tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20293598271236567562024-02-07T05:31:19.427-05:00Saying Yes To AdoptionLong Ago this was a Personal Blog for our Adoption Journey to our oldest son. Starting in 2023 I will be using this site to encourage others in the adoption journey as an Adoption Consultant!Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.comBlogger1011125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-33625960731877811852023-06-11T07:33:00.004-04:002023-06-11T07:33:30.907-04:00The Beauty of Support<p>Will and I are very blessed that we have always had a very generous and loving support system. We have <b>parents and family members</b> who check in on us, offer childcare as needed (though we live far apart!) and would help us if there was any need that we had. Additionally, we have always been a part of <b>churches that have acted like a "second family"</b> who have helped us with fundraising our adoption, brought us meals when we were sick or had new babies, who pray for us and love our kiddos like their own. It is not lost on us how blessed we are to have this support. </p><p>As I think through some of the "yes" calls in our life- ministry, adoption/special needs parenting, homeschooling (not currently homeschooling but we did for 3 years!)- <b>there have been so many callings that we said YES to that we couldn't have succeeded in without the support of those who love us well. </b></p><p>I have moved a lot in my life (as a child and as an adult) and have needed to start over many times. As a ministry wife, my husband's work hours can be lengthy and almost all of my church-going time is without a spouse. When my son is having his most "special-needs awareness" moments, it is often without my partner at my side -but there is the church body (college students to adults!). The lie that the Enemy tells me is that I am alone, that no one sees my pain or my challenges. <b>This is not true, and I have to actively fight this temptation to despair. </b></p><p>In New York, anytime I had a cold, my friend Cathy would make us homemade chicken noodle soup. John and Lisa would bring us groceries when we were not doing well (emotionally or physically!) and I recall in Jacksonville, when my neighbor Jennifer would bring us dinner almost every Wednesday night for a year when Will and I were both in graduate school and had two small kiddos. Here in Alabama we have already been met with the generosity of our new church - from letting us borrow vehicles when ours are in the shop to inviting us over to swim at their pools. </p><p>Support is not easily found, though, and I wanted to share a little bit about how we have built our village. </p><p>1. <b>Get involved in relationships with others</b>. You cannot be a part of relationships without taking a step in faith and reaching out for friendship. Through some texts of "want to come alongside us?" I have already experienced the joy of new friends joining us at the park or pool here in Alabama. Community takes some vulnerability and inviting others into your life. </p><p>2. <b>When you find a kindred spirit, prioritize that</b>! I can think of some kindred spirit (Anne of Green Gables reference, FYI) friendships in my adult life that have been cultivated through 5am walks (Ashley in NC), park picnics (Lindsey in Jacksonville), library visits and spending mundane afternoon hours together (Ashley and Selah in NYC; Emily in AL). When you find a person that you think - man we have a similar humor/attitude/belief system, etc, dive into that friendship with intention. I look back on some of my friendships that were so life giving, even when they were time-limited because of seasons or moves. Emotional support, such as having a friend who can listen and speak the gospel back over you when you need to hear it, is vital. </p><p>3. <b>Support others.</b> There is nothing better for my own soul to dig myself out of a pity party than to serve others. I enjoy writing letters, hosting people for meals, planning play dates, and praying for people. Being an intentional friend to others always helps my own heart to know that I have people that I can love on even when I am new to an area or feeling a little lonely. What brings you joy - can you invite others into that and bless them? </p><p>Wherever you are in life - whether you can name 5 people or 15 people who would answer a call for you right now if you needed help, you can be a friend to others. <b>As you serve others, you will build a support system for yourself.</b> As you pray for others and invite others in, so they will also care for you and love you and your family as well. </p><p>If you are feeling like you are forgotten, isolated, or alone - I am sorry. I know how hard it can be to feel unseen by the Lord, and that is how I often can feel when things are really hard and do not seem to be getting any better. There have been many times that I feel that I do not want to invite anyone in to the hardest parts of my life. When I am feeling this way, <b>I need to focus on what I know to be true. </b>What do you know to be true? For me, it is that always, forever, God cares for me and sees me. If I were to be abandoned by everyone on earth, I could not be abandoned by God. He has created me, has chosen me, and has good plans for me. Even in my suffering, in my moments of joy and grief, God is near. God listens to my prayers for help and for friendship. God has always taken care of me. </p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", -apple-system, Verdana, sans-serif;">"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(0, 19, 32); color: #001320; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: justify;">“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7. When we ask for the Lord to show himself to us, He always does. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPhMx9L1OVuQUxV6HVzY19YqRkV0yITwdYmW9gAEbkt4o_Kr6NTupz0deLiBB5AH7LN0Zx2BrDkTAO42jXPWX2isW-K8gnwWU6Cq2CY8eFbYT1qosm_igoDwXrxsW3p-06uOEwl5frM-FAaygoVq21O54g5NyXA70Ag8ckDslu2UB-vf3Mew04K2cHA/s640/51B3FA9E-E339-407A-815D-93F028B1B77C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPhMx9L1OVuQUxV6HVzY19YqRkV0yITwdYmW9gAEbkt4o_Kr6NTupz0deLiBB5AH7LN0Zx2BrDkTAO42jXPWX2isW-K8gnwWU6Cq2CY8eFbYT1qosm_igoDwXrxsW3p-06uOEwl5frM-FAaygoVq21O54g5NyXA70Ag8ckDslu2UB-vf3Mew04K2cHA/w400-h300/51B3FA9E-E339-407A-815D-93F028B1B77C.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo of Israel's college buddies at Calvary - May 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-74891865176432158452023-04-30T10:05:00.003-04:002023-04-30T10:05:20.455-04:00Eleven Years In<p> Eleven years ago today, my husband and I walked through the gates of Hannah's Hope in Ethiopia and woke a sleepy baby boy, said good-bye to his caregivers and headed back to our hotel room. We started our parenting journey with a lot of uncertainty about how the following days/months would go - regarding attachment, development, etc. We prepared as much as we could for the task of raising a child through adoption - taking classes on transracial adoption, reading about attachment and talking with other adoptive families about the transition. <b>We understood that grief and loss are a part of the fabric of adoption - you can never escape the complicated feelings that accompany this type of parenthood. </b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bOUcR3mDKD0GwhqNovu0wfc6A89ekA3Yn274fE10M9DcbrTito_vJyAJrLFhCQHnusH1GYA8iqrYIkvTGNnUfkE7PsdMyKrGF3E630RK60t_8OSA6IZbzlmAIPyr6ld2CwVMh3NnjW6jg3y0RSMFNBh_HVx0yzV_-YzoDNc6NQAmK_rtBxVWyxdmjQ/s4228/9P5B9611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="4228" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4bOUcR3mDKD0GwhqNovu0wfc6A89ekA3Yn274fE10M9DcbrTito_vJyAJrLFhCQHnusH1GYA8iqrYIkvTGNnUfkE7PsdMyKrGF3E630RK60t_8OSA6IZbzlmAIPyr6ld2CwVMh3NnjW6jg3y0RSMFNBh_HVx0yzV_-YzoDNc6NQAmK_rtBxVWyxdmjQ/w400-h266/9P5B9611.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p>Eleven years in, I am grateful for the journey.<b> If I could go back to the naive mid-twenties couple and offer anything to them, it would be: </b>press in to those who speak life. Have a deep rooted theology of suffering and hardship and understanding of God's unfailing character. Keep learning and growing and listening. When there are joyful days and easy moments, praise God for them and acknowledge them as a gift. </p><p>Because of my son's intellectual disabilities, a lot of the conversations we thought we would be having about Ethiopia, his Black skin, his first family, etc, are not what I envisioned. These are losses for both of us as well. We daydreamed about taking him back to his home country when he was a pre-teen, and now I know that is not an option for him. </p><p>I can't look ahead and imagine what life will be like in another eleven years, when he is a young adult without the school system support, and my husband and I will be older. I don't want to look ahead, honestly. <b>I have learned that God offers "daily bread" and "sufficient" grace for each moment and day. </b>Like the manna in the desert offered to the Israelites, God has equipped us with exactly the portions of strength, patience, etc we need for each day. Eleven years in to parenting I have learned that when I try to operate in my own abilities without the Holy Spirit, I am often crushed, depleted and exhausted. I can be overwhelmed or anxious when I take my eyes off of Jesus and believe God to have a plan in place for my life and my son's life. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRr9AXi1Kox_k7NtoHerP_qk_4c5PAYd_PlVLgFqXms_Lj1iUxY3FZzJlwhd60o5Xkz8KQQu7B1zcmVMoA0Q5RzsMBUgRjg2_v4Jfk47IFNuxdUzwn08NB6zmpbTB5IiwIqRu18k5xIS10By4YvV6czPgvULrr9Q6Bto4_kjjoLGkobcEr53N3BMrg8g/s4564/9P5B9691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4564" data-original-width="3043" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRr9AXi1Kox_k7NtoHerP_qk_4c5PAYd_PlVLgFqXms_Lj1iUxY3FZzJlwhd60o5Xkz8KQQu7B1zcmVMoA0Q5RzsMBUgRjg2_v4Jfk47IFNuxdUzwn08NB6zmpbTB5IiwIqRu18k5xIS10By4YvV6czPgvULrr9Q6Bto4_kjjoLGkobcEr53N3BMrg8g/w266-h400/9P5B9691.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><p></p><p>There are so many things that we have gone through in the last eleven years. In the first few years of Israel's life, <b>I compared myself to others so much and lived with constant guilt of not being a good enough parent.</b> I remember reading blogs of adoptive parents whose children had also been institutionalized, and they would write about how their developmentally delayed children suddenly met all of the goals once they were in a loving home. And yet, our little guy was enrolled in early intervention supports, we were paying out of pocket for additional services, we were working on exercises at home, and our love wasn't enough to heal this little one. I had so much shame and guilt about not doing enough or being enough - it was the biggest relief when at age 2.5 he was given a cerebral palsy diagnosis and I knew it was not my fault at all - it was his brain makeup that affected his abilities. I know it may seem so trivial on the outside - of course it wasn't my fault, but the Enemy was speaking directly to my insecurities. </p><p>Of course there have been incredible joys in parenthood. Having a child with disabilities means that each milestone is hard-won. You cannot imagine the magnitude of pride we had when our son took his first steps at 5 years old or even on the rare nights that he sleeps through the night. Israel is also the most affectionate of our children, the one who wants to have snuggles, and stories and to smile and laugh with us. He is the hardest and easiest to please of all of our kids. He has helped us connect to others we would never have met because of his doctors, therapists and specialists. He is the absolute silliest and wants to include anyone and everyone into his joy. Although there is hard, there is so much generous goodness in being Israel's parents. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmdtS1xP8uFp_R5Y_hGCL8lwkvfSMOffT9vQuqs6i7g9wxinfAG-a3-2DDhi-QiC4RFNmjKo0qjvzIt-EaZhq6PfnGkrakT87Y_etcx8Om892MlbRRzu-y75TQjGXWiwJ_p3ggU6MjanEqLKJoRhcg5GCkTLW3F4cDH0QR3vgwFz9x8-_2DJXZ_v2HA/s5760/9P5B9568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3840" data-original-width="5760" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmmdtS1xP8uFp_R5Y_hGCL8lwkvfSMOffT9vQuqs6i7g9wxinfAG-a3-2DDhi-QiC4RFNmjKo0qjvzIt-EaZhq6PfnGkrakT87Y_etcx8Om892MlbRRzu-y75TQjGXWiwJ_p3ggU6MjanEqLKJoRhcg5GCkTLW3F4cDH0QR3vgwFz9x8-_2DJXZ_v2HA/w400-h266/9P5B9568.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>We are in a special club - one that in 2012 we didn't know we were going to be a part of. I'm so grateful that God writes our stories. I'm grateful that I have learned to lean in to Jesus more than I ever did before Israel came in to my home. I'm grateful for a little boy who loves Elmo, Hamilton and NPR Tiny Desk concerts. One who loves little animal figures and pretending to drive the car. <b>I'm thankful for Israel who has stretched my patience and my heart - who has been a tool from God to shape my character and open to my eyes and heart so much wider. </b></p><p>Eleven years in, I'm so grateful. It has been a hard eleven years! :) We have been stretched beyond our comfort. There's no feeling of being out of control like being in doctors offices, waiting for your child to come out of MRIs or surgeries. Yet each thing that has stretched us has been for our good. What a gift to be Israel's mom and dad. </p><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.bible.com/bible/111/JHN.16.33.NIV" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; background-color: white; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Fira Sans", "Droid Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; text-decoration: inherit;"></a></p><p class="text-16 leading-loose" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;"><i>“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33</i></p><p class="text-16 leading-loose" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;"><i><br /></i></p><p class="text-16 leading-loose" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span class="text Rom-5-3" id="en-ESV-28035"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">"</span>Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rom-5-4" id="en-ESV-28036"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-size: 1.2rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rom-5-5" id="en-ESV-28037">and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5</span></i></span></p><p class="text-16 leading-loose" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span class="text Rom-5-5"><i><br /></i></span></span></p><p class="text-16 leading-loose" style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(59,130,246,0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 1rem; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span style="background-color: white;">"But to each one of us</span><span style="background-color: white;"> grace</span><span style="background-color: white;"> has been given</span><span style="background-color: white;"> as Christ apportioned it." Ephesians 4:7</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><i><span class="text 2Cor-1-3"><b>"</b></span><span class="text 2Cor-1-3">Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,</span><span class="text 2Cor-1-4" id="en-ESV-28788"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;"> </span>who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text 2Cor-1-5" id="en-ESV-28789">For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.</span><span class="text 2Cor-1-5">" 2 Corinthians 1:3-5</span></i></span></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-32683018910240200912023-04-20T07:06:00.001-04:002023-04-20T07:10:29.137-04:00Adoption and Autism<p> It's April, which is Autism Awareness Month. My family is personally affected by Autism, as my oldest child, who was adopted as an infant from Ethiopia in 2012, has a diagnosis of Autism as well as a few other diagnoses! When we started our adoption process, my husband and I were first-time parents who were interested in a "healthy placement." Although we saw God opening our hearts to more things during our waiting time, when we were matched with our son, we were told he was a "healthy child." When we finally had our first meeting with our son, he was four months old and we had no idea what typical child development looked like! When our son came home at seven months old, we were advised to look into early intervention to help with some of the developmental delays he was expressing. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKF5FgColLwA_Q-XE6ZJOTy7ad3NlrfAQjriNzyxkUP7oQGE0aytYuspWBY4r8AOQmsfybZcsbRDuWEchMTkelhOCUN24exeKvyWsadH7tLtAutADVCyJ5Sezupt_oC3sXCABo2cKF1-Bk2pMCswMQD5qg4F86GXdxZ_AcRThSPTXw3wywfUPGSRoxg/s3520/IMG_8601.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="3520" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKF5FgColLwA_Q-XE6ZJOTy7ad3NlrfAQjriNzyxkUP7oQGE0aytYuspWBY4r8AOQmsfybZcsbRDuWEchMTkelhOCUN24exeKvyWsadH7tLtAutADVCyJ5Sezupt_oC3sXCABo2cKF1-Bk2pMCswMQD5qg4F86GXdxZ_AcRThSPTXw3wywfUPGSRoxg/s320/IMG_8601.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Fast forward a little bit, we saw that our son had to work harder for every little milestone. He also has cerebral palsy, which affects his brain's capacity for motor movement. Our son is a miracle-man, who learned to walk at five years old and has seen the inside of doctor's offices and therapy rooms more than anyone should. As a family of five now, we have learned to accommodate and anticipate needs before we leave the house. Some of the most emotional moments of my life have been in doctor's offices and IEP meetings! <p></p><p>My son is eleven years old now, and he is truly a delight to those who know him. He is the funniest child and offers the most pure affection and snuggles. He wants to be included and loves to give high-fives. When asked about his strengths at our recent IEP meeting, I had a long list and they all agreed that he is such a fun person to have in the community. </p><p>Special needs can also be very draining and difficult. Being a parent to a child who just has higher needs can be tense and sad. My husband and I have learned to lean on each other and lean on the Lord. Some of our darkest seasons of our faith have come through trials of our son- from sleep disorders to injuries that he's had from cerebral-palsy related accidents. As parents we would do anything to help him and wish that life could be a little easier for him and his siblings. </p><p>We often recall John 9, in which Jesus heals the man born blind. The disciples asked why the man was born blind, was it a result of the man's sin or his parents? And Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him." I can say that my son's life has been evidence of God's works being displayed. Every little milestone and miracle have been hard-won and we have seen God's faithfulness on repeat in his eleven year old life. </p><p>As hopeful adoptive parents, my husband and I longed to be parents, but we had no idea of the highs and lows that were ahead of us. If you would have given us a vision for the future and shown us only the "low point reel" of medical issues, meltdowns and accommodations, we probably would have said "no thanks! I want an easy child!" But as parents who have walked through the highs and lows of Autism, I can say I am so grateful for how <i>my character</i> has been changed through this. I have learned more about God's character and faithfulness, more about the Holy Spirit's provision for my weakness, and more about how God cares and sees me and my family through Autism. I would not want to go back to the version of myself in 2012 who would have missed out on so much. </p><p>Our family has gained so much because of my child's diagnosis. We have a beautiful community of professionals who have been a part of our life because of it. We have a community of friends who are co-laborers through this parenting journey who have taught us so much and encouraged us when we are feeling low. We have seen God's gift of friendship and care in a way that we would have missed if it had been "a little easier." </p><p>So if you are starting out in the adoption journey and you have no idea what is ahead- and perhaps you are saying "yes! But make it easy!" I want to say that whatever God has in store - know that this is promised: God's works will be displayed no matter what. And if Autism, or any kind of disability or hardship are involved, know that they are a gift to you and your family, even on the days that it might not feel like it. We serve a generous and loving God who is making all things new. One day in Heaven all of the hard things of earth will wash away and we will see the glory and purpose of the things on this fallen earth. </p><p><br /></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-19994533121626604292023-04-19T17:52:00.001-04:002023-04-19T17:52:11.160-04:00Let's Talk Embryo Adoption<p> Did you know there are over 1 MILLION embryos currently frozen in the US, awaiting implantation? Many of these embryos are waiting for new parents, as the donor parents may not be willing/able to use them. </p><p><br /></p><p>Embryos are creating using sperm + egg. Now, these embryos may be a result of genetic parents that are married, or they can be used through donor egg and/or donor sperm as well. The genetic parents may not be the donor parents, but the donors who are responsible for the embryos have the legal property ownership of these embryos. </p><p><br /></p><p>Why would donors not want to implant the embryos themselves? There could be many reasons for this, including they have already completed their family through IVF or other ways of parenting. They might have separated or divorced, or their life changed and they no longer see these embryos as a part of their family building. The family/clinic might have created more embryos than they needed for their vision of children in their family. </p><p><br /></p><p>If you are feeling called to adoption, and can carry a child through pregnancy (EVEN WITH!!! infertility history/endometriosis/ IVF failure in the past!) then I would urge you to consider the "rescue mission" of offering the chance of life to these frozen embryos. </p><p><br /></p><p>Embryo adoption can occur through closed/anonymous donors to the recipient family, or there can be open relationships where genetic siblings and families can stay in touch! </p><p><br /></p><p>I was recently given the opportunity to tour one of the leading clinics on embryo adoption, and it was amazing to hear the staff's heart for life and the potential for a future of these frozen "image-bearers." I urge to to pray for the future of these frozen babies and the families who are willing to say YES to adoption and YES to embryo adoption!</p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-296001291150400982023-03-02T11:21:00.008-05:002023-03-02T11:25:05.813-05:00Called to Adopt- What Next? Determining what type of adoption will best suit your family.<p> If you have been feeling the call to adopt and are longing to become a parent, I know it can feel overwhelming to look at options. Sometimes it is good to step back and evaluate what led you here and how God has prepared you for this decision. </p><p>There may be many things in your story that have led you to this point. Perhaps you have been through infertility and don't want to continue with treatments or have exhausted your options with fertility treatments. Perhaps you never desired to be pregnant! Or perhaps you heard a sermon, saw friends adopt, or couldn't settle with the thought of children around the world in need of permanent adoptive families. There are many ways that families come to choose adoption for building their families, and whatever it is that brought you to this stage, I must say- congratulations! Not every person is called to adopt, but I feel that if you are, you know it. I remember when my husband and I were deciding on how to start our family, we had peace and hopeful anticipation about the prospect of adoption. It just felt like the next right thing for our journey as a family. I am praying that whatever has led you to this point, you have the same peace and clarity about what God has in store for your family. </p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWee5vxfwcu_mUJJz3RsWUYERxArHN-QwWKniP0nl6m1pJjeOcsz7zgUw1xACfZXs2ELWZkma1ps24z4DkKBlyDpsaJPF_8NEFXiyQ1uAegMhHhAMI79wpAGV2U2u1MMguQxhgtzyaiyySlRr6E9AGVpfETgfyaNkRu96CMan2BX_fUjomfLs51jG0g/s2400/IMG_7848.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2400" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbWee5vxfwcu_mUJJz3RsWUYERxArHN-QwWKniP0nl6m1pJjeOcsz7zgUw1xACfZXs2ELWZkma1ps24z4DkKBlyDpsaJPF_8NEFXiyQ1uAegMhHhAMI79wpAGV2U2u1MMguQxhgtzyaiyySlRr6E9AGVpfETgfyaNkRu96CMan2BX_fUjomfLs51jG0g/w400-h266/IMG_7848.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>1.<b> Foster Care. </b>The need in the US is great for you to step in and serve vulnerable children (infants- teens) who need loving adults to provide security and stability when their birth families are going through difficulty. The need is great for families to be open to sibling groups and kids who have been exposed to some forms of trauma or neglect. Foster care might be right for you if you are not sure if you are called to a longterm yes of adoption but you are also willing to open your home for a short season or forever. Foster care classes are free and there is no expense for your home study. The costs related to foster care can be subsidized. The goal of foster care is reunification with the children's first families, so adoption from foster care is not the goal when a child is removed from the first family's home. Adoption occurs after a longer period of time (typically over one year of a child being in state custody). With that said, there are many children who are eligible for adoption after being in foster care, and your "yes" at the beginning of a foster care situation may lead to adoption. The beauty of foster care is that you have the opportunity to rally behind and support birth families as they are working towards the goals of reunification if possible. If you are not sure if adoption is for you, start taking the foster care classes to learn more about the special needs of children who have been displaced from their first families. <p></p><br /><p><br /></p><p>2. <b>International Adoption.</b> Some families (like my own) have the call to adopt internationally. The heartbreaking stories of children in orphanages and the reality of children who are growing up without any support system is worth understanding regardless of your choice for building your family. International adoption is unique in that every country that is open to international adoption has different rules and parameters for qualification. The expenses may vary and it is absolutely important to vet agencies for their ethics. Timelines, financial expectations and length of time between a match and placement can vary greatly even between families who are adopting from the same program/country. Important areas to research include attachment and bonding, acclimating a child to a new culture, and how your family will incorporate a child's birth culture into your home. </p><p><br /></p><p>3. <b>Domestic Infant Adoption. </b>Domestic adoption allows for prospective adoptive families to be chosen by expectant families/birth parents who are experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. The timelines and expenses for this can also vary state by state and according to each situation. Domestic infant adoption typically involves matches during the pregnancy, and adoptive families typically receive custody of the infant at the hospital. Finalization for domestic infant adoption typically occurs within 12 months of placement. There are risks of birth families changing their minds ("revocation of consent") and each state has different laws about the timeline of the revocation period. The important thing to note about domestic infant adoption is that it is a <i>voluntary choice</i> from birth parents (one or both birth parents consenting) and the birth family has the right to choose what happens to the baby and who the adoptive parents will be. Best practice includes having some level of openness between birth families and adoptive parents and adoptee, which may include pictures, letters, or visits while the child is growing up. Even when a child is placed into an adoptive family at birth, there is still loss for the child and the child may have not experienced ideal prenatal conditions. </p><p><br /></p><p>4. <b>Embryo Adoption.</b> Embryo adoption involves an adoptive family who is picked by a donor family (owners of embryos used for their previous fertility treatments). Embryos may or may not be genetically related to the donor family, as donor families may have also used donated eggs/sperm to conceive the embryos. Embryo adoption still utilizes a home study for prospective adoptive families, and families still create a profile book to be matched/picked by a "birth family" aka Donor family. Embryos are considered property and not children according to the law, so the embryos are transferred to the adoptive family, who uses fertility clinics to implant the embryos. At birth, the adoptive family is listed as the mother/father on the birth certificate. Formal adoptions by court may occur in some states but is not required. If you are looking to adopt and are interested in saving one of over 1 million frozen embryos by giving them life, and you are able to carry a pregnancy (or utilize a surrogate), embryo adoption might be the right path for you. Pros: you have "prenatal control" and can create an ideal environment during pregnancy. It is still important to note that talking with your child about the birth family, genetic siblings, and the story of the child's origin is important! An open agreement with the donor family is still possible as well. </p><p><br /></p><p>What do all of these paths have in common? Start with a home study. Assess what risks you are willing to accept (financial, behavioral, openness with birth families). This was the briefest overview of these four types of adoption so please note there is a lot more research available if you are interested in learning more. I'm happy to set up a time to talk to you more about domestic or embryo adoption through <a href="http://www.christianadoptionconsultants.com">Christian Adoption Consultants</a>. Email me at rebekah@christianadoptionconsultants.com </p><p><br /></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-52714778809362022302023-02-27T11:20:00.003-05:002023-02-27T11:25:43.815-05:00Why Hire an Adoption Consultant?<p><br /></p><p>"What is an Adoption Consultant and why do I need one?" We're glad you asked!</p><p>You've probably already figured out that the process of adopting child can be confusing, costly, time consuming and simply overwhelming. There are a lot of questions and difficult decisions such as: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How much will it cost and how will I afford it? </li><li>How long will it take to adopt? </li><li>Which agency should I choose? </li><li>What is a home study and family profile?</li><li>What are the risks? </li></ul><div>An Adoption Consultant is someone that advises you through the process of adoption and serves as your "adoption coach" saving you time and money. However, not all Adoption Consultants are the same. </div><div><br /></div><div>As one of the oldest, largest, and most experienced consulting teams, Christian Adoption Consultants (CAC) can offer a lot of added benefits: </div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>CAC Benefits:</u></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>After 3,700 adoptions, we've learned a thing or two. </li><li>Our support team of 20+ adoption professionals has over 120 years of combined experience. </li><li>Our founders, <a href="https://www.christianadoptionconsultants.com/our-founders/">Malcolm and Amy Youn</a>g, have also launched licensed adoption agencies so they have a broad understanding of adoption and knowledge of agency licensing requirements, legal processes of adoption, and how agencies operate. </li></ul><div><b><u>CAC Values and Standards: </u></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Founded on Christian principles and standards, we believe in ethical adoption practices and the highest level of care for all parties in the adoption triad. </li><li>We VET our adoption agencies/attorneys. Not just any licensed agency is good enough for our clients. We strictly vet our adoption agencies/attorneys to assess risk for our clients protection. In some cases, agency vetting takes over a year to complete. </li></ul><div><b><u>CAC Support Team:</u></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>CAC offers you a personal Adoption Consultant walk with you step by step through your adoption process. In addition, you'll have the support of our entire team of adoption professionals. </li><li>Our Consulting Director is a Licensed Social Worker and we have 8 staff members who have experience working in licensed adoption agencies. </li><li>Birthmother/adoption advocate, Ashley B. offers client consultations and shares her story, advice and recommendations on how to communicate with expectant/birth parents. </li><li>Adoptees Jonnilyn S. and Jonathan A. also offer client consultations where they share their adoption stories and advice for hopeful adoptive parents from an adoptee's perspective. </li><li>Our consultants are trained and follow strict company standards and guidelines for ethical adoption practices. </li><li>Most of our<a href="https://www.christianadoptionconsultants.com/support-team/"> Support Team</a> members are not only adoption professionals but also adoptive parents. </li></ul><div><b><u>CAC Services:</u></b></div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>CAC is one of the only consulting programs that offer Domestic, Special Needs, and Embryo Adoption Programs. </li><li>In Addition to our consulting programs, we offer options for Family Profile Design and Paperwork Preparation services for assistance with selected agency applications. </li></ul><div>Learn more<a href="https://www.christianadoptionconsultants.com/services/"> here</a>: </div></div><div><br /></div><p></p><p>Copyright <a href="http://www.Christianadoptionconsultants.com">www.Christianadoptionconsultants.com</a></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-57648395156770410392023-02-16T15:10:00.003-05:002023-02-16T15:10:53.492-05:00My Adoption Social Work History<p> In 2012, my husband and I brought home our first child through international adoption. That fall, I told my husband that I wanted to start my master's program to get another social work degree, but with the ability to work at a masters-level with adoptive families. From 2013-2014 I worked toward this goal, and ultimately completed a 500 hour field internship with Alabama Baptist Children's Homes, a local Christian foster care agency. After my internship was completed, I stayed on as a contract worker, writing home studies for prospective foster families. </p><p><br /></p><p>In 2015, my family moved to New York City, where we were a part of a beautiful church community in Brooklyn. At this point we had two young children and were soon expecting our third. In March 2018, I was ready to go back to work and begin serving prospective adoptive families again. I contracted with a few adoption agencies and also worked alongside a lawyer from 2018-2022. During my time in New York, I partnered with expectant and birth families, offering unbiased counseling as they made important decisions about their pregnancies. I was able to be in the hospital when birth and adoptive families met for the first time. I was able to draft legal paperwork for placements, complete home studies and post-adoption supervision for many families. In the final year of my time in New York, I served as the New York Program Manager for a large multi-state adoption agency, managing my own caseload of prospective adoptive families and birth parents, but also hiring, training and supervising consultant social workers. I led support groups in-person and virtually, trained families on adoption issues, and had really beautiful moments walking through the highs and lows of adoption with my clients. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything, and many of my clients hold a very dear place in my heart!</p><p><br /></p><p>In 2023, my family has started a new chapter as we have relocated to Alabama. Our pace of life has changed and I am excited to have a new opportunity to partner with prospective adoptive families through domestic and embryo adoption through Christian Adoption Consultants. I am so excited to work with a company that is ready to offer Christian support on such an important journey. If you are interested in either of these programs and would like to reach out to find out more, please email me at rebekah@christianadoptionconsultants.com</p><p><br /></p><p>I am so excited to use the skills and experience I have with agency work and partner with prospective adoptive families in a new way. Thank you for reading and I appreciate your prayers as I shift into this new role!</p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-47420197175774099262020-08-16T15:01:00.000-04:002020-08-16T15:01:10.429-04:00Union Square - July 2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsOgAehP2WBsP4TtdTQ1cQ7j7gbP25aasj7H9UCKS6fEVIml2T42tUikoKIxW3aHZ4EkSwf2WiGwVf8WPzj0txpHay-JvKJgRkQj-bfohvc9pr72u9YMKV8UO5DWVjC7O659sv2eXrGJb/s3088/fullsizeoutput_9a42.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRsOgAehP2WBsP4TtdTQ1cQ7j7gbP25aasj7H9UCKS6fEVIml2T42tUikoKIxW3aHZ4EkSwf2WiGwVf8WPzj0txpHay-JvKJgRkQj-bfohvc9pr72u9YMKV8UO5DWVjC7O659sv2eXrGJb/s640/fullsizeoutput_9a42.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took the kids into Manhattan and played at Union Square park one Saturday. It was one of those absolutely dreamy NYC days- the weather was awesome, the kids made friends easily at the park, Edith successfully climbed this big dome at the playground. There was live music all day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the park we walked to Madison Square Park and had Shake Shack in the park. Again, live. music. Israel watched pigeons, we had a successful ride home on the subway and Will even read a chapter of Narnia out loud to Edith. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It also was nice because we are entering a new stage of parenting. Annie is potty trained, no one needed a stroller today. We had one backpack and one water bottle that we shared. It just seemed SIMPLE and I know that's not the case most days, but this day was just sweet and a gift to us. After a season where it has seemed like NYC has kicked our butts with the pandemic, it was nice to just ENJOY the city again. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsddVUPDzSaJuUA3IR9j72tKUZMP8us3dZNtj3HHOyIChCIRPaioXKeluf3tliUB_rQCGAbamEHNZDmuzvX9WmdLVcL2lRop0lae_qeyH2D9FfThanDNt_-v9nK4_Z2nCAuS-6ro0EAdq/s4032/fullsizeoutput_9a44.jpeg" 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/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzsddVUPDzSaJuUA3IR9j72tKUZMP8us3dZNtj3HHOyIChCIRPaioXKeluf3tliUB_rQCGAbamEHNZDmuzvX9WmdLVcL2lRop0lae_qeyH2D9FfThanDNt_-v9nK4_Z2nCAuS-6ro0EAdq/s640/fullsizeoutput_9a44.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPk4DGJCEe2iU-j0w8BNYb3-83jdG64d8GnxqezUTju-N1Q6epoVn_1CSP5JMSpAbUM6bmrmy-12mlnOIhKk7-wzTZ1QX28kt0H9Z7wRxi2sF0qcU7Qy4rUiLzxygCvrNZ7Dg2sJ9-Eqe/s2048/IMG_0008.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgCPk4DGJCEe2iU-j0w8BNYb3-83jdG64d8GnxqezUTju-N1Q6epoVn_1CSP5JMSpAbUM6bmrmy-12mlnOIhKk7-wzTZ1QX28kt0H9Z7wRxi2sF0qcU7Qy4rUiLzxygCvrNZ7Dg2sJ9-Eqe/s640/IMG_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOhXWgf2nwV66lSfswZAY7NcOVtoj7jcuG7KDC1wHecpZL8BoPYbowBJdSlJYUu2jjqk12lj9XxMxdZ9deHjJGV8fHnn9-KcIEyXIiIgNcwzBAsEqGw6d7Aylv4lw1aBoKkXylmHagoXZB/s2048/IMG_0010.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhOhXWgf2nwV66lSfswZAY7NcOVtoj7jcuG7KDC1wHecpZL8BoPYbowBJdSlJYUu2jjqk12lj9XxMxdZ9deHjJGV8fHnn9-KcIEyXIiIgNcwzBAsEqGw6d7Aylv4lw1aBoKkXylmHagoXZB/s640/IMG_0010.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUkH0VRfrURqmd1O5G94quMFaA0Wg3veZjGa5Avkxkisd8QVcCy5pSIeqFwuzEPpWvVJIj7xOoUMW9q6IuineE1Iyy73y4yWbABme05yAMRGdIWSfTIXXG1dE-x69D9KVx0nBhjxctapT/s2048/IMG_0025.JPG" 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/AVvXsEiCUkH0VRfrURqmd1O5G94quMFaA0Wg3veZjGa5Avkxkisd8QVcCy5pSIeqFwuzEPpWvVJIj7xOoUMW9q6IuineE1Iyy73y4yWbABme05yAMRGdIWSfTIXXG1dE-x69D9KVx0nBhjxctapT/s640/IMG_0025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMbzjyeAu59cCKnpmfXY38ZXmlAVMhUg3sWN1UjsODIPlSWrUzIcS-kFQLFBuM-D2zvlO1470GruNc0SHCFi3Y0hvdJgMqXoPXyCE62O6EWYIV8of8OGfZXf1_71NEvzUznVOQ8iseUD3/s2048/IMG_0028.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhfMbzjyeAu59cCKnpmfXY38ZXmlAVMhUg3sWN1UjsODIPlSWrUzIcS-kFQLFBuM-D2zvlO1470GruNc0SHCFi3Y0hvdJgMqXoPXyCE62O6EWYIV8of8OGfZXf1_71NEvzUznVOQ8iseUD3/s640/IMG_0028.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpTUTMOsvraSaW2AxwBtZpAfQeJP9AbTlkmRYUzNAhBpCo6dZ6nlOeCNICJzJlORUKpdTkH3PWNv_SecaDNKkYtPYIhpfHo1FCVq7_MwP_gqzBghmbq20Guk-gqvZPdqarEG5sSm-qJJN/s2048/IMG_0045.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhJpTUTMOsvraSaW2AxwBtZpAfQeJP9AbTlkmRYUzNAhBpCo6dZ6nlOeCNICJzJlORUKpdTkH3PWNv_SecaDNKkYtPYIhpfHo1FCVq7_MwP_gqzBghmbq20Guk-gqvZPdqarEG5sSm-qJJN/s640/IMG_0045.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7uEU0QnsnyXHEZ9kD3cADu0FA-thGAIvzBR6YyJ5ffhttkWQs3mmvQXZ8zafH4w7HCrGEH1A0mlplHjHBCXpiX9LEtZnSNVZgOnfXFz4cfQps2mEfI7RCeiB6w-KQBmopfg8E5xN8m-cV/s2048/IMG_0049.JPG" 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/AVvXsEj7uEU0QnsnyXHEZ9kD3cADu0FA-thGAIvzBR6YyJ5ffhttkWQs3mmvQXZ8zafH4w7HCrGEH1A0mlplHjHBCXpiX9LEtZnSNVZgOnfXFz4cfQps2mEfI7RCeiB6w-KQBmopfg8E5xN8m-cV/s640/IMG_0049.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1rot0ZTa8IoJhVFsrmQ-BGYGVccBHkV4lvwOxwc0pnJooBRHaUBy_p7u1wohTGk5igsYez4C2-nNHaCCflqmBI2BWC5_jMpUJUzMCu1gfU6G_ModT3DPW8fgqv4rsSc1DwHa0VhQAJp5/s2048/IMG_0053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1rot0ZTa8IoJhVFsrmQ-BGYGVccBHkV4lvwOxwc0pnJooBRHaUBy_p7u1wohTGk5igsYez4C2-nNHaCCflqmBI2BWC5_jMpUJUzMCu1gfU6G_ModT3DPW8fgqv4rsSc1DwHa0VhQAJp5/s640/IMG_0053.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYaKZVemrbg1r2_4ki2CisLzMs592sp3n7RMzM1vDkhi100R3bAA71d6bRFxqCURH3c95aSSsqiE3pNQOhV0soU3kp0J_NZwyQ57ETDvDxnxyDsw7CQt3LN4s6afvetzI3ICjfyKy5BxRY/s2048/IMG_0064.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgYaKZVemrbg1r2_4ki2CisLzMs592sp3n7RMzM1vDkhi100R3bAA71d6bRFxqCURH3c95aSSsqiE3pNQOhV0soU3kp0J_NZwyQ57ETDvDxnxyDsw7CQt3LN4s6afvetzI3ICjfyKy5BxRY/s640/IMG_0064.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi00ockX-3QKe_QSLgKsrPTovTXfOLkBOMOJxkYnjmacA4a5ygmYKt-ERfpBv8Gt1qunE2_ZeoIT3PTghURhQEQiv68Co-AoCW7sGytPAwUndGzunuSE4RWOsUM0wbMD7n1abtOYHiV_ScH/s2048/IMG_0072.JPG" 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/AVvXsEi00ockX-3QKe_QSLgKsrPTovTXfOLkBOMOJxkYnjmacA4a5ygmYKt-ERfpBv8Gt1qunE2_ZeoIT3PTghURhQEQiv68Co-AoCW7sGytPAwUndGzunuSE4RWOsUM0wbMD7n1abtOYHiV_ScH/s640/IMG_0072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2hYCP1bfILPGxYdsg9bXAtLJ4DIhrRATd0jCt7oIf0jOowoGez8GuHnJIu56I8kpfRjDoSejs2IZL7ZlE3bBR5EZIQBtKug3PZdKt4tPj6HiXsDyPV_UQCw06eHFf1J4pkQEGaVbWjXJ/s2048/IMG_0077.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgK2hYCP1bfILPGxYdsg9bXAtLJ4DIhrRATd0jCt7oIf0jOowoGez8GuHnJIu56I8kpfRjDoSejs2IZL7ZlE3bBR5EZIQBtKug3PZdKt4tPj6HiXsDyPV_UQCw06eHFf1J4pkQEGaVbWjXJ/s640/IMG_0077.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX4F3DTbcTsOIb7yVfiWc1PKEm_rYvHse9jZhJWbw3xBCPzXAVx5vSHvWAOOzT5TH4ZLCP7mPjb8wPo3RkhzrSj8d2BturjCbXtdF8uUz5RWT51Ao7KhAelDinhlMn3WSP_wJBu1M5FYM/s4032/IMG_5885.jpg" 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/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFX4F3DTbcTsOIb7yVfiWc1PKEm_rYvHse9jZhJWbw3xBCPzXAVx5vSHvWAOOzT5TH4ZLCP7mPjb8wPo3RkhzrSj8d2BturjCbXtdF8uUz5RWT51Ao7KhAelDinhlMn3WSP_wJBu1M5FYM/s640/IMG_5885.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0tJP_eoAPRO6jMhtCJtEygZR7IrGFU1n2DVicEE4JsfWwPhQw8bRr8tZmoU6sEA2BYFw4sShHSBItY1ksuEx3jaTXUfeTquWm4RbXMvxcTDyekV8y2a1HLjP4GkvWw6RZAp_FkA37dFk/s2048/IMG_9998.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhm0tJP_eoAPRO6jMhtCJtEygZR7IrGFU1n2DVicEE4JsfWwPhQw8bRr8tZmoU6sEA2BYFw4sShHSBItY1ksuEx3jaTXUfeTquWm4RbXMvxcTDyekV8y2a1HLjP4GkvWw6RZAp_FkA37dFk/s640/IMG_9998.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50cwv9C1RnmFaol2EWV_3vnybpZKDjGEYm31wVOYPjLBqdKXobT8HMltUe78XM-tpwT84JqbfVNNXYnboArxLTbUG2OL9osQpsqIP0IYeqUOrqc9T3ADG6Z5-vJkXBORmPsCex-RXU-V4/s2048/IMG_9999.JPG" 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/AVvXsEg50cwv9C1RnmFaol2EWV_3vnybpZKDjGEYm31wVOYPjLBqdKXobT8HMltUe78XM-tpwT84JqbfVNNXYnboArxLTbUG2OL9osQpsqIP0IYeqUOrqc9T3ADG6Z5-vJkXBORmPsCex-RXU-V4/s640/IMG_9999.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-64814961946423804532020-08-16T14:53:00.002-04:002020-08-16T14:53:43.767-04:00DC Day Trip Summer 2020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl9S8mbVibxrP-mgDNF_B6xK00Xa7SdUDe6RkU5I3sMrVdSvbIfcN4UvkN5TxV1PJCUpbxLn5QYFjXEQGaaCZLOixCEdCpky2ErBH_m_1k2Tajyf0YD1FaNNkdHMH44gPP3M5H5MvyHGa/s2048/IMG_8420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisl9S8mbVibxrP-mgDNF_B6xK00Xa7SdUDe6RkU5I3sMrVdSvbIfcN4UvkN5TxV1PJCUpbxLn5QYFjXEQGaaCZLOixCEdCpky2ErBH_m_1k2Tajyf0YD1FaNNkdHMH44gPP3M5H5MvyHGa/s640/IMG_8420.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the perks of the pandemic is the lack of tourists everywhere. We stopped in DC one afternoon traveling home, and were able to see a few of the memorials. It was really awesome to see the MLK memorial with our kiddos and see the man who laid out the dream that would lead to our family's makeup. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We definitely missed the wheelchair because Israel ended up in the stroller which was NOT EASY to push. Edith was a champion walker and Will and I laughed that it is a childhood rite of passage to complain your way through the DC monuments. I wish we would have gotten a better view of the White House but we didn't make a point to go by on foot after all the walking. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were grateful for the chance to stop by and make a fun memory together (fun mainly for me and Will... kids were pretty bored). Also. WHY does Will have a mustache for these pictures? Who knows, but they will be in our children's memories forever. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo2Y2CyyFww5v9TIBSHCIpeliYVAb0E3Tq7I0ciQjmr5ftTD6ewAwvUBqzCM3qYxA_499hmr8ozTYPLDESf5cHHDtJ-mEELSK8Vc-9ZILwVRQ4UFLd8RNvJgXs_x0gMG0kqMwNWW5_yNZ/s2048/IMG_8422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNo2Y2CyyFww5v9TIBSHCIpeliYVAb0E3Tq7I0ciQjmr5ftTD6ewAwvUBqzCM3qYxA_499hmr8ozTYPLDESf5cHHDtJ-mEELSK8Vc-9ZILwVRQ4UFLd8RNvJgXs_x0gMG0kqMwNWW5_yNZ/s640/IMG_8422.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DBO3lz0u0hmD9ATABYKnDw0OFcgFo91_aOThpFN0bU_K8YNJGzYzHhB5QvAA3eTj-C6r2Sot851qHsPH63LZjAxufCtOMwfchPOBwZU9jirdIcgoidn2Wvw7_lL6CyIh0yJuGzX2lAb4/s2048/IMG_8429.JPG" 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/AVvXsEj2DBO3lz0u0hmD9ATABYKnDw0OFcgFo91_aOThpFN0bU_K8YNJGzYzHhB5QvAA3eTj-C6r2Sot851qHsPH63LZjAxufCtOMwfchPOBwZU9jirdIcgoidn2Wvw7_lL6CyIh0yJuGzX2lAb4/s640/IMG_8429.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmBkOeHnvU4wWiwQyVKSiS3MPZr4wD7okOyEne43FKkqtpb6hWt3iewhwPrF2MPA-w6z5z8me1j6FYkSh_Ka0-91CI26PtQJdJFCEnDgkoXFytFsqzUr9vJeS9ped9b9QpzXvlTHl1dCUh/s2048/IMG_8431.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhmBkOeHnvU4wWiwQyVKSiS3MPZr4wD7okOyEne43FKkqtpb6hWt3iewhwPrF2MPA-w6z5z8me1j6FYkSh_Ka0-91CI26PtQJdJFCEnDgkoXFytFsqzUr9vJeS9ped9b9QpzXvlTHl1dCUh/s640/IMG_8431.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIn7cPED2l8MBfhP7C6foQGKQlFHL-I6RQ01x-kWlE2tdzblUdn18FMBKghanzOGIt6Z04kTA_sMagtscmtAV0V1ttCJ6RMbDwgVYnzf7vow5ZTMtPAidaZ5tg_mytwVMuEmfYBPMLsRM/s2048/IMG_8435.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgnIn7cPED2l8MBfhP7C6foQGKQlFHL-I6RQ01x-kWlE2tdzblUdn18FMBKghanzOGIt6Z04kTA_sMagtscmtAV0V1ttCJ6RMbDwgVYnzf7vow5ZTMtPAidaZ5tg_mytwVMuEmfYBPMLsRM/s640/IMG_8435.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHmBVDSA8InXom_JGjSVJMp9rAwyB3sqCusXxvrGEHq73hO80Gj6JlHxtB6RMowzcaJuAStS5seeCXsEE1N6NPPgw8AT8s1PXgYDEEIfmiiSEmVYfSeJewIeRI3cNnZ7iq8Yhxc6qeuDkX/s2048/IMG_8437.JPG" 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/AVvXsEiHmBVDSA8InXom_JGjSVJMp9rAwyB3sqCusXxvrGEHq73hO80Gj6JlHxtB6RMowzcaJuAStS5seeCXsEE1N6NPPgw8AT8s1PXgYDEEIfmiiSEmVYfSeJewIeRI3cNnZ7iq8Yhxc6qeuDkX/s640/IMG_8437.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0F4_sUpJjNpFa2FxVF29xp3IrAi-r4dFdwc7o-QDTC8z75CJAvDUwrMONe-qqTGatC93FdkegFxvemWha8YqUBOrRDr-f4R91MDu7eEMySJsx7d393d_LBPG-rBkI7s8dO0tkexDfIYvv/s2048/IMG_8438.JPG" 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/AVvXsEg0F4_sUpJjNpFa2FxVF29xp3IrAi-r4dFdwc7o-QDTC8z75CJAvDUwrMONe-qqTGatC93FdkegFxvemWha8YqUBOrRDr-f4R91MDu7eEMySJsx7d393d_LBPG-rBkI7s8dO0tkexDfIYvv/s640/IMG_8438.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0zEtouQ-aSY5BbRGcqkQIyT5aDqziJsCkSlsFKR3ZtPc08kwcjWLzKkSpFR5J3CoATdAMbrUCnxgTv-JDlj4eq5HZjOsNGo97npUO7Tr_e8ZXYJUKcrYayQCOFZMW2qYReJNbFT3jwLl/s2048/IMG_8441.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgh0zEtouQ-aSY5BbRGcqkQIyT5aDqziJsCkSlsFKR3ZtPc08kwcjWLzKkSpFR5J3CoATdAMbrUCnxgTv-JDlj4eq5HZjOsNGo97npUO7Tr_e8ZXYJUKcrYayQCOFZMW2qYReJNbFT3jwLl/s640/IMG_8441.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhttF5JsXLUYM7iAMemWmjqskXCK7yCoxK3P8xvZCBRnrt0H-hhULOuep-DXcvJtvWy-hB-mLK58YeRKQ23XWhmFHTNcbcXUxI7ELZix8xfv4hhv4uj5gk6ebKTjjDzwR94nNUl5TZfhifO/s2048/IMG_8444.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhttF5JsXLUYM7iAMemWmjqskXCK7yCoxK3P8xvZCBRnrt0H-hhULOuep-DXcvJtvWy-hB-mLK58YeRKQ23XWhmFHTNcbcXUxI7ELZix8xfv4hhv4uj5gk6ebKTjjDzwR94nNUl5TZfhifO/s640/IMG_8444.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZABmeafBhtN2RRzbAmQieze6_u3TcmlIkKPbJN0ENC4jY45J-53TxEWmEqyLtswAqw6xuSqUZuJL5V313nexUEXWORKVF0aah-BsJC0w2CYNfHSA-Vhe7m2j5DC8Zk8xoSR2SirEbCDu/s2048/IMG_8446.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgBZABmeafBhtN2RRzbAmQieze6_u3TcmlIkKPbJN0ENC4jY45J-53TxEWmEqyLtswAqw6xuSqUZuJL5V313nexUEXWORKVF0aah-BsJC0w2CYNfHSA-Vhe7m2j5DC8Zk8xoSR2SirEbCDu/s640/IMG_8446.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YZxFcHBvqJ2VK9Sb-bHaqiqTvUQGji9RoowqTibR_h3jpv-6-NpCOkxsteyhHfmtYSPAuCH8bvhhCfcammAoFYLuWE698s-LBN5sgpsDHlm_GDqVKbxVChNjTSYdCJYkWeKLWqTYWW_7/s2048/IMG_8457.JPG" 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/AVvXsEg7YZxFcHBvqJ2VK9Sb-bHaqiqTvUQGji9RoowqTibR_h3jpv-6-NpCOkxsteyhHfmtYSPAuCH8bvhhCfcammAoFYLuWE698s-LBN5sgpsDHlm_GDqVKbxVChNjTSYdCJYkWeKLWqTYWW_7/s640/IMG_8457.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICQ2qSkOIuXzcrJ7L1gQI1XMIg-YCzq0Qepb8BTF6N-MXdwkwHEmfYj02pX5UHRH9U8aC1skAoyKuKrJdDi24Vf3pADrJzXz-lqYs0RJ1GfW1VkDuL0x4AQKAFeTwXly790Dmm4tWxvqx/s2048/IMG_8461.JPG" 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/AVvXsEjICQ2qSkOIuXzcrJ7L1gQI1XMIg-YCzq0Qepb8BTF6N-MXdwkwHEmfYj02pX5UHRH9U8aC1skAoyKuKrJdDi24Vf3pADrJzXz-lqYs0RJ1GfW1VkDuL0x4AQKAFeTwXly790Dmm4tWxvqx/s640/IMG_8461.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjLoCCmZgYBlAHeWh21eVvTjYwKXtDYJaAFCKWyP-PkSQ7I30AIlHn2syGKux_hWllYNByOvSsCHhsAZWLtGtOJB3iFVOrnMXRkdPVTAKTXReRktLtw6JzMun_fBhxVvs5ofoHu8CjOEh/s2048/IMG_8464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjLoCCmZgYBlAHeWh21eVvTjYwKXtDYJaAFCKWyP-PkSQ7I30AIlHn2syGKux_hWllYNByOvSsCHhsAZWLtGtOJB3iFVOrnMXRkdPVTAKTXReRktLtw6JzMun_fBhxVvs5ofoHu8CjOEh/s640/IMG_8464.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> <p></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-46010115723020872342020-08-16T14:46:00.002-04:002020-08-16T14:46:51.382-04:00Yale (New Haven) Day Trip<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgr_QP0vPyrzFfjLyuGuUXeSk9Wp929L6fz_fbVAmFWjOBfLvran3PwZPy1MuhT_zaLSC9k2GhN8dQOB4BrLyEHNkB_bGWsXM1mS8QIg57nc0j83aEzLrCSsLO-WG8G-b_jHjmFlXrht5K/s2048/IMG_0192.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhgr_QP0vPyrzFfjLyuGuUXeSk9Wp929L6fz_fbVAmFWjOBfLvran3PwZPy1MuhT_zaLSC9k2GhN8dQOB4BrLyEHNkB_bGWsXM1mS8QIg57nc0j83aEzLrCSsLO-WG8G-b_jHjmFlXrht5K/s640/IMG_0192.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These pics are all out of order but I'm not going to fix them. ;) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We took a day trip to New Haven, Connecticut in August. We wanted to see Yale and it was only a 2 hour drive and the buildings were beautiful. A storm happened a few days before and so a lot of trees were down but it was nice to walk around. There were NO Crowds. We ate at the most delicious pizza at this cute shop downtown. It was our first time eating INSIDE a restaurant as a family in months! We went to a playground for a few minutes but it was REALLY hot and the park wasn't great. We finished the day with some AMAZING ice cream (toasted coconut almond ice cream!) from a dairy ice cream shop downtown. We were thankful for the day away from our normal routine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Melanie wants to study architecture so it was fun looking at buildings. There were so many unique and beautiful details in the Yale buildings. We've been to Princeton a few years ago so it was cool to see another Ivy League. I was looking at Yale and thinking of Rory from Gilmore Girls. :) </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjczeGPABwUqvfo8ndGnhcMQhGVgQ3VuMPSrBmUykv2K7iOVHNrMixC1PCVBjt21h4_XS-9UM3DFUFzcfOdbViIR7xEzoFdJXbwUWsZdvuLB6HH3v6ZOcV6mBFhWhQ_8F3aDYt8xSXuZv_/s2048/IMG_0191.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhjczeGPABwUqvfo8ndGnhcMQhGVgQ3VuMPSrBmUykv2K7iOVHNrMixC1PCVBjt21h4_XS-9UM3DFUFzcfOdbViIR7xEzoFdJXbwUWsZdvuLB6HH3v6ZOcV6mBFhWhQ_8F3aDYt8xSXuZv_/s640/IMG_0191.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3BN4cw65JS526h7RdF4S2IETlUAZUioSHZ9MiL9zAtu310RTyCxcYi5fyPVQmWpTI4ogGs_SLYqWzxgMSDVNCFqxwOapiL5WO1wkE33fd90N4rmRd6H8RzlXxvma3L0oB5bWCoX8mJw5V/s640/IMG_5959.jpg" style="text-align: left;" /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheENv7GbNuyLHw-K3-fgIrf_0hCnfXS-iWb2TbEQpQpPhKfHAbJtICZEJyfvCk_7K5Sd2qCsvUudpDmoXYw3tjsyI41CSPCps7CqmHYPXDzK3Sg7Nox3kd6oXIe54dJdHPzbdHopxzaCuj/s2048/IMG_0187.JPG" 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/AVvXsEheENv7GbNuyLHw-K3-fgIrf_0hCnfXS-iWb2TbEQpQpPhKfHAbJtICZEJyfvCk_7K5Sd2qCsvUudpDmoXYw3tjsyI41CSPCps7CqmHYPXDzK3Sg7Nox3kd6oXIe54dJdHPzbdHopxzaCuj/s640/IMG_0187.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfZQn9G_rvLlj0YkXfwUkJOecVlNSU-uG6z-Y4GtcFuKvGcP33icMSNYGy4HTfyS6FE-DZQkTGWhpvSEFjxIh1eHxLqL6Hj22q9f9FFGBZByEA9ZOZSIDC2U-xPSzCaUVprLxV7C8JWxP/s2048/IMG_0172.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhAfZQn9G_rvLlj0YkXfwUkJOecVlNSU-uG6z-Y4GtcFuKvGcP33icMSNYGy4HTfyS6FE-DZQkTGWhpvSEFjxIh1eHxLqL6Hj22q9f9FFGBZByEA9ZOZSIDC2U-xPSzCaUVprLxV7C8JWxP/s640/IMG_0172.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHAYvJJUD0fdrdda9iXcvJ0WeoP3XrzyMUWcGpnXAhAYeh7yGp_XFTzaYrKFI1eDwkpWvnt0g7zPvXkwi_R0KDMUbpp_BYnor56o2GMm0-vwxJI3PJn1f_UXI8qQUd40CRYAY0ircMQmyL/s2048/IMG_0170.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhHAYvJJUD0fdrdda9iXcvJ0WeoP3XrzyMUWcGpnXAhAYeh7yGp_XFTzaYrKFI1eDwkpWvnt0g7zPvXkwi_R0KDMUbpp_BYnor56o2GMm0-vwxJI3PJn1f_UXI8qQUd40CRYAY0ircMQmyL/s640/IMG_0170.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc5uTfvVVvDiXUK_zb8z-mpaNMOrqrCb2A1SF_E9W24t7akuP0fAyB6BcNzsoiqTkM4JQrtWGw8GHYz9RytAEqb8k9DCzJJZgPyY8KHtjdtn6l4njImCUIMBSJIuUJ-Sv55OjVgaKuO4k0/s2048/IMG_0168.JPG" 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/AVvXsEjc5uTfvVVvDiXUK_zb8z-mpaNMOrqrCb2A1SF_E9W24t7akuP0fAyB6BcNzsoiqTkM4JQrtWGw8GHYz9RytAEqb8k9DCzJJZgPyY8KHtjdtn6l4njImCUIMBSJIuUJ-Sv55OjVgaKuO4k0/s640/IMG_0168.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAuLukVDgC1CipQFTqPFRbW6JmRG-_u8Owgx5SSIECnLvaYywvt4yVIbQnofH00qrZl91nrOvV1TYMMiNlJXPXJwYRvrq_o71vPuzGwY8o1xbPfTatoKTjz22OXCDygSvM4KbLx9JmfuY/s2048/IMG_0166.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhoAuLukVDgC1CipQFTqPFRbW6JmRG-_u8Owgx5SSIECnLvaYywvt4yVIbQnofH00qrZl91nrOvV1TYMMiNlJXPXJwYRvrq_o71vPuzGwY8o1xbPfTatoKTjz22OXCDygSvM4KbLx9JmfuY/s640/IMG_0166.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4-lnI8nQNoYDMo4zH8Vfd-gOBWV8GxnfDJl7LIYa_kP4ezGTkbVyZfiarfx6g1miR36gESdevKoUTKv1h-u-vwI1VgRX3pyn2cWwzPgx7eU19c_c6c_dH267RTl4r_fWUNMVaYFM4mjz/s2048/IMG_0162.JPG" 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/AVvXsEiJ4-lnI8nQNoYDMo4zH8Vfd-gOBWV8GxnfDJl7LIYa_kP4ezGTkbVyZfiarfx6g1miR36gESdevKoUTKv1h-u-vwI1VgRX3pyn2cWwzPgx7eU19c_c6c_dH267RTl4r_fWUNMVaYFM4mjz/s640/IMG_0162.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsnPvgwBTHFkXupenbRJlv35Fd4NxI_xcqbuKWABLUfw1Qt2veXBVs-5I4FD9UKXvzMhgKN7WeAhddq399Ko9p9eROLyihCA3D60V76Pnf8Ocw0Kxk2hrkwuWpKd7gCqGJ58J7hAp7ISk/s2048/IMG_0161.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgdsnPvgwBTHFkXupenbRJlv35Fd4NxI_xcqbuKWABLUfw1Qt2veXBVs-5I4FD9UKXvzMhgKN7WeAhddq399Ko9p9eROLyihCA3D60V76Pnf8Ocw0Kxk2hrkwuWpKd7gCqGJ58J7hAp7ISk/s640/IMG_0161.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIjkgzu_UJZa7v8gU21CJkIDwTwZNBcxMGlMoTum-9GEu7ByvOvIX6iCzVouHoUuoeVL1pExeC3DZrWqKGBk-0dDV8cIzLpZQbcKf0LWYBzH-UefDCOZU6-byd71-LLf5e9TMFBYbISBNT/s2048/IMG_0159.JPG" 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/AVvXsEjIjkgzu_UJZa7v8gU21CJkIDwTwZNBcxMGlMoTum-9GEu7ByvOvIX6iCzVouHoUuoeVL1pExeC3DZrWqKGBk-0dDV8cIzLpZQbcKf0LWYBzH-UefDCOZU6-byd71-LLf5e9TMFBYbISBNT/s640/IMG_0159.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDjapnVrMr3bKRAumIHzDKK9Tvv7qy55NzC7_KRHs7TDG9HXUH0qjHOvznXyuBQbmDSXOoJrErBNQRl3A8rUGyQjWl0Gm6rZ07ks_KRa80pefHczBLFQrlKC1Q7NSWYGerTuipX6E32iyg/s2048/IMG_0156.JPG" 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/AVvXsEjDjapnVrMr3bKRAumIHzDKK9Tvv7qy55NzC7_KRHs7TDG9HXUH0qjHOvznXyuBQbmDSXOoJrErBNQRl3A8rUGyQjWl0Gm6rZ07ks_KRa80pefHczBLFQrlKC1Q7NSWYGerTuipX6E32iyg/s640/IMG_0156.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge46y8xQH0L98n4YS0QQqInvbfFK9JDArDhsGunfZnwpJ7Xw6BdZdL7M95ZWFs1Cs1bLSVbrtQvkmgvgdq2M76_imV3AmRkSkd8oe33ipIfLWrDfGTpfF0Lwy3af-Z5_W8J162mFX40N_9/s2048/IMG_0155.JPG" 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/AVvXsEge46y8xQH0L98n4YS0QQqInvbfFK9JDArDhsGunfZnwpJ7Xw6BdZdL7M95ZWFs1Cs1bLSVbrtQvkmgvgdq2M76_imV3AmRkSkd8oe33ipIfLWrDfGTpfF0Lwy3af-Z5_W8J162mFX40N_9/s640/IMG_0155.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqb1Gux_dvp8UHXWvSidzo0lNt6DgkLN0NsOkvtH2A4eIPKo2BiIYqJ9qLWx4gLE9gibgazjkjRAQY2UeBhXkeELCfSyWZgFfqMlTiNmWm1WD5AJUUAI6YRpjfa4Iljq-UcqyT1ocGfrwa/s2048/IMG_0154.JPG" 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/AVvXsEiqb1Gux_dvp8UHXWvSidzo0lNt6DgkLN0NsOkvtH2A4eIPKo2BiIYqJ9qLWx4gLE9gibgazjkjRAQY2UeBhXkeELCfSyWZgFfqMlTiNmWm1WD5AJUUAI6YRpjfa4Iljq-UcqyT1ocGfrwa/s640/IMG_0154.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6IJCC8n2crckuI64XuPToUtIm2uFPH31Yjy7p_hxe8Jv67yeuzUCYobTV78LQ9J1c0NXlCocRnCaHi_1RUpAtqM7vsAG3iv5v0GzPDqb-C4O2uGvyi5uMWAa8MpCmI6s_Qiwx8lwrtow/s2048/IMG_0153.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgR6IJCC8n2crckuI64XuPToUtIm2uFPH31Yjy7p_hxe8Jv67yeuzUCYobTV78LQ9J1c0NXlCocRnCaHi_1RUpAtqM7vsAG3iv5v0GzPDqb-C4O2uGvyi5uMWAa8MpCmI6s_Qiwx8lwrtow/s640/IMG_0153.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjF2joaBvoYCZx4wD5XEreMsV0xUJPvWtrTDMEqqYqGjdQBDVV7_3l1pjTr4ltW0RwUAv1Pux-Mej_Ra3M50ElC7IPDsz-q7Bi0OCcXnSmFFuYgRT5mQBp1j8WdbCxNPKRLbn9t646MZ_/s2048/IMG_0152.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgvjF2joaBvoYCZx4wD5XEreMsV0xUJPvWtrTDMEqqYqGjdQBDVV7_3l1pjTr4ltW0RwUAv1Pux-Mej_Ra3M50ElC7IPDsz-q7Bi0OCcXnSmFFuYgRT5mQBp1j8WdbCxNPKRLbn9t646MZ_/s640/IMG_0152.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNjWHRqJhuT1VLK7JbNatSBhH6-etJWytETtodqGv_NnL_aF3jr5EKNDeC5wT_6tRwuMQfi9n58EzlpezI0UtA07f8ClBRIuH-7sSMowBs2sn6m1okedk2uO4QWEzP1zEl88Wkcm1WW-o/s2048/IMG_0151.JPG" 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/AVvXsEjGNjWHRqJhuT1VLK7JbNatSBhH6-etJWytETtodqGv_NnL_aF3jr5EKNDeC5wT_6tRwuMQfi9n58EzlpezI0UtA07f8ClBRIuH-7sSMowBs2sn6m1okedk2uO4QWEzP1zEl88Wkcm1WW-o/s640/IMG_0151.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrZWZi_1yP-3AzUziG1okpUENuR23iW_YIywKWJp41j0AOZoKyr474I1iXFyQqlYM1yxelrMai506OraODVTZGG4hO8k01ow-s0OlCKUj1x5PmIEzBmUj2HqgrYdwMGaGiura5fngy8qlZ/s2048/IMG_0150.JPG" 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/AVvXsEgrZWZi_1yP-3AzUziG1okpUENuR23iW_YIywKWJp41j0AOZoKyr474I1iXFyQqlYM1yxelrMai506OraODVTZGG4hO8k01ow-s0OlCKUj1x5PmIEzBmUj2HqgrYdwMGaGiura5fngy8qlZ/s640/IMG_0150.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitKP8H4CQ8VkTysKeb3pjPKfdK80ULbuE8tejaLdi5qq_doYj-R121jfc9TD0-NBwzLxSDHq3tDnf8VoEiOKuUXU9XcGh9fwVuxkJAA6XWXQRm_ylDLyBwPaqkdlcv78B4_94oMDZ9fOA/s2048/IMG_0149.JPG" 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/AVvXsEhitKP8H4CQ8VkTysKeb3pjPKfdK80ULbuE8tejaLdi5qq_doYj-R121jfc9TD0-NBwzLxSDHq3tDnf8VoEiOKuUXU9XcGh9fwVuxkJAA6XWXQRm_ylDLyBwPaqkdlcv78B4_94oMDZ9fOA/s640/IMG_0149.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-tZUfz30mZ7V_Ojo4Z71TlcYLH8QgQ6vYADiCSG6WnADt1dOwXV3stYW7BceCBkr0PxIUPMeNwR8Dg97ntpNCxriP-tbWBDBpmok7TQ_HC9y8z8SQkiLURR-tdGhK3O0d0jwamxS3WMZ/s4032/fullsizeoutput_9a84.jpeg" 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/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-tZUfz30mZ7V_Ojo4Z71TlcYLH8QgQ6vYADiCSG6WnADt1dOwXV3stYW7BceCBkr0PxIUPMeNwR8Dg97ntpNCxriP-tbWBDBpmok7TQ_HC9y8z8SQkiLURR-tdGhK3O0d0jwamxS3WMZ/s640/fullsizeoutput_9a84.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxpVKmYtjHUZlRaW_OU6W5B7m8hSBVkYwuxEwHkDMOIyTLMGo0fYR6GHyoSUsxr26jMCP5ejLlllxxVsgE8VckVtLmSJvrWDgTGXevRx5Kjdf-s0LRIhg_tzAOLFon_ptBtjicqVG0aQY/s4032/fullsizeoutput_9a83.jpeg" 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/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxpVKmYtjHUZlRaW_OU6W5B7m8hSBVkYwuxEwHkDMOIyTLMGo0fYR6GHyoSUsxr26jMCP5ejLlllxxVsgE8VckVtLmSJvrWDgTGXevRx5Kjdf-s0LRIhg_tzAOLFon_ptBtjicqVG0aQY/s640/fullsizeoutput_9a83.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLb_9xBjBmEf3Qz6e3gCeBg3pM2Sf1M2YhKKCfWoRby9Wo-h5Ux2Xyb7t3FNIlqV01q3mnfzuZaON9aHRmpONT8Nnk3N3XQMPA2P6oSJu0h-ofoEWLGD0v9YVciagVNFh28Xgc4uEOMjG/s4032/fullsizeoutput_9a81.jpeg" 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/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLb_9xBjBmEf3Qz6e3gCeBg3pM2Sf1M2YhKKCfWoRby9Wo-h5Ux2Xyb7t3FNIlqV01q3mnfzuZaON9aHRmpONT8Nnk3N3XQMPA2P6oSJu0h-ofoEWLGD0v9YVciagVNFh28Xgc4uEOMjG/s640/fullsizeoutput_9a81.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-10062646324806352722020-08-16T13:14:00.001-04:002020-08-16T13:14:14.755-04:00Fast Feet Track Club<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FKyLX1LT3MqkoYte7ohZcx7kw0oyqJSNmc73Mg7GqkRxOlCPWV9-ouxLRDsI1dyvehsxKO_HbBBIbtZtxh-ZGb5zjVqkqQ2VgakBeu28eHm1v-6nUAfH6DaN_TVSlBFOKmVjH3pZMEaT/s1792/IMG_9832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="1195" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FKyLX1LT3MqkoYte7ohZcx7kw0oyqJSNmc73Mg7GqkRxOlCPWV9-ouxLRDsI1dyvehsxKO_HbBBIbtZtxh-ZGb5zjVqkqQ2VgakBeu28eHm1v-6nUAfH6DaN_TVSlBFOKmVjH3pZMEaT/s640/IMG_9832.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Israel has participated in the Fast Feet track club for about a year or so. It meets in Williamsburg Brooklyn, and it is run by some amazing volunteers. The whole track club is special-needs and the staff is patient and amazing. Israel usually starts out shy but he likes being cheered on. This year Coach Millions is one of the coach, and he was an Olympic GOLD winner for Ethiopia in 2000! He calls Israel "Biruk!" in the undeniably Ethiopian little chirpy way. It's so awesome. We are very thankful that we have access to clubs like this here in NY.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pNMfNi912bXcjZoYQG-puRHQ3C2fDV3EL8Oib-4Bq9HxivZ4qkzfx6jy1WmWz0pC2Ll4qrIaB6TfAfMqVTB-BatSuvrvukAnGjIhTKHHG8PJFRJRm9ID1ZsLvBsoWgyJRIWRA3lS-oVb/s1792/IMG_9831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="1195" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pNMfNi912bXcjZoYQG-puRHQ3C2fDV3EL8Oib-4Bq9HxivZ4qkzfx6jy1WmWz0pC2Ll4qrIaB6TfAfMqVTB-BatSuvrvukAnGjIhTKHHG8PJFRJRm9ID1ZsLvBsoWgyJRIWRA3lS-oVb/s640/IMG_9831.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrxaZF2GTZgok1Thp9Uqzmhl1g22Gk3H9cF2BT7O-hF7qRCJz1sVWt_mcQEQtG3Rog1hgvYi3WkizMWm1at4aCFHzstxAPxjefMGaCDv0hJlfQtBrVoRjeRmWzjPOkBx3wSilhCTNp3xa/s1792/IMG_9830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="1434" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrxaZF2GTZgok1Thp9Uqzmhl1g22Gk3H9cF2BT7O-hF7qRCJz1sVWt_mcQEQtG3Rog1hgvYi3WkizMWm1at4aCFHzstxAPxjefMGaCDv0hJlfQtBrVoRjeRmWzjPOkBx3wSilhCTNp3xa/s640/IMG_9830.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBchpq-v2H2xU5hYmrNAMUIy-VCY1mjunTN4xsNvz3oxhjxYJxoRB37Npdy5QINe_JeunYpUjlBRpv7YSo59Xavm7l1o3ocpeRMRZgpYEOKwykqV8mto1PnABjTcUORbgcR-5ILImycuI/s1792/IMG_9829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1792" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxBchpq-v2H2xU5hYmrNAMUIy-VCY1mjunTN4xsNvz3oxhjxYJxoRB37Npdy5QINe_JeunYpUjlBRpv7YSo59Xavm7l1o3ocpeRMRZgpYEOKwykqV8mto1PnABjTcUORbgcR-5ILImycuI/s640/IMG_9829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wG9416R34prgp0tZ63P3COlbLYyEkihbN6HUPcTQO_c7xfFYWRfoHJbWQIVVUX0nCumIwbs4Gfn01S2zzcjWQxK-i7OQVKTIoDwGrk5tYwMfLMn4Gwd6qjT_cfsnRn0IceOwY-nCEoT8/s1792/IMG_9828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="1195" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wG9416R34prgp0tZ63P3COlbLYyEkihbN6HUPcTQO_c7xfFYWRfoHJbWQIVVUX0nCumIwbs4Gfn01S2zzcjWQxK-i7OQVKTIoDwGrk5tYwMfLMn4Gwd6qjT_cfsnRn0IceOwY-nCEoT8/s640/IMG_9828.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjs_DVT0j4PPBjvpK_BwsZQdEmLkDP8MECg_vTwWop5Em0xE8iibQYJKVN_R4xIsSAISCM59E_9CoWe-4MQJQeZhdrVQUzuCnxzpPTeY_nXH0Knov26eZ8rVrvfY3ar3WC4I5LJCKTDHJ/s1792/IMG_9827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1792" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjs_DVT0j4PPBjvpK_BwsZQdEmLkDP8MECg_vTwWop5Em0xE8iibQYJKVN_R4xIsSAISCM59E_9CoWe-4MQJQeZhdrVQUzuCnxzpPTeY_nXH0Knov26eZ8rVrvfY3ar3WC4I5LJCKTDHJ/s640/IMG_9827.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iE8LMXILtWq8iHyHC5gqT-Z9K14E6_rWaxiIM_iOS4OPw1SKzgUb2OqddrBCSonvdcWHL2HSc-HUUwmTWdm7xKoOxFaaUfNHyxmjv6YT8pYWTahrN6QKvtvTPJAECCRYBf1SV1DfqLlc/s2040/IMG_9824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="2040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iE8LMXILtWq8iHyHC5gqT-Z9K14E6_rWaxiIM_iOS4OPw1SKzgUb2OqddrBCSonvdcWHL2HSc-HUUwmTWdm7xKoOxFaaUfNHyxmjv6YT8pYWTahrN6QKvtvTPJAECCRYBf1SV1DfqLlc/s640/IMG_9824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-71270105445682696832020-05-10T08:15:00.001-04:002020-05-10T08:15:30.687-04:00Mother's Day 2020<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErWonfBOCPyv7bzw6mtkZr4c36IBd0amJ59Fn_8N6Q1rRNbPuH_opSwGUcpXmhpDMP7nMSc9JlTV8UIVjc0wPPxf15mGU1TJRLLv8qm2gHEkgTtolK0IE7ukKD0MG1e-3JNl6gi8_7gcQ/s1600/4A1DFC5E-6730-46B3-B173-F27C08A0BAA1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiErWonfBOCPyv7bzw6mtkZr4c36IBd0amJ59Fn_8N6Q1rRNbPuH_opSwGUcpXmhpDMP7nMSc9JlTV8UIVjc0wPPxf15mGU1TJRLLv8qm2gHEkgTtolK0IE7ukKD0MG1e-3JNl6gi8_7gcQ/s640/4A1DFC5E-6730-46B3-B173-F27C08A0BAA1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The pictures above were the moments I met my babies. It is so evident to me the range of emotions that I experienced during these meetings. With Israel, it was overflowing joy at the long-awaited child! I was in shock that I was finally meeting this tiny person who I had prayed for and ached for. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Honestly I can't remember which of the bottom pictures are Edith and Annie! But I remember the anxiety during pregnancy with Edith - could I love this little white child as much as I loved Israel? With Annie, I doubted I had the strength to parent one more kiddo in such a hard season we were walking in. When both of the girls were placed in my arms, I was overcome with awe of God's goodness to me when I didn't deserve it. Both of the girls were unexpected blessings and I grumbled through those pregnancies as if I had a better idea of my timeline in life. When I heard their cries, saw their faces, I was reminded that God's gifts are so good and sweet. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD8mFZcB7gZrGafI9JRB6zDJN9M2unRC_k0iR6PIrr4prEscgORFIIo9w-JT8uGWfErwcrTWTCjovY68vxStCHFgk7FHmCDLLpucmL9aimY4O9-MezoQQytwySbWGNTUWGa5WF9xuYKuQ/s1600/D128FC90-CA14-437D-B389-28538EA61A9B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBD8mFZcB7gZrGafI9JRB6zDJN9M2unRC_k0iR6PIrr4prEscgORFIIo9w-JT8uGWfErwcrTWTCjovY68vxStCHFgk7FHmCDLLpucmL9aimY4O9-MezoQQytwySbWGNTUWGa5WF9xuYKuQ/s640/D128FC90-CA14-437D-B389-28538EA61A9B.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the first few weeks home with the kids, I was in for a major adjustment. Bringing Israel home started my special-needs parenting journey as we dealt with sleep issues, early intervention, testing and my introduction into talking with insurance companies for endless hours! He was the cutest baby ever, and I loved holding him and caring for him. I came alive as a mom advocate and his younger years were absolutely chiseling to my character and resilience! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Edith arrived while I was in grad school and also introduced me to postpartum anxiety. I remember breastfeeding Edith, while working on a paper on my laptop, in a therapy waiting room for Israel. It was a blur. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Annie came to us in our darkest year- so much spiritual warfare, mental health issues, challenges with special needs. It was a true ray of light in the middle of a dark time. I remember that we prayed for Annie's pregnancy, that she would be healthy and "God, give her red hair." When she was born with red hair I was in disbelief. Not only that it could be possible genetically (are there any red heads on my side of the family?) but that God would love me enough to give a detail like red hair to my baby. For weeks people would say "she has red hair!" and I wouldn't believe it! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All three of these kids have shaped me so much. They have highlighted my impatience, anger and desire to control. They have stretched me physically, to sleep deprivation, worry, and love. I know God has used these kids to show my sin nature! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
As an adoption social worker, I get to sit with adoptive families as they lay out their dreams about parenting. I hear their infertility stories and process the grief and loss that has led them to the place of adoption. I also get to celebrate when families are made. Although you couldn't pay me a million dollars to go back to 2013, or 2017 because they were the toughest years, I am so grateful to have walked through them and come out on the other side. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you kiddos, for letting me be your mom. Thank you Jesus for continuing to work in my heart to make me a better mom and wife and person. I'm thankful that when I look at these three kids, I see little reminders of God's faithfulness to me and to His glory. He is the author of the story here. And I'm so grateful!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPL4CJQZXwri3qERYUbKm60JJHX1RFuJFPoSJWIxrxaBemMmhyphenhyphen2mZHc5e45koGDOP7Sbj6Owxxyw0vVIC_k95ZXKZlWf66fc63Tnlb5n-rZJPpLyzxEyrq69UXwwhLruc39hBLc81lxEDg/s1600/IMG_6254.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/AVvXsEiPL4CJQZXwri3qERYUbKm60JJHX1RFuJFPoSJWIxrxaBemMmhyphenhyphen2mZHc5e45koGDOP7Sbj6Owxxyw0vVIC_k95ZXKZlWf66fc63Tnlb5n-rZJPpLyzxEyrq69UXwwhLruc39hBLc81lxEDg/s640/IMG_6254.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Photo from April 2020 - (Not our house)</div>
</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-36247775147939028002019-12-02T08:00:00.000-05:002019-12-02T08:00:04.312-05:00Ode to My Gym<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Back when we moved to NYC in 2015, I joined an all-women's gym called Lucille Roberts. I went until mid-pregnancy with Annie in 2016, when I was told to be on modified bedrest including no lifting. Fast forward...uh.. years, and this fall 2019 I finally re-joined the gym. After about a year and a half of half-hearted exercising at home and doing some irregular modified healthy eating, I feel like I am in a healthy place right now.<br />
<br />
First of all, my husband Will is in a very fit shape right now. He's been going to a track club and he is super careful about what he puts in his body. It makes me really aware of what I am eating. As I am now in my thirties, I understand that I should limit my dairy intake and save halloween candy for special treats instead of daily treat-yo-self. I switched out my coffee creamers and I haven't had a soda in forever.<br />
<br />
But, my gym. I love my gym. First of all, it is all women. It just feels safe to be there. The classes are tough, and the Zumba makes me smile it is a lot of fun and I always drip sweat. There's a great childcare room for Annie and it is a welcome break for me with her. Also, I'm walking .75 miles there and then another .75 miles back (it's about 13 blocks from my apartment) so I know that I am getting a decent workout in no matter what. I usually run some kind of errands on the route.<br />
<br />
I love that there is so much diversity. Asian, Muslim, Russian, etc etc. Some women are Jewish and cover their heads, other women are Muslim and cover their head/arms. If there is a maintenance man in the building, then there are announcements so women will have a chance to cover up. I love that I get to just exercise and be in the same place with women who are so unlike me and I have no common ground with. I overhear many people having conversations in foreign languages, and the childcare workers are often Arabic speaking to the little Arabic kids. I love that I am reminded of the beautiful diversity of my neighborhood, and that Annie is already being exposed to it too.<br />
<br />
So here I am, on my "fitness journey" trying to be strong because I have to be. As of right now, Israel is 80 pounds, and I have to lift him regularly. I have to do hard things and there's a lot that is physically required of me. I NEED to be healthy and strong. So, back to the gym I go. Not to lose weight per se, but to just be healthy because it is a good thing. I can have self-control, drink smoothies and say no to carbs not because it makes me better, but because using self-control as a discipline is a good thing and it can be a spiritual thing! Just as I say no and yes to some things, I also do that with my time. I limit TV intake and increase book and bible reading. I take the time to know my neighbors and work towards goals.<br />
<br />
So, I'm thankful today for my gym and this newfound sense of drive!</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-71567756356525729182019-11-25T08:00:00.000-05:002019-11-25T08:00:09.107-05:00Transient Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We live in a transient city, which means people come and go. If they are "from New York" then they are likely to stay, although a lot of native New Yorkers end up in Florida or Texas. Since moving to New York, several of our close friends have moved on and it has been hard to be the one left behind.<br />
<br />
I shouldn't be surprised though, because my own life has been one full of transience. In my childhood, we moved from GA to NC when I was six, I went to a different middle school (all new friends) and then we moved to AL when I was in high school. Four years later, college, starting over again! Even in college I floated between friend groups, had friends in another state due to a relationship, and then Will and I met and married young. We moved to North Carolina for 2 years, then Alabama for 4 years, and now we have been in New York for almost five years. That's a lot of moving, a lot of starting over.<br />
<br />
At this point I know that it takes a solid year to feel "settled" and even longer to feel rooted. I remember the aching loneliness of the first year of every place we moved. When we moved to Alabama and were in the adoption process, I felt so isolated and aimless as I waited to be a mom and felt somewhat purposeless. It took a few years for me to find my true buddies and kindred spirits, and at that time I relied heavily on my online circle of adoptive mama friends.<br />
<br />
When we moved to New York, the first year was ROUGH. Not only was I dealing with the major life transition, but I mourned the loss of a job I enjoyed, and had a small church community that I didn't really connect to most of the time. It seemed like in my entire life, every time I felt comfortable, we moved. I didn't like that!<br />
<br />
Now we are here, settled for now, and I recently met a new friend who just moved here. I feel the ache of that starting over. I understand how hard it is and also how I want to be guarded at transient new relationships- <i>when are you going to leave me</i>? I mourned the loss of my friend Selah who was my building neighbor here in NYC - we were instant kindred spirits and we saw each other daily as we raised our little city babies, bonded over books and Jesus and doing the daily mundane tasks together. I thought, will I ever have another adult friendship like this? And still, I haven't yet.<br />
<br />
What I know after 32+ years as a sojourner, is that there will always be changes. I can never expect to be fully rooted anywhere, because even if my circumstances don't change, those around me change. I know that here on earth, I will always feel somewhat unsettled. As a Christian, I believe God has given me this sense of restlessness because I am called to a different Home and the time on earth is a precursor to eternal life in Heaven.<br />
<br />
I also have the example of Christ and the disciples, who were constantly moving and counted their family to be those who were on mission with them. This year we are spending Thanksgiving with Will's family, and it is the first Thanksgiving/Christmas holiday that we have spent with any family since before we moved to NYC in 2015! I know that church as family is essential because otherwise there is loneliness. And even with new traditions, it can seem sad and "off" somehow because we aren't with our extended family. I have to cling to the scriptures that say it is better to forsake our mother and father for the gospel because there is greater reward. By staying here, investing in our little family, ministering to our neighbors and church, we are reaping a far better reward, even if it is hard.<br />
<br />
So as we continue to live in this changing city, with an unknown future ahead of us, I cling to the constancy of Jesus, the security of my marriage and the fact that I have this crew of tiny McGees that will come with me wherever we go. And I know that in all the seasons past- the good, the lonely, the full, the empty- God was faithful, and he will always be faithful to meet my needs and supply me with grace and joy. </div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-63667518431018832372019-11-22T08:00:00.000-05:002019-11-22T08:00:02.298-05:00Strong as a Mother<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've seen a shirt online that says "Strong as a Mother." Honestly, I kind of want this shirt. Because nothing has made me aware of my strength (and weakness, HELLO!) like becoming a mom.<br />
<br />
I entered into motherhood with full intentions of being an awesome, devoted, fully-present stay at home mother. We adopted our first child, knowing that it would be hard and challenging but also worth every sacrifice. We were later surprised/ shocked at the arrival of our daughters, and during each pregnancy I doubted my abilities to parent the next child that would soon arrive. We are soon approaching the 10 year anniversary of our decision to adopt, and we are almost eight years into parenting (kids being 8, 6, and almost 3 now!).<br />
<br />
Being a mom has been a showcase for my weakness. Oh my, I am so aware of my shortcomings. Lack of patience, need for routine, despise for being trapped in a small apartment, inability to have multiple devices/noises happening at the same time, poor meal planning, and terrible housewife skills, etc etc.<br />
<br />
There's no scripture I relate to more than when Paul says that he boasts in his weaknesses, because they point to Christ. I am a poster-board picture of being weak and therefore showing that I can't, but God can. I am SO LIMITED in my levels of grace and patience, yet God shows up in me through the Holy Spirit. He has provided me friends and family that have supported us through hard seasons. And he has given us unending adoration of these three kiddos who are so wonderful and hard and silly and annoying and all the things that kids are. I am truly blessed and when they are asleep at night, I look back on pictures and videos and just melt at how awesome they are. Even when there are moments that are just achingly tough, I can look back and see God's grace woven through these last ten years as we have walked through so many hard moments.<br />
<br />
So, because I am in the mood to showcase God's grace and favor in the hard. Here are a few things that make me feel strong.<br />
<br />
- Doing homework with Edith even when she and I don't care about it, and it can take up to an hour to write 5 sentences and do basic first grade math.<br />
<br />
- Laundromat with a toddler strapped to my back.<br />
<br />
- Being punched in the face repeatedly by a large kid and not retaliating or showing that it affects me.<br />
- Taking multiple kids to the doctors office by myself.<br />
<br />
- Crying to strangers in public places (Sesame Place workers, people on the street, check-out line attendants). Sometimes things are just really hard and I know that it is okay to just cry about it.<br />
<br />
- Advocating for my son by being on the phone for hours to accomplish one tiny thing in the giant web of things that must be advocated for.<br />
<br />
- Keeping really detailed records and filing system for all the special-needs stuff.<br />
<br />
- Skipping out on some parent-involvement stuff at my kids' schools because it is okay to set boundaries and they are still little, so it doesn't really matter.<br />
<br />
- Exercising even though having a toddler interfere is not easy, and it can be inconvenient to go to the gym. I know that I have to lift an 80 pound kid every day, so being strong physically is good for all of us.<br />
<br />
- Going back to work because I needed an outlet, I enjoy working, and it has given me a space to be ME without being tied to my husband or kids. Being a working parent takes a lot of juggling and planning.<br />
<br />
- Creating a sensory bin for the kids even though loose rice makes me cringe and gives me wedding night flashbacks (my brothers dumped rice all over our car and suitcases). Sensory play is good for them! I can get over myself.<br />
<br />
- Sticking to a bible reading plan and filling my soul with gospel food.<br />
<br />
- Crying in stairwells at church or hiding in Israel's bedroom chair hoping no one will find me for just a few minutes. Because - it is okay!<br />
<br />
- Learning to parallel park a van in NYC street parking.<br />
<br />
- Going on adventures with kids because staying home = tv time and going out = fresh air. It takes so much more work but it is good for all of us.<br />
<br />
- Bundling 3 kids in coats, gloves and hats. At this point all three still need help getting out the door, up and down the stairs (well, Edith is MOSTLY independent but she still needs help!) and in strollers or scooters. I do this by myself and many days I laugh/cry/lose my mind but we still get where we need to go!<br />
<br />
- Letting things go when they are over. I can't teach my kids to hold grudges, because I want to show them grace. One of the biggest lessons in grace this year was when I gave Edith "the Popsicle she didn't deserve" after some major disobedience. We talked about that popsicle and grace for weeks afterwards.<br />
<br />
- Sometimes getting sassy with others (hello Mr. Librarian who I have written a feisty email about) and sometimes just laughing because it is "Special Needs Awareness Day" aka we are making everyone around us aware of special needs.<br />
<br />
- I have learned to give myself grace and let go of things, like my expectations. I have learned to rest and to take sleeping pills when I need to. I have learned to give myself a pep talk at 2 pm because the next 5 hours are about to be challenging.<br />
<br />
These things on the list show me that God has been with me. He has equipped me to guide these three precious souls into adulthood, and I know I am going to get a lot wrong, but every adult needs therapy, right? And I am doing the best I can. This experience is shaping me and refining me, pointing me to Jesus. I'm thankful for the honor of mothering Israel, Edith and Annie. They are making me a strong woman!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-75454335876573517162019-11-20T11:53:00.002-05:002019-11-20T11:53:11.280-05:00Transracial Special Needs Family<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
In our family, my husband and I are Caucasian and our adopted son is African-American. When he was a baby, we often received positive comments or smiles from strangers and frequently received comments about how lucky he was to be adopted by us. We were educated by our adoption agency about becoming a conspicuous family and knew that our family would now stand out a little bit. Some people, especially curious kids, want to know why we do not look alike or what is the story behind how we came together. I feel like we were prepared on how to educate others, respond in a respectful way that stuck to our boundaries, or just ignore the comment/question if needed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
The tricky problem with our family has been that our sweet little boy has become a large kid, and he has autism. We don’t really receive the adoring comments that we used to hear, but instead we are often met with stares or even negative comments when he is in a meltdown mode because he is overstimulated or having a hard time processing his environment. There’s nothing quite like feeling the depth of your conspicuous family like being in a public theme park, trapped on an airplane, or trying to make birthday memories at the zoo while your child draws a lot of attention to himself! I can think of a lot of moments where I felt very aware of being a white mom with a black child and wanting to blend in so badly just so people would stop looking at us, especially if we were in an environment that was more ethnically diverse!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
One thing I have learned through our special-needs journey is that <b>I have to tune out what I think others are thinking of me. </b>Because he can be unpredictable with his autism, I know that we can suddenly draw attention through some of his stemming behaviors or meltdowns. <b>What my son needs most from me is for me to be fully present with him</b>, instead of worrying about the judgment of others. Unfortunately, autism does not have a marker, so some people may think he is just being unruly or undisciplined when really, he is out of control because of his brain. I know that I must meet him at eye-level and support <i>him</i>even if others might be judging me! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
If I could offer advice to other transracial families, especially those who are walking the special needs journey, I would encourage them to <b>trust their gut as a parent and give yourself a lot of grace</b>. My son’s autism has changed a lot about the way that we parent him as we have learned to be flexible yet prepared. And if other people are staring at us as we work through the good and hard parts of being a special needs family, so be it. We are a picture of a loving family that sticks together and tries to make family memories, even if it means that we have to work a little harder to make them. If anyone else can see us love our son even when it is challenging (if you’ve ever been through a major autism meltdown, then you know what I mean!); it can be a positive picture of adoption too. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-49089124981255443562019-11-11T13:40:00.001-05:002019-11-11T13:40:55.421-05:00Laundromat thoughts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
4.5 years in to Brooklyn life and here’s some laundromat thoughts this morning. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I like knowing my neighbors, having friendships that exist with familiar faces doing laundry at the 7am opening slot. I like that Sal always offers me treats from Leskes bakery and that Lu is catching up on her Chinese soap operas. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
I like my matching laundry bags that have been thrown down our steps countless times, and how all of our sheets and towels and comforters can be fresh with just three machines and an hour and a half. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
Sometimes I can be so self-focused at how hard it is to stay on top of all the things I need to stay on top of, but I look around and see other families working hard too with their kids in tow. And although this morning I woke up feeling very overwhelmed by my daunting to-do list, at least I know that I am not defined by my accomplishments or how well I execute the tasks that are set before me. I know that God has provided grace for me in daily doses and that even if I fail, my identity is not in myself but in Christ. So although my hustle is similar to those at the laundromat with me, I have an identity relief that not all know about or claim. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 14px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
And my final laundromat thought is this: as inconvenient as it is to have a pigtailed toddler strapped to me while folding and hauling laundry, it sure is sweet and I know this season is short-lived. Once upon a time toddler Edith was strapped to my back too. </div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiANkZJJxtrOPL3yxruoQr2wSK-94icqL8SHCSE1mLfFQ2QEKCxDKavB0SRbalXEMIctooDn3uTRVDqDY4oniBfgBNHiFpAUxmH-UItsw8kya9bvo2OGNJuQuwOUPVWyvdy-Bc1s77VTB5K/s1600/IMG_0142.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/AVvXsEiANkZJJxtrOPL3yxruoQr2wSK-94icqL8SHCSE1mLfFQ2QEKCxDKavB0SRbalXEMIctooDn3uTRVDqDY4oniBfgBNHiFpAUxmH-UItsw8kya9bvo2OGNJuQuwOUPVWyvdy-Bc1s77VTB5K/s320/IMG_0142.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #454545; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-72818315409584452732019-11-06T13:54:00.000-05:002019-11-06T13:54:02.463-05:00Feeling Overwhelmed, Need to Look UP!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is a very busy month. I know that I am not alone in this, most people will admit to feeling busy during the last months of the year. There's parent conferences, holiday things, church events, and work. Lots of deadlines and an upcoming major trip are hanging over my head and filling my brain with random thoughts that I want to add to a spreadsheet or list. In my thirties I have learned that I love to document things, and I love to feel the sense of control that comes with at least writing things down. I know that although I haven't tacked this particular project or task, I know it is coming and that there are clear steps to take.<br />
<br />
A lot of how I manage being overwhelmed is through perceived control. If only I can muster enough strength, be completely organized (this is laughable guys if you saw my apartment) or have the calendar completely mapped out and color coded, then the next few weeks will run smoothly and I won't end up in stress hives. This all points to ME. As if I am the controller of the weather or the one keeping my children from the rogue colds or random variables that challenge my perceived control. I am not in control! I am a manager of the chaos and although God has asked me to run my race well, there is no way that I can excellently manage every little thing and not hand off things to others. I have been trying to delegate to others and even that is hard for me, because I don't want to burden others, and I wonder if they will get it just right. It's an awful feeling to think that the happiness of my family, my clients, our church women's ministry etc etc is in my hands. And the worst part of this burden is that it has not been placed on my shoulders anyway!<br />
<br />
Two thoughts on this day in the midst of an overwhelming month.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>1. God has provided a community to help me.</b> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">In Numbers 11, Moses was in charge of leading the Israelites in the wilderness as they were awaiting the Promised Land. He was overwhelmed with his responsibilities. He said: “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me” (Numbers 11:14). God responded by appointing several elders to help him. He said “I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take of the Spirit that is on you and put the Spirit on them. They will help you carry the burden of the people so that you will not have to carry it alone” (Numbers 11:17).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">There are so many people in my corner who will pray for me, help me, take on my burdens. But I have to come to the Lord and </span>ask<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> for help, I have to give up my perceived control!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<b>2. God Himself will finish whatever tasks are ordained for me to accomplish. I cannot boast in my own strength because I am so very weak. </b><br />
<br />
"Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the desert. There ou saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." Deuteronomy 1:29-31.<br />
<br />
If I am going to rely on the strength of the Lord, I must be aware of His character. I must remember what he has already done through the scriptures and also in my life. I have never had control, I have never been enough. I must know God and look to him, because He will help me!<br />
<br />
<br />
So if you are with me and feeling overwhelmed by what is on your task list, I pray that we will together seek first the Lord and know that all the things that we need will be added to us. Let us trust that what He says about himself is true.<br />
<style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-priority:34;
mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:964850288;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:-261351018 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
-->
</style></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-36861904363160947872019-09-10T12:20:00.000-04:002019-09-10T12:20:02.018-04:00The Story Continues<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I decided a few years ago to stop posting publicly to my blog, but to continue to update it privately for my own benefit. I thought that it was getting to the point where my posts were mainly life recaps, and there was no point in sharing those with the world when we have Facebook and Instagram where I can filter who sees those pictures.<br />
<br />
I have certainly missed the blogging community that I had many years ago, and I recently shared with an acquaintance that I "had a blog once" and I felt that there was no way to really describe what this space meant to me during the formidable early years of my parenting journey. We are approaching the ten year anniversary of this blogspace in a few months, and I am thankful that in March 2010 we took the giant step of faith towards adoption when Will and I were unstable newlyweds who just trusted blindly that God would provide and we would be awesome parents, just because we had good intentions. I know now that marriage and parenting take so much work, and I have come to the "end of myself" countless times as I have had to ask forgiveness from my family members when I do not manage well the stress and responsibilities that I carry.<br />
<br />
For almost two years I have been working in New York City as a social worker (first as an ABA) and now as an Adoption Consultant providing home study and post adoption services, doing community outreach, teaching classes, and doing birth parent counseling. I have absolutely loved this role and I am so thankful for a part-time position that plays to my strengths and allows me to still be a part of the adoption community, while still being fully present at home. There have certainly been moments where I feel hypocritical as I am promoting the joys of adoption when at home, life can be chaotic and I feel my strengths being tested by a certain child of mine who knows how to press all of my buttons. I've taught parenting classes about connected parenting while struggling to follow through with what I believe is the best method of discipline. It is all about balance and I am thankful for this current season where my job sharpens me as a parent and allows me the opportunity to walk beside vulnerable families going through the most significant transitions. I remember Tiffany and Brandi and many of our other contacts at AGCI and how much we still recall their enthusiasm for our adoption process. I am so honored that I get to play that role for other families.<br />
<br />
I've wrestled with reopening an online space to write, and even purchased another domain to start back up again last year, but I never followed through. I make no promises of consistency but I hope to share some thoughts occasionally with my online friends that I have missed. So if you're reading this... how are you? What's one thing you've loved about your year so far? </div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-41822601835731738252018-12-18T11:44:00.001-05:002018-12-18T11:44:05.908-05:00Messersmith Visit: Dyker Lights & Guild Party<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISwN38yRIb6HQAMZp6hiZRbSeHw3e-4S_NlrbdEZW4SHye9l1crakqIunjV7fRTiOwVSt3GcTBbawxCqHRCdHEqKPUiDMY58vTxIJb76e6Cn9jaEbqUs4urH4lzycofJwXYmMf1MoDnF-/s1600/IMG_5173.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/AVvXsEjISwN38yRIb6HQAMZp6hiZRbSeHw3e-4S_NlrbdEZW4SHye9l1crakqIunjV7fRTiOwVSt3GcTBbawxCqHRCdHEqKPUiDMY58vTxIJb76e6Cn9jaEbqUs4urH4lzycofJwXYmMf1MoDnF-/s640/IMG_5173.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Haley and Micah came to visit! We went on a date on Friday night to Brooklyn Firefly and then Omonia for dessert. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saturday they went with Will to take the big kids to Industry City for the dance party. Edith got faceprint, they all had a blast. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQGxGakmCxXj8a1Yzpf6MXkjUG5x_Ku0PmK74ZvEi5nyqt5Qix5rJdMLE6XdO0_e_c0uytogAIVDmEkpVv-Nbo6b_Sq_3MVSdO9tE200t-vbSPhBf9oQLggJCjwLkSHZWdNdGA65e1dd2/s1600/IMG_5178.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/AVvXsEimQGxGakmCxXj8a1Yzpf6MXkjUG5x_Ku0PmK74ZvEi5nyqt5Qix5rJdMLE6XdO0_e_c0uytogAIVDmEkpVv-Nbo6b_Sq_3MVSdO9tE200t-vbSPhBf9oQLggJCjwLkSHZWdNdGA65e1dd2/s640/IMG_5178.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Saturday night was the Dyker Heights lights then we ate at Lockyard.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbUFBouTxBh3oWzg9HZPpj8XJElVDA3SJeNAzNsSs7fE_KaBq2-JZ2czE4El9cUnp1iz8Y8A7ws9RmA18LTKuPz7N1bexpX_sePL7z9f8xliTfGXu6Kd2DsLDT_swOI5uLDzrR_KfM0m_/s1600/IMG_5183.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/AVvXsEhLbUFBouTxBh3oWzg9HZPpj8XJElVDA3SJeNAzNsSs7fE_KaBq2-JZ2czE4El9cUnp1iz8Y8A7ws9RmA18LTKuPz7N1bexpX_sePL7z9f8xliTfGXu6Kd2DsLDT_swOI5uLDzrR_KfM0m_/s640/IMG_5183.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Edith was adorable. She was excited about ALL of the decorations - from small wreaths to anything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYChRCTi-fdexrllp6Wb_h-5ky5IBz9q0qHAMy6LEmubg8oVUp4PBcSEOOwNHF18I-haHpdMxNPBwZFskiRnLOiURf8hXVh80KYB3drY7jcn1y3K1s_whQ64I4Y8AomYwIU_9QCy02a-d/s1600/IMG_5185.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/AVvXsEjPYChRCTi-fdexrllp6Wb_h-5ky5IBz9q0qHAMy6LEmubg8oVUp4PBcSEOOwNHF18I-haHpdMxNPBwZFskiRnLOiURf8hXVh80KYB3drY7jcn1y3K1s_whQ64I4Y8AomYwIU_9QCy02a-d/s640/IMG_5185.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSo-XqBX5_qry2_vwiH8jzgKRyemAbZkdXaljwFwEFE94K24Mmw3H8iPtPbxtPzcv__ZVGxKKypMX0Kb49yE0fhqwhoTfVphyphenhyphensUU4YLd9ItyPa1zMtK6Kseo7AmRQTotEy5DS0phLA5q-H/s1600/IMG_5186.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/AVvXsEiSo-XqBX5_qry2_vwiH8jzgKRyemAbZkdXaljwFwEFE94K24Mmw3H8iPtPbxtPzcv__ZVGxKKypMX0Kb49yE0fhqwhoTfVphyphenhyphensUU4YLd9ItyPa1zMtK6Kseo7AmRQTotEy5DS0phLA5q-H/s640/IMG_5186.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVuqxKFPcc9Szev5vTJl4_4xn-Z2U4JrrNtUgrtstpu_T4q1J9WdmeTSaV3qvmtBKbTfDCBHvhMUp5Qn9EtngIwVwC2NBxukvjbRnb60NvDyfF1JoiFb94BonAyaOaXAd-WsDjYqK7qgo/s1600/IMG_5188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVuqxKFPcc9Szev5vTJl4_4xn-Z2U4JrrNtUgrtstpu_T4q1J9WdmeTSaV3qvmtBKbTfDCBHvhMUp5Qn9EtngIwVwC2NBxukvjbRnb60NvDyfF1JoiFb94BonAyaOaXAd-WsDjYqK7qgo/s640/IMG_5188.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVqTtYcQqQQjYFQXy5etOpswfJWVXk6HHR-mzLtHaqJqsSvKx9t-SnUfPdMhupYWKX130Ztmy6tAEANLNCLYkZxpJ8TRMP2dWNFcPAJ8zURlShaMKbJ6SIqRvRRf2vBGldY8PCfPp3-L_/s1600/IMG_5190.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/AVvXsEheVqTtYcQqQQjYFQXy5etOpswfJWVXk6HHR-mzLtHaqJqsSvKx9t-SnUfPdMhupYWKX130Ztmy6tAEANLNCLYkZxpJ8TRMP2dWNFcPAJ8zURlShaMKbJ6SIqRvRRf2vBGldY8PCfPp3-L_/s640/IMG_5190.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzkAVmQ4qYrRLnh6ms2q1zklWU3ZiJGFVMDD-THuuiQgDWStmbETuwgoo36dLY3NeJxQYw_7wKxDxuV0q2gFyn-Hmqn9T6OTaxErDlUYq1ePmnCcJl1dYiNgf8BtY9CtFffnS-g0OJW5F/s1600/IMG_5193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzkAVmQ4qYrRLnh6ms2q1zklWU3ZiJGFVMDD-THuuiQgDWStmbETuwgoo36dLY3NeJxQYw_7wKxDxuV0q2gFyn-Hmqn9T6OTaxErDlUYq1ePmnCcJl1dYiNgf8BtY9CtFffnS-g0OJW5F/s640/IMG_5193.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbEZ14JwuSYQAD7lVmmWblq_72mUVknFe9Ep5PJgJk2iZA-cy4LtOpWp6vVc_cpdoEAmhlA55npsmAqViN2EPNt7a1HtSDOrDwP9VxFs_1tEr-sDqi13XcUl_BTs8GyHCGBv45RKwsjTV/s1600/IMG_5196.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/AVvXsEjrbEZ14JwuSYQAD7lVmmWblq_72mUVknFe9Ep5PJgJk2iZA-cy4LtOpWp6vVc_cpdoEAmhlA55npsmAqViN2EPNt7a1HtSDOrDwP9VxFs_1tEr-sDqi13XcUl_BTs8GyHCGBv45RKwsjTV/s640/IMG_5196.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbBiZr54Xm_RkHJCnhROYYq8PgXWdKkiOUBw5X-GAip_0HQ4C1HSDjVUI09trksZOn1-wsExrPv0H6c64qF4RMLE2CX2qGPa7BxkbwcHnY9lu7-rF34oAafaqCwdQwTxPZ7LTVNq3XGh9/s1600/IMG_5200.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbBiZr54Xm_RkHJCnhROYYq8PgXWdKkiOUBw5X-GAip_0HQ4C1HSDjVUI09trksZOn1-wsExrPv0H6c64qF4RMLE2CX2qGPa7BxkbwcHnY9lu7-rF34oAafaqCwdQwTxPZ7LTVNq3XGh9/s640/IMG_5200.MOV" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Sunday was the church Guild Christmas party. We didn't last long because Annie was just walking around sad, she was ready for nap. I was very proud of myself because I parallel parked the van before and after church!! (We just bought the van 2 weeks ago).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVPqneMUgvLcKf602GzkcancmrEsjK4yvbFNPYQd-8Emhyk1FaeNCk2AsRXAy7O_HVuYezcLm649WT7vqRLIMUg5aJr0ufk-gtifT093TGaTHzi0EeUAovWWS5Nk9RnOeO8tH0sPfrFjA/s1600/IMG_5226.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/AVvXsEjSVPqneMUgvLcKf602GzkcancmrEsjK4yvbFNPYQd-8Emhyk1FaeNCk2AsRXAy7O_HVuYezcLm649WT7vqRLIMUg5aJr0ufk-gtifT093TGaTHzi0EeUAovWWS5Nk9RnOeO8tH0sPfrFjA/s640/IMG_5226.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3rfGA6QqtWQr0hIZVObWgIXJH78qoJSZ6bqnNkcoL2c3iSgw_yXd0BAPZ289aXTnjP8knXWaRqWNaRi7YZAy4YhnxY7jVnS7WNIkosu8Ns1oyMIXpeLsbKdrYEj_KSlNNcP5E8dXBYK-/s1600/IMG_5232.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/AVvXsEji3rfGA6QqtWQr0hIZVObWgIXJH78qoJSZ6bqnNkcoL2c3iSgw_yXd0BAPZ289aXTnjP8knXWaRqWNaRi7YZAy4YhnxY7jVnS7WNIkosu8Ns1oyMIXpeLsbKdrYEj_KSlNNcP5E8dXBYK-/s640/IMG_5232.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuWXQFMi7YQwi2oy8EJsjFXtdUKw3jgZ9p916jEQRu7n00qnslHwFvMzI5HYqCV7L9C0cEFPFmpMagiaxfAyS31YCamrDiU8IMQZk1-g-mPd3q-P-B49KKOYJP-xj0IPqltvvcOywueeN/s1600/IMG_5234.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/AVvXsEgjuWXQFMi7YQwi2oy8EJsjFXtdUKw3jgZ9p916jEQRu7n00qnslHwFvMzI5HYqCV7L9C0cEFPFmpMagiaxfAyS31YCamrDiU8IMQZk1-g-mPd3q-P-B49KKOYJP-xj0IPqltvvcOywueeN/s640/IMG_5234.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZ77c9cLR0R7sfvqMG_VgSbrPWqMe7XnJOpu5NpShNYOqRDcT00pS0s3Tcu_HJJxO6oR78M1oDqiF5SgnWO8eYEvHlZN3r1jimDJmO71VpBq4LqaFjQ8svU8y0BD6_94CEKcboCAwcFLs/s1600/IMG_5238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZ77c9cLR0R7sfvqMG_VgSbrPWqMe7XnJOpu5NpShNYOqRDcT00pS0s3Tcu_HJJxO6oR78M1oDqiF5SgnWO8eYEvHlZN3r1jimDJmO71VpBq4LqaFjQ8svU8y0BD6_94CEKcboCAwcFLs/s640/IMG_5238.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie15EV0vLnt8RfowPkP-frmB4OlwT5r6iYpPWXSgYLVoehOmtUBvhNfBK7c6fYp_8703UH8AsqhryzAjFC7eKcyf9KTnRaXfCY269ImNvaFMPpfYj6Hpg5HN67q4fZO5WFdT0jxHzYRxUc/s1600/IMG_5242.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/AVvXsEie15EV0vLnt8RfowPkP-frmB4OlwT5r6iYpPWXSgYLVoehOmtUBvhNfBK7c6fYp_8703UH8AsqhryzAjFC7eKcyf9KTnRaXfCY269ImNvaFMPpfYj6Hpg5HN67q4fZO5WFdT0jxHzYRxUc/s640/IMG_5242.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpwxMBolOcjBywhCNv9tqsP5JR5-PCujY1ay0T6RSqPt8RWml8mTG-bMpNepMO5NTJdAaQloPgjCilXulA-X5OE1XQ883jRtXU39eda0wO7RQmhqSga9XJ7Mr7YXV5zMbfLpS0WuAnzHE/s1600/IMG_6930.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpwxMBolOcjBywhCNv9tqsP5JR5-PCujY1ay0T6RSqPt8RWml8mTG-bMpNepMO5NTJdAaQloPgjCilXulA-X5OE1XQ883jRtXU39eda0wO7RQmhqSga9XJ7Mr7YXV5zMbfLpS0WuAnzHE/s640/IMG_6930.MOV" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVvpk59I_yN4RZqUWl3P-Io5EtJX0TOnQpVV-ZxkuunICtMQFjo2v2LqgUV_S93JZqWEx_F7meRIcjaxQTJY5mDa38OdP_BsaosnoOKbDCiZXtwxFW7s-llEaEMSLfpxPMpWXVj6gHe2vl/s1600/IMG_6947.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/AVvXsEjVvpk59I_yN4RZqUWl3P-Io5EtJX0TOnQpVV-ZxkuunICtMQFjo2v2LqgUV_S93JZqWEx_F7meRIcjaxQTJY5mDa38OdP_BsaosnoOKbDCiZXtwxFW7s-llEaEMSLfpxPMpWXVj6gHe2vl/s640/IMG_6947.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2bU_TzIw24q81EMnS-QCBPX1TKDb8HSIoNrxHHOSs1l-0P0qnRQiqmGTZ3iG_AvuDzwjBY8-n2vl5vZECuLxAjTf0uOQoQ4BkWUOG1pY_yY__XwgpQp3oraVeeT1cmHFKktmmCnAeoVb/s1600/IMG_6948.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/AVvXsEjw2bU_TzIw24q81EMnS-QCBPX1TKDb8HSIoNrxHHOSs1l-0P0qnRQiqmGTZ3iG_AvuDzwjBY8-n2vl5vZECuLxAjTf0uOQoQ4BkWUOG1pY_yY__XwgpQp3oraVeeT1cmHFKktmmCnAeoVb/s640/IMG_6948.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkazmVq7IHXy1VEo0MDTU0xCiiGO300vwkfOeubwpcOsOh3TV9tMKN_8Rz5I5IVRpZGRqup3c8jqjfqM08Wo7A_XODJ_L-eR__aaiblmGXbdNDVkt9oZRfq2cyIo9_CSL3qOcrBNG52G2K/s1600/IMG_6952.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/AVvXsEgkazmVq7IHXy1VEo0MDTU0xCiiGO300vwkfOeubwpcOsOh3TV9tMKN_8Rz5I5IVRpZGRqup3c8jqjfqM08Wo7A_XODJ_L-eR__aaiblmGXbdNDVkt9oZRfq2cyIo9_CSL3qOcrBNG52G2K/s640/IMG_6952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlfpwGevWN7JPhJCi3hc_qC21Y_djwd7L6sQdknqEFtZTLXdR_Jrrji65R1kZqmCw7nIwCJWEObbOVGBy7N8Z26amijA9Dt5qrW6n7MHc7RQeVtfNNQokuFByMeD5Kq8nqO5i8oZoqDIe/s1600/IMG_6962.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/AVvXsEjQlfpwGevWN7JPhJCi3hc_qC21Y_djwd7L6sQdknqEFtZTLXdR_Jrrji65R1kZqmCw7nIwCJWEObbOVGBy7N8Z26amijA9Dt5qrW6n7MHc7RQeVtfNNQokuFByMeD5Kq8nqO5i8oZoqDIe/s640/IMG_6962.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
How cute is Annie with that straw??<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE2yWzkIyePrqBIlg1EVi2Nk20korSwCe0zkcAGx5z1pm_0GTqhcW2RsH1CC37ydHEByXvlyiT8GZW26FiEoVzcwACZQBARuw8iSfF-mCRfXyJZvNsGETaBPTGHl5-GH4UsxjkREul11k/s1600/IMG_6964.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/AVvXsEixE2yWzkIyePrqBIlg1EVi2Nk20korSwCe0zkcAGx5z1pm_0GTqhcW2RsH1CC37ydHEByXvlyiT8GZW26FiEoVzcwACZQBARuw8iSfF-mCRfXyJZvNsGETaBPTGHl5-GH4UsxjkREul11k/s640/IMG_6964.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo4b0_U-xzAQ1vqCwKNvJMI6qM7gqMXVK2uDa7mUldJvdyrOSR_jH76dfu5K2FDkdwsBcD3rnQDmY2Jv32aLA4NIM6LqVnPOK4qSuIbz2nQkwyZX9UDyOP98PpByxj3HDV69geKPRZ3Z0K/s1600/IMG_6967.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/AVvXsEgo4b0_U-xzAQ1vqCwKNvJMI6qM7gqMXVK2uDa7mUldJvdyrOSR_jH76dfu5K2FDkdwsBcD3rnQDmY2Jv32aLA4NIM6LqVnPOK4qSuIbz2nQkwyZX9UDyOP98PpByxj3HDV69geKPRZ3Z0K/s640/IMG_6967.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrHKlibZQuJJc6Gbo31wj2nN4WVsOsXui8pDAFSLpQx8q5nJSbVJl7TfYhDiRwWia02LiWD55LqjffSbBZv_6ekgnVVoKiiZysPGP6CCRDV1Uxs8Fe4xFlULD8GuyeBX-XYjXJKXDO6fE/s1600/IMG_6968.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/AVvXsEgZrHKlibZQuJJc6Gbo31wj2nN4WVsOsXui8pDAFSLpQx8q5nJSbVJl7TfYhDiRwWia02LiWD55LqjffSbBZv_6ekgnVVoKiiZysPGP6CCRDV1Uxs8Fe4xFlULD8GuyeBX-XYjXJKXDO6fE/s640/IMG_6968.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-52158887163106623412018-12-18T11:34:00.001-05:002018-12-18T11:35:25.161-05:00Will graduated!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsBkgxwi5Ihrb8fhw6Zi9MYIiZThjMoWcT6Z5Ze_3-029kgAEHH_ck84kxrRs9ndqdD2Xeehz7w3tu1feAq3eOcEC0XH6oL3xIGiCSDi6G_KDH1CBl2zC9qq72dHhXB_eDV16INEGTZrL/s1600/IMG_3156.JPEG" 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/AVvXsEhqsBkgxwi5Ihrb8fhw6Zi9MYIiZThjMoWcT6Z5Ze_3-029kgAEHH_ck84kxrRs9ndqdD2Xeehz7w3tu1feAq3eOcEC0XH6oL3xIGiCSDi6G_KDH1CBl2zC9qq72dHhXB_eDV16INEGTZrL/s640/IMG_3156.JPEG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKQ_-B86eIGuDKeIDFa6IUHMJDWy4Zx0Qf4qvcwYj8AZhzcSuprZNAIRkEwpJLRq0kVmW1cMAh_UdbXBQPCp9yZwYGVdV7SveV_IsySlHZ9ieUKGkoU3hPqxSW7tTaxHxgsypO5VkTdBr/s1600/IMG_5033.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/AVvXsEgsKQ_-B86eIGuDKeIDFa6IUHMJDWy4Zx0Qf4qvcwYj8AZhzcSuprZNAIRkEwpJLRq0kVmW1cMAh_UdbXBQPCp9yZwYGVdV7SveV_IsySlHZ9ieUKGkoU3hPqxSW7tTaxHxgsypO5VkTdBr/s640/IMG_5033.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq4KBPFPo5VwH6KsmVSVfhOTqVlnCDiWH9ynwBbGOzzT4hKnFg2UPQRvT9L1Qf18dzpnV5bTDxe2TFF9OfWtGLbfnRT5sLz4IZh5Ki-FPIQa9ygttUls5R4BH0kPeFmtzO2dFJxrm5KnPM/s1600/IMG_5035.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/AVvXsEjq4KBPFPo5VwH6KsmVSVfhOTqVlnCDiWH9ynwBbGOzzT4hKnFg2UPQRvT9L1Qf18dzpnV5bTDxe2TFF9OfWtGLbfnRT5sLz4IZh5Ki-FPIQa9ygttUls5R4BH0kPeFmtzO2dFJxrm5KnPM/s640/IMG_5035.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuUrVnNzRFmp7DeTJSZAzVpeCUREiwMKCXm5b_fFR1CJLSPylayNx4ZONRx4oMvM1zfft1-YATPNctxtmx5rSlvB9zcwSdWVJjXEkCnOXUhamEBYKl5ojq-dalmQyLoOZPHmad0UCMR3l/s1600/IMG_5036.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/AVvXsEgTuUrVnNzRFmp7DeTJSZAzVpeCUREiwMKCXm5b_fFR1CJLSPylayNx4ZONRx4oMvM1zfft1-YATPNctxtmx5rSlvB9zcwSdWVJjXEkCnOXUhamEBYKl5ojq-dalmQyLoOZPHmad0UCMR3l/s640/IMG_5036.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzB3n0_-TLaVmtyb8gWOiHwT8955_gpmILVQ81kwNGXuaQFY7JjhR9Nz-f1u93vEU76xu0Pm_-V9ERHLZHYsd_s6j1twSmcrxqPCFW2DEGoxZ5OegcqmlDWYjWjoJMKvr-F8gdS9LJ6GPE/s1600/IMG_5037.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/AVvXsEjzB3n0_-TLaVmtyb8gWOiHwT8955_gpmILVQ81kwNGXuaQFY7JjhR9Nz-f1u93vEU76xu0Pm_-V9ERHLZHYsd_s6j1twSmcrxqPCFW2DEGoxZ5OegcqmlDWYjWjoJMKvr-F8gdS9LJ6GPE/s640/IMG_5037.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5BxjUq4L3wkNIMRmzEvt5WOaBTPqGR1tuXXQUJLqeKrguU7bV97j1M4BLjKsfMEuxt-4UgUXsmm8ETVIwt1ZUwTkXsx77glKSywva5ABwtVmhSfkI8TmYQk3islckeKrFDu3a7noCXHo/s1600/IMG_5043.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV5BxjUq4L3wkNIMRmzEvt5WOaBTPqGR1tuXXQUJLqeKrguU7bV97j1M4BLjKsfMEuxt-4UgUXsmm8ETVIwt1ZUwTkXsx77glKSywva5ABwtVmhSfkI8TmYQk3islckeKrFDu3a7noCXHo/s1600/IMG_5043.MOV" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0YKz14Fs5EwlKZv_umNqDooH7CrkKOMttL0uKdpSSyfPA5s4Ody-LinjlBdYoSxdM-WuCm1cGeFLXknYOetvRsyWldXmDNodjdPUdLeeErqEDNHZ8yp5UweDNQ37xdbFirVcV8t55Ggy/s1600/IMG_5047.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/AVvXsEhn0YKz14Fs5EwlKZv_umNqDooH7CrkKOMttL0uKdpSSyfPA5s4Ody-LinjlBdYoSxdM-WuCm1cGeFLXknYOetvRsyWldXmDNodjdPUdLeeErqEDNHZ8yp5UweDNQ37xdbFirVcV8t55Ggy/s640/IMG_5047.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJAnoMt1SFcQ0vfe3Kn2SyMwkX9IoxylMpvAdVs7JgMFApKNtmegpQEdwGqPF08zMvlWTc6_3CoDJKtnl978uXdK2FGb3x4MkhnqxK4SaDUOZo7Qkzg7Gj5pbxwyrrhQruXNkvie0sd39f/s1600/IMG_5052.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/AVvXsEiJAnoMt1SFcQ0vfe3Kn2SyMwkX9IoxylMpvAdVs7JgMFApKNtmegpQEdwGqPF08zMvlWTc6_3CoDJKtnl978uXdK2FGb3x4MkhnqxK4SaDUOZo7Qkzg7Gj5pbxwyrrhQruXNkvie0sd39f/s640/IMG_5052.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4jGaCU7kxG7Vty2B-kKelnkjWbTIclv1FberW4WMgDeuQtT-H5A5QuoYzHjBRGltcrL4kkyPjIPIn3RZG6zKnPWwJoQH_fkOx9-Slcmj6YpGfwQJbmpxhg8bZ392AKFPS2YkYW7kVVTaW/s1600/IMG_5055.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/AVvXsEj4jGaCU7kxG7Vty2B-kKelnkjWbTIclv1FberW4WMgDeuQtT-H5A5QuoYzHjBRGltcrL4kkyPjIPIn3RZG6zKnPWwJoQH_fkOx9-Slcmj6YpGfwQJbmpxhg8bZ392AKFPS2YkYW7kVVTaW/s640/IMG_5055.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1j43nS1NEKW3PGQ8QW4x64W97amuZDxx3brZiMqRw3Wr_TttFtm0VFSTIz-gBagYB6omd4WZymVxKimdNNx3JBfQSIsmWNF7Hf1bmpXWPxW_Ne0xi2yvSHOHAA6CIJ_A5NzmMqw_6yMxV/s1600/IMG_5057.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/AVvXsEg1j43nS1NEKW3PGQ8QW4x64W97amuZDxx3brZiMqRw3Wr_TttFtm0VFSTIz-gBagYB6omd4WZymVxKimdNNx3JBfQSIsmWNF7Hf1bmpXWPxW_Ne0xi2yvSHOHAA6CIJ_A5NzmMqw_6yMxV/s640/IMG_5057.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEh3qoXi2lHyc9jj2URhCPRoGasSz3PRdq9rCKOe7JobZ59iJyeJq9F2vx0UeeDdLnukNu5G16H5a5Jg0IK8qpD8KvoNDZyBzHluJDW11xzMQ-lPmneaNJZXzhCDCCF7XjfA2f76qReQWUZd/s1600/IMG_5063.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/AVvXsEh3qoXi2lHyc9jj2URhCPRoGasSz3PRdq9rCKOe7JobZ59iJyeJq9F2vx0UeeDdLnukNu5G16H5a5Jg0IK8qpD8KvoNDZyBzHluJDW11xzMQ-lPmneaNJZXzhCDCCF7XjfA2f76qReQWUZd/s640/IMG_5063.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNbFxhuvgQB5j23RhJkc0cONclyDxsxICiVPVcGju8bKCR37zvba2JyRHWgRaVMWGq8LAKPgGIUVIYDhILxPd-LKJ1AJu_A1dWpf7a0Fxhv1V3BDD8TM0JuwTLMtRgIMDNUQIEgdBSV9m/s1600/IMG_5064.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/AVvXsEgrNbFxhuvgQB5j23RhJkc0cONclyDxsxICiVPVcGju8bKCR37zvba2JyRHWgRaVMWGq8LAKPgGIUVIYDhILxPd-LKJ1AJu_A1dWpf7a0Fxhv1V3BDD8TM0JuwTLMtRgIMDNUQIEgdBSV9m/s640/IMG_5064.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9st2a0oXjmSmx_FyGgq66mtu0FEmMvnosbEG7rRrbqwk43Sx35v2-PPNL0dH43JRVFBbEh6x5PmEo0-p9KVMDQrWauq16oPz3vBuvB6ZhpSEsCl9hijj6MLuJ2APPdh8Q6GuLEALbOMN/s1600/IMG_5071.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/AVvXsEjE9st2a0oXjmSmx_FyGgq66mtu0FEmMvnosbEG7rRrbqwk43Sx35v2-PPNL0dH43JRVFBbEh6x5PmEo0-p9KVMDQrWauq16oPz3vBuvB6ZhpSEsCl9hijj6MLuJ2APPdh8Q6GuLEALbOMN/s640/IMG_5071.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-88974552080650277372018-11-20T10:02:00.001-05:002018-11-20T10:04:42.506-05:00Mama Getaway<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim8TPtW32B0eNpjfm4WxYJ52aBW13bKgU_z_JZswbUSc08YuIP8_7U1OSdrfhJcq4W6cd-U2L2HV8Dh5k6EVf7JrWWx3bZ_ecHwYFOs4VGRGtTTAw0wqR00VSgzkD6s0pvIlSVmboOhXmN/s1600/56417904956__E5B08C8D-5184-4CF5-885A-339E43C6AEAE.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/AVvXsEim8TPtW32B0eNpjfm4WxYJ52aBW13bKgU_z_JZswbUSc08YuIP8_7U1OSdrfhJcq4W6cd-U2L2HV8Dh5k6EVf7JrWWx3bZ_ecHwYFOs4VGRGtTTAw0wqR00VSgzkD6s0pvIlSVmboOhXmN/s640/56417904956__E5B08C8D-5184-4CF5-885A-339E43C6AEAE.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Last weekend I went on a mini road trip with several mama friends. We brought 4 tiny kids 2 and under in a car! Erica and Alastair, Emily and Amelia and Madilyn, and me and Annie! We went to Maryland to see Selah, Wiley and meet baby Maren!<br />
<br />
We stayed in the cutest Airbnb and ate all of our meals at home and just had a great time together. We played games Friday night. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCot1byqz-aJWEsMbnQSW-kFuxmODSFL65PmZVzKDsmvlCHuDsCPww2ImDSOglpmk-l7BSZxBcRhAHJuirLAkzBsTx483U6gMMurjvL8B1lN7VFVYCHRYqb4EoqOd75f1zlUUFBz65GFD/s1600/IMG_2982.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/AVvXsEiDCot1byqz-aJWEsMbnQSW-kFuxmODSFL65PmZVzKDsmvlCHuDsCPww2ImDSOglpmk-l7BSZxBcRhAHJuirLAkzBsTx483U6gMMurjvL8B1lN7VFVYCHRYqb4EoqOd75f1zlUUFBz65GFD/s640/IMG_2982.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi771ujculL8OajOKT19VM52pzikxMfAa1QEeDRmjAr0qY9gsgzKMuKgeI0Zw47zRTwYQwzAL0XV_To6YDRZ-e-Q-nQhmRgfL-8G9drpH43L3hb9S1lh6xwj8vRluVt8fA5gcJLTtLBkmEi/s1600/IMG_4481.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/AVvXsEi771ujculL8OajOKT19VM52pzikxMfAa1QEeDRmjAr0qY9gsgzKMuKgeI0Zw47zRTwYQwzAL0XV_To6YDRZ-e-Q-nQhmRgfL-8G9drpH43L3hb9S1lh6xwj8vRluVt8fA5gcJLTtLBkmEi/s640/IMG_4481.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbVNyADWdyKcTwAljoMZnT3-Q2AusjYu4PeIDXm0dcCnXOMfn7de4Tkgkjs5kwmICbO4ndUJObRou7kUS7Fa6E96vLlPlTduiTt2HNcck575-ObgvwRqSp9wYl7cSObgQf22BPrb3AGfc/s1600/IMG_4487.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/AVvXsEjtbVNyADWdyKcTwAljoMZnT3-Q2AusjYu4PeIDXm0dcCnXOMfn7de4Tkgkjs5kwmICbO4ndUJObRou7kUS7Fa6E96vLlPlTduiTt2HNcck575-ObgvwRqSp9wYl7cSObgQf22BPrb3AGfc/s640/IMG_4487.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfHTRtDla4qy3l1sq4K7y1L8O5iV5dNZmOS5IJn2sYS3LY0CkqEjWoIv7Imlox2iUqcPG39YyIkGFo-K3dYETZV1tpSbogYo6214r0Iv-dULEHeL5V2VquTgquAAxZXkXRIkRm5T165iR/s1600/IMG_4488.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/AVvXsEigfHTRtDla4qy3l1sq4K7y1L8O5iV5dNZmOS5IJn2sYS3LY0CkqEjWoIv7Imlox2iUqcPG39YyIkGFo-K3dYETZV1tpSbogYo6214r0Iv-dULEHeL5V2VquTgquAAxZXkXRIkRm5T165iR/s640/IMG_4488.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCGxDz-yXpCgmHLoXtE_vqP4IAXqntnLUnswG4SrMVficMVzxLA2p-mwW8LfP98uZLSPHHJ7TJkBbZX1X2k7e_9HXHmcVvrQsNfxaNdGK1XRr0izbSAkzhVmSzAoR1_ta8pLYILES0rOp/s1600/IMG_4490.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/AVvXsEgRCGxDz-yXpCgmHLoXtE_vqP4IAXqntnLUnswG4SrMVficMVzxLA2p-mwW8LfP98uZLSPHHJ7TJkBbZX1X2k7e_9HXHmcVvrQsNfxaNdGK1XRr0izbSAkzhVmSzAoR1_ta8pLYILES0rOp/s640/IMG_4490.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbq3kGkCxQGqDqv4W2zmWzIpkzY3PO3Tvc4l73pa0o2XQt-gf6UJm-RJsiWkbj8Dp-vNaZgpw3pUm683NK_DGwR81SIGI6DsmhhAJIEiFjx9494g1s9jN1HjioRRd3dPuq0yY1OAAqCG-/s1600/IMG_4493.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/AVvXsEjcbq3kGkCxQGqDqv4W2zmWzIpkzY3PO3Tvc4l73pa0o2XQt-gf6UJm-RJsiWkbj8Dp-vNaZgpw3pUm683NK_DGwR81SIGI6DsmhhAJIEiFjx9494g1s9jN1HjioRRd3dPuq0yY1OAAqCG-/s640/IMG_4493.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XV7kjy9Vs2srp8VsafsZNxflxzZg6EopUxHL_ATPnEDlbomb-RU1Ilj0biM_ZzPz5WVU7gC2KhRu3n-eEhLnzqZpIWqj0muTFtK-Fw6mZxkO1Bi59jhgkIUz0qYuWY3RlQiMg849QTEv/s1600/IMG_4499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XV7kjy9Vs2srp8VsafsZNxflxzZg6EopUxHL_ATPnEDlbomb-RU1Ilj0biM_ZzPz5WVU7gC2KhRu3n-eEhLnzqZpIWqj0muTFtK-Fw6mZxkO1Bi59jhgkIUz0qYuWY3RlQiMg849QTEv/s640/IMG_4499.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_i_gQafFBNfx9xL6twBSPchftcKQWJMU-q8wQH0cV6I3GcjD4xArh9jLoxzUkOYvi5StNkCkwBS4VMkoMPqZtdCWr4RZMiN8Gds3IxGlR8eP0Ch7s-uuvxtZKoP5TZbFb8x5tns0MuVXd/s1600/IMG_4503.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/AVvXsEj_i_gQafFBNfx9xL6twBSPchftcKQWJMU-q8wQH0cV6I3GcjD4xArh9jLoxzUkOYvi5StNkCkwBS4VMkoMPqZtdCWr4RZMiN8Gds3IxGlR8eP0Ch7s-uuvxtZKoP5TZbFb8x5tns0MuVXd/s640/IMG_4503.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6db0E-1q1YLhC6rpIncl7edO3OVkCe9q8r81dy7RBbOHqN1anPb0zGp_X8cHeLtgbZx6pqRHE-cE0kFME7zLH6VTgz3Ntk8tOFQU918FQiKNYiUSvc2g12FhgBPAZgtwTwYrlVtO2qF96/s1600/IMG_4508.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/AVvXsEh6db0E-1q1YLhC6rpIncl7edO3OVkCe9q8r81dy7RBbOHqN1anPb0zGp_X8cHeLtgbZx6pqRHE-cE0kFME7zLH6VTgz3Ntk8tOFQU918FQiKNYiUSvc2g12FhgBPAZgtwTwYrlVtO2qF96/s640/IMG_4508.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Annie DID NOT Like when I held other babies.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmsRVOTpdw7OQiFi5xIYiOJFHb9ailoa3LiQjoBgUW8LQortD2mG9_i-gfOW6ZvFTUoneTEr8EEbTpISZFuRUQtBZKIHZVuj8ZNXZfNQcFlMKCO9Ya1HjA5r5lEkkVgzMJ_37ZlLW5Fcy/s1600/IMG_4514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizmsRVOTpdw7OQiFi5xIYiOJFHb9ailoa3LiQjoBgUW8LQortD2mG9_i-gfOW6ZvFTUoneTEr8EEbTpISZFuRUQtBZKIHZVuj8ZNXZfNQcFlMKCO9Ya1HjA5r5lEkkVgzMJ_37ZlLW5Fcy/s640/IMG_4514.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi35Z3S8R71XCoY9vuwvxmNiP9TgYIhVg_UTWgc7bs16FbSpz-1UaKriphANKcV-CECMn0H_zyguAuqTbWylHX_zactGpXti3oKCEN1DAPFvG8bAEwx1Hk36t5-yY1Zzy4EyYsEgP0_I_7M/s1600/IMG_4515.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/AVvXsEi35Z3S8R71XCoY9vuwvxmNiP9TgYIhVg_UTWgc7bs16FbSpz-1UaKriphANKcV-CECMn0H_zyguAuqTbWylHX_zactGpXti3oKCEN1DAPFvG8bAEwx1Hk36t5-yY1Zzy4EyYsEgP0_I_7M/s640/IMG_4515.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIm4hGtJZPDO4bYCYlvbPps6YgiNShLyFozBRYDFxvnx_o5Xi_oIQe7AyiAHyxpsvjEk299xNb7wP9suV5w-yFnWYZPNyUXc9S1LW_AEaKYMeo8VRWJ9iXvJwpkVtKRTUmOWxQnLqvasE/s1600/IMG_4520.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/AVvXsEgqIm4hGtJZPDO4bYCYlvbPps6YgiNShLyFozBRYDFxvnx_o5Xi_oIQe7AyiAHyxpsvjEk299xNb7wP9suV5w-yFnWYZPNyUXc9S1LW_AEaKYMeo8VRWJ9iXvJwpkVtKRTUmOWxQnLqvasE/s640/IMG_4520.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNvj1g7D9NCXaW0AQ5IuGP07iOBSr5iR9aaqYeLbVP5fCKz3wfnx6hpxjK-yddOXnEPmj-bnE60a2GpiVAupWrcUlzT-zqiplSCRn6bMFFzlvp6CF643HE4ynEinAZJik2rMrnDwQ-Yks/s1600/IMG_4527.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/AVvXsEhZNvj1g7D9NCXaW0AQ5IuGP07iOBSr5iR9aaqYeLbVP5fCKz3wfnx6hpxjK-yddOXnEPmj-bnE60a2GpiVAupWrcUlzT-zqiplSCRn6bMFFzlvp6CF643HE4ynEinAZJik2rMrnDwQ-Yks/s640/IMG_4527.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8lAmdDjSzbFM7ld6snw7uUjCnalPpPkGnxU7QpKiSmMcobx0_gVS8mpij-63yH7o5NXkAzBeFsltD46S0FIdAOWTftE5ghtqXCIG-HYm3lgMpvETYTdxuttal9X6NRp90coSiHSFEnVc/s1600/large.mov" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8lAmdDjSzbFM7ld6snw7uUjCnalPpPkGnxU7QpKiSmMcobx0_gVS8mpij-63yH7o5NXkAzBeFsltD46S0FIdAOWTftE5ghtqXCIG-HYm3lgMpvETYTdxuttal9X6NRp90coSiHSFEnVc/s640/large.mov" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-31669771632468060082018-11-20T09:58:00.000-05:002018-11-20T09:58:12.694-05:00Children's Museum with Israel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhNSXui0Qxse6RYwqNEmlCj66SUJgE73E5_HfvKwCldJDZpHmk4vwJo-MVOK1JEA1KL6D2w4lCRSXXD4qpksWZ7qiiUPIsP1LAmyb7DfcDeLg4kPGBlHSlKA3lU6MxlHa0DRn1pAbnSh55/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3977.jpeg" 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/AVvXsEjhNSXui0Qxse6RYwqNEmlCj66SUJgE73E5_HfvKwCldJDZpHmk4vwJo-MVOK1JEA1KL6D2w4lCRSXXD4qpksWZ7qiiUPIsP1LAmyb7DfcDeLg4kPGBlHSlKA3lU6MxlHa0DRn1pAbnSh55/s640/fullsizeoutput_3977.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I took Israel to the Children's Museum on a little date day when he was off school. He loved the elevator, finding all the drums, going back to the fake bus repeatedly, and playing in the sand. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntVDfWSD6qYq3rE3XNmo3dMqV0FPj9GIi1dQ7AZ83yFa9_wNHQF4yPGqJu4dqKrJWr1i9Oe_JhcsfrVJmYoX5oAz8RGyeF7btClbdA8I1cfV2ZQtkeNpgLhb3MawARRNLrBQaWShbpfL9/s1600/fullsizeoutput_3979.jpeg" 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/AVvXsEjntVDfWSD6qYq3rE3XNmo3dMqV0FPj9GIi1dQ7AZ83yFa9_wNHQF4yPGqJu4dqKrJWr1i9Oe_JhcsfrVJmYoX5oAz8RGyeF7btClbdA8I1cfV2ZQtkeNpgLhb3MawARRNLrBQaWShbpfL9/s640/fullsizeoutput_3979.jpeg" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHTWW-6bhm27Y_dNMmF7Viy5Qy0JviZWL5BtpPo721V9r8e_AS775qO6584vLs8jkACcXCHWv_oPavGsqDfuk1W7DK6VD0r5YX-RftvChA9gGJgJ9X-m9a1MUVMcjvGGquz9SyPVFIA2C_/s1600/IMG_4319.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/AVvXsEiHTWW-6bhm27Y_dNMmF7Viy5Qy0JviZWL5BtpPo721V9r8e_AS775qO6584vLs8jkACcXCHWv_oPavGsqDfuk1W7DK6VD0r5YX-RftvChA9gGJgJ9X-m9a1MUVMcjvGGquz9SyPVFIA2C_/s640/IMG_4319.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOVZOfYF5hH_XK9Z7T2C_16EQGrsJUdrywpuT2U4pVY9fXj2wvH5DnVtqmG3Ek1k86TFdWewDv8_3w0RcCvNv-xqgv-sA9X9PWXVcTBXaVQg_WNHU_liQMIT_zrwDi0WE4no7mpQzB9pO/s1600/IMG_4323.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/AVvXsEihOVZOfYF5hH_XK9Z7T2C_16EQGrsJUdrywpuT2U4pVY9fXj2wvH5DnVtqmG3Ek1k86TFdWewDv8_3w0RcCvNv-xqgv-sA9X9PWXVcTBXaVQg_WNHU_liQMIT_zrwDi0WE4no7mpQzB9pO/s640/IMG_4323.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16M5rxr3G6fC0uBqtuWEg4kGFM7iTDMqibut8cFz69I6WaDFGOoGdWyaj9sJP_HiXSIvJV9txj2TsbUriyvI3DAyISJRRHerUwgkFkE1EYzr52QXUJj947mOio0EzB2jyJhbwuXptwIE5/s1600/IMG_4327.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/AVvXsEh16M5rxr3G6fC0uBqtuWEg4kGFM7iTDMqibut8cFz69I6WaDFGOoGdWyaj9sJP_HiXSIvJV9txj2TsbUriyvI3DAyISJRRHerUwgkFkE1EYzr52QXUJj947mOio0EzB2jyJhbwuXptwIE5/s640/IMG_4327.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdym08RP9KE0PyFPbVsOWbuTpIh_DCDW0gFaO-gNDOJUhxmfMnpWFSE6lS0mKaAx8G4lYxaLoGywgpq7R-jcngwRUfPn0pgLjlxekKGgx1kCN_2uMqlJHXn5sBtCorhQKkDI0PDIWExHQ/s1600/IMG_4329.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/AVvXsEhOdym08RP9KE0PyFPbVsOWbuTpIh_DCDW0gFaO-gNDOJUhxmfMnpWFSE6lS0mKaAx8G4lYxaLoGywgpq7R-jcngwRUfPn0pgLjlxekKGgx1kCN_2uMqlJHXn5sBtCorhQKkDI0PDIWExHQ/s640/IMG_4329.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6Fiad2xj9K9cNaZV4viMZf4PTtzwriKzgzKTQzBTRMOm4fOI-pe_Xw5ZHBGEeJ-ErjwOMJhjUtHJYWHspqCkbHqZdTp0hgAPcXOXlLaMm9x-sR7qQ-uqlOd9thwYrqbIjkgQ-GP3j0fc/s1600/IMG_4331.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/AVvXsEin6Fiad2xj9K9cNaZV4viMZf4PTtzwriKzgzKTQzBTRMOm4fOI-pe_Xw5ZHBGEeJ-ErjwOMJhjUtHJYWHspqCkbHqZdTp0hgAPcXOXlLaMm9x-sR7qQ-uqlOd9thwYrqbIjkgQ-GP3j0fc/s640/IMG_4331.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_gABxv3pJx2M56VDetAFEWd35yamlyCxlh9h5tvwS1ccNMZdxdIv9bF6FyOdbQXWKvuIzz8wGDzIEKsMQDzXCvtyUpj0T_PSF5EuxEYnUs22nbLBGJPOU_OiGBwWbMH0dEnxXxX5P015/s1600/IMG_4334.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/AVvXsEgY_gABxv3pJx2M56VDetAFEWd35yamlyCxlh9h5tvwS1ccNMZdxdIv9bF6FyOdbQXWKvuIzz8wGDzIEKsMQDzXCvtyUpj0T_PSF5EuxEYnUs22nbLBGJPOU_OiGBwWbMH0dEnxXxX5P015/s640/IMG_4334.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_9Ly2KLiHIBSBXgdvv8pOVpmyMjjnHPn3jpDWsCYDZXTlVRP37hun37RbVz1PuYOu4tTTXwIxkBvBcfMd-BDvfv5PgRHpFO2SYz261MqikOoaxXk9pTZySKjONj5Jhk0ThlL6Y-XzHElc/s1600/IMG_4335.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/AVvXsEg_9Ly2KLiHIBSBXgdvv8pOVpmyMjjnHPn3jpDWsCYDZXTlVRP37hun37RbVz1PuYOu4tTTXwIxkBvBcfMd-BDvfv5PgRHpFO2SYz261MqikOoaxXk9pTZySKjONj5Jhk0ThlL6Y-XzHElc/s640/IMG_4335.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0r3CnTwNb3b61ViwRpoWiOGuDFcXhphOa87Z4OZmxo7kFm7KyeeGRxYFdPOrvDf0LLFJ8JV621jIq-Z_eVarlVS6J6P7olaGvIvhw0mbujah1bOnZIA-kxjt9YhLMOKJCNGoE9AQKZsTU/s1600/IMG_4339.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/AVvXsEi0r3CnTwNb3b61ViwRpoWiOGuDFcXhphOa87Z4OZmxo7kFm7KyeeGRxYFdPOrvDf0LLFJ8JV621jIq-Z_eVarlVS6J6P7olaGvIvhw0mbujah1bOnZIA-kxjt9YhLMOKJCNGoE9AQKZsTU/s640/IMG_4339.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We stopped by Ample Hills on the way back. He said "yummy ice cream! So good!"<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0ZSxTiTxt9r4jsavNfu_Yz0V5_eWsCe-4p9Pc578mdYvJvLdOj3uIfK_d60M9ZPblt49bH-nr1Yi5hACjp100W2T0DIvDEK3473uGz9OGXbt49pb3nvq-fuXkfbWch7TG1NFJ3UjcQkC/s1600/IMG_4343.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/AVvXsEhr0ZSxTiTxt9r4jsavNfu_Yz0V5_eWsCe-4p9Pc578mdYvJvLdOj3uIfK_d60M9ZPblt49bH-nr1Yi5hACjp100W2T0DIvDEK3473uGz9OGXbt49pb3nvq-fuXkfbWch7TG1NFJ3UjcQkC/s640/IMG_4343.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCroZ0xo0BG1TZpwYzdt03EHE3Q2k5JxsMHKRNdfPmzlg7RnSonnoS3kG6zE_hfwP_sIlsdVHgyMhmsJKWGc4FaLE4qvg7Ho1ERfjMbPflztQmKCT1_MnSSq93hbfCwwEWZQ0_3M8sv7T1/s1600/IMG_4344.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/AVvXsEgCroZ0xo0BG1TZpwYzdt03EHE3Q2k5JxsMHKRNdfPmzlg7RnSonnoS3kG6zE_hfwP_sIlsdVHgyMhmsJKWGc4FaLE4qvg7Ho1ERfjMbPflztQmKCT1_MnSSq93hbfCwwEWZQ0_3M8sv7T1/s640/IMG_4344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-E__WZj5zsLxxn4PpdAmhmSKMF_YdHytTWvxFero1TANyNW9POsCeqCraOry6hSF3WS4ZLUOak1hAdg1BBC1C9h9i8oQcVA3sEjpq_QJh7QAWH5kaWstGk5mXqGmBU1LotZnJ9ntmvpC/s1600/IMG_4351.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/AVvXsEgp-E__WZj5zsLxxn4PpdAmhmSKMF_YdHytTWvxFero1TANyNW9POsCeqCraOry6hSF3WS4ZLUOak1hAdg1BBC1C9h9i8oQcVA3sEjpq_QJh7QAWH5kaWstGk5mXqGmBU1LotZnJ9ntmvpC/s640/IMG_4351.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-34123090693690394262018-11-20T09:53:00.002-05:002018-11-20T09:53:51.327-05:00NYC Marathon Sunday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUHiFFgAMcepGcAj80biH6cg_UOOKOfNJTcP3iOqw7pyFj0jamheBcac1y3ANSUSC_4NKOk4Cc0YPAZ1CD7EWJDB4Z7kMAaCyI0pYiEh_ceeR1zvwHcnB8k1mukPa-GlUClBWmmus1-l7/s1600/IMG_0754.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/AVvXsEjuUHiFFgAMcepGcAj80biH6cg_UOOKOfNJTcP3iOqw7pyFj0jamheBcac1y3ANSUSC_4NKOk4Cc0YPAZ1CD7EWJDB4Z7kMAaCyI0pYiEh_ceeR1zvwHcnB8k1mukPa-GlUClBWmmus1-l7/s640/IMG_0754.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Will ran the NYC marathon this year! I was able to spectate with Aundrea, Alto, Joe and Lindsey.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHG2ZHZ2wYySvSvKIHkvqqWll7FDEWYOMTnKfUYqgR_7-iOHCWPhecgI25c3SxKMD4JdmeIul30p4-rvq76X2o1gKqBi_1ugGJmiiYileQkMIFohMfMrqHqlpRg4mO4axOm52BvDGjIKI4/s1600/IMG_0760.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/AVvXsEgHG2ZHZ2wYySvSvKIHkvqqWll7FDEWYOMTnKfUYqgR_7-iOHCWPhecgI25c3SxKMD4JdmeIul30p4-rvq76X2o1gKqBi_1ugGJmiiYileQkMIFohMfMrqHqlpRg4mO4axOm52BvDGjIKI4/s640/IMG_0760.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkENV9pEtCM5gn4nUpHsT9HxrL5TN26M-1IotJEGkdA7APl86bSkx4f8GvPxH-xEGNVM8CiAVcq2ODAb8JDV2H88JK4FRXXDlzt0xUBOPJbKl4DeD0HF0BZYkrPNI3N_uHuWPp-4YoxUa7/s1600/IMG_0770.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/AVvXsEjkENV9pEtCM5gn4nUpHsT9HxrL5TN26M-1IotJEGkdA7APl86bSkx4f8GvPxH-xEGNVM8CiAVcq2ODAb8JDV2H88JK4FRXXDlzt0xUBOPJbKl4DeD0HF0BZYkrPNI3N_uHuWPp-4YoxUa7/s640/IMG_0770.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgzOpgjrowbAZZ5KPDLLUbkzgUc1-6qaN4DQ8oxLFGZ9E3IyEO3fXUnLgY0nnMOJ5oa_F4C3R2GA3SFzfpAQAGBmdxoEE5peN3y-KuKjBsecxUT5e_hqAzWiqaWOsY7aCyHx7xNygEt-Cd/s1600/IMG_4082.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/AVvXsEjgzOpgjrowbAZZ5KPDLLUbkzgUc1-6qaN4DQ8oxLFGZ9E3IyEO3fXUnLgY0nnMOJ5oa_F4C3R2GA3SFzfpAQAGBmdxoEE5peN3y-KuKjBsecxUT5e_hqAzWiqaWOsY7aCyHx7xNygEt-Cd/s640/IMG_4082.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXRvo1uQtNtLict2AQjYnAPcE8AeCsGxgAfp9wncle1irLi3kigehS7qmkg2swGu0jwEdMrIHrURRBAqsxG3ISbkEORZebmDtInio175WFP4Hx71X3tmIc9VjnwFKc_kZF0_GOf9g-igo/s1600/IMG_4085.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/AVvXsEjEXRvo1uQtNtLict2AQjYnAPcE8AeCsGxgAfp9wncle1irLi3kigehS7qmkg2swGu0jwEdMrIHrURRBAqsxG3ISbkEORZebmDtInio175WFP4Hx71X3tmIc9VjnwFKc_kZF0_GOf9g-igo/s640/IMG_4085.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ_DvVQN6yBueca24yI3uWsm8ONg2IJ9IgnncQIuTtinfC7bu7Hiudt3LO_nbjIrI04bP5HTSXZMm9bt1B_lWBhZD_er6PuY-DImd6ASPH5vke-f041bzoqFQHY5n15lJG70rBWYrYMcik/s1600/IMG_4088.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/AVvXsEjQ_DvVQN6yBueca24yI3uWsm8ONg2IJ9IgnncQIuTtinfC7bu7Hiudt3LO_nbjIrI04bP5HTSXZMm9bt1B_lWBhZD_er6PuY-DImd6ASPH5vke-f041bzoqFQHY5n15lJG70rBWYrYMcik/s640/IMG_4088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PTlJkVPsm_MCqPbUl_h7G-EBJJeHvbchoEkSp5rr4Tgz2Gxz7XCF6ZGCuRXv6B7ACJSXZkduTp0FtX115ENMI2LS2WFP5DFdOcIUXUoElXmiiB04rJHjPVt68Wfkh7vHS1hmZU9C-oRu/s1600/IMG_4094.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/AVvXsEh8PTlJkVPsm_MCqPbUl_h7G-EBJJeHvbchoEkSp5rr4Tgz2Gxz7XCF6ZGCuRXv6B7ACJSXZkduTp0FtX115ENMI2LS2WFP5DFdOcIUXUoElXmiiB04rJHjPVt68Wfkh7vHS1hmZU9C-oRu/s640/IMG_4094.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5-GTms1uEitvIVkpV0lDZezewA_w85SEIQiuEPryqulFN2otLa4AwhzMulg4mgvaudlC7qZBanwTiTU_HAqNZnF4DxupC0IBNcEdwyRJ0DV82doAIHIDqvRUO0Ue9Qi0MM7eLkPrcink/s1600/IMG_4097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5-GTms1uEitvIVkpV0lDZezewA_w85SEIQiuEPryqulFN2otLa4AwhzMulg4mgvaudlC7qZBanwTiTU_HAqNZnF4DxupC0IBNcEdwyRJ0DV82doAIHIDqvRUO0Ue9Qi0MM7eLkPrcink/s640/IMG_4097.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5SNSJ6xWadWON5_I4Mdy7OK45oG7YjqNftjAtWqWx5XcgZxOBhq2EpLabwwVZQIqJLiKmlOLj33iYaIlp1_nolfKAU6Zkp1tjWxCKGC7PFBRtJSCKdbJmret5DthZKGj3nnd5FWNNFZlR/s1600/IMG_4102.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/AVvXsEg5SNSJ6xWadWON5_I4Mdy7OK45oG7YjqNftjAtWqWx5XcgZxOBhq2EpLabwwVZQIqJLiKmlOLj33iYaIlp1_nolfKAU6Zkp1tjWxCKGC7PFBRtJSCKdbJmret5DthZKGj3nnd5FWNNFZlR/s640/IMG_4102.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Vrqbil8AP2q8LHcgaLeOiaCwG5Q5XI02jH7t12JzNI8_jIEg_h9xV3jotSANMjrBBF_8eQo9NM6aFCwffaNhOr2tQVpxdly8hn131S-Hcfa5v9aV9dloC35Epn9_hQRbpCPyC9AzHZW6/s1600/IMG_4105.mov" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Vrqbil8AP2q8LHcgaLeOiaCwG5Q5XI02jH7t12JzNI8_jIEg_h9xV3jotSANMjrBBF_8eQo9NM6aFCwffaNhOr2tQVpxdly8hn131S-Hcfa5v9aV9dloC35Epn9_hQRbpCPyC9AzHZW6/s640/IMG_4105.mov" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAAi91ozdymbcoK4Z-63p736nFXK7EKdakUTT3hFsCkLZkedp-OeYWVoXBECwAdwU6anqon3zuhxIz5KRKGLj4ch8gpjluV21tM7LkKkL5WXSvbr9yAu9kPzg_Mxo59RSdOn_tRwosmiXS/s1600/IMG_4109.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/AVvXsEgAAi91ozdymbcoK4Z-63p736nFXK7EKdakUTT3hFsCkLZkedp-OeYWVoXBECwAdwU6anqon3zuhxIz5KRKGLj4ch8gpjluV21tM7LkKkL5WXSvbr9yAu9kPzg_Mxo59RSdOn_tRwosmiXS/s640/IMG_4109.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAPFgiP9ILaD12qqJKG7RCubMe_jlsJq-K3nE5g52atNgt_fz6IVPtWixvsuvMb_sLn6sF2erum3ubmMrTTRstI1yLuJuWC0UWOvne8_9PNQ7VNE7VWacw70loZFmgQxbdQi_T4bNnDx/s1600/IMG_4113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVAPFgiP9ILaD12qqJKG7RCubMe_jlsJq-K3nE5g52atNgt_fz6IVPtWixvsuvMb_sLn6sF2erum3ubmMrTTRstI1yLuJuWC0UWOvne8_9PNQ7VNE7VWacw70loZFmgQxbdQi_T4bNnDx/s640/IMG_4113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rIUHcKKI6J3jWLnzcD6Yxteg8bPf74wIH7BV4dNowiKZ1iTMtPrMsVm5U8lKMiKVdtIsgOXM3pWO1ZWCQr4SlTAxcLBvA7AP6mUVk_OVik2f3qzAqludYG-HDhKvJSead-cIlIXqBweh/s1600/IMG_4123.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/AVvXsEj1rIUHcKKI6J3jWLnzcD6Yxteg8bPf74wIH7BV4dNowiKZ1iTMtPrMsVm5U8lKMiKVdtIsgOXM3pWO1ZWCQr4SlTAxcLBvA7AP6mUVk_OVik2f3qzAqludYG-HDhKvJSead-cIlIXqBweh/s640/IMG_4123.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTZaH1VgiTk1owtMgK7jDQicYfleo_GWVCwuGnqcARRdBmfbqqc9WzemKlUcYXVoUVUh-5iwkFEwGWG40nsQ1NgK0NyjXh1AYqka5ALXMUlZ9t9LQ3UjL2KH_Lt5hMyzrmR_16RrMJR8g/s1600/IMG_4126.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/AVvXsEgzTZaH1VgiTk1owtMgK7jDQicYfleo_GWVCwuGnqcARRdBmfbqqc9WzemKlUcYXVoUVUh-5iwkFEwGWG40nsQ1NgK0NyjXh1AYqka5ALXMUlZ9t9LQ3UjL2KH_Lt5hMyzrmR_16RrMJR8g/s640/IMG_4126.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVs326ePl16x3P6yBcSh44hDmDQW4uRMgSk9RAEzmoBGGbAqP1OBxZOw6lWif-BYf-v4IjjmcIUTkd9RQKx90OqMNTJLDIUY9IS771JqRISWz4apVeLamiDqMoBB6NU5moevgkjzLyTUrW/s1600/IMG_4136.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/AVvXsEhVs326ePl16x3P6yBcSh44hDmDQW4uRMgSk9RAEzmoBGGbAqP1OBxZOw6lWif-BYf-v4IjjmcIUTkd9RQKx90OqMNTJLDIUY9IS771JqRISWz4apVeLamiDqMoBB6NU5moevgkjzLyTUrW/s640/IMG_4136.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-XV8-Mas3k5ymJTzy0SBZSs4WgiWMZ8fUTI6R7prh8C5OXDDCtsd36TMWz6hXJq-9ytqSs0BKW2C9YEZMNFUX7RSfgO5TYmMJunk7fVIxi7tHic0XAyGzyizEbKCDxtBwk_8TuVucxVOD/s1600/IMG_4137.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/AVvXsEg-XV8-Mas3k5ymJTzy0SBZSs4WgiWMZ8fUTI6R7prh8C5OXDDCtsd36TMWz6hXJq-9ytqSs0BKW2C9YEZMNFUX7RSfgO5TYmMJunk7fVIxi7tHic0XAyGzyizEbKCDxtBwk_8TuVucxVOD/s640/IMG_4137.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6UnO7aOHsh_PweQOlRA53yZ1lRvmjNNw4vJGjWEceixWnGo4lO9HS2QUy3FIzloYGcTZIWLdPbK2C5lAh8txroHQXg17eziDQhHH-UwGAcDfahaE8tV0vsSDuYvtMg7-cUJ3r0WT8tjli/s1600/IMG_4138.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/AVvXsEg6UnO7aOHsh_PweQOlRA53yZ1lRvmjNNw4vJGjWEceixWnGo4lO9HS2QUy3FIzloYGcTZIWLdPbK2C5lAh8txroHQXg17eziDQhHH-UwGAcDfahaE8tV0vsSDuYvtMg7-cUJ3r0WT8tjli/s640/IMG_4138.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF-W61lCat-jpOwSMUACT91qR488KjwF_vKw7KqbxOeFruVzTZ1wWWe5gdRl_mp-xpiCE-009ojofmb2_UzaFUHkC-_8zfs0-GUmA6uV_CF9ATNJMyWXAfagfuC9XWx7fHuYonBQR-YYd/s1600/IMG_4139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbF-W61lCat-jpOwSMUACT91qR488KjwF_vKw7KqbxOeFruVzTZ1wWWe5gdRl_mp-xpiCE-009ojofmb2_UzaFUHkC-_8zfs0-GUmA6uV_CF9ATNJMyWXAfagfuC9XWx7fHuYonBQR-YYd/s640/IMG_4139.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqydLTg_ns4PZIHMwO1PMeqpxldw14S0SmVLTMqZgodCgrXcWZ2UfVoKYvEip50NFUERxnwqBf0yC3zm-yUH9dfSptjixcOu4pTxBHdspvpH55s6uAz0WdTkOznznSsU-bNiuQIZrI4ie/s1600/IMG_4141.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/AVvXsEiIqydLTg_ns4PZIHMwO1PMeqpxldw14S0SmVLTMqZgodCgrXcWZ2UfVoKYvEip50NFUERxnwqBf0yC3zm-yUH9dfSptjixcOu4pTxBHdspvpH55s6uAz0WdTkOznznSsU-bNiuQIZrI4ie/s640/IMG_4141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2029359827123656756.post-13718877563499259392018-11-20T09:46:00.000-05:002018-11-20T09:46:32.729-05:00Gaga and Pop Visit - October <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1gHJrighU3STIchImi15GlCsSSou1e68X9gPp9SPQ9UElzuV0p3Wqq70aHvzDYjWGKk1XS9FNKbj3pCvFBKf8VnDHqXEOiuSDaG-IqOYPWs4CsCurPK8NvZfEAT66gYTvkHKEcDE5Or_w/s1600/IMG_3594.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/AVvXsEh1gHJrighU3STIchImi15GlCsSSou1e68X9gPp9SPQ9UElzuV0p3Wqq70aHvzDYjWGKk1XS9FNKbj3pCvFBKf8VnDHqXEOiuSDaG-IqOYPWs4CsCurPK8NvZfEAT66gYTvkHKEcDE5Or_w/s640/IMG_3594.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwchmF77NUy1KKYt6wB5Imnv_154h7eKNECgKVnD-Di9iuQmWU5HXctVaIfrNCmIfL7-u-2eu8DQ5kuGsvKTFmblSCBPVSwUDi4Zv4NtTQBrkyvKPqGJ9qKMJRkadwQo0Q9vYKPZgsObh/s1600/IMG_3597.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/AVvXsEjfwchmF77NUy1KKYt6wB5Imnv_154h7eKNECgKVnD-Di9iuQmWU5HXctVaIfrNCmIfL7-u-2eu8DQ5kuGsvKTFmblSCBPVSwUDi4Zv4NtTQBrkyvKPqGJ9qKMJRkadwQo0Q9vYKPZgsObh/s640/IMG_3597.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjUbW0pEclWLki1MMgG89H4Q81WyqgG9Us5A4bjCD_Lhlgg9M7Wz6IXSGyk7c9J8lhFcSAsVwrx3ea_jKZHmFQ7QUst2A4cFKeQTrDz6Ex0Wp1fardtu6tIL-x_4KcUrE3Ug6fKSPXba0/s1600/IMG_3621.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/AVvXsEgQjUbW0pEclWLki1MMgG89H4Q81WyqgG9Us5A4bjCD_Lhlgg9M7Wz6IXSGyk7c9J8lhFcSAsVwrx3ea_jKZHmFQ7QUst2A4cFKeQTrDz6Ex0Wp1fardtu6tIL-x_4KcUrE3Ug6fKSPXba0/s640/IMG_3621.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMbFqCmJKtVyZCTtRSYZzaLDzDjKK_vXsElJRMzAreD4uAxrl9JFC18Rng0BL5LKDJska9upQoNzUKHNLg2NGKgEZikBDpt5zXuT8bv2gkikNUVKxRfwj5fnVmVtBXsmhoklFt-9H3oc7U/s1600/IMG_3628.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/AVvXsEjMbFqCmJKtVyZCTtRSYZzaLDzDjKK_vXsElJRMzAreD4uAxrl9JFC18Rng0BL5LKDJska9upQoNzUKHNLg2NGKgEZikBDpt5zXuT8bv2gkikNUVKxRfwj5fnVmVtBXsmhoklFt-9H3oc7U/s640/IMG_3628.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNCxnyk7oMnOEup3SZGkqrF5joajYSoN50bFLQHmVoKMY8dIGV6Yx7CpZkDOrX6abwBpprTdRf7BSJp1jaz1fhSqjvuIXiuZgG-dOruzvUxfJjweWRFNaEa8_fquLMJ3HTQBHBF-sMuLh2/s1600/IMG_6868.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/AVvXsEgNCxnyk7oMnOEup3SZGkqrF5joajYSoN50bFLQHmVoKMY8dIGV6Yx7CpZkDOrX6abwBpprTdRf7BSJp1jaz1fhSqjvuIXiuZgG-dOruzvUxfJjweWRFNaEa8_fquLMJ3HTQBHBF-sMuLh2/s640/IMG_6868.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFxCEyPy3yZMKsUPzWvBdNISTfHuTzKupvSwt026w8TzksPZ-T74ooCQdiLIokXO4eCbPhdkJmtELaokCbvA5vwT8mhbSP0zKqAId8_2HCJSYwlv5fd8OsWnsKJorEstdiHdRm9nQt13m/s1600/IMG_6873.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/AVvXsEjZFxCEyPy3yZMKsUPzWvBdNISTfHuTzKupvSwt026w8TzksPZ-T74ooCQdiLIokXO4eCbPhdkJmtELaokCbvA5vwT8mhbSP0zKqAId8_2HCJSYwlv5fd8OsWnsKJorEstdiHdRm9nQt13m/s640/IMG_6873.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZEiU7tO7EqC4ixtkB1MWgdg9l4xz1dY8hyeD74pAkAJdS8ur2INUqM1oI2syDel-y8hVCf8rpVj-C66hw636poaemSFN3_hi3xly9TVQij2gWOS5-Er5L2MIVWmFi6AXzO_agmnGOsQGF/s1600/IMG_6875.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/AVvXsEiZEiU7tO7EqC4ixtkB1MWgdg9l4xz1dY8hyeD74pAkAJdS8ur2INUqM1oI2syDel-y8hVCf8rpVj-C66hw636poaemSFN3_hi3xly9TVQij2gWOS5-Er5L2MIVWmFi6AXzO_agmnGOsQGF/s640/IMG_6875.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5d94WrouTQabRdxcLIOyh1tjJNo5__LcL9Ez727_p1HVkjQJHfa29CQffYpN5kt4dJRttVaV1Dparw5ABBXZd3tfG49CHPb2TnuRBG6wcOK5PpaC5QFrgpOEbwzjmHo5h8OPtt-GRAZqn/s1600/IMG_6878.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/AVvXsEg5d94WrouTQabRdxcLIOyh1tjJNo5__LcL9Ez727_p1HVkjQJHfa29CQffYpN5kt4dJRttVaV1Dparw5ABBXZd3tfG49CHPb2TnuRBG6wcOK5PpaC5QFrgpOEbwzjmHo5h8OPtt-GRAZqn/s640/IMG_6878.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saturday we went on a double decker bus tour! The kids loved it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivj7id9N2iTvI2IqBylc8H4-04mqRdJRbYEs5Bph7DBFbiiNljCoyGWL3vBfQoEs6WFKwAgBD-ZQ3KjOBYUJjMwe3btMuxo5lvHCTvXJCgJQC7bO-AHyN9xRBVMBYWEmMChRa8nQQ7_Z4x/s1600/IMG_3638.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/AVvXsEivj7id9N2iTvI2IqBylc8H4-04mqRdJRbYEs5Bph7DBFbiiNljCoyGWL3vBfQoEs6WFKwAgBD-ZQ3KjOBYUJjMwe3btMuxo5lvHCTvXJCgJQC7bO-AHyN9xRBVMBYWEmMChRa8nQQ7_Z4x/s640/IMG_3638.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0ZxRL5Yb30o6EQK-z6H-XqYYPK5G14nFHECVK7GsukdJ1TUWbt8qjTnNv-du-0OSaRWPib_8USv3TAi0AZ7kZUF39q1Y7UTse0kpvntOogjirAtPu-xz85oypC3LxrW8fg4TPwYYHXik/s1600/IMG_3654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0ZxRL5Yb30o6EQK-z6H-XqYYPK5G14nFHECVK7GsukdJ1TUWbt8qjTnNv-du-0OSaRWPib_8USv3TAi0AZ7kZUF39q1Y7UTse0kpvntOogjirAtPu-xz85oypC3LxrW8fg4TPwYYHXik/s640/IMG_3654.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Rebekahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09251402492012621630noreply@blogger.com0