tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90446269585569178592024-03-06T00:30:56.891-05:00The Queens of the King FamilySarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.comBlogger210125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-47143699330568308032023-07-09T19:36:00.001-04:002023-07-09T19:36:12.674-04:00Christmas letter 2022<p> </p><span id="docs-internal-guid-368d7ca3-7fff-9bf6-5635-c1732d83a91e"><br /><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 90px; overflow: hidden; width: 200px;"><img height="106.87471914365189" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lwNpp-Bjbs_qd4rUC9OyooUbiU1bOWcjbGeaiE2V54sfTWYYIGPjvq6ZDF1vEH7E8WijCNLzS-YIrFyOPvC7Xe7Ol3Lo-T4rNg3oohtJ-YEgY1lcR6AxrH4t8CSWaEePO0m1HRI1_KmrWt4l1kl-zf4" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /></span><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Oh, Advent. . . I meant to get these letters to you in its season but I can imagine that you are reading well into Christmas. Yet I invite you to reflect with me on these gifts of hope, peace, joy and love in all seasons as I reflect on our 2021-2022 since I haven’t written a letter since 2020! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Last Christmas morning, Molly and Anna Cate’s big gift was one so big (and expensive) it meant the whole family went in on it -- it was from us, my parents and their Aunt Becki and Uncle Doug: a trip to Disney World with Aunt Becki, Kitty and Tallulah in May. When Molly and Anna Cate realized that’s what the wristband meant, Molly was flooded with tears of excitement. My brother said, “Molly crying was the moment of Christmas!” As I sit to compose a family letter about the season of advent, I’m reminded of the utter </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">joy</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> in Molly’s expression of anticipation (</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">hope</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">) for that trip. It also brought my Dad a lot of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">peace</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> to know that while he was giving the gift, he didn’t have to actually go! Me, too!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 117px; overflow: hidden; width: 147px;"><img height="213" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sLVIPkpJBg9wch5taGEtatk6BmGua9ON5IwdLwU87cHHM9kFCq7_eG1tq67L0tqdBreRsmSVkL4PyUtpOJZsSRAxUyOZjCJlp2kvR1zGEVu03CrOWKFvpzgPFNWUz4rp4zDn3cj-SnSdBdb8o4X079k" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="199" /></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In 2021, Anna Cate decided to come to school with me in another county, starting her sophomore year off as a new kid…again. In March of ’22, she turned 16, and she said the highlight of this year was viewing the Duomo in Florence as its magnificent beauty represented her reward (</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">joy</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">) after so many challenges. She overcame her nerves and took my advice that feeling awkward doesn’t mean you are doing something wrong -- she played basketball, took challenging classes and it was with her AP European History teacher that she got to take a trip to Lucerne, Switzerland, and Italy (Venice, Como, Assisi, Florence, Bologna & Rome - I got to go as a chaperone). In her junior year she joined the athletic training program as a manager with the football team under another teacher (the sports trainer), and while some call them “water girls,” it is more than that -- a lot of work at practices, including 4am in the summer. She wants to focus on sports-athletic training for college/career. Most days she gets up before school to work out with Peloton and she has figured out that movement is key to mental </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> physical health. During the summers, she is a lifeguard and recreation counselor at a church camp. The challenges she’s overcome in all kinds of ways give me </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">peace</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> about her next steps -- while most rewards won’t be as amazing as a moonlit sighting of Florence’s Duomo, I have </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">hope</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> for her future because she has learned the importance of “it is ok to be uncomfortable!” Personally, the best part of her going to school an hour away is we get some quality visiting time on the car rides!</span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 139px; overflow: hidden; width: 142px;"><img height="188.313663716741" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fCf4dW8rNyWNMb440hKUl5gzuSKzO4910z7MHsDcpWYKkezGr4MvOiUsKhbMS2j95zgszgFKPY0t64Q7XD2cQ_9NjmpMulq_dklm0V6NZvnrbCBs2RL_rK-ijOwmojso3mXhkucHdW8FCl23dZdLYB4" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="142" /></span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 117px; overflow: hidden; width: 69px;"><img height="146.29375240397823" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QzqscP-O3K8jyp_YlAl7V40sFScajOZ4N03ejmmNFX78i22z2JaLFOEc_CvwwBLBjmjWLOYPDQPSjHF180PSq6IHL93A9kiC-btkfGwjAFmq9n9n5SKS1lHLbUrcbWmdl9lJU9aSemgeiAETMPeZMMQ" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: -29.2938px;" width="69" /></span></p><br /><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 104px; overflow: hidden; width: 78px;"><img height="104" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jo3qnBxMdzr6lGPitcmeRC8dLjbdKDDXfzrU3ZLMZpkZ-pS_uC6yNy8WUhPNxDSfNOZjnr9as8PmxfwEADoVElSYoqJ9f1iQ9E0LQUXG2RxoBLR--OPWDydbVOHCu0MkT1PXyJvvI_dSAJ2tFIpCKRA" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="78" /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Molly is in 7th grade what I </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">love</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> most about her is her quick wit with a spirit “beyond her years.” She plays three sports and her Dad is a wonderful team Dad always offers a ride, his time to volunteer, and good cheer to be involved. She plays catcher and first basemen in softball, setter in volleyball, and a couple positions in basketball, mostly the one who will not let go of a rebound if she can. A few months ago she said, “You know I’ve learned that in order to get playing time, the most important thing is to have a good attitude and to cheer for your teammates.” Yes -- and it helps that she did not inherit my lack of coordination and is athletic! She has just recently broken her ankle but has not let it slow her down, and is just telling herself that it could be 4 months and not just 4 weeks in a boot. This Fall she was nominated by her class to be represented on the Homecoming Court, and was escorted by one of her best friends Eli. Her favorite friends include two Moms of Anna Cate’s friends she visited with during high school basketball games. They came to her birthday dinner and we all went to Lizzo for her first concert! Her best friend is her cousin Kitty and their bond is fun to watch. In addition to the amazing Disney trip, Aunt Becki included Molly on a trip to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin to celebrate her grandfather’s 95th birthday. And, Molly brought Kitty with us to the beach this summer. </span><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 104px; overflow: hidden; width: 78px;"><img height="104" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/CZG56L9xY8L8q2szJRfE9MdbWi6xa9NaK3T8XQDQbDPH4EMzoBdWeuATRsmGz900QxrGoWOpoIFnXIGbalJPIkc54FDY5XO5sMB1BY0OOusOX1zs19JNn4SyXg7EGS3NK5c3H1qVIC0FPtBMoc99Jg4" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="78" /></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In 2021, we loved going out west to experience the beauty of New Mexico and Colorado, but we revisited a familiar vacation spot in ’22 at Topsail Island, North Carolina. I couldn’t help but think about the last time I was there, it was a vacation in our “other life.” Often I think about my life in two ways -- before and after BJ’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and our subsequent move to Centerville. This Fall we met BJ’s family for Thanksgiving in Arkansas at the site of Heifer International. It felt a little like “yogaville” for people who eat meat. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 158px; overflow: hidden; width: 211px;"><img height="158" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QTvYVJ4CDqITxdUU_w2uCcpwE64Bc6gQ5amsaUtVxfDu923e4wr7tsAdUjnmpSU4tuvbhoUtvhnSBk-3HIyL-PHZBE9hVCER00J7byUtrHvcv3EJjFgbSaIkMsxixCoGnx14spg_ZY9FEOZ0DXRj2Ug" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="211" /></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">BJ has had this disease that changed our life for 8 years and he consistently makes the most of his time being an amazing stay-at-home Dad, home-maker and community volunteer -- he weekly delivers “meals on wheels” to shut-ins, oversees the community garden at our small Methodist church in the country, and helps out where he sees a need. He enjoys hunting and fishing, and his best buddy is my niece Tallulah, and watching their relationship is a glimpse of what </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">this</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> life has given us! He came to visit my AP Psychology classes during our unit on the nervous system and even I was surprised when I saw the severity of his tremor after he turned his stimulator off and on. It was a great reminder for me to be grateful for his medical care and surgeries! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As for me, I get sad that I’m not the active mom and homemaker I thought I would be as I spend 2 hours a day on the road and pour myself into teaching because it is so rewarding. There is a lot about rural America that is disheartening for me so I sometimes get in a funk! Recently I shared with the girls that it is hard to not be the Mom I wish I would be, and both girls said “it is not like we don’t have a homemaker -- we have Dad!” True.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">At this stage of parenting, I imagine myself as a vessel. Or in the words of Saint Francis -- an instrument. In March, it was a spiritual experience to walk, contemplate and pray in Assisi as I remembered his beautiful prayer. This quest for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">peace</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> is what I most seek to pass down to my daughters. I used to be so interested in national politics but the political divisiveness weighs too heavy on my heart so I choose to embrace the study of history and spirituality from a non-dualistic perspective -- nothing is black and white; not all good or all bad. We dehumanize each other and history when we put people or stories in boxes. I love my job teaching both US History and AP Psychology classes in a phenomenal school, and my time in the car with Anna Cate is such a treat! I exercise regularly although not as intensely as I used to, and I practice and teach yoga -- it helps me maintain </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">peace</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">My parents and brother’s family live within walking distance and we all get the chance to experience life in things that don’t fit into a box of how I imagined them…. Maybe sort of like the manger. We have family, a backyard full of animals, and Anna Cate and Molly are learning in real time all the ways we choose to find </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">hope</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">joy</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">love</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> in our life as we use gratitude to sustain </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">peace. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> This wasn’t the life I had planned for us, but there is so much to </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">love</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> about it. Maybe like a teenage Mom who had a baby in a stable -- the story is so beautiful, even if not fancy and glamorous! So let’s keep the spirit of Advent in our hearts long past the opening of the gifts. </span></p><br /><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 227px; overflow: hidden; width: 151px;"><img height="227" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/El5vEM9vUdBT3-8VcYvOnmeeUgH6az3AqRyrendDBc-KcX8GQJs3W_zOgzbbOb09nLljyCbbAMNiK7uKBCuST1zYUWh5bqh3Bp77Zuln9v1Sg8B5uolCxtyEw9VG9xNJlXWy0Gd1LHmARAZ8-AaBtkc" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="151" /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Last year Molly said, “I just didn’t think we were the type of people who ever got to go to Disney.” Well, there she is! And here we are just trying to find the themes of Advent throughout our life and hoping to share them with others. We send you wishes for </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">joy</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">peace</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">love,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">joy</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> this season and the upcoming year! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 180pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 216pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><div><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-83629539899299257932023-01-02T00:34:00.002-05:002023-01-02T00:34:59.978-05:00Summer of 2022<p> Every Summer can be wonderful but this one has been particularly long, restful, and fun. I have realized why personally this one has felt so restful...It is the first one I've had in a while where I didn't have a some major professional or personal changes. </p><p><br /></p><p>BJ was diagnosed with Parkinson's in <a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2015/07/reflections-on-life-turning-39-and.html" target="_blank">2015</a>. </p><p>In 2016, I had a wonderful summer but the school year started with Anna Cate being sick and BJ's first brain surgery looming ahead of us. The Fall of <a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2016/09/" target="_blank">2016</a> is when our life fell apart, and in <a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2017/08/" target="_blank">2017</a>, we moved here on a shortened summer and I was preparing to teach in a new school. In 2018, I used the summer to prepare to teach a new subject; in 2019, I moved schools again; in 2020, I was the remote teacher preparing to teach 6 subjects to 3 grades ( I left that school in the middle of the year). Last summer, I studied and prepared to teach a new subject (AP Psychology) and spent time preparing to revisit one I haven't taught in a long time (US History). So this year, I am not teaching something new or moving rooms and no family member is in the hospital! No wonder it has felt so restful! Also, Anna Cate is driving, so while she is busy, it feels weird to not be the one driving her to and fro.</p><p><br /></p><p>So about the girls' summer...</p><p>Last Christmas, it was a family gift for the girls to go to Disney...</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwWE7DqsFEaP0tfx8OeNPBQgUd9erjaAKPM8akE-qyz8aDtCtBiLBYim-nAvR_yCqTNSe1uLLdgm1BUHrkhNA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />So as soon as the school year was over, Aunt Becki provided the trip of a lifetime to Disney. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpc13sdxKnu9KLje_WxGpho_QjV5agmn10tlcldD1m7LyOsy8ivWckfdKxy6vihdHXoapiRWNaqNTt3h0f5m9kHsp2VTCfwJuGQ_zUe5QcFzowbE0ky0KYY7WIOEMOsfKtZMaA60Ja0ZfoXGuEWD8VSUWfWZPxlQQPjsjsesstjGODwGRpS3QicA0HQ/s1280/E39E4ACD-315D-4817-A872-FECC7D8ED801.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpc13sdxKnu9KLje_WxGpho_QjV5agmn10tlcldD1m7LyOsy8ivWckfdKxy6vihdHXoapiRWNaqNTt3h0f5m9kHsp2VTCfwJuGQ_zUe5QcFzowbE0ky0KYY7WIOEMOsfKtZMaA60Ja0ZfoXGuEWD8VSUWfWZPxlQQPjsjsesstjGODwGRpS3QicA0HQ/w426-h640/E39E4ACD-315D-4817-A872-FECC7D8ED801.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu30cLOvn6BDzCLeTALHrEGdEEWdPmpHx8nNjEtSG7EvJM77x-DV03icUkg-DGA0s89bLwX1L7jMoz5btsQvfDqNxnScM0Z_JrNXHyTqF9UuPmeTIVha5OLjlDvv6AJzmKZ4lLtv77PAKGmDxIClg2EwbUb2Mx5kd-Gc6RcqZ-kaqYikznyN-4G3Fwg/s3202/2FA314E2-DA28-4862-AB37-6E6470215E7B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3202" data-original-width="1801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWu30cLOvn6BDzCLeTALHrEGdEEWdPmpHx8nNjEtSG7EvJM77x-DV03icUkg-DGA0s89bLwX1L7jMoz5btsQvfDqNxnScM0Z_JrNXHyTqF9UuPmeTIVha5OLjlDvv6AJzmKZ4lLtv77PAKGmDxIClg2EwbUb2Mx5kd-Gc6RcqZ-kaqYikznyN-4G3Fwg/w360-h640/2FA314E2-DA28-4862-AB37-6E6470215E7B.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRfUg8HKkyR3nEFI-CENpwcExBKOlGtjUjMxIACzDjmtigiu5-0JtNxUpL7ir8MLxgb8MMgklXl-6IXlaa2UAqfBOtLf1tA_gRFYA3J8SLe6RXgJE8qLEMyyqLfrQYBvvnwiJLggAkZo2V5CLoSeIXCEiLgbnG-BwK7XDwn2fMWx1fvoOlr7QMDyQsA/s1280/8B459D75-20B1-46D8-B5A6-9B9798E8E2DD.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="853" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzRfUg8HKkyR3nEFI-CENpwcExBKOlGtjUjMxIACzDjmtigiu5-0JtNxUpL7ir8MLxgb8MMgklXl-6IXlaa2UAqfBOtLf1tA_gRFYA3J8SLe6RXgJE8qLEMyyqLfrQYBvvnwiJLggAkZo2V5CLoSeIXCEiLgbnG-BwK7XDwn2fMWx1fvoOlr7QMDyQsA/w426-h640/8B459D75-20B1-46D8-B5A6-9B9798E8E2DD.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiyQPf3_Xstb5ZiFfUVHT2u-30SOIAeooyBLUj6Kux3WkF_O7ZaMXOjL6xurb3iZuCDOf_1Mzi1yO1f18ZEgXfnQhNZ_Ie0vxCcHjEIrI6dRBC5uERjZIPaWtjkB4F8cM3HIZv1MSrULGT_HOuTXfH8NcTKjmAx6WNCkRBxN3TaYhr2qhy8Al_mB1Gg/s4032/56E552C8-AEB3-4B91-B8A4-28812DE655E2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2268" data-original-width="4032" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiyQPf3_Xstb5ZiFfUVHT2u-30SOIAeooyBLUj6Kux3WkF_O7ZaMXOjL6xurb3iZuCDOf_1Mzi1yO1f18ZEgXfnQhNZ_Ie0vxCcHjEIrI6dRBC5uERjZIPaWtjkB4F8cM3HIZv1MSrULGT_HOuTXfH8NcTKjmAx6WNCkRBxN3TaYhr2qhy8Al_mB1Gg/w640-h360/56E552C8-AEB3-4B91-B8A4-28812DE655E2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>They had the trip of a lifetime indeed!!! </p><p><br /></p><p>In June.....Molly came back to a summer of school sports practices (we are so thankful for sports since our local pool closed). She and her best friend/cousin Kitty both play basketball and volleyball for the school. </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6Q70J81Rn8NIRLwYqrfM1cq12NM6z0wCcuxY33zQPLHnQmxxRZcgVDcwk2hFmpY7atXEWXUulFeRIapnofnzoTmTQH-NeKVMoU0SkS7RnnsQWxr3GjHAln07MG-Xr318kI5YuRttFsb65nXtCXzQiVkzH_2qPDtwXjc3NeNxaYRChSk1qA-W9FJGmg/s4032/79CD1E7D-07F1-4105-8D3A-BCDA79B56763.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6Q70J81Rn8NIRLwYqrfM1cq12NM6z0wCcuxY33zQPLHnQmxxRZcgVDcwk2hFmpY7atXEWXUulFeRIapnofnzoTmTQH-NeKVMoU0SkS7RnnsQWxr3GjHAln07MG-Xr318kI5YuRttFsb65nXtCXzQiVkzH_2qPDtwXjc3NeNxaYRChSk1qA-W9FJGmg/w480-h640/79CD1E7D-07F1-4105-8D3A-BCDA79B56763.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Anna Cate worked two summer jobs... and two summer beach vacations (one with us and one with her friend Claudia). Before the summer started, she had to make a decision about whether to play basketball again or not. She knew she wanted to be a football manager/trainer with her Career/Technical Education teacher who is the athletic trainer for our high school. <div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwqAGW0WP26wQy9nRvAqLRU7R1JX3F3TUkEZhf_rQzD6R57AguNlHJA8l35V8iEdJfwBPauS16-8s2ihCkX3hM4g0nBabt8K8DldhoxxKZpHBa7No2vSXXcqkB1hPpOZZImsMP7OsuO5q5xI3OEOYv2mPx8iTBzW0osCwSyTrbcvy8HnEacRmrylnoQ/s646/0C8D4586-26D3-4160-B1B6-6EB64A080700_1_201_a.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="602" data-original-width="646" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwqAGW0WP26wQy9nRvAqLRU7R1JX3F3TUkEZhf_rQzD6R57AguNlHJA8l35V8iEdJfwBPauS16-8s2ihCkX3hM4g0nBabt8K8DldhoxxKZpHBa7No2vSXXcqkB1hPpOZZImsMP7OsuO5q5xI3OEOYv2mPx8iTBzW0osCwSyTrbcvy8HnEacRmrylnoQ/w640-h596/0C8D4586-26D3-4160-B1B6-6EB64A080700_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Last summer she worked across the street as a lifeguard at our local pool and it was closed for maintenance, so this summer she reached out and secured a job at a rec center about 45 minutes away and as a lifeguard at a beautiful campground in the county about 30 minutes a day. At first, she was overwhelmed because the church camp was one of those jobs where they needed someone to pitch in wherever she was needed and she was worried it wasn't as "cut and dry" as the directions she was familiar with as a lifeguard, but by the end of the month of June, she absolutely loved all aspects of it, including the worship experience. You can see from this picture on their social media site she had a lot of fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eDrE-_zJUH-6VznlOGTnkdf26_u90vEHuUq3AfJAwkfPWDv-nv6xsSX4TLu1OEkm1bO7udmU1GOsCrqktzqD2CxGfVLjQoarfSLMfrXzRk-OBDRwYtNfNDxS2cZ8oU_yh3cJHewKvCI9O8ljWHbc7VpWMpTeKwivn_b63kwBLOAxvOyc4Fj-bDEcyw/s2194/106340C2-AE21-47AE-9A44-0D930C3FF04E_1_102_o.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2194" data-original-width="1170" height="591" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7eDrE-_zJUH-6VznlOGTnkdf26_u90vEHuUq3AfJAwkfPWDv-nv6xsSX4TLu1OEkm1bO7udmU1GOsCrqktzqD2CxGfVLjQoarfSLMfrXzRk-OBDRwYtNfNDxS2cZ8oU_yh3cJHewKvCI9O8ljWHbc7VpWMpTeKwivn_b63kwBLOAxvOyc4Fj-bDEcyw/w408-h591/106340C2-AE21-47AE-9A44-0D930C3FF04E_1_102_o.jpeg" width="408" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveDlTqo3u-1Uj8Zr2lOFPNBuG1hkPQWp6q5Rshd6DROLeqFZpUayXQYm3FI-Z5R5ecFMLGShWEo3BGBaFVfAF2QvRPhwRraAnHmHMgGzEBBAM8HFdDRUFsOSQuyZJn3HgR6rTdL_5OI_7BV4gECEFfqMXxS3kBRuAz-cfVOUECb0m3RUvKr6guaUMTA/s4032/516C769E-5DD8-4265-8513-927DB483A6A2.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgveDlTqo3u-1Uj8Zr2lOFPNBuG1hkPQWp6q5Rshd6DROLeqFZpUayXQYm3FI-Z5R5ecFMLGShWEo3BGBaFVfAF2QvRPhwRraAnHmHMgGzEBBAM8HFdDRUFsOSQuyZJn3HgR6rTdL_5OI_7BV4gECEFfqMXxS3kBRuAz-cfVOUECb0m3RUvKr6guaUMTA/w480-h640/516C769E-5DD8-4265-8513-927DB483A6A2.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While AC was at the beach Molly and I cleaned out their room! It felt so good!</div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSJcMZz5IZQumb5Xwsdt5upQTYEWECeFAPkyJWa9i9p21-wzr-EdAPvT_1Qe0aNk5SIzJe_m1zxtzctZFcr8xFIsJQOvq3XQZNmPULbE-xpuNZhdA0v3j8UxaMyyUZ_GSVulL9Qcw9m2AYNH4B5K-wqUUPE1PfP1otJ5hbtWnUsviEX_HiojGviO2tg/s4032/38CE36CF-2231-4D5B-922B-2969956427A0.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSJcMZz5IZQumb5Xwsdt5upQTYEWECeFAPkyJWa9i9p21-wzr-EdAPvT_1Qe0aNk5SIzJe_m1zxtzctZFcr8xFIsJQOvq3XQZNmPULbE-xpuNZhdA0v3j8UxaMyyUZ_GSVulL9Qcw9m2AYNH4B5K-wqUUPE1PfP1otJ5hbtWnUsviEX_HiojGviO2tg/w480-h640/38CE36CF-2231-4D5B-922B-2969956427A0.heic" width="480" /></a></p><p><br /></p><p>It was a great summer and upon reflection, it was the most relaxing one I've had for good reason!</p></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-79633193183492945482022-07-31T16:36:00.001-04:002022-07-31T16:36:03.701-04:00Funny now.... 8 months later<p> This year, 2021, got away from me and I had sort of decided that I wasn't going to send out Holiday cards. I was going to save money, save paper and save time. . .but it turns out, I was NOT going to save face. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_nm8Ya1o43x4VJBagx-pwJi0fWG_hNXvgy3w3MiCQ5nNWxq2g8ygTM3Yzs4gtAEcH-XBfQp9UJVWRrYEVmQr8nxl9rWsp7Z0BWNHz47dvn_tXJGEsHWsLtGtkN-0f1d89nsbiwD953UIHPtAtp_CfTz6gTrns_5_Qo2S5MkVtpWhrkhTzIOGZAfXr-g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_nm8Ya1o43x4VJBagx-pwJi0fWG_hNXvgy3w3MiCQ5nNWxq2g8ygTM3Yzs4gtAEcH-XBfQp9UJVWRrYEVmQr8nxl9rWsp7Z0BWNHz47dvn_tXJGEsHWsLtGtkN-0f1d89nsbiwD953UIHPtAtp_CfTz6gTrns_5_Qo2S5MkVtpWhrkhTzIOGZAfXr-g=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last week I realized BJ's brother and sister-in-law sent this card out to my family and a few choice friends, which would have been seen as a joke if my "real card" was coming. But alas I was learning yet again how to tame my ego get over my damn self! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If I were to send a card, it would be from one of these pics to choose. . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlaIGLOJKQ7k6xlJTfL4_OfY9XlzffUI7626FQdLVaC6kuo_WbbtTnO5vnmPnHyf82RV_fc6un0DtzTHQJ_N-NtEcV--lAFyxuddZHnvJ-8srXUOyniVgq5dcyqKwdvaW_Etr4XmZOxzG-2oc-Jk6RgTraI3UYQFf8g1ikcQe9v1fHJZ9abpwCJDq-aA=s3024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3024" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlaIGLOJKQ7k6xlJTfL4_OfY9XlzffUI7626FQdLVaC6kuo_WbbtTnO5vnmPnHyf82RV_fc6un0DtzTHQJ_N-NtEcV--lAFyxuddZHnvJ-8srXUOyniVgq5dcyqKwdvaW_Etr4XmZOxzG-2oc-Jk6RgTraI3UYQFf8g1ikcQe9v1fHJZ9abpwCJDq-aA=w640-h540" width="640" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIdS2y51_uTqvtlFAXNrmcR3FNsACCeBTeXgne4YvZbZylTE_uKY1ruEgjHAqBkWPQCySYWdv41BJHtk1oQI7di2CdPesa8U3Ag7JY5bYCbG23yu4tiDRVRW1JQFXvAWgT1lNKKuX02UoctukPkDVswTHw7mUDvavAITAVZx2kHUgmIFOxU6xEtamgBQ=s3200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="1876" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIdS2y51_uTqvtlFAXNrmcR3FNsACCeBTeXgne4YvZbZylTE_uKY1ruEgjHAqBkWPQCySYWdv41BJHtk1oQI7di2CdPesa8U3Ag7JY5bYCbG23yu4tiDRVRW1JQFXvAWgT1lNKKuX02UoctukPkDVswTHw7mUDvavAITAVZx2kHUgmIFOxU6xEtamgBQ=w378-h640" width="378" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA3UJzBiRgd8tJQXEYawPKI7Vh8RN19WcAbW6TC9w1-cTKxXv-biDldrsVOqms26EJKGUdUxhwT8ur_1TX0jdCkPBMBisT5GVVCaZg-6v1IT_XSpssceCuClkU7lOvt50TwQTAAm116fsV-BhISuiujV_I_W11Z_oSKTZHvAobJ0VT_03hGpUUaaEBIA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA3UJzBiRgd8tJQXEYawPKI7Vh8RN19WcAbW6TC9w1-cTKxXv-biDldrsVOqms26EJKGUdUxhwT8ur_1TX0jdCkPBMBisT5GVVCaZg-6v1IT_XSpssceCuClkU7lOvt50TwQTAAm116fsV-BhISuiujV_I_W11Z_oSKTZHvAobJ0VT_03hGpUUaaEBIA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiObMjTG5cEp2LTOpBcNbMb-VqRJS4_AjOd2L9cWsPW3QX8fMn_-wq6jiih7wngULpjg18RNwOMja52eqtMIrxGTutv5F8_D4Rm_0gND8m3n3TuImGDdRWHgVBk2zMBceDt7EKb3AzRBkVWJxj8hP5NLdNLQN82oUs03PW0MK43MnOaWazIPC-jJTF0ig=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiObMjTG5cEp2LTOpBcNbMb-VqRJS4_AjOd2L9cWsPW3QX8fMn_-wq6jiih7wngULpjg18RNwOMja52eqtMIrxGTutv5F8_D4Rm_0gND8m3n3TuImGDdRWHgVBk2zMBceDt7EKb3AzRBkVWJxj8hP5NLdNLQN82oUs03PW0MK43MnOaWazIPC-jJTF0ig=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-66907471162328942012021-07-22T00:08:00.003-04:002021-07-22T00:08:32.942-04:00Western Vacation 2021. <p><span style="font-family: georgia;">“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.” ― John Muir</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">This summer's vacation was epic in so many ways, so as I snapped this last picture I knew we would be sad but grateful to have been welcomed to the mountains.. . .</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuLXnHWYK3KW1fdULitrYAmpVLJIXZvknM-UcesDvG7pTOGK4r4_zBBjpqXWfBFn5N55NlumB7JpTW9F4BLrR_cu-lwHnOMlbK4iSatbXyv1t3B8HKD9G1HynDxaUyB0cNbecFOdL8bUv/s2048/7B0FAC0D-B378-4655-BBD2-17AA8017E9AF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1399" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIuLXnHWYK3KW1fdULitrYAmpVLJIXZvknM-UcesDvG7pTOGK4r4_zBBjpqXWfBFn5N55NlumB7JpTW9F4BLrR_cu-lwHnOMlbK4iSatbXyv1t3B8HKD9G1HynDxaUyB0cNbecFOdL8bUv/w438-h640/7B0FAC0D-B378-4655-BBD2-17AA8017E9AF.heic" width="438" /></span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We got the chance to spend two weeks out west -- we are not 2week-vacation people, but since we didn't do a trip last year because of COVID and BJ's surgery, we used a credit with VRBO and got to spend one week in New Mexico with BJ's family </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TjNnPLPJIhJDLjaqdC6unNEjKmm0bdcJV0cGgTowq5OH9Qyr2PfHvbTPsxQWpWJgs6eBGOvVF0tup3yAZjxbP7lHLEr-99eeOd0ZLzs9VfT97EbuMDgYwQ3DYrp6B5olpr09Wh99DRDf/s2048/6E2AA443-5B34-4C31-8862-FD846A693F0E.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4TjNnPLPJIhJDLjaqdC6unNEjKmm0bdcJV0cGgTowq5OH9Qyr2PfHvbTPsxQWpWJgs6eBGOvVF0tup3yAZjxbP7lHLEr-99eeOd0ZLzs9VfT97EbuMDgYwQ3DYrp6B5olpr09Wh99DRDf/w480-h640/6E2AA443-5B34-4C31-8862-FD846A693F0E.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">and one week with mine in Durango, Colorado. </span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YV3cwatI7FRns8AfoA-nHKgH8vlB9kXMgZAkhcrKOK5sKm5noIMMn85Fk9vSBQlh5IWrtY9_ulQH9ZVyXpcHE1DCHr8E2Zxc_h2y_BH6-hvOmlkJdFfi2M4WkUhNfZtVmUt6GiG2nEqj/s2048/8A761B10-4233-4799-A4E3-2A7FB42DB9E8.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4YV3cwatI7FRns8AfoA-nHKgH8vlB9kXMgZAkhcrKOK5sKm5noIMMn85Fk9vSBQlh5IWrtY9_ulQH9ZVyXpcHE1DCHr8E2Zxc_h2y_BH6-hvOmlkJdFfi2M4WkUhNfZtVmUt6GiG2nEqj/w640-h480/8A761B10-4233-4799-A4E3-2A7FB42DB9E8.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I tried to take so many pictures of the beautiful landscapes, but the photos just don't do justice to the beauty of both New Mexico and Colorado. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMtqg4540s-5OAWunilJM_BzTy3S-lwlTSkkND8p48eDLodlOh3jilBhFsktLnZY8LZrJdqYJbwThE7AbDtjG-8w4bjPT7C9nhf-2uJj_aKrlpB-84k8PE0F97aMPBfL1OgGU9rGMQHju/s2048/811583CC-CE68-430A-A6BA-9FC6CEE20300.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMtqg4540s-5OAWunilJM_BzTy3S-lwlTSkkND8p48eDLodlOh3jilBhFsktLnZY8LZrJdqYJbwThE7AbDtjG-8w4bjPT7C9nhf-2uJj_aKrlpB-84k8PE0F97aMPBfL1OgGU9rGMQHju/w300-h400/811583CC-CE68-430A-A6BA-9FC6CEE20300.heic" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSPfJKYm2bboZ_YJqEaps0MoKZ7DBrFgwG2NKKlMFTci2AOQkxxNDC8gvqqPSY3VEWjEHhefElB_2duThGyX1BndWfFDPjZlwLpr_Eo8mLqGz-LUytvaOCCxhouYssZeU6LM1JmFV65X4/s2048/799238B5-66E6-4CDC-8D9B-5538B8086307.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSPfJKYm2bboZ_YJqEaps0MoKZ7DBrFgwG2NKKlMFTci2AOQkxxNDC8gvqqPSY3VEWjEHhefElB_2duThGyX1BndWfFDPjZlwLpr_Eo8mLqGz-LUytvaOCCxhouYssZeU6LM1JmFV65X4/w300-h400/799238B5-66E6-4CDC-8D9B-5538B8086307.heic" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4wCqRlNY44h4A0s2uPI71L9AXcbtFMfND1NAySkSybiAFUnRVuXWQ5uWh0afohMxFZMzMoXI1jqFZkOh8soe3hgDKX7_Y-bCZ4W1pVJhZIL09KA3iD3f2vU4-ht35e1hNnG1jygxzzHG/s2048/98018A60-2178-4114-96C0-70D99365910E.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim4wCqRlNY44h4A0s2uPI71L9AXcbtFMfND1NAySkSybiAFUnRVuXWQ5uWh0afohMxFZMzMoXI1jqFZkOh8soe3hgDKX7_Y-bCZ4W1pVJhZIL09KA3iD3f2vU4-ht35e1hNnG1jygxzzHG/w300-h400/98018A60-2178-4114-96C0-70D99365910E.heic" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6X2CFVcG81Aaxa7c5Zj5LpMP6Sf36KL2-6HbUm4jQFQAfaHot5z4C1swftrRn_ZXlEIqzAdWPL0R6PgMfWt79R65MS-svZLRRl-_gCH4J-u1D8bWxewLGRq0-M2KLIlClqwUZAw9dcaOC/s2048/623140B5-5C2A-479A-882F-34575066D0F8.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6X2CFVcG81Aaxa7c5Zj5LpMP6Sf36KL2-6HbUm4jQFQAfaHot5z4C1swftrRn_ZXlEIqzAdWPL0R6PgMfWt79R65MS-svZLRRl-_gCH4J-u1D8bWxewLGRq0-M2KLIlClqwUZAw9dcaOC/w300-h400/623140B5-5C2A-479A-882F-34575066D0F8.heic" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeiphGcpD3BFrF1MX6fWNpizHvbzunIKL1dahBb-Y-zQU1Ibz4gcDjwzk5REZFSHtkUXyGmYiLfNAAXs94-Z5zrOTryF8YvIPNt-VVDynna7_5oYXH5cSXdLyjGqycyqyXs1YlKmAJ8w2/s2048/502C4D63-60C3-440C-A93E-9BF18C496D71.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeiphGcpD3BFrF1MX6fWNpizHvbzunIKL1dahBb-Y-zQU1Ibz4gcDjwzk5REZFSHtkUXyGmYiLfNAAXs94-Z5zrOTryF8YvIPNt-VVDynna7_5oYXH5cSXdLyjGqycyqyXs1YlKmAJ8w2/w300-h400/502C4D63-60C3-440C-A93E-9BF18C496D71.heic" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKLyQzZZiDJaYb8ZRRqiZsdzUMC5_QagVvU4szogO5WTPUuKf_W6maWjRqo-0Huq_RPYY9elwq7d-ndgdbp1kM0M2MXGF-5bUcJWt92dHhmCnL6hUza8o0X_ZzRG-96zWN8LyLOk2XPb_/s2048/646B5198-A901-4F45-837E-05B8C1C462D5.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKLyQzZZiDJaYb8ZRRqiZsdzUMC5_QagVvU4szogO5WTPUuKf_W6maWjRqo-0Huq_RPYY9elwq7d-ndgdbp1kM0M2MXGF-5bUcJWt92dHhmCnL6hUza8o0X_ZzRG-96zWN8LyLOk2XPb_/w300-h400/646B5198-A901-4F45-837E-05B8C1C462D5.heic" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99bAi21B1DlXRtwFIN9Kc90uCKv5r0jAqtVbaYq5TxTjB-1adH6_2NRHTux1mTEMdlA1WN20XzHkcI-bhiw0NKTaDzV1TJyM6CipEl6uoiHfp-uGAB0-F7WdJqx3od_pReHAK8a0j-z1x/s2048/296DF7F9-AD4D-4236-A649-6339B33D6D1F_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1747" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99bAi21B1DlXRtwFIN9Kc90uCKv5r0jAqtVbaYq5TxTjB-1adH6_2NRHTux1mTEMdlA1WN20XzHkcI-bhiw0NKTaDzV1TJyM6CipEl6uoiHfp-uGAB0-F7WdJqx3od_pReHAK8a0j-z1x/w546-h640/296DF7F9-AD4D-4236-A649-6339B33D6D1F_1_201_a.jpeg" width="546" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf90SQKx7KQIF6qiI6mBtvWYCcsrTUygV_YoZETVz-MmhjwoG4CpvuvBjRgxn_EcNzfqr-wPWjkwQ6tqxKaVzJdDUHmlM57kn5yMKEu6Z_hlm7xhWqkvwZGx0v2PQ4sbCq7luxptu8qyB3/s2048/31D80BBD-7B6F-4D50-A185-59AAC9F7F1FD.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf90SQKx7KQIF6qiI6mBtvWYCcsrTUygV_YoZETVz-MmhjwoG4CpvuvBjRgxn_EcNzfqr-wPWjkwQ6tqxKaVzJdDUHmlM57kn5yMKEu6Z_hlm7xhWqkvwZGx0v2PQ4sbCq7luxptu8qyB3/w480-h640/31D80BBD-7B6F-4D50-A185-59AAC9F7F1FD.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBlkh_u9sXKuHds13Q0Hr1chrmlaPjbVzwwIFfJlaN4gpMgnkiwUdQRDlXPvCWJwaV5x258indvUYasfY7S52mSirm7ohyYSXaO7X8g2zuwS58deR5da6hEhbYZdiuRQecS1n7EQrShOCn/s2048/10FD3110-8C66-4291-B916-186BF3754CC0.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7UqUu915WOI5eX99-_fiZxTL1BR-IFb4vIsFaUhuqfLb6AV_dgj7yAiIP85gk-P30JsmcwN79vyTOdfLCDi2n89hlA3lW6snxiqGOSto8FgstX6HHYCTSOuwYVakS0p_4rLGANrpjHLNs/w300-h400/E85319FB-87A5-49F6-928A-7BB184F6BAF2_1_105_c.jpeg" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">In addition to the beautiful landscape, being in a different area of the country is so good for growth. I was blown away by how much I did NOT know about the history of New Mexico. The convergence of Native and Spanish history was eye-opening for me. In New Mexico, we stayed near Taos (an artist community) and we spent a day in Santa Fe and I learned a lot! </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-Rb-rnZseMyIKkoD2eoJDEkByT_lRx7CRW9r8tMXf8qsq5bcnJR0F4O02XgPOAgBxZWiyezBlhkxQszY4KYmsmc_TWcFafevQUJc7FUGddeMfClfr9verCRa5UeAnrhWCrxfJHJ01R4G/s2048/C016D822-416D-465A-8194-471D477138E4.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-Rb-rnZseMyIKkoD2eoJDEkByT_lRx7CRW9r8tMXf8qsq5bcnJR0F4O02XgPOAgBxZWiyezBlhkxQszY4KYmsmc_TWcFafevQUJc7FUGddeMfClfr9verCRa5UeAnrhWCrxfJHJ01R4G/w480-h640/C016D822-416D-465A-8194-471D477138E4.heic" width="480" /></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPbABo6Vb4w7KL_eCiW6MuVc5tMcJ6R6noQxGaBKOwYb0_zS247cWFnpWdWzPME1QcIpXuCKs5RFiS4nynItW99stQgI8DjvXyub6NgzOLCKDRcU8QWFAqYFRmt4OOBTvnDlNRev0bLZZ/s2048/58A2CA23-988B-4542-91E0-C67491EA0362.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXPbABo6Vb4w7KL_eCiW6MuVc5tMcJ6R6noQxGaBKOwYb0_zS247cWFnpWdWzPME1QcIpXuCKs5RFiS4nynItW99stQgI8DjvXyub6NgzOLCKDRcU8QWFAqYFRmt4OOBTvnDlNRev0bLZZ/w480-h640/58A2CA23-988B-4542-91E0-C67491EA0362.heic" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJeWt3IjMu81A7c53_rmncgN7E0J9BgMIcmnuuX16bZIkH-h5oFxNgAyjEEqKv8EzTmTP-OBXLylYRwm9lUpYk8M9Yh7tcS4j4cZz1UIw4N8e_2elrY1yTQUDrL5-djBSLVePg6TBQFgT/s2048/0EE72B94-A5CF-468E-9454-38D687D402E3.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJeWt3IjMu81A7c53_rmncgN7E0J9BgMIcmnuuX16bZIkH-h5oFxNgAyjEEqKv8EzTmTP-OBXLylYRwm9lUpYk8M9Yh7tcS4j4cZz1UIw4N8e_2elrY1yTQUDrL5-djBSLVePg6TBQFgT/w400-h300/0EE72B94-A5CF-468E-9454-38D687D402E3.heic" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1jSywXjt4YfbokR6uCyDLi_GAdIOMA-NFzIJxEyJZaLfa1A5ztCWLzmZIHAPjd_v2iDFh2O-KfAIK5X6S4oEsLf02E2sjPrwZ9-l-WO7tXjeDv7NLFSFUOTCI6kRTmbIlvub6uipdWwI/s2048/987B9332-BEAC-41B1-B1D5-FB25F4A1C962.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1jSywXjt4YfbokR6uCyDLi_GAdIOMA-NFzIJxEyJZaLfa1A5ztCWLzmZIHAPjd_v2iDFh2O-KfAIK5X6S4oEsLf02E2sjPrwZ9-l-WO7tXjeDv7NLFSFUOTCI6kRTmbIlvub6uipdWwI/w480-h640/987B9332-BEAC-41B1-B1D5-FB25F4A1C962.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We did a walking tour -- totally worth it to have someone else teach you about the city.<br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtY4D-s45CLtRGoRLzgeibsh5CbuhzcY29hIFG_-MITGHEtLafxrLpPPPDYEIZAXDiXX-O-9ZwlrasRefXNrhxAWqr_4TfbS7iV-H8peer_BxECP_UjYlYBTV_LRQFtgRWdZtmKwD95XB/s2048/837E9277-5934-4683-BA27-3162ADE8B5C8.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtY4D-s45CLtRGoRLzgeibsh5CbuhzcY29hIFG_-MITGHEtLafxrLpPPPDYEIZAXDiXX-O-9ZwlrasRefXNrhxAWqr_4TfbS7iV-H8peer_BxECP_UjYlYBTV_LRQFtgRWdZtmKwD95XB/w480-h640/837E9277-5934-4683-BA27-3162ADE8B5C8.heic" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dW4BWVOJSZlmxAyRRtmOZVtcxQkv_roQez3XGL5U6niMRk70mTxJ3WAnlLe3MmxI39im4hYztXCJcA_X5UFOqROiCiZB_V6vu-3p5uNI7lAXVm6ag9V060rc36jSPnwnOk4xAwrBgofs/s2048/DC0EC47A-C4B9-4719-A6CF-26BFDC86F07B.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dW4BWVOJSZlmxAyRRtmOZVtcxQkv_roQez3XGL5U6niMRk70mTxJ3WAnlLe3MmxI39im4hYztXCJcA_X5UFOqROiCiZB_V6vu-3p5uNI7lAXVm6ag9V060rc36jSPnwnOk4xAwrBgofs/w480-h640/DC0EC47A-C4B9-4719-A6CF-26BFDC86F07B.heic" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVQlxEMwUpcwK2Gl2_sqZrRZeNdS7VwwF2g5Pw5RBhAO8xLt3GbxImH9L-J5sa30oKr6y9cHe1U6tlyz1iENf_ZD4sHAZ0Ynjwb_WwxEnOZbVh3nmPpCZT3E-IEfMvqJoWBM-N8FTRPuO/s2048/66097D8C-0EC6-4976-8D00-05183B6E34E0.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVQlxEMwUpcwK2Gl2_sqZrRZeNdS7VwwF2g5Pw5RBhAO8xLt3GbxImH9L-J5sa30oKr6y9cHe1U6tlyz1iENf_ZD4sHAZ0Ynjwb_WwxEnOZbVh3nmPpCZT3E-IEfMvqJoWBM-N8FTRPuO/w480-h640/66097D8C-0EC6-4976-8D00-05183B6E34E0.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1O4nkRwXQke-Mao4Z-QSRQafrCbZeacps3wPNueM18zXRrdg7mnQkPsPVGHWNoYu0QKdDs6a5WW7U5i77x-3eqaa2hLyD8TYOWBI84tE2rafMi81lctzOKsALeQ7NO9ffDZo5y3-6yM-/s2048/C5B28864-1F88-4090-AF7E-79619D308D6C_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1O4nkRwXQke-Mao4Z-QSRQafrCbZeacps3wPNueM18zXRrdg7mnQkPsPVGHWNoYu0QKdDs6a5WW7U5i77x-3eqaa2hLyD8TYOWBI84tE2rafMi81lctzOKsALeQ7NO9ffDZo5y3-6yM-/w640-h406/C5B28864-1F88-4090-AF7E-79619D308D6C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwitZMzrOKrJLvlayhJCiUruVn82dCpBzFcxSOzBH46Xw1J1EcW_7QiYyjPK3AWoLvvmM30vED3Q-276YHIyUCa0Pyp_FCsfSfuAAAojLPR07iJVDbYixQBrvpog9VdrLZ56KHvcOdbgxt/s2048/CC1F3BC9-81C6-4CB3-A8E4-BB68C13AC3EF.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwitZMzrOKrJLvlayhJCiUruVn82dCpBzFcxSOzBH46Xw1J1EcW_7QiYyjPK3AWoLvvmM30vED3Q-276YHIyUCa0Pyp_FCsfSfuAAAojLPR07iJVDbYixQBrvpog9VdrLZ56KHvcOdbgxt/w480-h640/CC1F3BC9-81C6-4CB3-A8E4-BB68C13AC3EF.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This mission church is older than The Declaration of Independence.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJKOWMxjxMa_vzw5JHWaay7JDMfskCmpRDKUEFtx8PeLCY-Uol8yzVzWOF05K2v1EsuLwE6RG8niy92yWhbrb6PuCPBpyF4VznYJII4hbKdktLIj011SKycyKHjRBYOvddJqK9SGPvR4x/s2048/E536D668-1F72-46B2-89B5-394AD5361C80.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJKOWMxjxMa_vzw5JHWaay7JDMfskCmpRDKUEFtx8PeLCY-Uol8yzVzWOF05K2v1EsuLwE6RG8niy92yWhbrb6PuCPBpyF4VznYJII4hbKdktLIj011SKycyKHjRBYOvddJqK9SGPvR4x/w480-h640/E536D668-1F72-46B2-89B5-394AD5361C80.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The girls and BJ got the chance to fly fish in both states. One day they took their 5 year old cousin Graham.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGVTihbuHTXVswdzCjsNrRZ3l9asqG02HjHdseFbecqvaNFNP091WdBku_qJDukoLUAQs766eVtXOkyD2jsFLIWiJ6Tn6hUHiKRGZ168EjiCw_nuKbmWftIqCmm-7rwFAwldYfMzhYmpr/s2048/5C5AA357-8753-4F9F-BA3A-623FCDD43277.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGVTihbuHTXVswdzCjsNrRZ3l9asqG02HjHdseFbecqvaNFNP091WdBku_qJDukoLUAQs766eVtXOkyD2jsFLIWiJ6Tn6hUHiKRGZ168EjiCw_nuKbmWftIqCmm-7rwFAwldYfMzhYmpr/w480-h640/5C5AA357-8753-4F9F-BA3A-623FCDD43277.heic" width="480" /></a><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrsu_wr6eoenBsms0DQ9MdreRVKLXKW_kg0TZskFs-9n_kibg93uIX2_moZaUcy_GQQBZHgBouP7kzLV5joeB1SgwAMcxLWgy0w-9kTZbZy2pwT1BvBtjtrqjqY8HZc9tZ9YZoy5EkHD_/s1024/E951A86C-5470-41E5-BA42-732A8601A374_1_105_c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMrsu_wr6eoenBsms0DQ9MdreRVKLXKW_kg0TZskFs-9n_kibg93uIX2_moZaUcy_GQQBZHgBouP7kzLV5joeB1SgwAMcxLWgy0w-9kTZbZy2pwT1BvBtjtrqjqY8HZc9tZ9YZoy5EkHD_/w480-h640/E951A86C-5470-41E5-BA42-732A8601A374_1_105_c.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-nlORx_24k7VF93RWH5LAwB4btlMa8mZmNRrx3w7q55t922hUMsNQTQh2TTAYc45RrqmU84rGh8FMig9AW9qoVHYKz6Ch-KjA4sdXNvcD55icON83c7WOU3l5PwyxkVMV8NVIoKPjmoA/s2048/45C5BDAA-1CB6-43AA-A86F-9A6CA1DE90E4.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo-nlORx_24k7VF93RWH5LAwB4btlMa8mZmNRrx3w7q55t922hUMsNQTQh2TTAYc45RrqmU84rGh8FMig9AW9qoVHYKz6Ch-KjA4sdXNvcD55icON83c7WOU3l5PwyxkVMV8NVIoKPjmoA/w480-h640/45C5BDAA-1CB6-43AA-A86F-9A6CA1DE90E4.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqnoOiypXKgDTgvyRTekVchYffhtJCMekYrDj3L8VyiecuE2oLqx71u8y_XVHARQwaPI8DHf-zJdyYpIgXfi8OUCFjnpnPXThUauaozQSodrNqMZZJ_cuDqMZlVC7uLqUEd7XzJW8Z2f2/s2048/88955A6C-B304-4053-9755-F60DED85F60A.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqnoOiypXKgDTgvyRTekVchYffhtJCMekYrDj3L8VyiecuE2oLqx71u8y_XVHARQwaPI8DHf-zJdyYpIgXfi8OUCFjnpnPXThUauaozQSodrNqMZZJ_cuDqMZlVC7uLqUEd7XzJW8Z2f2/w300-h400/88955A6C-B304-4053-9755-F60DED85F60A.heic" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPWY_4aMEoxfDCMb9Iw3BhNLtX4L_MNl1WkGUYxjHBhdrSAKe5D3xdoflVJzxVdqzWzpCoWSrwCe6FbHSNXEYFOmzb9luL2Zz3zMxmg1eNe2UhaAIWwLRDk1iEdTDV1Hd4vFKcL5ze7SL/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1960" data-original-width="1470" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPWY_4aMEoxfDCMb9Iw3BhNLtX4L_MNl1WkGUYxjHBhdrSAKe5D3xdoflVJzxVdqzWzpCoWSrwCe6FbHSNXEYFOmzb9luL2Zz3zMxmg1eNe2UhaAIWwLRDk1iEdTDV1Hd4vFKcL5ze7SL/w300-h400/IMG_1813+%25281%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceFDDVSFJokiSWxg5poTii9mypGOv1W40GUANFq2llag7ArPeZf-X3WuI61cKMn6Zx-MMWaqj0gABmVShwkL-UrSAyB7aKHQEzn3lJtD0nmaL4a0N6q494TKJrvoaaY3ogWHY07PXUmnv/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjceFDDVSFJokiSWxg5poTii9mypGOv1W40GUANFq2llag7ArPeZf-X3WuI61cKMn6Zx-MMWaqj0gABmVShwkL-UrSAyB7aKHQEzn3lJtD0nmaL4a0N6q494TKJrvoaaY3ogWHY07PXUmnv/w640-h480/IMG_1812+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br />For me, it was such a treat to get to run so much outside...some days, with Anna Cate. She loves to run on the treadmill but is not a fan of outdoor running. She is MUCH faster than I am, </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NZOgIUrVhVM7Vd4AQm_h0Y7LDZt6yL3gRnGUoKu3rKxpzo4QFH2OHnx8SpauLfJsm9etsbXacgqas3a4ZC7rvNMNI2-kvCy58tkHrz-bOWPFEbIj8swyjzhHu4Yj0zAK3kwwazouvrh0/s2048/7951041E-D5C9-42EF-AC1D-5261144D255E.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6NZOgIUrVhVM7Vd4AQm_h0Y7LDZt6yL3gRnGUoKu3rKxpzo4QFH2OHnx8SpauLfJsm9etsbXacgqas3a4ZC7rvNMNI2-kvCy58tkHrz-bOWPFEbIj8swyjzhHu4Yj0zAK3kwwazouvrh0/w480-h640/7951041E-D5C9-42EF-AC1D-5261144D255E.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But in the high elevation, my yoga breathing helped me catch up at times.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO7aHEG0dSS1VZ4bdhlqAmuEiT5T_YOVEe_sDvegSXTh7JY6tbyZyZABLBJzeMk_wz8m8aLEjSa7gGGNE77p7hcbSlczDZV9RSGrzkTx0yeankwfMw1kSbUz2bRIghO0x_PreCl4nROIW/s2048/B850D884-0190-4B2A-875F-42C4B3F6A5FF.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbO7aHEG0dSS1VZ4bdhlqAmuEiT5T_YOVEe_sDvegSXTh7JY6tbyZyZABLBJzeMk_wz8m8aLEjSa7gGGNE77p7hcbSlczDZV9RSGrzkTx0yeankwfMw1kSbUz2bRIghO0x_PreCl4nROIW/w480-h640/B850D884-0190-4B2A-875F-42C4B3F6A5FF.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTnd8cvSU-zAKWtsm9u556GwGWZV5K99oZOp5FCnHtqGK7kG_cizTA6Y2ARUk9vJ9fBDoQzP8vSHyAeOdMftE8eN1NENMakse03_ggcwqymXkrqqkGLccLTY80nH09jFsM2iTECxEozo6/s2048/71BE121A-97AA-47E2-8B84-E2A6AABF3A24.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTnd8cvSU-zAKWtsm9u556GwGWZV5K99oZOp5FCnHtqGK7kG_cizTA6Y2ARUk9vJ9fBDoQzP8vSHyAeOdMftE8eN1NENMakse03_ggcwqymXkrqqkGLccLTY80nH09jFsM2iTECxEozo6/w640-h480/71BE121A-97AA-47E2-8B84-E2A6AABF3A24.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3koo-SR7DUDduQyywNGqieQoPeNQDcONVFH4d0IxGdMJ3sOGrdxdo-dQRq13WjfAYfpZYgRCc1nXKCLnSmTzTpGIQzdZXXP7FOqJ53H2ZChzJ_91dfQVgsQ8TaHdN2rAn3q3zirIszn0/s2048/87EDB99D-1483-4574-A784-98E2A9512CC8.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="2048" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3koo-SR7DUDduQyywNGqieQoPeNQDcONVFH4d0IxGdMJ3sOGrdxdo-dQRq13WjfAYfpZYgRCc1nXKCLnSmTzTpGIQzdZXXP7FOqJ53H2ZChzJ_91dfQVgsQ8TaHdN2rAn3q3zirIszn0/w640-h456/87EDB99D-1483-4574-A784-98E2A9512CC8.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We hiked and enjoyed the family time the most. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhdadk2AT_d3CnaKX0l-IA2MtpkOgXbW52U9Ntlfjbwx3n1LFKZHMq0zuoAJSAoGoCWTcYBOzWJNkbRNDIP_SGndCYPPMEg6kFguqOoIge7bMy_UQr5hn7vG5qoWAhIqPtW9JXkHNtSwK/s2048/A8D20EEC-3703-487D-B352-BD565F752CC9.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhdadk2AT_d3CnaKX0l-IA2MtpkOgXbW52U9Ntlfjbwx3n1LFKZHMq0zuoAJSAoGoCWTcYBOzWJNkbRNDIP_SGndCYPPMEg6kFguqOoIge7bMy_UQr5hn7vG5qoWAhIqPtW9JXkHNtSwK/s320/A8D20EEC-3703-487D-B352-BD565F752CC9.heic" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7Dg6P41z67u0GNp8d5uwnPxApNJvJYEKFNhTk2ISBuJI7nFWbzSdOks8U8udf0dYefaulI-yVwqDhBMc0juZrVlOw1g6_5efpZXgHs-Cku6O0MIu5s9yKv-bMRHbPAtqagpxRs62JScX/s2048/E7911A68-852C-4C8D-823F-BE17B4FEB995.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit7Dg6P41z67u0GNp8d5uwnPxApNJvJYEKFNhTk2ISBuJI7nFWbzSdOks8U8udf0dYefaulI-yVwqDhBMc0juZrVlOw1g6_5efpZXgHs-Cku6O0MIu5s9yKv-bMRHbPAtqagpxRs62JScX/s320/E7911A68-852C-4C8D-823F-BE17B4FEB995.heic" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKJh-NYLaF1p6iITuMn98Ff6jgDXg9Z_hrFETiTntIPnd4JEJcdng3c7OgotYfiLjwzNJazg13D4M4w3SfAs4miAQfQY0W_KVozNsyB0lcTBwQ15eaq07FzMlO7L9EKlpLN5eLFmq_RlH/s2048/DD13C160-4493-4D60-B759-D60DF2E5F9E2.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPKJh-NYLaF1p6iITuMn98Ff6jgDXg9Z_hrFETiTntIPnd4JEJcdng3c7OgotYfiLjwzNJazg13D4M4w3SfAs4miAQfQY0W_KVozNsyB0lcTBwQ15eaq07FzMlO7L9EKlpLN5eLFmq_RlH/s320/DD13C160-4493-4D60-B759-D60DF2E5F9E2.heic" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKKT7-axW5CgLoIjX5DgK28J9udkHFnmDxsRQ9Vs_Cn2Z1lsObMfuP83A8zrxyrjp5D_Zcs0UQrxwSpXQKgXAhMHD8b7DXPMikjAjkxRqpgTbE8oG8rYkc5MAPhr8R_yU1YlJ9A7w-drJ/s2048/A936A3EE-6BEC-4092-999F-FF044AFECA1C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKKT7-axW5CgLoIjX5DgK28J9udkHFnmDxsRQ9Vs_Cn2Z1lsObMfuP83A8zrxyrjp5D_Zcs0UQrxwSpXQKgXAhMHD8b7DXPMikjAjkxRqpgTbE8oG8rYkc5MAPhr8R_yU1YlJ9A7w-drJ/s320/A936A3EE-6BEC-4092-999F-FF044AFECA1C.heic" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx5B6y993jxPKWia2woW5L0eirvnTCHE3VXzPFIlno8_tagnhkq-d43ClN-pK5AOtQmYEr-tnzk-1HN-AwHsDZonfvsgMdul070arnk4ju7BeFrA7ksKL8qqkF7FnstbJly3ldQRHm4YE/s2048/70423C5A-3BA2-4A0A-A4EF-25F8DF2DB2DD.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrx5B6y993jxPKWia2woW5L0eirvnTCHE3VXzPFIlno8_tagnhkq-d43ClN-pK5AOtQmYEr-tnzk-1HN-AwHsDZonfvsgMdul070arnk4ju7BeFrA7ksKL8qqkF7FnstbJly3ldQRHm4YE/s320/70423C5A-3BA2-4A0A-A4EF-25F8DF2DB2DD.heic" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_Kp1NOo3YOQtnXk7ouTCC4MgKgjIUSh5aDm5rQF785ZCy12YmEzuMGlAc1r8E_IlCiQakYK7sjxEvK2I8gVLavrFNvRQshSTHqJV2ULWasN20RUnRUNlF90R7yOE56O9-uQje2Eih7iw/s2048/9CC91A20-0CD9-46EE-A7AD-A73D5341D89A.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW_Kp1NOo3YOQtnXk7ouTCC4MgKgjIUSh5aDm5rQF785ZCy12YmEzuMGlAc1r8E_IlCiQakYK7sjxEvK2I8gVLavrFNvRQshSTHqJV2ULWasN20RUnRUNlF90R7yOE56O9-uQje2Eih7iw/s320/9CC91A20-0CD9-46EE-A7AD-A73D5341D89A.heic" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg247_nf2jJ4tdqQlazLBWEnapAAcIpEKKQotudm2Dv8bbjYSQ2HMj36dDZsLGjLEHWzRXYXl3ugRPkgRQVokvQcpRk5AJ1_V3X0BZypnsEWHvpZfMU-jlSrd15-GcDu0rq8YqHwAQKYEbT/s2048/3D3FF5A2-B3B7-4832-8EF3-87EDC5574269.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg247_nf2jJ4tdqQlazLBWEnapAAcIpEKKQotudm2Dv8bbjYSQ2HMj36dDZsLGjLEHWzRXYXl3ugRPkgRQVokvQcpRk5AJ1_V3X0BZypnsEWHvpZfMU-jlSrd15-GcDu0rq8YqHwAQKYEbT/w640-h480/3D3FF5A2-B3B7-4832-8EF3-87EDC5574269.heic" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG625xxrlV1GfsnXLwESGSDPQXqav1V68r_O0dhlIdc8uxP8kWo9sBBKLEXx6wmoZSWEBW2HPqTPnxudyMGcnwIU60iy4bnSwjZIfq58B7Udg5UO-Asonfr6c1uIljH-q22hQUOHbhdFcq/s2048/F61521A7-532B-4514-B38B-41CA5F2E4CC1.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG625xxrlV1GfsnXLwESGSDPQXqav1V68r_O0dhlIdc8uxP8kWo9sBBKLEXx6wmoZSWEBW2HPqTPnxudyMGcnwIU60iy4bnSwjZIfq58B7Udg5UO-Asonfr6c1uIljH-q22hQUOHbhdFcq/w480-h640/F61521A7-532B-4514-B38B-41CA5F2E4CC1.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf15HnZp4IFaCs3DFmLBL2WNP0-lKILEJHcvzX1ZFQrvdvInAsRX7HxFv5NAGRQOkLgDi6-T3zPXQeO4nby60wC46yDHcMG1KN4QeGM64sosYHroEVHFMoPahtz5gRqmvOLr324TvUsjV/s2048/DD60D569-923C-4BB0-8229-FB8BAF93C0DD.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGf15HnZp4IFaCs3DFmLBL2WNP0-lKILEJHcvzX1ZFQrvdvInAsRX7HxFv5NAGRQOkLgDi6-T3zPXQeO4nby60wC46yDHcMG1KN4QeGM64sosYHroEVHFMoPahtz5gRqmvOLr324TvUsjV/w480-h640/DD60D569-923C-4BB0-8229-FB8BAF93C0DD.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aa58-w0JQaWeov-yJoXaGucUmu0WJ8RPIQSqQkPiClUhP_STwSfPtEGOfXzMQGLjglpu4rZLy28wiclXtvn0bJxQjqYoF-hpgN-fzGWF5oErdHhCVR_N7khtkK4d0MJoLJDv83mldfA8/s2048/C48B9CD2-8021-4A4E-AF5A-B584EB68E56D.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aa58-w0JQaWeov-yJoXaGucUmu0WJ8RPIQSqQkPiClUhP_STwSfPtEGOfXzMQGLjglpu4rZLy28wiclXtvn0bJxQjqYoF-hpgN-fzGWF5oErdHhCVR_N7khtkK4d0MJoLJDv83mldfA8/w640-h480/C48B9CD2-8021-4A4E-AF5A-B584EB68E56D.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Both girls did a trail ride in Durango. </span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTtmwxfrFFuB9NEGWZpkmO-4kj9Ov5Ns_PXVMKRzEkoKmKgw9JqFGL5nVFQ7E45vJALsOhbEtmhO0hTwInRdf4Oymh8ySnlJSh6nPzEMvwH-wNWLNqMPOL79N7HOy8Mlyll8eAwNnpH1W/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuTtmwxfrFFuB9NEGWZpkmO-4kj9Ov5Ns_PXVMKRzEkoKmKgw9JqFGL5nVFQ7E45vJALsOhbEtmhO0hTwInRdf4Oymh8ySnlJSh6nPzEMvwH-wNWLNqMPOL79N7HOy8Mlyll8eAwNnpH1W/w480-h640/IMG_1766.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVKetdLpp_sPlsge5e91DludvcON_7rQUB5z4aIJmQ4vIK4tLD_6c4fyvfYF1AqUoakqybbbKn7yMBZStm38xxnzXtstL6d55bweGI0TotQ7Zj32JkDXPxy_D8iuZOZOQ-0VNcj17DCx0/s2048/A9850D76-69A3-42CB-87A8-E0E2174F88D3.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVKetdLpp_sPlsge5e91DludvcON_7rQUB5z4aIJmQ4vIK4tLD_6c4fyvfYF1AqUoakqybbbKn7yMBZStm38xxnzXtstL6d55bweGI0TotQ7Zj32JkDXPxy_D8iuZOZOQ-0VNcj17DCx0/w480-h640/A9850D76-69A3-42CB-87A8-E0E2174F88D3.heic" width="480" /></span></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1ivOl6mNHSLPQOyjNBrKB6mROrQo2qzqmJNx2GXsT9HyPE7JlG2MZcNgtMuiHcRIES0pQwzbiYXYTLPtCvMeGtvHsIPJ6D17z1B9iGX9mcpPTSKaCtV_Jlde8HHm6kYuufDFxOvKurF3/s2048/57688323-55B5-43BF-814B-11D1FDC2DD25.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1ivOl6mNHSLPQOyjNBrKB6mROrQo2qzqmJNx2GXsT9HyPE7JlG2MZcNgtMuiHcRIES0pQwzbiYXYTLPtCvMeGtvHsIPJ6D17z1B9iGX9mcpPTSKaCtV_Jlde8HHm6kYuufDFxOvKurF3/w480-h640/57688323-55B5-43BF-814B-11D1FDC2DD25.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrblalVT8S0TIFT6aGZyItQ_E4PEtuliAG-MjaYBKpZwj0EC-9at-QBJs0BlSsoOdjaLc7n4p-G3SC7sThnrPw9NZaee9bQw_6Jj0xJPGYnDUzhzPdAGMH0dIJf5k1S7M-sZt6nJTZ-R45/s2048/5110210D-4C8D-472B-94F1-517B8A7106CA.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrblalVT8S0TIFT6aGZyItQ_E4PEtuliAG-MjaYBKpZwj0EC-9at-QBJs0BlSsoOdjaLc7n4p-G3SC7sThnrPw9NZaee9bQw_6Jj0xJPGYnDUzhzPdAGMH0dIJf5k1S7M-sZt6nJTZ-R45/w480-h640/5110210D-4C8D-472B-94F1-517B8A7106CA.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76getRlqcPm5VArVonNeu74xGn2XeOWJeWbELbXXzVMM2yoaPU6BYfqrOze7iQNpZnPsqBniqMxV0rDq3GS17dTZCraa1jvc1azbhKV5wTWzisWZNn65ug7Z12cMJOtm8-r-9hRpgNdEy/s2048/9033FD11-DC61-4ED7-8607-2C066F571B58.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg76getRlqcPm5VArVonNeu74xGn2XeOWJeWbELbXXzVMM2yoaPU6BYfqrOze7iQNpZnPsqBniqMxV0rDq3GS17dTZCraa1jvc1azbhKV5wTWzisWZNn65ug7Z12cMJOtm8-r-9hRpgNdEy/w480-h640/9033FD11-DC61-4ED7-8607-2C066F571B58.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLHtY4x4gvPoAdJWCZhUON1To4VIzvjBj3a6nKiVre9BLegLGS5MaJ6GphSZfjgakVXWfvzamyWPOgUDENQiLO6nEyjp7ycjpOPdjeLMy_K0Ak6r00LvEFrvVp4qbbdpyZKQstc3w16Rz/s2048/111C3776-998E-4C53-8C78-08CE4158C3EA.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLHtY4x4gvPoAdJWCZhUON1To4VIzvjBj3a6nKiVre9BLegLGS5MaJ6GphSZfjgakVXWfvzamyWPOgUDENQiLO6nEyjp7ycjpOPdjeLMy_K0Ak6r00LvEFrvVp4qbbdpyZKQstc3w16Rz/w640-h480/111C3776-998E-4C53-8C78-08CE4158C3EA.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnHU5DaOio-LC4-7vWZKA84y3KUXSr4FKxaB4RqWM_YQxeLh2ptkuBJZF5lQ_gyz-V9SDtVd1M_poJCNBuegz5cYjGYEaZvg6nJTf0H5J59puePZDVOAPPVqfquzgeuwauCKwzOqwNWI8/s480/159C6895-7CF4-4B7D-85A3-850C61FACA32_4_5005_c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKnHU5DaOio-LC4-7vWZKA84y3KUXSr4FKxaB4RqWM_YQxeLh2ptkuBJZF5lQ_gyz-V9SDtVd1M_poJCNBuegz5cYjGYEaZvg6nJTf0H5J59puePZDVOAPPVqfquzgeuwauCKwzOqwNWI8/w480-h640/159C6895-7CF4-4B7D-85A3-850C61FACA32_4_5005_c.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh7GRv8zOmcnGL6iUTbahaPICWFN8I_oGTuKLok46kyqxed2NGc7oU-4cnwmywIEhOiS7WrJUoIWLh9fV5kmMIEbEy0G84FhhDh_XS1LLtBoa3lUoledrw6-9ik5C8u_JdzXN6o731ajZ/s2048/220DFFCB-1BDA-4D1E-9515-B3480A607B21.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBh7GRv8zOmcnGL6iUTbahaPICWFN8I_oGTuKLok46kyqxed2NGc7oU-4cnwmywIEhOiS7WrJUoIWLh9fV5kmMIEbEy0G84FhhDh_XS1LLtBoa3lUoledrw6-9ik5C8u_JdzXN6o731ajZ/w480-h640/220DFFCB-1BDA-4D1E-9515-B3480A607B21.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We took a scenic train ride in Colorado with Kitty, Talluluah, Nana & Daddy Doug. <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pQUB3pPwlQ-60AZpfFydzasC9cS7fG2KxVekM_I8HkdaZpYLUaJAf4B3X46X9AZ10OJeDRHWifUGzvvh0MUK3BTYYYl_CZnJ9PeWJ2o5td1f1c-bidO4sNf5RUwGdmWz5uGx2sHPx2gw/s2048/93BCD5B0-1606-4205-A5C1-3971DB001EA2.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pQUB3pPwlQ-60AZpfFydzasC9cS7fG2KxVekM_I8HkdaZpYLUaJAf4B3X46X9AZ10OJeDRHWifUGzvvh0MUK3BTYYYl_CZnJ9PeWJ2o5td1f1c-bidO4sNf5RUwGdmWz5uGx2sHPx2gw/w480-h640/93BCD5B0-1606-4205-A5C1-3971DB001EA2.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had nothing to do with choosing where to go, but am very grateful for family who knows where to go for a beautiful time! </span><div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUm2QcZpQNM3380jA-jSG1AJQ_AafKsIscAtoGScPWA9A3DqswlA4e-cBN1iE65Fg5_GL47bo9yzv8dC961s2r3hMx6eiWTKGv6sp9UAiULpYAhAbBYt04OszpBR2ykSi2C9YgfzQQ64q/s2048/2727752D-E430-4CD4-AC8E-23D3D0C646D6.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUm2QcZpQNM3380jA-jSG1AJQ_AafKsIscAtoGScPWA9A3DqswlA4e-cBN1iE65Fg5_GL47bo9yzv8dC961s2r3hMx6eiWTKGv6sp9UAiULpYAhAbBYt04OszpBR2ykSi2C9YgfzQQ64q/w300-h400/2727752D-E430-4CD4-AC8E-23D3D0C646D6.heic" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qWvkfJzRX4neFr8BKhWFFXWX1e0j0FDbTe20a8XX6V07QJ8m9Es5QKTBdWEo4XA3EE3FO0JmeVtZfTY-uQx55PdSnt31J3Hw4dqV_sh2WZ4hoChSinsbykQeL9HRaPS5NM_OGu_DFdvX/s2048/B770C7E7-E6BC-4669-97C1-57E3B8BCB23E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2035" data-original-width="2048" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qWvkfJzRX4neFr8BKhWFFXWX1e0j0FDbTe20a8XX6V07QJ8m9Es5QKTBdWEo4XA3EE3FO0JmeVtZfTY-uQx55PdSnt31J3Hw4dqV_sh2WZ4hoChSinsbykQeL9HRaPS5NM_OGu_DFdvX/w320-h318/B770C7E7-E6BC-4669-97C1-57E3B8BCB23E.heic" width="320" /></a></span></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Becki and Douglas really know what they are doing when it comes to fly fishing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91GZSv8iGwL_iqKp5HQc7Pmi3Iya4GXPsCgbXTcYfjpnOpBy1lSIPKAOOz1xmjSCqCUTs0gajWRLllt_jiomDFkMIGGaLVXEU81EvC4KAN-OLovSmFCHN4MHgIfkLBJ-WcAF7YzQPJf0b/s2048/CEFDCE3B-9643-4195-A0CF-6049919D59E2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91GZSv8iGwL_iqKp5HQc7Pmi3Iya4GXPsCgbXTcYfjpnOpBy1lSIPKAOOz1xmjSCqCUTs0gajWRLllt_jiomDFkMIGGaLVXEU81EvC4KAN-OLovSmFCHN4MHgIfkLBJ-WcAF7YzQPJf0b/w480-h640/CEFDCE3B-9643-4195-A0CF-6049919D59E2.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One day in New Mexico, we hiked up to this beautiful lake and I told the girls.... we may not take you to Disney World, but I think these types of vacations are pretty special too! </span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ3XBbTDgByJy-p5iagFu-pvqhmQbHZh1CIFVEalmxpC73Kb0YSg-pDm_Sjo0YztBhF_uj_98dgVQA6AvBdCQA8sDEcz1GKI4mkj4JNclKUOnVV2MELYQEZ8hybJhbtey3aVHW7b8Lkdw/s2048/14AB1811-1FC2-41CF-A922-72E682B538C8.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiZ3XBbTDgByJy-p5iagFu-pvqhmQbHZh1CIFVEalmxpC73Kb0YSg-pDm_Sjo0YztBhF_uj_98dgVQA6AvBdCQA8sDEcz1GKI4mkj4JNclKUOnVV2MELYQEZ8hybJhbtey3aVHW7b8Lkdw/w480-h640/14AB1811-1FC2-41CF-A922-72E682B538C8.heic" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29_7kscoDvstQyho4-vnKig0GR1w2du-ESbROTt9JWOWtunQuELdKLV37CXP2v0NTpN5wxrC7hJvxtJBKVaVFsKTT4MxdxDEybu5wosIQudpHDd-vxrBPNl2tmGdhyphenhyphenu7RcRpFMzFenka5/s2048/56AE9D72-FE86-45FF-A0AD-B0175B30D68B.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29_7kscoDvstQyho4-vnKig0GR1w2du-ESbROTt9JWOWtunQuELdKLV37CXP2v0NTpN5wxrC7hJvxtJBKVaVFsKTT4MxdxDEybu5wosIQudpHDd-vxrBPNl2tmGdhyphenhyphenu7RcRpFMzFenka5/w480-h640/56AE9D72-FE86-45FF-A0AD-B0175B30D68B.heic" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">From hiking to fly fishing and a lot of beautiful scenery and family time, the memories are treasured! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwLxsPLJRr0N-NILHTSE2-fhu9kNGv0VQJMnhnmnYgCTMmxASvbat1UwR8Qatw1WOFLmpsSq-WUWt53sFmlRX8bA_Qs1Ekn9F7UhOgZ19bs7HbA2oyteGtEy38wj9nbjD1bSHI2B4TGsl/s1024/65B85954-A040-4C4F-B27F-A2DCB31FDDF1_1_105_c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwLxsPLJRr0N-NILHTSE2-fhu9kNGv0VQJMnhnmnYgCTMmxASvbat1UwR8Qatw1WOFLmpsSq-WUWt53sFmlRX8bA_Qs1Ekn9F7UhOgZ19bs7HbA2oyteGtEy38wj9nbjD1bSHI2B4TGsl/w480-h640/65B85954-A040-4C4F-B27F-A2DCB31FDDF1_1_105_c.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvajFaBa8qNdf-22LpVp5DNEwGmt047nrRb1u3Zcui9VBuayRv-n5Y8O17Geb-Hn744dVdpby_pW9X9zOLmh9reE5N7NczORQhkJ6mp1BExZVOOQGGeoZLIc4jLgT4VHJVQXIBE71akEO/s2048/F504B53C-1861-491C-A484-4D6E6470B0C0.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvajFaBa8qNdf-22LpVp5DNEwGmt047nrRb1u3Zcui9VBuayRv-n5Y8O17Geb-Hn744dVdpby_pW9X9zOLmh9reE5N7NczORQhkJ6mp1BExZVOOQGGeoZLIc4jLgT4VHJVQXIBE71akEO/w480-h640/F504B53C-1861-491C-A484-4D6E6470B0C0.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And for the record, 15 and 11 are delightful ages for travel. We are so grateful! </span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.”<br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818;">― </span><span class="authorOrTitle" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;">John Muir</span></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-20258091122271341242021-07-18T21:24:00.001-04:002021-07-18T21:24:18.291-04:00On the end of the school year... Life has taught me to never say never, find irony in the unexpected, live in the moment (not FOR the moment), <strike>embrace</strike> accept the challenge, understand that there is no perfect decision, trust the process, and in all things BE GRATEFUL! This school year has certainly given me the chance to witness these lessons in the daily happenings of our family. <div><br /></div><div>No perfect decision. . . </div><div><br /></div><div>Last year, it was apparent to me that I was not a fit for where I was teaching, and I realized that I first needed to "sit with it" and wait for what to do next. So at the semester's end at mid-year, I left and accepted a position at a high school 50 minutes away teaching US History. I had not taught high school since I was 26, and was a little nervous but I knew it was the right thing for me, my mental health, my family, and my career. I am sure years ago I would have said, "I would never leave mid-year" but life continues to teach me to not say never. It has been an absolute God-send and I have lucked out with a fabulous department of co-teachers and have been reminded of why so many people through the years have said, "Sarah, why aren't you teaching high school?" Independence High school has over 1800 students and as Molly says the commons/cafeteria area looks like an airport. It can be intimidating but one breath at a time helped me. <div><br /></div><div>When I made this move, it was not the plan for Anna Cate to come with me. As a family, we anticipated that we would take it one year at a time. She said, "Mom, please don't make me be the new kid again." She was flourishing at her school, where I graduated -- Hickman County High School. She played volleyball and basketball here, finished in the top ten of her class, and was student body president for 9th grade. BUT over the days and weeks, I just couldn't help but think of all the classes and opportunities she could have at a school this large, so I planted the seed with her and BJ. But all along, I know that there is no perfect decision, there is no right or wrong. Yet I am so grateful that on their spring break trip, Anna Cate and BJ had the chance to talk without me around and they decided that she would come to Independence for 10th grade. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOkXB-xfr6VkqS0pDOx4DyvpxgfeyzlHuNs9rkDpPj4gfPFnO0lO6TeDEGKbuer9OUzWikA4mQtShjelTeK1BguMnaypMuovj-4RaCCmEBSpke8AUM58I4Yq-jWKvxV84ccUEt_M66WCN/s2048/1C27418D-2536-42C5-8C87-848A77A0C8C5.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOkXB-xfr6VkqS0pDOx4DyvpxgfeyzlHuNs9rkDpPj4gfPFnO0lO6TeDEGKbuer9OUzWikA4mQtShjelTeK1BguMnaypMuovj-4RaCCmEBSpke8AUM58I4Yq-jWKvxV84ccUEt_M66WCN/w480-h640/1C27418D-2536-42C5-8C87-848A77A0C8C5.heic" width="480" /></a></div>So this Spring, when she had her basketball banquet we enjoyed the moment knowing next year would be different. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>In May, she tried out for the basketball team at her new school and made the team. She admitted it was hard... that it was harder socially than it was physically. It isn't exactly true that she doesn't have friends -- her dear friend Claudia also goes there and plays on the team, but Claudia is recovering from an injury so she isn't on the court with Anna Cate. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U5BDrt-JV51NfQo56ZizojWuCdHXwHf4jGiyCrxkBIenaoHMsoIozTDTxdntfYCQFG4Ycmnl2yBeCTfnl-LR8X99iKrenVrgSeQJjadBnJUok1NuxI3rDen-_9VGCXdRKLwOVi78d6Ac/s2048/761AE864-1D86-4463-9FAE-C234606C7C60.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3U5BDrt-JV51NfQo56ZizojWuCdHXwHf4jGiyCrxkBIenaoHMsoIozTDTxdntfYCQFG4Ycmnl2yBeCTfnl-LR8X99iKrenVrgSeQJjadBnJUok1NuxI3rDen-_9VGCXdRKLwOVi78d6Ac/w300-h400/761AE864-1D86-4463-9FAE-C234606C7C60.heic" width="300" /></a>After the first day, Claudia gave her "shirt off her back" so Anna Cate had an "Indy" shirt for a picture....that is a friend!</div><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MZ6bPmQp_VCc4UVrePQIrI3bnP3P9aQuRC4CNYIvZA4ZqmVNH2wMGmfDx6ABRpm4R5DWmYVsQh3PBR-dVQI6GhA4Fm66VoA349XOq34aYhDcgI3QWAWFNLjCEwL_yU8az3fv3Ara5Lxq/s2048/33FDE235-376C-435E-A033-02048E300AAB.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MZ6bPmQp_VCc4UVrePQIrI3bnP3P9aQuRC4CNYIvZA4ZqmVNH2wMGmfDx6ABRpm4R5DWmYVsQh3PBR-dVQI6GhA4Fm66VoA349XOq34aYhDcgI3QWAWFNLjCEwL_yU8az3fv3Ara5Lxq/s320/33FDE235-376C-435E-A033-02048E300AAB.heic" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Live in the moment.....Trust the process<br /><br /></div><div>Through tears, she said, it was so odd and I was uncomfortable. "Things are never hard for me socially...and that's why it is so hard!" I mused on my <a href="http://theteachermother.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">teacher/mother blog</a> about the value of letting our kids have hard times, but it is still hard to endure. So, I said, "ok -- this is what you tell yourself -- 'this is what this moment feels like.....this is what it feels like to be the outsider; I am a total badass that I can be the new kid and not have friends.'" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WBbMabS9H-8GWSTgURtAXg9YbQrBT0kqNGY5bnHY8c1ThX2FoAiKs1AFsnDHb-CjHym22xrdtTCcoEHabFzUY_ClXGSzsCRhs3i-JTY8Y8CUXo8AgB8hrEAMn60gfus7XdEL5GBOhzg9/s900/5A2E594E-A427-4420-BA33-FD19408F1630_1_105_c.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="872" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3WBbMabS9H-8GWSTgURtAXg9YbQrBT0kqNGY5bnHY8c1ThX2FoAiKs1AFsnDHb-CjHym22xrdtTCcoEHabFzUY_ClXGSzsCRhs3i-JTY8Y8CUXo8AgB8hrEAMn60gfus7XdEL5GBOhzg9/w620-h640/5A2E594E-A427-4420-BA33-FD19408F1630_1_105_c.jpeg" width="620" /></a></div><br /><div>She went back the next day. She said she felt so much better and her energy was just so much lighter. </div><div><br /></div><div>I told her that she can tell people years from now..."My mom made me be the new kid twice --once in high school!" I said I am sorry that it has worked out like this and she said "the right thing is not always the easy thing." It stops me in my tracks when my children reflect back to me such wisdom I have tried to impart. So yesterday, I snapped this picture of her walking into practice at a big unknown school and thought just how proud I am... and grateful. </div><div><br /></div><div>The irony....</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div>Molly had a wonderful 5th-grade year. She finished Junior Pro with her uncle and Dad as her coach. She and my brother Douglas are so much alike! This summer she is a pitcher and catcher for her softball team. She prefers catching but pitches when she has to. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjMgl8cUszWa5lgAwfQwhjdyZy2mjuOt3RYPmsqSh8j046-Iatme3DbfnqR3Q-mrOuyNh33rdPDZuvx4P-jvE0fjfnGhMMnRxRyF6SlspAEYTpDtavMzT07vEG7hkONPPTA2CR3-NXSN4/s2048/3434054F-24EA-45CE-AC99-FE9E64EDD046.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjMgl8cUszWa5lgAwfQwhjdyZy2mjuOt3RYPmsqSh8j046-Iatme3DbfnqR3Q-mrOuyNh33rdPDZuvx4P-jvE0fjfnGhMMnRxRyF6SlspAEYTpDtavMzT07vEG7hkONPPTA2CR3-NXSN4/w300-h400/3434054F-24EA-45CE-AC99-FE9E64EDD046.heic" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The first Saturday </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvxja6a_OBVcG7ySE99R4eGucVJR1XfeLcuGK8IVEBghfZa-eQq9tczAOh1Ao71TuKLl8nwdZkOG53uEoNBTR_yb6Biqsz2Z1N1z3w6vaTQbOfvHVjUUTX6u55eeElbfEQjk0mTO_ehE-/s2048/1F6B86C4-F861-43D5-8BA7-9C1F6BE7166A.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqvxja6a_OBVcG7ySE99R4eGucVJR1XfeLcuGK8IVEBghfZa-eQq9tczAOh1Ao71TuKLl8nwdZkOG53uEoNBTR_yb6Biqsz2Z1N1z3w6vaTQbOfvHVjUUTX6u55eeElbfEQjk0mTO_ehE-/w300-h400/1F6B86C4-F861-43D5-8BA7-9C1F6BE7166A.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div> She made both the basketball and volleyball teams for next year. Her sports mean a lot of summer-scheduled practices to work around her first love, which is horseback riding. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6V3Fi11TU1KMESznD13PHB0ihE57HKavJCgNM8QaMJ16aIXSDercVEr5FOKUkh9XlNRgO1bNnMMh3yjFYKMPeuX3rSeVIgTHSrVF2BwFzVt4BxLpVjqST0NICj48YQLXwKX5MqxD8shW/s2048/66D3BB18-A421-4E37-9ED0-DCFF3649FFDC.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6V3Fi11TU1KMESznD13PHB0ihE57HKavJCgNM8QaMJ16aIXSDercVEr5FOKUkh9XlNRgO1bNnMMh3yjFYKMPeuX3rSeVIgTHSrVF2BwFzVt4BxLpVjqST0NICj48YQLXwKX5MqxD8shW/w300-h400/66D3BB18-A421-4E37-9ED0-DCFF3649FFDC.heic" width="300" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think I would have felt this way without the abnormality of 2020, but I find myself just so grateful for the opportunities my kids have to be engaged with activities to learn lessons and responsibilities. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-61468002523696529982020-12-28T11:43:00.003-05:002021-05-28T12:52:32.262-04:00A 2020 Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Not to sound cliche, but our Christmas was so 2020, yet we found ourselves grateful for rituals in the midst of caution. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYn7Uit3_SOcuRh8rHn2x5w17vTCIiWiOCVXP8AZIXZgA3MC9HVs877XfdijImIxuhZLafAVl7pZMqxGfnWDahPrHqrmrCAdhHNv0z5lmTTmNgoRqF0FmeuA1-3TXopidT7i3GTwkIWKv/s2048/704C4177-CB27-411A-985C-29BF2045C9DA.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYn7Uit3_SOcuRh8rHn2x5w17vTCIiWiOCVXP8AZIXZgA3MC9HVs877XfdijImIxuhZLafAVl7pZMqxGfnWDahPrHqrmrCAdhHNv0z5lmTTmNgoRqF0FmeuA1-3TXopidT7i3GTwkIWKv/w388-h320/704C4177-CB27-411A-985C-29BF2045C9DA.heic" width="388" /></a></div><br />Since we live within blocks of family, we did a pot luck brunch but ate at our separate homes via Zoom. For Christmas eve, we watched Handel's Messiah on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I5BISQm46U&feature=youtu.be">youtube</a> as performed by the community chorus of Fredericksburg. We watched our local church's Christmas Eve candlelight service on the couch (BJ said it felt like we were tailgating), and we closed out the evening with Daddy Doug reading The Littles Angel on Zoom. An advantage of 2020 is that we now have a <a href="https://youtu.be/23aoC1S7ZEA">recording</a> of it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="398" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/23aoC1S7ZEA" width="569" youtube-src-id="23aoC1S7ZEA"></iframe></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU7OdUSiFAGLpoAwnVvEP0JuTPzxKcnIhNfm4FR-UAwUzPFJTW3MTTlC3Qp97ioNRnlj35iDBHvBaXSiSBY6FyVVVWLIWIMI41K8Ie81h2lMVkhennSTh217syb90z7yN8MauxSlR9St8/s2048/CF333872-03E6-4634-A1C3-055C60AE99C1.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtU7OdUSiFAGLpoAwnVvEP0JuTPzxKcnIhNfm4FR-UAwUzPFJTW3MTTlC3Qp97ioNRnlj35iDBHvBaXSiSBY6FyVVVWLIWIMI41K8Ie81h2lMVkhennSTh217syb90z7yN8MauxSlR9St8/w299-h398/CF333872-03E6-4634-A1C3-055C60AE99C1.heic" width="299" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dFLcGkFuvVkqIaL-MHIHWC3mJawxQZ-P4PrF6hzLIRArFMJLrb4bsvoRvsaeFMoV7bOPlGWLORB5FQCccYlgl7_HJd__b29bB5D_uehPdgVWUO9Fm4Zk0kay6LB4l6ede0SoyDS7PeyK/s2048/881F7206-C85E-481F-AAE0-C21E17D744C8.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dFLcGkFuvVkqIaL-MHIHWC3mJawxQZ-P4PrF6hzLIRArFMJLrb4bsvoRvsaeFMoV7bOPlGWLORB5FQCccYlgl7_HJd__b29bB5D_uehPdgVWUO9Fm4Zk0kay6LB4l6ede0SoyDS7PeyK/w290-h386/881F7206-C85E-481F-AAE0-C21E17D744C8.heic" width="290" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The girls enjoyed their presents from Santa, and the best part is seeing their excitement to give gifts. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhUgyaYsvijD88Ekq7UVZYUsPHWtDtK9f0LBh_42U_EkByVXz39gejFCaaLXEZhQW8Icaz-M64fIBPgJP6eQvKuA3zGio5XVtFDnJTmeER0gMchxMlvRxW9oO8qRJopfcsnShK46Qgnqy/s2048/C07A2686-5E20-4E40-BAEB-B495BEA98018.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhUgyaYsvijD88Ekq7UVZYUsPHWtDtK9f0LBh_42U_EkByVXz39gejFCaaLXEZhQW8Icaz-M64fIBPgJP6eQvKuA3zGio5XVtFDnJTmeER0gMchxMlvRxW9oO8qRJopfcsnShK46Qgnqy/w236-h315/C07A2686-5E20-4E40-BAEB-B495BEA98018.heic" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AyQfOuK9usR4bK4OWPqA3Hit8w-77mzd38P4xDC2MZR4-rJ8XZy0gQ3QpzPgNfJCH86bWmsQDZ95BDHPoniwdcHjH2eMg9Z77UXcW7xjNnfLfnOiZXHoWd28Qs6_hicU5T0Tm0Yz_qn6/s2048/B3C9ACF5-5D9B-4DC8-AF4A-5B3DE6A3F24E.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AyQfOuK9usR4bK4OWPqA3Hit8w-77mzd38P4xDC2MZR4-rJ8XZy0gQ3QpzPgNfJCH86bWmsQDZ95BDHPoniwdcHjH2eMg9Z77UXcW7xjNnfLfnOiZXHoWd28Qs6_hicU5T0Tm0Yz_qn6/w236-h315/B3C9ACF5-5D9B-4DC8-AF4A-5B3DE6A3F24E.heic" width="236" /></a></div></div></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We socially distanced for our family gift-giving, then had a nice dinner with just the four of us. We spent part of our Christmas day "face timing" with our dear friend Marian, whom the girls call Mum Mum... She is in her 80's and she shared with us all the ways technology makes her feel connected and engaged. She puts pictures of her iphone to make movies and that inspired me! So, here is my collage slide <a href="https://youtu.be/Hh4ntiGa2Zo">show</a>. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="389" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hh4ntiGa2Zo" width="468" youtube-src-id="Hh4ntiGa2Zo"></iframe></div><br /></div>We sure do miss our family in Texas, and it would be decadent and hedonistic to focus on our own celebrations with such senseless destruction in Nashville on Christmas morning. How do we balance joy with the suffering of the world? I take note from Paul's letters to the Hebrews with advice to be "fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of faith." May the light of Christ candle we lit on Christmas eve shine in our hearts and in our hands for longer than just this season. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKn3y-Tn9I5DFKaONdq6LUt8sx7wBeFXvXpJvGJ2EdYCUX5R4ehJcHBTHprLyDeJcQH0gf4syilUxoAc2AqSYmqxxuH1_szOjBEHEO-Esp9bT6zyVwA6xqLEUc5Sd6UsRUyEOAPpArYLf/s2048/CA50D6E9-DC7B-4D40-9FF6-26D22036C3D5_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1202" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKn3y-Tn9I5DFKaONdq6LUt8sx7wBeFXvXpJvGJ2EdYCUX5R4ehJcHBTHprLyDeJcQH0gf4syilUxoAc2AqSYmqxxuH1_szOjBEHEO-Esp9bT6zyVwA6xqLEUc5Sd6UsRUyEOAPpArYLf/w376-h640/CA50D6E9-DC7B-4D40-9FF6-26D22036C3D5_1_201_a.jpeg" width="376" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-13392770034572274142020-12-23T10:46:00.000-05:002020-12-23T10:46:43.852-05:002020 Christmas Letter<div class="separator"><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki2e3KuYbForOeRELP_9Qv0siwX-BN0j-2AoKy9grNzMrc6cEAmQrUfJ6xMdFHVRnT0maNZ24xc-3M6YppPmTbB3PzB6BrUvoX6jP3YDL1LJ8me_bhw6CMfM2YhYoWtyfRP15CL7iZQ82/s636/F3AFEB3F-2467-43AC-9C0C-502199CCA39C_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-weight: 400; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="636" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjki2e3KuYbForOeRELP_9Qv0siwX-BN0j-2AoKy9grNzMrc6cEAmQrUfJ6xMdFHVRnT0maNZ24xc-3M6YppPmTbB3PzB6BrUvoX6jP3YDL1LJ8me_bhw6CMfM2YhYoWtyfRP15CL7iZQ82/w305-h291/F3AFEB3F-2467-43AC-9C0C-502199CCA39C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="305" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaqOt40TNzoBCAsUGe3FhgY1xcF9ytdzSJsbPGdCp-cApr1M8hVyDmHwx48AHWTECVS15_T7DwrE1SvgEjojsCgl1DzKcZaKsqOde7cSYHT5JmhuMaqFfnh_lcKvpK1rprXOYyVO3R5Xu/s2048/16C1FC67-6D21-45AE-8D8E-C47DB395556B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; font-weight: 700; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1502" data-original-width="2048" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaqOt40TNzoBCAsUGe3FhgY1xcF9ytdzSJsbPGdCp-cApr1M8hVyDmHwx48AHWTECVS15_T7DwrE1SvgEjojsCgl1DzKcZaKsqOde7cSYHT5JmhuMaqFfnh_lcKvpK1rprXOYyVO3R5Xu/w400-h294/16C1FC67-6D21-45AE-8D8E-C47DB395556B.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Holiday Greetings </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with a traditional 2020 “year in review.” We will be celebrating our 4th Christmas here in our home in Tennessee, and 2020’s challenges have given me the chance to reflect on those that prompted our move here with the resounding revelation that no matter how unwelcome our situations, blessings abound. I think back on BJ’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease in 2015, and our struggles in the Fall of 2016 that prompted our move, when I found our family living with uncertainty in unplanned situations, and I have similar sentiments about 2020. So our year-</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-c6db569d-7fff-4ffd-280e-7448b3171e61"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrYGt3gKAwvDm_yJ3AkGC5xcSdlbrohgh0IUomYs2LOqlIKHIxnL5pvYasPsnDPi8v9EyQ7GylZbkIP89h6LQvU1lhBmFlyDq0SuJMDdHBiEW1u-58r8ymdS9Z6UAm9zMZ0e-A5-425wM/s2048/D12F824C-9223-437C-9C43-63DDCB3D4638.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrYGt3gKAwvDm_yJ3AkGC5xcSdlbrohgh0IUomYs2LOqlIKHIxnL5pvYasPsnDPi8v9EyQ7GylZbkIP89h6LQvU1lhBmFlyDq0SuJMDdHBiEW1u-58r8ymdS9Z6UAm9zMZ0e-A5-425wM/s320/D12F824C-9223-437C-9C43-63DDCB3D4638.heic" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLszu4_Mt58M-G164HuTdgG3eOmBqhqGeHIMFBn6NepKvZL2BPhT_1hPVO9C4xqxH-TlkYhe2e2_wzEQeaP8p5iMHDw19oUx2Maq4ue9P1wyQGcn7oPUGEgDco3dCRDiNc-nfQ6u0lAQWD/s2048/E2B946CD-91CB-40FE-9552-9A1BE9CF6648.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLszu4_Mt58M-G164HuTdgG3eOmBqhqGeHIMFBn6NepKvZL2BPhT_1hPVO9C4xqxH-TlkYhe2e2_wzEQeaP8p5iMHDw19oUx2Maq4ue9P1wyQGcn7oPUGEgDco3dCRDiNc-nfQ6u0lAQWD/s320/E2B946CD-91CB-40FE-9552-9A1BE9CF6648.heic" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">BJ’s </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">life is full, tending to his backyard chicken and goats, becoming a master gardener, and is a community member extraordinaire (even if his politics on the national level don’t mix with the MAGA base of rural middle Tennessee), including his role as president of the high school basketball booster club. In July he had another round of surgery for deep brain stimulation at Vanderbilt, and we are continually amazed and grateful for brilliant science and humans to make it happen. The programming is already working and he is experiencing fewer side effects from all the medicine. He’s an amazing stay-at-home Dad, cook, and logistics coordinator. While we are away, he balances his busy life with rest. I am just so proud of the way he has been able to adapt. One of Anna Cate’s friends said after spending the night in our home, “your family is opposite -- BJ is like the Mom, and you are like the Dad.” True. The chickens are Anna Cate’s 4H project and she got the highest sale in Hickman County history, putting Dad’s Virginia Tech agricultural degree to good use. We are surrounded by beautiful rolling hills and streams, and friends who give him access to their land, enabling him to fish and hunt -- he says walking while you fish is a good workout and sitting in the woods is meditation. He also regularly rides the Peloton bike. Mindfulness and exercise are good for anyone’s life, but they are especially useful in dealing with Parkinson’s. There are many blessings to this unwelcome diagnosis.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lid8EE96O_Iavuw1YJxiceAJrpE3QGysLf3goOeH_IXCKJKUln1AanZFlGBGlWEx7hjmAA6K54AVI9x0-mNam19sRcQJqgmxrMt8yWpEXmOFMYb-hkiOizqUtWRtyUJBlj_POUv7Ql2u/s1427/51C60DF9-0A27-4E7C-8FF1-26C1863A0775_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1427" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lid8EE96O_Iavuw1YJxiceAJrpE3QGysLf3goOeH_IXCKJKUln1AanZFlGBGlWEx7hjmAA6K54AVI9x0-mNam19sRcQJqgmxrMt8yWpEXmOFMYb-hkiOizqUtWRtyUJBlj_POUv7Ql2u/w271-h229/51C60DF9-0A27-4E7C-8FF1-26C1863A0775_1_201_a.jpeg" width="271" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyZNQGIyEo8STR-DHRsEfBASvlvXeQUUiJ4guL_vi62n5R_ekDtX9CL3NX9_Q-R__VvuoLqsYFRX9ToVTObxhI8GWTyaGn-ttr1xvZ-MGNdiVJmu9EasXjewBZdI1sfdLiY6v2d6nrNY7/s2048/D1944B08-5A65-4042-8DDB-CA9BBF83763D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGyZNQGIyEo8STR-DHRsEfBASvlvXeQUUiJ4guL_vi62n5R_ekDtX9CL3NX9_Q-R__VvuoLqsYFRX9ToVTObxhI8GWTyaGn-ttr1xvZ-MGNdiVJmu9EasXjewBZdI1sfdLiY6v2d6nrNY7/w143-h191/D1944B08-5A65-4042-8DDB-CA9BBF83763D.heic" width="143" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeVtDupUB6M_vfF6T8PYZuyi8I1dfB_oY5EESkuHXAdRtJYp3JW0S9EOzFzcI8JT050oB4-swMT1AsisfJ9gpYU4JKg3HFzvg7gn79gp2rs85HfXy_izLdtYvqhVZP9iMHjt25noVgKUy/s2048/389192BB-8549-486F-87AC-DF98F1B274CC.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeVtDupUB6M_vfF6T8PYZuyi8I1dfB_oY5EESkuHXAdRtJYp3JW0S9EOzFzcI8JT050oB4-swMT1AsisfJ9gpYU4JKg3HFzvg7gn79gp2rs85HfXy_izLdtYvqhVZP9iMHjt25noVgKUy/w129-h171/389192BB-8549-486F-87AC-DF98F1B274CC.heic" width="129" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Anna Cate and Molly have adjusted well in their life here, including friends, sports, and a lot of time with family. Each was grade-level county champions for the 4H speech contest in February. . .a small town advantage as they were the only ones who showed up for the evening contest. Anna Cate’s speech was on small-town life and Molly’s was about Tennessee as the state that made women’s suffrage for the United States happen 100 years ago this year! </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anna Cate</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 14, a freshman, plays volleyball and basketball, is challenged by her honors Geometry class, and adores her Honors English teacher and class. In order to keep her phone, she has to read “for pleasure” a book a week; some of her choices include stories of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Harry Potter, and a collection of historical fiction and memoirs. I worry that there aren’t enough options for classes, but the universe reminds me that lessons come in all kinds. Last week BJ was checking out at the local grocery store and the teenage clerk said, “is your daughter Anna Cate? She is the only kid in our school who wears a mask -- she has a cool personality.” Last year, it was such a treat to get to see her daily at school in 8th grade as we were at the same school. Closing out middle school, she received </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">the “Bulldog” award</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from her basketball coaches for being coachable and positive, the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“friend of Fred”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> award voted on by the school faculty for being kind to everyone, and </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“best all-round”</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by the 8th-grade class.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rKLQRg_ikh1JnqfwUtUje9cBNo1-NODravcUNcEeaffAr-Itbjxhk-v0SKj-IIGlW-gj7WZTTRL0mZeJP4cBwrAazRrfHIEb7qfrccsNJyyxGUSx1bur-wqTsH4Z9GGX71V8Lz-hyDCE/s2577/33BC42F3-E824-4E35-9B2C-0B4EC97FFADA_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2577" data-original-width="1220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7rKLQRg_ikh1JnqfwUtUje9cBNo1-NODravcUNcEeaffAr-Itbjxhk-v0SKj-IIGlW-gj7WZTTRL0mZeJP4cBwrAazRrfHIEb7qfrccsNJyyxGUSx1bur-wqTsH4Z9GGX71V8Lz-hyDCE/s320/33BC42F3-E824-4E35-9B2C-0B4EC97FFADA_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zeA5BWpX7mpuKx-Auh0endBfHhkUBAc37jIXwurf6neFdU55K3bxQxNwoS3r790vMYjklNcBLV8D9wPM4_YFr1bQDcLtSPJSrqLQSxMievWdgE25jEN60Yg2n-XSjsFNAZvZFPKg6p_F/s1089/F734EFBC-550A-4CBA-A6C4-BB139F7525F7_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6zeA5BWpX7mpuKx-Auh0endBfHhkUBAc37jIXwurf6neFdU55K3bxQxNwoS3r790vMYjklNcBLV8D9wPM4_YFr1bQDcLtSPJSrqLQSxMievWdgE25jEN60Yg2n-XSjsFNAZvZFPKg6p_F/s320/F734EFBC-550A-4CBA-A6C4-BB139F7525F7_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-1D_kOPltE06r-bpOAvpbULcyJNNYJb8xLEB3_wJ3dPYmK_quFFewRDBOj_f2Z0axusHBsMIy73Il4d0k7W1m-5Yw33HG-f5hEP1dSt1h8iUVhgke6y-Q_1vOLR0nSw0DNGFDP_aiPPF/s2048/57581E40-14ED-43A2-BCB6-189F49F3C2C3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1294" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-1D_kOPltE06r-bpOAvpbULcyJNNYJb8xLEB3_wJ3dPYmK_quFFewRDBOj_f2Z0axusHBsMIy73Il4d0k7W1m-5Yw33HG-f5hEP1dSt1h8iUVhgke6y-Q_1vOLR0nSw0DNGFDP_aiPPF/s320/57581E40-14ED-43A2-BCB6-189F49F3C2C3.jpeg" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This year, she is the 9th-grade class president; she said she timed it perfectly because the kid who was 8th-grade class president was in quarantine. She supports BLM even though her school parking lot is filled with confederate flags, challenges herself physically to work out with intensity, is thankful to be on sports teams, and reads to open up her mind and heart. So when I get nervous about the lack of AP classes, I consider all the growth she is exhibiting and I find peace. For Spring break, Douglas and Becki invited Anna Cate & Molly to go with them to the mountains. This summer, she was invited to a beach vacation with her friend Claudia and a group of families, coming back as part of the gang. Her ability to adapt is truly a gift and she has a heart of gold even if I forget that with her teenage sass.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE65N56ap1ZgNbD4kQqFGk6YnJS6HNcw6jqkGST6DM9ZbJNM2J4EOjJ7-Frdc5nJybyC7QASMp1XEX9M5jwJEB_DPgHL7hiYFXkO-anK2cTR0NblZhZqehrhyphenhyphenV9qbB5e6hgQGRamFZCm4z/s750/50072B14-B520-40B8-8CAD-466C580AFA2D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="750" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE65N56ap1ZgNbD4kQqFGk6YnJS6HNcw6jqkGST6DM9ZbJNM2J4EOjJ7-Frdc5nJybyC7QASMp1XEX9M5jwJEB_DPgHL7hiYFXkO-anK2cTR0NblZhZqehrhyphenhyphenV9qbB5e6hgQGRamFZCm4z/w320-h314/50072B14-B520-40B8-8CAD-466C580AFA2D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGgcJy69LKsiAAlAi0xW815TGcD6-L5ndVbnD6lTWindBFMRtCk1YmpjqoQ_Coy1QQ3lXIK87mTIgedm5apXUpwDC8yvlE_2nT7EU2bNq9GILaIuE0K5UAgTu2WM3BJrqPgEC1yXxQBYk/s2048/A4C23A9C-D1DE-40CA-9947-912D4FEC03FD.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGgcJy69LKsiAAlAi0xW815TGcD6-L5ndVbnD6lTWindBFMRtCk1YmpjqoQ_Coy1QQ3lXIK87mTIgedm5apXUpwDC8yvlE_2nT7EU2bNq9GILaIuE0K5UAgTu2WM3BJrqPgEC1yXxQBYk/s320/A4C23A9C-D1DE-40CA-9947-912D4FEC03FD.heic" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSGVBztY_ludkpCUE42xfKbMcqGOzeQ7SwvCjDGFaYJm39dLD9ApO3FI1yBS9mVji7Oc_Q9f_qGeuCPJiBHLdifNzCy71jLVKKsTtoYvmwtCBLX7xNWm6TxyXxs7G3GLWQOSLTqENLu86/s2048/54D3C800-8430-43E3-AFCA-824B32285DDA_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1545" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtSGVBztY_ludkpCUE42xfKbMcqGOzeQ7SwvCjDGFaYJm39dLD9ApO3FI1yBS9mVji7Oc_Q9f_qGeuCPJiBHLdifNzCy71jLVKKsTtoYvmwtCBLX7xNWm6TxyXxs7G3GLWQOSLTqENLu86/s320/54D3C800-8430-43E3-AFCA-824B32285DDA_1_201_a.jpeg" width="320" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She loves “rubbing it in” to the family that her cousin Tallulah says Anna Cate is her favorite. Although, we all know that the most special relationship is between BJ and Tallulah -- they call each other “stinker.” AC is a wonderful big sister and cousin; she also enjoys getting to face time with her Texas cousins, Graham and Cilla. Sadly, I don’t have any pictures of them in the collage of pictures because we didn’t see them this year as a result of COVID precautions.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHI_tiuSFAhv1ucE8bCfR3eJqn7nHV2_9YEwjALwemaggHdsqo2paAti8j6i526Xl9rVgjEAD8ILgTHqjsYyIG6iDnzu0JxJEKRjWms-oMtPXVCrJwxWXqOmP40btaerk2w8OZDs4zqhyphenhyphen/s2048/173E7D0B-5456-43DC-ACC4-D8745FBC1E6A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYHI_tiuSFAhv1ucE8bCfR3eJqn7nHV2_9YEwjALwemaggHdsqo2paAti8j6i526Xl9rVgjEAD8ILgTHqjsYyIG6iDnzu0JxJEKRjWms-oMtPXVCrJwxWXqOmP40btaerk2w8OZDs4zqhyphenhyphen/w193-h257/173E7D0B-5456-43DC-ACC4-D8745FBC1E6A.heic" width="193" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8jVu-yvZNcRpXcsa49vpUlM66lRxxsyCltyPBPrSB-B4A94hPd6nWS8V3DSawC3H_WXk6vOgXfIAch8WPxW9FJ3Ia2fgpjhNH5IwcRZhk4qC3Lg2pnJ3Aegxk3QDZIsRCNAsen0SB5vG/s1992/C9EC57D8-1B80-416B-A4C8-A2AF40C92C05_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="1621" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8jVu-yvZNcRpXcsa49vpUlM66lRxxsyCltyPBPrSB-B4A94hPd6nWS8V3DSawC3H_WXk6vOgXfIAch8WPxW9FJ3Ia2fgpjhNH5IwcRZhk4qC3Lg2pnJ3Aegxk3QDZIsRCNAsen0SB5vG/w174-h214/C9EC57D8-1B80-416B-A4C8-A2AF40C92C05_1_201_a.jpeg" width="174" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YjKahiuE9lxqbwcRjtGqHUQNIwOds_wXt5qnbkFLQEUfZZdUBWNxTflQJ2VBtckQM7bdCEQpItPcO9abaxqceEAhyphenhyphenFVtDegGRXsJJxnDEdd8fUoEVx4erw_UVZlrLdywTJZ3LuDi0Q4H/s2048/F1C9EDB4-3EDF-4A0F-BA9C-F1D1D73EAAC9_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2020" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YjKahiuE9lxqbwcRjtGqHUQNIwOds_wXt5qnbkFLQEUfZZdUBWNxTflQJ2VBtckQM7bdCEQpItPcO9abaxqceEAhyphenhyphenFVtDegGRXsJJxnDEdd8fUoEVx4erw_UVZlrLdywTJZ3LuDi0Q4H/w197-h200/F1C9EDB4-3EDF-4A0F-BA9C-F1D1D73EAAC9_1_201_a.jpeg" width="197" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Molly</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, 10, continues to amaze and challenge us with her depth. Last winter, she played basketball with her dad and uncle Doug as coaches and cousin as a teammate. She and Kitty are three months apart and are basically siblings with different sets of parents. They are in the same class this year and last year, they read “The Hope Chest,” a delightful historical fiction novel about Tennessee as the “perfect 36”-- the state that ratified the Susan B Anthony Amendment to make it official. When a lady asked about a speaker for her “home demonstration” event, I offered Molly to write a speech in a day, and though she balked, she wrote a lovely one she has delivered a couple times. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztB7Y0UIleYoylc4Ik7EGi-HGrbG5klKs8t2h6mmWxtsHe1aapcnh0YH2vD-6wbUv8cGLe_BI-be6BgDVQEJd5f1Yrb-7_jHVbbvf6-8GG1QHXpMQKU_WkXOwhww3CmoTHTThI-WMgdkW/s2048/DEAB7DF0-D4CB-4FCF-93F2-089FAB737A04.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztB7Y0UIleYoylc4Ik7EGi-HGrbG5klKs8t2h6mmWxtsHe1aapcnh0YH2vD-6wbUv8cGLe_BI-be6BgDVQEJd5f1Yrb-7_jHVbbvf6-8GG1QHXpMQKU_WkXOwhww3CmoTHTThI-WMgdkW/w153-h272/DEAB7DF0-D4CB-4FCF-93F2-089FAB737A04.jpeg" width="153" /></a><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwF4HWUaZ7So0VZX6_l-4kmnbwQ7Off0JDAH6LmGGg3zNdq5LthtAGIk6gVOTEp3H5EBD8a5y0qcza-Ju6hP7riBjTVi1LoT4x8DKBFg2czST3d2JaHTB5lOMZScFzY87QJ_r1nr0u5kW/s4032/E2CCB702-BDEF-453C-92BC-69E15997042E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwF4HWUaZ7So0VZX6_l-4kmnbwQ7Off0JDAH6LmGGg3zNdq5LthtAGIk6gVOTEp3H5EBD8a5y0qcza-Ju6hP7riBjTVi1LoT4x8DKBFg2czST3d2JaHTB5lOMZScFzY87QJ_r1nr0u5kW/w372-h279/E2CCB702-BDEF-453C-92BC-69E15997042E.jpeg" width="372" /></a>For Halloween, she went as Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Kitty went as Susan B. Anthony. This Fall, Nana treated all the granddaughters and me to high tea at The Hermitage Hotel, in honor of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigob4F6FDOwm-wtNxiTk2Ax3QBxh-hoiUlioJVm0AOXVRZcC6J8jED-ONTbSarWnhLDTgsDBBGw-t7tH9zTcV_vIZlUVNgfKG2z7Jet-r3q-FMrk5aeauRQAWrtjD5Vf59mNYM4UhbzYxu/s1440/781156D6-53E9-44C7-B9E0-F3EDA67F222D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigob4F6FDOwm-wtNxiTk2Ax3QBxh-hoiUlioJVm0AOXVRZcC6J8jED-ONTbSarWnhLDTgsDBBGw-t7tH9zTcV_vIZlUVNgfKG2z7Jet-r3q-FMrk5aeauRQAWrtjD5Vf59mNYM4UhbzYxu/s320/781156D6-53E9-44C7-B9E0-F3EDA67F222D.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">Molly celebrated her 10th birthday in March with a fantastic trip to New York City to see our dear friends Dani and Kennedy, and her Aunt Sarah flew up from Texas. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDnPiVuCAOt5jx7U_npBOOQSMF-Fsra2l1iMhVdNxec9_nardMcQSpuNREuda3djbfDlWgiy9sqYXGecBWsnkJUbey9AvxfHYfBR6iVOdoEtRBTnIpQipSAnbiid51VXvpuMSQm8h_dRV/s1992/065AEBE4-F270-4075-96B0-C4B312A97404_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1992" data-original-width="1863" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDnPiVuCAOt5jx7U_npBOOQSMF-Fsra2l1iMhVdNxec9_nardMcQSpuNREuda3djbfDlWgiy9sqYXGecBWsnkJUbey9AvxfHYfBR6iVOdoEtRBTnIpQipSAnbiid51VXvpuMSQm8h_dRV/w254-h272/065AEBE4-F270-4075-96B0-C4B312A97404_1_201_a.jpeg" width="254" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;">As we enjoyed subway train rides, Wicked on Broadway, high tea at The Plaza, and some fun dance parties in their beautiful apartment overlooking the city, we had no idea what was about to befall on the city and the nation. We left NYC on March 9 and the city shut down by March 13.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiFgEFy26odu2EZoLKzABO2e5EPC6bFnSMwvpgqn0UO0j_GGJR_BgHdREzaobH5DYtdIWzuvdULYbp2tHfIlyTu54u690xDKGJF7Tq_IlgKde9YKuJVZSp0k4fZy3u4Zlgq50A3hr0vw_/s2048/6946D1C7-1FD0-4869-A051-AB0D10BA591E_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1695" data-original-width="2048" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjiFgEFy26odu2EZoLKzABO2e5EPC6bFnSMwvpgqn0UO0j_GGJR_BgHdREzaobH5DYtdIWzuvdULYbp2tHfIlyTu54u690xDKGJF7Tq_IlgKde9YKuJVZSp0k4fZy3u4Zlgq50A3hr0vw_/w274-h227/6946D1C7-1FD0-4869-A051-AB0D10BA591E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="274" /></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: large; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Kennedy is a doctor, and we pray for his sustained peace daily as he has been on the front lines -- he seems in good spirits and we think it might be his fun dance moves or the playlist Molly made him as a way to say thank you for a fabulous birthday trip. </span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WOgM80Ba7RUO988M8j6CMP-fuZdX_Wn638wtfvx3azXKQW17AuQMCgqRmlIqrAnOx4CnHlO9hoxYww3qbuUaq3T49eMzvSK3706c61gP-Wwp-f1jNq3PzMwnPNrC9spJj5PxRpfhDsSp/s1814/F013F030-0F06-434A-A2C1-EDDCDB02667A_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1814" data-original-width="1463" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4WOgM80Ba7RUO988M8j6CMP-fuZdX_Wn638wtfvx3azXKQW17AuQMCgqRmlIqrAnOx4CnHlO9hoxYww3qbuUaq3T49eMzvSK3706c61gP-Wwp-f1jNq3PzMwnPNrC9spJj5PxRpfhDsSp/s320/F013F030-0F06-434A-A2C1-EDDCDB02667A_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wxhnq7l55r1N6ufMQ1w82hXL1nsotWK34NGOvP8OTXiSRqx6Ql4FQ6Bn8fRQs9pTeTZXaeY0KScxfqWDmG4XITMIjZx61QBYFS8diDDEMzpNnrgwALM_RZ1nJKsEApRe1Kd6WeDE2RVZ/s1280/AF5360B3-B724-4EC0-A368-E911CF1DA7C3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Wxhnq7l55r1N6ufMQ1w82hXL1nsotWK34NGOvP8OTXiSRqx6Ql4FQ6Bn8fRQs9pTeTZXaeY0KScxfqWDmG4XITMIjZx61QBYFS8diDDEMzpNnrgwALM_RZ1nJKsEApRe1Kd6WeDE2RVZ/s320/AF5360B3-B724-4EC0-A368-E911CF1DA7C3.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During quarantine, school was optional but I helped Kitty, Molly, and Anna Cate “home school” to be engaged with something! </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVVaAhyj2pFci-Za96S_34_L69yfW5ptiHKAsCmZVPPHQhE_yZMgi6HDpJmSH13O28jh4HP7r66gddWEbGJTYCY5leU1nd2yUs1w2vuyil40lj5JK41tXtt5Lt_2rmJZIh_wYWBz_9qeF/s2048/D5E3713F-F1F8-47D4-B5CF-5B125121F5D4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVVaAhyj2pFci-Za96S_34_L69yfW5ptiHKAsCmZVPPHQhE_yZMgi6HDpJmSH13O28jh4HP7r66gddWEbGJTYCY5leU1nd2yUs1w2vuyil40lj5JK41tXtt5Lt_2rmJZIh_wYWBz_9qeF/s320/D5E3713F-F1F8-47D4-B5CF-5B125121F5D4.heic" /></a></div></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our families enjoyed some Sunday brunches and board games during the shutdown, and this summer the girls memorized every song from Hamilton. Maybe our current squabbles in DC would be more entertaining if they could just put their disagreements to hip hop. The Jefferson-Hamilton debate on the national debt is much more entertaining as a cabinet rap battle. In July, when BJ had his three surgeries, Douglas and Becki graciously took Molly with them on a western vacation where they drove to and fly-fished in South Dakota. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39hxU0Gd4DJ9KDzwHhPAnN5qgjgCQthgJzoNBJIoTxDtjWQ9vffj-Ia-deLxyjD6X24YlWzURi9hQfuDb1y6C97UvoKzj2w5ApPxOS7zl1bEPXUJ_eQiXn02q9kI9rfJUf6IVr1qakb0H/s2048/06083FFB-B10F-4B44-84BC-1BD70DE26BCA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39hxU0Gd4DJ9KDzwHhPAnN5qgjgCQthgJzoNBJIoTxDtjWQ9vffj-Ia-deLxyjD6X24YlWzURi9hQfuDb1y6C97UvoKzj2w5ApPxOS7zl1bEPXUJ_eQiXn02q9kI9rfJUf6IVr1qakb0H/w300-h400/06083FFB-B10F-4B44-84BC-1BD70DE26BCA.jpeg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI74Wxrrh_lEe0jGlx0oBjazGkWkvznjAKBUjDRHoqS9SrejiYo9-A_lzjPr1M1D31IXZYSi7N2ujtf1P07Z4IPgahp_tRHgujA2G4AI8qo0Ye910QZn74PR50aann417Ndyg9gmdppg8/s2048/27DED248-5649-41A1-862E-C481360D8CFD.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyI74Wxrrh_lEe0jGlx0oBjazGkWkvznjAKBUjDRHoqS9SrejiYo9-A_lzjPr1M1D31IXZYSi7N2ujtf1P07Z4IPgahp_tRHgujA2G4AI8qo0Ye910QZn74PR50aann417Ndyg9gmdppg8/s320/27DED248-5649-41A1-862E-C481360D8CFD.jpeg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becki then included Molly on a trip to see her grandfather in Wisconsin and to see the arch in Saint Louis. Since they saw some horses out west, both Molly and Kitty decided to pick back up horseback riding at a beautiful ranch here in the country. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JjbQd991qEutce_2f6xdFDhJtKz-W4m1b3kHCBngGByoMymTlDtA0sc6Zpax3XySEsT1brIGQHBaXqtxPkjgfqs64bmM_H9YYcBGKNdhGPljXWG3bZKH4xyaBwVRLX7fDO0ybBeSAFuZ/s2048/DEEE9D81-4396-42F4-BDFD-E1491A3B8B28.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JjbQd991qEutce_2f6xdFDhJtKz-W4m1b3kHCBngGByoMymTlDtA0sc6Zpax3XySEsT1brIGQHBaXqtxPkjgfqs64bmM_H9YYcBGKNdhGPljXWG3bZKH4xyaBwVRLX7fDO0ybBeSAFuZ/s320/DEEE9D81-4396-42F4-BDFD-E1491A3B8B28.heic" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I’m reminded daily of the blessings we have in our move that was </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">not </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in my plan. Douglas said, “Tallulah won’t ever remember when the Kings didn’t live here.” </span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cDxd-JMaBqe7-ZqxYe7Hew8l7gQAxaNyV_p2gxH5Lep_sFHr2azNxfFF3qhAkQKki2Mw_Q1pE-t6UUWGc0nFrkGxnP9Zyilh_cb4Rrrcxf9DOQlj6ZL4txTLhE0DoK5_YqoyP49_xYaT/s2048/477B6A33-E82F-47F0-91C9-60A9F5F31948.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8cDxd-JMaBqe7-ZqxYe7Hew8l7gQAxaNyV_p2gxH5Lep_sFHr2azNxfFF3qhAkQKki2Mw_Q1pE-t6UUWGc0nFrkGxnP9Zyilh_cb4Rrrcxf9DOQlj6ZL4txTLhE0DoK5_YqoyP49_xYaT/w287-h215/477B6A33-E82F-47F0-91C9-60A9F5F31948.heic" width="287" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOhM6fsD4G_-85q3TKsBsF_qWzHvZUjbxLdIWtv3Xv5ThZAu1gPdJ9zSMQMeVX79i5v4eG3mLYuQO0hgYORgBH53Y2QbpWh4-S9xDUPc7-17nDtKQDCac3o-Zohn1fh1q_AuLrcxklOTg/s2048/3530F45B-4BC7-41E5-9235-0CDFEE8CB33A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOhM6fsD4G_-85q3TKsBsF_qWzHvZUjbxLdIWtv3Xv5ThZAu1gPdJ9zSMQMeVX79i5v4eG3mLYuQO0hgYORgBH53Y2QbpWh4-S9xDUPc7-17nDtKQDCac3o-Zohn1fh1q_AuLrcxklOTg/s320/3530F45B-4BC7-41E5-9235-0CDFEE8CB33A.heic" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My parents</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have their health issues, but thankfully they have remained COVID free, and are complying with our pleas to stay in or careful. They also went on the South Dakota excursion to enjoy the family time and fishing. Mom keeps herself busy with projects and is a city alderman, and Daddy still goes to the office to do some law work, but mostly to be in his comfort zone and listen to History and Literature lectures. He has visited the school to tell stories of his or his father’s from History. In October, I drove them to see our dear friends Chuck and Carla Offenburger as Carla has been placed in hospice. Her spirit is indomitable and it was so special to be with them all in our beloved “sister” state in Iowa. We were able to help them and friends put up an outdoor Christmas tree in October -- it was a highlight of our Fall to be together. It is not lost on me how fortunate I am to have both my parents within walking distance, even if that was unplanned.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL5FrovSHYvn6SpRlaCYYynD9IDEiSuHyvjeYef0YbXeQd73ng_nsOyhU5loR9uT7uVUDqU_MdF5PhSQsjFTRmwSg1wqGm-fSFGcjQfdmycrRESfQZBJvmUEnrDAwT0VmW1REptVRtLfX/s2048/69188DD6-4110-43DB-9834-392E3B84AF4C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaL5FrovSHYvn6SpRlaCYYynD9IDEiSuHyvjeYef0YbXeQd73ng_nsOyhU5loR9uT7uVUDqU_MdF5PhSQsjFTRmwSg1wqGm-fSFGcjQfdmycrRESfQZBJvmUEnrDAwT0VmW1REptVRtLfX/w204-h271/69188DD6-4110-43DB-9834-392E3B84AF4C.jpeg" width="204" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnWRXZLtpvHH0gdtdYeocShJCdx8C0a6xdABcXAB6FZTwFki9bVUEO8tbLl6-2Zc-5_mkYLk9geAcBw89ClAeRKzf5bnXugbom0UiaFFnTavM1bLuZt0czpqG_kcyoMZSog7_7-SsSwg-/s2048/F8FD1AEE-AC8A-4434-ACF7-3E500FAAA52F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZnWRXZLtpvHH0gdtdYeocShJCdx8C0a6xdABcXAB6FZTwFki9bVUEO8tbLl6-2Zc-5_mkYLk9geAcBw89ClAeRKzf5bnXugbom0UiaFFnTavM1bLuZt0czpqG_kcyoMZSog7_7-SsSwg-/w200-h267/F8FD1AEE-AC8A-4434-ACF7-3E500FAAA52F.heic" width="200" /></a></div></div><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Since 2018, I’ve taught yoga here in Centerville and have enjoyed seeing my little business, as well and personal yoga practice, grow as I get to share my love of body positivity, movement, and mindfulness. This ancient practice and my commitment to yoga and running saved my sanity in 2016. I still run (more like jog) and drink the Peloton kool-aid (although we had a bike before anyone had heard of it), and are getting the Peloton treadmill in January. I have enjoyed teaching school here at home, but I have been given the opportunity to take a high school history position in a neighboring county in January. While the drive will add hours to my day, I’m thankful for audible, the Great Courses, and podcasts as well as the chance to grow in my profession. This year has been especially challenging for all of us teachers. For now, the kids will stay in school here. I have learned to not say “never” or “I know what I will do in years from now.”</span></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oRsMsOek_Np7fNG5stz7HaF-rGUxBh0fO2vKauXroTz11bAaHbqFtCa_leaR_xl_KhBR78uLoKuWyFUiwuuEeNz7e3F7H-m0I1nTwy667pAAD9OSK7NfPMQJeJe7OfPgYqQfDlMHRb_R/s2048/E51851C1-208F-4C88-889A-8F8DE3CA391E_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2oRsMsOek_Np7fNG5stz7HaF-rGUxBh0fO2vKauXroTz11bAaHbqFtCa_leaR_xl_KhBR78uLoKuWyFUiwuuEeNz7e3F7H-m0I1nTwy667pAAD9OSK7NfPMQJeJe7OfPgYqQfDlMHRb_R/w346-h230/E51851C1-208F-4C88-889A-8F8DE3CA391E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="346" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFTNbXhpAEv4HwpebobrjlQ4kTDXfHeGxjXNClUj8NtztxlrOoe5mNdeiv4wzEce7du2dWDmifsVCJTtDLroEOFF80qe1xAUQh9VAEf7hk7T6MTFWuLkM1J-8gI8MI4A8ARXRo1ERo3UH/s2048/C9C6DD46-08D5-44D9-BB05-2F963342E66A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFTNbXhpAEv4HwpebobrjlQ4kTDXfHeGxjXNClUj8NtztxlrOoe5mNdeiv4wzEce7du2dWDmifsVCJTtDLroEOFF80qe1xAUQh9VAEf7hk7T6MTFWuLkM1J-8gI8MI4A8ARXRo1ERo3UH/w242-h322/C9C6DD46-08D5-44D9-BB05-2F963342E66A.heic" width="242" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2020 was supposed to be the year for perfect vision, which doesn’t mean we </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> everything we see, but </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">that</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> we see clearly the world </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as it is</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">; 2020 vision has been available </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">if we accept it</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. COVID and the responses have shined a light on all that was fragile and broken, including our disunity as a country and our worldly attachments to how we think things should be. The question I keep asking myself is “how can I use this to help me grow'' over “who can I blame?” And previous challenges have taught me that blessings will be anywhere if we look. A treat for BJ and me has been weekly virtual Sunday school classes with our church in Fredericksburg and time with family, including a virtual Thanksgiving dinner with my dear Aunt and Uncle. I know that nothing is all good or all bad, that there are seasons of our life, and that the most important lesson is a commitment to be present and grateful, even in the unknown. But sadly I fall short on that as in all honesty, I am leaving 2020 filled with frustration, hopelessness, and blame for political, racial, and cultural division. Yet, my prayer for God to open up my heart for empathy, presence, and gratitude remains stronger than my frustration. I reflect on the nativity scenes in our homes or mind’s eye as symbols of the advent of hope, peace, and love when in actuality, the scene probably wasn’t very welcoming at the time for a young couple and baby in a stable. I can imagine that the Holy family felt uncertain as we have this year, yet that story and baby inspired millions. So my holiday wish for all of us is: May we learn to look for the bright star, seek spiritual gifts, and pray the Serenity prayer in earnest: </span></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God, grant me the </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Serenity </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to accept the things I cannot change...</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: midnightblue; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Courage </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to change the things I can, and </span><span style="color: #009900; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wisdom </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">to know the difference.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: midnightblue; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Living one day at a time,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> enjoying one moment at a time, </span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">accepting hardship as the pathway to peace</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking, as He did, this sinful world </span><span style="color: #009900; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">as it is, not as I would have it. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #9900ff; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace, Hope and Love~ Sarah </span><span style="color: #009900; font-family: Georgia; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></p><div><span style="color: #009900; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-45806653334504509652020-10-03T13:37:00.001-04:002020-10-03T13:37:41.025-04:00Learning to Bend and Adapt<div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20IfMI_QNi4IzNkmPuJXmr_PNIQK3xgzjvbRDQnS9hPx1xL4QWHIgTRCqGWBTxK2MeIvShUGl4adbdEmlTdxxH4N_057y2M3G6Z7TDbTeYGgVFmQFjEOj5vHYkvH8PIKaJiGUmcvTxI0U/s745/CE9B3719-71A3-471C-BD3A-8B9F30B98449_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="745" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20IfMI_QNi4IzNkmPuJXmr_PNIQK3xgzjvbRDQnS9hPx1xL4QWHIgTRCqGWBTxK2MeIvShUGl4adbdEmlTdxxH4N_057y2M3G6Z7TDbTeYGgVFmQFjEOj5vHYkvH8PIKaJiGUmcvTxI0U/w401-h206/CE9B3719-71A3-471C-BD3A-8B9F30B98449_1_201_a.jpeg" width="401" /></a></span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Recently, I re-read a </span><a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2011/08/and-shes-off.html" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">blog</a><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I wrote as Anna Cate went to kindergarten as I reflected on her starting high school. I meant to share my thoughts as she finished middle school. It is no secret I worry about the rigorous academic preparation she is missing that we would have had if we would have stayed in Fredericksburg. The AP classes, the diversity of opportunity in classes, like foreign languages, but a friend of mine shared with me this important characteristic of success... that they can adapt. Anna Cate does that well.</span></div><div><span face="system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui, ".SFNSText-Regular", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDrRWUsQ8kgsTu03zShR5THbzG5UOe5Ym2HMM4ND7nOk9pmVK93GObC1eoqLi4BhtCMtkb1TrKM2NEc5-jb-OGz35IQOzOSudfjuauD7oCYVltxvgazreu7TKLnlnxrAWlVSkeWL_HxIF/s750/50072B14-B520-40B8-8CAD-466C580AFA2D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="737" data-original-width="750" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDrRWUsQ8kgsTu03zShR5THbzG5UOe5Ym2HMM4ND7nOk9pmVK93GObC1eoqLi4BhtCMtkb1TrKM2NEc5-jb-OGz35IQOzOSudfjuauD7oCYVltxvgazreu7TKLnlnxrAWlVSkeWL_HxIF/w400-h393/50072B14-B520-40B8-8CAD-466C580AFA2D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In 8th grade, she got three awards that made me proud... the Bulldog award from her basketball coaches for being coachable, best all-round from her classmates, and for being kind to others, the teachers voted her "friend of Fred." Another friend told me that women who play sports tend to be in leadership roles in their places of business. She has started high school and is one of the only kids who wear a mask during these crazy times. I think she is learning who she is, that is ok to be different, to be kind, and to be clear in setting her boundaries. She worked out over quarantine and summer and I think it has helped her confidence as well as sports skills. She made both the volleyball and high school basketball teams. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q_nwr8MeLYViLaXesX5UT7jGTAjgfh3Z52BDoj8Lx1CKXrLHd9ZIJ46NnkoQzjnoSGmV9c7DTEqsMLPOZoo9fYHhvZNj2t3YsO8J0Pu_-khYnYQW3OFAR5gswhUUgEEV0i5IXPV3i-l7/s2048/04877493-4F6D-4425-87EE-4594670BE9E5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Q_nwr8MeLYViLaXesX5UT7jGTAjgfh3Z52BDoj8Lx1CKXrLHd9ZIJ46NnkoQzjnoSGmV9c7DTEqsMLPOZoo9fYHhvZNj2t3YsO8J0Pu_-khYnYQW3OFAR5gswhUUgEEV0i5IXPV3i-l7/w640-h480/04877493-4F6D-4425-87EE-4594670BE9E5.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDrRWUsQ8kgsTu03zShR5THbzG5UOe5Ym2HMM4ND7nOk9pmVK93GObC1eoqLi4BhtCMtkb1TrKM2NEc5-jb-OGz35IQOzOSudfjuauD7oCYVltxvgazreu7TKLnlnxrAWlVSkeWL_HxIF/s750/50072B14-B520-40B8-8CAD-466C580AFA2D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Molly started 5th grade as a remote student this year. It has certainly been an experience in adapting. She and her best friend/cousin Kitty have worked hard and I think they have learned the curriculum, thanks to their amazing teacher, and their determination. I know the pandemic and responses to it have been hard on kids, but I keep thinking of how, with the right attitude, we can seize the chance to learn to adapt. Those skills are more important than momentary gratification. It has also given us much more time with family. Tallulah turned 4 with a Hamilton-themed birthday party. Each girl knows every word of the musical, and I think maybe even understand a bit of American History and the idea of "who gets to tell your story?" </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC2Ucsz0PnFpuTC7o_JcTsOlpMhyphenhyphenkW9ivT21ytpq3OH0Vu4ooaeUJ4sRmQZr6n97-t7vt_2xnJq5xRgAMwGrQK0NWn0dsKSkuYWja463jCc2xGSsUJDf7DZWRv8Ku965tIDyg4TPvmZDI/s2048/85899752-5B36-42E7-9CDB-CC10EBE49F94.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfC2Ucsz0PnFpuTC7o_JcTsOlpMhyphenhyphenkW9ivT21ytpq3OH0Vu4ooaeUJ4sRmQZr6n97-t7vt_2xnJq5xRgAMwGrQK0NWn0dsKSkuYWja463jCc2xGSsUJDf7DZWRv8Ku965tIDyg4TPvmZDI/w640-h480/85899752-5B36-42E7-9CDB-CC10EBE49F94.heic" width="640" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, isn't that what we are all trying to deal with these days -- what is the story? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzBfUyFK1lS5wzdm84-7fknNsDWlHaEVrRy4oM8Ci1FYtCKj9Q9b7SmcKzZKFLHs6oazGc9Mx0QAZlUt4ql9IJvrT-pJ2tSB0KzzQDC61stw8Ciz1qDHV0uuwGS9QrZsHHx0eJD2wc0oE/s2048/896BD4D0-2A18-41EA-BA9F-E60E110686BB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzBfUyFK1lS5wzdm84-7fknNsDWlHaEVrRy4oM8Ci1FYtCKj9Q9b7SmcKzZKFLHs6oazGc9Mx0QAZlUt4ql9IJvrT-pJ2tSB0KzzQDC61stw8Ciz1qDHV0uuwGS9QrZsHHx0eJD2wc0oE/w300-h400/896BD4D0-2A18-41EA-BA9F-E60E110686BB.heic" width="300" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's what these kids are doing during these times of 2020 -- figuring out how to tell our story with our lives. Yes, things aren't working out as we thought they were but I have hope that the way we adapt and learn to adapt will be the foundation of our peace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-85315897666990370142020-02-08T00:12:00.000-05:002020-02-12T16:42:58.609-05:00A Story of Opportunity<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes the universe sends me a message that connections abound and it comforts me. Yesterday was such an example.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the Fall, Molly's 4th-grade class read The Hope Chest, and she (and her cousin Kitty) subsequently became fascinated with women's suffrage. The Hope Chest is a book set in 1920 and a great little Historical fiction book. I loved it so much I wrote a <a href="https://theteachermother.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-hope-chest_22.html#comments" target="_blank">blog</a> about it myself. And one of Molly's New Year's resolutions was to write more in 2020. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I have been really happy with the education and rigor Molly has gotten in school since moving here. Not so much for Anna Cate at the secondary level. There are not honors classes available in middle school here; there are no Advanced Placement classes in high school. There are dual enrollment courses but from what I've seen, I am not impressed. Up until this last school year, kids are not writing papers in these "college" classes. I sometimes worry that it is a gamble being here. I understand poverty and drugs and lack of funding make it difficult; I am not judging, just assessing the situation as it applies to the future of my own daughters. But I tell myself that playing sports makes a difference, living close to grandparents and extended family, they are learning to deal with people who are different than we are in terms of political and religious views. That's diversity. I tell myself that learning to live together in a small town is as important as the college prep opportunities we left in Fredericksburg. And I remind myself how important it is for us to be involved. To use Brene Brown's lingo -- lean in. In Braving the Wilderness, she talks about showing up and being our authentic self and knowing we belong even if we don't always fit it. I tell myself that is what Anna Cate and Molly are getting here in Centerville. I tell myself that they will be ok -- that BJ and I will make sure to be involved. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Ok, I digressed BUT that is the state of my musings on raising my daughters here. Well, Sunday afternoon at one of my yoga classes, a lady told me her FCE group (Family Community Education -- it replaced the "home demonstration " clubs of yesteryear) was doing a program on women's suffrage, and I said, "oh my daughter loves those stories!" They meet on Thursday at 1pm, so of course, we couldn't go. . . .but when we got a couple days off of school due to countywide sickness cancellations, I called Cecile and said, "Can Molly come to your program?" She told me that the speaker couldn't come and after a pause said, "would she want to be the speaker?" Without asking Molly I said, "absolutely she can do that. " I'm leaning in, finding the opportunities for challenge and growth wherever I can. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Molly did a little face plant and said, you should have asked me first! I said, not really -- this is a great opportunity. So she got to work. This was Wednesday and the event was Thursday. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5ncVl468V8QUc6mHRFaK1igzmo4_IC9CuXjJ7bhB2Iu2XEPepAnISUX4XXfRyc5dQBMrmbIPDfPASVSQBSMYZotdnzRggVU76CxPUc1ZpRgQpnVO3ro1a77WK6IgRuwKsaSpgNy34RIC/s1600/1311D165-1C57-4AB2-B198-5EC845FC8427_1_102_a.jpeg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw5ncVl468V8QUc6mHRFaK1igzmo4_IC9CuXjJ7bhB2Iu2XEPepAnISUX4XXfRyc5dQBMrmbIPDfPASVSQBSMYZotdnzRggVU76CxPUc1ZpRgQpnVO3ro1a77WK6IgRuwKsaSpgNy34RIC/s640/1311D165-1C57-4AB2-B198-5EC845FC8427_1_102_a.jpeg" width="426" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I finally convinced her to let me type because I can type almost as fast as she can talk, but she composed the speech herself. We ordered this sweet little arrangement of silk yellow roses to deliver to the crowd, and she delivered this speech, showed off her books about suffrage and her silver dollar coins with Susan B Anthony on it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx-lZfwRgqxDYjD24mlIuyZhjVdab12AeEuBTCB9B5Hc1bHjibYilh7XaNRKlhPDiHS_ACEB-8n0d3YXdBmIaGwjHmDGmOu950b619T0ht-C4G_n6ih-Ui6QxBpCUhFHkhaV_Ru-nYv8P/s1600/173E7D0B-5456-43DC-ACC4-D8745FBC1E6A_1_105_c.jpeg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAx-lZfwRgqxDYjD24mlIuyZhjVdab12AeEuBTCB9B5Hc1bHjibYilh7XaNRKlhPDiHS_ACEB-8n0d3YXdBmIaGwjHmDGmOu950b619T0ht-C4G_n6ih-Ui6QxBpCUhFHkhaV_Ru-nYv8P/s640/173E7D0B-5456-43DC-ACC4-D8745FBC1E6A_1_105_c.jpeg" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xcIpepe2Il5AIOcAFy6tNuhfA3i36tj8Bs-qkmRZgQQ1DRuR-xDpEGwSzO8QNGCCQDdDmoW4uWo3VlvvCOCHbjeQ8Bdns6rbPL1AZ8d4ijpBzFeoePTHObWPXRo1aRHX3o9po0VRGtVH/s1600/F8D742FE-F617-4E52-84FA-BFB125458DEA_1_105_c.jpeg"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xcIpepe2Il5AIOcAFy6tNuhfA3i36tj8Bs-qkmRZgQQ1DRuR-xDpEGwSzO8QNGCCQDdDmoW4uWo3VlvvCOCHbjeQ8Bdns6rbPL1AZ8d4ijpBzFeoePTHObWPXRo1aRHX3o9po0VRGtVH/s640/F8D742FE-F617-4E52-84FA-BFB125458DEA_1_105_c.jpeg" width="360" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oM11e9X_xmwXifDWCQWIojp-99BszCA8j-r0iS3jTV3fZshiaOXinLzmqgA1ubHpnfKpVf61wRKbKGBW5HNUkOpuijFZshUqgKrp9bHOD5RuWr5fKBBAVaw0rl-oepSsEcwJrSyI1ZZJ/s1600/E8ACB42C-207B-4E2F-A3A5-0F409DC6DAA3_1_105_c.jpeg"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-oM11e9X_xmwXifDWCQWIojp-99BszCA8j-r0iS3jTV3fZshiaOXinLzmqgA1ubHpnfKpVf61wRKbKGBW5HNUkOpuijFZshUqgKrp9bHOD5RuWr5fKBBAVaw0rl-oepSsEcwJrSyI1ZZJ/s640/E8ACB42C-207B-4E2F-A3A5-0F409DC6DAA3_1_105_c.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Molly King’s point of view on Women Suffrage </span></b></span><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-ffe5460b-7fff-1cf2-cc6d-5a1711a0ddfe" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hi, my name is Molly King I am a fourth-grade student at CIS. What got me into the story of women’s suffrage in the United States was my ELA class read a novel called The Hope Chest. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 35px; overflow: hidden; width: 35px;"><img height="35" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/UvNWagOy6IA0HMilNf8PxOsBahXOboRdfJgprpM9Xp9j5EFGBw7ezgMbL1AXlj9G35wc8sJS9--ThcGRZF4YbfW-Xksw4Y3e2KbMFbStP7I5gg6c7N05CdHfWde5hdSLvGdXfl61" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="35" /></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(I am going read the back of the book in case you want to order it).</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This book interested me so much that I asked for more women suffrage books for Christmas! I also thought it was ironic that we read books about women suffrage as we headed into 2020. Women got suffrage in 1920. That is exactly 100 years apart, so if you think about it we women have only been able to vote for 100 years and white men have been able to vote from since the beginning of our country.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some well-known brave fighters for women’s suffrage were Susan B. Anthony, Carrie Chapman Catt, Alice Paul, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. To me and many other fighters, it is upsetting that Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton did not live to see that fight come to an exciting and relieving end... the passing of the 19th amendment to the US Constitution.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think Susan B. Anthony is so amazing because of her story. Do any of you know it? If you don’t, I’ll tell it to you. In 1872 fourteen women, counting herself, went and voted and the man by the ballot box didn’t stop them. In 1873, Susan B. Anthony was tried in court. The jury was unfair. The judge announced her guilty without consulting the jury. Susan B. Anthony did break the law, but the law should have been different. Even though she knew she was going to go to jail, she did what she thought was right. So, in my opinion, Susan B. Anthony should have gone to jail for breaking the law, but the law she broke was cruel and sexist. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alice Paul was a noble person also. She was too “rough around the edges” for some of the suffragists, but she fought for all women -- not just white women. Something shocking to my class was that some women suffragists were racists --these suffragists were fighting for women nonetheless but only </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">white</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> women. A black woman character in the Hope Chest said: “these women suffragists aren’t fighting for all women….they don’t like us because of the color of our skin.” That spoke to me because though she was black, she said what she thought. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I learned in order for an amendment to be ratified (passed), 36 states had to pass the amendment for it be on the US Constitution. In 1920, 35 states had passed the amendment so far. Tennesee was a hard vote. Anti-suffragists were bribing people with gold and illegal liquor so that made it harder for the suffragists because men that would make an impact on the vote were changing sides. When the day came for the Tennessee legislatures to vote, Harry T. Burn was an Anti- Suffragist…. but his mother, who was a suffragist, wrote him a letter trying to get him to change sides. According to The Hope Chest, another Tennessee legislator who was an anti (I am not familiar with the name) got an important phone call that may or may not have changed his mind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Finally, the time came to make the vote and…………….the suffragists won the vote!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now Tennessee is known as the perfect 36, that is a pretty big deal. Did you know know that after Harry T. Burn had voted for women suffrage he was held, hostage?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In conclusion, getting women suffrage was a long battle, but in the end, it all turned out the way we wanted. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My mom and I looked up some quote and we found one by Sojourner Truth. It stated: </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back, and get it right side up again! And now they are asking to do it, the men better let them." </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I felt like this is a great way to end my talk because even though these women may have gone to jail, they never gave up fighting for what is right. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">By Molly King</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> ----------------------</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluGZKIHOnB6c1AtdVgXv434LD3-e74fk_g4RvHu-JCVlLz35IbLHMySPrdCE8bGdnBPZSk1gWkSwNzGrd6Jf_5OpSb673v6xdRBKdybSvE-Q_sAwBryod3-Pl5TLW-7SFbRT1qMmax08k/s1600/65F95C9D-42BC-4326-854E-F0B663B5A022_1_105_c.jpeg" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; text-align: start; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluGZKIHOnB6c1AtdVgXv434LD3-e74fk_g4RvHu-JCVlLz35IbLHMySPrdCE8bGdnBPZSk1gWkSwNzGrd6Jf_5OpSb673v6xdRBKdybSvE-Q_sAwBryod3-Pl5TLW-7SFbRT1qMmax08k/s640/65F95C9D-42BC-4326-854E-F0B663B5A022_1_105_c.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">After her talk, Molly took a few questions and then the other program was prepared by Autumn Vespie, an extension agent from the University of Tennessee. She spoke on mindfulness and the group was led in a guided meditation. My parents came and we all made these mindful bottles with glue and glitter and water.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg5Pzn_uW_v_-CVAn-IrH4H_cvnZsA7HS0jOA0U83fbWO3WlcMFtNKIMT6ePoX7tHfdKXBVjzTG_68c14c0EnBHWYT4QATZDBSEwYbhle_e-wW2RMDUvZEBjU68MMnvb5iG8SpZawT69t/s1600/F01F3B24-9E05-487C-9B89-7183E0C120CD_1_105_c.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDg5Pzn_uW_v_-CVAn-IrH4H_cvnZsA7HS0jOA0U83fbWO3WlcMFtNKIMT6ePoX7tHfdKXBVjzTG_68c14c0EnBHWYT4QATZDBSEwYbhle_e-wW2RMDUvZEBjU68MMnvb5iG8SpZawT69t/s640/F01F3B24-9E05-487C-9B89-7183E0C120CD_1_105_c.jpeg" width="480" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I felt like I stepped back in time a bit to a simpler time where instead of Pinterest, women got together to pray and share recipes and it was an absolute privilege to experience it together. </span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8LiDrGzQxZ0cUr5MS_Bnn0VgMm8lleHkTSQUketQDE0FO2E22R3Ij5S666Fl4ye_GI4pEzkrQQMjP708XO6ZxVr2RqCzU7nDcx92kV6VlsQ5IVhb97yoGg_6yQIuiFtMvUp3CAWllQVB/s1600/7FF9DB94-3CFA-48A2-AFF2-8BC9F1E3EA3A_1_105_c.jpeg"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8LiDrGzQxZ0cUr5MS_Bnn0VgMm8lleHkTSQUketQDE0FO2E22R3Ij5S666Fl4ye_GI4pEzkrQQMjP708XO6ZxVr2RqCzU7nDcx92kV6VlsQ5IVhb97yoGg_6yQIuiFtMvUp3CAWllQVB/s640/7FF9DB94-3CFA-48A2-AFF2-8BC9F1E3EA3A_1_105_c.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The connections of hearing a program so near and dear to my heart on mindfulness and watching Molly do something that excited and challenged her, and Anna Cate supporting her reminded me of why it is such a privilege to slow down and raise my daughters here. It was a little sign from the universe it is going to be ok. Cecile Allen pictured above is my new friend from yoga. She told a story of how when her parents got married, her Dad supposedly said to her mother, "you aren't going to vote are you???.". . .but that her mother always voted. It is a good reminder of how near relatively speaking times were different. Some things for good, some things not so much.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> (And for all you people who wouldn't dream of sending to your kids to a rural public school, there is no one right way. I like your way too. As the program leader yesterday reminded us, mindfulness allows to observe situations as they are, not labeling them good or bad. Our situation of living in Centerville is one of those things, and I'm spending the energy I have focusing on the positives. )</span><br />
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<img alt="Image may contain: possible text that says '"We often have an illusion that we made a choice for ourselves, when that choice was so fundamentally shaped by who we are and where we grew up and what was around us... that in some final accounting, it was almost never a choice at all." Ezra Klein'" height="334" src="https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/85035856_10156557871161876_1996788471242424320_o.jpg?_nc_cat=108&_nc_ohc=3czWysYjF70AX_JgalP&_nc_ht=scontent-mia3-1.xx&oh=62ba3c2a98760ded9b9455cb9201f58d&oe=5EC575B2" width="640" /><br />
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-62972934536844888012020-01-19T20:37:00.001-05:002020-01-19T22:36:57.572-05:00A 2019 UpdateIn 2019 I didn't send Christmas cards, have lapsed in writing, and I spend too much on mindless technology. So starting today, I'm going to reflect and commit to being intentional moving forward by reflecting on the year for our little family.<br />
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Sports. . .<br />
Growing up in a small town in the South includes sports and our year included a lot of that. Both girls play basketball and swim in the summer. Molly plays softball and Anna Cate plays volleyball. And, along with BJ and me, they became big Vanderbilt baseball fans, including a trip to Omaha to cheer them on in the college world Series.<br />
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Molly's year began with playing for the only girls team on their age group. Her Dad and my brother were the coaches, and they beat every boys team in the league. It was great fun, but peppered with an underlying tragedy; one of her team mates was diagnosed with cancer. It just feels icky to mention our good times without that struggle.<br />
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Kitty and Molly before the last game of the season -- the orange arm bands were in honor of Arica.<br />
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She swam in the summer and played on three different soft ball teams in the Spring and Fall (a local team, an all star team and a team put tother to play in a neighboring town). She tried pitching, but has seem to found her love as catcher. It fits her pesonality well and I love watching how aggressive she is.<br />
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Anna Cate started 2019 on the JV team in 7th grade and finished it out starting in 8th grade. In addition to volleyball and swim team, she enjoys being active. A big bonus to my teaching here in Centerville is I get to participate in her activities more.<br />
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Trips. . .<br />
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For spring break, the girls flew to Texas by themselves to visit BJ's brother and family, Greg and Sarah, Cilla and Graham, and then they met us at the beach for a few days this summer, and my mother also enjoyed part of that trip with us.<br />
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During the summer, I got a side job with the Department of Education in Tennessee, and during that time, BJ, Anna Cate and Molly took a memorable trip to follow the Vanderbilt baseball team to the college world series in Omaha, Nebraska. They won it all the next weekend and we got to watch it together with my parents.<br />
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Molly with her favorite player, Harrison Ray, and below with my our family's best friend Chuck Offenburger.<br />
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Watching it at home in Centerville at my parents' home even brought Anna Cate to tears we were all so happy and proud.<br />
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Molly wrote about their summer.<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">My summer has been wonderful and I wanted to share it with you. At the start of my summer I started my swim team season. My parents took me and my sister to see the Vandy boys baseball. They took us to the regionals and the super regionals. When they went to Omaha my dad took my sister and I to see them play game 1 and 2. For the rest of the games we watched and celebrated all the wins at home with my family ANCHOR DOWN! So later on we’ve had had some swim meets. Just a couple of weeks ago one of our closest friends came down from Richmond and they stayed for about 4 days. My sister and I had to miss championships for swim team but, it was totally worth it. Now as I am writing this as I am at the beach. Sadly but surely school will be starting soon. I hope you have had a good time reading my blog.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Written by Molly King</span></div>
Those best friends who came are our dear friends Norah and Leana, who surprised the girls for Anna Cate's 13th birthday party.<br />
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I miss my friends the most about life in Virginia, and none more than Norah.<br />
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It was so sweet to see Anna Cate and Leana so comfortable around each other, and still best friends.<br />
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This Fall we went to the mountains of Virginia and Tennessee to visit Virginia Tech, the Great Smokey mountains and my dear aunt and uncle.<br />
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We stayed in this yurt in Floyd, Virginia and I am in love.<br />
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For Thanksgiving we went to Texas to be with Sarah and Greg, Graham and Cilla. </div>
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And our year ended with a peaceful Christmas at home with family. As I look through our pictures, I'm reminded of a full life. I think it is safe to say we all four feel at home here in Centerville and are happy we are here.<br />
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BJ is managing his Parkinson's well and I'm proud of the ways he has interjected himself into the community. He is dad/coach/driver to many of the girls' events and is a great supporter of all our endeavors. When I moved classrooms, he helped me set it up, spending countless hours and $$ on it.<br />
He, Becki, and my brother all turned 40 this year.<br />
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As a big gift to me in Christmas 2018, he encouraged me to take the 200 hour yoga teacher training program last winter, and my local yoga business is growing. Recently, I reflected on how yoga saved my sanity during a very hard time in our life, and it is not lost on me that I now have the privilege of sharing it with others. I am constantly reminded of the ways life provides us opportunities to learn from our hard times, grow from our mistakes and learn new perspectives...no matter how painful.<br />
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On New Year's Eve, we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary.<br />
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I love living near my brother and sister-in-law, our nieces and my parents, working and living where I grew up; most of the time, I actually feel quite lucky that I get to raise my children in a small town so close to family. Molly and Kitty are sort in the same classes and play on the same teams; BJ and Talluluah are basically best friends.<br />
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I worry about the quality of the school system and find myself scared to death for them, but I imagine I would be scared no matter where we lived. I worry about the state of our country and could drive myself crazy thinking about it too much. But this is where we live, so I do what I can with what I have and continue to just show up no matter what 2020 holds. I do hope to be writing here more.<br />
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<img alt="Image result for brene brown showing up" height="640" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1d/d7/58/1dd75801e24c3ea944fe339af14850bf.jpg" width="492" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-33029077972780808992019-12-22T07:19:00.001-05:002019-12-22T07:19:57.801-05:00Continuity & Change So much has changed in three years. Yet I'm just finally feeling like things are the same. I don't even know where to start untangling what all is going on in my mind as I'm processing the way life has changed for us and how it has felt so familiar to me as I'm raising my children in my home town... something I never expected.<br />
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The girls. . .<br />
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Anna Cate is in 8th grade and has played on two sports teams (Volleyball and Basketball) at the school, which has been such a blessing. She works hard and enjoys the camaraderie.<br />
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She loves school mostly for the social aspect of it all and she does seem to have nice friends, which I appreciate.<br />
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Molly Mae is in the 4th grade and finally can say she loves living in Centerville...I think it took her a while to see the benefits. She misses our church, as do I, but we just don't get it all in life, and there is so much around us to celebrate...most importantly, family and a small town life. She also plays sports, really loves basketball but is developing an affection for softball since she loves playing catcher.<br />
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This summer Molly really just chatted my ear off every time we were together, and it really made me question the choice to teach in Dickson. And at the the very end of summer, a job came available and it was time to really come home. I took a position to teach in the room I started my career in 19 years ago.<br />
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Since 2017, I taught in a town about 40 minutes away, and it was good for me and them. I needed the two years to adjust... and BJ and the girls needed two years to acclimate to Centerville on their own. Moving home to teach I feel like has been the final step in my moving back to Centerville, and I finally am at peace about it all.<br />
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<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-41970582900616978782018-06-18T14:02:00.001-04:002018-06-18T14:07:30.545-04:00Birthday Reflections<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Well we've been here almost a year. This week marks my birthday and Father's Day. Usually I go for a long run on my birthday, but not this year. While I'm still running, thank goodness, Yoga is becoming more in my life. So rather than a long run, I honored my birthday with 42 sun salutations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Friday night I had the privilege to get my birthday celebration off early with dinner with my dear friend Dorinda and she pretty much summed my thoughts on the past year when she said, "It sounds like everything turned out better than you expected and you like everything more." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; text-align: justify;">Anna Cate finished the 6th grade with a health flare up, but before that, she had the healthiest year she has had in years! She has made some really nice friends and for that, we've been grateful. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the Fall, she ran cross country (because I made her); in the winter, she played Junior Pro basketball and in the spring, she was the baseball manager. She set her sights on making the volleyball team (mostly so she would have a great excuse not to run cross country), and made it. She also got a phone. She also won 4H speech contest for the county, and placed at the regional level. I loved watching her work hard on the facts and organization of the speech and listening to her say it over and over to refine the delivery. It was good. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Mayberry, Anna Cate's 6th grade Math teacher . . .and mine.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Next year, I will teach 7th grade and as much as I would love to bring her to school with me, she said, "Mom, I've been the new kid this year -- I don't want to do it again."Just recently I've joined a friend via an online community to support raising healthy girls, and was encouraged to ask her what she thinks makes her strong and she said, "Accomplishing my goals."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: start;">Molly spent 2nd grade learning all about using the word "fixin to," some lessons about friendships and the importance of inner peace at recess. played soccer, basketball and softball. In my uncoordinated experience with sports, I hold the very biased opinion that she is quite athletic. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">She's also quite a little sage. I listened to a podcast with Brene Brown on her research about the relationship between "belonging and fitting in." Brene Brown explains, </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16px;">"<i>In fact, <b>fitting in is the greatest barrier to belonging.</b> Fitting in, I've discovered during the past decade of research, is assessing situations and groups of people, then twisting yourself into a human pretzel in order to get them to let you hang out with them. Belonging is something else entirely—it's showing up and letting yourself be seen and known as you really are—love of gourd painting, intense fear of public speaking and all."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I said I totally believe this Molly -- what do you think? She said, "yes, I don't fit in at my school because I don't say "fixin to" but I know I belong there." Yes, that. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMz0oFOX25yOfYtCIkR8XaPSsIldmeP68eNpb66hn7cLjE4xSQGbcNAvW0lw3O5lYcE2JLRTwevHOLmZpH4hL_9uu3gMv4w4wtElYg9iG_HYW8ymNf8XRgRvj9qGy5zwXhs-1UtBSxEKL/s1600/IMG_8012.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMz0oFOX25yOfYtCIkR8XaPSsIldmeP68eNpb66hn7cLjE4xSQGbcNAvW0lw3O5lYcE2JLRTwevHOLmZpH4hL_9uu3gMv4w4wtElYg9iG_HYW8ymNf8XRgRvj9qGy5zwXhs-1UtBSxEKL/s320/IMG_8012.HEIC" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT0THeFpsYQ0aVRUvtUnDWn49MASHmVhT356YLfB97rwc7Ch-uG_Bj9MF-fpT70aU9eZY4kyNJxV2zby05WIO4HOOGGsr2RtoQl0uhenuyAN9oEpUjRL3H6Tp_GiVdFFGPXdhTNErF_7y/s1600/IMG_7833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxT0THeFpsYQ0aVRUvtUnDWn49MASHmVhT356YLfB97rwc7Ch-uG_Bj9MF-fpT70aU9eZY4kyNJxV2zby05WIO4HOOGGsr2RtoQl0uhenuyAN9oEpUjRL3H6Tp_GiVdFFGPXdhTNErF_7y/s320/IMG_7833.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;">For our family, we of course enjoyed living near and socializing with my family. In fact, I hope all would agree that the transition has been easy. I actually love not having to visit them, but living near them. BJ did an amazing job setting up our little homestead, being a stay-at-home Dad and all-round supportive husband. We are on our second round of chickens. In January, the girls saw two goats born.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcij8IQyChPvKKGIoNNT7xh6Gn40Ewp3v6aBFuDYDRk3O50j2hw2WDuIzi7f2PLf3Bjl5F1p5N5wxsz47XLD0KrenU5GeJx73nw3KekrP4KFfLOqpzD1lSbGsRRVQBBGnri-AzKonLwB1q/s1600/IMG_7121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcij8IQyChPvKKGIoNNT7xh6Gn40Ewp3v6aBFuDYDRk3O50j2hw2WDuIzi7f2PLf3Bjl5F1p5N5wxsz47XLD0KrenU5GeJx73nw3KekrP4KFfLOqpzD1lSbGsRRVQBBGnri-AzKonLwB1q/s400/IMG_7121.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">His </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">landscaping and gardening abilities are note-worthy and his affection for art is growing. He reached out to a group of artists for an idea to create a mural on a side of the garage, which turned into Mimosa Mondays with a group of artists who have shared their talent to add some color and funk to Park Place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNaVhtn8m3i0nbJkVXVQ2aehvUq99TFCFoRdDNSdwlIhgRT4FzTpavCxuzMJy1vecgypnYHNSbyb3SCAaQWSdyvoZOPQQedl6nTFk8kzerBDvPEftNexbW0QvHPjO7B_dnp4RfuhyphenhyphenVuge/s1600/IMG_7950.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNaVhtn8m3i0nbJkVXVQ2aehvUq99TFCFoRdDNSdwlIhgRT4FzTpavCxuzMJy1vecgypnYHNSbyb3SCAaQWSdyvoZOPQQedl6nTFk8kzerBDvPEftNexbW0QvHPjO7B_dnp4RfuhyphenhyphenVuge/s320/IMG_7950.HEIC" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9ueg4kd9TcQnghGVD-Kz-vbGV3-YfbaQqzg1H_H0KrD3wtERwt4Tvjid9pQ_4rFN9QjOoHLbxHWrb2aqthwiRtKfUh4dzyPD2mA6IGoETDlGSf7jFcvy024a9uGlMUrvhK6bGSuq59ua/s1600/IMG_7634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM9ueg4kd9TcQnghGVD-Kz-vbGV3-YfbaQqzg1H_H0KrD3wtERwt4Tvjid9pQ_4rFN9QjOoHLbxHWrb2aqthwiRtKfUh4dzyPD2mA6IGoETDlGSf7jFcvy024a9uGlMUrvhK6bGSuq59ua/s320/IMG_7634.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This summer, the girls have joined a swim team in a neighboring town, and we've enjoyed that as a family. They have made friends. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/yxWSCrXfw6nnrDmPLEYRvlJViUzdv-Bh_08AlobyHy_DMmxIvZY2gHmQWLVklrk4ciuQUzgxZQw=s400" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/yxWSCrXfw6nnrDmPLEYRvlJViUzdv-Bh_08AlobyHy_DMmxIvZY2gHmQWLVklrk4ciuQUzgxZQw=s400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So about my year and reflections. . . .</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I worked too much but finding such joy in where and what I was teaching helped me with the transition. I also have a beautiful drive to work, enjoyed a lot of lectures and podcasts so the 40 minute drive wasn't so bad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa0dlO0Ka-64k3m1P6SPOJcFne1-zo1yrXtkcglEYwWTjDsmGTfAT-Ey836iAAKr4lzKoyN5sG65Q6kcu66S2FEuHTmx3ELCHMhyM8yJRbmudbiHkSX9woyX88BCxoUI_aQ4UQT-6g6Q-/s1600/IMG_7580.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZa0dlO0Ka-64k3m1P6SPOJcFne1-zo1yrXtkcglEYwWTjDsmGTfAT-Ey836iAAKr4lzKoyN5sG65Q6kcu66S2FEuHTmx3ELCHMhyM8yJRbmudbiHkSX9woyX88BCxoUI_aQ4UQT-6g6Q-/s640/IMG_7580.HEIC" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have promised myself I won't work as many hours away from home next year. When we first moved here, I think I really needed the distance.</span></div>
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As we approach the year mark, I have so much peace and feel like I live here. In December, we got a Peloton bike and I found a yoga studio I loved in Nashville, and both inspired me to start teaching yoga here in Centerville, and it has been nice for me and I hope for others. In creating niches that are new to me, I've tried to balance comfort with the chance to re-invent myself in the journey. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Moving home and raising daughters has reminded me what a feminist I am. It is part of the reason I'm teaching yoga for girls this summer, and helping me conquer some demons of body image for myself and hopefully with my family and community. Love your body, move it and take care of yourself! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rwcDsRhkw6LuaEbUIB5dogFwzSmpLAk4Ypf4QJdFvLswWHn_yQ3YVt-s4rrlnuTlY4dM1ZsC5MOz7mpCp6ckmMOR5_96P7vCfwYw10KUW8rcf4P27QROj88PVOeVdH3UeVRNEUaiGfXm/s1600/IMG_7531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rwcDsRhkw6LuaEbUIB5dogFwzSmpLAk4Ypf4QJdFvLswWHn_yQ3YVt-s4rrlnuTlY4dM1ZsC5MOz7mpCp6ckmMOR5_96P7vCfwYw10KUW8rcf4P27QROj88PVOeVdH3UeVRNEUaiGfXm/s400/IMG_7531.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br />In some ways it feels like so much changed while I was keeping my head down trying to keep my marbles. I looked up and the girls got older at the same time BJ became a stay-at-home Dad, and I feel like I became less of a Mom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4m_2YKYB1r1ieS-cI3-XE-vu4voS4-25WG20ysfjTR1ga5oNPXyz0hLBUFJsbPfJMiUU84ZdhyphenhyphenGnnV40R6fvP5x1SuSCdZiTG4RuwqKYZQ_jy8Z22TPRlNcy8qYHP4az7pgmNk8rqmRv/s1600/IMG_7263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1080" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4m_2YKYB1r1ieS-cI3-XE-vu4voS4-25WG20ysfjTR1ga5oNPXyz0hLBUFJsbPfJMiUU84ZdhyphenhyphenGnnV40R6fvP5x1SuSCdZiTG4RuwqKYZQ_jy8Z22TPRlNcy8qYHP4az7pgmNk8rqmRv/s320/IMG_7263.JPG" width="320" /></a>But one of my favorite Peloton instructors last week said, "Mamas, your kids are watching you." I hope my girls have watched me trying to land on my feet, work hard, take care of and love my body so I am there in the long haul for them, while I know their Daddy is taking care of the tasks at home. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">From me, they will learn to take care of themselves and from BJ, they will learn to take care of others. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Molly is trying to do pull ups on a gate while I do a workout) </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, my thoughts this birthday mirror my path with yoga -- live in the present; be aware, but not attached to my thoughts and fears. I can't help but think about this time I last year when I did sort of lose my marbles, and so many emotions attached with our move here at the time. Yet, I can't let myself think too much about the future, what this nasty disease of Parkinson's will do to our life. The past is there -- the future is, too, but my focus is on the present. . .and all the beauty in my back yard, literally and metaphorically. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present.</i></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> -Albert Camus</span></span></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-38394828524286450652017-12-24T16:45:00.000-05:002017-12-24T16:46:45.585-05:002017: A New Way to be Home for Christmas<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I wrote this first part (in purple) in October, but never published: </span></i><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Coming back from Fall Break: </u></b>We returned from an amazing Fall break vacation on Caribbean cruise. Since we didn't get much of a summer break, we splurged on a cruise, and had a wonderful time. BJ and I went on a cruise for our honeymoon, and it was quite special to be together with Anna Cate and Molly, so many years later.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We also noted that we left on the anniversary of his first brain surgery and returned on the anniversary of his chest surgery to place the pace maker. We both agreed that the decadence we enjoyed was a great way to close out the chapter of our life has been the last year. The last morning, I sat on the ship looking at the water, thinking of how this was it and it was time to go home and start the next chapter in our life, but in truth, I don't feel like I have a home yet. I mean, this is my childhood home, and I know I live here, the girls are in school, I have a job, etc, but it still feels a little bit like a visit. On the cruise, I kept saying to the family, "Ya'll, I just can't get it through my head that we LIVE in Centerville." I wonder if it's because I've visited here for weeks at a time for 15 years, and only lived here for 2 years in the past 23. For whatever reason, I just don't quite feel it yet.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Also, I've been thinking and feeling a lot about last year, and I just can't help it so writing about it seems a healthy way to process it. I am just still sort of stunned at how bad it was, and the truth is I wasn't exactly feeling it then. Now, I'm more conscious of how shaky our of life became. Obviously, Anna Cate being sick was horrible, and then we had no idea that BJ wouldn't be returning to work. Then the stress of <i>that</i> was so hard on him that we thought the surgery was unsuccessful. So we knew we had to move, that I had to find a job, and. . . .we thought the surgery didn't even work because his tremor was so strong because of the stress of all the circumstances surrounding the work situation. It was awful, looking back on it. I mean it was tough in the moment but it wasn't as dreadful then as it is now in the hollow of my soul when I'm on this side of it. The surgery did work, but we certainly were in a certain kind of hell then. I was pretty stable then...I just kept walking. In the mean time to deal, BJ spent hours on the internet trying to dream of a new life here, and a main goal was goats.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And as another symbol of the new chapter of our life, the day after we got back from the cruise, BJ and girls picked up the newest addition: Betsy and Bud.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This past weekend, we enjoyed the festivities of Halloween. Last year, throughout the month of October, my family and I debated on what was best for Anna Cate, and when she should come home. My Dad felt so strongly that she needed to stay in Centerville thru Halloween. They had gotten thru some very dark days planning the fun of Halloween together, and so she stayed. When she came home to us in Virginia she brought with her the memories of how loved she felt in Centerville, a stack load of cards from her new friends, the memories of fun here, and I believe the strong sense that this was her home. This year it is, even though I guess it was last year too.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">When I was a little girl and our family would play Monopoly, I always would loose because I wanted Park Place. This past year in March, after we had already bought this house, and I had not seen it, we were in New York and in a cab, we were talking about the value of homes across from Central Park. . .and BJ said, "that's like our house -- across from the Park."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I read those words, and ruminate on my feelings, I notice a shift and in this Christmas season, I am starting to feel like I'm home at our home, Park Place, in Centerville, and in our new life. I notice that feeling with such gratitude, because I've always been a nester. Feeling at home and settled is important to my spirit. At Thanksgiving, we hosted BJ's brother and family, Greg, Sarah & Graham for the weekend, and we all enjoyed a beautiful meal together at Mom's. I don't remember the last time I spent Thanksgiving in Centerville. We all loved having such wonderful family time together. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">And as Thanksgiving rolled into Christmas, we enjoyed the small town festivities by walking to the square for the tree lighting and the Christmas parade on Saturday nights. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">On the first Friday night of December, we saw the real Santa Claus on the square. No mall, no hustle and bustle, no traffic, but look at these smiles. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjiJSwCf6Rh-ctQtJG569XClHZV77vBCyKrVYBP2RgoSUditNv1ZtUxFXXgWIfGJ6gLvGlN6grEmUvN8RYxbSMokxFgIBQKPubli4c4jATmzkC5LBv7m7F1ByessXJjQ4fuVB5040VnxC/s1600/IMG_6906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMjiJSwCf6Rh-ctQtJG569XClHZV77vBCyKrVYBP2RgoSUditNv1ZtUxFXXgWIfGJ6gLvGlN6grEmUvN8RYxbSMokxFgIBQKPubli4c4jATmzkC5LBv7m7F1ByessXJjQ4fuVB5040VnxC/s640/IMG_6906.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anna Cate and I enjoyed a date to the Messiah, and by happenstance, we ran into our friends, Christy and Liza, so we made it a date to the Cheesecake factory.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The girls enjoyed a trip to see ICE at Opryland with friends, to see the Nutcracker with Kitty, Nana and Daddy Doug, and a lot of cookie baking time with Nana and Kitty. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Because our school schedules are slightly different, I got to go to Molly's Christmas party and it was delightful. The 2nd grade gives kids the chances to fill each other's stockings, so she asked if we could make her home-made chapstick and Anna Cate and I got in on the fun. She made her friends some and I made my students chap stick for gifts for the new Year (150 of them). It was a last minute idea and I didn't have time to give my kids them by 12/15. Yes -- being a teacher is wonderful, but believe me that last week of school before Christmas break is CRAZY!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgzZEESz2k85Gze4jAos5oKz5FJ4JTlmbsoTAiDQyI-HmTfmBzpubiMFBY1-sA-NFauFbZ9UCogTDCh3HOFYzBpgTtGcbWDMRTcexsNWmo1Z6iOAxptB3I7CHAxOmtZyx1TY_NU7Csv-j/s1600/IMG_6981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgzZEESz2k85Gze4jAos5oKz5FJ4JTlmbsoTAiDQyI-HmTfmBzpubiMFBY1-sA-NFauFbZ9UCogTDCh3HOFYzBpgTtGcbWDMRTcexsNWmo1Z6iOAxptB3I7CHAxOmtZyx1TY_NU7Csv-j/s200/IMG_6981.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_1cDAXtwxPRQM5SLdUz8GRaMPyfAwcw5-AaLyZvd7JdBMSIlOt03ohmxBkI_-UmCwFSg3E-QtSmOWUA-KirgHFgJwE7gl4bwYtz1vKcRf4Sdki85IyxJrRhC8-XvFwXSHhWTjj0SVbXh/s1600/IMG_6982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_1cDAXtwxPRQM5SLdUz8GRaMPyfAwcw5-AaLyZvd7JdBMSIlOt03ohmxBkI_-UmCwFSg3E-QtSmOWUA-KirgHFgJwE7gl4bwYtz1vKcRf4Sdki85IyxJrRhC8-XvFwXSHhWTjj0SVbXh/s200/IMG_6982.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhT0kjFtNMsax8k123hSHWaZVK8xTB6sWCqBVvLKViMGGYlh4TWFpafTMEO5OAPAx7SnvFGb467iXp7ZL19ThXGcvMzwq8rz4MO9bZpQ894auHkh855_Qpslj-wT-mPtrUGod-dnL8hzr/s1600/IMG_6983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhT0kjFtNMsax8k123hSHWaZVK8xTB6sWCqBVvLKViMGGYlh4TWFpafTMEO5OAPAx7SnvFGb467iXp7ZL19ThXGcvMzwq8rz4MO9bZpQ894auHkh855_Qpslj-wT-mPtrUGod-dnL8hzr/s200/IMG_6983.JPG" width="150" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Molly's classmates touched me, and their level of generosity was stunning. One little boy did not have anything to put in the stockings, but he counted 16 pages of the coloring book the teacher gave him so he would have something to give. People are so generous and nice here. (BJ says it is because they aren't sitting in traffic) We started using a cleaning lady who is AMAZING!!! I've never met her but I love the way she cleans and sometimes rearranges a room. She left the girls, whom she has never met either, gifts on their beds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkvuARgVG9RmS6x6SRfs3ZoAEuvWaNKFuORp4M1TM2XXyHDWC4eUXP1a83OhGGVExDW1xoSOSEY0G9XogrOyTP-kj_YOwcjpYzoEN03FhAWjnSIlV4lEiXfqDtLsJPonR-uuwZOmkS7OB/s1600/IMG_6997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkvuARgVG9RmS6x6SRfs3ZoAEuvWaNKFuORp4M1TM2XXyHDWC4eUXP1a83OhGGVExDW1xoSOSEY0G9XogrOyTP-kj_YOwcjpYzoEN03FhAWjnSIlV4lEiXfqDtLsJPonR-uuwZOmkS7OB/s640/IMG_6997.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We did our Gingerbread house with Kitty.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPuQYZxquOIkznkb0EcH1wXlbrXjx8-dVxsIpQs4aywizIlRyc5HzY4NvOd1BlUc8VNqtyuZVXesXa3qbJx0_6mVkumJOg-05HEShjvgXmYP6RSkLpniAALzSC0lRWo3vRdhns0Lj5GEh/s1600/IMG_7010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPuQYZxquOIkznkb0EcH1wXlbrXjx8-dVxsIpQs4aywizIlRyc5HzY4NvOd1BlUc8VNqtyuZVXesXa3qbJx0_6mVkumJOg-05HEShjvgXmYP6RSkLpniAALzSC0lRWo3vRdhns0Lj5GEh/s640/IMG_7010.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">and they've enjoyed looking for Maggie every morning. . .BJ and my Christmas present is in the background...a Peloton Bike. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaoda5vcnsnd6jggmNBPNBGdLeUzNmg2awHGf3c4S0fq3ZXB-vjT-xWN80RQgKE0INaBK0gzESd3tbWFbaFRGU8oi0qcukpO9Tbjxsc_2zOPAxnbaGnJA41VXygGlXlyLXGApJmWELDrg/s1600/IMG_7015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaoda5vcnsnd6jggmNBPNBGdLeUzNmg2awHGf3c4S0fq3ZXB-vjT-xWN80RQgKE0INaBK0gzESd3tbWFbaFRGU8oi0qcukpO9Tbjxsc_2zOPAxnbaGnJA41VXygGlXlyLXGApJmWELDrg/s640/IMG_7015.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I have enjoyed decorating this home for Christmas, and it has been nice to entertain rather than rush to travel and feel like we pile in on my parents for a week. Anna Cate spent the time with Abby and Nana to make baklava. It is amazing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg053a_K77sDOsnXjcf26b6-yER0Zwantgqf9WNArrmR_hsogAYS_B6nMNUdbH7chbXd6hpsfsBjkvhsR5PUHYwCx-bkiM6DSC1F4eVG_jkSPhtGoM-J0hlRRB42XtaHMByJGfoSz5z258/s1600/IMG_7019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg053a_K77sDOsnXjcf26b6-yER0Zwantgqf9WNArrmR_hsogAYS_B6nMNUdbH7chbXd6hpsfsBjkvhsR5PUHYwCx-bkiM6DSC1F4eVG_jkSPhtGoM-J0hlRRB42XtaHMByJGfoSz5z258/s640/IMG_7019.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That evening, we hosted a small cocktail party for family friends from Chicago, Kenneth and Kelly, and we are hosting our family before church tonight. Since we were serving fresh baklava, we went with a Mediterranean theme for food. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4tPCph8Kxcc1O6V0JRICVh1bnyHiwBb0XLJK23ZjeJzPaes-4hCFPlMCoF_1v_4xSw5CLA90s8WBp7Yx6UR04yeJFNfaZ305OemPMgKRre1wrI9SQT8OkAjg9i1P6xt4n0rzBBlIpnRz/s1600/IMG_7026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI4tPCph8Kxcc1O6V0JRICVh1bnyHiwBb0XLJK23ZjeJzPaes-4hCFPlMCoF_1v_4xSw5CLA90s8WBp7Yx6UR04yeJFNfaZ305OemPMgKRre1wrI9SQT8OkAjg9i1P6xt4n0rzBBlIpnRz/s640/IMG_7026.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kelly is so dear. Full of class, grace and authenticity, she is a perfect mix of confidence and humility. She gave the women in my family a beautiful bowl with an explanation of its significance, wrapped in metaphors. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">The inside is strong, and the outside has gold to fill in the cracked egg shells. . . remembering how we were all sort of on egg shells last year. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LTd51_fS61nNz0dCZfAc76by5fCQrFlrmZgu00FhtayGDb-3I2Nh_IX4xzmO7P6PF7cnx2ejC7x745mM5DQFGtat6svep_miwzeOhK4PnIlqX7QoowrnX9zVa1c8yq0xs6Rt8PpAjtbc/s1600/IMG_7030+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3LTd51_fS61nNz0dCZfAc76by5fCQrFlrmZgu00FhtayGDb-3I2Nh_IX4xzmO7P6PF7cnx2ejC7x745mM5DQFGtat6svep_miwzeOhK4PnIlqX7QoowrnX9zVa1c8yq0xs6Rt8PpAjtbc/s640/IMG_7030+%25281%2529.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My goodness, I've been blessed with friends who can be so real and beautiful. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As I reflect on what 2017 brought us, I stand witness to our experiences of fear and courage in the way we revised our life in this move, and appreciate </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">those who loved and empathized with us, wanting us to be happy and settled. I think of my friend Marian, whom I miss dearly, "I've always seen you in Centerville, Sarah." I think of my beautiful, cosmopolitan friend Dani, who said, "oh of course, I've always seen you back at home, Sarah." I think of my "track team" friends who kept me running. I think of my church in Fredericksburg, and I resonate with Molly's sentiments, "I miss our church the most." I think of my soul sister Laurie who gave us her family calendar last year knowing we wouldn't be together for the entire year, and the way their 2018 year came to our doorstep with pictures of her family and ours on the pages together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think of my mom's friend Naida who became or friend as she helped us create this home for us. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I reflect on the new friends we've made and the ways old friends have welcomed me back and loved my children and BJ. We love living in walking distance of our family. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So with Christmas traditions, and the chance to nest and decorate, I do feel at home.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokT3Z30Gr238kSAqiuiDobx1a98Y-k0Q1nCZ4xqz-QePFF2NEtuQ-CUCm127kldxPKptfacDu0ZzZ2JW45xteDtvgi8gmkn_gjn1AQGztXZo9KlCi7yR9JmYFEPh6v1gyagmWT6ipTTu3/s1600/IMG_7025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Tinos; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokT3Z30Gr238kSAqiuiDobx1a98Y-k0Q1nCZ4xqz-QePFF2NEtuQ-CUCm127kldxPKptfacDu0ZzZ2JW45xteDtvgi8gmkn_gjn1AQGztXZo9KlCi7yR9JmYFEPh6v1gyagmWT6ipTTu3/s640/IMG_7025.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Although we didn't experience death, in the words of Tennyson, we experienced life piled on life. </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am a part of all that I have met; </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yet all experience is an arch wherethro' </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Gleams that untravell'd world whose margin fades </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For ever and forever when I move. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How dull it is to pause, to make an end, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To rust unburnish'd, not to shine in use! </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As tho' to breathe were life! Life piled on life </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Were all too little, and of one to me </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Little remains: but every hour is saved </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">From that eternal silence, something more, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">A bringer of new things; and vile it were </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For some three suns to store and hoard myself, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And this gray spirit yearning in desire </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To follow knowledge like a sinking star, </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Beyond the utmost bound of human thought. </span></i></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">. . . </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -1em;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho' </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -1em;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We are not now that strength which in old days</span></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -1em;">Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are;</span><span style="text-indent: -1em;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -1em;">One equal temper of heroic hearts,</span><span style="text-indent: -1em;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -1em;">Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will</span><span style="text-indent: -1em;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -1em;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="text-indent: -20px;">While I have been made weak <i>and tender</i> by time and our fate, o</span><span style="text-indent: -1em;">n this Christmas Eve, I strive to focus on how much abides. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: -1em;">Christmas 2017 brought me home.</span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCFv1hOSmCCZCzg6JHQXiTZ-7R8jKNbhyphenhyphenQMz8iDy9Ypye1aIrHAQ92hpvJJf1whOyyU0iEx3I91kTn8DvpkSVI1WAHzVjHspSflcydKtXrdCEDCCJDNoPEmJW2SreNaUXggx6tgXRh8sA/s1600/IMG_6837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCFv1hOSmCCZCzg6JHQXiTZ-7R8jKNbhyphenhyphenQMz8iDy9Ypye1aIrHAQ92hpvJJf1whOyyU0iEx3I91kTn8DvpkSVI1WAHzVjHspSflcydKtXrdCEDCCJDNoPEmJW2SreNaUXggx6tgXRh8sA/s640/IMG_6837.JPG" width="480" /></span></a><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-43552880486735140922017-10-05T14:22:00.003-04:002017-10-05T14:38:09.937-04:00On the irony of life<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is Fall break and I'm taking the time to write the musings of my heart and mind on our life here, reflecting with gratitude and to be honest, a sense of melancholy. More than anything, I am embracing contentment, and that is because BJ and the girls are so happy, and I'm happy to be content.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are loving our home, and the functionality and beauty is thanks to Naida who shared her time and talents with us to help design it from layout to colors.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfF1UA3rBU-mhPDA2tQ95amais_I-ai1KmxLsxFSxZbO6RjrhsckuLdDiQZBVEFecsfWaVXL4BkV3cuK0cmosEd8EySXkpXAbESlSLuKGRXQaQGkraEcnKnWDz0Q39e-hr9HwXIFATRUU/s1600/IMG_6333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfF1UA3rBU-mhPDA2tQ95amais_I-ai1KmxLsxFSxZbO6RjrhsckuLdDiQZBVEFecsfWaVXL4BkV3cuK0cmosEd8EySXkpXAbESlSLuKGRXQaQGkraEcnKnWDz0Q39e-hr9HwXIFATRUU/s640/IMG_6333.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> We invited them over as our first dinner guests, and Molly Mae helped me decorate with flowers from Nana's garden. Watching her make beautiful designs from God's natural beauty was nothing short of spiritual.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Before dinner, we finally drank a special bottle of wine gifted to us by our friends Susan and Dan, who gave it to us as a a special memento in the spring of 2016 since we were going to Paris. Susan told us to enjoy it together either before or after we went, and we meant to drink this after we came back, but our life fell apart then, and it just never felt like the right time. I found it fitting to share with Naida who helped bring beauty back into our lives in our home. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vTDVCPazjoCaJGGkE8TYIeFUC_yfYanfpZm-JWczMNQ4R9x6RvZKs_whmlQupHJixzkE7Ti4h4xyRrzXRTcpJ2h084a088Co_nLtgWFzANSGaxmaUvRkDqx_qgf9p_xL16ZlSeRghdrR/s1600/IMG_6071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0vTDVCPazjoCaJGGkE8TYIeFUC_yfYanfpZm-JWczMNQ4R9x6RvZKs_whmlQupHJixzkE7Ti4h4xyRrzXRTcpJ2h084a088Co_nLtgWFzANSGaxmaUvRkDqx_qgf9p_xL16ZlSeRghdrR/s400/IMG_6071.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We are slowly working on the outside...my contribution is buying mums and BJ is putting his agriculture experience to use with some landscaping.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiQ9i_8BJ6FccMDXasV2aLGYRg3oxhIMj9jlVnEuLFCm221W9lAR7MEqpnJpKsjnQyRG1anTtUGc7R850hZeTGcdrPDZPx7NJUcSI9w-csD_MByn2flt80B6-2zHfvABymYgvvCN2Hp3q/s1600/IMG_6396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTiQ9i_8BJ6FccMDXasV2aLGYRg3oxhIMj9jlVnEuLFCm221W9lAR7MEqpnJpKsjnQyRG1anTtUGc7R850hZeTGcdrPDZPx7NJUcSI9w-csD_MByn2flt80B6-2zHfvABymYgvvCN2Hp3q/s400/IMG_6396.JPG" width="300" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LOmozv4BRD3GF14-3lkYlnY3NE2_yLO_4ByfQcnbhYj-kjAajoUoFsPoVD4zlRHXx7mvvzjFkQFRSbTJN4tGP_5OQzpeOaMJvwg2MzpPiTPm3qxslVc7eech6Ev_zqXsF2SMEPN6HZzg/s1600/IMG_6379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LOmozv4BRD3GF14-3lkYlnY3NE2_yLO_4ByfQcnbhYj-kjAajoUoFsPoVD4zlRHXx7mvvzjFkQFRSbTJN4tGP_5OQzpeOaMJvwg2MzpPiTPm3qxslVc7eech6Ev_zqXsF2SMEPN6HZzg/s320/IMG_6379.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">BJ is loving our life in Centerville. He has chickens and we are getting goats after we return from Fall break. He is being a great stay-at-home Dad and our life is actually much better than I ever remember it before his diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3VIkhwdd992gEcmHye1UPhUCEyPzicqpgWTP6MsNpoFeizBBlrp3POFoiwnImCuz9v5twhH6iHT-QDwLVjEfu4oI4g1hfR1PcuuBZgW10eXJvfXS9YhSf4Zmg9sO8L1ngyJEd1K6j_cf/s1600/IMG_6446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3VIkhwdd992gEcmHye1UPhUCEyPzicqpgWTP6MsNpoFeizBBlrp3POFoiwnImCuz9v5twhH6iHT-QDwLVjEfu4oI4g1hfR1PcuuBZgW10eXJvfXS9YhSf4Zmg9sO8L1ngyJEd1K6j_cf/s400/IMG_6446.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The reduced stress is good for his health, and I imagine for mine too. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpvxkyDdelkcaknD_CQ8S8cGkxldcrGdynLoPLGlvLxOvBExTUzGbjX6WVcilZB0nJ2JHa918CwoLSuSsl2AfERh9lcrPwUzELEZHyU5WIzXiLfa9GHic6sMS4wpmPK0RY8geY6XdCd1j/s1600/IMG_6458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwpvxkyDdelkcaknD_CQ8S8cGkxldcrGdynLoPLGlvLxOvBExTUzGbjX6WVcilZB0nJ2JHa918CwoLSuSsl2AfERh9lcrPwUzELEZHyU5WIzXiLfa9GHic6sMS4wpmPK0RY8geY6XdCd1j/s640/IMG_6458.JPG" width="480" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He fishes most days and on Sundays he takes the girls. I definitely think that fishing has contributed to his health. He says, and my Dad corroborates, that when BJ creek fishes, it is a work out, but the girls and I like the pond for the beautiful setting and easy catches. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Molly seems to love school and I love getting some stories about her from friends who work at her school. She is so proud that she is reading chapter books. Molly and her cousin Kitty, although in different classes, have figured out a way to sit near each other in lunchroom and play together at recess, and get to see each other twice a week for enrichment. They play on the same soccer team, and want to be together all the time, even though they fight like sisters. (This is at our friend's, Charlie and Naida's home.)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf4oKRsKhA4-EH9LgHtbo7ecEgH2ePQ6VqKUISwuQ3S2GeB16L9jxDpwyjNx4lofYQMfLRbQ-3C6alazsPFCN4uKfgiJTiXPJDLaKRVmSjo6qKtW1ZCJInUAuvfW-_7Edn9PG3FBsL4UB/s1600/IMG_6461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvf4oKRsKhA4-EH9LgHtbo7ecEgH2ePQ6VqKUISwuQ3S2GeB16L9jxDpwyjNx4lofYQMfLRbQ-3C6alazsPFCN4uKfgiJTiXPJDLaKRVmSjo6qKtW1ZCJInUAuvfW-_7Edn9PG3FBsL4UB/s640/IMG_6461.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anna Cate loves 6th grade, mostly the social aspect of it; we are thankful she has met some really sweet girls and having some great "middle school" experiences. She is entering the academic time where I can be of use to her education since I know the curriculum. I'm not so sure how she feels about that. Anna Cate is not driven for personal success, and as BJ and I were discussing the other night, he said, "she is wired like my mom; she is motivated to do things for others." It is a gift, but I would like to see her work hard for herself. Interesting times ahead I'm sure. So far she still seems to want to be with us and I'm so grateful for her kind heart. It is never very far away from my mind where we were this time last year in such a state of desperation over her health. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iJcs3ippwmQgyeeGhB_lG8Sq4yLv2HoBQcWj2pChL-vvarpQkzEfrfvddI3ZowLvfwFF5GFjAZSL0bH6qgc_qluPoxdMpAQ4uOxa58oRqW1hyi-fu2pbmo3msv00olUk1gn6jqOw5QMR/s1600/IMG_6437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iJcs3ippwmQgyeeGhB_lG8Sq4yLv2HoBQcWj2pChL-vvarpQkzEfrfvddI3ZowLvfwFF5GFjAZSL0bH6qgc_qluPoxdMpAQ4uOxa58oRqW1hyi-fu2pbmo3msv00olUk1gn6jqOw5QMR/s640/IMG_6437.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She ran cross country, because I made her, and even though she doesn't enjoy the competitive aspect of it, she sure loves the relationships. My Dad made me run starting at age 9, and I'd like to think I'm less autocratic about it. . . I'd also like to think she will develop a life-long love of the practice I find so good for the body and soul. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We are enjoying life in a small town. One Sunday when Kitty stayed over, we all walked to church. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33xC4MMWkWR2bUGjV-ycfnlVUaNsZh4xIGg2NlJjsA_GXfqXd1IgooZLXzW8oKnK_uGsXZIB3DEuyFBZJ6tQMsMiUDCYvvt4fvGOuD8Owcr7Q9Ky0kXxV1YXy3D0p8kFvs_9Qhvt_1Wb/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP33xC4MMWkWR2bUGjV-ycfnlVUaNsZh4xIGg2NlJjsA_GXfqXd1IgooZLXzW8oKnK_uGsXZIB3DEuyFBZJ6tQMsMiUDCYvvt4fvGOuD8Owcr7Q9Ky0kXxV1YXy3D0p8kFvs_9Qhvt_1Wb/s320/IMG_6237.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> And then enjoyed celebrating my brother's birthday.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4QE6D2CLiGReFX5r7dBG87-DTWgOmMRWtn6gzcmUTDo7-tgwi7JSgkwjDrlCGtp862OgkMcihLiLu1coHBfkZXnA6p5Abxa6EH0uNcN3mQPPFFJ-vzbbNBl1ISdlYWBXojZs3tc1wObt/s1600/IMG_6239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio4QE6D2CLiGReFX5r7dBG87-DTWgOmMRWtn6gzcmUTDo7-tgwi7JSgkwjDrlCGtp862OgkMcihLiLu1coHBfkZXnA6p5Abxa6EH0uNcN3mQPPFFJ-vzbbNBl1ISdlYWBXojZs3tc1wObt/s640/IMG_6239.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It is so nice to be around for family celebrations, both little and big. We were here for Tallulah's first birthday and she was absolutely precious and knew the get-together was about her. She is such a sweet, affectionate, personable baby and I'm so thankful we get to be around. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We have Vanderbilt season tickets, and Molly thinks that tailgating is the best part.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRK2bcTuK2guNMej_dw5F-gNKipEmzVvse31lLZiunopu4l42Mu5ykBoo6FSIwzIukwo5RuzpX557Sv0KJ-fdmdi5TZN33xGN6ztrdW-EkEFlfCtjRIrE58eONZYKujAPzBFnVigQLAwa/s1600/IMG_6268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRK2bcTuK2guNMej_dw5F-gNKipEmzVvse31lLZiunopu4l42Mu5ykBoo6FSIwzIukwo5RuzpX557Sv0KJ-fdmdi5TZN33xGN6ztrdW-EkEFlfCtjRIrE58eONZYKujAPzBFnVigQLAwa/s320/IMG_6268.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvIz0ZOnXN-Z6tPRJkKS76QgMvbI6tihX30Q2u-5mrs2jiowMQCDb_18LkeNoQoLXkBpYnSXVIN1bjaJTXOsOTuVq-FZdJf6lvh-iOP8Xhx1dwb8mzoWboJTVFvZwoyWe6-zlG72iQiKU/s1600/IMG_6272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXvIz0ZOnXN-Z6tPRJkKS76QgMvbI6tihX30Q2u-5mrs2jiowMQCDb_18LkeNoQoLXkBpYnSXVIN1bjaJTXOsOTuVq-FZdJf6lvh-iOP8Xhx1dwb8mzoWboJTVFvZwoyWe6-zlG72iQiKU/s320/IMG_6272.JPG" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Anna Cate is up for anything fun, and has enjoys going to cheer the team on as they come into the stadium at home games. She high fives the coach and Mr. Commodore. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We had planned to spend the weekend with our friends Jim and Laurie after the Alabama game, but Molly got strep, so I stayed home with her. Laurie and Jim drove to Centerville and it was so special to be together, even if it made me miss her more. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Molly told me when she was sick, "It is not fun being sick, but it has been nice to have the day together." Lately, this exact sentiment mirrors the introspection. </span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My musing on the joy and melancholy:</span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I am working in Dickson, a town 40 minutes away, and am so fulfilled, challenged and thankful to be teaching the subject I'm so passionate about to an age I love -- World History to 7th graders. I feel appreciated and am thinking working in one small town and living in another is a good idea for a middle school teacher and mom who </span><strike style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">sometimes</strike><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> struggles to keep my mouth shut about the ways schools do things. Teaching in Dickson has given me the chance to renew myself in an unfamiliar setting in the midst of our family moving back to the comfort of home. I took an interim position and really hope to be there again next year. BUT, I do miss being around for the family happenings during the week, and to be honest, my ego is a little bruised that I'm not serving in my home town. This is the example of the absurdity that is either life or my mind -- the very thing that makes me so happy, teaching in Dickson, also makes me sad. I just notice my feelings and am trying not to attach. I rejoice in my fulfillment in my job satisfaction, and tell the girls I am sorry to not be around as much as I would like. Last week, when exhaustion left me on the couch, I took in this scene: Anna Cate, reading a history novel to me and Molly, meditating and practicing yoga. A gift from the universe that my influence might not be diminished because my physical presence is. </span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yiS9YFzNM6u0ELuUTpENCpmklSv25mo9QuX0mlA4RbjxbYk2_YYvAr8xJV3KOhu-99QoJupnROF8PT2fujz4BnvfOgMuk30gUe8ZgUlPwyAusJgqO-9ytr3w8aZMacPdEJplDvVGxMKq/s1600/IMG_6431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6yiS9YFzNM6u0ELuUTpENCpmklSv25mo9QuX0mlA4RbjxbYk2_YYvAr8xJV3KOhu-99QoJupnROF8PT2fujz4BnvfOgMuk30gUe8ZgUlPwyAusJgqO-9ytr3w8aZMacPdEJplDvVGxMKq/s320/IMG_6431.JPG" width="320" /></span></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPye16cIekLWXsLULngQI-UupBH4EBzKHyufSRQg2SH7WkNiKPHE58DvG4qIAaiABmMz-V0glQEwB9nxceike0aMPUdIkgpPBm5o6Vl_EREC3hP8vaWm6U4onS7DyrhEFjyTReS4D7_m_f/s1600/IMG_6432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPye16cIekLWXsLULngQI-UupBH4EBzKHyufSRQg2SH7WkNiKPHE58DvG4qIAaiABmMz-V0glQEwB9nxceike0aMPUdIkgpPBm5o6Vl_EREC3hP8vaWm6U4onS7DyrhEFjyTReS4D7_m_f/s320/IMG_6432.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"You can have it all in life. . . just not at the same time." --Allahna Brathwaite</i></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ut1g0xz9nb8cyB4HNFPIfV11EQ4Sc_1iVkf3KfSlPFoHc1SQXHq2mkKm6bL2wB0GU1tjSX6SkFg9PF43WN84dXyl01ZSDX4EPPj7IYE5-ak6dpaXEZPjwGggrv9CEhQ1u1XIqypUZax6/s1600/IMG_6468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ut1g0xz9nb8cyB4HNFPIfV11EQ4Sc_1iVkf3KfSlPFoHc1SQXHq2mkKm6bL2wB0GU1tjSX6SkFg9PF43WN84dXyl01ZSDX4EPPj7IYE5-ak6dpaXEZPjwGggrv9CEhQ1u1XIqypUZax6/s320/IMG_6468.JPG" width="240" /></span></a><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I think about all we experienced in the past year, and I know I could not have gotten through it without the support of family and friends on the outside, and the slow steady practice of running and yoga for work on my inside. Being in a state to reflect gives me peace, and while we don't have easy "Target runs" I am so thankful to be surrounded by such beauty for my actual runs. I don't take that for granted as I reflect on our life, BJ's health, the girls school, happiness, my job, our situation. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I think about how stunning and sad it is that BJ has Parkinson's. I wonder what our girls will remember when they think about our move here. Will it pierce their heart like it does mine, when I say why we moved, "my husband has Parkinson's and we wanted a slower, cheaper pace of life." Because I may say that but in the abyss of my subconscious, I'm also thinking: <i>we don't know what life has in store for his health, and I want him to be happy and healthy. We want to spend as much time together as a family as we can. And last year, I saw that we need my family. Parkinson's is a progressive disease and I am scared so I'm willing to be exhausted and sad a little so that he can be happy. Actually only sometimes, that's true. . I'm quite a selfish person, and even though he is the one that is sick, it is <b>me</b> that gets taken care of. I still make sure I am fulfilled, which is why I feel so selfish by being so happy teaching in Dickson. I probably am a slacker of a mother, actually. But the crazy thing in this whole weird thing when my young husband gets this horrible disease and has brain surgery that we thought that would make our life go back to normal, but instead meant he couldn't work and rocked our world is that we are happy now! We are having a better life than when he worked 65 hours a week and we fought over who takes off when a kid get sick, and we sat in traffic trying to keep our kids in activities. Could it be <b>this</b> is a blessing? The very thing, a Parkinson's Disease diagnosis at 36, that is heart breaking to happen to such a good person has been an invocation of presence, love and light for our family. Because my goodness, I miss my friends and my church, and my yoga studio, but I love getting to see my family almost daily, and we are having a good life. My kids are growing up in walking distance of their grandparents and cousins. And BJ is good, and the girls are happy. </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Of course, I don't say all those things, but with a drive to and from work and the chance to run on country roads, I'm reflecting with awareness of the good and rough times. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">“If your mind carries a heavy burden of past, you will experience more of the same. The past perpetuates itself through lack of presence. The quality of your consciousness at this moment is what shapes the future.” </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4493.Eckhart_Tolle" style="background-color: white; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">Eckhart Tolle</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_6708" style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/840520" style="font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know it will sustain me when they commence again. Truth is -- struggles can be ahead for everyone; we just have an inkling what ours will be. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I can't say "God does things for a reason" because I think that is a shallow, broken theology, but I can embraces the words from Paul</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> my grandmother used to quote. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. . . . </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. </span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; text-align: justify;">I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.</span></i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It reflects this notion that missing part of my life in Fredericksburg doesn't mean I'm sad to be here, that being happy in Dickson does have its cost, and that maybe a devastating diagnosis has helped us create a better life. </span><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-22863502066199558232017-08-13T21:46:00.004-04:002017-08-13T21:46:36.576-04:00Starting a Life Anew and Coming Home to Make a Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3eH6ZmgqbK9zIBAWRYjRiSbIdZx7ouN5C2-L1kYgaOSlRZ14zEcwDeQCdbnPewL-QtvjbNZRY2hrfBiGOpq0PQYQnLnPRjn47Wwn7sK4nfETKHVd8rhW4nNCO3w10PQgnAM6RJeck8RW/s1600/IMG_5688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="1484" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq3eH6ZmgqbK9zIBAWRYjRiSbIdZx7ouN5C2-L1kYgaOSlRZ14zEcwDeQCdbnPewL-QtvjbNZRY2hrfBiGOpq0PQYQnLnPRjn47Wwn7sK4nfETKHVd8rhW4nNCO3w10PQgnAM6RJeck8RW/s400/IMG_5688.JPG" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">About six weeks ago, we drove off from our dear friends' home, and headed home, to our new home town. I looked in my rear view mirror and I couldn't help but notice the imagery of leaving Virginia behind, so I also snapped a photo welcoming us to Tennessee. Since we come here every summer and Christmas, I've made this drive several times, but this time it felt different. Saying goodbye to our life in Fredericksburg was hard for me, but toward the end, I said, "I'm ready to just rip the band aid off." Molly Mae, in her infinite wit said "Mommy we are ripping the band aid off. . . very slowly since this is a long drive."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> About two hours away from Centerville, I just got this uneasy feeling and then BJ called me (we drove separate cars) and told me about the conversation he and Anna Cate were having because we saw a sign you might see in the Bible belt. It made me realize the richness of diversity in places we least expect it. For the first several days, I needed a few days to just hole up with my family and it felt like summer vacation until our home was being finished, so we made the most of the quick summer vacation we had, knowing that this was our soon-to-be home life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent time at creeks, enjoyed the town pool, a lot of play dates with our cousin Kitty and made some new friends at a Vacation Bible School.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk1FVcTJpTnm6lXfV8Qs_wZuOXZLSPN9y-mUX7V4P27R-U9fgWNsKQxmxau-UuWrXtWAkv_cHw1FWUR1pifvju7cVp7WR2nXgPjo1uwsTLiOPYBhye8bcoY3CisjVlMFBItq45q096b2h/s1600/IMG_5744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk1FVcTJpTnm6lXfV8Qs_wZuOXZLSPN9y-mUX7V4P27R-U9fgWNsKQxmxau-UuWrXtWAkv_cHw1FWUR1pifvju7cVp7WR2nXgPjo1uwsTLiOPYBhye8bcoY3CisjVlMFBItq45q096b2h/s640/IMG_5744.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJDu3fcbzFRpnGT-E3FsUha4dQnHfa1A_vNis6VhoLAC-CrwZ22I89aBa_jKoTivt_romSof0SdfP2OgAOew9rej8K5xD_OtAt-T2Fl_Cm6FEHP0yMeSX-Bc_94bRSyC9Djy-_qAvFO-A/s1600/IMG_5746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRJDu3fcbzFRpnGT-E3FsUha4dQnHfa1A_vNis6VhoLAC-CrwZ22I89aBa_jKoTivt_romSof0SdfP2OgAOew9rej8K5xD_OtAt-T2Fl_Cm6FEHP0yMeSX-Bc_94bRSyC9Djy-_qAvFO-A/s640/IMG_5746.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mom let the girls play in the mud puddles after a rain, and I was so annoyed until I saw this picture of pure glee! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVRig98T8AaVNEVxBUzM0-CpASV1_rf-U8M2WPgLdG4HH7F3wQv5KZp_1ND2PhgQ9cd2u8BVRLAPvZlpO_eNJGi3vYxrvKc0HPbEOuoV284LfZBJwh7fP2jgeP5d1MWC0MJeMXg97i7iM/s1600/IMG_5809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUVRig98T8AaVNEVxBUzM0-CpASV1_rf-U8M2WPgLdG4HH7F3wQv5KZp_1ND2PhgQ9cd2u8BVRLAPvZlpO_eNJGi3vYxrvKc0HPbEOuoV284LfZBJwh7fP2jgeP5d1MWC0MJeMXg97i7iM/s640/IMG_5809.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6RYA16yop5p63yAX2t22fEeFiShSUNlqwhqE9357yEgL-n8IPLGhQ6RACXttGis11fnK84o2MJCSXdvOMDCWY_tqSNr-UWoo5HH9yH79kkBwX68tTCYkH7ROggnhQVQcqqt4qzBvOvFX/s1600/IMG_5931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="750" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6RYA16yop5p63yAX2t22fEeFiShSUNlqwhqE9357yEgL-n8IPLGhQ6RACXttGis11fnK84o2MJCSXdvOMDCWY_tqSNr-UWoo5HH9yH79kkBwX68tTCYkH7ROggnhQVQcqqt4qzBvOvFX/s640/IMG_5931.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And in between the kids having fun, I got in some hot runs,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gr6WnKga78guowQCzjrZOe3yO6tAhEDBi6WHOcT-GSadeEAFSIOARnKo5YThUmfHgIpXyzUgWmRkWSGXMH7K4TPf-c24p3aSD87gLYj-gjxY-7yOLlOa8EnnUyNkHL2HMmXlzA2wUaSe/s1600/IMG_5797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-gr6WnKga78guowQCzjrZOe3yO6tAhEDBi6WHOcT-GSadeEAFSIOARnKo5YThUmfHgIpXyzUgWmRkWSGXMH7K4TPf-c24p3aSD87gLYj-gjxY-7yOLlOa8EnnUyNkHL2HMmXlzA2wUaSe/s640/IMG_5797.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BJ staked out where he could go fish....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhhU0gVnqDwpF1MVz_IadYYimrJUqV37Py4VPwVxrU3JeCOZdJFiduQ3X6fohdHGxSmMh8eGiVmRibkGIkTFS7ycRj5u_6gG8f_Ppeqc1aXBqV9xg7uIsZQIh9UIeTUIioVRdXj7BnWRh/s1600/CSHF7949.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhhU0gVnqDwpF1MVz_IadYYimrJUqV37Py4VPwVxrU3JeCOZdJFiduQ3X6fohdHGxSmMh8eGiVmRibkGIkTFS7ycRj5u_6gG8f_Ppeqc1aXBqV9xg7uIsZQIh9UIeTUIioVRdXj7BnWRh/s320/CSHF7949.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">and we made decisions on our home we were remodeling. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI95PBbefHNkDqpxcK2G4hPyLDApVqlzT5JIRR9eSVhI5jt9BgAC25FbjCJqwge-rC2qGPqjxyzBl5cXW-SH3TGrQRQc5HyfNID-RfO9Gv12rw_D6mMA3FoWzVFz6Ehver2Vn-XOfN8OFy/s1600/IMG_5737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI95PBbefHNkDqpxcK2G4hPyLDApVqlzT5JIRR9eSVhI5jt9BgAC25FbjCJqwge-rC2qGPqjxyzBl5cXW-SH3TGrQRQc5HyfNID-RfO9Gv12rw_D6mMA3FoWzVFz6Ehver2Vn-XOfN8OFy/s320/IMG_5737.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NGxGiEyF_qIAbBz8EmIBxFCJgwDOY7UOeou-uKwNyjAnxaIwkHyeAJ8xW4CBo9T5SwoA-aw2yKIen3a1jPpUksQ-SO7cRawfeYJ5K5QKBYDGGYFvHII8i6ureHQHA9MpHuYB2oCOmW3z/s1600/IMG_5739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NGxGiEyF_qIAbBz8EmIBxFCJgwDOY7UOeou-uKwNyjAnxaIwkHyeAJ8xW4CBo9T5SwoA-aw2yKIen3a1jPpUksQ-SO7cRawfeYJ5K5QKBYDGGYFvHII8i6ureHQHA9MpHuYB2oCOmW3z/s400/IMG_5739.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are lots of shades of grey!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWaM9toKM1Vo6BLXaYpTbtHYlHCLyNDwU0MGr6w3gAY-IisItlckoCyS6-5cyakyje9EgLKi64szawOcQ76FK5ET1OKpb9OZzf9pGjZS_8vkjNXM4WNQsLkTdAS4LzLCqsqcM-vsPIbNv/s1600/IMG_5741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWaM9toKM1Vo6BLXaYpTbtHYlHCLyNDwU0MGr6w3gAY-IisItlckoCyS6-5cyakyje9EgLKi64szawOcQ76FK5ET1OKpb9OZzf9pGjZS_8vkjNXM4WNQsLkTdAS4LzLCqsqcM-vsPIbNv/s400/IMG_5741.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We went with lots of greys, with blues, greens some purple and one area with a pop of yellow!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiROBLGP1xfYhJsQ_uB30_fyeGfxT2YJTLkEq3UWuSuNAVGAHxvxHIUyVkZHq1nJO0NDC1hcmDdvO-4qOdUfzMmcKmiyD9SoC3_m80bOO-1R5teYplQnKFJ6iJCF4qfB9o61YOZJ13gyvz/s1600/IMG_5742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiROBLGP1xfYhJsQ_uB30_fyeGfxT2YJTLkEq3UWuSuNAVGAHxvxHIUyVkZHq1nJO0NDC1hcmDdvO-4qOdUfzMmcKmiyD9SoC3_m80bOO-1R5teYplQnKFJ6iJCF4qfB9o61YOZJ13gyvz/s320/IMG_5742.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mom's dear friend Naida helped us with design and paint choices and we feel so thankful to have experienced her expertise. I wanted to move here and have it all done yesterday, but she talked me back from the haste by saying, "If you try to rush everything, you will miss finding those treasures." So I did feel myself stepping back with some confidence that I knew it would work out. . . and it did!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The big project was we doubled the size of an upstairs loft for the girls to have a bedroom, closet, bathroom and play area. When asking them if they would be ok with a room together, we said it would be like an apartment. . and it does feel that way.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhV0IBDn5BuPh2AC2-aAp6s46dAXTAwcPo7-kF6jYn2JKOKhirGq0kNMhX9f9d9BNxbaFu6788moYIfPwMHjzPJvC9goOOgpVP_OZM7jPoz69SA0lanwx-nLbaIIT-ZGsInstp2wWQhTF/s1600/IMG_6060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrhV0IBDn5BuPh2AC2-aAp6s46dAXTAwcPo7-kF6jYn2JKOKhirGq0kNMhX9f9d9BNxbaFu6788moYIfPwMHjzPJvC9goOOgpVP_OZM7jPoz69SA0lanwx-nLbaIIT-ZGsInstp2wWQhTF/s640/IMG_6060.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrK1KzomW6ZuUqtYIycnYaTX254XuA18jWTSj9uzJo7rO_Z7e_LvDycgK1Xm51JvGnOoWz75ca3v2ru8eWqSuNdqFocIm6wL53VXAucPtf3H6-0YcCSgo72VTA0oIvTZzcIJSg41xr9r-5/s1600/IMG_6061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrK1KzomW6ZuUqtYIycnYaTX254XuA18jWTSj9uzJo7rO_Z7e_LvDycgK1Xm51JvGnOoWz75ca3v2ru8eWqSuNdqFocIm6wL53VXAucPtf3H6-0YcCSgo72VTA0oIvTZzcIJSg41xr9r-5/s640/IMG_6061.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAFnLStIyLjmf5NmYfcEclJd_F2CQ3OBkPrnwZLrFXULeQ3arQ96123-fbATZVYkR0WCthVc9wzYrj-f22mqut0JjSAoqswtadOHG3RlIJCcGTBtOqTlPUalCTvpP_PSG3eJnbYDh-CS_/s1600/IMG_6063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAFnLStIyLjmf5NmYfcEclJd_F2CQ3OBkPrnwZLrFXULeQ3arQ96123-fbATZVYkR0WCthVc9wzYrj-f22mqut0JjSAoqswtadOHG3RlIJCcGTBtOqTlPUalCTvpP_PSG3eJnbYDh-CS_/s640/IMG_6063.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We also added a half bath downstairs, taking out two small closets.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc5yCZj0qWJr1q3MMREuc0TTYzrM1grDcEm3b2V-rnwF3XZewNljAvXrJyVx8BfAmY6x_T6f4UdnObTAOkwUTuF5jXzT_qqjysSr2O_rSkMiPRcTSDJII8wXjo6iK2uR78DwYSE4NfKyX/s1600/ORAQ9240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUc5yCZj0qWJr1q3MMREuc0TTYzrM1grDcEm3b2V-rnwF3XZewNljAvXrJyVx8BfAmY6x_T6f4UdnObTAOkwUTuF5jXzT_qqjysSr2O_rSkMiPRcTSDJII8wXjo6iK2uR78DwYSE4NfKyX/s640/ORAQ9240.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And we painted all other rooms. This is the parlor/my room for reading, writing, visiting, and thinking about world travel.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoUs3J4CXZTaeFIrOSWz2w-9M1tRUhyp2R9m1ndQTw9gX7M8Vj39f9ELQW7hMfA3M6cI05r_G6P1qSuI4psC87WG1qjh6m7EGC72qnrQawQtTQ-bBrJbGsJUKG_fGaA7NXjc9d77A9yyU/s1600/QRFK0518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoUs3J4CXZTaeFIrOSWz2w-9M1tRUhyp2R9m1ndQTw9gX7M8Vj39f9ELQW7hMfA3M6cI05r_G6P1qSuI4psC87WG1qjh6m7EGC72qnrQawQtTQ-bBrJbGsJUKG_fGaA7NXjc9d77A9yyU/s640/QRFK0518.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were two small bedrooms and a small bathroom BJ and I turned into "our area" and I love the barn door that hides it. We made one of the small rooms into a boudair/bohemian themed closet and the other small room for our bedrooom where we put some purple!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And the tv/family room makes BJ happy that he can hang his deer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So it did all work out, and we did get settled before the school year started for the girls and me, which is really what I wanted.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A couple vignettes about the first day. Because I took a 1-year position for a teacher who was having a baby, I had a different start date than Anna Cate and Molly did. It was so nice to get be around them for the pomp and circumstance of excitement and pictures. It is extra special that this year, Molly gets to start 2nd grade with her cousin Kitty. So exciting for Molly that she said, "I want Aunt Becki to take me to school the first day so she can do drop off the right way, and I'll tell you how it is done." I'm thankful Molly has other adults in her life she trusts, and that Becki knows how to do things the right way! Thankfully, a couple days later I did get to do drop off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Molly has had a great start, and I'm particularly excited that she has my friend Shelda for her teacher. Shelda and I had many classes together in school, including 3rd grade in this very room she will teach Molly. Her daughter was a flower girl in our wedding. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dropping off Anna Cate was like nothing I've ever experienced with sending my child off somewhere. I've let her fly by herself (as an un-accompanied minor) and sent her Miss Diana's at 2, to Kindergarten on a school bus, but this was hard because I know first hand the rite of passage that is Middle School. We teachers at Middle School are a different brand of caretakers than Elementary school. I distinctly remember thinking how wonderful the atmosphere was at Courthouse Road Elementary the first year I visited Anna Cate, and thought, "wow, no wonder middle school is so hard on some kids."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thankfully, Anna Cate has already made some friends and had her locker set up, so while she was nervous, there were some comforts. She had a great first day, and is going out for the Cross country team even though she is built like her mama and had such a rough year health-wise and is struggling to get back into shape. I'm so proud of her! We are running together once a week, and it is interesting to listen to the mind of a new runner, and I'm reminded of one of the reasons I love running so much -- it gives you practice to silence that voice in your head saying you can't do it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a few days of quiet time with BJ and some lunch dates, my school year began as well. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E7hVv9_jGXCAsWZACuLQdjF91Gk91rb52hbdHRCOaGcEffUskm4TzpMwHGmnptP_p6f-wDleGPEi8eiVdTnB6s0vKkgxxQd24NGd9EAFKKOngSWqUcxg0AMyZ-GT3Thv03Bgvk0ctLvi/s1600/IMG_6131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8E7hVv9_jGXCAsWZACuLQdjF91Gk91rb52hbdHRCOaGcEffUskm4TzpMwHGmnptP_p6f-wDleGPEi8eiVdTnB6s0vKkgxxQd24NGd9EAFKKOngSWqUcxg0AMyZ-GT3Thv03Bgvk0ctLvi/s400/IMG_6131.JPG" width="300" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I took a job in a town 45 minutes away, and while I'm sure the drive will become a chore some days, I am so happy with the school and the admin team. And I have a lot of time to listen to lectures from <a href="http://www.thegreatcourses.com/" target="_blank">The Great Courses</a> (If you commute, check these out; I'm open to podcast suggestions). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This spring, BJ actually found the job posted, and I knew it was a 1 year position, but a later start was very attractive to me, as well as the fact that it is World History. I hope I'll remember these days with gratitude when I'm looking for a job next year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So we are settled into our house and our school year, we have chickens in our back yard and BJ says we will have goats soon. I have had the time to think about how we were in Paris last year. </span><br />
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In fact, this Sunday of last year, I worshipped at Notre Dame.</div>
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I can't help but think about the beauty of our trip . . .</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And the way our life fell apart after we returned.</span><br />
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We faced health and financial crises as a family, and all roads led here to Centerville. BJ knew the day after his second surgery, when he said, "we are moving to Centerville."</div>
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It has been a year of transition of turmoil, but in the midst of it all, I knew it the was the right thing to do, but I struggled with the in between steps. And, now in this space on the other side of the struggles, I feel like I'm having a glimpse of God's pure light on our journey. This is where we should be. The family is happy, and we have a beautiful, functional home and a job that fulfills me. I think about how beautiful Paris is and how my life will always now be a journey back to that beauty. </div>
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BJ snapped this picture of me, and I distinctly remember looking in the lense, telling my future self, I could handle what came next. I thought BJs' surgery was the worst in front of me . . I had no idea what the next 12 months had in store. </div>
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But I'm proud to be standing on this side of this year. I think I will spend the rest of my life trying to create and exist in the space I enjoyed while in Paris.</div>
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But in the mean time, I'm happy to be home. Maybe I should be reminiscing on those memories from Paris. . and plan our next trip. </div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-58927707535980935702017-06-21T23:26:00.004-04:002017-06-21T23:26:56.380-04:00A perfect summer day. . .or two<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” - Winnie the Pooh</span><br />
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This is the summer that I'm really not going to get and as a teacher and a kid at heart, that makes me sad. Or at least that's what I've told myself, but yesterday could be categorized as a beautiful summer day. <br />
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I started my day with my friend Norah picking me up at 5:10am to go running. I am lucky enough to have a group of friends who motivate me and keep my accountable with running. As I often say. . . .their jog is my sprint and we spend Tuesday mornings at the track. Well they spend Tuesdays at the track; I sometimes make it, but our camaraderie has kept me running. I sure am going to miss chasing them.<br />
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As a way to send me off, they had champagne mimosas. . at 6am.<br />
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So thankful for girlfriends. I met Jodie the first summer I moved to this neighborhood and her beauty was only surpassed by her kindness and fun spirit. <br />
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Then, I came home to send off Anna Cate to camp and Molly to swim practice.<br />
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Molly was so excited she is swimming 5 events. In soaking up her success of swim team, she is not phased by leaving it. I have a lot to learn from this sentiment.<br />
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Both yesterday and today the girls have had play dates at the pool with friends and in the evening we were treated to a lovely dinner from our dear friend Marian. Marian's mother and BJ's mother were friends so I think of it as a 4th generation friendship and the epitome of my Dad's words "friends don't have to be your own age."</div>
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These steps are famous because Abraham Lincoln spoke to the people of Fredericksburg during the Civil War. It was a special evening being with Marian. </div>
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We went to FOODE which is in a building that used to be a bank and on these steps, Abe Lincoln spoke to the people of Fredericksburg during the Civil War. <br />
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It was a nice place to be to celebrate Virginia with one her finest belles.<br />
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Anna Cate couldn't join us since she is at camp.<br />
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Marian and Molly did 1st grade together this year. After Molly went to Maine with her folks from church, Marian went to Molly's class to read to them about cranberry farming the week of Thanksgiving, but that special occasion became a monthly treat for the first graders in Mrs. Rivers' class. Marian taught many many years and retired many years ago, but she has not lost her touch. </div>
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It was a beautiful summer evening in Fredericksburg. </div>
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We dropped MumMum off and she and Molly did their trick for bread.</div>
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As we drove off, I noticed BJ was crying. . .his first expression of emotion about leaving. Clearly, Marian is a big deal -- she is almost like an institution and the epitome of grace, class, love and what we have loved about our life in Fredericksburg. A perfect end to a perfect summer's day,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sZnnrB9EVfoojB8nSclPhZD61L21qxLhALQmCIqzqFa2W2KUgaOP8y_-0uSGZgUyJ3Kh01nD1-PqNbVE_j6SDNYTG3Ynxk_hTZQVAyyyMZjnFkkl9aA9t4vSdmo0OWxHRfheRrJfJ9Q7/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sZnnrB9EVfoojB8nSclPhZD61L21qxLhALQmCIqzqFa2W2KUgaOP8y_-0uSGZgUyJ3Kh01nD1-PqNbVE_j6SDNYTG3Ynxk_hTZQVAyyyMZjnFkkl9aA9t4vSdmo0OWxHRfheRrJfJ9Q7/s640/IMG_5330.JPG" width="640" /></a> Some of our friends have signed this quilt made for us. In its messages, I realize the truth of life I learned in a perfect summer day. I appreciate the messages, the sentiments, and the experiences worth writing about as we say goodbye, but as we live in the present -- it's all we ever really have anyway. </div>
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Here are the girls Saturday night at a church picnic. </div>
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My goodness am I going to miss Erin and the influence she has in their life. . .and mine.<br />
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Tonight while Anna Cate is at camp with Erin, Molly enjoyed a great swim meet. It is not lost on me that the last night in our home we were at a swim meet -- what I'll miss the most about living here in the summer. </div>
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<span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #222222; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 24px; letter-spacing: 0.3px;">“Goodbyes make you think. They make you realize what you’ve had, what you’ve lost, and what you’ve taken for granted.” -</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "lato" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.3px; text-align: right;">Ritu Ghatourey</span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-6292524604614113042017-06-20T21:46:00.004-04:002017-06-21T08:09:28.805-04:00A Birthday/Father's Day/Life Reflection Post<div class="dc_mn">
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Tonight I'm sitting on the front porch, listening to the rain, drinking bourbon and thinking of my Dad, and how I'm a day late trying to write about Father's Day. I'm ruminating on how to write a usual blog about my birthday, my thoughts on life, how to wrap up the end of our school year, of ways to chronicle this move we will make this week, of our life here we are leaving. Mostly, I'm sitting with my feelings and my thoughts swishing around in my scattered brain. So, I'll try to categorize it just to get it out.<br />
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<i>My 41st birthday thoughts on life. . .</i><br />
Friday was my birthday and usually I take the time to go on a long run to sort of life (<a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2014/06/i-run-because-im-happy-i-run-because-im.html" style="background-color: white; color: #7c93a1; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2014</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.2px;">, </span><a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2013/07/37celebrating-serving.html" style="background-color: white; color: #7c93a1; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2013</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.2px;">, </span><a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2012/06/36.html%20Done" style="background-color: white; color: #7c93a1; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2012</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.2px;">, </span><a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2011/06/core-of-life.html" style="background-color: white; color: #7c93a1; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2011</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.2px;">, </span><a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2010/06/birthday-cakes.html" style="background-color: white; color: #7c93a1; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.2px; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">2010</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.2px;">), </span> what I've learned, what truths I'm trying to live. I often go to the battlefields nearby because they are beautifully preserved in a sea of strip malls and the concrete suburban jungles. In those hallowed steps, I reflect on the sacrifice of lost lives and find comfort in natural beauty. This year, I went to Chancellorsville Battlefield (<a href="http://thequeensofthekingfamily.blogspot.com/2015/07/reflections-on-life-turning-39-and.html" target="_blank">where I went two years prior and pondered BJ's impending Parkinson's Diagnosis</a>), but because I had to work in the afternoon, I only had time for 4 miles.<br />
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I thought to myself, "a big reason I run here is because it reminds me of home, so it is ok to get a shorter run today. . . I am moving home!" Then I came home to this present from Mom.<br />
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We've decided we are going to celebrate my birthday next month. . .it just took a back seat to life this year. As Molly Mae said Friday night, "Mom, this is neither the time nor the place to celebrate your birthday. . . I mean look at all these boxes?!"<br />
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And my thoughts on life. Well, it caught up to me at the end of the school year. BJ compared it to playing a Mike Tyson video game as kid where the player only got so many punches, and after that last punch, the game was over. I took a few mental days to myself because I had just "had enough" of student behavior with a difficult population. One day, I'll write a book. This is a nice little symbol. . .when I turned in my teacher badge, you can't even see my face.<br />
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I can say the health issues of our Fall, the move, the goodbyes, the uncertainty and shaky ground of health, finances, the stress of my securing a new job all just caught up to me. The one thing I've learned this year with both my professional and personal life is I'm not very good at setting boundaries and my expecting the best from everyone has not exactly served me well in a time when I've been weak and vulnerable. I need to figure out how to sort through all that moving forward. I'm in therapy and the word she uses is developing some armor or my inner B*#@$. Some see my openheartedness as weakness and I have not patience or tolerance for those people in this season of my life. But I have running. . ..and I will look at this year as one I got through. I'm thankful to still be running, literally and metaphorically, which brings me to my Dad.<br />
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My Dad. . .<br />
In the the hardest year of my life, the punches have hit him as hard as they have me, maybe harder. In many ways, it tears me up to know our life has caused him such angst, but in the midst of guilt, I feel waves of love and support. I hope that with our move he can see we are ok, that we are happy and that we are fine, which brings me to our move and saying goodbye to our life here. <br />
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Moving. . .<br />
The girls are so excited to move and I have had an epiphany on children. The thing that makes them exhausting also makes them incredibly resilient and hopeful. They are always looking to "what's next." And they are excited about what's next, but before then, we are saying goodbyes here. I am emotional, but mostly, I'm just thankful for the love, opportunities and life we have had here. <br />
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Here are some scenes recently of being intentional about seeing friends to say goodbye.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Saying goodbye doesn't mean anything. It's the time we spent together that matters, not how we left it. Trey Parker</i></span></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-45253202271473191732017-04-29T16:24:00.006-04:002017-04-30T07:22:11.037-04:00Looking at Open Doors<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the Fall, when things were bad, when Anna Cate was in the hospital and BJ couldn't return to work, and we were stressed out about the future, I thought I was doing quite well. After she got well, and BJ and I figured out our new routine, I focused on work. I thought we were ok. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But it turns out, my dark days came much later. In March usually a time when I focus on celebrations, I realized I had checked out and had nothing left. I tried to think about spring break, about Anna Cate's birthday, but all I had the energy to do was work, and work out. My mind hurt. I realized there isn't anyone to pick up my slack at work, and thank God BJ could be the parent I couldn't. Rather than plan a party for Anna Cate, BJ and she did everything themselves, from planning and decoration to menu planning. I did print a few invites. She had a nice birthday I think because we went to church so she got a lot of "Happy Birthdays" and we went out to sweet frogs afterwards with friends. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wanted to be in the mood for celebration, but I just struggled. I knew we were moving in the summer, I knew it was the right thing to do, but I just couldn't quit focusing on how sad and stressed I am. We bought a house, but I had not seen it; I did not have an official job even though I passed the English praxis test, adding to my chances of getting a job, even if I had to wait until the summer to know where. For Spring break, we planned to go to Pennsylvania. . .I had a dream of knocking off some American History bucket list items for the girls -- Philadelphia and Gettysburg. But, the morning of Anna Cate's small party, I got up at 5am to work out so I could enjoy an evening with the girls. But when I came home from the gym and couldn't quit crying, I had an aha moment -- I know myself: I make the best of things. I need to go home to get excited about the next step. That afternoon, after school, I called my Mom to share my thoughts, and I cried more. So while Anna Cate's slumber party was starting, I'm sitting in my car crying. Then, Norah brought Leana over and sat and cried with me. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I share this to say what a low point this was, how we knew I wasn't myself. For over 10 ten years, while BJ worked 6 days a week, and I worked full time I still juggled it all. I throw this in here for my ego when others say, "how dare she just check out!" BJ and I were a team but I had two solid shifts and did Saturdays by myself, but I jut could not snap out of my funk. I looked up depression and I sort of fit the description. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some time during my crying-every-day phase, my dear friend Mary Helen reached out to me, and then I called her. Among other sage words, she soothed me by saying, "I can't imagine all you've been through and you still are dealing with 13 year olds daily." Just hearing someone as strong as she is saying "it is hard" helped. I've realized if we would have experienced one of things we've had thrown at us (chronic illness diagnosis for BJ, change of financial situation, child being sick, moving, me finding a job), it would might be hard, but putting it all together just became so heavy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So I trudged through to Spring Break, helped organize an 8th grade field trip, presented to the School Board, created on an <a href="http://sarahbatesking.weebly.com/" target="_blank">online portfolio </a>and tried to get a job. BJ found a 7th grade Social Studies job I should apply for. I ran and did yoga, and we prepared to put our house on the market.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I tried to forgive myself for being so empty -- I apologized and was honest with the girls. Anna Cate hurt her ankle and is still in a boot and was on crutches. This year has sucked the life out of me. Molly asked me if I was going to die since the life was out of me. She was kidding. </span>Through tears, I told Anna Cate I hope she will remember the parties I did plan, and have faith I will get back to myself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We made it to Spring break. It started on Thursday. That weekend, I was greeted with this beautiful gift from my friend Melanie. The painting is gorgeous but it was her card that touched me, "Do not look back, you're not going that way. . .It is all good." Friends who know and love me have gotten me through the dark days, and this was such a poignant reminder. This is I love. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Thursday night, we went out to dinner, and I came home to make hot tea and took my melatonin, almost ready for bed, but at 8:45 pm, my phone rang -- the area code indicated it was from the town where that 7th grade Social Studies job was, so I answered it. The principal of Dickson Middle School called me to chat and after about 5 minutes, he said, "well can I just interview you right now". . .and it was a great conversation as I was in my pajamas with my hot tea.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The next day our house went on the market and we went to DC -- our friend Cam got us tickets to see the White House (our only American History bucket list event that didn't get scratched).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And we had a lovely Easter. I couldn't help but think about how this is our last Easter in our church, a place that Norah invited me to almost 15 years ago. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And a gorgeous brunch at our friends' Dorinda & Geoff's. I hate that I don't have any pictures of brunch, but as we were leaving, I shared with my dear friend Dorinda, from Centerville, a little bit about my fears and going home hoping to secure a job. After she said, "what can I do to help you?" she grabbed my hand and said, "Look a rainbow." After we came home Molly and I enjoyed looking at that same rainbow. I look at this picture and notice the dead tree in the forefront with the rainbow in the background. A metaphor</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14px;"><i>Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray. -Lord Byron</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The next day we signed a contract on our house, BJ drove to Tennessee, I ran, and while I practiced yoga the girls visited with MumMum. Then, we enjoyed a lovely visit on her porch. She told me, again, she has always seen us moving to be near my parents. </span>On Tuesday, the girls and I flew to Nashville. While in the airport, I got a call from another school for an interview. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In short, I met with a few principals and received more than one offer, but when I went to Dickson and met with the team where there is a 7th grade Social Studies position, it just felt right. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I fell in love with the house -- a house my sister in law Becki found because she was delivering Girl Scout cookies! It couldn't be more perfect for us -- small house, in town, close to family, across the street from the park and city pool, next to a barn with a big back yard, big enough for BJ to have some goats and chickens. He keeps promising me that urban homesteading is a thing, and it is <i>cool</i>. This is the view from the park across the street.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This is the house and back yard.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And a view of the barn next door. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We enjoyed time with family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I took the kids to see their new schools, the elementary and middle school where I went. We got such a great feeling about these schools. I gained peace of mind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> The day before we left Centerville, my friend Courtney texted me this quote: </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” </i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I realized that is exactly what this Spring break did for me -- it allowed me to look at the door that is opening. For that, I'm grateful. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm sure I'll continue to shed a lot of tears as I look at the doors we are closing, but I'm so thankful my mind is excited about the door that is opening -- a chance to raise my children and face this journey with BJ near our family in a wonderful small town with reminders of God's natural beauty to soothe our soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That beautiful handmade gift from my friend Melanie was in response to a "pay it forward" challenge. So if you are reading my blog, and want to play to receive a random happy gift from me before the end of 2017, be one of the first five to make a comment.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it. </span></b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">-George A. Moore</span></b></i></span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-62349936198021787902017-03-25T11:57:00.000-04:002017-03-25T11:57:25.564-04:00Celebrations<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Recently, we celebrated two of the most important gals in my life who both happened to be named Molly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mom turned 70 and Molly Mae turned 7.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For Mom's birthday, the Bates family gathered in East Tennessee in the beautiful mountains.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The guys went fishing, Becki took the kids to the amazing aquarium in Chattanooga and I got in some quality time in the mountains running. . .and sometimes walking. We enjoyed time together before coming back to Fredericksburg to celebrate Molly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nana and BJ enjoyed taking cupcakes to her class, and we all went to the nail salon to "do our nails."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Nana got to see the girls in their weekly horseback riding lessons (thanks to Daddy Doug).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And Nana went with Molly to breakfast to celebrate her buddy, Ms Bobby....who was on the Maine trip when they realized they had their same birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And Mum Mum brought them together. Oh when I look at this picture, I have so much love for this special relationship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On Sunday, Molly had her experience. We try to swap up every other year from "an experience" and a party, and this year it was high tea at a fancy hotel. I let Molly bring one friend, and she chose her friend, Darby, who lives up the street. Molly and Anna Cate play a lot with Darby and her older sister Katie. Nana wanted Anna Cate to go, so I thought we should invite Katie too, so it turned into quite the afternoon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(Yep that is Anna Cate on crutches. . .she is now on a scooter since something has happened to her ankle (the orthopedic doctor said either a bad sprain or hairline fracture).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoZJzM9KAQD726x05ILmqXuCZTz1VkIwqfVNHdu3pqtaJ9kjrpSnVODxvBKpa6pT-ymWWMA-SYUiXBXrgHRNnyiZ3GD5yzLpdolIkaLH7P8yq1sboDqHqD26arhDRHwaxs9DKqwYdDvnJ/s1600/IMG_8446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoZJzM9KAQD726x05ILmqXuCZTz1VkIwqfVNHdu3pqtaJ9kjrpSnVODxvBKpa6pT-ymWWMA-SYUiXBXrgHRNnyiZ3GD5yzLpdolIkaLH7P8yq1sboDqHqD26arhDRHwaxs9DKqwYdDvnJ/s640/IMG_8446.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We met my dear friend Dorinda, who is the one gave us the idea of tea at the Willard.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Molly was happy for a lot of reasons, including her fancy new dress from Norah.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">And she got to bring a friend, who got to bring her sister since Nana wanted Anna Cate to come, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The girls were perfect little ladies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a special day, one where I'm so thankful to have daughters, girlfriends and a Mother to celebrate flowers and frills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Molly at 7. Ahhh. It is the passing of an age where I feel like we have a little girl, but in these years that separate me from the day she came into this world, I somehow see her as my little girl more clearly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She is sensitive and strong, and as we have journeyed through some tough months as a family, we have called her "our rock." Her honesty and emotion make being in her presence either pure bliss or excruciatingly raw. Her humor and wit is met with coarse honesty, fear, anger, love and joy. She feels deeply and draws me in with her pure and deep approach to life. I enjoy her humor and admire her honesty. She is in touch with her feelings even thought at times, she can't control them.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXpGIY1VKkWElr4RN3P7m14yFkQKALt3wO8M8Z8Zfct58hEhHxqB89YYX5UflKiyoT76h9PQ_hPAhejnszfmjWbqvaJswt28om3n9U4WP8mLTe__lAiAnOGXFI4a4QXTVZmpqOAFkOZw2/s1600/IMG_8445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXpGIY1VKkWElr4RN3P7m14yFkQKALt3wO8M8Z8Zfct58hEhHxqB89YYX5UflKiyoT76h9PQ_hPAhejnszfmjWbqvaJswt28om3n9U4WP8mLTe__lAiAnOGXFI4a4QXTVZmpqOAFkOZw2/s640/IMG_8445.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I pray I honor her with my presence and emotions as fully as she absorbs life. The way she loves and expresses emotion with full gusto draws me in closer to her and to life, and reminds more what it is to be human. It might not be a coincidence that in this season where <i>my</i> life has been so shaken I've been grounded by <i>watching her </i>embrace life with authenticity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I distinctly remember a conversation I had with my friend Erin when Molly was 3, where I shared with her that Molly was an enigma to me. At 7, I feel like I understand Molly more deeply. Maybe, the feelings I have for and about her are not a mystery since they cut to the very core of myself. I don't know if it is motherhood in general, or if it is our likeness in particular that touches me so deeply in this journey with Molly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In celebrating my mother and my daughter, I am reminded of the precious connections of life and these beautiful souls who share their hearts. Thank you, Mom, for showing me how to connect and love, how to celebrate those we love. Molly Mae, thank you for the reminding me anew of how important it is to fully embrace life with purity. Thank you for making me laugh, love, feel and think. The ways you embrace life with your heart inspire me. </span></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in a heart." </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">- Khalil Gibran</span></i></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-83449975435776290682017-01-30T17:00:00.000-05:002017-01-31T07:05:30.072-05:00Intentions<div class="UFICommentContent" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; font-variant-ligatures: normal; letter-spacing: -0.24px; orphans: 2; padding-top: 4px; widows: 2;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A.J. Muste was a clergyman who stood with candles out in front of the White House every night in silent vigil during the Vietnam War. One night, he was outside in the rain by himself, and a reporter passing by stopped to talk to Muste. "You know," the reporter said to Muste, "Your standing here, alone in the rain with a candle, is not going to change the world." </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}"><span class="UFICommentBody _1n4g" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "Oh no," Muste replied, "I don't do this to change the world, I do this so the world won't change me." What a beautiful sentiment on what our intentions should be. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have been thinking a lot about intentions lately. Where I go to hot yoga (<a href="http://dragonflyyogafred.com/">http://dragonflyyogafred.com</a>) in the winters, there is this little bowl with words on slips of paper, inviting us to draw an intention before our practice. During class, the instructor asks us to focus our breath or our moves on an intention. Because I'm a Gemini and like things in pairs, I often draw two and try to figure out how they fit together, thinking on ways I can use it in my life, and order my thoughts around the serenity of words like flow, love, beauty, awakening, simplicity, fire, flexible, energy, hope, gratitude, etc. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last Wednesday evening, the words drawn and focused upon were wisdom and passion. I ruminated about this in light of my feelings in this political and social climate. I am so frustrated that both sides lack intellectual commitment to consistent principles -- I have thought about wanting to share my thoughts about issues. I want to pick at both sides for their hypocracies. I want to quote historians on the philosophies of statesmanship and rules of law; I want to address feminist for excluding those of us who are pro-life. I am frustrated with a lack of intelligent wrestling with hard issues. I want to people to take heed in the words of Socrates, "An unexamined life is not worth living." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But in yoga, I realized I need to breath in wisdom, and breathe out passion. It is not my job to share my thoughts always, but to share my passion. I need to <i>seek</i> <i>wisdom</i>, and pray for others to do so as well; I value wisdom but what I need to <i>give</i> is <i>passion</i>. Maybe it isn't up to me to think I have wisdom to give -- just to seek wisdom and share passion. Inhale wisdom, exhale passion. The two-intention thing really serves me well. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Saturday, like most families across the country, our day was filled with leisurely activities. I went to hot yoga and then the girls had basketball games through UPWARD, a Christian program teaching our kids about basketball and Christ. Their memory verse this week was. . .well I'll just have Molly share it. </span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="1138" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/201753240" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe>
<a href="https://vimeo.com/201753240">mollymemoryverse</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user12444331">Sarah King</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At Anna Cate's game, BJ told me about what was happening at JFK Airport because of an Executive Order in efforts to vet immigrants from countries seen as threats. BJ is the news junkie, and I didn't really pay attention to the details of the EO on Friday, but I was personally interested in the <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/2-iraqis-file-lawsu" target="_blank">story</a> about two Iraqis detained at JFK, one an interpreter who served US troops. I distinctly remember knowing my brother had a good relationship with his interpreter, and I texted him and he reminded me that he has a painting in his home that was a gift from his interpreter the day he left Iraq. BJ got some more information from a friend of his from high school who is a legal immigration attorney, and we were stunned by the details. We are moderates; we do not think these solutions are easy, but my God....to turn away people who have risked their lives for our interests in Iraq is sickening, to turn away people with green cards is no respect for rule of law. In addition to it being thoughtless and reckless in its implementation, it is bad PR for America. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On Saturday night, we drank some wine and BJ explained to the girls why he was upset, why you can not judge people and treat people this way. He was FIRED UP!!! He felt like the language in the EO was anti-Muslim, and said, "we are going to Dulles tomorrow."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> So he got some cardboard from a Costco trip (another all-American Saturday event) and said, "Find me a quote. Let's use Thomas Jefferson since we in Virginia are so proud of religious freedom."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> "I never will by any word or act, bow to the shrine of intolerance, or admit a right of inquiry into the religious opinions of others." So we decided that rather than go to church, we would go stand up and show our girls about a piece of Democracy -- peaceful protest. They wanted to make signs too, and looked up quotes for themselves and found these:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We went to the international arrivals section, and the whole experience was calm and positive. It felt more like a rally, than a protest. I was proud to be from a family of lawyers -- there were so many attorneys there donating their time, just trying to help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> One lady started talking to me, and when I asked about herself, she said she was from Maryland and just sitting watching the news and said, "I'm going to go see if I can help; I'm a lawyer." They were happy to talk to the girls. Some openly admitted, "I'm not an immigration expert -- I just thought maybe I could help."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This was BJ's idea, and as a family, we just wanted to be a part of history and be a face of love and acceptance, to show our children that words matter, and that action behind their chosen quotes are meaningful. By welcoming people, respecting the rule of law, and just showing up, perhaps we change hearts. I will never forget the look on the children's faces as they saw the love in the protestor's claps. Wide eyed. The adults looked grateful, and I tell myself their experience will help us fight anti-American sentiment.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> One lady from Falls Church, Virginia, who shared with us she has lived abroad, asked the girls about their school and if they had children in classes who are from other places. Both Anna Cate and Molly named a bunch of children off by name and where they are from. The lady responded in such kindness when she said, "you are lucky; you know not to be afraid; many people in other parts of our country aren't exposed to different types of people."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, perchance, we aren't so wise; we are just lucky to be exposed to diversity. The doctor who healed Anna Cate this Fall is an immigrant; BJ's brilliant movement disorder specialist is from another country. Some of my most intelligent and kind students are immigrants from the countries on this ban list. (Some of my hardest working students are from the other side of the wall people want built -- but that is another issue). And over a decade ago, a man from Iraq contributed to the safety of my beloved brother, and someone like him was detained in New York. In support of them and the families at Dulles, I became interested. So maybe I'm not that wise on my own volition -- maybe I consider myself a seeker of wisdom because I have have been blessed by experience. Like that memory verse Molly and Anna Cate learned, God's gift to me, I hope, is to use words to serve others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/201753214">sarahonthenews</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user12444331">Sarah King</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So when I was interviewed on a local news station (clip above), it was edited out that I told the story about my brother's interpreter and we were inspired to skip church to come to stand up for what we think is right. As our family was leaving the airport after I spoke to the reporter, a man got my attention and said, "tell your brother thank you for his service!" Then he shared he was an Iraqi interpreter as well and speaks four languages. He came to see if he could help; he told us of the US soldiers he served with, about how he is Muslim but his family members are Christian and Jews. He proudly showed me his passport and his US citizenship.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He asked me if my brother was ok, and the girls happily told them about Aunt Becki, Kitty and Talulah. . .all who came into our life after Douglas' returned from Iraq. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So we left feeling proud to participate in the freedoms we have as Americans, to see community service in action, and feeling inspired. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We got the chance to be a face of a welcoming smile to a foreigner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Did we change the world or impact anything huge? Nah, but I hope we influenced the hearts and minds of those we encountered. I know our experience impacted the hearts and minds of Anna Cate and Molly. So just like my yoga practice, we had two intentions. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWvs5o6GZCar8BaW9KNn4NTqxXQUl9wMKYorjq3cIu67IrUIufCpC7sZf8TVtLiZX5fzGr9Uv0WbO3lyMCRzTQaPGyq3K_ZtYZvT3b2ydaMSFi7lD7ZSylQVsTkr6E5lD5IhLrUqljJ35/s1600/IMG_8407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJWvs5o6GZCar8BaW9KNn4NTqxXQUl9wMKYorjq3cIu67IrUIufCpC7sZf8TVtLiZX5fzGr9Uv0WbO3lyMCRzTQaPGyq3K_ZtYZvT3b2ydaMSFi7lD7ZSylQVsTkr6E5lD5IhLrUqljJ35/s640/IMG_8407.JPG" width="640" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Like that story of AJ Muste, a Dutch-born American who came here via Ellis island, holding the candle, I'm proud of these daughters of mine, holding up words. Words that might or might not change the world, but more importantly, words that will keep the world from changing them.</span><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-27633346731378318872017-01-01T15:27:00.003-05:002017-01-01T15:50:38.851-05:002016: Reflections & Revelations, A Cold and Broken Hallelujah<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I really appreciate those of you who take the time to write Christmas letters, so I'm sitting here still in my pajamas on New Year's Day, creating a photo album of highlights of 2016, trying to create an end-of-the-year letter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I'm listening to my favorite show, CBS Sunday morning, give the rundown of who passed away im 2016. Rather than focusing on their death, Jane Pauley is describing their lives. It is not lost on me that two just mentioned in the past 5 minutes were Janet Reno and Muhammad Ali, giants in their fields who are remembered for what their lives meant, not their fight with Parkinson's Disease. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I am trying to not let myself get wrapped up in making that our story, and it is one of the reasons I haven't blogged lately. I just have on my mind how it has changed our life, but I certainly can relate to Elie Wiesel, who passed in 2016, saying, "I write to understand as much to be understood." </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My mind is very crowded with what the Fall of 2016 taught and brought us -- the revelation that our family will be moving to Centerville, TN the summer of 2017. I have struggled with the decision, but my prayer today is "let there be peace. . .and let it begin with me." </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I don't want our family's story or our decisions to be defined by our trials, and when I reflect on these stories and pictures of the past year, indeed I see the good times aren't shadowed by the challenges, that even the hard times are not all dark. The light of love, joy, hope and faith shine through in the faces of family and friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>2016: Reflections</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Winter</i></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We rung in the New Year last year in a beautiful state park in West Virginia with friends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Whitney is more than a friend really, more like a cousin, and through a twist of fate or divine intervention, her career and BJ's health has intersected. She introduced us to his Georgetown neurologist and spends her career focused on Parkinsons.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her family is charming and fun!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> In January, we enjoyed a whale of a snow storm, providing fun and calmness.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Molly tried basketball and this year both girls will do it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">March brought fun birthday celebrations: Molly celebrated her 6th birthday with a jump party.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anna Cate's 10th birthday was an amazing trip to New York with her and my dear friends! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_fTJ5xSfwA6_PKcm96Ebzvm3Dj5Ro40KhNqjWN6NDj91QemdxdG6Nss5wOBuMo48qoDspsVwh_L0bYVcoRIOsYiYVDNgm1alKfo2vDdacCV8eV1vWc_NI64nmJcD8TMWOMKiqFJDOhp_/s1600/IMG_7018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_fTJ5xSfwA6_PKcm96Ebzvm3Dj5Ro40KhNqjWN6NDj91QemdxdG6Nss5wOBuMo48qoDspsVwh_L0bYVcoRIOsYiYVDNgm1alKfo2vDdacCV8eV1vWc_NI64nmJcD8TMWOMKiqFJDOhp_/s640/IMG_7018.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">As a family, the Social Studies teacher in me, tried to involve the kids in the election process by having family dinners learning about the states who were hosting primaries and caucuses. Like most things, it is my idea but BJ makes it happen. Among the highlights for me were shrimp and grits for South Carolina, hot dogs for Iowa, Clam chowder for New Hampshire. </span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of my favorite memories was when we did breakfast and poker for Nevada. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Spring:</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I trained for and our family raised money for a half marathon to raise funds for Team Fox, a foundation dedicated to research. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We went camping with Sarah, Greg and Graham. . . and their dogs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We celebrated an early Mother's Day at a winery with Mom (and Dad) and our friends, Geoff, Dorinda and Jackson.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I got to accompany Anna Cate on her field trip to Jamestown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Her Science project showcased the sugar levels in drinks, and it was so good, her PE teacher asked to keep it to make her point to students. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Molly had a speaking part in the Kindergarten musical.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2AxXay_SHuccmrqDol7mUC-1UwQAl5o_Pybzb8bUTgLGK4eI29-kG3d1LEYr9c_ca_eTErVBfGjSvoGSrYGRv-Q0NfQZ3apuWtpLWTIYu_Dmfu-LClU_xH3MP4cLY4hhCL8XKNHM80ju/s1600/IMG_1674.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2AxXay_SHuccmrqDol7mUC-1UwQAl5o_Pybzb8bUTgLGK4eI29-kG3d1LEYr9c_ca_eTErVBfGjSvoGSrYGRv-Q0NfQZ3apuWtpLWTIYu_Dmfu-LClU_xH3MP4cLY4hhCL8XKNHM80ju/s640/IMG_1674.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We enjoyed the performance of the Lion King and got to stick around and meet some of the cast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My parents came up for the USO dance at my school for 6th grade US History students. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The end of the school pics made us realize how the girls have grown!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEbXHMK-tgAcN_FhNpDQrmSmqxF5GdEID5ooi2OkoniTMu0doIkp6xJI4WS3ue9AeuwSmcvRKftfk8KHJ0n4TIEnYiGM67O2WZr4RF9DEtN6-JU63iYE1Io5hWD3Vpf1Xeiik1EjlkAH-/s1600/IMG_2081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqEbXHMK-tgAcN_FhNpDQrmSmqxF5GdEID5ooi2OkoniTMu0doIkp6xJI4WS3ue9AeuwSmcvRKftfk8KHJ0n4TIEnYiGM67O2WZr4RF9DEtN6-JU63iYE1Io5hWD3Vpf1Xeiik1EjlkAH-/s320/IMG_2081.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I turned 40 the last week of the school year, and BJ treated me with celebrations all summer long.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o6NKaomr0ksM3wZTLIcAGB_YLXaA-XrdXck0wmuGB18t_bpMUCFb8Zxsy4Hq8G-4YJmmaITEI25QRLx_0hl8RWxGZBu1nd1GMwjKkCqW_A2GULLtpW1LezO9Ri7MK3eF1ZRw98YadKEA/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: Times; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o6NKaomr0ksM3wZTLIcAGB_YLXaA-XrdXck0wmuGB18t_bpMUCFb8Zxsy4Hq8G-4YJmmaITEI25QRLx_0hl8RWxGZBu1nd1GMwjKkCqW_A2GULLtpW1LezO9Ri7MK3eF1ZRw98YadKEA/s640/IMG_2053.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I enjoyed some time with dear friends, who have been brought into my life in all sorts of ways. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8FnLt-Nk5z-ZXNd0cIQXcT8T0fSnxqJCvywCk1FHXKu4IRQN5GSehyphenhyphenOmp5uOsxBht3HKxGK_3B8VPVPS2aELV-9nXiYu5aUmFxC1ogAMINC9v2_Gr-21QRD0HnfmWUKkQGWeHO7kOt3n/s1600/IMG_1940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8FnLt-Nk5z-ZXNd0cIQXcT8T0fSnxqJCvywCk1FHXKu4IRQN5GSehyphenhyphenOmp5uOsxBht3HKxGK_3B8VPVPS2aELV-9nXiYu5aUmFxC1ogAMINC9v2_Gr-21QRD0HnfmWUKkQGWeHO7kOt3n/s400/IMG_1940.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My kindred spirit Nicole,with whom I spent some of my wild 20s in Russia, flew out for a wonderful week for us together in Alexandria! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For the girls, summer brought good times with their best friends, camps, swim team, and family trips. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyhOc2raZcwVXjQ_M-Ml_-cVy1mZ71rTimdYLgy79FiAMfEYA9_eU4-SVx5JdfTUwH1WbtW-HvRaqdlbU-YVcT4sQGlgtldAq3gufIZFSzOCeVEgnXtypQr3t3EPpWuBUToDepNu2vmYJ/s1600/IMG_2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyhOc2raZcwVXjQ_M-Ml_-cVy1mZ71rTimdYLgy79FiAMfEYA9_eU4-SVx5JdfTUwH1WbtW-HvRaqdlbU-YVcT4sQGlgtldAq3gufIZFSzOCeVEgnXtypQr3t3EPpWuBUToDepNu2vmYJ/s400/IMG_2397.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For some reason, the girls not doing swim team is what rips my heart out the most about moving. I think it represents what I love about our summers here, our neighborhood, and what I did not have growing up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> <span style="text-align: center;">When I shared this with Anna Cate, she said, " Oh I get it, Mom, you want to give us opportunities. . .but we are the opposite of you -- we want you had; we just want to be near family." </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We tie-dyed our 4th of July shirts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We went to the beach and visited my dear friend, almost a second mother, Mary Helen Smith, who called our visit <i>Camp All Things Homey.</i> The girls got cooking lessons and I got some plants to put in planters. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And then our summer ended with the girls trip to Tennessee where they were treated to a couple nights in Gatlinburg with my Aunt and Uncle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Anna Cate and Molly then went to Centerville to be with Nana and Daddy Doug while BJ and I had the trip of a lifetime to Paris. In just one week after the above picture was taken, Anna Cate got sick. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">BJ and I returned from Paris August 20, and I flew to Nashville August 21st to be with her for her first hospital stay. She was hospitalized 5 times in all, and with trial and error and the compassion and wisdom of some wonderful doctors (including her primary care physician Dr. Purcell and Dr. Martinez at Vanderbilt), she is back to herself. In looking back on it all, I am glad my heart and mind went into functioning mode because if I focus on it too much right now, I want to throw up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So as summer seeped into Fall, it seems a little like a blur. Anna Cate was sick, BJ had his surgeries, and has been home while his doctors program his device. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Yet the scenes aren't just of hospitals, I will remember friends and the dozens of meals, cards and love provided to us in our dark days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anna Cate spent most of the Fall with my parents; my Dad wholeheartedly believes that horses helped Anna Cate heal, so both girls are taking lessons at a nearby farm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">A couple weeks ago, BJ came in the door and said, "Sarah, I have no idea what this is, but I bet it is going to be good! It is from Jill Baffert." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Jill grew up in Centerville, and her sister was a classmate of mine, her niece has babysat the girls. She was always gorgeous but more importantly, she is kind and a lot of fun! In fact the name of this blog is credited to her -- she once asked me how the queens of the king family are. I have lost touch with her personally (so I am in such awe of how she got my address) but we have kept up with their success and cheered on American Pharoah's success last year. She wrote Anna Cate the most beautiful note, sent her a gorgeous book signed by her husband and included a piece of American Pharoah's mane in the card. She wrote, "I heard you have been brave and strong like American pharoah," and signed it Jill (from Centerville). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Daddy said horses helped heal Anna Cate; I say Centerville helped heal her, too. She came home this Fall and said, "Centerville feels like home already." This gift is the grandest gesture of such love from Centerville and of horses. Jill, who even though quite a celebrity, signed a note to my girl, "Jill (from Centerville)". The night before both BJ's surgeries, another friend from Centerville, my dear friend, Dorinda, hosted us and gave him a wonderful home-cooked Southern meal. In the hardest days of our life, we have been loved by Centerville even though I haven't lived there in 15 years, (and please know that I don't mean we haven't felt love and support by family and friends <i>not</i> in TN). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the trajectory of our story, just like in 2016, I have faith my family will be loved. So when my mind worries that my kids won't have swim team, I need to remind myself to appreciate the gifts we have had here in Fredericksburg,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">and to anticipate the gifts that lay ahead after we move. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Molly got schlepped around and I must say she got quite some perks. . .a trip to the Northeast in the Fall, a lot of extra love from her current and former teacher, and special alone time with friends. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; text-align: center;">On her trip to the Northeast, she became friends with a delightful lady, Nancy, who is now special to all of us. </span></div>
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We finished off the Fall with a lovely Thanksgiving with Greg, Sarah, Graham and Nancy.</div>
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I went yogaville one more time this year. </div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The first weekend in December, Molly, BJ and I went to Centerville for our niece's baptism (Tallulah is my god-daughter)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And we have enjoyed Christmas festivities despite more sickness (strep and stomach bugs).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anna Cate had a fun part in the 5th grade musical -- a dancing reindeer who showed us all that SHE IS WELL!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Molly got her ears pierced. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We found the emotional energy to appreciate the season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> And of course, we loved being home with family this past week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, 2016 brought us good times and good lessons in the face of hard times.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."- Leonard Cohen</span></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-3088246425672776842016-10-27T21:29:00.001-04:002016-10-27T21:56:55.795-04:00On Life, Family, and that time Molly Mae was an only child<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">"However mean your life is, meet it and live it; do not shun it and call it hard names." </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10264.Henry_David_Thoreau" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Henry David Thoreau</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_16902" style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2361393" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Walden</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Life sure has a crazy way of revealing itself and reminding me of the lesson to appreciate what we have when we have it, because as my dear friend Allahna says, "You can have it all...just not at the same time." Just this week, Molly said, "now that I'm in first grade, I want to go back to kindergarten, but when I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be a first grader." I said, "So what's the lesson?" and she said, "just go with the flow." Yes, that and appreciate what you have when you have it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anna Cate has finally gotten well and is out of these horrible cycles of GI troubles that landed her in the hospital five times. She was so proud to send me this picture that the inflammation and swelling finally went down!!!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VOv5EJyCN-HPqjWTPdlDQLLl80skbNJeR886Tpo1T0VP8OBpVGvQiIJC-0jKPU8gV757GrcmP0JuVqfjwaaIMxXI5HN47yDbeVrvwtkUI6jEHHsZkLwvkcsLMgFTwErxJytJqnv-O1wq/s1600/IMG_3727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VOv5EJyCN-HPqjWTPdlDQLLl80skbNJeR886Tpo1T0VP8OBpVGvQiIJC-0jKPU8gV757GrcmP0JuVqfjwaaIMxXI5HN47yDbeVrvwtkUI6jEHHsZkLwvkcsLMgFTwErxJytJqnv-O1wq/s640/IMG_3727.JPG" width="480" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anna Cate (and my family) persuaded me to let her stay in Centerville through Halloween and I'm happy that they all get to have some good times there. She has loved the special times with her cousins. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mom sent me this picture of her in her costume. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We are so grateful to my family for their sustained concern and care for Anna Cate, and ensuring her recovery, with he help of amazing doctors at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. As my brother and I concluded, my father has been uncharacteristically compassionate and my mother has been uncharacteristically rational. It reminds me just how we rise to the occasion for family. Anna Cate returns home to us in Virginia next Wednesday, November 2.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Life has certainly been odd as we've adjusted to a family of three with BJ home recovering from surgery. He cleans, prepares dinner, and organized the play room. I like having a house husband! :) His surgeries went well. </span><span style="font-family: georgia, 'times new roman', serif; text-align: center;">The first surgery was the major one where the electrodes were placed, and when they hit the right spot, the tremor stopped and he became emotional on the table. Here is his description in his words the day of the surgery:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"In an operating room at Georgetown this morning, "Amazing Grace" was sung. Literally the nurses, my surgeon, my anesthesiologist and I all sang. My anesthesiologist and surgeon have never performed this surgery without each other. Coming from Vietnam, a Buddhist himself, this was the first song the anesthesiologist sang at the church that sponsored him to come to America in 1983. He said it was his favorite song and he said that was a big day for him when he came to this country and said, "this is big day for you so let's sing Amazing Grace." Once we knew the surgery was a success, we sang. They say it is a tradition for this procedure for people to sing but no song has ever sounded so sweet to me!!!"</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">The next week, he had the receptor placed in his chest, </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">And on Monday, BJ visits his movement disorder specialist to get "programmed," and we can start to see benefits from the whole ordeal. It has been an unusual, difficult Fall and as we are going through the motions for Molly, I'm finding myself thinking just how precious she is. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Pretty much, I think she is such a perfect only child. She has been kind, patient, strong and in her element. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">But the truth is, there is definitely </span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">someone missing in the picture. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Soon we will be together again, but in the meant time, we are not letting time pass without enjoying life, and we are thankful to Molly and her spirit for constantly reminding us of all we have to enjoy.</span></span></span><br />
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“Hardship often prepares an ordinary person for an extraordinary destiny.” -CS Lewis</h1>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-68197182431933636162016-10-04T13:07:00.001-04:002016-10-04T13:07:26.873-04:00Cycles and Canes<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We left Virginia, and thanks to our dear friends, Robert and Melvin Mays, Daddy Doug came to get Anna Cate and me to fly in a private plane to Centerville. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; text-align: center;">Anna Cate's best friend Leana came to see us off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was hard for me to split up our family, but I think it is what's best for Anna Cate. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTCzqoiLLwTvu6ytUsk8bJy2zdQ62EzBcyaj8pugJDbfxGfh41pWuawL1bWauI4zB3b503G97kZ6KxgoStNLV9JmOlBdDqCo10uD9zyI9Jow2Eo_0mcWhj1mBkLtwcmhv8KEwr0ewAKA5/s1600/IMG_3439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTCzqoiLLwTvu6ytUsk8bJy2zdQ62EzBcyaj8pugJDbfxGfh41pWuawL1bWauI4zB3b503G97kZ6KxgoStNLV9JmOlBdDqCo10uD9zyI9Jow2Eo_0mcWhj1mBkLtwcmhv8KEwr0ewAKA5/s640/IMG_3439.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">She said goodbye to her Daddy and won't see him again until after his surgeries.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1ZsHcxRl0I1Yz5wSgvPw9UAcnbo6GDsysl_pdgPYDWhEK28SWFkrLzXk-_AXqTAzwK2ipxe6ihJpq_l0sq4Mu7ny1NxkTTSwulL-6f8cWm9YOzmJPzsMqopNqP5Stx8gCM-jnhhAXGiU/s1600/IMG_3441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt1ZsHcxRl0I1Yz5wSgvPw9UAcnbo6GDsysl_pdgPYDWhEK28SWFkrLzXk-_AXqTAzwK2ipxe6ihJpq_l0sq4Mu7ny1NxkTTSwulL-6f8cWm9YOzmJPzsMqopNqP5Stx8gCM-jnhhAXGiU/s640/IMG_3441.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcMKwfm6V2f3Ux_liA9I8tgX3jtIxG8KHsYxKX9vbnBfh6luBqIlJrF7eQdI4m37JZgrr5vSMAK_Z51-8ty1-faMkpukLE5x-2kiYpSFivPkTMOrQizJXaeSXtzoYC_Vm77tyultWjeYb/s1600/IMG_3445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcMKwfm6V2f3Ux_liA9I8tgX3jtIxG8KHsYxKX9vbnBfh6luBqIlJrF7eQdI4m37JZgrr5vSMAK_Z51-8ty1-faMkpukLE5x-2kiYpSFivPkTMOrQizJXaeSXtzoYC_Vm77tyultWjeYb/s640/IMG_3445.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We arrived in Centerville and hoped to find answers and healing; she has had some good days, but they've turned bad; we have been on this roller coaster before but I have hope that with Vanderbilt's direction, we will get out of it. Since August 15, Anna Cate has been on two week cycles: one week in the hospital, one week out. She has a couple good days, but then her bowels stop, and she is in miserable pain. After visiting Vanderbilt, I have hope that with a certain diet their dieting gave her, we will see improvement. Anna Cate needs to stay longer than a couple weeks in Tennessee, so we can make sure she holds on to the good days for longer and is under Vanderbilt's care for a few weeks. They have an excellent pediatric GI clinic where child psychiatrists and dietitians work directly with the doctor. The doctor gave me another name for the problem, which is all still in the same family of names we were given at VCU: adnominal migraines. Since we began with Vanderbilt, she has had bad days, good days, and then horrible days and as of Sunday night, she is back in the hospital. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Last Wednesday was a hard day. It started with checking my voice mail and getting a good morning message from Molly, and when she said, "I hope we can talk after school" my heart was ripped out and tears flowed. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4ikbEUZ8Jgq67vSEADZGyVaTc0c4ZqRGCbRKKHuzrsgT7rLDdVOjuiDKTtNhnNFinD5ke46BlCr5KOtcO7_c158RhZK6qlHABvPVu2KhWvSYqxiIiQ4qui3hnO9w4ViYPUbd2SzoDtIO/s1600/IMG_3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr4ikbEUZ8Jgq67vSEADZGyVaTc0c4ZqRGCbRKKHuzrsgT7rLDdVOjuiDKTtNhnNFinD5ke46BlCr5KOtcO7_c158RhZK6qlHABvPVu2KhWvSYqxiIiQ4qui3hnO9w4ViYPUbd2SzoDtIO/s400/IMG_3486.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The decision to keep Anna Cate in Tennessee for several weeks was not an easy one for me, and I feared it would be a harder one for BJ, and it would feel like my family and I were ganging up on him and hijacking his child. But he surprised me and said, "I agree; she needs to stay there and get well -- I trust your and your family's judgement."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I spent significant time dealing with her school issues. I set up ways for her to learn the curriculum via google Apps for Education with enrichment from Daddy Doug.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingnuQ0AjKLBvr5X5SYppvABkfWz6ZR53wPOjg8YmEfXj_wuXYzkiZIw0BmIoEvnfJCTfIRwbdEkbHNV2cv6mEeGKmPik5RsbrFxxVm2ty2SN6pQGrvjg0zIRRqBETrvVaRjZX2xzpp_eO/s1600/IMG_3452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEingnuQ0AjKLBvr5X5SYppvABkfWz6ZR53wPOjg8YmEfXj_wuXYzkiZIw0BmIoEvnfJCTfIRwbdEkbHNV2cv6mEeGKmPik5RsbrFxxVm2ty2SN6pQGrvjg0zIRRqBETrvVaRjZX2xzpp_eO/s320/IMG_3452.JPG" width="320" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2wgEGJmVrklcziY2ONpp70woiFLybvuib4I2Z1tpRRGzYpa3DWU6Faw25Aa62Gl9McZkqmHECq3xkcmkgGzIcydW7RiWCI0kz8wle55Cp9BITHUUIiI5EtXpxgTSh49xbFQHyLzi1GW3/s1600/IMG_3453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs2wgEGJmVrklcziY2ONpp70woiFLybvuib4I2Z1tpRRGzYpa3DWU6Faw25Aa62Gl9McZkqmHECq3xkcmkgGzIcydW7RiWCI0kz8wle55Cp9BITHUUIiI5EtXpxgTSh49xbFQHyLzi1GW3/s200/IMG_3453.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When Anna Cate went to check her school email account, it was deactivated. After calling the school, I found out that when I signed up for school at VCU, she would be un-enrolled with Spotsylvania, but the only way to access it is to be re-enrolled, and the only way to enroll her is in person, which is impossible. We set everything up with the teachers to learn via google classroom, but after talking to her teachers, instructional technology and her principal, we are continuing to "home school" her using the classroom curriculum available by gmail. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The logistics of her illness had been crushing, so I went running, a place I can always get some perspective. The only activities I feel like doing are running and yoga. I bet I've lost so much strength because I haven't been able to pick up a weight, but the thought of picking up something heavy, while usually invigorating, makes me want to throw up. I wonder if it is because I already feel so weighed down. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I can always relate metaphorical comparisons of running to life, and a long run in the country did not disappoint. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jus stay on the path, get out and see the largeness of this beautiful world. Anna Cate is going to well. It might take a while. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Take Care of myself and just keep running. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuiYBvs8SoHgrSQ39V_18mrYt7KkiYFGTBvUbPZdmVD3HCxjTwhi6MYUjXQDEpE8e1u8ESKZ0eu_zed3jEgycjvUvwHtlNSgul_-ScaRg-KHDAFLpjRgua0dBZ6wnGLcncK6jp_7u2I9_/s1600/IMG_3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpuiYBvs8SoHgrSQ39V_18mrYt7KkiYFGTBvUbPZdmVD3HCxjTwhi6MYUjXQDEpE8e1u8ESKZ0eu_zed3jEgycjvUvwHtlNSgul_-ScaRg-KHDAFLpjRgua0dBZ6wnGLcncK6jp_7u2I9_/s640/IMG_3466.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I noticed these flowers blooming on the side of a cliff. If they can hold on and even flower into vibrance, I can too.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH_0mU0u93oBA3QIaN-1vHXo1feiB3FbCzXvYWCOxXIqz2ts4YhVhd3hTKWdRKF98rbOaH69nXLXzfVeJi24VTb0ZFBabT68DJvu_RZq8c6KYXBFap-SYYJPnXGQnsDEqT2WS1lfXqe5m/s1600/IMG_3467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH_0mU0u93oBA3QIaN-1vHXo1feiB3FbCzXvYWCOxXIqz2ts4YhVhd3hTKWdRKF98rbOaH69nXLXzfVeJi24VTb0ZFBabT68DJvu_RZq8c6KYXBFap-SYYJPnXGQnsDEqT2WS1lfXqe5m/s640/IMG_3467.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"I took a walk in the woods and came out taller than the trees" -Henry David Thoreau</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMusNVa4VVIf7ZVEVx89WqCbMQJ72lEosqvN_6kSNMW_bRmz288ucruTckvZwHR81cLL5CP_bPbIIuAX4u5oFa2T0QcJFHJsRARKIFBC0WmPzuEztIuLa86hxw7k6JEPNOq3kiouled3Y/s1600/IMG_3468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMusNVa4VVIf7ZVEVx89WqCbMQJ72lEosqvN_6kSNMW_bRmz288ucruTckvZwHR81cLL5CP_bPbIIuAX4u5oFa2T0QcJFHJsRARKIFBC0WmPzuEztIuLa86hxw7k6JEPNOq3kiouled3Y/s640/IMG_3468.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">You can't even tell in this picture how steep that hill is that I'm running up. Maybe in the long run, the hills we are climbing won't really be seen in the same way as when we are on it. I've also noticed when I'm running, I never notice when I'm going down hill, but I always notice the incline when I'm going up hill. Why we do we notice more when we are struggling? Shouldn't we notice the ease of the down hill, the easy times?<br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_U4TQCv3TKc6kYgV8UqsxpsvGbEZ7tuSjFSU7ECEVwNPtJjjGKciEb2zvpxEwRCCyfrx22nNxwKIF-_ujpweNiksqIoMC8epaK5XfaamL8d5i_ImNHgF1kJJUveWCkKnN_oNIkCGXe50n/s1600/IMG_3474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_U4TQCv3TKc6kYgV8UqsxpsvGbEZ7tuSjFSU7ECEVwNPtJjjGKciEb2zvpxEwRCCyfrx22nNxwKIF-_ujpweNiksqIoMC8epaK5XfaamL8d5i_ImNHgF1kJJUveWCkKnN_oNIkCGXe50n/s640/IMG_3474.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When this truck stopped and parked on the road I was running on, I was a little alarmed, but was relieved when my friend Jennifer jumped out to finish my run with me! We ended up walking so we could talk, and she offered to help Anna Cate after I go back to Virginia.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Before I left Tennessee, I found a yoga studio, ran again, and enjoyed some time with my nieces in between all the logistics and care for Anna Cate. I find myself so incredibly grateful that in the midst of these dark days, I have my parents. I thought as horrible and bad timing this all has been, it gives Kitty and Anna Cate such special time together and I was blessed to behold Tula for hours. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVJsaF6eUSscmZOZ1aYcZBvkfXUn8tvZInfDArfAi8C0ix9ZTzjvchSJK-MDHgbrvs0xjcwicsGv5mG0XomyHXhZ5iA5n3aU0Yk0QDMzc8DTL3GGGzUYDIiQw4wldBtjhxOVnvTZ1Cb-Q/s1600/IMG_3498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVJsaF6eUSscmZOZ1aYcZBvkfXUn8tvZInfDArfAi8C0ix9ZTzjvchSJK-MDHgbrvs0xjcwicsGv5mG0XomyHXhZ5iA5n3aU0Yk0QDMzc8DTL3GGGzUYDIiQw4wldBtjhxOVnvTZ1Cb-Q/s320/IMG_3498.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8y2GHiwXSo9Dqaz8Cnvbd3rYX3tm54_90zngJSwBot93TvB9xEVniJitYjeIWws5taAd1A9alIpZtSRXOVY3YGLdzGsAtXfRRaBRJ4RBVACpawwJNwUyWFwfgTq7pCMu-UkXIK-H9xAU/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8y2GHiwXSo9Dqaz8Cnvbd3rYX3tm54_90zngJSwBot93TvB9xEVniJitYjeIWws5taAd1A9alIpZtSRXOVY3YGLdzGsAtXfRRaBRJ4RBVACpawwJNwUyWFwfgTq7pCMu-UkXIK-H9xAU/s320/IMG_3499.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFn4acljm7yDPrWJRvtr29MB89m8GBqY6crIgT8OS7_rPqBSGaPqT31Raokz6cY22ECT3sRLbx5Vzez6rZYNbZJSjlbRjjKw1tdAYsr_yGZR_9M1Ktp60V-Z_XORnaYt-BapsbNNi58Da/s1600/IMG_3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFn4acljm7yDPrWJRvtr29MB89m8GBqY6crIgT8OS7_rPqBSGaPqT31Raokz6cY22ECT3sRLbx5Vzez6rZYNbZJSjlbRjjKw1tdAYsr_yGZR_9M1Ktp60V-Z_XORnaYt-BapsbNNi58Da/s320/IMG_3500.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7f8XgaMhoyXv9b_8QcFF-WqljzAXL14AGr4fB39kiiiyDAkywwkQ6ehHy-JVwlaI7GR_L3ZTk6gkSPhHBlEIXnxa8r9SgKbs0_B__yUE5geQ37Souk3PZT3cSySulNhKXRZnD64MklueC/s1600/IMG_3503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7f8XgaMhoyXv9b_8QcFF-WqljzAXL14AGr4fB39kiiiyDAkywwkQ6ehHy-JVwlaI7GR_L3ZTk6gkSPhHBlEIXnxa8r9SgKbs0_B__yUE5geQ37Souk3PZT3cSySulNhKXRZnD64MklueC/s320/IMG_3503.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So today, I'm back in Virginia preparing my mind and heart for BJ's surgeries, and trying to process being so sad about Anna Cate being back in the hospital. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This morning, I sat in my pajamas and watched Brene Brown on Oprah talk about her latest book, "Rising Strong."It was exactly the type things I need to hear.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWKArnNADKKwD_GO7JkvOrh2k9EA6A7mZdi15OY7I5dr1Jb8zaMfOLcGG78Kq3pufzTeycYtB2sD1gvB2LXGanzAvMn7Fx95OqekgxrsaxVbAoRso3jEYSgOC9PZZPL6jsmmPjkOxASef/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWKArnNADKKwD_GO7JkvOrh2k9EA6A7mZdi15OY7I5dr1Jb8zaMfOLcGG78Kq3pufzTeycYtB2sD1gvB2LXGanzAvMn7Fx95OqekgxrsaxVbAoRso3jEYSgOC9PZZPL6jsmmPjkOxASef/s400/IMG_3546.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">We craft love from heartbreak . . .Grace from disappointment . . .Showing up is our power. Story is our way home. Truth is our song. We are the brave and brokenhearted. We are rising strong.” </span><span style="background-color: white;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/162578.Bren_Brown" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Brené Brown</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_24473885"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/42872911" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Rising Strong</a></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday is his "BIG" surgery, and in the midst of fear and sadness I'm finding joy in thinking about Molly's trip this week. Last week, she was invited to go on an adult trip to New England with Patti and other church friends, including her Mum Mum. It is not a secret that Molly prefers adults to children, and our friend Tina said it perfectly when I explained the trip to her, "these are Molly's people."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So, yesterday we took her to the church parking lot at 5:30 to begin her adventure. MumMum had plenty of activities planned to help her pass the time, including books and journaling so Molly can do school. (Marian was a 1st grade teacher) Patti packed her a bag and her teacher sent books and work as well. </span><br />
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She looked so happy to be going!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG1KIfFcCQsVM1C-ckMKB3j5KJPsOcsbcxW-8SXHA75Kkg5CFOPQezUomwerEIEK9k2YmGpWpa1aowF3LdgyZ0JG0sxIUiFGwUQ0eMfZ5i-9gAPRLdiVGZZ02M3azjHaQQls7z0Jc7phh/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidG1KIfFcCQsVM1C-ckMKB3j5KJPsOcsbcxW-8SXHA75Kkg5CFOPQezUomwerEIEK9k2YmGpWpa1aowF3LdgyZ0JG0sxIUiFGwUQ0eMfZ5i-9gAPRLdiVGZZ02M3azjHaQQls7z0Jc7phh/s640/IMG_3534.JPG" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Patti's sister let her make some jewelry. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Marian sent me this picture of her sleeping on a soft spot, Marian's lap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsTlxTUSjzyFf_sBVFuMB6fNN-yw1GG5X4CvDi_R0B0viJ3T77iXj18cTynDchhr43CJr2Ib1XRVQXA9hA_igQpPy-Gt-7-_az7_SwTriWfvnTwh9Br__30BUJJQl_ZnPZmMST7mARAwj/s1600/IMG_3538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglsTlxTUSjzyFf_sBVFuMB6fNN-yw1GG5X4CvDi_R0B0viJ3T77iXj18cTynDchhr43CJr2Ib1XRVQXA9hA_igQpPy-Gt-7-_az7_SwTriWfvnTwh9Br__30BUJJQl_ZnPZmMST7mARAwj/s320/IMG_3538.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV6a8lCBKGgsOiVXDpGcolCeEdyYNlyinZQlE9FDUhmZ27y7d0YD5L9jIRl0gaLK5MReLXowmN03_hL955WyuefghCfjkH2IpUFLv7S3RWNIF678PGjeNkb-qcGAn_e-PAbQk5lw_w7_c/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV6a8lCBKGgsOiVXDpGcolCeEdyYNlyinZQlE9FDUhmZ27y7d0YD5L9jIRl0gaLK5MReLXowmN03_hL955WyuefghCfjkH2IpUFLv7S3RWNIF678PGjeNkb-qcGAn_e-PAbQk5lw_w7_c/s200/IMG_3542.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> They made it to Plymouth last night. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cHPtXkQzb9kjJ-xTgKtGBEchCtE5ob83gh8gdGWeeiTk-EcxFDMJWIYYfN76fVMDitwmi56bHz7zUvv5LOcXEQRLivj2GpvPvBlrfS-wCIArRjydV9PNarWxkUFdDhfjlgLYXs7RZHee/s1600/IMG_3539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cHPtXkQzb9kjJ-xTgKtGBEchCtE5ob83gh8gdGWeeiTk-EcxFDMJWIYYfN76fVMDitwmi56bHz7zUvv5LOcXEQRLivj2GpvPvBlrfS-wCIArRjydV9PNarWxkUFdDhfjlgLYXs7RZHee/s640/IMG_3539.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AJxfATw9SJWhmPP90LsDVX62PYyFiGEx8v1nchNzFABw6octuhhZkKsI4dNkxEIbNj3BlhcZwnKHAGLnxvDcoo2s3XTR-tw905ZymdDaUjKuj037-yL21O-sbXFJCkvEBGe0kDmhJTUA/s1600/IMG_3540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-AJxfATw9SJWhmPP90LsDVX62PYyFiGEx8v1nchNzFABw6octuhhZkKsI4dNkxEIbNj3BlhcZwnKHAGLnxvDcoo2s3XTR-tw905ZymdDaUjKuj037-yL21O-sbXFJCkvEBGe0kDmhJTUA/s640/IMG_3540.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This morning, they visited a cranberry bog. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil29sz8Nl25qHWSUG674ex9sMCh5n2-KhScF_AGTYlddhn0vC5Jk6KKpIlzSXIXyk52opGiFMo9-0uFchqR0iD7qpDWlEiOCxsl53KPxDUofUMAa-oMhw7Mb__41A4UbvOtw36sUQtv_UQ/s1600/IMG_3550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil29sz8Nl25qHWSUG674ex9sMCh5n2-KhScF_AGTYlddhn0vC5Jk6KKpIlzSXIXyk52opGiFMo9-0uFchqR0iD7qpDWlEiOCxsl53KPxDUofUMAa-oMhw7Mb__41A4UbvOtw36sUQtv_UQ/s640/IMG_3550.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">When I got these pictures, I noticed Molly has Marian's cane!!! Horrified, I texted and said, "did she steal your cane?" </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyyeMZhYka07DTysX1gwYPVsNSFQ95BvTlAtW-sEFjgFiLhiDPQcwbLHAo4LBDH8mbEiKjPI81DYeTXgW2GcoYWcvcbsQVbsrX1HeNwfopaIo2PCh5t5UxjO_Zxd7FyAtIX6cQVFs9ihI/s1600/IMG_3544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheyyeMZhYka07DTysX1gwYPVsNSFQ95BvTlAtW-sEFjgFiLhiDPQcwbLHAo4LBDH8mbEiKjPI81DYeTXgW2GcoYWcvcbsQVbsrX1HeNwfopaIo2PCh5t5UxjO_Zxd7FyAtIX6cQVFs9ihI/s640/IMG_3544.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> And the response was, "yes, but I used her as my cane. . .hand on her head." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTXox5O0s4GbJCGCg01-kh_0El3k9H0AtlD7J7Ms3kRO16b2XKCCXtWvHQEL3QWT4MASElnvS8tIeE_0jZMcIRDTJ5q12798QXssY2arbrfsHRlqWoagSUMF5dUVAfmukSePCASsnv1uZ/s1600/IMG_3548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHTXox5O0s4GbJCGCg01-kh_0El3k9H0AtlD7J7Ms3kRO16b2XKCCXtWvHQEL3QWT4MASElnvS8tIeE_0jZMcIRDTJ5q12798QXssY2arbrfsHRlqWoagSUMF5dUVAfmukSePCASsnv1uZ/s640/IMG_3548.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I feel like there is a sermon there. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I went to sit outside to write my thoughts about life and these pictures, and on my porch I found this lovely delivery from my friend Carolyn.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiBSbHeOdMJV_25hJNOIcyI4RkA8Ix71uM2EhUqSPPeItS8TW_IoYW9u6hD3WTB32CrDQc5gGhExLnRRNtQV21pvPnyGz62ab1IAoF-Ar2RipNhc6kzEgJo7uwYWgkrZ2OBZaDRFIdYrZ/s1600/IMG_3551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiBSbHeOdMJV_25hJNOIcyI4RkA8Ix71uM2EhUqSPPeItS8TW_IoYW9u6hD3WTB32CrDQc5gGhExLnRRNtQV21pvPnyGz62ab1IAoF-Ar2RipNhc6kzEgJo7uwYWgkrZ2OBZaDRFIdYrZ/s640/IMG_3551.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We've received love and support in many ways, and I'm constantly finding comfort hourly: this afternoon, my best friend is bringing me coffee, and our friends Susan and Dan are taking us to sushi. We are spending tomorrow night with my friend Dorinda before BJ's surgery. My friend Laurie is coming to sit with me Thursday. Back in Tennessee, Jennifer is going to relieve my parents and spend the night with Anna Cate; my friend Whitney, who is traveling this week, offered to drive three hours to come stay with Anna Cate to give my parents a break this weekend. So many ways we are being sustained, keeping me up, when I might lose my footing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Today, my prayer in the midst of the struggle is: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh Holy Spirit, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you for all the ways I've been shown Your love and support in these dark days, for the angels among us who are my canes. Make me worthy of all this support and a strong cane for BJ in the coming days. I see how Molly is using a cane to hold up MumMum -- make me as bold. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnVXpk0lU7JDb86OkPFGj2HLw9Q3r74FSF_bzsYXSTymDKRdItMvmI3a3JGZ85dwJQC5DHsTRZwb4V0xE42TH4WpP5Ig5m98lcPO41oKEZEHQ5_mIdJApuTuAGGmKJ8uL0Ci7RkfHxaXk/s1600/IMG_3545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnVXpk0lU7JDb86OkPFGj2HLw9Q3r74FSF_bzsYXSTymDKRdItMvmI3a3JGZ85dwJQC5DHsTRZwb4V0xE42TH4WpP5Ig5m98lcPO41oKEZEHQ5_mIdJApuTuAGGmKJ8uL0Ci7RkfHxaXk/s640/IMG_3545.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-86546165073003088172016-09-24T22:41:00.000-04:002016-09-25T10:15:39.559-04:00Stress and Showing Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzVcqaNWMejzi4T_fKWAYJ7QIAjEmWHaRo4nU8jCO_Yo3jbfFgElyy85dE4_D5o9ETicRq8XMFCbtvRpQI-pIIQ4S54B3mz-FKjJP7SHPiYF-yNRciksYZ1sxSyRskfQDPq0-SIE_tox1/s1600/IMG_3134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzVcqaNWMejzi4T_fKWAYJ7QIAjEmWHaRo4nU8jCO_Yo3jbfFgElyy85dE4_D5o9ETicRq8XMFCbtvRpQI-pIIQ4S54B3mz-FKjJP7SHPiYF-yNRciksYZ1sxSyRskfQDPq0-SIE_tox1/s640/IMG_3134.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Last week while we were in the hospital for third time for excruciating pain with unresolved, unanswered questions about Anna Cate's swollen stomach, I was visited by a social worker. I jokingly said, "Wow, I didn't think we were doing so badly that I needed a visit from a social worker." But in actuality, she helped me with the logistics of paperwork for my taking time long term leave from work and help us answer questions about school for Anna Cate. A few hours later, one of our favorite friendly faces, the delightful resident who has been on Anna Cate's case since our first visit to the ER in Richmond a few weeks prior, came in to talk about medical issues, adding, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you the social worker was coming in; we suggested it since it seems your family is dealing with a lot right now and we want to support you." In her letter to the school to excuses absences, she said our family was experiencing significant stress" and said in conversation we were in crisis. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t2ywmkyjSQR2nQwD96AF3NRmTweHKTWvtjyhW5COcAxukHj4H53ZDEeZtn3Zp0npVCBTFxlSD1rPC6l-Is_SIB9trBZ6rcXPgevqD0AlXVt9aEDfyz4TOlduLp0dMErrdQ47_3ga6Kvi/s1600/IMG_3371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2t2ywmkyjSQR2nQwD96AF3NRmTweHKTWvtjyhW5COcAxukHj4H53ZDEeZtn3Zp0npVCBTFxlSD1rPC6l-Is_SIB9trBZ6rcXPgevqD0AlXVt9aEDfyz4TOlduLp0dMErrdQ47_3ga6Kvi/s640/IMG_3371.JPG" width="480" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That word took me aback, because I've felt so supported and focused on the matters at hand that I didn't consider it, but it reminded me of these words from one of my favorite bloggers/authors, whose book, Love Warrior, I just finished last night.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"You have been offered the <em style="border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">gift of crisis. . . .</em> the Greek root of the word crisis is “to sift.” As in to shake out the excesses and leave only what’s important. That’s what crises do. They shake things up until we are forced to decide and hold onto what matters most."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So oddly enough in this time of stress and crisis, I have not felt too stressed (or I haven't completely lost my marbles or melted down totally yet, shall I say). I think it is because I'm just holding on to what matters most, and I have an amazing support system, especially with my family and close friends. My best friend Norah has set up meals to get us through BJ's surgeries, BJ's brother and sister-in-law Sarah have been unwavering in their flexibility and my family has been all in with my parents here. My brother and sister-in-law have been top researchers and sounding boards. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before I get to all my metaphoric musings on our situation, and the ways <i><b>I'm</b></i> processing it, I should explain what is going on with Anna Cate, which ironically does involve stress. While we were in Paris, she experienced horrible abdominal pains, and was diagnosed with mesenteric adenitis, swollen lymph nodes in her belly. This was caused probably from a virus or bacteria; the pain is significant. To ease the pain, she was prescribed some narcotic drugs and a bland diet, which slowed her gut, and she had to be hospitalized in TN. So a few days after she was admitted to Vanderbilt, she was cleaned out and felt much better.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdRiN72pRCopaABkoYoWSxpOnmakS-D4smdQMR5fuh-Y1JIUWWGxRYkmtHqWEeirH29qTSocdxy2fZk1qXSf1PMwzHitxjI5fCmr3H3ML2SDBwSzEniGBE7pC9Tfgqqwq3EO9sqj02Zzd/s1600/IMG_3158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdRiN72pRCopaABkoYoWSxpOnmakS-D4smdQMR5fuh-Y1JIUWWGxRYkmtHqWEeirH29qTSocdxy2fZk1qXSf1PMwzHitxjI5fCmr3H3ML2SDBwSzEniGBE7pC9Tfgqqwq3EO9sqj02Zzd/s640/IMG_3158.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We had a couple days in Centerville before we returned; she was still tender and sore but we felt like she was on the mend. We flew back to Virginia and were reunited with BJ.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7D09As1Jg4X0T09K-ozoeOgfsb-YcAMwJL3Q3rOpTa0IJnwGFCm82q7YwkdPrrzwATlNHOCBcYWzZcXq4knGpJgq3Bir6mELVQTAdLQSKKUkqoSE6Q-JvxpyyVxzhwJe7wyHOYfTydCPj/s1600/IMG_3203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7D09As1Jg4X0T09K-ozoeOgfsb-YcAMwJL3Q3rOpTa0IJnwGFCm82q7YwkdPrrzwATlNHOCBcYWzZcXq4knGpJgq3Bir6mELVQTAdLQSKKUkqoSE6Q-JvxpyyVxzhwJe7wyHOYfTydCPj/s640/IMG_3203.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yet, back home, the pain came back and we rode a tail spin which led us into the hospital twice with no conclusive answers even with a complete workup of tests. We do know that she is incredibly bloated, she is in significant pain but there is no physical evidence pointing us to why. So the conclusion is this vicious cycle of pain-stress-lack of motility, and the terms we have been given are different ways to the say the same type thing. The pain team diagnoses her with <a href="https://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/health/v/visceral-hyperalgesia" target="_blank">visceral hyperalgesia</a>; the pediatric team terms it an acute case of <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/basics/definition/con-20024578" target="_blank">IBS</a>, and the child psychiatrist diagnosed her with <a href="https://www.iffgd.org/lower-gi-disorders/functional-abdominal-pain-syndrome.html" target="_blank">functional abdominal pain</a>. The way I've explained it to her is that she had a storm in her belly, like an earthquake and what she is left with is the damage, and a step in getting well is learning to manage her pain and the stress, and slowly she will get well and her nerves will heal. When the child psychiatrist explained this to her, it gave her some comfort because we have heard hundreds of times, "something is wrong with me; it hurts so much."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> Today, her sister explained it well when Anna Cate shared she is worried about how to explain it her friends. Anna Cate said she is worried about how people will understand it, and I said, "ask Molly; she's a kid." Molly said, "her head is sick to her stomach."And by the way, no one, has insinuated this is not real pain, and many have suspected that she is subconsciously worried about her Dad and his upcoming surgeries, when we were asked if we have stressors in our life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I know that as a child, she knows too much. She listens to adult conversations, and my inability to filter what I say and do have affected her (oh come on, you know there will be an element of this where I believe at some level this is my fault). I think, "Damn, I thought I was handling BJ's disease and upcoming surgery so well." I was going to make a neat and tidy list of what we need and be so brave and vulnerable to share it with my friends; I was going to put on that list for someone to go have lunch with Anna Cate the days of his surgeries because I knew she would worry. I was so proud of us and how we were handling things!" And then another layer of life peeled off, the crisis hits: our most sensitive, vulnerable soul in the family was absorbing the stress in ways I could not have imagined.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My dad, who has been a mixture of a blundering crying hot mess and the Scarlet Pimpernel, says "Anna Cate is the nicest person I know, and that might be part of her problem." I believe the scores of medical professionals and volunteers we saw picked up on her special brand of kindness as well.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkvF-Hhf_ebw6xh002umnvTcGG8yW947rFxifd3CYI-mT-wAJujSNY4tNX-npyFyAZJb_YxrdJlc0pPR3d4jQLfpALvioJrna0VY4cxGXN6wIzzK_qiDDtnN40e0A9RH_r-SE8InWisIh/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkvF-Hhf_ebw6xh002umnvTcGG8yW947rFxifd3CYI-mT-wAJujSNY4tNX-npyFyAZJb_YxrdJlc0pPR3d4jQLfpALvioJrna0VY4cxGXN6wIzzK_qiDDtnN40e0A9RH_r-SE8InWisIh/s640/IMG_3372.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Here she was about to go back for the upper and lower GI scopes and she offered to share her show and ear phones to watch, "Cupcake Wars" with the nursing student. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWraRv0zhTmiMgWck8ZXQadM4s0euHq5dXAOOO7-5ONyVqE1dBtWAc4NRrJOUT4FkAXmaSFeXUohX0MpjopES_SaNl9Y-tT6UVO9zXbI3sZ8pTVLAVl9P4kcwdNw1fetlcGqfgUr8ctgO/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWraRv0zhTmiMgWck8ZXQadM4s0euHq5dXAOOO7-5ONyVqE1dBtWAc4NRrJOUT4FkAXmaSFeXUohX0MpjopES_SaNl9Y-tT6UVO9zXbI3sZ8pTVLAVl9P4kcwdNw1fetlcGqfgUr8ctgO/s640/IMG_3367.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Amanda, a Nurse Practitioner, who was on the pain team helped her and me understand what was going on and how to help. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> But there was one whom we will never forget -- the medical student Chris.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBpW6Jj2YpjkGIsyIhFnzcRnFye9eUpemNWN4eJ_RApwivLQKRf0rJGuz_t3Vg1-2NA8BLXIdJPAX05e6jxVoiIFcDZ1dhxA-yrOhjqFlrl4EgJrFjzi83AG3vA0tjJAgirdrmeGJ68AP/s1600/IMG_3375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBpW6Jj2YpjkGIsyIhFnzcRnFye9eUpemNWN4eJ_RApwivLQKRf0rJGuz_t3Vg1-2NA8BLXIdJPAX05e6jxVoiIFcDZ1dhxA-yrOhjqFlrl4EgJrFjzi83AG3vA0tjJAgirdrmeGJ68AP/s640/IMG_3375.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> He was our first visitor every morning around 7am; he reported to the big team what was going on and he visited her several times a day. We became friends, and the care he showed her touched my soul, deeply.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxyfbkNf-CRW1DqhS9nMLRC9DRzj5oYUyuzt1z1bIdaQ8sO8os7WCxcZyJfzLgEctRlcl1HwItskxAcNrP2HyKl528-HfLUiP4PxNCEQztmdVr3ZxPhVloQzVxM1dr5c5yq2b17I2KEV7/s1600/IMG_3377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxyfbkNf-CRW1DqhS9nMLRC9DRzj5oYUyuzt1z1bIdaQ8sO8os7WCxcZyJfzLgEctRlcl1HwItskxAcNrP2HyKl528-HfLUiP4PxNCEQztmdVr3ZxPhVloQzVxM1dr5c5yq2b17I2KEV7/s640/IMG_3377.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One time he asked her what she was watching (Cupcake Wars), asked her favorite flavor and then left the hospital in the rain to a nearby bakery to pick up a couple flavors for her. She said, "why don't I have one and you have one," and he said, "well I want you to try them both and judge them like on the show." So they each had a half of two. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PDoxlKygCR9maTNH7Czr7N521B_ELsbO1q0LmHmmEqEOuMMhcZ0ZiZGAOLqKEPSyVRHbwjxFstMVc8RRtWo11C-OKpYykvnhxsR1Wf41hZ1Ft1zbEkTWixbIdF1qVlkufrBDg87uDYW3/s1600/IMG_3379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PDoxlKygCR9maTNH7Czr7N521B_ELsbO1q0LmHmmEqEOuMMhcZ0ZiZGAOLqKEPSyVRHbwjxFstMVc8RRtWo11C-OKpYykvnhxsR1Wf41hZ1Ft1zbEkTWixbIdF1qVlkufrBDg87uDYW3/s640/IMG_3379.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He told us he had stomach problems years back, and his level of compassion and ability to relate to her made our hours bearable. He is a sparkling conversationalist, with tales of world travels, interest in education, architecture and art so I enjoyed talking to him as well.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We learned about his wife and his dog, and BJ loved that he is a Hokie. BJ tried to give him a bottle of scotch, but he couldn't take it.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwmvz10R9frVhVsZNabIkdhgTKQhhYotKOACmVuvkqZr_9YYs-ZoqNwmNtSIANGz27o4q9IwEM6zc43D-sffgJiy0SKOz0yWgKSDLzlwlFHI_QskPDMscYdMgNNI-Mhl1JUC-Xmd-PD1l/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwmvz10R9frVhVsZNabIkdhgTKQhhYotKOACmVuvkqZr_9YYs-ZoqNwmNtSIANGz27o4q9IwEM6zc43D-sffgJiy0SKOz0yWgKSDLzlwlFHI_QskPDMscYdMgNNI-Mhl1JUC-Xmd-PD1l/s640/IMG_3389.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My mom was here for almost two weeks, but Mom and Dad left on Wednesday and the favors my Dad has called in are breathtaking. A dear friend of ours from Centerville is bringing a private jet to take Anna Cate and me to Centerville tomorrow, and Daddy reached out to Vanderbilt and we have an appointment with their pediatric GI specialists on Tuesday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Within hours of Daddy calling a friend at Vanderbiltt, he heard from a director of the children's hospital with these words, <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>"I can give you hope! . . .<span style="background-color: white;">I am a pediatrician at the Monroe Carell Jr Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. I learned of Anna Cate's medical troubles this morning, and am happy to help! I have reached out to our Pediatric GI team, and I think we have 3 doctors who would be great! [One of the doctors at the clinic] completed an additional fellowship in complementary and alternative therapies for children suffering in pain."</span></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">We have decided that she will stay in Tennessee through BJ's two surgeries (October 7 and October 13) to visit doctors at Vanderbilt and to alleviate stress. She has had three good days; we visited school, met with her teachers, we have a plan for making up her work, and today we had manicures and pedicures. She helped her Dad organize the play room. I have reveled in watching Molly and Anna Cate reunite in play and cringed with their normal fussing. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I notice some relief in her spirit for understanding what is wrong with her. It will be a long road to recovery, but I believe she might just be blessed with life some valuable long lessons. She will learn the power of mind over matter, the skills to manage stress, and how to balance caring for others and herself in a healthier way. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqZREAbT4o_rDNnI48koz34fiHrpTcP-bRugNccrlGnkBjW4pmddX_5vKDWqWtCOlE6lN_oat0fDW_HFRvNizFMBa3PTqcCzvVua5J1JKw7MY7jwOmgt-HJnJjFvTqfBVKCwZ3q7zFO0p/s1600/IMG_3160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqZREAbT4o_rDNnI48koz34fiHrpTcP-bRugNccrlGnkBjW4pmddX_5vKDWqWtCOlE6lN_oat0fDW_HFRvNizFMBa3PTqcCzvVua5J1JKw7MY7jwOmgt-HJnJjFvTqfBVKCwZ3q7zFO0p/s640/IMG_3160.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">I'm learning some lessons too. I really struggled with how to juggle it all, but decided to take advantage of FMLA and will be taking time off of work until after BJ's second surgery. I think the continuity of the same long term substitute will be good for the students in my classroom, although parts of me are dying inside to not be there. I just can't write sub plans the way I teach; I needed to walk away. I've realized there is no substitute for wife and mother, and no price tag for my own mental health. It's funny, no one thinks twice about taking off extended leave to care for a baby, but there may be more than one time on this motherhood ride where work takes a back seat to family and health. I am so thankful to have a job I love so much, and a team of administrators and coworkers who are understanding. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">BJ continues to be calm, the perfect mix of pro-active and laid back. Molly has been the epitome of charming and flexible. From Centerville to Fredericksburg, she has been shuffled about and so many friends have said, "I sure have enjoyed the chance to get to know Molly." </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMH-qjcxfkLoMQPZ2ssAJ11637E0T4VuJc5gmYnmxO-818LS2GU3XAbU2PTmJsmuEDf0ujM30ppjIOOa4_fs9fYBDkVILgGHXc14u3hIUE2zPmjjfZs6rCOCVE3OfVq1j2bQuB6uWt1z7/s1600/IMG_3395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOMH-qjcxfkLoMQPZ2ssAJ11637E0T4VuJc5gmYnmxO-818LS2GU3XAbU2PTmJsmuEDf0ujM30ppjIOOa4_fs9fYBDkVILgGHXc14u3hIUE2zPmjjfZs6rCOCVE3OfVq1j2bQuB6uWt1z7/s640/IMG_3395.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Yesterday I took her lunch and she was very affectionate and got emotional when I started to leave and I said, "would you like to come home with me and Anna Cate?" Her teacher announced to the class, "homework for this class is spending time with family, and Molly needs to do that." I like that homework: </span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> we, too, are doing the work necessary to get our family healthy, body, mind and spirit. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;"><br /></span></span>
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<div style="orphans: auto; widows: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; orphans: 2; widows: 2;">Maybe one day soon, I'll have a melt down, but at this point, I realize this is my gift. I know how to deal with </span>disappointment, and walk through the hard times, replacing "why not me" with "why me." Through it all, I'm grateful -- for good health care, dear souls, friends and family. I put out on social media that I didn't know where to show up and my wise, wonderful, dear friend Melanie said, "it might be time to let others show up for you. " And as I think and look back at the past 4 weeks, I see that; here are just a few images I happen to have on my phone. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNqcZLS8Wkt-VC3y646N_SQSRahNgXaDSdpbRoMnp4T4YaAqj2alXsKegLXEKJGJCKYr4z8oD88YzH73IznrAFOP1b-rADzA8oD9KNclPmSjTlv1WbW_XD-AaYfG1uuDdHi3yoQD_KqUu/s1600/IMG_3145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNqcZLS8Wkt-VC3y646N_SQSRahNgXaDSdpbRoMnp4T4YaAqj2alXsKegLXEKJGJCKYr4z8oD88YzH73IznrAFOP1b-rADzA8oD9KNclPmSjTlv1WbW_XD-AaYfG1uuDdHi3yoQD_KqUu/s320/IMG_3145.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FS5Ta92SEpUTAhzt_3NpM0kumEYl1z5wLN74E1zyXoFJgzHtgI0Q7p5d5SOuB0bj7obPPNIJP_zwp2pwWFRk_ao-Lto0vvqi4WKTvFq8hjlABVEmYUUPWJCg9_jK9Gb8_tQWAJlz8LQb/s1600/IMG_3140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FS5Ta92SEpUTAhzt_3NpM0kumEYl1z5wLN74E1zyXoFJgzHtgI0Q7p5d5SOuB0bj7obPPNIJP_zwp2pwWFRk_ao-Lto0vvqi4WKTvFq8hjlABVEmYUUPWJCg9_jK9Gb8_tQWAJlz8LQb/s320/IMG_3140.JPG" width="240" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My pal Jennifer came to Nashville to bring me lunch, shower Anna Cate with gifts and then took Molly home.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpnA9KwV0PG43-0q9DZbOyS2Bu-uTDQH5l6KpaNn_y1HF6p6Yi21PkUk1lxOzcVyi7yt2a9_ErSmvLHqm3XeZMcC5HIYYFzCUXwOK7jO_KD7aoRV1iNW-uzcsvOiIJIivZKx0kgj6e20s/s1600/IMG_3249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpnA9KwV0PG43-0q9DZbOyS2Bu-uTDQH5l6KpaNn_y1HF6p6Yi21PkUk1lxOzcVyi7yt2a9_ErSmvLHqm3XeZMcC5HIYYFzCUXwOK7jO_KD7aoRV1iNW-uzcsvOiIJIivZKx0kgj6e20s/s640/IMG_3249.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Our dear friend and minister, Erin, came to visit Anna Cate on her first stay at VCU. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16G5rLqmOKANq7MAEoeFfIa9TYS8sDvouKGZiv7vhqG3E0VAXOj8vI3n0S84nUHpuMQyZm2or7UvouEV2OqYOtAinwqRRBaOCHfjmbXof7MUaXg7yy1JfdKnHCtTKPPOAzVfcYJDBA1BI/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16G5rLqmOKANq7MAEoeFfIa9TYS8sDvouKGZiv7vhqG3E0VAXOj8vI3n0S84nUHpuMQyZm2or7UvouEV2OqYOtAinwqRRBaOCHfjmbXof7MUaXg7yy1JfdKnHCtTKPPOAzVfcYJDBA1BI/s640/IMG_3260.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Molly's 1st grade teacher, Mrs. Rivers, who is also a friend from church. We feel very lucky to have her. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDYEfoPKdaA4f40OS7NWR64Ew5FLCBKd037WX50JrrAgy8Bb-9BeoP_YmTiMJzjua26XSAMJVCxPMCwePT3lxV4XtZDovsE25OflYm4z3uYDmYmUqZedYlkqRhV27shLSIhMGpF3SRHNm/s1600/IMG_3378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMDYEfoPKdaA4f40OS7NWR64Ew5FLCBKd037WX50JrrAgy8Bb-9BeoP_YmTiMJzjua26XSAMJVCxPMCwePT3lxV4XtZDovsE25OflYm4z3uYDmYmUqZedYlkqRhV27shLSIhMGpF3SRHNm/s640/IMG_3378.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Our friend Alex came to visit Anna Cate in the hospital and brought her a zebra, since they both have a rare health ailment, and zebras are rare</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBElmLuVRK8ik5yYDeX08FceWUoNaw0d9kIBXh73BTIi9A4HJ3LLKzLLMl8rCUjGY7gHfG2AjJmOqD_tXNGFRwIWetJp0Tso-DQwhuwcg-hKo_EGl_V8SKa_YigcXOXE0cJcLyuyUxznmh/s1600/IMG_3340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBElmLuVRK8ik5yYDeX08FceWUoNaw0d9kIBXh73BTIi9A4HJ3LLKzLLMl8rCUjGY7gHfG2AjJmOqD_tXNGFRwIWetJp0Tso-DQwhuwcg-hKo_EGl_V8SKa_YigcXOXE0cJcLyuyUxznmh/s640/IMG_3340.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Daddy Doug reading a book to Molly about worry.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And of course, there is Chris who showed up to bring us cheer and comfort several times a day. I think this is the first smile I saw on her face in days. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiqxsmhLeQbsZMbHyI4IuT3aIFuZzCAQpp62nIg4EYHzsZ8gB7N7dWgeDkCAEMg-uoCFmCz3yyENAMfzWbrBlXH7emLZtuMlHoux8uAgaqlcIK1fnbqOfkCyxBVnHa38IUXkx8V7vYTR6/s1600/IMG_3385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKiqxsmhLeQbsZMbHyI4IuT3aIFuZzCAQpp62nIg4EYHzsZ8gB7N7dWgeDkCAEMg-uoCFmCz3yyENAMfzWbrBlXH7emLZtuMlHoux8uAgaqlcIK1fnbqOfkCyxBVnHa38IUXkx8V7vYTR6/s640/IMG_3385.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"> Friends, family, co-workers and VCU teams, t</span><span style="background-color: white;">hank you for showing up for me and my family so I can show up for my family. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlAhu-XGiwX4OOUqacU2A1OeAbqWHfSkuwXD4m7fmk9n5m50xJ1LLT1Aj1iQrJX7ZPIHlI94k2VyF65fD5rsYTH9TyRfp556yvP7Tv-QTnoZWftmXzaG3jrxIKK4l18D-tWoZv_9EqFpd/s1600/IMG_3358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlAhu-XGiwX4OOUqacU2A1OeAbqWHfSkuwXD4m7fmk9n5m50xJ1LLT1Aj1iQrJX7ZPIHlI94k2VyF65fD5rsYTH9TyRfp556yvP7Tv-QTnoZWftmXzaG3jrxIKK4l18D-tWoZv_9EqFpd/s640/IMG_3358.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">And show up for myself. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">"It is not the stress that breaks you, it is the way you carry it." - Lou Holz</span></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12035217099667488244noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9044626958556917859.post-1090128190809979262016-08-28T20:28:00.000-04:002016-08-28T20:35:55.428-04:00BJ's diary: Final Days of Paris<div class="p1">
<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">BJ's final days of journaling our trip to Paris. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Day 8 (check list day):</u></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We started the morning off going to the Luxembourg Gardens, where Sarah took a 3 mile run and I took some photos and watched the kids sail boats in the fountain pool. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> (That's Sarah running up those stairs)</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We walked back to the hotel and Sarah was excited to find a juice bar where got some great “to-go” lunches for a picnic and beet detox juice for her. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We decided to go to the palace of Versailles. It was on a check list to do and I am glad to say we had a nice picnic in the gardens. We did not go inside, it is too massive and almost vulgar in its opulence. I appreciate the beauty but just the walk through the gardens showed me why the statement “let them eat cake” set off a revolution of the common man to say "we are not paying for this anymore."</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We took the train back to the city and walked along the Siene for another experience on the list: a boat ride. It was very nice to see the city from a different angle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/180482526" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe> <a href="https://vimeo.com/180482526">Scenes Along The Seine 1</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user12444331">Sarah King</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We walked back to the hotel. We stopped at the Highlander bar right next to our hotel (a local Scottish/English bar. Seated next to us in Paris France was a guy that was attending Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va. He was an interesting dude that was hitting on my wife (I cant blame him, but he was a Trump person so not completely all together)</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dinner was at a French restaurant where I had 12 snails as and appetizer and lovely lamb chops for the main course. Sarah had a salmon salad, then scallops as the main course. The music was american pop so it was a little odd but another great meal non the less.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span class="s1">Day 9: </span>Our last full day and 27500 steps ahead and we are off!</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We had been wanting to see St. Chapelle and finally got there. As we walked in we were like “ok, this is nice but what is the big deal?” Then I noticed some stairs and we walked up. Holy beautiful stain glass windows!!! This church was built in 20 years and sits on the current grounds of the French supreme court; it is a magical place. Huge windows with biblical stories adorn the walls. I am so glad we made it. </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Back to the Lourve. This was an extremely special experience for me. My wife is way smarter than I am when it comes to history and information I often decry as less useful. . .like ancient information. But then days like today happen and I see the joy it brings her, and I realize it is very useful. </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We spent two hours in the near eastern rooms of the Lourve with such items as Hammurabi’s Code and artifacts of the earliest civilizations. (It is weird these artifacts are in Paris but at least these treasures are safe from vandals)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To see Sarah light up and listen to her explain the earliest history of the world and to be so exited for the “in person” visual versus a text book was worth the flight across the ocean. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now to the part where Sarah tried to kill me (or collect life insurance as I think) We ventured down the Champs Elysee and saw the Rodeo drive of paris. Including Ferraris for rent for $80 euros for 20 minutes. Then we get to the Arch de Triump with its 8 lane traffic circle around it. I was like how do we get across and to quote sarah “rick steves says you just run across, so we did and survived along with another embecile couple she convinced too. We were quickly greeted by some french police that said no no (as they might have been thinking "dumb americans"; there is an underground walk way right over there.) This is why I planned the trip . But I will always remember the Arch de Triumph.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/180529916" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="640"></iframe></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://vimeo.com/180529916">My Movie</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/user12444331">Sarah King</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We witnessed a beautiful daily ritual at the tomb of the unknown soldier at the arch. 30 or so older vets presented flower and the colors, then broke into singing The French National anthem to honor their fallen soldiers. A similar ceremony occurs everyday. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We took the subway back to our hotel (at this point we are experts), met a nice family -- he works for the Israeli embassy and chatted until our stop, and came back to the Left Bank to enjoy our last evening in Paris. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> We took a few pictures at another "lock bridge."</span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> We enjoyed dinner next door to the oldest cafe in Paris. </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In 1686, it opened its doors and has been a hangout for the the likes of Voltaire, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, and Robespierre -- the list goes on. We had great pizza and pasta, and of course, wine. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u>Day 10: saying goodbye to Paris. </u></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We slept in a little, Sarah did a quick run down the Siene and I enjoyed people watching. </span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We packed our bags and caught our ride to the airport. </span></span><br />
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This was my one big oversight. I did not want to pack wine in the suitcase for fear of it breaking so I had 2 gifted bottles from the wine makers where we shipped wine home in my book bag. We made it through customs, but not security and they had to be thrown away. Sarah wanted to cry. She felt better with the complimentary Clarins spa treatments in the Air France business class lounge. </span></span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This trip has been a life changing, eye-opening experience to share with the love of my life. </span></div>
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<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I waited to do this, not intentionally, but I let life get in the way. Once life changed with my diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, I have been better about not letting life get in the way of living it. </span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP9TtKKHqSxId7zGRHVRSta-LlAC6UENLHGy6-xHM5eu6-lJaRxKRtkHn9L8dVP4ZD96VjvvspHcFCGyaTquVkAoyu1iDjuX4wdFOtseAejpdpdQ0-BF-29pfEkXIlQDyLwnb9sSgkMl5/s1600/IMG_3064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeP9TtKKHqSxId7zGRHVRSta-LlAC6UENLHGy6-xHM5eu6-lJaRxKRtkHn9L8dVP4ZD96VjvvspHcFCGyaTquVkAoyu1iDjuX4wdFOtseAejpdpdQ0-BF-29pfEkXIlQDyLwnb9sSgkMl5/s640/IMG_3064.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></span><br />
<span class="s1" style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> My lesson from Paris is: You must come and see what Paris has to offer with the history, beauty, museums, people and love. But most of all, you must live and not just go through life. Don’t wait for life to change to have life-changing experiences, but live it everyday, recognize all that is available, and live it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">"Don't wait for life to change to have the life-changing experiences." - BJ King</span><br />
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