tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6047167972949784992024-03-14T02:54:14.782-05:00Bellamia... a children's shopbellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.comBlogger771125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-57450019374069065132015-09-21T11:09:00.000-05:002015-09-21T12:17:48.785-05:00another year...why marriage works. <span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">wow, has it really been 4 months since I last posted?!?! I guess I can officially hang up the title that I'm a "blogger"...ha! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> I guess because the hubs and I just celebrated another year together, I find myself thinking about this more lately. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I also thought about it as we drove home yesterday from our little get away. I said.. "you know, we're gonna have to fight harder to stay together..." to which he replied..."I know..."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good. We're on the same page. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A friend texted me over the weekend and part of her text read..."I'm not disillusioned to think it's perfect(talking about our marriage), but it's evident that God is first and it is blessed..." humbling and encouraging.... whew! I'm glad she sees it as not perfect, because we are not perfect. And I'm convinced in all of our imperfections of life, His perfection shines and is shown. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I've wondered when I might be "qualified" to write on such a topic. I still don't think I'm "qualified" , and if I were given the opportunity to sit at the feet of a couple that has been married double our marriage time, I would take every opportunity to listen to their wisdom....so with that , this is for you newly weds....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is why I know marriage works.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do".....we had no idea what marriage was really going to look like. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do" I didn't know Tim wasn't going to be able to fulfill all my needs...and vice versa....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do", Tim didn't know he was going to have to help his wife get through her "daddy issues"....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do" I didn't know there would be a time I would want to just walk away or ignore each other when it got tough. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do", we didn't know that we'd have yelling matches that would last into the wee hours of the morning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do", I didn't know my husband would look me in the face one day and tell me "if you walk out that door, then I will too..." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do", I didn't know that one day, I'd view my husband... the one I looked in the eyes at that alter; the one that made me have butterflies, plan big dreams together, my hero, my lover.....I didn't know that one day I'd view him as my enemy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because years ago, that husband....my husband, looked me in the eyes and said "I am NOT your enemy....I am FOR you, I am FOR us.".... and those few words, rocked my perspective forever.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because when we said "I do", it's wasn't the only time we said it 17 years ago...it was only the first time we said it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I know it works, because we say "I do", every single day. No, we HAVE to say it every.single.day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But not what was said 17 years ago.... "I,<span style="background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; line-height: 28.8px;"> Katie, take thee, Tim, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God's holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge thee my faith [or] pledge myself to you."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1f1f1f;"><span style="line-height: 28.8px;">But more like, "I, Katie, take thee, Tim, every.single. day, to be my husband, my companion, my best friend, my accountability partner, my only lover..... to have and to hold, every.single.day. For times in battle, for times in temptation, for times when we fight struggles that make us want to quit..... when we question each others motives... when we struggle in our sin....when we try to find fulfillment in each other or others, and not Christ. To love, cherish and honor each other.... to point each other to Christ... to view each other as our biggest fan, our proudest supporter; a partner in the crazy life that lies ahead...to make time for each other when time is not available.... to fight for greater purpose. To praise each other big time, but our God bigger. To make decisions together. To listen in our struggles; to fight through each of them and not push each other away. To serve together and not stray far from each other. To not give opportunity for something to come between us. To hold each other in high respect and value so that we may keep trust. To always strive to stay true to the word, and listen to God's calling for us....and when one strays the other is used to bring him/her back. To view our only enemy as Satan and not each other. That our marriage would be bold, raw and always in need of a Savior; and when we fail in these areas, walk in forgiveness and look for God's grace and mercy to redeem and sustain us. "</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1f1f1f;"><span style="line-height: 28.8px;">This is why I know marriage works. Because it's a choice to say "I do", every.single.day. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1f1f1f;"><span style="line-height: 28.8px;">I do, Tim Pilcher, I do. God is good. I Love you. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-84620759970112318692015-05-13T11:26:00.000-05:002015-05-13T11:26:12.610-05:00Trusting....don't get too excited....I probably will never blog back to back again....but who knows.<br />
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I've sculpted a little bit of time this week for myself, so I'm finding myself in front of the screen.<br />
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to be honest, I've carried bags under my eyes for weeks. There are things going on in several precious friend's lives that have brought random streams of tears through out any given moment or time of day....<br />
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The "why does bad things happen to good people" statement has echoed through the walls of many in their path.<br />
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Anger towards God has been a discussion. Doubt of His goodness has been questioned. "Why" has been asked too many times to count.<br />
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I find myself searching for scripture that brings peace and encouragement... sometimes I'm filled with many, and other times I come up pure blank.<br />
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Sometimes it's okay not to know all the answers. Sometimes it's okay to wrestle with truth. Each and every time these emotions rise in me, I'm reminded that it is my flesh battling the great truth. I'll find myself talking with our children in their own trials. I find myself saying..."You have to understand, I can see in front of you because I have been behind you. I've walked that path. Everything your father and I do, is because we want greatness for you. Everything we do for and teach you, is so that you will be guided in a direction that will bring God glory and lessen pain for you. Everything we do and say is to help you, to hopefully bring you a better future, to make a clear path for you....you have to just trust me. Just trust me."<br />
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And there it is.....<br />
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Trust.<br />
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Funny how it will hit you like a ton of bricks to hear words come out of your own mouth that you think God is using for someone else and then you realize, maybe...but it was also used to open your heart to what He was trying to show you.<br />
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Trust.<br />
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Isn't that really all our God is speaking to us each of us, every.single.day.You will not know. You can not see. You will not understand. BUT..... I do. I can, I will.<br />
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Trust me.<br />
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Pain is real. It's deep. I hope I never take someone's pain lightly. I hope that it continues to bring bags under my eyes. I hope tears of pain continue to stream. Because where there are streams, then there has to be life. There has to be something that blossoms from the tears. There just has to be. I have to trust that. I have to carry that hope and rest in that trust.<br />
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I've been on this Charles Spurgeon kick lately....call me a geek, nerd, whatever....I just find that looking up his words of wisdom just brings some clearer picture of the truth that I've read time and time again in the word.<br />
I've added a few of them, to this blog via Google Images so that they might be used to bring encouragement to you, as you might be battling truth in your own life.<br />
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May we rejoice in our trials, for they will be used to tell of His great love for us....and may we trust him with our fragile souls....<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-54646854698845265722015-05-11T20:47:00.000-05:002015-05-11T20:47:07.334-05:00testing one, two...testing one, two...it's like a mic check...I'd almost forgotten my login and password it has been so long since I was last here. Just feeling the keys under my fingertips bring such happiness.<br />
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Weird, I know. I wish I could be here more, but life is full. Who would've thought adding another kid would change things?!?! Who would've thought having 4 kids would take up time?!?! Who would've thought that when a mother has spare time, she prefers showering or researching how to get rid of razor burn?!?! Who would've thought?!?!<br />
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Life is full. I'm tired, energized, overwhelmed, relaxed, happy, content, thankful and crazy, all bundled up in one.<br />
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The "big" girls are finishing up their Freshman year at Northview. They make us proud. We've had some good, hard, easy, loving, hurtful, funny and sad conversations all bundled up in one this year. Just the other night as I talked with them I got a bigger glimpse of their future. I will be sad when they leave our home, but there is nothing I want more for them then to GO. Go and be used. Go and explore. Go and create. Go and learn. Go and dream. Just Go. Tim and I talk often about how we will respond to the possible craziness and chaos they may bring later with good/poor decisions. God, I hope however respond, we do it with love. May they ONLY see love.....<br />
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Miss Lizzy, still is just a light in every room. She told me tonight..."you know mom, I'm not sure I want to go to college one day....you know, some people don't....you know, I just want to be a mom, you don't need to go to college for that..." She loves her family well, and surprises me with her gifts of service all the time....There are days I struggle with continuing to homeschool her...it's hard and some days I wonder if she really likes it. Then, there will be days she says..."you know mom, when I have kids, I'm gonna homeschool them...will you help me homeschool them?" I hope she keeps that big smile on her face always.<br />
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Little Monkey Hope....where to start?? There are days I think she is the glue to our family. When she's really hungry she says...."God, Thank you, food, amen!" There is no question she knows she's adored. As spoiled as she is, she has learned to play VERY well by herself, and this mama can FINALLY leave the room and get things done while she plays. She is smart, smart, smart! She amazes us. She loves her Daddy and will greet him at the door when he arrives home from work. She loves saying..."hello, daddy! hello, daddy!" And today, she waved at just about everyone in the grocery store and said.."hi ya! " She has her meltdown moments for sure, and informed me today that spankin's "hurt". She is one of the most beautiful gifts I could ever have been given. She gave me a much clearer picture of Christ's love for us. Thank you, dear Hope.<br />
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I've said "no" to people more times this year then I have my whole life. Everyone has been precious in asking me to help with design/decorating. I am humbled every time they ask...Not being able to continue like I was doing, did and has felt like a piece of me is missing. I'm thankful for the committal opportunities I have kept that have given me a creative outlet.... otherwise, I truly think I would go crazy. As a sweet friend would say "I'm REALLY good at laundry!", I unfortunately can't even say that, because I detest doing laundry..... but I get what she means.....there are some gifts and talents that shouldn't go in the wash, even in the "seasons" of life. I was recently asked to consider speaking at a women's church event. Believe it or not, I don't find myself a public speaker......She said, "I can tell you aren't thrilled about it"...if you're reading this, I've thought about that day often, and you know I love you. It was more that I really didn't know what to say. What in the world would I even speak to these women about??? I guess we as women, just love to know we're not alone. There is something powerful with seeing God work in your life, and I've said many a'times before, that if we don't share what the Lord is doing in our lives then HOW will people see his works??? I guess we don't share, because the most beautiful work is done in the most dreadful of places, and sometimes you have to show the messy to people in order to reveal the transformation....so just maybe God is mustering up something for me to share....maybe.<br />
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maybe it won't be months before I head back over here. If it is, it's because my arms are full like the picture above.<br />
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Blessings, Peeps!bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-47990719616650726532015-02-11T14:34:00.001-06:002015-02-11T14:34:36.265-06:00The Struggle is Real....take time to breathe.There was one point in my life, that I contemplated on writing a book.....<br />
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THANK God, I didn't ever write one.<br />
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I'm sure I'd look back and be Smh(that's an acronym for Shaking My Head....I've just recently learned that...) on half or more of what I would have written...<br />
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That is the beauty of aging....You either get wiser, or you get dumber. Hopefully, we're all leaning on the wiser end.<br />
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I'm still very much my youth and have boocoodles to learn, but now that I have a few years of some things under my belt, I've experienced several stages of marriage....and as I write this, you and myself are in one of them.<br />
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I've learned that raising people is hard. Every single step of the way. Every one. Tim and I have the....hmmmmm.... let's call it "crazy" blessing of raising a toddler, approaching middle school child, and two high schoolers....all girls. To say that our home is a gigantic mood swing, would be an understatement......God Bless, Tim Pilcher.....I love that man...<br />
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When we were starting the process of adoption, many people thought we were crazy...no really. We had people tell us "why would we want to possibly hinder our 'perfect' family??"... I think it's safe to say, that at that point a couple years ago that, #1. we weren't perfect (and never will be), but #2. we did have more of our crap together. Which is one reason I write this today.<br />
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I've shared before of my struggling in our early part of marriage with perfectionism...how I literally had to mop our white linoleum floors (those are of the devil if you have children, BTW....) every night before bed...if that tells you anything. God had to do some major work in my life at that time to free me of that struggle. Not the clean floors, but the control of getting them clean.....keeping them clean....and letting that clean floor give me that sense that because they were spotless, my life could be also. I had it under control...until the juice spilled, or the plate of spaghetti dropped. Kind of like life....it all seems fine and sparkly clean until in a matter of minutes you feel like all the shit hit the fan...<br />
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Since adopting Hope, I've had some of those old feelings creep back in....at times I honestly have to walk away, close a door and tell myself "Jesus fills your cup, Katie..." over and over again. If I don't....beware of mama bear. Juggling 4 lives....4 individuals, 4 schedules, 4 tender hearts.... can have you in severe panic/survival mode...the worst mode I could ever want to be in, but a ride I have ridden more then once in our marriage.<br />
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I'm getting a more clear understanding of why marriages fall apart during these years....<br />
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A friend posted a question on FB about what a mom would want to do with an hour all to herself...what gets her recharged for the next day...heck, the next few minutes. I responded with needing to just BREATHE...<br />
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I would love the paint my nails that have been neglected forever, clean my floors, take a bath, take a nap, go shopping...but in all honesty...I need breath to be filled back in me.<br />
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For many people it could be different, but when I came across<a href="https://perrynoble.com/blog/what-a-husband-needs-to-understand-about-his-wife" target="_blank"> this</a> article floating around , I could totally relate. I've sworn on this piece of writing forever. The most help (at least through these many years) that Tim Pilcher can be to me is getting me out of the house for some new breath....to take me and date me. To want time with me. And that takes work. Four lives....four souls....not including our own. They all tick tock to a fine tuned schedule. Every day is filled with something. Every day, there will be an expectant though. Every day there will be another mountain to climb, whether it be the unexpected stomach bug that hits your home, the family member that gets cancer, the car that won't start, or the other tennis shoe that can't be found....<br />
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Through each and every circumstance, whatever it may be...one of the number one things that I believe will help us and the next generation, is seeing Christ lived out in our marriages. And that is a hard pill to swallow sometimes....but one of the most rewarding acts to be apart of.<br />
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Christ died for His church. Sacrificed and gave for His bride. Commitment isn't just fulfilling an obligation...it's engaging in it. It's to hold fast to something....to not let it go.... Life can make that so hard to not only keep, but to flourish it. To not be just room mates, but to be ONE.<br />
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This morning I got a call from the hubs asking me to dinner tonight. To know the preparation it will take to go out tonight, the jerseys that will need to be washed for tomorrow's game, the deadline on the project, the babysitter you have to line up, the patch that will need to be sewn on the Tae Kwon Do uniform, the grocery store run, the dinner prepared for your kids so you don't feel guilty for them eating cereal for dinner three nights in a row, or the shower you want to get so you at least SMELL attractive to your spouse... IT'S HARD MAMAS, I hear ya!! It.is.hard.<br />
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But I'm telling ya...GO, it is worth it....GO! If you don't keep making time for your spouse, you will slowly lose your spouse.....It won't even seem purposely that you did, but because you weren't purposeful with them, it was.<br />
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One time, I was so tired for a date night out, that we ordered in...we locked ourselves in the bedroom....next thing ya know, Tim is taking the plate of food off of my lap....yep, I fell asleep while eating it...true story.... at least we tried. So, I get it Mamas....I really DO get it...<br />
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We're in a season, but every single stage of life is a new season... to each, a new or different challenge...It's worth the fight through it, and for it though. I know one day, our kids will thank us for it.<br />
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bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-30146111139347728222015-01-23T16:25:00.000-06:002015-01-23T17:15:51.159-06:00helllllooooooooo out there....Miss you guys, but I have a little toddler, (aka: Tasmanian Devil as of late) on my hands that keeps me busy....<br />
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This pic was from yesterday...she was upset I put her down from holding her, and the pic on the right makes my face like Hope's when we have a house showing and she keeps doing this to every room.<br />
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I told our Realtor that I hope the people like toys that he was showing the house to....it is what it is...<br />
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In all honesty, this little girl has all of our hearts...<br />
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She brings so much joy to our lives. She keeps me super busy, as she "investigates" everything. And I wouldn't be surprised if she's potty trained in the next 2 mos, because she tells us when she's "pooped".....and reminds us that it's "yucky", when we are changing her.<br />
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Yep, she's talking....quite a bit. She can tell us just about everything she wants. But she will repeat or try to repeat exactly what you say.<br />
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Our older girlies are on the school soccer team...<br />
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I feel like that entitles me to a soccer mom car decal.....I'm joking. If I had a decal for everything we had our hands in, I'd need a 15 passenger van to display....<br />
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Life with four kiddos, a dog that decides to vomit on the only carpet in the house right before a showing, and a super hunk of a hubs keeps us going, going. But I wouldn't want it any other way. Our life is full.<br />
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Our little home front is still on the market. If it doesn't hurry up and sell, I'll be on to the next project in it.... like ripping out our master bedroom ceiling, because the hubs discovered we had a tongue and grove ceiling in there...what what!!<br />
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We have precious friends that moved on our street. Elizabeth has played with her friend almost every day since their move. I would be lying if I told you that she wants to move....I mean, hello!, who wants to leave a friend you can take adventures with everyday! Not to mention, the mama is truly one of the greatest.<br />
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Whatever God has in store for our little family (can we say little anymore??? I mean, there's 6 of us..), we are ready to take on that adventure...even if that means, our house sells and God sends us to China....<br />
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For those of you reading, stop freaking out.... we have no plans to move to China. Tim and I just joke because, we've been in a relationship with God long enough to know that we shouldn't hold on to our plans too tightly, His may be waaaaaaaayyyyy different then ours.<br />
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That's what He does to us sometimes... Katie wants to build a house...God wants...(fill in the blank)...<br />
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And I'm okay with that, because I'd rather pray "His will be done", and not my own. But I'd be lying if I said that I'd be a little sad if I had to throw my drawings of our new nest aside.<br />
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But He hasn't failed us yet. Through hardships and change, His love is greater and shines brighter through every season of our life. I just need to be reminded of that more often then not. I'm pretty sure that's why He takes us on these rides....trust.<br />
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Hoping your 2015 is starting out with a reason to trust and rest in your Father's love.<br />
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Happy Friday, peeps!<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-35286020022816292102014-12-15T08:00:00.000-06:002015-11-21T18:39:47.547-06:00The Pilcher Home<br />
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Hello to my Blog Peeps! </div>
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I bring to you in this blog post, MOST of our home. The Hubs and I have decided to pass this part of our heart to another family that we hope will enjoy, entertain, love and laugh (and some yelling, let's be real...) in...... </div>
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For a few years, but ESPECIALLY this past year, we have tossed the idea of remodeling, adding on, etc. We love our old home and have created many memories in every corner of this space. I've wanted to live in the Garden District of Dothan since I was a child (living in Ozark)...But, simply put, I've got this special little cape cod, salt box drawing of a new space that I'd love to create and call home for our family. </div>
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Hoping I get to update you peeps real soon informing you that we are on to our next adventure. </div>
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Happy Monday!! </div>
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<br />
Often times, I feel like I don't do all of what I should or want to do. Mainly, because it would <i>cramp my style. </i> Or I've thought that if I,<i> would have just waited</i>, or<i> done it a long time ago,</i> then it would be better and the timing would be or would've been, <i>just right</i>. And let's face it...Life is tough, why open the door for things that could make it harder???<br />
<br />
<br />
Sounds even worse as I type it then when I thought it.<br />
<br />
<br />
The words Legacy and Heritage have been used around me more often in the last month then probably my lifetime. Or maybe the older I get, I just pay a little more attention to those things. The more I think about those words and the value they carry, the more I realize that I've gotten it all wrong.<br />
<br />
<br />
We've been "cleaning out"...If you follow me on Facebook, then you've probably seen that we've had two yard sales in the past week. And you might have even attended them and wondered, what in the world is up?? Why are you selling all of this stuff??<br />
<br />
Here it is in a nutshell....<br />
<br />
Stuff.<br />
<br />
Lots of stuff.<br />
<br />
Lots of stuff is keeping me from God.<br />
<br />
Trust me when I say, I am a lover of all fine things. I think nothing wrong with having beautiful things. Our Creator makes beautiful things and I believe delights in the creation of His hands...likewise, being created in His image, I believe we do as well;and I do believe we can bring Him glory through our things.<br />
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But our family has too much stuff. I'm so ready to simplify the things in my life that hinders me from digging deeper in the eternal things.<br />
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As I was cleaning out, I came across my grandmother's china. And before most of you gasp in horror, calm down, I didn't sell it in the yard sale. I didn't even think of doing such a thing, until my mother found out that we were having a yard sale and said "please, don't sell my china..."...<br />
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China.<br />
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That is when it hit me harder and my feelings of what a legacy is and what kind of heritage I pass down just grabbed my heart; and questions like, "unless I'm feeding the poor with this China, what use is it to my children's children?"<br />
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I started thinking, as hard as it would be....I want to be Paul.<br />
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I want God to take me out of my comfort zone in the stuff, and bring me into the complete comfort of His provisions for my life. I want to be ready for the unexpected without the clutter of things hindering me from going deeper then the surface. I want to teach my children that dirty floors are worth the feet that brought them. That "precious and valuable" items are not to be stuck behind glass doors because we are afraid of them being broken. Because, that message is not true. Beautiful things should be used, and should be broken from their use; because that is the picture of a beautifully used life.<br />
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I want to be broken. I want to be used and broken time and time again from my ways, because that is what draws me from myself and closer to our Creator and His ways. I've gotten it all wrong, time and time again, and I know I will continue too. But there is the beauty in Grace. Thank God, for His grace!<br />
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I don't want to stay behind glass doors, where I am seen but rarely used. That is what I want my children's children to see.<br />
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That is what I want my legacy to be.<br />
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It's not about the china. If that is all I pass down.... if that is the most valuable thing in my possession to give, then I have not lived at all.<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-49422487215046417402014-10-20T14:11:00.004-05:002014-10-20T14:54:03.889-05:00a hello...and a super yummy and simple healthy recipe :)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, it's not my Nana's pot roast recipe yet.....but I did just whip this up for lunch and decided it was blog worthy because of it's simplicity, AND after hearing Elizabeth's...."Mmmmmm, this is so good, Mom."<br />
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After a week of a completely blessed and thankful vacation to the sand and sea, and a hectic week while Tim was away prior to that; our "diet" of choice has been one not to brag about.....<br />
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Honestly, the last 8 weeks or so, we've slacked on the healthy eating and I'm feeling it through my whole body...mind and soul included.<br />
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So, I told the family that we were back at it, so better get ready. It's hard to eat clean when you're so busy.....BUT, it's not the cooking on the hard part...it's the preparation for the week, so that you don't "do easy" and "cheat"..... Those Buy One Get One frozen pizzas look mighty easy and cheap, but is it good for you....I'll let you decide.<br />
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So I had some ground chicken that I was going to use for dinner tonight and just ran up to the little grocery down the road for some fresh green beans and decided to use a little of both for a quick and healthy lunch for Lizzy and myself...<br />
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Again, since I wasn't planning on blogging it, you only get the finished product and none of the cooking. It truly is simple and you can whip it up in 15mins.<br />
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Ingredients-and I don't measure if I'm not planning to record it, so you might have to adjust a tad..<br />
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1lb of FRESH green beans (snap the ends off)<br />
1/3lb ground chicken<br />
1 chopped green onion<br />
1 generous tsp of curry powder<br />
salt to taste (about 1 tsp)<br />
olive oil (drizzle)<br />
coconut milk<br />
toasted almonds<br />
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I heated the oil in the pan while snapping my green beans and added them as I snapped. Then I immediately added my chicken , salt and curry powders. On med-high heat, I stirred and tossed until chicken was done (white in the middle- easy to tell with ground chicken. about 5-7mins)<br />
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I then added my onion and drizzled with coconut milk until I had the chicken mixture coated. I didn't want a "soupy" mix, just kind of "dressed", cut heat down to low, stir it to completely coat the beans and chicken, put a lid on it and walk away for a few minutes.<br />
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Serve it up with some toasted almonds (lightly salted)-<br />
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And enjoy your "clean" and healthy meal :) Serves 2 (FYI- I think this would be delicious served cold, so the left overs are going in a mason jar to school tomorrow for the big girl's lunch)<br />
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I've changed my menu tonight and decided this was just too easy not to repeat! I 've got a meeting at supper time, so this would be super easy to prepare for the fam before heading out. I'll be tripling the recipe tonight but might only do 2 tsp of curry powder. If you love curry, then add to taste :)<br />
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I'd love to hear your feed back.... Do my recipes help you busy peeps out there? What would you like to see more of? Comment below, or on FB if you have a suggestion or say "keep 'em coming!"...<br />
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I brought the "real" camera out on our beach trip, along with the phone one.... Enjoy some of the pics below.<br />
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Our girlies are growing up and sweet, little Hope will be ONE YEAR OLD next month! Our girls make me smile. Happy Monday!<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-19840576411087010172014-09-25T12:24:00.001-05:002014-09-26T10:10:04.082-05:00quick and easy lunch...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nana's Roast in simmering on the stove top for supper, so I'll be joining y'all soon with the details on that.....</div>
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in the mean time, this is what's for lunch today. It's not exactly "healthy" but it's something I hadn't made in awhile and I love it.....<br />
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I wasn't planning on blogging this, so there are no pics of the process. But here ya go...</div>
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<b>Pimento Cheese-</b></div>
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I know you can fancy up this bad boy, but I just do the basic-</div>
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(1) block (16oz)of Sharp Cheddar Cheese- I shred mine on the tiny blade side- You can make your Pimento Cheese healthier by shredding your own cheese instead of buying the pre-shredded packs that are packed with tons of preservatives to keep them "fresh"-</div>
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(1) small jar of Diced Pimentos (again you can make it healthier if you just roast a sweet red pepper in the oven and dice them yourself)</div>
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(1) <b>thinly </b>sliced green onion (this makes it to me- so good-don't omit, even if you don't like onions, you will and you'll thank me.)</div>
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(1) cup of mayo </div>
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(1) tsp. ground black pepper (optional- I love it, kids don't)</div>
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Mix altogether in a bowl. I am serving mine today with the above cracker. Have you tried them?? Oh, they are good!! And the perfect sweetness to the sharp cheddar combo. Also, we love a little pickle on the side of our deli meal, so we are changing up with pickled Okra. </div>
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This would be a SIMPLE meal to pack for the kiddos for a school lunch. </div>
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Happy Thursday, see you soon!</div>
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-81576592213221041812014-09-23T09:11:00.000-05:002014-09-23T09:25:13.000-05:00People need people....filling our hungry souls...ok, so my friend Misty won....<br />
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If you follow me on social media, then you saw my request for help on a blogging topic because I've been a little locked up in the writing department lately.<br />
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I truly love to sit behind the screen and type. Call me crazy, but it's like I want to just pour out into words my thoughts, beliefs and ideas. I sat down many times over the last month and found myself not able to hit the publish button on any of my writings.<br />
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I had some wonderful people suggest a topic to get my mind right again, and as soon as Misty suggested "ministering in service to people", I'm not going to lie, it kind of stung a little....but something that has been on my heart lately.<br />
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Just the other day, I asked Tim about a super sweet and awesome single guy, that was in flight school here, that moved away several years ago. I missed his presence in our home, which was at least every Sunday (or close to it) around the table after church. You never know how much your Nana's pot roast recipe can minister to someone until you ask that person what their last meal would like to be and they answer with out a single hesitation, "your pot roast!"....<br />
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But, I'm not fully convinced it was the tender, fall apart in your mouth meat, smothered in gravy, that had him coming back for more.<br />
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I would like to think it was Jesus.<br />
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Have you ever thought about Jesus' ministry with people? I'm mean- with people....not "to" people....<br />
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I often find myself in a state of Matthew, a person out in the community, doing a service by taking peoples money. aka: Matthew, the tax collector.<br />
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Until Jesus came to him and said....follow me.<br />
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The follow me is what has been on my heart a lot lately. More so, wondering if our children have witnessed us following him.<br />
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What I mean by that is: have they witnessed us following him, when it wasn't convenient?<br />
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Have they seen love poured unexpectedly on the meek?<br />
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Have they seen forgiveness poured out on the sinner?<br />
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Have they seen us drop everything comfortable to get messy with messy people?<br />
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I have been so wrapped up in just "making it through the day" mode, over the last couple years, that I feel like I have missed a very good opportunity to show them that we need people. And through people, we see Jesus.<br />
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I feel so certain, that our perfect savior showed us a very deep passage in scripture identifying with us on what it's like when you don't have people surrounding you.<br />
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I'm talking about Matthew 4:1-11<br />
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<span class="text Matt-4-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23211a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23211a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23211a" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</span><span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23211B" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23211B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> by the devil.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23211C" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23211C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span><span class="text Matt-4-2" id="en-NIV-23212" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">2 </span>After fasting forty days and forty nights,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23212D" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23212D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> he was hungry.</span> <span class="text Matt-4-3" id="en-NIV-23213" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>The tempter<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23213E" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23213E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23213F" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23213F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> tell these stones to become bread.”</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-4-4" id="en-NIV-23214" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">4 </span>Jesus answered, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23214b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23214b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23214b" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</span>”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23214G" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23214G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-4-5" id="en-NIV-23215" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">5 </span>Then the devil took him to the holy city<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23215H" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23215H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.</span> <span class="text Matt-4-6" id="en-NIV-23216" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">6 </span>“If you are the Son of God,”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23216I" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23216I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">“‘He will command his angels concerning you,</span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Matt-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">and they will lift you up in their hands,</span></span><br />
<span class="indent-1" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: monospace; font-size: 0.42em; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Matt-4-6" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23216c" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23216c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23216c" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</span>”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23216J" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23216J" title="See cross-reference J">J</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-4-7" id="en-NIV-23217" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">7 </span>Jesus answered him, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23217d" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23217d" title="See footnote d">d</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23217d" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote d">d</a>]</span>”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23217K" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23217K" title="See cross-reference K">K</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-4-8" id="en-NIV-23218" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">8 </span>Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.</span> <span class="text Matt-4-9" id="en-NIV-23219" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">9 </span>“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”</span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-4-10" id="en-NIV-23220" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">10 </span>Jesus said to him, <span class="woj" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">“Away from me, Satan!<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23220L" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23220L" title="See cross-reference L">L</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-23220e" data-link="[<a href="#fen-NIV-23220e" title="See footnote e">e</a>]" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+4%3A1-11&version=NIV#fen-NIV-23220e" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #b34b2c; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote e">e</a>]</span>”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23220M" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23220M" title="See cross-reference M">M</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="text Matt-4-11" id="en-NIV-23221" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">11 </span>Then the devil left him,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-23221N" data-link="(<a href="#cen-NIV-23221N" title="See cross-reference N">N</a>)" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"></span> and angels came and attended him.</span></div>
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I know a lot of you have heard me use the word "mangry" which stands for- I'm hungry, mean and angry.<br />
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I can assure you that if it were me in the above passage I would be "MANGRY"....and not sure what I'd do.... if you've ever been in that state (which I highly doubt any of us have fasted for 40 days), then I'd imagine we'd given in to Satan's temptation.<br />
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But what if we had someone in our ear encouraging us, someone in our ear speaking truth, someone beside us telling us to stand firm?? What then would we do?<br />
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I know there are "seasons" as we call them, in our life where we 'need a break', or busy lifestyles take over and you have to drop things to stay sane....trust me, I totally get that.<br />
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But, how long do seasons last? How long should they last? And do they help you or hurt you? How do you get out of that season and start a new one? It's hard for me to leave comfort. You? It's much easier for me to think about a clean kitchen after church then dishes piled high in the sink....<br />
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I believe Jesus is telling me from the above verse, to watch out. That when you go through a weak time in your life, it is never more evident that Satan will attack you in your weaknesses and try to rip you from every truth you know to be true and believe with your whole heart and soul. <br />
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I think it's safe to to remind you all that I went through a deep depression early on in our marriage, that I believe was not chemical, but self induced. When I look back at that time, I remember one vivid feeling.....I felt alone. And through that feeling, I didn't want to be around people. But that kept feeding the fire. I was in a very vulnerable state as Satan fed me lies... that encouraged me more so, to stay alone; that my feelings were valid and I didn't need anyone because they wouldn't help me....they wouldn't understand.....they truly didn't love me.....and definitely wouldn't get how I'm feeling....<br />
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Thank God, for the freedom He poured on me as I repeated something very similar to what Jesus said to him as I told him to flee from me; and I experienced the scales fall off my eyes so I could see Jesus clearly.<br />
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But what if I would have kept myself surrounded by people? What if I didn't take myself to the wilderness? What if I would have poured myself into others and taken the focus off of me and pointed it to Christ?<br />
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I remember early on in our parenting when we saw our children becoming very self focused.... I remember Tim telling them to pray for others..... to serve others.....that God would use that to take the focus off of them and direct it back to the one who deserves the glory.<br />
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I just wish I would remember this myself so many times, especially when I turn my days into survival.<br />
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So, yes, I often think that if I would lay down my selfish comforts and stretched myself to places that bring humility and grace, Jesus will shine brighter not only in other's lives but will live in me. And his power will be manifested in me as Corinthians speaks of.<br />
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Power to overcome any temptation.<br />
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That's an amazing realization.<br />
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Thankful my Nana's pot roast could be used to bring people to the table; but more thankful that we are designed to feed off of Jesus to fill our hungry souls.<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-57010499569638736562014-07-24T10:56:00.000-05:002014-07-24T11:20:10.759-05:00And so I sit...<br />
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staring at the screen. My heart and thoughts are all over the place lately. There are times I want to sit down and blog, and other times I want to use any spare time to nap....<br />
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Lots of happenings around the Pilcher household. Our two oldest head off to High School in a count down of just a few more weeks.<br />
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My heart struggles with this. This has been a busy summer and there are times I just look at these few weeks and start to feel really down. Kind of like when you're on vacation, and half way through you start to hate the fact you only have a couple more days of vacay instead of making every minute and enjoying the rest of the time we have. My mind isn't right.....I know that.<br />
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I know they won't be "gone", but I'm not gonna lie to myself and say it will be the same. It won't. They will be busy, busy. This is an exciting time in their lives as they build and make critical decisions that will play out in their future, and I don't just mean academically.<br />
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This is it, they may still be in our nest, but they are so grown. And we are excited that they are going to make decisions on their own. That they are building their future. It's exciting and terrifying at the same time. If you are a parent of a teen, then I know you understand. If you're not, make sure you understand, that those crazy toddler years and up are so important.<br />
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Behavior demonstrates belief......Probably my hubby's favorite quote. They are watching you......<br />
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We will continue to homeschool our sweet, crazy, adventurous Lizzy, who just turned 11 years old yesterday. Birthdays fill our summer :)<br />
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We currently have two 14 year olds in the house, and one that is about to turn 15 in just two weeks....eek!!! I keep thinking about a boy I started dating at her age, that became my husband a few short years later.<br />
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Crazy to think...<br />
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Hope is into EVERYTHING! We can't keep this girlie down! I have moved almost every item that sits less then 24 inches off the ground....she has discovered how to open cabinets and just this morning when I held my hands over the door so she couldn't open, just kept swatting my hand and fussing....Smart girl, she knew I was keeping her from it.<br />
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She has finally made it to sleeping through the night!! Hallelujah!!! I'm quite shocked she's not walking yet, but we will find her standing on her own for a few seconds every now and then.<br />
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She has become quite clingy lately. What could be a little annoying at times, has in turn brought me peace knowing that she has bonded so well with me. Melts my heart. She has a smile that lights up a room like her older sister.<br />
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I'm so thankful that Jillian and Emily have had this year at home to enjoy her and for her to enjoy them. They are awesome big sisters. I love how God laid on our hearts to homeschool way before adoption was in our thoughts. This just shows how detailed our God is. I love it.<br />
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Speaking of adoption.....If you follow me on Facebook, you are probably overwhelmed (a nice word for annoyed ;) ) with my posting on this.<br />
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Our sweet friends, that started up<a href="http://www.4everfamiliesfoundation.org/" target="_blank"> Forever Families Foundation</a>, asked me to be on their board last year. This has been a huge blessing to be apart of. If you will click on their name above it will direct you to our home page for our website.<br />
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On that home page is a way that you can register for a fundraising event (or simply just purchase a t-shirt) that we are having....hosted by<a href="http://circlecitycrossfit.com/" target="_blank"> Circle City CrossFit in Dothan, Alabama.</a><br />
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Now for you that are reading this and say...."THERE IS NO WAY THAT I AM DOING OR CAN DO CROSSFIT", let me go ahead and encourage you that there is a work out planned for anyone to do, or you can register for the Fun Run/Walk event that will also take place that same morning.<br />
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We are dreaming BIG, praying BIG and expecting BIG from this event. We have already been extremely blessed by generous corporate sponsors and individuals that want to see our bank account BURSTING with funds for our next Grant distribution in October.<br />
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We are non-profit, so 100% of ALL funds go to Christian Families in need of financial assistance in their adoption process. If you follow<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Forever-Families-Foundation/434689063307335" target="_blank"> Forever Families Foundation via FB</a>, you will already see some family members home with, or getting ready to pick up their child/children that the Foundation has helped fund through people like you.<br />
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So yes, I'm going to make a plug here and ask that you sign up for the Fundraiser, Pray for the event and foundation to be successful. AND if you would like to support us, please know that NO amount of money is too small.<br />
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When you go through an adoption....pennies matter. You wouldn't believe how many times I hear of how God provided through someone that "thought" their donation was small, but it was exactly what that family needed at the time.<br />
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Please consider how to help. I plan on updating you all with numbers after the event that will show how Big our God cares for the fatherless, that He plowed a way for families to bring them home.<br />
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Until next time peeps! Happy Thursday!bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-89075132920580871272014-06-17T13:58:00.000-05:002014-06-17T13:58:09.854-05:00Mini-version of the best BLT....E.V.E.R. this is from the archives, but I was craving this yesterday and decided to give it a little twist by turning it mini....aka: bite size (well, maybe double bites unless you have a big mouth...)....<br />
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Follow the recipe below- but buy you a crusty baguette (sliced on a pretty diagonal) and drizzle with olive oil for toasting, change out your lettuce with arugula, cut your avocado smaller, and crumble your bacon on top. And you will come out with these pretties......<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_ss1Fv5Xhc/U6COhYYucXI/AAAAAAAAG94/_Vx7IthFeqQ/s1600/IMG_8492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8_ss1Fv5Xhc/U6COhYYucXI/AAAAAAAAG94/_Vx7IthFeqQ/s1600/IMG_8492.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Enjoy this Summertime BLT!<br />
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2012</h2>
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you're welcome.</h3>
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If you don't try this, then you might be crazy. If you do, then you will thank me for the rest of your life........<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The best BLT...... E.V.E.R.<br /><br /><br />first step...... my SIL's inspiration...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFuyNv8zxoA/UGSSGD15eDI/AAAAAAAAEQM/67dFYoA1FJo/s1600/BLT+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFuyNv8zxoA/UGSSGD15eDI/AAAAAAAAEQM/67dFYoA1FJo/s640/BLT+002.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlY1Eff9w-Q/UGSSJq1EgBI/AAAAAAAAEQU/mqKVPVRJjN4/s1600/BLT+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UlY1Eff9w-Q/UGSSJq1EgBI/AAAAAAAAEQU/mqKVPVRJjN4/s640/BLT+008.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />your mayo. scoop about two spoonfuls of mayo in a small bowl. add your basil (chopped...I used about 8-10 very small leaves).....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVAHYZlKkWM/UGSSOkWyEOI/AAAAAAAAEQc/tq07dmf486E/s1600/BLT+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cVAHYZlKkWM/UGSSOkWyEOI/AAAAAAAAEQc/tq07dmf486E/s640/BLT+009.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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give it a whip, add plastic wrap to cover and pop in the fridge until serving....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yCFNS5sxb6Y/UGSSSIM7yGI/AAAAAAAAEQk/ntjQA85m5IQ/s1600/BLT+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yCFNS5sxb6Y/UGSSSIM7yGI/AAAAAAAAEQk/ntjQA85m5IQ/s640/BLT+011.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><br />my kiddos eat these cherry tomatoes like candy. We buy multiple packs per week. Take 3 large handfuls and if they are this large, slice in half......<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orFTfAVJEeM/UGSSVHMTBOI/AAAAAAAAEQs/XvKYDAJVCj4/s1600/BLT+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-orFTfAVJEeM/UGSSVHMTBOI/AAAAAAAAEQs/XvKYDAJVCj4/s640/BLT+018.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Add them to a small skillet, sprinkle with salt and crank the heat to med high for about 4-5 mins..<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N345TGnvZ_I/UGSSZNdE-hI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/aWHPwOzweGY/s1600/BLT+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N345TGnvZ_I/UGSSZNdE-hI/AAAAAAAAEQ0/aWHPwOzweGY/s640/BLT+022.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Let me introduce you to my friend.....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5rWZ6wT48Y/UGSSdOVJofI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/s5FeS-z3Xpo/s1600/BLT+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5rWZ6wT48Y/UGSSdOVJofI/AAAAAAAAEQ8/s5FeS-z3Xpo/s640/BLT+025.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="425" /></a></div>
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I bought her on accident, and I will admit, it was the best accident I ever made; besides the one when I got preggo with my second child when my first child was only 8 weeks old......<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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add about 1/4 cup of my friend to your tomatoes, and let it hang out on a simmer for about 3-4 mins..<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1v6tmsTGJo8/UGSTNJIMrWI/AAAAAAAAESU/ebt1339oKeI/s1600/BLT+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1v6tmsTGJo8/UGSTNJIMrWI/AAAAAAAAESU/ebt1339oKeI/s640/BLT+030.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OxhrzN0i06w/UGSSjeeis3I/AAAAAAAAERE/dqTJu4TYuyg/s1600/BLT+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OxhrzN0i06w/UGSSjeeis3I/AAAAAAAAERE/dqTJu4TYuyg/s640/BLT+028.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><br />okay people, BLT's on white bread only. I'm sorry, only sour dough can substitute in my book. This is my Nana's braided bread recipe. Maybe one day when I feel really adventurous I might blog the process of making it. I finally mastered it, and smells of sweet memories fill my home when making it. Slice it up and lightly butter for the toasting....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5J1DVFB-jw/UGSSsMLeK1I/AAAAAAAAERM/XTfd3005zNs/s1600/BLT+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w5J1DVFB-jw/UGSSsMLeK1I/AAAAAAAAERM/XTfd3005zNs/s640/BLT+031.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Your kitchen will then be the popular hang out spot, because it will lure every living creature within smelling distance because of these....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaaLwryFcWc/UGSSv7Y73xI/AAAAAAAAERU/vCdR6VQDJ0Q/s1600/BLT+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YaaLwryFcWc/UGSSv7Y73xI/AAAAAAAAERU/vCdR6VQDJ0Q/s640/BLT+034.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><br /><br />bacon, oh bacon, how I love you. we've got different opinions in our house. Crispy crunchy, fatty, a little of both. Make it the way you like it...(I vote a little crispy)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ukmdOTgEoG8/UGSSzdjPK4I/AAAAAAAAERc/rrUF5e4R7b8/s1600/BLT+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ukmdOTgEoG8/UGSSzdjPK4I/AAAAAAAAERc/rrUF5e4R7b8/s640/BLT+040.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />toast these guys under your broiler.....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcaEANfnONs/UGSS3ddcdbI/AAAAAAAAERk/oA262Y1O0Lo/s1600/BLT+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IcaEANfnONs/UGSS3ddcdbI/AAAAAAAAERk/oA262Y1O0Lo/s640/BLT+041.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
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and you are ready to plate!</div>
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spread one side with the basil mayo.....</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uuyrlQ6yhtE/UGSS69LpmcI/AAAAAAAAERs/mM50R5bH-ik/s1600/BLT+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uuyrlQ6yhtE/UGSS69LpmcI/AAAAAAAAERs/mM50R5bH-ik/s640/BLT+045.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /><br />Add a big scoopful of tomatoes....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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we add avocado slices, because......well, do I even need to say why ;)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />top with a couple slices of bacon....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCWglI8YqFE/UGSTGTE2LWI/AAAAAAAAESE/W4BxXa9buzE/s1600/BLT+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #699fc5; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wCWglI8YqFE/UGSTGTE2LWI/AAAAAAAAESE/W4BxXa9buzE/s640/BLT+053.JPG" style="border: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 4px;" width="596" /></a></div>
<br />and your lettuce...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />No picture of me adding the top slice of bread. As you can see it is stacked pretty high. The next part is the best, but not the prettiest. Add your top slice, smash and devour this yummy goodness.<br /><br />Seriously, your sanity will be questioned if you don't try this.<br /><br /><br />Enjoy!</div>
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-45085812633541044372014-06-14T10:56:00.002-05:002014-06-14T14:31:28.581-05:00For you Dads out there.....I love words. I guess you can say, it's my love language.<br />
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I don't think it always has been that way. Maybe so. But the older I get, the more I realize that words are what shaped me...<br />
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The ugly and the beautiful. Both.<br />
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You can hardly get on social media, turn on the television or walk into any retail store this week with out visiting that relationship with the person that helped with that shaping....<br />
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your Father.<br />
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Some of you reading this, post pics of your Father with awesome tag lines on who he is, or who he was and how much he influenced your life. And how could you not? I 100% agree with you.... the significance that a father's role plays in your life strongly comes out later....if you can post those pics when you are in your 30's,40's and 50's, there was something to be said about the love he gave you.<br />
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I've read a few articles floating around Facebook on fathers this week. I've read of Dads stepping up to the plate anywhere from changing diapers to playing ball with a kid that wasn't even their own.<br />
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In the early stage of our marriage, Tim was in school at Auburn. I walked down to some building on campus that had a large bulletin board full of job offers to students.<br />
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I grabbed a number off the board that was advertising a nanny position for three children.<br />
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Tim and I headed down together to meet a single mom of three in need of someone to care for her children while she worked full time.<br />
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Within about 15mins of conversation, the police showed up with her 7 year old son. He was the cutest little blonde wavy haired little boy. He held a cold, tough look on his face as the police officer brought him to the door way and shared with his mom about the current theft he and his friend just did at a local convenient store.<br />
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When the officer left, she looked at us and said.... "meet Scotty..."<br />
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And that was Scotty. A seven year old little boy, no bigger then a five year old, desperate for any attention. When Scotty was five years old, he and his older sister found their father hung from a tree. That story didn't come out to us until later. For at that moment in their living room, what seemed like it could be "the worst babysitting job ever", we looked at that mama and told her I would start working the very next day. Don't give me a pat on the back. I was much too young and naive to see this situation to the fullest. At that moment, I saw a tough job but a paycheck. I was raised with four brothers and figured I could handle tough. It was later I saw the situation for what it was.<br />
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The next few months were filled with everything you could imagine. Scotty would often call me from school as he didn't "feel well". We attended field trips, did homework with them and would keep them weekends at a time as the Mama went out of town.<br />
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Once Scotty called us and told us his mama wouldn't wake up and he had to be at Soccer practice. Upon arriving, we found her passed out drunk on the sofa, naked and with a blanket on top of her that her son provided.<br />
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It was only about 6mos, but the impact Tim had on Scotty's life was something I can't even describe. Scotty pushed us away, but at the same time, longed for love from us.<br />
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The day we said our good byes before moving to Connecticut was one of the easiest and hardest days ever.<br />
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What I mean by that, is that the mom had basically given us her three children over this time period; one of which was only 3 years younger then myself, and I was a baby at a whopping 18 year old. She was newly pregnant, and the once carted weekly modeling appts, soon turned to her OBGYN visits. The mother was never home...Tim and I in our very young newly wed state, needed a break from parenting her children, but at the same time feared leaving them.<br />
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Scotty was mad at us, and didn't speak to us or look at us days leading up to that goodbye. His hard heart and cold face turned into smiles and giggles as Tim would play video games with him, hunt for his lost snake that escaped from his tank, and teaching him how to fix things around the house made him feel so special.<br />
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As we were leaving their home, Scotty was still locked up in his room, shunning us for leaving him. I remember his mom saying "they're leaving..." and as we were walking out the door, he came out of his room. Just like something you would see in the movies, he embraced me. But what at the time didn't impacted me like it did later, was he embraced Tim...and cried.<br />
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I have tears now thinking about that moment. I'm not quite sure Tim even remembers that day. It's possible he doesn't remember how tightly that little boys arms were wrapped around him. Because Tim was just being Tim. But I remember; because that moment has played out multiple times in our marriage as I think about him fathering our own children.<br />
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We talk about mothering as being such a selfless act, and no doubt we lay down our own desires and wants everyday. We kind of have too....I mean, a mama just knows and has to do. We carried those babies nine months and felt their every move. They heard our heart beat, knew the sound of our joy, pain, stress and peace. They were born knowing we were for them. That comfort was found in our name. We know when they need changing, we know their feeding schedules.... they can just lay in our arms and feel comfort. We know what makes our teenager tick. We can feel their struggles and we can see their pain. We provide what they need before they ask, and we do it over and over again. It's a natural thing.....<br />
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But a dad....well that's something different. Babies know their voice if they were around. They feel their Daddy's comfort on how they made their Mama feel or how many times they were embraced. How they made their "home" feel. Dad's know their children's schedules by learning. They know their pain by asking. They know their character because they helped shape it. They know how their teenager's tick because they were there through the tock. And they know what brings them joy and pain because they were present. They were there.<br />
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I guess you can say, in most cases being a mom is natural, but being a dad is intentional.<br />
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<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
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John 3:16</h3>
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New International Version (NIV)</div>
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<span class="text John-3-16" id="en-NIV-26137"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">16 </span>For God so loved<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26137A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> the world that he gave<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26137B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span> his one and only Son,<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26137C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> that whoever believes<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-26137D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> in him shall not perish but have eternal life.</span><br />
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our heavenly Father was intentional. How much more intentional can you be, then for Him to give up His only Son to have a relationship with you. That's what you Dads do when you are intentional. You tell your children you want a relationship with them, and they feel the depth of what that means.<br />
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To Intentional Dads-<br />
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Thank you for coming home from work and playing with your children. Thank you for changing that diaper, even if it was only one that day. Thank you for waking up during the night to put the paci back in; and for feeding that bottle, for wiping that nose. Thank you for asking hard questions and listening to drama. For saying" you look nice today", or "I like your hair, it's pretty.."; or telling your children you are proud of them. Thank you for whispering in their ear that they are important. Thank you for throwing the baseball and fixing the dryer with them. Thank you for encouraging your children during their triumphs, but especially during their struggles. Thank you for giving them smiles and laughter. Thank your for being silly and playing water balloon fights with them. Thank you for loving other children like your own, and stepping in to the fatherless. Thank you for loving your wives. Thank you for serving others. Thank you for praying for your children, and sharing your struggles with them. Thank you for showing them how God is faithful and how he will always provide. Thank you for making them feel safe and wanted. Thank you for apologizing to them when you mess up. . Thank you for being intentional..... you are demonstrating how to love. They see Jesus in you. They see the sacrifice our Heavenly Father made for them......They do and they will.<br />
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Thank you Tim for being you. Your love is felt deeply by many, and it will not stop at this generation. I am so thankful for you.<br />
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If you know of an intentional Dad, encourage them; not just this weekend, but always. Their role is bigger then the now..... it will impact generations to come.<br />
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Happy Father's Day!<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-62892915473805312302014-06-10T13:48:00.001-05:002014-06-10T15:37:24.233-05:00Ramblings of a tired Mama....I've realized that the social media of Instagram and Facebook is where you will find me if you are looking for me on the screen. Blogging takes up entirely too much time.... where the latter, I just hashtag my thoughts through a single picture for updates.<br />
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But then I realize, that blogging is SUCH therapy for me. I end up regurgitating thoughts, struggles, fears, hopes and dreams onto a completely blank white 8 1/2X11 screen like this......<br />
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and I feel so much better. I guess it's like the hour "venting" phone call to your BFF. Something about saying your thoughts (or in this case, typing), just makes them so much more real. Then you realize the depth of who you are and where you need to go....<br />
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So here's the update on life.....<br />
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I'd be lying if I didn't say that I sound like a broken record everyday with the words... "I NEED A VACATION..." Seriously, Tim and I usually take a sabbatical (if that's even possible) once a year from parenting for say....maybe a few days. Our 15th wedding anniversary was last September and for the first time didn't go ANYWHERE to celebrate it. It was one of those times where we really felt like we were suppose to save all our pennies for an adoption we had know idea when was coming.....low and behold she came 2 mos later to the day.<br />
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And the rest is history.<br />
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On Saturday morning, Tim and the girls decided I needed to take a "day off"....how sweet. That only translated to me as..."we're not sure we want to be around you today, you are so stressed out...."<br />
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Perfect timing as I received a phone call minutes later from a friend feeling the same "AGGHHHH" I was feeling.....I stopped the convo and suggested us seeing the movie "Mom's Night Out" that I had heard such great things about.... it was perfect timing as Hope had been sick all week with her first fever, Tim had been gone to Texas that week, contractors were in our home <i>re</i>-gutting our unwanted bathroom remodel from last year(too much for one post), and I hadn't slept in 6 1/2mos..... but I think it was the 7 times getting up the night before with Miss Hope that DID.ME.IN....I didn't even want to be around myself.....<br />
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At 3:40pm we went off to see it..... after watching 30 minutes of previews, my phone rings during the first lines of the movie...It was one of my children....asking me where one of my other child's phone was......yes, that happened......<br />
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A lot of you just held your own breath for me.....I know you can relate. I think my calming words to my child was....."I AM AT THE MOVIES. ISN'T YOUR <i><b>FATHER</b></i> AT HOME?!?!?!?!"<br />
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Thankfully, I was able to sit the next hour and a half laughing, and also panicking through the movie, and thankful I wasn't the only one that feels like a failure of a mom, even if it was a red curly headed actress proving it....<br />
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All this to say, I'm not sure I want to blog saying..."God has you right where you're suppose to be. Being a Mom is the greatest thing in the whole world. Oh, you haven't slept in forever...no worries, it's only a season. You'll sleep again one day."......First of all, if you have adult children, how can you even SAY that to someone.......did you sleep right through your children's teenage years. Ha! So, I'm not going to say those things, because frankly my dear when you're in that moment...they don't mean a damn.<br />
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Instead, I'm here to tell you mamas that......I LOVE YOU! That you are a rock star and that parenting has been and is the hardest thing you will EVER do. And that it is okay to wish that your shoulder could be more of a part of your body that your husband caresses, instead of a human tissue. And it's okay to wish your home smelt like Mr. Clean instead of the whiff of poop as you hunt for the unattended hidden poopy diaper. It's okay to want to get a shower before 3pm. And it's really okay if you have a glass of wine at 4:42pm because you held out as close to the 5 o'clock hour as possible....It's okay!! Okay, okay!!!<br />
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<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10441048_10202916589088951_6887661668441700232_n.jpg" /><br />
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But, I wouldn't be helpful to you or myself if I didn't say, that yes, it is okay to wish for these things....long for these things....hope for just one of these things to happen throughout the day. But, I have had a major perspective issue lately. I've had entitlement issues over these things and I find myself not okay when I don't get one of them. I'm in constant battle with my flesh over the poop smells, the fact I hang out in my sweaty workout clothes that stay on my body until I can hop in the shower during Hope's first nap time, and when two missionaries show up at my door after a day from hell already, I find myself saying "why me, Lord...why me...".....<br />
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<div class="dicTl" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;">
World English Dictionary</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="4" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: small; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr class="tr1" valign="top"><td class="td1" colspan="2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><b><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">perspective</span> </b><span id="hotword"> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">(pəˈspɛktɪv)</span> </span><a class="questionmark" href="http://dictionary.reference.com/help/luna/IPA_pron_key.html" style="background: url(http://static.sfdict.com/en/i/dictionary/newserp/Sprite_New.png) -176px -215px repeat scroll transparent; color: #663399; display: inline-block; height: 16px; position: relative; text-decoration: none; top: 2px; width: 16px;" target="_blank"></a></td></tr>
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<tr class="tr2" valign="top"><td class="td2" colspan="2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="hotword">— </span><b><i>n</i></b></td></tr>
<tr class="tr3" valign="top"><td align="right" class="td3n1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1%"><span id="hotword">1.</span></td><td class="td3n2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">a</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">way</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">regarding</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">situations,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">facts,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">etc,</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">and</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">judging</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">their</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">relative</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">importance</span></span></td></tr>
<tr class="tr3" valign="top"><td align="right" class="td3n1" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" width="1%"><span id="hotword">2.</span></td><td class="td3n2" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">proper</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">accurate</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">point</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">of</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">view</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">or</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">the</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">ability</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">see</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">it;</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">objectivity:</span> </span><i><span id="hotword"><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">try</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">to</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">get</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">some</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">perspective</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">on</span><span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">your</span> <span class="hwc" id="hotword" name="hotword">troubles</span></span></i></td></tr>
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importance. There it is. What is important? Well, the shoulder was needed for Hope to wipe her nose on...at least I got to work out today...yay for poopies!! her bowels are working just fine....would you like to come in and talk with me about Jesus......<br />
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Oh, y'all, it's amazing how fast my vision can fog. It's amazing how selfish I am. I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father that forgives me when I don't have perspective and can change it for me when I need it so badly. All of life is a season, an ever changing season. True we can say, "this is just a season", but the reality is...a season will always stay the same to you where ever you are if you don't change your perspective. Seasons will change, but your approach to life will not. It will feel like you are constantly drowning and there is no hope. I've been there. I've been in that place where you feel completely helpless and that nothing will get better. I can't tell you it will get better. That's not my place, because you have that choice. You are the only one that can change your perspective and ask God to give you a new breath of air and strength to conquer the next challenge. You're the only one that can change, "okay Lord...WHY ME?", to "how do you want to use me, Lord???".... I'm not a believer in "God doesn't give you what you can't handle...", because this chicka wouldn't need God if I could handle it all. And trust me, I need Him. What I do believe is this...<br />
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Hebrews 13:20-21<br />
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<span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><b style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-20.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;">20</a></b></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,</span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/13-21.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>21</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."</span><br />
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and<br />
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Ephesians 3:16-19<br />
<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;"> </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ephesians/3-16.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>16</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ephesians/3-17.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>17</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ephesians/3-18.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>18</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://biblehub.com/ephesians/3-19.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>19</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify; text-indent: 25px;">and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.</span><br />
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So, I know He equips me with His spirit to fight. I know that I need Him to guide me and I know I need to surrender my entitlements and my twisted perspective. I'm kind of at that place. I'm tired. But instead of longing for sleep, I need Jesus to fill me with rest. And there is sweet rest in surrendering my will. I'm just so stubborn. I want sleep. No really, I have times when I wake up, I search my schedule for the next available "rest" time....just 5 mins....that's all I need....<br />
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I have two girlies headed off to Northview Highschool next year, and I'm pretty sure I don't want to waste their summer with a bad perspective on my end. I NEED to change my perspective on this season, because the next season is right behind this one, and I know it. And I know I don't have any idea of what it holds except that if my perspective doesn't change, then no matter what it is I will feel like I'm drowning.<br />
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Perspective Peeps, Perspective.....<br />
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SO....... here's to poopies, green snot, sleepless nights, bathroom re- re-models and teenagers!<br />
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Besides, how could this face not wipe away all your troubles.....<br />
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<img height="640" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/t1.0-9/10329190_10202679532402682_233441975112005618_n.jpg" width="640" /><br />
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Happy Tuesday, Peeps!<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-35977903678981900552014-05-02T11:46:00.001-05:002014-05-02T11:47:13.058-05:00because it's a favorite :) I'm digging this post out from May 2012, because I just made this dip a few minutes ago, and I can't tell you how many times I get asked for the recipe on this. So here you go!<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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This is what you will need....<br />
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once again, I smile thinking about how she arranged the cans, and tilted the bowl. I think, the merchandising, "shop baby" is coming out :)<br />
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Open your Black Beans, drain and rinse.<br />
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Add your two cans of white shoe peg corn (drained), black beans, and 2 Tablespoons (heaping) of Sugar to a bowl.<br />
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Add 5 Green Onions (chopped), 1/2 cup of Balsamic Vinegar, and 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil.<br />
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Mix together.....<br />
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Then add 8oz of Goat cheese in large clumps. (you can add feta, but I recommend goat) very gently fold in, so you don't completely smoosh all the cheese....<br />
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Refrigerate before serving. Serve with Frito's, and even the people that don't like goat cheese, tell me they love this!</div>
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and remember this <a href="http://www.bellamiaachildrensshop.blogspot.com/2012/05/coolest-dip-on-block.html">dip</a>??? Yep, it's totally awesome this way as well!<br />
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Happy Weekend Y'all!!bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-286025188310187242014-04-29T11:31:00.000-05:002014-04-29T18:48:39.889-05:00clothing yourself for worship.....<span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"><i><b>Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience</b></i>.- Colossians 3:12</span><span class="p" style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.spurgeon.org/images/pyromaniac/TeamPyro/sschool.jpg" height="400" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note- all images taken from Google Images- via the web</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">have you seen one of the latest articles floating around social media on "stop dressing tacky for church".... you can check it out by clicking<a href="http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/04/19/stop-dressing-so-tacky-for-church/?sr=sharebar_facebook" target="_blank"> here.</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I'm not here to jump on my soapbox about that article and say right or wrong on the matter. Only that since attending <a href="http://www.wiregrasschurch.org/" target="_blank">Wiregrass Church</a>, a branch of a "mega come as you are church", I will share what God has taught <i>me</i> about clothing myself before Him in Worship. </span></span></div>
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<img src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/0f/0e/79/0f0e793ce0af6b0e6c9bd33f3c7dae88.jpg" height="400" width="266" /><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Over 2 years ago, Tim and I joined the Guest Services Team at<a href="http://www.wiregrasschurch.org/" target="_blank"> Wiregrass Church</a>. That is a team designed to serve in our church any way that would be fitting for Guests. Whether it's preparing coffee, greeting incomers with a hello, showing visitors around and the like. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Tim and I received "front door duty" a lot and it allowed us every Sunday to see the familiar, and the not so familiar faces grace the church doors. </span></span></div>
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<img src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/e4/7c/c8/e47cc806725c82fbf156a11527396687.jpg" height="400" width="313" /><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">When we first started attending Wiregrass, we had heard the rumors and read the bumper sticker alluding to the casual dress attire. </span></span></span></div>
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<img src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/churchplantmedia-cms/gainesville_presbyterian_church_va/church-clothes.jpg" /><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I won't lie, the first Sunday, we dressed casual. I hadn't yet broken out the jeans, but at first it was nice to not have to iron down the lace just so on the girl's dresses, find matching socks and heaven forbid a matching ribbon tied for the hair, after all....Satan tries to keep us from worship every Sunday, why let him use that pink satin strand to do it.....We simply walked through the doors, were warmly greeted and simply worshiped our Maker....simply.</span></span></div>
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<img src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/915022/thumbs/r-MORMON-WOMEN-WEAR-PANTS-large570.jpg?6" /><br />
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Since that day, the Sunday attire was never an issue for our family. Before that, meeting everyone's standards was tough.....it's dang near impossible.</span></span></div>
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<img height="400" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5257/5515316254_5833b1ba00_z.jpg" width="391" /></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">In my 100+ days of hello's to incomers, I've never seen pajamas and slippers (unless it's pajama day...yes, yes, we have one of those..), like this CNN article even suggests. What I have seen are people. Hearts and Souls there to meet this person called Jesus. </span></span><br />
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<img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/09/27/article-2042443-0E10825900000578-380_468x651.jpg" height="640" width="459" /></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Some may not even know that yet, but as believers; we do.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">What I have seen are women finding their way to worship from the House of Ruth, or the crippled man from the Rescue Mission, the Teen that hitched a ride because their parents were still wasted from the night before, and the child whose baby sitter brought her along because the sitter raved about how fun it was; all dressed in what I can't even remember, because it didn't matter....they were there. </span></span></div>
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<img src="http://peopleproject.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/3383000099_362b29af12.jpg" /><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I've met smiling faces and faces so cold you wonder what could have happened for someone to carry that much of a hurt and burden on themselves....Faces that yet have found freedom in Christ. Have yet to feel the love poured out on them from their Heavenly Father...</span></span></div>
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<img src="http://www.robinhoodtax.org/sites/default/files/imagecache/blog_image_large/images/rft-blog/homeless-girl.png" /><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">And my sweet Ann Taylor, </span>panty<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"> hose previous self, missed the boat on seeing the heart and fragile souls of God's people over the good ol' hurdle of southern etiquette' and pride.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span>
<img src="http://www.projectcrossroad.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/homeless-child.gif" height="300" width="400" /><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">When the words.."did you see what so and so was wearing?!?!" roll off your own or loved ones tongue or resonate in your heart...That was me. My heart aches that I was so judgmental and over all unloving on this matter, and my children saw it....and I'm sure they weren't the only ones...because I had placed myself in a place of blindness, there is no such thing as being a "little" judgmental or a "little" unloving . After all, everyone looked like me before, and if they didn't, they weren't in my presence very long...how could they, why would they want too....I'm sure they didn't see Jesus in me.. and I'm sure they didn't feel unconditional love flowing from me....</span></span></span></div>
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<img src="http://www.embracingstyle.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/casual_outfit1.jpg" /><br />
<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">I don't dress every Sunday as an excuse to to do less "work" in preparing myself and family to worship Jesus.... I dress every Sunday as an excuse for others to see Jesus in me. Because if we're being completely honest, I meet my creator in my nakedness. Scary huh- the outward clothes are for the man, Jesus sees us fully; and I'm pretty sure He's only concerned when we are not clothed in Colossians 3:12.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #001320; font-family: Trebuchet, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">So whether you dress to the Nine's in flip flops or heels, does it really even matter as long as you don't forget to add the accessories of compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience to the attire; because regardless of what you think, that is what people really see you wearing. </span></span></span><br />
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bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-55293812345308568652014-04-24T09:20:00.001-05:002014-04-24T09:30:25.636-05:00more food....I've mentioned briefly before, that I was on an "eat clean challenge", that started Feb 1st. I went off the challenge about 8 weeks in and decided it had already kind of taken over my eating habits anyway....<br />
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<br />
I started reading food labels more and realizing just how much "junk" gets added to our food....Like even a jar of Banana Peppers at the grocery store has yellow FOOD COLORING to make them....well, YELLOW...ugh.<br />
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I've had some peeps ask me what I eat so here's a VERY quick and easy, everybody will love, recipe!<br />
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<br />
You will need- 2lbs of stir fry meat (or you can slice your own)<br />
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Let it hang out for a few in about-<br />
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1/2tsp salt<br />
2 green onions chopped<br />
1 jalapeno pepper (we like it hot, so I normally keep half the seeds<br />
about 2 tbls of fresh Ginger chopped<br />
2 Tbls of Dijon Mustard<br />
1/3 cup of Organic Soy sauce<br />
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Start your boiling water for your Organic Whole Wheat Couscous (found at Publix..about $10 for a tub of it)...and boil as directed. I use 4 cups water and 2 cups Couscous and about 1 tsp salt. (I let the water get to a raging boil, whisk in Couscous, put a lid on it and turn off heat. Don't open lid or stir again until serving.) Takes about 5mins to cook<br />
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While the meat is "seasoning", get your peppers (I use about 4 sweet minis) chopped and in a hot pan with a drizzle of olive oil and let them hang out for a couple minutes before the snow peas join them...<br />
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add your snow peas (a little less then a pound was used for this) and sautee' for about 3mins...<br />
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crank up the heat to the highest setting and add your meat mixture and ALL the liquid...It should sizzle when it hits the pan...<br />
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Toss for about 3-5 mins. Don't over cook. I like mine Medium Rare so meat isn't tough....<br />
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I've been trying to add extra protein where I can, so I add a can of (rinsed and drained) black beans at the very end and let them cook just a minute on high heat...<br />
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Serve it up on top of your Couscous and Enjoy!<br />
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Serves 5-6<br />
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Happy Thursday, Peeps! Hope to see you around here again soon!bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-49286968330646181052014-04-22T12:20:00.000-05:002014-04-22T12:20:42.287-05:00and the WINNER is......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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CONGRATS Angela!! You can make your way to <a href="http://circlecitycrossfit.com/" target="_blank">Circle City CrossFit </a>to claim your FREE 101 Classes to Circle City CrossFit PRIZE! Offer valid for submission until Wednesday, May 28th! Start your CrossFit Journey asap! See you soon!! <br />
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If you you are still interested in checking out this "CrossFit Thing", but bummed you didn't win the Give-Away, feel free to stop by and check out our facility and meet our Coaches and Athletes. Just click the link above for address to the Box and times of operation . Stop on by, see what it's all about and give it a try! bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-79645527209383283342014-04-14T18:12:00.001-05:002014-04-15T06:38:25.793-05:00why moms should CrossFit.....and a Give-Away! yes, this is a post about CrossFit......<br />
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<br />
but not just CrossFit; but just a few reasons why I CrossFit and why I think Moms should CrossFit too.<br />
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I grew up with four brothers, so you could say I stayed pretty active in my younger years as far as any sports goes. I would throw a football, catch a baseball, shoot 3 pointers and the like. My passion sport was gymnastics and thoroughly enjoyed that in my younger years.<br />
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I've pretty much stayed active as an adult as well, as I coached gymnastics, played church and coed league softball, and kept my gym membership going....<br />
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until about 2 1/2 years ago...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTnBEJoVSO8/U0xUb2lmGFI/AAAAAAAAG2I/HYQpWkBmP3k/s1600/katie+shorts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PTnBEJoVSO8/U0xUb2lmGFI/AAAAAAAAG2I/HYQpWkBmP3k/s1600/katie+shorts.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7mos in Crossfit, shorts that were snug from the previous summer...down 15lbs and two clothing sizes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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When I closed Bellamia my whole life schedule that had been the same for almost 8 years had changed. I was a 5am'er (peeps that attend a 5am gym class) at a local gym during my work career and even when Elizabeth was a baby, I'd schedule her nursing time for 4:00am and head over to the gym. It was my "me time" , but shortly after closing the store had let the gym membership expire. Worst and best decision ever.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_lKEWqHQNw/U0xf_7KUxKI/AAAAAAAAG3A/_MZwxsSOhYY/s1600/LJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4_lKEWqHQNw/U0xf_7KUxKI/AAAAAAAAG3A/_MZwxsSOhYY/s1600/LJ.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laura-Jean Mom of Two; works full time. Started CrossFit Oct. 2013. Down from size 16 to a 10. Stronger every day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For one year I did pretty much nothing except run around the neighborhood a couple miles every now and then. My petite size 4 frame started to grow. I was having ovarian cysts show up that needed attention every month. I was in pain, I was tired ALL.THE.TIME, and my soft places on my body only got softer....and larger....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qnOWYb_idA/U0xVKMRzWtI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/-C782KklgwM/s1600/sabrina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4qnOWYb_idA/U0xVKMRzWtI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/-C782KklgwM/s1600/sabrina.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;">Sabrina- Mom of three(8,6,4) works full time..one lung..NO excuses people! Cancer survivor. Started CrossFit at size 18 and now size 8 is loose on her.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I gained 16 pounds that year, for someone that normally didn't do anything but fluctuate 2-4 lbs every couple years. I was getting extremely discouraged as I felt terrible and was starting to out grow all my clothes...you know, the ones you even hang onto after you'd had a baby...the "fat" jeans.....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E0qSyWi9bxQ/U0xWdXSFneI/AAAAAAAAG2c/prEqluYQ1sY/s1600/steph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E0qSyWi9bxQ/U0xWdXSFneI/AAAAAAAAG2c/prEqluYQ1sY/s1600/steph.jpg" height="640" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of our awesome coaches Stephanie. Mom of two fun loving boys. </td></tr>
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<br />
well, it had been almost 9 years since we'd had a baby and the "fat" jeans were getting tight. Not to mention, my OBGYN kept pressing to put me on "the" pill to give my ovaries some time to breathe from all the cysts that had been making them crazy....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydP9W65Bx0E/U0xYGb6_8-I/AAAAAAAAG2o/ldAXwjB4VEU/s1600/tori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ydP9W65Bx0E/U0xYGb6_8-I/AAAAAAAAG2o/ldAXwjB4VEU/s1600/tori.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tori- Mom of Four, works full time. Started CrossFit January 2013. Down about 15lbs, then up 7lbs from muscle gain, and back in a size 4 from 8.</td></tr>
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Well, this chicka had a partial hysterectomy 6 years prior....I hated birth control pills and how they made me feel. Not to mention that discouraged me completely because I knew I would feel bloated, have mood swings and gain more weight... and I didn't want to go back there. Who wants to be on birth control pills when you don't even have a uterus!<br />
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That was it. I was fed up and started contemplating where to go start working out again. I knew my fitness level was driving my physical health on a spiraling down fall, and I had family history that showed me where is was going if I didn't make some changes.....<br />
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I had heard about this CrossFit <strike>Cult </strike> thing and was completely against it.....<br />
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I was NOT going to look like "<i>her</i>". There is no WAY I could do what <i>they </i>do anyway (whatever that is!). These CrossFit people are freaks.....insane....they must LIVE at the gym....<br />
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Yes, yes, I was one of <i>those</i> critics....<br />
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sigh....<br />
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<br />
now, I'm one of those freaks.....<br />
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So what happened???<br />
<br />
Well, some precious friends in their sixties....what what!...yes, I said sixties, talked to me one day about it and how much they thought I would love it. After hearing them talk of it, the real stories...not the ones I imagined in my head...I decided I'd contact an acquaintance (via Facebook and precious customer to Bellamia) and co-owner of<a href="http://circlecitycrossfit.com/"> Circle City CrossFit</a> here in Dothan.<br />
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After her sharing with me to come to the 101 class, a four session class that teaches you the basic movements of CrossFit and will gauge where you are physically; I joined the 101 class two days later...<br />
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I was TERRIFIED walking into the Box (the name of a CrossFit gym).....I went a little early and saw everyone working out with these intimidating large bars and weights as big as my head <b>or bigger</b>, and I could feel my blood pressure rising....but it was too late....I had already done the hardest part...<br />
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Walking through the doors....<br />
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That was mid September 2012....<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mz3ibZsdfo/U0xY8mhtK_I/AAAAAAAAG2w/Y_W5hylVHWw/s1600/selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mz3ibZsdfo/U0xY8mhtK_I/AAAAAAAAG2w/Y_W5hylVHWw/s1600/selfie.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hate selfies.. but it is what it is... Started CrossFit in Oct. 2012 on left. Down from a size 8 to 4 on right. Scale difference is now only 8 pounds because of muscle gained. Total loss in the first 9mos- 15lbs. And cysts FREE since two mos after starting CrossFit..Whoop Whoop!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
because I avoided sleeveless attire the year prior, I don't have fabulous before and afters. So I grabbed a few other before and afters from mom's that I work out with that are all pictured throughout this post. So proud of them!<br />
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<br />
So here are my top 14 reasons why Moms should CrossFit, in no particular order...<br />
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1. You will look the best you've EVER looked...post children...and maybe even pre :)<br />
2. If you're married, your husband will tell you that all the time.<br />
3. You will not only feel like you can, but WILL accomplish any task, because let's face it, you already do, but I bet you are tired, ALL.THE.TIME.<br />
4.You will look the best you've EVER looked....oh wait....I've already said that....well, it's true...<br />
5. You will feel ab pain that you hadn't felt since your contractions from birthing...except these contractions will be your abs building and tummy flattening....whoop whoop! YES, it IS possible to have abs again, and not the ones hiding under the..(cough cough).... "skin"...<br />
6. You will make the BEST of friends, that will become family to you. TRUTH.<br />
7. You will look the...oh yeah...<br />
8. You may or may not get a tattoo or nose ring because you will feel like a bad a$$<br />
9. Speaking of a$$....... yep. It will SHRINK! Whoop Whoop!<br />
10. You will have energy again.....your husband will be glad....wink wink<br />
11. Your kids will think you are a rock star because you will either be keeping up with them on the run, doing cartwheels in the back yard with them (without seeing stars!), and you will inspire them to stay fit and healthy when they are your age. JUST because you are doing it.<br />
12. If you WOD (Work Out of the Day) at 5am, you will either WOD as the sun rises or drive home to it and feel like you have already conquered the world...you will be ready to tackle the day, and you will have been filled with encouragement from your group of peeps that are not only there to get better; but to see and push YOU to get better!<br />
13. You will look the.....ok, I'm done now<br />
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So, whether or not this CrossFit thing is a "fad"....I.don't.care.<br />
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It's a "fad" that brought awesome friendships, took me to accomplishments I never thought possible, took me (in my opinion) to my fitness goals the fastest then any other program I've ever done.<br />
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<i>and</i>, you don't have to "live" at the gym.....4-5 times a week will get you there. You will work the hardest you ever had, but you will be a new person for it.<br />
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For my one year anniversary, I celebrated with something I hadn't done in 15+ years and no way I would have tried before CrossFit.....<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxFu8eeYLzO07VdyIP7HhK-e8P-CZO100sNV8LJ3-45VujwsI7ol0de0lc6watcOMhRIgrvPSIyvkZsAMcvFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Sooooooo, let's do a Give-Away shall we!!<br />
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Now is the time to enter in a drawing for a free 101 Class (4 sessions=$75 value) at Circle City CrossFit!!<br />
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No strings attached! Try it...leave it, or love it! I guarantee you will LOVE it!<br />
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Here's what you will need to do to be entered for the drawing. Simply "share" this original blog post from my Facebook page. If you share from a friends page or from this blog and not via Facebook, you MUST comment below with your name and email address so we can enter you and contact you if you win.<br />
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Would you like to have a chance to be entered TWICE??? You must "like" their<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Circle-City-CrossFit/154850137979550" target="_blank"> FB page</a> and comment "liked and shared" to be entered twice.<br />
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Please share all you want, but only one entry per like and share per person.<br />
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Now remember, it was Sixty Year Olds that inspired me to join a CrossFit Box, so all you peeps out there that think just because you have a grandchild or two can't do this, you are wrong. CrossFit is for everyone. You do what you can and you will be amazed that it was more then you think!<br />
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So Thankful for the people and coaches at Circle City CrossFit and the CrossFit community in general. It has blessed my life.<br />
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14. I am a better mom because of CrossFit.<br />
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Drawing to be held Tuesday, April 22 @ noon!<br />
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3-2-1-GO!<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-63911998592685668022014-04-07T11:01:00.001-05:002014-04-07T11:01:22.863-05:00Adoption Ramblings of a Mama.....Last Thursday, stirred emotions....<br />
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We headed to court to make Hope an "official" Pilcher......<br />
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I can't explain the emotions....<br />
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I just remember a friend of mine trying to explain to me the "adoption high" and what it feels like coming down from it....<br />
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I totally get what she's talking about.<br />
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When we got the call about Hope, our life didn't change drastically until the reality that she wasn't leaving occurred....<br />
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which wasn't long after, but it was such a whirlwind. We weren't prepared, like you usually are when you have 9 mos ahead of you.<br />
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The newness of a baby was awesome. The severity of the sleepless nights sunk in, and the emotions that took place at the hospital lingered, as my little family of 5 became 6 overnight....JUST.LIKE.THAT.<br />
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In other words, it took a lot longer then a couple months for it to sink in. In fact, as the Judge was asking us our vows and charging us with this life that had been given to us, I couldn't even imagine going through that event early then that date....<br />
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I kept wondering why the court date was set over 4 mos from the date we received Hope, but I am just so thankful for this date....<br />
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That date came just a few days shy of the<a href="http://bellamiaachildrensshop.blogspot.com/2013/04/god-is-good-faithful-and-true.html"> turn of events</a> just last year, where we were in another courtroom pursuing another little life in North Georgia. One that was the same age as our Hope.<br />
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The severity of the emotions and the commitment we were making to Hope was making my heart pound....<br />
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It was just SO.REAL.<br />
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We opened our hearts to a child in need, and GOD provided her to us.<br />
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But really, us to her....<br />
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I just can't explain the joy that she is. The honor it is to look at her every day, and know that we've been given this life to raise, and love, and cherish. Her smile lights up a room, just like her sister's, and melts my heart, every.single.time.<br />
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To know that she will be raised in the Lord. She will be introduced to the gospel, and she will know that Jesus died for her, because He wants her to share her story and the great work that He has done; and He wants to spend eternity with her...wow, y'all, just wow..... That hopefully her birth parents and others through this will have also felt and seen the love of Christ and the grace poured out. There is no way I can explain how that feels. Just no way.<br />
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It brings such tears to my eyes. When we were discussing some things with our Attorney after our court meeting, and we mentioned Foster Care, he said "you know that's where she was heading.....Hope, that is..."<br />
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I am not at all saying Foster Care is wrong, and I am very much thankful for the homes provided for children in direct need, love and care. But y'all, this precious life that you have seen through pictures, our testimony, and some of you have held in your own arms; was to be sent temporarily or possibly permanently to a home where she may or may not have called home forever, or call a mama and daddy permanently by name. And the fact the birth parents gave her to us, is what I hope, (if they haven't already) be used to see that God's amazing love is big, that they got to choose a better life for her. That there will be healing, because they will know His great love for their child and for them, because of the sacrifice. Because of the mercy poured out. I pray they see, and that they will know Jesus and His great generosity because of this.<br />
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I do not dwell on "what if's", for I know my God has a plan for all.<br />
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But I do love to see His mighty hand work. And I am so thankful we are being used in her life, as she is in ours.<br />
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I have never before experienced in my heart the depth of the out pouring of grace from our Heavenly Father like I continue to see during this process. I have never felt a stronger urge for rescuing orphans then I have during this. If you have ever considered adopting, I encourage you strongly to pray about it. The Lord presses on the hearts what He wants you to know, for some.....that is actually adopting....for others, it's supporting the families that do so. Don't think He'll leave you alone on this. He worked on us for 14 years; I believe, preparing our hearts, our marriage, and our family for Hope. He didn't leave our hearts alone. Even when I tried to deny His plan for us.<br />
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We are not perfect. I'll admit that there were MANY times I thought "oh crap, did I just really say "yes Lord" to this?? We were in "freedom" zone...no more baby sitters, diapers, sleepless nights. We've got this family of 5 down and well into practice....I mean, it's been 10 YEARS since we had a baby and not to mention we will go through another TEENAGE years. Don't think the what if, what if, what if's didn't try to stop me..... they would start to creep in and I would have to verbally rebuke those thoughts aloud. I had to verbally claim that I will follow Jesus where ever He leads on this....<br />
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Our attorney asked us if we would still be interested in adoption again. Tim and I can agree, we always strive to be open and follow where the Lord is leading and His plans for us. I have learned never to say never.....<br />
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Thursday night we had a little celebration for Hope's life. Elizabeth kept wanting to call it her "birthday" party :) I guess in a way, it was her official "birth" by law into our family.....<br />
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Our Jillian did the artwork for the cake with our theme "Family Tree", and we just had the best time celebrating and reflecting God's goodness.<br />
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For those of you that have emailed, Facebook messaged me and the like, asking about who we used or went through for the adoption; I apologize for not yet responding to all of you yet....I'm getting there. Along with my 500 thank you cards. They're coming.....sincere apologies on my delay. Each one of y'all that has invested in giving of your time, talents, love, prayers and financial support for our family and for Hope is so appreciated by our entire family; that my heart bursts and tears fill my eyes when I think about it every day.<br />
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The details of our adoption story is so cool, but too much detail to write right now. But I love to see how Bellamia played a part in it and with readers like you.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhbaUCUQb0o/U0K-3mSMuKI/AAAAAAAAG1c/7t3dSlXOUPo/s1600/IMG_8094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhbaUCUQb0o/U0K-3mSMuKI/AAAAAAAAG1c/7t3dSlXOUPo/s1600/IMG_8094.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a><br />
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Our home study was done privately by a customer to Bellamia and blog follower. She was just so precious and we are SO thankful for her and the timing God provided for that. If you are interested in going that route or have questions you can contact Leslie @ lesliehcude{at}gmail{dot}com.<br />
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We used Sam McClure with <a href="http://www.theadoptionfirm.com/">The Adoption Law Firm</a> out of Montgomery, Al. One of Sam's first words to me was "I'm your OBGYN in adoption, you can call me anytime...." He was amazing to work with and has such a heart for the lost and the orphans.<br />
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If you are still reading, wow, bless you! Haven't sat down this long to write a post in a while!<br />
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Happy Rainy Monday, y'all! Hope to be back real soon!<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-36642340570609266272014-04-05T16:45:00.002-05:002014-04-05T16:45:14.490-05:00Breakfast (and a great post workout meal).... I have to force myself to eat a hearty breakfast early in the morning. I'm normally not hungry until 8am or later, but because I work out during the week at 5am, I know my body needs something asap on my return home. We usually had hot breakfast every morning growing up at our house. My kiddos might eat cereal once a week, but for the most part, we eat eggs in some form or fashion for breakfast every morning. This is currently my favorite way to eat them....<br />
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I love this hash, so decided to blog it. I have it as often as I can.....<br />
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Here's what you do...<br />
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In a large skillet, brown 1/2 lb of your favorite ground sausage, along with 2 peeled and cubed (like pictured) sweet potatoes, sprinkle with about 1tsp of salt (it's more important to salt during this time so the potatoes get a good flavor while cooking) on med high-high heat, stirring often. I like a little color to my sweet potatoes that's why I turn up heat. Cook for about 5-7 mins and cut down heat to low and let it hang out for about 10mins so that potatoes soften...<br />
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when potatoes are softened, add about 3-4 chopped (however you like) mini sweet peppers. I like my peppers with just a little bit of a texture still, that is why I add them at the end. I don't like them soggy. Then I grab about 3 large handfuls of baby spinach. Stir it all together and let it hang out on med-high heat while you prepare your eggs...<br />
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Poached eggs are my favorite way to eat them. You can learn how to poach an egg by clicking <a href="http://allrecipes.com/video/16/how-to-poach-eggs/detail.aspx">HERE</a>, but I will say, I do not use vinegar. I just use a medium sauce pan and salt. You will want to make sure your water is salty. Not too salty like pasta water, but I would add 1-2tsp, depending on how many eggs you are poaching at once. I poach 4 usually to speed up my process. These shown above are not the prettiest because my water wasn't a raging boil yet so they have a little "skin" build up, and I should have waited longer, but I was ready to eat and they tasted great anyway :)<br />
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Don't poach too long or you'll get a hard boiled egg. I love the creamy thick yoke, not too runny so that means I let them boil for about 1.5-2mins, depending on your heat, I usually set my lid half way on the sauce pan, so that the heat stays in, but I won't have a boil over. Don't be afraid to try, it's not as hard as it looks and it is simply divine :) Plate it up like shown and you'll have an awesome post-workout meal.<br />
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(my kiddos don't love pepper, so I add mine at the end...) serves 3 adults or a family of 5 with small children.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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Congrats Laura Evans! Stop by before April 30th to claim your $25.00 Gift Certificate to Dothan Nurseries!!<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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Another Give-Away is in the works! Be back soon....<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-59536116606671504742014-03-26T17:35:00.001-05:002014-03-26T17:35:52.538-05:00Grillin' it up!<br />
I hadn't intended to blog this lunch item, but when all the girl's exclaimed that it was so good and that I had to make this regularly, then I decided that you needed to know about it. I quickly grabbed my camera before I devoured mine, so there are no pics of the process....sorry!<br />
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I realize that some of you might not want to fire up the grill in the middle of the day, so you can easily make your patties ahead of time or the night before.<br />
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I ran to the grocery store today and for some odd reason, after grabbing my eggs and heading to the register couldn't get the Swiss Cheese craving out of my mind as I passed all the dairy items....<br />
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I've been doing an Eat Clean challenge since February 1st. Do you hear me people.... NO Cheese, white sugar, sugary carbs, flour etc for about 8 weeks now.<br />
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I've had my cheat meals, but very few. I decided this past week, to go off the challenge, but not because I was tired of it, but it had already taken over our life, in a good way.<br />
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I had forced myself (and my family) to "Eat Clean" and so with out thinking, my menu and lifestyle recently changed easily to it. Because of that, I decided to take myself off the challenge, because I would just plan to "eat clean" always, and instead of having a "cheat day" (a day per week, you can eat anything you want), I would just monitor and limit what I eat that is not the greatest for you ;)<br />
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With that in mind, my absolute love of bread isn't an issue at the moment, and I find myself coming up with alternatives immediately for it. When I had a "burger" for the first time on the challenge, I just used lettuce to wrap the burger up in like a wrap, which I still love, but today I wanted to mix things up.....when I wanted Swiss cheese all of a sudden, I immediately wanted an ooey gooey cheese burger. So this is what I made....<br />
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For the patties-<br />
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2lbs ground beef<br />
salt to taste (maybe about 1tsp...I just sprinkle, so not exactly sure)<br />
3TBLS Dijon mustard<br />
1/4 of medium size sweet onion, finely chopped<br />
1/2 of a jalapeno pepper finely chopped (I left some seeds for heat)<br />
1 egg<br />
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Smush altogether and form into 8-10 patties (we don't make large ones)<br />
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Grill over medium heat for about 20min, continuing to flip. If you make ahead of time, make sure you leave your patties slightly pink in the center. I like to eat mine medium anyway, but if you are to reheat, you surely don't want to cook them all the way through on the grill first or you will have one dry burger when reheating.<br />
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After patties are done, I laid out a large flour tortilla, placing spinach and then a few slices of swiss cheese, then my patty. I didn't add any other condiment. To me, it didn't need it, with the mustard, pepper and onion in the meat; that was plenty of flavor and kept things juicy.<br />
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Fold up all sides the tortilla (meeting in the middle, like you would a corner of a present when wrapping), and place seam side down in a skillet heated with a drizzle of Olive Oil. Grill both sides until desired crispness and long enough for cheese to melt inside. Seam side will end up sticking closed.<br />
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Slice at an angle, serve with sweet potato fries and enjoy! :)<br />
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This little one, is teething up a storm.....<br />
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<img src="https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1.0-9/1609943_10202455956533425_565130294_n.jpg" /><br />
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and a strong little thing. I'll be back with an update soon, peeps!<br />
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Happy Hump Evening!bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-8694995919310937742014-03-21T15:15:00.001-05:002014-03-21T15:20:35.375-05:00It's another Give-Away!!Whoop Whoop!<br />
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I've been meaning to post about <a href="http://dothannurseries.com/">Dothan Nurseries</a> for a few weeks now. Whew! My days have been full and once again, I sound like a broken record.....Just NOT enough time in the day :)<br />
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I'm not going to share too much, because I believe the pictures will give you a small taste of where you need to visit this weekend!<br />
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Dothan Nurseries is owned and operated by JD Boone. He and his wife Mindy, have two sons (one of which, I've secretly arranged a future marriage with one of our daughters), and are truly one of the sweetest families I know.<br />
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I've been completely blessed by them personally, for having the opportunity over the last year to "play" at the Nursery. I know I've told y'all time and time again, that <a href="http://dothannurseries.com/">Dothan Nurseries </a>has always been one of my favorite places to visit in Dothan. It is a sanctuary. And the more I've been involved there, the more I've seen how JD strives to make it that way for the community, and for his staff that work along side him. Speaking of which, it's hard to beat his staff..... such a wonderful group of people work for him. You will want to spend hours at Dothan Nurseries just to soak it all in!<br />
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When JD asked me to help him come "fluff" the showroom, I literally thought that it would probably be my biggest design/decorating challenge yet.... I mean, how do you make perfection better?!?!?<br />
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Please enjoy these photos, then meet me at the bottom for details on how you can enter to win something GREAT from this magical place....<br />
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Dothan Nurseries is located at 1300 Montgomery Hwy, Dothan, Alabama. Springtime hours are M-F 9am-6pm and Sat 9am-5pm.<br />
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So are you ready to play???? To enter the drawing for a $25.00 gift certificate to one of my<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dothan-Nurseries/118618221975"> favorite places</a>, you must share this blog post on your Facebook page! If you share from my Facebook page you will not have to comment on this blog post with your info. If you share from this blog or from someone else's Facebook page, you must comment below with your name and email address for the drawing.<br />
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But wait, there is more! (I sound like an infomercial!)..... If you visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dothan-Nurseries/118618221975">Dothan Nurseries</a> before April 15th, and mention this blog post about them at the checkout, then you will receive 20% OFF one (1) regular priced item of your choice! Win Win!!<br />
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Drawing to be held Tuesday, April 1st @ noon!Please share all you want, but only one entry per person for drawing, and only one special 20% OFF discount per person.<br />
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Now, aren't you glad I made your weekend plans for you! Head on over there and enjoy!!<br />
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See you soon, peeps!<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-604716797294978499.post-81538594198255943962014-03-12T16:16:00.000-05:002014-03-12T16:16:01.338-05:00we've got to quit meeting like this.....it's like one of those friends you are dying to have coffee with, but can't make the schedule work. Just so you can sit back and soak in the life that they are breathing out to you. Just enjoying each others company......<br />
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If I were to show you my home right now, you would question why I am blogging instead of folding laundry. If you don't know me by now, let me introduce myself....My name is Katie Pilcher, and I despise, I mean utterly despise folding laundry, but I also despise the mountains of it that are piled between my bedroom and the laundry room.<br />
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I keep telling myself I'll get to it.........<br />
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It's been a heavy few weeks since last meeting with y'all.<br />
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I finally managed to spend some time finishing the "babies" room.<br />
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The inspiration, honestly came from our Lizzy, and then secondly from the name banner on Hope's crib.<br />
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A friend brought me that banner in the hospital the day after we got Hope.<br />
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Finishing the last details of this room came at one of the most saddest times in my adult hood.<br />
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I had a photo shoot scheduled on this room last Tuesday, and on Monday my Papa passed away, while in his sleep....<br />
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He was able to cuddle with Hope in this pic, just two weeks before his death.<br />
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As I was finishing the room later that day and into the next, I kept thinking about how he and my Nana had a vivid part in that room. Papa made sure you were going to know how to work, and work hard. He spent lots of time with our Elizabeth. I was pregnant with Lizzy when my Nana died, and Elizabeth is her namesake.<br />
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My grandmother taught me to sew, along with cooking and baking bread. She preferred making her own patterns (as I do as well, or should I say, I can't stand to follow a pattern. too many steps, so little time), and would carefully show me how important it is to "pin" my fabric before sewing, or I'd regret it....and she was right....<br />
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I know fully that this room was created out of life and skill lessons that my grandparents taught me. It will be enjoyed by their great grandchildren because of the fruits of their love and time they gave to teach me at such an early age. Because of this, I will be forever grateful. He will be missed more then I can even fathom now, because it's still so fresh. But the thought of Nana and Papa together again, worshiping their King in Heaven, brings such joy to my heart. My Nana had a smile like our Elizabeth's that just lights up a room. There isn't a question that her smile alone made Jesus dance with her on His faithful servant's homecoming.<br />
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my blogging time is up. I have a little bundle that has learned she can talk and get people's attention. And my attention, is what she's going after at this moment.<br />
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I'll leave you with a few details of the room......<br />
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1. Lizzy's favorite color is blue.<br />
2. She wanted a bed that could "close up" like a "hide out" since she was sharing her space with a sibling 10 years younger.<br />
3. I left Lizzy's original bedding because it was expensive and it was still in great shape. I don't mind mixing patterns like that. The name banner provided me comfort in that. I love those mixed calico prints on it, and just thought I'd combine other prints to join it.<br />
4. I took Lizzy's bed skirt to make Hope's crib skirt. The crib, bumper and sheet was at our home, brought and set up by a friend and our other girlies before we even arrived home from the hospital with Hope. Such a blessing. I wouldn't dream of changing that memory. <br />
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5. We had drawers built under her bed since we had to omit a chest of drawers for space. Allowing Lizzy's bed higher so that Hope wouldn't be able to get up there for a couple years without help.<br />
6. Lizzy tells us "good night, sweet dreams, see you in the morning. I love you." EVERY.SINGLE.NIGHT. and has for years. So that is why it is written on a chalkboard above her head.<br />
7. When Hope moves to a twin bed we will mimic Elizabeth's bed on the adjacent wall, with drawers underneath for Hope.<br />
8. A friend let me borrow her adorable <i><a href="http://www.blablakids.com/">Blabla</a></i> mobile, while Hope's is still on back order. I remember this friend purchasing it from my store when she was pregnant with her son. I still think this is one of the sweetest mobiles ever.<br />
9. The cowhide rug is placed because I needed a thin rug so that drawers would not get caught up on when opening. Also, I repainted the floors from green and white check to cream and white check, so I didn't want to cover too much of it. Also, Lizzy is approaching preteens and she is a funky girl so I needed to add some funky elements to make it look "grown-y".<br />
10. It also gave the gold tone that I followed in the antique' lighting and frames. We have an old home so I love to keep some "age" in each room.<br />
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Hope y'all are having a great week. I'm not planning on leaving y'all too long.....I've got a little something in the works that involves this place.....<br />
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<br />bellamiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16042950965915268157noreply@blogger.com2