tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62085484615592453442024-03-05T16:42:03.654-06:00The Carder FamilyAmyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-27019286046426406902012-11-13T16:21:00.003-06:002012-11-13T16:59:20.883-06:00Carder HomeschoolWow! I can't believe it's the middle of November and Christmas is just around the corner!! cRaZy. It's been a busy and fun fall for us and I hope for you all too. I've been meaning to update with my "How homeschool is going" blog since I said last time that that was the next post coming. Soooo, this will be my update on how homeschool is going for the Carder Family. I know you are so excited! Rrriiiight. Ok, I'm giving you all a heads-up so the few of you who care about this can keep reading and the rest of you who don't can check out now. :) <br />
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Since we started school in September I've had several conversations with people asking about how homeschool is going, about our daily schedule, what curriculums we use, etc. I also SO appreciate the prayers that are being lifted up on our behalf in the area of homeschool. I know there are many sweet friends that have been and continue to pray about this with us and for us and it means so much to me! Thank you!! So I thought I would do a little post and share what our day looks like, what curriculums we chose, etc. I know I learn so much from talking to others, sharing ideas, reading books and blogs, and so on that I thought since several have asked I would share what we are doing.<br />
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First off, let me just say that what I post here is going to be what I WANT my ideal day to look like, NOT what everyday REALLY looks like for us. Some days it comes close and other days we have a long way to go. We are on a journey here just like so many of you to teach and train our children to walk confidently in who God created them to be and to know they are deeply loved by the Almighty and because He loved us first and gave us his best, we want to give our best and love others too. Not everyday do we do this well. Not everyday does it look like it should. There are a lot of days my attitude is ugly, I'm impatient with my girls, I forget what my priorities are and get distracted by things that don't matter. But His mercies are new every morning and his grace is a deep well that never runs dry. He is so patient and continues to give me strength and wisdom as there are many days I just feel overwhelmed and wonder what I'm even doing and if any of this is taking root. Please tell me I'm not the only one who feels this way?? All I have to say is that I pray...alot! :)<br />
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With that being said, here is what our day looks like...for now.<br />
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8:00 Girls wake up, brush teeth, brush hair, make their beds, get dressed (No, we do not do homeschool in our pj's...sure is tempting though. :) )<br />
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8:30 Eat breakfast and do our Bible study/Blessing<br />
We read from <strong>Jesus Calling</strong> by Sarah Young (the one for kids) which is a short devo for each day and then read 2-3 scriptures that relate. We also read a bible story for the day. We just went through <strong>The Big Picture Story Bible</strong> by David Helm and it is so good. Many mornings I get a little choked up reading it to the girls, it is very sweet. Another good one that we just started is <strong>The Jesus Storybook</strong> <strong>Bible</strong> and it is amazing! I am loving it! After our Bible reading we do our Blessing. Each day we try to give Eva and Ella a spoken blessing. A few years ago we read a book called <strong>The Power of Spoken Blessings</strong> by Bill Gothard about the importance of giving spoken blessings to people, loved ones and enemies alike and the power that the Word of God has when spoken into someone's life. It's an excellent book! Another small but great book on this too is Mark Batterson's book <strong>Praying Circles</strong> <strong>Around your Children</strong>. So each day we give a blessing starting by holding their hand then reminding them of who they are, give a word of encouragement and then speak a promise or virtue from scripture that we want for them. Soooo sweet and one of the most important things we could possibly do each day. I'm telling you that there have been moments when I have seen immediate change come over them after receiving a blessing. It is amazing when you speak the Word of God and the power it has to change, heal and restore. What's even sweeter is watching Eva and Ella give a blessing to each other or to one of us. We have made giving a blessing as part of their chore chart (this doesn't always happen everyday...remember I said earlier that I WANT this to happen every day :) ) and it is precious watching them hold each other's hand and say the sweetest things to each other. Think what a better world we would all live in if we were good at giving each other spoken blessings daily! <br />
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9:00 We have our worship/calendar time. <br />
We usually learn a new worship song that goes with what we're learning for the week and do our scripture work. We learn a new memory verse every week and a character trait that goes along with our curriculum. Then we have a time of prayer and blessing for people and countries close to our heart and around the world. Ok, this is one of our favorite parts of the morning! We use a resource called Operation World. If you have never heard of this you have got to check it out! We use the website at <strong>operationworld.org</strong> but there is also a book, which we don't have. We use their online prayer calendar and everyday we pray for a different country and circle it on our map. Our goal is to pray for every country in the world this year! This website is amazing! It gives you prayer needs for every country in the world, the names of every unreached people group and sometimes a prayer video to watch. We love the videos, they are incredible! There are just so many things I love about Operation World, their website is a treasure if you want to learn more about our world and how to pray for it. Great resources there too with articles etc. I want my girls to know that there are people all over the world who don't know about the name of Jesus and there are many places we will never get to go and some we will BUT there is always something we can do and that is PRAY! I'm telling you there is nothing sweeter than listening to your children pray for places like Namibia, Peru and Sri Lanka and hearing them petition the Father for the churches to grow, for protection and peace over their people and that they would hear the name of Jesus. Oh my word! Many days I am in tears, at first they would look at me like I was crazy but now I think they are used to the tears. :) Their prayers are the sweetest things and I know they are to the Lord as well. I could go on and on. <br />
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The rest of this time is spent doing the calendar which involves the usual you know, days of the week, months (Macarena Months actually...we learn the months of the year dancing the Macarena, I hope no one ever gets this on video) colors, patterns, weather and graphing, counting/skip counting/number work, 100's chart, write/make the date with money, tally marks, telling time, review of sight words, phonics songs (we've got one called Who let the A out? to the tune of Who let the Dogs Out...I know, awesome right? You know me and my music. At least it's not Snoop Dog) and review of different math concepts from our math curriculum etc. Lots of fun!<br />
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9:30 Math<br />
I am using a curriculum called Horizons and I really love it. It's easy to follow, easy to teach and the pages are colorful and fun for Eva. Fun for me too because I despise Math. I mean let's remember that I graduated high school with geometry and had a tutor. Yikes! I am not your math wizard here. Good thing it's only kindergarten! Lord help us in First Grade...kidding but not really. :/ We also cover alot of math during Calendar time so the math lesson itself usually doesn't take very long. Sometimes we do 2 lessons a day.<br />
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10:00 Language Arts<br />
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For teaching reading I'm using a book called Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, using BOB books for some easy readers/guided reading practice as well as some other Letter books I had and phonics supplements. I use our memory verse for the week and the worship song we learn to pull sight words from or a reading skill to focus on so we usually do 3-4 sight words a week and at the end of the week I give Eva a copy of the scripture and she illustrates it, circles her sight words, practices writing them and adds it to her scripture folder for continued practice. She also colors a copy of our Letter Book, circles words she knows and adds it to her own bag of books that she has made for continued reading practice. We also just try to add in as many read-alouds as we can and some days we are better at this than others. <br />
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10:30 Curriculums and Activities<br />
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Overall, I have been very pleased with the curriculums we chose for kindergarten this year. I kind of pieced together what we are using by borrowing some, purchasing some and using some things I had from when I taught kindergarten. For our core curriculum we are using My Father's World. It is very fun and has a lot of hands-on things to do, science experiments, crafts, good book suggestions and I love the biblical base it has and the incorporation of scripture and character traits. However, I don't love the way they do their math or reading so I am using something different for those subjects as I mentioned above. So during this time we do our daily lesson from My Father's World, read books that go with our letter of the week and theme, do science experiments or crafts. Just a fun hands-on, crafty time. :)<br />
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11:00 Writing<br />
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I'll be honest, we don't always get to writing like I plan to. We incorporate it alot with other things but as far as a focused writing time I haven't been good on following through with that. So, we sometimes read a book and Eva writes a response in her journal or we may do a craft and she writes something to go with it. Hope to get better about this one. I also purchased a curriculum called A Reason for Handwriting more for handwriting practice but we have yet to use it. :) I love that they basically teach children good handwriting by having them learn to copy scripture. So sweet! We are using some other things for handwriting practice right now but I'm hoping to start using this as well. <br />
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11:30 Lunch and we're done with school!<br />
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So that's pretty much it! We are having a blast folks! Seriously, it is a very sweet time and we are really enjoying our time together, I wouldn't trade it. Right now we are not doing much outside of homeschool in the mornings. We aren't part of a co-op or any classes. I decided that this first semester we needed to really just focus on getting a rhythm and figuring out what works for us and then we can start adding some things back in like gymnastics, soccer etc. We are plenty busy as it is and have a good time going on little field trips with a group of other homeschool families, meeting up with friends, playdates and just playing around the house. Eva and Ella are doing great and it has been a good transition so far. It truly is a blessing and even though I never would've pictured that we would be doing this I can see the fruit already that comes with obedience to what the Lord has called you to. So sweet and humbling! <br />
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Anyway, there you have it. All is well at the Carder house and we're so thankful. Blessings to each of you!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-22551939899806956212012-09-10T15:58:00.016-05:002012-09-10T17:18:26.492-05:00Recovery from surgery and Ella's 4th Birthday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YbxDjFxrVhpsElLLRsKBxzXLaAt-geVo_S1_y82rIWBqQA7ZMf6GT-eCwldc9lI5Tarffiaj-A4Yh8__484fIiZWZaJ9IcE6NUKURZYqprcGkPAKagFhtoxaPnbuf9InbCGN43QUXon1/s1600/IMG_8135.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786674097069113842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YbxDjFxrVhpsElLLRsKBxzXLaAt-geVo_S1_y82rIWBqQA7ZMf6GT-eCwldc9lI5Tarffiaj-A4Yh8__484fIiZWZaJ9IcE6NUKURZYqprcGkPAKagFhtoxaPnbuf9InbCGN43QUXon1/s320/IMG_8135.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHdmwwcarir2t88XqnqvGft8MRr98BdWsmramzNUoRVXhzxsQbHSKAVr-0n0D4hoOAOfuvupnc0FQLmKohAA73tQPsX31K5RPrYOEp-26woUmCNM09mM15PiqHBDpEVwQEMMNX7NDuaMF/s1600/IMG_8138.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786657013889306050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOHdmwwcarir2t88XqnqvGft8MRr98BdWsmramzNUoRVXhzxsQbHSKAVr-0n0D4hoOAOfuvupnc0FQLmKohAA73tQPsX31K5RPrYOEp-26woUmCNM09mM15PiqHBDpEVwQEMMNX7NDuaMF/s320/IMG_8138.JPG" /></a><br /><br />It's been about 3 weeks since Ella's tummy surgery and I hope you know how thankful we are for all the prayers, encouragement, cards, texts, meals and all the ways our precious friends and family have taken care of us! We have the best family and friends, it is so special and we are very thankful for each of you.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aZg9e_XFJMAkXeSCL3AxcB6dyNzdH54XzanAOOnmXcl-ClmU6sIAspMlPShYykDxtkmPFIOSZNZ2oYXQ8VZj8mPLZp9Ii-X_ohPpwpfFgerpCXA6WGs6f23Ng3KVWdMZlVl6TbO3BH7n/s1600/IMG_8142.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786657048877275458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aZg9e_XFJMAkXeSCL3AxcB6dyNzdH54XzanAOOnmXcl-ClmU6sIAspMlPShYykDxtkmPFIOSZNZ2oYXQ8VZj8mPLZp9Ii-X_ohPpwpfFgerpCXA6WGs6f23Ng3KVWdMZlVl6TbO3BH7n/s320/IMG_8142.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog58VZDbQTW_6R0pG-3Rzk13dBEdJSEd0uTBxJvEPW3UHz6AU-O-XPplWnBLPIqTsuM3nsS6Alv71aTqGFfEH3OE7-3FEfTwd67Q3Ph6_rVNbCzvPBxeq6pVZmiw2CuSZovwhVyOOVznH/s1600/IMG_8141.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786657037258254978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiog58VZDbQTW_6R0pG-3Rzk13dBEdJSEd0uTBxJvEPW3UHz6AU-O-XPplWnBLPIqTsuM3nsS6Alv71aTqGFfEH3OE7-3FEfTwd67Q3Ph6_rVNbCzvPBxeq6pVZmiw2CuSZovwhVyOOVznH/s320/IMG_8141.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EXyNhAdB1FrOlCl7t4mYdu0ihLP5Sw5Rl8dVUaagahyphenhyphenbGxDEMzo8g2Rfow68Rj_OX3TxIQ9q616s9FluIwZt9IiGmf96_SV0Q4pKPXXbKU_HISbqmgxN_UqhUiRgvv6BTT_OiZW335jI/s1600/IMG_8139.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786657022488580546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EXyNhAdB1FrOlCl7t4mYdu0ihLP5Sw5Rl8dVUaagahyphenhyphenbGxDEMzo8g2Rfow68Rj_OX3TxIQ9q616s9FluIwZt9IiGmf96_SV0Q4pKPXXbKU_HISbqmgxN_UqhUiRgvv6BTT_OiZW335jI/s320/IMG_8139.JPG" /></a><br />Ella is doing great!! She has just bounced back like you wouldn't believe. We spent 3days in the hospital and then once we came home she was back to her normal self on day 5. Amazing! Children are so resilient. Thank you Lord! As far as surgery details, we are so pleased with the results. Her surgeon was able to do everything he had hoped and it all went so well. They were able to fully close Ella's muscles and make her a little bellybutton! :) Pretty amazing! So now she has a nice flat little tummy and a cute bellybutton. Her incision is pretty large and she is still getting used to the "new look" but every week the incision and her emotions about it all get better and better. I will post before and after pics at some point, just not ready to do that yet. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAz7U7mHfc_hj0O5BZKYrJ10rs-DA7yXh3m154RSWOmCqo7zP5noRaQH-T5_oK31KpBaPvDWpBre05zv1Nnz1KUtVNriaCK-L6_LPwIPS0kNMguBG3sMHFZ8zPlhKu7oZrsGFInr5OLID/s1600/IMG_8144.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786666096287775538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVAz7U7mHfc_hj0O5BZKYrJ10rs-DA7yXh3m154RSWOmCqo7zP5noRaQH-T5_oK31KpBaPvDWpBre05zv1Nnz1KUtVNriaCK-L6_LPwIPS0kNMguBG3sMHFZ8zPlhKu7oZrsGFInr5OLID/s320/IMG_8144.JPG" /></a> Sweet Eva took very good care of Ella. Love these two!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicePLV49yKxV2sDWyNsh_7zufL66o1vsrd3r-E6LTt3-c0mCtxJDeavKVMUQKsTbmr6Vyu-HgKa3qxdDi7EzJNwKEUjjpXYN5nNG2b44VhKF-o-ETIUa4dwB8WNV3jxaA5aHe6mTf_OT8Y/s1600/IMG_8155.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786666082279671906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicePLV49yKxV2sDWyNsh_7zufL66o1vsrd3r-E6LTt3-c0mCtxJDeavKVMUQKsTbmr6Vyu-HgKa3qxdDi7EzJNwKEUjjpXYN5nNG2b44VhKF-o-ETIUa4dwB8WNV3jxaA5aHe6mTf_OT8Y/s320/IMG_8155.JPG" /></a> Gettin' the little patient up and walking!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzc-8i67oaTLIupekjhLoEbyHlsREcQOVOHIVrJJQQsE6_jKtcrAk7hyJsU689uzAdl1BwAv57Rqnn0xGbkNvk95a5ajim9Eefkp68AcHF5mJeCp5tEio2VVRF4glCptYFflH4ag7wHRX/s1600/IMG_8152.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786666073573319506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBzc-8i67oaTLIupekjhLoEbyHlsREcQOVOHIVrJJQQsE6_jKtcrAk7hyJsU689uzAdl1BwAv57Rqnn0xGbkNvk95a5ajim9Eefkp68AcHF5mJeCp5tEio2VVRF4glCptYFflH4ag7wHRX/s320/IMG_8152.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97OJVFNjuP3Z9mDD0mp7h9NrKmGKMHVa9ifIxarET_558c5hWc3AHqjthfvrOqZpjhDbGaNaATouaZT4OGuIedKNrTWKXhUpMowD8xP_SHbW8K24yPZrOTFZSrgSzacTsvb81NEv7oPRX/s1600/IMG_8164.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786666114351657186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97OJVFNjuP3Z9mDD0mp7h9NrKmGKMHVa9ifIxarET_558c5hWc3AHqjthfvrOqZpjhDbGaNaATouaZT4OGuIedKNrTWKXhUpMowD8xP_SHbW8K24yPZrOTFZSrgSzacTsvb81NEv7oPRX/s320/IMG_8164.JPG" /></a> Ella loved having visitors at the hospital, made her feel so special! She was especially happy when Daddy was close by!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y0me1vMcJPmOYETWMFmd480VRfVGYAlSvQCtlFYLExlygycnXfNXDBoO-G-urO2r81uJNX0y7qsGuKiwEDniSpRcq5cgnroiovqmJJp7Sa_z4CmdygaIrvc9zMgihy9g9LGOioDazR-d/s1600/IMG_8163.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786666102591679954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y0me1vMcJPmOYETWMFmd480VRfVGYAlSvQCtlFYLExlygycnXfNXDBoO-G-urO2r81uJNX0y7qsGuKiwEDniSpRcq5cgnroiovqmJJp7Sa_z4CmdygaIrvc9zMgihy9g9LGOioDazR-d/s320/IMG_8163.JPG" /></a> There was never a dull moment with Cc. He kept her laughing!<br /><br />We are just so thankful that it is behind us and that she is recovering so well. I think what has been harder than anything with this surgery is handling the emotional side of things with Ella. She is old enough to kind of understand what happened and knows that her tummy looks different now. It has been hard trying to explain the whys and hows and what it all means. The first week there were alot of tears from both of us about it all. She was very upset about the huge, scary scar on her tummy and didn't understand why her tummy didn't look like Eva's. :( Oh my! Wasn't prepared for that! Not at the age of 4, maybe later but didn't expect all of this now. It wasn't what she was expecting and I didn't really know how to prepare her for what her new tummy would look like because I didn't know what they would be able to do so it was really hard at first but now things are MUCH better! We prayed ALOT for her and with her and got great advice from friends and family about how to talk to her which was a huge blessing. She feels better about it and since it's been 3 weeks and it has changed so much already I think it's helping her understand that it's just going to keep getting better. Sweet Angel! Anyway, this should be the last surgery for her tummy so we're glad about that. I don't think, however, that this will be her last surgery but God is so faithful and has always walked with us as we handle each struggle with Ella so I choose not to think about possible future surgeries that are occasionally thrown around. We are just enjoying our amazing, healthy, and sweet little girl and my heart is beyond thankful when I look at her everyday at how far the Lord has brought all of us. There are hardly words to describe it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c0jwUEtmAbEkdEGEv8AzdQtRa7w2F_jCJss7WxnkHr3z8ZOIKRievCynde_7DbQg7YO3gVjlq4B8ZDogWzTFUagDDSQZ5pTqt7yn6lhSqNVa4DCQyvGuiGDuCjEKUPW-Lqa27JemCklm/s1600/IMG_8170.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786667546769848690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7c0jwUEtmAbEkdEGEv8AzdQtRa7w2F_jCJss7WxnkHr3z8ZOIKRievCynde_7DbQg7YO3gVjlq4B8ZDogWzTFUagDDSQZ5pTqt7yn6lhSqNVa4DCQyvGuiGDuCjEKUPW-Lqa27JemCklm/s320/IMG_8170.JPG" /></a> Ella looooved painting and going on wagon rides to the playroom to play.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHLHJyLq1WUr7AA_eRLDMe6wr8w1aVcHuBgG0b1zP_rJ9Xwci-hNWn11uTGRMbPkv5ET6WVrTZiiqj1U85bvxJmhnm_vB4hQNp00Rf3n_JgZvQnvxVgYxmKhbpmQ9dY1j5n9Hkj_jPPu3/s1600/IMG_8171.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786667560158849842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHLHJyLq1WUr7AA_eRLDMe6wr8w1aVcHuBgG0b1zP_rJ9Xwci-hNWn11uTGRMbPkv5ET6WVrTZiiqj1U85bvxJmhnm_vB4hQNp00Rf3n_JgZvQnvxVgYxmKhbpmQ9dY1j5n9Hkj_jPPu3/s320/IMG_8171.JPG" /></a> All of her masterpieces<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhv20GVb6-af3g5YVh3WwFbAjGytnJoCHaQWAZNzlh8j7GFFxy-U-RBRfk26LSdMWoidIhmiSnZrjkeKZnKIenicKDzVKEhtdLMfN3GDGB3bhEOrB_fdjJOeIEpu4NN9xlnV1MlBW-TwS/s1600/IMG_8179.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786667568769046370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhv20GVb6-af3g5YVh3WwFbAjGytnJoCHaQWAZNzlh8j7GFFxy-U-RBRfk26LSdMWoidIhmiSnZrjkeKZnKIenicKDzVKEhtdLMfN3GDGB3bhEOrB_fdjJOeIEpu4NN9xlnV1MlBW-TwS/s320/IMG_8179.JPG" /></a> So thankful that Cc and Dee were here to be with us!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95_isc-Jj4eLzK-RGoNU11p73E_4pWLdw3PNOxcbfvWr6CleUC7VvNX11N_ZeWJsb7av3sy-hluSQIgTVZmmUENu9geULF900jR1lB-en8WVXQ7YRvpjYwcxSikMkBOn9oCONFf8SfJRH/s1600/IMG_8184.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786667581745707570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95_isc-Jj4eLzK-RGoNU11p73E_4pWLdw3PNOxcbfvWr6CleUC7VvNX11N_ZeWJsb7av3sy-hluSQIgTVZmmUENu9geULF900jR1lB-en8WVXQ7YRvpjYwcxSikMkBOn9oCONFf8SfJRH/s320/IMG_8184.JPG" /></a> Picture before loading up to go home. We all look a taaaddd bit crazy do we not? That's what staying in the hospital does to you! Makes you CrAzY!<br /><br />So, speaking of how far God has brought us, how is this girl FOUR YEARS OLD?! I.cannot.believe.it!! My baby is four and she is just precious.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLPekA1OpdKQHg-uB3CyutbOgTky_junYOY83n9Qptxxz7lrYP_5T_S7Kt3sFECsZL0gK0T0BpX8R6PTBvRYuRmFKhwQnU-tGaeT1cRRo7aIvQDjnzyyX04H5GrHBiF5yO8Xw603A11z6/s1600/IMG_8194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786667589584002946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVLPekA1OpdKQHg-uB3CyutbOgTky_junYOY83n9Qptxxz7lrYP_5T_S7Kt3sFECsZL0gK0T0BpX8R6PTBvRYuRmFKhwQnU-tGaeT1cRRo7aIvQDjnzyyX04H5GrHBiF5yO8Xw603A11z6/s320/IMG_8194.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRrOJWkcIwDfsAgg9kK13-yr3f3LXSbRN48WBU5g4VRVnINDBpEDNPojJervbzrswGrkN4lhNXZNInI9B0FRMa009mWerq7LIefjSuFeQCTb7Ctwdhnue7EpQNdo6Bh9wEjtlgn_By1Td/s1600/IMG_8202.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786671703537956466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRrOJWkcIwDfsAgg9kK13-yr3f3LXSbRN48WBU5g4VRVnINDBpEDNPojJervbzrswGrkN4lhNXZNInI9B0FRMa009mWerq7LIefjSuFeQCTb7Ctwdhnue7EpQNdo6Bh9wEjtlgn_By1Td/s320/IMG_8202.JPG" /></a><br />This girl is so happy, confident, sweet, thoughtful, smart, prayerful, giving, and compassionate. She is just so fun! She wanted a Rapunzel birthday party so that's what we did! She just wanted it to be family and her sweet friend Reagan so we had a great, small little 4th birthday for Ella. Precious! We are so proud of Ella and are humbled and excited as we watch the Lord create her into who He purposed her to be.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-65WouYLqA2GXVy-fm16VDIFf8j8Y1Xa54JCLAfOa0J8yT1ji95EPz75dEbghnfIfGf_dAVDl3e79btx3BcwdxG66QNxYYRogqS_hChXKsP8Rj4O35vrUwri7UycUeviBeQbSVpXlPD49/s1600/IMG_8204.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786671716991690306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-65WouYLqA2GXVy-fm16VDIFf8j8Y1Xa54JCLAfOa0J8yT1ji95EPz75dEbghnfIfGf_dAVDl3e79btx3BcwdxG66QNxYYRogqS_hChXKsP8Rj4O35vrUwri7UycUeviBeQbSVpXlPD49/s320/IMG_8204.JPG" /></a> Ella with Mimi and Pawpaw<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0V7yEzmWSEXlrsXNrWfNCwtaQjgfGpwGKjGD1CDjuTrw8wveltKSi_RmyN08F9wvv8lwbXw0rCETCUS_oOsUUyAmpa6UdfpXfWBt4qLaUnNERrNH10ffqQiElIGiCA7xcZszjTLsKaXj/s1600/IMG_8227.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786671738537228626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0V7yEzmWSEXlrsXNrWfNCwtaQjgfGpwGKjGD1CDjuTrw8wveltKSi_RmyN08F9wvv8lwbXw0rCETCUS_oOsUUyAmpa6UdfpXfWBt4qLaUnNERrNH10ffqQiElIGiCA7xcZszjTLsKaXj/s320/IMG_8227.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGbGeegBDw_iRHQBLYlf2DlaKXhYOFOn3_6OHCsS3dCeMJ309LN8gr8220dRt4tNvOL65lbFSi81l9mGyqUKCqy-1O6lzcToh4-sesFvQZdecm_hB2ipaO2HjZURHmyzdf3TIQI-QrrSC/s1600/IMG_8222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786671722330911186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGbGeegBDw_iRHQBLYlf2DlaKXhYOFOn3_6OHCsS3dCeMJ309LN8gr8220dRt4tNvOL65lbFSi81l9mGyqUKCqy-1O6lzcToh4-sesFvQZdecm_hB2ipaO2HjZURHmyzdf3TIQI-QrrSC/s320/IMG_8222.JPG" /></a> The ever popular silly face picture with Reagan<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwpjtdnkN99M0xGhbRtweECaJQazZnc5RNRWbe8lmuB1hUWsLH5stpU5B2S1kT3C0aEtq6csC0xTLj_meNoWXXHsV-arFr4MFvQoOFqa0RaI8tAdfI2b9dheYbQjZkBuxdjCehP1X5c7W/s1600/IMG_8236.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786671746784204802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWwpjtdnkN99M0xGhbRtweECaJQazZnc5RNRWbe8lmuB1hUWsLH5stpU5B2S1kT3C0aEtq6csC0xTLj_meNoWXXHsV-arFr4MFvQoOFqa0RaI8tAdfI2b9dheYbQjZkBuxdjCehP1X5c7W/s320/IMG_8236.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rYJMV0BwGGxntEK4s4vRQNs0dtbWBPt0hyphenhypheni_H8fUsc3rJI0Q8V_sk1fcKaSpbs55srZCQNloHJHFpd1xS2QpdDOyYNUBnKaC6lUv4ANcZXYzFSHbSSRqMO-3ZmehMz73pZIOCyoXvxRI/s1600/IMG_8233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786674114221103202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rYJMV0BwGGxntEK4s4vRQNs0dtbWBPt0hyphenhypheni_H8fUsc3rJI0Q8V_sk1fcKaSpbs55srZCQNloHJHFpd1xS2QpdDOyYNUBnKaC6lUv4ANcZXYzFSHbSSRqMO-3ZmehMz73pZIOCyoXvxRI/s320/IMG_8233.JPG" /></a> The girls got roller skates from my parents...all I can say is wow. Hysterical I tell you. Don't you love Minnie Mouse aka Ella in her giant skates? Awesome.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcVaDLNQYWgIqSHLwoF-Dddb5MbWbjHdup5yVnR-mpjBjsWb2ehFP9IDWfeVSpDQLMT0faAK4G6XobnHnz-QnkyaWEXGL9yVPbEKECr7g867qSqZa2RbFdm7x1ob_FbwzPe_yhk8gkC1f/s1600/IMG_8244.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5786674104958166274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMcVaDLNQYWgIqSHLwoF-Dddb5MbWbjHdup5yVnR-mpjBjsWb2ehFP9IDWfeVSpDQLMT0faAK4G6XobnHnz-QnkyaWEXGL9yVPbEKECr7g867qSqZa2RbFdm7x1ob_FbwzPe_yhk8gkC1f/s320/IMG_8244.JPG" /></a> Word to the wise, try to take family birthday pictures before you give your kids ring pops. :) Cuts down on the blue and red teeth. I'll remember that next year.<br /><br />Next post-first day of homeschool for the Carder fam and Ella's first day of pre-school. Good stuff!<br />Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-90716538770811082412012-08-09T15:31:00.016-05:002012-08-09T17:23:50.615-05:00Back from the Blogging Hiatus, Eva turns 6 and other news<div>Ridiculous. I can't believe it's been 7 months since I have written anything. I feel sorry for all of you for missing out on our exciting life. :) We've had a great year so far if you've been wondering! There is no way I'm going to try and play catch-up since February so we're going to just start here in August.<br /><br />So, first off, last week our precious Eva turned 6! Whoa, I don't know how that happened but she is just the sweetest 6 year old ever. She is funny, compassionate, thoughtful, creative, caring, aware and so much more! She has really blossomed this year and I am so proud of her. Big things to note: she learned to ride a bike without training wheels several months ago, learned how to blow a bubble with bubblegum (something to be proud of folks), and learned to swim! She is so fun. And yes, another big thing is she will be starting kindergarten this year AND I will be her teacher! What the what?? We are going to homeschool and are super excited about it. More to come on that!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, back to Eva turning six. Just wanted to post a few pictures of her since it's been like half a year since you've seen her. She has wanted a roller skating party, oh, since her last birthday. So funny because she had only been skating ONCE prior to this but she was determined to have a roller skating party even though she really didn't know how to skate and really neither did anyone else at the party for that matter. Awesome. Soooo, it went as you can imagine. Just a bunch of little kids skating, sliding, falling, "skate/walking" around the rink. It really was so fun! But seriously, I am amazed that no one broke an arm or busted a tooth because they spent alot of time on their bottoms. And the venue was just a blast from the past. Just think back to your old roller skating rink days and there you have it, nothing has really changed which is GREAT! Transport that memory of listening to MC Hammer "Can't Touch This," and the smell of old, sweaty roller skates and you've got Eva's 6th Birthday at the roller rink. :)<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1GZhWqzQo4Mpcx2iSEOg7Gi0iRrcKVUTEuGHc9yAl43916BAxu5AsBCYmwSake50WqhQH6NpcHZbzr-YWm1fSyCaAKic8Vmqud-c6dlyGSlCZVpnLoOcR72Xiu0YpCqbHwzqn-Vj-kAS/s1600/IMG_8081.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774783723186060930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1GZhWqzQo4Mpcx2iSEOg7Gi0iRrcKVUTEuGHc9yAl43916BAxu5AsBCYmwSake50WqhQH6NpcHZbzr-YWm1fSyCaAKic8Vmqud-c6dlyGSlCZVpnLoOcR72Xiu0YpCqbHwzqn-Vj-kAS/s320/IMG_8081.JPG" /></a><br />My mom, sister and I made her cake<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIydUEz1Hvrg52wtEgNNF9pkE0ikT70GHB_-tNn93V56ubIrSn2TEdKopdL0ekK08B1jJ86A8kpb68dUFRSQe6iiYQjGbGdGO4TC21_eK3Dgy8O3vyclnHWF0zKwRIG4y-m24MzZUAaXv/s1600/IMG_8096.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774783734726168354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIydUEz1Hvrg52wtEgNNF9pkE0ikT70GHB_-tNn93V56ubIrSn2TEdKopdL0ekK08B1jJ86A8kpb68dUFRSQe6iiYQjGbGdGO4TC21_eK3Dgy8O3vyclnHWF0zKwRIG4y-m24MzZUAaXv/s320/IMG_8096.JPG" /></a><br />Love this picture!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fYzp-6ydkQvz-8fMWHZgI5kRk2j57tEW1dhc4KoSVJEDhqeP0W2c3z-L4dgVgVU7GDkuRYUDvw8j3iUjRmyY38b3Jc-YoK9MGgilP8ge6RT8WOy0SU4v0JzPry7Afwu0gMVn-Yf0wL8m/s1600/IMG_8087.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774783755139495138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fYzp-6ydkQvz-8fMWHZgI5kRk2j57tEW1dhc4KoSVJEDhqeP0W2c3z-L4dgVgVU7GDkuRYUDvw8j3iUjRmyY38b3Jc-YoK9MGgilP8ge6RT8WOy0SU4v0JzPry7Afwu0gMVn-Yf0wL8m/s320/IMG_8087.JPG" /></a><br />The girls and Mimi<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds5UJETi16v5PB5_rp_fa_ZhmSMjmDFpqqzdpVRVSMKiiuOUgY5zD5WFtJ4_sBvLty_RFYfFUZ7uYRCnAOEP4XXzxoyC-OuPjUMx0ntJDLUTzhvLQYg6aQXxjVArPYUpLnlfmjpO_2Ftc/s1600/IMG_8109.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774783763172993938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgds5UJETi16v5PB5_rp_fa_ZhmSMjmDFpqqzdpVRVSMKiiuOUgY5zD5WFtJ4_sBvLty_RFYfFUZ7uYRCnAOEP4XXzxoyC-OuPjUMx0ntJDLUTzhvLQYg6aQXxjVArPYUpLnlfmjpO_2Ftc/s320/IMG_8109.JPG" /></a><br />Aaannnd this is when everything went South. Eva burned her finger right when we were singing Happy Birthday. Classic.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NQmKvlvBdS9JkI_p4QeqTecTKxuV1AwHwga4h4CacPDzyzIClSy-b-pC989dAxumGVv4kZ3mY6ixr2BRS8cjGFPW7W7Q89HotZroiPXACZQYRwA-gVwem0TiFOh_qnWArZhwqPjiV2Ut/s1600/IMG_8111.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774791861180639730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NQmKvlvBdS9JkI_p4QeqTecTKxuV1AwHwga4h4CacPDzyzIClSy-b-pC989dAxumGVv4kZ3mY6ixr2BRS8cjGFPW7W7Q89HotZroiPXACZQYRwA-gVwem0TiFOh_qnWArZhwqPjiV2Ut/s320/IMG_8111.JPG" /></a><br />Ol' Ella had to step in and blow out the candles because poor Eva was a little distraught.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu3qvAbZfUH4hPHI-HlDgIDagYFtK0mk2DK4EbENkOwplU9uu0h-5LBXYfBUUEHJz0iZirrX6U5OfBrXmFUMjlrYrMgSaOU-SVcRnM99KiCXe70ZOdDudWD56zbnb0dXNWJG6uUB8fOxF/s1600/IMG_8112.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774791870877494370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYu3qvAbZfUH4hPHI-HlDgIDagYFtK0mk2DK4EbENkOwplU9uu0h-5LBXYfBUUEHJz0iZirrX6U5OfBrXmFUMjlrYrMgSaOU-SVcRnM99KiCXe70ZOdDudWD56zbnb0dXNWJG6uUB8fOxF/s320/IMG_8112.JPG" /></a><br />But, she did recover and enjoyed the rest of the party so all turned out well.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o5afmMQXGgyvIz-tLtOHIjgt_G_1EVlob9kw9vVdWfpq0mhi5IXtb6pInR3TiBqFYLkyMJM-qXcHBBwm8YYHTTiEd8-RcabACDOQTu1oDhlkqX3LYHjIMwhyQh9YAxr_HDqcCTzPxwKc/s1600/IMG_8101.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774783740488601650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7o5afmMQXGgyvIz-tLtOHIjgt_G_1EVlob9kw9vVdWfpq0mhi5IXtb6pInR3TiBqFYLkyMJM-qXcHBBwm8YYHTTiEd8-RcabACDOQTu1oDhlkqX3LYHjIMwhyQh9YAxr_HDqcCTzPxwKc/s320/IMG_8101.JPG" /></a><br />Now to this crazy little skater. Talk about another fun, sweet and amazing little girl. Ella is one funny cat. She really was having a good time in this picture even though she looks miserable. :)I am amazed everyday at the blessings God has bestowed on me in Eva and Ella. Amazing I tell you. She thinks she is pretty big and wants to do all the big girl stuff that Eva does. She will turn 4 at the end of August which is just crazy to me! Ella is doing great. We have enjoyed just letting her be a little girl and do things like ballet, gymnastics, and just play. She isn't in anything therapy right now and is really just doing so well.<br /><br />We would love your prayers for her though as next Friday, August 17 she will be having surgery. This is a surgery we have known she would need since she was born but just didn't know when it would be. And honestly this is a year earlier then we really expected the surgery to be but we feel good about it and are thankful that she is healthy enough to have it done now. So, she will be having abdominal surgery to fully close her muscles next week. If you remember when she was born they put her organs back in and were only able to cover them with skin and an artificial patch because they couldn't even get all the skin over everything or any muscle because the omphalocele was so large. This surgery they will go in and remove that patch and pull her ab muscles together over everything and hopefully if there is enough good skin this time they will create a bellybutton for her. Right now she kind of looks like she is pregnant because of the hernia so this surgery will help flatten her tummy out and provide that extra layer of protection over the organs that we all have. I'll post some before and afters ( you know how I love those) so you can see what I'm talking about. You can kind of see in the picture I've posted below how her tummy sticks out. So, this is big time for sweet Ella! Please be praying that all goes smoothly and the recovery is quick too. Her surgeon said she will be pretty sore for a couple of months and really will not need to be doing any big activity so I'm really not sure what to expect. We would just love your prayers once again for our precious Ella. Thank you for being her prayer warriors for the past almost 4 years! We'll keep you updated!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63_AfuOs0Uv1rdiKxZdryX6Ix5ALyVFMPfJhFKJdP4nV5ns3xhqWiXhU2CRn6KW3kuP78yHWFx0lpcyxhkVVH2D6BpJembjkg-c2K4FkKusAaMrlx-g9fRtZnfJg5unqlZwU6-Id0PJKn/s1600/securedownload.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5774799709820628882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63_AfuOs0Uv1rdiKxZdryX6Ix5ALyVFMPfJhFKJdP4nV5ns3xhqWiXhU2CRn6KW3kuP78yHWFx0lpcyxhkVVH2D6BpJembjkg-c2K4FkKusAaMrlx-g9fRtZnfJg5unqlZwU6-Id0PJKn/s320/securedownload.jpg" /></a><br />I'll leave you with this gem. We think this picture is hilarious! Why not "swim" in the tub? Ella has fun where ever she is! So great!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-21172818344711929622012-02-09T14:24:00.005-06:002012-02-09T15:08:58.586-06:00Good ReadsIf you are like me and are always looking for a great book to read, boy, have I got some suggestions for you. I have read several really GREAT books lately so just had to share. They are each so, so good! I highly recommend them to everyone, young or old, single or married, with kids and without. They are encouraging, convicting, healing, insightful, hope-filled and make you want to draw closer to God and all that He has for you. <br /><br /><em>One Thousand Gifts </em>by Ann Voskamp- "A dare to live fully right where you are..." Soooo, good! I think I'm going to start reading it again even though I just finished it!<br /> <br /><em>Twelve Clean Pages</em> by Nika Maples<br />All I can say is WOW! You will have a hard time putting this one down. This is a memoir written by a friend of mine here in Fort Worth telling her story of suffering a paralyzing stroke at age 20 and how God has transformed and resurrected her life in the midst of trial. Unbelievable. You can get the book and learn more at www.nikamaples.com or on her blog www.twelvecleanpages.com<br /><br /><em>One Million Arrows</em> by Julie Ferwada-"Raising your children to change the World"<br />Looove this book! So encouraging and is a must read for everyone whether you have children or not. It gets to the heart of the mission which is our children's hearts and is a call to raise children with purpose and passion that will impact their communities and world for Christ. So, so, so good!<br /><br /><em>Without a Word</em> by Jill Kelly <br />So good. A painful yet beautiful story and testimony of how only God's love can turn our grief into joy. <br /><br />Happy Reading!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-2399262703106878792012-02-02T16:41:00.000-06:002012-02-09T13:32:29.599-06:00Catching up with the Carders...Again<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9fGRu3PoPFPu8S-gO7eDmawzUQvjmK4q_YRjxQZ8Wyorek9bsib6WnxRLo-RuVx8d8_sGVOHZpSo1gEZjLR0Gj4Lc1mcWOkuZkTWZH6gksWmhyphenhyphenS6nueFApnSR5aApsfHOkn_aSVhhIWK/s1600/IMG_7432.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9fGRu3PoPFPu8S-gO7eDmawzUQvjmK4q_YRjxQZ8Wyorek9bsib6WnxRLo-RuVx8d8_sGVOHZpSo1gEZjLR0Gj4Lc1mcWOkuZkTWZH6gksWmhyphenhyphenS6nueFApnSR5aApsfHOkn_aSVhhIWK/s320/IMG_7432.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704685594279008946" /></a><br />Sooo, wow. October, November, December, January...I've got ALOT of catching up to do. Man, it has been fun, fast and crazy around here and lots of fun things have happened since my last post. I don't know why I can't get my act together and keep up because I really do want to. I'll add that to my goals for 2012-Be a better blogger! <br /><br />Since I last posted obviously we've been through all the major holidays and that just overwhelms me to try and catch up with all of that so I'm not even going to try. So, I'm just going to do a cliff notes version of what's been going on with the Carders. You are welcome. :)<br /><br />So, topic number 1) We moved into our house...in October. Yes, it's February and I'm just now getting to this but oh well. We love our new/old house! We bought an older home and did some remodeling and we just absolutely love it! We are so thankful to be closer to work, church and family, it really has simplified our life in many ways. Here are some before and afters because you really have to see it to appreciate the difference. All I can say is get ready for LOTS of dark paneling!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqGvtLj-Ekggjw8DbAL4RkhtIw7D12pmshgMNfHC6aRL82fzh4Yx2sVnxIReVK0YHIWii4Rf7qmrkcyfmuxIAsYumzZFrdj4oR6-pfpGu2LQ4BWo1RIlFvcHdwroXcl8UTzCKsQod0rvs/s1600/IMG_7224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqGvtLj-Ekggjw8DbAL4RkhtIw7D12pmshgMNfHC6aRL82fzh4Yx2sVnxIReVK0YHIWii4Rf7qmrkcyfmuxIAsYumzZFrdj4oR6-pfpGu2LQ4BWo1RIlFvcHdwroXcl8UTzCKsQod0rvs/s320/IMG_7224.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704667648322295762" /></a><br />Entry before<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehprxHcjCi5qyqd__0HLfEz8YV2Q0Mn1xXuDsFg4ujd-ELZru1_2sDnULXTfe1_BWK2ZEpakjcOpB0fuZM4Uj2hTW-MI7VIbH8U8xcywI5QfCnWHBgeJ7azS_ye9T3nsYF06UzWhzty7D/s1600/IMG_7850.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehprxHcjCi5qyqd__0HLfEz8YV2Q0Mn1xXuDsFg4ujd-ELZru1_2sDnULXTfe1_BWK2ZEpakjcOpB0fuZM4Uj2hTW-MI7VIbH8U8xcywI5QfCnWHBgeJ7azS_ye9T3nsYF06UzWhzty7D/s320/IMG_7850.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704669761634128498" /></a><br />Entry after<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjX3yh5mKbKdBTu9Ep4a7Kv37zbZC-idmkHPqO6Xruf5V_zPW-8oHM1hL_vX44x5pgl6CeaADxlDeAB44GSaWmXyP1qWgrVqMBv-dWtx6GAg1BhszzfeGoyZAnnS0KVMaH6lM4TV3bMpg/s1600/IMG_7232.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjX3yh5mKbKdBTu9Ep4a7Kv37zbZC-idmkHPqO6Xruf5V_zPW-8oHM1hL_vX44x5pgl6CeaADxlDeAB44GSaWmXyP1qWgrVqMBv-dWtx6GAg1BhszzfeGoyZAnnS0KVMaH6lM4TV3bMpg/s320/IMG_7232.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704667659651143250" /></a><br />dining/living before...don't you love the cut-out window? We thought about keeping it because it's like you have your very own drive-through window in your house. Eva and Ella thought it was super fun but our couch wouldn't fit in the living room so the drive-thru had to go. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnp4WvI_oJ8hL_cAyS9xF3xlP6EpcWTINS7rkihqVplvYwUgNnxBaynPdagduYDJLglrQoz74ubN2RqoKEwRRUFu4Jsy-9VLNW4PKP2JFLCylftSkLhYbV022zzl2yJzKDV9JRR4bbbls/s1600/IMG_7839.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbnp4WvI_oJ8hL_cAyS9xF3xlP6EpcWTINS7rkihqVplvYwUgNnxBaynPdagduYDJLglrQoz74ubN2RqoKEwRRUFu4Jsy-9VLNW4PKP2JFLCylftSkLhYbV022zzl2yJzKDV9JRR4bbbls/s320/IMG_7839.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704669750040037634" /></a><br />dining/living after <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACM9nsdt_W4SPlJ6hahwHWNTB2TXG5B8t_j8CEbIRgIwWOWhnVP7vCPTBfd-Iy807lysAik5G5jP0aoa9BUfRTniel1jfXYjSCWh8l60VAiqUerz_BIYu8IrUvuDobaC3m8sn2tOrx_D5/s1600/IMG_7234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACM9nsdt_W4SPlJ6hahwHWNTB2TXG5B8t_j8CEbIRgIwWOWhnVP7vCPTBfd-Iy807lysAik5G5jP0aoa9BUfRTniel1jfXYjSCWh8l60VAiqUerz_BIYu8IrUvuDobaC3m8sn2tOrx_D5/s320/IMG_7234.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704667666465967442" /></a><br />kitchen before...wow, raise your hand if you love dark paneling. And is this not the most GINORMOUS overhead cabinet over the bar that you've ever seen?? I will answer for you and the answer is yes. Wowsers.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0DPifEyiIjsQ-Et4o_pjTuDQO0VNiNqcm2j_DooLTls9NFnhj9ibu541z_1QCe60uezIgogdtCA7eyQcxlPlA6xRYPVix4Zzv9zQA-x28BlWkdFgZNBbFSsOBgLU3-vYdT1hZgmh9Tlh/s1600/IMG_7844.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0DPifEyiIjsQ-Et4o_pjTuDQO0VNiNqcm2j_DooLTls9NFnhj9ibu541z_1QCe60uezIgogdtCA7eyQcxlPlA6xRYPVix4Zzv9zQA-x28BlWkdFgZNBbFSsOBgLU3-vYdT1hZgmh9Tlh/s320/IMG_7844.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704685584270343506" /></a><br />kitchen after...aaahhh, I feel like I can breathe. :) <br /><br />There you have it. Come see us anytime!<br /><br />2) Trip to Honduras<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTVXRh79R6alK0t1oakr4y_8aBqEUclE5Jy5zr6xjBTHCmmwARg4tu1ib5NdS231OhEPMl8nhV8Fi3Nzvqf7oNYI8NaKrqqS1APiISugjoL-qt7-0XAZkkmQg-qheKEQ7D_4DCamzqz7C/s1600/IMG_7478.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTVXRh79R6alK0t1oakr4y_8aBqEUclE5Jy5zr6xjBTHCmmwARg4tu1ib5NdS231OhEPMl8nhV8Fi3Nzvqf7oNYI8NaKrqqS1APiISugjoL-qt7-0XAZkkmQg-qheKEQ7D_4DCamzqz7C/s320/IMG_7478.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687977512578101554" /></a><br />So, I feel really weird about showing before/after pictures of our house and then posting about this trip, just have to get that out there. I don't know what else to say besides I realize we are extremely blessed and because we are it is not for us to keep for ourselves but more for us to give to others. We are on a journey in this much like many of you and are praying for more trust in God to have open eyes and open palms to the world to be radically generous. We're working it out day by day and are learning everyday what it means to trust and say yes to God even when it's hard or doesn't make sense. Anyway, just had to acknowledge the wierdness and how convicting it is to post pictures of my house when just below are pictures of sweet ones that have nothing. I could go on and on but I'll leave it at that, I think you know what I'm saying. So, at the beginning of December Rick, Eva and I got to go to Honduras with an organization we love called Bread for a Hungry World. We spent a week there loving on the young and old, helping build houses and getting to see the amazing work that Bread for a Hungry World does day in and day out to help give those who have no voice a chance to speak, to give them dignity and show them they are important, loved and valued.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaX-xcgDFEbNsTbn84Nk1wQvZuITmwBlwO5Y5NrHm4hIe7XSZqPMCIz-SA-RFBi43fTLnQSp2mgpaTNCMNXYnHW_nddwIy9BF-FvbQA65jzArEp7DpIkKZ0m_R3bULWe2w9FlC7oMPvAu/s1600/IMG_7528.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCaX-xcgDFEbNsTbn84Nk1wQvZuITmwBlwO5Y5NrHm4hIe7XSZqPMCIz-SA-RFBi43fTLnQSp2mgpaTNCMNXYnHW_nddwIy9BF-FvbQA65jzArEp7DpIkKZ0m_R3bULWe2w9FlC7oMPvAu/s320/IMG_7528.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704662464459172306" /></a><br />We were blessed beyond measure to see the lives that have been transformed and resurrected all because Jesus cares for the least of these and through Bread for a Hungry World people in Honduras are getting a chance to have a home, guaranteed food on their table, children given an education and their parents are given a dream come true by owning their own business through Bread's micro-lending program. Amazing, amazing, amazing I tell you! We cannot wait to go back to see and hug our sweet friends, young and old that we got to spend a week with. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw7alsWBvg9HStMHVUP7gdH0tvdaTuIImlK12WPpG1AIkOD1LDCAT3NpFjO4Fv_gSe-1UqeaOk_AwsbT50fbiCrBht38toEVI4szzPhwh59ToAZFMM_5koK2CHsncLqMZtwlmTLceKDPT/s1600/IMG_7534.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfw7alsWBvg9HStMHVUP7gdH0tvdaTuIImlK12WPpG1AIkOD1LDCAT3NpFjO4Fv_gSe-1UqeaOk_AwsbT50fbiCrBht38toEVI4szzPhwh59ToAZFMM_5koK2CHsncLqMZtwlmTLceKDPT/s320/IMG_7534.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704662457517567282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vAE8doTLL60PU9VK31o4KY9uJm4n6RFckaAWs1-bNOaGiz4dRBCexcu5a2t3Ws1g2NQ9NvfB39ZLiMpQi6Fdyv2sVEKdSWkJLTYf4WjmjEImyF0kebMhMXjU8CXgWU5vs8fuyyRyQpeH/s1600/IMG_7500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vAE8doTLL60PU9VK31o4KY9uJm4n6RFckaAWs1-bNOaGiz4dRBCexcu5a2t3Ws1g2NQ9NvfB39ZLiMpQi6Fdyv2sVEKdSWkJLTYf4WjmjEImyF0kebMhMXjU8CXgWU5vs8fuyyRyQpeH/s320/IMG_7500.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704662453029036706" /></a><br />We think of them and pray for them all the time and whether you agree with the benefit of short term missions or not, all I can say is that when I see and hear Eva, my five year old asking about the people who live in the trash and that she wants to save her money to buy pillows for the kids in Honduras who don't have them and now she has seen with her own eyes what it's like to not have a house or a bed and you take cold showers everyday if you even have a bathroom, I have to say it's worth it. I'm continuing to pray for Eva's compassion, heart and spirit and that this is just the beginning for her of a life lived for Jesus and one who will be obedient to serve those in her own city and in other countries. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ne1iRuhpSHlR-TI9hXAF7Ke8SU_UgIgMG9B1IWO8al33ZZZWvcW7Fos3Tm4j6MK-P3Br3qlRwBy_T7h6Xic_cwzeaHCPQvWRvPyhN6NQwO62jhcae0rVx9Nf0Tky78ZJ9CIrVEUUKRS/s1600/IMG_7572.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn7ne1iRuhpSHlR-TI9hXAF7Ke8SU_UgIgMG9B1IWO8al33ZZZWvcW7Fos3Tm4j6MK-P3Br3qlRwBy_T7h6Xic_cwzeaHCPQvWRvPyhN6NQwO62jhcae0rVx9Nf0Tky78ZJ9CIrVEUUKRS/s320/IMG_7572.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704662471891486482" /></a><br /><br />3) The Reese's back from Thailand<br /><br />Ann, Derran, Brynn, Meg and our newest nephew Dax came to visit from Thailand during December and January. We stepped off the plane from Honduras to meet this little guy who made it back from Thailand two days before us!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyXP_1XPrPHRjdiWyYVSnwNF48zuYevLmAzsuNcT_WNH3l-5tG9pFnIu0S9gQ4ZD0VgioeteM16SjwqK3ec3Esn9q9Ef5CEQln3hOKl98tsjqrYqLvl5R_-kSvdVTs4gVt7hKMEtoPrkn/s1600/IMG_7599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyXP_1XPrPHRjdiWyYVSnwNF48zuYevLmAzsuNcT_WNH3l-5tG9pFnIu0S9gQ4ZD0VgioeteM16SjwqK3ec3Esn9q9Ef5CEQln3hOKl98tsjqrYqLvl5R_-kSvdVTs4gVt7hKMEtoPrkn/s320/IMG_7599.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687977490926297730" /></a><br />Dax was born in Phayao, Thailand so we could.not.wait to get our hands on him. It about put me over the edge not to be there for his birth so I was so, so, so excited to finally get to hold him and snuggle with him when they came to Texas. He is the most precious thing and we just had the best time. Ann and Derran left to go back to Thailand 2 days ago so we've been pretty sad around here this week but we cherish all the fun we had while they were here. We had lots of family and cousin time, trips, shopping, time with friends, lots of Taco Bueno and Sonic (of course)and Brynn, Meg, Eva and Ella loved every minute of their time together. They are all so different, funny and sweet and it is fun to watch their relationships not skip a beat even though they live thousands of miles apart. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYNaucR2Bu86gEjjuhquf7XuwN8jTHzPhllOrSKKYn-2Qq7OH49SZvq-m47hAwhNpj0QWXW0j5dR3S4FYPvtKqI8v0-e97pgaqgAMJaC3owsL8ATb0-n-k1vZheBNGmsc1rItqIuB4NWD/s1600/IMG_7814.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYNaucR2Bu86gEjjuhquf7XuwN8jTHzPhllOrSKKYn-2Qq7OH49SZvq-m47hAwhNpj0QWXW0j5dR3S4FYPvtKqI8v0-e97pgaqgAMJaC3owsL8ATb0-n-k1vZheBNGmsc1rItqIuB4NWD/s320/IMG_7814.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704662483135710914" /></a><br />Such sweet cousins!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIHZgZk8KRdwNQG-W53TP-sErCFMxsrxUb3WVz6QDYtKp8PfQqb4vcug_iS44bm0yvqBTWSqX2msATL5uJbMAQOmB-Jipr-Za00zUyOBcPeV0FDubs4PMbwzkav1wyJDRRlbuTqJSH4zt/s1600/IMG_7818.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidIHZgZk8KRdwNQG-W53TP-sErCFMxsrxUb3WVz6QDYtKp8PfQqb4vcug_iS44bm0yvqBTWSqX2msATL5uJbMAQOmB-Jipr-Za00zUyOBcPeV0FDubs4PMbwzkav1wyJDRRlbuTqJSH4zt/s320/IMG_7818.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704693152029002994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IonJczTOPGF41sKmIk1qSFuNv5Ac2iMjNlsT60GWKFEkpbFwYBUD11X0eLkPvV8JqJijZHmT9P6wpv-1X0L7qqghdqkJZcfj7BxjNH1fD7bLt4vBdajAI2B1sjOAAGiRitazUZpc5nkO/s1600/IMG_7823.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3IonJczTOPGF41sKmIk1qSFuNv5Ac2iMjNlsT60GWKFEkpbFwYBUD11X0eLkPvV8JqJijZHmT9P6wpv-1X0L7qqghdqkJZcfj7BxjNH1fD7bLt4vBdajAI2B1sjOAAGiRitazUZpc5nkO/s320/IMG_7823.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704693147627061218" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXsqlXEQ7FQwpFlJjssayFlYJIXm7cH9Ye38qfessXV42-in0r0JCOimQ9xNSMhXQCQFSkJOvud4zxYopdLOJpL3biKGG1BIoneGFhJTaL6kCbwGxOc26yTf_KfVGWqVmZPlmGKLCznDR/s1600/IMG_7631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXsqlXEQ7FQwpFlJjssayFlYJIXm7cH9Ye38qfessXV42-in0r0JCOimQ9xNSMhXQCQFSkJOvud4zxYopdLOJpL3biKGG1BIoneGFhJTaL6kCbwGxOc26yTf_KfVGWqVmZPlmGKLCznDR/s320/IMG_7631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704665099103422738" /></a><br />Uncle Rick and Dax...so handsome!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4elK648neAHsEM3PlUaMGJjSZLUBIYUsvPctCwmC27Rgnns1jufep60p1C_1nd9cXvkG4yhjkoWJPH7lthBGbgOSTkgZd3ohucLEu2d39EdHCqm9_MAyQt2CTZ59oi7I0aOvCTPIBO50e/s1600/IMG_7822.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4elK648neAHsEM3PlUaMGJjSZLUBIYUsvPctCwmC27Rgnns1jufep60p1C_1nd9cXvkG4yhjkoWJPH7lthBGbgOSTkgZd3ohucLEu2d39EdHCqm9_MAyQt2CTZ59oi7I0aOvCTPIBO50e/s320/IMG_7822.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704685589031205890" /></a><br />One of the many times we made cookies. I don't know if we ate more cookie dough or cookies. All I know is us Carders can do some damage on cookie dough, raw eggs do not scare us. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlPlIHYv_T9KH8FaPwmGLLxQ0zddZOI4NLYMV91jEsw1uQ5H8phz7uLoFvONtUDM9Nr5rq-9tovSPnmBkKxSNg1IQ6T93Y0_8A6m8NXf2G10UzBHkSsAqsBtyjBGFlNqYhw-5iiDH2aSE/s1600/IMG_7816.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZlPlIHYv_T9KH8FaPwmGLLxQ0zddZOI4NLYMV91jEsw1uQ5H8phz7uLoFvONtUDM9Nr5rq-9tovSPnmBkKxSNg1IQ6T93Y0_8A6m8NXf2G10UzBHkSsAqsBtyjBGFlNqYhw-5iiDH2aSE/s320/IMG_7816.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704693155384517074" /></a><br />Crazy girls! <br />Needless to say, we had a wonderful time with the Reese's here and as usual it went by way too fast. I have way more pictures that I could post and somehow we did not get pictures of all of us adults but we had a fun time together too. :) We miss them so much already and can't wait until we can all be together again. You can keep up with them by going to my link to see and learn more about their lives in Thailand. More importantly I would just ask that you pray for them, their family and their work to build relationships and bring the love of Jesus to the people in Phayao, Thailand. They are doing an amazing work there and we're so proud of them and want to cover them in prayer by as many people as possible. We love you so much Ann, Derran, Brynn, Meg and Dax and are so, so proud of you and we miss you very much! Know that you are loved, loved, loved by us and so many here in the States!<br /><br />4) More cousins and Family time<br />During the holidays we got to spend some good times with all of our cousins. On Rick's side of the family we got to see Caden, Emery and Adie. Eva and Ella ADORE these three and we are so thankful we got to spend some time together. They are so fun and Caden is about the funniest kid you've ever met! So sweet, polite and just flat out hilarious, the girls love their cousin Caden! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS2zJgEF78_vYgIONrYv8nyouPVnFDl8OEOvbYxBuC2iySE9Xd58dFL8v4UcNkJBBoTCQemL4HIKWnG5wL1nhzSYcvC5sGrGFW_72EYs8APXCts4aJleAtGLQ8-zddh6ZXfmZdF7vDTtg/s1600/IMG_7698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmS2zJgEF78_vYgIONrYv8nyouPVnFDl8OEOvbYxBuC2iySE9Xd58dFL8v4UcNkJBBoTCQemL4HIKWnG5wL1nhzSYcvC5sGrGFW_72EYs8APXCts4aJleAtGLQ8-zddh6ZXfmZdF7vDTtg/s320/IMG_7698.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704685611645952370" /></a><br />Caden and Emery<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ODoo2QuCRxrWEm_0l07R3RqiHmi0bT6FhTzdwxi_qdICiwK35JuA1R9g-eFZkAdM6N3yMnmzN2-J8TgGSYz0fCmAAOExXcUshY8oEGTc9_6tc1Wh5l5hvAXIZKcYfXHNVSw-p41BpEg/s1600/IMG_7414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ODoo2QuCRxrWEm_0l07R3RqiHmi0bT6FhTzdwxi_qdICiwK35JuA1R9g-eFZkAdM6N3yMnmzN2-J8TgGSYz0fCmAAOExXcUshY8oEGTc9_6tc1Wh5l5hvAXIZKcYfXHNVSw-p41BpEg/s320/IMG_7414.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704685603656842994" /></a><br />Eva and Emery...precious!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrnxcszjZi2gKM37uCT_clUFPrRStsWTrEs5SYGa90W46NUw4BUKM8MhOkDYnBCiiLAFgjfWtkbIvuLF1pqnBnoIQGcdRpodDNvwOaEWXMWFWgvzYxXnpxeZ-N7b22fXmgaaeAq8HnnwH/s1600/IMG_7694.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidrnxcszjZi2gKM37uCT_clUFPrRStsWTrEs5SYGa90W46NUw4BUKM8MhOkDYnBCiiLAFgjfWtkbIvuLF1pqnBnoIQGcdRpodDNvwOaEWXMWFWgvzYxXnpxeZ-N7b22fXmgaaeAq8HnnwH/s320/IMG_7694.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704665082772854082" /></a><br />Oh my, these two are the cutest things! Ella and Adie are so funny together and Ella just adores cousin Adie! Just gonna go ahead and say that it was a crazy hair day for these two apparently. Love it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp93xNf98YPfQb6BNNSsqNOO4UWd_1jnFTPRmvN_JO1PjjP1lc_RVrMve6ooeyHcDfehXZZGUewCb7JkcHyYsbGwnt08Qspi6GxUVCp30MUavhysb67qzQDHT2R8yBXyJ_ALOqero6PkDy/s1600/IMG_7783.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp93xNf98YPfQb6BNNSsqNOO4UWd_1jnFTPRmvN_JO1PjjP1lc_RVrMve6ooeyHcDfehXZZGUewCb7JkcHyYsbGwnt08Qspi6GxUVCp30MUavhysb67qzQDHT2R8yBXyJ_ALOqero6PkDy/s320/IMG_7783.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704669766557277154" /></a><br />All the cousins from my side of the family. So fun!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQPobZ0TaJCYYfkh8IhaqlhC-iiWDXjdPRXDZUtw-qa0-E1d0_dIp6nFBkyQXlsfkE4NTi4L-02-GrAYBMaWyWPKx6r6olJ26Ath1KGmYSFHgMGq1dxZbJVQ-LPv2JhG9U4ZQoN5FYm3K/s1600/IMG_7770.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQPobZ0TaJCYYfkh8IhaqlhC-iiWDXjdPRXDZUtw-qa0-E1d0_dIp6nFBkyQXlsfkE4NTi4L-02-GrAYBMaWyWPKx6r6olJ26Ath1KGmYSFHgMGq1dxZbJVQ-LPv2JhG9U4ZQoN5FYm3K/s320/IMG_7770.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704665047774052322" /></a><br />Here we all are...my family with my parents, all of my sisters and brother and ALL of the kids minus Dax and Carisyn. Love this picture!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWkQ6XJcw8JQwCBMeuDS7KZZG90R5w6p_ojIVYTHAqO-XqnRaxS0RzEXOE3_SMnp5vUpr1_Et96W-ykQ52ymDrY30PpqoL_Z9JfmzzgAuMXb3Eteu4bWrgm_hwpsTYS-_DSPGK7DtDd0g/s1600/IMG_7771.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGWkQ6XJcw8JQwCBMeuDS7KZZG90R5w6p_ojIVYTHAqO-XqnRaxS0RzEXOE3_SMnp5vUpr1_Et96W-ykQ52ymDrY30PpqoL_Z9JfmzzgAuMXb3Eteu4bWrgm_hwpsTYS-_DSPGK7DtDd0g/s320/IMG_7771.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5704665048447441794" /></a><br />This is really more like it right? :)<br /><br />We had a great time all getting together since it doesn't happen that often. So thankful for family and the blessing they are! Well, this post is probably long enough and I feel better about myself finally posting something. Gotta start somewhere right? More to come!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-48786477445232242912011-10-09T17:08:00.000-05:002011-10-09T17:08:39.115-05:00Catching up with the CardersWell, there is much catching up to do! I'll just get right to it since it's been so long since I've posted. Lots has happened so here's an update on what's going on with our little family!<br /><br />1. Ella<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnhixU_b5zNq1i7vhl20X_wOWP7xjUJJ5m2Duh3k2bbNP9s7jIDpz2Vj8PFfdameTqXBNDn85tU8-yWk45XIjHtFcZJ9Hb0vd8dQY_NjwohGxBKDvbtD1_iDkcy05O0qexYpsRgfhmU_d/s1600/IMG_7169.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnhixU_b5zNq1i7vhl20X_wOWP7xjUJJ5m2Duh3k2bbNP9s7jIDpz2Vj8PFfdameTqXBNDn85tU8-yWk45XIjHtFcZJ9Hb0vd8dQY_NjwohGxBKDvbtD1_iDkcy05O0qexYpsRgfhmU_d/s320/IMG_7169.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657534069070786754" /></a><br />Sweet little Ella, this girl is just getting funnier and more amazing everyday. Now that she is three she thinks she is pretty big. She is just so sweet and is pure joy. She is so compassionate, wants to help, loves her friends and family and is just doing great! Health-wise she is great. She is eating good and we're still working on her weight. I had gotten kind of lax about really counting calories but her GI doctor gently reminded me at our last appointment that it's something I really need to continue to be vigilant about. Soooo, what does that mean? Yep, we started back with the ol Benecalorie and Bluebell ice cream nights again. :)Honestly, Bluebell should get a hold of Ella, she could really do some good marketing for them for the kids-who-need-to-gain-weight community. Anyway, she is good but she is very small and it's just something we need to keep working on. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYBsDAkP-3s0ij720s24evN1J5t1h_7Vt49sNNVC9bO6pRgv35VyukzaGQTy62OyDLzXyt-goknFumkY2ZxOSvS3SCx13xGLftSNkTvDfCIKg87KkPrNJPz3FIzXKAqBJwAKmDmBeS4I3/s1600/IMG_7192.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYBsDAkP-3s0ij720s24evN1J5t1h_7Vt49sNNVC9bO6pRgv35VyukzaGQTy62OyDLzXyt-goknFumkY2ZxOSvS3SCx13xGLftSNkTvDfCIKg87KkPrNJPz3FIzXKAqBJwAKmDmBeS4I3/s320/IMG_7192.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657534081171678050" /></a><br />At the end of August when Ella turned 3 she graduated from Early Childhood Intervention since they only serve children from birth to age 3. I asked them if they could just continue Ella's care until she is 5 but they said no. :) They provided dietician, physical and occupational therapy for the last 3 years! Oh my, talk about a hard day for me. It was bittersweet saying good-bye to these precious ladies. Since Ella came home from the hospital when she was 2 1/2 months old they were in our home every week. Sharon, Diane, Michelle and Chrisse became some of my dear friends and walked this journey we have been on with Ella in a very special way. They not only provided amazing care physically for her but they have cried with us, laughed, prayed and encouraged us every step of the way. They have been with me and cried with me on some of my darkest days and I will never forget how they believed in us and in Ella and all that she could do. They worked so hard! They went above and beyond in taking care of Ella and unfortunately I will compare her therapists to come with them because they were amazing! We love you ECI!! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GMwDbmgt9hk3099RKUljIJDmt7mwbOE2NpF190aAUvbKRhXje6pRPSlqFgXJ3_DiZyEYBmIWs53Z7qCXh7_zRqSe9Y7WDa0lXTOxw-zVVeHJV4QH4i5cL3YSjcqyrN-5mGvX_-7T-qk0/s1600/IMG_7116.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GMwDbmgt9hk3099RKUljIJDmt7mwbOE2NpF190aAUvbKRhXje6pRPSlqFgXJ3_DiZyEYBmIWs53Z7qCXh7_zRqSe9Y7WDa0lXTOxw-zVVeHJV4QH4i5cL3YSjcqyrN-5mGvX_-7T-qk0/s320/IMG_7116.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643408360048724930" /></a><br />So, now we are therapy free!! For the first time ever Ella has no therapy appointments. It's very weird but it is great just letting her be a little girl and play and enjoy life. We will re-evaluate how things are going probably in December as far as therapy and if we feel like she has regressed we may need to seek out some private therapy but for now her doctors say to give her a break and just let her be. Thank you Lord! So, we have had a fun time watching Ella take her first class ever, gymnastics! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QYg3CtJq4z4GaYe71flhexF_d0cAtPOzNJJvxcQTtNcv5OMlyRMc2ZbD6cytp2He-USaNX9T-OqbIxB_AfeR1jpuQvnlzOii17SKz5kg1AFRuPW4oCRh8OMbzH6ElI2BwyUa25VxBU-9/s1600/IMG_7143.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5QYg3CtJq4z4GaYe71flhexF_d0cAtPOzNJJvxcQTtNcv5OMlyRMc2ZbD6cytp2He-USaNX9T-OqbIxB_AfeR1jpuQvnlzOii17SKz5kg1AFRuPW4oCRh8OMbzH6ElI2BwyUa25VxBU-9/s320/IMG_7143.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657534052842498242" /></a><br />She loves it and it's fun to watch her bop around with the other kids. At the same time, it is hard to watch her at times too because as great as she is doing, when you put her in a class with other kids her age it is a reminder to me how small she really is and that their are alot of things she struggles to do that the others do easily. I hate to even say that because I know there are so many other children who have much more severe struggles than Ella and it just sounds like I'm complaining, which I'm not. I want to be sensitive to that but I'm just saying that even on her best days physically there are some limitations due to weakness in her core because of the omphalocele and her shoulder. It's just hard for this mommy sometimes even among my thankfulness I can't ignore the fact that we live in a fallen world and because of that we have to face things like omphaloceles and deformities. I hate it but thank goodness for the hope of heaven right?? Anyway, so Miss Ella Hope continues to be a bright light and just a joy to our family and we're enjoying this time where we have less doctor's appointments and no therapy. We are so blessed!<br /><br />2. Eva<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb9HQLZhs6SLECOrpPbykMsghLdZnJxuvGAELtsAOlOAaoaqWeG1rTreZTZL4fA9ZW1b3gLhSVbZ9oTjBbuoH9pbr7E-XAtoGHexFNNN61Q_kAF3oERKPoBhACwGJjO0IqVxKTSfjsiyb/s1600/IMG_7147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgb9HQLZhs6SLECOrpPbykMsghLdZnJxuvGAELtsAOlOAaoaqWeG1rTreZTZL4fA9ZW1b3gLhSVbZ9oTjBbuoH9pbr7E-XAtoGHexFNNN61Q_kAF3oERKPoBhACwGJjO0IqVxKTSfjsiyb/s320/IMG_7147.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657534058425336514" /></a><br />And then there's Eva. Man, this girl also continues to make us laugh daily. She is one funny cat! I love being with my two girls, two pieces of heaven I tell you! Eva turned 5 in August and we decided to wait another year before starting kindergarten since she has such a late birthday. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2WZb9UaG98d82S5Gday5Rq_iVvDHYGpc8OSpvFWMeY8wsP-cENAsow88c8815vlOdx-5bgWlG32epxt_qIk2GE1Hr94KVobmykUEjqbAZbYRFB2eAGpbaVE8zrIiCVuc8mHboY4H1eSV/s1600/IMG_7057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI2WZb9UaG98d82S5Gday5Rq_iVvDHYGpc8OSpvFWMeY8wsP-cENAsow88c8815vlOdx-5bgWlG32epxt_qIk2GE1Hr94KVobmykUEjqbAZbYRFB2eAGpbaVE8zrIiCVuc8mHboY4H1eSV/s320/IMG_7057.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643404802446603618" /></a><br />We are enjoying our time together at home and she and Ella love being together! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12hbmBpoDyp0on7y-11PLVnVAWQOOdgxmBwEsBhDHlKeVCFNMQW2dCbSmgTZTn5ovREJZ0-YHQG4oDOOZdiCCOYaNyL5KFCag4Z_gpaBoN-NiKZu2Go9hr9SH7q-ZvBIAW0kJNh3Oip-a/s1600/IMG_6954.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg12hbmBpoDyp0on7y-11PLVnVAWQOOdgxmBwEsBhDHlKeVCFNMQW2dCbSmgTZTn5ovREJZ0-YHQG4oDOOZdiCCOYaNyL5KFCag4Z_gpaBoN-NiKZu2Go9hr9SH7q-ZvBIAW0kJNh3Oip-a/s320/IMG_6954.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643401984351580114" /></a><br />Eva is such a good big sister to Ella, she takes great care of her except for the moments she chases Ella down for the sole purpose of trying to terrorize her by putting her naked bottom on her. Where does she come up with this stuff?? Sometimes I don't know if I should be disturbed or laugh, even though it is really funny to watch. I should get it on video to show her later when she is 25 because it's quite humorous but I don't really want to encourage the behavior. Shocking, I know, coming from someone who enjoys bathroom humor but I'm thinking this isn't necessarily something you want to egg your daughter on in doing to her sister. <br /><br />Besides the naked bottom chases, Eva is just getting so big and she doesn't miss a beat. She is very observant, kind-hearted and loves making others feel special. She is asking more questions about Jesus and heaven and is really enjoying learning which just warms my heart. She is just so fun to be with and has quite the sense of humor and creative spirit. I love her so much!! <br /><br />3. Moving/New House<br /><br />Well, as I briefly mentioned before I think we sold our house that we had lived in the last 10 years at the end of July. We moved in with my parents and have been living with them since July. Bless their hearts! They have been amazing and rearranged their house so that we could all have a space. So sweet! I just feel bad for them as they are tripping over toys and their nap is interrupted by a little person standing next to them asking 20 questions. :) But, we did find a house that is in the same neighborhood as my parents, just 2 minutes away and we will be moving in probably in the next week or so! We are so excited! It's an older house so for the past 3 weeks we've been doing alot of work over there, some of it ourselves and the majority by our friends and contractor Jeff Polk and Trine Owen. They have done an awesome job! We've had walls moved, floors redone, and painted, and painted and painted! We can't wait to move in!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXil5RNtQB8E_p4KKnZVWTODYxGbPWgvBPxWQ7Lct1rRyD5TLJuyaVCKDhEVy1GPDYF-CUADv-SGM5DvLrRCCtckZSOR2TU1PgHZgr87-UpSQR4ATVvGvc04wrhiU78ttJCnkNhK7SslR-/s1600/IMG_7246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXil5RNtQB8E_p4KKnZVWTODYxGbPWgvBPxWQ7Lct1rRyD5TLJuyaVCKDhEVy1GPDYF-CUADv-SGM5DvLrRCCtckZSOR2TU1PgHZgr87-UpSQR4ATVvGvc04wrhiU78ttJCnkNhK7SslR-/s320/IMG_7246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657536647072864114" /></a><br />Rick demolishing all the tile! What a job...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiQq_VPYVoycY5p_vx5PPL58KFyRWzGSNSxI0C0F9UUeksHjINbkEDQDx2keYDZMf7OQwC3xTAUJO6AP3hlYpasbYhrDnCXYwBuUGupdbdlUf_ng2QUSdy6c-pweg9OCCXBiiRm6VqttZ/s1600/IMG_7247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiQq_VPYVoycY5p_vx5PPL58KFyRWzGSNSxI0C0F9UUeksHjINbkEDQDx2keYDZMf7OQwC3xTAUJO6AP3hlYpasbYhrDnCXYwBuUGupdbdlUf_ng2QUSdy6c-pweg9OCCXBiiRm6VqttZ/s320/IMG_7247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657536648362802082" /></a><br />The girls "helping" paint their new room. Yes, it is hot pink. Wow, remind me next time I want to paint a room with any color in the red family to think again. 3 coats later and we were good to go but good gravy it took awhile! I'll post some before and afters later because the transformation of this house really is great, it looks so different! Even though we loved our old house we are looking forward to a new place and a new beginning. We feel immensely blessed by how the Lord has continued to provide for us and we are looking forward to what purposes He has for us in this new house, neighborhood and community. <br /><br />Other than that we're just waiting for my sister Ann to have her baby boy, Dax any day in Thailand. I can't stand not being there, makes me so sad. You can check their website on my link above for more on their lives in Thailand. We are soooo excited about our new nephew's arrival and can't wait to share pictures of his sweet face when we get them! And we're also looking forward to this guy's birthday! Tomorrow is Rick's birthday, Happy Birthday babe! We love you so much and are so thankful for the daddy and husband you are. We love you! And, don't you love solo pictures? Rick always takes random pictures of me when I'm not paying attention and I have some terrible look on my face or I look really awkward so I don't mind posting a glamour shot of him. :) More updates to come!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP3GKEOUNFVgeh4tOjhWsPgcMdthdL25gVf_0MgGqzHYBwdxqwtqGTTfleS4O4oguqy5j1sMVOgC7mmHzm7RBoOCf3OZPIA6GVVm7o_1MVbXqOfEBUKc0ypYVXZ35GVX3wmrOU9CGmxSS/s1600/IMG_7223.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIP3GKEOUNFVgeh4tOjhWsPgcMdthdL25gVf_0MgGqzHYBwdxqwtqGTTfleS4O4oguqy5j1sMVOgC7mmHzm7RBoOCf3OZPIA6GVVm7o_1MVbXqOfEBUKc0ypYVXZ35GVX3wmrOU9CGmxSS/s320/IMG_7223.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657534082314521730" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-81405476242042984342011-08-30T14:42:00.010-05:002011-08-30T23:47:48.232-05:00Birthday GirlsWow, it's the end of August! I've managed to go pretty much most of the summer without a blog post. I've got a lot of catching up to do! There is so much to blog about...we sold our house, we're living with my parents, bought a house, the girls birthdays. I will post about all those things and I did start a post about it all but I've kinda been in a writing funk lately. But, today I'm feeling the flow and have some thoughts I want to get out. I'm in one of my reflective, serious moods so watch out. :) You know how I get sometimes. It's all hitting me this month as it always does since both Eva and Ella both celebrate birthdays. Eva turned 5 on August 2nd and Ella turns 3 tomorrow, August 31st!!
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<br />Wow, I can't believe it. God has given us more than we could've dreamed, asked or imagined when He gave us Eva and Ella. I want to share some thoughts on both of the girls and I want to start with Eva because that is really where this journey began for our family. Many people know Eva's story but many don't and I don't think that I have shared it here before although I have alluded to it several times. I thank God numerous times for what He has done in the lives of both of my daughters but especially on their birthdays I am more reminded of His faithfulness, healing power, hope and life that He has given us. So I share this with you because I need to be reminded daily that He is faithful, He loves us dearly, He offers hope and healing and He can be trusted. I hope that by reading about what the Lord has done in Eva and Ella you will be encouraged and reminded of these things as well.
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<br />In January of 2006 we went to the doctor for our first ultrasound. We were very excited but our excitement quickly turned into our worst nightmare when we heard the doctor say that something was wrong with this precious life growing inside me. We learned that Eva had a life-threatening birth defect called a cystic hygroma. A cystic hygroma is a malformation of the lymphatic system which causes excess fluid to build up in the body until eventually it causes the heart to stop beating and the baby dies. On our ultrasound you could see Eva's sweet little body and a large fluid filled sac that started at the back of her head and went all the way down her back. Typically cystic hygromas are located in the neck region but hers was very large and went the length of her body. It looked like a big bubble attached to her body. After seeing my doctor, technicians and a specialist it was confirmed again and again that it was a cystic hygroma and they told us that 95-100% of these cases end in fetal demise or miscarriage. So at best, we were looking at maybe a 5% chance of survival and IF she survived the outcome was terrifying to hear what kinds of health problems she would face. The doctor patted my leg, handed me a tissue and said she was sorry. They told us they didn't know how long I would carry the baby, it could be a few days or a few months but the outcome was not good. We were told to come back in 2 weeks so they could monitor any changes so we left the doctor's office devastated, very sad and without hope.
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<br />I spent the next several days on my couch or in my bed crying, praying and really I wasn't even sure what to pray. During that time some of my very dear friends came over to visit, to comfort, to pray with me and to just walk with me through this. Rick also had talked with some of his very dear friends and our friends began praying for healing for Eva. To be honest at the time I had never thought to pray for healing. It pains me to say that because my relationship with God has changed so much since then and I can't believe how much I underestimated Him and left Him out. I don't know why, I guess because healing wasn't something that was talked about much in the circles I was a part of, I had never seen it happen (even though it happens all around us) and this situation with Eva seemed so hopeless. Hopeless by the world's definition, not hopeless for God. I didn't even give God a chance to speak a different way, I just believed what I had been told which was that this baby was not going to live.
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<br />After visiting with friends and praying Rick and I both started praying for healing for Eva. There was new hope for the first time since we found out the news of her cystic hygroma. We prayed daily for healing and our friends also joined us in that prayer. I remember one afternoon several days before we were to return for a check up I was sitting in my living room talking to God, listening to Him and writing in my journal. I was just pouring out my heart to Him and in a moment of silence as I was listening He told me clearly that afternoon that He had healed my baby! The God who dwells in unapproachable light spoke to me and He healed my child. How do you respond except with thankfulness and a desire to give Him all glory and praise!! I believed His words to be true and thanked Him for healing her and knew without a doubt that in that moment she was healed. I remember the moment as clear today as it was five years ago. I remember where I was sitting, how I was sitting, the moment He spoke her healed and how my body and heart felt. I waited in anticipation for our upcoming doctor's appointment because I knew that God was about to show himself in a big way when all would see a perfectly healthy baby on the ultrasound. The night before our appointment friends gathered around us and covered us in prayer. I walked into the doctor's office the next day with confidence, peace and no doubt about what the Lord had done with Eva. The technician and our specialist examined the ultrasound carefully and found no evidence of the cystic hygroma, it was completely gone! Our doctor exclaimed, "There is a God and He is good!" when she saw the ultrasound. We all cried tears of joy in thanks and praise to God for the miracle He performed in Eva. Rick and I left her office in tears but this time they were not tears of sadness but tears of overwhelming joy and amazement at the love of our God.
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<br />Little did I know that this journey with Eva of learning more about who God is and that there is nothing that is too hard for him was just the beginning of a refining and strengthening process in my faith walk. Everything with Eva set the stage in a sense for what was to come with Ella even though I didn't know it. I remember when we went in for our first ultrasound when I was pregnant with Ella. I was 8 weeks pregnant and very nervous because of what happened to Eva but everything looked normal so we sort-of breathed a sigh of relief. Deep down though I was still anxious and when we went back to the doctor at 4 weeks later I asked to have another sonogram. My doctor assured me that everything was fine and we didn't need to do one but to make me feel better she would do another ultrasound just for my peace of mind. Well, it was like reliving the nightmare with Eva all over again. It was the same room, same doctor, same dreaded words again that something was wrong. This time I was so hurt, disappointed and angry. I couldn't believe that this was all happening again and that God would let it happen. I really had no words I was just angry, hurt and sad.
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<br />After we got over the initial shock of the news that Ella had an omphalocele we obviously prayed daily even up until the end of my pregnancy that God would heal Ella. His answer to that was no and even though I don't understand why He chooses to heal some and not others I do know that He is trustworthy no matter what. As I think back to the night Ella was born 3 years ago I am overwhelmed by what the Lord has done in our life. My words are just not good enough to describe my thankfulness for how much He loves us and for what He has brought us through and given us. The night of Ella's birth was not the sweet, beautiful, perfect, special time that every mother hopes for when they give birth. The night she was born was the scariest, hardest, emotional and most traumatic time Rick and I have had in our marriage so far.
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<br />On August 31, 2008 I went to the hospital because I had been having severe headaches and upper abdominal pain for two days. It was three weeks before my due date and we had no idea that this would be the day that Ella would come into the world. After running some tests it showed that my blood pressure was sky high and my doctor told me we were going to do a c-section that night. They took me down and starting prepping me for surgery when I had a suffered a seizure due to eclampsia. This is very rare and I got sick so fast that none of us saw this coming even though I was being heavily monitored by doctors. After the seizure I remembered nothing from that night except what Rick has told me. I was completely out of it and he remembers talking to me as they were rushing me down the hall for an emergency c-section and he says that I was unresponsive and lifeless, my eyes were glazed over. He had no idea what was happening or if Ella and I were even going to survive. It makes my heart hurt to think of all he went through that night! I, of course, do not remember any of this and it took a long time after Ella was born for Rick to even talk to me about it. I would ask questions about that night but it was just too hard for him to relive it all so it took time before we could really talk about it. That night at 7:30 pm Ella Hope was born. Rick was not able to be in the delivery room due to the severity of the situation and I of course was put under so I in a sense was not there either. Rick caught a glimpse of Ella when they wheeled her out in her isolette on the way to the NICU. He saw for the first time her beautiful face and then the reality of what we had been trying to prepare for for months. There it was, her sweet little face then the rest of her body wrapped in a plastic bag and through it you could see a dark mass covering her abdomen which was the the sac holding her liver, intestines and stomach.
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<br />That night was the start of this seemingly very long and hard journey that we have been on with Ella for the past 3 years. So as I think about her being 3 years old and all that has happened in her short life I am just overwhelmed with the faithfulness and love of our Lord. My mind wanders to and relives those moments that I can remember from her birth and the days that followed in the hospital and I hardly have words for it. But more than that my heart just goes straight to God and wants His Glory to be made known for how he has brought us through some very dark valleys and only by His grace, mercy and love are we who we are today. He gives us life and light through his Son Jesus and I am blown away at his everlasting, unending love. When I look at Eva and Ella I see two little pieces of heaven here on earth and wonder why I am so blessed that He entrusted them to me. Through our joys and struggles with both of them I have learned more about God and what this life is really all about. Our hard days with Ella have given me perspective and I'm glad for it because I see the world different now than I did before August 31, 2008. We have all been changed through the gifts he has given our family in Eva and Ella.
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<br />Eva's name means "Life" and Ella's name means "A bright light." So fitting aren't they? I think so. :) So, on this night I thank God again for life, for my daughter's two precious lives and for His light that shines in the darkness and is NEVER overcome by it. Thank you Lord!! Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-72344482558581736792011-06-20T11:24:00.015-05:002011-06-21T18:05:52.959-05:00Adventures in Thailand: Food, Family, FunWe had lots of good food and family fun during our time in Thailand. My mouth is just watering for more good Thai food. We had such a fun time playing, swimming, eating, talking, touring around Phayao and just being together. We'll start with a recap of some of our food experiences. Soooo good!<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJ3InzUsI45xgkZO6reYXfrq5TD6W7ZaT4f6Fa9zTfhYlE5m69cbsXA-OgfEz_J3SMpJFO0TGWtOFzk0hM79qBtMQhG4APlGSM70-q9k2g-u-VIEQA7AJ-5oD0bJlDWeJji5Pzkhs3qZU/s1600/IMG_6437.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620342838204220338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJ3InzUsI45xgkZO6reYXfrq5TD6W7ZaT4f6Fa9zTfhYlE5m69cbsXA-OgfEz_J3SMpJFO0TGWtOFzk0hM79qBtMQhG4APlGSM70-q9k2g-u-VIEQA7AJ-5oD0bJlDWeJji5Pzkhs3qZU/s320/IMG_6437.JPG" /></a><br />This was our favorite restaurant in Phayao. It sits looking out over Lake Phayao and has great food. We feasted on lime slushes (my fave, Sonic's got nothing on these! They are awesome!) passion fruit slushes, lightly battered morning glory, rice, chicken wrapped in banana leaves, stir-fryed vegetables, some soup Derran ordered that had fresh shrimp with the eyes, legs and tails still on them. I did not partake of this one. I'm not a seafood girl and the last time I tried something that Rick told me was "not fishy at all" I started dry-heaving in the restaurant. Awkward. So I passed on the soup because I didn't want a repeat dry-heaving experience and I just don't eat things that have eyes staring back at me out of a bowl.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXi3Bp_6rM3q2pDAQZgX-AjBoZnagxGcyntKSYhu3yVs0LEP1gLTv1F315yOr-QegUMKjjRDxzCsKTYQWEIGjAbATLUfjloFFifvqMgSDDjCIvKxEBmOGsDavLQtZbkwz43ss-l3BiBSV/s1600/IMG_6465.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620342861505896946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicXi3Bp_6rM3q2pDAQZgX-AjBoZnagxGcyntKSYhu3yVs0LEP1gLTv1F315yOr-QegUMKjjRDxzCsKTYQWEIGjAbATLUfjloFFifvqMgSDDjCIvKxEBmOGsDavLQtZbkwz43ss-l3BiBSV/s320/IMG_6465.JPG" /></a><br />This was our other favorite little place to get food. It's just a roadside stall set up outside of Lotus, which is the Thai version of our Wal-mart store. They make the best smoked chicken, sticky rice and som-tham which is a salad type dish made from thinly sliced papaya with lots of added spices. Oh.my.word. Delicious!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3u_WB7TqPcgwI-6ZROAr-VS3H4hDi6DFWfcqrPWsdNjG8Ej3hNceLfSPDxDwqQ-kH6PfwnU1vA4G99wEtxxQgH9wELfEnNLl4SILMVw-rqH1GZ_SYQEEYzKWLoDAJwQlBxgZ6tLeDxKZ/s1600/IMG_6476.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620347120675803490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3u_WB7TqPcgwI-6ZROAr-VS3H4hDi6DFWfcqrPWsdNjG8Ej3hNceLfSPDxDwqQ-kH6PfwnU1vA4G99wEtxxQgH9wELfEnNLl4SILMVw-rqH1GZ_SYQEEYzKWLoDAJwQlBxgZ6tLeDxKZ/s320/IMG_6476.JPG" /></a><br />Who needs a grill when all you really need is a metal barrel or trash can cut in half, something to put it on and some hot coals. Walah! You've got the best smoked chicken in town. I wish this guy was set up outside my Walmart, I would go there every week!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oUl_1B8gHNck8k3i7isZrXRYmptlef7pwZoG3NGfBZUUQ3TDo9oCJ7kipyZx5CQGJdsU_loocRilOvKQxgWscu04QaclivN4-1uet4et4ypjl7mVreaq4syJZ6E9xJEg0MWQQ19ZCp7R/s1600/IMG_6475.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620347100627757346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4oUl_1B8gHNck8k3i7isZrXRYmptlef7pwZoG3NGfBZUUQ3TDo9oCJ7kipyZx5CQGJdsU_loocRilOvKQxgWscu04QaclivN4-1uet4et4ypjl7mVreaq4syJZ6E9xJEg0MWQQ19ZCp7R/s320/IMG_6475.JPG" /></a><br />Making the som-tham. Yummy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHQDs3nZv2aU7KV3nQ73W2FvPhmFhs6b_yoA32MiY5CoenEb-s5RNnkk43NA80EOGJvc6ueXgi_TEE937kfC2qunOROOQK4kEX3rnysvqP0nGMY1i_UoS1hdZ8aZTrVXvNJ8rUgv6HLmz/s1600/IMG_6472.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620347105042434466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXHQDs3nZv2aU7KV3nQ73W2FvPhmFhs6b_yoA32MiY5CoenEb-s5RNnkk43NA80EOGJvc6ueXgi_TEE937kfC2qunOROOQK4kEX3rnysvqP0nGMY1i_UoS1hdZ8aZTrVXvNJ8rUgv6HLmz/s320/IMG_6472.JPG" /></a><br />Ann ordering our food<br /><br />While we were there we got to be a part of their team's taste-testing their brick oven pizza. Hallelujah! The Carders loooove pizza so we were more than happy to test out some different kinds of pizza. Ann and Derran and their team are opening up a pizza restaurant in Phayao this summer as part of their ministry and work there. You can read more about their ministry and vision for the restaurant by clicking <a href="http://reesesinthailand.wordpress.com/year-2-vision-statement">here</a>. So amazing!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhdyFO9Nqb1C0iW_V8_2k4VmLu_r93TZ9jDFkpQoZ5CiCIRFygodVZHfYTu9HSkGnGsOymt0nmPq49PPChsZPBD81QXRUfbwRuqW4rb2pa27YFn3T5d-hwmjQgYR62KSG8vHEQbR8WUFN/s1600/IMG_6596.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771035415963362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhdyFO9Nqb1C0iW_V8_2k4VmLu_r93TZ9jDFkpQoZ5CiCIRFygodVZHfYTu9HSkGnGsOymt0nmPq49PPChsZPBD81QXRUfbwRuqW4rb2pa27YFn3T5d-hwmjQgYR62KSG8vHEQbR8WUFN/s320/IMG_6596.JPG" /></a><br />Derran and Rick manning the brick oven ( their team built this oven themselves, very impressive!)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf5Hc_wOx1mJ3CfO-AwhMDMkN2MrAIATiYQTsP2i_6PGY9_Q5ItWh-eikK10fZXv3lCKi_RM0g8bget6MTSKtw4xtnajqPlM8xtPfbwKOkKZcH00VI4zZd_EmWC2Vw6v7G0xkYqHN1FHx/s1600/IMG_6580.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771029452580834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf5Hc_wOx1mJ3CfO-AwhMDMkN2MrAIATiYQTsP2i_6PGY9_Q5ItWh-eikK10fZXv3lCKi_RM0g8bget6MTSKtw4xtnajqPlM8xtPfbwKOkKZcH00VI4zZd_EmWC2Vw6v7G0xkYqHN1FHx/s320/IMG_6580.JPG" /></a><br />Ann helping measure out the cheeses<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnhYqQ9UNKke69MnA_U7B09Tocw0Zgx3GtGqteHersuH4wqv550vxZK9ol3lYcGPeoHOXFt_cPLTiqQrEYR9jrzUCFX_eL4tckbUGmep6SApzTGf1fUUzdmuzi2y1TNSId8g3cP0xy6QZ/s1600/IMG_6584.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620780047308148786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnhYqQ9UNKke69MnA_U7B09Tocw0Zgx3GtGqteHersuH4wqv550vxZK9ol3lYcGPeoHOXFt_cPLTiqQrEYR9jrzUCFX_eL4tckbUGmep6SApzTGf1fUUzdmuzi2y1TNSId8g3cP0xy6QZ/s320/IMG_6584.JPG" /></a><br />Chris making a pizza<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cec-K7JcoxbxYe_oWiXOqPlyYUJRYgU3GKwenwmfEgDOiNzP35IwDn2d1uPUVzKv9FYp2OP7wiuHu0eXORLHxGeChIaEg6D94yz8iRsvraPBaUmgTd2Iaq_0lD94gSRe1iy6Rev4BLfE/s1600/IMG_6593.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620780056100705602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cec-K7JcoxbxYe_oWiXOqPlyYUJRYgU3GKwenwmfEgDOiNzP35IwDn2d1uPUVzKv9FYp2OP7wiuHu0eXORLHxGeChIaEg6D94yz8iRsvraPBaUmgTd2Iaq_0lD94gSRe1iy6Rev4BLfE/s320/IMG_6593.JPG" /></a><br />Eva and Ella loved the pizza!! Delicious!<br /><br />One night we were there we had a fun gender reveal party for Ann and Derran's baby number 3. We were so happy to be able to be in Thailand when they found out what they were having and we celebrated with a fun party and lots of yummy food...brisket made in the brick oven, mashed potatoes, garlic bread, corn and lots of cupcakes! Click <a href="http://reesesinthailand.wordpress.com/2011/06/06/were-having-a/">here</a> to read about the party and to see a short, fun video of the big reveal!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgBmbxD4kQ5yML_Vl3jBlcWEilUS5nzjZ0uYYLM-9VqeE07cDsthe0fYua3FtChT9Kmg5tRNYhmwYliaydM_IsW4zjbY1VHgZhZN8kMXmkMPAzd31YUlieYSQhk_YUthuhbtxdSWwWnHN/s1600/IMG_6569.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771025421902786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLgBmbxD4kQ5yML_Vl3jBlcWEilUS5nzjZ0uYYLM-9VqeE07cDsthe0fYua3FtChT9Kmg5tRNYhmwYliaydM_IsW4zjbY1VHgZhZN8kMXmkMPAzd31YUlieYSQhk_YUthuhbtxdSWwWnHN/s320/IMG_6569.JPG" /></a><br />The girls favorite place to eat was KFC. Why would you eat here when you've got all this great food around?? Every so often when they kids had just had enough peanut butter and jelly (which is all Eva ate the entire time we were there, I don't think she tried Thai food once) we would take the kids to KFC which is inside Lotus, their Wal-mart store. Let the stare-fest and rubbernecking begin. Oh my goodness! It was just too much for 4 little blonde and blue-eyed girls to be walking around when there are really just a handful of foreigners in all of Phayao. People would stand at the window in crowds to stare and take pictures of the girls while they ate their lunch. Hilarious! Either the girls didn't seem to notice or they are experts at ignoring people. The drew lots of attention on our many trips to Lotus!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV60HxjNdO0LSjM01BDukUL7Rsf1h1E1hxYF4flCsNC2qqe88YwRcdaIFsfC47YZRF45HP1gTIMVqJGPNAeFo6FLrwaltXBykHiObyQJ1-nVgXPvPImljiZeqm0P4PZ2Jxp66Q8JmTvh0B/s1600/IMG_6547.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771019769587186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV60HxjNdO0LSjM01BDukUL7Rsf1h1E1hxYF4flCsNC2qqe88YwRcdaIFsfC47YZRF45HP1gTIMVqJGPNAeFo6FLrwaltXBykHiObyQJ1-nVgXPvPImljiZeqm0P4PZ2Jxp66Q8JmTvh0B/s320/IMG_6547.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVCfjesOxWr-MXxQds1OXWYWXAayEUeNxbS9s5eZ7zuZcY55fjC2AEdxIvSJSUlgeW2uMdki2889ef6pEK9MZbzEisurXBm3t4IIkMXKA2Ic8RYZFjdeF5reXOUvZnytfTUqKrvSFs3Sn/s1600/IMG_6545.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620771017168231378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVCfjesOxWr-MXxQds1OXWYWXAayEUeNxbS9s5eZ7zuZcY55fjC2AEdxIvSJSUlgeW2uMdki2889ef6pEK9MZbzEisurXBm3t4IIkMXKA2Ic8RYZFjdeF5reXOUvZnytfTUqKrvSFs3Sn/s320/IMG_6545.JPG" /></a><br /><br />At the end of our trip we spent two days in Chiang Mai before we left and had lots of fun there. More to come about that. But we also ate at some great places, one being a Mexican food restaurant of all things. It really was so good!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVsPnvx-vC9Zfcnns2OL3K8JX3OBAuKwv-KPzQv1a_K91_3JfSlMqyYi3uVMw7gKiksJpTuPLcMhiSq5tcDj4s8BscsXMkYV0gB0QV_CqxrlKgND32tKNieKaT6cQzO75dJR8J-KWYb_q/s1600/IMG_6766.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620785934972002242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVsPnvx-vC9Zfcnns2OL3K8JX3OBAuKwv-KPzQv1a_K91_3JfSlMqyYi3uVMw7gKiksJpTuPLcMhiSq5tcDj4s8BscsXMkYV0gB0QV_CqxrlKgND32tKNieKaT6cQzO75dJR8J-KWYb_q/s320/IMG_6766.JPG" /></a><br />Mexican food in northern Thailand...who knew?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVrJndLhYUsR58fd8TyYaP6I10U8FS38ERTdJglUkJDPztwVXti6imvgpyYHr6X6KixapNz03VKGG9zeMF3yWOxNxaypiIOVz8YvwspMh9X9RdXzncUmahCFYs45C5P_Azqov58RIo7NK/s1600/IMG_6782-1.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620785934410221090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVrJndLhYUsR58fd8TyYaP6I10U8FS38ERTdJglUkJDPztwVXti6imvgpyYHr6X6KixapNz03VKGG9zeMF3yWOxNxaypiIOVz8YvwspMh9X9RdXzncUmahCFYs45C5P_Azqov58RIo7NK/s320/IMG_6782-1.JPG" /></a><br />Of course it wouldn't be a trip to Chiang Mai without stopping at Dunkin' Donuts a few times! Mmmm. Love it!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzG31AhW7h60ykkwcbfcohGKigEmfEgguMFxFE2IQMV6prPduMakEjFLznHiDPMkMjUvUI-TR9Ha_IooZdxvv3mhE9C2edhHZoFImS9DzluZ7fE9TFRH_FUMt2sgXlaTYlemi2286XbC4/s1600/IMG_6775.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620785924244310642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzG31AhW7h60ykkwcbfcohGKigEmfEgguMFxFE2IQMV6prPduMakEjFLznHiDPMkMjUvUI-TR9Ha_IooZdxvv3mhE9C2edhHZoFImS9DzluZ7fE9TFRH_FUMt2sgXlaTYlemi2286XbC4/s320/IMG_6775.JPG" /></a><br />Our other favorite place was a restaurant called Lemon Tree. I was in heaven with my lime slush and stir-fryed vegetables. Yumm-o!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FWXmbvihyphenhyphenc0_LGAueMxp-1Lyx6ij8T-nxa229LZqjyZMgxB57XPkI41jI0_b-E_gpiaiR1EvhB9d2ToGbNofRiq5HbRAasM7LV2UFBl-3Tj1cZpGwOux5RD33GAy72J7vNb5IT5DfirK/s1600/IMG_6777.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620785929559700050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0FWXmbvihyphenhyphenc0_LGAueMxp-1Lyx6ij8T-nxa229LZqjyZMgxB57XPkI41jI0_b-E_gpiaiR1EvhB9d2ToGbNofRiq5HbRAasM7LV2UFBl-3Tj1cZpGwOux5RD33GAy72J7vNb5IT5DfirK/s320/IMG_6777.JPG" /></a><br />This picture makes my heart swell! Can you believe it?? Here is little Ella Hope Carder across the world in Thailand eating Thai food! Is this the same child that almost 3 years ago was laying in a bed in the NICU waiting for her stomach to be put back in her body? Is this the same child who had a feeding tube for most of her short life so far? Is this the same child who didn't eat anything and vomited everything for the first year of her life? Is it?? I'm in awe and a big lump is in my throat just thinking about it all and thanking God for what He's done in Ella's life. I could never have imagined that Ella would be able to sit at a table in another country, feeding tube free, no safety nets and eat Thai food. God is so good! Let this be a testimony to the goodness of our Lord. Wow!<br /></p><br /><p>On to family and fun! We played alot at Derran and Ann's house and the girls just had a great time building pillow forts, playing baby dolls, having tea parties and swimming. Lots of good cousin time, that will have to be another post.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PRwlEBzaiGN5lT0B7X1_zxTNRVHAvarogGtz2VUJLqwPpAdNHqcHoIw-FRj1Q7pwy1KvSsD5BL7XIoUgImVhye12RzE3OxEkWNYSTlof7cERI54axqeHr0F6QqcfWAt3r3BnhVLUCC-f/s1600/IMG_6387.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774906899647186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2PRwlEBzaiGN5lT0B7X1_zxTNRVHAvarogGtz2VUJLqwPpAdNHqcHoIw-FRj1Q7pwy1KvSsD5BL7XIoUgImVhye12RzE3OxEkWNYSTlof7cERI54axqeHr0F6QqcfWAt3r3BnhVLUCC-f/s320/IMG_6387.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnq6B07exEKAMP1RqpCHSkR84K_UDZPXHZu32o9UMme6zzn0Y3skZEp0PfzIAhvDx3gtvg0AlaOLE4OzVFiSP8BMWU8Yr7UJw-VinqNUHyekQpIZXaMTk__Ei7IGUCov0bHj3EiweCWAF/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774895505966162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrnq6B07exEKAMP1RqpCHSkR84K_UDZPXHZu32o9UMme6zzn0Y3skZEp0PfzIAhvDx3gtvg0AlaOLE4OzVFiSP8BMWU8Yr7UJw-VinqNUHyekQpIZXaMTk__Ei7IGUCov0bHj3EiweCWAF/s320/IMG_6384.JPG" /></a> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774889755655762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyxh-nT9nSUz7uYvdwThhvrHSO1FxAEiiR85xVHzI2vFHerHY0jKH8JOlYV08lpGdMsFA3WeNvq1aTsN4fS1DgTnhbRG8I-vpzW201RRXlG1NVTtgQgcxe1fW-UszO81UTdgAhBq_72v0/s320/IMG_6429.JPG" /><br /></p><br />Swimming and playing in the water in the front yard. Pretty much consisted of Eva hogging the water hose to wash her bike, Brynn and Ella just having a great time and Meg sulking in her tub of water. Hilarious!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBI5JVLQjfrN1Wy7nbf8xgVaPgQvHKevuSaY6YxPW88lKmIA4AHP2-KBXsFgPDt0VO_PEARAiv70GOmpm9a4wj1ATe3s-Ns-gqQ3xzWN0LQjhI4SBXZwgPTCmC1pXVFqw7-M_hsPKSAGx/s1600/IMG_6433.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBI5JVLQjfrN1Wy7nbf8xgVaPgQvHKevuSaY6YxPW88lKmIA4AHP2-KBXsFgPDt0VO_PEARAiv70GOmpm9a4wj1ATe3s-Ns-gqQ3xzWN0LQjhI4SBXZwgPTCmC1pXVFqw7-M_hsPKSAGx/s320/IMG_6433.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620804057433159106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G2M9uJ7CuvYVJp_UGkdllcQHDMHUzA_FjY3w-4eW4KlpuzjAAdATSEd3DZPA2A3z5k0R1SGbPhso9OjElYa8BRlA95dK0s3ThMtOjwqWLubdfQTNWSEHl2SeLpDu1XxJRRxemy38xosj/s1600/IMG_6432.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7G2M9uJ7CuvYVJp_UGkdllcQHDMHUzA_FjY3w-4eW4KlpuzjAAdATSEd3DZPA2A3z5k0R1SGbPhso9OjElYa8BRlA95dK0s3ThMtOjwqWLubdfQTNWSEHl2SeLpDu1XxJRRxemy38xosj/s320/IMG_6432.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620804049663565490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PO23D8qANq7WhPV95OuSu-DyKaCn9EvvXwLIpEhNrlAx-BXzHkhhpwd3bwNUZ8JHmMNdyNaIaWfFq3b8pAOC31fF3NNXGu20p1wtfpvELFUJeFN4e_ikxDPFNbakED6cvzv4IcbCNO6S/s1600/IMG_6434.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PO23D8qANq7WhPV95OuSu-DyKaCn9EvvXwLIpEhNrlAx-BXzHkhhpwd3bwNUZ8JHmMNdyNaIaWfFq3b8pAOC31fF3NNXGu20p1wtfpvELFUJeFN4e_ikxDPFNbakED6cvzv4IcbCNO6S/s320/IMG_6434.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620804061641348738" /></a><br /><br />When we weren't swimming we went to the market, walked around the aquarium and of course took many trips to Lotus. :) I guess if you don't have a Target to stroll around then Lotus is the next best option. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU7ulPVsIaF0dy1Uhd5tHynHMr5mrUWnNzVXGeVT1bKUl91mTcL6qw5M8DZX3fmpP8Ww8pvFLKT4K3-F9nbSnr1XBvwj9T0kO7V8MsDt2hxxnsxyVvS_Gx-5FfM-yZVRhyphenhyphen2MqfofXhD9z/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620342847630000930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfU7ulPVsIaF0dy1Uhd5tHynHMr5mrUWnNzVXGeVT1bKUl91mTcL6qw5M8DZX3fmpP8Ww8pvFLKT4K3-F9nbSnr1XBvwj9T0kO7V8MsDt2hxxnsxyVvS_Gx-5FfM-yZVRhyphenhyphen2MqfofXhD9z/s320/IMG_6461.JPG" /></a><br />Eva checking out the goods at the Phayao market<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm-GWw_EIKbWOVZ9kNA3ydmOcMe4oWTmWwbcAGroNBtRDZlp12ePg8NqAwwCUwQjsFAzlQX0AAxz9RZYJeqJ8KRv87Tks6fccxodTDXS9uT81rlP32jgpuFLlD4K8grMM9wT_dIbOAlVP/s1600/IMG_6463.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620342854349478738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm-GWw_EIKbWOVZ9kNA3ydmOcMe4oWTmWwbcAGroNBtRDZlp12ePg8NqAwwCUwQjsFAzlQX0AAxz9RZYJeqJ8KRv87Tks6fccxodTDXS9uT81rlP32jgpuFLlD4K8grMM9wT_dIbOAlVP/s320/IMG_6463.JPG" /></a><br />Rick checking out the dried fish. Shooooey! I love Thai markets because you've got the umbrella stall right next to the fresh shrimp or you can pick up a new watch and at the same time get yourself some dried squid or fish at the vendor right next to it. Love it! I don't love the smell though. They've got anything and everything...like these fabulous shoes! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MPOf5opbaoDnY5O8HjglhsUnyxoY1OOT-yWLAcrN2X9nvs7Az2Vhp-xRB10-z-FXpVpKPYuLYQiLAejPXAL_F7C5_7em2ljIjpXvPDa9krZ5H0Y7dpzp33xhIWHYzusCEmoXxErQjZaw/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MPOf5opbaoDnY5O8HjglhsUnyxoY1OOT-yWLAcrN2X9nvs7Az2Vhp-xRB10-z-FXpVpKPYuLYQiLAejPXAL_F7C5_7em2ljIjpXvPDa9krZ5H0Y7dpzp33xhIWHYzusCEmoXxErQjZaw/s320/IMG_6532.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620807297907511026" /></a><br />Are these not the greatest?? If you can't tell they have like big toes with claws on them. I spotted these on a grown woman at Lotus and told Ann I needed to know asap where we could buy some. I think the lady at the market probably thought I was crazy since I bought 10 pairs in different colors. Guess what friends and family got for souvenirs from Thailand? That's right, "Dragon shoes" as the girls called them for everyone! It's so funny because you will see grown men at the mall, on their motorcycles, at the construction site and they will be wearing pink "dragon shoes." Awesome!<br /><br />Here's the circus all walking in to Lotus for a little KFC. So cute and what a sight!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wkiDRcImLGTpIaupVWFjthxVYjidf6kCnbOBc31bohYoxu-yiAMxRfHgTz-nbHPG22QVkF4ZHVD6BGzHzBWBbDWSUVqyLR55xYXqb0e7SoAzr3IxZisVgn7uCq1SzhbtvfV3jJNyxzqw/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620347129570846722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wkiDRcImLGTpIaupVWFjthxVYjidf6kCnbOBc31bohYoxu-yiAMxRfHgTz-nbHPG22QVkF4ZHVD6BGzHzBWBbDWSUVqyLR55xYXqb0e7SoAzr3IxZisVgn7uCq1SzhbtvfV3jJNyxzqw/s320/IMG_6542.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1geMs9dAVEVt19cMuQLq0lwf1grL7BB7L838sR86_c3ZQPprQN9r-gnQ2thyphenhyphenHaetgvSv4itGhBqqqCIyZR4qsJUoj21NOOmZXE0-SBg6eI9Ohs4iVnddIRuDK4cyBXU4BAWc5P2e1O4I/s1600/IMG_6544.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620347135416519458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt1geMs9dAVEVt19cMuQLq0lwf1grL7BB7L838sR86_c3ZQPprQN9r-gnQ2thyphenhyphenHaetgvSv4itGhBqqqCIyZR4qsJUoj21NOOmZXE0-SBg6eI9Ohs4iVnddIRuDK4cyBXU4BAWc5P2e1O4I/s320/IMG_6544.JPG" /></a><br />I love this one of Ella! Precious with her little umbrella and heels!<br /><br />And here we are at the aquarium. Fun and interesting...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYiACNvHYEHeRsP8h-iYsjygDSWHQtcLGIkVHZkEREES0ZZMIyFf3vphqNyTBTMCI_u0M1vtWHgrxiOvklSRK2VnPfx7us0MtQQnEbUxEhzTjSDhLQM2jJp0-KFiJr3P4yilsr8NNjuQz/s1600/IMG_6407.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774921864959458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYiACNvHYEHeRsP8h-iYsjygDSWHQtcLGIkVHZkEREES0ZZMIyFf3vphqNyTBTMCI_u0M1vtWHgrxiOvklSRK2VnPfx7us0MtQQnEbUxEhzTjSDhLQM2jJp0-KFiJr3P4yilsr8NNjuQz/s320/IMG_6407.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkduq-wUpBom0u2othweiXanl7meB1lGOYUggtT_GD6lfhuPonqRdf8eJ0TLvQVuC8mOSxi8TbxeFjZtwCzw-LtxUxU1z7waDXO3ZDexkrX8D6klT63WLh0xISRXCcnmyhPRsjV8axbAcN/s1600/IMG_6405.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkduq-wUpBom0u2othweiXanl7meB1lGOYUggtT_GD6lfhuPonqRdf8eJ0TLvQVuC8mOSxi8TbxeFjZtwCzw-LtxUxU1z7waDXO3ZDexkrX8D6klT63WLh0xISRXCcnmyhPRsjV8axbAcN/s320/IMG_6405.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620810012889703586" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e0R_z3a7x27VSTvYZCxxEX8D9a46IbHgcxJQ3pwmumDRnvPTmYlRkWmbD2fE6eYCZ8JwUx3hXsQezO2Hn-ZZGjKqeCPgBYSnTW9yUQf8BETkCElkDPhfb_m4EEfX_gnXYAkXXEdxuUjS/s1600/IMG_6410.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620774903009134194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e0R_z3a7x27VSTvYZCxxEX8D9a46IbHgcxJQ3pwmumDRnvPTmYlRkWmbD2fE6eYCZ8JwUx3hXsQezO2Hn-ZZGjKqeCPgBYSnTW9yUQf8BETkCElkDPhfb_m4EEfX_gnXYAkXXEdxuUjS/s320/IMG_6410.JPG" /></a><br />Aren't the fish beautiful?? Wait, can you not see them? Is this not hilarious? Ann took us down to this outdoor underwater tunnel part of the aquarium to look at some dirty water and maybe catch some shadows of a fish as they swam by. Oh man, so great. You cannot see the fish at all. You might get lucky to catch a glimpse of a shadow of one if they swim close enough to the glass every once and while. I'm telling you if you're ever in Phayao, the outdoor section of the aquarium is a must-see! :) <br /><br />Oh, such good times! We are missing Thailand so much everyday. The girls talk about Brynn and Meg and how they miss them everyday! So thankful for such great memories together. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz5ZOE6Rh3IeThb3GP6msI4tIWtE1ZaNJUtl6mf9Ac8JCkAzloQGcHOKpWWaIMKX_7PJd4yPh6x12ZR8i0wEhmubPKzKjOkNuEoaadbIG36s6sQwvlZ-ry7D00eisolucqptO3TJPrX4O/s1600/IMG_6457.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620342843116188594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIz5ZOE6Rh3IeThb3GP6msI4tIWtE1ZaNJUtl6mf9Ac8JCkAzloQGcHOKpWWaIMKX_7PJd4yPh6x12ZR8i0wEhmubPKzKjOkNuEoaadbIG36s6sQwvlZ-ry7D00eisolucqptO3TJPrX4O/s320/IMG_6457.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfIeGtYT304Xf3PUVRi7pq1ZME6pwcdFabxZbuTHPuO6BuqNww_nxVuclqyco-jIw9MjWlERWX734_phdyqQEF5dRy2m4Ig8IgBDgbmXQRWgslaJc7vsSWnkihYse1PbhnfHyDcmf78AN/s1600/IMG_6645.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620780074703502706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRfIeGtYT304Xf3PUVRi7pq1ZME6pwcdFabxZbuTHPuO6BuqNww_nxVuclqyco-jIw9MjWlERWX734_phdyqQEF5dRy2m4Ig8IgBDgbmXQRWgslaJc7vsSWnkihYse1PbhnfHyDcmf78AN/s320/IMG_6645.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk0ORPuLJ7Ur_Em1qtEJsuBvrC5UWP-05G2wKnbOsUVpwiwKQYTQewcGD1sqaVpowmn_qAF8piAgV9iLDZq6oNUsyCAE-tmtIBRyNihkBWBOF87uxFyW933HLZfzn-xZdSO7b4xWU1Qf9/s1600/IMG_6612.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620780068424685154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk0ORPuLJ7Ur_Em1qtEJsuBvrC5UWP-05G2wKnbOsUVpwiwKQYTQewcGD1sqaVpowmn_qAF8piAgV9iLDZq6oNUsyCAE-tmtIBRyNihkBWBOF87uxFyW933HLZfzn-xZdSO7b4xWU1Qf9/s320/IMG_6612.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePgDhJIbXm7qc3D0hrcJciQpX1vLrC3_3sKHtMqH3-uMUlPC3yxXsoDpurSufGYzcBkNhoPUbNPp9Dj1-vGzNJe7amdevifrTCCgmZ8RW5aR3oghMvOvULBk1oay84mQaVUKN5DUNaDGb/s1600/IMG_6639.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620780059114724290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePgDhJIbXm7qc3D0hrcJciQpX1vLrC3_3sKHtMqH3-uMUlPC3yxXsoDpurSufGYzcBkNhoPUbNPp9Dj1-vGzNJe7amdevifrTCCgmZ8RW5aR3oghMvOvULBk1oay84mQaVUKN5DUNaDGb/s320/IMG_6639.JPG" /></a><br />You better not be tired of Thailand stories because we've got elephant rides and more cousin time still to document!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-69111429132248468612011-06-07T16:54:00.000-05:002011-06-07T16:54:56.783-05:00Adventures in Thailand: Transportation-Safe or Not Safe?Yes, transportation in Thailand gets a post all it's own. Now, you know us Carders and how we are known for apparently being safe as evidenced by our numerous safety plates that we own. Do I need to remind everyone about our safety plates?? Well, getting around in Thailand I would say that safety is out the window on many occasions. I don't know, you decide safe or not safe?<br /><br />1. Side-saddle to the Salon<br />Safety Precautions: none besides my kung-fu grip on Derran's shoulder and an extra tuck in or two for my skirt so it doesn't fly up over my head<br />Safety status: semi safe but did not feel so safe<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituv-lk77mYquNYz4MkuiVJJ1m4GrLWZnHTFKSyf0s7OCLh8clpk7_Gi7X3g9-DMCMUcoIbWR1f7f0F3SDlRaEzwhQzGrSQoC4ZYp3juig7qZbbWqHX4r0lUrSb7KTLDqK5BljMm4KjolA/s1600/IMG_6279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEituv-lk77mYquNYz4MkuiVJJ1m4GrLWZnHTFKSyf0s7OCLh8clpk7_Gi7X3g9-DMCMUcoIbWR1f7f0F3SDlRaEzwhQzGrSQoC4ZYp3juig7qZbbWqHX4r0lUrSb7KTLDqK5BljMm4KjolA/s320/IMG_6279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615205981219688690" /></a><br />So, this is the second day we are in Phayao. We are a little jet-lagged and I'm needing to wash my hair. I had been putting it off because frankly folks, I've got a lot of hair and it just takes a lot of energy sometimes to wash, dry and style it. And, it has some natural curl and can be very big...Rick lovingly calls me Tina Turner. I'll come out of the bathroom after blowdrying it at night and he'll say, "Whoa, hey Tina, nice hair." Thanks Rick. Anyway, so I didn't feel like doing my hair so Ann tells me I should go to their little beauty salon and the lady there will wash my hair, give me a head massage, dry and style it for me. She had me at head massage...that sounds like a fabulous plan! Especially since Ann's adapter wasn't working and the hair-dryer and flat-iron wouldn't work anyway since the voltage is different. Rick couldn't understand why I would go and pay for someone to wash my hair for me when it's something I could do myself but I kindly ignored him. :) I was focused on the head massage. Anyway, so then Ann kindly volunteered Derran to take me on the motorcycle. This is funny because I later found out that Ann hasn't been on the motorcycle in over a year but she sure was Johnny-on-the-spot ready for me to take a ride on it the second day I was there AND in a skirt! Thank you, Ann. Thanks. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4AYh48L7zMJIe7mf7rWEzm74XUSF0gvPMklijQJ3QzAHWpavOxOlhyphenhyphenaRFn0mE5cvIo2DbaBfckmhAd5CVRkdPv_-Rydysn5vFWxd3osjM9bEyz9lgT0tnKa5IFCZg64-h1VX3JrXsBGQ/s1600/IMG_6281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT4AYh48L7zMJIe7mf7rWEzm74XUSF0gvPMklijQJ3QzAHWpavOxOlhyphenhyphenaRFn0mE5cvIo2DbaBfckmhAd5CVRkdPv_-Rydysn5vFWxd3osjM9bEyz9lgT0tnKa5IFCZg64-h1VX3JrXsBGQ/s320/IMG_6281.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615205993501313010" /></a><br />Aaannnd these are the children's faces as they are watching me leave on the motorcycle. Utter confusion. If that doesn't say it all I don't know what does. <br /><br />So, Derran takes me to the salon with a little stop off at 7-11 for a coke...which he held in his hand WHILE driving the motorcycle. This adds to the safety concerns already in place. I am just thinking while we're going: don't fall off, try not to lose a flip-flop, Dear Lord please don't let my skirt fly up, ease up your grip on Derran's shoulder, don't fall off, I really hope no one hits us, why didn't I think to wear a helmet?, don't fall off. Derran is a great driver by the way! We made it to the salon in one piece and I got my hair washed with a great head massage, dried and styled for oh...around $3 including tip!! So great! However, before you think I am that vain and care this much about my hair I will tell you that the rest of the trip I did my hair myself and just went with my Tina Turner do for two weeks thanks to no hair-dryer or flat-iron. I must say that it was kind of refreshing not to fix my hair everyday, maybe not so refreshing to look at but it was great with me! <br /><br />2. Best Friends Forever<br />Safety Precautions: helmets...good job boys!<br />Safety status: Who cares because this is an AWESOME story!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSF_Kbr20LQjQzDR90-XV9TI29-FuEU99mknJ3I7DveGRktUIo1LW2NmUYLUJw8hEnJj1RDAO-xJpXJ_z4TqrHl4ZCYecUEdUgT6NGha6U3KWXybAsxhi-X1LH94C3alkMbenpgmvtqiI/s1600/IMG_6395.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSF_Kbr20LQjQzDR90-XV9TI29-FuEU99mknJ3I7DveGRktUIo1LW2NmUYLUJw8hEnJj1RDAO-xJpXJ_z4TqrHl4ZCYecUEdUgT6NGha6U3KWXybAsxhi-X1LH94C3alkMbenpgmvtqiI/s320/IMG_6395.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615205995697063858" /></a><br />This is how Rick and Derran cruised around town on most days. They would take the motorcycle to the office, to run errands, to rescue Ann's misplaced and stolen iphone! Ok, this story is great. This is the third day we are in Phayao and Ann misplaces her iphone that she has only had for two months. By the time she remembers it is too late. We searched for it close to their house but did not find it so thanks to Find My iphone App we pull up the GPS on their computer. We see her phone icon and it's MOVING!! Someone has it and it has now become a stolen iphone! Rick and Derran jump on the Hog and take off to go track down the perp. Ann and I stay at home with the girls and keep our eyes glued to the computer. For you 24 fans out there it was totally like 24. :) Ann and I felt like Chloe back at CTU watching the satellite feed and giving the boys instruction while Derran and Rick aka Jack Bauer and friends were driving like bats all around town trying to find the target. Anyway, so the perp and Ann's stolen iphone show up on the GPS at 7-11, BAM! Derran and Rick are there and start questioning bystanders, searching the bathroom, searching trash cans. No one's giving any info but they know it's there! Well, so the GPS shows that it hasn't moved from 7-11 for 40 minutes or so which made us all think someone is either standing there with it in their pocket or it's stashed on a shelf somewhere. Come to find out if the phone is moving too much or too fast or something the GPS wouldn't update until the phone stopped moving enough so it made it look like it was at 7-11 the whole time but in fact it wasn't. Very confusing but we learned quickly what was going on, don't you worry!<br /><br />All of a sudden, finally Ann and I see that the satellite updated and the phone is on the move again and it is now in another part of town! So Derran and Rick jump on the motorcycle again and chase it down to a business school and of course no one there seems to know anything about a missing phone which is weird because as they are talking to people at the business school three guys take off on motorcycles and all go in different directions. Very suspicious! The phone then shows up in a neighborhood somewhere but the boys can't track it. So, they come home and we're all feeling a little deflated but still watching the computer screen for any satellite updates and hoping that maybe, just maybe this isn't over. We're sitting around talking for awhile when wouldn't you know the satellite refreshes and the perp with the phone is on the move AGAIN! This time it was headed into the market area in Phayao which could only mean that they were headed for the cell phone store in the market to sell it. Aaaah! Here we go again, we're shouting for the boys to Go!Go!Go! and they hop back on the motorcycle and drive like crazy down to the market and cell phone store. Will they get there in time to stop the perp from selling it?? <br /><br />No! They don't but don't despair my friends, this isn't over. Not with Derran's mad interrogating-Thai-speaking skills. First, Rick tries to scope out the scene so he walks into the cell phone store first trying to act like a clueless American and asks, "Iphone 4?" to which the lady replies that they have a second-hand iphone 4. So now Derran walks in and asks the same question and the lady tells him no, they don't have one. Oh, tell me lies tell me sweet little lies! Meanwhile the owner of the store is basically hiding in the back trying to buy his time so he doesn't have to talk to Derran but finally decides to come out after sweet-little-lying girl can't keep up their lies about the fact that they've said they did not just buy an iphone 4 when it fact the GPS shows it's in their store. Anyway, long story short, after police and jail time are thrown into the conversation, xeroxed pictures of the perp's drivers license are suspiciously passed across the counter to Derran from the store owner and he's told multiple times to just "Go find her" to get his phone back Derran doesn't cave. He stands his ground and doesn't buy into the lies meanwhile doing all of this in Thai. The owner finally admits to having bought the phone for several hundred dollars from a girl claiming her aunt gave it to her and that he has the phone. After much more conversation Derran gets the phone back which has already been wiped, puts it in his pocket and walks out the door without having to pay a thing to get it back. <br /><br />This whole drama story began around 1:30 pm and Rick and Derran didn't get home until 7:30pm but they had the phone in hand! Unbelievable. All day this went on, motorcycle chase around town, interrogating multiple people, the lies, the deceit, police and jail threats. I'm telling you it was one crazy day. We thought they would be exhausted when they got home and they were to an extent but Rick's face and response when they walked in the door was hilarious. With wide eyes and a huge smile he says, "This is what I'm talking about! This kind of stuff never happens in the States!" Hilarious. Then we all re-hashed the story and got all the juicy details from what really went down at the cell phone store. It was awesome and will not be forgotten! Thanks for losing your phone Ann, it made for some great memories! :)<br /><br />3. Get in where you fit in<br />Safety Precautions: seatbelts...sort of<br />Safety Status: safe...sort of considering the circumstances <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3f4N8Ym7SS2H7b2UjdMfZ773w8kTZqEt7qER3cikzjmDeQEAsEFlgUMXh6U7tSTVzjgY5uKw9xT6uSQKBrkLBCtigII6uqD2gR6fjHqjixCK7RfW3QsN7X-_wR3koCUN2oJyKwOfFQ1i/s1600/IMG_6500.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3f4N8Ym7SS2H7b2UjdMfZ773w8kTZqEt7qER3cikzjmDeQEAsEFlgUMXh6U7tSTVzjgY5uKw9xT6uSQKBrkLBCtigII6uqD2gR6fjHqjixCK7RfW3QsN7X-_wR3koCUN2oJyKwOfFQ1i/s320/IMG_6500.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615578507985900850" /></a><br />So this is pretty much the set up for getting places when we were in Thailand except with the four girls in the back just squeeze Ann and I back there too and we're golden. Ann and Derran have a four door truck so most of the time it was 6 people in the back sharing seatbelts and kids on laps and the other two people in the front seat. I mean, just look at this picture and how seatbelts are all funky behind the seats so as not to strangle the little ones and are pulled as far as they can go to strap across two people in the middle. Who needs a carseat? This works great!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNRFZYVhefMr7VX2fhl4d4iCGt1TsDXwDqi6q1x2Z-Bb3JaY5X4UBvmnUR_QK5YD_8i21ThreBScNMWFXl5LD4i-z1ipa4WkGUu8OGf3Vu1InMy6Lm0BMKnNXKVizmZTa-mLmeIHx2Mmk/s1600/IMG_6404.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNRFZYVhefMr7VX2fhl4d4iCGt1TsDXwDqi6q1x2Z-Bb3JaY5X4UBvmnUR_QK5YD_8i21ThreBScNMWFXl5LD4i-z1ipa4WkGUu8OGf3Vu1InMy6Lm0BMKnNXKVizmZTa-mLmeIHx2Mmk/s320/IMG_6404.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615206006453656514" /></a><br />At least they all have a Coke Slurpee from 7-11 to make them happy. That always helps when you're squished, hot and sticky in a car full of people right? Rrrriiiight.<br /><br />4. Night Time Vespa Ride<br />Safety Precautions: helmets<br />Safety Status: double not safe<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSys7rAWVH0VdIkGnyKJ5yiHZi8TvEpzjf-29WTR_Bd28OwkyuGAM5CsIDZ3kFzg9rAJ1_IXgq0j5SQqMbRqfYq6ldO3wJdlbytKKLvkPAdhMd3Fyu8_eRzf_jjkJj3Rz28mRAWi8y5Yb/s1600/IMG_6497.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSSys7rAWVH0VdIkGnyKJ5yiHZi8TvEpzjf-29WTR_Bd28OwkyuGAM5CsIDZ3kFzg9rAJ1_IXgq0j5SQqMbRqfYq6ldO3wJdlbytKKLvkPAdhMd3Fyu8_eRzf_jjkJj3Rz28mRAWi8y5Yb/s320/IMG_6497.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615578514705129074" /></a><br />Just when you thought it couldn't get any weirder right? Don't be fooled, this is Thailand, you never know what you might see or ride in. One of Ann and Derran's team mates, Chris and Tonya Fikes have a Vespa with a side-car, which is hilarious and fantastic. Well, I was dying to take a ride in it so Chris drove us home one night so we could take a spin in it. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DsuY3pIJiwO9cZtFU2e64UCp27FzPAw45phuiKWb72-7BnKCigc0gFoVfj3T8PxLTwjlb_4AUuXhePDBX0szXWMjKC2pjhRXzNTtxtY4fKGMRd5YT9Tmr8tI7Rz7hxPMq08GicpqU7aL/s1600/IMG_6499.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DsuY3pIJiwO9cZtFU2e64UCp27FzPAw45phuiKWb72-7BnKCigc0gFoVfj3T8PxLTwjlb_4AUuXhePDBX0szXWMjKC2pjhRXzNTtxtY4fKGMRd5YT9Tmr8tI7Rz7hxPMq08GicpqU7aL/s320/IMG_6499.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615578513706135234" /></a><br />As if Rick and I squished in there together isn't bad enough, let's add Eva to the mix shall we? Just when you thought things weren't so safe to begin with why don't we up the anty by carrying a small child on our lap. I mean hello, what were we thinking? My ridiculous leg is hanging out because it can't even fit in the side car but let's take Eva with us, this will be fun! Good night in the morning! The first two minutes of the ride I thought, yeah, this is fun and then soon after that I was just thinking, this is just plain irresponsible! Ella was riding with Ann and Derran in the truck and the three of us were riding in the side car at night on the main road/highway that runs through town to get back to Ann and Derran's house. Eva was having a blast laughing and flapping her arms like a bird and I was just praying that we wouldn't fall out and that no one would hit us. People were passing us and laughing which is interesting to me considering the things Thai people do and put on their motorcycles. It is very common to see a family of 4 or 5 people on one small motorcycle. The dad may be driving with a toddler in his lap while the mom is holding a small infant and another toddler...none of them will be wearing helmets. Not kidding. You will see dogs on the motorcycle or maybe a woman leaving the market with bags of vegetables hanging from the handle bars and crates piled high behind her with food. It is beyond belief! So the fact that they were laughing at us is funny to me, I mean, I know we look ridiculous but still. It was another fun memory!<br /><br />5. Two's company Three's a crowd<br />Safety Precautions: helmets<br />Safety Status: safe?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZQxrobeFB_CwwCTstDvCCyOYJ80D4b2US7KzZtEM5xgVS-MUMRaE9c3SL39xxmkay1XNiu8IDf5IAIASMRB_8PdWIZtMK3SrxEGSPRZGUC_IOUWkGTJ8Xx6XRHW9rpCM-JZ-AOvp0N3I/s1600/IMG_6427.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZQxrobeFB_CwwCTstDvCCyOYJ80D4b2US7KzZtEM5xgVS-MUMRaE9c3SL39xxmkay1XNiu8IDf5IAIASMRB_8PdWIZtMK3SrxEGSPRZGUC_IOUWkGTJ8Xx6XRHW9rpCM-JZ-AOvp0N3I/s320/IMG_6427.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615206018364683522" /></a><br />Three is definitely not a crowd if the third person is sweet little Meg Reese with her cute ladybug motorcycle helmet! Is she not the most precious thing? And probably the bravest one out of all of us. She loves to ride the motorcyle with her Daddy! <br /><br />6. Who needs a carseat anyway?<br />Safety precautions: must stay seated at all times<br />Safety status: I'm thinking not so safe<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZtCQ8776zAQXbv3RbShY6kUUGsmD7Z_-FPjNhn9slXPnPxzG-JvS6STo1zMOD2GCI_lT6VQCnf3jxy15968A6xY-OHReJt9v1bg7Xg8Ay3TGlh913xz7pXoAUYsRbZpHwp3qhLNIDRHh/s1600/IMG_6646.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZtCQ8776zAQXbv3RbShY6kUUGsmD7Z_-FPjNhn9slXPnPxzG-JvS6STo1zMOD2GCI_lT6VQCnf3jxy15968A6xY-OHReJt9v1bg7Xg8Ay3TGlh913xz7pXoAUYsRbZpHwp3qhLNIDRHh/s320/IMG_6646.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615589118874072962" /></a><br />At the end of our trip we spent 2 days in Chiang Mai which is about 2 1/2 hours away from Phayao. One of our dear friends that lives there, Robert Reagan graciously let us stay at their house and borrow his car to cruise around town. It is a pick up that has a covered back with bench seating. Fabulous! The girls loved riding around town in it. We did make Ella and Meg sit in the front in the carseats for some of the time but they got to ride around with the big girls in the back too. Umm, so probably not very safe considering it's basically letting your small children ride around in the bed of a pick up truck all day while you cruise around town, go out on the highway and drive up a mountain for 45 minutes but hey it's a different country so there are different rules. :) <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmyKy2PcGXltSFlrFRnQu44ZMki5YhmMGjGfSMjMKld2SzRRSyNiQEtfg_UecByCOECqgfvCogY59D8TLrsT4rlC3fDR25Wn5KHhIJhpWaqD9Y3wj5bvKex4S3-bnGFYUqxOOCacvFWbo/s1600/IMG_6773.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmyKy2PcGXltSFlrFRnQu44ZMki5YhmMGjGfSMjMKld2SzRRSyNiQEtfg_UecByCOECqgfvCogY59D8TLrsT4rlC3fDR25Wn5KHhIJhpWaqD9Y3wj5bvKex4S3-bnGFYUqxOOCacvFWbo/s320/IMG_6773.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615589136391009890" /></a><br />We all loved it and it was a nice break from being squished on top of each other in Ann and Derran's truck. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlM8dFRZXQjP9xe_F3BuW7NYs2gK67VmVcCKtXdLV6Kdp6FC-Pdwr2RTkYzQPYWnmH4cvTWr4gCu7s8mfmVAhphNTiy_Z79frQg4bChXdu2VOXQizon906U5-0BLXpfjfxrqnDRJQQ7Hh0/s1600/IMG_6649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlM8dFRZXQjP9xe_F3BuW7NYs2gK67VmVcCKtXdLV6Kdp6FC-Pdwr2RTkYzQPYWnmH4cvTWr4gCu7s8mfmVAhphNTiy_Z79frQg4bChXdu2VOXQizon906U5-0BLXpfjfxrqnDRJQQ7Hh0/s320/IMG_6649.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615589129528246802" /></a><br /><br />7. If you like Pina Colada's and getting caught in the rain<br />Safety precautions: none<br />Safety Status: not safe<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsGuifI3Mw6Q7AFJGK_LcNoATjRRXeldiGFibEPVT3rNCvNg3gCBz4sl7tsscGx3O4RmTS969IFg7sMA6gCNAt0VuwOSbdUHXenM7yBilbd_v-aJs7eENPbPcQEZauSxmUbm57AhZGX9l/s1600/IMG_6607.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsGuifI3Mw6Q7AFJGK_LcNoATjRRXeldiGFibEPVT3rNCvNg3gCBz4sl7tsscGx3O4RmTS969IFg7sMA6gCNAt0VuwOSbdUHXenM7yBilbd_v-aJs7eENPbPcQEZauSxmUbm57AhZGX9l/s320/IMG_6607.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615578524804834418" /></a><br />Well, there were definitely no pina coladas but there was rain on these two poor boys stuck in the back of the truck. On our way to Chiang Mai from Phayao we only had one car for all of us plus all of our luggage. We were flying out of Chiang Mai to go back home so it was tricky figuring out how to fit all of us in Derran and Ann's truck and all the luggage. Well, Derran and Rick drew the short straws so they sat back in the back with all the luggage for the 2 1/2-3 hour drive on a small, very curvy highway through the mountains from Phayao to Chiang Mai. Lots of bonding time! And lots of prayers on my part for their safety. It rained for a lot of the time but they were good sports. They look happy right? I mean, what were our options? Eva was already on my lap in the front seat, Brynn was in the back between Meg and Ella in carseats for once so there really wasn't anything else we could do. All I can say is it's just making memories! <br /><br />8. Take me on a Tuk-Tuk Ride<br />Safety precautions: none except holding on tight<br />Safety status: I don't know, depends on how you feel about riding around in a car that only has 3 wheels, no doors and has motorcycle handle bars for a steering wheel<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXAzFu3N6wWf4RKLyJXbRT4DHKt8mJzvcTf1W3J-41d5zMfivCjujExAXrPKNATF040YcuEfvgqI3rU7QIuji4tcGhDexVSL48ng_JtAflqtQxdTo1G6PRRXaHKGjuiSI-7aAGh77ALI2/s1600/IMG_6788.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOXAzFu3N6wWf4RKLyJXbRT4DHKt8mJzvcTf1W3J-41d5zMfivCjujExAXrPKNATF040YcuEfvgqI3rU7QIuji4tcGhDexVSL48ng_JtAflqtQxdTo1G6PRRXaHKGjuiSI-7aAGh77ALI2/s320/IMG_6788.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615589144367476530" /></a><br />If you are ever in Thailand or another Asian country you must take a ride in a Tuk-Tuk! No doors, no seatbelts, open air which is great when you're sitting in hot traffic at a standstill. I mean Tuk-Tuks would make Chinese fire drills SO much easier wouldn't they? You wouldn't have to mess with the whole door thing. Anyway, we took a ride around town in Chiang Mai just so the girls could experience it. It was so fun. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwxs-U3EllHFx0ej8Zt3cP08vR8rqqvk7RCkdBbyEZZMUz2bOFKt4wHJPe-cT-BCxm8j_hmzQPVzxwRC3ttfjGJXfrP3GEKuRCxzpr9mhE6tkGjgUNOxtdAbL4XFvZy6stETDQzxJwj8c/s1600/IMG_6787.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBwxs-U3EllHFx0ej8Zt3cP08vR8rqqvk7RCkdBbyEZZMUz2bOFKt4wHJPe-cT-BCxm8j_hmzQPVzxwRC3ttfjGJXfrP3GEKuRCxzpr9mhE6tkGjgUNOxtdAbL4XFvZy6stETDQzxJwj8c/s320/IMG_6787.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615589152284619650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A1z2d-cIxSzBQbx_2eILTU9_OR9iWGhIepYY2MMFcDIXVK_r9rwEen4v2gXEK07ntitUeIvF4jEIejcfy455BgsQ8UvmMk5LPizAJBk7wOlOV4F7kaUchCTZY6G2aiLhCtRqvBv1lxg9/s1600/IMG_6794.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1A1z2d-cIxSzBQbx_2eILTU9_OR9iWGhIepYY2MMFcDIXVK_r9rwEen4v2gXEK07ntitUeIvF4jEIejcfy455BgsQ8UvmMk5LPizAJBk7wOlOV4F7kaUchCTZY6G2aiLhCtRqvBv1lxg9/s320/IMG_6794.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615578533475251538" /></a><br />Such fun memories! Glad we are all safe and no one fell off a motorcycle or out of a car. Can't wait for more fun times with you Reese family!!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-9177157469737878252011-06-02T12:27:00.000-05:002011-06-02T12:27:24.664-05:00Adventures in Thailand: The JourneyWell, I've decided to do my posts about Thailand in parts because I want to document our trip there. I'm starting from the very beginning, beginning with our long plane ride all the way to Phayao. I feel like that is just as much part of the memory as well so here we go. If you could care less about this than feel free to exit out now but since my brain and abilities can't handle scrapbooking and I rarely print pictures this is how I want to document our fun times. :) <br /><br />Rick and I have been saving our air miles for oh...the past eight years! I'm not kidding. So, all four of our tickets were bought with air miles so all we had to pay for were the processing fees! Unbelievable, we were so excited that after eight years of saving it actually worked to redeem them because there was a small fear that it might not work. So great! Alright, so we left for DFW airport on May 6th, veeerrrry early in the morning. We somehow made it from remote parking onto the shuttle to our terminal with just Rick and I, the girls and all seven of our bags. Ridiculous. Now, Rick and I both admit neither one of us are known to be light packers but don't think that all of these bags were just for us. We only had two bags for our family and the other 5 and every little space, pocket and crevice was jammed packed with goodies for The Reese's and their team. I'm telling you we had everything from Ranch dressing, Dr. Peppers and Cheetos to cooking utensils, ipod speakers, homeschool curriculum and a carseat base. You name it we had it tucked into a suitcase somewhere. We were packed to the gills and just hoping the nice people at the American Airlines counter were in a good mood early in the morning to let a couple of L-beez slide on the scale. Each bag by the way weighed around 50 pounds and a few were a little over the weight limit. So that's what? Around 350 pounds we were taking? Yeah, so our luggage pretty much took up most of the shuttle getting us to the terminal but there were some nice people on the shuttle who helped us with our luggage. Really I think they just felt sorry for us struggling with two small children, carry-ons and 7 huge pieces of luggage at 5 am. They jokingly at one point offered to pray for us. Really? Did we look that wheels off? <br /><br />Anyway, we got checked in and they even let us go to the front of the line to go through security which was awesome because the line was a mile long! We had plenty of time to get to our gate, eat some breakfast and just let the girls play. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8biziQGSfGw_cKJd_bpa8NqzSBRIqolp10AF76W5OQZ_dxYAt7GkVifSO1DIphvNkWMy-uOI825O0BkJZPYAaXFmo2kNtFEjhdj4H84Z65FEosZcRrdrla3vTkN78xkXz1Wnej1F8BUj/s1600/IMG_6224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ8biziQGSfGw_cKJd_bpa8NqzSBRIqolp10AF76W5OQZ_dxYAt7GkVifSO1DIphvNkWMy-uOI825O0BkJZPYAaXFmo2kNtFEjhdj4H84Z65FEosZcRrdrla3vTkN78xkXz1Wnej1F8BUj/s320/IMG_6224.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613002012534941138" /></a><br />Waiting at our gate at DFW to head to San Francisco<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-acBYysURLezFC3bz5R3EFnYi-GfbpLkfvpyXI9lrlf8E0nh0ZYwMOgm73I8cIV-ElFj0lVBWRiBpeQYpYC6mCGcb6d3Izvy6kd-cYtgACknyvPR4lRJMDK9l7TfKSDCazuw4zsz6Ll6/s1600/IMG_6229.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-acBYysURLezFC3bz5R3EFnYi-GfbpLkfvpyXI9lrlf8E0nh0ZYwMOgm73I8cIV-ElFj0lVBWRiBpeQYpYC6mCGcb6d3Izvy6kd-cYtgACknyvPR4lRJMDK9l7TfKSDCazuw4zsz6Ll6/s320/IMG_6229.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613348982593712562" /></a><br />Watching for our plane<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOdnPNpBfZOkxXh6wfcUgBGAImoa9Qi9dH2q1OAqtLQADozp9w7NoLzWNCPGVPXrSf0Ky7L2og268B-RvqTU2mSARLeHRk-twcnn9SGM0PJNneJ17ngmjou7kgrucEK5LMoz83ADwfZxN/s1600/IMG_6223.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOdnPNpBfZOkxXh6wfcUgBGAImoa9Qi9dH2q1OAqtLQADozp9w7NoLzWNCPGVPXrSf0Ky7L2og268B-RvqTU2mSARLeHRk-twcnn9SGM0PJNneJ17ngmjou7kgrucEK5LMoz83ADwfZxN/s320/IMG_6223.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613348980121475122" /></a><br />Awww, sweet Rick entertaining the troops. Mom is not so fun early in the morning so Rick gets to be the one fun one. For the record, I am not a morning person. I really want to be and I thought that once I became an adult I would automatically like coffee and getting up early but that has yet to happen. I am better though than I used to be and I can say that I don't have quite the foul attitude I used to have when having to get up early but I am still sllooow to wake up. <br /><br />So, we had a 3 1/2 hour flight to San Francisco then a 3 hour lay over there. Enough time to once again eat and play. And, Rick got us some fabulous neck pillows that saved our life on our 14 hour flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. He looked like a pack mule walking around the airport with his backpack, carrying Eva's backpack and the two neck pillows clipped to his pants. Hysterical, he has no shame. Why didn't I get a picture?? Oh, yeah, probably because I was still trying to wake up.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6QWJgJ91F_bDLUAAiKqSijqn3o8r7fG6P82ok4RYjAikWI5Y-NnY9eSYbd0hVjWModA0Sr3o-jLMnPertSACXXW4vL4y16Mz4MgKLSXtnxukoRiamvDKop1K4jeLI6JMD-mbbWLguo8/s1600/IMG_6239.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQO6QWJgJ91F_bDLUAAiKqSijqn3o8r7fG6P82ok4RYjAikWI5Y-NnY9eSYbd0hVjWModA0Sr3o-jLMnPertSACXXW4vL4y16Mz4MgKLSXtnxukoRiamvDKop1K4jeLI6JMD-mbbWLguo8/s320/IMG_6239.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613356409814878290" /></a><br />I mean, look at my eyes...hello, am I sleep walking? Tired eyes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRmP0mKv-S14_UeVuBhmVGbaKDkX9wWLizsnTmzSDlpziUcTxLyr3D6g_8TmPs-WOz1ZH0mLVfJP6Ly73GtQLH3m7pRF8K6C2WbQu7_Nc3FqrOf4BTgPSQ3N3xsEVtJZn_nPU3nqBTj8o/s1600/IMG_6240.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilRmP0mKv-S14_UeVuBhmVGbaKDkX9wWLizsnTmzSDlpziUcTxLyr3D6g_8TmPs-WOz1ZH0mLVfJP6Ly73GtQLH3m7pRF8K6C2WbQu7_Nc3FqrOf4BTgPSQ3N3xsEVtJZn_nPU3nqBTj8o/s320/IMG_6240.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613002020562063810" /></a><br />Eva and Ella waiting to board our HUGE Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong. I'm telling you this plane was enormous, one of those ones with an upstairs!<br /><br />Yeah, in case you glossed over that gem of info back there, 14 HOURS! Wow, it was long folks. BUT, I have to say that the girls did exceptionally well! Eva and Ella are very laid back and flexible anyway but this is just the ultimate test and they did great! I cannot complain at all. They watched movies, colored, took several trips back and forth to the bathroom to play in the sink and Ella played with her seatbelt for a good 45 minutes so that helped. :) Plus, our sweet, thoughtful and amazing friend Suzanne packed the girls a super fun bag FULL of crafts, stickers, books, magnetic stuff, finger puppets, etc. She tried to think of 28 things for our 28 hour flight! Is that the best or what?? The girls loved their goodies and it helped to pass the time, thank you Suzanne!! And really, they also slept alot. I slept alot. I didn't watch one movie or read one book. I don't know, it's like when I get on an airplane I suddenly feel very tired. I don't know if they were blowing something through the air vents into the cabin to make me sleepy but all I wanted to do was sleep. Good thing I had my incredible neck pillow eh? Thanks babe!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua-SjD_KC7uIfrawaRrxtXQ8EVTzGC0xZuc0EtSRI1KSeLqn8IxN4Hstmh1IiNiSbUDiuTnEUXEexFMv5Ldt2ZVppJDonNYbuD-5DZ0ScOGayH9QEg2c4HiIKik5Ln8wDlLa5Dtv4E2zx/s1600/IMG_6243.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua-SjD_KC7uIfrawaRrxtXQ8EVTzGC0xZuc0EtSRI1KSeLqn8IxN4Hstmh1IiNiSbUDiuTnEUXEexFMv5Ldt2ZVppJDonNYbuD-5DZ0ScOGayH9QEg2c4HiIKik5Ln8wDlLa5Dtv4E2zx/s320/IMG_6243.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613002027366755282" /></a><br />Here we are on our own row at the VERY back of the plane ready for a fun 14 hour journey! <br /><br />Finally, we arrived in Hong Kong and had annnoother 3 hour lay over there. I did not get any pictures there for some reason. Oh yeah, I was pretty much asleep for most of that time. Ok, I know it sounds like I'm sleeping alot and you're probably wondering if poor Rick was left alone to watch the girls. It does sound like that! Ha! I WAS very helpful and was taking care of my children but I also was able to sleep. Anyway, so quick random and funny Hong Kong airport story for you besides the one where as soon as we deplaned in Hong Kong a security agent wearing a mask pointed her thermometer gun at Ella's head to take her temperature before letting us to our gate. Besides that, here's the other funny story and again, I wish I would've taken a picture of our "friends" we made but I was not functional. Ok, so picture this. I am layed out on a bench, I mean LAYED out, with my trusty neck pillow, Eva's blanket, shoes off asleep. ASLEEP. Next thing I know Rick is waking me up with this weird smile on his face and is saying, "We're going to take a picture." I could not figure out what he was saying or doing but he was helping me sit up and telling me we were going to take a picture. What in the world? I'm doing the whole one-eye-open-half-asleep thing still and out of my open eye I see two little chinese ladies, one is holding Ella and the other is ready with her camera and is nodding and smiling at me. I was soooo confused! Rick is still looking at me with his weird smile that says "I have no idea what's going on" while I am literally rubbing my eyes and trying to smooth my hair for a picture with our "friends." Oh man, hilarious! These two sweet ladies did not speak English and of course we do not speak Chinese but apparently they both had daughters around Eva and Ella's ages and they wanted a picture of us to show their families. They wanted to video tape the girls speaking in English but after being held, pinched and having their tummies rubbed(not kidding) by two strangers speaking a different language I think a video was just too much to ask. So, somewhere floating around Hong Kong are pictures of the Carder family with me doing my one-eye-open-half-asleep bit and two nice little Chinese ladies. Love it! Sorry I don't have a picture to show you, I'm kicking myself, the whole scenario was hilarious. <br /><br />From there we got on our flight from Hong Kong to Bangkok which was I think maybe an hour and half to two hours. We arrived in Bangkok at around 10:30 pm or so I think, went through immigration, got all our bags and went to find our shuttle to the hotel. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNidwsQaN3TW9RMNNw6nrk1vc_sx4d_v3iE3LcVG7h8aLpe2GpBNdw9tiaTpnHy-4wOmQ3jPkE-NnWfkIjpBK7UzUnTrBPXgCxICAf13AWcA7R3isI4OoQXrLDH00ZqMhyphenhyphenDq9HtXO5xWT/s1600/IMG_6247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisNidwsQaN3TW9RMNNw6nrk1vc_sx4d_v3iE3LcVG7h8aLpe2GpBNdw9tiaTpnHy-4wOmQ3jPkE-NnWfkIjpBK7UzUnTrBPXgCxICAf13AWcA7R3isI4OoQXrLDH00ZqMhyphenhyphenDq9HtXO5xWT/s320/IMG_6247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613002034605292930" /></a><br />Happy to be off the plane and finally be in Thailand!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xAeZ5cPAejAd2gx2LmraIRHCly1_wZ48q2O7O_tsIH1g_Sm_-EVKiHvOdsFrCfADLxkLEmz8HGqjBKeAI9c_nPKJ9YOMFQTn6F53VNbEjWlfjZUiceAyeQa5tVfP08EvmSWLFfUKuWgL/s1600/IMG_6245.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xAeZ5cPAejAd2gx2LmraIRHCly1_wZ48q2O7O_tsIH1g_Sm_-EVKiHvOdsFrCfADLxkLEmz8HGqjBKeAI9c_nPKJ9YOMFQTn6F53VNbEjWlfjZUiceAyeQa5tVfP08EvmSWLFfUKuWgL/s320/IMG_6245.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613002029091561858" /></a><br />Heading to go find our other 7 bags<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF7Fg-un-rpv0RXRrzqDK6Tm9DYn6ghzMzUgH8Aeqn5h-rHwihFOEpK_WnDIu63l10TrcQW7CAXIbKjHdHdEVrQWYbtuln4jBg_vz1KV-XIs5a0TKVaScbgSdJAaPjF5sUfsryYPXSvOq/s1600/IMG_6246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBF7Fg-un-rpv0RXRrzqDK6Tm9DYn6ghzMzUgH8Aeqn5h-rHwihFOEpK_WnDIu63l10TrcQW7CAXIbKjHdHdEVrQWYbtuln4jBg_vz1KV-XIs5a0TKVaScbgSdJAaPjF5sUfsryYPXSvOq/s320/IMG_6246.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613668186720817746" /></a><br /><br />We stayed at The Grand Convenience Hotel in Bangkok, don't you love that name? I think it's so funny especially because it's not like it's super convenient to the airport. It was a 20 minute shuttle ride away. Love it! But, I will say that other than that it was great, the hotel was nice and the shuttle service was on time and it was a great place to just spend the night if you're needing to get up the next morning to catch a flight. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZBRMUwx0J2rgNOX3cChrtk-6zHRbAIeXUiIXzH9pYf0vSMbNmgAOJyIi_ZPd-F74SjnVGxUldFzt34wUuSrwTiTZlgz_2mzRxwSdVPJTOOTITxXE2p1Yqrt2eWq-YbyHEh4UXhIF-J3G/s1600/IMG_6248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZBRMUwx0J2rgNOX3cChrtk-6zHRbAIeXUiIXzH9pYf0vSMbNmgAOJyIi_ZPd-F74SjnVGxUldFzt34wUuSrwTiTZlgz_2mzRxwSdVPJTOOTITxXE2p1Yqrt2eWq-YbyHEh4UXhIF-J3G/s320/IMG_6248.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613005553004856482" /></a><br />All of our bags at The Grand Convenience...after they smashed them in the elevator a few times trying to get them all in. Only a few things broke on the suitcases but hey, at least they got them all to our room in one trip right? Good grief.<br /><br />We all slept great and got up the next morning, headed back to the airport and got on our flight to Chiang Rai where Ann and Derran would pick us up. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIRL9eEAqNbi40r_wrgbzH-BovhKaXU_mDEM3sNQl-UADOdxO3w7YL7KNEklt7VdfXz8sh5fwNAOjnmHuEu3ZEVgDjwuUltduvaYg0p4z3iKwbsvchdUDKkr08Z8hvD3bJT9CAKcMBLut/s1600/IMG_6249.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIRL9eEAqNbi40r_wrgbzH-BovhKaXU_mDEM3sNQl-UADOdxO3w7YL7KNEklt7VdfXz8sh5fwNAOjnmHuEu3ZEVgDjwuUltduvaYg0p4z3iKwbsvchdUDKkr08Z8hvD3bJT9CAKcMBLut/s320/IMG_6249.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613005555141228834" /></a><br />Mother's Day picture with my girls in the Bangkok airport waiting to board our last flight<br /><br />We made it to Chiang Rai and after days of traveling finally got to see our sweet Brynn and Meg!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pKFhU9nFIkoKvhtvssiThL7ySb4-ZSiUpf8V6PnVxhyzdOtOPQIkL-TZmuABr9m7Tv-Fk38qWdLziLdpTkserAAuq-DWdAQW8ekeoC93ntQio4AV0SULQSd7xwuz4Z_Niq41-KIL_JNI/s1600/IMG_6252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4pKFhU9nFIkoKvhtvssiThL7ySb4-ZSiUpf8V6PnVxhyzdOtOPQIkL-TZmuABr9m7Tv-Fk38qWdLziLdpTkserAAuq-DWdAQW8ekeoC93ntQio4AV0SULQSd7xwuz4Z_Niq41-KIL_JNI/s320/IMG_6252.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613005564014897794" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFOJm8xXR7xLf1XeplTsi91N3uCnKDYpC-P75jLTA8_E_1odaxZV6xFHDMOPPUzr62zdgr72o7mji6BAWDWsfRshwj3_rHWEmFWewf3Eqb2fwT2g4TKu8bphQa1hf6HvdcGVdHWqQJxQr/s1600/IMG_6251.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFOJm8xXR7xLf1XeplTsi91N3uCnKDYpC-P75jLTA8_E_1odaxZV6xFHDMOPPUzr62zdgr72o7mji6BAWDWsfRshwj3_rHWEmFWewf3Eqb2fwT2g4TKu8bphQa1hf6HvdcGVdHWqQJxQr/s320/IMG_6251.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613005561744351826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw55rHNbrs8HEvf_Go_FIGqTX5XuinWAXgrNaOHl0QFd5504sYRt7cNFutbFMhVQg-mWmhI_Ctv8o6wQLHfa6-0nrebeo9Bkn-_ITe1zGQGj1Sa2meRTUf9OjQcuNzcWHFZS4cTvN5aA1m/s1600/IMG_6258.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw55rHNbrs8HEvf_Go_FIGqTX5XuinWAXgrNaOHl0QFd5504sYRt7cNFutbFMhVQg-mWmhI_Ctv8o6wQLHfa6-0nrebeo9Bkn-_ITe1zGQGj1Sa2meRTUf9OjQcuNzcWHFZS4cTvN5aA1m/s320/IMG_6258.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613008618371248930" /></a><br />The girls were so excited to see their cousins! They held hands all the way to the car. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwWRi_KaoEj_UXLOV1TXe0Krd7YLS5FfI-2DpIwJ88Ca6a6b11g7BaCIXEKIFsFYH_OyreGsDcCD3UfMfpT5cWVtu4f0wSeLIeO1TezRq7br8DwlRFKhLdTj7kY4GXs4-bwy3y2kwoVnP/s1600/IMG_6256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwWRi_KaoEj_UXLOV1TXe0Krd7YLS5FfI-2DpIwJ88Ca6a6b11g7BaCIXEKIFsFYH_OyreGsDcCD3UfMfpT5cWVtu4f0wSeLIeO1TezRq7br8DwlRFKhLdTj7kY4GXs4-bwy3y2kwoVnP/s320/IMG_6256.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613008607938697282" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyP006FHdbo55gOfoN5yy9kLb-DVlcQRq9X50JPSIAlUV85nJfpUgbznst3QCBTSc8UAN3JmSkyqws2sRIXDXiYQct_hhV3wQbuab4cPpJAe0m-kTDqttI5cLuHyWnxyFLlOQm3mNdpv5/s1600/IMG_6254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFyP006FHdbo55gOfoN5yy9kLb-DVlcQRq9X50JPSIAlUV85nJfpUgbznst3QCBTSc8UAN3JmSkyqws2sRIXDXiYQct_hhV3wQbuab4cPpJAe0m-kTDqttI5cLuHyWnxyFLlOQm3mNdpv5/s320/IMG_6254.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613005575333173010" /></a><br />Derran loading our bags into their truck and covering them with a tarp for the hour long trip to Phayao<br /><br />We stopped for lunch in Chiang Rai and then drove an hour to Phayao to Ann and Derran's house. It was so fun to FINALLY be in Phayao in person and see where they live. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYS6ClU-Si6n6qBIOm64s2EzO0YfFFCfMtDrqHPyv1mDSmPUtibmwY-4rYWubWHFBO9uUoFG93vsknLB-XbQyjK-25sX4TqrWfixo2_pAB0pIhu5UmOxX5G4LlpmRkmIsnTPGiEB3ksKdF/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYS6ClU-Si6n6qBIOm64s2EzO0YfFFCfMtDrqHPyv1mDSmPUtibmwY-4rYWubWHFBO9uUoFG93vsknLB-XbQyjK-25sX4TqrWfixo2_pAB0pIhu5UmOxX5G4LlpmRkmIsnTPGiEB3ksKdF/s320/IMG_6601.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613671901855964962" /></a><br />Ann and Derran's house<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1JZQn9WcblKg1WKiz9tyiYSYh2h-3EQ-DTBOJ_YnIw2dA6kIAyW2hb_8ldZSC6_m3bK98lUVHYa3WYglPMCuk8WATk_wf84olT5DiK0QYZAS1R2VVJ_bj5GV4cmgREKJYqLCwggxZ3r5/s1600/IMG_6265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1JZQn9WcblKg1WKiz9tyiYSYh2h-3EQ-DTBOJ_YnIw2dA6kIAyW2hb_8ldZSC6_m3bK98lUVHYa3WYglPMCuk8WATk_wf84olT5DiK0QYZAS1R2VVJ_bj5GV4cmgREKJYqLCwggxZ3r5/s320/IMG_6265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613008622330727954" /></a><br />Ann and I's Mother's Day flowers waiting at their house for us when we got there. Sooo sweet!! <br />That night we went to their house church at the Fikes house (one of their teammates) where they did a lesson for the kids, shared a meal together and then had a lesson for the adults. It was all in Thai and it was so neat to even see the kids singing and reading the Bible in Thai. They are doing such an amazing job!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoepaYcABXOhYKRNuLWWr8E7OkbQ-TPcaHonDW890aug9fa7ETJiZZ4G-4Zt7jOwRIofCIeJCktyFgD2IZCWMA2dKCXvsnL3qW_pb59rVD3RPA9-YKvvRdbgHbb9bVP1AElDq9JCuWGk_e/s1600/IMG_6260.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoepaYcABXOhYKRNuLWWr8E7OkbQ-TPcaHonDW890aug9fa7ETJiZZ4G-4Zt7jOwRIofCIeJCktyFgD2IZCWMA2dKCXvsnL3qW_pb59rVD3RPA9-YKvvRdbgHbb9bVP1AElDq9JCuWGk_e/s320/IMG_6260.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613008631370195218" /></a><br /><br />This is just the beginning and I'm impressed if you made it to the end. I have lots more to share so get ready!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-48749225237974800202011-05-24T16:11:00.007-05:002011-05-24T17:42:41.031-05:00We're Back!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp3214OooptS4-GE1z7mxwuKXnQ3N24BwrWPfxxdoCpaEWYYLBW0S7ealeNJtD-3xNfHWCo2ONETmEmMcJkgHNmOf5lUIR0DEupNOCSK8n8gzAQKX3f1c6qOBR88HgFPf5d26LJAkSlfw/s1600/IMG_6785-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp3214OooptS4-GE1z7mxwuKXnQ3N24BwrWPfxxdoCpaEWYYLBW0S7ealeNJtD-3xNfHWCo2ONETmEmMcJkgHNmOf5lUIR0DEupNOCSK8n8gzAQKX3f1c6qOBR88HgFPf5d26LJAkSlfw/s320/IMG_6785-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610412275629556082" /></a><br />What a month it has been! So much has happened since my last post and there is much to blog about. I have a lot of catching up to do! Aaaah! Since my last post our life has been a tad crazy! The end of April Rick and I spent 5 days in Atlanta at a conference, came home and three days later put our house on the market on May 5th and the next morning, May 6th the Carder fam got up at 4:30 am to head to the airport to go to Thailand. So, there ya have it, that's my excuse for not blogging for over a month. Wowsers, I would say that this is just the way we roll but in fact this is not the way we like to roll. It has been crazy and we much prefer things to be a little more calm but it's all exciting and good things so it's ok. <br /><br />So, backing up, yes, our house is officially on the market so if you or anyone you know is looking for a great 3 bedroom/two bathroom house with a neighborhood pool and two parks nearby let me know! We love this house, the location and neighborhood but we are wanting to move closer to Rick's work so we'll see what happens. You can be praying about this for us! Anyway, our plan was to put the house on the market the day before we left for Thailand in hopes that while we were gone for two weeks it would be ready for people to look at. Great plan right? Sure, well wouldn't you know that for two weeks it was spotless and no one came and the day after we got back from Thailand when our suitcases were spilling out and covering our dining room, laundry was hanging up everywhere, STUFF was out everywhere, THIS was the time someone decided to come. Lovely. We didn't get the courtesy call in time so some sweet family came and looked at our messy house. Nothing says "Welcome to our Home" quite like wet clothes hanging in the entry hall and suitcases all over the floor. Oh well, that's how it goes sometimes. <br /><br />Anyway, we got home this past Friday, May 20th from Thailand and just had the most amazing time! Wow, what an incredible trip we had and it was such a special and blessed time being with Derran, Ann, Brynn and Meg. Everything went so smoothly, the girls did great on the flights, no one got sick and Eva and Ella didn't skip a beat being in a new culture where everything is different. Eva even readily wanted to use squatty potty's so I would say culture shock was not a problem! I can't wait to share about our adventures so get ready for several posts on Thailand. I took over 500 pictures so I'm just giving you a heads up that you're going to get an earful. :) We are still getting adjusted to the time change since it is 12 hours difference and I would say that we are almost 100% functional. I'm telling you, this jet-lag business is for the birds! Brrruutal! The first day back Eva and Ella were up at 3:30am...for the day. I don't think I even need to say that this is not cool but I will anyway. Not cool. The next day it was 5 am which is better. The next day was 6:30 and today Eva was up at 6 and Ella got up a little after 7 am so we are definitely moving in the right direction. Keep pushing it back girls, push it back! I will say though that I am so thankful we are struggling with jet-lag on this end instead of while we were in Thailand. We were only there for 11 days and one of my prayers was that we wouldn't waste time with sleep issues/jet-lag and that prayer was answered. The girls got up the first day we were there at 5 am but after that they did great. That seems like a small thing but I really wanted to be able to make the most of our time there and we did so I'm so thankful. <br /><br />There is much to share so when I get my act together I'll post more about our trip. I can already feel myself slipping into a little bit of a funk and we've been back less than a week. I miss my sister and neices SO much already. My heart hurts and longs for more time with them. I'm so grateful, blessed and thankful that we got to spend 11 days with them. I feel like now that I've experienced their life in Thailand first-hand I know better how to pray. We love you Ann, Derran, Brynn and Meg and miss you like crazy! We're so proud of you and your commitment to the people in Phayao. We can't wait to see you again and for our next trip to Thailand. Love you, love you!! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJBkyyz2IUmQC15muXieUmtoI6pKSvYJdA9O3uLQe_EaoivmNr8AcOa4IgeqZUmndBOdYCNE2hKCsMNWpDJNK0qIXQwV6jWQilBrkiryt-wnJKlulIDe5LURDdZzlj_kSqlm-afoub98W/s1600/IMG_6809.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJBkyyz2IUmQC15muXieUmtoI6pKSvYJdA9O3uLQe_EaoivmNr8AcOa4IgeqZUmndBOdYCNE2hKCsMNWpDJNK0qIXQwV6jWQilBrkiryt-wnJKlulIDe5LURDdZzlj_kSqlm-afoub98W/s320/IMG_6809.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610412281298668674" /></a><br />Stay tuned, more to come from our Thailand trip involving elephant rides, motorcycle chase, amazing food, and lots and lots of cousin time!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-51143616074928050772011-04-24T16:54:00.018-05:002011-04-24T22:24:09.840-05:00Easter, New Niece, Ella Before & After, and What's Next<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dIfUpofk3B0Nez6juNOXFWQ0H_VTqBpMHM3aOiPvHKTdrx0umbiwcXOB9AewjJn_RwAwhACvHyjIC0UqnIayqFet0wCxLm8XfG1VRzf8HIEd-pSHninRbYORWkg1wzkYctoDtZ6Qm2hf/s1600/IMG_6171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dIfUpofk3B0Nez6juNOXFWQ0H_VTqBpMHM3aOiPvHKTdrx0umbiwcXOB9AewjJn_RwAwhACvHyjIC0UqnIayqFet0wCxLm8XfG1VRzf8HIEd-pSHninRbYORWkg1wzkYctoDtZ6Qm2hf/s320/IMG_6171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599285795100513858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglW5Ba1P4zeGmg7lAF3K-XwxIBfn-T__XPAMFXssQAkp7iDBOzeMQRPxu_xAZNcnz1H_Dv3Alg4nGKaxrcXXcbXiw5ysNH4E9gxpV9SaO24LlpghQiC77Du6yEFVAZ4ensJuiBFaYpWWD/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglW5Ba1P4zeGmg7lAF3K-XwxIBfn-T__XPAMFXssQAkp7iDBOzeMQRPxu_xAZNcnz1H_Dv3Alg4nGKaxrcXXcbXiw5ysNH4E9gxpV9SaO24LlpghQiC77Du6yEFVAZ4ensJuiBFaYpWWD/s320/IMG_6149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599280682681683474" /></a><br />So much to catch up on in this post! This will be my highlights of April post as you can tell from my title there is lots to talk about. We'll start first with Easter since that was today!<br />So, Happy Easter Everyone! I trust it's been a wonderful day celebrating our risen Lord and the hope we have in Him! What an incredible reason we have to celebrate! Every day I am blown away by the love our God has for each of us that He would send His only son to earth, Jesus, who by his choice took our sins and died for us so that we would have eternal life with him! He is alive and he lives in us and gives us everlasting life!! What a gift, thank you Lord! We had a great Easter weekend spending time with family and friends. On Saturday we went to the annual Como Easter Egg Hunt and BBQ down in Como which is an inner city community here in Fort Worth. Some of our very dear friends have partnered with the community center there to put on the Egg Hunt and BBQ for the past couple of years and more importantly just to be there to love on people and let them know Jesus loves them. It is always a blessing to be a part of it, we look forward to going every year! Much to my disappointment though we did not get pictures with the Easter Bunny this year. :( I decided to resist the urge to traumatize my children by making them get their picture made with him since Ella was hiding behind me if he was anywhere around and Eva settled for giving him a friendly high-five and that folks, was our EB experience for 2011. It was a fun day!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg50e6FcAH6ddBiZbVj1nts_asBXuQDvcI9zTqVnw6Gpma1bxsPGzqOkCM9JXO3__DtJjPp0VTU2uI4KIaenTG5qDi3CMn65iz-s-e55n8iIse7g04TxTdQ74Xj3I2cPdzDP8ISBYPqeop/s1600/IMG_6110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg50e6FcAH6ddBiZbVj1nts_asBXuQDvcI9zTqVnw6Gpma1bxsPGzqOkCM9JXO3__DtJjPp0VTU2uI4KIaenTG5qDi3CMn65iz-s-e55n8iIse7g04TxTdQ74Xj3I2cPdzDP8ISBYPqeop/s320/IMG_6110.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599276464386307394" /></a><br />Lined up ready for the big Egg Hunt!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbNDDmaCY4Tc4uUh3pGllTFdjQb35HsSAgvZoA4xgWGQFAAF9QYeTi7eTE2LqtqC_3wEbpikyxiBWm6S2E4YRh-NW-Ufnvl1kIwGOm1Sx59LmJKWoiKmCZdq-eHtF6tgpW1aodp_L_L34/s1600/IMG_6115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsbNDDmaCY4Tc4uUh3pGllTFdjQb35HsSAgvZoA4xgWGQFAAF9QYeTi7eTE2LqtqC_3wEbpikyxiBWm6S2E4YRh-NW-Ufnvl1kIwGOm1Sx59LmJKWoiKmCZdq-eHtF6tgpW1aodp_L_L34/s320/IMG_6115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599280666807849906" /></a><br />Eva hunting eggs with her friend Ellie<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dmjFvvfJbzAMoA3OzWe0N4wQAtIzyXve8VhxXdbisPExHrsUtYSKw2b2E1iP05aHCpMu1puCIpCVpPi3z-Aac8r2wsbaSngL_656VRSiFbrzkKxLDHG2s1iu9jHFbHVaFnQkm5x61i-c/s1600/IMG_6122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dmjFvvfJbzAMoA3OzWe0N4wQAtIzyXve8VhxXdbisPExHrsUtYSKw2b2E1iP05aHCpMu1puCIpCVpPi3z-Aac8r2wsbaSngL_656VRSiFbrzkKxLDHG2s1iu9jHFbHVaFnQkm5x61i-c/s320/IMG_6122.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599280672325298098" /></a><br />Ella wanted to spend most of her time in the bounce house...wasn't so into hunting eggs. <br />On Sunday we had another little egg hunt for the girls at my parents house. So fun! <br />Are these two little girls not the sweetest things you've ever seen?? My mom made them these precious Easter dresses. I just love them!! Thank you Mimi, we love you!<br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjoIiz1j9o_HFNMqaDjnrJXsyD6fuQGRx6GCKq8bM7EuxIraWo9zD_U3MUYvKoSPjUFb2gSdVPH0NoVTiVvIg6fWDFFLOIlwEvqRT4-2RegU4s2RsXtceba1G2-8foETadHOBtLLOeeVc/s1600/IMG_6208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjoIiz1j9o_HFNMqaDjnrJXsyD6fuQGRx6GCKq8bM7EuxIraWo9zD_U3MUYvKoSPjUFb2gSdVPH0NoVTiVvIg6fWDFFLOIlwEvqRT4-2RegU4s2RsXtceba1G2-8foETadHOBtLLOeeVc/s320/IMG_6208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599285801313036242" /></a><br />Kisses from my girls!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlvJLYbHWoBK40cv5Zhptcc-hPOR7q8sNKuhHPWyezadShSUtONos_zQC7-ijXStI1VomrP29mkJvZeBToSK_AOWSak0_buUHSU0Dfn9w9dJesO8TQyBV8MmvDfi7KKHfRXbdnZVpbjzv/s1600/IMG_6185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlvJLYbHWoBK40cv5Zhptcc-hPOR7q8sNKuhHPWyezadShSUtONos_zQC7-ijXStI1VomrP29mkJvZeBToSK_AOWSak0_buUHSU0Dfn9w9dJesO8TQyBV8MmvDfi7KKHfRXbdnZVpbjzv/s320/IMG_6185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599285799014612834" /></a><br />Mimi and Pawpaw<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV05XBiDLplkniAdxb4Zc29BtzLC2P2JhC8d6Np_URDituk9w7WwflxBS2PRSnKHzxf7nIx1LtjANigKRseeEJ0uQDk6sdcKa18-jkXomZqMdfYrr8x-Si0qELJECAAqxtwI5FCDVpTvRn/s1600/IMG_6167.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV05XBiDLplkniAdxb4Zc29BtzLC2P2JhC8d6Np_URDituk9w7WwflxBS2PRSnKHzxf7nIx1LtjANigKRseeEJ0uQDk6sdcKa18-jkXomZqMdfYrr8x-Si0qELJECAAqxtwI5FCDVpTvRn/s320/IMG_6167.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599285791589754770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHUNJGbMkxh-LPSKh4a-kNAEKnAn9T-_MdtV5cFz_a47ZUTnktG7Ov3f5Ji5zsS3MqizC6E5ZpjXXqMj6CLUso8yQjcUIkSXL6snjmGfuKk3Pqh25TgDEsSonnG1uLQJVGNF4rjuDnizq/s1600/IMG_6162.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHUNJGbMkxh-LPSKh4a-kNAEKnAn9T-_MdtV5cFz_a47ZUTnktG7Ov3f5Ji5zsS3MqizC6E5ZpjXXqMj6CLUso8yQjcUIkSXL6snjmGfuKk3Pqh25TgDEsSonnG1uLQJVGNF4rjuDnizq/s320/IMG_6162.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599285784058568562" /></a><br />I just love this picture. They are so sweet together!<br /><br />Up next, my little sister and her husband Ryan had their baby girl Carisyn Esther on April 6. I am excited to be an aunt again and the girls are SUPER excited about their new baby cousin. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98XQuKTl4TP8Dpfi28hFpwDrXOZ1Jb5tIypTpTLnccHGGp95TMCXpluO6F4L_4NP1gSEYi8pett7Lc9_0a6wH79YmSErc1iJyaSW9LNghJzRDeLFCdVRYO5JbP-z7JTfxZUqoNBqMvGcE/s1600/IMG_5978.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98XQuKTl4TP8Dpfi28hFpwDrXOZ1Jb5tIypTpTLnccHGGp95TMCXpluO6F4L_4NP1gSEYi8pett7Lc9_0a6wH79YmSErc1iJyaSW9LNghJzRDeLFCdVRYO5JbP-z7JTfxZUqoNBqMvGcE/s320/IMG_5978.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599276453466212226" /></a><br />I mean is she not the most beautiful little baby?? We can't get over her cuteness and we just love her to pieces!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWTtOep3SZH-cNmxRmvzDcrth1K-e5Rq5nMrbcrCk2LXo1eqZCowLNgcghOxURgVMUqEnMUHrAAxZ8PZrx_61YyVFu0geRXhoUG01YDxH7G_y_yiy1RRsZxb9qJH0XaP0BU7s6BXmBiy1/s1600/IMG_5993.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWTtOep3SZH-cNmxRmvzDcrth1K-e5Rq5nMrbcrCk2LXo1eqZCowLNgcghOxURgVMUqEnMUHrAAxZ8PZrx_61YyVFu0geRXhoUG01YDxH7G_y_yiy1RRsZxb9qJH0XaP0BU7s6BXmBiy1/s320/IMG_5993.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599290439991932034" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXa0urfeJPIET1iByUZ51RQZL6-13huJJhdjtS0Ue0jMdER3z-l509Lu0pBfRZtxd8x3hdVRAqBqeG7HwuX0-rvPJ8pbyBCgmIHpu5QdxHKWomLdG5xUI9mg_Hev61sMGJYa_hhFlsTyW/s1600/IMG_5980.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXa0urfeJPIET1iByUZ51RQZL6-13huJJhdjtS0Ue0jMdER3z-l509Lu0pBfRZtxd8x3hdVRAqBqeG7HwuX0-rvPJ8pbyBCgmIHpu5QdxHKWomLdG5xUI9mg_Hev61sMGJYa_hhFlsTyW/s320/IMG_5980.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599276459861509506" /></a><br />The girls looooved seeing Carisyn, playing with her tiny hands and admiring her FULL head of gorgeous hair! Ella wanted to hold her constantly, so sweet!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1N5aI8tKPqPBOd5cxz8KnZOYD47uhYcPpMAYgRdO_93JYam-Z-qfTfFlB22zrlf7OCVLvTCGJAXNMCtawRURlNdNIylNuc6gO5TnitetWMTxEqNsoF2q4nyZzWL14VK3ALWvSVDL9kOv/s1600/IMG_5995.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1N5aI8tKPqPBOd5cxz8KnZOYD47uhYcPpMAYgRdO_93JYam-Z-qfTfFlB22zrlf7OCVLvTCGJAXNMCtawRURlNdNIylNuc6gO5TnitetWMTxEqNsoF2q4nyZzWL14VK3ALWvSVDL9kOv/s320/IMG_5995.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599276455321109810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOGZwgHDE9JotsXXFFJ6nRYkPXsAkFQJHnoYiaYJrYS9UsOWHAyJ6SZYegoQp4hqL5q9zBekv1dYVL0G8uaVXM4P4yzfaG6EwF_lEIQ7jSM4iwHH_PN32X2IWySAEj2xq9aq5oy-8D2xt/s1600/IMG_5967.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSOGZwgHDE9JotsXXFFJ6nRYkPXsAkFQJHnoYiaYJrYS9UsOWHAyJ6SZYegoQp4hqL5q9zBekv1dYVL0G8uaVXM4P4yzfaG6EwF_lEIQ7jSM4iwHH_PN32X2IWySAEj2xq9aq5oy-8D2xt/s320/IMG_5967.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599276454252462098" /></a><br />We can't wait for more cousin time with our little Carisyn, we're so glad she's here!<br /><br />Alright, we need an update on little Ella don't we? Thank you again for all of your prayers for her surgery and recovery. She did not miss a beat with this one! It really was amazing and we are just so thankful for a smooth surgery and an unbelievably quick recovery. We had a follow up appointment last week and all looks good. Her incision looks great and all is well! Such an answer to prayer! She's so funny because everyday after her surgery when I would get her dressed I would ask her how her tummy was feeling. Well, after about two or three days of me asking her that every morning she finally starting beating me to the punch and as soon as I would go to take her shirt off she would pipe up "My tummy feels ok." Hilarious. She knew what I was going to say before I said it! Sweet little girl! <br /><br />Here's a little before and after pics for you. You know how I love before and afters.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0dtHkMNkeBs7IzcSoNOxc8Yz_4OJAnPnnWSwAAPdF-ZOo-PIftato3gmZVQWjGz0NbPm5QAcF-eQYHOJriUvXr16CTmG5ZCHXOMbgNPhY30eKtCI6_NQSISilXEzfKgSSz4kYLSo7Swf/s1600/IMG_5923.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0dtHkMNkeBs7IzcSoNOxc8Yz_4OJAnPnnWSwAAPdF-ZOo-PIftato3gmZVQWjGz0NbPm5QAcF-eQYHOJriUvXr16CTmG5ZCHXOMbgNPhY30eKtCI6_NQSISilXEzfKgSSz4kYLSo7Swf/s320/IMG_5923.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599290435564289986" /></a><br />Before. This is what the g-button site looked like after they removed it. It kind of looks like a belly button...just in the wrong spot. :) Sort of funny because Ella doesn't have a belly button (all babies with omphaloceles are born without belly buttons)but the g-button site made it look like she did but it was just way over to the side in a weird place. Awesome...just what we needed, something else a little different to add to our list. So, having to have the closure surgery was a good thing for more than one reason. Now we know for sure everything is all healed up and closed up like it should be AND instead of weird-looking misplaced belly button she has a little incision instead. I mean out of the two I would rather her have a small little scar wouldn't you? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVMTe4LkBDwU6GehMi9-zwGIthNaay49XuL5DWV-eK3a-Kl5iTi7Pg0LR05Mr7Cm3iziezhemvfNKeFQEaWURURqURo1XRU6xi4w0hivEJlHDB91aoYtlQpcXewrh5Q4Banu0ZNcPwqJ8/s1600/IMG_6140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVMTe4LkBDwU6GehMi9-zwGIthNaay49XuL5DWV-eK3a-Kl5iTi7Pg0LR05Mr7Cm3iziezhemvfNKeFQEaWURURqURo1XRU6xi4w0hivEJlHDB91aoYtlQpcXewrh5Q4Banu0ZNcPwqJ8/s320/IMG_6140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599280676444678130" /></a><br />After. Not too bad!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm3LTBcYIeyBp8oBH9t_YRDO4czH0P3K99SzDJ_S4h0gt0Z2xwSYaPP7oivTWvdJmGd228y8f8yIugQ8fpKY5RuPsc7pmnhzgmigW68WSfj2-mg1dyw5YvosN_Lmldk0mlSQsgg4UZeMy/s1600/IMG_6144.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm3LTBcYIeyBp8oBH9t_YRDO4czH0P3K99SzDJ_S4h0gt0Z2xwSYaPP7oivTWvdJmGd228y8f8yIugQ8fpKY5RuPsc7pmnhzgmigW68WSfj2-mg1dyw5YvosN_Lmldk0mlSQsgg4UZeMy/s320/IMG_6144.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599280680251726578" /></a><br />Here is a good picture of her "pretty belly" as I call it. I tell her everyday what a beautiful tummy she has and how thankful we are that God has healed her and helped her grow big and strong. Sweet baby has come so far and we are so thankful for all the Lord has done in her short little life. There is more to come but hopefully the next surgery is still another year away. You can see in this picture how her tummy bulges out. I've mentioned it before but this is because at her initial omphalocele repair surgery when she was two days old they had a hard time fitting all the organs back in and pulling her abdominal muscles back together over them so they only did a skin closure. Our next surgery will more than likely be to get full muscle closure over the organs which would flatten her tummy, clean up her scar and hopefully create a cute little belly button. Right now she is still too small and the hernia is too big so we just wait and let her grow which is great with us! She is doing so well, eating great, she is active and doing everything other kids her age are doing. We are so blessed and I thank God many times a day for the miracle of Ella Hope!<br /><br />So, what is next for the Carders you ask? Weeeelll, we have some exciting plans in May! I'll give you a hint...we are going on a trip, it starts with a T, it's really, really, really far away. We are going to THAILAND!! I know, I'll give you a minute to pick your jaw up off the floor. The Carder fam is headed to Thailand in a just a few weeks to go visit Ann, Derran and the girls! We are SOOOO excited as if you couldn't tell from all of my exclamation points. :) Yes, we are all going, Eva and Ella too. Eva packed her bag in January so she's good to go! We cannot wait to get to see and be a part of the Reeses work in Phayao as well as have some great cousin time. The girls love their cousins Brynn and Meg and talk about them everyday so getting to go to Thailand will be such an adventure. I know some people may think we are crazy for going with two small children, one being Ella, but we just feel incredibly blessed that we are at a place now where this is even possible. We thought it would be yeeaaarrs before we would ever be able to go visit and I was pretty sure when we did get to go we would be buying a plane ticket for all of Ella's medical supplies to go with us. Every time I think about getting on the plane in a matter of weeks I can't help but thank God over and over for what He has done and for what He is doing in our family. My heart just wants to burst with thanksgiving! <br /><br />We're so excited and will have lots of fun stories and pictures to share soon! You can follow the Reeses blog and learn more about their life and ministry in Phayao, Thailand by clicking on my link Reeses in Thailand at the top of my blog. That pretty much sums it up for now, looking forward to what's to come! I'm sure I'll have some great Thailand stories for ya so stay tuned!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-74995359938855770132011-03-28T15:19:00.012-05:002011-03-29T10:20:45.383-05:00Update on Ella's Surgery<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlDpMX2dIXz70poH6sTQaHFM5VrjGlBpuG7DpVaW0s2sOSgg2JeAYenQB7nLYPSTwbpySLzWb9FXlqdjK6im_PfJtipvZVUAXDws1QZav3X6m3VV148Nt02lftAFuAYAjYMekuDRiJnyh/s1600/IMG_5944.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlDpMX2dIXz70poH6sTQaHFM5VrjGlBpuG7DpVaW0s2sOSgg2JeAYenQB7nLYPSTwbpySLzWb9FXlqdjK6im_PfJtipvZVUAXDws1QZav3X6m3VV148Nt02lftAFuAYAjYMekuDRiJnyh/s320/IMG_5944.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589233427590499106" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UMR4y48WiBo0zQZg8DefmIuKsR3R_dWh3hjoOl-qn5lEBrstIMGCZz3Dyo7lba809a1MbZ0y0YHKXee6A5wUyE8KGf0kFcvJXcW7UiI8mX8O9ly6BlSev63JE3q-KI6SR78OnhuKVSUp/s1600/IMG_5940.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UMR4y48WiBo0zQZg8DefmIuKsR3R_dWh3hjoOl-qn5lEBrstIMGCZz3Dyo7lba809a1MbZ0y0YHKXee6A5wUyE8KGf0kFcvJXcW7UiI8mX8O9ly6BlSev63JE3q-KI6SR78OnhuKVSUp/s320/IMG_5940.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589233423614576226" /></a><br />Ella is home and doing great!! Thank you so much for all of your prayers today for Ella and our family. What a blessing to have friends and family praying, thank you!<br />Ella did great today! We got to Cook's at 7:30 this morning and were home by 12:30! Can you believe that? I was amazed. The surgery went well, her surgeon said she did great and everything went smoothly. Thank you Lord! She was a little grumpy waking up in recovery and on the ride home but once we got home it didn't take long before she already wanted to get down and play with Eva. Children and their resilience just blows me away! <br /><br />Honestly, today has been a good day. I'm glad this is behind us but today was good. As much as I dread surgeries and having to let my baby go, the Lord gave me His peace today just as He has always done before with every other procedure and surgery so today was no different. We are so amazed and thankful for the level of care that Ella received. The Lord has put incredible people in our hospitals! <br /><br />On Friday we had an unplanned, last minute pre-op consult in preparation for today mainly because when you look on paper at Ella's medical history she ummm, well..."looks bad" as they told me. Cook's called to see if we could come in for this reason. Lovely. That sounds mean to say but I agree, she has alot going on and is one complicated little girl when you look at it all written out. I have learned to laugh at moments like this when I have to go down the list and explain the congenital anomalies, the heart defects, the spine defects, the shoulder problems, tummy issues, why we needed a feeding tube, and "No, she doesn't have a syndrome" and please stop listing off ones YOU think she might have and the list goes on. Now, I don't mind having to explain it all like I used to because I see it as one more opportunity to give Ella's testimony about what an incredible God we serve. I love that they needed to see Ella in person because she "looks bad" on paper and were blown away at what they saw because what she looks like on paper is far from who she is or what she looks like in person. The Lord has done mighty things with her despite her differences and she is a living, breathing, walking miracle and there is no denying it. She is, just like the meaning of her name, "a bright light." I could go on and on. <br /><br />Anyway, so Ella and I took a quick trip up to Cook's on Friday and the nurse that was taking care of us was a nurse we had before for a different procedure which was so reassuring and while we were there another nurse came in just because she heard Ella was there and she remembered her from 2 years ago and just wanted to see her. Crazy you might say, but I just looked at it as little ways God was showing me He was right beside me and is taking care of us. SAME THING happened today. The nurse that took Ella into surgery today was the same sweet nurse that took care of her during her omphalocele repair surgery when she was 2 days old. I want to say unbelievable, but it's not. The Lord is just so sweet that way to give us his peace in supernatural ways as well as in ways we can see with our physical eyes like putting familiar faces in front of you when you're feeling fragile. <br /><br />So, things are good. We're so thankful that things went well and that this is behind us. We are so proud of both of our girls and how they love each other and support each other even though they are four and 2. Sweet sisters! Again, thank you all once again for your prayers, encouragement, and support. It is such a blessing to our family! Here are some pictures from today!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXxaTYokTeDl64k_0JhQ-ZOcG1PCU9RBYt1t3bAEMwhIY5wwg3t_0UOSfPnogNgbfPLlOUKphVX5yJq75He_Cb5iavS-l4k9_3-X1jEUG_FnGeG_E1GcEkK8_BvXteXdJ__86ynUeyjaD/s1600/IMG_5948.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipXxaTYokTeDl64k_0JhQ-ZOcG1PCU9RBYt1t3bAEMwhIY5wwg3t_0UOSfPnogNgbfPLlOUKphVX5yJq75He_Cb5iavS-l4k9_3-X1jEUG_FnGeG_E1GcEkK8_BvXteXdJ__86ynUeyjaD/s320/IMG_5948.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589233443710650626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1Xd7KkrJQoFJYf2bHU1wZPycYh-88nslOcm4sE7IlLq_PcpvTINIPxwKTTkIXIf91BYvOby9C0tr0HxNQdM1cRBUlvlVhyGyNQaY17-6T1WDi5neR6CJsJB1UMOJRgo6UcOLMH7lE8m5/s1600/IMG_5946.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht1Xd7KkrJQoFJYf2bHU1wZPycYh-88nslOcm4sE7IlLq_PcpvTINIPxwKTTkIXIf91BYvOby9C0tr0HxNQdM1cRBUlvlVhyGyNQaY17-6T1WDi5neR6CJsJB1UMOJRgo6UcOLMH7lE8m5/s320/IMG_5946.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589233441107816290" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE87rxtJWaeZgQKEgb4KUYnnsYBavCtOK3Sf8OqA9H4ltg6umgRX-sqRUCPWuaGcrOwj4Q52d0lHrKMTGLNi6eioKozdzLvwzAPJ2wrJoWCtwDKZv3K5BWCjaHFP9mCmk-34qSHlKB65UY/s1600/IMG_5945.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE87rxtJWaeZgQKEgb4KUYnnsYBavCtOK3Sf8OqA9H4ltg6umgRX-sqRUCPWuaGcrOwj4Q52d0lHrKMTGLNi6eioKozdzLvwzAPJ2wrJoWCtwDKZv3K5BWCjaHFP9mCmk-34qSHlKB65UY/s320/IMG_5945.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589233433602444850" /></a><br />If this doesn't make you smile I don't know what will. Eva, Eva, and her "loud" clothes. This is what she wanted to wear today and it was good medicine for the soul to just look over at her in her crazy outfit. Makes me laugh!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_yv6QJif8BaYuq5vWXvxM5SMf-hSqjPvHDu-RWuXlh3RvrNbX9n4ni6NlpdoPLSeqPBx2nA8qyK9A1V9Y8zMdLhiAGXQ4-Vojo3oojwnvI-fQ_cbnaBYDMcLx5Mq-9wR5WH6TvztP_nY/s1600/IMG_5950.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_yv6QJif8BaYuq5vWXvxM5SMf-hSqjPvHDu-RWuXlh3RvrNbX9n4ni6NlpdoPLSeqPBx2nA8qyK9A1V9Y8zMdLhiAGXQ4-Vojo3oojwnvI-fQ_cbnaBYDMcLx5Mq-9wR5WH6TvztP_nY/s320/IMG_5950.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589245714615805234" /></a><br />Starting to feel a little loopy after some pre-medication. Ella was so funny, several minutes after she got some Versed a nurse walked in the room and Ella said, "I'm sleeping" even though she was wide awake. The nurse asked her if she was sleeping with her eyes open and she shook her head yes with a big smile on her face. Hilarious.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlb7uStPk8LPvd1TPONmhSs_sUpKeRBj9w2SOUZ8CWGJYEF0Y-wq5B8xIY1v_jZoEx8fbCOxCHla4qeVfGlEMsKKk7TCr5sPGAc8K8aTbO864J4GtyTKhVvaI3w-CRM-MzdMcCSSknDPJ/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlb7uStPk8LPvd1TPONmhSs_sUpKeRBj9w2SOUZ8CWGJYEF0Y-wq5B8xIY1v_jZoEx8fbCOxCHla4qeVfGlEMsKKk7TCr5sPGAc8K8aTbO864J4GtyTKhVvaI3w-CRM-MzdMcCSSknDPJ/s320/IMG_5953.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589245720948069794" /></a><br />Saying good-bye :(<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjSGiJlDrEKcmDqOX0bnqUPecrfIfBIxm_yPnRil8_zXkjrIGCKLaNRnzqF9gzgy0i5gcHxb_PCXSwqSFOmkHki-pkaE5g4aSckk87qdF2NEuqjvEzLJSDOLyn4dZ5-fX6ycLPJOSRLCK/s1600/IMG_5954.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjSGiJlDrEKcmDqOX0bnqUPecrfIfBIxm_yPnRil8_zXkjrIGCKLaNRnzqF9gzgy0i5gcHxb_PCXSwqSFOmkHki-pkaE5g4aSckk87qdF2NEuqjvEzLJSDOLyn4dZ5-fX6ycLPJOSRLCK/s320/IMG_5954.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589245726081251794" /></a><br />Sweet baby in recovery<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tS5XZTsx8Y4gBWNeEUo0dLDg-A51a3N-vwOx3azlO8eHLa9hsJC0N7Q-WtbzTRW9sCpAFY7R54rXZ8WiZjePQNJIlaO0VX24NR6EbxQ6CoRqxHJ8OebLJwumaDO8mErqEkrR6tw3W3TI/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_tS5XZTsx8Y4gBWNeEUo0dLDg-A51a3N-vwOx3azlO8eHLa9hsJC0N7Q-WtbzTRW9sCpAFY7R54rXZ8WiZjePQNJIlaO0VX24NR6EbxQ6CoRqxHJ8OebLJwumaDO8mErqEkrR6tw3W3TI/s320/IMG_5959.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589245733613754930" /></a><br />Playing "Surgery" once we got home. Now instead of always playing "going to church or to the doctor" like they do I can bet this is going to be our new play scenario...surgery. I'm not sure where the hot pink feather boa comes in but wouldn't real life surgery be much more pleasant if everyone wore feather boas? I think so. Notice Eva with her heels and clipboard with her "paperwork and stickers" for Ella. Awesome.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTcUPJqEjBeBGCqfJTPd3u8yzeqMnw2uPylR4nlyhutIVkq1Y-053djqdkTuqTLOPBb3NR0SaPj8Giufd4mWa8PtYV-wvZwzE87l2DY0pIZSckWY_ZvSE4zYGSWVegOwVlFIqBKg43rrW/s1600/IMG_5961.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTcUPJqEjBeBGCqfJTPd3u8yzeqMnw2uPylR4nlyhutIVkq1Y-053djqdkTuqTLOPBb3NR0SaPj8Giufd4mWa8PtYV-wvZwzE87l2DY0pIZSckWY_ZvSE4zYGSWVegOwVlFIqBKg43rrW/s320/IMG_5961.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5589245741985789778" /></a><br />Nurse Eva and her patient. I love these two...and didn't I say in my last post that this surgery wasn't going to slow her down much? I'm pretty sure I did. Keep praying for smooth, quick recovery!<br /><br />Thanks for praying, we are so blessed!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-72894636251152328062011-03-25T22:21:00.003-05:002011-03-25T22:35:36.749-05:00Surgery on Monday for EllaWell friends, it is surgery time again for Miss Ella Hope. It's been a little over a month since she had her G-button removed and it was our hope and prayer that everything would close up on it's own but that is unfortunately not the case. Her G-button site has continued to leak and after talking with her surgeon they have said that at this point surgery is required. <br /><br />So, Ella will have surgery this coming Monday morning, March 28 at 9:15. We would covet your prayers once again for her for a smooth surgery, quick recovery and for no infection. They will do what's called a gastrocutaneous fistula closure which in "Amy's Terms" means they will go layer by layer and close off the stomach first and work back up to the skin closing everything off. As much as I had hoped that things would just naturally heal up there was a large part of me prepared for this outcome so we are at peace about it and feel confident in this decision. Ella is a trooper so I have no worries that this is just a minor hiccup and isn't going to slow her down much at all. <br /><br />Thanks for loving and praying for our sweet Ella, keep those prayers coming!!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-23233136786629389292011-02-15T14:26:00.004-06:002011-02-15T15:03:37.203-06:00Now you see it...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E4lnTIYN60gNmlr7fo5XKLU8QeRewBSseqqXRM_FgE2LSchVQMjuA8eSdN_p_6LzgxbD17ZgyzpwAViIbxSla8bIMUc59cBAQwbPcXLVzmrvmPDiT7ZWjP51aRuouZOV5dfD0NFTVw1P/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4E4lnTIYN60gNmlr7fo5XKLU8QeRewBSseqqXRM_FgE2LSchVQMjuA8eSdN_p_6LzgxbD17ZgyzpwAViIbxSla8bIMUc59cBAQwbPcXLVzmrvmPDiT7ZWjP51aRuouZOV5dfD0NFTVw1P/s320/IMG_5885.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574016527744248738" /></a><br />And this Thursday at 3:00 you won't!! That's right folks, GI gave us the go-ahead to get Ella's feeding tube removed so we aren't wasting any time. We're going to Ella's surgeon this Thursday afternoon to get it taken out. Bye-Bye G-button! WOOOOHOOOO! <br /><br />This is MONUMENTAL and when I really think about it I get a big lump in my throat. I can't believe this day is here NOW. My heart is overwhelmed with thankfulness at what the Lord has done for our sweet Ella Hope. Thank you for your continued prayers for her, what a blessing they have been! We would love your prayers this Thursday and the remainder of the week for quick healing for her G-button site. We have been warned that after it is removed it's possible that it won't close up on it's own which means that surgery would be required to go in and close off the stomach etc. Please just start praying now that this isn't the case for Ella and that everything will heal quickly and like it's supposed to. Ella's GI doctor said that we should know within a week of her G-button being removed if it's going to close up on it's own or not. We'll keep you updated, until then keep the prayers coming!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ0ZPz3MeLxh44X2_wMYqVfLq_peITyJBCAw2qbC32N7xITk_38ZR7PopyifI9MXNTrW72gRBoexFlWeWMGyQbAyS0U9Q8JXYMLk4vEAdPFcL0eZOBIMGllC827jG_870frQFRISVrS3i/s1600/IMG_5883.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQ0ZPz3MeLxh44X2_wMYqVfLq_peITyJBCAw2qbC32N7xITk_38ZR7PopyifI9MXNTrW72gRBoexFlWeWMGyQbAyS0U9Q8JXYMLk4vEAdPFcL0eZOBIMGllC827jG_870frQFRISVrS3i/s320/IMG_5883.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574016522693358786" /></a><br />"Dr. Black" <br /><br />Ella loves to pretend that she is Dr. Black, her tummy surgeon. Don't you love the stethoscope around the neck? Very doctor-like isn't it? Very observant this little girl. I think the glasses are my fave. Hope she still likes Dr. Black after Thursday and the ol' taking the G-button out drama is over. Lord, have mercy! Pray, friends!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-68886498802599359432011-02-09T15:12:00.010-06:002011-02-09T17:24:15.787-06:00Crazy Clothes, Shower caps and Snow Days<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf8SYhg5YgCETSCSCaIvmZzmZDu-RxzcWUnEN3NgJntiumEqVQVR-eRzkDMnNQIgNaOI5k4MJh_1A4F_3TP5Jal82LKvrQXKqxmEAb7Q-toaCdcy-hCDX2D-r293841fzCNbTbMtgkUWN/s1600/IMG_5768.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibf8SYhg5YgCETSCSCaIvmZzmZDu-RxzcWUnEN3NgJntiumEqVQVR-eRzkDMnNQIgNaOI5k4MJh_1A4F_3TP5Jal82LKvrQXKqxmEAb7Q-toaCdcy-hCDX2D-r293841fzCNbTbMtgkUWN/s320/IMG_5768.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571803249880690882" /></a><br />Man, don't you just love these two?? I sure do. These two little girls are so fun and make me laugh constantly. Will you please notice Eva's shoes? Loooove it. Love the socks with sandals look and Ella isn't much better with her shoes on opposite feet and her high-water pants. I am proud to say that this IS typically what they look like on a day to day basis. Eva is really into dressing herself and she likes what my Granny used to call "loud" clothing. "Loud" meaning colorful, bright and patterned. Yep, that's Eva's clothing choice...loud. Precious.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR81Wayv6chDaB3LBkJ12D84YMik3XAdm03EJgqevjZ0_ee-A037HhHfPGOygciVOBXmuBWNSD0FHCjGK_MJS4URacrJe96kslZNnF4OzJq5-fFS9YjapyRkjzgeHPA4JA0H7HqhVIn5f/s1600/IMG_5767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcR81Wayv6chDaB3LBkJ12D84YMik3XAdm03EJgqevjZ0_ee-A037HhHfPGOygciVOBXmuBWNSD0FHCjGK_MJS4URacrJe96kslZNnF4OzJq5-fFS9YjapyRkjzgeHPA4JA0H7HqhVIn5f/s320/IMG_5767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571803249621416050" /></a><br />Even in the bathtub she is still the fashionista with her cool shower cap that Aunt Ann sent from Thailand. Ummm, thanks Aunt Ann? Apparently little girls do in fact need shower caps. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQdm8CGQzpB7V9TS53SfBb4blDKQz6M4pfy9dupqR3sMSHGJadcPWFWMPLYzGcU4GZUTMa0etMEphCB1iVH02oOi0fPt3xa1X5CeziHptX1VN4RfMcVopH5pTzup1L2-c6GIzsverXZMV/s1600/IMG_5762.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQdm8CGQzpB7V9TS53SfBb4blDKQz6M4pfy9dupqR3sMSHGJadcPWFWMPLYzGcU4GZUTMa0etMEphCB1iVH02oOi0fPt3xa1X5CeziHptX1VN4RfMcVopH5pTzup1L2-c6GIzsverXZMV/s320/IMG_5762.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571808590935931154" /></a><br />Another "loud" outfit...at least this one matches. :)<br /><br />I really do love that Eva likes to dress herself and I kind of look forward each day to see what she comes up with to wear. Unlike her mom, this girl is not afraid of color! You look in my closet and everything is gray, black or white. You look in hers and wow! When in public I do like to promote my children and I want them to look cute and not look like we got dressed in the dark but at this point in life I think we're ok wearing socks with sandals, pink pants and a funky leopard and flower jacket don't you? So, if you see us and Eva is wearing one of her "loud" outfits, know that our electricity is not out and that we didn't get dressed in the dark. This is just what she picked and it's fabulous! I just love her, she is so fun! <br /><br />And sweet Ella, what a trip she is! She is very funny, talks all the time, is eating great, and is just pure joy. I thank God for all he has done with her multiple times a day. She hasn't used her feeding tube in 8 MONTHS!! Isn't that crazy?! We're so proud of her. We go to the GI doctor next week on February 14 for a check up and to discuss removing her G-button. I can't believe we are actually to this point where she might get it removed! This is huge. If GI gives the ok then we'll schedule an appointment with her surgeon to get it taken out. You can be praying about that because the day is drawing near which is exciting! I'll update after our appointment about what the GI says. Other than that, Ella is doing great and we're so thankful! <br /><br />Just thought I would share some recent pictures since I haven't posted any in awhile. So here are some from our snow days the past week. We had some fun family time being snowed in. We painted nails, had movie night, made cookies <em>several times</em>, and forced myself to finally clean the house and organize my kitchen cabinets. So, fun times and productive too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07o5UmUbCrkLwOHwY4-PTJNgidaIqa-cdtaVVlC2fbBE1vLKF96i3WDsstLIfs-fZBPHv4Xtj4EB5DkQAa460m61f_TxU_6HKHZ3R9BPSx_nzCJ5psOq-8gqbjWYZ7JH5O6ZJT4qY7rHz/s1600/IMG_5775.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07o5UmUbCrkLwOHwY4-PTJNgidaIqa-cdtaVVlC2fbBE1vLKF96i3WDsstLIfs-fZBPHv4Xtj4EB5DkQAa460m61f_TxU_6HKHZ3R9BPSx_nzCJ5psOq-8gqbjWYZ7JH5O6ZJT4qY7rHz/s320/IMG_5775.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571803257112213458" /></a><br />Movie Night! Doesn't Eva look like the life of the party? She really was having fun I just made the mistake of taking the picture in the dark and blinding her with my flash. Don't be fooled by the grumpy face. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HbV4JTdQEKX9OPy2Sz91gbWGhnBBf6gHDp7kKp1bPMEUyNZxAxbh_ZU4t6dKPwO_wY2acLQPb-t5FrkiZLfbjOkLAN1R6sJ5GkLK7FsI0743YBSajff7DNtvvxeSKaZcqMkoXT7E4HJ2/s1600/IMG_5781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HbV4JTdQEKX9OPy2Sz91gbWGhnBBf6gHDp7kKp1bPMEUyNZxAxbh_ZU4t6dKPwO_wY2acLQPb-t5FrkiZLfbjOkLAN1R6sJ5GkLK7FsI0743YBSajff7DNtvvxeSKaZcqMkoXT7E4HJ2/s320/IMG_5781.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571803265092180946" /></a><br />On our way to Mimi and Pawpaw's house. I just love their little faces peeking out from under their hats!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAFwfkpKj2iBnqmjUk5XtnHNjf329tqTdfPbRtD9m61f6B9-K9lJrayWxxP-E4OjqGlGlNzQkhrzkOPgySdtWZEmrYbm3gMzAHlgerqU7mCOHb3qbGkGvbxIIMyLK4kHdqvS9nTkgW47_/s1600/IMG_5780.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAFwfkpKj2iBnqmjUk5XtnHNjf329tqTdfPbRtD9m61f6B9-K9lJrayWxxP-E4OjqGlGlNzQkhrzkOPgySdtWZEmrYbm3gMzAHlgerqU7mCOHb3qbGkGvbxIIMyLK4kHdqvS9nTkgW47_/s320/IMG_5780.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571803257805902914" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGcLfjg7FK0lcYqHq7XX5MbQJuqy-_mzrpYRBw2jhD8rRUpJRxuJ46wq9_8aFwEPjsdnHWvfnvDPJhc712zPzEQ0LD4Fvmk54vNSbsfTkmCyG6sPrBoSD34qUnbc69T1ad-Lp5WkQaxun/s1600/IMG_5817.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIGcLfjg7FK0lcYqHq7XX5MbQJuqy-_mzrpYRBw2jhD8rRUpJRxuJ46wq9_8aFwEPjsdnHWvfnvDPJhc712zPzEQ0LD4Fvmk54vNSbsfTkmCyG6sPrBoSD34qUnbc69T1ad-Lp5WkQaxun/s320/IMG_5817.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571808596026550162" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyAmn8R5CAh563itE7Mj9zm4JFGZrwdGvVXbhyphenhyphene7a5bMCVsVxVfUEyXAwHM1062Be-OnHLtB-8c08ulerPQWoqUUyyUyPuzBPB3pRAI-cO6Wot1phOOpQvSnjdZAPu8xiOvFPzMe7tPVg/s1600/IMG_5828-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyAmn8R5CAh563itE7Mj9zm4JFGZrwdGvVXbhyphenhyphene7a5bMCVsVxVfUEyXAwHM1062Be-OnHLtB-8c08ulerPQWoqUUyyUyPuzBPB3pRAI-cO6Wot1phOOpQvSnjdZAPu8xiOvFPzMe7tPVg/s320/IMG_5828-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571808588520619858" /></a><br />Family Picture...I will fully explain about my amazing red jacket a little further down. Just wanted to give a sneak peek. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqD16k4u6VaX0IComMwx4zm5PLm97sOJELyDHLiYdSpkFJp-WmFF5HCO1dGwk5F1OoO75ot7-qpcS6UXT60c7ybVayC3UJ2K5N33ydMUoGKIFb-aD6aZNAljM9SWcs9fO9UjQ_K0nb-U5/s1600/IMG_5821.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqD16k4u6VaX0IComMwx4zm5PLm97sOJELyDHLiYdSpkFJp-WmFF5HCO1dGwk5F1OoO75ot7-qpcS6UXT60c7ybVayC3UJ2K5N33ydMUoGKIFb-aD6aZNAljM9SWcs9fO9UjQ_K0nb-U5/s320/IMG_5821.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571808583777047890" /></a><br />Eva throwin' some snow!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOndiXF_zW4nKeY8Q0yjDIko0ElbrMEl8gevqJ4TuNzOmDRWxOPxPmTIFIB_Hnr4pUukZ5DfmZK2pOIMdtzRZKgQe5CiCnm8KXp8UbwSBUpKfhLcICH0wnp3uAHJzrnLfvkRTT9xGqM77_/s1600/IMG_5819.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOndiXF_zW4nKeY8Q0yjDIko0ElbrMEl8gevqJ4TuNzOmDRWxOPxPmTIFIB_Hnr4pUukZ5DfmZK2pOIMdtzRZKgQe5CiCnm8KXp8UbwSBUpKfhLcICH0wnp3uAHJzrnLfvkRTT9xGqM77_/s320/IMG_5819.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806091929704114" /></a><br />Building a snowman with Daddy. Aaaannd this little mound is as far as they got folks. Good effort guys, good effort.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaog7t-2IpcHJ0aCYgBV0BGSkKKMevO2li_NAr5YGzizoSkQuTKpG4Mf1pNLR6CuHVeFo664AImrfMhmxWLNRH4kaTlXJlrkE_LYYLF68lZXyUCbMPh0vhAMxTN51GVYxChDWsKLxrrqa/s1600/IMG_5813.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoaog7t-2IpcHJ0aCYgBV0BGSkKKMevO2li_NAr5YGzizoSkQuTKpG4Mf1pNLR6CuHVeFo664AImrfMhmxWLNRH4kaTlXJlrkE_LYYLF68lZXyUCbMPh0vhAMxTN51GVYxChDWsKLxrrqa/s320/IMG_5813.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806087776648466" /></a><br />Sweet Ella with Pawpaw<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0ODTdpX2B3e3FCuVKiyOj1c7rUAEpiwykp5y4jEC6jWM-3k79SqqBXGeMhW7xxGFnmTsMGTTa09MjqKsKTM_urSjLjhQGMP5LCz1c4J36mSmo0O116JAh2W9smg2Pn_yoQ2aqAgRNzbD/s1600/IMG_5811.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0ODTdpX2B3e3FCuVKiyOj1c7rUAEpiwykp5y4jEC6jWM-3k79SqqBXGeMhW7xxGFnmTsMGTTa09MjqKsKTM_urSjLjhQGMP5LCz1c4J36mSmo0O116JAh2W9smg2Pn_yoQ2aqAgRNzbD/s320/IMG_5811.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806077456038418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8TCrp6F_tjSvJwed09c4mxxU93-U6_8_VlWyeknju0OlgBrhfVdpyQ8D3PlgIQBsvZ-8W4XKUYFXaBXJRq9oL2t5vBvzeXS0_egixvgyGlY8WVr9PHSE2gRBZMWP7GSTRM8wEezU2QLC/s1600/IMG_5788.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8TCrp6F_tjSvJwed09c4mxxU93-U6_8_VlWyeknju0OlgBrhfVdpyQ8D3PlgIQBsvZ-8W4XKUYFXaBXJRq9oL2t5vBvzeXS0_egixvgyGlY8WVr9PHSE2gRBZMWP7GSTRM8wEezU2QLC/s320/IMG_5788.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806075950554898" /></a><br />Yes! Is this not great?? We were at my parents house and my mom started pulling out all of their old ski stuff and when I spotted this red beauty with matching ski bib, pants and gloves I knew it was meant to be...this would be my snow day outfit. Jealous?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkE3Pq-SiwVqc073zIvmXr3-LTI1eIKii6K1Taxgm2jLot3KZKDI2RUPcNmDq6tsuGLLWRE_Le2CJIlQokC1qPHaF6mclOOc2GQb17n-sFG5_LLHsTgknb9peE8AuJ2dUuC5sQ9J3zCig/s1600/IMG_5785-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 203px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjkE3Pq-SiwVqc073zIvmXr3-LTI1eIKii6K1Taxgm2jLot3KZKDI2RUPcNmDq6tsuGLLWRE_Le2CJIlQokC1qPHaF6mclOOc2GQb17n-sFG5_LLHsTgknb9peE8AuJ2dUuC5sQ9J3zCig/s320/IMG_5785-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571806070452701538" /></a><br />Fun snow days in Texas!!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-74541149541541965502011-01-04T22:14:00.009-06:002011-01-05T15:59:27.223-06:00Thoughts on 2010: Freedom, Peace and a Restored SoulWell, well, well...look who's back with a blog post. Again, I totally mean to update more frequently but somehow time just slips away. 2011 will be the year, I can just feel it. Happy 2011 everyone! Right now Ella has pneumonia and an ear infection so Happy 2011 to the Carders right? She's on the mend though and I'm very thankful because the past several days she has been so miserable. It's just so sad to see her like that. Keep her in your prayers! <br /><br />Another year gone by, wow. I'm amazed that another year is over and we are beginning a new one. I feel like we just did that like a month ago. But, obviously we didn't and as I think back about this last year and look back at my calendar and all that has transpired I am in awe at what the Lord has done. I love to look at my calendars from years past and see what we were doing on certain days. I found one from when I was in college not too long ago by the way. College! What in the world? Why did I keep it, I don't know. So funny though. I wrote down all of my appointments, tests, projects etc. but I can still remember at the beginning of <em>several</em> semesters forgetting to get my class schedule to know where I was even going for the first day of classes. I was organized apparently but had no idea where I was going. Yes, this was college and not high school like you would expect. Genius. <br /><br />Anyway, I was looking through my planner from this last year and was just amazed at where we are today just one year later. So, here we go with Amy's Thoughts on 2010. My thoughts on 2009 last year came with no pictures, were very honest and was probably a bit hard to read. You know me, I don't sugarcoat well so we'll see how this one goes. This year was muuuuccchhh better than last year so here we go with 2010. Last year at this time we were newly emerging out of the black tunnel we had been in since Ella was born. Things were slowly starting to ease up, Ella was making slow but good progress with feedings and things were just in general a little more manageable. Our weeks were still filled almost everyday with doctor's appointments and therapy appointments for Ella. Many days we even had 3 sometimes 4 appointments for Ella...in one day. Whew! It made me tired just to look at my calendar filled everyday with all of her appointments. There wasn't alot of other things besides that in my planner for several months. But as the months went on I could see how her therapies began to decrease in frequency as she was making progress and more "normal" things began to be added to my weeks. <br /><br />My feelings coming out of 2009 and beginning 2010 were that of thankfulness. I continue to feel extremely thankful but I also feel that this past year for me personally was a year of freedom, peace and a restoring of my soul. I thank all of you who have prayed for our family because I believe that the peace and healing we have been given was also something many of you have prayed for us for a long time. So, thank you for committing our family to prayer, we truly felt it this past year. This time last year things were better for us and we were actually seeing that there was light at the end of the tunnel and it was getting brighter. But, with all that being said, for me I feel that amidst my thankfulness there was a heart still broken that needed healing. I was still a bit overwhelmed, confused at the year we had just survived, I had a lot of questions I wanted answers to and honestly I was just a bit ticked off at times. Not that any of that should surprise you. I mean, I think we all remember my backyard plate throwing habit I had to release my anger don't we? I'm proud to say that I have not broken any plates in well over a year so that should tell you something. :)<br /><br />Anyway, I was still hurting that all of this with Ella had happened, I wanted answers as to what went wrong in my pregnancy, when it happened, how it happened. When I happened to be out and about I would get annoyed when I would see "happy-mall-outing-family-with-their-three-healthy-kids" all having a great time together at the mall when for me to leave the house for an extended period of time I had to train and pay someone to come in and take care of Ella. Why did they seemingly have it so easy when things were anything but easy for our family? The world was going on but our world had been turned upside-down and I was still trying to make sense of it all. While everyone else seemed to be doing "normal" things I was beginning to be able to do more with the girls but for the most part my days and weeks consisted of taking Ella to the doctor and to therapies everyday and trying to get her to eat and to walk. All things that I definitely took for granted with Eva but not with Ella. She had to fight for everything and it just made me mad that things were so hard for her while "happy-mall-outing-family-with-their-three-healthy-kids" seemed to just be coasting through having a blast in life. Wow! Can you believe my inner commentary? How judgemental was I?? Let's just blame it on the grieving process so you don't think I'm a complete jerk and lunatic. :) <br /><br />I remember at our appointment with our geneticist around this time last year I was asking a lot of questions. I wanted her to give me logical and specific reasons as to how these problems happened with Ella. I wanted to know how, when, why, at what point in gestation did this occur. Did I do something wrong, did I eat something weird, were we living in some strange area of town being affected by certain environmental factors that were causing birth defects. I know, call me crazy. She had been trying to tell me all along but I kept asking questions and she finally just looked at me kindly, yet firmly and said, "It just happened." You would think that would've given me some comfort and would've been what I wanted to hear but it wasn't. I still wanted to know what went wrong and why. I wanted to know the big picture and how God was going to redeem all of this. What did it mean for our family? How does it affect having more children? Are we going to even have more children? What were we supposed to do with this and the way it has changed our family? It was consuming me and I really struggled with it all. As last year went on I feel like God just gently and continuously revealed Himself to me and his purposes for me right now. Not for next year, or ten years from now, just for right now, for today. <br /><br />I mentioned earlier that this past year for me is characterized by three things: freedom, peace and a restored soul. These are three huge gifts He has given me this year and I am immensely thankful and amazed. As I spent time with Him I realized I had a lot of fears which surprised me. I had never thought of myself as a very fearful person (except for my fear of spiders which I still haven't worked through and don't want to) but what was coming out was all rooted in fear. Obviously working through alot of these things is still ongoing but I believe by seeking Him first He will give you a new path if you choose to follow Him. He has certainly shown that to me this last year and as I began to let go of some things I was holding onto such as why all of this happened with Ella, trusting Him to take care of her, answering my questions about the future, etc. I began to feel the chains break away and experience His freedom like I never had before. I'm not going to lie and say that it was easy and came without walking through some pain because it didn't. There were lots of tears on my part, some wrestling with God and a re-breaking of my heart that had to happen for me to come to understand the way God feels about me and how much he loves not only me but all of us. But, I can say that it has been life-changing for me and I feel like a new person, a whole person and one who is more confident in God's love for me and who I am in Him. A HUGE burden was lifted off my heart and I no longer felt like God needed to explain himself to poor, little Amy Carder in order for me to trust Him completely. Unbelievable aren't I?? Sheesh, so high maintenance. Do you see what Rick has to deal with? Pray for him. :) I am choosing to trust God because I believe that He is God, He is real, He is truth, and without Him I am nothing. And, if anyone could understand my pain and disappointment in this life it would be him. He gave up His Son for me so that one day I can live forever with Him and that is truly a gift that I cannot wrap my brain around. <br /><br />So, I still don't have answers to all of these above mentioned questions but that's okay. I'm not bound and burdened by feeling like I have to figure it all out like I was. What happened, happened and it does not <em>define</em> me, instead it has <em>refined</em> me. And through this refining process God has given me peace in the purposes he has for me today and has restored my soul along the way constantly reassuring me of His love and His plan for me. Not his plan for "happy-mall-outing-family-with-their-three-healthy-kids", not his plan for my neighbor, not his plan for my friends and relatives, but his plan for ME. It doesn't matter what they are all doing, what matters is am I following God and obeying him. That's what He wants from me and if I'm doing that then He can use me to further His kingdom and bring Him the glory He deserves. That's what I'm trying to do and what I have to remind myself of when I want to jump ahead of God and go with my plans instead of His. <br /><br />I have always loved Psalm 23 and it's a passage I memorized as a little girl. In the past several years I feel that this passage has come to life for me and has comforted me and encouraged me in many different ways. There were many nights when I was pregnant with Ella and after she was born when I couldn't sleep because I was scared to death about what we were facing so I would quote this scripture over and over and over to myself until I finally fell asleep. And this past year the Word of God came to life as he restored my soul when I finally released everything to him, fully trusting Him with everything, even with my children and committed myself to him. Through that surrender the gift he gave me was a renewed spirit and a peace that can only come from him. I love the way Kay Warren puts it in her book Say Yes to God: A Call to Courageous Surrender which I highly recommend by the way. She states that "following Jesus is to offer to him all that you think you are, all that you really are, all that you think you are not, and all that you really are not-to be used in the way he chooses." I love that. I don't have it all figured it out and there are many days when I find myself on the path of fear instead of the path of freedom but I'm getting there. God is so loving, patient and kind and he has definitely outdone himself with the blessings he has given our family this year. I am humbled and at a loss for words for all that he's given to me. <br /><br />So, with that, I will close this long post for the two of you that are left reading by this point with a sort-of blog post benediction: May this year be the year that you seek more of the Lord in your life, more of his voice in your ear and all that he has for you. May he cause you to release all that you are, all that you are not, all of your fears, anger, unforgiveness, hurt and pain and anything that is binding you from the freedom that he freely offers so that he may use you in the way he chooses. In turn, may he give you a renewed heart and soul that has been healed and soothed with his everlasting peace. Blessings in 2011!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-47530322560243139522010-11-16T15:19:00.012-06:002010-11-16T21:39:10.045-06:00Fall Update<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExCr3_HlPbHAjVxDbgIBlNYKJpv4nSuWK42ZlO-HFuTqZ0nccwg5xMonV0hEue_PIrwQ4dZVSZWE8MLenDsaSDMi4DXGJjqiJYz4goBTzofVqnSg-wCujKVd0L1zK9nqDoymgkhSmuOL/s1600/IMG_5548.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkExCr3_HlPbHAjVxDbgIBlNYKJpv4nSuWK42ZlO-HFuTqZ0nccwg5xMonV0hEue_PIrwQ4dZVSZWE8MLenDsaSDMi4DXGJjqiJYz4goBTzofVqnSg-wCujKVd0L1zK9nqDoymgkhSmuOL/s320/IMG_5548.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540276682804456482" /></a><br />Sorry Ann...I couldn't resist. This picture just screams Fall. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGAjISljaJ4t9_h6Yekw5e3p7CM_Rg1DizrCo0dpWO4QHx88zcJNpStTCxkQr1-xNmzBGAmq8rJ0kfrdClsFS8m6Woik__k6JRJpJCG2FYzapJuM1ZReTxhBROrMgYKDtp_eYf7EmL7tp/s1600/IMG_5553.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGAjISljaJ4t9_h6Yekw5e3p7CM_Rg1DizrCo0dpWO4QHx88zcJNpStTCxkQr1-xNmzBGAmq8rJ0kfrdClsFS8m6Woik__k6JRJpJCG2FYzapJuM1ZReTxhBROrMgYKDtp_eYf7EmL7tp/s320/IMG_5553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540345013890705762" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh2U4mUwDX2Xdsgx9FleqeB6US9rF_i0QiEyE7DNv0anzEYHqQxPa_PLOXXbKYwqZcqIa7jElMZXypL5SiBhq8Nhv7JQPSgmsL8kPRQ-rGf40dCcwTpGUD66ma9BJhKqNXIlbcRMWCNgv/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdh2U4mUwDX2Xdsgx9FleqeB6US9rF_i0QiEyE7DNv0anzEYHqQxPa_PLOXXbKYwqZcqIa7jElMZXypL5SiBhq8Nhv7JQPSgmsL8kPRQ-rGf40dCcwTpGUD66ma9BJhKqNXIlbcRMWCNgv/s320/IMG_5580.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540345017685966386" /></a><br />Weeelll, I'm back! I feel like it's been forever since I've updated but it's all been for good reasons. This October and beginning of November we were spending every minute we could with Ann, Derran and the girls so I had no time for blogging. This past Thursday they left to go back to Thailand so instead of wallowing in my sorrow I figured it was time for a little update. I love that my last post was about them arriving in Texas and now this one is about them leaving. Where is the in between?? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8Gg44EKGD3nGfUitWZtt_z-N0dqdHC1bBliwYEBSL-215ltBVkmopU7a5HfK8dIxlHnX37v9Z2ksIxClZUWy5gpJks2lLSuYE1rveeJSioywq668NmSsIa-DEe98GAdo8dUBfLnUQFm1/s1600/IMG_5614.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8Gg44EKGD3nGfUitWZtt_z-N0dqdHC1bBliwYEBSL-215ltBVkmopU7a5HfK8dIxlHnX37v9Z2ksIxClZUWy5gpJks2lLSuYE1rveeJSioywq668NmSsIa-DEe98GAdo8dUBfLnUQFm1/s320/IMG_5614.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540345023108539266" /></a><br />We had such a fun time having them here. We ate way too much Sonic,Chick-fil-a, and Taco Bueno for anyone in a such a short period of time, took fun trips to Target, went to the zoo, the pumpkin patch, went trick-or-treating, played with friends and just had a good time being together. Since they left I've been in a little bit of a funk...you know me and my funks. I haven't been in one in awhile so it's high time for one ya know. It's getting better and I know we'll all be together again soon so it's okay but it STINKS saying goodbye! Stinks I tell you, not fun at all. :( However, we're so proud of them and the work they are doing. They are such a blessing to us and we're so thankful for the Reese family!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp32bN2XaMYh8uLhNlsmguziCv5xeQY3ZWrtA983uTz5At_UcSaUApbvb2X2gV-QXYcPWRfCM40F2texlqXwTOspwOMLVVJvWLqK4OEzDvwZpi5pEG1qlUICKViFKRH8jpdbg4JqHdwWrp/s1600/IMG_5451.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp32bN2XaMYh8uLhNlsmguziCv5xeQY3ZWrtA983uTz5At_UcSaUApbvb2X2gV-QXYcPWRfCM40F2texlqXwTOspwOMLVVJvWLqK4OEzDvwZpi5pEG1qlUICKViFKRH8jpdbg4JqHdwWrp/s320/IMG_5451.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540276674704107666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qdT_U4ex6Sx8VbJmvScc1bDYBEfAxzGEcP_JUR_F4Y_teBqSPQh946V7xTL6c0oTjJ7guFlwQJygIiIKWZa9BHgtHnsT1zwYZDFK3-0EuV4zqfsaLsscNkvcQj4chxfPvNE8BIkquGqr/s1600/IMG_5304.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qdT_U4ex6Sx8VbJmvScc1bDYBEfAxzGEcP_JUR_F4Y_teBqSPQh946V7xTL6c0oTjJ7guFlwQJygIiIKWZa9BHgtHnsT1zwYZDFK3-0EuV4zqfsaLsscNkvcQj4chxfPvNE8BIkquGqr/s320/IMG_5304.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540264622359833042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cr68PmxZUIP4mCVHajPEsyyNTwhyphenhyphen0dyBbuOhwhppyQjgsHXNy21Vcecw8LmBYs_0kno7yq97Sc9UaJa502N-G4M1Hyb8CmM4iZUlyn1BaJqt2lAC6ftoiqLZrztYhyphenhyphennGSBOtaCoQoe5W/s1600/IMG_5302.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cr68PmxZUIP4mCVHajPEsyyNTwhyphenhyphen0dyBbuOhwhppyQjgsHXNy21Vcecw8LmBYs_0kno7yq97Sc9UaJa502N-G4M1Hyb8CmM4iZUlyn1BaJqt2lAC6ftoiqLZrztYhyphenhyphennGSBOtaCoQoe5W/s320/IMG_5302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540264614896606002" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJTjDM_eMhoYVzfTtPDEISmuBH2w5ZFn2IOxkjPnnpCcHkIvARvZQqUWlhGlOPBOvmaWuU7NsoUVjEc8VQYIfdDEEq6FtxBFvP9aEZML9ymbgA_DxqcGb-OipqtTZTDNY5Nu6a8G_RKoA/s1600/IMG_5359-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJTjDM_eMhoYVzfTtPDEISmuBH2w5ZFn2IOxkjPnnpCcHkIvARvZQqUWlhGlOPBOvmaWuU7NsoUVjEc8VQYIfdDEEq6FtxBFvP9aEZML9ymbgA_DxqcGb-OipqtTZTDNY5Nu6a8G_RKoA/s320/IMG_5359-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540264637805473474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w3t2Hnt9xfVm1dJCZG1NC2TqYXfu_narhSbtf6fsk9_PyjxqBi3H4MkWbV-9UDW8M57L80Zk_E7EIlUIGCjkuXtEV01VHZWxMGtKek4OPXwfxMmuQsKXIsEUtu9tp9JGeZJjDN_zqwOE/s1600/IMG_5383.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w3t2Hnt9xfVm1dJCZG1NC2TqYXfu_narhSbtf6fsk9_PyjxqBi3H4MkWbV-9UDW8M57L80Zk_E7EIlUIGCjkuXtEV01VHZWxMGtKek4OPXwfxMmuQsKXIsEUtu9tp9JGeZJjDN_zqwOE/s320/IMG_5383.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540264631950080482" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTifFjUs4c5rKPltOLCmNsW6x3KPhExqz0aaHhCWmTKPuIzihDDblgL-8ZCpiB9Crtw-SIiIR7uYEuBsT_2uyV5ZWQbR0NkAQuiR-ykXEp0LrJYbaYO_mXQChyphenhyphenKNIuCeqrNoRy1rfZoOI3/s1600/IMG_5257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTifFjUs4c5rKPltOLCmNsW6x3KPhExqz0aaHhCWmTKPuIzihDDblgL-8ZCpiB9Crtw-SIiIR7uYEuBsT_2uyV5ZWQbR0NkAQuiR-ykXEp0LrJYbaYO_mXQChyphenhyphenKNIuCeqrNoRy1rfZoOI3/s320/IMG_5257.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540269321382025506" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi8kPlE8cBNzZH_DQMyH5nctJ5D6CdFj8aVVzCkhOCPorSh-Nd-RBbXNV05jRCX75FIzc61JCA54RtdRePPN0sMdQvIBmIK2mUI-C4_H0769wnm4jLYcZybaRYKIgxYEz49qhePz3WMlH/s1600/IMG_5253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi8kPlE8cBNzZH_DQMyH5nctJ5D6CdFj8aVVzCkhOCPorSh-Nd-RBbXNV05jRCX75FIzc61JCA54RtdRePPN0sMdQvIBmIK2mUI-C4_H0769wnm4jLYcZybaRYKIgxYEz49qhePz3WMlH/s320/IMG_5253.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540269312943018930" /></a><br /><br />October and November seemed to have flown by but I don't want them to pass by and not share with everyone some good news about Ella. We have much to be thankful for! First, yesterday, Monday, November 15 Ella was discharged from Feeding Therapy!! We are so excited for her and are beyond thankful for all the progress she has made in the past year. Last year her first feeding therapy appointment was on September 14 and she went in not being able to eat any kind of food wihout gagging and vomiting and was being fed primarily by her feeding tube with a little supplement from a bottle. It was a slow, hard and demanding process and honestly I believed that it would be years before she would be eating sufficiently by mouth and I felt like she would be relying on her feeding tube for many years as well. Deep down I hoped and prayed I was wrong but there was just so much to overcome and with her diagnosis I didn't want to get my hopes up. Wow!! Was I ever wrong! I am still in shock that we are at this point where just ONE YEAR later we are done with feeding therapy AND it's been five months now since she has used her feeding tube for anything. Unbelievable! Thank you God! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHR-YmvD7gm1vekXVWMpKyHSJbhN_9zx6i8xZu9FLA8tIf8TxqxlaIly6unAZ3w2VxTVreUt8GJAr_KpWS_penvGI9i4w0ENNsMFpVukci5QpyyDPZVkXWTVmgsSHFb4mAYkDwc8hg9ri/s1600/IMG_5628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHR-YmvD7gm1vekXVWMpKyHSJbhN_9zx6i8xZu9FLA8tIf8TxqxlaIly6unAZ3w2VxTVreUt8GJAr_KpWS_penvGI9i4w0ENNsMFpVukci5QpyyDPZVkXWTVmgsSHFb4mAYkDwc8hg9ri/s320/IMG_5628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540345030899406146" /></a><br />Last time walking in to Feeding Therapy<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qrbtWLNz85Xr2Q3qFF-h_hPtMcOBaEtZz_1U2kVkT_Uq9Ioz7fNRctJcKqnK7TXL2mLM-I53u6EWf_OHvFxbYdiv5rJi3X3p0ZDtSIuzIktLo9NXctaLu-E-HVZNJuxbsmpMFjaXi4nA/s1600/IMG_5630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qrbtWLNz85Xr2Q3qFF-h_hPtMcOBaEtZz_1U2kVkT_Uq9Ioz7fNRctJcKqnK7TXL2mLM-I53u6EWf_OHvFxbYdiv5rJi3X3p0ZDtSIuzIktLo9NXctaLu-E-HVZNJuxbsmpMFjaXi4nA/s320/IMG_5630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540345036831797426" /></a><br />Ella and her AMAZING therapist Miss Sara<br />Ella started off the day with a cookie bar for breakfast. Awesome. And yes, I still give her any food she asks for so it thrilled my heart that she wanted cookies for breakfast. :) Then we celebrated with Taco Bueno for lunch followed by some ice cream with Pawpaw. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga99oKZtrRfuuzvtbtjHRQZAJRLub8YhHevPKKtpG0CyuCTLXTZnBBKIPNpjIV9IPiuwMppAetUF0DR3FL6VaOd0lYQGwIMcDjztwktZylE8uI8XHUctjgRd054exnjz3j5P7or23hmGSy/s1600/IMG_5631.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga99oKZtrRfuuzvtbtjHRQZAJRLub8YhHevPKKtpG0CyuCTLXTZnBBKIPNpjIV9IPiuwMppAetUF0DR3FL6VaOd0lYQGwIMcDjztwktZylE8uI8XHUctjgRd054exnjz3j5P7or23hmGSy/s320/IMG_5631.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348296153390258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhFjOLaEarYI7YEYnHY6SvgfQQxoCx-QaGtXxlIZOBC6IfuZ5ciRrN9r093B5Jkc1pQOR5o5INGw_78IGboDbdi2IeoQjbvbPE_TK9bm7fGgkOdEM1EBGAudFPB2Q177KPk2JTVCCWEFg/s1600/IMG_5641.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhFjOLaEarYI7YEYnHY6SvgfQQxoCx-QaGtXxlIZOBC6IfuZ5ciRrN9r093B5Jkc1pQOR5o5INGw_78IGboDbdi2IeoQjbvbPE_TK9bm7fGgkOdEM1EBGAudFPB2Q177KPk2JTVCCWEFg/s320/IMG_5641.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348303634955202" /></a><br />After dinner we took a little family outing to Sonic to get another treat. Yea Ella! We're so proud of you! We love to celebrate around here can you tell?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4obqL01yqUS2iSwO8Y3yEH0Pc68N4hB2DF87VKI22CmghfVOXEk2cKll1_iTat3t4L5DTIu7ROlzUOyofyatJ367jYc6NWtZomnF7wWZhdRYDz7QggZ1rr0QM0V0a87r1OBAVIVmpv7GZ/s1600/IMG_5645.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4obqL01yqUS2iSwO8Y3yEH0Pc68N4hB2DF87VKI22CmghfVOXEk2cKll1_iTat3t4L5DTIu7ROlzUOyofyatJ367jYc6NWtZomnF7wWZhdRYDz7QggZ1rr0QM0V0a87r1OBAVIVmpv7GZ/s320/IMG_5645.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348321274431426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5G1YzOPj7uBGZRc9Gdl9C6Q8IZsMB22MM56eizDLrt_4czsZkgO6hxFIISEEcRr_iGhhTJW9g6oDFo05YoQD3dXfB-0jWcP37CCd3udDcZeKSamjyew1T4rzW5w9zTSXIT95eVCcd0d9/s1600/IMG_5643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW5G1YzOPj7uBGZRc9Gdl9C6Q8IZsMB22MM56eizDLrt_4czsZkgO6hxFIISEEcRr_iGhhTJW9g6oDFo05YoQD3dXfB-0jWcP37CCd3udDcZeKSamjyew1T4rzW5w9zTSXIT95eVCcd0d9/s320/IMG_5643.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540348312514257410" /></a><br />Thank you also to all of our friends and family that have prayed so much for Ella. Your faithfulness and commitment to prayer for Ella has been life-changing for not only her but for our entire family. I pray that Ella's story serves as a testimony to the power of prayer and what a mighty God we serve! I never would have dreamed the night and day difference we have seen in just a matter of a year and I am overwhelmed and humbled at what the Lord has done and given us this year. We have so much to be thankful for and I don't take any of it for granted.<br /><br />Second, another praise for Ella is that she had her annual review with Early Childhood Intervention last week and she is doing so well in Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy that they have decreased both of those therapies to just once a month. So, obviously our schedule has quickly changed with all of these therapies decreasing. I have to say that it is bittersweet which may sound weird to some people. But, this has been our way of life since Ella was born and her therapist are some of our good friends so it's just kind of emotional letting go. Can you tell I don't handle change well?? Even when it's good change it's still an adjustment. Don't get me wrong, I'm so thankful that we are at this point where we don't need as much intervention because this is what we've been working toward so it's definitely a welcome change but for me it does come with some mixed emotions. I'm just so thankful for the specific people, therapists, and doctors the Lord sent to us to help Ella. They are truly such a blessing and have worked so hard to help get Ella to where she is now. <br /><br />So, what's next? There is nothing scheduled at this point as far as surgeries. There will be surgeries to come but hopefully not for another couple of years. In December we have several follow-up appointments with surgeons to check on Ella's tummy and her left arm and shoulder then later in the winter we'll have some other follow-ups for other things so it's not like we are done with appointments and doctors. :) Many have asked when Ella will have her G-button taken out and that will probably happen this spring. We'll see her GI doctor in February or March and make more definite plans then when to remove it. Makes me excited but nervous! So for now we will just be enjoying our new schedule and thanking God for these blessings! <br /><br />To conclude this massive post I leave you with Halloween pictures. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you...Albert Einstein.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Y-ylLLwP9kpJDdt4mNHCsnZh4yTr2zgUgNfQIbFdFmW9dI224AertPM718GhqavI0H4t0U7eJFIo8zug2uIHnELcR8pzdTngPzl7zYVlurS1Dd4D-RnGQkqn7EIvQxm1c8zfnlsCe_V/s1600/IMG_5446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3Y-ylLLwP9kpJDdt4mNHCsnZh4yTr2zgUgNfQIbFdFmW9dI224AertPM718GhqavI0H4t0U7eJFIo8zug2uIHnELcR8pzdTngPzl7zYVlurS1Dd4D-RnGQkqn7EIvQxm1c8zfnlsCe_V/s320/IMG_5446.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540276662062575490" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jjRZXb9u20P2IaBll5sMpvya5jiSselxtNQIjx6WX41VxJrH9CwPyq0RTTxwBfizB1B7gZMEP911eMAXG6Zl5zaQL7CdCHF6jBj7cOq5OoBPVNGq7HmpJJFlY55GTZBqeH5oPIyZpzCF/s1600/IMG_5414.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jjRZXb9u20P2IaBll5sMpvya5jiSselxtNQIjx6WX41VxJrH9CwPyq0RTTxwBfizB1B7gZMEP911eMAXG6Zl5zaQL7CdCHF6jBj7cOq5OoBPVNGq7HmpJJFlY55GTZBqeH5oPIyZpzCF/s320/IMG_5414.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540269271431060210" /></a><br />Einstein checking herself out. Loooove the hair!<br /><br />GENIUS costume isn't it? Lots of good laughs at the tiny Einstein while trick or treating. I wish I could take credit for this idea but I can't. We copied it from our very funny and creative cousins in Alabama. Love you Rory, Ginny and Hayes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTBvY0G4lQh8_wwDuOoJdos8y3C9QOl5GKmEL6Nm_a7liH3ol5GpWTAq9Mmf5SgYRBxguW5PZOdONylogVWtxA1cSA3gWFoi502PsfOQ_groUJs7bGVGF9h-3YstqZcw1xexZmpoCyrQV/s1600/IMG_5409-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJTBvY0G4lQh8_wwDuOoJdos8y3C9QOl5GKmEL6Nm_a7liH3ol5GpWTAq9Mmf5SgYRBxguW5PZOdONylogVWtxA1cSA3gWFoi502PsfOQ_groUJs7bGVGF9h-3YstqZcw1xexZmpoCyrQV/s320/IMG_5409-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540264646441187138" /></a><br />Round 1-Eva was Minnie Mouse for her Halloween at school...safe choice. She is the cutest Minnie Mouse I've ever seen by the way!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59Hm9EvyC8FIhOo1GOKofV5cwsPAM-f2pzu4sKhgk5XmECUbBBX4mp-0YlfEsGgre6ciDbzkabD_lbzL-fhCj3wpvt1WLyvCB6WyblbpJoPkfeGhOAh4CojFN-fFqfGL7qL_toZA1ji6P/s1600/IMG_5421.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj59Hm9EvyC8FIhOo1GOKofV5cwsPAM-f2pzu4sKhgk5XmECUbBBX4mp-0YlfEsGgre6ciDbzkabD_lbzL-fhCj3wpvt1WLyvCB6WyblbpJoPkfeGhOAh4CojFN-fFqfGL7qL_toZA1ji6P/s320/IMG_5421.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540276670902671122" /></a><br />Round 2-She decided last minute for trick or treating that she wanted to be a pizza again so she wore her old faithful pizza slice costume from two years ago. Why the change you ask? Well, after seeing how many laughs Ella Einstein was getting she opted to go for the funny and went for the pizza. It was hilarious, I was helping her get dressed and she looked up at me with a smile on her face and whispered so no one could hear her, "This be funny?" I assured her that yes, this costume would indeed be very funny! So cute! Love her sense of humor.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnkxh1QGp3cfapHwcVVRLe2UMvwgG-DF_2iaNkJXSTEODyDJZ9Mpqgh8zTyThOSSe7-zeW0k4zawUiSij_dmtul7Cq1YJ6_4BuBCXjFUGyGcsjTE-3COEcnVxsee4cg_ruYHyO69_4yxu/s1600/IMG_5444.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihnkxh1QGp3cfapHwcVVRLe2UMvwgG-DF_2iaNkJXSTEODyDJZ9Mpqgh8zTyThOSSe7-zeW0k4zawUiSij_dmtul7Cq1YJ6_4BuBCXjFUGyGcsjTE-3COEcnVxsee4cg_ruYHyO69_4yxu/s320/IMG_5444.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540269330695289602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9ES8fy9T9f8AM3h4LYBBCLQNqJ5SrAxIZZlQeaFZfdmXHfxAlCv_SyCq5LsQ-ws6cGbOfs6bAAK1MKYahP8868A9uwZSrIq-MGkYJPz8zC0W2cpZYLru_NUlCjCLyk6q2LMzLn3FHThL/s1600/IMG_5427.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9ES8fy9T9f8AM3h4LYBBCLQNqJ5SrAxIZZlQeaFZfdmXHfxAlCv_SyCq5LsQ-ws6cGbOfs6bAAK1MKYahP8868A9uwZSrIq-MGkYJPz8zC0W2cpZYLru_NUlCjCLyk6q2LMzLn3FHThL/s320/IMG_5427.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540269279578102114" /></a><br />Hope everyone has a very blessed Thanksgiving!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-16362964438451118972010-10-13T16:00:00.000-05:002010-10-13T16:01:12.552-05:00Two Great ThingsI have two great things to share with everyone! First, our friends Jason and Summer Cox are having a huge Garage Sale this weekend and all the proceeds are going to help bring their sweet baby girl home from Ethiopia! So exciting! So, if you live in the Fort Worth area and want to hit up a fantastic sale this weekend and help out the Cox's contact Summer at the email address below if you need directions to their home or more details. They also have other ways that you can help out too so check out their coffee fundraiser at www.justlovecoffee.com/CoxRagamuffins as well as their t-shirt sales at www.goseeklove.com!<br /><br />Garage Sale Adoption Fundraiser for the Cox Family<br />All proceeds are to help bring our daughter home from Ethiopia<br />www.coxragamuffins.blogspot.com<br />Friday, October 15th and Saturday, October 16th<br />At their home<br />Contact Summer for details at jlandskcox@yahoo.com<br />*also will be selling baked goods*<br /><br />Ongoing coffee fundraiser: www.justlovecoffee.com/CoxRagamuffins : $5 from every bag purchased goes directly to our family - makes great Christmas or birthday presents!<br /><br />For the month of October only: visit www.goseeklove.com to purchase t-shirts - 100% of the proceeds go directly to our family!<br /><br />The other great news is that Derran, Ann, Brynn and Meg are back home in Texas from Thailand this month! Yippee! They got back a week and a half ago and it's been nonstop fun for all of us. We have had the best time just being together and letting the cousins play. I meant to post these pictures from the airport last week but got a little sidetracked. Too busy carting Ann around to Happy Hour at Sonic everyday, going to Target, etc. And I'm not kidding. :) Better late than never so here are some fun pics to enjoy! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXfKLOc3gZVsXhRFJPucDtYRkucfVzmwY957Viel1a2i3a3KlANKtG9Z48To-yXt1eNY6h3SevIJ_Jnf-aR2qkVtmRGgjy_pryWOairzDCZMC9x45iJF2PYrEpDss_4g8Pt4GsHAp56rc/s1600/IMG_5205.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXfKLOc3gZVsXhRFJPucDtYRkucfVzmwY957Viel1a2i3a3KlANKtG9Z48To-yXt1eNY6h3SevIJ_Jnf-aR2qkVtmRGgjy_pryWOairzDCZMC9x45iJF2PYrEpDss_4g8Pt4GsHAp56rc/s320/IMG_5205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523546674241930626" /></a><br />Waiting for the big arrival<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEAWo9m5dgF_sTPQBncCZk2v0OVekBiB7qlNhd3l3zj83_VgfPejcM36hkPm-Ct9gKznI_A4Fz6gN0rN0G0H_tdhyspe5Ao_wMDHs8cf6E8oSyk2GWXWl8PuJ85jRdgdCeuxQHhIp95Ga/s1600/IMG_5203.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDEAWo9m5dgF_sTPQBncCZk2v0OVekBiB7qlNhd3l3zj83_VgfPejcM36hkPm-Ct9gKznI_A4Fz6gN0rN0G0H_tdhyspe5Ao_wMDHs8cf6E8oSyk2GWXWl8PuJ85jRdgdCeuxQHhIp95Ga/s320/IMG_5203.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523546672140587202" /></a><br />Waiting...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKdSmRUImzw_0LTFVBQTCZ5tH4Rg7ARCAE9Ot_vX9nvqVqWv_Vt1tvwejuU6YzFhjtaAVF1LONY6qBEuY5_dCqlN8tB6Z4c5lcgzWeNtoa2WBr_-ZqwpUpkIuBh8kxfpGpvI-QGkduqki/s1600/IMG_5201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiKdSmRUImzw_0LTFVBQTCZ5tH4Rg7ARCAE9Ot_vX9nvqVqWv_Vt1tvwejuU6YzFhjtaAVF1LONY6qBEuY5_dCqlN8tB6Z4c5lcgzWeNtoa2WBr_-ZqwpUpkIuBh8kxfpGpvI-QGkduqki/s320/IMG_5201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523546665151213650" /></a><br />Waiting...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXFb3s1pk4-U3pWz9mevJnYNs3nxmobxQFOtsrljfkvBDVwyqNLjx-guPXJLuPcSyzocChEBatuQKhyphenhyphenFiE3-nOLCrBLEH9ntQZwzvROMYXYcfBSW4OeB9VFamkfgJuewQnNUl1ilMKJND/s1600/IMG_5199.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNXFb3s1pk4-U3pWz9mevJnYNs3nxmobxQFOtsrljfkvBDVwyqNLjx-guPXJLuPcSyzocChEBatuQKhyphenhyphenFiE3-nOLCrBLEH9ntQZwzvROMYXYcfBSW4OeB9VFamkfgJuewQnNUl1ilMKJND/s320/IMG_5199.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523546661718101890" /></a><br />Still waiting...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9TqAifUMRKmLwAoi0Jq6V5uQwRjjeA4BFlgiFM7at5VH1PiBGgDXNCx1ZRAqrKaCeUWMIZmil6FrjmLBJm8A_G688KZ_T5Z8XSB_epsI98b0nIBEerhJGRX0UB-a8VVHDfMvKs-bCvmq/s1600/IMG_5198.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9TqAifUMRKmLwAoi0Jq6V5uQwRjjeA4BFlgiFM7at5VH1PiBGgDXNCx1ZRAqrKaCeUWMIZmil6FrjmLBJm8A_G688KZ_T5Z8XSB_epsI98b0nIBEerhJGRX0UB-a8VVHDfMvKs-bCvmq/s320/IMG_5198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523546655502518834" /></a><br />More waiting...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GMxmo9kV0lwKgX2WFQLpPm2BTVx4QU3w1kkiIKB5Jq7cx5l6gda64ETnz2mygTq1q6_tGpE9tUuLAe-dgutO8R2m1gGwv9mSvFCKklJM1hlRYMlLFzstnaflWalsky0qV-Czh-Fg-iFz/s1600/IMG_5208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GMxmo9kV0lwKgX2WFQLpPm2BTVx4QU3w1kkiIKB5Jq7cx5l6gda64ETnz2mygTq1q6_tGpE9tUuLAe-dgutO8R2m1gGwv9mSvFCKklJM1hlRYMlLFzstnaflWalsky0qV-Czh-Fg-iFz/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523549165109838434" /></a><br />FINALLY! The moment we've all waited for for the last year...to see their smiling faces and hug their necks!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7TbjfGZfw90n3FSUdH-OZq20u2oAcinL0qq6kfGkL-AW3joHARASIAJ0DKLT_CR22AC1u9Xnp3WMp4VFzJFgcK1l25PdIGNI0UZILZH4_eiTk1eweysmZUfMqdGBn-47k5juPW54lsDR/s1600/IMG_5209.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7TbjfGZfw90n3FSUdH-OZq20u2oAcinL0qq6kfGkL-AW3joHARASIAJ0DKLT_CR22AC1u9Xnp3WMp4VFzJFgcK1l25PdIGNI0UZILZH4_eiTk1eweysmZUfMqdGBn-47k5juPW54lsDR/s320/IMG_5209.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523549172031245170" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2ylp3MaF8P2eSsFHn0_BwE6KqQ5p528w050j0wbPdMNPq9IVwzYMm8NupaDv3bGlSXsZj02pDP1SbMvWVUyiBeBmVazHwrgiM6hyMT1fpIlzUV_bEWIQZclzI0eA9QKyBHbu5AHDhj7D/s1600/IMG_5215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif2ylp3MaF8P2eSsFHn0_BwE6KqQ5p528w050j0wbPdMNPq9IVwzYMm8NupaDv3bGlSXsZj02pDP1SbMvWVUyiBeBmVazHwrgiM6hyMT1fpIlzUV_bEWIQZclzI0eA9QKyBHbu5AHDhj7D/s320/IMG_5215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523549188085837858" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiCt121JEQ1aprafDE4WVP6JpQEfPVe-1HJ8gHexH6JC7TJ15o5EG9jjWQm4SZX19QIQtoHhCQNKobBFXElucJT484zkGb2pMve0hUgCH6lQyWUhWIwpVyOnitf7YLbujlte3VXm8wckJ/s1600/IMG_5213.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiCt121JEQ1aprafDE4WVP6JpQEfPVe-1HJ8gHexH6JC7TJ15o5EG9jjWQm4SZX19QIQtoHhCQNKobBFXElucJT484zkGb2pMve0hUgCH6lQyWUhWIwpVyOnitf7YLbujlte3VXm8wckJ/s320/IMG_5213.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523549182338298210" /></a><br />Ella isn't quite sure yet about Uncle Derran<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4cN4q7hlA13rsdAxk4sh89wGHqzBSVum92CFuUtNb42YPc2H1Sl0I1i0nhs-43pqnzdLnbMAzI6JfdVb_7c0ywwW0M50ju_IdjVXEnm_0I3WvAko2a1M6Py7LwpVuL4OncIvTrengIl3/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY4cN4q7hlA13rsdAxk4sh89wGHqzBSVum92CFuUtNb42YPc2H1Sl0I1i0nhs-43pqnzdLnbMAzI6JfdVb_7c0ywwW0M50ju_IdjVXEnm_0I3WvAko2a1M6Py7LwpVuL4OncIvTrengIl3/s320/IMG_5224.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523552781479935666" /></a><br />Brothers don't shake hands...brothers gotta hug! Yes, I'm still always looking for opportunities to throw in a Tommy Boy quote even at the age of 32. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1zg8qrpvrYAib2he5_m2ZErUtCdzpyEojIVjkSIGhEUkx1kMRsZUCR3psYYDtNFS1CMnHhyphenhyphenO2BWcNB2BhUA9kQledc0GoYeyHfjgFqgmi7SYe6djuq3v0r0pi_LHbZ_7hL5HvTw6VBnw/s1600/IMG_5212.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1zg8qrpvrYAib2he5_m2ZErUtCdzpyEojIVjkSIGhEUkx1kMRsZUCR3psYYDtNFS1CMnHhyphenhyphenO2BWcNB2BhUA9kQledc0GoYeyHfjgFqgmi7SYe6djuq3v0r0pi_LHbZ_7hL5HvTw6VBnw/s320/IMG_5212.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523549180065394386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFUD6dp9Mbry1Ht120pqoBvIRu4GG3Dp_OyGWr1FRmWHTaeQrutATE_bgy0_3gFWU6z_GdpyvFDRE5d4TE8Ku0cEs1otnd3Rpr8uRhoyXqXG-WFM08k1bpeghp0KaEq-GqkpuutYVfuAP/s1600/IMG_5219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFUD6dp9Mbry1Ht120pqoBvIRu4GG3Dp_OyGWr1FRmWHTaeQrutATE_bgy0_3gFWU6z_GdpyvFDRE5d4TE8Ku0cEs1otnd3Rpr8uRhoyXqXG-WFM08k1bpeghp0KaEq-GqkpuutYVfuAP/s320/IMG_5219.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523552769537919234" /></a><br />The happy little cousins<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgbDh_HB8MUHQ5_54wcWdkD2oLev7z-nuWksY3ANqi5ko8-WKlMO6iaQwKgwsh_C1WuBwU4SwjkVDKmUeCQt_DbgrMAzeUVLR8kweL3AoRxJ4cmiTOQwduRBCGxoSI1jLSUsnugQY_jCL/s1600/IMG_5228.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgbDh_HB8MUHQ5_54wcWdkD2oLev7z-nuWksY3ANqi5ko8-WKlMO6iaQwKgwsh_C1WuBwU4SwjkVDKmUeCQt_DbgrMAzeUVLR8kweL3AoRxJ4cmiTOQwduRBCGxoSI1jLSUsnugQY_jCL/s320/IMG_5228.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523552791010958066" /></a><br />Eva and Brynn were SO excited to see each other! They had to be together and holding hands at all times. Even on the ride home from the airport with my mom squished in between the carseats they were reaching their hands ACROSS her so they could be touching each other! Awwwww, so sweet! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0W8KNAQAot5qanKjXy18Ge5BcubcNKauzjzcwcY2EJNtHfUC7HfO1gdBdDmwTTitXR7Jm8YoRJwaKoYI5_fALQvTLLPqe28Y72RQ-VGkY_shUXyCYqm6NsFM_i_uZyQ23h2MGPcPUTmY/s1600/IMG_5226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0W8KNAQAot5qanKjXy18Ge5BcubcNKauzjzcwcY2EJNtHfUC7HfO1gdBdDmwTTitXR7Jm8YoRJwaKoYI5_fALQvTLLPqe28Y72RQ-VGkY_shUXyCYqm6NsFM_i_uZyQ23h2MGPcPUTmY/s320/IMG_5226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523552787138799682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIWmHEokpDaJXmy9ywJx_8f8cltA53PDHzgyBLtZxnU-OWq8UpzNubmV9fNMQt_HTU7AtKurd9Hqnh-Ks9iYDzeTMuS74edhM2pfLOfuC4dL3o7vnHvsRAVU6aT1p5k7ov_vlaI4ZfKtD/s1600/IMG_5217.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIWmHEokpDaJXmy9ywJx_8f8cltA53PDHzgyBLtZxnU-OWq8UpzNubmV9fNMQt_HTU7AtKurd9Hqnh-Ks9iYDzeTMuS74edhM2pfLOfuC4dL3o7vnHvsRAVU6aT1p5k7ov_vlaI4ZfKtD/s320/IMG_5217.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523552764534457826" /></a><br />Mama and her chicks, happy together again!<br /><br />Well now, what does one do when you are fresh off the plane from Thailand? That's right, Sonic baby! Within the first hour Ann and Derran were here we went to Sonic, Chick-fil-a AND Taco Bueno! Yes, you read that right, I did say in the first hour. Doesn't that sound like a dream? Three of my favorite places. I wish everyday started out like this one right? :) How does one do that you ask? Simple. First stop was Sonic for drinks for us girls. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa9xB6mv1eJodFO-dcqSBKIp99DZqXKg-TY_lGjp2VT8UV_WokzS1ANoxCCxxF6HN_-QSXRC3PpMFqApJ-AvHAs6Qg68y5kjSoWXBapvvI3-Sew3DhV79B6fflhcFDxWo2rAneENE5aG-/s1600/IMG_5236-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCa9xB6mv1eJodFO-dcqSBKIp99DZqXKg-TY_lGjp2VT8UV_WokzS1ANoxCCxxF6HN_-QSXRC3PpMFqApJ-AvHAs6Qg68y5kjSoWXBapvvI3-Sew3DhV79B6fflhcFDxWo2rAneENE5aG-/s320/IMG_5236-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555637073065986" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpxSNyRDv0ujXdmqErGUWWB4eysabuHf1KexE3WwcWAbgmVai8EnO6QFOmSRvlHWFN0N3r4KP83G0uKp7NN-EWe9Z5px4YqrC19NHoJuufU74vZ6ETuFVJKzSisWvZ3j1W5uWUKTg-Rwq/s1600/IMG_5234-1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpxSNyRDv0ujXdmqErGUWWB4eysabuHf1KexE3WwcWAbgmVai8EnO6QFOmSRvlHWFN0N3r4KP83G0uKp7NN-EWe9Z5px4YqrC19NHoJuufU74vZ6ETuFVJKzSisWvZ3j1W5uWUKTg-Rwq/s320/IMG_5234-1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555633353843986" /></a><br />Then a stop at Chick-fil-a for nuggets for the kids<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0V3UYWGjV7nV6uAIPFnYy2usaYnHP88S-yuTUoZVk0wQX9mqSaIWjweBfEHwuii42pFPMIZsMrDIDg7dC1ggpuGymzSsPwYOQXiiw7kPvaeH7TsvkoNN3oKSUpiAxhbE5VCbxX6RcRZt/s1600/IMG_5238.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0V3UYWGjV7nV6uAIPFnYy2usaYnHP88S-yuTUoZVk0wQX9mqSaIWjweBfEHwuii42pFPMIZsMrDIDg7dC1ggpuGymzSsPwYOQXiiw7kPvaeH7TsvkoNN3oKSUpiAxhbE5VCbxX6RcRZt/s320/IMG_5238.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555641453491618" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3D8aWeWfLjB_FMBFHmLB-P0h98PVFRkc5lfV61WLvwCrKV7FiQ5orj4-AevIQFq3IAeCtUWGJK_PQuzmbSmK9NXVdLkx2q3nSYunF_ts6fQye3HKNIlsxz2ZUdS29g7qlVXPvChpQSOU/s1600/IMG_5241.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3D8aWeWfLjB_FMBFHmLB-P0h98PVFRkc5lfV61WLvwCrKV7FiQ5orj4-AevIQFq3IAeCtUWGJK_PQuzmbSmK9NXVdLkx2q3nSYunF_ts6fQye3HKNIlsxz2ZUdS29g7qlVXPvChpQSOU/s320/IMG_5241.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555644692082018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesVX9d3fvNaY40fabvYZmAjfOe9gTZinKlhizHAe7mHBnn1upV3gwdZUNC3r6GynMRJyfiqQkOaTAt2AyBZ4SbtDLjMF7kZqbvPtLVOgBQ5v1BI-kFIHg_oER0O-dNv3JdP83y9ep-Y0v/s1600/IMG_5247.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesVX9d3fvNaY40fabvYZmAjfOe9gTZinKlhizHAe7mHBnn1upV3gwdZUNC3r6GynMRJyfiqQkOaTAt2AyBZ4SbtDLjMF7kZqbvPtLVOgBQ5v1BI-kFIHg_oER0O-dNv3JdP83y9ep-Y0v/s320/IMG_5247.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523555646541330802" /></a><br />And the last stop was Taco Bueno to-go for the adults<br /><br />Aaahhh, perfection isn't it? We are loving having them back for a little while and we're so proud of them and the work they are doing in Phayao. Welcome home Derran, Ann, Brynn and Meg!!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-10914928074354817702010-09-15T16:47:00.011-05:002010-09-15T18:17:40.385-05:00Things I Never Thought I Would Do, 20 lbs and Fun Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqWAaGjSQwLQOPh_fi3Q7qo6PMU3GobGAn-OwMexTjHIIIPmVVudbDOWwHVtPRmsnF25JtBe7uONVjmu4PYPViAuPI1oLqU1XP3Fg0QWz8jF2NquJ02Pg4yDf7TBCNykzzDBfiB-Uqi-X/s1600/IMG_5123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqWAaGjSQwLQOPh_fi3Q7qo6PMU3GobGAn-OwMexTjHIIIPmVVudbDOWwHVtPRmsnF25JtBe7uONVjmu4PYPViAuPI1oLqU1XP3Fg0QWz8jF2NquJ02Pg4yDf7TBCNykzzDBfiB-Uqi-X/s320/IMG_5123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517271934650496434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfm6QTHyEHpSjbgjj0rKUP24uB4LcRd7fSTXnj2IyT6IUk73sbJyFs9ysSc6C_74TIkg1qhvwqdJWD1apB1t5Exjib1RpeLZhaxeanExopPC6vdL0Du82up01w2G8asnGNyhqOIwB6JKpK/s1600/IMG_5180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfm6QTHyEHpSjbgjj0rKUP24uB4LcRd7fSTXnj2IyT6IUk73sbJyFs9ysSc6C_74TIkg1qhvwqdJWD1apB1t5Exjib1RpeLZhaxeanExopPC6vdL0Du82up01w2G8asnGNyhqOIwB6JKpK/s320/IMG_5180.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517281954015552994" /></a><br />Things I Never Thought I Would Do:<br /><br />1) Purposefully pour Coke into a sippy cup...and not feel bad about it. I have let Ella drink my Cokes for awhile now but recently I have actually found myself pouring it INTO a sippy cup for her to drink. I don't know it's like Crazy Calorie Counting Mom takes over and I have no control over myself and I can't stop myself from pouring it in. It's so wrong and I feel like coke in a sippy cup just takes things to a whole other level. Does that stop me from doing it? No. Will I continue? Yes. Have I even done it in public? Yes. No one has given me the stink-eye about it yet but I'm sure that day is coming. Bring it.<br /><br />2) Serve dessert after breakfast. Who said that we can't have dessert after breakfast? Ella routinely gets something sweet in the morning. It doesn't matter if it's 9:00 am, it is never too early for a package of gummies or some cookies in my opinion. <br /><br />3) Serve lunch/dinner for breakfast. Lately one of Ella's favorite things to eat for breakfast is mac and cheese and chicken nuggets dipped in Ranch. I know, grrroosss. Eva walked out the other day and saw Ella eating mac and cheese and nuggets and kind of got this weird/grossed out look on her face and said, "Why Ella eat that?" She also looooooves Ranch and dips EVERYTHING in it, despite the fact that she has atopic dermatitis and her mouth and face turn red where ever the Ranch has touched. Awesome right? Note to self, remind her on her first date not to dip anything in Ranch...a blotchy, red mouth and face could make things a liiiittle awkward. <br /><br />4) Spend the majority of my time during my weekly grocery shopping trip in the cookie aisle. Seriously, I don't know how much time I spend in the snack/cookie aisle comparing cookies to see which ones have the most calories. AND, instead of running in the opposite direction from the high calorie snack, I take great pride in my find and excitedly put it in my basket, eager to get home and show Rick what I've found to fatten Ella up. <br /><br />BUT, had we NOT done these things would we be dropping this number on the scale?? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB7Ku7Q-cwW4MLw9i7TO9oww0A7HTuzY3Yhhk7ZpGJBR0Y4fnlXfjj2hfg09GQmWdXtKG65FCjR4xglCEwq3t0pfLL16r7uW0wbKVsr9HWPmgiXfZrgzCV3P89IEoOgCitKTi6HKKTH9J/s1600/IMG_5169.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB7Ku7Q-cwW4MLw9i7TO9oww0A7HTuzY3Yhhk7ZpGJBR0Y4fnlXfjj2hfg09GQmWdXtKG65FCjR4xglCEwq3t0pfLL16r7uW0wbKVsr9HWPmgiXfZrgzCV3P89IEoOgCitKTi6HKKTH9J/s320/IMG_5169.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517275441641181202" /></a><br />Go on, take a closer look. That's right folks, 20 pounds! Finally!! So go ahead and give me the evil eye for putting Coke in sippy cups and giving my kids dessert after breakfast...all I see here are positives. :) <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYJ83F5Hr_u9t_BxN4T1AvCH-pGZHIhlYYsvt3CtTM8r0lhinUG9kbT6ek-HN1oXtTVMEM9yoIMnzGLjZ54ftgs1Zwnuk2iMotcDsA1d3IriS_L3FEiYvGybN-CQ92UH_ku8EWTZ_v8xB/s1600/IMG_5171.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYYJ83F5Hr_u9t_BxN4T1AvCH-pGZHIhlYYsvt3CtTM8r0lhinUG9kbT6ek-HN1oXtTVMEM9yoIMnzGLjZ54ftgs1Zwnuk2iMotcDsA1d3IriS_L3FEiYvGybN-CQ92UH_ku8EWTZ_v8xB/s320/IMG_5171.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517275445682212770" /></a><br />We are super excited in the Carder household for Miss Ella. We've been stuck at 19 pounds for months now and couldn't seem to break it. Who knows how long we'll stay at 20 but hopefully it will only go up from here. It's cool that this is what most 1 year olds weigh and Ella is just now barely there at the age of 2 but we couldn't be prouder. Thank you for all of your prayers for weight gain, please keep them coming! <br /><br />Lastly, for the end of my random post here are just a few fun pictures from the Carders, enjoy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunAX7Ka6CIMWgQANEMyvlKjOwgJ4WdsfjCbPm1nBU89v1pt_-MJMP-8_blurrJhvoTE-dBAGozwUE11mDFMb871_pqa6yurZlox4kqmuturKPUW8U-mxgmYkXzzeZKWIeyQSys-NZaBO4/s1600/IMG_5161.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunAX7Ka6CIMWgQANEMyvlKjOwgJ4WdsfjCbPm1nBU89v1pt_-MJMP-8_blurrJhvoTE-dBAGozwUE11mDFMb871_pqa6yurZlox4kqmuturKPUW8U-mxgmYkXzzeZKWIeyQSys-NZaBO4/s320/IMG_5161.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517271965533423618" /></a><br />Fun in the water after a rainy day!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EIoRiHDhDwocPrcUqx7-E3RophUmPOXtgSmW-JL3Z98MxhC-oP49rE9eba7YBu4Xx6CX1nrl7A9PPVXqLx3PhX4bhJoLuoUjO8T-CYKIgeXc4SbmjFEt1hOUKTRsAjGD7_QsPsvJ7bZU/s1600/IMG_5160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7EIoRiHDhDwocPrcUqx7-E3RophUmPOXtgSmW-JL3Z98MxhC-oP49rE9eba7YBu4Xx6CX1nrl7A9PPVXqLx3PhX4bhJoLuoUjO8T-CYKIgeXc4SbmjFEt1hOUKTRsAjGD7_QsPsvJ7bZU/s320/IMG_5160.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517271961264670338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAI_a8NvQl3CNhebnD4BaclIFNOm1tX48_tyhWBFG4wp-TTvpWG6hLSEEu6Xyps8ZT8_VljycDhs6f-fh7Rok2npMknOf8zCYWBpHZ9iXdNdxDrBFvIlkEK0iPW9DVwMGudRbHnN38r3i/s1600/IMG_5145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnAI_a8NvQl3CNhebnD4BaclIFNOm1tX48_tyhWBFG4wp-TTvpWG6hLSEEu6Xyps8ZT8_VljycDhs6f-fh7Rok2npMknOf8zCYWBpHZ9iXdNdxDrBFvIlkEK0iPW9DVwMGudRbHnN38r3i/s320/IMG_5145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517271948503409074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQhzEovDgdb6UjCvR_Upjsv6cmmYxPMtR7Kl2Ev_7CUj-sotsQwG_X9yAFv7ejvU5XCyJ2qXg-9i1271ZWDhxa830f__QKOgjV5k8ltUOxUj9KPPH6uacPllXQS117sGyz3vQgrf2Vu3P/s1600/IMG_5112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQhzEovDgdb6UjCvR_Upjsv6cmmYxPMtR7Kl2Ev_7CUj-sotsQwG_X9yAFv7ejvU5XCyJ2qXg-9i1271ZWDhxa830f__QKOgjV5k8ltUOxUj9KPPH6uacPllXQS117sGyz3vQgrf2Vu3P/s320/IMG_5112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517271924510718530" /></a><br />One can NEVER have too many pacifiers! Can we say obsessed??<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTjzeSE1wt7du0SDAGS-w7hrAJg_4zVghvMhyphenhyphenR-Q0UfPc7O-Sb4qhEknnFzhSS1fCp17O9pnYqz17Ms9tL7yrl66SFDgCGB1HH-NoSJiyP9Yzt0-mKUs47WCSJ52lQzTw1tqwL7TQ_YHk/s1600/IMG_5176.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTjzeSE1wt7du0SDAGS-w7hrAJg_4zVghvMhyphenhyphenR-Q0UfPc7O-Sb4qhEknnFzhSS1fCp17O9pnYqz17Ms9tL7yrl66SFDgCGB1HH-NoSJiyP9Yzt0-mKUs47WCSJ52lQzTw1tqwL7TQ_YHk/s320/IMG_5176.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517275456045078050" /></a><br />Eva started back to her preschool this past week. She loves her school!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5UdxtsrFvfRpixSKMFML3EYXBJ4A02l6406a4g9xB4wlAl_thada-toXqdJ0NkuGPBzZyrQwGmprcd-Nb8RnRWRnlPgJ41d5ncQZN-D6xQcECqtxOaOeZIoRLNe33jzVopfKjC0bg7wh/s1600/IMG_5182.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5UdxtsrFvfRpixSKMFML3EYXBJ4A02l6406a4g9xB4wlAl_thada-toXqdJ0NkuGPBzZyrQwGmprcd-Nb8RnRWRnlPgJ41d5ncQZN-D6xQcECqtxOaOeZIoRLNe33jzVopfKjC0bg7wh/s320/IMG_5182.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517278987874097026" /></a><br />What a sweet little girl!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkrHNs_KSlMmyQ4MkmA6U939K0eoQPpn8ZCXTY8l9yfcJnTWFg3nUzdgD7BiVRDYkptfSsTFkNrGGTMTkhvTVACJZesB_51wS5gfY-D9cUViSjaSI69hpGBump28hlNqN3YD0rBp3QvN2/s1600/IMG_5184.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkrHNs_KSlMmyQ4MkmA6U939K0eoQPpn8ZCXTY8l9yfcJnTWFg3nUzdgD7BiVRDYkptfSsTFkNrGGTMTkhvTVACJZesB_51wS5gfY-D9cUViSjaSI69hpGBump28hlNqN3YD0rBp3QvN2/s320/IMG_5184.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517278976351557938" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNsgvB1Q5XDjmowApzVAKewYYQjK-GOKQNtnGBi1SIlXVuS3o4EYUjgXSx8hl7D1C4dhOojYAkzykr9P1vZsSq-Nfomt68uwLMRDEnZYaWFFi_q5Fftfc8oI1cf2h2D9CTq0qo5WrsFP/s1600/IMG_5168.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5hNsgvB1Q5XDjmowApzVAKewYYQjK-GOKQNtnGBi1SIlXVuS3o4EYUjgXSx8hl7D1C4dhOojYAkzykr9P1vZsSq-Nfomt68uwLMRDEnZYaWFFi_q5Fftfc8oI1cf2h2D9CTq0qo5WrsFP/s320/IMG_5168.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517275432840586546" /></a><br />Ella...one crazy cat. I turn my back for 5 seconds and this is what happens!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG5HNQPK_PZPH4J1fBcQSBvMAHCOP5SHJ-fqH3qu9GWdsZg7s8Ki-nlsaqz1iKmoujUF1P1HtpYDWdeEoCoS51_c6bQZ0__RHBXc-HLTfnpCu1nKE6aq2KhrbWXF5DDECYJkvowAZwC82/s1600/IMG_5186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGG5HNQPK_PZPH4J1fBcQSBvMAHCOP5SHJ-fqH3qu9GWdsZg7s8Ki-nlsaqz1iKmoujUF1P1HtpYDWdeEoCoS51_c6bQZ0__RHBXc-HLTfnpCu1nKE6aq2KhrbWXF5DDECYJkvowAZwC82/s320/IMG_5186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517278996409738162" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-42415972271573116712010-08-19T15:05:00.008-05:002010-08-19T17:41:23.724-05:001 Year Ago Today<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMam5XKt0Fx6pWm-TRcYjHTJ7JZx3qauHQrqbt2SrmjvZnAQjMZTGvoEMq9fqNnLzxcaWn4r8gyRO8G_fEwOiZKMR59FP2p8Z-NJy5s4TQDG0Tceg_5HqAMqmrxclNQBnL5u-J7q4ZW3_M/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMam5XKt0Fx6pWm-TRcYjHTJ7JZx3qauHQrqbt2SrmjvZnAQjMZTGvoEMq9fqNnLzxcaWn4r8gyRO8G_fEwOiZKMR59FP2p8Z-NJy5s4TQDG0Tceg_5HqAMqmrxclNQBnL5u-J7q4ZW3_M/s320/IMG_2990.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507238851274572258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JtLx7g3vJwRJx2ZORP_c8hKgBVy9-XW6cS5caePO3kJvFLkEHePVldPLAGS4tGzDJRSvFbIo3BseB0cWX0jGio3o6A8dxo6s0o39aoO53IfX01aYoD2vIX3AzfXT6nAI7UUc7Y_y9c8w/s1600/IMG_2970.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1JtLx7g3vJwRJx2ZORP_c8hKgBVy9-XW6cS5caePO3kJvFLkEHePVldPLAGS4tGzDJRSvFbIo3BseB0cWX0jGio3o6A8dxo6s0o39aoO53IfX01aYoD2vIX3AzfXT6nAI7UUc7Y_y9c8w/s320/IMG_2970.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507238841821156850" /></a><br />Just wanted to share my thankfulness today for how the Lord has blessed our sweet little Ella over the past year. August 19, 2009 may not mean much to most people, just another day, but for our family and for especially Ella it has huge significance. It has been one year ago today since Ella had her shoulder reconstruction surgery at Scottish Rite in Dallas. I know for most people not knowing specifically about all that this surgery entailed for Ella it is impossible to really appreciate what it has done for her and the impact it has had and will have on her life. But, we feel so blessed and thankful for what the Lord has done for her by providing amazing surgeons that He equipped to help Ella and others.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6LJ25FchZr6-Grb_5S-H0vu5ShkAHHliU0IGJ6gDVK_bO9bZJiErfi5U0MYflkPlCr3woeGCNxXQ6UzVrZSvBSZwAg47ZzHF3ACzY1LjhE1EtpmmLJKtDFpCo9BF79ox8J-Gbt1o1Ib1/s1600/IMG_3002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6LJ25FchZr6-Grb_5S-H0vu5ShkAHHliU0IGJ6gDVK_bO9bZJiErfi5U0MYflkPlCr3woeGCNxXQ6UzVrZSvBSZwAg47ZzHF3ACzY1LjhE1EtpmmLJKtDFpCo9BF79ox8J-Gbt1o1Ib1/s320/IMG_3002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507238856646035522" /></a><br />Last year on this day we woke up early to send our baby off into major surgery that we had been anticipating and waiting for since the day she was born. I remember having a sense of complete dread yet at the same time knowing that this surgery would change her life. None of us knew what to really expect since Ella's shoulder deformity was extremely rare and her surgeons had never done a shoulder reconstruction like this EVER. They admitted to us months before that they had ONLY seen or read something about Ella's deformity in literature but had never actually seen it for themselves. Awesome...You would think that would have made us nervous but it didn't because these surgeons at Scottish Rite are some of the best in the world in this area of orthopedics so I was confident we were in the best place for Ella. Plus, if these surgeons had never seen it or done this surgery then for sure no other doctors had either so what were really going to do? However, knowing that we were in the best hands and strongly believing that didn't make it any easier to let her go into a long, complicated surgery. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmYC2_UbA2cUJbTiEjz3vWR1yilGelCCpBzwkxSMKcpFj5V66C50XNEb1_FR2qbnWxXUDq7TfnK8ZS9g7Gtg6Mf3nko2ILCM8Az0ftI1CKWxoB0_5L1Jp-fs81GPEEXB1VFS28A0XOZKo/s1600/IMG_3010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtmYC2_UbA2cUJbTiEjz3vWR1yilGelCCpBzwkxSMKcpFj5V66C50XNEb1_FR2qbnWxXUDq7TfnK8ZS9g7Gtg6Mf3nko2ILCM8Az0ftI1CKWxoB0_5L1Jp-fs81GPEEXB1VFS28A0XOZKo/s320/IMG_3010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507238860628077874" /></a><br />I knew her life would never be the same after this day. What her surgeons were able to do physically for her was incredible but even more, it gave her a chance to live a different life in this world that can be very cruel to those with differences or disabilities. I remember after she was born and we found out about her deformity I for one was an absolute wreck. I pretty much had a panic attack in my hospital room not only because of the shock of it all but also because of everything else she was facing and the fact that I was laying in my bed on a different floor while she was laying in her bed down in the NICU with her organs out of her body waiting for surgery. I have no idea why I had a panic attack. Weird...I know. :) Anyway, I kept thinking how will she survive in this world with this? What will people think? How are we going to deal with this? I CAN'T do this. She's never going to have a chance, you can't have something like this and survive in this world. The images running through my mind were of the beggars I would see everyday on the street in Bangkok, Thailand where I grew up. All of them were disabled in some way either blind, missing limbs, deformed, you name it. They didn't have a chance, were not accepted, and like in so many other countries you could say treated like dust of the earth. This is how I believed the world was going to view my precious baby girl...like dust of the earth, dirt. My heart was broken and I was a total mess. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M7EPT4bO2sL1xlZNDruz551n9DD2OGHi52LJOF60lsB4pPZhkyFSZdYNdGRQy4cO5wR7IKJvlxYJAVZQFu2GLcVozpH8p3BQyzPF6r_UQNB0bL82AY14VwbnDzAdl8L52Zl5jJjnNdMF/s1600/IMG_3126.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9M7EPT4bO2sL1xlZNDruz551n9DD2OGHi52LJOF60lsB4pPZhkyFSZdYNdGRQy4cO5wR7IKJvlxYJAVZQFu2GLcVozpH8p3BQyzPF6r_UQNB0bL82AY14VwbnDzAdl8L52Zl5jJjnNdMF/s320/IMG_3126.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507245178112738882" /></a><br />Looking back on that day seems like it was only yesterday even though it was almost 2years ago. Now I can't believe it's actually been a year since her shoulder surgery and in a way I can't believe that any of that actually happened. I'm still processing things. The Lord has done mighty things for Ella and our family this year. Ella is healthy, she is eating and hasn't used her feeding tube in 2 months now. I know, can you believe that? Thank you Lord! She is using her left arm really well and continuing to gain strength in it. There are still some major limitations and she doesn't have full range of motion but there is hope that more can be done in the future to help that. I used to really worry about little things which is ridiculous like how she was gong to put her hair up in a ponytail, will she be able to swim, will kids make fun of her at recess because she can't do the monkey bars. I still wonder about how she will do those things but I refuse to be bound by worry. I'm not saying I've mastered that because I haven't but I know the Lord is faithful and is trustworthy so that is the path I want to choose everyday. I have learned to be so thankful for what she DOES have instead of what she DOESN'T have and she has A LOT. She is blessed beyond measure and it took me awhile to be able to say that because I was so overwhelmed with all of the problems and it felt like the black tunnel I was in was never ending, but the Lord has gently brought me along and revealed to me that He made her perfect for the purpose HE has for her and that is all that matters. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YBMGAjt5WwNJFFeFsdolCJZh8bcBQ1ewlF-_U7M-snjH0DL73jRa-gHjc6orTBM37Qx4m-8CHk7ULjTm26rUaOsdtbPYE_EJr_hBb4xfRN1HAzEnnK9dShr-p8PAHqjsZOIY36Y8hf0g/s1600/IMG_3334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1YBMGAjt5WwNJFFeFsdolCJZh8bcBQ1ewlF-_U7M-snjH0DL73jRa-gHjc6orTBM37Qx4m-8CHk7ULjTm26rUaOsdtbPYE_EJr_hBb4xfRN1HAzEnnK9dShr-p8PAHqjsZOIY36Y8hf0g/s320/IMG_3334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507245169293892738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJOLFgqlAZZCgvcB2kbs64H8OZ4oB9Up52pqUCbz2Gz98KMIcZ44yUgRnJ79ooKqMMytoxQP-itMR502BbcfMEkft1uoxrEus9mHqK3ELYr5cIM34sha-ljX51i_bbFrVVuju6hK9roJn/s1600/IMG_3331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJOLFgqlAZZCgvcB2kbs64H8OZ4oB9Up52pqUCbz2Gz98KMIcZ44yUgRnJ79ooKqMMytoxQP-itMR502BbcfMEkft1uoxrEus9mHqK3ELYr5cIM34sha-ljX51i_bbFrVVuju6hK9roJn/s320/IMG_3331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507245166641705122" /></a><br />I am so thankful for the deliverance the Lord has provided and the love He continues to lavish on us. I know we are immensely blessed and I pray that I don't take that for granted. I write these feelings down not to shock people but to remind myself because I don't want to ever forget or be too far removed from the hurt and pain that I know so many others around me and around the world are going through. I want my eyes to be open to how I can use what the Lord taught me in my dark days to help others. I'm listening and trying to be obedient. He is so faithful and is so patient with me. I'm so so thankful and I know He has much more in store for all of us. I thank Him everyday for giving me sweet little Ella Hope, I love being her mommy! :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIYIMXEwdFFzLZ5Ae8563ZKCvEKik6dfqTxayQlkKVKwo6-KxN3gTe-qOAOwqFKo_4rfF9XWkSHj9d9-la-ZgiGMTHv59EzNt_h5gaa1JvWkR-BqzVUJPUcdFGvQl_sHj8ixYpSXnfFBN/s1600/IMG_4996.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKIYIMXEwdFFzLZ5Ae8563ZKCvEKik6dfqTxayQlkKVKwo6-KxN3gTe-qOAOwqFKo_4rfF9XWkSHj9d9-la-ZgiGMTHv59EzNt_h5gaa1JvWkR-BqzVUJPUcdFGvQl_sHj8ixYpSXnfFBN/s320/IMG_4996.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507245180042376370" /></a>Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-70492026430293724652010-07-28T14:13:00.006-05:002010-07-28T15:03:09.168-05:00Things I Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2uZU55Jv63f9kPTvuVbgYmkl6vhjGMp_eGqmtSPQeI8l5VFf2HAlPESiIJJj51fpCJgUM5jY5y6U5dDEXA7UvRs65x1VkrSA-MrgVT-k196-TcJpzLWYRL-POHKMQxlNTWO2LmUybopH/s1600/IMG_4935.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2uZU55Jv63f9kPTvuVbgYmkl6vhjGMp_eGqmtSPQeI8l5VFf2HAlPESiIJJj51fpCJgUM5jY5y6U5dDEXA7UvRs65x1VkrSA-MrgVT-k196-TcJpzLWYRL-POHKMQxlNTWO2LmUybopH/s320/IMG_4935.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499047890405981906" /></a><br /><br />I love spending time with my girls. We are having so much fun together and they make me laugh all the time. Here are a few of my favorite things:<br /><br />1. Eva's favorite new phrases to incorporate into conversation these days are "It happens" and "Bad news." For example, this is a real conversation I had with her out of the blue the other day. <br />Eva: Sometimes I get poo-poo on my hands.<br />Me: Wait...what? You got poo-poo on your hands? When? <br />Eva: It happens<br />Me: No response<br /><br />Wowzers. What in the world?<br /><br />2. One day last week I was trying to decide what to feed Ella for breakfast and was just kind of talking out loud to myself about what to give her and Eva pipes up, "Ella wants a cupcake." Fantastic I say and without hesitation I joyfully opened up the box of cupcakes and fed one to Ella for breakfast...and I didn't feel bad about it. All I see here are calories people, calories. Don't judge my mothering skills. :)<br /><br />3. I love that to entice Ella to eat her chicken all I had to do at dinner the other night was squirt some Cheez-Whiz on each piece and we were in business. Everybody wins here...Ella wanted cheese, I wanted her to eat her chicken, the solution? Cheez-Whiz on the chicken. We all win.<br /><br />4. Who needs hair gel when you can get this beautiful look with a dab of Cortizone cream lovingly applied by your big sister. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQC97X_mUhDszaYWzSQRnaqxxyiug5gTYQaPzMW_mwhyphenhyphentIsqualVb_pVB7NNNqLNwHI6A0roIV-CFGmy_jz-aHTKOPknqC3Zu2JlwX10Cq9roIk-64gxOPKHYYAJpmfMjipyyAYOyOlrs/s1600/IMG_4945.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDQC97X_mUhDszaYWzSQRnaqxxyiug5gTYQaPzMW_mwhyphenhyphentIsqualVb_pVB7NNNqLNwHI6A0roIV-CFGmy_jz-aHTKOPknqC3Zu2JlwX10Cq9roIk-64gxOPKHYYAJpmfMjipyyAYOyOlrs/s320/IMG_4945.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499047881831321890" /></a><br />A nice greasy, yet firm and flexible look that will surely keep your hair in place throughout the entire day. Lovely. What are little kids thinking sometimes??<br /><br />5. I love that Ella now loves cheeseburgers and fries from McDonalds. You know how much I love a good McDouble and fries and now it's even better because I don't need an excuse to go to McDonalds. I practically have medical necessity...the necessity being that Ella needs to gain weight and is there really a better place than the golden arches to help you pack on the pounds? I think not. Cheeseburger, small fries and a juice box is like 630 calories. This is what I'm talkin' about. We've been twice already this week. Medical necessity I tell you, keep that in mind. I love you McDonald's!<br /><br />5. Eva and Ella's favorite new show to watch is my Denise Austin workout DVD. Not kidding. What's funny is they like to watch it as entertainment as if it's Dora or something. Seriously, Eva will sit on the couch and watch it like it's a cartoon. Uh..okay. Other times they watch it to try and copy the moves and it's hilarious watching them bounce around the living room trying to do lunges and jumping jacks. Priceless. Reminds me of when I was little and I would lay out my little beach towel for an exercise mat and do Jane Fonda with my mom. Aaah, blast from the past. Good ol' Jane.<br /><br />6. Ella has started saying Eva's name and calling her by name. So precious! She pronounces it with a short e sound "Ehva" instead of a long e sound though. It's so cute to listen to her talk to Eva. They love each other so much and it just melts my heart.Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-25853607393965852882010-07-12T15:05:00.011-05:002010-07-12T16:44:25.405-05:00Old Friends and New FriendsWell friends, I can't believe it but this past weekend marks ONE MONTH with no feeding tube for Ella!! Not once have we used it. This is huge! I can't believe it has been a month! She is doing so well and is eating pretty much anything we give her. Thank you Lord! Sorry about all the exclamation points...I feel like I'm yelling at everyone through the screen but it's just so exciting, I can't help it!<br />So, this OLD friend has not gotten much attention this month and no one is upset about it. Ella's feeding pump and tubes have just been sitting in the corner of her room and I hardly even notice it's there.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0IJsBIa7Z6kFgAMQItRRPGtPmssslZph1a20gLTW1Yo8my4frC3zccqCvNlzmdTjVVgv6MCXvJHMVSFOyEOLRy8WLTLdv_T4_3jgGshjen0Le2FvhatQNhPC7dSkaDKkwMFg-VL0QcXU/s1600/IMG_4926.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW0IJsBIa7Z6kFgAMQItRRPGtPmssslZph1a20gLTW1Yo8my4frC3zccqCvNlzmdTjVVgv6MCXvJHMVSFOyEOLRy8WLTLdv_T4_3jgGshjen0Le2FvhatQNhPC7dSkaDKkwMFg-VL0QcXU/s320/IMG_4926.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493133972724996930" /></a><br />But, our NEW friends here are where the party's at, know what I'm sayin'? Our freezer is the picture of health isn't it? We will stop at nothing to keep our little Ella's weight up and if that means ice cream out the wazoo every night then so be it. Whatever it takes right? <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeEU1rmgcLCcZgWZXMCFp4D06z6o-tC-ypPkgmqXwP9-ybmStkNy9P_DoiriGPkOMZIsSKRi0_kyeRCHkqpQxjQIL0JjgJvcCUqQziDQrMZOewbBc4juP_m3rbzW306mbcOlloPqE0sh-/s1600/IMG_4929.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeEU1rmgcLCcZgWZXMCFp4D06z6o-tC-ypPkgmqXwP9-ybmStkNy9P_DoiriGPkOMZIsSKRi0_kyeRCHkqpQxjQIL0JjgJvcCUqQziDQrMZOewbBc4juP_m3rbzW306mbcOlloPqE0sh-/s320/IMG_4929.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493133982562793218" /></a><br />This past month Ella has maintained her weight which is great news in my opinion. She has gained some and lost some but no real big gain, just maintaining. I don't know how everyone else, doctors etc. feel about that but I think it's great. She will be weighed tomorrow again and I think it's now time to discuss with her dietician and doctors what the expectations are for her with no feeding tube as far as growth, weight gain, etc. so that is my goal in the coming weeks. I am extremely pleased with how this month has gone and the fact that she has been able to maintain her weight. She is eating better than ever before and we do have to work at it still and be really diligent about making sure we stay on top of calories and everything but overall she is doing amazingly well. I just can't stop thanking the Lord for all He has done for Ella. He is Great! Another thing that has done amazingly well are my new running shoes! I know you were wondering about that. Take another look at the picture of my freezer...go ahead, go look. Aaaannnd that's why it's time to get moving, too much Blue Bell in the hiz-ouse. I'm telling you, if you are in the market for a new pair of kicks the Salomon Whispers are where.it's.at. I mean, you know I am such the running expert now since I've been running for what two weeks :), but I'm just saying, these shoes are great! No laces and I don't even wear socks because socks drive me cRaZy and make me feel claustrophobic so I just don't do it. No laces + no socks = AWESOME! <br /><br />Anyway, I know in my last post I said that Ella's surgeon said that typically he would remove a G-button once a child hadn't used it in a month or so and now we are at that month but we are in no hurry at this point for Ella's to be taken out for several reasons. First, we have not communicated with her GI doctor about it all and I don't know what her opinions are on when she feels is the right time to remove it so we still need to get the okay from doctors. Second, we would like to wait until the summer is over and swim season is over because there is a chance that once her G-button is removed, the hole may not close up on it's own. Typically the hole should close up within a few days but in some cases and depending on how long you have had it, it may take a surgical procedure to go in and close things off on the inside as well. I am hoping this will not be the case for Ella when the time comes but who knows. Third, even though I look forward to the day when Ella will not have a G-button, I also dread the moment when it will be taken out. It's only for a few minutes, but it is painful and I don't know if my poor heart can stomach to watch her get it yanked out right now. Yeah, I'll spare you the details but basically the surgeon just counts to three and then yanks it out. We've had this done once when we had to get it replaced and I'm still traumatized. Horrible, just horrible. Anyway, at this point things are going so well that we would just rather enjoy our summer and we'll take care of the ol' G-button issue at a later date. <br /><br />That's the big news, one month folks, one whole month! Unbelievable and I get a lump in my throat every time I think about it. Thank you for your continued prayers, please keep praying for Ella. Your prayers are such a blessing to our family. <br /><br />In other news, we just took a little family road trip up to Kansas City to see Rick's family and we had THE best time. The girls had soooo much fun with their cousins and their CC and Dee. We went swimming, watched fireworks, ate lots of good food, went fishing, went to the movies, went shopping and just played and played. It was so fun! The last time we were there was at Thanksgiving and Ella was still using her feeding tube around the clock so it made it a little more stressful and difficult to travel or do much in between feedings but this time was a different story. We were so blessed by getting to spend almost a week with Rick's family and we're so thankful for the wonderful family we have. Thanks CC and Dee and Caire Family for a super fun week, we loved it and miss you so much already!! I don't have many pictures but here are a few. Enjoy! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe6lrvOMGtRaBB3bzcz0i_AP836wl3kZOFjjl9FtevYIeG8ID8Oei3kENvkNDpRSFG9pO0o0Zlnfjof7OFK8c3hQeeDPDP4btKQfpmZH6h288JyhWpo5Qs2VsrAiB7u6GJ9hw-oxEAgSd/s1600/IMG_4911.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe6lrvOMGtRaBB3bzcz0i_AP836wl3kZOFjjl9FtevYIeG8ID8Oei3kENvkNDpRSFG9pO0o0Zlnfjof7OFK8c3hQeeDPDP4btKQfpmZH6h288JyhWpo5Qs2VsrAiB7u6GJ9hw-oxEAgSd/s320/IMG_4911.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493128566207225218" /></a><br />Ella and CC<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOvo3srY7ZmRqZVQo1X7JVDcW8iAKiljmFF3JX8OuElwXN1nge0_xNgZwqNdLboLvcLTQMWhnFor8Rx6741WsRFwJDw_lpb0t4bZ6fcK3myv9T9Stz7CVFz2ybbOfXPfhO7KJNSVDyCFE/s1600/IMG_4893.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVOvo3srY7ZmRqZVQo1X7JVDcW8iAKiljmFF3JX8OuElwXN1nge0_xNgZwqNdLboLvcLTQMWhnFor8Rx6741WsRFwJDw_lpb0t4bZ6fcK3myv9T9Stz7CVFz2ybbOfXPfhO7KJNSVDyCFE/s320/IMG_4893.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493128555636465442" /></a><br />Bubble bath with cousin Emery<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDIAeQlbJcNJv_6gEA_LV1HReRATyvLKA20M-g5lI2MlkWOWuiBAqBv5L70JbdlGrqMwj3VfLUXX5EIylSvq2oOj-ZzSQHii7QNK9qc3PyaMeORU3TD8D3GvhH-pGdTm9dUpEPnWZy1uo/s1600/IMG_4884.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoDIAeQlbJcNJv_6gEA_LV1HReRATyvLKA20M-g5lI2MlkWOWuiBAqBv5L70JbdlGrqMwj3VfLUXX5EIylSvq2oOj-ZzSQHii7QNK9qc3PyaMeORU3TD8D3GvhH-pGdTm9dUpEPnWZy1uo/s320/IMG_4884.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493128547341338946" /></a><br />Eva and Dee<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhaTATrj0Fy15dHv5URTVZx0JtztptdoaNjU7MSv6PD9NTzyCcum8q96wT961s6p1DspSSVEWr0HKsZl1jorx9bz4n3wJaLPmdXJRV0jFNe_tH3tVABaqAYQjHGbiVccNYjCJ30bdLww0/s1600/IMG_4878.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhaTATrj0Fy15dHv5URTVZx0JtztptdoaNjU7MSv6PD9NTzyCcum8q96wT961s6p1DspSSVEWr0HKsZl1jorx9bz4n3wJaLPmdXJRV0jFNe_tH3tVABaqAYQjHGbiVccNYjCJ30bdLww0/s320/IMG_4878.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493128542529589234" /></a><br />So sweet! I love this picture.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzNbMhj9Tw0gt71iIodXuipBSR48rC9Kpao4WCu4fwCpcnHHKShQhL_82R7n-05VIIgG86aqewJax22nBJ1emQIfY0PR2fIArDHJ6egJI_Vy0cvsrglJF_VyunciPfqipB6F2TYEwgdZR/s1600/IMG_4866.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzNbMhj9Tw0gt71iIodXuipBSR48rC9Kpao4WCu4fwCpcnHHKShQhL_82R7n-05VIIgG86aqewJax22nBJ1emQIfY0PR2fIArDHJ6egJI_Vy0cvsrglJF_VyunciPfqipB6F2TYEwgdZR/s320/IMG_4866.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493128533730046738" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGrt_KVnzMgJ_7z9tZVeOaLe0r5M_23UTuhj3RxLu-77YcXTYX_7pdp7aQYyOgcCi0eIYtb-mW3VStmVb3wQQhGOlhgyirU3os8pttC_4Qae7Bu29IxAejdBGxA5DJFSmIrjOzS-kj3t1/s1600/IMG_4920.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGrt_KVnzMgJ_7z9tZVeOaLe0r5M_23UTuhj3RxLu-77YcXTYX_7pdp7aQYyOgcCi0eIYtb-mW3VStmVb3wQQhGOlhgyirU3os8pttC_4Qae7Bu29IxAejdBGxA5DJFSmIrjOzS-kj3t1/s320/IMG_4920.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493132862689295442" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7FV7BG2qPj5dttuFFRaqI_22mzFKFNFWLDFhTGWDXPCYO14KU-nbccgmG9LqzYjoh01DxX6UveGLm9YGucU6Dv1L9Md9SWiKoV6dgrv46jseKH-Z1-xdpzqGJCjm97TXModae-SA_X16/s1600/IMG_4909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7FV7BG2qPj5dttuFFRaqI_22mzFKFNFWLDFhTGWDXPCYO14KU-nbccgmG9LqzYjoh01DxX6UveGLm9YGucU6Dv1L9Md9SWiKoV6dgrv46jseKH-Z1-xdpzqGJCjm97TXModae-SA_X16/s320/IMG_4909.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493132854811004434" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsXUtkDYoL5L1xyTAOFawehWawxcHefkyHqQg3epdYmj_VkElMMBAZNFYVQtgIRyGRBRHz7f6B2H57PUGSCy5ZPIxVtR4jW7nKn9w0FhtbKnQqsPD8fKJkflzebRhTeQhVTtjcdUDegoM/s1600/IMG_4902.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsXUtkDYoL5L1xyTAOFawehWawxcHefkyHqQg3epdYmj_VkElMMBAZNFYVQtgIRyGRBRHz7f6B2H57PUGSCy5ZPIxVtR4jW7nKn9w0FhtbKnQqsPD8fKJkflzebRhTeQhVTtjcdUDegoM/s320/IMG_4902.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493132848152624850" /></a><br />Ice cream on the porch for everyone!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmtIl-zz7sYpeGf-iczB4NG2hV2yPh7fVyv69sj54d9PDuOl4JDle9uaJUS75RYTQ9RZ1QcBKmiEeXYX0O8UIBR9xZ05VqCovI7uWkIrKT8PVSoBSrCKLh55rDSNqhbTlurm6rGr0W_gM/s1600/IMG_4907.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmtIl-zz7sYpeGf-iczB4NG2hV2yPh7fVyv69sj54d9PDuOl4JDle9uaJUS75RYTQ9RZ1QcBKmiEeXYX0O8UIBR9xZ05VqCovI7uWkIrKT8PVSoBSrCKLh55rDSNqhbTlurm6rGr0W_gM/s320/IMG_4907.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493132843447663138" /></a><br />Aunt Amy making sure Ella gets her daily dose of ice cream :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaqSatTyS3cf29uqfXG1clEaTMqBP3tCA0yEkrsksbshVi6N6AA_LLA-A1vwhtpiySloW1GuxJqY1LSnoMTNnzBZPn4YpLNt20ReN_TUMO35ytodXtn0hCZQvTW94lg8WoRprJLO3rMIg/s1600/IMG_4875.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHaqSatTyS3cf29uqfXG1clEaTMqBP3tCA0yEkrsksbshVi6N6AA_LLA-A1vwhtpiySloW1GuxJqY1LSnoMTNnzBZPn4YpLNt20ReN_TUMO35ytodXtn0hCZQvTW94lg8WoRprJLO3rMIg/s320/IMG_4875.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493132835266627602" /></a><br />See ya!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-4124638839561382312010-06-18T14:15:00.009-05:002010-06-18T15:38:22.036-05:00One week...Unplugged!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjnLe63hSV6OJCXq-7ITF3rD3TZKJ3TIMxACuHSDzpnhFeqZY_lGK2DE9rGP79arsR-euKSzeaVS-YNyMdLUYROsUhPPrnsbClaAL1kD4p_0RD5epEftaVlhNQtNRcZLrqJcnUfPDgtRU/s1600/IMG_4849.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjnLe63hSV6OJCXq-7ITF3rD3TZKJ3TIMxACuHSDzpnhFeqZY_lGK2DE9rGP79arsR-euKSzeaVS-YNyMdLUYROsUhPPrnsbClaAL1kD4p_0RD5epEftaVlhNQtNRcZLrqJcnUfPDgtRU/s320/IMG_4849.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484212724070002050" /></a><br />TA-DAAAH!!! Ella's first night with no feeding tube! :)<br /><br />Okay, big news here folks, BIG! Ella has gone ONE week so far WITHOUT being fed by her feeding tube AT ALL!!! I can hardly believe it even as I type the words. Up until last Thursday she was still being fed two times at night with her feeding tube and last week we decided just to be brave and stop her feeds completely and see what happened. Her dietician with ECI comes weekly to weigh her and discuss calories, etc. and she came this past Tuesday and Ella had maintained her weight since dropping the night feedings. WOOHOO! Funny story, the other morning I went in to get Ella up and usually in the morning I have to turn her feeding pump off, undress her and unplug her from her feeding tube. Eva knows the routine well. Well, after a few days of not using the feeding tube Eva finally noticed so when I went in to get Ella I just picked her up out of bed and sat her in my lap in the rocking chair, Eva pointed to Ella's feeding tube in the corner of her room and says, "Mommy, we "loss" (Eva's word for forgot) plug Aiya(Ella) in!" I explained to her that we didn't need to plug Ella in because God is helping Ella eat on her own and she didn't need her feeding tube. Eva got a HUGE smile on her face and was just so excited for Ella. So sweet!<br /><br />We are very excited but I feel like right now I am still just cautiously optimistic. I do believe that this is it and my prayer is that there will be no turning back but we're just taking it day by day, week by week and just trying to be very intentional about feeding her and making sure she is getting lots of calories. I have a big lump in my throat just thinking about how far Ella has come and that these are the days I had hoped and prayed for...days where she enjoys eating and is sustained by food taken by mouth and not from a feeding tube. I haven't let myself completely go yet because I realize that this is all very new and if we have to take some steps back we will but I'm praying we don't. She is eating great these days and last week we graduated in feeding therapy from going once a week to now going every other week. Yea! Another praise. So, we are slowly making the transition of going from intense therapy to the day when we will not need it. We also saw Ella's tummy surgeon last week and he was very pleased with all of her progress. Just out of curiosity we asked him about what all needs to happen as far as feeding goes before he would permanently remove her G-button and he said when we haven't used the feeding tube for a month or so AT ALL and we get the okay from her GI doctor then he will take it out. We are not there yet and we're not in a hurry but that day will be here soon, I believe it. As far as surgery goes to fully close her abdominal muscles...we are still a couple of years away. She is still too small for the surgery to be successful so for now she just needs to continue to grow, gain weight and develop. We'll see how things go so keep praying. <br /><br />We're doing our best to keep food in front of her and I feel like we are always feeding her. Which in turn means that WE are always eating. YIKES! Not kidding, every night before bed we ALL sit down and have an ice cream sandwich. Every.Night. I mean, heaven forbid that Ella eat ice cream by herself so we all join in to encourage her. Peer pressure is not always a bad thing. :) Hey, it gets her eating so it works for us. Sooo, last week I also purchased a pair of running shoes because I gots to get movin' if we're going to be downing the Blue Bell every night for the next however many years to keep Ella's weight up. Do you see how feeding affects everyone in the family? Sheesh! Anyway, she is eating great at meal times which is such a blessing. I don't take one bite she takes for granted and I just love watching her eat. I know that might sound a little crazy but it's true! <br /><br />Thanks for praying friends. Keep praising our Father and keep the prayers coming for Ella that she continues to eat well on her own and gains weight. We'll keep you updated!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6208548461559245344.post-46810311061907235942010-06-02T21:55:00.011-05:002010-06-03T16:52:57.850-05:00The First Swim of the SeasonThis past weekend we took our FIRST EVER family trip to the pool! I know, can you believe it? It was so fun! Last summer Ella spent about 20 minutes total in a swimming pool on two different occasions and one involved a projectile vomiting episode so needless to say this was our first pleasant experience in a pool. We've never gone together as a whole family so this was a fun little outing for us and Ella loved the water. She did great and loved splashing around. It's a simple thing but it was fun for us and I'm so excited to finally be able to take her to the pool and let her play. <br /><br />I've been a little nervous about taking Ella to a public pool with the whole G-Button thing. I don't know, it just kind of gives me the heeby-jeebies thinking that this is a hole into her body that's not supposed to be there and what if she gets some kind of weird infection or something because of dirty pool water. I did some research, called her surgeon and asked around and no one has seemed concerned or had any great ideas of how to cover it besides putting a waterproof bandage over it so I justs decided to not think too much about it and just go with it. However, if any of you feeding tube friends out there have any advice on that that I'm not aware of I'm open for ideas. I do want to clarify and say that she does get regular baths at home (someone just asked me about that which is why I bring it up) but that's different because we're in our own water and it's not being used by hundreds of people. Just so you all don't worry that I don't bathe my child...no worries, she is very clean. :) <br /><br />So, instead of covering it we just did the little rubber band trick and rubber banded her button closed, which is the most GENIUS idea for leaky buttons or ones that won't stay closed very well. Thanks to Ella's surgeon for this great idea! We only discovered this need last year because the first button Ella had was SUPER leaky and if it came open (which it did all the time) everything she just ate or had in her stomach would come pouring out. Not cool on several levels. I'll spare you the stories about leaky G-buttons and stomach contents. :) <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RDt5HTXa-BVvOLG4ecrCOhv_TE2oF5GDkkPdeVVPN5nwG5_G0vq8VmPE03Ph9pZhQTZ26rHUIiaesYfyWwRApON6YgmfsW-Q1y3Ghfb2rMFgT5674Re1P-sTBeJubarfwk4Wbb1rl2dO/s1600/IMG_4789.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RDt5HTXa-BVvOLG4ecrCOhv_TE2oF5GDkkPdeVVPN5nwG5_G0vq8VmPE03Ph9pZhQTZ26rHUIiaesYfyWwRApON6YgmfsW-Q1y3Ghfb2rMFgT5674Re1P-sTBeJubarfwk4Wbb1rl2dO/s320/IMG_4789.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478664199674374194" /></a><br />Anywho, there's your G-Button tip of the day, little rubber bands work wonders. So back to the pool, we just went on our merry way and I just tried not to think about gross germs. Here are some pictures of the girls as we are getting ready to go...they can hardly contain their excitement. Mrrrr....mrrrr.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvavyLlRRq0Ie0laQ6_1_NRlrE-zro55FP8oZWD2g2Gj6W60xMSOlHexYnl_PQjABdzInXpRv-Dsei3HnUxG2c-08OEXMfw36WW0BRQZVqkELjwbPWW4apvzxt_4sZ8fShMODnF-4QSr2/s1600/IMG_4756.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvavyLlRRq0Ie0laQ6_1_NRlrE-zro55FP8oZWD2g2Gj6W60xMSOlHexYnl_PQjABdzInXpRv-Dsei3HnUxG2c-08OEXMfw36WW0BRQZVqkELjwbPWW4apvzxt_4sZ8fShMODnF-4QSr2/s320/IMG_4756.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478378537404766162" /></a><br />The happy campers, all greased up with sunscreen and ready to go<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoibQDownBQctfW7hyphenhyphen-QnlaJq6oEkg6rPjg1eSSal8Vz5gNCiCanEV52-jq3HFICdc3NsQkAJexWAYqEkFm6OWmRWwPV3xQRyn_h7NdF3OUs45Aef0kj9gpoVbQrApL6OWubG4iOiQxW86/s1600/IMG_4752.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoibQDownBQctfW7hyphenhyphen-QnlaJq6oEkg6rPjg1eSSal8Vz5gNCiCanEV52-jq3HFICdc3NsQkAJexWAYqEkFm6OWmRWwPV3xQRyn_h7NdF3OUs45Aef0kj9gpoVbQrApL6OWubG4iOiQxW86/s320/IMG_4752.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478378532106727970" /></a><br />The looks of excitement are just too much to handle aren't they?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF_1k4B8BMg4s1oqVu6VVGWuAf_uas_-3Dsw62i2gJRcxw7q7VCtFrXQ0wfls6jp_RTnUHAvlSyC2qbRg0H81QKkxwiVwee1mTNpUH-OExWRJistmZVpXY0x1DP7fob7z8nIE5kloR9uT/s1600/IMG_4759.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF_1k4B8BMg4s1oqVu6VVGWuAf_uas_-3Dsw62i2gJRcxw7q7VCtFrXQ0wfls6jp_RTnUHAvlSyC2qbRg0H81QKkxwiVwee1mTNpUH-OExWRJistmZVpXY0x1DP7fob7z8nIE5kloR9uT/s320/IMG_4759.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478378550959310850" /></a><br />Oh, ok, I think I'm starting to see a little smile and a gleam in the eyes<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd2z5mbDE0lMJOin-XeMGcsr7UKeT064jYfaSdI3cnlU6UAK9wDb-Riq7PNGZ2hUsEUM9vFGPt9aZLq8vmbPUhVVE-4pZrPcddI9jX652fr780LdXVVMeNUdkUwwa5aldmEyef6MVapmU/s1600/IMG_4776.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd2z5mbDE0lMJOin-XeMGcsr7UKeT064jYfaSdI3cnlU6UAK9wDb-Riq7PNGZ2hUsEUM9vFGPt9aZLq8vmbPUhVVE-4pZrPcddI9jX652fr780LdXVVMeNUdkUwwa5aldmEyef6MVapmU/s320/IMG_4776.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478378565237318594" /></a><br />Aaahhh, there's the smile I've been waiting for. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4lJspSGINg3vcCNz2-Wp1Z2HVVbgyIy0HY2PMy5SI8aIoOVsVebO7y0yuGGFQGOov67Y8RPCPDElpY9lfmjlCtqMIpZ22lisG49ONtI3JX5dl8ZTzICdPj8QAbvlcarBPGWQ2SXE0J5q/s1600/IMG_4767.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4lJspSGINg3vcCNz2-Wp1Z2HVVbgyIy0HY2PMy5SI8aIoOVsVebO7y0yuGGFQGOov67Y8RPCPDElpY9lfmjlCtqMIpZ22lisG49ONtI3JX5dl8ZTzICdPj8QAbvlcarBPGWQ2SXE0J5q/s320/IMG_4767.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478378558740755618" /></a><br />Me and Els<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglQMCTmsu1I_QgjwhnbB9nZWkF_w1KCpPQpFC_8Fjaq5ugcJHfeow-ac_nhhZfSd1qr1F39qDboD9YDtfDimAwNBnExKCK_wJVtAag-7hVG_J3blUbFtfT8iSqyoyPGJZxfV6e49pjMqW/s1600/IMG_4777.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglQMCTmsu1I_QgjwhnbB9nZWkF_w1KCpPQpFC_8Fjaq5ugcJHfeow-ac_nhhZfSd1qr1F39qDboD9YDtfDimAwNBnExKCK_wJVtAag-7hVG_J3blUbFtfT8iSqyoyPGJZxfV6e49pjMqW/s320/IMG_4777.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478380822307833954" /></a><br />Isn't she sweet?<br /><br />We had a fun time and are looking forward to many more days spent at the pool this summer. I had to try and find a swimsuit this past weekend too which is a whole other story in itself. Let me just say that having the whole fam plus a huge stroller in a dressing room at Academy and trying to try on swimsuits is not the way to go. Yes, the whole fam was there and if you remember I do have some strict pool rules, one being that the third party opinion is crucial and a must when picking out a swimsuit but honestly, there's got to be a better way. Anyway, happy swimming everyone!Amyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15014773790511772539noreply@blogger.com9