tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45960867891355101862024-03-14T01:46:43.790-07:00The Stepter FamilyRebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.comBlogger86125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-81162152411568352682014-01-17T05:37:00.000-08:002014-01-17T05:37:49.723-08:00All wrapped up in a box....Happy Third Birthday Lila<div abp="238" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Three years later....how did that happen? I'm still in disbelief that all the contents, memories, hopes and dreams of my sweet baby Lila are all wrapped up in a box. How is it that possible? It seems like yesterday that we were finding out we were having a baby. And now three years later, we are about to celebrate her third birthday. Three years later, I can still close my eyes and see every detail of that day. I'm thankful for that. The memories, the details, that's all I have of my girl. I pray I never lose that. I pray I never forget the feeling I had when I asked "Is she breathing?" as they pulled her out during surgery. I pray I never forget the look of pride and love on Scott's face as he carried her casket to her grave. Please God never let me forget that YOU were there in those moments. </div>
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Love looking through our box of memories and seeing letters Scott wrote. Letters to "sprout" before we knew we were having a girl. Letters to Lila Elizabeth telling her of all the tea parties that we would have. I cherish the scriptures that friends wrote to cover her isolet in the NICU. I cling to the dress that she wore on her last day on earth. Looking through these treasures, makes be long to hold my baby girl and fulfill all the hopes and dreams we had for her. So very thankful that we got to watch her grow and develop right before our eyes for those 16 days. I cherish those days. </div>
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Three years has brought so much joy, fear, faith and trust in God. God has continued to show us daily that He will carry us when our strength is weak. He will wipe our tears when we feel we can't go on. He will bless and bring joy in the tiniest of things. He has shown He heals wounds so deep that we don't think can ever heal. So blessed by that knowledge and faith in Him that comforts and heals all wounds. I pray the next three years holds even more trust and dependence on Him. I pray that God provides opportunities to share Lila's story and how God is to be glorified through her life and death. </div>
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Dear Lila,</div>
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Oh how I love you! Happy birthday sweet girl. I can just picture the celebration going on in heaven today for you. Know that we are celebrating you today. Griffen can't wait to blow out your candles on your cake and let your balloons go. He's convinced that they will reach you in heaven. Be looking for them today. Crawford will be clapping with all that he has as we sing to you. You are loved and you are missed. </div>
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With all my love, Mommy</div>
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The story of Lila's birth is here <a abp="87" href="http://thestepterfamily.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-to-begin.html">http://thestepterfamily.blogspot.com/2011/01/where-to-begin.html</a></div>
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Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-49671200552740515702012-04-14T18:36:00.000-07:002012-04-14T18:36:13.675-07:00"Me, Griffen!"Just had to document all the funny things Griffen has been saying lately...<br />
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Me: Griffen, did you poop?<br />
G: Oh yeah, I did!<br />
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As he sees a roly poly outside...<br />
G: Hi roly poly, me Griffen! Sandbox. (Then points to the sandbox to show the roly poly the sandbox)<br />
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After Scott sneezed really big...<br />
G: Big bless you, Daddy!<br />
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As boys are riding by on their bikes...<br />
G: Awesome!<br />
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As ducks are flying overhead,<br />
G: Hi ducks! Me, ride bike!<br />
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But my most favorite of all....<br />
Me: I love you, Griffen!<br />
G: I wuv u, Mommy!Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-5017178187971946232012-04-05T14:35:00.000-07:002012-04-05T14:35:07.245-07:0010 Months1 month...1 month...10 months.<br />
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One month to get pregnant with Griffen. One month to get pregnant with Lila. 10 months to get pregnant with baby #3.<br />
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What has the last 10 months been like? Honestly? Some of the lowest lows I've had in my life. Scott and I began trying to get pregnant last June as soon as we got the "all clear" from my doctor. Never did I think it would take 10 months. <br />
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As each month went by with yet another negative pregnancy test, I had more and more doubt that we would be able to get pregnant. My thoughts ranged from I'm not going to have anymore kids, my body is betraying me,did the infection from Lila's pregnancy hinder further pregnancies, to who knows what else. I had lots of hard questions for God. The answer that I kept getting was, I am in control. I had to trust in this. <br />
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I think the thing that was hardest each month was the reality that we shouldn't be trying to have another baby...we should have Lila. Every month I saw one line on the tests, I was hit with the reality that we had lost our baby girl. It threw me back to square one of grief once again. It was hard. It was lonely. It was dark. It was something I struggled to explain to close friends and even to Scott. I love Scott so much! He walked thirew this each month with me but couldn't quite understand why it was so hard each month for me when we found out we weren't pregnant. Until I was finally able to say "I lose Lila everytime we see a negative test," did he understand. <br />
Since I was young...I never longed to have success in a job, etc....I longed to be a wife and mom. Not that I wasn't content being Griffen and Lila's mom but I longed to grow our family. I longed to see Griffen play with a sibling. To actually know them and not just their name and what their headstone looks like. I want to see them running around together.<br />
We knew our doctor wouldn't do any testing until we had been trying at least a year so we didn't even try that route. However, after 9 months of trying, I went in with Scott for my annual exam and to see what her recommendations would be. We talked in depth with her about our concerns. Knowing our history, she gave the ok to go ahead and begin the steps to infertility treatment.<br />
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The tests began with a miriad of bloodwork for me to see if anything odd appeared. Results came back showing that yes I was ovulating and no there weren't any issues that would prevent me from getting pregnant. Next step was Scott getting tested. He got tested on March 15. The next step would be for me to have further invasive testing to see what the issues may be. We had to wait 2 weeks for that testing to be done. After that two weeks, I would either be pregnant or the testing would begin.<br />
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Many prayers went out over those 2 weeks on our behalf. The thing is our journey through what we knew of infertility treatments was going to be short and very limited because of expense and insurance so we laid it all at the Lord's feet. Knowing that He could do anything!!<br />
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On March 16, I got the surprise of a lifetime...a positive pregnancy test. To be continued!<br />
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Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! - 2 Corinthians 9:15Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-47042786660024872232012-04-05T14:33:00.000-07:002012-04-05T14:33:06.518-07:00A Positive Test---I'm Pregnant!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3eO-2rGA-k/T3tR_hTVZeI/AAAAAAAAAq8/Y3NVxboaRfQ/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3eO-2rGA-k/T3tR_hTVZeI/AAAAAAAAAq8/Y3NVxboaRfQ/s320/photo+(7).JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On March 16, we found out that baby #3 was on their way!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scott and I had agreed that I wouldn't take a test until Saturday morning, March 17. Little did he know, I had other plans. I was going to dinner with a friend, Connie on Friday night. I thought, why not, the test will be negative again (we've had 10 months of negative tests), I'll just take a test at her house. Thinking that it would never be positive! Somehow there was still a glimmer of hope in the back of my mind, so if I was pregnant I wanted to be able to surprise Scott that night. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I took a test when I got to her house and then we just sat there looking at each other as we waited the 2 minutes to see the results. After 2 minutes, I walked into the bathroom and was 100% shocked! Connie couldn't believe it either. She kept asking are you sure 2 lines means your pregnant?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After the shock wore off, we began the plan of how to tell Scott the exciting news. We stopped at a new shop that several friends had recommended and went on the search of something to make the big reveal to Scott. We found a frame that said it all..."The Lord has done great things for us...our hearts are filled with joy." Perfect way to tell Scott!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We went to dinner and reveled in the news. After dinner we headed back to Connie's house to write in the frame of the good news. I wrote "for this child we prayed, November 24, 2012." Before I went home to Scott, sweet Connie sat and prayed with me over our sweet baby and the pregnancy ahead.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I got home to Scott with his presents (his birthday was the next day), a cupcake and the frame. He pulled the frame out of the bag and I could see his eyes scanning the words. He read the bottom first and then I could see that he was reading the big news....As soon as he read it, his eyes welled up with tears. He didn't stop crying for 30 minutes. This is a moment that I will never forget!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
We are so thankful that sweet baby will be here around Thanksgiving! Definitely something to be thankful for!!<br />
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Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? - Isaiah 43:19<br />
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This is my prayer through this pregnancy...that the fear of the past, infections, premature labor, NICU will not be my focus. But that I will treasure each day God gives me with my three children. That I will savor every moment that this sweet baby is inside me. That I lay this baby at God's feet knowing that He is good, what He does is good and that He knows the number of our days.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-9954847154363259942012-03-29T19:50:00.001-07:002012-04-02T13:21:18.903-07:00Happy birthday Lila!<div style="text-align: center;">January 17th we celebrated Lila's first birthday. I still can't believe that it's been a year since I was being toted to the ER for the delivery of our 25 week old baby girl. How is that possible?<br />
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I can still close my eyes and be back on that day, January 17, 2011.<br />
I STILL REMEMBER:<br />
the breakfast I had, eggo waffles and chocolate milk<br />
what I was wearing when Scott told me to lie on the floor so that the contractions would slow down<br />
the paramedics repeatedly asking me if I was 25 weeks pregnant<br />
telling myself that my baby would not be born in the ambulanace<br />
the look on my doctor's face when she realized that I was the one that was going into labor<br />
the looks of concern, pity and haste on the nurses faces<br />
the way sweet Lila looked on the nurses iphone pic so I could see her before she changed hospitals<br />
realizing that I had just joined the ranks of so many parents of micro-preemies<br />
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I can truly close my eyes and be back on that day and remember every detail. The thing is, i wouldn't change that for a second. As crazy as that day was, it is my baby girl's birth story. A story that I will hold dear to my heart until I die. Thankful for the story that began the life of our sweet Lila. A story that changed our lives forever. <br />
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Fast forward a year...a year of tears, grief, milestones and challenges. </div><div style="text-align: center;">For Scott and I both, this was such a crazy day to plan. We knew we wanted to honor our baby girl and celebrate her short life but how do you do that? No one tells you how to prepare for a day like this. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">We decided to do what we knew best...pray and read scripture. The day turned out to be freezing so it was a short and sweet tribute to our girl. Scott read scripture and prayed as our parents and Griffen stood near. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hdj3iz-diqs/T01K4f49blI/AAAAAAAAAqU/YVaNaXBXa5o/s1600/Nikon_4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hdj3iz-diqs/T01K4f49blI/AAAAAAAAAqU/YVaNaXBXa5o/s320/Nikon_4737.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0vSBHJSwpY/T01LGa4uB1I/AAAAAAAAAq0/BTGT9hdbQOQ/s1600/Nikon_4751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R0vSBHJSwpY/T01LGa4uB1I/AAAAAAAAAq0/BTGT9hdbQOQ/s320/Nikon_4751.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Happy birthday, sweet Lila!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Satisfy us in the morning with yoru steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all your days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let yoru work be shown to yor servants; and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of your hands!--Psalm 90</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-63801307350624638782012-03-02T12:47:00.000-08:002012-03-02T12:47:49.420-08:00New Years Eve 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We prayed for a house for years. Not so we could just enjoy it ourselves but to really be able to open it up to friends and family. New Years Eve was the perfect time for this. We invited about 20 friends over to ring in the new year together. I felt so excited turning every corner and seeing friends and their little ones enjoying themselves. We are so blessed to have so many friends in the same stage of life to walk together through life with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxK0sX9KQns/T01KWwRlpHI/AAAAAAAAApU/0AJM0M6_5bQ/s1600/Nikon_4702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxK0sX9KQns/T01KWwRlpHI/AAAAAAAAApU/0AJM0M6_5bQ/s320/Nikon_4702.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Everyone enjoying Mrs. Tricia's cookie sundaes. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MssvfDb0Dg8/T01KYyWCp4I/AAAAAAAAApc/Dt67mkHi09Q/s1600/Nikon_4704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MssvfDb0Dg8/T01KYyWCp4I/AAAAAAAAApc/Dt67mkHi09Q/s320/Nikon_4704.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
I can't express how much I love having a playroom (which is really a dining room)! The kids loved being able to pull anything and everything out. So fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ABmvIeJRzK4/T01KbDcY9yI/AAAAAAAAApk/7Wi47Ujrkn0/s1600/Nikon_4707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ABmvIeJRzK4/T01KbDcY9yI/AAAAAAAAApk/7Wi47Ujrkn0/s320/Nikon_4707.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Griffen and Johnny telling some secret and giggling about something! They stood there laughing at each other for what seemed like forever. Can't wait to see these little guys grow up together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHr8rygvF78/T01Ki8aWPyI/AAAAAAAAAp8/bnItcuNF8ng/s1600/Nikon_4718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHr8rygvF78/T01Ki8aWPyI/AAAAAAAAAp8/bnItcuNF8ng/s320/Nikon_4718.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Don't they look guilty of something? Who knows what secrets they were telling in their own little language. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbW0no5qLPo/T01Kk6JIRcI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Yf47HpdFx2M/s1600/Nikon_4719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lbW0no5qLPo/T01Kk6JIRcI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Yf47HpdFx2M/s320/Nikon_4719.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-90495096714670688432012-03-02T12:40:00.000-08:002012-03-02T12:40:07.310-08:00G's New Ride & Uncle B<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ko3KztiMG8/T01JBqiZH5I/AAAAAAAAAn8/IMYKpY0uJXg/s1600/Nikon_4640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ko3KztiMG8/T01JBqiZH5I/AAAAAAAAAn8/IMYKpY0uJXg/s320/Nikon_4640.JPG" uda="true" width="190" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When did our baby become such an adorable little man? Just couldn't resist this picture because he looks like a little mini-me of Papa. Love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were so blessed and excited that Brandon was able to come home for Christmas this year! Griffen hadn't seen him since he was 1 1/2 years old or so. We had practiced with Griffen before Brandon got here for him to say Uncle B. It was the cutest thing to hear him say. He walked around for days saying "B, B!" Brandon loved it when he heard it for the first time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Brandon being the cool, bike-riding uncle he is, took it upon himself to be the one to buy Grifen his first bike. Griffen walked up to it and acted like he knew just what to do. I'm sure we'll be chasing him down the street very soon. <br />
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Love this picture as a proud Uncle B looks on as Griffen checks out his new bike. Thank you B for such a generous gift!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bP_TcShguas/T01JHshHD4I/AAAAAAAAAoE/SKBc_jVtKKo/s1600/Nikon_4656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bP_TcShguas/T01JHshHD4I/AAAAAAAAAoE/SKBc_jVtKKo/s320/Nikon_4656.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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After practicing on his bike, Griffen couldn't resist another romp through the leaves. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHz9djXBYbU/T01JOibiryI/AAAAAAAAAoU/eoqc-yCAOLI/s1600/Nikon_4666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dHz9djXBYbU/T01JOibiryI/AAAAAAAAAoU/eoqc-yCAOLI/s320/Nikon_4666.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Griffen loved playing with B. His eyes just lit up each time he saw Brandon. Love seeing the relationship grow and change each time they are together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkyGzmHFVRo/T01JXnapkSI/AAAAAAAAAok/Y19OogWFkUM/s1600/Nikon_4683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mkyGzmHFVRo/T01JXnapkSI/AAAAAAAAAok/Y19OogWFkUM/s320/Nikon_4683.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We love you Uncle B! Thank you for the bike and all the sweet memories we made this Christmas!</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-75963732120913715312012-03-02T12:27:00.001-08:002012-03-02T12:29:52.502-08:00Christmas Eve and Christmas Day<div style="text-align: center;">I love Christmas! Definitely one of my favorite times of year. We spent a few days at my parents house to be able to spend as much time as possible with family throughout Scott's break. I love all of the traditions that we've continued through the years. We wake up Christmas morning and have a big breakfast filled with cream cheese roll, fruit and all the fixins. So relaxing to be able to wake up at my parents house and still feel like a kid again at Christmas.</div><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas with a two year old has to be one of the funnest thing ever! Griffen's first gift to open was a pair of crocs. It was the cutest thing ever! He immediately knew that he wanted to wear them asap. He stripped off his pajamas and put the shoes on as fast as he could. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here he is playing basketball with his new goal after he had put on his shoes. As you can tell, he loved the goal too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1e13PgSHu0Y/T01IDeGnDqI/AAAAAAAAAmk/OD9G_ZQulJQ/s1600/Nikon_4547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1e13PgSHu0Y/T01IDeGnDqI/AAAAAAAAAmk/OD9G_ZQulJQ/s320/Nikon_4547.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Precious and Uncle B</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nd1ji_D93i0/T01IF9JjZ2I/AAAAAAAAAms/O8zeKRC9Rsk/s1600/Nikon_4552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nd1ji_D93i0/T01IF9JjZ2I/AAAAAAAAAms/O8zeKRC9Rsk/s320/Nikon_4552.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
G loved crashing through the wrapping paper. The smile on his face didn't go away for days!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pPGvfBhphIE/T01IKcXC3wI/AAAAAAAAAm0/prNEoTrZSrI/s1600/Nikon_4574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pPGvfBhphIE/T01IKcXC3wI/AAAAAAAAAm0/prNEoTrZSrI/s320/Nikon_4574.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"><br />
Me trying to teach G how to play baseball with his new tee on Christmas morning. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94cMMyNdi_4/T01IQY6zblI/AAAAAAAAAm8/lBT9FeBLEeY/s1600/Nikon_4587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-94cMMyNdi_4/T01IQY6zblI/AAAAAAAAAm8/lBT9FeBLEeY/s320/Nikon_4587.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Checking out his new cash register. Remember these things? I had one when I was a kid and was so glad to see they had come out with them again. So fun to see Griffen playing with one of my favorite toys as a kid.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pYdi3qi4DM/T01IV8tD2JI/AAAAAAAAAnE/d1aQ7lf9uc8/s1600/Nikon_4554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5pYdi3qi4DM/T01IV8tD2JI/AAAAAAAAAnE/d1aQ7lf9uc8/s320/Nikon_4554.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
After breakfast and all the gifts, we headed to Scott's parents house to have Christmas #3. Here we are posing for our annual pic by their tree. It was a pretty low key holiday there this year with different family members at different celebrations. So good though to be able to spoil each other in a smaller setting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QF2G-HQiIEM/T01IYShUWeI/AAAAAAAAAnM/hP6MboH8bHI/s1600/Nikon_4592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QF2G-HQiIEM/T01IYShUWeI/AAAAAAAAAnM/hP6MboH8bHI/s320/Nikon_4592.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Granny, Scott's grandmother, checking out her new blanket. Think she likes it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9ARmgqpFDc/T01IcLpxQeI/AAAAAAAAAnU/zAjUXoM0ni4/s1600/Nikon_4602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9ARmgqpFDc/T01IcLpxQeI/AAAAAAAAAnU/zAjUXoM0ni4/s320/Nikon_4602.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Griffen and Emilee, my cousin, loved checking out the leaves (no snow this year) in my parents yard on Christmas night. Love seeing the smile on his face and the joy in his eyes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fl0bRU35XB0/T01InoVSDnI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Yui0DBhGMD0/s1600/Nikon_4616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fl0bRU35XB0/T01InoVSDnI/AAAAAAAAAnc/Yui0DBhGMD0/s320/Nikon_4616.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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Goofing off with cousin Emilee!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-GYPEeZUVo/T01Iuh1NcEI/AAAAAAAAAns/NDr0QjZa8T0/s1600/Nikon_4632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-GYPEeZUVo/T01Iuh1NcEI/AAAAAAAAAns/NDr0QjZa8T0/s320/Nikon_4632.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
All in all it was a great Christmas. So very thankful for our loving families, a beautiful home to enjoy, and for Christ's love this season. </div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-16202986105735595522012-03-02T12:07:00.000-08:002012-03-02T12:07:21.531-08:00Christmas 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Christmas 2011 was filled with so much love, laughter, tears and sweet memories. It was hard, don't get me wrong. All I had to do was look at our mantle and see what our family of four should have looked like this Christmas. But that wasn't our reality. I tried not to dwell on what "should have" been. Instead I looked around at my sweet 2 year old and loving husband and thanked God for the gifts we have been blessed with. </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;">The weather was beautiful throughout the holiday season, so with Scott home we made lots of trips to the park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aM6rC8fcXl8/T01F6-No3OI/AAAAAAAAAk8/hJd8UXakJNs/s1600/Nikon_4448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aM6rC8fcXl8/T01F6-No3OI/AAAAAAAAAk8/hJd8UXakJNs/s320/Nikon_4448.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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Our family made a trip to the Gaylord Texan to see the train exhibit and to ride the indoor snow hillls. It was such a fun day. We were so blessed to have Brandon, aka Uncle B, come visit this Christmas so we had filled our time with as many fun adventures as possible. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-5oeBcIN3g/T01GZoP6JQI/AAAAAAAAAlk/KtsDPPc2dOc/s1600/Nikon_4486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z-5oeBcIN3g/T01GZoP6JQI/AAAAAAAAAlk/KtsDPPc2dOc/s320/Nikon_4486.JPG" uda="true" width="214" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our first Christmas celebration was at my aunt and uncle's house. We are so excited to have them back in the DFW area and not in Florida anymore. I loved looking around and seeing all my cousins, their families, and my family all enjoying the day and celebrating the gifts God has blessed us with. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7sB8asSv9mM/T01GoDa719I/AAAAAAAAAl8/obwPkmO02To/s1600/Nikon_4505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7sB8asSv9mM/T01GoDa719I/AAAAAAAAAl8/obwPkmO02To/s320/Nikon_4505.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Before we headed to my parents for Christmas, Scott and I had our traditional gift exchange at our house. This was our fourth year to go to Target for our gifts. We set a $20 limit and a time limit and then see what all goodies we can give each other. Definitely have to get creative on the budget and time limit. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y90KOfgS-OQ/T01G0HEC3yI/AAAAAAAAAmU/nBqnIiITlu0/s1600/Nikon_4527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y90KOfgS-OQ/T01G0HEC3yI/AAAAAAAAAmU/nBqnIiITlu0/s320/Nikon_4527.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-57889356081183188172012-02-28T11:41:00.000-08:002012-02-28T11:41:43.639-08:00Griffen Jey---24 months---aka 2 years old!<div style="text-align: center;">Our little 7 pound 13 oz. baby is turning TWO today (December 14)! How did he go from this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spW5aUtx3Ec/T00tNVmYzGI/AAAAAAAAAkk/Y6lBBSWnxKc/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-spW5aUtx3Ec/T00tNVmYzGI/AAAAAAAAAkk/Y6lBBSWnxKc/s320/IMG_0230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To this so fast...??!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkMlVw1uJXo/T0aYmXo1hHI/AAAAAAAAAiU/E1G8eqCemqU/s1600/24+months.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XkMlVw1uJXo/T0aYmXo1hHI/AAAAAAAAAiU/E1G8eqCemqU/s320/24+months.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">24 Month Stats:</span></em></strong></div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">27 pounds 7 oz.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">35 1/2 inches tall</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">size 4 diaper</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">18-24 month clothes, 24 month shirts but 18-24 month pants</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 nap a day usually 2-3 hours</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">sleeps 11-12 hours a night</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">still sleeps with George and his sleep sac</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">talking nonstop- added so many words in the last month. So exciting to hear him.</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">loves trains, Elmo, and Mickey</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">favorite show is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">never really walks anywhere, loves to run</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">eats like a champ!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">loves to eat Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwiches</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">moved up into the Park class at church. LOVES it!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">enjoys being read to and still has a great love of books</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Has a contagious smile and laugh!</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv-dkO9LgY8/T0aYnwWcCEI/AAAAAAAAAic/jYEvL0k0OLY/s1600/Griffen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" lda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gv-dkO9LgY8/T0aYnwWcCEI/AAAAAAAAAic/jYEvL0k0OLY/s320/Griffen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Dear Griffen-<br />
We love you so much! You are growing up to be such a sweet and loving boy. You bring such joy to our lives everyday. Thank you your hugs and kisses everyday. We love seeing your personality come out each day as you explore everything around you. Happy birthday sweet boy! We love you.<br />
Love Mom and Dad<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmDbu9BlNLI/T0aYsddq1XI/AAAAAAAAAik/-l4ipg10xuw/s1600/Nikon_4188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmDbu9BlNLI/T0aYsddq1XI/AAAAAAAAAik/-l4ipg10xuw/s320/Nikon_4188.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-89093957757799901112012-02-23T12:14:00.000-08:002012-02-23T12:14:15.996-08:00Griffen's Snowman Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A snowman adventure is waiting for you...because Griffen Jey is turning two!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For Griffen's second birthday, I wanted something fun and different. Before he has an opinion on what crazy character he wants his party to be based around, this momma wanted to have some fun! I really enjoyed creating all the details of his party this year. Thanks to Pinterest for some creative ideas too! Here's all the little details of the party....The "small" party we planned to have at our house quickly turned into about 25-30 people. I wouldn't have had it any other way though. I loved turning around every corner of our house and seeing friends and family. This is exactly why I wanted a house so much. So blessed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The birthday boy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wbtX3r6y2c/T0aaAxaOcsI/AAAAAAAAAis/wl9E9_HGEio/s1600/Nikon_4324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1wbtX3r6y2c/T0aaAxaOcsI/AAAAAAAAAis/wl9E9_HGEio/s320/Nikon_4324.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Greeting at the door</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9gMmjyq204/T0aaLkFb3kI/AAAAAAAAAi0/dN2JBYMS-Q8/s1600/Nikon_4279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y9gMmjyq204/T0aaLkFb3kI/AAAAAAAAAi0/dN2JBYMS-Q8/s320/Nikon_4279.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sign in table...I do a scrapbook page each year for G's scrapbook for guests to write him a note on</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3ls7TzKSP4/T0aaV50i-vI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jd7_V93Rip0/s1600/Nikon_4321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--3ls7TzKSP4/T0aaV50i-vI/AAAAAAAAAi8/jd7_V93Rip0/s320/Nikon_4321.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxNPZOM1gBo/T0aaeiofUUI/AAAAAAAAAjE/tb7uoPEzUFc/s1600/Nikon_4322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxNPZOM1gBo/T0aaeiofUUI/AAAAAAAAAjE/tb7uoPEzUFc/s320/Nikon_4322.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The kids table...we had 5 two year olds. They loved having their own little table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAaR6OsYXU8/T0aaia3sDMI/AAAAAAAAAjM/FQy51Al8L-0/s1600/Nikon_4319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JAaR6OsYXU8/T0aaia3sDMI/AAAAAAAAAjM/FQy51Al8L-0/s320/Nikon_4319.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The food...loved coming up with as much snowman themed food as possible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrH_D5aoUDE/T0aanHagO2I/AAAAAAAAAjU/0R8L4MgS01s/s1600/Nikon_4305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SrH_D5aoUDE/T0aanHagO2I/AAAAAAAAAjU/0R8L4MgS01s/s320/Nikon_4305.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FtgrT0eg7Y/T0aarb6iONI/AAAAAAAAAjc/ApO_kqofGO0/s1600/Nikon_4306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FtgrT0eg7Y/T0aarb6iONI/AAAAAAAAAjc/ApO_kqofGO0/s320/Nikon_4306.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12QNiQhqgLw/T0aazbbr4JI/AAAAAAAAAjk/e3r8dUU1MFk/s1600/Nikon_4308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-12QNiQhqgLw/T0aazbbr4JI/AAAAAAAAAjk/e3r8dUU1MFk/s320/Nikon_4308.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_EIO2fns10/T0aa894GZSI/AAAAAAAAAjs/JG11oOcTAO0/s1600/Nikon_4309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y_EIO2fns10/T0aa894GZSI/AAAAAAAAAjs/JG11oOcTAO0/s320/Nikon_4309.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCaSXII6ZZU/T0abCTzMckI/AAAAAAAAAj0/odJ9u4OrpzE/s1600/Nikon_4310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wCaSXII6ZZU/T0abCTzMckI/AAAAAAAAAj0/odJ9u4OrpzE/s320/Nikon_4310.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMbawBO81tA/T0abFXR4HoI/AAAAAAAAAj8/w_js13T8uB4/s1600/Nikon_4312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rMbawBO81tA/T0abFXR4HoI/AAAAAAAAAj8/w_js13T8uB4/s320/Nikon_4312.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Another guest table for the "big kids"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooKKCEialV8/T0abRfr0rcI/AAAAAAAAAkE/krVzFXzPtUE/s1600/Nikon_4318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ooKKCEialV8/T0abRfr0rcI/AAAAAAAAAkE/krVzFXzPtUE/s320/Nikon_4318.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The kids favors....peppermint scented homemade play-do</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQNLaR0Wwek/T0abT8irckI/AAAAAAAAAkM/FA7VN3-3hAU/s1600/Nikon_4315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zQNLaR0Wwek/T0abT8irckI/AAAAAAAAAkM/FA7VN3-3hAU/s320/Nikon_4315.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The "big kids" favors...white chocolate popcorn with red hots</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUNDHixO3PY/T0abV1qCWiI/AAAAAAAAAkU/GZYk35wvkVg/s1600/Nikon_4285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OUNDHixO3PY/T0abV1qCWiI/AAAAAAAAAkU/GZYk35wvkVg/s320/Nikon_4285.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Our worn out little man...he's all partied out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_z5JpKFAunc/T0abaBB4ffI/AAAAAAAAAkc/SZuWUPnZK0k/s1600/Nikon_4434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_z5JpKFAunc/T0abaBB4ffI/AAAAAAAAAkc/SZuWUPnZK0k/s320/Nikon_4434.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Let the planning for next year begin! :-)</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-64009961733657992482012-02-23T11:40:00.000-08:002012-02-23T11:40:33.926-08:00November 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">November was a great month. We have so much to be thankful for and it's always such a good time to slow down and think on those things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Griffen got a new sand box courtesy of a consignment sale. As you can tell from the pics, he loves it! Love seeing his face as he runs his feet through the sand for the first time. Such a joy to be able to stay home and see all of these new discoveries each day as he grows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glv5QDZzfig/T0aSC1kkJoI/AAAAAAAAAg0/2lTKXOTf72k/s1600/Nikon_3975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-glv5QDZzfig/T0aSC1kkJoI/AAAAAAAAAg0/2lTKXOTf72k/s320/Nikon_3975.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxlE8SfYu88/T0aSJhtfREI/AAAAAAAAAg8/3pCobkFRWVw/s1600/Nikon_3983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jxlE8SfYu88/T0aSJhtfREI/AAAAAAAAAg8/3pCobkFRWVw/s320/Nikon_3983.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">How did I get blessed with such a sweet boy?! I love him so much. He has such a sweet, happy heart that shows through everyday. Don't get me wrong he has his moments but overall he really is the happiest kid I know. Everything is so exciting to him that his joy is contagious.So blessed to be his mommy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8rflC5FInk/T0aSUfB6IMI/AAAAAAAAAhE/VJMmmbSI08E/s1600/Nikon_4001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" lda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8rflC5FInk/T0aSUfB6IMI/AAAAAAAAAhE/VJMmmbSI08E/s320/Nikon_4001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">When did he get so big? Next month he will be 2 years old. I still feel like I should be cuddling him up in his swaddle blanket and watching him curl up in my arms as a tiny baby. Instead he's running around nonstop searching for his next adventure. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltSSM4C4r2M/T0aSbhbJD9I/AAAAAAAAAhM/QHR-ItBUQqg/s1600/Nikon_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ltSSM4C4r2M/T0aSbhbJD9I/AAAAAAAAAhM/QHR-ItBUQqg/s320/Nikon_4010.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-636Zrk6wbO8/T0aSlZMqmHI/AAAAAAAAAhU/0X-yLc4P1iA/s1600/Nikon_4023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-636Zrk6wbO8/T0aSlZMqmHI/AAAAAAAAAhU/0X-yLc4P1iA/s320/Nikon_4023.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">For the past four or five years, it's been a family tradition to go to Tyler, TX for Thanksgiving and to camp out. This was Griffen's first time to go. His little feet never stopped from the time we stopped till the time we left. He searched every square inch of that place for anything and everything. He was such a trooper and always on the go. Mom, Griffen and I stayed in the camper and Dad and Scott stayed in the tent. Griffen loved every minute of the trip. Can't wait for many more memories each year we go back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIKtYMYEun0/T0aSwEoMGwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/xn1ItYkRLhk/s1600/Nikon_4055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIKtYMYEun0/T0aSwEoMGwI/AAAAAAAAAhc/xn1ItYkRLhk/s320/Nikon_4055.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> So proud of himself helping Daddy sweep out the tent.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZaHm67agWg/T0aS45faHOI/AAAAAAAAAhk/tf9ut5BEhDY/s1600/Nikon_4068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uZaHm67agWg/T0aS45faHOI/AAAAAAAAAhk/tf9ut5BEhDY/s320/Nikon_4068.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This is what we call "camping in style!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGIeER_j3Tc/T0aS_a3DnkI/AAAAAAAAAhs/q8iuP2IG3SM/s1600/Nikon_4075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AGIeER_j3Tc/T0aS_a3DnkI/AAAAAAAAAhs/q8iuP2IG3SM/s320/Nikon_4075.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Loved having a playground near our camp so little man could run till his little heart out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHqIfC5_gq0/T0aTD4PcmQI/AAAAAAAAAh0/kmJ8gHHqj_g/s1600/Nikon_4094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lHqIfC5_gq0/T0aTD4PcmQI/AAAAAAAAAh0/kmJ8gHHqj_g/s320/Nikon_4094.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIWJsC6ecxM/T0aTIZPquJI/AAAAAAAAAh8/AlPOuiFMu3g/s1600/Nikon_4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XIWJsC6ecxM/T0aTIZPquJI/AAAAAAAAAh8/AlPOuiFMu3g/s320/Nikon_4107.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3DZvlpz5uM/T0aTNaP2AKI/AAAAAAAAAiE/30h7QAgrKE8/s1600/Nikon_4136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j3DZvlpz5uM/T0aTNaP2AKI/AAAAAAAAAiE/30h7QAgrKE8/s320/Nikon_4136.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUUn537Fr2I/T0aTR0It-HI/AAAAAAAAAiM/PXIqrMlm0Rc/s1600/Nikon_4139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" lda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUUn537Fr2I/T0aTR0It-HI/AAAAAAAAAiM/PXIqrMlm0Rc/s320/Nikon_4139.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">So thankful for my family and the blessings God has given us this year! Through the ups and the downs of the last 10 months, I know God is in control. How can I not be thankful when I look in this sweet boys' face?!</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-68611731874450359342012-02-20T14:03:00.000-08:002012-02-20T14:03:29.983-08:00Back to the Land of BloggingI figured that today was as good as any to welcome myself back to the land of blogging. My goal is to try and do a post a day for the next week or so to try to catch up. We'll see! <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>October 2011 Recap</strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">October was a great month of hanging out and enjoying the weather, celebrating birthdays, and spending time with our sweet boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Isn't he the cutest thing? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKlLPAqMp40/T0LAsDrS9JI/AAAAAAAAAfk/EB9D84okuKI/s1600/Nikon_3744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IKlLPAqMp40/T0LAsDrS9JI/AAAAAAAAAfk/EB9D84okuKI/s320/Nikon_3744.JPG" width="214px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
This picture melts my heart! This is the pillow pet that Lila's nurses had for Griffen after she passed away. They wanted him to have something at the hospital waiting for him when we went to see her. He loves it!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6h9lHugCCM/T0LAvFgf3PI/AAAAAAAAAfs/j6NJ3z2LSSI/s1600/Nikon_3743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l6h9lHugCCM/T0LAvFgf3PI/AAAAAAAAAfs/j6NJ3z2LSSI/s320/Nikon_3743.JPG" width="214px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Getting creative with playtime! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsRr7zQCj6s/T0LA215DMvI/AAAAAAAAAf0/-lSl8ym0nJQ/s1600/Nikon_3757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FsRr7zQCj6s/T0LA215DMvI/AAAAAAAAAf0/-lSl8ym0nJQ/s320/Nikon_3757.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Picnics with friends</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwVxoD6edGc/T0LA5764vXI/AAAAAAAAAf8/92mvk3fPXJY/s1600/Nikon_3762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwVxoD6edGc/T0LA5764vXI/AAAAAAAAAf8/92mvk3fPXJY/s320/Nikon_3762.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Just hanging out! :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgl8vdKwiDk/T0LA_gHFhpI/AAAAAAAAAgE/ZSAclSn0xLY/s1600/Nikon_3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rgl8vdKwiDk/T0LA_gHFhpI/AAAAAAAAAgE/ZSAclSn0xLY/s320/Nikon_3781.JPG" width="214px" yda="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First train ride---celebrating our friend Johnny's birthday. Griffen loved it. Definitely something we will do again soon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qpjzlc7I-ug/T0LBKwOAs9I/AAAAAAAAAgM/vevlUDCMmLw/s1600/Nikon_3820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qpjzlc7I-ug/T0LBKwOAs9I/AAAAAAAAAgM/vevlUDCMmLw/s320/Nikon_3820.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPzRak41sC4/T0LBQjNrdsI/AAAAAAAAAgU/FyBKqDXQ3HY/s1600/Nikon_3842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xPzRak41sC4/T0LBQjNrdsI/AAAAAAAAAgU/FyBKqDXQ3HY/s320/Nikon_3842.JPG" width="214px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Annual trip to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pD6wMC73Hc/T0LBWnTD7GI/AAAAAAAAAgc/_58fFCp7loE/s1600/Nikon_3865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8pD6wMC73Hc/T0LBWnTD7GI/AAAAAAAAAgc/_58fFCp7loE/s320/Nikon_3865.JPG" width="214px" yda="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWFSZSE3eLU/T0LBe6e0aDI/AAAAAAAAAgk/IXrMrRrleT8/s1600/Pumpkin+Patch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWFSZSE3eLU/T0LBe6e0aDI/AAAAAAAAAgk/IXrMrRrleT8/s320/Pumpkin+Patch+1.jpg" width="285px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our sweet boy is growing up too fast. Seems like yesterday we were here and he wasn't even walking yet! Just to remember how much he changed in a year...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWjeL0k1V18/T0LDJP5XQJI/AAAAAAAAAgs/aE3CagikF8I/s1600/2004_0415Pumpkin0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cWjeL0k1V18/T0LDJP5XQJI/AAAAAAAAAgs/aE3CagikF8I/s320/2004_0415Pumpkin0049.JPG" width="320px" yda="true" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-1442247363567960202011-10-27T11:47:00.000-07:002011-10-27T11:47:41.872-07:00Goodbye GucciAfter almost 9 years of playing chase, long walks, and lots of cuddling, we had to say goodbye to my first "child" and Scott's "adopted child" yesterday, Gucci. He was such a good dog even with all his neurotic behavior at times! Gonna miss the little guy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuazyicm_iY/TqmmlMijJXI/AAAAAAAAAek/RIB8EQ0s_Y0/s1600/gucci1-6wks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vuazyicm_iY/TqmmlMijJXI/AAAAAAAAAek/RIB8EQ0s_Y0/s320/gucci1-6wks.jpg" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0mJUg3HUcg/Tqmmorx0eqI/AAAAAAAAAes/6_PBdom2Zaw/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R0mJUg3HUcg/Tqmmorx0eqI/AAAAAAAAAes/6_PBdom2Zaw/s320/001.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5zzt1f4lc7s/TqmmtY08bQI/AAAAAAAAAe0/NLq9c3H5b2w/s1600/Gucci+the+Bee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5zzt1f4lc7s/TqmmtY08bQI/AAAAAAAAAe0/NLq9c3H5b2w/s320/Gucci+the+Bee.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbeRbEs2Pq0/TqmmwdPFn4I/AAAAAAAAAe8/nZcGd1XH-lI/s1600/155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DbeRbEs2Pq0/TqmmwdPFn4I/AAAAAAAAAe8/nZcGd1XH-lI/s320/155.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foJ-lkfchlQ/Tqmm4ejGKWI/AAAAAAAAAfE/UeHyXWadJ1A/s1600/134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-foJ-lkfchlQ/Tqmm4ejGKWI/AAAAAAAAAfE/UeHyXWadJ1A/s320/134.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJLRGQPmVd4/Tqmm9xv_SjI/AAAAAAAAAfM/wOJO7jlujto/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJLRGQPmVd4/Tqmm9xv_SjI/AAAAAAAAAfM/wOJO7jlujto/s320/009.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-9583977948989421432011-10-27T11:37:00.000-07:002011-10-27T11:37:31.049-07:00Celebrating MomMom celebrated a milestone birthday at the beginning of October. For privacy sake, I won't post her age! :-) Dad and I were excited to throw her a surprise birthday to celebrate the occassion. I had fun decorating for the event. Loved the red, black and white color scheme. (Totally forgot to get pics of half the decor though!) It was a great time celebrating with friends and family, which is what it's all about. Here are a few pics from the special event.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Birthday Girl</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2E6z-_BC7Uk/TqmixRah7PI/AAAAAAAAAdk/gC-tHqjeW9k/s1600/Nikon_3706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2E6z-_BC7Uk/TqmixRah7PI/AAAAAAAAAdk/gC-tHqjeW9k/s320/Nikon_3706.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The Liberty Crew-known each other or over 20 years</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crpMf98pZuA/Tqmi4vVqgkI/AAAAAAAAAds/MO6d9_LIQGE/s1600/Nikon_3687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-crpMf98pZuA/Tqmi4vVqgkI/AAAAAAAAAds/MO6d9_LIQGE/s320/Nikon_3687.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> Sweet brothers with Mom---Yes that's a 80's family pic on the mantle. I had framed a bunch of pics from mom growing up, etc. that were sitting around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nul6NV6XlE8/TqmjBm07QaI/AAAAAAAAAd0/h_4gUC5-3bc/s1600/Nikon_3697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nul6NV6XlE8/TqmjBm07QaI/AAAAAAAAAd0/h_4gUC5-3bc/s320/Nikon_3697.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Love family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W89HpB8EPzs/TqmjOqSLT1I/AAAAAAAAAd8/OFKnwmDcBCU/s1600/Nikon_3703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W89HpB8EPzs/TqmjOqSLT1I/AAAAAAAAAd8/OFKnwmDcBCU/s320/Nikon_3703.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Love friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivscXKD8FeI/TqmjU5O8ZAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Gv5T1tBWk9A/s1600/Nikon_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ivscXKD8FeI/TqmjU5O8ZAI/AAAAAAAAAeE/Gv5T1tBWk9A/s320/Nikon_3677.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Cutest guest of all time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpyVjiXMsis/TqmjaTJcBqI/AAAAAAAAAeM/vBVOSr3YzNQ/s1600/Nikon_3673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vpyVjiXMsis/TqmjaTJcBqI/AAAAAAAAAeM/vBVOSr3YzNQ/s320/Nikon_3673.JPG" width="229px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Enjoying catching up </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTPP6uaB6QA/TqmjguCAijI/AAAAAAAAAeU/LCilqjh32bk/s1600/Nikon_3678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bTPP6uaB6QA/TqmjguCAijI/AAAAAAAAAeU/LCilqjh32bk/s320/Nikon_3678.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">From your favorite grandson....Happy birthday Precious!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa_ZwHCVAnI/TqmjnkFd7QI/AAAAAAAAAec/8LRhQ1P-a7s/s1600/Nikon_3680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oa_ZwHCVAnI/TqmjnkFd7QI/AAAAAAAAAec/8LRhQ1P-a7s/s320/Nikon_3680.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-51590661967497202912011-10-27T11:21:00.000-07:002011-10-27T11:21:57.885-07:00Pregnancy and Infant Loss Rememberance Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14AZJs4NN0w/TqmhGVIY45I/AAAAAAAAAdc/CPyGfPALNYc/s1600/Nikon_2196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-14AZJs4NN0w/TqmhGVIY45I/AAAAAAAAAdc/CPyGfPALNYc/s320/Nikon_2196.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>October 15th was Pregnancy and Infant Loss Rememberance Day....in my naive, rose-colored glasses mind, I never thought this day would include me. Not that any woman ever thinks they'll be part of the statistics. Miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death will affect one in four women. Wow! <br />
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After Lila's death, I was amazed at the women that I never really knew their stories of loss, through miscarriage or other death. Hearing so many of their stories made me so blessed to be able to say...We had a daughter. Her name was Lila. She lived 16 days and I got to hold her. It breaks my heart for those women that never knew their child because of an early miscarriage. <br />
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This day held so much meaning to me. It was our family picture day. If you know me or talked to me in the last few weeks, you knew that I had these pics planned out to the last detail. From what we would wear (which changed several times), to how we would honor Lila in the pics, all the details had been thought out. I'm sure many of you thought I was just trying to get a cute pic so I could post it on Pinterest and be one of those people with the beautiful family pics. :-) That wasn't it at all....This picture was our first family pic that we had really taken since Lila. A picture that she should have been in with her little pink bow. A picture that I had in my head since we found out we were having a girl. A picture of the family that I had dreamed about having since I was a little girl....So when those dreams were shattered I knew that this picture would mean even more to me. <br />
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A simple pink balloon...That's all we had to represent Lila in our pictures. Breaks my heart but she's part of our lives and she had to be in the pictures. <br />
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I received an email from my aunt a few days before this national day of rememberance. It was about a woman in the area who was doing a baloon release in honor of the children she had lost and those children others had lost too. I sent her Lila's name and her name was placed in a balloon and released that day too. Here's a video and the ladies' story. (Lila's name is the second name that scrolls through on the bottom row).<br />
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<a href="http://destinyinbloom.com/beautiful-things">http://destinyinbloom.com/beautiful-things</a> Go to the link and scroll down to view the video.<br />
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Praying for those today who have lost little ones.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-90552973746561583592011-10-24T18:50:00.000-07:002011-10-27T11:40:41.892-07:00Griffen Jey---21 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sadly this is about the extent of the pictures that we were able to take this month with our big camera...Why you ask?....3 words...21 month BOY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Notice this pic is of him strapped into his highchair...no where to go!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYuTaG6lohs/TqYU9WYqKuI/AAAAAAAAAdE/Jkk3U4REJR8/s1600/Nikon_3615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VYuTaG6lohs/TqYU9WYqKuI/AAAAAAAAAdE/Jkk3U4REJR8/s320/Nikon_3615.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This one I caught him off guard when he was innocently reading in his room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-px-Yvh6rslI/TqYVBK0tI7I/AAAAAAAAAdM/7zGknwNm_Hc/s1600/Nikon_3620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-px-Yvh6rslI/TqYVBK0tI7I/AAAAAAAAAdM/7zGknwNm_Hc/s320/Nikon_3620.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> This was our FAILED attempt at a 21 month picture. Oh well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjHk0TrXmZQ/TqYVF3VFW1I/AAAAAAAAAdU/ECm6_aneQ_s/s1600/Nikon_3621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GjHk0TrXmZQ/TqYVF3VFW1I/AAAAAAAAAdU/ECm6_aneQ_s/s320/Nikon_3621.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Guess we'll try again next month! :-) I wouldn't change it for the world though.<br />
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<strong><em>21 Month Highlights:</em></strong><br />
-about 26 1/2 pounds<br />
-size 4 diapers<br />
-size 18 month clothes, although he can still wear some 12 month shorts<br />
-new words: help me, ball, choo choo, hi, balloon<br />
-active from sun up till sun down!<br />
-very cuddly lately<br />
-enjoys going to the park daily <br />
-doing MUCH better in the church nursery. Praise the LORD!<br />
-very good helper<br />
-loves to help with laundry<br />
-dances any chance he gets<br />
-loves anything to do with "Old MacDonald", goes around saying "EIO" so you'll think he's cute and let him play the game on your phone!</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-60622854866396717242011-09-16T16:10:00.000-07:002011-09-16T16:10:52.252-07:00The first step...The first step to any good 12 step problem is admitting that you have a problem...So here goes....Hi, I'm Rebecca and I'm addicted to Pinterest. This problem began a few months ago and continues to consume my free time. Here's just a few projects that have filled my time lately because of this newfound addiction.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Quilting hoops for the craft room</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP76jJ1KsWw/TnPUwU2j5YI/AAAAAAAAAcc/FjFpvY-r4co/s1600/Nikon_3597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wP76jJ1KsWw/TnPUwU2j5YI/AAAAAAAAAcc/FjFpvY-r4co/s320/Nikon_3597.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Artwork for the playroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwXsTBqDRBw/TnPU0aI6NnI/AAAAAAAAAcg/qAu3IdPYErk/s1600/Nikon_3599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwXsTBqDRBw/TnPU0aI6NnI/AAAAAAAAAcg/qAu3IdPYErk/s320/Nikon_3599.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Display for Griffen's artwork</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xh-tiYNOD4/TnPU2gGeQyI/AAAAAAAAAck/6U9l-Z_CZa0/s1600/Nikon_3600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xh-tiYNOD4/TnPU2gGeQyI/AAAAAAAAAck/6U9l-Z_CZa0/s320/Nikon_3600.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Weekly Menu Board for the Kitchen</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3z03Km1PjrQ/TnPU5eH47iI/AAAAAAAAAco/oFlD7PMaBnk/s1600/Nikon_3601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3z03Km1PjrQ/TnPU5eH47iI/AAAAAAAAAco/oFlD7PMaBnk/s320/Nikon_3601.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Burlap wreath for the pantry door</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnxWR1Scd7I/TnPU7cZI7UI/AAAAAAAAAcs/X6dnTbp9HKM/s1600/Nikon_3602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cnxWR1Scd7I/TnPU7cZI7UI/AAAAAAAAAcs/X6dnTbp9HKM/s320/Nikon_3602.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Linoleum tiles placed under the kitchen sink</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZZnVRU_xBc/TnPU-MoNBCI/AAAAAAAAAcw/koysrOLOSGQ/s1600/Nikon_3604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qZZnVRU_xBc/TnPU-MoNBCI/AAAAAAAAAcw/koysrOLOSGQ/s320/Nikon_3604.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Inspiration for kitchen curtains</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af50QcSn4R0/TnPVBcJKC1I/AAAAAAAAAc0/X68qr9pB6NU/s1600/Nikon_3605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af50QcSn4R0/TnPVBcJKC1I/AAAAAAAAAc0/X68qr9pB6NU/s320/Nikon_3605.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Burlap board for our monogram</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mw-ARzwS6Ss/TnPVDx0NEPI/AAAAAAAAAc4/S5U9-JPyYk8/s1600/Nikon_3606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mw-ARzwS6Ss/TnPVDx0NEPI/AAAAAAAAAc4/S5U9-JPyYk8/s320/Nikon_3606.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Sign for the playroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnU-IFBXYBw/TnPVF6ZSP9I/AAAAAAAAAc8/SEQv8aigtTs/s1600/Nikon_3607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UnU-IFBXYBw/TnPVF6ZSP9I/AAAAAAAAAc8/SEQv8aigtTs/s320/Nikon_3607.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">A place for my makeup brushes (in coffee beans)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILoaHQDdjYM/TnPVIFjOEoI/AAAAAAAAAdA/hSdv8ufBBco/s1600/Nikon_3609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ILoaHQDdjYM/TnPVIFjOEoI/AAAAAAAAAdA/hSdv8ufBBco/s320/Nikon_3609.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All in all, I'm very pleased with every project that I've done. Add to that list too is tons of new recipes that we've tried out. So, not sure where this new addiction is gonna take me. We'll see if anyone comes up with a PA ("Pinterest Anonymous") group. If so, I may have to join that! :-)</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-38097649227171578662011-09-04T12:27:00.000-07:002011-09-04T12:27:35.570-07:00Summertime FunI realized the other day I hadn't posted many pictures of Mr. Griffen throughout the summer. Here's what kept us busy this long, HOT summer. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Checking out his new slide. Had to keep it inside for awhile because it was so hot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WudE6diO_Q/TmPOyCF0IFI/AAAAAAAAAbg/RQo-Q3U6g00/s1600/Nikon_3424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6WudE6diO_Q/TmPOyCF0IFI/AAAAAAAAAbg/RQo-Q3U6g00/s320/Nikon_3424.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of daddy time, reading. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thmwQfLV5EI/TmPO1tAt4tI/AAAAAAAAAbk/wjX0y_JP_h4/s1600/Nikon_3428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thmwQfLV5EI/TmPO1tAt4tI/AAAAAAAAAbk/wjX0y_JP_h4/s320/Nikon_3428.JPG" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Just being cute. (Yes, the fly swatter is clean. It's for Gucci.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StstYIUN1ks/TmPO4-TFWpI/AAAAAAAAAbo/WW0DmpUD3xo/s1600/Nikon_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-StstYIUN1ks/TmPO4-TFWpI/AAAAAAAAAbo/WW0DmpUD3xo/s320/Nikon_3429.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hanging out at the park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9PTE8C73Ng/TmPO8e_fTtI/AAAAAAAAAbs/kSAY9shW2P8/s1600/Nikon_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_9PTE8C73Ng/TmPO8e_fTtI/AAAAAAAAAbs/kSAY9shW2P8/s320/Nikon_3439.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lkhg4WPGMU/TmPPCFicyoI/AAAAAAAAAbw/7fs3ueUc5WM/s1600/Nikon_3449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_Lkhg4WPGMU/TmPPCFicyoI/AAAAAAAAAbw/7fs3ueUc5WM/s320/Nikon_3449.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Discovering new treasure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xjFa8u0wOw/TmPPJsAwbgI/AAAAAAAAAb0/jebOYuPtc0U/s1600/Nikon_3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--xjFa8u0wOw/TmPPJsAwbgI/AAAAAAAAAb0/jebOYuPtc0U/s320/Nikon_3453.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Quality time with Daddy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dAt3X4lor0/TmPPMxe7-uI/AAAAAAAAAb4/e997Psg7zJc/s1600/Nikon_3468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dAt3X4lor0/TmPPMxe7-uI/AAAAAAAAAb4/e997Psg7zJc/s320/Nikon_3468.JPG" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Aunt Sarah's wedding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRo_kdsR9bU/TmPPdSzpdLI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Zq5eSkGxhvk/s1600/Nikon_3509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xRo_kdsR9bU/TmPPdSzpdLI/AAAAAAAAAcA/Zq5eSkGxhvk/s320/Nikon_3509.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Playing with macaroni.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhZvM0m9yVo/TmPPh43_YzI/AAAAAAAAAcE/D6IukJa78-E/s1600/Nikon_3524.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VhZvM0m9yVo/TmPPh43_YzI/AAAAAAAAAcE/D6IukJa78-E/s320/Nikon_3524.JPG" width="320px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Enjoying our back yard. (Love the sequence of these pictures. G's so inquisitive!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lYv9uJnWDo/TmPPo_kCZrI/AAAAAAAAAcI/-JOckNqKSKQ/s1600/Nikon_3547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9lYv9uJnWDo/TmPPo_kCZrI/AAAAAAAAAcI/-JOckNqKSKQ/s320/Nikon_3547.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUoxPOyd6ns/TmPPsiAsx3I/AAAAAAAAAcM/ihauEuaJtOU/s1600/Nikon_3548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BUoxPOyd6ns/TmPPsiAsx3I/AAAAAAAAAcM/ihauEuaJtOU/s320/Nikon_3548.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-we1rTp5nj9c/TmPPuu5PpCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/MyfMx-ANRvU/s1600/Nikon_3549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-we1rTp5nj9c/TmPPuu5PpCI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/MyfMx-ANRvU/s320/Nikon_3549.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fr7-D_SRJyQ/TmPPyoZVaFI/AAAAAAAAAcU/c8BQv9RP3Gs/s1600/Nikon_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fr7-D_SRJyQ/TmPPyoZVaFI/AAAAAAAAAcU/c8BQv9RP3Gs/s320/Nikon_3550.JPG" width="214px" xaa="true" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Splashing around in our pool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py0gITD1eBo/TmPP4m17AkI/AAAAAAAAAcY/0Hj9KMhqHHo/s1600/Nikon_3571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-py0gITD1eBo/TmPP4m17AkI/AAAAAAAAAcY/0Hj9KMhqHHo/s320/Nikon_3571.JPG" width="213px" xaa="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All in all, it was a great summer. Ready to start experiencing some "fall" weather around here though.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-62888215818356590502011-08-25T19:27:00.000-07:002011-08-25T19:27:14.181-07:00Finally some after pics...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally got around to uploading some "after" pics of the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Griffen's Room:</em> Probably my most favorite room of the house. Love the colors, the fabrics, everything. Still happy with it 20 months later :-). I'm so glad we went ahead and bought bedding for a "big boy bed" for once he transitions to it. For right now, it's serving as his changing table since he got too big for his real one....Yes, I know there is nothing above his crib! If you have a 20 month old boy you know why...he will pull it down. Hey, it's what works for now even though the decorator in me wants to put something there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVfC3MOWMpI/TlaqnIf_LpI/AAAAAAAAAbA/S5kUYWpYBwI/s1600/Nikon_3526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVfC3MOWMpI/TlaqnIf_LpI/AAAAAAAAAbA/S5kUYWpYBwI/s320/Nikon_3526.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQHT1hEID3A/TlaqpdYgzQI/AAAAAAAAAbE/sgQ8hG_unhc/s1600/Nikon_3527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQHT1hEID3A/TlaqpdYgzQI/AAAAAAAAAbE/sgQ8hG_unhc/s320/Nikon_3527.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<em>Living Room:</em> Was excited to get a great deal on this red couch from a friend (no it's not hyper color red like it appears in the pic, just a true red). Still have to decide on curtains. Just not sure what I'm wanting. There are two windows behind the black checked chair. We went ahead and stacked the coffee table and entertainment center again. We really just wanted more floor space to read, wrestle, etc. Also notice nothing on the side tables, once again 20 month old.....Still on the to do list is curtains, new lamp shade (have a few ideas pinned on pinterest), and cord covers for the lamps.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcVDJyMT59E/TlaqugYzrLI/AAAAAAAAAbI/ZMbC0yzFSsk/s1600/Nikon_3573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TcVDJyMT59E/TlaqugYzrLI/AAAAAAAAAbI/ZMbC0yzFSsk/s320/Nikon_3573.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">This is to the right of Scott's recliner. The entry leads into our bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG42LmIo0Xs/TlaqyWXc3bI/AAAAAAAAAbM/wME5DF8TEDY/s1600/Nikon_3577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VG42LmIo0Xs/TlaqyWXc3bI/AAAAAAAAAbM/wME5DF8TEDY/s320/Nikon_3577.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<em>Entryway: </em>This is as you come in the front door. Loving having this bench in the entry. It was an old church bench my mom has had for years. It's directly across from the playroom so it really adds more seating to sit and watch the kids play. Still to do is cord covers for the lamp, shelf above the bench (want to display family pics, etc...gonna look at Canton next month), more pillows for the bench, and eventually paint. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WT2r02iDZN0/Tlaq3pcy5nI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/u9OiW9WrEl8/s1600/Nikon_3579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WT2r02iDZN0/Tlaq3pcy5nI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/u9OiW9WrEl8/s320/Nikon_3579.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQCCSPbGHaA/Tlaq7g3oFWI/AAAAAAAAAbU/1eiEY2u-tig/s1600/Nikon_3578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hQCCSPbGHaA/Tlaq7g3oFWI/AAAAAAAAAbU/1eiEY2u-tig/s320/Nikon_3578.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><br />
<em>Guest Bathroom: </em>Enjoyed painting the guest bath a fun apple green. I wanted something that would transition well to a kid-friendly bathroom one day. Right now it's my Paris decor. Love the black and cream against the green. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvAl_7jOJOY/Tlaq_JrCzCI/AAAAAAAAAbY/n7r_ZLSfkWw/s1600/Nikon_3580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" qaa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zvAl_7jOJOY/Tlaq_JrCzCI/AAAAAAAAAbY/n7r_ZLSfkWw/s320/Nikon_3580.JPG" width="214px" /></a></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Loving being able to "feather our nest." I feel very blessed everytime I walk around the house knowing that it was truly a blessing from God. Very thankful!...Just hung the curtains in the breakfast room tonight so I'll post more pics soon.</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-38930645466737008472011-08-18T11:44:00.000-07:002011-08-18T11:44:13.670-07:00What Lila Taught Me...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q40kODfASNQ/Tk1czGW6UZI/AAAAAAAAAa8/DqDaDfZv2xU/s1600/Nikon_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" qaa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q40kODfASNQ/Tk1czGW6UZI/AAAAAAAAAa8/DqDaDfZv2xU/s320/Nikon_2052.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
I realized last night after reading back through several posts that I mentioned several times how much Lila's life had taught me. I realized too that I never really put into words what it was that I'd learned. In her short 16 days, she taught me so much....here are just a few:<br />
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-To have faith---My faith grew so much from the time I started having contractions on our bathroom floor to the months after her death. All I could rely on was God! I knew that as smart as her doctors were, no matter how many medical breakthroughs had been made for preemies, no matter any of the circumstances, God was in control. Her birth, life and death, rocked my world! All I could do was sit back and have faith and confidence that God was in control no matter the outcome. That is not to say that my faith wasn't shaken everytime the phone rang with a call from the doctors but her life truly taught me all I have is Christ and my faith in Him and Him alone.--My faith grows everytime I trust Him knowing that He knows what the future holds. He knows whether my body can handle more pregnancies. He knows what's best for our family. Because I know that He's bigger than any infection, anything!<br />
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- To love---My love for Scott grew ten fold through the life of Lila. Never will I forget the calm husband that I saw walk into our bathroom on January 17 telling me it was going to be ok (as he brings in towels and a shoe string to prepare to deliver our baby). I never want to forget what it was like to be held by him as we sobbed in the hospital's chapel as we mourned what "could be." My love for Scott grew everytime he would gently hold my hand as we walked into the NICU daily. Don't get me wrong, the last 7 months have been the hardest times in our marriage too but my love for Scott and the man that he is has never waivered.<br />
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-To let go---If you know me at all, you know I'm a little OCD! :-) I'll admit it. I like things planned out and lined up. Lila's life taught me that none of that matters. I had to admit that I couldn't do it all. I had to step back and let others help me, with my recovery, with Griffen, with mourning. That's been hard and 7 months in it's still hard. I like to do things myself and for everything to be under control. Once again, my sweet girl taught me that it's ok to ask for help and to accept help when you don't even know you need it!<br />
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-To hold tight to family and friends---Scott and I couldn't have gotten through the last 7 months without friends and family. Looking back now, I'm still overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, prayers and support that our family received. Our families were with us every step of the way. For that I'll always be grateful! Our church family loved us beyond what we could have imagined. They knew our needs before we ever anticipated what we needed. Even complete strangers showed us love in so many ways. Through Lila's life, I hold onto everyone a little tighter and appreciate relationships so much more. <br />
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-To pray---The last 7 months have brought me to my knees so many times. My hope is that that continues. I want to continue to pray not for my will or my agenda but truly God's will. I want to continue to fervently pray for my family and friends knowing that He holds us in His hands.<br />
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-To desire more children---Some have asked if Lila's death has made us hesitate to have more children. Her life has done just the opposite. We long for more children, in His timing. Don't get me wrong, another pregnancy will be a test of faith and prayer daily. Our hearts long for more children. We are just praying that God blesses us with more. <br />
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Those are just a few of the things our sweet girl's life has taught me. I pray that I continue to grow in my faith and love through the memories of her life!<br />
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<div align="center"><em>If mourning and dancing are part of the same movement of grace, </em></div><div align="center"><em>we can be grateful for every moment we lived. We can claim</em></div><div align="center"><em>our unique journey as God's way to mold our hearts to greater</em></div><div align="center"><em>conformity to Christ. The cross, the primary symbol of our faith, </em></div><div align="center"><em>invites us to see grace where there is pain; to see resurrection where</em></div><div align="center"><em>there is death. The call to be grateful is a call to trust that every moment </em></div><div align="center"><em>can be claimed as the way of the cross that leads to new life. </em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-22838115189865383182011-08-17T18:13:00.000-07:002011-08-17T18:13:27.502-07:00Lila Elizabeth---7 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qoCv5zQ0wI/Tkxj4wM4wlI/AAAAAAAAAa4/P63t_zqOS78/s1600/Nikon_1938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" naa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7qoCv5zQ0wI/Tkxj4wM4wlI/AAAAAAAAAa4/P63t_zqOS78/s320/Nikon_1938.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Seven months ago today, this sweet baby girl, Lila Elizabeth, came into our lives. Did you know that was the only girl name Scott and I ever agreed on? It was the name we chose for our "one day" little girl when we were dating. It's still pretty much the only name we agree upon. Who would have thought that 4 years ago when we talked about that sweet name that we really would have our Lila Elizabeth and she would impact our lives forever. <br />
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People have moved on, forgotten and life has gone on but this mother knows every milestone that passes, every montlhly picture that should have been taken. Those are the days I cling to Lila's verse:<br />
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<div align="center"><em><strong>The Lord bless you and keep you; </strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong>The Lord make His face shine upon you</strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong>and be gracious to you.</strong></em></div><div align="center"><em><strong>Numbers 6:24-25</strong></em></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left">The Lord did bless Lila and so many lives through her. The Lord did keep her, right in his loving arms. The Lord did make his face shine upon her and let his light shine through her short little life. And lastly, the Lord was gracious to her. She's not living a life of suffering, tubes, and hospitals. She is living a life of peace and wholeness with her Creator!</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left">On this anniversary, my heart aches, my arms cry out to hold her but I cling to the One that holds us both.</div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.</i></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 21px;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Psalm 20:7</span></span></span></span></strong></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-82699768421246537512011-07-29T13:39:00.000-07:002011-07-29T13:39:36.783-07:00Home Sweet Home--The Before PicturesThe last two weeks have been crazy with a flurry of painting, packing and playing. We closed on our house on July 11, 2011. We took two weeks to paint, etc, etc and then moved in on July 23, 2011. Let me start from the beginning though...<br />
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Scott and I had been hoping and praying that this would be the year that we felt financially stable enough to venture into the land of home ownership. After much praying and with the noise of the two loud dogs upstairs at our apartment ringing in our ears, we knew that this was the time. Our lease at the apartment was set to expire at the end of August. All along I kept saying that finding the right house was going to be about "timing." That was our biggest prayer, timing! That we wouldn't start looking at houses too soon, fall in love with something and have to walk away because our lease wasn't up yet. Timing that Scott would hopefully be off work to move us, etc, etc, etc. All about timing.<br />
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Around the end of April we decided to have our friend Kerri, who's a realtor, start sending us emails with listings for homes in the area. We looked for about 2 weeks or so and saw several houses that interested us but once again the timing just wasn't right. We never went and viewed any of the houses because we once agian didn't want to fall in love with something that wouldn't work in our time frame....Isn't it so easy to put our timeframe on God?! He had it all lined out just like we needed.<br />
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On Friday, May 13, I saw a house online that I really liked. However, we hadn't received it on our listings from Kerri yet so I just knew that it already had a sale pending. On Saturday, May 14, the listing for the house showed up on Kerri's listings. We were so excited. She did let us know that it was a foreclosure and bids were due the next weekend, May 21!! Crazy! On Sunday, May 15, we viewed the house. Between Scott, Kerri and myself, we kept waiting for the bottom to drop out with every corner that we turned in the house. We kept waiting to see one of the big red flags like most foreclosures have. We never saw any! The house was basically a blank slate other than a few cosmetic paint jobs that could be easily fixed.<br />
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After much prayer, we submitted our bid on Saturday, May 21. (Scott had only viewed the house once at this point!) We felt very confident in our decision that if this was our house, God would pave the way. He certainly did just that!! Our bid was accepted on Monday, May 23. That started the 45 day closing process which led us to now...homeowners!<br />
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This home is more that I could have dreamed of being able to own. It has four bedrooms, 2 baths, a dining room which we made into a playroom and lots of room for our family to grow into. Such a blessing!!<br />
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Here's our home....the before pictures that is. Let me introduce you to our blank slate. Before we painted and fancied up the place.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opLHDiOH-ag/TjGtmdqYrPI/AAAAAAAAAaE/hSr_zpXwVlc/s1600/Our+House%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opLHDiOH-ag/TjGtmdqYrPI/AAAAAAAAAaE/hSr_zpXwVlc/s1600/Our+House%2521.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the front of the house...yes we removed the plastic white picket fence in the flower bed!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Sis8dhVxM/TjGtut61GFI/AAAAAAAAAaI/mSNWe87Qyhk/s1600/Playroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k7Sis8dhVxM/TjGtut61GFI/AAAAAAAAAaI/mSNWe87Qyhk/s1600/Playroom.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dining room...now a playroom.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAERAp4rL20/TjGtzkPX-AI/AAAAAAAAAaM/HqUbUEHlnbY/s1600/Kitchen+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAERAp4rL20/TjGtzkPX-AI/AAAAAAAAAaM/HqUbUEHlnbY/s1600/Kitchen+1.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My spacious kitchen and mini office....the crazy diamond has been painted over. Don't worry! Oh and the sponge paainted backsplash under the cabinets. No that's not tile!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2o0UtMRqDU/TjGt-3qdk8I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/3ygMbkJMi6I/s1600/Nikon_3476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o2o0UtMRqDU/TjGt-3qdk8I/AAAAAAAAAaQ/3ygMbkJMi6I/s320/Nikon_3476.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Breakfast room with the lovely table cloths on the window before our blinds came in.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6cj3Up-wUY/TjGuEymcu0I/AAAAAAAAAaU/-NC_zB4PjsI/s1600/Nikon_3475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6cj3Up-wUY/TjGuEymcu0I/AAAAAAAAAaU/-NC_zB4PjsI/s320/Nikon_3475.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Living room.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-afHOZ3GaMxI/TjGuJSMrGeI/AAAAAAAAAaY/4MXZWhFfZ-8/s1600/Nikon_3474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214px" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-afHOZ3GaMxI/TjGuJSMrGeI/AAAAAAAAAaY/4MXZWhFfZ-8/s320/Nikon_3474.JPG" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh the mantel!!....That is dark chocolate brown sponge paint you see. Your eyes aren't deceiving you!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxR_Yw7L2ZY/TjGuNyWW7QI/AAAAAAAAAac/re_iHDZBoV0/s1600/Nikon_3477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hxR_Yw7L2ZY/TjGuNyWW7QI/AAAAAAAAAac/re_iHDZBoV0/s320/Nikon_3477.JPG" t$="true" width="214px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Master bedroom</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7nCddZylog/TjGuUDAgXvI/AAAAAAAAAag/qWaeWZ3serc/s1600/Nikon_3478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h7nCddZylog/TjGuUDAgXvI/AAAAAAAAAag/qWaeWZ3serc/s320/Nikon_3478.JPG" t$="true" width="214px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Master bathroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZDiNZMD1No/TjGuagKFyHI/AAAAAAAAAak/ay9QOkA93bM/s1600/Bedroom+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UZDiNZMD1No/TjGuagKFyHI/AAAAAAAAAak/ay9QOkA93bM/s1600/Bedroom+1.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guest bedroom/Office/Craft Room!! Can you hear my giddy laughter as I write "Craft Room"?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJRssDg7dVA/TjGue0b7YhI/AAAAAAAAAao/jD3yKsecA0k/s1600/Bedroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJRssDg7dVA/TjGue0b7YhI/AAAAAAAAAao/jD3yKsecA0k/s1600/Bedroom+2.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Griffen's Room</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oocMiIcVjq4/TjGuiienCVI/AAAAAAAAAas/lE9NOrg8qE4/s1600/Bedroom+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oocMiIcVjq4/TjGuiienCVI/AAAAAAAAAas/lE9NOrg8qE4/s1600/Bedroom+3.jpg" t$="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Extra Bedroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Like I said...It's a blank canvas ready to be painted and fancied up! I'll post pics soon of the "after."</div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-51283751924136472332011-06-21T12:39:00.000-07:002011-06-21T12:39:01.309-07:00Iphone Pics Galore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oMISaYQpek/TgDyMV53wWI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Cgcef8-37q4/s1600/IMG_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4oMISaYQpek/TgDyMV53wWI/AAAAAAAAAZY/Cgcef8-37q4/s320/IMG_0220.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBUAU_qapsk/TgDyTDdiqjI/AAAAAAAAAZc/_7jdg65cWqk/s1600/IMG_0271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tBUAU_qapsk/TgDyTDdiqjI/AAAAAAAAAZc/_7jdg65cWqk/s320/IMG_0271.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciu1ca304r0/TgDydFIkCpI/AAAAAAAAAZg/ds_iZgOYWP8/s1600/IMG_0296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ciu1ca304r0/TgDydFIkCpI/AAAAAAAAAZg/ds_iZgOYWP8/s320/IMG_0296.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2l1CTOn8Gk/TgDyjCkOUMI/AAAAAAAAAZk/tHIkEAV-N9s/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L2l1CTOn8Gk/TgDyjCkOUMI/AAAAAAAAAZk/tHIkEAV-N9s/s320/IMG_0300.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXQOpc9TLTQ/TgDy3aOk4XI/AAAAAAAAAZs/cvpal1eAum8/s1600/IMG_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" i$="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IXQOpc9TLTQ/TgDy3aOk4XI/AAAAAAAAAZs/cvpal1eAum8/s320/IMG_0360.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybmkj6_M6CY/TgDzAvSTdmI/AAAAAAAAAZw/mFxWVaMAkKE/s1600/IMG_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ybmkj6_M6CY/TgDzAvSTdmI/AAAAAAAAAZw/mFxWVaMAkKE/s320/IMG_0363.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAJhvXXnzwY/TgDzH_3Y_vI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Cb3FnyXgEWA/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238px" i$="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BAJhvXXnzwY/TgDzH_3Y_vI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Cb3FnyXgEWA/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Xjymrgl0U/TgDzOWG_AFI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/isaQ22tAjXw/s1600/IMG_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e-Xjymrgl0U/TgDzOWG_AFI/AAAAAAAAAZ4/isaQ22tAjXw/s320/IMG_0381.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4596086789135510186.post-67318088256961239672011-06-21T12:31:00.000-07:002011-06-21T12:31:39.920-07:00She Knew Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf3ilfRiNdQ/TgDtQ_MYe0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/QjYd8TV7hBI/s1600/43148532_mHY87I6S_c%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158px" i$="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf3ilfRiNdQ/TgDtQ_MYe0I/AAAAAAAAAZQ/QjYd8TV7hBI/s320/43148532_mHY87I6S_c%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>I saw this sign the other day and my heart melted! Even though it was only 25 weeks in my womb and 16 days on earth...Lila knew my love for her. She heard my heart skip a beat the day we found out she was a girl. She heard my heart speed up everytime I would chase her big brother around the room. She heard my heartbeat slow down a bit on that dreadful ride to the hospital in the ambulance as I was telling myself to calm down. She heard it all! Even though I never got to hold her while she was living, I cherish those 25 weeks more and more everyday. Those were the days that she was as close to me as she'll ever be.<br />
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Yes...almost 5 months later life has "moved on" but in my heart it really hasn't. Sometimes I still catch myself rocking in my rocking chair rubbing my stomach unconsciously thinking she's still with me in a safe place. I have to remind myself that she's not there....Scott and I were talking the other night about how your mind can play tricks on you. If a few pictures around the house were taken away, it would be easy to convince yourself that she never was really here. That we don't really have a daughter. I told him though that I'll always be able to know she existed. I have a scar to prove it. A scar that I will cherish my whole life knowing that through that scar, our first daughter was born. A scar that reminds me daily that she lived and she changed my life forever. <br />
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So you ask how we're doing....We're doing ok. There are good days and there are bad days. There are days where I dread the thought of moving into this new house because I know that there will be an empty room that should have been Lila's. But there are days where I hold onto the goodness that is our Creator knowing that He is our provider, protector and Savior. Don't get me wrong, I long for the day to hold another sweet baby of ours in my arms. I cherish that thought. And I also cherish the thought that God is holding sweet Lila in His arms right now too.<br />
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Pray that God in all his infinite wisdom will continue to guide our family where He wants us to go. Pray that He alone will be our comfort. Pray that if He so chooses more children will be in our future. Pray that we cherish each day that He has blessed us with.Rebeccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02415379218945656989noreply@blogger.com1