tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50985854701393504842024-03-05T07:48:31.401-08:00Southern SassTiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.comBlogger300125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-73190269985050136992011-04-27T14:08:00.000-07:002011-04-27T16:10:19.964-07:00Seeds of Worship<span style="font-size:85%;color:#009900;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4_Fjd9d1z8UMf45tbVYWVkOtx4pymcq3jjTAxsNye0TMCz1IJ_PrrX_56BFy3NLK1RRaRrBXzb2EiZo-OTqzEefTOOnIjQxUaNN_QxGy6odB3BpFyH2_mwihQM08iO8x715_MJfX1yA/s1600/seeds-family-worship.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600381658550174178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4_Fjd9d1z8UMf45tbVYWVkOtx4pymcq3jjTAxsNye0TMCz1IJ_PrrX_56BFy3NLK1RRaRrBXzb2EiZo-OTqzEefTOOnIjQxUaNN_QxGy6odB3BpFyH2_mwihQM08iO8x715_MJfX1yA/s400/seeds-family-worship.jpg" /></a><strong>I have to share! I am in love with <a href="http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/">Seeds Family Worship</a> CDs right now.</strong><br /><br />There are six CDs in all.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#009900;"></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color:#009900;">Seeds of <strong><em>Faith</em></strong></span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#6600cc;"><strong>Seeds of Praise</strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Seeds of Courage</span><br /><br /><em><span style="color:#ffcc00;"><strong>Seeds of Purpose</strong></span></em><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Power of Encouragement</span> </span></strong><br /><br />and their newest which will be out May 3rd...but you are welcome to pre-order now...<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;color:#339999;">Seeds of Character</span><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuICCI7HsmOAQECFwt6K8bu6ACML4SaohRbYML_9xTiw84CiCLfTNW5Bj4niJ8Ncq2iYTvQeKDHwefDYVdfxrkdwwxqo5DznycNyBwk72X3lJi_Xs5xaqeHK16dxjTzDxmOaXZA1mDQw/s1600/photo%255B6%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600373949920536994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWuICCI7HsmOAQECFwt6K8bu6ACML4SaohRbYML_9xTiw84CiCLfTNW5Bj4niJ8Ncq2iYTvQeKDHwefDYVdfxrkdwwxqo5DznycNyBwk72X3lJi_Xs5xaqeHK16dxjTzDxmOaXZA1mDQw/s400/photo%255B6%255D.JPG" /></a> I have three, and I just ordered three more to finish our collection. I love this ministry, not only can you use it <strong><em>to plant the seeds of God's word in the hearts of our little ones</em></strong>, but, you can share God's word with others at the same time. Each Cd comes as a set of two with a perferated edge that you can tear off to give one of the CDs to a friend or neighbor. <em>Don't you just love that?!</em> I mean who does that? That's completely awesome! What a creative and unique way to open a door to share the gospel with others, or to encourage a friend who is trying to raise their little ones in the love of the Lord. I shared my first three copies with my friend and neighbor Katie.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosrOw4Cp09FJru2iyOz43AhmhIAJ4qIVcZuKf4dGAes30ntPyAWyA-iz5t1OSHBCT6yRFtV6SIoykfHEdWG5zO6l5ndOQL-WntN67wO5Pvc7X03JWb1JJbUkTuAI_QDsMEwtyEH3Fb3Q/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600387705855750434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiosrOw4Cp09FJru2iyOz43AhmhIAJ4qIVcZuKf4dGAes30ntPyAWyA-iz5t1OSHBCT6yRFtV6SIoykfHEdWG5zO6l5ndOQL-WntN67wO5Pvc7X03JWb1JJbUkTuAI_QDsMEwtyEH3Fb3Q/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+009.jpg" /></a> ~OK Katie, we so need a new picture of us together;)<br />The Lord knew I was going to need a friend/neighbor like Katie, because I was absolutely spoiled having Datha next door for five years, and she is such a sweetheart. We share a lot of mommy advice with each other and try to encourage and pray for one another. She blessed me with this earlier this last month as we were pulling out all our books for the Spring and Easter season.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND2vmfP7fO-p74KDddk3r0kE6HfpbPW2EDSbd4t26UDU5adnM4h1aN4HJTWqWz9cabEXYsMMZiFCesvXMBqUcDYeDA_-5kpV2oQWcQME0EAFo21RcFbbbB-UUL5RtXXVaOphtghuTbqA/s1600/photo%255B8%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600394614092175826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgND2vmfP7fO-p74KDddk3r0kE6HfpbPW2EDSbd4t26UDU5adnM4h1aN4HJTWqWz9cabEXYsMMZiFCesvXMBqUcDYeDA_-5kpV2oQWcQME0EAFo21RcFbbbB-UUL5RtXXVaOphtghuTbqA/s400/photo%255B8%255D.JPG" /></a> So, I wanted to share this blessing with her. My kids are loving it. We have a 30 minute drive to school evry morning and this is a perfect way to start our day. I love to hear them sing, but, more than that they are learning scripture. It's a beautiful thing! I wanted to leave you with a song from my favorite album so far The Power of Encourgement.<br /><object style="WIDTH: 640px; HEIGHT: 390px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vc9pEb-Ej7U?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><br /><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Vc9pEb-Ej7U?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">If I can't seem to get it to play here in this post -it will be in a seperate post...</span><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Be Blessed!</span>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-90951614480394616172011-04-19T05:23:00.000-07:002011-04-19T08:30:09.649-07:00Celebration<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje83cnMNx2PAuGYF1hPUYzWdR5U8awDK0Il-VdXSTroc0r0jG1SfCNt-NQgVPAuqyItbPusHh9FK8lSmNWw9vuE9uJJOW5NchQ0vmW0fD-rnpUOQ5SbobO_BEcloMUOCwDnPQZuSg2Rn0/s1600/PalmSunday%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597084217571831986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje83cnMNx2PAuGYF1hPUYzWdR5U8awDK0Il-VdXSTroc0r0jG1SfCNt-NQgVPAuqyItbPusHh9FK8lSmNWw9vuE9uJJOW5NchQ0vmW0fD-rnpUOQ5SbobO_BEcloMUOCwDnPQZuSg2Rn0/s400/PalmSunday%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a> After searching and praying for 9 months now, we finally have a church home. We have been visiting churches in two towns close to us, and praying for the Lord to show us where He wants us to serve. I have been so anxious to put down roots and have a church family again. We joined a church yesterday, on Palm Sunday. The children led most of the service in praise and worship, waving palm branches as they came in singing. It was beautiful.<br /><br />This last Sunday, after church and lunch, as I was doing dishes and trying to tidy up around the house, my son came to me and said, " Momma, I want to tell Jesus I love him. I want to tell him I love him and thank him for dying on the cross for us." I stopped and sat down with him to pray. Listening to him pray, I was filled with so many emotions. I was so happy for him. I was so proud of him, and yet I was heart broken at the same time. As Easter draws near and I think about what this time of year means, for us as Christians. It is so bittersweet. I'm thankful and filled with sorrow all at the same time. It's hard to look at the pain He endured. It's even harder to face the sin in your life that put Him there. I'm moved beyond words at how much He loved us. We are no longer captives to sin and death, but, set free through the death and ressurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most beautiful thing to see your children come to understand and fall in love with Jesus. I pray that he falls in love with Him more and more everyday. I pray that he will allow Him to become not only his savior, but, his Lord. I'm so thankful that the Lord allowed me to share this moment with my son. What a special blessing for this Easter season.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-44169250503091285752011-04-14T08:19:00.001-07:002011-04-14T15:16:08.318-07:00SpringWell, hello again. ;) I've kinda missed ya. It's been busy (life as usual...) and there are so many times I've wanted to steal a few minutes away to sit down and write, but, I just haven't had a free moment to sit still it seems. Except for that week (Spring Break) where we were all sick as a dog here at home. That was fun, just kidding. Besides that we have been spring cleaning and planting new flowers and azalea bushes in our front yard. I've been looking for outdoor furniture for our cabana and pool area out back. I've also been hunting for the perfect big boy bed for Trey. I still haven't found it. I have a folder of pictures and fabric swatches that are the inspiration of where I want to go with his room. My sweet sister Dememtria is painting Anna Grace's furniture for her room. I can not wait to see how it turns out. We are using the furniture I had while growing up. I kept the set at my mother in law's home when our family home sold after daddy passed. I'm so glad I did. She loves it and it's nice that I can share something of my childhood with her. Hugh and I purchased the most gorgeous antique bed right before Christmas, and I can't wait to get our bedding for that as well. I have projects going everywhere. It's exciting and a bit daunting all at the same time. I'm the kind of person who loves organization. I'm so a Martha Stewart wanna be. When we started our spring cleaning I decided that it was time to cull out and let go of alot of things. If we aren't going to use it and it's just going to go into a box then it needs to go, with the exception of seasonal decorations, pictures, and a few keepsakes. I desperately want everything simplified. I feel like there's room to breath when everything is simplified and in it's place. If I can just keep it all that way once it's done. That is the frustrating part. I'm still in the stage of fixing up our house, and I'm ready to just "Live" in it and have it feel like home. I feel like everything ran so smoothly when we were living in Ohio. I had my routine just the way I wanted it. I know it's just going to take time for everything to feel that way here. I wish I could share better pictures, but I can only share the ones I have on my iphone, because our computer can only hold a few more pictures. All the storage is taken up on it right now. We have tried to delete older pictures we have saved and backed up, but it won't seem to let us do that right now soooo..... here are a few from my phone.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaYExU4liF3naR18S8Uaq7N07fcQpIEm9vx1jwOTxu5FFNv02tfvC8hgI-LR0vAoN3p-Cd-75ATfe7WMU4w3sedZc3sQ1XLAnyC-TUOBpf3pGx9XY8xIdIKZ7-LhOc_9YZvy22qA1sPw/s1600/photo%255B1%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595553134257032498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaYExU4liF3naR18S8Uaq7N07fcQpIEm9vx1jwOTxu5FFNv02tfvC8hgI-LR0vAoN3p-Cd-75ATfe7WMU4w3sedZc3sQ1XLAnyC-TUOBpf3pGx9XY8xIdIKZ7-LhOc_9YZvy22qA1sPw/s400/photo%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a> This is a little bench we just got for the front porch. Now, I can sit outside in the morning and have coffee, or read and watch the kids play in the afternoon. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJzrOjK67iz3ZZZ2WEiuqdcWZwU3__cO5LXllS2JMassYWduk9DifMPVz5Kj_r5l9qH3AiQxy6f6xmkUL5xJgqYSbT4_4dFvcatiMiebcQ8UUKnZD45II5WDmFvMk9MESeHx61f9imNg/s1600/photo%255B3%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595553135224308786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJzrOjK67iz3ZZZ2WEiuqdcWZwU3__cO5LXllS2JMassYWduk9DifMPVz5Kj_r5l9qH3AiQxy6f6xmkUL5xJgqYSbT4_4dFvcatiMiebcQ8UUKnZD45II5WDmFvMk9MESeHx61f9imNg/s400/photo%255B3%255D.JPG" /></a> There is a flower box below each of the windows on the front of our house. They were here when we bought the house, but I think they were used more for decoration, because they were empty. The first warm Sunday afternoon we had I went to Lowe's and bought flowers for the front. I think I planted something like 82 flowers that day and it was such a joy. I love flowers and I love gardening. It makes me feel good to add something beautiful to our home and it brings back sweet memories of my momma. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjEwJti6k7e_kWUxLI7LzutkbUtiHShW3Mc2h6oUeLoQ0clCMrFEZKFCjkyb74ICICLFps4aLFQEfJNKVqh_Rq4e6_gdUzoAop8KFpo-lEv9YRl9QdFq9RT6s-qGpbfPqMvP7CeA4Wn8/s1600/photo%255B4%255D.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595561825066285202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjEwJti6k7e_kWUxLI7LzutkbUtiHShW3Mc2h6oUeLoQ0clCMrFEZKFCjkyb74ICICLFps4aLFQEfJNKVqh_Rq4e6_gdUzoAop8KFpo-lEv9YRl9QdFq9RT6s-qGpbfPqMvP7CeA4Wn8/s400/photo%255B4%255D.JPG" /></a> I planted red Dianthus along the back and white Scopia, which is a trailing flower, in the front. I love the Fleur de lis on the front of each box that ties in with the bench I just purchased. I'll have to take pictures of the Scarlet Flame Moss Phlox I planted, as well as, the azaleas. For now, I'm off to clean the house. Love to all my bloggy friends! Hope you are enjoying a little bit of Spring.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-20572088280186562812011-02-24T14:55:00.000-08:002011-02-24T16:22:31.757-08:00A Lovely Getaway...I can't believe it's almost the end of February. This has been a busy month. We have been celebrating my birthday, as well as, my son, who just turned 5. Oh my, I have a five year old! How does time fly so quickly? I'm also taking on a new out reach ministry through Trey's school called Ministerium. I'll share more on that at a later date. It blesses my heart that the Lord opened and closed doors in leading us to this school, and I am so proud to be involved with a school that is not merely a Christian school in name only.<br /><br />Hugh and I also had the opportunity to spend the weekend before Valentine's down in New Orleans together. Demetria was running her first half marathon and we wanted to be there to cheer her on. We originally planned to take the kids with us, but, our sweet friends Shelia and Ashley offered to keep them for us. They have three of their own, so we were like <em>are you sure?!</em> -but they insisted. In fact, they called us during our trip just to tell us how much they were enjoying our sweet babies, and they were proud of us for taking a little time for ourselves. (<em>Thank you God for such great friends!</em> ) We had a blast! I was a little nervous about leaving them for the weekend, but, knowing we were leaving them in good hands with people we trust made all the difference in the world. It was nice to get away and reconnect with my husband too.<br /><br /><br />I never knew what a romantic place New Orleans could be, but let me tell you I can't wait to go back. We got into NOLA around eight o'clock Friday evening just in time to freshen up and make our dinner reservations at <a href="http://www.thebombayclub.com/">The Bombay Club</a>. This was by far my favorite place we found down in New Orleans. <p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577049305812200162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwRLyPlrffmZ_HUKZAZHLJmPafq-vXElOv0M3jDxhPm3yAiNEpS6AvmgmW9EilSDCvzLdqiUkMRtbOLAmJPDXh_Xmgr14m0S7Bnviy18mQXCgs4s_Zd4dfc1BoqSn6FaIE9ZaYZ2X_fGw/s400/Bombay+Club1.jpg" /></p>The ambiance, music, and food was perfection, very dark and quaint, some where you feel like you might run into Frank Sinatra. It had an old supper club kind of feel to it.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovL-_gc0osrzCRRTrIgkjFDJEj7m0YJO7wicqczk8jaYoJ8DPiXQeYeCUWZ6w32JR2uWE7UdGw9lyTvWa4PWt3n_rx02KKJVHTPPv0ifrBY0rEg5H40YwilFvdSqbq-9RadlnZXWzIuE/s1600/Bombay+Club2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577049307382761314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovL-_gc0osrzCRRTrIgkjFDJEj7m0YJO7wicqczk8jaYoJ8DPiXQeYeCUWZ6w32JR2uWE7UdGw9lyTvWa4PWt3n_rx02KKJVHTPPv0ifrBY0rEg5H40YwilFvdSqbq-9RadlnZXWzIuE/s400/Bombay+Club2.jpg" /></a> I love the dark wood and over stuffed leather. It was very relaxing.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fhf5IiMJ5qaL3nubMrDEtLOATXiXsGtdn_KDUHR35-PictCqFf7tvFbJX3N_6GLdGYHtG0ykxsKflLqTFSMByKmZ1-FX1En3SM4ciT8Do8VZpnRSyAa1DYAdur3nMtN9cdkhyphenhypheniiB6vI/s1600/Our+table.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577049303139817202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fhf5IiMJ5qaL3nubMrDEtLOATXiXsGtdn_KDUHR35-PictCqFf7tvFbJX3N_6GLdGYHtG0ykxsKflLqTFSMByKmZ1-FX1En3SM4ciT8Do8VZpnRSyAa1DYAdur3nMtN9cdkhyphenhypheniiB6vI/s400/Our+table.jpg" /></a> This was our table right next to the court yard.<br /><p>It's known as the best martini bar in town, but I'd go back again and again for the jazz. In fact we did. After dinner on Saturday night, we went back just to listen to Leroy Jones. Here is a sample of his music I found on YouTube. <iframe title="YouTube video player" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/woRQf6rByXw" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe>(Please feel free to pause my music player, so you can listen.)<br /><br />We walked every where the entire weekend. Only once or twice did we take a cab, but, if you stay in the french quarter, as we did, you can get just about any where a lot quicker by walking. Besides, what could be more romantic than strolling hand in hand through a new city together. Saturday morning, we met our friends Jason and Capri at Cafe Du Monde for coffee and beignets. Everyone goes to to <a href="http://www.cafedumonde.com/">Cafe Du Monde </a>for the beignets, but, I have to say that as a true coffee lover it was the cafe au lait that was my start to a perfect day there. After an hour or so we decided to walk around Jackson Square and The French Market. The center of Jackson Square was filled with art and artists, and the outside is lined with shops and boutiques. We also walked through St. Louis Cathedral.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD2grZCJMLrx7HTMbrbF2HaE9U0jRrd_O0uJibMwOUNSGT2xKGDXjxivDUuW1nzZr146BO2xftBO1F74nepCRSiIjMoeo9IDb8sGsZIyVfoSIqHVNMpVOcqpGJ8PkG1_BJQQxy7UacEs/s1600/J+square.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577352127376499762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD2grZCJMLrx7HTMbrbF2HaE9U0jRrd_O0uJibMwOUNSGT2xKGDXjxivDUuW1nzZr146BO2xftBO1F74nepCRSiIjMoeo9IDb8sGsZIyVfoSIqHVNMpVOcqpGJ8PkG1_BJQQxy7UacEs/s400/J+square.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyIZhlkCt6RhBGffiallj54aAYSeLspCupRIMYpZzehsPB0_-FmKmxPTRJtGQ5CuajiDPbhW7YHBbmm6uVNRD3v2asnDjIBOHeIUH-QJgFabXl1L5FhntWoQi52SVDg5BFSUs2ZkB5Gw/s1600/goldman.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577352124024151106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyIZhlkCt6RhBGffiallj54aAYSeLspCupRIMYpZzehsPB0_-FmKmxPTRJtGQ5CuajiDPbhW7YHBbmm6uVNRD3v2asnDjIBOHeIUH-QJgFabXl1L5FhntWoQi52SVDg5BFSUs2ZkB5Gw/s400/goldman.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyI5XfTv2bZf9VappYIlPr4v20X_2AuUQF3-c-bF_0OAHrmMgBq_bUFKexfGSppWySAhJuaO5NT8p_0Y1QYyXGFnVzxQUq46ulFwsgj3elwJ4yTDVm5DkWQJhOE9UNrP2jqhNysfAeMXA/s1600/Nola+silverman.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577352120228844098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyI5XfTv2bZf9VappYIlPr4v20X_2AuUQF3-c-bF_0OAHrmMgBq_bUFKexfGSppWySAhJuaO5NT8p_0Y1QYyXGFnVzxQUq46ulFwsgj3elwJ4yTDVm5DkWQJhOE9UNrP2jqhNysfAeMXA/s400/Nola+silverman.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOru548OzKyazBiA9CpxAuexbIYcdMuF90BROyBLNEcxWtt7Cyv_ZJqVNb-VAdr_NHf2BrAELVyxebtImFjNivJKrKahrCxfT1_u3lVya4XCYbcrZkhwYDxd4GNTGQ9E76jX_7lOlwDQ/s1600/NOLA+artist.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577352115163077010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOru548OzKyazBiA9CpxAuexbIYcdMuF90BROyBLNEcxWtt7Cyv_ZJqVNb-VAdr_NHf2BrAELVyxebtImFjNivJKrKahrCxfT1_u3lVya4XCYbcrZkhwYDxd4GNTGQ9E76jX_7lOlwDQ/s400/NOLA+artist.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAJ1s4S2VaG0yAvDzmpytHgiBEEt-aOT6dSRKP-fXEL_VtYm9xMfH3zNLppxWQfOaEKgquK3S4IgUhf2Sz44Nn3q-zqzGbpZR34KsgEQLDTy03NS46CcgqswQBLHWfEHljs7IaGzgFjQ/s1600/stree+mucisians.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577352109934778866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAJ1s4S2VaG0yAvDzmpytHgiBEEt-aOT6dSRKP-fXEL_VtYm9xMfH3zNLppxWQfOaEKgquK3S4IgUhf2Sz44Nn3q-zqzGbpZR34KsgEQLDTy03NS46CcgqswQBLHWfEHljs7IaGzgFjQ/s400/stree+mucisians.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQahFS7Zx1Fl-RHEUJ4t6MHR89-y4EcxgluNpgYy0dPtd7oZ-xjDBVEnyPE4ZnGTHlWGZHnw_0wyLeALP-R6YVA0LrEfMLNiJNLdnlZB4mtfEPEym7eAmlU67cdEfuPEdVl1pAYSW-P8k/s1600/NO+French+Market.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577046849484179090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQahFS7Zx1Fl-RHEUJ4t6MHR89-y4EcxgluNpgYy0dPtd7oZ-xjDBVEnyPE4ZnGTHlWGZHnw_0wyLeALP-R6YVA0LrEfMLNiJNLdnlZB4mtfEPEym7eAmlU67cdEfuPEdVl1pAYSW-P8k/s400/NO+French+Market.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The French market offered everything from a farmers market of fresh fruits and vegetables to local artists and vendors. Here is a little treasure I found there.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AKvqYsPAh6bl5AUYfpx8kAb2iyASWvejZTwIlJ2ZyeJD32vDCLHzXg-mTvLYRV1GIeA8fJxA-Sf7hWSmGVrELdePbbqXio0D8PesaPI0k0NutgxpGvIf2mlMM_kHN-o3TIFvapv8rgY/s1600/NOLA+find.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577044892255662210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AKvqYsPAh6bl5AUYfpx8kAb2iyASWvejZTwIlJ2ZyeJD32vDCLHzXg-mTvLYRV1GIeA8fJxA-Sf7hWSmGVrELdePbbqXio0D8PesaPI0k0NutgxpGvIf2mlMM_kHN-o3TIFvapv8rgY/s400/NOLA+find.jpg" /></a>Isn't it perfect with our colors here in the guest bathroom?<br /><br />After spending the morning walking the French Quarter with our friends, we made our way to <a href="http://www.commanderspalace.com/">Commander's Palace </a>for a two o'clock brunch. We sat in the garden room surrounded by windows, over looking a large oak. I tried turtle soup for the first time. It was not for me, even with the drizzle of sherry added, but I wanted to try something new, and now I know. Hugh and I enjoyed our brunch and spent the afternoon walking through the garden district, looking at all the ridiculously gorgeous houses. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSE3S76sK5xezpc1eWpbVI8AF7jv7o-4PIT4iN_txPqQIBB6FxP-IdozWxAG3ce7IuPlFQnfXOJY2xP-VevWbqvsJHA_0SWvjxpuEQms25nhJZJ0YLPo6VNQ3ipQ6W4MJrvZgUfTW2U0/s1600/Nola+house.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577386317266400770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSE3S76sK5xezpc1eWpbVI8AF7jv7o-4PIT4iN_txPqQIBB6FxP-IdozWxAG3ce7IuPlFQnfXOJY2xP-VevWbqvsJHA_0SWvjxpuEQms25nhJZJ0YLPo6VNQ3ipQ6W4MJrvZgUfTW2U0/s400/Nola+house.jpg" /></a> We snapped a few pictures with our iphones. I think his (Above) takes better pictures than mine (Below.)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQfqlmz1Rc_kD3p6ZHuwhHfkF-oEy4RLswqZIeIpMy8ICB0Ccu-vCepgcpzwtTPLiY-l6d06jgwnGG9kXofXpx_PPpIJr7L0kGXHELiL1Ttm1MW7HmhBVm7Gr7oXylbdZbHXBUtG5u0E/s1600/garden+district.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577386314338502226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQfqlmz1Rc_kD3p6ZHuwhHfkF-oEy4RLswqZIeIpMy8ICB0Ccu-vCepgcpzwtTPLiY-l6d06jgwnGG9kXofXpx_PPpIJr7L0kGXHELiL1Ttm1MW7HmhBVm7Gr7oXylbdZbHXBUtG5u0E/s400/garden+district.jpg" /></a> Then we met Demetria,Kevin and the boys back at the hotel to visit. They met friends for dinner, and we decided to walk Magazine Street. We went into a few antique shops and jewelry stores, and Hugh took me to <a href="http://www.shopsucre.com/magazine/">Sucre</a>, a sweet boutique.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK2O8BCM6uyplfVHLGI-s6zrq0-pS5-bUODZKhNgwmy8IY639A4tlw7SsbH0IKKLzAMj9Q2-gzBTwPyHzLapUqzxSzDDQh18fzagzshZJgqdHVRuZGLDG6NifYs2EGQNKtPzq2c8siY8/s1600/Sucre.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577391159633621810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK2O8BCM6uyplfVHLGI-s6zrq0-pS5-bUODZKhNgwmy8IY639A4tlw7SsbH0IKKLzAMj9Q2-gzBTwPyHzLapUqzxSzDDQh18fzagzshZJgqdHVRuZGLDG6NifYs2EGQNKtPzq2c8siY8/s400/Sucre.jpg" /></a>Seriously people, this place is like Tiffany's for chocolate lovers. We bought a small box to take home for later, and I got a bag of their marshmallows, as well. We were still full from brunch at 8:30pm, and decided to cancel our nine o'clock reservation at <a href="http://www.brennansneworleans.com/">Brennan's</a>. It was highly recommended by a few friends. We will just have to try it next time. We decided on a light dinner and headed back to the Bombay Club, for a little more jazz. We left there close to midnight, and walked down Bourbon Street on our way back to our hotel. We caught a few minutes of the <a href="http://www.preservationhall.com/band/index.aspx">Preservation Hall Jazz Band</a> playing and a dueling piano show. We haven't stayed out that late in years, but it was fun, kinda like we were dating again.<br /><br />We were up and cheering Demetria on early the next morning. I am so proud of her, so proud. She started running a little over a year ago and this was her first half marathon. She was a rock star, breaking even her best time. Kevin and their boys made signs and we were all cheering for her when she passed the nine mile marker. Then we raced to get to the finish line in time to see her cross it. It was awesome!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK5bc66J99CXbDiSd__gLMohm2UuJU_LDuU4A7TF1XLEZhL00YK6LogRowtiRh-cpTqAJHxBTW5TC5GBoo7ayIaaY8aPdICv8R64G9sKDA5zRcyu7HT7HEdDCJiYvsTGamQxyIfz9PfI/s1600/dena+race.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577408583003122530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK5bc66J99CXbDiSd__gLMohm2UuJU_LDuU4A7TF1XLEZhL00YK6LogRowtiRh-cpTqAJHxBTW5TC5GBoo7ayIaaY8aPdICv8R64G9sKDA5zRcyu7HT7HEdDCJiYvsTGamQxyIfz9PfI/s400/dena+race.jpg" /></a><br />We spent the rest of the day having lunch and taking a carriage ride all together down at Jackson square. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b8yJFKytXD79NlELMTzpee_a5QIgkOz6enGdiudQtXNP7kAL1R5Jop_cUXL-cbkN-eeha-hYc6jjHCmBCsXGOAbleuVOrbamI-bPk4ZhuimTF1Af77KJYx8HAHcLYrrdt6elXDoSB6E/s1600/Jackson+square.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577410239936526050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0b8yJFKytXD79NlELMTzpee_a5QIgkOz6enGdiudQtXNP7kAL1R5Jop_cUXL-cbkN-eeha-hYc6jjHCmBCsXGOAbleuVOrbamI-bPk4ZhuimTF1Af77KJYx8HAHcLYrrdt6elXDoSB6E/s400/Jackson+square.jpg" /></a>Hugh and I went to a few shops on Royal street before picking up the kids and driving back home. I was able to find a beautiful dress I'm going to save for Easter. We really had a wonderful time and have a list of places we want to visit, when we go back. Hugh and I have never taken a vacation since our honeymoon ten years ago. This was our first ever weekend away, and it was so wonderful. Worth the wait.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-20326799985124866612011-01-30T08:14:00.000-08:002011-01-31T18:53:07.557-08:00An Adoption StoryMany of our friends and family have adopted or are in the process of adopting. It is really wonderful to be able to support them and follow their journey. I wanted to share one of their stories with you.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aPo1nDzcoGa5o51ziGlh5bEc3O_dXpyChCzktvaFr3m7_n_gPd8q1CKuMp9A6e81Y8u69WQo-cLAtAXOGgVFxb0-hD5iyiY4Foux0XYQd8HYmJ2IHX6z02FUrQTH5xaVhIqb5ahn6wA/s1600/scan0008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370422307286338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aPo1nDzcoGa5o51ziGlh5bEc3O_dXpyChCzktvaFr3m7_n_gPd8q1CKuMp9A6e81Y8u69WQo-cLAtAXOGgVFxb0-hD5iyiY4Foux0XYQd8HYmJ2IHX6z02FUrQTH5xaVhIqb5ahn6wA/s400/scan0008.jpg" /></a>These are our dear friends Mark and Datha. We've been blessed to have known them for almost seven years now. We have been friends and neighbors. We were living in a duplex, when they moved into a new house in town and found out the house next door to them was up for rent. They called and told us about it, and before the month was up they were helping us move.<br /><br />Datha and I met while teaching, before I had children, and we became friends almost immediately. She is one of the most nurturing caregivers I have ever known. I call her the baby whisperer. I have seriously seen her take a crying baby into her arms, whom she did not know, and had him completely calm within seconds. I am not exaggerating. It's as if she emits some nurturing motherly pheromone and children are drawn to her. It still amazes me. We have had the opportunity to work together, and we've learned so much from each other over the years, not just in terms of teaching, but just life in general. We seek each others advice on everything from motherhood to ministry.<br /><br />Mark and Datha are both educators and they both work in full time ministry. They also have three beautiful children. They were talking about having a fourth baby, when Mark shared with Datha that the Lord had impressed upon him that they were going to add to their family through foster care. Specifically that they were going to adopt through foster care. So, they prayed about it and started the necessary classes. Within the first six months they opened their home and hearts to three different children, all of whom would eventually leave and be reunited with their own families. It was wonderful and heartbreaking all at the same time. That's just from my perspective, because I cried with Datha each time she had to send a little one home. Aside from the hopes that this child may be the one, it's hard to send a little one you love back into what may be a precarious situation. You just don't know. You may never know. You may never see them again, and that's hard. Datha said she takes heart in knowing that no matter where they go they will always have two people who will pray for them for the rest of their lives. Maybe that in itself is the reason why God has brought them into their lives. There is something so simple and yet so profound in that statement that it makes me emotional just sharing it here with you. To think that the Lord would take them so far down this road, and allow them to feel so deeply, so they might never forget to pray. Would our great and mighty God orchestrate all that so that these little ones would never be forgotten? Absolutely! That is what is so beautiful about their story. But, it's not over yet.....<br /><br />Our Lord is faithful. He never forgets His promises. After six months the opportunity came for them to adopt a beautiful little twelve month old boy. His parents had relinquished all rights and he had been passed over by two other couples because he is a special needs child. The agency knew the fact he was special needs would not matter to Mark and Datha. They invited them to come and meet him and to see if they would like to take him into their family. It was an answer to every one's prayers. <em>To God be the glory</em>.<br /><br />We had the chance to meet him when they came to stay with us during the Christmas holidays. He is precious. I got to spoil him just a bit with a new toy and blankie from his Tiffy. I did not include pictures of him, because it is part of procedure until his adoption is finalized, at the end of May. I just feel so blessed to be a witness to all of this and to help them celebrate and welcome him home.<br /><br />Adoption is so important. There is such a need and I admire anyone willing to consider opening their hearts and homes. Hugh and I don't feel that the Lord is calling us to adopt, but there is no reason why we can not support and encourage others in their journey to adopt. The Lord asks us to care for orphans and widows, and to give fair judgment to the poor, the afflicted, the fatherless, and the destitute. He also says that whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me. We are all called in some capacity to help. As long as we are willing, He will use us, even if in some small way. Please pray for this special family. -Thank you.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-263859809418560812011-01-24T14:22:00.000-08:002011-01-24T23:44:10.783-08:00Mom to Mom: Share Your Best TipsThis is my first time to join in this link up, but, this looked like fun and I love gathering good tips from other moms. Missy is our gracious hostess over at <a href="http://itsalmostnaptime.blogspot.com/">It's Almost Naptime</a>. This week she shared about how she developed chore charts for her family. She gave wonderful examples of how she tailored each child's chores according to their developmental ability.<br /><br />I was inspired by an idea I got from a couple raising four children; a seventeen year old son, a fourteen year old son, a twelve year old daughter and a son who was around the age of four or five. The couple shared about how they don't give their children allowances. They believe that each member of the family is responsible for doing their part to help the household run to the best of it's ability. Instead they helped each child pick something they could do to make money of their own and then taught them how to manage that money through saving, investing and a checking account. Their oldest son learned to detail cars, and he was so good at it he was getting more business than he could handle on his own, so he hired some of his friends to work with him. Within a year or so he owned his own small business and employed five of his friends. Their fourteen year old son made and managed his money through mowing lawns. Their twelve year old daughter started baking with her mother and turned that into their own little side business right out of their home. Their youngest son started collecting and recycling aluminum cans in order to make money. I decided to try the last idea with my own children.<br /><br />My parents always taught me to leave things better than the way you found them. While I am not a full on, go green, all natural kind of mom, I respect and admire those who are, and I try to learn as much as I can from them. My children (who are three and four) and I started collecting cans back in Ohio to help out a neighbor. Now, we collect them and split the money between their piggy banks. This has given me an opportunity to teach them about reusing and recycling things that we normally might just throw away. It has also given me a chance to start talking to them about tithing and giving money to those in need. These are challenging concepts for a three and four year old, but, it's a start.<br /><br />I hope this little project is something we can build on in years to come, something I can hand over to them to take care of on their own. I want them to learn to be resourceful, and to leave things better than the way they found them.<br /><br />Here are a few pictures I have taken over the last couple months.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4KrqROCh1VFfcR7gn_Wtzx8aF_fwKkRT2sM0Ng-zPHiQui1epJAU11i-qAA3HHEvSt3L2F-PUqD_iGwG8M4awo0aYuZDzEGRH2c8UTaNkxrZ7q7mB0Il6RYQtfBaZCvQsisgzR-ZbqI/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+104.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566023318238601202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4KrqROCh1VFfcR7gn_Wtzx8aF_fwKkRT2sM0Ng-zPHiQui1epJAU11i-qAA3HHEvSt3L2F-PUqD_iGwG8M4awo0aYuZDzEGRH2c8UTaNkxrZ7q7mB0Il6RYQtfBaZCvQsisgzR-ZbqI/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+104.jpg" /></a> Three full bags of cans off to the recycling center.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy6L82KN3HLCq4t0iOMMksQr4cPEwUqHDbji8qMpqmARY4Z72KyhkMqSZ8CmcgQwzkheRQSIgJDWT6KtN3MWV9w_iKGQASsoE8lCeG0gVBBW-O1qJwSFhwEN_NVZmTL2Rllj-5Nq6RC0/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+099.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566022949077515666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguy6L82KN3HLCq4t0iOMMksQr4cPEwUqHDbji8qMpqmARY4Z72KyhkMqSZ8CmcgQwzkheRQSIgJDWT6KtN3MWV9w_iKGQASsoE8lCeG0gVBBW-O1qJwSFhwEN_NVZmTL2Rllj-5Nq6RC0/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+099.jpg" /></a> Another trip another day with two bags.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkN7lXQT6cyzZIHyfSWlg7Yg9ZPiurYBSalNOT4YX0hTwuoAKVCqCM_xLZYJJY2J3Q0NwD6HDYRJqpRELVBp2-WDzJu0S8AqwiRCzHOv9PcCpxXLYWLNYMcvhMJdyY7L61rmIpn0m-EM/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+068.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566022937460788706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkN7lXQT6cyzZIHyfSWlg7Yg9ZPiurYBSalNOT4YX0hTwuoAKVCqCM_xLZYJJY2J3Q0NwD6HDYRJqpRELVBp2-WDzJu0S8AqwiRCzHOv9PcCpxXLYWLNYMcvhMJdyY7L61rmIpn0m-EM/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+068.jpg" /></a> This is where we drop off our bags to be weighed and added to the truck.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aCVsC3Y5FfOQHvxp2TB_n2vjChTFlgdA7Oh-1KwKOrJ71Yng6w7oHmLVx4Pns6MVN_DFF2fp7K9tF45SA9dixahdsrMNPeyKZZvOnaFK3IS3fkP1ciCj8Dy92kqLOWLppzq2MJSeHFc/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+090.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566022936107933474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aCVsC3Y5FfOQHvxp2TB_n2vjChTFlgdA7Oh-1KwKOrJ71Yng6w7oHmLVx4Pns6MVN_DFF2fp7K9tF45SA9dixahdsrMNPeyKZZvOnaFK3IS3fkP1ciCj8Dy92kqLOWLppzq2MJSeHFc/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+090.jpg" /></a> We have also started recycling boxes.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNJ5p2WcqtsyTxWEz9F1dyWfLEJdJSP8kSfTN1lYWcUwBSWdo8vNVENi7G-bujk3ADlsmRsuc__lZ36AfjeWIRDxqp8_XGfymXsZdPb5ygBvHapoTaq7j4Bebx4iS4SUDqHt1Ffbkv_o/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+096.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566022928444188978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNJ5p2WcqtsyTxWEz9F1dyWfLEJdJSP8kSfTN1lYWcUwBSWdo8vNVENi7G-bujk3ADlsmRsuc__lZ36AfjeWIRDxqp8_XGfymXsZdPb5ygBvHapoTaq7j4Bebx4iS4SUDqHt1Ffbkv_o/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+096.jpg" /></a> Such good helpers!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9xVKFr3Dm8BaJL5RYSOCPGhDGPaHgMpHtfaW70ErDvAGMMZkatH3RWwFgAixhzauy36PDVpC7IA27nB6HmKLmUX9oFcUTA-2orVmMRZl1IU4qjPAc3GPxJPuFoBsf5lyY3z3H9TRvck/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+080.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566022930032609010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9xVKFr3Dm8BaJL5RYSOCPGhDGPaHgMpHtfaW70ErDvAGMMZkatH3RWwFgAixhzauy36PDVpC7IA27nB6HmKLmUX9oFcUTA-2orVmMRZl1IU4qjPAc3GPxJPuFoBsf5lyY3z3H9TRvck/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+080.jpg" /></a> This is a picture of the junk yard, where we drop off our cans to be recycled. The kids think it's fascinating to watch the diggers and cranes and all the men at work. And I think it's great for them to see the people who work in our community and make it a better place.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-12884271528941201102011-01-19T15:43:00.000-08:002011-01-19T23:23:50.090-08:00<center><a href="http://inthewarmholdofyourlovingmind.blogspot.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/rr131/ashleylancaster61985/SDreadtome_edited-1.jpg" /></a></center><p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Featuring:</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"> children's author <strong>Sara Anderson</strong> and her work.</span> </span><br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLxP7UzgLK2I7zom4cfUjOS4XXENaty66ZRjOIzjO920jAxCIMKD85yQ_4Lw6K-MZfyf42X054yAEAyw_GIJg7_sO85MGP2KTVvrAlOtzb90ULPIKS2PhP3S-SqIvVTr1zoSfjEaAhyg/s1600/vegetables_saraAnderson.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564150399303655154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLxP7UzgLK2I7zom4cfUjOS4XXENaty66ZRjOIzjO920jAxCIMKD85yQ_4Lw6K-MZfyf42X054yAEAyw_GIJg7_sO85MGP2KTVvrAlOtzb90ULPIKS2PhP3S-SqIvVTr1zoSfjEaAhyg/s400/vegetables_saraAnderson.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2vkeNA9an_y0eMHOGnvxK5S4RMOr0pdDp_cEFNavkQh2kJFFLUQ15GPGqymtp0XWRVj4oHbJfeeswFi73OxMbKoEtFfumtCo9_aVayNWKPiVfiWOi3WlpswW_kWx_AeKxg0VkYXdpFk/s1600/fruit_saraAnderson.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 281px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 288px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564150398752149442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj2vkeNA9an_y0eMHOGnvxK5S4RMOr0pdDp_cEFNavkQh2kJFFLUQ15GPGqymtp0XWRVj4oHbJfeeswFi73OxMbKoEtFfumtCo9_aVayNWKPiVfiWOi3WlpswW_kWx_AeKxg0VkYXdpFk/s400/fruit_saraAnderson.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURwu3CP393KHjik-m-L0M9mkL5Cf0Qf6dcAw5hmWcp33ITQz_Wv51GhHf7WwEZNOF4zqZBwsof4TYyLQ2X5Ca_tHNx54m-HzGu6TzHnxD3dT4QymhaQpW_66-9hBBF4F7gDLIFhGxKv4/s1600/Farmers+Market.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564150395377436178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURwu3CP393KHjik-m-L0M9mkL5Cf0Qf6dcAw5hmWcp33ITQz_Wv51GhHf7WwEZNOF4zqZBwsof4TYyLQ2X5Ca_tHNx54m-HzGu6TzHnxD3dT4QymhaQpW_66-9hBBF4F7gDLIFhGxKv4/s400/Farmers+Market.jpg" /></a><br />I happened upon these lovelies as I was browsing through Jr. Square Books today after our story hour. The first two are beginner board books that are great for very young children up through early childhood or early elementary first time readers. The rhyme and rhythm Anderson uses gives such a great flow to each of these. <em>"Huckleberry-strawberry-watermelon-plum<br />apricot-mango Let's have some!" </em><br /></p><p>As you can see, she also uses vibrant colors in her illustrations as well. Interestingly, Anderson was a well known artists for years before becoming a children's author. Her work has even been featured in The Museum of Modern Art in New York and other places across the globe. Her technique has always featured a dynamic colored-paper cutout feel of collage (—Review from the Seattle Weekly December 14, 2005.)<br /></p><p>The last selection, Farmers Market would be a great selection for preschoolers and early elementary readers. The text is in rhyming quatrains, but, the illustrations are still what drives the book. It is just beautiful to look at. I love this because we visit our local farmers market every week, sometimes twice a week and know the people there by name. This is a wonderful set of books to introduce your children to colors, fruits and vegetables, and the people in your community who grow and raise them. You can also use them to support healthy habits and foster a budding awareness of our small business owners and community workers. Maybe it will lead you to start your own family garden. I love to follow up books with field trips or projects that give my children a chance to learn kinesthetically, as well as, audio and visually. It all builds on top of each other. <br /><br />This is a little late since it is now Thursday, but, I will have this up for a couple days. Thank you to our gracious hostess, <a href="http://inthewarmholdofyourlovingmind.blogspot.com/">Sarah Denley. </a> I am so glad she is hosting this weekly feature, because I'm a little obsessed with literature, especially children's literature. I hope some of you will join in this weekly feature as well. I love getting new ideas from other moms and teachers out there. ~Blessings! <br /></p>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-62445677537490390002011-01-16T21:46:00.000-08:002011-01-16T22:56:41.353-08:00Please pray for Joanne<a href="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/"><img src="http://thesimplewife.typepad.com/prayingforjoanne.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My dear bloggy friends I have a prayer request for <a href="http://www.thesimplewife.typepad.com/">Joanne Heim</a>. Joanne suffered a major stroke on January 11. She was taken to the hospital to undergo surgery to relieve swelling in her brain. She is currently in a deep medical coma, as they wait for her swelling to subside and in order that her body may rest and heal. Her family has been through an emotional roller coaster this week. I am asking you to lift up her and her sweet family at this time.<br /><br />I happened upon Joanne through my friend Janna at Mustard Seeds, whom I've been reading for several years now. I have been blessed by Janna's friendship and when I read that one of her dear friends Joanne was in need of prayer I felt the need to join her in prayer as well. I was not familiar with <a href="http://www.thesimplewife.typepad.com/">Joanne's blog </a>or that of her sister <a href="http://khphotography.net/blog/">Kristen's</a> before now, but, I kept feeling the Lord impress upon me to pray for Joanne and her family. I even asked the Lord to show me how to pray for them more specifically, and as I kept checking in at Janna's blog, she provided updates, a post written by Toben, Joanne's husband, and a link to Kristen's blog for more information. God is so good. I've never considered myself a prayer warrior, but, if you ask the Lord to lead you out of your comfort zone and give you direction, He most certainly will. So, I'm asking you to step out with me and help in lifting up Joanne in prayer. I am asking you not to read this and just keep going, because you don't know her personally. I don't either, but, I know she is my sister in Christ.<br /><br />Janna so thoughtfully provided a list of Joanne's family members, so we could pray for each of the, by name. I am passing that along here as well.<br /><br />Toben - Joanne's husband<br /><br />Audrey - Joanne's 12 year old daughter<br /><br />Emma - Joanne's 9 year old daughter<br /><br />Kay - Joanne's Mother<br /><br />Chuck - Joanne's Father<br /><br /><a href="http://khphotography.net/blog/">Kristen</a> - Joanne's sister<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Psalm 46</span> </strong>is the scripture that the Heims are claiming over Joanne.<br /><br />God is our refuge and strength,<br />an ever-present help in trouble.<br />Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way<br />and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,<br />though its waters roar and foam<br />and the mountains quake with their surging.<br /><br />There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,<br />the holy place where the Most High dwells.<br />God is within her, she will not fall;<br />God will help her at break of day.<br />Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;<br />he lifts his voice, the earth melts.<br /><br />The LORD Almighty is with us;<br />the God of Jacob is our fortress.<br /><br />Come and see what the LORD has done,<br />the desolations he has brought on the earth.<br />He makes wars cease<br />to the ends of the earth.<br />He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;<br />he burns the shields[d] with fire.<br />He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;<br />I will be exalted among the nations,<br />I will be exalted in the earth.”<br /><br />The LORD Almighty is with us;<br />the God of Jacob is our fortress.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Psalm 57:1</span></strong> is a passage of scripture I am praying over Joanne's family.<br /><br />Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.<br /><br /><br />I feel that not only is there power in prayer, but power in praying the scriptures over someone as we pray for them. Please pray, and feel free to visit any of the links above to read more about Joanne and her family and how things are progressing. Thank you.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-19604418304281031312011-01-11T19:10:00.000-08:002011-01-11T19:42:33.074-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wo0XEr5f1TIK3G37HI5epBuUQLSjvO0gLJg1ngShYOBiIa4fGWusftCxt-npQtWUuhWzVcamYBwntUVQnmlLYnBCBYBgv8Li6aXxibWoXPjGHgty792hpTuaFCrbA-0pq76U9Sz6OMg/s1600/QTPIE.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 125px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561134309515184738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wo0XEr5f1TIK3G37HI5epBuUQLSjvO0gLJg1ngShYOBiIa4fGWusftCxt-npQtWUuhWzVcamYBwntUVQnmlLYnBCBYBgv8Li6aXxibWoXPjGHgty792hpTuaFCrbA-0pq76U9Sz6OMg/s400/QTPIE.gif" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />My friend Heidi is celebrating the re-launching and re-opening of her business QT Pie Products. She is now offering her line of children's boutique accessories on line at Etsy. You're sure to find something for you and your QT Pie. She is currently featuring a line of hair accessories, as well as, cutie pa-tootie tutus. I am featuring a few of her products over on my side bar. I hope you will click on the available link and check out her business.<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc55_doTzbzhsE5uubp0wKwBBf3duUtofl-sTCnPCNQx3E3KEoduwgmNrvGwsDGs6Dz4CednAQ-rpKq-M04la7gq0OhoWNPbqpJobcc-_CeUEz02mtnv3EwnQXRCFVVYTU2Dge1ibfNQ/s1600/KEIRA.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 193px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561137417632298338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMc55_doTzbzhsE5uubp0wKwBBf3duUtofl-sTCnPCNQx3E3KEoduwgmNrvGwsDGs6Dz4CednAQ-rpKq-M04la7gq0OhoWNPbqpJobcc-_CeUEz02mtnv3EwnQXRCFVVYTU2Dge1ibfNQ/s400/KEIRA.jpg" /></a> Here is a picture of her beautiful daughter Keira, modeling a QT Pie hair accessory.<br />And here is her link.... <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/qtpieproducts ">http://www.etsy.com/shop/qtpieproducts </a>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-43345806389162585372011-01-09T16:51:00.000-08:002011-01-09T18:31:23.851-08:00A Look Back At Christmas 2010 -Part 2Our friends stayed with us the 20th-21st. On the 23rd, we went to Tupelo for Christmas with our extended family. Aunt Jean and Uncle Demming hosted everyone, prepared the food and even had Santa visit for the kids. It was our first time in a couple years to be able to come. That's one of the best parts about being home now:) Hugh had to work, but the kids and I went.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq9EWlYtVccLR_UzDf8AoLa1alCAlb0QIvMKrt4B_oLc1M27fFGtg8h_98OEkFlHAdcChyphenhyphenO9xu41qe70NQZEsTEPmJSdWPwMIWVT_M38tzcoNH3VX_TC3TdiqZM6bfSdivNJQOD53hjw/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+162.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559973417642045362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq9EWlYtVccLR_UzDf8AoLa1alCAlb0QIvMKrt4B_oLc1M27fFGtg8h_98OEkFlHAdcChyphenhyphenO9xu41qe70NQZEsTEPmJSdWPwMIWVT_M38tzcoNH3VX_TC3TdiqZM6bfSdivNJQOD53hjw/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+162.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8o-OgYgCoeEZd1g5AFv_d0n6PI2FPL_B5PFA70r53SkYwij9xgNN7zRHYGaYsRFxYiGZiwl5isQxVhCNn8-nNczb-J97qOAA_2IQ93Ai5vRqq8XyMLLbVHcJEkZmMV7ok0idJBIWq_g/s1600/scan0003.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559973843894777490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8o-OgYgCoeEZd1g5AFv_d0n6PI2FPL_B5PFA70r53SkYwij9xgNN7zRHYGaYsRFxYiGZiwl5isQxVhCNn8-nNczb-J97qOAA_2IQ93Ai5vRqq8XyMLLbVHcJEkZmMV7ok0idJBIWq_g/s400/scan0003.jpg" /></a>All of our little ones!It's so nice for the kids to be able to be around all their cousins.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG79nmo201SEukmq6F4cZb1vr2oCJy_97tiP30ja-FMC3ioholmkcTwYc_tEexFXhiv8tjq4Zjv6hTSjGuJ5q9Gi0bccUGJj0riUBESyniyAJlcO9oxcN72N6N-4iN0B9k-87BXnyVkjk/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+172.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560337075670954690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG79nmo201SEukmq6F4cZb1vr2oCJy_97tiP30ja-FMC3ioholmkcTwYc_tEexFXhiv8tjq4Zjv6hTSjGuJ5q9Gi0bccUGJj0riUBESyniyAJlcO9oxcN72N6N-4iN0B9k-87BXnyVkjk/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+172.jpg" /></a> Julie and little Maddy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkAewJdV9cquw6CeCf-GvVgE2RL1oj0KcOyNB2suS4oQXTURyoSrjycBOKd8lvxmqG1RMB7Nw8enY6CvKm0t7Ey_NJy5ke43o8o00ZeX6B6pzk1sUgb4WRkpVm3Kjwv9wM1mEiSgWXs0/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+174.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560337066405101250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkAewJdV9cquw6CeCf-GvVgE2RL1oj0KcOyNB2suS4oQXTURyoSrjycBOKd8lvxmqG1RMB7Nw8enY6CvKm0t7Ey_NJy5ke43o8o00ZeX6B6pzk1sUgb4WRkpVm3Kjwv9wM1mEiSgWXs0/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+174.jpg" /></a> Jessica, Brenden, and their son Brody.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>ugh also had to work the night of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I held the children off from opening gifts by taking them to play out in the snow. Wasn't that such a treat to wake up to a white Christmas here in Mississippi of all places. That never happens. I felt like God was smiling down on us and gave us a special gift.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf7pDWsDk2jDI_klp32UxS_YpJnb4IyfLQvcHuuJRLZft6wP_boaGx5EwW51EfAhjkam1-T5vYgMaK3zd-YrfN7Disbt4HqVL75m0BfuKNiqHdTJCzkBmf_720epUVch2jQykUbK73-0/s1600/scan0012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559981331174483842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisf7pDWsDk2jDI_klp32UxS_YpJnb4IyfLQvcHuuJRLZft6wP_boaGx5EwW51EfAhjkam1-T5vYgMaK3zd-YrfN7Disbt4HqVL75m0BfuKNiqHdTJCzkBmf_720epUVch2jQykUbK73-0/s400/scan0012.jpg" /></a> Making snow angels<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2HWCG4oQMwxy0BvsC2gZQrAPYsuAkM3v_z5N_1kamicx9i3SICZv4EXkYq0v34ajSZLRaXULv3aq6uQc8Xu40H2RRVVY5fLcjxVMQ_B2xDH9wc2FLxhGTzRvWyYNCVQJXGQYJetfByU/s1600/scan0014.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559981333506399298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2HWCG4oQMwxy0BvsC2gZQrAPYsuAkM3v_z5N_1kamicx9i3SICZv4EXkYq0v34ajSZLRaXULv3aq6uQc8Xu40H2RRVVY5fLcjxVMQ_B2xDH9wc2FLxhGTzRvWyYNCVQJXGQYJetfByU/s400/scan0014.jpg" /></a> Trey wanted to have a snowball fight. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWa2lHR6wU08gD09LXOXzY0vEIYkyM5p_SxSU7Y3WofuN43YLCqcwhwoYVUXitUhk344wXoauoDhr2KQBw-kOO969VOrAGZ9JeTsyPLXbyrfj2hix8ynhrG4VRazvbi_MN0F-arUadPA/s1600/scan0013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 269px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559981319328881810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibWa2lHR6wU08gD09LXOXzY0vEIYkyM5p_SxSU7Y3WofuN43YLCqcwhwoYVUXitUhk344wXoauoDhr2KQBw-kOO969VOrAGZ9JeTsyPLXbyrfj2hix8ynhrG4VRazvbi_MN0F-arUadPA/s400/scan0013.jpg" /></a> Trey got me with a snowball, and hit the camera in the process. That is why this picture is all fuzzy at the bottom. (hee-hee)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcgsI82Di8gh6qwtICn3ABWsNer6e6hVsXkE9tf0Pm8EVt-ViHRIsob9YyForddGzYKRpMO1hB3mPDH293VkQ530JCe9ZZYCvf_arz78ZmfWIckl3P6krx0sMPEax5piIb-C7FKVFSJA/s1600/scan0015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559981321595981842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcgsI82Di8gh6qwtICn3ABWsNer6e6hVsXkE9tf0Pm8EVt-ViHRIsob9YyForddGzYKRpMO1hB3mPDH293VkQ530JCe9ZZYCvf_arz78ZmfWIckl3P6krx0sMPEax5piIb-C7FKVFSJA/s400/scan0015.jpg" /></a> Daddy is home! Merry Christmas!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">W</span>hen Hugh got home he cooked us all breakfast and we opened presents together. The kids were so excited to show him the gifts that Santa had left them and that he had eaten our cookies. We give our children three small gifts in honor of the three wise men who gave gifts to Jesus, and they get one big gift from Santa. Of course, they also get gifts from their grandparents and other family members, as well as, friends.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;">O</span>n Sunday the 26th, our friends Mark and Datha Semrau and their family stopped by on their way back up to Ohio to stay a couple nights with us. They were visiting family down in Louisiana, so it worked out perfect for them to come and stay with us. We have missed them so much, the kids especially.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT0ki8gJDkFP_u8zcczO8JScSjGAuigRcj_RTSIzrTuAV3M1P0k__zO5gAr3pDCYG9p2uX2hTmCsJ1WGOzxTFoaYlzgVGeaWO_6hwlQ406BTXT0Tthx8sKJS9wXm10gpWGC-oY6Yl5As/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+206.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560366306034362130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUT0ki8gJDkFP_u8zcczO8JScSjGAuigRcj_RTSIzrTuAV3M1P0k__zO5gAr3pDCYG9p2uX2hTmCsJ1WGOzxTFoaYlzgVGeaWO_6hwlQ406BTXT0Tthx8sKJS9wXm10gpWGC-oY6Yl5As/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+206.jpg" /></a> Datha and moi. Not my best picture, but, I don't care. I'm so glad I got to spend time with her <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aPo1nDzcoGa5o51ziGlh5bEc3O_dXpyChCzktvaFr3m7_n_gPd8q1CKuMp9A6e81Y8u69WQo-cLAtAXOGgVFxb0-hD5iyiY4Foux0XYQd8HYmJ2IHX6z02FUrQTH5xaVhIqb5ahn6wA/s1600/scan0008.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370422307286338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aPo1nDzcoGa5o51ziGlh5bEc3O_dXpyChCzktvaFr3m7_n_gPd8q1CKuMp9A6e81Y8u69WQo-cLAtAXOGgVFxb0-hD5iyiY4Foux0XYQd8HYmJ2IHX6z02FUrQTH5xaVhIqb5ahn6wA/s400/scan0008.jpg" /></a> Mark and Datha. We took them out to lunch in Oxford.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS378gLL12i0niZwtdR6Bpn6AGlQxh_UaodotakERMYKpzBehRUB086gupnO1tJSVU7j58a56rIA0Zd28lH2JQHsTE7QSNlA-MvHSXBBtvMQf43_mtTToVW2iTWd-sABmKChgj8wL5ido/s1600/scan0010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560370411383883986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS378gLL12i0niZwtdR6Bpn6AGlQxh_UaodotakERMYKpzBehRUB086gupnO1tJSVU7j58a56rIA0Zd28lH2JQHsTE7QSNlA-MvHSXBBtvMQf43_mtTToVW2iTWd-sABmKChgj8wL5ido/s400/scan0010.jpg" /></a> Forever Friends!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>ugh had to go back to work, but, he had New Years Eve off and that is when we got to spend Christmas with his dad, Ms. Nancy, both of his sisters and their families. This was a perfect ending to our holiday celebrating, because we got to "go home." Hugh's dad has lived out in the country all his life, as did his dad before him. They own a lot of land and built houses next to one another, with a great big pasture in between where they use to keep cows, but, now have horses. It is beautiful and peaceful there. We always enjoy going out to Paw-Paw and Nana's. It doesn't hurt that Nana is one of the best cooks e-vah either. She totally out did herself cooking up a storm this year. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYvWaliZ2ZUB9Q-eXBdJ9s-G2Pn34KR808ScnjJkPVVnsCGOG-jZar1yIV6IyipU-HNqbaYB8kb1Oka8VA5JTdk0Xy1mp6Fy6xwA03QW-wMOJ9uQrrpDgiHILUS_te-p-QBvFs-WxKGc/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+242.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560374972983213074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJYvWaliZ2ZUB9Q-eXBdJ9s-G2Pn34KR808ScnjJkPVVnsCGOG-jZar1yIV6IyipU-HNqbaYB8kb1Oka8VA5JTdk0Xy1mp6Fy6xwA03QW-wMOJ9uQrrpDgiHILUS_te-p-QBvFs-WxKGc/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+242.jpg" /></a> Most of my pictures came out fuzzy. :( But, here is one good one of all of the kids with Paw-Paw riding four wheelers.<br />.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gw5Dtn82iwox92uBei4G3x_qxP1bVlUXjTP7bVQ2M4b8e9QscArUQ_GF5ZVO7zyMERzyl92xfqhVMOHGge_2CDYgptbL4ufAweBIJAvmq49yob9pHOvFpF4x7TdzmUkkQjtnboXgc5g/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560367725263288066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gw5Dtn82iwox92uBei4G3x_qxP1bVlUXjTP7bVQ2M4b8e9QscArUQ_GF5ZVO7zyMERzyl92xfqhVMOHGge_2CDYgptbL4ufAweBIJAvmq49yob9pHOvFpF4x7TdzmUkkQjtnboXgc5g/s400/scan0001.jpg" /></a> Well, our Christmas has come to an end. It was filled with lots of fun, family and friends, and lots of happiness. I hope yours was as well.<br />~BlessingsTiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-37117548210999333352011-01-09T06:15:00.000-08:002011-01-09T08:35:30.985-08:00A Look Back At Christmas 2010 -Part 1<SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 180%">W</SPAN>hat a Christmas we had this year. It was so nice to be back home with family and friends. We had so many wonderful guests come to stay with us. I thought I'd share a few high lights of our holidays. <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 180%">H</SPAN>ugh had an odd schedule this month, but, we found a way to work around it. He worked most weekends,but, he was off the 18th so that is when we had our first Christmas celebration with his mom and Loyd, and sister Demetria and family (Kevin, Kaden and Russ.) It was my first time to host a dinner in our new home, and I was so excited that I'm sorry to say I didn't take many pictures, and Hugh was behind the video camera. <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YBp1hdPBzAKHSb8W4O_lTvrUCUHio7bUzr3X4t-7BuTfNZbv3Opg2zbJyCJVQMrCbL6z_zCAFMJZVyUjTTz3WocYCjjs_S0hMz9J0R9SpMhDNU0_Q5N3ri8AebR8xgfsCKf9aGvVm60/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+106.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559951673087961554 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YBp1hdPBzAKHSb8W4O_lTvrUCUHio7bUzr3X4t-7BuTfNZbv3Opg2zbJyCJVQMrCbL6z_zCAFMJZVyUjTTz3WocYCjjs_S0hMz9J0R9SpMhDNU0_Q5N3ri8AebR8xgfsCKf9aGvVm60/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+106.jpg"></A> Around the house at Christmas time. Here is my coffee station set up with goodies.<A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUiuuGOKcS2m9cJZt_02Txzix3qtyczX4XSkSi6VoFeq7n5ajykML6AEpV2Lygf72wxxG2r0Xq8_-fq3Jku1-aeX1FrKoh2dQ5Wst1n-1ZwhajJHR-PW9SsF4bjyIloRve_qG-GsKoKY/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+109.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559952106200612242 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUiuuGOKcS2m9cJZt_02Txzix3qtyczX4XSkSi6VoFeq7n5ajykML6AEpV2Lygf72wxxG2r0Xq8_-fq3Jku1-aeX1FrKoh2dQ5Wst1n-1ZwhajJHR-PW9SsF4bjyIloRve_qG-GsKoKY/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+109.jpg"></A> I snapped a quick picture as I was setting out hors d'oeuvres and snacks on our new buffet. I picked up the platters and decor at my first visit to Mistletoe Market this year and combined it with a few McCarty pieces I already have. I'll have to show a better picture of our new dinning room later. <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 180%">W</SPAN>e tidied up the house a bit on Sunday in order to prepare for our annual get together with "The Family," a group of some of our very dearest friends in the world. We lived together back in college (guys with guys-girls with girls of course.) We have been through everything together, and I do mean everything; graduation, first jobs, marriage, children, career changes, moves across the state and nation, illnesses, infertility, adoption, loss and death within our families, and yes I could go on and on. We will always be there for one another <STRONG>Proverbs 18:24. . . there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.</STRONG> <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 180%">W</SPAN>e all have children now, so our yearly celebration is very family oriented, and we've started a few traditions. We open in prayer and enjoy a great meal together. The parents continue to eat and visit as the children play, but, then we gather everyone together to read the Christmas story, as we bring out the nativity for the children to touch and play with. We sing Christmas carols and we have a birthday party for Jesus. <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpP2-pfE7JnawxEDsMMvj7PbHhovxBD5V-LY3N65DVh93yeAsKE1wmWgFyoPecTfd7PMpQrGzp8Ki2-Jtd30HdZfUbhl3KNDhLMDZE5c1LT9j6EcF2xX3gjjEVqsE6YBDfsTG7vekPzdY/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+111.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559938203995202066 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpP2-pfE7JnawxEDsMMvj7PbHhovxBD5V-LY3N65DVh93yeAsKE1wmWgFyoPecTfd7PMpQrGzp8Ki2-Jtd30HdZfUbhl3KNDhLMDZE5c1LT9j6EcF2xX3gjjEVqsE6YBDfsTG7vekPzdY/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+111.jpg"></A>This year my friend <A href="http://barnettefamily.blogspot.com/">Suzanne</A> made a special cake for our celebration. <SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 130%"><STRONG>Thank you so much Suzanne.</STRONG></SPAN> She is so talented. <A href="http://cakesbysuzanne.blogspot.com/">Here</A> is a link to her business blog (really cute cakes!) <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cCftALCsjhPf6Es7hyphenhyphenhB2Uf7CttgUBlv0OQSa-9LBNZ1OWvEjh3yZ1tKqZUE29JsVmFRYQfneQ9YWasI6omQ2IngGX9EAxjx1j3W4xRlCYW9nxsGu5W0R37nNjHdFt3FkQb7jqPWp4Q/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+116.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559943918354304498 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cCftALCsjhPf6Es7hyphenhyphenhB2Uf7CttgUBlv0OQSa-9LBNZ1OWvEjh3yZ1tKqZUE29JsVmFRYQfneQ9YWasI6omQ2IngGX9EAxjx1j3W4xRlCYW9nxsGu5W0R37nNjHdFt3FkQb7jqPWp4Q/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+116.jpg"></A>Our beautiful children. We tried to get them all together for a picture, but, we seem to be missing a few. Hey, they're kids -we just did the best we could. (hee-hee)<A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQALNbW9LwOapFzqfTxZywMAbv1_Kbb0i_gjudcp16tzn3MsCpfNBE89SKJMZWZddCC-XLyuuuiBd4Cm-tz7o67jlt4QskTBwXC0nBabXxYvycjmr-vi3Er2ZKAl9-287KQF9NOYnfiE/s1600/Fall+Winter+2010+120.jpg"><IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559946182102406354 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQALNbW9LwOapFzqfTxZywMAbv1_Kbb0i_gjudcp16tzn3MsCpfNBE89SKJMZWZddCC-XLyuuuiBd4Cm-tz7o67jlt4QskTBwXC0nBabXxYvycjmr-vi3Er2ZKAl9-287KQF9NOYnfiE/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+120.jpg"></A>Our Precious Girls! <IMG style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5559950148294696434 border=0 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqSjHcaXytWDZS5IlHNDc8wIj794PXRqGAe5EPjm-8WIsv26RUu5ErAhpD9iyHmqLUHWr4DeoiTmCWt9hEGvorJ8gk3rXp9MkxSW_WYo0k68Y9KkSqtcZ70eA2dhDLkEAdYqzwQjzuzw/s400/Fall+Winter+2010+126.jpg">-Playing in the floor with the plush nativity set, while John read the Christmas story.<br />It looks like this is going to be longer than I thought so I'm going to split it up into two parts. I'll be posting part 2 soon. ~Blessings!Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-39930713780959701932011-01-03T18:18:00.000-08:002011-01-03T18:14:40.277-08:00What's Your Word?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInpZFstwey4ZH7tOba_F22zSH2DKpZtArWnD35HsbZbizylGRfbVe4B6XhdCsmc0vA5pgJeOMnM9YGVAzqwL62T1OD6OuYHvcTPZpUoPqJIxmTQwkLHcd21zBxzfdQIy-wO6EXvwO4BQ/s1600/grassy+field.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558027821275009154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjInpZFstwey4ZH7tOba_F22zSH2DKpZtArWnD35HsbZbizylGRfbVe4B6XhdCsmc0vA5pgJeOMnM9YGVAzqwL62T1OD6OuYHvcTPZpUoPqJIxmTQwkLHcd21zBxzfdQIy-wO6EXvwO4BQ/s400/grassy+field.jpg" /></a><br />It's a new year. The landscape, unending, stretches out before us filled with possibilities. Where will it take you? What will you do with this new opportunity. Every new beginning is a new opportunity.<br /><br />I mentioned last year that as each new year approaches I try to look and listen to where the Lord is leading me. What does He have for me in this new year? Am I growing? Am I ministering to the needs of others? Am I a vessel of praise? Each year it something different.<br /><br />Last year my word was <a href="http://wwwsouthernsass.blogspot.com/2010/01/new-year-is-off-to-great-start-i-love.html"><em>obedience</em>. </a>This year my word is <strong><em>deliver</em></strong>. I know my word isn't exciting, or even warm and fuzzy, like compassion, or faithfulness, or something along those lines. It may not even make sense to anyone else but me, but, already the Lord has shown me in small ways where He is leading me.<br /><br />Every year He pushes a little bit harder, and has me dig a bit deeper to accomplish what He has for me. It always draws us into a closer communion with one other, but it also serves to strip away and prune me. I can tell you that there will be alot of digging deep this year and alot of hard work, because the Lord wants to deliver me from some strong holds in my life. -I didn't even realize I had strong holds. Funny how the Lord will reveal things to you when He knows you are ready. Well, I can't say that I'm completely ready, but, I know that He's ready and He is ready for me to be ready. So, here goes nothing.<br /><br />It's very hard to explain, but, hopefully it's something I can share as time goes on and things unfold. I don't like to share negative thoughts or feelings here (or any social network for that matter.) I don't feel it serves a purpose but, to vent or complain, and honestly I can't stand constant negativity. If I'm struggling with something I have a few close confidants I go to whom are grounded in the word and will pray with me and counsel me in a godly manner. Sometimes I need to work it out just me and the Lord. I tend to share here once I've come out the other side of a difficult place and I can see what the Lord wants me to learn or take from it. Maybe that makes me seem less "real" or relateable than other people or blogs out there, but, I'm really OK with that. I think there is something to be said for a little discretion. Back in September, I had the opportunity to attend a Beth Moore simulcast event and she said something that really struck me. She said that while she enjoys social networking, such as, face book, twitter, and blogging, there is a down side. Technology being what it is today, there are suddenly hundreds of thousands of writers out there. However, they lack one important thing, an editor. We need to <em>think</em> before we push publish. This is especially true within the Christian community. She challenged us that if it doesn't edify one another or glorify our Lord, then what purpose does it serve? <em>Think before you push publish.</em> I guess I have felt that way for a while, she just put it into words.<br /><br />That being said, I don't think everything needs to be shiny and happy all the time. I enjoy blogs that are transparent and vulnerable, and give you a new perspective on things. I'm talking about the train wreck you can't turn away from. Sometimes we are so attracted to the train wreck and all the negativity. The more we surround ourselves with it, the more we allow it to trickle into our lives and soon it is out pouring from us as well. Have you ever noticed that if you find yourself surrounded by a group of people complaining, and you don't remove yourself from it, you either find yourself so uncomfortable you are about to suffocate, or you end up joining in the banter. Yeah, been there. I'm not proud of it either. So, moving on. <br /><br />Sometimes the Lord has to hold up a mirror to us to get our attention, and once we're over the initial shock, He lets us know in no uncertain terms that we've been here long enough. It's time to move forward, and that's where I am. So, off we go..... into the new year. :)Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-3907021871699439502010-12-08T08:05:00.000-08:002010-12-08T09:28:43.035-08:00A Little Christmas CheerWell, we have spent the last week or so under the weather here at home. We seem to be passing around a little stomach virus, but thank the good Lord it has all but left us, and we're on the mend. <br /><br />We're just getting around to decorating and putting up our Christmas tree. Some how we lost a whole box of ornaments, decorations, stockings and stocking holders in our move home to Mississippi five months ago. At first I was completely panicked, and then a little sad. Our stockings were ones I've had since I was a little girl. My mom and dad passed them to us after we got married. They're weren't anything fancy, but, they had great sentimental value. Somehow, this seems to be some kind or reoccurring theme in my life. If you have been reading my blog for a while you may remember this <a href="http://wwwsouthernsass.blogspot.com/2008/01/heartbroken.html">post</a> I wrote back in 2008. I am still clinging to His promises and His peace. It's OK to let go of all the "stuff" in our lives material or emotional. It's OK to treasure the memories, but, to let go. I've also learned that it's OK to be hurt and disappointed, but, to learn what you can take away from the experience without becoming jaded and bitter. Circumstances do not define our lives or who we are. What defines who we are and how we react to all life experiences is the simple fact of "Are we doing it with Him (Jesus) or without Him?" If I choose Him nothing can rob me of the joy and peace that is only found in our Lord and saviour. So, we move forward and build new memories and look back on the good times with a smile on our face and joy in our hearts. <br /><br />I am looking for stockings and a few other things to add to what we have this year and I'll add a little more next year. It's been nice to see other blogs displaying their Christmas cheer and decorations already. It inspires you to get in the spirit of the season and start getting your things out and together. Our house is filled with music and I have all my candles lit, and a few presents already wrapped. We even felt good enough to go to the Christmas parade here in town last night with friends. I'm looking forward to sharing our home and decorations soon. We have alot of company coming for the holidays, so I have got to get with the program :) <br /><br />Hope everyone is having a wonderful week. ~Blessings!Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-54894596524788337992010-12-02T12:06:00.000-08:002010-12-02T13:17:30.767-08:00She's BackYes indeed, I have waited and waited and finally after many many months I can announce the return of <a href="http://www.theonlygirlhere2.blogspot.com/">The Only Girl Here</a>. I have to say that I thought Demetria had all but abandoned blogging. I wouldn't exactly blame her since her whole blog was some how deleted -for no apparent reason. She contacted blogger, but they couldn't give her any explanation, as to what may have happened. I really might have thought about giving up to at that point too, but, I'm so glad she didn't.<br /><br />She was the one who talked me into starting a blog many moons ago. I kept saying "What?! I don't have time for all that." She insisted we do this together to keep up with our day to day with the kids. I am so glad she is persistent, because I have truly enjoyed writing and reflecting over the past several years. So, let's raise a glass and welcome her back, because without her I wouldn't be here, and if I weren't here, you wouldn't be here reading this, and besides that she's fabulous. So here's a toast to my sister, my friend, my partner in crime. I love you. You're my heart. Thanks for always having my back and for always pushing me to be better. Thank you for your honesty and your encouragement and for being the most hilarious person I know, because sometimes I just need a good laugh. (arm hair.) What more can I say except that you mean to me more than you know. I have learned so much from you and I am grateful you are my confidant and friend! OK, wipe away the tears and lets get back to blogging. (No pressure) -Love You- TiffTiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-37321769896552192982010-12-01T11:55:00.000-08:002010-12-02T00:29:31.951-08:00Giving Thanks!<center><a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html"><img alt="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115592502_1ed0142cb4_m.jpg" /></a> </center><br /><br />Well, I back from all the celebrating that we've been doing over this Thanksgiving holiday. It was really wonderful. I have to say I was disappointed at first that Hugh wasn't going to have Thanksgiving off, but, it all worked out, because his mom had to work also, so we moved our celebrating to Saturday evening. Hugh's dad and step-mom went on a long overdue vacation over the holiday, and were not planning to be home. So, imagine my surprise when Ms. Nancy called me Thursday morning and said, "What are you doing?" I said, We're just sitting here watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in our P.J.s." They had gotten home the night before, and she said she didn't want us to be alone so why don't we come on down to their house. How sweet! I am so glad she called because it just wouldn't have been the same. Don't get me wrong it still would have been a nice quiet relaxing day for us if we had just stayed home and played together, but, it was nice to be with family. It was also the anniversary of my daddy's passing, so it was nice to not have to be alone and think about things. It's not as hard as it used to be. Time definitely heals and helps alot, but, it's hard not to look at my sweet babies and wish they weren't missing this. Not, to mention the fact that I wish I could call my mom and ask her about her sweet potato casserole recipe. (I took my own version to Demetria's house for Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday.) And I miss breaking out the Christmas decorations with my dad.<br /><br />Daddy always made the holidays so much fun. He would pull all the decorations out of the attic, put on the Christmas music and go to town. It was great because we lived in the third oldest house in town, and my dad worked really hard drilling holes and running the necessary wires through to other rooms so we could enjoy the music throughout the house, and that was way back in the late 80s early 90s before all the high tech fancy equipment we have available to us now. We decorated inside and out. Thanksgiving through the Christmas, our house was always alive with activity. Really it started even before that with Halloween. We just went from one celebration to the next. I have memories of daddy and mama decorating, cooking, and planning and buying presents for our angel tree children, Samaritan Purse Shoebox children and all of the children in my mom's day care. They were givers, and they always emphasized God's love through serving and giving to others. Uhhh, I miss them so much. It's not much heart breakingly sad any more, as much as, it is a yearning or a longing for them. I know I will see them again someday. -Thank you Lord! For now I can enjoy a great legacy of Love and thanksgiving they've left for me to pass on. Back to Thanksgiving....<br /><br />I have to brag on my sweet sister for a moment here. Demetria hosted a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner for us all this year in her home. And her home y'all is such a beautiful mixture of this bold, vibrant artsy style with a little bit of traditional thrown in and a touch of high luxury, but, not too much. It's very livable, not too over the top, but so creative. She prepared the turkey, dressing, green bean casserole and deviled eggs (which were fine-ness,) and I brought the sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and cupcakes for the kids, and not just any cupcakes strawberry Sugarees cupcakes (crazy- unbelievably good.)The kids played their little hearts out, and we visited and cooked and the boys watched the egg bowl. (For those of you who are not Mississippi natives it is the annual Ole Miss v/s Mississippi State game. Big time rivalry going on here.) College football is more important here than pro-football. i know it's hard to believe, but you just have to live here to understand. Sunday, Demetria and I spent the afternoon shopping. -THE WHOLE AFTERNOON. This is huge people. I have been dreaming of this like forever. Let me say we were in rare form. We were cutting up so bad at one point we had people in the dressing room laughing with us and I'm sure at us, as well. It was awesome. The boys were cutting her built ins apart to make room for Kevin's fat new T.V. We came home to find all children still alive and our husbands grinning like Cheshire cats. I have to give it to them though they did a bang up job, and we got some serious Christmas shopping done. :)<br /><br />This has been such a wonderful month with so many things to be thankful for. I never officially finished my list, but, I've been blessed alot in so many ways, big and small, and I just want it to roll over into the rest of the holidays, as we spend time being thankful for the greatest gift of all. -Celebrating Jesus!Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-34077380460999782222010-11-21T16:29:00.000-08:002010-11-23T08:58:49.080-08:00Giving Thanks Challenge 2010 ~ # 13, 14, and 15#13. I was excited to have two of my nephews come and stay with us this weekend. I am so thankful this year has brought us home and close enough that we can do things like that now. Trey and Anna Grace love spending time with their cousins. It is a joy to watch them all play together. We have had glimpses of it here and there when we've come down to visit each year. It's nice that it's finally here, and we don't have to leave soon. <br /><br />#14. I have started singing Christmas carols at night as I put the kids to bed. Actually, I have been doing so for a couple weeks now. We have little bed time rituals that we've had for a while now, but, when we moved it was a little hard to get back into our regular routine. Trey and Anna Grace go back and forth between sleeping in their own rooms and still wanting to be in the same room. One night a couple months ago, they asked me would I please stay with them for a while and sing to them. (I usually sing hymns.) My heart melted and I told Hugh I am so thankful that they still want me to rock them and sing them to sleep. I thought maybe they were growing out of that, and I have to admit I missed it. It's nice to feel needed and wanted. <br /><br />#15. I'm thankful that our finances are such that we can enjoy a few things we could not afford to indulge in before now. It's nice to be able to have a girls weekend like I did a few weekends ago with my sisters Demetria and M.C. We went to Mistletoe Market and had a fabulous time. I was able to get a few Christmas gifts there, as well as, a few things for the house. It was a nice sense of freedom to be able to do that and not feel like it was going to break our budget if I did. I didn't go crazy or anything. I'm still very conscious about our budget and our spending, but what a refreshing change. I feel like Christmas came early for me. <br /><br />I'm still catching up on my list here so there will be more to come later today. I hope everyone is having a wonderful day! Blessings!Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-28923860036463009392010-11-15T10:28:00.000-08:002010-11-15T11:11:09.409-08:00Giving Thanks Challenge 2010 #10,11,& 12<span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>#10.</strong></span> I'm so thankful that it finally feels like Fall. This is my favorite time of year. The crisp cool air, the rich colors all around. Speaking of colors, I thought I'd share my color pallet for our new house. I'm drawn to neutrals and a crisp, clean look, but I also want a sense of warmth. So, here is what we've chosen. <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYIbDVnx9e3-SI2lzplGGs7qrT_fIIZk4pjeN-QtP3Ul6REeLy9ErlS7Y2aZFHRNnt8o9LyU1Z3NIPlqvieMWNAK9qkcKexbvhTxuZsyj9euEsrWJFICLn_nO8cxNT7Clr6lzari4bEM/s1600/colors.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539850099656195218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYIbDVnx9e3-SI2lzplGGs7qrT_fIIZk4pjeN-QtP3Ul6REeLy9ErlS7Y2aZFHRNnt8o9LyU1Z3NIPlqvieMWNAK9qkcKexbvhTxuZsyj9euEsrWJFICLn_nO8cxNT7Clr6lzari4bEM/s400/colors.jpg" /></a></div><br />I took this with my phone so they're not showing up as well as I'd like them too, but I will post before and after pictures soon.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>#11.</strong></span> I love Harvest by Yankee Candle. It's my favorite. It really makes my house smell great. I can't wait for Thanksgiving! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Al7KcTIvltxSCYYFGhcaGz3kVzCJEa0zFE9mSJU3n3-PV79FX5Ibc3lXh7wmOMqrN-dH2JL2MF-6ZrF3OQ4Lx4eiNK3fE-aruduS-vTVVR7gUBeC4yQSufW6g3lz4kHfpuEOnJuM95U/s1600/HarvestYankeeCandle.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539852137776902162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Al7KcTIvltxSCYYFGhcaGz3kVzCJEa0zFE9mSJU3n3-PV79FX5Ibc3lXh7wmOMqrN-dH2JL2MF-6ZrF3OQ4Lx4eiNK3fE-aruduS-vTVVR7gUBeC4yQSufW6g3lz4kHfpuEOnJuM95U/s400/HarvestYankeeCandle.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>#12.</strong></span> I'm also thankful for my arrangements for my front doors. This is a little something extra that we can afford now, and it makes all the difference in the world, at least to me. I love them. It makes me so happy to be able to add little touches like this to our home. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvUfQXGpv1gkHpEuryot0gUjUtCRYkitFyhs-Vw_3b20XNPPHAIZMErxltUFR3jZuxZfFki1FVKWLsNxYZYKcUgAVBS1aQVX3NqjQZgW8qMRDYJhNpQVBzN_cbpczdXak__MCAvzIG4E/s1600/fall.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539853226702000130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvUfQXGpv1gkHpEuryot0gUjUtCRYkitFyhs-Vw_3b20XNPPHAIZMErxltUFR3jZuxZfFki1FVKWLsNxYZYKcUgAVBS1aQVX3NqjQZgW8qMRDYJhNpQVBzN_cbpczdXak__MCAvzIG4E/s400/fall.jpg" /></a> This is a close up of one of them. I hope y'all are having a wonderful week filled with all of your favorite things! ~BlessingsTiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-83072443113443298652010-11-14T12:56:00.000-08:002010-11-14T15:05:55.144-08:00Giving Thanks Challenge 2010 ~#7<center><a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html"><img alt="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115592502_1ed0142cb4_m.jpg" /></a> </center><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAXrdzezXsMwR6aDlS3Lu_gX1iAhVA-jUTX3rLLmx0yIFkf5HCJFtH_PmfB2NXdXFL3FmuornGER7UH-QpG0wy9HWyDwWsctG0hfucpE4JWLqA9JX3gPPYgs18qSwy57HTKzaubIZCGU/s1600/Bird+h.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539526950065596434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAXrdzezXsMwR6aDlS3Lu_gX1iAhVA-jUTX3rLLmx0yIFkf5HCJFtH_PmfB2NXdXFL3FmuornGER7UH-QpG0wy9HWyDwWsctG0hfucpE4JWLqA9JX3gPPYgs18qSwy57HTKzaubIZCGU/s400/Bird+h.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>7.</strong></span> Today I am enjoying the bird feeder Hugh hung outside our living room window. It's just something simple, but sometimes the simplest pleasures in life are the sweetest. It is so relaxing to me to be able to sit and watch the birds as I read or play with the kids. It reminds me of Ohio. We had a huge picture window in our living room there, and we had a feeder in the tree right outside the window there too. So, it feels familiar, and it makes it feel more like home. We've had a few cardinals come to visit, which also reminds me of being up north in Ohio, because that is the state bird there. I love how the Lord brings everything full circle in your life, even the littlest of things. He uses it all to remind you of the blessings in your life.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRe1jFaFUaTQkA9JYKH0Os8Thc80ZwVDAbV9pP08ycQzdB3gJwNf-SZzgKOJgFqsrmshQeSzSLMk7JISHrHaGeM5xNi-fAlvdn-wBfKU67HPl70FdwT8P70ATQq30Kgd1qhVYT6zCN2I/s1600/Jesus+Calling.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539532167052961154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRe1jFaFUaTQkA9JYKH0Os8Thc80ZwVDAbV9pP08ycQzdB3gJwNf-SZzgKOJgFqsrmshQeSzSLMk7JISHrHaGeM5xNi-fAlvdn-wBfKU67HPl70FdwT8P70ATQq30Kgd1qhVYT6zCN2I/s400/Jesus+Calling.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgbaBG37WIiGAbLL_SqM-s1B3irVvDQUyEAUdV1PLMSJ-O1hf1rewC2OAVc-osXadew7G3Z8hj8QL_9RlsI-gvhLO15JeJ95ezKy1c0UfUz8Yn84zy2iyuGz6Ep9LzwVMqPF3l6knThg/s1600/christmas+books.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539531812981853090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgbaBG37WIiGAbLL_SqM-s1B3irVvDQUyEAUdV1PLMSJ-O1hf1rewC2OAVc-osXadew7G3Z8hj8QL_9RlsI-gvhLO15JeJ95ezKy1c0UfUz8Yn84zy2iyuGz6Ep9LzwVMqPF3l6knThg/s400/christmas+books.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>#8.</strong></span> Books! I am so thankful for books, for the enjoyment they bring us and for how they enrich our lives. I have been reading <em><strong>Jesus Calling</strong> </em>this year. It is a daily devotion written from the perspective of God, as if He were talking directly to you. My friend Marci gave it to me for my birthday, with this inscription; This little book has opened my ears again to the voice of the Father. I pray it is a blessing to you. Just think...we'll be reading it together each day. (Side note: My birthday is in February so she had already begun this devotion at the beginning of the year.) Is that not the most endearing inscription? It makes me tear up every time I read it because I'm blessed to have a friend who truly cares about my spiritual life and walk with God. It was just what I needed this year. Some how the way it's written, in first person, just makes it more personal for me. It has prompted dialogue on my end in my prayer life, as well. I can't say enough good things about it.<br /><br />The next set of books I have here I recently found for my children for the Advent season and Christmas holidays. I love Golden books. They remind me of my childhood. I found them on display in front of the check out at Walmart. Again, thank you Lord for small blessings! My little ones are going to be playing a donkey and a cow in our up coming Christmas play. Anna Grace was upset because they had originally told her she was going to be an angel along with her cousin, Taylor Brooke. She started crying when we left play practice this last week because she didn't want to be a cow in the play. She kept saying everyone was going to laugh at her. Trey on the other hand was very proud he was going to be a donkey. I think his excitement helped ease her disappointment. When I saw <em><strong>The Animals' Christmas Eve</strong></em>, I thought <em>Oh how wonderful. This will help so much.</em> -and it has. We have been reading the book every night, and now they are both excited about being animals in the play. Thank you Lord for sending just what we needed.<span style="font-size:180%;"> <strong>#9.</strong></span> I can't wait to see them in the play. I'm thankful they get the opportunity to be a part of this.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-24836514315748792922010-11-11T08:25:00.000-08:002010-11-11T09:24:34.528-08:00Happy Veterans Day!<center><a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html"><img alt="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115592502_1ed0142cb4_m.jpg" /></a> </center><p><br /><br />I'm thankful for the millions of men and women who have so bravely defended our freedom time and time again throughout our nations history. Today is a day to honor our service men and women. I am proud to recognize this day in honor of my father, who served in WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was a proud American. He loved this country. I know that my love for America comes deeply rooted from the role model he was for me throughout my life. God Bless America. God Bless those who live here, and love it and proudly serve for the freedom of all. -Thank you.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-44461080963093211112010-11-10T08:09:00.000-08:002010-11-11T08:25:40.048-08:00Giving Thanks Challenge 2010 ~ #5 & 6<center><a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html"><img alt="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115592502_1ed0142cb4_m.jpg" /></a> </center><p><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>5.</strong></span> I am so thankful that Trey is attending a classical Christian school. Although it was hard to let go of my dream of home schooling for both my children, I'm glad I listened to my husband. Trey is learning so much. He is in a wonderful supportive atmosphere, and he loves everything about it. He loves his teacher. He loves his classmates and he loves learning. He comes home excited to tell what new things they did that day. The Lord took this situation and turned my disappointment into joy. I love that there are smaller classrooms, so the children get more individual attention. There are sixteen children in his class and he there is a teacher and an assistant. So, there are in essence eight students per adult. The school itself has a very intimate atmosphere and every single person I have encountered has been warm and friendly. It's very family oriented, and everyone really gets involved in some capacity or another. It also helps that I know he is getting a quality education. Each grade has tested three grade levels above their own (nationally not just state wide)every year they have been open. I know he is being challenged and that material is presented in such a way that it makes it exciting and interesting to learn. I couldn't ask for better. Best of all he is in a Christian atmosphere. The school is very serious about the spiritual education they offer. I have had the pleasure of seeing that first hand during our chapel services on Wednesday mornings.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>6.</strong></span> I'm thankful that as part of the blessing of being a stay at home mom I get to attend the chapel service Trey's school offers every Wednesday morning. Parents and siblings are welcomed to attend with the students. I love going to church. I just really enjoy it. So, I feel like I'm getting an extra little bit of church thrown into my week. It just makes me feel good. It keeps me up. And it amazes me at what the children are learning. Each grade level takes turns opening the service on Wednesday mornings. They start with the pledge to the American flag, the pledge to the Christian flag and the pledge to the Bible. Then they recite a passage of scripture, a poem, and finish with a song before the speaker comes to share. Trey's pre-school class recited (Proverbs 3:5-6) <em></em><strong><em>Trust in the LORD with all your heart<br />and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.</em> </strong>Then, they recited a poem by Robert Louis Stevenson.<br /><br />Singing<br /></p><p>Of speckled eggs the birdie sings<br />And nests among the trees;<br />The sailor sings of ropes and things<br />In ships upon the seas.<br /><br />The children sing in far Japan,<br />The children sing in Spain;<br />The organ with the organ man<br />Is singing in the rain.<br /><br />Then, they sang a days of the week song and a little praise song The Lord's Army. I was so proud, and amazed. I can't wait to see what they share next. What are you thankful for today?<br /><br /></p>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-30275196672437016662010-11-09T15:30:00.000-08:002010-11-09T18:58:46.680-08:00Giving Thanks Challenge 2010 ~ #3 & 4<center><a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html"><img alt="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115592502_1ed0142cb4_m.jpg" /></a> </center><p><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>3.</strong></span> I'm thankful for solitude, a chance to steal away a few moments of peace and quiet. I don't know about you, but, that is not easy to come by for this momma. In the raising of a three and four year old there are times when the house is filled with the sweet sounds of laughter, children playing and music. There are also other times when the air is filled with the noise of fighting, screaming, the crashing of toys and the calling of my name (well, the calling for momma anyway.) I was not raised with any siblings so I am not accustomed to the love/hate relationship that lies between them. Hugh keeps telling me to pick my battles and that I need to let them work it out sometimes instead of correcting every little thing, but I can't help myself. Can't we just all get along?! "Please be kind to each other. That was not very nice. Say you're sorry," is what I find myself constantly saying. And then sometimes it's turns into "Stop it! Now that is enough." "Sigh." Parenting is a daunting task at times. I take what my husband says to heart, but, I often find there is a delicate balance between picking your battles and staying consistent. It is in those moments that I desire nothing more than complete silence so I can collect my thoughts, and pray for direction and my attitude. </p><p>I guess I'm showing my age by saying so. I used to love noise. The more people, the louder the music the better. I felt energized being surrounded by it. Now it's draining. I covet peace and quiet, and I covet my quiet time with the Lord. Which leads me to ....</p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>#4.</strong></span> I'm thankful for daily devotions with the Lord. I had the most awesome quiet time yesterday morning. It was so simple and ordinary, yet completely blissful. I had two tea biscuits, a glass of orange juice and it was just me and the Lord spending a little time together. Like having breakfast with an old friend! It made my whole day. It just set the mood for things to come. I wish everyday to be just like that.<br /></p>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-56196540119329700992010-11-09T08:26:00.000-08:002010-11-09T09:04:57.035-08:00Giving Thanks Challenge 2010 ~ #2<center><a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html"><img alt="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115592502_1ed0142cb4_m.jpg" /></a> </center><p><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">2.</span></strong> I am thankful for the gift of friendship, and it truly is a gift. God has been ever so gracious to me in this particular area of my life. I have friends old and new that are precious treasures. I attract a lot of different types of people. I know I've shared before that Hugh and I have a running joke that all my friends don't go together.<br /><br />I think it's the creative side in me that desires something different, something unique that draws you in like a good piece of art. People are like that -good art. beautiful and complicated, ordinary yet astounding and even captivating at times. I'm glad I have friends that challenge me to get out of my safe little box and think beyond myself and own perspective at times. They help me stretch and grow alot. All of my friends bring this to my life to some degree even when we have so many things in common.<br /><br />The friendships I treasure most are my close Christian friends. They just get it, or they just get me. Jesus is the tie that binds for all time, and there is such a comfort in that. There is a deep level of knowing that you just can't get to unless you are equally yoked in this area. I don't say this to diminish my other friendships, and I'm not even saying I love my Christian friends more, but I guess that is why I always try to share Jesus with all my friends. I want to share in that common bond. When you love someone you want to give them the best. Well, Jesus is my best. I have found that having Jesus is sharing something that time, distance and circumstances can not change.<br /><br />I hope you all have friendships like that out there, deep abiding friendships that enrich your lives. If not, then ask the Lord for one and search one out like a hidden treasure waiting to be found. I truly believe with all my heart that if you love the Lord, and you are walking in close fellowship with Him, he will give you the desires of your heart if they will draw you closer to Him. ~Blessings! </p>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-34380723195363179032010-11-07T14:38:00.000-08:002010-11-08T08:18:49.555-08:002010 Giving Thanks Challenge<center><a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html"><img alt="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/2010/10/2010-giving-thanks-challenge.html" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5115592502_1ed0142cb4_m.jpg" /></a> </center><p><br />It is time for the 2010 Giving Thanks Challenge hosted by Leah at <a href="http://southbreezefarm.blogspot.com/">South Breeze Farm</a>. I look forward to this challenge every year. It helps me to focus on the up coming holiday season and the true meaning of it. We are so blessed and have so very much to be thankful for. I have missed blogging. It is one of my favorite pass times. So, I'm going to take this opportunity to throw myself back into it. I have always thought of my blog as part gratitude journal and part scrapbook. I store some of my most treasured memories, thoughts and dreams here. I hope it serves as an encouragement to visitors. I love meeting new people and finding a kindered spirit.<br /><br />The Giving Thanks Challenge lasts throughout the month of November, and you can approach it several ways. Some people like to write a post each day of the month for what they are thankful for. Others like to keep an on going list on their sidebar. Some like to do both. It's a great way to find new blogs. I hope some of you will join us.<br /><br />I'm getting a late start, so I'm going to do a few things I'm thankful for each day until I catch up . <p></p><p><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>1.</strong></span> I'm thankful for traditions old and new. I love sharing things that connect us through years and generations. I have traditions with family and friends, and just the memory of them brings joy and warms my heart. For instance, momma and daddy always made enough food to feed an army for Thanksgiving, more than we ever needed for three people. Some years they would invite someone they knew who didn't have someone to have Thanksgiving dinner with. My parents both came from large families, so they knew what it was like to be far away from those you love during the holidays. Some how every year my best friend Peige found her way to our house after all of her family celebrations were over. I have countless memories of the two of us in the kitchen with my mom as she were cleaning up, laughing and cutting up together. We'd find ourselves hours later sitting right there in the floor talking late into the night and eating some of momma's stuffing.</p><p>One of my favorite traditions is that we always go to church as a family on Christmas Eve. That is one tradition I intend to keep always with my family as well. We've started a new tradition with my sister, Demetria. For the passed three years, we've have gotten our two families together to take our children to see the lights in Canton. Our kids love it, and it reminds me of how momma, daddy and I would drive over to Leland every year to see the lights on the bayou. I get excited just thinking about it. The holiday season is such a special time. We also get together every year with our very close friends Shelia, Ashley, Marci and John. This last year we had eight children between us and we had a birthday party for baby Jesus. John read the nativity story and he and Hugh helped the kids make reindeer food with the kids. It was so much fun. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUjbiBrk834QGHmdAqQd0FmoxLYnVdcaDliwpDI5rbPZ5F3vW2qI22ZzN3Rvq_k7FJWrSj-AWVbs3mExp_uA-IvbTiOZpvNwzYE3JFUCZReujYvbNuhDaJ9FSfQefIGzf5ZnJpkI_73w/s1600/100_8464.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537203268387848146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUjbiBrk834QGHmdAqQd0FmoxLYnVdcaDliwpDI5rbPZ5F3vW2qI22ZzN3Rvq_k7FJWrSj-AWVbs3mExp_uA-IvbTiOZpvNwzYE3JFUCZReujYvbNuhDaJ9FSfQefIGzf5ZnJpkI_73w/s400/100_8464.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwWVnzKJXeV_d9Vmpe8k6KIEpz8MBZB6V7wPqSf1fUa83Guig-XbKzDJgI_G8aFLVqaJmkQ1zbJkkxu6-89cOQKWJ4xccrm4C2iRpDMalrmSTPzrJtSOiSSJO6qPpBo1yzCuZwrKLX-s/s1600/100_8465.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537203261361973106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwWVnzKJXeV_d9Vmpe8k6KIEpz8MBZB6V7wPqSf1fUa83Guig-XbKzDJgI_G8aFLVqaJmkQ1zbJkkxu6-89cOQKWJ4xccrm4C2iRpDMalrmSTPzrJtSOiSSJO6qPpBo1yzCuZwrKLX-s/s400/100_8465.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WO5mo9Vs4xvFz9UI2tVjDR8u3_8QvxeScYqlAK2vWGLq_okzwaVUIa_EuAM5wcTH6pl8CX2wplXalp0rymhAoVxgO5GXNbNovmBoprrsDfY3Fbj3k7GC_vy4KPsc7KShRKFHTAsdufQ/s1600/100_8440.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537203253197817394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WO5mo9Vs4xvFz9UI2tVjDR8u3_8QvxeScYqlAK2vWGLq_okzwaVUIa_EuAM5wcTH6pl8CX2wplXalp0rymhAoVxgO5GXNbNovmBoprrsDfY3Fbj3k7GC_vy4KPsc7KShRKFHTAsdufQ/s400/100_8440.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZwCSTf2rI5ebr1brh21TaRrpVgwCACou0IW5Yh1aZWHymwSFGmXL7xNZA6WPxkDFF4F-ZC5r5KdzuNtiXtj_hDLO-lC0vtxAR-K9JMhEFu1poYNNVurm71t56g0WwJ0dKdgTgXqXnLM/s1600/100_8454.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537203249121161506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZwCSTf2rI5ebr1brh21TaRrpVgwCACou0IW5Yh1aZWHymwSFGmXL7xNZA6WPxkDFF4F-ZC5r5KdzuNtiXtj_hDLO-lC0vtxAR-K9JMhEFu1poYNNVurm71t56g0WwJ0dKdgTgXqXnLM/s400/100_8454.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xlALoMVWrh0oe9trctidDIYlKyrKNo1YgLpwPvFxIj5al1HbyjHEJqcRdoWq3MlY2dTmsJ4voYvJu3xkkk01vk-WV8W9SP5CPthyphenhyphenxVcXuyYJmLnJ406JoAAt6hy31pjnNh5YyYZ6kVo/s1600/100_8453.JPG"></a><br />I'll be checking in later to add something to my Thankful list. ~Blessings!<br /></p><br /><p></p></div></div></div></div>Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-86418154630260997682010-11-04T14:12:00.000-07:002010-11-04T14:29:33.154-07:00Mad Men on AMC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9nxLJQm1CkOydKV8kPqPM__Emkhkhm5SqSMl33HkdyKtrkSdAf3rVG-ylGDzzMfp35LX783RwZgylcfLrRgz5C64ypPbaAVlJUu-vTsfrn4nqq97UzZJ3L8HjvuFNjVt9jTwHOe4MKo/s1600/madmen_fullbody.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9nxLJQm1CkOydKV8kPqPM__Emkhkhm5SqSMl33HkdyKtrkSdAf3rVG-ylGDzzMfp35LX783RwZgylcfLrRgz5C64ypPbaAVlJUu-vTsfrn4nqq97UzZJ3L8HjvuFNjVt9jTwHOe4MKo/s400/madmen_fullbody.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535809834772364690" /></a><br />I've only caught a few episodes of this series on AMC, but I'm facinated with the clothes, props, and sets. It is so well done you feel transported to New York circa 1960s. I found this fun little game at AMCTV where you can put together your own little Mad Men alter ego. So, here I am, as a stay at home wife and mother mad men style.....Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5098585470139350484.post-29279336450832966342010-10-28T07:38:00.000-07:002010-10-28T12:09:32.702-07:00Hello AgainYes, it's been a long time. I think that was the longest break I've taken from blogging. It wasn't even an intended break. Life just seems to zip right passed these days. It has been busy, and frustrating and wonderful all at the same time.<br /><br />We have had a steady stream of visitors since we moved home in late June. My sweet friend Heidi and her family came down for a week in early August. It was during Elvis week, and Heidi is a huge Elvis fan, so we took a day trip up to Memphis just us girls. It was so much fun. We were positively silly. We decided that we would make it an annual event and meet up for a girls weekend every year. Here are a couple of picks....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtKhMJo0XucuFAydhPivUvJ9B9d-hPGFjZiTBF8-D7LspXb3P146Rq2X26gNb1kKz7SmA4DWKpj3yGp1eUxqQd-84aQbm3boi2eTeuDJBuhKcHkr2a0vZfkuPLMTwmlUabqEi3wosKFc/s1600/100_9908.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtKhMJo0XucuFAydhPivUvJ9B9d-hPGFjZiTBF8-D7LspXb3P146Rq2X26gNb1kKz7SmA4DWKpj3yGp1eUxqQd-84aQbm3boi2eTeuDJBuhKcHkr2a0vZfkuPLMTwmlUabqEi3wosKFc/s400/100_9908.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533116336447675394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQtFwDgbVgdPyJJR2A56BIObhxBPEfOTTP7puvnvsR0R_VW-EtsXWchoWotpYncl1Cv8ROIASJeUZ12aijisQEdYTDT5T_uxvU_pUCAMmyfy3NF3JyRYD2oPJKxKOhNFJ7KhkCt9A0c0/s1600/Joe+Hall.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533115938429667890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQtFwDgbVgdPyJJR2A56BIObhxBPEfOTTP7puvnvsR0R_VW-EtsXWchoWotpYncl1Cv8ROIASJeUZ12aijisQEdYTDT5T_uxvU_pUCAMmyfy3NF3JyRYD2oPJKxKOhNFJ7KhkCt9A0c0/s400/Joe+Hall.bmp" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4neOuW6iuUwbaPt4WRqaOdQEKAt4W4ixiHumtW-xVkSjoeS6ScGj9JYEiPEnmeZPNuDCiQJk7nsjVmFO9ea_914BDREwFyvndGaCTj0sfasuHtLInz5S99hHo6JVC2_TraQ34BwPaJw/s1600/elvi+and+tiff.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533115929370474930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4neOuW6iuUwbaPt4WRqaOdQEKAt4W4ixiHumtW-xVkSjoeS6ScGj9JYEiPEnmeZPNuDCiQJk7nsjVmFO9ea_914BDREwFyvndGaCTj0sfasuHtLInz5S99hHo6JVC2_TraQ34BwPaJw/s400/elvi+and+tiff.bmp" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSXwo6Ta66wKKZNqTfWyFT4nzwNSNEUAQ-Il0DgpOgNJmjJgk2-bRk0PIjYA1bdZeSopLVIlEF9U9PHkuDBj8Cf_68KzzNPajRUr5EO-fvHQ2-Jhgiad3vFjPM6glUtcVZzIfDEil-vU/s1600/girlsnelvis.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533115923616501986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSXwo6Ta66wKKZNqTfWyFT4nzwNSNEUAQ-Il0DgpOgNJmjJgk2-bRk0PIjYA1bdZeSopLVIlEF9U9PHkuDBj8Cf_68KzzNPajRUr5EO-fvHQ2-Jhgiad3vFjPM6glUtcVZzIfDEil-vU/s400/girlsnelvis.bmp" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0GAJtg9zsk8RRZHtEq26b-nw1fBEacqciwelIsCKF40yJ_op5ruWjyyB1LqT-6AskEkSJRcTvxVZxyH_acvBPZ0ChqlN6uI0RGr4hMAJExeXwrFoBNtK4YukDzQCMHyQcZboLif6pX4/s1600/heat.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533115899818236418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0GAJtg9zsk8RRZHtEq26b-nw1fBEacqciwelIsCKF40yJ_op5ruWjyyB1LqT-6AskEkSJRcTvxVZxyH_acvBPZ0ChqlN6uI0RGr4hMAJExeXwrFoBNtK4YukDzQCMHyQcZboLif6pX4/s400/heat.bmp" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyF2p9TAKZS4OydpWrJVdrgs0t83l_J5_vOwFcmS4cjrMPsAUDfnzDVj15TqyN9NgmQqG_-EGt6SGuvM8omPMf66Bd4MdMVoYEMTHwEFjo5aON17vCT2NHF476zlcE7IYU8eskTnlF9E/s1600/Agand+KElvis.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533115885671704434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyF2p9TAKZS4OydpWrJVdrgs0t83l_J5_vOwFcmS4cjrMPsAUDfnzDVj15TqyN9NgmQqG_-EGt6SGuvM8omPMf66Bd4MdMVoYEMTHwEFjo5aON17vCT2NHF476zlcE7IYU8eskTnlF9E/s400/Agand+KElvis.bmp" /></a><br />As you can tell is was a very hot summer day and we were all about to melt, but we still had fun. Can't let a little thing like heat get in the way of a good time.<br /><br />My aunt Cathy flew in for a week at the beginning of October. I have missed her so much. For as long as I can remember we have always seen each other every other year be it in the summer or at Christmas time. This is the longest we've ever gone between visits (4 years) but it couldn't be helped. I'm just glad I got a whole week with her. Even with that it didn't seem long enough. I could seriously move her right in with us. She and my uncle Jr. have taken up the grand parents role on my side of the family since momma and daddy have passed. She is actually my great aunt, because she was my mom's aunt but they were raised together as sisters. We have always been close and had a very special bond. There's nothing we wouldn't do for each other. When momma passed I was sitting in the E.R. holding her hand for more than an hour. I just couldn't make myself get up and leave. I didn't want it to be real. I couldn't let her go and I couldn't stop crying. I finally asked Hugh to call my aunt Cathy. I asked her to come, because I didn't think I could do this without her. She told me she already had her plane ticket and she would be there as soon as possible. There was no question she was already there before I had to ask. She really is like my second momma. And I'm so at peace with her around. She just has that presence. We had such a wonderful time while she was here. We went to <a href="http://www.cedarhfarm.com/">Cedar Hills Farm</a>, <a href="http://www.fiddlinroosterfarm.com/">Fiddlin Rooster Farm </a>and we had a bonfire and cook out with Hugh's cousin Barry, his wife Brandy and their daughter Taylor Brooke. We painted pumpkins, roasted hot dogs and made smores. The kids played soccer in the yard and even put up Taylor Brooke's tent and played in it. Here are a few highlights... <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28N7RBza27Bix-m7oJvb5oAhz6XYUOIFXC1N3QPfk0xOmvLDKIaxWhiZTLMuF9DwN7BtaHpzXKzilF_8TLREe6bunuYJHww0TKjevnE2OFWwOY482s0VWuGzkoRogEAdocqNW5ia_pq4/s1600/101_0044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj28N7RBza27Bix-m7oJvb5oAhz6XYUOIFXC1N3QPfk0xOmvLDKIaxWhiZTLMuF9DwN7BtaHpzXKzilF_8TLREe6bunuYJHww0TKjevnE2OFWwOY482s0VWuGzkoRogEAdocqNW5ia_pq4/s400/101_0044.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533144932330542466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ1Mc5Lwa8EGFOMnQaW_FGzTB-UMIWg11owCCZ6ySueBuPcMHsC_5EIoAoVhlds6BPM3UgWYZ0vmU179QbFDDZcoZKhfgQLD4iYyVa1B5GZkWKrkXSSb2NJkdwQexSvkXE8Qg-n8FJa8/s1600/cat+and+kids.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ1Mc5Lwa8EGFOMnQaW_FGzTB-UMIWg11owCCZ6ySueBuPcMHsC_5EIoAoVhlds6BPM3UgWYZ0vmU179QbFDDZcoZKhfgQLD4iYyVa1B5GZkWKrkXSSb2NJkdwQexSvkXE8Qg-n8FJa8/s400/cat+and+kids.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533147080654002306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty4vrdEjPY-6GbKxoDTogPfaMETYrYZvI5SWHBugvk_FhO3uZ0KDt7fi9kMyzL93ArTzZElRdgPA1cehTnzK4i6VLTjIGGoTiE65eXx2pZ9-uIRSirP5rjCKbo5rCvm2G9w7V98EKaz4/s1600/grandma+cathy.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhty4vrdEjPY-6GbKxoDTogPfaMETYrYZvI5SWHBugvk_FhO3uZ0KDt7fi9kMyzL93ArTzZElRdgPA1cehTnzK4i6VLTjIGGoTiE65eXx2pZ9-uIRSirP5rjCKbo5rCvm2G9w7V98EKaz4/s400/grandma+cathy.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533147818699831042" /></a><br />My friend Datha also came down for a long weekend in October. It really touched my heart that two of my closest friends have made the effort to take time off to come all the way down here to visit. I know they could have spent their time and money on other things. I am so blessed! It was good to have time to catch up and visit with Datha. She and Mark are foster parents now, and feel like the Lord is leading them to adopt through foster care. I don't know any couple who could be better foster parents than Mark and Datha. They have a great capacity to love. They are both in ministry and have three of their own children. Fostering has been a wonderful and heart wrenching process for them. Every child that comes to them is like their own and it is hard to let them go. You hope and pray you are sending them back into what is now a stable and more nurturing environment, but you never know. I told her I really don't know how she does it. I tear up every time we talk about it. It is so hard to hear about the situations those babies come out of when they come to them. She said sometimes she can't even let herself think about it. All she can do is pray a hedge of protection over them and know that no matter where they are, they will always have two people who will always be praying for them, and maybe that in itself is why the Lord has brought them into their lives. God bless them. I'm not the only one who was happy to have Datha visit. My children love her, especially Trey. They have a very special connection. I can't wait to see her at Christmas. They have family in Louisiana and so they are going to stop on their way down to visit. So we'll get to see the whole family for the holidays. Here are a few pictures from when she was visiting....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4IQpS1hmnrsbISpxHMpSg0KvN_VgTJ8qmmYa3EsjpMpDZJZzbKlmUIJ_-JKF_nUQBM8FPF2i-jsPnvPmbG4j1s1WYQ8FBrnAJlwJJjRSOp3VXp60aHyZ1oNWKEdZ2mKRlQ__1wCn-o4/s1600/101_0183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4IQpS1hmnrsbISpxHMpSg0KvN_VgTJ8qmmYa3EsjpMpDZJZzbKlmUIJ_-JKF_nUQBM8FPF2i-jsPnvPmbG4j1s1WYQ8FBrnAJlwJJjRSOp3VXp60aHyZ1oNWKEdZ2mKRlQ__1wCn-o4/s400/101_0183.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533166759192920386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6S4Y0A-TFmQuilBXMHdtPBy-742uu4H5q2_CJoIMYQG2sBsv8NlnbJS_c9XIB1X8OkqDg8XN_OejWJFVXduTdzq4dK69onbV1gyMRgmRuaK03R1blLXUbD8gBClV-_u6j-TO7TVJrY8/s1600/101_0186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6S4Y0A-TFmQuilBXMHdtPBy-742uu4H5q2_CJoIMYQG2sBsv8NlnbJS_c9XIB1X8OkqDg8XN_OejWJFVXduTdzq4dK69onbV1gyMRgmRuaK03R1blLXUbD8gBClV-_u6j-TO7TVJrY8/s400/101_0186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533166738258597858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDZATQLESS_HXtU8uxq0_bydUg_3UERN8qi9_IjJY_TWPkmJFnejX8NV67FwZPVh4DOOnbl1lZNn2shbwt1y9-tNg-Y9jTYHRXNVyHzOr5uM9WtWTTifGPWJgv1q1lt4bOrn0Tq3PUAc/s1600/101_0191.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDZATQLESS_HXtU8uxq0_bydUg_3UERN8qi9_IjJY_TWPkmJFnejX8NV67FwZPVh4DOOnbl1lZNn2shbwt1y9-tNg-Y9jTYHRXNVyHzOr5uM9WtWTTifGPWJgv1q1lt4bOrn0Tq3PUAc/s400/101_0191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533166725055905858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4EM-O6P-cZcLBEc4IMO-0e_5MUQmCwa5jRCH3-HeRrJl2No4NOxgXIRuWBvF8qS9biYXCm8FZyGEK9iUzahcYKCKsnFWg8ig-VB1vss5JRc8fj_tLO44LK8KcN6M1guUvGmqRjuV_5E/s1600/101_0185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4EM-O6P-cZcLBEc4IMO-0e_5MUQmCwa5jRCH3-HeRrJl2No4NOxgXIRuWBvF8qS9biYXCm8FZyGEK9iUzahcYKCKsnFWg8ig-VB1vss5JRc8fj_tLO44LK8KcN6M1guUvGmqRjuV_5E/s400/101_0185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533166713209796434" /></a><br />We have also had many of our friends and family right here in Mississippi come for a visit, so we are still in the process of getting settled in. In the midst of all of our company we have been trying to paint and furnish the house. That has been the somewhat frustrating part. We have taken down chair railing, put up new dry wall and painted. We also put up a new ceiling in our bedroom. We have made repairs to the pool and hot tub, and are working on the landscaping as well. We have had a lot on our plate. Oh, and my latest venture involved taking over the Fall Festival for Trey's school this year. I wanted to take the opportunity to get to know the faculty other families at the school and what better way to get involved. OK, so maybe I should have volunteered for part of the festival like concessions, instead of taking on the whole thing my first year, but I like a challenge. Either that or I'm a glutton for punishment. No really, it all turned out fine and I've gotten a lot of nice compliments on it. Thank you Lord! And I know what will and will not work for next year. Best of all, I met and had the chance to work with so many wonderful people.<br /><br />It's been busy, but it's finally calming down a bit, and so I hope I can catch up with some of my favorite blogs now. I'm ready to stay at home, decorate for the holidays and just enjoy a little home life.Tiffanyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07586917313753074696noreply@blogger.com1