tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54786907772399186982024-03-14T03:06:42.682-04:00And Ella Makes Fiverachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-32194915116395401972011-04-08T17:17:00.006-04:002011-04-08T17:30:02.179-04:00Evolution of Nursing<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2uw-OBpi6M/TZ99j9NghyI/AAAAAAAAA3A/PuTiYuWwdh4/s1600/093.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 179px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327318897559330" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2uw-OBpi6M/TZ99j9NghyI/AAAAAAAAA3A/PuTiYuWwdh4/s320/093.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AkgdbaKvZA/TZ99jgHW1XI/AAAAAAAAA24/lvALgKoaTZ4/s1600/071.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 318px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327311087129970" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3AkgdbaKvZA/TZ99jgHW1XI/AAAAAAAAA24/lvALgKoaTZ4/s320/071.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAJ-rMoLyi8/TZ99jYDshwI/AAAAAAAAA2w/OJ6EAxjNEdk/s1600/072.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327308924290818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BAJ-rMoLyi8/TZ99jYDshwI/AAAAAAAAA2w/OJ6EAxjNEdk/s320/072.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXgG29-AE94/TZ99SaEdm6I/AAAAAAAAA2o/7phiZGr0_Fk/s1600/073.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327017406602146" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eXgG29-AE94/TZ99SaEdm6I/AAAAAAAAA2o/7phiZGr0_Fk/s320/073.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mImI6bIdLcM/TZ99SD80feI/AAAAAAAAA2g/pPOCr1DhE5o/s1600/074.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327011468967394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mImI6bIdLcM/TZ99SD80feI/AAAAAAAAA2g/pPOCr1DhE5o/s320/074.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3keVl1mAk50/TZ99R9BcGiI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/57TzT0hWn7E/s1600/075.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327009609292322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3keVl1mAk50/TZ99R9BcGiI/AAAAAAAAA2Y/57TzT0hWn7E/s320/075.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vo_aFfQiOMw/TZ99RsHyObI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/qUHjwfjfpHc/s1600/077.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 246px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327005072505266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vo_aFfQiOMw/TZ99RsHyObI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/qUHjwfjfpHc/s320/077.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxyOuXChHXc/TZ99RiN4sDI/AAAAAAAAA2I/Ht3ZZ_KOYFI/s1600/084.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 317px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593327002413740082" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XxyOuXChHXc/TZ99RiN4sDI/AAAAAAAAA2I/Ht3ZZ_KOYFI/s320/084.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LiHqeCZXrwU/TZ9830X1OtI/AAAAAAAAA2A/O5NiBPXfnOs/s1600/087.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 307px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326560610695890" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LiHqeCZXrwU/TZ9830X1OtI/AAAAAAAAA2A/O5NiBPXfnOs/s320/087.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVanpm_YJUI/TZ983t4XZWI/AAAAAAAAA14/TwYnLv9HJ6c/s1600/088.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326558868104546" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dVanpm_YJUI/TZ983t4XZWI/AAAAAAAAA14/TwYnLv9HJ6c/s320/088.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3CP8niSpWk/TZ983b4d9rI/AAAAAAAAA1w/dtA1MTOc3ng/s1600/091.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326554036696754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3CP8niSpWk/TZ983b4d9rI/AAAAAAAAA1w/dtA1MTOc3ng/s320/091.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuDTtSQzrtk/TZ983D-hnTI/AAAAAAAAA1o/R-0EodqBrq0/s1600/094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326547619650866" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VuDTtSQzrtk/TZ983D-hnTI/AAAAAAAAA1o/R-0EodqBrq0/s320/094.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HI60cvLMajs/TZ98iURFZmI/AAAAAAAAA1g/nqLUndmklfk/s1600/097.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 253px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326191215208034" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HI60cvLMajs/TZ98iURFZmI/AAAAAAAAA1g/nqLUndmklfk/s320/097.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Cc2mApyzI/TZ98iHar2EI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/3I-3-3FnerY/s1600/098.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 253px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326187765815362" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H-Cc2mApyzI/TZ98iHar2EI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/3I-3-3FnerY/s320/098.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSZ3RZ1d2ww/TZ98h_biHQI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/yzpwkKE2V38/s1600/099.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326185621888258" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hSZ3RZ1d2ww/TZ98h_biHQI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/yzpwkKE2V38/s320/099.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAa9F4f3eaY/TZ98h1-3MFI/AAAAAAAAA1I/3wP9sX1vXnc/s1600/jackie_makayla.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 248px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593326183085715538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aAa9F4f3eaY/TZ98h1-3MFI/AAAAAAAAA1I/3wP9sX1vXnc/s320/jackie_makayla.jpg" /></a> <br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As a final Spring Term assignment, I asked my LPN students to present different eras of nursing. Florence Nightingale, Dorothea Dix, and Clara Barton were present.. We had a group of nurses re-enact nursing care given during the attacks on Pearl Harbor... we had nurses from the 50's and 60's and some modern day nurses as well! They did a fantastic job on the assignment and wanted to share some snapshots!! Terrific job ladies!!! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-5287100264553620152010-12-16T08:17:00.000-05:002010-12-17T15:25:48.838-05:00We wish you ......<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQvHP3quNnI/AAAAAAAAAy0/C1hHJIWH0-g/s1600/IMG_4729.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551750041119372914" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQvHP3quNnI/AAAAAAAAAy0/C1hHJIWH0-g/s320/IMG_4729.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoWNgAOhEI/AAAAAAAAAys/Jzf3TYPJezE/s1600/IMG_4751.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551273911872554050" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoWNgAOhEI/AAAAAAAAAys/Jzf3TYPJezE/s320/IMG_4751.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoWNNwm6ZI/AAAAAAAAAyk/v3zklU7KzxQ/s1600/IMG_4765.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551273906975205778" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoWNNwm6ZI/AAAAAAAAAyk/v3zklU7KzxQ/s320/IMG_4765.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoU3MAI4PI/AAAAAAAAAyc/mCNo-ILvWIE/s1600/IMG_4665.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551272429034725618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoU3MAI4PI/AAAAAAAAAyc/mCNo-ILvWIE/s320/IMG_4665.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoU29u4NiI/AAAAAAAAAyU/aPXoe0QJTwQ/s1600/IMG_4722.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 284px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551272425204233762" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoU29u4NiI/AAAAAAAAAyU/aPXoe0QJTwQ/s320/IMG_4722.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoUVsmweSI/AAAAAAAAAyM/13yR7i4zeX4/s1600/IMG_4710.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551271853671086370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoUVsmweSI/AAAAAAAAAyM/13yR7i4zeX4/s320/IMG_4710.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoUVTrZPBI/AAAAAAAAAyE/DrR4SLwmNcc/s1600/IMG_4698.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551271846979648530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoUVTrZPBI/AAAAAAAAAyE/DrR4SLwmNcc/s320/IMG_4698.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoTVTB_vDI/AAAAAAAAAx8/PH3ZAQd_RP0/s1600/IMG_4861.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551270747294383154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoTVTB_vDI/AAAAAAAAAx8/PH3ZAQd_RP0/s320/IMG_4861.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoTUwtxiPI/AAAAAAAAAx0/M41IJ-8CnrU/s1600/IMG_4788.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551270738082760946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQoTUwtxiPI/AAAAAAAAAx0/M41IJ-8CnrU/s320/IMG_4788.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>a Merry, Merry Christmas !! The kids and I have been out of school all week for nasty weather and for the first time in many Christmases... I am almost finished shopping... and actually have gifts wrapped and under our tree. :) It's been so wonderful being on their schedule this year. Andy Stacy <a href="http://www.andystacyphotography.com/">http://www.andystacyphotography.com/</a> came to our house a few weeks ago and took some amazing pictures of our family! He is a super person and photographer.. be sure to check out his website. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We look forward to hearing from you, our friends and family, and wish each of you a blessed Holiday Season! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-5296426453578407582010-12-13T08:58:00.000-05:002010-12-13T09:29:04.113-05:00Home Improvement part I<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYtldJzgKI/AAAAAAAAAxs/qMWLN1euNCM/s1600/002.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550173712284876962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYtldJzgKI/AAAAAAAAAxs/qMWLN1euNCM/s320/002.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYtlMjFz0I/AAAAAAAAAxk/F4RMrNJKe9A/s1600/IMG_5332.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 284px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550173707827531586" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYtlMjFz0I/AAAAAAAAAxk/F4RMrNJKe9A/s320/IMG_5332.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYtkyI8xHI/AAAAAAAAAxc/8NM3vLZuCXM/s1600/IMG_5257.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550173700738565234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYtkyI8xHI/AAAAAAAAAxc/8NM3vLZuCXM/s320/IMG_5257.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYslN7dmvI/AAAAAAAAAxU/Z6IiYR2m3Hc/s1600/041.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550172608686562034" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYslN7dmvI/AAAAAAAAAxU/Z6IiYR2m3Hc/s320/041.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYskloL4SI/AAAAAAAAAxM/6vVv_qOsBlM/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550172597868290338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYskloL4SI/AAAAAAAAAxM/6vVv_qOsBlM/s320/006.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYr7hOri6I/AAAAAAAAAxE/1z6Hnto5VEc/s1600/IMG_5259.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550171892312935330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYr7hOri6I/AAAAAAAAAxE/1z6Hnto5VEc/s200/IMG_5259.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYrOisnDXI/AAAAAAAAAw0/GbRB_F5lZrU/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550171119612792178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYrOisnDXI/AAAAAAAAAw0/GbRB_F5lZrU/s200/027.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550171888256821714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYr7SHoKdI/AAAAAAAAAw8/fWjn3U9Zuug/s200/023.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYq-2izZnI/AAAAAAAAAws/uXVYS4oe2vo/s1600/018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550170850062460530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYq-2izZnI/AAAAAAAAAws/uXVYS4oe2vo/s320/018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYq966jzoI/AAAAAAAAAwk/Wi3IW7dCLjY/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550170834055974530" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TQYq966jzoI/AAAAAAAAAwk/Wi3IW7dCLjY/s320/005.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Okay... so ... for almost a year now we've had this hickory wide plank hard wood sitting in boxes on our side porch. I was certain that even though they had been safe under our porch...out of the weather... they would still have acquired some type of damage sitting out for so long......but....not so !! The hubs and his Dad spent two days laying this floor down in our kitchen and laundry room and ...oh.. I just absolutely LOVE it!!! I love the rustic look of the wood!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The kids are really excited and ready for Christmas! Ella had fun helping me get the tree decorated and has loved helping wrap a few presents! Ella & I stood in line for about 20 minutes last week to visit with Santa.....she was so excited and would shout at him "Santa, Santa..I'm almost there.." Once we finally made our way to his chair.... she froze. She <em>did</em> sit on his lap .... but she would not crack a smile...nor would she even look at him. They wouldn't allow parents to have cameras (they were taking the pictures for you to buy..) but I just couldn't bring myself to spend $20 on a picture!! We may try again later this week! Enjoy the pictures and stay tuned for some great family Christmas pictures taken by a new photographer in town!! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-62075866958738053862010-08-15T11:16:00.000-04:002010-08-15T11:26:04.700-04:00summer fun and time for school!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgG-7kJzYI/AAAAAAAAAwU/OT9IhZ11eZU/s1600/125.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505658222671416706" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgG-7kJzYI/AAAAAAAAAwU/OT9IhZ11eZU/s200/125.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgG-lJ8DQI/AAAAAAAAAwM/C8ieJO4eKGY/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505658216655883522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgG-lJ8DQI/AAAAAAAAAwM/C8ieJO4eKGY/s200/042.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgG-KwY2UI/AAAAAAAAAwE/JoG1u9XQm-0/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 175px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505658209569397058" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgG-KwY2UI/AAAAAAAAAwE/JoG1u9XQm-0/s200/045.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgGnq4AKPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/YGBS1lr8AZo/s1600/124.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505657823054276850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgGnq4AKPI/AAAAAAAAAv8/YGBS1lr8AZo/s200/124.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgGnRSIJLI/AAAAAAAAAv0/d_9wjkbkYUc/s1600/fam.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505657816184530098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgGnRSIJLI/AAAAAAAAAv0/d_9wjkbkYUc/s200/fam.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgGm-cTGaI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Ljx9zCFyjog/s1600/kids.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 152px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5505657811126917538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TGgGm-cTGaI/AAAAAAAAAvs/Ljx9zCFyjog/s200/kids.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>Summer is coming to a close and school begins in only 22 hours!! This year the kids are excited that I will now be on 'their' schedule. I am now teaching first year LPN's and the CNA classes for a local community college and the county schools! I'm excited ! We enjoyed a summer vacation at Hilton Head Island the middle of June and it brought back so many good memories of summer vacations there with my family when I was a youngster. Happy Back to School days!</p></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-2795611880454782922010-05-31T14:49:00.000-04:002010-05-31T15:15:37.830-04:00Inching closer .....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQKn0cy3YI/AAAAAAAAAvk/ae-hBKbJ2cI/s1600/036.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477514725999959426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQKn0cy3YI/AAAAAAAAAvk/ae-hBKbJ2cI/s200/036.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ_4eE3QI/AAAAAAAAAvc/a8beAiUUqAY/s1600/040.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477514039884307714" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ_4eE3QI/AAAAAAAAAvc/a8beAiUUqAY/s200/040.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ_XbVj9I/AAAAAAAAAvU/KuKgm6hjbcU/s1600/039.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477514031014449106" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ_XbVj9I/AAAAAAAAAvU/KuKgm6hjbcU/s200/039.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ-tk-hDI/AAAAAAAAAvM/ELjSxgXNeH8/s1600/043.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 182px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477514019780592690" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ-tk-hDI/AAAAAAAAAvM/ELjSxgXNeH8/s200/043.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ-HR1WZI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2wD3iO2j6hQ/s1600/042.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477514009499752850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJ-HR1WZI/AAAAAAAAAvE/2wD3iO2j6hQ/s200/042.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJodnq4EI/AAAAAAAAAu8/UkhfbDK-iaU/s1600/024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477513637539799106" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJodnq4EI/AAAAAAAAAu8/UkhfbDK-iaU/s200/024.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJn74bhVI/AAAAAAAAAu0/TWUmSvKITik/s1600/034.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 190px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477513628483290450" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJn74bhVI/AAAAAAAAAu0/TWUmSvKITik/s200/034.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJnhn9q_I/AAAAAAAAAus/S5jsyYjsZ_U/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477513621434903538" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJnhn9q_I/AAAAAAAAAus/S5jsyYjsZ_U/s200/028.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJm6OJJyI/AAAAAAAAAuk/axVg4nc_uTA/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5477513610857621282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/TAQJm6OJJyI/AAAAAAAAAuk/axVg4nc_uTA/s200/014.JPG" /></a> It's hard to believe that one year ago this past weekend we lost my Dad in an airplane accident. For 12 months we have made arrangements to fly in an airplane and have his ashes spread over a beautiful mountain side in East Tennessee (Roan Mountain). For as long as my brother and I can remember... this was his request. After numerous attempts at planning this... and because the weather would never co-operate, we decided to spread his ashes by foot and it was even more special because all of our family; his family, was able to be there and participate as well. It's been a hard 12 months, and while we are still closing some opened doors (That's a whole different post.. but one that I plan to share in the <em>hopefully</em> near future...) related to his death....we are inching closer to some closure. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-83841912952217689322010-04-06T09:56:00.000-04:002010-04-06T10:15:59.281-04:00This 'n That.....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tCCKXmIxI/AAAAAAAAAuc/NQjrNsxnhpk/s1600/144.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457027978399982354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tCCKXmIxI/AAAAAAAAAuc/NQjrNsxnhpk/s320/144.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tB8NLHUDI/AAAAAAAAAuU/MrYTjyaHy00/s1600/094.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457027876073721906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tB8NLHUDI/AAAAAAAAAuU/MrYTjyaHy00/s320/094.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tBtUtdX5I/AAAAAAAAAuM/ZXevzfcZkC8/s1600/086.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457027620398784402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tBtUtdX5I/AAAAAAAAAuM/ZXevzfcZkC8/s320/086.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tBlg-FdtI/AAAAAAAAAuE/2vFRm94EDC0/s1600/076.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457027486250792658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/S7tBlg-FdtI/AAAAAAAAAuE/2vFRm94EDC0/s320/076.JPG" /></a> I never dreamed that 3 months would ever pass by without a post on our blog... but life has been so busy for us and I've contemplated just deleting the blog... but I just can't bring myself to do it. This blog was creating initially as way to journal our adoption journey and has now become a way for me to journal our daily lives as a family of five. So with that said, the blog shall live on !!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div>I have taken a new job as a nursing instructor working with Junior and Senior girls enrolled in CNA and LPN classes through a dual enrollment program with a community college and the county schools. I have LOVED it ! I am still working for the dermatology group though.. two days a week... so it's just been crazy. The boys have started spring baseball and they are now playing on two separate teams for the first time ever ! ugggh !!! I think this is good for them though ...just to be separated athletically for awhile . Ella is just not even the same little girl she was 6 months ago.... She's talking up a storm.... LOVES to sing.... enjoys going to pre-school / daycare during the week. She can count to 14, knows her ABC's, knows many nursery rhyme songs, can dress herself, is using the potty (sporadically ... but still going !) and loves looking at books and being read to. She is struggling with her colors for some reason.... only knows the color green... but we're working on that as well ! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Life is busy.... but Life is good !! 'Till next time......</div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-83869453409481220972010-01-02T14:27:00.000-05:002010-01-02T14:33:51.611-05:00Happy New Year !!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fg5mf87I/AAAAAAAAAt8/ifQRA_4rrWQ/s1600-h/Christmas_pic_09.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 197px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422227863944295346" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fg5mf87I/AAAAAAAAAt8/ifQRA_4rrWQ/s200/Christmas_pic_09.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Hope everyone has a peaceful new year !!!! <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fS11lIAI/AAAAAAAAAt0/VjipNWWJ3u8/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422227622415638530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fS11lIAI/AAAAAAAAAt0/VjipNWWJ3u8/s200/024.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fSjjndUI/AAAAAAAAAts/mM_bCinG48s/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422227617508455746" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fSjjndUI/AAAAAAAAAts/mM_bCinG48s/s200/022.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fA_7Sj2I/AAAAAAAAAtk/l9ZjYMgLkhQ/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422227315886296930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-fA_7Sj2I/AAAAAAAAAtk/l9ZjYMgLkhQ/s200/016.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-ez84kKRI/AAAAAAAAAtc/IMR-g50DUhE/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422227091731261714" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-ez84kKRI/AAAAAAAAAtc/IMR-g50DUhE/s200/020.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-ezreHGTI/AAAAAAAAAtU/R0MFozof_uI/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422227087056902450" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sz-ezreHGTI/AAAAAAAAAtU/R0MFozof_uI/s200/018.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-5114154966873855122009-11-26T13:43:00.001-05:002009-11-26T14:18:17.743-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7QF_DOMKI/AAAAAAAAAtE/xv3MLQno13g/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+112.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408489003761414306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7QF_DOMKI/AAAAAAAAAtE/xv3MLQno13g/s200/Burke_Family_November_09+112.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7QFTDtojI/AAAAAAAAAs8/m_2Eksabk-A/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+108.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408488991952314930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7QFTDtojI/AAAAAAAAAs8/m_2Eksabk-A/s200/Burke_Family_November_09+108.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7Pqs45A0I/AAAAAAAAAs0/R6cUvy6vgl0/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+059.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408488535029777218" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7Pqs45A0I/AAAAAAAAAs0/R6cUvy6vgl0/s200/Burke_Family_November_09+059.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7PqMYCiLI/AAAAAAAAAss/0WkYl_1gs1E/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+079.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408488526302054578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7PqMYCiLI/AAAAAAAAAss/0WkYl_1gs1E/s200/Burke_Family_November_09+079.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7Os9OIKiI/AAAAAAAAAsk/K7AZAn-ZQts/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+106.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408487474261928482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7Os9OIKiI/AAAAAAAAAsk/K7AZAn-ZQts/s320/Burke_Family_November_09+106.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7OsfXtoCI/AAAAAAAAAsc/X5Jp3IP4y7Q/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+022.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408487466249068578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7OsfXtoCI/AAAAAAAAAsc/X5Jp3IP4y7Q/s320/Burke_Family_November_09+022.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7OTal8aMI/AAAAAAAAAsU/XOYe0ftJTi8/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+049.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408487035469850818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7OTal8aMI/AAAAAAAAAsU/XOYe0ftJTi8/s320/Burke_Family_November_09+049.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7OSsqKsJI/AAAAAAAAAsM/mDLEgFas9ok/s1600/Burke_Family_November_09+027.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408487023139532946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sw7OSsqKsJI/AAAAAAAAAsM/mDLEgFas9ok/s320/Burke_Family_November_09+027.jpg" border="0" /></a> Hope each and every one of you has a very Blessed Thanksgiving weekend with your families and friends ! Everything you see above... is everything I am SO THANKFUL for. Of course I am also very thankful for our wonderful extended family and friends. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend ! </div><div> <a href="http://www.michaelhalephotography.com/">http://www.michaelhalephotography.com/</a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-70660298455635112792009-11-22T11:39:00.000-05:002009-11-22T11:59:38.197-05:00Belated Birthday Wishes....<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SwltVGxisXI/AAAAAAAAArk/xdUTRFcGMvo/s1600/Ella_sweet_pic.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406973036998078834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SwltVGxisXI/AAAAAAAAArk/xdUTRFcGMvo/s320/Ella_sweet_pic.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SwltU7cFM8I/AAAAAAAAArc/23tLib7wyTk/s1600/Ella_cat.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406973033955275714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SwltU7cFM8I/AAAAAAAAArc/23tLib7wyTk/s320/Ella_cat.jpg" border="0" /></a> How on earth I managed to fall behind on this blog post is beyond me.. lol ! That's such a joke... I find these days I rarely have time to breathe. I was grateful to be offered an 'as needed' school nurse substitute job in September and they said they would probably keep me busy on my days off from the Dermatology clinic and they weren't kidding !! The flu season has taken quite a toll on the county schools here and it's been nice working in the local schools with the kids !<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Our Ella is TWO !!!! SOOOOOO hard to believe this sweet child is two. Well..... let me re-phrase that... so hard to believe she's <em>already</em> two. She defintely has the 'two year old attitude' let me tell ya' ..... Oh... the drama with little girls !! Her vocabulary is <strong><em>outstanding</em>.</strong> I hope I say that without sounding 'braggy'..... but she is very good with her words and speaks so well ! Her favorites things right now are of course, Dora the Explorer and baby dolls. She loves to put her dolls in her stroller and get her diaper bag all fixed and tell us all ' Bye... I going shopping. ' </div><br /><br /><div>She has learned that Carter & Cole are her 'rescuer's' in that when she is in trouble .... she calls for them to come get her. We've had to explain to the boys of course that they can't rescue her and that she needs to learn there are consequenses for bad behavior. Yeah.... not workin' out too well right now...... but we're slowly getting there.....</div><br /><br /><div>Ella's favorite food ( believe it or not ) is tossed salad with ranch dressing ???!! She LOVES it. Always asks for more. She loves pizza too and all fruits ( grapes, strawberries, melon, kiwi..) and she still loves cajun rice and chicken ! </div><br /><br /><div>She enjoys coloring (both in coloring books and the walls....) and LOVES to play 'waitress' She walks around holding her pencil and tablet and asks 'what you order? ' </div><br /><br /><div>She has a bad habit right now of constantly wanting her pacifier and blanket. She walks around with her blanket dragging the floor all the time. It makes me crazy... but I know this too shall pass...... </div><br /><br /><div>She is a blessing. A blessing that we cannot even imagine being without. </div><br /><br /><div>HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY ISABELLA ROSE WE LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH !!! </div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-44413824612117952062009-10-09T15:45:00.000-04:002009-10-09T16:21:43.547-04:00Happy Fall Y'all<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-auY1im4I/AAAAAAAAArU/9OyknXMPihs/s1600-h/IMG_3091.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390697400717450114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 262px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-auY1im4I/AAAAAAAAArU/9OyknXMPihs/s320/IMG_3091.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-Y3o63PfI/AAAAAAAAAqs/cYO5isEyN8U/s1600-h/IMG_3126.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390695360630308338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-Y3o63PfI/AAAAAAAAAqs/cYO5isEyN8U/s320/IMG_3126.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-ZUSr0EKI/AAAAAAAAAq0/TC4UL3Wvz30/s1600-h/IMG_3116.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390695852877811874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-ZUSr0EKI/AAAAAAAAAq0/TC4UL3Wvz30/s200/IMG_3116.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-Y3KrFPqI/AAAAAAAAAqk/pFDSeYxZmAs/s1600-h/IMG_3143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390695352511053474" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Ss-Y3KrFPqI/AAAAAAAAAqk/pFDSeYxZmAs/s320/IMG_3143.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><em><span style="color:#000000;">The kids and I took our 'annual' Pumpkin Patch farm trip last week and we had such a good time ! Ella enjoyed 'climbing' on all the mountains of pumpkins and loved eating apples and helping us pick out pumpkins to decorate the front porch. We are looking forward to a family picnic soon to Roan Mountain and (weather permitting) taking a plane ride across the mountian and dispersing my Dad's ashes across the beautiful terrain. This was his wish for as long as I can remember and I can't wait to finally do this. It has been a hard 5 months for us. Losing my Mom 4 years ago was heart-wrenching...but losing my Dad this past summer has taken quite a toll on me. I have had to remind myself frequently that I was blessed to have my parents as long as I did... which has NOT been easy. They were both so young. I miss them both <strong>so much</strong> and my life, while soooo rich with God's blessings and so very appreciated, will never be the same without them. Please visit my shop blog <a href="http://www.fiddlycat.blogspot.com/">http://www.fiddlycat.blogspot.com/</a> I am selling a book that I compiled this summer of my personal home made family recipes and folk art patterns of which all proceeds will be split ( 50/50) to both the Susan G. Kommen breast cancer Foundation ( in honor of my Mom ) and The Black Diamond Search & Rescue Foundation in SW Virginia ( in honor of my Dad ). Have a safe and fun Fall weekend ..... </span></em></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-51080344819751997792009-09-09T09:56:00.000-04:002009-09-09T10:00:26.943-04:00Mark your Calendars !<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sqe04oEut2I/AAAAAAAAApE/qESdHNd55s8/s1600-h/FallFolkArtsFestival09.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379467164840277858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sqe04oEut2I/AAAAAAAAApE/qESdHNd55s8/s320/FallFolkArtsFestival09.jpg" border="0" /></a> I have been a busy bee.... sewing...painting... hooking. I will have a small booth set up ( An outside tent) at the annual Fall Folk Arts Festival at the Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tn. Really neat !! If you've never visited.... please be sure to !rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-46319077334989208372009-07-24T15:58:00.000-04:002009-07-24T16:06:49.508-04:00Uno... dos... tres...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SmoUKWwbbJI/AAAAAAAAAoM/_Xi3JPqqXE4/s1600-h/IMG_2575.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362120474477948050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SmoUKWwbbJI/AAAAAAAAAoM/_Xi3JPqqXE4/s320/IMG_2575.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SmoUJxNdIOI/AAAAAAAAAoE/il-LP75fuZ0/s1600-h/IMG_2573.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362120464399147234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SmoUJxNdIOI/AAAAAAAAAoE/il-LP75fuZ0/s320/IMG_2573.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-13616519945997786602009-07-16T22:22:00.000-04:002009-07-16T22:34:54.507-04:00One Year 'Gotcha Day' !!!!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sl_jFzHNIcI/AAAAAAAAAm8/aI42yw1jT8U/s1600-h/IMG_2521.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359251770353459650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sl_jFzHNIcI/AAAAAAAAAm8/aI42yw1jT8U/s320/IMG_2521.JPG" border="0" /></a> Now<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sl_jFaJ7wrI/AAAAAAAAAm0/kmAZCk0Xd-U/s1600-h/IMG_6282.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359251763654017714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sl_jFaJ7wrI/AAAAAAAAAm0/kmAZCk0Xd-U/s320/IMG_6282.JPG" border="0" /></a> Then<br /><br /><div>It is hard to believe that one year ago today.... we were in Guatemala City pacing our hotel floor with one very unhappy 8 month old little girl who's whole entire world changed in a split second. It was probably the most bitter-sweet experience We have ever endured. She cried continuously.. (never stopped) for a solid 6 hours. Ella lived with her wonderful foster family from November 21, 2007 to July 16, 2008. It was a day that will never be forgotten ! Ella cried... I cried...Wendel cried... the foster family was sobbing... and it was all because of one little girl that was leaving one family and uniting with another. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must have been for Ella's foster family to say good-bye to her...but we have over the months kept in touch through email and letters. We are blessed to have her and fall more in love with her each day ! </div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-73034917040470952212009-07-12T15:35:00.001-04:002009-07-12T15:46:04.184-04:00~*~ The Wedding ~*~Rather than take up alot of room with writing... I just wanted to share some photos of my brother and sister-in-law's beautiful wedding this weekend ! Congratulations Brack & Jenny ! We Love you guys !<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo853EdMbI/AAAAAAAAAms/tqxn2aBV9Dw/s1600-h/IMG_2427+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357661671443476914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo853EdMbI/AAAAAAAAAms/tqxn2aBV9Dw/s320/IMG_2427+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo84gNsHaI/AAAAAAAAAmk/Sz1Mhd3bTII/s1600-h/IMG_2441.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357661648128318882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo84gNsHaI/AAAAAAAAAmk/Sz1Mhd3bTII/s320/IMG_2441.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8gGTcYeI/AAAAAAAAAmc/57CcYiNUNBU/s1600-h/IMG_2445.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357661228856271330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8gGTcYeI/AAAAAAAAAmc/57CcYiNUNBU/s320/IMG_2445.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8f2cqksI/AAAAAAAAAmU/1kexLhI5aug/s1600-h/IMG_2448.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357661224599982786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8f2cqksI/AAAAAAAAAmU/1kexLhI5aug/s320/IMG_2448.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8fZR_-KI/AAAAAAAAAmM/JPnR6NrwCG4/s1600-h/IMG_2488.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357661216770619554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8fZR_-KI/AAAAAAAAAmM/JPnR6NrwCG4/s320/IMG_2488.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8EfI3EUI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QNm-nhsArSA/s1600-h/IMG_2504.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660754486432066" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8EfI3EUI/AAAAAAAAAmE/QNm-nhsArSA/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8D3ZS60I/AAAAAAAAAl8/8s_7YtibeZE/s1600-h/IMG_2464+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660743817947970" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8D3ZS60I/AAAAAAAAAl8/8s_7YtibeZE/s320/IMG_2464+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8DdEaFzI/AAAAAAAAAl0/GommJ2Y4_38/s1600-h/IMG_2491+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660736751015730" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo8DdEaFzI/AAAAAAAAAl0/GommJ2Y4_38/s320/IMG_2491+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7uGhNDlI/AAAAAAAAAls/uu2MNghfHCg/s1600-h/IMG_2449+(2).JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660369920527954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7uGhNDlI/AAAAAAAAAls/uu2MNghfHCg/s320/IMG_2449+(2).JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7twBcmxI/AAAAAAAAAlk/F1ac3rAGgs0/s1600-h/IMG_2458.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660363881749266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 209px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7twBcmxI/AAAAAAAAAlk/F1ac3rAGgs0/s320/IMG_2458.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7tRipnWI/AAAAAAAAAlc/lbt45DlGacg/s1600-h/IMG_2455.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660355699514722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7tRipnWI/AAAAAAAAAlc/lbt45DlGacg/s320/IMG_2455.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7cKn__ZI/AAAAAAAAAlU/2x93d6c3DI0/s1600-h/IMG_2454.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660061785128338" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 309px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7cKn__ZI/AAAAAAAAAlU/2x93d6c3DI0/s320/IMG_2454.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7b8u-THI/AAAAAAAAAlM/TV7qrKzEvDA/s1600-h/IMG_2425.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660058056281202" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7b8u-THI/AAAAAAAAAlM/TV7qrKzEvDA/s320/IMG_2425.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7bnqxglI/AAAAAAAAAlE/OTQLiBLmar8/s1600-h/IMG_2414.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357660052401521234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7bnqxglI/AAAAAAAAAlE/OTQLiBLmar8/s320/IMG_2414.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7PPbZDTI/AAAAAAAAAk8/pXXI-X55e4s/s1600-h/IMG_2506.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357659839736122674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7PPbZDTI/AAAAAAAAAk8/pXXI-X55e4s/s320/IMG_2506.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7OtQ2DAI/AAAAAAAAAk0/2Jcdf6c4Ckw/s1600-h/IMG_2440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357659830565080066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7OtQ2DAI/AAAAAAAAAk0/2Jcdf6c4Ckw/s320/IMG_2440.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7OX9iWpI/AAAAAAAAAks/RPVin_GfP2M/s1600-h/IMG_2411.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357659824846953106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Slo7OX9iWpI/AAAAAAAAAks/RPVin_GfP2M/s320/IMG_2411.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-16848477032796851642009-06-30T19:08:00.000-04:002009-06-30T19:40:54.015-04:00Catchin' up ....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqiWd8dGdI/AAAAAAAAAic/vccAUb89t_Y/s1600-h/IMG_2231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353269613962271186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqiWd8dGdI/AAAAAAAAAic/vccAUb89t_Y/s320/IMG_2231.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqiHYzxAXI/AAAAAAAAAiU/G8dc6qx3Fqg/s1600-h/IMG_2189.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353269354885611890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqiHYzxAXI/AAAAAAAAAiU/G8dc6qx3Fqg/s320/IMG_2189.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqgbP3mz8I/AAAAAAAAAiM/bdv0gBEdYa4/s1600-h/Cole.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353267497059930050" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqgbP3mz8I/AAAAAAAAAiM/bdv0gBEdYa4/s320/Cole.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqgT84LawI/AAAAAAAAAiE/TSc_nkkHocI/s1600-h/Carter.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353267371702971138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 261px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqgT84LawI/AAAAAAAAAiE/TSc_nkkHocI/s320/Carter.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqgLIacLSI/AAAAAAAAAh8/uAq1bgCsfeY/s1600-h/Carter_close_up.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353267220180643106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 233px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SkqgLIacLSI/AAAAAAAAAh8/uAq1bgCsfeY/s320/Carter_close_up.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Skqf-a-FX2I/AAAAAAAAAh0/IR81K3nkbYg/s1600-h/Cole_close_up.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353267001823682402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Skqf-a-FX2I/AAAAAAAAAh0/IR81K3nkbYg/s320/Cole_close_up.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Skqf0XekfII/AAAAAAAAAhs/f9xI_dauXsE/s1600-h/Ella_close_up.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353266829087505538" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 230px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Skqf0XekfII/AAAAAAAAAhs/f9xI_dauXsE/s320/Ella_close_up.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>First off, I would like to say 'Thank You' to all those who have emailed, called, sent cards, and prayed for us during these last four weeks. The loss of my Dad has been unbelievably difficult on us all and your heart felt messages were comforting. Thank you ! </div><br /><div>On a lighter note, we have kept ourselves very busy ! The 'boys' were chosen to play in Little League All Stars this summer. This was Carter's second year and Cole's first ! Carter played both pitcher and outfield while Cole was hind catcher. They had fun and Ella was so sweet cheering them on ! She would shout " Go Cole " ... " Go Car ". </div><br /><br /><br /><div>I have been fortunate enough to step down to part-time RN at work and this has been a huge help for us here at home. I am now working 2, sometimes 3 days a week and it's been such a relief. I have missed having free time with my munchkins and am just grateful the physicians were willing to allow me to cut back on my hours. </div><br /><br /><div>As for our little Guatemalan Queen .... she's absolutely amazing ! She has made such huge strides in the last 11 months that she's been home with us and is growing like a little weed ! I did something last week that I swore I would never do... I placed her in a little beauty pageant ! It was here in our hometown and I didn't go to drastic lengths with a fancy expensive outfit... it was very spur of the moment. Carter and Cole were SOO excited to watch her on-stage and the judges must of thought she was just as beautiful as we do... she won in her age group ! She could not have cared less.... her trophy was as big as her... and she did find it interesting ... She called it her "Tro-see" . </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The BIG WEDDING is July 11th !! My brother, Brack and his fiance Jenny have decided to tie the knot closer to home rather than California due to the loss in our family.. and we can't wait !!! We are packing our bags for a mini vacation this weekend to the beach and are looking forward to some much needed R&R..... Have a fun , Safe, 4th of July ! Next post? Wedding pictures !! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-61889081151719411772009-06-12T19:28:00.000-04:002009-06-12T19:36:00.867-04:00In memory of my Dad, Dickie Owens<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmSoYHr5I/AAAAAAAAAhk/8YMPzQqGdVk/s1600-h/IMG_1409.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346588915392819090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmSoYHr5I/AAAAAAAAAhk/8YMPzQqGdVk/s320/IMG_1409.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmSZq2HBI/AAAAAAAAAhc/4FUBOEQ2C1s/s1600-h/4195_1101514351172_1626092634_223870_1911710_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346588911444827154" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmSZq2HBI/AAAAAAAAAhc/4FUBOEQ2C1s/s320/4195_1101514351172_1626092634_223870_1911710_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmSN9IozI/AAAAAAAAAhU/N6pNH9iZAJI/s1600-h/4195_1101420268820_1626092634_223638_5295966_n.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346588908300313394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmSN9IozI/AAAAAAAAAhU/N6pNH9iZAJI/s320/4195_1101420268820_1626092634_223638_5295966_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmR20wzLI/AAAAAAAAAhM/HwhsP3dD6bc/s1600-h/IMG_1826.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346588902091181234" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SjLmR20wzLI/AAAAAAAAAhM/HwhsP3dD6bc/s320/IMG_1826.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We will miss you Dad. This man was the best Dad, Poppy, and husband to my sweet Momma, Sandy, and will be so missed. His plane went down the 29th of May in Dickenson County, Virginia as he was on his way to one of his job sites in Ashland, Kentucky. We Love you Dad. </div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-2759187689795246912009-05-02T13:13:00.000-04:002009-05-02T13:52:43.905-04:00Saturday the 2nd of May<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyHzg9tlxI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/Q54iWa7Bwmc/s1600-h/IMG_1779.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331285377991677714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyHzg9tlxI/AAAAAAAAAgQ/Q54iWa7Bwmc/s320/IMG_1779.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyHzEg-i8I/AAAAAAAAAgI/R0hHfq5BmEY/s1600-h/IMG_1785.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331285370354961346" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyHzEg-i8I/AAAAAAAAAgI/R0hHfq5BmEY/s320/IMG_1785.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyHy9JhG1I/AAAAAAAAAgA/aVZssIM2uyw/s1600-h/IMG_1773.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331285368377514834" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyHy9JhG1I/AAAAAAAAAgA/aVZssIM2uyw/s320/IMG_1773.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyGPiCqglI/AAAAAAAAAf4/C4JCFm0aX3s/s1600-h/IMG_1754.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331283660293964370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyGPiCqglI/AAAAAAAAAf4/C4JCFm0aX3s/s320/IMG_1754.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyGPe0jbHI/AAAAAAAAAfw/LKpEuupg4hM/s1600-h/IMG_1745.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331283659429473394" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyGPe0jbHI/AAAAAAAAAfw/LKpEuupg4hM/s320/IMG_1745.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyGPIR9PJI/AAAAAAAAAfo/DtEHdGHvIXU/s1600-h/IMG_1739.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331283653378784402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SfyGPIR9PJI/AAAAAAAAAfo/DtEHdGHvIXU/s320/IMG_1739.JPG" border="0" /></a> I cannot believe that one month passed without one post here on the blog ! I have been SO busy with work, family, laundry, sick kids, etc..etc... that I have absolutely fallen so behind on journaling. The kids are on the mend. The boys were sick with stomach bugs....and allergies. I think it was the 2nd day they were sick the 'swine flu' epidemic was announced on T.V. Cole ( very seriously ) was frantic .... absolutely sure that this was what he had.... ( a true hypochondriac like his mom...) Ella has had her first ear infection, walking pneumonia, and strep throat ( although that last ailment was not confirmed because she was crying so hysterically at the clinic ... they just decided to bypass the throat swab....and assume she was positive...) With the help of antibiotics she is doing much much better and is anxious to get back to day care to see her friends next week !<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The boys have begun baseball this season...and have had a pretty rough start so far.... both games were lost and they have had their <em>sportsmanship </em>tested for sure ! I have 'preached' all the way home from both games... " winning isn't everything guys...it's having fun .... and learning the game... you are still trying to learn the rules and skills of baseball..and besides that..you've both been sick..." They each gave me that '<em><strong>whatever</strong></em>' look and sulked in the back seats the entire way home. Nontheless.... we're really proud of them! </div><div> </div><div>As for 'hot rod' ( aka: Ella Rose ) She's fallen victim to the 'terrible two's' epidemic... She has an attitude with a capital 'A' !!! Her favorite things to say currently are "NO" and 'MINE" and will hit or scratch you if you're within reach. If you tell her <em>'No-No'</em> or <em>'that's not nice'</em> she hides her face and cries as if you've broken her heart... and then she smiles really big and gives whoever scolded her a big kiss on the arm....leg...cheek. ( Our little drama queen I'm afraid ! ) She LOVES her ballerina tutu and will grab it every morning wanting to put it on.... Perhaps she'll have a career on <strong><em>Broadway</em></strong> one day ?? ! I'm often asked " Is it different raising boys and girls" and the answer most defintely is Y-E-S ! Enjoy the pictures of our growing weeds.... </div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-24839882691800087022009-03-28T13:34:00.000-04:002009-03-28T14:25:50.110-04:00March 28, 2009<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sc5rRRMNKmI/AAAAAAAAAfg/fEKd2NFxXms/s1600-h/family_pic+(3).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318306154387679842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sc5rRRMNKmI/AAAAAAAAAfg/fEKd2NFxXms/s320/family_pic+(3).jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sc5rRLtIatI/AAAAAAAAAfY/_4KCuznuqwg/s1600-h/IMG_1434.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318306152915167954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sc5rRLtIatI/AAAAAAAAAfY/_4KCuznuqwg/s320/IMG_1434.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sc5rQ_lyuSI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/kil8XWqOiYU/s1600-h/IMG_1466.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318306149663160610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sc5rQ_lyuSI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/kil8XWqOiYU/s320/IMG_1466.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Well... it's official... Wendel has joined the 'old folks club' ! Hee ! Today is his 40th B-day and with that comes the license to complain about back ache, joint aches, muscle aches, gray hair, wrinkles, insomnia, fatigue, frequent urination, infrequent bowel movements, and forgetfulness ! The saddest part ?? I'm not far from joining the club myself ! yikes !! </div><br /><div>The best parts; however, of growing older is the blessings you have gained, the knowledge, life experiences, old friends, cherished memories, and having had the opportunity to spend one more year watching your children grow. Happy Birthday to the Best Daddy and most awesome husband any four people could ask for ! We LOVE you !</div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-38367112054053803372009-03-15T12:24:00.000-04:002009-03-15T12:29:39.104-04:00Spring Picture Day...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0s0AbeavI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Ov8HDquNUZg/s1600-h/IMG_1290.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313452407347112690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0s0AbeavI/AAAAAAAAAfI/Ov8HDquNUZg/s320/IMG_1290.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0szlRDw_I/AAAAAAAAAfA/VujCNsgBkdg/s1600-h/IMG_1268.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313452400055665650" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0szlRDw_I/AAAAAAAAAfA/VujCNsgBkdg/s320/IMG_1268.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0scSJCwgI/AAAAAAAAAe4/9hR6cWJDpyI/s1600-h/IMG_1255.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313451999784780290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0scSJCwgI/AAAAAAAAAe4/9hR6cWJDpyI/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sb9kPpBI/AAAAAAAAAew/AGHmwMuVMVQ/s1600-h/IMG_1244.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313451994261726226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sb9kPpBI/AAAAAAAAAew/AGHmwMuVMVQ/s320/IMG_1244.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sbSReDII/AAAAAAAAAeo/BSbIV5K1iZg/s1600-h/IMG_1251.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313451982640254082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sbSReDII/AAAAAAAAAeo/BSbIV5K1iZg/s320/IMG_1251.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sMMkoRsI/AAAAAAAAAeg/s9u_cGMjlgU/s1600-h/IMG_1274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313451723411965634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sMMkoRsI/AAAAAAAAAeg/s9u_cGMjlgU/s320/IMG_1274.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sL5bpbtI/AAAAAAAAAeY/BhriWQpTgW0/s1600-h/IMG_1288.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313451718274019026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sL5bpbtI/AAAAAAAAAeY/BhriWQpTgW0/s320/IMG_1288.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sK8Rk0RI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/xfEvA9WsecI/s1600-h/IMG_1287.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313451701857210642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 290px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/Sb0sK8Rk0RI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/xfEvA9WsecI/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" border="0" /></a> We visited our favorite place this weekend ; Kilgore Fort House, and I'm so glad I took my camera as I managed to get some good snapshots of the kids ! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-80854310843545421842009-03-13T18:47:00.000-04:002009-03-13T18:57:07.527-04:00Cookin' up some meatloaf ....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SbrkuIMPSSI/AAAAAAAAAdo/IIvWtcGEGfQ/s1600-h/meatloaf.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312810191560853794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 116px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 116px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SbrkuIMPSSI/AAAAAAAAAdo/IIvWtcGEGfQ/s320/meatloaf.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I had to share this wonderful new ( well... new to me anyway ) recipe for a dinner time favorite...meatloaf ! This was our supper tonight along with green beans, new potatoes, and sliced bread. Found here : <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/dads-meatloaf-with-tomato-relish-recipe/index.html">http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/tyler-florence/dads-meatloaf-with-tomato-relish-recipe/index.html</a> Delicious ! Our kids normally aren't big fans of meatloaf but they cleaned their plates tonight .....</div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-19728341476459903822009-03-08T19:56:00.000-04:002009-03-08T20:26:36.158-04:00A special weekend....<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SbRgdrKZizI/AAAAAAAAAdg/wsBcSQ9tSWw/s1600-h/IMG_1113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310975923495471922" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SbRgdrKZizI/AAAAAAAAAdg/wsBcSQ9tSWw/s320/IMG_1113.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SbRgdAsPubI/AAAAAAAAAdY/ARB5nNh7ICE/s1600-h/Ella_Burke_C.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310975912094710194" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SbRgdAsPubI/AAAAAAAAAdY/ARB5nNh7ICE/s320/Ella_Burke_C.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>It was exactly one year ago this weekend that I flew to Guatemala and met and held my sweet little girl ! I will never forget seeing her foster mother walk across the hotel lobby with her all bundled in layers of pink blankets. She was wet with sweat when they finally got all the layers removed and she was just like a little angel. I remember well that I didn't want to get on that airplane without her...though I could tell from my visit she was in perfectly good hands with a foster family who loved her more than anything....and I remember well how much I missed my family at home. I remember feeling excited when I saw my boys and husband waiting for me at the airport...but so disappointed that Ella was not with us yet. I remember the rumors surrounding the completion of the few adoption cases that lay in limbo kept my stomach in knots for the next four months until we finally received that long awaited call that it was time to get our daughter. We feel so incredibly blessed to have been one of the last families to bring home a child from this beautiful country. We truly hope and pray that the Guatemalan adoption system will soon again be open and other families are able to share with us the joy of building their family through the miracle of adoption ! </div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-45876138688012033502009-03-01T18:07:00.000-05:002009-03-01T18:22:06.370-05:00Disney on Ice<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYhZx_xsI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/lmYQ41wAkAk/s1600-h/IMG_1063.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308363547921598146" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYhZx_xsI/AAAAAAAAAdQ/lmYQ41wAkAk/s320/IMG_1063.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYg9izWiI/AAAAAAAAAdI/7TqHG3bTB50/s1600-h/IMG_1058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308363540341676578" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYg9izWiI/AAAAAAAAAdI/7TqHG3bTB50/s320/IMG_1058.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYgVUwSfI/AAAAAAAAAdA/7_R8ctQw09k/s1600-h/IMG_1055.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308363529545337330" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYgVUwSfI/AAAAAAAAAdA/7_R8ctQw09k/s320/IMG_1055.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYgEwMmqI/AAAAAAAAAc4/SivmOGuD7NQ/s1600-h/IMG_1047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308363525097036450" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYgEwMmqI/AAAAAAAAAc4/SivmOGuD7NQ/s320/IMG_1047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYHCS0iOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/zCVV2U7zK6A/s1600-h/IMG_1043.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308363094940223714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYHCS0iOI/AAAAAAAAAcw/zCVV2U7zK6A/s320/IMG_1043.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYGp7yepI/AAAAAAAAAco/3J8ZPsk33ls/s1600-h/IMG_1040.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308363088401169042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYGp7yepI/AAAAAAAAAco/3J8ZPsk33ls/s320/IMG_1040.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYGIr4qmI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Cdq1waVpbAg/s1600-h/IMG_1027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308363079476095586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SasYGIr4qmI/AAAAAAAAAcg/Cdq1waVpbAg/s320/IMG_1027.JPG" border="0" /></a> We had such a fun day today ! Took the kids to see 'Disney on Ice' in J.C. and they LOVED it ! Carter and Cole weren't exactly thrilled when I told them we had tickets and were going...but they ended up loving it ! Our favorites were Lilo and Stitch and Peter Pan. The boys ate the entire time...which left us broke by the time we left ! I thought Wendel was going to pass out when the vendor told him the total for the two 'lilo slushies' ( $20 for two ). We had great seats...front row balcony and so Ella was able to stand up when she wanted and watch between the hand rail. It's snowy, cold, windy and we're so ready for spring. : ) </div></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-13427374605524828462009-03-01T09:34:00.000-05:002009-03-01T09:37:55.627-05:00<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaqdkYRKGhI/AAAAAAAAAcY/oVZJbXkeM3g/s1600-h/IMG_0912.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308228359124818450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaqdkYRKGhI/AAAAAAAAAcY/oVZJbXkeM3g/s320/IMG_0912.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am so excited to have claimed a spot amongst some talented artisits at <a href="http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/">http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/</a> so please stop by and see my latest offerings for March ! Be sure to visit my shop blog : <a href="http://www.fiddlycat.blogspot.com/">http://www.fiddlycat.blogspot.com/</a> </div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-7893174515940892682009-02-22T22:18:00.001-05:002009-02-22T22:22:04.142-05:00Happy Birthday.... a few days late ....<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWLXDMg2I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/7eNhF2wpfvo/s1600-h/IMG_0635.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305827695417656162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWLXDMg2I/AAAAAAAAAcQ/7eNhF2wpfvo/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWLANMkZI/AAAAAAAAAcI/ZjvXyAVKu-A/s1600-h/IMG_0759.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305827689285587346" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWLANMkZI/AAAAAAAAAcI/ZjvXyAVKu-A/s320/IMG_0759.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWKxvwqII/AAAAAAAAAcA/zCBpXhPi1M4/s1600-h/IMG_0663.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305827685404027010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWKxvwqII/AAAAAAAAAcA/zCBpXhPi1M4/s320/IMG_0663.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWKmlKpDI/AAAAAAAAAb4/QnFf3Cs6lnQ/s1600-h/IMG_0628.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5305827682406802482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SaIWKmlKpDI/AAAAAAAAAb4/QnFf3Cs6lnQ/s320/IMG_0628.JPG" border="0" /></a>Our sweet Cole turned 9 years old Thursday, February 19 and as usual.... I'm late posting ! Happy late Birthday Cole ! We love you sweet boy ! </div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5478690777239918698.post-69770343269273108952009-02-08T20:48:00.000-05:002009-02-10T14:59:07.733-05:00Lazy Sunday....<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NM7vBHaI/AAAAAAAAAbo/FLF6XL2ElS4/s1600-h/IMG_0561.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300610539771207074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NM7vBHaI/AAAAAAAAAbo/FLF6XL2ElS4/s320/IMG_0561.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NMoVGHyI/AAAAAAAAAbg/PNLRk3yZpo4/s1600-h/IMG_0573.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300610534562209570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NMoVGHyI/AAAAAAAAAbg/PNLRk3yZpo4/s320/IMG_0573.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NMXyviRI/AAAAAAAAAbY/fuQvWb_U1S0/s1600-h/IMG_0538.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300610530123155730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NMXyviRI/AAAAAAAAAbY/fuQvWb_U1S0/s320/IMG_0538.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NL38dOuI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/696gq132zEs/s1600-h/IMG_0404.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300610521573964514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NL38dOuI/AAAAAAAAAbQ/696gq132zEs/s320/IMG_0404.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"></span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NLmrGizI/AAAAAAAAAbI/O0VUqDCwxbE/s1600-h/IMG_0386.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300610516937771826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_kg-IOGQeVvo/SY-NLmrGizI/AAAAAAAAAbI/O0VUqDCwxbE/s320/IMG_0386.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="color:#663366;">Enjoy the photos of 'toots'.... She had such a good time today playing outside..but most of all playing 'hide and seek' with the boys. She <strong>still</strong> <em>is not fond</em> our sheep. She starts crying when we just start walking down to feed them..... Bless her heart !! I promise I didn't make her stand for the picture long...but I had to post it ...just so cute. ( sad..but cute ! )</span> </span></div></div></div></div></div>rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15983935867600298315noreply@blogger.com