tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-328021992024-03-13T14:26:34.034-07:00Having a BallAs time zooms by, I lose the moments of my life that I don't want to forget. They get washed in the pocket of my jeans or they get stuck in a wad of gum in my carpet. Sometimes, I just box them up, like old love letters, and I can't seem to find them again. This is my attempt to sweep those memories back up, and hold them fast so I can remember all the days that mean so much!@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.comBlogger587125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-41969464682893748712015-04-06T05:40:00.001-07:002015-04-06T12:09:59.803-07:00Fallen BranchesWhen I moved, my dear friend Laurie gave me a book with a chapter in it about pruning. No, not on how to trim the hedges at our new house, but how God in his love and wisdom prunes things in our life to eventually allow us to better produce fruit! It was comforting to know that through my move, God would be going deep with me and cutting away unneeded attitudes of the heart, assumptions of the world, and other spiritual misconceptions.<br />
<br />
I did take comfort in that.<br />
<br />
And Yes, he cut.<br />
<br />
Then he kept cutting.<br />
<br />
Kept pruning.<br />
<br />
And is still cutting back.<br />
<br />
Here are some fallen branches, each of which I saw as an important and identifying part of my life.<br />
<br />
*<u>Friendships</u>: The first big branch to hit the ground was my beautiful network of friends. Now, my friends back home will always be my friends. They love me and support me. But there is something about doing life 500 miles away that muffles things. And really, I needed to rely less on them and make friends in my new community. Which I have (and am SO thankful for!) ... but friendship... deep friendship, fill-up-your-refrigerator friendship, go-through-the-muck-and-yuck-friendship takes TIME. Takes years. <br />
<br />
*<u>Family togetherness</u>: There is nothing like spending the evening with family. To see your mom and dad loving on your kids and your kids playing with their cousins... it's just preciousness in action. It's a moment from the scrapbook of time. While I had a surplus of this family time, I still couldn't get enough of it. Some people get annoyed by family but not me. For me it was the very elixir of life. However, now this family time comes over weekends and when living out of suitcases. Now family time is joyous but on the other side of the pillow it hurts. Because I know it won't last long. This was one of the largest branches to fall. <br />
<br />
*<u>Serving</u>: In Tulsa, I was busy to the hilt. I served. At school, at church, in the community. Everything was done to a "T." But mine was a capital T in pretty font! And I loved every minute. I absolutely LOVED doing things for others, making them feel special, being creative, and feeling needed. Service is good, right? Chop. God took that busy-ness away from me too.<br />
<br />
*<u>Kid activities</u>: One of my favorite things was running my kids around like a chicken with my head cut off. I truly loved the never ending stream of play dates, Bible studies, birthday parties, special get togethers, mission trips not to mention sporting practices and events. But God said "no." Our relative lack of activity here is still foreign to me, but God has his purposes.<br />
<br />
*<u>Basketball successes</u>: For whatever reason, the basketball world has not cooperated with us here as well as we had hoped. Coming off one of the most brutal seasons in my memory, I just could hardly muster the strength to go to the games. There is nothing more important to us than basketball and ladies and gentlemen, twelve wins does not a good season make. That branch hurt. <br />
<br />
There we have it.... friendships, family, service, activities and even livelihood. Can you imagine having those things turned down a notch or two in your life? Taken away? <span style="font-size: x-large;">When we are missing what "fills" us, is Jesus truly enough?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>But God, I plead, those are 'good' things! He says, "I am the only thing that is good." Trust in me. The fruit will come. <br />
<br />
<br />@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-34996728777105974072014-12-31T17:52:00.001-08:002015-01-01T12:14:30.647-08:00{No Exact Title}I have no exact title yet. <br />
<br />
Mainly because for the last two and a half years, {<a href="http://werehavingaball.blogspot.com/2014/12/ive-had-no-words.html">I've had no words</a>}.<br />
<br />
But recently, I've been feeling a slight tug on my heart to find them.....<br />
<br />
<br />
So just in brief--- since my last post on August 1, 2012.....<br />
<br />
<br />
The biggest lesson I've learned is that {<a href="http://werehavingaball.blogspot.com/2015/01/moving-isnt-for-weenies.html">moving isn't for weenies</a>}.<br />
<br />
I can also say with certainty that {<strike>sometimes</strike> a lot of times, <strike>life doesn't make sense</strike> life is bonkers}.<br />
<br />
and through it all, we are called to seek Him {Wholeheartedly}.<br />
<br />
{Praise God for all His blessings!!!}.<br />
<br />@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-25616684493356254902014-12-31T01:45:00.000-08:002015-01-07T19:49:32.961-08:00{Moving isn't for weenies}Haha and I am one.<br />
A big, fat weenie. <br />
Exploding with selfishness<br />
when put over the campfire.<br />
<br />
Man, I am not proud.<br />
And strangely, <u>I DID KNOW</u><br />
<u>I DID UNDERSTAND GOING IN...</u><br />
this will be hard.<br />
I must put my big girl panties on.<br />
<br />
But I quickly traded the big girl panties<br />
for a pacifier and dirty diapers.<br />
Ugh. Again, I am not proud.<br />
Wish I could have passed the test<br />
with flying colors.<br />
Wish I could have integrated into<br />
this small town<br />
like a red ant on a populated dirt hill<br />
<br />
But William Wordsworth's sonnet keeps ringing in my ears:<br />
"The World is Too Much With [Me]"<br />
I felt and sometimes still feel every judging eye upon me.<br />
I heard and sometimes still hear a loud cacophony of doubt in my own heart.<br />
I mourned and sometimes still mourn the widening distance of old friendships.<br />
Yes, the World is Too Much with me. <br />
And to quote Taylor Swift, I can't shake it off.<br />
<br />
It's funny, two different people whom I told I was moving,<br />
had reactions that replay like a DVR in my mind....<br />
<unpause></unpause><br />
These were people who had experienced moving<br />
and who didn't seem like big, fat weenies to me,<br />
(Unpause)<br />
..when I told them I was moving, they both<br />
whispered, in hushed and horrified tones,<br />
like hearing the news of an early and unexpected death "oh, I'm soo sorry."<br />
One's eyes grew large and she shook her head slowly, pityingly... <pause></pause><br />
(Pause)<br />
I thought IT CAN'T BE THAT BAD.<br />
<br />
Well, it was. It was! <br />
And that's no reflection on the state of Illinois!<br />
Or the southern region in which we reside.<br />
Or the tiny town in which we settled.<br />
It's just that this place wasn't home.<br />
And it's missing the comforts of home.<br />
And the friends of home.<br />
And the restaurants of home.<br />
And the boutiques of home.<br />
Now we're really getting to what matters. The shopping.<br />
Ha. Kidding not kidding. Shopping matters.<br />
Big fat weenies feel better after going shopping. Right?<br />
<br />
Moving isn't for weenies. I will preach it to the mountains.<br />
It's true, through and through.<br />
But it doesn't mean we weren't SUPPOSED to move<br />
or that I am destined to be a weenie all my wiener long life.<br />
<br />
Or that I wouldn't move with my family here to this place all over again.@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-10995811615049721022014-12-30T19:06:00.000-08:002015-01-01T01:17:21.877-08:00{I've had no words}There have not been many times in my middle-aged life I've been without them.<br />
<br />
But something about this life event (moving) took a toll on me and my loquaciousness. <br />
<br />
I<br />
<br />
just<br />
<br />
have<br />
<br />
had<br />
<br />
nothing<br />
<br />
to<br />
<br />
offer.<br />
<br />
The thought of blogging didn't even enter my mind. Truth be told....I didn't even know what to say to my sister, much less how to express my words on a public blog. I never really grasped a "moment of silence" or "period of mourning" until now. I just unconsciously needed time to process.<br />
<br />
Moving away from home certainly doesn't compare to many of life's other transitions, but moving reformats the human hard drive in a most painful way. Moving strips one down to the barest of bones. Truly and embarrassingly, I haven't even had the heart to listen to much music the last couple of years. All music did was remind me of home - those memories brought pain.<br />
<br />
But in the end, I think the reformatting and the stripping down an the hurting and the loss will give me more to offer than it did before. I'm not there yet, but this is a start to getting my {words} back.@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-6588763879284484262012-08-01T02:54:00.000-07:002012-08-23T03:24:38.773-07:00K-Kauai ~ Year Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So K-Kauai, also known as Kanakuk family camp, might become a bit trite and boring after two years. The third year we might decide we've<i> been there done that....?...... </i>Hmmmm.... let's see....</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH36DGRi_iA7c24pKUwIbdq3cJxgn-qYUZqOz0MJG6SODWFPqm3y_L0vw2l2Dc4v917x1VoXtF8YfP1WYJ5uCPFc-8iZb6Wy8pV02rHA-_msH6mfp8m129vPxzjQkwYPmvFE-M/s1600/IMG_9585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH36DGRi_iA7c24pKUwIbdq3cJxgn-qYUZqOz0MJG6SODWFPqm3y_L0vw2l2Dc4v917x1VoXtF8YfP1WYJ5uCPFc-8iZb6Wy8pV02rHA-_msH6mfp8m129vPxzjQkwYPmvFE-M/s640/IMG_9585.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We loved spending the week with families so special to us.... here are the Hankins and the Kittlemans.... also known as the Hanklemans. We literally did everything together all week long. I know, a bit cheesy, but we loved every minute of it. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpRbgjSWwMULUJIP7FOwUlI8eTNVmLni6brXBpQisVBA5PVwRZqBuvxdzDTjAFbkULaePUVs4bxrnaWve7j-S4QFQLVCn6_PQgWSmosjbdn4Skd2DOPrXSiTDoHEI7lYxeJus/s1600/IMG_9338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpRbgjSWwMULUJIP7FOwUlI8eTNVmLni6brXBpQisVBA5PVwRZqBuvxdzDTjAFbkULaePUVs4bxrnaWve7j-S4QFQLVCn6_PQgWSmosjbdn4Skd2DOPrXSiTDoHEI7lYxeJus/s640/IMG_9338.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We dressed up for theme nights ~This was Palmstock</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXQR_GaOq-PKnhoBtT7Qx0kDRlinqmNCtEs8Kt94C_Jxzj0aoa4T2o-FU6MaVFBMcLlZZpLCguXvO-rvJvJiMdT5OysXzMoBkFljHNmj24UcqVCIGBqjswqzT8O2o6TXvPg2o/s1600/IMG_9508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvXQR_GaOq-PKnhoBtT7Qx0kDRlinqmNCtEs8Kt94C_Jxzj0aoa4T2o-FU6MaVFBMcLlZZpLCguXvO-rvJvJiMdT5OysXzMoBkFljHNmj24UcqVCIGBqjswqzT8O2o6TXvPg2o/s640/IMG_9508.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This year I scored and my <i>actual</i> family was there too! My sister and her hubby and mom and dad even came for an evening. This was spy night. Like my mustache? Attractive.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDU1HaHlCqVcFklu5elPKxtSv2GsKA_al74mZ9M0S1ABzQWsne80ZB4f8il6ZNC4P0E3oFUpd-UtdZC7lWr0qk-R4uc4zSN9Sn7cRTcc_Q6DjjW36vyl30H7wqjXjf-ApVydK/s1600/IMG_9502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDU1HaHlCqVcFklu5elPKxtSv2GsKA_al74mZ9M0S1ABzQWsne80ZB4f8il6ZNC4P0E3oFUpd-UtdZC7lWr0qk-R4uc4zSN9Sn7cRTcc_Q6DjjW36vyl30H7wqjXjf-ApVydK/s640/IMG_9502.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My too-cute niece on spy night. Who could still look cute with a crooked mustache, head lamp and purple plastic glasses? Maggie, that's who.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFbT5ClpcgcjtfuHX4pQykEyqy74sCKwNPeWm0jj34x_0E_434Gc5JrPte2GOKI8PUOvtaY4twTccHFt4QpmxZ1makRBQogU7FGLsIc39MYJW0_6-U3hyphenhyphenGWzwoSZkKrxD9joS/s1600/IMG_9345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFbT5ClpcgcjtfuHX4pQykEyqy74sCKwNPeWm0jj34x_0E_434Gc5JrPte2GOKI8PUOvtaY4twTccHFt4QpmxZ1makRBQogU7FGLsIc39MYJW0_6-U3hyphenhyphenGWzwoSZkKrxD9joS/s640/IMG_9345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here she is again in all her cuteness. Her shirt says, "Have a Nike Day." Hee hee.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j36Q05fpVaN4ZgPEbE-h9v0oXEwbOSMiLUc5WLBboHClFxCjRQy9Oxu3QnMLmECm7pGz4LIBCYH3yOTQOtBz3N-a3x1JXyuEIgpeQIQ2bOV5_UDhQOqPYhZ2gM-9IIEWlvAv/s1600/IMG_9443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5j36Q05fpVaN4ZgPEbE-h9v0oXEwbOSMiLUc5WLBboHClFxCjRQy9Oxu3QnMLmECm7pGz4LIBCYH3yOTQOtBz3N-a3x1JXyuEIgpeQIQ2bOV5_UDhQOqPYhZ2gM-9IIEWlvAv/s640/IMG_9443.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ahhh. love my mom and dad. They really enjoyed getting a peek at what family camp is all about.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAMJ_RW9eUHHS_NUk385Vz3uYPcZQMaDKSgpGUL6gcrCqAwPM7DaOYCNkjOO0r64aEyJE4CZofC57nNB4GXxoG6D-I9dMEAZpY-bBDywcz_W17COCULvEwXi_PqFl8s6moxTX/s1600/IMG_9525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJAMJ_RW9eUHHS_NUk385Vz3uYPcZQMaDKSgpGUL6gcrCqAwPM7DaOYCNkjOO0r64aEyJE4CZofC57nNB4GXxoG6D-I9dMEAZpY-bBDywcz_W17COCULvEwXi_PqFl8s6moxTX/s640/IMG_9525.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">And what is it all about? Well, Fun with a capital F. It's a lot about fun. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF6GZNliW3fttVck4RhRLQKSgaPA6dG1cnR4ShWUbYdG-VuR90tcybnkdhWhg21wUQjZrdM-J_WgXoDASGEiAvRSgKw7RhNj5icT4IltpKJlpDG-jw20GmWdTmaI3WcLkgF7C/s1600/IMG_9347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPF6GZNliW3fttVck4RhRLQKSgaPA6dG1cnR4ShWUbYdG-VuR90tcybnkdhWhg21wUQjZrdM-J_WgXoDASGEiAvRSgKw7RhNj5icT4IltpKJlpDG-jw20GmWdTmaI3WcLkgF7C/s640/IMG_9347.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It's about challenging yourself too. Proud of my Elle Belle on Diamond Head. Yes, I did that too, not once, but twice! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_jkdEi3ljPkQ46D9dXqNAUayv3AujwlJbT-CbQ9_cYOefnDNZ-3iYCT97hGpxUTz_sT3D1M8VEDGB4mEK0RRsYC23XS1_6ihkk-tGv2oYouIlLavB4PociZulNyV2qZ-iQqy/s1600/IMG_9418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_jkdEi3ljPkQ46D9dXqNAUayv3AujwlJbT-CbQ9_cYOefnDNZ-3iYCT97hGpxUTz_sT3D1M8VEDGB4mEK0RRsYC23XS1_6ihkk-tGv2oYouIlLavB4PociZulNyV2qZ-iQqy/s640/IMG_9418.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">My sister and Scott go off the zipline. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc-_sCMWK6bnPb3TAU0_0P-Wg_M-pXvbWyfvcdjx_xQUgLniV-hJfE9HjsbhCloWs2vux9A0VNAI6L6XAfHMyiZapujSRcrSEYTmerDyBfAFn1BUyWRs2EHbHQmnOB4Mwb8q3/s1600/IMG_9398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHc-_sCMWK6bnPb3TAU0_0P-Wg_M-pXvbWyfvcdjx_xQUgLniV-hJfE9HjsbhCloWs2vux9A0VNAI6L6XAfHMyiZapujSRcrSEYTmerDyBfAFn1BUyWRs2EHbHQmnOB4Mwb8q3/s640/IMG_9398.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kami and my other adorable niece Hallie went right before them. Kami let it rip with fun! Ok, you obviously cannot tell how radiantly beautiful Hallie is from this picture. And I can't find another one right now. But trust me, she is the eldest of the three princesses. :) Sorry, Hallie!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSe2g77ZubrBcsxFZ8eX5pg-oAOVp7uwJqamp45463-XwiQHdrO-Qfirog8S2Kv0sc8x6XaLQJk-WHyar2jDA5BCQv5SvrlEmH-Qtbb0OcWrStQOS4S5UsoAFPtySf-OC0Kql/s1600/IMG_9427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSe2g77ZubrBcsxFZ8eX5pg-oAOVp7uwJqamp45463-XwiQHdrO-Qfirog8S2Kv0sc8x6XaLQJk-WHyar2jDA5BCQv5SvrlEmH-Qtbb0OcWrStQOS4S5UsoAFPtySf-OC0Kql/s640/IMG_9427.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While I'm at it, here's Lauren, my other niece. See her cute little curl on her neck? My mom wanted me to take a picture of it. She's gorgeous.</span></td></tr>
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K-Kauai is mostly about growing closer with God. One of Kanakuk's mottos has always been: "I am Third." God first, Others Second, I Am Third. We all need reminding of that don't we.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of our favorite things about camp is getting to know the awesome counselors and leaders there. This is GT, one of the directors of the camp. He is FAN-TAS-TIC. A great guy. Most importantly, loves the Lord and lives to serve. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This is Billy. He somehow put up with these little urchins all week. Well, especially the one in the Kanakuk hat. Like I said, these staff members live to serve. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzKaypIIyZ_bSnuKLcfolZ1rsXzbN6ntPvpop29nK7tKM2chA8xaopw_SB3Gu2erH5acXtF6jZIvuQ2Ymtfo6eiVu2eCgEx6PNKRec5YG9J5WqVku1zWE48U-He6D_Bc_K4tj/s1600/IMG_9313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzKaypIIyZ_bSnuKLcfolZ1rsXzbN6ntPvpop29nK7tKM2chA8xaopw_SB3Gu2erH5acXtF6jZIvuQ2Ymtfo6eiVu2eCgEx6PNKRec5YG9J5WqVku1zWE48U-He6D_Bc_K4tj/s640/IMG_9313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">They even brought in Justin Beiber. Big Time! ;-)</span></td></tr>
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Will we go back? Absolutely.</div>
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Should you and your family go? Without question! But they are already booked for the entire summer of 2013. So start planning for 2014. You will not be sorry. Best week of our summer. And maybe our year. </div>
@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com1Hollister, MO, USA36.6211735 -93.215458736.595684999999996 -93.2549407 36.646662 -93.175976699999993tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-42854689121086306792012-07-26T21:02:00.001-07:002012-07-26T21:09:54.181-07:00Not Sure if They Make Em Quite Like This in OklahomaBuzzing Yellow Sunset....<br />
Feels like you could Catch that Light....<br />
Rainbow Loping through the Other Side of the Sky....<br />
An Upside Down Smile...<br />
Dazzling Raindrops Falling...<br />
Cool Shocks to the Face....<br />
Yellow Firing Up to Red Overhead....<br />
Praises to the One Who Made it all special for us....<br />
Here in Carterville, Illinois<br />
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<br /></div>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-3084816485217754312012-07-25T21:53:00.001-07:002012-07-25T21:53:35.269-07:00The Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
It seems like we've got a little case of the blues around here. Just a line in a song or an old picture or a stressful moment can start the tears flowing from just about any one of us. We miss home! But we are busy doing our best to create a happy new home, in this case, Kami's new blue bedroom. Tantalizing Teal is the color by Sherwin Williams. And it involves black and off white and a really cool chair from Pier One. Can't wait to have it finished up for her. In the meantime, we'll just paint our blues away. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGP-X894FFkw_huAb2nyPKcNOnKi-BIzJfb5Rq0L85Va9tz1Bok0HDycq2rLp7o9_H1o6lTxmp89abDWhyphenhyphen2IhjkQyST9qUi64DgLq5CPse7f6B-eXmUUOfI6LLWbk9bhNdbNt/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGP-X894FFkw_huAb2nyPKcNOnKi-BIzJfb5Rq0L85Va9tz1Bok0HDycq2rLp7o9_H1o6lTxmp89abDWhyphenhyphen2IhjkQyST9qUi64DgLq5CPse7f6B-eXmUUOfI6LLWbk9bhNdbNt/s640/IMG_0671.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">James 1:2 ~ <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-30269a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=James+1%3A2&version=NIV#fen-NIV-30269a" style="color: #651300; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote a">a</a>]</sup></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">whenever you face trials of many kinds, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jas-1-3" id="en-NIV-30270"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">3 </sup>because you know that the testing of your faith <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30270B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>produces perseverance. <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30270C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="text Jas-1-4" id="en-NIV-30271"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;">4 </sup>Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-30271D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span>and complete, not lacking anything.</span></span></span>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-80236193826600279882012-07-22T21:34:00.001-07:002012-07-22T21:36:55.594-07:00Oklahoma Homegirls<div style="text-align: center;">
We were so thankful and happy to have some our homegirls come visit us this weekend. My pledge sister Ashley came with her two girls, Nicole and Savi. We gave them a little taste of our life here in Southern Illinois.</div>
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Girls in the paddleboat on the lake behind our house.....</div>
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Savi caught a fish... and the pole was broken! A funny moment. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnmGrk6cmaFYwtirRvLIdQnzbACNAh6l-QZel9hS1N6B7O-xhR5EcUa0BQUe8njL8XoLOp5w_GyIrs5z-IHQCc61JU6ugBKfDlD88aQhyphenhyphentU1zwdQYVMwPj1k2ABETT9V-gMuJ/s1600/mackey+" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnmGrk6cmaFYwtirRvLIdQnzbACNAh6l-QZel9hS1N6B7O-xhR5EcUa0BQUe8njL8XoLOp5w_GyIrs5z-IHQCc61JU6ugBKfDlD88aQhyphenhyphentU1zwdQYVMwPj1k2ABETT9V-gMuJ/s640/mackey+" width="480" /></a></div>
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Every moment is a funny moment with these two.</div>
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Homegirls since they were little.</div>
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Underwater pictures made possible by the Lifeproof phone case. Cute.</div>
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Endless entertainment.</div>
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At Italian Village, you can write anywhere you want to. We regressed to 7th grade and wrote Annie & Ashley BFF ~ hahahaha</div>
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Goodbye friends! Thanks for coming all the way from Oklahoma!!! Means so much <3</div>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-13666960491211407092012-07-20T20:50:00.001-07:002012-07-20T20:50:08.061-07:00Dirty Dog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lquQHHvTBKVWHRgi3oz2YP14QMeLSa7-xGXiEBpVzabgDOF1tmT_GZ5kTtNF5AqXmP1ZF7moLLfU7suJ8_3Lm-rvtV3MeWzeK56VZVSjNKakZw0sluyQQb7M4YmiqsYpvtOy/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lquQHHvTBKVWHRgi3oz2YP14QMeLSa7-xGXiEBpVzabgDOF1tmT_GZ5kTtNF5AqXmP1ZF7moLLfU7suJ8_3Lm-rvtV3MeWzeK56VZVSjNKakZw0sluyQQb7M4YmiqsYpvtOy/s640/IMG_8987.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I think he's loving Southern Illinois. :)</div>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-38171867246638203262012-07-19T15:33:00.004-07:002012-07-19T15:43:48.003-07:00A Very Pinteresting Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Life since March has left me feeling quite a bit like Dorothy. And No not clicking her sparkly red shoes. </div>
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I feel like I have been on a 4 month ride inside a tornado and have landed in a strange new place. I've wanted to blog about whats happened so much more, but honestly, it's hard to know where to start. </div>
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<b>So I decided to start with today. What happened today.</b> And it had a lot to do with my most favorite site, Pinterest. If I was stuck on a desert island and could only have one social media, I would choose you, Pinterest. :)</div>
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What happened today was that I got up and cut a banana into banana coins, as we call them. I gave the kids 3 small bowls, one of chocolate chips, one of dried cranberries and one of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. I asked them to "decorate" their bananas. Another one of our sayings that started when Luke said he wanted to "decorate" his baked potato. Anyway, you know your son "gets you" when he says, <b>"hey mom, you should take a picture of this and put it on Pinterest."</b> Just gave me a big smile. That and the fact that he ate every bite! </div>
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Then today Kami and I decided to try a fun recipe off Pinterest. We prepared white cake batter, separated it into 5 bowls and added neon food coloring. Then we had a little fun and plopped in different colors of cake batter into the muffin tin. <br />
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We used almost every drop of the batter and licked a little of it too. It did NOT have a bitter food coloring taste like I was afraid it would.<br />
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A little dollop of icing and some bright sprinkles later, and we had created some great cupcakes that Kamryn took to a swim party. And she said every crumb and sprinkle were eaten. </div>
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Also, Ellie and Luke and I went to a different swim party this afternoon and I pulled out an old Pinterest favorite for this one. We assembled banana coins, peanut butter and vanilla wafers and rolled the whole thing in more sprinkles for a fun kid-friendly treat. <br />
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Speaking of the swim party, this is where I about had a Pinterest Heart Attack. My new friend Mandy Rose, who I actually got connected with before moving to Carterville, graciously asked us over for a little swim together. <br />
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Her house is very pinteresting (forgive me for using that again, but IT IS!) Click on her <a href="http://houseofroseblog.com/home-tour/">home tour</a> from her <a href="http://houseofroseblog.com/home-tour/">blog</a> to see what I'm talking about. It's gorgeous! And great inspiration for me as I work on our new house! <br />
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Speaking of that, everyone keeps asking me to post pics, and I'll do that soon! It's a great house and the whole family loves it.... we are getting used to it, but for now, I'll be honest:<br />
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There's no place like home.@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-7030439331716865612012-06-26T09:23:00.004-07:002012-06-26T09:39:53.277-07:00Choose Your Blog Post TitleI have thought on today's post for a long time and have considered several different post titles....<br />
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Watch Out Carterville, Illinois.... Here We Come! </div>
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Stepping Forward in Faith</div>
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A New Life in Illinois</div>
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This Is How Much I Love My Husband<br />
Thank you Barry Hinson</div>
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The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives</div>
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There's No Place Like (Okla) Homa.</div>
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Moving is Hard</div>
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Moving Sucks</div>
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Warning: Don't Marry a Coach</div>
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I Have No Friends</div>
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I Have No Friends and Neither Do My Kids</div>
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I Have No Friends and Neither Do My Kids and They Are Driving Me Crazy</div>
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:) But seriously, couldn't it be any of those titles? I could use any of those titles accurately - each one has a story to tell. </div>
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It all depends on attitude. </div>
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And as for me, I will tell you early on my attitude record wasn't been so good. But God has given me the ability to choose and continue to choose towards the top of that list. Some days I will most certainly <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">feel</span></b> low on the list... </div>
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maybe lower than I've gone here. Questioning God. Lonely. Confused. </div>
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But I know that attitude, like love, is not always a <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">feeling</span>.</b></div>
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<b> It is a choice to say that God is with us. He is guiding us. He loves us and has the perfect timing and plan for our family. He wants to use us and work in our hearts. And if that is in Illinois, then so be it!!! God has never let me down. I give Him praise for His awesomeness and complete control of every detail of this universe. His ways are higher than mine. And THANK YOU LORD. I am looking forward to what You have in store for the Hankins family and am so grateful for everything.</b></div>
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And maybe now, I have found my blog post tile: </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">I Am So Grateful!!!</span></div>
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<br /></div>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-23481100957422028662012-04-28T09:53:00.000-07:002012-04-28T11:40:47.157-07:00Metta World Peace and Cuba Gooding Jr.Oddly, the last few days I've had these two men running through my head.<br />
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You may think it's strange, and so do I. But I do have reasons.<br />
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I can kind of identify with Metta World Peace. I am trying to hold together an image of who I am and who I claim to be , but inside I just feel like violently elbowing someone to soothe my frustration. Pray for World Peace. And for me. We are really no different. And try not to judge us.<br />
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I am also reminded of Cuba Gooding Jr. I could be wrong about my movie reference here, because I'm not the kind of girl who remembers much about movies. But I do recall a stunning and powerful scene in which I think Cuba starred that I watched years ago. I think it was called <u>Man of Honor</u> and in it, there was a man who was called upon to do a job. That job was to save the ship by swimming down to shut a hatch or something to that effect. Anyway the powerful part was that this man knew that he would not make it out alive - that he would be sacrificing everything he had to do the right thing. And agonized, he dove in. Nothing in him WANTED to make that choice. <br />
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That's how I feel about moving. There is not a shred of my being, my heart, my soul, my body that wants to make this move. Except that I know it's the right thing for my husband. So I am diving in...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMIuKhLBulc6K1IFjJlbF4zNgiM9E3uVlgHMYaae76pD-K57Mfgy_rGbNnxNc3ExefXkLyAYJWYE-tHcSX4KUKatzNYo_C8mj7PnWoIdHoaXu89gh1V5g8MMOD4EhT7STI6fu/s1600/cuba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxMIuKhLBulc6K1IFjJlbF4zNgiM9E3uVlgHMYaae76pD-K57Mfgy_rGbNnxNc3ExefXkLyAYJWYE-tHcSX4KUKatzNYo_C8mj7PnWoIdHoaXu89gh1V5g8MMOD4EhT7STI6fu/s400/cuba.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will fare much better than that character. This was just a character.... I am living a real life under a real God who will guide us and show us his unfathomable grace and favor. He will do more than we ask or imagine. He will carry us when we are sad and show us the way. <br />
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Today, I read this verse (from The Message):<br />
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Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple. Luke 14:33<br />
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I am willing, Lord.<br />
Pray for peace.<br />
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<br />@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-25844315853115402382012-04-24T07:38:00.003-07:002012-04-24T18:53:56.608-07:00StrongerLet's just be honest here... my life lately has featured all flavors of meltdowns.<br />
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There's the<br />
HomeAloneMeltdown<br />
WalkingAtTheParkMeltdown<br />
MeltdownWithFriends<br />
FrontDrivewayMeltdown<br />
and MeltdownWhileDriving<br />
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I've even had the CallAFriendWhileSobbingAndScreamingMeltdown. Not pretty.<br />
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It is something that frankly I am terribly embarrassed of. It seems like I am taking this move kicking and screaming. My friend told me yesterday when another one of her friends had to move away to Ohio, she simply didn't answer the door when the movers came. Just couldn't. That's how I feel too. I. Just. Don't. Want. To. Leave. I. Just. Don't. Want. To. Leave.I. Just. Don't. Want. To. Leave. And the emotion is exhausting. <br />
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Last week, after a TalkingOnThePhoneMeltdown, I came in the house to find Kami doing her homework. Plugging away. I said to her, "Kami how are you doing this? How are you so strong?" And she looked me in the eye and said, <br />
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"I want the best for my dad." <br />
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That was it. <br />
7 simple words .<br />
And faith like a child.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oQCByFP34XxIRO_LWqE1U07hl7b73xvZEXUPKV6SZxTEQNMNtimvTAG-437A9r-Bq8NM0Xt994rGc1CZlnxLgH-x0JS8OOd8otWagBJU78FtxdP_tY1463EC46yVaTqAZ1ql/s1600/IMG_3685.PNG" 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/AVvXsEj5oQCByFP34XxIRO_LWqE1U07hl7b73xvZEXUPKV6SZxTEQNMNtimvTAG-437A9r-Bq8NM0Xt994rGc1CZlnxLgH-x0JS8OOd8otWagBJU78FtxdP_tY1463EC46yVaTqAZ1ql/s320/IMG_3685.PNG" width="213" /></a></div>
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Pray I can be stronger.@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-62863081567850492222012-04-22T21:18:00.000-07:002015-01-01T12:16:36.869-08:00The True Road To Somewhere<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the last 2 weeks...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZMe2HyxShLrNmfJXAvqgiKYHEG3umxjJTz3GHXBs10zT6GqVvwSrUxByaRIZjCfxbUkWgMpA19yCKjd5juYOUksh3vDXBbSGz94uI6YV3okdBYs0J08uvZ_o_sRlRomhkE-p/s1600/siu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVZMe2HyxShLrNmfJXAvqgiKYHEG3umxjJTz3GHXBs10zT6GqVvwSrUxByaRIZjCfxbUkWgMpA19yCKjd5juYOUksh3vDXBbSGz94uI6YV3okdBYs0J08uvZ_o_sRlRomhkE-p/s640/siu.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">we flew on a lear jet...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNUS2N7cGnA7mwbcMl7p6yTH7aEOAyTGdCoBos3i-GhGu9P2YxjItkjZe_SNTCjeHyBxlGfE2OqVYUB2GkJabw5m65x8__VOO_e6S2iVyTI2NUUkG8SeIa7jTmoR24W6VOZ5G/s1600/siu+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNUS2N7cGnA7mwbcMl7p6yTH7aEOAyTGdCoBos3i-GhGu9P2YxjItkjZe_SNTCjeHyBxlGfE2OqVYUB2GkJabw5m65x8__VOO_e6S2iVyTI2NUUkG8SeIa7jTmoR24W6VOZ5G/s640/siu+3.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">went from being eagles to salukis</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQRtSBVIoEPSY_pl340BbgC4PAzVjWwLLzBrRX2EodfOpftRzltPmKRqiekb0fd1JhcXwK6jwoxScXXQHSqx0a6_02yXVZ3FpS_gcQYSlRbuS5hgQSswH0htGvnNwG1AeMyfn/s1600/siu+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQRtSBVIoEPSY_pl340BbgC4PAzVjWwLLzBrRX2EodfOpftRzltPmKRqiekb0fd1JhcXwK6jwoxScXXQHSqx0a6_02yXVZ3FpS_gcQYSlRbuS5hgQSswH0htGvnNwG1AeMyfn/s640/siu+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">gained a football team</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFxpcBH0MbloZ8uCW3aQfeHTQcczBYekGAoTE48zQQ117V-Fby_vNOvvG0ykgAleDDNPoLiuzPDBVqWG4pGhYbmL5uW70Q1zrchyKWymi2v67pn9-5qzJnlgXgkna68otMv8h/s1600/siu+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKFxpcBH0MbloZ8uCW3aQfeHTQcczBYekGAoTE48zQQ117V-Fby_vNOvvG0ykgAleDDNPoLiuzPDBVqWG4pGhYbmL5uW70Q1zrchyKWymi2v67pn9-5qzJnlgXgkna68otMv8h/s640/siu+2.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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became "Under Armour" people </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGsGpiTC8x3wLswYDFXfIVsvwP4cwthToOiuEprKGBf7SBMF-EOGiPu1fJs6IpZcsM3iwVDxBNM_eJF7LCjoJMnWalgOyq8Rc74MRqgPXr9Xpm3SMbUg_6tmZWipFjwhPjwNK/s1600/siu+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGsGpiTC8x3wLswYDFXfIVsvwP4cwthToOiuEprKGBf7SBMF-EOGiPu1fJs6IpZcsM3iwVDxBNM_eJF7LCjoJMnWalgOyq8Rc74MRqgPXr9Xpm3SMbUg_6tmZWipFjwhPjwNK/s640/siu+7.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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and found a probable new high school in a town of five thousand</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m-xAJas8jhYIPLmYUYUsoBEiiOd1n2GNN6rCy-8peWpNGuYKmGkKRfqn5JG3Wua65aHQUEmURA4AKA0OQ_uALZ_gywCs3ScRVpDWxln7zF9FkcHoHb7WIkfCZNV9pgNKd1GI/s1600/siu+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-m-xAJas8jhYIPLmYUYUsoBEiiOd1n2GNN6rCy-8peWpNGuYKmGkKRfqn5JG3Wua65aHQUEmURA4AKA0OQ_uALZ_gywCs3ScRVpDWxln7zF9FkcHoHb7WIkfCZNV9pgNKd1GI/s640/siu+6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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this is kind of how I feel when I wake up each morning</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDQAF9WJ-LmpE0KlR06FZEKTyhIRzM4Gh5PnBaPr9GuaU98kRS40BWr_aZcVGSHL4tM6Nhg_SyH5v8YXITrixMj1bHRg9M5aiHL_bN7E8l5ai0aetO9B6sjI3i875rfHlvY8f/s1600/luke+j.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDQAF9WJ-LmpE0KlR06FZEKTyhIRzM4Gh5PnBaPr9GuaU98kRS40BWr_aZcVGSHL4tM6Nhg_SyH5v8YXITrixMj1bHRg9M5aiHL_bN7E8l5ai0aetO9B6sjI3i875rfHlvY8f/s640/luke+j.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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or actually kind of like this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV3J2h6tX_wG6WZ3JBIrct7CD2q_4EvIh8q1z54abhGGSzXsJvjjieB-pwidp_wvS5i6r5gmz0UJ0xf9YWwoAMmN9VSQAKu55yeBDMG4zXqVRabDooD0jo5b_h4xrDUeLFLIE/s1600/luke+champion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV3J2h6tX_wG6WZ3JBIrct7CD2q_4EvIh8q1z54abhGGSzXsJvjjieB-pwidp_wvS5i6r5gmz0UJ0xf9YWwoAMmN9VSQAKu55yeBDMG4zXqVRabDooD0jo5b_h4xrDUeLFLIE/s640/luke+champion.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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even though I really should feel like this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3wXEsIdidexVOzOwbeT5lynwCBW5PZUWsrGz0c1AdK6ZBlKaL4dRcq2G9F2ulHGqKubzE70p7k2-OCGdIeDQVeOczmAPdlpgLMcEjIutdBBwfVNY3_FpqtDR2apjGEq5-_rZ/s1600/scripture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3wXEsIdidexVOzOwbeT5lynwCBW5PZUWsrGz0c1AdK6ZBlKaL4dRcq2G9F2ulHGqKubzE70p7k2-OCGdIeDQVeOczmAPdlpgLMcEjIutdBBwfVNY3_FpqtDR2apjGEq5-_rZ/s640/scripture.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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because I believe this!</div>
@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-83425773478248764822012-04-17T10:18:00.006-07:002012-04-17T10:57:35.292-07:00Feels Like I'm Leaving Eden<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Ok. Maybe I'm overemotional. That's a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">given.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">But as I sit and face the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">new life</span> that awaits us in Carbondale, Illinois, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">new</span> and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">exciting</span> job for Tom, associate head coach at Southern Illinois University with Barry Hinson....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">thank you</span> Barry for believing in my husband)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">I just <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">cannot</span> part with the old. It seems like the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">hardest thing </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia;font-size:medium;">I've ever had to do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Say <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">goodbye</span> to family and friends and schools and churches and jobs our home and the </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">only place our kids have ever known. Say goodbye to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">LOVE</span>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Do I really have to do this <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">Lord</span>? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Little images float through my mind, tiny scenes from the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">past</span>.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Every moment that <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">matters</span> has been here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. How do I pick up and leave that behind? Why would you want me to? And a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;">prayer</span> comes to my soul....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Father, Grant me the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">strength</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> to do what I never wanted to. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Help us to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">shine</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> your name wherever we go. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">Be </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">near</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> to us oh God as we make more changes </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">than we ever really </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">thought</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> we would have to make. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">Orchestrate </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">each and every detail! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">May we be a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">blessing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> to Southern Illinois University... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">and God... have </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">mercy</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"> on me in my sadness... </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">turn it to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">gladness</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">, for my husband, </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;">for my children and for a new </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">faith-filled</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;"> adventure.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><i>Oh Lord.... it does feel like I'm leaving Eden. </i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;"><i>Feels like I'm leaving Eden<br />Feels like I'm leaving Eden, oh<br />It's like I'm further away with every step I take<br />And I can't go back 'cause I'm leaving Eden</i></span></div>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-69316030156189700562012-01-30T04:42:00.000-08:002012-01-30T04:48:53.665-08:00Intensity<div style="text-align: center;">Life has been ultra intense for the last many months. But it sure feels right when at the end of the game, you have more points on your scoreboard. I haven't forgotten about my blog. I miss my blog. But there is a season for all things, and this is one for intense focus on other things.</div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6788980533/" title="IMG_5830 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7151/6788980533_7d0c862aba_b.jpg" width="1024" height="669" alt="IMG_5830" /></a>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-28811525003454011032011-10-15T09:19:00.000-07:002011-10-16T09:48:19.453-07:00What Saturdays in October Mean<div style="text-align: right;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6250473368/" title="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 11 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6250473368_52d09feb51_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 11" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6249943559/" title="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 9 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6249943559_716b0eb854_b.jpg" width="683" height="1024" alt="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 9" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6249943891/" title="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 12 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6019/6249943891_da16e69180_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 12" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6249944505/" title="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 15 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6249944505_77ff078873_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 15" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;">GO JENKS MAROON!!!</span></div><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6249944689/" title="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 16 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6178/6249944689_d22c558141_b.jpg" width="1024" height="315" alt="edit jenks maroon vs skiatook 16" /></a>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-50307769451228639242011-09-26T21:21:00.000-07:002011-09-26T21:40:22.309-07:00Is a Mama Allowed to Brag?No, you say? No braggin allowed? It's not God's way? Ok, well, then I won't tell you that in Kami's 3rd XC meet, (DON'T READ THIS>) she finished 5th of 162 girls!!! Nope, I'm keeping that one all to myself. I warned you!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656890407910050194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBHD8jmc7RRQJqJIHUfwF5eKYJQZTeRXc5zfU6xq5B16R5bjjPB6fEJ6KCYg1sSm0MdygafQmB-z26DID9zZYdGGfA-LvkSgu7xbHnfjZn98htdDdo_ji61-dd4O2B-Vm1d25/s400/edit+XC+016.jpg" border="0" />I also won't tell you Kami is fitting right in her new school, new surroundings, like a runner's foot in a cross country shoe. Naaaaa, you don't need to know that.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1E9i2SFjkKPqwe4URt1rb0Pj97MFAJaxdzH9aR2smyMGIjknpZ6XZwezgt9aVqBXsaS9KYinu8Cq7S1NMX0YPCs8EQcera2VibqFl-0HGLF4LQjj6Oo19fu9bcB_OwFJTh__/s1600/XC+027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656890431233581602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW1E9i2SFjkKPqwe4URt1rb0Pj97MFAJaxdzH9aR2smyMGIjknpZ6XZwezgt9aVqBXsaS9KYinu8Cq7S1NMX0YPCs8EQcera2VibqFl-0HGLF4LQjj6Oo19fu9bcB_OwFJTh__/s400/XC+027.JPG" border="0" /></a>And most certainly, I cannot say that Kami's XC Middle School Girls' Team WON THEIR ENTIRE DIVISION! (Watch out Trojan fans, may not want to read any further>) Beating Jenks, Union and Broken Arrow! Way to go Patriots! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656890419149565106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7bT0RiEUI_xj5xJ_sC1he_JYe4OMb9DcdxkibqKC7tFjKjh-7Tx-UvU8auiKy6UcrSfuvAnEPWyq5UejQHBBSj6DfNxpQiDQq7dgbRDhYa1FXS5Gp23CmSVPhMDxVoR4ZIGzG/s400/XC+047.JPG" border="0" />Should I say that I am becoming more and more at peace with how God has led Kami to her new school, her new friends, her new teammates? Should I say that this is definitely the right decision for her? Maybe I'm not quite ready for that but growing closer by the day.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656890409409172562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM47iK_XsrbSZ7gpDfaxvsli2gYeDGLTyzqB-KQtZ8q1HR_O7t4r0RONFBOyi_j9PnxlyRbwdImHrn4iLJW0qvX4nFyHtULceE8k9qjW9mhxePm11TgTPQrlFYvZ9jG3uaCE7W/s400/XC+023.JPG" border="0" /> And finally, should i give God the glory for each and every one of my little braggin' moments, (every good and perfect gift is from above) worship Him for my moments of peace and thankfulness and just fall on my knees in dependence on Him for each and every moment? <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656890425906623394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6FSQNUsgZ0MGnXAEIpDghiYxeMsD7Vxj_s62-qU4X2tsSHNHryPJnz15yv7jDfeJIyRoHYugwFLbYSFKO6_15VhGw3vv6sEQ63zypwN-oiABItoNIkG49oXCswHlURO6oISAd/s400/XC+021.JPG" border="0" />Yep, I think I'll do that.<br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">To God be the glory great things He has done. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear his voice, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice!</span></strong>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-51230537620745160012011-09-24T20:51:00.000-07:002011-09-24T21:15:41.978-07:00Shameless Rivalry<span style="font-size:180%;">Jenks vs. Union</span> is one of the most<span style="font-size:180%;"> fierce rivalries</span> around these parts. And that includes third grade football. Today, Jenks Maroon went <span style="font-size:180%;">head to head</span> with Union Black.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6179613495/" title="jenks maroon vs union black 8 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6170/6179613495_d86aaf69d2_z.jpg" alt="jenks maroon vs union black 8" height="427" width="640" /></a><br /></div><br />Luke is playing up (he is in 2nd grade) and landed on an <span style="font-size:180%;">awesome</span> team!<br /><span style="font-size:180%;">JENKS MAROON ROCKS!</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6179613459/" title="jenks maroon vs union black by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6180/6179613459_e50a9f8442_z.jpg" alt="jenks maroon vs union black" height="640" width="426" /></a><br /></div><br />Luke carrying the ball! Go <span style="font-size:180%;">Luke James</span>!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6179613527/" title="jenks maroon vs union black 11 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6151/6179613527_4b0e3423d3_z.jpg" alt="jenks maroon vs union black 11" height="640" width="427" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">VICTORY!!!</span> Shut out!!! I won't lie, it feels fantastic to <span style="font-size:180%;">beat Union</span>!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6180140276/" title="jenks maroon vs union black 14 by fivehanks, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6161/6180140276_aa5cc7ef95_z.jpg" alt="jenks maroon vs union black 14" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-9481923250516059312011-09-23T02:53:00.000-07:002011-09-23T03:34:55.864-07:00Magnificent Manhattan<p align="center"><a title="edit ny 6 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6174391693/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 6 " src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6169/6174391693_6c8d9ddb3c_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 20 txt by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6174391705/"><img height="427" alt="edit ny 20 txt" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6166/6174391705_31f782d1e3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 21 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6174391707/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 21" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6174/6174391707_807b2af112_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 8 txt by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6174391697/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 8 txt" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6174391697_dc449df9f6_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 25 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6174391709/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 25" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6174391709_1aa077bbd3_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 24 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6174391711/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 24" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6155/6174391711_2cd65a5c4e_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 22 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6174920120/"><img height="426" alt="edit ny 22" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6165/6174920120_705571a6ef_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-37662571319443209762011-09-14T21:31:00.000-07:002011-09-14T23:01:09.529-07:00Riding on the Top of a Double Decker Tour Bus...in Manhattan.....<br /><br /><a title="edit new york 11 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6149424386/"><img height="427" alt="edit new york 11" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6071/6149424386_3a5e2d7ac0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p>one sees all sorts of things...<br /><br /><p align="left"><a title="edit new york 9 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6149424130/"><img height="640" alt="edit new york 9" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6162/6149424130_e2e984ca04_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p>the Flatiron building.... always an eyecatcher....<br /><br /><div align="left"><a title="edit ny 7 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6148873445/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 7 " src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6204/6148873445_ba5e1d38e5_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="left">Stop lights (or go lights) whiz inches away from the head....<br /><a title="edit new york 10 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6149424300/"><img height="640" alt="edit new york 10" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6163/6149424300_7fbf45291b_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><br /><br />and buildings that fade into clouds....<br /><br /><a title="edit new york 13 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6149439180/"><img height="640" alt="edit new york 13" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6149439180_0d65e05348_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br />the random Sponge Bob on the square....<br /><br /><a title="edit new york 14 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6149439258/"><img height="426" alt="edit new york 14" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6157/6149439258_24a81ceb45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />a ride of interesting sights everywhere....<br /><br /><a title="edit new york 12 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6148888517/"><img height="426" alt="edit new york 12" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6148888517_ff8db0df1b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-76208953823563254762011-09-13T20:37:00.000-07:002011-09-14T03:57:15.853-07:00BrownstoneI have hundreds of new pictures just begging to be published, but I decided, just like my life (one hour at a time), I'm going to post, one slice of an event at a time.<br /><br />Last weekend, Kami and I and mom and dad traveled to New York for Kami's 13th birthday. Yes, New York City!!! Specifically, we stayed in Brooklyn, NY at my cousin Kristina's very authentic and lovely brownstone apartment (built in late 1800's; worth 1.5 million - rent, no telling how high). I've been to NY twice before, but both times I stayed in very cushy, comfy, lap-of-luxury hotels.<br /><br />So I was kind of wondering (dreading) about how it was going to be with 7 large people in one small apartment. It couldn't have been better. Not only are those brownstones amazingly quaint, but Kristina has a knack of making things in her apartment feel "happy" as she puts it. I just wanted to share this sweet spot... Kristina and Gael (the dashing Frenchman), we loved every minute... thanks for hosting. :)<br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 4 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6146207960/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 4" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6146207960_394340e6be_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 1 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6146207642/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 1" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6073/6146207642_eda1bac18b_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 2 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6145657873/"><img height="427" alt="edit ny 2" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6145657873_edca4c4678_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 3 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6145657963/"><img height="427" alt="edit ny 3" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6145657963_105896df6f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit ny 5 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6145658113/"><img height="640" alt="edit ny 5" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6145658113_d4bb344947_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><br /><p align="center">More NY to come....</p>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-64161848917032815392011-09-11T20:22:00.001-07:002011-09-14T03:54:23.881-07:00RunningLife has been fast and furious for our family lately.<br />We've been putting in some serious miles and navigating some new terrain.<br /><br />What am I referring to specifically?<br />Thanks for asking!<br />Well, let me tell ya....<br /><br />In May, I decided to pursue a particular full time job. Just one little thing, I needed to take 12 hours in one summer to be properly certified. So, with my family's support, I buried myself in a pile of books, tests and papers and completed the necessary requirments (all A's I must add - to God be the glory. With all sincerity, I say it was God and God alone who orchestrated this opportunity and made it possible for me to complete it). In late July, the job was mine and I had a few short days to ready my classroom and prepare my mind to teach 5th grade Language Arts.<br />Besides the fact that Ellie and Luke both moved schools within our district, in June, we also made the decision to transfer Kami Rae to a private school. Putting your child in a private school is like a mini-marathon in itself.... exciting yet demanding.... all new friends, procedures, uniforms, expectations, and I could go on and on. Hard stuff, but good stuff. Kinda like a good, long, run down Riverside. Along with taking on a new school, Kami decided to take on a new sport, cross country. She started in July, running in 100+ degree weather at noon. It was brutal. Just driving over there in the heat (some days were over 110!) was horrendously hot, but running in it? Half-way crazy.<br /><br />But that's how it's been around here since May. A little crazy. A little heavy. A little tough. And a lot blessed. I really love my job... demanding as though it is. Ellie and Luke are adjusting well. Metro Christian Academy is a good fit for Kami, and the running.... well, the running has been amazing.... here is Kami in her second cross country meet.<br /><br /><a title="DSC_0736 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/6138639543/"><img height="425" alt="DSC_0736" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6183/6138639543_50b8c67c65_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />But first let me tell you about her first meet a couple weekends ago. None of us had even been to a XC meet before, much less run in one. So our expectations were low but hearts were pounding as we watched our baby run around the corner towards the finish line in third place! And then in the meet above, she triumphed in a close second place, despite a week of sickness and not regular practice. Wowzers! Go Kami Rae!<br /><br />Even though the feeling of running is raw, exhausting - every cell of your body seems to be in use - it is always an exhilirating feeling afterward. And that is what I keep coming back to... as our family runs together, I pray Hebrews 12: 1-2....."Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. <strong>And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us</strong>, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-54423517679688487752011-08-21T15:09:00.000-07:002011-08-22T04:57:16.523-07:00100<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwqlPsprZE2dSCeATk8WPn-ZsD10iwzQIvYHUppipHWUF6EIskvnXlZ6geDiHYndIu0FcXWfh5tPGyk4IJVRSUnVhvLcYGDbdMbwgspiFJkiAi43silKxXIwcxwvUGRY_Movu/s1600/March+2010+easter+at+granny%2527s+036.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643455438074478722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCwqlPsprZE2dSCeATk8WPn-ZsD10iwzQIvYHUppipHWUF6EIskvnXlZ6geDiHYndIu0FcXWfh5tPGyk4IJVRSUnVhvLcYGDbdMbwgspiFJkiAi43silKxXIwcxwvUGRY_Movu/s400/March+2010+easter+at+granny%2527s+036.JPG" border="0" /></a> On my Granny Ida's 100th birthday, 100 ways I can be more like her.
<br />(I sure do miss you Gran!)
<br />
<br />1. Everytime someone walks in my door, give them something to eat or drink.
<br />2. Laugh at myself.
<br />3. Remember every one of my loved ones' birthdays. Every year.
<br />4. Make everyone I know feel like they are the most special person in the world, because they are.
<br />5. Play dominos with friends and family at my kitchen table.
<br />6. Put my hope in the Lord.
<br />7. Age gracefully.
<br />8. Feed the birds.
<br />9. Practice what the said was her mission in life: "I was put on this earth to take care of others."
<br />10. Love my neighbor as myself.
<br />11. Pray in the day, pray in the night.
<br />12. Pray Psalm 91 for those I love.
<br />13. Take pictures of everyone, lots of pictures.
<br />14. Eat small portions.
<br />15. Never say a negative word about anyone.
<br />16. Focus more on making my home welcoming than making it perfect.
<br />17. Allow kids to make mudpies in my backyard.
<br />18. Keep my promises.
<br />19. Love unconditionally; love the unlovable.
<br />20. Crack jokes just to lighten the mood.
<br />21. Even through the toughest of times, believe that God is near.
<br />22. Make my bed everyday.
<br />23. Plant a garden.
<br />24. Learn to make a sumptious pot of brown beans.
<br />25. Live by old fashioned values.
<br />26. Hold on to stories from my past and share them with others.
<br />27. Each and every day of my life, look at is as a day that the Lord may return.
<br />28. Fill my house with pictures of loved ones.
<br />29. Fill my heart with the word of God.
<br />30. God first, with family a close second.
<br />31. Be the magnet that pulls my family together.
<br />32. Plant flowers from seed.
<br />33. Delight in God's creation.
<br />34. Flash my smile.
<br />35. Laugh with those who laugh.
<br />36. Weep with those who weep.
<br />37. Let there never be a number of people that is too great to come into my house.
<br />38. Be humble.
<br />39. Trust in the Lord with all my heart.
<br />40. Make my house a really fun place for kids to be.
<br />41. Say "I love you" often and with tenderness.
<br />42. Bless the name of Jesus.
<br />43. Hem people's clothes for them and make quilts to keep people warm.
<br />44. Never, ever complain.
<br />45. Have an open door.
<br />46. Don't get upset when things get broken.
<br />47. Never be too busy for friends and family.
<br />48. Take care of an abandoned animal that needs some TLC.
<br />49. Go to church on Sundays.
<br />50. Tithe.
<br />51. Never get tired of serving.
<br />52. Be thankful for what I have, don't covet what others have and be content with my lot in life.
<br />53. Drink milk.
<br />54. Perpetuate tradition.
<br />55. Put things on my head just to make others laugh.
<br />56. Work with my hands and love with my heart.
<br />57. Let bitterness have absolutely NO place in my life.
<br />58. Be joyful in all things.
<br />59. Recognize the great things that God has done for me and be grateful.
<br />60. Never think I'm too good for anyone.
<br />61. Give to those in need, even when I don't have much.
<br />62. Give my loved ones memorable nicknames.
<br />63. Radiate peace.
<br />64. Think about heaven far more than I do about earth.
<br />65. If you are my friend, you may as well be family.
<br />66. Find the humor in life and don't let go of it.
<br />67. Never say an unkind word to my spouse.
<br />68. Live with the belief that <em>to live is to die and to die is gain.</em>
<br />69. Love and sing old hymns, loudly. Even when my hearing goes. Let it rip!
<br />70. Call loved ones on their birthdays and leave them long messages.
<br />71. Sing until I can sing no more.
<br />72. Teach my kids and grandkids to sew and cook.
<br />73. Treat every possession with great care.
<br />74. Wash dishes by hand.
<br />75. Don't forget to water my indoor plants.
<br />76. Be a cheerful housekeeper.
<br />77. Be obedient to God's call and never, ever, feel sorry for myself.
<br />78. When in doubt, bake a cake.
<br />79. When people think they are coming to encourage me, encourage them more.
<br />80. Don't get caught up in the cares of this world.
<br />81. See Jesus in others.
<br />82. Love, love, love the little children.
<br />83. Support my pastor.
<br />84. Live by the words of "How Great Thou Art."
<br />85. Work tirelessly.
<br />86. Even in loss, bless the name of God.
<br />87. Say "hey Lord! I can't make it through this day without ya!"
<br />88. Shine your faith to everyone you know.
<br />89. Epitomize inner beauty.
<br />90. Have mercy on others.
<br />91. Have NO FEAR. Of anything, for God is watching over me.
<br />92. Accept the jobs that God has given me.
<br />93. Humor is the best medicine.
<br />94. Feed the masses.
<br />95. Give thanks, 24/7.
<br />96. Worship the Lord with my life.
<br />97. When hurting, just say... "joy and peace."
<br />98. Embrace each and every day on earth, but look forward to heaven.
<br />99. Make the years count.
<br />100. Live to be a healthy and vibrant 99 years.@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32802199.post-55733655443342441122011-07-05T04:42:00.000-07:002011-07-05T05:46:10.634-07:00Another FAB FourthTraditions are hard to beat, and being with family for the Fourth of July at Southern Hills is definitely a FAB tradition. We have gone out there with my sister since the kids were babies and haven't missed a year. The Hankins children have become deluded that WE are the members at Southern Hills. LOL, that is not the case. However, we are grateful for generous family members and FABULOUS nights like this one. Celebrating Independence!<br /><br /><p align="center"><a title="edit kami luke by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5904094330/"><img height="640" alt="edit kami luke" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/5904094330_fb7102c5df_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></p><br /><br /><div align="center"><a title="edit 4th by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5904092926/"><img height="426" alt="edit 4th" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5280/5904092926_958b06bb7f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit fam by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5904093826/"><img height="427" alt="edit fam" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6046/5904093826_3e0ff9167f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit mom and dad by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5903534279/"><img height="426" alt="edit mom and dad" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5903534279_6fd1b17085_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit ellie and hallie by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5903535327/"><img height="427" alt="edit ellie and hallie" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/5903535327_e8ed4c1065_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit girls by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5903534383/"><img height="640" alt="edit girls" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5151/5903534383_106825845d_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit luke and lauren by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5904093230/"><img height="640" alt="edit luke and lauren" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/5904093230_01833d38af_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit sisters 2 by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5903534515/"><img height="427" alt="edit sisters 2" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5318/5903534515_5790bcc437_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit jumping by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5903535263/"><img height="640" alt="edit jumping" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5116/5903535263_507e98c2de_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit firewords by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5903534907/"><img height="640" alt="edit firewords" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6058/5903534907_73a5a10b85_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit girlys by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5904093956/"><img height="427" alt="edit girlys" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5231/5904093956_8b5b2821ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><a title="edit 4th of july by fivehanks, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fivehanks/5904093454/"><img height="426" alt="edit 4th of july" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5904093454_49c2978d01_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>@nniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14179475629697338356noreply@blogger.com3