tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9341104575177148512024-03-14T03:11:22.142-05:00kendalljoKendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-89111471751314613972011-12-06T20:47:00.000-06:002011-12-06T20:47:51.838-06:00Every Little ThingOur house is STILL for sale.<br />
<br />
BOO.<br />
<br />
But that's ok. We know our house is perfect for someone, and they will find us soon enough.<br />
<br />
Until then, there are a few things we need that we really don't want to buy until we move. Like a new refrigerator, furniture, TV, washer & dryer, etc. Especially since our laundry area is outside. No way am I buying a new washer & dryer and putting it outside in the garage.<br />
<br />
Well, our washer has seen better days. We have to manually start the spin cycle. <br />
<br />
<i>What does that mean?</i><br />
<br />
Well, I lift the lid, put my right pinky finger in the little hole that makes it go, then with my other arm, I reach in and grab the side and literally spin it until it gets going. Then I take my pinky finger out and close the lid really fast. <br />
<br />
Every time.<br />
<br />
It's ridiculous.<br />
<br />
Which is why our house needs to sell NOW. We've just been praying the thing will keep working until we move.<br />
<br />
So a couple days ago my sis (who just moved into her newly built beautiful house! yay!) called me and said, "Hey, we're about to get rid of our washer & dryer b/c it's just sitting at the house we just moved out of and wanted to see if you wanted it first."<br />
<br />
I told her, "No thanks, I think we'll just wait it out and maybe ours will last until we sell the house." No need in ruining a perfectly good washer by putting it outside ya know.<br />
<br />
So last night we're swimming around in laundry, and it happened. The spinner wouldn't spin. It just refused. As if to say, "I'm tired of you handling me, let me just die".<br />
<br />
:(<br />
<br />
So I called her back today to see if they still had it and they did!<br />
<br />
And wanted to GIVE it to us.<br />
<br />
Later today, I found out that it was only 2 years old, and when I saw it, realized it's about TWICE as big as our old one!<br />
<br />
God took care of us before we even needed it, and it was bigger & better!<br />
<br />
And FREE!<br />
<br />
He loves me.<br />
<br />
And this makes me happy. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-15318892902056785612011-11-30T22:58:00.002-06:002011-11-30T23:07:18.451-06:00This is My Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Heard this today with my own ears:</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How do you spell UP?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I WANT GUUUUUUUUUM!!!!!!!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Lena, you don't need any gum, you just had that chocolate chip I found on the floor for you."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"5 times 9 is 5."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I was slinging it around like this and he just walked into it on purpose."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Yes it's NOT!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Come'on Son."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>I'll let you decide who said what. </i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>You just can't make this stuff up.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-65979196825453492662011-11-11T08:40:00.000-06:002011-11-11T08:40:05.117-06:0027 MillionNeed some perspective?<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/IPpzj-m-kEE" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;">Today is #KEY2FREE and the launch of the new A21 video, "In Her Shoes." Let's help get the word out!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.thea21campaign.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The A21 Campaign</span></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_288468270"></span><span id="goog_288468271"></span><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" />Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-91413589385868730372011-11-10T09:33:00.000-06:002011-11-10T09:33:28.088-06:00If I could lasso the moon...The moon was absolutely beautiful last night. I pointed it out to Lena as we were on our way to church. It went a little something like this:<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Hey Lena, look at the moon! Do you see it? Isn't it so pretty?<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Uhuh, see it, moon! </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>...chuch it, Mama, chuch it?</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
(heart swelling) No, baby, we can't touch it. It's too far.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>Fwy, Mama, Fwy? Chuch it?</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Maybe one day, baby. Maybe one day we can fly to the moon and touch it.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G8tP-jz6I3Q/TrvtGA73VLI/AAAAAAAAA6A/b2mVda0t9fA/s1600/IMG_8133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G8tP-jz6I3Q/TrvtGA73VLI/AAAAAAAAA6A/b2mVda0t9fA/s400/IMG_8133.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><i><br />
</i><br />
If I could lasso that moon, it would be in serious trouble right now!<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-61627930692218342192011-11-08T17:01:00.001-06:002011-11-08T17:03:04.301-06:00Shut up 63!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Well, I didn't throw up!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5yC1dxePds/Trl-nvgIVPI/AAAAAAAAAzg/uwb1mVk96UE/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C5yC1dxePds/Trl-nvgIVPI/AAAAAAAAAzg/uwb1mVk96UE/s640/photo.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br />
My sis ran with me too!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oh845LkpWeY/TrmBH5RfigI/AAAAAAAAAzw/anBxqjNuWq8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oh845LkpWeY/TrmBH5RfigI/AAAAAAAAAzw/anBxqjNuWq8/s640/photo.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br />
I don't remember ever being that nervous about anything. It was truly out of character for me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHL8VWK7ZbA/TrmE3brJU1I/AAAAAAAAAz4/qMwbQRSOHJY/s1600/IMG_8093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NHL8VWK7ZbA/TrmE3brJU1I/AAAAAAAAAz4/qMwbQRSOHJY/s320/IMG_8093.JPG" width="212" /></a></div> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAXX4uXJyec/TrmFR9NPrhI/AAAAAAAAA0A/-1oQ-FM2Eho/s1600/IMG_8094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hAXX4uXJyec/TrmFR9NPrhI/AAAAAAAAA0A/-1oQ-FM2Eho/s320/IMG_8094.JPG" width="213" /></a><br />
<br />
I smiled and laughed a lot. Awkwardly. It took me a good 10 minutes to get my number pinned on my shirt. I couldn't figure out what I wanted to listen to on my run, because I forgot to sync my Twilight music before I left home. <i>I mean, what else would I listen to on a Twilight 10K run? </i><br />
<br />
I think just the preparation leading up to this one event was what did it. Also, I had never actually run the entire distance without stopping before, so I wasn't sure that I could do it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6H7chZoma00/TrmiBzyG6SI/AAAAAAAAA4o/AlUMpXOycW4/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+1.49.47+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6H7chZoma00/TrmiBzyG6SI/AAAAAAAAA4o/AlUMpXOycW4/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-08+at+1.49.47+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There were 503 runners</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ylwnG9Mcms4/TrmJPeQy2qI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/dLIwyRfR38s/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+3.09.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ylwnG9Mcms4/TrmJPeQy2qI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/dLIwyRfR38s/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+3.09.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It took a while for us to cross the start line. We were kinda in the middle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67m6DHsAKfo/TrmLbraUQsI/AAAAAAAAA0w/-HGhQTGyUbk/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+3.04.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-67m6DHsAKfo/TrmLbraUQsI/AAAAAAAAA0w/-HGhQTGyUbk/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+3.04.48+PM.png" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is me parking my gum & pretending not to see the camera guy</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sg8yZgwqbAM/TrmNId4hkCI/AAAAAAAAA04/2i2nR5k-Rmo/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+3.07.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sg8yZgwqbAM/TrmNId4hkCI/AAAAAAAAA04/2i2nR5k-Rmo/s400/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+3.07.43+PM.png" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is Malissa cheezin' for the camera guy</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yks5AcPCKHM/TrmRCf9rU4I/AAAAAAAAA2A/6ofI6W6STHQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.58.10+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="417" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yks5AcPCKHM/TrmRCf9rU4I/AAAAAAAAA2A/6ofI6W6STHQ/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.58.10+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The finish line! I took my earbuds out so I could hear <strike>my family cheering for me</strike> the crickets</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_PT5EslFKCg/TrmTexZmXDI/AAAAAAAAA2I/rbUlh95sS8g/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.56.56+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_PT5EslFKCg/TrmTexZmXDI/AAAAAAAAA2I/rbUlh95sS8g/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.56.56+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Eli sees me. :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5HIxJ4ZMM0/TrmU9_slcdI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/lD9_MabXTlc/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.56.38+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a5HIxJ4ZMM0/TrmU9_slcdI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/lD9_MabXTlc/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.56.38+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Missing it guys!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QHBrzmFvmXE/TrmV6yKqLCI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/LkvuRwDoZ_w/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.55.54+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QHBrzmFvmXE/TrmV6yKqLCI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/LkvuRwDoZ_w/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.55.54+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Seriously, not stopping!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krxu3lu4FRc/TrmWOuu4LbI/AAAAAAAAA2g/FiMwsgkCqbg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.55.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krxu3lu4FRc/TrmWOuu4LbI/AAAAAAAAA2g/FiMwsgkCqbg/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.55.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I felt like a million bucks after this run! Which was surprising, because I just knew I'd be ready to collapse. Total rush crossing that finish line!<br />
<div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cfw98TaB81E/TrmWvlCVSHI/AAAAAAAAA2o/zoaItE36VZQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.54.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cfw98TaB81E/TrmWvlCVSHI/AAAAAAAAA2o/zoaItE36VZQ/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.54.51+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wait, what?!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Perhaps I was moving too fast.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3JkWdRdUsw/TrmYRuHP0HI/AAAAAAAAA2w/TKboYH_tvcw/s1600/IMG_8158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y3JkWdRdUsw/TrmYRuHP0HI/AAAAAAAAA2w/TKboYH_tvcw/s640/IMG_8158.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I wanna do that again! Immediately!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksf3CCGEXqg/TrmYqjZxmSI/AAAAAAAAA24/87YRKBtTrCc/s1600/IMG_8159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ksf3CCGEXqg/TrmYqjZxmSI/AAAAAAAAA24/87YRKBtTrCc/s640/IMG_8159.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is so much fun! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Um, check my calves)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TeQJlCDSFKc/TrmZAQUJ7YI/AAAAAAAAA3A/SI-kZ2q_NAg/s1600/IMG_8160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TeQJlCDSFKc/TrmZAQUJ7YI/AAAAAAAAA3A/SI-kZ2q_NAg/s640/IMG_8160.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This was such an exciting day for me! The trail was absolutely breathtaking, and the Christmas lights were awesome. I can't wait to run this one again!</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6pDqCrG0u0/TrmffC_X8VI/AAAAAAAAA4I/uTAwWVP0_MI/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.50.40+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6pDqCrG0u0/TrmffC_X8VI/AAAAAAAAA4I/uTAwWVP0_MI/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.50.40+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Approaching!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9uMOh_Cle8/Trmfm1Q5afI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/5jZfx37LhVU/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.51.09+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t9uMOh_Cle8/Trmfm1Q5afI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/5jZfx37LhVU/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.51.09+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Winning!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjJ6pqNMI7Q/TrmfwdnfofI/AAAAAAAAA4g/DY5EdKcOf2w/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.52.03+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RjJ6pqNMI7Q/TrmfwdnfofI/AAAAAAAAA4g/DY5EdKcOf2w/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+2.52.03+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Woohoo!!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBBVG5ep9Oc/Trmlkdkdy3I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/r4i6rjvuLj0/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+5.47.27+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JBBVG5ep9Oc/Trmlkdkdy3I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/r4i6rjvuLj0/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+5.47.27+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Disregard the old guy, notice the love in the background</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8O9ylOoN7U/Trml9U6GKgI/AAAAAAAAA5w/8pUmWWLHZpg/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+5.47.42+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M8O9ylOoN7U/Trml9U6GKgI/AAAAAAAAA5w/8pUmWWLHZpg/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+5.47.42+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We did it!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq4x9lrZph0/TrmmB8d_pRI/AAAAAAAAA54/-4EMRFtemTM/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+5.47.55+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="419" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bq4x9lrZph0/TrmmB8d_pRI/AAAAAAAAA54/-4EMRFtemTM/s640/Screen+shot+2011-11-07+at+5.47.55+PM.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My friends and family really made this day special for me.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>My mom and dad came up to watch, and my sweet friends were so great to send me messages saying they were praying for a great run and then excited congrats after. </div><div><br />
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>Including one ecstatic phone call from my friend Anna, who I thought would burst from excitement for me over the phone.</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><i>And texts like this:</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Shut up 63!!!! I am so </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">super proud of you!!!!! For</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">real. Like seriously!!!! No </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">kidding!!!! Yay yay yay yay</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Made my day. God has truly blessed me with more love and support than I could ever dream of!</span></div><div><br />
</div><div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div><i>Oh, and not that it matters, but here are my results!</i></div><div><i>Official time: 1:03:37</i></div><div><i>Placed 235 overall (out of 503)</i></div><div><i>Placed 16 in my age group (out of 50!)</i></div><div><i>Not bad for my first 10K!</i></div><div><i><br />
</i></div></div></div></div>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-70774831819230438852011-11-04T15:16:00.002-05:002011-11-04T15:18:40.781-05:00Say WhatTomorrow is the big day.<br />
<br />
No, not the Alabama/LSU game.<i> Although I am excited to see it.</i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Tomorrow is this...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyP-xqVM8X4/TrRHdYM6XnI/AAAAAAAAAzY/ae0uUo1Qno4/s1600/Twilight10K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qyP-xqVM8X4/TrRHdYM6XnI/AAAAAAAAAzY/ae0uUo1Qno4/s400/Twilight10K.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
And I am running it.<br />
<br />
I saw this a couple months ago and decided I needed a REAL goal to get myself into shape. One that I couldn't back out of easily. So I signed up and paid before I had a chance to change my mind. At the time, I could barely run 3 minutes.<br />
<br />
But I've been training. And now I'm prepared. My goals are very simple:<br />
<br />
1. To finish before the Jolly Trolley sags to pick up last participants.<br />
2. To finish in less than 70 minutes.<br />
<br />
Before today, I have been super excited about this.<br />
<br />
Now I just wanna throw up.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-82612621504043981812011-09-16T22:53:00.002-05:002011-09-18T16:29:18.527-05:00Sometimes I can be a little impatient...Could I get one of these for 3rd grade English please? That would be great.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6vMO3XmNXe4" width="420"></iframe><br />
<br />
Then I could just stand there and watch them learn saying <i>Show me.</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-74422436454508625522011-09-14T21:59:00.001-05:002011-09-15T06:20:55.398-05:00GratefulSome days, like today, I realize how much EASIER it would be for me to send my kids to school and go to work. But then I realize that it's not about me...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhabwSTb6qk/TnFnmqxRwZI/AAAAAAAAAwg/o0zXg6DnZG8/s1600/Sep+4%252C+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FhabwSTb6qk/TnFnmqxRwZI/AAAAAAAAAwg/o0zXg6DnZG8/s320/Sep+4%252C+2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It's all about them. Homeschooling is both a sacrifice and a gift. But it is worth it ALL. What a gift God has given me! I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a homeschool mom!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-23964918960191791422011-08-20T23:14:00.000-05:002011-08-20T23:14:23.499-05:00Number OneToday was a great day.<br />
<br />
Firstly, I had a <span id="goog_741225835"></span><a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/kendalljo/">Thirty-One Gifts</a><span id="goog_741225836"></span> open house at my home and it went really well! No thanks to my friends though! <i>(You know who you are) </i>I can't believe y'all didn't at least come eat a cupcake. You had 4 hours to do this. Gah.<br />
<br />
But my sweet family came and a few friends, past hostesses, and customers too!<br />
<br />
It was really exciting getting to show off all my new Thirty-One stuff. I had the most fun setting everything up and preparing the food. It's been a really long time since I was the hostess, and I didn't realize until today how much I have missed it! So, I will be doing this again. Hopefully soon. <br />
<br />
Secondly, I realized why I will continue to be a part of Thirty-One Gifts for a very long time. <br />
<br />
Let me tell you about two of my guests that came today. They are the mother and sister of a very courageous woman who is currently in the process of adopting a child from China. <span id="goog_1155798168"></span><a href="http://expectingsomethingsobigfromgod.blogspot.com/">She is a hard working single mother and she is doing everything in her power to get to her daughter in China</a>.<span id="goog_1155798169"></span> In case you didn't know, it costs A LOT of money to do this. Her mother recently had a Thirty-One party as a fundraiser to help. <br />
<br />
Yesterday, I was able to write out and hand this lady a check for an amount I wouldn't have been able to just give out of my pocket at the moment. Because of Thirty-One. When I delivered the order to her mother, I invited her to my open house so she could come see the new products. She and her other daughter from out of town came by and the daughter was telling me how grateful she was that I had helped her sister out by doing the fundraiser for her. <br />
<br />
But I'm the grateful one. This adopting business is so much greater than any of us realize, and I got to be a very small part of that process for this family. <br />
<br />
I hope I get the opportunity to do this again and again.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel like I don't have what I want to give, but God has given me this WAY of giving that I would have never thought of on my own. He always makes a way. When it seems like there is no way, He just makes one. I am so thankful that I have found this company. Because of Thirty-One, I have been able to give in so many ways that I couldn't have otherwise. <br />
<br />
There are so many reasons I love <a href="http://www.mythirtyone.com/kendalljo/">Thirty-One</a>, but this has to be the NUMBER ONE reason. <br />
<br />
Giving freely. There is just nothing more rewarding than that. <br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-24013861862880577502011-07-30T11:34:00.003-05:002011-07-30T11:43:27.642-05:00So you think you can dance?I found this video in Photo Booth the other day, and I just couldn't keep this jewel to myself. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3jEZ4d1QIhU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-41949237551800250062011-07-20T19:51:00.000-05:002011-07-20T19:51:24.560-05:00What if?Jessi was especially emotional today for some reason. Maybe because she's 8? I don't really know. I think she just really needed some affection. So she was sitting in my lap snuggling with me, after MUCH drama during the course of the day, and she was suddenly being so sweet, telling me how sorry she was for how she had acted today. Then I was telling her how it was already forgotten, and no matter what she did or how she acted I would always love her bunches. Sweetness. <br />
<br />
Then she asked me if there was ever anything Daddy could do to make me divorce him. And I told her absolutely not. Me and Daddy are never getting a divorce. The she said,<br />
<br />
"Even if he stabbed you with a fork?"<br />
<br />
Um. You know what? Yes. Yes, Jessi. I would definitely take all of you and leave your Daddy if he ever STABS ME WITH A FORK.<br />
<br />
"Well, what if he was in a fight with somebody else and he <i>accidentally</i> stabbed you in the head?"<br />
<br />
<b><i>...</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<b><i>Don't you wish you had a Jessi?</i></b><br />
<b><i><br />
</i></b><br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-32392346871787412952011-07-05T23:45:00.001-05:002011-07-05T23:52:40.608-05:00Freedom Fest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>This year for the 4th (3rd actually) we decided to check out The Freedom Fest in Albany, GA, put on by Sherwood Baptist Church. It was awesome. Everything was free and they had a great fireworks show!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o13DEGbxKb0/ThO5_BhR-HI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/JoADXvXTkYs/s1600/IMG_0252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o13DEGbxKb0/ThO5_BhR-HI/AAAAAAAAAvQ/JoADXvXTkYs/s320/IMG_0252.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went with some of our very best friends <a href="http://anythingbutlokey.blogspot.com/">Shaun & Anna</a>.<br />
And all 7 of our little blessings.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jgLkFfKs7Zk/ThO7wgduLXI/AAAAAAAAAvU/fvPxtI8N8x0/s1600/IMG_0239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jgLkFfKs7Zk/ThO7wgduLXI/AAAAAAAAAvU/fvPxtI8N8x0/s320/IMG_0239.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lena had her very first pony ride:)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KbmT5P0E73s" width="425"></iframe></div><div><br />
<br />
I don't have video for when we took her off the pony, but it wasn't pretty.</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOYF_vlzu8E/ThPBKoxtv5I/AAAAAAAAAvc/ROsOoVcPpUA/s1600/IMG_0250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOYF_vlzu8E/ThPBKoxtv5I/AAAAAAAAAvc/ROsOoVcPpUA/s320/IMG_0250.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and E</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div><br />
</div><div>Ok girls, I wanna get a quick pic of the 2 of you, so on three. Ready? 1...2...Three!</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n07-khiQcc/ThPCAyHg8jI/AAAAAAAAAvg/YITr8qI7LDs/s1600/IMG_0253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6n07-khiQcc/ThPCAyHg8jI/AAAAAAAAAvg/YITr8qI7LDs/s320/IMG_0253.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok. Zoe wasn't looking. Let's do it again.<br />
Ready? 1...2...Zoe look at me...Three!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2e3pSLKQ4Y/ThPCVrqJSQI/AAAAAAAAAvk/Y3Xn__CfT4k/s1600/IMG_0254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u2e3pSLKQ4Y/ThPCVrqJSQI/AAAAAAAAAvk/Y3Xn__CfT4k/s320/IMG_0254.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*sigh*<br />
Ok girls, one more time...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HTvYy0mIleU/ThPCjYUZ-aI/AAAAAAAAAvo/cv1h6mm6e3U/s1600/IMG_0255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HTvYy0mIleU/ThPCjYUZ-aI/AAAAAAAAAvo/cv1h6mm6e3U/s320/IMG_0255.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOOK AT ME FOR 2 SECONDS</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhHj3iWvJRo/ThPCxmDLbpI/AAAAAAAAAvs/w78X79P9g58/s1600/IMG_0256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FhHj3iWvJRo/ThPCxmDLbpI/AAAAAAAAAvs/w78X79P9g58/s320/IMG_0256.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAxNbJHOpQ8/ThPDDMvgtUI/AAAAAAAAAvw/sykhahEfG9w/s1600/IMG_0257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAxNbJHOpQ8/ThPDDMvgtUI/AAAAAAAAAvw/sykhahEfG9w/s320/IMG_0257.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With an actual smile PLEASE<br />
WHEN I SAY THREE...Ready?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_14A93rAog/ThPDUMAu2bI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Z1KL9yYmBMA/s1600/IMG_0258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d_14A93rAog/ThPDUMAu2bI/AAAAAAAAAv0/Z1KL9yYmBMA/s320/IMG_0258.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whatever. Forget it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>Needless to say, there was alot going on. It was very exciting. They even had 3 skydivers land behind the stage. Anthony Evans performed, which was awesome. And this group called Voices of Mobile performed, who I think may end up on the Sing Off...</div><div><br />
</div><div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/1qVRMy9xD28" width="560"></iframe></div><div><br />
</div><div>If you can get past the video quality, the fact that I still haven't learned how to zoom on my iPhone, and all the random people walking around, they're pretty great I think! <br />
<br />
*Really bummed I didn't get them doing Can't Touch This.</div><div><br />
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AND they played the Superman Theme during the fireworks show! PERFECTION.</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QIkNfAOTCw/ThPJRzazLvI/AAAAAAAAAv4/ZqyJee9qfA0/s1600/IMG_0264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_QIkNfAOTCw/ThPJRzazLvI/AAAAAAAAAv4/ZqyJee9qfA0/s320/IMG_0264.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We really had a great time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a></div></div>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-25337082066844381332011-05-11T22:57:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:26:23.428-05:00Potty Training: Day 3Mission accomplished! We are officially potty trained! I was prepared for this to take longer than 3 days but it didn't! She's got this. Monday we had 30 accidents. Yesterday we had 7 (including the 2 in her sleep). Today we had 5, but I'm only counting 1 of those because one of them was that she woke up wet, and 3 of them were totally my fault. She ran to the bathroom and I didn't know she had gone in there so I didn't make it to her in time. She still needs help with her panties and getting up there, and she was standing right in front of the potty but I was about 2 seconds too late. The one true accident she had was before 8am and she was standing in her chair at the table, and I really think she just couldn't get down in time. She also woke up from her nap dry today, and then went in the potty.<br />
<br />
We still did a lot of running back and forth to the potty, but today I could relax a little bit more than yesterday because I knew she would at least take off running when she had to go. She did not wet her panties once on her way to the bathroom today. She was able to recognize that she needed to go, and run to the bathroom holding it until I could get her on the potty <i>(with the exception of the 3 times I didn't make it in time).</i> Also, we have had no #2 accidents since Monday morning. She's got that one down for sure.<br />
<br />
She has also figured out that it's a fun little game to yell POTTY and take off running down the hall, only to run into her room and wait for Mommy to show up behind her so she can laugh. She also will do this and then just stand in the doorway of the bathroom just to see if I'll come. It's all a big game now. Let's yell POTTY and run to a different place every time just to see if Mommy will follow! It's exhausting. This is why there were 3 times I didn't make it to her. She was constantly running somewhere. Everywhere. At least she has a special word for #2, which she got from her older siblings telling her she stinks every time she had a messy diaper. So when she takes off running and yelling STINK, I know she means business. I know that may be a little TMI, and it's also gross, but it cracks me up every time she does it.<br />
<br />
I really didn't think we would be able to, but we even went to church tonight. And she came home in the same clothes we left the house in! Tomorrow we're working on using the footstool to get on the potty by herself and pulling her panties up and down. I'm just so amazed and proud of her! My 21 month old Lena is diaper free!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-6226454907539400602011-05-10T20:39:00.000-05:002011-05-10T20:39:54.633-05:00Potty Training: Day 2I could not wait until Lena went to bed so I could post this! And because I'm completely exhausted. So let me start by giving you the most exciting part first. Yesterday we had a grand total of 30 accidents. Yes, thirty. As in a three in the tens place and a zero in the ones place. Today? We had 7. SEVEN! I don't think I have ever been so excited about cleaning up pee seven times in one day, but I am thrilled about it! And did you notice I said pee? No poop clean up! Woot! She had 4 of those, and they ALL made it into the potty. :)<br />
<br />
I am so much more exhausted today than I was yesterday though. Yesterday was full of picking her up and running her to the potty when she was already going. Today, I did not have to pick her up but twice. And it was because she was in a chair and wasn't sure what to do about that. Two of those seven were in her sleep. One sometime during the night, and the other during her nap. So <i>really</i> I'm only counting 5 accidents. And she only had 1 after her nap! <br />
<br />
But today she understood what to do, and so every single time she even thought about going, she ran to the potty. I think we ran to the potty about a million times. About 80% of the time it was nothing. She got up there, said, "Done" after about a second, and she was off and running again. Sometimes she just wanted to stay in the bathroom. But the times I thought, ok, this is getting ridiculous, would be the times she would go, so that kept me motivated. <br />
<br />
Around 5:00 today, she figured out that she would get M&Ms every time she actually went in the potty. It was pretty funny. (<i>I never mentioned them at all, I would just give her some when she would go.)</i> After she caught on to my tricks, she asked for them, and when I said no, she got upset, then got over it pretty quick. About 10 seconds later she ran to the potty again and nothing. 10 seconds after that, same thing. She was trying so hard to push something out but she couldn't do anything but toot. It was hilarious. She kept trying until she was finally able to pee a little tiny bit. What kids will do for candy.<br />
<br />
I think we're almost there!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-13507300396497122812011-05-09T21:19:00.001-05:002011-05-09T21:27:47.029-05:00Potty Training: Day 1So today I am one proud Mama. My Lena has just amazed me with her little 21 month old potty going skills. I kind of knew she would catch on quickly, but she really did much better than I expected. I decided a while back that I was going to have her potty trained before she moved up to the toddler class at church, which will be when she turns 2 in July. I had no idea how I would do such a thing, since neither of my other 2 were potty trained that early, but I thought, "If they can do it in China, then I can do it here." So, here we go.<br />
<br />
I did some research online, and came across this ebook called <a href="http://www.3daypottytraining.com/pages/help.htm?official">3 Day Potty Training</a>. I'm not exactly sure if it will only take 3 days, but I am so thrilled with her progress just from the first day, that I'm totally in. I don't even care if it takes a few more days, <i>which I really don't think it will, </i>it will be so worth it to be DONE WITH DIAPERS. <br />
<br />
So let me just tell you how today went. The very first thing I did was let her put on her brand new big girl panties. :) Then, I let her throw ALL of her diapers in the trash, even the one in her little zipper pouch that we take everywhere. <i>(Don't freak out, I didn't actually throw them out, I just put a clean trash bag in the trash can & took it out to the garage so she would think I did. They will all be given to someone who needs them.) </i>Then, I took her to the bathroom and gave her the grand tour. Then we had breakfast. <br />
<br />
Ok, I have NEVER even attempted to teach her anything about not going in her diaper, so this was for real the bravest thing I have ever done. I had no idea what she would do. Let me just say that it was one of the longest and most exhausting days in my life. If you called or texted me and I didn't answer or call you back, I'm sorry, but I had to go dark. I had a 21 month old literally running around my house with just panties and a shirt on. I was not taking my eyes off her for a mili-second. Which was wise, because that is how I read her. I had about a half second window of time from when she looked at me, until she said Mama and started running to the bathroom. <br />
<br />
And she was great. It only took her once or twice to realize that she had to call for me and get to the bathroom fast when she had to go. If not anything else, I am thrilled with that alone. Yes, we had more accidents than I can count, well, actually that's not true. She went through 21 pairs of panties before nap time. But less than half that after nap time! We also had several #1's and THREE #2's IN THE POTTY!! AND she woke up dry from her nap and went in the potty. I am just so proud of her! We are definitely not done yet, but I really don't think it's gonna take this girl long!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-70837168606955326122011-04-14T16:13:00.001-05:002011-04-14T16:16:01.990-05:00Field Trip Into Space! (kinda)Today we went on a little field trip to Ashford High School. Astronaut Colonel Doug Wheelock is on a tour through Alabama. Schools participating in the Civil Air Patrol's K-6 Aerospace Connections in Education Program, or ACE, were among those chosen to be part of Wheelock's tour. Colonel Wheelock has spent 178 days in space throughout his NASA career and during his most recent trip assumed command of the international Space Station. <br />
<br />
Here is a link to his Bio:<br />
<a href="http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/wheelock.html">Astronaut Bio: Douglas H. Wheelock (12/2010)</a><br />
<br />
Also there, was a character named Al the Astronut, who is basically a cardboard peanut that has traveled around the world and into space with the astronauts. The idea of having this little piece of history there was pretty cool.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="media" galleryimg="no" id="fullSizedImage" src="http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee418/jasonandkendall/AstronautDougWheelock.jpg?t=1302815232" style="height: 465px; width: 620px;" /><br />
<br />
<div><br />
</div><br />
Jessi got to hold Al the Astronut, and was very excited about the whole thing. Eli could care less, and Lena just wanted to see all his super cool astronaut patches. :)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-51565017907313807982011-04-10T22:18:00.000-05:002011-04-10T22:18:56.719-05:00I might be famous soon...So I'm in the truck at a red light today, kids in the back, just singing to the music like always, and I'm pretty sure some people from Texas got it on video. Yeah... Ok, first of all, I don't look at people in the car next to me at red lights (or pretty much anyone in any vehicle on the road period). Secondly, I <i>especially</i> don't look at them if I feel like they're looking at me (because that's just awkward). SO, I felt like someone was looking in my direction but there's no WAY I was looking over there to see because that would be weird. So I just ignored them. I figured they probably weren't really looking right at me anyway. Well, as they passed me, the dude driving is practically hanging out the window with his camera or phone or whatever. And they were laughing. Like hysterically. Like they just got the funniest video footage EVER. I mean, I know I'm entertaining and all, but REALLY? I wasn't even singing with motions or anything. Definitely not even YouTube worthy (I hope). They must've been on the road for A WHILE. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-59212777541131041042011-03-23T23:32:00.000-05:002011-03-23T23:32:18.093-05:00WildfireGloria Copeland once said, "You don't get what you deserve. You get what you believe for." <br />
<br />
Tonight, we had a major breakthrough in our youth group. <br />
<br />
We have been involved with the youth for about 10 years now, and Jason has been the youth pastor for almost 4 years. We have never seen anything like what is happening right now. When we first stepped into the position of youth pastors, we talked about, wrote down, and prayed about the vision that God had given us concerning our leadership with the youth. <br />
<br />
One thing we really wanted to see was unity. <i>We wanted to see them become a family that truly loved each other in a way that the world doesn't understand.</i> <br />
We wanted to see acceptance. <i>No cliques. We wanted anyone to be able to walk through those doors and feel like they belonged and had a safe place to be who they are.</i> <br />
We wanted to see them changed. <i>We did not want them to attend year after year and remain the same, with no true change in their real, everyday life. We wanted them to hear the word and then do it, not just hear it and leave unchanged. </i><br />
We wanted them to understand how to worship. <i>We wanted them to know the freedom that happens when they truly forget about who might be looking at them, and just worship God. </i><br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
Last summer at Forward Conference 2010, we had 8 who were filled with the Holy Spirit, with the evidence of speaking with other tongues. <i>This was in our rooms after the services. </i>We also had several who were set free from addiction. We had some who really heard from God about what they were supposed to do with their life. It was an amazing time that I can not possibly put into words. <br />
<br />
You wanna know the difference between this "summer camp" and the 9 we've been to before that? The fire that God put in these guys is still going. It's been 9 months and they are worshipping with more passion than they were when they came back from Forward. We have never seen anything like it. <br />
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Rewind for just a second...<br />
<br />
About 2 years ago, a few of my friends and I got together once a week to pray for our church. We prayed for every area of our church. The reason we did this was because we felt an urgency to pray for the passion of the love of God to be awakened in our church like it was being awakened in all of our hearts. I remember saying something over and over again, every time I would talk with them about it, and every time Jason and I would talk, even during prayer. I would say, "I believe that passion will be awakened in our church, and it will spread like WILDFIRE, and I believe it's gonna start with the youth." I truly believed that in my heart, and so I would say it whenever I thought about it. <br />
<br />
Back to Forward Conference...<br />
<br />
When we came back home, these guys were so excited about what God had done, they started telling their friends about it, and so we had more being filled with the Holy Spirit even after we got "back to reality". It was awesome to watch. <br />
<br />
In the past, we've watched them stand there during worship with their arms folded, just watching the band play their hearts out. But since Forward, every week we notice them worshipping more and more. It's to the point now, where we have a full house, and there are hands up all over the place. It's one of those things you just stand back and remember when you were thinking about what else you could do to get them to really enter in to worship, and you realize that what you've been praying and believing for is within eyesight. It's breathtaking.<br />
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Over the past few weeks, we have had several (not sure how many exactly) salvations, but they haven't all been in our services. These guys are sharing Jesus with their friends and getting them saved left and right! It's spreading...<br />
<br />
This past Sunday night, Daniel Eric Groves was at our church, and our youth got ministered to in a BIG way. Some of them were called out, but the most exciting thing to me was what Daniel said. He shared with them about how he hates the "youth camp" fade out, and that the FIRE had to be alive inside each of them. He said they could have the best youth pastor in the world, but it didn't matter. They had to have the FIRE in them to minister to EACH OTHER.<br />
<br />
We decided to have a testimony night tonight in The Loft. We knew that God had done some things in their lives and we wanted to give them an opportunity to share that with each other. Our service starts at 7:00. We had to stop them and tell them to leave at almost 9:00. At 8ish, we stopped and told them that church downstairs was out, and they could leave if they wanted to. Nobody moved. At some point in the middle of the service, we had 5 make decisions to either be saved or rededicate their life. And then they kept getting up and sharing testimonies. <br />
<br />
Wanna know the best part? They were sharing about how they felt so accepted and loved when they started coming to this youth group. When they felt so out of place at their school, they felt like they fit right in when they came to The Loft. They were sharing how God was putting it on their heart to talk to some people at their school about Jesus, that they had decided they didn't wanna just make it through the day anymore. They wanted to make a difference because they feel like they have a purpose now. This wasn't just one or two...this was nearly all of them! <br />
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Some call it a revival. I call it an AWAKENING! Salvation, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and passion is spreading like WILDFIRE in our youth group! The flame has been lit, so church, get ready to burn! It's happening!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-63310286597169734992011-03-20T11:45:00.000-05:002011-03-20T11:45:56.215-05:00Why Do You Worship?Today, Daniel Eric Groves ministered at our church. He shared some of the amazing things that God has done for him and his family. The reasons why he worships. Then he asked the question, "Why do you worship?". Worship is real when you have a reason. If you worship just because you're supposed to, there's no freedom in that. You're just going through the motions. I don't wanna go through the motions...<br />
<br />
I worship because I have a born again, spirit-filled husband, who loves God (and me) with all of his heart, and chooses every single day to sacrifice his life for his family just because he loves us. <br />
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I worship because I have 3 beautiful, healthy, obedient children who are following Jesus.<br />
<br />
I worship because God continues to amaze us time and time again with His loving provision. His way-making, when there seems to be absolutely NO way.<br />
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I worship because Jesus has set me free from sin and the guilt that comes along with the regret of that sin.<br />
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I worship because my family is restored and free from addiction.<br />
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I worship because I know there is more restoration and freedom to come.<br />
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I worship because salvation is spreading like wildfire in our youth group!<br />
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I worship because of my God given friends that still love me and don't judge me, even when I don't deserve their love, mercy, and forgiveness.<br />
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I worship because of God's mercy in my life every single day.<br />
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I worship because even when I've been hurt, God shows me how to change <i>me</i> and become stronger still.<br />
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I worship because God loves me, and I don't deserve it.<br />
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There are not enough words to express how thankful I am for God's goodness in my life. I'm so glad I have worship to do that! Worship is one of the single most important things I have to express my love and thankfulness to God. He really is SO GOOD to me.<br />
<br />
Why do you worship?<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-77707236876919094092011-03-15T01:07:00.000-05:002011-03-15T01:07:12.276-05:00My Assignments Homeschooling is the best decision I have ever made for my kids. Yes, we have challenges. Daily. But I believe these are the types of challenges that will make us stronger as a family. I found myself wishing for a break today, and I realized that I don't really want a break. What I want is to overcome these challenges and see my relationship with my children become stronger than it ever could have been otherwise. <br />
<br />
Jessi has been having a hard time focusing on her schoolwork. It's really more of a "I don't want to do any work, anywhere, period" type of thing, along with an "I'm 8 years old going on 13" type of thing. You mix those two together with <i>my</i> Jessi and you've got MAJOR DRAMA. I also believe she's fighting for attention in this crazy household. I think she'll take any kind of attention she can get at this point, even if it means a fight with her mommy. <br />
<br />
But I'm ready for this fight. I want her to know that I'm not going to give up on her and let her have her way. I'm not going to stop helping her understand all the <i>whys</i> of what she's feeling and what she's going through. Sometimes she feels like I don't understand and I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to walk her through these precious years myself and that I have this precious time to spend with her that will all too quickly be gone forever. I can't imagine trying to teach her and guide her through these years if I only had a few hours before dinner and the weekends to spend with her like I would if she were going to school elsewhere. <br />
<br />
For me, being a mother is so much more than cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, and driving people around. It's about teaching them how to live and how to learn in every area of life. It's about teaching. I am so thankful that God has provided an opportunity for me to teach my children all day long, every single day. <br />
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I believe my children are receiving the absolute best education possible. I always know every area they are struggling with, so I can help them through it. And they never get left behind when they don't understand something. I love the fact that we can focus on those things more, and breeze through the things they understand already with ease. And who better to do that than their mother, the one who knows their strengths and weaknesses the very best? There is no one on earth more equipped to teach my kids than me. I believe God assigned my children to me for a special reason, and I am graced by Him to teach them the way they learn best.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-65732648167795190152011-03-03T10:36:00.000-06:002011-03-03T10:36:29.902-06:00WHY???I felt the need to share this, but also felt it might be too much for some of my Facebook friends to handle. They can click over at their own risk. <br />
<br />
So this morning I was awakened to a laughing baby girl who had not only performed a #2 in her diaper, and not only took the diaper off, but also chucked it outside her crib because obviously <i>that</i> doesn't belong in there. Oh, and this was after it got smudged all over the sheets, bed, bumper pad, and herself. GOOD MORNING MOMMY!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dWvMKb15Rww/TW_AMLBMOPI/AAAAAAAAAu0/3LpkLw1DuXc/s1600/Lenabelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dWvMKb15Rww/TW_AMLBMOPI/AAAAAAAAAu0/3LpkLw1DuXc/s320/Lenabelle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Also, my eldest child woke up complaining that her foot was hurting so bad that she couldn't even walk. Then shortly after I mentioned that we probably shouldn't go to the park today since she couldn't walk, she said, "My foot has healed up to the point that I can walk on it, and the faster I walk, the less it hurts. It's really just when I stand still that it hurts the most." <br />
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Mhm.<br />
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This will be a 3 cups of coffee day for sure. (maybe more)<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-82138656653191475922011-02-09T11:14:00.000-06:002011-02-09T11:14:57.998-06:00Homeschooling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been wanting to share my thoughts on homeschooling for a while now, and I still plan to, it's just that, at the moment, I can't put 2 thoughts together before I'm peeling Lena down off the dining room table or something. So stay tuned... </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Until then, here is a great post by one of my favorite blogs!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://notinadequate.com/2011/02/09/more-homeschool-q-a/">Not Inadequate » Blog Archive » More Homeschool Q & A</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-10218780204319039182011-02-01T08:41:00.000-06:002011-02-01T08:41:22.045-06:00Brand New ManOur first trip to Disney World as a family was AWESOME! My sister and bro-in-law are annual passholders, and they go many times every year. It was great not having to think about what to do and just letting them pull us around and show us the highlights. We didn't have time to do everything, but we definitely hit the hot spots! We were ALL completely exhausted the whole time but it was SO MUCH FUN! <br />
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We stayed at the All Star Movies Resort in the Toy Story section. The kids loved it! <br />
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We had to do Small World twice because Lena slept through it the first time. <i>(told you we were exhausted)</i><br />
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But she loved it. She kept pointing and saying "baby" to everything. So CUTE. But that was her second favorite. Her absolute favorite was the Country Bear Jamboree. The child nearly exploded with excitement. She was dancing, standing up, sitting down, clapping, laughing out loud, standing up & sitting down again, it was hysterical. <br />
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Jessi loved the roller coasters, of course. The first day she got a little sick (mostly just tired), but we got her some Motrin and she was good to go. The second day she started feeling icky and had a little fever but we got some Tylenol and she was on the Rockin' Roller Coaster in minutes. The enemy really tried to squash her fun. I knew it was serious because she wanted to go back to the room and sleep. Well, we were NOT having any of that! We sent that sickness back to where it came from in a hurry. She recovered quickly and still had the time of her life!<br />
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Jessi and Eli went to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and got pampered. Princess Jessi got the full package. Hair, makeup, nails, crown, dress, shoes, fairy dust (glitter) everywhere, a wand, photo shoot and all. She LOVED it. <br />
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Sir Eli got the Knight's Package and got glittery things in his hair that we had to wash out in the bathroom of the Rainforest Cafe before dinner. He's such a boy! It was super cute though, and he loved his sword & shield. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_G1y98fEghWQ/TUe5zcG33wI/AAAAAAAAAug/gNDkXzte7TY/s1600/Sir+Eli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_G1y98fEghWQ/TUe5zcG33wI/AAAAAAAAAug/gNDkXzte7TY/s320/Sir+Eli.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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This part took us ALL by complete surprise. I believe Disney World changed Eli's life. His favorite ride? You ready? You won't believe it.<br />
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The Haunted Mansion.<br />
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Seriously. He rode it 3 times. Another shocker? He rode the TOWER OF TERROR. And he knew what it did before he got on there. He's watched the videos of it and everything! And he liked it! He rode Space Mountain too, and would have ridden the Rockin' Roller Coaster if he were tall enough. He also hugged and talked to every character he had the opportunity to meet! If you know Eli, you know what a feat this really is! I was so proud of him! The kid shocked us all, and I believe he had the best time of anyone. He is a brand new man!<br />
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I have to say, I really regret not making this trip happen sooner. I'm so glad we finally went. We will definitely be going back very soon!<br />
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<s>Here are a few of the video clips we took</s>. The video clips we took would not load on here for some reason. Maybe later...<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-31710674178616506672011-01-13T14:54:00.000-06:002011-01-13T14:54:17.928-06:00Thoughts CollectedI know it's been a while since I've posted, but lately it seems my thoughts have been very uncollected. By that I mean, just randomly <s>floating</s> <s>circling</s> darting around in my head. There's been SO much going on with me and around me it's been very difficult to just focus. Today is the first day I've had a glimmer of focus in months. And until today, I couldn't figure it out. Here's why. You ready? It's a MAJOR revelation. <br />
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I've been sleeping in.<br />
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As a homeschooling mother of 3 children with 2 additional at home jobs (not to mention youth pastor's wife), this is NOT OK. I need my rest, but I need my QUIET time with my Lord even more. I've been in the Word and praying, but in spurts during my day, <i>if</i> my day doesn't get completely turned upside down, which happens pretty often. I know better than this, and the Lord has been dealing with me about it for a while. I've just been putting Him off. It's so easy to just roll over and snuggle up in those warm blankets in the morning. <br />
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Last week I was very sick, and this week I've been recovering. My husband has been so great, taking care of EVERYTHING. But for the past couple weeks I haven't spent any quiet time with him. Sure, we've talked, communicated the necessities to each other and stuff, but I realized yesterday just how much I missed spending <i>quality</i> time with him. There's been plenty of quantity, but not much quality. And I realized that's EXACTLY how I feel about my time with the Lord. Quantity just isn't going to cut it for me. I NEED quality time. Quiet time. Intimate time. And that's just not happening when the kids are up. <br />
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I got up at 6:30 this morning and got a little bit of quiet time. It should have been about an hour, but of course the first day I get up early is the first day in months my kids have awakened before 7:30. But that's ok, I'm believing for them to sleep later tomorrow (and every day after that). <br />
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That hour of sleep just isn't worth the uncollected thoughts and the missing Him. Today has been a very busy day with lots of things on my to do list <i>(including paying 178.50 for a speeding ticket I got a couple months ago for putting the pedal to tha metal at a whopping 35mph. yep)</i>, but it has been one of the best days I've had in months. I feel very focused, and very collected. I'm not saying my days still don't get turned upside down, but when I give God the first part of my day, He helps me with the rest. <br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-934110457517714851.post-6988364861424765712010-12-25T21:24:00.000-06:002010-12-25T21:24:16.102-06:00Did that really just happen?This Christmas Day started off really great. And it ended even better. <br />
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First of all, Lena was hilarious the whole day. She loved everything. Our Christmas morning starts off by the kids coming into our room and climbing up into our bed to empty the stockings that we leave filled by their beds. This is my absolute favorite part of the morning. Lena was so cute sticking her entire arm down into that big stocking to get out her stuff. She was so excited. There's just nothing like watching a baby's first <i>real</i> Christmas when their little faces light up from excitement because they have no idea what's going on but they know they like it. I'm sad that part is over now.<br />
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Then we all run into the living room to see what Santa (they know it's us) left and to open gifts. Fun stuff, yada yada yada. <br />
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Then we all get dressed and ready for the day and head to Mimi's house in Headland for breakfast. Only this year we had to move it across the street to Jason's sister's house because his other sister (who lives at Mimi's) was sick. :( <br />
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Then we head to Grandnonna's house for lunch. <br />
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So we're opening presents at my mom's and we always go youngest to oldest. We start opening the ones from my sister, bro-in-law and niece, and I notice the gifts are a little...well...not the usual gifts they like to give. I know that this has been a really great year for them financially, and I'm noticing that these gifts are like $10 or less...maybe. At first when the kids were opening, I just thought that maybe they were trying to be nice and get us inexpensive gifts so we wouldn't feel bad for not getting them really expensive ones, but by the time it got around to my mom (remember, youngest to oldest) I realized that we're all getting these really janky tools. <br />
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Ok, before it sounds like I'm being ungrateful, please realize this is not something that bothered me, but just something that I <i>noticed.</i> So they "forgot" they had another bag of gifts in the car after all the opening was done and they brought it in and passed out one more box for everyone to open. They said we all (me, Jason, Jessi, Eli, my mom, my dad, and my brother) had to open at the same time. I'm thinking, aw how sweet, they got us all something really nice like a gift card or cash, what a smooth little trick with the janky tools. Nuh-uh...<br />
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WE ALL GOT 2 DAY PARKHOPPER PASSES TO DISNEYWORLD.<br />
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WOW. <br />
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I couldn't help but immediately remember the list that Jason and I made and prayed over about a year ago of things that we are believing God for. Glory be to God, we have been able to scratch off many of the things on that list this year. Today we got to scratch off a big one. Disneyworld. We actually had some extra money come into our hands this month and we immediately talked about using it for Disney, but we prayed about it and really felt the Lord showing us something different we needed to do with it. We knew the most important thing was to obey God and trust that He would take care of Disneyworld for us at the right time. <br />
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We got in the truck to come home and I just looked at Jason and said, "Did that really just happen?" It still feels like a dream. I'm so thankful for God's goodness and His love for us!<br />
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Thank you Scott, Sandy, and Lauren! We're all goin' to Disney!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/278/C5218794970C18F7D95DA99671F0A7E6.png" style="-webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial;" /></a>Kendallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15675288731564728914noreply@blogger.com1