tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30797493699086749662024-02-07T06:22:18.486-06:00CRAYON MOMMY"The keyboard is mightier than the sword."crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-78879327506831847632012-08-08T12:09:00.001-05:002012-08-08T12:10:57.735-05:00ANGRY BIRDS FAMILY FUN!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ivd2kZUzs5DCTMrS3t_Z_f4ZEIF0iC_D7GO0d_JKERnmkHFdEM_2o496mFICQ5AZIuGgZUXfdlVBOzAbsnv8eZA5vQ2FnNHDSm8-s9pQ7mqO84yXnnXFF0S1RklPKMMZsB25-prn4CyM/s1600/blog+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ivd2kZUzs5DCTMrS3t_Z_f4ZEIF0iC_D7GO0d_JKERnmkHFdEM_2o496mFICQ5AZIuGgZUXfdlVBOzAbsnv8eZA5vQ2FnNHDSm8-s9pQ7mqO84yXnnXFF0S1RklPKMMZsB25-prn4CyM/s640/blog+it.jpg" width="640" /></a>Our family on Brian's side of the family has gotten, well, HUGE! :) There are 10 cousins in our family, and one more coming soon, hopefully by the end of the year. With all these wonderful blessings, it makes it kind of hard for us to get together (and keep our sanity) under one roof! But, fortunately my gracious SIL, Stephanie and her hubby Trent offered up their nice, large home for a FAMILY GET TOGETHER. We decided on a theme of Angry Birds. Our dedication and implemation of this theme would put anybody else's to shame. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkM0XRJvJ8Eo06P_8vhexTL_aonobXX2Ed9lsFknL504Nx-SPl3MWhXRBe_PDIWP4pnKM3-S-VPHqtxespLx_rRLxzmfOW60Py7-XCLdFj7b5MuNxwTuNx5PZ6XIW9m5vZDPY_mfO0cY4/s1600/IMG_1569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkM0XRJvJ8Eo06P_8vhexTL_aonobXX2Ed9lsFknL504Nx-SPl3MWhXRBe_PDIWP4pnKM3-S-VPHqtxespLx_rRLxzmfOW60Py7-XCLdFj7b5MuNxwTuNx5PZ6XIW9m5vZDPY_mfO0cY4/s320/IMG_1569.jpg" width="320" /></a>I'm talking my-BIL-wearing-a-HUGE-Angry-Birds-costume-for-our-children's-enjoyment kind of shame! <br />
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In addition to all the family fun, we took time to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Moran's 40th wedding anniversary. Wow! Amazing to see what their family has created! :) All these beautiful children! <br />
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Donovan and Finnian </div>
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Ainslie and Ella</div>
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Cummins Girls! - (not in alphabetical order!)</div>
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The lone Cummins boy! - "C" :)</div>
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The Bean!</div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-74659932608779345272012-06-18T19:54:00.003-05:002012-06-18T19:56:16.885-05:00Pepaw and his Tractor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was little, I loved riding with my Pepaw on his tractor in Brandon, Mississippi. It was one of the highlights of my time there with my great-grandparents. I wish I had a picture of me riding on the tractor out in the back of his property. My Pewpaw is my Mimi's (grandmother) Daddy. And my own Dad loved his Pepaw so much, that when he became a grandfather when Ella was born, he wanted to be called "Pepaw" too. <br />
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And fortunately, this Pepaw also has a tractor of his own. ;)<br />
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It's moments like these that I love to take pictures. Sometimes you just know when a picture is going to come out great, because the moment itself is just that special. This is my Mimi holding my baby Donovan at about 6 weeks old. It was taken on Memorial Day weekend.crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-16022915812841642842012-06-10T10:19:00.001-05:002012-06-10T10:19:17.954-05:00MOD PODGE ROCKS GIVE AWAY!Mod Podge does indeed rock! I have used it for so many fun things in my personal life and in my classroom. And if you ask my friend Rose Anna, I like the smell a little too much. ;) <a href="http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/" target="_blank">The Country Chic Cottage</a> is hosting a awesome <a href="http://www.thecountrychiccottage.net/2012/06/mod-podge-rocks-huge-giveaway.html" target="_blank">MOD PODGE ROCKS GIVE-AWAY</a>. The give-away has a bag full of mod podge goodies, and also includes the new MOD PODGE ROCKS book with projects and instructions on how to use this amazing stuff! Go sign up to win!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy 2 month birthday, Donovan Sawyer!</span></div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-77595078882546597502012-04-23T11:11:00.002-05:002012-04-23T11:13:20.299-05:00Donovan Sawyer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLIb11keeprkx-7TsqRr4I-lHDXw-d8WcxZUd9JglCWQsSqENKzEs20aNu-dvM5xxGRfd8v5keyWdeI-33NtWd1kq8z9B72uJ1uvm5XZHu8tI3LHjI9kQMEuLHaD3Bdkbxd5rQvKalhC0/s1600/a5981cee7fc711e1af7612313813f8e8_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLIb11keeprkx-7TsqRr4I-lHDXw-d8WcxZUd9JglCWQsSqENKzEs20aNu-dvM5xxGRfd8v5keyWdeI-33NtWd1kq8z9B72uJ1uvm5XZHu8tI3LHjI9kQMEuLHaD3Bdkbxd5rQvKalhC0/s200/a5981cee7fc711e1af7612313813f8e8_7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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I am now a mother of 4 children. It's still kind of hard for me to believe. I feel so incredibly and underservingly blessed.<br />
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Donovan Sawyer Moran came out into the world on April 5 at 6:49 pm. He was 8 lb., 13 oz. (my biggest baby!) and 19.5 inches long. And just like his brother, he came earlier than expected....men!<br />
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I had always wondered as a teacher if I'd ever leave the school and go straight to the hospital, like my 5th grade math teacher, Mrs. Lopez did, and on Maundy Thursday, I did. :) My assistant principal drove me to the hospital.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDhN-JHA9eWIqla5S9P0BUPxhKL2p-S5AA4hLY4sxUR6QJTDPUkP6lqM49DqAFzlv4184VgjtX3wjjkPL-ZWMl9-UFFqbE4yxt_HiHOhzZ2NXUNmnR5Dpt2DCCKlelFH677NxIMhz6mOq/s1600/Van+Moran.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDhN-JHA9eWIqla5S9P0BUPxhKL2p-S5AA4hLY4sxUR6QJTDPUkP6lqM49DqAFzlv4184VgjtX3wjjkPL-ZWMl9-UFFqbE4yxt_HiHOhzZ2NXUNmnR5Dpt2DCCKlelFH677NxIMhz6mOq/s320/Van+Moran.jpg" width="191" /></a>The night Donovan was born, I walked myself into the operating room for a 4th time. I took my place on the table and waited for my spinal. Its amazing how something so scary can be so familiar that it isn't really scary anymore, just surreal. The surgeons had a radio in the OR and the song that played as Donovan was born was "I Dare You to Move" by Switchfoot. The first chorus says, <br />
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"Welcome to the planet<br />
Welcome to existence<br />
Every one's here<br />
Every one's here<br />
Every body's watching you now<br />
Everybody waits for you now<br />
What happens next?<br />
What happens next?"<br />
Shortly after the song started and these words were sung, Donovan was pulled out and up over my body and I did what I've done with each of my babies. I waited for crying. Those few seconds between being born and crying feel like years to me.<br />
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I spent the last part of my pregnancy with Donovan waiting for some sort of bombshell. Some sort of bad event, or horrible news concerning his health to drop out of the sky and fall on my head. How is it I can have 4 healthy babies when so many around me suffer loss or struggle so hard to be a parent in the first place? I wrestled with these worries and as different scenarios would play through my mind, each time I was reminded by God that it doesn't matter and HE in control. <br />
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And Donovan took his first breath and cried in that OR. And he still cries now and then. :) <br />
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The kids are doing really well with the new baby. They just love to kiss on him and talk to him. I am not getting much sleep these days, but I'll be honest, I haven't gotten much sleep since 2005, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. <br />
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See? Incredibly blessed!crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-77214653210513750522012-01-24T20:14:00.004-06:002012-01-24T20:19:04.084-06:00The secret ingredient in mud pies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0E-5DiVV17yF1jtRTLgFxFE2qU43PzcHcBEc7a-c1fJPRcV6XWhxyJqZqlw8nlZX3T3HOLRZin7WBcUJyynOpaeEe63HMAyierUkAYRd2ylvvhwgkUGZHKxw29bxu8iNq62kv8X2z92nY/s1600/bloglayout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0E-5DiVV17yF1jtRTLgFxFE2qU43PzcHcBEc7a-c1fJPRcV6XWhxyJqZqlw8nlZX3T3HOLRZin7WBcUJyynOpaeEe63HMAyierUkAYRd2ylvvhwgkUGZHKxw29bxu8iNq62kv8X2z92nY/s400/bloglayout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
These pictures weren't taken in our backyard. Well, kind of. These were taken at the house we own in downtown Conroe, but we rent it out. We are in between renters right now and Brian has been working on the house, so we went over to see him on Sunday afternoon and played in the backyard for awhile. And, I must admit, while the house is too small for our family, the backyard is great! Especially for mud pies. As I sat out on the back pergola in the gorgeous weather I watched them dig with sticks in the mud. I got lost in fuzzy memories of my own childhood, digging in the muddy ditch across the street from my Big Momma's house with my cousins. Packing dirt into pie tins and pretending to eat it, squealing in half disgust, half delight.<br />
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And, as if Ella could see right through me, she looked up through her little, smudged purple glasses and said, "Momma, do you know the secret ingredient in mud pies?" As I snapped back to reality, I looked down and admitted sadly, "No. I guess I don't." <br />
"You don't remember? It's rocks. They make the pies crunchy. You probably don't remember because you are a grown up now."<br />
I laughed when she said it, but part of me was a little sad. I am still in shock how quickly time has passed since I knew the secret ingredient in mud pies. Before I know it, my babies will past the mud-pie-making phase of their life. But for now, I'll try to appreciate the moment and be thankful for all these sweet memories.crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0Conroe, TX, USA30.3118769 -95.4560511999999930.2114674 -95.5892562 30.412286400000003 -95.322846199999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-76962266674462409752011-12-31T21:50:00.003-06:002011-12-31T21:50:46.727-06:00Finny's Annual Stocking Picture<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL6vPbu24Nm1X8t7H414n1nV7vWlNYw-AG2IRL-_lVYepQ5scmbKkAgenHCdY-zoVl7mFXkN9efKq9e34fb-QQpRcyU0xxwWkbxkTJGKrZdAiKdWxvNyTvGKvSiPxzre1CzlCl-VkeZ3o/s1600/finnysstockingpics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqL6vPbu24Nm1X8t7H414n1nV7vWlNYw-AG2IRL-_lVYepQ5scmbKkAgenHCdY-zoVl7mFXkN9efKq9e34fb-QQpRcyU0xxwWkbxkTJGKrZdAiKdWxvNyTvGKvSiPxzre1CzlCl-VkeZ3o/s400/finnysstockingpics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-15524487060454161402011-12-14T17:48:00.000-06:002011-12-14T17:48:17.520-06:00Pregnancy and Christmas songsFor some reason, my fourth pregnancy has left me more emotional than I was while carrying my other children (combined)! Perhaps it is the holiday season and all the sappy music that comes along with this time of year. It could be that and the combination of that and the fact that I met my husband for the first time dressed as an elf. So I am going to share with you, my list of "CHRISTMAS SONGS THAT MAKE ME CRY WHILE PREGNANT AND DRIVING MY MINI-VAN FULL OF SMALL CHILDREN." <br />
If you are anything like me, grab a hankie and enjoy my video compilation! ;) Merry CHRISTMAS!<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FRVXopkh3KQ" width="560"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PjMz0MmYejQ" width="420"></iframe><br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FDQtC3UnjUA" width="420"></iframe>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-91541489135716865762011-12-03T19:17:00.000-06:002011-12-03T19:17:26.725-06:00Tied 2 -2!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt0RtN9zyifKGK4ZOkMQ-EZRA4SJyXdmBH-k9_AbFlhEadeRcUsWIkt1_vxH5OBV5PGj_rbmFUPBPqfjBENIMU_9iHXIff1TqZOwgsZOikAnUsPL4sDjZv7LJRIH6DHEP4wq1MXagMn8C/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt0RtN9zyifKGK4ZOkMQ-EZRA4SJyXdmBH-k9_AbFlhEadeRcUsWIkt1_vxH5OBV5PGj_rbmFUPBPqfjBENIMU_9iHXIff1TqZOwgsZOikAnUsPL4sDjZv7LJRIH6DHEP4wq1MXagMn8C/s320/photo.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Yes, ladies and gentleman. We are evening the gender score in the Moran household. Come next April there will be an equal number of girls AND BOYS in our home! Brian and I couldn't be happier. I personally feel so very undeservedly blessed!crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-3590016298061897592011-11-01T18:12:00.003-05:002011-11-01T18:32:53.003-05:00Mommy on the go....go.....go.....I've been so busy, I haven't had time to update by blog since this summer. :( But, here I am again, trying to catch up! School is in full swing and we've had an interesting year. <br />
Let's see.... oh, I'm pregnant with our fourth baby. ;) (Poor "Quatro" doesn't even get his/her own birth announcement blog entry, he/she has to share already!)<br />
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School is in full swing....<br />
Ella is in 1st grade, Ainslie is at the preschool at ORHS and Finnian is at Lord of Life Lutheran Church School in The Woodlands. It makes me sad that they are all separated this year, but they are doing very well in their own places and learning lots. In fact, Ella just made the All A HONOR ROLL for the first time. Mommy and Daddy are very proud of our big girl!<br />
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More later!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvOk6MwBQ5-fC_arddUbod5QRV1xKLulQbb6RLaH_rlmuvJ9-Ko0cB68miPXtwFgo5lsP3U8fuNtBpuC_uKCc6QrDL5W_lNikgXEByJk8gzkTCFYNp_q9Ijwo8hebLPzJWTuQ4cUPQi3T/s640/blogger-image-914952650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvOk6MwBQ5-fC_arddUbod5QRV1xKLulQbb6RLaH_rlmuvJ9-Ko0cB68miPXtwFgo5lsP3U8fuNtBpuC_uKCc6QrDL5W_lNikgXEByJk8gzkTCFYNp_q9Ijwo8hebLPzJWTuQ4cUPQi3T/s320/blogger-image-914952650.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yay for ALL A HONOR ROLL!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfdf6jbJS5XyJL48J2lq-Hrjl88E9As21zfpo__AcK_UtS1OvqFLPtWAo39Qc5gmlINuQrSx7THlrkAAcYv-NZ2fq1pVhPSBFlEi0LR8j3PG_1W5exjH9Szkb04u5KT2NNngs3AzBZao9/s640/blogger-image--529355259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGfdf6jbJS5XyJL48J2lq-Hrjl88E9As21zfpo__AcK_UtS1OvqFLPtWAo39Qc5gmlINuQrSx7THlrkAAcYv-NZ2fq1pVhPSBFlEi0LR8j3PG_1W5exjH9Szkb04u5KT2NNngs3AzBZao9/s320/blogger-image--529355259.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Citizen Award for good behavior and attitude! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqKlLjomDxWoxcaQSuVWyUOBwlr_A0kWDa_sHrC3_gUqZ00SEXfIbnqbSuSLAOj1PuWPP6mEbves5iNxQ-vTo9BfKrursxla6kI4Sw26yjUEX3sEaK-UAEgSTRMuKsVLBu2rXGY1GRsl7/s640/blogger-image--1527616454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoqKlLjomDxWoxcaQSuVWyUOBwlr_A0kWDa_sHrC3_gUqZ00SEXfIbnqbSuSLAOj1PuWPP6mEbves5iNxQ-vTo9BfKrursxla6kI4Sw26yjUEX3sEaK-UAEgSTRMuKsVLBu2rXGY1GRsl7/s320/blogger-image--1527616454.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was most excited about the RED ROBIN FREE MEAL!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-45267319878492194382011-08-12T11:02:00.000-05:002011-08-12T11:02:20.041-05:00Mississippi Family VacationThe second part of our summer vacation was the furthest we had ever taken our family! The kids very first time out of Texas. We went to my Mimi's house in Brandon, MS. A lot of Mimi's family lives in the Jackson area, and she is originally from Mississippi. We had so much fun playing at the house and visiting with the neighbors. Our most favorite thing we did at the house was pick blueberries in the front yard. I take that back. It was our second favorite thing to do at the house. The first was EATING the blueberries! I still have not found blueberries as good as the ones I eat in Mississippi!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur7Y8a2HH9At-8fHoWrpsDqdL105TiQlvozIXpvNHOglQZwca4EbPfFjeW-Xm_aQI5b5w4qrU2DImaDl_Zlp7QmyN0evnbheI_Y0JrRd5RFaAKPXCZX6SBDAWOxX5VK5A3eIGQibASLel/s1600/blueberries-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgur7Y8a2HH9At-8fHoWrpsDqdL105TiQlvozIXpvNHOglQZwca4EbPfFjeW-Xm_aQI5b5w4qrU2DImaDl_Zlp7QmyN0evnbheI_Y0JrRd5RFaAKPXCZX6SBDAWOxX5VK5A3eIGQibASLel/s400/blueberries-1.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We visited lots of places in and around Brandon, icluding the library and our favorite, Friends & Co. Tea Room in downtown Brandon. Even though we barely fit, we had so much fun as Mimi waited on us. :) (Her cousin owns the Tea Room and she often works there while she's in town.) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d_5FUgXkmqtnGCV8Zn1kSa1plzs1b1n5aXoerLTLss5Zslrk9XJZ5Y2cb8TOxTvMRhegx0nT_mSAx1RgA92UUjQbCrfFl5VSxwM1cQZKghX9xwvkxuVJbTf9oPO-FGWCHqXoQ2QPdQk9/s1600/friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d_5FUgXkmqtnGCV8Zn1kSa1plzs1b1n5aXoerLTLss5Zslrk9XJZ5Y2cb8TOxTvMRhegx0nT_mSAx1RgA92UUjQbCrfFl5VSxwM1cQZKghX9xwvkxuVJbTf9oPO-FGWCHqXoQ2QPdQk9/s400/friends.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div> One day we ventured to Jackson where we ate at Rooster's Hamburger joint. (Amazing!) We also went and visited the MS. Agriculture Museum where Finny saw lots of tractors and we got to travel through an old town complete with a General store and a little schoolhouse (the kids' favorite!)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS51idZOUSbdHYY_5G92s5t7Bb6BnRc7ZWDFoK6TAntcLPkrmLCbFcOLiOrcxLWF2ff67w8UIiLIAXTcnJlI4Ub8Tl1o3rnWvJGy0-l3bFsqE4qjRoMOMCOdFLnTdmkVzWrAANsSfb0zVh/s1600/agmuseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS51idZOUSbdHYY_5G92s5t7Bb6BnRc7ZWDFoK6TAntcLPkrmLCbFcOLiOrcxLWF2ff67w8UIiLIAXTcnJlI4Ub8Tl1o3rnWvJGy0-l3bFsqE4qjRoMOMCOdFLnTdmkVzWrAANsSfb0zVh/s400/agmuseum.jpg" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some of my other favorite pictures from just hanging around the house!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmP8FWhoHp-AVwXpZLe3BmjhYOdY_pJNU_tGkrxLjFwR_LmPpkEkdd4Tt81kS4OLHUAS1GqyNDm259_wW5ZMMFKaZZYsTFIblRNkIC8cxaTVV6wkqkike7-aRVDhFcgoJtgCDBOsrZQdd/s1600/IMG_5922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmP8FWhoHp-AVwXpZLe3BmjhYOdY_pJNU_tGkrxLjFwR_LmPpkEkdd4Tt81kS4OLHUAS1GqyNDm259_wW5ZMMFKaZZYsTFIblRNkIC8cxaTVV6wkqkike7-aRVDhFcgoJtgCDBOsrZQdd/s320/IMG_5922.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mimi making jello with the girls. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr49Zj26p7E6hyWlzzPZ_-1iXC2ZiNQCVnNabXiAVjG1dPJufzdy3pSKJCMxCdsEe0CssPz5uoV8R_bgu0a2Fo0O1DWUqoUXW6ey1YzLv0i8w-o-TgAOhnE6DQg61rxSRifSfylf8_71VV/s1600/IMG_5917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr49Zj26p7E6hyWlzzPZ_-1iXC2ZiNQCVnNabXiAVjG1dPJufzdy3pSKJCMxCdsEe0CssPz5uoV8R_bgu0a2Fo0O1DWUqoUXW6ey1YzLv0i8w-o-TgAOhnE6DQg61rxSRifSfylf8_71VV/s320/IMG_5917.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCOXCWK6gNeln_QnWHhRqutE5fjUyR66Wk0wqCMhVNN41EoBMxXVejmPo_D1g0b3Srw8g9f5KifcwxmDqoKkM6KXfqxbJYyzU6czxuBoEX4wEDNMT1yIZTxjs3wMiUWIEt0BhgiNaa29q/s1600/IMG_6085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCOXCWK6gNeln_QnWHhRqutE5fjUyR66Wk0wqCMhVNN41EoBMxXVejmPo_D1g0b3Srw8g9f5KifcwxmDqoKkM6KXfqxbJYyzU6czxuBoEX4wEDNMT1yIZTxjs3wMiUWIEt0BhgiNaa29q/s320/IMG_6085.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH7qAi7NDjXNGbLcGnkRsOp_IW0qB1iwMcBojqMh3P9YqxvqBo7CxWtmr9DLpzzvzmgCsMASX9Io0tNNBUggSgtOhRG5FNnQTdRzKtsnNXv4GZ8zA-FLzY6axlrz9B4mMps6hT3q6U8QD/s1600/IMG_6138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKH7qAi7NDjXNGbLcGnkRsOp_IW0qB1iwMcBojqMh3P9YqxvqBo7CxWtmr9DLpzzvzmgCsMASX9Io0tNNBUggSgtOhRG5FNnQTdRzKtsnNXv4GZ8zA-FLzY6axlrz9B4mMps6hT3q6U8QD/s320/IMG_6138.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUX3ncZIvvJpwEeRCtrkn4nLGFWn4V5aYKCV9Jns2-fCj_khoi_WqIunkGprHyLKDwomtl1K6zLG9dfCHG93LiJSEa10w8-zkXWKLh7Wq3RbqYRw1YZ6dfmn4GyZPoiwY5LbgTe6gzNi8/s1600/IMG_6154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUX3ncZIvvJpwEeRCtrkn4nLGFWn4V5aYKCV9Jns2-fCj_khoi_WqIunkGprHyLKDwomtl1K6zLG9dfCHG93LiJSEa10w8-zkXWKLh7Wq3RbqYRw1YZ6dfmn4GyZPoiwY5LbgTe6gzNi8/s320/IMG_6154.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-24301906235140298662011-08-12T10:34:00.000-05:002011-08-12T10:34:08.451-05:00Dallas Summer Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyXT9jwwic3TVb4bQpuuXNGrPooaiqf2PYK_MKAjn3-YvUFttxdE_Tm1bVVxk2xuiTaX5SDX-0AFn7kSfpInwAf0VCApsGT07UgWlc-ynQ0IpUrFlZdxZBPN6eHDbo8uileFhFTm4pHFA/s1600/blogshare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyXT9jwwic3TVb4bQpuuXNGrPooaiqf2PYK_MKAjn3-YvUFttxdE_Tm1bVVxk2xuiTaX5SDX-0AFn7kSfpInwAf0VCApsGT07UgWlc-ynQ0IpUrFlZdxZBPN6eHDbo8uileFhFTm4pHFA/s400/blogshare.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I haven't really updated my blog much lately, so I thought I would update you on some of the things our family did on our summer vacation! We are very fortunate to have some seriously generous family! Our trip this summer was two fold: the first week we spent, like we have the last 3 summers, at the Bush home in Dallas. :) Our kids always have such a good time attending some sort of camp and just spending time together. This year, Ella and Evie participated in cooking camp and Ainslie did Gymnastics camp. It was pretty funny because Ainslie has never really participated in this type of activity before, except for VBS. After a few minutes of stretches on the floor she had to go to the bathroom. I took her and could tell something wasn't right. I asked, "What's wrong, baby? Aren't you having fun?" She replied with a frown, "I have to concentwate." I asked her who told her that and she said "I DON'T KNOW!" After the first day, she did much better "concentwating," though. :)<br />
We ended the week of fun with our traditional Sweet and Sassy haircut appointments. :) The girls were so well-behaved and look so cute!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvN8RJEOnM1CPv76lu6E_IgdL-7jVDtn7sfNTCADWOFRr08wPLvb6IBC1o_dmVrar0F6-ypYJWEtml7L_bnlmhiS9bfS-O2DMuWMKLRU2yRVDF7dMOF08JICZFY1i-OLPRVdJOR7ww0LH3/s1600/I-Heart-Faces-button.jpg" /></a></div></div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-14772012080640578062011-05-29T22:08:00.003-05:002011-05-29T22:14:04.555-05:00All about Ella Grace!This past week has been really busy for our oldest daughter, Ella. She graduated Kindergarten on Friday and had her very first piano recital on Saturday. Brian and I are very proud of her. She is becoming such a lovely, poised young lady. God has blessed us so much with her! Congratulations Ella on such a great job this year!<br />
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<iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7rBuKOfTATg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-70569762705192231222011-04-26T21:24:00.002-05:002011-04-26T21:31:04.313-05:00Won't you take me to... MONKEY TOWN!?I wish there was a way that I could type the following blog post and it would be as funny as it was in my car on the way home tonight. I know it couldn't possibly, but I'll attempt it.<br />
On the way home from Target tonight, Ella starts humming the tune FUNKY TOWN. Then she sings the part that goes "Talk about it, talk about it, talk about it, talk about it," but instead of using the actual lyrics, she substitutes her own lyrics, not unlike most kids her age (or me throughout my entire life). In this instance her version goes, "Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell....<br />
Ainslie shouts, "I WANT TO GO TO TOWN!"<br />
I ask, "You want to go to FUNKY TOWN?"<br />
Ainslie replies, "YES! I WANNA GO TO MONKEY TOWN!"<br />
Ella continues her song, "Won't you take me to Monkey town? Won't you take me to Monkey town? "Won't you take me to monkey town? Won't you take me to Mo-o-o-okey town? ... Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell, Taco Bell!"<br />
Ainslie keeps insisting a trip to "Monkey town" throughout Ella's increasing loud rendition of the song. She becomes very upset and five minutes later starts bawling uncontrollably because she realizes we are turning into our neighborhood and not MONKEY TOWN. It actually took me about 10 minutes to calm her down and explain that we can't go to Monkey town on a school night. <br />
And that was the ride home!crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-60365541486875281802011-04-23T14:34:00.000-05:002011-04-23T14:34:13.356-05:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP2wKNqsrEwaDtBAOU87Y3q4B6cZ9Kol8dwFM4E0gB4SjJ9LwGfdbiStRAKZ2c44caVMMXLeci31-raAkehjEFSqqPyZAyYCsvd6miEoLciJos23IgMP6Hwmj6lvK7sfFwKTi0te3tc44/s1600/eggcollage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRP2wKNqsrEwaDtBAOU87Y3q4B6cZ9Kol8dwFM4E0gB4SjJ9LwGfdbiStRAKZ2c44caVMMXLeci31-raAkehjEFSqqPyZAyYCsvd6miEoLciJos23IgMP6Hwmj6lvK7sfFwKTi0te3tc44/s400/eggcollage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Thank you Jesus for loving us! Thank you for paying the debt for our sins so we could live forever in Heaven with you! Let's celebrate because <em><u>HE IS RISEN! AMEN!</u></em></span>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-6413124301553438752011-04-20T23:25:00.002-05:002011-04-20T23:27:16.973-05:00Deep in the Heart of Texas!There's been very little rain deep in the heart of Texas -- hence the sparce sprinkling of bluebonnets around these parts! :) But, rain or no rain -- bluebonnet pictures must be taken! Hope you enjoy them. I also hope to back to regular posts on my blog, but it's THAT time of year again -- so many spring activities going on, and wrapping up the end of the school year. I think once that things slow down a bit, I'll be back to my old blogging ways... let's hope!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd77R5hsxOWpdY-BDRBsP9U1JJtfEaij9GCXPSOB2a_56cxBCkK7bUK4ISzanXRSjUWI1GGAGvx7y9DHmD0FQj8bzY0zMEs8OX1DJhUhOX05lyr_TLMijg8f28MkSWQcxI6OKDbCX87lqZ/s1600/bluebonnetblogboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd77R5hsxOWpdY-BDRBsP9U1JJtfEaij9GCXPSOB2a_56cxBCkK7bUK4ISzanXRSjUWI1GGAGvx7y9DHmD0FQj8bzY0zMEs8OX1DJhUhOX05lyr_TLMijg8f28MkSWQcxI6OKDbCX87lqZ/s400/bluebonnetblogboard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-29184412578279447582011-02-14T20:03:00.007-06:002011-02-15T17:35:27.934-06:00Happy Valentine's Day from the Morans!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCc7uratMGWLD4_Xa5qZX4TvDe511eBTSilrKWF9IhKPi_NWAq62ePju5Ne8MYZuyBdqKQZVcc_jBDK2Y_RiQjW1olzaJ0In1valy489FynFdqvwCBasHU-qGC5d4IHGFPSAWgZaPQsfP/s1600/finnyvalentine.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 271px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573732844913133522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfCc7uratMGWLD4_Xa5qZX4TvDe511eBTSilrKWF9IhKPi_NWAq62ePju5Ne8MYZuyBdqKQZVcc_jBDK2Y_RiQjW1olzaJ0In1valy489FynFdqvwCBasHU-qGC5d4IHGFPSAWgZaPQsfP/s400/finnyvalentine.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3CBxPN1LvVzm7fsFdOWvEVDsuLgnz9GFHekAOhgyN_kY8xHg0THJ09FDGPIMFYIMr068yW4QcYVYmQqjp38zMLeYs87p8nQp6XMcX5Jgo8UGC13hZT_an27AnwIRhh41ZZV4u6636hrg/s1600/ainslievalentine.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 272px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573731954439690786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3CBxPN1LvVzm7fsFdOWvEVDsuLgnz9GFHekAOhgyN_kY8xHg0THJ09FDGPIMFYIMr068yW4QcYVYmQqjp38zMLeYs87p8nQp6XMcX5Jgo8UGC13hZT_an27AnwIRhh41ZZV4u6636hrg/s400/ainslievalentine.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kHvxkPscqHo0C_WrQvuofPg_692y38qsOCXoE22BZNhAK1_VmKj2do8nwc2e-al6Q7fwUjTPsMSH9bZYH9niGOS84fP51h7x1VSmYxQEC945eSBdcjfiXvaeA7FfpuXNbae1FNQGlwJa/s1600/ellavalentine.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573731948109747682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7kHvxkPscqHo0C_WrQvuofPg_692y38qsOCXoE22BZNhAK1_VmKj2do8nwc2e-al6Q7fwUjTPsMSH9bZYH9niGOS84fP51h7x1VSmYxQEC945eSBdcjfiXvaeA7FfpuXNbae1FNQGlwJa/s400/ellavalentine.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhP2Ms63dMis-NRBtxAW7F5pIrLuHxxMUA5kHMlfvZ2IfwdYxHpYUI1sm8BUmiYCnlhYYLduuHqgFxX2qz69AxFUstwtTpUoL2OrNLI-qZuSxoJpbmUFMhFOn2LhGxKwmnWL9eyrnYmPv/s1600/dustibriannyc.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573731935668413378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirhP2Ms63dMis-NRBtxAW7F5pIrLuHxxMUA5kHMlfvZ2IfwdYxHpYUI1sm8BUmiYCnlhYYLduuHqgFxX2qz69AxFUstwtTpUoL2OrNLI-qZuSxoJpbmUFMhFOn2LhGxKwmnWL9eyrnYmPv/s400/dustibriannyc.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><a href="http://lovethatshot.com" target="_blank"><img title="Visit Love That Shot" src="http://lovethatshot.com/images/love-that-shot-125.jpg" alt="" width="125" height="125" /></a>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-37202613388886970542011-01-28T08:34:00.011-06:002011-01-28T09:51:22.025-06:00Note to Self: Read The Directions!I have never claimed to be a smart person. But, sometimes the difference between smart and ignorant can be as simple as <strong>reading the directions</strong>.<br /><br /><div>All three of my kids have been sick this week. Finny has a cold virus, Ainslie has a middle ear infection and to finish off my week, Ella woke up with a high fever this morning. I'm pretty sure it's the flu that's going around school. This all being said, I have administered my fair share of medicine this week; Zyrtec, Tylenol, antibiotics and breathing treatments. I had to go to Walgreen's on Wednesday to pick up medicine for Ainslie's ear and those lovely people threw one of those children's syringes in the bag. (Love when they do that!)</div><div></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567250638783837442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1bXKCWHxnPgLum_GlFdMlJSIYy33_XDmEl05WaLtgkOrtuwzrzuvybM3SSTiuDSoLom3Tj06FGvDMmHvCKRjFkhKGipvygq6Lp91wnxEBW2UKK7sGD8iP2Ow-GFCplpmrYyR1qhpkCVgf/s400/syringe.jpg" /></div><div></div><div>I first encountered a syringe like this about 2 years ago. Before that, I had never seen one with the little circle piece attached to the end. I didn't give much thought about it. I didn't really know what it was for, I speculated that you could use it to hold the syringe upright, or that it covered the part that you put in the mouth. (Both rather dumb uses, now that I think about it.) But, this time when I got my free syringe, I decided to read the directions. This little plastic thingy is WAY COOL. Most of you already know, but for those people who never stopped to read the directions, you pop these into the top of your medicine bottles so you can get an air-tight seal when you put your syringe in and it helps to easily give you the correct dosage without making a mess out of your medicine, which is what I normally end up doing. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><em>Wow! I am a complete idiot! Why didn't I ever read the instructions before!? This little device could have made my life so much easier and it's been here in my house all along!</em></div><div></div><div><em></em></div><div><em></em></div><div>I have come to discover the same is true of my Bible. I am attempting to read through the entire New Testament this year by following <a href="http://www.project345.com/">PROJECT 3:45. </a>(This is a great site where you read a chapter a day, that on average, takes about 3 minutes and 45 seconds.) I found out about it at <a href="http://www.thearkchurch.com/">The Ark Church</a> where I have been visiting recently, and it's like rediscovering a part of myself that I had left behind when I became a mother.</div><div></div><div>I have been "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">churched</span>" my whole life and I even know some verses by heart. My Mom used to joke that I was at the church anytime the doors were open; youth group, youth choir, chancel choir, praise team, Bible study, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">VBS</span>, mission trips. But, as a young adult I found myself becoming what I can best describe as "tired of the same old rhetoric." I believed what was preached, but I had heard it spoken by preachers the same way, over and over, using the same terminology and phrases that I became numb to it's effect. As I got married, and started having babies, it was easy for me to lose my interest in the stories of the Bible. I wanted to go to church for my kids, but not really for me.</div><div></div><div>While reading, I pray for God to continue to reveal himself to me in new and fresh ways. Right now in Project 3:45, I'm reading about the crucifixion, and it's almost like reading about Jesus in a way I never have before, even though I know I've read it many times before. It's like knowing your parents as a child, and then growing up and learning about them as an adult. </div><div></div><div></div><div>Likewise, that has been my beautiful discovery about God's word. It never changes, but we do. And, that can change the way we see Our God and what we glean from our time reading the Bible. Like that circular-thingy on the end of my syringes, I have had my Bible here all along and to read it now gives me insight and to wisdom to things I have never thought of before. Of course, I can imagine all the things God has planned for me and my family and hope to know how I would respond to the stresses of life, but it pales in comparison for HIS plan, if only I just stop to read the directions.</div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-79593788289389093772010-12-31T10:45:00.002-06:002010-12-31T10:57:11.275-06:00Finny's StockingOoops. I was supposed to do this on his birthday, but I forgot.<br /><div><div><div>Each year, I take a picture of Finny with his Christmas stocking on his birthday (12.20). This was a brilliant idea suggested by his Aunt KC. This year was particularly hard, as Finn is completely mobile with a mind of his own this year. Last year he could walk, but he was still a "Mommy-Pleaser" and would stay when I asked. This year he just rolled around and laughed alot. So, I'll post one from the first 2 years and then a couple from this years shoot. Enjoy!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556889570056656178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNaS4Zla-e3Lxbv0MR6R4k_77qhTP6boR-JZPgO2R4KuMBL_1v0J9yG8GA6m68BUrWNNxPK7qG6gzUlbp-o-i-GL8Iic8VHm8dWddtKXPJEQYYwznmxV9J5LULDCA_XV2oJOjXAe5IX7wh/s320/NEWBORN.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556889571131867058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayoAPfVrWGyATaKUzSBUIOqAEovuM0OUwweU6ij2xtlAsV-rbuwDsUeYPqhcej8i2TezbmPVr540-2vrWgMk3QFwv-wBy8KApq3gw4n0xRoU7Bj59JobQvJBMa3lcIYVi7wkpYfeNbebr/s320/1YEAR.jpg" /> <div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 287px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556889579687714818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5vdQnfPmn8_6Z4GL-Dr0wNUzUjntAsdUPO_hTK6KegVigStCMZzB0OML2TtIC2COokIKkEWxAhSCd5f0suxtXfDPQz8eo8fIpuVcdfFWha_D7JtkQqRnOPBkWF3_fJZziIcN6lvUazK8/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 213px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556889575975667794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyllXjpQHydbXgRQ8eaNBtB1yrhT9y9GKhG-09AwBuF5DV9hDeHSDsnl7J4VA8cSQ_rpOmHDuY2xje4i3OCM7OvTlHUAz2zgLp_Vb3Bg2W9nAMEUGeSZl9vbkWSnLdjKwwnwRk4k0x-lVa/s320/IMG_0282.JPG" /> These were taken in his diaper, in hopes that, next year he'll be wearing big boy underwear... here's hoping! :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 213px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556890998648192178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihV58Pp5sLo1vwavqmbHpGZJIlLHSIyfr3jGUeYuLUcRAq4m2PdbzxMndzNEfW2aKQ91gjEFLsU43BNG_nyXUrY8BEpdi_r4WBN4BXpvB63XmcNgGOKsnTND79EC0VcSye9lWTksqGz5Pj/s320/IMG_0304.JPG" /></div></div></div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-44387725723148963652010-12-19T09:53:00.003-06:002010-12-19T09:56:40.256-06:00Laura of Pitter Patter ArtMakes amazing things to help raise money for her family's adoption. I have purchased a few key fobs from her, which make great gifts and now she's making CAMERA STRAPS!<br /><br />You can imagine my excitement!<br /><br />She is celebrating the season by giving away items that she's made via her blog.<br />Click below to check her out!<br /><br /><a href="http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/winner-camera-strap-giveaway/#comment-2618">http://pitterpatterart.wordpress.com/2010/12/19/winner-camera-strap-giveaway/#comment-2618</a>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-60773932245520119302010-11-22T12:50:00.003-06:002010-11-22T12:56:43.306-06:00Give Thanks!<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qqrdxEZhqte1kJ8RqZqjqddz27BBCB58DKKe33m74QZaz1Kdecy7CQMHv0H6d52-Y9nqLnur_XeXr1MsAlRoFbPs7Ls_hxXZ5h3eKy_HCnn1mvq6rvWTdmHLJXk-bPrV9dd5GExz9Bcv/s1600/IMG_5315.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542448717083184786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qqrdxEZhqte1kJ8RqZqjqddz27BBCB58DKKe33m74QZaz1Kdecy7CQMHv0H6d52-Y9nqLnur_XeXr1MsAlRoFbPs7Ls_hxXZ5h3eKy_HCnn1mvq6rvWTdmHLJXk-bPrV9dd5GExz9Bcv/s400/IMG_5315.JPG" /></a><strong> Ella is an Indian in her Kindergarten Thanksgiving Program.</strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">I have so much to be thankful for. My health, my job, my home, but most of all my family. I love them so much. Thank you God for my beautiful, crazy, messy, wonderful family.<br /></div><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.iheartfaces.com" mce_href="http://www.iheartfaces.com"><img src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg" mce_src="http://www.iheartfaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/I_Heart_Faces_noborder_125x100.jpg"/></a></center>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-60722025055108520502010-09-12T22:53:00.006-05:002010-09-12T23:44:56.039-05:00The Deeper Meaning of Trees<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dvFQG8UpT2tWdrnuhuWRJ6DQoBUL_wzFUUJV83inDFK1hyphenhyphenFVefGqEwyakIk1sKNzu_gKWlCRY6cSeh5T-dFufYOCU0_xVRzqLuaN_6jQU0rZLHvJj_ofl8J1OuD7X0mFqISfew1N6cdJ/s1600/Tree.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516252916594833634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5dvFQG8UpT2tWdrnuhuWRJ6DQoBUL_wzFUUJV83inDFK1hyphenhyphenFVefGqEwyakIk1sKNzu_gKWlCRY6cSeh5T-dFufYOCU0_xVRzqLuaN_6jQU0rZLHvJj_ofl8J1OuD7X0mFqISfew1N6cdJ/s200/Tree.jpg" /></a> Do you ever wonder why sometimes, God uses something simple in your life, something that's always "been" and uses it to reveal a deeper meaning? It's as if instead of hitting you sharply over the head with an idea, He subtly reveals something that reminds you of how small you are, and how He's got such a bigger pe<img class="gl_align_full" border="0" alt="Justify Full" src="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif" />rspective on our little lives than we could begin to imagine.<br /><div></div><br /><div>For instance, I've always been drawn to trees. As long as I can remember, I've loved to look at them, lay under them and especially draw them. I have countless numbers of sketches and artwork based on trees. The first trees I remember admiring were the large trees in front of my grandparent's home. I rubbed my fingers across the cracky texture of the huge trunks and recall the gazillions of brown oblong leaves they left sprinkled all over the driveway during the fall. When Brian and I first moved to the Woodlands, I looked forward to my quiet time as I peeked out my bathroom window while laying in the bathtub to see a canopy of large trees, swaying above me in the breeze. My first official mural was of a tree in our home there. I also painted a forest of trees in Ella's nursery. I re-painted my tree again in the entryway of our house here in Conroe.</div><br /><div>Ok, Dusti, so you like trees. Big whoop. Maybe, but it wasn't until tonight that I realized why it's important to surround myself with trees, or why I might be drawn to them.<br /></div><div>This weekend has been especially hard on my spirit. I feel down. I feel tired. Every Sunday night is rough for me. It takes all the energy I have to make it through the week. I spend a lot of time alone with the kids during the weeknights when Brian teaches lessons and I do my best just to come home, get ready for another day and not lose my patience with my kids. I feel guilty because by the end of the week, the house is a wreck and the laundry and dishes are out of control. By Thursday, I'm spent and kind of coast through Friday. I get anxious thinking about starting it all over again Sunday night. I was just sitting here, praying for some sort of comfort, some sort of promise from God's word to help me through, and this is what I got:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Jeremiah 17:7-8</strong></div><br /><div>But Blessed is the man who<strong> trusts in the Lord</strong>.</div><br /><div>who's confidence is in Him.</div><br /><div>He will be like a tree planted by the water</div><br /><div>that sends out its roots by the stream.</div><br /><div><strong>It does not fear when the heat comes</strong>;</div><br /><div>it's leaves are always green.</div><br /><div><strong>It has no worries in a year of drought</strong></div><br /><div>and never fails to bear fruit.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div align="justify">Could there be a better verse for someone who fears they'll "dry out" when the going gets tough? I love that there's a huge tree painted by my front door. When things get hectic and I'm running in and out of the house with 3 kids running in 3 different directions, backpacks, lunch kits, etc., I'll look at it and remember as long as I trust in the Lord and plant my roots by the "stream," I'll never dry out.</div>crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3079749369908674966.post-28652098936161173592010-09-08T18:51:00.003-05:002010-09-08T19:00:24.716-05:00Off and running.Well I guess despite my best efforts, summer vacation ended. I now find myself in the middle of week 3 of the 2010-2011 school year. 2011? Sounds like a Sci-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fi</span> movie....<br /><br />This year is an especially special year. I am starting my 7<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> year of teaching. And 7 is my lucky number! (Well, really it's my BLESSED number.) Can I just say that I LOVE MY NEW JOB!? I love my new co-workers and students. It feels like I've been there for years already. I love that I see my babies all day long! I love that I pass my daughter's kindergarten class 20 times a day! I could not have a better working situation (other than to be a rich, "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">homeschool</span> mom" who travels the globe and teaches on location.) But, I digress....I have the best job on planet earth.<br /><br />I only wish I had more time to stop and blog. It seems that as I jump back into the grind of everyday life, I only have time to come home in the afternoon and get ready for the next day before I crash for the night. I find myself longing for a time when my kids can be more independent, and yet, I clutch to these days when Brian and I are the center of their universe and can do no wrong in their eyes. I look back on my life and see how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday I was wanting to be big enough to stand at the bus stop all by myself, and look at me now with three wee ones of my own. I have said it before, and actually I say it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">a lot</span>: "I have my hands full....of blessings."crayonmommyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17614340951600998646noreply@blogger.com0