tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42889950146938817322024-02-18T21:53:56.456-06:00Contents of My HeartMariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.comBlogger1372125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-82554140135276692352013-05-07T20:22:00.001-06:002013-05-07T20:22:55.490-06:00Parenting Teenage Boys Should Come with Merit BadgesI'm thinking that someone should start handing out badges to moms who have teenage sons. Honestly, they probably should hand them out to mom's of teenage girls too, but I don't have one of those ... yet ... so I can't attest to the fact that you earn your stripes raising them.<br />
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What I do have is a fifteen year old boy who thinks he's grown, acts like he's five and is living in a body that has turned into a man overnight.<br />
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Tonight as we walked into dinner, I noticed a LOT of mustache and beard hair on his face. I think he really needs to shave. He has been "shaving at it" for a while, but it's looking pretty manly. These revelations come at me quickly. Even though I live with him every day, some days I "see" him.<br />
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Tonight we needed to buy new shoes. It seems like we need new shoes about every three months. Tonight we bought size 12. WHO WEARS size 12 shoes at 15??? What size will he be by the time he's 18?? We've finally come to some sort of agreement on the shoes. I refuse to pay $100 or more for a pair of shoes that will last no more than three months and smell like an ape factory moved out in less than three days. He knows now to just look "cheap". It took a loooooong time to get to this point. <br />
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Then there's the smells that emanate from teenage boys. Puberty is a cruel thing. It makes boys, who don't particularly care about hygiene in the first place, SMELL -- badly. Body odor, bad breath, stinky feet. Combined it's a pleasure for the senses.<br />
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Homework. Now there's a subject that has been near and dear to the hearts of everyone in this house as of late. There is a LOT of discussion going on about homework at our house. I really wish there was as much actual completion of homework, but, at least it's getting talked about. How is it that a child can have twelve hours and only complete two assignments, but can build an entire community, castle, family and eco-system in a video game in twenty minutes flat? I've said for years that if they could turn Algebra into a video game, my child would be in the Honors class.<br />
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The blessing of it all is that it's a stage -- no different from the other ones we've gone through throughout the years. This one, however, has seemed MUCH harder than those "terrible" twos they spoke of. I think it would have been more accurate to warn parents of the upcoming "terrible teens" which last longer, have just as many tantrums and cause a lot more anxiety. At least when they are two you can put them in time out.<br />
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But, like the good Girl Scout that I never was, I'm going to keep working to earn my badge. The one that states, "Survivor: Parenting a Teenage Son". I'm going to wear it with pride.<br />
Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-89607807717270170912013-05-06T11:37:00.001-06:002013-05-06T11:42:54.140-06:00Reviving the ole' blog - What do 'possums "do"?The blog has been in hibernation for a long, long ... well, long time. It's time (even though I don't have any extra time) to revive it to capture some of the glorious events and parenting moments (failures) that are occurring in our lives lately.<br />
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It seems five has hit Ellie hard and she is FULL (exploding from the seams) with questions. On the way to school this morning I had the following:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>What do possums do? (I don't know)</li>
<li>What do owls do? (I don't know)</li>
<li>Why do owls come out at night? (I'd like to see an owl, she reports). (We discussed the definition of nocturnal)</li>
<li>Why does rice grow in patties (sp??) (I don't know)</li>
<li>Why do woodpeckers peck wood? (I don't know, isn't there a poem about that??)</li>
<li>Why do snakes bite? (Because they are scared)</li>
<li>Why do crocodiles bite? (Because they are hungry)</li>
<li>What's growing in that field over there? (I don't know, probably corn)</li>
</ul>
Just last night I was barraged with these questions:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Do eggs grow on trees? (No, you KNOW they come from chickens)</li>
<li>Who puts the gooey stuff in eggs? (God)</li>
<li>When Josh was growing in your tummy did he have feet? (Uhhhh.... yes).</li>
</ul>
In an effort to determine what possums actually DO, I googled, "What do opossums do?" Found a great website appropriately called <a href="http://opossum.craton.net/faqs.htm" target="_blank">The 'Possum Pages</a> that told me everything I never wanted to know about opossums. I basically learned nothing exciting about them and apparently they don't really "DO" anything. Much like my children ... but that's a post for another day.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQPJ5eaNnhNbF8YlAHipHsdiV0IlVT6QLbYCCpQFUiNPFpCib1TG9ToyPC5ue3KZAXnU4iA6xTT5nXocQuoNx5z1pYgyDovl5IgTLmSRblm4gLU6kITDX9kGsdSGi1xPFnMmSas4j5qIR/s1600/Opossum_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQPJ5eaNnhNbF8YlAHipHsdiV0IlVT6QLbYCCpQFUiNPFpCib1TG9ToyPC5ue3KZAXnU4iA6xTT5nXocQuoNx5z1pYgyDovl5IgTLmSRblm4gLU6kITDX9kGsdSGi1xPFnMmSas4j5qIR/s1600/Opossum_2.jpg" /></a></div>
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The reason for the possum questions stemmed from the fact that last night our dog Macy treed a possum in the yard. Ellie wasn't quite sure what one was so we showed her the picture above. <br />
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The real visual from this story is Josh and I outside (pitch black) with a flashlight borrowed from the neighbor, a iPhone with a flashlight app, a bb gun (yes, I know), trying to figure what the dog was so angry about. Once we discovered her jumping at the tree where the possum was, it was a long struggle to determine which one of us was going to run under the tree (pray that the possum didn't drop and attack) and grab the dog. In the middle of it all, the neighbors arrive home and think we have lost our minds. The grass is slick, Josh (who lost and had to run for the dog) fell down twice while chasing the dog. The possum never moved. I'm sure he/she thought we were all crazy.<br />
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So, what do possums do? Aggravate dogs, cause drama and sit in trees. Oh, and play dead apparently.<br />
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Stayed tuned for the next blog post where we discover "who puts the gooey stuff in eggs".<br />
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Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-58656761940332637052011-11-03T21:58:00.010-06:002011-11-03T22:30:03.202-06:00Halloween (Part II)<div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 255px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670991915055586290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwsi37LLXnXM5XxELZJPGL39ffxgIBn3tnmRBa_3XshWLo0uL9hEBX2d0F2TPHaTKOxAcaDKfokP3snvFoLebj_6IyY44EUEfiD2UojtG5RxXiUI6y-0DMGwNGwbVcZoORU_rg3rJmBt7/s400/IMG_0059.jpg" /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Halloween 2011 has come and has gone, leaving nothing but a couple of kids who had belly aches the next day, dirty costumes and fond memories -- exactly the way it should be!!</div><div><br />We took mom and then met up with the Thomases at our church's annual Harvest Festival.'</div><div> </div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670990825435267090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbUSmFjPussZ_1pje-527OGhk33eWYjDfJk9rIRROzGc-NrMQBqIanAf_eV7mJKDxA0gYQPGG-_tSTSstO1wTIydgoRb93Cn8LyZjKZyQ3PSMyS7S3WKfRoPYI9wRIBRE4duVUXoNKnq3D/s400/IMG_0084+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670990386823490898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAQDGF26AOp57N9Lz-XzVx9Hlk46mSkprxi5bFGSiuo1tjQKvjcbw7ugKUJ15hzlBjOTuQ6QTel5Vys0wxTWs3CdNmGYemEQw8Niv2beQ8F4_DNFqNtplsm8y78aZ3ZCmHm94WHUidHx4L/s400/IMG_0085+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670990373435526626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVt0cMuJoQ1vxVXShunMoZk3hnYWkPG5Dg3fCm5mgLW5Cc722ldrk2TNFkvyEjR5Mseltg9oV79K6WsrMNWwW7ur3_vf53kuASMJy3j-jB1P6LPbNKZrlyz_hUcO8FFHDOftUCrrARD__4/s400/IMG_0087+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" />Estimated attendance at this year's event was close to 5,000 people - unbelievable. It was a lot of fun, and we saw lots of friends. Josh was happy that quite a few guys his age were there and they could trick or treat too. It appears you never get too old for candy.<div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670988161309072770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwNJdjnj3kr78hxFI2K8yfMAtjPSxmz64frIwGsuXrkyJupIgLr3PWRKKI82_jkqdLzMBkRt0CQjm_dmx5F4ZL3HC-JeOmOOLPGKzRSZ5p0F8f6TporxOS6bcFdl-0z-GyXqRd_yfJF8w/s400/IMG_0103+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670992484633583266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp52J_re81-goh0uJkcgyvKADpFH4UXVSgz5zhz0dTS9C-CntLP4E4IwR3F8CGUKeSknO8znfcVfA6-dB7vz7Q-TJ61o2ES1TOo5MTwO4_-f0mMoFxV-bkZndgmBGKOVO_X32E88na3hiA/s400/IMG_0102+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Ellie dressed up as Minnie Mouse tonight. She allowed me to paint her nose on for photos at home, and even went across the street to Terry and Andrea's house, but then came home and SHE went and got a rag and washed it off. "I not like it," she informed me. She also did not like her "had to have" ears that light up. They hurt her head. So we opted for a sweet little Minnie Mouse bow purchased at consignment with the thoughts that this might happen. </div><div> </div><div>After the Harvest Festival, we all stopped in at the local Dairy Queen for dinner (because we certainly didn't eat hotdogs, chili, cotton candy OR popcorn at the festival -- right!). Afterwards, Josh was terribly disappointed that it was too late to go to a neighborhood and trick or treat some more. This is the same kid who wasn't going this year. </div><div> </div><div>It was a good year.</div><div> </div><div>These are some of my favorite photos from this year:</div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670990372379297506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQs6vaSoJm3GJD5ZNDjYQQceSkQ-MsSExzOHvOQQC6vzHGZ_uc5IJEt16GaYIautWC7jdJsDHb8BH8wxApP_k4zaiqq0yDVd9g7f5PEVdENwkzmVc7so2ECCr9HdEFdfzpYXSmuO3MNxLa/s400/IMG_0094+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Duracell bunny!</div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670987158405196642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Ijc8C6Gn3kag9wCJY4QN0X0L7QFzKhV4CtQNblvoJV4t4RZStntfKTWmO2pnlBHujEbtGA95na1Q4ZaHShCzrHbbiKKDp15DCbPXFi2ELcG4BFC9WM9IwXTQ_-DhJKsGGwy8nS7rDJQt/s400/IMG_0115+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Ellie and her BFF Addie:</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670987188084245666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJb9EqhKqX1KxCR0PxmmlmaDFxwvJJlq0EH5mc8Fiuj_Y4JYQC2z1ePZnkPMB5CmDgvTkoPUepwxqFkUbnrAEFdXbxOjGAWDV25d3uD62DJ4LYWhBzfn8SjGD1gdZvG6Gd0a8afAU1gBr/s400/IMG_0110.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div> Hot diggity dog!<img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670988180744176066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCywiPzEOc6F4gmcyslgeZXmytMFxz9zIFNst0KGLiNCW4HqzP885FmMCkZsUOWyMwTmZrgFF9AQIG4np3zfVMiNIRsl8q1TVYEYfRDsgTEM7ZB4Ts01N5yIjKLC5Zk8VfNIfKRir6p7z/s400/IMG_0098+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Ms. Kay's pumpkin in jail:</div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670988171248549618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwAGB-8OLfyZWspVpYaGa2xqUxDcylpKdGmpkMYZD89HEQWVNKopxvi33CurQjEdoOMRGPGMBwqmygXEHMdZpNWQ70rcWRQL6kwW-dewYDsQ8QNpdXmAg35cmVCsNcJyZ5G3SHOpY9IHR/s400/IMG_0100+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div>"Coach" Sullivan and his referree wife, Teresa:</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670988177170170514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnPwUA8aYVU9v9qPpAD7tWyM9YML-8eNzGMOHR2Rqw8WemgQDODvLwA0N5yy_hBGkGNoiMUOAAVmQnHcpWcZ059DAAq5rH6bLAjKFXnvWOAyRUhuuW4GLnUFKGTV4QpIZth4GMN3pdf2S/s400/IMG_0099+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Ellie and another of her BFFs, Elaina.</div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 252px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670988154514405266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXfNndz6tBZ0TYvZkQcPvfPm6GsBkHIqXHU3hImS-1VNnfevBCnufM3NKOe_Mlv05XXZEBvOfcIjISxalfgyfNkXM8Ak0Kx_ZjYbDgQo06rwXfhdtccTS9ORWCJSim40eZg7uZE-dBnCZ/s400/IMG_0109.jpg" /></div><div> Scary man - ha!</div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670990368896407714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkTKgriP_uZqDhcWVwjD5ITlIZShXicHXQYmoli6KThd3-nC_4ySwX_8YkRvC_AcKMq0UapFxTjMZJYlgKWg1vJhT__CHuW8xQYKVOl1O9lMQ5UIHR1ZqoCjyGbI4SWsmPKb3yonEUys3/s400/IMG_0096+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Mario Brothers - cute idea!</div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670987158193081154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglNnocqjDOTHmD2EEskLuaTGm2BVzzAA5Tb89Leez7LvUO4fyFYS96GBOkQQdQCPfhNRzaxrdEbCbB22P_0vGdZHEEu_D4usW_f7lUCgY6QrpiAqJ5uZT6ur0b4c1413OB31n6Yl85ud_q/s400/IMG_0114+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Probably the one that made me laugh the loudest: "White Trash"</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670987179060214306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pfnij3nUkNup1tiA3XsTjoadwulUTIkk17xjF8fiZbkVztcd9-EvxL0FfT0-Q0UybYyfo-gj5XRFW19xJ736ZSVjDlZ_ngL1LJ2ppvrbxcj2pokj1mjV_lyoTmOu868MSXrTZa80p3BK/s400/IMG_0112.jpg" /></div><div>Sing along with me, "I'm Popeye the sailor man (toot toot) ..."</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670987171644696290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29GYIF3dQ2DzXymtPX1Gehyphenhyphenr7jtSMODg-jHZ_U_Zd8UF0jxvP-xUOcVT7Pn_kuyQtmbSyL_-SNqBv0mQTefQFMNtDU2L1g1VFILromE1UtsNwplMgGZeaD7uBzuuZZaDkTap4SBkWfEPC/s400/IMG_0113+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-44914672081921400662011-10-29T20:06:00.004-06:002011-10-29T20:43:05.847-06:00Halloween (Part I)<div><div><div><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><div><div>Tonight we started off our Halloween fun. There were three local churches who were hosting Trunk or Treat activities and we took Ellie to hit them all. </div><div> </div><div>It started off hard because Ellie did NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT (see the emphasis) want to have any makeup put on her face. Now, every single day she comes into my bathroom and wants me to put make up on her. Every day. Then, finally, on a day where I told her we could do a little blush and a little eyeliner and some sparkles (minor, but just to make her happy), she throws an all out, screaming, crying hissy fit. My mother heard her from outside our house when she arrived. Needless to say, we didn't put any makeup on. She told me she "didn't want her friends to see her with makeup on." Huh? Man, have I got a lot to look forward to. <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669109183746814082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFSAtS9eZDQLueYZFIuAxT-kRjxJ4hx93P66rMohFKtYjjqwlS23Tkw-SMosHkqYUM-B7fiz-O0b4W-rGaCitRActzRNSmNCOlNJtobWqKLvqiB-n9ACweZATHTjJleI7mvN035Z0IDyz/s400/IMG_9986+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669109167828976386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDogLX63OB93X-8ZLhiesTkgU42i9pmu7M4NIDjrIjI_NIbAhuE1XdoqZG6wspHQ_KWKTaLq5LNmjS5n7Ik8o5U2ZmUOu2eg0lBk7Q9F_A7g9tn0jXkwQoQzIpwUBnAlaqQv4frqHmCAPW/s400/IMG_9985+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" />This photo is everything sans an eye-roll. I have SO much to look forward to in about ten years!!</div><div><br />This was the first year that Josh didn't dress up for Halloween. That made me sad. He went along with us and said he had fun, but he's growing up too, too fast.</div><div> </div><div>We finally got Ellie in her (drooping wings) ladybug costume and hit the road. First stop was New Hope Free Will Baptist where we got to visit with folks we had not seen in a while. This was our first home church after we had Josh and it will always remain a special place for us. Many of our family members still go there. </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669109175853660562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-Pdt1OaQRc9aSEAxOHQ79XTwoQnIe5NGbZcmdes7wA-AizdymVqWaq3zRZJB-sio3qCH0xBqhHl2J02X7Nw6Xeb9J2TkMxGXN8wilxpS8PTFaPixyxqJX97UavUzidsT_lfAPPL0nocm/s400/IMG_0001+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669108042054324946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjE0nklIKI30aXaTVQrEJS_J_BBtTWps95f30u_KpZVMh493KCqLm0a_MvR8_eW54td0iBvYgw3APdiG-v8nx-hq7sUQ6QI1iWFsfVuxC7GQ1di9FCw3J11bm4nuFIhg6hj8xdEwMyx00/s400/IMG_9998+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669109173117770562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr24kyZ9bi_jlRTzH6QPP9iIDt29jWhKbKBjdVM-0i82R1ItPaePGYn3f4c46FI_W0tbOkNtpVpoE2cwNFsAhpbfOhdMEqvEJwhV7JI5yqCQctPwgSoEEwvdLm-DwWDlfRRF1x2XqQPA6g/s400/IMG_9992+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669108051470344850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOX4_aDph45xBSBtjrN2rKwXyPzDBGZpvzWeVE1S1K-_4VdEoux3tmSOizHQvQF588NxIk7S9_3Sgovt7KYkzHZl7h57XcJ31XC8oGY_7V-oVa_NYNcY8XJePYvIw4_Mxk-hXjwwCraFF/s400/IMG_9994+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div>Next stop was Clarksville Hwy Church of Christ. We love their Halloween festivities. They have a "Trail of Treats" that runs through the woods where you trick or treat at different stations. When you are finished you get a hayride back to the bonfire and then can walk over to hear a band and get some hotdogs, chips and drinks. It was a lot of fun there. This was my first church ever -- it is the church my parents attended when they brought me home.</div><div> </div><div>And, the last stop on the rounds was at Joelton Church of Christ for their trunk or treat. Joelton was where I was baptized as a child. It was where I went most of the years I was growing up. </div><div> </div><div>Finally, we headed over for dinner at the local Subway. A smoking hot Saturday night, huh? It was actually fun, though!</div><div> </div><div>We are looking forward to Part II on Monday night when we will hit our church's Trunk or Treat.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Here is "the take" (minus what Ellie ate at New Hope while we visited and in the car on the way home). <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669108025577197010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbQN7Nrg6UgP2fo0Ka5dnY9wYCV1eXB1hm_57rtJNw0dAWt9_1_H9deYyNtqwfTOpHfNsXN1rW62kEe2IcQNSw1LTxrLuoD7d4twd_ZcoL-JUWeRZJ8tSa190NTS2FN288EALPSiXdBKD5/s400/IMG_0004+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div> (Ugh, hair in her face). She was MUCH happier after Trick or Treating than before, I can assure you of that!! Next outing, we go at Minnie Mouse.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669108027758619522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksUMIpBRa-SuQUhtLob1xqGuv71sD3Bxxex8iFye5z9i5J6t8-736bwQ2BCiI9ETrh2awQSgXJrf9IMBBueibfGO3ET2bVqciywmgZ-Rx5UGsFjSwWK8Zc8oT8d08Kgwp3Z6C1WjgVqam/s400/IMG_0002+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-68168881500663240302011-10-27T21:43:00.002-06:002011-10-27T23:00:29.982-06:00HonestyMaybe if I write about it, I can begin to let it go.<br /><br />And that's one of the reasons I originally started this blog -- to write about things in a journal type format so that I can work through things, share things, remember things years from now...<br /><br />It's a hard topic and one I've been struggling with since January 10 of this year -- the day my dad died. <br /><br />I am a Christian. I do not doubt my salvation experience and I have fully accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior who has forgiven me of my sins. <br /><br />I am far from perfect and struggle every day.<br /><br />But I have never had <em>this</em> struggle before in my walk with God.<br /><br />I am angry with God.<br /><br />I am angry that He took my father from me, my mom and my children. We were not ready. Now, of course, I know we would have never been ready, but we still <em>need</em> him. I am angry that my children will not have a grandfather now -- that they will not get the years of love, advice and fun with him that the should have had.<br /><br />Rationally I know that I should not be angry with God. I have read the stages of grief for people who have lost family members. The first phase is shock. The second phase is denial. The third phase is anger. The fourth phase is mourning and the final phase is recovery. <br /><br />A quote I read states, "In addition, grief is not really a cycle. A cycle implies that you return to the<br />beginning which was a "normal" life as it was prior to the death. Of course this<br />is not true. Life will never be the same again."<br /><br />I see that this anger has come between my relationship with God. Again, <em>rationally</em>, I know I need to move past this, but somehow I don't seem to be. I keep asking myself if it's just a crutch -- if I just need to "pony up" and get over it. <br /><br />It's during these times of trial that I fall back on all that I <em>know</em> about God and His love and His promises that I have learned through the years. But at the same time, my head has been unable to talk to my heart. Because my heart thinks that God <em>could</em> have saved him, <em>could have</em> let him stay. But it was a "no" answer to fervent prayer.<br /><br />Tonight Josh, Ellie and I went to Zaxby's for dinner and we sat in a booth that we had sat in as a family of six last year at Josh's birthday, when we gave him his Xbox 360. Almost a year ago. Now, he's not here. <br /><br />I feel like, at some level, I have been avoiding my feelings and just not dealing with them because it is just <em>so stinking hard, </em>and that maybe if I could find a way to do that, maybe, just maybe, I could find my way back. But, I don't know that.<br /><br />I read that everyone's process is different and that I should be patient and tolerant with myself. I am told that my feelings of anger at God are "normal" and that the resulting guilt from those feelings is normal well. I can't find anywhere <em>how</em> to get past it. I can't find <em>that</em> answer. I hope that eventually I can -- I need to.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-9090236633714518382011-10-27T20:49:00.006-06:002011-10-27T21:37:25.234-06:00Am I Crazy?I've pondered this post for a while. I've spent quite a while thinking about it. I'm still not sure that I KNOW all the ins and outs of what I'm about to "talk" about, but I'm going to try.<br /><br />Josh.<br /><br />One day, he has to be the "man" of his home. He has to be the breadwinner. Does that mean his wife won't work or will stay home and take care of kids? I don't know. Maybe she'll be a high paid attorney, or the President or work at Wal-mart. Maybe he won't have kids. Maybe he'll have fourteen (Lord, please, no!). Regardless of which, ultimately, he is responsible for providing for and managing his family.<br /><br />Maybe we will have the second coming first. Maybe not. Just in case it's not, it's our job as parents to make sure he is prepared to do that job.<br /><br />That's part one.<br /><br />It is our job to keep our child safe. As adults we are to be aware of all the factors in his environment: his music, his friends, his video games, his schools, his vehicles, where he is, his sports, his teachers, his pastors, his church, the books he reads, the television he watches, the food he eats, the choices he makes, the clothes he wears. Sometimes it's overwhelming to be a parent.<br /><br />To that end, many times things that are passed off as "normal" and "it's everywhere" or "it's the times we are living in" become statements to smooth over the edges of something that, at first glance, seems just plain wrong.<br /><br />Take for example, police officers in schools.<br /><br />I don't shop in places that are dangerous and require police officers (at least not more than once). I try not to put myself in areas of town where there is known danger. I don't knowingly walk into dangerous situations.<br /><br />But I send my child to school where police officers are present. And I'm told they are there to keep my child safe. Safe, really?<br /><br />(Great, I stopped typing to watch TV and lost my train of thought -- darn ADD, huh?)<br /><br />I know, from studies, that smaller classroom sizes and smaller teacher:student ratios improve learning. It also makes sense on a common sense level.<br /><br />I know that, in today's world, even people <em>with</em> college degrees are struggling to find jobs. There is a high level of accomplishment required in today's job market. My son will have to have a job one day. I suspect that knowing how to write a research paper will be helpful in his future -- a skill that, as an eighth grader, I would have thought he would have already been taught. But, no. I think that knowing how to spell will be helpful on a job application. I was told by a teacher that it didn't matter because there is spell check on computers now.<br /><br />I know that surrounding oneself with people of like values, positive attitudes, discipline and respect creates an environment for developing the same values, positive attitudes, disciple and respect. I know that Kevin and I have been fighting a losing battle. I can try to teach values, positive attitudes, discipline and respect for the hours I have my son at home, but he is then influenced by others he is around at school -- regardless of whether those are different from what we are teaching or not, he is influenced and behaviors are influenced by this.<br /><br />It is for these reasons that we have decided to take Josh out of public school and put him into a private, Christian school.<br /><br />I was asked today if it was the "teachers or students" that we were dissatisfied with at his current school. I paused for a while and said that I thought it might just be the overall attitude of apathy all the way around.<br /><br />When you are in a situation that you know you can't change -- no matter how much you want to, how different you are from the environment, how wrong you think things are -- you eventually get worn down and get tired. From that point, apathy sets in. And, I think, that might just be the status. The teachers see so very much that is sad, wrong, difficult and they can't do anything about it. Remember, there is police there now because the teachers can't do anything.<br /><br />I have struggled to find the reasons -- it's easy to point out this one thing, this other thing, but independently they all sound pretty paltry. It makes me sound like I think I'm "better". But it's not that at all -- it's that I <em>want</em> better for my son. I don't want to look back four, five, ten years from now and think, "If I had just done something sooner ..." I want to keep him as safe as possible. I want him to have every opportunity to become a man of discipline, values, hard work, accountability, responsibility and respect. I want an environment that is supportive of my efforts to do that for him -- not one that seems to be apathetic to those efforts.<br /><br />I know, it's rambling. I'll probably read back through it later and go, "Wow, you need to write in a less 'stream of consciousness' manner, but it is what it is. It is the reason. It is my job as a parent: analyze, ponder, be proactive or reactive and make choices. Someone should have told me this was going to be hard.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-13634778460793960152011-10-27T20:40:00.002-06:002011-10-27T20:48:16.321-06:00Welcome to the world, Tuck LandToday, our friends Jeff and Abbey became parents again to a sweet baby boy, Tuck -- born in Taiwan! Yes, they are adopting again. Tonight we stopped by their house for cupcakes, coffee and a Scentsy party. It was a lot of fun and was good to see friends and to celebrate adoption!!<br />Ellie loves playing with her friends, Reed, Nash and Will. She and Nash are in the same MDO and go to church together -- and they are both sweet little Asian faced sweeties. <br /><br />I wish I could share a photo of his sweet face, but until the adoption is final, they cannot share photos. Suffice it to say, he is beautiful and looks just like his big brother, Will!!<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://jeffandabbey2001.blogspot.com/">LandLife</a> for more details about their fun times as parents of three (now four) young boys.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-78639075720356705412011-10-26T16:16:00.002-06:002011-10-26T16:28:29.675-06:00Morning SurpriseThis morning as I walked across a yard to take a photo of a home I was inspecting, I came upon this scene. <br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVuHGgr3gGpmtOpLSu-WCXBtlwrm1DlaNjCW5CFt37Ir2u5Dqr8cUmGFs8qpWsu-2QDtlzGBUEio86Yg396h1v69K5KGaYPpFNPvmVyPrJug2GSGnjP99AGrR3uR9TiQLvQv4Ei6Db2ht/s1600/IMG_9910.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667928941668361426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtVuHGgr3gGpmtOpLSu-WCXBtlwrm1DlaNjCW5CFt37Ir2u5Dqr8cUmGFs8qpWsu-2QDtlzGBUEio86Yg396h1v69K5KGaYPpFNPvmVyPrJug2GSGnjP99AGrR3uR9TiQLvQv4Ei6Db2ht/s400/IMG_9910.jpg" /></a></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 241px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667928938888404642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVqdi5EHP4oUGCNoEsHju7kEs3EchCzk0WEiFY9SSwzbGncdZjEgg4q3no3BN3nd6G_UQLb6oWV80DsR3Wr0T7maFIdvhiHZIsE3_2pvGYfOBlF4Ju10oNmuR-MpvKnSD6tyhYRzI1G9sW/s400/IMG_9913.jpg" /></div><div>They never seemed terribly afraid of me as I stood (looking/sounding like a fool talking to them) there. Eventually they turned around and walked off into the woods. It just was such a sweet thing to run upon and made my day happy!<div> </div></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-44219667140986498472011-10-25T21:28:00.003-06:002011-10-25T21:33:21.993-06:00Photo Blurry - Memory ... Priceless<div>This is one of those proverbial "thousand word" photos that even though it turned out blurry, I couldn't help but want to share.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667638553308939922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc54TQ0A19mDqIQN1ZSr7jNZsI1nUnGUqBjayO_GT_Jbtx6dCw5Q3HRHd4R-QZ2wO1UOrgldNwLTFgw67VtlJNPOSMhAcxDjdOSHin17L7KrBaeRYXWwCFKPBt0EraGX4sWWWJgSEBvaf-/s400/IMG_9860+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-18512505400096474512011-10-25T20:13:00.007-06:002011-10-25T20:57:50.489-06:00Pure Bliss<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Sometimes I get so wrapped up in trying to capture the "perfect" photo that I forget that sometimes the most perfect photos are the ones that are "real". I was doing a photo shoot for my dear friend, Kirstin, yesterday at the soccer field at school. Ellie and Josh were playing on the playground when I realized I needed shade and called Josh to bring the umbrella. Ellie was so excited to get to come out on the field and "help". I captured her running across the field, hands wide, grinning from ear to ear, yelling, "Mommy!!" It was priceless.</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LHUrRNsQt4YDZU3LnaQq9bo5P3SVOtQcV6ovP56O79QP_kb2vaJdh9oQuhI76DDw_MaNsHUEfjtwbjofHHwdTQjL7NeRLP42-AFAqVoNyYI7hF-a4qyGXqnLahaTlf6jSUjKuCyF1ODn/s1600/IMG_9774+%2528Copy%2529.JPG"><font style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></font><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667623432416355986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6LHUrRNsQt4YDZU3LnaQq9bo5P3SVOtQcV6ovP56O79QP_kb2vaJdh9oQuhI76DDw_MaNsHUEfjtwbjofHHwdTQjL7NeRLP42-AFAqVoNyYI7hF-a4qyGXqnLahaTlf6jSUjKuCyF1ODn/s400/IMG_9774+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjnO_U1qklUojip3w6M9bKcGzvia0KzW0MM1SpQpsLR8aXEYId6TAZzT8VhwTWb-88IaJBwAJXbs8-rNVeP8jioWf-O1gS11zPrfWSq47FrPcYViYT8tZT6PpLymnL1Wm-IaolIogwnEy/s1600/IMG_9775+%2528Copy%2529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667623426725197042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjnO_U1qklUojip3w6M9bKcGzvia0KzW0MM1SpQpsLR8aXEYId6TAZzT8VhwTWb-88IaJBwAJXbs8-rNVeP8jioWf-O1gS11zPrfWSq47FrPcYViYT8tZT6PpLymnL1Wm-IaolIogwnEy/s400/IMG_9775+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQxnZAP3GHuVHtIdQVS4f-3se4SAOya7AqDhouV1nPa74_1AELHrDGv77h9BtCYfIzl-1gY2ln67FzAI2p4Gxb6A6ivQZusixjr6IKZwBKHOxUft1Mli-jReRnS_pakqC6flQ6mAEHi60/s1600/IMG_9776+%2528Copy%2529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667623423793178306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQxnZAP3GHuVHtIdQVS4f-3se4SAOya7AqDhouV1nPa74_1AELHrDGv77h9BtCYfIzl-1gY2ln67FzAI2p4Gxb6A6ivQZusixjr6IKZwBKHOxUft1Mli-jReRnS_pakqC6flQ6mAEHi60/s400/IMG_9776+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeuEmY_kCu5wWm5-Vl-vkwQpvm9r95NANxAxV-sr4YQ9au13O1XDddVOp2Uisk09eLERfwZy9I3OlnOePW3GX0O7_RqNq3HzL94NVC4tZhL2Qo0sBb1uwgFpQyQJ9qGB6tSNFvC2vpZhD/s1600/IMG_9777+%2528Copy%2529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667623415630708978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIeuEmY_kCu5wWm5-Vl-vkwQpvm9r95NANxAxV-sr4YQ9au13O1XDddVOp2Uisk09eLERfwZy9I3OlnOePW3GX0O7_RqNq3HzL94NVC4tZhL2Qo0sBb1uwgFpQyQJ9qGB6tSNFvC2vpZhD/s400/IMG_9777+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXeBCtHznBqOvTws1ea9b9XlclxnwsKSZJf3ur0seLYH95_oMZ7VlU1pqRDDCzzh0BCjEsVPXfoFbh9Bxw304qRF0EOyq5JEnlhfloRQLFU3oeYZN1hZmQS9J_ff163pGaiLT3WPgtNmF/s1600/IMG_9778+%2528Copy%2529.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667623413698231042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDXeBCtHznBqOvTws1ea9b9XlclxnwsKSZJf3ur0seLYH95_oMZ7VlU1pqRDDCzzh0BCjEsVPXfoFbh9Bxw304qRF0EOyq5JEnlhfloRQLFU3oeYZN1hZmQS9J_ff163pGaiLT3WPgtNmF/s400/IMG_9778+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></a> </div><div>And then there was the one of her playing UNDER the umbrella that Josh set up like a tent for her.</div><div> </div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667623874909602578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNDUV9Xh2Blkyuqi-nNz-XQOafTcJizU09qsEcEtmuEAzhWAsCDyS-cinjgtrhhX6UYtmlHypYnLWsMmkVx2A80QtVAYQY1X7HtYvmFhQVolMZbkilW0BsRKwDtiB-ZWkLUS-1E4-Pcn4j/s400/IMG_9797+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div> </div><div>Ellie has discovered a love for all things Iphone too. She can operate it as well, if not better, than I can. During the photo shoot, she didn't miss a beat taking photos alongside me.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667624235565390306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkchJ2AcwSJ2sjiq3TSgpdC2v_kEZGGV8mj1UMnv0k0FBYKMkmD7ekZG1NmpQHs8KwxVXQi-vUP3iuBTl-c2rs7SyWZWp8xZVdaPMbtIXFvXEeGzS6WM2IvQBsjDBEMjkoNsPZ34Kq_wWb/s400/IMG_9859+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 267px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667624228532824162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBNwZ_Vzggw4d7QLYuvX3DylAqPHimVGwbfDoMnO_o6snGWo5htCwMjMIrlZJrK6x6mIWyBvQitvjXB5GPAx3ICWOvywKyu1lq0LqycI3gr_IcLoF1KxjDldm7VYslBqdZC0tZjXJX1e2/s400/IMG_9857+%2528Copy%2529.JPG" /></div><div> Isn't it great when your iphone matches your outfit? :-) Leave it to Els to be concerned about that.</div><div> </div><div>And, finally, it was a good shoot. Those of you who have known me *forever* know that I used to babysit Kirstin and her brother Braiden. I started when Kirstin was in kindergarten. I have been "Miseria" to them for years and watched the grow like they were mine. What a blessing to get to take photos of Kirstin now! She has grown into such a fantastic young woman. I have a feeling we just might see her in the Olympics one day. I hope I'll be able to be there cheering her on -- and, of course, snapping a few photos of her!</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 256px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667628024490886946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pppIXkMLsAXPu3_AV2GpAvQSga_99hNoVf1foJkspO_jS7rBUTxvy9U3rpx3kB9ezd-w7we5FQv6Bh5pfdMnAjfm9GIZcorlH_mbpZR5W9ScekdA-TMw0-uD3-ZaIZZKE8nAZysEoDO7/s400/IMG_9836+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 266px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667628014362740290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIUFJotwpE3yeJ49icwco5iV5i4f9xUzyXlpyklgbvz5TfPMb1ev8d7GnDy6MwPnt1bbe8ZD0TsJy_I_52gt29LR7EUpnSVRwev3fmgqynEFH1p_AR_y4N9YigG9yrS9RsrqarhSf3iIQ/s400/IMG_9827+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" /></div><div> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 258px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667628010696777298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieruYbc2L7FXQxMWuOsnS2RLRM4Iq-aT9meaTVyE-6ic7_MrPWOgvVMqiQAVAayk2P_v8yBZkxrBk5fBx5zvP7UR3qB6DTv5Y5pBqPRE9B1g07QFk4XWRnZEXICADEk_wTqZdR6A89IswM/s400/IMG_9820+%2528Copy%2529.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-90037042694224464552011-10-23T18:36:00.002-06:002011-10-23T19:14:31.279-06:00A New Beginning<div>I am going to make a conscious effort to begin blogging again. While I may never "get it published" like I had dreamed, it has served as a wonderful/useful reference for my memory and for photos when I need something permanent.</div><div> </div><div>It seems that my life has been taken over by so much technology that I have got to begin cutting something, though. I have a Nook Color to "read" on but I can also browse the internet and check my email. It has a dozen or so apps that Ellie loves to play with, including, puzzles, read-to-me books and a paper doll app. I find pretty much all my reading materials and apps for FREE on Facebook from a page called Cheap e-books. Now, they aren't "first run" material, but I've never been one to base a book on popularity, but more often on content. So far, I have been pleasantly surprised with all the free books I've managed to accumulate. Kevin also has a Nook Color and I passed my regular Nook down to Josh in hopes he'll be able to use it for school reading. So far, however, he still prefers paper books to e-books. There is something to be sad for the "feel" of a real book, though -- something I may never fully get over in my transition to ebooks.</div><div> </div><div>I also recently purchased an Iphone. WOW. It has ALL kinds of "gadgets" and "toys" on it that I never knew I needed!! I have an app, I think, to tell me when it's time to do laundry -- crazy. (Yes, that is a joke). I know when it's time to do laundry when we can't walk through the house. </div><div>The Iphone even has a Netflix app that allows Ellie to watch her "kiddie" shows when we are on the road. </div><div> </div><div>And tomorrow is the three year anniversary of bringing Ellie home from Kyrgyzstan. Today we experience another sweet moment in her discovery of how she came to be a part of our family. She had a blanket that was Josh's when he was a baby. She asked, "Was this Josh's when he was in the orphanage." I was a little stumped. I told her that no, Josh didn't live in an orphanage. She asked where he lived. I told her he grew in my tummy and was born in a hospital. She didn't miss a beat when she said, "Oh, so this is his blanket from the hospital." We talked last week (on the day we picked her up) about her living in and leaving the orphanage. She took it with a grain of salt. I know it's early, but I want it to always be the story she remembers -- not something new and surprising for her one day. </div><div> </div><div>I can't believe it's been three years. This December, our dossier will have been in China for five years. I am sending a letter soon to pull our dossier. We are done. Our family is very much complete. We have two children with very large personalities that require lots of energy. We only have so much energy - ha! So, we continue to support other families who are trying to adopt in whatever manner we can. We continue to pray for the Kyrgyz 65 -- 65 children who were matched and ready to come home when Ellie did, but due to bureaucratic "stuff" (yes, I have another word for it), they are still stuck in orphanages. It could have been my child. I wonder regularly why it wasn't mine. I have high hopes that they will be coming home very, very soon.</div><div> </div><div>Ellie has developed into a girl who moves a lot, sleeps a little, talks NON-STOP (seriously, non-stop), can take apart a room in 10 seconds flat, loves scissors (which is why she cut her hair a few months back), art supplies/crafts, has to <em>constantly</em> be touching me. She wants to sit on me, sleep with me, hold my hand -- it's very, very sweet, but sometimes exhausting too. </div><div> </div><div>She LOVES preschool. She asks everyday where she is going that day and when it's preschool days she gets so excited. I am glad one of my kids is in love with school.</div><div> </div><div>Speaking of Josh, he will likely be changing school after Christmas. We have talked about changing him when he starts high school and had visited several schools. We have finally made a decision and decided to go ahead and let him move sooner so he will have time to adjust academically before he begins football in the spring/fall. We are hopeful that this will be a change that will benefit his life. We are entering the critical, important phase of his life where decisions will affect the rest of his life. I can't believe he will be 14 in less than a month. He has grown taller, his voice has deepened and he can, on occassion, have a "real" conversation. :-) He is a great "fix-it" guy and is my go-to guy for technology when I can't quite figure it out.</div><div> </div><div>Kevin has a new job, working from a home office. While it's a blessing to not have the gas expense, sometimes we step on each other's toes trying to both work from home. We try really hard to schedule our days in the field on opposite days so we can each have a quiet work from home day. </div><div> </div><div>I started a photography business back at the beginning of the year, Maria Latham Photography. I had planned to spend a year in growth, development and discovery. Shockingly, that year is almost over. It has been such a great year and I am excited about what is to come in the future. It is the thing I am passionate about. I love capturing moments in people's lives. It allows me to work the creative side of my brain.</div><div> </div><div>So, that's pretty much all that is exciting around our house right now -- all in all it sounds pretty dull, but it's our life. </div><div> </div><div>Hoping to do better with the blogging -- including some updated photos.</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-48632313553312085752011-08-07T20:46:00.005-06:002011-08-07T21:00:26.128-06:00Random Summer PicturesHere are some random images from this summer (and NOT in order because that takes too much time).<br /><br /><em>Josh sliding into third at the all-stars games in Dyersburg. </em><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BTILxQK4ragIbEFJlyNsbUodc48fxq6cKfYgM_PQb16OvEDpTbu-OkP40sZx1suL54Q_K_PZ_GxpKpSf5tlVhzWRZmAMpBtYbDvnHZn14WkoxGv_NhoS_15lstttvf2pKEwCqK2l0h3H/s1600/BLOG-12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311936186820818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BTILxQK4ragIbEFJlyNsbUodc48fxq6cKfYgM_PQb16OvEDpTbu-OkP40sZx1suL54Q_K_PZ_GxpKpSf5tlVhzWRZmAMpBtYbDvnHZn14WkoxGv_NhoS_15lstttvf2pKEwCqK2l0h3H/s400/BLOG-12.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Photo by my mom at the creek. Don't they look like they love each other?? </em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr8Lh47iczOpyyA_4KePaV1pJgb4GM3wVfvgmxCr1A85eXAUAXhz2v00iDcyIwaWUUj2LY3sEQ3OcVrsngwqK8gDRPNTQUHK2VjWKoItpNSF0nOXvdypT5a068TRkyxRCt_h-mx4ghUH6/s1600/blog-11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311938190066018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMr8Lh47iczOpyyA_4KePaV1pJgb4GM3wVfvgmxCr1A85eXAUAXhz2v00iDcyIwaWUUj2LY3sEQ3OcVrsngwqK8gDRPNTQUHK2VjWKoItpNSF0nOXvdypT5a068TRkyxRCt_h-mx4ghUH6/s400/blog-11.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div><em>This is how long Ellie's hair was right before she cut it. She loves to read about "Francis". I love it too because I remember it from when I was a little girl.</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFwn_8wptzUe1TE4ZyyWKUDAV3wDVjd2zCG2U6FUEgwAikJyl9KrPUhwGeQc9iX0gjE9MWMjLxkga5tyz4Xj7OWPVdBP82yzdAqnHwJ0zWwffT3P7oFNZL7po02keCNrnmllORiOsqebL/s1600/blog-10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311812659518354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFwn_8wptzUe1TE4ZyyWKUDAV3wDVjd2zCG2U6FUEgwAikJyl9KrPUhwGeQc9iX0gjE9MWMjLxkga5tyz4Xj7OWPVdBP82yzdAqnHwJ0zWwffT3P7oFNZL7po02keCNrnmllORiOsqebL/s400/blog-10.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Josh's 13 year old Allstar team</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm_YnIIv7khUYjGnlCFqUJwH95_xz1EJoF5ue2jiDsGGw8Zx0oioRvKWsTF4ymCA_qq85txpZPvVYzluHYIf1fIhpjXyV6EZIWvLRd7hkK9xmtc5vtpB6EsPvm7XD-2mDZavbtHCbZmTP/s1600/blog-9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311813367687330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglm_YnIIv7khUYjGnlCFqUJwH95_xz1EJoF5ue2jiDsGGw8Zx0oioRvKWsTF4ymCA_qq85txpZPvVYzluHYIf1fIhpjXyV6EZIWvLRd7hkK9xmtc5vtpB6EsPvm7XD-2mDZavbtHCbZmTP/s400/blog-9.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Josh and Ellie swimming in the pool in Dyersburg. It was the first time Ellie had been back in a pool since her trauma -- swimming lessons. </em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmGtzDhFH46TCqjCj0tXGVrMN8X3n6MM5kDpfM5zcAXsgMWRYQi01kencYrOPk23dpSAaVOUZq7_zRUeIK0cLi-_fjC6IkEaSl8HvDeRhWAyOOewFlaGQOH2D3cqq8Mo7dE0SH1iIyoxj/s1600/blog-8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311809264312290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPmGtzDhFH46TCqjCj0tXGVrMN8X3n6MM5kDpfM5zcAXsgMWRYQi01kencYrOPk23dpSAaVOUZq7_zRUeIK0cLi-_fjC6IkEaSl8HvDeRhWAyOOewFlaGQOH2D3cqq8Mo7dE0SH1iIyoxj/s400/blog-8.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Josh in Dyersburg.</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapbSa_kaTCCQLuUmWCpJPIKeNS0Rjg7kN9oFnlYT7OM2Fxz3M3PUJvr8omKneuuFMHQl0yFibPntx5bArybumspvMacHyu-h6aD27wXxJWVprWpo45PsDZ5gq3_Qdffb2FaaLwR-OGR2s/s1600/blog-7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311803372756402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapbSa_kaTCCQLuUmWCpJPIKeNS0Rjg7kN9oFnlYT7OM2Fxz3M3PUJvr8omKneuuFMHQl0yFibPntx5bArybumspvMacHyu-h6aD27wXxJWVprWpo45PsDZ5gq3_Qdffb2FaaLwR-OGR2s/s400/blog-7.jpg" /></a> <em>"Model" Ellie showing off mama's sunglasses -- right after she got her hair braided. ADORABLE!</em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzsKftJapc4usSQj3vQVHHRWCMtCfmU1dwpDiaXfx6PPJiRlBYCrW-MGpMrhUlCAlpas3w2xUz1x7uI-LuOIlnRxIqoP07_I6976u9Dswf6zWzUD3hkr3w7vkeocgvGm7x7Baopqy1HTK/s1600/blog-6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311805134754178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIzsKftJapc4usSQj3vQVHHRWCMtCfmU1dwpDiaXfx6PPJiRlBYCrW-MGpMrhUlCAlpas3w2xUz1x7uI-LuOIlnRxIqoP07_I6976u9Dswf6zWzUD3hkr3w7vkeocgvGm7x7Baopqy1HTK/s400/blog-6.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Ellie "chillaxing" at the ballpark on one of her favorite "blankies".</em></div><br /><div><em></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv4UDDP_8AythBAQxziXH31OVxlLPMMtkXAi617IAzaG1zb3o4DQsCbgTuEGGqBZ-_v21HZ0YKkoxSL2APmdTcP2tzfFtNXSoMrgMTz-oUgOFA98zW4ElCr-gaUsf6MUBoG3InZTWASNh/s1600/BLOG-5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311377248247426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVv4UDDP_8AythBAQxziXH31OVxlLPMMtkXAi617IAzaG1zb3o4DQsCbgTuEGGqBZ-_v21HZ0YKkoxSL2APmdTcP2tzfFtNXSoMrgMTz-oUgOFA98zW4ElCr-gaUsf6MUBoG3InZTWASNh/s400/BLOG-5.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><em>Josh on second base -- ready!</em></div><br /><div><em></em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt0iBkB59elUO3_U85yHlN6pVbwPmanwaouDLuvRQaZ64AWpBzTjyaO9Mgff2fPmGnImJ9C9msSPPORKVsfe7Gg6FxEI3wiT9dORwHxghLjFztSRnqEijjcrDMrrYF5GiipUxX9JNW599/s1600/BLOG-4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311375528971778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt0iBkB59elUO3_U85yHlN6pVbwPmanwaouDLuvRQaZ64AWpBzTjyaO9Mgff2fPmGnImJ9C9msSPPORKVsfe7Gg6FxEI3wiT9dORwHxghLjFztSRnqEijjcrDMrrYF5GiipUxX9JNW599/s400/BLOG-4.jpg" /></a><br /><em>"THE" Haircut -- I called it the modified mullet.</em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo7pVZ8x94b63DcFACgMPHdyScsKUdNhyphenhyphen6-MT8NNb0YdBPwTa4EFFSG4VnxIBYeXZbNUsNmzo8NQM6v1LZK-ek1bNcBkEWv0Br0vUxykHo0OinWB6yvLiFDg9g4J3GR1rymnNcKmOhpOe/s1600/BLOG-3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311373403349474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo7pVZ8x94b63DcFACgMPHdyScsKUdNhyphenhyphen6-MT8NNb0YdBPwTa4EFFSG4VnxIBYeXZbNUsNmzo8NQM6v1LZK-ek1bNcBkEWv0Br0vUxykHo0OinWB6yvLiFDg9g4J3GR1rymnNcKmOhpOe/s400/BLOG-3.jpg" /></a><br /><em>Ellie's haircut afterwards. She is celebrating at her friend Natalie's birthday party.</em><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUybCV1jSFdMS6h19zD0cADIoDJN73MWnfm_hSbnZWIV0ltX0hEkaRRGiwfrFewrt9HAzclKYYrpJCd-wJnG4SHVE03r1HX-jwtyRujx3Z9ixf2UkQmY7zr3680QuOHHWq8s49GTqV5Au/s1600/BLOG-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311372163729586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUybCV1jSFdMS6h19zD0cADIoDJN73MWnfm_hSbnZWIV0ltX0hEkaRRGiwfrFewrt9HAzclKYYrpJCd-wJnG4SHVE03r1HX-jwtyRujx3Z9ixf2UkQmY7zr3680QuOHHWq8s49GTqV5Au/s400/BLOG-2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><em>Josh (#74) at the first scrimmage of the season.</em><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDyExVC1RBwimvfnaOdLpU2LWv1FeftcDLR5AQLD3sglFOV2ECJZbwiJcOO3laMGY0VAKP3v_nnB_guh9lwozvdPF6Gdsn2-5LTImAvze6GJL9sElKNzlqzSzn9JkkXswF8f5B7Mp3WRw/s1600/BLOG-1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 273px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638311372012585730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWDyExVC1RBwimvfnaOdLpU2LWv1FeftcDLR5AQLD3sglFOV2ECJZbwiJcOO3laMGY0VAKP3v_nnB_guh9lwozvdPF6Gdsn2-5LTImAvze6GJL9sElKNzlqzSzn9JkkXswF8f5B7Mp3WRw/s400/BLOG-1.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-65069742383883309672011-08-07T20:00:00.002-06:002011-08-07T20:23:36.748-06:00WOW -- Life is going so quickly!!I have taken a two week hiatus from work. I needed the time to get our life back together, back on track and ready for school. I have worked at this job for nine years and don't remember EVER having two weeks off. I'm beyond excited. Of course, not getting paid won't be such a great thing, but there is more important things right now that need to get done.<br /><br />So, I'm doing a quickie blog post to try to cram everything in our lives in one post. Possible? Probably not.<br /><br />Summer has flown by so quickly that I would swear we didn't get one. School starts back next week for Josh and on the 23rd for Ellie. I think she is looking forward to getting back to her friends. Josh, not so much.<br /><br />Summer held lots of time at the baseball park with Josh. He was chosen to play on the All-Star team this year and we travelled to Dyersburg for the State tournaments. We didn't place, but the boys did well and it was fun going, being with friends and getting away a little bit.<br /><br />Kevin has a new job and it allows him to work from home. Of course, he still works in the field quite a bit, but his primary base of operations is a home office. We have YET to get the office cleared out to make him an "appropriate" office, but hopefully during my two weeks off we can get that done. <br /><br />Consignment has been going hot and heavy and I have completed two and have two more to go before Fall season is over for me. I'm glad to report they have spread them out some so I'm not doing back to back to back. I have gotten some great finds for Ellie's fall clothes. We haven't been looking for <em>any</em> toys or large items this time because the girl has more than she can/will play with. As a matter of fact, we are trying to weed things down some. <br /><br />Speaking of Ellie, she had a riot of passage this summer when she cut her hair. I was working consignment and she was upstairs while Kevin was working. Later that evening we found the PILE of hair all around her room. This was a Sunday. I was SICK to my stomach. Rebecca, who cuts our hair, was off on Monday but I called and begged and she made a special trip in to cut it Monday evening. Ellie is now sporting an ever-so-cute little wedge/bob cut. She pulls it off incredibly, but the first day she went to MDO, she wore a hat and wouldn't take it off. I think we are past that now, but occasionally she mentions how she wants long hair again.<br /><br />Josh has now started middle school football and that has been a totally new experience. We have been so spoiled with such a great team with the Vikings that this year's change has been ... interesting. Not bad, really, just different. I suppose I don't do change well. We've had one scrimmage and another for Monday night before we open the season. I'll reserve judgment for a few weeks about how I think the team will do this year. I think it's too early to tell.<br /><br />And, like the blink of an eye, summer passed and so did Josh's middle school years. Seems like it was yesterday he started middle school and now this will be his last year (8th grade). Don't blink, someone said. I get it.<br /><br />We are all still dealing with the loss of my dad in January this year. Yes, I suppose it gets "easier" if you will, but it still hits hard sometimes and at the craziest moments. Today it was while I was clipping coupons and saw one for Efferdent. I used to pass those on to my mom for him. <br /><br />I started my photography business this year, Maria Latham Photography, and am pleased with how it is coming along. It is one of the other reasons I needed to have small break -- to get some things done/caught up there. I am hopeful it will continue to grow because it is something I truly LOVE to do -- it is my passion. It is where I can experience creativity and get lost in myself and my work. It makes me happy and proud.<br /><br />So, that's pretty much all that has gone on with us, I suppose. Somehow, life stays REALLY busy to just be this much. I joke and say that I didn't realize that I would have the "Hormone Trifecta" going on in my house -- a 13 year old going through puberty, a 3 year old asserting her drama/defiance/independence and a 40 (something!!) who has been hit with hot flashes that could take down the best of them. Life is ALWAYS interesting in our house. Is it hot in here to anyone else??Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-82607759175993593412011-05-25T21:21:00.003-06:002011-05-25T22:21:01.682-06:00Easter 2011(This is a back post since I am so behind).<br /><br />I spent a lot of time before Easter wondering how it would be. One of my favorite and most recent memories of my dad was from Easter last year. We had lunch at our house and then afterwards we had egg hunts for the kids and daddy went outside to fly kites with the kids. It was just a sweet day.<br /><br />This year, Kevin's mom took us out to eat for Easter the weekend before Easter and mom took us out to eat on Easter. By the way, if you go to Red Lobster on Easter Sunday in the middle of a tornado warning, there will not be a wait to get a table. File that away for future reference.<br /><br />It was a rainy kind of morning and I didn't get any really good photos of the kiddos before (or after) church.<br /><br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/mblatham/JoshAndEllieApril2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCJT7jpClg-mRxwE&feat=embedwebsite#5610859861551008402"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BEoqr55nUoA/Td3HUQQ-ypI/AAAAAAAA-uc/3Gg51umEpeg/s800/100_5307.JPG" width="600" height="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UWehRbGiDV2-k3xPWdMMnEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LOwv_nGDvnw/Td3HX39PidI/AAAAAAAA-u4/ECI2JhuDEMs/s800/100_5313.JPG" width="800" height="600" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />The Easter bunny came and brought goodies to both Josh and Ellie. I love this little outfit Ellie was wearing. Her Aunt Rhonda got it for her and while it's not pjs, she likes to wear it as pjs. Check out the hair too!<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A2lpUrO1CwQxhvHuoxSz2kV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl3Wd5LUvKct78lCa99OTE3aSSP2tBBc7DTL0Dnhn3CSIUX0Z3HnFM7qb8Y6fGEv4SM5L6kt8KD4S5OUZ8lsG8kkQSiBzvS44DNUfahQyhluxzqc0U_tJeusZqh743vJmy1ESCSPjLqLzN/s800/101_5286.JPG" width="800" height="600" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/EKIEAAmGkC_Cpg2-v2JEmUV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Z4XJqR9cpko/Td3HM8eZMPI/AAAAAAAA-ts/q1v4Q6UE_04/s800/100_5291.JPG" width="800" height="600" /></a><br /></center><br />Josh looks like he just rolled out of bed -- oh wait, he did!<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/A1i1ZhzBXcwDvjmyGS1kmEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--ogRFnXN5D0/Td3HQERDAvI/AAAAAAAA-uA/u9vjyDk8guk/s800/100_5297.JPG" width="600" height="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/sC9PrK98rrVJf-Eg6-HzZ0V5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e4xa0bHCIgg/Td3HTCkEUXI/AAAAAAAA-uU/RMa_kQjbSOQ/s800/100_5304.JPG" width="600" height="800" /></a><br /></center><br />When we got home, we had our annual egg hunt. We have separate hunts for Josh and for Ellie. Josh hides Ellies and this year we let Ellie help hide Josh's eggs.<br /><br />Even though it is blurry, I love this picture of Ellie RUNNING down the hill toward an egg. She does everything with wild abandon!<br /><br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/TI6D3nqazx9BIVsz0pPaxkV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-YzAbydJ3chY/Td3KraVPwrI/AAAAAAAA-xE/LgNkrycY2oU/s800/IMG_5289.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xJyIMyjbDIsWkhFAxeFu_kV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bnAnaG03dhA/Td3LIEqV5EI/AAAAAAAA-xc/IcZT9HBOCXo/s800/IMG_5294.JPG" width="533" height="800" /></a><br /></center><br />Josh thought he was clever hiding Ellie's eggs in the back of her tricycle.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6WadjSo8smZ9OmT6Uslh3UV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U1CYOAaN7UQ/Td3LZ_9iZEI/AAAAAAAA-xw/uCVL8jOSoTM/s800/IMG_5299.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />MeeMee helped Ellie find a few eggs.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/e1hYWBCApRI0ktuIuF6cJEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--95TRJ_KDhU/Td3LppwuIOI/AAAAAAAA-yE/dn-D04H5uG8/s800/IMG_5303.JPG" width="533" height="800" /></a><br /></center><br />Josh won't think the reporting of this is funny, but MAN, it was funny. While he was trying to find his eggs, he hit a muddy spot (from the rains earlier in the day) and his feet flew out from under him and down he went. I think we were all shocked and just stared at him for a bit before I managed to ask him if he was ok.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AiDt4RgvDROHiOwmw7jcpEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jys8uUaJS4U/Td3OXykiK_I/AAAAAAAA-zA/MvzZyQsmLjg/s800/IMG_5311.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XuuAYr18mleOM5jVEZDr2EV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jnmWCQfvStU/Td3OhvRkRDI/AAAAAAAA-zI/oVqVeE8taVI/s800/IMG_5315.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OdTTylBw99vkQeouaty1EUV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9WcbTXb_19EMtwcG2BMXXUM1Uch9qZOI59rUBCSzck5QvRqgCVv_APZc1WGZ7-9Mpt3gpWv0yQVxLtmTuoW6Hxk-2eDqPPhRJnU5JUqC0xYKNUgm0dvvb1vVlmsu7sA9I3vjrFt2IcuXC/s800/IMG_5316.JPG" width="533" height="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vMUI3dUhHBDMrw9OgDRdGkV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Ncw_o_8PWU/Td3PYHmdJJI/AAAAAAAA-z0/qQDEN0Rqf1k/s800/IMG_5325.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9mxJ3xQ4ahhV1IaTKkjqvEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNSE27cD4U5jdExdkTsaJPtea5ZSy5yFufBzh1AFxjRRfUV7PU1F3REineSdzBcM6lI0fKmWcLbg8cpksnpUXQ9gi5r4eQbe32M5hZ8VF_qVsp-vupjp-2LT6E8iQbALPArxXHlA7SuB66/s800/IMG_5329.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />I love seeing smiles on his face -- they seem really rare these days.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cnn5o2A9Jesdoxb7Cy-cyEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSeFkBLK2E6HhubcsxXXtAT_BcY7wtwPTYu_3Oa5OsHy-F3loD84rQTb7cfyljtBZbzAo4G92-JQZGNSWAb5dBN4OUBPheyidHeNXjM9ELo2o3y1Azx2yHd_vNYyBk1GgFRpw_JBWJpwnx/s800/IMG_5309.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /></center><br />And look at THIS face!! He's such a jokester sometimes.<br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/nbnzPLeCnG6Rv92vESlsVEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0dcdvRuquiQ/Td3MMYAeZ6I/AAAAAAAA-yk/zZqEs4MVgHc/s800/IMG_5310.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /></center><br /><br />In honor of Daddy, Josh and Kevin tried to fly Josh's new kite. They got it up once really well and then it crash landed.<br /><br /><br /><center><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_oKDaAPWME0l6HvlVRiy5UV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiJJImnwIp-ZJGT4Tg0JyappyRRa2bEJXaoYdP8kA8PrrJ_zoIRbcNjaBQsNC5t1LdCJP3TiAa9xBUHnnoSvvVoyMx77vMAVb4xLCQJVLiXQXzJgGIHj-drAmrJhkZZrBcsXgUQzJU31Oq/s800/IMG_5334.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NLEYuWzUhnWwQwvKBf1smkV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Ie5TxNeEscI/Td3SSIGu2aI/AAAAAAAA-1E/4qhfVv993cQ/s800/IMG_5335.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kc-APAv98rFe3B9mHKrFSEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5tyEhQyVXcw/Td3S4yGW2tI/AAAAAAAA-1g/jP7WjTUM_OU/s800/IMG_5344.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Jn0Ri0RABLAkVOZkIQVdhEV5OE7l4nBTq6sPsjQm_Zc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ApO1185K3lg/Td3TEuduwGI/AAAAAAAA-1w/aLBTKm3ZOhI/s800/IMG_5345.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /></center>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-55508232972933115262011-05-25T20:10:00.004-06:002011-05-25T20:30:31.256-06:00Is it just me or am I too sheltered?Today I had to stop in a less than savory part of town to buy gas. I was so far down past "E" I was afraid I couldn't make it much further down the road, so I stopped at a station where I would not have normally stopped. I went in -- another thing I normally wouldn't do -- because I was thirsty and wanted to get some water.<br /><br />As I was standing there waiting to pay, I glanced around at some of the "offerings" in the store. Keep in mind I had already passed a c*nd*m display on my way to the register. Then I saw the magazine stand. Of course, I was not nearly as shocked at the girly magazines as I was the one I saw on the bottom of the stand: <em>The High Times</em>. Again, I needed that video camera following me around as they watched the cogs in my head start to turn.<br /><br />I am pretty sure that my mouth fell open as I stood there.<br /><br />Cover story from this issue: <em>Build Your Ultimate Grow Room</em>. Really? No. Can't be, I think to myself.<br /><br />I'm a little naive. I'm wondering (<em>seriously</em>) if this is a gardening magazine. I'm trying to see the photo on the cover to see what it is (it IS a plant after all; it might be broccoli or something).<br /><br />Another heading confused me a little more: <em>Grow Big Buds in Small Spaces</em>. Ok, so this is a FLOWER magazine, right???<br /><br />The bottom story title: <em>Stoner Conservatives</em>. I'm starting, at this point, to think it might not be a gardening magazine. I didn't DARE go pick it up because what if the police come in while I'm perusing <em>The High Times</em>. I resolve to go home and investigate more.<br /><br />I leave the store wondering HOW in the WORLD they can be selling a magazine about m*riju*na in a CONVENIENCE STORE????? It's illegal to buy, sell and grow here so how can there be a magazine detailing <em>how to do it</em>. I ponder this the entire time I pump gas. And then, of course, it leaves me until I get home and bring it up with Kevin.<br /><br />I came home and googled it to see if that was <em>really</em> what it was (still holding hope on the gardening angle). I told Kevin that should I die and they search my computer to PLEASE make sure he told them why I was googling this magazine. It is billed as the voice of the m*riju*na community. Seriously? Wow.<br /><br />I am too sheltered, I think. I like it in my little bubble.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-29571307793437835342011-05-24T21:34:00.004-06:002011-05-24T21:53:34.434-06:00Cicada DramaI am SUCH a girl.<br /><br />Cicadas have hit Middle Tennessee. For those of you who don't have a clue what a cicada is, here is a photo of one.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610492498194274530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUq_GOGX9YcCdNyWSzTarsP51W8Sab9T_xh8BTeoBEwQGYsi6INIRJqFDk1itxQJUF1mG7OHxMtYbUyVvcYVtIhiBGQ4rEZUEty8VvSAL32QJZHMMybfg46lwokbOzsv6vOPfDDcpRzfE/s400/cicadas.jpg" /><br />Mealy looking creatures aren't they? It's been thirteen years since they were in the Middle Tennessee area, and honestly, I don't really remember them. That's not surprising since I don't remember what I had for dinner last night either.<br /><br /><br /><p>My understanding is they can number up to 1.5 million per acre. I saw or heard most of that 1.5 million today and the ones I didn't see or hear hit my windshield as I drove down the road. I could actually SEE piles of them dead on the interstate. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Eewwwww</span>... gross.</p><br /><p>Cicadas live on tree roots underground for 13 years then crawl out, shedding their shells (which is what I've been crunching on as I've walked through yards the last week) and then this week they've begun to "sing" (the males' mating call). Overall, I suppose they are harmless, except ....</p><br /><p>They might cause you to hurt yourself, or, oh, I don't know, jump out of your car with it still rolling ... or something. I'm just saying.</p><br /><p>Today as I was driving to my next house, I noticed something (large) black on my white skirt. I immediately figured out it was a cicada. Now, surprisingly, I didn't scream or jump or anything. I reached over, grabbed my work camera and snapped a picture of it (thinking I might gross out Beth Collins with the picture). Turns out it was blurry. Oh well.</p><br /><p>And then it moved.<br />And that's where things went south.</p><br /><p>I could see the street I was turning on. I was running mental calculations at record speed to see if I thought I could get to that road and pull over before this MONSTER BUG climbed further up my skirt and might even start flying around my face.</p><br /><p>I pulled in to the road just as bug-eyes made his move up my leg in rapid form. I jumped out of the car with GREAT intentions of flipping him off my skirt and then getting back in the car and going on. It was THEN I realized that I didn't put the car in park AND it was sitting on a hill. If the mental calculations were fast before, they were lightning speed at this point. I'm sure there was steam flying out of my ears as I jumped BACK in the car, putting on the brake, putting the car in park and jumping RIGHT BACK OUT as I saw that the darned cicada was still attached to my skirt and climbing his way back up.</p><br /><p>I managed to get back out without letting him loose in the car, flicked him off, got back in the car and realized that if I had ONLY had a video camera handy, I could have been $10,000 richer because this HAD to have been a RIOT to watch.</p><br /><p>I don't like cicadas.</p>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-9346201936140444052011-05-18T21:30:00.002-06:002011-05-18T21:53:01.145-06:00New Look - Fresh StartI should be entering paperwork. I should be picking up all the little magnet letters all over the floor, including the one I just fished out of the recliner while looking for the remote. But my heart screams, "BLOG" so I am. <br /><br />I miss my blog. I miss "thinking" in blog style. I miss being able to look back over the past months' entries and watching our lives.<br /><br />I've missed a lot in the last several months, but it hasn't been any less full; if anything, it is due to the fullness of my life that I haven't had (didn't take) time to blog.<br /><br />I think, in all honesty, I've attempted my best to deal with my dad's death by making myself astronomically busy. If I were busy before, I've become off the charts lately.<br /><br />After spending several months not knowing quite <em>what</em> to do with myself, I decided it was <em>time</em> to get my photography business up and running and to put in the attention it deserved. To that end, I have launched my own business, <a href="http://www.marialathamphotography.blogspot.com/"><em>Maria Latham Photography</em></a><em> </em>and have honestly been thoroughly enjoying it. Of course, I still have my primary job (insurance inspections), and my <em>real </em>job (mom), which takes up a wee bit of my time as well. But this has been something I feel passionate about.<br /><br />Josh spent his first season playing soccer as a Sycamore Middle School Knight. It was nice to be back with some of the people we started out with in sports with Josh's early on soccer years. Since then, he has done spring training with the Knights football team. He is such a great football player. I love to see him do well on the field. I love to watch him play. Football is over (it was just a two week spring program) until fall training starts in July. Even before it was over, baseball practice started. We have our first game Saturday. Since it is 13/14 league, I think we will travel a bit more than we did in year's past.<br /><br />Ellie has really come into her own in the last several months, especially since turning three. I think my last post was on the eve of her birthday and party. I will try to post some photos catching up on her birthday, Easter and a few other fun things we have done in the last few months. I can't get over how long her hair is finally getting and how beautiful it is. It has the most beautiful highlights and easy curl. She has really developed a mind of her own. She likes to pick out her own clothes most all the time. Her preference: tutus or ballerina clothes. I've tried to get her signed up for a dance class but have been hitting a dead end on all turns it seems. She is <em>definitely</em> going to be something artistic. She loves music, dancing, being dramatic and commanding attention of others. She has done so well in preschool this year, and tomorrow night is her preschool graduation/promotion ceremony. Her class is singing several songs -- should be fun!!<br /><br />During the past several months, Kevin lost his job -- only to be rehired back by the same company. We aren't sure how long this will last, so he continues to look for another job that is more suited to his background and education as well as one that is closer to home.<br /><br />So much more to write and report. I think I'll just update the blog with some new photos from our lives over the last few months.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-66385135119166638842011-03-30T21:55:00.002-06:002011-05-18T22:44:44.336-06:00Ellie's Birthday Party<div>A Strawberry Shortcake Themed Party that was fit for a Princess!</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Chef Ellie helped bake her birthday cake -- a strawberry cake made from scratch that was YUMMY. Does she look happy about this process or what?? </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608282404629161570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEuoczhvSlk3LYu08Ao8STjV8fttU6jqAhSSRc3rIh4YXsZmKjSFwfcby3_ptgmuQDRBq9yv6O0WOz3ZvhMePke1nmX37gHlez4v5vUOvkUXBOc1hIm_dDw6iE1CTjvUPurmubsLn6zJeE/s400/IMG_4398.JPG" /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpwJH7xNusYGqDRkvEIt91BvYwA0EvdfgpY09VcbCGXTMYKObDRInqwj60egVmKwgwaMjtAazrkHDCIbksJ7KSg_1ZjRpsP9_TeGyVfEunUCozHmm6MWZuN6KurLXr-rzQwUmm5XaI422/s1600/IMG_4401.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608275390866422162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDpwJH7xNusYGqDRkvEIt91BvYwA0EvdfgpY09VcbCGXTMYKObDRInqwj60egVmKwgwaMjtAazrkHDCIbksJ7KSg_1ZjRpsP9_TeGyVfEunUCozHmm6MWZuN6KurLXr-rzQwUmm5XaI422/s400/IMG_4401.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmcx1O4zO33XPcEroaNDqbaXcu7l9zp-QP_QOfizsgB6fZceAgaZ2gZZlSjNxJlN6L7zTLkMkeR-Hq7evv1sQny7V_9p7J0pZWCun9rq0mzYOyEGOl2cmbkSGXAeRruirrRuPIhpRnAxB/s1600/IMG_4405.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608275386772601106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmcx1O4zO33XPcEroaNDqbaXcu7l9zp-QP_QOfizsgB6fZceAgaZ2gZZlSjNxJlN6L7zTLkMkeR-Hq7evv1sQny7V_9p7J0pZWCun9rq0mzYOyEGOl2cmbkSGXAeRruirrRuPIhpRnAxB/s400/IMG_4405.JPG" /></a><br />And let me say that I won't EVER be quitting my job to go into cake decorating. I waited too late to get Kenya to do Ellie's birthday cake (she had a wedding) and so I decided I could make a fondant icing Strawberry Shortcake cake <em>all by myself</em>. What WAS I THINKING???</div><br /><br /><div>My mother in law, Mary, came for the party and helped the night before. It took two of us and we still didn't do a great job of putting the fondant on. We stayed up until the wee hours of the morning trying to get the cake just right. You'll see the final result a little farther down the page.<br />Here is a sweet picture of Ellie with Aunt Jeanne.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-tIaDf5AXG6khOmKlVd4W3UU4fW09UQGJgVoplSbx1_mU8bxRQzC6EdENqOfVAphC8BKCUhpILUidKQ1KWTPmwrycNIv2JMSzLgVoTO4xNbBW-uRmWUyjThNybhhK_6PDH75sY0aVWqb/s1600/IMG_4414.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608275383975366962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-tIaDf5AXG6khOmKlVd4W3UU4fW09UQGJgVoplSbx1_mU8bxRQzC6EdENqOfVAphC8BKCUhpILUidKQ1KWTPmwrycNIv2JMSzLgVoTO4xNbBW-uRmWUyjThNybhhK_6PDH75sY0aVWqb/s400/IMG_4414.JPG" /></a><br />The train table was a bit hit with all the kiddos. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuIbYCDfPDEbkiVBh8pnhGgPxgnHGdF4wvlhvZsPSEWuMXdzZrDaVzMU7weN920P8a1SG8rxWcgg9OJxAS13QP5yX88PEPV07WkHSKc3ZUhc82R4TeQk5t-oTjVLqPykRxs4AE-CufpsP/s1600/IMG_4417.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608274715037969970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuIbYCDfPDEbkiVBh8pnhGgPxgnHGdF4wvlhvZsPSEWuMXdzZrDaVzMU7weN920P8a1SG8rxWcgg9OJxAS13QP5yX88PEPV07WkHSKc3ZUhc82R4TeQk5t-oTjVLqPykRxs4AE-CufpsP/s400/IMG_4417.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LV9qpAuhP4QukPVsx2X9l58ta4fPZ5uivaoWRDO1g-PCH32-b7eUdKxgH-7o9aVWNAsCg9sVIxlOuyNN1VxF_XPzKNgAVmS3KPwRYzutYJGnt6Wtorfz1n3zHfNHEIPHtu5aE7TiOzdA/s1600/IMG_4420.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608274715146864194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LV9qpAuhP4QukPVsx2X9l58ta4fPZ5uivaoWRDO1g-PCH32-b7eUdKxgH-7o9aVWNAsCg9sVIxlOuyNN1VxF_XPzKNgAVmS3KPwRYzutYJGnt6Wtorfz1n3zHfNHEIPHtu5aE7TiOzdA/s400/IMG_4420.JPG" /></a><br />This screams, "It's my party and I'll pout if I want to" doesn't it???<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZJCp38z0T5pfs0FJZ3XP63MqbvJ0Z1InYWqxYsRdP45BhwWFmYtpC276nJj9EsJdLk0eMpX-4l__t36xiJLTuZx0bbK_Fs03qvfaeWRMR6dVbtUAtyZSuK6IxYr2RmHMvC57ewMpczCA/s1600/IMG_4421.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608274710422724210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZJCp38z0T5pfs0FJZ3XP63MqbvJ0Z1InYWqxYsRdP45BhwWFmYtpC276nJj9EsJdLk0eMpX-4l__t36xiJLTuZx0bbK_Fs03qvfaeWRMR6dVbtUAtyZSuK6IxYr2RmHMvC57ewMpczCA/s400/IMG_4421.JPG" /></a><br />It was a riot watching these three boys all sitting in the floor <em>glued</em> to the Strawberry Shortcake movie.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3s9SZ-ySMYcH3fDHJ1XGXNaLGgZ33pYTZkf10gB0WEGC9ufYO36T9GkHQB2x8602C7uioJ-9Tx-eoBAM74w-ykgsGc-eJGgAzV9qS3URfGFaRumFtD4P2LWC8HyhdSZInoD4TCf5yd0q/s1600/IMG_4423.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608274704938996066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB3s9SZ-ySMYcH3fDHJ1XGXNaLGgZ33pYTZkf10gB0WEGC9ufYO36T9GkHQB2x8602C7uioJ-9Tx-eoBAM74w-ykgsGc-eJGgAzV9qS3URfGFaRumFtD4P2LWC8HyhdSZInoD4TCf5yd0q/s400/IMG_4423.JPG" /></a>This was one of the two tables of goodies we had to eat: cupcakes with strawberry filling, strawberry Crush soda, strawberry lemonade, chocolate covered pretzel sticks, sweet and sour meatballs, chili cheese dip, strawberry "whoopie pies", cake balls, spinach artichoke dip, BLT dip, peanut butter/jelly sandwiches (mini-shaped sized), and a veggie tray.<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608277881147346354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6C86AIfFT8lIKrR3NQcNJRwG2tpgiPmsS29LCa0a9jN8B4YvVGETTq_ynQSlPSCau_gWx1vGWQQ5XkGaRSthjdL13SZ4uwL-eoKn6dBETS1MHvyC10se16jrI6e9WEV-HHW_Bt5vWFjNs/s400/IMG_4426.JPG" /> <br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww6WIk33cs8IFvVuIRJgxsj8qw4WCcgWboBJo_Q9m5Vq62jD4RYyoLcvg11OMkt9cBKTRj5wo4ikGbuuDQBYfp3bLku9xq1mCLBP3cI5twTIneNML5bXyfyaUTtLG-6-YXIEeHgO6frfZ/s1600/IMG_4427.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608274700408060962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjww6WIk33cs8IFvVuIRJgxsj8qw4WCcgWboBJo_Q9m5Vq62jD4RYyoLcvg11OMkt9cBKTRj5wo4ikGbuuDQBYfp3bLku9xq1mCLBP3cI5twTIneNML5bXyfyaUTtLG-6-YXIEeHgO6frfZ/s400/IMG_4427.JPG" /></a><br />Ellie's BFF, Addie, was checking out one of Ellie's presents from Ava.</div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlYKPmw7u8cLjycZaQ5THwAmvSeAq7G28XRmhpgt-3eu_MkuMJb4wurZq4dmxZ2A00AEMweP0XS44wTDcWAxb0PTTpwH8Sd2d3gf5l1CQau9f6pUE23ncoo2K_38R5qtWO9i3t3xKxFk6/s1600/IMG_4444.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608273177953629010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDlYKPmw7u8cLjycZaQ5THwAmvSeAq7G28XRmhpgt-3eu_MkuMJb4wurZq4dmxZ2A00AEMweP0XS44wTDcWAxb0PTTpwH8Sd2d3gf5l1CQau9f6pUE23ncoo2K_38R5qtWO9i3t3xKxFk6/s400/IMG_4444.JPG" /></a><br />AND .... the previosly mentioned cake...</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_X_dhI5viS1j4Zl6hNzy6U-KjDOLBVqb_4tmEcieBlKDqmrsu0PklOwvv4GQI91HAYoahuV_Vzcks698PRsLPRJBnWZpxHjcGB2XXTFDGSOvDZAlkdoeJgKUfUD5ItsEIW2HDP1BLdEE/s1600/IMG_4407.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608273174966955906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_X_dhI5viS1j4Zl6hNzy6U-KjDOLBVqb_4tmEcieBlKDqmrsu0PklOwvv4GQI91HAYoahuV_Vzcks698PRsLPRJBnWZpxHjcGB2XXTFDGSOvDZAlkdoeJgKUfUD5ItsEIW2HDP1BLdEE/s400/IMG_4407.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeCVND8YRiiko5g5uYn8exQyrhG55RRiDA5xqoUeHF95kWW2aDTcyWQ8OV-vnCyVtFj4RPqrsQppZJmf4sIYf6-oPlGoPkyDSq5xZonmNGrGYO1vmIcgrtNO1s3hTZarYWducjEwAIp2b/s1600/IMG_4406.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608273171238935778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeCVND8YRiiko5g5uYn8exQyrhG55RRiDA5xqoUeHF95kWW2aDTcyWQ8OV-vnCyVtFj4RPqrsQppZJmf4sIYf6-oPlGoPkyDSq5xZonmNGrGYO1vmIcgrtNO1s3hTZarYWducjEwAIp2b/s400/IMG_4406.JPG" /></a>Crazy, that's all I can say. But, Ellie loved it, and that is all that mattered in the end. I mean, look at this face.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9J2u2sxkNx0HPcY07QR0RMVKRcm8XB9QD6Sxz2aePl2WiA5uyb4MLFv21IFsVBoYmg0h5HnNBHLxkMSKXBsroIO1I-RYG239GQJ2k-z_4woe9-4WtVcV2F5Qi8orE-QEw7CMZ5RLMeI7/s1600/IMG_4454.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608273161926565106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP9J2u2sxkNx0HPcY07QR0RMVKRcm8XB9QD6Sxz2aePl2WiA5uyb4MLFv21IFsVBoYmg0h5HnNBHLxkMSKXBsroIO1I-RYG239GQJ2k-z_4woe9-4WtVcV2F5Qi8orE-QEw7CMZ5RLMeI7/s400/IMG_4454.JPG" /></a><br />Blowing out three sweet candles.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhTfZM4o5LHIkBE9YPsWvqud5Ob-NHPXH06a5agLEOKFAt9oHBCxByRAXKDGsyfArwEKxnylzR0LaD6Pl0bc8GrULlzgcsufpeiYn839hTTH6fwIb5WOvTpoXU55IB0nVs9b18Vlm76MT/s1600/IMG_4455.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608271913874221010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhTfZM4o5LHIkBE9YPsWvqud5Ob-NHPXH06a5agLEOKFAt9oHBCxByRAXKDGsyfArwEKxnylzR0LaD6Pl0bc8GrULlzgcsufpeiYn839hTTH6fwIb5WOvTpoXU55IB0nVs9b18Vlm76MT/s400/IMG_4455.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>Wonder if she wished for anything?<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DUOuBN5aB8Pek-TnTNiOiuUID1azxxb0dKh9pBd9XYH2j9cCQX1nFzBEieuteBvoHIO65JNIoSzn4ax9NXA6X2ALKYoumTjsUTDj9ECyXVaYmNFGZGogFZNlm0nJj-i_qRvTndS2TlfQ/s1600/IMG_4458.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608271911565279730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DUOuBN5aB8Pek-TnTNiOiuUID1azxxb0dKh9pBd9XYH2j9cCQX1nFzBEieuteBvoHIO65JNIoSzn4ax9NXA6X2ALKYoumTjsUTDj9ECyXVaYmNFGZGogFZNlm0nJj-i_qRvTndS2TlfQ/s400/IMG_4458.JPG" /></a><br />Ellie and Maverick are <em>definitely</em> cut from the same cloth -- go, go, go and play, play and play.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIiS_rwihYXXIw8ERkISdrNlncCQrDMfm2G-OgG18Sr4avpKoeVKUFZh_ReztpmHgUfAiKpGIvWxrMkcw-0zaeujWgDudWjFTA1MkuBtW8_NSq_M2ewUlJcUosI10qxz1rd9nMx0efhSt/s1600/IMG_4462.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608271903950808898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIiS_rwihYXXIw8ERkISdrNlncCQrDMfm2G-OgG18Sr4avpKoeVKUFZh_ReztpmHgUfAiKpGIvWxrMkcw-0zaeujWgDudWjFTA1MkuBtW8_NSq_M2ewUlJcUosI10qxz1rd9nMx0efhSt/s400/IMG_4462.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>Katherine and Princess Ellie</div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsH30G4bT1SudIJXhYGeM-nVahyphenhyphent45vxV01vJ090rgpOQYDGtJYcp2Rrocr7LI4gvzaSZC4WhXeRAhuklh5uiOFmsEZAT0UZVQZI4GlVUH6kXWROB_1MuKaulMNEPqtmJO5ZbxReN7w9z/s1600/IMG_4475.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608271902655483026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsH30G4bT1SudIJXhYGeM-nVahyphenhyphent45vxV01vJ090rgpOQYDGtJYcp2Rrocr7LI4gvzaSZC4WhXeRAhuklh5uiOFmsEZAT0UZVQZI4GlVUH6kXWROB_1MuKaulMNEPqtmJO5ZbxReN7w9z/s400/IMG_4475.JPG" /></a><br />"I'd like to phone a friend."</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbP8RWPn0OAsOPIJDe6_-V9tQHgu-tVsKXM1JRkPA_7u4-h4cp9XjJIBLJ86WM8SILLoLpEXhiU7EUNkQ6AhznrEB3x2DTWWiXijMECts1xVX4_Agv3VXYhi8k7cFtcddzfhMlhcmNv8E/s1600/IMG_4472.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608271895614066978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbP8RWPn0OAsOPIJDe6_-V9tQHgu-tVsKXM1JRkPA_7u4-h4cp9XjJIBLJ86WM8SILLoLpEXhiU7EUNkQ6AhznrEB3x2DTWWiXijMECts1xVX4_Agv3VXYhi8k7cFtcddzfhMlhcmNv8E/s400/IMG_4472.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>It was a lot of fun for Ellie!! She had great friends around to help her celebrate; she got so many wonderful presents AND she had cake. We had a great day celebrating this little one's life. </div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>My facebook status the day before her birthday read:</div><br /><div></div><br /><em>Somewhere in Kyrgyzstan, it's already 3/29 and a mama is certainly thinking about a birth three years ago. I hope, in her heart, she can somehow know how VERY MUCH I love this child, what a wonderful life she has and what a blessed gift she was to our family. I wish I could tell her.<br /></em><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I'll leave you with a funny quote from Ellie from the day before her birthday:</div><br /><br /><div>"Pink is not my favorite color anymore." Ellie</div><br /><div>"Really? What is your favorite color?" Me</div><br /><div>"SPARKLES" Ellie</div><br />Her new nickname? Sparkles Latham<br /><br /><br /><div>Ahh... the life of a girl who likes sparkles.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-37500638529147235842011-03-28T21:31:00.004-06:002011-03-28T21:44:57.219-06:00March is coming to an endBi-monthly updates seems to be about all I can swing these days. My heart is willing -- my energy is weak. It is the eve of Ellie's third birthday and I'm feeling all emotional and nostalgic and sad and blessed -- all rolled up and smushed together like Ellie's Play-Doh at the end of the day. I wrote the following comment on Facebook tonight: <em>Somewhere in Kyrgyzstan, it's already 3/29 and a mama is certainly thinking about a birth three years ago. I hope, in her heart, she can somehow know how VERY MUCH I love this child, what a wonderful life she has and what a blessed gift she was to our family. I wish I could tell her. </em><em></em>I am so thankful that I am the woman who was blessed to get to mother Ellie. I am sad that her birthmother lost that opportunity. Today as we had a picnic on the floor -- nothing fancy, some sandwiches and veggies with a juice pouch -- Ellie came over, sat in my lap and said, "This is the best picnic ever mama." My heart melted. When I made a (less than stellar) birthday cake for her this weekend, she looked at it and said, "Good job, mama!" What a blessing! Don't get me wrong; it's not all smiles and candy hearts at our house. We are normal and some days I don't think I'll make it through until bedtime with her cranky little (now) three-year-old self. But I would trade the beautiful moments for all those cranky moments AT ALL. I just wish that the beautiful moments of adoption weren't tinged with the heartbreaking parts of it. Today I heard Ellie talking to herself in the backseat as we were on the way to her three-year-old check up at the doctor. She was saying, "I am from Kyrgyzstan and my friend is from China and my other friend is from America." In her world, it's just <em>how it is</em>. How beautiful. Oh, that we could <em>all</em> see things that way. Anyway ... We had her birthday party this weekend and it was a LOT of fun. A future post will be dedicated to just that as it will take an entire post. Josh continue to play Xbox (all the time it seems) and soccer. I feel like I somehow have <em>lost</em> him to his room and this new solitary/I want to play with my friends life. I spoke with the doctor about it today and he said that at this age withdrawal from family is normal and that we just have to continue to promote that family time while allowing him some independence. It stinks, honestly, because I MISS HIM. I miss watching TV with him, just having him in the room. I hope this phase doesn't last long. If it does, just don't tell me and let me be ignorant -- it's bliss, I hear. Kevin's last day of work is this week. We are prayerful that something comes along quickly. God was gracious the last time this happened and provided for us just in time. I have faith that He will again. It's been a hard year, though. I wouldn't be lying if I didn't say it hasn't. A part of me spends more time than I should wondering WHY things have happened to us this year. A part of my healing, I suppose, is learning to trust the verse that tells me that His ways are not mine. I can say it all day long but actually putting it my heart and wearing it like a cloak over me is another story. That is where I'm struggling and working. I'm glad that my daddy doesn't have these earthly struggles any more and that he has been made perfect, in the image of his Savior. Some days that is enough. No pictures today because I'm saving those for the birthday party post. I do have some really cool pictures of Ellie and her friends A. and K. that I'll post soon that I took it a buttercup field. They are stunning (not because I took them, just because they are!!). I'll post those in the next post as well. For now, I'm sleepy and headed off to bed.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-77501408473625246442011-03-13T08:58:00.004-06:002011-03-13T10:47:04.750-06:00What's Going On ...<div>I have certainly been a blog slacker for quite a while now. I'm not making any promises that it will get better because it probably won't. But, I did want to capture some updates on our lives.<br /><br />I continue to struggle with the loss of my dad. Some days are really good and others make up for my having a good one. Last night I was looking back through the pictures we took at Christmas and I literally felt so sick to my stomach with longing that I thought I was going to become ill. He was so <em>alive </em>and <em>here</em> that the loss just seems so much worse. I know my mom continues to struggle much worse than I do because she has lost her best friend and partner of 48 years of marriage. I can't imagine what she goes through each day. I just try to be there as much as I can.<br /><br />The kids are keeping me busy, though, and that helps a lot. Josh has started soccer for the middle school and they have had a couple of games so far. Most games have been rained out with all the lovely rain storms we have had this spring.<br /><br />I, personally, have been blessed that there is a mom who takes pictures at the soccer games and I don't have to!! Yay -- this is certainly a treat for me to actually get to watch the game instead of photographing it. I did take my camera to the first game and got a few nice ones of Josh. Since this is his first year, he doesn't play a lot, but he did get to play keeper during one game and I know he has always enjoyed that position from when he played when he was young.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3OlO973kyhC8t0PNLSUA5g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzm3Rm6yuI/AAAAAAAA-dM/ko6zbcQflnY/s800/IMG_2965.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l0JWPY3oVEt-2X74CwEXcw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzm3W1Va9I/AAAAAAAA-dQ/-gZ3oLeytYY/s800/IMG_3693.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/l9fzM2cxFIOqk-o5ZwHf-A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzm4HzNJvI/AAAAAAAA-dY/Ad1FAUjulGA/s800/IMG_3694.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hvGqXLY_m3gRnq2xjx1nXQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzjwgq7zoI/AAAAAAAA-bA/ynJNZzo0abQ/s800/IMG_2172.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OmTxpkfdejWR8qhZY-o8Fw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzj1goS6RI/AAAAAAAA-bE/mAD2WeS1_A4/s800/IMG_2175.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KOF-qgRQKOw89pXMzC_FmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzj2a35QEI/AAAAAAAA-bQ/JIrS_012X-U/s800/IMG_2185.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/kCTkff3pbGOjVaKpCs1Z1w?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzlMxy6q7I/AAAAAAAA-cU/y_I3PPxQ0Xw/s800/IMG_2224.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br />I have spent a large part of March getting ready for and working at consignment sales. I am on my last couple of days to work and then I can (thankfully!) put that project to bed until fall! It's a lot of work, a lot of fun, and a great way to save money buying Ellie's spring clothes. I've gotten some really, really cute things for spring. If you are interested in seeing some of the things I've picked up at consignment, click the link <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=mblatham&target=ALBUM&id=5583577705343927233&authkey=Gv1sRgCJ3b1rm6q_GP_QE&feat=email">here </a>to see pictures.<br /><br />I am amazed at how much I save at consignment and how nicely Ellie can be dressed. I can buy Gymboree outfits for $5-$8. If I were to go to Walmart and buy Garanimals, they would be $3.50 per piece and would fade/shrink after the first wash. With Gymboree, I can let Ellie wear it a season and STILL sell it in consignment for almost what I paid for it. It's amazing. I can't imagine why <em>anyone</em> would pay retail for kids' clothes!<br /><br />I had a great find at the Once Around the Block Kids' consignment sale: a mom with a daughter named Ellie who was one year ahead of us!! She had monogrammed "Ellie" on a TON of cute stuff that we picked up for such a steal. Monogramming it would have cost anywhere from $5-$8 per item: pretty much what I paid for the item already monogramed. Amazing -- and such a blessing! Here are two of the items:<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/MUGBkhAsO2L229XG45iZjQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzcqJop0GI/AAAAAAAA-YE/A_cILzjV-h0/s800/IMG_2603.JPG" width="533" height="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/u1i9F_YWLPThO4PKraomNA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzdlCJc5PI/AAAAAAAA-Z0/8b0aNRU8MTY/s800/IMG_2615.JPG" width="533" height="800" /></a><br /><br />Ellie SLEPT in her bathing suit for two nights because she loved it so much. She has been very excited over all her new things from consignment this year.<br /><br />One of my favorite finds this year at consignment was a toddler bounce house for $15 -- yes, $15. I don't have a clue what they might cost in retail world, but Ellie got $15 worth of fun out of it on day one! Her hair was WILD and crazy and cracked me up standing straight out!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/yIWU-5_y6JEsxvCWoyZ6Lw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzpAH2W7mI/AAAAAAAA-eA/FJZyaFOJCUc/s800/IMG_2498.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/iBLaKLvDUh8c1bGpTBZwPw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzpQ3YBRcI/AAAAAAAA-eo/Ep8fsJybylA/s800/IMG_2504.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ww47HI6BZrii5a_3DwjMlg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0n4V6hMeyH4AfLHzJcQs3aN4oTVsi7GQXtzCEmf642F7B8gkaGh83e65ADesCP1blSisf0UXm7x30Ak2symqamE3Aw212FBZlwv9_C1q6_W0hHCPCQHNm8u9gelrsHdVEjZ0m1kvMPlUD/s800/IMG_2515.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Y4LfqWY4F5oQG84IxbSMhA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzqD1qhqwI/AAAAAAAA-g0/SNI-OnefMPw/s800/IMG_2519.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/grpKpyn6wjwbtWO1_Wm5ug?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzqWjJiqCI/AAAAAAAA-hY/dwS1a4RBdCo/s800/IMG_2524.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fFfZMs1yAoenr7INeo5QPw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzrjO3B6SI/AAAAAAAA-j0/VIDE0AlnYAQ/s800/IMG_2541.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br />I think you can actually SEE the sparks on the ends of her hair on this one - haha!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xtMn6GeUlWxYGzzeLs6o9A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzrouBi32I/AAAAAAAA-j8/Q7lwehUUrhI/s800/IMG_2542.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br />While I was snapping Ellie in her bounce house, Josh and Bear were having some "boy and his dog" time. They SO love each other!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/dthLJeDpPuCCzqEq-vmxIA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzqvQzyc0I/AAAAAAAA-hw/4pu7kOQ7aLc/s800/IMG_2528.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/toplj00uycXTPsy5K-RMQQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TXzqg9aMSUI/AAAAAAAA-hk/hhEzvk4Hdvo/s800/IMG_2527.JPG" width="800" height="533" /></a><br /><br />A couple of other good finds were Ellie's birthday presents this year: A Disney Princess Deluxe Talking kitchen, NEW in the box (retails for $70), for $35. And, a Disney Princess Tea Time With Me Little Belle for $10. It's also new in the box. Apparently, you cannot FIND this toy anymore. The one I found via Google retails for $89.95 -- not that I would have EVER paid that for it! </div><div><br />Kevin got word last week that his branch office is closing at the end of the month and that he will be out of a job. Since we JUST went through this 16 months ago, we are sort of reeling that we are here again. I know everyone keeps talking about how the economy is on the upswing, but at the Latham house, it certainly isn't. So, Kevin has begun the process of looking for a job again. He has sent resumes out by the dozens and has begun the testing process for a job locally. We continue to pray that God is using this as a way to bless our family with a new, closer to home, job for Kevin. With gas prices on the rise, driving to a job that is 95 miles one way is a costly proposition. 2011 certainly has not been the year I had hoped it would be.<br /><br />Ellie's birthday is coming up in a few weeks. She has been saying, "I'll be three in March FOREVER!!" She is looking forward to her party so much. We have decided to have it at the house this year (in the face of the impending layoffs, we are going for low cost, high fun!) and have decided on a Strawberry Shortcake theme. Stay tuned for more details about this fun day!!<br />I am excited that I have a wedding to photograph next weekend. I'm looking forward to spring and getting back into photography. Next week is spring break and I have a couple of photo ideas I want to try out on Ellie (and Josh if he is feeling cooperative that day).<br /><br />Ellie continues to become more girly-girl every day. Her hair is getting longer and she likes to sit on the bathroom sink and let me blow it out and then put curls in it with the curling iron. She also tells me to "Do my eyes, mama." She honestly thinks that when I brush her eyes with the makeup brush that I'm putting on eye shadow. So funny!! She is developing right on target and we haven't noticed any delays. We are so blessed to have her in our lives and anytime I am feeling like, "Woe is me" with all the funk that's going on, I am reminded of the miracle of Ellie's entering our family and I know that God can work out <em>anything</em> -- even when we don't think it is possible.<br /><br />Josh will start baseball soon -- in addition to soccer -- and I imagine we will be a busy, busy family once again. In some ways it's preferable -- it keeps my mind busy. It other ways, I relish the ability to just stay home and rest. Catch 22, I suppose.<br /><br />Spring break is this week and we have absolutely NO plans -- wow, that's a blessing, I think. Josh is going to help MeeMee in her yard quite a bit so we are hopeful for pretty weather. I'm going to visit the site for my wedding this weekend to scout out locations/ideas for pictures. I want to go visit my grandmother and also to take some three year old pix of Ellie. I'd like to take the two of them to their FAVORITE place to play (even though it's not necessarily MY favorite), Chuck E Cheese. I'm sure the week will pass too quickly and it will be back to school and routine again.<br /><br />That's pretty much it for our lives right now! Hope to find the time to write again soon!</div>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-87663376784481402382011-02-26T22:01:00.002-06:002011-02-26T22:54:03.798-06:00The Wrights Visit NashvilleOur (very small) Kyrgyz community had the blessing of having John, Julie, Bekah and Emma Wright to visit this week to share stories of life in Kyrgyzstan as well as their work there. It was such a blessing to get to see them as we had not seen them since our first trip to Kyrgyzstan in June 2008.<br /><br />We met at the Howell's church for dinner and play time for the kiddos and the Wright's presentation. There were four sweet kiddos present from Kyrgyzstan, two sweet kiddos from China and one sweet kiddo from Russia. It was such a fun night.<br /><br />We were so happy to have Allison, Hotdog and Pudding to come visit and spend the night too. Ellie can never get enough of her two friends!<br /><br />The next morning we had a nice brunch at Cracker Barrel and then got to visit a little more with the Wrights at the Howell's home.<br /><br />STAY TUNED for a new cool venture I've agreed to help the Wrights with that include two of my favorite things: shopping and Kyrgyzstan!!<br /><br />In the meantime, here are some GREAT, FUN photos of our adventures!<br /><br />Kat was the "opening act":<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/RTMHSLgHL6wqFeZ8ER3SkQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnRUMHaOxI/AAAAAAAA-Es/w5i1oanuP0c/s800/IMG_1265.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />Followed by John:<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mb42QFAIqcmaLt7O-7bKRw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnRX_LlHXI/AAAAAAAA-E8/QIifpOMrUr8/s800/IMG_1267.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />John & Julie sharing information:<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jWFJ9rAr-1x5pAXwsi7W1A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocHqP_RcdkE9CjVvvwD8HAV1fuGH3yfE2TTzQm5kz_ZcshEvLbVekbq9C6CIcilVfi-VOsHjZog0dT5qPoYprC3e4Qksx2T5bRA29JKEQaczfRGsZsvTNdGFusCsWfr9_VDIxKWOpTddL/s800/IMG_1333.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><br />Julie brought some COOL hats that the kiddos had a great time trying on:<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fa7GWZaDjRJGiCBF3JtSaA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnRczQe1AI/AAAAAAAA-Fk/cJK7GKEkKZY/s800/IMG_1272.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZThgVCDoOzm7ndWhPWDhdA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnRe5Z3sbI/AAAAAAAA-F0/haewrbP_NdQ/s800/IMG_1274.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wTCZETl6hWb6xFBdl6YqiQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnRnhSaOwI/AAAAAAAA-GU/m0em9ztpBXA/s800/IMG_1278.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/G1ScDxsL8sk-Vcm3W0edkA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht7u51uyPAgcUudnspcxlyu6RZ0HlCPD-HzoB4Ueh9-AznA7uS6pLU1S-tOwccjOc98H3Tv-EQtua-7a-uVQ79nZPvxN_NHsT_MKggfsbhqEOu1RXyoEc2dMxDFj6bJbFrCI1GqnvcyHP_/s800/IMG_1296.JPG" width="534" height="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Mjl4t4X4PRbA41ICxVNdmg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnRqtA36YI/AAAAAAAA-Gk/tGjdMduoMyk/s800/IMG_1280.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/1X1zDNCES0eYGloh9DVlGw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnR0u598aI/AAAAAAAA-Hg/-KcE5psRpgQ/s800/IMG_1287.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M-TfUpQoiab42uLEsUhjiQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnSHMBOImI/AAAAAAAA-I8/k7g18qKKQk4/s800/IMG_1298.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />We had the GREAT idea of taking photos of the kids with the Wrights. It was a combination of trying to herd cats and nail Jello to the wall -- unsuccessful in all areas!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bIAyuH81reWyMAFEzdblbg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnSSJrMwLI/AAAAAAAA-Js/E9phkv-GoPM/s800/IMG_1304.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/WM-vViKFlkNarteRufVmNQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnSWmMGxRI/AAAAAAAA-KE/MxuHoVg2rEI/s800/IMG_1307.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C5VH57ECuvUwTuzfB_E3HQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnSX6LLpLI/AAAAAAAA-KQ/7Vk5LS9wI3c/s800/IMG_1308.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/c5woo-fPhHHZxxSkVJuoyA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnSeuEH2LI/AAAAAAAA-Kw/JP2F1QxVZeY/s800/IMG_1312.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />This was my favorite photo of the night!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Hj_uXg8475_lSHq0wEf6Pw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnS60GBGNI/AAAAAAAA-Mg/FgzqBDButYQ/s800/IMG_1325.JPG" width="534" height="800" /></a><br /><br />Although I'm really fond of this one too!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/C_XAGZc6FI4X365Ss7Ha6A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnS87ksF4I/AAAAAAAA-Mw/_8aA-_O9Wag/s800/IMG_1327.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />Josh had more fun than should have been allowed!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ifb-6FDUaYkg2_xMokC7Zg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0TWE32n57HkRWsjQbSCMCOZHdFU4t6hFwDD96-7kfY3NljDJHZKjflj8k_uygGMR5F9vMFC_1qjBfmQw7wXB2Nxocb_2s-2jxSVY5tRY067EYTcrTq_GhUYl3Z82P3Mxt_iokk5uTB7N/s800/IMG_1329.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Bn3TAxgjlRRnzfBlCFHQbg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJrQrPgx0cgkXTkQv_rQNtwt54rvgC8eyqJO7u5XphlB09Gf4038UuCsDTQDSzMwUz5oGQ6VtQzd68zBfmuHF_t6ePJcwDfCR5LrRkv8-l2cNu_fNPB7jUgZJpKPt7I1s9wvbRaI5GWGP/s800/IMG_1331.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />But it seems like Allison and group were having the most laughs!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XCIjyT122Xxufhd2CheG4g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnTFb_4kUI/AAAAAAAA-N0/exd0NHfEqUY/s800/IMG_1335.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />We have decided to take lots of pictures of Ellie and Pudding together because then when they grow up and get married we will have plenty of pictures to put up at the reception. I have never seen two kids more alike in so many ways. It's frightning!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZKHHLS4P3IOgSoTnlfjCsg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2geena5dH47HDP9jLv1gxUmqpJiQOWrGitI_v6LrqltwByqYpPKsWVxLhIAx3Ug_vhJPPP6NoYLnzcDiEdzaw_U6sDn50OM6S8ntDoaCGj5mm-a6qqZFmMQqSgrjehTWq2DT5qBuRUTt/s800/IMG_1290.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ltaafPosmnaFEAjQltiW5A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zSwB576yP87RLNf754Lf6nNjYxU1_KcU4me_da3bZ_FJg4R8FL2ZFlpAkhGRgoTwjr1vlDxS-Z8aogb9lGpiQlWzNO2iD2_h1mFKClegllRpW6vv0MC9htu9NNJzegFf5R6vi7mRU9vs/s800/IMG_1362.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />After we got home, Ellie REALLY wanted to play dress up, but it had to wait until the next morning:<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UstVlGmsw_wkr61KBcc3SQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnTREaTzxI/AAAAAAAA-PQ/iQnAa5OOML0/s800/IMG_1346.JPG" width="534" height="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aYyYxfAxIRDNne4WFDg59g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnTTaTHc6I/AAAAAAAA-Pg/acEfAfSdXSY/s800/IMG_1348.JPG" width="534" height="800" /></a><br /><br />Hotdog and Ellie in their "reverse" matching outfits.<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wqDupMJ7UVi0Cpw2Gg65jA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnTYt9Ng5I/AAAAAAAA-QI/98GQkQEusK4/s800/IMG_1353.JPG" width="534" height="800" /></a><br /><br />This is Ellie "hugging" Hotdog. HA!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/hj3bq4TXI3MJD0n4v07Ldg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnTaWZ58pI/AAAAAAAA-QY/k41zXO9CzI0/s800/IMG_1355.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />We tried REALLY hard to get a photo of the three of them -- this is the best I came up with. BOY three two-year-olds are hard to get a photo of!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/XRttc7VezaJ8XdwnbhoWxw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnThwYcV5I/AAAAAAAA-Rk/NV62aKsku58/s800/IMG_1364.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/QaljFswqRvbVPYC6VYaaoA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWnTiqQPd1I/AAAAAAAA-Rs/vj9_atTziNQ/s800/IMG_1365.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a><br /><br />They were all rewarded for their hard work by getting suckers!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wZs0ar7DfLtqnw1xjZ9dmA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8W3Yi6IIeJBA7a6gMy9kljll2M1k8U6J-xosOh-bL3QwNM4d0bAb0v2SHf59phxQ08b4LV_PD5C1DDdRCSmlK1HOU1rH2qiKC4vkCbzrRJBdb4eKgPUAo0A9XZfxFPW5ETh8ORRbyl3Ug/s800/IMG_1368.JPG" width="800" height="534" /></a>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-75576066906323474192011-02-25T11:25:00.002-06:002011-02-25T11:30:09.428-06:00Dentist and Hair CutsIt was a big day Wednesday! We had dentist appointments and hair cut appointments and THEN we were going to get together with our Kyrgyz friends to meet John, Julie, Bekah and Emma Wright for a fun night.<br /><br />Ellie has been to the dentist before but I haven't gotten any photos. She was a "big girl" and sat up in the chair but was not really happy about opening her mouth for Dr. Higgs.<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LdewzaxWwVzAA3asw_YDQg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWfl94fAikI/AAAAAAAA-DA/FMP0566zdpM/s800/IMG_1256.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/wK_fOsfOoXP09LNrhQbAHg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWfl-iH770I/AAAAAAAA-DI/qqJF2jSxF5g/s800/IMG_1257.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/jYo5wQva1SqiOQ-4JkNjEg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWfl_T74wWI/AAAAAAAA-DQ/8H8JPhYPgFw/s800/IMG_1258.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a><br /><br />Ellie got a balloon for being good!<br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AuzoPTu09VfO7t87id1UTA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWfmC7CMF-I/AAAAAAAA-Do/ykZ_yw5Pa68/s800/IMG_1261.JPG" height="800" width="534" /></a><br /><br />Josh, however, is an old pro and did great at getting his teeth cleaned. Next week he gets braces -- wow!!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3dTYCYuiyq4FswLDT5NF3g?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWfmAVzaH1I/AAAAAAAA-DY/8sChQTx6LP8/s800/IMG_1259.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a><br /><br />Then Ellie got her second (ever) hair cut. I dare not even call it a cut because it was just trimming up the ends and evening it out all over. I SO wish her hair would grow! At least she's a cute little bug with short hair!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/qPe48gRZXoHM2_sFjmT4hA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TWfmD3XhjqI/AAAAAAAA-Dw/K4mpDOCNpU4/s800/IMG_1262.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/7dRCTMrzYtkd1Patn64iXg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvPAGy6HvbUtB2aRC61laU4DOzk4uAcRe8xASiyv5W14cCAKqQzkwmJThns0imUlmqeGq0ogxsqGk0DGvR9OyMDpC5bWoyy2o2fTz7iXJqIFcmHB7UoP3X9FDc2rkHkgR7Myfw2VdDqYDT/s800/IMG_1263.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-88697625155818135512011-02-14T11:17:00.003-06:002011-02-14T11:21:08.881-06:00My two little loves ...<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/_bUPBIkDT2s3jgWNjKkS9A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TVljpMk45lI/AAAAAAAA9tY/WcK3JFh28_c/s800/IMG_1054.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a><br /><br />My two little loves got a special Valentine donut for breakfast this morning. One looked like she was barely functioning as she piled up on the couch with ALL her blankies and was watching Barney.<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9pyS8ZTZtWiD48kQABUiSw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TVljqWW6E4I/AAAAAAAA9tg/pNnSV2Gl_Tw/s800/IMG_1055.JPG" height="800" width="534" /></a><br /><br />The other little love couldn't even get his eyes open to look at the donut. Later in the morning he asked me, "When is Valentine's?" Uh -- today, that's why you got the Valentine's donut in bed. :-)<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fg4yX5rzYZq7iVnU8QENQQ?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TVljtDxp64I/AAAAAAAA9uA/oQumCAEhDo0/s800/IMG_1059.JPG" height="534" width="800" /></a>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-48779302720039515412011-02-13T20:50:00.003-06:002011-02-13T21:06:54.507-06:00In The Spirit Of...In the spirit of celebrating Valentine's I wanted to share a few cutie photos of Ellie that I snapped the other day. I'd love to share some cutie photos of Josh, but I'd have to ply his hands from the off the Xbox controller and drag him from his room. It didn't quite seem worth the fight. :-) Love that boy, though!! You'll soon start seeing lots more of him as he starts soccer this week!<br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/J8aQA9DixSsqJe807eR77A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TViX-gewMYI/AAAAAAAA9j4/wFawX9jb8F4/s800/IMG_0564.JPG" height="800" width="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/3ZBwCU2SXNv5WnJrrZvXUA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TViZRwarBZI/AAAAAAAA9pM/nhD-kKT75VY/s800/IMG_0603EDIT.jpg" height="800" width="534" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/VV2vnQ7T62TPKaKYtRP2Gg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TViZT6hJ2sI/AAAAAAAA9pU/VLb9usYLWPU/s800/IMG_0604.JPG" height="800" width="526" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/cpqkdXiRhZxLtfQjTEbkkw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_rT_lRqChxuA/TViZygct6aI/AAAAAAAA9sI/4S5ABgF-_I0/s800/IMG_0565%20%5B800x600%5D.jpg" height="800" width="533" /></a><br /><br />I hope everyone will remember to show some love to those who are important to you! Even more importantly, show some random love to someone you don't know, who you don't think deserves it or who desperately needs it.<br /><br />Happy Valentine's Day.Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4288995014693881732.post-31483912672408626952011-02-12T23:06:00.000-06:002011-02-13T08:29:20.671-06:00GriefSaturday evening: I started the post below two weeks ago and left it sitting. I now feel "up" to finishing it.<br /><br />*****<br /><br />Webster defines <strong><em>grief</em></strong> as <em>a deep and poignant distress caused by or as if by bereavement</em>. <strong><em>Bereavement</em></strong> is further defined as <em>the state or fact of being bereaved or deprived of something or someone, especially the loss of a loved one by death</em>. An example is <em>a period of grief after bereavement.</em><br /><br />A "period" of grief.<br /><br />Can anyone define what that period is? I'm told it's "different for everyone".<br /><br />I found a website called the Centre for the Grief <em>Journey</em>. I like the term journey -- it makes it sound less like something you HAVE to do and more like something that might have a pleasant outcome.<br /><br />I don't foresee my grief having a <em>pleasant</em> <u>outcome</u>, but I would certainly like to <u>come out</u> from it. The website indicates that the way <em>out</em> of grief is to go <em>through it</em> I'm reminded of the words of David who wrote, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for You are with me." I wonder if David wrote that after having lost someone special (I'll research that one later). I used to think it was about preparing for death and not being afraid. Now, re-reading it, I'm not so sure.<br /><br />Another point made in <a href="http://www.griefjourney.com/pdfs/10%20Facts%20about%20Grief.pdf">the article I was reading</a> was that <strong>Grief is Hard Work</strong>. Really? And, I don't mean to be smart in that statement. It's just so shocking how hard it really is to work through feelings you never have had and don't know exactly what to do with. I find myself extremely tired -- after having done nothing of worth all day. One of the statements from this article indicates that this may be compouded by other people's expectations that we "pull ourselves together" or to "get on with life." Especially when we <em>all</em> grieve differently.<br /><br />Today I told my friend Susan that I thought I would have been "over" this by now. Not that I will ever truly be "over" it, but I thought I'd be pretty much back together and moving along with life after three weeks. She reminded me that you don't love someone as deeply and as long as I did my daddy and get over it right away. The article from this site indicates that <strong>your grief will take longer than most people think. </strong><br /><br />The paragraph that is written from this article that states that <strong>grief is unpredictable<em> </em></strong>is certainly on target. I think I'm good one day and then the next day I feel melancholy, empty, lack a sense of direction or have the strangest dreams or thoughts. Apparently, it is very much part of the process and will eventually lead toward healing.<br /><br />The emotions involved in grief ride like a roller-coaster. Some of the emotions include numbness, shock, confusion, disbelief, anxiety, absent-mindedness, restlessness, fatigue, sleep disorders and depression. I think I have covered every single one of them in the last three weeks.<br /><br />***<br /><br />And now it's been a month -- on Thursday it was a month since my daddy died. The actual "month" day was not such a hard day. The actual month of living was super hard. Added on top of that month of grief has been the subsequent sickness of Ellie who developed pneumonia, me who developed a serious case of bronchitis, my grandmother who ended up in the hospital and you start to see the picture of my life.<br /><br />Yesterday was a really hard day. I can never figure what it is that triggers these days. It has snowed a lot here and we've been inside a lot. The kids have missed a lot of school. The days aren't exactly filled with glee. But Friday I went out to work and the sun was shining and I had a full day to myself with no worries other than to work.<br /><br />And, for the first time in a <em>long, long, long</em> time, I hated my job. I hated working. I counted the hours. Each minute seemed an hour long. There was WAY too much time in the car for thinking. I felt absolutely lost with my own self. The day and thoughts wandered into how my children's lives will be different without their DeeDee. I realized, consciously, I suppose, for the first time that they will no longer have any older male, grandfather figures in their lives. Who will be that older man who represents unconditional love for them, who pesters them, who teaches them to play checkers or to fish, who has <em>TIME</em> for them? Who can fill that void? I know lots of people don't have those people in their lives, but I'm feeling a bit self-centered and selfish and only care about <em>my kids</em> and their loss. I am going to allow myself to feel that way. There was so much more <em>TIME</em> that they needed from him, so much more <em>LOVE</em> that wasn't finished yet. It just seems WRONG.<br /><br />And, no, I'm not questioning God. This isn't <em>about</em> God for me. I don't feel God has <em>wronged</em> me or us I just am so <em>sad</em> and <em>empty</em> that I don't <em>get it</em>. And, I'm selfish. I am H.U.M.A.N. It's a hard thing to be.<br /><br />I think I'm also depressed. There. That's out there. I'm having trouble "picking myself up" by those proverbial "bootstraps" to get back up on that pony and ride. Things that normally would excite me or interest me -- don't. I can't seem to dig up anything that will make me really <em>happy</em>. I go through the motions of the day, but I don't really <em>care</em>. I'm not depressed in a <em>bad</em> sense, just an apathetic sense and I absolutely <em>HATE IT</em>. I don't <em>want </em>to be this way. I want my "real" life back. I don't want to feel so many feelings.<br /><br />I suppose to look at me, from the outside, I seem to be handling it all rather well. I'm sure folks typically think the same of others who grieve. But, inside, my heart still breaks frequently.<br /><br />Today I spent the day with my mom helping her get things ready for the consignment sale that I do. It was a nice day and we got lots of things cleared out and ready to donate and ready for consignment. Afterwards, we met up with Kevin's mom and did our family Valentine's dinner.<br /><br />And it was not the same.<br /><br />It wasn't <em>bad</em>. Don't get me wrong. There was just someone missing. It was the "new normal". I don't <em>want</em> a new normal. And I have no control over that.<br /><br />After dinner, we took a flower arrangement by the graveside and cleared it off from the flowers that had died from the funeral. It stunk. That's the best way I can describe it. Yes, I KNOW my father isn't there, but his body is. The hands that held mine and rubbed my back to put me to sleep are in that ground. The lips that kissed me goodnight for years, they are there. The arm that hooked into mine and walked me down the aisle -- there. The arms that held my babies as they entered our lives -- right there. NOT HERE WITH US. Stinking wrong.<br /><br />So, I guess I'm progressing normally. Whatever the heck that is. None to worry when I feel like I'm moving along too quickly or have moved past it or didn't grieve enough. I don't have to worry because another day or two and it will hit like a ton of bricks and I'm literally <em>begging</em> God to lift that day from me and give me a better one the next day.<br /><br />It is through this process that God will prepare me for the next thing He has in my life -- whatever it is. It is all building blocks. I heard a line in a song today that took on an entirely new meaning, "He would rather die -- than to ever live without me." I can fully understand the love Jesus Christ had on the cross to take on our sin. He could not imagine eternity without me. The same kind of love I have for my earthly father is magnified 10,000 times by my heavenly father. I would have died so that my father and I would never be separated (eternally speaking). I know he would have for me as well. That is the gift of love that Jesus offers -- an opportunity to never live without us. Most days it is all that gets me through -- it is the hope that I'm unable to muster myself. It is the promise that tomorrow WILL be better.<br /><br />I heard one other song on the radio on Friday. It was as if God had LITERALLY written the song and had the group sing it DIRECTLY to me in the car. Here are the lyrics.<br /><br />"I Won't Let Go" - Rascal Flatts<br /><br />It’s like a storm<br />That cuts a path<br />It breaks your will<br />It feels like that<br /><br />You think your lost<br />But your not lost on your own<br />Your not alone<br />I will stand by you<br />I will help you through<br />When you’ve done all you can do<br />If you can’t cope<br />I will dry your eyes<br />I will fight your fight<br />I will hold you tight<br />And I wont let go<br /><br />It hurts my heart<br />To see you cry<br />I know it’s dark<br />This part of life<br />Oh it finds us all<br />And we’re too small<br />To stop the rain<br />Oh but when it rains<br /><br />I will stand by you<br />I will help you through<br />When you’ve done all you can do<br />And you can’t cope<br />I will dry your eyes<br />I will fight your fight<br />I will hold you tight<br /><br />And I won't let you fall<br />Don’t be afraid to fall<br />I’m right here to catch you<br />I wont let you down<br />It wont get you down<br />You're gonna make it<br />Yea I know you can make it<br /><br />Cause I will stand by you<br />I will help you through<br />When you’ve done all you can do<br />And you can’t cope<br />And I will dry your eyes<br />I will fight your fight<br />I will hold you tight<br />And I won't let go<br />Oh I’m gonna hold you<br />And I won't let go<br />Wont let you go<br />No I won't.<br /><br />Here's the group performing on Letterman. While it's written, I'm sure, as a love song, it was a love song from God for me. I know He is my hope. I <em>need </em>Him to help me find my way back to a happy place.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QJqgxynZyH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Mariahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02487340922585988224noreply@blogger.com1