tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7027077144638966102024-03-12T17:07:23.490-07:00Christine's ContemplationsContemplation:
<br>1. the act of contemplating; thoughtful observation.
<br>2. full or deep consideration; reflection: religious contemplation.
<br>3. purpose or intention.
<br>4. prospect or expectation
<br>This is my little corner of the web for my own contemplations.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07869965986083175599noreply@blogger.comBlogger558125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-71833503572544645832014-05-21T08:33:00.003-07:002014-05-21T08:33:45.223-07:00Audrey Turns FiveAudrey Grace turned 5 on Saturday.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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In our house, turning 5 gets you the ability to chew gum and get your ears pierced, in addition to whatever other presents family and friends gift upon you.</div>
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We had a late night the night before. She slept very well.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tX2I8pcW3U/U3zDnqvqlzI/AAAAAAAAMPk/3JRIqlAlGJQ/s1600/DSC_0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6tX2I8pcW3U/U3zDnqvqlzI/AAAAAAAAMPk/3JRIqlAlGJQ/s1600/DSC_0806.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sleeping - last night as a 4 y/o</td></tr>
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When she awoke on her birthday she was all too excited to start her birthday activities.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-wIe87qGaU/U3zDnRziF0I/AAAAAAAAMPs/1BbRDCynItQ/s1600/DSC_0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I-wIe87qGaU/U3zDnRziF0I/AAAAAAAAMPs/1BbRDCynItQ/s1600/DSC_0807.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'M 5 MOMMY!!!</td></tr>
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We started the day officially with breakfast. She's been BEGGING to go to Coco's for months. We promised her breakfast at Coco's for her birthday. So there we went.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TG2byvrw5BY/U3zFlD0te7I/AAAAAAAAMQ8/oum7n0wsz8Q/s1600/DSC_0815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TG2byvrw5BY/U3zFlD0te7I/AAAAAAAAMQ8/oum7n0wsz8Q/s1600/DSC_0815.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making a tower out of the creamers</td></tr>
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After breakfast, Auntie Becky came up and gave Audrey her gift. She wins the big prize for the soundtrack to the movie Frozen and a new pair of flip-flops - without the back strap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuBu_83Mk4E/U3zDojR80pI/AAAAAAAAMP0/v-zhoz-pyro/s1600/DSC_0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RuBu_83Mk4E/U3zDojR80pI/AAAAAAAAMP0/v-zhoz-pyro/s1600/DSC_0829.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New "grown-up" flip-flops without a back strap</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QvDiqRZeZ3A/U3zDoxplkTI/AAAAAAAAMP8/KIu-9xVzCYs/s1600/DSC_0837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QvDiqRZeZ3A/U3zDoxplkTI/AAAAAAAAMP8/KIu-9xVzCYs/s1600/DSC_0837.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Frozen" Soundtrack</td></tr>
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She got to talk on the phone with family who doesn't live local -- Gramma Janet, Auntie Berta, Gramma Linda, Brother Andrew.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKj3HXwxp_Q/U3zDpFm_xXI/AAAAAAAAMQE/0aY3YjtTwFM/s1600/DSC_0838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZKj3HXwxp_Q/U3zDpFm_xXI/AAAAAAAAMQE/0aY3YjtTwFM/s1600/DSC_0838.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talking on the phone to family</td></tr>
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Then we went to the mall and got her ears pierced. It was a traumatic experience. It took us about 10 years to calm her down from the first year. Josh agreed to get a new earring of her choice if she got her second hole done. She wasn't happy with it, and screamed up until the gun reached her ear. As it did, she quit screaming, took a deep breath, said, "be brave! be brave!" and was perfectly fine. She said the 2nd ear didn't hurt at all.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFs63ujSGAk/U3zDpiRUk3I/AAAAAAAAMQM/5bSYOrcbxyg/s1600/DSC_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iFs63ujSGAk/U3zDpiRUk3I/AAAAAAAAMQM/5bSYOrcbxyg/s1600/DSC_0843.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Be brave, be brave be brave." - If only she had said her mantra on the first ear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GHRvE1X6w8/U3zDqPsRt3I/AAAAAAAAMQY/ViAj2tD4x98/s1600/DSC_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GHRvE1X6w8/U3zDqPsRt3I/AAAAAAAAMQY/ViAj2tD4x98/s1600/DSC_0844.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding Daddy's hands to help him be brave</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmL-y_5VnFg/U3zDr9HeCkI/AAAAAAAAMQs/PTcJpJoDSvU/s1600/DSC_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PmL-y_5VnFg/U3zDr9HeCkI/AAAAAAAAMQs/PTcJpJoDSvU/s1600/DSC_0845.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Be brave Daddy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6-e2bS0EPw/U3zDq87WLNI/AAAAAAAAMQc/_PYQqt-itWI/s1600/DSC_0848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6-e2bS0EPw/U3zDq87WLNI/AAAAAAAAMQc/_PYQqt-itWI/s1600/DSC_0848.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty new flower earring</td></tr>
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It was Kymi's Prom on Saturday too, so we spent the afternoon getting ready to take fun formal-ish photos for Kymi and her boyfriend Tom. In the process of getting set up, we got to take other photos too.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxEv1t9DO7Q/U3zDepoN2LI/AAAAAAAAMPI/hZybiCmR71I/s1600/DSC_0857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxEv1t9DO7Q/U3zDepoN2LI/AAAAAAAAMPI/hZybiCmR71I/s1600/DSC_0857.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
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Then the girls and friend Tina helped decorate the birthday cake.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnD2OGylaHs/U3zDrgbfrsI/AAAAAAAAMQo/xPFP5lY3_mc/s1600/DSC_0878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RnD2OGylaHs/U3zDrgbfrsI/AAAAAAAAMQo/xPFP5lY3_mc/s1600/DSC_0878.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm ... chocolate cake with strawberries</td></tr>
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In addition to the already mentioned presents, Audrey also helped pick out her very first bible. She's very excited to learn about Jesus and where He lived.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-20319201810648816092014-05-12T12:58:00.001-07:002014-05-12T12:58:39.522-07:00Weekend 10Last weekend Josh with mountain bike riding with some guys from church. Meanwhile, the girls and I went for a hike on the same trail. I took my camera with me. I was struggling finding the balance between mom on a hike and photographer in nature. Consequently, my photos were not technically the best. BUT ... they documented our fun outing together, so it's still a win!<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeGmMnYummE/U3EjQsxsq3I/AAAAAAAAMNo/3R2KpNevb-I/s1600/DSC_0761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BeGmMnYummE/U3EjQsxsq3I/AAAAAAAAMNo/3R2KpNevb-I/s1600/DSC_0761.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey at the plaque that sits at the trailhead</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PU-DejcqSKs/U3EjQj7UmxI/AAAAAAAAMNk/32mcgiPENzw/s1600/DSC_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PU-DejcqSKs/U3EjQj7UmxI/AAAAAAAAMNk/32mcgiPENzw/s1600/DSC_0762.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey and the valley below</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P54IZy86wsc/U3EjQsWujLI/AAAAAAAAMN0/W3Mizjm3sQI/s1600/DSC_0765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P54IZy86wsc/U3EjQsWujLI/AAAAAAAAMN0/W3Mizjm3sQI/s1600/DSC_0765.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh and buddies starting their ride</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t__RulFEAhY/U3EjRy68wyI/AAAAAAAAMNw/7NNoRPeMWCc/s1600/DSC_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t__RulFEAhY/U3EjRy68wyI/AAAAAAAAMNw/7NNoRPeMWCc/s1600/DSC_0766.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look mom ... the number 8"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4tFBDmdYcA/U3EjSeY2PlI/AAAAAAAAMN4/lSh5VT4QBYc/s1600/DSC_0767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v4tFBDmdYcA/U3EjSeY2PlI/AAAAAAAAMN4/lSh5VT4QBYc/s1600/DSC_0767.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These wildflowers were so pretty. Unfortunately I couldn't get a good photo of one. Guess I'll have to go back and try again.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYMGuD_xsp0/U3EjS_yu0jI/AAAAAAAAMOA/smK3vsGeSXI/s1600/DSC_0770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vYMGuD_xsp0/U3EjS_yu0jI/AAAAAAAAMOA/smK3vsGeSXI/s1600/DSC_0770.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The valley below. You can see probably 20 miles east.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jB9T5Wlu8fw/U3EjTD03CII/AAAAAAAAMOY/g0dUoOAfkmQ/s1600/DSC_0773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jB9T5Wlu8fw/U3EjTD03CII/AAAAAAAAMOY/g0dUoOAfkmQ/s1600/DSC_0773.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty field at the top of the hike, where our trail met with several others. This is where we chose to turn around.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46H2VOuNA50/U3EjTACzXGI/AAAAAAAAMOI/XvesIWeqJcw/s1600/DSC_0774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46H2VOuNA50/U3EjTACzXGI/AAAAAAAAMOI/XvesIWeqJcw/s1600/DSC_0774.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved how the purple flowers and yellow flowers looked together on the side of the trail. But again, just couldn't get them in focus. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWhB-SmRBbI/U3EjTm62BVI/AAAAAAAAMOU/NrM8avKwE_A/s1600/DSC_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QWhB-SmRBbI/U3EjTm62BVI/AAAAAAAAMOU/NrM8avKwE_A/s1600/DSC_0776.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls were ecstatic to see a lizard on the trail. He skittered away as soon as I tried to get closer to get a better photo.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBgdVO6n7Lk/U3EjUfC0bTI/AAAAAAAAMOo/bgONAXSjCE4/s1600/DSC_0778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wBgdVO6n7Lk/U3EjUfC0bTI/AAAAAAAAMOo/bgONAXSjCE4/s1600/DSC_0778.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both girls together at the plaque at the trailhead. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-21858207989289747762014-02-10T09:12:00.001-08:002014-02-10T09:12:19.507-08:00Memorization Monday - 2/10/14I didn't have a verse for this week. Nothing jumped out at me throughout my reading last week and the sermon used a verse that I already knew. I grabbed the "Verse of the Day" on my youversion app. (If you don't have a youversion app, I highly recommend downloading it. It's an awesome FREE (both monetarily and ad-free) app.)<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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anyway ... my verse this week is 2 Corinthians 5:15</div>
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And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.</blockquote>
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This is the crux of our faith. Christ died for ALL of us. And now, we live FOR HIM, not for us. It's all about the death and resurrection. <br />
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Are you memorizing or studying anything right now? Please feel free to share it here.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-3242748621651602392014-02-04T12:51:00.002-08:002014-02-04T12:51:52.854-08:00Memorization Monday<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
A day late on this one due to a sans-technology 3-day weekend with family.
This week's verse is what our current sermon series is based on.
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.</span> </blockquote>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">Ephesians 3:20-21</span></blockquote>
What are you memorizing this week?<br />
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-41568781439649658102014-01-27T08:49:00.000-08:002014-01-27T08:49:02.310-08:00Memorization Monday - 1/27/14This week's verse is a classic Psalm. I like how it reminds of us God's greatness and why we should praise and honor Him.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Great is the Lord and
most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. They speak of the
glorious splendor of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.</span></blockquote>
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Psalm 145:3, 5 </blockquote>
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What are you memorizing or reading or studying? What have you read lately that's made you stop and think or praise the Lord?<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-68459652861171076012014-01-20T08:33:00.000-08:002014-01-20T08:33:47.958-08:00Memorization Monday - 1/20/14This week's passage comes straight out of our sermon from yesterday. The sermon was on living out God's calling for our lives. In addition to the points Pastor Mike made during the sermon, I am reminded of a saying I originally heard in college, "God does not call the equipped, He equips the called."<br />
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Ephesians 2:10 </blockquote>
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For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.</blockquote>
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What are you memorizing this week? Or at minimum, what passage(s) are you studying? Tweet or G+ your memory verses with #memorizationmonday. Or leave a comment here.<br />
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-28061008078042088122014-01-13T08:04:00.000-08:002014-01-14T08:25:35.570-08:00Memorization Monday - 1 John 2:15-17The memory verse this week comes from my daily reading. A good reminder where we need to focus our attention and energy.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;">Do not <b><span style="color: #d99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=60000 lumo=40000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 153;">love</span></b><span style="color: #d99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=60000 lumo=40000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 153;"> </span>the world or anything in the world. If anyone <b><span style="color: #d99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=60000 lumo=40000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 153;">loves</span></b><span style="color: #d99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=60000 lumo=40000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 153;"> </span>the world, <b><span style="color: #d99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=60000 lumo=40000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 153;">love</span></b><span style="color: #d99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #D99694; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=60000 lumo=40000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themetint: 153;"> </span>for the Father is not in them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;">For <u><span style="color: #953735; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #953735; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;">everything</span></u><span style="color: #953735; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #953735; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent2; mso-themecolor: accent2; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>in the
world—the <i>lust</i> of the flesh, the <i>lust</i> of the eyes, and the <i>pride</i> of life—comes not from the Father
but from the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Gabriola; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;">The world and its desires <span style="color: #31859c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #31859C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">pass away</span>,
but whoever does the will of <span style="color: #31859c; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #31859C; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent5; mso-themecolor: accent5; mso-themeshade: 191;">God lives forever.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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John 2:15-17</span></blockquote>
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Do you have a verse you are memorizing this week? Share it here in the comments. Or tweet it using #memorizationmonday. </div>
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Happy Memorizing.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-79757060588784982212014-01-05T18:00:00.001-08:002014-01-05T18:00:42.107-08:00Memorization MondayNew Year, new hopes. Trying again to memorize scripture. <span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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This week's is from our sermon series.</div>
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<b>Colossians 1:27</b><br />To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, <i>which is Christ in you, the hope of glory</i>.</blockquote>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-68865791120070393372014-01-02T09:16:00.000-08:002014-01-02T09:21:48.507-08:002014 GoalsWell, it's that time of year to sit down and assess last year's goals and set goals for next year.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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Last year's goals:</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Health/Fitness</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Run 750 miles this year</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">One run of 20+ miles</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Do yoga once/week (average)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hit the gym 2x/week (average)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Running 3-4 times/week (average)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Weight - happy with maintaining to losing up to 10 lbs. Keep same pant size or go down 1. No more than that. But I'd really like to find a good maintenance routine.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">The weekly goals are flexible. Obviously allow myself to get sick. I've found that it's difficult to run when on vacations. And there are times when life is so busy I can only get my lunchtime runs in. But on average, I want to shoot for these frequencies. </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spiritual</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Spend time in the word and prayer 4x/week. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ideally this should be daily, but let's face it - with two toddlers in the house, it doesn't happen daily. I have a 4-day schedule that I've made in the past and I'd like to get back to it. </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Professionally</span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">I'd love to say that my goal is to get a promotion this year, but I don't really have a whole lot of say in that. And since I've been aiming for a promotion for 3 years, I'm not holding my breath. But it's on my list of things to strive for.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Be more assertive with the two who I work with. Less wishy-washy in giving them direction and guidance. Be more straight-forward and to the point. (These are two people who I am sort of in charge of - unofficially - no title but all the responsibility)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Be more independent and creative with finding projects and things to do. Stop waiting for bossman to come to me and instead find the ideas and initiative to do it myself.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Don't be so sensitive when corrected or given negative feedback. Suck it up and move on. Learn from it and grow. </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Relationally</span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Be more sensitive and aware of Josh's wants/needs/desires.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Be more sensitive and aware of my children's wants/needs/desires</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Make grander attempts to meet new people at church and form new friendships. To get together with different people. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">I only know a select few people at church; those I know are older with older children or younger with no children. I want to change that. I want to get to know more people in the same station of life as me - early to mid 30s with young children. (I don't have time or ability to go to a MOPS group.) </span></li>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Around the House</span></b><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clean the bathroom more often</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">keep my stuff organized in the bedroom and on my desk</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">clean out the garage!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Pay off 2 credit cards</span></li>
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<i>So how did I do?</i><br />
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<b>Health/Fitness: </b>I had a non-running related injury in early April that prevented me from reaching my goals. I'm OK with that. I re-vamped my goal sometime in the summer. I was not anticipating my injury to keep bothering me. About one week a month starting in July I had to not run while my knee did it's wonky thing. After 6 months, I think I figured out what triggers it. Ultimately I'd like to have it fixed surgically; that will require convincing my Dr. that there's something actually wrong.<br />
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<b>Spiritual: </b>I did fairly well with this. I did various reading plans through YouVersion. I read through the Proverbs with my BFF. I read a couple Christian Living/Devotional books. I prayed consistently.<br />
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<b>Professionally:</b> I felt good about this. I did not get a promotion. It did come up (again), so my hopes aren't all lost on this. I feel like I've taken great strides in my dealings with people. And in my motivation and productivity.<br />
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<b>Relationally: </b>This is a hard one to really gauge since it isn't a quantitative subject. It's an ongoing life-struggle for me. For 2013, I think I did OK in this. I've met new people at church. I've tuned in to Josh. I've played games and read books with the girls (dropping everything to do so). <br />
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<b>Around the House: </b>I think I cleaned the bathroom more frequently - I didn't keep track though. So I don't know. I worked hard at keeping my things organized. I am more sensitive to the messes around me. The garage got cleaned several times throughout the year. One credit card got paid off, but due to some unforseen expenses (vacation for funeral, my injury, josh had some extensive medical bills) and decreased income, we were unable to pay off the second card.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">So what for 2014?</span></i><br />
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<b>Health/Fitness: </b>With my injury still bothering me, my goals are small this year. <br />
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<ul>
<li>I'm not setting a mileage goal because I don't know what is going to happen with my knee. </li>
<li>When healthy, I'd like to work out 5 days/week.</li>
<li>I'd like to get my long run back up to 10 miles.</li>
<li>I'd like to complete my 2.9 mile hill/trail run without stopping to walk</li>
</ul>
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<b>Spiritual:</b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Continue my prayer/reading routine</li>
<li>Memorize verses again (I keep trying and failing on this one. I'm not sure what I will do to make it actually happen)</li>
</ul>
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<b>Professionally: </b>Not really sure here. A lot of things are out of my hands.</div>
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<ul>
<li>I want to be bold and ask for a promotion.</li>
<li>Continue improvements in productivity and independence.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Relationally:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Continue to spend quality time with the girls</li>
<li>Continue to be more in tune to Josh</li>
<li>I want to really work on my relationship with Kymberly and my irrational outbursts/anger toward her.</li>
<li>Family night 2 nights/month (due to Josh's unpredictable gigging schedule - I don't want to commit to more than that.</li>
</ul>
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<b>Around the House:</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Pay off the card that didn't get paid off in 2013. Continue to work to be debt free.</li>
<li>Continue improving on seeing my messes and cleaning them.</li>
</ul>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-41726073132036519062013-12-14T21:12:00.000-08:002013-12-14T21:12:10.495-08:00Photo Fail with a random photo bomb......A couple weeks ago Josh had band practice at the house. So we made plans to go to the city and look at the giant Christmas Tree in Union Square and check out some of the stores and get some hot chocolate.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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While in front on the Christmas Tree, Audrey wanted to get a picture. Annie, however, wasn't too interested.</div>
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This little boy, however, was more than willing to get his photo taken.<br />
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Oh well. We'll take what we can get. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-34815105907398117722013-10-31T10:40:00.002-07:002013-10-31T10:40:15.267-07:00Annual Pumpkin Patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A couple weeks ago we did our annual visit to the pumpkin patch. Like always, it was hot and not fall-like as one would appreciate for an October visit. Annie was in a grumpy mood and just didn't seem to embrace the fun as the rest of us did.</div>
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We managed to get a few photos and have some fun. Annie eventually cheered up when it was time to go on the tractor-train ride. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They really enjoyed the teeter-totter. Although neither one was really heavy enough to get much action out of it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey enjoyed feeding the goats</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cliche photo walking across the bridge. Small miracle that I was able to do this with no photo-bombs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tractor-Train ride thing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her only smile of the day. I thought she would be scared - but she absolutely LOVED this ride.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She refused to sit alone; so Aunt Becky saved the day and sat with her. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My forever princess - I think she was secretly hoping these pumpkins would turn into Cinderella's coach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was so enthralled by the tiny pumpkins. </td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-30687901378916554442013-10-14T11:18:00.001-07:002013-10-14T11:18:31.246-07:005th Anniversary GetawayThis past weekend Josh and I celebrated our 5th anniversary. Our good friends from church watched the girls for 2 nights and we just spent 48 hours enjoying each other's company. It was great to be able to talk without interruption. To be able to eat dinner without having to coerce a young child to eat hers or have to cut up someone's meat. It was fantastic to watch TV without concern of content. We put our cell phones down and just focused on each other (it helped that we forgot phone chargers so were on minimal use mode until we got home).<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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The best part of the entire weekend, though, was seeing my daughters' faces for the first time on Sunday. Audrey running through the worship center to jump into my arms. Annie grabbing my neck and giving me the biggest hug a 2 y/o could muster. Hearing their stories and adventures.</div>
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Many thanks to John and Heidi for watching the girls for us. We really appreciate it.</div>
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We went to Santa Cruz. I've lived in the bay area for 10 years and have never been to Santa Cruz. Amusement parks hold little interest for me, and the best times to go to SC are when it takes 3 hours to get there due to the insane traffic. So I've just never been. Our anniversary was a perfect excuse to go. It was Friday, so there was little traffic and few people. We could just enjoy the scenery and each other without chaos.</div>
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We stayed at a quaint bed and breakfast within walking distance of the touristy spots, without being in the touristy spots. And we had opportunities to check out the local areas too since we walked quite a bit.</div>
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I took a few pictures. I love the ocean; it just captivates me and all my attention.</div>
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This particular photo is a rare event. Me and Josh together - alone. I'm not proud of this photo from a technical standpoint. The focus is wacky, the camera was too low, etc. But I love it because it's a photo of my husband and me on our anniversary.</div>
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To see more photos from our trip, visit my flickr page (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">http://www.<wbr></wbr>flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/</a>)</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-46028808232091546092013-08-22T13:26:00.001-07:002013-08-22T13:26:37.897-07:00Moon RisingHaving enjoyed my sunrise shoot so much the other day, and having discovered a local spot where the bay (and the hills in the peninsula) I was aching to get out and watch the sunset.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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I chose a day based on what my schedule allowed. The sky wasn't anything special that day. There was a grass fire a couple miles east of me, so the sky was hazy. But there were no storm clouds (I missed one heck of a lighting storm the other night ....) or anything spectacular. Living in a valley, however, I've not been able to watch sunsets regularly like I used to growing up. When I was in college I had a dorm room on the top floor of the tallest building on the hill looking west. It was an ideal sunset watching location. And I LOVED it. But the last 8 years or so have really been lacking in sunset availability. So any sunset is awesome in my book.</div>
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At any rate, I hopped in my car and drove to "my new spot." Got there in plenty of time. Due to high winds on this hill, I did not take a tripod. My tripod isn't very sturdy to begin with, let alone with high winds.</div>
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I was waiting for the sun to do it's thing. Got a couple "practice" shots in, set my exposure, got a feel for the location and waited. I sat down on the bench, facing east, and saw this. </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/9568441278/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="_DSC6833.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC6833.jpg" height="364" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/9568441278_42e6e9f491_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The slight hazy/smokey sky with the sun reflecting off it was pretty in and of itself. But the moon coming up just behind the clouds ... MONEY! I was excited to get it; kinda wish I noticed it a minute earlier when it was only half up. I've been aching for a decent moon photo for the better part of 6 months. I like this one enough to share it.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-13657278127242299662013-08-19T11:10:00.002-07:002013-08-19T11:10:57.130-07:00Hike with the GirlsI took a detour on the drive home the other day and ended up driving past a local regional park with some hiking trails. After I explained what the place was, Audrey was itching to go on a hike and check it out.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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So Saturday afternoon, after we all took much needed naps, the girls and I went on a little hike.</div>
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We logged about 2 miles total. But with small children, that's 2 very SLOW miles. We stopped a lot and rested. We took our time going up the hills. We looked out on the valley below from the top of the hill. We mooed at the cows at the bottom of the hill.</div>
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The girls each had a copy of the map and they followed along, finding each trail marker on the map as we passed them on the trail. We got to the 5th trail marker when we decided to turn around.</div>
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It was windy.</div>
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The girls learned that cow poop is also called a cow pie. They learned what they look like and know not to step in them.</div>
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I practiced patience with them and let them play and have fun and move at their pace.</div>
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They posed for pictures.</div>
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Audrey fell, got up, wiped off the dirt, and was ready to keep going. (My girl's a rockstar when it comes to falling!)</div>
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It was an awesome outing and I hope to go again.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got the map - we're ready to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PEACE!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/9540059926/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC6757.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC6757.jpg" height="333" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3709/9540059926_357a60d0a6.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of Donlon Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at the valley below</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Believe it or not .... the bay is visible from here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CHEESE! (now can we go home mom?!)</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-18049387716646867672013-08-05T09:43:00.000-07:002013-08-05T09:43:34.752-07:00Discovery Channel in our Front YardWe have a bird's nest on our windchimes. We noticed it a couple months ago. Sometime this week two of the three eggs hatched.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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It has been a fun opportunity to teach the girls about birds and nature and family and caring for babies. Every time we hear the babies start cheeping the girls run to the front window to watch them and see what they do. It's been neat for Josh and me also to see something from the Discovery channel happening in our front porch.</div>
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I've had a really hard time getting photos of this because the nest is in a really secure spot. We don't have a ladder to really see up in the nest, and we don't want to disturb the occupants to much so we're trying to keep our distance. I'm relegated to taking photos with my telephoto lens from the window standing up on the couch or coffee table (all the while not exacerbating my knee injury). If do believe I can get some better photos if I can get some improved lighting outside. I might take some lamps out there and try to move the light source so the nest isn't backlit as much.</div>
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At any rate ... here are some neat photos of the baby birds and some of their mama. (We think we've seen the dad too.)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best photo we could get of the inside of the nest (when mama bird is gone). You can't see the two birds that are sleeping, but you can see the remaining egg.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby birds sleeping<br />What I thought was poor focus turned out to be crazy looking eyebrow things. Reminds me of my Grampa Bob</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More sleeping birdies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hungry baby ... Mama looks like she's keeping an eye out on something</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still hungry birds - I think mama might be tending to the remaining egg</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-9738643676705658852013-08-05T09:29:00.002-07:002013-08-05T09:29:51.764-07:00VBS SundayA couple weeks ago our church participated in the tradition of Vacation Bible School (VBS). This was Audrey's first year to attend. She was super excited to be a part of this. I think she felt like a big kid and kind of felt like she was going to school.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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Kymberly was an awesome big sister and took her to and from VBS every day and took care of her in the afternoons. She was a HUGE help to us and made it possible for Audrey to attend without Josh or me having to miss any work. Because I work from home on Fridays I was able to go see the closing rally and hear them sing all their songs and watch their photo slideshow. It was great to see ... I got to see Kymberly in her element of being a youth leader and see Audrey interact with the preschool kids and play and have fun singing songs and dancing.</div>
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Sunday morning all the kids who attended VBS showed the congregation what they learned. Audrey was a bit shy to be up on stage; she watched her friend Hannah the whole time to know what to do. Annie was allowed to go up on stage and sing with the big kids. Annie knows all the songs and dances too. </div>
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I hear from the youth (middle school and high school students) how much VBS meant to them as little kids; it makes me really happy that Audrey gets to attend and be a part of such an outstanding program that is held in such high regard. </div>
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Here are some photos from VBS Sunday.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey waving while she and the kids wait for church to start. (It's the 9 am service; I think they'd rather be sleeping)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tina telling the congregation about VBS</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Gonna say yeah yeah yeah yeah yes to vuh uvh vuh vuh VBS"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yes to the best thing, JESUS IS LORD!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everybody get down let me hear you say<br />(whispered) Y E S to VBS</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dios Nos Ama<br />God Loves You!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-73782540330040939502013-06-25T08:10:00.001-07:002013-06-25T08:10:24.884-07:00Father's DayI like to do special things for Josh for Father's Day. He's very sentimental and loves being a dad and really cherishes the Daddy things. <br />
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This year I followed followed the trend and did some photos of the girls, specifically with a D-A-D set of photos in there. It's not easy to get 3 people to look at the camera and smile all at the same time. Let alone do it with a 2 year old in there who is very stubborn. And then add to that a teenager who just wants to go hang out with her friends. But they cooperated long enough to get some cute shots. </div>
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I framed an individual shot of each girl, plus 2 group shots, plus a collage frame with the D-A-D photos.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-83566055826138362312013-06-11T08:32:00.002-07:002013-06-11T08:32:38.250-07:00June UpdateIt's been a bit since I've posted a personal update on the family and what's going on with us.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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The girls are getting old enough to do a lot more out of the house activities. Parks, hiking, bike rides, etc.</div>
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We've made a couple trips to a local street fair called First Wednesday (takes place on the First Wednesday of the month in the summer). Here the girls enjoy playing the games, dancing to the church band, and just hanging out and enjoying the people watching.</div>
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We've spent time outside riding our bikes, really enjoying that we live on a quiet cul-de-sac.<br />
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We watched Josh's band, Northern Static, play at a local wine bar patio (outside = family friendly).<br />
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We all played together at our church's Open Mic Night (but no photos since we were all performing....).<br />
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It's been an exciting few months in our house and will continue to be exciting and fun and busy throughout the summer. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-33812475512916249622013-06-04T10:38:00.000-07:002013-06-04T10:38:07.096-07:00Pray for OaklandWatching/listening/reading the news can be depressing. This year has been especially depressing. It seems like every other day we're hearing about a new shooting in the area. San Jose went through a rough period earlier in the year. Now Oakland seems to be going through a similar rough spot.<br />
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The city of Oakland has had struggles as of late. In 2004, the number of police officers per 10,000 people was lower in Oakland than in many other major US Cities. Eighteen in Oakland, versus 29 in San Francisco, 23 in LA, 45 in Chicago, 44 in New York. WOW!! Nearly half as many police officers per capita than these other large cities. Since then, the police force has been cut even more. As of June 1, 2013, Oakland employed 635 officers, while they need 1,100 to adequately patrol the city. (<a href="http://www.orpn.org/staffing.htm">http://www.orpn.org/staffing.htm</a>)</div>
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If the current homicide rate continues, Oakland will have 115 homicides this year. <a href="http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/california/oakland.html">http://www.cityrating.com/crime-statistics/california/oakland.html</a></div>
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While that doesn't seem like many when you look at Chicago (over 500 in 2012), Oakland is home to only about 400,000 people. In 2012, Oakland was 7 on the list of America's deadliest cities, with a rate of 33.1 murders for every 100,000 citizens (<a href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/22686/america-s-10-deadliest-cities-2012">http://www.policymic.com/articles/22686/america-s-10-deadliest-cities-2012</a>). </div>
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But this year and last year aren't anomalies. This is the norm. We can say, "at least we aren't Flint or Detroit, MI," sure. But is that really what we want? No. We want the violent crime to cease. We want the children who live in and go to school in Oakland to not be afraid to walk down the street, or for the single mom to not be afraid of her little children being home alone (because she can't afford after school care).</div>
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It is accepted that most of the homicides that happen are gang related shootings. That's actually scarier than targeted crime to me. Because it means I can be driving down 880 on my way through to Berkeley and get caught in the crossfire of a gang shooting. </div>
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When I first moved to California I lived in a very small city adjacent to Oakland. I either drove or took the bus through the heart of Oakland daily. I walked from the bus stop to my job - about 12 blocks. I had to walk through downtown Oakland carrying $60-$100 in tips almost nightly. I was very aware of the dangers of the city. One day I heard a story of a shooting at a gas station. But the bullet traveled into the house next door and struck a young person. That gas station was across the street of the church I attended. </div>
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I heard a story once that inspired me and has really stuck with me recently. I believe God is nudging me.</div>
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As I understand it, back in the early 2000s, Oakland's crime rate was astronomical. I think it might have been 2002 or 2003. I think the homicide rate was the highest in the nation for either a period of time or for the year. But I don't have any data to support that; it's based on my memory of events. At any rate, a group of pastors in Oakland decided they needed to do something. So for a period of time, I think 40 days, they fasted from sunrise to sunset. That meant no food during that time. It meant not making up for it by gourging at bedtime. It meant praying during mealtimes. It meant praying when hunger pangs struck. It meant sacrificing comfort and satisfaction for prayer. The subject of those prayers was Oakland. For the safety of the citizens. For the police force. For the families of the victims. For the businesses in the city.</div>
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Here is what I believe God is nudging me to do.</div>
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Even thought I don't live next door to Oakland anymore and it's rare that I travel to that area, this is very close to me because I lived near it and because this is my first real experience as an adult. I believe God is nudging me to pray. </div>
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To pray for Oakland. </div>
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Five days a week for the 40 days (from tomorrow through July 31), I'm going to pray for Oakland. Each day I'll pray something specific. </div>
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<b>Monday</b>: pray for the victims of the crimes (2 Thes 3:2, "<span style="background-color: white;">And pray that we may be
delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith." </span>http://bible.us/111/2th.3.2.niv)</div>
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<b>Tuesday</b>: pray for the businesses and residents in the city (Psalm 5:2 Hear my cry for help,</div>
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for to you I pray" - http://bible.us/111/psa.5.2.niv)</div>
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<b>Wednesday</b>: pray for the police force</div>
<b>Thursday</b>: pray for the perpetrators of the crimes (OUCH .. who wants to do that? Jesus calls us to in Matthew 5:44, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you - " http://bible.us/111/mat.5.44.niv)<br />
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<b>Friday</b>: pray for city unity and strength and peace</div>
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I invite you to pray with me. I'd love it if you could pray for Oakland or San Jose. But pray for your own city. Pray for a city/region that's near/dear to you.<br />
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I've embedded a calendar I've created. Feel free to add this calendar to yours or follow along here if you want reminders of what/when to pray.<br />
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<iframe frameborder="0" height="300" scrolling="no" src="https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?showNav=0&showDate=0&showPrint=0&showTabs=0&showCalendars=0&showTz=0&height=300&wkst=2&bgcolor=%23FFFFFF&src=jtolbuoj2meu4a9lhfatqgsgvk%40group.calendar.google.com&color=%236B3304&ctz=America%2FLos_Angeles" style="border-width: 0;" width="400"></iframe><br />
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https://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=jtolbuoj2meu4a9lhfatqgsgvk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_AngelesAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-57573397983603923582013-05-17T08:10:00.000-07:002013-05-17T08:10:02.459-07:00EFF -- OH -- YOU -- ARE ..... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8734533598/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="_DSC4301.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC4301.jpg" height="320" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7294/8734533598_eb7046dc30_z.jpg" width="213" /></a>Oh my goodness. FOUR years old. <span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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Four years ago today you came into this world. You had to make a dramatic entrance cause nothing is simple/easy for you. You have turned my world upside down and I am so happy for that.</div>
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You are so smart. Every day you tell me something new that you know and I have no idea where you are learning these things. You obviously pay attention to the world around you and pick up on everything that happens.</div>
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You are caring and loving. You love your sisters and brother. You really look after your little sister and make sure that she's OK. and you totally look up to your big sister and want to do whatever she does. And you miss your big brother. You tell me almost every day how much you miss him. You were over the moon when you got to talk to him the other day.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8733414439/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="_DSC4296.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC4296.jpg" height="213" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/8733414439_9171cb22e0_z.jpg" width="320" /></a>We went up to Mount Diablo the other day and you surprised both your dad and me with your hiking/climbing skills. You were diligent in avoiding poison oak ("Green is Mean") and you were quick to hike up the hills and find the next way to go. You knew when to sit and slide down a rock instead of walk. and you were great at finding foot holes to get up the rock.</div>
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You love church and God and Jesus.</div>
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You love to dance and sing and play the drums and the piano.</div>
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Your favorite shows are My Little Pony and Strawberry Shortcake. </div>
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Just like a typical little girl you are totally into Barbies and Princesses - and I think that's fantastic. Cause you also know that you can be anything you want when you grow up and you can be a strong woman and a girly-girl at the same time.</div>
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You are totally on the verge of reading. You're able to sound out all the letters and are putting them together in word form. You even know some words already.</div>
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You color "like a boss." Your art skills are shocking me daily. I love seeing what you do at daycare every day and bring home.</div>
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I love you Audrey Grace and I'm so happy and proud to be your mama. God gave me a great little girl for a daughter and I hope I honor Him by raising you right.</div>
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Happy Birthday Audrey Grace!!!!</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8733433015/" title="_DSC4348.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC4348.jpg" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/8733433015_ca08d2a658_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-58557806341211825732013-04-08T08:24:00.002-07:002013-04-10T19:20:52.706-07:00Memorization Monday - 4/8/13<br />
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Welcome to Memorization Monday.
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">Please join me in memorizing scripture. Every Monday I'll post my new memory verse. You can memorize this one with me, or post your own verse from your own scripture reading. Share with me in the comments what verse you're learning this week.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">This week's verse comes from yesterday's sermon. </span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">Romans 5:1</span><br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;"><a href="http://bible.us/111/rom.5.1.niv">http://bible.us/111/rom.5.1.niv</a></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">I liked this verse for the word justified. Justified, here, means made completely new as if our sin never happened. Our faith in Christ erased our sin completely as if we never sinned in the beginning. Consequently we have full access to God anytime we want.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">If you join me, please add my link button found at the bottom.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-84023733490171233582013-04-03T15:29:00.000-07:002013-04-03T15:29:26.323-07:0040 Verses in 40 Days - a recapI did it. I completed my journey of memorizing 40 verses in 40 days.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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There were days I had to carve out time to memorize the verse because I was busy.</div>
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There were days the verse came easy.</div>
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There were days I didn't get the verse memorized. So I had to do it the next day.</div>
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There were days I had so much free time while waiting and standing in line that I could've memorized 2 or 3 verses but instead reviewed.</div>
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There were days I didn't have time to review my verses.</div>
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But I read my bible daily</div>
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I found a verse every day. Some days they were verses on a list I've been wanting to memorize. Or part of the chapter I memorized. Some days they were right out of my reading. The week leading up to Easter I followed the Holy Week devotions that our pastor created and all my verses were from there.</div>
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This was an interesting journey/project. I learned some new verses that are neat. I have some new encouraging verses in my head. I have some new "this is my faith" verses. And those are great reasons to memorize scripture. ABSOLUTELY!!! But mostly, because I added a new verse EVERY DAY and had to review previous verses, it kept me so wrapped up in God's word that my sanity was totally kept in check. I felt calmer about things that should have had me outraged. I felt closer to God. And that ... my friend ... was the point of this.</div>
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They say it takes 21 times to make a habit. I did this 40 days. When I woke up Monday morning and finished reading my bible I felt something missing when I didn't pick a memory verse.</div>
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I will continue. I LOVE it. I really do.</div>
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I think I'm going to work on memorizing 2-3 a week. Daily was a bit more than I could handle. But weekly just isn't enough to keep me interested and working on it.</div>
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Watch for the return of Memorization Monday.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-58042026775402212162013-04-01T07:41:00.000-07:002013-04-01T07:41:10.400-07:00If You're Happy and You Know It...<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">If you're happy and you know it clap your hands...<br />
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If you're happy and you know it stomp your feet<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8604333317/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="_DSC2297.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC2297.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8116/8604333317_de834e9d10_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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If you're happy and you know it shout Hooray!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8604333691/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="_DSC2299.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC2299.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8108/8604333691_85b8b70d17_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
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If you're happy and you know then your face will surely show it...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8604323563/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="_DSC2164.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC2164.jpg" height="512" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8604323563_d0bc81e242_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8604330237/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="_DSC2267.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC2267.jpg" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8604330237_de391c4810_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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If you're happy and you know it clap your hands....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8605434078/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="_DSC2292.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC2292.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8528/8605434078_07f86b7a02_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div>
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-88464225732148160282013-03-03T19:19:00.002-08:002013-03-03T19:19:33.322-08:00Muir BeachDue to Josh's band schedule, I get a lot of time with the girls just the 3 of us. I take advantage of this time to get out of the house and go do something. Usually I stay local and go to parks or local entertainment places. But this weekend I wanted to do something different. Right after Josh left for his gig, I packed the girls in the car and we went for a drive to the beach. I chose one of the few beaches that I know without having to go through the city or have to consult a GPS. And one that wouldn't be super busy.<br />
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I grossly underestimated how long it would take to get there. I thought it would be just about an hour. Turns out it was an hour and a half and we weren't even to the beach I wanted to go to. But we were at A beach, so that's OK. It was already getting late and I wanted them to play some before it got too cold.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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Mom fail - I didn't bring a change of clothes. Or walking shoes. Or jackets. I did bring snacks, but left them in the car. I did bring a change of diapers. but also left those in the car. and no sand toys. And it was too cold to play in the water. But nothing stops a 2 and 3 year old from playing in the sand and being goofy. We went for a hike up the hill, but wearing only flip flops they struggled. It was steep. I got some exercise picking Annie up, putting her down, picking her up, putting her down. And going up the hill carrying her on my shoulders ("Uppy head," she says).</div>
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It was a great change of scenery and fresh air. I was hoping to get some photos of the sunset, but it was overcast and hazy and there wasn't going to be one. And it was cold, so we left earlier. The girls were covered in sand. So they took off their pants and shoes and we used baby wipes to clean feet and hands. And because it was nearly bedtime and traffic was really bad leaving the beach, we had to get dinner at Burger King. </div>
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We had a good time.</div>
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The girls were agreeable enough to pose for some photos for me in front of the water. That was nice. And they were cooperative and did what I asked, too.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8527056464/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC1866.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC1866.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8527056464_ace86b9d85_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey's rock collection - it stretched 2 full logs</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8527057640/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC1870.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC1870.jpg" height="574" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8381/8527057640_c46d278045_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Placing her flag</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8527058130/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC1871.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC1871.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8244/8527058130_65d7beecf2_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf's Up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8525948971/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC1893.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC1893.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8525948971_879a1ba0e5_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surf's Up</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8527064912/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC1905.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC1905.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8372/8527064912_2cdb55de4a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sisters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8527068654/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC1945.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC1945.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8391/8527068654_699a271383_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile .... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8525958001/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="_DSC1955.jpg by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="_DSC1955.jpg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8525958001_ae2a7f5c60_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smile!!! :D</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/8527069614/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="2013-03-01 by Christsstar, on Flickr"><img alt="2013-03-01" height="512" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8110/8527069614_70cd997027_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collage of all their shots</td></tr>
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The full photoset can be seen here: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/sets/72157632907181453/with/8527069614/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/biochemtine/sets/72157632907181453/with/8527069614/</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-702707714463896610.post-74331301674438084562013-02-25T08:58:00.005-08:002013-02-25T08:59:07.870-08:0040 verses UpdateWe are ten days into Lent, so I thought I'd post a quick update.<span style="color: purple; font-family: comic sans ms; font-size: small;">
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I am not posting an update in hopes of getting a pat on the back. I am looking for accountability, and posting this will give me that accountability. More likely to stick to a goal if it's out in the world and people know about it.</div>
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My verses for the first 10 days of Lent and why I chose them.</div>
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<b>Psalm 62:1:</b> a good reminder I don't need to stress when I have God. My soul finds rest in Him.</div>
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<b>Psalm 66:1-2:</b> it's always good to sing and shout for joy</div>
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<b>Titus 2:11-12: </b>God's Grace teaches us and helps us live godly lives. It's not my doing, but His.</div>
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<b>Galatians 3:14: </b>I get the same blessing as promised to Abraham, which includes the Spirit. </div>
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Psalm 139:1*</div>
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Psalm 139:2*</div>
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Psalm 139:3*</div>
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<b>2 John 1:6, 9: </b>It's all about LOVE. And vs. 9 is a prayer for my kids. That I would raise them so they continue in the teaching of Christ.</div>
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Psalm 139:4*</div>
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<b>Galatians 2:20-21:</b> Grace. It's all about Grace. It's not about how good I be, but about God's gift of grace. Otherwise Christ died in vain.</div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*When I was in college I memorized Psalm 139. It became my life "verse." It has so much meat to it and it's a great passage when feeling alone in a desert place or like I've fallen too far from God. Over the years I've forgotten it. I knew the gist of it and that's really what's important. But I liked being able to recite the whole thing. So I'm re-memorizing it during this Lent season.</span></i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16447760727419360984noreply@blogger.com0