tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11719066647002809962024-03-04T23:56:36.647-05:00Once MoreOur story of embryo adoption, not once but twice!Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-41352052354812912832018-01-07T16:09:00.005-05:002018-01-07T16:15:59.738-05:00Reflecting on 2017I thought I might revive, at least for this post, my blog. It's been 5 years since my last post, and while I don't see myself blogging on a regular basis, I have something on my heart and felt that this might be the best format with which to communicate.<br />
2017 was the most difficult year of my life. Our friend, Pastor Keith Frix, asked for a one word description of the past year, on Facebook. I couldn't do it. Negative words like- painful, difficult, challenging, disappointment, loss, grief came to mind, but so did positive words like- hope, peace, God's presence, reassurance, provision, newness, friendship, healing, miracles, and joy. It was definitely a year where God showed up in my hurt. In my valley of the shadow of death, He was with me. He prepared a banqueting table beside me. His rod and staff comforted me. And I am grateful.<br />
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As I've reflected, I wanted to share highlights of ways in which God prepared me for the year and then revealed Himself to me. Mainly this was through private quiet time with Him, sermons, and songs. I am not going to highlight or go into the battles fought, but I will say that there were many days where I didn't think I could breathe for the despair and hurt that was attacking me. Just know that in the midst of blow after blow- there was weaved in the following...<br />
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January 1- Pastor Shannon Wooten- No matter what, God is LARGE and in charge. <i>I Peter 4:12-13 Dear Friends, do not be surprised by the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. </i>God weaves every dark thread of your life for a purpose. Your life in His hand. Satan doesn't want your stuff! He wants you defeated- off track for what God desires for you and from you. Don't disconnect. Stay more tied in, not less. (This was hard.) God specializes in turning messes into miracles.<br />
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January 15- Pastor Faith Simmons spoke at our church. The service that day impacted me for the remainder of the year. It was what I would call a 'marker' on my life. Byron and I went to the altar that morning, weeping. So many people surrounded us there- praying, crying, reaching out to heaven on our behalf. It was so humbling and healing to us. At the end of her message, Pastor Faith had said that God had shown her a long hallway with many doors. Each door had a label- joy, peace, provision, ministry etc. but the doors were all locked. She said, "You want what's on the other side of the door, but the closest you can get is to look the key hole. But here's the key to opening those doors- the presence of God."<br />
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The next day, I read mark 6:20-23 where the disciples were in a horrible situation- desperately needing to be anywhere but in the middle of a lake, in the midst of a violent storm. Suddenly, they saw something or someone coming toward them. The Bible says, they RECOGNIZED it to be Jesus. They EAGERLY WELCOMED Him into their boat and IMMEDIATELY they arrived at their destination. There it was, an example of how being in God's presence will get you where you need to be. Then I came across John 20:26. "...the doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," He said. JESUS IS NOT BOUND BY LOCKED DOORS! I had such sweet times of prayer in 2017. I anticipated meeting with Him, hearing Him, and welcoming Him into my desperation and locked doors.<br />
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At about this same time, I found this beautiful collection of songs. I'm so thankful for anointed ministers that use their gifts to create an atmosphere of worship. Here it is-<br />
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Pastor Dave Consulo was the next person to deliver a third power packed message that was significant for the year. Important take-aways for me that day were- Don't look back, doubting because things haven't worked out in the past. The attacks against us don't define us! Private worship includes a battle cry to the Lord. We need to persevere in seeking a new zeal and fresh anointing. We need a fresh dose of the power of God everyday! Psalm 144- "...the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. ...blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!" <i>THE GIANT IN FRONT OF YOU IS NEVER BIGGER THAN THE GOD WITHIN YOU!</i><br />
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In mid February, I sensed the Lord saying, "I am going to do something new." At the time, I thought that meant confirmation that we would be making a move to SC for Byron's job. I was wrong about that, but nevertheless, I did hear him say over and over- "I am going to do something new." I was reservedly hopeful. Breakthrough seemed close at hand. Then, about this time, a lady at our church came up to me with a word of knowledge. She said, "God is about to birth something new in you. It will be birthed out of much pain." I looked at her and said, "I think that is an accurate word. I have just come out of a terrible season of pain and need. I receive that word." I remember her looking at me, like, "No, I don't think you've experienced the worst of it yet." As we stood there, I thought, "Dear Lord, Please tell me that I'm right and the worst is over. Surely, it can't get worse." But it did.<br />
About this time, I was listening to a CD that I had had for quite awhile, when a song just 'jumped out at me'. It was a David Baroni song called, "Within the Heart of God". I remember sitting in my car, weeping as I listened to the lyrics, as if for the first time. I was so grateful for the reminder that I was welcomed by God- not banished. Welcomed.<br />
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Some of my favorite lines include- "There is a Rock. A rest for stumbling feet." "Favored, blessed and broken." (Just because we are broken doesn't mean we aren't favored or blessed.) "There is a peace, to heal the troubled mind. A silence from the thundering." "Oh love, that chases fear away. And strength to run and win the race. My heart has found its resting place, within the heart of God."<br />
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In April, the group, Brothers McClurg came to our church. I didn't want to go. I was tired and had a lot to do, but I'm glad I did. If no one else experienced the presence of God in that place that night- I did! So many of their lyrics touched my heart. From their song, Waymaker.<br />
<i>May your voice be louder than my own! </i><br />
<i>You are the way, </i><br />
<i>You are the way, </i><br />
<i>You are the Waymaker!</i><br />
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And from another-<br />
<i>Take my dreams and gather them</i><br />
<i>So they don't worry me. </i><br />
<i>I wanna go when you go with me. </i><br />
<i>surely your goodness will follow me. </i><br />
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From Beautiful Grace-<br />
<i>Lord, you are my Lord. </i><br />
<i>Will you go and make a place</i><br />
<i>where I can fall on my face</i><br />
<i>And lay my all before your beautiful grace. </i><br />
<i>All the world holds dear</i><br />
<i>It will be stripped away</i><br />
<i>By your beautiful grace. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of April, in my daily bible reading, I read Psalm 143. The words summarized my prayer at the time. </span><br />
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<i><span class="text Ps-143-4" id="en-NLT-16274" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Psalm 143: 4- 12 NLT </span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i><span class="text Ps-143-4" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; position: relative;">I am losing all hope;</span></i></span><i style="background-color: white;">I am paralyzed with fear. </i><i><span style="background-color: white;">I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done. I lift my hands to you in prayer. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don't turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. </span><span style="background-color: magenta;">May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. </span><span style="background-color: white;">For the glory of your name, O Lord, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of this distress. In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes for I am your servant. </span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">The sweet thing about this chapter is that it's from Psalm 143. Since our dating days, to Byron and I, 143 has stood for "I Love You" based on the number of letters in each word. It was like this prayer was a little love note from God to me- once again reminding me that He has not forgotten us! Also, during this time, I found a credit in our bank account of $143.00. I didn't add it back in to our actual record book until months after discovering it so that I could remember the added </span><span style="background-color: white;">blessing</span><span style="background-color: white;"> of this surplus. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On April 30th, my friend, Di Brown, shared an Elisabeth Elliot quote with me. "God's stories do not end in ashes." </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of August, we were in a new place- geographically. God really did have a plan in mind that we would have never guessed. On the last Sunday of the month, Pastor Chris Cleveland, felt that he should change gears and preach his Sunday Evening message, that morning. I'm so glad he did. It was another one of those 'marker days' in my life- a moment in God's presence that I hope I never forget and yet I can't really tell you exactly what happened that day at the altar. I remember crying ugly tears! Just releasing my all to the Lord, and really not caring what anyone thought! Here were highlights from his message about Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood from Mark 5. </span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Desperate experiences have purpose. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Allow previous experiences of God's faithfulness to impact and speak to your faith NOW!. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Don't be afraid or shaken, just believe. This is an opportunity to know me better. Cling to faith in God! I will never fail! Put stock in those who increase your faith. Away with the naysayers. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus still responds! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's what Jairus found out- Jesus will be with you all along the journey- from the beginning to the miracle! This was such a simple, but beautiful insight. Jesus didn't just show up at miracle time. He had been with Jairus on his way to his miracle where there was disruptions, other people getting miracles, distractions. He didn't have to face that alone, and neither do we! </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">September 20th- I went to sleep and woke up with this thought in my mind- "You can trust me!" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">September 23rd- Had another one of those ugly cry altar times. I don't even know what precipitated that response, except that God was there and I was undone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">October- I listened to a message from Jimmy Evans where he shared what our response should be when the enemy attacks us in our thinking. It's found in Matthew 7- We should say, "I have a perfect Father who loves me and knows everything about my life. He is faithful. So, SILENCE!" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Later that month, Pastor Chris had this word for someone- "Even in the storm- He calms the heart. God is faithful. Focus on WHO GOD is, even in the moment /times of trouble. Just when you think you're sinking, He reaches down. When it's too much- God is going to come through! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Heartsong came to our church and sang this song, sometime towards the end of their powerful service. It was my anthem during the days leading up to Thanksgiving. God is not through with us!!! It's not over. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">At the end of November, I had a devastating night. Everything went wrong and when I got home, I let myself go to a very dark and hopeless place. But, He lifted me out of that pit. In school, the girls and I had been reading this book called, "Kingdom Tales". The main character, hears a hum- a melody that reminds him of his king. In the same way, the Lord's song, as faint as it seemed, brought and sustained hope in my heart. The next day, Pastor Chris said that as he was praying that day, he felt he needed to encourage someone who, like Joshua and the Israelites marching around Jericho, was marching around situations that seem unwavering- maybe for years or decades. The message? God is moving. he prayed faith would increase and the enemy's plans thwarted and defeated by our faith. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the last Sunday of 2017, my sunday school teacher, Keith Alexis, asked us to write a letter and bring it to class. We were to be the recipient of the letter and the author was to be the devil. In it, we were to describe all of his accusations and threats against us. I did it. It made me feel physically ill, but I did it. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In our class that day, Keith told the story of Hezekiah and how the King of Assyria had issued a letter that mocked King Hezehiah, his people, and his God. This is what God said in response to the letter and to the one that I wrote...</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've heard your prayer about your enemy. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">And to the enemy- Who do you think you are and who do you think you are talking to? You're not talking to my people, you are talking to me. </span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This was the take away- "When the enemy hurls threats, God takes it personally. Lay your letter before the Lord and let Him handle it." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So that was my year. Looking at it this way, makes me even more thankful for the past 12 months. I still pray that God will birth in me what He desires. I don't want to waste these experiences or any others that follow. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm thankful for God's presence, but also for the many, many people that He used this past year to meet our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. I am truly humbled and amazed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">**I don't own the rights to any of the songs embedded in this blog post. Just sharing as part of my experience this past year. </span>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-43481275980583196422013-01-28T15:54:00.000-05:002013-01-28T15:54:52.441-05:00Getting You Caught Up, At Least in Pictures!The past seven months in review....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OFaViCT8rQ__OUs47sJoJVl9_dJTMPnkKhyphenhyphen6yCCxxjn_L0SFZYVOSlKWpWDDvhqzRbZeAh3rfNHQJYanlarzB7yE1Q-w7MA6g3lWae5j393iwEGq139lpnjJS6f1qZZHOMwG3o4bD9A/s1600/IMG_8381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OFaViCT8rQ__OUs47sJoJVl9_dJTMPnkKhyphenhyphen6yCCxxjn_L0SFZYVOSlKWpWDDvhqzRbZeAh3rfNHQJYanlarzB7yE1Q-w7MA6g3lWae5j393iwEGq139lpnjJS6f1qZZHOMwG3o4bD9A/s320/IMG_8381.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls and I spent lots of time playing at the park this summer. This was an exceptionally hot day- hence the red cheeks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our girls enjoying their books! I love Karis' foot propped on the chair. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jFtAiNuBF2kFqgspW3eQ9DAvTQQd0uiW-o68l8v5LdNwASACILlUpCL0Dbfe3pCPAVfX58lN0pMdAzmKT-mypa3FvL8I3v7f-1SLnO0s5sxIxBhxPy-W5wEOekUZ4FpvsMYFDTSO93o/s1600/IMG_8434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5jFtAiNuBF2kFqgspW3eQ9DAvTQQd0uiW-o68l8v5LdNwASACILlUpCL0Dbfe3pCPAVfX58lN0pMdAzmKT-mypa3FvL8I3v7f-1SLnO0s5sxIxBhxPy-W5wEOekUZ4FpvsMYFDTSO93o/s320/IMG_8434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family pic from July.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie737nQKneH15RBgnwv5lUh_icxJeJQEavXknu1WvJ__9MaPN-4wON2fAOdL_mvc-AuVYQ-CCcpQUYs46V3OzthVXdLew6KuZ3nAI1kqVjgjkMM3hRyA3YYHiFqNvJ7gAZ9MYDdaiwx8k/s1600/IMG_8484.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie737nQKneH15RBgnwv5lUh_icxJeJQEavXknu1WvJ__9MaPN-4wON2fAOdL_mvc-AuVYQ-CCcpQUYs46V3OzthVXdLew6KuZ3nAI1kqVjgjkMM3hRyA3YYHiFqNvJ7gAZ9MYDdaiwx8k/s320/IMG_8484.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly girlies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_j7qOa_Am0Q_G4WhOIt3prR-px45T5R8vQnsH4LhP5wgIGClXhdh4p2YuO1AHRGjoJxwgITM0g1fgTAwtUVQy6Zo2fTMiz0hGMlZij6HHxkxccZ-J93kXo37_lxn8y2NAip-bGkHSlg/s1600/IMG_8513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_j7qOa_Am0Q_G4WhOIt3prR-px45T5R8vQnsH4LhP5wgIGClXhdh4p2YuO1AHRGjoJxwgITM0g1fgTAwtUVQy6Zo2fTMiz0hGMlZij6HHxkxccZ-J93kXo37_lxn8y2NAip-bGkHSlg/s320/IMG_8513.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning the fine art of playing princess. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIlQn3VRGd6Hniixc_H_WLXTbLV-gFLzZ3MJKMM28qkwFtRwsyhW25xbzTa1-TboQ-qLAwXQvlzOPbwzoh9xf2zQQwkUksmfRwEg97xuiWc9vPJOnZFF7OucCgk3e-pBHcYuYDPeVUnQ/s1600/IMG_8532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsIlQn3VRGd6Hniixc_H_WLXTbLV-gFLzZ3MJKMM28qkwFtRwsyhW25xbzTa1-TboQ-qLAwXQvlzOPbwzoh9xf2zQQwkUksmfRwEg97xuiWc9vPJOnZFF7OucCgk3e-pBHcYuYDPeVUnQ/s320/IMG_8532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More pretending going on at our house.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4Rjr7uSjZaSe_k1hms4BY5xqd3Ms1j6ytS5KUkKjpF_9xdBw91F4exr-2-av3fw-UCcuu0QDKdlEdO-Fi_9FSQ7nALh01qRIX4SsLFb5PY3jQZLv-pOZ1A4RCb3NCUTOn-bBZ4t6Z0o/s1600/IMG_8550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4Rjr7uSjZaSe_k1hms4BY5xqd3Ms1j6ytS5KUkKjpF_9xdBw91F4exr-2-av3fw-UCcuu0QDKdlEdO-Fi_9FSQ7nALh01qRIX4SsLFb5PY3jQZLv-pOZ1A4RCb3NCUTOn-bBZ4t6Z0o/s320/IMG_8550.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On this day, many of my high school classmates were posting pictures of taking their children to college. My child was working on independent use of the spoon!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9OavscZI0PU-BfBHed73cpOnZ8ScGyiFBbjf9kDpyxldxYG5Juh1GwnwLPHiw0r5wUNYwmfWqLRUx5mdtSMEdSI9q5AqVgjmNzkDEx1DK-wQet2pN7amM3W7RczrpdQDpG7OkMARLqI/s1600/IMG_8552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr9OavscZI0PU-BfBHed73cpOnZ8ScGyiFBbjf9kDpyxldxYG5Juh1GwnwLPHiw0r5wUNYwmfWqLRUx5mdtSMEdSI9q5AqVgjmNzkDEx1DK-wQet2pN7amM3W7RczrpdQDpG7OkMARLqI/s320/IMG_8552.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying out sponge rollers for the first- and pretty much, last time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg846iCtB0gExQu14cKDwPPstaiw47YrGhwzpByBsUNiP0EWvmSX_uQcpJzwML2wVjxGjNIkrfJUxrzCa03tvX40vufFA48bGMVzYmSmufBTjKz81m7GZiugCAXxGibW2h8D_gn7Ul4Zbc/s1600/IMG_8553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg846iCtB0gExQu14cKDwPPstaiw47YrGhwzpByBsUNiP0EWvmSX_uQcpJzwML2wVjxGjNIkrfJUxrzCa03tvX40vufFA48bGMVzYmSmufBTjKz81m7GZiugCAXxGibW2h8D_gn7Ul4Zbc/s320/IMG_8553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The results!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEt1kt0uiSiYGL27gDXkaATvU2zuJ3maJJG7VOryDvuQIunE4PW_brN7WFnc8EUjLZEZhQ18UQSfGpbLix4VY55HWQWOQ8z5sLg8Fpf2qM2e_2zEFhI23DWeiWVeRPTQAXs8ffGfEBpQ/s1600/IMG_8583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuEt1kt0uiSiYGL27gDXkaATvU2zuJ3maJJG7VOryDvuQIunE4PW_brN7WFnc8EUjLZEZhQ18UQSfGpbLix4VY55HWQWOQ8z5sLg8Fpf2qM2e_2zEFhI23DWeiWVeRPTQAXs8ffGfEBpQ/s320/IMG_8583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I loved this! They were playing doctor together!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTOaTVnGTEsDhcWXzM83tERWXzSty1LNhB7587ByS9R69j2uqHYP4dsWCMwbfWVlk8KAuksa2gjwjtgS6glKoESTFGkGZbvQ4vLFv0QoOkbPNQDBDG3PuQb_igOFHsE7Kk5CmInK2z0I/s1600/20121024_135050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTOaTVnGTEsDhcWXzM83tERWXzSty1LNhB7587ByS9R69j2uqHYP4dsWCMwbfWVlk8KAuksa2gjwjtgS6glKoESTFGkGZbvQ4vLFv0QoOkbPNQDBDG3PuQb_igOFHsE7Kk5CmInK2z0I/s320/20121024_135050.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really warm day in October. This was right after Gracie's first ballet lesson. The fall leaves were a hit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAaQpp7RaJRGJI1dadVXSVxToAGUvQcIQM2U-JSkx8A6V5-KWqqGeg1KaWSmHa7bAt3mWgSe_aC2cULIbLfOOZNdDeAWjmTCtsxC2fg_Pn-3SZa-4x-0EMVXvz9b3lv4OFKu6EXRyHgk/s1600/IMG_8618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUAaQpp7RaJRGJI1dadVXSVxToAGUvQcIQM2U-JSkx8A6V5-KWqqGeg1KaWSmHa7bAt3mWgSe_aC2cULIbLfOOZNdDeAWjmTCtsxC2fg_Pn-3SZa-4x-0EMVXvz9b3lv4OFKu6EXRyHgk/s320/IMG_8618.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Day 2012. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JbQkmIFq68REfY4c_5Ulc5Y-gFtaEfSQYFV6bLpKFEL2DQS6ZNmU4Pq99PV9yQNi5Y-SjXIdmoSj4I1y3q2hp4-d-ANadbcuDcQrXOmKsSTfbrBlTbgUp3NE5R6f7pxVPpV_BUaLO8w/s1600/IMG_8678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JbQkmIFq68REfY4c_5Ulc5Y-gFtaEfSQYFV6bLpKFEL2DQS6ZNmU4Pq99PV9yQNi5Y-SjXIdmoSj4I1y3q2hp4-d-ANadbcuDcQrXOmKsSTfbrBlTbgUp3NE5R6f7pxVPpV_BUaLO8w/s320/IMG_8678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The week before Christmas 2012. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3w5foiBAwkjleeQz_itiszUMS28EH3OdY275lSbWrEqS5tbyztf8CokB8gV1ohMWeraDBainCPRRPFEX8VqbppNXti_y6_Gi59OxJ5MaRyGx32UxappdAKC6KL5Z6fuq4MWhEIAQlpE/s1600/IMG_8718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH3w5foiBAwkjleeQz_itiszUMS28EH3OdY275lSbWrEqS5tbyztf8CokB8gV1ohMWeraDBainCPRRPFEX8VqbppNXti_y6_Gi59OxJ5MaRyGx32UxappdAKC6KL5Z6fuq4MWhEIAQlpE/s320/IMG_8718.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Januay 2013. She's not a fan of the snow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpr2LqT4C4ynXmfep-NCVGc1NtcNTCvDF8cfAWq-MZZbcmDf7p7gJuFKVAwTAdvERQDdK50sr8KriW_JBZ4IiAuBo3sAjDO4YkdczXb9vbPZ2w6p5xXfC95qpWkR40wbWWM84VMXVkr0/s1600/IMG_8721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhpr2LqT4C4ynXmfep-NCVGc1NtcNTCvDF8cfAWq-MZZbcmDf7p7gJuFKVAwTAdvERQDdK50sr8KriW_JBZ4IiAuBo3sAjDO4YkdczXb9vbPZ2w6p5xXfC95qpWkR40wbWWM84VMXVkr0/s320/IMG_8721.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big sister can't get enough. She was having fun throwing her share of snowballs. </td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1868139213"></span><span id="goog_1868139214"></span><br />Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-27587564306288895972013-01-28T15:31:00.003-05:002013-01-28T21:06:45.773-05:00Things I Love<strike>The other day</strike> Five months ago, I read my friend Ashley's blog about things she loves. It was so beautiful, I was inspired to write my own list . (Which I did, but never posted because I didn't feel it was complete. As I read over it today, I realized that many of the things I listed are but a distant memory- a phase my little ones were going through... So, I decided to hit the publish button and share the list 'as is' or 'as was' as the case may be.) My heart is so full of gratitude to the Lord for the blessing of being mommy to my two little girls. As I tucked Gracie into bed tonight, I snuggled up next to her one more time and couldn't hold back the tears. Sometimes it hits me that way...<br />
Girls~<br />
I love...watching you play together. Karis you are already so good at pretending. Your 'mmm, mmm's' as you bring a plastic cupcake to your lips makes me smile. Gracie, you are getting so good at hide and seek, and are teaching your sister to be a great seeker.<br />
I love...how you both light up when Daddy comes home, and race to the staircase so that you'll be the first to be picked up. <br />
I love...the sparkle in your eyes when you interact with each other. You two can cover every square inch of the living room in no time at all. You're so busy climbing on cushions, loving on stuffed animals, and rolling around in each other's arms; it makes me a little nervous, but more happy than anything.<br />
Gracie Beth~<br />
I love...how you use a british accent whenever you don your princess outfits.<br />
I love...how you whisper prayers at your every need, like when you really want Karis to stop crying and you don't know what else to do. <br />
I love...how you make up songs about, well, just about anything.<br />
I love...now that you're four, you 'stike a pose' everytime we take your picture.<br />
I love...your amazing imagination. Your imaginary friend, Sally the brown horse with a rainbow on her tummy, and gigantic wings sounds incredible. Ok, she's not imaginary. She's real. I realize that she lives in China, and that makes it hard for Mommy and Daddy to see her.<br />
I love...when you refer to Karis as, "Hon." You're such a wonderful, big sister. <br />
I love...when you talk to Daddy on the phone and ask him, "How's your morning going?" You're such a big girl.<br />
I love...how you wanted to give Daddy a cup of cold water, so that Jesus could have a drink. (The night before, she was asking me questions about God. How big is He? Can He fit in our house? Then, out of the blue, she asks, "Does God need a drink of water?" I shared the scripture, If you've done it to the least of these, you've done it unto me.)<br />
Karis Joy~<br />
I love...how you smack your lips together, and lean in towards us because you want to give kisses.<br />
I love...how you are so vocal. mama, mommy, dada, daddy, yacie(Gracie), dahgg (dog), uuuuuup (up), mmeeooww, mmeeoow(moo, moo), baba (baby)<br />
I love...how you gather up your blanket before you exit your crib in the morning.<br />
I love...how you cuddle up in the corner of your bed, with your bottom up in the air.<br />
I love...how you hold your stuffed animals in the crook of your arm.<br />
I love... that you are a girl who knows what you want. (Note- that has not changed! * big smile*)<br />
<br />
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<br />Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-10104842622603636872012-06-15T23:36:00.000-04:002012-06-15T23:36:07.318-04:00Balloons and Birthdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
birthday pictures and lots of balloons...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">just had to add this one...she wasn't too thrilled with my idea.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">things got better after we took a balloon picture break.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIl4vRTQn7RMSJGIHWQD0yw1OeIWhGr58hHi4OMqR5cjXNrmafl0R2v9k6uZJWZZGw-U_nJCs1Far4kwcKT3XoOz0UhYtrBoiCbNxaBsvWtp92CaRnhZIDvycrBjXxtULJ_e1HwpK1a8/s1600/IMG_8342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIl4vRTQn7RMSJGIHWQD0yw1OeIWhGr58hHi4OMqR5cjXNrmafl0R2v9k6uZJWZZGw-U_nJCs1Far4kwcKT3XoOz0UhYtrBoiCbNxaBsvWtp92CaRnhZIDvycrBjXxtULJ_e1HwpK1a8/s320/IMG_8342.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-10584694436994975782012-06-15T20:17:00.001-04:002012-06-15T20:17:15.069-04:00FINALLY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just wanted to update you all on a very important subject....</div>
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It only took 11 months and 23 days, for my wait to be over. Three O'Clock in the morning and I have gone our separate ways!</div>
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Yes, you heard that right. Karis Joy is officially sleeping through the night! </div>
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"Thank You, LORD!"</div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-63515677431102950812012-06-13T07:55:00.001-04:002012-06-13T08:01:36.034-04:00Two Out of Four Cookies...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First of all, I take no stock in the messages found inside fortune cookies. Nonetheless, I thought I'd share the following experience with you. The other day, we had lunch at a Chinese restaurant. At the end of our meal, instead of getting our usual "3" cookie allotment; the waitress gave us "4". Karis was included in the cookie count. How exciting! She's getting to be such a big girl that she now gets her own fortune cookie. I picked up the first one and declared, "This is Karis' fortune cookie." It said, <br />
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Her daddy and I laughed at the appropriateness of the message. Just the night before, we had tried to feed her a couple of different food items, but were met each time with a distinctly turned head and the adamant response of, "Uh- uh!" (interpretation: I'm NOT eating that!). She's a girl who knows what she wants and doesn't want!<br />
<br />Next, came Mommy's cookie. It said, <br />
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This seems to be a recurring theme in my life right now!</div>
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Today, I found beauty in~<br />
<ul>
<li>dancing in the living room with my girls, </li>
<li>the tiger lillies blooming in my front yard, and </li>
<li>Gracie's original artwork consisting of scrap paper, colorful pom poms and mounds of glue. </li>
</ul>
What ordinary things were beautiful to you?<br />
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Oh, and in case you are wondering~the other two fortune cookies were pretty bizarre-o. There was a riddle about life and a german proverb about trees not touching the sky. :)<br />
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One more thing~ lest you think that I live in this ideal world, where all is constant happy reflection...On the day I wrote this post, I didn't get dressed til well after noon AND I had to put my big girl in time out shortly after our dance session because she absolutely threw a major fit when I didn't do what she wanted me to do when she wanted me to do it! Ha Ha! I love being a MOMMA!</div>
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</div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-17876557954058529322012-06-02T22:59:00.000-04:002012-06-04T14:59:32.385-04:00Grace Notes<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today is our Gracie Girl's fourth birhtday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is that person who was in my heart and mind when I prayed in faith. Now, she is that "substance" of things hoped for and "evidence" of things not seen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even when I <strong>saw</strong> her for the first time, she would have been invisible to my naked eye. A tiny little new beginning of life, an embryo. And yet, she was the most beautiful thing I had ever beheld. She was marvelous, a mystery, a miracle, and I loved her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lately, when I hear her laugh or sing a funny song, I think...I'm hearing a miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I run my fingers through her tossled, curly hair, I recall...I'm touching a miracle.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY-Nl90oGApJxMt-gBX3oBYEwvgBDB6mpiAio0BDq0gNAHjzpygakpjRC7wPXjzBzzY4nnI-lYRn3KQbawllsgoGAwg9-utrqVBPAaEvOaJcCgv_8a_ch9CMu4KDaoXktCCaWq64vs4M/s1600/IMG_7988.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvY-Nl90oGApJxMt-gBX3oBYEwvgBDB6mpiAio0BDq0gNAHjzpygakpjRC7wPXjzBzzY4nnI-lYRn3KQbawllsgoGAwg9-utrqVBPAaEvOaJcCgv_8a_ch9CMu4KDaoXktCCaWq64vs4M/s320/IMG_7988.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When her arms wrap themselves around my neck and hold on for dear life, I know...I'm being embraced by a miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we talk about lizards, God, family, heaven, flowers, frogs, and cupcakes, I realize...I'm conversing with a miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When she comes in from outside, "sweaty and stinky" or gets out of a bubble bath tub, "all squeaky clean", I remember...I'm smelling a miracle. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2-qAsOUkKD7CA2NRD13Uka946KTKuiB21OznDfZiHcF2JmM8OQZMTqEdkN4wyGvZEMa9zFOsKsqviUWz456t8D2FyL8VbIyiwoxVEWhyphenhyphenKHeYhjQj8LVWVawIak4nyRQukDSJofy3ubU/s1600/IMG_7905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2-qAsOUkKD7CA2NRD13Uka946KTKuiB21OznDfZiHcF2JmM8OQZMTqEdkN4wyGvZEMa9zFOsKsqviUWz456t8D2FyL8VbIyiwoxVEWhyphenhyphenKHeYhjQj8LVWVawIak4nyRQukDSJofy3ubU/s320/IMG_7905.JPG" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuCoUNjVxuZ0MfO_LLZqNUkMhFRjtVdeLTOvQqA2KifDZH9pDK6QqL3UuDp4Uzu69ca4VEOIv7VTDnkK9sXpuDdophiNRoQ6NqvbeB29gtRMJ-aBjn859kjpBKIFPlFPqtVdqp5OgHW8/s1600/IMG_7902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuCoUNjVxuZ0MfO_LLZqNUkMhFRjtVdeLTOvQqA2KifDZH9pDK6QqL3UuDp4Uzu69ca4VEOIv7VTDnkK9sXpuDdophiNRoQ6NqvbeB29gtRMJ-aBjn859kjpBKIFPlFPqtVdqp5OgHW8/s320/IMG_7902.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is an ordinary {ordinary wonderful} little girl. She does typical, little girl kind of things. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazg6hrSH9YxkF99BF5Hy3K56mNGW8o34uhSrcmDffZO-hpLGqV8-1buABUoc5vf5gUDpHdfvtLNcIPsZWqTqBzVXDy_8ARSUup_vLbyPi7GE1-WpclC70FWOD-sZ8x-e9HXJTUpn3DE4/s1600/IMG_7971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazg6hrSH9YxkF99BF5Hy3K56mNGW8o34uhSrcmDffZO-hpLGqV8-1buABUoc5vf5gUDpHdfvtLNcIPsZWqTqBzVXDy_8ARSUup_vLbyPi7GE1-WpclC70FWOD-sZ8x-e9HXJTUpn3DE4/s320/IMG_7971.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She often wants her own way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is independent, creative, intelligent and driven. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is helpful, giving, and kind. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is a problem solver, a negotiator at times, a thinker~inquisitive. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH2u7DhM2pDg9x80V4KkmJHPRdRaitMnx2ONS0HoTNvKwE8uUh29RC9QvTVlANmZYZT3j-uZcKIlzkTngu-ARkvBpCBR44uL350iSxm0qS-yMqRdIxTrVFHP48iWA0Tk6mua-UkegXew/s1600/IMG_8167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPH2u7DhM2pDg9x80V4KkmJHPRdRaitMnx2ONS0HoTNvKwE8uUh29RC9QvTVlANmZYZT3j-uZcKIlzkTngu-ARkvBpCBR44uL350iSxm0qS-yMqRdIxTrVFHP48iWA0Tk6mua-UkegXew/s320/IMG_8167.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I look at her, I see the fulfillment of answered prayer. And I am grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy birthday big girl. We are thankful beyond words that God gave you to us!</span></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-76020737854432010722012-05-31T09:11:00.000-04:002012-05-31T09:11:06.810-04:00Ordinary Wonderful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love my sweet Karis Joy. She has a smile that can melt any heart. She is curious, inquisitive, friendly, and determined. She's just sooooo cute! Today is her first birthday, and I am waxing sentimental. I am so very aware of how precious every moment is. I keep thinking about an old Gloria Gaither song..."We have these moments to hold in our hands and to watch, as they slip through our fingers like sand. Yesterday's gone and tomorrow may never come, but we have these moments today." I have so enjoyed watching her little life unfold. I've loved how she has developed physically. There's nothing more thrilling to me, than to watch a little one figure out rolling over, sitting up, crawling, crusing, and walking. It's amazing! I've loved the continued revelation of her personality. From day one, she has been a person who 'knows what she wants' and is determined to let you know just what that is! She is a happy little girlie, unless she is mad. I pray very often that God will use her passion and fire for His Glory. I laugh when I say that, but it's really true. I've loved how she studies everybody and everything. I've loved how she works to open something that's closed. How she has developed preferences in blankets, toys, and activities. I've loved having that 'front row seat' to her cognitive development. It's still incredible to me how she now responds to our requests. She'll give kisses, give hugs, and rub noses. She tells us "Uh- uh" when she doesn't want something. She squeals when she does. Each of these developments are so tiny. Like the pictures I took of her each month, the changes are hard to see when looked at individually. But when you compare birth day to first birthday~all of those tiny changes together have produced an amazing transformation!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just born</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day</td></tr>
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Recently, so that we could be with family, and so that I could get a little help during the day, the girls and I spent a week at my parents' house. Each day, my husband would call to check in with us. One day when he asked what we'd been doing, I said, "Oh, just ordinary wonderful stuff." It was true. We weren't <em>doing </em>anything, but we were together. Karis was making new discoveries, Gracie was creating wonderful make believe scenarios for us. There were hugs, kisses, giggles, lots of 'Hey Dadda, da, dadda'. Ever since I made that statement, though, I've looked at my days, my life a little differently. <br />
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I do the ordinary task of laundry: I sort, go through pockets, treat stains with Advanced Shout (a product I love, btw), load the washer, etc. It's ordinary but wonderful because the clothes are tiny, the stains consist of markers, watercolors, and various food items. It's wonderful because most of the clothes I launder are PINK, and they belong to Karis and Gracie.<br />
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I sweep the floor- an ordinary task, but it's wonderful because what I sweep usually consists of at least one goldfish cracker! Tonight, the pile sparkled due to the 'Happy Birthday' confetti that had landed on the floor. It made me smile.<br />
I put things away...ordinary. But now wonderful, because I get to put the same item in its place multiple times as it is pulled out almost as quickly as I place it, by tiny little hands.<br />
I watch TV. An ordinary thing that's done everyday, but wonderful to me because I watch 'Gracie and Karis Shows'. I know all about Dora, Diego, Little Bear and Olivia~ to name a few.<br />
I brush hair, ordinary stuff, but wonderful because it's this cute little tuft of hair. <br />
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For many years, I dreamed of having children. I prayed and believed God for children. I knew God would answer my prayers. I just didn't know how or when. And now that those prayers are answered...walking and crawling right in front of me, I just can't help but stand in awe, and try to be intentional about my gratitude to the Living God for making it happen. <br />
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I pray every day that my girls will come to know Him, and that they will be convinced of his love for them at an early age. I especially pray for Karis, that she will never doubt His love, nor our love for her. <br />
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Happy first birthday baby girl. We are so glad you are ours!</div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-40799547621433287012012-04-19T23:04:00.002-04:002012-04-19T23:16:07.476-04:00My 50th Post!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hello everyone! I'm excited to welcome you to post #50! Maybe it won't take as long to reach post #100. I'm actually attending a Blogging Conference next weekend, for work. I'm hoping to come back inspired to write, write, write! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been looking forward to catching you up on our neck of the woods. Karis is doing well. She is measuring at 16 pounds, 12 ounces. She's in the 50th percentile for length. She has had a couple of ear infections since I posted last. She also cut her first tooth. That was a month ago. It's still making it's way out of the gum. Gracie had a mouth full of teeth at this age, so it's been different to have a toothless baby for such a long time. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karis is a very observant child. In fact, she would prefer to watch and figure things out before attempting new things like going down a slide, climbing on a riding toy, swinging in a swing, etc. The other night, I introduced her to combs. I said, "This is a comb, Karis. We use it to comb our hair." I showed her how to use it, and she just watched me. Ten minutes later, she found one of Gracie's many combs on the floor. She picked it up and started combing her hair. It was so funny!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She has studied all of us drinking, and has become quite proficient at drinking from a sippy cup and from a regular cup for that matter. Speaking of drinking, I don't anticipate being able to wean her at 12 months. She does enjoy nursing and is very persistant at letting me know her wishes! I'll let you know how that goes. It's amazing to me that I'm now concerned that she'll never want to stop nursing. It seems like yesterday when I was worried that we weren't going to be able to make it past 3 months. Along those same lines, she still isn't sleeping through the night. The most she has ever slept at one time is 9 hours, and that has only happened twice, maybe three times. I know what the books say about letting babies 'cry it out', but I don't do that very well. Also, we are struggling to keep Gracie in her own bed at night, so I have been hesitant to go to the crying it out mode, fearing that she may awaken her sister. I am open to suggestions or at least hope that it will one day get better, and I will once again sleep through 3 AM. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Karis Joy loves her baby dolls!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are a few of the pictures we had made just before Easter. It started off being one of the worst photo sessions ever. I almost grabbed up both of the girls and left. But we survived, and the photographer ended up getting some really good shots! I love my sweet girls!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> On March 31st, Karis got to meet her Shur Shur for the very first time! It was a happy and glorious reunion for all of us. Both of my children have met their Shur Shur at Dulles International Airport. Byron's parents spent a week with us. We hadn't seen each other in almost two years, so it was wonderful to be with our family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gracie getting her teeth brushed...Shur Shur style. This was funny to me. They both had more than their fair share of tooth paste on them! They had a lot of fun with each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Today, my Gracie began a conversation with me about God. From there, we started talking about heaven. I told her that we won't cry when we get to heaven. She said, "What if we get a boo boo?" I told her that we won't have boo boos in heaven. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">She said, "Are the floors soft in heaven, Mommy?" She falls on hard floors a lot! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">One more thing before I go, we have friends that are pursuing embryo adoption. They are looking at a July transfer with the NEDC. Stephanie has started a blog, and I know she'd love to 'meet' you and have your prayer support as they begin this journey. Here's a link to their blog. <a href="http://searching4babybrown.blogspot.com/">Baby Brown</a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Blessings on you all!!! </span></div>
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<br /></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-14686447787020374162012-02-29T12:52:00.007-05:002012-02-29T13:51:59.866-05:00Our 9 month update<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714618018706735618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhct6gLyRghzSDibFSvaXHQGS4qtobNag7HI4LKeq9NOH_nYuwx75RCJPW7Sxo5ngcNjTigcyXdZ1CCWQMPV0UatIyn52C2HimdAJStweWgr_0hCNgAgj-oR8g8QRKK2wkkNYQJr1zF0d0/s400/IMG_7610.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div align="center">Karis Joy- 8 1/2 months old. She loves those little giggling olives. They make her laugh!</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div>I have done a terrible job keeping this blog updated! Life has been moving very quickly around here. Since my last post, I have started working, part time from home. I am very blessed to be working for Home School Legal Defense Association. I am one of their Special Needs Consultants. It has been a blessing to work from home, albeit a little crazy at times!! Picture me sitting on the edge of the bed, nursing Karis, talking to my co-worker on the phone with Gracie hanging on my back begging for a snack!!! One day a week, a dear friend who is home from doing mission work in China, watches the girls for me while I work downstairs. Gracie loves those days. She and Miss Rachel go on all sorts of adventures, all directed by Gracie Beth Winn. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Karis is doing very well. We don't have her 9 month appointment until later in March, but I can tell you this much...She weighs around 16 pounds. She's wearing 9 month clothes. Size 3 diapers. People comment on how petite she is. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714627307111041842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8uoR7DMSGI8QSxmfG25et7Djs54yXmLtHYhD9OD3a30ZAqWyALbbRPhwpL9yUzPOp4kuE1izRciM_KUb6i7Ly0keBLMOPjonswomVP0KwyBOVvdKYzJIBXQcAGqWNRVBDaN-RcPS4-M/s400/IMG_7546.JPG" /></div><br /><div>She is our "Curious Karis". She is always staring and taking in everything her big sister is doing. She loves to be held, although she's not much of a cuddler. I think she just likes to have a bird's eye view. She's usually very happy, but when she's mad- She's Mad! With Gracie, you could console her with a song, a kiss, or a cuddle. Not so with Karis. If she wants to get out of the car seat, eat, or be held, she's not going to quit telling you about it until she gets what she wants! I am praying that God will use this determination and strength for His glory some day!!<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714628230330899586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSmdVSi6PK5LJAtWGc83y21znXAeJ4hV39oT5WaZg5R7ifRcR_iCoy_b6SDZWj9knkAujrMN6-YrYwawG1NHv350ZjfHaLJIqLHIHkchfhyr-x66Qbeunkc2Ql1scPkJGox5aRew4g0oM/s400/IMG_7518.JPG" />She is quite the mover. She started army crawling back in December, and really began crawling on all fours in late January. Two weeks ago, she started pulling herself up to a standing position. She often sits up on her knees. You'll have to forgive me for being amazed at this, but Gracie didn't do any of those things until much later. Everybody is different! </div><br /><div>Karis has this sweet wave that she does to say, "Hi" to everyone. She has started saying, "Uh, Eh" (Her version of "Uh- oh") when she drops things. She does something else, that I think is hilarious! When she wants out of her crib in the mornings, she doesn't just cry. She moves to the corner of the crib, closest to the door of her room and cries. It's like she has figured out that that is her best position to be heard. She does this in the play pen too. She moves to part that's closest to where we are, and cries out to us. I think she may be brilliant! :)<br /><br /><div>She has become mommy's girl during these past four months. Although, she absolutely lights up when her daddy comes home! She gives people the 'once over' when they visit, because she wants to make sure they're not here to babysit! </div><br /><div>She isn't the best sleeper in the world. She typically sleeps for 5 hours max. Up until recently, she was staying up until 10:00 at night. That was about to wipe me out! However, we're starting to get into a much more reasonable groove. She's taking 2-2 1/2 hour naps mid-day, and going down around 8:30-9. Still too late, I think, but better. Two nights ago, she slept from 8:30- 5:30!!!! That was the first time in almost 9 months that I've gotten that much uninterupted sleep! Then, last night she was up at 1:30 and 4! I have no idea what made the difference! Last night was one of those nights where she didn't want to go back to sleep. I can always tell when that is going to happen because she starts hitting her head while she's nursing, as if to wake herself up!!!<br />I am tired, and I think it's starting to show. The other day, I was fixing my hair. Gracie looked at me and said, "Mommy, you look like an other mother." (In other words, she's not accustomed to seeing me with my hair fixed and with full make up applied.) Oh well! </div><br /><div>I leave you with a few more pictures and the promise to update before Karis' first birthday! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 397px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714629825026843842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcfJIR5WZYg6eQ_CyZHjeOnXuJXr3OCi7GLjoLfBUY8kLF-bNLDDENL0wXBC_wgaXLdGgmOrlM6WGRuCZPYkoaG4nKCRCW4b6-5cheg5g8ZHbdEWQlWQLHUv3qX1wP52X_intLieRY-2I/s400/IMG_7593.JPG" /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714629248970850834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZtkn8lyJtSlGKJUj1JSQiH2qlapcvIzZFyM2gidmyaMPoF3BKllxSzhh7bD-DCTa1M-OyRswIL-DawYdgfow6YEJlcJ9wh3x2tKaCv_WcxPuO-QWBkOuR_PKGStwLGGrOImPkQgFstA/s400/IMG_7553.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5714626844558639778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8m-DiP2NGOm439PxAgwjGedbjEYKvt8UrlM0j_TOJBszptHr9JiNkuJ9KloYhhoNCviT4_kaGqKBhvr8SNYpA9dFrdPFGl8pSnQgN-EnOukDPS7O6vGQS-Vuh4d2R7AfBg21Xqr6I8xQ/s400/IMG_7490.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-1491697489419825302011-12-27T22:41:00.009-05:002011-12-27T23:46:42.526-05:00Christmas<div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 344px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691019756654433298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWmYG1fEehRKjkdP-LwdHP4thNOkWv93tHm4Gvkh16DX1nJD9iNVlItJ4o-vrLdE4zE86aVet58JDD8rnDauxz1jlVf2AoxTTPF9oY6SI2ZNVrhb0Ob516v4-5YHp94F6YULbMrGwtogs/s400/IMG_7266.JPG" />I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas experience. We had a great weekend together. We enjoyed two Christmas services, ate well, kissed our girls bunches, and reflected on our many blessings. As I've looked through the pictures we took over the past few days and see myself with two little ones, it almost doesn't seem like it is me in the picture. We have waited such a loooonnnng time for our children, I can't help but marvel at the wonder of it all. I never want to take parenthood for granted. We are a miracle family. That's for sure!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691021143354364690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf7ET5bQ1ZPWCH0Q9EMrAq8tvUeVqw4r1NywfpGYyp_PTs1uNoJ_NiOKBIsXdoKpaUjcEcXnGeCniA0HhHPo5HdSpQwU_n_GS2G3LhVVfjA9f7mxr9XelExIp9ghGpBiwYGXz5MuA4Tik/s400/IMG_7429.JPG" />I had another "God Moment" this Christmas. I just have to share it with you. A few weeks ago, our church made several hundred dollars available to the congregation, on the condition that we'd take a portion and give it away. Immediately, I knew who I wanted to give money to. I thought of a little boy that was in my Morning Kindergarten Class this year. I thought that I still had his address, and if not, I was sure that I could get it from my former teaching assistant. Well, true to form, I procrastinated! Early on the 23rd, I got myself in gear and began locating this family's address. I didn't have it, and school was already dismissed for Christmas Break. So, I loaded up the girls and headed to the low-income housing apartments. I drove around, hoping to see someone I recognized; it didn't happen. I stopped at the office, and asked the manager to assist me. She spent 10 minutes looking through files, but came up with nothing. I made some phone calls, but got voice mail instead of someone who might be able to help me locate this family. Nothing. So, I prayed. I said, "Lord, I really thought you wanted me to give this money to this family, but I've messed up. Please help me find out where they live or show me someone else to give the money to." I went on with other errands. My last stop was going to be Wal Mart, but as I looked toward the area of town with said store, I just couldn't go there. The traffic was horrible, and I knew sticking with that plan was going to be painfully long. I decided to go the grocery store, even though I'd have to pay a little more for what I needed. A few minutes later, I was at our destination. I was just pulling into my parking space, and.......there was the mom of the little boy I had been looking for all morning!!!!! She was just leaving the store. Our eyes caught! I gasped, put the car into park, jumped out, tears streaming down my face, and ran to give this woman the card I'd prepared earlier that day. It was so amazing!!! Talk about a divine appointment, perfect timing. Our God is incredible!!! It makes me cry, as I recall the story to you. She was getting ready to load her car and leave. If I had been 5 minutes later, I would not have seen her. The love of God. How rich! How Kind! Wow! This experience, coupled with the day before, has built my faith. I hope it encourages you too!<br />I really need to go to bed, but I will leave you with few more pictures. One is Gracie at her Christmas program. She was so funny there. She just stood there most of the time, doing nothing. Then she spent the whole rest of the day singing the songs from the performance! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691035478450787442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiobCYmzyIzIHph4adH0IW6VMInx8CRYpTe-YTRlSGrCxsQPpWpVM8Mtu9PQHrABlpi8tmdll9_0X99uFrvbxLpi6U_8z1Hld5MeRFm4CoyZ5sXsafBE9aoAIHJXIxEOnln8QIjf79_H5g/s400/IMG_7345.JPG" />I've been telling people that she has her own take on Christmas festivities. We got out the stockings...she put them on her feet! We took her to see the Christmas Light Show at one of our parks...she wanted to go down to the lake and look for turtles. We made a gingerbread house...she begged me to let her eat it. I finally gave in after a few days. We gave her Christmas presents...she spent all day opening them, not because she had so many, but because she was busy playing with the ones she had already opened! She is a funny girl who fills our lives with a lot of joy!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbHuA3U14oYY9HJWN1WLoxjL_5vHf01MKSeRDUP7WDuxhDyp5uD5TYu82tKSLGshzzuPTEV15dEi5RPbT1t3TVDsxAWQ2ZIBViT6-pxXtvMqOVUmJMVq0AtX4n-K9KD3VeoDibNySHTk/s1600/IMG_7351.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 159px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691031387357249602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbHuA3U14oYY9HJWN1WLoxjL_5vHf01MKSeRDUP7WDuxhDyp5uD5TYu82tKSLGshzzuPTEV15dEi5RPbT1t3TVDsxAWQ2ZIBViT6-pxXtvMqOVUmJMVq0AtX4n-K9KD3VeoDibNySHTk/s200/IMG_7351.JPG" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 156px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691030721131035362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYFV_1FciZnGzAGQFVAxro84VF8KcE7q-sqw0ez-dU2M9MzD1qIskNEMmiD4meWIiVXaq_Jz4-okAjUFieO7IIlqgMsNPKIysWDP5s9GVuIuIWAnOgom1kKNrVz-XTqfdAOyuiN5_XRBM/s400/IMG_7321.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 340px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691032197609787314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaMcOC3FbrYHiAYYVlc7cnq6gYBbIxB53fKzIv-uNwRh4p1w0aMrcsbTbyJdXnFsUuH-1NUGS1HdA0JhaN8hfar58UIoc5DWTddzssPrOLLnGIp2gVnoLbd85Fi7eHaUe1NT-wInSCvzo/s400/IMG_7417.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Ok- one more thing, then I've really got to go to bed, while the "getting's good". Karis is army crawling! Actually, today, she started moving one of her legs as she crawled too. I can't get over it, because Gracie was 9 months old before she started moving like that! I've always said that Karis is a mover and a shaker! She's sitting up for a few moments at a time, and babbles quite a bit! And, after studying her big sister, quite intently, she has begun to drink from a sippy cup....just a few sips at a time of course! She is almost 27 inches long, and weighs 15 pounds and some change...I can't remember what the nurse told me! She does have an eye that likes to cross, so I'm waiting to get referral to a specialist on that, but otherwise, she is thriving. </div><br /><div>Good night all! Happy New Year!!! 2011 is year I'll not soon forget, but I'm ready for what 2012 has in store.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-50471199647141215342011-12-23T00:24:00.003-05:002011-12-23T00:45:55.545-05:00Merry Miracle DayChristmas is the biggest miracle of all! Christ came to earth and began the work of redeeming us! Hallelujah!! I hope all of you have the best Christmas ever this year!<br /><br />I had one of those moments today when God let me know that He knows everything about me. HE KNOWS everything I need. It took my breath away to realize how much He cares. You see, last night I was wrapping presents for Gracie. As I was wrapping, I thought, "Gee, I wish I had some paper that wasn't so grown up, and old looking." Earlier, I had found 3 rolls of wrapping paper, and with money being tight right now, I couldn't justify going out and buying new, happier prints. I also resisted the urge to buy tags for presents. It probably wouldn't have been much, but I figured it was a couple of dollars that I didn't need to spend. I finished wrapping what I could for the evening and went to bed. This morning, our door bell rang. Gracie, Karis and I were still in our jammies....ok, that really doesn't mean much, it was 10:00. Anyway, it was our neighbor. His wife had sent him over with a gift for us. It was a huge gift bag stuffed with smaller gift bags, tissue paper, gifts for the girls, tags, and two rolls of perky wrapping paper. Even now, tears are beginning to flow. I didn't verbalize my desire for paper. It wasn't even a need. It was a want, and not a very important one at that. But, my God spoke volumes to me in providing that little thing for me. He said, "I am all knowing. I am sovereign. I am faithful. I care about you. I am in the details, so I can handle the big stuff. You can trust me." Yes, Lord. Yes Lord.Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-24845808316873346192011-11-18T12:42:00.010-05:002011-11-20T23:10:18.586-05:00Little Miss Fru FruHi Everyone~<br />If you read my last post, you are aware that I am now a stay at home mommy. Hooray! I love being home with my girls, but I still need to supplement my income. One of the things I'm doing is working with my mom and a friend of mine to jumpstart a business that mom and I started a few years ago. We call it, '~Little Miss Fru Fru~'. We sell accessories for girls of all ages. My mom is working her little fingers to the bone, as they say, adding embellishments to flowers, bows, leggings, tutus, etc. Lisa and I are doing our best to get our products into small retail outlets, craft fairs, preschools, and of course on FB. I haven't mentioned it to you all because I've been waiting for our website to be up and running. It is, but it still needs a lot of work! Nevertheless, I'm putting it out there for you to check out!<br /><br /><br /><div>The address is <a href="http://www.littlemissfrufru.com/">http://www.littlemissfrufru.com/</a>.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>If you need anything 'FRU', please let me know!!!!</div><br /><br /><div>Here's a sampling of some of our favorites...Of course, I'm just a little more partial to the models than to anything on their heads!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676407453272787938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RR6Qc-z3KV1W13tpq6vnavL3eorpdQUuzahaHmkkTQ4Sk72-etnOIkeeGlSu99scGOX1ydCU18LklALYeGePrdudAe86lUWmjRwOdpvIZQs2KqdJopa_FNDP8saDg0Q0WpB2h3mv2Y8/s200/_SMP1999.jpg" />Bloomers with lace- $10<br />Mary Jane Leggings with bows- $8<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676405990241604546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHbpNqKVN53qtQ2k1ZvzyvHF28vyeN-qz7Yx7HvbT51LFFH55mmIcGXQmRCoJaqi9lpfI5V1y_irip7Rcl7Br61SSDXe9qqqEGXLAB-hTF-Uhnlhi-b23hK9J_1U2Mbl90EuH4ilBNyr8/s200/_SMP1993.jpg" /> Headband with Burgundy Flower and Rhinestones - $8<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676404622978607778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP13UDz3yfJoTPT8OuwHbG3dFgw-1Fuyn_PyOAes8Tp8Z03IRsb0JgGXXxm_wmyXrglJLoouoQra-2x1As8v8b8E4O75R9P5Hr9zPBo9dDl09V8tCce6KnGImJHO8ViEF7mDgoZ8gdH30/s200/_SMP1780.jpg" />Crocheted hat with Ostrich Feathers and Zebra Flower-$15<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 133px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676403016643086754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wI3ae_unljEmTLemWyXHthETQJLXmKXY-qxxn8fa5iMEDNWSMy-sZ1J-czLfMVmKksB9ZQJERcGylTmNuPKoPqrC2A-wJC0OretNHsL7bo-C_qkrp_XbZuilv4-1t5HpHFJnrW0v5Ts/s200/_SMP1741.jpg" />Hand-made Christmas Bow with Headband- $8 <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 133px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5676401321219322066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYWncHElWgDC1_aMlGprShul9KdvQ6C-fbNFzLFJ_cuZXBFpSNIO_71CJc-2rT4g8dojDmfvDlQeyRgJ82NWjfp18pvtiyZOv6bopzwYgH91aBedFIDk7UsqliEszXEGUQkjsiDSFzNcM/s200/_SMP2007.jpg" />Purple bloomers and hat- $25<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-39046561907799348672011-10-30T21:50:00.008-04:002011-10-30T22:30:27.714-04:00Random Things....It snowed 3 or 4 inches at our house this weekend!! This is very, very unusual for us. I loved it! There's something so peaceful about snow falling from the sky. Gracie had a blast playing in it yesterday. I gave her a plastic spoon and a sand bucket, and she was set. The home page on my cell phone is Gracie throwing a snow ball at the kitchen door. :)<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>I get very happy when I walk upstairs and see that the living room has been dusted and vacuumed. Ahhhhh.....the room is no longer mocking me!<br /></div><br /><div>God always provides! When I removed Gracie's summer clothes from her closet a few weeks ago, she had about four outfits left hanging. Then, my dear friend told me to come over because she had some clothes for Gracie. Boy! did she ever. The back end of my car was loaded with beautiful outfits from Gymboree and Children's Place. It took a few hours to get everything on hangers, and moved into their new home. Once the job was complete, there was barely room for another stitch of clothing. Thank you Lord, for taking care of my girl! Thank you Kim for your kindness and generosity!!! Here's a picture of Gracie sporting one of her new outfits...I know it looks like she's posing. Actually, I snapped the picture just before she ran off. She really wanted to watch Little Bear and not get her picture taken!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669471166070723218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloX5_vZG1xBOwbg_VH0aw3ovIL5Zl05g8CNPrTxXbZyECQe2ueyqJDXrpge7qYxQ3HalnyK0berFERzY4XOcp_NIraJQWZdqsd3kXMQ7XDtWVo11GNY8_ymutAmmGVWH_PlOC4Ao61k0/s200/IMG_7042.JPG" />Karis has been eating solid food for a little over a week. Her first attempt was carrots, and she really liked the experience. She cried when I stopped feeding her! Her daddy had fun with big sister by saying, "Carrots ate Karis." Gracie would correct him, and say, "No, Daddy. Karis ate carrots!" That went on for quite a while...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 164px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 111px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669472099709099042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8rwRY6tqzKatA5sUK3OEcLq5ZsGCad6dk8ZjtMlvQWaASnqBfG-n80IImO-xLlqHncc-5YX0akOSkna6Tx0JqYf9pU8hDLuDMJskfi8NXSzBhuy1AaYl4L_omIcT7e5t24Q_lIWk6ys/s200/IMG_7038.JPG" />I don't care for potty training. It's so frustrating. I know she(Gracie, not Karis) can do it. She just doesn't want to do it! I'm too tired to add much more to this subject right now. Maybe I'll devote a post to what's going on in that department, I don't know. For now, I'm praying that things will click for her very soon!!!!!!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div align="center">Lastly, because I know my mother in law checks this blog often in search of new pictures, I'm going to post some pics that I took this afternoon. Enjoy, Shur Shur!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669474859960002594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGoS8YiaGIPJugKxSwJ9PSldcEmvS9u_tP0mEGiHRSKR2MdSMCbsnHcjWe09NFLZr1YOrOhwY79nGfxNnEx2A_Ayyjp_VTuEK5dAq0ehXgol8Har4v9rrC-tBFmnHSkiFULcavxZsNRU/s200/IMG_7079.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669474863891902706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQiDWgFrXwZbnzuc-4qMLSPwbGQNcMFeGmZzKYQnZG-DidvWHSfut6T_naYwTpmnsfMXbQ-wg_3ZhyyKV9S3ze6FnN2NxE69OHiQytwB80ehIKLpZtdUmwgxiFUAUmyNjb2pCoax859bM/s200/IMG_7080.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669473536348115714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCd5mTDohuf7OiryNNPZHYFfgj26c-FKlwLKFUfNJ03nkamJZFxp2Y01GTpfOVGYnOXjl37rJisPvOhcVvDJ9MBSSOKsFFkIseHSPneieE3MZwtXTWA9v5pkdSUmhkQSKZHeWDTNyWZV8/s200/IMG_7067.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669473525607312242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgblNj4UIsINUjFTjRZmgEmkBzBFZRtkgW7cjjqyf4Fbf-RMyFSaYr5-PWWA2BKJGyc5Yo2UfkvTUPrQX0kQTjVy2_ySzm6coy1UunuqHpJ_VIuW6GfsrB684vw1sPBi1tTcw92SYirmlI/s200/IMG_7057.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669473531655690370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW12jL0Dej7Sg5f3Y52jNt71_ZMb58exux9Af5oCFIsDpMwpxhVfGpy7NezSWIUOOHNRQKzoVQb_ffCqH192BjXCxf8uCifefKHAxYVwdAlqBGiFmZ58R5geQBbpXZvvMXb-XB7U7L8DQ/s200/IMG_7063.JPG" /> I love my girls!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-3009823872565889952011-10-18T10:03:00.007-04:002011-10-25T23:58:39.485-04:00The Four Month Visit<div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEJBihdBs1LtlZisNrKoBOZ0vfxZXjN4boIM4TVbxtEGnHw9rnMNWezrmu4dACL4mrtWTQtKkhdOiXlgqJflI916OvDCSsrRd8XdlKpMgoukBbuCH9mrspwnyAyacy46lWSrG67r6Qw0/s1600/IMG_6617.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667641635368490098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEJBihdBs1LtlZisNrKoBOZ0vfxZXjN4boIM4TVbxtEGnHw9rnMNWezrmu4dACL4mrtWTQtKkhdOiXlgqJflI916OvDCSsrRd8XdlKpMgoukBbuCH9mrspwnyAyacy46lWSrG67r6Qw0/s200/IMG_6617.JPG" /></a>I took Karis for her 4 month well-baby visit a week and a half ago. (We're a few weeks behind schedule.) Everything went very well. She weighs 13 pounds, 4 ounces and is 25 inches long. That's the 50th percentile for weight and 75th percentile for length. She is growing beautifully! Hooray!! She has the sweetest smile, too. I know, because her pediatrician said so! ;) <br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667644100726180178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QT35pI73NoGWfJqKGl-ZJzhCbh9P7SHFZeWmq9skK-pmOZrkUPqlwgWk1I1JlXmQo8JlhANidsa6-1yApB1mZUQT5WCwVEx5dXKivg9SGGJVId964FkGx2OYCqN88GgbS2SZ9VJplZ8/s200/IMG_6783.JPG" />Much has happened since I posted 8 weeks ago. Back then, I was preparing to return to the workforce. I appreciate and needed those prayers! Two days before returning to work, my childcare plan for the school year fell apart. I was so distraught! I finally had to call my parents, who live 8 hours from here, and ask them to come watch the girls until we could come up with a new plan. They dropped everything and came to our rescue! I am so thankful for them! Well, I was able to line up a new sitter and transportation to and from preschool for Gracie. We started the day after Labor Day. Everything was going well, but I just did not feel at peace. I wasn't crying everyday or anything like that, but I just didn't feel comfortable. I described myself as being on "high alert". I don't know any other way to explain it.<br /><br /><br /><div>I also was going through some major emotional battles. Again, not because I was working, but I just absolutely felt like I was drowning. When I was at work, I wanted to be home. When I was home, I wanted to be somewhere else. Everything was becoming mountainous in my mind...the laundry, lesson plans, potty training, meal preparation, bills...everything. The second Monday in September was the peak. I was a wet noodle in everyway. That night, my dear friends at Bible Study prayed over me. I sobbed and sobbed. I think I may have scared some of them, because I really let me guard down during prayer. My mom said that that's called soaking prayer. I don't know about that, but I do know that God ministered to me. I felt better afterward. Later that week, I was at a worship conference. One of the songs we sang had a line in it about feeling like you're drowning, but how God moves those mountainous situations in our lives. There's nothing more powerful than when God moves on complete strangers to present a song or a word that is exactly from Him to you!!! More crying, more healing.<br /><br />A few weeks later, my world got rocked a bit. The person who transported Gracie from preschool to the sitter said that she couldn't continue doing that for me anymore. An hour later, my baby sitter asked me if we could pay her more money. After I cried, I opened my bible and read about God's grace and mercy. I felt peace and knew what needed to be done. The next day, I talked to my principal about taking a leave of absence from my job.<br /></div><br /><div>I can't explain how huge this is for us. It's what I've wanted to do for three years, but we just didn't see how we could swing it financially. I'm still not exactly sure how all the finances are going to work out, but I know that we both have peace about the decision we've made. I've had the sensation of stepping off the rooftop of a tall building, but instead of falling, these invisible steps are there just when I need them. </div><br /><br /><div>Sooooo....I have officially been a stay at home mommy for 1 week and 2 days. I feel such freedom and excitement about what the future holds. I am relishing the moments I'm having with my girls, too. Yesterday, I was nursing Karis with Gracie snuggled up next to me. It was 3 oclock in the afternoon. The house was quiet. The only sound we heard was the rain falling outside and some distant thunder. It was so precious!! Of course, a few minutes later, Gracie started kicking her legs wildly, practically socking me in the stomach, but for a sliver of time, we were having a "moment". <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5667643908682217490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTsrkJCSyw8Lwyy5LL2h3ayXuxO1LE6r4K9sC5ZxMtGJasyDKH7zmsAJsyyZFpIGvCx79WQT-T2OV5ZBxJdHuMW_ZMPGv4dyspWovQauPaIywWc_WRGpIoRzNd3IltQ_r6IiPcjxPREwQ/s200/IMG_6636.JPG" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-6835272002037812912011-08-10T23:06:00.002-04:002011-08-10T23:46:54.028-04:00All is wellI took both of our girls to the dr. yesterday for their "Well Baby" visits. Gracie is doing great. She's 40 inches tall and just under 36 pounds. I got some helpful tips on finishing the potty training race. (My idea is to have nap time or nite-nite time continuously for the next few days. Everytime she hits the bed, she declares a need to "Go potty." And, she actually does!) Any other time of day, she's too busy playing to be bothered with anything as trivial as using the bathroom!
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<br />I'm thrilled to report that Karis Joy is growing beautifully. She's now moved into the 75th percentile for height and weight. 23 1/4 inches long, 11 pounds 3 ounces. I knew she was growing, but it did this nursing mother's heart good to see such healthy growth.
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<br />I would truly appreciate your prayers over the next several days. I am returning to work on Monday, August 15th. I'm not sure if I can describe how I feel about that. I'm sad, scared, numb, but also hopeful that God will strengthen and help me to be a working mommy. When I went back to work with Gracie, I was a basket case, and in total denial! I didn't even begin looking for a sitter until a week or so before going back. My mother in law stayed with Gracie for those first few weeks, which made the transition much easier, but it still broke my heart to leave her. I'll never forget my third day of work. I was attending convocation, which is a gathering of all the professional staff in our school division. Our superintendent was giving opening remarks and then an inspirational video was being shown. During those first few moments, I just cried my eyes out. I had arrived "just on time", and was too late to sit with my coworkers. No one was on either side of me, so I just bawled uncontrollably. A woman seated a few seats down reached for my hand and asked, "Are you alright?" To which I replied, " Sniff...I just...sniff, sniff... left my baby... sniff ,sniff...at home...sniff, sniff...." She patted my hand, the lights came back up, and I tried to regain my composure~although, I really didn't want to! During the break, this same lady (Who, btw, is a principal. One of my good friends works at her school. Whenever my friend mentions my name, the principal asks, "Is that the girl who cried?") gave me hug and asked about my little one. She said she had just had a baby too. As we compared notes, I discovered that she hadn't just had a baby...she had a baby on the same day and in the same hospital as me! In fact, because labor and delivery was so busy that day, I had to wait to be prepped for surgery in the family waiting room. I was there when her sister came in with pictures of this woman's baby.
<br />It was incredible. Here I was, surrounded by over a thousand people. Out of all the places that I could have been seated, God orchestrated my path, so that I would sit next to someone who was in the same situation as me. This experience taught me once again that God in heaven is mindful of me... here on this earth. It was as if He was saying, "Krisa, I know what you are going through right now. I have not forgotten you. I will be there to support you through this journey. I know it's not the path you wanted to take, but it is a path that I will walk with you." It makes me cry, just thinking of how very often God poured out His grace into my life that first year. That very present grace gave me courage to work the second year, the third, and now the fourth. I am still praying that God will open a door so that I can stay home with my girls, but until then, I will endeavor to keep my heart fixed on trusting Him.
<br />Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-65530108675129553032011-08-06T10:54:00.002-04:002011-08-06T10:55:09.043-04:00Ahhh...Sleep!For the first time in almost 10 weeks, I got 5 continuous hours of sleep! What a blessing!!!Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-45679586596142128332011-07-27T07:41:00.013-04:002011-07-27T16:01:54.119-04:00Missing the Blogging World!<div align="center">Warning~This post is long and long overdue! I don't have time to put these pics into the story. :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634113662845003938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXLInAXZoQ9QTqgNQAfGhucJa5YleoYGhP0CvMEGwgTWhlu9HPDubR7E8U-iiwYO7-hAKuGFSLzXHJgP8wyfwr1eaAmIWmHUqHxm5fWJF1qWU7epT6tOLYHsL66y8xT8S8nmICXhKxg6I/s200/IMG_6420.JPG" />Gracie!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634113458642706402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsMPlLePzomYRxJjV08Mk5yu05xV0fPZYYMZDm2vGfEDfO_I1Mw-Fc9VDXwzQCPb4ZHpHAkfTYDup0HyWvRnolztLtbiTztqqGU2-x1RBnoHYqKYSVJXI0QQF2sS-MEDXG0g_amuR-xI/s200/IMG_6388.JPG" />Karis</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 201px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 146px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634113248128001346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7zWL1Jp8JohXZH2OqVPH-fOszgEY8FkfV46XYPRz4z9STXmAOmWMR1nXxNDWqn2GprCpTz1uaHa8LrPFRHzshxL20T8yAOwtOASx9JCB2vXVxqbrtpsvY-GJTQ-Pik3g-XUCm0zEP-8/s200/IMG_6355.JPG" />Sleeping on Grammy's lap!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiBvv1kFlLQM6mmkkn3sIX2LPgknEaii9-Zqd8CkyH1kmu426_NfH2g1Zqxu5aDPFkxJXBdbSjoHc3S_QPN8XbYbhxb27GIIIxDXIXGQ2Ct7QG0-3N-MZGDrIauWirUQGTyXTYNVqAqw/s1600/IMG_6337.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634113034334543122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfiBvv1kFlLQM6mmkkn3sIX2LPgknEaii9-Zqd8CkyH1kmu426_NfH2g1Zqxu5aDPFkxJXBdbSjoHc3S_QPN8XbYbhxb27GIIIxDXIXGQ2Ct7QG0-3N-MZGDrIauWirUQGTyXTYNVqAqw/s200/IMG_6337.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">The girl loves her new sister!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634112723233520114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGijWgbM_lTedmlmtgTk9I1BrngmppHbyNRVpbK0CqjvoUq92Yb6xGr_Eh1wPIQwAr0tSxnlS6h3axXvktPxepAEbl3_5iMADD4-r59pEnOxxH1Jyt8bTkWDA3dB2O2meSnWG9wqobGc/s200/IMG_6246.JPG" />Gracie enjoying the pleasures of summer.</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634112458238516354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eDv3AsRZJgFd49qZG8X_Mm5Cnp4xHkQaYMRwaeoty0I3jaEymiCHswKgr8l57edDVKPX25PNQ7q4E-3GLylWhiKHQlRTm-u-lv94s9B4fX1x2qmUf_EFdESHzbGP5xHOYvnibessQ5A/s200/img_0173.jpg" /> Mommy and baby. Check out that neck! She's been tryng to hold her head up since day one.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634112300189516194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8vG_1TJS35Pe6or4bApHPbTAjAmAOpuqKQnOKbkNJHC3HTmVoVVXzL0nTDDyfdylkZ7pNBJc1OzY0b6nTRYPknXhyphenhyphenX3W3Jj071iMAwVqqdtW0vNgSvi9f4ZVBREsTgKObk1NNsInxKU/s200/img_0144.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Karis~ 4 weeks old!</div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="left">I've just got to update my blog! It's been difficult for me to determine what I should do whenever I have a few moments to myself...laundry? the checkbook? quiet time? sleep? blog? Last week, I told my husband that I felt the bulk of my prayers have been about asking God to help my children sleep, pass gas, or (in the case of my 3 year old) to get potty trained. Later that day, I turned on the radio and heard the speaker say that the number one indicator of your spirituality is the quality of your prayer life. I changed the station!<br /></div><br />Karis turned 8 weeks old yesterday. It's so hard to believe that so much time has passed! Karis is such a good baby! She rarely has times of inconsolable crying, and if she does, there's always a reason~ she's hungry, she needs to burp, or she wants her diaper changed. The first few weeks were really difficult, however. I think my easy delivery sort of added to how hard it was once we got home. I wasn't prepared for the days that followed. On top of being totally exhausted and sore from my c-section we had the following 'issues' going on...<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Week 1- Karis developed breast-fed jaundice. Her billirubin levels continued to increase at the time that they were to supposed to peak and then decrease. We took her to the hospital everyday for a week for heel pricks. She spent about a week on a billi-blanket, which kept her from having to be hospitalized, and thankfully 'did the trick' to rid her body of dangerously high billirubin levels. During that same time period, I lost feeling in my left index finger and thumb, and had terrible pain in my left shoulder and arm.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Week 2- A couple more trips to the hospital and pediatrician to monitor the jaundice situation. I had my stitches removed, made a visit to the chiropractor, and later developed a UTI<br /><br /><br /><br />Week 3- Karis was still yellow, but was declared, "Out of danger!" Praise the Lord!!! I had an MRI, and made a visit to the neurologist. I also had a dr's appt because I was still having UTI symptoms. My parents returned to Ohio this week as well. It was so hard to see them leave. I wasn't sure how I was going to function without their help. I cried a lot and often! Gracie would say, "Aw, Mommy! Don't worry. Your mommy and daddy will come back. It'll be ok."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Week 4- I had a second MRI, and then a nerve/muscle study (the latter was not fun at all) I felt like I had been run over by a truck! The good news, however, was that I got good news. All the tests came back within normal ranges, and my arm problems were deemed pregnancy related. Apparently pregnancy hormones, thyroid problems, and diabetes can cause inflamation internally that can cause a disruption of the nerve passages. I do have some problems with C6 and C7 in my neck, but nothing that would require surgery. The Dr. said that the further I got from delivery, the better I'd feel. Sure enough, six weeks to the day that I lost feeling in my hand~it returned to almost normal. Praise the Lord! That was such a relief, a help, and answer to prayer! (FYI~It's really difficult to snap sleepers when you can't stand to touch anything with your index finger and thumb!!!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Weeks 5-6- The girls and I spent two weeks at my parents house in Ohio. We missed 'daddy', but it was such a blessing to spend time with family. I loved seeing Gracie interact with her cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. She had a blast! She got to go swimming in the "big" pool, play in the tree house, and eat what seemed to be an endless supply of cupcakes! It was nice to always have an extra set of arms to help with Karis so that I could more easily care for Gracie's needs. We had a great time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Week 7- We had some doubt as to whether or not we'd ever make it back home. Our usual 8 1/2 hour trip turned into 12! Between stopping to nurse Karis and stopping everytime Gracie said, "I have to go potty!" We had a few delays, but eventually made it! On my first day home, flying solo, I felt like I had regressed back to week 4. I called one of my friends late that afternoon for moral support. I told her that I felt like, "One ADAM 12." I NEEDED BACK UP! But, the next day was better, the following even easier. We (the girls and I) actually made it to the swimming pool mid week for a play date with friends. Woo-hoo!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Week 8- That takes us up to the present. The latest development is that Karis is now wanting to nurse every one and a half to two hours. This started last week. She used to nurse every three hours like clockwork, and would go 4-5 hours between feedings at night. Last night, I was up with her 4 times! I don't think this a growth spurt issue. Do you? I'm thinking I may need to supplement. I'm open to suggestions! She's kind of a lazy nurser. She starts off strong and then falls asleep about 7-10 minutes in. After that, she's sort of just nuzzling, not sucking and swallowing....She is growing, however. At her 4 week appt., she was in the 50th percentile for weight and height. I've already had to purge her wardrobe because she's too long for 0-3 month sleepers.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Gracie still loves, loves, loves her baby sister. She makes up songs about her, wants to hold her, and is really quite helpful. She is expert on telling me what she thinks Karis needs. "Karis needs mommy's milk." "Karis needs to burp." etc. Last week, Karis was having a particularly tough time, and I really couldn't figure out what was going on with her. I asked Gracie to pray for her and this is what she said...First she started to sing her little meal time prayer, then she switched gears and said, "Dear Jesus, Thank you for my baby Karis. And Jesus, her tummy hurts. Please heal her and make her tummy feel better, in Jesus' name Amen!" It was such a precious moment!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Today is our 26th Wedding anniversary! Gracie just recently recognized me in our wedding pictures. She couldn't wait to show her daddy what a beautiful princess bride that mommy was. Last night the pictures grabbed her attention again. She asked, "Are Karis and I in your tummy in this picture?" To which I replied, "No Baby, you were in my heart!" </div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634111951872780034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlM1cQmHV-iueyB_UJTwqjyz1MltKPMnMnmCWWITqVh9Dl3VLG6Og1mNJuxypaIEXVTBp8HomIhYZlyMkFNbIiADimA9zyOJz3Wq7rdYcjnxLVngemb_UF4pX-6HVWCVWYRgabkGHySU/s200/img_0087.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-41911729959136892022011-06-03T19:35:00.010-04:002011-06-03T20:01:59.941-04:00Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg911KxNgQbfuIBqB745_KZZ-1lIZsTGmdZYCs1A72RPxG_neaOcWiHZ2IjZqZv9sBpsMDpPnGLzH9VwRGQV5_drl9VMUtbLP8E99tEvoeitYfuYdH97wMU2VvDa1_uXYAQUCJoihZvOaU/s1600/131.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614145506698266530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg911KxNgQbfuIBqB745_KZZ-1lIZsTGmdZYCs1A72RPxG_neaOcWiHZ2IjZqZv9sBpsMDpPnGLzH9VwRGQV5_drl9VMUtbLP8E99tEvoeitYfuYdH97wMU2VvDa1_uXYAQUCJoihZvOaU/s200/131.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Me on delivery day. It was quite surreal to be at the hospital, with no contractions, and realizing that I'd have a baby in a just a few hours! </div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n4bg2D6e7WkDQy9wNYXzTXhIgze4MtQbn77exH4xrdOay1mlMzy34oUOWni3x6HOFAAooV58tUb1dYNn31Tru_H7iyVP1vLpE3NSuu1V_LzQqMFehsHjW5ktqQ_JByNPGW4mDn32mYQ/s1600/Karis+1+072.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614141972008456242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n4bg2D6e7WkDQy9wNYXzTXhIgze4MtQbn77exH4xrdOay1mlMzy34oUOWni3x6HOFAAooV58tUb1dYNn31Tru_H7iyVP1vLpE3NSuu1V_LzQqMFehsHjW5ktqQ_JByNPGW4mDn32mYQ/s200/Karis+1+072.JPG" /></a><br />Karis becoming "official" at the hospital.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKkNPUZZjF0Ba3J5BPDZbo2uKnZ_I3BC_EvUX2G5haSXD8jSvWPopD8GobPT2XQ3j9zE6QSTaEJdI1Y9ftpirQt9pRJ-cCrSr8-dqudd5HCNHaPD473XXeqPtIEB1HPliR1_XKV1rwBQ/s1600/153.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614146618981422882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKkNPUZZjF0Ba3J5BPDZbo2uKnZ_I3BC_EvUX2G5haSXD8jSvWPopD8GobPT2XQ3j9zE6QSTaEJdI1Y9ftpirQt9pRJ-cCrSr8-dqudd5HCNHaPD473XXeqPtIEB1HPliR1_XKV1rwBQ/s200/153.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My mom, Karis and me.<br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-zNH6pUDA5FTlKxEWlgehU1f7xKmULNTkl_LFc-EGPEO7bTsonJshTdGdbqYTMeKq2LLR6mvN8CR7MqIoYWrUoAjjS5f7YdUW-4IO09LypHOodtbhs_CtBsd6oELK8BIWHAjocY7DuM/s1600/Karis+1+107.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614142177070816498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-zNH6pUDA5FTlKxEWlgehU1f7xKmULNTkl_LFc-EGPEO7bTsonJshTdGdbqYTMeKq2LLR6mvN8CR7MqIoYWrUoAjjS5f7YdUW-4IO09LypHOodtbhs_CtBsd6oELK8BIWHAjocY7DuM/s200/Karis+1+107.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div>Gracie and her baby sister. She adores her!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8A0TZxAhb_DZEOrH5jgd6qt4AV_p0aN-A226rKWysonMs4mGJJsbEADSwufxRkziDzM4I4MuceURKxtgwLypC3Tib2sxz4KCo57P-OpseCmv1M1uzDkF7jgT9G2dukvKYnI9sZiDuuM/s1600/Karis+1+128.JPG"></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8A0TZxAhb_DZEOrH5jgd6qt4AV_p0aN-A226rKWysonMs4mGJJsbEADSwufxRkziDzM4I4MuceURKxtgwLypC3Tib2sxz4KCo57P-OpseCmv1M1uzDkF7jgT9G2dukvKYnI9sZiDuuM/s1600/Karis+1+128.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 154px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614142507361255922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc8A0TZxAhb_DZEOrH5jgd6qt4AV_p0aN-A226rKWysonMs4mGJJsbEADSwufxRkziDzM4I4MuceURKxtgwLypC3Tib2sxz4KCo57P-OpseCmv1M1uzDkF7jgT9G2dukvKYnI9sZiDuuM/s200/Karis+1+128.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>Our first family photo. Karis was a little over 24 hours old. We all happened to be wearing pink and/or green so we took a picture. I was feeling pretty good on that day. I was so completely in awe of the difference from my first c-section to the second.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uGldm9OvjyqFLBXBnMqh1oHM84wgtwWS13G2pDv1KV2XeGAJbkbajIEbze-AIn247b09x-1sDTq76egmHU3HMNNk35_CKo_DuGlcvBCYcrhNXX_t-4So99iaVZ1jemQJuXaRUGJr2-4/s1600/Karis+1+133.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614143067064682818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uGldm9OvjyqFLBXBnMqh1oHM84wgtwWS13G2pDv1KV2XeGAJbkbajIEbze-AIn247b09x-1sDTq76egmHU3HMNNk35_CKo_DuGlcvBCYcrhNXX_t-4So99iaVZ1jemQJuXaRUGJr2-4/s200/Karis+1+133.JPG" /></a><br /><br />This is Karis just cuddling on my chest. It doesn't get any better than this!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeKEP1k-AsqiDYLso2C3yNeOY8n8SOA6mmtmOJRbza44zstmqo-xz6JfCeNzEXI_1H5chhkicxgC6UQXfCH5O-LXXTsPlOgo-vladGHS_IiZiG9_MKfOjYgo9cFpzJ7i7Rb847QewCtk/s1600/Karis+1+138.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614143517754083378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCeKEP1k-AsqiDYLso2C3yNeOY8n8SOA6mmtmOJRbza44zstmqo-xz6JfCeNzEXI_1H5chhkicxgC6UQXfCH5O-LXXTsPlOgo-vladGHS_IiZiG9_MKfOjYgo9cFpzJ7i7Rb847QewCtk/s200/Karis+1+138.JPG" /></a>My beautiful girls and me! This was us right before I was discharged from the hospital. I was glad to go home yesterday because it was my big girl's third birthday! I was pretty exhausted by the time all the presents had been opened and "happy birthday" had been sung, but we made it! Karis had a pretty good night her first night home. She nursed really well and even slept for one stretch of 3 1/2 hours. </div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am praying for all of you that are still waiting for your little ones to arrive. God is faithful!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-76997393317955402562011-06-02T11:05:00.002-04:002011-06-02T11:22:46.103-04:00KarisWell, I didn't do a good job of keeping you updated. My husband has posted a lot of pictures on FB, but I haven't really had a chance to blog! <br />Karis Joy was born on Tuesday, May 31st, at 1:38 PM. She weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 20 1/2 inches long. I had a c-section, and everything went very well. It was so amazing to see Karis' face for the first time. She is beautiful and precious and delicate and lovely!!!<br />Compared to Gracie, she seems so tiny to me. (Gracie weighed 10 pounds, 5 ounces at birth.) She has long toes and fingers, like her big sister though. Yesterday was her first- sort of alert day. She did a great job nursing! Hooray!!<br />Speaking of which- she's telling me she's hungry right now. I'll post more later!! xoxoxo KrisaKrisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-90544169845177278032011-05-31T12:23:00.002-04:002011-05-31T12:29:02.519-04:00We're HereWe arrived at the hospital an hour or so ago. I'm hooked up to an IV and ready to go. Another girl was in labor and had to have an emergency c-section, so that means that my time got bumped back a little. They think that my surgery will be around 1:15 EST. Please keep us in prayer. We'll keep you posted! We are so excited to meet our Karis Joy!Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-344774603779742872011-05-28T16:41:00.004-04:002011-05-28T17:19:04.104-04:0039 Weeks Today<div>What a week! I started my maternity leave on Monday, mainly due to the fact that I had sooooo many things yet to do at home. I'm too embarrassed to post the video that I shot on Monday. I wanted to remember just what was going on around here, 8 days before Karis was scheduled to enter the world. Suffice it to say that it was rather difficult to navigate throughout the house without stepping on something! And the nursery....well, it was the worst room of all. We had exactly one onesie for Karis to wear. All of her other clothes were still under beds or in closets. The crib still had the same sheet on it, from several months ago, plus it was piled high with space saver bags. Next to the door was a huge pile of clothes that no longer fit Gracie. The rocker had a variety of items stacked on it. You get the picture! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Before any of that could be dealt with, we had to make room. So, Monday I cleaned out closets and made a large collection of things to take to Salvation Army. Then- that night- my parents arrived from Ohio!!!! Hooray! The cavalry came to rescue us!!! We have worked hard. Yesterday I got my suitcase packed, and even got to get my hair and nails done. We are now ready for baby girl to make her entrance. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rj-huknvTy6FlyRtwB3Ssqv8KSwO3I29RSuuy8kji3scQGFBQRxX9_stEh4ZgKSEwah48nzLCHgDPYJzpCTuADd_ApcGIT4Zr8uP6ZKMPoqFRBVJxKvRBFUxZB5RnOFtglAnaSdzk2Y/s1600/IMG_5916.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611878774965182626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Rj-huknvTy6FlyRtwB3Ssqv8KSwO3I29RSuuy8kji3scQGFBQRxX9_stEh4ZgKSEwah48nzLCHgDPYJzpCTuADd_ApcGIT4Zr8uP6ZKMPoqFRBVJxKvRBFUxZB5RnOFtglAnaSdzk2Y/s200/IMG_5916.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7eH3vJ_VyKKP8h7MTEJexE62Pr6nPeWGt2H-0gCXQLrZRvs235erwEhZgoNMJY4i1iYGiB7UqnXCm0MHoc_RKRytZFERGtlDJn_B58hWTSj8bR0Bafg9DTw6JCQkXn119_RAFJ59yOQ/s1600/IMG_5917.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611878949918871474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7eH3vJ_VyKKP8h7MTEJexE62Pr6nPeWGt2H-0gCXQLrZRvs235erwEhZgoNMJY4i1iYGiB7UqnXCm0MHoc_RKRytZFERGtlDJn_B58hWTSj8bR0Bafg9DTw6JCQkXn119_RAFJ59yOQ/s200/IMG_5917.JPG" /></a> I'd love for her to come today so that my doctor could deliver her, and so that my husband could have even more time to love on Karis before returning to work. But, so far, nothing is really stirring. I have had several braxton hicks contractions, and I'm pretty uncomfortable, but nothing consistent or FOR REAL! We'll let you all know if anything changes. We're so excited to meet our newest member of the family!!!!Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-15840179076054179512011-05-10T20:15:00.005-04:002011-05-10T20:45:36.599-04:00Today's AppointmentI had another Non Stress Test and U/S today. Within 5 minutes, the nurse said that my baby had already passed the test, but we stayed on the monitor for the full 20 minute time period. My blood pressure was up slightly to a whopping 110 over 65. :) It was so low the other day that the machine had a hard time reading it! My U/S was just to check amniotic fluid. I did get a glimpse of the back of Karis' head though. The fluid level was still very good. The dr. said, "Your baby is hitting a homerun today!" Praise the Lord!<br /><br />I am soooo glad that things are going so well this time around. I was terribly swollen and completely miserable from that at this point in my pregnancy with Gracie. I had already started my maternity leave because the only shoes that remotely fit my feet were my husband's size 11 crocs! Here's a picture from 3 years ago....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYu_g1qnws5hOSgt7GE3viladx9ftdkMzrZx1GcJZn1XnBue3Ol21PgKk1FlgSc1pX-H7cQyFC6jA0OUL54V41iDolea3qK0PBKqeKBDBA3E_Hb6AQXgzOz2k_e1SoWGZf6eAyYP5DyI/s1600/Gracie+009.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605251865910561874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwYu_g1qnws5hOSgt7GE3viladx9ftdkMzrZx1GcJZn1XnBue3Ol21PgKk1FlgSc1pX-H7cQyFC6jA0OUL54V41iDolea3qK0PBKqeKBDBA3E_Hb6AQXgzOz2k_e1SoWGZf6eAyYP5DyI/s200/Gracie+009.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My legs and feet look nothing like that now! But, believe me, I remember the feeling, and can completely sympathize with those of you that are experiencing swelling!<br /><br /><br /><br />It hit me today that Karis will be here 3 weeks from today! I can't wait to meet this precious girl that would have never been a part of my life without God's awesome, sovereign ways!Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-77518546743744947222011-05-07T10:52:00.002-04:002011-05-07T11:45:37.022-04:0036 weeks todayHi everyone- I thought I'd write a quick update on how things are going. I had a dr.'s appt on Tuesday and discovered that my regular doctor has ordered Non-Stress Tests for me, twice a week until Karis is born. This isn't for any one reason, but because I had pre-eclampsia with Gracie, I've been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes this time, and she didn't say so on Tuesday, but....because of my age. :)<br />I was stressed about these Non-Stressed tests because it meant I would have to take time off of work. I've been out of leave for about 6 weeks now, and am docked pay each time I'm absent. I explained this to the nurse in charge of scheduling all of these tests, but she wasn't very willing to work with me. I really made it a matter of prayer in between appts. And guess what? Everything got worked out yesterday. I had my second NST at Labor and Delivery yesterday. When I told the Dr. on call about my concerns, she told me to go by their office, pick up the schedule, come back to the hospital and they'd re-schedule any dates that don't work for me to take place at the hospital. So, we're all taken care of now! Thank you Lord!<br />By the way, the nurse told me that I get the award for "the best non stress test results" for the day. Everything was looking great and my Karis was very active. <br />My last day at work is going to be on the 20th, which will give me a little of a week to rest and get ready for the big day!Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1171906664700280996.post-29303830085033517662011-04-25T15:17:00.010-04:002011-04-25T15:45:15.816-04:00Five Weeks to Go....Here's the latest update on baby Karis. When I had my appt. last week, which lasted about 5 minutes, the doctor said, "Your weight is great, your blood pressure is great, your blood sugars look good, the baby's heart rate is good. Any questions?" I didn't have any, so I was on my merry way! I still have waves of tiredness, but I have to remind myself that I am working full time, have a toddler at home, lead worship at my church, and try to keep up with our laundry. It's normal to be tired! Thankfully, I've had a few days off work for an abbreviated Spring Break. It's been really nice. It will be hard to go back tomorrow.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div>I don't know about the weather in your 'neck of the woods' but it has rained, and rained, and rained here. They're calling for thunderstorms tonight, and through Thursday, but today has been beautiful. So, Gracie and I were able to get some pictures taken. Enjoy!</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 168px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599608115820106098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6GyZZxjSzghnpcmfCbBdShYx7hlAqWCnrrtTxQKqwzr_wVDdEMwxooM8rg18L2EZzSfMLh-CdAzwnsyc6_qAlxpMBJ8MG7SSYGQtWH4oPN1YuirD4EFLfiqYm9JjPkEpbhoc9At119eM/s200/IMG_5676.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599608303645849154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vtUQRpRRCFb1Lxr8fw4QUWSBQ9mx7FfELArmcOtpaWrES1r4HadaM6X0gmPJCHN8hAUTv5kTAgNk8maOLTmEZQTNlc5ka7GqVQ_7kymg9q-2P3Z-Z9sCeFD8r-e7SZmgBP9HH8pQP3g/s200/IMG_5733.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599606846624189586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGE0rFZfTIPGnhWpRXnAL-1kE_Gmh4WtW1Fy85-J8FO8mjuBczMfH_mOf11Y_a_n2hfZ5CpBNQgAhH_CUNBsib3SxoiqR7E0PVAILZVWhxs0FCBbmA8WgTpG1XQZq1WmmfsKXZl1FNOE/s200/IMG_5714.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 134px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599606541390606738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoRxfcGStzJ5ZkYkYNV-3VGRtbMa4OB59u195IM3zZed9um3Kwa_zoLODJYPbhHeswq5-RBmE2onTDGn31FqOh7o6PeoXxXIu_3fc1vJ2lB1Kfg5HniSDJTe0tW2Baozjw6ur_EyFI3Ek/s200/IMG_5689.JPG" /></div></div></div></div>Krisahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10952325671353127531noreply@blogger.com7