tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52284620659701833202024-03-05T05:06:56.569-05:00Hearts @ Home...Taking care of those whom God has placed within my sphere of influence, one heart at a time...Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.comBlogger252125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-71308399017486679782014-08-02T11:55:00.001-04:002014-08-02T11:55:30.580-04:00Happy 18th Birthday Kate!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This one, my only girl child... she turned 18 in February. </div>
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Yeah, 18. I can't believe it either.</div>
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Kate with her little cousin, Bailey, sharing a birthday dessert at Longhorn Steakhouse</div>
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Her aunt and her cousin wanted to take her on a shopping trip at the Ameris Mart in Atlanta for her birthday.</div>
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Kate with her cousin Lane, and a new friend Tori (one of Lane's students)</div>
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Look at all those floors for shopping. Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Shop til you drop!"</div>
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18 years, wow! Just like that, I blinked and now you're grown. Where is my sweet little baby that I used to hold close to my heart? Where is my pretty little princess who used to climb onto my lap, pleading with me, "Read it just one more time Mommy, pleeease"? Gone is the little girl who used to play dress up in my make-up and high heels. Now you have your own. My, where did the time go? And why must it pass by so quickly?</div>
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The time that I have left with you, here in our home, is fleeting, soon to be gone, nothing but a memory. Sometimes (ok... almost all the time) I wish that I could turn back the hands of time, and keep you my little girl forever. But alas! That's not the way of life. You've grown into a beautiful young woman with a tender heart and I am so very proud of you! For all the times in these past few years that I have made you feel anything less than loved, or that you didn't measure up, I am truly sorry. You mean the world to me, my beautiful daughter! You're my sunshine, my joy, my princess, my angel baby, my heart. I am immeasurably blessed to be your mom. And I love you far more than these simple words can express. </div>
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Happy 18th Birthday, Kate!</div>
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(even though it's not really your birthday)</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-50738461812687049352014-07-31T13:54:00.000-04:002014-07-31T13:54:56.844-04:00Visit with the Little Boys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a visit from our little nephews just after Christmas. These are the little guys we had in foster care when they were 2 years old and 9 months old. We had them for about two weeks while the Lord was making ready their forever home. If you missed it, you can read about that <a href="http://momma23blessings.blogspot.com/2011/07/learning-places.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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sweet brothers</div>
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trying to give doggie treats to Lizzie</div>
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These little fellas are so precious to us, and we are grateful to be involved in their lives, even if it is in a capacity other than what we envisioned when we first met them. I am so thankful that God knows what each of us needs and that He always, <i>always</i> works out the details way better than we could have ever imagined.</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-38316513572683743722014-07-29T20:38:00.001-04:002014-07-29T20:38:11.078-04:00Will's 15th Birthday!This is what happens when you neglect your blog. You spend countless hours trying to catch up on life that has already happened. You write posts about birthdays that have come and gone. You sit in front of a blank computer screen thinking, "Geesh, It's the end of July and I'm writing about my son's birthday that we celebrated back in November." Don't be like me. Don't neglect your blog!<br />
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<a name='more'></a>This handsome young man turned 15 this past November. I can't believe my baby is 15. I know, I say that about EVERYTHING (I can't believe...)!! My baby, my youngest child, is really 15. I just have to let that sink in for a minute. Why do they have to grow up so fast? Ah, but that's what kids do. Speaking of youngest, I guess he really is going to be the caboose in our family. We have hoped and prayed for God to bring us more children through the miracle of adoption, but for three years now, He's been silent on that topic. But, more on that at another time. This post is about Will.<br />
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<i>blowing out 15 candles</i></div>
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Strawberry cheesecake is his favorite, and that's usually what he asks for when it comes to birthday cakes. This year, he may have gotten gyped. Rather than making a nice "real" cheesecake, I took the liberty of making one of those Jello No Bake Cheesecakes. In a graham cracker crust pie shell. Nothing fancy, but he didn't complain. That's one of Will's greatest qualities, he doesn't complain about much. He's going to make some lucky young lady happy one day.</div>
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<i>opening his gift </i></div>
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An iPod Touch, the only thing he asked for. Well, really he didn't even ask for it. I suggested it. That's another one of Will's wonderful qualities... he's not very picky. Did I mention, he's going to make some young lady very happy one day?</div>
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He's been rather pleased with his iPod. His brother helped him choose some songs to load on it. He chose a few apps to download, and a few games.</div>
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His brother surprised him with a gift.</div>
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They tell me it's a Dragon Ball. From the tv series <i>Dragon Ball Z</i>. What does he do with it? It's a collectible. That means it sits on his dresser and collects dust. But hey, if he's happy I'm happy.</div>
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Happy Birthday Will! (Even though it's not really your birthday any more.)</div>
<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-43458472554797547302014-07-24T14:32:00.001-04:002014-07-24T14:32:12.435-04:00Will's First Year of High School at HomeWell, this school year has come to a close, and the new one is just around the corner. Well, kind of :). This year will be the first in a long time that I am choosing not to follow along with the school calendar (public or private) for our homeschool. Kate graduated in May and will be starting college classes at the end of August, so I'm thinking Will and I will probably wait to start school when she does.<br />
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I can't believe my baby has finished his first year of high school! I remember how at this time last year I was so apprehensive about teaching high school at home. It's amazing how God uses situations like these to draw us closer to Him, teaching us to lean on Him and trust Him. He helped us to pull everything together that we needed to complete Will's 9th grade year, and get everything ready for a transcript to help him be ready for college.<br />
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Our curriculum this year included:</div>
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<b>Bible</b> - </div>
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*Bible Doctrines</div>
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*Old Testament History</div>
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<b>History</b> - </div>
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*Exploring World History, Literature and Bible, by the Notgrass Company</div>
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*Part 1: Creation Through the Middle Ages (first semester)</div>
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*Part 2: The Renaissance to the Present (second semester)</div>
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<b>Math</b> - </div>
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*Saxon Algebra I and CTC Math Tutor</div>
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<b>English/Composition/Grammar</b> - </div>
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*Jump In Writing Program</div>
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*Easy Grammar Plus</div>
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*Copywork using Our Beautiful America, by Queen Homeschool</div>
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<b>Literature</b> - 13 works, including:</div>
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*Mere Christianity</div>
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*The Cat of Bubastes</div>
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*Julius Caesar</div>
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*The Imitation of Christ</div>
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*Here I Stand</div>
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*Pilgrim's Progress</div>
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*A Tale of Two Cities</div>
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*Pride and Prejudice</div>
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*Heart of Darkness</div>
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*Eric Liddell</div>
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*The Hiding Place</div>
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*War Horse</div>
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*The Abolition of Man</div>
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<b>Science</b> - </div>
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*Physical Science, by ABeka (first semester)</div>
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*Human Anatomy and Physiology, by Apologia (second semester)</div>
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<b>Geography</b> -</div>
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*The Earth, Its Wonders, Its Secrets</div>
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*Mapping the World</div>
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*Beginning Spanish</div>
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We also scheduled in weekly readings to include subjects such as biographies, nature readings, animal interests, poetry and hymns, inventors/inventions, astronomers and forensics.</div>
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working on lesson plans for the week</div>
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reading about molecules and matter</div>
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Dad explaining math concepts in Algebra I, because a math teacher I am not</div>
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learning about the dynamics of breathing in his Anatomy workbook</div>
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studying Bible doctrines and learning to apply them to his life</div>
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Dad teaching Will the mechanics of blood pressure, since he learned about this in Human Anatomy</div>
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writing</div>
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more math</div>
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reading a classic</div>
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a sick day...</div>
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experimenting</div>
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balancing an egg</div>
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one of our favorites this year</div>
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We needed to make a trip out of town, so we enjoyed a nice lunch out... one of the perks of homeschooling!</div>
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So, Will's 9th grade year has come to an end. We both learned so much this year, and that's one of the things I love best about homeschooling... I have an opportunity to learn just as much as he does! </div>
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We are enjoying our summer, but I have been busy researching and gathering what we'll need for the upcoming school year, which will be upon us before we know it!</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-5475950147060014042014-07-23T18:51:00.000-04:002014-07-23T18:51:36.044-04:00Getting Caught Up!I'm still trying to play the catch up game. I haven't kept up my blog like I need to. For some reason, I've not really felt an urge to blog, and that makes me sad. Because this blog is sort of like my journal. It's just a place for me, really, more than for readers or followers. I use this place to chronicle my family's life, the big moments yes, but mostly just the little day to day moments that make up our lives.<br />
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I blame instagram for this, lol. It is just so easy to post pictures immediately, and to share a bit of our life that way. But after being back here for a few days, I realize how much I've missed it.<br />
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So my next few blog posts will be about life that has already happened. Things and events that have come and gone, but things that I want to remember, just the same.<br />
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Like this post for instance, this post about Savannah.<br />
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I've been to Savannah lots of times. It's only about 105 miles from where I live. I've been there for doctors appointments. I've been there for shopping. I've been there on school field trips. But until recently, I'd never toured the historic district. Crazy, I know, because if there's a historic district in a city, I'm usually all over it!<br />
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Mike's sister and her husband had planned a weekend trip to Savannah the weekend before Thanksgiving, and they invited us to go along. We were able to spend only one night and have one full day for touring, but of course, we said yes!<br />
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strolling along River Street at night</div>
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River Street is very beautiful at night!</div>
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Here we are, ready to depart on a trolley tour of the historic district.</div>
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Chippewa Square - This is where a scene was filmed in the movie, Forrest Gump. The bench he sat on had to be moved indoors to a museum because people kept chipping off pieces of the bench for souvenirs!</div>
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We toured the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, one of the most beautiful Catholic cathedrals I've ever seen!</div>
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We ate lunch at The Lady & Sons, Paula Deen's restaurant in Savannah. Yum!</div>
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Just browsing in the gift shop while waiting to be seated...</div>
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This is Mike's chicken pot pie. Look at that crust!</div>
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Time to walk off some of those many calories we consumed at Paula Deen's!</div>
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on River Street</div>
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And here we are at the scene of another movie that was filmed in Savannah... In the movie, Something to Talk About, this is where Julia Roberts confronted her cheating husband, Dennis Quaid in the restaurant.</div>
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my sister-in-law and me</div>
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You definitely need more than one day for touring Savannah, even if you're only touring the historic district. Fortunately, Mike and I were able to go back to Savannah in January. More on that later!</div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-87664427091244353552014-01-03T16:54:00.001-05:002014-01-03T16:54:21.713-05:00Myrtle Beach After ChristmasI thought I'd share some highlights from our recent trip to Myrtle Beach. We had some points left over from our vacation club, enough to book a 2-bedroom unit for 3 nights, so we decided to pack up and go. The boys didn't want to tag along, so it was just Mike, Kate and me. Kate had some Christmas money and she wanted to hit up the outlet mall, I wanted to see the Christmas lights and decorations at Broadway at the Beach, and Mike... well he said he was just along to be our chauffeur :).<br />
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Welcome to South Carolina!</div>
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Lunch at Chic-Fil-A</div>
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Having a good ol' time at Broadway at the Beach!</div>
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This birdie was posing for me!</div>
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Photo ops at the Tanger Outlet Mall!</div>
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My love and me</div>
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Us again</div>
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Eating at Joe's Crab Shack!</div>
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My first time at Joe's, I'm not a big seafood fan so I just ordered fish and chips!</div>
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Her first time ordering crab legs!</div>
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"Break a leg" - She's ready!</div>
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Because every girl wants to take her picture in the bathroom</div>
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Walking around Broadway at the Beach. It's so lovely at night!</div>
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They have a huge Christmas tree at Broadway, too, but nobody wanted to have their picture made in front of it (except me, but I didn't)!</div>
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Just something we always look for when we're out of town... we love Krispy Kreme!</div>
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Before leaving for home on Monday, we stopped in again at the mall for a Starbucks. Kate always gets hot chocolate, I usually always get a non-flavored coffee, and Mike, well he's not much of a coffee drinker. But this time he decided to try a white chocolate mocha, and he loved it!</div>
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Enjoying my Starbucks on the way home (with my little photo-bomber)</div>
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And, no matter where we roam, we are always glad to see this sign! Georgia on my mind!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-70162294691359380752014-01-03T00:45:00.001-05:002014-01-03T00:45:31.331-05:00Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Christmas...</div>
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Just the word conjures up so many memories, so many emotions.</div>
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The tree, the lights, the food, all the decorations, the carols, the fellowship with family and friends, the traditions.</div>
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I just love everything about Christmas!</div>
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Following is an assortment of pictures from our Christmas holidays.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr4_2hxUG214Iv4jlnAm6b90Zt_6iTdnfkBPr45DJadECgiavjfE_0L2x-yfm7bl0FLMZWbd-dYIxG1aez4EVDaayARPDJUpG9tJdLROLrxuQLahl_IdO3-5UIVg3-Ow9c-SghZFwubI/s1600/1503310_10202135350896682_976427008_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghr4_2hxUG214Iv4jlnAm6b90Zt_6iTdnfkBPr45DJadECgiavjfE_0L2x-yfm7bl0FLMZWbd-dYIxG1aez4EVDaayARPDJUpG9tJdLROLrxuQLahl_IdO3-5UIVg3-Ow9c-SghZFwubI/s400/1503310_10202135350896682_976427008_n.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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Once the tree is decorated, Mike climbs up on the step-ladder to place the star on top. We used to have an angel for our tree topper, but somehow, a few years ago she was damaged and after searching for another angel and not finding one as beautiful as she was, I found this pretty capiz star. So for the past few years now, we've had this "star of Bethlehem" tree topper. I like it. A lot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEj67Lsmm4l_ZuqOwtliq29m7_iuYnTlPdAC6HO94LZZ6cIhew6PEvLAgINm712IBaRC_MP9SSN1FPV5JiCHsgmGCUIbHUdOy4DSb3VHcvB0eWz7oiYJ8zogCToRlIBK5j8Dun2dUYks/s1600/1533965_10202135399257891_413276097_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMEj67Lsmm4l_ZuqOwtliq29m7_iuYnTlPdAC6HO94LZZ6cIhew6PEvLAgINm712IBaRC_MP9SSN1FPV5JiCHsgmGCUIbHUdOy4DSb3VHcvB0eWz7oiYJ8zogCToRlIBK5j8Dun2dUYks/s400/1533965_10202135399257891_413276097_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here are my babies. I don't think I've posted about them... I babysit for two young teacher moms. </div>
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This is our Awana club caroling at our local nursing home. The residents loved seeing the kids and they did a great job of singing along with us! </div>
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Mike and me at the deacons Christmas party</div>
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Christmas cantata at church</div>
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One of my favorite things about Christmas is getting together with our families! </div>
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Kate, with my great-niece Bailey</div>
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Bailey and Uncle Mike (He is crazy about his great-niece.)</div>
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Kate helping Bailey open her gift </div>
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Granddaddy (Mike's dad) and our kids</div>
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my three little nieces</div>
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Just hanging out at Papa and Nana's</div>
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Papa and Nana (my parents) with all their grandkids</div>
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Yay! A family picture with all of us!</div>
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Christmas Eve service at church</div>
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Pastor Brad is reading the bible to the children.</div>
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Singing carols in the candlelight</div>
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One of our Christmas Eve traditions is, after returning home from the Christmas Eve service at church, they open the gifts they bought for each other.</div>
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my blessings on Christmas morning</div>
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There are so many things about Christmas that I love. I've mentioned several things already. </div>
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I guess one of my favorite things about Christmas, or a Christmas tradition if you will, is</div>
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reflecting back over the year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZln5U-wZML8E23kIoW4KHzkR_Pt0bB1929YrajDtv00EfuPbsO-9NVWL6iAssFiDs1nDRNilINmFNsXID-WDZjVypWFdwqsPxj98_Q7GwNFM6RLyiGxLp4jG6dtR0hNTjfDY6UkFtgzs/s1600/1513253_10202135379097387_279669623_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZln5U-wZML8E23kIoW4KHzkR_Pt0bB1929YrajDtv00EfuPbsO-9NVWL6iAssFiDs1nDRNilINmFNsXID-WDZjVypWFdwqsPxj98_Q7GwNFM6RLyiGxLp4jG6dtR0hNTjfDY6UkFtgzs/s400/1513253_10202135379097387_279669623_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I like to sit in the den with the Christmas lights on, sipping hot chocolate, or coffee, and watching the lights twinkle. Sometimes I put my Christmas music on. But mostly, I just like to sit and reflect on my Savior. On what He's done for me, what He means to me. </div>
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I think back over the year that is almost at an end, and I am amazed at how blessed I am. My life is not perfect, but still, I have so much to be thankful for. A husband who loves me and our children, and works hard to provide for our needs. Three children who have blessed my life more than they will ever know. Wonderful family. Precious friendships - both in real life, face to face, as well as those in the cyber world.</div>
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I could stop here and I think everyone would agree, that yes, I am blessed. But as wonderful as that is, I would have to say that it truly does pale in comparison to the blessing of knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Of knowing God as my Father.</div>
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I think back over the year and I am amazed at His love for me. At how He never gives up on me. He loves me, at my lowest, when I am so unlovely, so unworthy, He loves me! That is something I want to shout from the rooftops... He loves me! </div>
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To think that Jesus, the King of kings, left the ivory palaces, that He came to earth to be born as a babe in a manger. That He gave up his life among the heavenly host to live with peasant parents, to be denied by His own chosen people, to suffer and die a cruel criminal's death on a cross.</div>
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All a substitutionary death for me. To pay a debt He didn't owe. To pay a penalty I couldn't pay.</div>
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And that my friends, is the best thing about Christmas!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-50058586371773054532013-09-24T09:26:00.000-04:002013-09-24T09:26:40.953-04:00*Auburn University Tigers Football Fan Day*On August 11, 2013, Auburn University hosted its annual Fan Day. <br />
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We love our Auburn Tigers, and when we get an opportunity to go home for Fan Day, we are super excited! I mean what's not to love about your favorite team's fan days?? You get to meet the players, get their autographs, and have your picture taken with them if you want. You get to meet the coaches, the mascot. Mingle with all the fans. Wow! The excitement is almost palpable!<br />
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We had a wonderful time meeting everyone, and it's always fun exploring the campus... and reminiscing. Plus, rather than holding the event in the football stadium, this year it was held inside the new Auburn Arena, giving fans an opportunity to see the new basketball facilities.<br />
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I'll leave you with a few photos of our day...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcA9m8VcTOWqellBvfY4EzKA5FxRBnsaaXWQfkRpPnpRvqfHeRXhQb91e2KkVPIxNb1gdXC9I6_lrl1qFFEopo0dbHycBTOeEQEEO4uojwZwRMymMfEiHCh41q4PKRUGnRYH11i6AUFk/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcA9m8VcTOWqellBvfY4EzKA5FxRBnsaaXWQfkRpPnpRvqfHeRXhQb91e2KkVPIxNb1gdXC9I6_lrl1qFFEopo0dbHycBTOeEQEEO4uojwZwRMymMfEiHCh41q4PKRUGnRYH11i6AUFk/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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my Auburn alumnus</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bHNo3zfPbZjCIzKFfKWOSW7N1Y-1GwxVH4Wht8-KCGCR2gHUK89h_cXJIS712NW326DYU9ApL9k3m2WTZTgwUu83Lrm6gn-sAg3YxE5TaKfD4cgCHjyionZlU415tmfu_oQw049iRlo/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6bHNo3zfPbZjCIzKFfKWOSW7N1Y-1GwxVH4Wht8-KCGCR2gHUK89h_cXJIS712NW326DYU9ApL9k3m2WTZTgwUu83Lrm6gn-sAg3YxE5TaKfD4cgCHjyionZlU415tmfu_oQw049iRlo/s400/DSC_0004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Everyone loves Aubie!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaWFWFDs9S_jb9_GNc7A9tO-xTF4azRqLtrO8zr57GCLNfIhCGagwi4BNKKqVYMMTwC6hMrEldDLmJfWHzRJa6qW_tC0G1mqQr_CBk5EDXgQhXWK76p5bBGmEwf0E8E0wSZHrqgBP8F4/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaWFWFDs9S_jb9_GNc7A9tO-xTF4azRqLtrO8zr57GCLNfIhCGagwi4BNKKqVYMMTwC6hMrEldDLmJfWHzRJa6qW_tC0G1mqQr_CBk5EDXgQhXWK76p5bBGmEwf0E8E0wSZHrqgBP8F4/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Auburn's starting quarterback</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSBEoOinSSsy-mkkh_3B7jndr3yKUP_e6KtFP5yndao21dwFdsWVO2Tj8691FTjWBueNgwuWCwBxNO-igx8PYK2_BnWOUPXymmAvsqMj_pYYGkxjuNhvy2Ob0jBRy7jBxwF0xgfpYYAA/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSBEoOinSSsy-mkkh_3B7jndr3yKUP_e6KtFP5yndao21dwFdsWVO2Tj8691FTjWBueNgwuWCwBxNO-igx8PYK2_BnWOUPXymmAvsqMj_pYYGkxjuNhvy2Ob0jBRy7jBxwF0xgfpYYAA/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Head coach, Gus Malzhan</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTbBa2UP9ygBbo-tcTt5bLaXW5jnIzAbUBeDwncN2IZfB1vbqM5wREVutnwzURU086BCo0AztGhFO9wV90DGa2P5Rpa2DyW3OiMxkJWWj9vq0P6Opd_jGAdzQjJQhg6obdSguTT7MAJI/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDTbBa2UP9ygBbo-tcTt5bLaXW5jnIzAbUBeDwncN2IZfB1vbqM5wREVutnwzURU086BCo0AztGhFO9wV90DGa2P5Rpa2DyW3OiMxkJWWj9vq0P6Opd_jGAdzQjJQhg6obdSguTT7MAJI/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1pQtp4yvW2UnauGXA_50vQYPJo8sa2tu4xKxJFfej142YgYfIuhJQr2PXxprmkElwM0mQY3CgRZXvhe54eRwI-lONZzedsLYMdkF6X53_aRx9UAtx_57hsh9YUFgy9Xhfd8MGk5Ei8s/s1600/DSC_0015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS1pQtp4yvW2UnauGXA_50vQYPJo8sa2tu4xKxJFfej142YgYfIuhJQr2PXxprmkElwM0mQY3CgRZXvhe54eRwI-lONZzedsLYMdkF6X53_aRx9UAtx_57hsh9YUFgy9Xhfd8MGk5Ei8s/s400/DSC_0015.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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2010 National Championship Trophy</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVAXzoqrjOeXXFs4pWQGfmnzD4VG_X6_pTY_PW3MIZiieOhCkqIRHrOpcEWI0Vtsk2L8GNtwneUXuX7nWct41vT6nh3hUCYMP7YrTPl3Z9bYlgRFLbwgITE3l5wnztZIKb5bR369zisI/s1600/DSC_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVAXzoqrjOeXXFs4pWQGfmnzD4VG_X6_pTY_PW3MIZiieOhCkqIRHrOpcEWI0Vtsk2L8GNtwneUXuX7nWct41vT6nh3hUCYMP7YrTPl3Z9bYlgRFLbwgITE3l5wnztZIKb5bR369zisI/s400/DSC_0016.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Na_MAtTBACgkmPB8WVI-OmpjrTMNGmcALqvaoJxboRLRmmOnUblc7jhFe4pMC_Ac18FTLcc5kOR6wHkFD9BuLCA-Z342vVwdHPsRpVgvoNIn_wb7QD6eBaag3tHcD4mXU89OH6qzMI/s1600/DSC_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Na_MAtTBACgkmPB8WVI-OmpjrTMNGmcALqvaoJxboRLRmmOnUblc7jhFe4pMC_Ac18FTLcc5kOR6wHkFD9BuLCA-Z342vVwdHPsRpVgvoNIn_wb7QD6eBaag3tHcD4mXU89OH6qzMI/s400/DSC_0022.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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my nephew-in-law, my great niece, my daughter</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4UTZvtx91PGymBj1uweOizfV3ubxeZoFB0DWuETFM2vP_c6hiatU5bKWmNyqjgY4YCeZ7Ivi_4BT5Rbb49vwn3MaKXl346IvtTQMVrkuo3RlDH_iobXsqdAZVyUctRa3Zuuf-gDX9qQ/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4UTZvtx91PGymBj1uweOizfV3ubxeZoFB0DWuETFM2vP_c6hiatU5bKWmNyqjgY4YCeZ7Ivi_4BT5Rbb49vwn3MaKXl346IvtTQMVrkuo3RlDH_iobXsqdAZVyUctRa3Zuuf-gDX9qQ/s400/DSC_0028.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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hubby and me</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgUIBZ3Hcme_xPIvw7ORb7mNwBpc25e17vO7SA6IHqyAZDeb_S9yu42sIJdKIXcQnmLQosJBSPrHeRPKUBIXRAA7NTbXiNM7448xIvZPdy6dH99W5-_IJao4s_Fe3qbv4hE2rP_Junkc/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEgUIBZ3Hcme_xPIvw7ORb7mNwBpc25e17vO7SA6IHqyAZDeb_S9yu42sIJdKIXcQnmLQosJBSPrHeRPKUBIXRAA7NTbXiNM7448xIvZPdy6dH99W5-_IJao4s_Fe3qbv4hE2rP_Junkc/s400/DSC_0032.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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"I believe in Auburn, and I love it." ~ George Petrie</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-34527286295162873062013-08-28T21:21:00.000-04:002013-08-28T21:21:24.837-04:00Summer Fun 2013Well, summer is over and school is back in full swing around these parts. I really hate to say good-bye to summer! I love the lazy, laid-back days of just doing much of nothing :). <br />
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Of course, I do enjoy the fall. The nice mild-weather days. The structure and habit of daily routines. Well... we eventually get there! <br />
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I've been looking back through my pictures from our summer travels and I thought I'd share some of our highlights.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMRgiFaxnud7tSdkvHmHRJemJmQwDNTJ5_6XHEcupo0CMkP0mMmlHzD2V-_a-toL-EO8bvMcsDjNN1IMIeOq2-yC9G7cmOgQiMmkpYHeFiE_4XB4tu03oy5iLcM3zKNYyioOEJZlUjnc/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfMRgiFaxnud7tSdkvHmHRJemJmQwDNTJ5_6XHEcupo0CMkP0mMmlHzD2V-_a-toL-EO8bvMcsDjNN1IMIeOq2-yC9G7cmOgQiMmkpYHeFiE_4XB4tu03oy5iLcM3zKNYyioOEJZlUjnc/s400/DSC_0294.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We decided to take Lizzie to the beach. We live within driving distance of the beaches of Georgia, but we've never taken her with us. So, we thought she might like the beach, too.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq1MiCoDAWRu9KmaTxVXawVYbXfjOGUZGNQxcmxRu6SksmJCo1AriEK8_KSOTw3MiN2enkLLp4kw0SlIwmuzFh0fIt9rNffklacMGKniKqaC7H__3WHiO3UpSRreIHWiL5B3waiaa0fM/s1600/DSC_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaq1MiCoDAWRu9KmaTxVXawVYbXfjOGUZGNQxcmxRu6SksmJCo1AriEK8_KSOTw3MiN2enkLLp4kw0SlIwmuzFh0fIt9rNffklacMGKniKqaC7H__3WHiO3UpSRreIHWiL5B3waiaa0fM/s400/DSC_0296.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It will probably be her last trip to the beach, though, as she didn't seem to care much for it!</div>
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Mike had to travel to the Dallas/Fort Worth/Arlington area in Texas, so he asked if I'd like to come along. Well, he didn't have to ask me twice! Mike hates to fly, so he asked if his company would cover the cost of a rental car for us to drive (14 hours!) and they agreed. So... we took a road trip, dividing up the driving time over two days there and two days back, allowing time to stop and visit points of interest along the way!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzkfBWce0To0EfUueYc_jIxeRH1gpBuCseoqUT1FKSXOfMict2hZtUt2Ctd2zAne9ht0Moz-BhKYFj4mRT7bGvHZCnNQMr4QU2vMZgFrBLZFjgRZOXJcSdkk0yjKxajehsttu0BVpfkg/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzkfBWce0To0EfUueYc_jIxeRH1gpBuCseoqUT1FKSXOfMict2hZtUt2Ctd2zAne9ht0Moz-BhKYFj4mRT7bGvHZCnNQMr4QU2vMZgFrBLZFjgRZOXJcSdkk0yjKxajehsttu0BVpfkg/s400/DSC_0601.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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out of Georgia and into Alabama</div>
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The only stop we made here was a lunch break in Opelika, Alabama.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4XnBoMf3BO0ddoVjR5peSFSJggwMpyJqxZM4txC5dr-fd6S4Z0VeFre9qdZ_B3PC1ETS9ZlcZkGJkHXVTe5HSfT8Eh2wV39Kxwk0jkar4awlY8DgIxbfCPGi5spP0wuIP9LndmQUSI0/s1600/2013-07-13_16-39-37_121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4XnBoMf3BO0ddoVjR5peSFSJggwMpyJqxZM4txC5dr-fd6S4Z0VeFre9qdZ_B3PC1ETS9ZlcZkGJkHXVTe5HSfT8Eh2wV39Kxwk0jkar4awlY8DgIxbfCPGi5spP0wuIP9LndmQUSI0/s400/2013-07-13_16-39-37_121.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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out of Alabama, into Mississippi</div>
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Here, we stopped for supper and to spend the night in Clinton, Mississippi. The next morning we got up and drove into Vicksburg. Anyone want to venture a guess as to what point of interest we toured here? If you guessed Vicksburg National Military Park and Civil War Battlefield site, you are correct!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qRfLyC1zQF90N3Ts3cmfAw5uVahoFr9Kz97OITfduEEoiBbWY5sqwnjndAMQiMPQqtXKXfXcuH9hR0F32WZC04rMjldAq9pfKWHJ8VEYMoEiHwJfOquMV6E3mTNeV5DD8ppnPAHB8NE/s1600/DSC_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qRfLyC1zQF90N3Ts3cmfAw5uVahoFr9Kz97OITfduEEoiBbWY5sqwnjndAMQiMPQqtXKXfXcuH9hR0F32WZC04rMjldAq9pfKWHJ8VEYMoEiHwJfOquMV6E3mTNeV5DD8ppnPAHB8NE/s400/DSC_0413.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Afterwards, it was on to the muddy waters of the Mississippi River...</div>
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out of Mississippi and into Louisiana</div>
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We didn't even put our feet down in this state, just drove right on through...</div>
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out of Louisiana, into Texas</div>
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Once crossing the border into Texas, I quickly realized we still had a long way to go. Texas is a mighty big state!</div>
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Mike wanted to tour the Dallas Cowboys Stadium while we were there. He's a huge football fan!</div>
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Inside owner Jerry Jones's private suite on the 50-yard line. And how does Jerry Jones get into his private suite? Via his own private elevator, of course.</div>
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football shaped lights</div>
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This is the concessions area for club level ticket holders. Looks more like a fancy hotel lounge than a concessions area. Were it not for this VIP tour my husband took us on, I would never have known that something like this existed in a football stadium. Being the "common folk" that I am, I would never spend enough money on tickets to be able to eat in this area :).</div>
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inside the Cowboys' locker room</div>
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the press conference room</div>
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the $6.1 million facilities for the Dallas Cowboys</div>
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My husband had to be at work there for two days. So, my intentions were to spend one day just relaxing around the hotel, catching up on some reading, that sort of thing. And on the second day I wanted to take the car and do a little sightseeing on my own. But, we found out the rental car insurance wouldn't cover me as a driver (weird, I know). The taxis were more expensive than I thought they would be, and my husband didn't want me taking the bus by myself, so I spent both days hanging out at the hotel, instead. </div>
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On our way back home, we stopped in West Monroe, Louisiana to visit the Duck Commander warehouse and store.</div>
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No one from the show was here that day, but it was neat to see where they do the filming. We bought a few items from their store, took a few photos, and were back on our way.</div>
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The ride home took much longer than the ride out there. We drove through so many heavy rainstorms and had to drive so much slower. And when we weren't driving through rainstorms, it seemed we were driving through LOTS of areas of road construction, and had to drive slowly there, too. </div>
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We were so ready to get home, we thought about driving all the way in one day, but due to those conditions, and me not being able to drive the rental car, we did stop in Montgomery, Alabama to spend the night.</div>
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I had a great time on this road trip, but I was really glad to see this sign!</div>
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We spent a few days at the beach before everyone had to start back to school. This time, we went to Daytona Beach, Florida. We've been there once before, years ago, but I don't remember the water being as clear and pretty as it was on this trip. It was really nice! Made me wish we would've had a full week to spend there!</div>
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exploring the beach, always on the lookout for shells</div>
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eating supper at Johnny Rocket's at Ocean Walk</div>
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rainbow at the beach</div>
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watching the sunrise on the beach</div>
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my bedroom balcony view of the beautiful sunrise</div>
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It doesn't get much better than this :)</div>
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Well, we had an awesome summer and I am sad to see it go, but I know that the fall holds many enjoyable days ahead as well. As much as I love summer, I do get excited about the new school year!</div>
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I hope your summer was super, and that you too, are looking forward to fall!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-15976995762221333122013-07-17T23:15:00.000-04:002013-07-17T23:15:36.261-04:00Just My Thoughts...With all this racial controversy regarding the Zimmerman/Martin trial this is something that has been on my mind and in my heart of late...<br />
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John 13:34-35 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."<br /><a name='more'></a><br /> Why can't we just do as Jesus commanded? Why can't we love one another? Yes, it can be hard at ti<span class="text_exposed_show">mes, but if Christ lives in you, let Him love through you. All this bigotry and hatred is only giving glory to the enemy, and why would we ever want to do that?<br /><br /> Love one another, pray for and encourage each other, stop stirring up strife, stop thinking you are better than everyone else, and stop thinking this world owes you anything. Ask yourself how you can serve others rather than how others can serve you. And yes, I am speaking to myself, as well.<br /><br /> We should make ourselves aware of the fact that the media is always on the lookout for ways to stir up strife and cause dissension among us, but we don't have to fall prey to their machinations. Why can't we see it for what it really is? Just another tactic the enemy uses to kill, steal and destroy.<br /><br /> Remember that little childhood song you learned... "Red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in His sight?" Maybe we need to be reminded of its truth. Regardless of our skin color, we are all image-bearers of God, and as such we should treat each other with kindness and respect. And what about the Golden Rule? Have we forgotten it? "Treat others as you want to be treated." Consider others more important than yourself. It really is that simple. I have to remind my children of this truth when they get caught up in sibling squabbles. I even have to remind myself of this when I become irritated and impatient with others.<br /><br /> We can't change other people, but we can allow God to change us. It has to begin with one. Let that one be you (and me). We can start a revolution, and I know this world will be a better place because of it. Just my thoughts...</span><br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-52353887466517494212013-07-12T12:52:00.001-04:002013-07-12T12:52:58.062-04:00A Birthday and My FrustrationsMy oldest child celebrated his 22nd birthday back in April.<br />
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Celebrating his big day at Steeplechase Grill</div>
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For those who don't already know, Ryan has moved back home. </div>
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And just think back to all those tears I shed during the last half of his senior year of high school. I just couldn't stand the thought of my child moving out of our home. After he moved out, I moped around like my life was coming to an end or something. And he was only about 45 miles away! But I slowly adjusted to seeing him over an occasional weekend and at holidays.</div>
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And then after one semester, he decided he didn't like dorm life, so he moved back home and became a commuter student. More adjustments must be made. That one semester proved a little difficult. Having a college student back at home, with his new found independence, provided a slight challenge in that he operated on a different schedule than we did, most of the time.</div>
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And when he did not have class and was at home during my school hours with Will, his presence was a slight distraction. For a short time. But we adjusted and soon it seemed quite natural having my college student living at home with us.</div>
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The following fall found him enrolled in college at Georgia Southern University, an hour and a half drive from home. This time his moving out didn't cause the same anxiety, and I was even ready for him to go :). We enjoyed setting up his apartment and he was excited to be moving.</div>
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There he stayed for the next three years, coming home for weekend and holiday visits. But looking back, I'm almost positive that he just wasn't ready. Not that he isn't smart enough, because he is. He graduated high school with a 4.0 and was salutatorian of his class. But maybe emotionally, or psychologically (?), he just wasn't ready for college. I don't know. </div>
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I just know that over the course of four years, he could never make up his mind. He wasn't sure of his choice in colleges. He wasn't sure that he really wanted to live away from home. He wasn't even sure what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He changed his major four times. And each time he thought he'd found something that he would really like to do, it soon became apparent to him that he hadn't found it after all. He just could not seem to find his niche in life. Maybe he should have taken a year off after graduating high school, and found a job. Perhaps a year of some sort of hard work would have encouraged him to decide on a major and stick with it.</div>
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He lost interest in any of his classes, and school in general. Over the last year his grades began slipping, and at the end of last semester he was put on academic probation. He admitted to us recently that he had finally stopped going to his classes altogether. His friends told us he had become basically a hermit. He didn't enjoy hanging out with his friends or going anywhere with them. </div>
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He only wanted to stay at the apartment, and pretty much play video games. I think for him, the games provided a retreat from reality. The same way drugs and alcohol do for some people. I'm still trying to figure out exactly what it is that he is retreating from. It's not like he's had a bad home life or anything. </div>
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Of course, we felt that after four years of doing nothing but accumulating student debt and getting nowhere close to earning a degree of any sorts, his only option was to move back home and find a job. And he was very eager to comply. Now he will have to go to work and start repaying his student loans, and he didn't even finish college.</div>
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packing up in his apartment</div>
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After moving him back home, I can see that he truly is addicted to video games. I know that must sound funny, but I'm talking about more than your average gamer. He eats, sleeps and breathes these games, mostly online games. It's all he wants to do. Of course, since he's been back home, Mike has tried to keep him busy with several jobs around the house, and lots of yard work. We are desperately praying that the Lord will provide a full time job for him.</div>
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My friend asked me if we had considered the possibility that he might be depressed. At first I would have said yes. It definitely sounds like depression. Basically becoming a social recluse, retreating into a shell, so to speak, giving up exercising and his healthy lifestyle, gaining back all the weight (and then some!) he had worked so hard to lose during his senior year of high school... But, since he's been back home he seems like his old self again. He laughs a lot. He interacts with us. He happily attends church and his Sunday School class. He wants to go out with us. He seems genuinely happy. In some ways he even seems more mature... It has now occurred to him that Mom and Dad know more and are smarter than he once thought. His reckless ways have given way to more carefully considered ones (except in whether or not to attend classes, obviously). He no longer takes us for granted and seems to genuinely seek his dad's advice.</div>
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It is baffling. I'm not sure what was wrong. Maybe the cliché "college isn't for everyone" rings true. He is trying to find a job, but in this small town they are hard to come by. He also is considering pursuing a degree from the local technical college. While living at home with us, of course. I'm not sure if that's the best option for him at this point. I think at this time in his life, a full time job would better serve him.</div>
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I have done some major stressing over my firstborn these last few years. Do I feel like a failure because he seems to have no goals nor aim in life? To some degree, yes. Is there anything that I could have done differently along the way? I don't know. He is very smart, and he is a very talented writer, and I know that that is something he is passionate about. Why will he not pursue that passion? I have no clue. It's been said that "right-brained" people (who are gifted in the arts) think differently and see things differently than everyone else, hence their creativity. So maybe he sees things differently than his dad and I do. Is that true, or is it just something a psychologist made up? I don't know. After all, I'm just ranting here. </div>
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There is no moral to this story, nor much of a point. I just needed to vent and I am better able to sort through my thoughts and think more clearly when I write them down. And that is when I am reminded that God <strong><em>IS</em></strong> in control. No matter how frustrated I am over this, I have to keep telling myself that He has a plan for Ryan's life. Ryan has trusted Christ as Savior and he is a child of God, so I know that I can trust that His plan is good, although Satan would have me believe otherwise. </div>
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All I know to do now is continue to pray, and trust God to work out His plan in Ryan's life. Pray that Ryan would be obedient to whatever God's plan holds for his future. Pray, trust and obey. Isn't that what we, as Christians, are called to do, anyway?</div>
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Update: Last night I received a phone call from a friend, offering Ryan a part time position at their place of business! It isn't a full time job, but he'll take what he can get and we'll be grateful for it. Praise God for His faithfulness!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-41424972850349665972013-07-10T09:20:00.000-04:002013-07-10T09:21:23.898-04:00Vacation to OrlandoIt's been a while since we've been to Orlando, Florida, so that's where we spent a week at the end of May. It rained and stormed our first day there, but only for a little while. We were able to get out and explore the resort late in the afternoon. What a lovely place!<br />
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view from our balcony on a rainy afternoon</div>
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It's still sprinkling, but not enough to keep us inside :)</div>
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beautiful rainbow after the storm</div>
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Mike and Kate doing a little fishing</div>
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I love this dock leading out onto Lake Eve.</div>
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love how the clouds are reflecting in the water</div>
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night view from our balcony</div>
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We spent two days out of our week at Universal Orlando. The first day at Islands of Adventure and the next at Universal Studios. Our tickets were for three days, and we had planned to go on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, spending the alternating days at the resort. However, after Monday and Wednesday, we decided that two days at crowded theme parks were quite enough for us.</div>
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Monday at Islands of Adventure</div>
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At Harry Potter's World and it's starting to rain... in Florida these afternoon showers seem to pop up out of nowhere. And then just as quickly, they're gone. </div>
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the Incredible Hulk Coaster - I decided to sit this one out! I'm not as fond of roller coasters as my family is.</div>
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Wednesday at Universal Studios</div>
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Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit - another ride that I chose to watch</div>
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My youngest man-child is growing right up and is so very proud that he's taller than I am, but even more so that he's taller than his dad!</div>
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Here are some sunny photos from around the resort. I seriously love their pool areas. So gorgeous!</div>
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pool and ping-pong tables</div>
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kids splash area</div>
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one of the coolest pools ever</div>
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double water slides</div>
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This one was simply stunning to me... indoor/outdoor pool</div>
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giant chess set... This was so cool!</div>
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One night we strolled around at Downtown Disney, where I took tons of pictures. But I won't bore you with all of them! </div>
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Such cool Lego statues around the Lego store</div>
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Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to work we go...</div>
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This isn't flying... this is falling with style!</div>
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This guy could seriously play the guitar. I wish my pictures could portray just how fast his fingers were moving! It was nothing short of amazing!</div>
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Behind us, near the water's edge, Momma Duck watches over her three little ducklings while they sleep.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZP9yhPea3FSI7XDf3a8r-cPWyFrxx3C7ZaZc1zyd_toCYx7A8BfPA2GKVmf12TJqv-uAEx5kwf06QR-mkJDNXPgwcHSkS_Hy8LoYynG5dk4_SoZJIm6QufR0ztyEFxb7G7MjWAvxppU/s1600/2013-05-25_12-01-58_234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZP9yhPea3FSI7XDf3a8r-cPWyFrxx3C7ZaZc1zyd_toCYx7A8BfPA2GKVmf12TJqv-uAEx5kwf06QR-mkJDNXPgwcHSkS_Hy8LoYynG5dk4_SoZJIm6QufR0ztyEFxb7G7MjWAvxppU/s400/2013-05-25_12-01-58_234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, that's a duck in the pool. One afternoon I was lounging in a chair, just people watching, and all of a sudden a duck flies in and just as if it's the most natural thing ever, lands in the swimming pool. And if you can tell by this picture, so far no one else seems to have noticed him. But not for long!</div>
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Uh-oh, Duckie is busted! Here come the kiddos.</div>
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And Duckie decides to beat a hasty retreat.</div>
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While Mike's getting our food on the grill, I've decided to walk around taking MORE pictures.</div>
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And after supper we came back out to feed the ducks.</div>
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They were so cute. They would jump up to get the bread.</div>
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Kate and I made tie-dye t-shirts.</div>
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We thought they turned out pretty cool!</div>
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And we never go on vacation without stopping here. We love Krispy-Kreme!</div>
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One of the highlights of our vacation this year... we were able to attend church and visit with our friends -- our former youth pastor and his family! A few years ago they followed God's call to Orlando, where they now serve on staff at Grace Church... one church with four campuses in the Orlando area. It's been exciting watching how God is blessing their ministry.</div>
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HK was happy to see them! We don't get to visit with them much, but we do get to keep up with them on facebook and instagram. Of all the pictures I took, I can't believe I didn't get a single shot of our families together. :(</div>
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Well, there are two things I learned while on this vacation:</div>
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1. I can never take less than 500 pictures when we go on vacation. Seriously, just ask my kids. I took close to 600 on this trip. It is almost unbelievable that I was able to keep the picture count in this post at 48.</div>
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2. Mike and I found out that our kids can run circles around us when it comes to theme parks. Who am I kidding? We knew that already. We decided that if we ever go back to one, we will rent wheelchairs and make them push us around.</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-60984602321663051532013-07-08T20:16:00.000-04:002013-07-08T20:18:17.251-04:00May HighlightsWell, May was a busy month for us, as it probably was for some of you. Finishing up with school and all the end of the year details that go along with that, and trying to squeeze our family vacation in too, kept us hopping!<br />
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2013 Lady Eagles</div>
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We finished the softball season earning a chance to play for the GCAA State Championship. We didn't win, but we are State Championship runners-up. It was a good season. I just can't believe we have only one more season of high school softball before us. My, how time does fly!</div>
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Mike, speaking at the sports awards banquet</div>
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Kate received the Best Pitcher Award and the co-MVP Award.<br />
I'm so proud of my softball champ! And the coach ;)</div>
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the team - Kate is seated on the right</div>
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Mother's Day with my blessings</div>
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Have I mentioned before how blessed I truly am?</div>
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I'm so thankful that God gave me these three precious treasures!</div>
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My children have brought me so much joy! Yes, trials too, but the joy far outweighs the trials! I can't imagine not being a mother.</div>
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They are so sweet... they gave me two hanging baskets and a certificate for a pedicure.</div>
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Honors Day - "A" honor roll</div>
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Kate finished 11th grade</div>
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Will finished 8th grade</div>
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And Ryan has finished his fourth year of college. But still hasn't graduated. I'll share more on that later.</div>
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I started to post pictures from our vacation, but then I thought about how long this post would be. So... I decided to save those for another time!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-57590670631176665932013-07-03T14:02:00.000-04:002013-07-08T20:17:11.985-04:00Back to the BlogWow! I haven't been around here in quite a while! I can't believe it's already the end of June and the last time I was here was near the end of April. Wow!<br />
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I have to admit... I've kind of gotten caught up in the Instagram craze. Kind of easy to keep up with friends and family through the posting of pictures. But I realize I sure have missed blogging. A lot has happened around here since April.<br />
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We took a short trip to St. Augustine at the end of spring break week. And this time Ryan was able to go with us!<br />
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Back at the Fountain of Youth... just because Ryan has never been and wanted to see it.</div>
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our yearly pilgrimage to drink from the legendary waters </div>
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Ryan and Will in front of the fountain</div>
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Kate, feeding one of the many peacocks that freely roam the grounds</div>
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<em>Nombre de Dios </em></div>
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This was new since the last time we were here. This building is a replica of the one first built by Franciscan friars in 1573. <em>Nombre de Dios</em> is now recognized as the first Catholic mission in the continental United States. You didn't really think you were going to get through this post without a bit of a history lesson, now did you?</div>
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Will, reading about the mission</div>
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Will, reading about the different birds living in the park. I am happy to report that learning can take place wherever you are.</div>
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This, too, was new since our last visit.</div>
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The Spanish built watchtowers around St. Augustine to provide an early warning of potential threats.</div>
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Firing of the cannon at the fort</div>
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Me and my big ol' boy</div>
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About to walk out onto the observation platform</div>
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My monkeys, playing in the huge old trees on the grounds</div>
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While in St. Augustine this time, we decided to tour the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.<br />
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Climbing up 219 steps</div>
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Taking a break halfway up</div>
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We made it! Love the view from the top!</div>
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Looking waaayy down there</div>
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Inside the lighthouse keeper's home</div>
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And here's a sight I've never seen before. Some kind of water-propelled jet pack? It was neat watching him, but I don't think I'd want to give it a try.</div>
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We always enjoy our trips to St. Augustine. There's so much to see and do in this city, and we never stay long enough to do it all! Maybe next time we'll get to go to the beach while there.</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-61699849326034072512013-04-19T23:03:00.000-04:002013-04-21T14:34:41.247-04:00My Broken Toe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Well, I've done it again!</div>
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In my rush to answer the ringing telephone, I hit my pinky toe on the edge of the ottoman in front of the sofa. Ouch!</div>
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I've done this before, several times (I'm sort of clumsy). So I didn't think too much about it. But immediately, the right side of my foot all the way around to the ball of my foot began swelling, and turned a dark blue.</div>
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So, of course I took some Advil, propped up my foot and put an ice pack on it. After about 15 minutes, upon closer inspection I noticed that my injured toe was kind of leaning away from the other toes. I thought, "Hmm... that doesn't look right."</div>
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I called Mike at work and told him about it and we decided it would be best to go have an x-ray. So I made an appointment with an orthopedic for that afternoon.</div>
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It is broken. Just a small hairline fracture. Thankfully, it was not pulled out of joint, or broken at the lower joint. The ligament (?), I can't exactly remember if that's what he called it, was pulled and is likely sprained (or maybe he said strained). Lol, I think I should start paying closer attention to what the doctor is telling me :).</div>
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Anyhow, there's not much to be done for a broken pinky toe. Just buddy taping and wearing one of those ugly supportive shoes.</div>
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Looks so lovely, doesn't it? And he said I would probably be wearing this thing for about 4 weeks or so. Then he told me if I'm like most women, I'll probably wear it for a few days and then put the hideous-looking thing in the closet. Haha, he's so very right!</div>
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I've been through this before. I've broken my toes three different times in the past. And this is the second time I've broken this same exact toe! Did I mention I'm a bit clumsy?</div>
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I'm supposed to be staying off my foot and resting it, and keeping it propped up. But you know how that goes. I'm trying, but... I've had a good bit of trouble with my feet in the past, with the plantar warts, plantar fasciitis, broken toes, sprained ankles, etc... and I don't seem to have much success in staying off my feet!</div>
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Mike did tell me that I'm no longer allowed to go around barefoot in the house :). He said that he is going to see if he can find a pair of steel-toed slippers for me! All I have to say to that is, good luck with that Mike!</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-49353357568391506242013-04-12T11:48:00.001-04:002013-04-12T11:56:44.034-04:00Charleston, SC - Part 4 - the Aiken-Rhett HouseThis is the last in the series of Charleston posts.<br />
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I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to this historical port city, but as the saying goes -- "All good things must come to an end."<br />
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On our last day there we toured the Aiken-Rhett House. I absolutely love touring old, historic houses and in my opinion this one is a must see.<br />
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This was one of those tours where you're given an mp3 player with headphones and a narrative guides you on the tour, giving you detailed information about the property.</div>
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On this tour, I learned that the Aiken-Rhett house was built in 1820 by a wealthy Charleston merchant named John Robinson. He lived in it for eight years until he had to sell the house due to financial losses.</div>
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The house was purchased by William Aiken, Sr., an Irish immigrant who made his fortune in the railroad industry. When he died, the house was passed to his only son, William Aiken, Jr. Aiken and his new bride, Harriet Lowndes, moved into the house and began major renovations on the property, making it one of the most impressive houses in Charleston.</div>
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William Aiken, Jr. was one of Charleston's most prominent citizens. He was a successful rice planter who became governor of South Carolina in 1844, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 1851. He was one of the states largest slaveholders. (I'm not saying that was impressive to me.)</div>
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In back of the house are two wings opening onto a courtyard. The one pictured above contained the kitchens and laundry on the bottom floor, and the upstairs rooms were the slaves' living areas. </div>
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The other wing contained the carriage rooms and stables.</div>
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I'm sure not everyone looks at these photos and feels the same emotions as I. History gets me every time.</div>
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View of the back lawn. Those two rooms built into the fence on both corners are what they referred to as the necessary rooms, a pair of privies.</div>
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Mike, standing in the doorway of one of the privies (bathrooms).</div>
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just me</div>
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After William Aiken, Jr. died, his wife continued to live in the house until her death in 1892. The house was left to the Aiken's daughter, Henrietta, who married Major A.B. Rhett and moved into the house, where they raised their five children. Upon Mrs. Rhett's death, the house was left to her children and their heirs. The Aiken-Rhett house remained in the family until 1975 when it was donated to the Charleston Museum. In 1995 it was purchased by the Historic Charleston Foundation, an organization which maintains preservation efforts.</div>
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Although I wasn't allowed to take photos inside the house, I did find some images on the web (using a Google image search) to share here... </div>
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<img height="250" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.gourmet.com/images/magazine/2009/05/ma-charleston-608.jpg" style="margin-top: 71px;" width="400" /></div>
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double parlor</div>
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<img height="285" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.charlestonmag.com/newsletter/mainroom.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></div>
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Those pocket doors could be closed for small gatherings, or left open when entertaining many guests.</div>
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<img height="305" id="irc_mi" src="http://cdn.lightgalleries.net/4bd5ebf3c9bd4/images/Aiken_Rhett_002-2.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></div>
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The ballroom, with some of the <em>original </em>wallpaper still on the walls. Preservation societies don't restore houses, they just try to preserve what's left.</div>
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<img height="393" id="irc_mi" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkjWpnz_p8Q11UtsC3WS8ZYtu1s0N_aZ7mJfuy4hKiytpx2JjB-g" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="311" /></div>
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the entrance</div>
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Interestingly, the entrance to the house is located on the side of the house, not the front.</div>
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the art gallery</div>
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<img height="281" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.carolinaarts.com/308mckissick-meastman3.jpg" style="margin-top: 56px;" width="360" /></div>
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the sitting room</div>
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<img height="266" id="irc_mi" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXbtYc241NYcBxSACmby5VzHDSTr_Kjo1zG9ZDDHFWC7AaRKLntclp68fP0lDhEh1-5_1z8y5GOkAnVU7KqrxHOOVQlDxk4Pl35iQO_LEaAJ4fdeD2lSxSOqwmzmCf4qa4ZaLVvwIx2WD/s400/AR.11.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></div>
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one of the bedrooms</div>
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<img height="393" id="irc_mi" src="http://brucewpeterson.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/aiken-rhett_slaveqtrs31.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="261" /></div>
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hallway in the slave quarters</div>
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<img height="311" id="irc_mi" src="http://www.juliacart.com/gallery/large/Table,%20Servants%20Quarters,%20Aiken%20Rhett%20House.jpeg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></div>
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one of the rooms in the slave quarters</div>
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the slave communal kitchen</div>
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<img height="299" id="irc_mi" src="http://images.travelpod.com/tw_slides/ta00/a08/b62/3aiken-rhett-house-charleston-charleston.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></div>
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the piazza</div>
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the music room</div>
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This house was so awesome! Walking through all the rooms, the parlors, the dining room, the art gallery, the ballroom, the piazza, the bedrooms... it's just amazing to me... imagining what life was like.</div>
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Well, I surely did enjoy my visit to Charleston, South Carolina. I am well aware that I didn't get to explore everything in that historic city, so perhaps one day I'll be able to return.</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-48093255111211702742013-04-05T16:13:00.003-04:002013-04-05T16:13:57.776-04:00Finished!<div align="center">
We are finally finished with everything that <em>had</em> to be repaired and re-done from the water leak!</div>
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And I stress <em>had to be </em>because I am now getting ready to begin redoing some rooms that I <em>want </em>to redo. :) </div>
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Actually, all the rooms need new paint. Until now, the only room that we've repainted in the almost 12 years that we've lived in this house is Kate's bedroom.</div>
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We've been on Spring Break this week, so I've used the time to finish up everything. And I've cleared out more "stuff" from my house, including a few pieces of furniture. I've mentioned before that my house is small, and it's amazing how much roomier it feels now!</div>
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Here are some pictures of the finished project:</div>
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the living room</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUt175Jqh_fRUBaZ1VOTdt5OtUtlx9SR1o5yB-bVhbiCSD-vnMXgy9xd1c39wShjdgBq2G6Te9ajRuV80NNeiD_KpayKs8DLaBnnDa-1ich294wBPwjD-zzIh5cujcSqG5e2MUXQl-f8/s1600/DSC_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUt175Jqh_fRUBaZ1VOTdt5OtUtlx9SR1o5yB-bVhbiCSD-vnMXgy9xd1c39wShjdgBq2G6Te9ajRuV80NNeiD_KpayKs8DLaBnnDa-1ich294wBPwjD-zzIh5cujcSqG5e2MUXQl-f8/s400/DSC_0312.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used to have the piano and the love seat on that wall. It looks much less crowded there now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UZBF9YbIXHnrecZl7Sy4icTAXYPHsCT1ORorGLsRl5cM7_ogKbsPLUEnb1nzaifNcbBiaRgZRNliQ2kfSYMBFLtOXaQg4db15AIs5_b8nL7BLU4AlfftTXbaqJ6aNtjEXkiWJFHhivM/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UZBF9YbIXHnrecZl7Sy4icTAXYPHsCT1ORorGLsRl5cM7_ogKbsPLUEnb1nzaifNcbBiaRgZRNliQ2kfSYMBFLtOXaQg4db15AIs5_b8nL7BLU4AlfftTXbaqJ6aNtjEXkiWJFHhivM/s400/DSC_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sT3znWFerQGah1aqsl3PBM4k98aFtUDZktheF18YINJ9QnBLT5RWSPOeTG0M3ob-Pit5bw8fgCoxemvpBODfXPqG5rFTmKcGZI5v8xnPZ0y-7evpr-vmmBwZUb1VFlu__YKl0prptlM/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sT3znWFerQGah1aqsl3PBM4k98aFtUDZktheF18YINJ9QnBLT5RWSPOeTG0M3ob-Pit5bw8fgCoxemvpBODfXPqG5rFTmKcGZI5v8xnPZ0y-7evpr-vmmBwZUb1VFlu__YKl0prptlM/s400/DSC_0331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We opted to buy a smaller tv stand and I really like it. The big wall unit that we used to have covered almost the whole wall. Now it seems less crowded, more simple. I like it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzv6k1R_kdWm02p6TQX3v08ssTDXUSIq906VR2oIBVAH17kxUU5QlzvCQtwPniVHfeXnPK2WuGS-ijZaY_Yq4lrou6-pE2L53IAVE4ifUCpXmzmdEx1OBx13HMQkVQkB9f7yMBpnW-Lk/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJzv6k1R_kdWm02p6TQX3v08ssTDXUSIq906VR2oIBVAH17kxUU5QlzvCQtwPniVHfeXnPK2WuGS-ijZaY_Yq4lrou6-pE2L53IAVE4ifUCpXmzmdEx1OBx13HMQkVQkB9f7yMBpnW-Lk/s400/DSC_0323.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7VwlisSKivriv-xMBP7dIZIeTfscLl6TOt3t8igGs3AeowuTCgDQPREke_3ObmhgqIX5UCiVwuJvA4B1OI2bPL34jnZPHfD8LQPQRrl3zfcIf4rDNuspz2mkLVANY1Fs9XY_fojWr40/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ7VwlisSKivriv-xMBP7dIZIeTfscLl6TOt3t8igGs3AeowuTCgDQPREke_3ObmhgqIX5UCiVwuJvA4B1OI2bPL34jnZPHfD8LQPQRrl3zfcIf4rDNuspz2mkLVANY1Fs9XY_fojWr40/s400/DSC_0324.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I really love the new carpet color. I can't for the life of me figure out what possessed me to put down green carpet when we built this house! Unfortunately, the green carpet remains in the bedrooms. We didn't really want to spend the money to replace all of the carpet right now. Maybe next year.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoETgtlLZX2qsNu0BwiWWQxSIrCYLkLElfzFBXvm83FcE9wDyEgcWWRFSo1cdI2XAu2bqjQOIxAHUaemSvqU9ZWafDAzXvVoq1M_OUINyRSzUTzbESrDsEvpyz6o3dqBk5EJOgAIuxZvo/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoETgtlLZX2qsNu0BwiWWQxSIrCYLkLElfzFBXvm83FcE9wDyEgcWWRFSo1cdI2XAu2bqjQOIxAHUaemSvqU9ZWafDAzXvVoq1M_OUINyRSzUTzbESrDsEvpyz6o3dqBk5EJOgAIuxZvo/s400/DSC_0310.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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the school room</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd2zh841CAYGmn2EdTHVM8xgh5uDhpFawBKPLM0B4gdMZx4tx8S-x5xnNDD9lDzC1RY-WxYyIW9jJiVTjho4ft2mIH6g-WVvQcZKwdewPcCEbibduVz-7xsZ7ZvWhvx_wc4r6i7Rkjc4/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwd2zh841CAYGmn2EdTHVM8xgh5uDhpFawBKPLM0B4gdMZx4tx8S-x5xnNDD9lDzC1RY-WxYyIW9jJiVTjho4ft2mIH6g-WVvQcZKwdewPcCEbibduVz-7xsZ7ZvWhvx_wc4r6i7Rkjc4/s400/DSC_0304.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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There used to be French doors here, but the new carpet is much thicker than the old carpet so the doors were very hard to open and close. We took them off so Mike could shave down the bottom of the doors, but we decided we like the way it looks without them. The room definitely feels more open and roomier now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLxK-PTl1WdGdwICVqA_-oMWohpVyKVN8OUthi6W8uQCMmZ1dj0D9_fm2lofLsoDUjpy3lrVgqQo2QLQNI0UntY7S35hBEbepVNdTqwypPGcy4mqRMUu8Zwi-nly63ZaZdAFw4u8eUNM/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLxK-PTl1WdGdwICVqA_-oMWohpVyKVN8OUthi6W8uQCMmZ1dj0D9_fm2lofLsoDUjpy3lrVgqQo2QLQNI0UntY7S35hBEbepVNdTqwypPGcy4mqRMUu8Zwi-nly63ZaZdAFw4u8eUNM/s400/DSC_0309.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKxUUUc-ll924A19MJRrO69Nqb-te0ktL8OpV04Dri3sIFeJ1NoeXROQwvfBkZ9uXfmTaKVZt-e8_rn_KYrjyLt2C7Pl38PtevF1mobvcSp3RzWAA2bjmqnnlrDs39_qi1BF7jHlyr5A/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKxUUUc-ll924A19MJRrO69Nqb-te0ktL8OpV04Dri3sIFeJ1NoeXROQwvfBkZ9uXfmTaKVZt-e8_rn_KYrjyLt2C7Pl38PtevF1mobvcSp3RzWAA2bjmqnnlrDs39_qi1BF7jHlyr5A/s400/DSC_0311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used to have school-ish type posters and time lines and calendars, dry erase board, bulletin boards, etc. on all the walls. But after I finished painting I thought long and hard about putting a bunch of new nail holes back in the walls. </div>
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So, I decided to only put these three items back up. On the left is Mike's Grand Prize winning artwork from when he was in 2nd grade. And on the right is a picture of our daughter's softball team from last year. It was Mike's first year coaching softball at ACA and his team won the State Championship tournament and went on to win the National Championship tournament, as well. The girls had the team photo autographed and framed and presented it to him at the Athletic Awards Banquet. Beneath the photo is the Coach's Award plaque that he received at the national tournament.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLXx-Y5RkipVSvNsZkx0yCaSlbBAWWYqRdI6EKzOHS7UIsIqI0kJZV_4nPFowkBPOiQhASlw8KSS0og2BljqM8ZXWbrA6KTYYbf_KmNhY6uIBIe6w3KE66siSmRdG8k1t3zeUlc1ec3o/s1600/DSC_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLXx-Y5RkipVSvNsZkx0yCaSlbBAWWYqRdI6EKzOHS7UIsIqI0kJZV_4nPFowkBPOiQhASlw8KSS0og2BljqM8ZXWbrA6KTYYbf_KmNhY6uIBIe6w3KE66siSmRdG8k1t3zeUlc1ec3o/s400/DSC_0307.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since I don't have any young students at home anymore, I decided not to put all those things back on the walls in this room. I still refer to it as "the schoolroom" although technically, it's more of a home office/library now.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBpbCCKkDW7jnr4ZZrZG7gnM7GrxKj9DdB-2jllB6RiSC9n3opiuDO68FLusuRHDQKd6yL9K5rIkhKapQa9v4ddjBlJL_9qcclYP-pakKFBqjIp2lC6Z-6XuaYgT5NXM7LmyVZlsiViI/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBpbCCKkDW7jnr4ZZrZG7gnM7GrxKj9DdB-2jllB6RiSC9n3opiuDO68FLusuRHDQKd6yL9K5rIkhKapQa9v4ddjBlJL_9qcclYP-pakKFBqjIp2lC6Z-6XuaYgT5NXM7LmyVZlsiViI/s400/DSC_0318.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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the new floor in the hallway</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUU5J3ESM24WFiVfcDe7JLKcQHm_NlLbiqvOJFxabtFEwwygEGpxd0TBUxP5ZpwLMdanMvjZTV0BEBj6WIJ_II5bcOePtzws1GuLUuaa2S2vBpmJLXpD30WBnhUG0rew5glDcxXHmuZg/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUU5J3ESM24WFiVfcDe7JLKcQHm_NlLbiqvOJFxabtFEwwygEGpxd0TBUxP5ZpwLMdanMvjZTV0BEBj6WIJ_II5bcOePtzws1GuLUuaa2S2vBpmJLXpD30WBnhUG0rew5glDcxXHmuZg/s400/DSC_0317.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I used to have framed pictures on the wall on both sides all the way down the hall. I decided to put only this one collage back up. I'm thinking of maybe putting one of those vinyl wall art quotes on one of the walls. And maybe one more collage of family photos.</div>
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I've decided that less really is more! I'm enjoying the less cluttered look in my house.</div>
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And here is the last room in its finished state... the children's bathroom.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOiFpDpqvMLsjBO62G_j3e1XDzViewsnHB0PgxRZ0HunMtthvZOCS4VGa7l8-MylKof0fJGYz0uhajUP4JArf__l6j1h_xbAuFL7JXOBQvU2m7SUgap7EtorW5fGw2OkZk97J6pgz_GA/s1600/DSC_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZOiFpDpqvMLsjBO62G_j3e1XDzViewsnHB0PgxRZ0HunMtthvZOCS4VGa7l8-MylKof0fJGYz0uhajUP4JArf__l6j1h_xbAuFL7JXOBQvU2m7SUgap7EtorW5fGw2OkZk97J6pgz_GA/s400/DSC_0327.JPG" width="267" /></a></div>
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My youngest child will be 15 this year, so I thought maybe it was time to go with a more "grown up" look in their bathroom. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfsCxgjfLinmM5d3hPxbfJAR748XkcwHZhCpjFJwyTNk2x6wwJoBUncCUuZBcar57WOR-9wrXFj3NX0173qOpM5L45PHGckdRC9dj0Gd9YeRRzUM9On0A33TqKxxxXQMwK5seyCaVZLU/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKfsCxgjfLinmM5d3hPxbfJAR748XkcwHZhCpjFJwyTNk2x6wwJoBUncCUuZBcar57WOR-9wrXFj3NX0173qOpM5L45PHGckdRC9dj0Gd9YeRRzUM9On0A33TqKxxxXQMwK5seyCaVZLU/s400/DSC_0329.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm very glad to be finished with this project, and I'm very happy with the new look. But, I think I'll take a break now and maybe as soon as we're through with school I'll begin painting the rest of the house. :)</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-46007920715722500142013-04-02T18:21:00.000-04:002013-04-03T20:12:57.758-04:00Charleston, SC - Part 3 - Fort Sumter<div align="center">
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<strong><u>Fort Sumter</u></strong><br />
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Where the War Between the States began.<br />
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In 1829, Charleston Harbor was selected as a location for one of the forts in a series of coastal defenses that became known as the Third Coastal Defense System. The fort was named Fort Sumter in honor of Brigadier General Thomas Sumter, Revolutionary War hero from South Carolina.<br />
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From 1829 to 1845, a 2.5 acre artificial island was created and the fort was constructed upon it. By 1860 Fort Sumter was 90 percent complete, but due to South Carolina's secession from the United States, construction was stopped, never to be resumed.<br />
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On April 12, 1861, the Confederate forces under the command of Brigadier General P.G.T. Beauregard, fired upon Fort Sumter. The War Between the States had begun.<br />
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After a 34 hour bombardment, Major Robert Anderson of the Union forces surrendered Fort Sumter to the Confederate forces, and on April 14, 1861, Major Anderson led his troops out of the fort. The Confederacy had achieved its objective. Fort Sumter was taken.<br />
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Now that you know a tiny bit about the history of this national monument, come along with me for a tour.<br />
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at Liberty Square, ready to board the <em>Spirit of the Low Country</em> to ferry over to the fort</div>
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a beautiful day to be on the water</div>
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the USS Yorktown</div>
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This US aircraft carrier began construction as the Bon Homme Richard, but was renamed Yorktown, in honor of Yorktown (CV-5) which was sunk at the Battle of Midway in June of 1942. Yorktown was commissioned on April 15, 1943 and played a significant role in the Pacific Offensive that began in late 1943 and ended with the defeat of Japan in 1945.</div>
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The Yorktown received the Presidential Unit Citation, and earned 11 battle stars for service in World War II. The ship earned 5 battle stars for service in the Vietnam War, and in 1968 the Yorktown recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts and capsule. In 1970, the Yorktown was decommissioned and placed in reserve, and in 1975 the ship was towed from Bayonne, NJ to Charleston, SC where today it holds a place of prominence at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum.</div>
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We didn't visit the Yorktown on this trip because several years ago my husband, along with a few other men, took some of the boys in our church's AWANA program on a field trip here. They spent the night on board the Yorktown. My son, to this day, still talks about how exciting that trip was! </div>
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approaching the fort</div>
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hubby pointing out a mortar shell embedded in the wall</div>
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flag at half-mast in memory of those whose lives were lost in the Newtown, Conn. school shootings</div>
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the original Palmetto flag flown over the fort during Confederate occupation</div>
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the original United States flag flown over the fort during Union occupation</div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-60066843794949807202013-03-31T16:15:00.000-04:002013-04-01T20:30:32.942-04:00An Update on the Repairs/Remodeling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This sure has been a long, drawn out process. But thank goodness hubby is now out of the outage schedule and back to normal working hours. So we're almost done with these repairs.</div>
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hallway painted and carpet ripped out</div>
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ripping up the hardwood floor</div>
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Hubby said this was the hardest part of the whole process. Ripping up this small section of hardwood floor required way more effort than anything else we had to do. When they put down hardwood, it's not going anywhere! That stuff was glued down something fierce!</div>
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After spending about 30 minutes to accomplish removing the small section you see in the picture above, hubby was wishing we had decided to leave that area alone! But we decided not to put carpet back down the hallway, and opted for laminate flooring instead. And I picked out a darker wood grain, so I wanted both areas to have the same look.</div>
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The flooring in the children's bathroom had to go, too. So, I decided now was as good a time as any to redo this room as well.</div>
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removing the wallpaper border... bye-bye fishies</div>
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Remember what I mentioned previously about chaotic clutter?</div>
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MmmHmm, see what I mean?</div>
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All those pictures piled up on the floor used to hang on the walls in the hallway. And all the luggage and bags, and everything else piled up there used to be in the hall closet. Now everything is piled on the floor in my bedroom.</div>
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At least I've made a small walking path around the bed.</div>
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And then, there's everything from the school room, all crowded into my kitchen. Well, not everything. All the bookcases were moved out to the garage, along with the furniture from the living room.</div>
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living room, ready for new carpet</div>
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empty school room with a new coat of paint</div>
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Thankfully, the living room and school room had to be empty (and no carpet) for only two days. And that was long enough to be without furniture and a nice, soft floor. Aren't we so spoiled? Unfortunately, due to some unforeseen problems with getting the laminate flooring, the hallway remained a bare concrete slab for over a week.</div>
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With the exception of the children's bathroom, we're pretty much through with most of what needed to be repaired from the leak behind the wall. Thankfully, my living room and what used to be my school room are back to normal again. Yay!</div>
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When we finish the bathroom, I'll share pictures of all the finished rooms.</div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-13708548612280128812013-03-15T00:51:00.001-04:002013-03-18T00:14:33.839-04:00Charleston, SC - Part 2 - Sightseeing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Some of the sights in Charleston...</div>
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<strong>Rainbow Row</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ld1yr-kygSodQTZ25rEAggZzTNimlT4lKiHFmUrrvN72j_sKKTE-brNCxMQXeepEm_K_dwpWWJwhks64JFhyphenhyphenzexHV2nYLko1gfCkJyAxpgY2leQhp3tlFsouwju2GascpIHz88GoEYo/s1600/rainbowrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ld1yr-kygSodQTZ25rEAggZzTNimlT4lKiHFmUrrvN72j_sKKTE-brNCxMQXeepEm_K_dwpWWJwhks64JFhyphenhyphenzexHV2nYLko1gfCkJyAxpgY2leQhp3tlFsouwju2GascpIHz88GoEYo/s400/rainbowrow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The homes at Rainbow Row were once the center of Charleston's commerce in the mid-1700s. Merchants had their stores on the first floor and they lived on the upper floors with their families.These old row houses are very popular to Charleston, representing one of the first styles of Charleston homes. I love that everything in this city has so much history behind it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>City Market</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The City Market is a historic market complex established in the early 18th century. Beginning at Market Hall (pictured below) on Meeting Street, it stretches for four city blocks through a series of long rectangular sheds, the last of which ends on East Bay Street. East Bay Street is in the area where our hotel was located.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><img height="268" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Market-hall-charleston-sc1.jpg/640px-Market-hall-charleston-sc1.jpg" width="400" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Market Hall (gorgeous architecture) on Meeting Street</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The City Market initially provided a convenient place for farmers and plantation owners to sell their meat, fish and produce. It also served as a social hub, a place for the locals to gather and socialize. Today, the City Market is a place for locals to sell souvenirs. Here you will find just about anything you can think of, from hand-crafted jewelry to fashionable scarves for ladies to gourmet food items and everything in between. It was wonderful strolling through each building, looking at the wares of the MANY, MANY vendors.</span></div>
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the other end of the City Market on East Bay Street</div>
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Our hotel was located about 2 blocks away to the left of the Market.</div>
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<img height="400" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/Aerial_View%2C_Looking_Northwest_Along_Market_Street%2C_Charleston%2C_SC_-_cropped.jpg/344px-Aerial_View%2C_Looking_Northwest_Along_Market_Street%2C_Charleston%2C_SC_-_cropped.jpg" width="286" /></div>
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I found this photo of an aerial view of the City Market.</div>
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This picture gives you an idea of how far this market actually stretches. The end of the building closest to the bottom of the picture is facing East Bay Street. That's the same shot I have shown in the picture above this one. And if you'll look almost to the top left corner of the picture you'll see Market Hall, which faces Meeting Street.</div>
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It took a LONG time to walk through each one of those buildings, stopping at each vendor's booth, looking, sampling food items, talking, and just enjoying the time. </div>
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<strong>United States Custom House</strong></div>
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The U.S. Custom House is located on East Bay Street with the harbor behind it. We passed this building many times as it was located close to our hotel and along our walking route. The records state that this is one of the most striking buildings in Charleston, reflecting the period when Charleston was one of the country's busiest port cities.</div>
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An interesting fact about this building is that during its construction, due to unforeseen engineering problems, it was unfinished at the outbreak of the War Between the States. It was damaged during the War and sat incomplete until construction began again in 1870. Finally in 1879, construction was complete and it has been in use ever since.</div>
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I read about the history of this building, and about the exquisite details of its interior design, about the marble used throughout the building, especially highlighting the office fireplaces, and about how the interior of the building revolves around a two-story center room with 14 Corinthian columns supporting its second floor gallery with the offices opening onto this room, and how the ceiling is ornamented with paintings of the American flag and other patriotic symbols. </div>
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I was extremely excited about seeing this building. And then I found out that this federal building is not open to the public. Well, what a major let-down!</div>
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<strong>Beautiful Old Homes</strong></div>
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In all of our walking around the downtown historic district of Charleston, of course I couldn't help but to be captivated by all the beautiful old homes everywhere.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong>White Point Gardens</strong></span></div>
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White Point Gardens is located at the southernmost point of the Charleston peninsula, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers empty into the Atlantic Ocean. This place offers a spectacular view of Fort Sumter and the Charleston Harbor! It was first opened as a public garden in 1837, but with the onset of the War Between the States, it was fortified to protect the city against the Union troops.</div>
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just me</div>
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Mike, checking out one of the many monuments in this park</div>
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<strong>The Battery</strong></div>
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The Battery is a fortified seawall located at the southernmost tip of the Charleston peninsula. It has played a significant part in Charleston's history, including prominence in several wars and legendary pirates. It was occupied by Fort Broughton during the Revolutionary War and Fort Wilkins during the War of 1812. During the War Between the States, the Battery served as an artillery battery.<br />
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Strolling along the promenade, you feel as if you've stepped back in time, as the Battery hasn't changed much in the last few centuries. Beautiful, stately antebellum homes line the promenade and you just can't help but imagine what life must have been like during that time.<br />
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I noticed that one of these houses is up for sale. They're only asking 8 million dollars. :) In the 18th century, the Battery was home to some of Charleston's wealthiest, most prominent citizens.</div>
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Views of the Charleston Harbor from the sea wall/promenade...<br />
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Oh, Charleston is such a beautiful city! So much to see and do and experience, and so little time...</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-59751064254159524592013-03-11T17:14:00.000-04:002013-03-11T17:14:32.456-04:00Charleston, SC -Part 1- Lodge Alley DistrictMike and I traveled to Charleston, South Carolina for a few days back in December, actually during the week before Christmas. We had some points left over from our yearly allotment in our vacation club that couldn't be "rolled over" and saved for the next year, so rather than letting them expire, he decided we would use them for a mini-vacation for just the two of us. I love it that he likes to plan things like that. :)<br />
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And I especially love that he likes to take me to explore places that are rich in heritage and history! And I must say, this trip did not disappoint!<br />
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We stayed at the Lodge Alley Inn, located on... wait for it... Lodge Alley. Lodge Alley is one of the oldest streets in Charleston and it is located within the most ancient confines of the town's old walls, in an area where the French Huguenots once lived and worked. It was a thruway for merchants working at the docks on East Bay Street during the 1750's.<br />
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Oh my goodness... the history I learned of this little district! It was enough to cast me into bouts of delirious euphoria. I am not. even. kidding.<br />
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Lodge Alley is home to one of the oldest Masonic Lodges in the country, dating back to 1773. This marks Charleston's distinction as one of the cradles of Freemasonry in America.<br />
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Lodge Alley is also the place where Charlestonians openly defied the British government in the early days before the Revolutionary War. It was here that the Sons of Liberty led public meetings protesting the British Stamp Act and the Tea Tax. I get goose bumps just thinking about it.<br />
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The Lodge Alley Inn, where we stayed, obviously derives its name from the adjoining ten-foot alley. It is comprised of several 18th century warehouse buildings which have been restored and converted into an inn, all while preserving their history, allowing many of the rooms to retain their original 18th century pine flooring and brick walls. </div>
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the reception area with beautiful pine floors, exquisite wood detailing and period furniture</div>
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This is the parlor, where in the afternoons, they provide guests with delicious, warm chocolate chip cookies, fresh from the adjoining restaurant.</div>
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our room</div>
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just beautiful</div>
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Don't you just love the beautiful wood floors and the old brick wall?</div>
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We did. Until about 20 minutes of being in that beautiful room. Apparently something in this room triggered an allergic reaction in me. It even bothered Mike to some degree, and he doesn't have allergies like I do. We suspect it was probably something in that old brick wall. Anyway...</div>
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We made our way down to the front desk to request a room change, if there was anything available. The desk clerk was so nice and helpful. He told us he didn't have another room open for the complete length of our stay, but if we were flexible he could put us in one room that was unoccupied for the night and then we'd have to move out of that room and into another the next day. Sounds like a lot of trouble, I know, but we were happy to make the changes. And the staff was so helpful. We didn't even have to be there to do the moving the next day. They told us to have our bags packed and waiting by the door when we left that morning and they would move everything into our new room.</div>
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our new room (for one night)</div>
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This room had the same wood floors and details, just not the brick wall.</div>
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This room was very similar to our previous room, only larger because this one was a double (obviously).</div>
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So we stayed in this room our first night, and the next day we were moved into another room.</div>
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And our room for the rest of our stay</div>
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All the fireplaces had gas logs in them. Cozy!</div>
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And those windows behind the sofa... they are the old fashioned kind. Instead of raising up, they open out, kind of like French doors. I know that not everyone is as easily excited over little details like this, but I am very much fascinated with older houses and buildings.</div>
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one of the small alley passageways between the buildings on Lodge Alley</div>
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Once Mike told me he had booked a stay at this place, I had to read about the history of it. Many claim this place is haunted. I assume that's because the buildings date back to the 18th century. Something about really old places makes the ghost hunters think there are ghosts hanging out, haunting the place. Well, the only haunting we experienced was the haunts of noisy people. You see, our bedroom windows faced that alleyway in the picture above. There was a bar in one of those buildings, and more on the main alley out front, so we were "haunted" by noisy, drunken people leaving the bars at 2 a.m. Then, at 6 a.m. all the businesses came to life. Apparently they use these little side alleys for delivery trucks, and trash pick-up trucks. And I am not kidding, every morning at 6 a.m. a man walked down that alley pulling some sort of cart. And if you can tell by the picture, that is a cobblestone street. So you can just imagine what that sounded like.</div>
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This was such a charming place, and I loved that it is located within walking distance of most of the main attractions of this district -- the City Market, Rainbow Row, the High Battery, and so much more. There was so much to see and do and experience, there is no way to tell about all of it here in this one post. This story will have to be continued.</div>
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<br />Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-75420521722418336432013-03-08T11:20:00.000-05:002013-03-08T11:20:28.725-05:00Frugal Homemaking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just some things in the frugal homemaking department...</div>
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I've been busy throughout the months of January and February.</div>
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Another batch of taco seasoning.</div>
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I'm still trying to perfect this recipe. It's still very spicy. I have to admit, I've been tempted to give in and go back to purchasing the little packets. But then I remind myself of why I'm doing this.</div>
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I decided to tweak my laundry detergent recipe a bit. I thought I'd found another one that I'd like better, so I decided to give it a try.</div>
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It's a little different from the recipe I currently use.</div>
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This recipe replaces borax with citric acid and a natural oxygen bleaching agent (no bleach).</div>
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And in this recipe, you add your essential oils to the powder mixture. I used sweet orange. Mmm, smells yummy.</div>
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Well, after all that, I didn't like this detergent as well as the recipe I was using. It didn't seem to clean as well. That tells me that the borax plays an integral part in cleaning the clothes. So, I decided to go back to adding the borax to the powder, and now I'm happy with the results.</div>
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Here's something new I discovered. When I cook bacon I don't always use the whole package, so I usually store the rest in the refrigerator. Most of the time bacon doesn't sit around in my fridge long enough to spoil, but should I not need to cook any for some time, this is a neat idea.</div>
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Roll up a slice of bacon like this.</div>
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And put it in a freezer ziploc bag like this.</div>
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Put it in the freezer, then when you're ready for bacon, just take out as many slices as you need, defrost it, and you're all set to cook only what you need.</div>
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Now I can buy bacon in bulk packages since it's cheaper that's way. :)</div>
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I've gotten well underway with my freezer cooking these past two months.</div>
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I think I've made enough cream of chicken soup to last for maybe a couple of months.</div>
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I use cream of chicken soup in lots of recipes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUDTBzhPhdYizeeY3HNcF-6LScAQR619c0C-p8L4QtVCmAwrnJUBmHUP1solvqP9-myQg0d3927NlQLYVw7dCq6TJSzxsSfqRvW0vuVYoDEha74emtdZTDgMC5B_m_U_eR5hNwEMJCgM/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUDTBzhPhdYizeeY3HNcF-6LScAQR619c0C-p8L4QtVCmAwrnJUBmHUP1solvqP9-myQg0d3927NlQLYVw7dCq6TJSzxsSfqRvW0vuVYoDEha74emtdZTDgMC5B_m_U_eR5hNwEMJCgM/s400/DSC_0025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Individual servings of spaghetti. Beats the canned variety.</div>
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I tried making my own yogurt in January, and I froze the whey that was strained off of it. I read about different things to use the whey for, but so far I haven't used any of it. </div>
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And the yogurt? It turned out fine, but it seemed like more trouble than it's worth to me considering we don't eat a lot of yogurt around here. So I'll probably stick to buying it in the store.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2PnQbZbS-fDsOD_xznK5jR2XZcRl3QbNoa-1QOXyEBrjkUbxESw5dshFkRQTGb8jWa8-gmGEu3hWwcKJrQCHaiXVRyxoLwMSJl1QHEch-Xd1RQpYTW0OVk1LWDuoulzpDKQVGzkDJ2c/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2PnQbZbS-fDsOD_xznK5jR2XZcRl3QbNoa-1QOXyEBrjkUbxESw5dshFkRQTGb8jWa8-gmGEu3hWwcKJrQCHaiXVRyxoLwMSJl1QHEch-Xd1RQpYTW0OVk1LWDuoulzpDKQVGzkDJ2c/s400/DSC_0026.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I know this doesn't exactly count as "freezer cooking", but it does fall into the category of "frugal."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlQ_x3E4BZIp7PyAJh_0iPNzsyFIOyMv-mqZn7gIbA13sEK-cXWGuFcZnYZGUFFe6NV0BoZjYOeakwrANov0l_0t3KV2ETmjmmnMviBkm8S0_ZP3F912yMA1JUzIn_NRrEvJHogFhTek/s1600/DSC_0147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlQ_x3E4BZIp7PyAJh_0iPNzsyFIOyMv-mqZn7gIbA13sEK-cXWGuFcZnYZGUFFe6NV0BoZjYOeakwrANov0l_0t3KV2ETmjmmnMviBkm8S0_ZP3F912yMA1JUzIn_NRrEvJHogFhTek/s400/DSC_0147.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is milk and buttermilk, and orange juice and pineapple juice, frozen in 1/2 cup, 1 cup, and 2 cup amounts. If I have any milk left that won't be finished before it expires, I just put it in the freezer to be used in recipes and cooking. </div>
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I don't usually have to worry about the milk going bad. We drink milk pretty quick around here, but I don't use buttermilk fast enough. So to keep it from spoiling, I have started freezing it to be used in recipes when needed.</div>
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And these are just a few of the homemaking activities going on here in my little domain over the last two months. This is what brings me joy :). I do enjoy finding ways to be more frugal in keeping my home.</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-91635071990360152822013-03-07T12:52:00.001-05:002013-03-07T12:52:45.192-05:00It's Not Really Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I babysat this little fella for one day last week. Hasn't he grown so much?!? Of course, that's what babies do! Until last week, I haven't kept him for about 3 and 1/2 months. Due to some paperwork errors, his mom was out of work for that long. </div>
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He is the cutest little thing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNGuKl51BJN1VjMR20rqZAit7G5qw194KQdl-CW4zVK9s4SXSwGdoRa6CTGl3LqF_o4lZhNHdbtHO9tmzORYUrVtYXk6pH9n8wdmSQHNpszeui0ya06eXtffABoO3ZZ5aige0efTNWtg/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDNGuKl51BJN1VjMR20rqZAit7G5qw194KQdl-CW4zVK9s4SXSwGdoRa6CTGl3LqF_o4lZhNHdbtHO9tmzORYUrVtYXk6pH9n8wdmSQHNpszeui0ya06eXtffABoO3ZZ5aige0efTNWtg/s400/DSC_0115.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiPjxfGyy7GnGDFgsmFFqbwzWd74Bu4ifSaXWWfoYk_NL5VFKhZCRnBUvidj3kEGGbfndDvmIFG_GUBL_00l1ayPa-lAHNLcWCu3F5LTaRiidR_U4OMoX_ztdce4w-ECiASJRGW7USxg/s1600/DSC_0114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhiPjxfGyy7GnGDFgsmFFqbwzWd74Bu4ifSaXWWfoYk_NL5VFKhZCRnBUvidj3kEGGbfndDvmIFG_GUBL_00l1ayPa-lAHNLcWCu3F5LTaRiidR_U4OMoX_ztdce4w-ECiASJRGW7USxg/s400/DSC_0114.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I made the decision this week not to babysit him on a regular basis. At least not for now, because it's kind of hard keeping him while my house is in such a state of disrepair. With me trying to paint, and get everything picked out for the flooring that we'll be doing next week (hopefully), it's just too much.</div>
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I will miss him. He's so sweet.</div>
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Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-65973399898930007842013-03-06T15:46:00.001-05:002013-03-07T12:54:55.546-05:00Happy Birthday Kate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS-1fq0wzCskOmja0Un3o_AXp5Ckh1B2Ban8U2aeToo3ilUFMA4sciJP8zXE1eWQXBf3xFDM-20KszHxS4D55kBvLyU09w-W3leR60q20kiJpIkdcJiWXpv8TVrMcNgQY29cBrvTWs8c/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> We celebrated a birthday around here in February.</div>
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My baby girl turned 17.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrmLoPVy2wV4XXDBZTMzvreoBI7fAVjOSvfjgPOAtfbwjLWFvRx88o5AYiAfWVrtGqqDtKiejHNCNhRXJ3mJM8iUwmHk4qIg1F9Ep2Ead4pWKOPf9r30TOxK51rJZqVOaBrzGcftwS3A/s1600/snapshot-030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCrmLoPVy2wV4XXDBZTMzvreoBI7fAVjOSvfjgPOAtfbwjLWFvRx88o5AYiAfWVrtGqqDtKiejHNCNhRXJ3mJM8iUwmHk4qIg1F9Ep2Ead4pWKOPf9r30TOxK51rJZqVOaBrzGcftwS3A/s400/snapshot-030.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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She wanted to go out to eat for her birthday, and she chose Benton Lee's. So that's where we celebrated her 17 precious years of life. I made a French vanilla cake with butter cream frosting for her. Not bragging, but it was yummy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS-1fq0wzCskOmja0Un3o_AXp5Ckh1B2Ban8U2aeToo3ilUFMA4sciJP8zXE1eWQXBf3xFDM-20KszHxS4D55kBvLyU09w-W3leR60q20kiJpIkdcJiWXpv8TVrMcNgQY29cBrvTWs8c/s1600/DSC_0105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS-1fq0wzCskOmja0Un3o_AXp5Ckh1B2Ban8U2aeToo3ilUFMA4sciJP8zXE1eWQXBf3xFDM-20KszHxS4D55kBvLyU09w-W3leR60q20kiJpIkdcJiWXpv8TVrMcNgQY29cBrvTWs8c/s400/DSC_0105.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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I just can't believe it... 17 years old</div>
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My little princess is not so little anymore :(</div>
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<em>This dress that Kate is wearing is one that my grandmother made (sewed and smocked) for me when I was a baby.</em></div>
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She's my princess. She's my sunshine.</div>
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She has brought so much joy and happiness into my life, and into our family, and I count it a joy and a privilege to be her momma. </div>
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I say she's my angel baby because she's a blessing to me in more ways than one. The Lord took my momma home to heaven in the month of February, when I was 19 years old. Every year I dreaded to see February come around. I hated the month of February, hated what it represented to me. February was no longer the month of love. For me, it was now a reminder of death, of searing loss. The heart breaking loss of someone more precious than words can describe.</div>
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And then one day, He <em>chose </em>to give me this angel baby in the month of February.</div>
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And isn't our God just so good like that? He is the Redeemer. The giver of all things good. The giver of life. He is Life. He is Love.</div>
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I am so thankful that He shows His love for me in big ways, yes, but also in small ways that really speak volumes to my heart.</div>
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I thank God that He chose to bless us with this precious daughter. And that He especially chose to bless me with the deliberate timing of her birth month.</div>
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Happy Birthday Kate!</div>
Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5228462065970183320.post-17176108969367149642013-03-06T00:30:00.000-05:002013-03-06T02:46:36.585-05:00Softball Season OpenerIt's that time of year again. <br />
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Softball.<br />
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I enjoy watching most all sports. We are big sports fans here at our house, so you will pretty much find us involved to some degree in sports year round.<br />
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I do love watching my daughter play softball. God has gifted her with much talent in this area, and it's just fun to watch her, and the whole team for that matter.<br />
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<em>2013 Lady Eagles</em></div>
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<em>my dh, the coach</em></div>
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Today was our first game, actually two games... we played a double-header. We were supposed to play this game last week, but we had SO MUCH rain last week it was impossible to play ball.<br />
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<em>pre-game pep talk</em></div>
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We won the first game 25 - 2 in three innings. Yes, I did feel sorry for the other team. Bless their hearts, they made so many errors. The second game wasn't quite as bad, 15 -0 in three innings.<br />
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<em>dd and dh talking while the pitcher is warming up</em></div>
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Kate pitched both games, and she did a fabulous job!<br />
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I didn't get to take as many pictures as I usually do because I was drafted into being the bookkeeper this time. Our bookkeeper from previous years no longer has a daughter playing on the team, so she didn't volunteer to continue this job. So... since none of the other parents know how to keep the book, I was drafted by my husband, the coach. <br />
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I don't know how to keep the book either. I received a crash course from my husband just one hour before the game. :O<br />
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And it's harder than it looks, too. My goodness, the details involved in keeping the score book! Was it a hit, or was it an error? Did the runner advance because of a passed ball, or was it a stolen base? Did the shortstop throw the runner out at first? And every scenario has several symbols and keys to know and mark in the book. I get dizzy just thinking about it all!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUT_OB7U2M6P9Gs5wsDEiprVkdNwsG5ruvIgGX_9xSLYUThzSFboSGBzbGz4AgbvqinVYWCfFoFzqalKEhGlJnpg34EDXiUILCoqWLAkLptbbF_Kq7VF08jRS2aVrmjCSgbLMZeYCFLc/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUT_OB7U2M6P9Gs5wsDEiprVkdNwsG5ruvIgGX_9xSLYUThzSFboSGBzbGz4AgbvqinVYWCfFoFzqalKEhGlJnpg34EDXiUILCoqWLAkLptbbF_Kq7VF08jRS2aVrmjCSgbLMZeYCFLc/s400/DSC_0143.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Later at home, my husband was looking over the book, and he said I didn't do too bad, haha. There were a few times when I missed whether it was a hit or an error. And that is important to know for stat purposes. These girls want to know their stats and they take it seriously. <br />
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So, I kind of enjoyed learning something new today, but I won't be very happy if I get to the last game and have no pictures of my child's softball season. :(Melissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15333510935780123962noreply@blogger.com0