tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64186673750401967262024-03-05T00:30:36.306-08:00Gracie, Garrett, and the Grown-UpsThis is our blog about the journey we are taking to our adopted son, Garrett, in Baotou City, Inner Mongolia, China. We will also document the daily life of our daughter, Gracie, at home as we wait to become a fabulous family of four. Our family tree is growing!Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.comBlogger204125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-79169231193699511192012-02-17T18:01:00.000-08:002012-02-17T19:02:18.373-08:002012: New Year, New Blog Posts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTMbyyNOMxwL9f37DKF75rM4RqAa5cNODPI0tPGxS1NWrgy-mGJbNPNotZEqZBLrBtMUK1G4K6Q2Qb-gABxmqLltxk6d-tPbah97DPdP5opflwtwb8L6Tw7zayKtRVTUAJctxm_QDczc/s1600/scan0008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 224px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710305288917060402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTMbyyNOMxwL9f37DKF75rM4RqAa5cNODPI0tPGxS1NWrgy-mGJbNPNotZEqZBLrBtMUK1G4K6Q2Qb-gABxmqLltxk6d-tPbah97DPdP5opflwtwb8L6Tw7zayKtRVTUAJctxm_QDczc/s320/scan0008.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeuMxuqrj9DEU2XNFQP2cYZON8YHsyJEAW2q0IERHv-2y2u0LXnQrmmXDkCOgqW1voLy2vfw4ccqELhgNvVUZsL_lhvyA7SkqmGi6BJCqG6kAb7ut2GgAoX9DPFg7BjVvxLHjowrtvIs/s1600/scan0002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 213px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710305283277465314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqeuMxuqrj9DEU2XNFQP2cYZON8YHsyJEAW2q0IERHv-2y2u0LXnQrmmXDkCOgqW1voLy2vfw4ccqELhgNvVUZsL_lhvyA7SkqmGi6BJCqG6kAb7ut2GgAoX9DPFg7BjVvxLHjowrtvIs/s320/scan0002.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQWc_V6-BJzS7AEY9ScmhqDVbYCX34H77Sl6ga0LHIfxjzvbj2HZ1zLqtsChrrMI84W7QylVwgv0uCeJmHP4QItM7u9pg_eveoxwxoRDDRwpMS22_5fTrj7Wjguu0hcDTKmsZVZBD2Hc/s1600/scan0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 258px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710305273930409490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQWc_V6-BJzS7AEY9ScmhqDVbYCX34H77Sl6ga0LHIfxjzvbj2HZ1zLqtsChrrMI84W7QylVwgv0uCeJmHP4QItM7u9pg_eveoxwxoRDDRwpMS22_5fTrj7Wjguu0hcDTKmsZVZBD2Hc/s320/scan0001.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfcgafv0Dt5wv1azdjcWxbWvyWzjlgT_NrZtUrwgIzgcJuG1MixE1uZDG6hE2O-FK5ccot93xW0BfHfWQq3tZjMFvmIY_Wt7DfXGutpxRVU1FJyubc7t05wFreedDM7N4GLQaQSVjpdM/s1600/scan0003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 224px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710305261851215298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkfcgafv0Dt5wv1azdjcWxbWvyWzjlgT_NrZtUrwgIzgcJuG1MixE1uZDG6hE2O-FK5ccot93xW0BfHfWQq3tZjMFvmIY_Wt7DfXGutpxRVU1FJyubc7t05wFreedDM7N4GLQaQSVjpdM/s320/scan0003.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vEE6dBBu7FOZeIFwzAfmoaSkcLnXoWnqcZ1XowEVA2Uf-_CTBVXl5Hv7n5vzBw6MTpD1CfCPe0OpRkXTMB4dKpTOneqYFqbZzHEm-lcT2-7UwKid7V1pb5g9BkspU8y9IXowcccnTCE/s1600/scan0004.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 226px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5710305235198697986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vEE6dBBu7FOZeIFwzAfmoaSkcLnXoWnqcZ1XowEVA2Uf-_CTBVXl5Hv7n5vzBw6MTpD1CfCPe0OpRkXTMB4dKpTOneqYFqbZzHEm-lcT2-7UwKid7V1pb5g9BkspU8y9IXowcccnTCE/s320/scan0004.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hello everyone! </div><div> </div><div>Surprise, Surprise. It's me again. It has been so long since I posted anything. I wonder if anyone is even going to read this, in fact. I think I put too much pressure on myself to make each post interesting. So, my goal is just to write something, anything, and slowly get back into it. </div><div> </div><div>I cannot believe my kids are both in school now! How did that happen? Where does the time go? I miss having them both at home with me!!! I think I am getting old. Really old. But anyway...enough about me....</div><div> </div><div>Here is a little about each of the kids...</div><div> </div><div>Gracie is my big girl, the sweetest, most loveable little person I know. God, I love Gracie!!! She is the best big sister on the planet, and is so protective and loving towards Garrett. Gracie is in first grade. She LOVES school. She absorbs everything. She is reading above grade level chapter books, enjoys researching animals, and wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. She tested into the START program at school for math/science and has thrived with the challenges that class has given her. She talks constantly. CONSTANTLY. She laughs more than any child I have ever met. She has a very quick wit and keeps us laughing. This is my seven year old that acts sometimes like a teenager. She is a night owl, and hates getting out of bed in the morning. She says things to me that sound like something my mother would have said. No joke! I have to laugh when she does this. (Of course, we discuss that she needs to be very careful about what she says to other people and that she needs to be less than brutally honest sometimes.) We tend to believe she is a very old soul with lots of old wisdom that she likes to spread around. Her life has such great purpose. We don't know what lies ahead, but we know Gracie is going to do spectacular things in her lifetime. </div><div> </div><div>Examples of her old soul wisdom: </div><div>Me: "Look, Gracie. These are my three dollar sweatpants that I bought on sale today."</div><div>Gracie: "Well, they look like they cost you one dollar because they are two sizes too big for you and they do NOT fit you."</div><div> </div><div>Another:</div><div>Me (I am walking down the hallway of her school to her classroom for the Valentine's Day party and I see Gracie in the hallway.) "Hello, Baby!" and I bend down to kiss her...</div><div>Gracie: "What did you DO to your HAIR?" (I had curled it which I do not do very often and had put it up in barrettes.) </div><div>Me: "I curled it and put it up. Don't you like it?"</div><div>Gracie: "No, it looks like you just woke up from a nap!"</div><div>Me: "Well, ok, then." (laughing at her)</div><div> </div><div>Garrett: He is my sweetheart, my baby, my best boy, so innocent, so easy going, such a little helper, and he LOVES following ME around because he says I am "the most fun to hang with". I think I am. He thinks I am, and I love that. He is still such a little boy. He acts younger than he is. He has some delays, but he tries so hard to overcome them. He wants to do everything himself. He is in ESOL classes at school to help him with his english language skills. It is hard to believe that he spent almost three years in China. He was two and a half when he came home, and he has been home with us for three years. But his english is like that of a toddler because of his first years. Chinese really was his first language. Even though he wasn't speaking Chinese, he understood it completely. He has had a difficult time with word retrieval and just trying to communicate with everyone. I know it frustrates him. He is in kindergarten and misses his mama too so that has been a hard thing for him. It has been quite a transition. He comes home from school just exhausted. My love for this child just grows and grows. He is so special. I feel so lucky to be his mama, and I thank God every day for leading me to him. He is precious. Garrett loves puzzles, reading books, playing games, the Wii, likes cars and superheroes, loves to eat, loves to be with his mama, and he adores his sister. Garrett would be absolutely lost without her, and she would be without him. They are best friends. They play together beautifully, and are now at the age where they will just go off by themselves and play in their rooms together. They wrestle. They laugh. They play hard. Both of the kids love the Power Rangers. Everybody loves Garrett. If I could bottle him up, I'd make a fortune. How I love my Garrett!!!</div><div> </div><div>I have started doing some substitute teaching now at the kids' school and at some other schools that are close by. It has been awesome for me. I never thought I would enjoy teaching again, but subbing is so much fun. I have to start taking some classes to get my teaching license reinstated. EXPENSIVE!!!! And I really do not want to go back to school (I have my Masters already and 15 years of teaching experience!), but I have to if I want to teach full time again in this state. Until then, I will be subbing and enjoying every minute of it. </div><div> </div><div>I am attaching some recent pics of the kids for you to enjoy. </div><div> </div><div>Like I said, I hope someone reads this. :) Let me know if you do catch up with me in the comments section. </div><div> </div><div>And another thing, I cannot access some of my friends adoption websites. What's up with that? Please, PLEASE...If you are not listed in my favorite blogs section....Please email me! I need an invitation from some of you to get access to them. :) </div><div> </div><div>Much love,</div><div>Madeline</div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-47824477287590715722010-08-02T10:42:00.000-07:002010-08-02T11:48:03.700-07:00Pickin' Peaches in Northern VA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkW_a-RZ_rn1B-VW1Cm7-WYFJnmIpOyTlOJqqEXKDgG2ITVKpfssZ2wQSNl_tNV-RK8PvmyAzPCIhW7jQIRhs7UsHD4Zqf0MFEDddXhPIvWLl9T7VQAre0ZoKajBU4gQO6EgShiJ56DM/s1600/DSC_6595.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500885792255844434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkW_a-RZ_rn1B-VW1Cm7-WYFJnmIpOyTlOJqqEXKDgG2ITVKpfssZ2wQSNl_tNV-RK8PvmyAzPCIhW7jQIRhs7UsHD4Zqf0MFEDddXhPIvWLl9T7VQAre0ZoKajBU4gQO6EgShiJ56DM/s320/DSC_6595.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiXfyJ9-Lmy9TklgG0omqDlErV2P5QZr20LVNg0ADP5DamUSMS5j9TDQJWF_XJb1QMIo4VkAiMlX5u_Sbn0j0sq7KFFjM7LioskUh5owJR_kIyfBQunGBX0KdKV3qnFUKDzyVI81VxOM/s1600/DSC_6589.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500882130835270914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScH9sgxjvnMVzPQF32I224YSMxyp08hlbuQsbNeqJIp7GrqIn9SWolKJsgXPyIZPJbqMX38AAiwvrVGQilQmKX24qRi3ZOTWRrd0Kyba26weBp63yerUHCORL-aHXZ5AbL_9IJ1ZxU0c/s320/DSC_6407.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQKv0CvJVzXaV5yddDG7-8Zod5lCcdo05iRm7vCgv1CuBDrauVvc0p4t8zeZTIP-2wLpUKhIpEzdVnnxjimlhUq0iZ4LtDRrHUqrsPhq3EyaM8XfOpQHvzZglVTNk35WdJ6fCUToGV8U/s1600/DSC_6388.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500882126244661090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQKv0CvJVzXaV5yddDG7-8Zod5lCcdo05iRm7vCgv1CuBDrauVvc0p4t8zeZTIP-2wLpUKhIpEzdVnnxjimlhUq0iZ4LtDRrHUqrsPhq3EyaM8XfOpQHvzZglVTNk35WdJ6fCUToGV8U/s320/DSC_6388.JPG" /></a>Went on another adventure on Sunday afternoon with our house guests. This time, we went to Stribling Orchard and picked peaches. 2 bags full. I believe we will be eating lots of peaches in a short period of time. I love going to these orchards because they are nestled in the valley of the Shenandoah mountains. They are surrounded by so much natural beauty and history. The farmhouse was built in the early 1700s. The guy that runs it lived in the house growing up, and his family (dating back to great great grandfather and family) has been there since the home and farm were built. Now, that is a LONG history in a historic home. What a legacy! You drive up the dirt/gravel road and see log cabins. One of the family members working there told me that some of the buildings were slave quarters, one was a smokehouse, another a kitchen, and so forth. I LOVED it! We had been to Hartland orchards before, but had not been to Stribling Orchards. We had a fantastic day filled with lots of laughter and fun. The bags were so full of peaches that the straps broke on both of them. They had a HUGE, and I mean HUGE, bull that I was told was no longer a bull because he was castrated named Sparky. Poor Sparky. They had two donkeys named Hannah and Susannah. And they had some sheep. Gracie and Garrett loved every minute of it. Van kept picking up the kids to pick peaches from the highest branches, and he even lifted up Edward and Mary when they requested it. My back hurts me to just look at the pictures. It was a blast and we plan to go back to pick raspberries and apples soon.<br /><br />Afterwards, we took the girls to Wegman's grocery store, and they were AMAZED at the size of the store and the amount of food in it. They were taking pictures of all of the different foods to show their families. So cute! Edward had said she wanted to try potato salad. So, we bought some and had it for dinner along with grilled steak, yellow squash, and portobello mushrooms. YUM.<br /><br />It was a great day!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-46777464008340456532010-08-01T06:06:00.000-07:002010-08-01T06:31:36.827-07:00The National Harbor<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHaxb0kP5rpa3BVom0scU05_ZYlWrkv3uJ8pm6aFX5GYFtIsGT9ZlPq0maL3CJmaQyLsVjSMlZ2zQUJ5yq086Meuqoymgka-jzTb7OqcdyaeoFGdqePF2_xoyVLgE2Whot-Uln187GJM/s1600/DSC_6333.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500433074620497714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHaxb0kP5rpa3BVom0scU05_ZYlWrkv3uJ8pm6aFX5GYFtIsGT9ZlPq0maL3CJmaQyLsVjSMlZ2zQUJ5yq086Meuqoymgka-jzTb7OqcdyaeoFGdqePF2_xoyVLgE2Whot-Uln187GJM/s320/DSC_6333.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp18NHwTCYuDuCKd9t8bAST0SUpbqCMpxfoxIzVI2ouzZjK6T7JIO9lB0T8RDZ-kbSZsjlRHQpeHiZvBeK2se_tbBnRHw7aHeQ6dnvm7J8P_g9LRrgm6r62XPs5AL_XiAomSTorwTFOhQ/s1600/DSC_6315.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500429016754770418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHohxmpeBCCIzGtphc_0H86Xf7dnBCAuGipaoDidYDf6JOrVjKzqZ1L2AMMpTNZsRDM_DaiNqnP4Msr13pAeClTnLIzPMCxGl853XjGV2iW1uzmPOlecINw0jvuhUOYDx31o0AiuDMtSA/s320/DSC_6198.JPG" /></a>We took the girls on trip to The National Harbor in Maryland. Van and I had never been to the harbor before so it was an adventure for us as well. It is really beautiful, and we plan to go back as soon as we can. We went on the water taxi over to Old Town Alexandria, enjoyed some live music, and an ice cream from Ben and Jerry's. It felt like a mini vacation. Enjoy the pictures. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-77105123313777299682010-07-27T19:36:00.000-07:002010-07-27T21:04:28.368-07:00The Boys Leave Us, and The Girls Arrive!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_-eG0dNXOuu4lSiv0qtGc0I6_qEesPCxfY-9MIyF8G-aYmOdvGNJnjmN5K0AvA2sTZS2KnKBef-IohnJ8_m83ZUsVglJjldEfiD9nQPY7INVe7wQ0fzT_DkoE88LB4QreZ0g1f4nlqw/s1600/DSC_5948.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498802231559344482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht_-eG0dNXOuu4lSiv0qtGc0I6_qEesPCxfY-9MIyF8G-aYmOdvGNJnjmN5K0AvA2sTZS2KnKBef-IohnJ8_m83ZUsVglJjldEfiD9nQPY7INVe7wQ0fzT_DkoE88LB4QreZ0g1f4nlqw/s320/DSC_5948.JPG" /></a> Huang, Bob, Dora, Mary, and Edward<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gCHxOMuV8Ma8rDCl2k3F73FcGuHFgdNt_yvViPVm1keV6k8LWIGZHya2cXoDgQwmu3NnOm_MiZQPQumg9BDc6jJOJhbXT_J7M-xAAWQAO9G97iK_IYwHsxv8RcscFfuTsdgtrD2Ww5Q/s1600/DSC_5918.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498801437880264482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1o7dco2riVLlNZvNE-8wCsRpZ78xI0ITPKtgLj0Em9fCd1IYlfT3ZEYxCdIvgGJo4ZNwR1E1fLmNemoOaQ-iawHQucFPa7GKhWtzqiJ2mHhPUAWA-VOFmp6r8rwxmwTOGac1OHmJblFI/s320/DSC_6008.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA9B3oDnVnDigbtFxVW1v56ZBLMmjUC5AzSYW_uzKB95ez5Phw3zGcYaGELbWHiVY-5JT-5sr2LW6cwAiz0-d5RNUMvVOx5D7EsiVVpSUjpXG7kyYyezxQB9haCEOG8mBZnopeDkK1G8/s1600/DSC_5929.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498799875304750258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibA9B3oDnVnDigbtFxVW1v56ZBLMmjUC5AzSYW_uzKB95ez5Phw3zGcYaGELbWHiVY-5JT-5sr2LW6cwAiz0-d5RNUMvVOx5D7EsiVVpSUjpXG7kyYyezxQB9haCEOG8mBZnopeDkK1G8/s320/DSC_5929.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JMBM-02t7lSOYbuvd6w0qXIkLz_Fzuk4-JFGZvpm7lI1KKQ5H2iXCD9WNOX0ncFkrW3jwKycu0exYi24Vt9QoHHze_XuGvK3InGCKL15964i0Me9XFY9vm7LHk87iUEnz4YN35eMXtg/s1600/DSC_5920.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498799870009464562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JMBM-02t7lSOYbuvd6w0qXIkLz_Fzuk4-JFGZvpm7lI1KKQ5H2iXCD9WNOX0ncFkrW3jwKycu0exYi24Vt9QoHHze_XuGvK3InGCKL15964i0Me9XFY9vm7LHk87iUEnz4YN35eMXtg/s320/DSC_5920.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX4WtWU7vjCEE75PIPYfR7-qg-HzCjqZYdv7cdt-IPBmtcjnZXOKuBZSVHHiUEk-WKD7ANjc3din5jNHs6F-fYM6Qj-OxUr5Nl-ZWaDEHqzYSFEgCQU3cUU2CNbS15rzQnaovAtGN39o/s1600/DSC_5905.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498799864168192914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWX4WtWU7vjCEE75PIPYfR7-qg-HzCjqZYdv7cdt-IPBmtcjnZXOKuBZSVHHiUEk-WKD7ANjc3din5jNHs6F-fYM6Qj-OxUr5Nl-ZWaDEHqzYSFEgCQU3cUU2CNbS15rzQnaovAtGN39o/s320/DSC_5905.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_Spr5a6njtWo_p3-ZN4D6_KpHFnYSr0MtBcB6XKOhJkbX8E4mZfpnm0EAboAmJzRf9aQdDDwwRqca_w-U8xP90JPZqTu5eSAqpg7Dy5XlRW218m_zRH1iJZCtYQDE2otWIZya9vM5FY/s1600/DSC_5960.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498799854409353250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_Spr5a6njtWo_p3-ZN4D6_KpHFnYSr0MtBcB6XKOhJkbX8E4mZfpnm0EAboAmJzRf9aQdDDwwRqca_w-U8xP90JPZqTu5eSAqpg7Dy5XlRW218m_zRH1iJZCtYQDE2otWIZya9vM5FY/s320/DSC_5960.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYkyZxhDHrgquCYaaZdfDBSHaFAXVMJDijaZkyxVq8s3x0_40cYxuVQxItIcc3ITo_ZKLx-2EyDLICZKGLLXrDjcqiJoBjsDlqLQWaQF4NQv7R_RcpG91PJJ2dbSNQU5IXXzW_ZtGLpk/s1600/DSC_5953.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498799849107646130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYkyZxhDHrgquCYaaZdfDBSHaFAXVMJDijaZkyxVq8s3x0_40cYxuVQxItIcc3ITo_ZKLx-2EyDLICZKGLLXrDjcqiJoBjsDlqLQWaQF4NQv7R_RcpG91PJJ2dbSNQU5IXXzW_ZtGLpk/s320/DSC_5953.JPG" /></a>This has truly been such a positive experience for our family in so many ways. It is hard to put it into words. I hope that all of my friends are able to do this someday. It has been hard physically on me...my back is killing me as I write this...the extra cooking, cleaning, laundry, driving around, entertaining, BUT it has been sooooooooooo worth it.<br /><br />First off, Garrett's 4th birthay was yesterday. We celebrated with a "Wiggles" party. LOTS of people, LOTS of kids...LOTS of fun. And the weather was great too. Thank you, God! Garrett had a total blast with everyone, and once again, he sat up so proudly when it was time for singing the "Happy Birthday" song. He sang right along with everyone. Wish all of you could have seen the excitement on his face. He loves being the center of attention, and he knew that yesterday was ALL about him. SOOOOOO cute! I will post pics so you can catch a glimpse. Another thing I love about Garrett is that when he opens presents, he really understands how to thank people for them. My friend, Lauren, says that he is very gracious, and he just is. It is heartfelt and you can tell. Not many children are like that. He just "gets it". Van says this goes back all the way to China when he bought him his first pair of new shoes. Van had told me that you would have thought that Garrett had won the lottery because he loved his shoes so much. Anyway, it is really sweet to watch him look at the person and thank them. He does it better than anyone I know. I am proud of my boy. I didn't teach him that either other than the "say thank you" reminders that most parents give. Like I said, he just loves people, and he is grateful for his friends, and it shows. It is something that I hope will rub off on me a little bit. He is way better than I am at not taking anything or anyone for granted. He knows how to love.<br /><br />Bob and Huang left us early this morning. Such nice boys! It hit Garrett harder than anyone. I have never seen Garrett react like that, and I truly did not expect it. He kept saying, "Mama, plane. Mama China. I go. Boys! Where? I miss boys." and when I tried to explain it...it is hard to say good-bye to our friends and they were just here visiting and had to go back home to their mama and daddy and we will keep in touch with them...he had a very sad, tearful cry. I didn't like having to say good-bye either. They stood at the door and thanked me for my care and concern for them. They told me to come to China and I would be welcomed. It was very sweet. Bob really looked kind of heartbroken to leave. It was kind of sad. We had a great time with them! Anyhoo...enough said. We will miss them a lot.<br /><br />Now, our girls arrived night before last. My family will get a total kick out of this. Their American names are Mary (my first name) and.....drum roll please..........................................................................................<br />EDWARD!!!! How is that for a little divine intervention? No joke! She named herself EDWARD! My daddy's name was Edward, and he passed away in 2003. She really likes the "Edward" character in the Twilight movies. That was why she gave herself that name. I still think somebody upstairs is pulling the strings. HA! They are very sweet girls, both 13, though they seem very much older than that, very mature for their age, and they both speak a fair amount of English. Not as much as Bob, but we are able to communicate. And unlike the boys, the girls are very neat and tidy which is FABULOUS! The boys that just left...NOT so much. BUT that is ok because I knew they wouldn't be because they're boys. Anyway, we are getting to know them, and are having a great second round of company. They are teaching Gracie and Garrett some basic Chinese, playing games with them, singing, watching movies etc. It has been awesome. They were here for the birthday party, we took them to school, and then after school, we went to Costco to shop, and then Panda Express for dinner. Great times. And I didn't have to cook. Even better!<br /><br />More later...Enjoy the pictures.<br /><br />HUGS, Madeline</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-31872554507314433802010-07-21T11:11:00.000-07:002010-07-21T11:14:00.394-07:00Huang and BobOur exchange students have arrived. We are having the BEST time with Bob and Huang. They are from Chongqing, China in the Szechian region. Both are 16 years old, and I have really developed a huge fondness for them in just one week. I really don't want to see them leave to go back to China. I feel like I have two more children. BIG children, but children nonetheless. I really like them. They're pretty funny. We laugh a lot. And they can cook! Man, they REALLY cook! They totally put me to shame. IRON CHEF! Chongqing hotpot and super side dishes. No joke. It was GREAT! And they prepared the whole meal just for us. It took them close to two hours to just prepare it for cooking. Our friends, Dolores and Grace, also came over with their exchange student, Dora. She is from the same area in China as the boys. Very sweet girl. Beautiful too. She helped them.<br />We have had some great times so far.<br />Touring DC at night. The Washington Monument. The Jefferson Memorial. Walking the city. Sweating. Taking them to school and home again. Hanging out at home. Restaurants. Watching Bob and Huang try to eat the "Blazin" hot wings at Buffalo Wild Wings. Laughing. Movies. Wii. Walks. Sweating. Touring DC on Saturday all day. The White House. The Capitol. The WW2 Memorial. The Women of the Military Memorial. The Korean War Memorial. The WW1 Memorial Wall. The Museum of Natural History. Shopping at Fair Oaks. Shopping everywhere. Talking about everything China. Learning. Absorbing. French Fries. Burgers. Pizza. Computer time. Learning Chinese. Learning about their culture. I have loved every second of it! And Gracie is just a sponge. She really likes the boys. They are so kind to the children. Huang will pick Gracie up and put her on his shoulders. He will hold her hand. He is very sweet. Bob is too. They are very cheerful, good boys. Bob communicates very well. Huang is learning the language. They have been very good here together. They balance each other out.<br />Some of my favorite moments so far…<br />1. Finding out the boys are going to cook a meal for us. YEA!!! Then, Bob tells me in the car one morning that we do not have all of the ingredients. Ox stomach. Chicken hearts. No can do. Had to talk to the boys about that. Just cannot eat the internal organs of animals. I totally respect them. I do not want to insult them at all. BUT…I cannot do it. They were very understanding and used just plain chicken, and beef in the meal. It was awesome! Probably one of the very best Chinese meals we have ever eaten. Bob told me that his mom told him later in life that his favorite thing to eat as a child was pig brains. Hmmmmmm.<br />2. The boys went on a bike ride and got caught in the rain on their way home from MANASSAS. We thought they were riding around our neighborhood. NO. They were all the way in Manassas!!! Had to have another talk with them.<br />3. The boys are used to eating VERY hot and spicy foods in China. We enjoyed watching them try to eat the Blazin Hot wings at Buffalo Wild Wings…If you can eat 12 wings in 6 minutes with no drinks and no napkins and no ranch or blue cheese dressing, you get your picture on a wall and a t-shirt for your efforts. They ate some of them….five of them…Sweating, lots of water, and lots of laughter later…They passed on eating all 12 wings. Even the staff leader/waiter said he wouldn’t do it. It is just painful. You don’t even taste the chicken etc. But they ate five of them. Brave boys!<br />4. Seeing Gracie and Garrett light up around them. Hearing the kids try to speak Chinese. Listening to Gracie’s questions. Asking lots of questions ourselves. And listening to their answers.Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-28279155445356693892010-07-20T21:47:00.000-07:002010-07-21T11:06:09.954-07:00Our New Friends, Huang and Bob<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9sPTEXAPGu8UJ2HuZBugIJrPET4PTKhStNkxILWPRHTbFfxhGjcnLAjOC_71Di5uDLuIiFFDxx108bh0yoyqJaRTn3NzR1UHCknFcKcyKs4y5gfW8seNGQ5YZ4dNCSsVYVe1stRk0bU/s1600/DSC_5791.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417721088591202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9sPTEXAPGu8UJ2HuZBugIJrPET4PTKhStNkxILWPRHTbFfxhGjcnLAjOC_71Di5uDLuIiFFDxx108bh0yoyqJaRTn3NzR1UHCknFcKcyKs4y5gfW8seNGQ5YZ4dNCSsVYVe1stRk0bU/s320/DSC_5791.JPG" /></a> Chongqing hotpot and side dishes with LOTS of chili peppers<br />Awesome meal, boys!!! It was so good!!!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCvZlqqjBBiAz_bkq6LW4s4KD4RQR0rviFuysMQlucVQ02XVVA7hNf2F5PRSHyBJsPiXFJLrEl6ME8moYVg0pnPY2RrhcMd1VGBs53qqXfAqnOKQiZAc2gLX0XWRv5Fbw7YvOvon5FEU/s1600/DSC_5786.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417712646673122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCvZlqqjBBiAz_bkq6LW4s4KD4RQR0rviFuysMQlucVQ02XVVA7hNf2F5PRSHyBJsPiXFJLrEl6ME8moYVg0pnPY2RrhcMd1VGBs53qqXfAqnOKQiZAc2gLX0XWRv5Fbw7YvOvon5FEU/s320/DSC_5786.JPG" /></a> Huang, the Iron Chef!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46hp2GZN_1c7RJdXC5iCGt4BGM-FlTDN6MxoyDvL2PbDikj8e0umf4pumrXLiVwno4xi80EwI4fnLk8QOoNh5zy0K7WqFBt2RD6oFRzbtto2kFvGb8di2KQY_sQIvmqzpg24JjqlASQ8/s1600/DSC_5784.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417702171425122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46hp2GZN_1c7RJdXC5iCGt4BGM-FlTDN6MxoyDvL2PbDikj8e0umf4pumrXLiVwno4xi80EwI4fnLk8QOoNh5zy0K7WqFBt2RD6oFRzbtto2kFvGb8di2KQY_sQIvmqzpg24JjqlASQ8/s320/DSC_5784.JPG" /></a>B-O-B handling the veggies called BaiTai or something like that.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVhhTTSITGDWP0fSO5qm6WSBqILY8LCrNqPv-euxKKd1Q_0J3yyBCejLYqgzXF3WI2f4uHG53g8hh11eE6HRLLL4xh7_nNBnERmtzw4TDO-wnMopVMC7c4Swkx3CULWX8oFONRLk2LQc/s1600/DSC_5782.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417297700917746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwVhhTTSITGDWP0fSO5qm6WSBqILY8LCrNqPv-euxKKd1Q_0J3yyBCejLYqgzXF3WI2f4uHG53g8hh11eE6HRLLL4xh7_nNBnERmtzw4TDO-wnMopVMC7c4Swkx3CULWX8oFONRLk2LQc/s320/DSC_5782.JPG" /></a>Can you believe the chili peppers in this pot? This was before all of the meat and veggies were added to the pot.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-oAd9mbKiMZL3pgeSlC6J4KyJT66gP_ywdc0Q4JQ2lelYJg2XEHz-eEM0dsTg042tKi7upSpb7q5LMvkBhmny_BpAeE5mxFlwwmZfCUqznjT6dbqt0wqNv9zAVb8YdoFcgHfwSeT8XM/s1600/DSC_5778.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417287168368402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-oAd9mbKiMZL3pgeSlC6J4KyJT66gP_ywdc0Q4JQ2lelYJg2XEHz-eEM0dsTg042tKi7upSpb7q5LMvkBhmny_BpAeE5mxFlwwmZfCUqznjT6dbqt0wqNv9zAVb8YdoFcgHfwSeT8XM/s320/DSC_5778.JPG" /></a>Bob, Dora, and Huang learned how to cook from their grandparents. In China, their parents work and their grandparents help raise them and care for them in the same home. Historically, the reason that they eat such hot and spicey food is because it would be so cold during the winters that they would cook foods that would warm their insides. It must have been REALLY cold.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IkeNGOnNPRQIMOfXFFlxtYUyQuOturTymRmdClvn1NQGK_1ahpdqruyj0jvb4AGnNUOfE3XQRmeEcF4Tk51j1AIaYxg_2QiJcIPW1h4Sgp3wpLoukdrFu20Ipl-b7lYDfG4_ATYauNc/s1600/DSC_5776.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417280806060194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9IkeNGOnNPRQIMOfXFFlxtYUyQuOturTymRmdClvn1NQGK_1ahpdqruyj0jvb4AGnNUOfE3XQRmeEcF4Tk51j1AIaYxg_2QiJcIPW1h4Sgp3wpLoukdrFu20Ipl-b7lYDfG4_ATYauNc/s320/DSC_5776.JPG" /></a>Gracie really likes Huang. He is very sweet to her. So is Bob. They are great boys and are very friendly.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-1NcKKzCck4H8G3HiJtOo3soXmHDlrCX9KPI0aoWQr7P0UvqicoieAVOg7qU0cdf33TJOj7VFNENEeGiH5jpkqE83UqCb3_To5bJbFXIKB35iDvZyGPx3lCA4HI9smp6bwy0q9ZtXDA/s1600/DSC_5733.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417273768933474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-1NcKKzCck4H8G3HiJtOo3soXmHDlrCX9KPI0aoWQr7P0UvqicoieAVOg7qU0cdf33TJOj7VFNENEeGiH5jpkqE83UqCb3_To5bJbFXIKB35iDvZyGPx3lCA4HI9smp6bwy0q9ZtXDA/s320/DSC_5733.JPG" /></a> D.C. at night. Beautiful!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvtu-B5zJ9oJHWFsdelpZzUQNx7BXpwEdK3Xi-NHcklKdUTgwImwxAizd0C5E2hwvaJXDXWSCQTRpGKYLcLfRn8sQkBRpKx_tTcRQJvNNnZSshafbYhRU_dGAFxo-Z67kgTAQ7pZlzFI/s1600/DSC_5732.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496417262695493410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvtu-B5zJ9oJHWFsdelpZzUQNx7BXpwEdK3Xi-NHcklKdUTgwImwxAizd0C5E2hwvaJXDXWSCQTRpGKYLcLfRn8sQkBRpKx_tTcRQJvNNnZSshafbYhRU_dGAFxo-Z67kgTAQ7pZlzFI/s320/DSC_5732.JPG" /></a>Is that a UFO or a giant orb in the picture? Do you know that two days after Huang and Bob left Chongqing, China to come here that a UFO was seen by many many people hovering over a park in their city in China? It made the front page of AOL news stories several days ago.<br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_7983EU6InLxQLm4CUvh766Za-f1OBAKJ1pGthvmnctvN4G_r58gm4V_rxo9Qc6UqkTveOdEawPuuod7xovPkCJaNFXsM7Ezlipms9BuagU2XGB1DKRnW-TcsY-y4TvZOxlziK5OgaI/s1600/DSC_5699.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496416729956014098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_7983EU6InLxQLm4CUvh766Za-f1OBAKJ1pGthvmnctvN4G_r58gm4V_rxo9Qc6UqkTveOdEawPuuod7xovPkCJaNFXsM7Ezlipms9BuagU2XGB1DKRnW-TcsY-y4TvZOxlziK5OgaI/s320/DSC_5699.JPG" /></a>The guys had a great time in DC.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYbWgQn7MGt4bygukqaOxURAI8OBqGA9YQMb27PEr69j3ocEswdZs3PRfKRwAIVPMsZOgSbNtDZd0sCOvyN2xu6ti1TVqkTSMjzHW4GgFMxJffYGZR8s-18dIE-x4sHCYLwl3vMAcbMQ/s1600/DSC_5695.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496416729127048018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYbWgQn7MGt4bygukqaOxURAI8OBqGA9YQMb27PEr69j3ocEswdZs3PRfKRwAIVPMsZOgSbNtDZd0sCOvyN2xu6ti1TVqkTSMjzHW4GgFMxJffYGZR8s-18dIE-x4sHCYLwl3vMAcbMQ/s320/DSC_5695.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NFrOqi5Hh7KoRmj_rqrvBB6N6oUIMpMxS5CG9Mj8XDgNvleloYbmemrdMOpseHEfI_xeE8f8mxFFBdugIWjI0tqndSOH3o2C5yLFkfgw4Rlnaxj0wGbf033kZ-Oix6bxrFs8V1bQaq8/s1600/DSC_5690.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496416725451107602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NFrOqi5Hh7KoRmj_rqrvBB6N6oUIMpMxS5CG9Mj8XDgNvleloYbmemrdMOpseHEfI_xeE8f8mxFFBdugIWjI0tqndSOH3o2C5yLFkfgw4Rlnaxj0wGbf033kZ-Oix6bxrFs8V1bQaq8/s320/DSC_5690.JPG" /></a>My children...all four of them!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgkvFs4UVwybG0mLNtmYXbvajPOHrfTsgp7h-vnUHOksOjBEmjjJCzR4xf4If9D-wpdPfBTZav2QI8DRKnMcPkMQKBSoosnY16PAqJtW4JVo9aNgkPizDY8o5r4CAb6_9s14C8ml-OKI/s1600/DSC_5686.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496416714389951266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgkvFs4UVwybG0mLNtmYXbvajPOHrfTsgp7h-vnUHOksOjBEmjjJCzR4xf4If9D-wpdPfBTZav2QI8DRKnMcPkMQKBSoosnY16PAqJtW4JVo9aNgkPizDY8o5r4CAb6_9s14C8ml-OKI/s320/DSC_5686.JPG" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />The guys are relaxing on the sofa together.Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-81136122301166478322010-07-20T21:23:00.000-07:002010-07-20T21:35:18.791-07:00Siblings who snuggle together...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifOx1CGw3cQGGaxkOnivs8kcegbtSf3KamZekSR-vYntaXKE-iN_i5esyEmzS35rIV0NSndLM4KAEbuTWkqhkM-RVJ0MKXg4Rw7TrhgA3gzOn8R-w4C6hA4UpjxujVoojAt4qHDB40Lmw/s1600/DSC_5776.JPG"></a><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496211460257194802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTE3LOpiWGHrEjlhW8yXjavhe0kaqFeRZw_s9BP8jAIiWyFoYBJdl-hIG8Wm_FvkllgssIBlZ-2b6NPbcFjNh3teNCMPZOtgpGTDH_9zv0ze9Z3tSHEhs0EkPOTKbfIuyYL_dr_tDrrA/s320/DSC_5761.JPG" /> These two kids totally love each other, and it makes my heart so happy!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkPxXOEsauCCY-htANKZQYkOfJRtqsxAzcbpZAiwnVN9mVkBpqLW_WtUOWqLhL6mC7utQRypQOicXWGY4f6dQdtUSk5wHsCe6ZiexdrrhTcqwzYOsr4rOEYygnQwJ2k8zedLNpfnnlJw/s1600/DSC_5758.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496211453174900578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAkPxXOEsauCCY-htANKZQYkOfJRtqsxAzcbpZAiwnVN9mVkBpqLW_WtUOWqLhL6mC7utQRypQOicXWGY4f6dQdtUSk5wHsCe6ZiexdrrhTcqwzYOsr4rOEYygnQwJ2k8zedLNpfnnlJw/s320/DSC_5758.JPG" /></a> Awwwww.....so sweet!!!</div><div>Garrett snuggles with Gracie on the sofa.</div><div>He will very often just go plop on top of her when she least expects it.</div><div>She doesn't seem to mind. <br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJpv_vC5L-2Zc2w3yiUy1xUMNJgTTlBEn7sSJiV3xrMxBvQexBiMDw-v7s2HJcU66V1t3ZJQJvZgjRNW5-0ApK3LUZ0c106luPLjvOwImDGJ6GiLvoaiC3HApXtTcdzakstnW9caUXK0/s1600/DSC_5757.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496211445195907842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJpv_vC5L-2Zc2w3yiUy1xUMNJgTTlBEn7sSJiV3xrMxBvQexBiMDw-v7s2HJcU66V1t3ZJQJvZgjRNW5-0ApK3LUZ0c106luPLjvOwImDGJ6GiLvoaiC3HApXtTcdzakstnW9caUXK0/s320/DSC_5757.JPG" /></a>My babies! I love them both!!!<br /><div> </div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-64260751099345565972010-07-20T21:18:00.000-07:002010-07-20T21:23:26.511-07:00More Bribery Pictures...Poor Garrett!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeghi8a3bn85gTNNGBgDc8A1pWLueEeDEvvcyq5mTfNt_ORWKH_dN1QgofzX3m0Qqc2dORQv9R9_M-7AllL5yNUgvlUqbXZG4kaBCjH5E4BKTV1fnBMOzDcj7aai63N1g0FcdOi-8-Ic/s1600/DSC_5636.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496209691593786258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeghi8a3bn85gTNNGBgDc8A1pWLueEeDEvvcyq5mTfNt_ORWKH_dN1QgofzX3m0Qqc2dORQv9R9_M-7AllL5yNUgvlUqbXZG4kaBCjH5E4BKTV1fnBMOzDcj7aai63N1g0FcdOi-8-Ic/s320/DSC_5636.JPG" /></a>" I am just role playing. This is not a problem. I am an actor. It is just dress up. I promise, Daddy!"<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE-WUOAQNITeDdRKYOdGpWWC4aTrA29gip90Siv9epyAvMgnOQoaxGPrAuAfFIYAwakJXbdMUs-FjxAZWkdjaAs_HXMnmjR7DxGQy2WfXqOy2p4lOp0nO7r5vAJfDVK0_U_xZ4MtllKE/s1600/DSC_5582.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496209687595476066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFE-WUOAQNITeDdRKYOdGpWWC4aTrA29gip90Siv9epyAvMgnOQoaxGPrAuAfFIYAwakJXbdMUs-FjxAZWkdjaAs_HXMnmjR7DxGQy2WfXqOy2p4lOp0nO7r5vAJfDVK0_U_xZ4MtllKE/s320/DSC_5582.JPG" /></a>Little Miss Gracie...Darling. Love her.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHzra7iVEKuZh1GrJc9FULZ9ael1IHm9x2gouwrQ9Tyv0PsCgdMdLxm8Q9lqH_CMNBf-VtpH5E13d4cwMFRmirFp0EFsovrSbbuTtZ_2N5ideOP-8iQI6A5n0ablaFKqkjjnvRkN204cs/s1600/DSC_5557.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-14941091139470599692010-07-20T21:11:00.001-07:002010-07-20T21:18:15.497-07:00AUBURN!!! War Eagle!!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4NgJuhXSjvg01WDPpigC94gXmofouuz5YszQtgwwls03F4hIxBv2yAV1deQ5Ca25EJlJ1dCfz9-BWuDVksUZjkD7QkjmqyUyV09UEFrUzvPrfWTbhDgZ5k7Yp6W4_cpn3CdZwAlPXg0/s1600/DSC_5371.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496208154891537666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4NgJuhXSjvg01WDPpigC94gXmofouuz5YszQtgwwls03F4hIxBv2yAV1deQ5Ca25EJlJ1dCfz9-BWuDVksUZjkD7QkjmqyUyV09UEFrUzvPrfWTbhDgZ5k7Yp6W4_cpn3CdZwAlPXg0/s320/DSC_5371.JPG" /></a> She is a natural! You should hear the cheers!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YMRaXZ5ZvD-70CctPP1zsp4z0_NW0i-00j_AxWQLh2pptFAYWHB7SGMOKlgn_cSv9hCvGS4SsK2iq_mRexwOu38Nhw4C1HHwQ01nCqdyyylXnZdqLGcvMuSHdRpvidXQd5Tg30zfEtA/s1600/DSC_5343.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496208148489050066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3YMRaXZ5ZvD-70CctPP1zsp4z0_NW0i-00j_AxWQLh2pptFAYWHB7SGMOKlgn_cSv9hCvGS4SsK2iq_mRexwOu38Nhw4C1HHwQ01nCqdyyylXnZdqLGcvMuSHdRpvidXQd5Tg30zfEtA/s320/DSC_5343.JPG" /></a> We're number one!!! Go Auburn!!!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu-ugvuZgaB-ANE2frC7Bw3IwW_xDvbKBIFzsCEb6lFHA1IbfqSuZSSl-eNO0IBlGb1Uubl3_BnUeCSL8BuaFMmZJeUni9wGDCZH08reGrihGbHup3HVfmoBs2rmGg_Hv5u2fiLPBfQ4/s1600/DSC_5332.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496208139538401410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuu-ugvuZgaB-ANE2frC7Bw3IwW_xDvbKBIFzsCEb6lFHA1IbfqSuZSSl-eNO0IBlGb1Uubl3_BnUeCSL8BuaFMmZJeUni9wGDCZH08reGrihGbHup3HVfmoBs2rmGg_Hv5u2fiLPBfQ4/s320/DSC_5332.JPG" /></a> I know I am in a dress. </div><div> It's to prove a point....<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1TmKfxcwCY6SDyMjJDXijIH0tnKgNBB_ltOmlJxKcwthdoZIwjccIcD-TsUme41H2cany-vgb0lIWqifFtazhhTEzsU38Uq7HkHwE5Mo9PmJon-1v5nfoPAM0mTLMLTtHCjJpGbmytA/s1600/DSC_5329.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496208128370209858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1TmKfxcwCY6SDyMjJDXijIH0tnKgNBB_ltOmlJxKcwthdoZIwjccIcD-TsUme41H2cany-vgb0lIWqifFtazhhTEzsU38Uq7HkHwE5Mo9PmJon-1v5nfoPAM0mTLMLTtHCjJpGbmytA/s320/DSC_5329.JPG" /></a> I am MUCH cuter than that kid on tv.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-55127819775480276522010-07-20T19:44:00.000-07:002010-07-20T19:57:18.214-07:00YOU HAVE TO SHOP HERE!!!! WILD OLIVE TEES...Get Your Verse On<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDkcPmnZBV1ogmof_xiQvF9LO718OpwN520qbcj14hMlIOnpu2pKVfGG7gAsqFZJWCORxvrSFvkQK8DiRk7XT8kYlpio-7O25zjK5bZ1oG2u1RZP-OHySEdJJHHphDQDUHBUqqlN1sl4/s1600/tees.png"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 125px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496186017063593970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihDkcPmnZBV1ogmof_xiQvF9LO718OpwN520qbcj14hMlIOnpu2pKVfGG7gAsqFZJWCORxvrSFvkQK8DiRk7XT8kYlpio-7O25zjK5bZ1oG2u1RZP-OHySEdJJHHphDQDUHBUqqlN1sl4/s320/tees.png" /></a><br /><br /><div>These are the most beautifully designed tee shirts created by a travel buddy friend named Stefanie and her crew at Wild Olive Tees. Stefanie brought home Isabelle, her daughter, from China during the same time we brought home Gracie. We were in the same DTC yahoo group online together. AND she was also on the trip with Van when he went to China to get our Garrett. She was traveling at that time with her sister to China to share in the joy of bringing her nephew home. GREAT girl!!! Now, get your verse on, girls! LOVE THESE!!! Purchase for a friend or neighbor and while you're at it, help some babies in China! See the button on the right sidebar to shop, shop, shop!!! I am telling you that you will LOVE these shirts!!! GO NOW!!! GO! GO!! GO!!! JUST GO!!!! </div><div><a href="http://www.wildolivetees.com/">www.wildOlivetees.com</a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-49484918894124944402010-07-04T05:26:00.000-07:002010-07-23T10:37:26.724-07:00Happy 4th of July!!! Back to Blogging!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi8HHVCf4sfsHFWzXLxmoQsXgeXd633K8uUH3VQ1QhJTeT1tyIm1IkuvzfS7v87NlnKUvsusPci1x9-L-npym6348qxl59Xv4-TucuW7DwK_Mef_KMG9K3Q73WNN9Zs-gAYkReFz_wsg/s1600/DSC_5239.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490708503142109778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqi8HHVCf4sfsHFWzXLxmoQsXgeXd633K8uUH3VQ1QhJTeT1tyIm1IkuvzfS7v87NlnKUvsusPci1x9-L-npym6348qxl59Xv4-TucuW7DwK_Mef_KMG9K3Q73WNN9Zs-gAYkReFz_wsg/s320/DSC_5239.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtOVuAh2KkqjhiukHQerSv0-vGmg2zEhhEvau6g3_LQ-k6jA4vJOpoBoFePGpqkON7aGJYmpHMDsdqvF5yUXmb2WwTp7S6TIcb7_wIATNpIU6pblViPz5UWPCNTVgN0udfK84qvBch7s/s1600/DSC_5238.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490707379570261538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtOVuAh2KkqjhiukHQerSv0-vGmg2zEhhEvau6g3_LQ-k6jA4vJOpoBoFePGpqkON7aGJYmpHMDsdqvF5yUXmb2WwTp7S6TIcb7_wIATNpIU6pblViPz5UWPCNTVgN0udfK84qvBch7s/s320/DSC_5238.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zFX9rMo9S9uyS2ZEk1ob5GQyAdKoznm9FvtKm3FN0Zy7akbfnpwQXjLGJIBL9q_rvr9HwTGI_jKZdh6agjzLkR2jfPFowgHImVwa0Z8IqPY24fKWQXIWljpFmdo80BGE4AtB66p9Mbs/s1600/DSC_5226.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490707377217217874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zFX9rMo9S9uyS2ZEk1ob5GQyAdKoznm9FvtKm3FN0Zy7akbfnpwQXjLGJIBL9q_rvr9HwTGI_jKZdh6agjzLkR2jfPFowgHImVwa0Z8IqPY24fKWQXIWljpFmdo80BGE4AtB66p9Mbs/s320/DSC_5226.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv1GRX7CeMg2Dl8Y1a0Euo7AawuqwJWOnKyB0rC7pTIYHrbEdv_eayJrpte0seuVBx-cb2W8fz5MzNKNWNXXoHEA7GwQPneFnDwENf0ji72ad7f6cgBUqYtlDnmrx07DnCXw9fKqcgcs/s1600/DSC_5213.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490707360279682514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZv1GRX7CeMg2Dl8Y1a0Euo7AawuqwJWOnKyB0rC7pTIYHrbEdv_eayJrpte0seuVBx-cb2W8fz5MzNKNWNXXoHEA7GwQPneFnDwENf0ji72ad7f6cgBUqYtlDnmrx07DnCXw9fKqcgcs/s320/DSC_5213.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPloggfUEs1Gh5E-StTQ7Cj6F0sLqMRAg4y6b18VirP-kc1xYj1rOMSV2JM3Sqa5qd72WTY6J_2lQwRJxtmVU18JU7MfXyJaEQjL_nl8N0Zz4tnhHnLPmlRb2j3C3yS4YnqZZfGwML5FM/s1600/DSC_5209.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490707346833284594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPloggfUEs1Gh5E-StTQ7Cj6F0sLqMRAg4y6b18VirP-kc1xYj1rOMSV2JM3Sqa5qd72WTY6J_2lQwRJxtmVU18JU7MfXyJaEQjL_nl8N0Zz4tnhHnLPmlRb2j3C3yS4YnqZZfGwML5FM/s320/DSC_5209.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVbf_hqp5xTCBkps3HA9TWyOERa1wNejvTf7qTc3tjchb2MQCP99mpTrwmt_7NDrsGu3dlhSibAmdMi-t-bTEVf6D6kNSZQxXn1-d9sO29lRW2SdxDD7Lz5FzukFP5w-5ODRdyWO5ZQAY/s1600/DSC_5190.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS4_-xoGH9SPIewfz7IVdmlXSeU78vPjWxSWnDwtpwJj_eEAoN1_2ASFwPCl_O0q37PLiAW3M8IyN76PpXg36eSW5LHf4RsAahD44qBsE-U45P8ROikSe_f45JQH63CEM5CivBj677OA/s1600/DSC_5179.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490705230412271298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJS4_-xoGH9SPIewfz7IVdmlXSeU78vPjWxSWnDwtpwJj_eEAoN1_2ASFwPCl_O0q37PLiAW3M8IyN76PpXg36eSW5LHf4RsAahD44qBsE-U45P8ROikSe_f45JQH63CEM5CivBj677OA/s320/DSC_5179.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Well, here I am again. Blogging. Haven't been blogging lately. Just haven't had the time or energy. But I am back. And hopefully, someone will read this because I am taking the time to actually pursue it again. </div><div></div><div>Bloggy Friends!!! Please notice that the sidebar with links to websites is getting smaller. For some odd reason, I cannot access your websites anymore. If your website does not appear here, please email me to let me know how to get back to your blogs...Stephanie, Epin, Kelly Dyer...etc etc. Email me!<br /><br />Happy 4th of July everyone! I miss being with my family in Birmingham on the 4th. The OLS 4th of July festival. The BBQ. Daddy's chicken. Mama's potato salad. Mama's cole slaw. ( Ok, who has those recipes? I need them. Email me.) The cake walk. Seeing old friends. The fireworks seen from the house at the top of the driveway on Ridge Rd. Mama's homemade ice cream. Times sure have changed. Someone else lives in that house now, and it doesn't even remotely resemble the one I lived in so long ago. If I had the money, I would buy that house. Just because. I would renovate it, and it would look just like it did back when we lived in it. Ok, maybe there would be a few changes, but the front of the house would look the same. It would be our 4th of July house.<br /><br />The kids are growing. No news there. It is funny to me that parents say to other people, "The kids are growing up." Isn't that what they are supposed to do? They grow. Everyday. All day long. So I won't bore you with too much of it.<br />Gracie starts kindergarten this fall. Cannot even believe it. She is so ready for it. I, on the other hand, wish I could have more time to get used to the idea. The whole thing gives me the hives just thinking about it. September will be here before we know it, and the thought of putting her on that bus the first day makes me cry. She will have all of her neighborhood friends to help her get through it, and I will have all of my neighborhood friends for the long cry afterwards at the bus stop. They are going to have to hold me back from following the bus to school and sitting all day in the parking lot. SO HARD! ALREADY! She went to the school's kindergarten screening, and the teacher who tested her said she is sooooooo ready, and that her writing already looks fabulous. I know she will do well. I don't know that I will do well. What happened to half day kindergarten? I would be FINE if it was just a half day. No problem. BUT she will be there all day!!! Monday through Friday. ALL DAY! Gracie has a beautiful voice and dances so well. She loves to make up songs and gives us concerts. She really is talented. We need to put her in voice and dance lessons. She is so funny. Loves knock knock jokes. Reading. Writing. Playing school. Playing dolls. And she is as active as any little boy on the block. Baseball lover. Can hit a ball really well! We went to two National's baseball games in DC recently. LOVED those. Hoola Hoops like crazy...two and three hoola hoops at one time. Bossy! Must be the age. Stubborn. Perfectionist. Loving. Always wants to be on our laps. So sweet and cuddly. Loves to tell stories. Plays I-Spy. Wants her "me" time away from Garrett. Puts signs on her door saying she wants to be alone. No one allowed. LOL. Loves her friends. Wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. So smart. I think she will be a doctor someday. Gracie has lost her two bottom front teeth (new ones have already grown back in), and another one is gone now too. Her two front teeth are loose, and the doc says she will lose those soon. She wants to go back to China NOW. Sadly, she is going through some things concerning her adoption. It is hard for her. You know, I think about how much we all take for granted knowing all of the answers to our puzzle about our family. I have even done a lot of genealogy work and know more than most people would about my own. Well, Gracie has many pieces to that puzzle that are missing. Can you take a moment and think about what that would be like? Not knowing. Wanting to know. Asking. Wanting answers. Not getting answers. And being thousands of miles away from anyone really able to answer anything. And she feels it (and she feels it more so than she understands it)! She is very much aware of it. So intuitive. So wise for her years. So perceptive. So sensitive. Separation is hard for her. She clings to me. She just doesn't comprehend that we cannot get into the car or on a plane now to go get those answers. I wish I had a million bucks. One of the first things I would do would be to take Gracie to China now so that she could see her orphanage and see her nannies and ask those questions. Sadly, we cannot do that right now. Pray for her. Pray for us so that we will know how to help her get her through it. She cries about it very often. She is happy 99.9% of the time though. It is hardest for her at night because she tells me that is when she thinks about it all...which to me, perfectly explains her sleep issues...fighting sleep, needing to be near us/sleep with us, waking up, fighting in her sleep. It is very complicated. And honestly, I knew she would have some of these issues as an adopted child, but I never dreamed that she would be grieving so hard at the age of five. Too much. Too soon. But we are dealing with it. And we are doing what we know is best for her. Just LOVE our girl! She is such a blessing to us. How could I love any little girl any more than I do Gracie? Cannot even fathom it. She is a constant bright light. What a beautiful light she shines!!!<br /><br />Garrett starts preschool too. Three days a week. He needs it. That does not seem so difficult for me to deal with. He goes for three hours on those days. Then he will be home with me. And we have two years of preschool to look forward to. Developmentally, he really is more like a three year old right now. He's a babe! BUT Garrett is HUGE. He is as big as Gracie (one inch shorter, about 6 or 7 pounds heavier). When I took him with me to the school to register Gracie for kindergarten, the school nurse thought I was registering him. HA! She says there are first graders that are much smaller than he is. Imagine what he will look like in two years when he does start kindergarten! He is talking a lot. Singing a lot. And Garrett is just the cutest kid ever! I know. Every parent thinks so. But he's my boy!!! So loving. So affectionate. Gives the best hugs in the world just like his big sis. So funny. So active. Falls a lot. Lots of skinned knees and elbows. RUNS everywhere. Loud. Dumps things. Bothers Gracie. LOVES Gracie. Potty training. Still. Not there yet, but trying. Sleeping better. Cutest smile ever. BIG. Did I say BIG and HEAVY? Loves the Wiggles. He will be four on July 26th. But he is just a baby still! We are having a Wiggles party for him, and we will be going to the Wiggles "Wiggly Circus" concert in August to see them live in Richmond!!! We still hear from Garrett's foster parents in China. They love him and miss him. His foster brother writes us via email for his parents. I cannot get over the feelings/thoughts I have that this family might be somehow biologically related to Garrett. Just a gut feeling. I may be wrong. BUT...not so sure I am wrong. Their feelings are just so strong for Garrett. They truly, genuinely love him. But then again...Who wouldn't? He is the sweetest kid in the world. He and Gracie. Funny how God works, huh? We have the two most perfect children on the planet... IMHO, that is.<br /><br />We recently had Gracie and Garrett's hearing tested. Garrett seems to have normal hearing which is what we expected. What we were not expecting was to hear that Gracie has a slight hearing loss. I almost passed on even having Gracie's hearing checked. They are retesting her in six months, but are pretty sure that she will test the same. They think the loss is due to an infection her birthmother might have had while pregnant with her. The plan for this is to make sure she sits up front at school, and to let her teachers know. The lady that tested her said that we will need to have her hearing checked yearly to make sure that the hearing loss doesn't get any worse. And it could. Pray that it doesn't.<br /><br />We are enjoying the summer even though it has been extremely hot here. The kids love going to the pool, and we are finally seeing Gracie's fear of the water leave her. Garrett has absolutely no fear whatsoever. He is already putting his face in the water. This has made Gracie more willing to try the water because she is highly competitive. We are going to the library a lot, reading a lot, playing outside in the mornings and evenings, crafting, playing school (Gracie's favorite activity), putting on special performances with singing and dancing, watching The Wiggles...We LOVE the Wiggles!!!...cooking together, running through the sprinklers, eating LOTS of popsicles and freeze pops, playing games, and having lots of playdates with friends.<br /><br />***** Below change: We will now have four Chinese exchange students between July 13th and August 7th! We will have two boys for session A and two girls for session B!!!! Even more excited now!</div><div> </div><div>Our biggest news lately is that we are going to have two Chinese foreign exchange students coming to stay with us in July and August. The first one is a 16 year old boy from Chongqing, China. He supposedly speaks a fair amount of English. We are so excited about his arrival soon. He will be with us for two weeks. Immediately afterwards, we will be having a girl from China stay with is, but we do not know anything about her yet. She will also stay for two weeks. Both students will be going to an English Language camp during the weekdays for most of the day, but they will have evenings and weekends free. It is going to be quite a great cultural learning experience for all of us. I am hoping that Garrett and Gracie can learn to speak some conversational Chinese, and learn to write some Chinese as well. And I am hoping that one of the students will teach me how to cook some steamed meat dumplings. The boy is from an area in China where they eat very spicy foods in hot pots. Let's just hope he likes chicken nuggets and burgers and fries. LOL. Just kidding. I am no gourmet cook. Really. I will have rice and noodles on hand in case they cannot stomach what I prepare. This will be their first time in the United States too. And they are so lucky that they get ME to be the one who will be cooking for them. NOT. Three meals a day! SO SAD! I need Paula Dean. Right now. Can she come live with us too? I bet she could cook up some really good southern type Chinese food for all of us with a lot of butter. Mmmmmmmm. Another idea...I need Scotty Bourgeois (my nephew chef)! Where are you Scotty? Come visit us and bring Katie and Beth. Then, you can cook! You're good at it!!! You do this for a living! I need you. At least research some really easy Chinese recipes for me. Think Szechuan!!! Hot pot!<br /><br />So be alert! I will be blogging about our experience with Hu HanBo. My kids go around saying, "Who? HanBo!" (Get it...Hu HanBo). That is his name. So be sure to start reading this blog each day starting on the 13th. Hopefully, we will all learn a lot from Hu HanBo.<br /><br />Today for the 4th, we have eaten from "Red Hot and Blue" which is the closest thing we have here to good old southern BBQ. The feast so far has been on cowboy caviar and chips, ribs, brisket, potato salad, Connie's cold bean salad (yum), my cold corn pasta salad (yum), and banana pudding. I made brownies and a cake, and we have that for dessert later. Tonight, we will go to see the incredible fireworks display. Happy 4th of July, everyone! God Bless America! Miss all of you!<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />Madeline</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-85201230699974509162009-12-21T10:38:00.000-08:002009-12-21T11:00:45.898-08:00Christmas 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5__YPaHbQAQSDtkfU0Hh8sXlggK-lJkc5Udv5PhIUTPK2VGTcsodhBFFbsEVjCHrkJaeL8OL4q4m5MMhMHowVFvX0x_-bqajuOVk7HoAAdBDV6Eg08hnLiKaBjFaA8yVsJBgMMCcX_s/s1600-h/DSC_2528.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417766021704116562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5__YPaHbQAQSDtkfU0Hh8sXlggK-lJkc5Udv5PhIUTPK2VGTcsodhBFFbsEVjCHrkJaeL8OL4q4m5MMhMHowVFvX0x_-bqajuOVk7HoAAdBDV6Eg08hnLiKaBjFaA8yVsJBgMMCcX_s/s320/DSC_2528.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ri9pOLTydjspDsDM8zBaB1xkML-LgUwVZwdrsSngNRKcdGieIYaiWwKTW9fmoI-xHFCL3FxjekPlfizfhcD0RuspUTN5UIz_M7FH7nIvahzzgFmbEOQ72IjI5cQGtiVo4amPprIgQm4/s1600-h/DSC_2735.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417766014248693554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ri9pOLTydjspDsDM8zBaB1xkML-LgUwVZwdrsSngNRKcdGieIYaiWwKTW9fmoI-xHFCL3FxjekPlfizfhcD0RuspUTN5UIz_M7FH7nIvahzzgFmbEOQ72IjI5cQGtiVo4amPprIgQm4/s320/DSC_2735.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCauZlEAnvnu8TEWrXPvpqC3hjgfZ-gwA_mTY4KbOafIehWpu3TeWHkYyVUAI7n93sZCcG8fq9AtjHTWFhZx_-VWkTYYXebMuUhpXZSd3GfiNJvsuV0MGQQSmnuG8IX0ARTjPmWDJjAMk/s1600-h/DSC_2724.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417766011939392770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCauZlEAnvnu8TEWrXPvpqC3hjgfZ-gwA_mTY4KbOafIehWpu3TeWHkYyVUAI7n93sZCcG8fq9AtjHTWFhZx_-VWkTYYXebMuUhpXZSd3GfiNJvsuV0MGQQSmnuG8IX0ARTjPmWDJjAMk/s320/DSC_2724.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwubM0Nx6XrVqye-oKuNUnXfP5gY73ptA-yFB4M828KQkWyZbwSefZUyiINIcfec-l_Rdtqz1HR8TSLuEu1YEEIEqnLcGjL8_khvoteYDVC7n2KfTAv1zdCAoY0xCdgiw53PwE9xvychk/s1600-h/DSC_2633.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417764393229822050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo1kFJJJmgEl0WJbF4qfjKB6R8OgVjCf0B-bBswlpbp0NwlmcgHNxwE5fcxOouEZoDbxBD6AEILhnSdv8dVChsoh8Qc3y0e0YRSuGTV-qdj3Yd7vk65y-SJpQduzHW4DtEN3V9O4rNUU/s320/DSC_2508.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyv02t46oX2ycI1i78Op8hvn8JkSz-kaAGAf6yBNuTwqyQM9V-HNi6cmFBPpUcdIBx7LblGyityH7RLcvzEuh5Iq-Rhx3xy5d6Mqol10zW3z8RLq8IzrMeCV6o0x_sB8H1OQu52YqaFY/s1600-h/DSC_2507.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417764381366777058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyv02t46oX2ycI1i78Op8hvn8JkSz-kaAGAf6yBNuTwqyQM9V-HNi6cmFBPpUcdIBx7LblGyityH7RLcvzEuh5Iq-Rhx3xy5d6Mqol10zW3z8RLq8IzrMeCV6o0x_sB8H1OQu52YqaFY/s320/DSC_2507.JPG" /></a>Just some snapshots from the month of December to enjoy...The kids are very excited about Christmas, and have had fun seeing what our elves have been up to each morning. Their elves are named Jingles and Sparkles. Every morning when the children wake up, they come downstairs to see what the elves have done. They get notes from them in the advent calendar, and little gifts. It has become a wonderful little holiday tradition in our family. They also realize that the true meaning of Christmas is that it is a time to celebrate and reflect on the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-29979393980467888232009-12-20T07:17:00.000-08:002009-12-20T07:45:53.776-08:00The Christmas Blizzard of 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_xv55it6ULGGtzw1eZ9d5Mfz5Wr4zO3r181PxaZznCHgfPxjnsGEet-sqCxfW4eumXFifaSN0eh_az66CkF-cAQg3Wn3SzVi1dBnAcnT035XbrpjPtfqd2ebRblzaZopUWHhI3a39r4/s1600-h/DSC_3016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417343988167506610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_xv55it6ULGGtzw1eZ9d5Mfz5Wr4zO3r181PxaZznCHgfPxjnsGEet-sqCxfW4eumXFifaSN0eh_az66CkF-cAQg3Wn3SzVi1dBnAcnT035XbrpjPtfqd2ebRblzaZopUWHhI3a39r4/s320/DSC_3016.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mUhu-Omi7nJJJ4ZqhD-k5VP0_QfLzimCdESIPbFPl8yu_2L_wZ7qGN0VprAiageYgwzMojEePCkaIpSuSMOBaX-mTI1E5GmwIq0mrLXX6BlPaL9wKn8gP9tEAUI0NNTYqy83kLZmhi4/s1600-h/DSC_3020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417341610749769538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeiDCSU72IgoTJqYWHObVx1y8jon9rLNu1po6pQVLfkmLM5jByLWueqM0U2RZ3uv7D0zqRczQlf7vRvWoj0jHyPvB-vIe5LU8nhS75d8_BKU-3C1TCqu-jUq-3fh9COR9ftwfbGy7V1mI/s320/DSC_2948.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dGYgzrW9Ja5MEDNokdtrOV7jLcJ-cV8Er1bZxmBS7wxmQx-BVAxdfdZdDNTlElZ62dCOmM8sdqYX6J5GO-JYkd3qP4vlERzWkHdM_7zVYK4Z5PLUSIeQqhC9V7vLrabQKaVF1x6rqeE/s1600-h/DSC_2944.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417341605694053906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dGYgzrW9Ja5MEDNokdtrOV7jLcJ-cV8Er1bZxmBS7wxmQx-BVAxdfdZdDNTlElZ62dCOmM8sdqYX6J5GO-JYkd3qP4vlERzWkHdM_7zVYK4Z5PLUSIeQqhC9V7vLrabQKaVF1x6rqeE/s320/DSC_2944.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqQ3x18Oe-HjP5bFQjcvA_ErTbpGyYkiNpK0t7yjyu3Rw5ik1RzzFkcIpzHSma_6N6f4wN7o7L4eUXco31pOMa2YnjqBboN6LSAGF7Sl-kFRhF85N9hxVf5pMtY_5oBMPIYVtQTS1p78/s1600-h/DSC_2941.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417341594844928194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhqQ3x18Oe-HjP5bFQjcvA_ErTbpGyYkiNpK0t7yjyu3Rw5ik1RzzFkcIpzHSma_6N6f4wN7o7L4eUXco31pOMa2YnjqBboN6LSAGF7Sl-kFRhF85N9hxVf5pMtY_5oBMPIYVtQTS1p78/s320/DSC_2941.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKpPYzrNoWyIZMiq-XyOeF4-aaaKtSD2pSSeEXExZtHcUMTc6ZmZa8GrvTbuXPGrzHBqdhBvpGSExBo9W1oyO_AA_vaBPb4fAnhMzhugnxJx9VLkiaXAODmdHuNkRjFdp8VFFM3Wca-k/s1600-h/DSC_2934.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417340323901955154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKpPYzrNoWyIZMiq-XyOeF4-aaaKtSD2pSSeEXExZtHcUMTc6ZmZa8GrvTbuXPGrzHBqdhBvpGSExBo9W1oyO_AA_vaBPb4fAnhMzhugnxJx9VLkiaXAODmdHuNkRjFdp8VFFM3Wca-k/s320/DSC_2934.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2TSgrmHaKmw9WPz3J149orzg3YIZrftS2as5cuh2Vqv56KFZ2eaSn-_oWS0YrcIwGxOysuiFbjhoFkuhsvJruLmPbFdj5FK8UniESfwqmdLJCwJSX6TIlWkbCk86QGTKjYG3sIpJnZM/s1600-h/DSC_2920.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417340320729724178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2TSgrmHaKmw9WPz3J149orzg3YIZrftS2as5cuh2Vqv56KFZ2eaSn-_oWS0YrcIwGxOysuiFbjhoFkuhsvJruLmPbFdj5FK8UniESfwqmdLJCwJSX6TIlWkbCk86QGTKjYG3sIpJnZM/s320/DSC_2920.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafcfsG1lJvdgu3zqji3V49aKtvHmoj_PYUXcXngpPMWqQ_B1_1um6BcbXI2onqBsNB0EY45W_Wt0_syNV-M0aONAhquOu7O04sdhG3euv5w3uO4Ym4j-7K5j-XOOmVP-_0vgEBWCGr5I/s1600-h/DSC_2914.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417340316003621842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafcfsG1lJvdgu3zqji3V49aKtvHmoj_PYUXcXngpPMWqQ_B1_1um6BcbXI2onqBsNB0EY45W_Wt0_syNV-M0aONAhquOu7O04sdhG3euv5w3uO4Ym4j-7K5j-XOOmVP-_0vgEBWCGr5I/s320/DSC_2914.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKWXPghBPiSbeNVfaSFzCUztQbPtm0xHp2j_WXePvXUCoTjOD-n2KcT82BZTCnZIHd_RJmIMtRDq4uvbZ4MVscGKsWHLtiSRMpL2Y9BEfRDY9TtiVDtS2ex4CWeGZXXhp6JYdBHBZ5hQ/s1600-h/DSC_2891.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417340305631119538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKWXPghBPiSbeNVfaSFzCUztQbPtm0xHp2j_WXePvXUCoTjOD-n2KcT82BZTCnZIHd_RJmIMtRDq4uvbZ4MVscGKsWHLtiSRMpL2Y9BEfRDY9TtiVDtS2ex4CWeGZXXhp6JYdBHBZ5hQ/s320/DSC_2891.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjwF7BGvOFHipVVmZJ5iLEhM1ytvM5pHyskSecj06mKftoIPjfOV7SdGoL_x3rvyOC8lRxZncpQTp1IZZ4Jeq6_wPmJ4MLL9-iZ3qQARPlhF7hINrPqrkYxK2krRBpRXtFrgaR3HwlHI/s1600-h/DSC_2879.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5417340304029252914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTjwF7BGvOFHipVVmZJ5iLEhM1ytvM5pHyskSecj06mKftoIPjfOV7SdGoL_x3rvyOC8lRxZncpQTp1IZZ4Jeq6_wPmJ4MLL9-iZ3qQARPlhF7hINrPqrkYxK2krRBpRXtFrgaR3HwlHI/s320/DSC_2879.JPG" /></a>Now, we have had snow storms many times, but we have never had THIS much snow while I have lived here in Virginia. It has truly become an epic event, and yes, we will have a very Merry White Christmas. This snow isn't going anywhere for quite a while I think. We have maybe 30 inches of snow. Here are the pictures so far of the December blizzard of 2009. Merry Christmas, everyone! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-75288699253248716652009-11-04T18:49:00.000-08:002009-11-04T19:07:30.542-08:00Halloween Night<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfxfiZQnkTmavdEpolIiPwaPIbsnigi9NDqPt6z1yDjQdjkUppRFvcZcbKiQeMAU8dwTBuetBsGX7bHNB0GOtv0vYmyQhI8acj_4FGR-cD0TbZszUrskOsUY7ePdhBwxv45iEl-lmZfU/s1600-h/DSC_1698.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400450510718110706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfxfiZQnkTmavdEpolIiPwaPIbsnigi9NDqPt6z1yDjQdjkUppRFvcZcbKiQeMAU8dwTBuetBsGX7bHNB0GOtv0vYmyQhI8acj_4FGR-cD0TbZszUrskOsUY7ePdhBwxv45iEl-lmZfU/s320/DSC_1698.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRw-BXYqRHfIDBez-mHZ65asIK9sycfuorJkvmWSEUkVWlESUg9-dnLQnOObZgtSb2XmP7eq35bogzlp17KjfUIsx3sAWlJbOO3dP3mM51LVQxon_OneJQ2GTyd-ea_6rw4oE9mfJ0sE/s1600-h/DSC_1676.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400450507955284882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRw-BXYqRHfIDBez-mHZ65asIK9sycfuorJkvmWSEUkVWlESUg9-dnLQnOObZgtSb2XmP7eq35bogzlp17KjfUIsx3sAWlJbOO3dP3mM51LVQxon_OneJQ2GTyd-ea_6rw4oE9mfJ0sE/s320/DSC_1676.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSoCxN6A9QtnYWi5Vi4ljxRb_DLIpuibluGcSL_YfKBfgr-8S4NtbrYd8_ytGm-yo_z0bjQb9mb0AWfvcZMwOq04f3JPZzZZ8iLB_47Mjbsfm-SFTZXyiCL_UGBI92vdo4XU_vtT10Go/s1600-h/DSC_1677.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400450501568359106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbSoCxN6A9QtnYWi5Vi4ljxRb_DLIpuibluGcSL_YfKBfgr-8S4NtbrYd8_ytGm-yo_z0bjQb9mb0AWfvcZMwOq04f3JPZzZZ8iLB_47Mjbsfm-SFTZXyiCL_UGBI92vdo4XU_vtT10Go/s320/DSC_1677.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxM0trfugw4OHF2JrKzQcrV_5WktGY3EP5BQGCWBjUun8C3m8OJwoS4g2quAPWpMrRGwxKuYMujZLDozYQpHXiGyHqZ6EkweKAaCFNg5UtlLO-X0KZfZK0neQyUs0owyKrgYx2yJz8Oc/s1600-h/DSC_1675.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400450496717813314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxM0trfugw4OHF2JrKzQcrV_5WktGY3EP5BQGCWBjUun8C3m8OJwoS4g2quAPWpMrRGwxKuYMujZLDozYQpHXiGyHqZ6EkweKAaCFNg5UtlLO-X0KZfZK0neQyUs0owyKrgYx2yJz8Oc/s320/DSC_1675.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5oniT4Gz2zM0PvkgKFp-Vy8QHHf6u4Mswz5k16xYyGkwEWXzTeeV_12Re2d_b16W7oMAj1dflpacQbdJ5DisCgd0_dFdtk5zrhlbCFdZFp2oQaPk3akBBjigYyDrm3hXEaHTzSgrzas/s1600-h/DSC_1672.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400450492901532322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5oniT4Gz2zM0PvkgKFp-Vy8QHHf6u4Mswz5k16xYyGkwEWXzTeeV_12Re2d_b16W7oMAj1dflpacQbdJ5DisCgd0_dFdtk5zrhlbCFdZFp2oQaPk3akBBjigYyDrm3hXEaHTzSgrzas/s320/DSC_1672.JPG" /></a>Halloween around here can be pretty crazy. It's really getting out of hand, if you want to know the truth. I am soooooooooooooo over Halloween by the time it actually gets here. Just plain tired of it. But I make the best of it for the kiddos. And I usually dress up. So i did. I got in the mood, went into my closet for the craziest thing I could find...which wasn't much...and I surprised the kids with it. Let's just say that it didn't go over well with either of them. You can tell by the look on their faces in the photo. I scared them. The wig was what did it. I went out that night as "Freaky Mom", and they got used to it/me. The kids went out dressed like 50's kids in leather jackets we found last year at a 7 Eleven type place/gas station. They looked pretty cute! Here are the pics/evidence of our trick or treat night. </div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-44082551846770020502009-11-04T17:17:00.000-08:002009-11-04T17:58:59.134-08:00The Face of Swine Flu and Cabin Fever<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ggn4fkX8scXM4sPbeoch6JyxedPzLA36AIZVvYhQnqV9FBQ1Gjth5Jady7kH1QJGLNMDu5t-AhFTGy7r5vfrxwWsH_Iw4hP95ogDLdf5e-Pw9E3mu5nSA7yIdOLbwzp4QVK7oB0HZWg/s1600-h/DSC_1637.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431950514708018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ggn4fkX8scXM4sPbeoch6JyxedPzLA36AIZVvYhQnqV9FBQ1Gjth5Jady7kH1QJGLNMDu5t-AhFTGy7r5vfrxwWsH_Iw4hP95ogDLdf5e-Pw9E3mu5nSA7yIdOLbwzp4QVK7oB0HZWg/s320/DSC_1637.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hq2jkLrhtbZ2z4slQmywvfNuHNbbVmEHBuru0aQyOsJT90_TuKa0TsJPALalugH9u6GoGpLYRtzr7T1ouyzfBs5gwDgkjtbDEBV0b3cUhHXxpUpKa6qEg84S93R5fmBsfJpUdydBBB8/s1600-h/DSC_1634.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431948846332930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5hq2jkLrhtbZ2z4slQmywvfNuHNbbVmEHBuru0aQyOsJT90_TuKa0TsJPALalugH9u6GoGpLYRtzr7T1ouyzfBs5gwDgkjtbDEBV0b3cUhHXxpUpKa6qEg84S93R5fmBsfJpUdydBBB8/s320/DSC_1634.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fyqc4DrQZnI2h1eY360io4YHD0CmjK8Vy7F0pXKoBqsoSIoKhd5gD7SswiYFjdwdPuVwHADXqn6wQRgTUhQQJc2uXm3qjhOuRXdIkmegLBdEBeEbbSuteP7WmCAPRxeg90dPJk87Q2c/s1600-h/DSC_1621.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431944441496994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1fyqc4DrQZnI2h1eY360io4YHD0CmjK8Vy7F0pXKoBqsoSIoKhd5gD7SswiYFjdwdPuVwHADXqn6wQRgTUhQQJc2uXm3qjhOuRXdIkmegLBdEBeEbbSuteP7WmCAPRxeg90dPJk87Q2c/s320/DSC_1621.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauS8xPEGWPlAuv9FP_v4HEKNf0P7wjgpuq7iMiXNj0Nr1xt_41OpWTqIiWBDGaDpu586lRDfqVmC7AzsEEIsfWwOw5AxIk4XIaHO-Ysgxh0nWlDsF3OAF_PTwh-cfuyUQUBth7nbeQb4/s1600-h/DSC_1619.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431938017002994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjauS8xPEGWPlAuv9FP_v4HEKNf0P7wjgpuq7iMiXNj0Nr1xt_41OpWTqIiWBDGaDpu586lRDfqVmC7AzsEEIsfWwOw5AxIk4XIaHO-Ysgxh0nWlDsF3OAF_PTwh-cfuyUQUBth7nbeQb4/s320/DSC_1619.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmVUIkosswEKeN7wxLUfOx9e6aq-qfKb_GzwYY9rtvH0121y6mrKkj1oPZ0Tf2G9vgTGjdSbuoSIUPkJMgU1hKLx0MHqBl-v_tjgkIK0muTtq6-aD9XK3qTjOYPvcZyzBILoxvYrRkcA/s1600-h/DSC_1616.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431934320952274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmVUIkosswEKeN7wxLUfOx9e6aq-qfKb_GzwYY9rtvH0121y6mrKkj1oPZ0Tf2G9vgTGjdSbuoSIUPkJMgU1hKLx0MHqBl-v_tjgkIK0muTtq6-aD9XK3qTjOYPvcZyzBILoxvYrRkcA/s320/DSC_1616.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIIwz2rRfcSnuTp7HU-3RzVDdO-Qiy9XfAeIObw3NMN8Ndxmpd9OMV5CqvINN9sOIWbycAhnG0-liVPIoKMHfwxFp0THNL0vrQJ6-HBrGnKlkxUtsR_aSMzXyMSKdSdcDkukntKWVPMo/s1600-h/DSC_1373.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431032560611042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIIwz2rRfcSnuTp7HU-3RzVDdO-Qiy9XfAeIObw3NMN8Ndxmpd9OMV5CqvINN9sOIWbycAhnG0-liVPIoKMHfwxFp0THNL0vrQJ6-HBrGnKlkxUtsR_aSMzXyMSKdSdcDkukntKWVPMo/s320/DSC_1373.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9pDDnVBEU2OLSvYjdEfJuWwvdeDx8F6TFUY7ZH-51aUnKalDUrVWMdXMwN2vcioTe7XAVqxWneVaJ1fiSKo5v7HGAdZQDdyVoV6WbwBx235ZnW0knp36RI3ZMBEVl4wlEZWmC9dOt4Y/s1600-h/DSC_1361.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431022359075474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9pDDnVBEU2OLSvYjdEfJuWwvdeDx8F6TFUY7ZH-51aUnKalDUrVWMdXMwN2vcioTe7XAVqxWneVaJ1fiSKo5v7HGAdZQDdyVoV6WbwBx235ZnW0knp36RI3ZMBEVl4wlEZWmC9dOt4Y/s320/DSC_1361.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw5jqFGofmjRk3a24d1jx2Jt6ZeKjsllcJjEL6l_1BZG9-F5eFB5LpJNLoS_Ppx_M2cf-vielzCx33jWMd7g7lpDMqYUDORg0-aHm7L445pwfGwiMU3zC1UuiYPo-xsOoXPprdKTxsA4/s1600-h/DSC_1346.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431015575681282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw5jqFGofmjRk3a24d1jx2Jt6ZeKjsllcJjEL6l_1BZG9-F5eFB5LpJNLoS_Ppx_M2cf-vielzCx33jWMd7g7lpDMqYUDORg0-aHm7L445pwfGwiMU3zC1UuiYPo-xsOoXPprdKTxsA4/s320/DSC_1346.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBUfIOUiRvXI7smi7hexjiPCxs8qa5nOVMiY7dTfRwo6tmdUc70SpPV6uR8vphACY8gjrWa1FnMamd0yHanuKmrKWNEEy3deD_oIooc0rbVdzIDeqlLX5ttdrVtQOF9UVNY-UVgyOeGY/s1600-h/DSC_1288.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431011866324498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBUfIOUiRvXI7smi7hexjiPCxs8qa5nOVMiY7dTfRwo6tmdUc70SpPV6uR8vphACY8gjrWa1FnMamd0yHanuKmrKWNEEy3deD_oIooc0rbVdzIDeqlLX5ttdrVtQOF9UVNY-UVgyOeGY/s320/DSC_1288.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLKHFNOBF6XDFJ-_nYHJKukV3tEPvUlOFWqpC03_0F-4hkZrKU5a5wHSBAXgF7-eOr6x1HIi_FDFOeqXDQ4wVW70Dta6NVjIgg9iatZUdJL5zqP6BBtUFSdRrX9QW-I9eyyToXBWl-jk/s1600-h/DSC_1182.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400431008292569474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLKHFNOBF6XDFJ-_nYHJKukV3tEPvUlOFWqpC03_0F-4hkZrKU5a5wHSBAXgF7-eOr6x1HIi_FDFOeqXDQ4wVW70Dta6NVjIgg9iatZUdJL5zqP6BBtUFSdRrX9QW-I9eyyToXBWl-jk/s320/DSC_1182.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Here are some of the latest pics of the kids and a short update.<br /><br />Gracie has somehow lost two teeth. How does this happen at almost five? (She is five now, but lost them before the big day.) And they are the two front bottom teeth. Gracie's tooth fairy came, and her name is Celia. Garrett also had lost a tooth (It was pulled.) so the tooth fairy came to both of them that night for the first time. Garrett's tooth fairy's name is Lucky. They are still the cutest little babes even without those front teeth. The dentist has told us that Gracie's roots for her teeth are somewhat shorter than most kids so she will loose her teeth a little earlier than most. This is due, they say, to the birth mother's nutrition and possibly from having an illness during her pregnancy with my sweet baby girl.<br /><br />Gracie turned five on October 14th. I still cannot believe it. Four years have come and gone, and the time just continues to fly by.<br /><br />Then, we had the adult Halloween party the next weekend, and it rained like CRAZY for three days. I have never seen so much rain! But we had about 40 people here in the house regardless of the downpour, and everyone was dressed up in their best Halloween costumes. Van and I went as Titanic survivors. We were going to be victims up until about an hour before the party, but decided not to do all of the death makeup. We wore very Victorian costumes with life jackets on top. It was a great party!<br /><br />The swine flu hit us about two weeks ago. Garrett got it first. He really had a mild case, and is better now. He had two days of fever, body aches, and a cold. Gracie got it about a week after he did, and her flu resulted in much higher temps, not feeling well at all, and more respiratory issues. She still has a pretty bad cough. We are told that this is pretty normal for this flu. I am so glad they are getting better. I was pretty freaked out about it at first. They both are just such healthy kids. This has been an experience for Van and me seeing them both so sick.<br /><br />We did let them go trick or treating around the neighborhood regardless of the illness, but they kept their distance from everyone. They had a great time, and so did we. Lots of candy, lots of costumes, lots of fun to be had!<br /><br />October was just NUTSO. We had Gracie's birthday party on the 10th, the adult Halloween party the next weekend on the 17th, and then the swine flu hit. I am hoping November is MUCH more relaxing for us. I have Cabin Fever right now...so tired of being in the house with sick kids. That's not relaxing, believe me. Ready for health to return, and still praying we (the adults here) do not get the flu too.<br /><br />Here are some pics of our October events.<br /><br />Enjoy!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-44349056842958628172009-09-16T17:28:00.001-07:002009-09-16T17:43:00.297-07:00More Cute Beach Pics 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v9Q7KZa08DdRk7t2lD_JnruplwW0K-Bz0duFuD43zvozxr-URPUI6shpYXVc3oYjmP_r1C3OrGm8iZjXzSEEVlq7r3XkFOFaULZA2X_e5D7QrrDUmZXPLJAMj80Hz79NDxQZinlGZeA/s1600-h/P1030493.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382230115979902130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1v9Q7KZa08DdRk7t2lD_JnruplwW0K-Bz0duFuD43zvozxr-URPUI6shpYXVc3oYjmP_r1C3OrGm8iZjXzSEEVlq7r3XkFOFaULZA2X_e5D7QrrDUmZXPLJAMj80Hz79NDxQZinlGZeA/s320/P1030493.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclc6Ds7FfZPLD7jM6U0U9J_GFDzOTAQK_Kf75bIla3-BzI53nfMSG9wVLHmPNQ3kYAgun6k72wP7WgfQRTgiMngGnAtvnIhAAO-kDAyMe6Cows_rydqU3jljP_IUVoqGc4qUbAhmCNjA/s1600-h/P1030466.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382230102412222946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhclc6Ds7FfZPLD7jM6U0U9J_GFDzOTAQK_Kf75bIla3-BzI53nfMSG9wVLHmPNQ3kYAgun6k72wP7WgfQRTgiMngGnAtvnIhAAO-kDAyMe6Cows_rydqU3jljP_IUVoqGc4qUbAhmCNjA/s320/P1030466.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0brpChyphenhyphenawNzIyyXv4G1KNR6YEYx-L19jRPF8UP2GpCDWgi7q0E0HRQJ8UdiufgFyGcS95-_FmmVIZC64jMluF_qW-Z1Mfnbv28QNJLd6JcwcC-KjyeVKGi_v3QfAmYK46LkFy8fKNZyQ/s1600-h/P1030457.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382230099660559890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0brpChyphenhyphenawNzIyyXv4G1KNR6YEYx-L19jRPF8UP2GpCDWgi7q0E0HRQJ8UdiufgFyGcS95-_FmmVIZC64jMluF_qW-Z1Mfnbv28QNJLd6JcwcC-KjyeVKGi_v3QfAmYK46LkFy8fKNZyQ/s320/P1030457.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hqbqYNOmq3iTil40xMqpXkSngSyz0CIzl3Wv5ScH57h-2tp6geh3CHmF6SyKNCWi04wNf8v3pNesDNNIJc23-ADfzczVGGyxN8BUMZwpzhcXQ1DZH8-loR8rBpkJXvwUqM1rLy-HcWA/s1600-h/P1030458.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382230090652278898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7hqbqYNOmq3iTil40xMqpXkSngSyz0CIzl3Wv5ScH57h-2tp6geh3CHmF6SyKNCWi04wNf8v3pNesDNNIJc23-ADfzczVGGyxN8BUMZwpzhcXQ1DZH8-loR8rBpkJXvwUqM1rLy-HcWA/s320/P1030458.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhaNxF3sCs8MgVSk_Ba9ragG6QpORH6r3d94FTmkHEGRUEEpGs59P7wr_4Q-JmhilgiQ51nugAHVMrwfDQAt-bjs30JXNJHbaKBLaYG4NMr5HkLitsH7ZQGvmy4zrySVaAq9GoLVhzE4/s1600-h/P1030441.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382230083266525634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhaNxF3sCs8MgVSk_Ba9ragG6QpORH6r3d94FTmkHEGRUEEpGs59P7wr_4Q-JmhilgiQ51nugAHVMrwfDQAt-bjs30JXNJHbaKBLaYG4NMr5HkLitsH7ZQGvmy4zrySVaAq9GoLVhzE4/s320/P1030441.JPG" /></a><br /><div>I forgot we had another camera, and we had more pictures. I had to post these because they are some of my favorites. Here they are! Enjoy!!! I love my babies!!!</div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-85618552506612144722009-09-16T16:23:00.000-07:002009-09-16T16:43:23.623-07:00Pickin' Apples and Rasberries At a Local Orchard<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu8xYIJ6dGRGy_fZ5LM-XMhnWf7O_xOg51s4etWrlqrX0s6ExEnDNoA7_dI5VVokiwWOx9ysZaA2jDC8WnSEnZc0Lr83aXf4VxposJcxyy6UK6glc_IyLwP9qO72tigOrxAUmtW8sJ9k/s1600-h/P1030609.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382214025454999842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzu8xYIJ6dGRGy_fZ5LM-XMhnWf7O_xOg51s4etWrlqrX0s6ExEnDNoA7_dI5VVokiwWOx9ysZaA2jDC8WnSEnZc0Lr83aXf4VxposJcxyy6UK6glc_IyLwP9qO72tigOrxAUmtW8sJ9k/s320/P1030609.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7WipAc3uM72OQEN3POdUj0wjnksEhkNNsCE0Q642w9dlDSNl1fKRaoZ0CtTXd62w0X4SmASmfq1ray59IWVmkQyMiy6ZxHfHAiJVDpKlBNjdqVRUBS-fy62GxMJMcBaSFDvWhKd3mVs/s1600-h/P1030602.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382214018982515794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7WipAc3uM72OQEN3POdUj0wjnksEhkNNsCE0Q642w9dlDSNl1fKRaoZ0CtTXd62w0X4SmASmfq1ray59IWVmkQyMiy6ZxHfHAiJVDpKlBNjdqVRUBS-fy62GxMJMcBaSFDvWhKd3mVs/s320/P1030602.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQPVPSwtosGGDZ9q39otwnf_-EycIEQJMjsWoWZpQz9G7aPvXG_klWGE1wIINSUMAmocrvr1s524BTKzycmYzHlTKp5tWhzGdTG28UBNgKWI3woefBLyPuzOl4nEht-T-OTLH9McgSGA/s1600-h/P1030596.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382214009817896786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQPVPSwtosGGDZ9q39otwnf_-EycIEQJMjsWoWZpQz9G7aPvXG_klWGE1wIINSUMAmocrvr1s524BTKzycmYzHlTKp5tWhzGdTG28UBNgKWI3woefBLyPuzOl4nEht-T-OTLH9McgSGA/s320/P1030596.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qA81VEZn65bIUd4SyHRM5Hi7FxEHHuBpoY3HZTiLtMNsH5UCxCxsiUi1TGCtq5jNQ9ttL9hkDLYcDc6kqVeoJjpHrlu18YpaZu2Vw5ddNnwZmpJ1Sz8bacqh3quRPbAUU2pxT6DyHSI/s1600-h/DSC_1153.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382213113492666098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5qA81VEZn65bIUd4SyHRM5Hi7FxEHHuBpoY3HZTiLtMNsH5UCxCxsiUi1TGCtq5jNQ9ttL9hkDLYcDc6kqVeoJjpHrlu18YpaZu2Vw5ddNnwZmpJ1Sz8bacqh3quRPbAUU2pxT6DyHSI/s320/DSC_1153.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgV9AJhqJxDWGLJsaoy7rld0TYsYV6CLCal6Z1GOI1McKVGauzSF1urUtx_yv62SE0GzkkFwD9ooyxNHCEEL7y72DfbDgQU_JzMIp_GgFF-3HWLriH_Z-f2Fihv7sYQrAN0aDncLle2A/s1600-h/DSC_1147.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382213105179696130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgV9AJhqJxDWGLJsaoy7rld0TYsYV6CLCal6Z1GOI1McKVGauzSF1urUtx_yv62SE0GzkkFwD9ooyxNHCEEL7y72DfbDgQU_JzMIp_GgFF-3HWLriH_Z-f2Fihv7sYQrAN0aDncLle2A/s320/DSC_1147.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoSxCzhTh-FHQLTZS5bRcn44khfcpxtiT5OEiAD5nkw1QI1_8FW-_Njl41b2v7p6KIzonAIxDvXU62_xlBIm_Ryh5935lpF0ZNp_otvPmN5du6Y27sPmPg39bzPd2zYBResIDMS1T2-4/s1600-h/DSC_1143.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382213101370819970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmoSxCzhTh-FHQLTZS5bRcn44khfcpxtiT5OEiAD5nkw1QI1_8FW-_Njl41b2v7p6KIzonAIxDvXU62_xlBIm_Ryh5935lpF0ZNp_otvPmN5du6Y27sPmPg39bzPd2zYBResIDMS1T2-4/s320/DSC_1143.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWaTgEr9INWRmP0kdI_yLGOjq-X4Iy8VJhBjQFvzawQlcafa3Bv35dGNvFNyTupO51ARM3vscLlEUisHPqrVoA9EvveKlUPrMON_IYz_BVNemqYk7vZCppnUFDtSJgxI5HvJcCkttR8U/s1600-h/DSC_1121.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382213092260816626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWaTgEr9INWRmP0kdI_yLGOjq-X4Iy8VJhBjQFvzawQlcafa3Bv35dGNvFNyTupO51ARM3vscLlEUisHPqrVoA9EvveKlUPrMON_IYz_BVNemqYk7vZCppnUFDtSJgxI5HvJcCkttR8U/s320/DSC_1121.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJMpT9xjNGnVWtrnPkYe8QTEXsJO0QWuK7go1g0CqnhAdg3hKH2nVmDEBozwNiyGydLeTAd5FfMJExcabXnjJpKJ0-kglXxmrt8Q_5pvNrnaqMrJ-IhXuajq0EbJluSLhnzoW1hhTYnMM/s1600-h/DSC_1101.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382211881873912146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTqo5zd6FGogIsRxvQdpRinMEg8qbRD74GtGc6fDm9s9koKiwPneQC-qUCSLnt5mG5Gut-S3ffVsZwp4A3vROK0k9BkVo5yO4pOJdZYHgO-mjzA204PSbGwT55nsLH58Qv0bGNDyRVThY/s320/DSC_1093.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhlRro-Z6DYL-tpfjb98Kja6lzY7sjxOooWnleCPNtmDDoPPe89nAq6JDjitxrsshLEZl4R_afBwvB6OxoYI3FqjgLCZu3R7WuD1jn4V7SoVPnp8Py46p20BiFK5Ro9mCcz9Qxzw8MQ0/s1600-h/DSC_1083.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382211871483602018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhlRro-Z6DYL-tpfjb98Kja6lzY7sjxOooWnleCPNtmDDoPPe89nAq6JDjitxrsshLEZl4R_afBwvB6OxoYI3FqjgLCZu3R7WuD1jn4V7SoVPnp8Py46p20BiFK5Ro9mCcz9Qxzw8MQ0/s320/DSC_1083.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNKwS6ywXkZiLqhl1OCgoMUXxL0ZJl-4zILh3ej6HyCa_zQWXAJDCgVrJoObpdbcZqvmWs7th7Li4RZxVC8aH4N_XGYM2JtqbyshRw-8S6CJGZBjeKUjxEHqTsXRYlwHXpEoUnHgo6ec/s1600-h/DSC_1082.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382211864423876722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNKwS6ywXkZiLqhl1OCgoMUXxL0ZJl-4zILh3ej6HyCa_zQWXAJDCgVrJoObpdbcZqvmWs7th7Li4RZxVC8aH4N_XGYM2JtqbyshRw-8S6CJGZBjeKUjxEHqTsXRYlwHXpEoUnHgo6ec/s320/DSC_1082.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_g_ZLzisogWXx3qfC61XHejnfpS8D1O-ciDl8ovblXaMFYW_rTKOyrn5JQKH9VY1O_HnDZmquQrnJcNdY3w_cZm92ny8ofjyqUSaIhFeUh6Ln4-GWXdS6hFWVD8YkN27qFi7fHx81iY/s1600-h/DSC_1074.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382211853118182226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_g_ZLzisogWXx3qfC61XHejnfpS8D1O-ciDl8ovblXaMFYW_rTKOyrn5JQKH9VY1O_HnDZmquQrnJcNdY3w_cZm92ny8ofjyqUSaIhFeUh6Ln4-GWXdS6hFWVD8YkN27qFi7fHx81iY/s320/DSC_1074.JPG" /></a> The pictures tell the story... It was a great family day outing for us last weekend. Both Gracie and Garrett loved it, and we came home with four BIG bags of red and green delicious apples and three pints of rasberries. Garrett enjoyed eating the rasberries more than saving them for home. They were delicious!!! And Gracie picked the biggest and the best red apple. She won the prize for that one. Now, it's time to make some pies, apple bread (Connie, I need that recipe.), and apple everything. We even froze some rasberries for the winter time. How I love this family!!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-83110647228228334482009-09-16T08:39:00.001-07:002009-09-16T08:58:09.422-07:00Preschool Orientation 2009 and First Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUTW_1fTc4gFqZhBjDxi3VtBq69WiMLfshyo_cJF_IMc-dOc7q0gx02RFwb9m7gOpNWVTQYz3hvQVKgNQ1PeLA_wZBwMr0biukPB4e5LT-jZVVUIpqY_UfXREM8OQwogeck6Fmr1S_3s/s1600-h/DSC_0979.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382094601496790706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUTW_1fTc4gFqZhBjDxi3VtBq69WiMLfshyo_cJF_IMc-dOc7q0gx02RFwb9m7gOpNWVTQYz3hvQVKgNQ1PeLA_wZBwMr0biukPB4e5LT-jZVVUIpqY_UfXREM8OQwogeck6Fmr1S_3s/s320/DSC_0979.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnI0qF68NkHfpgV1LiHMl9oc4moLpRqg86DED6AP9w2NdnauzW11EQVwtcD_Fy9XTLhzlDRJZMHaUC8GbGCoQTAqWdiUf4-V97JA5Oi5a3Y3Z8CRQ3cF50o3yqZxmMxUeMeVG-yp0ChI/s1600-h/DSC_1064.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382094593094471154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnI0qF68NkHfpgV1LiHMl9oc4moLpRqg86DED6AP9w2NdnauzW11EQVwtcD_Fy9XTLhzlDRJZMHaUC8GbGCoQTAqWdiUf4-V97JA5Oi5a3Y3Z8CRQ3cF50o3yqZxmMxUeMeVG-yp0ChI/s320/DSC_1064.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3Yr-KLBgb6QQ4l9u58l_cK7OjyDBKYBo8NZ4TEBP-pp2fwJhZsPV2CS5R5DhqBBgMOn4jUy3xqhUKafwM289kxXC5DNwokvoWkOyIK5DkpRvYJYHyaYrgZrDyc5Fa1hxO_kQWe5v7JI/s1600-h/DSC_1039.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382093915086098418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3Yr-KLBgb6QQ4l9u58l_cK7OjyDBKYBo8NZ4TEBP-pp2fwJhZsPV2CS5R5DhqBBgMOn4jUy3xqhUKafwM289kxXC5DNwokvoWkOyIK5DkpRvYJYHyaYrgZrDyc5Fa1hxO_kQWe5v7JI/s320/DSC_1039.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbJNcvXEs7Y4QaVv6dqf0RznR4vFnFz5pkj59QlSW9kEZdinA9MG5Dnzsjby3ng3DyKZolYN6sLk46eODGJ5bTZGKIHEvFGys5U0CEiJTwfQzJKyx-cNZ2zfj54bT2VaYG_J_tAqa2z8/s1600-h/DSC_1021.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382093910186552834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbJNcvXEs7Y4QaVv6dqf0RznR4vFnFz5pkj59QlSW9kEZdinA9MG5Dnzsjby3ng3DyKZolYN6sLk46eODGJ5bTZGKIHEvFGys5U0CEiJTwfQzJKyx-cNZ2zfj54bT2VaYG_J_tAqa2z8/s320/DSC_1021.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWF-CKMxyGortZVbpGPww5kh7q3aEMQo0jnHW42o2xmwvHRKw7chUOv7W6Is5LCV_PYIkMOduz6eCgNPIu_KmJlWZGNaGlMkAruNrOz3tokQxyGTNBU3z61R0u57PL1L4B5YNfa0ev18/s1600-h/DSC_1020.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382093899293304738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWF-CKMxyGortZVbpGPww5kh7q3aEMQo0jnHW42o2xmwvHRKw7chUOv7W6Is5LCV_PYIkMOduz6eCgNPIu_KmJlWZGNaGlMkAruNrOz3tokQxyGTNBU3z61R0u57PL1L4B5YNfa0ev18/s320/DSC_1020.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq24NNEwux7JbhvDMYZPOLJX4gwTdy71h4eQmct9RTs0xT7CVeO54zZobBwqTd0c8jwN9s2AFFcYbjDFMBC7gICE_lLS799hiKDhczBnn9Oa8BlBMNXWz9Lq7yn3YPF0-B4czT_9b39OI/s1600-h/DSC_0957.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382093890907478130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq24NNEwux7JbhvDMYZPOLJX4gwTdy71h4eQmct9RTs0xT7CVeO54zZobBwqTd0c8jwN9s2AFFcYbjDFMBC7gICE_lLS799hiKDhczBnn9Oa8BlBMNXWz9Lq7yn3YPF0-B4czT_9b39OI/s320/DSC_0957.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHRi4L8KYR2haL0UFlBDG9SiukdQnz6hdtheLjPJbhcxFl43F34gyRPJHB6PGPsu2azZxI8NGCUPe0gKi57u63e8UM2TkI7QVRsllK-Se8XggBKqutjCZiShyy4erbXLo5rupkcorZCs/s1600-h/DSC_0938.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382093887350776786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHRi4L8KYR2haL0UFlBDG9SiukdQnz6hdtheLjPJbhcxFl43F34gyRPJHB6PGPsu2azZxI8NGCUPe0gKi57u63e8UM2TkI7QVRsllK-Se8XggBKqutjCZiShyy4erbXLo5rupkcorZCs/s320/DSC_0938.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Gracie has been very unsure about starting school. She went from being VERY excited to not being able to sleep she was so nervous....endless talking and tears at night before bed. But we moved through all of those emotions, and she has done beautifully. She loves school and her teachers. She has made one new friend named Elsie, and they hugged on the way out of the building that first day. There are only three girls in her group and nine boys. I am so happy that Gracie has conquered her fears!!! I am very relieved...so much so that I was fine that first day. I spent so much time being calm and reassuring (for her) that I didn't even think really about thefact that my baby girl is starting school now. Many people had warned me that I might cry in the parking lot and want to stay there. That didn't happen. LOL. I am fine. She needs preschool. This is so great for her!</div><div> </div><div>Here are some pictures of her preschool orientation day (She is in the ladybug dress...thanks, Aunt Tina!!! Love it!!!)</div><div>Then, there are pics of her before her first day began, and you can tell by the look on her face that she is not all that happy about being there. She actually told me that she wasn't getting out of the car when we pulled up to the school. There were no tears though, Thank the Lord! She brought flowers to her teachers and red apples. </div><div>Then, you will see pics of her after the school day was over. Happy face!!! </div><div>We are so proud of her!!!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-34606657724405942612009-09-15T18:11:00.000-07:002009-09-15T18:47:10.038-07:00Labor Day Virginia Beach Vacation 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eBhhl5tFThbSAe_feakc0lbDHtJkfqJtTFleZSYJTBrE8s2KlK0PKJ8tsxfD2IkI0SdDeNS6GnmEeIQDbeshS4QYdMD_wAJ_E9Za15fQatLjkFqHrr2tqgA85ouJXkhkz_NDt1c6Hts/s1600-h/DSC_0490.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381875438991146530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eBhhl5tFThbSAe_feakc0lbDHtJkfqJtTFleZSYJTBrE8s2KlK0PKJ8tsxfD2IkI0SdDeNS6GnmEeIQDbeshS4QYdMD_wAJ_E9Za15fQatLjkFqHrr2tqgA85ouJXkhkz_NDt1c6Hts/s320/DSC_0490.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInpKCJlpi23TRQxRWxrK7QZhdU048ZP0Eanggt5fo6llCCArljjQaueHynnpgs7yE_YkI7jULYI7yRxuuyyIUzC_N5FixEennS4li9-xSN7_rcV8UUqWWv6abn3c8bwdvDMRhn9tlXWk/s1600-h/DSC_0893.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381875182033803714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInpKCJlpi23TRQxRWxrK7QZhdU048ZP0Eanggt5fo6llCCArljjQaueHynnpgs7yE_YkI7jULYI7yRxuuyyIUzC_N5FixEennS4li9-xSN7_rcV8UUqWWv6abn3c8bwdvDMRhn9tlXWk/s320/DSC_0893.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcS5md7oRZh-yQBOPp_eGsdwL-xtu_lWeNSbz3LiSx1OXkyKJ-GqilrNg5MUB_rpldKx20X3dtr_7iH7eR_0Y7qOcWleBQMyRHBrMSvYzv9NTflcxWwNjnqwON3yI35fVni9gq3cBIYo/s1600-h/DSC_0872.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381875170843639282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcS5md7oRZh-yQBOPp_eGsdwL-xtu_lWeNSbz3LiSx1OXkyKJ-GqilrNg5MUB_rpldKx20X3dtr_7iH7eR_0Y7qOcWleBQMyRHBrMSvYzv9NTflcxWwNjnqwON3yI35fVni9gq3cBIYo/s320/DSC_0872.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnS8Mft4t4keDbgBpN7TQPBo5meix_OOKf69kFKrN7jHJrs_jJeEJ-TdAt3K8btoKNbuR6ZQHZJuaErlIT5CEomIbQynkgD1J3x-WrlKA8UzABHiTsmxEfRZQktbnUFCbtQlpgmn4Vbg/s1600-h/DSC_0835.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381875168699977554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnS8Mft4t4keDbgBpN7TQPBo5meix_OOKf69kFKrN7jHJrs_jJeEJ-TdAt3K8btoKNbuR6ZQHZJuaErlIT5CEomIbQynkgD1J3x-WrlKA8UzABHiTsmxEfRZQktbnUFCbtQlpgmn4Vbg/s320/DSC_0835.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzaXwvB9wEa0t4Etie9xFcgkjgTDHlMzA1P1OY61v4EP6wSxfn1WCZSYMCJBWie0IufYSSx49fiIm-REXH2xwggoP2OWjUXc2C8v19sBouQ_07S7StgH7lY7DL0KYV1FgfLHY3mK_6Ok/s1600-h/DSC_0764.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381875160820662562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzaXwvB9wEa0t4Etie9xFcgkjgTDHlMzA1P1OY61v4EP6wSxfn1WCZSYMCJBWie0IufYSSx49fiIm-REXH2xwggoP2OWjUXc2C8v19sBouQ_07S7StgH7lY7DL0KYV1FgfLHY3mK_6Ok/s320/DSC_0764.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnyFgUeghEGrw-CnJgEiNEvB1Xa7YJakwDHFjs08KBWFA2gwPw2wIHzZKcBDGe3y53Mo-Vf_7qL0WITCToLwWBXSe3Sk8Y9tjMfUwmB5ybr-RLWKJ0pbedXzIfIbP7zn9HxfEQzKtx0k/s1600-h/DSC_0615.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872874840225506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnyFgUeghEGrw-CnJgEiNEvB1Xa7YJakwDHFjs08KBWFA2gwPw2wIHzZKcBDGe3y53Mo-Vf_7qL0WITCToLwWBXSe3Sk8Y9tjMfUwmB5ybr-RLWKJ0pbedXzIfIbP7zn9HxfEQzKtx0k/s320/DSC_0615.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKVpDW0KS2vCNF0LrRZs7U6Hoi_63vhjfU_G44Gk0TcQrpldnkY7SGF5dXst1Og_otTQT2TwMlpSxIE6_6WxmE0uSbK3xByboCUKcYy8gZoyBtxpeUTrMyRtx1thapXO-GNBrybD2pbo/s1600-h/DSC_0358.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872864978203154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKVpDW0KS2vCNF0LrRZs7U6Hoi_63vhjfU_G44Gk0TcQrpldnkY7SGF5dXst1Og_otTQT2TwMlpSxIE6_6WxmE0uSbK3xByboCUKcYy8gZoyBtxpeUTrMyRtx1thapXO-GNBrybD2pbo/s320/DSC_0358.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEIykx30VTMRv8uVT9ZbrSy98ti4QXzU2COuNimTmOHNaeWZ2nLAdnHZiPg8hH0zFp-BE-nBZo4xl7GCdNB1L1NxYOzntxdHhDct3QCPgP8u1rkJYtdSwsC2knA_lvuWhwqLLe0E89wE/s1600-h/DSC_0332.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872858956823954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNEIykx30VTMRv8uVT9ZbrSy98ti4QXzU2COuNimTmOHNaeWZ2nLAdnHZiPg8hH0zFp-BE-nBZo4xl7GCdNB1L1NxYOzntxdHhDct3QCPgP8u1rkJYtdSwsC2knA_lvuWhwqLLe0E89wE/s320/DSC_0332.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uzVqX-06IOoO9kumCrfVy5Dv5jOdVDKCmJmBFj8bPYDrMIcb6XAodTyhhHggYyx1TD-9p8fpvs7zNq-rUNR0idcdTs-JzS13aDZEb-lXKqArKKqQgleEwcG1PjAn1SLHeQtp47mjPww/s1600-h/DSC_0142.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872849880678946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uzVqX-06IOoO9kumCrfVy5Dv5jOdVDKCmJmBFj8bPYDrMIcb6XAodTyhhHggYyx1TD-9p8fpvs7zNq-rUNR0idcdTs-JzS13aDZEb-lXKqArKKqQgleEwcG1PjAn1SLHeQtp47mjPww/s320/DSC_0142.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiK4JXmbFJOW5hOLjNHXdVyOpfyjp_PN4SLhWTIOlXK84uFvYeCymQUHLVREOO7GPTdZiVXB7xCEBX8wMuijOVGbRIbmvj3ideomfQNqgUrzuRrQiKDmpTaPN-ZMw2pQUxT7Inacj0SE/s1600-h/DSC_0147.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381872841785623330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiK4JXmbFJOW5hOLjNHXdVyOpfyjp_PN4SLhWTIOlXK84uFvYeCymQUHLVREOO7GPTdZiVXB7xCEBX8wMuijOVGbRIbmvj3ideomfQNqgUrzuRrQiKDmpTaPN-ZMw2pQUxT7Inacj0SE/s320/DSC_0147.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjEErYt5DJtQJ-nlj_R4fW6yJ5nXryYI633POal0Bv8BJBezbipUJe9wRgxle8kD0bmqzK-StDQKyX2v5Sh3monEd6MMTkyjx8dFxQ2U4xgB5YF1qBC7biadd9KEFUvx4Vc_xjcMv7i8/s1600-h/DSC_0110.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381869666154845314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjEErYt5DJtQJ-nlj_R4fW6yJ5nXryYI633POal0Bv8BJBezbipUJe9wRgxle8kD0bmqzK-StDQKyX2v5Sh3monEd6MMTkyjx8dFxQ2U4xgB5YF1qBC7biadd9KEFUvx4Vc_xjcMv7i8/s320/DSC_0110.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBORXnBT1YLH18vSAHCLan82AewRqf3IWUCaLXLi8TMR8b_hHR-U07BL5GVolNK7WED7esSGtn_sDmHerpPP8wP0R9YSgKzbpV1mYlIYt8YWDnd5M_dYOqTrO8mTBqxC5rK-YDi0gFVI/s1600-h/DSC_0099.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381869659972889330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBORXnBT1YLH18vSAHCLan82AewRqf3IWUCaLXLi8TMR8b_hHR-U07BL5GVolNK7WED7esSGtn_sDmHerpPP8wP0R9YSgKzbpV1mYlIYt8YWDnd5M_dYOqTrO8mTBqxC5rK-YDi0gFVI/s320/DSC_0099.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91WQJFX6XuFyV7mRgOjbFjxGR7MD3H9glhPU9EqJzlsfP_ztlieeYD0HbgtloD3r0UgH23QJfPwrpNBmSUtWHAcb0Lxeni0PE9rWKq0lLaTpPXviNOLd4CarKtO4gPVhUq31AIOIxMoo/s1600-h/DSC_0084.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381869651080072754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh91WQJFX6XuFyV7mRgOjbFjxGR7MD3H9glhPU9EqJzlsfP_ztlieeYD0HbgtloD3r0UgH23QJfPwrpNBmSUtWHAcb0Lxeni0PE9rWKq0lLaTpPXviNOLd4CarKtO4gPVhUq31AIOIxMoo/s320/DSC_0084.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzKt5zRBGvcGbbRpXWYxXEe0rrnT-MKeycZIfPMBAR3HEnmE9xQUAmOogDhJke6_5xqbFTDspVu9Ym_84l1v7BnAxbK0D6dXbqUvmxUH1KTajlP8zW3EookJzPViZHLdTz3Jo9SWbIJU/s1600-h/DSC_0017.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381869641719677410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzKt5zRBGvcGbbRpXWYxXEe0rrnT-MKeycZIfPMBAR3HEnmE9xQUAmOogDhJke6_5xqbFTDspVu9Ym_84l1v7BnAxbK0D6dXbqUvmxUH1KTajlP8zW3EookJzPViZHLdTz3Jo9SWbIJU/s320/DSC_0017.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EGRTViemUvztLTcNy5ONZVEak3rE58ux6C2BJ4pODv-OGRCOWibW2ytF25KdbTJ-fvDz0Dhz0QOq80K42Koq7ghBRqw0FgfFe3Wa3zpX4LUif7p2rpohB2mL1SjOu7puQWGBfMYYqqk/s1600-h/9131_1125596375867_1105868054_30319454_7866404_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381869630030636226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EGRTViemUvztLTcNy5ONZVEak3rE58ux6C2BJ4pODv-OGRCOWibW2ytF25KdbTJ-fvDz0Dhz0QOq80K42Koq7ghBRqw0FgfFe3Wa3zpX4LUif7p2rpohB2mL1SjOu7puQWGBfMYYqqk/s320/9131_1125596375867_1105868054_30319454_7866404_n.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We all went to Virginia Beach (Sandbridge) over the Labor Day weekend with Van's mom, Aline, step-dad Bill, Rebecca, her boyfriend Todd, Bill's daughter's Kathleen, her husband Demmy, their daughter Alexis and husband James, and their three year old son Oscar, also Kathleen and Demmy's son Jordan, and Bill's daughter Colleen, her husband Clint, and Bill's son Trey and his fiance Robin. We stayed in a beautiful home directly on the beach, and all of us had a great time. It was wonderful to spend time with everyone. </div><br /><div>Here are some cute beach pics...</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-33167929075983894242009-09-03T06:59:00.000-07:002009-09-03T07:33:36.535-07:00Four Years Ago Today, Xu Nian Hong...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FtMinXeAty5yauiUp9Yvcj7yXQoFlX_ALoyT56c4J1IbBoYyFG4-0_3O8B30ikN5TqwAGhj3ag8_HWhyphenhyphenkUVYdj3hMs5b8tmSgHFwy-q-33A1uU8weB4FDhU2BW3wOhyLXPsEy7Kqjzk/s1600-h/Gracie3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377249170659574770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FtMinXeAty5yauiUp9Yvcj7yXQoFlX_ALoyT56c4J1IbBoYyFG4-0_3O8B30ikN5TqwAGhj3ag8_HWhyphenhyphenkUVYdj3hMs5b8tmSgHFwy-q-33A1uU8weB4FDhU2BW3wOhyLXPsEy7Kqjzk/s320/Gracie3.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXzxgC_cK0tNq3GLdVY9SIzYtl-4QpcVliGSGqMlakoM0a47nTdAxfawxzWqvkMmSW-bhRFMmZIVOSVx2azBrOo_bBsXNOb-Z89XoghtM9EsfqX_tR5ApgB7l4HeYP7l6xydeTTmZbLc/s1600-h/Gracie2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377249165893601522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtXzxgC_cK0tNq3GLdVY9SIzYtl-4QpcVliGSGqMlakoM0a47nTdAxfawxzWqvkMmSW-bhRFMmZIVOSVx2azBrOo_bBsXNOb-Z89XoghtM9EsfqX_tR5ApgB7l4HeYP7l6xydeTTmZbLc/s320/Gracie2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u0b9d_aaA0Q_Hu6rq7EgG4kO8c9_-_BdiBPtdh6chUhLqM8u_nr2x4BJK_uUbhmh39_UExgWRh8jfy-Xkdx_8HqbX4d73S4CSFPuDzSHOXrTun2hzQD6zVgGigPzDVh716UScwDG9zo/s1600-h/Gracie1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 198px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377249153660498178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2u0b9d_aaA0Q_Hu6rq7EgG4kO8c9_-_BdiBPtdh6chUhLqM8u_nr2x4BJK_uUbhmh39_UExgWRh8jfy-Xkdx_8HqbX4d73S4CSFPuDzSHOXrTun2hzQD6zVgGigPzDVh716UScwDG9zo/s320/Gracie1.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Four years ago today, we were blessed by receiving the greatest gift of our lives, our beautiful baby girl, Gracie. Through an email and a telephone call from CCAI, we were matched with our sweet girl in China, and we received her name, pictures, and all of the information they had for her at the time. And our lives have never been the same since. Adoption has been the most perfect way of growing our family. We could not love a little girl more than we do our Gracie. To raise her, to love her, to nurture her...WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES! I still wonder about her true beginnings in China and how she came into this world. Those details I will probably never know. But I am so sure that God had a plan for her life LONG before she was born, and we were the family He chose to place her with. Thank you, God, for being so loving and merciful, and for choosing us to parent Gracie! I cannot imagine our lives without her. People sometimes say, "Oh, you couldn't have children of your own?" Well, our response to that is that she IS our daughter, and she always has been OUR daughter through the grace of God. She belongs with us. We are so proud of her and of how far she has come. She is loving, and has a heart of gold. She is just a beautiful girl inside and out. We love her more than words can ever say. Our hearts are full because of Gracie. </div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-72260444054474788522009-08-24T21:40:00.001-07:002009-08-24T21:58:16.223-07:00And More Pics of Summer 2009...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08EwUYesH5WwP0KSZkJbdAaPuU0Oe4Q7hrvx9cSBXGLzGKdQG5HSWiOenGDleR2mTNzNGGf8oTv4R4WJytTrfB0_WZuM-AaqntFjgB3Rxk8zkO835RMMXn7hWSU282xnaX3dddvbKxS8/s1600-h/P1030272.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373760926985653026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08EwUYesH5WwP0KSZkJbdAaPuU0Oe4Q7hrvx9cSBXGLzGKdQG5HSWiOenGDleR2mTNzNGGf8oTv4R4WJytTrfB0_WZuM-AaqntFjgB3Rxk8zkO835RMMXn7hWSU282xnaX3dddvbKxS8/s320/P1030272.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidpRQXr1owAYr0I4c4Eou62xc8U7kCzBMgp92T0xNUQXjMN4DJbliauI55W_bwu3BKPGWI_VxB9xomZm9Mm7igmtXI_lFoj0hWk8efyOO7crzv0WFDf_s4tKtn7xwtrj5XElnSAqkHw0/s1600-h/P1030257.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373760918915331298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidpRQXr1owAYr0I4c4Eou62xc8U7kCzBMgp92T0xNUQXjMN4DJbliauI55W_bwu3BKPGWI_VxB9xomZm9Mm7igmtXI_lFoj0hWk8efyOO7crzv0WFDf_s4tKtn7xwtrj5XElnSAqkHw0/s320/P1030257.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CCuFk3K0dIjS6NU3AfN9nmWcT_HmJM1pv4elpj0higtf5RiCP2Ovh0pm0Sbebg7bSsFQxiS0SO6GoV3BPnoW4rhrY4Gv7KPViFRtDzISHn5Y1KkoumvQ57MOBBA4k5UT_Egr_fM6EUo/s1600-h/P1030243.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373760914715967154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CCuFk3K0dIjS6NU3AfN9nmWcT_HmJM1pv4elpj0higtf5RiCP2Ovh0pm0Sbebg7bSsFQxiS0SO6GoV3BPnoW4rhrY4Gv7KPViFRtDzISHn5Y1KkoumvQ57MOBBA4k5UT_Egr_fM6EUo/s320/P1030243.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXkMRwdA_dyE8s9ZHrrbDSictxuk9RRJkL9tnBCOE6xpizN6ewp9xV68UBa1f3AXkSb-v3HsKiIZ1x3k7cFtG3lfXN8Qzrd-jv4XkVIxnimeYqBCmAYy9cd2FehQgyMDmHhl3gezJwnY/s1600-h/P1030215.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373760903704676514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXkMRwdA_dyE8s9ZHrrbDSictxuk9RRJkL9tnBCOE6xpizN6ewp9xV68UBa1f3AXkSb-v3HsKiIZ1x3k7cFtG3lfXN8Qzrd-jv4XkVIxnimeYqBCmAYy9cd2FehQgyMDmHhl3gezJwnY/s320/P1030215.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoGHv1lJMjpTkCvhPm14fJY0Lk20T5sVLtqjp0l9v9xo0mseyCCp-I-pzQOKaK9ZsuOxSKgpjziaZropb8Dev_kB69QBDPywcWuwZOaSl8B_QxTk9naPcNnyX7AQOVeZQ2G7MVOaODZE/s1600-h/P1030201.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373760896180675138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoGHv1lJMjpTkCvhPm14fJY0Lk20T5sVLtqjp0l9v9xo0mseyCCp-I-pzQOKaK9ZsuOxSKgpjziaZropb8Dev_kB69QBDPywcWuwZOaSl8B_QxTk9naPcNnyX7AQOVeZQ2G7MVOaODZE/s320/P1030201.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRpv5Se-AvOTn0FVb4jW67Jtfnwhf-IVCWnvk5tjTk6U40tFZGgIjG7fUYVu5u1b73-1jkswKjIee9-HGRujKC0KrAD8CzNazIi1kjF9DQ3gBDMK9gPdd-FG4Mv7iyEDu1wTM8wID0Bk/s1600-h/P1030246.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; 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MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373759085387842034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhg4qQG6HrDnctMR4CFOoSARRr3aO7O52nLP3XlMLgwl3UTKMw7M3u-TMYWRt9-Yxngw6WGyJNDfYY05leYsnmxc2Gy3tSljAEPP-0Ygsjx4grAp7EufTaMoG0rwEETZ0MRSSUqLNtpVU/s320/P1030242.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttt6TxM0SI5ahQ-v3LU7WK8-d48zY4f9mBjIXcVckBxYZBOAIqkwYobZR1J_iG0nF46WvZ_JY2vugzypk1egeZrGUqtP-CMpMvKHBEI096b1yaanuKnAIWgjCia8j_FEZtVjnS0xNa2I/s1600-h/P1030186.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373759074256700338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttt6TxM0SI5ahQ-v3LU7WK8-d48zY4f9mBjIXcVckBxYZBOAIqkwYobZR1J_iG0nF46WvZ_JY2vugzypk1egeZrGUqtP-CMpMvKHBEI096b1yaanuKnAIWgjCia8j_FEZtVjnS0xNa2I/s320/P1030186.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQFu79BhOaFM3vjklIseOsaE_MUQQ15dN6fMaE5MfJJtP6QrSkSovvDrvAV46WWATRyw6trErJzqIW7QQPksQyacWAntpmo2_LXNW0botDvrp-EaFItnAhyphenhyphen5tIrWOP_ZAU_QdV36Jwdg/s1600-h/P1030174.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373759073652479874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQFu79BhOaFM3vjklIseOsaE_MUQQ15dN6fMaE5MfJJtP6QrSkSovvDrvAV46WWATRyw6trErJzqIW7QQPksQyacWAntpmo2_LXNW0botDvrp-EaFItnAhyphenhyphen5tIrWOP_ZAU_QdV36Jwdg/s320/P1030174.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQRXaPRgldvwb_vwigCBJzLm1SLhFJEd56I_rykdETCHQ4UGLMPr1eTT-0HJCheeAya8hXIgJ5gKN7LtCwaeWKxbg-IdxLo67A88KGuxMTNcVeMyBY-_Aeopo7EQDE48Sd_VlnavX4ho/s1600-h/P1030154.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373759061410211154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQRXaPRgldvwb_vwigCBJzLm1SLhFJEd56I_rykdETCHQ4UGLMPr1eTT-0HJCheeAya8hXIgJ5gKN7LtCwaeWKxbg-IdxLo67A88KGuxMTNcVeMyBY-_Aeopo7EQDE48Sd_VlnavX4ho/s320/P1030154.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5tNHfhLQ6f7PDD4uXrrqqUiuWPaWnW5y63AM7Kx4YHGU4ykjnIl0iLUXn8WS9RGNzhSJPcbikZes6U4G_xGmhRe4bC3yOXSlUFsdtioQ0p6N6Z4xHmECjAVcW18ubhkQHxIU9y0CymM/s1600-h/P1030178.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373759056950879682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5tNHfhLQ6f7PDD4uXrrqqUiuWPaWnW5y63AM7Kx4YHGU4ykjnIl0iLUXn8WS9RGNzhSJPcbikZes6U4G_xGmhRe4bC3yOXSlUFsdtioQ0p6N6Z4xHmECjAVcW18ubhkQHxIU9y0CymM/s320/P1030178.JPG" /></a><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-88082420708913041672009-08-24T21:17:00.000-07:002009-08-24T21:39:38.914-07:00More Summer 2009 Pics<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ntjUOetKP-W9mVNWuabm5XIYXpHGSQkMyQQsqKTP7Z7wg9RYQ4vTlgIlAdthG-B4a5Hb80bmlfh25lX6scWRIHh4kLMp21xIYQhH24cWOGXy6ckVhTgucMILDJFrnDrpWv-3jNHq5eQ/s1600-h/DSC_9299.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373754381989682914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ntjUOetKP-W9mVNWuabm5XIYXpHGSQkMyQQsqKTP7Z7wg9RYQ4vTlgIlAdthG-B4a5Hb80bmlfh25lX6scWRIHh4kLMp21xIYQhH24cWOGXy6ckVhTgucMILDJFrnDrpWv-3jNHq5eQ/s320/DSC_9299.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcA5TW3mdpJR3s5A4C5gil7G-BajAzU61aLELJakFFVkiajPIAiA1fIRXAyPcNwwc2gfENoSWU-lYCFh7YLL9kECvgqLBu3ndA7N2HVtHYbs2-xlpv2-C1xEORl0Qu7ceDByV79oxTtg/s1600-h/DSC_9289.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373754374002157986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcA5TW3mdpJR3s5A4C5gil7G-BajAzU61aLELJakFFVkiajPIAiA1fIRXAyPcNwwc2gfENoSWU-lYCFh7YLL9kECvgqLBu3ndA7N2HVtHYbs2-xlpv2-C1xEORl0Qu7ceDByV79oxTtg/s320/DSC_9289.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5LMffv1lOn3PfCCy0v5bCGNCarlBvux4C46OJLhxstSKoReLt6Xd0eigVdZuIdYTJw8zsphpqbu5RiwfCE7hEeJ6K8Gm7_5575YEbtJSS4EORUgU9ydKTp1SgfLWDXeuCEfcX9hlGE8/s1600-h/DSC_9292.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373754362269487394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5LMffv1lOn3PfCCy0v5bCGNCarlBvux4C46OJLhxstSKoReLt6Xd0eigVdZuIdYTJw8zsphpqbu5RiwfCE7hEeJ6K8Gm7_5575YEbtJSS4EORUgU9ydKTp1SgfLWDXeuCEfcX9hlGE8/s320/DSC_9292.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSt4Y-uU_NufofL1-leUUR2ogQ9MkRb9_UzJE3y0CaImx7fljgxlXxzD8Y1zhEL_12gYik3Jmhknt18NgdzjeL2suuFakFfPiJYRjwhH01wAvAXiqU1G8kcwf30hAdB1HDjSphvFrwx0/s1600-h/DSC_9253.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373754357840863634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSt4Y-uU_NufofL1-leUUR2ogQ9MkRb9_UzJE3y0CaImx7fljgxlXxzD8Y1zhEL_12gYik3Jmhknt18NgdzjeL2suuFakFfPiJYRjwhH01wAvAXiqU1G8kcwf30hAdB1HDjSphvFrwx0/s320/DSC_9253.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEYfb-90GOBaQJtMag6WDL3HIRD6DsBRqZow6N8Yg4JCoPnz8U4K2be2392XbdOJgog8-ICQTlO4e5-NKMx8eTYZQ_LxD5b2zozJZuFiUlx-Gtg0lmPR0hPEku1bOJou6DRKzLsTtzv8/s1600-h/DSC_9220.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 212px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373754347637849522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEYfb-90GOBaQJtMag6WDL3HIRD6DsBRqZow6N8Yg4JCoPnz8U4K2be2392XbdOJgog8-ICQTlO4e5-NKMx8eTYZQ_LxD5b2zozJZuFiUlx-Gtg0lmPR0hPEku1bOJou6DRKzLsTtzv8/s320/DSC_9220.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMQT1Wv89ZAl-Bfl_QnnTLw1Lhtz9n4E9BGnMDCmBdSJ6rU8wbzi6FfWHvyvq2iHgdqaduIXtDBzpu2Pyoe0rpNpbTv_yNKhrBubxl9hpUCun0KQ5bpVgcCv2CMjxjZ1WwEx4UUe0xYo/s1600-h/DSC_9204.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373752670590591826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMQT1Wv89ZAl-Bfl_QnnTLw1Lhtz9n4E9BGnMDCmBdSJ6rU8wbzi6FfWHvyvq2iHgdqaduIXtDBzpu2Pyoe0rpNpbTv_yNKhrBubxl9hpUCun0KQ5bpVgcCv2CMjxjZ1WwEx4UUe0xYo/s320/DSC_9204.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAIYEHx8r3aLb15rwwcapENCSyS0kn8i_fXnW1-EkkRT6thNQs6M7IlyV8L7s50Q5Cr0L4gLi3jDzYZ5eoj48b6lBUR_8PUJ2E-J7W9TpdsbAw5IUTw67PxNtlbks-p9nVgwgWR_1Bns/s1600-h/DSC_0608.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373752668910535666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGAIYEHx8r3aLb15rwwcapENCSyS0kn8i_fXnW1-EkkRT6thNQs6M7IlyV8L7s50Q5Cr0L4gLi3jDzYZ5eoj48b6lBUR_8PUJ2E-J7W9TpdsbAw5IUTw67PxNtlbks-p9nVgwgWR_1Bns/s320/DSC_0608.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPdWuFFsD5uDGCxCcbAk8q0btP41M83a0e63pctltqHXSExji2RduxOxg8VQUsxdF6kXkQLX347Vztgg5zT431zlUCr1L5XqbCOk2BppSq8MHL1xmEHELyoH9kjbIye9r6-YjMiJW6Tg/s1600-h/100_3186.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373752656678078162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPdWuFFsD5uDGCxCcbAk8q0btP41M83a0e63pctltqHXSExji2RduxOxg8VQUsxdF6kXkQLX347Vztgg5zT431zlUCr1L5XqbCOk2BppSq8MHL1xmEHELyoH9kjbIye9r6-YjMiJW6Tg/s320/100_3186.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGgdca4CiBTV6QKUynr4yvnOmOyUNDM_8hOCEeZ65eV2v4XxzO18PZUHfZkWg6bhSOx1pSHIHQeJlKU4tdtQnTuVTM5xSnEJd6PWsfIb8rVZValwZmWw_f6-TPbLyCWxG9qZkt60PwMI/s1600-h/100_3170.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373752644824673218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGgdca4CiBTV6QKUynr4yvnOmOyUNDM_8hOCEeZ65eV2v4XxzO18PZUHfZkWg6bhSOx1pSHIHQeJlKU4tdtQnTuVTM5xSnEJd6PWsfIb8rVZValwZmWw_f6-TPbLyCWxG9qZkt60PwMI/s320/100_3170.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHch3lWRPByIXjaPIyOY_QogFU2oIH-mdk9Q1RmLjU6P0QqZmCDYGmZqzURFCGVwg5H4ewfadvoX5cHDIhOyD413K-LPBJS6Eq49CjP_lJyoCSOd5oWQMolAbEQiq3P0TR_bRTNjmRIY/s1600-h/100_3168.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373752643305574210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHch3lWRPByIXjaPIyOY_QogFU2oIH-mdk9Q1RmLjU6P0QqZmCDYGmZqzURFCGVwg5H4ewfadvoX5cHDIhOyD413K-LPBJS6Eq49CjP_lJyoCSOd5oWQMolAbEQiq3P0TR_bRTNjmRIY/s320/100_3168.JPG" /></a> Here are some more pics for you to enjoy.<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-64694491393617988372009-08-21T05:46:00.000-07:002009-08-21T07:16:07.396-07:00Summer of 2009<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYahLfuwmUpEgqInYgYgWm0N6DR43Y9_Cya-Dh0ijyK6ncZbfbS31yBZwsCJnLmQbkOQQmawVtew5fGuCcFKq5aj2c5myaO67uOcpKiWUMmKV7EcrLU8RS6GnV8pbNN7pUIbp-soEA40E/s1600-h/DSC_9157.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372420016000094274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYahLfuwmUpEgqInYgYgWm0N6DR43Y9_Cya-Dh0ijyK6ncZbfbS31yBZwsCJnLmQbkOQQmawVtew5fGuCcFKq5aj2c5myaO67uOcpKiWUMmKV7EcrLU8RS6GnV8pbNN7pUIbp-soEA40E/s320/DSC_9157.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscNYVfdOmDR5QeTF6DhXN7wOHCdqeM9T8Mit3OkdwGTIt5mMj7ut03RmCDUdM4EdMPKGfG9BntVMwe44T6reDZcBhUE5m3MKw3QmkpKZn-KYvRjxHiNxyAjbjjlU4S_B0xQkhsvv_tao/s1600-h/DSC_9146.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372420008143084962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhscNYVfdOmDR5QeTF6DhXN7wOHCdqeM9T8Mit3OkdwGTIt5mMj7ut03RmCDUdM4EdMPKGfG9BntVMwe44T6reDZcBhUE5m3MKw3QmkpKZn-KYvRjxHiNxyAjbjjlU4S_B0xQkhsvv_tao/s320/DSC_9146.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoK17bPkeA_G7HlDRlE4KEXMNF_9RcBAUxytO6ypPQjTnCRAHRv3fORtBpH2HvDeUiXpUB1YOwraDiloKU8quzLq7oz5H1vUxadNhShSm_GGOGxXO8lXsZ0dSsSkppTX-HB0Dn3hhTzM/s1600-h/DSC_9142.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372420002938688402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcoK17bPkeA_G7HlDRlE4KEXMNF_9RcBAUxytO6ypPQjTnCRAHRv3fORtBpH2HvDeUiXpUB1YOwraDiloKU8quzLq7oz5H1vUxadNhShSm_GGOGxXO8lXsZ0dSsSkppTX-HB0Dn3hhTzM/s320/DSC_9142.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlb2Pwf1nmcTiOsgj19bZkR1cii7F4Cbw4fjMMqLepOSB9BP4AoxA83qP-XprJMQHDUsb3tCIeAlCDTPGEQPkEsceDIyEcAg1j_Wn6ElW4LpJWSOmQIrdIRJznKIho19kZYKcCZM1g6Q/s1600-h/DSC_9086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372419332118646866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlb2Pwf1nmcTiOsgj19bZkR1cii7F4Cbw4fjMMqLepOSB9BP4AoxA83qP-XprJMQHDUsb3tCIeAlCDTPGEQPkEsceDIyEcAg1j_Wn6ElW4LpJWSOmQIrdIRJznKIho19kZYKcCZM1g6Q/s320/DSC_9086.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDM5fIMHnXWxYuQZudosCiNC5RNu1KEX6dJPaMBtiZy5mMVZvs8JWSquR8ocuT1jwFKbTXvW04vrwMonbVYlNBYygphK9l46Ch_Cr-5K3q4wxoipQJL6YD5PziZyx006yPlI55KlNqK4/s1600-h/DSC_9100.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372419326243700418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDM5fIMHnXWxYuQZudosCiNC5RNu1KEX6dJPaMBtiZy5mMVZvs8JWSquR8ocuT1jwFKbTXvW04vrwMonbVYlNBYygphK9l46Ch_Cr-5K3q4wxoipQJL6YD5PziZyx006yPlI55KlNqK4/s320/DSC_9100.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC9LVkZCeEXpVCBLcyfe6DGPWv9BbWTYJaNkXLnbYIvvAMIZTWJtAHt4PojZAfJWxBnDDQaf2Iq5oY5l9G6LcYyPcbyBjlOV_WGBWwhx5nMKtOH_tDeR3StfeXIXLRsB47Eus5f8h8Sk/s1600-h/DSC_9065.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372419318790818050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC9LVkZCeEXpVCBLcyfe6DGPWv9BbWTYJaNkXLnbYIvvAMIZTWJtAHt4PojZAfJWxBnDDQaf2Iq5oY5l9G6LcYyPcbyBjlOV_WGBWwhx5nMKtOH_tDeR3StfeXIXLRsB47Eus5f8h8Sk/s320/DSC_9065.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZmxFXR0MN_0Nm5WbdoPEGq25QMzSUofvmt0TshCwm5q4Zanl8E-WvbJJspPH3bKUGMneqy1a5RkSssCnfhVPpCYjicM-ybx2o70Qhcukl6KcBWccnuKO_xR-UBmRPhgbyxAZQrgDcDQ/s1600-h/DSC_8982.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372419309546838882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZmxFXR0MN_0Nm5WbdoPEGq25QMzSUofvmt0TshCwm5q4Zanl8E-WvbJJspPH3bKUGMneqy1a5RkSssCnfhVPpCYjicM-ybx2o70Qhcukl6KcBWccnuKO_xR-UBmRPhgbyxAZQrgDcDQ/s320/DSC_8982.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPOFPJ1o1zNI3RWT5OZaQczBJBFCBrLEekTVA8BhshNlqd2gi3A3Ei8ym6h7hcM9t-prQiXDMnFgHBdbRIMNkWQk_jDPItiBs0yWLfUhg9uNydxrdvxURBETRL3w4IBQPNi9YVNFsIKA/s1600-h/DSC_8999.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372419301519279426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPOFPJ1o1zNI3RWT5OZaQczBJBFCBrLEekTVA8BhshNlqd2gi3A3Ei8ym6h7hcM9t-prQiXDMnFgHBdbRIMNkWQk_jDPItiBs0yWLfUhg9uNydxrdvxURBETRL3w4IBQPNi9YVNFsIKA/s320/DSC_8999.JPG" /></a>Summer is almost over, and I have been very lazy about updating the blog. Life is very BUSY.<br /><br />Garrett is doing very well. He talks a lot...in his own way...sometimes jibberish, sometimes words he knows. It is a good thing that I can understand his language. He is a great communicator regardless. Maybe I am just a good translator. Anyway, he is adjusting very well, and seems happy most of the time. The only time he really cries is when he wakes up during the night. Of course, he cries when he and Gracie aren't getting along too. We have A LOT of that going on in our house these days. Sibling rivalry has set in for Gracie. Poor baby! Makes me feel so guilty, and she really milks it. Garrett is just so big. 38 pounds now or more...I really think that Gracie forgets that he is just three years old. She loves him, but she doesn't, ya know? It's a love/total dislike relationship right now between them. Garrett is still very loving and affectionate towards all of us, but he hits. And he throws things when he gets upset. He pulled Gracie's hair the other day. He is just a normal baby boy who is learning the ropes. Time outs, and lots of "no, we don't do that(s)" for Garrett. Gracie is getting them too. They are learning to live in the same house under the same roof as brother and sister. LOL. And I am going to buy some earplugs. It is loud in our house. We have a lot of fun though. They are the most precious, funny, adorable children in the entire world, and we love them both dearly. It is amazing to me that they are both here, and that I am the mother of these two little people. It wasn't so long ago that it was just Van and me. Life is good, and God has truly blessed our family in so many ways.<br /><br />Garrett is three years old now. We celebrated his birthday on July 26th. He's a big boy, literally, but there is still so much baby left in him. He was so excited to be the center of attention that day, and really had a great time with family and some neighborhood friends. We had an "Elmo" themed party because he loves "Melmo". He is all boy, and loves playing with matchbox cars, trucks, trains, balls, and playing outside. He wants to do whatever Gracie is doing, and his most used words right now are "mine" and "me"...very typical for a three year old. He is so cute! And he keeps us all laughing. What a little treasure he is!<br /><br /><div>Gracie is all girl, and wants now to play beauty salon, loves playing dolls, and games, and she loves to be outside with her friends. She is very artistic too, and still loves crafts and coloring. Her favorite doll is "Rosey". Gracie still sleeps with her winkies, dog, and bear. AND the biggest news yet is that she is completely and totally potty trained. She has been trained to peepee on the potty forever, but it was #2 that was the issue. We FINALLY found a solution to her chronic constipation issues, thanks to a little pill called a "Pearl" that has acidophillus probiotics in it. THANK YOU, GOD! And thank you to our good friend, Linda, for finding that for us. It is the only thing that has worked after all of this time. I cannot tell you how joyful and thankful we are about that! I know many of you are unaware that we have been going through this with Gracie, but it has been a constant issue with her since she came home. Our doctor has been involved all along, but we really had major problems in this area, and nothing was working. And believe me, we have tried EVERYTHING. Her little body just wasn't poopin' right. Now, it is. And she has no problems anymore in that area. We are so proud of her! </div><div> </div><div>Gracie starts preschool in September. It is a great little preschool. We are so excited for her. She will go three days a week for half a day. There are six children in her class, and six children in the other class. She is ready, and already writes the alphabet, recognizes all of her letters, counts, adds, and is starting to read too. I have a feeling that she will do very well in school. She has a great memory. She loves to read! </div><br /><div>We are starting to plan her big Halloween themed birthday party for October. She will be five. I cannot for the life of me tell you where the time has gone. She has grown so much. They both have. </div><br /><div>Enjoy the pictures that capture our fun this summer! </div><div>(not finished with uploading pics...check back later!) </div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-51170446078170685992009-06-15T16:26:00.001-07:002009-06-15T16:56:45.696-07:00I Want To Live On A Beach Somewhere...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AeI2mpk4hO00wDqFav7T1BncLRuG9mFJVytAX-eEXcTsuj0rNY2w5fTtLUPuDgDb02JwTD-w3W3Zk-aaJvbwAYGGh0i36XgDMQd9BUgQvp_pjgs7FQpEuB03EIodiFEhT-f8zlQA7XI/s1600-h/DSC_8431.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347706525074448274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AeI2mpk4hO00wDqFav7T1BncLRuG9mFJVytAX-eEXcTsuj0rNY2w5fTtLUPuDgDb02JwTD-w3W3Zk-aaJvbwAYGGh0i36XgDMQd9BUgQvp_pjgs7FQpEuB03EIodiFEhT-f8zlQA7XI/s320/DSC_8431.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq1gnbGlfzxuntPJehtajzyEdJkJ58fuJpJG2Viz7x-eL1OUQgmN7gToevWJB9uheg4X5WmfbCCXdFIWLz6TbZR9rnQOUeO8iWQZvWkQIDTRG5yjwpng4ArbPlaPFOB3vsB9Fa2_y6BU/s1600-h/DSC_8620.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347706523379025522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUq1gnbGlfzxuntPJehtajzyEdJkJ58fuJpJG2Viz7x-eL1OUQgmN7gToevWJB9uheg4X5WmfbCCXdFIWLz6TbZR9rnQOUeO8iWQZvWkQIDTRG5yjwpng4ArbPlaPFOB3vsB9Fa2_y6BU/s320/DSC_8620.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Rj6MXckkj982MZJx5cTM7yzyva9qYGyatsqzXIyVrM0R4aEGvKP74X6q530NMIAHtPanl2tzqG8X2_aCvVgMUQAGx24N_VntwE9hsRCaYmhNVj2SSF3nkhpaD-ebrcip6EhMmubfbSg/s1600-h/DSC_8588.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347706516852630770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Rj6MXckkj982MZJx5cTM7yzyva9qYGyatsqzXIyVrM0R4aEGvKP74X6q530NMIAHtPanl2tzqG8X2_aCvVgMUQAGx24N_VntwE9hsRCaYmhNVj2SSF3nkhpaD-ebrcip6EhMmubfbSg/s320/DSC_8588.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLanwQf087rht-7Dbr_Cpd6qdNnnFEQ-C0n3JW93166qt1T6Va6x39qgWsup61FgDOTFKcVRAk3DSH84pq5oyWDIonnGRL3Qro3e9WuVD0D3UAm7sYFbk-OytlCgrJiPpn1W2LQkr45M/s1600-h/DSC_8578.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347706511475694434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLanwQf087rht-7Dbr_Cpd6qdNnnFEQ-C0n3JW93166qt1T6Va6x39qgWsup61FgDOTFKcVRAk3DSH84pq5oyWDIonnGRL3Qro3e9WuVD0D3UAm7sYFbk-OytlCgrJiPpn1W2LQkr45M/s320/DSC_8578.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxee8d1TMI6Gj-pbV-s2FbufnIETP1ivYKRmo7wjarMJQusYQyBaylXaW1Ugc0R-DBZvHgZPJ72K7bD-3-UtTkPcd5ZmVRzZG42DFP1IQGl54Mdi1dpNTPbmflLzVtyefL4Mke2GlO6EY/s1600-h/DSC_8538.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347704085325616562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxee8d1TMI6Gj-pbV-s2FbufnIETP1ivYKRmo7wjarMJQusYQyBaylXaW1Ugc0R-DBZvHgZPJ72K7bD-3-UtTkPcd5ZmVRzZG42DFP1IQGl54Mdi1dpNTPbmflLzVtyefL4Mke2GlO6EY/s320/DSC_8538.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvTXD8UoIcbHkKrSErtxoXonYVVoGv2OZmCV0nzVar9eQTxDEb-2q7D-JUrBAKZdw9HVuSVqSiZf1lmksFjPOnzos0ExWEK3lDTCoJLgQ7X3u-nDEqANs6qI937_s60oKvSUlBroiChI/s1600-h/DSC_8518.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347704082941191074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvTXD8UoIcbHkKrSErtxoXonYVVoGv2OZmCV0nzVar9eQTxDEb-2q7D-JUrBAKZdw9HVuSVqSiZf1lmksFjPOnzos0ExWEK3lDTCoJLgQ7X3u-nDEqANs6qI937_s60oKvSUlBroiChI/s320/DSC_8518.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySPg9XL47NPuY7FcgwZCkFSDOUrkbOa89xMx7wVOxDJqNxffDV-Hxhc4WrJofjZSfX6OxGDuKFpe4ZlDxJ_06fViP-Xi__hsN7wQ0eXutfFEE4rszmIegrgKL0muMiCak-lqjR09K4kU/s1600-h/DSC_8412.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347704079542419282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySPg9XL47NPuY7FcgwZCkFSDOUrkbOa89xMx7wVOxDJqNxffDV-Hxhc4WrJofjZSfX6OxGDuKFpe4ZlDxJ_06fViP-Xi__hsN7wQ0eXutfFEE4rszmIegrgKL0muMiCak-lqjR09K4kU/s320/DSC_8412.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuTVQtTRYSxTbxkRN6grX-J59-U0-jCXy7yc08EOoZI14Htlf9GekzXw0pF63hQx3AcInADPBwMI9rzxAcZtY-m3VVDnxFPOpqkm2TTrsAakO4VnWx6IpbqLDAY-lNQt30Pd89QCa3go/s1600-h/DSC_8323.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347704073372882978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuTVQtTRYSxTbxkRN6grX-J59-U0-jCXy7yc08EOoZI14Htlf9GekzXw0pF63hQx3AcInADPBwMI9rzxAcZtY-m3VVDnxFPOpqkm2TTrsAakO4VnWx6IpbqLDAY-lNQt30Pd89QCa3go/s320/DSC_8323.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfNVoNiPnjubciYS7AD4rqCQ2Zl38Sf3cxS9zeiht_tfN0RKrObmtvSMEeeM5NUB2MCIXjgPvyItdbTQE8lZgAo0RfZKfXD4gzDjUKmgraROZkLkk7ElvErQId5AF3_CY7oNIWsz_F1w/s1600-h/DSC_8317.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347704068086259778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOfNVoNiPnjubciYS7AD4rqCQ2Zl38Sf3cxS9zeiht_tfN0RKrObmtvSMEeeM5NUB2MCIXjgPvyItdbTQE8lZgAo0RfZKfXD4gzDjUKmgraROZkLkk7ElvErQId5AF3_CY7oNIWsz_F1w/s320/DSC_8317.JPG" border="0" /></a>Really, I do!!! And Garrett LOVED his first time at the beach! We had a great time with our friends, Niels and Sherry, too. They are so kind to let us all stay with them for long weekends. It gives us a chance to relax and enjoy ourselves. Fishing, crabbing, eating, and relaxing at their beautiful home in North Carolina. The beach is just awesome! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6418667375040196726.post-4158028544118644572009-05-21T19:16:00.000-07:002009-05-21T19:31:58.574-07:00Daddy Plays Dress Up<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ser8BOP-lEl4QldlrdodAVyteFaQesX-IkrwzxDbT0l4XalJaJq2a9yX7dWfL_z3-truJf9Gi-WtZgR-C8yiKfsyJKNIJTxPAj-nUbiU-BMCCaOs6VFdfNifSVMImXMgv4-D4aGtfs/s1600-h/DSC_7759.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338469577606542418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN9ser8BOP-lEl4QldlrdodAVyteFaQesX-IkrwzxDbT0l4XalJaJq2a9yX7dWfL_z3-truJf9Gi-WtZgR-C8yiKfsyJKNIJTxPAj-nUbiU-BMCCaOs6VFdfNifSVMImXMgv4-D4aGtfs/s320/DSC_7759.JPG" border="0" /></a> Beginning the game...<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtGno0lFxURTe6rkQcOHFL8Cuq2PcPNwpq0_Fevg48gUU8fUEJzPuGFGeeUj_pCiw2sy07vZrmMtHPFvMvsCEUWp-M6xhAHCJ-dDYYVY78-T5mvvWZEzWOdR3Qj9JWP28xS3b8C3l9oo/s1600-h/DSC_7771.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338469569898331058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRtGno0lFxURTe6rkQcOHFL8Cuq2PcPNwpq0_Fevg48gUU8fUEJzPuGFGeeUj_pCiw2sy07vZrmMtHPFvMvsCEUWp-M6xhAHCJ-dDYYVY78-T5mvvWZEzWOdR3Qj9JWP28xS3b8C3l9oo/s320/DSC_7771.JPG" border="0" /></a> What a ham! (and a GREAT FATHER!)<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B-RyKA26jd6WCC77b4iE4YLT_CIYj2p4eE5-gaXWLBr5ysbP5YA9yKDMqXlgiBdqvOWrsapkHnQltbDYuFASjn_sEH7u5d3g4O4acwuPoOSaQOsQoduwvxxmFTH-IykMSTzknfiiebU/s1600-h/DSC_7774.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338469569458664850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B-RyKA26jd6WCC77b4iE4YLT_CIYj2p4eE5-gaXWLBr5ysbP5YA9yKDMqXlgiBdqvOWrsapkHnQltbDYuFASjn_sEH7u5d3g4O4acwuPoOSaQOsQoduwvxxmFTH-IykMSTzknfiiebU/s320/DSC_7774.JPG" border="0" /></a> Daddy LOSES to Gracie! He is NOT a princess anymore.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Vu06RpD2_uX-nIxWNQVwnYa9y-ENtOpQqdveOOVJxQOp0NZLm9fd0TxkhiJCR6sPSaVBM8y9fT5AUP843LnxenCplWigAOeo5r_Qn-241EdLKzvFr72kOKFSWwbj9SaB7b2kQc6mrc/s1600-h/DSC_7805.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338469564614416658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9Vu06RpD2_uX-nIxWNQVwnYa9y-ENtOpQqdveOOVJxQOp0NZLm9fd0TxkhiJCR6sPSaVBM8y9fT5AUP843LnxenCplWigAOeo5r_Qn-241EdLKzvFr72kOKFSWwbj9SaB7b2kQc6mrc/s320/DSC_7805.JPG" border="0" /></a> Doing the "Fancy Pants Dance" and basking in her glory!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrN5Uf_TndZT1etBD40cwZGdwQFHbBpgMPql7ZxH-j1IuRYi8jPNNd9IR7Ik1CG_PYezGjqrj0xC3prwv9zuKj_MxUE9inDdKIdEHXp4b-ZzXkH2GJOtIwvtYNWxyfmEK80LuWwEIJpk/s1600-h/DSC_7803.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338469557909864786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrN5Uf_TndZT1etBD40cwZGdwQFHbBpgMPql7ZxH-j1IuRYi8jPNNd9IR7Ik1CG_PYezGjqrj0xC3prwv9zuKj_MxUE9inDdKIdEHXp4b-ZzXkH2GJOtIwvtYNWxyfmEK80LuWwEIJpk/s320/DSC_7803.JPG" border="0" /></a> Look at the JOY!<br /><br /><div>Gracie and her Daddy played the princess game, and Van lost, of course. Gracie's joy could not be contained. And as you can see from the pictures, she is quite competitive. She was absolutely basking in her victory. I could not resist taking pictures of them together. </div></div></div></div></div>Gracie and Garrett's Mommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15292012152000635519noreply@blogger.com3