tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18981946517980425432024-03-18T21:46:22.872-07:00Sweet CaralinaCNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-71324196195060710082011-05-10T18:34:00.000-07:002011-05-10T19:10:02.986-07:00We're not the least bit excited. Really.<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">TOMORROW'S THE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is what Baby Rumble looked like last time we had the chance to sneak a peak at our 7 week appointment:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RGv27ZgIFtXfDS7dIJwQwlzGu0La6I0vNrjtb1ygoXuPH9fT0QV06IfIsnwEagjVZ7tt68dOFK70Q4wJrubScxTuP8-9MdIvIcYbTd8bMeR5szMUw0UBwSXv2qM88PdXL1cV0Z-TQTI/s1600/scan0001-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6RGv27ZgIFtXfDS7dIJwQwlzGu0La6I0vNrjtb1ygoXuPH9fT0QV06IfIsnwEagjVZ7tt68dOFK70Q4wJrubScxTuP8-9MdIvIcYbTd8bMeR5szMUw0UBwSXv2qM88PdXL1cV0Z-TQTI/s320/scan0001-2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Our "Raspberry Baby"<br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, being almost 19 weeks, our first visit seems like FOREVER ago! Needless to say, we have been anxiously awaiting this day for what feels like an eternity. We will be more than happy just to finally be able to see our baby again even if they can't quite determine the gender yet. I am confident that Baby Rumble will be ready to show off for us though! :)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So many women I've talked to say they experienced mother's intuition during their pregnancies and "just knew" they were having a boy or girl. No such thing for this lady! I am {clueless}. But I think that's a good thing. I will be pleasantly surprised and extremely overjoyed one way or the other! For someone that loves surprises, I'm pretty sure this one will go down in my book as one of my "best surprises EVER."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am feeling really good and have lots of energy again (which will come in handy over the next couple weeks!) Nolan started taking my picture at 14 weeks and we are going to do our best to keep up with it... I'm sure there will be many more to come! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT32WoVIUjwWqmK_ycCugF7YtrZ9ZhpwwIR5vSQqV3i2QNWXTEcmorIQDjbl6a4J74y0D02V2pEphEUWt5IDFjhh-r0P3T5CXnCdJxZgnmmvMESGeXTnguXGGn2yU5TItvLREz_aYaYpc/s1600/002-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT32WoVIUjwWqmK_ycCugF7YtrZ9ZhpwwIR5vSQqV3i2QNWXTEcmorIQDjbl6a4J74y0D02V2pEphEUWt5IDFjhh-r0P3T5CXnCdJxZgnmmvMESGeXTnguXGGn2yU5TItvLREz_aYaYpc/s320/002-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4YCbzlfiWVT1vxtnaRt6a3WiWP1gfJNBg7oChi9jIElatMdoajplhiDAjMg_0BtzVbvIDnPz4DIKvorfrktabRjuPdGKsy0eoN88Xw25SrJZwxwvpAadWMxgyw8X9aDKpniOVPsuMo0/s1600/049-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu4YCbzlfiWVT1vxtnaRt6a3WiWP1gfJNBg7oChi9jIElatMdoajplhiDAjMg_0BtzVbvIDnPz4DIKvorfrktabRjuPdGKsy0eoN88Xw25SrJZwxwvpAadWMxgyw8X9aDKpniOVPsuMo0/s320/049-2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Love to all! Can't wait to share our news with the world tomorrow! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Baby Rumble- boy or girl?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">What do you think?? :)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-89975235877249439662011-03-31T11:38:00.000-07:002011-03-31T12:58:06.217-07:00"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope." Psalm 130:5<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Today's a big day. Today marks the end of my first trimester of pregnancy... we are a 1/3 of the way there! :) It's hard to believe that <span style="font-size: small;">13</span> thirteen weeks ago, this baby growing in my belly was just a prayer in my heart... </span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Going from this...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9GqoCha-o5FoWmGNbC3kvMPHVO_RN8kr8KSx3dZY9Yt5cwarBN21_FT4u1QAXZk-UmviRNan6nbm7B1E2VI7fh0MDTg0CMtRXdKBZuJXRn61SZsufiIbEaSZMBFG3IFIAMkjxEa4igg/s1600/31328_587327629128_56701641_33728102_1960700_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9GqoCha-o5FoWmGNbC3kvMPHVO_RN8kr8KSx3dZY9Yt5cwarBN21_FT4u1QAXZk-UmviRNan6nbm7B1E2VI7fh0MDTg0CMtRXdKBZuJXRn61SZsufiIbEaSZMBFG3IFIAMkjxEa4igg/s320/31328_587327629128_56701641_33728102_1960700_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to this... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEetpmviZtmb4vdxOglQTp8gL9x6jnsGFMZxSchb8UrjeqJLM0-vpk8sGrEjaz7Zfee6rMomSIAwAH1h6uv-Y_rWXH4livHyyMLR8CINS2GqBdQ_CXxQ4EchWKw8mP2GOC5KnbZOcBJ5I/s1600/Photo+on+2011-01-28+at+21.19%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEetpmviZtmb4vdxOglQTp8gL9x6jnsGFMZxSchb8UrjeqJLM0-vpk8sGrEjaz7Zfee6rMomSIAwAH1h6uv-Y_rWXH4livHyyMLR8CINS2GqBdQ_CXxQ4EchWKw8mP2GOC5KnbZOcBJ5I/s320/Photo+on+2011-01-28+at+21.19%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> is an { <i>indescribable</i> } feeling. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can't begin to tell you how many times I've prayed over the years that the Lord would allow me to have a family with this man... the love of my life :) </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">p.s. (don't judge... I had been crying lots of happy tears and definitely had the FLU... </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">wouldn't be a traditional Weeks' girl pregnancy without it, right??) </span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nolan and I had prayed for and hoped to conceive for exactly one year when the Lord chose to bless us with the gift of pregnancy. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our season of waiting seems minuscule when I </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">think about women I've known who have waited for years upon years, or who are still waiting, hoping and praying for a child. I am so humbled that the Lord would entrust me with such a high calling and important task as being a mother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I've realized a big portion of our lives involves waiting... even now, I am waiting... waiting for my next ultrasound... waiting to see, boy or girl?... waiting for October... <i>waiting</i>. However, in seasons of waiting, the Lord wants to mold us and prepare our hearts for His plan. </span><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">If I've learned anything about waiting, it's the following:</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">* Regardless of the duration- whether its 3 months or 3 years- waiting is waiting, and it often requires a great amount of faith on our part.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">* Many times, we are waiting because the Lord wants to stretch us, grow us, and teach us to place our hope in Him. It's so easy to rely on our own strength and to believe that our plan is best. God often uses seasons of waiting to teach us that apart from Him, we can do nothing, and only by His grace and through His power, can we live out His plan for our lives. </div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">* Waiting becomes a much lighter load when we surrender our desires and our plans to Christ and trust in His plan rather than our own. Saying "I trust Him" and living like I do are two totally different things. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">So, as we wait, may Psalm 33:20-22 be our prayer:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> "We wait in hope for the Lord;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> He is our help and our shield.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> even as we put our hope in You."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lord, help us to count our seasons of waiting as some of our richest blessings. How we love you and praise your wonderful name! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-71992776524138508952011-02-05T19:02:00.000-08:002011-03-31T12:06:14.066-07:00You're Beautiful<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do you ever hear a song that makes you think "Man, I hope I get to sing that in heaven!"??</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This is one of those songs for me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGlTzH9xkXQ</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When I sing the words to this song, I imagine being amongst a sea of people that are bowing down before Christ and worshiping Him in all His glory. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here are the lyrics ("You're Beautiful" by Phil Wickham):</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I see Your face in every sunrise.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The colors of the morning are inside Your eyes.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The world awakens in the light of the day-</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I look up to the sky and say "You're beautiful."</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I see Your power in the moonlit night</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where planets are in motion and galaxies are bright</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We are amazed in the light of the stars. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's all proclaiming who You are- You're beautiful.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I see You there hanging on a tree-</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now You are sitting on Your Heavenly throne-</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Soon You will be coming home.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You're Beautiful.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">When we arrive at eternity's shore-</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Where death is just a memory and tears are no more</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring-</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Your bride will come together and we'll sing "You're beautiful!"</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I see your face. You're beautiful. You're beautiful.</div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-29781999562212618802011-01-31T17:39:00.000-08:002011-01-31T18:01:38.736-08:00Shew, Flu, Don't Bother Me<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have the flu. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Anyone who's ever had the flu knows what it entails: fever, aching all over (like you've been hit by a semi-truck), coughing, sneezing, sore throat, and the list goes on. I should have learned my lesson though- it was around this time last year that I was out of commission for close to a week (which is FOREVER when you're a school teacher!) So, Mr. FLU, I have something to say to you: Next year, you will not have me. I will dominate you with a <b><i>flu shot</i></b>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Even though I've felt quite terrible these last couple days, it's been nice to have some snuggle buddies to stay close by and keep me company: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkKxbyDW4MqhhPhl39TKCvPeWrnLHSuESTPpUMPtJXNsNYUkMQlAyp1BCyrznVg1Im_24hDKoehSrC7eHyPAz7zatjruiihrP-Z5pQlzuSZLM0DgGegiHTaozYaGSolGLYdonIckRUqo/s1600/037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkKxbyDW4MqhhPhl39TKCvPeWrnLHSuESTPpUMPtJXNsNYUkMQlAyp1BCyrznVg1Im_24hDKoehSrC7eHyPAz7zatjruiihrP-Z5pQlzuSZLM0DgGegiHTaozYaGSolGLYdonIckRUqo/s320/037.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Reesie and Roni :)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Roni is really starting to love his new friend, Reesie. We adopted her about a month ago, and she is the sweetest thing ever. At first, Roni was unsure about her and would bite her and try to chase her all over the apartment. Now, they play together, take naps together, share food, and even give each other kitty baths :) I think they will be life-long pals and we love their sweet companionship. Here are some other great ones:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf71BRtxry9AJj1elYePLr5IFmi2e9sFIl8IUgzQcTd30qCGUp3juqn8ybuzRI0aj0bykuG3KYeen2eAjHB1INPK_W8WmhhMWAZd3vV99PSg2cXFfavSXvpvmnFRtuiQbxxpsDiFsmc7g/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf71BRtxry9AJj1elYePLr5IFmi2e9sFIl8IUgzQcTd30qCGUp3juqn8ybuzRI0aj0bykuG3KYeen2eAjHB1INPK_W8WmhhMWAZd3vV99PSg2cXFfavSXvpvmnFRtuiQbxxpsDiFsmc7g/s320/001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We like to call her "Reesie Cat" :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPbDVktN3cdqs5INQgmnOLQQwUYtQHPA8f-nZxm8Md55Qx7BufI27MNoF2Gvr5kAGAhsIrzUvc_JLoJpQMjMcF_L3K89g5t_8JswDFWOu-_WoBEovDHYbf3xPIKh1AZ5Nn6VzdwqsWYo/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPbDVktN3cdqs5INQgmnOLQQwUYtQHPA8f-nZxm8Md55Qx7BufI27MNoF2Gvr5kAGAhsIrzUvc_JLoJpQMjMcF_L3K89g5t_8JswDFWOu-_WoBEovDHYbf3xPIKh1AZ5Nn6VzdwqsWYo/s320/007.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Chasing the sunlight.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyYC_6OaOgQDoV2phpglMWxNvk-_bObUfWFjDn9Pt8eeaesHlnsGCCdUw9msSK5s276hZp_X-YK8FjK-dJIrVunzLoM6HvyfwCYvIX1Dhkz5b7rJGgRVxG8ux6MgJij-JQnlD1kSLMhQ/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyYC_6OaOgQDoV2phpglMWxNvk-_bObUfWFjDn9Pt8eeaesHlnsGCCdUw9msSK5s276hZp_X-YK8FjK-dJIrVunzLoM6HvyfwCYvIX1Dhkz5b7rJGgRVxG8ux6MgJij-JQnlD1kSLMhQ/s320/025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Lounging around.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsPyuqObabmkTl2IEfZTwMhnrmA956ISaslW494qPt18llX7dy3tYUaiZj4jewBAEU2MpV1KKcng8u57GoM4i2_yAxzhyphenhyphenV8zpufW99cDbtRO3icd24oTqjQjHVj_43KiF7CzpBg5uObM/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCsPyuqObabmkTl2IEfZTwMhnrmA956ISaslW494qPt18llX7dy3tYUaiZj4jewBAEU2MpV1KKcng8u57GoM4i2_yAxzhyphenhyphenV8zpufW99cDbtRO3icd24oTqjQjHVj_43KiF7CzpBg5uObM/s320/014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Playing with their favorite string :) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> These kitties are livin' the dream! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">I think they are long lost siblings, don't you?? :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuLtkrQuzbCmMf8xd-laVYPQzB4z_BxHNJKr4DN5LnpoSuuH5Zr9DnFhvSwP4nVPki81kxW_OghHKrRDM9fB7Vwb-mOdDU2ec7TmMiviXX-O9XFi7r2habJFhmmJyPgOfBsqY-jcVnRQ/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuLtkrQuzbCmMf8xd-laVYPQzB4z_BxHNJKr4DN5LnpoSuuH5Zr9DnFhvSwP4nVPki81kxW_OghHKrRDM9fB7Vwb-mOdDU2ec7TmMiviXX-O9XFi7r2habJFhmmJyPgOfBsqY-jcVnRQ/s320/005.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaYG6hO0twY0WbRo8RAroKz6wN_9RYg4YY60mQJBw8GBsu0aXKyXIau06u9cgaMaSaUKn5nw-a9reyFdp2gYSi0VG5CzMKsynym2dGXyxq9lBoQUmzjnYuDYmHBSJn5vQJOTjcDFVmaU/s1600/249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhaYG6hO0twY0WbRo8RAroKz6wN_9RYg4YY60mQJBw8GBsu0aXKyXIau06u9cgaMaSaUKn5nw-a9reyFdp2gYSi0VG5CzMKsynym2dGXyxq9lBoQUmzjnYuDYmHBSJn5vQJOTjcDFVmaU/s320/249.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</span></div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-59147956522606700672010-12-09T07:06:00.000-08:002010-12-09T07:09:04.077-08:00In the Christmas Spirit....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy holidays, dear friends! I've had entirely way too much fun getting our home in N.C. ready for Christmas :) Even though we'll only be here for two weeks to enjoy it, I'm really glad that I denied my inner thoughts of "bah-hum bug!" and went ahead with my decorating madness. I blame it on the beautiful winter snow we received this past weekend :) </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"> <img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7wZemzw2PQdJsR6mSafTivDFyj1r0KqPGgWHuHPyJbg7sU6k6DxatK1Gzz1Cb4NcllxAsO-AFWVMn_2a8Jnn6HFCvuaSDSV6UX78Z-aAN5KgTsCbx2DsuZFUbGWrYh8DUMV6fCU0qrrg/s200/013.JPG" width="150" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAoFd1onpRBVDCxfDFawhT2Er8_uAMXNvKvW6BJJojqlB5_uvhRq60xS1cHr9zqUu2OBhDkibyq2OQ94-0HyXaj57VuaC5rcemKAMDoBGjgI5o7u2Ww3G03ntkvy8uFzowAYyRhst5jw/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYAoFd1onpRBVDCxfDFawhT2Er8_uAMXNvKvW6BJJojqlB5_uvhRq60xS1cHr9zqUu2OBhDkibyq2OQ94-0HyXaj57VuaC5rcemKAMDoBGjgI5o7u2Ww3G03ntkvy8uFzowAYyRhst5jw/s200/006.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thanks to my years working at Strasburg and training from my momma-in-law, I can successfully tie a Christmas bow! Looking pretty good, if I can say so myself :) I've posted some of my favorite ornaments below, too:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUqcscr4ucuAZxJdGR9FB1PM69xL0Luma4Zd8HXuq625QaskFkost2FEMLmCaidNrRsZTK50Um034Lh768A9_doJULbnt1akLiwgoFUByoP6PrOal8pPvo-Y8HY3FRDAXk8hVM9vvyEc/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUqcscr4ucuAZxJdGR9FB1PM69xL0Luma4Zd8HXuq625QaskFkost2FEMLmCaidNrRsZTK50Um034Lh768A9_doJULbnt1akLiwgoFUByoP6PrOal8pPvo-Y8HY3FRDAXk8hVM9vvyEc/s320/008.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFH6qjD_Qmu6Ew9CPjxZu25KyrlplQJDZirYgm1RladhvQa8uTM8SSxC6Nw10xImwSAkDQM2GTEZR0Sg_rJ4_wMwVOJsg3KIznYDrQhBI2cT8lNQOunU2UKAXijcx-ukqPRTK4KiQeEw/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: white;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoJcpNsvw5HsTygJDJXM_3Xxbkp0AMtTMtZB1wowUaRiVC0LHG40_jK53DE2Ah1jlkvg0cK7-9I-aEp9xK889SDTkOLBFG4Od2jsy7IDS49cTRHhVoqjsFhS5Zxz9-1QdWVThfwq3Zd8/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoLjrOCjFaCHe7wudvDyndOMbacluatEVdcNxBSRxuHLPPHKX-UuAXNltbDLty5dFiPap69zi-VLhqz0UUFThG-R3XXmFV-ZC6eDrs6FhSzfRlYSIzZJoV4qVbRvw0HDzMUKy1fbLc70/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvoLjrOCjFaCHe7wudvDyndOMbacluatEVdcNxBSRxuHLPPHKX-UuAXNltbDLty5dFiPap69zi-VLhqz0UUFThG-R3XXmFV-ZC6eDrs6FhSzfRlYSIzZJoV4qVbRvw0HDzMUKy1fbLc70/s200/010.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoWG6BbT-EfJFzS3RkaJPYQokgKuIUooZDxk5_4RUoSF8K7zUhAcX_-b8HTqgvV4rsT2tUDHw2i7t63c4l32S0TCWIiWKO_tJrKdwF0jVqu0p2RcZ4nNlXLhfJWYxcgX5Q1-LWDLRz9g/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinoWG6BbT-EfJFzS3RkaJPYQokgKuIUooZDxk5_4RUoSF8K7zUhAcX_-b8HTqgvV4rsT2tUDHw2i7t63c4l32S0TCWIiWKO_tJrKdwF0jVqu0p2RcZ4nNlXLhfJWYxcgX5Q1-LWDLRz9g/s200/007.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
A few other touches of Christmas I've added throughout our home: </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmlFC0Lh3k5mNsEp4b4yuEejqrUewTNj2KzP_g5PX9axlbzAuqfqmUvHp5CwyEd7N7uuFeJ6t4tbo6kejdqRL6OW_fqZZAv8OExhaYD2RHafNrrevZq1sPrDjCJLpQCq6ZK7xd995UW4/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmlFC0Lh3k5mNsEp4b4yuEejqrUewTNj2KzP_g5PX9axlbzAuqfqmUvHp5CwyEd7N7uuFeJ6t4tbo6kejdqRL6OW_fqZZAv8OExhaYD2RHafNrrevZq1sPrDjCJLpQCq6ZK7xd995UW4/s320/004.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHihNZkDoQTis4d929kcfVamVkOF97hBgfWpmYRse8Yjo8NDT6enFYi0GgfUVi8gakX0I5SfgE9UxKfkL7grRefgPh2usj0RVYibTTrS9FvyOxoU00IJkSoQOGvENRAOx-zi8LaHo4P6Q/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9t1jZEZxeSc3LV3f2T7DsX73J-D7K_6PbbjXaHZD8voW5Xeh3YapyrdnUBkcSN5cIDx0fcu0FInmmb3CSuUwmdj70xxQNCc_Yd3yV6Uo8UPXMwXoHtJuvkpx7JObBZGdOs3aAnwycFSY/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9t1jZEZxeSc3LV3f2T7DsX73J-D7K_6PbbjXaHZD8voW5Xeh3YapyrdnUBkcSN5cIDx0fcu0FInmmb3CSuUwmdj70xxQNCc_Yd3yV6Uo8UPXMwXoHtJuvkpx7JObBZGdOs3aAnwycFSY/s200/005.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAaG8Z2e3GsuoaFtFp1t8G0JmYSpGq7cwTu8JXxOk7LiXm2BJ3VodjL4KZhTnRTPqbIwbNzwn0rbp3nndvh1jTtK5WKpeU8YywMsxF74fBJwolO0J57fXPgpjwT6nG-T78N1_mOcSgKY/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAaG8Z2e3GsuoaFtFp1t8G0JmYSpGq7cwTu8JXxOk7LiXm2BJ3VodjL4KZhTnRTPqbIwbNzwn0rbp3nndvh1jTtK5WKpeU8YywMsxF74fBJwolO0J57fXPgpjwT6nG-T78N1_mOcSgKY/s200/003.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Two Christmases ago, I found some beautiful crystal snowflakes to hang from the chandelier in our kitchen. Roni loved to climb on the table and mess with them, but was NEVER to busy to stop and pose for a picture! :) Here is one of his best shots from last year's holiday photo session: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZbM6_CBNzEKc-KtaCOIJ5lJr_C2zEpgU0xYRorzlwHgcui-yvLhqgOyagyiUwIkOQi99Ej12aqY4a40PGgpF2-xm4schV7m2NzJRzWfPBQLAJtBzNhlJpKUSBiDLeCCW7FV1C3LlVKg/s1600/404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZbM6_CBNzEKc-KtaCOIJ5lJr_C2zEpgU0xYRorzlwHgcui-yvLhqgOyagyiUwIkOQi99Ej12aqY4a40PGgpF2-xm4schV7m2NzJRzWfPBQLAJtBzNhlJpKUSBiDLeCCW7FV1C3LlVKg/s320/404.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">This year, I had to get really creative with where I could hang my snowflakes, but I finally thought of a perfect spot for them... what do you think??</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuNtKdGc3qvPjyl_OclkAQyq4-S-sPoeAgShV22OUdw25bk-lTvLMEgXGnUJqReelmx2xjcIRGH6m03jwRTQVOFcERgSoBLigM3UW6Y-LM5-CgEn7Cn84-eIJtMpAinkFeFmPeE0UDSU/s1600/019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuNtKdGc3qvPjyl_OclkAQyq4-S-sPoeAgShV22OUdw25bk-lTvLMEgXGnUJqReelmx2xjcIRGH6m03jwRTQVOFcERgSoBLigM3UW6Y-LM5-CgEn7Cn84-eIJtMpAinkFeFmPeE0UDSU/s200/019.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hpZTLPsbMGlKtDNpFWZV6pFNz8gv9-g_s6iUbl3hUKuhv9QMFIYrG0wVVO7iVT2x4TIy_wBcWwuqErAStbR7nHUWV-V8ZcSZrvMPb6HLDj_oYcIE5Gyiz2aZ1KJ7fbHkaAmASWOSYQE/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8hpZTLPsbMGlKtDNpFWZV6pFNz8gv9-g_s6iUbl3hUKuhv9QMFIYrG0wVVO7iVT2x4TIy_wBcWwuqErAStbR7nHUWV-V8ZcSZrvMPb6HLDj_oYcIE5Gyiz2aZ1KJ7fbHkaAmASWOSYQE/s200/022.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXY5_JhikLMT7ZmDetVm2a58va24Z2UQAt1IxuP_2BroFwTXY4NoNjZuy-mHgOCjT-onX0IOl1aVo547Vs7tthEt7oa4XosE9nGio4lsEuMbOUdjOeDky10b03hHv7AwipF_OAPGpXxQ/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXY5_JhikLMT7ZmDetVm2a58va24Z2UQAt1IxuP_2BroFwTXY4NoNjZuy-mHgOCjT-onX0IOl1aVo547Vs7tthEt7oa4XosE9nGio4lsEuMbOUdjOeDky10b03hHv7AwipF_OAPGpXxQ/s320/021.JPG" width="240" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">No worries- I have already thought through the disaster that would occur if I were to turn our fan "on" on accident. When I wake up in the mornings, however, this mobile of pure winter perfection lulls me back to sleep and makes me feel as though I am dreaming under a soft blanket of pure white snow :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WaXlZ8WauJXRz2ynahNPI1sxffKmOh0pJX7yHTkhxWTkG1U_1xyAWq569EbJjjcEgwZGMH5yxwLEiKujaBs03Zfhn49FNjuaHfW8BbSbhbltFa81dY8AN-1UFK2trHRAaNKhc1act-8/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_WaXlZ8WauJXRz2ynahNPI1sxffKmOh0pJX7yHTkhxWTkG1U_1xyAWq569EbJjjcEgwZGMH5yxwLEiKujaBs03Zfhn49FNjuaHfW8BbSbhbltFa81dY8AN-1UFK2trHRAaNKhc1act-8/s320/024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It's the little things that add so much holiday spirit... </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDICwPoaSYAEgZe4pxOxUh5Tdj-u4-aiiKGKPlOhYskrq6f5f-1smSomjnGViipZBweXN8BQtqIMAY0YTEVgcb0vVVhcSmbeFhmol3cMWFigANdZw_MRpypG2SzlZyh1Vv_ENXqyy5Rrk/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Merry Christmas, from our home to yours! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDICwPoaSYAEgZe4pxOxUh5Tdj-u4-aiiKGKPlOhYskrq6f5f-1smSomjnGViipZBweXN8BQtqIMAY0YTEVgcb0vVVhcSmbeFhmol3cMWFigANdZw_MRpypG2SzlZyh1Vv_ENXqyy5Rrk/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJIb7aIkD0XDy8AH84UGMz4tiuf4yXmx4XhPoo-tzB9U1-hV4Pi_YgFWZDCZN-KHFGbOAIIcUliF3Q7ngsA62A8m37zsnlkY8aHjMs7HRVMyDHJLa46DLxa24j2MmQRuUOUHSdpDEO-w/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8uihVU-jebSRfrrCYsK0ayKSgHjCZmoq1_sYRFK4AAIaXuDcOuNhL7b9UTHhK0iwTOFEKR_8IbAb708gcyQqex8HGR5KdVZPmHrIhZV94DoDkY1GbYj-KF-ha4FNCO0TGjGz94L_3KEQ/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-29638782388961194362010-12-05T04:52:00.000-08:002010-12-08T06:41:26.833-08:00Let it snow :)<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Happy December! </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I can't believe it's been nearly TWO whole months since my last post! I'm learning that with blogging sometimes you go through seasons where you feel like you don't have much to say and other times you feel so busy that you don't have <i>time<b> </b></i>to stop and share what's on your mind... the lengthy hiatus between my last post and now is definitely due to the latter. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Our last two months in North Carolina have been<i> soooo</i> good! I started a new job as a kindergarten teacher assistant mid-October at this lovely school:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEZscUKkii2JfnVl8lfteooJn9BNFNGQfKb7gEvE3nMoUFMTdoq6ksyNxSgaMWPWLR5PtCclZgJLjKkvH2NMzrZekSxTChGJ6ZI2psuhxzHhk_UUmuBrbIUljKjR6vqJBWjNj7vLOvJ4/s1600/sces_exterior_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEZscUKkii2JfnVl8lfteooJn9BNFNGQfKb7gEvE3nMoUFMTdoq6ksyNxSgaMWPWLR5PtCclZgJLjKkvH2NMzrZekSxTChGJ6ZI2psuhxzHhk_UUmuBrbIUljKjR6vqJBWjNj7vLOvJ4/s320/sces_exterior_small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Sycamore Creek Elementary School in Raleigh</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am extremely thankful for God's provision and for really great people to work alongside! Sycamore Creek is a year-round school, so I work nine weeks at a time and then have 3 1/2 weeks off! I am officially "tracked out" (year-round term- it was new to me, too!) for the entire month of December and I could not be more excited! I am really looking forward to having several weeks to decorate our apartment, do my Christmas shopping, spend time with Nolan and Wake Forest friends, and then head home to be with family for the holidays. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nolan is wrapping up his first semester at Southeastern </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">over the next two weeks with lots of reading, papers, and final exams. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I am so proud of the diligence and discipline with which he has poured into his first semester of seminary. Seeing both the knowledge<i> </i>and spiritual growth that has taken place in Nolan's life and in his heart has been so affirming in God calling us here and has been truly inspiring for my own life, as well. I know he is ready for some time off, though, and this month-long break will be just what he needs to feel rested and ready for the spring semester. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We got our first North Carolina snow yesterday! It was so beautiful... something about it that reminds me of God's gentleness and the peace that comes in trusting Him.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA_8HS_dIh91DzyiTU3XUQlCmb2WqRgxseidtYbblUnQ9uWbj2mt_BWyphKCLCd1P1pIcyzl8sIBOVNa-dy6ca5rLrfyxOWPo_A3i6XuUeZoW_nJey7AN8eNiTg1-Ubucu0MGHqZzFwU/s1600/064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXA_8HS_dIh91DzyiTU3XUQlCmb2WqRgxseidtYbblUnQ9uWbj2mt_BWyphKCLCd1P1pIcyzl8sIBOVNa-dy6ca5rLrfyxOWPo_A3i6XuUeZoW_nJey7AN8eNiTg1-Ubucu0MGHqZzFwU/s320/064.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I had the lyrics to this song on my heart all day long: </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You could have come like a mighty storm</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">with all the strength of a hurricane</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You could have come like a forest fire</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">with the power of heaven in Your flame</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but You came like a winter snow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">quiet, soft, and slow</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">falling from the sky in the night to the earth below</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You could have swept in like a tidal wave</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">or in an ocean to ravage our hearts</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You could have come through like a roaring flood</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">to wipe away the things we've scarred</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">but You came like a winter snow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You were quiet, You were soft, and slow</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">falling from the sky, in the night to the earth below</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">no, You're voice wasn't in a bush burning</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You're voice wasn't in a rushing wind</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">It was still, It was small, It was hidden</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You came like a winter snow</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">quiet, and soft, and slow</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">falling from the sky, in the night, to the earth below</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">You came falling from the sky, in the night, to the earth below</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">{</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"Winter Snow" by Audrey Assad and Chris Tomlin}</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-32149064901482052462010-10-08T13:40:00.000-07:002010-10-08T13:57:16.191-07:00The Art of Antiquing<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I absolutely <b style="color: #666666;">{love}</b> to shop for antiques! It's something my sister and I really enjoy doing together. Not everyone shares our passion for the art of antiquing, but we like to think we have "an eye" for things that can be reused, refurbished, or recreated into beautiful pieces of home decor. Sure, not everything you find in an antique shop is vintage treasure, but that's the fun of it... on some days, you get <i>insanely</i> lucky and stumble across something really fun, rare, or beautiful...something you just can't pass up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Here's a few of my latest finds at one of our local antique shops in Wake Forest:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">* A "weathered" anchor to hang in my beach inspired bedroom :) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Ljfw7jc1hdK_Yf-GVlB9n6HndehXCkczn2rT8dbiiKsWPQ72Bsxd6894CmnC-Nmm6Tf5zE3xl4HB7EgZuxTQBrBk0ASmJdSP9GjMCUtUinYse8cBjcQdVoYp5C4l49NGLRyBIuEGTA/s1600/anchor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7Ljfw7jc1hdK_Yf-GVlB9n6HndehXCkczn2rT8dbiiKsWPQ72Bsxd6894CmnC-Nmm6Tf5zE3xl4HB7EgZuxTQBrBk0ASmJdSP9GjMCUtUinYse8cBjcQdVoYp5C4l49NGLRyBIuEGTA/s320/anchor.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> * A vintage Sunkist milkglass juicer- soooo pretty! </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5Q-H6xfrr8BvH4RsmTHnXJP91uqf2nru1MpLcu6DDn6fmsYgI7m9iv5NW5fXT91_Y1sTDYkIr1jMJeBIUcnUudpVDh2P3-7RF3iHpdb-2XZS05W6gEgYmV4ufaphb1OySFPwaPDRJY8/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5Q-H6xfrr8BvH4RsmTHnXJP91uqf2nru1MpLcu6DDn6fmsYgI7m9iv5NW5fXT91_Y1sTDYkIr1jMJeBIUcnUudpVDh2P3-7RF3iHpdb-2XZS05W6gEgYmV4ufaphb1OySFPwaPDRJY8/s320/016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">* And my "treasure" for the day? This 1920's armchair!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3AIpDZhUZF2cyduYeTeQ4kq-noO-hSywly309VhMyYLfiNpt9XpKTYk_rrThS1TTJA7EMYaj6jEyxiKFJKmbN0h2HNtavZ8VGkJXoBVCFYLj7XQL-M3ur3jjzB57g1X6YdUn_r5aROc/s1600/007+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv3AIpDZhUZF2cyduYeTeQ4kq-noO-hSywly309VhMyYLfiNpt9XpKTYk_rrThS1TTJA7EMYaj6jEyxiKFJKmbN0h2HNtavZ8VGkJXoBVCFYLj7XQL-M3ur3jjzB57g1X6YdUn_r5aROc/s320/007+%282%29.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4KlAUFp-7aKIFwh6jybC4Ydqf_ChW4LuaxDdzwgiNl-n3oWQHPrCCGKE2vweDTXiSmDfT2heGKK-OZJCDwj6SPgvDRdgEPMW6Da2VsLCoSEl1sSg1SakCbNmk0lJjd317iWLO4tDrsU/s1600/006+%282%29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv4KlAUFp-7aKIFwh6jybC4Ydqf_ChW4LuaxDdzwgiNl-n3oWQHPrCCGKE2vweDTXiSmDfT2heGKK-OZJCDwj6SPgvDRdgEPMW6Da2VsLCoSEl1sSg1SakCbNmk0lJjd317iWLO4tDrsU/s320/006+%282%29.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I had to pull out the "early Christmas present" ticket for this beauty! It definitely needs to be reupholstered. The blue velvet is old and nasty, but the arms and legs on this chair are what sold me! So much potential to be <i>a gorgeous</i> piece of furniture.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> My two other treasures that I can't live without?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span id="goog_1893700140"></span><span id="goog_1893700141"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZh22g4Zq-Hg-hUKW0tnC5OH-4jzoi5ChtUMH-F1YJBUO-G51qzFnbvvb0sRyJY2KiqfChq_0CM0JdVhPxjpUFUw83gWlH-9cX0pm1dCaU_0EHsq177kf6-LTumAeNdZMejqLI-r1kKc/s1600/0910001523a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAZh22g4Zq-Hg-hUKW0tnC5OH-4jzoi5ChtUMH-F1YJBUO-G51qzFnbvvb0sRyJY2KiqfChq_0CM0JdVhPxjpUFUw83gWlH-9cX0pm1dCaU_0EHsq177kf6-LTumAeNdZMejqLI-r1kKc/s320/0910001523a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> My sleepy boys :) </span></div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-2141446886576230222010-09-24T16:01:00.000-07:002010-09-25T09:35:24.342-07:00Are you ready to RUMBLE?!<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Nolan's parents came to visit us last weekend, and we had such a great time with them! It was their first trip to Wake Forest, and so when they got here, Nolan and I were waiting for them on the balcony of our apartment which overlooks the road. The anticipation of seeing them drive by was FUN and we could not stop waving and hollering! I've decided that this should be our new</span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> tradition whenever anyone comes to visit :) Here's a re-cap of our Rumble weekend:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>FRIDAY</b>: After giving them the tour of our cozy apartment and visiting for a little bit, we went out to eat at Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant. Then, we went and saw <i>this</i> movie: </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYYonuHa0sXWaKUOEagbte5qGQLFg4tGlOJJCsTnpyX7wgeVC4SlD07AQsiuDngp8wFHUBuF3d0DZNU-h2L81wPknAazH7Ga7ZSNq3-AJN34eBjxyk9fKrsllIhiLbPzctbzACr_C9js/s1600/the-town-movie-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYYonuHa0sXWaKUOEagbte5qGQLFg4tGlOJJCsTnpyX7wgeVC4SlD07AQsiuDngp8wFHUBuF3d0DZNU-h2L81wPknAazH7Ga7ZSNq3-AJN34eBjxyk9fKrsllIhiLbPzctbzACr_C9js/s320/the-town-movie-poster.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Do I even have to say that the boys picked this movie? The freaky nun masks the bank robbers wore almost gave me nightmares. It was soooo intense, and I'm pretty sure that I had teared away all of my fingernails by the time the credits were rolling! After the movie, Mama Jackie requested some icecream. I think she had some of that "soft and creamy goodness" I've referenced in an earlier post on her mind :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfzMwf4dodnVe2b6cv2YvsPEGSSlY2CfjjucliA37aBapeZZYSAYJ0wR1xIpOgCH88wppjfzpNx4BvOF-pXCU_D904pNDLGQbUjEmrw6VslzU_5KZMZdzaeQcTdCEDUvGki9mb9N0CpM/s1600/IMG_6747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJfzMwf4dodnVe2b6cv2YvsPEGSSlY2CfjjucliA37aBapeZZYSAYJ0wR1xIpOgCH88wppjfzpNx4BvOF-pXCU_D904pNDLGQbUjEmrw6VslzU_5KZMZdzaeQcTdCEDUvGki9mb9N0CpM/s320/IMG_6747.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Man, that "Carolina Concrete" is delish! Once we had finished our ice-cold treats, we returned home to our apartment and called it a night (only after a few Glee episodes, of course!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>SATURDAY</b>: Everyone had their morning coffee on the balcony and enjoyed some time of sweet conversation. Mama J and I made eggs and bacon for breakfast. After eating, we got dressed and were ready to hit the town for a tour of Southeastern. Here's some of my favorite pics from the morning: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1nWfzzN-7sogoBMGulUUbEAPXDIn1ipLiycTxBFYstjapLsC7AurZ0LnydtuSGln_fdS2LhGjp9uLNeqTf_ndnas8eCZ1FzYNCWtkTV0Mpf4JbplbAJeADWIe83dDJDKeljzmbqtP3E/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaXX7hd6jn7tslNtvldxPJxktpxGL1paJ1GZyFQvR2wH0lMMdRtXPsxvpW3JWIO2t9P9-AP5RMQnAjfrlNAOsnx8bYb1rmgZmeB6N1uwmefMYcLoaz2-M6hHXSikjqE_-MlpYFgQTTdU/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaXX7hd6jn7tslNtvldxPJxktpxGL1paJ1GZyFQvR2wH0lMMdRtXPsxvpW3JWIO2t9P9-AP5RMQnAjfrlNAOsnx8bYb1rmgZmeB6N1uwmefMYcLoaz2-M6hHXSikjqE_-MlpYFgQTTdU/s320/006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">After walking and shopping around downtown, we decided to go on an adventure to find one of the lakes in the Wake Forest area. One short drive and a mini-hike later, we were on the edge of Falls Lake, looking out over the water and watching boats go by. It was so relaxing and beautiful. Here's a couple pics we took there:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kpHcg000sE880HIbu1qlIBEczYp2lGwBlqHBBt_E6vqYh1tGdEM_LU5vMmtYAlaUtTKMCfiwGiWQY2BUtcsQcSp5jEf3akPjpArQYuq_lWv2iN_SdU1p7Cuam39lDMR5Fm5t6PB7CEs/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kpHcg000sE880HIbu1qlIBEczYp2lGwBlqHBBt_E6vqYh1tGdEM_LU5vMmtYAlaUtTKMCfiwGiWQY2BUtcsQcSp5jEf3akPjpArQYuq_lWv2iN_SdU1p7Cuam39lDMR5Fm5t6PB7CEs/s320/034.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs-U9EB_xE2082gBk5Mq1rVaW6EE_ovwF5hV-r2LVSBtiJJ4rmBy13P28V_jai3-vMSmRL74zByVcB7_fplse7IOURd1rNvGW9-6nFrWeA0dveKop50ArXFmaiDrcAnT2vzBlAt-PZ74/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs-U9EB_xE2082gBk5Mq1rVaW6EE_ovwF5hV-r2LVSBtiJJ4rmBy13P28V_jai3-vMSmRL74zByVcB7_fplse7IOURd1rNvGW9-6nFrWeA0dveKop50ArXFmaiDrcAnT2vzBlAt-PZ74/s320/035.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfs8J5UebbPfhPV7nR8FavsuVCRJAedwlfxCqhCfwKhyphenhyphenVvsMnqKDlGUhgi529926mNc2_7PTx4_7kMSHa1e8k1PnYtIIm7obEJSkQwPjQW9KdehKyQ-4RAhN3T7Bs_AC1Tf7UP2aG-bk/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfs8J5UebbPfhPV7nR8FavsuVCRJAedwlfxCqhCfwKhyphenhyphenVvsMnqKDlGUhgi529926mNc2_7PTx4_7kMSHa1e8k1PnYtIIm7obEJSkQwPjQW9KdehKyQ-4RAhN3T7Bs_AC1Tf7UP2aG-bk/s320/036.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">We decided to head back to the apartment for some down-time after hanging out at Falls Lake for a bit. Once we got home, we watched the UT/Florida Gators game on the computer (no cable!) and then ate dinner at our most favorite restaurant in Wake Forest: Shuckers. This oyster bar and grill has some killer seafood and hush puppies that are to die for... seriously. Let's just say none of us had any room for desert! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">After dinner, we made it back to the apartment and watched ONE MORE Glee episode before heading to bed! :)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;"><b>SUNDAY: </b>We woke up and got ready for the early service at North Wake. After church, we grabbed some lunch at Red Robin before Mom and Dad had to hit the road to make their way back home to Cleveland. I started missing them the minute we waved good-bye from our balcony. It was such a wonderful time with them, though, and a weekend I will always cherish. Thank you both for going out of your way to visit and be a part of our lives and new home here. We love you with all our hearts and are so grateful for<i> every</i> minute of our time together. </span></div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-26004656956174777962010-09-08T19:08:00.000-07:002010-09-08T19:19:44.238-07:00Can a girl have TWO homes?<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I made my very first "on my own" road trip home to Cleveland for Labor Day weekend, and I was OH SO happy to see my family and some very dear friends of mine! After just a few days though, I was already thinking about my new home in North Carolina, mainly, getting back to my man and my kitty-child :) So many people have encouraged me to start viewing Wake Forest as my "home," and have said that doing so will make the transition easier on me. But the more I think about it, the more I feel like I have </span><i style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">two</i><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> homes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Cleveland will always be home because it holds so many of our most precious memories. It's where Nolan and I were raised for the majority of our lives. It's where we found one another in the hallway of our middle school and where we exchanged wedding vows. It's where we received salvation. It's where we will take children of our own some day. But now, Wake Forest is our home away from home. It's where the Lord has called us. It's where we will begin a family. It's where we will make new friends. It's where we will grow in our love for Christ and one another. It's where we have found God's peace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I was thinking about all of this during my 7 1/2 hour drive home on Tuesday, and couldn't help but thank the Lord for how he has blessed us and provided the foundation for a home here in Wake Forest. <b>Here's some things that we are absolutely <i>LOVING</i> about our new home in North Carolina: </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">#1) <b>North Wake.</b> We've really enjoyed having the freedom to visit churches and experience worship in our community over the last month and a half. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Although we have visited some really wonderful churches, we have felt the Lord drawing us to North Wake. Every time we have visited here, the Lord has made it more and more clear that this is where He wants us to serve. We had the opportunity to visit one of North Wake's small groups- what a blessing it was to connect with other men and women who have followed God to Wake Forest in faith and obedience to God. This church is such an answer to our prayers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">#2) One word: <b>Goodberry's.</b></span><b> </b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Now, a lot of you are thinking, <i>"What in the world is Goodberry's?"</i> That was our thought, too, until we put the "soft and creamy goodness" (Nolan's words- not mine) in our mouths. It's definitely the best ice cream we've ever tasted! If you ever come to visit, Goodberry's will be a mandatory stop during your Wake Forest tour. :)</span> YUMMY!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGfXyKWI3ISds1qAMT5CdhQWT_K-lid9mqfencB4rEzindBTc5fK79gvlLQLiK8fVz8bBmvcQAOaNK1gF-C5Zgo8sS_t4f0Wc9TqQCBoDbqyE5X2PS262dAiMAUOsVpz2kdfO3yp-NWQ/s1600/0908001428a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGfXyKWI3ISds1qAMT5CdhQWT_K-lid9mqfencB4rEzindBTc5fK79gvlLQLiK8fVz8bBmvcQAOaNK1gF-C5Zgo8sS_t4f0Wc9TqQCBoDbqyE5X2PS262dAiMAUOsVpz2kdfO3yp-NWQ/s320/0908001428a.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">#3) <b>Our NEW CAR!</b> My dad thought it would be best for us to trade in Nolan's old white Accord for a car that's a little more dependable for long-distance road trips. He found us a silver Mazda Tribute, and we love it! It's a great car and it will always remind us of our years in North Carolina! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaRAQ-Nca1k1_RV_K6yzfUsrJSsB-jA6tnLI512D2DZgswR17yx_UXwxowUu7npxSPtrmMreGVhNSk8dkPhf-W85aYCO-8-e4LPNJGfSgzx_cpA_s2CeRP3lirtg3i8mLdp7LhHSu7RM/s1600/Rumble+New+Car+08+06+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvaRAQ-Nca1k1_RV_K6yzfUsrJSsB-jA6tnLI512D2DZgswR17yx_UXwxowUu7npxSPtrmMreGVhNSk8dkPhf-W85aYCO-8-e4LPNJGfSgzx_cpA_s2CeRP3lirtg3i8mLdp7LhHSu7RM/s320/Rumble+New+Car+08+06+10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">#4) <b>The beach</b>. A two-hour drive to the beach is NOTHING when you are used to traveling seven to eight hours to make your way to the closest coast! We have claimed Wrightsville Beach near Wilmington as "our beach." :) It's such a beautiful area and is known for having great surf waves during certain parts of the year. Let's just say a surf board may be on Nolan's Christmas list this year! :) We love it there and will be making many trips during our years in North Carolina. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7SI6T5Vbid4Q_mh9puLjeQNjPefPtISdum5U3TXHLUWBCa6O6Gj6FZ8hKWtr8-cO0ySp_BVfYmFfcgkKhx-Ctgh9AB-qVwZjKIE1B1IqGn4Y2ZRwvtNUhO3X_moTXAhFeNkFiYABhrI/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7SI6T5Vbid4Q_mh9puLjeQNjPefPtISdum5U3TXHLUWBCa6O6Gj6FZ8hKWtr8-cO0ySp_BVfYmFfcgkKhx-Ctgh9AB-qVwZjKIE1B1IqGn4Y2ZRwvtNUhO3X_moTXAhFeNkFiYABhrI/s320/003.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJrtvHw4ye7LuwqsAEbATBUW_PQhsPVyiljbKBwerrcl3CcZEoIj5K6RZ32DfMSOK_YyFb2oy2d5uWNm_HZANtH7cpRF0y9JlFldQEvum5ifapkT7nSknDChW4fQoMQ5RE3MHiTUwY1Q/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJrtvHw4ye7LuwqsAEbATBUW_PQhsPVyiljbKBwerrcl3CcZEoIj5K6RZ32DfMSOK_YyFb2oy2d5uWNm_HZANtH7cpRF0y9JlFldQEvum5ifapkT7nSknDChW4fQoMQ5RE3MHiTUwY1Q/s320/004.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">5)<b> Super Target!</b> I cannot even begin to tell you how excited I was when I found out I have a Target in Wake Forest, but a SUPER-Target, nonetheless. I can always think of something I need or could use from this awesome store. :) Not only is the Super-Target a convenient 5 to 10 minutes from our apartment, but so is everything else like Wal-Mart, Harris Teeter, Walgreens, Goodberry's, the post office, our bank, and lots of other places!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLG2egvBx6Vw4mb72Vkgi1gPx0R-fMxKZchZLI0NZqSJRvVeRlCrPzHrI1O80mKuSrpMFu8sotX6pXZI88Zfwx-ykpcrnlbvOEYTIkkysiHVJtgV9x_1sV1CfudnZCs5EEsO6Ud-5MB8/s1600/super-target-450x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLG2egvBx6Vw4mb72Vkgi1gPx0R-fMxKZchZLI0NZqSJRvVeRlCrPzHrI1O80mKuSrpMFu8sotX6pXZI88Zfwx-ykpcrnlbvOEYTIkkysiHVJtgV9x_1sV1CfudnZCs5EEsO6Ud-5MB8/s320/super-target-450x300.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I'm sure there will be much more that I grow to love about our new home over the next few years. If the saying "Home is where your Heart is" is true, then Wake Forest, North Carolina <i>and</i> Cleveland, Tennessee will both forever be a home to me. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-15729252768942627232010-08-10T10:40:00.000-07:002010-08-10T18:44:20.772-07:00Back to School<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With my Kindergarten students from North Lee starting back to school this week, they have been on my mind and my heart over the last couple days. I wish so much that I could be there to watch them grow as BIG first graders, but I know the Lord will take care of each and every one of them this year. I truly believe that I had the BEST group of students, the BEST parents, and the BEST teachers to work alongside EVER. Being Mrs. Rumble was such a joy in my life, and I will always count working at North Lee as one of my greatest blessings. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
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</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Bless my students, this day, O God. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAW5Wr6CI06fUMXXgkRNChPoUi_2CDhBNFFczTao2MnBsDZV2llJHiE15c3ogmsF2NabV7rz_IQGTUuB_5ame3K-te7ubQCSqBNwLTYaeolgYvlvLhHGEtQMBr2mbroXWdXLKglkSuOc/s1600/R3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAW5Wr6CI06fUMXXgkRNChPoUi_2CDhBNFFczTao2MnBsDZV2llJHiE15c3ogmsF2NabV7rz_IQGTUuB_5ame3K-te7ubQCSqBNwLTYaeolgYvlvLhHGEtQMBr2mbroXWdXLKglkSuOc/s320/R3.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Give them inquiring minds and discerning hearts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil97USQjme_rfjRMOuSmkO2thxY6x28Koc1NMK3ItqJA2fhxN80sHvHZZwn1um5XYZ_M3zWA_gKz5nnh84eMZgj6aHtXCNSNiWj8QtUVdnJL8ImMLsok8iUeNnsZ-8XMJGqjUJgilNAdQ/s1600/R5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil97USQjme_rfjRMOuSmkO2thxY6x28Koc1NMK3ItqJA2fhxN80sHvHZZwn1um5XYZ_M3zWA_gKz5nnh84eMZgj6aHtXCNSNiWj8QtUVdnJL8ImMLsok8iUeNnsZ-8XMJGqjUJgilNAdQ/s320/R5.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
Give them courage to persevere in all they undertake.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKCWBHff2em2qsAiyOjLUMiBCaABXFnrwktzBjpFXnZma8dEUbrZAIHRJVumE3IsIwedVq8-TpdsDpF3n-HXKiLR72_xcgs5VHPrKlg8wVj52Z080z0NtDaba5hW1tzHgpbW-0NMGEYM/s1600/R38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKCWBHff2em2qsAiyOjLUMiBCaABXFnrwktzBjpFXnZma8dEUbrZAIHRJVumE3IsIwedVq8-TpdsDpF3n-HXKiLR72_xcgs5VHPrKlg8wVj52Z080z0NtDaba5hW1tzHgpbW-0NMGEYM/s320/R38.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Give them the gift of joy and wonder in all things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6WKBDNXP18zlK1e8noK2KpvZdgH1yQQeor8xunOCgNBbnN_qytMIbucJSgT9sapfdRxiRqc83ZuiPJup7CuhLqBr5muJoRMh0fGtHBCtrs0by0c0blZyphY1CMzHeLfcUeKahnAEjvo/s1600/R34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6WKBDNXP18zlK1e8noK2KpvZdgH1yQQeor8xunOCgNBbnN_qytMIbucJSgT9sapfdRxiRqc83ZuiPJup7CuhLqBr5muJoRMh0fGtHBCtrs0by0c0blZyphY1CMzHeLfcUeKahnAEjvo/s320/R34.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Give them laughter and love to share with all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ATcLokhqi2JhblsFveD1dA8DZTi8P-YFIZi3MG-_FjiNYGrCIMUWuRfB6JGXlUdaILF7Yr9pwBZgoiJBvjn40rfurf9TthSBGZy_5OuMQ6bxWS5QH5XITxotKgmM4VQFQXJpEMSzH9U/s1600/R43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ATcLokhqi2JhblsFveD1dA8DZTi8P-YFIZi3MG-_FjiNYGrCIMUWuRfB6JGXlUdaILF7Yr9pwBZgoiJBvjn40rfurf9TthSBGZy_5OuMQ6bxWS5QH5XITxotKgmM4VQFQXJpEMSzH9U/s320/R43.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">Give them protection and safety as they move out of our embrace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFOSERxSVnnCHEhWxit9ELqSbe5B6FoaWgsZX_B3FuV5Nw8uSV7gWfgknTyW3VVHEb2dUba6oQLCCn9-4SJJ8YXrwKI627EDU62hHd5jB0j1UuO9ZEjzqc8VytEQ-XOQvS_LjRLU9aVE/s1600/R30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHFOSERxSVnnCHEhWxit9ELqSbe5B6FoaWgsZX_B3FuV5Nw8uSV7gWfgknTyW3VVHEb2dUba6oQLCCn9-4SJJ8YXrwKI627EDU62hHd5jB0j1UuO9ZEjzqc8VytEQ-XOQvS_LjRLU9aVE/s320/R30.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; text-align: center;">And give them sure and certain knowledge of Your never-failing love.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0V7jbCVVPsZStMEik6l_z9rHF-ATq-rk66FERNm32Ehtii5WVhenIHGaCv4wTUSpF53kAtyOirqWLP06pqMx9OaBhQZbBogvKGmAmUQmh1DgwfSqzDSVwu4XmMrSYMpMWVENlh-tw5I/s1600/R24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0V7jbCVVPsZStMEik6l_z9rHF-ATq-rk66FERNm32Ehtii5WVhenIHGaCv4wTUSpF53kAtyOirqWLP06pqMx9OaBhQZbBogvKGmAmUQmh1DgwfSqzDSVwu4XmMrSYMpMWVENlh-tw5I/s320/R24.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Amen.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-37793618188853444432010-08-04T07:44:00.000-07:002010-08-04T08:05:27.260-07:00Our move to North Carolina<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's hard to believe Nolan and I have already been here two and a half weeks! Here's some of my favorite pics from our moving day: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6m-EKRCdL1TTKa6-fXbKutHy-cNyr3Lbctfb0Llooc9wNM1BWM7uVWSXqFowL_btQASiEOSNTI50Q5MSiaWBMhKAJR_-MqwE-IQmqbH8VD6XQmGp0mNH8_CfiwaPwVQUWk8ttlvi3wk/s1600/153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6m-EKRCdL1TTKa6-fXbKutHy-cNyr3Lbctfb0Llooc9wNM1BWM7uVWSXqFowL_btQASiEOSNTI50Q5MSiaWBMhKAJR_-MqwE-IQmqbH8VD6XQmGp0mNH8_CfiwaPwVQUWk8ttlvi3wk/s320/153.JPG" /></a></div>I thought this pic was so cute of us, but when I showed it to Nolan, he asked "What HAPPENED TO YOUR ARM?!?!" It took us a few minutes to realize that my hand was resting on his shoulder, and Nolan's hand was hanging on to the ceiling of the truck. No, people, I do not have super long, ALIEN arms. Ha. I think we are lookin' pretty good for 5:45 in the morning :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRszfhKSG0cc4jP7aoL4A5_hqS0YEYBZFtvLEJsnnZ5C1VjhZm_O4T-UmU5VkMDOCHW_4TLPPHVdT3pqtHTIum2yM8Hsm9fsb4J25C5Vrh2k5fzFlldigzXzSO9-Y7aElwB9YzAf5xVmI/s1600/156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRszfhKSG0cc4jP7aoL4A5_hqS0YEYBZFtvLEJsnnZ5C1VjhZm_O4T-UmU5VkMDOCHW_4TLPPHVdT3pqtHTIum2yM8Hsm9fsb4J25C5Vrh2k5fzFlldigzXzSO9-Y7aElwB9YzAf5xVmI/s320/156.JPG" /></a></div>We hit the road about 6 a.m. after a bittersweet good-bye with Nolan's momma and Sarah Beth and Nathan. They were so sweet to send us off from my parents' house so EARLY in the morning. I really feel like I have the best family in the world- we are SO blessed. After awhile of driving, I took a picture out the window of the car: This picture says "Yay! We made it to North Carolina!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cs8S4G7ko99MCsOaIoK_ZJ4-lVti6m5OQ3g40UTj5s_fZbRpXugg_L27JZqy9K0VSuvOGssZy5ckqyzsVuX-tPPw9JdHzpZ3TvCseVO1PyMzyZXPJR6f_XqGq9fbTs-uIAqkY72vWCM/s1600/163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Cs8S4G7ko99MCsOaIoK_ZJ4-lVti6m5OQ3g40UTj5s_fZbRpXugg_L27JZqy9K0VSuvOGssZy5ckqyzsVuX-tPPw9JdHzpZ3TvCseVO1PyMzyZXPJR6f_XqGq9fbTs-uIAqkY72vWCM/s320/163.JPG" /></a></div>The mountains of North Carolina are breathtakingly beautiful. Nolan said he felt like he was in Jurassic Park, and that he just might see a giant dinosaur stomping over the mountains any minute. Dad was driving the moving truck- that's him fixing to go through the tunnel. As mom would say, he drove that truck "like a boss!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDiRVBkeHGYtDQs9_0S-9M0ZPPetf2-tGrzlj30beCgfeQ3j_5oNxrKLbD8m2zrZ3vaBBi1FBOJezmTIeqQy79jSI0JzfVr94Zj0M6-aaL0tEEc9toVnXCTmiZChnFRWqh4v4sh_qN3k/s1600/164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDiRVBkeHGYtDQs9_0S-9M0ZPPetf2-tGrzlj30beCgfeQ3j_5oNxrKLbD8m2zrZ3vaBBi1FBOJezmTIeqQy79jSI0JzfVr94Zj0M6-aaL0tEEc9toVnXCTmiZChnFRWqh4v4sh_qN3k/s320/164.JPG" /></a></div><b>Hold your breath! </b><b>We're going through the tunnel!</b> What a responsible mom: One hand on the wheel, holding her breath, and yet her eyes are STILL on the road! You go, momma! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXUtkx8OjjqTaScgxPs-lIO4FM7U4bhH8KI_V2HDempEl2i4xxxaf1lkGNUQl0FndMmPbclgRgRfsG3ywv8cWnxZRFGNLqhqEKAxHp2dLo0x5XNf0CEctgkfCdA9gFL96qDlR-QXEyno/s1600/166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsXUtkx8OjjqTaScgxPs-lIO4FM7U4bhH8KI_V2HDempEl2i4xxxaf1lkGNUQl0FndMmPbclgRgRfsG3ywv8cWnxZRFGNLqhqEKAxHp2dLo0x5XNf0CEctgkfCdA9gFL96qDlR-QXEyno/s320/166.JPG" /></a></div>Our sweet kitty-child did SO well during the eight hour drive! I was pleasantly surprised- I was so worried that Roni was going to turn into Kujo-Kitty on the way there. Here he is sleeping on his favorite blanket in the backseat of mom's car. He didn't last very long in his carrier, but did just fine resting in the backseat. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTzr4GhRFjYWMKD-74JuRq2ETYidxbKb3ptyL7cZpSgddJtkfgXRskpNWTaY5hmoItp_UZT24uhIJQLBQ6ZbDCk58W-bGY9aphMY46y4L08-uIaTI4GiKWMPhxyhS_Km7ts5l83ZlIwk/s1600/176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTzr4GhRFjYWMKD-74JuRq2ETYidxbKb3ptyL7cZpSgddJtkfgXRskpNWTaY5hmoItp_UZT24uhIJQLBQ6ZbDCk58W-bGY9aphMY46y4L08-uIaTI4GiKWMPhxyhS_Km7ts5l83ZlIwk/s320/176.JPG" /></a></div>Here he is again- just chillin' in his litter box. I think Roni almost fell asleep in there! Our cat is SO weird sometimes. The litter box was clean, so I guess there was no harm in letting him lay there, right? :)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7H9WE9LRFqBx9yyTyiNuyEIwmMwiGlIu5MxC-y-vysuvRFfzVNx9dYBNjTFol818PAK7skqv-bFYcK-IuSqAxRo0SUj4Dj6b_Hr-t_W-4gfnlLspmjzjR2cAmOlLuAHNq7CfgiJQVxY/s1600/178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7H9WE9LRFqBx9yyTyiNuyEIwmMwiGlIu5MxC-y-vysuvRFfzVNx9dYBNjTFol818PAK7skqv-bFYcK-IuSqAxRo0SUj4Dj6b_Hr-t_W-4gfnlLspmjzjR2cAmOlLuAHNq7CfgiJQVxY/s320/178.JPG" /></a></div>Mom and I were SO STINKIN' TIRED of looking at this single mom and her two girls by the time the trip was over. WoooWeee... I hope I don't have to see them again for a loonnngggg time! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsvg37DJ3R8S1WBnwXyERrp9Js3B_I7T1V3I0S3kjBBxHGCdmsLuRyjXK2nB8V8-SJlapZlCRbKTUUAjC754O9UCMQpR5aeVITI_nqSquaUTFCSSMVJo2_9hLfFJ7M7TwEmKw5CHROIA/s1600/180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgsvg37DJ3R8S1WBnwXyERrp9Js3B_I7T1V3I0S3kjBBxHGCdmsLuRyjXK2nB8V8-SJlapZlCRbKTUUAjC754O9UCMQpR5aeVITI_nqSquaUTFCSSMVJo2_9hLfFJ7M7TwEmKw5CHROIA/s320/180.JPG" /></a></div>Hallelujah! We made it! By this time, we were all anxious to arrive at our new apartment and start getting to work. Thankfully, we hired two guys from a moving company to help us unload all the heavy items from the moving truck. We began unloading the truck around 4:00 p.m., and by 5:15 p.m., it was DONE. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbkKd2V5FBNDJjFcyUotTzbqgjcpsU995OdCkWepNfMq32ZOAliRJiPaLtz-YeN9POhG1OfZwFsTu61xrs9E2y40OHI-ftdIuSay1SkEsxLrgwF-jWFtIKljEo_mhccLtTr_uv-BXGEI/s1600/1137610_64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbkKd2V5FBNDJjFcyUotTzbqgjcpsU995OdCkWepNfMq32ZOAliRJiPaLtz-YeN9POhG1OfZwFsTu61xrs9E2y40OHI-ftdIuSay1SkEsxLrgwF-jWFtIKljEo_mhccLtTr_uv-BXGEI/s320/1137610_64.jpg" /></a></div>Here's where we'll be calling "home" for the next couple years! We are only about five or six minutes from Southeastern's campus and located right in the middle of everything. We are really enjoying this place so far!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoxdSrCdewOPAAkpcHdP9JzN4XQp6t_2LZsPzUm-Wg_YZNmC8d5rKr5VMpzT7f05Q2G1HtbJFoyQy0YHhC4sRhs0aOfJVmfycw_if5nN8bf2chUI9n43-FA0N3m_G0bQKXDutlgYzKi4/s1600/184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoxdSrCdewOPAAkpcHdP9JzN4XQp6t_2LZsPzUm-Wg_YZNmC8d5rKr5VMpzT7f05Q2G1HtbJFoyQy0YHhC4sRhs0aOfJVmfycw_if5nN8bf2chUI9n43-FA0N3m_G0bQKXDutlgYzKi4/s320/184.JPG" /></a></div>After a night of unpacking boxes, we took the next day to relax <i>a little bit </i>and enjoy the day. We gave mom and dad a tour of SEBTS and then had lunch at Las Palmas, a local Mexican restaurant. I think this next one is a great picture of them. :) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0qTo3n0DIvypdiBB-d_Et9BxsfGXuqBymxl1dKr99w47rWUI9pN7HXpX_hFJFgOeLY3389E1i0x4J1flshkhIJayBknQ1WU1wAJ4PYwpNQ9zt7gLtTyQunzwg6LzZFsRQ4e25WgPMYw/s1600/186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0qTo3n0DIvypdiBB-d_Et9BxsfGXuqBymxl1dKr99w47rWUI9pN7HXpX_hFJFgOeLY3389E1i0x4J1flshkhIJayBknQ1WU1wAJ4PYwpNQ9zt7gLtTyQunzwg6LzZFsRQ4e25WgPMYw/s320/186.JPG" /></a></div>Dear Mom and Dad, I know I told you this through my tears right before you left, but I have to say it again, just so you know how much I mean it. You have done nothing but give and give of yourselves during the last couple months and throughout my whole life- your love has been such a perfect picture of Christ's love for me. Thank you for pointing me to the cross and for playing such a big part in preparing my heart for God's call on my life. Thank you always for your unconditional love and support. I know it hasn't been easy, but it's been good and right. Having you for parents has been one of the most gracious gifts I've ever been given. I love you through and through.CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1898194651798042543.post-11607031555218645102010-08-01T21:46:00.000-07:002010-08-01T22:02:25.717-07:00I'm going to Carolina in my mind...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFvBunIIQ3cj8lnkCdoprslIb79pt2zGY84w0BjP_y5XLTd9Yx-s7wimn_nas3n769RpILZpDG8ZtaBSQ3E6o7v7gFFYZUCcAlW-Erw94ZBMtLN89C_z7H4tBgiBZTF_H-sNnQeDDgAw/s1600/152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqFvBunIIQ3cj8lnkCdoprslIb79pt2zGY84w0BjP_y5XLTd9Yx-s7wimn_nas3n769RpILZpDG8ZtaBSQ3E6o7v7gFFYZUCcAlW-Erw94ZBMtLN89C_z7H4tBgiBZTF_H-sNnQeDDgAw/s320/152.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Months ago, I had to begin preparing my mind and my heart for our move to North Carolina. Even in our last days with family and friends, it all felt so surreal. And now, sitting in our third-floor apartment in Wake Forest, Nolan and I jokingly say to one another, "O.k., it's been a great vacation- time to go home now!" We laugh about it, but the truth is- we have never experienced so much peace in all our lives. The moment we said "YES" to God was the moment He was able to begin pouring out His richest blessings. His power and provision over the last four months continues to amaze and humble me greatly. The best way to describe this whole process has definitely been- "No room for doubt." I am so thankful for that. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Also several months ago... my big sister, Ashley, began her efforts to persuade me that I am "blog-worthy." She, being the older, wiser and more trendy sister that she is, had some persuasive arguments on blogging's behalf. I agreed with all of her reasons at the time, but it never seemed like the<i> right time</i> for me to begin a blog of my very own. But now, more than ever, as I'm far away from those nearest to my heart, I want <i>just one more</i> way to connect and share my life with them. I'm beginning to realize that it will be good for me to write about this new journey... almost like therapy. I am excited about keeping track of all our first favorite memories in North Carolina, and being able to look back and remember them all so easily and with the convenient click of a mouse. Somehow, big sisters tend to know what's best.... I have a feeling she will be my first blog follower- thanks, Ashley, for always being my biggest fan. :)</div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">On a side-note, Nolan begins seminary in two weeks- and is ready to get things going. When mom and dad helped us move two weeks ago, we gave them a tour of Southeastern's campus. Here's our first seminary picture together: </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L_Bt5aWcsJlxEmFW-BkwOiL8oOy2ljUEXJk3q7GSUjCdzMfU5kTP8dFasWLHtdLjBBX7Bd0tOqp3uf86qjxHOJh2-4JdWYlk2OQ8ZH-ZKGYQX2kYzFQCLKwfC_Y__8jtzrZWFYCLfFY/s1600/37527_410732617850_541852850_4565880_4783881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L_Bt5aWcsJlxEmFW-BkwOiL8oOy2ljUEXJk3q7GSUjCdzMfU5kTP8dFasWLHtdLjBBX7Bd0tOqp3uf86qjxHOJh2-4JdWYlk2OQ8ZH-ZKGYQX2kYzFQCLKwfC_Y__8jtzrZWFYCLfFY/s320/37527_410732617850_541852850_4565880_4783881_n.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Dad took the picture with his cell phone- and it ended up turning out really great! More pictures of our move to N.C. to come VERY SOON. Much love to all of our family and friends- thank you for your prayers and loving support- I would be honored to share this journey with you. Hope you enjoy! </div>CNRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407555234528100924noreply@blogger.com6