tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72998972024-03-19T01:44:23.637-06:00The Parks FamilySarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.comBlogger576125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-68298340869462027182011-12-31T13:45:00.003-06:002011-12-31T13:55:59.424-06:00Home for the Holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4BVrSM8b_gumnJgfgKFFW4or-WYw4lGif56GoTgymujEurhcg-2qwBEZHkw52U2xEz4w5ibMyEN2uh36SnEm8EfWh6S9gOY7WmWWj999FRCifx80zk1kyh-cwP0dzvBFKU9fgw/s1600/IMAG0614.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoz1AzJlYtjKDtJ3fVwUvjblD8QObfM0kQ5lZyM0roGxmUYvgsAlOp51RROF6f9klRCpYjKAV3aV5cynWhLPXk375ab0BPpRkZOjUSor-N8UUeNiVPvqEwpx2RkOiuJZxg-hNNw/s1600/IMAG0607.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoz1AzJlYtjKDtJ3fVwUvjblD8QObfM0kQ5lZyM0roGxmUYvgsAlOp51RROF6f9klRCpYjKAV3aV5cynWhLPXk375ab0BPpRkZOjUSor-N8UUeNiVPvqEwpx2RkOiuJZxg-hNNw/s320/IMAG0607.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692383455954456722" border="0" /></a><br />Our little-soon-to-be-expanding family had a wonderful, quiet Christmas here in New Orleans. Unless you count that 3/4 of our family got the stomach bug. Such is life. We enjoyed Christmas eve dinner with my family (such a blessing that they live here!) complete with our traditional Happy Birthday Jesus cake. Christmas day we enjoyed opening presents, church (for the ones that were well) and Christmas dinner at my parents house. It was a nice, quiet Christmas for us.<br /><br />I am now 32 weeks pregnant and guessing on my history, my doctor and I are predicting I will not make it to my 39 week scheduled c-section. I am hoping not, since I am quiet miserable even now.<br /><br />Though we have been telling friends and family, I don't think I have officially announced our new little man's name. So, here we go...our new little bundle of joy will be named <span style="font-style: italic;">Oliver Finn</span>. I can't wait to love on this new addition to our family.<br /><br />Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and this new year will bring you new hope and blessings! Thank you all for being a part of our lives!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4BVrSM8b_gumnJgfgKFFW4or-WYw4lGif56GoTgymujEurhcg-2qwBEZHkw52U2xEz4w5ibMyEN2uh36SnEm8EfWh6S9gOY7WmWWj999FRCifx80zk1kyh-cwP0dzvBFKU9fgw/s1600/IMAG0614.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4BVrSM8b_gumnJgfgKFFW4or-WYw4lGif56GoTgymujEurhcg-2qwBEZHkw52U2xEz4w5ibMyEN2uh36SnEm8EfWh6S9gOY7WmWWj999FRCifx80zk1kyh-cwP0dzvBFKU9fgw/s320/IMAG0614.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692383459613457122" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-72733148128533380782011-12-03T11:11:00.003-06:002011-12-03T11:37:39.101-06:00Our chaotic lifeEvery time I update my blog, I tell myself I'm going to do better & try to post once a week. Does it happen? Of course not. So, here's my best recap of the last little while in our life.<br /><br />*We have moved on from our ministry at the Baptist Friendship House. It was such a bittersweet move. We had been there almost 2 years and those living and working there were (and still are) our family. With Baby # 3 coming soon and myself being back in school, we knew God was calling us to focus on our family and leave the Friendship House.<br /><br />*We have a sweet little house only 3 blocks from our work. It was such a God story in how we discovered this house and how it was a perfect fit for our family. If you want to hear that story, just ask. :)<br /><br />*This is Emma's last year at the child development program where she is and we are exploring options for next year. It is quite overwhelming, as there are only a handful of schools in the New Orleans area that are decent enough to send her too. School applications are rigorous and most schools go by a lottery system, so you can't put any hope in getting into a particular school. I actually went to an open house for a school this morning and they stated that they get about 800 applications each year and there are probably only a few spots for the Pre-K 4 program. I left feeling very overwhelmed and discouraged. Please be praying that we can trust that God will have Emma in the school where she needs to be.<br /><br />*Emma is 3 1/2 now and continues to be a bundle of energy and excitement. She is just not getting to the point where she will sit down for a 30 minute movie every once in a while. She loves to pretend play and mostly pretends that she is at school or church. She also bursts into song at any moment of any day and sings about the most random things. It's quite hilarious.<br /><br />*Eli is 21 months old now and while he is making progress, he still isn't walking much. He will free stand and take a few steps here and there, but is quite cautious about the walking thing. His vocabulary is exploding and is most commonly found saying "kitty, airplane, cheese, milk, potty, Mama, Dada, and Emma". He has decided that he is ready to be a big kid and start potty learning. I was going to wait until he started walking to introduce the potty, but a few weeks ago, he went and sat on the little potty, said "potty" and started pulling at his pants. He is having some success and is quite proud of himself.<br /><br />*I am now into my 3rd trimester (28 weeks) and starting to get into the entire uncomfortable back hurting, round ligament pain stage of pregnancy. I am enjoying my time with Emma and Eli before the chaos of having 3 children begins. Little man's due date is February 25, but we will be scheduling the c-section for around the 17th (unless he decides to make an early entrance like his older brother). This is full into Carnival (Mardi Gras) season, so it will be quite interesting to see how that will all work out, considering our hospital is one block from a major parade route.<br /><br />*I am continuing on in school for my Master's of Social Work at the University of New England. It is an online program and while I am loving it and learning a lot, it is quite demanding.<br /><br />*We just returned from a trip to South Carolina to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving. We had a great time, though it is never long enough to visit everyone we would wish.<br /><br />*We have been super bad about taking pictures with our camera, so here are a couple of pictures from my phone.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuhwd8ROXokuVbKd537NdZsJD5NkunrXgSepPX3OUyfOZQGwul7eMhKPxbGrDNXrpMExsa2CTqvMRtF6neb5pn_Q-SUUVAja9vJ4dMKWzaUIv6QKeTqrSo2mwWutiHoPXAlkLww/s1600/IMAG0572.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhuhwd8ROXokuVbKd537NdZsJD5NkunrXgSepPX3OUyfOZQGwul7eMhKPxbGrDNXrpMExsa2CTqvMRtF6neb5pn_Q-SUUVAja9vJ4dMKWzaUIv6QKeTqrSo2mwWutiHoPXAlkLww/s320/IMAG0572.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681957454674059458" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI5MQHzPDIwxCbAW3HAYNMOELZ_1ughaomihFHmK2_fWL8q6NxNYxCDfyG0rOos723KMYPHKEL8TNDr314JJoUXLHMAGvPoHzywTjmDUjXTUkxvRSNwMZBADjIZQnLFCzYkgzYg/s1600/IMAG0563.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI5MQHzPDIwxCbAW3HAYNMOELZ_1ughaomihFHmK2_fWL8q6NxNYxCDfyG0rOos723KMYPHKEL8TNDr314JJoUXLHMAGvPoHzywTjmDUjXTUkxvRSNwMZBADjIZQnLFCzYkgzYg/s320/IMAG0563.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681957459428845202" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-67150325023906477082011-09-05T21:28:00.002-05:002011-09-05T21:30:26.654-05:00And...Baby #3 is on the way!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9w2N3vwtn3l0h4r-u7DC7EQ9lsbeC5NAz4Ssux4Lhb8BIqKwAunY9gQ_yZnyg41feBAf5pPmHyuC5QY3QzKjP3oD8395d-IkRWi5fVc6LJoScvbxAVhHgqEBEZCI4PB3NYjDGQ/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9w2N3vwtn3l0h4r-u7DC7EQ9lsbeC5NAz4Ssux4Lhb8BIqKwAunY9gQ_yZnyg41feBAf5pPmHyuC5QY3QzKjP3oD8395d-IkRWi5fVc6LJoScvbxAVhHgqEBEZCI4PB3NYjDGQ/s320/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649068009368074818" border="0" /></a>
<br />Baby # 3 is expected to arrive in February!
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, another Mardi Gras baby for us!
<br /></div><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-65434239362614376782011-07-12T19:54:00.003-05:002011-07-12T19:59:22.718-05:00My kidsThis is what my kids are into these days.<br />I apologize for the bad quality of pictures, but they were taken on my phone.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpPIj9M-iXxSAKxVndcqozfoOseOQL_ob9AAtqujOAU3GcT6SCCdD6dpKBRSMkPhO4O-7L_6gI9_pvMew-sYk4OpzuANf-HdxL58I7uastfWOIRA4V2JibtflJnb8e_yth_Sdjg/s1600/IMAG0466.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpPIj9M-iXxSAKxVndcqozfoOseOQL_ob9AAtqujOAU3GcT6SCCdD6dpKBRSMkPhO4O-7L_6gI9_pvMew-sYk4OpzuANf-HdxL58I7uastfWOIRA4V2JibtflJnb8e_yth_Sdjg/s320/IMAG0466.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628634555942206674" border="0" /></a>Emma loves to sing and make music. <br />She makes up the most random songs about anything and everything. <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb1VQYpL0g80aidBcvqZ0J0Z2ExHMiK13_5b_QmAUK8OUgrKD7XN0l7rpYDm1yy4Z03fr6a96oHg9dt7U3kldGrpVFwUOHxzXSdznDeIaUY8u_KJgN8i5HpaEcdlFI8S-VZb7Ew/s1600/IMAG0450.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVb1VQYpL0g80aidBcvqZ0J0Z2ExHMiK13_5b_QmAUK8OUgrKD7XN0l7rpYDm1yy4Z03fr6a96oHg9dt7U3kldGrpVFwUOHxzXSdznDeIaUY8u_KJgN8i5HpaEcdlFI8S-VZb7Ew/s320/IMAG0450.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628634550845641170" border="0" /></a>Eli loves to climb anything and everything! He refuses to walk, but will climb up on top of chairs, tables, or any piece of playground equipment!<br /><br /></div><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-16290926763712802042011-07-12T19:28:00.002-05:002011-07-12T19:39:48.290-05:00Random things I'm intoJust felt like posting a random list of stuff I'm into lately. :) Just a little glimpse into my life.<br /><br />*Adoption/fostering/orphan care--Most of you already know this is a passion of mine. Right now I'm currently reading <span style="font-style: italic;">Adopted for Life: The Priority of Adoption for Christian Families & Churches</span>. I definitely recommend it! <br /><br />*La Croix fizzy water (particularly grapefruit flavored, but lime or lemon will do as well)<br /><br />*Kari Jobe--I just can't get enough of this girl's heart of worship and her music! It draws me near to God.<br /><br />*Sugar--free hazelnut coffee creamer<br /><br />*My Chaco's--the only shoes I wear<br /><br />*<a href="http://www.groupon.com">Groupon</a>--Matt & I have scored some super great deals lately<br /><br />*My church--Seriously love these people and the heart they have for God and for serving others. So blessed by them! <br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-25683842637640864132011-06-29T20:55:00.003-05:002011-06-29T21:03:39.583-05:00The CircusMatt & I were excited to take Emma to the circus again this year. I have sweet memories of going to the circus when I was a child and want Emma to have those same memories. We dropped of Eli at Grammy & Papa's so we could enjoy a fun night with our girl. All throughout the circus, Emma kept saying that the cotton candy was here favorite part of the circus, but the next day, she forgot about the cotton candy and decided the elephants were here favorite. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW0JJkFjVv2KDIUOMD72nT4egtmNWxxbAMNX1UBFAxMqPSoH-T-SvRYnm279jzG_gVjMaaH8H3i8oJM4GOxZwolcEdbUIAywTPibAoK0Vo6PRjju9piBmprFX0AnAErVtUdRU0g/s1600/IMG_1060.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQW0JJkFjVv2KDIUOMD72nT4egtmNWxxbAMNX1UBFAxMqPSoH-T-SvRYnm279jzG_gVjMaaH8H3i8oJM4GOxZwolcEdbUIAywTPibAoK0Vo6PRjju9piBmprFX0AnAErVtUdRU0g/s320/IMG_1060.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623827188043091730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gAiNmF5D1kE7A7_MeqVLJ4ds4hLC8bEGIRjvixK6xNxUm5Mm_FYLaQS9XuMKxCMsCpwa0hTVi516Md8lXcX3AXIi4dlA61BdLzgq05hvGLubLQ9RlQ7oXmwqosbJpkku31ZYeg/s1600/IMG_1009.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gAiNmF5D1kE7A7_MeqVLJ4ds4hLC8bEGIRjvixK6xNxUm5Mm_FYLaQS9XuMKxCMsCpwa0hTVi516Md8lXcX3AXIi4dlA61BdLzgq05hvGLubLQ9RlQ7oXmwqosbJpkku31ZYeg/s320/IMG_1009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623827174018188130" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaagJ_zIYr1kfeSU7Xb3GbQzmcf9-ciiZYwSTxYphicHnljt2IU-au4T9yDdUXuAHMvDnm62TVpMXMlRKDvRyxAIkSm3aAG57JFhu9xKQA5sMn5Z3F2rmERLoh4sTNaU0HSWKLrA/s1600/IMG_0989.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaagJ_zIYr1kfeSU7Xb3GbQzmcf9-ciiZYwSTxYphicHnljt2IU-au4T9yDdUXuAHMvDnm62TVpMXMlRKDvRyxAIkSm3aAG57JFhu9xKQA5sMn5Z3F2rmERLoh4sTNaU0HSWKLrA/s320/IMG_0989.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623827170739913266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa8byOz9CkUAtvP_nQhNkdOND8Qm9CdUuUz6J93NXb49O_BobdEudp42y-0WI7osoT5HQvt73KewklEJId2KtJV-0hffVejHAgdXQNhWS2zeRHyTRdARpJfjiCPjL_9JrD6Jwxw/s1600/IMG_0973.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBa8byOz9CkUAtvP_nQhNkdOND8Qm9CdUuUz6J93NXb49O_BobdEudp42y-0WI7osoT5HQvt73KewklEJId2KtJV-0hffVejHAgdXQNhWS2zeRHyTRdARpJfjiCPjL_9JrD6Jwxw/s320/IMG_0973.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623827161221992866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmBi_N0k3Oa9Rh6Zw3xx4Hgauo-FZ98pY-6_9WcOrP6hddGEXRzvoZKGR_EJ7Gu4zyBoAI7yp6fZ3hdusMsj-Xhmk3RqHpWyXIjIoYxHml-VzPQmajJmVl9KcyoR6SZ3mjerVbg/s1600/IMG_0963.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmBi_N0k3Oa9Rh6Zw3xx4Hgauo-FZ98pY-6_9WcOrP6hddGEXRzvoZKGR_EJ7Gu4zyBoAI7yp6fZ3hdusMsj-Xhmk3RqHpWyXIjIoYxHml-VzPQmajJmVl9KcyoR6SZ3mjerVbg/s320/IMG_0963.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623827158017744722" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-13392543299213709742011-06-25T11:17:00.004-05:002016-05-27T16:33:56.098-05:00Orphan Care<br />
I have been writing this post in my head for weeks now, and I am still really not sure where I am going with it, but I just need to write about it.<br />
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Orphan care has been a passion of mine since I was a young child. My heart has always felt for hurting children. I know part of this stems from the fact that I basically grew up at a children's home because that was my father's career. I have always know hurting children. My heart has not always had a passion only for orphans in the United States, but also internationally. I specifically remember a dream that I had when I was in 2nd grade. I dreamed about children in Africa. That dream was so memorable at that time that I even wrote about it in a journal. It stuck with me.<br />
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So where does that lead me? Here I am today, with a husband and two beautiful children of my own, working with kids and also serving homeless women and children in the community. That is all wonderful, but my heart longs for more.<br />
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I desperately want to become a foster parent and adopt children, but now is not the time. God has called us to ministry at the Friendship House and serving the women and children there. I am so incredibly thankful that God has called us to ministry here and do not want to hurriedly jump to the next "stage" of my family's lives just because I am ready to. God's timing is perfect.<br />
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So, how can my family help orphans in the United States and internationally? First, we can pray for them. Pray is powerful...God is powerful. I pray that others will feel the need to support orphans, I pray for those that are caring for orphans currently, I pray for the health of the orphans, I pray that they will be provided with food, a safe place to sleep, and someone to love them. Also, my family can support orphans financially. We have sponsored a child with World Vision for many years now and I feel that we need to continue to do that. The money we send monthly helps others be the hands and feet of Christ and provide food, shelter, and education to our sweet little boy. We also have some dear families in our church who are entered the process to adopt and or foster a child. My family will support them in whatever needs they may have--financial, prayer, or any other way we can help.<br />
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God may not call each of us to adopt or foster, but there are other ways you can help. Take some time and think of ways that you and your family can help those in need.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-style: italic;">"Religion that our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this; to look after </span><strong style="color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;">orphans</strong><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-style: italic;"> and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." </span><span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-size: 100%; font-style: italic;">James 1:27</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-style: italic;">"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.<br />God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing;<br />but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:5-6</span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-style: italic;"></span><br />
<span style="color: rgb(0 , 0 , 0); font-style: italic;">"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpful, and see that they get justice." Proverbs 31:8-9</span></div>
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<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: medium none;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-79008323807569243582011-06-16T20:32:00.000-05:002016-05-27T16:16:48.014-05:00Orphan Care<h6 style="text-align: left;" class="uiStreamMessage" data-ft="{"type":1}"><font size="3"><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}">"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed." Psalm 82:3</span></font></h6><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-48981819270647940632011-06-04T08:25:00.001-05:002011-06-04T08:26:53.607-05:00Happy Anniversary!Happy 6th Anniversary to my best friend and the love of my life!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY2ZMtm_czvhro-w0VBqx6ySGIz-8eLjsi4Q6CMuz37VV74NTWwtXvuNOjPiV_gi_27drvVrrlxc55wdOaNzpx_AjI0tq50Bib1UeeSKqnvKEHuEDT4pOOJIdczd2ELAKOD8qgg/s1600/225765_506398426786_45500189_30178186_9722_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY2ZMtm_czvhro-w0VBqx6ySGIz-8eLjsi4Q6CMuz37VV74NTWwtXvuNOjPiV_gi_27drvVrrlxc55wdOaNzpx_AjI0tq50Bib1UeeSKqnvKEHuEDT4pOOJIdczd2ELAKOD8qgg/s320/225765_506398426786_45500189_30178186_9722_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614355437955566578" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-50753423527586378502011-05-13T20:55:00.004-05:002011-05-13T21:20:16.188-05:00the GreenwayWhile in South Carolina, we went to the Greenway, one of Matt's & my favorite places to hike/picnic. We had fun feeding the ducks and geese, and taking a few pictures. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dMUPKGsgOYkBdqSD6DuzGGTPhEWSr-yslPGqnr05bRLkfKzI55oshv36kh7Cj69MkDO5tGcBg3nIiZor4KT3971u32nQRgEAu-sEBT31wcWG5f39KP__0MRSACpksPS2V9yLmw/s1600/DSC05273.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dMUPKGsgOYkBdqSD6DuzGGTPhEWSr-yslPGqnr05bRLkfKzI55oshv36kh7Cj69MkDO5tGcBg3nIiZor4KT3971u32nQRgEAu-sEBT31wcWG5f39KP__0MRSACpksPS2V9yLmw/s320/DSC05273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606390473974512082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe5xbM_nXJKktQ984IrHV9ADcCAfRCK_z6eb9VOvSYb9It4R53CM00Z_Kf9PT4c_B4T9BMaJJJ1-Eaaf9-RA7Ibeb7VD5naW2G_LLepxl0d-NzZWWsq0UJbXkNxj_clCKm1TtLA/s1600/DSC05274.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBe5xbM_nXJKktQ984IrHV9ADcCAfRCK_z6eb9VOvSYb9It4R53CM00Z_Kf9PT4c_B4T9BMaJJJ1-Eaaf9-RA7Ibeb7VD5naW2G_LLepxl0d-NzZWWsq0UJbXkNxj_clCKm1TtLA/s320/DSC05274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385764468292994" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KOjf0-yeVPiSKqyiCni3HWlDFr6J_6HF-bzWQgN1q5hyphenhyphengergeZhRBYdKvSiNRsk7DVtipy3rbXo-2h2byhWw38sx_l2p5I07h6XQHb_YPvDaG1i_4a3zFIH8_lRCQjYWFaUWFQ/s1600/DSC05285.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KOjf0-yeVPiSKqyiCni3HWlDFr6J_6HF-bzWQgN1q5hyphenhyphengergeZhRBYdKvSiNRsk7DVtipy3rbXo-2h2byhWw38sx_l2p5I07h6XQHb_YPvDaG1i_4a3zFIH8_lRCQjYWFaUWFQ/s320/DSC05285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385760876944050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gRoLd2hMBN7HzLa-SdJ36kASLrdTBAuco1hIu_ZrsGH9zpFYMCkT0-P8X3zPbbzpeG7ZCzWoHjoAJIWDrRZOBcrootzdXMdleeNuap_dGwc7MaxFmtK11kjqeotuoIP8mGF3Og/s1600/DSC05291.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4gRoLd2hMBN7HzLa-SdJ36kASLrdTBAuco1hIu_ZrsGH9zpFYMCkT0-P8X3zPbbzpeG7ZCzWoHjoAJIWDrRZOBcrootzdXMdleeNuap_dGwc7MaxFmtK11kjqeotuoIP8mGF3Og/s320/DSC05291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385753401036962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOXJNPfTqW_Kb0Y64oFhhEc2sAc9-hLUR1glfCSVwqpO8jvhGWzybvwUbZDcWGmPUkun_IQN97RL7QFWbOru3KfUfqRmaL4Y9wbyVoAZ0zGFs4qLg-hl02Grqvzf2hAhwZ4TQ0Q/s1600/DSC05303.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOXJNPfTqW_Kb0Y64oFhhEc2sAc9-hLUR1glfCSVwqpO8jvhGWzybvwUbZDcWGmPUkun_IQN97RL7QFWbOru3KfUfqRmaL4Y9wbyVoAZ0zGFs4qLg-hl02Grqvzf2hAhwZ4TQ0Q/s320/DSC05303.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606385747662336050" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-13977653104906700502011-04-30T20:15:00.004-05:002011-04-30T20:27:12.527-05:00CupcakesI think the highlight of Emma's trip to SC was getting a PINK cupcake with PINK sprinkles from SAS Cupcakes (a cute little cupcake shop in Ballytine). Thanks to Kelly & Paul for treating her for an early birthday present. Emma was so excited that she got to pick out her cupcake and put the sprinkes on herself. It had to be all pink, of course!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DqCsZqg4zf-g4sQ_j4o9O_JHan563oE2bcsMndDfAz66FupsUs9IbQSlrPQpwiGonMXUuASyAjGJ3u5z5RlR4KtxdrGS-34pO7uVicw_gC88ZNOxIYU3zRC2bd2jwelMlX9wyg/s1600/DSC05317.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DqCsZqg4zf-g4sQ_j4o9O_JHan563oE2bcsMndDfAz66FupsUs9IbQSlrPQpwiGonMXUuASyAjGJ3u5z5RlR4KtxdrGS-34pO7uVicw_gC88ZNOxIYU3zRC2bd2jwelMlX9wyg/s320/DSC05317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601552229430321282" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODPxmmvo9NnqxEDS1be0vUANn87ma1TE0bZKnQGPbNEXJHxvvPdATukFzx48hXi4sD1JHyyfkKcN0Si-kxV4gCmkp5rzLd0GoYuNDn7LgHgfJw10uZDKd9UGQw0mhZE-hobXTNA/s1600/DSC05320.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiODPxmmvo9NnqxEDS1be0vUANn87ma1TE0bZKnQGPbNEXJHxvvPdATukFzx48hXi4sD1JHyyfkKcN0Si-kxV4gCmkp5rzLd0GoYuNDn7LgHgfJw10uZDKd9UGQw0mhZE-hobXTNA/s320/DSC05320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601552234996201922" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbPcMucxrb9qDzaGP0DXiSBZ8fbqTp1sAs88p6p9ipK9SHdhM0xCVbcT0Vx0CKtPpgslUnAJnZdqdhsTnLNPf4vBvMSuifd8aCUjM2UR6SEcb5moCCVWHop7V3yVWWmRn6ckkKQ/s1600/DSC05323.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbPcMucxrb9qDzaGP0DXiSBZ8fbqTp1sAs88p6p9ipK9SHdhM0xCVbcT0Vx0CKtPpgslUnAJnZdqdhsTnLNPf4vBvMSuifd8aCUjM2UR6SEcb5moCCVWHop7V3yVWWmRn6ckkKQ/s320/DSC05323.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601552238389289682" border="0" /></a><br />And Eli joined in on the cupcake eating as well. :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWj_byM1VbANHAFRMAL0BC5w-uGZBYYl44GGErBYjYuvdBxtibPVjQvo3whDJ2rmjvxRdC9eKoPriT3dQTlu8rUVGtw4XS67mxr1F6wOk0ic8bAM3aPd0m0mTOTW6gYG-rRGV4Q/s1600/DSC05335.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWj_byM1VbANHAFRMAL0BC5w-uGZBYYl44GGErBYjYuvdBxtibPVjQvo3whDJ2rmjvxRdC9eKoPriT3dQTlu8rUVGtw4XS67mxr1F6wOk0ic8bAM3aPd0m0mTOTW6gYG-rRGV4Q/s320/DSC05335.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601552249534185138" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-9971853260052045372011-04-30T12:40:00.009-05:002011-04-30T13:08:36.174-05:00Another Trip to the CarolinasWe just returned from long weekend in the Carolinas. Wish we could have spent more time there, but our main purpose was to meet Miss Piper Annabelle Edinger.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJqHcWaI7Q5KdcuguYwQN23Ep9nqQ88Kqq5g50PqdTOdcBkACpalfPqdI8YP_gLal5R1j7LnrDZuaXurQRe8XGNZxJgt46-fF7dBQ8InP4d4WQQ-MipTClt02_EkQXXkZJarzfA/s1600/DSC05143.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJqHcWaI7Q5KdcuguYwQN23Ep9nqQ88Kqq5g50PqdTOdcBkACpalfPqdI8YP_gLal5R1j7LnrDZuaXurQRe8XGNZxJgt46-fF7dBQ8InP4d4WQQ-MipTClt02_EkQXXkZJarzfA/s320/DSC05143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601433486158080770" border="0" /></a>She is beautiful, perfect, and such a gift from God! We love her so!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucHwLJ6gDEgQuWtekf5x-voYhBQJdbIEUKnkpIbCUouXSeLfbFyUzvSfCA-eU9sbu4LH06DGTEL_Q3xc0QXqO4IzfjUfjKBDYq1JhymtgKIDtJDU6o0TpLv8R6ETDxgI-cpoDBQ/s1600/DSC05155.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucHwLJ6gDEgQuWtekf5x-voYhBQJdbIEUKnkpIbCUouXSeLfbFyUzvSfCA-eU9sbu4LH06DGTEL_Q3xc0QXqO4IzfjUfjKBDYq1JhymtgKIDtJDU6o0TpLv8R6ETDxgI-cpoDBQ/s320/DSC05155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601434441693743234" border="0" /></a>And we love her Mommy & Daddy too!<br /><br /></div>We also got to spend time with Grandmommy & Granddaddy Parks, Uncle Michael, Aunt Amy, Cousins Will & Helen, Mimi & Papa Wing, the Beasleys, and some other friends. We got to take baths in Grandmommy's & Granddaddy's bathtub, eat lots of food, watch lots of movies in Grandmommy & Granddaddy's van, ride the Light Rail train, participate in the <a href="http://greatclothdiaperchange.com/">Great Cloth Diaper Change</a>, get scared by the Easter Bunny, celebrate "Jesus is alive" day (Easter) with family, go to the Greenway (another post in itself), and eat pink cupcakes (will also be another post)! We had so much fun and it is always so bittersweet to return back to New Orleans after being in the Carolinas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h1PEpngJmX9eyzUNr7uHyFQim3kYLGWmsPLhHv36wcqHJJuOXTh_cE7deVpLbjfitzE1bBOK2Oog5pUEYB27hIOfMkLhzmY-U8saNkoAuUQwv4WPpa-TDrupf45jBBMKH-4N_g/s1600/DSC05131.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6h1PEpngJmX9eyzUNr7uHyFQim3kYLGWmsPLhHv36wcqHJJuOXTh_cE7deVpLbjfitzE1bBOK2Oog5pUEYB27hIOfMkLhzmY-U8saNkoAuUQwv4WPpa-TDrupf45jBBMKH-4N_g/s320/DSC05131.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601434438485478994" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIqEy4ClrtWX6p9HmixJkLadjxiZYugyZmvscSOiI9n6eMwITciQG-ACriW6njA0ZsoDk_TZQZJCLh-OXkowrE-PS9rzdUtgUh5EHs0xptsEIvviC97VFIbZ937p5hxDB4weqs6Q/s1600/DSC05168.JPG"><img style="display: block; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj32kkP1ohvP7VA_3w-pKb5e4lgwUDVFc5lVL6o-XuXkR_7wr1ixW8FHdI9tdguZJeOpJp7gRZ_Pe13zP02V2lCSI1s6ePIqmIDZdeNQ-9_EFGWlLj0FgVIDLP-0_fg2sOediydDw/s320/DSC05174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601437658728190130" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EFj1EEngPMC7XGA3pyr30XRCm9ti9VKLsMr45TbXaS-w8pfVrzFF6tqDkpQfzcMaonhs79mo2r82cFaQ6xRt2yB_OXuRMl4R_85kvZrNKGMcXxPFH75yQCAQPKomJ3sTAu4i7w/s1600/DSC05208.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EFj1EEngPMC7XGA3pyr30XRCm9ti9VKLsMr45TbXaS-w8pfVrzFF6tqDkpQfzcMaonhs79mo2r82cFaQ6xRt2yB_OXuRMl4R_85kvZrNKGMcXxPFH75yQCAQPKomJ3sTAu4i7w/s320/DSC05208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601437663682687650" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9-Z2MzXM1lrFoFKHe8MIbetG4bKmubjBwvyxpkLQeCbQTlgsa1bSLzVwbJeXYvTn-NKsUlBCPq1cV5FRkivn8IRNiE0ko0UKu6bWEncJZzwJwqjS0UAuJTv_ovro1wQdLrZB8A/s1600/DSC05213.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9-Z2MzXM1lrFoFKHe8MIbetG4bKmubjBwvyxpkLQeCbQTlgsa1bSLzVwbJeXYvTn-NKsUlBCPq1cV5FRkivn8IRNiE0ko0UKu6bWEncJZzwJwqjS0UAuJTv_ovro1wQdLrZB8A/s320/DSC05213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601439292255818450" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTAssgNJSGX36NLVsF6Kev8PD44K-tovc5Xi9zLQPrRfdv1OMF-pUDiNOjGOzgSg2-xCaSL6f3zCQMg8j9SbF7t9ghi-tIyET8hyphenhyphenSinrKDoaJxg7sExy3dXD_NtyDQAf_Zn3CDQ/s1600/DSC05247.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeTAssgNJSGX36NLVsF6Kev8PD44K-tovc5Xi9zLQPrRfdv1OMF-pUDiNOjGOzgSg2-xCaSL6f3zCQMg8j9SbF7t9ghi-tIyET8hyphenhyphenSinrKDoaJxg7sExy3dXD_NtyDQAf_Zn3CDQ/s320/DSC05247.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601437669573414802" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6WTYs-4VmcYbMz_-_7NtaJLJey3yXdNxRH0mMhBL_xXZeIQYGdUurzWuLPz-rFkuKM_wYvRmRcbs8DWDqlsp5BCm1z8-SAEHz51rYiV0dU7Pa2rdW8R6GzBV3sknaqPoFnfpMw/s1600/DSC05229.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6WTYs-4VmcYbMz_-_7NtaJLJey3yXdNxRH0mMhBL_xXZeIQYGdUurzWuLPz-rFkuKM_wYvRmRcbs8DWDqlsp5BCm1z8-SAEHz51rYiV0dU7Pa2rdW8R6GzBV3sknaqPoFnfpMw/s320/DSC05229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601439309222015234" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqv5BHfy0mt1D9K2Liwtfp7W3HykjmqNeUN2dAMpaAYWXHSutph5SJ3roylpHGzsfAiL8wWH_wL1Dth34FkSajQmFwn92W5KLoKlgRoTchCUUSEeMgIV7mcYFn37wF6gJ0z0q5g/s1600/DSC05223.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqqv5BHfy0mt1D9K2Liwtfp7W3HykjmqNeUN2dAMpaAYWXHSutph5SJ3roylpHGzsfAiL8wWH_wL1Dth34FkSajQmFwn92W5KLoKlgRoTchCUUSEeMgIV7mcYFn37wF6gJ0z0q5g/s320/DSC05223.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601439299150542242" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5SeVKJe6efLTbc0ieieSQXmrBWoCygl1tVsYY1Rp_skkb8k2YNxMYvhbn9xyz0zuXnxRSLHpTY6Hl9i5OZJIxdldsdl6oOU4h044lSBops8Fw71Ca4Vvmc_MfeaFyaiZOsI-KA/s1600/DSC05204.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5SeVKJe6efLTbc0ieieSQXmrBWoCygl1tVsYY1Rp_skkb8k2YNxMYvhbn9xyz0zuXnxRSLHpTY6Hl9i5OZJIxdldsdl6oOU4h044lSBops8Fw71Ca4Vvmc_MfeaFyaiZOsI-KA/s320/DSC05204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601439288160109570" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-68528550500459533512011-04-16T18:47:00.003-05:002011-04-16T18:58:32.474-05:00WearyI'm not writing this post to complain about my circumstances, but just to be real with where I'm at.<br /><br />Here's where I am...I am weary.<br /><br />Eli came down with the stomach bug Thursday afternoon. At first, I thought it was just teething, but by late Thursday afternoon, I realized it was more than that. Then, Matt came down with it last night. And Emma came down with it this afternoon. This is the FIFTH time my little family has suffered from the stomach bug since January. I am exhausted. I know Matt is exhausted. We are leaving Thursday for South Carolina and NEED everyone to be well. We are so ready for this trip, in so many ways. We need time away.<br /><br />I am clinging to this verse right now...<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." [Hebrews 12:11-12]</span><br /><br />Thank you, Lord, for being strong when I am weak. Thank you for the righteousness that troubles bring.<br /><br />And just because I know you all like pictures, here are a couple from my date with Emma to Cafe du Monde this morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE8dKn3U-RO1hwFY_sHN8-Bz7eYZkCAkAbqqx2rSkvr2NJ5fo0QY_0KcfEcvtzbdJ4v_iT45qsr53X4JoqPYsZFs_EBHLrQ2Y-CL29wR93tIEM-5SaXTyqmt6HxsAqJbpusqCCw/s1600/IMAG0361.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPE8dKn3U-RO1hwFY_sHN8-Bz7eYZkCAkAbqqx2rSkvr2NJ5fo0QY_0KcfEcvtzbdJ4v_iT45qsr53X4JoqPYsZFs_EBHLrQ2Y-CL29wR93tIEM-5SaXTyqmt6HxsAqJbpusqCCw/s320/IMAG0361.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596334971647837666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_Z1o2whTnK6lyBDU9WOrWteWZbV65bp26SOGiD71z4-3_xL0IBrSDGhF_YnPpA4DB5q82skrt2HULY1U4ZkU0DvL4FgCkrVLAWCpM-Luq7cUDvU94_Y01PNaX0d9R-lPoGzQGw/s1600/IMAG0360.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_Z1o2whTnK6lyBDU9WOrWteWZbV65bp26SOGiD71z4-3_xL0IBrSDGhF_YnPpA4DB5q82skrt2HULY1U4ZkU0DvL4FgCkrVLAWCpM-Luq7cUDvU94_Y01PNaX0d9R-lPoGzQGw/s320/IMAG0360.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596334964946664162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-80589087908885764792011-04-09T19:46:00.004-05:002011-04-09T19:52:20.875-05:00TodayToday...<br /><br />...I got sunburned at the Strawberry Festival, but it was worth it have a great time with my family (minus my husband who had to work) and dear friends.<br /><br />...I told Emma that it made God happy when we sing songs to Him, she then told me that He is sad when she doesn't sing to Him and He needs a BIG paci when He is sad!<br /><br />...missed spending time with my husband, but was thankful that he is such a hard worker, who loves to provide for his family!<br /><br />...I am excited to know that I will be in South Carolina in 12 days...and I will get to meet sweet baby Piper Annabelle Edinger!<br /><br />...spent $3 on ride tickets for Emma to ride the kiddie train at Strawberry Fest, and then when we got in the front of the line, she chickened out.<br /><br />...was so proud that my children were well behaved despite the sweltering heat in Ponchatoula.<br /><br />...felt completely blessed to have so many dear friends that I call my "family". <br /><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-18553478836848496382011-03-11T20:27:00.005-06:002011-03-11T20:50:57.612-06:00One Year PicturesTried to upload these the other day, but the internet wasn't working.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jqpYqUa6KXXbWOs57NmTUKq5fHy2UgzhPe6HZEBKTdt5nGn5zyhI5frNUFziALm65M0ufM5sHZhtjs9ze2vI9NmdfpgLkWbBMeFAg8_X1_4ubURHmcvHtiTPqmx_bE_sMffgig/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jqpYqUa6KXXbWOs57NmTUKq5fHy2UgzhPe6HZEBKTdt5nGn5zyhI5frNUFziALm65M0ufM5sHZhtjs9ze2vI9NmdfpgLkWbBMeFAg8_X1_4ubURHmcvHtiTPqmx_bE_sMffgig/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583019997610240338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IPfJlRpOjtyHrGzuWOq58q5vGjzy44dE0XTLLukh9Pl_Ql38BLXM9JjSOccUfiTbdTTKNc3LwSKUaVlIVkfD1D-YM0z2ldvEW5vcH0S0dStWk_q_XsJZImegYLfB0jCNYVjeRQ/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1IPfJlRpOjtyHrGzuWOq58q5vGjzy44dE0XTLLukh9Pl_Ql38BLXM9JjSOccUfiTbdTTKNc3LwSKUaVlIVkfD1D-YM0z2ldvEW5vcH0S0dStWk_q_XsJZImegYLfB0jCNYVjeRQ/s320/IMG_0251.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583019991117766498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xi82VBYoQ0gJpWYScGKOEzEuwGNXCfvAaKW3sCgUpVg68nK93VbPlYOzAG4PKY0Fbj1bN8_1fHLE_vLHDOeIWi_ORhUarUNkQH3qmZeYwskCq4W4DNT8I8aiKfAE67wc5jBBVg/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xi82VBYoQ0gJpWYScGKOEzEuwGNXCfvAaKW3sCgUpVg68nK93VbPlYOzAG4PKY0Fbj1bN8_1fHLE_vLHDOeIWi_ORhUarUNkQH3qmZeYwskCq4W4DNT8I8aiKfAE67wc5jBBVg/s320/IMG_0270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583019987878594338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BSpWYcSYeHGp75sOmL52lZXC9BEjdZPobDI2blfS6diDOZxu5hnGBwAgZarNS-F_msmNfD_2ueOw_cgRdIlQuePIsjl8h_rpIvIDsGvY7lx2ZKq496Q3bqumtTf57IdS8ronCg/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BSpWYcSYeHGp75sOmL52lZXC9BEjdZPobDI2blfS6diDOZxu5hnGBwAgZarNS-F_msmNfD_2ueOw_cgRdIlQuePIsjl8h_rpIvIDsGvY7lx2ZKq496Q3bqumtTf57IdS8ronCg/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583019984216199666" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx_IbluypWmydqn6q2XxvOS5uZDothtBR7nFUniF2PkrTo6sIT3DJAF6IIuWcTUmkpORSLT1uijM1qIaxfhEWrooS3Y_RKg4147ydHkYgk1EDG0R8mciPmHvmWxH6ggf-OxD2DA/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJx_IbluypWmydqn6q2XxvOS5uZDothtBR7nFUniF2PkrTo6sIT3DJAF6IIuWcTUmkpORSLT1uijM1qIaxfhEWrooS3Y_RKg4147ydHkYgk1EDG0R8mciPmHvmWxH6ggf-OxD2DA/s320/IMG_0280.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583016467289427858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD47uhEuqkPP-Fnoc8N51UmnNQ93jOQjEXHUpsvSfTIrFYz0llHL-80fixpxhW9JXST7fnge7odQJ3wWv_-OY7no3JYuk5Dk2ANyGq2cg_cdJQgsSwI6YtAbwsx098GLvZrFugjw/s1600/IMG_0284.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD47uhEuqkPP-Fnoc8N51UmnNQ93jOQjEXHUpsvSfTIrFYz0llHL-80fixpxhW9JXST7fnge7odQJ3wWv_-OY7no3JYuk5Dk2ANyGq2cg_cdJQgsSwI6YtAbwsx098GLvZrFugjw/s320/IMG_0284.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583016460800537618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSX8__zNIbbUoUq51oLHt-OwZrD1DWMAbHTLdxX8_sj7TUkyCgGH8o72cAWoSlx1Hc8QZxS_a1Mp5g4vp8Y7c8Rxg6RGWtpbPJ6ynozQPzd9EXoOVPB_WoFbVy9UiZ01-4V_Bxg/s1600/IMG_0300.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSX8__zNIbbUoUq51oLHt-OwZrD1DWMAbHTLdxX8_sj7TUkyCgGH8o72cAWoSlx1Hc8QZxS_a1Mp5g4vp8Y7c8Rxg6RGWtpbPJ6ynozQPzd9EXoOVPB_WoFbVy9UiZ01-4V_Bxg/s320/IMG_0300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583016443825925186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedtA1GtBrmICcGjedjFvayM1QciBK27zDec8PR0Cg96PKIU7Co0Ci6NnnQwGBMfPCVXJ9rvD8Y6dS2JapyHDhMu7STTopSeq7aqWZoYsCREAPcXCurUvMsoqm5BwroRsafv0pLQ/s1600/IMG_0320.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedtA1GtBrmICcGjedjFvayM1QciBK27zDec8PR0Cg96PKIU7Co0Ci6NnnQwGBMfPCVXJ9rvD8Y6dS2JapyHDhMu7STTopSeq7aqWZoYsCREAPcXCurUvMsoqm5BwroRsafv0pLQ/s320/IMG_0320.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583016445542338482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HmHzdp5fDpzd0DZLl6MQAW1j74Rievyp8eWaophwXdGNWP_Igg-mA3ReYpVZq0wpox_hom9Bq6E90bl8Anqh5qTPxexxBYUWoxPZ8GT9AwgX1vcQMeNTdLWsZCKJz-yR4QJ-Uw/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4HmHzdp5fDpzd0DZLl6MQAW1j74Rievyp8eWaophwXdGNWP_Igg-mA3ReYpVZq0wpox_hom9Bq6E90bl8Anqh5qTPxexxBYUWoxPZ8GT9AwgX1vcQMeNTdLWsZCKJz-yR4QJ-Uw/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583016441789728162" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-50736575612970513352011-03-05T21:46:00.004-06:002011-03-08T20:07:29.014-06:00One YearDear Eli,<br /><br />I can hardly believe that you are one year old today, because you are still my little baby in so many ways. You are the polar opposite of your sister and you love to cuddle and sit in my lap.<br /><br />In the past few weeks, you have grown and changed so much. You have been taking your time with many developmental milestones, which had us a little concerned. But, you just weren't ready yet. You started eating baby food a couple weeks ago and now will eat 1-2 jars at each sitting (3 times a day). Fruits are your favorite, though you also enjoy carrots, squash, and sweet potatoes. You are definitely not fond of the green veggies. You are starting to eat a few table foods as well, and of course, you love puffs and yogurt melts. You also have started scooting all over the place and pulling up on everything. You don't crawl, but rather pull your body along with your arms. You would much rather be standing though. If anything is near you to pull up with, you will do it. We are thinking you may never crawl and may just go to walking. Time will tell.<br /><br />You just celebrated your first Carnival/Mardi Gras and had a blast. The first couple parades, you were a little afraid of the marching bands, but you got used to them. You love playing with beads and other throws that you received. On your actual birthday, we made you a sign that read, "Throw me something, It's my 1st birthday!" and you got so much stuff.<br /><br />Your favorite activities are swinging, watching bubbles, and reading books. You are also our tv watcher. If you are ever near a tv that is on, your attention is there. It is just another sign that you are completely different from your sister!<br /><br />Your sweet and gentle spirit is a light to our lives. We love you.<br /><br />Mom and DadSarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-30446816545871785122011-02-26T21:01:00.006-06:002011-02-26T22:07:40.222-06:00Krewe of PonchartrainCarnival is here & that means parades, parades, and more parades. Today we went to the Krewe of Ponchartrain parade. This was mine and Eli's 2nd parade of the season, Matt and Emma's 3rd parade of the season and my mom's very first Mardi Gras parade! <img src="file:///Users/sarahparks/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo1iIoRakUWn8ZKDlg4tq8ou0YhRw3ChheyqZCWo8KxAyJL4m8PcGzeqPvY149OFAn8TD-uNQszEmZC3B2wRyKL0FZfG8bQ73dl2iCq7S0Bs69hCtWCIr0j3EQw0MUdgYwup9SA/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo1iIoRakUWn8ZKDlg4tq8ou0YhRw3ChheyqZCWo8KxAyJL4m8PcGzeqPvY149OFAn8TD-uNQszEmZC3B2wRyKL0FZfG8bQ73dl2iCq7S0Bs69hCtWCIr0j3EQw0MUdgYwup9SA/s320/IMG_0029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578214922780304354" border="0" /></a>Hanging out with Mommy<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawH7hyphenhyphen0kfp2u_TDMvlXpr01jRhXbAj7CiZ8QYpbisrwXCWFnd4N9R_qI4hB1BI9TnXLMkW0kUDuzsXt0R3ui3fJSvtstvg0dnXgfqn5jT7ZTd4NxtkKChivRBrGqDRbp4V6xDTg/s1600/IMG_0024.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawH7hyphenhyphen0kfp2u_TDMvlXpr01jRhXbAj7CiZ8QYpbisrwXCWFnd4N9R_qI4hB1BI9TnXLMkW0kUDuzsXt0R3ui3fJSvtstvg0dnXgfqn5jT7ZTd4NxtkKChivRBrGqDRbp4V6xDTg/s320/IMG_0024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578214915859651298" border="0" /></a>Here comes Ponchartrain<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l_JcEZh8TJCKaLyryUHaibbGHJlIqyu562XjEZdLCfh2CazNWwkmdG0JLiHoq6K9US48RB1GQIKimgUHnFmdQMcpY_UuEEHTIoY5EvLyo3fIWwh5Gaz-XrMubiXRaP5XbFkhqw/s1600/IMG_0019.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4l_JcEZh8TJCKaLyryUHaibbGHJlIqyu562XjEZdLCfh2CazNWwkmdG0JLiHoq6K9US48RB1GQIKimgUHnFmdQMcpY_UuEEHTIoY5EvLyo3fIWwh5Gaz-XrMubiXRaP5XbFkhqw/s320/IMG_0019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578214911590395618" border="0" /></a>Enjoying the sunshine<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dpapBymg2Zq4vvSTSn9AVty_GH4iiyJ1xsbOioMtp6YPfLOfWHL0a5cFHPSUQZgvuEWZncQMAj07Yv4LrmOmhAJlpnPPONthSoYlkuOoAktgc5Cs3oi7U3FTl-w7hJmZwhvBHg/s1600/IMG_0032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dpapBymg2Zq4vvSTSn9AVty_GH4iiyJ1xsbOioMtp6YPfLOfWHL0a5cFHPSUQZgvuEWZncQMAj07Yv4LrmOmhAJlpnPPONthSoYlkuOoAktgc5Cs3oi7U3FTl-w7hJmZwhvBHg/s320/IMG_0032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578214909867975906" border="0" /></a>Emma has decided that the marching bands are the "loud people"<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2GskQYLvqduxCT5cahgg1Xz86UaMF1EbRnBtsMMqSOtZhHFmA0dpeJyH7tSpwv27T_KHfe21M77NFRoSr_g6k7NJ17oyEPqsMrfPw51Eyf_R_toh-9pJxYZOkszJGuxxh81vdQ/s1600/IMG_0034.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2GskQYLvqduxCT5cahgg1Xz86UaMF1EbRnBtsMMqSOtZhHFmA0dpeJyH7tSpwv27T_KHfe21M77NFRoSr_g6k7NJ17oyEPqsMrfPw51Eyf_R_toh-9pJxYZOkszJGuxxh81vdQ/s320/IMG_0034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578213698590144194" border="0" /></a>The Big Easy Roller Girls (our local roller derby team)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zM9LUH_DBBAme8PtsTh72l4QZEeSdbVoVCvXbqh-ofrizmkDbiph48f5UUliPLDT_qWIud9bqhSfzSjq4-_OrTsJy2CahkTa5LxaOXvwKDmOFJlK6IX12braAkdv_sqEhoHr2Q/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zM9LUH_DBBAme8PtsTh72l4QZEeSdbVoVCvXbqh-ofrizmkDbiph48f5UUliPLDT_qWIud9bqhSfzSjq4-_OrTsJy2CahkTa5LxaOXvwKDmOFJlK6IX12braAkdv_sqEhoHr2Q/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578213690647941202" border="0" /></a>My mom told me not to post any pictures of her, but I'm going to be a rebellious daughter because it was her first parade & I love this picture!<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK9J1HN9BuooUDxVmH95ziu2ZHEhFGlLVjJFpIOstRF5EYEWDJ5IJMLh9Zh_RFClidaQBtEGLqkkoRDOJ5ULL6ZYWtm0x-PUX4p7u7RM5eT0KMU4dL2i7gFSefcfbPDhWo_dHYA/s1600/IMG_0038.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 180px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaK9J1HN9BuooUDxVmH95ziu2ZHEhFGlLVjJFpIOstRF5EYEWDJ5IJMLh9Zh_RFClidaQBtEGLqkkoRDOJ5ULL6ZYWtm0x-PUX4p7u7RM5eT0KMU4dL2i7gFSefcfbPDhWo_dHYA/s320/IMG_0038.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578213689109471954" border="0" /></a>Mardi Gras bulldog<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0BL_gYCxLjlVEAmYf5uptL9BJJmYGkm9M4E-EjmUNC_BtqBulcnsKwOM3zyyWCZKXag9skrxUYJn7Jw4YO3s4cpZ0CjmTVs0-9TKHTmrW7mcPp4K1CjzoftUAV4IBpfL8ELHPg/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0BL_gYCxLjlVEAmYf5uptL9BJJmYGkm9M4E-EjmUNC_BtqBulcnsKwOM3zyyWCZKXag9skrxUYJn7Jw4YO3s4cpZ0CjmTVs0-9TKHTmrW7mcPp4K1CjzoftUAV4IBpfL8ELHPg/s320/IMG_0056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578213678900225986" border="0" /></a>My cute boys all decked out in their Mardi Gras gear<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_JA_p37k13AAhAb_QW8yWXRnxqamII8GPF8N5AVmuxbqi79Iu2ACZtbc2CvhCIjtgr7EZ6-5kUITicW-0erRJXlbpQuK6jRONGlqLSEHBiXjU4-dlgsxQ0LN9YtHjRSbI6usqA/s1600/IMG_0058.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_JA_p37k13AAhAb_QW8yWXRnxqamII8GPF8N5AVmuxbqi79Iu2ACZtbc2CvhCIjtgr7EZ6-5kUITicW-0erRJXlbpQuK6jRONGlqLSEHBiXjU4-dlgsxQ0LN9YtHjRSbI6usqA/s320/IMG_0058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578213669550682162" border="0" /></a>Of course, Emma had to join in!<br /></div><br /><img src="file:///Users/sarahparks/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2011/February%2026%202011%20%28Mardi%20Gras%29/IMG_0058.JPG" alt="" /><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /><img src="file:///Users/sarahparks/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2011/February%2026%202011%20%28Mardi%20Gras%29/IMG_0058.JPG" alt="" /><img src="file:///Users/sarahparks/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2011/February%2026%202011%20%28Mardi%20Gras%29/IMG_0058.JPG" alt="" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-28896247704157127542011-02-24T21:31:00.002-06:002011-02-24T21:35:47.952-06:00Mardi GrasWe are gearing up for Mardi Gras here and went to our first parade last Saturday (Krewe du Vieux). Matt and I went to 36 parades our first Carnival/Mardi Gras here in Nola. Now that we have two kids, I can't even imagine going to that many. Here's a little video clip of Emma getting excited about Mardi Gras. Sorry I can't figure out how to turn it the right way. <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz4Pc-y4rXMG341BQIhybV25ZSk1Fm7_s6QhBwPkYFrlhR_vBHPARabaFPpunKYQgZGoSyMuxA0nB0' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-42942604797434682182011-02-13T20:19:00.002-06:002011-02-13T20:34:09.436-06:00Back to bloggingHere's to hoping I can get back into the blogging thing again. I feel quite guilty that I blogged so much & took so many pictures when Emma was a baby, but now that Eli is here, I barely blog & seem to only take pictures on my phone. I am now going to start being more purposeful about blogging and picture taking. I'll start off with a random, bullet-point update on our lives.<br /><br />*My little family has been either crazy busy or sick for the last 6 months. If we are not busy, at least one of us is sick. If we are not sick, we are busy trying to do a million things. I am trying to slow down. I need to step back and ask myself what is really important in life. I am working on me.<br /><br />*Sickness has been so bountiful in our lives lately. As I type, Matt and Eli are suffering from their second round of the nasty stomach bug. There seems to be no rest. I am so incredibly ready for spring to come and dreaming of days where we go more than a week without being sick!<br /><br />*Emma continues to love going to school. She has amazing teachers and we are so blessed to have her in such a wonderful school. She is learning and exploring so much! She is starting to recognize letters (especially the ones in her name) when we are out and about. She knows all of the basic colors and can count (one to one) up to fourteen. She loves to pretend. Right now, most of her pretending centers around birthdays and parties. She also loves to sing songs. She makes up her own crazy songs all the time. Last night, Matt had to drag her out of the shower after she stood there for fifteen minutes, just singing songs. So adorable. <br /><br />*Eli is growing and changing as well. It is hard for me to believe that he will be ONE in less than a month! Where did my itty bitty baby go?!? When we went to the doctor on Friday, he weighed in at 20 lbs. He developmentally is a lot slower than where Emma was at this age, but I'm sure he'll do everything in his own time. He still has a lot of difficulty eating foods (baby food or table food), so is mostly just drinking formula right now. There is a possibility he may have to go to therapy to learn how to swallow foods, but we are waiting for the 12 month mark to pursue that. He is not crawling yet, but has just started pulling up. He would much rather be standing than sitting. He loves to laugh and smile and is still our joyful little man!<br /><br />I don't have any pictures to attach, because, well, I haven't taken any. Bad mom of the year award. I will do better though...about blogging and taking pictures! <br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-33263032132660445372011-01-29T16:25:00.001-06:002016-05-27T16:16:47.978-05:00Where have I been?I have been slack on blogging for quite some time now. Life has been busy. And when I say busy, I mean really busy. I am really going to try to do better about blogging--I know our out-of-state family and friends appreciate the updates. My new goal<br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;">Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-46483539162379879112011-01-05T21:30:00.005-06:002011-01-05T21:38:40.464-06:00A White ChristmasWe spent Christmas and New Years in South Carolina and were blessed with snow!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGOlSefG60VCzVUEE5g-x50ZWUPUE34JcNGgYeVyKgq-SUQ5nX59iyiGJJ78DCoj19fFRWlQbTZekpX6j3CfMgRRsnojARRkMWTJZc0nHGXyOj-Td133nXVPq2mxXtNEA-j7CcA/s1600/DSC04802.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkGOlSefG60VCzVUEE5g-x50ZWUPUE34JcNGgYeVyKgq-SUQ5nX59iyiGJJ78DCoj19fFRWlQbTZekpX6j3CfMgRRsnojARRkMWTJZc0nHGXyOj-Td133nXVPq2mxXtNEA-j7CcA/s400/DSC04802.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558912044749124050" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-74214755986632044882010-12-05T21:38:00.003-06:002010-12-05T22:08:21.495-06:00Nine MonthsMy Sweet Little Eli,<br /><br />I absolutely cannot believe that you are nine months old today. It seems like just yesterday that you were a tiny little newborn and all you did was nurse and sleep. You continue to light up our lives and your little personality is coming out more and more!<br /><br />You weigh about 18 1/2 lbs now and have the cutest little chubby cheeks. You are content to sit on the floor and play with toys (or just look around) for long periods of time. You also enjoy your time riding "Old Blue" (your horse jumperoo) and hanging out in the exersaucer. You are not a big eater. You want nothing to do with baby food or a spoon and aren't too good with managing little bits of real food yet. So, you just enjoy your milk.<br /><br />You have been sick the last couple weeks with a stomach bug, a bacterial infection, and severe pink eye in both eyes. You are finally on the mend and we are all so glad! You looked so pathetic with your swollen, red eyes!<br /><br />You sleep through the night every once in a while, when you feel like it. Most of the time you still wake once to eat. Just a couple nights ago, you moved into the crib from the co-sleeper. You have been sleeping beside my bed for 9 months now and it is really strange for you to be sleeping the in crib now. It makes me a little sad that my little baby is growing up! <br /><br />You are the ticklish, most laughable baby! You love, love, love to laugh and anyone can make you do so. You especially love it when you are tickled and when your sister talks to you in her crazy voices. You love her so much and I can't wait to see how your relationship with her continues to grow.<br /><br />Eli, we are so blessed to have you in our lives. I can't imagine my life without you. Thank you for bringing joy into even the hardest of days. We love you so much!<br /><br />Love,<br />Mom<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ARzykKSIUg5J10aTXj7sHTuW0wFdRPAD0wtXQdG67kf8EjmDxgiFOY20q5if1je8kyO_cbFtcwBzb81qz_lGUz-k1t6SeLaX_YCxSb08R1cc85AVxCYJPv8gCaqLJTuju5iljA/s1600/IMAG0227.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ARzykKSIUg5J10aTXj7sHTuW0wFdRPAD0wtXQdG67kf8EjmDxgiFOY20q5if1je8kyO_cbFtcwBzb81qz_lGUz-k1t6SeLaX_YCxSb08R1cc85AVxCYJPv8gCaqLJTuju5iljA/s400/IMAG0227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547415857800905058" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-20178438162786400532010-10-31T10:06:00.004-06:002010-10-31T11:01:47.593-06:00You Know You're a Mom If......your infant burps and you hold out your hand to catch the spit-up<br /><br />...you are constantly saying "take that out of your mouth!"<br /><br />...you find rocks and matchbox cars in your pockets<br /><br />...you tell time by when the baby had his last bottle<br /><br />...you are an expert poop examiner<br /><br />...if you get to sleep until 7 am, that is considered sleeping in<br /><br />...getting 4 hours of straight sleep is a wonder<br /><br />...coffee keeps you sane<br /><br />...you are constantly singing children's songs, even when kids aren't around<br /><br />...going to Target by yourself is a huge treat<br /><br />...you would rather buy clothes for the kids than for yourself<br /><br />...you use sign language (that you use with the kids), even when you talk to adults<br /><br />...swaddling blankets are your best friend<br /><br />...going out to eat means going to Chick-fil-a so the toddler can play on the playground<br /><br />...your favorite websites are <a href="http://www.babycenter.com/">www.babycenter.com</a>, <a href="http://www.babysteals.com/">www.babysteals.com</a>, <a href="http://www.kidsteals.com/">www.kidsteals.com</a>, and <a href="http://www.zulily.com/">www.zulily.com</a><br /><br />Feel free to add on!<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-91094474647203731212010-10-17T10:15:00.005-05:002010-10-17T11:29:55.200-05:00Fun at the Pumpkin PatchYesterday, our little family ventured out to Hammond, LA to visit <a href="http://www.thfarms.com/pumpkins.htm">Ms. Heather's Pumpkin Patch</a>. We had a splendid time and the weather was beautiful!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLXc32X8Sa2DM-A4BjoswQBieXl1BJGOgV-ErVC4GuXFyML4M4J6umIyE99QdCat28NeuHlLEjDLPyxHk0L4NTXWk0gGDjrg1LGnXFlTb5_-0qctl0iGgsAY8t6tI3kmguovs3g/s1600/P1130483.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLXc32X8Sa2DM-A4BjoswQBieXl1BJGOgV-ErVC4GuXFyML4M4J6umIyE99QdCat28NeuHlLEjDLPyxHk0L4NTXWk0gGDjrg1LGnXFlTb5_-0qctl0iGgsAY8t6tI3kmguovs3g/s400/P1130483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529036205471097970" border="0" /></a>This is as close as Emma would get to the animals in the petting zoo.<br />She's at that stage where she's scared of animals and such.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEM7ieULv1lQzEbNu2cPkgLzTWJHzPYLmjcpnq2oAjXv1JorHicWO8grmDawtxKnu8W73wK4PD73XE1CAUaxivpfvBeZQVZ2hK63gtAUNAT46fjq0ze5PsCB-rlaK5oX2-F-mfQ/s1600/P1130485.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEM7ieULv1lQzEbNu2cPkgLzTWJHzPYLmjcpnq2oAjXv1JorHicWO8grmDawtxKnu8W73wK4PD73XE1CAUaxivpfvBeZQVZ2hK63gtAUNAT46fjq0ze5PsCB-rlaK5oX2-F-mfQ/s400/P1130485.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529036202394067314" border="0" /></a>But Matt had no trouble holding this cute little chick.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68dmd2XLuMW0ExZSfm7ESZGWOr9W-XNwvVWc43yDgMhREJkKhl8qIgxntQFazSAL6_WBQPmuKtYFbOc8KGVEQ9NJT-TaO_5mfkSMtpqyF4AlQ50rkuAV-DuOZFapGRs8mKReS8Q/s1600/P1130486.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68dmd2XLuMW0ExZSfm7ESZGWOr9W-XNwvVWc43yDgMhREJkKhl8qIgxntQFazSAL6_WBQPmuKtYFbOc8KGVEQ9NJT-TaO_5mfkSMtpqyF4AlQ50rkuAV-DuOZFapGRs8mKReS8Q/s400/P1130486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529036197006424706" border="0" /></a>And neither did I. Eli tried to grab a hold of this little chick as well.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy1XBmE_lTgClEwdFIPEpeWW4Q5vvS_9UqdPZOrmUTE9ekAK1jc5ZLyge_2x8SBExDIb4T1Ioxe-nx0wWKAfJaaZLaLcOYxqVSEmdKPENqxgGvRxYO3VQrV3cvoTYULE8SKG-dg/s1600/P1130489.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFy1XBmE_lTgClEwdFIPEpeWW4Q5vvS_9UqdPZOrmUTE9ekAK1jc5ZLyge_2x8SBExDIb4T1Ioxe-nx0wWKAfJaaZLaLcOYxqVSEmdKPENqxgGvRxYO3VQrV3cvoTYULE8SKG-dg/s400/P1130489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529036188680373170" border="0" /></a>A perfect spot for a cute little boy.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0W_TiRBfIKUiV2zhhUnNBDj11_3KwQvHZzb0X7Xi1Tvm9rueDzJX9Pv53z7jRX5Bvhjb7HQW518cg2kNBwXnUwUOJI7aa1CYTMpwhv6_0Z1QKtiC_gW7EWlV_h28HAYe_YU-xg/s1600/P1130492.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0W_TiRBfIKUiV2zhhUnNBDj11_3KwQvHZzb0X7Xi1Tvm9rueDzJX9Pv53z7jRX5Bvhjb7HQW518cg2kNBwXnUwUOJI7aa1CYTMpwhv6_0Z1QKtiC_gW7EWlV_h28HAYe_YU-xg/s400/P1130492.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529035628254552354" border="0" /></a>Of course, sister had to join in.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWHp-y2AdDNV5NPnvVDiJnRPwis12okTkJx7hkwz1zX3N3DkmtTK8WthkSjcg3cyLnF65ge8KuivgzIpDWxGJkUZ_CjbaAWPsczAs_792HZwQ3-h-KqzIjPMhggnwCB5qtcpoSw/s1600/P1130500.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWHp-y2AdDNV5NPnvVDiJnRPwis12okTkJx7hkwz1zX3N3DkmtTK8WthkSjcg3cyLnF65ge8KuivgzIpDWxGJkUZ_CjbaAWPsczAs_792HZwQ3-h-KqzIjPMhggnwCB5qtcpoSw/s400/P1130500.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529035624316453586" border="0" /></a>Yee haw!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmG-wEvNCZSvBsKQAkbFK8zd-Va6pUwkNTa2IFcNXnkyDuMb3Ewd90LYMjQlyYGZ-dPBpzXN7GURVNf9clS_Xn5Jegtg4r1UjXHbaoFP66eXoifM8nyuHCOV7QQKHA54tblJirA/s1600/P1130503.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmG-wEvNCZSvBsKQAkbFK8zd-Va6pUwkNTa2IFcNXnkyDuMb3Ewd90LYMjQlyYGZ-dPBpzXN7GURVNf9clS_Xn5Jegtg4r1UjXHbaoFP66eXoifM8nyuHCOV7QQKHA54tblJirA/s400/P1130503.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529035618964268706" border="0" /></a>Just a little country girl, who actually lives in the city.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtEp4lrk6_cfBC2SgmUHnNMSgE5DM-o2bx8rTK3XspZ2jrB9Ml2wc8DHAQRJF7cA7D-sk9qR-dtgDu1TLugu-bQWKYHLdSWBnQI0YK9AN8QrEfcuG-t1QAnnlcFA8zoRDIo-rDw/s1600/P1130514.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtEp4lrk6_cfBC2SgmUHnNMSgE5DM-o2bx8rTK3XspZ2jrB9Ml2wc8DHAQRJF7cA7D-sk9qR-dtgDu1TLugu-bQWKYHLdSWBnQI0YK9AN8QrEfcuG-t1QAnnlcFA8zoRDIo-rDw/s400/P1130514.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529035609416766258" border="0" /></a>Pretending to ride the Oregon trail in a covered wagon.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGihYMJAsfoy6TiaFbkUyPPnk8T2U-IiS25W7eLJzWwJhiXNxxNHHWut_RRAgRmQ0e5Lo0YrQR50egU8w33XGBpbDtbAL77nxiHdxcreKzmsqzbBQrTipAvyIZyoeP5iIh2i-xEA/s1600/P1130515.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGihYMJAsfoy6TiaFbkUyPPnk8T2U-IiS25W7eLJzWwJhiXNxxNHHWut_RRAgRmQ0e5Lo0YrQR50egU8w33XGBpbDtbAL77nxiHdxcreKzmsqzbBQrTipAvyIZyoeP5iIh2i-xEA/s400/P1130515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529035608023581122" border="0" /></a>Rubber duck racing.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48G7oDlv_yW2G4hDRr4tyDJSTzc4MwOmWbhntoNrcSjcB-JVMOP8oggvR3CWgo_vkM-V3l9oTPfg7Rp1q7eYJReBUIpYyELubac8EVP7d4s_YNPJS_cgCW0uCl5X0MPCwPv4hLQ/s1600/P1130525.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48G7oDlv_yW2G4hDRr4tyDJSTzc4MwOmWbhntoNrcSjcB-JVMOP8oggvR3CWgo_vkM-V3l9oTPfg7Rp1q7eYJReBUIpYyELubac8EVP7d4s_YNPJS_cgCW0uCl5X0MPCwPv4hLQ/s400/P1130525.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529034874926457954" border="0" /></a>Emma was a little skeptical of the huge air pillow to jump on at first.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Mi9G4zpPIlpEdTeX_Bv4tiYLwZifk0-2hq0BLWrN8cKXigWWF-7Qtv6J2_wlccQ0rkKYm_yhON5RA9eVj84CR_OQyTIoC1UXQW9l5ttd30P-y1DUaWbEeMtKyomgGuD_eLd2Jw/s1600/P1130533.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Mi9G4zpPIlpEdTeX_Bv4tiYLwZifk0-2hq0BLWrN8cKXigWWF-7Qtv6J2_wlccQ0rkKYm_yhON5RA9eVj84CR_OQyTIoC1UXQW9l5ttd30P-y1DUaWbEeMtKyomgGuD_eLd2Jw/s400/P1130533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529034871247157154" border="0" /></a>But joined right in after a few minutes.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHezb4udqbviW2UtNGONuWW5-QkFkW2suhsbFlRN-fYJSJg2X9GI-76IAHTY4WHss3PIiCUW5KwFgHXEL67KItypx1tNgECUxoaEq7z3PGrOkt16CJgi5wlZuoMd80ZjpmN1uLw/s1600/P1130545.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHezb4udqbviW2UtNGONuWW5-QkFkW2suhsbFlRN-fYJSJg2X9GI-76IAHTY4WHss3PIiCUW5KwFgHXEL67KItypx1tNgECUxoaEq7z3PGrOkt16CJgi5wlZuoMd80ZjpmN1uLw/s400/P1130545.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529034865481239618" border="0" /></a>"I want these two!"<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cbrN8pYgywvYeG9uj6nm2ISgnEgLyC_LxotP1GMpAqBOpg9suuX5pTaO-FyBOw6Q9p2BHLh27iQFv3ICy2GEPCeUko2Mkgi_AKK3gMj4SRyjfwl2TQd58_80u50S5YIrduyXRw/s1600/P1130548.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cbrN8pYgywvYeG9uj6nm2ISgnEgLyC_LxotP1GMpAqBOpg9suuX5pTaO-FyBOw6Q9p2BHLh27iQFv3ICy2GEPCeUko2Mkgi_AKK3gMj4SRyjfwl2TQd58_80u50S5YIrduyXRw/s400/P1130548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529034862721216706" border="0" /></a>"This one's heavy, Mama!"<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1SKvP1BMlGI1RRYpUlC_FK3JTYbAu5y6B6L-EkfBwEBO5VLfy9xcJD_UfsldPV6tfZxiditsva9VwAEpDq9OD64eC6dF8Uyk7isVzMeVzr1qxBJPla_STcQ16M4d7howv-ewCw/s1600/P1130552.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ1SKvP1BMlGI1RRYpUlC_FK3JTYbAu5y6B6L-EkfBwEBO5VLfy9xcJD_UfsldPV6tfZxiditsva9VwAEpDq9OD64eC6dF8Uyk7isVzMeVzr1qxBJPla_STcQ16M4d7howv-ewCw/s400/P1130552.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529034859577173298" border="0" /></a>Later that afternoon, we enjoyed some pumpkin painting!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We had so much fun & I can't wait to do this again next year! I love the Fall and all the fun activities it brings!<br /></div></div><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; width: 98px; height: 40px;" />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7299897.post-40081512388062908142010-09-07T20:29:00.003-05:002010-09-16T14:46:26.556-05:00Six Months (with pictures)<div>Dear Eli,<br /><br />It is so hard to believe that we are halfway through your first year of life. I cannot even describe what a joy you are to our little family. You have such a happy spirit. You are smiling all the time, at anyone who comes your way. You have the greatest smile and can make everyone around you smile as well. The joy you bring is indescribable.<br /><br />You love, love, love your sister! She can make you laugh and laugh. It is the cutest thing! She loves to cuddle with you and sing you songs. I love the bond that you already have.<br /><br />You have turned out to be quite a chunky little man. :) Last week you weighed in at 16 lbs. You can now sit up (in the tripod position) on your own. You discovered your feet last week & now love to hold them. You refuse to eat baby food. We have tried cereal and pears and you just clinch your lips together and spit bubbles. It's pretty entertaining.<br /><br />You are much like your sister in your ear troubles. You have been struggling with ear infections for a few months now and will be getting tubes next Wednesday. I am so ready for you to get tubes and be done with all these antibiotics, since you've had some pretty yucky reactions to them. We are hoping this will be the end of your ear troubles!<br /><br />Tonight, you had been fussing for a couple hours, and I had assumed it was because of your ears. Then I decided to rub your gums & what do I feel, but YOUR FIRST TOOTH! Poor little boy, cutting teeth & ear infections all at the same time. This too shall pass!<br /><br />We love you sweet boy. I cannot wait to continue to see you grow & see the plans that God has in store for your life!<br /><br />Love,<br /><br />Mom<br /><br /><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54485/235/8473739339E5616D1BF5619A527E65AC.png" style="border-top-width: medium; border-right-width: medium; border-bottom-width: medium; border-left-width: medium; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-color: initial; background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; " /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_KiayPLMzoZg7QuOeHXR_ONmSbt_Kpw4rhw3yibBTMKLGcZqivgi1uKvu-d9j13hck2YXDk4F1kL6llu7dp2sDh0BZM1ZmRVmDqFxoHe280rY0_TA5YzkV4iJAmVxT_pR_L6Fw/s1600/014.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_KiayPLMzoZg7QuOeHXR_ONmSbt_Kpw4rhw3yibBTMKLGcZqivgi1uKvu-d9j13hck2YXDk4F1kL6llu7dp2sDh0BZM1ZmRVmDqFxoHe280rY0_TA5YzkV4iJAmVxT_pR_L6Fw/s320/014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517599749968939058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WClmIGwE7x8GhjliB8fKRn2DZwBxReV9TMB-3d9OkIRgi70s0TF5GUTJZk26QkbzzM2o8D-rFLUYKEJAKailG1VPvCt6FSdmPLIJ8OGYgrf38nHLy4jWMmf89iweA-ISJLKLig/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WClmIGwE7x8GhjliB8fKRn2DZwBxReV9TMB-3d9OkIRgi70s0TF5GUTJZk26QkbzzM2o8D-rFLUYKEJAKailG1VPvCt6FSdmPLIJ8OGYgrf38nHLy4jWMmf89iweA-ISJLKLig/s320/010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517599732338312978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b1hai6wdyUEIc58TjkijgE4EmxLQoqKjQG2XDPRdHrkcAZAw1wLA2hawAeN8Bm2CXR1DhT3xcRFG-zys7obQlk3f_9BD-mN4pq-gnXKCT5yuyW9Y98k3Ls1kkgvyZZEOAYKMKw/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b1hai6wdyUEIc58TjkijgE4EmxLQoqKjQG2XDPRdHrkcAZAw1wLA2hawAeN8Bm2CXR1DhT3xcRFG-zys7obQlk3f_9BD-mN4pq-gnXKCT5yuyW9Y98k3Ls1kkgvyZZEOAYKMKw/s320/006.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517599725187714386" /></a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13299165383345978688noreply@blogger.com0