tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71550721631000544392024-03-18T19:47:51.095-07:00One Day at a TimeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-76953909170446113752016-03-09T09:46:00.002-08:002016-03-09T09:46:46.187-08:0020 Facts about Little Ol' Me<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. I graduated from J<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">udson High Schoo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">l.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2</span>. I married my high school sweethear<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3</span>.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We've been married 21 years and tog<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ether for 24.</span></span></span> </span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4</span>. I have three children through both birth and adoption, two of which have <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">special needs.</span></span></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqOkbuzC2lzjvGtMXpVIeiuS_D19mvznJCV7tNDv_dRNXhwZ9rzOk-Kry4-6O1gNabEPNU87BQDhtXlFWEevR4z7F6nDMzwAxkf9wYhTFvt4nLvuzokoc2__-059lyFsNXOiCiDBL2jA/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqOkbuzC2lzjvGtMXpVIeiuS_D19mvznJCV7tNDv_dRNXhwZ9rzOk-Kry4-6O1gNabEPNU87BQDhtXlFWEevR4z7F6nDMzwAxkf9wYhTFvt4nLvuzokoc2__-059lyFsNXOiCiDBL2jA/s200/16.jpg" width="178" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5</span>. I am the oldest of six children.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6.</span> I have been teaching in some form or another for 26 years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7</span>. I play both the clarinet and bass clarinet, though I haven't had much opportunity to play with a group in several years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8</span>. When choosing my academic specialization for my teaching degree, I choose math because it was the one thing I really had to work at in order to be successful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">9</span>. I <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">enjoy <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">organiz<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ing</span></span> things<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> - once, and th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">en I want them to s<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">tay that way.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">0</span></span>. I love to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">harmonize when singing.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1</span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I only really make the bed when changing the sheets. The rest of the time <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I j<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ust t<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">hrow the<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> blankets up <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">near the pillows.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2</span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have lived in <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Florida, Kansas, Colorado, Texas, Germany, and Virginia<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3</span>.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> In the nine years it took me to <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">get my BA, I attended three universities, one of them twice.<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4</span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My firs<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">t public school teaching <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">position <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">was as a fourth grade teacher<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and my own <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">fourth</span> grade teach<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">er was on my team.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5</span>. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My hands have to stay busy in order fo<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">r my br<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ain to focus.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6</span>. My favorite colors <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are pink<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, purple, and blue.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7</span>. One day, I'd love to visit<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Australia.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">18</span>. </span>My favorite season is fall. I love <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">listening to the leaves crunch beneath my feet.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">19</span>. My nephew has moved in so I'm getting a sneak peak at r<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">earing a teenager.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">20. I am really glad that this list is finally done.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-79879246984375399102016-01-03T13:24:00.001-08:002016-01-03T13:24:52.580-08:00Hello 2016<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Well 2015 was a bit rough, apparently so much so that I just gave up
blogging all together. I attended too many funerals for friends and
family, and our home life got flipped upside down. But there were many good things, too, like new friendships and opportunities as well as the blessing of finally being able to sleep through the night, at least most of the time. :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I saw this graphic on another blog and decided to borrow it to help jump start my brain. Of course, it probably won't happen exactly in that order. After all, I hold to the idea that menu and lesson planning are merely suggestions for that day, subject to change without prior notice or approval.</span><br />
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<img alt="31-day-challenge" class=" size-full wp-image-37 aligncenter" src="https://outandback.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/31-day-challenge.jpg?w=1000" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My blog usually deals with my day to day life - the good, the bad, and the ugly, and how the Lord is speaking to me about a particular subject. I tend to be very real and raw, but I have been told by many that it's what they like best about me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">My son brought this song to me yesterday when I was feeling particularly stressed out, so I will leave it here for all of you. May it bless you as it blessed me.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91r2ZVQyZkA" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"King of Kings and Lord of Lords"</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-76014823100546999672014-12-15T05:14:00.001-08:002014-12-15T05:14:02.429-08:00Christmas 2014<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 35px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/i/share/Sfly_Logo_embed.png" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbNmzNs5buWLClg&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AbNmzNs5buWMA/0AbNmzNs5buWMMKG/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1418649187000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbNmzNs5buWLClg&eid=115">Merry Christmas from the Holmes Family</a></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-76162622830509754652014-05-28T12:23:00.000-07:002014-05-28T12:23:37.572-07:00Prayer UpdateJust because I don't blog doesn't mean the study doesn't continue. I love when God places things that I'm concerned about in the forefront of everyone else's conversation. I've heard great things about prayer and answers to prayer all week, from radio programs, to Sunday's sermon and small group lesson, to personal testimony. God is just awesome that way!<br />
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Right now I'm praying for a sweet little girl who's having a rough time of it and being grateful for answered prayers.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-71146020801905788422014-05-19T12:27:00.003-07:002014-05-19T12:33:43.521-07:00Confession TimeConfession Time<br />
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My biggest struggle internally is with prayer. People ask me to pray for them, and I do, but what does that mean? I feel like I'm just going through the motions. What is prayer really? I would tell my children that it's talking to God. Yet, I've rarely felt like it was much of a conversation. Usually, it's a list of thank You-s, forgive me-s, and could You please help that person-s. It's rote. It's expected. It's sincere, but it's flat.<br />
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I have read many passages dealing with prayer. I've heard many sermons outlining the portions of The Lord's Prayer or admonishing Christians to pray more, but I still don't understand my part in prayer. If it's to align me to God's will then, I suppose I'm practically there. If it's His will, it will or won't happen, and there's not a lot I can do about it, so I guess I'll just keep trudging along. I know in my heart this can't be what He wants from me, but I struggle with how to move from this position.<br />
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Many have suggested that if I want Bear or Bug to "get better," I need to pray believing that God will do it, perhaps suggesting that if I just had enough faith, I could change these circumstances. But who am I to say that this isn't exactly what God had in mind, that through these very circumstances, we would all become whom He had in mind for us to be. That's the rub of it. There seems to be a belief that God is like a genie in a bottle waiting to grant wishes if we only believe enough, if we only pray enough, or there is the other extreme which says there is no point in prayer because God will do what God will do, and we will be blessed by it either way.<br />
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How do I move to a point where I <u>feel</u> like I'm really conversing with a friend? Read your Bible more, April. Pray more, April. I know these wrote answers, but what does that really mean?<br />
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I can't be the only one who struggles with this. If you'd like to join me, I'm about to embark on a search for the meaning of prayer and my role in it.<br />
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Today, I started in Genesis looking at why people prayed. Here are few of the passages from the first three books of the Old Testament.<br />
<ul>
<li>For Healing (Genesis 20:7, 17-18, Numbers 12:13)</li>
<li>For Deliverance (Genesis 32:9-12)</li>
<li>To Remind God of His Promises (Genesis 32:9-12, Exodus 34:9)</li>
<li>For Forgiveness (Exodus 32:31-34, 34:9)</li>
<li>For Guidance (Exodus 33:13-17, 34:9)</li>
<li>To Know God More (Exodus 33:13-17)</li>
</ul>
Then I spent time praying, pouring out my confusion and lack of understanding to my Heavenly Father.<br />
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I'm not done yet, and I plan to study and pray more as I go.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-82541008525069478872014-02-13T04:54:00.001-08:002014-02-13T04:55:08.253-08:00GratitudeIt occurred to me last night that I usually write on this blog when I am burdened by something, and they have taken on a bit of a negative outlook. I really don't like that this is who I've let myself become. I used to be the one people asked, "Why are you always smiling?" Now it's more like, "Is everything okay?" This has to stop. It's not that I want to be fake, or that I'm going to gloss over everything, but when was the last time I talked about the good things in life?<br />
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Yesterday was a pretty good day for us. Bug woke up and had a shower first thing. She's a sensory seeker, so all that input starts her day off right. Bubba followed up with lots of Mommy cuddles, and Bear had a grin, rather than a scowl on her face when she joined us.<br />
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There was a little bit of a fight over breakfast, but it only lasted five minutes, not too bad.<br />
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Bug didn't look like she was feeling well, so she spent most of her morning, relaxing in bed. Bear ended up throwing up right after breakfast, but J was with her and I didn't have to participate in the clean up. I just got to snuggle with her afterwards. Bubba was kind and caring as usual and helped his sisters throughout the day.<br />
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Lunch time brought more struggles from the one who is pushing so hard right now, and they lasted quite a bit longer, but Mama never lost her cool - victory. <br />
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With the weather coming in, we had some prep work that we needed to do last night, and the munchkins all watched <u>The Incredibles</u> together. I only needed to ask if the movie needed to be stopped once, a record for our clan.<br />
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So, this is where I am today. I'm grateful for Bubba snuggles and the stories he tells at meals. I'm grateful that Bug wants to do everything Mama does. I'm grateful that Bear wants to climb all over me and smell my hair constantly. Today I am grateful.<br />
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"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-54426568891374123062014-02-12T09:45:00.000-08:002014-02-12T09:46:07.499-08:00What to DoWhat do you do when your heart tells you one thing, your mind tells you another, and there's no definitive direction in The Word?<br />
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We got the call yesterday that Bug is slated for five doctor appointments at The Autism Center to see if we can get a more specific diagnosis. But what's the point? Are they going to tell us anything we don't already know. Are they going to show us something that four years of therapy hasn't tried? Does sticking a label on her file make day-to-day life any easier?<br />
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We have yet another new therapist, and life is hard for everyone right now. She cannot handle having one more person try to direct her steps, and we are all paying for it in emotional upheaval. Is it worth this? How do you know the therapy will be worth it rather than the instrument that drives her heart further and further away?<br />
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Our hearts tell us firm discipline (guidance) and a whole lot of hugs is what she really needs, and we need to get all the doctors and therapists out of the picture. Oh, but our minds plague us. They remind us of the circumstances under which she came to be our daughter, circumstances that dealt with bio-parents not doing what the state felt needed to be done. Would that be us if we followed our hearts and did what we felt was right for our baby? Do we run the risk of losing her by trying to keep her heart at home?<br />
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We have no answers, only more questions. We want to be the parents our children need us to be, and I for one, am in such turmoil about just what that is that I am nearly paralyzed with the fear of doing it wrong.<br />
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I know that God gave us these children, and that He felt we would be the best parents for them, and they the best kiddos for us, but how does that play out when the pressure from without is so strangling at times?<br />
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Would you pray with us? Would you pray that our hearts would be calm and our decisions would be wise?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-66171219947494701512014-01-07T11:54:00.001-08:002014-01-07T11:54:57.806-08:00It's Been A WhileThe fall semester has ended and the new year has begun. Whew! It went by so fast. The girls each have ABA (applied behavioral analysis) therapy twice a week for three hours, and Bear attends SP (speech), OT (occupational therapy), and PT (physical therapy) sessions at the local school twice a week. Our only free day is Tuesday, and we use that day to go to the library or on field trips. It keeps us very, very busy. We are loving our new curriculum from My Father's World, and school is going well.<br />
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Why is it then that I feel so lost? Is it that both girls are officially on the autistic spectrum and learning to deal with all of that? No, I don't think so because we already knew about the issues; now we just have a label to go with them, a label that says, "See, it's not all in my imagination." Is it that we've been looking for a church for nearly six months? Not really. We miss regular fellowship with other believers, but our faith hasn't faltered. We're just in a time of waiting, trusting that our Heavenly Father knows exactly what it is that is best for our family and will lead us there.<br />
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I think this lost-ness comes from my relationship with my children. It is a difficult thing when one of your children's first reaction to any stressful situation is to hurt you, when you pour on love and try to be patient, and for all your effort you get a couple of great smiles and a whole lot of scratches and hair pulls. It's a difficult thing when another child speaks kindly to you only when she wants something from you. It's hard when this same child won't even do something she likes to do just because you were the one who suggested it, or when she balls up her fists at you or runs away and slams the door for simply being asked to get dressed in the morning. I constantly wonder how much of these negative behaviors are related to maturity issues vs. spectrum issues vs. heart issues.<br />
<br />
The most difficult part of this is realizing that rather than being the calm, even-tempered mom you ought, you are the mom who yells at preschool-age children. You're the mom who just wants to be left alone. You're the mom who wants to send the children to bed right after dinner - every night. (You don't, but you want to.) Rather than being the mom you want to be, you're the mom you never wanted to be.<br />
<br />
What is the answer? Is it time? Is it (more) prayer? Are we stuck in a never-ending pattern? Will it ever get easier?<br />
<br />
Wow, this is not where I thought this update was heading when I started. The only thing that keeps coming to mind is Proverbs 31:26, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue <em>is</em> the law of kindness." Maybe I just need to take a step back. Maybe I need to just let things go more. Maybe I need to ignore the bad behavior rather than feeding into it. Maybe...<br />
<br />
Should I post this? Do I really want anyone to know how much I struggle? I know I'm not the first parent to struggle with their children, but usually people talk about frustrations with youth, not preschoolers. Like Paul, I want to do good but don't; I want to avoid evil, but I do it anyway. (Romans 7:18-19) What then is the answer? I think it is that I keep on keeping on. I keep trying to bless my children, I keep trying to keep my tongue under control, and I keep my eye on the prize - sharing the love of my Savior with my children so that one day they will claim Him for themselves.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="text Phil-3-13" id="en-KJV-29435">"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, </span><span class="text Phil-3-14" id="en-KJV-29436">I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus," (Philippians 3:13-14)</span></div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-62955240265466278772013-07-09T10:51:00.001-07:002013-07-09T10:53:24.038-07:00In the TrenchesToday is just one of those days, the kind with a slow start that keeps hitting a dead end repeatedly. <br />
<br />
Bear is now officially off her seizure medicine, and the sleeplessness has kicked into high gear. (I think I did better when I hardly ever slept more than 3-4 hours. The occasional night of 6-8 hours of sleep is knocking me around.) Bug woke up grouchy and demanding after I had managed to accumulate 3.5 hours of sleep throughout the night. She then proceeded to wake the rest of the house with her expansive use of lung power. It's been a battle ever since.<br />
<br />
Bear was so tired she didn't eat lunch before asking to go to bed. Bug, however, just became more and more overstimulated. I spent 20 minutes as a human weight blanket getting her calm only to have her start all over again the moment I got up.<br />
<br />
It's days like this when I cling to the knowledge that God knows and cares all about me and the very details of my life.<br />
<br />
<span class="versetext" id="mt10-29" style="display: inline;"><span class="versenum">Matthew 10:29-31 says,</span> <span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4453">"Are</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3780">not</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1417">two</span> <span class="strongs" sn="4765">sparrows</span> <span class="strongs" sn="4453">sold</span> for a <span class="strongs" sn="787">farthing</span>? <span class="strongs" sn="2532">and</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1520">one</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1537">of</span> <span class="strongs" sn="846">them</span> <span class="strongs" sn="4098">shall</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3756">not</span> <span class="strongs" sn="4098">fall</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1909">on</span> the <span class="strongs" sn="1093">ground</span> <span class="strongs" sn="427">without</span> <span class="strongs" sn="5216">your</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3962">Father</span>.</span> </span><span class="versetext highlightThenFade" id="mt10-30"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="1161">But</span> the <span class="strongs" sn="2532">very</span> <span class="strongs" sn="2359">hairs</span> of <span class="strongs" sn="5216">your</span> <span class="strongs" sn="2776">head</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1526">are</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3956">all</span> <span class="strongs" sn="705">numbered</span> .</span> </span><span class="versetext" id="mt10-31" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist">Fear <span class="strongs" sn="5399">ye</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3361">not</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3767">therefore,</span> <span class="strongs" sn="5210">ye</span> are of more <span class="strongs" sn="1308">value</span> than <span class="strongs" sn="4183">many</span> <span class="strongs" sn="4765">sparrows." This is also repeated in Luke 12:6-7. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765">Do I always like being in the trenches? No. Is it worth it? Yes. God gave me these babies not only to care for them but also to refine me, and I've got a long way to go. </span></span></span><br />
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765"></span></span></span><br />
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765">The song "Refiner's Fire" by Brian Doerksen comes to mind at times like this.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="h2l">
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765"> </span></span></span></div>
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765">
</span></span></span><div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765"><em><u>Verse 1:</u></em></span></span></span></div>
<span class="versetext" style="display: inline;"><span class="WordsOfChrist"><span class="strongs" sn="4765">
<div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<em>Purify my heart<br /> Let me be as gold and precious silver<br /> Purify my heart<br /> Let me be as gold, pure gold<br /> </em></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<em><u>Chorus:</u></em></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<em>Refiner's fire<br /> My heart's one desire<br /> Is to be holy<br /> Set apart for You, Lord<br /> I choose to be holy<br /> Set apart for You, my Master<br /> Ready to do Your will<br /> </em></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<em><u>Verse 2:</u></em></div>
<div style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">
<em>Purify my heart<br /> Cleanse me from within<br /> And make me holy<br /> Purify my heart<br /> Cleanse me from my sin<br /> Deep within</em></div>
</span><br />
How is your day in the trenches going? Don't forget that He knows all about you, too. Maybe that problem you're having at work, with your spouse, or with your children should be looked at as an opportunity to grow to become more like Him.</span> </span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-15843387126612005842013-06-03T10:39:00.001-07:002013-06-03T10:40:03.661-07:00No ToothbrushBear has been seizure free for 2 1/2 years, and we are finally beginning the wean off of her seizure meds. Because Bear's seizures were not easily treated, her neurologist has been reticent to take her off the meds too early. Her EEG's for the last year have shown as normal but sluggish. In other words, the meds are keeping her brain calm to prevent seizures, too calm.<br />
<br />
Her language development has been the biggest hurdle of all, and we believe it is her struggle with language that has propitiated the aggressive tendencies she has. (She has been able to learn some sign language, but this is also quite slow for her.)<br />
<br />
Since we started weaning her off in April, she has become increasingly more alert and able to vocalize needs and wants. We try to reward her use of words by giving her what is requested though we do have to reign in the requests for "cookie" and "oc-late" (chocolate). This morning she told our aid "no toothbrush." Isn't that awesome! We had to let her know that teeth brushing was not optional, but we really appreciated her words. We are so excited for this development and can't wait to see how she'll take off once she's completely off the meds!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-79060944321974659832013-05-14T11:41:00.000-07:002013-05-14T11:41:14.772-07:00Encouragement<em><span class="strongs" sn="3063">Finally,</span> <span class="strongs" sn="80">brethren,</span> whatsoever <span class="strongs" sn="3745">things</span> <span class="strongs" sn="2076">are</span> <span class="strongs" sn="227">true,</span> whatsoever <span class="strongs" sn="3745">things</span> are <span class="strongs" sn="4586">honest,</span></em><a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a><sup class="footnote" style="display: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/kjv/philippians/4-8.html#fn-descriptionAnchor-a" id="a" title="honest: or, venerable"></a></sup><em> whatsoever <span class="strongs" sn="3745">things</span> are <span class="strongs" sn="1342">just,</span> whatsoever <span class="strongs" sn="3745">things</span> are <span class="strongs" sn="53">pure,</span> whatsoever <span class="strongs" sn="3745">things</span> are <span class="strongs" sn="4375">lovely,</span> whatsoever <span class="strongs" sn="3745">things</span> are of good <span class="strongs" sn="2163">report;</span> if there be <span class="strongs" sn="1536">any</span> <span class="strongs" sn="703">virtue,</span> <span class="strongs" sn="2532">and</span> if there be <span class="strongs" sn="1536">any</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1868">praise,</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3049">think</span> on these <span class="strongs" sn="5023">things.</span></em> Philippians 4:8<br />
<br />
As a mom, encouragement is something that is easy to give and hard to receive, but it is sometimes desperately needed. I've had women tell me that I am such a good mother or that I am so strong and patient, and honestly, I smile politely and say thank you all the while thinking, "You don't know. You don't hear how often I lose my temper, how frustrated I get about things that seem to be nearly unchangeable."<br />
<br />
In my state, when a child can not be cared for outside of an institution, should the parents not be doing it, they can qualify for a certain amount of extra caregiver time within the home. That is to say, I have an aid that is with me five days a week to help out with Bear's needs. It took a LONG time to admit that I needed help, but finally last spring I did. Our first aid was happy but wholly unreliable, and then we met J. J is a gift straight from God. She is a young Christian lady who loves my munchkins, and she is calm but firm with them, and though she frequently bears the physical marks of the outbursts of my youngest, she always has a smile in her heart and on her face.<br />
<br />
Because J is with me daily, she witnesses my shining and not-so-spectacular mommy moments. On Mother's Day she brought tears to my eyes with this text message:<br />
<br />
<em>Happy mother's day! You're such a strong loving person. Your kids are very blessed to have you as their mama. You're like a warrior in the mom world. Have a great day and soak in whatever relaxing time you can! :)</em><br />
<br />
It absolutely amazes me that someone who sees me day in and day out can say such wonderful things about me as a mom. Sometimes I feel so defeated in thinking if only I were more patient, if only I didn't have that A-type personality, if only, if only... Then I remember that's exactly what the evil one wants. He wants me to compare myself to other moms so that I will become discouraged. He wants me to give in and give up on my calling to raise my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4)<br />
<br />
Sometimes, when Bug is frustrated with the world, she will announce that I am not her parent any more, and then she asks for me to tell her this story.<br />
<br />
<em>When you were born, God saw that you needed a momma. He looked out over the whole world and found me. He said, "Will you be her momma?" I said, "Yes." Then God looked at your daddy and said, "Will you be her daddy?" He said, "Yes." You see, God gave us to you and you to us. So no matter how frustrated you are with us or we with you, we will always love you, and we will always be there for you."</em><br />
<em></em><br />
It's not just a story; it's the truth. God did speak to my heart and say, "Will you do this?" "I want to, God, but I'm not sure I'm able." His assurance came to me through scripture.<br />
<br />
<em>I can <span class="strongs" sn="2480">do</span> all <span class="strongs" sn="3956">things</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1722">through</span> <span class="strongs" sn="5547">Christ</span> <span class="strongs" sn="3588">which</span> <span class="strongs" sn="1743">strengtheneth</span> </em><span class="strongs" sn="3165"><em>me.</em> Philippians 4:13 </span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165"></span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165"><em>And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my <span class="Highlight">strength</span> is <span class="Highlight">made</span> <span class="Highlight">perfect</span> in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.</em> 2 Corinthians 12:9</span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165"></span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165">When the shadows of doubt fall, I need to remember that it is only in His strength that I continue on. He doesn't want someone who already knows everything to raise these children; He wants someone who is desperate to learn from Him. A fellow mom shared this verse with me, one that I had never really noticed before: <em>There is therefore now <span class="Highlight">no</span> <span class="Highlight">condemnation</span> to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.</em> Romans 8:1</span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165"></span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165">God doesn't condemn me for my daily slip-ups, rather He urges me to seek Him. He doesn't want me to focus on the negative, but rather on that which is true and right. He loves me and has called me to share that love with my children.</span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165"></span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165">To anyone reading this blog, thank you for any encouragement that you have sent my way, and if you are daily or even weekly entering into someone's world, take the time to speak encouragement into their lives. Remind them that Our Father does see, know, and loves them unconditionally.</span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165"></span><br />
<span class="strongs" sn="3165"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-66216026141932574022013-04-30T08:18:00.000-07:002013-04-30T08:18:27.171-07:00Helping Them UnderstandWhen Bubba is tired, he sits, he lies down, he relaxes, not so for Bug and Bear. <br />
<br />
When Bug is tired, she seeks out more and more stimulation until her brain is so "jazzed" that she is no longer in control of herself. Sometimes, it's a hard thing as a parent to force your child to take time to be quiet. She will scream and wail and throw things as you gently try to put her to bed. The blankets have to be applied in the right order with just the right amount of light and noise. You hear the pitiful cries, all the time knowing that this is what she needs, and you leave quickly before things escalate again. Usually, after twenty minutes or so of forced quiet, she is back to her happy self, almost unrecognizable from the person she was just a few minutes before. She has been this way since she was only a few months old. One of the biggest things we work with in therapy is getting her to recognize when she needs a break before the explosion occurs.<br />
<br />
Bear becomes violent when tired. She scratches arms and faces and pulls hair when she needs a break. Bear has very few words, and her frustration usually comes out in a more physically aggressive way. Bear does not like to be laid down, or enjoy routine like Bug; rather she simply needs to be isolated from everyone else for a while. We put her in her room where she will play quietly for several minutes until she's ready to join the world again.<br />
<br />
One of the main things I am learning as a special needs momma is how to help my girls recognize their own emotions. Self-control is a much harder lesson, when they cannot understand the effect their actions have on others in those moments of complete melt down. <br />
<br />
I know God designed each of my babies in such a unique way. I am so privileged to be their momma and help them each find God's purpose in their lives even if it's just the little bitty things like helping them to understand that we all need rest.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-59894416216036856862013-04-24T05:27:00.001-07:002013-04-24T05:27:58.198-07:00PerspectiveSometimes, we all need a little perspective. You know how it is. We all have those days when the five-year-old can't seem to remember what you've told him for a nano second, the four-year-old is alternately screaming at the top of her lungs and crying every five minutes, and the baby keeps removing her diaper in order to be able to smear its contents around the room.<br />
<br />
I don't know about you, but I can easily find myself having my own little pity party on those kinds of days. That's when it's important to have a little perspective. Sure Bubba is absent-minded, but he's so very caring towards his sisters. Bug's emotions can swing from end to end, but when she lands on happy, she wants to share it with the whole world. Hey, at least Bear is learning that she doesn't like a dirty diaper.<br />
<br />
Recently, I've been learning perspective from a friend I have gotten to know a bit through the preschool weekly reading time at our local library. This dear sister in Christ is a shining example of how we should run to our Heavenly Father when things don't go the way we had planned. Denise is the mother to three young boys having previously lost her little girl to a debilitating disease. Her youngest son has undiagnosed (not for the lack of trying) mitochondrial disease and has been put on hospice at this time. Short of a miracle, her little boy may never be more than two years old.<br />
<br />
She blogs regularly about the baby's condition (<a href="http://shaunsteyaert.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://shaunsteyaert.blogspot.com/</a>), and her posts are always full of praise for the gifts that God has bestowed upon her. Even in the days of grief, she is able to find solace in the knowledge that soon her boy will have eternal healing and will be walking, talking, and playing in heaven with Jesus.<br />
<br />
This was the status she shared on Face book one January day.<br />
<br />
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">"'Fear not for I am with you. Be not dismayed for I am your God, I will help you I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'<br /> ~Almighty God, Isaiah 41:10<br /> Thank you, God, for seeing us through our days, hard or easy, sad or happy. Thank you for knowing what is in our hearts even if we don't say it, forgiving our weaknesses and loving us the same. Thank You for hiding us under Your wing, holding <span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">us when we need comfort, and listening even when we are angry. Abba, Father, I love you and thank you for my storm. Refine me and our family so we may be what you designed us to be. Give me patience, wisdom and grace. Stay with me through it all, as I know You are, and may I honor You through the trial. Amen."</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">How many of us thank God FOR the storm? We always want a way to avoid the storm or to get out of it as fast as possible. I thank God for women like Denise, women who teach me more each day about completely and fully relying on the Creator of the Universe.</span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="text_exposed_show">So, in those days when toddlers or teenagers are driving you crazy, would you join with me and grab onto a little perspective. Let's thank the Lord God for the gifts we have, and realize that sometimes the storm is just what we need.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-82533693032415772162013-04-16T10:41:00.001-07:002013-04-16T10:41:20.680-07:00It's Not Just MeSometimes, when your kiddo's special needs are social/emotional, it's hard for others to understand what you're going through. Bear's difficulties are more obvious, with medical explanations to accompany most of them, but it's not so for Bug.<br />
<br />
Bug's anxiety issues leave her inflexible and controlling, a combination that easily can take over the atmosphere of a family. After a few rough incidents a couple of weekends ago, I spoke with her therapist about possible things we could do to help curb these behaviors. It was pretty interesting when the therapist told me that Bear was a much easier case for her. With her developmental delays, she's a pretty text-book case. However, Bug has her puzzled. She's just not exactly sure where we should start in order to help her. Sometimes it's nice to know that it's not just us, that we are not the only ones who see the daily struggles she has within herself and with the world around her.<br />
<br />
This is the song that often runs through my head when I get a bit overwhelmed by our circumstances. <br />
<br />
"One Day At A Time"<br />
(Marijohn Wilkins/Kris Kristofferson)<br />
<br />
<u>Verse 1</u><br />
I'm only human; I'm just a man(woman)<br />
Help me believe in what I could be and all that I am<br />
Show me the stairway<br />
I have to climb<br />
Lord for my sake<br />
Teach me to take<br />
One day at a time<br />
<br />
<u>Chorus</u><br />
One day at a time, sweet Jesus<br />
That's all I'm asking from you<br />
Give me the strength to do everything that I have to do<br />
Yesterday's gone sweet Jesus<br />
And tomorrow may never be mine<br />
Help me today<br />
Show me the way<br />
One day at a time.<br />
<br />
<u>Verse 2</u><br />
Do you remember<br />
When you walked among men<br />
Jesus, you know when you're looking below<br />
It's worse now than then<br />
Pushin' and shovin' crowdin' my mind<br />
Lord for my sake<br />
Teach me to take<br />
One day at a time <br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-21352546185726917982013-04-04T12:20:00.002-07:002013-04-04T12:20:22.311-07:00Why We HomeschoolI am a professional educator by trade. I have taught in both public and private schools. The plan had always been to stay home with the children until they were old enough to go to school, and then, like millions of other families, we would send them off to our local public school, and I would go back to work. Then we met our children.<br />
<br />
Bubba is gifted in mathematics and engineering, has a very tender heart, and loves to talk about Jesus, but he is wholly unmotivated in many other areas. He is also generally quiet and compliant. When we thought about his future school life, we saw him as that kiddo who never really gets noticed, but merely passes the time each day, unfocused and bringing home "good enough" grades. <br />
<br />
Bug is gifted in language and seeing the big picture. She is very polite and loving, but she frequently does not recognize social cues, and her anxieties lead her to be very controlling. When we thought about her future school life, we saw her as the kiddo who spent most of her day traveling between the hall outside of her classroom and the principal's office.<br />
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Bear is a happy, social child, but her developmental delays left us wondering about the quality of education she would receive. We wanted more for her than just learning to hold her spoon or being labeled as part of the "baby class".<br />
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Then we began to consider homeschooling as a possible option. We prayed about it and discussed it for some time, while gradually beginning an at home routine that focused on preschool-like skills. We spoke with other homeschoolers and reviewed homeschooling laws, and finally decided to take the plunge.<br />
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We are only just completing our first homeschooling year, but it's been wonderful. In a world of everyone for themselves, my children are finding out that looking out for the other person is equally, if not more, important. We see the way Bubba uses his tender heart to focus Bug's anxiousness, and we know we made the right choice. We see the way both of her siblings praise each developmental step Bear takes, and we know we made the right choice. We see the way our children are learning to see God in all parts of their daily lives, and we know we made the right choice. I'm so glad we decided to allow God to change our plans and our hearts.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-61079911037596770352013-04-04T11:34:00.001-07:002013-04-04T11:34:09.957-07:00Stepping DownGrowing up, I often heard my mother say that people needed to just learn to say no because there's only so much you can do. Albeit unwittingly, my mother set the bar for busyness very high. She worked a full time job while caring for a husband and six children, played the piano for church, served on the PTO/PTA at the local elementary school, and frequently sought out what she could do for other people.<br />
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So, when I became the mom, it was only natural that I should be able to homeschool, lead Bible study, plan the music portion of the worship service, sing on the worship team, and volunteer to help out whenever and wherever I could. The only problem is that I'm not my mom. I'm not even remotely an even-tempered, go-with-the-flow kind of girl. More often than not, I see myself as a failed perfectionist, quite the conundrum, I assure you.<br />
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Several months ago, I spoke with a dear friend who also has adopted children, and during that conversation she told me how she and her husband had to step back from being involved in their church other than to attend services in order to focus on their eldest son. While I could appreciate her rationale, I truly didn't understand why it would be necessary, that is until recently.<br />
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For several months, I have known that our schedule was getting too hectic: four hours at church on Sundays including set-up and tear-down since we are part of a church plant that meets in a school, occupational and physical therapy for Bear on Tuesday mornings, library for Bubba and Bug on Tuesday mornings, Bible Study at our home on Tuesday evenings, AWANA at a sister church on Wednesday evenings, occupational therapy and speech for Bear on Thursday mornings, not to mention doctor appointments and the fact that both Bug and Bear now have ABA therapy three times a week at our home. However, I did not want to give up what I was doing. It's not like I was spending time scrapbooking or cross-stitching. I was doing things like planning worship services and preparing Bible studies. How can that be bad?<br />
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Then I looked at my children. My children, who were getting fussed at for not being still during the church service when they'd already been there nearly three hours. My children, whom I became aggrivated with each Tuesday afternoon because their toys were all over the house; didn't they know we had people coming over? My children who desperately wanted me to see the next level they had reached on their online reading program, but I was too busy making sure the music would flow with the scripture the pastor had chosen for his sermon. Then I looked at my children and remembered that "Children are an heritage from the Lord." (Psalm 127:3) Being a mom is not about being busy, even in church life. It's about raising children who learn to love God because that is what they have seen in you.<br />
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So, I'm stepping down. My hubby will still be helping with setup each Sunday, but the children and I will try to enjoy a nice snuggle before we head out to Sunday School. You'll still hear me singing songs of praise planned by someone else, but I'll be sitting with my children. In a couple of months, this Bible study will be over and the new one starting will be at someone else's home. For now, I need to just be a mom, a busy one to be sure, but one who is focusing inward on her family.<br />
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You know, I had a talk with my own mother the other night, and she very gently informed me that when we children were little, she was not so busy. She was just our mommy. Maybe I can be like my mom after all.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-8116428780840597312013-03-18T11:05:00.003-07:002013-03-18T11:05:54.551-07:00Maple Syrup and HikingWhen you're a homeschooling mom, everything becomes an opportunity for learning, and when you have special needs kiddos, those opportunities can bring big challenges.<br />
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We went to a state park in Maryland this weekend to observe maple syrup making. Being from South Texas, and a stranger to maple trees, I was fascinated. During the demonstration, Bear reached out and pulled a little girl's hair. (Bear is on the autistic spectrum and very developmentally delayed, and while she is generally a happy child, she is quite aggressive.) Unfortunately, we were all watching the demonstration and didn't see her zoning in on the long, red hair of the unsuspecting ten-year-old. She doesn't let go easily, and by the time we got the other girl free, she was in tears. Hubby had to remove Bear from the area. Sometimes the only thing that settles her down is being seatbelted into her car seat, so there she went.<br />
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Bubba, Bug, and I continued to watch the demonstration until Bug became overwhelmed by the sensations of the smoke, fire, and growing crowds. (Bug has anxiety and sensory issues, so adjustments often need to be made quickly.) We decided that we would get Daddy and Bear and go try our hand (feet) at hiking.<br />
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Our first hiking trip and Bubba led us up, up, up the advanced course. I was a bit opposed at first, but sometimes you just do the things the "regular" kiddo wants to do just so he feels important, too. About a fourth of the way into the hike, Bear decided she was no longer walking. She's about 36 pounds now, and that gets heavy fast, especially when your climbing over rocks and trees. Hubby went ahead with Bubba and Bug at one point, and Bear and I lost the trail. To the right, it looked like no one had ever gone, but to the left, it looked nearly impossible, especially with a three-year-old on your back. After hemming and hawing a bit, I headed to the left, and little by little, I got us down into an opening where I looked up and saw my dear hubby and older kiddos coming back for us. I was so relieved, especially when he started carrying Bear again.<br />
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The waterfall we hiked to was beautiful. We did have a few more instances with other children and pets as we looked at the falls, but they were minor. We took the easier path back to the car and just enjoyed the rest of our day together.<br />
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I used to be one of those people. You know, the kind who look at an unruly, loud, tearful, or aggressive kiddo and think what is wrong with those parents. Don't they know that you have to start training children early so they don't turn into brats? Well, I take back every mean-spirited thought I've ever had in that vein. Sometimes, that is the best behavior the kiddos have been able to muster in days. Maybe they're overwhelmed easily. Maybe it's your perfume, the brightness of the lights, or the temperature that has set them off. I promise you, we're doing the best we can. We might not always be able to participate like everyone else in places where it's noisy or crowded, but I'm glad that my family can still enjoy each other.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-46911229484840374132013-03-18T08:25:00.001-07:002013-03-18T08:25:34.236-07:00The Moving StorySo I was about seven months pregant with our first child when my husband decided it was time to look for a new job. What was he thinking? Being that it was another government job, the process drug on for months.<br />
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Meanwhile, I was able to start attending my first ladies' Bible study. (The church we were attending always held these during the daytime, and as a teacher, that didn't fit into my schedule before I became a full-time momma.) The Bible study we were doing, <u>Discerning the Voice of God</u> by Priscilla Shirer, kept talking week after week about following God's leading. God told Abram to leave his homeland and go. God told Ruth to leave her homeland and go. I began to question whether my husband might actually be right about this job change thing.<br />
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Then one October day, on the way to lunch after Bible study, my young son was crying in frustration in the backseat. I tried to give him his pacifier. Unfortunately, he had a rattle in his mouth that he just wouldn't take out. I told him, "You'll have to get rid of that rattle before I can give you your pacifier," and it was as if God suddenly said to me, "You'll have to get rid of what you're holding onto before I can give you what you really need." I called my husband and told him that I knew we were indeed supposed to be taking a new job and moving on, and one hour later that job that he had been waiting on since May was offered to him.<br />
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Since that day, I have been a better listener to the wisdom God gives my husband. I'm not perfect at it, but when the Lord keeps offering you sign after sign, you have to wake up and pay attention.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7155072163100054439.post-53843443894120655982013-03-18T08:10:00.000-07:002013-03-18T08:10:46.542-07:00AvailableMy husband and I have been married for 18 years, the last six of which have been one rollercoaster after another. We have three children: Bubba (5), Bug (4), and Bear (3). My girls, the youngest two, are adopted, and each have special needs, and living with these has made us refocus from a life of long range planning and goals to living just one day at a time.<br />
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We are also embarking on the journey of homeschooling. As a former public and Christian school teacher, this is not exactly where I thought the Lord would lead us, but I am glad he did. (I'll talk more about this later.)<br />
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We were living in Texas, and I was about seven months pregnant with our first child, when my husband felt led to find a new job. So when our newborn was four months old, we packed up everything and headed to Colorado. (I wasn't super keen on the idea at first, but that's another post.)<br />
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A year later, we received a phone call telling us that our oldest daughter had been born, and would we be willing to care for her while her biological parents worked on some things. That year was a bag of mixed emotions. At first I didn't want to care too deeply for this beautiful tiny angel; it was only going to be temporary after all. But one day, after a heart-to heart with Jesus, I realized she needed a full-time mommy, no matter how temporary the situation might be. Fifteen months later we finalized her adoption and were so proud to finally legally call her ours.<br />
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Meanwhile the biological parents had a second daughter who also came to live with us. At five and half months old, she began having seizures. The particular kind of seizures were known as infantile spasms, which most pediatricians are unfamiliar with and frequently misdiagnose as reflux. Life suddenly changed. Of my three kiddos, the oldest was still two, and life was now a maze of doctor's appointments and hospital stays. It was several months before we got her seizures under control, and they took quite a toll on her little brain. She lost all developmental abilities and became like a newborn again. Of course she was now a twenty-one pound (a side affect of the steroid treatment) newborn, which made for some interesting situations. We promised to forever be hers shortly after her first birthday.<br />
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Then my husband's job moved to Virginia, where we are now living in a tiny hamlet west of the D.C. area where he works. I have learned to be available. That's all God really wants from us, just to be available. He might call us to foreign missions, or he might just call us to teach the Word to our own children, but we must be available.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12411450971632921034noreply@blogger.com2