tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305845532024-03-12T23:14:10.316-07:00MaysCritters... a.k.a. The Mays FamilyWelcome to our family blog: Dan Mays, a.k.a Daddy. Carrie Fowler Mays, a.k.a. Mama. Dallas Mays(13), Noah Mays(12), Savanna Mays, a.k.a. Nani(6). Bailey Mays (4). It is maintained by Carrie who uses this sort of like a journal for cathartic reasons and so family and friends can come visit anytime to get a glimpse of what is going on with us. Come and go as you please!!!Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-46569435421725978812010-10-20T09:41:00.000-07:002014-04-10T03:03:10.112-07:00Lots of Kids, Lots of Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTXkGvcj5wfmxE1pHmXhwHY47LYQk-J14ob9cpvmJbEKORXw1BC3TtoJCObNhgjhJwGlY6F5z6GcB0m1SWbQ2h7fIc6yXT9sfnr5Osw1zpFTZVU1b2FU2u3cvNfVPt2NgfLU2/s1600/Blubonnets+2010.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQTXkGvcj5wfmxE1pHmXhwHY47LYQk-J14ob9cpvmJbEKORXw1BC3TtoJCObNhgjhJwGlY6F5z6GcB0m1SWbQ2h7fIc6yXT9sfnr5Osw1zpFTZVU1b2FU2u3cvNfVPt2NgfLU2/s320/Blubonnets+2010.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530172426201279138" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a> <br />
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I am home alone for a bit having left my job for another that is closer to home and will allow me the opportunity to spend more time with my family. I find myself comparing in contrast quiet and chaos. Parenthood is such a blessing. Isn't it awesome the tidal wave of love that washes over you the moment you hear your child's first cry and feel that soul next to yours? It's a forever love that does not diminish, no matter the circumstance. I cannot think of or imagine anything that compares to the feeling other than how God feels for His children, only I know mine is not a perfect love. I would say 9 out of 10 times, when people see or learn I have 4 kids, they are taken aback and look upon me with wide eyes or pity, and often comments follow that reflect apparent doubts about my sanity, probably because they are thinking of all the messes, quarrels, and chaos - all valid thoughts. I feel like we may never catch up on housework, and a quiet home is a rare experience. Yet peace and joy are ever present, even amidst the chaos. Unconditional love brings peace and joy with it that, if you let it, supersedes any negative thoughts or emotions. We do not usually pity or question the sanity of those with lots of grandchildren & great grandchildren. We smile and think how blessed they are, and it seems most grandparents relish being surrounded by grandchildren in abundance which, by the way, you only get if you have kids of your own. One may suppose this is because they have the option of brief encounters. Enjoy them for a while, spoil them shamelessly, then give them back! However, I believe maturing brings wisdom and the realization, in retrospect, that love is all that matters in life and worth anything that challenges us and that grandparents spoil with love, affection, and sometimes things because they feel like they didn't bask in the love their children offered freely when they had the chance. Why wait until then to delight in such bounty? And how many people actually look back and regret having children even if raising them was a long, rocky road? There is no need to pity us who have lots of kids. Rather think of that feeling when you first embraced your sweet baby or the way you felt larger than yourself after you said, "I do." Now multiply it by 2, 4, 10. The more people you love and allow to love you, the more love resides in your heart. Think of it this way, and you will get a glimpse of our great fortune. I am sitting here right now surrounded by stillness and quiet where maybe I should feel peace and tranquility, but I find myself missing and longing for the noise and chaos. For me, that is where the love is.</div>
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Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-3130459479265753312008-05-30T23:05:00.000-07:002009-01-20T13:19:55.623-08:00Legacy of Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F6rBL2EytPy6b-f3G9xY7XBhfm-WUz7aW-LqqfsGAkpWjnqrUJyLsv1SjsGYhdJR3jqSh7fDfkqYOB1ff3yjlr-0qgzO4FzC3_iLUa1HqHd1QylUp_hwha7qWdst-MnMUBP0/s1600-h/scan0004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206666862215163730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-F6rBL2EytPy6b-f3G9xY7XBhfm-WUz7aW-LqqfsGAkpWjnqrUJyLsv1SjsGYhdJR3jqSh7fDfkqYOB1ff3yjlr-0qgzO4FzC3_iLUa1HqHd1QylUp_hwha7qWdst-MnMUBP0/s400/scan0004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My Uncle Colby passed on Tuesday. I've known him all my life. We spent almost if not every Thanksgiving and Christmas with our families growing up at Nanny & <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PePa's</span></span>, whether it was at the house in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Baytown</span></span> or on Lake Livingston. But I did not know Colby very well. He was a quiet man, not boisterous like my dad, Uncle Mark, and even sometimes Nanny. But if he had something to say, he would say it. What I do know is that he loved his family very much. When I heard of his passing, I could not help but remember my dad's death, also at such a young age. Dad was 50; Colby was 53. So young. I feel great empathy for Terri, Brent & Amie, and little Gracie. I cannot imagine how <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">PePa</span></span> feels, to have lost his son.<br /><br />I woke up on Wednesday from a dream, grabbed some paper immediately, and words just flowed from my mind, my heart, and my pen. It wasn't a dream with people or events but rather an intense peaceful feeling, as if I were in the arms of my Father where I felt warm and loved. I did not know until the day of the funeral, that Colby had recently come to love the Lord deeply and accept Christ as his Savior. I was so sure after I wrote the poem that it was God speaking through me to comfort broken hearts. I am certain of it now. As I wrote, I knew the words were spoken from my own dad's heart and spirit, but I felt as if it had to be something Colby's heart would say also. It's gushy, definitely not something either of them would say, but I believe some of the most macho of men have the softest, most loving hearts and feel much more than they express aloud. The dream brought me peace and comfort from the sadness I was feeling for Colby's family and remembering the loss of my own daddy, and the words just poured from my heart, so they must have been given to me by the Spirit. I hope they brought comfort to everyone who Colby loved and who loved him. I felt great joy hearing the story of Colby's last days with his family and with God. Colby, his family, and all who were fortunate to know him, we are very blessed.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-family:verdana;">Legacy of Love</span></strong></div><div align="center"><atomicelement id="ms__id3189"><atomicelement id="ms__id10646"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></atomicelement></atomicelement></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">How do I know I have lived a full life?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">One I could be proud to have shared with my family, my wife?</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Life should not be measured in terms of its length,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">But rather let's measure the love and its strength.</span></div><div align="center"><atomicelement id="ms__id3198"><atomicelement id="ms__id10655"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></atomicelement></atomicelement></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Love is an awesome, powerful entity.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">It transcends life and death, goes on for infinity.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Our beautiful family shares memories and love.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">That is my legacy, and what I'm most proud of.</span></div><div align="center"><atomicelement id="ms__id3207"><atomicelement id="ms__id10664"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></atomicelement></atomicelement></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">If I had to revisit my life in a mirror</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Looking at myself from farther to nearer,</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I would see that the good stuff outweighs the bad</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">And that our many happy times overshadow the sad.</span></div><div align="center"><atomicelement id="ms__id3216"><atomicelement id="ms__id10673"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></atomicelement></atomicelement></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I wish I said, "I love you," more than I had, too.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">But I tried always to show it, and I hope that you knew.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I loved you more than my life, more than can ever be measured.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">I am right there in your heart, a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">deeply</span> buried treasure.</span></div><div align="center"><atomicelement id="ms__id3225"><atomicelement id="ms__id10682"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></atomicelement></atomicelement></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Although I am gone, and my body will disappear.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">My love will never die; I will always be near.</span></div><br /><div align="center"><atomicelement id="ms__id3230"><atomicelement id="ms__id10687"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></atomicelement></atomicelement></div><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Love always,</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Carrie</span></div><div align="left"><atomicelement id="ms__id3235"><atomicelement id="ms__id10692"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span></atomicelement></atomicelement></div><div align="left"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_pPeDpf1yZellGIizp1UNaUIyX51LDsYvSfCP4YRhzA8M-P2nDG-FRkrjX0g_WPOGU02070c_iMNv_648NNGsVIcHPZVNftWDrVbZ7uwTmnO_qUv-4KDU4vus0tSnf_cnuoK/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206669834332532578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_pPeDpf1yZellGIizp1UNaUIyX51LDsYvSfCP4YRhzA8M-P2nDG-FRkrjX0g_WPOGU02070c_iMNv_648NNGsVIcHPZVNftWDrVbZ7uwTmnO_qUv-4KDU4vus0tSnf_cnuoK/s400/scan0001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30Bb0MJIHYcz4exAHMWYIJ3JY3tlUn7sfgz52DUAEAf96QxaeJar4g_Fv2ZDqdVd9x70qvguVdFbqHPacC3_hkqqfEtJvrdc-jWPwi7Vkj2DZ3uvns3kOEPrHxG6_TaHPYcMn/s1600-h/scan0005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206669842922467186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30Bb0MJIHYcz4exAHMWYIJ3JY3tlUn7sfgz52DUAEAf96QxaeJar4g_Fv2ZDqdVd9x70qvguVdFbqHPacC3_hkqqfEtJvrdc-jWPwi7Vkj2DZ3uvns3kOEPrHxG6_TaHPYcMn/s400/scan0005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc971flYpaqFCdL7J6wNQAEEoXMWHNRDT9fN9k7M8YDAnpqXTlWKUQ2ve7rW5hTXoU7TxcvtmlKfvpG4qQJi1ORLoFZWIBDIUJFBlwuh5-cnylj-II-AlEFWR-bzdzlvufTSl/s1600-h/scan0006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206669847217434498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc971flYpaqFCdL7J6wNQAEEoXMWHNRDT9fN9k7M8YDAnpqXTlWKUQ2ve7rW5hTXoU7TxcvtmlKfvpG4qQJi1ORLoFZWIBDIUJFBlwuh5-cnylj-II-AlEFWR-bzdzlvufTSl/s400/scan0006.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family:georgia;">I have to end this with a lighthearted story because that is how I remember Colby, lighthearted, always with a grin, ready to laugh. Mom told me this story a long time ago, and it has stuck with me. Nanny liked to tell it, too. I have written before about how I thought my dad was Superman. I wonder if Brent or Amie ever thought their dad was Superman? Well, <em>Colby</em> thought he was Superman! When he was very young, he was so sure that he could fly like Superman, he climbed to the roof of his house, and my mom and Uncle Mark watched in disbelief, unable to stop him. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Colby</span> spread his arms like wings and dove off the house. I bet he felt free like a bird, as if he could really fly, for at least a moment before realizing he was plunging towards the ground. He broke his leg, but his spirit was never broken. After his last breath, I imagine Colby spread his arms again. Only this time, he did fly.</span></div>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-50528624673584185332008-04-08T20:33:00.000-07:002010-10-27T07:07:14.913-07:00Texas Bluebonnets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4GosWH-hieR6PUhYwNUdSJzynzqlBOejy6g7fy-SkFG-mOchJeNSvoLi8HMHAJcukXz8hhumyKsZ2Kb6YKOwjQZSz-kgYl-H2Pm-q2iE8R99ydllOpuxV7kpNZDXHyDc-QwH/s1600-h/IMG_0576.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189322137598770690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4GosWH-hieR6PUhYwNUdSJzynzqlBOejy6g7fy-SkFG-mOchJeNSvoLi8HMHAJcukXz8hhumyKsZ2Kb6YKOwjQZSz-kgYl-H2Pm-q2iE8R99ydllOpuxV7kpNZDXHyDc-QwH/s400/IMG_0576.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We were snapping pictures of each other in the bluebonnets on a spectacular spring day and were fortunate a fellow picture taker passed by and asked us if we wanted a photo of all of us together. Bluebonnet photos have been a tradition since before the kids were born. My love for wildflowers started my freshman year in college when I was attending Texas Woman's University in Denton, far from home. Classes were Mon/Wed - Tues/Thurs, so we had 3 day weekends which would ordinarily be awesome. But all my friends went home for the weekend, and I didn't have a car. The campus was dead, and I was very bored. So I was either studying (I got 4.0 that year), playing golf on our 9 hole course, tennis with the wall, or walking around town. There was a lovely garden near the chapel on campus, and I spent a lot of time there. In the spring, wildflowers were bountiful and beautiful. I bought a wildflower nature guide from the bookstore. I found out TWU had a wildflower course in the spring, and I would have loved to take that class except I did not attend TWU the next year. I met a fellow student from Houston who made trips home and took me along for the ride. She was taking the class, and one of their assignments was to collect and take pictures of various wildflowers. They are plentiful on Texas highways, so we made many stops on the drive there and back. I was hooked! The next year, when I went to Sam Houston in Huntsville, I took my friend Kelly with me to go flower hunting, and we took pictures of each other in the Bluebonnets. That's when the tradition began. I met Dan during wildflower season; our first date was on April 7th, 1994. (He took me country western dancing at the Jolly Fox). So for our anniversary the next year, we took pictures of each other in the Bluebonnets and then again the next year, the year we got married. We missed a couple of years but then started back up again when Dallas and Noah were toddlers. Those were the pre-digital years, so I need to scan them in. How much they have all changed! Here's the last four years of Bluebonnet photos. This is an extensive collection, so you might want to grab a snack or a cup of tea while you peruse the pictures...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">April 18, 2004</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ilw2j_6oxWBWcf40oxu1pGePT5s1mqwn8ApmRyBnazaQvRbMfAW7qFLGRuZ8qWm8seKMGkax-nSuIh9cKLDXXCqE6umwLkA4woXDOAGxk_OEKJ5uM1j7dcogeyqef8XE6VUA/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189663351275601570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ilw2j_6oxWBWcf40oxu1pGePT5s1mqwn8ApmRyBnazaQvRbMfAW7qFLGRuZ8qWm8seKMGkax-nSuIh9cKLDXXCqE6umwLkA4woXDOAGxk_OEKJ5uM1j7dcogeyqef8XE6VUA/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+072.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna was 3 weeks old.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaJ3OWCerxlbe0pTVFHlVIPgZaz8uP09V4N-MgmYUypQUUoxoT3cXBGImZkclLOmcvMzW6chkDfhbjdQiI5mC9Y3Se5G4klr7_bAcN9lGGQ8JAkmaPckNpZsA7ntq2Xvjm-2d/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189663355570568882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaJ3OWCerxlbe0pTVFHlVIPgZaz8uP09V4N-MgmYUypQUUoxoT3cXBGImZkclLOmcvMzW6chkDfhbjdQiI5mC9Y3Se5G4klr7_bAcN9lGGQ8JAkmaPckNpZsA7ntq2Xvjm-2d/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+073.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUI6_jwt6bqA1F-RwZ3iOzS1dKwy1kzNYLP8-hqEZp5Ya0D4tITrX0iACTgeBMy-7SeliMt9raIBr-6IvdJdanojib_DmHIFK0jwz25_qVM0bb-aHHoRFRuiGlc4KWPNNCT-Y/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189663359865536194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUI6_jwt6bqA1F-RwZ3iOzS1dKwy1kzNYLP8-hqEZp5Ya0D4tITrX0iACTgeBMy-7SeliMt9raIBr-6IvdJdanojib_DmHIFK0jwz25_qVM0bb-aHHoRFRuiGlc4KWPNNCT-Y/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+077.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa8dN0xw8WF3_j3r_HdFUZNG5UrIvFqK1NYvOYS3FLL-88dhg1YG2MXZC41vgnveicRSIjHDqZTyuSoe3nDD3DEEj8mdpLYIoK4drgIdf3wnVYwfJq3x1jPsYYktY0vf9icwA/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189663394225274578" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoa8dN0xw8WF3_j3r_HdFUZNG5UrIvFqK1NYvOYS3FLL-88dhg1YG2MXZC41vgnveicRSIjHDqZTyuSoe3nDD3DEEj8mdpLYIoK4drgIdf3wnVYwfJq3x1jPsYYktY0vf9icwA/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+089.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is one of my favorites:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7APctBfpXo2D36gDfui4Li160KldnBRc6ZdTAMTN0U9I13M7PoSDZ-oI3zXvvAp57RETCKAzzQmMKUpZXpiMUPzMPZx-5TFURAUYmYlYOFEFPw8D3grL02dQCeux3d3OX7O4/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189662414972730994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV7APctBfpXo2D36gDfui4Li160KldnBRc6ZdTAMTN0U9I13M7PoSDZ-oI3zXvvAp57RETCKAzzQmMKUpZXpiMUPzMPZx-5TFURAUYmYlYOFEFPw8D3grL02dQCeux3d3OX7O4/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+116.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk70emxF-lc1JMCLFozhinT__ak5gLhZi8OEUR_Cj_GNGOfbsP8T7ifOaamwu0AaR8qOd4_G2KUnczWqwQKFXAZ3IFCRXh_pJj1LTCTApzq3doGmmpILF09HJe3_xDY0ulchc/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189662419267698306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirk70emxF-lc1JMCLFozhinT__ak5gLhZi8OEUR_Cj_GNGOfbsP8T7ifOaamwu0AaR8qOd4_G2KUnczWqwQKFXAZ3IFCRXh_pJj1LTCTApzq3doGmmpILF09HJe3_xDY0ulchc/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+121.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZTQ4bloeBb9uh30HRLxiydbN1piRQJvLxabB337XVwjTqeutNzVhNFTG9v5dfpBwhe9gwR29E34MkqpU-Yrgf0Jw23Nit4BGGkWGJuIe2QR7luQlDm52LTZeHXL6aVL2gXn9/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189662423562665618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ZTQ4bloeBb9uh30HRLxiydbN1piRQJvLxabB337XVwjTqeutNzVhNFTG9v5dfpBwhe9gwR29E34MkqpU-Yrgf0Jw23Nit4BGGkWGJuIe2QR7luQlDm52LTZeHXL6aVL2gXn9/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+128.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcjxXlfqp81kEdE-oF1Q1h4dewXuqyj47Pu5SAApmHN9VpJm2DE9UC2ONyl0yN9-bGXUGE0xbxD-tchgaqV1KGA2kssPWeddQZ0hY_YCaxIPRnlcdMnwRIZ5n8_XlyT2Ssj3F/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189661010518425138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcjxXlfqp81kEdE-oF1Q1h4dewXuqyj47Pu5SAApmHN9VpJm2DE9UC2ONyl0yN9-bGXUGE0xbxD-tchgaqV1KGA2kssPWeddQZ0hY_YCaxIPRnlcdMnwRIZ5n8_XlyT2Ssj3F/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+133.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFeTzjN5PEate7HS6BozUkION1VHc3R5nWkp63MQ0ftR8yMqV9_Ys_6cWw4LuwItqL65mXhLetoT-LjVebnK_jLv8L8b3W3FvMqI86IJt66l9PIreF2b6J_fgBDwKSpn6oKoq/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189661422835285602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipFeTzjN5PEate7HS6BozUkION1VHc3R5nWkp63MQ0ftR8yMqV9_Ys_6cWw4LuwItqL65mXhLetoT-LjVebnK_jLv8L8b3W3FvMqI86IJt66l9PIreF2b6J_fgBDwKSpn6oKoq/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+138.2jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrckDSp3rjCx4LU5wWT0-cKNnnOLC3sfyn5xT1G2P1r74RiW5IvdN1ziW3IonQd5SbCtM343F5IUvT9PtLcWARRrczU02bd0N0_Hr6nh5qDg18TjxmF-WLJQMMp04ooQComs0/s1600-h/Noah"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189661014813392466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFrckDSp3rjCx4LU5wWT0-cKNnnOLC3sfyn5xT1G2P1r74RiW5IvdN1ziW3IonQd5SbCtM343F5IUvT9PtLcWARRrczU02bd0N0_Hr6nh5qDg18TjxmF-WLJQMMp04ooQComs0/s400/Noah'sBirthday2004Bluebonnets+141.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">March 25, 2005</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrtLZUaClOmGvgT_OhEILTCclBp82cGoRpYh57NI0i8rYZm-fsZsbXktfXLGOU2J9t6nR3gpGl-1VoNjt6gW0jET8PJHS2wTQrJhvwFR3O_v36izRoZJUtdFvmmARhlwuItl8/s1600-h/28Mar2005+017.3jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189667122256887570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrtLZUaClOmGvgT_OhEILTCclBp82cGoRpYh57NI0i8rYZm-fsZsbXktfXLGOU2J9t6nR3gpGl-1VoNjt6gW0jET8PJHS2wTQrJhvwFR3O_v36izRoZJUtdFvmmARhlwuItl8/s400/28Mar2005+017.3jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey is an embryo. I did not even know I was pregnant here!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlxItN4Bhf6Vmq8e4tmOU0TNoVOs_AXWLUiXiWGllrUSizuYF6Im4-bGVVA2b8-nJ7L2HB2Bd7rFCH1qqpq_oj7WlJfmcG2WX0rc1ME49K0003De06KBAdMXnSrVGdiPBtRoC/s1600-h/28Mar2005+026.2jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189667126551854882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlxItN4Bhf6Vmq8e4tmOU0TNoVOs_AXWLUiXiWGllrUSizuYF6Im4-bGVVA2b8-nJ7L2HB2Bd7rFCH1qqpq_oj7WlJfmcG2WX0rc1ME49K0003De06KBAdMXnSrVGdiPBtRoC/s400/28Mar2005+026.2jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna is 1.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WFwM-SgKFSTav3kYcEzlqWHIrjgzw0BOD6GJIqjRqQI8ng49J4V7EXS87TqitSEPkgC6vMPHJb0GI0tMoan6-rOGUHem_J7UZCOKGfkn2IA3L0YftlhFFYdXWj45Pbj36niH/s1600-h/28Mar2005+066.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189667130846822194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WFwM-SgKFSTav3kYcEzlqWHIrjgzw0BOD6GJIqjRqQI8ng49J4V7EXS87TqitSEPkgC6vMPHJb0GI0tMoan6-rOGUHem_J7UZCOKGfkn2IA3L0YftlhFFYdXWj45Pbj36niH/s400/28Mar2005+066.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ4ozM__4kMlRljfj0LLsXUb_Qpe2dQXW7_69SD8uGXNUyx6JH8Kw9EJmsjMOXAUorC4Ujn19iDXi7KHctmMIrKbWyMxWiYF_nVfYT_Y41iO_HFzLuirMHvo1lGgqNLpok2IQ/s1600-h/28Mar2005+073.2jpg.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189667139436756802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZ4ozM__4kMlRljfj0LLsXUb_Qpe2dQXW7_69SD8uGXNUyx6JH8Kw9EJmsjMOXAUorC4Ujn19iDXi7KHctmMIrKbWyMxWiYF_nVfYT_Y41iO_HFzLuirMHvo1lGgqNLpok2IQ/s400/28Mar2005+073.2jpg.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dallas is 9.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeVqvapqQ-N-QEXATxiQY8ufn7rN7Ai3bsKszbQGLo_Hs9rx-7f0l8xAK7tUs756aYqC4OFnrfILh1I_HOgQZvOggEkW1BsBBIV4UUwoNkPSpQnXybyHq1nibnixZPFQW0n3N/s1600-h/28Mar2005+094.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189665477284413154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeVqvapqQ-N-QEXATxiQY8ufn7rN7Ai3bsKszbQGLo_Hs9rx-7f0l8xAK7tUs756aYqC4OFnrfILh1I_HOgQZvOggEkW1BsBBIV4UUwoNkPSpQnXybyHq1nibnixZPFQW0n3N/s400/28Mar2005+094.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Noah is 8.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s3mbpmLB_Cz_UrvD3t99Cix-JZ89WJ78OEvi-isbnItDiAb3vb4gNLb-SVTNmBrmGwgr7CiK0AAfHT2Iwgx98uhOx8Z86_2Aicslqy52xNcRnkXicayFOauM12LsMxI4HDNk/s1600-h/28Mar2005+084.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189665481579380466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8s3mbpmLB_Cz_UrvD3t99Cix-JZ89WJ78OEvi-isbnItDiAb3vb4gNLb-SVTNmBrmGwgr7CiK0AAfHT2Iwgx98uhOx8Z86_2Aicslqy52xNcRnkXicayFOauM12LsMxI4HDNk/s400/28Mar2005+084.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78VmEAC-hcedcVeMn1AmoSQS0FXmCy4806U_IyseEC3nIT-n-Q1qRbIjRN_XlZ4_p_38quzBoAz-oemqZLbz2qW7tl4pKmKUthwTu1L11WXwLi7Wee9sVjEChaMajyWj1WOYv/s1600-h/28Mar2005+030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189665485874347778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg78VmEAC-hcedcVeMn1AmoSQS0FXmCy4806U_IyseEC3nIT-n-Q1qRbIjRN_XlZ4_p_38quzBoAz-oemqZLbz2qW7tl4pKmKUthwTu1L11WXwLi7Wee9sVjEChaMajyWj1WOYv/s400/28Mar2005+030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm thinking 2006, if we took pictures (I can't remember), might be on disk because our old computer was getting very full from all the picture files.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">April 1, 2007</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYFfyIWUuk-xl-YT26ar2YingzSyyplCnZvGq2q7X69szk2q-tQ3q9i9iMtTzWtqzHraNFSEBX6RPpf3sFUGa4Tyde9wZkzvO8bBbJF1RomE1dI9QNiH1uMtGlYbPBCjVtOdH/s1600-h/1April2007+031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189673229700382546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDYFfyIWUuk-xl-YT26ar2YingzSyyplCnZvGq2q7X69szk2q-tQ3q9i9iMtTzWtqzHraNFSEBX6RPpf3sFUGa4Tyde9wZkzvO8bBbJF1RomE1dI9QNiH1uMtGlYbPBCjVtOdH/s400/1April2007+031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This was a long day for us. We took these pictures after having gone to the Capitol in Austin, up Mt. Bonnell, and to the "Round Rock" that our town is named after. Naturally, Bailey does not look very pleased to be taking pictures.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1yhVAsjy8feXCPqVQSpgywHSa7jhqRKjnYnJpDutbEMQmdhRQkkuxrqymM3fOXplnU0wdcJJoGwhzkoLv6C8wbX1gMThi94rE1QYdOOciauvDWdrvO8SLm6ydf8RWOelBfbs/s1600-h/1April2007+034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189673233995349858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1yhVAsjy8feXCPqVQSpgywHSa7jhqRKjnYnJpDutbEMQmdhRQkkuxrqymM3fOXplnU0wdcJJoGwhzkoLv6C8wbX1gMThi94rE1QYdOOciauvDWdrvO8SLm6ydf8RWOelBfbs/s400/1April2007+034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Noah is 9.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMZDa1dAq2Xiowsr2ocg1MDMjhMbmJtMEMZKDyUknIDkRLek2kS2J6_zHHvM81IUjAsHTXRLHrsrAVt7HfYLl6HUT4zyfmlrOYMoMHdsNYRs8b8uNU3Y6Wcfuq7N_OomX4XzY/s1600-h/1April2007+036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189673242585284466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhMZDa1dAq2Xiowsr2ocg1MDMjhMbmJtMEMZKDyUknIDkRLek2kS2J6_zHHvM81IUjAsHTXRLHrsrAVt7HfYLl6HUT4zyfmlrOYMoMHdsNYRs8b8uNU3Y6Wcfuq7N_OomX4XzY/s400/1April2007+036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We took Flat Stanley with us that day. I like the detail on the flowers in this picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTFl4kRtBEK7WC_BdlKp44_ybK9I9nUURD9WQGZ0SYxXcHby-jrWYQAOSXeXJNAfcsWwErwiukPy1OfD96eyfOjRbB3xLaOkjRTv86Xc5rJujSkU1GuqZucEIVzuuG2q8ESBI/s1600-h/1April2007+040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189673246880251778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsTFl4kRtBEK7WC_BdlKp44_ybK9I9nUURD9WQGZ0SYxXcHby-jrWYQAOSXeXJNAfcsWwErwiukPy1OfD96eyfOjRbB3xLaOkjRTv86Xc5rJujSkU1GuqZucEIVzuuG2q8ESBI/s400/1April2007+040.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dallas is 10.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKUmuy0geMQ-Dop_nZjQ6-HsndkANcgDyld_fR2ZCAsTLXoTqXo5VR4UrmzVjmd5OjTCfJ5GOsv_2parV_EteZJPq1Djuvq6a4EKQPFnXibT7HV_bgNufGRJJ_ODphpOJPQZr/s1600-h/1April2007+019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189688347985264546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoKUmuy0geMQ-Dop_nZjQ6-HsndkANcgDyld_fR2ZCAsTLXoTqXo5VR4UrmzVjmd5OjTCfJ5GOsv_2parV_EteZJPq1Djuvq6a4EKQPFnXibT7HV_bgNufGRJJ_ODphpOJPQZr/s400/1April2007+019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna is 3, & Bailey is 1.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRKM_FDiC6G2L-zPw1DniftmqcS5dm5lnh6aDE11Nx_4VFOVICfJQZz61NEkd7olGQp_xskcs4DbG3HwoVK-RWBAvQaL5usmFQ-kO3m8If9C1wTmDK7ul71R45u6vswocuQTw/s1600-h/1April2007+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189688352280231858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRKM_FDiC6G2L-zPw1DniftmqcS5dm5lnh6aDE11Nx_4VFOVICfJQZz61NEkd7olGQp_xskcs4DbG3HwoVK-RWBAvQaL5usmFQ-kO3m8If9C1wTmDK7ul71R45u6vswocuQTw/s400/1April2007+022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92PMaUvl0p0wk4y09dVkUMWamFO1dwKwVYlNHm4KaWO-EjvACxk_89Rp8p-imyaBnnyjmtkPrD0kT7_DWxtxlGmOUxBu2tEfukVKF4JAf_sCwQzdH7n6j12hxh2DTgCn-gSdC/s1600-h/1April2007+026.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189688356575199170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92PMaUvl0p0wk4y09dVkUMWamFO1dwKwVYlNHm4KaWO-EjvACxk_89Rp8p-imyaBnnyjmtkPrD0kT7_DWxtxlGmOUxBu2tEfukVKF4JAf_sCwQzdH7n6j12hxh2DTgCn-gSdC/s400/1April2007+026.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIVri4EFj-GhSDRx15GhK5InrZeUcu9u9Rwd2nv_cEP-m1NlRacqbaFOQB_dSlLDck6iKUBlXrmyDZNmX_aoiol4i7uvyt0_PdVcfir9yLp0Uw5wZz89Zrj82zlsgIcsHBemP/s1600-h/1April2007+025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189688339395329938" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIVri4EFj-GhSDRx15GhK5InrZeUcu9u9Rwd2nv_cEP-m1NlRacqbaFOQB_dSlLDck6iKUBlXrmyDZNmX_aoiol4i7uvyt0_PdVcfir9yLp0Uw5wZz89Zrj82zlsgIcsHBemP/s400/1April2007+025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">April 8, 2008</span><br /><p>UPDATE: <span style="font-size:85%;">We had to skip pictures in 2009 It was a bad year for Bluebonnets in 2009. There were only sporadic blooms, =-( not enough for good pictures. But we got amazing pictures in 2008 and 2010 to make up for it. Check out the October post for a great group shot of my beautiful family!</span></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KMAyobys4-r0vMMsT70U_jfMRN9xSrXeqyuB3djfy5n66D_wmK2PUNhprDe4fa_Dn75pdPJtNxJn8urCeKic55sSweXu6ocwtLTROd6-meC6qrN_LrahYfdrMtUtz1pvxOM7/s1600-h/IMG_0512.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189711656772780626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KMAyobys4-r0vMMsT70U_jfMRN9xSrXeqyuB3djfy5n66D_wmK2PUNhprDe4fa_Dn75pdPJtNxJn8urCeKic55sSweXu6ocwtLTROd6-meC6qrN_LrahYfdrMtUtz1pvxOM7/s400/IMG_0512.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey is 2; Savanna just turned 4.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VhVolii4H7cip1-EGIujVr71tERQ5sKweSmTqam6KWEoKRn6BL_mv_nkq62M6q1oeoNJ0sCXEUlSxs3HeEAT2xs8D9Sn5XxBCF6n-wf1rS9e7bMAzQEdKDlwtNF5aHerBMaO/s1600-h/IMG_0514.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189711665362715234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4VhVolii4H7cip1-EGIujVr71tERQ5sKweSmTqam6KWEoKRn6BL_mv_nkq62M6q1oeoNJ0sCXEUlSxs3HeEAT2xs8D9Sn5XxBCF6n-wf1rS9e7bMAzQEdKDlwtNF5aHerBMaO/s400/IMG_0514.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />We took over 100 shots! Lots of good ones, too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4tHzBfDWaZF-SaHSf_PbKnW-GGGuPPF3Cd3pxbQFYppcQAtq8-tqiKS17MMtokjYmJhFvmm07JN5bvHDrPjBebMtqbuH6WlLegzy-7cOuK1Aj6sITHhGa5QdWkJGyMPRp6tg/s1600-h/IMG_0515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189711669657682546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4tHzBfDWaZF-SaHSf_PbKnW-GGGuPPF3Cd3pxbQFYppcQAtq8-tqiKS17MMtokjYmJhFvmm07JN5bvHDrPjBebMtqbuH6WlLegzy-7cOuK1Aj6sITHhGa5QdWkJGyMPRp6tg/s400/IMG_0515.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2qoFoREfGNYto7RBTylMwcPbJa1qKSwUfEqVjB6KHyyK-8zfkpg04G6WoLX5jTEYcNLk8vwLxw5LO_pf815ilRtYscOsN_u6ihqwqLDsL4aCxplVXkvHZkCKk6uqyjcoa3AM/s1600-h/IMG_0518.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189711678247617154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2qoFoREfGNYto7RBTylMwcPbJa1qKSwUfEqVjB6KHyyK-8zfkpg04G6WoLX5jTEYcNLk8vwLxw5LO_pf815ilRtYscOsN_u6ihqwqLDsL4aCxplVXkvHZkCKk6uqyjcoa3AM/s400/IMG_0518.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I <em>love</em> the kissing pictures. So precious!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHnRRplO3nXFV9NcpxNdgKePMLMNJWJcdo7-GiOP-TdhRdrBdQFMEt-9c1GRnnb2TuA8QMtG5zl65J5q9W-Qa5ZwqRN1CH8CkZZmO77RLZlBiFr_XzbXis7uIMQmH-gjFknkr/s1600-h/IMG_0519.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189712412687024786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHnRRplO3nXFV9NcpxNdgKePMLMNJWJcdo7-GiOP-TdhRdrBdQFMEt-9c1GRnnb2TuA8QMtG5zl65J5q9W-Qa5ZwqRN1CH8CkZZmO77RLZlBiFr_XzbXis7uIMQmH-gjFknkr/s400/IMG_0519.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My babes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_FG-OBRkPf1H6kPbaWvpUmNIKUqI6uZ3-fz5XLK8I8LkCeMJlJpbqFqKYuOhY7385mPnT8_W_XkUJoo_4CLJXSViZBiGIQzqdlm57d1lQY_hc8nmnxGRDKHPaTSjr_U8E_1K/s1600-h/IMG_0521.2JPG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189709668202922530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_FG-OBRkPf1H6kPbaWvpUmNIKUqI6uZ3-fz5XLK8I8LkCeMJlJpbqFqKYuOhY7385mPnT8_W_XkUJoo_4CLJXSViZBiGIQzqdlm57d1lQY_hc8nmnxGRDKHPaTSjr_U8E_1K/s400/IMG_0521.2JPG.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dallas is 11.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sogk-fOrC5LLGDkuHImD-nMcHJEmpXSyKyQ9spQWrSE3m44neJemMZ5KnSEvFLBp2nk-vxEBfL2htuXWmGXvHLyxBDixnWjl_tgL49g0eoeiCUDYrS3sdFxa6MWi3ImcpFn4/s1600-h/IMG_0522.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189709672497889842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sogk-fOrC5LLGDkuHImD-nMcHJEmpXSyKyQ9spQWrSE3m44neJemMZ5KnSEvFLBp2nk-vxEBfL2htuXWmGXvHLyxBDixnWjl_tgL49g0eoeiCUDYrS3sdFxa6MWi3ImcpFn4/s400/IMG_0522.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Noah turns 10 on April 12th.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1jXwPGrs5ZWyFX3ZhLF6iUH72ljnNgBSdLypIfA8IeY4rcAiRjwdNqZ5RmnIsjEP97i0QSNcVEII2wLXpqpI_UHtsyRk60FQ_KmNx5g72gMUSely-vjIo8Ag-TdB478PHa57/s1600-h/IMG_0528.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189709681087824450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO1jXwPGrs5ZWyFX3ZhLF6iUH72ljnNgBSdLypIfA8IeY4rcAiRjwdNqZ5RmnIsjEP97i0QSNcVEII2wLXpqpI_UHtsyRk60FQ_KmNx5g72gMUSely-vjIo8Ag-TdB478PHa57/s400/IMG_0528.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It wasn't easy getting posed for this shot. Bailey was done taking group pictures on cue.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkWBCZUzwjjXJ2HigAhykOO51zcmDuwc5TiIEV1IG1H3EZlifWI_Pk4BjLfKmpU88IukkoM7lzbZy4X0bHZ3Bd7fkSFTM-mxdnyxmi5ZtOtcxGO8uRXgVcrIVE5H2Ydnc2UrT/s1600-h/IMG_0538.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189706807754703314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkWBCZUzwjjXJ2HigAhykOO51zcmDuwc5TiIEV1IG1H3EZlifWI_Pk4BjLfKmpU88IukkoM7lzbZy4X0bHZ3Bd7fkSFTM-mxdnyxmi5ZtOtcxGO8uRXgVcrIVE5H2Ydnc2UrT/s400/IMG_0538.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey said, "Pow!" His hand is a five-shooter. He likes to shoot us and has says, "Pow!" or "Pow-pow!" for a double whammy. We did it once a few weeks ago, and it has become his favorite game to play. When he shoots you, you have to moan, "Oh!" and then play dead. If you shoot him back, he will fall to the ground wounded. It's hilarious. He can't get enough of this game!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwmoSbskbw1TaEyZSZrx5H5Oo7UI9Tw3TjCol7oPkLdL3kqjNkiRncB174FBc71h6Isgko5VNn0Xej29lFwF60VcssK5VNMGYQXXmySxXzDQYwyY9YRdd5XtYJ5babQ0OfqF8/s1600-h/IMG_0541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189706816344637922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwmoSbskbw1TaEyZSZrx5H5Oo7UI9Tw3TjCol7oPkLdL3kqjNkiRncB174FBc71h6Isgko5VNn0Xej29lFwF60VcssK5VNMGYQXXmySxXzDQYwyY9YRdd5XtYJ5babQ0OfqF8/s400/IMG_0541.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A sweet moment between Dallas and Savanna - so very rare!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBkrQqnRqXs_KKpl6sMk6_bk5UUJOOjfAGNRk0eUzNoZapQrUks9zwlWBW1dScTLfD3gQ4vdAyB6n8FhcGtuXWeAvpUStWcGZbs_ggvhkgpYSiXkICeEke4ZlSpq0jFIN_1NE/s1600-h/IMG_0550.2JPG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189706824934572530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBkrQqnRqXs_KKpl6sMk6_bk5UUJOOjfAGNRk0eUzNoZapQrUks9zwlWBW1dScTLfD3gQ4vdAyB6n8FhcGtuXWeAvpUStWcGZbs_ggvhkgpYSiXkICeEke4ZlSpq0jFIN_1NE/s400/IMG_0550.2JPG.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWnsuOSgYv0iwMfV3xiS0b_LGVlVFtqMEAHqtPqa_wCgYeAPzjwG7skqvJsyTpMfsChOAoD17Z_fWQwrpbboBpx6l3u9jLAJrw2Md5q3SwWNpU4PX-LHIWijom7161Ls0YDbS/s1600-h/IMG_0577.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189706829229539842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWnsuOSgYv0iwMfV3xiS0b_LGVlVFtqMEAHqtPqa_wCgYeAPzjwG7skqvJsyTpMfsChOAoD17Z_fWQwrpbboBpx6l3u9jLAJrw2Md5q3SwWNpU4PX-LHIWijom7161Ls0YDbS/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I love this picture of Dan and the kids.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZRfnbFDJerRcxRBX1Dm5FPZPC7WblXSCbcxZ8Vzb8yL7zdUN1WdWWZrK5TruDk6ANWCVAIZ4TeBWhlhdwKwP0r02PKzdtW768N0fWhP6L3uLfZqZrDYJpIxoUd3gaNGRAJ7-/s1600-h/IMG_0581.2JPG.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189704913674125714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZRfnbFDJerRcxRBX1Dm5FPZPC7WblXSCbcxZ8Vzb8yL7zdUN1WdWWZrK5TruDk6ANWCVAIZ4TeBWhlhdwKwP0r02PKzdtW768N0fWhP6L3uLfZqZrDYJpIxoUd3gaNGRAJ7-/s400/IMG_0581.2JPG.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Look! A bird!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYZdZFr-Hw3y2bzXcVkvuLlnHn8S0P6tRWWXnDHr_alHvR1STo4Y9jKW871UoTFWhquDSARYwYr6X4_GYugjkQB1bs-1wSOxG-fug83SyTsygVx_DLXumsCGLmCKkTFgIEL2d/s1600-h/IMG_0587.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189704922264060322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYZdZFr-Hw3y2bzXcVkvuLlnHn8S0P6tRWWXnDHr_alHvR1STo4Y9jKW871UoTFWhquDSARYwYr6X4_GYugjkQB1bs-1wSOxG-fug83SyTsygVx_DLXumsCGLmCKkTFgIEL2d/s400/IMG_0587.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Dan and the boys. Pow! Bailey got you - Oh!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrjsDX5nS4arKws4lmePMb-grrdtLXdF0i-CSaF-CfOQQvDAoiepwk1fq6WS74Aw37MI8QNdFQD5zIrzNRIKWNp1_34g4YmRJ7Udr9-1qzz39l3q2auCzZihufT4D4LQ8jlk4/s1600-h/IMG_0591.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189715170056028834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrjsDX5nS4arKws4lmePMb-grrdtLXdF0i-CSaF-CfOQQvDAoiepwk1fq6WS74Aw37MI8QNdFQD5zIrzNRIKWNp1_34g4YmRJ7Udr9-1qzz39l3q2auCzZihufT4D4LQ8jlk4/s400/IMG_0591.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVp3fMdkpeFHhHKzc1Jsyd7F-0HuqYH6lkhdtURFpkuTgTDhbyAUM6CZwTMKwJYXQJTEP29Eftvz2Yzd8uzx9MAuP5P8dFxw3-4AYu9HekH7Z4R6ykg9SUNsebd8ujH8BKwSZ/s1600-h/IMG_0592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189704939443929538" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVp3fMdkpeFHhHKzc1Jsyd7F-0HuqYH6lkhdtURFpkuTgTDhbyAUM6CZwTMKwJYXQJTEP29Eftvz2Yzd8uzx9MAuP5P8dFxw3-4AYu9HekH7Z4R6ykg9SUNsebd8ujH8BKwSZ/s400/IMG_0592.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Daddy kissing sandwich.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHWhpTlFjsaZQVMIDeZMH5lSkIsWPRlNuNZwchkM70bWppcwDFz0SUGrNPuQ7SjiJNfDoql9o3aUjrFBzKoZFvceRzs_M7Sf11vDCmFkWWYdPe5YpMebUFwDhKQ8_FA36rzJH/s1600-h/IMG_0597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189702864974725458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHWhpTlFjsaZQVMIDeZMH5lSkIsWPRlNuNZwchkM70bWppcwDFz0SUGrNPuQ7SjiJNfDoql9o3aUjrFBzKoZFvceRzs_M7Sf11vDCmFkWWYdPe5YpMebUFwDhKQ8_FA36rzJH/s400/IMG_0597.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Noah and his silly face. Bailey is shooting again.<br />Pow!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTii9stMSbyuLLj4hR-5vOLYDytgBSSu-pUoHBXJo_7B2G46NKRXHuk6zEAYDkYerVmXZQy8fDCPj9APcdu14oVjwN_BhflFZLu2684qiBEaiN5WdHr8PlUL3iUOMkqreBcQRz/s1600-h/IMG_0598.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189702873564660066" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTii9stMSbyuLLj4hR-5vOLYDytgBSSu-pUoHBXJo_7B2G46NKRXHuk6zEAYDkYerVmXZQy8fDCPj9APcdu14oVjwN_BhflFZLu2684qiBEaiN5WdHr8PlUL3iUOMkqreBcQRz/s400/IMG_0598.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna loves her sunglasses. Bailey loves sunglasses also (he wears mine a lot), but he breaks them. He needs the Flexons!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVVVu_if1FCPwi3DH2vTSB3N_0PSGv7mbzdKmLwBgk-0GsBM_juzyJiucJ6gnjMsMH0WKz5pqSUeJ7-KKfkr2JSjcD3Z3-PtriZ5i8t-tvQjBTvqn5Mt6yfxZSnX1LM-tvZsI/s1600-h/IMG_0599.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189702882154594674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVVVu_if1FCPwi3DH2vTSB3N_0PSGv7mbzdKmLwBgk-0GsBM_juzyJiucJ6gnjMsMH0WKz5pqSUeJ7-KKfkr2JSjcD3Z3-PtriZ5i8t-tvQjBTvqn5Mt6yfxZSnX1LM-tvZsI/s400/IMG_0599.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Dog pile! Dan rough houses with the kids all the time, so we have dog piles pretty often. If you count the feet, you can see they're all in there. Bailey's usually on top, but he got sandwiched in this time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWY7QRRi0RwhPiFpiGXNtj9B6MSPK1wy4WIK7fwCPRSWBMKXXlc1RYvQ2RgE05xxdLmfIfJSqDSiQQ_yhz213NJcNdoj2Ge7xdkwI2bdM3vg9rj6f8-OuDCNonv4VfLV3MkH8/s1600-h/IMG_0602.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189702890744529282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRWY7QRRi0RwhPiFpiGXNtj9B6MSPK1wy4WIK7fwCPRSWBMKXXlc1RYvQ2RgE05xxdLmfIfJSqDSiQQ_yhz213NJcNdoj2Ge7xdkwI2bdM3vg9rj6f8-OuDCNonv4VfLV3MkH8/s400/IMG_0602.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP0vSAW17hBow9NghOK3LoyXUKccepF0sMtDPcaoqG2RE9AtNJQXT2NVclnoXbNt4EraQnXEHENRvGZtXuS7aY8dKfdgJh3ChO3A3hLmSHFipF1n0naekciYylI5rJV-yuH-C/s1600-h/IMG_0607.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189700764735717650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPP0vSAW17hBow9NghOK3LoyXUKccepF0sMtDPcaoqG2RE9AtNJQXT2NVclnoXbNt4EraQnXEHENRvGZtXuS7aY8dKfdgJh3ChO3A3hLmSHFipF1n0naekciYylI5rJV-yuH-C/s400/IMG_0607.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey caught on that we were posing for pictures, so copped a squat right in a pretty patch of flowers. So cute!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua22hY3tzKk1NcYqw-Hln-fal3rekDYhBJUwC5O7vlS7FwQj00lI7ejt0ZSxgy9KNprd61whWz8DKbrIHN1Vk4ri3H3O18aEEShVTafgTnJ7WNr4Tg_pjhtHVDPqOeuaiNROC/s1600-h/IMG_0609.3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189700773325652258" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua22hY3tzKk1NcYqw-Hln-fal3rekDYhBJUwC5O7vlS7FwQj00lI7ejt0ZSxgy9KNprd61whWz8DKbrIHN1Vk4ri3H3O18aEEShVTafgTnJ7WNr4Tg_pjhtHVDPqOeuaiNROC/s400/IMG_0609.3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But after I took the picture, he was right back up again!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgej9xIxB7Cb-2zgBkp9EEVtEnIA6JY4crl4dVDoFYZqXrm-AenF9lMI12oA9a4IB8UFbK1xebDCWGHLJXdD1oGwOM-WiG730gvQhu29O7Ohh9iaaDswJKFgqsisg_cyxBGQsWt/s1600-h/IMG_0610.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189700781915586866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgej9xIxB7Cb-2zgBkp9EEVtEnIA6JY4crl4dVDoFYZqXrm-AenF9lMI12oA9a4IB8UFbK1xebDCWGHLJXdD1oGwOM-WiG730gvQhu29O7Ohh9iaaDswJKFgqsisg_cyxBGQsWt/s400/IMG_0610.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Uh-oh. Ummmm. Bailey's breaking the law here!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJmMnAMYT_N1DaAJQkb6PFlqjnyJVAgNzTR8qd3diZx5wbcKoTheXhbP4D8Kcpm67GvWgXB2UqMR_7kaDI4_DQY9T5WK_qZbEsJ9Yl753IvdmknAH5Cx7U95Oh9tNY58ZbrJJ/s1600-h/IMG_0614.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189700786210554178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJmMnAMYT_N1DaAJQkb6PFlqjnyJVAgNzTR8qd3diZx5wbcKoTheXhbP4D8Kcpm67GvWgXB2UqMR_7kaDI4_DQY9T5WK_qZbEsJ9Yl753IvdmknAH5Cx7U95Oh9tNY58ZbrJJ/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Seriously though, it is actually not illegal to pick bluebonnets, but it is highly discouraged because Bluebonnets only grow back if the seeds drop after the flowers are done blooming. Bluebonnet patches only grow a little bit each year when they re-seed, so if everyone were to pick the flowers, the numbers would dwindle. It is devastating if they get mowed down. We should do like <u>Miss Rumphius</u> (a really good picture book); she's the "lupine lady" and spreads lupine seeds all around to make the world a more beautiful place. Indian Paintbrushes are pretty lupines as well. I especially love when there are a few Indian Paintbrushes sprinkled about in a huge Bluebonnet field. I've only found those along the highways so far. Here's my bunch scattered about the Bluebonnets.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlmKTxqzBSx5tqlMMo1j8Q1632eD-5Sxk3CPrT8QiJPaCM2LgZetLTjXcD7mvrNti-UMWnQAwlg4JlWN8CQb_pJm24UFiRFY5FS9E-vdWE3NxNn1mli9pfDw-WVbx0_NWgtWF/s1600-h/IMG_0618.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189699033863897298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlmKTxqzBSx5tqlMMo1j8Q1632eD-5Sxk3CPrT8QiJPaCM2LgZetLTjXcD7mvrNti-UMWnQAwlg4JlWN8CQb_pJm24UFiRFY5FS9E-vdWE3NxNn1mli9pfDw-WVbx0_NWgtWF/s400/IMG_0618.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Noah took pictures for us here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUTpw6-IKdfej0mSvwhAHCLa0YXYJddbx-GkzNd8gje405TxI1Iy3Rra1S01PmkP2VMpt-dk7G9fH3l_rj1MrcSaJBx7fFmKlTjjsX5BzrXLwPC_TqnEhkNX52TEaqvQUmWOA/s1600-h/IMG_0621.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189699042453831906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUTpw6-IKdfej0mSvwhAHCLa0YXYJddbx-GkzNd8gje405TxI1Iy3Rra1S01PmkP2VMpt-dk7G9fH3l_rj1MrcSaJBx7fFmKlTjjsX5BzrXLwPC_TqnEhkNX52TEaqvQUmWOA/s400/IMG_0621.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey decided to join us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBHbv1u-s0eg7P8JZcsu9625DQWcCivCZnxsIR5xF1u0Fnlc43-vvrcBRkFxaJ9PCPz9NmMmtU2JDChybfnXDZvvr3pasvZWLESNc8MDF_VV8iJcriR56JcAA-SJBjpasyQ4Z/s1600-h/IMG_0632..2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189699046748799218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBHbv1u-s0eg7P8JZcsu9625DQWcCivCZnxsIR5xF1u0Fnlc43-vvrcBRkFxaJ9PCPz9NmMmtU2JDChybfnXDZvvr3pasvZWLESNc8MDF_VV8iJcriR56JcAA-SJBjpasyQ4Z/s400/IMG_0632..2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Noah snapped a pic of Savanna, a good shot, I think.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHV07fhbMIrPFuaOuks3IN65a_UOPZAwmTH29dvOZCOvmFWhYZ3cZhXVLVHiM5yXskKU_hC03xWvmZygAqmePomubWcclaeeLVISWvBxy3Q6jhUYjmSYdC8bgN0t8OJquqziS/s1600-h/IMG_0640.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189699051043766530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHV07fhbMIrPFuaOuks3IN65a_UOPZAwmTH29dvOZCOvmFWhYZ3cZhXVLVHiM5yXskKU_hC03xWvmZygAqmePomubWcclaeeLVISWvBxy3Q6jhUYjmSYdC8bgN0t8OJquqziS/s400/IMG_0640.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Then Savanna came over to join us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjrr8PAUO4cFS-ydOy8x5YfRNx5kRxW0Il3kB-fk9XYhoVQysMF9Yxe_GKcG3MkuU0bkUZ4Up3itXaOvfQmmUhCF_Ds4xbRzrqKhZY_4y04L5F2IzQtLE4WO-2IfZX1gLwwaK/s1600-h/IMG_0651.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189697423251161234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjrr8PAUO4cFS-ydOy8x5YfRNx5kRxW0Il3kB-fk9XYhoVQysMF9Yxe_GKcG3MkuU0bkUZ4Up3itXaOvfQmmUhCF_Ds4xbRzrqKhZY_4y04L5F2IzQtLE4WO-2IfZX1gLwwaK/s400/IMG_0651.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfoamWUDzzAsuE1oJFEfU3Ksl6OxaUb_wLpHJLqdoowvu4DuAH_roJEmCiYXbJVKagbxqC49hRGPWyYpEz9PaI6eslcD-DN8-14OJ2xkASp2fb4I6D8bJDrZV0rcY7sJeKeVv/s1600-h/IMG_0653.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189697431841095842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfoamWUDzzAsuE1oJFEfU3Ksl6OxaUb_wLpHJLqdoowvu4DuAH_roJEmCiYXbJVKagbxqC49hRGPWyYpEz9PaI6eslcD-DN8-14OJ2xkASp2fb4I6D8bJDrZV0rcY7sJeKeVv/s400/IMG_0653.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And then she left.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsBuVub91xMX5MMCWmrvUT4VrT7W3WjCrrIQMO2nhJNxw3DDZFq2_R2twgJerOrm6KRgUCQHv5jnMGxALFCy0Yy6kCYuHLbasclBJQOf8EPNCsM1kjtes3gTTIU_HCn9Naj1W/s1600-h/IMG_0655.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189697436136063154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTsBuVub91xMX5MMCWmrvUT4VrT7W3WjCrrIQMO2nhJNxw3DDZFq2_R2twgJerOrm6KRgUCQHv5jnMGxALFCy0Yy6kCYuHLbasclBJQOf8EPNCsM1kjtes3gTTIU_HCn9Naj1W/s400/IMG_0655.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey is bringing me a flower. How sweet =-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe1KjFQYXjZaXysqBP5syTGHR7zvTDPX1MDUrBLtSS2L2_MJRuC0PFAV4zH2JCXzmPDflI-CxaJewxNYfIqcl4vj95QyODa5pEzptI6wFVlao038w5EGMUZPdP0E86emEPqU6/s1600-h/IMG_0660..3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189697440431030466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKe1KjFQYXjZaXysqBP5syTGHR7zvTDPX1MDUrBLtSS2L2_MJRuC0PFAV4zH2JCXzmPDflI-CxaJewxNYfIqcl4vj95QyODa5pEzptI6wFVlao038w5EGMUZPdP0E86emEPqU6/s400/IMG_0660..3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBphO1XzDooohXStVXjN1IEQYPm0N_PXDfpJVCzSDaL1LGaUAXv6w7BwvMyw0R2f45ZH5Gc4dZC-mGL575yq1dF3V7SxC5rmZEdNASaHr28Q36J1ye72b2QXxR8jm8dqa8huT6/s1600-h/IMG_0665.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189695670904504402" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBphO1XzDooohXStVXjN1IEQYPm0N_PXDfpJVCzSDaL1LGaUAXv6w7BwvMyw0R2f45ZH5Gc4dZC-mGL575yq1dF3V7SxC5rmZEdNASaHr28Q36J1ye72b2QXxR8jm8dqa8huT6/s400/IMG_0665.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Dallas is taking pictures now.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip63yf84Zd2Wa66vdq_2Rnv0804Wpnuh4ywZjYC8rJxTrM9GJWLC-KdSHOxN2ARGxbjntDLb1wD1isdAeHZD_0m8k6DZbuF_5mSdx5rFDkvoYU1U-2slQAQNXg16AMZAszEEcR/s1600-h/IMG_0668.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189695679494439010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip63yf84Zd2Wa66vdq_2Rnv0804Wpnuh4ywZjYC8rJxTrM9GJWLC-KdSHOxN2ARGxbjntDLb1wD1isdAeHZD_0m8k6DZbuF_5mSdx5rFDkvoYU1U-2slQAQNXg16AMZAszEEcR/s400/IMG_0668.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey decided to join us <em>again</em>. The kid can't stay in one place for more than 2 seconds!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9J-XbqTutYxQUYjkY8Vg-qyeujE4U-cCQEfMkYFY8dcbpgFBR_rZ7HHsatOg1SZfzjUasL8d59OkYs0PwWJEI5Xqhvk1WmmCJO6_BlkFU7f9PLfCATqlY3W-C4Bky9SCNtdY/s1600-h/IMG_0674.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189695683789406322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9J-XbqTutYxQUYjkY8Vg-qyeujE4U-cCQEfMkYFY8dcbpgFBR_rZ7HHsatOg1SZfzjUasL8d59OkYs0PwWJEI5Xqhvk1WmmCJO6_BlkFU7f9PLfCATqlY3W-C4Bky9SCNtdY/s400/IMG_0674.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa5GkyXPFncvRgotKX12fhtB8IEqvINt-T0hBJ9IxoJ7p6VDv0dxVuooAeGXJiMSnrLG6Y-xobqkwDEXBUNnT9X-WyDX0tvtQk6Mg-cO1vwT9TYwpxtUW0dDxdKd5sEgq0gjh/s1600-h/IMG_0679.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189695688084373634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZa5GkyXPFncvRgotKX12fhtB8IEqvINt-T0hBJ9IxoJ7p6VDv0dxVuooAeGXJiMSnrLG6Y-xobqkwDEXBUNnT9X-WyDX0tvtQk6Mg-cO1vwT9TYwpxtUW0dDxdKd5sEgq0gjh/s400/IMG_0679.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Noah and Mama.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GeEQ0iAHoqSzY_U9zqLw2R0QymLLqAtm-h9Q2ZVnIqOkAtbt7iBc6FE27BJ1REJT3JBrKoNYTzarSIGCrVROb1mNw1PytVqRIzOtBg3il3NvYHqLex3gCmqZl88QaFmQ0q7A/s1600-h/IMG_0704.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189693733874253842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1GeEQ0iAHoqSzY_U9zqLw2R0QymLLqAtm-h9Q2ZVnIqOkAtbt7iBc6FE27BJ1REJT3JBrKoNYTzarSIGCrVROb1mNw1PytVqRIzOtBg3il3NvYHqLex3gCmqZl88QaFmQ0q7A/s400/IMG_0704.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn-Qj5QVxN7NbF5EhC4LO8HxTLaf_qZ6gmpGGe2oVFxTpBdJ_iu-BMBqtK4byR5CkV-G3RkRVkqngGcBSR_eq6UmXCABQmO5NTJhACdBWjNXHm-U1RZU9V2mtc1szWxYLMW89/s1600-h/IMG_0715.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189693742464188450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEn-Qj5QVxN7NbF5EhC4LO8HxTLaf_qZ6gmpGGe2oVFxTpBdJ_iu-BMBqtK4byR5CkV-G3RkRVkqngGcBSR_eq6UmXCABQmO5NTJhACdBWjNXHm-U1RZU9V2mtc1szWxYLMW89/s400/IMG_0715.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo8NuEcUk1ne6Sam-0bDPmYpKCsgB9p4gKepc5hFiHnjKhqHUQqcTp3H0c7un8pqusYJS0Xj77NeFlHK2TcEkQqpQJ35vUlRcWlGeggJnXDIMQS_EdnUWu1b9m15UYD0QSnK0/s1600-h/IMG_0716.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189693746759155762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzo8NuEcUk1ne6Sam-0bDPmYpKCsgB9p4gKepc5hFiHnjKhqHUQqcTp3H0c7un8pqusYJS0Xj77NeFlHK2TcEkQqpQJ35vUlRcWlGeggJnXDIMQS_EdnUWu1b9m15UYD0QSnK0/s400/IMG_0716.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Dallas and Mama.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZxngXBnoo_7BKcXIfekimF1qRolUUJZCBYBLXo9BOvJN5B8-ki-7EQxRqnSBOXq3upGDfNSOAsaA3gYFRzBJF6XGdHbFMTwRAZqyK0EYZY_GSOjEGno5vS98W8GipJTiTsEY/s1600-h/IMG_0727.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189693755349090370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHZxngXBnoo_7BKcXIfekimF1qRolUUJZCBYBLXo9BOvJN5B8-ki-7EQxRqnSBOXq3upGDfNSOAsaA3gYFRzBJF6XGdHbFMTwRAZqyK0EYZY_GSOjEGno5vS98W8GipJTiTsEY/s400/IMG_0727.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-bywSeHnJP-_ts0Zro-t5JttaYMkh1CLrv7eqX0qW6A8gNSr93MGBrlWrh8n0aaac9RdfsQECphpk4AD6ayV7jnn-YIQ10iZ_5cloXP917aexaaEKJW3Yn8p-PIB3sUZpcIA/s1600-h/IMG_0729.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189691272857993170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-bywSeHnJP-_ts0Zro-t5JttaYMkh1CLrv7eqX0qW6A8gNSr93MGBrlWrh8n0aaac9RdfsQECphpk4AD6ayV7jnn-YIQ10iZ_5cloXP917aexaaEKJW3Yn8p-PIB3sUZpcIA/s400/IMG_0729.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi_blbp3-SPtlx27KVTr5I6h1AFKcQdH6aqgqiMYI7bPsvXHIC0MDGbu3b2bfACxTNUATfyTZAZqQFEkK51JVceQo47kzKDCMHD9cK7AU9ALuADO1KQdvWp9qmtCTDgQ6BocJ/s1600-h/IMG_0733.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189691281447927778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwi_blbp3-SPtlx27KVTr5I6h1AFKcQdH6aqgqiMYI7bPsvXHIC0MDGbu3b2bfACxTNUATfyTZAZqQFEkK51JVceQo47kzKDCMHD9cK7AU9ALuADO1KQdvWp9qmtCTDgQ6BocJ/s400/IMG_0733.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's all, folks! Until next Spring, that is....<br />=-)Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-4370704625013766452008-03-23T10:02:00.000-07:002008-03-23T14:01:39.549-07:00Easter Sunday Egg Hunt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg912oMgQ41ZVpzj75SDgHx8u-Vn-uYSj4QhhUftwBq3AyU37dxyMEtTQg3B3l5wFoU7H3YlnsCAje7SBw63VCkazKrZ4KW_mQf5kjGc3U5lCpBPtzVjp4OGuiQVJEAxgknEolS/s1600-h/IMG_0341.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181006782182680194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg912oMgQ41ZVpzj75SDgHx8u-Vn-uYSj4QhhUftwBq3AyU37dxyMEtTQg3B3l5wFoU7H3YlnsCAje7SBw63VCkazKrZ4KW_mQf5kjGc3U5lCpBPtzVjp4OGuiQVJEAxgknEolS/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a 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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdv7I3LbfwbvjEd7Jryer_54bvgJCYR9ixqA9XySe_uMVgZsneJAE4c7q_fflJ9EBYJ0dGcg2W28uiZaE1gZvmoaRslfQDzH4xTjgyiqx7NrjRe0aPgsOylxMo7hmr_GdrY1o/s320/IMG_0363.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-E5dz1C87mJS8RjCVdCVK44CnfpSr-nPr8Cojl7CCDUg8Buwaa4rTHH9NS7CithGWv80Zxte4iMMZoM0n8YbP2za8Z8ES4fxAna0n-faBQU88SCQM8yN3aaoRMNHTa76URiY/s1600-h/IMG_0362.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180998772068672946" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-E5dz1C87mJS8RjCVdCVK44CnfpSr-nPr8Cojl7CCDUg8Buwaa4rTHH9NS7CithGWv80Zxte4iMMZoM0n8YbP2za8Z8ES4fxAna0n-faBQU88SCQM8yN3aaoRMNHTa76URiY/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pdFx_WRVlIpMFFO1t8KJyqrYV6_hcu6Tj4xnly63RUiJoQaZwj2_iSaH8qoPQ96xQkXnNOkN60mXePChBloXFynF3Rgb1yvTFebw0ycYkW4eD8Ic-cnfP1DfcmZWBSERLZ1c/s1600-h/IMG_0374.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180991041127540034" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8pdFx_WRVlIpMFFO1t8KJyqrYV6_hcu6Tj4xnly63RUiJoQaZwj2_iSaH8qoPQ96xQkXnNOkN60mXePChBloXFynF3Rgb1yvTFebw0ycYkW4eD8Ic-cnfP1DfcmZWBSERLZ1c/s320/IMG_0374.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR_5O1zeG507WC_FL3sn5RHsET2_5UCZa8sMU5gMGNvsyv-uoYzZyp-_GJ7EBFxTSQtLF026CbXVJzlBlNoLGEvezJyyRFQXNlIT5VbLlmqi3V9V_d3AlE43hKUadGmFEEB3q/s1600-h/IMG_0372.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180991049717474642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibR_5O1zeG507WC_FL3sn5RHsET2_5UCZa8sMU5gMGNvsyv-uoYzZyp-_GJ7EBFxTSQtLF026CbXVJzlBlNoLGEvezJyyRFQXNlIT5VbLlmqi3V9V_d3AlE43hKUadGmFEEB3q/s320/IMG_0372.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1I7fOe3V2NKwysGh97tf9LmKtBPegVNgJGhXtBDKTe2gdcjcicXE_LvmutlZQNuXVGTQdqZtGwZEdpt9DhSGOY3T5FRrI53wv_DsNdOsIrlXkC0-nIdS3y8GRKdV1UBleCEo/s1600-h/IMG_0369.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180991062602376546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI1I7fOe3V2NKwysGh97tf9LmKtBPegVNgJGhXtBDKTe2gdcjcicXE_LvmutlZQNuXVGTQdqZtGwZEdpt9DhSGOY3T5FRrI53wv_DsNdOsIrlXkC0-nIdS3y8GRKdV1UBleCEo/s320/IMG_0369.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWWN1z-O9VWrNCW7Ifqm6-NBgcO5yY-yp-3SE08RtTUpP-d8RzuioQzK-3zKUB1YhnNgOLyRV_B3MPp7Hxo7r3IIodK1iNK7-kqvGxH6aUS_bICNQljv8etMxS9qoRqAsvlMK/s1600-h/IMG_0368.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180991071192311154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWWN1z-O9VWrNCW7Ifqm6-NBgcO5yY-yp-3SE08RtTUpP-d8RzuioQzK-3zKUB1YhnNgOLyRV_B3MPp7Hxo7r3IIodK1iNK7-kqvGxH6aUS_bICNQljv8etMxS9qoRqAsvlMK/s320/IMG_0368.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFs_9fYcKhrUS2-5QUDX2kNzaDXyRY_oAX1Lmqp6M4-ud1NPxhMXlL89ZDX8UHLHRM2Q5xce1JPTbUQZxA21m4CJyiPFl1h-VvVoS6sn_OokqaclhdoQPm0yDpAf8xO_6XwGy/s1600-h/IMG_0375.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180987205721744690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFs_9fYcKhrUS2-5QUDX2kNzaDXyRY_oAX1Lmqp6M4-ud1NPxhMXlL89ZDX8UHLHRM2Q5xce1JPTbUQZxA21m4CJyiPFl1h-VvVoS6sn_OokqaclhdoQPm0yDpAf8xO_6XwGy/s320/IMG_0375.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><u>Confetti Egg Party!</u></span></strong><br />Dallas is the first to get whacked!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7fhNax4Cxq0dysws3nGMLud29HNVhx1T3PrItgIASZzjkTaf9BRwe03wMR2edXCDmA10ea41ruqmHxFlWFxFfKDRynhvJPUYNZd7IRwp3kKP5fVXomPf-z-2p4hnJqdLuhmP/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038981552498818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7fhNax4Cxq0dysws3nGMLud29HNVhx1T3PrItgIASZzjkTaf9BRwe03wMR2edXCDmA10ea41ruqmHxFlWFxFfKDRynhvJPUYNZd7IRwp3kKP5fVXomPf-z-2p4hnJqdLuhmP/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn1xO8aXIjxlCxlgkHZM0K5VLdjS8-CMiELGc-5_ozAQx87bqmlmNl5LEaewWtwSmvH5j_KwvUNI-W9TRseQCJmz6-qVH-RZml2AodoDgHk4Q4VbF_h6JuvhNhpuQd66Yx4q8/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038985847466130" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbn1xO8aXIjxlCxlgkHZM0K5VLdjS8-CMiELGc-5_ozAQx87bqmlmNl5LEaewWtwSmvH5j_KwvUNI-W9TRseQCJmz6-qVH-RZml2AodoDgHk4Q4VbF_h6JuvhNhpuQd66Yx4q8/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Then Savanna.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6dnUbMAI6FpZ-jCuEM7z_30vUnuW470D_Jx5KtJQjBpsuMEhHKOhm-C5w9LkzTlIjHFn-OB2UUfdY99QpGf40RkA4dH2yVBI6Wg-BiIztdh8b9qlzbleCeCY9Lgt8-dcFkpl/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038990142433442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6dnUbMAI6FpZ-jCuEM7z_30vUnuW470D_Jx5KtJQjBpsuMEhHKOhm-C5w9LkzTlIjHFn-OB2UUfdY99QpGf40RkA4dH2yVBI6Wg-BiIztdh8b9qlzbleCeCY9Lgt8-dcFkpl/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey's been smacked!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvu3aSAVDtH2bGuBYDUoVMFvW9HK3WPEa3UmOEVAzzSfj_HN2v_lqFaUIONs_9n5ez0egoP47VU8C8fsG3hWzPcD0o0ERmc_rAn19R4cTst46iCJy5gK2CqiggUqwQ9PN7EjC/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038994437400754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvu3aSAVDtH2bGuBYDUoVMFvW9HK3WPEa3UmOEVAzzSfj_HN2v_lqFaUIONs_9n5ez0egoP47VU8C8fsG3hWzPcD0o0ERmc_rAn19R4cTst46iCJy5gK2CqiggUqwQ9PN7EjC/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna's got the hang of it now!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbySZaOBLi4Hg7ATrGOo0ACa0J3aaoc4A6lNxDAN6u3ISc_hwdsB9jE1xb5sQIHLulbg5wouyarN8K-rOGX6sL6sEZHIUAWXjQqTWNby6uFVpPX_vDCFl5f4vR-_5xuswyNAK/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038543465834546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbySZaOBLi4Hg7ATrGOo0ACa0J3aaoc4A6lNxDAN6u3ISc_hwdsB9jE1xb5sQIHLulbg5wouyarN8K-rOGX6sL6sEZHIUAWXjQqTWNby6uFVpPX_vDCFl5f4vR-_5xuswyNAK/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW9QvlYAbp5nlra-CQNhLhGjpdFzHnneAhuUtA7VtEyN4HJXBmiiRffRp7mYDT7T1B3iV2GT2oH3rD6vB_FVSpcI5aUZ7ZmTfxKQiu0IxjdZgNi-2z9KHwCF1eMQ6ykLNuo8F/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038547760801858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW9QvlYAbp5nlra-CQNhLhGjpdFzHnneAhuUtA7VtEyN4HJXBmiiRffRp7mYDT7T1B3iV2GT2oH3rD6vB_FVSpcI5aUZ7ZmTfxKQiu0IxjdZgNi-2z9KHwCF1eMQ6ykLNuo8F/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here comes another one!<br />I think she's picking on Bailey because she can reach him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJvXTbGSoF1Cdntl8dTNZGJxk8WcWsuYjf_dMabzVTuy60gTm6uvlt1UlEcU3TujRn33t_iKCqHkRe6q7vIM7ozpTIg38iJgIz1v5NhPzArHzg9q1dmVNf0SDXyC_54gGoWiX/s1600-h/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_6.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTk-ji1bDqBN3g_XOYmNZe4yhEtgN4S5VjjKJ6AsXRs20hadnlHzzzLgkYy-fx3dVLJdLbEmqbKyTFCAixjCSsHPZaGbNtm9Mc4HXSz7Dtqt6SEVdyFap6IOTSQhIlZ1lDcg9/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038552055769186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTk-ji1bDqBN3g_XOYmNZe4yhEtgN4S5VjjKJ6AsXRs20hadnlHzzzLgkYy-fx3dVLJdLbEmqbKyTFCAixjCSsHPZaGbNtm9Mc4HXSz7Dtqt6SEVdyFap6IOTSQhIlZ1lDcg9/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_13.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHHDQLkEErvq24TNNg6T6IAcZyCArIg253BQiEaY3dqm8T9PDvKyKWU220T5xgNkaonRnhkWMSQY7Ueae5ddMy7Pm8zLuiGZHpdEobYvXkW3sJUQQbk8dlSXfy9Sgb4aDcoHH/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_14.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181038556350736498" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHHDQLkEErvq24TNNg6T6IAcZyCArIg253BQiEaY3dqm8T9PDvKyKWU220T5xgNkaonRnhkWMSQY7Ueae5ddMy7Pm8zLuiGZHpdEobYvXkW3sJUQQbk8dlSXfy9Sgb4aDcoHH/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_14.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, my head.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVL4xj5iEU24TcVPZ61RQ-2wZCX-FeiOrMA616dnkcyyHlfKoi7VVz37d_xcN0hy3hujtpz1tjo_E0atz2VwPyPKCkFZMgsbAI7EXWYHMC570RFX2EGhOqhANY3RotksR4DR-/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_15.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181037890630805474" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOVL4xj5iEU24TcVPZ61RQ-2wZCX-FeiOrMA616dnkcyyHlfKoi7VVz37d_xcN0hy3hujtpz1tjo_E0atz2VwPyPKCkFZMgsbAI7EXWYHMC570RFX2EGhOqhANY3RotksR4DR-/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_15.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hey! Not the Mama!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AEJC0iSulwKAvi6lw8aJTsQiSfZ4g41gLWemwGMO3jjLfbpLKR30ijY2uZtC3wmEJgRiv9qQ4Dl6hPjBk2b9cP_cPnSiDggcttA9VgTRphSCwoAIZGsLEhAJFPhSMcp2e01j/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_16.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181037894925772786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4AEJC0iSulwKAvi6lw8aJTsQiSfZ4g41gLWemwGMO3jjLfbpLKR30ijY2uZtC3wmEJgRiv9qQ4Dl6hPjBk2b9cP_cPnSiDggcttA9VgTRphSCwoAIZGsLEhAJFPhSMcp2e01j/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_16.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Shake it out.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJY4Nv_SMrfLNvq09APpzB8PCI6VMWj_An2Ndh9BdFdYljEzKYCfBXLQhijuZ4trb_6C_l3LyEm7jmLRtO-Cg-8Aj55x90ZbqO6bVk7KYAFPACAu3rEKCS-c8MOVCcrEX06b9/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_19.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181037899220740098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJY4Nv_SMrfLNvq09APpzB8PCI6VMWj_An2Ndh9BdFdYljEzKYCfBXLQhijuZ4trb_6C_l3LyEm7jmLRtO-Cg-8Aj55x90ZbqO6bVk7KYAFPACAu3rEKCS-c8MOVCcrEX06b9/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_19.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cleaning Mama's hair:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipim1-ar2K-Js5GkQ4YXrg1YYPBNfcM-WH31LoLU4vg_UUv4ycJrqFagO0cjXGHjHRaFMy04DAx4es0aKW-ylDGF2yqmNcvD1rh6Y8qYidE4mO4O7BPK5oQHnOOPpvfiNWBaYs/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_24.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181037903515707410" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipim1-ar2K-Js5GkQ4YXrg1YYPBNfcM-WH31LoLU4vg_UUv4ycJrqFagO0cjXGHjHRaFMy04DAx4es0aKW-ylDGF2yqmNcvD1rh6Y8qYidE4mO4O7BPK5oQHnOOPpvfiNWBaYs/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_24.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Daddy's turn for a cleaning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQeHEPi44FgtIkAYnCPSNq1LdHkoqzzLqtpJUVpC0W40Jh1n6HX98cJNCfzCZOpihJqM22l3L4xl3LVfh5X77SmdkIeMAm_fs1G9rFx2KO8PqG-2kMDPd9itFKGYJuPF8erg1/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_30.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181037907810674722" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQeHEPi44FgtIkAYnCPSNq1LdHkoqzzLqtpJUVpC0W40Jh1n6HX98cJNCfzCZOpihJqM22l3L4xl3LVfh5X77SmdkIeMAm_fs1G9rFx2KO8PqG-2kMDPd9itFKGYJuPF8erg1/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_30.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I told Savanna to clean Daddy like the monkeys do (eat it). <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe4BaLOmK-u08KN1MHAJ6FxeHblxKe65ZmsiPNcRf-rlNaA1xl445SgD951StdTbp_d6pULJh2mxuWPf1yZoj9gUp5LD4z2iMhGN0n8i4_QL6FINTlosdI1raRMztaBXHU4eC/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_27.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181035859111274370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe4BaLOmK-u08KN1MHAJ6FxeHblxKe65ZmsiPNcRf-rlNaA1xl445SgD951StdTbp_d6pULJh2mxuWPf1yZoj9gUp5LD4z2iMhGN0n8i4_QL6FINTlosdI1raRMztaBXHU4eC/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_27.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />She looks at it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyXV8KGaFF1whr4TMoHLHah6P0MQlRB7tDoLo0Zxl5llXl6sjlUiCmaCPSXKPjxCC66QpFGCfctxEkfBwwo7D96rL-M3yli7MVDWSrJXwbHzn61RUbPzPy-ShRk2KLwMkaBMr/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_31.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181035863406241682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyXV8KGaFF1whr4TMoHLHah6P0MQlRB7tDoLo0Zxl5llXl6sjlUiCmaCPSXKPjxCC66QpFGCfctxEkfBwwo7D96rL-M3yli7MVDWSrJXwbHzn61RUbPzPy-ShRk2KLwMkaBMr/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_31.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And goes for it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLkU4R6QxO0erDhPVneCPbS-g33_-Urw3ChnpBmEaTlJG1cssG-xr4x1EdEndJR8QTrqm0Xc4RBTim2txe97U65ivVHgFvONt2WIDrTnBIQFw7RqCAdc5-edhj6piWCG5O3fT/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_29.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181035867701208994" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLkU4R6QxO0erDhPVneCPbS-g33_-Urw3ChnpBmEaTlJG1cssG-xr4x1EdEndJR8QTrqm0Xc4RBTim2txe97U65ivVHgFvONt2WIDrTnBIQFw7RqCAdc5-edhj6piWCG5O3fT/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_29.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hmmm, that was... interesting. <br />Most fittingly, she is a Monkey on the Chinese Zodiac.<br />MOST fitting!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACVkrPUwWShYxzkbP3EZISSplVsMAkzQxCcFUf0MBhQyvMQKT30pe5n6TxWBBlzElnPcu_rlEJwJ8PepWzWXThcL4mGIVQrdD6cqEVNseo5J02-v2Q4aocBPKq0yrOthiDEcP/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_32.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181035871996176306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACVkrPUwWShYxzkbP3EZISSplVsMAkzQxCcFUf0MBhQyvMQKT30pe5n6TxWBBlzElnPcu_rlEJwJ8PepWzWXThcL4mGIVQrdD6cqEVNseo5J02-v2Q4aocBPKq0yrOthiDEcP/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_32.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bv1S3tdQz2ZKbjFIJHaKd9YxWPDCIbM1GDVvGp0TMwPOE2uvqNRqs3LnKPOqIIK69p95n4VLLWvhcg1qbaJbce7mUAGiT-I0vYzQVQ9MxnfEzArKUwPMPTjWUzLLLYqMTOPQ/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_17.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181035876291143618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Bv1S3tdQz2ZKbjFIJHaKd9YxWPDCIbM1GDVvGp0TMwPOE2uvqNRqs3LnKPOqIIK69p95n4VLLWvhcg1qbaJbce7mUAGiT-I0vYzQVQ9MxnfEzArKUwPMPTjWUzLLLYqMTOPQ/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_17.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />That was fun!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmLzzyUGauqSENkbca4VCdW2HEt5_dICbht0lEEc1yuIxgeDN-972RY-IcpO-KMKgqYdGoKjy7oMch3qP5gt2xtaN7l6FBIUexsGbT7f5mrSIX1CiybHeLqauOhj8ix4eWyuq/s1600-h/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_18.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181036542011074514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmLzzyUGauqSENkbca4VCdW2HEt5_dICbht0lEEc1yuIxgeDN-972RY-IcpO-KMKgqYdGoKjy7oMch3qP5gt2xtaN7l6FBIUexsGbT7f5mrSIX1CiybHeLqauOhj8ix4eWyuq/s320/Mar+23+2008+-+VID00024_18.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;"><u>Chocolate time!</u><br /></span></strong>Raccoon:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeCt_hCyhmk05p0Zk9fRmrbcUuaN_f4yM1Aag_0lAQ5fN_bVZiiqAwrmMgebLkR7eWudopNBMA0LnvEv8Tmcf3aovDxKYctp6Fpw_9wAQGf0H7aHUDQai1FdUlHVmTk9CzWUC/s1600-h/IMG_0381.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180987175656973570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifeCt_hCyhmk05p0Zk9fRmrbcUuaN_f4yM1Aag_0lAQ5fN_bVZiiqAwrmMgebLkR7eWudopNBMA0LnvEv8Tmcf3aovDxKYctp6Fpw_9wAQGf0H7aHUDQai1FdUlHVmTk9CzWUC/s320/IMG_0381.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Earless Bunny:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPOPF1uLQojsBqPOX3wLL-Pcstcv2vkMpQkgYtIGH1ifqa_F-IlS8stJf2mfLkGatkmb4sqWIWSIWlxQuFFYZZ7jr72HtHT0RI8jOY4n3fjJOQSzY8xyX75Ypt69TcPTSDrU9/s1600-h/IMG_0377.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181007770025158306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoPOPF1uLQojsBqPOX3wLL-Pcstcv2vkMpQkgYtIGH1ifqa_F-IlS8stJf2mfLkGatkmb4sqWIWSIWlxQuFFYZZ7jr72HtHT0RI8jOY4n3fjJOQSzY8xyX75Ypt69TcPTSDrU9/s320/IMG_0377.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Earless Bunny #2 - Do I detect a trend?<br />Why does everybody like to eat the ears first?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1Sncu85AcqzrCO_adngDdzVE99UvOX-APyV_ELWSPNoiIjnbaa4FGvHzQqGI4O0t0ds3Bz4BMYrY1GqkTGR-oCUGEiK8ycjEZl2yMjo5LiOFQSFQ6XrwpkWZNaVjbx9Wo55J/s1600-h/IMG_0378.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181008813702211266" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ1Sncu85AcqzrCO_adngDdzVE99UvOX-APyV_ELWSPNoiIjnbaa4FGvHzQqGI4O0t0ds3Bz4BMYrY1GqkTGR-oCUGEiK8ycjEZl2yMjo5LiOFQSFQ6XrwpkWZNaVjbx9Wo55J/s320/IMG_0378.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Deer:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gn0X82YbOPEXOIzmp7FY2AZDA_nQ03XK7QXYqsc6WrjoM35C_i1Ixk027-FyrwOHRDuXLZtJrLatC-oPFBUTySoDcnqSttV_Da8qnCiJX9WO8SauNgx87MMVw_uhgZoZ9SvP/s1600-h/IMG_0382.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180985483439858882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Gn0X82YbOPEXOIzmp7FY2AZDA_nQ03XK7QXYqsc6WrjoM35C_i1Ixk027-FyrwOHRDuXLZtJrLatC-oPFBUTySoDcnqSttV_Da8qnCiJX9WO8SauNgx87MMVw_uhgZoZ9SvP/s320/IMG_0382.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mmmm. Chocolate.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ-LyktYbCorYR3dEc2kfj_s9ZmrqCC3dR0xyeBilmm0X2_zMkzycUuYi8LbZqIc1FYfbT-UUWZiyPQxFsIguoeZWG3dHw9JZgDRqzfX1ZOE7ChlZ6Fyi9txnwGuZfsIhS-AY/s1600-h/IMG_0383.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5180985487734826194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQ-LyktYbCorYR3dEc2kfj_s9ZmrqCC3dR0xyeBilmm0X2_zMkzycUuYi8LbZqIc1FYfbT-UUWZiyPQxFsIguoeZWG3dHw9JZgDRqzfX1ZOE7ChlZ6Fyi9txnwGuZfsIhS-AY/s320/IMG_0383.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtJ0MCd2KfjGIGURTtt46MOHFdDEjj3WDOIkulbJtYIBdI2wZPYw3Me4nQ-JqRvIl-jItZJJcuaBc3IU2iIahjYv_DO1NnGXu9svXoHWAGI55oQgiF9sD30Pk-FK8Twu_XqZz/s1600-h/IMG_0387.JPG"></a>And here's a "kiss" goodbye...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HQE3Mwk8t1sESKgUhHKVcxyKFZfNZUh8CkeX-MY5TOGKu0kRgL6Jr6Rf-bKMs3O8KtsXwDvgG9OEu0ptWq5K7CPNQW0QDSK8vjHWO_bu1AIUZTOtPJfdrxN30bnwRNzO7kia/s1600-h/IMG_0388.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181007761435223698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3HQE3Mwk8t1sESKgUhHKVcxyKFZfNZUh8CkeX-MY5TOGKu0kRgL6Jr6Rf-bKMs3O8KtsXwDvgG9OEu0ptWq5K7CPNQW0QDSK8vjHWO_bu1AIUZTOtPJfdrxN30bnwRNzO7kia/s320/IMG_0388.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />:-x XoXo ;-)Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-39969026767782224252008-03-18T23:45:00.000-07:002009-01-20T13:44:55.744-08:00Mamas' Night OutTonight was Cailey's first night away from her parents. She's 5 1/2 months old now, so Mama Candace needs a night out. Dan kept her while she and I went out for a couple of hours to "decompress." Dan did the alligator nose (what his mom calls it) where he rubs his finger gently from her forehead down her nose, and she fell fast asleep in his arms. We had a good time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1G8wBYl3ajxEfkv32ocENOuxSqSxb8L6k0CQFdSwh-hsEynl_5YWlQPJOk_UVa3cmTQsmuqacmgba8WjQvWt5-1vV6FVK4DBWHMk51PFJB58ojP2szFpmDLQNG4xLShB2tz4r/s1600-h/IMG_0330.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181013606885713682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1G8wBYl3ajxEfkv32ocENOuxSqSxb8L6k0CQFdSwh-hsEynl_5YWlQPJOk_UVa3cmTQsmuqacmgba8WjQvWt5-1vV6FVK4DBWHMk51PFJB58ojP2szFpmDLQNG4xLShB2tz4r/s320/IMG_0330.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW8FavcQuTl4_gO-W0M3rQsfqReq-3ciABFC-Bi-D8gyEXq7dNHvOF3UBi1N5HDMp8_6HC41yLgnMrv6r3yurTmo8CeH7wlQoy3WsS0tMp6OeqCu4DThlry8scero_t3OZtrk/s1600-h/IMG_0329.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181013615475648290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvW8FavcQuTl4_gO-W0M3rQsfqReq-3ciABFC-Bi-D8gyEXq7dNHvOF3UBi1N5HDMp8_6HC41yLgnMrv6r3yurTmo8CeH7wlQoy3WsS0tMp6OeqCu4DThlry8scero_t3OZtrk/s320/IMG_0329.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cousin Dallas holding Cailey. Dallas LOVES babies.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK6erIIhojEfer5jrKNfvBsTgHgy5-XDqeqkoaXIVWlXRHWuqksfJ8eJU_j5xBvdlWi5_mOH9kbwuTkkG_tKppRVB1znJWxXvIYaWyP2sQ4nLfrfjPoFxvb9HWdMUecvCaGcr/s1600-h/IMG_0331.3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181012889626175186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwK6erIIhojEfer5jrKNfvBsTgHgy5-XDqeqkoaXIVWlXRHWuqksfJ8eJU_j5xBvdlWi5_mOH9kbwuTkkG_tKppRVB1znJWxXvIYaWyP2sQ4nLfrfjPoFxvb9HWdMUecvCaGcr/s320/IMG_0331.3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Funny Face:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQM57GuaEKkaSjk8VYoz5URLrRYZtT85LOpiaMI6SATmld7d7DETS4jr29sudwbX0MI-KN84G5__nCN6D5ubLJ2NgonDCzkHfZlEQ_U7ldQXW_qEaiE-kc4xgLVA2lRH9SpbB/s1600-h/IMG_0333.3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181014251130808114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQM57GuaEKkaSjk8VYoz5URLrRYZtT85LOpiaMI6SATmld7d7DETS4jr29sudwbX0MI-KN84G5__nCN6D5ubLJ2NgonDCzkHfZlEQ_U7ldQXW_qEaiE-kc4xgLVA2lRH9SpbB/s320/IMG_0333.3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cute Smile:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlHiZQgW_xG7rhyKGatH539BN1dlm1lZyIWF3_f6JVDV_55eCWdXtg-mxIJTLY2zJVz_xcD4EleWTGy4yee_sFSvEY8hptSRDbMHb-DxPeHNx10NQHN2dUOPaRJRAVfYK8Wxm/s1600-h/IMG_0337.2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181012902511077106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXlHiZQgW_xG7rhyKGatH539BN1dlm1lZyIWF3_f6JVDV_55eCWdXtg-mxIJTLY2zJVz_xcD4EleWTGy4yee_sFSvEY8hptSRDbMHb-DxPeHNx10NQHN2dUOPaRJRAVfYK8Wxm/s320/IMG_0337.2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Aunt Carrie Loves Cailey ;-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn1AcvbUYKYtPEr7InpgpJLpAsQMoobqJkKCVcHeMP3p9s7R9By3Q6alYTuN3hEETe6sXBraqQZPW1U3KGplPW028DchzIfodvrs5VSJMxxiDfCSnPWsfickxCkamT6U2bbdm/s1600-h/IMG_0338.3..jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181012906806044418" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQn1AcvbUYKYtPEr7InpgpJLpAsQMoobqJkKCVcHeMP3p9s7R9By3Q6alYTuN3hEETe6sXBraqQZPW1U3KGplPW028DchzIfodvrs5VSJMxxiDfCSnPWsfickxCkamT6U2bbdm/s320/IMG_0338.3..jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Kiss Kiss :-x Goodbye...Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-63666399930892966232008-03-08T15:46:00.000-08:002008-03-23T13:17:30.149-07:00What's in a Name?When I was a cashier, I enjoyed my job because I got to talk to people from all walks of life. It made a quite monotonous job quite exciting. You never know who you are going to meet next and what sort of interesting things you will hear. Sometimes you get the same people and develop a working friendship. I usually start conversations whimsically with whatever crosses my mind at the time or with something I notice about the person that seems interesting. But there were a couple of topics that I would revisit quite often. One was of course, "What are you going to make with this?" This one's great for people who don't really look like they are having a very good day, and you surely don't want to ask the loaded question, "How are you today?" I have learned so much about cooking just from asking this simple little question and also tried many foods i ordinarily would have had no clue how to prepare. Take spaghetti squash, for example. If you've never heard of it, it is this large yellow oval-shaped vegetable, so rarely purchased that I never memorized the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">PLU</span> code for it (that number we type into the register that tells it what produce item you are buying. 4011 is for bananas. Everybody buys bananas. I think I will know that number for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">the rest</span> of my life!) I asked a customer, "What are you going to make with this?" and she told me she just pops it whole in a 370 degree oven for an hour. Then she cuts it open, scrapes it out and serves it with spaghetti sauce. She said it looks just like spaghetti and tastes similar. Of course, I had to try it, so I bought one that day. Sure enough, it looks just like spaghetti! And while it does not really taste like spaghetti, it does have great flavor when served with marinara, especially if you like yellow squash and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">zucchini</span>. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Zucchini</span> taste good with tomato sauce also. I make a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Zucchini</span> lasagna where you use <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">zucchini</span> instead of pasta by thinly slicing the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">zucchini</span> long ways. It is one of my family's favorite dishes. I think I could write a whole book about what I have learned about cooking and nutrition, but that is not what I wanted to talk about here.<br /><br /><br />The other question I would ask frequently is, "How did you get your name?" When you come in contact with lots of people, you get to learn some of the most interesting names, some that are collections of letters you have never seen or heard before. I love words, so I can't say that I have ever found a name that I didn't like. Every word has a meaning, and consequently, so does <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">every one's</span> name. Even if it is a completely made up concoction of letters, it was created by people who love <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">their</span> child and wanted to give them a name that was special and unique, and if you ask them, they will tell you what it means. So I love to ask that question, and people love to answer it, I think because people love to talk about their story. That's why we have so may autobiographies and blogs - it's fun to talk about your life, and your life began with your name. Most people have a name even before they are born, and in some cases, even before they are conceived! There is an interesting story behind my name. I loved hearing it when I was a kid, and I always love to tell it.<br /><br /><br />My mother told me that she had my name picked out before I was born. If I was a boy, I would have been Michael Ray, Jr. If I was a girl, I would have been Trisha Fay. This name was special to her. My dad was raised by his grandmother, Fay. Her name was actually Ellen Fay, but she went by Fay; her grandmother's name was also Ellen. My dad loved this woman so much because of all she did for him and his brother and 2 sisters after their parents left them. I think her influence on him is what inspired him to join the navy, so he could go to college and be able to take care of his family. I think maybe he would not have even wanted a family of his own if it were not for her. My mom loved Fay also, so she wanted to name her little girl after her. People often ask pregnant women what names they have chosen for their baby. my mom did not think anything of it when her sister-in-law asked her that question, so she answered it. It happens that they were both pregnant at the same time, but I was due a few weeks later. I am sure that my dad's sister loved Fay just as much as my dad for the same reasons, and she wanted to honor her also. However, she decided to name her baby girl the exact name that my mom had chosen for me, even spelled the same, too. Of course my mom was livid. So livid that she didn't even choose another girl's name. When I was born, she told my dad to name me, and he named me Carrie Lynn. This is the story my mom told me when I was a little girl. Now that I am thinking of this, I wish I had asked my dad why he chose that name for me. It's a pretty name, I think, although when I was little i thought it was very plain. My sisters' names were Catherine and Candace, but they went by Cathy and Candy. I was jealous that they had a longer name, that it was special that they had 2 first names. So in the 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">th</span> grade, when I moved to a new school, I decided to tell my new friend that my name was Carissa, and that I went by Carrie for short. She was the only one I told that story to, but I never told her about that fib until we were in high school! I felt bad about the lie all that time, but it turns out she had forgotten about it completely. My sisters now go by Candace and Catherine. I think they decided it sounded more grown up than Cathy or Candy. I am still Carrie, and I have not changed much except now I have a new last name and 4 kids who I get to tell the stories behind their names.<br /><br /><br /><strong><u><span style="font-size:130%;">Dallas Michael</span></u></strong><br /><br />Because Dan is such a HUGE monster Dallas Cowboys fan and has been since his dad brainwashed him as a toddler, many have thought, including his and my family, that we named Dallas after the football team. Not so. In fact, I had the name Dallas picked out for my son even before I married Dan, before I even knew how crazy he was about the Cowboys. Dan's and my first date was on April 7, 1994. Football season was over, and our love was young. We did not discuss our affinity for any certain sports or teams. I got a summer job working as a counselor at a resident camp in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Granbury</span>, Texas. While there, I met a boy, a senior in high school, whose name was Dallas. He was from Tennessee. He was a CIT (counselor in training), and he was just an awesome human being. I only had sisters, so I didn't know much about boys. But I remember thinking if I ever had a son, I would hope he would be like this boy. He was kind, smart, personable, and fun. I would never have thought about Dallas as a name, especially being from Texas. It's a city. I once met a girl named Abilene. She had a brother named Jackson. Their parents travelled a lot, and she said they were all named after the cities they were conceived in. If I used that method, Dallas would be named Huntsville, Noah would be Houston, and Savanna and Bailey would share the name Round Rock - or maybe I could have named one Round and the other Rock. =-) After knowing the boy, I fell in love with the name. I also love unique names and other than him and my son, have never met another Dallas. As soon as he found out I was pregnant, my dad was extremely excited and would refer to him as "his baby." When he found out it was a boy, he really really really wanted me to name him Michael Ray, after him. We did choose his middle name for my dad. I love the name Michael but was not all that keen on Ray, and what he didn't know was that I already had Dallas's name picked out, even before he was born. Dan didn't even know. When I told him, he begged me not to name him Dallas because he just knew the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ribbings</span> he would get for it from his family. He was right, of course, and almost all our family were not all that thrilled with our name choice, but if you know Dallas, you know it is the right name for him. It fits him. Although the ultrasound tech was certain he was a boy (so was the tech who said Dan's little brother was a girl), I had a girl name picked out just in case: Chelsea Noelle. Chelsea for this sweet little girl I babysat for 2 summers in high school, and Noelle because my baby was due on December 31st. Dallas was born the day after Christmas, but I was calling him Dallas since the moment I found out he was a boy.<br /><br /><br /><strong><u><span style="font-size:130%;">Noah Gabriel</span></u></strong><br /><br />When I found out I was pregnant for a second time, I really hoped I was having a girl. Originally, we planned to have 2 children, so I was a little sad when the ultrasound tech said he was a boy. She said she was 95% certain, so I didn't stay too upset. There was a 5% chance I was having a girl. However, when they put that little boy in my arms, I fell so deeply in love with him that I never cared again that I would not be having a little girl. But since Chelsea was especially created for baby one, I thought I should come up with a special name for baby two. I actually spent more time coming up with girl names than I did on boy names, probably because I knew it would be my last chance to. Women love to come up with girl names, at least all the women I have ever talked to about the subject. There are lots of names <em>I </em>loved, but Dan is very picky when it comes to names. He was very hard to please. Since I was so controlling over naming Dallas even though he didn't want to name him Dallas (He loved the name just like me; he just didn't want to hear all the Cowboys jokes from our families), this time I decided to let Dan have control over the name choice. Since he is a man, he had no clue how to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">come up</span> with a name. I still don't know how my dad did it. So I made lists of names, and most of them got shot down, some of them were my favorites. I liked the name Jason for a boy - he <em>hated</em> it! My baby name search was my first <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">encounter</span> with the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Internet</span>. I was on <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/">http://www.babycenter.com/</a> all the time. Through my friend Anna, I met a girl named Kinsey when I was in junior high. Just like when I met Dallas, I was immediately intrigued by her unique name, but I wanted to spell it different. I also have always loved the name Isabella, but have never met anyone with that name. So for my 5% chance of having a girl, I chose the name <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Kenzie</span> Isabel. I dropped the 'a' on Isabella because I thought it fit better. For a boy, I liked the name Bailey. Dan liked it, too, but he was a little concerned people would think we named him after the boy on a TV show that I cannot even remember the name of now. Even still, of all the names I came up with that I liked, that was his favorite. I picked the middle name from the lists on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">internet</span>, Donovan. I thought it sounded very manly, since Bailey was sometimes used as a girl's name. Bailey Donovan. Just like with Dallas, we went into childbirth with just 2 names (although we did still have Chelsea Noelle in the memory banks from before). We had done the baby thing before, drug free, so we were all prepared with our tape player and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Enya</span> tape. Unlike with Dallas, I was not calling the baby Bailey since I thought it still could be a girl. So when I met my new baby, after all the initial <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">gamut</span> of intense emotions, I realized our baby looked nothing like a Bailey. I could not name him Bailey, as much as I wanted to and loved the name. Ever since he was tiny, I had been calling Dallas "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Geeger</span>" (that's a story for another day), so before he had a name we called him "Little Bitty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Geeger</span> Babe" I had the baby name packed in my bag, who knows why, but I am glad! I was in the hospital for 2 days, and I spent most of my time lathering my baby with love and attention and a little time looking through the book. I didn't have the master list with me, so we were starting from scratch. When I was pregnant with Dallas, Dan had wanted to name him Noah. I was not thrilled with that name and had not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">really</span> even considered it for this baby. But the name came back to me, and our baby looked like a Noah. So he had a name by the end of day one, but we were stumped on a middle name. We thought we could just wait and pick one later, but the nurse told us we could not leave until we filled out the social security form, which we found out later was not true. So at the very last moment we picked Gabriel. Dallas's middle name was that of an archangel. Gabriel is an archangel also and we liked it because of that. I am not totally certain that would have been the name we chose if we had more time, but we really wanted to go home! Noah's name fits him well also.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><u>Savanna <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Rayne</span></u></strong> </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>When I found I was having a from my Dr.'s fancy 3-D sonogram that our baby was a girl (and with those images, there is no doubt whatsoever what the sex is), I was excited, elated, extremely exuberant! Mamas love to come up with little girl names. For some reason, they are a lot more fun than boys names, for me anyway. However, Dan is very hard to appease when it comes to girl names even more than boy names. Of course, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Kenzie</span> Isabel was still on the table as a choice, but the year before I became pregnant with Savanna, we added a puppy girl to our family and named her Chelsea for the girl that I never had. Little did we know we would get pregnant again! I came up with over a dozen full names, but the only one he liked was Savannah Rain. Yes, I spelled it that way at first. I actually love the name Anna because of a special friend of mine, but Dan was not too thrilled with it. But he really liked Savannah. When trying to think of a middle name, I envisioned a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">savannah</span> and thought the image of a light rain was a beautiful picture. Very simple and pure. We decided to wait until our daughter was born to name her (learning from the Bailey-Noah incident) to see which name fit her best. I knew right when I saw her for the first time that she was Savannah. It was a last minute decision to change the spelling of her name to Savanna without the "h." I thought it was prettier that way, like my friend's name. The "h" is silent anyway, so I figured we'd save her a lot of trouble. (Not so, my friend, her name is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">misspelled</span> more than any of my children. I didn't think the Georgia city was that well known, and you would not believe the ways people have <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">misspelled</span> my name - my pet peeve is when they spell it "Carry" like the verb - how ugly is that? I don't tell how to spell it anymore just to see new ways to spell my name! I don't think anyone has spelled Savanna right to date without my saying so.) And then right after I made that change, I had an epiphany and thought we could name her after Dan's and my father's and his father's middle name, Ray, by changing the spelling of "Rain" to "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">Rayne</span>." Literally, I changed both spellings as I was filling out the social security form right before we left. I tried it out on paper a few times, and we both liked the new spelling better. I wanted a little girl from the first time I found out I was pregnant all the way to the third. The journey began with Chelsea Noelle for our Christmas baby, then <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Kenzie</span> Isabel, and finally Savanna <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Rayne</span>. I got my girl. Ironically, she is more boy than any of my boys!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><u>Bailey Donovan</u></strong> </span><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span>This one's easy. We've already talked about it. This was the name we had picked out for Noah. Since I got my girl, I really had no special desire for a girl or a boy this time. I knew how to raise boys, but I gave away most of our boy clothes and toys. I had loads of cute baby girl clothes, bibs, and toys. So Dan and I decided to be surprised this time. It was frustrating because the sex was listed right there in my chart, and we had to keep reminding Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Schwertner</span> not to accidentally slip the sex to us. Just like it's not that common for mothers to have natural labor anymore (every time I did it, the nurses were excited to be doing something different), it was equally uncommon for moms to not want to know the sex of the baby. I am so glad we did it. It was very exciting! I really didn't have a preference, but I was so sure it was going to be a girl. I figured I have my babies in twos, why not two girls, then two boys? I was really surprised when Dr. Sherman told me he was a boy! We had a list of names available, but <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">Kenzie</span> Isabel and Bailey Donovan were our favorites. And thank goodness, he looked like a Bailey! He actually looked exactly like Dallas. When I saw him, it brought me back to the day my first baby was born nine years earlier.<br /><br />I love my babies, I love my children, and I put a lot of thought and love into choosing their names. When I speak their names, I speak my love. I hope they love their name and their story.<br /><br />So what's in a name? Lots of love, that's what. Just ask my kids when I jokingly talk of changing their names. They would not <em>feel</em> as sweet,or special, by any other name.Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-3972017364555141482008-02-27T23:05:00.000-08:002008-03-23T12:31:26.172-07:00Cailey at the Wheel<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupC23DZo7dUnJ-Ce7Sy14d06m_Ov5vEc3FtqFWcq8rvTitr1EHWH0iPiFQtzkDC-r8u_BCpOWwBCH-XS0YASB6FA0p9BDtJQ4i-uElMvy_CTUd2s2TiY0cM0VIcG4_362Vu6x/s1600-h/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181020354279335746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhupC23DZo7dUnJ-Ce7Sy14d06m_Ov5vEc3FtqFWcq8rvTitr1EHWH0iPiFQtzkDC-r8u_BCpOWwBCH-XS0YASB6FA0p9BDtJQ4i-uElMvy_CTUd2s2TiY0cM0VIcG4_362Vu6x/s320/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Look out, people! Baby on the move! Honk-Honk!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskUNVmNIsYU3kFnyIeHqrGMjlwjG41BE1KGXetFJQXVbrzkAnPC3RmMDbjGm7urjc7LkZcGSNpELVuiNJCmFRVoqaUYthPpLDjucmiK0LyBQLzL57rRqO2OYsbLfVOTQjOFkE/s1600-h/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181020354279335762" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskUNVmNIsYU3kFnyIeHqrGMjlwjG41BE1KGXetFJQXVbrzkAnPC3RmMDbjGm7urjc7LkZcGSNpELVuiNJCmFRVoqaUYthPpLDjucmiK0LyBQLzL57rRqO2OYsbLfVOTQjOFkE/s320/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Cautiously hangin' a left:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuecQftGc0cFDP5shRIucDExMOuuel9cldbXA4gLWVFAbEp1aheS8mY-9gNVlYnlLjAydFRwa0p8MgUjtDi5Nd6jxRikFDB25AdEubbLVg2FamjlYE5Ojxwku1-5p1oiNKbDM/s1600-h/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181020358574303074" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuecQftGc0cFDP5shRIucDExMOuuel9cldbXA4gLWVFAbEp1aheS8mY-9gNVlYnlLjAydFRwa0p8MgUjtDi5Nd6jxRikFDB25AdEubbLVg2FamjlYE5Ojxwku1-5p1oiNKbDM/s320/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mama Candace says, "Carrie, she's too young to drive!"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_1PcU3QUP0ag2I6vouTsbsx6CFMsvHg_MHAyQju_qSpHjPVRhxF54dPjbm4kWIYkAnVpXfqsXktrrxhUj7gAkPkT2tuNN6xBMbE43OUOQeLauwp_2Qt2BvR1q4MdMzFiGPVE/s1600-h/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181020358574303090" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM_1PcU3QUP0ag2I6vouTsbsx6CFMsvHg_MHAyQju_qSpHjPVRhxF54dPjbm4kWIYkAnVpXfqsXktrrxhUj7gAkPkT2tuNN6xBMbE43OUOQeLauwp_2Qt2BvR1q4MdMzFiGPVE/s320/Feb+27+2008+-+VID00022_8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />"Aww, Mom, I looked so cool in that little red coupe!"Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-82617402201662137112008-02-14T14:37:00.000-08:002008-02-15T01:22:34.104-08:00Big 'Ol Pot'o'Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiF2rrP6O-YSQl2N8cynheBqTzEXsUB_111vw3Dg5onn0rU6RH_wfGdlF3X19Zb0-uXt1EB8smR_viaxixw3oSPZZpd88MWOtbOju0l2gbJskS2_8eHk4w9k6Ig9jse-OIQaR/s1600-h/IMG_0190.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIiF2rrP6O-YSQl2N8cynheBqTzEXsUB_111vw3Dg5onn0rU6RH_wfGdlF3X19Zb0-uXt1EB8smR_viaxixw3oSPZZpd88MWOtbOju0l2gbJskS2_8eHk4w9k6Ig9jse-OIQaR/s320/IMG_0190.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I'm cookin' me up somethin' sweet!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLrzx4hR2alvZSD_teTcKSqeDjyL8vHCJhYIkccZ9auipsSdzcCxgTH2N2osn7EttWacX90KTeEwztPkI2U35RFHFOEu5ZmRN_QD_EWfn3wZ1kzh9bAIPH_Kri5E0_AWdOci9/s1600-h/IMG_0195.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167122582905512834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLrzx4hR2alvZSD_teTcKSqeDjyL8vHCJhYIkccZ9auipsSdzcCxgTH2N2osn7EttWacX90KTeEwztPkI2U35RFHFOEu5ZmRN_QD_EWfn3wZ1kzh9bAIPH_Kri5E0_AWdOci9/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" border="0" /></a>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-30443778290303613492008-02-08T22:31:00.000-08:002008-02-15T14:11:05.522-08:00Daddy Daughter Dance - Savanna & Dan<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucRXIVQkdKmrWHc-5c5UdWDbT0PtIo0EIs9NqdRLN2m7dE1u5m07Kfe-eNh7wHqMQKiPBBmtnp5m2T5NEweLMNL8G_FjkeZ6rticjIQ5R8lvxioF-fm0Rmf7KF2OJPzaAL8ZF/s1600-h/IMG_0153.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166974754426151778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucRXIVQkdKmrWHc-5c5UdWDbT0PtIo0EIs9NqdRLN2m7dE1u5m07Kfe-eNh7wHqMQKiPBBmtnp5m2T5NEweLMNL8G_FjkeZ6rticjIQ5R8lvxioF-fm0Rmf7KF2OJPzaAL8ZF/s320/IMG_0153.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Every year since they opened, the Clay Madsen Rec Center has hosted a Daddy Daughter Dance around Valentine's Day. Dads bring their sweethearts from age 0 and up to an old fashioned gymnasium style dance and play music kids like. Dan took Savanna last year, but she was scared most of the time. Dan ended up holding her the entire time. This year, however, she LOVED it!<br /><br />Dan told me the first song when they got there was "Dancing Queen." I heard him say in the video that it was my "favorite song." This is a joke, of course, because a few years ago it was one of those songs that, when I would hear it, would make my blood boil. I originally liked the song somewhat, didn't hate it, but when I worked at Hastings, for a few months, there was a preview on the TVs in the video department that played the song, and I kid you not, it played several times an hour. I worked there several years, and there were other previews and songs that played that I was able to completely tune out, but for some reason, I don't know, maybe it was the tone of their high pitched voices, but it caught my attention every time I heard it. I wanted to pierce my eardrums with an ice pick! I am afraid if those TVs were within my reach instead of mounted on the ceiling, I might have done something totally out of character and kicked in the screen. It's a good thing they were mounted on the ceiling...<br /><br />When Savanna got home from the dance, she told me right away that she wanted to go dancing again. I thought she meant next year or in the near future, but she meant that night - right then! She also said she wanted to "go dancing with Mama." Awwww. Someday she'll get why they only have a Daddy Daughter dance. There are so few opportunities for a man and his little girl to have some special tome together. I think it would be nice if they had one of those every month or every few months instead of once a year. Daddies should take their daughters out at least once a month if they can, or whenever they get a chance - even if it's to the hardware store (my dad), or to Fry's (Dan) to check out what's new. Men give us a hard time about lolly gagging around the grocery store or the department store, but they like to browse the store that holds stuff they're interested in - it's true!<br /><br />Here's a little IMO sidebar ---<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><u>IMO... Daddies are the biggest influence on their daughters choice of men.</u><br /></strong></span><br />Savanna & I get lots of girl time, but I think Daddy/Daughter time is the most important time in a girl's life.<br /><br />Why?<br /><br />It teaches her what it feels like to be treated with love and respect by a man. They say a girl looks for a man like her father as a life partner, and they do - they really do. All of us, we only know what we see first hand, what we experience. TV only warps us because 99.9% of it, even the "reality" shows, is unrealistic. Please don't let your children learn about relationships from TV.<br /><br />So Daddies need to be the man that they would want their daughter to marry. Treat her with respect, never demean her or call her names (unless you want her to bring a guy like that home), and show her every day how special she is, just like she is, so that she will expect no less from the man she chooses. Yep, Dads, it's all you, fellas; you gotta step up to the plate!<br /><br />But the Mamas are not off the hook! Sometimes you have to teach your man how to treat your daughter. I have three sisters, so I had no clue what to do with these boys I've been blessed with. Dan lets me know when I've messed up because I don't get the male psyche. And Mamas, you have to call him out when he says or does something that you know would have hurt you if your daddy did it. I bet even men who had sisters are clueless when it comes to female emotions and self esteems. So we have to teach them. It's perfect that parenting is meant to be a team effort. We are in a position of great power; these children are captive audiences because they know not to interrupt, even if they feel they are being mistreated, and we don't always know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of our actions. Just tell him privately what he did wrong and a better way to handle that situation, so he can go fix it right away.<br /><br />We make all sorts of mistakes as parents, and the people we love the most end up feeling hurt. Even a tiny hurt still hurts. Those are the best - you just kiss it, and it feels better. A simple, "I'm sorry." is like a kiss on the boo boo to a little girl who is feeling hurt, but add in there an "I shouldn't have done that because I love you, and you are special to me," and you will have given her the band-aid that she really wanted. You will have just taught her not to accept behavior like that from anyone, not even from someone you love. You will have also shown her how simple and easy it is to apologize and forgive. This is one of the toughest things as a parent and in a marriage. I know it is for me. There were not many apologies in my house growing up, if any; I cannot think of one. Well, there was this one time, but he did not say it out loud. I just knew from his expression and comportment that he was sorry. It was enough for me; it meant the world to me, and I accepted it. In that one little moment, years of pain and heartache were erased. But I know I would have liked to hear him say it. And although it helped me to move forward, I still have a hard time giving or accepting apologies from my loved ones, the adults. I really want to. I am thinking it, but I do not and don't even know why. Life would be so much easier if I would just say it. It is hard to fix, but I am trying. Save your daughter that heartache. It is much easier to apologize to children. They have no baggage unless you give it to them; they are open and accepting and forgive you your faults even when you don't say you're sorry -- for a while. The time will come, as it did for me, when you will put up a wall to protect your heart. Daddies need to be there forever next to their daughters hearts, instead of walls.<br /><br />I hope they have Daddy/Daughter dances in every town and that we keep having them here. Otherwise, dim the lights, get out the strobe lights & disco ball, and put the telly on one of those fifty some odd music channels. You will have a lot more fun than if you were watch even your favorite TV program as a family. Maybe that's what we'll do since they only have the dance once a year. The whole family can dance together, and Savanna can get her wish and dance with Mama, too!<br /><br />Here's some more cute photos of them together. I tried to fix Savanna's hair, snip it a little to even it out, but I don't know how to fix it (after the Great Haircut Fiasco - see below for details).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYurIq6LqcIMxDU5zktl6Tsm-lKl3JIS0nx1PvxoZrNt_jhcbe69yToy6e3A3A4Jqvc2uWO1AxzlLWEcwnNMzVHPwxSrtkDKq2mxn_7lf887ITXVflRQuoGO6CA5iOyaDtwEb/s1600-h/IMG_0156.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166974763016086386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYurIq6LqcIMxDU5zktl6Tsm-lKl3JIS0nx1PvxoZrNt_jhcbe69yToy6e3A3A4Jqvc2uWO1AxzlLWEcwnNMzVHPwxSrtkDKq2mxn_7lf887ITXVflRQuoGO6CA5iOyaDtwEb/s320/IMG_0156.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtea_6BPw46wpTfXtMksRvwEQpbXS-4E_5bB9LN5P7RRCjHOlK1gP7EYLzI3zts_hm81PZ2_jdXdRp6g5LQFXTLBBuBozvCNp6I-3qvJrnioRiihhmrPDAGotAKmuDFc9XLH7b/s1600-h/IMG_0158.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166973229712761650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtea_6BPw46wpTfXtMksRvwEQpbXS-4E_5bB9LN5P7RRCjHOlK1gP7EYLzI3zts_hm81PZ2_jdXdRp6g5LQFXTLBBuBozvCNp6I-3qvJrnioRiihhmrPDAGotAKmuDFc9XLH7b/s320/IMG_0158.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsCQbgKHdt5NYZ2iURxZn61z973xdj9pUjMxXPIqZAxTv-agBnLv-EHfD0Qg6XW71PJTXqAUhoUxBUFj9JildQGoatHVhMmZrCDyjEqw8Rj2OGuh7K81ZBXyi926Ypxx8nBcP/s1600-h/IMG_0166.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166973242597663554" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsCQbgKHdt5NYZ2iURxZn61z973xdj9pUjMxXPIqZAxTv-agBnLv-EHfD0Qg6XW71PJTXqAUhoUxBUFj9JildQGoatHVhMmZrCDyjEqw8Rj2OGuh7K81ZBXyi926Ypxx8nBcP/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna loves to go "round round." I bought this as her special Christmas dress; I try to find ones that look like they will spin well. What little girl does not like a dress that twirls?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqUWaOiUvSzHqs8mfSVdgnMAoTdAXHwdfudUw2EOv1LVvsozd6Ljxm1t5AORhj7M1ou4Mwh_FhKoCp9i_3BasauXF5Obiic4V7uS1i4Etjx_9Mb7kwN8zOL6r7jlh6USRyocd/s1600-h/IMG_0169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166973251187598162" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqUWaOiUvSzHqs8mfSVdgnMAoTdAXHwdfudUw2EOv1LVvsozd6Ljxm1t5AORhj7M1ou4Mwh_FhKoCp9i_3BasauXF5Obiic4V7uS1i4Etjx_9Mb7kwN8zOL6r7jlh6USRyocd/s320/IMG_0169.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14TigDUz2GivP6ycNWbBKaOLDbc_Z_8PBQPo6QpxUbh9z9jmrvnsR94D4DfYJnE6-Fsfdn3GPzI6Sx4Ea6g_7P8vT14Ap-kuB2-fa5saHtwlut31IqS11fs4kVeQtKgDQ39Eh/s1600-h/IMG_0170.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166970927610290930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi14TigDUz2GivP6ycNWbBKaOLDbc_Z_8PBQPo6QpxUbh9z9jmrvnsR94D4DfYJnE6-Fsfdn3GPzI6Sx4Ea6g_7P8vT14Ap-kuB2-fa5saHtwlut31IqS11fs4kVeQtKgDQ39Eh/s320/IMG_0170.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgos9LaiU3de96fhr5IEh9EaVxPgC5PAD0HKkrKpkFVIiDmzSc-nzWWtGq3ztYzkJXF5dP5J7SsONAeM_Zn8Zf0buw8koXwdwVIi4Nt7KOAIOdUhiD4NCDpQtCVBPdz_IfxlR3h/s1600-h/IMG_0180.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166970936200225538" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgos9LaiU3de96fhr5IEh9EaVxPgC5PAD0HKkrKpkFVIiDmzSc-nzWWtGq3ztYzkJXF5dP5J7SsONAeM_Zn8Zf0buw8koXwdwVIi4Nt7KOAIOdUhiD4NCDpQtCVBPdz_IfxlR3h/s320/IMG_0180.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOEwCTGtkU7oBbUfrX2DXqsHXCZwoSRxuMW8bck638nwXP3QKVJ5MuKRnJdnyy_koBti_MKI-Fp2jZgRq5AMZtq-wULBcx9t04mu_Riqp3GcDYeqGlw9jTcgRqsmiquCnimmL/s1600-h/IMG_0181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166970949085127442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPOEwCTGtkU7oBbUfrX2DXqsHXCZwoSRxuMW8bck638nwXP3QKVJ5MuKRnJdnyy_koBti_MKI-Fp2jZgRq5AMZtq-wULBcx9t04mu_Riqp3GcDYeqGlw9jTcgRqsmiquCnimmL/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CLUdBGSNYSHKPDoshoprg6eiV9ukBvMqUkqzZZNTdWDrAmmUPMUitthfjMNYIMuNimqLJVkMg2BQnwmb_iOBjk8v6BNLJu1HK5GLJzPIuceLyaLlkpPAt7LgShQES468hwRu/s1600-h/IMG_0183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166970953380094754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CLUdBGSNYSHKPDoshoprg6eiV9ukBvMqUkqzZZNTdWDrAmmUPMUitthfjMNYIMuNimqLJVkMg2BQnwmb_iOBjk8v6BNLJu1HK5GLJzPIuceLyaLlkpPAt7LgShQES468hwRu/s320/IMG_0183.JPG" border="0" /></a>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-84053946036992166162008-01-21T15:16:00.000-08:002009-01-20T13:55:14.733-08:00Camera QuestI have been researching relentlessly and have found the camera that I would like:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9GNenfsXcE4D06TDG_k0ACpug7nFTSmYK1QBQwUfmjRtEzvCak0WC45V9rhFUL05y-0_N3AqMfuVi5qnh-ipM3wkX0OFde9pr2kPBZZjBV8fbW2q0hFpOYvhChKkYRqPVeZA/s1600-h/camera-front-angled.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158239029931935570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9GNenfsXcE4D06TDG_k0ACpug7nFTSmYK1QBQwUfmjRtEzvCak0WC45V9rhFUL05y-0_N3AqMfuVi5qnh-ipM3wkX0OFde9pr2kPBZZjBV8fbW2q0hFpOYvhChKkYRqPVeZA/s320/camera-front-angled.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />(Looks almost exactly like my old camera!) I was a little taken by the snazzy compact cameras because of how light they are, and that you can take them anywhere with you in your pocket or small purse. I was focusing on them at them first. But after researching the best compact cameras in my price range (and even some above), I was very disappointed with the quality of the photos, and they were also missing much of what I wanted in a camera.<br /><br />My broken camera is a Canon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Powershot</span></span></span> A75 with 3.2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">megapixels</span></span></span> and a 3X digital zoom which I rarely used because the photo quality was not that great. I think the only time I used it was at football practices! How funny. Once, I used it when we were at a UT football practice with Vince Young in his final year with the Longhorns - one of the many wonderful perks of being a Cub Scout. It was a bright afternoon, so even though they were grainy, we got some pretty good shots of him smiling and enjoying himself on the field. We also used it to take shots this last summer of the Cowboys training camp in San Antonio. It was an indoor stadium, so the shots were not as good.<br /><br />I have really loved taking pictures with it. I was able to use it right out of the box without reading the instructions. The manual is still in the box, untouched! Few things bothered me about the camera, but one was the weight. If you don't use rechargeable batteries, it's even heavier. My diaper bag is already so heavy, and carrying the camera, too, made it more of a back breaker! This newer one is probably not going to be any lighter.<br /><br />Another was the shutter lag time. You can't just keep shooting like you can with a 35mm, but the trade off is worth it most of the time because you get to see instantly whether or not you got a good shot, and you can keep trying and shooting without worrying about wasting precious film. But we did miss out on a lot of great candid shots. Sometimes you get a lot of posed shots because you have to ask your subject, "Do that again!"<br /><br />Also, it was quite annoying that you could only take 3 minutes of video at a time. So at Christmas and birthdays, our videos were just snippets. But it was pretty good quality video if we had good lighting.<br /><br />And finally, I ended up with many great shots that were fuzzy and blurry because my hand is not that steady.<br /><br />So I am very excited to have found the Canon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Powershot</span></span></span> A570 IS. The "IS" stands for image stabilization, so that takes care of that last little annoyance. Four years ago we paid about $300 for our camera, and this 7.1 mp (more than double!) runs $179. But I just found it on sale at Best Buy for $149 - pretty good deal I think. Payday isn't until Friday though, and I still have to crank the numbers to see if we can afford it. If not, I am pretty sure I can find it on sale again somewhere. This is a really good camera, better than our previous one at half the price.<br /><br />Even though it is not compact, I like that it uses AA batteries because I already have the rechargeable, so I don't have to buy an extra battery or mess with making sure I have charged batteries. A wonderful quality in a camera for a busy mom who has more important things to worry about. All of the compacts have their own proprietary rechargeable batteries. I have gotten caught without having any charged batteries before, and it is great to have the option of popping in batteries, even if you have to stop by the store. They don't last as long as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">rechargeable ones</span>, but this feature really comes in handy.<br /><br />Also, this one has the ability to take <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">continuous</span> video until your card fills up. Another annoyance resolved! (Best Buy also has 1GB <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SDHC</span></span></span> cards on sale for $30).<br /><br />I won't know about how I feel about the shutter lag time until I'm taking pictures with it, but I'm thinking it can only be better since everything else has been upgraded so much. I've read all the specs on it, and I really don't understand it because it all depends on the lighting, whether you're using the flash, if your subjects are in motion, and probably even more.<br /><br />Another plus is that I have been using Canons for years now. Why not stick with what works and what you know? My 35mm before we went digital was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Powershot</span></span></span>; it still works very well. It even looks a little like these do. After I replace my camera, I plan on giving it to my mom so she won't have to keep buying disposable cameras. I wanted to give it to her for Christmas before mine broke. I think she will like the quality of the pictures much better than the disposables.<br /><br />The camera also got great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">reviews</span>, especially this one:<br /><a href="http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a570-review/">http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/canon/powershot_a570-review/</a>. I think this is the same place I did most of my research the last time I bought a camera. For its price range, this is an excellent camera. I was especially impressed by the night picture:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUOIi45tLnI7LqVBnI8BJlc_hPetI1DkULOnZz28DMHPFRizLv5GE7YiWELMI-BcBLOk5oqDUBw2lUaK8EVPw4h_cmDL6fK02V49rgNq-ZX67C21CJp_5siQxBE7YCyvF0Utu/s1600-h/nightshot.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158235499468818242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUOIi45tLnI7LqVBnI8BJlc_hPetI1DkULOnZz28DMHPFRizLv5GE7YiWELMI-BcBLOk5oqDUBw2lUaK8EVPw4h_cmDL6fK02V49rgNq-ZX67C21CJp_5siQxBE7YCyvF0Utu/s320/nightshot.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />None of the compact cameras, even the ones quite more expensive, could compare in this shot.<br /><br />I never thought of this function before, but it also has "white balance" which is something you can turn on when in certain light situations so you get a more truer white rather than a brownish or greenish white. Maybe now I will actually tinker around with this. Check this:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9MtFE0RqicoQURlJhOti1Ze44jJsPe0jXnEMIh232UKdEE-_j15Fit_gm5Li-EbI5U5OhK18xyFVduIDMy3Y93twZSyC2ANYjUMtcCUG1GvnOfIIPZmy08Di0PKD1_V6kbV8/s1600-h/mickey-macro.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158235486583916338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF9MtFE0RqicoQURlJhOti1Ze44jJsPe0jXnEMIh232UKdEE-_j15Fit_gm5Li-EbI5U5OhK18xyFVduIDMy3Y93twZSyC2ANYjUMtcCUG1GvnOfIIPZmy08Di0PKD1_V6kbV8/s320/mickey-macro.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My old camera did have a lot of problems with red-eye, and I know when I finally have the time, I can go in and fix that with software if I can ever figure that out, or even with my handy dandy red-eye pen if I am scrapping a particular photo print, which is what I did with my 35mm photos. They've added a new feature where you can actually press a button to fix the red-eye in play-back mode. The reviewer was peeved that they didn't just make it so it automatically does this, but I am pretty impressed that you can do it at all. It will save me a lot of time this way!<br /><br />It still has the face detection. I noticed the green squares before when I would focus the shots, but never really cared what they were for. I just knew if red squares came up, then it was having difficulty focusing on anything. But it has a bright flash, so most of the time, I got a good shot anyway. the bright flash can be annoying sometimes when you want to take a close up, because you ended up with a big bright white figure rather than a face. But overall, I have really loved this camera these past years, and I am excited to be getting a better version.<br /><br />It even has a viewfinder for those situations where it's too bright to see the LCD. Since I'm usually trying to get the babies to look up at me making silly faces and voices so I can get their lovely smiles, I have developed a talent of knowing just where to hold the camera even without using the LCD or viewfinder. Sometimes I mess it up, but I have gotten some really great pictures this way, nothing like you can get when you are hiding behind a camera. You get lots of blank faces that way because they are wondering where you went!<br /><br />Now, the next step up from this camera, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Powershot</span></span></span> A720) is an even better camera that takes an even more impressive night shot (although the buildings seem to be quite bit more lit up this evening; that could be making a difference):<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zLgjcXTe5usf7BNXWxTPZa1Y5k_3_-w9XGPSnt4G8_cMuzQBkoernn0Lls_fyv99NoTJh9UFcva707r5XdktQSeWx5ZZqgqjHuCWej0yfCz_ucPU0V1Kxk7Mu_XZaC07xOXV/s1600-h/nightshotA720.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158242749373613922" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6zLgjcXTe5usf7BNXWxTPZa1Y5k_3_-w9XGPSnt4G8_cMuzQBkoernn0Lls_fyv99NoTJh9UFcva707r5XdktQSeWx5ZZqgqjHuCWej0yfCz_ucPU0V1Kxk7Mu_XZaC07xOXV/s320/nightshotA720.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But it costs twice as much <em>on sale</em> - way out of my price range. I just can't wait long enough to save up for this one. I am having to stretch for this one already, but I would rather wait for it than settle for something less. I could buy a $39 camera that is the same quality (3.2mp) as mine now if I have to and then give it to Dallas when I'm able to get this one. Hey, there's even one a step up from that one (A650 IS) that has 12.1mp; it must take some awesome pictures, but it's crazy out of my price range, even if I want to save up, and even if I had a job, too! However, this one is perfect for us. I think I would recommend it to anyone with kids who loves to take family photos, especially candid shots (I think the image stabilization is going to blow me away). Pictures are my most precious <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">possessions</span>, other than the actual subjects of my photographic obsession. Except I do not own them. I am blessed to be able to share memorable moments with them that I love to document with pictures. And even if I don't get any pictures, I will always have the memories.<br /><br />Patience, Carrie, patience...<br /><br />UPDATE: Got it! It takes great pictures. I like the image stabilization. Only negative for me - lag time between shots taken with the flash. I believe it is because it only has 2 batteries as opposed to my previous model's 4 (which had less lag time). In their quest to make the camera lighter, they sacrificed time, which to me is more desirable over weight. When you have little ones, you miss out on a lot in those 3 seconds, especially if you are having them pose. But overall, it is a really good camera for the price. The research paid off! You can see for yourself in the quality of photos you see after this date...Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-87352167054760969422008-01-14T07:32:00.000-08:002008-01-16T19:25:55.415-08:00IMO... Extra Sugar Free Gum is the Extra Best<p><span style="font-family:verdana;">IMO...</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">This is a new thing I am starting just for fun. I often have fleeting thoughts about things like, "Hmmm, this gum has given me quite a long run of enjoyment." Something you normally wouldn't say out loud, unless you feel the need to talk a lot, but a notion that has enough worthiness to become a transient thought. It normally ends there, and I go about my business of being a mom, etc, but what if I were to take that thought and run with it? Isn't that what editorialist's do? I have lots of opinions on many subjects, many of which are silly, many of which are serious, but all of which are influenced by my life's expereinces and are open for adjustment. I believe opinions that are not open for change, even the most adamant of opinions, are simply judgments - now, again, this is my opinion. And while there are many people who are experts in certain fields whose opinions are deserving of being judgments, most opinions are not backed by that kind of knowledge and expertise. Most opinions are just based on what we <em>feel</em> is true. So what I am saying is that these installments will just be editorials like those in newspapers or like Andy Rooney's musings on "60 Minutes". Andy Rooney gets on my nerves, however, I think because he comes off snooty and pessimistic, not qualities that I find amusing, and I think he is trying to be funny; or is he? So if my editorializing gets on your nerves, just skip the entries that begin with "IMO..." and continue to enjoy our family stories and updates. What's wonderful about the human brain is that you never know exactly what it is going to come up with next. Maybe I'll want to shed light on a serious subject that needs attention. But I think I'll most prefer to keep it light and whimsical; it lifts my spirit. Like today...</span><br /><br />First up: </p><p><u><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">IMO... Extra Sugar Free Gum is the Extra Best</span><br /></strong></u><br />This thought crossed my mind today, although not in those exact words. I changed it up some for artistic measure. I was especially tantalized today while waiting at the checkout stand by a flavor I hadn't noticed before: watermelon.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K3EI1THplw-Ru7PAQzSm1Uczww44xw7yXC1F3gx74UwCeFMR__hAT9uDGXy7C1GgMxiYEmmZLEFs843hwSvcnn4t0gb2m0tuSFLqT-lyn789mOx_IakMoFnAYbY57RaLubMa/s1600-h/Extra+gum.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5155323507347162882" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4K3EI1THplw-Ru7PAQzSm1Uczww44xw7yXC1F3gx74UwCeFMR__hAT9uDGXy7C1GgMxiYEmmZLEFs843hwSvcnn4t0gb2m0tuSFLqT-lyn789mOx_IakMoFnAYbY57RaLubMa/s320/Extra+gum.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I picked up a pack, and it is delicious, in my opinion, if you like artificial watermelon flavor. You can't really reproduce the wonderfully unique flavor of fresh watermelon. After chewing my gum for a while, my exact thought was, "This gum sure is lasting a long time," which brings me to this topic to kick around. <em>("This Gum Sure is Lasting a Long Time" didn't seem aesthetic enough for a title, my thoughts are never as articulated as the words I choose to speak; heck, as a mom of four, sometimes the words I speak are jibberish! So I doubt I will ever use the actual thought that piques my editorial interest as a title).<br /></em><br />They keep coming up with all these gimmick gums that promise you fresh breath and better dental health, but they only last about 2 minutes before you want to chuck it. They do give you a big burst of flavor in the beginning, but if you like to chew gum and enjoy the flavor for a while, Extra is your best bet. In my opinion, Extra is the best gum out there.<br /><br />Here's why:<br /></p><ul><li>It tastes really good for sugar free gum</li><li>The flavor lasts a really long time (20 minutes or more) compared to sugar gums which are devoid of flavor in only a few minutes</li><li>And because it's sugar free, it doesn't promote cavities. </li></ul><p>In fact, it prevents cavities better than those gimmick gums, in my opinion, because the flavor lasts longer. I'm no expert, but I believe sugar free gum works to prevent cavities when chewed directly after meals because the flavors cause you to salivate <em>a lot</em>, and that saliva flushes out all those plaque causing bacteria in your mouth. There's probably more to it than that, but I will leave you to research that on your own if you need to know.<br /><br />An oddity of my own which my husband finds particularly amusing and of which I have yet to find anyone who shares it with me, is that while chewing gum, when the flavor is all gone, upon the exact chew that is immediately following that last chew with the slightest hint of flavor, I invariably gag. Sometimes I can chew a few more times after that before I gag again, but I continue to gag, often after every subsequent chew, until I spit it out. It does not matter what type or brand of gum, I still gag, although I do gag more violently with sugary gums, therefore, I don't chew sugary gums! Occasionally, I am not in a position to remove the gum inconspicuously, although if I do not draw attention by spitting out the gum, I will certainly eventually draw attention with my incessant gagging, so I have to sometimes secretly expel it into a piece of paper or tissue. I refuse to turn it into that disgusting ABC gum (already been chewed) that we all have come to know and despise that you step into on hot asphalt and can never completely remove from the bottom of your favorite pair of shoes or equally ghastly, the ones you find stuck to the bottom of just about every desk at school. Usually, I try to keep the gum wrapper on my person, so I have the ability to stealthily tuck it away until I come across a trash receptacle.<br /><br />Gum chewing is fun and enjoyable and can be good for you. I've read that it can help with your concentration, the theory being that the act of chewing stimulates your brain, the hypothalamus in particular, which releases hormones that keep you alert. So if you feel yourself dozing off at work or in the car, rather than pump yourself full of caffeinated and often sugar loaded sodas or coffee, pop in a stick of gum! Another plus, in true MacGyver fashion, you never know when you might need that ABC gum to help you get out of a locked room that is about to blow up!</p>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-56402078217224481352008-01-08T23:50:00.000-08:002008-01-16T19:30:33.963-08:00The Great Haircut Catastrophe of '08<em><span style="font-size:85%;">(not to be confused with the "Great Haircut Catastrophe of 2000" - that one was with Dallas)</span></em><br /><br />Well, now I am not so sad about not having a camera.<br /><br />Savanna cut her hair today. Her beautiful, silky fine, honey blonde locks have been chopped to smithereens (sp? - is that a real word or did Yosemite Sam coin that one?) <span style="font-size:85%;"><em><u>side note</u>: I did a spell check and I had spelled it wrong; I wrote "smitherines." I looked up the etymology, and it is actually from an Irish word, smidiríní, which means fragments, or smithereens. You have now learned your one thing for the day!</em></span><br /><em><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></em><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Such lovely hair, no more!</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The horror!</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br />Oh, the humanity!<br /><br />Okay. It's not as bad as a zeppelin falling to the ground, but her hair was just so pretty in the cute little bob I cut for her a couple of months ago. I've only ever been able to do boy cuts and some boys have had to suffer some pretty awful cuts while I perfected my technique. But the only time I ever cut a girl's hair was when I cut my sister Catherine's hair when I was in the 11th grade. We were really, really poor that year. It was the year we could only ask for one Christmas gift. I asked for a Bible and got a really nice burgundy leather bound one with gold glittery paint on the page edges and my name engraved in gold on the cover - one of my most prized possessions. So haircuts were a luxury we couldn't afford, and my sister wanted a haircut. I said I could do it. I mean, it seemed so simple: just cut in a straight line. Oh, not so simple, my friend. I was trying to give her the same haircut I gave Savanna. I got almost all the way around her head, went around to the front to check out my symmetry and uttered, simply, "Ooops." Not something you want to hear when you are getting your haircut outside on the patio when there are no mirrors present! Poor kid; it was awful. I somehow was getting shorter as I went around, so it ended up much shorter than she wanted it. From years and years of watching haircuts and doing them on my boys, I have learned the proper technique to cut longer hair (just bobs, nothing fancy like layers). Savanna was my first actual try, though, and I was so proud of how it turned out. It takes me much longer than a hairdresser though. That's why they get paid the big bucks! Dallas's hair can take me up to an hour. He's got so much hair! And he wants it long, so it's tricky how to measure it because you can't use the fingers method.<br /><br />So I'm not so sad I do not have a camera right now because I do not really want a picture of this. Although I did not cry, so maybe it's not all that bad. Dallas cut his hair when he was about 4 also, must be a rite of passage. When I saw what he had done, I yelled my signature scream of surprise, "Oooooh myyyyy Goooood!" I said the "Oh" with an upwards inflection, then downwards for the "my", then back up again for the "God." Yes, I used the Lord's name in vain, something I am not proud of, but times like these were the only time I did it, and I really was asking God for help to get through it somehow; they were <em>that</em> bad! And they got to know it well and would scatter like cockroaches in the kitchen when you turn on the light. And so after I yelled my plea for help, Dallas knew he was in deep doggy poo. He just looked up at me with his whacked up hair and his big brown puppy dog eyes, and I wept. He cut it so close at the very front of his head, a big clump of it, too, that we had to shave his head so he didn't look like it was whacked off, which it was! It wasn't a buzz cut, either. It was literally all shaved off; we used Dan's electric razor that he uses for his face. I couldn't stop crying over it because I was so afraid the kids at school were going to make fun of him for being bald. He was in the PPCD program which is a pre-school program for kids with special needs, his was speech. But, amazingly, it was just the opposite. The kids absolutely <em>loved</em> it! Everyone wanted to touch it, and Dallas, whose love language is touch, was in his own Heaven. He became very popular and remained popular until he had to leave that school when we moved away. The PPCD kids were helped out by all the grades, so they got to know the whole school, but I think his special "do" got him some extra special notice. It would be nice if that was all it would take to help him get some friends now...<br /><br />We'll see what Savanna's new "do" gets her. Maybe it's not such a bad thing for your kid to give themselves their own chop job! They're probably going to do it anyway, so I say when they are around 4 years old, accidentally leave out a pair of kid scissors, and let them create their artistic masterpiece! It could be the best thing that ever happened to them up til then, or you could end up in the ER. Use caution taking any parenting advice from me. You'd think with 4 kids, I would know better. Just yesterday, Savanna found the same pair of scissors she used on her hair and had chopped up hundreds of tiny little pieces of paper all over the school room floor. I asked for the scissors; she brought them to me. I gave her a scolding and made her say, "I will <em>not</em> cut the paper." This works well, but you have to be specific with kids. I was specific, <em>too</em> specific. You know kids. For example, Dallas is running one fine day several years ago. I tell him to stop running, so he stops running as fast as he was but then keeps on running, just slower. So I say, "Stop running!", again, to which he replies, "I'm not running. I'm <em>galloping</em>!" Funny story, too true, but he was serious. This is my life around here. You have to be <strong>specific</strong>! I should have made her say, "I will not cut <em>anything</em> with the scissors." As I am quite flighty these days, I got sidetracked after our little discussion and just set the scissors back on my cluttered computer desk, shoving them underneath something so she couldn't see them in the meantime. By the time I got back to my desk, I had forgotten about the incident and could not even see them amid the mess. I hid them well enough from myself but not well enough from a 3 1/2 year old!<br /><br />So it was all my fault, this haircut catastrophe, for leaving the scissors out and for not being specific enough in my reprimand. <strong><em>Bad</em></strong> <strong>Carrie!!!</strong> You should <em>not</em> have left out the scissors! Say, "I will <em>not</em> leave out the scissors."<br /><br />I will <em>not</em> leave out the scissors... =-(<br /><br />And I take it back. I<em> am so</em> sad about not having a camera. Upsetting as it was, I love taking pictures, even when they are bad... =-)<br /></span>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-77346242472828890132008-01-01T02:09:00.000-08:002008-01-09T02:18:33.926-08:00Happy Birthday, Daddy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANms9_L32WO-NUzfIyZwSDI3tuonU_BXkIaBhDH26BZQgrEpu1t9a6LYAsrGYyg7eMzFIcG34yOESESugGLE1NUdA243CBBHxoWr9e-8wj490K1ZwkSBr_W0tjZUEJRqlRhtT/s1600-h/scan0031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153419110258181858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANms9_L32WO-NUzfIyZwSDI3tuonU_BXkIaBhDH26BZQgrEpu1t9a6LYAsrGYyg7eMzFIcG34yOESESugGLE1NUdA243CBBHxoWr9e-8wj490K1ZwkSBr_W0tjZUEJRqlRhtT/s400/scan0031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>He would be the big "6-oh" today. Happy birthday, Daddy, and Happy New Year!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv5ApEAD0ktAkiGa3UZvom7DtY5pAW9GwxpyNFxISGJmHwifItE1uWDOcxnHpEdBHaXfYCeB70gG7SfFfzUOd_1dIEWy0z9WAhvZOWDiqY2ubmIHWrPg_wP3fU0UOEIJEmWX1/s1600-h/scan0029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153417757343483602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyv5ApEAD0ktAkiGa3UZvom7DtY5pAW9GwxpyNFxISGJmHwifItE1uWDOcxnHpEdBHaXfYCeB70gG7SfFfzUOd_1dIEWy0z9WAhvZOWDiqY2ubmIHWrPg_wP3fU0UOEIJEmWX1/s400/scan0029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Always your daughter,<br />Carrie Lynn</div>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-87718805702683663192007-12-27T02:19:00.000-08:002008-01-09T05:09:38.063-08:00Ain't Got No Camera BluesIt's just killing me not to have any pictures of Christmas. My camera broke earlier this month, and we are broke, too, coincidentally. So no camera for me. Thankfully, I was able to take lots of photos with Nelda's camera (my mom-in-law), but I didn't bring any CDs to burn them on. So I will have to wait til next time we visit to get the pictures. I do have video though. I'll have to clip together a little video when I get a chance (still crashing from the usual "after Christmas" let-down).<br /><br />I made do during Bailey's birthday party by taking video with our little flip camera (you can snap photos from the video), and I broke out my good 'ol 35 mm from way back in the day which coincidentally is also a Canon Powershot like my poor broken camera. My dead camera was 3.1 mega pixels and was our major purchase that year, about 3 or 4 years ago, I think, and that was pretty darn good at the time. It cost us almost $300.<br /><br />I was just at Wal-mart pricing cameras to see how much I will have to save up to get one, and you can get a 6 mega pixel camera for $85. Wow. They sure have gone down in price. But just like last time, I will get on the net and spend a good while researching to see how I can get the best bang for my buck: the features that are important to me for the least moo-lah. This time around, one of the most important features for me is the shutter lag time. I loved my Powershot; it took some really great, clear pictures, but the shutter lag time and time between shots was a little annoying. When you are trying to get a good shot of all the kids in front of the Christmas tree and you miss that split second money shot when they were all smiling at once - you just want to curse because it ain't gonna happen again. That was it. I keep trying for several minutes more; I always do, but it just ends in someone crying, someone screaming and the rest sighing in agony wondering when it will end!<br /><br />Image stabilization also would be nice, but I'm not sure if I can get it in my price range. Gotta research! I will have to save up for a few months or more (taxes are due at the end of January, this time of year is always hard for us, especially if I have not done a great job at the budget, as is the case for this year - still not used to having 4 kids), but I would like to spend under $200, might have to settle for less than $150, depends on how I can control the budget. Pictures are precious to me, so maybe I will be motivated to do better this year.<br /><br />I've already started planning my budget. I have a simple Excel spreadsheet Dan made for me to keep track of expenses and so I am not late on any bills. Email me if you want a copy: <a href="mailto:carriemays@gmail.com">carriemays@gmail.com</a>. Although I am sure Quicken or something like that is probably much better because it does the math and all, but this works really well for me. I got a calculator right here. I ain't afraida no math. It is like my Precious Moments bill organizer that I got from the kids' school fundraiser that ran out after December. I made it last for 2 years. In my own makeshift organizer, I print the table for inputting data on one side of card stock paper, then cut another piece of card stock into 2 pieces. I take one of those pieces and hot glue it to the back of the paper on the bottom, so it is a pocket for keeping your receipts and bill statements. I make 12 of them, one for each month, hole punch it and put it in a pocket brad folder, so you have more folder space for other things like stamps for mailing bills, special statements like taxes, etc. It's really nice to have all that stuff handy in a folder like that in case a bill doesn't come in the mail, or if you are like me mail just gets scattered around the house by little gremlins, so you can see the date it is usually due and look at the previous month to get the amount you paid. With 4 kids, right now all that I can seem to do right is make sure the kids are fed like they should be, and I only get that right because I have 4 kids saying "I'm hungry," every few hours. They might not always tell you they've pooped their pants, but they will surely tell you when they're even slightly hungry! Anything else is easily and most surely forgotten unless I have some sort of reminder set up, like my bill book, my Google calendar, the alarm on my watch. My life: crazy and unpredictable. And right now, not being documented with pictures...<br /><br />I hope to rectify this soon. I'll check back later with my camera research!<br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:180%;color:#000099;">Happy Holidays!</span><br /><span style="color:#006600;"><em>and my favorite holiday saying...</em></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>Jesus</strong> is the <em><strong>Reason</strong></em> for the Season!</span>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-19698639405065197332007-12-10T20:26:00.000-08:002007-12-10T21:30:20.920-08:00Bailey Turns 2 Today!We just had a small family party - well, not that small since there are six of us! Bailey is still getting over a cold, but he had some good fun tonight at his birthday bash.<br /><br />If you have time (about 11 min), here's a video mix (on Google video) of Bailey's 2nd birthday party: <a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-398799161677780126"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Party Video</span></strong>. </a><br /><br />I love the look on his face as he watched his lit up cake when we sang happy birthday to him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqmdrbxRIt9StR76jqO1VhW9G8D2JVGuSahryJU6Wgn5ORJjm5CExWRg66wMUhhDa5BH-O8iBYj7xp0FnTTztsmQYtY1iy3Z-IlLIudMvq6a3KcvCfwEhURUkfjDKKJq18oPU/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142575747982371842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghqmdrbxRIt9StR76jqO1VhW9G8D2JVGuSahryJU6Wgn5ORJjm5CExWRg66wMUhhDa5BH-O8iBYj7xp0FnTTztsmQYtY1iy3Z-IlLIudMvq6a3KcvCfwEhURUkfjDKKJq18oPU/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He seemed to enjoy himself, and we had fun watching him enjoy himself. We recycled some of Savanna, Dallas, & Noah's old toys, but he didn't care. He's my clean little man; he was sure to pass along his pieces of trash before continuing to unwrap his gifts so as not to make a mess with the wrapping paper. It's really funny if you listen to what Savanna is saying in the background as Bailey opens the gifts. She was there when we wrapped a couple of them. Of course, she was a little jealous, so we gave her a recycled gift as well. You can hear some of Bailey's words - trash, ball, car (go-go), Chelsea (for "dog," our dog's name), and also his screaming to get attention amidst all the chaos. Plus, he ate chocolate cake without making a mess on his clothes or eating area, a HUGE improvement over last year. I'm sorry you couldn't be there, but it was short and sweet, just like Bailey likes (he's little on patience), so enjoy the video!<br /><br />Happy Birthday, Bailey!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F4bsgs5O9nY-2yfEMqw_fApxY9vnSD_8VkqK7WEPb5zMk9KZ5i1SLT32Kh1o_YoYIXDdC0y1-HKvhrK6DJUuUKX4AS7FtRONYHGMfzMc_MjX_ISzLuZNMA0SHioOLS0wTXTV/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142583118146252002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1F4bsgs5O9nY-2yfEMqw_fApxY9vnSD_8VkqK7WEPb5zMk9KZ5i1SLT32Kh1o_YoYIXDdC0y1-HKvhrK6DJUuUKX4AS7FtRONYHGMfzMc_MjX_ISzLuZNMA0SHioOLS0wTXTV/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's some more photos from the birthday bash:<br /><br />Peek-a-Boo!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU5KMVtjC_1zxLjX8tGFPN9lnoJQMc0eN0fr6nOvwVMDBFt7uZH8pX0XLNuhJviMRlc5XyE0JTLa66EMFG_YEmPz2t9bH-O28-GbFF-OgUpIB1MtBjkP8qb_Y3PN_9uqlyE-7/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142575756572306466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGU5KMVtjC_1zxLjX8tGFPN9lnoJQMc0eN0fr6nOvwVMDBFt7uZH8pX0XLNuhJviMRlc5XyE0JTLa66EMFG_YEmPz2t9bH-O28-GbFF-OgUpIB1MtBjkP8qb_Y3PN_9uqlyE-7/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Mmmm, chocolate cake:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZF9EF2fBj2amkQzDMxBd6CBietepEmewNjXguKmbXi2kHZ_7uK6D9jS1Om6zeQ7mi7vSEz08kHp8VFhkRdMCh363sv1Y8OLU_oytn_eD72dFY5ZWGfYtNCMSD-eER2OLC4ML/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142575760867273778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOZF9EF2fBj2amkQzDMxBd6CBietepEmewNjXguKmbXi2kHZ_7uK6D9jS1Om6zeQ7mi7vSEz08kHp8VFhkRdMCh363sv1Y8OLU_oytn_eD72dFY5ZWGfYtNCMSD-eER2OLC4ML/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00001_1_8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4qVYaHfUuXDwLePMVpsBpqkXKxXzBG5DoMLKbkcOqry0UzEXndGpS9w5zhwvfz4ZE3LaMkChBYqwhmCba8WUOe3uGTabedKuWoyeLGVTnrg7YibgqBK2erB9-Ua3Ccr6VLJM/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576160299232338" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4qVYaHfUuXDwLePMVpsBpqkXKxXzBG5DoMLKbkcOqry0UzEXndGpS9w5zhwvfz4ZE3LaMkChBYqwhmCba8WUOe3uGTabedKuWoyeLGVTnrg7YibgqBK2erB9-Ua3Ccr6VLJM/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A "ba-ba"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYkCXv-AFC3ZnfUflkW0qDxLUpezZc9dLCGkztGre8prmQ3_Gre9KyiZvMshAhO74YUxGcX3MOJz9VL2IqyuuXamu_dVibGFEcCwt2CU8dVnhwdaO6-wW0Ifx0D-FKPK3LV1i/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576156004265026" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYkCXv-AFC3ZnfUflkW0qDxLUpezZc9dLCGkztGre8prmQ3_Gre9KyiZvMshAhO74YUxGcX3MOJz9VL2IqyuuXamu_dVibGFEcCwt2CU8dVnhwdaO6-wW0Ifx0D-FKPK3LV1i/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />A "go-go"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK9IHp0pGxDQcC36Uc9dNY-7kFMG1QnymGv4c7-fH2J-UDbVgEJyss6QGkgTbZbZCYiH0qxmLmFL4zZpqP3Q-8Ke84fslUxHG7PxLIvGVQ5j6V034VmCZMDjo9hHMEiDIHE2M/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576164594199650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoK9IHp0pGxDQcC36Uc9dNY-7kFMG1QnymGv4c7-fH2J-UDbVgEJyss6QGkgTbZbZCYiH0qxmLmFL4zZpqP3Q-8Ke84fslUxHG7PxLIvGVQ5j6V034VmCZMDjo9hHMEiDIHE2M/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_7.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hello?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOu3Z0ePaeB_tCCOWlu46vZZsJ2BNpJZPNsIUsuie-mdLk4tGC7jIWh6ojYlsLKrFIj45xep2VSBCIkHhUgQq84BmwBfI-EgRMQr08m2qdh6DLWzKCVZbvrsHKG7hxbp5IWomX/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576164594199666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOu3Z0ePaeB_tCCOWlu46vZZsJ2BNpJZPNsIUsuie-mdLk4tGC7jIWh6ojYlsLKrFIj45xep2VSBCIkHhUgQq84BmwBfI-EgRMQr08m2qdh6DLWzKCVZbvrsHKG7hxbp5IWomX/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_8.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Right here, Savanna said, "It's a box of shoes!" We all got a kick out of that comment!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMp7okFZdkjIt6Fc2DZHlYCpiIx49Q4YVsNuiBpvReadN4BCyS_91fK4nfKnR0I99YaPC1GAIHF-AI01HEynuIm5KNp1r8JT_3lV_T5_ivV1f_wns4qyOALnCmRJXIdFFjsNa/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576748709751938" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoMp7okFZdkjIt6Fc2DZHlYCpiIx49Q4YVsNuiBpvReadN4BCyS_91fK4nfKnR0I99YaPC1GAIHF-AI01HEynuIm5KNp1r8JT_3lV_T5_ivV1f_wns4qyOALnCmRJXIdFFjsNa/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna's gift:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedH3LUllKqJRzlz_ie-1ILTYwi5W2Sm_dtt8Xb5furHJJgMuGaVDOEnUzq7P6wLPjKDzMxSy1wQx3bMSyz5XxytHnQa5f7Wb-zQYk3vydnsT0a7LHE17bNgL8UJGKczsoJxGl/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_19.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576757299686562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedH3LUllKqJRzlz_ie-1ILTYwi5W2Sm_dtt8Xb5furHJJgMuGaVDOEnUzq7P6wLPjKDzMxSy1wQx3bMSyz5XxytHnQa5f7Wb-zQYk3vydnsT0a7LHE17bNgL8UJGKczsoJxGl/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_19.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv2mVx6T7grRGOKYCg0s2Y_c3Fq-6xGk2cvEiYIfA_rr-NChbrDyhRMZx6nR1utcHIXh1bjRGnvjDKmGMtjjlNV0KJwGtIaxPW2r4bPypvEtafY8ZgJ-xvIOD1FihYJFwZfDs/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_20.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576761594653874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYv2mVx6T7grRGOKYCg0s2Y_c3Fq-6xGk2cvEiYIfA_rr-NChbrDyhRMZx6nR1utcHIXh1bjRGnvjDKmGMtjjlNV0KJwGtIaxPW2r4bPypvEtafY8ZgJ-xvIOD1FihYJFwZfDs/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_20.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Checkin' out the go-go:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWh3LJlO_zR0gWL_kY2mqZIqh6pwogTsajT23o3xFDp8YsWlg8AtdqZVNeMqmybaZznG4sHvteNGCPYssGBn_3b0qRE4z3h1FNWAMfRDUl2or8W_Bcetw-9WbUiWPpy1vDsBt/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_25.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576765889621186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWh3LJlO_zR0gWL_kY2mqZIqh6pwogTsajT23o3xFDp8YsWlg8AtdqZVNeMqmybaZznG4sHvteNGCPYssGBn_3b0qRE4z3h1FNWAMfRDUl2or8W_Bcetw-9WbUiWPpy1vDsBt/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_25.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Daddy's girl:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM1zB5CA4lshfeztrctXrWjuIf32F8ltPS1s1KFtzxQYWkqHlHH1n5Z_5cd75VlcHS4ocpAA2DQhu-KUZTEBUTjR-KdySmDh6sn7rBucrqcecj6Fir0gdHCZYjMd2L4-irHWt/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_33.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576967753084114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM1zB5CA4lshfeztrctXrWjuIf32F8ltPS1s1KFtzxQYWkqHlHH1n5Z_5cd75VlcHS4ocpAA2DQhu-KUZTEBUTjR-KdySmDh6sn7rBucrqcecj6Fir0gdHCZYjMd2L4-irHWt/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_33.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bye-Bye!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BI-5Q5KjMgTPvcg7xyTL1JTJmkFd3OSR8VKRFL9WQ4SU3i1EMukKS4vSjuUjjYF9aYhGcqd1aYqKs1TYK3CcrrP5Xic1Xe91PC1DPVKp4WZ80PQ5qA7XzGd71UjnJWrY40Ii/s1600-h/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_17.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5142576753004719250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BI-5Q5KjMgTPvcg7xyTL1JTJmkFd3OSR8VKRFL9WQ4SU3i1EMukKS4vSjuUjjYF9aYhGcqd1aYqKs1TYK3CcrrP5Xic1Xe91PC1DPVKp4WZ80PQ5qA7XzGd71UjnJWrY40Ii/s400/Dec+10+2007+-+VID00002_1_17.jpg" border="0" /></a>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-21604304361421609412007-11-16T21:02:00.000-08:002007-11-18T02:47:42.120-08:00Savanna & Bailey Get Their 1st Haircuts TonightBailey, almost age 2: I cut his hair first because he was sleepy (bedtime was the best time for this because he is a wiggly little critter!), so he could go to bed. Little kids have commented that Bailey looks like a girl. Adults probably think it, too, but kids are very frank with you. Adding that he carries around a pink "buddy" as his comfort item doesn't help, so I figured it was about time to give him his first haircut. His hair does not grow very fast like Savanna's whose hair was already halfway down her back by age 2.<br /><br />Check out Bailey's Buddha belly. Rub it for good luck! He eats all day long; he eats more than I do!<br /><br />Before:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tQ2GaOGb_8QGZmOhGErGiFSBdHw1L69DyKpwPJD21XG3SWeBwl6aSn5DdZ8w27J0fDSG1gu55cw9K0n9Lp4sd9Z6hFLxapTpBweFLEAiFMVc8rIbmNEQ7dmAQUEtATrVh7q8/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133677452573817698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6tQ2GaOGb_8QGZmOhGErGiFSBdHw1L69DyKpwPJD21XG3SWeBwl6aSn5DdZ8w27J0fDSG1gu55cw9K0n9Lp4sd9Z6hFLxapTpBweFLEAiFMVc8rIbmNEQ7dmAQUEtATrVh7q8/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />His eyes are still hazel for now, for those of you who voted. They could still turn brown!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOW3KcqIMOXls4_CkXEJzYRfNh4h7DpCj6iErHu6TdW1gzUi72-I2SJwgJP2DX4T0nzEg9YP26eambscAL7zC3vAa-pxfonfjVdHT0iy-n1_KcF8O_iD81VWjKBTqdTVBXpuqb/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133677461163752306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOW3KcqIMOXls4_CkXEJzYRfNh4h7DpCj6iErHu6TdW1gzUi72-I2SJwgJP2DX4T0nzEg9YP26eambscAL7zC3vAa-pxfonfjVdHT0iy-n1_KcF8O_iD81VWjKBTqdTVBXpuqb/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey getting his hair cut:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3lGMDmnhqCg8LGiyAyb8gOtzL166_Ef89HeJ3PR0kPYImVMsJHnlpqVBoG-apuOqaXQX8PdAK3BPrI2DRdCaFI4Rg-AK8ycabvl-y7WGlQNuKkxNL01Jez3aieXmvO5UTyA0/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133677465458719618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib3lGMDmnhqCg8LGiyAyb8gOtzL166_Ef89HeJ3PR0kPYImVMsJHnlpqVBoG-apuOqaXQX8PdAK3BPrI2DRdCaFI4Rg-AK8ycabvl-y7WGlQNuKkxNL01Jez3aieXmvO5UTyA0/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z6GDsQtee4zYNGCm7WM4l1lU4HoGpU_3KlzL90qCFMy9wYfiXL7T_lNSeatcyGhJ11Pd8wtVybfv93bujLqboNwCb3v4dHsaAGmHw2yfOk0oXKNvH2KUsp48US9HcK8pzDW0/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133675996579904306" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5z6GDsQtee4zYNGCm7WM4l1lU4HoGpU_3KlzL90qCFMy9wYfiXL7T_lNSeatcyGhJ11Pd8wtVybfv93bujLqboNwCb3v4dHsaAGmHw2yfOk0oXKNvH2KUsp48US9HcK8pzDW0/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Such long lashes. Why do the boys get them?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRoVGzDh5wwxScTYpkVLVoAzhMhliND4ZuyCcmCmrOjSoZ5hpRMZy8iqR5JcZqMb0yZB9UzRZiSaWRWbqgDDn0wrOohynnXqNujMTW7e3WZHQa0pTohR7A11C3nDPba9hRhS5/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133676000874871618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRoVGzDh5wwxScTYpkVLVoAzhMhliND4ZuyCcmCmrOjSoZ5hpRMZy8iqR5JcZqMb0yZB9UzRZiSaWRWbqgDDn0wrOohynnXqNujMTW7e3WZHQa0pTohR7A11C3nDPba9hRhS5/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007040.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rUPtYTmxFGlTIAIt6A6DyYmCtutBwOCLE54PWr2ecxtbNoqYJcZQSPOY6gUig8Soy0IkXUfj2G9W05BUGd0WCNtIQAs9Ic4h1oT6STsxltO7kebWLVd1C7ePIohSaMzBaovg/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133676013759773522" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rUPtYTmxFGlTIAIt6A6DyYmCtutBwOCLE54PWr2ecxtbNoqYJcZQSPOY6gUig8Soy0IkXUfj2G9W05BUGd0WCNtIQAs9Ic4h1oT6STsxltO7kebWLVd1C7ePIohSaMzBaovg/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Savanna, age 3.5: This is Savanna's first haircut, well, second really, if you want to get technical. I took her to a really inexpensive salon on April 14th (Dan's birthday) to get rid of her split ends since she just turned 3 and had never had a haircut before at all. She loved that and was very good for the hairdresser. I wanted to get it shorter then, but Dan wouldn't let me. Here's some shots from that day:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiGWAYWt7PrTmH4PFH4WR9_tpVIiYiwN7UUi7vRRWhlFWXDXxgPf6d3-hrksMTqQjtRkINqizFRXP3gPqxBS335tkXwrGJIfgqri_gzgz4i4nYWdd_CzQPcNr5npky9VXyFt4/s1600-h/IMG_4569.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134121492062682082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiGWAYWt7PrTmH4PFH4WR9_tpVIiYiwN7UUi7vRRWhlFWXDXxgPf6d3-hrksMTqQjtRkINqizFRXP3gPqxBS335tkXwrGJIfgqri_gzgz4i4nYWdd_CzQPcNr5npky9VXyFt4/s320/IMG_4569.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc51dBfTrBdMsAOXvtoLXlgdXJmmwxz7lkYhlNllqA3tkGETE01jV8yyXNjjTLkb1HHLTpDa8sgipwlIWYZ_FYp-a4U-05Aq-VAKWyl2DxbBm-pcb0jx9pxzQB0D2WoUu6Izl/s1600-h/IMG_4571.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134121500652616690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpc51dBfTrBdMsAOXvtoLXlgdXJmmwxz7lkYhlNllqA3tkGETE01jV8yyXNjjTLkb1HHLTpDa8sgipwlIWYZ_FYp-a4U-05Aq-VAKWyl2DxbBm-pcb0jx9pxzQB0D2WoUu6Izl/s320/IMG_4571.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmnKbo3-UbRtASObsEkua3PH5riydH_mCXFFzutQJ36hIgr24wSqoEeSaRy5YCysNpjnytUBDYGxFWBpLEHbveEGUokUKcO6s18LID2NdRFeMXtJoURVFrIKsTe7VjcCgJj1u/s1600-h/IMG_4572.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134121513537518594" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmnKbo3-UbRtASObsEkua3PH5riydH_mCXFFzutQJ36hIgr24wSqoEeSaRy5YCysNpjnytUBDYGxFWBpLEHbveEGUokUKcO6s18LID2NdRFeMXtJoURVFrIKsTe7VjcCgJj1u/s320/IMG_4572.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna has been asking me for a haircut ever since Dan and the boys came home after their haircuts a couple of months ago. Dan wouldn't let me cut her hair before now because he really liked her long hair. He also likes my hair long while I myself would prefer shorter hair. Savanna's hair is so fine that it tangles easily, especially since she is always touching it while she eats and getting food all up in it. She scratches her head and tosses and turns a lot in her sleep, so her hair gets all ratted up. It's so fine that when we try to brush out the massive tangles, her hair breaks off. I have wanted to give her a bob for a long time now, and using the argument about the tangles, I was able to convince Dan to let me cut her hair. I love braiding Savanna's hair. I won't be able to do this anymore, but I have pictures! (from May 11th):<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTcXTPANIq0W1aMmqGnGg-kSmfl3vo1HZ-7G1SIZ8XpGNzujlYlL5VqoRSRJfMecIkuwAkr5keILdAJ5Bd9Cdt7jSXhoj8dyQyDICpAaoqNXhXv35Br1whposklT0GRDWJLG2/s1600-h/IMG_4595.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134128707607739426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTcXTPANIq0W1aMmqGnGg-kSmfl3vo1HZ-7G1SIZ8XpGNzujlYlL5VqoRSRJfMecIkuwAkr5keILdAJ5Bd9Cdt7jSXhoj8dyQyDICpAaoqNXhXv35Br1whposklT0GRDWJLG2/s320/IMG_4595.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmupU9idAb7pV9F729PIYiGD6TV6rwNJ6u-hAZGnjeCx5CQGxB_vYApryjuLUjdBcXzCARD0kUGK1wCl16-IZk7bpGct1s5A-TksFpR7LEF7hBYECUN6zpR8yBpH30azpTRXA/s1600-h/IMG_4615.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134129712630086738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmupU9idAb7pV9F729PIYiGD6TV6rwNJ6u-hAZGnjeCx5CQGxB_vYApryjuLUjdBcXzCARD0kUGK1wCl16-IZk7bpGct1s5A-TksFpR7LEF7hBYECUN6zpR8yBpH30azpTRXA/s320/IMG_4615.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1XFvzdFeObFqB2yVIU1Jepew0TGUhbOFCLdV9oVHG3saxJMLySJhcucHq-0j3PA0owHfMLNevaZdQMkKdhv3FHzhLQfL3ngvNAz8M9RRPnEPwY06NDph5Q_7w_gU5qxz5bpE/s1600-h/IMG_4616.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134128711902706738" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1XFvzdFeObFqB2yVIU1Jepew0TGUhbOFCLdV9oVHG3saxJMLySJhcucHq-0j3PA0owHfMLNevaZdQMkKdhv3FHzhLQfL3ngvNAz8M9RRPnEPwY06NDph5Q_7w_gU5qxz5bpE/s320/IMG_4616.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Don't you like that you can see Dallas's beautiful eyes in this picture?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1V7P_prsHbYQE2oGV-1OoxT4iq6D9jtLmCiEeBPYNaNR_B_Y1wTHpjm8acVuHtlsuzae4cIIjvbp49N-i25RMnJiCXaGGa1T9QtaMEgQSTE-02EMdEsGqWQdo6vLbk2_shq2/s1600-h/IMG_4630.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134128716197674050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-1V7P_prsHbYQE2oGV-1OoxT4iq6D9jtLmCiEeBPYNaNR_B_Y1wTHpjm8acVuHtlsuzae4cIIjvbp49N-i25RMnJiCXaGGa1T9QtaMEgQSTE-02EMdEsGqWQdo6vLbk2_shq2/s320/IMG_4630.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I'm sure I'll get more chances to braid her hair when she gets older. She looks very pretty with her long honey blonde hair, but I can speak from experience - it is soooo high maintenance! And Savanna is not your girly girl. She has 3 brothers!<br /><br />Before:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpKsQ6hg2OAQBopX5fz1HbcJPFQvSg0u3quVHcz5I7r6t3Az9Ejcd22Rsl87npOIwVsROC8n5v4pCF8RDtL0eN6SrgG3ZLO5jRpR2aMlV6FVww-jz0EMASB6ONxZFKTdVk8Cy/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133674974377687810" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivpKsQ6hg2OAQBopX5fz1HbcJPFQvSg0u3quVHcz5I7r6t3Az9Ejcd22Rsl87npOIwVsROC8n5v4pCF8RDtL0eN6SrgG3ZLO5jRpR2aMlV6FVww-jz0EMASB6ONxZFKTdVk8Cy/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007046.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfdw-nBPx0HsNbyOTTuJkLVS5fgpzVGAaGnPOFAl78ldK1SVWH_XnihXB9ZSRI7G-N-xVS6JbLKEFYISRQH1gGGDfLkrq-pqUk3E8OuKS5qaGjFq7UdM8zPQqBawoBGe7MqAb/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133674987262589714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfdw-nBPx0HsNbyOTTuJkLVS5fgpzVGAaGnPOFAl78ldK1SVWH_XnihXB9ZSRI7G-N-xVS6JbLKEFYISRQH1gGGDfLkrq-pqUk3E8OuKS5qaGjFq7UdM8zPQqBawoBGe7MqAb/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here we go!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDJYDE6qNMFi92BDKtVtmlH5GH4n2dyKkADXKMt-TGrhijQDnqlc42hZCWXO5j6oWsHPELXSpeSNFZDswKO4_QQFfe0rH-NSz_CbuQ0V44VsIekhyphenhyphenMJoMNF-RIZsJuyaLL1yQ/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133675000147491618" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDJYDE6qNMFi92BDKtVtmlH5GH4n2dyKkADXKMt-TGrhijQDnqlc42hZCWXO5j6oWsHPELXSpeSNFZDswKO4_QQFfe0rH-NSz_CbuQ0V44VsIekhyphenhyphenMJoMNF-RIZsJuyaLL1yQ/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna checking out her hair:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvnGZ39bVjw7solRODTaanGaZzO8_kdMKYiCdntZrOLwbvknVCLpbrG5rDzOyQj335tWQIcwe40jOFXt1FEo-YB58DxvPyZDMJ1Oll2sUahWCfM9bW6NlWJ0tddC7hJWFwjZC/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133674235643312850" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfvnGZ39bVjw7solRODTaanGaZzO8_kdMKYiCdntZrOLwbvknVCLpbrG5rDzOyQj335tWQIcwe40jOFXt1FEo-YB58DxvPyZDMJ1Oll2sUahWCfM9bW6NlWJ0tddC7hJWFwjZC/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007053.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />It doesn't look like a lot, does it? There was so much breakage from tangles.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-Y8jTQEwO4dgPFLt9lkKGCGhyphenhyphenHK2mVQolnPIfyXVQ-S7zs7HZHSGlMTPlAHwHFd-MvLgwnOk3vFqdSkGIF_RjR8SG6rpqH2VgIQ8ehlcXYYuPCo5cKDzxoJJXYhwLc-mmKiZ/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007054a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5134125344648346642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-Y8jTQEwO4dgPFLt9lkKGCGhyphenhyphenHK2mVQolnPIfyXVQ-S7zs7HZHSGlMTPlAHwHFd-MvLgwnOk3vFqdSkGIF_RjR8SG6rpqH2VgIQ8ehlcXYYuPCo5cKDzxoJJXYhwLc-mmKiZ/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007054a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBp-TMlRDvKttddKygwEfTnscL8aWd1ghoshoEVl77uj9fxIX4rF-F3dNHxwue5RU5x_PdGRNswejmgb5ZvHIhI_-nl-v9mCxSGVB0H740A_Fb1Pc9FhUMCkt0v5pJrWu1lTn/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007060.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133674257118149362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBp-TMlRDvKttddKygwEfTnscL8aWd1ghoshoEVl77uj9fxIX4rF-F3dNHxwue5RU5x_PdGRNswejmgb5ZvHIhI_-nl-v9mCxSGVB0H740A_Fb1Pc9FhUMCkt0v5pJrWu1lTn/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007060.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt9IuJlAVxFffrRbNn6DUTX9kAYVwB51DRyRwLAyX6L_j9WDHIjZuD-ftSA9WxCQR4u22sQjKj5e5B79_sOemzyHaoNYIXMTz7h3WNv-yVYC2UPspD68hUAU8aAZiKiIvKvNT/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133673488319003298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilt9IuJlAVxFffrRbNn6DUTX9kAYVwB51DRyRwLAyX6L_j9WDHIjZuD-ftSA9WxCQR4u22sQjKj5e5B79_sOemzyHaoNYIXMTz7h3WNv-yVYC2UPspD68hUAU8aAZiKiIvKvNT/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007065.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The back, after it's been blown dry:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_a-trsLZuqe8GGH0o4ESJxmcHJayhexLtWoWs3UC05e837zRbOafPqTufbmEJ5L_2py-QlamKogybN434XgZ2x6Izp_oRPoTFTm8uMTTH3ASWZ0kVIQRAmLhld7Uekjk1WqE/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007067.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133673496908937906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_a-trsLZuqe8GGH0o4ESJxmcHJayhexLtWoWs3UC05e837zRbOafPqTufbmEJ5L_2py-QlamKogybN434XgZ2x6Izp_oRPoTFTm8uMTTH3ASWZ0kVIQRAmLhld7Uekjk1WqE/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007067.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjAkrjTQ3nKGCxhaHm2bvKN6UkEX1qV5sZSlQebyHTqn3qxBL0NqpPxQDe0A6e3Ck2fTny0YVlyJ_MJAU54QPcfMLmLXSR37OgQz7iQNixdrdgpW76MiHWNlpJHShN3UsO-ho/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007069.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133673505498872514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWjAkrjTQ3nKGCxhaHm2bvKN6UkEX1qV5sZSlQebyHTqn3qxBL0NqpPxQDe0A6e3Ck2fTny0YVlyJ_MJAU54QPcfMLmLXSR37OgQz7iQNixdrdgpW76MiHWNlpJHShN3UsO-ho/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007069.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcuRsVnJ4iGIEbKK8aITdZq4d5swgPyoFlc5Fsvt_BaetPXZsdQhbVP48Dq3JSSQ0tvEHnlPe5n8yRBEPY9556DQCJgfnx3HUCyCbbQrKW8ZpibAde2G0abuW0oDvT9qu8QZk/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133672058094893634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcuRsVnJ4iGIEbKK8aITdZq4d5swgPyoFlc5Fsvt_BaetPXZsdQhbVP48Dq3JSSQ0tvEHnlPe5n8yRBEPY9556DQCJgfnx3HUCyCbbQrKW8ZpibAde2G0abuW0oDvT9qu8QZk/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007074.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5VNH2cCxbKffNh85HfKhDdyjeWStIPUs03RNjjVb0RwrNIHObfa8T2QkokFIoKRC0WKU9Ha9Et0oWdOTkjvdaZl_i0ZlRn8pN8Ciwbt8LI4hGS_KhtDNfwZBz1O-qA53C2mD/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007078.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133672066684828242" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5VNH2cCxbKffNh85HfKhDdyjeWStIPUs03RNjjVb0RwrNIHObfa8T2QkokFIoKRC0WKU9Ha9Et0oWdOTkjvdaZl_i0ZlRn8pN8Ciwbt8LI4hGS_KhtDNfwZBz1O-qA53C2mD/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007078.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />What do you think?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDo5jlw_UoLgLJLnv0SKsQtwi6YNOk_hrBePHxBTr-q-7TAeqkoNtjjYlUH0VfhE1o4acTEGo5ohHEptJDHwSoKyG-semrIzweJVMQp_opX9ArfwUuIlej2btE5LFaVViyP-Um/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007081.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133672075274762850" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDo5jlw_UoLgLJLnv0SKsQtwi6YNOk_hrBePHxBTr-q-7TAeqkoNtjjYlUH0VfhE1o4acTEGo5ohHEptJDHwSoKyG-semrIzweJVMQp_opX9ArfwUuIlej2btE5LFaVViyP-Um/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007081.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's Noah. His haircut is still working for him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFVEN4pQDwMFRuvcyNdt6dv_UuCi7k5jEPCMsyIrABbuqZVZ3s3TOzc-azkBw6OAaFHHpaydrGkZcbClc5s40_m5O2bJyqnxHNJXuQ6UBdhtYXEOOUXXJ0OIdW6acRR3egBA6/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007063.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133682104023399330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFVEN4pQDwMFRuvcyNdt6dv_UuCi7k5jEPCMsyIrABbuqZVZ3s3TOzc-azkBw6OAaFHHpaydrGkZcbClc5s40_m5O2bJyqnxHNJXuQ6UBdhtYXEOOUXXJ0OIdW6acRR3egBA6/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007063.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm still trying hard to convince Dallas to let me cut his hair! I think he would look a lot more handsome if you could see his big brown eyes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoDNKmtt57UhLfdffk6QUmJMOKhmJENpB-Gh6iJz63K8x-a55WBumjxLr4HUx-SIJhvmxd0qVXxYpNebC7m-TFDHHBhIzRVkSBBlgoqmSkVJE_87u51WZE6ewk1I0_CYZU9gi/s1600-h/Nov+15,+16+2007059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133681262209809298" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoDNKmtt57UhLfdffk6QUmJMOKhmJENpB-Gh6iJz63K8x-a55WBumjxLr4HUx-SIJhvmxd0qVXxYpNebC7m-TFDHHBhIzRVkSBBlgoqmSkVJE_87u51WZE6ewk1I0_CYZU9gi/s320/Nov+15,+16+2007059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Maybe if I could get some comments saying whether you like it now or would like to see him in shorter hair. Maybe you can convince him to get it cut or convince me to let him keep it long! (Click on "comments" link below.)Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-51438743464657417062007-11-15T19:56:00.000-08:002007-11-16T22:02:38.325-08:00Pics of Cailey RaeMy neice, Cailey, Candace's daughter.<br /><br />Here she is smiling at J.C.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7SJ8w40LE9WhQb51MR06Dfrpnj4zRro0bNWMwnkUYPi4hUDl5AnoejKPhwEx2ElIeu96XF6zJUzCTQEJHXzC_0NJxsYENfj1sD9F-AWlLHYcrM5edIXochXOM3qC4nfxQhhz/s1600-h/PB120773.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133684556449725362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7SJ8w40LE9WhQb51MR06Dfrpnj4zRro0bNWMwnkUYPi4hUDl5AnoejKPhwEx2ElIeu96XF6zJUzCTQEJHXzC_0NJxsYENfj1sD9F-AWlLHYcrM5edIXochXOM3qC4nfxQhhz/s320/PB120773.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Snoozing with daddy, Jody.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy2aNTMV4_0bk6gPZihr6ffdZ1CXecJ2vACPvu9IRxEXYVy-LENrS3qCDqQ1-ZAajMSVxti9n5HrUcJKLY0msvxsfNlj5gXjqcZX8EYp_wL2d1hszIgBCVWvv2Jlg7NtOR2Oq/s1600-h/PB150778.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133684560744692674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOy2aNTMV4_0bk6gPZihr6ffdZ1CXecJ2vACPvu9IRxEXYVy-LENrS3qCDqQ1-ZAajMSVxti9n5HrUcJKLY0msvxsfNlj5gXjqcZX8EYp_wL2d1hszIgBCVWvv2Jlg7NtOR2Oq/s320/PB150778.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Taking a nap. Candace is a frog freak, can you tell?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCIAYzkCY2hGEDzAxyw1Ty4tDC6Rn-QbLbXdcR3VksiQJe3iWMMdWhNmBC3CUCCVriI6mTqdf3TvRfDDvep0E8jaM8MJM1t7F5ytOeQh_O1k8C1pwJXDeUfYocFyykAHowIvM/s1600-h/PB150779.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133684569334627282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCIAYzkCY2hGEDzAxyw1Ty4tDC6Rn-QbLbXdcR3VksiQJe3iWMMdWhNmBC3CUCCVriI6mTqdf3TvRfDDvep0E8jaM8MJM1t7F5ytOeQh_O1k8C1pwJXDeUfYocFyykAHowIvM/s320/PB150779.JPG" border="0" /></a>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-37818547557122227012007-11-07T09:25:00.000-08:002007-11-16T19:08:16.307-08:00John's Marching Band Performance and a Labyrinth of Digressions<div align="left">Check it out, not the performance from yesterday, but one of their performances of the same routine: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ncc4kZ55g">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-ncc4kZ55g</a> - 8 minutes. Dan's little brother John is in there somewhere. He plays trumpet.<br /><br />We spent the day yesterday in San Antonio at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Alamodome</span></span></span></span>. Why, you ask? To watch John's band perform at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">UIL</span></span></span></span> State Championship. It was cool. I wish we could have gotten there earlier to see more, but it would not have been wise. We have four kids, two of them toddlers. Need I say more? Well, if you want or need audio substantiation behind this and many other choices we make in similar situations, I've loaded up the only "picture" I got from the trip. And, yep, that's me laughing myself into tears, literally. It really is true, not a stereotype at all, that insane people laugh a lot, You know, they're coming to take ma away, ha ha, ho ho, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hee</span></span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hee</span></span></span></span>, to the funny farm where life is beautiful, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">et</span></span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cetera</span></span></span></span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">et</span></span></span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">cetera</span></span></span></span> - What is that from, by the way? As usual, I digress. But, seriously, try listening to that full blast for 3 hours and see if you don't go just a <em>tiny</em> bit insane. You can't tune it out. Dan wants to get me an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">iPod</span></span></span>, says it would be worth the investment, but I am skeptical. I can hear it from every room in the house. They can probably hear it next door! Dallas and Noah did none of this when they were small. They were such fine little gentlemen (at least that's how I remember it, but my memory can be a little fuzzy because I also said I would never get pregnant again after Noah because pregnancy was so uncomfortable! Never say never - I really stop myself now before I say never and end up having to change the phrase to hardly ever). This "fuzzy memory" is why I thought it would a good idea to have another, and then Savanna waited until right after Bailey was born to start the screaming. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hmmm</span></span></span></span>. Is there a correlation there? Well, she taught Bailey very well, so now they double team me. She gets that from me. The teaching part. Not the screaming! The first time you hear it, you jump, because the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">frequency</span> reaches a tiny little section in your brain that is reserved for those special irritants that get your attention immediately, like fingernails on a chalkboard, that "this is a test of the emergency broadcast system...", Dan's favorite: teeth scraping against your fork, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">bloodcurdling</span> screams - wait - that's what <em>they</em> do! And it really feels like they are poking my brain! God was so wise to give them to us when they are so small and helpless so we can fall in love with them with that forever kind of love or else, well... or else! I can't say why else because I just can't imagine why anyone would hurt children, no matter what they do. That's what the laughter is for! I am possibly one of the most tightly wound people I know. I am almost always like a stack of books that is really high, and it can only hold maybe one or two books. You're not sure though if it's one or two, heck, maybe you've got comic books and can fit ten or so. I should be so lucky. With me, they usually pile on a dictionary! So if I can endure this on an almost daily basis, then anyone can. I can teach you: laugh! It really does help. It drives them crazy though. They don't understand what is so funny. Oh, right, I continue to digress. What was I talking about? Oh, yeah. John's band was awesome, man! The kids liked it, too, which was a plus. Hey, you notice the good times and enjoy them so much more when you suffer sometimes (or lots of times!). Which reminds me, I got a CD from <a href="http://www.saintjoe.com/">http://www.saintjoe.com/</a> called "15 Things to Do in the Midst of Suffering" by Jeff <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Cavins</span></span></span></span>. I haven't listened to it yet, but I wonder if it mentions that. Jeff <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Cavins'</span></span></span> "Great Adventure" DVDs are great also, that's what I went there to get. I saw it in RCIA, but it is so much information so fast, I want to listen to it a few more times, and have Dan listen with me, too. It's a Bible timeline history power packed on 4 DVDs. Great if you appreciate seeing "the big picture."<br /><br />I have suffered from depression for most of my life, but when I have thoughts of suicide, I pray, actually I have conversations with God and Jesus and it always starts like this: (PAUSE - I don't get to this til the end of the post, I digress many more times, so you might want to just stop here and come back later when we post some family stuff! The following is just some personal journaling I did for me, really, and for others who suffer from depression or know someone who does). Of course, first I am crying. Not just crying. <em>Bad</em> crying. A good cry - yes, crying can be good. In a good cry, your lips tremble first because you are trying not to cry, and then the tears start welling up until finally one falls. You can't count it as a good cry unless you let the tears fall. Otherwise, you are stifling your emotions, which is not good. Stifling too many good cries can turn into a bad cry, the kind of cry you have and think "where did this come from?" In a good cry, sometimes you sob a little, sometimes you don't. A good cry isn't necessarily about anything at all but a compilation of things that you just need to let go. Like when you cry because you dropped the flour all over the floor. It's not about the flour or your clumsiness. And a good cry alleviates pain, never causes pain. You feel better afterwards, not like you are just stopping crying because you don't have any more energy left or because you have to go fix dinner, thus the stifling. When you are this deep into depression you don't just cry. Your body heaves. You have trouble breathing because the sobs are so heavy. You hurt in a place that is not anatomical or else people would be getting that body part removed all over the place, and it is the worst pain you have ever felt. I have had a kidney stone, countless migraines, broken feet, been in many car accidents, and gone through four natural childbirths, yep that's right, no painkillers or anesthetics, just an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Enya</span></span></span></span> tape, Dan's hand, and lots of breathing. I'm one of those people more afraid of the big needle in my spine than of a little pain, and if there is a drug-free way to cure something, that's my first choice. Just say No! So of all those painful things I've experienced, depression is the most painful. It <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">hurts</span> your heart. The first time I heard that phrase was from the mouth of a babe. From Dan's brother, John, the same John in the video above, when he was three. Someone did something that hurt his feelings and he said "You hurt my heart." His phrase. Children are the most clever of humans. A child of three knows where his feelings come from without ever going to medical school! When you are depressed, you hurt in your heart. The dictionary says "pain and ache usually refer to physical sensations (except heartache); agony and anguish may be physical or mental," but that is not true. Whoever wrote that has never suffered from depression. It does hurt, very badly. And just like when people who are in great pain wish for death, so do the depressed. The pain <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">fuzzes</span> your brain so much that either you can't remember when you last felt good or you view those memories through skewed lenses, the opposite of rose-colored glasses. Sometimes you dismiss the thoughts of suicide because you realize how much you would be hurting the people that love you. Or if you are feeling like no one loves you, you do not want to make a mess on their floor or worse not die but leave them a vegetable they have to take care of and hate you even more. So I couldn't have met Jesus at a better time in my life because I certainly would not be alive right now and neither would Dallas & Noah & Savanna & Bailey. From one soul to four. I was just reading about rats because we watched the Ratatouille DVD last night, great movie, and one article was about breeding rats. The person writing it said that you should only breed rats to to help better the species, so you don't want to breed rats with defects. Huh? If that's the case, then I shouldn't have had children at all. All the way to age 18 (when I fell in love for the first time), that was my choice. I hardly dated at all, didn't even kiss a boy until I was 17, and the only reason that happened was because this boy was seriously flirting with me. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Unbeknownst</span></span></span></span> to me, he flirted with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">everyone</span>! I mentioned in passing I had never been kissed (ah, the allure of a conquest), and then he became <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">quiet</span> suave and said all the right things, particularly, he greeted me always with, "Hey, gorgeous" with a devilish grin that sold it, even to me who <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">hardly</span> ever ever believed compliments, rare as they were, but always believed disparagement. A boy I had a huge crush on in junior high used to call me flat chested. He also <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">commented</span> frequently about my huge honker. It was torture. Even though I was almost always first chair, which is supposed to be represented by the seating arrangements in an orchestra, I was forced to sit in between him and another kid who was not mean. The object of my affection was usually second and Mark was third. Mark and the meanie (as he will <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">thus forth</span> be known as to protect his identity; he eventually quit orchestra, ending my crush - out of sight, out of mind, out of heart - so not many people will be able to figure out who he is. Like most childhood meanies do, he grew out of it and stopped doing it after junior high.), they were buddies, and geniuses at cutting up. So how does she fix this? By punishing me, making me sit second chair between them. This did not stop them from cutting up. Like I said, they were geniuses, I always fell for the smart ones. Not the lookers that everybody loved. That's too easy. I like challenges. I liked him before he was mean to me, but I didn't stop liking him when started calling me names. For the most part, they stopped cutting up when she was conducting or lecturing but as is the nature of first year orchestra, she was often going over to the violins to give some one on one instruction. They needed it most - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">oy</span></span></span></span>!. Add to the head splitting noises list: novice violin playing. I originally chose violin but scratched that the first time I played it. It hurt my brain! So it was between cello and viola all the way up to the night we bought my instrument. I would have chosen viola because it was cheaper; I was afraid we couldn't afford the cello. So I told my parents I could not decide, and my dad said he liked the cello which was cool because so did I. Anyway, when she was helping them, the meanie would say things like my nose was in the way, I was as flat a<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">s</span> Kansas, etc. ha ha. He thought he was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">soooo</span></span></span></span> funny. So I would move my fat nose so he could chat with his buddy. It was torture. Pure torture and so unfair. I mean what was the point in even trying out for 1st chair when the only time I got to sit there was at concerts - <em>he</em> got to sit there, the <em>meanie</em>. The injustice. I mean, really, I'd rather have my nose than his, but I never made fun of him. Love is blind.<br /><br />Now, these things never came up when I was listing all the horrible things about myself when I was depressed. Lucky for me, I don't care what I look like, although I do prefer to be well <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">kempt</span></span></span></span>. I never cared about looks, or else I never would have kissed that boy. He was very skinny, sort of dopey looking actually. He was a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">kikker</span></span></span></span> which I was not into at the time (this is what you called them fellas that wore cowboy boots and tight jeans and listened to country music, from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">KIKK</span></span></span>, which I believe is no longer a country radio station), and he smoked. So my first kiss was against a pool table in his garage, country music in the background and tasted of carrots and smoke. It was nasty and delicious at the same time, a lovely paradox. Why carrots? He ate carrots because he thought this would get rid of the smoky taste. That doesn't work by the way, in case you are looking for tips on hiding <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">smoke</span> smell. Nothing works, not even brushing your teeth and eating breath mints or chewing gum. It's on your breath and your hair, and especially your fingertips. (Believe me, I know. I might write about it some other time as to why, but I smoked for a couple of years <em>after</em> my dad died). My parents smoked, and I hated it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Every time</span> I opened my backpack, I was greeted by smoke wafting from my satchel. I tried for so long to get them to quit because I loved them and did not want them to die. I even wrote a research paper on the effects of smoking chock full of resources and even photos of blackened lungs; I worked very hard to be sure I would get an A on it, so I would have a reason to make them read it, because I love them. They got mad at me though. Who would have thunk it? That didn't stop me from trying. I didn't think it was a hopeless cause because after I became Christian, it irritated me immensely, like fingernails on a chalkboard, when they said "GD." To me, it was literally like someone was cursing my Father. You mess with my family, you mess with me. Every time they said it, I would simply say "Gosh Darn it!" I was offering them an alternative. This is exactly how I discipline my children, go figure. You do what works without hurting someone, even if they are hurting you. It took a few years, but they eventually stopped doing it. They just said dammit. Still cursing, but a compromise. I'm quite persistent when I want something. It's ironic what they listed as Dad's cause of death: nicotine addiction. It's like I knew. I think God was telling me because He knew how much I loved him, preparing me for what was to happen. My life is such a complex maze filled with twists and turns, and I sometimes keep ending up going down the same path over and over which is okay because I am smarter each time I go that way again and I see something new that I didn't notice before. It's like in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">RCIA</span></span></span></span> when I was learning about the structure of the mass and the Bible. When you see the "big picture" you have one of those "aha" moments and the thing that was an enigma to you before is now this beautiful thing that you want to keep looking at because you just cannot believe how beautiful it is. Life is beautiful. It's a gift that you are not supposed to return, or you will hurt your giver's heart. Ultimately, this is what saves me from myself when I am suicidal. When my soul is aching, I think of Jesus on the cross (I had to stop just now to cry a little bit, a good cry).<br /><br />When my soul is aching, I think of Jesus on the cross and of his suffering. He was human, like me. He suffered, like me. But it wasn't his bodily wounds that hurt him. It was his heart that ached. The Sacred Heart of Jesus. He loves all God's children with that forever kind of love, because you loved them from the beginning. The kind you can't get rid of even when your children are hurting you or screaming at the top of their lungs, pushing your "crazy" button. You forgive all those things because your Father forgives you. Study the Theology of the Body some time. <a href="http://www.theologyofthebody.net/">http://www.theologyofthebody.net/</a> Even if you are not Catholic or Christian, it is fascinating. I missed most of the class on that because we had to go to the church to practice something for baptism. My curiosity was piqued, however. It's works like this that explain why Pope John Paul II was pope. I used to think it was sort of awful for the Catholic Church to be so ornate and that the money could be better <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">spent</span> on the poor and needy. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">But I</span> think differently now. I believe the churches are so beautiful because they are a reflection of the beauty of love. The love God has for us, and the love that we give back to Him, as is spoken about in the Theology of the Body and is represented in the mass and the Trinity, the love that goes back and forth between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Although even the poorest of churches are also beautiful. My favorite church is still the one I went to in Reynosa with my friedn Anna on a missions trip with our church. It was beautiful because you could see God's love reflected in the people, all of them, and when you can see that in the midst of such poverty, it is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see). Oh, boy, I am digressing again. It's one digression after another. But digressions can be a beautiful thing, especially when you are reflecting.<br /><br />Back to the no dating (I went the wrong way with that, again with the maze metaphor), part of that was because the boys weren't asking but mostly it was because what's the point? I was thinking scientifically, like the rat lady. The point of dating is to find a mate and propagate the species, and I was not planning on propagating. Logically, with my genes, it would not be wise. My favorite class in high school was anatomy. Partly because Mr. Dennison was super cool and mostly because I was amazed by the human body and wanted to figure out what makes it work. My favorite class in college was microbiology (when I was a nursing major, my second favorite was Library Science, ha ha, also science but it was a Children's Literature course). Most people feared microbiology class, it was legend at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">TWU</span></span></span></span> because it was hard to pass, but for me, it was a breeze because I was so fascinated. I wanted to know all these little bugs that I couldn't see but knew were there. Knowledge really is power and getting to know about something you are afraid of helps you fear it less. I was a self-proclaimed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">germophobe</span></span></span>, I cringed at the sight of door knobs. This first began when we studied pond water in 6<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">th</span></span></span> grade life science, or was it 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">th</span></span></span> grade? Anyhow, before this I was completely unaware of an entire race of beings that were everywhere but we couldn't see. I once revelled swimming in Lake <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">Livingston</span>, but after this, I never did it again. Once I touched a door knob, I could feel the bugs crawling on my hands until I washed them off. Hand sanitizer was invented for freaks like me! I settled down quite a bit after microbiology, but what really cured me was having a baby. You'd think the opposite and that I would get more narcotic - ha ha. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">Freudian</span> slip? nah! - I meant <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">neurotic</span>! It took me a few seconds to find the word but I kept saying narcotic - it was making me neurotic!!! Babies are so dirty. Dirty, dirty, dirty. But they are also so cute. Cute, cute, cute. And how can I look at something so cute and imagine him covered in all those nasty little bugs? I would go insane, well, more insane. So I gave up. I still wash my hands after every diaper change (Hand sanitizer does not cut it. I can still feel the bugs, they just smell better!), but that's not crazy, that's good sense! But spit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">up's</span></span> okay. Not vomit, but spit up is different than vomit, similar to the 3 second rule. The more time it's in there, the more yuck factor.<br /><br />Well if you've made it this far into this post, then you must really care about knowing me, and I will share with you one of my most private moments that I don't normally share. I am not looking for sympathy, but empathy rather, and to help others who are sad. Misery does <em>not</em> love company, but it helps. I have realized that the more people I tell about depression, the less power it has over me. Plus, it helps to have people who can notice you are getting sad; they often do before I do. Sometimes the downward spiral is gradual, like when I was pregnant with Bailey. Sometimes it is sudden, like after my dad died. There was a time not too l<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">ong</span> ago when I could not speak 3 words on the subject of my sadness without bursting into tears. It was taboo. People ask, "how are you?" all the time, but we are all trained to say "fine." I usually ponder the question for a bit before I answer while I carefully decide if this is a person I tell the truth or just say"fine" to save them the agony of having to listen to my answer to a question they really didn't want to know the answer to. I am even more careful now that a loaded question like that got me into a lot of trouble and turned my world upside down, twice in fact. Both times, however, the consequences ended up being worth the trouble. Something very bad happened, but then something very wonderful followed, both because of the incidents. I can't wish it didn't happen. So you may want to stop playing with me because I am broken, but I hope that you won't. I suffered alone for so many years, hiding my feelings from most everyone. You do it because you are afraid no one will love you or those that do love you will stop because you are broken, like the toy a kid loves and plays with until it breaks and gets thrown in the trash. I, however, was devastated when my mom threw away my cookie monster because she kept having to sew him back together. Could be why I have clutter issues; I have trouble throwing things away. Could also be why I always root for the underdog, even when they are not so nice, like Tom, Wile E. Coyote (I didn't want them to actually eat Jerry or the Roadrunner; I just wanted them to get to taste victory), or when they are persecuted like Jesus and like the American Indians and the Jews when I would read history stories. Empathizing would leave me in tears. When you suffer alone, you suffer twofold because you do not allow anyone to help you. No one can help you if they do not know. But you will always fear that telling people will make them go away because they do not understand. Some people, as in the case of my first real boyfriend, freak out because you are crying because they just don't know how to deal with you when you are that way. He thought I was crying because of something he did because it was just too odd a concept for him that I did not know why I was crying. His way to get me to stop crying was to cover my face so I couldn't breathe or eventually to hit me (just once). Well, yeah, that works (I never cried in front of him again after he hit me), but it's not the best way to help someone who's depressed. If someone you know is crying a lot for no reason or even for good reasons but <em>a lot,</em> then they might be depressed. What would be better is to find someone who is experienced with depression and ask for help dealing with this person. Then, if you care about this person and want to keep them in your life, read a little bit about depression. It's not that complicated really. Just imagine a time when you felt really sad about something, like maybe when you found out someone you <em>really</em> loved died. Imagine feeling like that all the time with varying levels of sadness, but it just won't go away, no matter what you or anyone else does. I have even been told I like to be sad. What? Who likes to be sad? Yes, sometimes I feel more comfortable being sad, and it is a little tricky coming out of a depression because you feel comfortable with the sadness. Not feeling sad is new, and you have to start learning to act and react differently to things. If you can relate to what I am saying here or know someone who has depression, then you are not alone. You are never alone. Even when you are in the deepest darkest hole, so deep that you cannot see the light anymore, you are not alone. Jesus is right there in your heart, even if you don't know Him or believe in Him. He is the lamp unto your feet, the Light of the World. Go to church, any church that you feel comfortable with, and ask for help. Even if you are not Christian and have no plans on becoming so, you will find help. I used to think that the mass was boring, that people were just chanting those prayers from memory and not really feeling and that if we all pray the same, we must be boring God to tears. It may be that way for some, but it's good to memorize prayers and pray them together. God loves it, He loves the other way, too, and I believe it is part of his plan for us. When you are most desperate and delirious with sadness, it's hard to make words, complete thoughts and sentences. But prayers, just like the ABC song, can <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">become</span> glued to your brain and not escape your mind when most other words do. When you have prayers that you learned when you were young deep down in your heart and mind that you learned when you were most impressionable, these prayers are part of who you are. This is what I hope for my children. Even if they end up in a different religion or no religion, which is highly unlikely but their choice to make, they will have the strongest foundation that I helped lay for them. And who doesn't enjoy or feel a sense of pride when they look at something they helped build, no matter how tiny your part was in the process; even better when others are in awe of your creation. Mom, Dad, look what I did! These prayers are weapons and shields against the demons in your life, whatever they might be. Pray the rosary daily, and it will heal your heart. The sorrowful mysteries are the salve for the depressed. I did not know about the rosary when I had these conversations with God, but I was meditating on the sorrowful mysteries. If Jesus could suffer such grief for His children, so can I. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">EWTN</span> shows The Holy Land Rosary every day. I have a little booklet called "The Seven Day Bible Rosary" that I got from <a href="http://www.presentationministries.com/">http://www.presentationministries.com/</a> (they have lots of little publications you can get for free, well nothing is <em>really</em> free, it is run on donations.) It has all the prayers and a good explaination of how to pray the rosary. So depression makes you want to die, but you really don't want to die. The sickness makes you <em>think</em> you want to die. And you know yourself better than anyone, so you can be pretty good at convincing yourself. When I have a migraine, I beg Dan, seriously, to chop my head off. He never does, though. Immense pain makes you want to die. My first suicide attempt was when I was 12. I became Christian when I was 13, just in time. Here is what God and I talked about, between the gut wrenching sobs. It's amazing my parents never heard me:<br /><br />Why?<br />Why can't I die?<br />It's not fair when there are so many people who want to live.<br />Why can't you take me and let them live?<br />It's so unfair.<br />Please, please, please take me.<br />I want to be with you so badly.<br />I love you so much.<br />If you loved me, you'd take me.<br />Please, please kill me.<br />They would all be so much better off without me.<br />Nobody loves me, I'm a waste of space.<br />Please take me.<br />I want to be with Jesus and You.<br /><em>Please</em> help me.<br />Make it stop.<br />Please, make it stop, make it stop.<br />It hurts so bad, I can't do it anymore.<br />I'm stupid, and will never be good at anything.<br />I'm not worth it.<br />Why?<br />Why do You love me?<br />I'm so <em>mad</em> at You for loving me.<br />I could be free if it wasn't for You.<br />Why, God, why?<br />Please, please, <em>please</em> take me.<br /><br />There is no such thing as an unanswered prayer. God answers all prayers if you listen to him. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">And the answer to the questions, why? I didn't know then, but He helped me through it. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to. Talk to God. He is a very good listener. Why does He love me? Just because I'm me. Why do you love your children? Same thing. You will love them whether they are flipping burgers at McDonald's or if they are the one that cures cancer. You will even love them if they are murderers or criminals, because you will never stop hoping they will change. Even the darkest heart can change. And every soul, no matter how flawed the vessel may be, is given the gift of life and deserves a chance to experience life and love.<br /><br />These conversations would go on for hours, at night, alone in my room except when we had Twinkie. When she diappeared, I was devastated; my depression worsened because she made me feel better. She was a fickle cat, most are. Like Candace and my children, I loved her with that forever kind of love because I also held her when she was a baby. She sat at the foot of my bed, but when I cried, she gently stepped up to my face, licked my tears and then sat there until I finished, periodically rubbing my face with hers. She would let me hold her, pet her, she purred her shaky little purr. Many times it kept me from having a bad cry. Some might say that she just wanted to lick the salt off my face, but I know she was giving me kisses and hugs. She knew I was hurting and wanted to help me. I believe God gave her to me. I picked her because she was the runt; she had a crooked tail. She was the undercat!<br /><br />I faught so hard with God because I believed that people who commit suicide go to Hell. I no longer believe this. I believe God saves children who are not able to choose Him and the mentally infirm because they also are not able to make healthy choices. God is a loving God and would not punish you for suffering from an illness. I did not fear Hell because I felt like I was already there. My fear was that I would not get to see Jesus. Jesus saves, He really does. Like the song that speaks my heart, "I'm waiting for a another time and another place", but not before it's my time. It's a beautiful song these words are from. It was on a tape an amazing woman made for me of inspirational songs; her name is Julie Hrachovy. Another in the line of souls God placed along my path to help guide my way through this complex maze of life. They have a 30 second clip of the song on Amazon.com, but you should really find a way to hear the whole thing. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">I almost forgot the little clip of the kids in the car! Remember, there is no video, just audio. I couldn't see them either, but trust me, they were there! Here you go: <strong><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8868279638820175532">clip 1</a></strong> and <strong><a href="http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7329218825208450162">clip 2</a>,</strong> only 3 minutes each (ha ha: <em>only</em>), for you anyway, this went on the whole way home, for three hours. You may feel the urge to turn it off after the first few seconds, but come on, don't - you can <em>do</em> it! Clip 2 is not as daunting, but it is also not as good, in my opinion. But what do I know? I believe this was taken about halfway back home. This seems like a messy hodge podge when in fact, it was a carefully orchestrated literary masterpiece. HaHa, I'm kidding. I had no clue where I was going with this, but your mind is just like a filing cabinet and when you open a folder, there are index tabs and sticky notes all over the place, so while your studying one thing, you come across something else that demands your attention and then while you're doing that you notice the "also see ___" byline, so you put that folder down and go looking for the other one. But the first folder you see when you open that cabinet, which has nothing to do with your orininal query, grabs your attention, so you start reading that one. You're totally gripped by this subject until you remember that's not what you were there for, so you go back to the one on the floor but leave that one out, so you can finish it later. This is my writing process, but somehow, I manage to tie everything together most of the time. I love that. To come full circle, back to where this labyrinth began, John was the wise little 3 year old sage who put into the best words possible what it feels like to be sad. It "hurts your heart." He's seventeen now and at the same age I was when I suffered one of the deepest, darkest, depressions of my life. I literally faught for my life (with God) almost every night. I cannot imagine John being depressed. It would hurt my heart, and I would want to fix it. I just realized today is the anniversary of my daddy's death. I guess that's where all this is coming from. You can read these lyrics now to change your mood. It's a powerful song. It might make you cry. A good cry.<br /></div><div align="center"><br />~~~~~<br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;">Another Time, A</span><span style="font-size:130%;">nother Place</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">by Sandi Patti, duet with Wayne Watson</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">Album: Another Time, Another Place</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">~</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I've always heard there is a land</div><div align="center">Beyond the mortal dreams of man</div><div align="center">Where every tear will be left behind</div><div align="center">But it must be in another time</div><div align="center">There'll be an everlasting light</div><div align="center">Shining a purest holy white</div><div align="center">And every fear will be erased</div><div align="center">But it must be in another place</div><div align="center">~</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So, I'm waiting for another time and another place</div><div align="center">Where all my hopes and dreams will be captured</div><div align="center">With one look at Jesus' face</div><div align="center">Oh, my heart's been burnin'</div><div align="center">My soul keeps yearnin'</div><div align="center">Sometimes I can't hardly wait</div><div align="center">For that sweet, sweet someday</div><div align="center">When I'll be swept away</div><div align="center">To another time and another place</div><div align="center">~</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">I've grown so tired of earthly things</div><div align="center">They promise peace but furnish pain</div><div align="center">All of life's sweetest joys combined</div><div align="center">Could never match those in another time</div><div align="center">And though I've put my trust in Christ</div><div align="center">And felt His Spirit move in my life</div><div align="center">I know it's truly just a taste</div><div align="center">Of His glory in another place</div><div align="center">~</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">So, I'm waiting for another time and another place</div><div align="center">Where all my hopes and dreams will be captured</div><div align="center">With one look at Jesus' face</div><div align="center">Oh, my heart's been burnin'</div><div align="center">My soul keeps yearnin'</div><div align="center">Sometimes I can't hardly wait</div><div align="center">For that sweet, sweet someday</div><div align="center">When I'll be swept away</div><div align="center">To another time and another place</div><div align="center">~~~~~</div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">... where there is no sadness...</div><div align="center"></div>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-19313872827950936312007-10-22T06:51:00.000-07:002007-10-24T09:22:33.143-07:00Cub Scout Pack 345 Fall Family Campout 10/20/07<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodwyOvabJHskHAjSzip8Urg0Tl8JD20kDv_0UZm88_G8TjUaidbHElkM1oJySF33UgjH_6G1SVU28JfMjMG6teqTZH8RgNhshTWLrHIW91a5be3c3ls_6MyOwV4IEsyV2bu1z/s1600-h/IMG_5884.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124817950735308930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodwyOvabJHskHAjSzip8Urg0Tl8JD20kDv_0UZm88_G8TjUaidbHElkM1oJySF33UgjH_6G1SVU28JfMjMG6teqTZH8RgNhshTWLrHIW91a5be3c3ls_6MyOwV4IEsyV2bu1z/s400/IMG_5884.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We had a blast at our new pack's Fall Family Campout this last weekend. It was at Potter's Creek Park on Canyon Lake which is sort of off a bit between San Marcus and New Braunfels. It was a beautiful weekend for camping. Spending time outdoors with nature was really good for the soul. I saw a shooting star! Well, actually a meteor, but I still like to think of them as shooting stars (more romantic that way). It was the first time I have ever seen one. Apparently, there was a meteor shower I didn't know about early Saturday morning. I saw it on my way back from a restroom break at 5:45am. If I'd known I would have gone out for a look-see - I had trouble sleeping anyway and woke up several times during the night when Savanna would wake up whining a little because she was unsure of where she was. In spite of the little sleep, we had a lot of fun Saturday. The boys went hiking, some went fishing, they earned the Texas badge, the Map & Compass belt loop, the Astronomy belt loop and some of the different dens worked on other things as well. The best part was the treasure hunt (to be explained better later in pictures).<br /><br />But mainly it was just a nice relaxing campout. I even enjoyed cooking! We got a Coleman propane cooker which was a lot easier than trying to deal with making a fire. It was especially windy Saturday evening, so it came in really handy! We did have a couple of fires made which were great for roasting marshmallows and dutch oven cobblers! I ended up leaving late Saturday evening with the toddlers. I didn't think they (or I) could handle another night trying to sleep outdoors. That turned out to be a wise choice as it was so windy that evening, Dan had a hard time sleeping with all the flapping noises (we forgot the fly to our tent and had to rig a tarp with rope to cover the tent). Plus, since the ground was mostly rock, we couldn't tie the tent down very well; the wind was so hard, the side of the tent just pushed in and kept hitting Dan (he was sleeping on the side where the wind was blowing). He had to take a nap when he got home to refresh before he could watch the Cowboys game at 3. Savanna and Bailey fell asleep within minutes of my starting the trip back home! Toddlers can only take so much camping. Savanna did amazingly well, but Bailey will probably take another good year before he is up for roughing it more than one night. Enough talk - time for pictures!<br /><br />Here's all our tents. We looked out onto the water that's pictured in the first photo up top. Our family tent is the one a little to the left of center with the blue tarp on top (our rigged fly), and Dallas & Noah's tent is the grey one to the right of center that is about to fall over! The path on the right there leads to...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtJrKew_fd15XodX3TuUzF_9vRYQZPg87R7waudoLVbMIc_i-Cte2QAm2Z11JIKIAi-zY8N4nB8bCmVH51zgN4K-0TgiOuCWedPka9vFxuYQf_iurGuVPGGGgR0are2Io5uI5/s1600-h/IMG_5942.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124839777759107970" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOtJrKew_fd15XodX3TuUzF_9vRYQZPg87R7waudoLVbMIc_i-Cte2QAm2Z11JIKIAi-zY8N4nB8bCmVH51zgN4K-0TgiOuCWedPka9vFxuYQf_iurGuVPGGGgR0are2Io5uI5/s320/IMG_5942.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />the pavilion where we cooked and ate meals and gathered together as a pack.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaizNTPTAz7EzTplpgujzjLk56vjEOzFZYIc6KGDS8aUM78Q3J2DUwKY_nOhvsBnjkd_mOvZviWnkl1CbVNS3uTe-hjlGmcp4NN9D8qGYekWzGfEmgJB4AmC5P6WrWRpojsybT/s1600-h/IMG_5937.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124839782054075282" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaizNTPTAz7EzTplpgujzjLk56vjEOzFZYIc6KGDS8aUM78Q3J2DUwKY_nOhvsBnjkd_mOvZviWnkl1CbVNS3uTe-hjlGmcp4NN9D8qGYekWzGfEmgJB4AmC5P6WrWRpojsybT/s320/IMG_5937.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's Bailey, Savanna, Dan & Dallas "copping a squat" after breakfast Saturday morning (me too, but I'm taking the pictures). Noah is off on an adventure somewhere with members of his den. There was only one other Webelos there, probably because they went to the Webelos Woods campout the weekend before. So this is Dallas & Dan's second week in a row of camping! Unfortunately, I forgot to send the camera with Dan, so I don't have any pictures from that weekend. I should get Dallas to post a blog about his adventures; Webelos and Boy Scout camping is more "high adventure" than cub scout camping.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xYUNpYfeaPyOKrcyvM4_0FkQFsFLPA2NpFf4ptTaowGllFRmBZ4qosIY76K3lTdjtepKI8TfSWJV5PosBC47Yx3AVoWhXbzK8diOufaBH7A94Uaha0K-5_8fzxvJs6J7eZR2/s1600-h/IMG_5859.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124821077471500434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xYUNpYfeaPyOKrcyvM4_0FkQFsFLPA2NpFf4ptTaowGllFRmBZ4qosIY76K3lTdjtepKI8TfSWJV5PosBC47Yx3AVoWhXbzK8diOufaBH7A94Uaha0K-5_8fzxvJs6J7eZR2/s320/IMG_5859.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglItMRbZVVFU9jyd59CSBILrZdDymrypjYFfPIYpPzprxU1HkNdX_xzA4RCZNEnVj5lPo1R2xb8VNG8QkxRO5Rm3dmuZEod-hCud5nmy-F3u1sWO76XyM8pQ25eEKseowLtEA4/s1600-h/IMG_5863.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124821086061435042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglItMRbZVVFU9jyd59CSBILrZdDymrypjYFfPIYpPzprxU1HkNdX_xzA4RCZNEnVj5lPo1R2xb8VNG8QkxRO5Rm3dmuZEod-hCud5nmy-F3u1sWO76XyM8pQ25eEKseowLtEA4/s320/IMG_5863.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAnqm5tFAsLktMDgCnnseXeX142fkTWuQTwGr7-lRfdBqqz3gy0XEIc0E7SVm_jhRKoaa18kQUpi5TwHCAKjk1hIpvl9bY7xBKlkUOuhw_tc0rGK7j4TV1ktDxdDVALvB8TmP/s1600-h/IMG_5862.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124839760579238770" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipAnqm5tFAsLktMDgCnnseXeX142fkTWuQTwGr7-lRfdBqqz3gy0XEIc0E7SVm_jhRKoaa18kQUpi5TwHCAKjk1hIpvl9bY7xBKlkUOuhw_tc0rGK7j4TV1ktDxdDVALvB8TmP/s320/IMG_5862.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey and me<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mRv6YRuXZvgzzHfIPOftzSisllz-SXlxY1uOIy2XpnegmSMCsmmepXP3EYjlZpHgk_Yx2vD4O6PirFpDJHwqluVzn-sjKJotxyErFHzzNAuJzrioYrq7NZNVEPw5OcLl6adf/s1600-h/IMG_5872.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124821090356402354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mRv6YRuXZvgzzHfIPOftzSisllz-SXlxY1uOIy2XpnegmSMCsmmepXP3EYjlZpHgk_Yx2vD4O6PirFpDJHwqluVzn-sjKJotxyErFHzzNAuJzrioYrq7NZNVEPw5OcLl6adf/s320/IMG_5872.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna and me - these are the only photos of me. I handed Dan the camera for a sec. I'm always the picture taker!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrkX7h1ECCkEL_rmATk6lexm-QFRnbCCoeBVtthSiSOSqxKUx8qYu0eXIXR2rwsV2HboM7lGIU4eQMuxgt4tx9kQr-pl2mY6ve18PvogUoWyBs9H_Bhg6xLzIoqEadgb1L9QV/s1600-h/IMG_5875.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124821098946336962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrkX7h1ECCkEL_rmATk6lexm-QFRnbCCoeBVtthSiSOSqxKUx8qYu0eXIXR2rwsV2HboM7lGIU4eQMuxgt4tx9kQr-pl2mY6ve18PvogUoWyBs9H_Bhg6xLzIoqEadgb1L9QV/s320/IMG_5875.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the toddlers running back with Dan after I took their picture in front of Canyon Lake. Bailey's running up to get me...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmEkcwhrdF3YvRWyy-nwEQBrH_BvHz8Fv3RadUEOQ0rOVMZfmTZCjzm2rJK9taQFFulJGa2M12JEuOICQ5WgVQwm08aiirNTCLZytOxnMYoc_JN17LbHtakLAQG_LPLXoUkPA/s1600-h/IMG_5887.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124821859155548370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrmEkcwhrdF3YvRWyy-nwEQBrH_BvHz8Fv3RadUEOQ0rOVMZfmTZCjzm2rJK9taQFFulJGa2M12JEuOICQ5WgVQwm08aiirNTCLZytOxnMYoc_JN17LbHtakLAQG_LPLXoUkPA/s320/IMG_5887.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey made it to Mama and grabbed hold! When I was showing him the pictures after I downloaded them, I asked him who was in this picture, and he said, "Mama!" because my hand was in the picture! Notice his scratched up face (he also got a scratched knee). Poor Bailey took a few tumbles. But he took 'em like a man! He has a prominent instep which unfortunately causes him to trip over his feet a lot. Dan says to fix it, he would have to have his feet broken (Noah has one, also - they get it from Dan who has one, too). One of the moms at the campout was telling me about a baby she saw at their daycare that had casts on his legs because he had the surgery to correct the insteps. She said it was so sad watching him try to get around, he was so upset. I don't know if I can do that to Noah or Bailey, but it is hard on them when they try to run. I will have to think long and hard about it...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb5U82FjZc9w1GrIha9vhaocehBpcRfoFmJ6UCiXsKVD7cmTeuXPaE4iMUTU66cuN9CLRUaa7Nm3qpQd5yDrdb5JWWuvUukwBvuV_68AvsyOWnOBRAo-kFYdDSgpSm25OBGt9/s1600-h/IMG_5891.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124821867745482978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxb5U82FjZc9w1GrIha9vhaocehBpcRfoFmJ6UCiXsKVD7cmTeuXPaE4iMUTU66cuN9CLRUaa7Nm3qpQd5yDrdb5JWWuvUukwBvuV_68AvsyOWnOBRAo-kFYdDSgpSm25OBGt9/s320/IMG_5891.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna and her friend, Desiree, just chillin'...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz6HlMg8-ZdMwDQvKNGxDXznyuu5w7athiuqEnAr2sg-fzQbnK6UR6XS1DHjliUHhd1c3ofxrNgmPsT73dr7G3wAEd2ptE15Ig676b2Vl0ufln85cK8e76rabzooG30Jh7dV-/s1600-h/IMG_5898.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124821872040450290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz6HlMg8-ZdMwDQvKNGxDXznyuu5w7athiuqEnAr2sg-fzQbnK6UR6XS1DHjliUHhd1c3ofxrNgmPsT73dr7G3wAEd2ptE15Ig676b2Vl0ufln85cK8e76rabzooG30Jh7dV-/s320/IMG_5898.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This is Noah's den leader and treasure hunt mastermind, Homer (in the camo' hat). He's just called all the boys over for the treasure hunt.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm_laPWS9xNvM4IQ2N099uo7cf3qvusHmPQWhlJNjZNoPvgtRjbmnMtC6NgThVdQ9gzUvpN2MqWgrxelWtfZP7YjtasD4gm2U2N7cfF2zaE4hfUWCtgHxjBfZuTbyUCX3RaTs/s1600-h/IMG_5908.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124823693106583810" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAm_laPWS9xNvM4IQ2N099uo7cf3qvusHmPQWhlJNjZNoPvgtRjbmnMtC6NgThVdQ9gzUvpN2MqWgrxelWtfZP7YjtasD4gm2U2N7cfF2zaE4hfUWCtgHxjBfZuTbyUCX3RaTs/s320/IMG_5908.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here he is telling the group how to proceed.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wGvOYeVDPn_6KbbQt2-41ckAX-GR_3TShQowwfNdDo1vOcmj4qO-ttPecDGP5hn3xh7xWFFea6kBWTpwWd5Ejr-TGvfevrH4vMkDV6mLZGWh3FNWdtliqxEIGD6QnlNhTdH9/s1600-h/IMG_5914.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124823701696518418" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wGvOYeVDPn_6KbbQt2-41ckAX-GR_3TShQowwfNdDo1vOcmj4qO-ttPecDGP5hn3xh7xWFFea6kBWTpwWd5Ejr-TGvfevrH4vMkDV6mLZGWh3FNWdtliqxEIGD6QnlNhTdH9/s320/IMG_5914.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Listening closely is Noah's den, Bear den 7, and Bear den 4 also:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_QukveNfUfiOzm2Z-JJmI1MtvJEdwkZMDxoKH3Bfn-5pDLTVPSjnNUDgGQmHRVCUTVP7-EXrgHg10F1GvQYUc1urLmf_IqIqUcL1AMMLbaBfceIvNZgELkwt7TI3QTZJfIMy/s1600-h/IMG_5917.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124823710286453026" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7_QukveNfUfiOzm2Z-JJmI1MtvJEdwkZMDxoKH3Bfn-5pDLTVPSjnNUDgGQmHRVCUTVP7-EXrgHg10F1GvQYUc1urLmf_IqIqUcL1AMMLbaBfceIvNZgELkwt7TI3QTZJfIMy/s320/IMG_5917.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The wolves:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu_EPaT9ADzyW0uCyUb21Hrs3Y_2xDScqJTPAUsm1yoJ96l-QIbSAvH21_AghMR00T9PJGWNETG1Q7NtR-Sz3Ipm0MTSa9uW3xXd8hjRLFpYsfYv2vJ2l2QgRJR0uLHSm7wNB/s1600-h/IMG_5919.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124827361008654642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidu_EPaT9ADzyW0uCyUb21Hrs3Y_2xDScqJTPAUsm1yoJ96l-QIbSAvH21_AghMR00T9PJGWNETG1Q7NtR-Sz3Ipm0MTSa9uW3xXd8hjRLFpYsfYv2vJ2l2QgRJR0uLHSm7wNB/s320/IMG_5919.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The tigers:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBLsW_r7g5F0dA7V5zMJyi24MdyhzcFQAN2mBbNqrrB1Dz8K1QwhQzHzsjO6xMGkw-TYoZ678c-16pMkRKOLj0Hc5ZdxX3bqoHilau4QRWquCfGSxVyVBV9Op46Dj8QW9rH0P/s1600-h/IMG_5920.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124827369598589250" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBLsW_r7g5F0dA7V5zMJyi24MdyhzcFQAN2mBbNqrrB1Dz8K1QwhQzHzsjO6xMGkw-TYoZ678c-16pMkRKOLj0Hc5ZdxX3bqoHilau4QRWquCfGSxVyVBV9Op46Dj8QW9rH0P/s320/IMG_5920.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bear den 7 (Noah and Anthony were the only ones there) and Webelos Dallas & (sorry, I do not know the other kid's name, but I will insert it here when I find out!). They are learning how to read a compass and figure out compass headings for the Map & Compass belt loop.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjqNKWNphZeQ8aoGnqVvzmhDAQINPB6No73GowjBVBP26Ey7bhu19IrPu1BT5Vt8VOBg96Hvv-IgTxN82Ghu2AVyJMt54Uh4ObGohmjSJ6Pa-63zfnp-xNIYSqFclE0XSz7kI/s1600-h/IMG_5927.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124827382483491154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjqNKWNphZeQ8aoGnqVvzmhDAQINPB6No73GowjBVBP26Ey7bhu19IrPu1BT5Vt8VOBg96Hvv-IgTxN82Ghu2AVyJMt54Uh4ObGohmjSJ6Pa-63zfnp-xNIYSqFclE0XSz7kI/s320/IMG_5927.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Tiger den figuring out one of the clues that forms their "triangle."<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz2PwZioMFYXVzF6tF_WhDR0RdA_blvr9FTJ4Zu8gkxFk-CQC3GQOMULvfbWvy9uxPpryt0NrlLHNMbft7m0QKFGDgFOR0y2rFJpb1ljgv7V8yCU-BVy8Md1FrKJe-H_-PqX4/s1600-h/IMG_5939.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124828426160544098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZz2PwZioMFYXVzF6tF_WhDR0RdA_blvr9FTJ4Zu8gkxFk-CQC3GQOMULvfbWvy9uxPpryt0NrlLHNMbft7m0QKFGDgFOR0y2rFJpb1ljgv7V8yCU-BVy8Md1FrKJe-H_-PqX4/s320/IMG_5939.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And here they are running up to the next point of the triangle.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2Fvg4Xxdvf5NXn1SHhlAgRiwqjeIg-T_OHy-Vt4IrVJYgpOBOYU3k5TCrgyCLa2CgQuohUIKqiK-RWMNwFQgYGHwIIY3nZox9n7ddwN-otXG5Ceu_bvNgiELEPxn7W_kK0j8/s1600-h/IMG_5931.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124828439045446002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2Fvg4Xxdvf5NXn1SHhlAgRiwqjeIg-T_OHy-Vt4IrVJYgpOBOYU3k5TCrgyCLa2CgQuohUIKqiK-RWMNwFQgYGHwIIY3nZox9n7ddwN-otXG5Ceu_bvNgiELEPxn7W_kK0j8/s320/IMG_5931.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The wolves are on the left figuring out their "code." There's Dan on the right with the little ones while I'm running around catching the action.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHJ66Q5sN0jjp8ojrGqUtxo6QJJlb4TcAbpfCM6dsfY7yt2z_zMfKkn4hULgUpozRjm8Ymk4A4LzzpHLWG4WfMkuvW6wmbIM4QvOiee_zLEKxs9DVgMW7rw9zfAW8o904c5aS/s1600-h/IMG_5943.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124828490585053570" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHJ66Q5sN0jjp8ojrGqUtxo6QJJlb4TcAbpfCM6dsfY7yt2z_zMfKkn4hULgUpozRjm8Ymk4A4LzzpHLWG4WfMkuvW6wmbIM4QvOiee_zLEKxs9DVgMW7rw9zfAW8o904c5aS/s320/IMG_5943.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's Bear den 7 off to another compass heading...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5HvA0eDsD4cC0iWFMPQnQKmMnedlBb3NvSny2jSGwLPy6qdxaRKjhsdCE-oYWDhrgIdzI7y80IylXMwbFD-nhyQDvJPipkqhlDgOJaC_BWeh728gSmGGb4T4j_xFKFkN8Bih/s1600-h/IMG_5938.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124829598686615954" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5HvA0eDsD4cC0iWFMPQnQKmMnedlBb3NvSny2jSGwLPy6qdxaRKjhsdCE-oYWDhrgIdzI7y80IylXMwbFD-nhyQDvJPipkqhlDgOJaC_BWeh728gSmGGb4T4j_xFKFkN8Bih/s320/IMG_5938.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here goes the Tigers - they figured out what the "tube of enlightenment" was - the final point on their triangle. They are off to find the "red tape" to confirm it and get their final clue.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6VtxneeX1TthZxuZtwolzv8aEttSbBfjinF0k4ibtg7utNMG2UP1idMJ9udWpb3K8OmLkcM8w9jSgv7iyDSRYfX24MP9v7liolJM3NNsbJJFWmJWAAXcevZJ7hKzYAFF3cxy/s1600-h/IMG_5940.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124829611571517858" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6VtxneeX1TthZxuZtwolzv8aEttSbBfjinF0k4ibtg7utNMG2UP1idMJ9udWpb3K8OmLkcM8w9jSgv7iyDSRYfX24MP9v7liolJM3NNsbJJFWmJWAAXcevZJ7hKzYAFF3cxy/s320/IMG_5940.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, Tigers! The first to finish...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn_63Z6Ag0bGS5rhkjj03rJrc8isKqPkzDdD8kahaUy9O8MlbYU8Kg5G230DVbPZOQrqsZuIXCD0RwpusJlIKIidRQhjbv-92a4UHPq9shoc-j7tBZVTVBzed528fdgIEervN/s1600-h/IMG_5948.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124831050385562098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFn_63Z6Ag0bGS5rhkjj03rJrc8isKqPkzDdD8kahaUy9O8MlbYU8Kg5G230DVbPZOQrqsZuIXCD0RwpusJlIKIidRQhjbv-92a4UHPq9shoc-j7tBZVTVBzed528fdgIEervN/s320/IMG_5948.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the wolves, still deciphering their "secret code"<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jb6MH8Ow9w6WH4Vd_ngdKhA8O7f7sx3n2Rtzzik86Ej_NC2abXY577XWfs1XN7HfdmJI3AraPv8AKY6kwvdXu3wpIx9gu1S3ag3BGGpU7Oy0u4sMobFAsK04PWB8BmXt5yUY/s1600-h/IMG_5952.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124830431910271426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Jb6MH8Ow9w6WH4Vd_ngdKhA8O7f7sx3n2Rtzzik86Ej_NC2abXY577XWfs1XN7HfdmJI3AraPv8AKY6kwvdXu3wpIx9gu1S3ag3BGGpU7Oy0u4sMobFAsK04PWB8BmXt5yUY/s320/IMG_5952.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozz0zDn2fs9BCJ-du5jJ30_I9IPFFYX3ZuVOaVcbG70p9Fcy4rhcbgpv9pE6Ry1fOhkudWOauAswoyuKeV0TLzYl3Pji88FO2u1Y-5gmW2BaBr8hAOex4KBLloarqpfy3S8iH/s1600-h/IMG_5953.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124830449090140626" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjozz0zDn2fs9BCJ-du5jJ30_I9IPFFYX3ZuVOaVcbG70p9Fcy4rhcbgpv9pE6Ry1fOhkudWOauAswoyuKeV0TLzYl3Pji88FO2u1Y-5gmW2BaBr8hAOex4KBLloarqpfy3S8iH/s320/IMG_5953.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And here's Bear den 4 off to confirm they are headed to right compass heading...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZlshXTzuS3HfZ9srhZfjplOf0ccTOcpz-OIJjsfVkdkOn7fkappl5XKmLYKnAPUNxHHVPotNHjutgpAOoou7XuAr-1rqyVBHcG_WE5buILuS65oyF74n2j54z92wbsxgChhV/s1600-h/IMG_5954.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124830457680075234" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ZlshXTzuS3HfZ9srhZfjplOf0ccTOcpz-OIJjsfVkdkOn7fkappl5XKmLYKnAPUNxHHVPotNHjutgpAOoou7XuAr-1rqyVBHcG_WE5buILuS65oyF74n2j54z92wbsxgChhV/s320/IMG_5954.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolS8Z2N-6DKHo5CRZRn65fcoSHtdx-nNXYos7CKgjYRVGBOLtkxcg0GfMWKBnTS9RnOe-1s0W3uU3p_QzQtF836ZwD9QZZh3YgMOjp5bJ9n8-gkoBiH3d63C9Roi7JrgcLq5b/s1600-h/IMG_5955.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124832106947516930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolS8Z2N-6DKHo5CRZRn65fcoSHtdx-nNXYos7CKgjYRVGBOLtkxcg0GfMWKBnTS9RnOe-1s0W3uU3p_QzQtF836ZwD9QZZh3YgMOjp5bJ9n8-gkoBiH3d63C9Roi7JrgcLq5b/s320/IMG_5955.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the Tigers working on their Texas Badge while waiting for the Wolves and Bears to finish finding their clues.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-IDn0H7iutSMqQY_ocWZP2E37GBsnMz4-vE-WV36MmvcoYOnHpDPUpisG37ODhMMOiLO2IVB59H0IqPLnRr1mGQ7yLZTvUsGWiIp1XARFe0ByxreKDOIJ0O5s8e5bDp6Mmyh/s1600-h/IMG_5958.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124832115537451538" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-IDn0H7iutSMqQY_ocWZP2E37GBsnMz4-vE-WV36MmvcoYOnHpDPUpisG37ODhMMOiLO2IVB59H0IqPLnRr1mGQ7yLZTvUsGWiIp1XARFe0ByxreKDOIJ0O5s8e5bDp6Mmyh/s320/IMG_5958.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Eureka! Bear den 4 is running back after finding their final clue.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7HsReIWWPQBKumr8xPxwAEKipTLREFCEdIhgi3usBfiXa5f9wTIjTedlCL_STFkZbqzaJ3IaSTFH0JlwNlvVf0tI6WeXRzSzlzUQ-UjPHtx7HvTLqWUtHyEqKBNBeZtAtMfY/s1600-h/IMG_5960.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124832124127386146" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7HsReIWWPQBKumr8xPxwAEKipTLREFCEdIhgi3usBfiXa5f9wTIjTedlCL_STFkZbqzaJ3IaSTFH0JlwNlvVf0tI6WeXRzSzlzUQ-UjPHtx7HvTLqWUtHyEqKBNBeZtAtMfY/s320/IMG_5960.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bear den 7 is back to the start...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8fq4UN4Z_E8joKRHkCGQ3KE3b1QgnEzbQotZKRXzJA77S_LFTLPzFSLnxY-Ds_VKZ3CSgXDIa4XWWvgYyasZHF42rfpLY6AxMyoQmGi13FUYxHq-6ctN_MPHl2U5Fo5zEf0t/s1600-h/IMG_5961.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124833013185616434" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8fq4UN4Z_E8joKRHkCGQ3KE3b1QgnEzbQotZKRXzJA77S_LFTLPzFSLnxY-Ds_VKZ3CSgXDIa4XWWvgYyasZHF42rfpLY6AxMyoQmGi13FUYxHq-6ctN_MPHl2U5Fo5zEf0t/s320/IMG_5961.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />trying to figure out their final clue while everyone is waiting patiently =-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Bkwo4fm2Dudu69kDZwS8hSaYOEJP9A_35doNdtN_YSUzR19ZlYScfhlukMhMgmea6kvxEzB0oTzU2ox7hagVow4UIVWDNuuCa8cITAkRsNf5B-MsdI0fgUc9fKX5nLQ_xsGO/s1600-h/IMG_5962.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124833021775551042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Bkwo4fm2Dudu69kDZwS8hSaYOEJP9A_35doNdtN_YSUzR19ZlYScfhlukMhMgmea6kvxEzB0oTzU2ox7hagVow4UIVWDNuuCa8cITAkRsNf5B-MsdI0fgUc9fKX5nLQ_xsGO/s320/IMG_5962.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Eureka! They are off to meet with the other dens to put together their clues and figure out the "key" that will unlock the treasure chest.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfhSLvwggjGG5YjrUm29LElDGwg0VrjcD2gHGb-cLkVPgLzkbEJWMmG4SYXmPzYs4BN3t_bCrVOm5ZD8JHls6laYSjInwuEhL_hkAe6hq0W6B6FmsjIkDuye_atbwk6-PoA_2/s1600-h/IMG_5964.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124833030365485650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfhSLvwggjGG5YjrUm29LElDGwg0VrjcD2gHGb-cLkVPgLzkbEJWMmG4SYXmPzYs4BN3t_bCrVOm5ZD8JHls6laYSjInwuEhL_hkAe6hq0W6B6FmsjIkDuye_atbwk6-PoA_2/s320/IMG_5964.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Putting together the clues...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemLWeZJqNHI5jZUvUpXyoAipR1vU3e0dPFYnErLAphJHDL0Gy362SHR0C02vSOY9PFLk6yg7UkVJwsBoq5h38wMTzzHipSE3Me2mcnFJAioeNBuMuNjvmfROtrUg-_GrRoJWg/s1600-h/IMG_5967.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124834001028094562" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiemLWeZJqNHI5jZUvUpXyoAipR1vU3e0dPFYnErLAphJHDL0Gy362SHR0C02vSOY9PFLk6yg7UkVJwsBoq5h38wMTzzHipSE3Me2mcnFJAioeNBuMuNjvmfROtrUg-_GrRoJWg/s320/IMG_5967.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Working together...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66zcEpNsx2AGANfwSKEHYCp59NZfPzP8O-Lplwao4Ln5VJ8SpIJs1MuwjClwVMX1DmcstFY4-QYlP91hSUdMS6EtBRCHLsaP69Br6jNub9CjX1smwJ2ct_EKZnM9Ga1082xey/s1600-h/IMG_5971.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124834009618029170" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66zcEpNsx2AGANfwSKEHYCp59NZfPzP8O-Lplwao4Ln5VJ8SpIJs1MuwjClwVMX1DmcstFY4-QYlP91hSUdMS6EtBRCHLsaP69Br6jNub9CjX1smwJ2ct_EKZnM9Ga1082xey/s320/IMG_5971.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Aha! - the parents have figured it out and are having a blast watching the kids figure it out! Desiree and Gabriel are back there sitting on, um, <em>guarding</em>, the treasure chest!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHrzqOtBRgm1yi2VzrQQkjiAEDO5IsTfOTn1C8rt7YwF9Wi-z1Cqm6Qq1ABHKyhQTJAonJEtBp1fZcwYuXeSNCkNLP5TdXOgHCpEgUv4k4S8wE3a7tlUurId4qN56M0Xkl1dT/s1600-h/IMG_5973.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124834018207963778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHrzqOtBRgm1yi2VzrQQkjiAEDO5IsTfOTn1C8rt7YwF9Wi-z1Cqm6Qq1ABHKyhQTJAonJEtBp1fZcwYuXeSNCkNLP5TdXOgHCpEgUv4k4S8wE3a7tlUurId4qN56M0Xkl1dT/s320/IMG_5973.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Eureka! The "key" was P345 - which stands for Pack 345, and led them to the sign hanging at the Pavilion.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziTSrEDurNrupMzcHPNemnimZFliuVTxC_FNH0UOAsr8tAxvEhr3oCyUzvKE2FjKLvGTQ3KyfKLrvDXlubnsbxQUncIF9DXy2KT2MBwKaPbJKpwpkFVc4e85myh-Y12BCqvwK/s1600-h/IMG_5976.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124834885791357586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziTSrEDurNrupMzcHPNemnimZFliuVTxC_FNH0UOAsr8tAxvEhr3oCyUzvKE2FjKLvGTQ3KyfKLrvDXlubnsbxQUncIF9DXy2KT2MBwKaPbJKpwpkFVc4e85myh-Y12BCqvwK/s320/IMG_5976.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There, they find a master lock with a combination of one letter and 3 numbers - P345!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiozamrMmXFPYRQWbtT76o5TjQFm3Bw37cY7O8iKvElrZqVB06RroE2BhzS4PfOg-OOoaC5EhwXdP1E5kke1XeUXOrckRF5SmTgbOLMYA_6DQZfLTgoaYVXkzRaMf041qsNm4/s1600-h/IMG_5977.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124834894381292194" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiozamrMmXFPYRQWbtT76o5TjQFm3Bw37cY7O8iKvElrZqVB06RroE2BhzS4PfOg-OOoaC5EhwXdP1E5kke1XeUXOrckRF5SmTgbOLMYA_6DQZfLTgoaYVXkzRaMf041qsNm4/s320/IMG_5977.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Unlocking the lock...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpWQpFx9aa_fAUpwTb6MxM9KWEh53vZxcrxYi0vurMMQCb3TJX5rDUm8fw8kJgQFjD2c_VWjxZDaPWFqy9uS_cxo-BecQW65wAV2TCTTIpXDATsBkeIaOreDIqK6memzXbm9O/s1600-h/IMG_5978.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124834898676259506" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpWQpFx9aa_fAUpwTb6MxM9KWEh53vZxcrxYi0vurMMQCb3TJX5rDUm8fw8kJgQFjD2c_VWjxZDaPWFqy9uS_cxo-BecQW65wAV2TCTTIpXDATsBkeIaOreDIqK6memzXbm9O/s320/IMG_5978.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />which opens the treasure chest (there's Savanna in the back running with all the kids - she senses the excitement and wants in on the action!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuQQIUsiaX_ql3HminFPKTH6Pq4M3PATz7Ysm3V4iGldzWLpNbMXG3LrFWSA00HI6nlkKwIKVrKx-DfBxcnoue8DSTlHjvmjHg8DlYWsFF1VNanQ4pd0lW_cqrTVzGrDCAx3i/s1600-h/IMG_5983.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124836182871481026" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuQQIUsiaX_ql3HminFPKTH6Pq4M3PATz7Ysm3V4iGldzWLpNbMXG3LrFWSA00HI6nlkKwIKVrKx-DfBxcnoue8DSTlHjvmjHg8DlYWsFF1VNanQ4pd0lW_cqrTVzGrDCAx3i/s320/IMG_5983.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />What's the treasure???<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJXGAp6Tj9IFtdn-3NXFwx2Cwz04OIFez5h6VJ04ZwllA8K3sXHQyRSl3bJrILFenVXt-5FDCcP0RuOglKpyY_ZirQhvPJXh_Xh9dyx1DUowSza7yMtWHT_6YIDv4E9yKk7ou/s1600-h/IMG_5984.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124836191461415634" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJXGAp6Tj9IFtdn-3NXFwx2Cwz04OIFez5h6VJ04ZwllA8K3sXHQyRSl3bJrILFenVXt-5FDCcP0RuOglKpyY_ZirQhvPJXh_Xh9dyx1DUowSza7yMtWHT_6YIDv4E9yKk7ou/s320/IMG_5984.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ice Cream!!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BRtXmiD4IFgJ5H_-0oa8cTq3HkqoRFV9p_Simq6eQgSnag0wBujHrGFVmAYy_1YIPRnZR9bb816SMQ4zGibwBa1eUdC1REBGSqBVtlyNUBwdZETijzgBg5iy0HmZO8poeegY/s1600-h/IMG_5985.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124836208641284834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8BRtXmiD4IFgJ5H_-0oa8cTq3HkqoRFV9p_Simq6eQgSnag0wBujHrGFVmAYy_1YIPRnZR9bb816SMQ4zGibwBa1eUdC1REBGSqBVtlyNUBwdZETijzgBg5iy0HmZO8poeegY/s320/IMG_5985.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Spreading the wealth:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2evlTfWiaw-AZXcDtKUUKtCHMP8jNRDEVZDiFf2HeyInFWj-T7WszXO8ux6LDuJqxNZEHOBMgUZKxo-jKQQ1vBaVg3vN-caYqx8CghzNX7CmQhVdItYQ_b0B9Sa9R-S9Ex0im/s1600-h/IMG_5989.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124837097699515122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2evlTfWiaw-AZXcDtKUUKtCHMP8jNRDEVZDiFf2HeyInFWj-T7WszXO8ux6LDuJqxNZEHOBMgUZKxo-jKQQ1vBaVg3vN-caYqx8CghzNX7CmQhVdItYQ_b0B9Sa9R-S9Ex0im/s320/IMG_5989.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Noah posing with his share of the loot:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ir9JEVca7U2KUyxEVCDA9OmBVghyphenhyphenD2ZJlVG5gaHQCcsffM0qVVwdWxXDU9j4LCRcnd-ughYnqUlK5GRDR2YGurVqH62edXDKve3w-GkjVosrmsQKz8ce7Jgmr6KPgQpE2cOX/s1600-h/IMG_5991.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124837114879384322" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Ir9JEVca7U2KUyxEVCDA9OmBVghyphenhyphenD2ZJlVG5gaHQCcsffM0qVVwdWxXDU9j4LCRcnd-ughYnqUlK5GRDR2YGurVqH62edXDKve3w-GkjVosrmsQKz8ce7Jgmr6KPgQpE2cOX/s320/IMG_5991.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna offering Mama a bite:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TofpQPTncplgBGGavzQ_9S45HJ-MU-O3lO5PiAKgz8gzV1D8McDpaomP66QTe1iUbKpTLyJXq5TlfuOl7iA5dy3h71zQF4FIMC6VoTCCAdV17duWyF6pmbn9v98LVNsKMoU2/s1600-h/IMG_5995.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124837123469318930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1TofpQPTncplgBGGavzQ_9S45HJ-MU-O3lO5PiAKgz8gzV1D8McDpaomP66QTe1iUbKpTLyJXq5TlfuOl7iA5dy3h71zQF4FIMC6VoTCCAdV17duWyF6pmbn9v98LVNsKMoU2/s320/IMG_5995.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Bailey offering Mama a bite (I got quite a few bites!) After all that excitement, it was surprisingly quiet as everyone partook in their bounty. A perfect finish!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTCHlSrdI2mdTace96IoTnB5BuAK6vj981YqoZhsmsE6rAlKCGMP4lqxaMFGfmlM84TR_NnnKbA3LNchbgtkEm9JM8sJZcmDb1k6vhdculH5Bkh592AhnWo0jhW11X-CJtcnM/s1600-h/IMG_5993.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124837960987941666" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhTCHlSrdI2mdTace96IoTnB5BuAK6vj981YqoZhsmsE6rAlKCGMP4lqxaMFGfmlM84TR_NnnKbA3LNchbgtkEm9JM8sJZcmDb1k6vhdculH5Bkh592AhnWo0jhW11X-CJtcnM/s320/IMG_5993.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's Greg, the Tiger leader, leading the Astronomy belt loop.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPGB-wxiI3fqag8iuN1a0MO9n9su4zCUfaGN9UvFbn6oPDy6NyFaq5mMkbTNPWDSubSip8ReSRagUipcic6Bpi60TVvwixh5OeX6ZBNWnOYKRoGD0oH6VAx6quZiuGLV68jYh/s1600-h/IMG_5998.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124837969577876274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJPGB-wxiI3fqag8iuN1a0MO9n9su4zCUfaGN9UvFbn6oPDy6NyFaq5mMkbTNPWDSubSip8ReSRagUipcic6Bpi60TVvwixh5OeX6ZBNWnOYKRoGD0oH6VAx6quZiuGLV68jYh/s320/IMG_5998.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He's asking the boys questions about stars.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVMoHMwhwckmvi78UquX9Bb3pBsnNt0xjg7FTRwNxnrx_OygiFIS_ajV5NOyWZdUeQCdP7cDuNbxtNp2sY-MGj45qHLvjPpSARvEGHPE8-6v5FowL1UU3gdEfk7ISx9tKu22w/s1600-h/IMG_6002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124837973872843586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQVMoHMwhwckmvi78UquX9Bb3pBsnNt0xjg7FTRwNxnrx_OygiFIS_ajV5NOyWZdUeQCdP7cDuNbxtNp2sY-MGj45qHLvjPpSARvEGHPE8-6v5FowL1UU3gdEfk7ISx9tKu22w/s320/IMG_6002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And here he is about to have the pavilion lights turned out along with all flashlights and take the boys out to look at the stars. He showed them the halo of light that was San Marcus to the right, new Braunfels to the left, and then behind us, Austin. The moon was really bright, so it wasn't the best time of night for stargazing, but they all got a chance to look at the moon through binoculars to see the craters on the moon.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKqc4dpb_ZoYL9ZDfeQ1oSe37o_qbqxyWz4aPGFNk4xJEVPsEvhIOpwSAjj7K7vgb-lLi5PJcOAz4rouuyNFpfGE3Latse8niwWtetW5n7wPPrH1y9Aeq6G6AKWmagllWrw96/s1600-h/IMG_6005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124838570873297746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKqc4dpb_ZoYL9ZDfeQ1oSe37o_qbqxyWz4aPGFNk4xJEVPsEvhIOpwSAjj7K7vgb-lLi5PJcOAz4rouuyNFpfGE3Latse8niwWtetW5n7wPPrH1y9Aeq6G6AKWmagllWrw96/s320/IMG_6005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's Noah with his fellow den member and partner in crime for the weekend, Anthony and his brother Gabriel, a tiger. Bad Mama, I forgot to bring the boys' uniforms; they were just about the only ones who did not wear their uniform!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIgMi5T8oX3Q6PjsID_US0T9B5S5KbGAv5rWfbl4qRTVljgGok8yaNjtM-Vm3MsSByB_AlFV_0Np_bLXgSq7sJ41A8wJNAJ6iwRVEY4woRuqVa3Hq813AHxKJO76AcCqhQ3Q0/s1600-h/IMG_6006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5124850072795716514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIgMi5T8oX3Q6PjsID_US0T9B5S5KbGAv5rWfbl4qRTVljgGok8yaNjtM-Vm3MsSByB_AlFV_0Np_bLXgSq7sJ41A8wJNAJ6iwRVEY4woRuqVa3Hq813AHxKJO76AcCqhQ3Q0/s320/IMG_6006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />After the stargazing, they all got together around the campfire for skits. I gathered the babies and headed back to Round Rock, and the pack ended the evening with cobbler! What a weekend! Good times. Great memories...<br /><br />Can't wait for the Spring Campout!!! This weekend the plan is to go visit Dan's family in Katy. His brother John's birthday was the 19th (we missed it for the campout); he turned 17! We'll be taking Monica's car back down there because Dan's mom is buying it for John. We'll once again be a one vehicle family. Back to creative time management! John wants us to go watch him play in the UIL marching band competition. If they place there, they will get to go to the state competition in San Antonio. That should bring back memories; I loved marching band - I was in the color guard in high school my junior and senior year (I played cello in the orchestra but wanted to be part of the marching band also - the best of both worlds!) Then, weekend after that, Nov 2-4, Dallas and Dan will go camping again with Boy Scout troop 345. As Webelos, they get invited to join the boy scouts camping trips so they can start to learn the boy scout way and also to test out the different troops and find the one they fit in with the best. My birthday is the next Friday, and we hope to be able to make it down for Sierra's birthday party that Saturday (she's having a girl/boy party!) She's turning 12, I think. If we can work out the babysitting details, Dan and I hope to have a weekend away the next weekend or possibly some weekend soon after. But the weekend after that is Thanksgiving. We plan on going to Lake Livingston to celebrate with PePa and the rest of the Tipton clan. Seeing everyone again at Nanny's funeral made me realize how much I missed getting together with them. Even though it is a grueling 5 hour drive up there (with 4 kids cramped together in our van), I think it will be worth it, and I am looking forward to seeing everyone again. It will be hard to be there without Nanny, but I know she would love for us all to be getting together again. What a busy month we have ahead of us! And then advent begins, Dan's and my favorite time of year. It's quite possible I will not post again until after the new year!Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-41454975179453214292007-10-07T19:22:00.000-07:002007-10-07T19:33:26.067-07:00Cailey Rae, born October 4, 2007<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">My newest neice, Cailey Rae:<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjVLp_f1Gb-hM4JCYXIw0z5fA0j8Z1Ov7bs-Uea89O_gl9q7HKDrxuHvrBAwoBuirNh2ilut-wSmVPBuMGnDrBsxUaNjIv2cORjRBogRFQN27MP6yBHeOZarhj9oclv3KEeVC/s1600-h/BabyCailey.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118785845215730546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjVLp_f1Gb-hM4JCYXIw0z5fA0j8Z1Ov7bs-Uea89O_gl9q7HKDrxuHvrBAwoBuirNh2ilut-wSmVPBuMGnDrBsxUaNjIv2cORjRBogRFQN27MP6yBHeOZarhj9oclv3KEeVC/s400/BabyCailey.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><strong>Born:</strong> October 4, 2007<br /><strong>Time:</strong> 9:56 a.m.<br /><strong>Length:</strong> 19 1/2 in.<br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 7 lb. 5 oz.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><strong>Parents:</strong> My sister Candace & her boyfriend, Jody; their 1st baby.</span>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-14030206937038773102007-10-01T23:51:00.000-07:002007-10-24T08:01:25.080-07:00What defines us?Our bodies<br />Our actions<br />Our thoughts<br />Our beliefs<br />Others' perceptions<br />Our diseases<br />Our conditions<br />Our race<br />Our occupation<br />The labels placed upon us by others<br />Our souls<br />Our legacy...<br /><br />What defines who we are?<br /><br />All of it?<br /><br />Just one? Or two? Or three?<br /><br />None of it?<br /><br />Does it matter?<br /><br />Are some people just meant to be forever invisible, without definition, besides labels?<br /><br />Numbers, things, replaceable, forgettable, insignificant, not wanted or needed, without purpose?<br /><br />What defines us?Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-37689930995250824662007-09-27T19:24:00.000-07:002007-09-30T18:59:39.863-07:00Nanny's Funeral - Wednesday, 9/26/2007Nanny's memorial service and funeral were beautiful. The preacher that led the services did a wonderful job describing Nanny. He spent some time talking with family to get an idea of who she was. The only thing that bothered me slightly was that he mispronounced Nanny's name every time he said it. Nanny's name was "Alene" pronounced like you would the man's name "Albert." PePa often called her "Al." My other grandmother's name was "Aileen," and he pronounced her name like it was spelled that way. Nanny probably would have corrected him! Other than that, though, his words were moving. It was sad yet comforting at the same time to know she is at peace in Heaven. Right before the service began, PePa handed my mom Nanny's wedding ring. This was emotional for all of us because Nanny always wore that ring. When I think of Nanny's hands, hands so beautiful because of all the love she shared with them, I always see that ring on her hand, whether she is cooking, doing dishes, shelling peas, working a word find, or embroidering something for a family member. She often spoke about how she would be giving that ring to Mom when she died. I hated to hear her speak about that because it made me sad to think of Nanny dying, but you could tell it was very important to her that Mom have it. She told so many stories about her ring, how they got such a good deal on it and how much she loved the white gold and the setting. It was hard to see it off of Nanny's hand, but I will always remember Nanny's hands.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6jotgX6DJl8RWlwOc0cr843rYt8YCDgW1VIFXCAQ0EOW3R5cgCBJ_cShhjRDuICTA_Uiko2EO1h3fDq3OUYHQ0exDnkhoQiHtUnxaO-WiPR-y6-qTOCSi08qtgg1fkKVAoFD/s1600-h/Nanny"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115698645543278098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD6jotgX6DJl8RWlwOc0cr843rYt8YCDgW1VIFXCAQ0EOW3R5cgCBJ_cShhjRDuICTA_Uiko2EO1h3fDq3OUYHQ0exDnkhoQiHtUnxaO-WiPR-y6-qTOCSi08qtgg1fkKVAoFD/s400/Nanny's+Hands.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is the program from Nanny's memorial - Tammie said they chose this picture because the chair reminded them of Nanny's chair she sat outside in at their home on Lake Livingston. Nanny would sit outside almost every evening to relax. I love their choice; Thomas Kinkade is my favorite artist. I have over 20 jigsaw puzzles of his paintings, and one of my most prized possesions is an authentic print I have of one of his paintings Dan got me for my birthday a few years ago. It brings me joy in my heart just looking at his artwork. He is the "Painter of Light". Nanny was truly a light in our lives in this world, and now she is a light in Heaven shining her love down upon us...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJQ-nxeUoEnAew3ywarYKKW7LGQ5lbXBjBa7YwY03HcDaAaOePRLEaU_aMtzKSb4Uz5UnH4fLQUAm0IJGPJ6Ovr755x2mi872DRGmrc3J6l7vcE4KGQVX1B2RqxNy01aLeRLw/s1600-h/scan0089.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115078800158086610" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJQ-nxeUoEnAew3ywarYKKW7LGQ5lbXBjBa7YwY03HcDaAaOePRLEaU_aMtzKSb4Uz5UnH4fLQUAm0IJGPJ6Ovr755x2mi872DRGmrc3J6l7vcE4KGQVX1B2RqxNy01aLeRLw/s400/scan0089.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJouD1lQyUrvKkJvny5xytyi61otSK6IzltCdQQgEzYBcCkeyO0UGAbpz1_Dqt7C4nmyXr2WmDNZtgZ6i5-mUDG3KbahGBwr7Aq19kWgPQ-LZr7JgVNN9p3IAs-r128OsouvWI/s1600-h/scan0090.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115078791568152002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJouD1lQyUrvKkJvny5xytyi61otSK6IzltCdQQgEzYBcCkeyO0UGAbpz1_Dqt7C4nmyXr2WmDNZtgZ6i5-mUDG3KbahGBwr7Aq19kWgPQ-LZr7JgVNN9p3IAs-r128OsouvWI/s400/scan0090.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Qg3OGlRHUiyqjr1iZXokde8U8ZhcCW0FV1idi08jQvftfLHvvZr8cwa3WTl23Uchih0QwKeyqEN7JOxanIASxdESf6xuDNSFR9VUuv7OO_bozR8AbLU8Va5XQEckWwCQBMB/s1600-h/scan0091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115078787273184690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Qg3OGlRHUiyqjr1iZXokde8U8ZhcCW0FV1idi08jQvftfLHvvZr8cwa3WTl23Uchih0QwKeyqEN7JOxanIASxdESf6xuDNSFR9VUuv7OO_bozR8AbLU8Va5XQEckWwCQBMB/s400/scan0091.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4iVRmLpE1m_CXtwGGsOqA6CwRVoMtc1t9Y5aIdElSti3PfvgBAIf7ZliMy3A_IX2BAIxNTxAj0Vn6BrVCADNgZOgTe3N27hWY__1RXS9zi8WFLb6v9-Rzw0YYq2Bg59_Y9AZ/s1600-h/scan0092.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115078782978217378" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4iVRmLpE1m_CXtwGGsOqA6CwRVoMtc1t9Y5aIdElSti3PfvgBAIf7ZliMy3A_IX2BAIxNTxAj0Vn6BrVCADNgZOgTe3N27hWY__1RXS9zi8WFLb6v9-Rzw0YYq2Bg59_Y9AZ/s400/scan0092.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is a picture of some of the roses from Nanny's spray that draped her coffin. It was the most beautiful flower arrangement I have ever seen. I kept one rose for each of my children; they are drying upside down in my kitchen right now. Dallas found the butterfly on one of the other arrangements and wanted to keep it:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLulzShZjsiIaufiSbe-rBZuN7SHrDTTiI_Tekx2hhTSPmTU6PrWfbGppcqQTmaAPhuPTNrX_qkMCSv-2gSd0FPg_Ju0wUfHNGD-C78bq-6EsCBMzjAcK2AkYAT0mfvvgQs9eZ/s1600-h/IMG_5689.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115691576027108850" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLulzShZjsiIaufiSbe-rBZuN7SHrDTTiI_Tekx2hhTSPmTU6PrWfbGppcqQTmaAPhuPTNrX_qkMCSv-2gSd0FPg_Ju0wUfHNGD-C78bq-6EsCBMzjAcK2AkYAT0mfvvgQs9eZ/s400/IMG_5689.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Afterwards, we went to lunch with some of the family to Luna's Mexican Restaurant in Baytown. We sat outside on the patio and enjoyed talking, especially about Nanny and our memories of her. My mom and her brother Mark were there plus his 3 kids Bryan, Tammie, and Alicia who was there with Bryant also. Catherine and Amber were there, and so was Dan and Dallas (We had all 4 kids with us at the viewing the night before. Dan's mom kept Savanna, Bailey, and Noah for us. We gave Dallas and Noah the option to come to the funeral.) Colby & Terri's daughter, Amie, was there also with her husband, Travis, and thier daughter, Gracie. It's so weird how so many of us have 3 year olds. We could start our own playgroup! Nanny would have loved to see them all playing together.<br /><br />Here is a picture of my mom with Uncle Mark outside of Luna's. He's giving my mom the bunny ears. Mark is a character! I was especially amused listening to him take his order. He didn't choose a meal but rather told the waitress exactly what he wanted on his plate! We joked that he must have been flirting with the waitress or slipped her some cash because he got his meal 10 minutes before anyone else did!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Jil_fitCZ0qD-N0AoVEAsMsVYT3xt30pFsIgYKd1jnPYJ9CDGRoUqsdjjIFLKs5s9BwLnZMG9MS5d7rU9vZYyuLtlQ24aAokliVWsbxxLPrFeDBpcVyo0ZF-7zHVf5Oq98wG/s1600-h/IMG_5686.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115692439315535362" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Jil_fitCZ0qD-N0AoVEAsMsVYT3xt30pFsIgYKd1jnPYJ9CDGRoUqsdjjIFLKs5s9BwLnZMG9MS5d7rU9vZYyuLtlQ24aAokliVWsbxxLPrFeDBpcVyo0ZF-7zHVf5Oq98wG/s400/IMG_5686.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I'm glad we all went out together. We had fun; Nanny would have liked that.Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-85665618911060801732007-09-25T08:10:00.000-07:002007-09-30T00:10:38.191-07:00That's My Nanny<em>I wrote this poem for her just now, to put in her coffin. After thinking about Nanny all weekend the words just flowed from my fingers. I know Nanny was the Angel on my shoulder as I wrote this. We are about to leave for Baytown where Nanny born (when it was called Goose Creek), where she will be laid to rest...</em><br /><em></em><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">That’s My Nanny<br /><br />Let me tell you about Nanny, this lady so fine<br />A sister-wife-mother-friend-grandmother of mine<br />She was kind, loving, special and unique<br />Still no one has matched her cooking technique<br /><br />She loved with her words and her giving nature<br />In ways and amounts you cannot measure<br />She wasn’t complex nor was she simple<br />She was just plain “good people”<br /><br />Her personality was magnetic<br />She was driven, energetic<br />You could not stop her when her mind was set<br />What Nanny needed, she would get<br /><br />But she used these powers for others, for good<br />Right next to you is where she stood<br />When you needed a friendly hand to hold<br />She was there, as good as gold<br /><br />She wasn’t graceful, but who needs grace?<br />She made up for it with her loving embrace,<br />That hug, that kiss<br />That’s what we’ll miss<br /><br />When you needed her, Nanny was there<br />With her crisp blue eyes and her silver hair<br />We knew her laugh, we knew her smile<br />The ribbon in her hair - her very own style.<br /><br />Most of all, Nanny was true<br />The best little old lady I ever knew<br />Her knack for straightforwardness was certainly uncanny<br />But that’s alright; that’s my Nanny.<br /><br />Love always, Carrie Lynn</span>Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-33012624496691876862007-09-23T14:14:00.000-07:002008-02-04T14:00:49.503-08:00In Memory of my Nanny<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UYBdbdTHeuWv2hAzT0Z1C4bXH9NmzYfmA3RYgbJKg_UlPUIwlS5kJwgGAm8Mz2Z7Q4YRQYP5eMRG0nZMSid2LqobSMvukf5cZuZQXKFxn_NEdZQ25USdip8rPF6hqKXMqFc1/s1600-h/scan0068.jpg"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jfGbtmfDIloYhz5Q2NjRES_O-le733hmTVwzMuul35bgU2Tpb1SHTrT1Zpp6qNDc0S2s12ygh7yVowjIrHZczxgQ4xXbOmwWSH80t3nfNcdexnZjQdD2KZs9os1nD1uBxMzN/s1600-h/scan0005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113589155175977186" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jfGbtmfDIloYhz5Q2NjRES_O-le733hmTVwzMuul35bgU2Tpb1SHTrT1Zpp6qNDc0S2s12ygh7yVowjIrHZczxgQ4xXbOmwWSH80t3nfNcdexnZjQdD2KZs9os1nD1uBxMzN/s320/scan0005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><strong>ALENE FAY HENSON TIPTON</strong> passed on to Heaven on Saturday, Septmeber 22, 2007 after 81 years on Earth. She was an affectionate daughter, a fun-loving sister, a brilliant violinist, a devoted wife, a skilled hairdresser, a doting mother, a fun aunt, a talented embroideress, the best mother-in-law, a true friend, and a warm-hearted grandmother and great-grandmother. I am thankful for every moment I was </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">allowed to spend with her and my PePa. Today, I can look into Nanny's crisp blue eyes in the eyes of my mother and of my daughter, Savanna.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">She leaves behind her husband Clyde E. Tipton, "PePa," as he is affectionately called by his grandchildren & great grandchildren; daughter Chris Fowler and her children Carrie, Catherine, & Candace; son Mark Tipton and his children Alicia, Tammie, & Brian; son Colby Tipton, his daughter Tiffany and his wife Terri, their children Brent & Amie; and numerous great grandchildren. I do not know all of their names, but before her mind was ravaged by Alzheimer's, Nanny knew each and every one of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Since I was a very little girl, I got a birthday card from my Nanny every year, and as many grandchildren & great grandchildren as she had, she still sent birthday cards as long as she was able to. She loved her entire family. Nanny's love languages were gifts and service. She showed her love with birthday cards, Christmas presents that she picked out herself, and her delicious down home cooking. Thanksgiving is still one of my favorite times of year, thanks to all the warm childhood memories I have spent at Lake Livingston around family and great food. Some of the best times of my childhood were spent with Nanny & PePa during the summer when Mom & Dad would let me go stay a week or two with them. Nanny would take me with her every time she went to town, and we would either shuck corn or shell peas together in the evenings, whatever was fresh out of PePa's garden. And she made the best jellies and hot sauce from all that fresh produce, but my favorite of all was her dewberry cobbler, fresh from the wild vines. This is how I remember Nanny:</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvM_lfSatmNJmvca5FsyMYy6guZgJkIJwaO_8FMo38E4GS3TXLJAXfoZQKViuheGujwvfQk6vdVtRCQr4c-D25FboMdPa2t5JATGAS3jZ_CQLjX-mJrr9fgLlA_DNpNGhDDp9/s1600-h/scan0046.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113626401132368178" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvM_lfSatmNJmvca5FsyMYy6guZgJkIJwaO_8FMo38E4GS3TXLJAXfoZQKViuheGujwvfQk6vdVtRCQr4c-D25FboMdPa2t5JATGAS3jZ_CQLjX-mJrr9fgLlA_DNpNGhDDp9/s400/scan0046.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">We are blessed to be</span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> part of her family and rejoice for her now as she has been freed from her earthly body, and her soul lives on in Heaven. We love you, Nanny. You will live on in our hearts for all our days on Earth, and we will all be together again soon.</span><br /><br />Thinking of Nanny brought me to my picture archives as I reflected on Nanny and her life. Forgive me, I might be wrong on some of the dates. Here are some of the pictures I dug up and scanned of this beautiful lady:<br /><br />Alene Fay Henson, born July 25, 1926; pictured here about 1 yr. old:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR5f4QxQ9j4MbsPNOq5ISK5gFoq80AFBBNNN4rgelc2DSoILc42uT46-YMIKb8Dyan-w3dsUouO6CIpPAKIsV33BtLtSsPEWKyz0QRcizlRberqMcxFYA4sP3KwfB7DyKXDv5/s1600-h/scan0055.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113607026534895906" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR5f4QxQ9j4MbsPNOq5ISK5gFoq80AFBBNNN4rgelc2DSoILc42uT46-YMIKb8Dyan-w3dsUouO6CIpPAKIsV33BtLtSsPEWKyz0QRcizlRberqMcxFYA4sP3KwfB7DyKXDv5/s400/scan0055.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I don't know the date of this one, but she looks gorgeous, doesn't she?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtoSiexl4LULuFCb9MOy_wD8ITk-qpz25x-NUYnK2OVLDC8HTuymAG3Lvtkl3oMwK1aOwsTJkpP5qY7u3oksQfbES9yvSkzARVmI05x1ErAgAiB0nv8mHGGC24Px68m37JuMP/s1600-h/scan0006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113591152335769842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtoSiexl4LULuFCb9MOy_wD8ITk-qpz25x-NUYnK2OVLDC8HTuymAG3Lvtkl3oMwK1aOwsTJkpP5qY7u3oksQfbES9yvSkzARVmI05x1ErAgAiB0nv8mHGGC24Px68m37JuMP/s400/scan0006.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />October 26, 1948 with daugher, Chris<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6eIVsCdidDP9HePPLNwxsTZ0M_MbbfVPwVaXv9o_Ebh5XfXFpTyhM7XNy9HRNCTLDRkauBerTNdy9VkEjg77ciukPOHlfMdNCdWopyvhrHvoqfi9DAhT-4zzhk5sTNYd1P6J/s1600-h/scan0003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113587252505465010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM6eIVsCdidDP9HePPLNwxsTZ0M_MbbfVPwVaXv9o_Ebh5XfXFpTyhM7XNy9HRNCTLDRkauBerTNdy9VkEjg77ciukPOHlfMdNCdWopyvhrHvoqfi9DAhT-4zzhk5sTNYd1P6J/s320/scan0003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguBBBQt2RCTds-JisVcttvjhkUqu_OhQxLEb0i51Ej47mTqyOZrSYK3shDLuQug-r67l1eXEkIvuffLbTFBxjbXlmJ9Zw-os7TbM4X5HMvaE3kIu6yl8GzSV2eY8gzfygs9wS/s1600-h/scan0093.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115704830296184354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguBBBQt2RCTds-JisVcttvjhkUqu_OhQxLEb0i51Ej47mTqyOZrSYK3shDLuQug-r67l1eXEkIvuffLbTFBxjbXlmJ9Zw-os7TbM4X5HMvaE3kIu6yl8GzSV2eY8gzfygs9wS/s400/scan0093.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Clyde and Alene a.k.a PePa & Nanny:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hRHqcQN3YbSTn023kaxkO_hGfy4aUXD0sKWqNgZx10-LusKi17ZTjEq_8jgcyXc-T17JxD0oN3AViN9BziXKhpr_OkKXMhLIeZRGt2ZdGRRwKYt1fR1-GckPHpNLbAB3L8nr/s1600-h/scan0050.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113628608745558354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4hRHqcQN3YbSTn023kaxkO_hGfy4aUXD0sKWqNgZx10-LusKi17ZTjEq_8jgcyXc-T17JxD0oN3AViN9BziXKhpr_OkKXMhLIeZRGt2ZdGRRwKYt1fR1-GckPHpNLbAB3L8nr/s400/scan0050.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />1952. Nanny (26) with Mark (3) and Chris (4), (my mom). Next picture is of PePa with the kids. They must have taken turns taking pictures.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaBN-Pd1dbRCTC1KHx1o1sd7oCzuNkjAKbwDathLWMelvzoP6WUJCVLQe2zN8MOTmZBAkBED3j99t2wFkyvCGC4q6RpzJ-DhxlbnDBBZxqLL1113iaO3DeFSSRpLElXKxpUtI/s1600-h/scan0051.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697809258632066" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicaBN-Pd1dbRCTC1KHx1o1sd7oCzuNkjAKbwDathLWMelvzoP6WUJCVLQe2zN8MOTmZBAkBED3j99t2wFkyvCGC4q6RpzJ-DhxlbnDBBZxqLL1113iaO3DeFSSRpLElXKxpUtI/s400/scan0051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK3e37ZCXCCDlvYGCWEv9Mcc-qFigTHZIqHT_hGHnnbClb5IWCrzQauvI-4gT75Rznx9M46uJZRw2aH_eY2Y5NP-Wh4C-zmPmTkduZpb-4PCSRg1Ub8nFDN9kgXmWGHxTTB8j/s1600-h/scan0056.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697809258632082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRK3e37ZCXCCDlvYGCWEv9Mcc-qFigTHZIqHT_hGHnnbClb5IWCrzQauvI-4gT75Rznx9M46uJZRw2aH_eY2Y5NP-Wh4C-zmPmTkduZpb-4PCSRg1Ub8nFDN9kgXmWGHxTTB8j/s400/scan0056.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next 3 photos are from April 1958, Nanny, 31, with her 3 children, her 2nd generation; Colby Lee, Chris Delaine (my mom), and Mark Wynn. I'm guessing it's Easter Sunday since Colby's holding a bunny!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4iMSnMLexIRdBXqqaAWfbTUDp9F6oFLNXVPeEWynAj56s_JhooxWpNKABVfe9U2vYlsmUACCr52nQ8dS5PbyGnPLnmTP9l4ezKcggRfn49TXKNL7ucfCWCGaQ5g-TwSoGZCD/s1600-h/scan0083.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113727977108919650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4iMSnMLexIRdBXqqaAWfbTUDp9F6oFLNXVPeEWynAj56s_JhooxWpNKABVfe9U2vYlsmUACCr52nQ8dS5PbyGnPLnmTP9l4ezKcggRfn49TXKNL7ucfCWCGaQ5g-TwSoGZCD/s400/scan0083.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGIiFiUvymahKkQzQJ1T-V4WLpjwd2YiZRNEP4Ft8IEnwilHJH3t7eWq3gC02bauo-a3dC2stCz1KWACxiVhAgjT77Ax0ML6uyiVsVAHzmkmGcf2z7KCcsDbTaWU0jpVA64nu/s1600-h/scan0053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113629338889998690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGIiFiUvymahKkQzQJ1T-V4WLpjwd2YiZRNEP4Ft8IEnwilHJH3t7eWq3gC02bauo-a3dC2stCz1KWACxiVhAgjT77Ax0ML6uyiVsVAHzmkmGcf2z7KCcsDbTaWU0jpVA64nu/s400/scan0053.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVrinbNe9ExE75l9idXSZZvEbMW3AU7TzfQhpJ3QmCkiPlwD5s0bMgMRJuuZX-HCSDnSrYDGsT3gjdSEBA-gu6R5DqyPkPAcfewTHG5XEA8xkouORw1cqbWYAs5bstBamK4oH/s1600-h/scan0054.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697813553599394" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVrinbNe9ExE75l9idXSZZvEbMW3AU7TzfQhpJ3QmCkiPlwD5s0bMgMRJuuZX-HCSDnSrYDGsT3gjdSEBA-gu6R5DqyPkPAcfewTHG5XEA8xkouORw1cqbWYAs5bstBamK4oH/s400/scan0054.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This picture looks like it might be the late 60's or early 70's. Nanny always loved chihuahuas. I wonder if one of these is Sugar.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14OwwD9aGYv6oXk4Z5zmA58-5ksJS7wJsJP4777UnjtRZgHPxS2NWkox4RXrHKkQz84Ve438Wnk03UasJaQRYFseW4Z7GH_RVZMX3HPx_zAGXNkGloT17C8IXhV7Oh2i7C9OH/s1600-h/scan0052.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113698470683595746" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh14OwwD9aGYv6oXk4Z5zmA58-5ksJS7wJsJP4777UnjtRZgHPxS2NWkox4RXrHKkQz84Ve438Wnk03UasJaQRYFseW4Z7GH_RVZMX3HPx_zAGXNkGloT17C8IXhV7Oh2i7C9OH/s400/scan0052.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These next 2 photos are from either late 1973 or early 1974. Nanny, 47, is holding newborn Carrie (me!), and sitting to your left is Alicia who was born August 1973, and Tiffany is to your right. She was born November 1972. Tiffany is Colby's daughter, Alicia is Mark's daughter, and I am Chris's daughter. So Nanny is holding the 3rd generation of her family.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIpvBnjCO7qv8LS11qVBM_3YPom8MY_RlUrlNekMW1NI8MVjZUMbIXbrk4RVAU0307VEt2aWyRNX-4ErGbvOQehaLd3EPDufulhrwRarzekVAYRxJ3LC_Um2Fz3Rq9PgXAR7R/s1600-h/scan0066.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113694446299238930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIpvBnjCO7qv8LS11qVBM_3YPom8MY_RlUrlNekMW1NI8MVjZUMbIXbrk4RVAU0307VEt2aWyRNX-4ErGbvOQehaLd3EPDufulhrwRarzekVAYRxJ3LC_Um2Fz3Rq9PgXAR7R/s400/scan0066.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FRs7eyIHUi1OdaYNAaCSPEqNvgtBmGqSkao4sMm-NEORHn5q1hPp6I0u_eYEdUzOAX8sgGJZOOpfN3qgN3bk4uEwrYZLXOAYJJPLMkCRaRqAxNQ6WzdUsVQNIeWCmgCQGW3J/s1600-h/scan0071.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113694446299238914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-FRs7eyIHUi1OdaYNAaCSPEqNvgtBmGqSkao4sMm-NEORHn5q1hPp6I0u_eYEdUzOAX8sgGJZOOpfN3qgN3bk4uEwrYZLXOAYJJPLMkCRaRqAxNQ6WzdUsVQNIeWCmgCQGW3J/s400/scan0071.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is Nanny (about 52) and me at her and PePa's house on Madison in Baytown. Before they moved to the Lake we would spend Christmas Day at their house. I'm guessing this is 1978 or '79:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioukmUWAsr0yCNx_H_-51kAciItCieyZ4wuMdpBzoghtgc1MOjgsbnSEDasAUsSEl99JubEGacbRVuv74V7E13ZgCFgTyyvWGf-PHkzGKe4WjwNOKyyEmcbbZGxlzFZLJvEccc/s1600-h/scan0047.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113666404457763202" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioukmUWAsr0yCNx_H_-51kAciItCieyZ4wuMdpBzoghtgc1MOjgsbnSEDasAUsSEl99JubEGacbRVuv74V7E13ZgCFgTyyvWGf-PHkzGKe4WjwNOKyyEmcbbZGxlzFZLJvEccc/s400/scan0047.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cCm8pJZhfSzMTpOjv7aM6fz-G8CphoPyY8b0jCapFlPpOQ94JN2HJYX9DDMd_80evcBU-gORVsJDOJKt-dI6KQ-GRQN06N66URmoM_g2LP4QnXt72DHsEJYcGsfdS9WInEFh/s1600-h/scan0049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113666404457763218" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cCm8pJZhfSzMTpOjv7aM6fz-G8CphoPyY8b0jCapFlPpOQ94JN2HJYX9DDMd_80evcBU-gORVsJDOJKt-dI6KQ-GRQN06N66URmoM_g2LP4QnXt72DHsEJYcGsfdS9WInEFh/s400/scan0049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1980? This is Nanny (about 54) with me on the right and Catherine on the left. The next pic is of us with PePa.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40aBmtOQf93k5YTcXGTSp1-rWHXPI_f32LN0nLH97GikAlP3WuiB4TJ9C1evwfTpa1TAKaFd3JXJE6_IikSOBsVUlMEypVB9GetKCJPueE0kbBIOlCa8RD4KOvTT2KKql1XMA/s1600-h/scan0059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113698225870459826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40aBmtOQf93k5YTcXGTSp1-rWHXPI_f32LN0nLH97GikAlP3WuiB4TJ9C1evwfTpa1TAKaFd3JXJE6_IikSOBsVUlMEypVB9GetKCJPueE0kbBIOlCa8RD4KOvTT2KKql1XMA/s400/scan0059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8epCRZjrCHNoPDO2iMboOXTnMHMp5hIVulFl1fwifb2DrywqAmxpGZcVW2RQa8kRhhbLPe4N3426u0aaafpefTMeMwpGaIX2ERdoU0yhNABbXVJAwQJr2eVLimkEHVuSaTVya/s1600-h/scan0062.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113698225870459842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8epCRZjrCHNoPDO2iMboOXTnMHMp5hIVulFl1fwifb2DrywqAmxpGZcVW2RQa8kRhhbLPe4N3426u0aaafpefTMeMwpGaIX2ERdoU0yhNABbXVJAwQJr2eVLimkEHVuSaTVya/s400/scan0062.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nanny's wearing the same shirt here, so it might be from the same night. There's thier Datsun truck in the background. PePa was a loyal Datsun owner until they got bought out by Nissan, and then he switched to Nissan!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZl9zfYSG9U1wHrIYYqPICmMDhRYXYxLikze44ddQn-exYxA9-N207__JYn9MqUyuVW2fTEZdWrS0wSiBN72MEt2lPhpho8qERgOTxnAgHtdgtvQk2xKkaY9J_CxhF6e9ddEH/s1600-h/scan0065.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113698474978563058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZl9zfYSG9U1wHrIYYqPICmMDhRYXYxLikze44ddQn-exYxA9-N207__JYn9MqUyuVW2fTEZdWrS0wSiBN72MEt2lPhpho8qERgOTxnAgHtdgtvQk2xKkaY9J_CxhF6e9ddEH/s400/scan0065.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />That's Catherine on the left, me on the right, and baby Candace is in Nanny's lap. I don't think this is Christmas because we always got dressed up for Christmas, but there is presents and wrapping paper... I'm thinking this might be a double birthday party for Catherine's 4th and Candace's 1st birthday, so probably March 1982:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDDuWqk4XCf2k7Zv-5khJpbyB8MjR90B1L0WxR7epmHINV2R7OcgeTXuyG_6vMjW2g_gC5Tz5bcinNaa9bzXsjTSlz9tdsw3o6mriguFnL7PoV0lb1rkI0MGTDY9a7iqnHy7-/s1600-h/scan0027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113665227636724082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDDuWqk4XCf2k7Zv-5khJpbyB8MjR90B1L0WxR7epmHINV2R7OcgeTXuyG_6vMjW2g_gC5Tz5bcinNaa9bzXsjTSlz9tdsw3o6mriguFnL7PoV0lb1rkI0MGTDY9a7iqnHy7-/s400/scan0027.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1981 or '82? Nanny with the grandkids at their house on Madison. Uncle Mark is holding somebody's baby doll. From left to right - me, Alicia, Catherine, & Tammie:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmH810iCqcows1JWfRFhm1dxExZ9ZZluKccHl_CPyMOVU-amgYNuMDNM38pt3TdhnazIcnWbGmh0S9grvyCDA5hahQnk4zyFaCmCx4ZInb3ptIzFvZe3CWhR2oiN8IE-VMPml/s1600-h/scan0067.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113696473523802866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmH810iCqcows1JWfRFhm1dxExZ9ZZluKccHl_CPyMOVU-amgYNuMDNM38pt3TdhnazIcnWbGmh0S9grvyCDA5hahQnk4zyFaCmCx4ZInb3ptIzFvZe3CWhR2oiN8IE-VMPml/s400/scan0067.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1983. Nanny holding my sister Candace.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwleFWAH_vZVvCGWhYATYJDjqYtZsavHIW_niCRksq6Su-IGAwbXlxWKibj1yBfY6dtFHceZ-NX2XLkhLiioJIKBB1EGVGMMBkKtqQHv9ryHvvaSXvh4RT60vitnjL70zuGfG/s1600-h/scan0026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113694703997276706" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwleFWAH_vZVvCGWhYATYJDjqYtZsavHIW_niCRksq6Su-IGAwbXlxWKibj1yBfY6dtFHceZ-NX2XLkhLiioJIKBB1EGVGMMBkKtqQHv9ryHvvaSXvh4RT60vitnjL70zuGfG/s400/scan0026.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />All 9 (living) of Nanny & PePa's grandkids at Christmas 1983. From back left clockwise: Candace, me, Tiffany, Alicia, Amie (in Alicia's lap), Tammie, Brent, Catherine, & Brian.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mQXMvrdV1alhrThRVg4IKAhdFjCb1shvDqrtZ-F-X5Bykf59_er4b5F8ar6TCjec4BE4wcNO371C58BoiH_cc6RWo3dJsV3JD0Gu67OGu62v29XN0zJKpVYLyZ90Zxs1dcS9/s1600-h/scan0021.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113703981126636642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6mQXMvrdV1alhrThRVg4IKAhdFjCb1shvDqrtZ-F-X5Bykf59_er4b5F8ar6TCjec4BE4wcNO371C58BoiH_cc6RWo3dJsV3JD0Gu67OGu62v29XN0zJKpVYLyZ90Zxs1dcS9/s400/scan0021.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Going by how old Candace looks here, I'm guessing this is Christmas 1984. L-R: Catherine, baby Candace, & me. Looks like their house in Baytown.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNW-geSj-poA_-Hlqam2HCak1D0vp3qUSerdUG1DBTRC8o4P8w1fwZM-Mo-dzndx8MSsl8cW8isf-v6fQhs02z6qu0IDt0vkWgFUQDDFUJHIJzQJ5-uzUrKIKPAeooN21idig/s1600-h/scan0063.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113703805032977490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNW-geSj-poA_-Hlqam2HCak1D0vp3qUSerdUG1DBTRC8o4P8w1fwZM-Mo-dzndx8MSsl8cW8isf-v6fQhs02z6qu0IDt0vkWgFUQDDFUJHIJzQJ5-uzUrKIKPAeooN21idig/s400/scan0063.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nanny with Tiffany, not sure of the date.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq4R0cXy0anM3s3XffvawK62Q2f76uX6z8sNZq_O53o035M5PWSPFunYHcMcLrQXGWIZtROnx9YehlBG3iOsUY6c4iDOH-PvxcNReDs3Ki123Omk75F6qncBHDeSfSa786J-d/s1600-h/scan0073.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113696155696222930" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq4R0cXy0anM3s3XffvawK62Q2f76uX6z8sNZq_O53o035M5PWSPFunYHcMcLrQXGWIZtROnx9YehlBG3iOsUY6c4iDOH-PvxcNReDs3Ki123Omk75F6qncBHDeSfSa786J-d/s400/scan0073.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nanny with some grandkids in front of their travel trailer at Lake Livingston; from top left clockwise: me, Candace, Alicia, Nanny, Brian, Catherine, & Tammie. Candace looks about 3 or 4, so I would guess 1984 or '85:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfHPaqEMZ4SIB-E7s4qVW582qehyqIgemqtT37BHN7lk2Fgm2queqmFRD0qAmK2hXbEPJ6N0bJj1-VWsNQUScZD8_cERKaF20v_aCZgtHNsSaMpVUQXxJFuV-aMJtLfvOUvRe/s1600-h/scan0068.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113627745457131842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfHPaqEMZ4SIB-E7s4qVW582qehyqIgemqtT37BHN7lk2Fgm2queqmFRD0qAmK2hXbEPJ6N0bJj1-VWsNQUScZD8_cERKaF20v_aCZgtHNsSaMpVUQXxJFuV-aMJtLfvOUvRe/s400/scan0068.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Another picture taken the same day with Nanny and PePa:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET27OU0T60dJG3ITOt-s7V_8afhhEF3gEDRlZJbn7fnYmnvgVAAZ-oUoLLGfKhyphenhyphen5JI0fIXeU_UtETNYsl5aYE0ZKtBFx8FjEiUrKjfAr-XDN8FIzskM44vmzFaPNLleCvk-wY/s1600-h/scan0048.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113757509304046962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgET27OU0T60dJG3ITOt-s7V_8afhhEF3gEDRlZJbn7fnYmnvgVAAZ-oUoLLGfKhyphenhyphen5JI0fIXeU_UtETNYsl5aYE0ZKtBFx8FjEiUrKjfAr-XDN8FIzskM44vmzFaPNLleCvk-wY/s400/scan0048.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's a couple more pictures from that same day, with Candace and my dad. I think the cat is Stubby; he had a stub for a tail, and he was either Missy's sister or son. They had Missy for a very long time, over 10 years, I think. She was a pretty orange and black calico. Nanny's probably checking Stubby for fleas. She would grab a cat or dog in the evening and sit on the swing and pick the fleas off & kill them - a futile effort since there are so many fleas there, but it seemed like it was relaxing for her.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLupl6YYYw8yrWB_uKi14TNTGQZBFZSm2X1eNkK5o-NzBOaRAIeHQ-Fpnpz86cEe3KTaDxwJqd3T8ygxTAbNWCZIQTtie7VRR6uKpGfqs8ydyKV9HTEDKcNoAnr0GKr16GjN7R/s1600-h/scan0072.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697250912883554" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLupl6YYYw8yrWB_uKi14TNTGQZBFZSm2X1eNkK5o-NzBOaRAIeHQ-Fpnpz86cEe3KTaDxwJqd3T8ygxTAbNWCZIQTtie7VRR6uKpGfqs8ydyKV9HTEDKcNoAnr0GKr16GjN7R/s400/scan0072.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dad loved Nanny & PePa like a mom & dad, and they loved him like a son.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSOYs7cXcDbK7mwE497FqjWlszpUKVuA_iWyCAKakpbsdsV-Ti_fCTkje0kPdDMGoqTOA_-274aD02YvsGni80Gpc16G734AS-RZFBk5442kir5NtC2BtND6FubvcoKbsSkpp/s1600-h/scan0061.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113698337539609554" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSOYs7cXcDbK7mwE497FqjWlszpUKVuA_iWyCAKakpbsdsV-Ti_fCTkje0kPdDMGoqTOA_-274aD02YvsGni80Gpc16G734AS-RZFBk5442kir5NtC2BtND6FubvcoKbsSkpp/s400/scan0061.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />My dad passed away 9 years ago. Nanny loved him very much, and I think Dad thought of her like a Mom, too. They are together in Heaven now. We will all be together again someday in Heaven if we believe in God and Jesus as our Lord and Savior. How do I know this?<br /><br /><span style="font-family:times new roman;"><em>I Thessalonians 4:13-18<br /></em></span><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-family:times new roman;">{4:13} And we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who are sleeping, so as not to be sorrowful, like these others, who do not have hope.{4:14} For if we believe that Jesus has died and risen again, so also will God bring back with Jesus those who sleep in him.{4:15} For we say this to you, in the Word of the Lord: that we who are alive, who remain until the return of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.{4:16} For the Lord himself, with a command and with the voice of an Archangel and with a trumpet of God, shall descend from heaven. And the dead, who are in Christ, shall rise up first.{4:17} Next, we who are alive, who are remaining, shall be taken up quickly together with them into the clouds to meet Christ in the air. And in this way, we shall be with the Lord always.{4:18} Therefore, console one another with these words.</span><br /></span><br />If you have any questions about heaven, Randy Alcorn's heaven is a good read.<br /><br /><br />Thanksgiving dinner 1985. Mmmm... makes me hungry just looking at it! My Nanny could cook...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGduxhh4Ba1cJJnBGqJO6cJDchRqQaPYY98617kbP12GjpfYu15Ng5UauckI-CNkuqJcP9_c35OQWnBxp549yyFfXTzPbo7l2GKolFeXjgm0315Am3rt5GmyEQYFzkwTsx4YB/s1600-h/scan0007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113695975307596482" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGduxhh4Ba1cJJnBGqJO6cJDchRqQaPYY98617kbP12GjpfYu15Ng5UauckI-CNkuqJcP9_c35OQWnBxp549yyFfXTzPbo7l2GKolFeXjgm0315Am3rt5GmyEQYFzkwTsx4YB/s400/scan0007.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1985 or '86, I believe, at Nanny & PePa's house on Madison in Baytown. This is all of Nanny & PePa's 9 living grandkids - the third generation (Colby & Terri had a son, Jaime I believe was his name, that passed as a newborn. Nanny's probably met him already, I do not know what year he was born). Back to front, left to right - Carrie, Catherine, Tiffany, Alicia, Candace (in Alicia's lap), Tammie, Brian (with the big open mouth smile), Brent, & Amie:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCdzgVJ9wFxBwuhtsBuwPl3vldRmCnrlecShgwwBmjV42ixXvm82TvNrdjIerpKP96VQm8__HegtN7_niqHgCtC2_HuyfnnpbRIkP7bnoesSG8zwiqBt4N9idlIxOhjekkVD5/s1600-h/scan0064.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113696331789882082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQCdzgVJ9wFxBwuhtsBuwPl3vldRmCnrlecShgwwBmjV42ixXvm82TvNrdjIerpKP96VQm8__HegtN7_niqHgCtC2_HuyfnnpbRIkP7bnoesSG8zwiqBt4N9idlIxOhjekkVD5/s400/scan0064.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1888. Nanny & PePa's 3 kids: Mark, Chris (my mom), & Colby on the gazebo PePa built at Lake Livingston. Those lights stayed on the gazebo year round, but they were only lit up at Christmas!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7ZfFzoA0uHCmVd6jQUjl1Jnfk1OFMo0x4W0TTPKzhngyNy_MdX2iYLojlHZg4851tgJuwpM_vg3naD83mIzM5p5hp2yh6-EzV2xnh_P4cRoc1zCMEmyRwdTEa9jsCwozJWm0/s1600-h/scan0074.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113703173672784898" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc7ZfFzoA0uHCmVd6jQUjl1Jnfk1OFMo0x4W0TTPKzhngyNy_MdX2iYLojlHZg4851tgJuwpM_vg3naD83mIzM5p5hp2yh6-EzV2xnh_P4cRoc1zCMEmyRwdTEa9jsCwozJWm0/s400/scan0074.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Thanksgiving 1989 - mmm... that's the bird and Nanny's famous dressin', and the picture below that is my mom with her mom on the couch in the living room of the add-on my PePa built onto their travel trailer (I changed it to black and white because there was an orange hue to it. I must have exposed the film somehow because all the pictures on this roll are like that)...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ui7LQpQWnMB3YPIG6hv7H7_jXhJVU37FxhP4s6rK-KRqWu9HJLdeOo7ONNR16ZV85oeqZUW0qb0OKrygGK6nfljgutsIr6TzwDB0oEzOK_xXgxc8evbC7EAAy-7unEN9j7mH/s1600-h/scan0024.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113674865543336354" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Ui7LQpQWnMB3YPIG6hv7H7_jXhJVU37FxhP4s6rK-KRqWu9HJLdeOo7ONNR16ZV85oeqZUW0qb0OKrygGK6nfljgutsIr6TzwDB0oEzOK_xXgxc8evbC7EAAy-7unEN9j7mH/s320/scan0024.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJNe8n_-w3z6vzBS3lUR1ujUvMbFr4c77V3ev5yjvIcP2VwFc98BuZCgcz_4ts-PSrTtnsf6-rFNM17Kyy_oDtNd-ac4DqUG5FHV6Z9_pt3UjIuJK7rnBYIEzJxE3GSl0Hdky/s1600-h/scan0025.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113674865543336370" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJNe8n_-w3z6vzBS3lUR1ujUvMbFr4c77V3ev5yjvIcP2VwFc98BuZCgcz_4ts-PSrTtnsf6-rFNM17Kyy_oDtNd-ac4DqUG5FHV6Z9_pt3UjIuJK7rnBYIEzJxE3GSl0Hdky/s320/scan0025.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1989. Mom crocheted this blanket; I picked the colors. It was originally supposed to be for me, but once Mom started making it, I didn't care for the color scheme so much. So she gave it to Nanny. I like it now - funny how your tastes change over the years. Mom loved to crochet afghans, and she gave lots of them to Nanny so everyone would have nice warm covers in the winter (no heat!). Nanny probably had over a dozen of them...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD59FlTBocZ8sbYdldQDz2nmYQX18AaOxRBHo-1g05botJeHEEbhRjQBMyq5PWlgbgUaMPPdAR-dHAGz4OzmxkJudqnMfXPA7yPqrmcQH4ZynVvkeGRF2KgYSE0BpMGnhVamHv/s1600-h/scan0023.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113694132766626290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD59FlTBocZ8sbYdldQDz2nmYQX18AaOxRBHo-1g05botJeHEEbhRjQBMyq5PWlgbgUaMPPdAR-dHAGz4OzmxkJudqnMfXPA7yPqrmcQH4ZynVvkeGRF2KgYSE0BpMGnhVamHv/s400/scan0023.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas, 1990.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUg8KzSar2CQB-x8ZrdiIIkxVV7a06UN1fjCIK8i02gwnrPknlwSqeZDYP_P48FZv0Q5Nf9uyf8gYABqI9nYWLBqFJ-Eq396JkbOfr6yWhK_b499cS8DYu_Ht8uZ8mHhbRONZ/s1600-h/scan0012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113695477091390098" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUg8KzSar2CQB-x8ZrdiIIkxVV7a06UN1fjCIK8i02gwnrPknlwSqeZDYP_P48FZv0Q5Nf9uyf8gYABqI9nYWLBqFJ-Eq396JkbOfr6yWhK_b499cS8DYu_Ht8uZ8mHhbRONZ/s400/scan0012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippfYJgyHNlFuCOJaGkeAcQ_hw1hI20Y6ZiUQ7Xp8wpcFPUFh3ZNyyiqW6Hq5d4c_DXPLJJYebrwVWReqdTEt4b87RlB33zI0SQDKwfmsHmMBsTe32dcrv26Qvi9c8A01WNABG/s1600-h/scan0017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113695584465572514" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEippfYJgyHNlFuCOJaGkeAcQ_hw1hI20Y6ZiUQ7Xp8wpcFPUFh3ZNyyiqW6Hq5d4c_DXPLJJYebrwVWReqdTEt4b87RlB33zI0SQDKwfmsHmMBsTe32dcrv26Qvi9c8A01WNABG/s400/scan0017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1991, I think. Dad is being silly, and I'm wearing a ribbon in my hair like Nanny. Sometimes I would swipe her ribbons!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh-xsQj0E2Ch1F3LrB0QaPhqlHwaMfIkf0NwuQ6WH-WgnpGN_45m3Av5_Mq97D7FYJXgdilnIfz4ssOvW4conSshiHZZUmUP1GXZcEmaMJqfPr8tj-GUMqp-HnzLf9QydkWfc/s1600-h/scan0029.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113696774171513602" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYh-xsQj0E2Ch1F3LrB0QaPhqlHwaMfIkf0NwuQ6WH-WgnpGN_45m3Av5_Mq97D7FYJXgdilnIfz4ssOvW4conSshiHZZUmUP1GXZcEmaMJqfPr8tj-GUMqp-HnzLf9QydkWfc/s400/scan0029.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Nanny liked to wear jingle bells at Christmas (she's Mrs. Claus), and PePa always wears the Santa hat - he passes out the presents. Nanny's next to me, Catherine's behind her, and Colby is to the far right.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuEeqsOOfBOCRVKXE1Hv9eSLd1AJgbPFl5BxFynhx6oO6uVwoXOEhFPsFjQoaHB4xUP2I2Na-b21X5UC9-QskIr3fa5M2-uEonJCbj3kvnlv-H-OyqRz4-_j6LFg2FPThSgEs/s1600-h/scan0013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113696778466480914" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBuEeqsOOfBOCRVKXE1Hv9eSLd1AJgbPFl5BxFynhx6oO6uVwoXOEhFPsFjQoaHB4xUP2I2Na-b21X5UC9-QskIr3fa5M2-uEonJCbj3kvnlv-H-OyqRz4-_j6LFg2FPThSgEs/s400/scan0013.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's all 9 of Nanny's living grandkids on the gazebo, back to front, left to right: Tammie, Alicia, Catherine, Brian, Brent, me, Tiffany, Amie, & Candace.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiismjHpX1iy2qApVCOAItCqkt1MFrKpQEcvXe7PRCzo7vY-8BOrFRsQ4t_dEJid-hJLHvcjWEOZsuBmpw-nzMDq0eOi1qvoFLM0ZfaDAqK78tECqwp56ZpwW-_7A-xWNLg-Mlu/s1600-h/scan0085.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115687633247131106" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiismjHpX1iy2qApVCOAItCqkt1MFrKpQEcvXe7PRCzo7vY-8BOrFRsQ4t_dEJid-hJLHvcjWEOZsuBmpw-nzMDq0eOi1qvoFLM0ZfaDAqK78tECqwp56ZpwW-_7A-xWNLg-Mlu/s400/scan0085.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />May 1992. Nanny is in Houston to watch me graduate. She went to all her grandkids' graduations and had our graduation pictures on the wall of their tiny trailer home. Nanny could not fit a lot of pictures on her wall, but she and PePa were very proud when we graduated.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbTFuCVQfYpMSKZ1cXdM2uWBBeXPHG-bY92En1AxW8hgg4gOvzziBesysohdigXAYgcGJ7ztnRQ5zLh0fMZN8zPcTLMMN1L8iQrVrk6vhw4epYKTZE_4apaEgWX56CFZV2jIa/s1600-h/scan0028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113675505493463490" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbTFuCVQfYpMSKZ1cXdM2uWBBeXPHG-bY92En1AxW8hgg4gOvzziBesysohdigXAYgcGJ7ztnRQ5zLh0fMZN8zPcTLMMN1L8iQrVrk6vhw4epYKTZE_4apaEgWX56CFZV2jIa/s400/scan0028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not sure when this is, but I would guess between '92 & '95. Nanny is in my parents' back yard in Houston when we lived at 8211 Ivan Reid. She looks pretty in that royal blue. Nanny loved to swing. Almost every night at the lake, she would either be on a glider or a swing relaxing after a long day's work - Nanny was a hard worker, either helping PePa with the garden or doing daily housework. It was quite a job keeping the dirt and dust out of a house downwind of a sand bank! So Nanny deserved her relaxing swings at the end of the day...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTBtANzHaFYKejtbWL6o21IxDL-dGUd7WciNe0pSMcJ3nRx4kEYimRNl8hn6v5m-Zzqu8nby-onhduwBeokPFG6JQT6pX8oJzHDchHgCWnU9MpweB7WKTDmaqTBcI6JwamN0U/s1600-h/scan0019.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113696885840663330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTBtANzHaFYKejtbWL6o21IxDL-dGUd7WciNe0pSMcJ3nRx4kEYimRNl8hn6v5m-Zzqu8nby-onhduwBeokPFG6JQT6pX8oJzHDchHgCWnU9MpweB7WKTDmaqTBcI6JwamN0U/s400/scan0019.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Probably also between '93 & '95 since Teddy Bear's in the pic (the tiny brown dog). Nanny is holding Shadow, one of her favorite dogs.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77t_af8BNCQJV7gB1rKbp7CHiSmB8h3-MAbBsHUNHyNzlWpLpazy2RsQHl0XIfVATNZqOeowLHR-TLnhBZp6H5OwkWVia7warqFx_wOowFw1AFTzghZIL1CqPM0BK9AoZATVj/s1600-h/scan0016.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697031869551426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77t_af8BNCQJV7gB1rKbp7CHiSmB8h3-MAbBsHUNHyNzlWpLpazy2RsQHl0XIfVATNZqOeowLHR-TLnhBZp6H5OwkWVia7warqFx_wOowFw1AFTzghZIL1CqPM0BK9AoZATVj/s400/scan0016.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />May 1995. Nanny is in Houston for Catherine's graduation. From left is me, Candace, Mom, Catherine, Dad, Tiffany, and Nanny. Dan is taking the picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj953uHYDonPE_lV4Hzo-CDK-zZvExhIg259oCukTSO4OJFkwnGMlEgEXoCYgcuoeHf6hGcvWIhNMTQENfYmAJNMxzTrgJge7VfDlbe_whi_ZvQ5eQ1boxRWo27Grm11KLZKp_g/s1600-h/scan0042.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113676613595025874" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj953uHYDonPE_lV4Hzo-CDK-zZvExhIg259oCukTSO4OJFkwnGMlEgEXoCYgcuoeHf6hGcvWIhNMTQENfYmAJNMxzTrgJge7VfDlbe_whi_ZvQ5eQ1boxRWo27Grm11KLZKp_g/s400/scan0042.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Then someone returned the favor and snapped a shot of Dan & me. We had been dating one year.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZASoTwpEnJlsDhQb8YeFln-tl8Z2_wBkkcdQO1reWo_9XUzcOYb4n8XnfZlkMjK2xmi9cZ9ILdgT6QOeLgi6aHgSX-F8YLsRoEb0-2MujSGn1ri0-ctVsM15laolUIXSluxmn/s1600-h/scan0078.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113693411212120546" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZASoTwpEnJlsDhQb8YeFln-tl8Z2_wBkkcdQO1reWo_9XUzcOYb4n8XnfZlkMjK2xmi9cZ9ILdgT6QOeLgi6aHgSX-F8YLsRoEb0-2MujSGn1ri0-ctVsM15laolUIXSluxmn/s400/scan0078.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Late Spring, 1996, I think, because I am holding a picture Dan & I had taken together that I was giving to Nanny (that's Dan's and my legs to the left - I remember that shirt of mine!) It was our engagement picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEuk5SaA0PI-sley5Q1KcPbs6bjMC_B8Q5wNWqzp1IcW8wuzLTkL2P5zbIxtf_oC7F-1SQH0zPHT7Bf54VJgtGcjo1Zm5IOHLp0nAoaDMQsmqHQ8SWlkLoyNeQ1HYld7q2vF7/s1600-h/scan0008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113695378307142274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEuk5SaA0PI-sley5Q1KcPbs6bjMC_B8Q5wNWqzp1IcW8wuzLTkL2P5zbIxtf_oC7F-1SQH0zPHT7Bf54VJgtGcjo1Zm5IOHLp0nAoaDMQsmqHQ8SWlkLoyNeQ1HYld7q2vF7/s400/scan0008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />July 27, 1996. Dad giving me away at my wedding; Nanny is watching in the background sitting next to Mark.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHy17KXzW3tnvGu4NRewdUgimjAjnhAVsCR_VFIETg_xAsWqM3_Z5fke8DXBuSMQxfy39q0RvmN6yC3gfIqfX0-Q-PKKY944Ny9zm-xRFm6jVoxLi-kcY6jncFYBOhyBQCIZn/s1600-h/scan0076.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113703620349383714" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHy17KXzW3tnvGu4NRewdUgimjAjnhAVsCR_VFIETg_xAsWqM3_Z5fke8DXBuSMQxfy39q0RvmN6yC3gfIqfX0-Q-PKKY944Ny9zm-xRFm6jVoxLi-kcY6jncFYBOhyBQCIZn/s400/scan0076.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Someone switched seats because here's Nanny next to Mom watching with a smile as Dan puts the ring on my finger. I bet Nanny switched seats because she had her own disposable camera taking pictures. Nanny always had her own little camera to take pictures of everything from graduations to weddings to Christmas...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0zk5rU9FT_yNILNfOC_oJE9FkAF9v9bGgjeVUFucL_XG6Xys1KgPxaFYgT8ZDu62qoQvU_9LVd4SmaqCe_FhSOGrkbTJ_IRTqzkVT4TJIh3tmvLHX0xf09PrZyQs2-GqBHVi/s1600-h/scan0077.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113703620349383730" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0zk5rU9FT_yNILNfOC_oJE9FkAF9v9bGgjeVUFucL_XG6Xys1KgPxaFYgT8ZDu62qoQvU_9LVd4SmaqCe_FhSOGrkbTJ_IRTqzkVT4TJIh3tmvLHX0xf09PrZyQs2-GqBHVi/s400/scan0077.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dan and me with Nanny and Dan's grandmother Betty. Dan's other Granny Mary was still alive then, too, but she was too sick at the time to come to our wedding. My other grandmother wasn't there because she passed when I was an infant. Her name was Fay Aileen. She went by "Aileen." Isn't that such a coinicidence that both my grandmothers had the same names, different spellings? They used to play together when they were kids never knowing they would have a daughter and son who would marry. My mom and dad were both born in 1948, the year Goose Creek, Pelly, and Baytown (the "tri-cities") merged to form Baytown. Dad was born January 1st when it was still Goose Creek, and Mom was born August 11th after it changed to Baytown. They went to the same schools all while they were growing up but never met or knew each other until they were set up by their married friends after Dad got out of the Navy. Our family is full of coincidences like this!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi3DkES2f1B4teLkCZ5q1vZLzwd2jGPB92PgykntKol-ZlWE3alMHxHiwYTRUG7O4FbcfLIGiYnNvARWBdS2IDa3LpjsfbyHHyx0tmh2wbjvWIFAGlNB8-XQ3aXe0taBdu_P9/s1600-h/scan0075.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113703624644351042" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxi3DkES2f1B4teLkCZ5q1vZLzwd2jGPB92PgykntKol-ZlWE3alMHxHiwYTRUG7O4FbcfLIGiYnNvARWBdS2IDa3LpjsfbyHHyx0tmh2wbjvWIFAGlNB8-XQ3aXe0taBdu_P9/s400/scan0075.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Dec. 14, 1996. My baby shower for Dallas hosted by Mom & Dad's friend Karen Brannon. Nanny is watching me open the present from my Mom; Mom sewed baby blankets for him. This one I'm holding was his favorite.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlFLfGLdrf5tgzk7QPG7zFuvn8V-oYrYXORvaOJgHkOlI53q2ePVUh1bCbLFefJbGsqQ_1Pb9bOsy81kqUA0BKE0-AE_WnaxO_09eHnhbtaA_WYD9vHfCsIKWO3oovIibMmC-/s1600-h/scan0018.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113704565242188978" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTlFLfGLdrf5tgzk7QPG7zFuvn8V-oYrYXORvaOJgHkOlI53q2ePVUh1bCbLFefJbGsqQ_1Pb9bOsy81kqUA0BKE0-AE_WnaxO_09eHnhbtaA_WYD9vHfCsIKWO3oovIibMmC-/s400/scan0018.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here we are playing a game at the shower. That's Nanny's grape soda on the table - Nanny loved her grape soda (and strawberry Crush)! (My sister-in-law Monica & her daughter Sierra are next to me).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpI137vr7fXeM0-W58jYtcco9dUpCPWFqfKGL-if0ccbyX6K-v7gCd5Ijo5FiXwFGo9k6IDjHiI0yUCl1v3XT-jgh-UacNDZrjsfawppyWQdCQXacVw0t0nrJ8VZN-lXDTLci/s1600-h/scan0022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113704569537156290" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpI137vr7fXeM0-W58jYtcco9dUpCPWFqfKGL-if0ccbyX6K-v7gCd5Ijo5FiXwFGo9k6IDjHiI0yUCl1v3XT-jgh-UacNDZrjsfawppyWQdCQXacVw0t0nrJ8VZN-lXDTLci/s400/scan0022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nanny at Christmas with her trademark jingle bell (I don't know what year this is from because she almost always wore a jingle bell:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzMuv2BH8FVQ6io17Yqqqnvjvm2lK1pSZeYLIAIzP58bMesseBEjilR8C1uekyXX4MTH3K3pJtTbJby3l9FMnBXirF99BQyn1TNvcg3rfeVrSrMNbWK-Fn10UfJhpwD3JndZD/s1600-h/scan0015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697027574584114" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzMuv2BH8FVQ6io17Yqqqnvjvm2lK1pSZeYLIAIzP58bMesseBEjilR8C1uekyXX4MTH3K3pJtTbJby3l9FMnBXirF99BQyn1TNvcg3rfeVrSrMNbWK-Fn10UfJhpwD3JndZD/s400/scan0015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />January 1997. Nanny and PePa meet newborn Dallas, our first baby. These pictures were my pre-scrapbooking days. They were in a photo album Dan's grandmother got for us where you put the pictures inside a big sticky-page. I hope it's acid free; I didn't want to open it and take the pictures out because I wasn't sure if they would stick back, so I just scanned the whole page. Nanny was a scrapbooker before us all. She saved lots of pictures from her childhood and from her own children's childhood and had many albums of the grandkids visiting on holidays also. I loved to look through Nanny's albums, especially when we did it together, and she told me stories about her family. You could tell how much she loved her family by the way she talked about them, especially her Daddy. I wish I could remember all the stories...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZII_wc2SoK-7jomn_RXODBANcb9K-C2vs31R60_9UbEQDtPaPrZmRht0pLnmnONSSOYffDF6kjx-KvwnhaSny9Q8fAIC2AQBCudHlSiUbfJFE8vh3cBRj-b26_j0GHXZNk7Fq/s1600-h/scan0039.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113695275227927138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZII_wc2SoK-7jomn_RXODBANcb9K-C2vs31R60_9UbEQDtPaPrZmRht0pLnmnONSSOYffDF6kjx-KvwnhaSny9Q8fAIC2AQBCudHlSiUbfJFE8vh3cBRj-b26_j0GHXZNk7Fq/s400/scan0039.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjvGHsXnq2Kw9IhsGJaYZ6m6df_sHOnclzbajMvTJoS9ZGUywmDIxX-dcRdwe3YonC4hiipfEpNPFQv7NeRJEElbkivIE7CSMdBRLePYX4hx6oeL3VrvTILoyuq_vvOLICBd7/s1600-h/scan0040.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113695279522894450" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjvGHsXnq2Kw9IhsGJaYZ6m6df_sHOnclzbajMvTJoS9ZGUywmDIxX-dcRdwe3YonC4hiipfEpNPFQv7NeRJEElbkivIE7CSMdBRLePYX4hx6oeL3VrvTILoyuq_vvOLICBd7/s400/scan0040.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />April 5, 1997. Alicia's baby shower for her daughter, Kayleigh.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhEEog1mYxBPOZBg7oNqTYOJq3lLS3Y0aE1jd3BWFnTBA14tAxzbIbYovsktX72jKh3dSc9XL98ksJzsT4h6yjYXtGJB6YX4OtwMcOhYb0BmXl2QmTjwE_OOzeGm8XW0T6ngz/s1600-h/scan0041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113694931630543426" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhEEog1mYxBPOZBg7oNqTYOJq3lLS3Y0aE1jd3BWFnTBA14tAxzbIbYovsktX72jKh3dSc9XL98ksJzsT4h6yjYXtGJB6YX4OtwMcOhYb0BmXl2QmTjwE_OOzeGm8XW0T6ngz/s400/scan0041.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Summer 1997. Me, Nanny, PePa holding Dallas. My mom, Chris, holding Alicia's daughter, Kayleigh.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6Y1MlPIaGxSatgXKWS1sl8ZXSBvPsQ9fOzJUuBqSBcuv9D3eKTT2SQa1vEo8cBRpWyyXR85aqi9FXhoQ3CdcjEUKWVFj55LVcTLbRFgXEni5DU-Z6WYhOQICqkYWiAYgnfp5/s1600-h/scan0087.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115059172157543826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC6Y1MlPIaGxSatgXKWS1sl8ZXSBvPsQ9fOzJUuBqSBcuv9D3eKTT2SQa1vEo8cBRpWyyXR85aqi9FXhoQ3CdcjEUKWVFj55LVcTLbRFgXEni5DU-Z6WYhOQICqkYWiAYgnfp5/s400/scan0087.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Uncle Mark; his daughter, Alicia holding her daughter, Kayleigh; my dad, Mike and me holding baby Dallas. Thank you, Alicia & Tammie for giving me these pictures, especially this one with Dad hugging me. I miss him very much, but I know he is happy in Heaven also.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpxr5LoWjaXunkGngNmNKRKn7AOnPssdKFb-SuBz8kRbCowzxVy4VLVNB3y9MJCmj-knKmo3SVY6XHW-EDDA6u6aD_PLaDxWu8dSBH0T_JLUx1F_7drDZC-H73XnTBSPUY6sR/s1600-h/scan0086.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115055701823968642" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmpxr5LoWjaXunkGngNmNKRKn7AOnPssdKFb-SuBz8kRbCowzxVy4VLVNB3y9MJCmj-knKmo3SVY6XHW-EDDA6u6aD_PLaDxWu8dSBH0T_JLUx1F_7drDZC-H73XnTBSPUY6sR/s400/scan0086.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Christmas 1997. Nanny holding her first great grandbaby, Ethan. (She's sitting at the picnic table my dad built for them).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDcggQrVTQvozdYjfoGkKm-Jsy0x3NZxhJBw9VLPGMMqa7jzsc9pE67rCb7e_EUPgZkDPeIqs00PH4Dmjy4FNKNhk3IqOtIsL8KTu44h4uK1xw87BI9ROb8kKZYz_CGXjLIdx/s1600-h/scan0036.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113703349766444050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDcggQrVTQvozdYjfoGkKm-Jsy0x3NZxhJBw9VLPGMMqa7jzsc9pE67rCb7e_EUPgZkDPeIqs00PH4Dmjy4FNKNhk3IqOtIsL8KTu44h4uK1xw87BI9ROb8kKZYz_CGXjLIdx/s400/scan0036.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Here's the spread for Christmas 1997, and there I am pregnant with Noah and holding Dallas, the 2nd grandbaby. Once grandbabies started popping up (or out, rather!), Nanny bought gifts for the great grandkids instead of the grandkids. And still, she always bought the presents herself thinking about each kid when she did it. Nanny's presents were always special. Sometimes she even bought them with stamps she saved from the grocery store (Nanny was quite frugal, she never blew money) - like the Samsonite toiletry case she got for Alicia, Tiffany, and me one year. She was very proud to be able to give us that because they were really nice; she saved <em>a lot</em> of stamps! She told us she was giving us the first piece if we ever wanted to add onto it for more luggage (since we were almost old enough to graduate soon). Nanny never put on airs - if she got a good deal on something she told you about it. I think that's where I got that from. When people tell me I have something that looks nice, I always have to say where I got the good deal and how much I paid for it. It's not often people brag about getting something cheap, but Nanny taught me that!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj0ps3WAllJSfGS_J-hJoHnREYIij6sk_Jp59rq00Eh5yV1vpvlriyNfHGRz2lO_LSsdW3PJ0Qk4rxSV98FtuNv2cqR-h-hN2TdbaapevdwupV0UsGutGQVQ2lHjSsEXZXQpM/s1600-h/scan0080.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113721143815951682" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuj0ps3WAllJSfGS_J-hJoHnREYIij6sk_Jp59rq00Eh5yV1vpvlriyNfHGRz2lO_LSsdW3PJ0Qk4rxSV98FtuNv2cqR-h-hN2TdbaapevdwupV0UsGutGQVQ2lHjSsEXZXQpM/s400/scan0080.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />April 1998. Kayleigh's 1st birthday party at Lake Livingston. The babies and toddlers pictured here are Nanny's 4th generation thus far on this date. From left to right back row: Alicia; James who is holding his newborn daughter, Amber, with his wife & my sister, Catherine, who is standing next to him; my mom, Chris, is holding Dan's and my newborn son Noah, Nanny, PePa, and Dan. Sitting on the table left to right: Ethan, my cousin Tiffany's son; Kayleigh, Alicia's daughter; and Dallas. The newborns, Amber and Noah, are 2 weeks apart. I was taking the picture!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyo_eNp9iCfYk6zTw0fVp2VKmP1ImAq8g3RJDT4oRRwgkhjMQNCOLUsrDtnta60T_ZeHlrf7k0sitGjWe_LUrS0MrLuKDdtwX76gUmGW7xbgUu9pNrC58UxNdiN1o2HBzuJnQ/s1600-h/scan0014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697375466935154" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcyo_eNp9iCfYk6zTw0fVp2VKmP1ImAq8g3RJDT4oRRwgkhjMQNCOLUsrDtnta60T_ZeHlrf7k0sitGjWe_LUrS0MrLuKDdtwX76gUmGW7xbgUu9pNrC58UxNdiN1o2HBzuJnQ/s400/scan0014.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Nanny & PePa have lots of great grandbabies. I will try to list them all that I know of in order of their grandchildren:<br /><br />Colby Lee Tipton with Vicki Hoffpaur (sp?) (div.)<br />-----Tiffany Tipton m. Dennis Durdin (div.)<br />. ----- Ethan Kyle and Allison "Allie" Faye Durdin<br /><br />Colby Lee Tipton m. Terri<br />-----James "Jaime" Edward Tipton (dec.) <span style="color:#990000;"><br /></span>-----Brent Lee Tipton m. Carley (div.)<br />-----Amie Tipton m. Travis Eiland<br />. ----- Gracie Claire Eiland<br /><br />Mark Wynn Tipton m. Margaret Anne Lannou (div. 1996)<br />-----Alicia Kay Tipton with Bryant Stephens<br />. ----- Kayleigh Mylnn and Kaylnn Alyse Stephens<br />-----Tammie Leigh Tipton with Christopher Paul Motley (sep.)<br />. ----- Krista Paige, Kyleigh Shea, and Kayson Wynn Motley<br />-----Brian Edward Tipton<br />. ----- Brianna Tipton, Brooke D'Shea Tipton, Brittany, and Hannah Elizabeth Tipton<br /><br />Chris Delaine Tipton m. Michael Ray Fowler (dec.)<br />-----Carrie Lynn Fowler m. Daniel Ray Mays, Jr.<br />. ----- Dallas Michael, Noah Gabriel, Savanna Rayne, & Bailey Donovan Mays<br />-----Catherine Michelle Fowler m. James Fuller (div.)<br />. ----- Amber Nicole Fuller<br />-----Candace Delaine Fowler with Jody<br />. ----- Cailey Ray due very soon<br /><br /><em>This list needs work! I hope to make it more complete. </em><br /><em>...it's been updated: Thank you Aunt Terri & Alicia for helping me make this list more accurate & complete.<br /></em><br />April 1999. From a scrapbbok page of Noah's 1st birthday party at the lake.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldVydHg5KigUlE5r3jLzJ_BRaPc1I7lx0MgWWIzBhzkH9UNXLG-ZYV21pTM2y7_jJT54242L2F9mLE1IxeuiFLF9rio4mzAiygJE3TL73vuqoA8YO2c9yRjeGvqistXl1Xdbf/s1600-h/scan0004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113705381285975346" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldVydHg5KigUlE5r3jLzJ_BRaPc1I7lx0MgWWIzBhzkH9UNXLG-ZYV21pTM2y7_jJT54242L2F9mLE1IxeuiFLF9rio4mzAiygJE3TL73vuqoA8YO2c9yRjeGvqistXl1Xdbf/s400/scan0004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Summer 2001. Nanny & PePa with Dallas & Noah; next pic with Dan and me also.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCqHUW4zsEj_B04vsXwJtuZOdQ-SZ4MjeQ3SVv3eAhmPq2FDMj9k5T-DRuDXoMg9m6JQ5FO1jatrGy0F3Tb49Cf3wc-xl4BOZYPZ4ZtUUObZyfZM7qXn3mIJRGxF3UF8dWKes/s1600-h/scan0037.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113704135745459314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmCqHUW4zsEj_B04vsXwJtuZOdQ-SZ4MjeQ3SVv3eAhmPq2FDMj9k5T-DRuDXoMg9m6JQ5FO1jatrGy0F3Tb49Cf3wc-xl4BOZYPZ4ZtUUObZyfZM7qXn3mIJRGxF3UF8dWKes/s400/scan0037.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPi4PLFNGWlaA_0AZq6ElgL_jsmeKcriDgEAPn-d3gr3-u2tnxxsYcarOvn3n3B1Vu_oEXUcgFBjZk33CtMOmO6CJ-irjy5CWleN7gTneNvG3jJgpY1ek004zhNMzFp-oC2_LJ/s1600-h/scan0038.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113704135745459330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPi4PLFNGWlaA_0AZq6ElgL_jsmeKcriDgEAPn-d3gr3-u2tnxxsYcarOvn3n3B1Vu_oEXUcgFBjZk33CtMOmO6CJ-irjy5CWleN7gTneNvG3jJgpY1ek004zhNMzFp-oC2_LJ/s400/scan0038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Here's those pictures on one of my favorite scrapbook pages:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8NcS_2q2moaWG2eauTXpy_uZlOiDsejCWwdTgvhr_GyAmfrouwFw7eVSJpztPY_5MSkdtjkePOhLve8uO1KtiXE0DY6PN20mLlRH9Omr02CCRPdtgo_buzZ4mcbIZKC-vqAR/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113521084239302818" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8NcS_2q2moaWG2eauTXpy_uZlOiDsejCWwdTgvhr_GyAmfrouwFw7eVSJpztPY_5MSkdtjkePOhLve8uO1KtiXE0DY6PN20mLlRH9Omr02CCRPdtgo_buzZ4mcbIZKC-vqAR/s400/scan0001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jan 2004. Visiting Nanny & PePa with Noah & Dallas. I'm pregnant with Savanna here.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIohoI9tfZuYsjutOvEcHUuQpN6Avs0-vpgcUjqatmqmvp-NnSvHz2JCh0fCTlQ-bhPv8WjNvkF7oHU5Hnb8fOXbZ0cnvoPwpeRWQ_mO-7Imy1aDxT-eHTygMYEK80irthgay/s1600-h/scan0002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113697139243733842" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirIohoI9tfZuYsjutOvEcHUuQpN6Avs0-vpgcUjqatmqmvp-NnSvHz2JCh0fCTlQ-bhPv8WjNvkF7oHU5Hnb8fOXbZ0cnvoPwpeRWQ_mO-7Imy1aDxT-eHTygMYEK80irthgay/s400/scan0002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />October 10, 2004. Savanna meets PePa and then Nanny. Savanna loves them right away (although PePa took his teeth out after this and scared her half to death!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGDRsoGAkQwCc6YJE9V4PTcEGIcva9EXr0aXi-pnxs-NXJ82LNkUXe8ZO4yz3c44G8awW4hcSviZvce7SZz6Dke6O3m7FxAMlEWW734idw85hyqXVMZfVHtI1hCIiVp4HbLqS/s1600-h/scan0033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113705179422512386" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGDRsoGAkQwCc6YJE9V4PTcEGIcva9EXr0aXi-pnxs-NXJ82LNkUXe8ZO4yz3c44G8awW4hcSviZvce7SZz6Dke6O3m7FxAMlEWW734idw85hyqXVMZfVHtI1hCIiVp4HbLqS/s400/scan0033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2dBWeysUoCyAAwCcYQ0XiG99930F_6bKV-W7-EwbFKkjPW6c5cUKEVfewxXm5fg_lTRSIVdpiNR1VpkZxzxAPuVw70r_N-G457RuRuru1zxveB3lhGpkfTDIOV4DeuP3XqtT/s1600-h/scan0035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113705188012447010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2dBWeysUoCyAAwCcYQ0XiG99930F_6bKV-W7-EwbFKkjPW6c5cUKEVfewxXm5fg_lTRSIVdpiNR1VpkZxzxAPuVw70r_N-G457RuRuru1zxveB3lhGpkfTDIOV4DeuP3XqtT/s400/scan0035.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I love the way Savanna is touching her face.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2JRzf94RyUA3Yn0OtfpbhVh9IS1Gfd3o1Ji6ACUGBb5Qgs9KlDCf5cEYkCTTKxnHzTMF5AUtxYGfLHlKWHVerXkPAxlYhbJsLZ0aF08k_h1L6tyD1RXnqQzSTfsyYmBz83Pz/s1600-h/scan0030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113704951789245650" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL2JRzf94RyUA3Yn0OtfpbhVh9IS1Gfd3o1Ji6ACUGBb5Qgs9KlDCf5cEYkCTTKxnHzTMF5AUtxYGfLHlKWHVerXkPAxlYhbJsLZ0aF08k_h1L6tyD1RXnqQzSTfsyYmBz83Pz/s400/scan0030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Savanna listens to Nanny talk to her.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrueowOt7h-6hZvrqc72MA_BwYPL1IoZbjWshKKQMEDcTMKrOhUTFu8It-yW6-N_eTdVtReiGWF6C-iMyFiKiD-vx27RIGSohFN06DLfqniMZuisa1vnj4XZVK2Ph9cWFfgMMx/s1600-h/scan0031.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113704956084212962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrueowOt7h-6hZvrqc72MA_BwYPL1IoZbjWshKKQMEDcTMKrOhUTFu8It-yW6-N_eTdVtReiGWF6C-iMyFiKiD-vx27RIGSohFN06DLfqniMZuisa1vnj4XZVK2Ph9cWFfgMMx/s400/scan0031.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqHuHWkCm0Gd-2Rz7m5yEPGUuomlsC-08S6C6ugG7EkDWxS1_ruxbXwuTqL0x6dix8yHOj67yTVESBw1lciPNgN-sYjBXYIeNbV9AMDdA6nftiLUCzjk3QqTgSUTdheLC4zYO/s1600-h/scan0032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113704960379180274" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqHuHWkCm0Gd-2Rz7m5yEPGUuomlsC-08S6C6ugG7EkDWxS1_ruxbXwuTqL0x6dix8yHOj67yTVESBw1lciPNgN-sYjBXYIeNbV9AMDdA6nftiLUCzjk3QqTgSUTdheLC4zYO/s400/scan0032.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGm-1IdLOvSK-2mohQ9jU2n6hPzlNw-lwetJ_2CeZw6jTBbfg2nroIud1UW0-VmLt51x3mNAO81C2ZN5xc__7dyp2R95volATIiCuuDVK3SDJBmp2-tn_QG__bo2VGkp02GOI/s1600-h/scan0034.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113705183717479698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGm-1IdLOvSK-2mohQ9jU2n6hPzlNw-lwetJ_2CeZw6jTBbfg2nroIud1UW0-VmLt51x3mNAO81C2ZN5xc__7dyp2R95volATIiCuuDVK3SDJBmp2-tn_QG__bo2VGkp02GOI/s400/scan0034.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />October 11, 2004 with Dallas and Noah on the gazebo at the lake:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjtxpmq-h5aki_n9p8Q_NysHjKl_kFJGSM84fqcTsUnVQgFwUOYeWFhQbKIJwYWGtLqv7DKtz33Gl9_fO9AvG3bPBZhZYq_BJ9iRe1zbXBXTNeSLPXXo1Sic7qUQUFa6FatPy/s1600-h/Oct2004+085.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113605278483206418" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidjtxpmq-h5aki_n9p8Q_NysHjKl_kFJGSM84fqcTsUnVQgFwUOYeWFhQbKIJwYWGtLqv7DKtz33Gl9_fO9AvG3bPBZhZYq_BJ9iRe1zbXBXTNeSLPXXo1Sic7qUQUFa6FatPy/s400/Oct2004+085.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I am sorry that I did not get to visit her these last couple of years. I have already grieved for her in my own way, as I was very saddened by how much Alzheimer's had taken away from her. I wish I would have taken Bailey to meet her; I know she would have liked him whether she knew who he was or not. I am so sorry that I let my own selfish sadness stop me from doing that. Alzheimer's is such a mean disease. I am glad for her, that she is free now. I am happy, and I am sad at the same time. I love Nanny. I know she loved me and all her family, even when some went through bad phases. She didn't hold a grudge with the people she loved. She was a special and unique person who gave of herself as long as I knew her. I hope someday my family wants to surround me at Thanksgiving and Christmas and summers the way hers did for her. Nanny was one of a kind...Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30584553.post-23803993876857075302007-08-27T07:38:00.000-07:002007-09-29T17:14:40.232-07:00Mays School Starts TodayI meant to start our home school a couple of weeks ago, so we could take a fall break. It's so hot outside they don't like to play outside too much unless there is water involved, so I figured we could start school and then give them a couple of weeks in the fall when it's cooler to have more outdoor fun like going to parks or taking a family camping trip. But then we all got sick, and Dallas got very sick, so we had to delay. We might still have a fall break and just keep school open when RRISD would normally be off in the winter, but that's the great thing about home school. You can just go with the flow and do whatever you want!<br /><br />I hope to post soon about how things are going with our school. I'm thinking of letting them write their own posts periodically about what they are learning in school. (That would be a composition and grammar assignment in disguise!) They would probably really like that!<br /><br /><br />I'm off to get the kids up for our first day of school!Carrie =-)http://www.blogger.com/profile/06292234610162927233noreply@blogger.com0