tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-292064522024-03-23T10:58:33.673-07:00What u talkin' bout Willis?Just a little glimpse of what happens in our lives...Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comBlogger475125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-44757227970028126442020-09-21T19:56:00.000-07:002020-09-21T19:56:05.547-07:00The Start of the School Year<p>The school year ended virtually at the beginning of the summer. I still got summer workbooks and tried to make them keep up with some sort of "schoolwork." Thankfully, they all like trips to the library and it's not too hard to get them to look at books. </p><p>With interesting and different scenarios on the horizon for the 20-21 school year, we felt led to make some changes.</p><p>Adam teaches at a small Christian school. Going on his 3rd year there. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy4dtbeDdNAVauj4FXitYw_h1ShK98JB2gh9u9vj6NJEd7ldKAfQHFzhEogBW_v1SUp6yJDO7t5ZIkCDTOD-9sWhfkKDvtPtfdDXpfA51QPvwWZ4yag-fjeop22KPPXFHBopK/s1575/FB_IMG_1597165837408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1575" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgy4dtbeDdNAVauj4FXitYw_h1ShK98JB2gh9u9vj6NJEd7ldKAfQHFzhEogBW_v1SUp6yJDO7t5ZIkCDTOD-9sWhfkKDvtPtfdDXpfA51QPvwWZ4yag-fjeop22KPPXFHBopK/s320/FB_IMG_1597165837408.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Due to the boys doing well in their public school settings, and Adam and I both being products of public schools, we both had never felt a strong urge to change anything for them. We had encountered great teachers, the boys had made friends, and we've had a good experience so far. </p><p>Our public school system is quite large. At any size school, decisions about how to handle things during COVID have been incredibly difficult, but even harder to manage when dealing with so many more students. When our public schools announced that they would be starting virtually this fall (and initially said they would do this through at least October), we felt like we needed to consider another option. </p><p>When we realized we qualified for a Choice scholarship for private education (due to our income) paired with Adam's staff discount, it was almost about the same cost as the public school fees to send our boys to the school where Adam teaches. And that school was going to be starting in person. </p><p>In the spring, Adam was home with the boys for virtual learning. But he would be going back in person this fall and I work 3 days a week in an office setting. How would we juggle virtual learning/childcare for them?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUppP5ZcpejNef_E5Sb0wotdCgHMg_PjqONWPOmk2EAVANWgy4eWdXqkfvZc-7hr62VlsoCZ17uq4s43TCk1pZ3zS415stq5VIu_QDA8V-t06SoN4BwQ8vjPjoSz1ZQUeU6aa/s1600/FB_IMG_1597165841884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUppP5ZcpejNef_E5Sb0wotdCgHMg_PjqONWPOmk2EAVANWgy4eWdXqkfvZc-7hr62VlsoCZ17uq4s43TCk1pZ3zS415stq5VIu_QDA8V-t06SoN4BwQ8vjPjoSz1ZQUeU6aa/s320/FB_IMG_1597165841884.jpg" /></a></div><p>So......we decided to send the younger 2 to school with Adam. They've loved it so far and are happy. They've been safe. There haven't been any outbreaks. It's been so good for them to be back in-person in a classroom setting. Our public school has recently begun having elementary students return in-person, but we still feel good about our choice. We'll take one semester at a time with them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQZE02eomJMh5yrk7ngoxn4D7nOW6-wi1JNih790A3b8iVnTUAY7Lr1ImNepLEiOSpTsZZKl2yCAd91DlAsRZf2Azi_WNKQS6WYNDGm_Wv-9Bf5DMI1PC8TBMcWrMpZo607o6/s1581/FB_IMG_1597165826284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1581" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQZE02eomJMh5yrk7ngoxn4D7nOW6-wi1JNih790A3b8iVnTUAY7Lr1ImNepLEiOSpTsZZKl2yCAd91DlAsRZf2Azi_WNKQS6WYNDGm_Wv-9Bf5DMI1PC8TBMcWrMpZo607o6/s320/FB_IMG_1597165826284.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjR_vj0aVAFM79tt8y8fwMhljaXusdRBKu_vtwDgzDkivs8FhrMuzK4ZYHhQkYnew4ad9B9rKSISBJcUHxdCI9FyvkR8SolvpsgQTmcexnu8cTldS8uURy37DYxmHNtzmS1WU/s1600/FB_IMG_1597165833080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1068" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwjR_vj0aVAFM79tt8y8fwMhljaXusdRBKu_vtwDgzDkivs8FhrMuzK4ZYHhQkYnew4ad9B9rKSISBJcUHxdCI9FyvkR8SolvpsgQTmcexnu8cTldS8uURy37DYxmHNtzmS1WU/s320/FB_IMG_1597165833080.jpg" /></a></div><p>Landon wanted to continue at the public school. He's in quite a few honors classes and likes the extracurriculurs that he's been invovled with in middle school. Ad the small private school can't quite offer those. And he's very independent and responsible with the whole virtual learning thing (The younger two boys are not!). He's been doing virtual learning since school began. Just this week, they will begin a "hybrid schedule" where he will go 2 days a week in-person. He's looking forward to it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIiCPneXC86GTa2ktEu8BDWkJIxX3b4B7BTSgNq89arjVmjlt2srCI1CiKiEdSm_T6cX9WRMMWfQ3dGF68YweW8gTdBHRrUYDfH8kAdbLhlpog965CFegCJXP5RCSR7zqSEJR/s2048/IMG_20200819_083428059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIiCPneXC86GTa2ktEu8BDWkJIxX3b4B7BTSgNq89arjVmjlt2srCI1CiKiEdSm_T6cX9WRMMWfQ3dGF68YweW8gTdBHRrUYDfH8kAdbLhlpog965CFegCJXP5RCSR7zqSEJR/s320/IMG_20200819_083428059.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-24473755279617359392020-09-21T18:36:00.001-07:002020-09-21T18:36:36.043-07:00Bats and Balls<p>Last spring, all sports were cancelled or postponed. </p><p>Heath and Tate both were able to play a delayed baseball season. It was the first thing that was on our schedules after months of not having anything. They don't quite love the game like Adam did. Heath improved a lot in machine pitch as the season went on. He went from the bottom of the batting lineup to the top by the last games. Tate's hilight was his team winning the league championship and the in-park homerun that he had. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWMo47AOnfVmRWLikgWvipROnwEPW8dnrhuPcqw2AjNdP_i0FMEdK8kmn059BlMuNPyr8uWFkbdBCoeZ-N74BR7jVd5MHmkF9pMIem8ugQ9DjOsLpuA6_r36dBDXOpm4cnZt/s2048/IMG_20200726_153114713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPWMo47AOnfVmRWLikgWvipROnwEPW8dnrhuPcqw2AjNdP_i0FMEdK8kmn059BlMuNPyr8uWFkbdBCoeZ-N74BR7jVd5MHmkF9pMIem8ugQ9DjOsLpuA6_r36dBDXOpm4cnZt/s320/IMG_20200726_153114713.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHApQlCZ9LRcGkDETOpiD8A41MDewdEFenbmtaqrFsNF9sH9E7FP4SG4Aszau7GqiYDjY6d6SAvYYCiaI8gu1RXa1phR0rq1p8xk31gQ70dUdexmxBnuFbnX3Z9Vmtvvm56VNA/s2048/IMG_20200811_202028565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHApQlCZ9LRcGkDETOpiD8A41MDewdEFenbmtaqrFsNF9sH9E7FP4SG4Aszau7GqiYDjY6d6SAvYYCiaI8gu1RXa1phR0rq1p8xk31gQ70dUdexmxBnuFbnX3Z9Vmtvvm56VNA/s320/IMG_20200811_202028565.jpg" /></a></div><p>We like having them in sports because they have so much energy and it needs to be gotten out in constructive ways so that they do not destruct this house and one another. We took hikes, went on bike rides, and went fishing this summer quite a bit also. As the spring and summer went on, they also enjoyed having an abundance of neighborhood boys to play with. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydQ0msgq6AHlEsmHi4gGWsVa1KoyfoK9Q1XHLsQB7aNH1OJIKCBSwjEfHkcEjk3s5MKk0XWhClB3R6DdMvayH1V_bA7d3vB-EBQzvLiUNim9Zq0lKxl0H1W8pwTXafZs8stD8/s2048/IMG_20200501_164750341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhydQ0msgq6AHlEsmHi4gGWsVa1KoyfoK9Q1XHLsQB7aNH1OJIKCBSwjEfHkcEjk3s5MKk0XWhClB3R6DdMvayH1V_bA7d3vB-EBQzvLiUNim9Zq0lKxl0H1W8pwTXafZs8stD8/s320/IMG_20200501_164750341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRU42ezeiw8dfmuY9_N-4DsKec9kmwSK6rXcO8edN2M8wq2NuTO8YtzWWVUVf6NmsFMtl1cfnOjHin3B44i9UyDac0uDA5prxVJzZm_rWCGMi538VPwswnuDyMpIiIxFwAmWM/s2048/IMG_20200614_155809399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRU42ezeiw8dfmuY9_N-4DsKec9kmwSK6rXcO8edN2M8wq2NuTO8YtzWWVUVf6NmsFMtl1cfnOjHin3B44i9UyDac0uDA5prxVJzZm_rWCGMi538VPwswnuDyMpIiIxFwAmWM/s320/IMG_20200614_155809399.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui7coxrfNYi0t8uc2TTAlTQPl8P3AzSV8jXU2-IGjl12p7vRWc6_ngwbfqV866pABVv_43GQfV_wL71hc7ZQm6LvgunAAUQfHQvN9592qMPfNPOJ9XDs2Um_x2u0DGHLjBXs1/s2048/IMG_20200522_132340643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiui7coxrfNYi0t8uc2TTAlTQPl8P3AzSV8jXU2-IGjl12p7vRWc6_ngwbfqV866pABVv_43GQfV_wL71hc7ZQm6LvgunAAUQfHQvN9592qMPfNPOJ9XDs2Um_x2u0DGHLjBXs1/s320/IMG_20200522_132340643.jpg" /></a></div><p>And this fall, we've finally let Tate try out football. He's been wanting to for several years and we satisfied it with flag football, but he aged out of that league in our area. Still not sure how I feel about tackle. And I don't think he quite knows how he feels about it either. :) But at least he can't be upset with us for never letting him try it. He's had a few games already, but he's on a young team and they haven't managed to get a win yet. (I know, I know.....It's not all about winning.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFinJUNt05Zna-uXGir9VYwDutFKJVm3LHliu6Tu8d5ZTRfepXpzKRkOfS2Hv1U8yHrembPLHNPE1qI4v_HNnsK1c13BZIlMh21hhZAUOAvKMUFPqZflzx8eiJEkk8UNuWMTMm/s2048/IMG_20200815_132313367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFinJUNt05Zna-uXGir9VYwDutFKJVm3LHliu6Tu8d5ZTRfepXpzKRkOfS2Hv1U8yHrembPLHNPE1qI4v_HNnsK1c13BZIlMh21hhZAUOAvKMUFPqZflzx8eiJEkk8UNuWMTMm/s320/IMG_20200815_132313367.jpg" /></a></div><p>Landon and Heath are both playing soccer this fall. They needed a few more players to round out the rosters for the Academy and Rec Leagues, so Landon is playing on both, which he loves. Soccer is the only sport he wants to play. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJQGq_c-6uFhoKJDNoK70TOgYfJNJUYcGFZ1AtNmmH7gQA3jl6iHac7Nijxd89zr2W2w_moUztUkcbmSHc6Av-S297HiNJ0YKZk9ZkS1isTh8Q_0nZKsYqg8MfAjs3um59cEy/s2048/IMG_20200912_121531126_MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1528" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJQGq_c-6uFhoKJDNoK70TOgYfJNJUYcGFZ1AtNmmH7gQA3jl6iHac7Nijxd89zr2W2w_moUztUkcbmSHc6Av-S297HiNJ0YKZk9ZkS1isTh8Q_0nZKsYqg8MfAjs3um59cEy/s320/IMG_20200912_121531126_MP.jpg" /></a></div><p>All of the leagues, especially these fall ones, have masks mandated and enforced for coming to games. Players wear them to the fields, but then can take them off. Coaches have them on. Definitely a different feel this year, but we are super grateful that they can still participate in these activities and get some of that energy out, learn new skills, and be a part of a team effort. </p>Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-75416724790446933062020-08-04T19:08:00.004-07:002020-09-21T19:19:29.052-07:00South Haven Getaway<p>We really didn't travel much this year. Due to Covid concerns, many travels plans were cancelled for most people. We had plans to spend a few days exploring Chicago over Spring Break, but that didn't happen. At the end of July, we managed to get away just for a couple of nights. We stayed at a cute little campground outside of South Haven, Michigan, which is only a little over an hour away from us. But it was very enjoyable to get away and have a change of scenery. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPDX_DaL8wTxTbVAos32isuybVNWJXUvRLBqgKam4syNdSeZB4mMKNqZ7Ea6njukpAVJeRgyVutsBFkRkMbeCUNJ8Y3O_KyUz2gkDi-pjhja3UW4bnwqCyIB24ePm_pgpuAm_/s2048/IMG_20200727_170844558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqPDX_DaL8wTxTbVAos32isuybVNWJXUvRLBqgKam4syNdSeZB4mMKNqZ7Ea6njukpAVJeRgyVutsBFkRkMbeCUNJ8Y3O_KyUz2gkDi-pjhja3UW4bnwqCyIB24ePm_pgpuAm_/s320/IMG_20200727_170844558.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7kF9Y-zbPHus4BbreoHbhmW6sq37zKCsj3huQOhJJ-Po-ozky3MleEsq6OtvapvlvIREAUmTj5RYhGmoVUOuNpQx86MaPP4EgpCfm8oSFvLWyVxvXsSvPf4Bb9pJhabr42Cy/s2048/IMG_20200727_170659078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7kF9Y-zbPHus4BbreoHbhmW6sq37zKCsj3huQOhJJ-Po-ozky3MleEsq6OtvapvlvIREAUmTj5RYhGmoVUOuNpQx86MaPP4EgpCfm8oSFvLWyVxvXsSvPf4Bb9pJhabr42Cy/s320/IMG_20200727_170659078.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQTgUtCL3vMtPWvokQtoVEhJFVOZfkHUFRsIomb0j4NzJcULU1cmcDFWXxJ4EyVH-CcXdcUt2vzoER8nJM6vyQYM_zjbwkz25z3DAsMLPlGGhf6FBbl6LCy6kbUcf59ruxJZW/s2048/IMG_20200727_194025819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieQTgUtCL3vMtPWvokQtoVEhJFVOZfkHUFRsIomb0j4NzJcULU1cmcDFWXxJ4EyVH-CcXdcUt2vzoER8nJM6vyQYM_zjbwkz25z3DAsMLPlGGhf6FBbl6LCy6kbUcf59ruxJZW/s320/IMG_20200727_194025819.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkciDh4_5MYd2sU4v8WiX-lSnnl51UNBrzmrjqA0VsFAVVIENDwq6VgXBXSdkIfuPoY9G71U9l1fPnVNZCJ8yH282Vv4ZjEWMylZx_EJRvBa7kQB_-EdqcxJ34ll3_cJR6fnBo/s2048/IMG_20200727_163233818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkciDh4_5MYd2sU4v8WiX-lSnnl51UNBrzmrjqA0VsFAVVIENDwq6VgXBXSdkIfuPoY9G71U9l1fPnVNZCJ8yH282Vv4ZjEWMylZx_EJRvBa7kQB_-EdqcxJ34ll3_cJR6fnBo/s320/IMG_20200727_163233818.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp09zbRCNdrB0xtmoXdHA9v-zZOd11uxVTMMqocVe9dvyH5QsWKFCVHnxCmByQDRQ13mMCWYiCTRn47-vun-ogH7hNdOUHSm6hfsBkMGxDHe3OMyxOiucVBFseNySQ1GGStI5U/s2048/IMG_20200727_154447790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp09zbRCNdrB0xtmoXdHA9v-zZOd11uxVTMMqocVe9dvyH5QsWKFCVHnxCmByQDRQ13mMCWYiCTRn47-vun-ogH7hNdOUHSm6hfsBkMGxDHe3OMyxOiucVBFseNySQ1GGStI5U/s320/IMG_20200727_154447790.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA4EnHzWWB9zo7SVyd8Xy7hZW085nt4tWDJAGlqC3yHjbHhlReDKmlmEV3S6dQ5WHOhVs_sqaCHLWu2YoYtK52-lOlYbdcBgygUVbplDOlj-rRUgQZ1Tbqahtvt8gkr8n8L19/s2048/IMG_20200728_112213904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA4EnHzWWB9zo7SVyd8Xy7hZW085nt4tWDJAGlqC3yHjbHhlReDKmlmEV3S6dQ5WHOhVs_sqaCHLWu2YoYtK52-lOlYbdcBgygUVbplDOlj-rRUgQZ1Tbqahtvt8gkr8n8L19/s320/IMG_20200728_112213904.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DfmiAtp9hY678cr8AhuQ6oS4qVQAYASzmOTr7ccTjq7YXHxTZIyP7IKw-w97BDWZ10AdqsRgZmRHNqqj60kEu_UOH-XUeX4USLWnW_mwm-Qj62T1BMea37tIhfPh0BTRLB4A/s2048/IMG_20200727_134951994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_DfmiAtp9hY678cr8AhuQ6oS4qVQAYASzmOTr7ccTjq7YXHxTZIyP7IKw-w97BDWZ10AdqsRgZmRHNqqj60kEu_UOH-XUeX4USLWnW_mwm-Qj62T1BMea37tIhfPh0BTRLB4A/s320/IMG_20200727_134951994.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVYroAQ60qaYe7CK0yWxyM_kQ-qs9r-d0btFiPfnmc0qrU0A_jnijxe-13HV7a1oroRg8iZDpVEMjX35CCvLfj3j9316CIxh5k_KBpaZHG68dzi7NXi8ZS8nUsySo9Fki4lIk/s2048/IMG_20200728_122800132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPVYroAQ60qaYe7CK0yWxyM_kQ-qs9r-d0btFiPfnmc0qrU0A_jnijxe-13HV7a1oroRg8iZDpVEMjX35CCvLfj3j9316CIxh5k_KBpaZHG68dzi7NXi8ZS8nUsySo9Fki4lIk/s320/IMG_20200728_122800132.jpg" /></a></div><p><br /></p>Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-39997014622638174792020-04-15T11:41:00.000-07:002020-04-15T11:41:19.892-07:00During a PandemicWe're certainly in the midst of an unprecedented time. School buildings closing for over two months and kids doing online learning. Collegiate and professional sports ceasing competition. Non-essential businesses being shut down or employees working from home. Self-isolating and social distancing in which we are instructed to only leave for absolutely essential needs and then we make sure to stay at least six feet away from others. People being encouraged to wear masks and gloves if they must go out. Hard to believe that this is what we many parts of the world are looking like right now in order to avoid and beat COVID-19/Coronovirus.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9TqR3josShRPAI6VT2x_phuoEcCy2pepcPaAcR7fUDx_MBNgyqhNMISp9bzrQq_Dmpzuqp7XZxDELNlv-kBKpNxZFkMrbTaGQwAW2MTs0ucJVdhlvrBeBhleG8eOiYkmmwyq/s1600/IMG_20200323_191435973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9TqR3josShRPAI6VT2x_phuoEcCy2pepcPaAcR7fUDx_MBNgyqhNMISp9bzrQq_Dmpzuqp7XZxDELNlv-kBKpNxZFkMrbTaGQwAW2MTs0ucJVdhlvrBeBhleG8eOiYkmmwyq/s320/IMG_20200323_191435973.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Longing to go out again"<br />This is how I caught Heath one evening.</td></tr>
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<b><br />Basically, its a big reminder that we often have very little control over things that happen in our world and in our lives. In an instant, so much can change. </b></div>
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We're grateful that we have our anchor in the God that is never changing. A God that is sovereign, righteous, and good. A God that gives hope and peace even in the midst of uncertainty, brokenness, and loss for so many. </div>
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Thankfully, at this time, we are both still getting our regular paychecks even though we are mostly working from home. </div>
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Initially, I imagined how much I would get done with all of the extra down time. Write a book. Practice the piano. Pull out that blank art canvas and make a masterpiece. Brush up on my Spanish. And basically, I've gotten nothing "extra" done. Our house is messier than normal since we are ALL here ALL the time. Plus, we were used to having company at least once or twice a week in which we would do some tidying up. Welp, no one is coming over these days. And it really doesn't feel like there is much down time for too many "extra" things.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c8fHd-j3doS9yaDL0E1cHWu01p3-QeYysF2UI_HCiMgFL9s8lMQXCIrns-dzA9fPGHe-aAAaOPh3v-6_lRXQbU35YWPlxvSxScXnfJcZc9pfmeBpNyxJ1MpgsdgD7kIEb1t5/s1600/FB_IMG_1586719251912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="1080" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c8fHd-j3doS9yaDL0E1cHWu01p3-QeYysF2UI_HCiMgFL9s8lMQXCIrns-dzA9fPGHe-aAAaOPh3v-6_lRXQbU35YWPlxvSxScXnfJcZc9pfmeBpNyxJ1MpgsdgD7kIEb1t5/s320/FB_IMG_1586719251912.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter 2020<br />This is by far the nicest we've looked in the past month.</td></tr>
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But....I'm OK with it all. We've spent lots of time together and and for the most part, we've embraced this mandatory slow down. It's been rather nice to have laid back evenings at home where we enjoy dinner together without needing to rush off to an activity or practice. I don't even bother to open up my planner to see what's going on for the week.....because there's NOTHING going on. We've enjoyed 8 AM family devotions every morning that include all of us and are not hurried and rushed. We've played lots of games. Read books aloud. Been active outside. Watched movies together. Tried to incorporate a few "special" or "new" experiences or activities here and there. Overall, the boys have gotten along pretty well. We all miss seeing people, going places, having activities, etc. But we know this will pass. And it's been disappointing to have so many things cancelled....We recognize our disappointment, but also recognize there's nothing we can do about things right now. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJX4fH4FPCiMwVk6pRu_YO3CbDsWqUsPQjS4DMvrMGeLvPyvutYm-u-HXVkHSQjd2mDo6nHELabEkugmCxkqCKxjs9Dt33Tjl-uM19bMiqLAs4_6HeKF_ovNWKKNeK5tskZC5/s1600/IMG_20200321_100942986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJX4fH4FPCiMwVk6pRu_YO3CbDsWqUsPQjS4DMvrMGeLvPyvutYm-u-HXVkHSQjd2mDo6nHELabEkugmCxkqCKxjs9Dt33Tjl-uM19bMiqLAs4_6HeKF_ovNWKKNeK5tskZC5/s320/IMG_20200321_100942986.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Screen time is still pretty limited. Minecraft is the choice these days.<br />Pokemon cards have also come out of hibernation and they've spent a lot of time with those.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir0XAdTsDfEGjijzwenkRie3HBqSTleXqi4iD203XyFea2Wi1dyRCxlSo9GXm3Lji89-glL3hi0GjwkxwtxvjsXljnaXNkT81F-qqSikzY42wyG8laDDOnc_0tRTTz3uNbx1S/s320/IMG_20200322_102807089.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday morning online church.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgir0XAdTsDfEGjijzwenkRie3HBqSTleXqi4iD203XyFea2Wi1dyRCxlSo9GXm3Lji89-glL3hi0GjwkxwtxvjsXljnaXNkT81F-qqSikzY42wyG8laDDOnc_0tRTTz3uNbx1S/s1600/IMG_20200322_102807089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIahYR82aMgPkjd-IgtHgBlUz9D1gCw2ie29syrjzZ4ndzxeieD6bBuJ9-hLDqekEJMG_7SvcyV4O6uuI0qUQQieTxDj4ApHlacIZWBkXX-3u1buiJYiduGWQWYEDif7BLNjtz/s320/IMG_20200323_100619142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of game playing.<br />The Farming Game (pictured), Sushi Go, Euchre, Monopoly Deal, Chomp, Exploding Kittens, Blink, Pictionary and Pandemic are a few we've enjoyed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVUFPGxuAw9FXMhx8q9xsMbD59Ij1hc8_jN2Jz2UeoKOwqZEBmEIaOaNdnxjNQVW3LA0UsuAn-HoV_iNZBhnuG_wE8ey2GLlylPXv_7nk0Bp7uu_ghVPra-6z7YRGYzJ6tyZB/s320/IMG_20200401_165509253.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading in a blanket fort.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVUFPGxuAw9FXMhx8q9xsMbD59Ij1hc8_jN2Jz2UeoKOwqZEBmEIaOaNdnxjNQVW3LA0UsuAn-HoV_iNZBhnuG_wE8ey2GLlylPXv_7nk0Bp7uu_ghVPra-6z7YRGYzJ6tyZB/s1600/IMG_20200401_165509253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi9WzNy1dBA71nFocJVdoJHpgfTV254k9RGG2SuH8jdijltuQXy6eCyapYePIdSCDGlDJtsJ8YnBxluGfkQbbKy70F_OUMoXuHqshFtHxHATzenzGS4oyCzSf2ii8kBzDg5tx/s1600/IMG_20200404_103528591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIi9WzNy1dBA71nFocJVdoJHpgfTV254k9RGG2SuH8jdijltuQXy6eCyapYePIdSCDGlDJtsJ8YnBxluGfkQbbKy70F_OUMoXuHqshFtHxHATzenzGS4oyCzSf2ii8kBzDg5tx/s320/IMG_20200404_103528591.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dying eggs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiCsvs92PJcRLQuNVTB613gDBJlHueFXuVkCSHS24cKRP5cTYihnaouu2W_cYvYlz7Fm1vtZ41mDt-XH_wG1D4uZouQYWseGkWurkV4lbWqBYOl7Y9GG9ULwI3pP0cuS3EElu/s1600/IMG_20200405_153101797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmiCsvs92PJcRLQuNVTB613gDBJlHueFXuVkCSHS24cKRP5cTYihnaouu2W_cYvYlz7Fm1vtZ41mDt-XH_wG1D4uZouQYWseGkWurkV4lbWqBYOl7Y9GG9ULwI3pP0cuS3EElu/s320/IMG_20200405_153101797.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of driveway and yard activities.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKwURsV_elYPrhk_g1OQHz9FP18u_6GeQgWOj6vhLyiz2ab01ch1Ba6LFS94azMpqG7ioT92AtZKqfhz6ul8wHUx0ZW0bQJjWQ02OAwdT0STSZK5cIdkWOA7MCT5ASVK4iNfB/s1600/IMG_20200405_164517321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKwURsV_elYPrhk_g1OQHz9FP18u_6GeQgWOj6vhLyiz2ab01ch1Ba6LFS94azMpqG7ioT92AtZKqfhz6ul8wHUx0ZW0bQJjWQ02OAwdT0STSZK5cIdkWOA7MCT5ASVK4iNfB/s320/IMG_20200405_164517321.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys discovered the fun of putting "cards" in bike tires to make them noisy. With earnestness in his voice, Heath said that it made him feel like "the luckiest kid on earth."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuG09sI-Amk0k0oowRUtyBunD2gA62ZBk1qmWsHGo51qlUGlcFE3_631e1jmZn8fG9s_cVWId51Ddn6B1fHwUQWjQz4ZbXrbtJlFAmcWvLAjVjsESLslGvpBpryF-sIjzeMip/s1600/IMG_20200408_141319586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuG09sI-Amk0k0oowRUtyBunD2gA62ZBk1qmWsHGo51qlUGlcFE3_631e1jmZn8fG9s_cVWId51Ddn6B1fHwUQWjQz4ZbXrbtJlFAmcWvLAjVjsESLslGvpBpryF-sIjzeMip/s320/IMG_20200408_141319586.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took a nice day and rode bikes at a state park and explored a little bit of trail. Tate belongs in the woods.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwNr3RUpUTXxqv3kwfZs9icxXDHijdYdYzQrQ3zyzcTg3CIonEsfp1Yfa1aiRETI_NzBzKod8R4ZD1ZFsHxSTtyEp32HboehUaSRBiNzp9CuHMV90GqEJqdwvBueb3jeuQtSJ/s1600/IMG_20200410_131243167_BURST001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimwNr3RUpUTXxqv3kwfZs9icxXDHijdYdYzQrQ3zyzcTg3CIonEsfp1Yfa1aiRETI_NzBzKod8R4ZD1ZFsHxSTtyEp32HboehUaSRBiNzp9CuHMV90GqEJqdwvBueb3jeuQtSJ/s320/IMG_20200410_131243167_BURST001.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made these two make banana bread, mostly, on their own.</td></tr>
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<br />Adam and the boys have both had to adjust to eLearning. As a teacher, Adam is not a fan, but it is what it is. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit. I was still going into the office for the first 2 weeks that the boys began eLearning, so Adam navigated all of that for them and continues to do most of the help for them. And he's done an amazing job. They respond to him so much better than they do to me. There would be so much more whining and dragging of feet if I was in charge (for them and for me). Plus, he's more technologically capable than I am. He is the senior class advisor at his school, so it's been disappointing to have all of that come to a halt and miss out on all of those events to some extent or to have to figure out how to do them with a Plan B that is still subject to not being viable. </div>
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Physically, this time period is putting me through the ringer. </div>
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First, there was the incident with a knife and my finger as I chopped onions. It's been 2.5 weeks since then. I'm pretty sure I've avoided infection, but we'll see if the nail grows back (I shaved the right 1/2 of my nail off, along with some skin). I've kept it in fresh, padded bandages this whole time with lots of antibiotic cream. </div>
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Then almost two weeks ago as I was doing some art therapy in the driveway with sidewalk chalk after the announcement that Indiana schools would not be meeting for the remainder of the year, I went to get up after having been sitting on my knees and I felt/heard a painful POP in my knee. I had to have Adam help me into the house and couldn't put any weight on it for 2 days. Lots of ice and rest since then and it's still pretty tender and I can't fully straighten it. It's been almost 17 years since I had that ACL reconcstructed and I haven't had hardly any issues since. My completely untrained, unprofessional self-diagnosis is that I did some sort of ligament damage that will need attention. But I've put off making an appointment with an orthopedic doctor yet. </div>
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And with my knee being gimpy, but somewhat useable this past weekend, I did some weeding and landscaping. And now I've strained something in my wrist pretty good. And made my knee get angrier. Our morning prayer time includes, "Help mom because she's falling apart." (Insert emoji laughing.....and then another one crying)</div>
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Thankfully, Adam is a very good caregiver and assures me he will still love me and not leave me if my body stops working. :) I love being active though. Before my knee went to pot, I was enjoying multiple walks per day, quiet morning workouts in the basement, and winning family games of HORSE. I was literally sprinting down the street the day before it happened as I raced the boys as they rode on scooters. Activity and exercise is a stress reliever, a way for me to connect with our energetic boys, and something I fully enjoy. Not to mention, physical exertion from activity helps this woman sleep like a rock! </div>
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Anyways. I've had a few pity parties over the matter, but I'm a big believer in trying to keep things in perspective. I never want to downplay the reality that people are facing in loss, grieving, coping, adjusting, stress to what is going on......but for <i>me</i>, it helps to push through with recognizing that my "harships" during this time - or any time......are all temporary and earthly. And by "hardships," I also mean that there are REAL hardships that others are experiencing.....death of a loved one, actual physical and spiritual poverty, horrible social injustices and abuse, completely debilitating physical ailments. My life is still incredibly comfortable and good compared to the majority of those living on this earth. We <i>will</i> get through this time of social distancing, cancellations, and uncertainty. And my knee is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. </div>
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It also helps for me to turn my eyes upward toward God, rather than inward at myself. I had recently shared in a group Zoom meeting that it was sometimes easier for me to prioritize being active and my physical health than it was for me to prioritize spending time with God's Word - which I KNOW is way more important. Welp, this is one way for me to have more time to do so. Praying I take advantage of my circumstances and use it wisely to keep my eyes on Him.</div>
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Just wanted to take a few moments to "document" what we are experiencing during this days. </div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-57098644605738746102020-02-15T18:41:00.032-08:002020-09-21T19:07:45.869-07:00Valentine's Day 2020We like to celebrate all types of love in our lives for Valentine's Day! <div><br /></div><div>I threw my first "Galentine's Brunch" this year! (Pretty sure this idea first came from the show Parks and Rec....the whole idea is to celebrate your Gal Pals and "kick it breakfast-style.") It was lovely to gather local women from various areas of my life and treat them to a nice breakfast! I love how they were game for gathering....some didn't know anyone else there....but I felt like by the time they left they had been encouarged, connected with, and felt special! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5PnVkFRTy21rcHtc9R9K6QCiW7wR1wWpHnAB5B32A3rd_QZs5-uSxCUk3nh4vCOcMRH8D3OoMegsOs8WDyQI6V0DI071GgA3_baGx2kkM2uuAZ2t1YC8ufiBnCccluiR2o3i/s2048/IMG_20200214_082309475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5PnVkFRTy21rcHtc9R9K6QCiW7wR1wWpHnAB5B32A3rd_QZs5-uSxCUk3nh4vCOcMRH8D3OoMegsOs8WDyQI6V0DI071GgA3_baGx2kkM2uuAZ2t1YC8ufiBnCccluiR2o3i/s320/IMG_20200214_082309475.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycbpzou-c9JuIyDmMyUEBVmOdjElp5Zaozuo-dLaYm5dKoaxZWM9Gx44JP6tE89yFGKxH5c9LR_a_MrYpGeIscgEzd567MvxscPUHPW5s8-f1JhX_SremM9biiunGR6DRyN3p/s2048/IMG_20200214_100001218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycbpzou-c9JuIyDmMyUEBVmOdjElp5Zaozuo-dLaYm5dKoaxZWM9Gx44JP6tE89yFGKxH5c9LR_a_MrYpGeIscgEzd567MvxscPUHPW5s8-f1JhX_SremM9biiunGR6DRyN3p/s320/IMG_20200214_100001218.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And the last few years, as our schedule allows, we have a fancy family celebration for Valentine's Day. That afternoon Adam asked if he and the boys really had to get dressed up for dinner. My response: "I spent over $30 on meat and the potatoes are cut into the shapes of hearts. You will all dress up." They complied very nicely and didn't complain. They even smelled good. They are at such fun ages where they think it's fun to drink out of fancy glasses and do special things like this. We ended the evening by putting comfy clothes on and watching the live action of "Lady and the Tramp."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_y728CMOaJtsq2aWtIqJblA51mrUOvVXfntJmkNn1uXTRUK_vWZWrDr9yFfMTX7dgLh8sND4u7RSKhEuAcjdc2B7DVMr-iPnb5A9eYqng5ErDAvIvECTfyADFyEt4863IeQc/s1080/FB_IMG_1581768835912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_y728CMOaJtsq2aWtIqJblA51mrUOvVXfntJmkNn1uXTRUK_vWZWrDr9yFfMTX7dgLh8sND4u7RSKhEuAcjdc2B7DVMr-iPnb5A9eYqng5ErDAvIvECTfyADFyEt4863IeQc/s320/FB_IMG_1581768835912.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfy48d_rvWKi5J3uc3cz8rTNYQY1HmNMy6Z7N-5SpL26wLfBDBbr3-S6BnkJGRTU3jGdqw5hInkjcW3mfr0gGPsE6mGpky_odZXVwSQBZmxALCZ6exai_wj6YGoi8-fKibZoNw/s1080/FB_IMG_1581768846040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfy48d_rvWKi5J3uc3cz8rTNYQY1HmNMy6Z7N-5SpL26wLfBDBbr3-S6BnkJGRTU3jGdqw5hInkjcW3mfr0gGPsE6mGpky_odZXVwSQBZmxALCZ6exai_wj6YGoi8-fKibZoNw/s320/FB_IMG_1581768846040.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IMLk5BFSCwveloXP1NRBAWDgo6E0PGsHhG3xt8MqO5nqXayFLz1GOMXajpI4LFgucDX3N4StdXQK0ZatMYkd5SsbPJncTHwGJTHbqVycT_f1wchJN3IexrC-Yhpqjv7JA8y6/s2048/IMG_20200214_181035687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IMLk5BFSCwveloXP1NRBAWDgo6E0PGsHhG3xt8MqO5nqXayFLz1GOMXajpI4LFgucDX3N4StdXQK0ZatMYkd5SsbPJncTHwGJTHbqVycT_f1wchJN3IexrC-Yhpqjv7JA8y6/s320/IMG_20200214_181035687.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafFwh63__Er-PlDyC-Tjw3w7hYPGBRXYHn93HAcCCbDXfgdJH0h-oI4SkmRREnSf9BR_5bErBV5W8rz7H4Mg4U4qrUNZpOLqezOjCYo-M5uiG3qwcP9uhTs6YGRA0Oi2JCK2y/s2048/IMG_20200214_181118340_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafFwh63__Er-PlDyC-Tjw3w7hYPGBRXYHn93HAcCCbDXfgdJH0h-oI4SkmRREnSf9BR_5bErBV5W8rz7H4Mg4U4qrUNZpOLqezOjCYo-M5uiG3qwcP9uhTs6YGRA0Oi2JCK2y/s320/IMG_20200214_181118340_BURST000_COVER_TOP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Love this life I get to live and the people I get to share it with! </div>Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-78567905703054630852020-01-30T19:20:00.001-08:002020-09-21T19:31:22.619-07:00Landon Turned 12!<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Landon turned 12!</span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBfgzdiTZEaep5Qggn8kF5RrmSdGH150lgwHdxTgw2SnW35CklhuersZnP4d7LpO9MGQnuha_Hms0xUkrtI4Wf5ud7ANe28Kjlt48ZcwjmD1qUqLyRoqv4xrXWsoOh9oP2-qZ/s1600/IMG_20200125_144906449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBfgzdiTZEaep5Qggn8kF5RrmSdGH150lgwHdxTgw2SnW35CklhuersZnP4d7LpO9MGQnuha_Hms0xUkrtI4Wf5ud7ANe28Kjlt48ZcwjmD1qUqLyRoqv4xrXWsoOh9oP2-qZ/s320/IMG_20200125_144906449.jpg" /></a></div><p>We let him invite a few handfuls of friends over to hang out at the house (By the way, summer birthdays are WAY easier for this!). They did an escape room scenario, ate lots of food, and watched Avengers:End Game. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvCi-tnERr5YwZZgLMJ2lEoVTWqQzAVBoLl3euRkSgiXwa6AOufk2WEQCh9Aqwnw0OzGyItydBk9RGLwXBLAQry76mxS3nHGFoq-zsOPhkQZMs44QCRCJRz3Gjv9CfUnXVpPud/s320/IMG_20200125_192806650.jpg" style="text-align: left;" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg0y14tg614LCEEuhWMoA0Z06mjEHV8SNc4_xAiHrkBClLmvmuG7bk6GUPuuq1uootxgY3n8ThY5YT7mc33b0mtsEGk0yIoGQk2HQVVwxit6sNl770_fmzAwiRrpS6KP9KmTR/s1600/IMG_20200125_092319927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOg0y14tg614LCEEuhWMoA0Z06mjEHV8SNc4_xAiHrkBClLmvmuG7bk6GUPuuq1uootxgY3n8ThY5YT7mc33b0mtsEGk0yIoGQk2HQVVwxit6sNl770_fmzAwiRrpS6KP9KmTR/s320/IMG_20200125_092319927.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Here's what Landon is like at 12:</p><p>-Pretty responsible when it comes to schoolwork and academics. He takes multiple honors classes and enjoys them. </p><p>- His favorite sport is soccer.</p><p>- He's really enjoyed being in the school Robotics club this year. He's also been doing Percussion for the school band. </p><p>- Still has a silly, goofy, and chatty personality at home. In larger public settings, he is quite a bit more subdued. </p><p>- He's very socially motivated. Always wanting to know if he can have someone over, if we can go somewhere to see someone, etc. </p><p>- Wishes he had a little sister. </p><p>- Already talking about what he wants his first job to be: Arby's. He loves their sauce. </p><p>- Wants to be either a professional soccer player, but has also been considering a Librarian or Computer Engineer. </p><p>- He can be very helpful and kind at times. </p><p>- Overall, he's a very eager and easy-to-please kid. Doesn't take much to get him excited. </p><p>We're so grateful to have him in our family! </p>Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-2486272047758930942019-10-14T18:54:00.001-07:002019-10-14T19:10:28.430-07:00That little basement project from awhile back....So...We're mostly finished with our basement finishing project. We've been mostly finished for awhile.....but I'm a little slow to post.<br />
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Also a slow decorator. So, enjoy the simplistic style that I have attained. Although, some of that is purposeful. The basement is where boys have other boys over and engage in Nerf wars and other escapades. I'd rather not have to worry about things getting broken. </div>
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When we bought this house, we knew we would aim to finish the basement. Our house is a ranch.....and I need to tell boys to go to another level sometimes. The basement has engineered trusses.....which is nice because then you don't have to have big metal supports in the middle of the basement. Plus, the basement ceiling was a little higher than most typical builds.</div>
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Here is a BEFORE picture that we took when considering to buy the house.<br />
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We started this project late last fall. Those early stages always feel like they move along slowly......Framing, electrical, plumbing, air ducts....Not always super exciting, but I suppose, very necessary. </div>
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There was that one time where we bought 96 long sheets of drywall. We even rallied a couple friends to help us carry them all to the basement. Once down there, we discovered that half of the sheets were the wrong thickness. The store had prepared the order ahead of time.....but I suppose Adam and his sidekick could have double-checked them upon loading. Soooo.....1/2 of them had to be hauled back out of the basement, loaded up, and returned to the store. And then the correct half had to be loaded, unloaded, and hauled to the basement. If I was a cussing woman, I felt that would have been a time where a few would have flown. </div>
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We (meaning Adam) do most of the work. We hire out a few things. He had someone come and double check all of his electrical work. He had a few extra hands help him insulate. He had an expert double-check his plumbing and install a pump (Yep, you have to buy a pricey pump if you are going to have a toilet in the basement. It's purpose is to pump out any solid waste. If you didn't know that was necessary, well, now you do. I suggested just never letting anyone go #2 down there......). And Adam always prefers to hire out the drywall mudding. </div>
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We even employed our boys. </div>
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I did my fair share of hauling supplies to the basement, sanding walls and trim, taping, and all of the painting of the walls and cupboards. I'm also <i>very</i> good at asking, "So....what's next?" </div>
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The sink in the cupboards is not installed. And we are still debating on installing a microwave above the sink. Adam wants to have a hidden entrance to his mancave/storage area. He'd like to put a bookcase behind the sliding barn door that goes to it. So, when you slide the door, you'd initially see the bookcase, but then the bookcase would also slide open. Tricky, eh?! (If you remember the hidden trick door at our GR house, you'll not be surprised at this idea.)</div>
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We've already hosted a handful of guests. And we're ready for more! </div>
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This is the third basement we've taken from unfinished to finished. </div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-8621755416555014122019-07-22T11:35:00.002-07:002019-07-22T11:35:37.187-07:00Here a chick, there a chick....If you've known Tate for very long or very well, you may have picked up that he has had a strong affinity for chickens since he was a toddler. Back then he referred to them as shickens.<br />
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A little over a year ago, he wrote this note:<br />
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Well, we finally decided to give in. (Let's be honest, I was on board....I like the idea of fresh eggs. Adam was the hard sell). </div>
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We picked out 4 chicks from our local supplier. 2 different breeds. (One of which is NOT what we thought and we had to re-identify what it actually is).<br />
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Such sweet little chirps those first few weeks! We kept them in a plastic tub in our laundry room. We had one scare in which I thought one of our cats had gotten a little too curious with them, but otherwise we survied the infant stage and I had to educate myself on things like "pasty butt" and what temperature they needed to be kept at. They started in a tub in our laundry room. Then they graduated to a temporary coop in our garage. We initially underestimated how quickly they would be able to fly and then had to put a covering on the top of it. <br />
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We're now parents of adolescent chickens. Hens won't be laying eggs until this fall probably.<br />
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Unfortunately, even though you may desire to have hens, the store said they are only 90% sure that the chicks will be hens. We're almost certain we have at least 1 rooster, although it's still a smidge early to tell. We will have to re-home him if that is the case. We certainly can't have a noisy rooster in a neighborhood (I'm not sure we can have chickens at all in our neighborhood according to what I've found with the humane society for our county.......Shhhh.....Please don't tell! We promise to be reponsible chicken owners and keep their coop clean, etc.! All of our immediate neighbors know about them and say they are fine). </div>
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Anyways. My family had chickens growing up. I've been reminded of a few things.</div>
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They poop a lot.<br />
A LOT. </div>
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Ok, I guess that's mostly all that I've been reminded of.<br />
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We aquired a shed from our neighbors who were planning to get rid of it. We paid a company to move it to our yard. Adam turned the back 1/3 of it into their indoor coop and did quite a bit of repairing. And then I painted it to match our other shed. They love their new space. I love that they aren't in our garage anymore.<br />
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Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-71775341368799896472019-07-08T10:34:00.000-07:002019-07-08T10:34:47.127-07:00Winter and Spring SportsSports leagues. Dividing and conquering the schedules. And we don't even attempt to do travel leagues, just our local rec leagues. These guys need ways to get out there energy in constructive ways. SOOO much energy somedays.<br />
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In the winter, Landon played indoor soccer. This was the first time he had done it. He....loved it. A much faster paced game than outdoor soccer. He got the hang of it pretty quickly and liked having walls to kick it off of.<br />
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Tate and Heath played in an Upwards Basketball league. Not sure they have lived in Indiana long enough to truly tap into their basketball abilities. But they had fun and ran around and improved their games as the season went on.<br />
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Landon played soccer in the spring. Its pretty much all he wants to play. He had a good season. Their team didn't have the best record, but they ended up winning an intense double-overtime, shoot-out championship game.<br />
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Tate played baseball. Moved up to kid pitch. He was pretty nervous about that. He hit quite a bit last year with machine pitch.....kid pitches are a little less predictable. He managed to walk a handful of times. Hit a few foul balls (one that hit a vehicle - which he thought was awesome). Had a few super close calls of getting thrown out at first. And finally in the next to last game, he had a solid hit that went into the outfield. Thankfully, he didn't get too down about his struggles to hit. Remember, even the pros don't get base hits most of the time. He moved around a bit in the outfield and infield. He'll get to play this same level again next year. His team had the best record in the league, but they lost in the championship game.<br />
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Heath also played baseball at the coach pitch level. He had some really solid hits....even to the outfield! And unfortuntely, I didn't take a single picture of him this season! Try to picture it....He wore a black jersey with white lettering. And looks super cute in a baseball hat.<br />
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Oh, I did find a picture. This is Landon and Heath sunning themselves on the living room floor like cats before we left for games on a Saturday morning.<br />
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Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-21872068566706453722019-07-07T17:29:00.000-07:002019-07-07T17:29:37.206-07:00It lives! <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Must. Not. Let. The. Blog. Die. </span><br />
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I'm not always completely sure why I want to keep this going when MONTHS will pass in between postings. I guess I still have the same reason to keep it going as we did when I started it - to keep family and friends further away more easily able to stay abreast of our activities - and to document our days....(or these days, document brief glimpses of a few things here and there). </div>
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Part of me wants to make sure there is some sort of documentation. My mom always kept photo albums- and still does. I loved looking through them as a child. If there's not a picture, it didn't happen, right? ;) I manged to keep photo albums for the first 6ish years we were married. I never really got into the scrapbooking craze which was big during that time, but I did manage to print off and put them in albums orderly. They are now safely tucked away in a plastic tote in storage in our basement. No one has touched them for several years. I even managed to print off another year or two of pictures beyond that. Everything beyond Tate at about 2 years old is mostly kept digitally now (Ummmm...he turns 10 next week). </div>
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Did you know there are even websites/companies that will turn blogs into printed photo books? Well, I've known that for a few years and thought it was a lovely idea....but still haven't done well at keeping things going. I have a brilliant friend who every year manages to organize her digital photos and print off a photo book capturing the activities of the year. Hmmmm.....I wonder how long it would take me to catch up with the past nearly 16 years?....(Actually, I have a rough idea as I've done a few photo books for special trips.....It would take me approximately 5.5 months if I never took any breaks or slept). </div>
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So. My goal this next week or so is to catch up. To make a smattering of postings of things that happened the past few months. And then to get a post in once a month. I'll likely not post links to my social media pages. I'll jjust get them up so that they are there. Tune in if you want to catch up. (Probably mostly our moms). </div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-51544482921786539462019-02-24T18:29:00.000-08:002019-02-24T18:29:20.709-08:00A little trip to see some sunshineWe took a family trip to Florida last week. This was the first time the boys had been there (or to see the ocean at all!)....and when I thought about it, I realized I hadn't been there since I was in college. I don't need to tell you how many years ago that was......but it was more than a couple.<br />
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It all started because Adam's sister, Jaime, had a splendid and generous plan to take Landon to Disney and Universal Studios for his 11th birthday gift (specifically to Hogwarts....where Harry Potter went to school when he turned 11. Landon and I have been reading through this series simultaneously the past 2 summers.....and Jaime is a rather big fan.) So, the question was, "How will we get him to either Jaime, who lives in DC, or to Florida?" I did not want to send my fresh 11-year old on a plane across the country alone. So, I started researching plane tickets and found some AMAZING deals. We could fly all 5 of us roundtrip.....for the same price as 1 ticket during spring break week. So....we decided we were all just going to go to Florida!<br />
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So, I booked an affordable condo along the ocean for the first few days we were there.<br />
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And then we handed Landon off to Jaime. </div>
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Unfortunately, she needed to take a ride from Disney via ambulance after their first day. She had been experiencing awful abdominal pains and other unpleasant symptoms. Fortunately, this trip was also with her wonderful cousin and her cousin's son, so Landon experienced the next few days with them. But Jaime had to hang out at the hospital for a few days and ended up having to have surgery. Landon is one of the easiest kids in the world, so he had a great time with people he had just met the day before.</div>
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(I mean, it was still Disney/Universal Studios....I've never been....but I hear they are lots of fun). :)</div>
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(And thankfully, Jaime is much better now and back home.)</div>
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And the four of us gallavanted about during those days and found things to do. </div>
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We spent a little bit of time and money doing an actvity or two back in the Tampa area....</div>
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Only to realize that Tate would have been perfectly happy if we just let him try to catch those little lizards all day. </div>
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No seriously. </div>
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It was his favorite part of the trip. </div>
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He wants to live there.....just to have all those little lizards around.</div>
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Overall, it was such an enjoyable trip! </div>
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We had unseasaonably warm weather for central FL at this time of the year! It was beautiful and sunny nearly the whole trip. We had lots of family time exploring new places. Landon got to make some super fun memories thanks to his aunt. And we met some friends of friends who so graciously hosted us for 2 nights. Thankful to have some time away together!</div>
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Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-82267733032865349192019-01-28T08:18:00.000-08:002019-01-28T10:17:38.296-08:00Rescue<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
A snowy day where I probably shouldn't travel allows me the time to sit and type out some thoughts......</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our church worship team shared this song yesterday following the message. I'm really glad that I didn't have time to fully prepare my heart and process it then. Becuase now that I have, I find myself completely overwhelmed and emotional.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FhQCYGYXzw" target="_blank">Lauren Daigle's "Rescue"</a></span></div>
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I'd heard it before. Actually, quite a few times. I may have even gifted myself this CD in my stocking this past Christmas. (Yep, we still occasionally buy CD'S. We have vehicles that are older and if you want to listen to music, it's either the radio or a CD.) </div>
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It was just last week one night while carting boys around to practices that one of them said, "Is this song like God is the one singing it to us?" </div>
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I smiled and replied, "Exactly like that." </div>
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[Don't think for a second that your kids aren't paying attention to the lyrics in the songs that they hear. Sometimes they may not be. But I cannot count the times where someone has piped up from the backseat of the van and asked what a lyric meant or commented about a phrase they heard. They are soaking up whatever we put in front of them. Let's make sure we are giving them true words that will sustain them, grow them, and give them positive messages to reflect on.]</div>
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Anyways. This song followed a message that was reflecting upon how the church/Body of Christ is supposed to look and operate, especially in regards to each other. It's been a whole series we've been working through. After the song, the pastor reflected that God can use US to be that army for one another on His behalf. </div>
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Yes. </div>
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God is always there. He is always available. He will give us shelter and peace. He is our armor. He will quietly speak truth into our hearts when we are fighting the lies that feel like they are being shouted loudly in our ears. He is enough. He will fill all the holes and voids in our life. He is the only one that can truly save us.</div>
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But it's His spirit living through the lives of His people that help us tangibly experience this many times. And we can't always experience that if we isolate ourselves. We were meant to do this life together. The joys, the heartache, the beautiful, and the ugly. </div>
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Sometimes it feels easier to isolate. Safer even. Protective. Less likely to be hurt or let down. </div>
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We were not meant to <i>depend</i> on others. Our dependency needs to be totally on God....but He can certainly use others to help provide for our needs and to be a part of the rescue process as we go through trials and valleys. </div>
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It was exactly a year ago where "our plans" came crashing down and we were left confused, wounded, and discarded.....by people in the church. </div>
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I became physically sick, lost my appetite, and struggled with sleeplessness for the first time in my life. Sure, I had been hurt by others before. But not like this. </div>
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I'm so grateful that God instilled in us a love for His church and His people (possibly slightly wrongly placed at times....still working through that). Even in our hurt, we had no intention of ever sliding in and out, hiding, or taking a break from gathering with others to worship and study. We both have been so fortunate to have a rich history of a church family and involvement. We knew it's where we needed to be. </div>
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Our new church has been a salve to us over this past year, part of the rescue process for our hearts. Building community with others is slow going. Really slow going at times. And it involves vulnerability and intention. But we were grateful to be led by God to a place where we feel valued, have a place to serve and worship, receive sound doctrine, and connect with some pretty great people. </div>
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We are so grateful that our God is in the business of rescuing and redeeming. And when we offer ourselves up to Him and seek Him, He reveals Himself to us and lets us be a part of His work in bringing others to His saving love and grace. He is the God who sees us and He is constantly at work bringing Glory to His cause in making beautiful things from messes. </div>
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How God's people treat one another, and how they aim to be a part of God's rescue, is one of the greatest tools for the unbelieving world to see and know of God's love. </div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-8361450309626760522019-01-19T13:55:00.000-08:002019-01-19T13:55:01.593-08:00A few family Christmas gatherings...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wanting to make sure to include some pics and notes from our Christmas gatherings from last month.</div>
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First, was the Jackson Thanksmas (Thanksgiving + Christmas) at the beginning of December. No pics, but a fun time. (You'll catch on....I'm kind of bad at taking pics)</div>
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Then, the Strahm Christmas.</div>
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And the youngest member of the family won the coveted Hot Wheels Grand Prix. I don't think she was fully aware what all the excitement was about. The day also included a hike in the woods, yummy food, a Christmas flannelgraph story, and some manly men choosing to be smart, manly men and not risk their lives. That's all I'm going to say about that. :) </div>
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Then, we had some of our far away family come and stay with us. Our basement is not inhabitable yet, but we shuffled some beds and rooms around and had fun hosting them for a few days. </div>
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We set up a photoshoot (which means, we put our camera on a tripod and the self-timer) to try to re-create some pics from 5 years ago. Unfortunately, we didn't actually look back much at the original pics and we got a few boys in the wrong laps. :) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018<br />The cats wanted in on this picture. Oliver crawled up on the ledge of the couch so perfectly and looked straight at the camera. He's such a weird and special cat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013</td></tr>
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And we even tried to recreate the CrAzY pic also.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHIeu80zXNEilAsMYcxRcnkPymn575VAVXGnUFGvdpBJ7B7UN5hJfuoU-WF8-_4_qUpgTYKlJCYG1ep1ZUWGtMy_x1c84vLbRsq12TWnLSIq3K-AD4-or6km-YMMSyzYNdxH2/s1600/IMG_7106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHIeu80zXNEilAsMYcxRcnkPymn575VAVXGnUFGvdpBJ7B7UN5hJfuoU-WF8-_4_qUpgTYKlJCYG1ep1ZUWGtMy_x1c84vLbRsq12TWnLSIq3K-AD4-or6km-YMMSyzYNdxH2/s320/IMG_7106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2018</td></tr>
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<br /> We made a yummy brunch after opening presents. We also went on a Christmas Day hike in the woods, took in a Christmas Eve church service and played quite a few games. </div>
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And there was a fair amount of this that went on also.</div>
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Then we travelled to the Grand Rapids area for the Willis family gathering. The food and fellowship was wonderful. And I even got to throw a dodgeball at my father-in-law....that's always fun. But this was the ONLY picture I took.<br />
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But I did manage to take a pic of the boys a couple weeks later in the super handsome vest and flannels from Great Grandma Willis (missing in the pic is Heath's vest...just imagine it....it's a dark green).</div>
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And while in Grand Rapids, we had the chance to stay with and visit some friends.</div>
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Plus, a lovely wedding of some young friends.</div>
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Once again, no pics. But it was all lovely.</div>
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We also got to take our favorite Taiwanese friend out to lunch.</div>
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After returning from all of that, we finally opened presents with our boys (it was December 28th at this point). :) </div>
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And then Poppy and Moppy got to stay with us for a few nights before flying back across the country. We had fun playing games with them, taking them to church with us, and going to see a movie in the theater. </div>
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And that wrapped up 2018 for us. </div>
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We are so grateful to have so many family and friends to see during the busy time of the holidays.</div>
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They make our lives so much richer!</div>
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Walking into 2019 knowing and trusting in God's goodness and abundance.</div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-88022449018300818702018-12-06T11:40:00.000-08:002018-12-06T11:40:37.615-08:00Heath in the Spotlight<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Heath has been in the spotlight a lot lately (Well, a month ago anyways....Sometimes I wish there weren't date stamps on these posts..... :) Always a little behind.) </span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, he managed to be the first of our kids to need to visit the ER. I tried to visit our primary physician, but there weren't any openings til much later in the day. And then the Urgent Care doctor poked around for a couple of minutes and just said to go ahead to the ER. I was really hoping his tummy pain wasn't just a virus or a reaction to something he ate, especially if I was going to have to now pay for an ER visit. He didn't have a lot of the other symptoms of his appendix acting up (fever, vomiting, etc.), just debilitating pain that was seeming to get worse. But they were able to diagnose it pretty quickly with an ultrasound. Within a couple of hours, he was having his appendix removed, and then a couple of hours later, they were sending us home. Easy peasy, right? </span><br />
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He was doing very well until about the 2 week mark. The morning of a follow-up appointment, he woke up and complained of pain in his side. I gave him some Tylenol and sent him off to school. (Yep, that's the kind of mom I am). By the time he got home from school and it was time to leave for his appointment, he was clearly in physical pain, although no fever or other issues. The doctor was concerned about his pain and sent us around the corner to get bloodwork done. When the results came back, they said his white blood cell count was crazy high which means there is likely an infection. They pointed us in the direction of the ER. (I believe I said, "Really? There's no other way to handle this....?") So, we waited in the ER. For a pretty long time. Poor kid hadn't had anything to eat since lunch. By the time they determined there was an infection and he had an abscess (basically, a pocket of pus), it was now 9:00pm. Oh, and its REALLY hard to find decent little kid's programming on TV channels once it gets past 8:00pm. We were going to have to be admitted and have a procedure done the next day. Because it was going to be the next day, he was now allowed to finally eat something (me too!). I then convinced the ER nurse to bring us all the food she possibly could.....applesauce, graham crackers, milk, jell-o, popcicles. We had a grand feast. By the time he was wheeled up to a room, it was almost 10:30pm. He was beyond tired. They had some issues writing the correct prescription for pain, so he was a bit of a mess. But overall, he handled it all really well. The worst part is when he wails when he knows they are going to poke him with a needle and I have to help hold him down. </div>
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With the help of antibiotics, the abscess was already shrinking by the time they went in him to drain it the next day. If it hadn't, they would have likely had to have left a drain in his side for a week or two. I would have had to learn how to empty a drain bag. Eww. Thankfully, they determined it was not necessary and certainly not ideal for a little boy. We had to spend another night for monitoring and to keep antibiotics pumping into him. Thankfully, we had a few visitors and people who sent gifts. Made the time go a little faster. Plus, in the pediatric wing, they had an activity bag and movies to choose from. </div>
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The medical bills have finally started rolling in mixed in with Christmas Cards. We'll meet our deductible for the year pretty quickly. Do you think the rest of us can opt-in to have our appendixes taken out also so that they aren't an issue in the future?.......</div>
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And then a week later, Heath turned 6! We kept it pretty chill. He invited 1 friend over to play and have dinner and cake with us and open presents. He chose chicken wings, yeast rolls, and green beans for dinner. </div>
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Our church happened to have a fun family event going on that same night. So, we all went to that also. Heath got to go up on stage where he was wished a happy birthday. And then he got to participate in one of the on-stage competitions (and broke a record for the game!). I'm still trying to figure this kid out and wasn't sure if he would like all of that attention as he can still get pretty shy when addressed by people he doesn't know very well. But by the smile on his face, he seemed to love it. </div>
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We love this kid and are so thankful that God has blessed our family with him!</div>
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Here's a snapshot of what Heath is like at 6:</div>
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- Still favors his momma. Will frequently ask to snuggle. Or will randomly show up and ask me for a "huggie" and then turn and walk away once he's gotten it.</div>
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- Doing great at picking up reading and kindergarten math skills. </div>
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- He can be slow to wake up in the mornings. </div>
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- He likes frogs, turtles, and cute dogs (unless they get up in his business too much). </div>
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- He doesn't sleep with stuffed animals very often anymore. He says they "keep him awake." Although, he still has a special snuggie (blanket) that he is insistent upon. </div>
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- He is a hot little body. Still wants to sleep in just shorts most evenings (even though our thermostat is set at 60!). </div>
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- Likes wrestling and being very physical. </div>
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- A bit dramatic at times when things don't go his way.</div>
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- Can be a bit of a homebody. If he's been away a lot or just doing social things, he oftentimes will just want to have some time at home. Even at the end of a school week, you can tell he just wants to be home. </div>
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- Loves to eat pineapple. You leave a container of fresh pineapple in front of him and turn your back....it will likely be gone. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jUdr_GD4KS-KHKX1IEGc9u5YHlYVm29uq17Jbyu_Nk0f9zPaQpfdO_HFVF6qk9CKjKRa80c2X5yLuFoKCZDq7DnaVlCfZZrQN-YXb8JRLliHHwjBu9R65t0sn9BDYdOmi-yX/s1600/IMG_7023b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1210" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0jUdr_GD4KS-KHKX1IEGc9u5YHlYVm29uq17Jbyu_Nk0f9zPaQpfdO_HFVF6qk9CKjKRa80c2X5yLuFoKCZDq7DnaVlCfZZrQN-YXb8JRLliHHwjBu9R65t0sn9BDYdOmi-yX/s320/IMG_7023b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a zoomed-in shot during a recent family photo session.<br />Seriously kid?! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-5979383618905909822018-10-12T12:34:00.000-07:002018-10-12T12:34:16.393-07:00Gratefulness Abounds<div style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">
Heath had to have his appendix taken out earlier this week (maybe I'll blog about that next), so I find myself with a cleared out schedule and being forced to stay at home. I've already washed all the bedding in the house and brought out kid's winter clothes......I don't really feel like cleaning the bathrooms...or anything......So, here I am updating the blog since it's pretty far behind. Here's a little look at the last month+. </div>
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We celebrated my mom's 70th birthday party last month. It was one of my brother's ideas to do this and we all quickly jumped on board. We certainly felt like she was worth celebrating. So, we picked a date that worked for all of us (which isn't always easy). And then we booked a location. And finally, we told her about it. Of course, she was surprised and didn't want us to go to that trouble. But at that point, it was already too late. We invited a number of family and friends and spent a beautiful day celebrating her. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBMrjAFTd4ukjMwYIag7TMgW9JYnq4Ib-fKR7qPggrwBxc2yGdz1i3XrQhh9rSC4Ix9y60Xi7F0IwiDuCtX-F7VX-WUQhQI_JBiiD2NAl-VSzxF8XQ60UYKfFDQnsDrrS-EN6/s1600/IMG_6877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="974" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBMrjAFTd4ukjMwYIag7TMgW9JYnq4Ib-fKR7qPggrwBxc2yGdz1i3XrQhh9rSC4Ix9y60Xi7F0IwiDuCtX-F7VX-WUQhQI_JBiiD2NAl-VSzxF8XQ60UYKfFDQnsDrrS-EN6/s400/IMG_6877.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and her children....and their children.....and their children.</td></tr>
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And I'm so glad we did! I'm beyond grateful that I still get to have my mom present. A month before her birthday, I was sitting and talking with 3 other women. They were all reminiscing about their mothers - all of which are no longer alive. And it hit me how blessed I am to still have her here. I don't want to think about life without having her here. I already fully know that there is no love like the love of a good mother and I don't even want to think about that inevitable and gaping void. So, we celebrate what we have! There is not a person I know that is more humble, more giving, more joyous, more generous, and more kind. If you don't know her, you are missing out. </div>
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We also passed the 5-year anniversary of Adam's biking accident that left him with a spinal cord injury. Nothing momentous was done. It was actually a really busy week for us. It just left me with a deep thankfulness that we can even lead such a busy life and that Adam can do all that he is able to. We certainly don't want to forget how life can change in an instant. Or how God gave unexplainable peace and comfort when there were so many unknowns. Or how God healed him much more than what could have been predicted by professionals. Or how God moved people to be so good at caring for us. I talked with the boys about all of that recently. Landon is the only one that actually has some memories from that time. He was 5 then. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKKjO4K47nFUUV_R9wEXjZRVwn7hYjGnvoZaPcUE1vJfBLGEYtDZMmzayrDuMXUj2Ddrfd9DUwwKEvWjkU9ELQ-DOdtHk0HlZwf9NxukSDt1xMrGcjGISHGPD4zXR2Pj1xzmN/s1600/IMG_6883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1393" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKKjO4K47nFUUV_R9wEXjZRVwn7hYjGnvoZaPcUE1vJfBLGEYtDZMmzayrDuMXUj2Ddrfd9DUwwKEvWjkU9ELQ-DOdtHk0HlZwf9NxukSDt1xMrGcjGISHGPD4zXR2Pj1xzmN/s320/IMG_6883.JPG" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how old the boys were when Adam's accident was. (5 1/2, 4, and 10months)<br />They were all being ninjas in this picture. Not much has changed.</td></tr>
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As for an update on where Adam is. At his yearly appointment with his spinal doctor last spring, he actually succumbed to being put on some medication to help with spasms and nerve pain. It's the biggest bother at night and in the early morning. Adam has always been a light sleeper, so it doesn't help when his body is spasming and tightening up. It's a low dosage, but he has been taking it regularly. He's not completely convinced he needs it. Otherwise, Adam is as active as he can. He's hunting this fall, coaching Heath's soccer team, and by considerable prodding and encouragement from his wife, will be finishing our basement in the coming months. We were doing backyard races last month, thanks to a fun timer that Aunt Jaime had given us. He even joined in and raced 5-year old Heath. He lost to the kindergartener, but he says it was because he was laughing so hard (which he was laughing considerably hard - which is always fun to watch). (Don't you want to know who the fastest in the family is??!?! This race consists of hitting a timer and then running across the yard, touching the fence and hitting the timer again at the start line to stop the time.) (It's me. That's right, 38-year old me - another milestone we celebrated this past month. I figure I need to live it up as long as I can before these boys can beat me. Landon and Tate are still a good second behind me.) (However, we don't need to talk about how badly my hips and butt hurt the next couple of days from all of that sprinting. Yee-ouch!).</div>
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Adam's new teaching job is busy. He has 5 classes to prep for, plus oversees service projects and the weekly chapel session. He has work to do most nights. But he feels valued and finds purpose in what he's doing. And that is good. </div>
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I had a weekend with girlfriends from high school days recently. Fun and refreshing! So glad we are still connected and able to do this! Thankful for these women and I look forward to this annual weekend so much! </div>
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Adam and I had found ourselves feeling busy and basically high-fiving in the driveway as one of us was coming/going. So, when a dear man from our old church in GR passed away, we both took the day off and made the trip together. A sort of day date.....to a funeral. But let me tell you.....as I sat in that service, I honestly was so moved by the choice and singing of hymns, by the beautiful testimony of this man's life, sitting and holding hands with my husband....I honestly could not think of anywhere else I would rather be. It crossed my mind that there was no sporting event or concert that I could have imagined to have been better. Really. This was a glimpse of a 90+ year life on this earth well lived to the very end. Taking that in is way better, and more impacting, than any sort of competition or entertainment. </div>
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Looking back, I'm so grateful to have multiple things happen recently that have reminded me to relish loved ones in my life, live intentionally, and to be grateful for the life God has given me. </div>
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Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-34194991205634431742018-08-29T13:10:00.000-07:002018-08-29T13:10:01.713-07:0015 Years of Fighting<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">We
celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary last week. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look at the bright,
shiny, freshly married couples we know.....and I feel like 15 years is a LONG
time! But then I look at the more weathered and wise couples around us that are
celebrating decades or a half of a century together.....and I feel that we are
babes that have hardly begun to experience our life! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Either way, 15 years
of being married has been a gift that we cherish! We are aware (most days) that
we should never take a single day for granted. We complement each other pretty
well and from the very beginning of our relationship, we know
where our priorities and eyes should be fixed. I wouldn't have had it any other
way. If his affections were not on God, he wouldn't have stood a chance with
me. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that's what's been
most pivotal for us and kept us together. I wouldn't know how to love Adam very
well if I didn't have Scripture and Jesus to guide me. I would stink at it. I
just know it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And I'm human and slow
and stubborn at times, so some days I still stink at it. But that's where grace
and forgiveness comes into play. Which again, I wouldn't fully understand if it
wasn't for Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recently heard a
quote that "Marriage is an adventure, like going to war."
(Chesterton). And I thought, "YES!" Not that we are going to
war <i>against</i> each other.....but that we have entered into
a <i>lifelong</i> challenge and commitment to fight <i>for</i> one another
and <i>for </i>our marriage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some days I can almost
feel Satan and my own evil desires breathing down my neck. Tempting me to be critical
of my husband. Trying to tell me that I'm not doing a good job. That Adam's not doing a good job. Making me look around at others around us and compare
finances, credentials, or looks. Tempting me to be cold because I felt he was
cold towards me. Using a simple miscommunication to cause my anger to flare
when it wasn't even his fault that the text didn't go through. Sheesh. Every
day we can encounter things that can drive a wedge between two people that are
ON THE SAME TEAM! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyways. Fight for a good
marriage. It's worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our anniversary
weekend lined up nicely with a wedding invitation that we had in GR. And it
also lined up very nicely with my mom's availability to keep our boys for a few
nights. So, we booked a sweet little Bed and Breakfast outside of South Haven
and made a weekend of it. (My apologies that we didn't take great pics....a couple of phone pics will have to suffice).</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L0aIaoPWLROMLHMK71fZCyQVp7k3Ou0Mjta08xTX6HnZVC6_4bey1W-CR38ikFfgTR_VnTOSxRjEdma0AMz5S33wdxvIV90BMWFws0Y43XBJn_A5x6QfsvxUI3CCwmHgN5DY/s1600/IMG_20180824_205622557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-L0aIaoPWLROMLHMK71fZCyQVp7k3Ou0Mjta08xTX6HnZVC6_4bey1W-CR38ikFfgTR_VnTOSxRjEdma0AMz5S33wdxvIV90BMWFws0Y43XBJn_A5x6QfsvxUI3CCwmHgN5DY/s320/IMG_20180824_205622557.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you knnow me at all, you know I love a good bathrobe.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">The house only had 3 guestrooms and we enjoyed
chatting with the other couples in the mornings over generous portions of
scrumptious breakfast foods! The Kal-Haven bike trail was literally a few hundred
yards from the house. Too bad Adam sold his bike 2 weeks before </span><i style="color: #222222;">("What?!?! You knew we would be riding bikes on our anniversary weekend! It was one of
the perks of where we booked! Why would you sell your bike?!?!!!!") </i><span style="color: #222222;">(I'm just
showing you my tendency to let stupid things come between us). Anyways. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLBgMJZsysa7ypODkZI29H3XA1BMnTI5Kxavt9WCtJSzprBCOUb4Hk-1wAwxd3y3zmh7EufGFwkJdfNLdJtBPBPV3ZY3oOALpZPjYZiVfZ2gJDG6_omjxjeBqdPFsgyZqlc0I/s1600/IMG_20180825_110115122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLBgMJZsysa7ypODkZI29H3XA1BMnTI5Kxavt9WCtJSzprBCOUb4Hk-1wAwxd3y3zmh7EufGFwkJdfNLdJtBPBPV3ZY3oOALpZPjYZiVfZ2gJDG6_omjxjeBqdPFsgyZqlc0I/s320/IMG_20180825_110115122.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We
still brought along my bike and he looked stunningly handsome on the purple cruiser that the
hosts had in their garage for us to use. (Don't worry, we met up with someone
from a Craigslist ad on the way home and he has a bike again). We explored
South Haven, did some window shopping, walked the pier, etc. An absolutely
lovely time together. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxLzHBXmQjdVNhsVfccCZ8Dl9_QSO_z8XpTjRFLRp3q3RK0P-tZw8rgG3DUko8pi85tf7zvOAo2m3c0_MevzOH4ppbs32o8-39LHdN44kDkM4MThWAa0BBbQFDO9ksj6EU6Ij/s1600/20180826_115836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyxLzHBXmQjdVNhsVfccCZ8Dl9_QSO_z8XpTjRFLRp3q3RK0P-tZw8rgG3DUko8pi85tf7zvOAo2m3c0_MevzOH4ppbs32o8-39LHdN44kDkM4MThWAa0BBbQFDO9ksj6EU6Ij/s320/20180826_115836.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And my goodness,
everyone should attend a wedding so close to their anniversary. Such a good reminder
of your vows. But this wasn't just a wedding. Don't get me wrong, I could
probably get teary watching complete strangers get married. Any bride walking down that aisle would probably get me choked up. And maybe I just found it all more moving because it's our anniversary and we've had a rough year that has brought us closer. This wedding though, this one will likely go down
in the memory bank. I lost track of how many times I got choked up! I couldn't
tell you what the flowers or centerpieces looked like....I'm sure they were probably lovely, but it's not those things that leave an impact on me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though the vows were recited after the pastor, I've never heard a bride say them with such genuineness. She sold it and I had to swallow real hard and blink back tears with her last line of "You are my beloved." Then it was followed by the groom's sisters singing an a cappella version of "It is Well" while the bride and groom participated in washing each other's feet. And hearing the toasts and testimonies of their family members during the reception. WATERWORKS! The young couple is certainly in love, but it was also incredibly clear that their faith had guided them and brought them to this point in time and is what would lead them on. (And this young woman didn't deal solely with the typical teenage and young adult stuff....She'd battled cancer starting at the age of 11.) I don't know that I have ever felt so privileged to witness a wedding before. We saw this young man go through middle school/high school and we are so proud of who he is and the woman he has partnered in life with. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(And to everyone else whose wedding I have attended....Yours was absolutely lovely as well. Don't worry, I'm sure I got teary-eyed and choked up. It's what I do.) (And sorry for not including a pic of us schnazzied-up for the wedding. You'll just have to imagine how nice we looked).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So grateful that Adam and I had the chance to get away and enjoy each other's company for a few days. </span></div>
<br />Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-78788580318452510112018-08-28T19:16:00.000-07:002018-08-28T19:16:45.557-07:00Tate turns 9!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;">Better
late than never. Thanks to my mom documenting my documenting, she recently pointed out that I hadn't done a blog post for Tate's birthday.....So, here I am. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tate turned 9. It fell
shortly following our trip out west, falling on the day of an out-of-town
family wedding reception, and right before he left to spend a week with grandma
at church camp. We celebrated, but not in typical fashion. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We let him pick out a
restaurant the night before his birthday as we drove out of town. He made his
usual choice, Buffalo Wild Wings, where he can eat chicken-with-the-bones-in-it
dunked in hot sauce and where they have free tablets for kids to play. The
servers shouted at him (it's what they do instead of singing) and brought him a
dessert. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My creature of habit's
request for his birthday was to go fishing. Third year in a row he's made this
request. Adam made arrangements with a buddy of his in the GR area and they
went out on his boat early in the morning to do some fishing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj595oB4tlBgdaxBUR-X8Acee1wxkf9M7rQIiDr72I8mho6Z-gYGWWBPEs0z8FCcNyefv1rSg0tvwAM_3ZKTT-Ghi39JL25y18mO40KMAhZ9pokjmI1lvlKPKP6HJufLmKwOTw6/s1600/tate+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="686" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj595oB4tlBgdaxBUR-X8Acee1wxkf9M7rQIiDr72I8mho6Z-gYGWWBPEs0z8FCcNyefv1rSg0tvwAM_3ZKTT-Ghi39JL25y18mO40KMAhZ9pokjmI1lvlKPKP6HJufLmKwOTw6/s320/tate+fish.jpg" width="228" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam had seen online
an event at a youth center in GR where they were going to be unveiling a new
Ninja Warrior Course at their facility. Happened to be on Tate's birthday.
There were giveaways, bouncy things, and the chance to meet a couple of
American Ninja Warrior competitors. Stuff that boys' dreams are made of. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z8rxY-Z49AKJ5Gi003ocrswucGIuSSwRBWgyBd4jXD-jXiI-Om3GZ54n-Pc7CiQ7QNsICD9w9jyteVqcEBCm5usKJBAMdb8g_R_nnD7QnM9KmrvjcjzQY-V_D_xYud_24P1n/s1600/tate+ninja.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="960" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Z8rxY-Z49AKJ5Gi003ocrswucGIuSSwRBWgyBd4jXD-jXiI-Om3GZ54n-Pc7CiQ7QNsICD9w9jyteVqcEBCm5usKJBAMdb8g_R_nnD7QnM9KmrvjcjzQY-V_D_xYud_24P1n/s320/tate+ninja.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we attended a
family wedding reception. It was a lovely occasion, but probably not what
little boys' dreams are made of. :)......But Aunt Jaime was there from DC and
brought lots of table activities to keep the boys happy and occupied and then
she kidnapped them to take them back to her hotel for some pool time. They
didn't have suits with them, so she even took them to Meijer where she let them
pick out new towels and swimsuits. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-hHz6eAI2BaPgIgiukG0WNXVrbA7PZUnRQFTh6bVxsL3GzwybA2RzWeuP1NzjQWuTvgtUkEXNIyBmwNngxD0-LW4v8HUpqxyP7Jf2WAqzSwBajdIxrA4ulqle9EnpdKDB7RY/s1600/tate+wedding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-hHz6eAI2BaPgIgiukG0WNXVrbA7PZUnRQFTh6bVxsL3GzwybA2RzWeuP1NzjQWuTvgtUkEXNIyBmwNngxD0-LW4v8HUpqxyP7Jf2WAqzSwBajdIxrA4ulqle9EnpdKDB7RY/s320/tate+wedding.jpg" width="206" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tate said it was a
great birthday. Next year for his 10th birthday, I promised him a party with
friends-if that's what he wants. We will avoid taking any trips/vacations at
that time. :) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXDEpvqFzU1v9-iAk_aJtJAX7i8Yh7uOFGcVA3nlam_W2s4SlCxGpdABJHqMr7HWHUZDIx9RRwjDif-xQk6Zfp9KaX0sJ-wFTBPctwd4lCGbXj6nl5i_Z3GZkxXDmNI4qRAE5/s1600/IMG_6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXDEpvqFzU1v9-iAk_aJtJAX7i8Yh7uOFGcVA3nlam_W2s4SlCxGpdABJHqMr7HWHUZDIx9RRwjDif-xQk6Zfp9KaX0sJ-wFTBPctwd4lCGbXj6nl5i_Z3GZkxXDmNI4qRAE5/s320/IMG_6566.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's what Tate is
like at 9:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Could spend hours
and hours examining bugs, rocks, creatures, water, etc. Loves nature and the
outdoors. Some of his prized possessions are geodes, animal bones, and
"really cool" dead bugs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Has trouble
finishing books. Doesn't have trouble starting them. He gets $1 for every
chapter book he finishes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Got a Garmin VivoFit
Jr for his birthday. It tracks his steps and activity. He typically has more
steps than his dad and older brother who also have fitness trackers. The kid
doesn't sit still for long. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- He can be really
loud at times (random yelling and noises)....but also extremely quiet at times
and a deep thinker and asker of deep questions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- A very restless,
active, and light sleeper. Even anxious at times. We got him a weighted
blanket. Not sure if it has helped much as he's usually pushed it off of
him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- He's long and tall
for his age. His feet are the same size as mine. He is 9! I wear a women's size
7.5/8. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- He has moments of
being very sensitive and showing deep concern for others. It really bothers him when others are picked on or left out. He has a very
generous heart. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He is an absolute gift
and we are so blessed to have him in our family! </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-61881191699735188882018-07-11T19:37:00.000-07:002018-07-11T19:53:16.080-07:00South Dakota<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26_GF4Vt9psuFivbmOC0C03YoSajch6KOHbEwYjvRPDLoFzKK_GBu1nQsxQ6U_KwG25M280Smn8dG7P5qCp0R1jLoGK12XO_t38SIjbQsGXFVMnihc01klD4mYdEv1ZmiTAxo/s1600/IMG_6266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi26_GF4Vt9psuFivbmOC0C03YoSajch6KOHbEwYjvRPDLoFzKK_GBu1nQsxQ6U_KwG25M280Smn8dG7P5qCp0R1jLoGK12XO_t38SIjbQsGXFVMnihc01klD4mYdEv1ZmiTAxo/s320/IMG_6266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We road tripped it to South Dakota for a vacation! </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I actually had someone ask me why we would go to South Dakota. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Uh, super easy answer..... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
There's people that we love there!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, the bulk of our trip was about spending time with Adam's mom and stepdad.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Kevin grew up there and they've owned a place there for years, but they officially retired and moved out there about 2 years ago. The boys had never gone out there. Adam and I last went 13(!)(What?! Time flies!) years ago.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We took a few trips with them to some amazing sights on a few different days, but we also spent a fare amount of time just enjoying time at their place together.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp4WTkOuSJcxEKqYqwwwEdKC1lOICVP9UNCH_wrFxX4EW-NwXisU4x7HNPhh8_bOVdfxAoUoG67NlIpxFt8M920KUGoewlnXOCsZM3-griPOZYp-51PX-YnWd4n-4NmY0W8VG/s1600/IMG_6263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQp4WTkOuSJcxEKqYqwwwEdKC1lOICVP9UNCH_wrFxX4EW-NwXisU4x7HNPhh8_bOVdfxAoUoG67NlIpxFt8M920KUGoewlnXOCsZM3-griPOZYp-51PX-YnWd4n-4NmY0W8VG/s320/IMG_6263.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the route there, we stopped at Wall Drug for dinner.<br />
I'm hoping they boys will re-enact this photo in 20 years for me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-0EnrbFFOnUYH9sRqogFQ9xr-wEmVO3b24tQGBQDxG5ljaiUXSt3yCyuaFloma8JBryQxXlzl39hA7gk70jEQEs4dpKSbnFnY971hJWWIlFrTofKYEy4mJqSk6rwOGzu2uad/s1600/IMG_6271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="815" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-0EnrbFFOnUYH9sRqogFQ9xr-wEmVO3b24tQGBQDxG5ljaiUXSt3yCyuaFloma8JBryQxXlzl39hA7gk70jEQEs4dpKSbnFnY971hJWWIlFrTofKYEy4mJqSk6rwOGzu2uad/s320/IMG_6271.JPG" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out at Mt.Rushmore.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6526GtDXywzEJogzmcFbLhububUKb9AJsCQwp7dv7EqipIky70P1LvgTrXmNs9I80hfzV9T8JLLzkWnWgX2loBw7FUJHWlymHU0-vieQ9WpOs13qZhV-sWnkY8iOzJ-Mcdvi/s1600/IMG_6307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1600" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw6526GtDXywzEJogzmcFbLhububUKb9AJsCQwp7dv7EqipIky70P1LvgTrXmNs9I80hfzV9T8JLLzkWnWgX2loBw7FUJHWlymHU0-vieQ9WpOs13qZhV-sWnkY8iOzJ-Mcdvi/s320/IMG_6307.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sylvan Lake</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVkBdQj6ixefq1b8N-OlqPkRbsr0dRBUQtYXLJ_v_cGByCs8940zLdZHQegAvwtfyxOVtOII_QzqcMbxmxpOYbr84c-USqyqU7XYr8ZA1005PAS6m196GFwRgR2r5c2z-OUYE/s1600/IMG_6310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoVkBdQj6ixefq1b8N-OlqPkRbsr0dRBUQtYXLJ_v_cGByCs8940zLdZHQegAvwtfyxOVtOII_QzqcMbxmxpOYbr84c-USqyqU7XYr8ZA1005PAS6m196GFwRgR2r5c2z-OUYE/s320/IMG_6310.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo4R_IxUT5YsRtek6yprjv1_Wbt1VzJzAaKpGh0Z9tXZavj2xAmp6vWcZD_Mmao1lbyvLI5xu5FfRn_pxybr4ln0m_xckg6RS4KxabqnwDkkOjNPGw36mRm_d3hiGA3xLMw9o/s1600/IMG_6334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo4R_IxUT5YsRtek6yprjv1_Wbt1VzJzAaKpGh0Z9tXZavj2xAmp6vWcZD_Mmao1lbyvLI5xu5FfRn_pxybr4ln0m_xckg6RS4KxabqnwDkkOjNPGw36mRm_d3hiGA3xLMw9o/s320/IMG_6334.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was our favorite wildlife on the Wildlife Loop at Custer State Park.<br />
The rest of the animals were hiding.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKCAfA__E2rDvy3I987WUbMjUNq8WSmSiPdfd5Q1GYULLYzttcsqX_jIrQnJZ99Wqh1PkLK7NEmazHjpP_lBCUHe2rDdzp24boqen1EKd51sHqUtJFxkCPqkST8kEypLvWAkR/s320/IMG_6439.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Tower (Wyoming)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0zElrFLzwHpi1B9agBo8PCJyNtD0y_dbf-6pB0mdAgLgdF7NNCj3y2kx70auSwP2S1Qu-ty18MeVqoU9fxI-G_-3v_Ev3UcZ0aq8EsI8jnhooY89TbUYbt9kLrj28NSti88Z/s1600/IMG_6447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0zElrFLzwHpi1B9agBo8PCJyNtD0y_dbf-6pB0mdAgLgdF7NNCj3y2kx70auSwP2S1Qu-ty18MeVqoU9fxI-G_-3v_Ev3UcZ0aq8EsI8jnhooY89TbUYbt9kLrj28NSti88Z/s320/IMG_6447.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People climb this thing!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUT1jDqovqWK3y7J9zjVdEIaH6xwhWpPEcve8dtOo63EfgPA1huvu_dbpxY2oRKQiMkC3kGKJ7LsA9pzywvfvCgYIGLjUsFC-yo0xNHLWbuxamzHbwMhX1tgtdc-M5nQEc3kG-/s1600/IMG_6475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUT1jDqovqWK3y7J9zjVdEIaH6xwhWpPEcve8dtOo63EfgPA1huvu_dbpxY2oRKQiMkC3kGKJ7LsA9pzywvfvCgYIGLjUsFC-yo0xNHLWbuxamzHbwMhX1tgtdc-M5nQEc3kG-/s320/IMG_6475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwP7nzlDjBhyfZuUejEaMg1fllaonFJ_RImpmEeYxpdh-mDH3g5OSyMD6FeapZ8DbSOIQwUOrVx8yECryKJ0v6ZqN9QqzIWZo5iczm4gIdNt-eKwf1w-AWPUp30dMK8oguoyY/s1600/IMG_6494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwP7nzlDjBhyfZuUejEaMg1fllaonFJ_RImpmEeYxpdh-mDH3g5OSyMD6FeapZ8DbSOIQwUOrVx8yECryKJ0v6ZqN9QqzIWZo5iczm4gIdNt-eKwf1w-AWPUp30dMK8oguoyY/s320/IMG_6494.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spearfish Canyon</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8aw4TBRwyt-r6pP1OmEuXDh4NG59IxQkfaaGeDpx-NShsyaPzjTfQmP8H6rL9BS2gW5EjrfeF6Ynl0neH-U7YGf4bkPYGdaL4csWKHB1vL87Huan5qLI-ECTrqW41FTLKO2j/s1600/IMG_6504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ8aw4TBRwyt-r6pP1OmEuXDh4NG59IxQkfaaGeDpx-NShsyaPzjTfQmP8H6rL9BS2gW5EjrfeF6Ynl0neH-U7YGf4bkPYGdaL4csWKHB1vL87Huan5qLI-ECTrqW41FTLKO2j/s320/IMG_6504.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKCAfA__E2rDvy3I987WUbMjUNq8WSmSiPdfd5Q1GYULLYzttcsqX_jIrQnJZ99Wqh1PkLK7NEmazHjpP_lBCUHe2rDdzp24boqen1EKd51sHqUtJFxkCPqkST8kEypLvWAkR/s1600/IMG_6439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe9dLGfEN4_oLcRQDo6dgNCHl7Szye0i138JIQAhfBjcqWqT6e147qI-tR4VpIG-sWtiJs473tjLWote5IvYpvDgPp0H18yKWyA-9trYwfLzpw98RDkzDqAgOQxbbNG68TRuQ/s1600/IMG_6522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1430" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe9dLGfEN4_oLcRQDo6dgNCHl7Szye0i138JIQAhfBjcqWqT6e147qI-tR4VpIG-sWtiJs473tjLWote5IvYpvDgPp0H18yKWyA-9trYwfLzpw98RDkzDqAgOQxbbNG68TRuQ/s320/IMG_6522.JPG" width="286" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And dinner at a biker bar in Sturgis<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We also enjoyed hanging out together at thier house.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCq-akPh1MCbgxyLl6gSCZVrTScY79NiF6aJs2pFLpHjVOe4MgI2WGZJ80WpDITgz32c-lQPYWpK_78ymMAzfPYNL_tPchSJ2u1KuMz6j2F3xAC6qzQRfpmnukZN9czoZqZrLG/s1600/IMG_6352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCq-akPh1MCbgxyLl6gSCZVrTScY79NiF6aJs2pFLpHjVOe4MgI2WGZJ80WpDITgz32c-lQPYWpK_78ymMAzfPYNL_tPchSJ2u1KuMz6j2F3xAC6qzQRfpmnukZN9czoZqZrLG/s320/IMG_6352.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating at Grandma's counter.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWco3N87HExQtlXumyJylt7fuuJgIHyRkB4WnR5OFS-2-dq3Vhi_DxIfQJzOiFnQGw5k7yJQH8mKTwUCascw59DoOysh_KnBy7yOWX0Xd7uyMtZe93PMBcQLjO5R2ksAcIDKL4/s1600/IMG_6355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWco3N87HExQtlXumyJylt7fuuJgIHyRkB4WnR5OFS-2-dq3Vhi_DxIfQJzOiFnQGw5k7yJQH8mKTwUCascw59DoOysh_KnBy7yOWX0Xd7uyMtZe93PMBcQLjO5R2ksAcIDKL4/s320/IMG_6355.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys got lessons in slingshots.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurhc_50TMcp9jdIgOqnAttoqYrsDZHg4zltNKz3SOZx2piVf2nYI0L5c9dPtVvtoPntAna338w_4ftdXkBx_loB7ghvNzgQubGcUOzlM74zNLE5JsInos0Fsvsq1DJWnBHrwn/s1600/IMG_6430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhurhc_50TMcp9jdIgOqnAttoqYrsDZHg4zltNKz3SOZx2piVf2nYI0L5c9dPtVvtoPntAna338w_4ftdXkBx_loB7ghvNzgQubGcUOzlM74zNLE5JsInos0Fsvsq1DJWnBHrwn/s320/IMG_6430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up targets in the backyard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MMQ_7L0wsNjHJSrH0OPXG5BatIe1UYZVnp5lcCDyBRL_TBaJD-B7xrEEnpFlwvuVr6N9sZg4P2t55B2vIAkfCXTa2I5FpL4l-0KH8AlSWHsPxlUfJsV4LaYMIGyfn6vXXK1i/s1600/IMG_6436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MMQ_7L0wsNjHJSrH0OPXG5BatIe1UYZVnp5lcCDyBRL_TBaJD-B7xrEEnpFlwvuVr6N9sZg4P2t55B2vIAkfCXTa2I5FpL4l-0KH8AlSWHsPxlUfJsV4LaYMIGyfn6vXXK1i/s320/IMG_6436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the older two boys got lessons in shooting guns. And don't ask Adam who won in a shooting contest between him and I. (IT WAS ME!!!) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8tlC5tPFU1ebo03z_xdSRXfqqLgElchXLceRmV16zqBNpkS5Vo7AdmgzwTXZ_h5AqcE_15-v800phh4YdEg3jorA1OfHnWAJwXfyCBuok_3uXkga31iPV1aNIbmObQnEWWBU/s1600/IMG_6529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip8tlC5tPFU1ebo03z_xdSRXfqqLgElchXLceRmV16zqBNpkS5Vo7AdmgzwTXZ_h5AqcE_15-v800phh4YdEg3jorA1OfHnWAJwXfyCBuok_3uXkga31iPV1aNIbmObQnEWWBU/s320/IMG_6529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma is pretty famous for her Schleich animal collection. The boys love playing with them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaARd5x5ee0WB_U7lRkHXGdKOhGp95yMcoKhPbp0MxJ_YL1qwcNm2tTr502DoOJ0OLFTX-7flH-cGvNKWt_UtywXV2koElDK802N6cbQOQAtXh1JgxcDFf2lKX8UFuVrjx6ARJ/s1600/IMG_6531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1303" data-original-width="1600" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaARd5x5ee0WB_U7lRkHXGdKOhGp95yMcoKhPbp0MxJ_YL1qwcNm2tTr502DoOJ0OLFTX-7flH-cGvNKWt_UtywXV2koElDK802N6cbQOQAtXh1JgxcDFf2lKX8UFuVrjx6ARJ/s320/IMG_6531.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've requested being considered to have this named to me in their will.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUiYDtIDi5vAf4Qb_zELIPbtqZaqivH-TyV7x8tcd2RRwukhNsDg_seDsZBYZ1bDAFSu6gHlLKItKYKTx3x2DSqOAbWz9L9coNndEMTebidToJsDyXfi2Dg1x3EbvvzBQvKEz/s1600/IMG_6535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUiYDtIDi5vAf4Qb_zELIPbtqZaqivH-TyV7x8tcd2RRwukhNsDg_seDsZBYZ1bDAFSu6gHlLKItKYKTx3x2DSqOAbWz9L9coNndEMTebidToJsDyXfi2Dg1x3EbvvzBQvKEz/s320/IMG_6535.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The neighbors showing up to bale the frontyard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDSuz_vhqYLnKCU-QUNeXRGn8QFQrmymvTITspxK8HVosyilJUHFXHPV-JXTRSn_G29ySNrGVMdM3c8OALF_5kflHIf9Gjo7dKWydZxAngjIEMvh1xwjZ5pL3poaM4ycbDzPF/s1600/IMG_6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDSuz_vhqYLnKCU-QUNeXRGn8QFQrmymvTITspxK8HVosyilJUHFXHPV-JXTRSn_G29ySNrGVMdM3c8OALF_5kflHIf9Gjo7dKWydZxAngjIEMvh1xwjZ5pL3poaM4ycbDzPF/s320/IMG_6553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tub of water entertained these boys for HOURS on a couple of hot days!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
And a neighbor happens to own some animals that were fun to see:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please don't decide to ram our truck! Pretty please! </td></tr>
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Adam and I even got to have a hiking date one morning and hiked to the top of Bear Butte </div>
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(the boys thought it was more fun to call it Bare Butt). </div>
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The boys had a fun treasure hunt at Mt.Rushmore. My brother and his family had visited this site last month on their vacation adventures. He created a map for them and buried a treasure off of the trail a little ways for them to locate! They thought it was quite fun! </div>
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And a few other pictures to remember:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJquzxVXPYbAqkRjtemmra4EgDKFYKrLUzWRJS_ZkZt2ocucyWlLipCaSOgcgZ-cT5Mw-pkAx-F5WQ6mBh3oTSm5cM2dLpPH_jzje1JM3dUjKVT5kFm6ed0b8oeE-koL9aT-49/s1600/IMG_6321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJquzxVXPYbAqkRjtemmra4EgDKFYKrLUzWRJS_ZkZt2ocucyWlLipCaSOgcgZ-cT5Mw-pkAx-F5WQ6mBh3oTSm5cM2dLpPH_jzje1JM3dUjKVT5kFm6ed0b8oeE-koL9aT-49/s320/IMG_6321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to multiple locations where there were fun rocks to climb on. This is the boys getting a talk about how they need to be careful if they don't want to fall and get hurt/die!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjDtTU-LB7ll6yrKiizkqspqV5Y6y0dDIinL5Bjnwst5_6UiHekkzu6_Fysa8cI0-kCMe5TfYhydmlM6_vNBsqHGRUUjyP2ciocni72eimsZyQPcXy3lW1nGvd4DH487BgjpJ/s1600/IMG_6414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwjDtTU-LB7ll6yrKiizkqspqV5Y6y0dDIinL5Bjnwst5_6UiHekkzu6_Fysa8cI0-kCMe5TfYhydmlM6_vNBsqHGRUUjyP2ciocni72eimsZyQPcXy3lW1nGvd4DH487BgjpJ/s320/IMG_6414.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tate really wanted to find an abandoned deer antler out in the abundance of acreage. And he did! Tate is easily our biggest nature/outdoors/rocks/water/creatures lover. He's already asked if he can come back and stay for a month.</td></tr>
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And special times with grandma and grandpa:</div>
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Overall, it was such a nice time away as a family and we made some good memories! The boys can now fully picture what grandma and grandpa's house looks like....too bad it's a 15-hr car drive away! Plus, we saw some BEAUTIFUL sights and locations and enjoyed having some slower days of relaxing. This girl would nearly always choose mountains, scenery, and a slower pace over busyness, cities, and commercialization. </div>
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Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-81532097697905241942018-07-09T19:31:00.000-07:002018-07-09T19:31:09.587-07:00Take me out to the ballgame.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This may be the only season in which all 3 boys are playing the same sport. Granted, none of them were on the same team, but still....we just had one type of equipment to gather and keep track of.</div>
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Heath played t-ball. It was nice that they introduced coach pitch as the season went on. They'd get 3 pitches and if they didn't hit it, they'd still get to hit off the tee. There was never any outs. They would go through the batting order twice. It was nearly always a bit comical and adorable. </div>
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His coach gave all of the kids nicknames at the end of the season.....Heath "One Pitch" Willis. </div>
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(Every single time he'd hit that first pitch from the coach....</div>
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thought I might need to explain it for some :) )</div>
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Tate played at a machine-pitch level. He enjoyed it and the coaches were really great at teaching and engaging the boys. His favorite parts were hitting and playing catcher. I found his games the most fun to watch. There were still some nail-biters, but it wasn't super intense. His team ended up coming in 2nd place for the season and he was pretty impressed that he was the first boy in the family to bring home a trophy! </div>
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Landon didn't really want to play baseball...he would have much rather played soccer, but we <strike>encouraged</strike> made him give it a try, telling him it would be good to get more acquainted with the sport so that when middle school PE rolls around he knows how to better catch and throw. And we figure it's always good to do things out of your comfort zone every now and then. He was at the kid-pitch level. This level is considerably more intense than the level Tate was at. Some of these boys really knew what they were doing and some of these parents took it much more seriously! He's usually a pretty joyful and easygoing kid. It was hard to watch him not enjoying himself and being uncomfortable. He struggled with having a good attitude and we had to spend a lot of time encouraging him.....but his team was one of the better in the league and they ended up winning their tournament and bringing home a trophy. That made it a little better.</div>
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Sports are great for a number of things, but we are determined to not let it become "everything" to our boys. Sports played pretty significant roles for both Adam and I and gave us so many positive lessons and avenues. But it has become so intense these days and there is an insane pressure to groom your kid to be able to even play at the high school level. It's just not what we want to be about. We do hope they have fun, learn to be a part of a team, challenge themselves, strategize, respect their coaches, find ways to be active, and....have fun. So far, so good.</div>
<br />Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-91746786854333051352018-06-24T18:12:00.000-07:002018-06-24T18:22:00.796-07:00What's up next for us.....<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">An update is probably overdue. We've been busy with typical end-of-the-school-year stuff, spring sports, etc.. And honestly, it's mostly just been a season of waiting, patience, discernment, and trusting. I wasn't really in the mood to attempt to give hopeful updates of...."I don't know where we're going" and "Not sure where we'll be living" and "These kids keep asking difficult, deep questions about our circumstances" and "I'm registering boys at two schools in two different states" and "I trust God, but I don't know what's going on" and "We're taking this one step, but we're not sure what the next one after that is" and lots of other non-eventful and ambiguous activity. </span><br />
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But finally.....we are finding ourselves at a spot where multiple things have fallen into place and appropriate for public sharing. And it's probably more than what most really need to know. But I am wordy and type fast. :) </div>
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Adam has been working carpentry/remodeling alongside of someone for the past several months. God led these two guys together. A friend texted me that her dental hygienist's husband was looking for someone to help him out with his business. She gave me his contact info and I thanked her for looking out for us. Annnddddd.....I'm pretty sure I never even thought to tell Adam about it. Seemed odd to cold-call a guy we didn't know when we weren't desperate for work yet. Adam was looking and applying for some other jobs. Then a few weeks later, a friend from high school reached out to me online based on the blog I shared. She had shared our story with her dad. Her dad wanted to reach out to Adam to encourage him and literally lived around the corner from us. They met up and talked. He wanted to introduce Adam to a friend of his who was looking for some help. They meet. Adam starts working. Come to find out, THIS IS THE SAME GUY MY OTHER FRIEND HAD TEXTED ME ABOUT! I know we don't live in New York City or any place super big, but we were blown away at how these 2 different people who did not know each other or are in any way connected were both trying to get Adam and this guy connected. Once we discovered that, we knew God's hand was at work providing an opportunity for Adam to work. And physically, Adam is a stubborn beast, and he has handled it extremely well. He enjoys the guy he's working with and he feels like he's really been able to lend his skills to help. </div>
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The big decision we felt weighing on us was whether or not we stay in this area or head back to Grand Rapids....or someplace else....once the boys finished the school year. We knew we had a housing option in GR because a family member had a rental house we could get into easily and Adam had way more contacts in GR to help find work. And if I wasn't ready for us to be in another church ministry position (which I wasn't) that just meant we had to "bide our time" somewhere for awhile if Adam still felt called to it. Being a girl who grew up in the same small community her entire life until she went away to college, I was feeling conflicted on what multiple moves for our boys would do to them. Honestly, it seemed much, much easier to heal if we moved away. But our boys were doing well and had enjoyed their school for the past 2 years. And this is the closest we've ever lived to my parents and they are not getting any younger. Yet, we wanted to go where God wanted us....it just wasn't seeming real clear on where that was. So....we looked for a house in this area. We really didn't want to rent. The housing market is pretty crazy for buyers just about anywhere you go. We had been looking at houses for well over a year, but we weren't desperate then. Now, we had a definite timetable to work with to find something. A friend told us of some people selling in her neighborhood - a neighborhood that is in our elementary school's boundary lines (which honestly is not all that big). They were hoping to sell by owner, rather than list it. I think we were the only ones that had even walked through it. We decided to agree to buy it. Wasn't our "dream" home....but it was in a good neighborhood and it had a large basement we could finish ourselves. Now the tricky part of obtaining a mortgage when you are currently technically self-employed (mortgage companies want 2 years worth of tax statements when you are self-employed, likely to prove that you have a stable income to pay them back....uh, we've been doing this for less than 2 months). There was waiting. Requests for more documentation of various things. And even an agreement with God that if this didn't go through, we would willingly head back to Grand Rapids. But, it all went through. We closed smoothly and have been moving in over the past month. I did lots of painting, but otherwise it was a fairly new, gently-lived in home that didn't need any immediate work. </div>
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And then we had to figure out health insurance. With Adam's job, we no longer had access to health benefits. There are some good affordable options out there for Medi-Share, Liberty, etc. and I received mostly favorable reviews from people on them. The boys probably could have qualified for discounted coverage through Medicaid type programs based on our income, but again, the self-employed aspect made all of that super tricky to apply for and report on every month. So, being a responsible person like I am....I decided it was possibly time for me to consider working full-time somewhere so we could have health insurance through my job. I didn't go crazy applying at multiple things, but I did apply for a full-time position at the University of Notre Dame (I've been working at ND for 10 hours/week in a different department). The position I applied for was full-time, but only 10 months of the year. I could still have June/July off to be home with the boys. Seemed appealing to me. Made it to the final round of interviewing, but they chose they other candidate. <i>The relief I felt in not being offered the position far outweighed the disappointment</i>! It wasn't that I didn't like the job....I was so NOT ready to get home at 5:30+pm every day. My heart was still very much in nurturing and being as present as possible with these boys of ours. They need a <i>whole</i> <i>lot</i> of guidance still! The process of seriously considering working full-time showed me that I'm not ready. I'm willing if it became absolutely essential, but I'd rather live frugally for a few more years if it means I can be more present at home. So, when out-of-the-blue another department called me the next week asking me to interview for their open position because my name had been passed along to them, it felt fairly easy to turn down the opportunity. But.....we still needed health insurance.</div>
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And well, God was working and we just had to be patient and trust Him. Adam was now in multiple rounds of interviewing for a full-time High School Bible teaching position at a local Christian school. And we're super happy to share that he has been offered the position and will begin August 1! This is a K-12 school that is growing and has been established for 45 years. He still gets to work in the lives of students! Being in an academic setting will be a new thing for him, but I don't doubt for a second that he will thrive and be well utilized in this school. He has so many giftings and capabilities that he will certainly be an asset for them to have (I might be biased...but in this case, I'm right).</div>
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We've found our way to a church that has been really great for us (and coincidentally, it is connected to and supports the Christian school where Adam got a job....which has nothing to do with why we started going there). Smaller than where we had been, which we probably prefer. We basically chose it from a list of churches that we created. We decided we didn't want to "shop" around since we didn't even know if we were even staying in the area. We at least wanted to give our boys a consistent place to worship on Sunday mornings during this interim time. Our only initial criteria for our first week of testing was if they preached God's Word well. And they easily passed. They also had men's and women's Bible studies starting up that next week with childcare provided. They took place on Wednesday nights which we figured would be a great way for us to spend our Wednesday nights rather than watching out the house windows as cars came and went from church student ministry activities that we were no longer a part of. We're slowly getting more connected and eager to be a part of this community. We're both helping out with VBS this week. Adam is driving the bus to take their mission team to the airport in a few weeks. And we're considering what other ways we can serve and be involved moving forward. </div>
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Plus, I came across another opportunity that piqued my interest. With no longer being so involved with student ministry at church, I knew I would start to get antsy for doing something regular that was "people-y" and purposeful. I applied for a position as a relief House Mom at a local faith-based maternity home. It was only slated for two 24-hour shifts a month with potential opportunity to cover some other shifts. I knew they received a lot of responses of interest in this position, but very recently God has opened the doors for me to serve in it! I'll start next month! I'm excited! (This will be in addition to my current position at ND) (Plus, a few months ago, I did quite a few hours of transcription work for interviews about entrepreneurial Christians in business) (Why, yes. Yes, I am a girl that has worked a number of random side jobs over the years....I prefer to look at it as being a true Renaissance woman....able-bodied, interested in, and gifted at a wide variety of things) (And more so, God provides). </div>
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So....with that lengthy update....the conclusion of this post is that: </div>
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<b>God is good. He is faithful. He loves us and has His hand on us. Always has and always will.</b></div>
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We strive to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him which enables us to live each day in step with Him as we grow in our faith and in our capacity to love others.</div>
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Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-49992129488851700592018-03-29T10:57:00.000-07:002018-03-29T10:57:26.280-07:00A Year of Dates<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Life gets busy. We all know this. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We’ve tried to make sure we are being intentional about doing
things that help foster connections with one another as a family. That our boys
feel seen, known, and valued. It can be hard when there are multiple kids and
multiple jobs and multiple extra activities to easily fit in time to do that
sometimes. We try to be intentional about taking those moments when we can and
giving them each some one-on-one time with us, but we’ve also found a beautiful
thing in actually planning for and setting aside time to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For the past two years for Christmas, we’ve given our boys a
box of “A Year of Dates.” Part of it was an effort to cut back on the “stuff”
and the culture of having a mountain of gifts. And part of it was wanting to
focus on relationships and experiences together. After the first year of doing
it, I wasn’t 100% sure that they loved it, but as Christmas approached all
three boys separately asked me if we would get to do it again because they
loved it so much and said it was their favorite gift. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In advance, we simply plan out a date for each boy for each
month of the year. I make a spreadsheet on my computer (because I really am
quite fond of spreadsheets). The dates bounce back and forth from time with mom
and time with dad. And we even slip in 2-3 “family dates” of doing something extra
special. I make a card for each month and put it in a sealed envelope. And then
they each have a box of these cards. On the first of each month, they pull out
that month’s card and we open them all together to reveal what each of their
dates are for that month. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of them involve a cost. Some of them don’t. Biking date
with dad. Breakfast date with mom. Bowling date with dad. Hiking date with mom.
Family date to see a movie in the theater. Service/volunteering date with mom.
Donut date with dad. Library date with mom. Dinner date with dad.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is a tradition that I am determined to carry on. I already
have pockets of so many wonderful memories. A chance to take a break from
corralling 3 boys…..to really getting to observe and spend time with just 1
boy, pouring into them and understanding them better. To have a conversation,
listen to him without interruption, give him some say in what we do together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have no doubt that we will look back and value many of our ordinary
moments: bedtime routines and devotions, time around the dinner table, playing
games together, etc. But I really think we will look back and value these
moments of being intentional about spending time together also. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This month was a larger cost item for a family date. We took the boys
to an indoor waterpark/hotel overnight. We did this a few years ago and they have
repeatedly asked when we would be doing it again. So, there was great
excitement when they opened up this month’s cards to reveal their “dates.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_n04KNNDot-F5Jmc8CFxsJ_eYPuo-Hk7PcV3QKUfaHFqcLcA0a-sYbe7xwDhrS1-lg9-FOxjC_FNaDrxy7MzVTd7DupbjfM087pctEAdyUpP_z-e-s6Yqmvhxzo0mSZ00UC8/s1600/IMG_6031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1332" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH_n04KNNDot-F5Jmc8CFxsJ_eYPuo-Hk7PcV3QKUfaHFqcLcA0a-sYbe7xwDhrS1-lg9-FOxjC_FNaDrxy7MzVTd7DupbjfM087pctEAdyUpP_z-e-s6Yqmvhxzo0mSZ00UC8/s320/IMG_6031.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heath asked me not to scream so much on the big waterslides.<br />I told him that it was more fun if you scream.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjFp6lK2XISvO8AhzbEcvvJxbcklu_exgdG4hz2v7Sg9mo1iiKEMGE2xJyBX8uOgRGdwW9P9FWd-JV5VPyRUkNeb_tfiptxDFYhd3GLb02IGl-OcXEa290DxQzTdilpJs5G_E/s1600/IMG_6034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjFp6lK2XISvO8AhzbEcvvJxbcklu_exgdG4hz2v7Sg9mo1iiKEMGE2xJyBX8uOgRGdwW9P9FWd-JV5VPyRUkNeb_tfiptxDFYhd3GLb02IGl-OcXEa290DxQzTdilpJs5G_E/s320/IMG_6034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much concentration. Our stay included 8 hours to play in the arcade.<br />Who needs to play arcade games for that long?! I feel that's a bit unhealthy.<br />But the guys all thought it was awesome. (No, they didn't actually use up all that time)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGxT-IvwYhfUCPyDD0RMT8I3pUAcIo7TmtkYzjHP7nA0ArYnjluOm8nf2tu19O0y4WVeV07IQZveZmOpHHnbX3KCWLyRFItJUaYziI4A5UJpkKvEItnNwSrQGI9ZORuCgSOUJ/s1600/IMG_20180324_091507939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1397" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeGxT-IvwYhfUCPyDD0RMT8I3pUAcIo7TmtkYzjHP7nA0ArYnjluOm8nf2tu19O0y4WVeV07IQZveZmOpHHnbX3KCWLyRFItJUaYziI4A5UJpkKvEItnNwSrQGI9ZORuCgSOUJ/s320/IMG_20180324_091507939.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this is what I do while they play arcade games.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQuYthJGR17Pxuy8SEdFk3D5BVX7SC1Msu_uRFg5YEiVC8fR82mHRiEeeUFzLF6VsO0oSF2CsAbo1LHtGdnaoMOpRm-zrWka8_2wFV9U9iFJEjlSBflMzXSbc5PHLqyDj6nhA/s1600/IMG_20180323_201435536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="981" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQuYthJGR17Pxuy8SEdFk3D5BVX7SC1Msu_uRFg5YEiVC8fR82mHRiEeeUFzLF6VsO0oSF2CsAbo1LHtGdnaoMOpRm-zrWka8_2wFV9U9iFJEjlSBflMzXSbc5PHLqyDj6nhA/s320/IMG_20180323_201435536.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And conveniently, it was close to another great destination.<br />Bonus points if you can guess where this is! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitidIWo2fk7m6A7Bh2lhPcgYkKnQR6tydeTnL81Dz58qv_GlZlYIMRz6XL1goGLxoPPhvgttmJLhWk_hlff4RnbI2rSdmeU8-Or_PB52Ml2SnMymD3D-R8O1xHfdZEvpZWbeXR/s1600/IMG_20180324_161846503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitidIWo2fk7m6A7Bh2lhPcgYkKnQR6tydeTnL81Dz58qv_GlZlYIMRz6XL1goGLxoPPhvgttmJLhWk_hlff4RnbI2rSdmeU8-Or_PB52Ml2SnMymD3D-R8O1xHfdZEvpZWbeXR/s320/IMG_20180324_161846503.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evidence of a succesful trip.</td></tr>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">For 2017, I had made a “Year of Dates” for Adam also. We,
admittedly, do not always set aside time to get away together frequently
enough. Over the years, we’ve taken a few trips together without kids. We spend
many nights together after boys are in bed. But I knew we needed to take it up
a step in making sure we were spending intentional time together. I did really
good for half the year. Unfortunately, I didn’t make a handful of the dates
happen as it was difficult to fit some of them in during extra busy months or
the cost bothered my budget-conscious mind. Fortunately, I married an
incredibly gracious man. And in an effort to take the pressure off of me, he
made a “Year of Dates” box for me in 2018. He is typically much better than me
at executing a plan, keeping things secret, and following through. I’m
discovering that he made some of them to be with him…..and he’s set me up on
dates for some of the others. In February, I had a date with 2 of my
girlfriends. And this month, I had a date with my mom. He knows how much I
value time with women. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyways. Just wanted to share how our
family is being intentional about how we spend our time with one another and
how we make it special. Hope others are finding ways that fit their family. The goal is really to make sure we are valuing one
another and allowing time for those important relationships in our lives to not
take a backseat to all of the other busyness.</span></span></div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-83553103576771053112018-02-25T14:11:00.004-08:002018-02-25T19:33:56.802-08:00Trusting Him when it hurts<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="background-color: white; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
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It is with heavy hearts that we wrap up our time at our current church this week.<br />
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At the beginning of this month, Adam was notified that he was being let go from his position as the Student Ministry Pastor and would be finished at the end of the month. This was unexpected for us. There is nothing scandalous or inappropriate on our parts. Please, there is no need to wonder or assume, but I know that's where minds and conversations can go at times. </div>
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In short, this church has been through a lot of transition over the last several years. Most notably, a new lead pastor that was hired shortly <i>after</i> Adam. With him being a strong visionary, he has ideas of where he wants to take this church. It has become more evident recently that there are some differences in philosophy and vision for student ministry. While we were willing to try to attempt to change some of our efforts, leadership decided it would be best to transition us out instead.</div>
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And just like that, we are done. </div>
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To be completely honest and transparent - we are hurt. This was never just a paycheck or job to us. We were fully invested in this church and its people. This was not just Adam's position.....serving Christ here was the heartbeat of our family. We gave in ways that were not up front and showy. We served in ways that few will ever know about. We gave in ways that were beyond Adam's "position." </div>
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To not take this personal is beyond what we are capable of at this time. </div>
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It hurts to be forced to step out of the lives of these students. They have been through a handful of youth pastors and it was clear to us from the start that they were not trusting of yet another new person. It was finally feeling like we were making some strides and seeing walls come down and spiritual growth taking place. We fully intended to watch these 12th graders graduate from high school.....and had even pictured being there to watch this year's 6th graders graduate from high school. We wanted to offer them the stability and a consistent presence that we could see they needed. But like much of life, we cannot plan these things and know what the next moment holds. </div>
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And it hurts having to step away from a church family and people we have come to find friendship with. When we went through the difficulty of Adam's accident 4 years ago, we were held up as our previous church family carried us and walked through that uncertain and difficult time with us. They were such a reflection of God's love and provision to us. And although this unexpected event is very different.....we have quite the opposite feel of presence and support. Many have reached out to us with "I'm sorry's" and sympathy, but there really isn't much more that they can offer to make any of this easier. And many have been silent.....and I get that as well. Its hard to know what to say. And some have gone above and been present as sounding boards, walking partners, coffee drinkers, card writers, and even sending us away with a hotel stay and generous amount of spending money while we were on a forced vacation the first Sunday after the decision had been made to let us go. But reality is, we will not be worshipping and serving alongside them anymore. And we certainly felt that as we wrapped up our last Sunday this morning and not even a mention of this being our last Sunday was made from the front. It has been decided that we are no longer a part of this local church. </div>
<div>
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<div>
Although much of the handling of all of this has felt impersonal, unloving, and hands-off, the leadership has been gracious in allowing us to continue living in this church-owned house through the school year and to offer severance pay through that time as well. We are increcidbly grateful for this extension of care and the ability to let our boys finish out the school year. </div>
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As for what is next for us......we will trust God one day at a time and aim to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him. </div>
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In the practical, we have no clue what is next. Adam is pursuing job options and considerations for both the period while we are still living here.....and then the period beyond that. Whether or not those two time periods and locations are connected, we're not sure. Do we stay in this general area? Do we head somewhere else? What sort of position does he have the skillsets and physical ability to do? And what would he find some purpose and fulfillment in doing? Even though I loved being in ministry alongside my husband for the past 14 years....right now, it sounds amazing for him to have a regular-hour job that the boys and I are in no way invested in and emotinoally involved with. We aren't closed to the possibilities, but we lean heavily towards not pursuing another church vocation position right now. And it sounds pretty awesome to live in such a way that we can't rely on the "title" of Adam's job to convey what we're about.....but having to be all the more intentional about loving and living in such a way that its clear by our actions and words. </div>
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We covet your prayers. Pray for God's guidance and direction. Pray for healing and for our hearts. The attacks of rejection, being cast out, hurt, failure, loneliness, unfairness, and criticalness are already so strong at times. Pray for us as we guide our boys through this time. Pray for us as we find another church to attend. Pray for us to keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him. Pray for us as discern where to go and what to do next. I've always preferred if God would speak to me in large, very obvious neon signs.....but I'm slowly learning that its more about staying close to Him and His Word and being faithful in the small things and He will guide and reveal in His timing and in His ways (which I'm well aware are always better than mine). We honestly have not even worried much about what is next or our finances. We have seen and experienced God's provision before. At this point, its just been addressing the hurt and shock and having a desire to finish our time here well.</div>
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And I'm pretty blown away by the man I married. No, really. I married a man that walks what he talks. He has expressed and communicated so beautifully with our students about all of this - he's never pointed fingers or been critical. He's stayed positive in front of them. He's put steps and people in place to carry out things once his time is up. From the beginning of our time here and until our departure, he has been who he said he was. So thankful that my husband has integrity, steadiness, humility, and Godly character. </div>
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Our desire is NOT to be divisive over this. We are simply wanting to share with those in our lives of where we are at right now. We want good things for this church. There are many, many wonderful people there. We want them to reach and disciple many as they seek to share the Good News of Jesus. We will not tolerate negative public comments. We may be hurting and disagree with how some of this happened and the timing of it, but ultimately..........this isn't about us. It never has been and never should be. Our aim is to be faithful to our Savior, trusting Him and pointing others to His grace and love - regardless of our circumstances. We know full well that God is working and can use everything in our lives to bring us closer to Him. </div>
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Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-37260152947644685282018-02-20T13:14:00.000-08:002018-02-20T13:14:06.888-08:00Landon turns 10!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Landon turned 10 last month. TEN! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have <i>memories</i> of being in 4th grade and being ten! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sBgrQ8_QXfNj0MjUE87wAeKklhxf6n0VJC9GxgasJP_uF26ivRjGCLv9KtSYCk_3C4ftMzOssQ_7UfwodwtBPVNe1rIdPHP9A4-iCFDIe6FGoPchJAXm9v7rNnhRH6Ynr7Mp/s1600/IMG_5943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5sBgrQ8_QXfNj0MjUE87wAeKklhxf6n0VJC9GxgasJP_uF26ivRjGCLv9KtSYCk_3C4ftMzOssQ_7UfwodwtBPVNe1rIdPHP9A4-iCFDIe6FGoPchJAXm9v7rNnhRH6Ynr7Mp/s320/IMG_5943.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The above picture is the day of his birthday when we opened gifts from family and such. Thanks to those that send special things for our boys! They love having things to open from you all!</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCGMS1oKRR1os4Oq_sL7lT57ftwqu5kprrLfyOBPPyO-uD8ZLaqZkSLrXlQ3paY9z7INi76VBHhBkliWSFgZPLzaO2WweLjRp0R1Jfob3c1Z-yXhVD9mFEiWoVUhRJS36cggS/s1600/IMG_20180129_071935958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCGMS1oKRR1os4Oq_sL7lT57ftwqu5kprrLfyOBPPyO-uD8ZLaqZkSLrXlQ3paY9z7INi76VBHhBkliWSFgZPLzaO2WweLjRp0R1Jfob3c1Z-yXhVD9mFEiWoVUhRJS36cggS/s320/IMG_20180129_071935958.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And this was a fun gift from his Great-Grandma Willis! Adam had played college baseball for IWU and had given this shirt as a gift to his younger stepbrother....likely back in 2002(ish?). She saved it and sent it to Landon for his birthday.<br />
(You'll have to excuse the super-tired puffy looking face.....This pic was taken one morning before school)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />He really wanted to have a SLEEPOVER for his birthday this year. I was a little hesitant about this. We haven't really done too much of this and there are lots of warnings out there about letting your kids do sleepovers, so I wasn't sure if others would be comfortable with it. But we let him invite 4 friends (3 of which spent the night). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They had dinner with us. They had NERF battles over in the church gym. They played video games. Adam designed an "escape room" experience for them that they really enjoyed. And they watched a movie. I think they slept. I don't know. I'm the mom and enjoyed the quiet and comfort of my bed after <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_684336524" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10pm.</span></span> Adam slept in the basement guestroom while the boys slept on the couches and floor in our basement living room. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h9A-pZRE26eyuoOjH3j5-KFTOgF7MZp4HzCBC97PyxpVsuGcrkzBwhMocyj4QcJwkJV3DiBIcLTmKfsB-5IJELIzdY3aToFAY-SQXLkqH4WDJqeQmhwg-G2u2Mcf5yBUfXQl/s1600/IMG_5946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5h9A-pZRE26eyuoOjH3j5-KFTOgF7MZp4HzCBC97PyxpVsuGcrkzBwhMocyj4QcJwkJV3DiBIcLTmKfsB-5IJELIzdY3aToFAY-SQXLkqH4WDJqeQmhwg-G2u2Mcf5yBUfXQl/s320/IMG_5946.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibKdvXg8H2EQqlf71c1mfBkmjxALAeI70l7-PbCKX7rkDPptiHABFyZ4Ijp-ZwR6hnja1hoWNpFnwrXw48bRTc-C5fMnmabM4szsPg1EHEEKrOMPVnKNsv0SxqDvvMAWyiVtw/s1600/IMG_20180126_213048470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1046" data-original-width="1600" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibKdvXg8H2EQqlf71c1mfBkmjxALAeI70l7-PbCKX7rkDPptiHABFyZ4Ijp-ZwR6hnja1hoWNpFnwrXw48bRTc-C5fMnmabM4szsPg1EHEEKrOMPVnKNsv0SxqDvvMAWyiVtw/s320/IMG_20180126_213048470.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what it looks like when the birthday boy is opening a pack of Pokemon cards that he got as a gift.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Overall, they all had a good time. Landon said it was his favorite birthday party (he's been saying that every year). I loved having the extra boys in my home. (They were soooooo loud at times....but they didn't eat nearly as much as I expected). Really hope that as our boys grow that we can provide a home in which they want to invite their friends into. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's what Landon is like at 10:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He is still a voracious reader. He prefers mystery, sci-fi and humor type books. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He likes to play with Pokemon cards, Skylander figures, and Legos. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- When he grows up he says he wants to be an American Ninja Warrior. If that doesn't work out, he wants to be a professional soccer player. And if that doesn't work out, he thinks he'd like to be a teacher. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He is super involved in school clubs and thinks he is the most actively involved 4th grader....He's currently doing Rock Club, Chess Club, Student Council, and Spell Bowl. Oh, and his favorite, Stock Market Club. Of which he was the top finisher in his school recently. And also the top elementary student in the state! Maybe we should let him handle some of our money?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He kinda thinks he knows everything. We have to remind him he does not. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He loves people of all ages and still extremely socially motivated. Always wanting to know who we can have over or if we can make plans to go to someone else's house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He started wearing a watch recently. It makes him look so mature and responsible. :) I said "look". We are having some issues of actually being responsible....things like not turning in papers from school to us, or forgetting to bring his snowboots home, or brushing his teeth after lunch (due to his braces). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He rolls with the punches and enjoys doing just about anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- Definitely likes opportunities to be independent and is always wanting to know when he'll be old enough to......stay home alone, ride in the front seat of the car, have a phone, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">- He can be such a great helper (especially when motivated).....Lately, he's been quizzing Heath on his letters and numbers. He folded a basket of laundry in record time the other day. And he even offered to make dinner for the family one night (we all might have had egg sandwiches and cereal). </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKChCrk6O_fsZONHFQuo71LwcpCUsILGUjS-gLr9cB2QtURZVQWQRZ0_SGJoZD9OQblsTVquXd86-8IwWVqym1qJwJt88YS_RW3_YtKhuP3-3IEd8C1a7yv5qCaYdY1UXmj2T/s1600/IMG_20180220_145025666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKChCrk6O_fsZONHFQuo71LwcpCUsILGUjS-gLr9cB2QtURZVQWQRZ0_SGJoZD9OQblsTVquXd86-8IwWVqym1qJwJt88YS_RW3_YtKhuP3-3IEd8C1a7yv5qCaYdY1UXmj2T/s320/IMG_20180220_145025666.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With his medal for his Stock Market Club win.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">He is such a gift to our family! We love him so much and are grateful for how God has designed Him and put him in our family! </span></div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-91595541049488951282018-02-20T13:13:00.000-08:002018-02-25T14:13:44.477-08:00Christmas 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We're going to take a stroll back through memory lane and re-visit Christmas so that I have it archived on the blog. </div>
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We loved being able to host several gatherings this year! </div>
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Adam's mom and stepdad visited the weekend before Christmas. We enjoyed doing a lot of our traditional foods and just getting to spend some extended time with them. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaime and Ben weren't able to travel from D.C. this year, so we had to settle for another Skype Christmas celebration with them. Technology is nice for still being able to share time together across the miles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All fancied up for church.<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was actually pretty quiet for us and we just enjoyed being with our little family unit. We got a beautiful snowfall on Christmas Eve and enjoyed hiking outside together on nearby trails. And Christmas Day was pretty quiet just at home with us also. Adam's dad and stepmom flew in that evening and spent the night with us on their way to Grand Rapids.<br /><br />We also enjoyed travelling to Michigan for time with some of the Willis family. Unfortuately, we didn't take pictures. While in Grand Rapids, we also had the chance to see friends which was fun!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">We then hosted my side of the family the weekend after Christmas. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom telling the Christmas story with her famous flannelgraph while dad reads the Christmas story. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Annual Strahm Hot Wheels Grand Prix. Yes, if you've never read my blog before, this is a real thing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnOyEexuweywBEno4XYMYH6QBiTHjB_pA0NsCADTS0jHITaO4SQZoiaGAUYjfB0zJhnMOTMkGIV3rYqb-DFjoO_Fdo7MSIHX-3XHDrF3ezhZinoetqahVEKXY3wDBto7NZEnb/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnOyEexuweywBEno4XYMYH6QBiTHjB_pA0NsCADTS0jHITaO4SQZoiaGAUYjfB0zJhnMOTMkGIV3rYqb-DFjoO_Fdo7MSIHX-3XHDrF3ezhZinoetqahVEKXY3wDBto7NZEnb/s320/IMG_5885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The matriarch of the family awarding this year's winner of the travelling trophy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh5SbaL9YvcoZ8_U9XUz2JXGF6Sle6UjoQMZm64wjZsZjNYYgmOAAdY5TGwKdiOqd7lquBofnHqm_QPzSOKMsJ1xI6dh5l6sqXYyAysIrxibCmbV2cAdB6WEDHseRMqBKBise/s1600/IMG_5913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1150" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh5SbaL9YvcoZ8_U9XUz2JXGF6Sle6UjoQMZm64wjZsZjNYYgmOAAdY5TGwKdiOqd7lquBofnHqm_QPzSOKMsJ1xI6dh5l6sqXYyAysIrxibCmbV2cAdB6WEDHseRMqBKBise/s320/IMG_5913.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole crew of us.</td></tr>
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And then Adam's dad and stepmom stopped back through again on their way to fly out of Chicago. They spent New Year's Eve with us (for the 2nd year in a row)! We all made it to midnight to celebrate (well, unless you count Poppy falling asleep on the couch as we watched the Lego Ninjago movie).<br />
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We had a great time with family! Lots of fond memories of spending time together celebrating a special time of remembering the significance of Christ coming to earth as our Savior in the form of a baby. </div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29206452.post-46169141347571675792017-12-07T19:00:00.002-08:002017-12-07T19:03:25.921-08:00A Package on my Doorstep<div class="m_4438279239294073634gmail-MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every once in a while, I entertain the idea of actually sharing more than a smattering of pictures and little tidbits of what we have been up to. Believe it or not, there are lots of things going on in my head. These thoughts of sharing are usually very easily dismissed for the sake of other things that I could be doing. But here I find myself under the glow of the Christmas tree ready to pound out a lesson I’ve learned in hopes that it might encourage someone else.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recently, I was challenged to do the right thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It wasn’t in a large effort of feeding the hungry or clothing the needy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It wasn’t in a wide-influencing action in some monumental effort that the masses would see.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It came in the form of a Kohl’s delivery box on my porch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently made an online purchase during the busy hustle-and-bustle Black <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1528721564" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Friday</span></span> shopping. A week or so later when my order was delivered, an item was included that was not part of my order. This item was in itself much more expensive than everything else I ordered put together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was a King-Sized Flannel Sheet Set retailing $119.99. (Yes, I’m well aware that prices are marked up and you should never pay full price for anything at Kohl’s.) It was not included on my packing slip or billing statement. It was simply put in the wrong box and delivered to our doorstep.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I contemplated on how to handle this, multiple battles raged in front of me and in my mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Ohhhh…..those are so awesome, mom! I want them on my bed!” (the boys have yet to understand that bedding comes in different sizes). “They won’t fit on your bed guys….but they could go on our bed or the guestbed which are queens….because flannel sheets always shrink a little.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Well, they are the ones that messed up. Their loss, my gain.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I could <i>easily</i> sell a new set of bedsheets on an online garage sale site for $20”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I could return them saying that they were a gift and I could still get store credit to spend on something else for us or…..even on items I could donate for others.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“This is a huge nationwide company. They will never notice this mistake. No one will lose their job over the loss of this item. This actual item cannot be returned to the rightful person that ordered it. No one even knows that it arrived at our house by mistake.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, I had lots of justifications for how I could handle this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But in the pit of my stomach, or more accurately – by the prompting of the Holy Spirit in my life, I knew the right thing to do would be to take time out of my schedule and return them to the store just for the sake of doing what was right. This item was not mine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have to understand I have a history of taking things that did not belong to me. I actually struggled with this A LOT during my pre-adolescent and adolescent years. Never from retailers or stores. Probably worse….I would take or keep items from the homes of friends. Nail polish. Lotions. Jewelry. Little items….but still I knew what I was doing. It was not innocent and it was somewhat addictive for quite a few years. I wanted what was not mine….and I occasionally took it. I came to terms with making some of this right even just a couple of years ago when I discovered a ring that I had taken from someone. I knew exactly whose jewelry box I had taken it from. It had probably been in my possession for almost 20 years. But as a result of trying to keep in step with living for Jesus….I was feeling a sense of conviction that I needed to admit what I had done to this person, return it, and apologize. So I tracked down her address and did so. It was embarrassing. But also rather freeing being able to sense the Spirit working in my heart and pushing and enabling me to do something that silenced the justifications I had in my mind for not doing anything. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And you have to understand that this was not my first run-in with receiving something that was not mine from a large retailer at the time of holiday shopping. I shoplifted (accidentally!) an item about 10 years ago. It was one of those large plastic storage bins for storing wrapping paper. It was the day after Christmas when everything was marked down. I had bought a few other items, but I had this container underneath my cart. It was a very busy shopping day and it was snowing quite hard. I was halfway sludging through the parking lot to my car when I realized that I had not paid for the container. I immediately whipped my cart around to go back in. As I did so, the wind and snow that had been at my back, now pelted me hard in the face – so hard that I could hardly even open my eyes. I whipped my cart back around again. I was not going to battle the weather for this. I would have to stand in a long customer service return line. They would likely look at me like I was crazy. And after all, it was their job to notice that I had a large item underneath my cart. I quickly and fairly easily determined that I was NOT going to make this right. Even though I knew it was wrong. We still store our wrapping paper in that container. And make comments about how I stole it. (No, I do not feel convicted about needing to return it and somehow pay for it at this point in time) (But it does serve as a constant reminder to me about my embracing dishonesty for the sake of convenience.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so, here I found myself again with an item that was not mine. This time, it was not an item that I had actually even wanted…..but nonetheless, it was quite easy to justify that I could still easily gain from it by selling it or trying to return it for credit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But these days, my desire is to walk in step with the Spirit of God…..and when I know He is pushing me to do something….I aim to listen and, well……actually do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, a few mornings later when I had little bit of time, I made my way to the store. I still battled thoughts of thinking how nice it would be to have a little more money to spend by returning it for store credit. But I knew it would not be honest of me to do. At one point on the drive, I even audibly repeated to myself, “I will do the right thing.….I will do the right thing……I will do the right thing……I will do the right thing.” I was still clearly in the process of convincing myself that I was actually going to do the right thing. I imagined how the sales associate would gush over my honesty and would award me with a giftcard….or at least balloons that might drop from the ceiling recognizing and rewarding me for my efforts. I continued to talk myself through this reminding myself that I was doing the right thing…..for the sake of doing the right thing. Dear goodness, I should not still need incentive and affirmation for doing the right thing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I stood in the customer service line. Upon my turn at the desk, I briefly explained that I must have accidentally received this item in a shipment and I was just bringing it back. The sales associate curtly said, “Thanks. Is there anything else I can do for you today?” I smiled and said, “Nope.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that was that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My point in all of this…….</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doing the right thing is not always easy. Its often much easier and more convenient to not do the right thing. I don’t share this to receive high fives for being honest in this small way. And I somewhat dread putting some of my past struggles out there. And I even battle whether this is worth typing out…..I know lots of people who are dealing with actual hard stuff these days. This was not a trial of difficulty.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But here’s the thing…..I find myself strengthened by this somewhat trivial little happening. Through this experience and several other recent things, I see God working in my life in the form of progress, or we can even get real Christian terminology fancy and say that I recognize the sanctification process happening in my heart and life. He’s allowing opportunities for me to work some of the selfish junk out. He’s allowing me to know Him and hear Him….and then respond. And that in itself feels good to know that I am growing and being worked on by the One who loves me the most. Painful, at times. But still good. I mess up and get tripped up over things that I shouldn’t, but until I take my last breath, I hope and pray that He keeps working on me and allowing me opportunities to hear Him and respond in trust and faith. My heart’s desire is to glorify God and share the love of Jesus in all that I do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This journey of life looks different for everyone. He calls to each of us and works in our hearts and lives in different ways every day. Sometimes it is subtle and private. Sometimes it is sudden and big. Sometimes we may fight it. Sometimes it hurts and we can't make sense of it. And sometimes, it shows up on our doorstep in an unforeseen and unwanted package.</span></div>
Adam and Beccahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01269610236785595176noreply@blogger.com