tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27306786542718608822024-03-04T21:11:15.215-08:00ChambersMade100% ChambersMade
recipes, crafts, projects & quirky life stuffKierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.comBlogger441125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-55343231424674985112013-08-23T15:25:00.000-07:002013-08-23T15:25:03.613-07:00Letter to My DaughterI heard on the radio this morning that the number one person that influences a girls personal image is her mother...eek!<br />
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There are also hundred's of studies that say how important a fathers role in a girls life is...<br />
A healthy relationship with her brother is also very important...<br />
Healthy relationships with her extended family are important...<br />
<br />
I know this...I know that both my husband and I play a huge roll in our daughter's self image...<br />
I also know I will fail her.<br />
I know my husband will fail her.<br />
Her brother will fail her..<br />
Her grandparents, aunts, uncles & cousins will fail her...<br />
<br />
Guess what, I don't need a study to tell me...<br />
the number one most important relationship my daughter needs to become a healthy, responsible woman with a great self image...<br />
Her relationship with her Creator God, Abba Father, Jesus Christ...<br />
<br />
He.Will.Never. fail her!<br />
<br />
and because of this I decided to write her a letter....<br />
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dear Sweet Daughter of Mine,</i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I love you more than you can fathom {that is, until you have your own children, but until then}. I want you to have a life filled to the brim with love & joy.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>What I want you to know...need you to know.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You are designed to be loved. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We all know that deep in our core, that we are created for love. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But please never confuse what that love is. You were created by the God of the universe to be loved by the God of the universe. In the deepest part of your soul you will yearn for that love and search for that love. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Make no mistake that you deserve that love, there is nothing wrong with this desire to be love.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But know this,</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>that NO man, no woman, no child on this earth </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">that can love you enough to fulfill that need. </i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>God created that desire so that you would seek Him.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>I love you more than you can fathom, but my love for you is nothing compared to God.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Your father loves you more than you can fathom, but his love is nothing compared to God's love for you.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Also, I am so very blessed to have met, fallen in love with, married and fallen more in love with your father. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>But guess what...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He is not my soul mate... </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>He does not 'complete me'...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>If for some reason your father was not in my life I would be sad, terribly sad, but I would go on and live the life that God created me to live, because my life is not set on a earthly man that I have chosen to live my life with. No man on earth can make me whole!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>My life is set on the Heavenly Father I have chosen to seek after.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>You are beautiful. Yes, I am your mother and because of that I will always believe you are beautiful. But I also know that you are beautiful because of who created you. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>No article of clothing, hair style, make up brush can make you more beautiful than God Himself. I will tell you that you are beautiful, your father will tell you that you are beautiful, your grandparents, friends, aunts & uncle, will tell you that you are beautiful {your brother may not, but that's just because he's your little brother!}, and someday, when you are grown {35'ish}, men will tell you that you are beautiful...those words, my words, "daughter, you are beautiful" aren't what make you beautiful! You need to tuck this away in your heart, hear it over and over, what makes you beautiful is that the God of the Universe, the God that formed the stars in the sky, the mountains & oceans, paints the sunsets each night, that God...He.Created.You. He formed you! He drew the curve of your cheek, placed the twinkle in your eyes, counted every hair on your head, knew the size of your feet and the strength of your legs.... He is why you are beautiful! You are not beautiful because your father and I tell you, you are beautiful because He says so!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>That life filled to the brim with love & joy that I mentioned at the beginning of this letter...that isn't something that just happens. And notice I didn't say a life without pain. Not that I want you to have a life of pain, but I also know that pain helps us grow, that pain turns us to our Creator. The greatest pain so far in my life was the first 17 days of your life...not knowing if you, my precious daughter, would live. But that pain turned me into the arms of my God. I sought out His Love and Peace and through that pain my life was filled with love & joy. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>God's plan for your life is to </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b><span style="color: #4c1130;">"prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.</span> </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>{Jeremiah 29:11}...</i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">...but don't stop reading the passage there...keep reading...</i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #4c1130;"><b>"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord."</b></span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We need to seek God with all our heart...God's plan 'not to harm us' plays into the fact that we are seeking Him! Not seeking a life free of pain, not seeking to be beautiful, not seeking to find a man to share it with...<br />When you seek God and allow HIS plan to dictate your life, that is when the remainder of His plan for prosperity & hope will become fulfilled ...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>oh, and prosperity isn't 'the American dream'...God's idea of prosperity looks a little different. Prosperity is a heart issue not a bank account number!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There is so much more that I want you to know. So I will end this letter with...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"till next time!"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Your loving, faithful, full of mistakes mom!</i></span><br />
<br />
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Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-20440938159975016032013-07-03T16:35:00.001-07:002013-07-03T16:35:28.160-07:00okay, this is the deal...I live in a place that has hot summers...<br />
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like VERY hot summers...<br />
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but, this is the thing...they may be hot...<br />
but it's a 'Dry Heat!'<br />
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this is a typical conversation...<br />
<i>someone that doesn't live in Redding, CA</i>,<br />
"How can you live there, it's so HOT?"<br />
<i>someone who lives in Redding</i>,<br />
"Well, it's a dry heat!"<br />
<br />
and we are very {very} proud of our dry heat...<br />
<br />
but then, this week something horrible happened...<br />
<img alt="tstorms" height="200" src="http://igoogle.wunderground.com/i/c/google/tstorms.gif" width="200" /><br />
<br />
115+ heat {today's high is supposed to be 117!}<br />
37% humidity!<br />
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guess what people?<br />
<br />
That's.NOT.a.dry.heat!<br />
<br />
and folks, that's where pride gets ya...we get all proud of our dry heat and smack, right in the kisser, 37% humidity with 117 degrees outside...<br />
<br />
it's like having extra sweat glands on the outside of your body!!!<br />
nasty sweaty swollen glands...<br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-27694782804977940932013-06-27T07:40:00.003-07:002013-06-27T07:48:41.198-07:00This Happened 15 years ago today!<br />
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we became husband and wife....<br />
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there was some kissing....</div>
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some laughing...</div>
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and dancing...<br />
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and yes...we were children!<br />
<br />
I'm not going to blog about<br />
*15 things I've learned in 15 years or<br />
*15 reasons why I love him more now or<br />
*15 things I wish I knew before I got married...<br />
<br />
I just wanted to simply say that getting married at 20, although young, was the best thing I have ever done. I am thankful to God for putting Beau into my life, thankful we married when we did, thankful we chose to have our children when we did...<br />
Beau is a great husband...he's not perfect...<br />
I think I might be an okay wife...I'm not perfect...<br />
we try to always communicate our feelings...<br />
we don't always do that as calm, rational adults...<br />
but we do communicate...<br />
I know he's not a mind reader...<br />
even when I drop amazingly obvious hints...<br />
I can't get mad at him when I haven't communicated what I need or want from him.<br />
<br />
Our goal for our marriage is to be in relationship with God and each other and to grow in that relationship. We are not trying to change the other person {or train, like some would say} into the man or woman we want them to be. We are hopefully helping each other grow and change and become the man & woman God would have us be.<br />
<br />
and that, for us, is what marriage is all about.<br />
<br />
Our marriage has been blessed and for that I am thankful!<br />
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I love you Beau!Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-56666522379911696162013-06-18T10:50:00.000-07:002013-06-20T06:29:16.874-07:00summer plan...where are you?Last summer I was all over it...I had our <a href="http://chambersmade.blogspot.com/2012/06/sum-sum-summa-timea-plan.html" target="_blank">summer plan</a> planned before school ended...<br />
I knew how to make our summer not too boring, and not to scheduled and we had a wonderful summer...<br />
<br />
We are 2 weeks into summer and I keep thinking I need to look at last years plan...so I finally did, this morning...wow I was on top of it!<br />
<br />
We did start the summer by camping on the Oregon Coast {only a 7 hr drive on the last day of school!}...<br />
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I can also see how things are a little different this summer but I still like the basic idea...and to top it off the kids and I have been brainstorming some 'bucket list' ideas, things we want to do before summer is over!<br />
<br />
Here is our plan for summer this year...<br />
<br />
*Swim Team again...and boy to they love it {sarcasm!}, it's a little earlier this year starting at 8 rather than 8:30 and that 30 min make a HUGE deal...there have been 4 practices so far and my kids have made 2 of them, {that's 50%}...I'm buckling down on bed times this week so they can actually wake up...and by 'buckling down' they need to be in bed by 9:30, last week they were getting in bed after 11, it was CRA.ZA.Y! around here, we took the whole "Schools out for Summer!" and lost it a little!<br />
anyways, M-W-F an hour in the pool...it's great for them!<br />
<br />
*Summer Reading Program...they are signed up for the reading program at the library, and the boy child will participate in the<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570" target="_blank"> Barnes & Noble Summer Reading </a>again {it only goes to 6th grade and girl child is going into 7th!...so disappointed in B&N for not continuing to reward and encourage older kids to read!}. The reading is actually huge this summer, the girl child got reading glasses the last day of school,<br />
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<br />
that coupled with the 'reward' for completing the Library Summer Reading {for teens} is that they are entered into a drawing for a Kindle...she has had her nose in a book most afternoons, this.is.not.normal! I usually have to encourage reading using various little tricks, but I have actually said to her, <i>"you need to put that book down!</i>" Seriously, this is a sentence I never thought I would utter in my life to her, I am so blissfully excited about her reading!!!<br />
<br />
*Piano...summer is the easiest time of year for them to buckle down and actually get in ALL of their daily piano practicing and listening {they have a CD that they are supposed to listen to daily}...and it helps me when they are begging to watch something or play a video game to say, "have you done your piano yet?"...<br />
<br />
*Summer Journal...I didn't do this last summer and it was obvious when school started up again that they weren't use to writing...we have always done summer journals, not sure why I flaked last summer, and when Wilson was too young to journal he had a summer doodle book, where he would draw things he had done.<br />
<br />
*Limited Screen Time...I know it's summer and summer is all about zoning out and losing yourself in tv right? wrong...I HATE the kids to be zoned out in front of that thing! But I also know it's summer so I relax my tone just a bit. They are allowed 30 min screen time before they have to do their reading and piano for the day, and then after that I will look at our day and decide if they need/can have any more screen time....but also depending on the day we may be too busy for them to have their 30 min before reading & piano and I may use it as a reward for them getting all their tasks done and with a good attitude.<br />
<br />
Now for our weekly 'schedule' {I use that term loosely, it is summer}<br />
<b>Movie Monday's</b>...either a trip to the 'dollar theater' or a movie at home.<br />
<br />
<b>Work Day Tuesday's</b>...this is the day we will pack up and I will drag them into work with me {they can take their bikes and ride in the HUGE empty parking lot}! And then when we get home they will do any 'work' they need to around the house above and beyond their normal daily chores {clean bathrooms, organize bedrooms, help to clean the garage, weeding, etc}...I figured we should get this done earlier in the week...help the rest of the week go more smoothly.<br />
<br />
<b>Activity Wednesday</b>...their piano lessons are early {right after swim and before lunch} so we have the whole afternoon to do whatever, this is one of the days we'll try to check items off our bucket list. This is also the day that the library has activities planned that correlate with their summer reading program...<br />
And of course it's church night, this is a great night for them to have a friend spend the night because they can come to church with us {or pick them up from church} and bonus no swim team Thursday morning so they can play all they want on Thursday.<br />
<br />
<b>Bucket List Thursday</b>...I will let the kids sleep in while I head into work and get a few hours of stuff done, my goal is to be home by 10:30 on Thursdays...then we will do an item or two from our bucket list, we'll probably choose the items at the beginning of the week so we can plan accordingly.<br />
<br />
<b>Family Fridays</b>...Friday is Beau's day off so we will treat it like a Saturday and just do whatever needs to be done or whatever we want to do....hopefully we can also check off more bucket list ideas on these days.<br />
<br />
to create the Bucket List I opened up my<a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/boards/" target="_blank"> pinterest</a> and had the kids look over ideas I had pinned in '<a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/school-vacation-ideas/" target="_blank">School Vacation</a>,' '<a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/yum-cookies/" target="_blank">Yum - Cookies,</a>' & '<a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/craft-ideas/" target="_blank">Craft Ideas</a>'...and other ideas were just theirs...<br />
<br />
and now the Bucket List!!!<br />
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<br />
just in case you can't read the list above or want links to some of the ideas...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.livecrafteat.com/craft/homemade-flubber-for-kids/" target="_blank">flubber</a> ... Paper beads … <a href="http://fairydustteaching.com/2011/05/galaxy-playdough/" target="_blank">Glitter play dough</a> ... <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/227431849903657450/" target="_blank">paint rocks</a> …<a href="http://domesticcharm.blogspot.com/2011/10/glow-in-dark-slime.html" target="_blank">Glow in the dark slime</a> … <a href="http://www.modernparentsmessykids.com/2012/06/play.html" target="_blank">Newspaper fort</a> ... Bubble week {<a href="http://tatertotsandjello.com/2010/08/summer-project-make-giant-bubbles.html" target="_blank">giant bubbles</a>, <a href="http://bhoomplay.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/bubbles_blower/" target="_blank">bubble blowers</a>, <a href="http://decomyplace.com/newspost.php?id=497" target="_blank">bubble snake</a>}... <a href="http://wemadethat.blogspot.jp/2013/05/water-blob.html" target="_blank">Water blob</a> … <a href="http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com/2012/08/bleached-number-shirt-take-2.html" target="_blank">Bleach t-shirts </a>... Soda can jewelry ... <a href="http://littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com/2013/04/duck-tape-bag-tutorial-girls-camp-craft.html" target="_blank">Duct tape purse & Wallet</a> … <a href="http://www.iammommahearmeroar.net/2012/06/all-by-myself-tee.html" target="_blank">paint t-shirts</a> ... <a href="http://food52.com/blog/4717-homemade-tootsie-rolls" target="_blank">homemade tootsie rolls</a>...<a href="http://cookiesandcups.com/homemade-nutter-butters-2/" target="_blank"> homemade nutter butters </a>... Make pudding pops ... Make butter ... make bagels... Bake treats for neighbors ... film a cooking show ... <a href="http://cookincowgirl.blogspot.com/2013/03/circus-animal-cookie-truffles.html" target="_blank">Circus animal cookie truffles</a> … Berry picking ... Kayak {picnic on an island}... Bowling ... Museum ... Zoo beach {sand castles} ...<a href="http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm" target="_blank"> go to the snow</a> {Lassen National Park usually still has snow in late July}... <a href="http://www.nps.gov/lavo/planyourvisit/hiking_bumpass_hell.htm" target="_blank">Bumpass Hell</a> ... <a href="http://www.sunriverchamber.com/" target="_blank">Sun River</a> {we usually go to Sun River every summer with my in-laws, great summer place}... bike river trail ... Build a catapult ... Make sling shots ... origami ... Fireworks<br />
<div>
.....<br />
so that's our summer...<br />
do you try to organize your summer with a plan or do you just let it happen?</div>
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-77337910847173139182013-06-16T18:34:00.000-07:002013-06-16T18:34:11.089-07:00He Doesn't BabysitNope, my husband doesn't babysit!<br />
And will NEVER babysit our children!<br />
<br />
He is their father...gave them 1/2 of their DNA...why would anyone ever assume that he would merely 'babysit' his own children!?!?<br />
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We live in a era that women are put on a pedestal for all they do...glorifying women and all their choices...{don't get me wrong, I think some women are pretty darn amazing}...but for some reason to make everyone believe that women are amazing we had to be fed this plate of lies that men are idiots! That the only way women can be amazing is if men are the opposite.<br />
<br />
Sitcoms show us the bumbling, stupid father that can't make a trip to the store without making a mistake.<br />
<br />
Commercials show us that the biggest challenge a diaper can be put to is to leave a diaper clad baby in the care of their father while a football game is on, because a father is to single minded to watch a sport and care for their child!<br />
<br />
And society in general...they always assume if a man is with children he is 'babysitting' them, that he's 'stuck with the kids' for the day...that no man would actually choose to parent their own children, choose to hang out with their kids and be their dad!<br />
<br />
Let's get real here, I believe in equality...some women are pretty darn amazing...and there are plenty of men that are bumbling idiots...<br />
but their are plenty of women that share the title of bumbling idiots! And there are some pretty darn amazing men!<br />
<br />
I married one...and had his babies...<br />
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and he will never babysit our children...he is their father...he will parent our children! <br />
<br />
When they were babies he changed diapers, he burped them, he fed them {when they weren't nursing}, he bathed them, dressed them, rocked them to sleep as infants, read to them, sang to them.<br />
<br />
As they grow his role is changing, he still tucks them in each night and reads <i>with</i> them, helps them with their homework, makes them dinner, washes dishes or sits back and relaxes now that our children wash the dishes.<br />
<br />
He has taught them that being yourself is way more important than being what others want you to be.<br />
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<br />
<br />
He takes them to old bookstores and thrift stores {helping them to respect the things from past generations}.<br />
<br />
He teaches them about music; from Benny Goodman, to the Beatles, to Abba, to Journey, to Michael Jackson, to U2 {my kids can play the "who's this band/singer?" game WAY better than I will ever hope to}.<br />
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He helps them with their piano or just sits and plays with them.<br />
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<br />
He takes them on bike rides.<br />
<br />
He dates our daughter, teaching her how and what to expect from the men in her future.<br />
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<br />
He plays games with them {board games, card games, video games, role playing games}.<br />
<br />
Starting from a young age he taught them the history of the original Star Wars {and although he's morally opposed to the new movies has left it up to them to make their own choice}.<br />
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<br />
He is teaching them to mow the lawn.<br />
<br />
He watches 1950's horror movies with them.<br />
<br />
He takes them kayaking.<br />
<br />
He has taught our son that hair style doesn't make you a man.<br />
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<br />
He loves & respects their mother.<br />
<br />
He baptized both of our children!<br />
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He has taught them to pray, he has taught them to seek out God's truths in their lives, he has help them memorize God's word. He has put God first in his life and has modeled for them how to live a life that glorifies God.<br />
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He has never.once.babysat our children! From day one he has been their father.<br />
<br />
Happy Father's Day Beau, I love you, thanks for being my babies' daddy!<br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-4360474345256787782013-06-05T10:47:00.001-07:002013-06-05T10:47:25.307-07:00Summer Menu {1/2 camping addition}a fast little menu post while I have a break in between errands...<br />
<br />
School is out tomorrow...it is HOT here in Redding...headed towards 110 on Saturday!<br />
{so sad that we'll be at the Oregon coast in the 60 degree weather and missing the 100's}<br />
<br />
Making menu's around the weather is a must, no soup or hot baked dishes for summer in Redding,<br />
I.just.can't.do.it!<br />
<br />
Our Menu<br />
<br />
tonight-breakfast {eggs, bacon, fruit}<br />
<br />
tomorrow night =McD's for us...{our kids get McDonald's twice a year, 1st day of school and last day of school...}<br />
<br />
Friday & Saturday- Camping food {chili dogs one night, hamburgers the next}<br />
we have a few camping desserts planned <a href="http://www.chefjessicabright.com/campfire-cones.html" target="_blank">camp fire cones</a>, <a href="http://nonrecipe.blogspot.ca/2012/03/baked-apples-with-oatmeal-streusel.html" target="_blank">baked apples</a> & of course S'Mores<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVugPeWY837Plp2-rjG07nmHvdlM-kBVjV_WzhTE78tDCfwKOlzHzRlj68LFrk6ecGxTFd-yjsnDZNogQAizjz6UPTLYflp3qjk-SB94OGCUZUrbPxn94paDLtqQJwCFXLTUzsNNySHI/s1600/camp+fire+cones.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVugPeWY837Plp2-rjG07nmHvdlM-kBVjV_WzhTE78tDCfwKOlzHzRlj68LFrk6ecGxTFd-yjsnDZNogQAizjz6UPTLYflp3qjk-SB94OGCUZUrbPxn94paDLtqQJwCFXLTUzsNNySHI/s320/camp+fire+cones.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.chefjessicabright.com/campfire-cones.html" target="_blank">Chef Jessica Bright</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEHf16e57g5bgccGikKr5cBVQYXIU4ZfCZPD8Iv4SMsOifFSR-hmBvGaBokBIwoCjrsS4ElLfqug3xAPAPOBjcIUjozMa_FQP70KHfPdzQFpHvq1xZbCI2XuG4uXm7VamRpxRc23xAAI/s1600/baked+apples.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihEHf16e57g5bgccGikKr5cBVQYXIU4ZfCZPD8Iv4SMsOifFSR-hmBvGaBokBIwoCjrsS4ElLfqug3xAPAPOBjcIUjozMa_FQP70KHfPdzQFpHvq1xZbCI2XuG4uXm7VamRpxRc23xAAI/s1600/baked+apples.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://nonrecipe.blogspot.ca/2012/03/baked-apples-with-oatmeal-streusel.html" target="_blank">Cooking Outside the Box</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sunday -sandwiches and leftover camping buffet {we'll probably be driving, so we'll just snack, and stop and make a sandwich on the road somewhere}<br />
<br />
Monday-Chicken Patty Sandwiches {girl child's request}<br />
<br />
Tuesday-grilled chicken pasta salad {so many recipes for this}<br />
<br />
Wednesday-<a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/10/indian-fry-bread-and-indian-tacos/" target="_blank">Indian Taco's</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA3YlFVfOmvfZOO6J5fEdMNAL_sxBuD93A2iskITJfaMviQjzFGG-8aDgFVA-7Ey-24wjq3vWcSlvcW-Ojg97-ZTwhc2IEohK3XGhg3rIGSuiNK1KDtKeR1_LuCnR0GqiPrPfNd00UYA/s1600/indian+tacos-pioneer+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA3YlFVfOmvfZOO6J5fEdMNAL_sxBuD93A2iskITJfaMviQjzFGG-8aDgFVA-7Ey-24wjq3vWcSlvcW-Ojg97-ZTwhc2IEohK3XGhg3rIGSuiNK1KDtKeR1_LuCnR0GqiPrPfNd00UYA/s320/indian+tacos-pioneer+woman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/10/indian-fry-bread-and-indian-tacos/" target="_blank">the Pioneer Woman</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Thursday-<a href="http://www.therecipecritic.com/2013/02/tuscan-garlic-chicken.html" target="_blank">Tuscan Garlic Chicken</a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnts67MzvgUzi1Ik6lx8JeA8MRo4zNGnqPgUOAPlZjEjVaqQmIoUKW6ksqFKF39yMWMulun3ZDW2IJB6aUVdUFSKAYC0IXQcAE_fcc3vfiMRvfbMad_XDeN_gv9M_VT0opsEUOnDCPUU/s1600/tuscan-garlic-chickenfinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnts67MzvgUzi1Ik6lx8JeA8MRo4zNGnqPgUOAPlZjEjVaqQmIoUKW6ksqFKF39yMWMulun3ZDW2IJB6aUVdUFSKAYC0IXQcAE_fcc3vfiMRvfbMad_XDeN_gv9M_VT0opsEUOnDCPUU/s320/tuscan-garlic-chickenfinal.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.therecipecritic.com/2013/02/tuscan-garlic-chicken.html" target="_blank">the Recipe Critic</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Friday-<a href="http://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/2013/04/easy-mandarin-chicken.html" target="_blank">Easy Mandarin Chicken</a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKb4BU5BYpmYy9i7fgV1tpfMkKpSEb-MkudgFbrYw4UzBVJRPQoVr2VHoB6zkvqNY5d2cEIbC9_sJ7YqseYunJehWcAXSJuseK2F2WxNxU4CcsLSc7a-iEp4B_zWEgMcjrTSgAun4_dk/s1600/Mandarin+Chicken+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKb4BU5BYpmYy9i7fgV1tpfMkKpSEb-MkudgFbrYw4UzBVJRPQoVr2VHoB6zkvqNY5d2cEIbC9_sJ7YqseYunJehWcAXSJuseK2F2WxNxU4CcsLSc7a-iEp4B_zWEgMcjrTSgAun4_dk/s320/Mandarin+Chicken+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.yummyhealthyeasy.com/2013/04/easy-mandarin-chicken.html" target="_blank">Yummy. Healthy. Easy</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Saturday-<a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/honey-mustard-pretzel-crusted-chicken-salad-with-spicy-honey-mustard-dressing/#comment-10693" target="_blank">Honey Mustard Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Salad</a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE57IJX7bjT-58vKDCfKdwR6rG5RsO6R8W9Ao_S0R_ufEhoDjqRglzj7vVTL2B8lkX7L-bzhsEKnmu0W6gbldmt80VOXTQOEmG-VphmuXjku13UVfOmroj1KZRk30kAKsJ0cKegcQeE1A/s1600/Honey-Mustard-Pretzel-Crusted-Chicken-Salad-with-Spicy-Honey-Mustard-Dressing-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE57IJX7bjT-58vKDCfKdwR6rG5RsO6R8W9Ao_S0R_ufEhoDjqRglzj7vVTL2B8lkX7L-bzhsEKnmu0W6gbldmt80VOXTQOEmG-VphmuXjku13UVfOmroj1KZRk30kAKsJ0cKegcQeE1A/s320/Honey-Mustard-Pretzel-Crusted-Chicken-Salad-with-Spicy-Honey-Mustard-Dressing-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: <a href="http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/honey-mustard-pretzel-crusted-chicken-salad-with-spicy-honey-mustard-dressing/#comment-10693" target="_blank">Half Baked Harvest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><div>
<br />and that's all I have for now...<br />
what's a favorite for your family in the summer...<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-44018434941321520392013-05-25T08:42:00.000-07:002013-05-25T08:42:56.749-07:00Daddy IssuesThis post has been in my heart for awhile now...and with Father's Day right around the corner I needed to get it out....<br />
<br />
Don't we all have them...?<br />
Daddy Issues<br />
<div>
we have these images of superman type fathers...</div>
<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJuf8Bjtb3hAPeB0ZnlAECy_kNB4aHsbBgtuzEFiiq4LL369KD8i8mGHnHAJUbj4rl-WCxIz-bYnKVa7iiNXyf0VctWUuoIF39jlvIl4SxE1peLiC8ZmRqwkkuRaOH8oaRBwfNL4V92Y/s1600/superman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJuf8Bjtb3hAPeB0ZnlAECy_kNB4aHsbBgtuzEFiiq4LL369KD8i8mGHnHAJUbj4rl-WCxIz-bYnKVa7iiNXyf0VctWUuoIF39jlvIl4SxE1peLiC8ZmRqwkkuRaOH8oaRBwfNL4V92Y/s320/superman.jpg" width="294" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Why is that?<br />
I have a pretty decent, loving, good father...<br />
but guess what, he's human! My father was not, and is not, perfect!<br />
<br />
I know women and men with daddy issues...<br />
I know those that have never known their father<br />
Those that wish they never knew their father<br />
Those that had dads like mine<br />
and those with amazing, Ward Cleaver fathers....<br />
<br />
all of them...Have. Daddy. Issues...<br />
<br />
why? why is having daddy issues so universal?<br />
maybe, just maybe, it's because we have this need ingrained into each and every one of us for a perfect heavenly Father.<br />
<br />
Why do you think God tells us He is our father? Maybe He knows...because He created us....that we all have this natural desire for a perfect father figure and yet no man on earth can ever 100% fulfill that roll!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy0nwfDYyWNBWJnKYjp8-oL_-9vJVhkvzkFs9Jqle8wnAobukwjnEA1o8-tueaguqwMtTPVi8R2Vl5cCGR4cT2Kd39Ku92LAZiuWX7z3uT9JLiMC7BguzoqpRDvgQzQyfyWG5N_NCj3s/s1600/father+daugher+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuy0nwfDYyWNBWJnKYjp8-oL_-9vJVhkvzkFs9Jqle8wnAobukwjnEA1o8-tueaguqwMtTPVi8R2Vl5cCGR4cT2Kd39Ku92LAZiuWX7z3uT9JLiMC7BguzoqpRDvgQzQyfyWG5N_NCj3s/s1600/father+daugher+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Guess what else...?<br />
we women,<br />
we {and by 'we', I mean me} take these daddy issues and we bring them into our marriages...<br />
however horrible or wonderful {or wherever they fall on the scale} our fathers were/are...we bring our daddy issues into our marriages and project them onto our husbands! we either choose husbands that are the opposite of our fathers or husbands that are very similar to our fathers and then hold up these unrealistic expectations for them to be nothing like our fathers or everything like our fathers...<br />
<br />
and when they fall short of either one of those marks we fight, kicking and screaming that they are failing us...<br />
{pause...<br />
I am in no way saying any husband is perfect...<br />
just like no father is perfect, they are all human}<br />
but as wives have we taken our daddy issues and rather than turn towards our Heavenly Father to fulfill our needs we turn towards our husband and try to mold him into something he can't possibly be. trying to get him to fill shoes that he can never fill....<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvb0QRVdY-6bqAVAsXeZmPNium-LDadLYIGEaEv6O-_vnk4Iz6O3TgiNmzIcHabrPYUvxsApeRVdTw6C5l2cfgGc42QTW89cv6ztsX5ma-RYiPVU067g2EziQTkne4nTsWvwbzDcafos/s1600/father+daugher+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLvb0QRVdY-6bqAVAsXeZmPNium-LDadLYIGEaEv6O-_vnk4Iz6O3TgiNmzIcHabrPYUvxsApeRVdTw6C5l2cfgGc42QTW89cv6ztsX5ma-RYiPVU067g2EziQTkne4nTsWvwbzDcafos/s320/father+daugher+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
remember that stupid line from <i><b>Jerry McGuire</b></i>,<br />
"<i>you complete me</i>!"...<br />
UGH, I've hated that from the moment I heard it... but that's what we're all trying to find, we're trying to find the man that will fill all the holes that our earthly fathers left gaping open...God is the ONLY one that can complete us, and it's a lifelong journey!<br />
<br />
we all have daddy issues...<br />
because we all need a perfect dad<br />
we try to mold our husbands using all the daddy issues we came into the relationship with...<br />
we don't want our kids to have daddy issues<br />
and we want our husbands to fill our need that our daddy issues left in us...<br />
our fathers & our husbands also have daddy issues<br />
and our kids... yep, they will have daddy issues also<br />
we were created with a need that no earthly father can ever live into!<br />
<br />
but guess what? <br />
we have a perfect father...He can help heal our daddy issues, help our children with their daddy issues and help our marriages not suffer because of them....<br />
<br />
<i>See how very much our Father loves us, for He calls us His children, and that is what we are!</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ 1 John 3:1 </div>
<br />
<i>Your Father knows what you need before you ask him</i>.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ Matthew 6:8</div>
<br />
<i>I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.</i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
~ 2 Corinthians 6:18 </div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-87960698741981966342013-05-12T06:20:00.001-07:002013-05-12T06:20:30.182-07:00Happy Mother's DayHappy Mother's Day to the two women in my life that have help me become the mother that I am today.<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLE-AOukgPG_BAAuiKZsUWtpkHle2leKpdDdeFPVturkqdLiIZG-_ipgv6-ucmoot-X5kzxzDWupfX7QzLK5_fe1-qIgGbZgEPyB9Ua-tE4FQ_6_3qD30KyzAKqe4jQRfJgy4RVOC4B4/s1600/mothers+are+nicer'n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLE-AOukgPG_BAAuiKZsUWtpkHle2leKpdDdeFPVturkqdLiIZG-_ipgv6-ucmoot-X5kzxzDWupfX7QzLK5_fe1-qIgGbZgEPyB9Ua-tE4FQ_6_3qD30KyzAKqe4jQRfJgy4RVOC4B4/s400/mothers+are+nicer'n.jpg" width="363" /></a></div>
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<div>
Mom, </div>
<div>
Thanks for everything you've ever done for me. </div>
<div>
I treasure our friendship and appreciate the fact that you saved it for my adult years and were my mom first. So many mothers try to be their children's friend when their children are still children. You were always my mom first and then when I grew up and moved out you slowly transitioned into a friend! Thanks for that special gift.</div>
<div>
I also want to thank you for the legacy of Jesus Christ that you gave to me. What an amazing gift you gave me, introducing me you Jesus as a child, always having us in church, praying for us constantly, listening to our questions and helping me have my own relationship with God. I am forever grateful for that gift and even more grateful now that I am a mother, knowing that your introducing me to God as a child opened up that door for future generations, namely, my own children, to have that relationship, what an amazing gift you have given my children! </div>
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Thank You!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04k-G_yfGoljRyyIw34XUjZVWph0zjyRtcsFpUuQx6Hpu4mwNmtvGj2C6TlM-JzI5iQO5hzZ-A7YSQX7xxX32Uw1XXWfZ6eKU-Gaf5CtzjDVs13Ct4N5RFdibmXITtMAWJcGxmPqkWBY/s1600/vintage-mother4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04k-G_yfGoljRyyIw34XUjZVWph0zjyRtcsFpUuQx6Hpu4mwNmtvGj2C6TlM-JzI5iQO5hzZ-A7YSQX7xxX32Uw1XXWfZ6eKU-Gaf5CtzjDVs13Ct4N5RFdibmXITtMAWJcGxmPqkWBY/s320/vintage-mother4.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<div>
Kathy {my mother-in-love},</div>
<div>
How grateful I am for you. So many women I know have a bitter, spiteful relationship with the women that raised their son! I have known from the first time Beau introduced us that you were special! You truly are a gift for me and my entire family. I treasure you, your love, your guidance, your prayers! You are a mother-in-law that women everywhere desire!</div>
<div>
I also want to thank you for the legacy of Jesus Christ that you gave your son! I am beyond grateful to have met, fallen in love and married your son! He leads and guides our family towards God every day and that is because of the gift you, as his mother, gave him by introducing him to Jesus. Thank you for the legacy of a relationship with Jesus Christ that you have given my children.</div>
<div>
Thank You!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacQKp-eAHRlZESwf-wdNbTuFK-hJWzLppwhMW4VFOqrYJivAjSTzJld3KQjD4oOWB_fFIVxn9NkXIxSXc4jeLcJbSZ6l0uHI0ORpC7Vvew8Tbk4PurrLx9yANgsSzz7ljdb1m7AuRnIA/s1600/funny_retro_mothers_day_card-r6b7b20bc791d4bb79e8faafcae9eaf6c_xvuak_8byvr_512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgacQKp-eAHRlZESwf-wdNbTuFK-hJWzLppwhMW4VFOqrYJivAjSTzJld3KQjD4oOWB_fFIVxn9NkXIxSXc4jeLcJbSZ6l0uHI0ORpC7Vvew8Tbk4PurrLx9yANgsSzz7ljdb1m7AuRnIA/s320/funny_retro_mothers_day_card-r6b7b20bc791d4bb79e8faafcae9eaf6c_xvuak_8byvr_512.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div>
I also want to thank both my mom and mother-in-law for the legacy of marriage they have given my children! Because of your love for God and your relationship with Jesus Christ, your love for your husbands and children you have committed loving marriages! I have no idea the issues either of you have faced in your marriages {having only been married for just under 15 years I know it's hard work}, I can't begin to grasp the struggles that you two have overcome in your marriages, in a day and age when all the marriages around you were crumbling, I thank you for fighting it out, holding strong, loving your children enough to hold onto your marriage vows, the promise you made to your husbands and God! Thank you for that gift, that legacy, that you passed onto Beau & I and to your grandchildren! In a day in age when 50% of marriages end in divorce our children can look around their family and see two sets of grandparents and one set of parents {and an Uncle & Aunt}, no steps, that's 4 marriages that have broken away from the statistics and have set their marriages in God's hands and not in the world!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks, </div>
<div>
May your Mother's Day be blessed!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
p.s. Thank you Kathy for the gift of a kid free weekend with my husband! </div>
</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-47235745298558273632013-04-29T17:36:00.000-07:002013-04-29T17:36:11.215-07:00Menu Monday {kids edition}<br />
how do you make your menu? <br />
same thing every week...think of it while your shopping?...poll the family before you go shopping?...do the kids and husband make the menu?..open the cupboard and fridge and throw stuff together?...<br />
<br />
I seriously don't like making a menu<br />
very much dislike grocery shopping<br />
but HATE life in my house at 4:55 pm when I have NOT made a menu and grocery shopped off that menu!!!<br />
<br />
<br />
so I did something slightly crazy for my menu this time...<br />
<br />
I handed the ipad over to the kids,<br />
pulled up the<a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/" target="_blank"> pintrest</a> app, had them look thru my <a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/yum-dinners/" target="_blank">Yum- dinner </a>& <a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/yum-crockpots/" target="_blank">yum-crockpot</a> boards<br />
& they made the menu....this will get us thru the next 2 weeks...and depending on how well it works we may or may not have the kids make the menu again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9lOheW__G2i0ZY5JUg-Wl-GbjBQoF8Wcik2Vg46Zy7Q_HanY5oOfRIYqJOQD7Nvsccopbsn0dvgITrQysQtArdAj3PJpamSmG_oOzJlGuosoyhaZgwNZWuNg76mSckMFxxgj4DOhpEo/s1600/chicken+tenders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9lOheW__G2i0ZY5JUg-Wl-GbjBQoF8Wcik2Vg46Zy7Q_HanY5oOfRIYqJOQD7Nvsccopbsn0dvgITrQysQtArdAj3PJpamSmG_oOzJlGuosoyhaZgwNZWuNg76mSckMFxxgj4DOhpEo/s320/chicken+tenders.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.2sisters2cities.com/2013/04/baked-panko-chicken-tenders/" target="_blank">Baked Panko Chicken Tenders</a> {both kids}<br />
<br />
<a href="http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2012/09/olive-garden-alfredo-sauce-this-weeks.html" target="_blank">Olive Garden Alfredo</a> {girl child}<br />
<br />
<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/the-best-parmesan-chicken-bake/detail.aspx?src=VD_Summary" target="_blank">The Best Parmesan Chicken Bake</a> {girl child}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNiH7tRb_OUGHQM3tsSPgCDgI1jvWKtctBha9zLT4WH980fS7PKL0ZaUSWch81J-Ykv0E5jE04r_eKO1_7yMORORDK7HVO9rV7NnpezuHKyTg79-qja3xHMHWvNZSEbX0GS5PrrARLoE/s1600/honey+soy+chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNiH7tRb_OUGHQM3tsSPgCDgI1jvWKtctBha9zLT4WH980fS7PKL0ZaUSWch81J-Ykv0E5jE04r_eKO1_7yMORORDK7HVO9rV7NnpezuHKyTg79-qja3xHMHWvNZSEbX0GS5PrrARLoE/s320/honey+soy+chicken.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.therecipecritic.com/2013/01/slow-cooker-honey-soy-chicken.html" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Honey Soy Chicken</a> {girl child}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYU_TCp4SxK1qZHlEzTSTe48PMf1Pvx_VrHiNZYXtmsFso_S5jhD2ictGmy4kK-qCy6DGLRxaWiSDHzRRc7LrdOf2b9SugUsqhPgXKSYySd549Oo6lpEJwFomwBespyy4FRiIvWqb19o/s1600/italian+sloppy+joes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYU_TCp4SxK1qZHlEzTSTe48PMf1Pvx_VrHiNZYXtmsFso_S5jhD2ictGmy4kK-qCy6DGLRxaWiSDHzRRc7LrdOf2b9SugUsqhPgXKSYySd549Oo6lpEJwFomwBespyy4FRiIvWqb19o/s320/italian+sloppy+joes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.serenabakessimplyfromscratch.com/2013/02/italian-sloppy-joes.html" target="_blank">Italian Sloppy Joes</a> with R<a href="http://www.thehenbasket.com/2012/09/ranch-style-beans.html" target="_blank">anch Style Beans</a> {both kids}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k_igaKbY8ahyphenhyphenNgssshlVBcyGxxEWNantSwASx7cwD2W2heU8Qa6AHbJ710eWQw72t5x3R3SIn4zjs6h_rFeP_ARrInuti3GjUODeXh80amEg0QJL8EC5moXCBW29PMprNyL-sztvNi4/s1600/chicken+bowls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7k_igaKbY8ahyphenhyphenNgssshlVBcyGxxEWNantSwASx7cwD2W2heU8Qa6AHbJ710eWQw72t5x3R3SIn4zjs6h_rFeP_ARrInuti3GjUODeXh80amEg0QJL8EC5moXCBW29PMprNyL-sztvNi4/s320/chicken+bowls.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2011/07/taco-chicken-bowls-1066-recipe-133.html" target="_blank">Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls</a> {both kids}<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/17194" target="_blank">Vegetarian Chili</a> with cornbread {boy child}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJyq6TkyHzIWHDdRWVQGcCDsK5LGyZBCbbQhZVCRRUdgpyzEWXlDUS90MtU_d55Xm19CKv13ZnQx8U6qWu4DsXCOB-ShIAxr-q2ToHVqF_eZb8yNLzgK_07uV0Vc5YEoH_6pptVs3Ncg/s1600/pretzel+dogs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWJyq6TkyHzIWHDdRWVQGcCDsK5LGyZBCbbQhZVCRRUdgpyzEWXlDUS90MtU_d55Xm19CKv13ZnQx8U6qWu4DsXCOB-ShIAxr-q2ToHVqF_eZb8yNLzgK_07uV0Vc5YEoH_6pptVs3Ncg/s320/pretzel+dogs.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.smells-like-home.com/2011/02/pretzel-dogs/" target="_blank">Pretzel Dogs</a> {boy child}<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.laurenslatest.com/fail-proof-pizza-dough-and-cheesy-garlic-bread-sticks-just-like-in-restaurants/" target="_blank">Homemade pizza</a> {boy child}<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchjP4rQbWF9qKdXkZvdPMiwVU_H4JkIxwTB9q-QJkF8cG0m-2uqdl-bFN3_3bwXvLlM7NYuLJKlXO-V5Zh6qx7pCfiKhgfh7vZqE3HRDB3H7zVyvUd8o5A_4TX2xEjgaY-OxAfNryi_U/s1600/not+soggy+nachos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchjP4rQbWF9qKdXkZvdPMiwVU_H4JkIxwTB9q-QJkF8cG0m-2uqdl-bFN3_3bwXvLlM7NYuLJKlXO-V5Zh6qx7pCfiKhgfh7vZqE3HRDB3H7zVyvUd8o5A_4TX2xEjgaY-OxAfNryi_U/s320/not+soggy+nachos.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="http://lifeasmom.com/2009/09/ultimate-recipe-swap-better-for-you.html" target="_blank">Not Soggy Nachos</a> {boy child}<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/02/homemade-bread-bowls-recipe.html" target="_blank">Bread Bowls</a> with C<a href="http://www.foodess.com/2011/11/chicken-corn-chowder/" target="_blank">hicken Chowder</a> {boy child}<br />
<br />
what's your menu making style...?Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-71731519856172309622013-04-26T06:29:00.000-07:002013-04-26T06:29:34.852-07:00it's just hairwhatever...<br />
<br />
I don't have amazing hair<br />
never have<br />
it's thin, straight, limp,<br />
with just your basic<br />
I-got-it-trimmed-approximately-4-months-ago-style<br />
good thing I'm not a hair person...<br />
or maybe I just don't care enough,<br />
maybe I have the potential for amazing hair but I'm too lazy<br />
{this is a very high likelihood!}<br />
<br />
but I married AMAZING hair,<br />
my husbands hair is full and wavy and amazing<br />
he <strike>sadly had</strike> rocked a mullet in high school...and NO it was not the 80's!<br />
{for the record I DID NOT know him during the mullet and was already hopelessly in love the first time I saw mullet pictures}<br />
since we've been together {almost 17 years} he has had more hair styles than me!<br />
<br />
<br />
and back on track...<br />
our son has his father's amazing hair...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEILaXLpSNFMswXgbHbp0QhSob8kLAyik9hc5YsYNW0j6KLuK8Qno-GP0J1gzUR-7c96ctUd0MVqx2ibcqUpQONTQT_t9rDvQveOD3NYONTMMO1WTu2VIOW4OuYd4kFwOIzZ_KfYSh1c/s1600/boy+child's+hair2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmEILaXLpSNFMswXgbHbp0QhSob8kLAyik9hc5YsYNW0j6KLuK8Qno-GP0J1gzUR-7c96ctUd0MVqx2ibcqUpQONTQT_t9rDvQveOD3NYONTMMO1WTu2VIOW4OuYd4kFwOIzZ_KfYSh1c/s640/boy+child's+hair2.jpg" width="212" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
and has worn it pretty shaggy most of his life<br />
{something about his weird mom not cutting off those precious curls until he was almost 3, but he was bald for so long!}<br />
<br />
pretty sure the shaggy hair had something to do with a<strike> lazy </strike>busy mom that would forget to make an appointment for a hair cut and months and months would pass before she would realize that her son's hair was out of control!<br />
<br />
there have been a few times that I attempted the 'trim' myself, and that always resulted in something the boy child likes to call a 'mushroom head'...so that doesn't happen any more.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
anyways...<br />
about a month ago I had made the guys a hair appointment<br />
{this hair is too amazing for any ol' barber shop/walk-in-for-a-cut place!}<br />
when Beau was getting ready to leave Wilson asked if he HAD to get his hair cut...<br />
well, it's getting kinda long buddy...<br />
Yeah, I want it long...<br />
okay!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nS9nX9gXYFX6lDrsfVBoqF0a2Iz2swiaLS2W5-TLWoHDFtybIr3WRDIVW9jEFh4B6kgiUZjQinAr33iDek1IEG3gfjqwk2c5FKWWfGEF-9oZXgjLn6Wnq4Ugnk-LK8cKwCJ1dApeqk4/s1600/boy+child's+hair3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nS9nX9gXYFX6lDrsfVBoqF0a2Iz2swiaLS2W5-TLWoHDFtybIr3WRDIVW9jEFh4B6kgiUZjQinAr33iDek1IEG3gfjqwk2c5FKWWfGEF-9oZXgjLn6Wnq4Ugnk-LK8cKwCJ1dApeqk4/s320/boy+child's+hair3.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the guys after Beau's hair cut and Wilson's non-cut</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
it's only hair, we have 3 hair rules {that apply to both him and his sister}<br />
1. keep it brushed<br />
2. keep it clean<br />
3. keep it out of your eyes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxJe87KsuIWvjG8UeEoF9wVG5op6cyS33rF05DeD4r9byNCja2LJkehsdSHsTsdzkRUgERF9DWWR4M0gpCEin8KA_-H7VS0j1kEOqzi5Bqwa-lW5HRRqnv04R3ayjOqqcg49TCAf6t5M/s1600/boy+child's+hair1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtxJe87KsuIWvjG8UeEoF9wVG5op6cyS33rF05DeD4r9byNCja2LJkehsdSHsTsdzkRUgERF9DWWR4M0gpCEin8KA_-H7VS0j1kEOqzi5Bqwa-lW5HRRqnv04R3ayjOqqcg49TCAf6t5M/s320/boy+child's+hair1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
this is the boy child, yesterday, rocking some sort of 1977 Shaw Cassidy look....<br />
<br />
makes me chuckle when boys have hair touching their ears and I hear a parent say it's WAY past hair cut time!<br />
it's just hair people!Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-20806597634613715092013-04-17T16:42:00.003-07:002013-04-17T16:42:47.382-07:00Who Am I?Why, Hello There!<br />
<br />
<br />
You may {or may not} have notice my blog has been silent...<br />
for over 4 months now I've blogged nothing!<br />
zero.<br />
zilch..<br />
nada...<br />
<br />
why? why did I go silent?<br />
<br />
it's been a lot of little reasons and a few not so little reason that have kept me quiet...<br />
<br />
the first, maybe the biggest...<br />
was the day after my last post<br />
{I posted last on Thursday, Dec 13}<br />
was Friday, December 14<br />
Sandy Hook Elementary<br />
<br />
that rocked me...<br />
those little boys and girls<br />
going to school<br />
in a quiet small town<br />
public school...<br />
just like my kids...<br />
<br />
I started to write a post the day after, Sat Dec 15, it has sat in my drafts folder all these months...<br />
I had this overwhelming feeling of "Who Am I" to write about this loss, why do I get to chime in and have any sort of feeling for these families that are grieving! <br />
<br />
Grief is personal...<br />
it was their kids,<br />
their school,<br />
their town,<br />
their state...<br />
<br />
I also did NOT want to start {and still won't} a discussion on gun control....<br />
<br />
....the more I thought about what happened at Sandy Hook...<br />
the more I wanted to be present for my kids. <br />
I also didn't want to write a trivial post about my collection of Nativities when something so devastating had happened... {not that Christmas and celebration the birth of Christ is trivial...but you know}<br />
<br />
I was stuck between<br />
"who am I to write a blog about Sandy Hook"<br />
&<br />
"I can't just ignore Sandy Hook and post a weekly menu"<br />
<br />
so I decided to take a break, cherish my kids, and wait until it was time to come back...<br />
and then Monday happened...<br />
the Bombing of the Boston Marathon....<br />
and it was just as horrific...<br />
{why does it have to be children, seriously!}<br />
<br />
I'm in an 8 Week Get Healthy Challenge with some friends...and one of them shared this Bible verse on Monday....<br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b>I have told you these things, </b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b> so that in me you may have peace. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b> In this world you will have trouble. </b></i></span><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><b> But take heart! </b></i></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i> I have overcome the world.</i></span> </b><br />
~John 16:33<br />
<br />
Guess What? We live in a sinful fallen world...'in this world you will have trouble'<br />
but that's not the end of the story....<br />
<b>HE has overcome the world.</b>..<br />
AMEN....<br />
<br />
lots of other things have happened over the past 4 months...<br />
my life is busier...<br />
but I DO want to still blog...<br />
I will post about the changes in my life...<br />
I will post about my journey of getting healthy...<br />
I will post weekly menu's {when I remember}<br />
I will post God Moments...<br />
I will post the silly things my kids do...<br />
I will post craft projects when I actually finish them...<br />
but I will also blog around my family's schedule,<br />
<br />
one thing I have learned from Sandy Hook, the Boston Bombing, and just all the tragedies of life is that cherishing moments with my kids and family is way more important than anything I can blog about!<br />
<br />
see ya soon...<br />
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<br /></div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-12135060951043762152012-12-13T09:09:00.000-08:002012-12-13T09:09:40.376-08:00Tour of Nativities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Tour of Nativities continues with one of our first nativities. </div>
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I bought this the year Beau and I were married (it's our 15th Christmas)...</div>
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It's nothing special, I'm sure I picked it up at WalMart or Target...</div>
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it's ceramic but durable.</div>
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I've always let my kids play with my Nativities...with supervision of course.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVxOXLOkvTlgmjUldWIFmn99Wv6S1mwzrq3jyClZrAHOrnD0uvMhfu6P1Wobw0fSyT3q7ud0LbqEITaZmJXiVrG_jhPh-_TNCG4qO6_btU8p0RMMbNeSpCIWjm6z82eyI8ofql5vsYuE/s1600/nativity+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaVxOXLOkvTlgmjUldWIFmn99Wv6S1mwzrq3jyClZrAHOrnD0uvMhfu6P1Wobw0fSyT3q7ud0LbqEITaZmJXiVrG_jhPh-_TNCG4qO6_btU8p0RMMbNeSpCIWjm6z82eyI8ofql5vsYuE/s320/nativity+6.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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I have these mini suitcases in our living room, I use them for decor all year round, and I usually set up one of my nativities on/with the suitcases...I think it's fitting, with all the traveling this little family did!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBbpbNzPqx8glvjSzvJPDfUeRmHenL-jkM3B_a_5hIbU_ncXnESGhvpqY3JNSeHHED2Uilv7uIZdw_Q5ZenYSGRW-xP_spqaKNaXUWDfn6KTA8pzP1bWuDDNVJvTZN7wyvmWwYZfy-cY/s1600/nativity+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBbpbNzPqx8glvjSzvJPDfUeRmHenL-jkM3B_a_5hIbU_ncXnESGhvpqY3JNSeHHED2Uilv7uIZdw_Q5ZenYSGRW-xP_spqaKNaXUWDfn6KTA8pzP1bWuDDNVJvTZN7wyvmWwYZfy-cY/s320/nativity+5.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
I've always liked this baby Jesus...so sweet...When Madison was little she would always want to nap with baby Him!<br />
<br />
Here is the far away look...it's sharing a table with our fish tank...Jesus can hang with the fish, wasn't he a fisher of men?!?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz7QslNHkEjzqwHVqFANJni58BJKHe2aONORCjWzSZj8YEcZ5VsEkjUVnufSIbFGTS_sHe6ikg1OVyx0Si3Gngc7VcizYRU9M9DW05aTgm3eqgBIQZVf9DTqZzGX8Gg4vLxjMgqF3aJk/s1600/nativity+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglz7QslNHkEjzqwHVqFANJni58BJKHe2aONORCjWzSZj8YEcZ5VsEkjUVnufSIbFGTS_sHe6ikg1OVyx0Si3Gngc7VcizYRU9M9DW05aTgm3eqgBIQZVf9DTqZzGX8Gg4vLxjMgqF3aJk/s320/nativity+7.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
do you have a special way of displaying your nativities?<br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-71346976366704053042012-12-10T06:33:00.001-08:002012-12-10T06:33:51.315-08:00Tour of NativitiesChristmas isn't Christmas until the Nativity has been set up.<div>
...or Nativities....</div>
<div>
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As a Christian and a pastor's wife, I've been asked the question so many times, "Do you put of a Christmas tree or a nativity?"...</div>
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that is such an interesting question to me. I never thought of only doing one, not both...</div>
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We do both...</div>
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one tree and multiple nativities all over the house! (I guess I have a few tiny fake tress scattered around the house also)...</div>
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I see no reason why we would have to choose one over the other.</div>
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Anyways...</div>
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I love my collection of nativities...</div>
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and I decided to give you a tour of them over the next few days/week...</div>
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this first one I picked up at a weird yard/book sale thing that we went to a few years ago. It was a house & property that had 1000's of books, bookshelves everywhere, inside and outside all under tarps and easy-up's, etc... and most of them were for sale...it was the oddest thing...</div>
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anyways, the girl child pointed out this glass nativity sitting on top of some books, I asked the lady how much for it and she said I could just take it...okay! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVy87TPDTH8r52AOffUms2bq69067jNYmgxGC462_sW0NvQOCEUEmDo42E0ohgTdbRkzCXAEdAGQSWzGhyphenhyphen_4o9ts9f5KYtH0TNhs9yQJ7t45yQRJVK1hK2RJw79LulBsx1fy1WjQktyU/s1600/nativity4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVy87TPDTH8r52AOffUms2bq69067jNYmgxGC462_sW0NvQOCEUEmDo42E0ohgTdbRkzCXAEdAGQSWzGhyphenhyphen_4o9ts9f5KYtH0TNhs9yQJ7t45yQRJVK1hK2RJw79LulBsx1fy1WjQktyU/s320/nativity4.jpg" width="299" /></a></div>
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Not all the pieces were there, I don't think, sometimes it's hard to figure out if you have a Joseph, Shepherd or wise-man...I feel like this one is missing Joseph and Shepherds...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nlO4z5X_v9sjlWmXBeHVkEISHcEdw9cKaJMTIukU5OliiDZQR4SQuV5_kmNzo-Rriud5MpnG_cJdrEZqaQNc3HT0d8BcMYCtZJv70dJnXj7RuKzZzrEyl6Scs8Awumku-KpkVM_O7vM/s1600/nativity1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9nlO4z5X_v9sjlWmXBeHVkEISHcEdw9cKaJMTIukU5OliiDZQR4SQuV5_kmNzo-Rriud5MpnG_cJdrEZqaQNc3HT0d8BcMYCtZJv70dJnXj7RuKzZzrEyl6Scs8Awumku-KpkVM_O7vM/s320/nativity1.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
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I set it up this year in our kitchen window on a cake stand. I had some cranberries that I didn't use at Thanksgiving (yes, they are real)...and then some moss that I found in a cupboard in the garage, not sure where that came from. But, anyways...I just threw them together for a fun little display...<br />
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and here is my whole kitchen window...(with a small fake tree in the back right corner!)...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t01JoNb0YMSRFWNzg4K7_hkua2xs_m9UuJHADfBluumw7WnSdC28km-KG8YsGZu8CeCjPSFVFySGCdsQLEuLu__pD8hwckT3BEMJj2iAFoDjPBsoPehMfVyq9pAc4hD28AVanp8NXso/s1600/nativity3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t01JoNb0YMSRFWNzg4K7_hkua2xs_m9UuJHADfBluumw7WnSdC28km-KG8YsGZu8CeCjPSFVFySGCdsQLEuLu__pD8hwckT3BEMJj2iAFoDjPBsoPehMfVyq9pAc4hD28AVanp8NXso/s320/nativity3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Do you have more than one Nativity set?</div>
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Where do you display it/them?</div>
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Merry Christmas...</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-51985707682982223242012-12-03T13:21:00.001-08:002012-12-03T13:21:54.461-08:00Advent CalendarThis is just a short little post to share with you the Advent Calendar I made today.<br />
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My mother-in-law sent me this link to the <a href="http://www.dayspring.com/love_came_down_jesus_god_s_promises_fulfilled_multi_page_free_printable/" target="_blank">FREE Dayspring Printable Advent Calendar</a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxPX20sVhTsjUfUnAefnHPKpMePc6SAQMUuLjPoKumrF1YxVFbBnyfhMyDQwVTNfC17hPwBc6sTZPHiKIvR2p6vPghRbWBM_nEaca2glenTzulSfyKFrwLNN-oMwkQ680aXKksk87Dng/s1600/advent+calenda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxPX20sVhTsjUfUnAefnHPKpMePc6SAQMUuLjPoKumrF1YxVFbBnyfhMyDQwVTNfC17hPwBc6sTZPHiKIvR2p6vPghRbWBM_nEaca2glenTzulSfyKFrwLNN-oMwkQ680aXKksk87Dng/s320/advent+calenda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
and I just printed them out on white cardstock,<br />
cut and glued them to colored cardstock on the back and then hung them with clothespins to some greenery that I hung around our entryway...<br />
it's totally simple and easy...<br />
and LOVE the Advent Calendar<br />
all the references are about God's Promises Fulfilled, with a Bible verse and then a prompt about the promise/verse...<br />
example<br />
Dec 3...The Promise of Light "I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12... Where will you walk today in order to bring the Light of the world to the world?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IwwMgEzt6oTvTis7lMS8C9izCg9fpSg3rdp4265NBO3jL8fY34cijSRbmGjsvK2ZdOSnz8CAgPMdNMOb-g0_m4yGJTy74oF0fH4HCUZovw-WYshkZgUBkbM8FUliNu-lhOISpkWOzGE/s1600/advent+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IwwMgEzt6oTvTis7lMS8C9izCg9fpSg3rdp4265NBO3jL8fY34cijSRbmGjsvK2ZdOSnz8CAgPMdNMOb-g0_m4yGJTy74oF0fH4HCUZovw-WYshkZgUBkbM8FUliNu-lhOISpkWOzGE/s320/advent+5.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">be jealous of my mad photography skills!</td></tr>
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The greenery hanging around the entryway with the Advent cards clipped down both sides<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHl60UHzfZl_JE2XTf5k8Xu399RdFxu0Fv0XxNoAVQBL2aPXYm00iWvfe8ZIcjSWBTaV-vPzy-zZHn8qiEIGGPPnAFuPGRCUuUhhfwCsWiRPcxsTCFU10n8rFc5UQxhuLHDld5qZ0gQ8/s1600/advent1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHl60UHzfZl_JE2XTf5k8Xu399RdFxu0Fv0XxNoAVQBL2aPXYm00iWvfe8ZIcjSWBTaV-vPzy-zZHn8qiEIGGPPnAFuPGRCUuUhhfwCsWiRPcxsTCFU10n8rFc5UQxhuLHDld5qZ0gQ8/s320/advent1.jpg" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">can you find the camel in this picture?<br />again, mad skills!</td></tr>
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Close up of one side of the 'calendar'...with the Advent cards clipped..<br />
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cards on other side...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxLPJAqdZHZ5vLOAjs7qFEgy-6hulKOgsd_Oz-hv-SeY-YiBSwINfRX76l-zDz5SnCDn-66LpJgRz-sYCVtLob7xL6gGCk0QbLJxDOGfpzDT5S0m1JAntS-7NIprGcHHQJtl9gSNpUkc/s1600/advent+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxLPJAqdZHZ5vLOAjs7qFEgy-6hulKOgsd_Oz-hv-SeY-YiBSwINfRX76l-zDz5SnCDn-66LpJgRz-sYCVtLob7xL6gGCk0QbLJxDOGfpzDT5S0m1JAntS-7NIprGcHHQJtl9gSNpUkc/s320/advent+4.jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
back of cards with scrapbook paper so when we flip a card over after reading it that day it will still look nice.<br />
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Starting sometime this week I will start my Nativity Tour...I will show you my collection of Nativities and where/how I display them!<br />
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Do you have an Advent Calendar you use? Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-57953016727246316312012-11-30T06:56:00.000-08:002012-11-30T06:56:44.420-08:00November 301} I'm thankful for my Bible. How amazing is it that I can hold God's words in my hands and any time I want I can open it up and hear His voice. It blows me away that there are still people groups in this world that have no written word....seriously, their language is not yet been written down...and because of that they also have no Bible...God's word is not something they have ever read.<br />
Without counting and searching I know that right now there are at least 10 Bibles in my home...but probably closer to 15. Everyday...every minute...I can pick up God's letter to me and read it. I'm thankful for that.<br />
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2} Thankful for a good nights sleep despite the storm and no husband being home. I struggle with fear. And those are my two worst...windy, stormy nights always equal no sleep...husband out of town...no sleep. Last night I slept like a baby and feel amazing today. It was totally a gift from God. I prayed all day yesterday when I would think of the night ahead of me. I kept seeking God's peace and comfort. And guess what, He gave them to me. I woke up this morning so very thankful, and surprised, that I had slept all thru the night with no fear! <br />
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3} Thankful for Christmas & Christmas decorations. Love that we celebrate it for a whole month...Going to pull out the decorations today and get some twinkling lights strung...and set up all my nativities...<br />
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Bonus...<br />
4} Thankful for 2 friends that tried to help me fix my fence last night in the storm...one being 9 months pregnant {only a week from her due date}...it was very comical with the 3 of us trying to figure out something to hold the gate from blowing open and making noise all night long...and we were unsuccessful in our attempts, and I'm pretty sure I going to have some clean up this morning...<br />
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also thankful that I took this month to reflect on being thankful...something we do no do enough of as a culture...<br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-76473707852900203642012-11-29T06:59:00.000-08:002012-11-29T06:59:19.927-08:00November 291} Thankful for central heat on this wintry, blustery, stormy day! I grew up with a wood stove as our main heat source and more recently we moved out of our money pit that had no central heat {a monitor heater in one corner on the first floor a a 2 1/2 story house...not great heat}...love being able to program the heat for 70 and know that my house will be cozy warm.<br />
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2} Thankful also for cozy blankets and robes so I can program our 'heat' for 60 at night and we're not freezing...<br />
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3} Thankful that my kids love Carnation Instant Breakfast!<br />
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<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-70107526182100580682012-11-29T06:13:00.001-08:002012-11-29T06:13:15.745-08:00November 281} I'm thankful for minimum days...both of my kids have minimum days on Wednesdays...Wednesdays are a busy, late days...having the kids get out an hour earlier each Wednesday makes our Wednesdays less chaotic and hectic...<div>
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2} I'm thankful for completion...specifically completed puzzles. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7wRb9w1wz2NqTF-ObqP-IJYT6pxXIu_6Dv6VzgkZA1EEdhDoFfRKoyg_GaXuc-EKRRvvY9-lyC-GFRyeqzIICBUD5xqZPE4H-JBas9_w5MBeKbPRftVOYsrvaFzpKeIg9zIcfAM3nMQ/s1600/missing+one+piece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS7wRb9w1wz2NqTF-ObqP-IJYT6pxXIu_6Dv6VzgkZA1EEdhDoFfRKoyg_GaXuc-EKRRvvY9-lyC-GFRyeqzIICBUD5xqZPE4H-JBas9_w5MBeKbPRftVOYsrvaFzpKeIg9zIcfAM3nMQ/s320/missing+one+piece.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Family Puzzle 2012...with a missing piece</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbWjFFMXZ20wHUt58xUa5gL90BKAW3NT6oE3wuHdiDS-RwYindqzNveoJvnV7tDkTlrYUM5B4ZKkvT7ap-ZOaMkSdxHSCOXBSMsRmdih948ObPG6UvrO99hvtKKpoTXob9MTQcEwanVQ/s1600/missing+piece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbWjFFMXZ20wHUt58xUa5gL90BKAW3NT6oE3wuHdiDS-RwYindqzNveoJvnV7tDkTlrYUM5B4ZKkvT7ap-ZOaMkSdxHSCOXBSMsRmdih948ObPG6UvrO99hvtKKpoTXob9MTQcEwanVQ/s320/missing+piece.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an unnamed child of the male persuasion<br />found the missing piece in his coat pocket....hmmmm</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMVcf2-HphwcOumuJ06kjA5e2-D5lViawYCi9_aYg4BKaiP56hAj3DWGLhTnoCnqA5TGoH5Km-hz7sSQ3QYZ7Ube_AOSNBFOFzyKrab0rmfVXUbNTGNx-WTPOnisFXr0Jsxatm5WSs6o/s1600/finished+puzzle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivMVcf2-HphwcOumuJ06kjA5e2-D5lViawYCi9_aYg4BKaiP56hAj3DWGLhTnoCnqA5TGoH5Km-hz7sSQ3QYZ7Ube_AOSNBFOFzyKrab0rmfVXUbNTGNx-WTPOnisFXr0Jsxatm5WSs6o/s320/finished+puzzle.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">completion...1000 piece TAKE that!</td></tr>
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3} I'm thankful that my husband doesn't have to travel for work. A few times a year he may have to go to a conference or something but I'm thankful that he's not traveling weekly or even monthly. I like having him around.</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-23800001474354177452012-11-27T09:52:00.000-08:002012-11-27T09:52:35.137-08:00Menu 11/27-12/5So the leftovers are slowing down...I do have two bags of turkey noodle soup in the freezer to pull out on days I don't want to actually make anything...<br />
Making this menu I took some inspiration from my <a href="http://pinterest.com/kierachambers/yum-dinners/" target="_blank">pintrest 'dinner' board</a>...and then I mentally sorted thru our freezer, fridge, and pantry....<br />
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Tonight I'm going to make <a href="http://chambersmade.blogspot.com/2011/02/how-do-i-love-thee.html" target="_blank">Turkey Pot Pie</a> with the last of the turkey...and then good bye leftovers.<br />
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Wednesday - <a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2011/03/sour-cream-noodle-bake/" target="_blank">Sour Cream Noodle Bake</a><br />
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Thursday - <a href="http://chambersmade.blogspot.com/2011/02/sweet-n-sour-beans.html" target="_blank">Sweet-n-Sour Beans</a><br />
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Friday - <a href="http://savorysweetlife.com/2009/06/coconut-chicken-tenders-recipe/" target="_blank">Coconut Chicken</a><br />
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Saturday - Chili, baked potatoes & cornbread<br />
Sunday- girl child's birthday...waiting for her to decided on a meal<br />
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Monday - <a href="http://chambersmade.blogspot.com/2011/10/red-beans-and-rice.html" target="_blank">Red Beans & Rice </a><br />
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Tuesday - <a href="http://chambersmade.blogspot.com/2010/11/love-pig.html" target="_blank">Pulled Pork Tacos</a><br />
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Wednesday - Turkey Soup {from the freezer}...<br />
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and that's a wrap...<br />
how do you use up your Thanksgiving leftovers? <br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-91761943064157087682012-11-27T09:08:00.000-08:002012-11-27T09:08:52.681-08:00November 24, 25, 26 & 271} I'm thankful that I'm not tied to my blog. That I can take a few days off for the weekend and that's okay!<br />
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2} I'm thankful for flowers...more specifically flowers growing in my flower beds and various pots around my porch. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOT2n_JXX5LGYLL8EF0JcZrzRXAbbX-rHZB9U7toP10U8-SWcQrpS62Epql1VjlrxBIfGq8wvIwGViKYtugI5SUS0bTUfVFXmH48B7wbmvVhKXreNrCSuDImlnyrSfwVoT288PkYWa34/s1600/hydrangas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAOT2n_JXX5LGYLL8EF0JcZrzRXAbbX-rHZB9U7toP10U8-SWcQrpS62Epql1VjlrxBIfGq8wvIwGViKYtugI5SUS0bTUfVFXmH48B7wbmvVhKXreNrCSuDImlnyrSfwVoT288PkYWa34/s320/hydrangas.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">these hydrangeas are from a tiny plant in my front flower bed.<br />they bloomed a pale pink and then this fall turned this dark red.</td></tr>
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3} I'm thankful for the bartering system that is alive and well with my talented friends and I. I can crochet up a few things and trade with my friend that is a photographer for our Christmas picture...love that!<br />
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4} I'm thankful that my Christmas pictures are done and my cards are printed and just waiting to be addressed.<br />
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5} I'm thankful for books. I love reading.<br />
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6} I'm thankful for seasons. I enjoy every season and I am usually ready for the next one when it's time...I pretty much think God knew what he was doing when he created the whole season thing! He's good like that!<br />
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7} I'm thankful for ziploc divided containers to pack my kids lunches in. It's like their own personal lunchable without the <strike>crap</strike> junk food!<br />
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8} I'm thankful for music. My husband is a musical genius and my kids are blessed enough to have some of his genes and the gift of piano lessons. <br />
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9} I'm thankful that all the Thanksgiving desserts are GONE so I can stop eating them.<br />
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10} I'm thankful for a friend to run with on cold fall mornings.<br />
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11} I'm thankful for the 'extra' week of November to get ready for girl child's birthday!<br />
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12} I'm thankful for meal planning and menu's that help keep me organized!Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-25835960723678699612012-11-23T07:12:00.000-08:002012-11-23T07:13:35.719-08:00November 231} I'm thankful for humor. I am glad that I can laugh at myself, I can laugh with my husband and kids. My kids are hilarious and crack me up all the time. And I think laughter is one of the most important parts of a healthy marriage, or at least our marriage.<br />
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2} I'm thankful for desserts...such a simple thing that brings such joy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rmFypzBorH6Vx8CeRfRXCz3Vp3T9IGH4nh0NmrV8Oc9jpY-60TRcESCr_SXXu_yC2NVhdy6CGy3wmidloWURU_aCRxVwb8HK2RTCZB1Lic0phQRdhT0bNMf_c2jrzzeDMbQDqFJRO88/s1600/pie+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9rmFypzBorH6Vx8CeRfRXCz3Vp3T9IGH4nh0NmrV8Oc9jpY-60TRcESCr_SXXu_yC2NVhdy6CGy3wmidloWURU_aCRxVwb8HK2RTCZB1Lic0phQRdhT0bNMf_c2jrzzeDMbQDqFJRO88/s320/pie+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the pie tree! such a beautiful sight</td></tr>
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3} I'm thankful for where we live. I love living in FAR Northern California. It is truly one of the most beautiful places to live. Yesterday my in-laws, daughter and I were able to participate in the annual Turkey Trot on the gorgeous Sacramento River Trail. We have a wonderful trail system in Redding, with 100's of miles of paved trails just a few miles in all directions. We live minutes from 2 beautiful lakes, about an hour from 2 beautiful mountains, just a few hours from the ocean. Today we will go out and explore more of our 'home' with the family. <br />
I love this place, it is a gift from God. Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-42577029165568723922012-11-22T06:25:00.000-08:002012-11-23T05:38:38.773-08:00November 22Happy Thanksgiving!<br />
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1} I'm thankful to be hosting Thanksgiving! I love hosting it! I love making the turkey. I love all the bustling, busy, my kitchen full of people making a great meal.<br />
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2} Thankful that the girl child and I are participating in the annual Turkey Trot...<br />
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I've wanted to do this for so long now, but no one could or wanted to do it with me, and it's just more fun with other people...Madison and I are 'trotting' with some friends, and grandma and grandpa are braving the 6 mile! We're only doing the 2 mile this year, but we've already started talking about training for the 6 mile next year!<br />
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3} Overwhelmingly thankful for my family and health. <a href="http://chambersmade.blogspot.com/2012/11/november-21.html" target="_blank">Tuesday</a> taught me that I could have lost all of that in a moment. <br />
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Enjoy your Thanksgiving...may it be filled with family, friends, and thankfulness!Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-49841203818677159232012-11-22T06:15:00.000-08:002012-11-22T06:15:10.315-08:00November 211} I'm so very thankful for God's protection over my family.<br />
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2} I'm thankful for the guardrail on a road that I drive on everyday with my kids. A guardrail that God used to save my kids and I from going down a 50 foot ravine.<br />
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3} Thankful for those lessons that God teaches us.<br />
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Tuesday morning I was running errands with the kids, driving along. My phone rings, I glance down, "Private Number," I ignore it...and then I have this stupid, "what if it's really important," thought so I grab for my blue tooth...can't find it, I look down to find it and in that moment...that 2 seconds with my eyes off the road...I drifted into a guardrail...drifted going 50 miles an hour...into a guardrail that was protecting a 50 foot ravine. I swerved, over-corrected and went into the oncoming lane...NO ONE was there...I pulled it together and pulled over. I got out and looked at the car. Pretty banged up...but drive-able...I looked around...NO CARS...NO Traffic on this busy 2 days before Thanksgiving errand running day...<br />
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God protected us in so many ways.<br />
*a guardrail that I've never noticed, never thought about, being in the spot we needed it.<br /> *when I hit the guardrail, I hit it pretty much on the whole entire side of the van...equaling lots of damaged down the entire side of the van...but also just basic physics, had I hit with the front end we could have been tossed over the rail, had I hit the back it could have sent us into a spin, but hitting the whole side kept us pretty balanced. I don't think I could have tried to hit it at a more 'perfect' angle if I wanted to...<br /> *Tuesday was a raining, blustery, monsoon like day. There was about 10 minutes without crazy weather...that is the 10 minutes that my accident took place. Can't image what the outcome would have been in that monsoon like weather.<br /> *ZERO traffic. No one behind me to rear-end me when I slammed into the guardrail. No one in the on-coming lane of traffic for me to plow into when I over corrected. After I pulled over and assessed the damage the road had returned to it's normal traffic flow again...<br />
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I'm sure there are other God moments that I haven't realized that took place in that moment that protected my kids and I. These are just the ones that stand out.<br />
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Lesson learned...<br />
<b><u> Lesson #1..</u></b>.NO PHONE...NO MATER WHAT. If I haven't put my blue tooth in my ear before I have started driving, than I just have to wait. Seriously, it was a call from my doctors office telling me about a recent test. NO BIG DEAL! And even if it was a hugely important message, the school calling to tell me my kid got kidnapped {just trying to think of the worst/most important call}...how is me causing an accident going to help that situation. Because now my husband gets this call..."Um, your kid got kidnapped at school, and your wife drove off a cliff with your other child in the car!" There is NO phone call that can't wait until I get to wherever it is I'm going...and I also have God on my side. I fully know that if there is that really important phone call that I need to know about right then, I would have a nudge from the Holy Spirit telling me to pull over and check my phone. <br /><br /><u><b>Lesson #2..</b></u>.pride...UGH. Lets go back about 18 months ago...I had this thing I liked to call, "A perfect driving record"...It's something I would remind Beau about lots and lots. I LOVED my perfect driving record, I was proud of that thing! Yeah...lets go back 18 months...<br />
<ul>
<li>I ran a red light...big time ran it, with video proof... almost got my whole family t-boned by another car {who stopped at their green light,while I blasted through my red light}</li>
<li>Then 10 months go by..all is well...then I amazingly back right into my friends car...a car that I KNEW was right behind me...but I rammed right into it! Lovely...also loved the insurance letter sent to my husband, "Dear Beau, after investigating the accident we find your wife 100% at fault." THANKS...like I needed it rubbed into my prideful face.</li>
<li>Tuesday...I being stupid...could have killed my children and myself!</li>
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Yep, my perfect driving record is gone. And my pride about it is now filled with humility...I'm not saying I'm humble {because that's an oxymoron}... I'm saying I get it now. I had pride {probably still have it in other places that God has yet to point out}...and now I see that my pride got me nowhere, accomplished nothing. It probably made me more dangerous to myself and my kids. Pride blinds us, tells us that we're above certain things...when we clearly are imperfect humans that can make a stupid mistake {choose any from my above list, or make up your own} and that stupid mistake, that slip in judgement, could cost you or your family greatly.Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-6921511629634949502012-11-20T06:45:00.000-08:002012-11-20T07:11:35.644-08:00November 201} I'm thankful for lists...I just finished making my Thanksgiving grocery list...and when the kids wake up off we will go to get all or our Thanksgiving food.<br />
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2} Thankful for leftover cookies that my kids will eat for breakfast! <br />
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YEP...I'm gonna let me kids eat a cookie for breakfast and then take them grocery shopping 2 days before Thanksgiving when the store is likely to be horribly crowded! <br />
And ... there is a large possibility that they will end the shopping experience with a large donut...<br />
<i>{because I believe cavities and obesity will give my children character}</i><br />
AND....I feel strongly in the fact that we all have jobs in life,<br />
and we do those jobs better if we get a paycheck when our job is completed...<br />
my children have a job today...<br />
They will be expected to act like normal civilized humans<br />
{even though their only breakfast was a large cookie}<br />
while I drag them through a crowed, unfriendly grocery store...<br />
when & if they complete this job, their paycheck will be a donut at the end!<br />
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3} Thankful for the men and women working at the grocery store...such an unappreciated job! <br />
People treat grocers horrible. <br />
Yes, I know you hate shopping...<br />
Yes, I know it's crowded...<br />
Yes, I can see that your child is throwing a fit and just broke a jar of pickles...<br />
remind me why that is the grocers fault and you need to be rude to them? <br />
Yes, I know the lines are longer then you were expecting...<br />
<strike>Yes, I can tell you fed your children cookies for breakfast</strike>...<br />
Yes, I know that you wish you were ANYWHERE other than grocery shopping....<br />
Yes, I know that this normal 1 hour trip has taken you 2 and you're still not done...<br />
remind me how being rude to the grocer is going to help this situation!<br />
I have a small task for you and your family!<br />
If you have yet to finish your Thanksgiving grocery shopping, or end up back at the store because someone forgot butter or pepper...<br />
First...be thankful that you have the option of shopping at a grocery store,<br />
Second...be thankful that there are people that work in this thankless industry and THANK THEM...<br />
Give them a smile...maybe a kiss {Hershey that is}...<br />
and bonus...if you head into the grocery store with a good attitude and your goal is NOT to get out of there as fast as possible...<br />
but rather to make the day of those that are serving inside the store...<br />
your trip will be that much more pleasant! {you can even make it a game with your kids}...<br />
extra points in the game...help a young mom or elderly couple that look like they might need help with their list or bagging their groceries...<br />
double bonus...your kids will learn amazing kindness, grace, and character from this simple trip to the store.<br />
<br />Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-62270816180793026432012-11-19T06:47:00.000-08:002012-11-19T06:47:14.879-08:00November 191} Thankful for school holidays! I love letting the kids stay up late and then sleep in...just soaking up the freedom of a few days off from school!<br />
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2} Thankful for fun socks! <br />
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They just make me smile...it's like wearing pretty panties only better because you get to share the fun with everyone!<br />
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3} Thankful for the dollar theater...that has family Mondays where a group of 3 or more can buy tickets for $0.75 a piece! Taking the kids to see Brave today!Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2730678654271860882.post-64674298214937490862012-11-19T06:01:00.000-08:002012-11-19T06:01:04.770-08:00November 181} Thankful for the volunteers at church. I have a team of over 40 people that volunteer for me over the course of a month. It's amazing to have that many people willing to step up and help in one way or another...to serve the children and families of our church...and that's just the volunteers for the birth-kindergarten ministry... So Very Thankful!<div>
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2} Thankful for friends having babies and baby showers. I went to a baby shower today for a good friend who is having her 4th baby in a few weeks. I love going to baby showers and seeing the showering of love for the mother and her new baby!</div>
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3} Thankful for Sunday 'dinner'...I don't make dinner on Sundays. NOPE! It's my night off...usually we have popcorn, cheese, fruit, etc...tonight we passed on the popcorn, had cheese & crackers and then leftover buffet {whatever you want to eat that's leftover in the fridge!} and we eat in the living room...the only night we eat with the tv on! Everyone should have a night of the week that's just simple. And guess what, my family loves Sunday Dinner! It's a tradition and kids love tradition, they love something they can count on especially if it has a bit of whimsy or quirky to it, and they love telling their friends that we have 'popcorn for dinner' on Sunday nights!</div>
Kierahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17961808535993632629noreply@blogger.com0