tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14767881174807185442024-02-07T02:00:29.490-06:00Sandbox Moments Life with our adult son with Angelman SyndromeThis blog is about life with our 27 year old son who has Angelman Syndrome and is autistic. Hopefully in sharing our story and all the challenges and blessings that make up our days, we will be an inspiration to someone who is looking for a way to cope with the joy and frustration that come with raising a child with special needs.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-77632016731262263342016-03-08T12:05:00.003-06:002016-03-08T12:28:19.181-06:00Upside Down Well my word...it has been one year, four months and 6 days since I wrote my last blog and I have no explanation as to why? Certainly Scotty gives me lots of material, and my husband is retired so I now have lots more time to write and still I haven't been able to sit down at the computer and post a blog. So why today? There is only one conclusion that seems feasible...someone who reads this post today needs to hear the very same message that I received from God today.<br />
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Today is one of those days that lends itself to reflection. </div>
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It is this guy's birthday. </div>
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His 29th birthday to be exact.</div>
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On this day every year I can't help</div>
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but contemplate what the future holds</div>
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for our boy.</div>
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<b>He is love personified.</b></div>
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<b>He is perfect.</b></div>
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<b>He is the sweetest of blessings....</b></div>
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<b> ...and without a doubt on the day he was born he completely and totally turned our world upside down. Everything we thought we knew and all the plans we had made changed in the few short hours it took for him to enter this world.</b></div>
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<b> As I tucked my 28 year old son in last night I began my litany of worries, fears and uncertainties of what the future holds for him. These concerns are present in each moment of everyday but more so on this day as he turns one year older but more importantly...so do we. These worries go deep. Etched on my heart like wounds that never heal because I keep scratching them open. Over and over again.</b></div>
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<b> So I pray...</b></div>
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<b> ...and as hard as it is to admit, my pleas of " Why him?" seem to dominate my prayers, vying for attention and demanding answers.</b></div>
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<b> As I have stated before, God speaks very loudly to me. Surely he must think I'm daft because his messages are SO clear and SO loud! For Lent this year I am reading a book called </b><b><u>Rediscover Jesus</u>, by Matthew Kelly and today's reading was titled Upside Down. Matthew Kelly relayed God's message to me today loud and clear! More amazingly is that I am a day behind and this reading was meant for yesterday.</b></div>
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<b> <i> <span style="font-size: large;">"God wants to turn your life upside down, which as it turns out is right side up. If you let Jesus turn your life upside down, you will be happier than you ever imagined possible...and you will have joy." He reminds us that all through the bible we can find examples of Jesus turning lives upside down.</span></i></b></div>
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<b> Huh.</b></div>
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<b> So today I will try very hard to make my prayers ones of thankfulness for our very upside down life. I will bow down in gratitude for this boy who we love more than words could ever express. I will pray for the faith to leave the future to God and believe with my whole heart that He will take care of all the details that consume me with worry. I will also pray that all of you hear God's voice today and that you realize that all your upside downs are really right side ups.</b></div>
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Happy Birthday little guy. I love you.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am confident in this,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">that the one who began a good work in you</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">will bring it to completion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Philippians 1:6</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-42468149541864687152014-11-06T16:30:00.000-06:002014-11-06T09:00:35.372-06:00God, Me, and Angelman Syndrome<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><b> "To live a life of uninterrupted happiness in God, </b></div>
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<b>looking on every circumstance as coming from God, </b></div>
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<b>and thanking Him for it-</b></div>
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<b>that is Christian perfection."</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Merlin Carothers</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span> What if I were to say that I am thankful for Angelman Syndrome? I am submitting to the all that read this post today that I, Joanne Baston can truly and honestly and without hesitation praise God for Angelman Syndrome. </div>
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I can certainly praise God for all the obstacles my beautiful boy has overcome. He has effectively shattered the list of things we were told he would never be able to do. He can walk and he can run. He can perform basic tasks like dressing and helping with chores. He can feed himself and thankfully he is completely toilet trained. He has a "job" he loves and approaches most work related tasks with great purpose and commitment. I can praise God that his days are filled with meaning and purpose. I can praise God that the seizures, that have taken too many of our angels lives and are common to the syndrome, have been minimal and for the most part controlled for our boy.</div>
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But believe it or not, in recent months I have starting praising God for all the chaos and even for all the sleepless nights. I can praise Him for the mind-numbing exhaustion and the long days that are filled with enough work to keep ten people busy. I can even praise Him for the rhythmic, torturous, constant slapping of his hand on the leather couch that could make the sanest of the sane seek a psych evaluation. (and yes, he is doing it right now) I can praise Him for the cataclysmic havoc that shakes our house that our little human tornado single handedly has the power to create.<br />
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Although praising God for a smack to the face, a pinch that bruises, and the general spectacle he can make of himself in public proves to be more challenging, but I am working on it.<br />
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Do I wish Scotty did not have Angelman Syndrome? Of course I do, but I wish it for him not for me. Will I support the organizations that are funding research to find a cure? Absolutely...until my dying breath. The hard reality is that no amount of wishing is going to change the fact that my son, at this moment in time, has Angelman Syndrome.<br />
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So who am I to question the motives of our God who wonderfully and perfectly made this boy?<br />
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I joyfully accept the presence of Angelman Syndrome.<br />
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I believe with all my heart that Scotty is exactly the person he is supposed to be and we, through the grace of God, have been blessed beyond measure to be his parents. His plan is clearly at work in our lives.<br />
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For because of our faith he has brought</div>
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us into this place of highest priviledge</div>
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where we now stand,</div>
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and we confidently and joyfully look forward</div>
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to actually becoming all that God</div>
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has had in mind for us to be.</div>
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Romans 5:2</div>
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We all at some point in our lives face a challenge that knocks the wind out of us...a trial that we are sure we don't have the strength to make it through. But we do, and what is on the other side of the seemingly unscalable mountain of pain is always something more wonderful than anything we could have imagined. After all if our lives were easy how would we ever know the absolute joy that comes when we see first hand God working in our lives?<br />
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I recently read, <u>Power in Praise</u> by Merlin Carothers. In this book that was published in 1971 we are reminded that, "Praise releases the Power of God into our lives and circumstances, because praise is faith in action. When we trust God fully, He is free to work, and he always brings victory. By complaining and grumbling we are actually accusing God of mismanaging the details of our day."<br />
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Praise is faith in action.<br />
Give it a try. What do you have to lose?<br />
I can and will continue to praise God for Angelman Syndrome...and mean it.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> I will bless the Lord at all times:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">his praise shall continually</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">be in my mouth.</span></div>
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Psalm 34:1</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-70171788802224437372014-11-03T16:08:00.002-06:002014-11-03T16:50:53.515-06:00A Really Big Moment in the Sandbox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Guess What?</span></b></div>
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I am taking over my mom's blog this week to</div>
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share some very cool news about my mommy.</div>
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She started this little blog about me over a year ago and,</div>
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trust me when I tell you that I give her plenty of material.</div>
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I don't mean to brag but,</div>
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I think it is safe to say that my shenanigans are EPIC!</div>
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When she started this blog her goals were simple:</div>
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1. SPREAD AWARENESS FOR ANGELMAN SYNDROME.</div>
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2. Be an inspiration and a source of hope </div>
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for others who are struggling</div>
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in this very confusing and chaotic life we are living.</div>
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3. Maybe, just maybe, someone would be</div>
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interested in her ideas and storytelling </div>
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and fulfill her lifelong desire to be a published author.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">SO GUESS WHAT?</span></div>
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(.....humming Jeopardy music....)</div>
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If you guessed #3 you got it!</div>
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She sold one of her stories </div>
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(she would add the word FINALLY to this sentence)</div>
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about yours truly to </div>
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GUIDEPOSTS online magazine.</div>
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They sent her a contract and paid her and everything!</div>
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It is the real deal!</div>
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So please follow the link below and leave a comment</div>
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and share it on Google Plus, and Facebook.</div>
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Don't forget to mention the blog too if it will let you.</div>
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SHARE, SHARE, SHARE!</div>
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Her hope is to make a big splash on the website</div>
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so Guideposts will want to print more of her stories</div>
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about living with</div>
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ANGELMAN SYNDROME!</div>
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Can you imagine the impact?</div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">LINK:</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/mysterious-ways/mysterious-ways-the-longest-prayer"><span style="color: #990000;">Guideposts Mysterious Ways The Longest Prayer</span></a></div>
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Disclaimer on the actual coolness factor: I sent them the story...actually I have probably sent them 50 and entered several contests with book ideas. I got my first taste of editing. Wow! Most of my ideas are there and many of my words but....</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-39824684244613872812014-05-14T20:11:00.001-05:002014-05-14T20:31:11.201-05:00Don't Put Toothpaste on Your...<div style="text-align: center;">
Recently a list circulated through the Facebook...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
25 Ways You Know You are a Mom.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I thought I would put my own twist</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
on this theme...Angelman style.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAUkFhX05NzZNPbn-jwzntfTGf7I2owXJg837quOpap9S8u5kphcQfXzXSRIEgcw4NS7wn0-9VKQttBcEbppTZWU78WW1ZhjJIAYAoQYKqzxbv7NbfLD2wXPillPlNWTMNEgCrROKV-Q/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAUkFhX05NzZNPbn-jwzntfTGf7I2owXJg837quOpap9S8u5kphcQfXzXSRIEgcw4NS7wn0-9VKQttBcEbppTZWU78WW1ZhjJIAYAoQYKqzxbv7NbfLD2wXPillPlNWTMNEgCrROKV-Q/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This child of ours, often referred to as an "angel,"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
can be anything but angelic.</div>
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The term "angel" stems from</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Harry Angelman, the British pediatrician who identified </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Angelman Syndrome.<br />
It is not a commentary on their<br />
(at least not Scotty's)<br />
"angelic" personality :)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> You know You Are the </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mom of an "Angel" Man/Woman If...</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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1. You have watched the same Disney movie 9,855 times.</div>
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<br /></div>
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2. You can hold a two-sided conversation </div>
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with your non-verbal child</div>
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for 16 hours a day and still maintain </div>
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some semblance of sanity...</div>
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some, not a lot, but some.</div>
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<br /></div>
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3. You have scooped poop out of a bathtub with a fish net...</div>
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more than once.</div>
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<br /></div>
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4. You have no need for an alarm clock, because</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
you WILL be woken up every morning </div>
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at 3:45, 4:45 and 5:45 am.</div>
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<br /></div>
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5. You refer to drool as holy water.</div>
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<br /></div>
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6. You haven't been alone in the </div>
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bathroom in the last 27 years.</div>
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<br /></div>
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7. Your body needs caffeine circulating</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
through its veins in the same way</div>
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that it needs blood in order to function properly.</div>
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<br /></div>
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8. Showering is now a spectator sport,</div>
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because you don't dare leave them alone</div>
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while you spoil yourself with a</div>
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43 second shower.</div>
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<br /></div>
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9. You can't take one breath without</div>
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breathing in your child's exhaled air,</div>
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because they are ALWAYS </div>
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standing in your personal space.</div>
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<br /></div>
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10. You have been wiping another person's </div>
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butt everyday for the last 27 years.</div>
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<br /></div>
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11. You refer to the bruises that come from</div>
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pinches, jabs and bites on your arms </div>
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and legs as "angel" kisses.</div>
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<br /></div>
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12. You consider 4 hours of uninterrupted </div>
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slumber a good night's sleep,</div>
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and if you get more than that you feel like you</div>
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have a wicked hangover.</div>
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<br /></div>
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13. You have caught throw up in your hands</div>
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while simultaneously getting your hair pulled</div>
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AND kicked in the shin.</div>
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<br /></div>
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14. You have bought french fries for complete</div>
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strangers because your child firmly believes</div>
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that any food item within their reach is fair game.</div>
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<br /></div>
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15. Getting your child showered and dressed in the morning</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
could be considered an Olympic event</div>
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that requires a three hour recovery period.</div>
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<br /></div>
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16. You are capable of being on the wrong end of a</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
strong right hook that makes you see stars</div>
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and yet you immediately hug the slugger, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because you know they are hurting more.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
17. It is not beneath you to beg, bribe, plead</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or promise that Santa is in the parking lot</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
if they will just get off the dirty, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
disgusting floor at Walmart</div>
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where they have dramatically thrown themselves</div>
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for reasons we can't even begin to imagine</div>
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and walk to the car without breaking the store.</div>
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<br /></div>
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18. You expertly avoid eye contact </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with the horrified onlookers as your</div>
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child is doing their best to make a complete</div>
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spectacle of himself in public.</div>
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<br /></div>
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19. You repeat the following phrases daily. </div>
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They are commands that are </div>
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for all intents and purposes</div>
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never going to happen,</div>
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but you never stop trying.</div>
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Keep your hands to yourself,</div>
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don't bite the dog,</div>
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stop licking me,</div>
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stop licking the dog,</div>
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close the refridgerator,</div>
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stop breaking the house,</div>
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put that down it is not yours,</div>
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STOP (running away from me),</div>
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please let me sit for 5 minutes,</div>
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Shhhhhhh,</div>
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come over here,</div>
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please sit still,</div>
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and</div>
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be patient. Please?</div>
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(NEVER gonna happen)</div>
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<br /></div>
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20. You have a no hugging rule. </div>
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You talk about it endlessly.</div>
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You spend 10 minutes before </div>
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someone comes over practicing. </div>
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You ring the doorbell so they can practice</div>
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opening the door and</div>
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greeting you appropriately with a handshake.</div>
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They are ready!</div>
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Doorbell rings. They open the door...</div>
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hug the unprepared and unsuspecting bug man </div>
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and top it off with a kiss on the cheek. </div>
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<br /></div>
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21. You have to remind them every day NOT</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to pull their pants down whenever </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and wherever it occurs to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
them that they need to go potty.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
22. You still say "potty" to your 27 year old.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
23. You have to turn the Three Stooges off</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
because they laugh so hard they stop breathing.</div>
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<br /></div>
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24. Every time the phone rings they go into a feeding</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
frenzy and have to have a banana</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">NOW!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And #25...drumroll...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
25. You use combinations of words in sentences</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that you never would have dreamed </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
could or should go together.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My personal best...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Oh buddy, don't put toothpaste on your penis !"</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And that folks is just a small </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">sample of life with an "angel".</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CIkK2Tut8UtkoZ2-wp7BQxZqhyphenhyphent2Flwk4LLgRtP18c4AOEsRZ8mKdpQvrNsOR6LmPk7sOEbHOEhyzgA0-iBZludK-EUEg3iByGWS5RPAsFD7zpIxggn51oWFBY3TZ6UPMmn_Yf-AmNo/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CIkK2Tut8UtkoZ2-wp7BQxZqhyphenhyphent2Flwk4LLgRtP18c4AOEsRZ8mKdpQvrNsOR6LmPk7sOEbHOEhyzgA0-iBZludK-EUEg3iByGWS5RPAsFD7zpIxggn51oWFBY3TZ6UPMmn_Yf-AmNo/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This weekend is our National walk for Angelman Syndrome.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Please join us side by side or virtually.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Every little bit helps to further research and get us</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
closer to finding a cure.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://secure.angelman.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=6334">To donate click here</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-79722750124457955022014-04-17T15:37:00.003-05:002014-04-17T16:20:46.314-05:00"Jesus is God's Show and Tell"<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These words, uttered by a small child,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
are by far the best piece of theology I have</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
read in a very long time.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
During Lent this year I picked up <u>The Genesis Trilogy,</u> by</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Madeleine L'Engle of <u>A Wrinkle in Time</u> fame.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is unbelievable to me that in my 55 years</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of being a voracious reader who literally eats books</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that this particular book has never been in my hands.<br />
It is magnificent and will be added to my<br />
list of books to read over and over again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The sentence above was relayed to her by a teacher</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who was attending one of her writing workshops.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Again, how did I not know this book existed???)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus is God's show and tell.</span><br />
Just take a deep, deep breath and<br />
let that sentence wash over you<br />
and settle into your heart.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In our own imperfect way aren't we all called<br />
to be God's show and tell?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We have been shown and we have been told.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In our every thought,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in our every word,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in our every action,<br />
and in our every reaction</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we can reveal God's message to others.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For once I will not bore you with the<br />
seemingly endless stream of hyperconsciousness<br />
this one sentence has produced in my<br />
already cluttered mind.<br />
Suffice it to say that I have filled pages</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and pages with thoughts and images that </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this one simple sentence has unleashed...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But I keep going back to one.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35HvVmGFkYcPlf5ubPFNuIMX3ZjemWavuEEZ75ieyqWRTS0yY3IYthyphenhyphen9dQKLnE9UFFoI62vcD7nGjYEn1ZyWIpib8ULl4JmwfcCRZsSzJ-FtF0PhdfYoqYdiirGRrCBBPhCWpwWtuwqY/s1600/IMG_2013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35HvVmGFkYcPlf5ubPFNuIMX3ZjemWavuEEZ75ieyqWRTS0yY3IYthyphenhyphen9dQKLnE9UFFoI62vcD7nGjYEn1ZyWIpib8ULl4JmwfcCRZsSzJ-FtF0PhdfYoqYdiirGRrCBBPhCWpwWtuwqY/s1600/IMG_2013.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
I am humbled to be witness to moments<br />
of God's show and tell,<br />
like this one, every single day.<br />
This quiet moment of peace and contentment<br />
was preceded by a moment (more like fifteen)<br />
of screaming and banging and covering his ears<br />
because I asked him to put his shoes on.</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: center; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Yet this boy of ours,<br />
this yelly, bangy, breaky whirling dervish<br />
of a human being,<br />
is the embodiment of what it means</div>
<div>
to be God's show and tell.<br />
<br />
He is forced to live in a world where he will never truly fit in.<br />
It is a place, that for him, is full of chaos and confusion.<br />
He must try to cope with the frustration that boils up inside,<br />
because no one understands him.<br />
He must suffer inside a body that often betrays him.<br />
He must endure the isolation that comes<br />
from living in the margins of life,<br />
and the sadness and heartbreak he must feel.</div>
<div>
<br />
And still he is able to find so many moments of joy.<br />
<br />
This boy can find joy in the simplest of pleasures.<br />
A trip to Lowe's, an unexpected gummy worm in his cereal,<br />
facetiming with family or a stolen banana are all<br />
good enough reasons for him to jump for joy.<br />
<br /></div>
This boy calms to the soothing<br />
sounds of his "church" music,<br />
clutches his bible to his heart for much of the day, and<br />
will drop to his knees for no apparent reason and pray.<br />
This boy sat at my friend Karen's dinner table,<br />
folded his hands and waited to eat until she prayed with him.<br />
This boy who has been given a small handful of words,<br />
and yet three of them are Amen, Alleluia, and I love you.<br />
<br />
This boy who loves so hard and<br />
with such profound emotion is<br />
a perfect example of God's Show and Tell.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKRlJGFYx_-iN15jEA3uNN3TdnzvIPVNS_3QR8G2x5QTg_xHKIt30k9iucpYoW5mxWp87jVfGjkwN7W_KUVxXVdz2xI__08ad2BdaxCSK_FDzau6crdb6Rvxf-VKx5eqsfMhRelasGcE/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgKRlJGFYx_-iN15jEA3uNN3TdnzvIPVNS_3QR8G2x5QTg_xHKIt30k9iucpYoW5mxWp87jVfGjkwN7W_KUVxXVdz2xI__08ad2BdaxCSK_FDzau6crdb6Rvxf-VKx5eqsfMhRelasGcE/s1600/IMG_2090.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I sense something deeper here...<br />
something reverent...<br />
something holy.<br />
<br />
It is there in the moments of yelling and banging,<br />
and it is in the moments of peace and contentment.<br />
<br />
Through him I am shown God's message,<br />
so in my every thought, in my every word,<br />
in my every action, and in my every reaction,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am inspired </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to be a better show and tell. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaRAg5IiitrWdQG2VpW9ajkfbNxn7yhL4pHRgIW7cQjgdh9QER9P8lw9WC89vDhcXh9-ZeipK8qrW3Rkl_sQjNd2erjblWmYijGXRE2nZEibhfVghoyzLXPKkzhZLVd1HlEgCLfMzBM8/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaRAg5IiitrWdQG2VpW9ajkfbNxn7yhL4pHRgIW7cQjgdh9QER9P8lw9WC89vDhcXh9-ZeipK8qrW3Rkl_sQjNd2erjblWmYijGXRE2nZEibhfVghoyzLXPKkzhZLVd1HlEgCLfMzBM8/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
For Scotty's birthday this year we got him a butterfly habitat.<br />
For the last few weeks we have watched<br />
our caterpillars turn into beautiful painted lady butterflies.<br />
It was time to release them today just in time for Easter.<br />
For some strange reason Scotty is terrified of butterflies.<br />
He loves zombies,vampires,snakes and crocodiles,<br />
but butterflies make him scream like a girl!<br />
I was very surprised today that he wasn't freaked out.<br />
Perhaps because they have been living in the kitchen for a few weeks???<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzqS1DGPTrUvxzBmQskdgqBcmJKVnURUadQmvJ1dAV28z0_mzKhQltychos_RMMMQUpO-LSNzH_NpO8mREsnQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />
Butterflies are the perfect symbol of the tomb Christ conquered<br />
and every Christian's hope of their own rebirth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu9scOF589SAz8WEcDUPbzDc9BurexA7KfykguK084MN0RL-jqsPROI9h5ZAkWBiw8-r1xNtQtjPAx6kui6igDHXC1mA5nVoRuZMUq_I20w5r74X_n94qbzD_EkU4sbeVFUIJR150YOg/s1600/butterfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDu9scOF589SAz8WEcDUPbzDc9BurexA7KfykguK084MN0RL-jqsPROI9h5ZAkWBiw8-r1xNtQtjPAx6kui6igDHXC1mA5nVoRuZMUq_I20w5r74X_n94qbzD_EkU4sbeVFUIJR150YOg/s1600/butterfly.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus said to her,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am the resurrection and the life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Whoever believes in me,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">though he die, yet shall live.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">John 11:25</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
May you all have a blessed Easter.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jesus IS God's show and tell...</span><br />
Remember to pay attention.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-78955029155705425852014-03-05T13:04:00.002-06:002014-03-05T19:07:20.672-06:00I Give Up...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVMgO8cc__pdLvMNWOoyj_bWdfXVdktJmckCNQCh4tW7XbS96JwykRIqU5GnAVHN-Tfq6xZaA65oH1l0uTFzGt5Km804ZeLb_rCk9Muudy2K7IotOsYNkvU3NBjIz4G7T3RdqynIOgjA/s1600/lenten-season-symbols_1393572030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVMgO8cc__pdLvMNWOoyj_bWdfXVdktJmckCNQCh4tW7XbS96JwykRIqU5GnAVHN-Tfq6xZaA65oH1l0uTFzGt5Km804ZeLb_rCk9Muudy2K7IotOsYNkvU3NBjIz4G7T3RdqynIOgjA/s1600/lenten-season-symbols_1393572030.jpg" height="186" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Lenten season is upon us once again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As Catholics<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">Lent is a special time of prayer, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">penance, sacrifice and </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">good works in preparation </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;">of the celebration of Easter.</span><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For many, including me, this often translates </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
into giving up something you love, a sacrifice...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For God.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have done it all...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chocolate</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wine</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Diet Coke</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fast food</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cursing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Gossiping</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
TV</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Facebook</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Coffee.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div>
Regrettably,</div>
<div>
in all my previous attempts I have failed.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The coffee was a tragic error in judgement<br />
on my part </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
in my extremely sleep deprived life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In truth I almost killed a man.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In a last startling moment of lucidity I </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
realized that my darling husband<br />
can't help it if he needs to chew<br />
his oatmeal at the breakfast<br />
table with the same deafening cacophony of<br />
someone who is chomping on gravel.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And so his life was spared.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year I have struggled to find my sacrifice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am already reading my bible every day,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
eating well, exercising, watching less TV,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
spending less time on the computer,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so these are in no way suitable for a sacrifice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I have always wondered if it really</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
mattered to God whether I ate chocolate, drank wine,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
perused Facebook or watched TV.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week our priest confirmed that it does not.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He also advised us to not give up something</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that makes the lives of those</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
around us miserable.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Let's say coffee for example.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It is clear to me that I am missing the point.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, I sat in mass this morning,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
still unsure of my Lenten plans,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just waiting for some divine intervention</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that would lead me to the perfect sacrifice.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And suddenly there it was...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was in the face of this guy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I watched his face as he peered </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over his dad's shoulder</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watching him receive his ashes. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His face was shining with joy and anticipation.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His expression said, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Oh you are so lucky! I can't wait for my turn!"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I want the kind of joy that bubbles up inside of you</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and when it spills over it</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
impacts everyone around you. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So this year I am giving up making promises to </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
God that through my own human weakness</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am unable to keep.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year I am going to give up and let go </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of all the things that take away my joy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Isn't that exactly what the word sacrifice means?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This year I want to find my joy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kind of joy that bubbles up inside of me</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and makes others thirst for it too.<br />
The joy that comes from being a child of God.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To my sweet boy who has an endless</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
supply of joy...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
thank you for helping me yearn for mine.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh my son, you are so lucky and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't wait for my turn!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGswlvcpFv83Tg7Cq6lpyuYa065VRXgGcZ-aKDmCbj_OzLOjJbhbqcqCG9o3AULMmJlBQrZg1B9UP_vO5LVdlZFKbaycZgwIMeiuLzXeaf7n6-cLUAIbp2bc91KFdg3N_rz8nY5QrisQ/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGswlvcpFv83Tg7Cq6lpyuYa065VRXgGcZ-aKDmCbj_OzLOjJbhbqcqCG9o3AULMmJlBQrZg1B9UP_vO5LVdlZFKbaycZgwIMeiuLzXeaf7n6-cLUAIbp2bc91KFdg3N_rz8nY5QrisQ/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: orange; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">May the God of hope fill you with all joy</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: orange; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"> and peace as you trust in him, </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: orange; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;">so that you may overflow with hope</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: orange; font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large;"> by the power of the Holy Spirit.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: start;">Romans 15:13</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.100000381469727px; text-align: start;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJt2yMM08M-pv5fj_Fbq4_eO2Yluj4JZXknPngVS4sHoQTSHWmD7zdFBHAyNTbKPkyKeviQHXGUkOj4sAiQM-fwFPH5xTMbQLJhyWxijODmS3-Yul8jzTgJVXKWe_hXWC9ZQmV3HZKlI/s1600/lenten_cross.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJt2yMM08M-pv5fj_Fbq4_eO2Yluj4JZXknPngVS4sHoQTSHWmD7zdFBHAyNTbKPkyKeviQHXGUkOj4sAiQM-fwFPH5xTMbQLJhyWxijODmS3-Yul8jzTgJVXKWe_hXWC9ZQmV3HZKlI/s1600/lenten_cross.png" height="320" width="289" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-48572444793291103322014-02-26T16:31:00.002-06:002014-02-26T17:22:40.936-06:00ENOUGH<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="highl"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ09GMeu_tX3vFvDR__uICI4UQY4db_74JZqGmGlpBrOItEIFMzT3LFkuKuAGaI1qhb22GsPGsiNMp53gurjPAMOiYpzHZRZRcUNsQleiDMs5jge7uefJ4GOsixBsttD65YAw9AizBqg4/s1600/mother+teresa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ09GMeu_tX3vFvDR__uICI4UQY4db_74JZqGmGlpBrOItEIFMzT3LFkuKuAGaI1qhb22GsPGsiNMp53gurjPAMOiYpzHZRZRcUNsQleiDMs5jge7uefJ4GOsixBsttD65YAw9AizBqg4/s1600/mother+teresa.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
ENOUGH</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sufficient, acceptable, full, abundant,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over-flowing, plentiful, unlimited,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
cup runs over with </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">I have recently started using the word "<i>ENOUGH</i>" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">often and with great purpose,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">although not in the way one might suspect.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">Not in the ENOUGH IS ENOUGH </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">or</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">the I HAVE HAD ENOUGH way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">It is the kind of ENOUGH that </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">Mother Teresa speaks of in the above quote.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">The kind of ENOUGH that lets me find</span><br />
<span class="ssens">moments of blessing in </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"> every single day.</span><br />
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">It is the kind of ENOUGH that reminds me </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">that I don't need anything </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">more than what I have right now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"> Now is ENOUGH.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">It is the kind of ENOUGH that makes my heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">beat in a rhythm of calmness and contentment. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span>
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">It is the kind of ENOUGH that fills my soul </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">with gratefulness and peace.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">ENOUGH.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88dXHc8x_Em3x0f4K_qJZ6ztJ61SS_cYkQmM1YaODfxcIKjtB0bq-Q1YRIWfgu0XD3-EyN0RfrmWXZ9Km-F5ZsRxTjwRpWVrh4ZHIoIKNWTwFUmMi4cIVwTK7TSIYz3KEWyULISl_waM/s1600/256598_10151632994533298_1833775903_o1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88dXHc8x_Em3x0f4K_qJZ6ztJ61SS_cYkQmM1YaODfxcIKjtB0bq-Q1YRIWfgu0XD3-EyN0RfrmWXZ9Km-F5ZsRxTjwRpWVrh4ZHIoIKNWTwFUmMi4cIVwTK7TSIYz3KEWyULISl_waM/s1600/256598_10151632994533298_1833775903_o1.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this photo.<br />
It is us in a flower pot.<br />
Lopsided, misshapen, battered, gnarled,<br />
and moving in a<br />
completely different direction<br />
than all the other trees...<br />
Yet it continues to grow and thrive<br />
despite its asymmetric and seemingly<br />
unbalanced trunk.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="ssens"> I have very rarely felt strong ENOUGH </span><br />
<span class="ssens">for my very out of the ordinary life,</span><br />
<span class="ssens">but I have faith</span><br />
<span class="ssens">like the little tree above,</span><br />
<span class="ssens">that Steve and I are</span><br />
<span class="ssens"> more than strong ENOUGH</span><br />
to keep this whole thing from tipping over.<br />
<span class="ssens"><br /></span>
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">In turning my new philosophy into action I wanted</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">to share a wondrous moment of blessing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">An awe-inspiring moment of gratefulness.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">An extraordinary moment of ENOUGH.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">Monday is laundry day.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">My usual routine is to fold all the laundry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">and make piles on the couch to be carried upstairs later.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">The other day as I waited on load four to dry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">I decided to jump on the treadmill for the last ten minutes...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">And Scotty let me...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">Hmmm.....extremely unusual.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">When the buzzer went off and I went to check </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">the dryer and glanced at the couch.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">It was completely empty?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">There was not so much as a sock </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">anywhere to be found. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">I couldn't even wrap my brain around it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"> </span>As I began to question my sanity I heard<span class="ssens"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">Scotty galloping down the stairs</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">laughing and jumping up and down</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">with sheer happiness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">Clearly he was beside himself with excitement.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">He grabbed my hand and dragged </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">me upstairs where he proudly </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">and with great flourish presented to me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"> </span><span class="ssens"> my previously neatly folded and sorted laundry...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"> in a giant heap at the top of the stairs. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">His beautiful smile was literally from ear to ear. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">He wore his pride like a badge of honor.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span>
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">He helped...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">I didn't ask. I didn't beg. I didn't bribe.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">My sweet little man, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">did something for me,</span><br />
FOR ME</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">all by himself</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">and left us both laughing and </span><br />
<span class="ssens">jumping up and down</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">with sheer happiness. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span>
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">And it was more than ENOUGH.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzdTPHalZdoPazRM5kZ8o331V7CtqNTKfYHFkq8Et41IuF1Nb363cWlHwdrzxT-CMOzxcJNzf7PW-hGqqi0m4dq8PwN4g8NOWs_wRwnJULx6HSlYJQI2WcWP3Vty9nXo1BlsA5GRjJZk/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzdTPHalZdoPazRM5kZ8o331V7CtqNTKfYHFkq8Et41IuF1Nb363cWlHwdrzxT-CMOzxcJNzf7PW-hGqqi0m4dq8PwN4g8NOWs_wRwnJULx6HSlYJQI2WcWP3Vty9nXo1BlsA5GRjJZk/s1600/IMG_0026.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ssens">God has dealt graciously with me</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="ssens">and I have ENOUGH.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">Genesis 33:12</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">A little shout out to all my fellow angel mamas </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens">who are having a difficult time right now...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YYF_Og_2jg-XkmCuts-2djHY6uGehoVXVPyDjj-qD8_XtGidcJ8GsqZIhSBT5s7s8N7lQU434jUlA2QVhbA0XGf46suNXMgYXcuAWbBvBSs2r6AeeGp-vc-i4gMhJ0LE8DGIcxe7dfU/s1600/il_340x270.544096620_k4fj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YYF_Og_2jg-XkmCuts-2djHY6uGehoVXVPyDjj-qD8_XtGidcJ8GsqZIhSBT5s7s8N7lQU434jUlA2QVhbA0XGf46suNXMgYXcuAWbBvBSs2r6AeeGp-vc-i4gMhJ0LE8DGIcxe7dfU/s1600/il_340x270.544096620_k4fj.jpg" height="317" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="ssens"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
But seek first His kingdom and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. <span class="highl"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="highl">So do not worry about tomorrow; </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="highl">for tomorrow will care for itself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="highl">Each day has <span style="font-size: large;">ENOUGH</span> trouble of its own.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="highl">Matthew 6:33-34</span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-70000808494766336472014-02-05T17:03:00.001-06:002014-02-06T08:59:27.757-06:00Angel "Kisses"<br />
As a rule I have tried to balance the monumental challenges with the extraordinary blessings that come with raising a child with special needs in this blog. Some weeks naturally weigh more heavily on one side or the other, but in fact to me they are one in the same.<br />
<br />
You see without the challenges the blessings would not seem so sweet, and without the blessings the challenges would be too much to bear.<br />
<br />
In my posts I have tried to keep it honest and real, but the fact remains that much of it has been somewhat sugar-coated, because quite honestly most people couldn't handle the truth! Not many people want to read about how we spent four hours cleaning up poop from every, and I do mean every surface in Scotty's bedroom and from every square inch of his body. <br />
<br />
Thank God this little pastime of his ended many years ago, but the horror of the memory lingers on...and on...and on.<br />
<br />
So when he gets up at 3am we can acknowledge our exhaustion, but be so thankful that he didn't use poop as an artistic medium to redecorate his room. So there you go...without the challenge the blessing would not be nearly so easy to recognize.<br />
<br />
A few years ago I joined the Facebook. For most people it is a place to keep in touch with friends, share jokes, recipes, political opinions and some general silliness. Personally, Facebook has changed my life. I have been blessed to have found a group of parents, who like us are living a very extraordinary life with an angel. A life that defies description with mere words or photos...a life much different than the one we had all planned.<br />
<br />
These families inspire me with their stories, with their courage, and with the fierce love they have for their children. Our stories though similar are each unique and in sharing our challenges with one another our blessings have now been multiplied. <br />
<br />
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Today's blog is not at all the one I had intended to write, but it is
the one I needed to write. Yesterday a fellow "angel momma" Kristi Murray, wrote a post about her son Nicholas who is a 12 year old angel. Her sweet boy had given her a few "angel kisses" on her hands for all the world to see. A visual that couldn't be covered up or sugar-coated.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_52f2707b4d0e72090567730">
Angel "kisses", by my definition, can come in the form of bruises, bites, sprains, pinches, pulled hair and some pretty impressive hits and kicks from these children of ours who have extremely low muscle tone.<br />
<br />
Her son, like mine, is only able to express himself through his actions. Anger, frustration, sadness and even happiness can result in a very painful "angel kiss". There is no malice or hatred behind it...it is just their way.<br />
<br />
Yes...it hurts. There is pain involved. More often than not it hurts my feelings more than actual physical pain. Okay, that is probably sugar-coating...getting my hair pulled by a 165 pound man really does hurt an awful lot, but the kiss on the top of my head afterwards is so incredibly sweet.<br />
<br />
Day by day we soldier on holding one another up and reminding each other to find the blessings in our challenges.<br />
<br />
So thank you Kristi for allowing me to share your post and your beautiful, beautiful boy on the blog today.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your words yesterday that showed up on my wall just when I needed them.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Let all that you do be done in love. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1 Corinthians 16:14</span> </span></div>
<br />
From Kristi:</div>
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This morning, at the Women's Bible Study I attend with my mom, I happened to look down and saw this pitiful sight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRPRBuYW-te8g9MnnHdYs_uUr1-iElhPnias7Lxu2srMyqILlwqEfr8l4f0RgiljahoikAK-dvvKR6EpLBEE3v5UM6d4gmycgvZ0KyMjXY2Q3uT91lboadyWFKAQMsTVtxNrWO3K7gO0/s1600/Kristi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRPRBuYW-te8g9MnnHdYs_uUr1-iElhPnias7Lxu2srMyqILlwqEfr8l4f0RgiljahoikAK-dvvKR6EpLBEE3v5UM6d4gmycgvZ0KyMjXY2Q3uT91lboadyWFKAQMsTVtxNrWO3K7gO0/s1600/Kristi.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Check out my hand. THIS is what a special needs mom looks like. This is the outcome of having a child who can't communicat<span class="text_exposed_show">e and needs to pinch you to get your attention or let you know he doesn't like what's on TV.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspR1KsxueVmWUQpR7zJ-Q9XIIKOJUToGL06FskymWVGIE6aa1E_OIKAUl2T9dN8uuenxQzFba0Dt3E97-NDDJKEYRwyBQ5-TT5Eu36TsWW69VG46b6_SBxFLRqOT9ay2WpsI1xNRls0g/s1600/Nick+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspR1KsxueVmWUQpR7zJ-Q9XIIKOJUToGL06FskymWVGIE6aa1E_OIKAUl2T9dN8uuenxQzFba0Dt3E97-NDDJKEYRwyBQ5-TT5Eu36TsWW69VG46b6_SBxFLRqOT9ay2WpsI1xNRls0g/s1600/Nick+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3GaPJk5pPWiyYSsOY9gXbNzGeoMSOz0-LlQA54UyVhBNrWK5e9Gfntixa7stuDPRQI8B2Us7TY8WYyWqLZ7dsArzUOsnKk7L5nEDXIjTqE3ppVAsa1lsC9EdRhJ0MCN-lul0B3xV5Uc/s1600/nick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> I can slap on a cute bracelet and ring…but the scars are still there.<br /> <br /> And that's ok.<br /> <br />
Because the topic in our class today was how God is WITH and IN His
believers. We have HIS power to get through times and situations that
aren't pretty. <br /> <br /> I can do this. WE can do this, Angel Mommas.
And if you are a Believer, we have the POWER of The One who loved us so
much, He died for us and left us the Spirit inside us to endure.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3GaPJk5pPWiyYSsOY9gXbNzGeoMSOz0-LlQA54UyVhBNrWK5e9Gfntixa7stuDPRQI8B2Us7TY8WYyWqLZ7dsArzUOsnKk7L5nEDXIjTqE3ppVAsa1lsC9EdRhJ0MCN-lul0B3xV5Uc/s1600/nick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3GaPJk5pPWiyYSsOY9gXbNzGeoMSOz0-LlQA54UyVhBNrWK5e9Gfntixa7stuDPRQI8B2Us7TY8WYyWqLZ7dsArzUOsnKk7L5nEDXIjTqE3ppVAsa1lsC9EdRhJ0MCN-lul0B3xV5Uc/s1600/nick2.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> </span><span class="text_exposed_show"> And that makes this woman sigh with relief.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> "I have carried you since you were born.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> I have taken care of you from your birth.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> Even when you are old, I will be the same.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> Even when your hair has turned gray,</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> I will take care of you.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> I made you and will take care of you.</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> I will carry you and save you."</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> -God</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> Isaiah 46:3-4</span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"> So good to know.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /></span>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;">
Angelman Syndrome</h1>
<h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Please take a moment to go to the White House website</span></h1>
<h1 class="title" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> and sign the petition to increase funding for Angelman Syndrome. </span></h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Angelman Syndrome is a rare neurogenetic syndrome.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Most people have not heard of AS. In fact, many doctors haven't.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The
symptoms of AS are extremely severe. Mental retardation, nearly
complete lack of speech, and severe difficulty with motor control occur
in all individuals. Seizures occur in almost all individuals.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Individuals with AS and their family members are enduring incredible hardship. However, there is hope.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A cure for AS is on the horizon. The cause is now well understood - a rarity amongst genetic syndromes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All that is required now is the funding to make a cure possible.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 2010, the National Institutes of Health spent less than $500,000 on Angelman Syndrome research.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We ask, simply, that funding towards Angelman Syndrome research be greatly increased.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It just takes a minute. You do have to sign up in order to sign the petition. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Click Here </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/dramatically-increase-research-funding-towards-finding-therapeutics-andor-cure-angelman-syndrome/pzdM15W1">Research for a Cure for Angelman Syndrome</a></span></div>
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<span class="userContentSecondary fcg"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-35625759523494706622014-01-07T17:35:00.002-06:002014-01-07T19:57:30.725-06:00A New Year Experiment<div style="text-align: center;">
A few weeks ago this popped up on the Facebook feed:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHdCKrbYjLDVKIEINsiomOb-gNoXNb0UWrPFEP2eUm2nFupoMgAOpbpCYo2Mn73_-3Hq2cgyXLBVJwNo6NphTiwYBGutebdL0QFn3kcTFcK4TYnpjYJydFcG60BmjmzCicTbxCeO3IhY/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtHdCKrbYjLDVKIEINsiomOb-gNoXNb0UWrPFEP2eUm2nFupoMgAOpbpCYo2Mn73_-3Hq2cgyXLBVJwNo6NphTiwYBGutebdL0QFn3kcTFcK4TYnpjYJydFcG60BmjmzCicTbxCeO3IhY/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG+(2).JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In my ongoing quest to be more organized and less scattered I decided to give it a shot! I thought this looked simple enough even for someone of my advanced age and athletic ability.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Monday</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1.De-clutter</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2. Dishes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3. Make Bed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
4.Clean 2 & 1/2 baths </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Seems reasonable...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Unless of course your Monday begins at 3:45 am.<br />
That my friends makes this a little more challenging. <br />
I spent the first two and a half hours<br />
of my day <br />
repeating some version of the following phrase:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Lay down and close your eyes...No, we can't have a banana<br />
(go bye-bye, get a surprise, watch a parade,<br />
order pizza, go to work, get a donut...)<br />
until the sun comes up."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
7:30- 9:30 Drink coffee, get breakfast, feed the dogs, empty the dishwasher and try to have a semi-coherent conversation with my husband before he leaves for work.<br />
Goal #2 Dishes accomplished!<br />
I am off to a promising start. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally ready to begin and I estimated that even<br />
with interruptions I could do all three bathrooms,<br />
including cleaning Millie's cage, in one hour.<br />
<br />
I went looking for my much too quiet helper.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dPRuc4nIBLlYVbRjs2H5u9fEWQRsppc_MApW47wyORiMcnCoQflJScEmKQDqghiXyxIDymczd4hYp7gDUacuoz9FJMfHHlnGAUivXkvUusL8zSnZ9-q78AtO5k8FvQYhOqU0Ie4H-V4/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1dPRuc4nIBLlYVbRjs2H5u9fEWQRsppc_MApW47wyORiMcnCoQflJScEmKQDqghiXyxIDymczd4hYp7gDUacuoz9FJMfHHlnGAUivXkvUusL8zSnZ9-q78AtO5k8FvQYhOqU0Ie4H-V4/s1600/IMG_1648.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
NOW he sleeps!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hmm...I could tackle a bathroom, but instead decide to jump on the treadmill for a few minutes and try to accomplish my other resolution...walk 10,000 steps. Of course that was all sleeping beauty needed to get off the floor. He pulled me off the treadmill and insisted on a 15 minute dance party and then I had to I listen to him "play" the<br />
theme from Titanic on the piano.<br />
And it went on and on...</div>
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10:00- Now we are ready.<br />
Bathroom #1 which is rarely used but,<br />
it is the one where smelly Millie lives.<br />
Although he loves to hold Millie we still had<br />
to endure the usual 15 minutes of yelling,<br />
banging and throwing things on the floor in response<br />
to the question,<br />
"Scotty will you hold Millie for me?"<br />
<br />
10:15- Okay now we are ready.<br />
Bathroom #1 took me 48 minutes to clean because...<br />
I had to sit with Scotty so he could show me how cute Millie is<br />
and then take some pictures to show dad.<br />
<br />
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Oh she is cute alright and, but oh so smelly.<br />
She is currently in the running for the<br />
worlds oldest living guinea pig.<br />
Yea?<br />
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OF COURSE as soon as I finished Scotty<br />
desperately needed to use the bathroom...<br />
the clean one.<br />
Not the one 15 feet down the hall that was next on the list.<br />
Oh no, it had to be the sparkling clean one. Sigh!<br />
<br />
In the end I decided Millie's cage didn't smell that bad<br />
after all and could last another day or two.<br />
<br />
11:03 Ready to begin bathroom #2.<br />
I decided to stick him in the tub <br />
and kill two birds with one stone,<br />
because at 11:03 we were still not dressed. <br />
Again he had to go through his usual shenanigans<br />
in response to the quietly and cautiously spoken statement,<br />
"Scotty time to get dressed."<br />
20 minutes later...<br />
<br />
I would have posted a video of his ridiculous shenanigans,<br />
but I hadn't accomplished goal #3 ...<br />
Make Bed. <br />
<br />
Finally, smiley boy is submerged in his now lukewarm<br />
Epsom salt/Monsters University bubble bath...<br />
Which he loves, but still finds the need<br />
to say no to everything<br />
including those things he loves.<br />
<br />
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Including shenanigans it took 50 minutes to clean<br />
the entire bathroom.<br />
It took an additional 22 minutes<br />
for Scotty to get dressed.<br />
<br />
It went something like this...<br />
Me: Put your socks on please.<br />
Scotty: Points to the TV<br />
Me: We will watch a movie later.<br />
Put your socks on buddy.<br />
Scotty: Points to his sister's picture and signs airplane.<br />
Me: Next time Stevi comes home<br />
you can pick her up at the airport.<br />
Please put your socks on.<br />
Scotty: Points at Sarah's picture and signs dog.<br />
Me: Her dog is downstairs and you can see him when you<br />
put your socks on. <br />
Scotty: I want a treat.<br />
Me: As soon as you PUT YOUR SOCKS ON.<br />
Etc, etc, etc.<br />
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In a rare magical moment of cooperation<br />
my little helper loaded the washing machine.<br />
<br />
<br />
12:35 Need more coffee<br />
Scotty was contentedly watching a DVD so I<br />
jumped back on the treadmill.<br />
Current step count1246<br />
<br />
12:36 Scotty wants lunch...and he wants it now.<br />
Current step count 1256 <br />
This is a good hour long process because he has to help<br />
prepare and clean up his meal.<br />
<br />
1:36 Time to walk the dogs...<br />
30 minutes of complaining...<br />
20 minutes of walking.<br />
<br />
2:40 I decide to jump back on the treadmill<br />
before I tackle bathroom #3. <br />
Current step count 3342.<br />
<br />
2:41 Scotty gets in the pantry and steals a banana and<br />
two peppermint patties.<br />
Chased him around the house.<br />
Current step count 3398.<br />
<br />
3:00 I need a nap.<br />
I put in his favorite movie, Little Miss Sunshine,<br />
because certainly he is exhausted<br />
and will sit still for 90 minutes.<br />
<br />
3:00-4:30 I read 11 pages of The Book Thief for book club...<br />
At which time I start asking my<br />
scoochie son to please sit still<br />
and end up pleading, begging and bribing<br />
him to sit still until the movie is over.<br />
<br />
<br />
4:33 I turn off the movie and try to muster up some energy and patience.<br />
I notice Mr. Noisy pants is unusually quiet.<br />
Really?<br />
NOW he sleeps!<br />
<br />
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<br />
I don't think so.<br />
I roused the sleeping bear off the couch<br />
so he could help me try to accomplish<br />
goal #1 De-clutter.<br />
<br />
5:18 Steve calls to say he is on his way home.<br />
Crap.<br />
<br />
1. Downstairs bathroom is still not done.<br />
2.Towels are still in the washer.<br />
3. I have only walked 5002 steps. <br />
4.I still haven't taken a shower (no towels anyway)<br />
and am really questioning if I have even brushed my teeth. <br />
5.The Easy Chicken Corn Chowder I was going to make<br />
has a prep time of 25 minutes...<br />
obviously I need to triple that<br />
plus a cook time of 30 minutes.<br />
Sandwiches it is then.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I realize a few things from my little experiment.<br />
<br />
1. I am pretty sure I can classify<br />
this resolution as an epic fail.<br />
2.This is way more cleaning than<br />
I can manage to do in one day<br />
and I didn't even finish my assigned tasks.<br />
As I write this a day later...<br />
those towels are still sitting in the dryer<br />
and the downstairs bathroom isn't clean.<br />
3. I am never going to make it to 10,000 steps. <br />
4. I really need to get a shower before noon.<br />
This should probably be #1. <br />
5. Lastly, I am very aware of where all my time goes.<br />
It doesn't go into my messy house obviously,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but into this beautiful, brown-eyed </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bundle of energy instead who</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
even prays when he sleeps♥</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will never be able to measure my<br />
accomplishments by how many tasks I complete,<br />
but it is abundantly clear to me that<br />
every moment spent caring for Scotty <br />
will always be more important than<br />
chasing dust bunnies.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Whatever you do, work heartily, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>as for the Lord and not for men</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Colossians 3:23 </b></i></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-26448817803944968282013-12-17T09:15:00.001-06:002013-12-17T09:15:08.246-06:00Sometimes you just gotta change your story...<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Today is our 30th anniversary and<br />
I thought this monumental event<br />
deserved some space in the blog this week.<br />
It is so hard to believe that thirty years<br />
have gone by so quickly.<br />
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<br />
We both agree that we would go<br />
back and do it all over again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
All of it...even the mind numbingly, exhausting, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just to have an opportunity to relive </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
all the moments of wonderful </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we have had together and with our children.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
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There is a story in our family that has been<br />
repeated hundreds of times...<br />
always by me and always<br />
punctuated with a dramatic eye roll<br />
and a long suffering heavy sigh. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It goes something like this...<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, you will never believe how<br />
my husband proposed to me!<br />
I nonchalantly mentioned to him<br />
that my apartment lease<br />
was up at the end of the month and<br />
I am certain I was fishing for some<br />
type of a proposal.<br />
He responded in typical Steve fashion<br />
and very matter of factly said,<br />
"We might as well get married then."<br />
That was it.<br />
<br />
A few weeks later we were married,<br />
but I have always felt cheated that I didn't have<br />
a big romantic proposal story to tell...<br />
Until now. <br />
<br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As our anniversary approached this year<br />
I brought it up...AGAIN,<br />
and my usually very patient husband<br />
turned to me and said, <br />
"Maybe it's about time you changed your story."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ouch... <br />
But, he was right.<br />
It is time to change my story.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sadly, it is only now, thirty years later that I realize<br />
how awful it must have made my husband feel every<br />
single time I told this story.<br />
And I am so, so sorry. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I promise that I will never tell that story again.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So my gift to you my dear husband is a much better version,<br />
a much more accurate version, <br />
of an old worn out story. <br />
It is the version I should have been telling all along. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
It goes something like this...<br />
<br />
Well, you will never believe how lucky I am!<br />
Thirty years ago I received a very simple and very<br />
sincere proposal from a very extraordinary man.<br />
A man who understands that an expensive ring and<br />
a fancy proposal are not the important parts.<br />
A man who understands that the years<br />
spent building a family together,<br />
and building a life together<br />
are the important parts.<br />
I am so blessed.<br />
<br />
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<br />
I can't believe how lucky I am to be married to this guy.<br />
<br />
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<br />
a man who is a wonderful father...<br />
a man who has always put his family first...<br />
a man who rushes home every night to be with us...<br />
a man who believes that family dinners are important...<br />
a man who halves my burdens and doubles my happiness...<br />
a man who makes me want to be a better person...<br />
a man who shows his love daily in small ways... <br />
a man who is patient beyond all description...<br />
a man who holds tightly to family traditions...<br />
a man who holds our hands as he prays...<br />
a man who loves our God and<br />
a man who loves his family.<br />
a man who is good and<br />
kind, and so very,<br />
very thoughtful .<br />
And we are<br />
blessed.<br />
<br />
So my dear husband that's my new story.<br />
I hope you can forgive me <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And with all my heart I apologize...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the hundreds of times that I hurt your feelings and</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the hundreds times I made you feel like you failed me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the hundreds of times I belittled you in front of others<br />
and for the hundreds of times I narrowed the parameters<br />
of our life together down to an imagined crappy proposal.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But mostly, for the hundreds of times I should have told<br />
you instead how thankful I am that you chose me.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><i><b>Happy Anniversary </b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="versetext" id="1co13-8" style="display: inline;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_TBiW3VDOnvp2b85fM0PuMQmwpTfRzi4uANFSCW875_3nYIYlqpyaNQuOWk2G0mzFZdh-Ox6AZgW5pts_gfQEc85NpOFKYsiTJtrOX9h40dgheLxmioZKETYe78zltV0RliNks2N5Lg/s1600/n1545516339_79006_4335695%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4_TBiW3VDOnvp2b85fM0PuMQmwpTfRzi4uANFSCW875_3nYIYlqpyaNQuOWk2G0mzFZdh-Ox6AZgW5pts_gfQEc85NpOFKYsiTJtrOX9h40dgheLxmioZKETYe78zltV0RliNks2N5Lg/s320/n1545516339_79006_4335695%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.<br />
But the greatest of these is love.<span class="p"></span><br />
<span class="p">1Corinthians 13</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBXbf1o3vwnz1cbZSUOgb5wV-NdLSfy87M6IUMoBqvDubIy1UGSL0aLLvEWgzN0dVOlc76f15UWVsdwxQTw9wbs8J5nH0cHiyNylyYsZpTy1hN86vNm8yrrcwW5sEGXI96LgNSVc7G0/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpTBXbf1o3vwnz1cbZSUOgb5wV-NdLSfy87M6IUMoBqvDubIy1UGSL0aLLvEWgzN0dVOlc76f15UWVsdwxQTw9wbs8J5nH0cHiyNylyYsZpTy1hN86vNm8yrrcwW5sEGXI96LgNSVc7G0/s320/IMG_1276.JPG+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
2013<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRz6nTKld2wyX1gsIQr5aDYPuJn7YBjWD6yNyZSICya0mQaYG4oPjuEQ8krsQ-Pu1IUnbQUP9FOgR8M5Pdt2q6c0kLp_wrB4DRCNhMVKtJ7LHc6lR_SoWqWAq2PId1xpkdcWD75IglRA/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPRz6nTKld2wyX1gsIQr5aDYPuJn7YBjWD6yNyZSICya0mQaYG4oPjuEQ8krsQ-Pu1IUnbQUP9FOgR8M5Pdt2q6c0kLp_wrB4DRCNhMVKtJ7LHc6lR_SoWqWAq2PId1xpkdcWD75IglRA/s320/IMG_1280.JPG+%25282%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-64957943133201033542013-12-10T09:54:00.000-06:002013-12-10T10:54:39.534-06:00The Boy Who Talks To Dogs<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">A.K.A. The Dog Whisperer</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFM1C3thvlPTVhqJvbvPwnhTu5Ikvemz1UB0FaxsO5yxrJIAouPSDBy2zzPcJRIPD8EZcqoNwCYoQmRXEIOFwEmj22pJcJJp0zTepnD1EqZ83OPt3uKrl0cnZk77_cG0sOOzF2_ZGxdc/s1600/shirt2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFM1C3thvlPTVhqJvbvPwnhTu5Ikvemz1UB0FaxsO5yxrJIAouPSDBy2zzPcJRIPD8EZcqoNwCYoQmRXEIOFwEmj22pJcJJp0zTepnD1EqZ83OPt3uKrl0cnZk77_cG0sOOzF2_ZGxdc/s320/shirt2.JPG" width="320" /></a></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Cesar Milan explains that “Dog
Whispering” is a way of working </span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">with dogs using energy and body
language amongst other things </span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">to connect with dogs on an instinctual
level </span></span></i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">(there is no actual whispering).</span></span> </i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">No doubt about it this young son of ours </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">has dog whispering down to a science...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">No training needed. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Four months ago we started Scotty's Petcare.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our goals were simple:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Task completion</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Following directions </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Staying focused</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Understand the concept of working/earning/spending.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check Check Check Check</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scotty has far surpassed my expectations. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scotty usually hates anything that resembles work </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">or any kind of physical activity whatsoever. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Asking him to work or take a walk most </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">often results in throwing himself to the ground, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">folding his arms and yelling something</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> that we are certain is an obscenity.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not anymore.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihL-Iy-mdjMsrCXFaUsuWQFo06yyaTUm06cRghLwscyuj7NftF0W4_5MkPQyOWnsoPmlVKb-0vJDze5fftq8VttO0wDZkU_y9M-khL-seFP45Uho1QKAP2HboOudbW1ZR6ohyphenhyphenaWCYBV0/s1600/renner5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihL-Iy-mdjMsrCXFaUsuWQFo06yyaTUm06cRghLwscyuj7NftF0W4_5MkPQyOWnsoPmlVKb-0vJDze5fftq8VttO0wDZkU_y9M-khL-seFP45Uho1QKAP2HboOudbW1ZR6ohyphenhyphenaWCYBV0/s320/renner5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking Renner with his friend Kristi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7z9LMf7_tNO6_-izkgT8gGuxXPyWCTurhgiuNCLek1mAKJMBJPHlIdKkSaA0DbgUZGHthr2KGhT_t6bV8nlw9CpopTFYYnd9ozjMgCL73R-cmoy1N3RSuqYPMfguQFpUDFDUEUvoPDk/s1600/daphne.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7z9LMf7_tNO6_-izkgT8gGuxXPyWCTurhgiuNCLek1mAKJMBJPHlIdKkSaA0DbgUZGHthr2KGhT_t6bV8nlw9CpopTFYYnd9ozjMgCL73R-cmoy1N3RSuqYPMfguQFpUDFDUEUvoPDk/s320/daphne.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking Daphne</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tpyso1jJ4_Eztp_pltVhCdX9EWtn0vx-tygDD2o2LGwSi5o5PakC4uXfYaqLwxdzctVlRe2dxIEZlG3gty6JfDGfiglISXs2gqE2MdVTXaSg4hoAbApaKybJHezKjZOW5Vcw6r0RzXc/s1600/ruby2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Tpyso1jJ4_Eztp_pltVhCdX9EWtn0vx-tygDD2o2LGwSi5o5PakC4uXfYaqLwxdzctVlRe2dxIEZlG3gty6JfDGfiglISXs2gqE2MdVTXaSg4hoAbApaKybJHezKjZOW5Vcw6r0RzXc/s320/ruby2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking Ruby and checking for squirrels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">As soon as Scotty wakes up in the morning </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">(or in his case anytime after midnight) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">the first thing he always asks for in his groggy,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> half asleep state is to go bye-bye.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">When he finds out it is a work day</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> he literally JUMPS for joy!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is SOOOOO happy!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He can't get ready fast enough.</span></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaChIExEWmhIznL6ElTx0BUubE8ulZEak6TbMyh_aBwb15T_iuixkccL5ahSxexyDvfN51QsKrgTZMkUEXwz6s1UDPt-8D38BDEAbzCLlkPqIJPS0eOtlJv8sCr_2CXrcjdPQZIe1LOE/s1600/shirt3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHaChIExEWmhIznL6ElTx0BUubE8ulZEak6TbMyh_aBwb15T_iuixkccL5ahSxexyDvfN51QsKrgTZMkUEXwz6s1UDPt-8D38BDEAbzCLlkPqIJPS0eOtlJv8sCr_2CXrcjdPQZIe1LOE/s320/shirt3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He puts his shirt on and grabs his work book...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTBsU_GtjcSut3O-xyo0Eq8TWw_k8Sodykz40rCnwkwR8emOQolplGeJpriuvUuhmrdDVQYK9y4-WIymx903mD_702etzCnvpTjISgSpBdP-Q2fQJdN4PsTvtbnpjOnIubJOYaFDkbwo/s1600/shirt4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTBsU_GtjcSut3O-xyo0Eq8TWw_k8Sodykz40rCnwkwR8emOQolplGeJpriuvUuhmrdDVQYK9y4-WIymx903mD_702etzCnvpTjISgSpBdP-Q2fQJdN4PsTvtbnpjOnIubJOYaFDkbwo/s320/shirt4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And he is all set.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">What I didn't expect was the effect his job </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">would have on his overall skill development. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is more helpful, more cooperative and more content.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is a man with a job and he takes it all very seriously.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He is so proud of himself. He has motivation and purpose. <br />He has matured beyond my wildest dreams.</span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcghw3BRYfQbgCtNdhicyIadID6OvXy1QGxBkPHceIVgfi9Xax2Se-KQihy_pMts961Y6cAc4Imy6wsdfP9e2YrllxZaMTsAMiy0CjIqC2foUOALB8E1H8MB7BPf7V8VVBrPfrLX9RK4/s1600/finished2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcghw3BRYfQbgCtNdhicyIadID6OvXy1QGxBkPHceIVgfi9Xax2Se-KQihy_pMts961Y6cAc4Imy6wsdfP9e2YrllxZaMTsAMiy0CjIqC2foUOALB8E1H8MB7BPf7V8VVBrPfrLX9RK4/s320/finished2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
He is so proud of himself...he even had to show the pups!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroLk6iCNr7HisSSlh4mqgmc2w7usjP3R9XErRS8P4LpxQBBz4HUCSvJ1ZPpeVKQGNNXUCLAdoq8olFkrnptZ-onmDGtcFbEU1YyzfDX8DY7iAnzY0Huz_RQd5qui0vd1GIQxLcwvg1Dw/s1600/finished5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroLk6iCNr7HisSSlh4mqgmc2w7usjP3R9XErRS8P4LpxQBBz4HUCSvJ1ZPpeVKQGNNXUCLAdoq8olFkrnptZ-onmDGtcFbEU1YyzfDX8DY7iAnzY0Huz_RQd5qui0vd1GIQxLcwvg1Dw/s320/finished5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has definitely grasped the concept of working/earning/spending!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QzJbMFtEY6OOLRDfaovuhQt-tiIgHZTl3sVU4HiVLKCWZO9qfx3PnJyCdSFdjbfxAAzDc0PSIOJAb4sMWYGW4GoPJZwhy5P3BUOLYSb7Eslue-TSSr9A-ECHc2v4AasSE8-zUOMUlpA/s1600/finished3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QzJbMFtEY6OOLRDfaovuhQt-tiIgHZTl3sVU4HiVLKCWZO9qfx3PnJyCdSFdjbfxAAzDc0PSIOJAb4sMWYGW4GoPJZwhy5P3BUOLYSb7Eslue-TSSr9A-ECHc2v4AasSE8-zUOMUlpA/s320/finished3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are keeping Sonic in business.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSGs8VgI7OJkxo2ZJEsvfpVJY5ZmIcGWBpyzWnuhYa_lZPR7zKgX8fdUvCneAiCP_u2mtQoD1lRT2c2PkVP_qfopEwyOW-C6zx3TTChmm29Shtwdp6Gwywb2lyNMVd6BEmfe9EZ1QWCg/s1600/finished4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSGs8VgI7OJkxo2ZJEsvfpVJY5ZmIcGWBpyzWnuhYa_lZPR7zKgX8fdUvCneAiCP_u2mtQoD1lRT2c2PkVP_qfopEwyOW-C6zx3TTChmm29Shtwdp6Gwywb2lyNMVd6BEmfe9EZ1QWCg/s320/finished4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The best part about working?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It tires out our indefatigable son!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Scotty's new best friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QQ5ThwSS363LI7cbYZr27-2BANQxFeM4afahH3s8qoIiurmktD4hvVw1RYGXQ7H0vN0Lqm00g-vgD8Ioi77i2XASGvKGSUnnOEnRjFM6hIQWz7xeNjfytG32jyZBwe73gTkRESkE5Fs/s1600/bonnie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7QQ5ThwSS363LI7cbYZr27-2BANQxFeM4afahH3s8qoIiurmktD4hvVw1RYGXQ7H0vN0Lqm00g-vgD8Ioi77i2XASGvKGSUnnOEnRjFM6hIQWz7xeNjfytG32jyZBwe73gTkRESkE5Fs/s320/bonnie2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little Bon Bon of course...</td></tr>
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...Our Gracie girl that we lost recently<br />
and the one and only Johnny Cash.<br />
Make no mistake...He walks the line.<br />
(Sorry Cabin Fever) <br />
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Our first day of work at Mary's house...our first clients. <br />
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Sweet little Gizmo.<br />
Scotty and Gizmo have been friends since she was a puppy.<br />
This sweet little girl was 16<br />
and passed away a few weeks ago.<br />
She loved him.<br />
Rest in Peace Gizzy Girl♥ <br />
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Chloe<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elsie<br />
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At Mary's house there are bonus grand babies<br />
Stephanie,Thomas and baby Quinn, and their puppy Charlie.<br />
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Charlie loves Scotty and showers him with thousands of kisses.<br />
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This is Scotty's buddy Renner.<br />
Renner is a therapy dog.<br />
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As soon as Scotty sits down he stands over him.<br />
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Scotty had been up since 3am so<br />
after our walk he laid down on the floor and fell asleep.<br />
Renner came over and curled up next to him.<br />
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♥So sweet♥<br />
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This is Jack. He is so sweet, but very shy.<br />
If I go near him he shakes and does pee pee,<br />
but Scotty can lay all over him<br />
and kiss him on the mouth<br />
and he is perfectly fine.<br />
♥Amazing♥<br />
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This is our Grandma's dog Ruby.<br />
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This is Cricket who lives up the street...<br />
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And her sister Mikayla...not one for snuggles,<br />
but very sweet♥<br />
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We have also had a few house guests. <br />
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Miss Bailey<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz55rl8cuMUJPZY2oVD2yTNp4QFIV_h-WWMfeMTS6UwDe9ji0TCiPhFzTdY3Zaphyphenhyphen0l0r-FT7ScSkcnbejYGw8mc-EAgohXJpjPVZihehtl-U1_heQ1ZLahwvhhZO2wh14FKWWbiwwmo/s1600/bailey4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwz55rl8cuMUJPZY2oVD2yTNp4QFIV_h-WWMfeMTS6UwDe9ji0TCiPhFzTdY3Zaphyphenhyphen0l0r-FT7ScSkcnbejYGw8mc-EAgohXJpjPVZihehtl-U1_heQ1ZLahwvhhZO2wh14FKWWbiwwmo/s320/bailey4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bailey cried when her mama left and Scotty comforted her.</td></tr>
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♥So sweet♥<br />
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Miss Lily spent thanksgiving with us...<br />
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And spent most of her time snuggled up next to Scotty.<br />
<br />
Thanksgiving was a little crazy...<br />
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A full house! Ruby was here too, but refused to<br />
participate in this nonsense.<br />
<br />
We also had a visit from a much loved friend Tyler.<br />
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This is his "little" guy Jackson.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is a fact that this boy of ours talks to dogs...</span><br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxzXNi3WVsAyQZvkE-GkgD4NFqlaSIC26Nqy6nqJ0YbDB7XEymgJfDhygNS3HbtmGkA4etxLh71BelqYDfoOQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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But he listens too!<br />
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<div class="quoteText">
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;">“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. </span></h1>
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;">That's the problem.” <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></h1>
<h1 class="quoteText">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A.A. Milne, Winnie -the-Pooh </span></span></h1>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Blessing of the Pets</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Feast of St. Francis of Assisi </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"The animals of God's creation inhabit the skies,the earth and the sea.<br />
They share in the fortunes of human existence<br />
and have a part in human life.<br />
God, who confers gifts on all living things,<br />
has often used the service of animals<br />
or made them reminders of salvation...<br />
We, therefore, invoke God's blessing on these animals.<br />
As we do so, let us praise the Creator<br />
and thank God for setting us as stewards<br />
over all the creatures of the earth."</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-45492135916450844222013-11-14T16:10:00.002-06:002013-11-14T16:34:50.999-06:00Scotty's Big Adventure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17n22bT8S1TGHq2MASySx1sJkv7fFql9VoO93OYcMOkyBEEpQN0ORb8fMGgwiTIAi6Nfc2QGnDACWn-igZx1ocVFv4BfQcskNJTAK8KMcidQ4m_qD6_HmWV0iK02_cBrwarNU_AqXG3A/s1600/IMG_1163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh17n22bT8S1TGHq2MASySx1sJkv7fFql9VoO93OYcMOkyBEEpQN0ORb8fMGgwiTIAi6Nfc2QGnDACWn-igZx1ocVFv4BfQcskNJTAK8KMcidQ4m_qD6_HmWV0iK02_cBrwarNU_AqXG3A/s200/IMG_1163.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>If you believe, you will receive </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>whatever you ask for in prayer.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Matthew 21:22 </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">OH HOW WE BELIEVE!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Last week we attempted the impossible.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We took Scotty on an airplane.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Something that has not been tried successfully in years...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">14 to be exact.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Trust me when I tell you this was a </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">huge, gigantic, colossal, gargantuan, monumental big deal...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">considering the last time we tried</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Steve had to rent a car and drive him home.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We decided to brave the hopefully friendly skies and buy</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> $900 worth of non-refundable tickets.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">OH HOW WE BELIEVED!!!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SztCNP-vAAJU7wHZCFMLIaeXfcBrLWGSIdIPsJckYNVph_uNCHXpnQbHFmA1mkbkqA8wx2aIzwEWIjLId-nD8xnVsO2nn3ACnUkCfZ90O5NJWgGbn9DmnU-KGFYXUpGsT4FcC9g5Oas/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SztCNP-vAAJU7wHZCFMLIaeXfcBrLWGSIdIPsJckYNVph_uNCHXpnQbHFmA1mkbkqA8wx2aIzwEWIjLId-nD8xnVsO2nn3ACnUkCfZ90O5NJWgGbn9DmnU-KGFYXUpGsT4FcC9g5Oas/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> I prayed and prayed in the weeks before our trip.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I didn't pray for it to go perfectly,</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">because that is not an attainable goal</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">for our overly excitable son.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Instead I prayed that every person he met</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">would show him understanding, compassion and kindness.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was not disappointed.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> To the very sweet TSA security officer </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">who got her arm pinched</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">HARD as she was trying to </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">help us move to the front of the line...sorry.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know it hurt because I had to use </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">all my strength to pry open his vice-like grip.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">She didn't overreact...she patted his hand </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and told him it was okay.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you for your UNDERSTANDING.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">To the TSA security agent who helped us through</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> the scanner and remained calm </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">amidst all </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">the noise and frenetic behavior oozing </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">out of our over-excited and over-stimulated son.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you for your COMPASSION.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">To the flight attendant who Scotty signaled to </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">let her know he was thirsty, and brought </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">him a soda and a huge back of trail mix </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">before anyone else on the plane.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">She was rewarded with a huge self-satisfied smile</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and a million thank yous...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">which in Scotty sign looks like a blown kiss. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you for being so KIND.</span></span><br />
<br />
And a hundred others who were not too busy<br />
to say hello and act properly excited<br />
when Scotty"told" them he was going on an airplane.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">My only regret is that I didn't get any of their names.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The flight was a piece of cake and he was so, so so</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">happy to see his Uncle Jeff when we got off the plane.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Several hundred witnesses </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">can attest to just how excited he was!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whew!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So we got to spend a wonderful weekend filled with</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">his young cousins, Ashleigh and Spencer,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> who happily endured a million hugs and kisses.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He would hug them and kiss the top of their heads!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">So cute.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Uncle Jeff and Aunt Kim had such a low key</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">weekend tailor made just for Scotty centered around</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> all the things he loves.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Halloween!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD4DLaeCy5tq3jb8x0th6ndIddTj1cnWbN2yt6COOyXMP0UqjcLYqrM58B3WLNDmQbHaxYY0FcePcVNJi_kauKLz_27_7pTeep8ahHiwQjIcZqdXUuOW7i-zeKYczxTz62NSde37E4hQ/s1600/IMG_1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD4DLaeCy5tq3jb8x0th6ndIddTj1cnWbN2yt6COOyXMP0UqjcLYqrM58B3WLNDmQbHaxYY0FcePcVNJi_kauKLz_27_7pTeep8ahHiwQjIcZqdXUuOW7i-zeKYczxTz62NSde37E4hQ/s320/IMG_1409.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Animals!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Airplanes! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaL6aZvulcfqaxZ6LLFIHheZixh1rPHjjO2du8vHAaO1RmBHmD_qpfUMnc5OvNAGbPeSp6R6MZuLNFSYHacpeC_G2mbC5MdgBDf-zLAd5N2wQmcDhipf-RKUytH1JXadX9W50ew9Kd3E/s1600/IMG_1408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMaL6aZvulcfqaxZ6LLFIHheZixh1rPHjjO2du8vHAaO1RmBHmD_qpfUMnc5OvNAGbPeSp6R6MZuLNFSYHacpeC_G2mbC5MdgBDf-zLAd5N2wQmcDhipf-RKUytH1JXadX9W50ew9Kd3E/s320/IMG_1408.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The hit of the weekend was Gator time!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Including a 9am pajama run</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The super shuttle was very busy this weekend.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHAw_ldJ8ovfP2jmGNJ9o6unVTepCFdV_9_EQq-7LeI-jDhDrKfKPTwafbJoBzDZ3Gq2i6ZYx7yRw_xu-HdBF2LkhuJr80lukQIPS8hPlhQ7ejVV8tmQuMURZ4kdpMFwP9NUlnWauuQw/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHAw_ldJ8ovfP2jmGNJ9o6unVTepCFdV_9_EQq-7LeI-jDhDrKfKPTwafbJoBzDZ3Gq2i6ZYx7yRw_xu-HdBF2LkhuJr80lukQIPS8hPlhQ7ejVV8tmQuMURZ4kdpMFwP9NUlnWauuQw/s320/IMG_1413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">And just hanging out.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was a perfect weekend with very little behavior,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">surrounded by people who love him,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">great food and even a little sleep.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">In our world that is perfection,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">but of course it was over much too soon.</span></span><br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">The trip home was completely without incident.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nothing...nonexistent...nada...zippo.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">That NEVER happens. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">He even got to pet, </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">and by pet I mean kiss/lick the mouth </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">a bomb dog at security.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had to sit on a bench and wait for Steve and the dog</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">was pulling on his leash trying to get to Scotty,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">the officer asked if he liked dogs...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course...he IS the dog whisperer♥</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">When we got home he dropped his stuff and hit the couch,</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">I caught the flu and Steve unpacked...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whew! </span></span><br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">It was a beautiful thing watching Scotty </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">tackle this overwhelming, overexciting adventure </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">with a smile on his face and more self-control than I </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">could ever imagine he
possessed. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show"></span></span> </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone is getting his own Frequent Flyer number.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>For He will command his angels</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>concerning you to guard</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>you in all your ways.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Psalm 91:11<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Amen to that!</b></i></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-49298028570818363302013-10-07T17:31:00.001-05:002013-10-07T19:48:31.433-05:00Until My Last Breath<div style="text-align: center;">
A few months ago this photo made its way through the Facebook news feed with the following caption:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpYd5R6ZaeMHJB9Tk0v74erdTxzNrVaY-1ALO1RHm0FLSCrEbLtOzrXm3sKYxKYaDEmql8VkKY-kzDWFjYgbTbB6ItPifvWc4btVspfALqnlpY3nrHtNBHipjJd8IjIZYUZFOIGr7hWo/s1600/2Until+her+last+breath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpYd5R6ZaeMHJB9Tk0v74erdTxzNrVaY-1ALO1RHm0FLSCrEbLtOzrXm3sKYxKYaDEmql8VkKY-kzDWFjYgbTbB6ItPifvWc4btVspfALqnlpY3nrHtNBHipjJd8IjIZYUZFOIGr7hWo/s320/2Until+her+last+breath.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A mother (97 years old) in China, </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>feeding and taking care of her paralyzed son </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(60 years old) everyday.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>A reminder of the amazing human spirit of </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>human compassion </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>and more importantly, motherly love.</i></span><br />
<br />
I can't stop looking at it.<br />
An image of love.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A giving love. A selfless love. A sacrificial love.<br />
And it is all in the details... <br />
The simplicity of the surroundings,<br />
the curve of her back,<br />
and the grey in her son's hair.<br />
I can only imagine what it must have<br />
taken to prepare<br />
this simple meal for her son,<br />
and knowing that she will continue to<br />
care for him day after day...<br />
<b><i>Until her last breath.</i></b><br />
<br />
I understand it,<br />
because I too am a mother. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The moment my children were born my heart was<br />
transformed into something brand new.<br />
Their very existence takes my breath away.<br />
My heart whose capacity for such deep,<br />
abiding love seems improbable,<br />
but a mother's heart is capable of many things.<br />
Love, unconditional and never-ending.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Agape love...</span></span><br />
a love that demands nothing in return.<br />
<br />
It is a love that will endure...<br />
<i><b> Until my last breath.</b></i><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen1cCORo3HMNdnWzMKD9Z5TNtw6GSCdIzMTT0f0SjQ07XgkCbuGv6NPUwTOPDmc8qzTydi34cgxiocP0_CKgHHWLTDnFui7FlPvcnO9q83LJ3fd0Zm2OiOIQJS28ft8L1znJ8Qir8JOM/s1600/Baston-126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphen1cCORo3HMNdnWzMKD9Z5TNtw6GSCdIzMTT0f0SjQ07XgkCbuGv6NPUwTOPDmc8qzTydi34cgxiocP0_CKgHHWLTDnFui7FlPvcnO9q83LJ3fd0Zm2OiOIQJS28ft8L1znJ8Qir8JOM/s320/Baston-126.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I am privileged to be counted among<br />
an elite group of mothers<br />
who are raising a child/adult with special needs.<br />
I am continually humbled by<br />
these phenomenal women.<br />
<br />
The unforeseen circumstances of<br />
our child's birth unites us all together.<br />
We have been given the extraordinary assignment<br />
of caring for someone who literally cannot live without us.<br />
<br />
Every single day affords us the opportunity<br />
to be an example of agape love.<br />
In the midst of the chaos, the unpredictability,<br />
and the mind-numbing exhaustion,<br />
we are given the opportunity to handle each crisis<br />
with an attitude of<br />
love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,<br />
compassion, gentleness, and self-control.<br />
<br />
I am currently reading the book,<br />
<i>Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World </i><br />
by Joanna Weaver.<br />
In it she reminds us that,<br />
"We are God's love letter to the world...<br />
whether we like it or not, we're the only Jesus<br />
some people will ever see."<br />
<br />
She challenges us to become examples worth imitating. <br />
<br />
I realize that I have been given a unique<br />
opportunity to serve our God,<br />
and it is all in the details. <br />
<br />
I have been called.<br />
I can continually strive to be an example worth imitating.<br />
In taking care of this boy<br />
I can be God's love letter to the world... <br />
<i><b>Until my last breath. </b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xefSXFue-pORD9FCWh0a7rj_svkIJ0qHDfg2hJUlBNsOvQy7jT0RYHuP7876y__1epPAyhuCLh-XUotAHj_2Vr-rXzxi_v7wRS-O7Y_1YvX5ow2q7WR1BnGcPS5k2CSDVRqTc-Vr0Dw/s1600/photo(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xefSXFue-pORD9FCWh0a7rj_svkIJ0qHDfg2hJUlBNsOvQy7jT0RYHuP7876y__1epPAyhuCLh-XUotAHj_2Vr-rXzxi_v7wRS-O7Y_1YvX5ow2q7WR1BnGcPS5k2CSDVRqTc-Vr0Dw/s320/photo(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b></b></i><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">By this everyone will know </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">that you are my disciples,</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">if you love one another.</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">John 13:35</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Update: </b></i></span> As many of you know, Scotty and I have started a little pet care "business" and it has been amazing, but that is fodder for another blog, but I had to share this.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
We were leaving our friend Jack the boxer's house the other day and Scotty spotted a wall hanging by the back door. Scotty called my name to show me and proceeded to kiss the wall hanging and then knelt down in front of it to pray...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was The Prayer of Jabez and it had no markings on it whatsoever that would lead him to drop to his knees and pray...no crosses...no pictures...just writing and some design around the edges???</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jabez is an interesting guy, his name literally means born of pain and grief. He was a hero of the faith in a generation of mostly unfaithful people, including his own family. He called upon God and God answered his prayer.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hmmm...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Last week someone posed the question on Facebook, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"I believe in miracles, do you?"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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How could I not?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZgD9rdHcFvPxnM5nT0xdFfS0ksb8MrZkgILyeBvReGblPiuhJavX3IGnTDmVMt1UgMGASbE1aOc1yH-m4bP6u6ThJwpPs2Rm8N8QUoJtkYeVaAsOrthFY9iM8DkU0puKcHsjOee-xZk/s1600/IMG_0862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZgD9rdHcFvPxnM5nT0xdFfS0ksb8MrZkgILyeBvReGblPiuhJavX3IGnTDmVMt1UgMGASbE1aOc1yH-m4bP6u6ThJwpPs2Rm8N8QUoJtkYeVaAsOrthFY9iM8DkU0puKcHsjOee-xZk/s400/IMG_0862.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>“Each one of us, in our own lives,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> every day, can give witness to Christ,</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b> with the power of God, the power of faith.”</b></span></div>
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Pope Francis</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-13556178140720846052013-09-23T17:31:00.000-05:002013-09-23T17:41:30.417-05:00A Walk in the Park<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">You shall walk in all the way that the <span class="sc"> </span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="sc">Lord</span> your God has commanded you...</span></b></i><br />
Deuteronomy 5:33 <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBdLKma76eHx9rbJ8mJQkh1cg_hvs2XVfCYezH59cRdRAVXcWsJWWLQv5WYEfZelZLHuB36KwKOcPVkOL3yR-xaYqVukrnBwvDxCJCabOXFu471j47AbkoSiUZE8ELPnOdNCTRIf1JPM/s1600/2013-05-08+12.41.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBdLKma76eHx9rbJ8mJQkh1cg_hvs2XVfCYezH59cRdRAVXcWsJWWLQv5WYEfZelZLHuB36KwKOcPVkOL3yR-xaYqVukrnBwvDxCJCabOXFu471j47AbkoSiUZE8ELPnOdNCTRIf1JPM/s320/2013-05-08+12.41.37.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our life obviously has never been "a walk in the park," but some days a walk in the park is all we need to turn a really lousy day around. Especially if said park includes dad and food! Scotty took his camera on our last trip to have lunch with dad, so today's post will be a photo essay by Scotty.</div>
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On our way! He always takes this same picture :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic_euW4zoyzO4wFNJoQM9RqdmoGuH7u0UZa5oXUKbPo-9NkomOGYaz-QgJUTO01cKY-WyJ8B8QyO_P7Xj7mg7Ubellbw0cSw0XkcD91GaW8Co4qbIyH8Pe_rtgmrHY_LkIhDncNP0JVE/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic_euW4zoyzO4wFNJoQM9RqdmoGuH7u0UZa5oXUKbPo-9NkomOGYaz-QgJUTO01cKY-WyJ8B8QyO_P7Xj7mg7Ubellbw0cSw0XkcD91GaW8Co4qbIyH8Pe_rtgmrHY_LkIhDncNP0JVE/s320/IMG_0049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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DUCKS! </div>
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Duck poop...there were 53 photos of duck poop... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAAbwRJ82QFkH2lX5ZNcgUkN3sagCdzkmxE8izQCVi_Gr5l9TAi7Zsewq_RELg42ECotK2dvRIVoRfCTM7Dx0z57CQXJ9Fa_N0lEj7ko6M6gpB2t-JNI8EbTXRlGqnZRFKlAq5FW8MyE/s1600/IMG_0014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAAbwRJ82QFkH2lX5ZNcgUkN3sagCdzkmxE8izQCVi_Gr5l9TAi7Zsewq_RELg42ECotK2dvRIVoRfCTM7Dx0z57CQXJ9Fa_N0lEj7ko6M6gpB2t-JNI8EbTXRlGqnZRFKlAq5FW8MyE/s320/IMG_0014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Daddy<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPxBp7J3kmCyTjNFSgs52kghDz_uCfsmc8TdVt2FjWsV6a20nl4s6JaRTcYLM8PKmcQKK-4U32WkTc_YrBN9eFGWkVUMYmFdkDWtG4YQ3IxDgzW-nxRVWM4H3FH8TSHbcemTG2dabKws/s1600/IMG_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPxBp7J3kmCyTjNFSgs52kghDz_uCfsmc8TdVt2FjWsV6a20nl4s6JaRTcYLM8PKmcQKK-4U32WkTc_YrBN9eFGWkVUMYmFdkDWtG4YQ3IxDgzW-nxRVWM4H3FH8TSHbcemTG2dabKws/s320/IMG_0023.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Mommy<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl6ATdSpMXwa_G6_j5kcEcp8zklMhLp_WPTOFpFY7kvfbyvvpDrbwjK-R52YQe-01p-vORSrj_nIPKTYSA7JoO_gXgdA1xFVhPXlbGyDyH7YaqXZ_UQL843HrjyoKMco95eXC5sMKMek/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQl6ATdSpMXwa_G6_j5kcEcp8zklMhLp_WPTOFpFY7kvfbyvvpDrbwjK-R52YQe-01p-vORSrj_nIPKTYSA7JoO_gXgdA1xFVhPXlbGyDyH7YaqXZ_UQL843HrjyoKMco95eXC5sMKMek/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Poor Bonnie, it was so windy.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvrJCZguW-gZOaFtVOW9Ajl1cXBIyKz-RkAA-2shwxhd8uaVBlxgXuV3Qi7HNRX3n8D-kPFZEPtO00K6J5rpQ6wafXbxrAMl-wLTDA7R9-Lyr8NdsXiDt2ouzcIL2xK1DTnW4i8fGsy8/s1600/2013-05-08+12.52.25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvrJCZguW-gZOaFtVOW9Ajl1cXBIyKz-RkAA-2shwxhd8uaVBlxgXuV3Qi7HNRX3n8D-kPFZEPtO00K6J5rpQ6wafXbxrAMl-wLTDA7R9-Lyr8NdsXiDt2ouzcIL2xK1DTnW4i8fGsy8/s320/2013-05-08+12.52.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A few action shots </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpcfedbhJ9_rSDl01nbKPuyIrsqVofQPtzmZJK5Oe4S8naFqcZqf4DEf1ZJMgBGvLxPHcgGKUBdymZXjFSIy8aBS7dpbjRol14kwbFkyx_PviejApPtumYD6KA9fAbQiu08aND_GrjmY/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpcfedbhJ9_rSDl01nbKPuyIrsqVofQPtzmZJK5Oe4S8naFqcZqf4DEf1ZJMgBGvLxPHcgGKUBdymZXjFSIy8aBS7dpbjRol14kwbFkyx_PviejApPtumYD6KA9fAbQiu08aND_GrjmY/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some "Selfies" <br />
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A prescription for a relaxed Scotty: A time for an all out sprint and a time to run freely without us reminding him to stop...And by reminding I mean yelling at the top of our lungs as we run after him in hot pursuit as we try to keep him from any and all dangers that are in his path. A little time to wander freely without us saying don't touch,you can't hug strangers, or don't touch that food it's not yours...and some bonus time with daddy is all he needs to release whatever demons he was battling on that particular day.</div>
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A prescription for a relaxed mommy: A break from the routine and the monotony of our days, even though the routine, the monotony and the predictability are the things that keep our Scotty happy and content. A little exercise, a little sunshine, and a time away from the constant noise and activity are all I need to get my head back in the game.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Just a closer walk with Thee<br />Grant it, Jesus, is my plea<br />Daily walking close to Thee<br />Let it be, dear Lord, let it be </b></i></span><br />
Patsy Cline<br />
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Last week was the anniversary of my father's passing and<br />
I can hardly believe he has been gone for six years.<br />
Patsy was his all time favorite singer and every single time<br />
I am outside walking my feet seem to<br />
automatically move to the rhythm of this song<br />
as the lyrics fill my heart.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-57831307792309035242013-08-14T17:57:00.001-05:002013-08-14T18:00:24.373-05:00I've Had the Time of My Life<div style="text-align: center;">
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Today is one of those days that I want to remember.</div>
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To many just another ordinary Wednesday</div>
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in the middle of August, </div>
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but to me it will forever be a treasured memory</div>
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that I will tuck away for a rainy day.</div>
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A day we almost missed because our day began at 4am...<br />
and I was soooooo tired...too tired to wrestle the beast,<br />
but a 10 minute nap and a ridiculous amount of coffee,<br />
and I was ready to go!</div>
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Our movie theater offered a<br />
few classic movies this summer...</div>
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Ghostbusters, Grease, and Back to the Future,<br />
but today's offering was Dirty Dancing... <br />
one of my all time favorites and a movie Scotty</div>
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has seen hundreds of times.<br />
So for a few hours this afternoon </div>
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we traveled to Kellermans and lost ourselves</div>
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in the familiar surroundings of the Catskill Mountains.<br />
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<br />
My children grew up on Dirty Dancing.<br />
I am certain they know all the words</div>
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to the songs and most definitely<br />
remember a few these sweet dance moves.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzCpNffGHYOvEh0ed16I6UgzWl2oEChnduhgMBmaTm6_HcettZE38LKCt9OahePADINqXxR1L5Lq0Yr4Ji-Bw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxokFeDwuGbyi1RjoeWYTGDnQknjvam_jdZ8Qo_C7CpgxKzQu-_nHYPMYZAV6v_fPnEcyhvO8KJ6tRe7q9j-A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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As we walked in this afternoon the movie had just begun,<br />
and as soon as Scotty heard the music</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he literally jumped for joy. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He immediately broke out some of his dance moves</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and started laughing...hysterically...<br />
the doubled over belly laughing kind of laugh. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We go to lots of movies, but this is the first time he has </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ever gone to see one of his favorites. </div>
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HE..WAS...SO...EXCITED. </div>
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(And so was I)</div>
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It was contagious.</div>
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<br />
I didn't stop smiling through the whole movie. </div>
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Oddly, or maybe not so much if you know me at all,</div>
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but I had tears rolling down my face at the same time for most of the show.</div>
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Partly because Patrick Swayze is</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
SO..DARN...HANDSOME,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but mostly because I was once again<br />
reminded by my young son how to be joyful.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kind of joy that bubbles up out of you until it explodes.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you Scotty for reminding me just how lucky<br />
I am to be able to spend my days with you.</div>
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Sure it's true that every day isn't like today,<br />
but without all the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days<br />
that we sometimes have</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a day like today wouldn't be half as wonderful...</div>
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It would have just been an ordinary<br />
Wednesday afternoon in the middle of August.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for reminding me that is<br />
perfectly okay to clap along </div>
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really loudly (in perfect rhythm I might add)<br />
to the music,and to sing very loudly<br />
in a language only you can understand. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for reminding me<br />
that is perfectly acceptable </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to stand up in the middle of a<br />
crowded movie theater<br />
and dance, wiggle, and shake your booty<br />
while you raise<br />
your arms in the air and try to<br />
get everyone in the theater to join you.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Thank you for helping me remember<br />
what it feels like to have so much joy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bubble up inside you that it<br />
makes you laugh and cry at the same time.</div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Scotty boy, today</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">I had the time of my life...</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">and I owe it all to you.</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="chapter-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-1">There is a time for everything,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-1">and a season for every </span></span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-1">activity under the heavens...</span></span></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-1"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-4" id="en-NIV-17364"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>a time to weep and a time to laugh,</span></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Eccl-3-4">a time to mourn and a time to dance...</span></span> </span></span></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Eccl-3-1">Ecclesiastes 3</span></span></span> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-19204931691375366092013-08-07T11:42:00.001-05:002013-08-07T13:33:04.147-05:00His Peaceable Kingdom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scotty has always loved animals...big or small...soft or slimey...he loves, loves, loves them all. He is not afraid of any of God's creatures and to him an alligator is no less lovable than a kitten. He wants to hold them on his lap and kiss them on the mouth. We have had an assortment of creatures residing here over the years. Dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish and an endless stream of hamsters named Bubba have all lived under our roof.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scotty loves animals and they love him too. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">He has never gotten bit.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Okay one time...but it wasn't because he was too rough. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was an accident.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">And although he is strong enough to put his fist </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">through a wall, he has never harmed one of his kingdom. </span></span><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">They must sense his innocent and gentle spirit. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Okay that's fake, but if we let him he WOULD have a snake!</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>And if they animals couldn't fit </b></i></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>in the house we went to them.</b></i></span></span></span></span></div>
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Recently, I have been praying for a way that Scotty and I can get out more during the day. We are both going a bit stir crazy and need a diversion, but it needed to be something I could manage on my own.<br />
To say the least, at 170 lbs my "little" guy<br />
can be quite a handful on outings.<br />
<br />
I realized his love of animals was a great starting place.<br />
A Pet Care service...Bingo!<br />
I reached out to friends with dogs<br />
and the response has been overwhelming.<br />
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So <u><i><b>Scotty's Pet Care</b></i></u> was born.<br />
My goals:<br />
1. Task completion<br />
2. Follow directions.<br />
3. Stay focused.<br />
4. Understand the concept of working/earning/spending. <br />
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We have spent several weeks preparing and modeling expectations.<br />
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We ordered a special shirt for him to wear to "work."<br />
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We made a "work" notebook for him to take to his job.<br />
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Our service is free,<br />
but he can earn a dollar tip that he places in his book.</div>
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When he earns enough dollars<br />
he can buy a hamburger for lunch.<br />
I make sure he will get the positive reinforcement<br />
each "work" day.<br />
He is all about immediate gratification! <br />
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We set up his Ipad.<br />
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We were ready.<br />
Yesterday was his first official day of work.<br />
We started out taking care of Bonnie.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeP_shWKKDhC9JB7GeiSA0Yf_sdva2XtNqfKnuz88MHhqEgWLaJk1Px80aQr9soWf_RdqOGMKxLdChkg8E_klJJsYC-ola1U5DLBjGkbVONc8O8wCl_2rhADDTdJ2gUdCXFXwQYl3O6E/s1600/photo(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeP_shWKKDhC9JB7GeiSA0Yf_sdva2XtNqfKnuz88MHhqEgWLaJk1Px80aQr9soWf_RdqOGMKxLdChkg8E_klJJsYC-ola1U5DLBjGkbVONc8O8wCl_2rhADDTdJ2gUdCXFXwQYl3O6E/s320/photo(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next we drove to our friend Mary's house and cared for her dogs Gizmo, Chloe and Elsie.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
He let them out, patted them softly and fed them a treat.<br />
We were there for about 30 minutes.<br />
It was pretty labor intensive trying to get him to focus<br />
and stay on task, but for our first day I would say it was a huge success. <br />
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This was so cute.<br />
He showed his "work" book to Chloe♥<br />
He was so proud!<br />
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<br />
He was so happy...so, so happy and excited!<br />
As an extra bonus he had lunch<br />
with one of his caregivers, Kevin and his daughter.<br />
He bought himself lunch with the money he earned!<br />
What a great day.<br />
In a few weeks we will start to add new clients to his list.<br />
We need to just take it slowly so he doesn't get overwhelmed.<br />
<br />
And what a better way to end the day than a celebration dinner at Peace Burger.<br />
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Cheers!</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLweLHDbVvLjqZ4xV0FTgEiYhhWsaJSZz2t5jCdw4vz0ksU3rU8gg5N2n05zM2EybqEL6GP6gjvADSItBB_SSV5f6pGl4S498X6fvWnmaYyr0AMKhcMv9yL-EPkx80xK7uqfcSO67_TU/s1600/photo(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLweLHDbVvLjqZ4xV0FTgEiYhhWsaJSZz2t5jCdw4vz0ksU3rU8gg5N2n05zM2EybqEL6GP6gjvADSItBB_SSV5f6pGl4S498X6fvWnmaYyr0AMKhcMv9yL-EPkx80xK7uqfcSO67_TU/s320/photo(5).JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;">The wolf will live with the lamb,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="1"></a> </span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;">the leopard will lie down with the goat, </span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;">the calf and the lion and the yearling<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="a"></a> together; </span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;">and a little child will lead them.</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span class="versetext" id="isa11-6" style="display: inline;"><span style="font-size: small;">Isaiah 11:6 </span></span></b></i></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-6245088184009548202013-07-24T11:37:00.000-05:002013-07-24T12:04:00.205-05:00Holy, Holy, Holy is He<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa0WZAMKJnOWAiZGNhkMg6l6iUTow1vTKH059PxoGDYR40Ge_NhUn_3FR7l4y9wSHZX3c-gvNGPa7WCxOUfKOr030aPLwCmRIXoiB-NQ6clIOXDCh4xbR1hW42_m_9Barj74uq8iyplM/s1600/stained-glass-cross.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFa0WZAMKJnOWAiZGNhkMg6l6iUTow1vTKH059PxoGDYR40Ge_NhUn_3FR7l4y9wSHZX3c-gvNGPa7WCxOUfKOr030aPLwCmRIXoiB-NQ6clIOXDCh4xbR1hW42_m_9Barj74uq8iyplM/s200/stained-glass-cross.jpg" width="162" /></a></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Truly I say to you,</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>unless you turn and</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>become like children, </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>you will never enter the</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>kingdom of heaven.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-small;">Matthew 18:3</span> </b></i></span></div>
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From the time Scotty was a very young child he loved to go to church. In the last few years our church going little guy has turned his love of church into a full time occupation/obsession. If this child got paid a dollar each time he asked to go to church, listened to the church playlist on his Ipad, watched mass on television, looked at his church books, or actually went to church he would be a billionaire.</div>
<br />
His sweet Aunt Jo made him his<br />
very own vestments for his birthday,<br />
and when he wears them<br />
he is reverent...he is holy...he is saintly.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwDky48kf9bJYLD112J02RxP9SxzlwePkbD50iOAEOHX-duQU97IsIUi5_glIojiUC-6Mj7XNQx0ZlqiCHE7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> Alleluia</span></b></i></div>
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As soon as we open his door in the morning (or the middle of the night) his first communication of the day is always to ask if we are going bye-bye? The second...is it a church day? More often than not he is still half asleep and if he doesn't get the answer he is looking for he slams his door and dramatically flops back down on his bed.</div>
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The last few years have been challenging and there have been many weekends that Scotty's behavior was so unstable we weren't able to go to church. Slowly, as he has become calmer and more predictable we have worked our way back. The last year was spent in a glassed in section behind the church... the room they have designated for all the fussy babies...the cry room, but we were there and that was a huge step.<br />
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In the past few months we have made our way through the glass doors to the back of the sanctuary. Progress!<br />
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In the past two weeks we have crossed the final barrier towards "normal" for us. For the first time in several years Scotty was able to receive communion. The three of us sitting together at mass and receiving communion together is something I was certain was out of our reach forever.<br />
<br />
This
boy of ours is fully present in every part of the mass. He sits, stands
and kneels before everyone else, he follows along in his church book that he holds
upside down and will never be able to read, he sings the Amens and Alleluias and his face radiates
sheer joy. </div>
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I watched him in awe last week as he sat so peacefully and so quietly during the mass. His face literally glowing with joy in anticipation of receiving the blessed sacrament. I saw that same glow of joy on his face when we celebrated his First Holy Communion so long ago.<br />
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Our beloved Father B was the kindest </div>
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and gentlest man I have ever met.</div>
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To be in his presence was to be in the presence of God.</div>
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Scotty's faith is simple and pure...it is perfect.<br />
I envy him.</div>
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We had the pleasure last week of celebrating the mass with a newly ordained priest who was on fire for God. He led us through his journey to finding his vocation, but he told us that being a priest is not his vocation. He reminded us that our vocation is not to be a pilot or teacher, a son or daughter, or a mother or father. Our vocation is to be a disciple of Christ.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-lGwaZnoNA2-pd2qX3v0aAqu5ozJNJh22O9WuidPkFts9gwcExrmjEvfy7lJoROx-qrMXyN9lS2GGg8akHYd0ST_6dSZE6tSBkL_ohO-00lVvWzKYFsBhourSIvGmQP1F2L46bbZmiQ/s1600/424920_3243170569939_1193511724_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-lGwaZnoNA2-pd2qX3v0aAqu5ozJNJh22O9WuidPkFts9gwcExrmjEvfy7lJoROx-qrMXyN9lS2GGg8akHYd0ST_6dSZE6tSBkL_ohO-00lVvWzKYFsBhourSIvGmQP1F2L46bbZmiQ/s320/424920_3243170569939_1193511724_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />
This boy of simple and childlike faith, without realizing it, is a perfect example of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Without even trying he is the most Christ-like person I will ever know.<br />
<br />
He is joy. He is light. He is love.<br />
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And he is a blessing to everyone he meets.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>For it is written,</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>"Be Holy for I am Holy" </b></i></span></div>
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1Peter 1:16</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-17166748498762028632013-07-17T17:21:00.000-05:002013-07-18T17:03:37.317-05:00Can Everyday Be A Beach Day?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzKOFLJqQpDmQZE6bGh2r56Zb2-lt8Ch3HBCAQx89KWXJEyuC0Qg8vIbccYQJWqO_A5a96LqoSowSA6u6l49YlId9RRQBg62ZUct8ppvEScFlBNxj6CIV35IPdiDEOheo8yBRMEO4AU0/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzKOFLJqQpDmQZE6bGh2r56Zb2-lt8Ch3HBCAQx89KWXJEyuC0Qg8vIbccYQJWqO_A5a96LqoSowSA6u6l49YlId9RRQBg62ZUct8ppvEScFlBNxj6CIV35IPdiDEOheo8yBRMEO4AU0/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found this photo on Scotty's camera. </div>
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It was taken over the edge of the deck. </div>
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Initially I couldn't figure out what </div>
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the black spots in the sand were, </div>
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and then I realized it was a single set of footprints.</div>
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Looking at this I am profoundly reminded,</div>
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once again, of all the times that God has </div>
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carried us all on this journey we are on with Scotty. </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img height="133" id="irc_mi" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQf_ekL-TQNyhHuqNveYGY_l9qprvpssxIj1JkWumu-xwlUiz0i" style="margin-top: 31px;" width="200" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>The Lord replied, "My precious, precious
child. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>I love you, and I would never,
never leave you </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>during your times of
trial and suffering. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>When you saw only one set of footprints,</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b>It was then that I carried you." </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">Footprints in the Sand </span></u></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="font-size: small;">On about day three of our recent vacation we all were comfortably settled into our "beach" routine. Steve and I were beginning to experience the usually elusive phenomenon called relaxation...the state of being free from tension and anxiety. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were sitting on the deck enjoying a few moments of peace and quiet before our little noise machine woke up and I asked him how can we make every day a beach day? Is that even possible?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Doubtful, but surely we can do some things each day that remind us to relax and to breath and seek a place of calmness and peace. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;"> We can wake up early to see the sunrise.</span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7caVh1zhyaPjDCAEFuF8L4gMPNg7X8_Cnqpo0N4DJVbZGTrf1mecYWwBHtMafuhIx-ZGlNC1svILcdIdZzMz7CP1XTUk17JxrbLBe4H2PRSwzbnTz653N35ix4ofVhLZyH69TKIr4n8/s1600/DSCN1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv7caVh1zhyaPjDCAEFuF8L4gMPNg7X8_Cnqpo0N4DJVbZGTrf1mecYWwBHtMafuhIx-ZGlNC1svILcdIdZzMz7CP1XTUk17JxrbLBe4H2PRSwzbnTz653N35ix4ofVhLZyH69TKIr4n8/s320/DSCN1280.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>We can close our eyes and remember the </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>hypnotic, rhythmic, soothing sound </i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>of the ocean outside our window.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgnhl7FpVhh7kM6QRystdPWopfwxu14xihB-7J1ZkSqrExL0DIqosDoWk4NFx_CXotF_LRSnFLg0WR4dFKhYFy2y1T1h8Y0tvWi20qHRlnLyF5LrZP6X9_q2hCBEe_t1btac1YUC_C5c/s1600/DSCN1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgnhl7FpVhh7kM6QRystdPWopfwxu14xihB-7J1ZkSqrExL0DIqosDoWk4NFx_CXotF_LRSnFLg0WR4dFKhYFy2y1T1h8Y0tvWi20qHRlnLyF5LrZP6X9_q2hCBEe_t1btac1YUC_C5c/s320/DSCN1108.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We can put away all things electronic </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and lose ourselves inside the pages of a book.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We can remember to laugh.</b></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">We can remember to play.</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">We can nap.</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We can wander aimlessly seeking only</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>exquisite examples of God's handiwork</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>that surrounds us. </b></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">( I see three perfect examples right there♥)</span><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We can take off our shoes </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and stick our toes in the sand, </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>or the grass and ground ourselves </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>in the feel of the earth beneath us.</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We can remember to count our </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>blessings and for </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>the gift of our family .</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>We can seek rainbows </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and the promises they hold.</b></i></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">We can remember that no matter </span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">how big our storm is on any given day...</span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b><span style="font-size: large;">we can always choose to dance in the rain.</span></b></i></div>
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No doubt that God will continue to carry us on his shoulders in the days to come, but for a few weeks we were able to stand on our own...five sets of footprints walking alongside God for a brief time in His peace and in His love.</div>
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All of our footprints in the sand have long since washed away, but the memories we made and the peace we found will remain.</div>
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Now as Steve and I try desperately to hold fast<br />
to our "beachy" state of mind our </div>
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young son seems to do so effortlessly.</div>
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Of course that relaxed state of mind is always on his terms, </div>
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but when he is at peace he is the King of relaxation.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>And Jesus said, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>"Come to me all who are weary </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and burdened and I will give you rest."</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew 11:28 </span></b></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-35631683998166825152013-07-05T17:49:00.003-05:002013-07-05T17:51:57.172-05:00What I Did On My Summer Vacation...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></h2>
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</span><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">By Scotty </span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">This summer we went to the beach.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Since a picture is worth a thousand words and </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I am a man of few words I will let </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">my pictures ( and some of my moms) </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">of our most awesome vacation </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">speak for me.</span></h1>
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<img height="149" id="irc_mi" src="http://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6169634/il_fullxfull.334039592.jpg" style="margin-top: 11px;" width="200" /> </h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Mom and I do this all the time...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">She thinks it is clever...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I humor her. </span></h1>
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My favorite models♥</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Say Cheese!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Got it!</span></h1>
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Then my dad and I had some fun with sharks...</div>
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dead, smelly, already filleted, sharks.</div>
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It was so cool!<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Followed up by some fun with a dead crab...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I laughed my behind off...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">my sisters...not so much.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Some random beachy moments.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Some of my mad swimming skills.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I like to swim with my eyes and mouth</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">wide open in the salt water.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It baffles my family.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">We rode the ferry several times, </span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">and of course I made friends.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>And oh how I napped...</b></div>
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<b>anywhere...</b></div>
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<b>anytime.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">My mom LOVES this picture of me.<br />
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The best part of the whole trip...</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">was dancing in the rain with my sisters♥<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">My summer vacation was the best.</span></h1>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I can't wait to go back again next year.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-83004692719956477912013-06-12T11:28:00.001-05:002013-06-12T15:16:19.853-05:00This Little Light of Mine<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Let your light shine before men,</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>that they may see your good deeds</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and praise your Father in heaven.</b></i></span></div>
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Matthew 5:16 </div>
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God shouts at me...a lot...and He is so incredibly loud. Perhaps it is necessary to vociferate so loudly in order to be heard over the noise and chaos that is the soundtrack of our life. I share this mainly as a preliminary explanation for this week's post.<br />
<br />
Last week when I finished my blog post I typed in "This Little Light of Mine" at the top of my next post with no firm idea where I was going to go with it, but I felt strongly that this was going to be my topic for the coming week. I have never done that before. A week later I sat staring blankly at the computer and contemplating exactly where I was going to go with this preordained title when this popped up in my inbox:<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>"<span style="line-height: 115%;"> Today I google image searched the word angel. </span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
saw the cute picture of your son sitting on the sidewalk</span></i></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> with 2 dogs in his
lap.</span></i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">I thought to myself this is a photo of a human form angel. </span></i></span></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> He was so
pure, bright, happy, and angel-like...</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">This is love! Your family and faith encourage </span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">me to love
more then I've ever loved before.</span></i></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;"> God is so wonderful...</span> </i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>An angel led me to your blog today. Why?</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>So you could touch my heart and bear witness to me.</i></span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><i>God really is amazing!!!" </i></span></b></span></div>
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<i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7asCmFCMCnl0CdcUNUDgjbpJfLCpqwod_GCX9GIcDKhv-ySoCleDooEqyqQ_fzSUk2nABKnsfizt7HhyjBaup6W5oYx8znJoBL8VMISbTFxtN_Wos5QvXN2I9kT02ldGvla6z48-pLD8/s1600/406996_2914221626421_2134791876_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7asCmFCMCnl0CdcUNUDgjbpJfLCpqwod_GCX9GIcDKhv-ySoCleDooEqyqQ_fzSUk2nABKnsfizt7HhyjBaup6W5oYx8znJoBL8VMISbTFxtN_Wos5QvXN2I9kT02ldGvla6z48-pLD8/s320/406996_2914221626421_2134791876_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think this is the picture she must have seen.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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She is so right...the light that shines off of this boy of ours</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
is so "bright, happy and angel-like."<br />
<br />
And the very next day this little gem showed up on my Facebook page: </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<img alt="Logo3l" height="200" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/assets-alldevotion-com/assets/logo3l-4189a5b03f102fc40c5de8f216cafb16.jpg" width="200" /> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.alldevotion.com/messages/2274977523" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"></span></a></span></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.alldevotion.com/messages/2274977523" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">On this day, God wants you to know that...</span><span style="color: blue; font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"></span></a></span></u></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">...the world is warmer with your
inner light shining.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you shine your light, you
encourage others </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to do the same and your life becomes surrounded </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">by the warmth
and love of those you share a path with.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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So there you have it. God didn't help me write my blog this week...He just went ahead and wrote it for me♥<br />
I do know one thing for sure, and that is I need to keep sharing stories about this little light of mine. His life has meaning, it has purpose and it has value. He has touched the place of light in the hearts of so many.<br />
<br />
Scotty boy you have led us all sharply off the path we had planned...the one we had so carefully mapped out long before you were born, and we will continue to faithfully walk hand in hand with you...basking in your warmth and love on this path along side of you no matter where it takes us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaJer9y02rl298QzaOHvydT1GuFczRyQAfD31t_DoE_SHooAmzk3JRurN_YNHvGQvwo1dWA5OdHfjEeJ4VUPqJ2UGjZ_fRbE-H1SvNydnLVGuMUaknuNFwlgBQmUlhUPNRVqfsnXUm4o/s1600/578838_3611703583034_1171974067_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaJer9y02rl298QzaOHvydT1GuFczRyQAfD31t_DoE_SHooAmzk3JRurN_YNHvGQvwo1dWA5OdHfjEeJ4VUPqJ2UGjZ_fRbE-H1SvNydnLVGuMUaknuNFwlgBQmUlhUPNRVqfsnXUm4o/s320/578838_3611703583034_1171974067_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Trust in the <span class="sc">Lord</span> with all your heart, </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>and
do not lean on your own understanding. </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>In all your ways acknowledge him, </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b> and he will make straight your paths. </b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Proverbs 3:5-6</div>
<h3>
<a class="bibleref" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=ESV"></a></h3>
<h3>
<a class="bibleref" href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+3%3A5-6&version=ESV"></a></h3>
P.S. To my new friend Elle...Welcome to the Sandbox!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-18136443658344030712013-06-05T17:44:00.000-05:002013-06-06T15:27:42.612-05:00The Things I Pray For<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion4M-f6t4G266C1SywMbcWt1x_l99GVzx3mVlu1Y5HJOX8MBlcObpyp8tlBUUigjJ8rv4wOb5HheXvNqIKOsZpAqYQ4VI00rASnMahnrjdnJO6RS0VYjzE4lqStQT7FAiin1AHsMfUzE/s1600/the+things+you+take+for+granted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEion4M-f6t4G266C1SywMbcWt1x_l99GVzx3mVlu1Y5HJOX8MBlcObpyp8tlBUUigjJ8rv4wOb5HheXvNqIKOsZpAqYQ4VI00rASnMahnrjdnJO6RS0VYjzE4lqStQT7FAiin1AHsMfUzE/s320/the+things+you+take+for+granted.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Very, very true. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am sure the things that are on my prayer </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
list are things that most people take for granted.<br />
I have no illusions that all my prayers will be answered.<br />
I am just happy to have a day where<br />
I can put a check
mark next to just one or two. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
1. Always at the top of my list of prayers is a few consecutive hours of deep, dreamless, uninterrupted sleep.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
*** Although it is hard deny that getting woken up in the middle of the night by a knock on the door for the explicit purpose to show me something funny on TV, or just one more hug and one more tuck in can be seen as a blessing. The other night at O'dark-thirty he greeted me sporting his derby and a huge smile♥<br />
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2. I pray for a few quiet moments at the beginning of each day to have a cup of coffee with God...both are desperately needed to strengthen and fortify me for whatever shenanigans are going to happen in the day ahead.<br />
<br />
3. I pray for 5 minutes...just five minutes of peace. When the
children were small we read this book almost every day. They never got
the hint!<br />
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In
it the Mama elephant spends her day seeking just five minutes of peace
from her three little ones. Who knew that decades later I would still
be searching for those very same elusive five minutes. My elephant
population has reduced itself from three to one, although Scotty really
counts as seven, so technically I suppose the elephant population at the
Bastons has increased by four, but either way five minutes can make all
the difference in the world.<br />
<br />
4. I pray for an outing...ANYWHERE...where we don't end up making a spectacle of ourselves (and by we I mean Scotty)<br />
And
by spectacle I mean...screaming and/or yelling, or throwing ourselves
on the ground and refusing to budge when we try to leave the store while
continuing to scream and/or yell, and which may or may not involve
property damage, but certainly always requires an apology. Good
grief...<br />
<br />
5. I pray for a few moments of solitary confinement...in the bathroom. A shower that lasts longer than 90 seconds usually ends with a 30 minute clean up. Honestly, I spend so much time during the day shooing Scotty off the couch, but the minute I try to sneak upstairs to brush my teeth he goes into hyper drive and can take this place apart in the blink of an eye. Just a few minutes of privacy with the door closed seems completely out of my grasp.<br />
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6. I pray for a a few consecutive minutes of quiet to eat a meal. Our meals begin with a prayer and end with indigestion. Whether at home or in a restaurant Scotty's dinner time "conversation" goes something like this:<br />
<br />
<u><i><b>Minute 1:</b></i></u> Can I have more water? Can we go to church? Where's Stevi? Stevi has a cat. Can we go to the airport and pick her up? I want her to eat with us. Can you cut this up? Can we go to church? Can we eat dinner after church? I dropped my fork. Sorry, I spilled my water. I want a hamburger. I need a napkin. Will you sit with me on the couch? I want pizza. Are there fireworks tonight? Where's Grandma? I want her to bring Ruby. I want her to eat with us. Can we have a party? Can I have more please? I want a banana. Can I have more water? Sorry, I spilled again. I need another napkin. I want a surprise. Can we go to church? Can we eat dinner after church? Where's Sarah? Where's Blane? I want them to come swim. I want them to bring Johnny Cash? I dropped my fork. Can we go to a parade? Can I have some more? Can we go to church? I'm feeding the dog under the table...watch me.<br />
<br />
<u><i><b>Minute 2:</b></i></u> I'm done. Can I have a cookie?<br />
<br />
7. I pray for a day free of catastrophes. Period.<br />
<br />
8. I pray that when someone comes to our house that Scotty keeps his clothes on...seriously! I guarantee that there are not too many people who have ever had the need to say that prayer.<br />
<br />
True story: Last week we had our garage door opener replaced, and very nice repairman showed up early and Scotty was all ready to sit and watch. He was still in his pajamas so Steve told him he had to get dressed first. Scotty ran upstairs and Steve continued to chat with very nice repairman, ( I am sure you can tell where this is going) and two minutes later Scotty ran into the garage wearing only his socks and tried to hug very nice repairman. Later, after Scotty was dressed Steve made him apologize to very nice repairman. His response, "Oh it's okay I have been here before." WHAT??? I didn't even want to remember what happened the last time.<br />
<br />
Yeaaaaaaaaa so that happened....<br />
<br />
9. I used to pray for patience and courage and strength, but not anymore. "If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or
does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for
courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to
be courageous?" (From Evan Almighty) Trust me, I have plenty of "opportunity" for lots and lots of practice.<br />
<br />
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I pray these words instead.<br />
I pray for God's Love.</div>
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I pray for God's Mercy.</div>
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I pray for God's Grace.</div>
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10. But the most important prayers I pray are ones of thankfulness, because I have been given so much more than I deserve. Jan Karon has a wonderful book series about a little town called Mitford. The main character, Father Tim, reminds us to be thankful for all the small seemingly unimportant details of our life and give thanks for them lest they be taken away! </div>
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Today I am remembering to be thankful that it is </div>
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finally summer and that this boy of ours loves to swim!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-15239711774150237072013-05-27T15:09:00.000-05:002013-05-27T15:09:09.361-05:00To Walk With The Angels<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For he shall give his angels charge over you,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> to keep you in all your ways.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 91:11 </span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
We had the profound pleasure last weekend to walk on hallowed ground...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we walked in the footsteps of angels.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
There were approximately 357<br />
registered participants for the DFW walk.<br />
There were 29 walks around the United States<br />
and over a million dollars were raised!<br />
I am not 100 % sure of these statistics,<br />
but will correct them when I am. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Scotty is in the very back on the right just to the left </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">of the man in the red shirt who is standing by the tree)</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
A small portion of Team Scotty!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The rest of "his people" were walking with him in spirit.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Team Scotty raised $2000 which is astonishing.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What is even more incredible is that 25% of the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
donations were from people that we have never even met.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
People who in some way have been touched by his story...<br />
People who have been touched by him. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are overcome with gratitude. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
♥And this guy was a ROCK STAR♥</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was happy, smiley and full of hugs.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He even participated in the walk...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
no bribery required!!</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
This gorgeous, precious little angel<br />
was the highlight of his day.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They played and hugged and played and hugged...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
such sweetness and innocence and pure joy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It was breathtaking to watch.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Balloons were released in remembrance of<br />
all the angels who have left us too soon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This past year there have been so many...too many.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So we walk. </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We walk with hope.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope for a lifetime free of seizures.<br />
Hope that we will hear the sound of our angel's voices. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope that someday all our angels<br />
will walk side by side with us.<br />
Hope for a future that releases our children<br />
from the constraints of Angelman Syndrome.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There is hope in dreams, imagination,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">and in the courage of those who wish </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">to make those dreams a reality.</span><br />
Jonas Salk</div>
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I couldn't help but notice all the young<br />
families just starting their journey.<br />
I don't envy them the years ahead.<br />
The doctors that don't have answers, the medications that don't help, the endless round of therapies, the testing, the search for a school...a teacher...anyone who will
understand their child and most importantly love their child, the
constant battle to make sure your child is getting an appropriate
education, the unanswered questions about the future, the frustration, the tears and the sleepless nights.<br />
<br />
I don't envy them at all.<br />
I guess if we look back there are a few things we would have done differently,<br />
but that is no different than any other parent. <br />
Suffice it to say that we are tired.<br />
As my grandmother used to say, "We are plum wore out."<br />
<br />
Though to us Scotty will always be our little guy, he was definitely one of the old folks at the walk.<br />
Unlike the young families we met today, we are finally at a stage that we can look back and say with confidence that we have done everything in our power to give Scotty the best life possible. Our journey is far from over...it is just different now. Sure we still have frustration and tears and sleepless nights, but we have settled onto the path that God has carved out for us. At this point all we can do is take one step at a time, walking in faith, walking in hope and walking in love.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Walk by faith, and not by sight."</span><br />
2Corinthians 5:7<br />
<br />
If you would like to learn more about Angelman Syndrome click the link below.<br />
<a href="http://www.angelman.org/understanding-as/facts-about-angelman-syndrome/">ANGELMAN SYNDROME FACTS</a><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-82039951520759472682013-05-08T17:53:00.003-05:002013-05-08T17:56:30.652-05:00Meant To Be<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM6kmgiIU2CcUo2Ck8xfdORRto6DOd81DKMMz20RSQLDbUmDOD4JTRqSYCkeIqUKCsy_piW5H309gVhTGlzAvElJuWRyHIGFMJxWeBa4qOLyHcDthXK4NXs84ht7LCJ-6WncN709LLZ0/s1600/2013-05-07+06.59.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwM6kmgiIU2CcUo2Ck8xfdORRto6DOd81DKMMz20RSQLDbUmDOD4JTRqSYCkeIqUKCsy_piW5H309gVhTGlzAvElJuWRyHIGFMJxWeBa4qOLyHcDthXK4NXs84ht7LCJ-6WncN709LLZ0/s320/2013-05-07+06.59.55.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Face each day without expectation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Experience to the fullest </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">whatever adventure<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>comes your way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It is as God meant it to be.</span></div>
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These messages from God randomly appear on my Facebook page from time to time. It is set up for a daily message, but mine appear sporadically and they are ALWAYS exactly what I need on a particular day....a day like today.</div>
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A day that started at 4am...with a wet bed...and a very wide awake Scotty. It happens...not often, but it happens and bless his heart he signs to us the rest of the day "sorry" and "potty" and each time we hug him and tell him, "It's okay buddy, it happens." </div>
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Needless to say that by 5am we had accomplished more than most people do in an entire day. I sat sipping my first cup of coffee and contemplating how we were going to fill the next 17 hours. All I could seem to come up with was nap...nap...nap. One thing is for sure, a magnified case of the nasty, ugly "why me" syndrome was rapidly taking hold of this day.<br />
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Until I received my message.<br />
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Classic moment of God throwing a brick at my head once again to remind me to shift my focus and count my blessings. In that same moment I glanced out my kitchen window just as the sun was peaking over my fence and beaming down on my freshly bloomed amaryllis.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSde2hikor8vLSIVUREPxbm7HAawmLw335CmXxMHbaR92snG6bnoQQitRZraG5hDjNPSiO34SLe-DxqDd-FJ2JSoZNGm_yaQuGaR5FEyDH8Eax2jNL-oCup5mg0siMFKg7aIugtG1nvs/s1600/2013-05-07+07.02.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSde2hikor8vLSIVUREPxbm7HAawmLw335CmXxMHbaR92snG6bnoQQitRZraG5hDjNPSiO34SLe-DxqDd-FJ2JSoZNGm_yaQuGaR5FEyDH8Eax2jNL-oCup5mg0siMFKg7aIugtG1nvs/s320/2013-05-07+07.02.38.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It took my breath away. I grabbed my camera and was shocked when I looked at the picture. This is not what I saw... the camera lens must have filtered the light and replaced it with this beautiful rainbow aura. Just think, if Scotty had not gotten up so early I would have missed this. So with a few more cups of coffee under my belt I adjusted my outlook for the day and my attitude.</div>
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I am very fortunate that Scotty and I have the ability to meander through our days instead of rushing. We have no deadlines, no pressing engagements no reason to hurry. Today was definitely going to be a meandering day!</div>
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Today we had a wonderful spontaneous backyard adventure that involved a camera, a guinea pig, and lots of opportunities for him to practice focus, task completion, following directions and trying to increase his attention span from non-existent to a few seconds.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi5vLcc2HNj4mHOSo1Jy57508MUxBtlDpU9OfKfkTp8cszuMjzvNu5hfNC3k1WZaMdDG-B8WXekNQK06bIRg2PmM5F0chXcsUUtkQHQjtgTbwqQpg-bCwsUrIai-j4qvdmZ8R8IlSD6s/s1600/2013-05-06+11.13.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivi5vLcc2HNj4mHOSo1Jy57508MUxBtlDpU9OfKfkTp8cszuMjzvNu5hfNC3k1WZaMdDG-B8WXekNQK06bIRg2PmM5F0chXcsUUtkQHQjtgTbwqQpg-bCwsUrIai-j4qvdmZ8R8IlSD6s/s320/2013-05-06+11.13.42.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ansel Adams in training!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BG00ZnaFjQIdFZodJI_PLIzlakohFYdjzv8Xz_bRWiV32XDT3DVFeSzeLIZArBO22WgvF7tHhTdhULfT0QY6ZjGwtMHOG5hxlWiaR-IjvG_cvh_sVckEzVW1Pkof3FP1ILFxAQBEI84/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3BG00ZnaFjQIdFZodJI_PLIzlakohFYdjzv8Xz_bRWiV32XDT3DVFeSzeLIZArBO22WgvF7tHhTdhULfT0QY6ZjGwtMHOG5hxlWiaR-IjvG_cvh_sVckEzVW1Pkof3FP1ILFxAQBEI84/s320/IMG_0303.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Study in guinea pig by Scotty</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We were able to wile away several hours on our little photo shoot where he took an astounding 397 pictures. His favorite part is immediately transferring them to the computer so he can see them. Once the editing is complete we print out a little book to show dad. I have him sit on a big ball while we are editing so he is doing some impressive multitasking using his fine and gross motor skills and working on his strength and balance. </div>
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So today, though long, was a wonderful day...just the way God meant it to be. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAYU_7eZl5Q1r6tPqK2UaGzVb4KyaTnmTHafX23v4q5cl_wso-kWuvxpmRs53GBavKicXN7mAC6YnAaDTZlrZ3pLdYV4-z6NPG-XocTMQ6s9atRhQ1SUPiuQTz3OCTYnxCWsKq-8j66w/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAYU_7eZl5Q1r6tPqK2UaGzVb4KyaTnmTHafX23v4q5cl_wso-kWuvxpmRs53GBavKicXN7mAC6YnAaDTZlrZ3pLdYV4-z6NPG-XocTMQ6s9atRhQ1SUPiuQTz3OCTYnxCWsKq-8j66w/s320/IMG_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is the day which the LORD has made;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Let us rejoice and be glad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Psalm 118:24</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_uYWR3kmB1Dh70TkE1NKb2sM-anJcflIhlTQUnANPwN7PT-LpRbiWcNrQJM-kGOKOWn5bsjEIQfQrq31ddsMEBeb6Qc4giHQB83AF2-JcJEBGAKAqKPQTmbBFAEO0d8NRK2r_EPfOr8/s1600/2013-05-06+11.17.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG_uYWR3kmB1Dh70TkE1NKb2sM-anJcflIhlTQUnANPwN7PT-LpRbiWcNrQJM-kGOKOWn5bsjEIQfQrq31ddsMEBeb6Qc4giHQB83AF2-JcJEBGAKAqKPQTmbBFAEO0d8NRK2r_EPfOr8/s320/2013-05-06+11.17.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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The rest of Scotty's photos from today are under the tab <a href="http://sandboxmoments.blogspot.com/p/through-scottys-eyes.html">Through Scotty's Eyes</a> Scroll down just a little to Backyard Adventures 5/7/2013.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxJxmbDsgizON5TJlk3ykD8U-RlbwRUaVKZlC4omzLgmmLNXXO_-F5gI4cJvpMCgAwM6zDCBvOqBVfsv0wkdg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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♥6pm...Praise the Lord...DADDY'S HOME♥</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-16459437303926903072013-04-24T16:15:00.002-05:002013-04-24T16:29:29.223-05:00All Dogs Go to Heaven <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And God made the beasts of the earth </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">according to their kinds...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> And God saw that it was good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Genesis 1:25</span></div>
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So good.</div>
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Fourteen years ago Santa brought </div>
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us this little red-headed beauty.</div>
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We named her Lucy.</div>
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And she loved us.</div>
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Two years later she blessed us with a whole pile of puppies!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OSu4_5rKczpUFVJ9yoAA9EjAOyM0xDLIujUmMrCvXUC-5bJdH_aFJ7tKO5jIJeMyCoy8ow5BrNcojlaeRA9QXOjJDqZh6XmZRaUjgI-czRpUSQyPlS0mWdk_jSCYpSPGav11RezTxE/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-OSu4_5rKczpUFVJ9yoAA9EjAOyM0xDLIujUmMrCvXUC-5bJdH_aFJ7tKO5jIJeMyCoy8ow5BrNcojlaeRA9QXOjJDqZh6XmZRaUjgI-czRpUSQyPlS0mWdk_jSCYpSPGav11RezTxE/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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It was so hard to let them go, </div>
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but each little fluffy ball of love found a home with a friend.</div>
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Maggie, Copper, Nicky, Mac, Ace, </div>
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Baron, Beau, Colby and Peanut.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Looking back as a family, I am certain we would all </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
agree, that this was one of our happiest memories.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxJnyPYzKWuR203CLz-1LDLjO_AcBtYn0ftySzWXt7Q2MLbcrXSXhOdG1NlhOZxEy9TfOgfCl7oXVfxEnNcPxUIC0Mn48cHtPlVYhaQ70c10oTCoVv2UQ7HBGZaqR8mWHw6ZtgfAt0SY/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxJnyPYzKWuR203CLz-1LDLjO_AcBtYn0ftySzWXt7Q2MLbcrXSXhOdG1NlhOZxEy9TfOgfCl7oXVfxEnNcPxUIC0Mn48cHtPlVYhaQ70c10oTCoVv2UQ7HBGZaqR8mWHw6ZtgfAt0SY/s1600/10.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We kept this little beauty...our little Gracie Girl.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And she loved us.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Sadly,the sweetest dog that there ever was left us </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
today to join her mama in heaven.<br />
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSgsB0Ldf-uGTJWx71R6JDOmIyppd-OrfDCrObvOTnIUInFyUc2hEPa0guSxo4KQesXXi0pULuHYzNyqYQQyhCn9rdWXkdiHjCOdynZaeNUTVmYHV7fjX1uvwY5LkyywQglZnlr54KkA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSgsB0Ldf-uGTJWx71R6JDOmIyppd-OrfDCrObvOTnIUInFyUc2hEPa0guSxo4KQesXXi0pULuHYzNyqYQQyhCn9rdWXkdiHjCOdynZaeNUTVmYHV7fjX1uvwY5LkyywQglZnlr54KkA/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>
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Our hearts are broken.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAjWVp8FOVlLZO1_xDv0wxlH-TSvsGe10QkXj9-0UWppsnS1qcvDFjPWFNOY1SdfG5G5uOUREEgJo6tykP0rSn9_7mGh1asuJwuF37f_4neMSlPF1EHm_iWHf0mkOYxoX1G00z6wvudU/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAjWVp8FOVlLZO1_xDv0wxlH-TSvsGe10QkXj9-0UWppsnS1qcvDFjPWFNOY1SdfG5G5uOUREEgJo6tykP0rSn9_7mGh1asuJwuF37f_4neMSlPF1EHm_iWHf0mkOYxoX1G00z6wvudU/s1600/6.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlSaiMOLGmNAUwtldSXWVeOH1g8Om63XyxsTWhuZWsMalFPcMBIxXPPNjKwTxqkxcL7_ONpYKLP_y42X-CFplSRMgEsBWS1Ki7jB-5A8uWr51rFzjAiAXiPN_FDOci4DrKTyVvbTYZiw/s1600/0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlSaiMOLGmNAUwtldSXWVeOH1g8Om63XyxsTWhuZWsMalFPcMBIxXPPNjKwTxqkxcL7_ONpYKLP_y42X-CFplSRMgEsBWS1Ki7jB-5A8uWr51rFzjAiAXiPN_FDOci4DrKTyVvbTYZiw/s1600/0.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When Scotty got up this morning we</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
told him that Gracie was in heaven.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To Scotty heaven is up.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So today as he points towards heaven we will add our</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sweet Gracie Girl to his litany <br />
of those we love that now live in heaven.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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We will never understand how his brain processes such a loss.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I do know this though...it is not with sadness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This boy of ours whose whole body vibrates with joy</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
over the simplest of things...does not seem to feel the</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
weight of sadness the rest of us are destined to experience.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He will cry if there is sad music or a sad part in a movie, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and he will cry if he is hurt,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so he does have the capacity to feel sad...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
just not about such a loss.<br />
<br />
At times having Angelman Sydrome is truly a blessing.<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or...perhaps, as I have often times suspected, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he knows all the secrets of the universe and just understands</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
things that us mere mortals in our limited </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
minds will never be able to comprehend<br />
and he realizes there is nothing to be sad about.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I envy him.</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPRpDK8-xdIKC6o7e-P4_kGmg4EEABKBI8es3OGekxBcuNSt-HncsJRPMJEVsdHI-k6dDHn5j_mETz-MvwdWlRBi4QQ03vZFlB9Fcc-5HXLw1EEuUbhbwVsB9u56gwr-YaDPYpApgSwY/s1600/2012-04-15+17.56.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDPRpDK8-xdIKC6o7e-P4_kGmg4EEABKBI8es3OGekxBcuNSt-HncsJRPMJEVsdHI-k6dDHn5j_mETz-MvwdWlRBi4QQ03vZFlB9Fcc-5HXLw1EEuUbhbwVsB9u56gwr-YaDPYpApgSwY/s320/2012-04-15+17.56.46.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
♥Oh how she loved (tolerated) him♥<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Today as Scotty points towards heaven and signs dog,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will wipe the tears from my eyes and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
be grateful beyond words</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
that for this boy of ours,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
today is just a day like any other,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a day full of surprises <br />
and a day full of joy.</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I will also feel blessed that each time </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the sadness overwhelms me,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he will be waiting to wrap me in </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a bear hug, pat me gently on the back,<br />
and kiss my forehead.<br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0bML8gcp0gMHtAlkHOwOStR3JLDUlcCSAvhK3miU02fvzBvkAvIn8TS4Wp9NcIAXOYR-f2AOb0mt0DUUdL3nk1XKtBKhCE89A0Zp_YVrk2znR6KNZYdC9BvdyAAOGb2XazZlt4Oi2IU/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0bML8gcp0gMHtAlkHOwOStR3JLDUlcCSAvhK3miU02fvzBvkAvIn8TS4Wp9NcIAXOYR-f2AOb0mt0DUUdL3nk1XKtBKhCE89A0Zp_YVrk2znR6KNZYdC9BvdyAAOGb2XazZlt4Oi2IU/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
♥Rest in Peace Gracie Girl♥<br />
You had the sweetest face and the softest ears.<br />
You were a good and faithful friend.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you for loving us.<br />
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px auto;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto;">
<span style="font-size: x-small; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still...</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">...For here, between this world and the next,</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">From The Rainbow Bridge</span> </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13961205873792706950noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1476788117480718544.post-54610510835161846132013-04-17T17:22:00.001-05:002013-04-17T17:32:39.442-05:00One Step at a Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ0Syoppy4SzEiXHF6DTgDWX6c4SbcTncCl52U6KLl08rUJygbJQOo_r28rK3dbN0_ItTUwGX7bSkeX_FBlAKbMr7Dcb8a44LmsZC9A1lqWt7xkPHOd6IYNow_Q11vl6gdtVXxy_OXq0/s1600/wooded-path.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaQ0Syoppy4SzEiXHF6DTgDWX6c4SbcTncCl52U6KLl08rUJygbJQOo_r28rK3dbN0_ItTUwGX7bSkeX_FBlAKbMr7Dcb8a44LmsZC9A1lqWt7xkPHOd6IYNow_Q11vl6gdtVXxy_OXq0/s1600/wooded-path.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">A journey of a thousand miles</span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">begins with one step.</span></div>
<div align="center">
~Lao Tzu~</div>
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</div>
<div align="left">
It seems like every time you turn around lately there is a race or a walk or a bike ride of some variety going on in the area. More often than not the proceeds raised from these events will go toward a worthy cause, and I have walked in many over the years myself. For me each event was a chance to in some small way assist in funding research or finding a cure for devastating illnesses, many of which have affected some of my very dearest friends. <br />
<br />
However, if I am being totally honest, it was usually more about getting some exercise, visiting with friends, enjoying the sunshine, and maybe winning some door prizes.</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
Until now.</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
On May 18 there will be a nationwide walk to benefit Angelman Syndrome.</div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">The Angelman Syndrome Foundation Walk has been an essential source of funding for the ASF since its start in 1999. What began as a single volunteer walk site, now includes 28 walks across the country and is recognized as the top fundraising event for the organization. Through education, information, research, advocacy and support, your participation in the National Walk helps all of us at ASF take strides toward improving the lives of those impacted by AS. With your help, we are moving closer to powerful treatments and an EVENTUAL CURE for Angelman syndrome. We are continually grateful for the support that we receive year after year.</span> </div>
<a href="http://www.angelman.org/">CLICK HERE for Angelman Syndrome Website</a><br />
<br />
A cure...<br />
<br />
Something that is so far beyond our wildest dreams that until now it is something we never dared to hope for.<br />
<br />
Finally, I understand. The walks, races and rides certainly are about raising money, but to those directly affected they are so much more. <br />
<br />
They are about hope. Hope for an uncertain future. Hope for a cure. Hope for our children.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">For I know the plans<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> I have for you,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">plans to prosper<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> you and not to harm you, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">plans to give you hope and a future.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jeremiah 29:11</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="left">
So on May 18 we will walk side by side, one step at a time, with a legion of God's chosen angels and their families, and I am sure it will be counted as one of our greatest blessings.</div>
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</div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We will walk because we have hope. </span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We will walk for Scotty.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkb43qRNE1qeEU2RrzHK4Yv01-Hw_891bmfNHzffzB0A6_tb1yWEEwRHluv5-BdhwL_D7BeKRQeFerD-fltUUuBFjRb4rReB-K9N6dOywhgsmQCm1LkLf-4-fFaBnmWcgxv_Y9BjhSH8/s1600/303430_3771994510207_1820565637_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIkb43qRNE1qeEU2RrzHK4Yv01-Hw_891bmfNHzffzB0A6_tb1yWEEwRHluv5-BdhwL_D7BeKRQeFerD-fltUUuBFjRb4rReB-K9N6dOywhgsmQCm1LkLf-4-fFaBnmWcgxv_Y9BjhSH8/s320/303430_3771994510207_1820565637_n.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am not sure if this guy will show up at the walk...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXxmPBD2njolAlXrsc5AXdl0D1us1VA_LkoivrU-CQayF9WUhsuOVleKogEyHyWXOOP3NXQGCqEYGAVgJoq1U93tDv1cILRdCZQn2WAwYdOUBFRgvDv3-gDGssChEHxv2eo9tqWEoyzk/s1600/179987_3771996310252_168217161_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdXxmPBD2njolAlXrsc5AXdl0D1us1VA_LkoivrU-CQayF9WUhsuOVleKogEyHyWXOOP3NXQGCqEYGAVgJoq1U93tDv1cILRdCZQn2WAwYdOUBFRgvDv3-gDGssChEHxv2eo9tqWEoyzk/s320/179987_3771996310252_168217161_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
...Or this guy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZKaYV361P2TCtXDHZtD7-5jtfNGfdxgqYRZHukeApQehKvQKzC5gzDQYBSkESW-00r8DNy1_NnogLcEdlPHUW1d_2KRJNBhdsdzp40wjL0aN83RzVWcPwASLUMPSlunwtB_uZmM2gFg/s1600/2013-04-17+15_34_56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZKaYV361P2TCtXDHZtD7-5jtfNGfdxgqYRZHukeApQehKvQKzC5gzDQYBSkESW-00r8DNy1_NnogLcEdlPHUW1d_2KRJNBhdsdzp40wjL0aN83RzVWcPwASLUMPSlunwtB_uZmM2gFg/s320/2013-04-17+15_34_56.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or what his foot attire of choice will be...</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJ9PCednhHGqtZBpP05qerme9o8VqvoprnDXjGdbq3JQ5FVjnvmYM1IBzwz0lDvSEXaxfUQz59tjyRvVyFV-m8gc9gC1UJ-3PtLIEdzFhfYnAULrVMZjXXhNdTIgdNo7NtPl-JZj03s/s1600/578838_3611703583034_1171974067_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFVJ9PCednhHGqtZBpP05qerme9o8VqvoprnDXjGdbq3JQ5FVjnvmYM1IBzwz0lDvSEXaxfUQz59tjyRvVyFV-m8gc9gC1UJ-3PtLIEdzFhfYnAULrVMZjXXhNdTIgdNo7NtPl-JZj03s/s320/578838_3611703583034_1171974067_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...But either way you can be certain that this family</div>
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will continue to put one foot in front of the other,</div>
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one step at a time until they find a cure.</div>
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If you would like to walk...or sit on the ground with your arms</div>
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folded and throw a hissy fit, because both scenarios work in </div>
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our world...let me know and I will add you to Team Scotty♥</div>
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Here is a link to our fundraising page for Team Scotty.</div>
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Every penny, nickel, dime, and quarter WILL make a difference!</div>
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<a href="http://secure.angelman.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=6093">♥CLICK HERE if you would like to donate to Team Scotty♥</a></div>
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Thank you and God Bless You!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For we walk by faith, not by sight.</span> </div>
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2 Corinthians 5:7</div>
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