tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528023296957082762024-03-05T19:14:07.994-05:00Prayer of HannahO Lord of Hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067831645040029841noreply@blogger.comBlogger873125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-63544636271813238842013-04-08T11:12:00.001-04:002013-04-08T11:15:20.468-04:00Updating our diet: Step 1 - BreakfastAs you may know, most of the ladies from this blog know a LOT about nutrition and healthy living. I've always been inspired by their dedication to what they put in their bodies. I can remember 7 years ago, when Krista, Margaret, Christina and I were all pregnant with our first babies and teaching school together...Krista and Margaret were eating eggs like they were going out of style and telling me about the Blue Ribbon diet. I saw how beautifully they grew those babies in their bellies and how healthy those little girls have turned out to be.<br />
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I feel like my family keeps a diet similar to a lot of my peers...I suppose I consider it "fairly healthy". I cook the majority of our meals, we only eat at restaurants about once or twice a month, and we eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. But I'd say we are "fairly American" in our diet as well. We eat cereal for breakfast 6 out of 7 days, processed cheese, crackers, snack foods, and bread. My kids probably eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich 5 lunches a week and we have more added sugar in our diet than I'm probably even aware of.<br />
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Anyhow, I've been inspired to take baby, BABY steps to overhaul our diet. I've heard/read of different ways to go about this, but I finally landed on changing it meal by meal. My first step: change what we eat for breakfast.<br />
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Breakfast for my family would be a bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios with whole milk. We can go through a lot of cereal and milk this way, especially if I pour the boys a glass of milk to drink along with it. I think this breakfast has a few problems: cost, milk consumption, added sugar, and not enough energy to get us through to lunch. So I sat down with the kids and came up with a list of breakfast alternatives we could try. Here's our list:<br />
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Yogurt with Fresh Fruit added<br />
Quick Cook Oats with Brown Sugar<br />
Scrambled Egg Sandwich (on a biscuit with cheese)<br />
Pancakes<br />
Waffles<br />
Bagel with Cream Cheese<br />
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In order not to overwhelm myself and burn out, I started with store bought versions of most of this. The yogurt is Aldi brand nonfat vanilla yogurt, the biscuits are Grands biscuits from a tube, and the bagels and cream cheese are from Aldi. I already made pancakes and waffles from scratch, so that wasn't a change. But I use white flour for them.<br />
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Now that we are into week 2 of our new breakfasts, I'm ready to start making a few more changes to them. My first step will be to make my own yogurt. My plan is to follow Money Saving Mom's Homemade Crockpot Yogurt Recipe. I'm going to buy a half gallon of organic whole milk (not ultra-pastuerized) and a container of plain yogurt with live active cultures. My goal is to change the nonfat vanilla yogurt we're eating now to one that has good fat, no sugar, and is organic.<br />
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I can already see some results from our changes. We have cut way back on our milk consumption, and everyone has more energy to make it through the morning. Plus I love looking over the table and seeing the boys eat something besides yet another bowl of cereal!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067831645040029841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-78497530877428184672012-12-08T13:56:00.003-05:002012-12-08T13:56:54.958-05:00Great music for .25!Songs for Saplings is one of our very favorite places to buy music for the girls. We absolutely LOVE their Questions and Answers CD's. They contain great theological truths that kids can remember at a young age and the music is very mellow and not annoying like many children's music. The songs have raised some great questions for my girls and started some very good discussions. <a href="http://www.inlieuofpreschool.com/2012/11/great-music-that-teaches-kids-about-god.html">At this link</a> you can find a coupon code that will allow you to download the first CD for only a quarter! I just had to share. The coupon code is good until December 14th. Enjoy!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-47153840158278827782012-11-26T13:14:00.001-05:002012-11-26T13:14:48.064-05:00Photo Card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0QcsWrJszYs3Gw&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0QcsWrJszYs9/0QcsWrJszYs9cW/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1353953667000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Picture Joy Christmas</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Turn your favorite family photos into <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas cards</a>.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10067831645040029841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-30842824170391708502012-09-12T20:04:00.001-04:002012-09-12T20:04:35.699-04:00A great blog for nursing mothersI just wanted to let you know that one of our former writers, Krista, now has her own website and blog called <a href="http://www.nursingnurture.com/">Nursing Nurture: Breastfeeding Advice and Support</a>. It is a fabulous resource and I've learned a lot from both her blog and the articles that she posts on facebook. Please check it out and you will be encouraged!Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-77566888548155294292012-07-30T20:52:00.001-04:002012-07-30T20:52:25.449-04:00Do you make an idol of the perfect birth experience?It is SO easy to allow our 'needs/wants' during a birthing experience to steal our joy, take our focus off of Christ, and become our idol. In the article <a href="http://blog.christianitytoday.com/women/2012/07/bowing-down-to-your-birthing-b.html" target="_blank">Bowing Down to Your Birthing Ball</a>, Gloria Furman addresses this issue in a thoughtful, gospel-centered manner. Highly recommended for ladies expecting their first child--or their eighth!Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-64977097578812513762012-07-24T19:46:00.003-04:002012-07-24T19:55:44.802-04:00One school year down and ready for another!As we approach the beginning of a new school year, I decided to evaluate last year and see what I learned... here are my thoughts:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><i>The bottom line?</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">I absolutely LOVE homeschooling! I am passionate about education and get ever so excited about not only what my girls are learning, but also what I am learning in the process! I love having my girls home all day with me and although we've had our share of unproductive or down-right bad days, I wouldn't change it for anything!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><i>My absolute favorite part about homeschooling?</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> Without a doubt it is spending hours of our week snuggling on the couch reading my all time favorite childhood books to my girls. That is definitely my favorite part of our day!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><i>My downfall?</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> Curriculum. I'm a nerd. I love books. I love it all. I want to do it all. I want to buy each book I see. I always plan waaaaay to much. You remember my "great plan" for the beginning of the year? Yeah, I pretty much only followed for a few days. It was too structured for a baby with a changing schedule (who didn't want to follow "my" schedule :). And it didn't leave enough time to take advantage of those "teachable moments" or to really dig in deep to our favorite read-alouds. I was also going to do a "Letter of the Week" theme for Karlie but soon found out that she had learned all of her letters and sounds already from Karis and was pointless. So I just did phonograms with both of them instead.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><i>The best advice given to me?</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> A sweet friend named Jessica who has 3 precious stair-step children (even closer in age than mine!) told me <b>not to try to start it all at once</b>. To start one thing, build it into a routine, and do it well for a week or two or even a month before adding something else. Then work on doing those two things til we were set in the habit and ready to add something else. Very simple, but priceless advice. It worked. My girls thrived on doing the one bit of schoolwork I had them do every morning and then got ever so excited each time I finally added another piece to our routine. We ended up with only 3 real schoolwork periods: a short 10 minute breakfast memory board, a longer reading time on the couch, and a half hour table work time in the afternoon. "Preschool" really doesn't take long. (If you want to see how our schedule ended up, you can click <a href="http://www.markandmeg04.blogspot.com/2012/07/our-first-homeschool-year.html">HERE</a> to see a longer version of this post on my family blog.)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><i>Favorite Curriculum/ Books we used</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><u>For Teaching Karis to Read</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-Teaching-Reading/dp/0972860312/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1342749220&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Ordinary+Parents+Guide+to+Teaching+Reading" style="text-decoration: none;">The Ordinary Parents Guide to Teaching Reading</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">-- the girls loved the initial alphabet rhymes but the reading part was not super exciting. Still, it has a great simple phonics and grammatical progression and is exactly what Karis needs. I am more than happy with it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Alpha-Phonics-Primer-Beginning-Readers-ebook/dp/B001TH8YA6/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1342749269&sr=1-1" style="text-decoration: none;">Alphaphonics</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">-- I take turns with this and the above to give Karis some variety and to help with fluency. She likes that the letters are larger.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Bob+books" style="text-decoration: none;">Bob books</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">: She reads me one story each school day and they get progressively more difficult. It has been great to use them as we go through our phonogram cards because she sees how the phonograms help her figure out words. I just get these from the library.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Writing-Road-Reading-6th-Rev/dp/0062083937/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342577569&sr=8-1&keywords=the+writing+road+to+reading" style="text-decoration: none;">The Writing Road to Reading</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://spalding.org/store/instructional.php" style="text-decoration: none;">phonogram cards</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;"> </span>-- The book is great and I am certain I will utilize its techniques next year since Karis is actually writing more now. The phonogram cards are key -- there are only about 70 key phonograms in the English language and once a child can recognize them, she can figure out how to read almost any word. They have REALLY helped Karis take off with her reading. We memorize several a week and say them each morning as we do our "breakfast memory board."</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Explode-Code-1-Nancy-Hall/dp/0838814603/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342749406&sr=8-1&keywords=Explode+the+Code" style="text-decoration: none;">Explode the Code</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">Workbooks -- she absolutely LOVES her workbook and I am thrilled with the effortless way it teaches her to read and practice her handwriting as well. This is probably her favorite "reading resource"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><u>Chapter "Read-Alouds</u></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">": Our favorite part of the day is curling up on the couch with a good book! I absolutely LOVE</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool-curriculum.html?grade=k&tab=m" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;">Sonlight's reading list</span></a><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool-curriculum.html?grade=k&tab=m" style="color: #735a49; text-decoration: none;"> </a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">for preschool and kindergarten. We did not buy the curriculum, but instead I just got most of the books from the library. There are a few great collections that I purchased from Amazon, but most of them are at our library. I also requested books from the library from</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d; font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000-primary.html" style="text-decoration: none;">THIS classical book list</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #93c47d;">.</span> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><u>For this year: </u> We plan to do</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #b6d7a8;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.classicalconversations.com/academic-programs/foundations-program-k4-6th" style="text-decoration: none;">Classical Conversations</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Schoolbell; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;"> for our science and history foundation and I will add read-a-louds and activites to supplement as I have time. (Probably not too many the 1st year as I get used to the program.) I plan to continue with our current phonics materials and Sonlight read-a-louds and add Saxon math to our schedule as well. And I think that should do it! I am very excited about the upcoming school year!</span>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-77367115684546101902012-07-10T21:07:00.001-04:002012-07-10T21:07:58.971-04:00Audio and Video from The Gospel Coalition Women's ConferenceThree weeks ago, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference in Orlando Florida. This conference gave almost 4000 women the opportunity to dig deep into God's word and be encouraged in the gospel and their various roles in life. I came away greatly encouraged, knowing more about God and His gospel, and have a deeper fellowship with the ladies with whom I traveled. God is great, and God is good, and I am grateful for the chance to grow closer to Him during that weekend.<br />
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Now, The Gospel Coalition has posted audio and video of all of the plenary sessions and workshops. This is a wealth of information and encouragement that I encourage everyone to use! You can find the links <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/07/10/now-available-audio-video-from-tgcw12/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">here</a>. It is hard to choose a favorite (or several favorites), but I recommend Paige Benton Brown and Carrie Sandom's plenary sessions. They are probably unknown names to you, but their biblical teaching was deep, sound and thoroughly edifying and encouraging. I could not attend all of the workshops, unfortunately, but Kathy Chapell's parenting session and Jani Ortlund's marriage session were both incredibly helpful. Listen to them, and let me know which ones you enjoy!!Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-43055803133839120252012-07-04T22:23:00.001-04:002012-07-04T22:23:17.547-04:00Happy Independence Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I found this yesterday, and I had to share it. I love diagramming sentences, but I must confess I would be completely at a loss for how to diagram this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAofOgYUp6tVCFlnoQZwbTi1Iqlvm5ICAgnsL_jfjsX-DlieMwgz_adWcIlKAJabL1i9N_ZC2_mNssRpeva_DVEKD2SF5oHQHy5DcgkgUadjaUNSHFJxRJIj153LTduxs_LZARwfhRV54/s1600/decind1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAofOgYUp6tVCFlnoQZwbTi1Iqlvm5ICAgnsL_jfjsX-DlieMwgz_adWcIlKAJabL1i9N_ZC2_mNssRpeva_DVEKD2SF5oHQHy5DcgkgUadjaUNSHFJxRJIj153LTduxs_LZARwfhRV54/s320/decind1.gif" width="320" /></a><br />
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Graphic courtesy of <a href="http://www.german-latin-english.com/diagramdecind1.htm" target="_blank">http://www.german-latin-english.com/diagramdecind1.htm</a>.<br />
For more detail, see <a href="http://leighbortins.com/declare-and-diagram/" target="_blank">http://leighbortins.com/declare-and-diagram/</a><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!!!</span></div>
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Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-81981290707157431852012-06-23T19:32:00.000-04:002012-06-23T19:34:03.698-04:00Some Random Favorite Links...You have probably noticed that the POH authors are taking a little break from writing this summer... we are all quite busy with our families and summer plans. We might post every once in a while if we find something that we think might be encouraging to you, but we are not going to try to schedule posts every week. We hope you are having a wonderful summer and are making lots of special memories with loved ones!<br />
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Here are some articles/ links/ recipes I have enjoyed lately:<br />
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The <a href="http://www.feminagirls.com/2012/04/10/the-littleness-of-motherhood/">"littleness" of motherhood</a> -- another convicting and encouraging article by one of my favorite writers<br />
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<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/chicken-lazone-65768">Chicken Lazone</a> is our absolute favorite recipe right now. We probably have it at least once every other week. It is so quick and easy and delicious over a bed of quinoa. I leave off the seasonings for my girls' chicken so it won't be too spicy for them and their pieces absorb just enough of the spices from ours that it is delicious to them.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.booksshouldbefree.com/">A great website for downloading free audio books</a> that I have used greatly in finding stories for my girls for rest time. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ot-mom-learning-activities.com/pencil-grasp-development.html">This article</a> was <b>very</b> helpful to me in understanding the developmental grasp of a child and helping me to chill out about the way Karlie holds her pencil.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://kellygo.blogspot.com/2009/03/21-questions-to-ask-your-kids.html">These questions</a> are really fun to ask the kids about any family member. I printed out the answers on a pretty piece of paper to give to the grandparents for Mother's Day and Father's Day.<br />
<br />
Here is an <a href="http://rachelmariemartin.blogspot.com/2012/04/dear-moms-with-littles.html">inspiring note</a> to moms of littles.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://grandrapidsnaturalliving.com/lyme-disease-prevention-and-awareness-in-michigan/">Natural tick prevention and treatment</a><br />
<br />
My new <a href="http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/04/the-best-soaked-granola-gluten-free-option/">favorite granola recipe</a>! She gives a gluten-free option which I now need because my 3-year old needs to eat GF. I absolutely love the texture and crunch of the toasted buckwheat added to the normal deliciousness of granola!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/03/27/grace-for-the-bulk-effect-in-parenting/">A great reminder</a> about the "bulk effect" in parenting<br />
<br />
We went to <a href="http://thetwistedfork.com/">The Twisted Fork Restaurant</a> and I fell in love with their Tia Maria Cake -- a friend gave me <a href="http://www.newsobserver.com/cgi-bin/nao/lifestyles/food_fitness/recipes/show_recipe.cgi?id=3257&template=template.html">this recipe</a> that I would really like to try out!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.feminagirls.com/2012/06/21/the-long-term-view/">The Long-Term View</a><br />
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<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-30903713533128455742012-05-23T08:54:00.001-04:002012-05-23T08:54:31.383-04:00The Comparison GameIt is so easy to get into the comparison game, especially as a mom. Our sinful nature compares our lives with those of others who seem to have it 'more together', and we start to live in worry, fear, and doubt. We question everything we do, we try to do more, and we begin to put our worth in what we do instead of finding our worth and value in what Christ has done. Tim Challies has a great blog post about <a href="http://www.challies.com/christian-living/competitive-mothering#more" target="_blank">Competitive Mothering</a> that is 'spot on' regarding this subject.<br />
<br />
Please know that the authors of POH write their posts to encourage and uplift our readers, and we never intend to hold up our lives as "the only way." May you be encouraged by what we and other moms in the blogsphere write, and may you rest in Christ's conquering of sin on your behalf. Christ is all that matters--not your schooling choices, number of children, or monthly menus. Trust in Him! (If you do not know what it means to trust in Christ, please ask us! I also recommend you read <a href="http://thefinnfamily.blogspot.com/p/story.html" target="_blank">The Story</a>, which explains who made us and why we were made.)Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-25195606645161892082012-05-09T16:34:00.000-04:002012-05-09T16:34:04.970-04:00Prayer Journaling for Your Husband and Children<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Hi friends, it's Leah F! One of my dearest friends recently wrote about journaling and praying for your children, and I thought it would be a blessing to our Prayer of Hannah readers. Thanks for reading.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">"So train the young women to love their husbands and
children." - (Titus 2:4 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">I learned this very well from my mentor, Phyllis, through the
years as I've watched her diligently and passionately pray for her husband
and children, and their spouses, and now her grandchildren. As I've
started my own for my husband, and now my Baby Boy Campbell coming in
September, I wanted to share some thoughts and how-tos that I've learned from
her over the almost 20 years of knowing her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">1. <strong>Get
paper</strong>. I remember after my second date with my husband, I
went to B&N later that night and got a moleskin notebook and started
journaling and praying for him, knowing one day I would give it to him at our
wedding. And I did. He is reading through it now. But,
really, ladies...you don't need a moleskin or fancy notebook. You can use
a journaling Bible (like</span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Single-Column-Journaling-Bible-Black/dp/1433531917/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1334597732&sr=8-1"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> this one </span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">from
Crossway) and journal through your reading in there or just grab some
loose-leaf paper and stick it in a folder (like we did back in high school,
before everything needed to be turned through a computer). The paper
doesn't matter, the action does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">2. <strong>Get a
pen/pencil/crayon</strong>. I have tried to steer away from pens
that will bleed through the pages of my moleskin (almost done with a #2 right
now) but sometimes a bleed pen is the only one around. I would also
challenge you to get a real pen and paper (not a computer) because you'll be
able to cherish these notebooks for years to come and your children and husband
can read them as well! I know we are a techno world now, but I truly
believe that some things are better hand-written.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">3. <strong>Get a
Bible</strong>. One of the MUSTS for this type of praying is that
you pray Scripture over your spouse/children. What Phyllis taught me is
that I don't need books or even to be really creative, I just need God's
Word. She trusts in its sufficiency, and so do I. You don't have to
start a new reading plan - just read. If you want to, start with
the Psalms or one of Paul's epistles or (gasp!) even the book of
Deuteronomy. Pray these Scriptures for your husband/children. Here
is an example from Psalm 112:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Praise the LORD!<br />
Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,<br />
who greatly delights in his commandments!<br />
His offspring will be mighty in the land;<br />
the generation of the upright will be blessed.<br />
Wealth and riches are in his house,<br />
and his righteousness endures forever.<br />
Light dawns in the darkness for the upright;<br />
he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.<br />
It is well with the man who deals generously and lends;<br />
who conducts his affairs with justice.<br />
For the righteous will never be moved;<br />
he will be remembered forever.<br />
He is not afraid of bad news;<br />
his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.<br />
His heart is steady; he will not be afraid,<br />
until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.<br />
(Psalm 112:1-8 ESV)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">"Father, I praise you and thank you that you have given me a
Psalm 112 husband. Thank you for answering that prayer. I thank you
that E fears you more than he fears man and that he takes great delight in your
word each morning, even as we are going through James this year as a
couple. I pray that our children, even this little one in my tummy right
now, will be blessed to follow and know you and dwell richly and mightily in
the land as they seek you wholeheartedly because of your grace and the display
of faithfulness of their earthly Father (all because of grace). Thank you
for allowing my E to show me grace and mercy when I fail, and fail miserably at
times. Thank you also that he pursues you and righteousness.
Continue to weigh in his heart and his actions so that they might please
you. I praise YOU that E is a generous man who does not hoard the money
that you have blessed us with but wants our giving and our home to be a place
of blessing for others. May we continue to live in that way. I pray
Lord, that even in difficult times, that you would make his heart strong and
firm in you - knowing that you never change and that you will lead him in
righteousness (Psalm 23). Do not let him coward and be afraid, but be
bold and know that you are God until the day that you make him triumph over his
enemies for the glory of God in the world."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">And you can take the same chapter and pray it for your children,
as I will for baby Campbell.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">4. <strong>Pray</strong>.
I know this may seem like the easiest one to do, and I do pray for E all the
time and pray for baby Campbell as well (honestly mostly in the shower), but do
this. I remember living for a time with my mentor and her family. I
remember waking up early in the morning and walking downstairs, and Phyllis had
already been there for hours praying and reading for her soul and the soul of
her family. This was such a testimony to me. I fail in this so
much. I need more grace to make it happen and to make it a glorious
habit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">5. <strong>Save</strong>.
Save your journals. I will save mine. Got an email from Phyllis
this morning even that she has bookshelves and a chest full of these journals.
What a legacy for your children and spouse as they see a wife/mother who first
loved Jesus then prayed and loved them as well all the days of her life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">6. <strong>Side
note</strong>: I sometimes read these journals to E as a way to
encourage him. I let him read the first one (I gave it to him before our
wedding). I use it as part journal of our marriage too. So for part
of the journal I'm talking to God and part of it I'm talking to E, or baby
Campbell in his. I've already seen how encouraging this can be and how
much fruit can be harvested from this daily </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Dangerous-Duty-Delight-LifeChange/dp/1576738833/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334597791&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">duty of delight </span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">(see John
Piper). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">7. <b>Baby Boy Praying: </b>When I found out we were going to be blessed with
a little boy, I immediately wanted to know how I could pray, as a mother, for
him to grow into a young man who loved Jesus.
A former boss of mine suggested <i>Boyhood and Beyond</i> by Bob Schulz. I purchased it and have been reading the
short chapters and prayer journaling my thoughts on the gospel and manhood for
baby Campbell. I hope it will be a
blessing to him one day. <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">PS...You can definitely read through books and pray those for your
husband or children. I remember reading through </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Guide-Biblical-Manhood-Randy-Stinson/dp/0615469426/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334597865&sr=1-1"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">A Guide to Biblical
Manhood</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> written by </span><a href="http://www.sbts.edu/"><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;">SBTS</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;"> Profs Dan
Dumas and Randy Stinson and praying through those traits for E before we got
married. By all means, use other things, but let Scripture be your
guiding principle!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">May I encourage you to begin today to be a wife and mother who
lives, has daily dependence on God and His Word and by communing with Him in
prayer. We fail miserably when we try to
survive on our own! Thankful the Holy
Spirit works His Word in us and shapes and fashions us according to His Plan
and for His glory!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 10pt;">Phyllis - thank you for praying for Billy, Jeremy/Katie, Jill/Matt
and all your beautiful grandchildren - and for me. You have truly been a
Scriptural blessing in my life and continue to be so! Proverbs 31 by
grace, you are! And if you have anything you would like to add Phyllis,
please add it in the comments: I still have much to learn!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><i>Kimberly Campbell is a wife, freelance writer and soon to be mom of a sweet baby boy due in September. She blogs at <a href="http://www.kd316.com/" target="_blank">www.kd316.com</a></i></o:p></div>Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-65903604333369626842012-05-08T22:20:00.000-04:002012-05-08T22:20:53.045-04:00You Don't Have to be Perfect--Jaime's story<br />
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<b>Tell us a little about yourself.</b></div>
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My name is Jaime. I’m a Florida girl, married to my college
sweetheart for 15 years. Mom to John Peter (10), Christopher (8), Jane-Grace
(4) at home in Louisiana. Waiting to
bring home Joshua (4) and Georgia (1) from Ethiopia.</div>
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Why adoption? </b></div>
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I felt drawn to adoption while in high school, since my best
friend was Chinese, and I learned from her how unwanted girls were discarded there. In
college, while dating my future husband, we made it part of our family’s dream
plan. He had been to Russia on a mission trip as a freshman, and they had
visited orphanages there. We were *so* sure we were headed to China or Russia
one day. We certainly did not set out to have a big family, we just set out to
be obedient. God showed us the beauty of his adoption of us as his children and
heirs, and we embraced him making our family beautiful through adoption. </div>
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<b>Tell us about your adoption process?</b></div>
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We started an application for a Chinese adoption in 2005,
and due to some health problems of our oldest child we decided to wait. In
2007, we applied to adopt from our agency’s new program in El Salvador (we no
longer qualified for China). In 2008, the El Salvador program was moving very
slowly and our agency recommended a change. That’s when we were led to
Ethiopia. We brought our daughter, Jane-Grace, home in 2009 at 22 months old.
When she had been home about seven months we applied to adopt again from
Ethiopia. After waiting 17 months, we received our referral for siblings in
February. I just returned from a joyful & successful meeting and court trip
in April, and we hope to have them home this summer!</div>
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<b>
What have been the biggest struggles/joys? </b></div>
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Our struggles have been waiting & being joyful for
others while they celebrate their baby’s birth while we endure the pregnancy
wait of a pachyderm; waiting, working ,
and trusting for our child to attach to us. God is constantly working in us the heart of a
farmer, patiently working the soil he has given us, and waiting for fruit in
it’s time.</div>
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Our joys have been experiencing the joys of having a
daughter, everything girly, and experiencing her vibrant personality that is
distinctly her. We celebrate her
adoption and don’t hide it, but there is joy in forgetting too…like when I ask
the doctor to check some medical issue because it “runs in the family,” or I
joke that my husband does all the yard work because “I birthed 3 babies.”
Russell Moore talks about how you start to find ways that your children “take
after you” in <u>Adopted for Life</u>, and it’s true! The grandparents do it
now also! We can’t wait to experience these joys with our 2 new children!</div>
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<b>
What is one thing you think our readers need to know about adoption?</b></div>
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<i><u>You don’t need to be the perfect parent to adopt. You just
need to know the One who is perfect.</u> </i>You are not the child’s savior; you are
pointing him/her to the Savior. </div>
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<i>**Feel free to follow the Delfosse's story (and see pics of their ADORABLE kids) at their blog: <a href="http://notquitebrangelina.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://notquitebrangelina.blogspot.com</a>.**</i></div>Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-64311932297585524322012-05-03T09:47:00.000-04:002012-05-03T09:49:04.489-04:00Great parenting tips and a plug for a marriage get-awaySince we are focusing on moms this month, I thought I would share some great parenting tips from a Mom who recently taught me a lot. But before I do, I just have to put in a plug for <a href="http://www.familylife.com/events/featured-events/weekend-to-remember">Family Life's Weekend to Remember Marriage Getaways</a>. Mark and I just attended one last weekend, and it was amazing for us. We didn't have any major problems in our marriage, but just knew we were exhausted and needed to get away and focus on each other and connect. I was looking for something fun for us to do in Charlotte (I have to now admit that we chose Charlotte simply because it had the closest IKEA and I'd been wanting to go there for years :) and found the marriage get-a-way and thought it would be a great way to get us to focus on each other. I mentioned it to Mark and he laughed in my face. Sitting through a conference was definitely not what he wanted to do on our get-a-way! So I dropped it. I told him he could plan whatever he wanted for us. And two weeks later <i>he</i> brought it up again and said we could do the marriage conference as long as we didn't have to go to every single session. Ha! We almost dropped the idea again because of the price, but Family Life people are super nice and will give scholarships based simply on "what you and your husband have decided you can afford." <br />
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Mark and I looked at the schedule and decided which sessions we would attend... some of the sessions sounded very redundant to information we had learned in Seminary so we decided to skip many of them. We actually only made it to 4 out of 10 sessions but those 4 sessions were indeed invaluable to us. I'm talking, life-changing, "I feel like we are courting again" type of impact! (In retrospect, we probably would have learned much in the other sessions as well, but the 4 we attended gave us more than enough to process and work on.) I expected to get a lot from the conference (being the relationship-oriented, emotional woman that I am), but I was amazed at how much it changed my husband as well. He didn't even want to go to the conference originally, but has said many times since how glad he was that he went and how he wishes others that we know could go to one as well.<br />
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Sorry this has gotten to be such a long plug, but I felt like I really needed to share because it helped us so much. Since this is a blog specifically for exhausted moms of little ones, I am certain that we are not the only ones who unknowingly settled into "companionship" mode without even realizing it. We love our kids and the life that we enjoy with them and we truly get along great so we did not even realize that our marriage had become complacent. <a href="http://www.familylife.com/events/featured-events/weekend-to-remember">Weekend To Remember</a> is a wonderful tool to get the communication flowing in all areas of marriage and God greatly used it to recharge ours!<br />
<br />
The wife and mother who spoke at the conference did one session on parenting and she told her top ten tips for kids. I knew many of them already, but the session was a good reminder and listening to her tips helped me to think about what areas of parenting I need to work on. It also helped me think more about the future of my kids and our goal in parenting. (I tend to get so caught up in the here and now of the little years that I often forget that we are doing such training so they can be independent but wise and godly teenagers.) I hope these tips will be helpful to you as well:<br />
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1. Set limits -- kids need limits and they find security in them. <br />
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2. "<i>We play to an audience on one</i>." This one was a particularly good reminder for me because I parent very differently than a lot of people I know and I need to stop worrying about what others are thinking about my parenting style. What matters is that I am in prayer and doing what God has called me to do. I raise my children for Him, not anyone else.<br />
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3. My job is not to be my child's best friend! She went on to say that friendship does come later and right now she is enjoying a sweet, sweet friendship with her teenage and college-age kids. But the little years are for training and instructing in righteousness and much discipline. <br />
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4. Because of all the boundaries and discipline that come with #3, try to say yes to as many things as you can so that when you do say no, it really means something.<br />
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5. Give them the Biblical reasons behind the rules and limitations -- we do not just want good behavior, but to help them make good decisions in the future!<br />
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6. When you take something away, give them something better -- she gave the example of beach week in the South, where kids always go to the beach and party like crazy for a week after school lets out. They never let their kids attend beach week, but instead used that week to plan amazing family vacations.<br />
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7. Stay calm and loving in discipline -- you don't want them to think you are disciplining simply because you are mad, but because you love them and are obeying God in training them in righteous living.<br />
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8. The less you <i>react</i> in the moment, the more your kids will come to you with their moments. If a child comes home and tells you something incredibly shocking that happened in school, if you get all upset and immediately call the principal, the child will probably not choose to confide in you the next time something disturbing happens. <br />
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9. Focus on unconditional love -- when you discipline, tell them that you are disappointed, that they sinned, but that it does not change your love for them.<br />
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10. Pray that they would get caught! You will not be with them every moment and will not catch every sin, so pray that they will get caught before their sin grows so they can deal with it and learn from it. (Sidenote: my own mother did this and told us that she did and God definitely answered her prayer -- my brother and I never got away with anything! :)<br />
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<br />Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-26762053516000929632012-04-26T07:32:00.000-04:002012-04-26T09:08:41.855-04:00The Journey<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I asked my sweet friend, Melisa King, if I could post her story because her family was an extremely influential factor in our decision to adopt at some point. Mark and I had only been married a few months and didn't even have kids of our own, but watching their family with their newly adopted baby totally opened our eyes. Melisa and her sister, both teenagers, were absolutely enamored with their new little sister! I had always thought it would be neat to adopt, but had never even thought of doing it after our own children were teenagers and could really help take care of the baby and understand the emotional journey of adoption and see the comparison to how God adopted us!. Now I can't wait to someday see my girls with an adopted sibling! I hope you enjoy her sweet story as much as I did as I watched it unfold...</span></i><br />
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“<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">Thou
hast turned my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth,
and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise
to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto
thee forever.” – Psalm 30:11-12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">I
looked into her beautiful blue eyes, kissed her forehead and softly
said, “Goodbye Anna, I love you.” I placed the three-month-old
child into my mother’s arms and tears filled my eyes. My mom
quietly asked, “Are you okay?” I silently nodded and then headed
out the door to work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">This
was not the first time I had been through this and it probably would
not be the last. Five months earlier my family and I began to take
part in a very special, unique and rewarding ministry. We became a
foster family. I remember the day that my parents brought home our
first baby. Julia was two weeks old, Hispanic and beautiful. Our
time with her was filled with joy, laughter, and most of all, plenty
of hugs and kisses. After two months, a wonderful Christian family
adopted Julia. Though her adoptive family was wonderful, I do not
believe I had ever felt the amount of pain I felt that day. I kissed
her forehead and tearfully said, “Goodbye Julia. I love you.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">Three
short days after Julia’s adoption we were entrusted with the care
of another baby girl, Aly. Aly was two days old the day we received
her and she was the perfect baby. About one week after Aly’s
arrival my parents received a call asking them to consider taking
another child. We quickly discussed the idea as a family and
decided, “Hey, there are four of us! We can certainly handle two
babies.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">Two
days later, my mom and dad brought Anna home. Having two babies
around the house proved to be challenging, but also fun and
rewarding. We took turns feeding them, changing their diapers and
even sleeping in their rooms at night. We also took turns rocking,
hugging and kissing them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">After
four days with both babies Aly went back to her birth mother and
father. Once again, pain filled my heart as I kissed her one last
time and whispered, “Goodbye Aly. I love you.” This time I was
thankful to already have another baby in the house. Anna helped
soothe our hurting hearts and brought joy and laughter to our faces.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">We
kept Anna for ten weeks. Those weeks including outings to the mall,
showing her off at church and even a trip to the beach. Upon
arriving home from the beach we learned that Anna would be adopted
the following week.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">After
giving up Anna, our family felt incomplete. The weeks following
Anna’s adoption were filled with many thoughts and questions. Were
we really cut out for this foster care routine? </span>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">A
few weeks later my parents came to my sister and me and asked, “What
do you two think about adopting?” The prospect of adopting
instantly excited my sister but I was a little reluctant to join in
her enthusiasm. Not that adopting did not sound incredible; it was
just that I was a fighter. I felt that if our family stopped doing
foster care it would look like we had just given up. People might
think that we could not handle the pain or were not strong enough to
let the babies go. My parents began to pursue the process and over
time my heart was filled with anticipation of a new addition to our
family. My parents completed paperwork, background checks and
physical examinations. They endured many meetings and interviews,
very similar to those that took place before our approval to become a
foster family. After all the assigned tasks were completed, our
family began the waiting game.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">Waiting
proved to be much more trying than filling out the paperwork and
answering all the questions. Weeks turned into months, and months to
a year. After a year of waiting we had a few leads, all of which
fell through after just a few days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">Early
in July of 2004, my mom and I took a trip to Richmond to visit my
grandparents and do a little shopping. During our shopping trip my
mom received a phone call from an adoption agency in Arkansas. This
was the phone call that changed our lives forever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">The
next few weeks were filled with phone calls, pictures of the baby and
uncontrollable excitement. Five weeks after receiving the long
awaited phone call my parents flew to Arkansas where they met my baby
sister for the first time. My sister and I passed the time while they
were away by keeping busy with friends, church and work. Two days
seemed like an eternity, but finally the time came to pick them up at
the airport. My sister and I watched every plane that landed, hoping
it would be the one holding our baby sister. Finally, we watched as
the little Delta jet landed and my father quickly filed off the plane
followed by my mother holding little Ella-Grace in her arms.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">The
following moments were filled with complete joy and fulfillment. As
I held the sleeping child in my arms for the first time I knew that
she was meant to be a part of our family. I felt so blessed to be
Ella-Grace’s big sister and I realized the reason behind the
journey I had been on for the past two years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">God
has a way of leading you though certain circumstances that seem to
have no purpose or meaning. Sometimes the circumstances even produce
pain, often seemingly unbearable in nature. But, He has a plan. God
used the time my family spent participating in foster care, not only
to bless us, but also to direct us. I am so thankful for God’s
direction during this time and my parent’s willingness to follow
His path no matter how uncertain it appeared.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', serif;">Ella-Grace
is now seven years old. She has been with our family since she was
ten weeks old. Every moment spent with her makes the waiting we
endured worthwhile. I am so thankful that each day when I say, “I
love you Ella-Grace,” I do not have to say, “Goodbye.”</span></div>
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<br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-45634465013904772612012-04-25T07:04:00.003-04:002012-04-25T07:04:47.115-04:00Adoption and the hurdles of the heart-Sheryl's story<i>Sheryl and her husband Andy are friends and fellow church members with the Finn family. Sheryl graciously has offered to share a glimpse into what goes on in their hearts during this process. You can follow Andy and Sheryl's story at <a href="http://www.andyandsheryl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.andyandsheryl.blogspot.com</a>.</i><br />
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There are definitely hurdles to this miracle called
adoption. Whether you’ve ever considered it or not, you’ve surely heard about
the time and money it takes. Then there’s the miles of paperwork and even, for
some, the fear of unsupportive family and friends. But, the hurdles I’m
thinking of begin with us and the questions in our own hearts.</div>
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Could I love a child that’s not “mine”?</div>
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What if something is “wrong” with them?</div>
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Will it feel like” Plan B”? (for those who struggle with
infertility)</div>
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My precious husband Andy and I dealt with these questions
together a little over a year ago as we plunged head first into the adoption
world. We had always known we would like to adopt but it was becoming clearer
that it would be our reality a little sooner than anticipated, as we’d been
facing infertility for several years.</div>
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Even as a couple who had always been open to and felt drawn
to the call, these hurdles of the heart still had to be dealt with. Before
submitting our initial application with an agency, we asked these same
questions mentioned above. And since then, I’ve had others ask me about these
questions going on in their hearts. </div>
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The best way I know to answer is that once we took that step
of faith the Lord had impressed upon us, He dealt with the hurdles going on
inside – each and every one. Not before, but <i>after</i>. </div>
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I cannot fully explain what happened in my heart the moment
I submitted our initial application to begin the process. But the questions
didn’t matter anymore. I was in it for the duration and I wanted desperately to
see it come to fruition. No more second guessing. And it absolutely became and
felt like Plan A. This is what the Lord had called us to do and He's been faithfully
lighting the way the entire process!</div>
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We’re currently on the journey to bring home a 23 month old
little girl, Lucy Hope, from China sometime late this summer. She has already
changed our lives for the better and we can’t wait to get to know her as <i>our</i> daughter.</div>
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Each adoption story is different. I’m not claiming it’s all
roses all the time. But it’s absolutely been worth it for us – and we don’t
even have our Lucy home yet! We’ll have difficult times ahead, no doubt. But we
already can’t imagine our life without her.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=452802329695708276" name="_GoBack"></a> These
questions have faded from our hearts and a love for her has taken their place.</div>
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<br /></div>Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-45216995739873575862012-04-24T21:56:00.001-04:002012-04-24T21:57:23.286-04:00He will surely do it!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> Here are some reflections on adoption from a POH reader and fellow blogger. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222;">Sheila lives overseas with her husband and three children. She blogs about her misadventures in motherhood, the craziness of living overseas, their adoption journey, and a smattering of random things at <a href="http://www.momfessions.net/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">www.momfessions.net</a> (when she has time!)</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> A few weeks ago I was tucking my three-year-old son into bed. After
brushing my lips against his baby soft forehead and turning toward the door, I
heard his sweet voice, “Mommy, when is Baby Sister coming?” My heart skipped a
beat at the precious question—there is not a baby in my belly as one might
assume from his question. He was asking about Baby Sister who we’ve been
talking about for over a year now. Baby Sister won’t have my husband’s eye
color or my same skin tone. She won’t be mistaken for a “twin” like our three
biological back-to-back, look-alike kids are. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> But she will be just as loved, just as anticipated, just as celebrated,
just as much a part of our family as the blond-headed, Superman-loving little
boy gazing up at me from his top bunk.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I don’t know, honey. But God does know when she will come. Would you
like to pray for her now?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> It’s hard to put into words what adoption means to me, and I’ve
struggled to adequately explain to curious friends and relatives <i>why</i> we are adopting another daughter. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Adoption is
painful.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> It is born out of the loss of what <i>should
be</i>. A brown-eyed, brown-haired little girl <i>should not</i> come to live in our house and be called our own. Because
she <i>should</i> be living with her loving
family—the family she was born into. For some reason, the <i>should</i> is not a reality in her case. There is loss. Loss of what <i>should</i> be. Adoption is born out of that
loss—allowing something ugly to become something beautiful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Adoption is
beautiful.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Because I have experienced adoption personally—being adopted out of sin
and darkness and welcomed into the Kingdom of God through the amazing, atoning
work of Jesus Christ on the cross—I can relate to my future daughter. I know what
a blessing adoption can be. I realize how beautiful it can be as it transforms
ashes into something lovely. I appreciate how deeply and eternally it can
change a life.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> We aren’t very far in our adoption process. Almost a year was spent
praying and researching before we even took a step forward to start the actual
process. Slowly, we have applied with an agency and gathered documents for a
home study. Already, I have been waiting for Baby Sister for longer than I ever
waited to get pregnant, or carried a child in my womb.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> But that’s OK. As I see the hearts of my children being prepared (and
getting excited!) for Baby Sister, I know that the Lord’s timing is best. We
don’t know who our little girl is right now, but He does. He knows her favorite
toy and who she spends her days with. He sees where she sleeps and knows when
her tummy is empty. He has counted the hairs on her head, and He had begun to
form her in the womb before her mother even knew she was there! He knows what
did happen/will happen to give her the title “orphan”, and He knows the exact
time we will be able to hold her in our arms.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Adoption isn’t easy. </b>As beautiful and worth-it as it is, there are
deadlines and dollar signs, and government regulations, and red-tape… and
attachment issues and special needs and heartache and language barriers and
adjustment troubles. Add in unethical practices and corruption in places around
the world and it can quickly become overwhelming and unappetizing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I find it’s very similar to living overseas. My husband and I live
abroad and we know without a doubt that we are obeying a call the Lord has
placed on our life by doing so. On days when language-learning and relationship
building and public transportation and raising kids in another culture just
feels like too much (and I want to give up!), I have to remember 1
Thessalonians 5:24 that says, “<b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;">He
who calls you is faithful;<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>he will surely do it.”</span></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> In the same way, we feel very strongly that
it is the Lord who has asked us to follow Him into adoption. After a season of
praying and fasting, my husband and I agreed that this was something God was
asking our family to do. Sorrow over the orphans of the world or just a desire
for social justice for the fatherless would not be enough to sustain us through
the long, tiring international adoption process. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> When our bank account doesn’t hold enough
money to cover the agency and home study fees, and when the pile of paperwork
is overwhelming in the midst of marriage, parenting, work, friendships, and
life overseas—we have to look to the God who called us to this and remember He
is faithful! He will guide us through our adoption. By His grace, we will one
day see our daughter kiss her brothers and sister goodnight and crawl into her
bed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And we won’t have to wonder about when Baby
Sister is coming anymore.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><b><br /></b></span>Christinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12176187840766858931noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-57536152295732398752012-04-17T16:01:00.000-04:002012-04-17T16:01:02.314-04:00Being led to adoption--Alison's story<b>A little about me....</b><br />
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Hey y'all my name is Alison Sandridge. My husband Stephen
and I moved to North Carolina last year so that he could attend SEBTS. We are
so excited for what the Lord has in store for our future ministry and thrilled
with where He is using us now! We will be married 3 years this May. Stephen and
I met because his dad became the pastor of my home church when I was in middle
school. Stephen and I started dating when I went to college. He and I have
always had a love for orphans. We have both served separately at orphanges
abroad. We knew even before we were married that we would one day adopt. </div>
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Something you should know about me though is that in my
flesh, I want to be in control of everything! I'm a huge planner. I make lists
and timelines for everything. Really y'all, it is such a joy for me to make
lists and check things off that sometimes I start my list with “make a list” so
I have something to check off right away, haha! I know that's awful, right?
Well thankfully the Lord has been working on changing that about me and He has
used our heart for adoption as a big instrument in this change.<o:p></o:p></div>
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See, I had this perfect plan for our family. I knew when and
how and how many children we would have. So I just prayed and basically invited
God to come along on this journey I had already planned! Crazy, but sometimes
we do that. Instead of trusting the Lord with our future, we plan our future
and then ask God to bless it! I cannot tell you how overwhelmed I am at the
grace God has shown me in the these last few years. It has at times been
incredibly painful but it has been so good! The Lord has stripped me of all my
best laid plans and left me with nothing to cling to but Him and His precious
Word! <o:p></o:p></div>
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After a miscarriage and some new information from doctors,
we turned our focus from hopes of pregnancy to hopes of adoption. I did tons of
research and mapped out the best course of action but I was relying on my own
ability to plan rather than humbly coming before my Father and seeking the
direction He would have me to take. Things have certainly not worked out how I
originally planned but I am so thankful! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“For my thoughts are
not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” </i><br />
<i>Isaiah
55:8<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“For I know the plans
I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give
you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Why adoption?</b></div>
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At the beginning, we knew we would adopt “one day” because
we are passionate about orphan care and we want a big family so that just fits
perfectly! But the Lord has graciously shown us such a better picture of
adoption. When we really started looking into adopting when we realized
pregnancy was going to be difficult for us, we read an incredible book called <i>Adopted for Life</i> by Russell Moore. That book led us to truth after truth in
the Word about adoption. We realized that this adoption we so longed for here
on earth was just a little picture of the perfect adoption we had already
experienced through the blood of Christ into the family of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in
fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to
sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.'” Romans 8:15<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a
woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive
adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son
into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.'” Galatians 4:4-6<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i>“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and
blameless in his sight. In love he
predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with
his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given
us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Friends, those are just a few of the verses that we can hold
onto that tell us that we are now truly adopted into the family of God, no
longer enemies but heirs with Christ! Isn't that incredible?! Stephen and I
were learning so much about the Lord and His love for us as we sought to learn
about adoption. We were also learning about God's love for orphans. We can see
that over and over in the Word too. I really encourage you to look through the
Bible and just search for words like orphan and adoption and see what you
learn. You aren't all called to adopt, but you are all called to care for
orphans and if you are in Christ then you, yourself, have been adopted! As we
learned these things our desire to adopt became stronger and stronger. We long
to mirror God's adoption of us to children that He deeply cares for and has
commanded us to care for! We are so excited to share with our children one day
that though we love them and want to do the absolute best for them, that we
will let them down sometimes, but that we can introduce them to a Father who
will NEVER let them down and will always love them PERFECTLY! Though we originally thought adoption was plan
B, God intended it for plan A so we set out much earlier than we thought on our
journey towards adoption.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Our adoption process...</b></div>
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Stephen and I first thought we would only adopt
internationally. We had fears, but mostly misunderstandings about what domestic
adoption looked like. But once again those were our plans and not the Lord's.
One night I was hanging out with some ladies I was friends with and blabbing
about why I would “never” adopt domestically because of this or that fear. Not
too long after, one of those sweet friends had Stephen and I over to her house
and sat us down to share her story of domestic infant adoption. My incredible
friend is a birthmom to a beautiful daughter, I had no idea before that night.
As she sat there and humbly told us her story, I just wept. The Lord completely
changed our view on domestic adoption that night and I will always be thankful
to that friend for allowing the Lord to use her to direct us to the child He
has planned for our family. At that same time I was volunteering at a crisis
pregnancy center and God used the combination of that testimony from my friend
and the numerous mothers I was developing relationships with there to pull my
heart towards a desire for an open domestic adoption. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We decided on an agency and planned to start as soon as we
had been married for 2 years which was required. But when that time came the
Lord had shown us another plan. We had just moved to North Carolina and we
still owned our home in Georgia, we didn't have employment or insurance so we
were in no place to start the adoption process. I was really hurt by that. I
was angry, really, with the Lord for making me move when that would mess up my
adoption plans that I thought He had given to me! Even in my sin, the Lord
covered me with grace and showed me again that His plans are better than mine.
The Lord has used this past year to teach Stephen and I so much about Himself,
about marriage, and about our hopes for adoption and parenting. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We are now happily at our starting point in the adoption
process. We are beginning our paperwork and working through some requirements
that we must meet. We are so so so incredibly excited! We have started
fund-raising for our adoption and have already seen the Lord bless it
tremendously. We know there is a long journey ahead of us but we are just happy
to be starting!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>What have been the biggest struggles/joys?</b></div>
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The biggest struggle has to be the waiting. It truly hurts
my heart deeply some days to have no children filling our home. I long to hold
them and see their sweet faces. It hurts to have to wait and wait and wait. I
know that the Lord is using this time for such good and that we must cherish
this time in our lives where we have so much extra time to devote ministry,
marriage, and to service to the Lord. But the waiting is hard and the waiting
hurts. But friends the Lord knows my heart and He is able to heal all that is
broken. And most importantly, the Lord is all I need. I don't need to adopt or
get pregnant or ever have any children at all, I need Christ! My identity is
not tied up in motherhood, Christ is my identity. So I cling to that and I
wait. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The joys even as we wait are ever present. I am continually
overwhelmed at the love our Father has for us as we learn more about what He
has done for us through our adoption! We are blessed beyond belief with sweet
friends and family who encourage us, pray for us, and give financially to our
adoption. Also, this calling to adopt places us in this sweet little community
of families who have or are adopting and we experience joy after joy as we see
others bring home their children and we watch the healing that takes place in
little hearts that are placed in their forever families. Additionally, we long
for a future joy that only the Lord knows the time and face of!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>And lastly, what I
wish for you to know about adoption:</b></div>
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The thing I am continually trying to communicate is that
adoption is not a second best option. Some people have been confused because I
certainly have grieved the loss of pregnancy, but not because that is the
“best” way or the only way to get children of your “own.” The child we will
adopt will be our own, absolutely. There is nothing that will make them not our
own. We aren't shopping around for the most attractive, healthy, or easy
option. We are adopting the child God has predestined for our family. We will
accept whatever that means just like we would if I were pregnant. If we start
to think of adoption as a substandard way of bringing children into our family
then what does that mean for us eternally? Are we not really God's own? Do we
not really have the full inheritance of Christ or are we second best to the
first children of God, the Israelites? No, that's absolutely not true! God sent
Jesus so that we could be adopted as sons with the full inheritance given to
us. Adoption was always God's plan for me to join His family and it has always
been His plan for Stephen and I to adopt our children too. I am certainly not
telling you that pregnancy is second best either but they are truly both best
because they are what God planned for each family.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=452802329695708276" name="en-NIV-16253"></a><i>“For you created my inmost being; you knit
me together in my mother’s womb. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=452802329695708276" name="en-NIV-16254"></a>I praise you because
I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full
well. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=452802329695708276" name="en-NIV-16255"></a>My frame was not hidden from you when I was made
in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=452802329695708276" name="en-NIV-16256"></a>Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for
me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We may not
yet or ever know the womb in which our child is knit, but we know the knitter
and He has already ordained all of their days. We can trust that and hold on to
that truth! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Adoption is such passion for us and such a joy to talk about!
Thank you for allowing me to share a little with you about what the Lord is doing in
our family! Please feel free to follow our story at <a href="http://sandridgesdaybyday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://sandridgesdaybyday.blogspot.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-74523698819264031842012-04-12T07:30:00.001-04:002012-04-12T14:32:09.631-04:00Adoption linksWhile our family has yet to experience the joy of adoption, we definitely hope to pursue it at some point. I have been bookmarking articles and blogs that will be helpful to us in the future and I thought I would share them you you:<div><br /></div><div>I became a fan of Tiffany at <a href="http://amomentcherished.blogspot.com/">A Moment Cherished</a> before she even began her adoption journey. I love her pictures and the way she writes. It has been absolutely beautiful to watch her passion for adoption grow and I have learned a lot from her <b><a href="http://amomentcherished.blogspot.com/search/label/adoption">adoption posts</a></b>. She also has a great list of <b><a href="http://amomentcherished.blogspot.com/p/adoption-resources.html">adoption resources</a></b> that is very helpful. She also wrote a great article on "<a href="http://amomentcherished.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-really-help-adoptive-parents.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+AMomentCherished+%28A+Moment+Cherished%29"><b>How to (Really) Help Adoptive Parents</b></a> that everyone should read.</div><div><br /></div><div>Justin Taylor wrote a great article called "<b><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2012/03/28/the-risk-of-transracial-adoption/">The Risk of Transracial Adoption</a></b>"</div><div><br /></div><div>Nicole Whitacre from GirlTalk has a good article on "<b><a href="http://whitacreadoption.posterous.com/pages/why-adoption">Why Adoption?</a></b>"</div><div><br /></div><div>Kelly's Korner has a great link-up for <b><a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2012/01/show-us-your-life-friday-adoption.html">Adoption fundraisers</a></b> </div><div><br /></div><div>Stephen Curtis Chapman has <b><a href="http://showhope.org/">a fabulous website</a></b> with all kinds of resources for those interested in adopting or helping those who want to adopt.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://www.icanteachmychild.com/2011/09/open-arms-series-the-nuts-and-bolts-of-adopting/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ICanTeachMyChild+%28I+can+teach+my+child%21%29">The Nuts and Bolts of Adoption</a></b> is filled with extremely valuable practical info for those considering adoption.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/09/embryo-adoption-a-unique-option-to-give-a-child-life.html">Embryo Adoption: A Unique Option to Give a Child Life</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>A very thought-provoking post: <b><a href="http://rachelsblatherings.blogspot.com/2011/06/so-you-want-to-adopt-please-dont.html">So You Think You Should Adopt? Please Don't</a></b>"</div><div><br /></div><div>A great "<b><a href="http://www.kellyskornerblog.com/2011/01/show-us-your-life-tell-us-your-adoption.html">adoption stories" link-up</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div>A <b><a href="http://jobsdaughters.blogspot.com/">local friend</a></b> has adopted many children and <b><a href="http://www.morethanicanhandle.com/preview.html">her story</a></b> is quite a testament to God's grace and provision. She has just written a great book called "<b><a href="http://www.morethanicanhandle.com/ordering.html">More Than "I" Can Handle</a></b>" and it is now <b><a href="http://www.morethanicanhandle.com/ordering.html">available for pre-order</a></b>! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-65257446447400843422012-04-05T09:33:00.003-04:002012-04-05T09:33:51.946-04:00Adoption Month!It's Adoption Month here at Prayer of Hannah! During the month of April we hope to bring you stories of families who have adopted and who are in the process of adopting. We will review a book or two about adoption, and share how you, your families and your churches can get involved in the gospel ministry of adoption. We hope you will return often to read more. We would also love to hear from you if you have an adoption story to share! Just send us an email at prayerofhannah@gmail.com. Also, we have discussed this in the past, and you can read more of those stories by clicking on the "Adoption" label on the righthand side. Praying you will be greatly blessed by the topic this month.Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-41667315292715704712012-03-29T07:30:00.002-04:002012-03-29T07:39:47.552-04:00Favorite Easter Ideas<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">It is hard to believe that Easter is quickly approaching! I love this holiday and want it to be special to my girls and I am trying to start traditions that will keep the focus on Christ. I thought I'd share a few that I have recently found and am considering:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;color:#666666;">I absolutely LOVE <b><a href="http://cup-a.blogspot.com/2012/02/anticipating-easter-lent-and-sweet.html?utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Cup-aCup-a+%28cup-a+cup-a%29&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=feedburner&utm_content=Google+Reader">this idea for celebrating Lent</a></b> with the kids, although for my little ones I might shorten it to just the week before Easter. Here is the blogger's description: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">We placed a styrofoam wreath on the table, to be kept during the 40 days of Lent, with a cup of toothpicks nearby. Each night at dinner, those at the table had the chance to confess sin from the day. When they did so, they placed a toothpick in the wreath, symbolizing the thorns in the crown of Jesus on the cross....</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">on Easter morning, before the children awoke, I removed all of the thorns and replaced them with spring flowers!" She also has a delicious looking recipe for sweet potato biscuits you might want to check out!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#222222;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">-- <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;"> A <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Resurrection</span> garden -- On Good Friday, take a baking dish and fill it with dirt, rocks, sticks, etc and a hollowed out potato (as a tomb). It makes a great decoration to remind us of Christ's sacrifice. On Easter morning, remove the potato and fill the garden with flowers to demonstrate the life that Christ brought through his death. <b><a href="http://impressyourkids.org/resurrection-easter-ideas-for-kids/">HERE</a></b> is a good picture and description of what one family did.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica;font-size:100%;">-- Resurrection eggs -- you can <b><a href="http://www.imperfecthomemaking.com/2012/03/beautiful-easter-tradition-resurrection.html">easily make your own</a></b> or buy them at a Christian bookstore or <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1602003920/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A1KUFZLJ107W44">Amazon </a></b>-- the children crack open an egg each day and a small token corresponds with a Bible passage that explains the resurrection story.</span></div><div><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">-- <b><a href="http://www.2teachingmommies.com/2012/03/12-days-of-easter.html">Here</a></b> is a great download for a 12 days of Easter unit to do with little ones. It corresponds to the resurrection eggs.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Benjamins-Box-Story-Resurrection-Eggs/dp/0310715059/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332980001&sr=8-1">Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs</a></b> is a great resource to go along with the eggs. My girls have really enjoyed following the story of Benjamin as he learns about Jesus. He gathers the same objects that are contained in the resurrection eggs.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><b><a href="http://impressyourkids.org/easter-basekt-alternative/">Rocks in the basket</a></b> -- Fill Easter baskets with rocks to represent your sins... you can write specific sins on the rocks or just say them as you place the rocks in the basket. Then cover the rocks with a red cloth to represent the blood of Christ, talking about Christ's death on the cross and what it meant for us. On Sunday morning you can replace the rocks with flowers representing life or whatever gifts you might wish to give your children on Easter morning and/or place the rocks in a different basket with the name of Jesus written on it to show how Jesus took away their sins.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Color a red dot on your children's palms and write their name on it to remind them that Christ died specifically for them!</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><b><a href="http://www.thrivingfamily.com/Features/Magazine/2011/easter-activities-and-crafts.aspx">This Focus on the Family article</a></b> gives a special activity for each day of the week leading up to Easter.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Easter-Garden-Pamela-Kennedy/dp/0824955773/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268854969&sr=8-1">Easter In The Garden</a></b> -- a touching retelling of Easter as seen through a child's eyes</span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Legend-Easter-Lori-Walburg/dp/0310722713/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333020772&sr=8-1">The Legend of the Easter Egg</a></b> -- teaches the deeper meaning behind the Easter eggs -- a boy learns that <span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">just as a chick breaks out of an egg, so had Jesus broken free of the tomb of death. Easter eggs remind us that Jesus conquered death and gives us eternal life.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">And just for fun, here are some twists to the traditional egg hunt:</span></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><b><a href="http://www.muybuenocookbook.com/2012/03/how-to-make-cascarones/#more-3960">Cascarones</a></b> -- I love <b><a href="http://www.blogger.com/just%20as%20a%20chick%20breaks%20out%20of%20an%20egg,%20so%20had%20Jesus%20broken%20free%20of%20the%20tomb%20of%20death.%20Easter%20eggs%20remind%20us%20that%20Jesus%20conquered%20death%20and%20gives%20us%20eternal%20life.%22">this fun idea</a></b> of filling real, empty eggs with confetti and allowing the children to race around, smashing them on each other. I suppose it could get out of hand, but I love the avoidance of ridiculous amounts of candy and I think it would make for some fun pictures!</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">or you could just play this <b><a href="http://www.oneshetwoshe.com/2011/04/egg-bashing-easter-tradition-she-jamie.html">fun Easter Egg Bashing Game</a></b> :)</span></span></p></div></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-15575463782491893312012-03-28T14:56:00.000-04:002012-03-28T14:56:49.207-04:00Leah F's last random favoritesAs we wind down the month of March, here are few of my latest favorites from all over the blogosphere!<br />
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~My good friend Lauren (a POH reader, too!) wrote a great two-part blog series about Bringing Children into Corporate Worship (<a href="http://titus2moments.blogspot.com/2012/03/kids-in-corporate-worship.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> and <a href="http://titus2moments.blogspot.com/2012/03/how-to-bring-kids-in-corporate-worship.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a>). As a pastor's wife with four small children, she knows what she's talking about!<br />
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~Yes, I have read The Hunger Games trilogy. Yes, I have seen the movie, and I find this blogpost about The Hunger Games to be the most insightful, accurate assessment that I have read: <a href="http://www.martyduren.com/2012/03/26/postcards-from-dystopia-misunderstanding-the-hunger-games/" target="_blank">Postcards from Dystopia--Misunderstanding the Hunger Games</a></div>
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~Downton Abbey season 2 is over now, and our lives feel a little emptier on Sunday evenings! The second season was, in my opinion, not as good as the first, though it had some wonderful moments. Many were concerned about one of the plots involving Lord Grantham, and I appreciate this commentary on that topic: <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/02/22/whom-can-we-trust-if-not-lord-grantham/" target="_blank">Whom Can We Trust if Not Lord Grantham?</a></div>
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~This weekend, Nathan and I are taking a weekend getaway to <a href="http://peacehillbb.com/" target="_blank">Bed and Breakfast at Peace Hill</a>, our first since before our youngest was born. We plan to treat this as a marriage retreat, reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Meaning-Marriage-Complexities-Commitment/dp/0525952470/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1332957165&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Meaning of Marriage</a> by Tim Keller and perhaps talking through some of these items together: <a href="http://desiringvirtue.com/2012/02/coffee-talk-cards-and-marriage-challenges/" target="_blank">Coffee Talk Cards and Marriage Challenge Questions</a> and <a href="http://www.todaysletters.com/2010/05/10-things-that-have-made-all-difference.html" target="_blank">10 Things That Have Made the Difference in Marriage</a>.<br />
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~As we prepare for Easter, I like this simple storybook for my children, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Story-Easter-Read-Share/dp/1400308550/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1332959465&sr=8-4" target="_blank">The Story of Easter</a>. It covers the entire story in an easy-to-understand manner, with colorful illustrations that appeal to my kids. Though I have not read this one by R.C. Sproul, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Donkey-Who-Carried-King/dp/1567692699/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332959499&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Donkey Who Carried a King</a>, I am hoping to find it soon so we can be reading it as well. For my edification, I really enjoy Nancy Guthrie's collections of sermons/thoughts on Easter in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Keep-Near-Cross-Experiencing/dp/1433501813/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1332959539&sr=1-6" target="_blank">Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross</a>. It is a wonderful habit to read one of the sermons each evening before going to bed--it helps to focus my mind on Christ and not on the things of this world which might distract and alarm me.<br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />~My favorite snack right now are these homemade <a href="http://thefinnfamily.blogspot.com/2012/02/chocolate-peanut-butter-granola-bars-or.html" target="_blank">Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars</a>. They are so simple and so very delicious! It involves a few of my favorite things (honey, peanut butter, oats, chocolate), so why should I be surprised that I love them? My youngest daughter's favorite food (that isn't exactly what we are eating) are the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_9?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=happy+tots+pouches&x=0&y=0&sprefix=happy+tot%2Caps%2C200" target="_blank">Happy Tot Pouches</a>--have you tried these? She can finish them off in no time, and I like the fact that they are portable and healthy! I just wish they were less expensive.<br />
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~My favorite 'getting ready for the summer' scent is this <a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3449343&cp=4090261.4090358.4342146" target="_blank">Lemon Pomegranate Body Wash</a> from Bath and Body Works. I normally don't like really strong scents, but I love everything pomegranate, including this. The body wash is thick and creamy and just smells really happy. The lemon reminds me of spring and summer, but pomegranate is found in the fall, so it is a great 'year round' scent. It's my splurge body wash.<br />
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~<a href="http://danielrenstrom.com/" target="_blank">Daniel Renstrom</a> has a great three song children's album called "Jesus Wants My Heart." I officially bought it for my kids, but I enjoy it so much I play it just for me! "Love Love Love" will make you smile even as it is teaching you truths about God :-)<br />
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~Every year I participate in a walkathon to benefit my local crisis pregnancy center. I am amazed at what this center does to educate people and minister to those individuals and families going through an unplanned pregnancy. As I try to raise my funds for the walk (here is my <a href="http://psswf.convio.net/goto/leahpfinn" target="_blank">4000 Steps Fundraising Page</a>), I am saddened by the statistics of abortions in our local county and around the nation. Those statistics make me so grateful that there are many championing the cause of adoption. In fact, we will be talking about adoption here on POH in April--I hope you will check back to read stories, book reviews and more!</div>
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Thanks for reading my ramblings!</div>
</div>Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-43206715509777000962012-03-15T20:03:00.003-04:002012-03-15T21:00:02.613-04:00Random favorites of this week:Here are some things my girls have been enjoying this week. Feel free to share your favorites as well!<div><br /><div>1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jax-8011-Sequence-Letters/dp/B003DV9V8A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331856399&sr=8-1">Sequence Letters</a> -- my husband and I have long enjoyed the simple game of sequence, but my girls received the letter version for Christmas and it is great! Even Karlie can do it easily.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Water table, sprinkler, and "painting" the deck with water. (Yay for warm weather!) If you don't have a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Step2-WaterWheel-Activity-Play-Table/dp/B000641DPQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1331856953&sr=1-1">water table</a>, search the spring consignment sales til you find one you can afford. My girls have been using ours on our deck every single day. I've been barricading the steps to our deck with our toy box so that Abbi cannot fall down, and letting them play out there together while I make dinner and do dishes every afternoon. It has made dinner prep time so much easier! I let them have plastic dishes and cups and paintbrushes and they have a blast making "soup" and "tea" and "ice cream" and painting everything with water and getting wonderfully soaked.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. A random, simple bag of plain stones -- I picked one up at the dollar store to do a craft I had seen on Pinterest, but the girls begged me to let them have it. They pretend that the stones are all kinds of things and I have been amazed at how they have played with them over and over again. Even Abbi has done a great job of not eating them and she will sit and put them in ice cube trays or bowls for the longest time.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Richard-Scarrys-Storybook-Dictionary-Golden/dp/B000JWCBTC">Richard Scarry's Storybook Dictionary</a> -- I picked this up for a dollar at a consignment sale and it has become a household favorite! You wouldn't think a dictionary would be so interesting to kids, but they love it and beg me to read it to them all the time!</div><div><br /></div><div>5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vtech-Kidizoom-Digital-Camera-Pink/dp/B004N4XV1Y/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1331857600&sr=8-7">VTech kid's camera</a> -- My girls received these for Christmas this year and love them! They love to take pictures like Mama and Daddy and be able to look at the them and play with them. The camera not only takes pictures, but you can add borders, stamps, and silly effects to them. The only downer for me is that the camera also has a few games and I'd rather my girls not get into that yet, but it hasn't been a problem for us yet. I'd say it is a little advanced for Karlie, but she still loves to play with it. I'd recommend it more for a 5 year old.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jumbo-Magneatos-24-Piece-Set/dp/B003C9G6H2/ref=pd_sim_t_2">Jumbo Magnetos</a> -- because these are magnetic, even Abbi can build with them and they are much too large for her to eat. I was a little disappointed that more did not come in the box, but the girls have had fun building with them and pretending that they are many different things.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Cutting up paint swatches from the hardware store. I'm not sure why it is so much fun, but every time Mark goes to Lowes or Home Depot, he has to bring home paint swatches for the girls. They love to cut them up and play "store" with them or give them to their favorite people.</div><div><br /></div><div>8. This <a href="http://www.amazon.com/1000-Stickers-Roger-Priddy/dp/0312504926/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1331858542&sr=8-4">sticker book</a> is awesome and Karlie would do it for hours if I let her!</div><div><br /></div><div>9. We got this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Playtime-DK-Publishing/dp/0756682266/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1331858665&sr=8-2">Animal Playtime</a> book at the library and it has been a BIG hit! </div><div><br /></div><div>10. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rhyme-Bible-Storybook-Linda-Sattgast/dp/031070197X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331858746&sr=1-1">Rhyme Bible Storybook</a> -- Our favorite kid Bibles are the B<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Picture-Story-Bible-Book/dp/1433523914/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331858806&sr=8-1">ig Picture Story Bible</a> for little ones and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331858817&sr=8-1">Jesus Storybook Bible</a> for Preschoolers. We usually read through a chapter or two of one of them each night before bed until it is completed and then start the other. I found this Rhyme Bible Storybook at the library and the girls have loved it! Mark usually lets them try to finish each sentence and they have had a lot of fun with it. I definitely like the other two Bibles better, but this one has been a fun change of pace.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-81496902500152985862012-03-14T20:46:00.001-04:002012-03-14T20:46:04.452-04:00Leah F's Favorite Things: PaperI love beautiful stationery and notecards, pens and pencils. There is truly something wonderful about handwriting a note, or receiving a card, or scratching out your memories in a journal. And though I greatly enjoy the benefits of modern technology, my creative soul is stirred by beautiful paper goods. So here are a few things that I have discovered.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNdCCNkZHSt-WulT0oxDSP7WM_DRMWgFsgRx7PEVqC_gNHfmEaSAzlMpfzFksEgt654443m1d5PH60mRxIHhJd8J3dHTNv-ydVT0ODUxeqmZwHV6XzAMQRLNKvqIXoP3RyzPumsxP2sU/s1600/siska.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNdCCNkZHSt-WulT0oxDSP7WM_DRMWgFsgRx7PEVqC_gNHfmEaSAzlMpfzFksEgt654443m1d5PH60mRxIHhJd8J3dHTNv-ydVT0ODUxeqmZwHV6XzAMQRLNKvqIXoP3RyzPumsxP2sU/s320/siska.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62280073/mod-tree-calling-cards-100-cards" target="_blank">Mod Tree Calling Cards</a> from Siska Studios--I ordered these exact cards several years ago, and still love the modern, clean design. She has several designs and a few notecards as well.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92EuEn6w4XkPjau1yDso8WvwP2xOWxsVRUZvnnL1mObNfNFJs95mNQ_S5CooLS4HRZ2yxBtZtYQvnvRrcPYaYRTOAhS9nu3zkdOwe6OZ3ZQKz_58XKjbWojXJJGeez8Rbl1goKGAvO8k/s1600/bouncingball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92EuEn6w4XkPjau1yDso8WvwP2xOWxsVRUZvnnL1mObNfNFJs95mNQ_S5CooLS4HRZ2yxBtZtYQvnvRrcPYaYRTOAhS9nu3zkdOwe6OZ3ZQKz_58XKjbWojXJJGeez8Rbl1goKGAvO8k/s320/bouncingball.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/62866473/pride-and-prejudice-pencil-set" target="_blank">Pride and Prejudice Pencils</a> from Bouncingballcreation--Who doesn't need a little Austen inspiration when writing? You can also purchase pencils with other great works of literature, including To Kill a Mockingbird, Shakespeare, Harry Potter, and more.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p355Yk_cYkeDTyLbGqojH283ilS_VxedNkyLzwoIzDSLYxdWKx61ALCeqAt66deBZnt-s6Msx5SiE2QwoHET-IzR6nnc7uxtxaowmbusST-S-h2bk1nOIAP_IS-ES1L0UsYTR9cT56M/s1600/littleposhstudio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7p355Yk_cYkeDTyLbGqojH283ilS_VxedNkyLzwoIzDSLYxdWKx61ALCeqAt66deBZnt-s6Msx5SiE2QwoHET-IzR6nnc7uxtxaowmbusST-S-h2bk1nOIAP_IS-ES1L0UsYTR9cT56M/s320/littleposhstudio.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/littleposhstudio" target="_blank">Little Posh Studio</a> has a wide selection of modern invitations--you purchase the proof and then can print it at home, at Kinkos, etc. I use a variation of the above invite for my best friend's wedding shower. I love the contemporary, feminine look it has.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZNT8bV22V4ldiCEAib1ll5vf8F9nX8UkUCUAeazcx3P2LmWCEn1aIRxoIPdfK7yDKaS2ScBOLybdm-baNV8eU1vGGTBJkJpZ8hcwEwuOtVl9mPtPuhiAeE-tr9PJGiBpQyeymu-OCcY/s1600/gadanke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZNT8bV22V4ldiCEAib1ll5vf8F9nX8UkUCUAeazcx3P2LmWCEn1aIRxoIPdfK7yDKaS2ScBOLybdm-baNV8eU1vGGTBJkJpZ8hcwEwuOtVl9mPtPuhiAeE-tr9PJGiBpQyeymu-OCcY/s1600/gadanke.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.gadanke.com/" target="_blank">Gadanke</a> is a line of homemade journals that contain sparse writing 'prompts' to help you record the most precious memories and occasions. The picture above is a prayer journal, but there are a variety of styles from which to choose.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H-nakDtDHOGzz2wMlJYj5Xi0dIeHtes7adnUGz7CzhtdRHvGEbO7SQYZwC4ujOvAfvnt-aeCcWmsk4SLim0SgUlTBXAxzEoBUosDcv4BxJZRy2JWDPSFZt3ZTrNivdjG3DNnYUHNTeo/s1600/ergon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-H-nakDtDHOGzz2wMlJYj5Xi0dIeHtes7adnUGz7CzhtdRHvGEbO7SQYZwC4ujOvAfvnt-aeCcWmsk4SLim0SgUlTBXAxzEoBUosDcv4BxJZRy2JWDPSFZt3ZTrNivdjG3DNnYUHNTeo/s320/ergon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.ergonhandicrafts.com/Ergon/Home.html" target="_blank">Ergon Handicrafts</a> is a small handicrafts company based in India that employs women who would not otherwise have a means of supporting their families. Their journals and stationery are handmade, using locally made papers from India, and are simply stunning. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Note: all opinions above are my own. I was not compensated in any way by any of these companies, but I hope you will check them out and support them!</span></div>Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-90945382848689561842012-03-09T22:17:00.000-05:002012-03-09T22:17:00.678-05:00Leah F's Favorite Things: Drinks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I enjoy a good drink. No, wait, don't stop reading yet! I haven't finished my story. By drink, I mean--a wet substance that you sip, like water, or tea, soda or coffee. This post will not discuss anything stronger than ginger ale (but I do enjoy a nice ginger ale). Just for fun, I wanted to share with you a few of my favorite "drink" related items:</div>
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A Tervis Cup</div>
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<a href="http://tervis.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithjyG81gOO6YieJFDO-4wVPv7LRMCZOf36NRtqnm2hxgvBMAVfcAzVfpTSyvhwM6VLox3nVewMdq093xUcF0Ur1BMyryRgwdOD0LbIWf1xMpetI6Olre9MFWiF8sH4AdNghM5D-vzp_k/s320/tervis.png" width="251" /></a></div>
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I bought this exact travel mug for my husband for Christmas. He teaches classes first thing in the morning, before anyone has made coffee in his office, so he likes to take a travel mug of coffee or hot tea with him. However, all of his mugs have seen better days, and he has dropped his fair share on the asphalt! I wanted to find a mug for him that was sturdy and virtually indestructible. Tervis was recommended, and Nathan liked his so much that we bought two more after Christmas. They are pricey, but have a lifetime guarantee!<br />
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Last Christmas, I bought Nathan a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bodum-Brazil-French-Press-Coffee/dp/B005ADS5FO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331304034&sr=8-1">Bodum French Press</a> (sense a coffee theme here?). We had avoided drinking French Press coffee because, well, everyone who did seemed permanently converted to it, and kind of 'snobbish' about other regular boring drip coffee. Yeah, then we tasted it, and I must say, It. Is. Good. Coffee. Folks. It is super simple to use, tastes wonderful, and the press itself is not expensive. Try it!<br />
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To keep with this lovely coffee theme, <a href="http://jubalavillagecoffee.com/">Jubala</a> coffee house is the best in the Triangle area! If you live near Wake Forest/Raleigh/Durham area, you must try it. They are true coffee connoisseurs, and their vanilla (or almond, your choice) latte is amazing. They use beans that are roasted in Durham by <a href="http://counterculturecoffee.com/index.php">Counter Culture Coffee</a>, and their coffee is wonderful.<br />
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I do drink more than coffee, I promise! My favorite sodas come from <a href="http://www.boylanbottling.com/">Boylan Bottling Company</a>--they use pure cane sugar rather than High Fructose Corn Syrup. Now, it doesn't make it healthy, by any means, but it is a more natural product, and it tastes great. I love their Black Cherry Soda, and their Ginger Ale as well. My favorite restaurant in Durham has a Boylan's drink dispenser, and I must confess to standing at the machine taking sips of all the flavors!<br />
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I enjoy hot tea as well, in a variety of flavors and colors (black, green, white). <a href="http://www.teavana.com/">Teavana</a> has excellent loose leaf tea, and gorgeous tea sets as well. I have a stunning set of dainty porcelain tea cups that I found on sale there--they are perfect for a girly 'spot of tea' on dreary afternoon.<br />
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So let me know--what are your favorite drinks? We'd love to hear your recommendations!Leah Fhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11738082085913943428noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-452802329695708276.post-39584113463352665012012-03-08T14:42:00.003-05:002012-03-08T15:32:31.957-05:00Some current favorites..Today I am going to share some of the things that are our favorites this week at our house. This is a completely random list of what we have been enjoying this particular week and I hope you will share some of your favorites in the comments!<div><br /></div><div><i><b>Music most often requested</b></i>: <a href="http://www.songsforsaplings.com/cd_qavol1.php">Questions With Answers</a> -- we have recently started doing <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=7">Doorpost's children's catechism </a>again with the girls before bed and they love the Songs for Saplings Cd's that answer most of the same questions. I actually prefer the wording of the CD's (although I really like the catechism as well) because it is simpler and often contains the scripture that goes along with the question. We recently got the 2nd volume on itunes and the girls ask to hear it all day long. The songs are quite mellow with just a guitar and the girls love that children sing the answers to the questions. It has also opened up some really good conversation with Karis as she asks questions about the theology described in the song.</div><div>(We also absolutely love <a href="http://www.seedsmusicstore.com/">Seeds Family Worship</a> and <a href="http://www.sovereigngracestore.com/Category/2108_1/Our_CDs.aspx">Sovereign Grace Children's Cd's</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Favorite read-a-louds</i></b> -- Betsy-Tacy, A Bear Called Paddington, and One Morning in Maine</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Favorite Kid's Series</i></b> -- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=ladybug+girl&x=0&y=0">Ladybug Girl Books</a> -- While these are not the classic books I usually request at the library, my girls absolutely love them and I love the fact that they spark their little imaginations and they run around the house all day pretending to be Lulu or Marley :)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Favorite Book on CD (for naptime):</i></b> Little Women (Karis) and Blueberries for Sal (Karlie)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/13933080066860922/"><i>Chicken Lazone</i></a></b> -- my current favorite, super easy, fast, and absolutely delicious recipe. We eat it over quinoa.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/13933080066857495/"><i>Farmer's breakfast Hash</i></a></b> -- My husband's current favorite breakfast... super filling and delicious! </div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="http://megsfavrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/01/yummy-healthy-home-made-cereal.html"><i>Homemade cereal</i></a></b> -- what my 3 year old wants to eat at every meal :)</div><div><br /></div><div><i><b><a href="http://megsfavrecipes.blogspot.com/2009/05/home-made-lara-bars.html">Like-Lara Bars:</a></b></i> My favorite snack!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>My favorite book</i></b> -- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Loving-Little-Years-Motherhood-Trenches/dp/1591280818/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331237432&sr=8-1">Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches</a> -- I know we've mentioned it on here before, but I just got around to reading it this month and I keep reading it over and over again because it is that good and easy to read. It is such as easy read that I read it all in one evening and then decided that I wanted to actually remember all her ideas and continue to be encouraged and convicted so I then read one chapter a night before I went to bed each evening. I love the fact that she is still in the middle of mothering little ones and experiencing the exhaustion and sometimes overwhelmingness of our task. I feel like she is reading my thoughts and encouraging me and convicting me at the same time. This will be my "go-to gift" for mothers of multiple children!</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i>Watching old home video clips with the girls</i></b> -- my husband recently found some old cd's we made from when we got our dog and our first beach trip with our two littles and when Karlie was born. We showed several of them to the girls and they just had the best time watching them! I think we are going to have to start having an old family movie night once a month because it just makes them smile so much to see what they looked like so little and how much we loved them and enjoyed playing with them :)</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-House-Reusable-Sticker/dp/B004PBLP5O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331238550&sr=8-1">This Melissa and Doug Play House Reusable Sticker Pad</a></i></b> -- Nina brought this the last time she came and the girls ask to play it all day long!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Meghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17699472332730031529noreply@blogger.com1