tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26708600463295074102024-03-05T02:15:31.849-08:00Ready for "Ross"...Stas that is!Thank you for following our journey to bring our son home...stay tuned....we never know where God leads us.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-41854679249115206412015-07-29T07:43:00.003-07:002015-07-29T07:43:22.982-07:00Remember us? It's all about Stas on Sunday!It's been ages since I have written on my blog that was first started to follow our journey to get Stas. His alias was "Ross" during the process, hence the title. So much has happened since that summer 4 years ago!<br />
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I will jump right to the present though. Back in February of this year, we learned that Stas has leukemia. To be exact, he has B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Having Down syndrome as well, plays into his treatment plan, and that means that he has a total of 2 1/2 years of treatment to battle the disease and beat it. There is a 85% survival with this so we are hopeful.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was Stas a couple months before diagnosis.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is our cutie pie now:)<br /><br /></td></tr>
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This diagnosis was a shock, but we are blessed to have amazing support to see us through all of it. Of course, our faith is the greatest of all of our gifts. God has been so good, and always is.<br />
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As many of you know, each year we have a benefit concert. This will be our 7th year. You can go here to learn a little bit about our previous years: <a href="http://www.concertonthelake.net/artists.html">http://www.concertonthelake.net/artists.html</a><br />
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This year, it is all about Stas. Why? Because when we went to get our son in Ukraine in June/July of 2010, we learned about the plight of orphans born with disabilities in Eastern Europe. Ukraine specifically. And we couldn't rest knowing what his life and the life of many others is like without the love of a family and the aid of all of those to help these dear children become all that God intended for them. A few years back, the funds from the concert started working towards the building of a therapy center in the same city that Stas was born, and Susha as well. We are determined to make a difference.<br />
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Following Stas' diagnosis in February, we realized the impact this diagnosis can have on a family. Dan and I got away for an overnight a couple months back, had time to reflect, and realized all of the things that WE don't have to struggle with and yet others lives are completely turned upside down. As a result, we decided to also add to this years concert the opportunity to gather funds for the Cancer Kids Fund at Children's hospital that is used specifically to help families with the extra things to make life bearable for children and families going through this difficult time.<br />
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We are expecting a HUGE crowd. There will be opportunities for more giving at the concert and I wanted to post a picture of some of the items. Bring some cash and a checkbook or whatever works.<br />
There will be several raffles. Let me explain.<br />
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THESE ITEMS WILL ALL BE SIGNED </div>
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BY THE ARTIST---</div>
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JOHN ONDRASIK</div>
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of </div>
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<b>FIVE FOR FIGHTING</b>!!!!</div>
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AND THAT'S NOT ALL......LOOK WHAT JUST CAME IN THE MAIL....</div>
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by a long time friend, Cynthia!!!!!</div>
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Thank you SO MIUCH, Cynthia!!!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this! I saw it on Pinterest and wanted to know if anyone was able to make it....AND LOOK!</td></tr>
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And then, we have another handmade piece by the STAR of the evening....<b>STAS</b>....formally known as Stanislav:) </div>
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THIS ONE BELOW WILL BE A <b>FREE WILL RAFFLE.</b>....</div>
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Pretty sure this beautiful piece of art could be autographed </div>
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by the musical artist OR the painter :):):)</div>
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And finally, MAGGIE and FRIENDS will have a table set up with beautiful jewelry: Rings, bracelets, necklaces and homemade soaps that are making my basement smell heavenly aromatic.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">IF YOU AREN'T COMING, AND WOULD LIKE TO BUY A RAFFLE TICKET, I CAN HAVE YOU DO IT AHEAD OF TIME. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">JUST EMAIL ME: dgthibault@comcast.net </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">WE can get your name on a ticket!!!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">To DONATE go to:</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.concertonthelake.net/rsvp-and-donate.html">http://www.concertonthelake.net/rsvp-and-donate.html</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">THANK YOU!!!!!!!!</span></div>
Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-9644826062275643272012-08-02T20:23:00.001-07:002012-08-02T20:29:17.251-07:00The SuitcaseI haven't blogged FOREVER....<br />
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Sorry for anyone that cares to hear about the boys :-) I tend to do little facebook posts because they take less time. But now, I wanted to share something very special. Lizzy and I had the opportunity to take part in a Pilgrimage of Life to Medjugorje. When we adopted Stas two years ago, from Ukraine, we stayed at a Church in Zaporoyszhe, an amazing Church. A Catholic Church. The people were so amazing and we have stayed in touch. Two of the people, Valentyna and Fr. Andrew, just over a year ago, started bring ob/gyn doctors, many of whom do abortions, to Medjugorje. Hopefully you will appreciate what it entails when you read something I wrote to sum up my trip. Actually, it only lightly sums it up. I have so much more I want to say....but you will see this is long enough. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about event.<br />
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So here it goes:<br />
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<span class="s1"><b>Pilgrimage of Life-- July 17-23, 2012 </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">I’ve just begun to unpack my suitcase. I’ve returned home with it crammed full and a bit messy. It needs to be sorted....but here it sits. I left home with it containing all that I thought I needed as I dove into the unknown. Medjugorje. All a knew was it was a village. A beautiful village. A town where Our Lady appeared to children many years ago and gave them messages. We would stay at a “castle.” I knew I would stay with my daughter, Lizzy, 17 who packed her own suitcase--very full. We were both loaded with things we needed, items we <i>thought</i> we needed, and gifts to give. Our plan was to deliver these gifts and use the excess room to return home with gifts. I went prepared to teach ob/gyn medical students about our love for our youngest two children with Down syndrome. We would join their “Pilgrimage of LIfe.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1">After nearly 24 hours of travel we arrived just before the other pilgrims and were greeted by our dear Valentyna. Our friend, our guide. She was the reason we were able to be there. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">After meeting Valentyna 2 years ago in Zaporoyszhe, Ukraine, when we adopted Stas, our youngest of eight children who has Down syndrome, we fell in love with her mission. The mission of Chalice of Mercy is to serve physically and spiritually to the needs of the people of Ukraine. With the assistance of Bishop John (then Fr. John) and now Fr. Andrew as well, they are doing this. They live in a city which means “A City without God.” God is there but not known. They serve to make Him known. They serve to be the hands of Christ; to be a living witness of Christ’s love. They desire to bring an understanding of the gift of life to the people of Ukraine and help them see <i>themselves</i> as gifts. It is not until we can see our own beauty and the gift which we are that we can see others around us as gifts. Communism stripped this region of all signs of God. These are people void of Truth for which they hunger.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">During our three weeks in Zaporoyszhe in 2010, Fr. Andrew showed us Chalice of Mercy’s pro-life efforts. We saw video screens mounted in the waiting room of abortion clinics running a loop of unborn life. Really? Yes! Fr. Andrew and Valentyna told us they were in need of more of these DVD screens because more clinics were ASKING for them. They graciously begged for twelve week fetal models from the U.S. and footprint lapel pins because they KNEW the effect they would have on these “hungry” people. They said they wanted to give them to ob/gyn doctors. We desired to help. To think in the U.S. we barely have the right to stand outside an abortion clinic to pray and here they are doing bold things...in government run hospitals. Indeed they are hungry and seemingly void of real joy. Through our adoption of Stas, we witnessed how children with special needs are frequently treated as trash. We saw the disgust they had for them. Stas and the others, abandoned at the hospital at birth because of their “imperfection.” I was told only 4% of these children are taken home. We came home deeply scarred. Lizzy even more so. But, how could the people of Ukraine appreciate the gift of a sweet boy with Down syndrome if they couldn’t appreciate their <i>own</i> dignity, the gift <i>they themselves</i> are, and the gift <i>all</i> life is?</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Here we were two years later and ready to meet 46 Ukrainians, many from the very city we grew to love. I couldn’t wait to be reunited with Genya, a friend and leader of the pro-life movement in Ukraine, whom we grew to love during our stay in 2010. She would be right here with us leading this pilgrimage along side Valentyna and Fr. Andrew. Most pilgrims were coming only baptized per Ukrainian custom in the Greek Orthodox Faith. Many having never been in a church since that day. Many atheists... or at least agnostics. Why did they come? Because they were invited. Unable to travel otherwise, because of expense, this trip was paid for. They were told the were going on a pilgrimage. They were told this would be a journey filled with sacrifices. They knew they would pray...prayers they never heard. They would attend Holy Mass, Adoration and pray on the beads of the Rosary. They would sit in seminars each day. They had no idea what it would all mean. They came with their own crammed, heavy suitcases....</span><br />
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<span class="s1">We met Nancy, and eventually her husband Patrick. They provided us with our home for a week. Many served selflessly and at times, they cooked throughout the night! For US! After giving up </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nancy and Patrick are in the middle</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">EVERYTHING of their life in Canada, Patrick and Nancy came to build a “castle” in Medjugorje. It was built to serve the priests and religious who come on pilgrimage. It is the priests after all who keep us alive, through the anointed hands of Christ. They bring life to our soul though the sacraments. They feed us the Bread of Life--Christ---in the Holy Eucharist. They cleanse and restore our soul through the sacrament of Penance. Why was it then, that WE were there, us and the medical students we joined. Why were the other Ob/Gyn physicians who were from Ukraine, many of whom were abortionists, making pilgrimages to Medjugorje over the past year or so and staying at this “castle?” Nancy explained, they were welcomed because just as the priests act as the Divine Physician who brings life to our souls, these physicians will be the first to <i>hold</i> LIFE in their hands. Through prayer they made the decision that these doctors, in hope for the future, needed to understand the preciousness of LIFE. They felt this was a place where they could experience God’s love.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN7DbV9KtRbKhL6HPJbsWKTh1TOgiFvIMet_FhC9S41PoXMWOuPUTN5F_5lfXL1YlHX0sf2f-r2DHMNDjYIfNtCUbQXw5XctES2O5FBcNUu_RNRH3ctKh5-vMEKxif9641Kf6af-nDpEM/s1600/IMG_4982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN7DbV9KtRbKhL6HPJbsWKTh1TOgiFvIMet_FhC9S41PoXMWOuPUTN5F_5lfXL1YlHX0sf2f-r2DHMNDjYIfNtCUbQXw5XctES2O5FBcNUu_RNRH3ctKh5-vMEKxif9641Kf6af-nDpEM/s320/IMG_4982.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The students just arriving....being greeted by Nancy and Valentyna</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">That is why we were at Medjugorje. To learn and teach about the love God has for us. A love so great that he gave us His Mother, and here in Medjugorje we were going to meet her and grow to love her. We would learn to come to her for our needs. We would learn that her greatest love, God’s Divine will, is what she wants for us. In getting to know her, she would lead us closer to her Son, Jesus. And knowing Jesus, we would learn to sacrifice. We would learn that this is the life of a Christian. We would learn about the joy in suffering. We would learn that a Christian serves with Love, and a smile.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">I was enriched by many events that happened on our trip. We were grateful to be able to have good conversation with one particular young woman, who spoke English well. She also was a blessing as she translated many things for us. During our first full day on our walk to Apparition Hill, she shared a bit about her family and I had the opportunity to tell her about our family. She learned we had 8 children, three adopted, two of whom have Down syndrome. She could not understand WHY we would have “such children” with Down syndrome. I learned later she was actually “mad” that we adopted these children when there were many other children in need. She said that “these children” were historically thrown from mountain tops in disgrace. I learned at the end of the trip in her testimonial how our witness and obvious love for our boys changed her heart. She recalled me telling her that God grew our heart when we adopted a child from Guatemala to love people of all colors of skin. And that He grew our heart when we adopted a child with Down syndrome to love ALL people who have special needs. She shared with the whole group how she recalled me telling her that these children were “teachers of our soul.” That conversation, and all that followed throughout the week, brought her to a point to realize that if we can learn to love “the least of these” that we can love everyone.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">Valentyna arranged for us to visit Community of Cenacolo. We were told it was a home for addicts. It was not at all what I expected to see. What we saw was beautiful. While there is a campus also for women, we visited the community for men. Community Cenacolo was founded by Sister Elvira Petrozzi in 1983. Sister Elvira felt a strong desire to reach out to young people who had taken a wrong path. Based in Saluzzo, Italy, Community Cenacolo, is a worldwide organization with 33 fraternities throughout Italy, France, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina (Medjugorje), Ireland, Brazil, Austria, Dominican Republic, USA (Florida) and Mexico. Community Cenacolo accommodates about 900 young men and women. Many are drug addicted desperate lost souls. Passing through the doors of Community Cenacolo, these young people begin to feel hope and a sense of being, and family. The aim of the Community is to renew the family; to help the families meet Jesus Christ, Savior and Redeemer, also, to bring support, love, healing and faith. Two members of the community described their stories of </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzv3w91KR2uqQZvkhzbDJaH8EpxoOsK2RaISYY3jMob3uF4BiM6qPg1F9XWH4FKbkiRmvcVjIdT3cm4vDeMlhhvh_PIGZYykV3vt9gKzG8CljmQmsAC8hdOaFeYKZOcYBB4LERF-2uiDb/s1600/IMG_5404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzv3w91KR2uqQZvkhzbDJaH8EpxoOsK2RaISYY3jMob3uF4BiM6qPg1F9XWH4FKbkiRmvcVjIdT3cm4vDeMlhhvh_PIGZYykV3vt9gKzG8CljmQmsAC8hdOaFeYKZOcYBB4LERF-2uiDb/s320/IMG_5404.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing testimony from Robert. <br />
To see how this community changed the lives <br />
through an opportunity to learn the Faith is amazing. <br />
God moved mountains for these men.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">addiction and their desperate situations. There stories were touching as we could hear how two people, completely lost, were found. They still struggle, and while they can leave the open gate whenever they want, they stay because they know they are not yet ready to live healthy outside the gates. The day begins at six o'clock in the morning, in the chapel, where the rosary is recited. Making bread, cleaning the house, masonry work, gardening, woodworking, etc... all these things are done by the members of the community. By the end of the day, much has been done, and much has been learned, the 20 decades of the Rosary said, and the Gospel shared.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">I asked Valentyna, repeatedly each day, for a schedule. I rarely was told beyond what was scheduled next. She told me that she has learned not to plan too much. I witnessed her steadfast prayer. She TRUSTS. She sees where God leads the pilgrimage. She wasn’t kidding.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">To Valentyna’s surprise, just weeks before this group of students was to arrive, she had learned that another group would be at the castle at the same time--50 religious sisters. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSXKrJsk3N7ZOETKXqoDot3rnaIKyALZX8uzF6zPWBqrwVR90gZC_EtMMsx_fM5A-dtkZYtgjNuy_5mCwx9hYmRTifRG_q_TFeHNwWxjhYppbbAs9kpU-uwwwkUilWeB4uqaLUpwIZjSD/s1600/IMG_5311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSXKrJsk3N7ZOETKXqoDot3rnaIKyALZX8uzF6zPWBqrwVR90gZC_EtMMsx_fM5A-dtkZYtgjNuy_5mCwx9hYmRTifRG_q_TFeHNwWxjhYppbbAs9kpU-uwwwkUilWeB4uqaLUpwIZjSD/s320/IMG_5311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sisters arriving :-) They were SO sweet.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">They would come on retreat. Can you even imagine what they thought when they learned that 50 college-age students, not even Catholic, or “believers” would be sharing their meals and space with them. Never had two groups this size been at the castle at the same time. Nancy and Patrick agreed that if this is what God set up they will let it happen. Both groups were a gift to each other. The students learned what it meant to completely surrender your life to Christ as a bride to Him. They watched how </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCAfbDAoR2B2mK38HRZr4W_2uWSFa4tsB0HbwH0RsRZmUTc9d-7o6Ir59qBmKC7HaJWvZes65te8Mlm0hiK4oDe-ZrSXAL4MUbGRNKJ9KnszUsrKleSwebumOrZTHPEjeyoTAQABFnJNu/s1600/IMG_5809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCAfbDAoR2B2mK38HRZr4W_2uWSFa4tsB0HbwH0RsRZmUTc9d-7o6Ir59qBmKC7HaJWvZes65te8Mlm0hiK4oDe-ZrSXAL4MUbGRNKJ9KnszUsrKleSwebumOrZTHPEjeyoTAQABFnJNu/s320/IMG_5809.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk about a godsend....times 50 :-)</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">the sisters in full habit, in 90+ degree heat remained joyful. The sisters agreed to pray for the students and seeing the transformation in our group was a way of renewing their own faith. At mealtimes with the sisters, there was an abundance of song and teaching moments. For example, Nancy would tip-toe in and whisper to everyone “I have a surprise.” It was one of the sister’s birthday. She explained to the students why birthdays are so special...because we are celebrating the gift of life. Nancy took every moment to teach: the gift of life, the necessity of modesty, the significance of marriage and the reason why the sister’s birth names and chosen religious names are so significant. I remember her telling me as I was setting plates out abruptly, “do everything with love as Mary would.” Her kisses were curious at first and contagious in the end.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">On Sunday morning, we were told we would have Mass in a field at Mother’s Village, specifically St. Francis Garden. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5NT0qE1FvkeoguuylMm-cZyMlbwFfoezvOdT9E09yWaOPojkeASSU22sFzXi-Bb-Wh_Iy2TssMeZmwcquKlOjMCc9west_siHdm9y-1-oKFa8zjwRfFmqtACigec8_hBY9v9vaT-iGBk/s1600/IMG_5867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5NT0qE1FvkeoguuylMm-cZyMlbwFfoezvOdT9E09yWaOPojkeASSU22sFzXi-Bb-Wh_Iy2TssMeZmwcquKlOjMCc9west_siHdm9y-1-oKFa8zjwRfFmqtACigec8_hBY9v9vaT-iGBk/s320/IMG_5867.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Holy Mass in St. Francis Garden at Mother's Village.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Mother’s Village was an orphanage started by Fr. Slavko Barbaric’, the spiritual director to the visionaries of Medjugorje. Many children were left orphans after the Bosnian war and Mother’s Village evolved out of the need for protection and care for these children who were wounded by the loss of their family. We then learned we would travel to Kay Center nearby which was a home for women in crisis. The students heard how the center is sustained by prayer and the trust in God’s Divine Providence, and specifically through Our Lady’s intercession.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvcNzd3MkV21Q_cIvh88XS6CkdhRBtk8ozLh3jDyZbKMT9TJ2Gj5_xjG6U6KqS6AQGi_tC0Nc8HeVBgcseUF97quUUDpdjpbwLKuYMQH9tkblK64i-rvJGj6FWnvC4gLjzq7LBSa40_1Z/s1600/IMG_5940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxvcNzd3MkV21Q_cIvh88XS6CkdhRBtk8ozLh3jDyZbKMT9TJ2Gj5_xjG6U6KqS6AQGi_tC0Nc8HeVBgcseUF97quUUDpdjpbwLKuYMQH9tkblK64i-rvJGj6FWnvC4gLjzq7LBSa40_1Z/s320/IMG_5940.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kay Center....beautiful!</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">While the Holy Mass was beautiful, none of us expected to hear that Sunday morning about a beautiful event that would take place AT the Mass. Darinka, a beautiful young woman who had been on the pilgrimage, was preparing to be received into the Church. She had asked Fr. Andrew just the day before if she could receive Jesus for the first time in Medjugorje. Fr. Andrew got permission from Bishop John to administer the sacrament at this outdoor Mass. With his approval, she made her first confession that evening. Darinka looked truly angelic as she was presented to us this Sunday morning in her pure white dress. She had bought one of the only two white dresses she found in all of </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrnM5-xVCV3WLBCTx1SISrHCK3npXAQHQQqyht-5YKs9V6_FWVMdvxaLWR0SRq-U8xreccwuQBv9-aNJeLfM42kpotbftxu3iI1aNLKMmLslM43UaA6bJgtYI2txmqlPXwMmoVDl0JyC_/s1600/IMG_5870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrnM5-xVCV3WLBCTx1SISrHCK3npXAQHQQqyht-5YKs9V6_FWVMdvxaLWR0SRq-U8xreccwuQBv9-aNJeLfM42kpotbftxu3iI1aNLKMmLslM43UaA6bJgtYI2txmqlPXwMmoVDl0JyC_/s320/IMG_5870.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darinka receiving her First Holy Communion :-)</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">Medjugorje. What a witness she was to all of her fellow pilgrims on this day. She glowed.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The pilgrimage was designed brilliantly. While I wanted to get my talk “over with” to lighten my mind, Valentyna and Genya knew it couldn’t be “heard” right away. The information I would share--my gift--- wasn’t ready to be received. The students listened to seminars which bit by bit unfolded all they needed to learn. Through various speakers they discovered the meaning and truth of life. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQWoYXvZaid4caU-6ENVRsIFQ9PnrCLBWg3H6-ddjcBZeSpYe2iMkAXiwUqHzZ9s9jdfmqa8l36K0RGmVSholZlhIyYOXzAaJsDJUFpJIOqKAWKn71zqoXFA5JApO50-pOfPCgJRFJrwp/s1600/IMG_5265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTQWoYXvZaid4caU-6ENVRsIFQ9PnrCLBWg3H6-ddjcBZeSpYe2iMkAXiwUqHzZ9s9jdfmqa8l36K0RGmVSholZlhIyYOXzAaJsDJUFpJIOqKAWKn71zqoXFA5JApO50-pOfPCgJRFJrwp/s320/IMG_5265.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students in a seminar....a very warm seminar....and they were very gracious.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">In order, they learned: John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, the gift of chastity, unborn human development, the destruction of life through abortion, the issues related to Reproductive Technology, Natural Family Planning, NaPro Technology, and finally Down syndrome. After learning about the gift that all life was, they were able to see my boys in a more special way. I realize now that it wasn’t only through the seminars that they came to this point. It was through the graces they were receiving in attending Holy Mass each day, staying with Jesus for an hour in Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament most evenings, fasting on bread and water on Wednesday and Friday, climbed Apparition Hill while learning to pray the Holy Rosary, and culminating their week with a climb up Cross Mountain.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrkVpOKoYqXKXZTZxwnWXpMoMN8quA4pTgsVji-qoqt3CFTLIuhY-7Ct-bhKJBU6o7A1KQjdrhJG8Ac31347ReKSM0IOlbAmPZoA9UJdAtnbDsWCfkrPycrhYZJq8O5JsKB91NA9VSjJs/s1600/IMG_5477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrkVpOKoYqXKXZTZxwnWXpMoMN8quA4pTgsVji-qoqt3CFTLIuhY-7Ct-bhKJBU6o7A1KQjdrhJG8Ac31347ReKSM0IOlbAmPZoA9UJdAtnbDsWCfkrPycrhYZJq8O5JsKB91NA9VSjJs/s320/IMG_5477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing Cross Mountain...a serious climb.</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">As they climbed Cross Mountain, a LONG and tiresome journey, several went barefoot, most all carried rocks of various sized to represent their sins and they learned about the Stations of the Cross, the journey from Christ’s Condemnation to his Crucifixion. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">They learned about Christ falling three times and rising and carrying His cross high and Him asking us to carry ours in love. They learned that He did all that He had done as an example of sacrifice and that as a physician they will need to sacrifice. </span><br />
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<span class="s1">At the top of the mountain, they encountered Christ’s Cross. There they were asked to see their sins and ask for God’s most merciful forgiveness. They, the tired, stoic Ukrainians who arrived on a bus, just 7 days prior, held their hands joined and high as they sang “Nada nos separara del amor de Dios.” The guitar-playing Spanish priest, Fr. Pablo, who was dropped from heaven on our first day of pilgrimage, </span><br />
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<span class="s1">taught us that song, and it became the theme song for the week. There at the peak, they sang in Spanish, “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”</span></div>
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<span class="s1">The joy was indescribable. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">They gave each other a kiss on the cheek as they looked each other in the eyes and said, “I’m sorry.” Their “sorry” was symbolic of all their offenses. They each kissed <i>me</i> and said “I’m sorry.” I now pause to think why they, whom I never met until this past week, would apologize to me. I realize that just as each act of love is an act that elevates the whole Kingdom, so does every sin bring down each one of us. I, too, kissed them and said “I’m sorry.”</span><br />
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<span class="s1">It wasn’t until the following day, our last evening there, that I gave my lesson on Down syndrome. After hearing it, and being received with many tears, I realize that their “sorry” the day before, was also a sorry for their lack of love they had for my son, Stas. That was healing for me and my daughter. For two years we have had pain and carried resentment toward the people of Ukraine for the damage done to my son, Lizzy’s brother. He spent three full years in a crib void of love which significantly wounded him. But, they were sorry.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">On July 17, 2012, forty-six people arrived on the bus in Medjugorje. Miracles happened. I witnessed no spinning sun. No rosary beads that turned to gold. No “tears” from the knee of the Risen Christ statue. None of which do I doubt happen. I, however, witnessed miracles of conversion. My daughter and I had a few “goals” on our trip. We hoped to teach these students about the blessing of Down syndrome and we both, while not really saying it, hoped to see some sort of tangible miracle. Witnessing conversions was the greatest gift. What started out as sparks in the hearts of God’s Ukrainian children, became for many a roaring flame that they wanted to take home to ignite the passion in the hearts of the people in their homeland. Zaporoyszhe, the city that was named “A City without God,” will need to be renamed. Because God it there in the hearts of His people. And He is rising up.</span><br />
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<span class="s1">My suitcase, representative of my journey to Medjugorje, has begun to be unpacked. It will take time to sort through all that I brought home, to fully unpack it. I realize that the needs which I came with were in the end my gifts. My needs were: healing for both me and my daughter, spiritual renewal, an increase in Faith, a renewed purpose in the Holy Rosary, a deeper relationship with our Mother, and a deeper desire to sacrifice....I returned home with these gifts. The young pilgrims that return home to Ukraine have heavy loads to unpack. And they return to a world that won’t understand what they have learned. <b>Please pray for them</b>. Pray they have strength to share what they have learned, that they and each group of doctors that come on this Pilgrimage of Life will continue to seek God and turn to Him in His mercy.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLNqu_JVmLMl2uRU5Z_geOrS0EJkT0Vbi6Zc5gb3KGQDDczTtl2NNb_VTP_OeXxD_jx3p2-3C1uNELDJrU7YhmtxViQiSx7M4jw3oDhcJwQ5j0B75uqB9wjKJ4MwvtEJ58dVE34i0WzZ5/s1600/IMG_6046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLNqu_JVmLMl2uRU5Z_geOrS0EJkT0Vbi6Zc5gb3KGQDDczTtl2NNb_VTP_OeXxD_jx3p2-3C1uNELDJrU7YhmtxViQiSx7M4jw3oDhcJwQ5j0B75uqB9wjKJ4MwvtEJ58dVE34i0WzZ5/s400/IMG_6046.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice what is in their hands....with big smiles they hold 12 week gestational fetal models!!</td></tr>
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<span class="s1">I believe the gift which we brought, our LOVE for our special children, was received by the other pilgrims. They sent us on our way with kisses and hugs....they gave two extra kisses...one for Stas and one for Ricky. Boys they never met. They told us they LOVE them. And I believe they do!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8RzU7jTy0cOyIZ2Bz4Qu9nTEQDQmnsrMoVExsrw9xOy-TKLlCKxwvhHDcrgZPES1gH22PV58sAuoRAQV_sTujGyBYHajGHb9wKk5IG6mBc08Jsp2leLDkvfSth6EDVZTGQKwSNW2rkZf/s1600/IMG_5380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8RzU7jTy0cOyIZ2Bz4Qu9nTEQDQmnsrMoVExsrw9xOy-TKLlCKxwvhHDcrgZPES1gH22PV58sAuoRAQV_sTujGyBYHajGHb9wKk5IG6mBc08Jsp2leLDkvfSth6EDVZTGQKwSNW2rkZf/s320/IMG_5380.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoraslava teaching about in utero life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51viHECdZ9v2SUkmQ66JO7s1RLEge6Cc6bZzZEUJgb8TAUw_UD4hppheOsIVu1uB2LnKwKb3a0BjbZtNgMJQBbIRyKyzHbegLDs3uhD8Ee0oM1qA7Qk_jG6JEInm_nLOwXZ6ts20Mkb1B/s1600/IMG_6025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51viHECdZ9v2SUkmQ66JO7s1RLEge6Cc6bZzZEUJgb8TAUw_UD4hppheOsIVu1uB2LnKwKb3a0BjbZtNgMJQBbIRyKyzHbegLDs3uhD8Ee0oM1qA7Qk_jG6JEInm_nLOwXZ6ts20Mkb1B/s320/IMG_6025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the students asked me to take this picture...she loved these. They all did!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FFEzh9M2wlkPOALI4SMmABdFwB3YGdUB8QCvn9gE3ywjdiRIVyQXBW0HzyfB_EgwczMD_YWazkMaw8wTxSL9XvZugPF6Zj90CQn0z2RGCm7XZCYu7MmhSzExhEs4p4VfiycB3ueLaZgF/s1600/IMG_5147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FFEzh9M2wlkPOALI4SMmABdFwB3YGdUB8QCvn9gE3ywjdiRIVyQXBW0HzyfB_EgwczMD_YWazkMaw8wTxSL9XvZugPF6Zj90CQn0z2RGCm7XZCYu7MmhSzExhEs4p4VfiycB3ueLaZgF/s320/IMG_5147.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Apparition Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCJyZ8ONssvRLcRdlLE7BRnR7b5zranaXq5UXMa0aFendQRG3JBMlyEWt-qETfqgABz1KzyIWXOzuAWZTG76DwRD5Hy0CwAtNHxavhDbZR6YGc46kqmau2mdiLHK-Ki4Oxo0ZL24qxsRS/s1600/IMG_5293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPCJyZ8ONssvRLcRdlLE7BRnR7b5zranaXq5UXMa0aFendQRG3JBMlyEWt-qETfqgABz1KzyIWXOzuAWZTG76DwRD5Hy0CwAtNHxavhDbZR6YGc46kqmau2mdiLHK-Ki4Oxo0ZL24qxsRS/s320/IMG_5293.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students from Zap!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUSl3Hd_Krvwh3MpkPL8-UhQi6ylnJeM60wzNpikiv0L2lY2ghrnx_Vmn3oJkIbg9Ja-7lpMyLgdZPRQOtZgxnCEEuWEjpvR7AlkLCrtFv8PibHnqi4YBxVa7kdmWEbYpigTmqRxDURgY/s1600/IMG_5517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaUSl3Hd_Krvwh3MpkPL8-UhQi6ylnJeM60wzNpikiv0L2lY2ghrnx_Vmn3oJkIbg9Ja-7lpMyLgdZPRQOtZgxnCEEuWEjpvR7AlkLCrtFv8PibHnqi4YBxVa7kdmWEbYpigTmqRxDURgY/s320/IMG_5517.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y0gi8a7xCkVaCJt3mREojc80Nm58cWBT2-i4f4ROz5zqwL2NicG6CBNDdMgW8j1GSntvT2xYFh-I-WqsxMDD0tk-1j63ReUYCvFKgn_OTBldBB1dvdpJ1LlFeKvkliUAe1oKxlVC6wkK/s1600/IMG_5218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Y0gi8a7xCkVaCJt3mREojc80Nm58cWBT2-i4f4ROz5zqwL2NicG6CBNDdMgW8j1GSntvT2xYFh-I-WqsxMDD0tk-1j63ReUYCvFKgn_OTBldBB1dvdpJ1LlFeKvkliUAe1oKxlVC6wkK/s320/IMG_5218.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fr. Pablo, Valentyna and Fr. Andrew</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuldFUXIdbt3Ay3_uTfBwolymujnzFQxVoUD7PSiS5AMlLSddmeltDwrsamzs2-oeLXt7TA-JgkIbXJeu8z3qFmfAPxe-uuqyVC9jDPYfgSVzgJNbMtkm7mEITtSbpO4gRtfc2aY1BjxQ/s1600/IMG_5755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvuldFUXIdbt3Ay3_uTfBwolymujnzFQxVoUD7PSiS5AMlLSddmeltDwrsamzs2-oeLXt7TA-JgkIbXJeu8z3qFmfAPxe-uuqyVC9jDPYfgSVzgJNbMtkm7mEITtSbpO4gRtfc2aY1BjxQ/s320/IMG_5755.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haha....they got to be Patrick's children for a little bit.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-25228984573242997952012-03-07T15:00:00.007-08:002012-03-09T21:12:14.052-08:00Shakin' it up for Shannon!<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Or should I say MIXIN' it up for Shannon?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oZcDhqOx0LJ_W0LuA_JEnrQk-kZWidXFRfnhNbgmugVTZruIV9jbGA9h_vJHdY714-48PnFaLut3Q8PdPL9RwzN3TDv3WO3EvKXzECecaeOVT_y-p3Io0i66muI8casSf0xdtXllsi0s/s1600/shannon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oZcDhqOx0LJ_W0LuA_JEnrQk-kZWidXFRfnhNbgmugVTZruIV9jbGA9h_vJHdY714-48PnFaLut3Q8PdPL9RwzN3TDv3WO3EvKXzECecaeOVT_y-p3Io0i66muI8casSf0xdtXllsi0s/s320/shannon.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #990000;">Who is Shannon?</span><br />
She is a precious little girl who has lived her life in an Eastern European orphanage.<br />
She has Down syndrome.<br />
Talk about BEAUTIFUL!!!!<br />
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I've been to those orphanages to bring our Stas home. Shannon needs to be with her family!<br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><b>Time to spice things up a bit to bring Shannon home.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">* </span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">*</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">**********************************</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;"><b>S A R A H P A L I N</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">**********************************</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #990000;">*</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">*</span><br />
<span style="color: #990000;">*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">What do Sarah Palin and a mixer have in common?<br />
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They are both going to help bring Shannon home!<br />
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FOR REAL!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You see.....The Shpak family has a beautiful giveaway going. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://faithsetfree.blogspot.com/2012/02/almost-there-fundraiser.html"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip0Mh8naSdkWkAPz4o9kbrdKj-aobdNcJnwI_fD3SJu3dmFqA41XFh76nhk7EjmcvSPg7PAd4PZzheZt8ZJuIEHKiHEBdXYxrLiE41nYdE7XdwPdND9W5pogp6e1WXaQKbTvlgyv7_XUv2/s400/Shannon.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Click on her pictures above to bring you to their giveaway!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As if Shannon isn't beautiful enough...everything is about to get even more beautiful. Already so many wonderful people have donated items to bring in the last money needed to bring Shannon home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But...look at this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR46J4NjCzYx99aN7QnGIchyphenhyphenoeg_X0ZN15mvupRBNbfq3pW6yIty8wVwETseN4nrVV1-Xm9ApW_LuMTaHEcbxZZ_pY1Bg-dcqieL4t94lkJPoAWp2uobIuiShEvp3LmNHEv4M3lZ8yClk/s1600/mixer+espresso.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR46J4NjCzYx99aN7QnGIchyphenhyphenoeg_X0ZN15mvupRBNbfq3pW6yIty8wVwETseN4nrVV1-Xm9ApW_LuMTaHEcbxZZ_pY1Bg-dcqieL4t94lkJPoAWp2uobIuiShEvp3LmNHEv4M3lZ8yClk/s1600/mixer+espresso.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Espresso!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkHCtO6iI4LLHgBVnBrSGZgvF8uGLeLl-Oc1oeHZkpwRfTR8dPDVKcCj5Hfi5AyBAqeseu7vQNTEyBRDTOfFM9iSj1cMHV9GvK4ejRhXDCd7PgVxSQ3klfmwDo6aq8VXbJqGL4xClVNgP/s1600/mixer+gloss+cinnamon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkHCtO6iI4LLHgBVnBrSGZgvF8uGLeLl-Oc1oeHZkpwRfTR8dPDVKcCj5Hfi5AyBAqeseu7vQNTEyBRDTOfFM9iSj1cMHV9GvK4ejRhXDCd7PgVxSQ3klfmwDo6aq8VXbJqGL4xClVNgP/s320/mixer+gloss+cinnamon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gloss Cinnamon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CCydlh7Mt6Ctlm6WC_51AF5YP-ryK3z9TXXMCQYk-6n2dB39MG82lKyoFYG6GMWsfgUFgFZxWePvKbHnzksC6CJ7n-4ku4qULanauunRAqGLL47ZlBSsJ7y5g2JopogAV2iEjyyBSEOR/s1600/mixer+pistachio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CCydlh7Mt6Ctlm6WC_51AF5YP-ryK3z9TXXMCQYk-6n2dB39MG82lKyoFYG6GMWsfgUFgFZxWePvKbHnzksC6CJ7n-4ku4qULanauunRAqGLL47ZlBSsJ7y5g2JopogAV2iEjyyBSEOR/s320/mixer+pistachio.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pistachio....drooling yet?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KPxcGv78GMOJ3pXKjRkLk4vGomTJOR5-8qfwu2Lso_TITWgEy6lnav3oovRgVYjkmFrRdoOceKFsA6d_dVy0sDrZrSLELaEJ7xQZSzCwgBTXCtb13hiZStyI7GwmmwKVTGKdBl2L4_-c/s1600/mixer+tangerine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KPxcGv78GMOJ3pXKjRkLk4vGomTJOR5-8qfwu2Lso_TITWgEy6lnav3oovRgVYjkmFrRdoOceKFsA6d_dVy0sDrZrSLELaEJ7xQZSzCwgBTXCtb13hiZStyI7GwmmwKVTGKdBl2L4_-c/s320/mixer+tangerine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mmmmm.....tangerine.....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1tW3SFsR1h-2gTxTPNkYv6KM5uQ5U9QFvDlVM2CKztK8pyv3VANPy3nOfztOK2OGGyVWWgC13D1CtsdmKLvPCGHHwMEpsj-tqnioG2dsV9eU7KvC-dafPQqZ1pG9z0Jq8BxOj5FTBAgA/s1600/ice+mixer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia1tW3SFsR1h-2gTxTPNkYv6KM5uQ5U9QFvDlVM2CKztK8pyv3VANPy3nOfztOK2OGGyVWWgC13D1CtsdmKLvPCGHHwMEpsj-tqnioG2dsV9eU7KvC-dafPQqZ1pG9z0Jq8BxOj5FTBAgA/s320/ice+mixer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AAAAAHHH!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbvhPVilotXl39OtDIBtW4koK2q2W3YrTDSuz6lfu8GrANDtTGK_KTs1b0bC2VoQ5mHrARutNfBlCHPeV4cj9PihxlYjasNLOzbTCXDjicgrCDdKAT6tU3-8ZxKyWCj-zXHQIaGvzqIGE/s1600/mixer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbvhPVilotXl39OtDIBtW4koK2q2W3YrTDSuz6lfu8GrANDtTGK_KTs1b0bC2VoQ5mHrARutNfBlCHPeV4cj9PihxlYjasNLOzbTCXDjicgrCDdKAT6tU3-8ZxKyWCj-zXHQIaGvzqIGE/s320/mixer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WOWZA!</td></tr>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A KitchenAid </span> </span></b></div><h1 class="parseasinTitle " style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span id="btAsinTitle"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer</i></span></span></h1><div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">AREN'T </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THEY</span><b style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> BEAUTIFUL, TOO?!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you like one of these? You can pick the color. There are about a zillion colors to choose from.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Here is your chance.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">* </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">*</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">But, that's not all!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">***********************************</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, you are wondering where <span style="color: #cc0000;">Sarah Palin</span> fits in here?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfqgghQiltimsr1uVdWm4GljIn7yRtyfGtkuleyxXEE9co_Pn4FXY48MqIw1cejVrKmAkmkzTg0DNpNd2mtAt4bL3CeVR1-zDqFlS1CpgnveYe2c41jHykryYXkFfC78szvqB2Yd_wxsQ/s1600/IMG_8805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfqgghQiltimsr1uVdWm4GljIn7yRtyfGtkuleyxXEE9co_Pn4FXY48MqIw1cejVrKmAkmkzTg0DNpNd2mtAt4bL3CeVR1-zDqFlS1CpgnveYe2c41jHykryYXkFfC78szvqB2Yd_wxsQ/s320/IMG_8805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">CLICK on THIS PICTURE</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and really look at the detail.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What is <b><span style="color: #cc0000;">this picture</span></b> to you?</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">**************************</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is it a big huge gift?</span></b></div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjXsxafOSfhARkRphIaDq7fXh3mmcLS5Vytae95g9xPCdvH_FBSzqUQ0Uy-NIWBhwor1w4aLUUzAqWfWSXoj8OKPnSrZs-lUhk-3DBYB_Z2jSo5jL-vS92RwKPemVTzpv7k4emxqA4kYd/s1600/gift" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjXsxafOSfhARkRphIaDq7fXh3mmcLS5Vytae95g9xPCdvH_FBSzqUQ0Uy-NIWBhwor1w4aLUUzAqWfWSXoj8OKPnSrZs-lUhk-3DBYB_Z2jSo5jL-vS92RwKPemVTzpv7k4emxqA4kYd/s1600/gift" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">********************************************</div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I HOPE SO!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Whether you <span style="color: #cc0000;">love</span> her politics....or have a strong dislike for her politics.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">SHE <b>will</b> be a part <span style="font-family: inherit;">o</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">f</span><b> </b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the</span> <b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">future </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">AND</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-style: italic;"> a part of </span><b style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">history</span></b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu7WGIH8rfZDWvJvN7Z5lir3bWZafKxQnurGBxBcmO0gaWa0VWrv5gsE5hTzFOvyBSb5EboYpAhAriPR_Gz7wWDCKol3EEfSkhQuPToCwSECRYYoILj0NveIkjnhPdnHMdSLz9Qoe-82U/s1600/IMG_8802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHu7WGIH8rfZDWvJvN7Z5lir3bWZafKxQnurGBxBcmO0gaWa0VWrv5gsE5hTzFOvyBSb5EboYpAhAriPR_Gz7wWDCKol3EEfSkhQuPToCwSECRYYoILj0NveIkjnhPdnHMdSLz9Qoe-82U/s320/IMG_8802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Maybe you'll put this photograph <span style="font-size: x-small;">(the picture itself is 8 x 12")</span> on your mantle<span style="font-size: large;">...</span></i></div><div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>"With Love.....Sarah Palin"</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>(that's what it says)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br />
</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can tell you this...when she held our little Ricky...she was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">loving</span></i> </b></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">him.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Can you see Ricky's sign?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNktp5gIuebzXKivmrrTccb1kLouHowBmrotn-tpQHtdmft4NcrKNfUIe-5-22KCTKAOzPbrdhBun5bjmiSMmsf2cEeJ1lfwYJrl3pD0uKgsg8RSWhB5vseqQMf3gUVKNeF0qRvsPR4XO/s1600/IMG_8816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNktp5gIuebzXKivmrrTccb1kLouHowBmrotn-tpQHtdmft4NcrKNfUIe-5-22KCTKAOzPbrdhBun5bjmiSMmsf2cEeJ1lfwYJrl3pD0uKgsg8RSWhB5vseqQMf3gUVKNeF0qRvsPR4XO/s320/IMG_8816.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Isn't that the truth! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Trig IS perfect....of course....he has Down syndrome!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">WAIT...THAT'S NOT ALL!</span><br />
<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: x-large;"><b>GET THIS</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">**UP to $2,500 of the money raised <b>starting today</b> will be** matched dollar for dollar!</span><br />
<span style="color: #45818e; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If we did this...Shannon would be on her way home...oh yeah!</span><br />
<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Your $2,500 would turn into $5,000 and then...tada!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">MIXER</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">or </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">PICTURE</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">or </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">TONS of other giveaways!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Whose in?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://faithsetfree.blogspot.com/2012/02/almost-there-fundraiser.html">GO HERE</a></span> to enter into this giveaway...follow the simple directions!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-84223270894990767312012-02-04T05:43:00.000-08:002012-02-04T05:46:15.247-08:00If you think you are done....you're not!Hmmm...what do I mean by that?<br />
<br />
When I read this scripture before, it meant only one this to me:<br />
<br />
"Once our eyes are opened, we can't pretend we don't know what to do. God, who weighs our hearts and keeps our souls, knows that we know, and holds us responsible. to act." -Provers 24:12<br />
<br />
It meant adopt...adopt....adopt. <br />
<br />
I found this posted on another blog when we were adopting Stas. We came home with Stas and I felt I had no other choice but to go back to adopt another, or even two others. As we settled in, I realized that would be impossible, unless I had a couple of live-in help. The desire didn't leave me and it was painful. I had seen the plight of orphans with disabilites. I wanted more than ANYTHING to go get more.....heck I could even hire people and start an orphanage here....a humane family orphanage...something like that.<br />
<br />
Life continued, it really was truly impossible. I prayed for God to take the desire from me if I wasn't able to adopt, but not take the passion for the children. I still ache with every face I see, but I know my calling is different now. Not to adopt, but to do everything else that I can for them.<br />
<br />
Pray!<br />
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Fund-raise for the families that are adopting!<br />
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Advocate for the families that are adopting!<br />
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Donate myself!<br />
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Do all I can to make the lives of the orphans who won't be adopted better!<br />
<br />
When we were in Ukraine, we met Valentyna. You have never met an all around more beautiful person. She loves God with everything in her. I have never seen anyone trust God like she does. He always provides "just what I need, nothing more." She has the biggest heart for the impoverished and abandoned of Ukraine. She is trying to meet the whole person...the spiritual part never is forgotten.<br />
<br />
She started <a href="http://chaliceofmercy.org/">Chalice of Mercy</a> and the miracle that take place through the work are indescribable. She is humble and knows where any credit goes. We are instruments in His hands. We are His.<br />
<br />
Val is sending over a 20 foot container to Ukraine filled with items for the hospice they are supporting. Another 20 feet has been added to go to Kalinovka, the same "orphanage" in the region where Stas came from and where he would have gone in the very short future. Not so. He is home!<br />
<br />
I wanted to share with you pictures of SOME of items that we were able to collect here in MN to sent to Chicago to board a container to go to Ukraine. Then we are going to videotape Valentyna translating our therapists instuctions on PT, OT, and speech. Explaining what they are doing and why. We will make a little instructional video. Low budget! But something.<br />
<br />
We have to do what we can.<br />
<br />
All of us.<br />
<br />
If your eyes are open, you must act.<br />
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God knows we know.<br />
<br />
He holds us responsible to act.<br />
<br />
I want to do more....we will do what we can.<br />
<br />
Look at these beautiful wheelchairs. This isn't even the therapy items that are going to Kalinovka. And all of the new mattresses for every person at Kalinovka! ALL of them that Chalice of Mercy is sending over.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxYLjVwsqvF42jq1gUcbtM_dE_OL3YYp8ooYG3shIiU5qusm3x6aicIm8aLKQbJgXR-OuXX4I3puUZxPdzZnDUbIn3rnCNBz2gvDjhOT9szsmgwi6jBQk5ePfzAS3YJ5EEzIHbeQfKM7M/s1600/IMG_7998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxYLjVwsqvF42jq1gUcbtM_dE_OL3YYp8ooYG3shIiU5qusm3x6aicIm8aLKQbJgXR-OuXX4I3puUZxPdzZnDUbIn3rnCNBz2gvDjhOT9szsmgwi6jBQk5ePfzAS3YJ5EEzIHbeQfKM7M/s320/IMG_7998.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just needed to show you our former orphan!!! Love the joy!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGYVqpmbpAA5Vz6AjYLxt4qXnhJMB4ePbVRAN1pl-W-vMwvM5r4YO4neV2Toa4-DJEuY6rBaJDkrzLu5aZTJ7Un7TQ1SdocG6StdwgWuKVRE5SJeC0jL7Qy4dbade4qOSxtnX0Cxvkywu/s1600/truck" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIGYVqpmbpAA5Vz6AjYLxt4qXnhJMB4ePbVRAN1pl-W-vMwvM5r4YO4neV2Toa4-DJEuY6rBaJDkrzLu5aZTJ7Un7TQ1SdocG6StdwgWuKVRE5SJeC0jL7Qy4dbade4qOSxtnX0Cxvkywu/s320/truck" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Mike! You are awesome. Mike agreed to send our items in his trucks to Chicago.....thanks BJ Transport!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table>Please pray this all gets to them in March as hoped for. Please pray more good things come the way of the orphans....families are a nice touch.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-47864868489398882492012-01-26T08:59:00.000-08:002012-01-26T09:13:17.279-08:00I would if I could....I would adopt them all if I could. I can't. My heart literally aches for these children. The children who were abandoned in Eastern Europe at birth because they weren't "perfect." I know God doesn't make mistakes. They are all made in HIS image and they ARE PERFECT.<br />
<br />
While I can't adopt them all...because I am only one person....I can do my part.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I know what I must do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can reach out to those who can adopt....</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>And I can work to improve the lives of those who are not adopted into a family. </b></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have an amazing opportunity. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">We all do. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">What part are you able to play?</span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The director of a mental institution (the very institution that Stas would have gone to by the time he was 6 years old) is a wonderful man. This "home" houses people with disabilities ages 5-35. (sigh) He has been there several years and is working to make a difference in a place that was not well cared for prior.</span><br />
<br />
I was setting out to gather Physical Therapy equipment, just good thing for building strength, etc...for the people of this "home." I was looking looking for these items: good quality treadmill, therapy staircase, good quality stationary bike and more. I still need these things...but the list just grew.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is good. </div><br />
Amazingly, I have been given a list from the director of the needs they have. The items in blue are the ones that I am supposed to procure. But, everything on this list is needed.<br />
<br />
How will this get to Ukraine?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.chaliceofmercy.org/">Chalice of Mercy</a> is the organization that is working to get these items. This is a 501c3, based here in the US, but is supporting the needs of the most vulnerable in Ukraine. <a href="http://www.mission-outreach.org/index.html">Sisters Mission Outreach</a>, based in Chicago, will be collecting the items and be responsible for the shipping. Any items collected in Chicago can go straight to them. Any items collected in the Twin Cities will come to me and I will have a truck going down to bring them. If you are able to send me anything thing here that can go through the mail, I will add it to my shipment.<br />
<br />
When you look at the list below, do you know anyone that is connected to retail, hospitals, nursing homes, hardware stores, etc... Any therapists that may have extra equipment. I know my therapy place said they get things donated and they could give them to me. My church has a couple extra wheelchairs, etc....<br />
<br />
Do you have friends in Chicago that have connections?<br />
<br />
Please let me know or email me at dgthibault@comcast.net if you are able to help in any way.<br />
<br />
THE LIST:<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Massage tables</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> (preferably with adjustable/tilt head) - 10<br />
<br />
<b>Variety of hand massagers</b><br />
<br />
<b>Air mattresses</b> (preferable king size to be used to take bedridden children outside)- 4 </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Tarps</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> (to cover the ground and protect the mattresses or equipment)</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Inflateable pools</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> - 3 pieces (the size 6.5 ft x 6.5 ft and 6.5 ft x 10 feet) for bathing children<br />
<br />
<b>Large Exercise balls</b> (Yoga balls) - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Disks with cartoons, CD with sounds</b> - birds, river, sea, etc.<br />
<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><b style="color: #f1c232;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">feeding bottles</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #f1c232;"> - 100.</span><br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <b style="color: #f1c232;">Diapers</b><span style="color: #f1c232;"> from 12kg to 24kg - 10000 </span><br />
<br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Wheelchairs (up to 12 years)</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> - 5<br />
<br />
<b>Other Wheelchairs</b> - 10<br />
</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #f1c232; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b>Matresses</b> for children with a waterproof cover from age 6 to 15 years - 50., </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">Adults - 45 pcs.</span><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #365f91;">Play pen (</span></b><span style="color: #365f91;">to take children outside) - 5.<br />
<br />
<b>Lifting machine</b> for bedridden children - 2</span> <br />
<br />
<b style="color: #f1c232;">Sterilizing lamp</b><span style="color: #f1c232;"> - 5.</span><br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <b style="color: #f1c232;">blood pressure monitor</b><span style="color: #f1c232;"> - 3 (Automatic - 2)</span><br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <br style="color: #f1c232;" /> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><b style="color: #f1c232;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">Glucose monitor with 1000 strips</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #365f91;">Anti bed sore pillows</span></b><span style="color: #365f91;"> - 50.</span><br />
<br />
<b style="color: #f1c232;">Electronic scales for weighing bedridden children</b><span style="color: #f1c232;"> (weight 50 kg, height 1m70sm) - 2 </span><br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <b style="color: #f1c232;">Athletic shoes for boys</b><span style="color: #f1c232;">:</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; color: #f1c232; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; color: #f1c232; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">sizes 12-4.5 (European size 30 to 37) - 40 pairs<br />
sizes 5-11.5 (European size 38-45) - 65 pairs</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #f1c232;">sizes 10.5 to 11.5 (European sizes 44-45) - 2 pairs</span><br style="color: #f1c232;" /> <br />
<b><span style="color: #365f91;">Blankets:</span></b></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> Adult size (width 5+ feet) - 45</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><span lang="EN" style="color: #365f91; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"> Baby - 30 <br />
</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
<b style="color: #f1c232;">Thermometers</b><span style="color: #f1c232;"> – 20</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; color: #0b5394; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% whitesmoke; color: #0b5394; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: top;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt;">***We are also looking for ANY physical therapy equipment that would be useful to the children/adults of Kalinovka.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></h6>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-90638265119134585252012-01-15T20:21:00.000-08:002012-01-16T13:40:37.073-08:00Remembering my Dad<style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUPOiXgNuBMMjFiy8p7pAY2mWucxFTJ54QmoIDvLq8Dq4y0CVJG_2f_75m-B6l_6ZhHNXkwWuOQ-ncPB9wBkYVmSqVdt7kqyplZXTguig0nt0tvLTB22aD8m34mun2pgXr5CgKsycuPoZ/s1600/dad" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUPOiXgNuBMMjFiy8p7pAY2mWucxFTJ54QmoIDvLq8Dq4y0CVJG_2f_75m-B6l_6ZhHNXkwWuOQ-ncPB9wBkYVmSqVdt7kqyplZXTguig0nt0tvLTB22aD8m34mun2pgXr5CgKsycuPoZ/s320/dad" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William G. Muller (a.k.a. "Dad")</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">On Wednesday, January 11, 2012 by dad, William (Bill) G. Muller died at the age of 69. It was sudden and unexpected. He died in his sleep. He was in his favorite position. He was cuddled up to his pillow and his hands tucked and curled up under his chin. He looked comfortable and peaceful.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">At my dad’s funeral, my two brothers, Bill and Matt, and my sister, Sue, and I offered these words of remembrance for those who were present. We each took a part, and made a pact not to cry. We would speak with volume and confidence, just as dad would want us to. Here is how it went:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">*************************************************************************</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Matt—the funny guy):</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Blessed are the poor in spirit - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Blessed are the meek - for they will inherit the land.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Blessed are the peacemakers- for they will be called children of God.”</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If <b>this</b> sounds like the man whose death you are here to mourn—I think you are looking for the Larson funeral at Faith Lutheran just next door.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">While poor in spirit, meek and peacemaker are not the best words to describe our father, there are numerous other words that come to mind:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Smart:</span></u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Dad was smart. Dad graduated from St. Joes in 1965—the year my brother Bill was born—and went on to earn two graduate degrees over the next decade. Dad was a smart guy. He knew a lot about a lot – And what he didn’t know – he said with confidence and volume and moved on. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">The <i>smartest</i> thing my dad ever did was to marry our mom, MaryAnn. She loved him so well with everything she had and everything she was.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Bill):</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Teacher:</span></u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Dad taught grad school at three different universities – two in Iowa and one in Philly. Dad liked to teach. Dad liked to share his views…regardless of your willingness or interest in “learning” from him at that particular moment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">His children learned a great deal from him. From Dad we learned that most things <i>can</i> be accomplished if you confidently forge ahead - despite the risk of personal injury to himself or others. Failure -- if you live through it – is the most successful learning experience.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Dreamer:</span></u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Dad lived in the moment – but he was a planner and a dreamer. To him, planning <i>was</i> living in the moment, and the plan – big or small – well thought out or not -- was everything. Dad didn’t often sweat the big things (like crashing a car on prom night) -- and too often sweat the little things (like slamming the refrigerator door) – and whether or not his plan or dream <i>actually </i>came to fruition didn’t really matter that much to him.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Gretchen):</span></u></i><br />
<u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Humility:</span></u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> While humility wasn’t Dad’s strong suit – he did humble himself to God and was a generous servant. Whether he was making rosaries for the church or great plans for the parish – he was a good steward. Dad had a great sense of humor – especially about his mortality. Dad’s sense of humor – regardless of its level of appropriateness – was a great gift to all of us. We pray that God shares this sense of humor – at lease to <i>some</i> degree. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><u><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Dedicated:</span></u><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Underneath his brusque exterior -- Dad was kind at heart. He was dedicated to providing for his family and played his part in providing for mom, raising two <b><i>wonderful </i></b>daughters and two <i>(pause)</i> sons. <i>(Best when said by one of his wonderful daughters </i></span><i>:-</i><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">) </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(SUE):</span></i></div><div style="color: #eeeeee;"><style>
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</style> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">So where is Dad now and what is he doing?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I hope dad is in heaven, with his grandchild, Michael and all his miscarried grandchildren; his sisters, Helen and Marion; his nephew, Robert; his parents, and our friend, Helen Miller. But, I think it is best to assume that my dad is in Purgatory now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I imagine Purgatory to be like that of CS Lewis’ description. He describes our time in Purgatory to being like a man on a long journey who, at night, finally reaches the beautiful mansion illuminated on the hill. He can look inside the window and clearly see all of the sumptuous food displayed beautifully on an endless banquet table. But, he realizes he needs to clean up before he can go in. So there he waits, not yet ready to join the banquet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">With this description in mind – I can see Dad, ball cap on, a little rumpled and a bit grimy from the journey – with his nose pressed up against the window – mouth watering – waiting to go inside. I can also see the table – sauerbraten, spaetzle, pickled herring, liverwurst, and why not – icy cold beer.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>(This, you see, is when Sue broke the pact…she couldn’t hold back the tears any longer—we each resigned to the tears)</i> So we must all keep Dad in our prayers and ask God to reward his goodness and his love – and forgive him of his failings. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">And Dad – by now you have realized that that there is nothing you can do but accept God’s endless mercy – soak up God’s love – and pray for us so that we will all be united in heaven for eternity.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">(Matt returned):</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Blessed are those who mourn – for they will be comforted.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – for they will be satisfied.</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">“Blessed are the clean of heart – for they will see God.”</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><i><span style="font-size: 14pt;">***********************************************************************</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I love you dad. While I never really got to say to you all the things that I wanted to say; And I never got to know if you knew what it is that I wanted to say to you….it no longer matters. Because you get it now. You have heard it. You have been shown it. You understand. I have such great peace with knowing you understand. It is freeing. I feel only love and I miss you now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Thank you for all of the good that you have done for me and for each of us.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Again, I love you. Please pray for me as I too shall be praying for you.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Love, Gretchen (your “Gooch”)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #eeeeee;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-8611268545572973822012-01-09T19:29:00.000-08:002012-01-09T19:29:03.124-08:00What would we do without adoption?We know all 8 of our kids were chosen by God. Three of them we seemed to have a little more of a say in. We didn't know which kids we were getting with 5 of them....just merely that we were getting them.<br />
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What would we do without adoption? I can't imagine that life and would never want to. Each on of them bring such a joy to our lives. They reach deeper into our heart and teach us a new lesson on love.<br />
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We didn't adopt because we wanted more laundry, higher grocery bills, a larger van, a tad bit more noise around the house, or that we wanted to take up a whole pew in church. <br />
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Why did we adopt? God placed our children on our heart. Each one of them, in his time. It is funny. I remember before each one of them thinking my plate was too full. Viola! God spoke.<br />
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So many people tell us how lucky our three adopted kids are to have us....oh, on the contraire....it is us that are so, so, so blessed to have them. They are all gift. Look at them.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">They are all gift!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do you see gifts?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">God knew just what He was doing when he spoke to us in our hearts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you God!!!</div><span id="goog_1205718646"></span><span id="goog_1205718647"></span>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-32278847620317666242012-01-09T14:20:00.000-08:002012-01-09T14:20:49.556-08:00He's a big boy now!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrsPJIiB2an-WP-eb1RaoMcEGZsJZpYI_eyklXey-638LY2seUdj2X1U0nCfPBauGKjGLVztT5xiIXdxl61O9mj2LaWHM6pZ3wkgaLl__YENLNy-Cf7ynWWmYIOb3E3yEuk1V5YGpHSdq/s1600/IMG_7379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrsPJIiB2an-WP-eb1RaoMcEGZsJZpYI_eyklXey-638LY2seUdj2X1U0nCfPBauGKjGLVztT5xiIXdxl61O9mj2LaWHM6pZ3wkgaLl__YENLNy-Cf7ynWWmYIOb3E3yEuk1V5YGpHSdq/s320/IMG_7379.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeGePXu0VPoO332FUTg37x4zb8sM_HTnZdAA9402e6-Oguki6T5AZhzIeY3cXfQGXd4dTswqL9qCLBgPRnM88_CU2_-10sv1xntJ8ItHy5ZO0RIQF-Pdvl7F1DlWT5_I8RfEBuMvpS06f/s1600/IMG_7381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgeGePXu0VPoO332FUTg37x4zb8sM_HTnZdAA9402e6-Oguki6T5AZhzIeY3cXfQGXd4dTswqL9qCLBgPRnM88_CU2_-10sv1xntJ8ItHy5ZO0RIQF-Pdvl7F1DlWT5_I8RfEBuMvpS06f/s320/IMG_7381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ricky lost his first tooth!!!!Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-75223563989657988142011-12-31T20:54:00.000-08:002011-12-31T20:56:47.684-08:00Happy Old Year!Just want to share a few photos from our Happy Old Year before the new one rings in....in just over an hour.<br />
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We are enjoying some family time together in the great white north.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY6Aq0C4AyogL6l1edqGCyAWxbaap5Q8Wl3L3qOj2uFEGaMcSWE_cz_HNrlQswVhnmydawMkKp1UffKC3SeQvosIYwPArEHAbHEPjQ6XOoqByoQ9Bt977zxnBbeGUU9w81wgT_AQ-Cisk/s1600/IMG_6677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikY6Aq0C4AyogL6l1edqGCyAWxbaap5Q8Wl3L3qOj2uFEGaMcSWE_cz_HNrlQswVhnmydawMkKp1UffKC3SeQvosIYwPArEHAbHEPjQ6XOoqByoQ9Bt977zxnBbeGUU9w81wgT_AQ-Cisk/s320/IMG_6677.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beauty Jenny!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXML09b-vcat7Co8utrf95p8_5OeGWqJR4pBBR4G8zmVdsYtPPXIkO_1qp1nzV8szlSlNIqHkYUfbEz5ajmXXZvoLo_4ZwvKF3y5xejX88B56a2ANGFBu33aSEyKHYSrKJm_IoPYYKuGu6/s1600/IMG_6863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXML09b-vcat7Co8utrf95p8_5OeGWqJR4pBBR4G8zmVdsYtPPXIkO_1qp1nzV8szlSlNIqHkYUfbEz5ajmXXZvoLo_4ZwvKF3y5xejX88B56a2ANGFBu33aSEyKHYSrKJm_IoPYYKuGu6/s320/IMG_6863.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What'd you say?" ---Lizzy's photo...cool huh?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1lgGfPH1k7Fx1032wFZgU2TsASMNaxUYOaPL01SFSCwlKXuLG4QIJ9Jt5TFEiWWTPY59jR4qUFR13chHF783OjEcMxdGKOHarnvernrja3xeE1cHJl6B2wX3EEvUeaCIg_JTe3ldgytH/s1600/IMG_6707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw1lgGfPH1k7Fx1032wFZgU2TsASMNaxUYOaPL01SFSCwlKXuLG4QIJ9Jt5TFEiWWTPY59jR4qUFR13chHF783OjEcMxdGKOHarnvernrja3xeE1cHJl6B2wX3EEvUeaCIg_JTe3ldgytH/s320/IMG_6707.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look who found the blueberries he got from his godmother!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyP4WwH6Ag-lJnaxpMEOdXPWWKxNAB2zvfg1nX-l0pz0fKO-iSmmEn1AXVUGnn4WN6yWtCUcs-xy-8ihjF3A-qq1ockycljQAra0LNN-nW23bfxuu2-l_mh0BxcTr6nq-RJ_bqrxN9Tz4/s1600/394258_145882562189172_100003022887351_187158_675701496_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyP4WwH6Ag-lJnaxpMEOdXPWWKxNAB2zvfg1nX-l0pz0fKO-iSmmEn1AXVUGnn4WN6yWtCUcs-xy-8ihjF3A-qq1ockycljQAra0LNN-nW23bfxuu2-l_mh0BxcTr6nq-RJ_bqrxN9Tz4/s320/394258_145882562189172_100003022887351_187158_675701496_n.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our house Christmas eve eve.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDooEKUnSJfAfJBiRGJBfXVxOeRJsndPNMD3uDmRl0m9RTwhdl7vIZX33s2cx6aYgkKkGUE-Mo8lVbyCM18-KtsHMcxcivC9JF4bG2KLtWRpyF03AYISIOi7aLcwLlk6djaSfsZYg4vpJ/s1600/IMG_6622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDooEKUnSJfAfJBiRGJBfXVxOeRJsndPNMD3uDmRl0m9RTwhdl7vIZX33s2cx6aYgkKkGUE-Mo8lVbyCM18-KtsHMcxcivC9JF4bG2KLtWRpyF03AYISIOi7aLcwLlk6djaSfsZYg4vpJ/s320/IMG_6622.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gu15ejHolmval2FTKr_Vv5GgotjqvMBXuGKr5skif-5ddYQy78uSNvnryNtDiMkGg0-dQiryxKOor3zsXR2Jkqd4DzbOakCBPifGNwZrtZe-4LRsOhsw4grOiGoQHlaxj68QtaP09M2W/s1600/IMG_6646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gu15ejHolmval2FTKr_Vv5GgotjqvMBXuGKr5skif-5ddYQy78uSNvnryNtDiMkGg0-dQiryxKOor3zsXR2Jkqd4DzbOakCBPifGNwZrtZe-4LRsOhsw4grOiGoQHlaxj68QtaP09M2W/s320/IMG_6646.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie was sick for 7 days over Christmas. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>And now we await the NEW YEAR! Bless us Lord. Help us above everything to love and serve You in this new year.<br />
<span id="goog_440796473"></span><span id="goog_440796474"></span>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-4623677184038534902011-12-31T11:44:00.000-08:002011-12-31T11:44:27.076-08:00Micah Six Eight: GOD IS ON THE MOVE....<a href="http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2011/12/god-is-on-move.html?spref=bl">Micah Six Eight: GOD IS ON THE MOVE....</a>: HE'S MOVING PEOPLE. God is moving in hearts. THE BABES ARE MOVING UP!! Don't miss out. It is beyond fun to watch the little ones climbin...Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-72045155276849189122011-11-28T08:22:00.000-08:002011-11-28T08:22:16.444-08:00Micah Six Eight: The Passed Over Babes<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><br /></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><br /></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title">PLEASE READ JULIA'S Blog here and then scroll to the bottom to go to her blog and be a part of this great giveaway.....either do it ofor the sweet little loves or for the hope of winning a neat prize!!!</h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><a href="http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2011/11/passed-over-babes.html">The Passed Over Babes</a> </h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div style="text-align: center;">On Saturday I opened up the <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/angeltreekids/">Angel Tree</a> and began to scroll through the faces. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Many of them new faces... first time Angel Tree children. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">But many were way too familiar. And it saddened me. Faces of children who have sat for two or more years on the tree.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/562/artem-k">Artem</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/682/sergei-g">Sergei</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/976/spencer-35">Spencer</a> </div><a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/ArtemK.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/ArtemK.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/SergeiGaqsx-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/SergeiGaqsx-9.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Spencer.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Spencer.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Children who will AGAIN be hanging ON a tree this year instead of sitting UNDER it. Children who have spent one more year of their lives isolated and alone. Most of them passed over because of bad pictures or because of sad expressions on their faces. How to get them noticed? How to get them from being passed over another year??<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/369/jin-wu">Jin Wu</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/388/arina-p">Arina</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/271/danila-g">Danila</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/JinWu.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/JinWu.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/ArinaP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/ArinaP.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/DanilaG.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/DanilaG.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What could I do? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I clicked on several of the links. Prayed over them - wondered. What could I do? I felt the Lord nudging but what could I do? I don't have money for a big Giveaway. I'm well aware I have done precious little for Spencer's grant account. Artem is still without a family. There are so many more. So many more. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/10975/robyn-cr07-2">Robyn</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/379/dmitry-sh">Dimtry</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/297/mark-latin-america">Mark</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Robyn%28region2%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Robyn%28region2%29.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/DmitrySh.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/DmitrySh.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Mark%28LatinAmerica%29.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Mark%28LatinAmerica%29.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">They all have Christmas Warriors so why shouldn't I just concentrate on my own???</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">What could I do??</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yet the faces of those who have hung for so long lay heavy on my heart. What could I do? God was nudging but what could I do?<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/382/meredith1">Meredith</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/685/nikita-r-mp1w-13">Nikita</a> <a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/679/paul-j">Paul</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Meredith2006.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/Meredith2006.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/NikitaR13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/NikitaR13.jpg" border="0" /></a> <img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/PaulJy3x0-13.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amazingly, God wasn't just nudging my heart. <a href="http://www.packofpashos.blogspot.com/">Another Mom's heart</a> was also being nudged. He nudged her enough that she sent me an e-mail. On Saturday morning about the same time I was staring at faces on the Angel Tree she was writing me a letter. Her Angel Tree child has been wasting away on the Tree too. No family in sight. What could she do? She had some money set aside and offered it to me for a Giveaway. We could raise money AND AWARENESS for Spencer and for her little guy. And anyone else I chose. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I sat stunned and in awe. OUT OF ALL THE ANGEL TREE KIDS... Her Angel Tree child was ONE OF THE CHILDREN I HAD CLICKED ON. HER LITTLE GUY WAS ONE I HAD PRAYED OVER!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sergei</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/SergeiGaqsx-9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/SergeiGaqsx-9.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="176" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear Lord. The Father of the Fatherless nudging hearts into action. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All the faces of the little ones whom I recognized on the tree from last year... and the year before. They flashed in front of me as I read her offer. THOSE were the babes I wanted to help. Those little ones. My Spencer, My Artem, Her Sergei and more.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/540/yegor-b">Yegor</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/YegorB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://static.reecesrainbow.org/images/AT2011/YegorB.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I can't do much but I can do something. I can give those kids another opportunity to be SEEN. Put their faces out. Remind you that they have been waiting FAR TOO LONG. The passed over babes on the past Angel Trees.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So here is the deal...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids above have all been on the Angel Tree since 2009.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">All of them are close to or are already transferred.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are doing a PASSED OVER BABES Giveaway...<br /><br /><span style="color: red;">WE HAVE 10 AMAZING PRIZES IN THIS GIVEAWAY!! </span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You give FIVE DOLLARS to <u>TWO OR MORE</u> kids below and leave me a comment - I will enter your name in our Giveaway - ONE ENTRY FOR EVERY CHILD!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">AND</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">AFTER YOU DONATE TO TWO OR MORE....<br /><br />IF you BLOG about these kids..... you get another chance to win in our Giveaway. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">AND/OR...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">IF you FACEBOOK or TWITTER about these kids... you get another chance to win in our Giveaway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Give FIRST, then share and share.....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Put their faces out there. Let people know these are the PASSED OVER BABES who have sat far too long on the Angel Tree. THEY NEED FAMILIES. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">WHAT CAN YOU WIN???</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> 1. A KINDLE TOUCH - (99.00 value)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi" height="239" width="211" id="rg_hi" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTUJPwib1FKWfOrWAH7Q7d3zCcBYZQQnKZvyNbt8aWxcMFLcYyO" style="height: 239px; width: 211px;" height="239" width="211" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. FLIP ULTRA HD VIDEO CAMERA 8 GB 3RD GENERATION - Newest Model (150.00 value)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flip-UltraHD-Video-Camera-Generation/dp/B0040702HA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1322482052&sr=8-1"><img alt="Product Details" class="productImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31-DS3s9ygL._AA115_.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. 100 DOLLAR GIFT CERTIFICATE TO <a href="http://www.thevintagepearl.com/">THE VINTAGE PEARL</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="the vintage pearl - custom hand stamped jewelry" class="NoImageEffects" id="ctl00_imgLogo" src="http://www.thevintagepearl.com/Images/Logo.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; height: 98px; width: 304px;" /><img alt="hand stamped jewelry" src="http://www.thevintagepearl.com/Upload/image/christmasspecials2.jpg" height="128" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each and every piece is handcrafted from start to finish in the studio. They use sterling silver and freshwater pearls in their creations!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. A SIGNED COPY OF <a href="http://www.biblioplan.net/">BIBLIOPLAN'S</a> ANCIENT HISTORY BOOK (59.95 value)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">by Rob and Julia Nalle</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-8j0V32iQdOZDmZcrORtKYL9-gPg6156arS78fue2jGaN6vG4SqeZY_42QUtwgli34c8Na88qGUgHqMJBecYE_yZ7H0DF-Mim1ZiNMqz0xxFzBPpWPAp-68XWei_FlYmxzC8hj-c8Ect/s1600/ancienthistorynewboldcover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc-8j0V32iQdOZDmZcrORtKYL9-gPg6156arS78fue2jGaN6vG4SqeZY_42QUtwgli34c8Na88qGUgHqMJBecYE_yZ7H0DF-Mim1ZiNMqz0xxFzBPpWPAp-68XWei_FlYmxzC8hj-c8Ect/s400/ancienthistorynewboldcover.png" border="0" height="400" width="307" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. A set of 4 hand-carved wooden Christmas ornaments (50.00 value) </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yT5mGtQ65cXc3wuiQHxJZB9bPaxOsQVMFrXfy-5PnyaSBEzQ3ESn2MzHaJtTI6AKBxYbYa0fVpnpL7HMMt5ufJYqZkaBpafAIjUtz7577yQHx5wP8dG5c05V3J1fgZ1VMr5oTF_RgAsG/s1600/image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yT5mGtQ65cXc3wuiQHxJZB9bPaxOsQVMFrXfy-5PnyaSBEzQ3ESn2MzHaJtTI6AKBxYbYa0fVpnpL7HMMt5ufJYqZkaBpafAIjUtz7577yQHx5wP8dG5c05V3J1fgZ1VMr5oTF_RgAsG/s1600/image.jpeg" border="0" /></a></div> </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> 6. A 50 Dollar YOUR CHOICE Gift card </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7. A 50 Dollar YOUR CHOICE Gift card</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8. A 25 Dollar YOUR CHOICE Gift card</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9. A 10 Dollar YOUR CHOICE Gift card</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10. A 10 Dollar YOUR CHOICE Gift card.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" class="rg_hi" height="225" width="225" id="rg_hi" 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" style="height: 225px; width: 225px;" height="225" width="225" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These YOUR CHOICE cards are to ANY store, restaurant, mall etc. that you desire. You tell us what you want and we will deliver!! Amazon, Walmart, Cracker Barrel, Starbucks, Kohls, etc. etc.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Will you help the PASSED OVER BABES??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They have been on the Angel Tree since 2009. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know that many of you have ALREADY donated to some of these kids... I'm asking you to donate again. Donate because all I am asking is for 5.00 for TWO OR MORE KIDS who have spent their lives being passed over. Please - don't pass them by again. NOTICE THEM. Their pictures may be bad. They may not be smiling. Their descriptions may scare you off. But they are PRECIOUS PRECIOUS BABES. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's NOT pass them over again this year!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THIS GIVEAWAY ENDS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9TH!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you have trouble leaving comments in Internet Explorer - then switch to another server (Google Chrome works great) or FB me... JULIA NALLE</div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://covenantbuilders.blogspot.com/2011/11/passed-over-babes.html?spref=bl">CLICK HERE to be a part of this great offering!!! Micah Six Eight: The Passed Over Babes</a>: On Saturday I opened up the Angel Tree and began to scroll through the faces. Many of them new faces... first time Angel Tree children. ...Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-89800820410461492062011-10-25T11:17:00.000-07:002011-10-25T11:24:24.173-07:00Funny question I was asked today :-)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwfOgLwx9s2XUztoyoQFx6gl10V3YREsuybg0MmCgkvTFqHCbuIcgK1uluoSRfdekN18lardx1ZinFwlZNI655zMN5VRPSf1gtOaJmPwOhCLh9SuqPfbh1GvuD7EgZMLaq7bcjMocl0ef/s1600/broom+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJwfOgLwx9s2XUztoyoQFx6gl10V3YREsuybg0MmCgkvTFqHCbuIcgK1uluoSRfdekN18lardx1ZinFwlZNI655zMN5VRPSf1gtOaJmPwOhCLh9SuqPfbh1GvuD7EgZMLaq7bcjMocl0ef/s1600/broom+1.JPG" /></a></div><br />
When I dropped Stas and Ricky off at school today, one of Stas' teachers asked if we have been cleaning at home. I laughed.<br />
<br />
My friend comes to help me clean once a week and Stas is fascinated with all of it. The vacuum, the broom, the mop and the duster...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">...oh, the duster. That is his favorite.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-XeEvBk0PPxG5Xj6gySlLPxmid5XWn7QKnGwKi3yGwVcH5LWTj9ovpp30EzxgeUhmRQYUBMUjPzd2QfK4ri1VWIZVwRDUtnMKeOxKkABN1bEPy1vVhSBIFKZMgiYQoUY1qoyhQ-xV5mn/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-XeEvBk0PPxG5Xj6gySlLPxmid5XWn7QKnGwKi3yGwVcH5LWTj9ovpp30EzxgeUhmRQYUBMUjPzd2QfK4ri1VWIZVwRDUtnMKeOxKkABN1bEPy1vVhSBIFKZMgiYQoUY1qoyhQ-xV5mn/s320/IMG_3649.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Oh wait, it might be more fun to push this table over instead...again."</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiany0Dd32YzmtxX2fOrbQfFAiPpRU6ShMuo-RIevGR3Mei1DddOQVr403BOT-QJ6Osvdhh83sA0dYiE-XDk3WOPtvRj9TT9DFHl_IlGaL9T02FOuqJRE_VFomtLGvNBv3htCTKdg-cSCX6/s1600/hook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiany0Dd32YzmtxX2fOrbQfFAiPpRU6ShMuo-RIevGR3Mei1DddOQVr403BOT-QJ6Osvdhh83sA0dYiE-XDk3WOPtvRj9TT9DFHl_IlGaL9T02FOuqJRE_VFomtLGvNBv3htCTKdg-cSCX6/s1600/hook.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Do you have any idea how happy I was to get this lock on this broom closet.....PURE BLISS!! I have a few extra hours to my day now where I don't have to protect the walls, clean up brooms, dustpans, vacuum parts and protect peoples eyes and heads from flailing broom handles. The windows too. Yikes.<br />
<br />
How do you suppose I get him to learn to pick up after himself now? I long to hear the teacher say, "have you been teaching Stas to pick up at home?" Only in my dreams. None of my kids seem to have learned that job, why should he?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk_lYcqkw3A9I-QJonCoOBsnPMYuF-1-5cJoCv0DlTiT4aV11pog6jzqwUma9aoquT28b2JtPSPiUpRY0cbVrTRD_3cjxZ8VNr1rgrvx2JjXofPZ-jyS_lUZ4SUQ8nlYTUSrumm2NFZpI/s1600/broom+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk_lYcqkw3A9I-QJonCoOBsnPMYuF-1-5cJoCv0DlTiT4aV11pog6jzqwUma9aoquT28b2JtPSPiUpRY0cbVrTRD_3cjxZ8VNr1rgrvx2JjXofPZ-jyS_lUZ4SUQ8nlYTUSrumm2NFZpI/s1600/broom+2.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you clean you cabinets and oven with a broom?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">:-) Love that boy!!!!</div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-73195689259520104792011-10-13T19:41:00.000-07:002011-10-14T04:53:18.413-07:00The things we'll do for orphans.There is a little boy in an Eastern European orphanage named Andriy who has no idea how hard people are working to bring him home to his mom, dad, brother and sisters.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">This is the sweet boy:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UqTSlmU8HmQPaXDlNYW5PX4M1CunhS0FATlQrjoQpuVrU76wkNWpSBoDKQdkHxADwDa81u8R_kM8Skrs_K3TZGzp5qgQ1qUdL6vm109bZK0oluISrznZFJnSzAt16j4p0lju2krL7XnO/s1600/225x300xandriydec2010-1-225x300.jpg.pagespeed.ic.CyQooFeiXX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UqTSlmU8HmQPaXDlNYW5PX4M1CunhS0FATlQrjoQpuVrU76wkNWpSBoDKQdkHxADwDa81u8R_kM8Skrs_K3TZGzp5qgQ1qUdL6vm109bZK0oluISrznZFJnSzAt16j4p0lju2krL7XnO/s1600/225x300xandriydec2010-1-225x300.jpg.pagespeed.ic.CyQooFeiXX.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a mom of 8 (that would be me) who was one day minding her own business when some other mom named Renee told her she needed to take a pie in the face for the above mentioned sweet boy. Renee said she was going to do so and so naturally this mom gave into peer pressure and said "sure.....happilly....for Andriy." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is Renee with a little whipped cream on here face following a pieing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbjkcOwTuIi6Tu6gv7hwyvsdet-YjZ8nKhsulZGHDnCKnoEJc6cUbe30l0ze-ANzSnRivtKBNWO9OVKykNrggHpQrO23E4ojeYXjlWWlhrIF5zeap2df3yPGCtXIJgOYhtybWW-ylpYAW/s1600/renee+pie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbjkcOwTuIi6Tu6gv7hwyvsdet-YjZ8nKhsulZGHDnCKnoEJc6cUbe30l0ze-ANzSnRivtKBNWO9OVKykNrggHpQrO23E4ojeYXjlWWlhrIF5zeap2df3yPGCtXIJgOYhtybWW-ylpYAW/s1600/renee+pie.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Soon this started floating around:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJi-Boq1oPQi1S-VtsbcSLfyDtCZQx5bpLTqOWZS5-i1oZ3-lzFQU7dE08bgJJnnw9OHKe0raCRtpIf1EZuDUS5tPb3bILs19LjmR5sjp60bM954KbKdbF9B1Fkp37pz9yymRzHilZPIy/s1600/target.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJi-Boq1oPQi1S-VtsbcSLfyDtCZQx5bpLTqOWZS5-i1oZ3-lzFQU7dE08bgJJnnw9OHKe0raCRtpIf1EZuDUS5tPb3bILs19LjmR5sjp60bM954KbKdbF9B1Fkp37pz9yymRzHilZPIy/s1600/target.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gretchen the red-nose clown?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, I see, it is a target.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, $1,500 later......the preparations began.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We needed to wait for the right moment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When everyone gets excited and says they want to be the one to smear the pie in my face, how am I to feel? How would you feel? Just curious. Dan was smart enough to say, "I have nothing to gain." Wise man.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lizzy wanted to take pictures, that ruled her out. Bobby pretty much decided he was the man for the job, and I warned him he had a lot to lose if he did it too hard, too long, too high, too low, I told him what angle to throw it.....and my dear husband told me he had about enough of me calling the shots. Suddenly he wanted a piece of the action. Niiiiiice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, everyone gathered around, there was a countdown....5......4.....3.... and Ricky started screaming bloody murder. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We stopped. Couldn't comfort him (glad someone loves me!!!) and needed him to go watch the Wiggles to distract him.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">5.......4......3.......2......1.......</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qgLaZ39szzoHqH0AYeVQs6PIOSrh2TgH3fyYFBgJNABobu2jNfsJ55Y0gkFjjmGAYXEEZaLC2RYc2u36s9Wsh0WqaFjqOT8kFybj856V-mqsjKk-zdN84xtguRAnbEf8mtsg36o3rPYo/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qgLaZ39szzoHqH0AYeVQs6PIOSrh2TgH3fyYFBgJNABobu2jNfsJ55Y0gkFjjmGAYXEEZaLC2RYc2u36s9Wsh0WqaFjqOT8kFybj856V-mqsjKk-zdN84xtguRAnbEf8mtsg36o3rPYo/s400/IMG_3717.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at Dan holding my head....thank you, Dan!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r9SgPco9i-HcjFL5OZ37nfUyhUjG7SrexDmgGwHNZv0Vlj_aRTR8dd4szMYU97PDkaXYScl_hHlJ0EoNE2dGtJ9DuCA7sxSbaDC-ESrULRIt9YptPb-3TAvD6uj8ENdrz9-lqysHGG0Z/s1600/IMG_3718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r9SgPco9i-HcjFL5OZ37nfUyhUjG7SrexDmgGwHNZv0Vlj_aRTR8dd4szMYU97PDkaXYScl_hHlJ0EoNE2dGtJ9DuCA7sxSbaDC-ESrULRIt9YptPb-3TAvD6uj8ENdrz9-lqysHGG0Z/s400/IMG_3718.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have you ever seen such joy on two people's face?!?!?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsv97plnmjRaOWry7vQY3t1c5fh0zc-iDGobPovsrs3TA1GjfptqvH-sjT8BnoYI_TH2Jt55hMNkLgpDomxkDAcwVi4NsGNODfy0BCZYDenEg-iDZkNAQzWIJcTrqSOldqrxVFnEWsqfC/s1600/IMG_3726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmsv97plnmjRaOWry7vQY3t1c5fh0zc-iDGobPovsrs3TA1GjfptqvH-sjT8BnoYI_TH2Jt55hMNkLgpDomxkDAcwVi4NsGNODfy0BCZYDenEg-iDZkNAQzWIJcTrqSOldqrxVFnEWsqfC/s400/IMG_3726.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlie loves pumpkin!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwj1fd93LTydD5wUjxb-GPd_bajZ1TUBFzNgbIk2_psCgERdqzylmELPMn_p1SKgA_vsPx_hcVmQeHbx8rS2g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ricky was okay with pie on my face....intrigued actually.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What we do to bring orphan's home :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">NEXT UP:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hLA-Bajk_CHXRZUXcktIw2bqq6s1R3F1XoXgUiuG4DrBm_Yt1NKgNFtu6W2NfjkLDR5A1qRrXi87ratQDErVIYK73601ph3FAE2mdusIzCLk73ode5Ku8-CpH0kPX5e547EJQmhCJl6R/s1600/catherine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hLA-Bajk_CHXRZUXcktIw2bqq6s1R3F1XoXgUiuG4DrBm_Yt1NKgNFtu6W2NfjkLDR5A1qRrXi87ratQDErVIYK73601ph3FAE2mdusIzCLk73ode5Ku8-CpH0kPX5e547EJQmhCJl6R/s1600/catherine.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catherine</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhL_BRatDdUa-PI7jj0fDJd5n7SoLLaKkuW74g696hctfMNpvqWrMJ4OQ-uRoNcOUvKXNQytZ5KZ3gl6Wh7yLweALJm0IXxKQwyIEkcy7giObPKCYywwYiTNacr_340D3nr008x4tCuO0/s1600/melissared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhL_BRatDdUa-PI7jj0fDJd5n7SoLLaKkuW74g696hctfMNpvqWrMJ4OQ-uRoNcOUvKXNQytZ5KZ3gl6Wh7yLweALJm0IXxKQwyIEkcy7giObPKCYywwYiTNacr_340D3nr008x4tCuO0/s1600/melissared.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Melissa<br />
<br />
<a href="http://justonemore4us.blogspot.com/">Go here to give</a></td></tr>
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</div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-27700948451904051342011-10-13T06:06:00.000-07:002011-10-13T06:17:58.393-07:00What was I thinking?Look what I have to look forward to.<br />
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Before I begin....let me tell you that I do enjoy baking and cooking. I just don't have time. I also don't like to waste money when I don't have to. So, remember that whole pie in the face thing? I couldn't see going out and buying a pie for $10 or anything like that. I found a crust in the fridge to bake, had some vanilla pudding, a can of pumpkin puree and whipped cream. PERFECT fixings for pie. Right?<br />
<br />
Well, they mix up well to taste delicious, but I can't imagine how far it will go up my nose and across the floor. It turned to soup!!!!! Practically. Renee was kind enough to share with me to hold my nose because "you won't believe how far it will go up your nose." Thanks Renee from the bottom of my heart AND my soft palette, nasopharynx, esophagus and trachea.<br />
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Do I stand in the shower so as to help with the clean up? I suppose I just go outside. It's been rainy. Well, no harm, that should help with the clean up I guess.<br />
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Here you can see Lizzy taking the pleasure in following my lame directions for pie making. Amanda said that she took a mental note to never get this recipe from me. Wise decision Amanda. I did try to stick with the season though. Gotta give me some credit.<br />
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Aren't they the nastiest looking crusts you've ever seen. I think the dough was old. It tastes good. We ate the other soup, I mean pie.<br />
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I guess the PIEING will have to happen tonight. Oh boy....I can't wait.<br />
<br />
What I really can't wait for is the next two up.....and then the next..... It's a good line-up. <br />
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Wish me luck...but most of all...keep DONATING to the Burlingham family <a href="http://justonemore4us.blogspot.com/2011/09/something-great-prizes.html">(CLICK HERE)</a> and keep giving yourself a chance to win an iPad2, Nook, Kindle and more. Better idea....keep donating to give Andriy a chance to get home to his family and FEEL the love.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-61217132616768468012011-10-06T19:43:00.000-07:002011-10-06T19:45:45.530-07:00Post from Renee!<h3 class="post-title entry-title">Pie a la Renee </h3><div class="post-header"></div>Want to know how much I love Andriy's mom?<br />
<br />
Alot.<br />
<br />
Need proof....<br />
<br />
Here are the pics.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCbQCLtONONwCx_WPj-4Y9GI-z7AFpAcpXV9XNudhSraq4m5lDkHyHY9M_ftFDok-7ygxPqrPpDcHhd2_hxoutc_FitzNnQxGZ4i3Zq0ayx0V7hfsZNoPF1UpHuOY3DQgVYYOiJESjZZL/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDCbQCLtONONwCx_WPj-4Y9GI-z7AFpAcpXV9XNudhSraq4m5lDkHyHY9M_ftFDok-7ygxPqrPpDcHhd2_hxoutc_FitzNnQxGZ4i3Zq0ayx0V7hfsZNoPF1UpHuOY3DQgVYYOiJESjZZL/s400/DSC_0291.JPG" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Say hello to my little friend....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7F-jZHzzW5nL-NJfQy-H6l-aJsCmF1RwJwN8XELvr_4nf1ZxWjlagiX-FFoo1f_0RQPwYF3H5EelhzepIix1riqa59VbYWIuq4wpQBSckTUzi8Vhp6ubU_2A2MqHR0eb64Y21UfqYoBx/s1600/DSC_0293.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr7F-jZHzzW5nL-NJfQy-H6l-aJsCmF1RwJwN8XELvr_4nf1ZxWjlagiX-FFoo1f_0RQPwYF3H5EelhzepIix1riqa59VbYWIuq4wpQBSckTUzi8Vhp6ubU_2A2MqHR0eb64Y21UfqYoBx/s400/DSC_0293.JPG" width="398" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Did I mention how much I hate getting pie in the face?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLtfLx-VNiOOgtIQr93AhHARovckZP4B60rICC35YfhXi4JRRDdms4hSJnaF4OJ9FV3ZaEHx0NZZfFGDCA_1ptOal4fUZBobO9chagQiahzLq5biOh_aEGwTICXwCCe-WDYmPQ-OGufM1/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjLtfLx-VNiOOgtIQr93AhHARovckZP4B60rICC35YfhXi4JRRDdms4hSJnaF4OJ9FV3ZaEHx0NZZfFGDCA_1ptOal4fUZBobO9chagQiahzLq5biOh_aEGwTICXwCCe-WDYmPQ-OGufM1/s400/DSC_0295.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep, still as terrible as I remember it...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o1wLcuTOCEQW8vzrjDFrqq0yulQ6gHw_vHT4I9o8-xyg8LTu_c_TScWxGSsWO9QfN7OMNGgndrmKuvFhBsUgYfpko5oa3nrueeyOvKgpluOyqTAobUC4rgDu-InRDBDD1xM1o2nvq3dg/s1600/DSC_0297.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0o1wLcuTOCEQW8vzrjDFrqq0yulQ6gHw_vHT4I9o8-xyg8LTu_c_TScWxGSsWO9QfN7OMNGgndrmKuvFhBsUgYfpko5oa3nrueeyOvKgpluOyqTAobUC4rgDu-InRDBDD1xM1o2nvq3dg/s400/DSC_0297.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Steve said maybe if I opened my mouth as he pied me that would help....</div><div style="text-align: center;">It didn't.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye-XiVYgHpHoB-BzEIqkAmZVvzOpZF6bOluHJAfbieMpP13r202abGhvE8jTFjfYLjEtCef-hiv1p93pQa5xj4QEuguGZLoLAE1oFjX4DYoG80Kl-XYs2PY0vQ4HajsD74gy5bRC7wgzI/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="339" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgye-XiVYgHpHoB-BzEIqkAmZVvzOpZF6bOluHJAfbieMpP13r202abGhvE8jTFjfYLjEtCef-hiv1p93pQa5xj4QEuguGZLoLAE1oFjX4DYoG80Kl-XYs2PY0vQ4HajsD74gy5bRC7wgzI/s400/DSC_0294.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Although the coconut creme that I did get a bite of was pretty good.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-Dah4eCkwjGhjgLrF_8sguGw-KcAkhRYHJV21uJrhrOyYRlzxyX2Y36auwgZWnC3sw0T2lksoksOFlGHG8H4SjGZH5A8jSDL1I52DrQPm_-ymGGnBv8RR_PNywByde-8bGsgF8zuGwv3/s1600/DSC_0301.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-Dah4eCkwjGhjgLrF_8sguGw-KcAkhRYHJV21uJrhrOyYRlzxyX2Y36auwgZWnC3sw0T2lksoksOFlGHG8H4SjGZH5A8jSDL1I52DrQPm_-ymGGnBv8RR_PNywByde-8bGsgF8zuGwv3/s400/DSC_0301.JPG" width="353" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pie a la Renee, done and done!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I keep telling myself one day I will look back on this and laugh...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But you know what I will be laughing about....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When she gets pied.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnZmJ4V1iif_f4xic72cWtCeC1E87A4E7MudJ3W5wt4BdNaPaAxEGaTMTJeuY6mr5c3L9mj4V2dobfRV4ye7wpY30EXK1pehaJdIDyVhcCHCRFmoWHj81QwnquQfPG9T7NgRtjk1gAxHq/s1600/gretchen1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcnZmJ4V1iif_f4xic72cWtCeC1E87A4E7MudJ3W5wt4BdNaPaAxEGaTMTJeuY6mr5c3L9mj4V2dobfRV4ye7wpY30EXK1pehaJdIDyVhcCHCRFmoWHj81QwnquQfPG9T7NgRtjk1gAxHq/s400/gretchen1.JPG" width="262" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://ready4ross.blogspot.com/">Gretchen Thibault</a>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, I love her.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, she totally does a lot for orphans.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Yes, she has donated MULTIPLE times to have me pied.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">And all that stands between her and being pied is $845.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Holla!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So if you liked Pie a la Renee....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Imagine how much sweeter....</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Pie a la Gretchen will be...</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">$845.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Make it happen!!!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1VnXT1XK1t-epTg1L4gnfLVSukfJBiasLvnKDyRm5dypxtVaX4nNaFoEXyAY4ZKQRmLlXM2uzDiMZca9lJ31mlm8rePUTLkqkKVTDCIX49MLuAj5QtWglkRyoD8QieVQtGUEiVj-W2QQ/s1600/gretchen12.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1VnXT1XK1t-epTg1L4gnfLVSukfJBiasLvnKDyRm5dypxtVaX4nNaFoEXyAY4ZKQRmLlXM2uzDiMZca9lJ31mlm8rePUTLkqkKVTDCIX49MLuAj5QtWglkRyoD8QieVQtGUEiVj-W2QQ/s400/gretchen12.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Target Acquired!</b></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>If you would like to make Renee happy, and Andriy, and Amanda.....donate here:</b></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorburlingham">http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsorburlingham</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b>LOOKS LIKE I'M DOOMED!!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cc0000;"><b> </b></span></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-70363385014850863202011-10-02T20:30:00.000-07:002011-10-03T11:55:58.944-07:00pictures...that's all.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxm-ijWYajJcuCCB1XaPrWOPVDjISfc2eA5LBbU916RFwDfJWBERC_g5Z2A1DStYwjMAbj03DT307aF6RZDpXW5O2bY-LbPog55IQS1Ro6SHkStUwD9e1_VWUy2EV6nw_pvkHC2nAALgE/s1600/IMG_3139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxm-ijWYajJcuCCB1XaPrWOPVDjISfc2eA5LBbU916RFwDfJWBERC_g5Z2A1DStYwjMAbj03DT307aF6RZDpXW5O2bY-LbPog55IQS1Ro6SHkStUwD9e1_VWUy2EV6nw_pvkHC2nAALgE/s320/IMG_3139.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbmMvwh6x30KSItlOFILsxs2NnQAO44NJ3Egt-olMpLgLrQK7GajW8TI2JPmzz4hjAPnHc_KvfiZAu5IBgznvAgchmwwdLQmGm_xVMYYcWs9ufWiGTr9gmJk7HXI1E9KV3zhJdip3705P/s1600/IMG_2799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbmMvwh6x30KSItlOFILsxs2NnQAO44NJ3Egt-olMpLgLrQK7GajW8TI2JPmzz4hjAPnHc_KvfiZAu5IBgznvAgchmwwdLQmGm_xVMYYcWs9ufWiGTr9gmJk7HXI1E9KV3zhJdip3705P/s320/IMG_2799.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My senior!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qxM1FtWAg6gArV3NwLFF6JSbDOfwSKQYMnEUCgFDSVgf7eeDGmRmd-Y6gGjYM7Xlmos5SgFxjvuhuAx_5Gf5Z7MyTVe0DjOG2Is3rF7qINx7nkup7aSTgm-PDqbnRJyel0CxEOBML6wd/s1600/IMG_2309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9qxM1FtWAg6gArV3NwLFF6JSbDOfwSKQYMnEUCgFDSVgf7eeDGmRmd-Y6gGjYM7Xlmos5SgFxjvuhuAx_5Gf5Z7MyTVe0DjOG2Is3rF7qINx7nkup7aSTgm-PDqbnRJyel0CxEOBML6wd/s320/IMG_2309.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEg6HL_lcBGL8DV0HUlO3g-4M-UvO8wAzW0MXVtcN7p1L8gxi8zI2_ptElAei8ONbJum-v7FyQF0fkqA9BQMPKIdqaf20R6kwVRUPdUkFzEeCs4j1ecXDtixJLN0E-uI0mFGIxEnhTSxU/s1600/IMG_2337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEg6HL_lcBGL8DV0HUlO3g-4M-UvO8wAzW0MXVtcN7p1L8gxi8zI2_ptElAei8ONbJum-v7FyQF0fkqA9BQMPKIdqaf20R6kwVRUPdUkFzEeCs4j1ecXDtixJLN0E-uI0mFGIxEnhTSxU/s320/IMG_2337.jpg" width="213" /></a></div> First day of school....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN06YJrMEnXtTgP05TJSifu-wWeneW7WOUfujVjHmRBJM-s3QlxGQ8XZ7a7qKO8E_xpKMTSP3xKtDO3WkKoh6RYIPM3T5WAiP14Ku8ZEFgWzBysZuQ_0SiexuESCT_BH8js-y6LjJSQcbn/s1600/IMG_2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN06YJrMEnXtTgP05TJSifu-wWeneW7WOUfujVjHmRBJM-s3QlxGQ8XZ7a7qKO8E_xpKMTSP3xKtDO3WkKoh6RYIPM3T5WAiP14Ku8ZEFgWzBysZuQ_0SiexuESCT_BH8js-y6LjJSQcbn/s320/IMG_2713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFmx-R23KrqZEYU3CuEfYdpp7vnjLSET1QI_qoYwdk5mrZGuVZafB7qBn_suz4N5x0FeGpf0iX553178D3tPdqwbwZJh32MT5z3rKygZwH177pA_jlzlCt4XqCYrIYcoP9nhVjqAiS8cC/s1600/IMG_2735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdFmx-R23KrqZEYU3CuEfYdpp7vnjLSET1QI_qoYwdk5mrZGuVZafB7qBn_suz4N5x0FeGpf0iX553178D3tPdqwbwZJh32MT5z3rKygZwH177pA_jlzlCt4XqCYrIYcoP9nhVjqAiS8cC/s320/IMG_2735.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Playing with my new camera that I got from Renee's fundraiser to bring Paisley home :-) LOVE IT!!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjS7vGN59TvYe1VBA5Na89bUQpzJJPEn6NBch6kRM92DLnwP0J2evsmo-OE72JljU_e2NIMGQy0VtS85RoRLzrCpH38qFZl4ohuOcNQl7hHtcRorkKVyeysIMoGe1bYECTsX8n_EJLAlHI/s1600/IMG_1689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjS7vGN59TvYe1VBA5Na89bUQpzJJPEn6NBch6kRM92DLnwP0J2evsmo-OE72JljU_e2NIMGQy0VtS85RoRLzrCpH38qFZl4ohuOcNQl7hHtcRorkKVyeysIMoGe1bYECTsX8n_EJLAlHI/s320/IMG_1689.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No one was home and I wanted to play....teddy bear become my subject. He looked really funny propped up <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">outside</span>.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyBdCcd0fCZuTy4p1rFT1tg5M-U3_-TJ3QqaV1m-Uu_Q_O8G5orJWjq6TTKzUqY0F3kjuhjxyDGSJ4bboM8inceuVs-I4GFXP5BtFI_Pgo1TrXRrrU94GrWNnsEka2kCN_LN6TW-G3yc7/s1600/IMG_1748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOyBdCcd0fCZuTy4p1rFT1tg5M-U3_-TJ3QqaV1m-Uu_Q_O8G5orJWjq6TTKzUqY0F3kjuhjxyDGSJ4bboM8inceuVs-I4GFXP5BtFI_Pgo1TrXRrrU94GrWNnsEka2kCN_LN6TW-G3yc7/s320/IMG_1748.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HsHBBJKsp1HfpVPcse4sZJ_PzuVDoDpdeECySj7KoeknE8ybIEzAJufVfOeT6cWDzeG_-S4qkcRdW5jZoDKEFMUfa8hdHTj0YbcoNxkUobJHEKtPhQGRBCpEKTrgo2fdvDNu_1pJErod/s1600/IMG_1750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HsHBBJKsp1HfpVPcse4sZJ_PzuVDoDpdeECySj7KoeknE8ybIEzAJufVfOeT6cWDzeG_-S4qkcRdW5jZoDKEFMUfa8hdHTj0YbcoNxkUobJHEKtPhQGRBCpEKTrgo2fdvDNu_1pJErod/s320/IMG_1750.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPVbskFME79xxKidlu6p75vfFZql8QdRMqgM2rnpTLYTiHlNWan6EUBZ3Rdhu8mbwUKzJTMbfWgXTaxsN_EtC3afGlElSPD4paskS2SBxdNTd6vLs6a20nfL8GXNkwBenSsM2tDTnelkW/s1600/IMG_1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPVbskFME79xxKidlu6p75vfFZql8QdRMqgM2rnpTLYTiHlNWan6EUBZ3Rdhu8mbwUKzJTMbfWgXTaxsN_EtC3afGlElSPD4paskS2SBxdNTd6vLs6a20nfL8GXNkwBenSsM2tDTnelkW/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beauty Lizzy love.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6YIOfQXhzZY9BaSSeJGA-XcHv5lF4Z8SeQH63kMKcJ33JLeC-zvgDcd5ytm5yIBy8slhAKu-FvMKL66gS__fNPrAAFef49fge5rnaW7IBi9NuAvaEtg_ZWZmgFoDwxMTt0AV0vSOTOWG/s1600/IMG_1847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE6YIOfQXhzZY9BaSSeJGA-XcHv5lF4Z8SeQH63kMKcJ33JLeC-zvgDcd5ytm5yIBy8slhAKu-FvMKL66gS__fNPrAAFef49fge5rnaW7IBi9NuAvaEtg_ZWZmgFoDwxMTt0AV0vSOTOWG/s320/IMG_1847.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she gorgeous?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXgOY-hnJ4rapqPWbmnz3-DvgoHzsobYiEeSPEsMe5jdK6EvTCcG3JpMkPDzrhbwYWw6h9fCS9X1iVi4he4WivNDyUyeSB5LD1LU218tGjaZvsywzuTr7U31hSCt9hTcbUgl5fpf-Vv2J/s1600/IMG_1954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbXgOY-hnJ4rapqPWbmnz3-DvgoHzsobYiEeSPEsMe5jdK6EvTCcG3JpMkPDzrhbwYWw6h9fCS9X1iVi4he4WivNDyUyeSB5LD1LU218tGjaZvsywzuTr7U31hSCt9hTcbUgl5fpf-Vv2J/s320/IMG_1954.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU4OLTJn1gl45vylbxz02DmTr5yyajEyLsDqiimZwbrc5TskUPGWK73M8pouVmwKMJ79edwHWPr1fsL3myUNHbOJCjOKheUkwmSjccbBZP65kpQiTJXkVuMko7YZ1Xh6-UfoCTSK93lUJ/s1600/IMG_1965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVU4OLTJn1gl45vylbxz02DmTr5yyajEyLsDqiimZwbrc5TskUPGWK73M8pouVmwKMJ79edwHWPr1fsL3myUNHbOJCjOKheUkwmSjccbBZP65kpQiTJXkVuMko7YZ1Xh6-UfoCTSK93lUJ/s320/IMG_1965.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJmkB7etbTnLeqbLw0mbZVmYVvQfErqv6exX_TH11aU8W6jD7DXVsI4X_YOdk8sZQIJtTxjSuLelPQoMuuzFRCp2DU5PHpt_17JE2lJ1ULlxvx1iSN-hAXFsm7QyMM6HXe1STed7InIMl/s1600/IMG_1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJmkB7etbTnLeqbLw0mbZVmYVvQfErqv6exX_TH11aU8W6jD7DXVsI4X_YOdk8sZQIJtTxjSuLelPQoMuuzFRCp2DU5PHpt_17JE2lJ1ULlxvx1iSN-hAXFsm7QyMM6HXe1STed7InIMl/s320/IMG_1984.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQC0gfCl9nB7sQ71gSlrxcIKA2uFnyxz_BHTXwBFIC2WR3FRuqmCVy1SV39ytTs74Lw17ETLRMZX8n6VWVGesEkQqSajkHDKIXmQJgF_K3K2qvlC99vyudcAtMp7dWny0K2VSBqm0u9pT/s1600/IMG_1982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQC0gfCl9nB7sQ71gSlrxcIKA2uFnyxz_BHTXwBFIC2WR3FRuqmCVy1SV39ytTs74Lw17ETLRMZX8n6VWVGesEkQqSajkHDKIXmQJgF_K3K2qvlC99vyudcAtMp7dWny0K2VSBqm0u9pT/s320/IMG_1982.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and his curiosity here.</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKOU-TgDMw0ZHGR8XZ1NLhc53jtagKXl8AaqeueBhOnEdiP3WKbSMwlPYpRLm7IzZHDQtuGxxLRcerKEWcGxaL6FwZIJDk7w5DNcZylBrIqZVLdcKj673GhO2Gmo4dnETXzcv6Z_uQDWB/s1600/IMG_1990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKOU-TgDMw0ZHGR8XZ1NLhc53jtagKXl8AaqeueBhOnEdiP3WKbSMwlPYpRLm7IzZHDQtuGxxLRcerKEWcGxaL6FwZIJDk7w5DNcZylBrIqZVLdcKj673GhO2Gmo4dnETXzcv6Z_uQDWB/s320/IMG_1990.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Therapy....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHKm4ZtTA0sS4xtWwgBJdLC9kRL4zfDk_0-DAjZNc0RvoTvM0idAkPj69M7XhnbA9Bx9HVmxOREhLtGb8bV5rnaxwsbkPKU6RaY1DbBgrEBGHzdPt2xug8OXqyUgfY8-sjvDKTSu3sEdO/s1600/IMG_2027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHKm4ZtTA0sS4xtWwgBJdLC9kRL4zfDk_0-DAjZNc0RvoTvM0idAkPj69M7XhnbA9Bx9HVmxOREhLtGb8bV5rnaxwsbkPKU6RaY1DbBgrEBGHzdPt2xug8OXqyUgfY8-sjvDKTSu3sEdO/s320/IMG_2027.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzpqGknvml17lwhxJ6-sRjHeGMKoY8g_CWCRzBFG04LklqUqztAAqS4DlwtlMSCq3d5bXicGoCodKg5UqkDXKr06tRATkJIzUZwU6ZHqAYxJuRSWhyphenhyphenbsfhXgMIQ9NR152KQV9ZSkw1mNV/s1600/IMG_2028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzpqGknvml17lwhxJ6-sRjHeGMKoY8g_CWCRzBFG04LklqUqztAAqS4DlwtlMSCq3d5bXicGoCodKg5UqkDXKr06tRATkJIzUZwU6ZHqAYxJuRSWhyphenhyphenbsfhXgMIQ9NR152KQV9ZSkw1mNV/s320/IMG_2028.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2frrb1BYqOadwo8_EmH4RXL4B9D_5-d3-wlJhN-p_ho62YcCOk19sFB-y3MWL7Xf2A5SpRpAHCeqis3M_jdz1L_jTCPVVQ6kOoOtEOVKDHFE-1C_p6PirHeVhM0MsElPNZMSlUYWZzwDM/s1600/IMG_2030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2frrb1BYqOadwo8_EmH4RXL4B9D_5-d3-wlJhN-p_ho62YcCOk19sFB-y3MWL7Xf2A5SpRpAHCeqis3M_jdz1L_jTCPVVQ6kOoOtEOVKDHFE-1C_p6PirHeVhM0MsElPNZMSlUYWZzwDM/s320/IMG_2030.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-75924717943002026042011-09-03T14:25:00.000-07:002011-09-03T14:25:24.628-07:00Check out Clare!I just learned about Clare.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUvBN37L-UOywjib1jivmag_bkY5E2m6KLAFSrWLFPxXpWfNhMbjsYeFwdfm2C8aJVjQEs6CldQGHHn9koW_Gj3NGQz8cLrkgvDf_FO69YO9Y0Rx7JThwHRP3uO3Kr46hBNifQ-Cwuwx3/s1600/clare" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUvBN37L-UOywjib1jivmag_bkY5E2m6KLAFSrWLFPxXpWfNhMbjsYeFwdfm2C8aJVjQEs6CldQGHHn9koW_Gj3NGQz8cLrkgvDf_FO69YO9Y0Rx7JThwHRP3uO3Kr46hBNifQ-Cwuwx3/s1600/clare" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Clare seeing a photo album of her new family...can you imagine when she sees them in person?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
What a doll. Claire has Down syndrome and cleft lip/palate. Think of how this sweet little love will thrive when she is placed in her family. They are so eager to get there to get her and bring her home to her brothers and sisters.<br />
<br />
Wanna know something cool? You could win an iPad2 if you donate to their Family Sponsorship page that is on their side bar on their <a href="http://bringinghomeourchinesebutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/08/fundraiser-update.html">BLOG</a>. It is SO easy. Follow her directions and leave a post and she will enter your name the appropriate number of time...TADA! Done.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bringinghomeourchinesebutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/08/fundraiser-update.html">http://bringinghomeourchinesebutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/08/fundraiser-update.html </a><br />
<br />
Go here and hurry...there are only a few weeks to take advantage of this great offer :-)<br />
<br />
Good luck Fristoe Family!!!! Clare is precious!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-72855812026658706602011-09-02T19:54:00.000-07:002011-09-02T19:55:56.337-07:00Just ONE more 4 us!?: Does it Matter?Can you please check out this family's blog and see the little boy, Andriy, that they are trying SO HARD to bring home. Can you help them out even just a little?<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://justonemore4us.blogspot.com/2011/09/does-it-matter.html?spref=bl">Just ONE more 4 us!?: Does it Matter?</a>: I have heard from an adopting family they never had to "giveaway" anything to raise money for their adoption. That people just donated. So...Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-86343275229574364862011-08-29T16:26:00.000-07:002011-08-30T06:52:37.285-07:00Ten Dollar Tuesday for the Taylor<div style="text-align: center;">I've been thinking. It's time to turn up the tempo on the fundraising tricks for the Taylors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, its time to introduce the Taylor Team:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzu95_nEPUFM04VFaqkGP6A1cICG3xqHfVmjS-lTkiAbZQpXF_pd9UsAxu0LlrmCSOEg-3tZrbcESer78hWBKFeLQZHhuuuH4VjTG0nKWoh-IqZGMTnRdyjiqnDghXeghDbi00vvmWPfX/s1600/us.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzu95_nEPUFM04VFaqkGP6A1cICG3xqHfVmjS-lTkiAbZQpXF_pd9UsAxu0LlrmCSOEg-3tZrbcESer78hWBKFeLQZHhuuuH4VjTG0nKWoh-IqZGMTnRdyjiqnDghXeghDbi00vvmWPfX/s320/us.jpeg" width="307" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meet Shawn and Christie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeLM_dURvwyx7htPqpXnNgQTI9cif_2vKt5cNZXf9-L2QamgJZOpOJdCWNlTpcCKh59tP-b01gGf3eEekQ7EdKe5SMvtfHz7w70_7XVfpzEZsfO1VvDYqzVCdCccc28tHptNKZlqxaFBM/s1600/Jared+9th+bday.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeLM_dURvwyx7htPqpXnNgQTI9cif_2vKt5cNZXf9-L2QamgJZOpOJdCWNlTpcCKh59tP-b01gGf3eEekQ7EdKe5SMvtfHz7w70_7XVfpzEZsfO1VvDYqzVCdCccc28tHptNKZlqxaFBM/s320/Jared+9th+bday.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Oldest son, Jared</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIAJ8Qh8NcFV87HefIm3aEnK_8G8xnEjqCngC5WjPwcKeo4PP1KFXhbhjP0G4aG-KYAfF8ttdlZgVhggP1hbFONfujQWpgeh6zCKB0AtjNQw1q6QwM91b6LYKkyDUr1JkTYGOxpJld9KQ/s1600/twins+4th+bday.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNIAJ8Qh8NcFV87HefIm3aEnK_8G8xnEjqCngC5WjPwcKeo4PP1KFXhbhjP0G4aG-KYAfF8ttdlZgVhggP1hbFONfujQWpgeh6zCKB0AtjNQw1q6QwM91b6LYKkyDUr1JkTYGOxpJld9KQ/s320/twins+4th+bday.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Twins...that's TWO of them.....Joseph and Jackson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Aren't they breathtakingly attractive?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">But time is ticking!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb5vx-4KnP9vBeG2-jgQRqVPO85zELYnDcqztvnhCjppS8ljF7BhWCmqPxhSEhYR115V1HPhZOtw4gY6-e1kh_2LxdbnRtK7c34AbVfHIk4yGf8d1HK8viX0dhCoFvbTYpEXq17kQ03dO/s1600/imgres-4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb5vx-4KnP9vBeG2-jgQRqVPO85zELYnDcqztvnhCjppS8ljF7BhWCmqPxhSEhYR115V1HPhZOtw4gY6-e1kh_2LxdbnRtK7c34AbVfHIk4yGf8d1HK8viX0dhCoFvbTYpEXq17kQ03dO/s1600/imgres-4.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It won't be too long before it's time for their trip...<br />
<br />
time for tickets....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDAF9WI8PBFo9WHGzWXow9Wlv8yNfghWNcWYHv0bhs_9surXvn4BRJDd7EjLQ1_bzxEXHyhlwJKmzidraP8mn9hl_P2UF4MXzYlm93zPKeLre5njnIhk2mZ90lYY9bdWhw9R0goRECpTU/s1600/unnamed.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDAF9WI8PBFo9WHGzWXow9Wlv8yNfghWNcWYHv0bhs_9surXvn4BRJDd7EjLQ1_bzxEXHyhlwJKmzidraP8mn9hl_P2UF4MXzYlm93zPKeLre5njnIhk2mZ90lYY9bdWhw9R0goRECpTU/s1600/unnamed.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and time for travel.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8X3R3_2GtX_tVAFRQDZtfjufTlL9WjWb7rFcbD93kbirpr_y4N4oTbtkx1vDupMQckWj0FQxZFESBZZxwbQz5DvN92hPH0IH5l7_cccEd-LGQU1lkjJqEqlwZ7xNSNSkt7Ux4fy7OUyK/s1600/imgres.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8X3R3_2GtX_tVAFRQDZtfjufTlL9WjWb7rFcbD93kbirpr_y4N4oTbtkx1vDupMQckWj0FQxZFESBZZxwbQz5DvN92hPH0IH5l7_cccEd-LGQU1lkjJqEqlwZ7xNSNSkt7Ux4fy7OUyK/s1600/imgres.jpeg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's terrific.....right?</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Well, of course.</span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">But, let me tell you the trouble.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTZigaYTkeYNtuRQ3O3yS3LIhyYtFL-TnW94DtlWrJElbD0vfY1MiPmrKjxmuQC6ZD6sYvJOLdHzT-YfB2xTiGuuAvISfYnwGuyDLM9uGYinMJC-5L30MQt7R7R4rxdiuwmn1mSqxGGmC/s1600/imgres-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTZigaYTkeYNtuRQ3O3yS3LIhyYtFL-TnW94DtlWrJElbD0vfY1MiPmrKjxmuQC6ZD6sYvJOLdHzT-YfB2xTiGuuAvISfYnwGuyDLM9uGYinMJC-5L30MQt7R7R4rxdiuwmn1mSqxGGmC/s1600/imgres-2.jpeg" /></a></div><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Money...<br />
<br />
Funds are trickling in at a tortoise's trot....(that is SLOW!!)<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">TREASURE is important and time is of the essence!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CqZnmtqf9nVbsW9ywnTMMkernbROfUTYKmVc0xtAMevexiHozAVrjVpxSuldzSt_2MFbrhUl0bfGnuMJguFIV9NYR1-n6FN_SWSDUD8w7KJT3Rt9ELQpZoRK72Mx9AVWnjeyLSEEFGhu/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CqZnmtqf9nVbsW9ywnTMMkernbROfUTYKmVc0xtAMevexiHozAVrjVpxSuldzSt_2MFbrhUl0bfGnuMJguFIV9NYR1-n6FN_SWSDUD8w7KJT3Rt9ELQpZoRK72Mx9AVWnjeyLSEEFGhu/s1600/imgres-1.jpeg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If only treasure grew on trees :(</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU632VF5KroRjMRE5wPyTrXj6frhhwHJcEAdEPX7R4t2Acw7sbAFQw_lza6tbhyISDBG61ZJjfsJRH1c8j6M72rZfMuzLMaFkKP0S3Hc2fcWrR-N-T6rStMrvfXZU7PCTec11bEgrvYRYZ/s1600/imgres-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU632VF5KroRjMRE5wPyTrXj6frhhwHJcEAdEPX7R4t2Acw7sbAFQw_lza6tbhyISDBG61ZJjfsJRH1c8j6M72rZfMuzLMaFkKP0S3Hc2fcWrR-N-T6rStMrvfXZU7PCTec11bEgrvYRYZ/s1600/imgres-3.jpeg" /></a></div>They have tried<br />
to tackle this trouble by turning to their trusty trooper-like friends.<br />
They used Twitter and tons of other tricks.<br />
They've tried tricky twists to their tumultuous fundraiser tactics.<br />
Remember the time Christie tried tempting us into telling her the true name of her new tiny tot by posting the letters of his name?<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course, truth be told, and the Taylors know this too, the true treasure is this tiny little tot named Jadon.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iAUAumrO6rU8e0plsT8buTEGvmoxa1g-vPEkdt6vj4tBJ-hgc26kRGo2x57b6T8164Cjc2DQluzJvBN9RAZLfQ2o4iZ35CuZ0RRRjasRMN8r83f1rl6td-j2xm4ln38j72zllUkBe1md/s1600/Jadon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iAUAumrO6rU8e0plsT8buTEGvmoxa1g-vPEkdt6vj4tBJ-hgc26kRGo2x57b6T8164Cjc2DQluzJvBN9RAZLfQ2o4iZ35CuZ0RRRjasRMN8r83f1rl6td-j2xm4ln38j72zllUkBe1md/s320/Jadon.JPG" width="241" /></a></div>(Talk about CUTE!!)<br />
<br />
At the age of two he's too young to know what a turn his life will soon take.<br />
<br />
The Taylor's tale has had many twists and turns but the ending will all be terrific.<br />
<br />
<b>Let's turn up the heat!!!</b><br />
<br />
It's your turn.<br />
Let me tell you your task.<br />
<br />
You might imagine, and you certainly CAN, the Taylors have tons to do to travel. Let's tell them to take time from this tumultuous task and tell them to start packing. There's other such tasks, like trying to decide what tacky gifts to get for their tot's caretakers and tending to the task of who will take care of the twins while they travel....and Jaden too! Heck it will probably take ten or so trips to Target to pack for THIS trip!<br />
<br />
How 'bout WE take care of the rest.<br />
<br />
Can you give $10 to the Taylors today?<br />
That's all....<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">10 dollars!</span></b><br />
<br />
Go <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsortaylor-2">HERE</a></span><br />
Click on "donate" and type in "10" in the amount total line (or more is a real treat!!!)<br />
<br />
We need 100 people to give 10 dollars!<br />
CAN DO!<br />
<br />
If we don't get tons of tens on Tuesday, we'll have to be working on Wednesday at the tiresome task to get Thirty dollars on Thursday, or work furiously fast for FIFTY on Friday...oh....that sounds TERRIBLE. Let's just try for tons of TENS on TUESDAY...please!<br />
I'll be totally tongue tied if we don't!<br />
<br />
This whole "10" thing....<br />
<br />
It's not terribly time consuming or troublesome or tedious to help them get to their total. But it is tremendously appreciated. TRULY! <br />
<br />
Just type in<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">"10"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">right </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://reecesrainbow.org/sponsortaylor-2">HERE</a></span><br />
on their family sponsor page.<br />
<br />
What a treat to hear Christie Taylor say "Totally Awesome.....my trusty friends, and even some acquaintances tossed us over the top of the Taylor family grant total!!!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXAuTn8rSif1vq952a1KD88BdLGe_rKbB2D2j6lzBaUlJM0TJWUGIOmzGoKM7-M16kmbSpMs671miDfd9so9EmnWc1b-RXfHzZSiY8oxdlfZRGFUfu_gRHCo1A3xV0Ak1ceHjEDmL8DbB/s1600/imgres-5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmXAuTn8rSif1vq952a1KD88BdLGe_rKbB2D2j6lzBaUlJM0TJWUGIOmzGoKM7-M16kmbSpMs671miDfd9so9EmnWc1b-RXfHzZSiY8oxdlfZRGFUfu_gRHCo1A3xV0Ak1ceHjEDmL8DbB/s1600/imgres-5.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wouldn't that be TERRIFIC?????</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
TADA!<br />
That's all you have to do.<br />
<br />
<br />
TTFN...ta ta for today...I mean ta ta for now!<br />
<br />
TANK YOU!!!<br />
<br />
PS: Would you consider Tweeting this too?</div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-45266956931497030892011-08-17T20:09:00.001-07:002011-08-17T20:14:01.337-07:00My words will do no justice.........I BEG you to read the words from this mother...PLEASE! She is talking about this precious girl who is 11 years old and weighs only 10 pounds!!!! Yes, 10 pounds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_D1WSAaRQOWnTHSoJT2p2AfVfEes_XY_XdofvWQUCbfI91cwb8mMiYkChqORGiPL15ruciDjOF0trY2QTEl0lZ6F6yOKsOFo5RZhejbKIOGFitbaBp2MK3bLzflQ-vX9-wLzEXQXWkBM/s1600/bulgaria.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_D1WSAaRQOWnTHSoJT2p2AfVfEes_XY_XdofvWQUCbfI91cwb8mMiYkChqORGiPL15ruciDjOF0trY2QTEl0lZ6F6yOKsOFo5RZhejbKIOGFitbaBp2MK3bLzflQ-vX9-wLzEXQXWkBM/s1600/bulgaria.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<a href="http://theblessingofverity.com/2011/08/please-go-get-a-measuring-tape/">http://theblessingofverity.com/2011/08/please-go-get-a-measuring-tape/</a><br />
<br />
Can you do anything? <br />
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-82257577625291316142011-08-09T21:21:00.000-07:002011-08-09T21:21:02.560-07:00Nice article.... I can't say that I am thrilled about having an article written about us. But, I can say that I am fine doing it if it draws attention to some of my passions: adoptions, special needs, Down syndrome, family, and organizations that I like. This article did it well I think: <br />
<br />
<a href="http://presspubs.com/articles/2011/08/09/shoreview_press/news/doc4e417c58bc0aa966024837.txt">http://presspubs.com/articles/2011/08/09/shoreview_press/news/doc4e417c58bc0aa966024837.txt</a><br />
<br />
I suppose I can't put a post w/o a photo or two, so here are a few from the concert that she is referring to. We had a benefit for Healing Haiti and Reece's Rainbow. The money raised, almost 25K will be divided up between the two organizations. Actually, more will go to HH b/c of the number of their attendees. Shawn Mullins performed. He was wonderful. Again, another magical evening. The rain made us move inside, but oh well, you do what you need to do. The kids and Dan and I worked hard to have it outside, but it's just what you do, right?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwImof77BFQyxTUJMhkovSeBEKrekjxfia7PyhcfcoP3jChTl0XjiHPgD4kwM6n8sakFmrVV-iZB20ziVP1sjb0DI6N3BKJZCt7S5VYG9BoZdzSDumHfXUmKryV-Gun8R2vb969L0eYeYo/s1600/Concert+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwImof77BFQyxTUJMhkovSeBEKrekjxfia7PyhcfcoP3jChTl0XjiHPgD4kwM6n8sakFmrVV-iZB20ziVP1sjb0DI6N3BKJZCt7S5VYG9BoZdzSDumHfXUmKryV-Gun8R2vb969L0eYeYo/s320/Concert+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY1Ddv7LEpXJ0fCh3X_CE1rG6v8glvH39xhE2N4hd9ff1a4qdfV-TpPeajvitr9hIgAiGFe_DOeZ0aC7bBcRM9UmHNj7Bs3vvZML-SRefqePL9T0_zEhRbrbZv8X7xioogMLQ9TR50ytV/s1600/concert+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHY1Ddv7LEpXJ0fCh3X_CE1rG6v8glvH39xhE2N4hd9ff1a4qdfV-TpPeajvitr9hIgAiGFe_DOeZ0aC7bBcRM9UmHNj7Bs3vvZML-SRefqePL9T0_zEhRbrbZv8X7xioogMLQ9TR50ytV/s320/concert+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawn Mullins</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEN_zUjxlA8-hIxHP-7Nxj5lvPKgDgN-vqICMPJOJ09diG_sdCsV-gC4FzZWayjShH7kEDSzLjKUEYPa6nloH0EHrLCyd3h4_bFyVDc36KKhCZV6F5B5CDEzQByOQMjlLVq6iBDfoeTFa/s1600/Concert+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEEN_zUjxlA8-hIxHP-7Nxj5lvPKgDgN-vqICMPJOJ09diG_sdCsV-gC4FzZWayjShH7kEDSzLjKUEYPa6nloH0EHrLCyd3h4_bFyVDc36KKhCZV6F5B5CDEzQByOQMjlLVq6iBDfoeTFa/s320/Concert+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0gtzIuichbE_9RnNxNAi_xz3qm0WA9PjkioLgFdQvTfrIFiDZNSffVJto3HEv2kSWu-7lB3DJ6AL6Uf3qlKpm5fbsO26D0a2uvKtGfdmVOS6GGNh14r0ZNOoMgt_gVbkuH9rEjCFf6bj/s1600/Concert+6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0gtzIuichbE_9RnNxNAi_xz3qm0WA9PjkioLgFdQvTfrIFiDZNSffVJto3HEv2kSWu-7lB3DJ6AL6Uf3qlKpm5fbsO26D0a2uvKtGfdmVOS6GGNh14r0ZNOoMgt_gVbkuH9rEjCFf6bj/s320/Concert+6a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel and Charlie Meyer, Becky and Alina Wangerin, and Me and Stas (with cake on his face!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjh7TLUp37heYPFv4tieTFETBgmIm5xaoOj-OM4emmWWessQ80sRs6251ZZnxylIWIZ1SxWzCouJTquviDsiB5ZAdxMMwuHiTqstG4bFU9QoVRVpBg4MDmO8ALH0yF4S_iwFnVvhyhugx/s1600/Concert+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjh7TLUp37heYPFv4tieTFETBgmIm5xaoOj-OM4emmWWessQ80sRs6251ZZnxylIWIZ1SxWzCouJTquviDsiB5ZAdxMMwuHiTqstG4bFU9QoVRVpBg4MDmO8ALH0yF4S_iwFnVvhyhugx/s320/Concert+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuunByPq35RydwipGbOR2WSybDP18_VYtwC1gYoqDxFqUfBfaSCjH20fozwbPmt0_1hj10foxF2p9TVs4VpVp7IGLu5O7xDH1LECrIGAD2SHlBNvZtxdM9OMxJy5uzeG_tpnewbIbKGqx/s1600/Concert++11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuunByPq35RydwipGbOR2WSybDP18_VYtwC1gYoqDxFqUfBfaSCjH20fozwbPmt0_1hj10foxF2p9TVs4VpVp7IGLu5O7xDH1LECrIGAD2SHlBNvZtxdM9OMxJy5uzeG_tpnewbIbKGqx/s320/Concert++11.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_V-uvkzBHg1U_eWPDSRPXs7VxtWsIOJrEvhDMMtBXEdb6GvmK91D4d4WliWaL2qF3RbwUjiyNICQ6jhdN2NY_biv5_vF0hQAMR53EmG0_BtHNGozPPWNFVh1b4WFPJt7oWrfcv44Mkqy/s1600/Concert++13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_V-uvkzBHg1U_eWPDSRPXs7VxtWsIOJrEvhDMMtBXEdb6GvmK91D4d4WliWaL2qF3RbwUjiyNICQ6jhdN2NY_biv5_vF0hQAMR53EmG0_BtHNGozPPWNFVh1b4WFPJt7oWrfcv44Mkqy/s320/Concert++13.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cutie Pie Stas! Referred to every so kindly recently as the Stasinator!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7EzfUmJtcTIFD_rBwWDdzTFxm8POsgQ_aq1V_IKCENgzmY2Sh6FuebtFsNlR5mjuqfNYE5JaChnBMwbdLigNBYL7Sxk0k7BQv8HE4fBGJF0i6jAVRNuIwM3nrw7k_fTZ0R3UumvQ8PO/s1600/Concert++14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwW7EzfUmJtcTIFD_rBwWDdzTFxm8POsgQ_aq1V_IKCENgzmY2Sh6FuebtFsNlR5mjuqfNYE5JaChnBMwbdLigNBYL7Sxk0k7BQv8HE4fBGJF0i6jAVRNuIwM3nrw7k_fTZ0R3UumvQ8PO/s320/Concert++14.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maggie raised $347 selling bowls that the girls made and some sweet little bottle cap magnets that a friend, Sophie W. donated....THANKS Sophie! </td></tr>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-64378643624637465372011-07-27T06:39:00.000-07:002011-07-27T06:54:26.732-07:00What we've been up to...in picture form<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QKPCYqKa0cNrhq_oTSP9U4WFB9OfxKJPxKq17dvNBD0n9y8Ry9SRVSWDfNnKK7wa_c8GCSSbh6UsT0rwnxaFjLpGH3S6AzBUt9n9ssP_2hs_SnAxeclW-bUtcHtnLckHLSwrVpI6hSU-/s1600/lamp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aXDYzaCA6TpiIbgtKjlPAxE9sxrhyH_qdG4kwBh6HsGGmSa8ZBmXbclCHHL4IfXLyCo18ctd8qtKK3iN6LIhxDlcpLm7c_JH0Hbdtr20D9wTRA27QdFDQuD3E2JTBfEldVmLlTrGnxom/s1600/RV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aXDYzaCA6TpiIbgtKjlPAxE9sxrhyH_qdG4kwBh6HsGGmSa8ZBmXbclCHHL4IfXLyCo18ctd8qtKK3iN6LIhxDlcpLm7c_JH0Hbdtr20D9wTRA27QdFDQuD3E2JTBfEldVmLlTrGnxom/s400/RV" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We rented a 35 foot RV, pulled along a pop-up camper to<br />
head out east to Philly for a Muller family reunion.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqOsyvf24mciYpMX0sVp7tmG417fxhm22MXZGbcEvuEAqtUJW0XuRvnWjQUwokLHpZEeubajLxITiV90x2DNPL10cBGCTetQTmOPZLlZ28zSchp7gpcfq3KZmMa6efTpnWwi-2ye-sWSv/s1600/lamp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqOsyvf24mciYpMX0sVp7tmG417fxhm22MXZGbcEvuEAqtUJW0XuRvnWjQUwokLHpZEeubajLxITiV90x2DNPL10cBGCTetQTmOPZLlZ28zSchp7gpcfq3KZmMa6efTpnWwi-2ye-sWSv/s320/lamp" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We stopped at my brothers.<br />
The Stasinator struck.<br />
Ouch. Expensive lamp!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyVytunKnW_78r7nD7EHSeHdIgcwUyHLs3UBXX-_NyS2L0nJsCqq20OhOGP9ZpSSrzSwLX0HMBDF6T_frJ0WMCKKNapBO2VjECUPRFVySaXAHeJu-_Va6sv3-68yS-uH8R-awQ55-DwsL/s400/photo-7.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="298" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky texting and driving the RV...bad choice Ricky!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyVytunKnW_78r7nD7EHSeHdIgcwUyHLs3UBXX-_NyS2L0nJsCqq20OhOGP9ZpSSrzSwLX0HMBDF6T_frJ0WMCKKNapBO2VjECUPRFVySaXAHeJu-_Va6sv3-68yS-uH8R-awQ55-DwsL/s1600/photo-7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_1344130938"></span><span id="goog_1344130939"></span></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaUCBpBzWY78wDJU_7OxzQmIVL6robPK66V5TztcNTuzz_duVvIs0rq1rsjH-JIlzRaja6Wblc8aoLNJtlCEsp2dYUlzNywQQOrL4RDTv4IcWRwV2dfZFD8oGRMm71NuJiYQD1YuCGIhl/s1600/photo-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaUCBpBzWY78wDJU_7OxzQmIVL6robPK66V5TztcNTuzz_duVvIs0rq1rsjH-JIlzRaja6Wblc8aoLNJtlCEsp2dYUlzNywQQOrL4RDTv4IcWRwV2dfZFD8oGRMm71NuJiYQD1YuCGIhl/s320/photo-4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys awake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvcMX2JGh4QzhEJKZXjsRlUQ9uRsFRmOBu759vPwyCRU1xL1VBV2JW_HDD2Jw7kFj9zzSE0NmxA6O3bNyXk5clWHmUNp_d_3gMX9hJNO0LXg3v6wIutntY7PNBxL1oWZArS5l7IxgsES6/s1600/photo-5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvcMX2JGh4QzhEJKZXjsRlUQ9uRsFRmOBu759vPwyCRU1xL1VBV2JW_HDD2Jw7kFj9zzSE0NmxA6O3bNyXk5clWHmUNp_d_3gMX9hJNO0LXg3v6wIutntY7PNBxL1oWZArS5l7IxgsES6/s320/photo-5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys NOT awake...Joy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzaLMXOvohBVWCKfpKMTjLBarmCWxrWcGuKTQ943kZRjq8vH7C7ESS-BPcaccU8jjVpVkjo_0R3k5JM1iSgn73TDTUKv4Wo1mVWCQOEiVG76PZDuiRVjs4hv7KLXlSY9RXTlFMbBVJoJx/s1600/photo-9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzaLMXOvohBVWCKfpKMTjLBarmCWxrWcGuKTQ943kZRjq8vH7C7ESS-BPcaccU8jjVpVkjo_0R3k5JM1iSgn73TDTUKv4Wo1mVWCQOEiVG76PZDuiRVjs4hv7KLXlSY9RXTlFMbBVJoJx/s400/photo-9.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky chilling on mom's lap.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ-_RwCkeh0NTB6GdUO-yaelHrmLFwYldjfq5PzPBvPU5vaSKYex-M3bqowoUr4InzgbYgKUtDYqE5UYN7i5O_O0730djIBwHB306EDOrUW9mxp1Ho0nw_8VsB2r0ZQUl8NrZ6jc-LSMa/s1600/photo-10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZ-_RwCkeh0NTB6GdUO-yaelHrmLFwYldjfq5PzPBvPU5vaSKYex-M3bqowoUr4InzgbYgKUtDYqE5UYN7i5O_O0730djIBwHB306EDOrUW9mxp1Ho0nw_8VsB2r0ZQUl8NrZ6jc-LSMa/s400/photo-10.JPG" width="298" /></a></div> Ocean City, NJ<br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xlrUlcYWgLzrGiqyaSfeMV5MFEw8FTmdOQdS_MQRcfc5Iw4Jh2tLXzsc7Hrtmq2tbNPoY3wZ63dLXiuqCGn_lzdjXJS3qjISCPlpSrUc4-ku_cGEYLI7C2XoWt3S9uqNBwmuz7jDdfEI/s1600/photo-12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xlrUlcYWgLzrGiqyaSfeMV5MFEw8FTmdOQdS_MQRcfc5Iw4Jh2tLXzsc7Hrtmq2tbNPoY3wZ63dLXiuqCGn_lzdjXJS3qjISCPlpSrUc4-ku_cGEYLI7C2XoWt3S9uqNBwmuz7jDdfEI/s400/photo-12.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FREEDOM AT LAST!!!!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGs0teLxXAamloFqFPzVgfToaTeQbiT0sZmv1x9g4ZORmbROdnh_hLryo1G1qrYdoTln_eXsmfMjSN7PVHsW7BUR5PT7APXK973U6D5Dt2hRANrdSVrW5iyHIMgh2egXctdos06npWu0Zi/s1600/photo-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGs0teLxXAamloFqFPzVgfToaTeQbiT0sZmv1x9g4ZORmbROdnh_hLryo1G1qrYdoTln_eXsmfMjSN7PVHsW7BUR5PT7APXK973U6D5Dt2hRANrdSVrW5iyHIMgh2egXctdos06npWu0Zi/s400/photo-15.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down town Philly a bunch of first cousins.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwysa3PL5JJtk7OrhmPWsNgJFP9k9lljisFjWgk0AzHxAyXY09fv8-5jt8jlHmLq9Pn6b6NUCubNjrupiX6OjwEpH-s1e4YVXkgu9w5StGWNzASiW7IbgK5xloQ5LNr0AGjmIaEXliFp9C/s1600/photo-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwysa3PL5JJtk7OrhmPWsNgJFP9k9lljisFjWgk0AzHxAyXY09fv8-5jt8jlHmLq9Pn6b6NUCubNjrupiX6OjwEpH-s1e4YVXkgu9w5StGWNzASiW7IbgK5xloQ5LNr0AGjmIaEXliFp9C/s400/photo-16.JPG" width="297" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbu2F4zeqvzoNeuT0PVr78Xt8SbConBFnkM_Ofg0EbSVSHrCOizDplGO5Noa0ynNwTqDkB_Mv81K5mGw1w4wUBQ_A77U2fCjfZVPACngPcRxshO0yKCCMUUw6NKIxuFjlQCcT_GDcDEssE/s1600/photo-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbu2F4zeqvzoNeuT0PVr78Xt8SbConBFnkM_Ofg0EbSVSHrCOizDplGO5Noa0ynNwTqDkB_Mv81K5mGw1w4wUBQ_A77U2fCjfZVPACngPcRxshO0yKCCMUUw6NKIxuFjlQCcT_GDcDEssE/s400/photo-17.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivADbWIH2icHhRNlnzRinIQehI2znqIQ-s_lBXx0xDIsjcCrYK1QRkkXpZKtZeFlQavmn70n30BBbmzsDmHn3erAfj-sXkDgq0_4is99j-9xEz-PkzxqQ500wXnzCiUqNbyaapmBgtXckv/s1600/photo-6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivADbWIH2icHhRNlnzRinIQehI2znqIQ-s_lBXx0xDIsjcCrYK1QRkkXpZKtZeFlQavmn70n30BBbmzsDmHn3erAfj-sXkDgq0_4is99j-9xEz-PkzxqQ500wXnzCiUqNbyaapmBgtXckv/s400/photo-6.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a lot of chocolate...Hershey Park.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><u><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oJcwhm0UZqnFnFAXCXiSZObcdM9nnNj_zvCGe4iFrv1O48pzx9r_oC3OV0ys8GTzWcxnwXzEUwH2z0Mnh6hWJPZckgh9foCuRnPnDQkFFk7OqVK5y7o77sfvxXizSuwIQ-xnYhmEOx7q/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">And how is it that I do not have any pictures of the reunion? They are on Charlie's camera, not my iphone. So, I better go find them.</a></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7oJcwhm0UZqnFnFAXCXiSZObcdM9nnNj_zvCGe4iFrv1O48pzx9r_oC3OV0ys8GTzWcxnwXzEUwH2z0Mnh6hWJPZckgh9foCuRnPnDQkFFk7OqVK5y7o77sfvxXizSuwIQ-xnYhmEOx7q/s400/photo-3.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="298" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five for Fighting Concert.I have never seen Ricky so happy. I wish I could have bottled the excitement and joy he had. He knew every song and rocked all night.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uxQXMjyKUTyke2yHpZGeFTLJ_PtdELmWHaqs517VnE004IO__BSRv_vyrnp5q3IuC36r3940zrE9fyD61o2G2HHNGCEGP3O51NDNjYVSq0-m5rECjDXYBL2pYyAMLSaheainYCJYf_Vz/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uxQXMjyKUTyke2yHpZGeFTLJ_PtdELmWHaqs517VnE004IO__BSRv_vyrnp5q3IuC36r3940zrE9fyD61o2G2HHNGCEGP3O51NDNjYVSq0-m5rECjDXYBL2pYyAMLSaheainYCJYf_Vz/s400/photo-2.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHaAVg5YU59TZ1cjUP6JOvwnVsljgnS1dVZBgEQswe2gaMfFl_elCARAHkV2zNiPNNObCnBGWI6sBPnB17I-mFsNhHyoXyKv-sFJHA5vlPhsv1co8VDoIh-FhqgbwykeCt52AlFU1vQhY/s1600/photo-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKHaAVg5YU59TZ1cjUP6JOvwnVsljgnS1dVZBgEQswe2gaMfFl_elCARAHkV2zNiPNNObCnBGWI6sBPnB17I-mFsNhHyoXyKv-sFJHA5vlPhsv1co8VDoIh-FhqgbwykeCt52AlFU1vQhY/s400/photo-1.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ricky, talking to Ter (Esther...our friend and old babysitter). He does this a lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-82137414246312427032011-07-15T09:03:00.000-07:002011-07-15T09:03:26.554-07:00Breakthrough!So, yesterday, Stas started copying all of the signs I was teaching him. Mom. Dad. Water. Milk. More. Eat. Yes. No. Drink. He even copied every silly movement I made. Kiss your arm. Kiss your finger. Kiss your foot. Poke you chin. Poke you nose.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">He copied them! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">That is HUGE!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today when I got him out of bed, I said, "Mama is here." And....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">he signed "MOM"!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All by himself :-) Isn't that sweet?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Every now and then he will sign drink or eat or more on his own. That was all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, look how he is copying the game-playing that the girls are doing with Ricky and him. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And then, </div><div style="text-align: center;">for the FINALE</div><div style="text-align: center;">just as the clip ends, he SAYS....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Watch and find out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't miss it!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwU1q2z-OvgGhfQd70vP5eQovtC2kRTah_BBsfN9gojvlkXyMyyTYpv9BgTUM0mQIbnDXPmke6YMERdcIL9hg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you hear it?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He SAID "mama." </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">All smiles here!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-67937183705307487782011-07-13T06:17:00.000-07:002011-07-13T06:19:10.117-07:00What a nutty boy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you may have noticed, Ricky is an entertainer. Not only does he entertain us, but apparently himself as well. The camera on the computer was on and this is what we captured. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Excuse the mess...this was the day after we returned from a 10 day trip in an RV with 10 people. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, weird the timing is off and it took a three minute video and turned it into 50 seconds....oh well, almost funnier. I think you get the point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw-geyn6KAgBu4AjsjVLycXzKKZQH8eau8wb-G9_oGepS7g_e9TMd71B22uDOOqzwd6cQi2q2ZNkHK-dOIFpQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2670860046329507410.post-59933006611767988152011-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:002011-07-12T06:35:55.213-07:00Do you think Ricky was excited???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dypqizPdoyHaWL52Y8mg2l2p_JVj4rDWmQNuNJW-xZrCpNcmKWC_onuOyX7EOvrJBNMcxAtj5TPk6VcSA7neQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx29DKIc2BJ1F0BgD31sF4duh1ycT98lk1SFUwd4vrfwts8fv_8sU_snTjCrfpzOVOEUCFmDV9bK5LOAQnQGA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx4KyIqZuCoiMwjsmcp3DVTRLNN1tvzSPnHNoTJlPgGOWqN9OhYl7wZ7QHYjgycCLGksB69ysveCuQAB6dDwQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09853902524761986719noreply@blogger.com4