tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14318004729870162302024-03-08T08:08:41.760-05:00Flip the "W"AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-44432296631442801332013-04-11T17:00:00.000-04:002013-04-11T17:00:02.474-04:00My Cub ScoutCub Scouts is pretty high up on my "Thankful List" this year. This is Nate's first year in scouts and so far it has been a fantastic experience for him. He's gone camping, gone on a hayride, earned his first badge<br />
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There are many more pictures, tucked safely away on my camera (as I mentioned in yesterday's post - I have issues.) He made a car for the pinewood derby, went camping at the Philadelphia Zoo, is going to the Planetarium.....it's been a very cool experience for him. Nate isn't really into large crowds, so the pack meetings have been a little bit challenging for him. But those challenges are off-set by his Tiger Den meetings, which is a smaller group of just first grade boys.</div>
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Just one more reason to be thankful:)</div>
AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-24939787423950703512013-04-10T17:00:00.000-04:002013-04-10T17:00:02.781-04:00It's been too longIt's been too long since I've posted. I don't exactly have a huge blog following, so basically I think this apology goes out to my immediate family and Anna:)<br />
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My issue with blogging: I'm terrible at uploading my pictures onto my computer after I've taken them. And I don't usually blog without pictures. Even when I actually remember to take pictures....or, as is more often the case, when the kids have used my camera and have taken pictures themselves....it can take me months to "find the time" to sit down and upload the pictures. Perhaps I should go back to using a smaller memory card to force my own hand!<br />
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So this is a post without pictures. Just a quick thought about my scripture reading this morning.<br />
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<i>Psalm 31:24</i></div>
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<i>Be of good courage</i></div>
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<i>And He shall strengthen your heart</i></div>
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<i>All you who hope in the Lord.</i></div>
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When I was 11 or 12, my dad taught me how to use a Strong's Concordance. It's a monstrously large book, which doubles well as a booster sit for small toddlers in a pinch. (Yes, I did this recently while watching Jake and Nikki's daughter, Charlotte, as I no longer own a single piece of toddler sized furniture. It didn't seem to phase her a bit, and she blissfully ate goldfish crackers perched on top of her Concordance throne...but I digress). My dad taught me early on how to take a passage of scripture, look up the Greek or Hebrew meanings of the words, and try to figure out the authors original intent, that may have become a little watered down in the English translation process.</div>
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So today I looked up "courage", "strengthen" and "hope" as they are used here. This being an Old Testament passage, it was originally written in Hebrew. And I'm glad I did.</div>
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The Hebrew word for "courage" used here actually means "to fasten upon, to take hold of, to seize." And strengthen means to "be alert, be confirmed or established, to prevail or to make strong to the point of obstinate." And "Hope" means trust and wait patiently for the Lord. "Obstinate" usually has a negative connotation to it. But here, I think it paints a beautiful portrait of the fierceness of God's strength that He giving to us.</div>
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So, how's this?</div>
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<i>Psalm 31:24</i></div>
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<i>Seize and strongly hold onto God.</i></div>
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<i>He will make you alert. He will make your heart stronger. He will establish you and cause you to prevail.</i></div>
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<i>All you who trust and wait patiently on the Lord.</i></div>
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It begins with how we choose to relate to God: we grab tightly onto Him and hold on.</div>
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God responds: He makes our hearts alert and aware. He gives our hearts obstinate strength, causing us to prevail!</div>
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I hope this encourages you today!</div>
AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-52459176894550968292012-11-16T14:26:00.001-05:002012-11-16T14:26:23.592-05:00Abby's new adventurePutting the title like that kinda makes it sound like an American Girl story. But I guess, in a way, it is. I'm so grateful that we live in a place where my daughters can get instrument lessons, of their choice, for free. Plus, they get to participate with over 100 other students in the orchestra. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NRage-5UHMc/UKaTXotIJFI/AAAAAAAAAvI/Osrwn0Z35D8/s640/blogger-image--769060800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NRage-5UHMc/UKaTXotIJFI/AAAAAAAAAvI/Osrwn0Z35D8/s640/blogger-image--769060800.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9V5nQF5EwSA/UKaTQU_HWyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/DNaW-APDUgI/s640/blogger-image--1964214954.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9V5nQF5EwSA/UKaTQU_HWyI/AAAAAAAAAvA/DNaW-APDUgI/s640/blogger-image--1964214954.jpg" /></a></div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-68043186146335919342012-10-05T13:00:00.000-04:002012-10-05T13:00:05.015-04:00The Outer Banks Adventure - Part V<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Do you think maybe, just maybe, I should put Abby in gymnastics?</div>
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-67761984527555409312012-10-04T13:00:00.000-04:002012-10-04T13:00:00.156-04:00The Outer Banks Adventure - Park IV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Playtime! No words necessary...</div>
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AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-76060550090471796962012-10-03T14:00:00.000-04:002012-10-03T20:33:58.296-04:00The Outer Banks Adventure - Part III<div style="text-align: center;">
Wildlife!</div>
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The area where we stayed was pretty remote. There were wild horses roaming around, dolphins almost within our reach, pelicans, fish, crabs and even a starfish!</div>
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The wild horses are nothing to be trifled with. They are aptly named.</div>
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The first day we were there, one horse turned and snorted at the kids and started trotting towards them in </div>
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a rather aggressive manner. It was a good lesson to learn early on - KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. And we did. The horses roamed around our house at night, and we stayed on the porches</div>
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and behind the fences to look at them.</div>
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Rob' fish....</div>
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...and Sophie's fish</div>
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Pelicans</div>
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At first the fins in the water worried the kids a little bit. I think we've watched</div>
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one too many episodes of Shark Week on Discovery. But after we actually</div>
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saw the dolphins jumping through the waves, the kids went back in the water, with the dolphins,</div>
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without hesitation.</div>
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Nate's starfish was truly one of the highlights of the week for him.</div>
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He found it by himself in the sand. It's the only starfish we saw all week! He got to see is crawl/wiggle around on it's little tentacles and he walked around carrying it for the longest time.</div>
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Yes, we ultimately did kill the starfish by laying it out to dry so that Nate could bring it home. He'll be taking </div>
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it into school to show his class tomorrow.</div>
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AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-39077059528832704602012-10-02T14:00:00.000-04:002012-10-02T14:00:00.065-04:00The Outer Banks Adventure - Part II<div style="text-align: center;">
Boarding!</div>
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There were lots of boards this week - surf boards, skim boards, boogie boards.</div>
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Here's a taste of the adventures....</div>
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Emma getting some surfing lessons from Rob. Yes, Rob does know how to surf. Hidden talent.</div>
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Rob giving lessons to Sophie.</div>
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We had given Sophie surfing lessons for her birthday back in June, so she</div>
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had a bit of a leg up on everyone else.</div>
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Charis hung in there with the best of them! Early in the week she was standing up on the board</div>
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Surf boards are still a little too big to handle for Abby, so she worked on her skim-boarding skills. Having a low center of gravity is handy sometimes!</div>
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Hans and Charis getting ready to work on their skills</div>
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Heidi and Hans getting ready for the next wave</div>
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-45948850818422887932012-10-01T20:19:00.001-04:002012-10-03T20:29:59.778-04:00Fall Getaway - the Outer Banks adventure Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last week we took a much needed and much anticipated family vacation to the Outer Banks in NC. The weather could not have been more perfect! The house we rented was only available by driving directly on the beach in a four-wheel drive vehicle. Thank goodness for "Big Billy" our faithful Suburban. </div>
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Our good friends the Pfadt's came with us......there were 13 of us in the house....plenty of kids to play with....and plenty of ways to entertain ourselves. The house itself was fabulous, with a pool and a hot tub. But the kids spent the bulk of their time in the ocean. The water was still warm from the summer heat and we quickly discovered that it was warmer than the pool water.</div>
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Driving on the beach - Rob and Hans took Charis and Hannah into town to rent some surfboards!</div>
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Nate mastered the art of boogie-boarding</div>
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Sophie was already a master at boogie-boarding so she worked on her surfing skills instead. More on that later.</div>
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Abby was cold, but determined. She is a true competitor in all things - and conquered the skill of boogie-boarding in spite of the fact that she was freezing. Thank goodness for the hot tub! Abby was always the first one off the beach and into the hot tub to warm up!</div>
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Skim boarding is another matter entirely. It's <u>not</u> as easy as it looks. Charis really worked at it with Dad this week!</div>
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Nate grabbed a quick ride in the waves with Uncle Hans.</div>
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Abby and Hope</div>
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Hans</div>
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Charis and Hannah</div>
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Nate grabbing a quick ride on Emma</div>
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The dynamic duo - Abby & Hope - I think they spent more time upside down than right-side up this week!</div>
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Stay tuned...there's more to come!</div>
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AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-34223466705325621492012-08-31T11:07:00.001-04:002012-08-31T11:15:03.967-04:00The First DayThere are more pictures to follow, but this is the only one that I took with my phone-and I am currently blogging from my phone. Love being able to do that!<br />
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They all had a great first day! Sophie and Charis don't start until next week, but these three sweeties had a good beginning. Nothing dramatic. Nothing overwhelmingly exciting. Just generally good. Calm. Not negative. I'll take it. <br />
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The biggest hit was that, even though she's only in 3rd grade, Abby gets to use a BINDER this year for some of her subjects. This is very exciting because (in case you were somehow unaware) binders are typically reserved for 6th grade. And even more importantly, Emma didn't get to use binders until 6th grade. This is a big deal folks!!<br />
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It was so fun to hear their stories, to hear all 3 of them comparing their experiences to last year, to feel the complete relief that none of them were too nervous, and to settle back into a routine again. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kEiMpIA_EZs/UEDU9mTY-KI/AAAAAAAAAdY/7b6xerTaoEk/s640/blogger-image-679855397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kEiMpIA_EZs/UEDU9mTY-KI/AAAAAAAAAdY/7b6xerTaoEk/s640/blogger-image-679855397.jpg" /></a></div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-20125706239252268522012-08-29T13:00:00.000-04:002012-08-29T13:00:03.079-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-41142505012943955482012-08-22T21:47:00.001-04:002012-08-22T21:47:55.282-04:00Our Summer ProjectEmma would like to take you on a tour of our garden! Please take note that even though Emma is now 5 feet 4 inches tall, the tomato plants are actually taller than she is. Unbelievable!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K_bIoQt3XhE/UDWLvhHXeAI/AAAAAAAAAcI/evdQN_wAQNQ/s640/blogger-image-1779816193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K_bIoQt3XhE/UDWLvhHXeAI/AAAAAAAAAcI/evdQN_wAQNQ/s640/blogger-image-1779816193.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dNM3g1kQpps/UDWLwII0dGI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/RIIQiDPJ4to/s640/blogger-image--41686833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dNM3g1kQpps/UDWLwII0dGI/AAAAAAAAAcQ/RIIQiDPJ4to/s640/blogger-image--41686833.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6x_MCO73F3o/UDWLwYMdj-I/AAAAAAAAAcY/5COVSL3MtFM/s640/blogger-image-2071751137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6x_MCO73F3o/UDWLwYMdj-I/AAAAAAAAAcY/5COVSL3MtFM/s640/blogger-image-2071751137.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7rHysRpa4WU/UDWLw6BPc3I/AAAAAAAAAcg/wA25kQGjUag/s640/blogger-image-455633984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7rHysRpa4WU/UDWLw6BPc3I/AAAAAAAAAcg/wA25kQGjUag/s640/blogger-image-455633984.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jlWYlLlivMU/UDWLxI3iK_I/AAAAAAAAAco/BvRyywTtK60/s640/blogger-image--1780622134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jlWYlLlivMU/UDWLxI3iK_I/AAAAAAAAAco/BvRyywTtK60/s640/blogger-image--1780622134.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1d4JwbR6R2E/UDWLxYwOP8I/AAAAAAAAAcw/hwaXppgva6M/s640/blogger-image--108489074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1d4JwbR6R2E/UDWLxYwOP8I/AAAAAAAAAcw/hwaXppgva6M/s640/blogger-image--108489074.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1G42HBollDg/UDWLx2wFWMI/AAAAAAAAAc4/EiJC8kn3nF0/s640/blogger-image--1477922575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1G42HBollDg/UDWLx2wFWMI/AAAAAAAAAc4/EiJC8kn3nF0/s640/blogger-image--1477922575.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pqaTZIeGBDE/UDWLyRi3k3I/AAAAAAAAAdA/WFtQkerc5RI/s640/blogger-image-181841686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-pqaTZIeGBDE/UDWLyRi3k3I/AAAAAAAAAdA/WFtQkerc5RI/s640/blogger-image-181841686.jpg" /></a></div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-55754719925536404882012-08-22T13:00:00.000-04:002012-08-22T13:00:03.263-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-56806625346369773252012-08-15T13:00:00.000-04:002012-08-15T13:00:07.193-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-27021314424683388532012-08-14T13:00:00.000-04:002012-08-14T13:00:01.655-04:00Dorney Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, I feel badly that this is not a great picture of Abby, but it's the only shot I got of all five of them together all day. Dorney Park is actually a pretty big part of our summer. Last year and this year, thanks to Gramma and Papa Wise, we've had season passes and have gone to the park several times a month. I never bring my big camera because it's too bulky to take on rides...plus I'm always scared that something is going to happen to it. But this year for my birthday, Rob and the kids got me a smaller camera that is also fully waterproof and submergeable! It's been awesome! I highly recommend it! I've used it at the beach, at the amusement park, in sand, under water (wait til you see!) and it's been fantastic. So....our first pictures of our trips to Dorney!</div>
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Abby and Nate and I usually hang out together, while Rob and the bigger girls take in the roller coasters. There's plenty of rides for all age levels, so this is the perfect summer activity for our family with our large span of ages!</div>
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Ask the kids on two different days if they prefer the "dry" park or the water park and you'll get two different answers. We can't decide. Some days we love the roller coasters and some days it's all about the water rides!</div>
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-56016203462599741262012-08-12T13:00:00.000-04:002012-08-12T13:00:06.095-04:00Beach Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For my birthday at the end of June, we spent the day at the beach in Ocean City, NJ. Not my favorite beach, for an entire list of reasons. But it's only 2 hours from our house, so its a reasonable destination for a day trip. The kids had a great time boogie boarding, catching snails, collecting shells, and playing in the sand. For me, it was wonderful to spend the day together, to enjoy to the ocean and the sunshine, and to have an entire day with nothing to do!</div>
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Proof that I was actually there! </div>
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Why yes, that IS a snail on Sophie's nose.</div>
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-74256661710114776752012-08-11T22:39:00.001-04:002012-08-11T22:39:04.328-04:00Happy Summer from us to you<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-62133284130304021452011-12-16T08:00:00.001-05:002011-12-16T08:00:06.068-05:00Family and Friends<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sry10Rbe9Zg/TtmJG71AjOI/AAAAAAAAATo/k8ZP9L4z5OE/s1600/IMG_7448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sry10Rbe9Zg/TtmJG71AjOI/AAAAAAAAATo/k8ZP9L4z5OE/s320/IMG_7448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had such a great time on Thanksgiving weekend. Our friends Hans and Jodi, and their four children, stayed for the weekend. When my three kiddos came back to my house, after celebrating Thanksgiving with Daddy and Nikki, there were even more adventures to be had.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sophie, Heidi, Hans and Emma took a few bike rides through the neighborhood and fed some very grateful <strike>obese</strike> ducks. Jodi and I braved the crowds and took Charis and Hannah shopping at midnight on Black Friday! This is tradition for me and Charis, but Jodi and Hannah had never <strike>lived through</strike> enjoyed this experience before. And it is truly an experience. We always stop and get coffee for me and a Monster for Charis....Hannah chose the hot chocolate route and Jodi went straight for full caffeine soda! And then it was off to Walmart, Target and Kohls. By 4 am, Jodi and I were done. I'm not as tough as I used to be. By the time we arrived home, Papa and Grandma had arrived (around 1am) to stay with us for the rest of the weekend. So at 7am, Grandma took the second shift and took Charis and Hannah out for some more shopping at Five Below! Those girls have stamina like only 14 year olds can! I wish that kind of energy could be channeled somehow!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgW2V2yLhQs/TtmJNUzaHwI/AAAAAAAAATw/nQfAEui8xu4/s1600/IMG_7446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgW2V2yLhQs/TtmJNUzaHwI/AAAAAAAAATw/nQfAEui8xu4/s320/IMG_7446.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emma, Heidi and Soph....biking buddies</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gd-8XDwdx4g/TtmJXkn_NXI/AAAAAAAAAT4/3mI6EoRFnAI/s1600/IMG_7450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gd-8XDwdx4g/TtmJXkn_NXI/AAAAAAAAAT4/3mI6EoRFnAI/s320/IMG_7450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hannah and Charis....shopping buddies</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zc2xxNQz070/TtmJfi82S4I/AAAAAAAAAUA/2VLLvGIVPXw/s1600/IMG_7445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zc2xxNQz070/TtmJfi82S4I/AAAAAAAAAUA/2VLLvGIVPXw/s320/IMG_7445.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Grandma, Charis and Papa....family!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We loved sharing time with all of you and building memories together! This was such a treat!</div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-50010917762592676132011-12-15T08:00:00.001-05:002011-12-15T09:55:48.847-05:00The Thanksgiving Turkey Fry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I never showed off our Thanksgiving festivities....beware....some of these pictures are rather graphic and are not intended for viewers with a sensitive stomach.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm not a fan of raw poultry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Period.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I do what needs to be done to prepare it for cooking, of course, but sticking my hands inside a raw, dead bird is not high on my list of favorite activities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the other hand, not only does Rob have a stomach of steel, he also has a great sense of humor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picture this: a room full of children innocently watching TV.... and in flaps a dead, skinless, headless bird, whirling through the room within inches of them at lightning speed.....their screams could probably be heard in Massachusetts....and so could Rob's laugh!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ES81ML8ZZZk/TtmGjzESjUI/AAAAAAAAASQ/n8aVe5W5H3w/s1600/IMG_7425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ES81ML8ZZZk/TtmGjzESjUI/AAAAAAAAASQ/n8aVe5W5H3w/s320/IMG_7425.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">So after performing a few tricks, we got this bird ready to go in the fryer!</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAgKPRcjW48/TtmGw8qgRCI/AAAAAAAAASY/ElYfyfPIy20/s1600/IMG_7426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NAgKPRcjW48/TtmGw8qgRCI/AAAAAAAAASY/ElYfyfPIy20/s320/IMG_7426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oN6G-Aejmk/TtmG6NGN9LI/AAAAAAAAASg/ePazZz7Jb18/s1600/IMG_7427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oN6G-Aejmk/TtmG6NGN9LI/AAAAAAAAASg/ePazZz7Jb18/s320/IMG_7427.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">The fryer was a new experiment for us. Neither of us have ever fried a turkey before....but we have heard great things. And of course, there's nothing like the adventure of experimenting with food when you've invited friends to your house for Thanksgiving!! (I had a huge ham in the crockpot as the back up plan, FYI)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fortunately, our friends Hans and Jodi and their four kiddos are always up for an adventure. And, God bless them, they don't even look at us strangely when we propose these off-the-wall ideas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xQzvY6wbQY/TtmHDMVV5SI/AAAAAAAAASo/-VU-vj3xY_Q/s1600/IMG_7428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_xQzvY6wbQY/TtmHDMVV5SI/AAAAAAAAASo/-VU-vj3xY_Q/s320/IMG_7428.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92F-8Z6xWrc/TtmHMbtGPXI/AAAAAAAAASw/G6YvoR5_jeE/s1600/IMG_7435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-92F-8Z6xWrc/TtmHMbtGPXI/AAAAAAAAASw/G6YvoR5_jeE/s320/IMG_7435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Let the frying begin!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Od2ZnQCh5yc/TtmHZdaUcnI/AAAAAAAAAS4/T1kHwQlNSK0/s1600/IMG_7429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Od2ZnQCh5yc/TtmHZdaUcnI/AAAAAAAAAS4/T1kHwQlNSK0/s320/IMG_7429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgnXM94Kuls/TtmHjFoskdI/AAAAAAAAATA/4oZsVv5nqS0/s1600/IMG_7438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sgnXM94Kuls/TtmHjFoskdI/AAAAAAAAATA/4oZsVv5nqS0/s320/IMG_7438.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh my word....it was fabulous! This was a fifteen pound turkey and it cooked completely in 45 minutes. My oven was free to bake other things the entire time. And to top it off....it tasted amazing! This was the best turkey I've ever eaten, hands down. Crispy outside, moist and juicy inside...it was perfect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is our Thanksgiving tradition from now on. We may even do this for Christmas!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kX5C1JYRjTo/TtmHsNrXaaI/AAAAAAAAATI/X6WDq5tnLlw/s1600/IMG_7439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kX5C1JYRjTo/TtmHsNrXaaI/AAAAAAAAATI/X6WDq5tnLlw/s320/IMG_7439.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gIN5UXUBA0/TtmH8qE-EoI/AAAAAAAAATQ/lAchFicLS6s/s1600/IMG_7441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9gIN5UXUBA0/TtmH8qE-EoI/AAAAAAAAATQ/lAchFicLS6s/s320/IMG_7441.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Rob, Hans, Jodi, little Hans, Heidi, Charis, Sophie, Heidi and Hope. And of course, I'm behind the camera.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OObXQSuteDM/TtmIgmU93UI/AAAAAAAAATg/rXoNBS787pY/s1600/IMG_7443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OObXQSuteDM/TtmIgmU93UI/AAAAAAAAATg/rXoNBS787pY/s320/IMG_7443.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-69004072781758458452011-12-02T22:00:00.000-05:002011-12-02T22:00:20.316-05:00It's Friday!It's Friday night, and I'm curled up on the couch with Abby and Nate watching The Grinch (the non-cartoon version). (Emma is at a friend's house having a sleepover, so I just have the little ones tonight.) I love this. We're in our pajamas. Lots of snuggling. Talking over each other in an effort to tell me everything that's happened in the past week. Commenting on the movie we've probably seen 50 times. I love this moment: the beginning of a new week with them. I love that they are still young enough to snuggle. I love hearing their stories.<br />
<br />
We have so much to do this weekend: put up the Christmas trees, assemble the Christmas train under the tree, make Christmas cookies....<br />
<br />
But for now, we are snuggling, watching a familiar movie, and enjoying the moment.AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-83894858039164719112011-11-21T14:00:00.000-05:002011-11-21T14:00:01.734-05:00I Am Thankful....for Sophie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGWIyS_dipY/TsMzvq5gkSI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/P6DrdXrBgyU/s1600/IMG_6984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IGWIyS_dipY/TsMzvq5gkSI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/P6DrdXrBgyU/s320/IMG_6984.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/---DvT5eYgcE/TsMz4_4s4fI/AAAAAAAAARA/Z84vTVoNJe4/s1600/IMG_7067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/---DvT5eYgcE/TsMz4_4s4fI/AAAAAAAAARA/Z84vTVoNJe4/s320/IMG_7067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAnwWJ-legg/TsM0DgyNm_I/AAAAAAAAARI/akvVP2-JcH0/s1600/IMG_7017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pAnwWJ-legg/TsM0DgyNm_I/AAAAAAAAARI/akvVP2-JcH0/s320/IMG_7017.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I love most about Sophie is her strong sense of self. She is confident in being her own person and doing her own thing. And she is endlessly creative. This combination can lead to some pretty unusual and amusing circumstances at times. She is at such a great age, where so much of the knowledge that she's been accumulating throughout her life is starting to come together and click for her. And whatever piece she might be missing in the knowledge department, she more than makes up for with enthusiasm and creativity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sophie is the peacemaker....ok, not always, but most of the time. And she is more introspective than most children her age. This is a double edged sword for her: she generally thinks things through pretty well before making a decision (which is unusual for an 11 year old), but it also means that she can be pretty hard on herself sometimes, even when it's not warranted. I am thankful for all the ways that she has grown this year. She has grown almost a full 2 inches this year....she is becoming more and more accomplished on the flute...volleyball has clicked for her....she is learning perseverance through her running club....she is improving on her rollerblades and her bike....and even has a passing interest in her unicycle every once in awhile. Yes, I said unicycle. I told you she was unique.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for Sophie's peacemaker's heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for her creativity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for her ability to make people laugh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am also thankful that she senses when people are hurting.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that she is learning to try new experiences.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that she is learning to meet new people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for her great math skills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for her pragmatic view of the world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that she eats vegetables without complaining, even though she doesn't like them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that she can pack her own lunchbox.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that Sophie always tries to do the right thing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that she is truly an amazing gift to our family, and I am so grateful that I have the priveledge of loving her and taking care of her.</div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-18136075994645105842011-11-20T14:00:00.000-05:002011-11-20T14:00:01.457-05:00I Am Thankful...for Charis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-tTLomA9dM/TsMhu4Cd0fI/AAAAAAAAAQY/INpMvTNp85E/s1600/IMG_6809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C-tTLomA9dM/TsMhu4Cd0fI/AAAAAAAAAQY/INpMvTNp85E/s320/IMG_6809.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center">I'll be the first to admit that Charis and I got off to a rocky start. Afterall, who wants a step-mother? Nobody. Step-mother's get a bad rap. That's undeniable. And Charis was 11 when I met her. Old enough to have a lot of very strong memories of the way life used to be. And young enough to believe Walt Disney's depiction of step-mothers.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I've never had a step-mother. I've never been through the pain and loss of my parent's getting divorced.</div><div align="center">But, I have been through pain. I have been through great loss. And I have felt the helplessness of being unable to stop it. Even though we have not been through the same circumstances, we have both experienced some of life's greatest pain and helplessness. And so Charis and I have started to bond, every so slowly, not over traditional "mother-daughter" things, but over a common understanding of pain and how that changes your life.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">But with great pain, can come an even greater understanding of God's ability to heal and restore. I have received mercy and healing and hope in ways that I do not even understand. And that is my prayer for Charis. I pray that God will do for her what He has so graciously done for me, even though I didn't deserve it. He continues to heal. He continues to extend grace. He continues to turn every situation into something good.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am so grateful that God has brought Charis into my life. She is not my daughter. She never will be. She already has a perfectly good mother, and does not need another one. And so I have a unique role in her life. I stay home with her when she's sick. I buy her clothes and books and shoes and makeup. We've laughed, we've cried, we've shopped. And yet, I am a caretaker and guardian without being a parent. I am a teacher and encourager without being a disciplinarian. I love her as a daughter, even though she will never be mine. My heart aches for her the way it does for my own children in the losses they all share. And I am delighted and proud of the girl that she is and the young woman that she is becoming.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am thankful that Charis actually enjoys school</div><div align="center">I am super grateful that she can do her own laundry...and prefers it that way (you should see the notes and instruction lists that I get if I try to do it for her! seriously.)</div><div align="center">I am thankful for her sense of humor</div><div align="center">I am thankful that she takes the role of big sister very seriously</div><div align="center">I am thankful that she is growing in her understanding of who God is </div><div align="center">I am thankful that she loves youth group!</div><div align="center">I'm thankful that she loves to bake...and is learning to clean up afterwards</div><div align="center">I am thankful for her compassionate heart</div><div align="center">I am thankful for her kindness to Abby</div><div align="center">I am thankful that when she found Cheerleading, she found something she loves</div><div align="center">I am thankful that she continues to be a runner, even when she doesn't feel like it</div><div align="center">I am thankful for her flair for the dramatic (ok, not all of the time, but I'm trying)</div><div align="center">I am thankful that she is always willing to paint everyone's nails</div><div align="center">And I am thankful that even though she is not my daughter, she is an amazing gift to our family</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-4260851143524252512011-11-19T15:05:00.000-05:002011-11-19T15:05:00.629-05:00I Am Thankful....for Nathan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRtxdLysDzQ/TsMzKo94tXI/AAAAAAAAAQo/jx7CDveub78/s1600/IMG_7303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GRtxdLysDzQ/TsMzKo94tXI/AAAAAAAAAQo/jx7CDveub78/s320/IMG_7303.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jB1QQMotzDU/TsMzV7WtDHI/AAAAAAAAAQw/NX84RucNNSo/s1600/IMG_7302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jB1QQMotzDU/TsMzV7WtDHI/AAAAAAAAAQw/NX84RucNNSo/s320/IMG_7302.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This boy is the light of my life. Just look at that grin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He has grown so much this year...not just his height and his crazy shoe size which is bigger than Abby's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He has grown in his interactions with adults, teachers and Sunday School teachers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He's developing friendships at both his schools. He makes friends out of strangers on the playground all the time. He can ride a bike, roller-blade (really well!), whistle, snap his fingers (a new, endearing hobby, let me just tell you), swim, count into the 80's before he gets tired of it and just quits, spell three letter words, cook pop tarts and he can collect and take out the trash and the recycling (and he does it without complaining!). He has such a "servant's heart" and loves to take care of everyone. Nate is one of the most loving children that I have ever known.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nate was the little boy hiding behind my leg with a binkie in his mouth...and it feels like that was just a month ago. In reality, he has been growing and changing and growing-up right before my eyes. He is only half an inch shorter than Abby now, which causes her no end of consternation. He loves to tinker with things....Nate has never been into trains or action figures or transformers....he likes them, but he would rather take a random group of small objects and put them together and take them apart. I don't really have an explanation for this, but he loves to tinker.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am so grateful that God gave me a boy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that Nathan has a grateful heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that Nate is making friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that he is learning to read and write and color and count.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that he is learning to persevere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am so thankful for Nate's love for all his sisters.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that he still likes to hang out with me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for Nate's enthusiasm for life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that he can zip his own coat and tie his shoes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful that his sister's have a defender.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am thankful for the balance he brings to our lives.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I am so thankful that he is my son.</div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-83732587084284182862011-11-17T14:00:00.000-05:002011-11-17T14:00:00.478-05:00I Am Grateful ... for Abby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EDsf9_N1VY/TsMdma6BJyI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/cLlNkU3LSrM/s1600/IMG_7057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8EDsf9_N1VY/TsMdma6BJyI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/cLlNkU3LSrM/s320/IMG_7057.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div align="center">Abby is my spunky, sparkly girl. And I don't just mean her clothes.</div><div align="center">There is a sparkle deep inside Abby....a light, a delight, a joy that runs in her heart and soul. Sometimes she keeps it under wraps, hiding under her frustration with reading or her frustration with having a little brother....but it slips out....in the big and little moments of her life. There is a zest and a passion in her that I hope and pray she never loses.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Abby sees the world a little differently than a lot of children her age....she sees the details, the things that other people miss. She sees the hurt hiding in people's faces. She sees (or feels) people's emotions very clearly. She sees the amazing creativity of God in the minutia and the grandeur of creation. She will sketch or draw something that she has seen recently, and the drawing will focus on a detail or a piece that I didn't even see at all. Probably because of how clearly and distinctly she sees the world, she also has very vivid and detailed dreams, which can be both good and bad. I think she dreams in color.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">I am grateful that Abby is competitive but is also a team player</div><div align="center">I am grateful for her amazing creativity</div><div align="center">I am grateful that Abby is amazing at math</div><div align="center">I am so grateful for her unique view of the world</div><div align="center">I am grateful for Abby's sense of justice</div><div align="center">I am grateful for her contagious laugh</div><div align="center">I am grateful for her energy (I'll admit, I wasn't so grateful when she was a two year old, but as an eight year old, it's now a gift and I am thankful)</div><div align="center">I am grateful that she is a fighter (I know that sounds negative, but this is a </div><div align="center">strength that can serve her well in life if she uses it the right way)</div><div align="center">I am grateful for Abby's ability to make friends wherever she goes</div><div align="center">I am grateful that she is fearless about joining a group even when she doesn't know anyone</div><div align="center">I am grateful for her willingness to be a tryer!</div><div align="center">I am grateful that she loves vegetables!! Amen!</div><div align="center">I am grateful for her sense of humor</div><div align="center">I am grateful that she is my daughter</div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-9737481492505599292011-11-16T14:00:00.000-05:002011-11-16T14:00:03.889-05:00I Am Thankful....for Emma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeKjr-QZJoA/Tr8JuYYPvaI/AAAAAAAAAOA/jKdStQ-Lris/s1600/IMG_7304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VeKjr-QZJoA/Tr8JuYYPvaI/AAAAAAAAAOA/jKdStQ-Lris/s320/IMG_7304.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Have I ever mentioned how much I LOVE having a 10 year old?! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's one of the best things that has ever happened to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For years, my parents have loved this age group (you can't be fifth grade teachers for 30+ years and not love 10 year olds. seriously.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But until I had my own, I didn't truly get it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">THIS IS A GREAT AGE!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Emma can make her own breakfast, do her own laundry (with great weeping and wailing and a list of excuses a mile long, of course, but it can be done) and can pour milk from a completely full gallon jug without spilling a drop. This is magical.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm sure that when my parents see Emma, they have serious flashbacks....she is even more of a voracious reader than I was at her age....and that is truly saying something. The girl tears through books, reads multiple books at a time, is constantly bugging us for more books, wants to know if she can read Charis' books or my books, and is pulling the age old "just one more page, Mom" at bedtime! Yup. Flashback. I just told her the other night that I wrote the book on that trick....ask if you can finish the page, and then speed read through the next 2-3 pages as fast as possible before mom notices. I got a sigh and a roll of eyes as she put the book down.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that Emma is such an amazing student in school</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful for the frienships she is making</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful for youth group for her this year and the reinforcement it gives to the things </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we are teaching her at home</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that she is learning the value of kindness...particularly to Abby</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful for her leadship skills that are already starting to blossom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that she can have a comfortable conversation with anyone. seriously.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that she is gracious</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that she has a thankful heart</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that she is interested in absolutely everything</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that she likes to try new things and meet new people and make new friends</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am so grateful that "new" things aren't worrisome for her</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful for her sense of humor</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am grateful that she is my daughter.</div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1431800472987016230.post-34370109170309445232011-11-12T18:57:00.000-05:002011-11-12T18:58:16.133-05:00Happy Birthday Nathan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, try and pretend that today is October 27th...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HoRuUDmCTQ/Tq21Zo1KJcI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/La_fQm4RkBI/s1600/IMG_7388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2HoRuUDmCTQ/Tq21Zo1KJcI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/La_fQm4RkBI/s320/IMG_7388.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Surprise!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a BMX bike!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3u8BK51lkYE/Tq21fqyTWXI/AAAAAAAAAKE/ftVf5FtqJ3k/s1600/IMG_7389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3u8BK51lkYE/Tq21fqyTWXI/AAAAAAAAAKE/ftVf5FtqJ3k/s320/IMG_7389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And just the right size....finally!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">(The minute we gave him the bike, it started to POUR outside....go figure. He got to ride up and down the hallway and through the dining room!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axk-dbzpdd4/Tq21pPB7BhI/AAAAAAAAAKM/_2gmqiQvpRk/s1600/IMG_7392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ida="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-axk-dbzpdd4/Tq21pPB7BhI/AAAAAAAAAKM/_2gmqiQvpRk/s320/IMG_7392.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And some hex bugs from his sisters....</div><div style="text-align: center;">and some Super Mario Legos....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BKSTw7grMA/Tq21w3ye6HI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Bs7b0ebvFfc/s1600/IMG_7391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6BKSTw7grMA/Tq21w3ye6HI/AAAAAAAAAKU/Bs7b0ebvFfc/s320/IMG_7391.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And of course, pumpkin pie (instead of cake) for dessert!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMHeAv3MBTs/Tq217xIqmNI/AAAAAAAAAKc/LfVqTmhVXqQ/s1600/IMG_7393.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GMHeAv3MBTs/Tq217xIqmNI/AAAAAAAAAKc/LfVqTmhVXqQ/s320/IMG_7393.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3T_IT07GHk/Tq22GJrg72I/AAAAAAAAAKk/V6-o1HFdDuA/s1600/IMG_7397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n3T_IT07GHk/Tq22GJrg72I/AAAAAAAAAKk/V6-o1HFdDuA/s320/IMG_7397.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Could this six year old be any more delighted that it's his birthday? When I went in to wake him up this morning, he was already awake and wanting to know "is it morning yet?" We had covered his bed in balloons during the night, so that he was surrounded when he woke up in the morning. At his preschool in the morning, he celebrated by bringing in ice cream cups....and he got to wear a birthday crown. In the afternoon at Kindergarten, he celebrated again with brownies...and yet another birthday crown! For dinner, we celebrated at pizza hut (and I remembered why I consider it a personal sacrifice to take my children to pizza hut...bleh! But Nate loved it!) And then we finished up with pie. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">By that point, Nate was still so excited and thrilled...the way that only a six year old can be....and I remembered how important all these simple joys are to my boy. Simple things...a bike, balloons, ice cream, pizza, pie, a birthday crown, celebrating with family....and yet they brought such joy, excitement and delight to Nate. Look at that face!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1goRLaWex4/Tq22Nke-0WI/AAAAAAAAAKs/iH9Lnt9RcAo/s1600/IMG_7401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C1goRLaWex4/Tq22Nke-0WI/AAAAAAAAAKs/iH9Lnt9RcAo/s320/IMG_7401.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nate you are truly our gift from God. Your joy is contagious and your sweetness, generosity and loving heart are a blessing to everyone in our family. Your place in our family is unique, as the only boy, and I am so grateful for that...you are already trying to become your sisters' protector. I am so proud of the young man that you are becoming...of all the things you are learning...of the strength you are developing...and the character that is growing within you. You are God's gift to me. And I love you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUq8qgBZvow/Tq22WR2NIII/AAAAAAAAAK0/icWrN8y7zJA/s1600/IMG_7402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oUq8qgBZvow/Tq22WR2NIII/AAAAAAAAAK0/icWrN8y7zJA/s320/IMG_7402.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OApGSJMBXzs/Tq22dHTaWCI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mAARCJ8b1Yw/s1600/IMG_7403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ida="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OApGSJMBXzs/Tq22dHTaWCI/AAAAAAAAAK8/mAARCJ8b1Yw/s320/IMG_7403.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>AmyBethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13429095001036621788noreply@blogger.com3