoQk8bIwTLyI4yWQ9I2TfTtFPmZdmtk/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+023.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5qbZP57AN85LP-cD6SfhU-Q9mmUma-L8Jf5lWbP5YqVKxO-r0vtIgYmuctvFE-rNotessIfsHYzG3NrHWTe6XjZlUWmJ8AmL6u6FcTxdhR-4z6FkTRf1XKzb1gAgIC8LLUWTPb0yML4/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5qbZP57AN85LP-cD6SfhU-Q9mmUma-L8Jf5lWbP5YqVKxO-r0vtIgYmuctvFE-rNotessIfsHYzG3NrHWTe6XjZlUWmJ8AmL6u6FcTxdhR-4z6FkTRf1XKzb1gAgIC8LLUWTPb0yML4/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+024.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdLNLgFp9Q8xPWfcG3w2wV4Oo6RHQkR9p8jVOlF8BsjNVMXx7nbr7QYY343MU7BB0bKwD89sC2XKgLKmWNQnrIqp7Wwt99xnCFFp0YHEXwNrNWU-_6WOnPdBsXDZbXCYU-WEMjKdZOyI/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCdLNLgFp9Q8xPWfcG3w2wV4Oo6RHQkR9p8jVOlF8BsjNVMXx7nbr7QYY343MU7BB0bKwD89sC2XKgLKmWNQnrIqp7Wwt99xnCFFp0YHEXwNrNWU-_6WOnPdBsXDZbXCYU-WEMjKdZOyI/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+027.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zpBybewv_OQgEMrpGJi1PZsiQULoVSWYX8-z27TwxKjW4v3RhloDPwRgfLFtD33xWk8nIu2_XADYZ-Pz1ew3CzBUi8Dv8qTkY8elBj18ZSQYoixjJgpUAJnelM_Fi9aH52oXUArZhEA/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zpBybewv_OQgEMrpGJi1PZsiQULoVSWYX8-z27TwxKjW4v3RhloDPwRgfLFtD33xWk8nIu2_XADYZ-Pz1ew3CzBUi8Dv8qTkY8elBj18ZSQYoixjJgpUAJnelM_Fi9aH52oXUArZhEA/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i0RtCmt-Y3FrUqJEImbByAlz2g89EWM14ZmzJSg0L9lft6Z6ge9A_CSN5qEryo2EtVVxje4Kp6HM_yri8gyP13eeuSA7dstUK51CD5xCi1MJYAr6HlYkTKCghHKJwvOmcrmPHF9PvZI/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i0RtCmt-Y3FrUqJEImbByAlz2g89EWM14ZmzJSg0L9lft6Z6ge9A_CSN5qEryo2EtVVxje4Kp6HM_yri8gyP13eeuSA7dstUK51CD5xCi1MJYAr6HlYkTKCghHKJwvOmcrmPHF9PvZI/s1600/2014-06-10.MatthewsBday+031.JPG" height="320" width="215" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUmTV4m_Ys8VW-a4bIgxe_WZnJd0nMdvwxAhNKq9TuExVjD6zbZqPSNA2LlZ2dZa_YZtc8aXlEg4WcmEzRPdZ89l3_0VXqJJHURxyjtHwwgrUUS5ntqY2SeT9dHv7fXDtsreija79wNU/s1600/cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUmTV4m_Ys8VW-a4bIgxe_WZnJd0nMdvwxAhNKq9TuExVjD6zbZqPSNA2LlZ2dZa_YZtc8aXlEg4WcmEzRPdZ89l3_0VXqJJHURxyjtHwwgrUUS5ntqY2SeT9dHv7fXDtsreija79wNU/s1600/cake.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-76428776707995804662014-06-09T22:16:00.002-04:002014-06-09T22:35:04.410-04:00Matthew--4 Months Home!!Matthew's 4th month home has definitely been the best month, by far. Academically he finally has finished his first English textbook. He's now reading at a 1st grade level. He knows the 0's, 1's, 2's and 3's times tables. Sometimes I wish he would work harder and learn faster, but I have to remember he is a boy who just wants to play all day. I have also been told that it is a lot harder to re-learn to read than it is for a child to learn to read in their original language. I'm at least glad he's moving in the right direction. I will likely continue him with the reading all summer. He has a long ways to go to catch up to even being at his own grade level. Reading is what is most important to me because once he can read, he can work independently and won't require as much one-on-one time. It is tiresome to be at his side all day teaching one-on-one. The girls need help as well, but without me there, he does nothing. Patience is key! <br />
<br />
Matthew finished up his first Indoor Soccer season. He did very well and enjoyed it a lot. The other parents knew he was adopted and couldn't believe how well he adapted to playing with kids he doesn't even understand. They said they'd never know he didn't speak English if we hadn't told them. That was neat to hear.<br />
<br />
We were able to take our very first family vacation with Matthew this month. It was actually in celebration of our 15 year wedding anniversary. We took our anniversary trip the weekend after our anniversary over Memorial Day weekend. We hiked many, many miles (uphill both ways...haha) and we all had an absolute blast. Over and over Matthew said, "I'm so very very happy! I very very like mountains!!!!!" I don't think he was expecting so much fun. We'd hike all morning, then head for some ice cream and then back to "relax" at the cabin. We usually grilled something for dinner, soaked our sore muscles in the hot tub, then relaxed down by the fire pit for evening marshmallows. The kids are all pretty obsessed with fire starting....especially Matthew. He searched the woods for brush and small sticks to snap with his knees and burn in the evening fires.<br />
<br />
We had so much fun we ended up staying an extra day up there. Tim and Matthew got up early Monday morning for a harder, longer hike while the girls and I slept in and then relaxed back at the cabin. It was SO much fun and such a treat to stay an extra day longer than we originally expected. It has been a very long time since our family has had a trip like this and it's been a while since we've all been SO happy! God has been so good to us. <br />
<br />
It really was so good to finally get away and find such joy and refreshment in God's awesome creation. He did not spare one detail in His masterpiece. Everything as far as our eyes could see was spectacular! I say it every time I go to the mountains that I can't even imagine Heaven being more beautiful than the Blue Ridge Mountains! <br />
"<i>No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him</i>." I Corinthians 2:9<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkansYkRHClV8imxgcbC-btZGk3Dj7zR9_cji-Rgf2iPs8Or_V9f-hKg-KXe14oGT7haJ78qNzgGWVpQhMU0Ei0qj4khDpNoCGLJIq0F4ensqU75iv72Vx6f-vhB_G7YIc-Ta-GXzztk/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbkansYkRHClV8imxgcbC-btZGk3Dj7zR9_cji-Rgf2iPs8Or_V9f-hKg-KXe14oGT7haJ78qNzgGWVpQhMU0Ei0qj4khDpNoCGLJIq0F4ensqU75iv72Vx6f-vhB_G7YIc-Ta-GXzztk/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+008.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Ridge Parkway overlook</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOixP6dL54Zzf-lmgFZsQfe72HJuy6zfD_8v9jruB9BgWHXywPi7cAPz4bP7gniZ0xCW71rtXGyIzmEYDup_QEEaUOsLsfPZvyQhgCScRs3WhbvL4F1Fo1eWO97wlnwFl1iOFQgbEM0M/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOixP6dL54Zzf-lmgFZsQfe72HJuy6zfD_8v9jruB9BgWHXywPi7cAPz4bP7gniZ0xCW71rtXGyIzmEYDup_QEEaUOsLsfPZvyQhgCScRs3WhbvL4F1Fo1eWO97wlnwFl1iOFQgbEM0M/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+174.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to hike Grandfather Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3RKBYfYPdBr0o6yh-K2uUDBhTMad52_I0ABBDGjR47OAycUfvebnVbIVcyq1VWWX7i3Zr4TAhVCnInqnsnw80VzzYD_SJGo3ySXT4F6Y_efzihOzda4C5TwUDWsX1bR1PeFlvlig7uk/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3RKBYfYPdBr0o6yh-K2uUDBhTMad52_I0ABBDGjR47OAycUfvebnVbIVcyq1VWWX7i3Zr4TAhVCnInqnsnw80VzzYD_SJGo3ySXT4F6Y_efzihOzda4C5TwUDWsX1bR1PeFlvlig7uk/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+186.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of climbing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s_y2hYZpppwj7U-rW-Tp0F6iC4uv8InNS9nEGpvEi7B6oBIBT_cZMep70rhz8M_CfPJmjYJ9_Nrs1qtchUpQTYb_TpGGoSnntmmS7cOih2mI7AGWSn70JZom-ZNOxRbymo-jJxatViU/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5s_y2hYZpppwj7U-rW-Tp0F6iC4uv8InNS9nEGpvEi7B6oBIBT_cZMep70rhz8M_CfPJmjYJ9_Nrs1qtchUpQTYb_TpGGoSnntmmS7cOih2mI7AGWSn70JZom-ZNOxRbymo-jJxatViU/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+192.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More climbing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod-seqNWXPeAXrkgdM3JDMknMQYYXNFSJ8xX-Fhl0efffnzZnv5ksnEoOWm1gtVn35fazoCcF0IA-tuWmSmazdX4gfIN97dw96ARnGTD0thIxRQNSf9zXIH7wtF3dej-QN8_WlxValJ8/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjod-seqNWXPeAXrkgdM3JDMknMQYYXNFSJ8xX-Fhl0efffnzZnv5ksnEoOWm1gtVn35fazoCcF0IA-tuWmSmazdX4gfIN97dw96ARnGTD0thIxRQNSf9zXIH7wtF3dej-QN8_WlxValJ8/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+218.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with the gorgeous view during our hike</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn9qlra58w9K6Gw9zcxBThYTdiziskP9PAKx-KVUqXFSg9SBz5rRtYEmhMJUnvqY6wgq1vyNLhLgHDdMyZ6djFFgtemb300ZTRY-gKiXS0szce_UKo3yjQjZSBVajKd2ziYX0ErKJoTU/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn9qlra58w9K6Gw9zcxBThYTdiziskP9PAKx-KVUqXFSg9SBz5rRtYEmhMJUnvqY6wgq1vyNLhLgHDdMyZ6djFFgtemb300ZTRY-gKiXS0szce_UKo3yjQjZSBVajKd2ziYX0ErKJoTU/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+226.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew and Haley found a cave!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJccOOd87EnKyG-M4aG65WG0mRS5SJ4VwmSg3uzEoDIgkoXhRE9IhdsTTrWiaCq87CE0X6M5IOcnTW4si299lJ_WzJs2KSF-whljCb6ZHFGqcfQn-pmLjxLpvUUayzejJ1HwtSj821EZg/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJccOOd87EnKyG-M4aG65WG0mRS5SJ4VwmSg3uzEoDIgkoXhRE9IhdsTTrWiaCq87CE0X6M5IOcnTW4si299lJ_WzJs2KSF-whljCb6ZHFGqcfQn-pmLjxLpvUUayzejJ1HwtSj821EZg/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+240.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More high climbing</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAUMpfQWsYbmiWICePi6A1bX-TedDNr_TIxBFQurmK4YHzUHavpfIPbQZ0fAi_sHcApk8atFWIhjZNd_bnEL8HI4iC998PjRnLsOIJjhcCuxJt-qnyvRk4csUY4rk_YgCdJqXk8MY1XQ/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAUMpfQWsYbmiWICePi6A1bX-TedDNr_TIxBFQurmK4YHzUHavpfIPbQZ0fAi_sHcApk8atFWIhjZNd_bnEL8HI4iC998PjRnLsOIJjhcCuxJt-qnyvRk4csUY4rk_YgCdJqXk8MY1XQ/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+278.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He kept saying "Wow! It's so purty beautiful!" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1T4fuFeuykN6NdfLVeZgNQD08EqqjvrJiSMhi17-Jnb0KDipkcxALgCBVY2Plk-8Tgv-g2wVJ-6Xt-5A2HPhLnD5fQPJZt52DZoZ_CSBGXedUkLRJaBmhCKkuT6qlVSGU1Y8DKOO7mY/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1T4fuFeuykN6NdfLVeZgNQD08EqqjvrJiSMhi17-Jnb0KDipkcxALgCBVY2Plk-8Tgv-g2wVJ-6Xt-5A2HPhLnD5fQPJZt52DZoZ_CSBGXedUkLRJaBmhCKkuT6qlVSGU1Y8DKOO7mY/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+294.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing to the highest peak of Grandfather Mountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGNGr1NY7y4gb6dNLHSxHQwbRjIiY06QglOjXhzPy3ouz8mWeUzB-2IIhK7f_3lPbC95qkIRrBTzGqYT6cNnolZ3t622YmkjJ7dphM4SvF_C36Izc0pXmM_47R1mpCxRMTmoAR7dEjVE/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGNGr1NY7y4gb6dNLHSxHQwbRjIiY06QglOjXhzPy3ouz8mWeUzB-2IIhK7f_3lPbC95qkIRrBTzGqYT6cNnolZ3t622YmkjJ7dphM4SvF_C36Izc0pXmM_47R1mpCxRMTmoAR7dEjVE/s1600/2014-05-24.Mountains+306.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all made it to the top! It was breathtaking up there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP20WbCmx4Nx_4xv1MKmnsCz6by3W96Z3GILISCeFH5zrELRFQp8kWNRt_4Yj6VuIYIohWg2rg1J-Wjc0OWeec9AwntdEaCZpvrg7ImgPBNjf0-GmR2kyQggE-o26j3RUwsut2GAk2Q0/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtP20WbCmx4Nx_4xv1MKmnsCz6by3W96Z3GILISCeFH5zrELRFQp8kWNRt_4Yj6VuIYIohWg2rg1J-Wjc0OWeec9AwntdEaCZpvrg7ImgPBNjf0-GmR2kyQggE-o26j3RUwsut2GAk2Q0/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The next morning at Linville Falls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyAcRj7qYMnybEyKclPmwrZNRr1VJBoQ5PvEtT-S3T15KvXC_7s3D8FZPkqELPEwSAso8lyVL1ANmZFeMM7zXsLqBAQFSmZCTyfg2niUXtkujai8O7YQBR6uy56aM6Jby7FY6wGy2UCA/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyAcRj7qYMnybEyKclPmwrZNRr1VJBoQ5PvEtT-S3T15KvXC_7s3D8FZPkqELPEwSAso8lyVL1ANmZFeMM7zXsLqBAQFSmZCTyfg2niUXtkujai8O7YQBR6uy56aM6Jby7FY6wGy2UCA/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I liked this picture of Kylie, Matthew and Tim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XGBIzNIpaQS5GhX2iLkX6jJJnsXTkPjBq_XfBjo7AVJmDpVEjJxo2V5I-ZnU6k8eFTboK7yT1MsdHPJB0mR1_5llexYjglkMxrdFigwFeb9kk2zCqPAopjVMu5-5Y5ofICLmkYFAEAM/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3XGBIzNIpaQS5GhX2iLkX6jJJnsXTkPjBq_XfBjo7AVJmDpVEjJxo2V5I-ZnU6k8eFTboK7yT1MsdHPJB0mR1_5llexYjglkMxrdFigwFeb9kk2zCqPAopjVMu5-5Y5ofICLmkYFAEAM/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+042.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly happy boy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH-ZqBucXOxjB1GxCBdz7N8_HW42GALXPpQ25HIzG7clWhtFR3uJTJGKGwS5UXbidUegHdfJFubJ2ehJRSQG5SYASH7qoAAiNhfWHDiSdyhXDDz_YTxs39CzZEwiDE08srVNFI-ydvvU/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH-ZqBucXOxjB1GxCBdz7N8_HW42GALXPpQ25HIzG7clWhtFR3uJTJGKGwS5UXbidUegHdfJFubJ2ehJRSQG5SYASH7qoAAiNhfWHDiSdyhXDDz_YTxs39CzZEwiDE08srVNFI-ydvvU/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+113.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Linville Falls in the background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJS6K934Ru-FZXpIMDHkZnvZFCtNDTPxKfbHMRU_CVOgdC_EoH-2Av7xGtAla8vGS7SrETvVxHxV-rq4U3Sb_UU2d7IX0CKGSE6GRvxxiFvyRl0wPhudAa2fxih-UxuGOW-1Uj7mtZoM/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJS6K934Ru-FZXpIMDHkZnvZFCtNDTPxKfbHMRU_CVOgdC_EoH-2Av7xGtAla8vGS7SrETvVxHxV-rq4U3Sb_UU2d7IX0CKGSE6GRvxxiFvyRl0wPhudAa2fxih-UxuGOW-1Uj7mtZoM/s1600/2014-05-25.MountainsLinvilleFalls+116.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husband of 15 years and I.....with sweet Kylie photo bombing our picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-22889575183050111002014-05-10T09:18:00.004-04:002014-05-10T09:38:58.006-04:00Matthew's Been Home 3 Months!<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:RelyOnVML/>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With all the craziness of our schedule this time of year, I
almost forgot to post that Matthew has been home already three months!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is doing really well and we are so
thankful for a smooth transition.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Matthew is a super neat freak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He cannot stand clutter or dirt anywhere. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also does not like to wear dirty
clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, he’s a boy and he gets
dirty, so I find that he changes his clothing 165 times a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are learning that we will have to make him
suck it up and just wear dirty clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t afford to do his laundry every 5 seconds!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
joke that he might have a little bit of cleaning OCD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many mornings he will wake up and have the
whole downstairs organized and cleaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
bed is always made each morning without being told and no one better get
anything out of order in “his” bathroom!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He is obsessed with mowing the grass. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He likes even the outside of our home neat and
tidy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been begging to clean out our
garage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that it is probably giving
him a twitch because it is VERY, VERY filthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just don’t want him going to town on cleaning the garage because he is
unaware of black widow spiders and the danger of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to be out there with him while he
cleans, but I just have not had the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It really is a blessing to have such a tidy boy…..If only his tidiness would
rub off on Haley. ;) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He really loves to work with his hands to fix things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last weekend Tim’s parents were in town and
he had to be right beside BeBe and Tim helping fix the gate on our privacy
fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other day he asked for a
picture for his wall where he could put photos of his family and he loved using
the level and the power tools to hang the picture on the wall.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
His reading and English is coming along slowly but
surely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he is taking a little
longer simply because he is homeschooled and not exposed to as much English as
he would be in a typical school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is
still working on his vowel sounds with reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He can pronounce them really well, but he just mixes up what vowel sound
goes with what letter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will probably
continue to work with him all through the summer on it and hopefully one day he
will wake up and it will just click!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One
thing he struggles with (as most boys do) is <u>sitting still</u> long enough
to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really do need a seat belt
for the child!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Katie joked that she has
a huge supply of duct tape upstairs that could assist him in STAYING PUT.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t think that was very funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact he said, “That’s not funny.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the last few weeks especially he has begun to really open
up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hugs us all a bit more. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He writes out and says “I love you” a lot. The other day he took my hair into his hands and he said, "Dis hair. Me, I like it. Dis hair beautiful." (He said he thinks my hair is beautiful. Melt).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiles and laughs a lot more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He talks about Ukraine and his former family
there and his friends there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chatters
on and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally uses mostly
English this month whereas former months he would speak Ukrainian inside an
English sentence and we’d be all confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other night at a softball game he was listening to music on an ipod
and he was chattering on, and he was chattering LOUDLY because he couldn’t hear
himself speaking due to the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone in the stands just looked back at him and smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He draws attention to himself because of his
accent and vocabulary, but he doesn’t really seem to notice or care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really is a joy to our family!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was flipping through pictures of him this week and I
really couldn’t believe how quickly he’s changed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is growing leaps and bounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He is so full of life and energy! </span>He seems to become more handsome as he
grows!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so thankful that God
brought him into our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Matthew”
is truly “a gift of God!”</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljcI7N6BpNyJ6stuClMpkVmLDVEFzc2J-TftGQWV-RLfKz70PvkJqJElyxJaM0GwP2bLp1-P83kKf21AlstsNr1JqIzFORNXwEFwIyvgTomH9G3pmUyyatDt8JQJvrzOWz0sG6rWlA8Q/s1600/2014-05-05.PhotosMatthew+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljcI7N6BpNyJ6stuClMpkVmLDVEFzc2J-TftGQWV-RLfKz70PvkJqJElyxJaM0GwP2bLp1-P83kKf21AlstsNr1JqIzFORNXwEFwIyvgTomH9G3pmUyyatDt8JQJvrzOWz0sG6rWlA8Q/s1600/2014-05-05.PhotosMatthew+071.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His blue eyes!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYasVXCKd0v9e6cfdpNYVYHeaC-MkGd0oe_T3xoio1NlJbtaJ2jU2Ks53KdIn2CXqx4f7aHP3UJ978GrQdLNBtaGuJKnxTpGzJVJXj6Gzap3lohBtjvYFnRa_v1XLAjfKi6bal4QYIIws/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYasVXCKd0v9e6cfdpNYVYHeaC-MkGd0oe_T3xoio1NlJbtaJ2jU2Ks53KdIn2CXqx4f7aHP3UJ978GrQdLNBtaGuJKnxTpGzJVJXj6Gzap3lohBtjvYFnRa_v1XLAjfKi6bal4QYIIws/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+001.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Acidic water or not, the boy loves to be in the pool!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0YbkdOf2LOw8niWtuVcKY7I_FYN3SaBkQU8ml35C5u6sTFy-YOqhF2bElY33_GRQ5aqEt9WJrWOGeMpoj7cyHlOGsjdxlGeyIOhn53tEkxvmXUOcdSFjNOgLpJ9qWL4gzbyXF8HMom0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin0YbkdOf2LOw8niWtuVcKY7I_FYN3SaBkQU8ml35C5u6sTFy-YOqhF2bElY33_GRQ5aqEt9WJrWOGeMpoj7cyHlOGsjdxlGeyIOhn53tEkxvmXUOcdSFjNOgLpJ9qWL4gzbyXF8HMom0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+077.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He found a scarf in the closet he thought he'd try on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gqZeLqIOIPRezxF3CdZ6oda4qUi78dUEcieAaemhNhyphenhyphen_iyUnlycXFCkvPasRmMFrNzvnlPirWCIe_PFOEozDR-QFfLGr53L1XwYW_l_50GdWaJfocqx2YX0KRGT2NQger3Ckk3J7iN0/s1600/3photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gqZeLqIOIPRezxF3CdZ6oda4qUi78dUEcieAaemhNhyphenhyphen_iyUnlycXFCkvPasRmMFrNzvnlPirWCIe_PFOEozDR-QFfLGr53L1XwYW_l_50GdWaJfocqx2YX0KRGT2NQger3Ckk3J7iN0/s1600/3photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Katie: Hanging his picture in his bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LaiQNW9AD8xznG0EppYcCGTnXD1wW5AOCf2Dp27SE9eazrrgr7DAFdI3H3A7Ipw7K7H8TbI_yOqm56ahfkgrb1e6wX1t1MTa8WUJSr1OZdnUv-O7woEiQa7TrfRxjiJoQSJozcqweIA/s1600/3drawingphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LaiQNW9AD8xznG0EppYcCGTnXD1wW5AOCf2Dp27SE9eazrrgr7DAFdI3H3A7Ipw7K7H8TbI_yOqm56ahfkgrb1e6wX1t1MTa8WUJSr1OZdnUv-O7woEiQa7TrfRxjiJoQSJozcqweIA/s1600/3drawingphoto.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama and Dad I love you</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA__xKZ98x-ALnQzduTE4ubLuhUxeo5nBX-IF0nBhV0aub73809bneGRl3guxbnzQCoUlLF7yHWShj60qcFOILzfZI52jkaYs3I_d1-tarD4EbRojwRyGvUiYxHSHwm5xVmvDOnutc6_w/s1600/3fixgatephoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA__xKZ98x-ALnQzduTE4ubLuhUxeo5nBX-IF0nBhV0aub73809bneGRl3guxbnzQCoUlLF7yHWShj60qcFOILzfZI52jkaYs3I_d1-tarD4EbRojwRyGvUiYxHSHwm5xVmvDOnutc6_w/s1600/3fixgatephoto.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BeBe, Tim and Matthew fixing the gate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw8KMrf35jnm8D3gqMLxEdmTGDloV36K2zkRpAowCsnOuZxCHf6PTklIq4f5hKto7rk8vf3HM6OnOQPUvXkTYRTOB3TT9D5r9AmXp6R2G5Zm0icv_q3dsYq2Uy4-f24B4tqAs3KwlrzY/s1600/3photocontrast.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmw8KMrf35jnm8D3gqMLxEdmTGDloV36K2zkRpAowCsnOuZxCHf6PTklIq4f5hKto7rk8vf3HM6OnOQPUvXkTYRTOB3TT9D5r9AmXp6R2G5Zm0icv_q3dsYq2Uy4-f24B4tqAs3KwlrzY/s1600/3photocontrast.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The picture on the left was taken less than 6 months ago when we first met him and the one on the right is one I took this week. He looks SO different!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG3Ku3pHHs1hie4QSonXl-rgSGN8ak6w9lZmBcubr0z-Lx_hSuhBnWNrT8XaVO7jEZQ5BKDPq7Va0eK3OhjnZTEcc8boMrYOhTSOik2oyp1ijRYzC_o0gHTHNjoRXCBy1DwJ2C1qk8DU/s1600/3drillphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG3Ku3pHHs1hie4QSonXl-rgSGN8ak6w9lZmBcubr0z-Lx_hSuhBnWNrT8XaVO7jEZQ5BKDPq7Va0eK3OhjnZTEcc8boMrYOhTSOik2oyp1ijRYzC_o0gHTHNjoRXCBy1DwJ2C1qk8DU/s1600/3drillphoto.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIgHvJFKy7vBfIQGER1vwPsSt_C8dCLYqliAbA3l1cPH6B_kYR6CRYwhryLDBgzxxQSdnBDXmLaBNxpzHiX8yAsj-aMR-xmBaVah5oqJTl6EMU0bi8e53T6aqTaa6v1bUaw7bHLb1ggc/s1600/3timandmphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIgHvJFKy7vBfIQGER1vwPsSt_C8dCLYqliAbA3l1cPH6B_kYR6CRYwhryLDBgzxxQSdnBDXmLaBNxpzHiX8yAsj-aMR-xmBaVah5oqJTl6EMU0bi8e53T6aqTaa6v1bUaw7bHLb1ggc/s1600/3timandmphoto.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-28954477906751589432014-05-09T12:54:00.003-04:002014-05-10T08:36:31.628-04:00Family Camp: Because the Kids Must Stay BusyI haven't figured out if it is an effective strategy to keep the children super busy while Dad is away so the time flies by, or if it just does nothing but exhaust Mom. I only know that I have fallen asleep all week before my head even hit the pillow and I have not woken up in the middle of the night at all! Praise the Lord for good rest! I sure have needed it to keep up with this crew!<br />
<br />
<br />
Early this week I took the hyper crazies to a free family camp. They enjoyed a tree top obstacle course, archery, and a lot of other camp activities. The two youngest girlies found a toad and a tree frog, of course. It was a beautiful campus and it was an absolutely gorgeous day outside. It sure was a lot of fun and it was great that it was all free. We stopped by the lake for ice cream and slushies on our way home.<br />
<br />
<br />
I also have been working in the back yard with Kylie with her softball. She is gaining more confidence in her hitting and catching. It is hard to believe she's only been playing softball a little over a month. When she gains full confidence in herself she really has the potential to go far with softball. I think her natural athletic build with long arms and legs really help her with softball a lot.<br />
<br />
<br />
The kids decided it'd be fun to climb on top of the shed out back and jump from the roof off on to the trampoline (Matthew's brilliant idea). Thankfully, they all had a great time and no one was injured. <br />
<br />
<br />
I've been working on getting the PH levels regulated in the pool. The pool people said the neighbor's Bradford Pears are making our water levels highly acidic. The bottom of our liner is almost shot because that is where the leaves and debris sit overnight until we can vacuum them out. Matthew got a bad rash from the PH levels being off and the water being highly acidic. We dump a lot of money in chemicals into the pool trying to get the acid out. It stinks we cannot have anyone over to swim in our pool any time soon, but I don't want to risk other people getting acidic rashes because of our pool. Patience is a virtue for sure! <br />
We are all getting anxious for home schooling to finish up for the summer. The more that it is sunny outside, the less the three youngest kids want to stay focused on their work. If they had the motivation, they would have been finished already for the summer. Tim and I are still determining what we will do in the Fall with the kids' schooling. Tim wants them in school. I would also like them in private school, but I don't see a way without a job. Most of the time I love homeschooling, but some days it's terrible trying to stretch myself to meet the needs of 4 very different kids when I feel teaching is not my gift. Matthew especially NEEDS school due to his energy level and he needs to learn English through immersion into American school. We are continually praying for God to open and close doors where they are needed. In the meantime, I must keep the kids busy!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp-AOd942ksfLf7ezGXjo4SnUxQMQXIFtglKcMdYs_MClotn_ysmgmkVkIL30czq5kZWc64om0zVECoWdcTpxvVSnN0_h3jPx0WOkBNDzAM_ydB2diwnjPhp9MKLAW6-fNq_kQoOfJtQ/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVp-AOd942ksfLf7ezGXjo4SnUxQMQXIFtglKcMdYs_MClotn_ysmgmkVkIL30czq5kZWc64om0zVECoWdcTpxvVSnN0_h3jPx0WOkBNDzAM_ydB2diwnjPhp9MKLAW6-fNq_kQoOfJtQ/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+080.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNLtrdROI_3SQ-JBs-edOOQplh2l_eJOR-Hyj1acsbTTnphy7GVlEaUuvGvp01rocp4eFjuqxa8PlEvccD9-jYZOXUHXPRuZ20QtoWE8DuvCHLphAvCoy4DzgagwLsbDFVPbdBZ9YWxo/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaNLtrdROI_3SQ-JBs-edOOQplh2l_eJOR-Hyj1acsbTTnphy7GVlEaUuvGvp01rocp4eFjuqxa8PlEvccD9-jYZOXUHXPRuZ20QtoWE8DuvCHLphAvCoy4DzgagwLsbDFVPbdBZ9YWxo/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+083.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pQ0C6xKK6lc7wV4fj-9tEyzAomGVaMaKr5Uk6NrT-4fGL7_XSG380XkoJxs5rv6EJL9JxKUyh7ThRH6QlU1hufqyuyObCCWCls8SHGjzeof07LlsftJXyHsh7KLsdtHz6ZYet1ND63U/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pQ0C6xKK6lc7wV4fj-9tEyzAomGVaMaKr5Uk6NrT-4fGL7_XSG380XkoJxs5rv6EJL9JxKUyh7ThRH6QlU1hufqyuyObCCWCls8SHGjzeof07LlsftJXyHsh7KLsdtHz6ZYet1ND63U/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+084.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaU0_00fGz4_eu8NF7aoEteKSVJy7sP6r9rQqUB1ahsZvcRTpa7YkF0AFJVoZxS-PBJ6alyhYA5WjZfXKLrPw88YrAENSLV-RjuoeEP_8swQmppsYCNPlCTnfqXJy4VrRrExGPwZGNZk/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaU0_00fGz4_eu8NF7aoEteKSVJy7sP6r9rQqUB1ahsZvcRTpa7YkF0AFJVoZxS-PBJ6alyhYA5WjZfXKLrPw88YrAENSLV-RjuoeEP_8swQmppsYCNPlCTnfqXJy4VrRrExGPwZGNZk/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+087.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMK4_cZ9FzkXfw6UDY99uPBI6_ww7m0lxqoHzOfNzSeLG2pGoBKjgtgbpqg4KIcKGOocUjeSPSsV_0nK5vhpV5fQEZ8skWSUNQxZTieFvEh98Qrd-c22AlM6xkRazL35cpNhnSxWHRBE/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMK4_cZ9FzkXfw6UDY99uPBI6_ww7m0lxqoHzOfNzSeLG2pGoBKjgtgbpqg4KIcKGOocUjeSPSsV_0nK5vhpV5fQEZ8skWSUNQxZTieFvEh98Qrd-c22AlM6xkRazL35cpNhnSxWHRBE/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+088.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIApCmpTvm-R1a1-QajH22IAX7wUECSStjfRinn6q-AIZePbpoDcYeAbts_muxSZDQUCvrDR0Co0wWIbS6h6-v6jDeToz_0zUDCgg5hyphenhyphenCOrU2Oav4MzI1WW4F-WFRCO0k4C8SPViuRgLY/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIApCmpTvm-R1a1-QajH22IAX7wUECSStjfRinn6q-AIZePbpoDcYeAbts_muxSZDQUCvrDR0Co0wWIbS6h6-v6jDeToz_0zUDCgg5hyphenhyphenCOrU2Oav4MzI1WW4F-WFRCO0k4C8SPViuRgLY/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+091.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD-BekBhBF-P6pFtjuLd7m_BkqkkHasdumLA0W54pRaHzmiKUsri4pWg9qLf790inG_3Sh_LOmxAWb9wNAbD6laMZR2VkaNy1l255JYFuUM7Pd6pRg7vAcbxUVfS8pkSDCZHImjvZzYo/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDD-BekBhBF-P6pFtjuLd7m_BkqkkHasdumLA0W54pRaHzmiKUsri4pWg9qLf790inG_3Sh_LOmxAWb9wNAbD6laMZR2VkaNy1l255JYFuUM7Pd6pRg7vAcbxUVfS8pkSDCZHImjvZzYo/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+095.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYesQJhLBrlNkQfeyWAQ4Ejw9X6oONl4lsY9_TSjzLiHV4JYura6vQdkZsPOfY6aLwYLolMBwapMm-mrtaeayo38kGtMODm660rOyZErqnpXgEMTDBHWuCHTWHEjKZGNltMhk8FTYjfz0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYesQJhLBrlNkQfeyWAQ4Ejw9X6oONl4lsY9_TSjzLiHV4JYura6vQdkZsPOfY6aLwYLolMBwapMm-mrtaeayo38kGtMODm660rOyZErqnpXgEMTDBHWuCHTWHEjKZGNltMhk8FTYjfz0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+096.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzSrw-kay3c6vQuTtnj05ipwd3ib-KM7Kx_e8aRGIOJaDfy-Tq2CkwSpenZ671KHAe4SMoFlK0t2ZyWC56LT1LvgFus6F3LApIwyYVyPCiEJV7fGrRwGjB73PYV8WCytctkEFOjEbP1I/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinzSrw-kay3c6vQuTtnj05ipwd3ib-KM7Kx_e8aRGIOJaDfy-Tq2CkwSpenZ671KHAe4SMoFlK0t2ZyWC56LT1LvgFus6F3LApIwyYVyPCiEJV7fGrRwGjB73PYV8WCytctkEFOjEbP1I/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+104.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMaAyEYwus0aW_2F2LkqH-BJKLQQRPDnSyln30QnBBPOaquFJPBX8-Y2BPPH-XYrFp0lDvmKVdi7JVa02a8wVnY5YBm2BBYx3LhevfTIIP47NFzSD9AYZr612uvQOIx1Z_lfdJeOncNQ/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqMaAyEYwus0aW_2F2LkqH-BJKLQQRPDnSyln30QnBBPOaquFJPBX8-Y2BPPH-XYrFp0lDvmKVdi7JVa02a8wVnY5YBm2BBYx3LhevfTIIP47NFzSD9AYZr612uvQOIx1Z_lfdJeOncNQ/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+110.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WoARC2svv0Lqlfy4Mt71ULkACIGGMXG1ULkBdeGM2PfR18knaRjOSVNvit8fcOOHNk-g1xd7UFnVptUvJiWWL5JrO9th-16vZUNwMpg3Wrex9Ns1kik1lPTH0RD_xJL0R1Unrlm0KgM/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WoARC2svv0Lqlfy4Mt71ULkACIGGMXG1ULkBdeGM2PfR18knaRjOSVNvit8fcOOHNk-g1xd7UFnVptUvJiWWL5JrO9th-16vZUNwMpg3Wrex9Ns1kik1lPTH0RD_xJL0R1Unrlm0KgM/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+113.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHygcHfGQSKrQBIARnaEx1Ajm_rchiB4W_coa7FOGiPsFuDTT5so5FTOT4a-FNO1tQF8fT-HDmU4dhoSS7_57TFJmDg8DjAsU-RSrpmX4yNB7N0t5Lvc20rFhWzKjOdxJJt8NXr1wUHBE/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHygcHfGQSKrQBIARnaEx1Ajm_rchiB4W_coa7FOGiPsFuDTT5so5FTOT4a-FNO1tQF8fT-HDmU4dhoSS7_57TFJmDg8DjAsU-RSrpmX4yNB7N0t5Lvc20rFhWzKjOdxJJt8NXr1wUHBE/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+116.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkko4x77KAiWqg-u-1gkXK-_haX546x6VHR_NZ6AAFUuM179ARyLGiMKP5SLV5PqYKm7yjtd8qKYJORNqwfPKlbiPJCppCg4YEIqCJ3yivK9imybprpoEmtp2pgthXsBeI70IGIGwrono/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkko4x77KAiWqg-u-1gkXK-_haX546x6VHR_NZ6AAFUuM179ARyLGiMKP5SLV5PqYKm7yjtd8qKYJORNqwfPKlbiPJCppCg4YEIqCJ3yivK9imybprpoEmtp2pgthXsBeI70IGIGwrono/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+119.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtJLMWLyHku2rltIY_UkVj1NILJcGIwHBEIehimBh79eRA9hYFouS5ASwtc4pYkN6_Ac5e7E-2fm6xFxCvW0vIm_ntJcvG1WEN3e6h-ZE4BzAdHBHXDq-j24YAnBAt02_PZeK36Vl1nc/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtJLMWLyHku2rltIY_UkVj1NILJcGIwHBEIehimBh79eRA9hYFouS5ASwtc4pYkN6_Ac5e7E-2fm6xFxCvW0vIm_ntJcvG1WEN3e6h-ZE4BzAdHBHXDq-j24YAnBAt02_PZeK36Vl1nc/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+121.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsFT6R9G0Hj-E8lMVNTNYWtbhe0l-k1tVHu5syFDzJTc8bLq6F_FW0XdNNYqmn68DW8MNDhG8rZK1kRgiW17xCo7zqHf0hzYG-SVovMHvJ265_o9kDF_DRfm5_0aShuiqPbleCUk2Gu0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsFT6R9G0Hj-E8lMVNTNYWtbhe0l-k1tVHu5syFDzJTc8bLq6F_FW0XdNNYqmn68DW8MNDhG8rZK1kRgiW17xCo7zqHf0hzYG-SVovMHvJ265_o9kDF_DRfm5_0aShuiqPbleCUk2Gu0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+122.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKpnzT9_GWbVbFUApfKESdrrLvr_Vzp8sVvFgTW7H8htR5gYzyYHb2dIfdTmJI-O5G8-B9sbXeB8Ljx70Kf00iXsFnDxzJGM5swTAHBiCu3O8KS7QN9GYhp8F_QAKvfGvsPbtA6TOkd0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKpnzT9_GWbVbFUApfKESdrrLvr_Vzp8sVvFgTW7H8htR5gYzyYHb2dIfdTmJI-O5G8-B9sbXeB8Ljx70Kf00iXsFnDxzJGM5swTAHBiCu3O8KS7QN9GYhp8F_QAKvfGvsPbtA6TOkd0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FYtljsmiZ8xbZ8jS4WReSkC_VGRx4agmEueLPjAy2HJWNqMVYEF1fGTE_ohy8cqyOIWCUYjiEZQBU6V_vOH8S3YYQgnYnvSskXlJzef6R4hXYw0-clGbuoGKgHmd8oU7y9ucSf4_i5c/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FYtljsmiZ8xbZ8jS4WReSkC_VGRx4agmEueLPjAy2HJWNqMVYEF1fGTE_ohy8cqyOIWCUYjiEZQBU6V_vOH8S3YYQgnYnvSskXlJzef6R4hXYw0-clGbuoGKgHmd8oU7y9ucSf4_i5c/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv66hmw2Qfz7b4mbU1LooS6fuw3AVi9CaLNAD69I9s77jKG_F4AL7HrY1q6SybTWfuZdH1fKVZ54YY3c9Eku_L4eh9fhawFt2GSAAsDItQRnztHM4yl_7vVHKgYSA2LBTvsaVD4Nm6K0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWv66hmw2Qfz7b4mbU1LooS6fuw3AVi9CaLNAD69I9s77jKG_F4AL7HrY1q6SybTWfuZdH1fKVZ54YY3c9Eku_L4eh9fhawFt2GSAAsDItQRnztHM4yl_7vVHKgYSA2LBTvsaVD4Nm6K0/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+048.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice90RgxDegn2e-WwmtnuEKbo0lh1eWcrTy1gh7yuNuD10VcO-vYZa4ZJ1DX2MweFzDS75ETaIzP5aw9jERrpb6sud-ATenhfxdTkKiWOXV7ZN5jt_FThmaZgAdyd0ZYWb1QFvM59Yk4Y/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice90RgxDegn2e-WwmtnuEKbo0lh1eWcrTy1gh7yuNuD10VcO-vYZa4ZJ1DX2MweFzDS75ETaIzP5aw9jERrpb6sud-ATenhfxdTkKiWOXV7ZN5jt_FThmaZgAdyd0ZYWb1QFvM59Yk4Y/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+052.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9Qelb9tpszC18F446-Zp4INTBs5hpKOidIXnJbb7vq7Q5AyBiXH6GFnE8Y2dI5PfrtEkWv7bzTy6FV9sPNP_IuKkke-zc2Q2U2LRFGdXRv3qMlcJiCv9VCrCcEkkyDMH32lVZB0ROS4/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9Qelb9tpszC18F446-Zp4INTBs5hpKOidIXnJbb7vq7Q5AyBiXH6GFnE8Y2dI5PfrtEkWv7bzTy6FV9sPNP_IuKkke-zc2Q2U2LRFGdXRv3qMlcJiCv9VCrCcEkkyDMH32lVZB0ROS4/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+053.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mOH6bmy6UMWry-_1QeGJzq3gnwIXkeZms7BCjwSLRpepCiqjQHBibcdFFtI-nPemxjB3ZqSvNO8TxkyD5LIMzgx4L0BBSSmEYj6h3qphJjIWRtzyh-ICdLEwNpjiC2_xlG-_adNiQ-4/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6mOH6bmy6UMWry-_1QeGJzq3gnwIXkeZms7BCjwSLRpepCiqjQHBibcdFFtI-nPemxjB3ZqSvNO8TxkyD5LIMzgx4L0BBSSmEYj6h3qphJjIWRtzyh-ICdLEwNpjiC2_xlG-_adNiQ-4/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SWFxLEjEn69egyMOwEVtESKp_91A0z794w5n-TCcvSycLPeufpG3d6-HBe8JxwHaRHRK20bJo_R-QyblzkfUBXljvclmzsMsXMY4n57AD-7HZhR3hRMJzagt2AkgKyZI6I72Q6S8z9A/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SWFxLEjEn69egyMOwEVtESKp_91A0z794w5n-TCcvSycLPeufpG3d6-HBe8JxwHaRHRK20bJo_R-QyblzkfUBXljvclmzsMsXMY4n57AD-7HZhR3hRMJzagt2AkgKyZI6I72Q6S8z9A/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+071.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEREcYuS51QgnKvnIdBwQXbjHrO8pftCGKzCERovYMQ-mHRlCCN5cFXQudkcL8OilDC9Ob_KhelJ-C1zF4tLfEviQPS8QRUzFGbfXy7x3kA06bbHAEChsRoY935FCwBJfTa8vhEvSuupo/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEREcYuS51QgnKvnIdBwQXbjHrO8pftCGKzCERovYMQ-mHRlCCN5cFXQudkcL8OilDC9Ob_KhelJ-C1zF4tLfEviQPS8QRUzFGbfXy7x3kA06bbHAEChsRoY935FCwBJfTa8vhEvSuupo/s1600/2014-05-04.BackYardandCampRockfish+072.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-56933026165191389322014-04-28T12:54:00.001-04:002014-04-28T18:04:51.831-04:00Crisis Situations: Be Kind. Always.<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve recently read a quote that goes something like this:
Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about, so ALWAYS BE
KIND.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I know personally at least 50 people who are in a crisis
situation in their lives right now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crisis situations can range from health issues
to tragic relational issues to financial issues. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I am discovering and what I am
particularly sensitive to (and a bit frustrated about) is how people are treating
the people in the crisis situations.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When Pastor Rick Warren’s son committed suicide, his
newsfeeds were blasted with unhelpful comments about what he could have done to
help his son, that his son is in hell and perhaps what his son needed was to read the books he’d
written.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They suggested that Pastor Warren would use
this as an opportunity to write a book with the motivation of making money off
his son’s death.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">An Arizona mother left her two small children unattended in
a hot car while she attended a job interview.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was arrested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hate mail
that poured in at her was crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure
this young mother realized after the fact that this was poor judgment on her
part, but my heart went out to her because where were her friends?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was her family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where is the father of the two <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>children?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something tells me that this woman was in crisis and needed help yet not
a soul stepped out to help this young mom with her small children.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Right now I have several friends battling depression or
mental illnesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know some parents
that have terminally ill children, or children who struggle with their health continually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
of my friends are battling serious, ongoing health problems of their own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know lonely people who are lonesome for varying reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know families who
are hurting because a family member is far away from them, most commonly in our area are military families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know people who have lost loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know people struggling in their marriages
and people struggling with their finances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m burdened today because people, as far as the eye can see, are
hurting.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing that makes me disappointed is when people feel the need
to kick the hurting when they are down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People need to keep ignorant and unhelpful thoughts to themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> The truth is some situations are out of our hands, but others are brought on by mistakes. It doesn't matter which case is true of the crisis. </span>No one needs to hear, “You woulda, shoulda,
coulda” when they are in a crisis situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one needs to say to those people, “You just like attention and drama.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have never experienced something, don’t
suggest that they need more faith to be healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you have never endured the death of a loved one, do not assume that you
know how they feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone has a
dying child or if someone has miscarried, don’t say, “Well at least you have 3 other healthy kids.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For goodness sake, do not gossip or talk about people in
crisis situations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If someone wants you
to know something, they will tell you themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they do not talk to you personally about
it, there is a good chance it is none of your business or you have proven in
the past untrustworthy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do not ignore the hurting. If you pretend the hurt doesn't exist, the hurting hurts worse. Being deserted or feeling ignored sometimes hurts worse than the actual crisis. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Think about how you might feel if you were in a crisis
situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you want harsh words or
judgment from people who have no idea what they are talking about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you want people jumping to conclusions,
or talking about you behind your back? Would you want to be left alone to deal with a crisis unassisted?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">What you can do for the hurting is tell them you care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell them you are praying for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask them how you can help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you know they are hurting financially,
send them a gift card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send them a
friendly email.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Send them a small gift
to brighten their day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have no
idea what to say, still send them a card telling them, “I have no idea what to
say, but I want you to know you’re loved and I care.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
something, do ANYTHING kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not
leave the hurting to hurt alone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Bible says, “Dear children, let us not love only with words or speech, <u>but with
actions and in truth</u>” (I John 3:18).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sometimes our sin nature causes us to form opinions or
conclusions about people when we have no idea what we are talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This comes off as judgmental behavior and it
is hurtful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always remember that things
are not as they seem and that if we truly love someone we will show them love,
not condemn them or kick them when they are down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is fighting a battle you know
nothing about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And when you know about a battle, also be kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down
His life for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we ought to lay
down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (I John 3:16). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-81113404893440443562014-04-23T14:56:00.000-04:002014-04-23T15:19:13.586-04:00How's Homeschooling Going?<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Now that the
school year is wrapping up and we’ve been homeschooling now since December, I
have a lot of people who have asked, “How’s homeschooling going?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, I love
it and sometimes I hate it as well.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thankfully,
I hate it less than the times that I love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The lack of personal time and personal space sometimes get to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids get on each other nerves because they
are always in each other’s personal space as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funny story…One of the children had a doctor’s
appointment and I showed up with all the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The receptionist shot me a very annoyed look
and said, “We usually prefer for parents to find alternate care for children
who are not being seen.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I replied, “Ohhhhh,
I usually prefer that as well.” Seriously?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did she honestly think that I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wanted</i></b> to stuff all of the children in
an 8’ X 8’ exam room?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t exactly
leave the others at home, or out in the hot car (like one mother recently did for a
job interview out West where she was arrested for it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are not often sitters available at
the drop of a hat in the middle of the day when the kids need to go to the
doctor’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do what we do out of
necessity and we make it work.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Something
else I hate about homeschooling is being the bad-guy-disciplinarian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I liked it so much better when the teacher or
principal at the school was the “bad guy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d rather just play with the kids and love on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, sometimes in homeschooling you have
to step up and be tough or no work would be accomplished because the kids would
be out of control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Other than
no personal space and being the bad guy, there is so much I love about
homeschooling!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love having a shorter
school day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We generally work 9am-2pm
and during that time I </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">set the children free</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> from 12pm-1pm for lunch/recess!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can eat, play or check their email
during that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that the kids
can play and be kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I love not piling in the car each day for a commute. I love the money saved on gas! </span>I love that their
grades have gone up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that all the
children’s standardized testing scores went up this year as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our ADHD child can do his/her homework upside
down, on the floor, outside, in his/her bedroom, by the cat, or anywhere, as
long as it gets done and as long as he/she circles his/her answers so I know
what to grade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ADHD child is
actually an A-student and quite brilliant and I had no idea until I
homeschooled the child just how brilliant the child is! He/she just needs to do things in his/her own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love the freedom of taking our vacation breaks
whenever we want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, we had
scheduled our Spring Break on a certain week, but when we saw the weather forecast
said rainy and 50 degrees we were able to reschedule it for the following week
when it was in the 80’s and sunny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was nice because hardly anyone was at the beach because everyone else had
Spring Break at a different time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
kids report that they enjoy wearing whatever they want each day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the time they prefer to wear shorts,
t-shirts and flip flops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like choosing
their curriculum to meet their individual needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, I am using 3 different
curriculums with Matthew right now and it’s working out perfectly for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like spending one-on-one time with the kids
because I feel like I know exactly what they’re learning and also exactly what
their strengths and weaknesses are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
like getting to know each one of my kids’ unique personalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really am blessed to have the most
delightful children on the planet!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Though there
are smidgens of days that I don’t enjoy with homeschooling, overall it’s a
rewarding and positive experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
doing my best to cherish these days with my babies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All too soon they’ll all be grown and gone
from the nest and then I can have all the personal space I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, I’m hoping that they’ll remember all
the good times we’ve had together and forget the times I had to be the “bad guy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-70138007177672563612014-04-14T09:48:00.001-04:002014-04-14T09:58:50.738-04:00Opening Day!Kylie had to be at the ball field at 8:30 for opening day ceremonies. The weather was absolutely gorgeous--sunny and 80 degrees!! After the opening ceremony she came home for a quick lunch and we were back out on the field for her 12:30 game. Her game overlapped with Matthew's 2:00 game so Tim saw her bat once and left to take Matthew across town to his game. We had all the kids come out to both games because it's important to us to teach the kids to cheer each other on as they play! It meant a lot to both kids that their siblings were there.<br />
<br />
Kylie's team won their first game 20-8. She scored 2 of those runs. She was nervous going into the game, but after as she was licking her snow cone she said she had a blast and she can't wait until Monday night's game.<br />
<br />
I felt bad for the other team because the coaches were not very encouraging. They were yelling at the girls and criticizing them. The coaches would throw up their hands and shake their heads. It just breaks their spirits. That's no way to inspire the best out of these poor girls. They are ages 9-11 and just learning for crying out loud! Kylie is blessed to have a great set of coaches. They are teaching them precise skills and form. The coaches remind them what to do and encourage them all throughout the game. At the end of the game they huddled for a snack and the coach told them how proud he was of them listening to the coaches and for using what they'd learned in practice. They are just the coaches Kylie needed for her first organized sport. She thrives on encouragement and precise skill learning. She calls her head coach "Coach Awesome" and he truly is. He also happens to be our next-door-neighbor so we've known him and his family for 7 years. Often he will work with her next door while he's out working with his own girls. We love our neighbors!<br />
<br />
Meanwhile Matthew's team didn't do so hot in indoor soccer. The rec center was late getting a coach lined up for his team. They only had 2 practices and his team got creamed! I'm hoping the coach starts teaching some skills and rules of the game. Right now the boys all run around after the ball like you see in pee wee soccer leagues. This is 11-12 year old boys and it's time they learned to play correctly with positions, precise passing, bouncing the ball off the walls, keeping the ball out wide, then sending it in for the goals. It's so frustrating to me and Tim as former soccer players to not have our son learning to do things the right way, especially at his age and level of the sport. He has so much potential to be good at soccer because of his speed. He just needs to learn some skills and he will be all set. Anyway, Matthew had a blast running around playing "animal ball," so I guess that's all that matters.<br />
<br />
I'm so proud of my kids. It is a lot of fun following these kids all over town and watching them learn their game and grow as athletes. Organized sports truly teaches discipline and hard work and I love that!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqz-VkmtVlXJnWtoG90wV60Bh7tiICW-AlSMqx4ZJ58XtxHWHC2mhqEBrYlhYZ8szbHeI2cI8A5iFFkLUZ8u7p6nd_2ZHArtxadcGAX3QA0UD_WQhOpEoti-fnXySMGmHBxqFs-ZJnvI/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqz-VkmtVlXJnWtoG90wV60Bh7tiICW-AlSMqx4ZJ58XtxHWHC2mhqEBrYlhYZ8szbHeI2cI8A5iFFkLUZ8u7p6nd_2ZHArtxadcGAX3QA0UD_WQhOpEoti-fnXySMGmHBxqFs-ZJnvI/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+002.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for opening day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxNIqiEiwZJ54UCg1KYqYNUpRzs9mnimR-evRzVkda_Q5CstXBHCgwLhcNjhlSRKZFELaI2MJRtHQM1tXGrqtNCYFHu10D3eQoMKSDXshz3WdEIATqF_O34ICqGq3V2Iw5NJQbE49ySA/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxNIqiEiwZJ54UCg1KYqYNUpRzs9mnimR-evRzVkda_Q5CstXBHCgwLhcNjhlSRKZFELaI2MJRtHQM1tXGrqtNCYFHu10D3eQoMKSDXshz3WdEIATqF_O34ICqGq3V2Iw5NJQbE49ySA/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+014.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylie played center out field</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nOcHk4yftP707Rsdcu0ycM0j6_R80rP1gZcs7uEphTV1dZRzUMZRQLP3uDDJ0HXrJizP6hJ5sGSVO5L4NWA5776Yg-aLPyXv_28J6NciGiXhGaR1pPHdZxRYbwKfPemvYxhYD-YhKxM/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nOcHk4yftP707Rsdcu0ycM0j6_R80rP1gZcs7uEphTV1dZRzUMZRQLP3uDDJ0HXrJizP6hJ5sGSVO5L4NWA5776Yg-aLPyXv_28J6NciGiXhGaR1pPHdZxRYbwKfPemvYxhYD-YhKxM/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+025.JPG" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Up to bat for the first time in her "career" </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ_xctuWIPbuWva0ilS3dH8UoosZW0_5z8w1WNv47aADde3ZyQBswHxc1fSuo_bdSM5TQFdGNynuO6_eUXtOhyphenhyphenKQqspxVOt3Bhyyrl0Xe7ZXSOkCDS-9i0ZAPy5GO-jmwXWJ3jyI7T-g/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ_xctuWIPbuWva0ilS3dH8UoosZW0_5z8w1WNv47aADde3ZyQBswHxc1fSuo_bdSM5TQFdGNynuO6_eUXtOhyphenhyphenKQqspxVOt3Bhyyrl0Xe7ZXSOkCDS-9i0ZAPy5GO-jmwXWJ3jyI7T-g/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+028.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On to first</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTmnSCZl_DahlKR1RPsPyRTImfu2AhkNVis4XRpgtVRzTqIKdId5jzgoTycSVEL3IR_smI-nkl65P9YKyXp8HmLyFS3QHmi6fkE2Zhg7Mr9y5yPGiFuJ1esc-UhYu-cFb8NOZaiqgCyg/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTmnSCZl_DahlKR1RPsPyRTImfu2AhkNVis4XRpgtVRzTqIKdId5jzgoTycSVEL3IR_smI-nkl65P9YKyXp8HmLyFS3QHmi6fkE2Zhg7Mr9y5yPGiFuJ1esc-UhYu-cFb8NOZaiqgCyg/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+035.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rounding 3rd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYPaQ2O7ydsxi5V9DLiU00U4E7Y5zGyz6KBYqMbfPMzKPYKMpKKODp8oi6EfxnJLQM0w3GNj3vQ5WHmtSyOr7I05h_SNkt8l5pWxAce4_SjUJuFDjRwdvGjc22zGo3EZ-9O5oQzJie08/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVYPaQ2O7ydsxi5V9DLiU00U4E7Y5zGyz6KBYqMbfPMzKPYKMpKKODp8oi6EfxnJLQM0w3GNj3vQ5WHmtSyOr7I05h_SNkt8l5pWxAce4_SjUJuFDjRwdvGjc22zGo3EZ-9O5oQzJie08/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+036.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second time batting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThMiTB23x3xeoa8Bl9MWOJQs-z2bdyQtijKmccUR-arCsfiKQEQIJjdBw1tdeFsk6QotmBseWsT881DHSrD4PLWbmW54702xNh42abR5C69SsVYpgR3ak836eS8r5x30AxF63e6Qm0Y0/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThMiTB23x3xeoa8Bl9MWOJQs-z2bdyQtijKmccUR-arCsfiKQEQIJjdBw1tdeFsk6QotmBseWsT881DHSrD4PLWbmW54702xNh42abR5C69SsVYpgR3ak836eS8r5x30AxF63e6Qm0Y0/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+045.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good game, good game.....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC0AXne41D4syY7gYz0ptKb3rrwypQsBKI-VDIoLA6YudjDKKJm01QRCZVWNBkm54pQPHu8kVRTt5rNbf8oFyN-o-S5-domcHupNkDHWKSfwIlpAAyUUTHzBh92M-sfQL0we0EnFzq1c/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtC0AXne41D4syY7gYz0ptKb3rrwypQsBKI-VDIoLA6YudjDKKJm01QRCZVWNBkm54pQPHu8kVRTt5rNbf8oFyN-o-S5-domcHupNkDHWKSfwIlpAAyUUTHzBh92M-sfQL0we0EnFzq1c/s1600/2014-04-12.OpeningDay+049.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matthew after his first indoor soccer game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9023844831477378130.post-45716260079061762952014-04-11T21:18:00.001-04:002014-04-11T21:19:56.419-04:00Let the Madness Begin!I had no idea we could be so busy as a homeschool family. We quit traditional private school to homeschool with the intent of<u> slowing down the world</u>, but we are actually so busy! It's a good kind of busy, though and we are all enjoying our Spring. <br />
<br />
<br />
It is nice having a calm morning of doing school work as our evenings are a bit rushed having dinner around 6pm, chores and then out the door for activities. We've been thankful that so far we have been able to keep our priority of always eating dinner together as a family. We feel it is so important to have dinner together if possible.<br />
<br />
<br />
Tomorrow is opening day for Kylie and Matthew's Spring leagues!! Kylie is nervous and Matthew is counting down the minutes practically. He is so excited.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is a list of our Spring schedule that will run through the first week of June:<br />
<br />
Monday: Haley flute lessons and Kylie softball practice or game<br />
<br />
<br />
Tuesday: Matthew indoor soccer practice and Tim softball game<br />
<br />
<br />
Wednesday: AWANA and softball practice or game<br />
<br />
<br />
Thursday: Kylie horse riding lessons<br />
<br />
<br />
Friday: Homeschool activities and Kylie softball practice or game<br />
<br />
<br />
Saturday: Matthew indoor soccer game and Tim softball practice<br />
<br />
<br />
I won't lie. I admit that I rejoice in the rare occasion when something is rained out. It's nice to have a break from time to time in the weekly schedule. This is the first time any of our kids have had regular weekly sports since Brandon was living and it takes a little getting used to kids going in opposite directions and Tim & I each having to take someone somewhere. <br />
<br />
<br />
We've had a stretch of absolutely beautiful weather lately. It's always awesome to see a week full of Sunshine and 70+ temperatures on my iPhone app!!! Our lawn is turning green and our trees are getting fuller. Everything is blooming and cheerful. Spring is definitely my favorite season of the year! We trust everyone is enjoying their Spring as well!Following Closelyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04534410087179148107noreply@blogger.com0