tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46552404106672858502024-03-19T21:05:32.453-07:00The OverflowJennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-53649670679580505862011-03-28T22:16:00.000-07:002011-03-28T22:16:36.192-07:00<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a> <br />
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#116 marvelling at what marvels my 2yo<br />
#117 the health and strength to take on a too-full new week<br />
#118 what's left of my memory<br />
#119 the perspective gained from a sick-bed<br />
#120 fresh starts and second chances<br />
#121 the huge community reading and living out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301375507&sr=8-1" style="color: blue;">this book</a> and all the great articles and blog posts in response<br />
#122 2yo + Playdough<br />
#123 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Truth-Dramatized-Audio-Bible-Testament/dp/1591713250/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301375583&sr=1-1" style="color: blue;">Truth & Life Dramatized Bible</a> for Lent and beyond<br />
#124 the difficult child, whoever he/she might be at the time<br />
#125 being remembered with birthday gifts, cards and online wishes<br />
#126 a visit from our dear friends the Ennis'<br />
#127 those dear friends taking our daughter on a spring break adventure to their house<br />
#128 snow, even when I'm tired of it<br />
#129 Great Uncle John teaching the great nieces and nephews to ski<br />
#130 a day cuddled up sick with my baby<br />
#131 child with a trauma background being brave through 6 stitches on his hand<br />
#132 smiling teen recounting his day's adventures out in the big world<br />
#133 the benefit of fresh eggs as we chicken-sit my brother's flock<br />
#134 inside jokes and rituals<br />
#135 strong boys that can shimmy up trees like nothingJennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-19647137296530466422011-02-28T22:59:00.000-08:002011-02-28T23:12:10.529-08:00Still Counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0wLdXBA8NQUYsw4xjGAcRAjyLlpGtDK7Jx5WNpcIzrJAJQLqU1I9gGKBeE569ljniUdTnpQ8KEE-B46bYQgQueV5uNL1AlOZHfLB_EuAKKH2SolivPu1jPdgp5qhtDZPy8KoK4vKku-T/s1600/IMG_3132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0wLdXBA8NQUYsw4xjGAcRAjyLlpGtDK7Jx5WNpcIzrJAJQLqU1I9gGKBeE569ljniUdTnpQ8KEE-B46bYQgQueV5uNL1AlOZHfLB_EuAKKH2SolivPu1jPdgp5qhtDZPy8KoK4vKku-T/s320/IMG_3132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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#98 first spring bulbs blooming<br />
#99 kid's cousins<br />
#100 my dear husband who has taken to cooking meat for the carnivores in the family<br />
#101<a href="http://www.pandora.com/#/song/thumbs-up/S1154477" style="color: blue;">Pandora!!</a><br />
#102 five day media fast thanks to the winter snow storms <br />
#103 movie theater popcorn<br />
#104-105 great moms who plan homeschool field trips that my kids get to participate in and a <a href="http://twilightme.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;">grandmother</a> who helps me get them there<br />
#106 rising and setting with the sun while we had no power - all of us<br />
#107 getting to wake up next to the person I want to be with most in the whole wide world - every day<br />
#108 and that person can trim my hair<br />
#109 and he can hang art and pictures that have been in storage for over 9 years since we built our house<br />
#110 the crockpot - almost impossible to burn things<br />
#111 snow<br />
#112 <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2011/02/one-thousand-gifts-chapter-six.html" style="color: blue;">videos</a> to go with <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1298962384&sr=8-1" style="color: blue;">the book</a><br />
#113 Lent on the horizon<br />
#114 turning a new calendar page<br />
#115 <a href="http://readtosucceed.discoveryeducation.com/" style="color: blue;">Six Flags Read to Succeed</a> - these kids are motivated!<br />
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<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4655240410667285850&postID=1964713729653046642"></a><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-22476388082216514082011-02-14T18:42:00.000-08:002011-02-15T21:37:01.714-08:00God's Love Language - gift giving?<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=4655240410667285850&postID=2247638808221651408"></a><br />
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All of the <a href="http://www.5lovelanguages.com/" style="color: blue;">5 Love Languages</a> probably originated with God but I've certainly become more aware of His delight in lavishing His gifts upon us. How opulent! <br />
<br />
Some more underlinings in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297736802&sr=8-1"><span style="color: blue;">1000 Gifts</span>:</a><br />
<br />
"Behold glory and be held by God"<br />
<br />
"I pay tribute to God by paying attention"<br />
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And some of those lavish gifts unwrapped this week:<br />
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#79 baby pictures<br />
#80 toddler waking, blood-sugar stabilized, entering into the imaginary world of play<br />
#81 an occasional invitation to enter into the imaginary play world, to wrap a "baby"and pick which cabinet she should "sleep" in, etc.<br />
#82 8yo boys in blanket capes at bedtime<br />
#83 lifting up little girls by the tights while dressing "to get them on all the way"<br />
#84 big girls who reminisce about being lifted up in their tights<br />
#85 tomboy who does home-repairs for me<br />
#86 new starts and second chances<br />
#87 90+ Valentines leaving our home this morning<br />
#88 our little neighborhood charter school, only 3 minutes away despite our rural location, offering our family the change we needed this year<br />
#89 my mom explaining the concept of a "career change" that I was calling an "identity crisis" now that I don't have all my children homeschooling under one roof on most days.... still wrapping myself around that.....<br />
#90 the promising visual and performing arts highschool that my first-born daughter will attend next year....still wrapping myself around that too....<br />
#91 the flicker of shadow, sunbeam, shadow, sunbeam as I drive through the tall trees on a sunny day - low February sun coming at us from an angle<br />
#92 <a href="http://the6runners.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue;">my sister-in-law </a>enjoying 1000 Gifts too and recommending it to others - it's not just an Internet thing<br />
#93 automatic dishwashers<br />
#94 I was able to upload and old, random photo with this post for the first time in over a year! must have been a Blogger thing. yay! hope that means I'm back to posting pictures. maybe they'll work on Facebook too<br />
#95 good quality salt.... makes me ponder what it means for a Christian to be salt and light...<br />
#96 the "like" button on Facebook<br />
#97 children that accept my simple cooking - they mostly don't know any better<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJrvSBModaNUZeW8yG2t7BKm4caZkNPNwPKwGUtW47whgAyauGjn0_u3pgbgcUbnU-l3DYuSlJXYxZBeN7Brf1IJxth8gaw2gd4hyf6WnylQwZBYDqI8UfLNl3IinEmRkAHlXj5g0pi9/s1600/IMG_3684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwAJrvSBModaNUZeW8yG2t7BKm4caZkNPNwPKwGUtW47whgAyauGjn0_u3pgbgcUbnU-l3DYuSlJXYxZBeN7Brf1IJxth8gaw2gd4hyf6WnylQwZBYDqI8UfLNl3IinEmRkAHlXj5g0pi9/s320/IMG_3684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-2543629919537196162011-02-07T23:24:00.000-08:002011-02-07T23:25:41.069-08:00"Freeze Frames of Thanks"<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a><br />
Part of what helps me justify my book "habit" is that I can always resell my books. Most do get resold eventually. It's a special book that earns a permanent place on my shelves that are ruthlessly purged each year (wanna-be minimalist.) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1297148957&sr=8-1" style="color: blue;">1000 Gifts</a> has definitely earned a place. I knew that early on. So I started underlining in pencil. Some of my recent favorite quotes:<br />
-these chronicles are "freeze frames of grace"<br />
-"Eventually, I am guaranteed to lose every earthly thing I have ever possessed.......All human relationships end in loss. Am I prepared for that?"<br />
-"How do you know how to sift through a day, a life, and rightly read the graces, rightly ascertain the curses?"<br />
-"..the spirit-to-spirit combat I endlessly wage with Satan is this ferocious thrash for joy."<br />
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#66 forgiveness extended<br />
#67 hand-me-downs<br />
#68 kids who buy meat and cheese when they get a little spending money instead of asking for treats<br />
#69 the good kind of guilt that keeps my selfishness in check<br />
#70 husband aglow in new business ventures<br />
#71 6yo loving her jump rope<br />
#72 <a href="http://www.t-tapp.com/" style="color: blue;">T-Tapp</a>, every time I do the workout it's like a visit to the chiropractor - the Pearl of Great Price in exercise for me. Once I found T-Tapp I got rid of every other exercise related "thing" in my life<br />
#73 the writings of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-12380763" style="color: blue;">Brian Jacques</a>, God rest his soul.<br />
#74 Power Writing lessons from Grand-daddy - it's been awhile but we still use what we've learned<br />
#75 pure spring water coming right through the tap <br />
#76 not being able to see neighbors but being only 10 minutes from town - the best of both worlds<br />
#77 spell checks <br />
#78 <a href="http://www.usccb.org/nab/" style="color: blue;">each day's Gospel reading</a>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-39956618322012851842011-01-31T22:21:00.000-08:002011-01-31T22:21:08.297-08:00Unwrapping Gifts<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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Gifts I have recently unwrapped:<br />
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#46 toddler napping in the fetal position<br />
#47 self-awareness in my children - expressed<br />
#48 a <a href="http://www.chcweb.com/catalog/support.html" style="color: blue;">dear friend and mentor</a> whose influence is still with me daily though she has moved away<br />
#49 the delicate tops of young Douglas Fir trees yet to be split by harsh weather - as seen from the chairlift<br />
#50 family parties<br />
#51 home grown lettuce<br />
#52 grandparents who are retired teachers who have invested YEARS in our homeschooling efforts<br />
#53 a really clean kitchen sink<br />
#54 clear kid lungs - breaths that you can't hear<br />
#55 opportunities for big kids that don't require much driving<br />
#56 Ordinary Time<br />
#57 six year old's dialog<br />
#58 hockey for almost all the kids, free equipment, barter for the cost, totally into it coach and no weekend commitments<br />
#59 skiing the last run with one of the birthday boys<br />
#60 my tomboy<br />
#61 beginning readers reading to me while I work<br />
#62 I absolutely LOVE being a homemaker - can't think of anything more fullfilling<br />
#63 parents that have loved me unconditionally - I'm only gradually starting to wrap my mind around such love<br />
#64 a quiet house<br />
#65 a loud houseJennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-47806198875373185272011-01-24T13:08:00.000-08:002011-01-24T13:08:14.286-08:00Learning a New Language <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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Thank you <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" style="color: blue;">Ann Voskamp</a> for these language lessons. Were you speaking of me when you wrote "Long, I am woman who speaks but one language, the language of the fall - discontentment and self-condemnation, the critical eye and the never satisfied."? I have heard the need for gratitude whispered in the confessional, laying the foundation for this awakening:<br />
<br />
#21 shoes piled around the door - evidence of 8 healthy walking children each with two legs<br />
#22 <a href="http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/Litanies/humility.htm" style="color: blue;">The Litany of Humility</a><br />
#23 <a href="http://www.elizabethfoss.com/reallearning/" style="color: blue;">Elizabeth Foss</a> - if I were stranded on a desert isle with only one blog I would choose hers<br />
#24 homemade cream-top yogurt (a new experience as a recovering vegan)<br />
#25 family all around - through the woods, up the mountain, down toward the valley, and across<br />
#26 our technology angel who visits us several times per year and is able to solve almost any problem<br />
#27 my husband acting like an 8th grader again with that technology angel<br />
#28 The dear <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?ref=hp#%21/profile.php?id=1114736969" style="color: blue;">Ennis Family</a> with whom I like to plan arranged marriages between loads of laundry and dinner prep.<br />
#29 children recovering from illness and thriving again<br />
#30 a dear Godparent and mentor who makes it possible for my daughters to attend the <a href="http://www.walkforlifewc.com/WFLWC_press.htm" style="color: blue;">West Coast Walk for Life</a><br />
#31 a room cleaned by some one other than me <br />
#32 "Even though we ain't got money, I'm so in love with you honey...."<br />
#33 an 8 year old cook<br />
#34 many short attention spans plus aging memories - a school of patience<br />
#35 little girls mass-producing paper crafts<br />
#36 baby snuggling first-born<br />
#37 a baby sleeping in my bed for a while longer<br />
#38 biggest daughter showing littlest daughter what I once showed her<br />
#39 wood heat<br />
#40 tree silhouettes at dawn and dusk<br />
#41 my children surpassing me in so many ways<br />
#42 having just enough<br />
#43 coconut oil for inside and out<br />
#44 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/One-Thousand-Gifts-Fully-Right/dp/0310321913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1295902938&sr=1-1" style="color: blue;">my book arrived!</a><br />
#45 good doctor/patient relationships developing - who could ever replace<span style="color: blue;"> </span><a href="http://www.mymotherlode.com/news/local/1117386/Sonora-Physician-Passes-Away.html" style="color: blue;">Dr. Borgquist</a><span style="color: blue;">? </span>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-12929142329504728702011-01-17T21:37:00.000-08:002011-01-17T22:04:04.375-08:00One Thousand Gifts<a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff162/annvoskamp/multitudesonmondaysbutton2-1.jpg" /></a><br />
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I've stopped blogging because I've had some trouble getting pictures to upload to Blogger. I like pictures. I don't really like to read blogs that don't have images so I want my blog to have them. I'll keep working on that but for now I have a new purpose for my blog. At least for now I'll be recording my <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/2006/11/gift-list-thousand-things/" style="color: blue;">One Thousand Gifts:</a><br />
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#1 2 year-olds that remember to say please and thank you <br />
#2 Raw milk shared with us weekly<br />
#3 A 16 year old that can drive himself out into the world<br />
#4 Unconditional spousal love<br />
#5 64 degrees in January<br />
#6 Three 8 year old boys running through the woods in the 64 degrees in January<br />
#7 apple cider vinegar<br />
#8 HOT water<br />
#9 borrowed vacuum cleaners<br />
#10 a talented young photographer in the family<br />
#11 naps<br />
#12 I love laundry<br />
#13 The writings of other introverts and melancholics<br />
#14 secret notes slipped under my door during Quiet Time<br />
#15 conversations with my very verbal toddler<br />
#16 my "puffy blanket"<br />
#17 big siblings helping little siblings<br />
#18 almost 8 year old Liberian son in size 5 shoes- the gift of decent nutrition<br />
#19 gifts from Godparents that keep on giving through the years<br />
#20 driving into the fog only one mile down the road from our spring-like hill-topJennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-52911210955818782282010-01-09T13:52:00.000-08:002010-01-09T14:22:51.895-08:00Back to School<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGUGuTgnA7UtspUzsyW5YJCEDVoq1Sl9wElQSwbniSESxTjUAGuElUIRlDsazwrLYahEqBonztYuQ27_pAbGjyYckLO7h0uMev8Bxgh_ueVLK1RzAyIZl4WfTlYUb20SphmJTVuwFom3N/s1600-h/IMG_9176.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGUGuTgnA7UtspUzsyW5YJCEDVoq1Sl9wElQSwbniSESxTjUAGuElUIRlDsazwrLYahEqBonztYuQ27_pAbGjyYckLO7h0uMev8Bxgh_ueVLK1RzAyIZl4WfTlYUb20SphmJTVuwFom3N/s320/IMG_9176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424866668357276578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoXYPA9ngef02vOL5gk-zX29BUxKzbta-cYMcBemW0MuMJn8aftoyw3PjQ1Y9K8XaQyQMVOH6Bvwo_bpBzE-63zcj4B8A8SFPUsKjmJ7awqd2jYXR5uDUGM84ZYAB2Rqiy8S3naOgXYIA/s1600-h/IMG_9184.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFoXYPA9ngef02vOL5gk-zX29BUxKzbta-cYMcBemW0MuMJn8aftoyw3PjQ1Y9K8XaQyQMVOH6Bvwo_bpBzE-63zcj4B8A8SFPUsKjmJ7awqd2jYXR5uDUGM84ZYAB2Rqiy8S3naOgXYIA/s320/IMG_9184.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424866678729746658" border="0" /></a>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-32557208019300928902009-09-08T20:22:00.000-07:002009-09-08T20:37:57.883-07:00<img alt="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhrKVbNcFmYPc6jxUMFtEagguFSdgF9W9UhCPb3BTtCikw0zVpJA3DkXsF7E-OTI3Zd2T0t3Mu0hVZiLQzw7BejZF9RkIDSkqL6VcsAQtJumc8Cg4IwSjRoScOQeL8sk-izvVVFYF7yg/s320/Old+Lady" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhrKVbNcFmYPc6jxUMFtEagguFSdgF9W9UhCPb3BTtCikw0zVpJA3DkXsF7E-OTI3Zd2T0t3Mu0hVZiLQzw7BejZF9RkIDSkqL6VcsAQtJumc8Cg4IwSjRoScOQeL8sk-izvVVFYF7yg/s320/Old+Lady" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The boys have a bunk bed now. They are ages 6 1/2, 6 1/2 and 7. If you have any experience with boys this age in a group you might wonder how they ever get to sleep in such proximity: twins on bottom double bed and 7yo on top. I've come up with something far better than continually reminding them to quiet down from the other room long after tuck-in. I've become The Quiet Old Lady Whispering Hush. Mind you this is not in place of several stories and bedtime blessings. But even after all the lovely routines and rituals the pack mentality of a crowd of boys dies hard. I haven't taken up knitting yet like the Quiet Old Lady. But here I sit blogging which might be even better since I can do it with the light off.<br /></div>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-29188554476994866792009-06-30T19:32:00.000-07:002009-06-30T20:09:12.446-07:00Shared itemsSeveral months ago I made the switch from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Bloglines</span> to Google Reader. I finally figured out how to list my "Shared items" in my side bar. So if you don't usually visit my blog directly to read my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">occasional</span> posts, I invite you to pop in now and then to check out my Shared items. I read blogs a lot more than I post and it's fun to be able to share some of the great inspiration, humor and creativity that I find out there.Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-52006798290550309302009-06-20T19:03:00.001-07:002009-06-20T19:11:37.000-07:00Father's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraunvyyqso0hsxlSpr7tmjrOg3k67nblkpya9rIMcj6VndbsSVpcS7l4qxo8EE6W9H9rjpgdmo5t7KT5j_dck1M-p-bkmx4d8c7j2a7MN17IPfZq9VFBP3Gby9OmnS0CuWSseUxJttiOi/s1600-h/IMG_5615.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraunvyyqso0hsxlSpr7tmjrOg3k67nblkpya9rIMcj6VndbsSVpcS7l4qxo8EE6W9H9rjpgdmo5t7KT5j_dck1M-p-bkmx4d8c7j2a7MN17IPfZq9VFBP3Gby9OmnS0CuWSseUxJttiOi/s320/IMG_5615.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349597120516124658" /></a>You know you're a Catholic family when........<div><br /></div><div>.......you're sweet little four year old announces that tomorrow is St. Fathers Day!</div>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-18266183972131391762009-05-06T12:33:00.000-07:002009-05-06T12:49:34.156-07:00Wordless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_9axBEE1QZYAt7kULoZRBFH2BVBuOkZgzVv3fKU_X3-X5ftD2XjAtLd8hQVVN7rFWnM6uA0Ta8BBisxB1WbN_6wSDiUa2OL-_z88n1U-dcfmJpPZcVPB2mJErzccObUHlFWpnnpaL22-/s1600-h/IMG_6010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_9axBEE1QZYAt7kULoZRBFH2BVBuOkZgzVv3fKU_X3-X5ftD2XjAtLd8hQVVN7rFWnM6uA0Ta8BBisxB1WbN_6wSDiUa2OL-_z88n1U-dcfmJpPZcVPB2mJErzccObUHlFWpnnpaL22-/s320/IMG_6010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332800257701250594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2e8qobtsN8YZZja-lwL_te2HO1m-0BrAh6l3xKFSsMjmB4wZnC2eTDXY-zEfLbEjuA-JZ-SHPK1OrML04qrtToGteiIFDt_Q_01ocbqlE65LfmiQ5HVXlkQa6mgWrAXIy6b6RfKXachth/s1600-h/IMG_6034.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2e8qobtsN8YZZja-lwL_te2HO1m-0BrAh6l3xKFSsMjmB4wZnC2eTDXY-zEfLbEjuA-JZ-SHPK1OrML04qrtToGteiIFDt_Q_01ocbqlE65LfmiQ5HVXlkQa6mgWrAXIy6b6RfKXachth/s320/IMG_6034.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332800251851938162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksvCdaN9NPpNwIFOsku9fx3c9E1mDpz6-g_eBbVUhoudaMFUiyvJ7aUyF-W_mha3-2chTk9XZvngmQsFuOjRrwxQfxw-gpxI9L5Yh0mkRpuUdNSkr4F-rguDgjo9aNFkS07hA2AQG2_m1/s1600-h/IMG_6179.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhksvCdaN9NPpNwIFOsku9fx3c9E1mDpz6-g_eBbVUhoudaMFUiyvJ7aUyF-W_mha3-2chTk9XZvngmQsFuOjRrwxQfxw-gpxI9L5Yh0mkRpuUdNSkr4F-rguDgjo9aNFkS07hA2AQG2_m1/s320/IMG_6179.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332800250556756770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQYerIS6BnMBGXpULS7RvmAM2MJNiL6ZO4wh5M-afyKo72BWo1rJ78ykp8swddzrAtaOaPBONd3ZjJHoWOn9LjMSMieUsdITLPp54Lu87VnAFk9uNJVAfT4QvH71YWaR6Y45Kl86_qfF/s1600-h/IMG_6316.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfQYerIS6BnMBGXpULS7RvmAM2MJNiL6ZO4wh5M-afyKo72BWo1rJ78ykp8swddzrAtaOaPBONd3ZjJHoWOn9LjMSMieUsdITLPp54Lu87VnAFk9uNJVAfT4QvH71YWaR6Y45Kl86_qfF/s320/IMG_6316.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332800242407109074" /></a>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-49682780607257020662009-03-11T12:54:00.001-07:002009-03-11T13:00:17.365-07:00Little Leprachauns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4lAGHGE29kHx3S0BLmyiMTuXuxp9VHeU5I73ZBgsD0UrRAH19-q57jdRSKEvOWCVcIAFkKv2TuXWQ67ElulwpdHmYxWqNeA0KTXpaz5uiUhqMFxjG9JQHZaUofAGb6IXG_A1XtCza8BQ/s1600-h/Little+Leprachauns.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4lAGHGE29kHx3S0BLmyiMTuXuxp9VHeU5I73ZBgsD0UrRAH19-q57jdRSKEvOWCVcIAFkKv2TuXWQ67ElulwpdHmYxWqNeA0KTXpaz5uiUhqMFxjG9JQHZaUofAGb6IXG_A1XtCza8BQ/s320/Little+Leprachauns.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312021315301133618" border="0" /></a>I love this. I haven't even gone to pick the kids up from homeschool co-op yet but the teacher has already sent this picture via iphone and here it is on my blog. Mine is the leprechaun without front teeth.Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-74351909403151331532009-02-21T10:43:00.000-08:002009-02-21T11:30:01.909-08:00Tour of California<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQtKErssKIK6dXk7IN17VMdW5_-KS_bV1AvnZ-hItkW_5tgIQ9-sljNeSXYHXSgBDc0vrvKB0zoBhgsnZBHpXgLOQPyGZKwzwK6AhBR13ls5L3hJ18BM1VzkelGI0YnZtE3hYzEszCW51/s1600-h/IMG_5154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQtKErssKIK6dXk7IN17VMdW5_-KS_bV1AvnZ-hItkW_5tgIQ9-sljNeSXYHXSgBDc0vrvKB0zoBhgsnZBHpXgLOQPyGZKwzwK6AhBR13ls5L3hJ18BM1VzkelGI0YnZtE3hYzEszCW51/s320/IMG_5154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305326001547135010" border="0" /></a>My first-born is very influential. Somehow he managed to get me to the finish line of Stage 3 of the Tour of California. Did I mention yet that I had all 8 kids which involved a double stroller and backpack? And it was snowing when we left and pouring rain when we arrived at our destination which was 1 1/2 hours away? How on earth did he convince me? Something about if he ever wanted to see these cyclists again he would have to go to the Tour de France and here they were in our own backyard (sort of.) Lance Armstrong riding again.... etc. <br /><br />As we sat in congested traffic, trying to find a decent parking space the sky cleared and the sun actually came out. The clouds were black all around us but it only started drizzling as we watch Levi Leipheimer <span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>get his awards and talk to the world about his crash. I had a great workout pushing the stroller (and backpack) the many blocks back to the van as the rain increased. I'm sure I burned off the dark chocolate bar I justified to keep me awake and more energetic than the kids.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAh-4_cGrjvEyvMT-8GRX49VpwB8LEfvgNx1mSpXKcQGF1CH5QqiUsCA_8Zo8W0Ir27x-8aBbZKVA9yJ_fGylUnu50m5w2R0XxoOXmBm1Z68orzGSthV4fYUYzfguQR5vKs3wHnU0KOTk/s1600-h/IMG_5153.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAh-4_cGrjvEyvMT-8GRX49VpwB8LEfvgNx1mSpXKcQGF1CH5QqiUsCA_8Zo8W0Ir27x-8aBbZKVA9yJ_fGylUnu50m5w2R0XxoOXmBm1Z68orzGSthV4fYUYzfguQR5vKs3wHnU0KOTk/s320/IMG_5153.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305325990529127666" border="0" /></a>Here are some little ones trying to see the awards over the crowds. They saw it all on the Tour de France in July so they sorta knew what was happening: pretty girls handing roses to tired cyclists, etc.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLkgOHfEf3x0eiv7BAAZgm1IKsxntk7wuUNQTkdGsMH8dmlJEIqf9IbqBJVUoOfYzyUBadAmYAhWeHyX5YVpVkoJxOO3UcG3BVlj1b-0zYHDoTedschB-RtGHWylACZIENpFrrAbXzO6d/s1600-h/IMG_5123.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLkgOHfEf3x0eiv7BAAZgm1IKsxntk7wuUNQTkdGsMH8dmlJEIqf9IbqBJVUoOfYzyUBadAmYAhWeHyX5YVpVkoJxOO3UcG3BVlj1b-0zYHDoTedschB-RtGHWylACZIENpFrrAbXzO6d/s320/IMG_5123.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305325986920130050" border="0" /></a>That influential first-born had all the little ones playing "virtual Tour of CA" so as they squatted down and poked their heads through the metal sidelines they rooted for "their" teams. "Go Team Jelly Belly!!" "Go Liquigas!" "Go Rock Racing!!"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXPl7eZ4VvmlA3Eq-b8i9BSp6HP1fH-psuUUX959_EX-oXOr_4701H1A9fU6iTkOIIIQ6udQ4hjNEJ5QfKiro_OZ1eDwTmBBppMkeOXMLgQxbo3BwZm3EWY5FM8ovS2cJIVUtnCfPN3v2/s1600-h/IMG_5109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXPl7eZ4VvmlA3Eq-b8i9BSp6HP1fH-psuUUX959_EX-oXOr_4701H1A9fU6iTkOIIIQ6udQ4hjNEJ5QfKiro_OZ1eDwTmBBppMkeOXMLgQxbo3BwZm3EWY5FM8ovS2cJIVUtnCfPN3v2/s320/IMG_5109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305325982942843538" border="0" /></a>I'm glad August stretches me out of my comfort zone for things like. The children all did wonderful and stayed safe and close in the crowds. I just pray that all of this strength, power, influence and leadership will be put to good use in making the world a better place in August's fast-approaching adulthood. I better get back to my research now - college, drivers ed, etc. I can't believe I'm there already.Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-16326402979915901622009-02-05T19:55:00.000-08:002009-02-05T20:42:35.709-08:00Small Sucesses 3<div class="float-left"> <img src="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/images/dailyBlog/blog/cache/small_successes_badge-300x232.gif" alt="" class="article-img" width="300" height="231" /> </div> This is my first time participating in Small Successes. Check out all the other successes<a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.faithandfamilylive.com/blog/small_successes_3/"> Faith & Family Live.</a><br /><br />1. I successfully diverted what could have been a major freak-out when one of my adopted sons nearly knocked out a tooth. Through the blood (which he was sure was a sign approaching death) and tears I cheerfully explained how the tooth was going to be coming out soon anyway and that meant the Tooth Angel would be coming all the sooner. Eventually he asked if we could e-mail a picture of it to the orphanage director "Grandma Patty" whom he lovingly remembers. He went to bed with a smile. Phew! <br /><br />2. I prepared a homeschool learning record for 5 of my learners to present at a meeting tomorrow. Phew!<br /><br />3. I did those things today in addition to the usual 3 meals and 3 snacks and all the other bare essentials that go with 8 kids 14 and under without calling a sick day (to my husband who was running around putting out fires) even though I wanted to be in bed. Thank you God for big kids who are learning to do SO MUCH!Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-1852172165752373832009-02-02T19:05:00.000-08:002009-02-02T19:06:48.361-08:00Newsworthy<img src="http://uniondemocrat.mycapture.com/PHOTOS/UDEM/683260/22116523E.jpg" alt="" /><br />Gotta like the small community newspaper on a slow day. They found my children newsworthy.Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-41651812566582884732008-12-20T16:28:00.001-08:002008-12-20T16:36:02.869-08:00White Christmas?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNeAXuF7qbFrJecial_bsaYTF3hPOlS-ciY_QH3Y6NpskFoE67as5FGbaS9PSRGxYK3edmvAKLZ-UG4T1RL0r5aOQE5wFQ0oZQUFIpESWM-CI9nhIA0JAAlCfQKF9fvndVOxBvkQxfN52/s1600-h/IMG_3857.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNeAXuF7qbFrJecial_bsaYTF3hPOlS-ciY_QH3Y6NpskFoE67as5FGbaS9PSRGxYK3edmvAKLZ-UG4T1RL0r5aOQE5wFQ0oZQUFIpESWM-CI9nhIA0JAAlCfQKF9fvndVOxBvkQxfN52/s320/IMG_3857.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282034069325868706" border="0" /></a><br />This is the first year that I've dared to dream of a white Christmas. We've had unusually early snow. Here are the kids making molasses candy in the snow a la Little House on the Prairie. The wet weather will continue and I just saw that <a style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);" href="http://www.weather.com/outlook/health/coldandflu/wxdetail/95370?dayNum=6">we might get snow the day after Christmas.</a> I had plenty of white Christmases growing up (15 minutes further up in the mountains) but a white Christmas here would be a rare treat indeed!Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-62184663300305016562008-12-20T10:28:00.000-08:002008-12-20T10:58:12.906-08:00Readoption Complete!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfd7dU8HOGFcguln5IFcPVZxLiCZ12ltjkCemRWZgRAB8llQ-Vt-NZchTl5nPLNBZxykhc_8m5r4StvSVcxgoB2FzrJwouL152NTklb3whvdanbBtgrVchfDce6FBUAiTpgzbvVr-g5pS/s1600-h/IMG_3929.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfd7dU8HOGFcguln5IFcPVZxLiCZ12ltjkCemRWZgRAB8llQ-Vt-NZchTl5nPLNBZxykhc_8m5r4StvSVcxgoB2FzrJwouL152NTklb3whvdanbBtgrVchfDce6FBUAiTpgzbvVr-g5pS/s320/IMG_3929.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281943281055254706" border="0" /></a>In California we have to go through a "readoption" process if both parents don't see an internationally adopted child before he is brought home. On Thursday we completed this process. Yes we were real slackers in getting this done. It could have been done a year ago and I'll admit that we were motivated by the accountant to have this completed in 2008. Still here we are celebrating the completed adoption process! <br /><br />These pictures uploaded in reverse order. Above I had them pose on the way out for a post-placement report picture. The reasons for the smiles are the policemen and metal detectors behind me. <br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCLpHYcI6HW7j4BfA3_BrqcLRrRH2TqZgIk6tgrTrgSkT8k62dNoCneOoN5bUL5J-RZDTqCbmTTsHw09AICaGTiz8Wx-nCSxoiKbPsI2lGXVUw7GUj0vG4dU0d2w3-RYEZIlZmcVAmL33/s1600-h/IMG_3921.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCLpHYcI6HW7j4BfA3_BrqcLRrRH2TqZgIk6tgrTrgSkT8k62dNoCneOoN5bUL5J-RZDTqCbmTTsHw09AICaGTiz8Wx-nCSxoiKbPsI2lGXVUw7GUj0vG4dU0d2w3-RYEZIlZmcVAmL33/s320/IMG_3921.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281943268835007586" border="0" /></a>Here we are with Judge Boscoe. He said this was the highlight of his day. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqABdggYXZQQ9xBDVaU2NeNXoLG4-SZ6in539ET9wqrTdSHlTS6d420K10h0fENwIK8VTRyNa_mSDwQDgkgzLk0EdFrRpxNolO-th4Os0aUikiDmKlGn715Ar6Gd9OJ3JHR0xZNJxhieFD/s1600-h/IMG_3916.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqABdggYXZQQ9xBDVaU2NeNXoLG4-SZ6in539ET9wqrTdSHlTS6d420K10h0fENwIK8VTRyNa_mSDwQDgkgzLk0EdFrRpxNolO-th4Os0aUikiDmKlGn715Ar6Gd9OJ3JHR0xZNJxhieFD/s320/IMG_3916.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281943256963087378" border="0" /></a>Waiting our turn. We had great talks about all that we were seeing in the waiting area- frustrated people storming out of the door, the policeman's gun, the camera surveying the waiting area. The children were good waiters.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoYZzofbzOOL0dqOfmggOF3BHr35yWnEZRqdJ2hmYckPPnLt3chNDlY55iLxAhV2K68bfEPU-j1O806Mg5z269eCWt_XhL7YNkEC7wD5FcL6Okcdm5lcGD46sSGHFPS22NpFqxKmXhOJN/s1600-h/IMG_3900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdoYZzofbzOOL0dqOfmggOF3BHr35yWnEZRqdJ2hmYckPPnLt3chNDlY55iLxAhV2K68bfEPU-j1O806Mg5z269eCWt_XhL7YNkEC7wD5FcL6Okcdm5lcGD46sSGHFPS22NpFqxKmXhOJN/s320/IMG_3900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5281943250209699538" border="0" /></a>Now we await their U.S birth certificates with their new last name and new birth date. It will only take Sacramento 9-12 MONTHS to get it to us. Seriously. So in the mean time we'll be getting them passports for ID. Just when we thought the paperwork and errands were behind us!<br /><br />A happy day.<br /></div>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-50958198006757402512008-12-13T20:07:00.000-08:002008-12-13T20:29:46.618-08:00Christmas Parade<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIKuwf7oVmvhhYEK9DvP38xWfQVlBI-GC0gkn5s4M9EzIh3kxBNzD62DWJiZrkAQDEfw4V-qwN6c_pOBBj6HxzlKu5K8ivDD34WgOWQ3HYW2-tnm4WhroUJWFVBI8NV963oV9YXjsMCC1/s1600-h/IMG_3752.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIKuwf7oVmvhhYEK9DvP38xWfQVlBI-GC0gkn5s4M9EzIh3kxBNzD62DWJiZrkAQDEfw4V-qwN6c_pOBBj6HxzlKu5K8ivDD34WgOWQ3HYW2-tnm4WhroUJWFVBI8NV963oV9YXjsMCC1/s320/IMG_3752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279496360811286914" border="0" /></a>Cold kids. Where do we stand?<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEP9DWfTgmUxN2z4YD_Jl9CVPVKDFCoRVy0zbaW_LS48HI4Dz8cFI2xh31bS9w4QiAqXslaU8v_wQ0NufOwFNui-g1AKmUWKHIJK9I8GCDFxxeJppFTqLG3a3UkH7OMS3AVipnLF8w9mk/s1600-h/IMG_3762.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEP9DWfTgmUxN2z4YD_Jl9CVPVKDFCoRVy0zbaW_LS48HI4Dz8cFI2xh31bS9w4QiAqXslaU8v_wQ0NufOwFNui-g1AKmUWKHIJK9I8GCDFxxeJppFTqLG3a3UkH7OMS3AVipnLF8w9mk/s320/IMG_3762.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279496348486772242" border="0" /></a>African Angel<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L7LikGJMmN-rvnRJ-2uJEY8iG8SONyZUfSdsAs2sMDO__3_P1S7NakpPdUH5jAz4TpWN7IvAT1z2ti8A_49_XlOudAQPBP0xOPCFPj7FQ1gmHIolsllJxQoFczIO4aYfm1UrIVnZPxey/s1600-h/IMG_3753.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4L7LikGJMmN-rvnRJ-2uJEY8iG8SONyZUfSdsAs2sMDO__3_P1S7NakpPdUH5jAz4TpWN7IvAT1z2ti8A_49_XlOudAQPBP0xOPCFPj7FQ1gmHIolsllJxQoFczIO4aYfm1UrIVnZPxey/s320/IMG_3753.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279496344049106210" border="0" /></a>Clare as Baby Jesus.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8Hwo2JDQuI4P6sTzDaZhbn8Bm40zVw-yvdO01qdeM1W8qkkTLn5H_Yf9RcKO3NYm9nHtl8TviQbU-Enax3LN5iR105mUTXx_H0_DDzHsQODtSHSxZIA0AcmjHyXtEqaG7DKinaKgimkA/s1600-h/IMG_3747.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8Hwo2JDQuI4P6sTzDaZhbn8Bm40zVw-yvdO01qdeM1W8qkkTLn5H_Yf9RcKO3NYm9nHtl8TviQbU-Enax3LN5iR105mUTXx_H0_DDzHsQODtSHSxZIA0AcmjHyXtEqaG7DKinaKgimkA/s320/IMG_3747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279496339097866802" border="0" /></a><br />A Heavenly band of angels.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);font-size:130%;" >A sweet small town parade.</span><br /></div>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-47615061348814420672008-12-13T18:29:00.001-08:002008-12-13T18:33:27.418-08:00My Handsome Men<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_b3B-mdcyD46LJPSkXX3wpZF5uIGfozsV-7a6Cng6WcaQk5wxvvkjd7m_QOGY3E0FD5i9W4Ur2mLp_9TYCUPil9UAHLt683CeOh15aI9DRPmnh9nThyphenhyphen2ZCZkQYF-z4pt92va6q3x5_KBI/s1600-h/IMG_3506.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_b3B-mdcyD46LJPSkXX3wpZF5uIGfozsV-7a6Cng6WcaQk5wxvvkjd7m_QOGY3E0FD5i9W4Ur2mLp_9TYCUPil9UAHLt683CeOh15aI9DRPmnh9nThyphenhyphen2ZCZkQYF-z4pt92va6q3x5_KBI/s320/IMG_3506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279468182769288306" border="0" /></a>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-85835794958136959952008-11-26T20:47:00.001-08:002008-11-26T21:48:03.405-08:00Wordless Wednesday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTx1jDLdW5XvhFniwasG201OfdjHq2WaGNj0xD-bOkeWK1De24xGDNYQjfwDb_EHtMPNjSlRYv2RZTyk-fwk6aMeRgWbeeCRV0Sqg-JKsLo8njmK-9hCo-Dohl9Oc5iRSYfMDuVuAXxhzO/s1600-h/IMG_3098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTx1jDLdW5XvhFniwasG201OfdjHq2WaGNj0xD-bOkeWK1De24xGDNYQjfwDb_EHtMPNjSlRYv2RZTyk-fwk6aMeRgWbeeCRV0Sqg-JKsLo8njmK-9hCo-Dohl9Oc5iRSYfMDuVuAXxhzO/s320/IMG_3098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273199268566644114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0pP9Yp38iG-KiXxw0hVUWVPkOay-Sz6i5OpF3HJ4wWR6qSq7A0BKdbqNyvOKByo2VmeD8PrxUoq5X3X7jqNZS-kjH5hSJuxnuc29rVbBmkX58xK1HH-FfEaTAzw4dvRDKG-FMthyBYxI/s1600-h/IMG_3171.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0pP9Yp38iG-KiXxw0hVUWVPkOay-Sz6i5OpF3HJ4wWR6qSq7A0BKdbqNyvOKByo2VmeD8PrxUoq5X3X7jqNZS-kjH5hSJuxnuc29rVbBmkX58xK1HH-FfEaTAzw4dvRDKG-FMthyBYxI/s320/IMG_3171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273199263213765426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxlMGTTMgxCFVvXut5wjNJ7qs5sawhA_lJUHZMoMgJkLaqlIOrUBtX4gXicZKW0l9BL5ZTXyA33miPmQz6JBTQs1L7tsLNHD0OtwJnsUd1goqdEAk-qtuMT8QNBHrd4zvj0DCVCrlSVlh/s1600-h/IMG_3362.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxlMGTTMgxCFVvXut5wjNJ7qs5sawhA_lJUHZMoMgJkLaqlIOrUBtX4gXicZKW0l9BL5ZTXyA33miPmQz6JBTQs1L7tsLNHD0OtwJnsUd1goqdEAk-qtuMT8QNBHrd4zvj0DCVCrlSVlh/s320/IMG_3362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273199260519159362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4jdfhvYN8WoKyeoh7mi6CnEkBoJy7AdYGxb2jZ4lH5ft5uafNiHZvUZKbddRCslZk7CHU05VoQ0sNXL2lMGZk4tKZ8jFBgiEN8aIFN2GwgJ8aHZwjA-hMCRC1AdLakrjZEBi99FEmrNR/s1600-h/IMG_3273.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4jdfhvYN8WoKyeoh7mi6CnEkBoJy7AdYGxb2jZ4lH5ft5uafNiHZvUZKbddRCslZk7CHU05VoQ0sNXL2lMGZk4tKZ8jFBgiEN8aIFN2GwgJ8aHZwjA-hMCRC1AdLakrjZEBi99FEmrNR/s320/IMG_3273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273199252427690370" border="0" /></a>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-46926865751881413402008-10-18T12:16:00.000-07:002008-10-18T12:21:37.565-07:00Today's critter<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2o_OhXHjjl-NquiebcMoIVaXkq-hw7ZtfHa0CNwmjzNalgUW4E9bNUhh-bSJJ94AkPPWnVZNyfdPbYjii2NsSrZqQOu0sfzHkwrDhLiAxFV9J2qr_71e324bX3XFi7aJxSIFeAnCZcJY/s1600-h/DSC05542.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2o_OhXHjjl-NquiebcMoIVaXkq-hw7ZtfHa0CNwmjzNalgUW4E9bNUhh-bSJJ94AkPPWnVZNyfdPbYjii2NsSrZqQOu0sfzHkwrDhLiAxFV9J2qr_71e324bX3XFi7aJxSIFeAnCZcJY/s320/DSC05542.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5258575699418518738" border="0" /></a>Yes it's a young rattlesnake. I didn't get to see it but it was the big news when I returned from morning yard saling.Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-15402141713209598852008-10-10T21:25:00.000-07:002008-10-10T21:41:40.715-07:00Funnies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wkis4MJwlFibfqLOpkEz_qXzrCAueOXe3xTtEYcUOgjd_ytLa-mIXBenjo3Ft91CKt8VDsJdsQ0dAEn1ZYOA24JpVsv0Ib5GEU0DgPUa20450oW7G43CpgwJT7zCsXob_B8LLtkAf8yk/s1600-h/IMG_2335.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Wkis4MJwlFibfqLOpkEz_qXzrCAueOXe3xTtEYcUOgjd_ytLa-mIXBenjo3Ft91CKt8VDsJdsQ0dAEn1ZYOA24JpVsv0Ib5GEU0DgPUa20450oW7G43CpgwJT7zCsXob_B8LLtkAf8yk/s320/IMG_2335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255751503207105906" border="0" /></a><br />This evening Gianna and I were talking about obesity and how one might become obese. I was rambling about various reasons that came to mind and I mentioned fast food. She interrupted to ask "What is fast food anyway?" I explained and then she said "Oh I thought it had something to do with fasting."<br /><br />Aliou was flipping through the calendar and carefully studying each page. Finally he came to a blank white page at the end and asked me in all seriousness "Is this when we die?"<br /><br />Athan told Aliou that he wished he was black. Aliou looked up from his play and suggested "Then go to Liberia!"<br /><br />Never a dull moment.Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-70917039349008907562008-10-09T16:36:00.000-07:002008-10-09T16:45:52.796-07:00Benefit #644<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9zn0Dom6hPgF-iEwLFYnhvJxXEDsS1db9ZbLLbY4R387dcdffiIg4lDlw0rviFwr1x8DZJlEMEw0trgrw3eQS49jH_dLQN3E9YCvKxoJzJC3Q0ohV3ldMbwCkux14LPsdCrKm3cNtxdE/s1600-h/IMG_0919.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig9zn0Dom6hPgF-iEwLFYnhvJxXEDsS1db9ZbLLbY4R387dcdffiIg4lDlw0rviFwr1x8DZJlEMEw0trgrw3eQS49jH_dLQN3E9YCvKxoJzJC3Q0ohV3ldMbwCkux14LPsdCrKm3cNtxdE/s320/IMG_0919.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255303382526846834" border="0" /></a>Benefits of having a large family #644: Watching the stoic 14 year old fall in love with his baby sister.Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4655240410667285850.post-14144957177402954122008-10-08T18:43:00.001-07:002008-10-08T19:01:32.907-07:00Freezing Time<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmLyi0UuvmNSufacsI_xqACImVRjZMkX16Gwlvypbcrh8oOhHnW9obiCTar8zLPq-OBb9M2GKSfschqGRcQ5uCLiip9pAZOsZcsjBScAzKdHZ-4tSdr5HY2Qex7ra3P-SsIXXT54oBCw_/s1600-h/IMG_1525.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmLyi0UuvmNSufacsI_xqACImVRjZMkX16Gwlvypbcrh8oOhHnW9obiCTar8zLPq-OBb9M2GKSfschqGRcQ5uCLiip9pAZOsZcsjBScAzKdHZ-4tSdr5HY2Qex7ra3P-SsIXXT54oBCw_/s320/IMG_1525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254967619797286514" border="0" /></a>Can we please freeze time now?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxF6UUoF89v_g0hIrcyysNv7JYRI6NQzsCM-Mbvf35uEaYGjTkAG8l7uOZ0KSGlwKywSgdz72N3PE8Q5u3ldJhUYxhxJ8H1F64EwFdbYq5cH5y7MuTXbWcKFApPzcM1pt9U6ccqbsQFRU/s1600-h/IMG_1398.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxF6UUoF89v_g0hIrcyysNv7JYRI6NQzsCM-Mbvf35uEaYGjTkAG8l7uOZ0KSGlwKywSgdz72N3PE8Q5u3ldJhUYxhxJ8H1F64EwFdbYq5cH5y7MuTXbWcKFApPzcM1pt9U6ccqbsQFRU/s320/IMG_1398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254967619219138002" border="0" /></a>But then I guess I said that when this guy.............<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp4187hmSbzqzegp75ozeUxcprJaI6JjPj7mFrdhox9vPO_UmGaGVjTDbL0OYHn74Q2LshVYH7s78xyVJp1m6-8yeLW9rxXafiNNKoxM313PU4nnnwFuq0QaqBZrnjHsr1VpOYqLHvhw5/s1600-h/IMG_2414.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRp4187hmSbzqzegp75ozeUxcprJaI6JjPj7mFrdhox9vPO_UmGaGVjTDbL0OYHn74Q2LshVYH7s78xyVJp1m6-8yeLW9rxXafiNNKoxM313PU4nnnwFuq0QaqBZrnjHsr1VpOYqLHvhw5/s320/IMG_2414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254967623509066722" border="0" /></a>.......was the age of this girl.<br /></div>Jennie Louhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12079322695668801344noreply@blogger.com1