tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76196578939470184912024-03-12T23:21:48.280-05:00GracieI am a Wife, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Nurse, and Friend who is fearfully and wonderfully made. I live a crazy, busy, stressful, fun, and pampered life that I completely love and absolutely adore! =)Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-39518445349584025502017-10-30T11:43:00.000-05:002017-10-30T11:53:22.557-05:00Everyone has a Story.....<br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Everyone has a story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every person you meet, whether in the grocery store, the mall, in the hallway at work, at the bank, the beauty shop, your customers, clients, or patients, all have stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’ll be honest, Nurses, well, medical professionals as a whole, are notorious for forgetting about those stories.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Don’t get me wrong, it’s not on purpose, or because we don’t care.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sometimes, we’re busy. Like, really, really don’t eat, don’t sit down, pray you haven’t forgotten anything, don’t pee for a whole 12 hours busy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There are times I think we get so focused on the problem(s) at hand and take care of that problem and nothing else. Kinda like, we get tunnel vision.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Other times, I think it’s a defense mechanism. If we stick with treating the problem at hand, there will be no emotional attachments formed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Trust me when I say, there is no disrespect intended when a Patient is referred to as the Gallbladder in 820 or the Hip in 827.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’ve done it hundreds of times myself over the last 21 years of Nursing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, I was recently reminded, every person has a story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Every. Person. Has. A. Story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was beautiful outside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I showed up for my 12-hour shift.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was feeling all good about myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My uniform was on point, complete with my Danskos and cute matching socks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I remember mumbling something like, “God, you know who I'm supposed to have today,” as I was clocking in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I arrived on the Unit and was given my Patient assignment. Didn’t sound too bad other than one “hard” Patient.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I’ve got this, I thought, as the ponytail I had spent so much time on that morning swung back and forth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I went and met my “easy” Patients first.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Just as I suspected, they would, most likely, be a breeze.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I then headed to meet my “hard” Patient.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I knew from the report he was in his 80s, had recently been diagnosed with cancer, had a Trach, was sometimes difficult to understand and had Feeding Tube, which I won’t lie, I all dreaded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">***I probably should insert a disclaimer here and tell you that I am totally honest with my thoughts and feelings. That is the purpose of my Blog. You may not agree with them, or like them, but that is ok, because, again, this is my Blog. If you want to express your own thoughts and feelings, do it on your personal Blog.***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">***Oh, 2nd disclaimer, all you Medical Professionals reading this, don’t get all self-righteous on me and try to act like you have never dreaded dealing with something. Really, that could apply to any profession. If you say you haven’t, my response to that would be, lie again…..***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now, where were we?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Oh yeah, the dreaded part.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I knocked on the door and waited for permission to enter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">My “hard” patient, who had recently been diagnosed with cancer, was sitting up on the side of the bed smiling, anxiously awaiting my arrival.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He knew 7am meant shift change, and he would be getting a new Nurse.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">While I was busy, doing all of my dreading, this precious man with cancer, and a Trach, and a feeding tube had gotten up, and bathed and dressed in anticipation of meeting me, his Nurse for the day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Talk about guilt and INSTANTLY being convicted by the Holy Spirit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">That was me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I felt about 2, maybe 1 1/2 inches tall.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This gentle, sweet soul didn’t care that my uniform was pressed, that my ponytail was perfect, that I had on cute socks, or that I actually wore makeup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I introduced myself, and he invited me in and asked me about me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He wanted to know about my family, my kids, if I went to church, my hobbies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I answered him briefly, but laughed, and told him I was there to find out about him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He then said the words, “Everyone has a story, I want to hear yours.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">So, I sat down in the chair beside his bed and started from the beginning…..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I told him where I was born, where I grew up, how I asked Jesus into my heart at 7 years old during Vacation Bible School, that I loved to sing and sang in a Southern Gospel Group for several years, and now with the Praise Team at my church, where I went to school, all about my Husband, how long we’ve been married, about my 2.5 children, why I became a Nurse, about my Daddy having AML and being in remission and about my Mother being the Godly example she is and some of the struggles she has and is facing. I shared my Faith in God, and how I believed nothing happens by chance or accident and that I didn’t believe in luck. I also told him I knew it was God’s plan for me to meet him and have him as my Patient.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He grinned, almost like that, I know something you don’t know, grin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He told me he had been praying for me way before that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He said he knew his diagnosis and his prognosis, and felt, instead of focusing on what is wrong in his life, he should turn his attention to the people God places in his path because everyone has a story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I asked him his story, and he told me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was nothing like the one I had pictured and had already made up in my mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">There was nothing hard about taking care of him that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was an honor to be his Nurse and provide care that he couldn’t do for himself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Before his tube feeding, which was his only source of nutrition, he asked that we give thanks to God for his meal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He also gave thanks for every pain pill, and every drop of water administered.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">At 7pm, when my shift was over, I went to tell him not bye, but see you later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">He hugged me and cried as he thanked God for me and said he would never stop praying for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I cried, too, but it was way more of an ugly cry, and thanked God for him, and told him I would never stop praying for him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I was his Nurse for 12 hours, but, way beyond those 12 hours, he helped me so much more than anything I could have done to help him.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">See, everyone has a story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">We just have to be willing to take the time and listen.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Love you all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif;">~Gracie</span></div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-63974667050467059992016-01-31T06:00:00.000-06:002016-03-26T19:16:54.837-05:00It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Later.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My Husband's first love, my children's second Mother, Haley's cheerleader and biggest fan, Kylee's best friend and confidant, Ginger's source of advice and wisdom, Hayden's protector and nurturer, my mentor, friend, and Mother-In-Law, the Proverbs 31 Woman I was blessed to share my home, countless laughs, tears, and a lifetime of memories with for 27 years went to sleep last night and woke up where she had so longed to be, with Jesus. At 88, she lived a full, beautiful life. No doubt, our hearts are completely broken, but we rejoice knowing she is with Him and whole. 💔<br />
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Love you MUCH,<br />
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<br />Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-87551182760124483702015-11-15T17:32:00.001-06:002015-12-09T11:31:14.128-06:00Proverbs 31 Woman.....<div>Let me kinda apologize for the long post. By kinda, I mean, I am kinda sorry, but then again, it is what it is, so, I'm really not sorry. </div><div><br></div><div>As some of you may know, my Mother-in-Law has lived with us for all 27 years of our married life. </div><div><br></div><div>She is, without a doubt, the true definition of a Proverbs 31 Woman.</div><div><br></div><div>She is an amazing, Godly woman, who has a servant's heart and loves others like Jesus. </div><div><br></div><div>Well, loves others, except Alabama Football and its fans. If you fall into either of those categories, you may be out of luck. </div><div><br></div><div>Just kidding, kinda. </div><div><br></div><div>She is a die hard Auburn fan, who thinks the replays are still live play and celebrates the good and gets mad at the bad ones over and over, for as long as the network keeps replaying them. </div><div><br></div><div>There's nothing bad that can be said about her and, in all these years, we've only had one cross word. </div><div><br></div><div>One. </div><div><br></div><div>And, I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">remember it like it was yesterday. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">That was 24 years ago. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I was a brand new Mom who didn't know crap, but thought I knew it all, because I'd read all the books and been to all the different classes. I</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> wanted, and really expected everything to be done by the books. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Anyway, Haley was about 2 months old and had what seemed to be her 100th ear infection. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mawmaw, having raised 4 kids plus having numerous other grandchildren at the time, wanted to put some warm sweet oil in Haley's ear to ease her incessant pain and crying. I almost had a coronary at the mere suggestion. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">You Moms know how it is with the firstborn. By the time the 2nd, 3rd or 4th come along, you're just like, just do whatever you wanna do, I don't care what it is, I'm good with it. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She didn't put the oil in Haley's ear that night, nor, did she ever suggest it or anything else ever again </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">She didn't fuss, fight, carry on or even judge me over it. She simply let me be the Mother and went on about her way and minded her own business, though, I'm sure she was thinking to herself, what an idiot! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">When Kylee was born, 5 years later, she quit working and stayed at home to help me. She and Kylee became close, very close and now, at 19, Kylee is very quick to tell you, she and her MawMaw are best friends. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mawmaw is now 88. Her health is failing and, to be honest, she's tired. She still gets around pretty good, with the use of a cane, but has started to have some bouts of confusion. </span></div><div><br></div><div>After much prayer and consideration, it was decided the best and safest thing would be for her to move into an assisted living facility. </div><div><br></div><div>I'll just tell you, it's been hard. </div><div><br></div><div>Move in day was just awful. </div><div><br></div><div>It felt just like when we drove away from Auburn after leaving Haley. </div><div><br></div><div>Your head knows it's the right thing to do, but your heart aches. </div><div><br></div><div>We have had some that don't agree with our decision, even though it's none of their business. </div><div><br></div><div>If they would quit being selfish and think about her and her safety, they would support it 100%. </div><div><br></div><div>It has not been easy on any of her children, their spouses, or her grandchildren, especially my girls, who have grown up with their Mawmaw in the house every single day of their lives. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Being a grown-up is hard sometimes and having to parent your parent is hard, too. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Somehow, life doesn't prepare you for that role but I'm thankful that His Grace is sufficient, His Mercies are new every morning, and He will not waste the brokenness. </span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love you MUCH!</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">=],</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Gracie </span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-85433411963982895232015-10-18T20:42:00.001-05:002015-10-19T19:14:13.936-05:00Happy Sunday, Y'all.....So, I was sitting on the couch earlier on this beautiful Sunday afternoon, <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">watching a documentary on the investigation of the Boston Marathon bombing. It was a great documentary, by the way. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Hubby was outside, on the back patio, cooking an enormous amount of bacon for our bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches. They were also great, by the way. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Haley is in North Carolina for the weekend, but Hayden and Kylee were both in the house, waiting on lunch to be finished. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Something outside caught my eye. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I look up and see a stranger in our front yard, heading toward our house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stranger. Danger. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I say, "Who is that in our yard?," as I'm moving, quickly, upstairs to get my beloved Smith & Wesson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I must throw in here that I don't care what your political views on gun control are. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The only view I have, right this minute, is there's a stranger in my front yard, moving toward our house. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have a Bodyguard. I know how to use it and I'm not afraid to use it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The guy, as I'm coming downstairs, has hopped on Hayden's bicycle and is riding away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hayden, 9, starts yelling, "He's on my bike. That dude has my bike!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Kylee and Hayden and I go outside and Kylee yells at the guy to stop. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He immediately stops and comes back toward the house, walking the bike, saying, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I ask him what is he doing, to which he replies, his girlfriend/wife is at the hospital having a baby and he's trying to get there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, you steal a 9 year-olds bike?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He says, "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I'm just trying to get there."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At this point, the Hubby comes around the corner of the house, and says, "You know that's stealing, right?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The guy, which you can tell is really young, says, "Yes Sir, I know, I'm so sorry."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Long story short, he's a 19 year-old kid, who was working on a house in the next neighborhood. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He gets word somehow that his wife/girlfriend is about to have a baby, his first baby, and he has no way to get there. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He, initially, starts out on foot heading to the hospital, which is about a 15 minute drive by car, passes our house, sees the bike, and knows it will get him to his firstborn sooner than walking will. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So, in a moment of desperation, he takes the bike. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He's standing in front of us with that deer in the headlight look. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm no thief, but, if I'm in the same type situation, and say, my kids are at the hospital and I have no car or anybody that can get me there, I might do the same thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Well, I may as well take the "might" out of it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I would do the same thing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm standing there, gun in hand, debating what's gonna happen next. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hubby hands the bacon off to me and loads the kid up and drives him to the hospital. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On the way, the Hubby finds out his name, life story, and lectures him on how fortunate he is because he could have ended up in jail or even worse, dead. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He also scheduled a job interview with him on Friday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yep, you read it right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He's coming Friday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I joked and told Haley not to worry, he'll probably be at Thanksgiving Dinner and she can meet him then. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">However, since it all happened, I've wondered if he's met his son or daughter yet? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Is the baby ok?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Is Mom ok?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">How will they get home?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">See, life can change in an instant, but you can also change a life in an instant. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hopefully, today, this kid's life has been changed for the better. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hopefully, he realizes the error of his way and won't make the same mistake again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My life has changed too, knowing it could have been me on the other end of the bicycle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On a much less serious note, it's made me realize even more that my family needs a reality show, because, as I say all the time, you CAN NOT make this stuff up. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I will keep you posted on the interview and let you know how it all works out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Happy Sunday, y'all! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I hope yours has been calmer than ours. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Love you MUCH!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">=],</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Gracie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-45197458667416626012015-10-11T14:01:00.001-05:002015-10-19T19:11:59.170-05:00The Wasp Nest.....<div>
M<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">y happy place..... </span></div>
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My piece of heaven on earth.....</div>
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My get away from the world spot.....</div>
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My favorite place to be.....</div>
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The Wasp Nest</div>
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Happy Sunday!</div>
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Love you MUCH! </div>
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=],</div>
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Gracie </div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-432047305427831882015-10-10T18:32:00.001-05:002015-10-19T19:11:15.393-05:00Happy Fall, Y'all.....<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small;"></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: small;">It's been a while. </span></div>
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5 months, to be exact. </div>
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In that time, we've said both Hello and Goodbye to Summer, and Hello to Fall. </div>
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It's been a great Summer and, to be honest, I'm sad it's gone. </div>
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Don't get me wrong, I love Fall and all that it brings. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Sweatshirts, hot chocolate, football, especially, Auburn football, jeans, boots, crisp air, pumpkins, mums, beautiful leaves, and my most favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. </div>
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Yep, I love it all. </div>
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<br /></div>
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But, I will miss our river family, the boat rides, jet skiing, swimming, the dance parties, and the long Summer nights that turned into mornings.</div>
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It's funny how you can spend 6-7 months of the year with a group of people and actually, become closer to them than the people you are related to. </div>
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If you think about it, some people don't have family period and we've been blessed with family all around us, related and unrelated. </div>
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For that, I am thankful. </div>
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I hope you have a wonderful fall Saturday and spend it doing what you love, with the people you love.</div>
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We are spending ours at The Wasp Nest watching LSU vs South Carolina, and later Arkansas vs Bama. </div>
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War Eagle! </div>
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It really doesn't get much better than this. </div>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wNIhpVJBkvY/VhmhebdwgKI/AAAAAAAAS_E/0swYmhDuzAQ/s640/blogger-image-951717898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wNIhpVJBkvY/VhmhebdwgKI/AAAAAAAAS_E/0swYmhDuzAQ/s400/blogger-image-951717898.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Happy Saturday and Happy Fall, Y'all! </div>
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Love you MUCH!</div>
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=],</div>
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<br /></div>
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Gracie </div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-7140806109426760782015-05-10T14:19:00.001-05:002015-10-19T19:13:02.329-05:00Happy Mother's Day.....<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I do realize, even though Mother's Day brings me joy, it is a painful reminder to some of what can't be, what was, or what is missing from their lives. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I remember, all too well, all the Mother's Days I spent trying, without success, to get pregnant.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">It hurt. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">Deeply. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">I am blessed to still have my Mom. </span></div>
<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">She is the strongest woman I know. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can honestly say, there has </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
never been a time she didn't put me first. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If I couldn't go somewhere, she </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
suddenly didn't want to go anymore. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If there was only one piece of pie, </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
magically, she wasn't hungry anymore.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">Funny how that works, isn't it?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Through her example, I learned </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
what being a Mom was all about. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I now understand the sleepless nights, </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
pacing the floors, and worrying over, </div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
what seemed to me at the time, nothing. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand the relief hearing the car pull in the driveway brings. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand loving another person </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
more than you love yourself, and being </div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
willing to take on the devil himself for them. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand how your heart can </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
literally beat inside another's chest.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">I understand unconditional love, and love beyond measure.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand love so deep you </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
would be willing to lay down your own life. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand praying to take pain and </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
sickness away, and being willing to take it yourself. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">I love you, Mom. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There aren't enough words in the </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
English language to describe what you mean to me. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know now there were hard days </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
and hard times, yet, you never let me know it. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me so many things </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
about life and about being a woman. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not only did you teach me there were real life Princesses, you taught me it was ok to be one myself. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me I could do anything I put my mind to. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me I could be anything I wanted to be and what I always wanted to be was you. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me to love passionately and forgive freely, though, I'm still working on the forgiving freely part. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me the importance of Family. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to hug, and not be afraid of human touch. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me to say, "I love you" </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
and just how important those words really are.</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me the value of hard work, and a good name. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to be a Leader and not a follower. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me plain talk is easily understood. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to speak my mind and that my opinion is valuable. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me responsibility and accountability.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me how important it is to keep your word. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to laugh and enjoy life. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me it was ok to cry. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to adapt to change. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to take chances. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me it was ok to fail. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me it felt great to win.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me how to lose with grace and dignity. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me beauty is on the inside. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to be nice to others. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to give of myself.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me to stand up for what </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
I believe in, even if it means standing alone. </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">Above all, you taught me about Jesus and His Love. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me He has a plan for my life.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me His timing is perfect. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to pray and read my Bible. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to carry my kids to church, never send them. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to take notes in Church. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You taught me to sing. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me to never be ashamed of </span></div>
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Christ and the work He has done in my life. </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">You have taught me all this and more. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">I'm proud to call you Mom. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: -webkit-center;">I hope I can be half the Mom to my girls, you have been to me. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love you MUCH, Always & Forever!</span></div>
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=],</div>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border: 0px currentColor;" /></a></span></span></div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-8607234536652569442014-08-11T17:10:00.001-05:002015-10-19T19:13:44.823-05:00Delight and Wonder.....Sometimes, a girl just needs a day to <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">herself. </span><br />
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A day to let her body rest, but more importantly, a day to let her mind rest.</div>
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You know, get away from the world, the office, the emails, the iPhone, the grocery store, the cleaning, and all the projects you have started. </div>
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Everything. </div>
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Away from it all.....</div>
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Today has been one of those days. </div>
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I woke up, at the river, without any help from the alarm clock. </div>
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That, alone, is heaven on earth. </div>
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The Hubby was at work, Haley was at work and Kylee was at school. </div>
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That left just me, myself and I. </div>
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I sat on the dock, read a little, did my morning devotion, looked at the lesson for next week's group study, and then took the jetski out for a bit. </div>
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(My mind did have to work just a little trying to figure out how to get one jetski off the lift without letting the other one off, but that's a whole different blog post.) </div>
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Now back to this post.....</div>
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There's just something about being on the open water that gets me every time. </div>
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I can't explain it. </div>
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Today, there were no other boats or jet skis out. </div>
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The water was smooth, like glass. </div>
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It was quiet, except for the sound of my own jetski. </div>
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The wind blowing through my hair. </div>
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As I look around and see those white, puffy clouds, and an occasional bird or fish, it's like I'm 6 years old again and seeing it all for the first time. </div>
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I'm enthralled by my surroundings, His Creation. </div>
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I really am. </div>
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Enthralled..... </div>
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That's a big word for a girl such as myself from Alabama. </div>
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What exactly does it mean? </div>
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It <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">means "filled with delight and wonder."</span></div>
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I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">am, literally, enthralled. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I am filled with delight and wonder. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Every. Single. Time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">No, I can't explain it, but it is good and was much needed today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sure, I had plenty of things to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But, my body and my mind needed a day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sometimes, you just have to admit it and enjoy it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There is no where else I would rather have been today than in my little corner of His beautiful, giant world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have to confess, Mondays like this aren't too bad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Nope, not bad, at all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Love you MUCH! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">=],</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Gracie</span></div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-52285246986907556252014-07-05T21:13:00.001-05:002015-10-19T19:15:38.572-05:00Sunshine and Dynamite.....Happy Birthday, America!<br />
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Should have said that yesterday. </div>
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Well, I did, just not on here. </div>
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Judging by the arsenal of fireworks currently going off outside, our neighbors aren't finished celebrating. </div>
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I expect to hear dynamite soon. </div>
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It will make the 3rd night in a row. </div>
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No, I'm not kidding. </div>
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The first night, I was SOUND asleep when it went off. </div>
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It sounded just like it was right outside. </div>
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You wanna know why? Because it was. </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Last night, I was awake, reading, when it went off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I swear, I thought somebody had ran into our pier, or our jetskis had fallen out of the lift. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Why would one want to blow up dynamite? I have no idea. </span></div>
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Despite the dynamite, it has been a great weekend around The Nest. </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We spent America's birthday on the </span></div>
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Lots of sunshine, blue skies, and beautiful sunsets. </div>
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Last night, we rode with friends on their boat to watch our city's firework celebration. </div>
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We had a great time and the fireworks were awesome!</div>
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There's just something about being on the water, whether it's during the day or night, that makes everything better. </div>
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Watching fireworks is no different. </div>
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I'm thankful we are blessed with this treasure, called the river, in our backyard, and I am even more thankful for family and good friends to share it with. </div>
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I hope you were able to celebrate America's birthday with those you love, doing what you love, Blog Friends. </div>
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Love you MUCH,</div>
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=],</div>
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Gracie </div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-65076193250241016782014-05-09T11:39:00.001-05:002014-05-19T20:42:00.098-05:00Happy Mother's Day.....<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I do realize, even though Mother's Day brings </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">me joy, it is a painful reminder to some of what </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">can't be, what was, or what is missing from their lives. </span></span></div>
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I remember, all too well, all the Mother's Days </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I spent trying, without success, to get pregnant.</span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It hurt.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Deeply.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I am blessed to still have my Mom.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">She is the strongest woman I know. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I can honestly say, there has </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">never been a time she didn't put me first.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If I couldn't go somewhere, she </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">suddenly didn't want to go anymore.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If there was only one piece of pie, </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">magically, she wasn't hungry anymore.</span></span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Funny how that works, isn't it?</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Through her example, I learned </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">what being a Mom was all about.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I now understand the sleepless nights, </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">pacing the floors, and worrying over, </span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">what seemed to me at the time, nothing.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand the relief </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hearing the car pull in the driveway brings. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand loving another person </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">more than you love yourself, and being </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">willing to take on the devil himself for them.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I understand how your heart can </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">literally beat inside another's chest.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I understand unconditional love, and love beyond measure.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I understand love so deep you </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">would be willing to lay down your own life.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I understand praying to take pain and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">sickness away, and being willing to take it yourself. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love you, Mom.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There aren't enough words in the </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">English language to describe what you mean to me. </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know now there were hard days </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">and hard times, yet, you never let me know it.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me so many things </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">about life and about being a woman. </span></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not only did you teach me there were real life </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Princesses, you taught me it was ok to be one myself.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me I could do anything I put my mind to. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me I could be anything I wanted </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to be and what I always wanted to be was you.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You taught me to love passionately and forgive freely, </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">though, I'm still working on the forgiving freely part.</span></span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me the importance of Family.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to hug, and not be afraid of human touch.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to say, "I love you" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">and just how important those words really are.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me the value of hard work, and a good name.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to be a Leader and not a follower. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me plain talk is easily understood.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to speak my mind and that my opinion is valuable.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me responsibility and accountability.</span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me how important it is to keep your word.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to laugh and enjoy life.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me it was ok to cry.</span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to adapt to change. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to take chances.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me it was ok to fail.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me it felt great to win.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me how to lose with grace and dignity.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me beauty is on the inside.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to be nice to others.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to give of myself.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to stand up for what </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I believe in, even if it means standing alone.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Above all, you taught me about Jesus and His Love.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me He has a plan for my life.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me His timing is perfect.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to pray and read my Bible.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to carry my kids to church, never send them.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to take notes in Church. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to sing.</span> </div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You taught me to never be ashamed of </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christ and the work He has done in my life.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You have taught me all this and so much more.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I'm proud to call you Mom. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I hope I can be half the Mom to my girls, you have been to me. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love you MUCH, Always & Forever!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br /></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">=],</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.498039) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: scroll; background-image: none; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; border-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; box-shadow: 1px 1px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.498039); padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></span></a></div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-10753716764076185192014-05-03T11:50:00.001-05:002014-05-19T20:38:17.323-05:00I'm Sorry, Not Sorry.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Simply put, I am in awe of God's Creation and His Handiwork. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Like, l'm not even kidding. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sunset.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T_eUFW6FprQ/U2UzLsdV9fI/AAAAAAAACIM/uCEJU47Ru9U/s640/blogger-image--1447872718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-T_eUFW6FprQ/U2UzLsdV9fI/AAAAAAAACIM/uCEJU47Ru9U/s400/blogger-image--1447872718.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sunrise.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h9Oo_PQbvXg/U2UzOFlbI4I/AAAAAAAACIU/gBD_4KPMVfw/s640/blogger-image--668765265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h9Oo_PQbvXg/U2UzOFlbI4I/AAAAAAAACIU/gBD_4KPMVfw/s400/blogger-image--668765265.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Sky.....</span></div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NxtHUhIfJJU/U2UzEaEmIhI/AAAAAAAACHk/wNyLejdBV5M/s640/blogger-image-28460799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NxtHUhIfJJU/U2UzEaEmIhI/AAAAAAAACHk/wNyLejdBV5M/s400/blogger-image-28460799.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Clouds.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Sun.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Rain.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Water.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Flowers.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">You name it, I. Love. It. ALL. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It all goes back to having a window seat the first time I flew and seeing the world from 36,000 feet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It amazes me to think God, who made Heaven and Earth, and placed each one of those white, billowy clouds in the sky, created me and is madly in love with me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My mind can't totally comprehend that. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Combine that, with my love for taking pictures, and you have quite an obsession, I mean, passion.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It's the kind of passion that will make a girl stop in the middle of wherever she is, at any given moment, and take a picture, or two, or ten.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I can't really explain it; can't put it into words. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I think we get so use to seeing things everyday that we forget to appreciate them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We become desensitized to their beauty and splendor. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I never want to lose the wonder of His creation. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Blog Friends, I'm sorry, but not sorry, for my endless pictures.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I really can't help myself.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. ~Psalms 19:1 (NIV)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ah, Sovereign <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19749A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></span> you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19749C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></span> Nothing is too hard<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19749D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></span> for you. ~Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV) </span></div>
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</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="text Ps-139-13" id="en-NIV-16253" style="position: relative;"><div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="versenum" style="display: block; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-weight: bold; left: -4.8em; position: absolute; vertical-align: top;">13 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="text Ps-139-13" id="en-NIV-16253" style="position: relative;">For you created my inmost being; </span><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-13" style="position: relative;">you knit me together<span class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16253R" title="See cross-reference R">R</a>)"></span> in my mother’s womb. I </span></span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">praise you</span><span class="crossreference" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-16254T" title="See cross-reference T">T</a>)"></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">your works are wonderful,</span><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span><span class="text Ps-139-14" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; position: relative;">I know that full well. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-139-13" style="position: relative;">Psalms 139:13-14 (NIV)</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Have a wonderful weekend, Blog Friends! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love you MUCH!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">=],</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gracie</span></div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-27072401703476589202014-04-23T12:49:00.001-05:002014-04-23T17:02:44.006-05:00The Healer.....<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've had several people ask me if the recent trials in my family have caused me to question my faith. </span><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My answer is this.....</span></div><div><br></div><div>No. </div><div><br></div><div>It doesn't. </div><div><br></div><div>In fact, it makes my faith stronger. </div><div><br></div><div>I wrote this post in 2010 and it is still appropriate for today.....</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://mygraciern.blogspot.com/2010/10/dont-be-afraid-just-believe.html?m=1">http://mygraciern.blogspot.com/2010/10/dont-be-afraid-just-believe.html?m=1</a></div><div><br></div><div>I can focus on the hurt or The Healer. </div><div><br></div><div>I choose The Healer. </div><div><br></div><div>Satan doesn't like that. </div><div><br></div><div>He would rather I <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">move my attention from The Healer, where it belongs, and focus on the hurt. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In doing that, he would successfully rob me of joy, hope, and a peace that passes ALL understanding. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Does my heart hurt? Absolutely</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Do I wish I could take it all away? Of course</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But, do I question God's love?</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Never</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Do I question His faithfulness? Never </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">His mercies are new every morning. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">His strength is made perfect in weakness. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He never changes. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Love you MUCH!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">=],</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Gracie</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-28553580763249769472013-09-15T23:30:00.000-05:002013-09-16T19:15:34.575-05:00Weekend Review.....<div style="text-align: center;">
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<i>Wow!</i></div>
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<i>What an ending to the </i></div>
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<i>Auburn vs Mississippi State game last night.</i></div>
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<i>I can't say what a game, because, </i></div>
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<i>most of </i><i>the game, my Tigers looked terribly flat. </i></div>
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<i>The ending, though, was unbelievable! </i></div>
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<i>For those of you that didn't watch, </i><br />
<i>Mississippi State </i><i>was leading with only 10 seconds left </i><br />
<i>when we scored the winning touchdown to finish the game. </i></div>
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<i>Needless to say, the stadium went CRAZY!</i></div>
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<i>And so did I!</i></div>
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<i>I could hardly talk after the game from yelling so much. </i></div>
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<i>It was great day for Auburn </i><br />
<i>football, </i><i>and it was a great day for tailgating. </i><i><br /></i></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i>The weather was perfect, and</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i> had </i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i>just a slight feel of Fall in the air. </i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i></i></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i>The company was good and there was lots of yummy food. </i></span><br />
<em></em> </div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><i><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n5KUJscf-pU/UjaC79DrjeI/AAAAAAAAB_s/x-5Rjl2Dgug/s640/blogger-image--1114945246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n5KUJscf-pU/UjaC79DrjeI/AAAAAAAAB_s/x-5Rjl2Dgug/s640/blogger-image--1114945246.jpg" /></a></i></span></div>
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</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eC-_geZirJA/UjaBgJ3m3XI/AAAAAAAAB_g/SgToCIXtfCo/s640/blogger-image--2052850846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eC-_geZirJA/UjaBgJ3m3XI/AAAAAAAAB_g/SgToCIXtfCo/s640/blogger-image--2052850846.jpg" /></i></a></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Who can go wrong with ribs and cookies? </i><br />
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>A fellow tailgater made theses delicious ribs for us.</i><br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I will find his business card </i><br />
<i>and </i><i>give </i><i>him </i><i>proper credit on a future</i><br />
<i> post, </i><i>but let me assure you, they were d-lish!</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i></i><br /></div>
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<i><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6o4ZCkyOKv8/UjaLvJV-8vI/AAAAAAAACA8/8CDb9Suebes/s640/blogger-image-933717558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6o4ZCkyOKv8/UjaLvJV-8vI/AAAAAAAACA8/8CDb9Suebes/s400/blogger-image-933717558.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>
</i><i>I must confess, this girl cracked me up. </i> </div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>I'm not sure what game she </i><br />
<i>was playing,</i><i> but I can tell you for sure</i><br />
<i> she </i><i>wasn't interested in the game on the field. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>AT. ALL. </i><i><br /></i></div>
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<i>To each his/her own, I suppose. </i><i><br /></i></div>
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<i>One last picture from Auburn. </i><i><br /></i></div>
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<i>The orange and blue sunset was quite fitting. </i></div>
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<i></i><br />
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<i><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lQAgH0PBIKo/UjaLEknYPTI/AAAAAAAACAE/cKPs3dqTjZ8/s640/blogger-image-1074567771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-lQAgH0PBIKo/UjaLEknYPTI/AAAAAAAACAE/cKPs3dqTjZ8/s640/blogger-image-1074567771.jpg" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<i>
</i><i>Next week, the Tigers travel to Baton Rouge</i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i> to play the Tigers of LSU, and I am looking forward </i><br />
<i>to </i><i>spending </i><i>a whole weekend at home watching football. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i><i>Today, we spent the day on the water. </i></div>
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<i><br /></i><i>Ruby loves riding the boat and now she has decided </i></div>
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<i>she likes the water a little more and more every time we go. </i></div>
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<i></i><br />
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<i><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pTCFmA4SUSM/UjaLNBPmRcI/AAAAAAAACAc/OeiM28vuebE/s640/blogger-image-128870577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-pTCFmA4SUSM/UjaLNBPmRcI/AAAAAAAACAc/OeiM28vuebE/s640/blogger-image-128870577.jpg" /></a></i></div>
<br />
<i>
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YtFqfWgup8c/UjaLpw9pezI/AAAAAAAACAs/yPZqiXpflwk/s640/blogger-image--1571114324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YtFqfWgup8c/UjaLpw9pezI/AAAAAAAACAs/yPZqiXpflwk/s640/blogger-image--1571114324.jpg" /></a></div>
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We love her spoiled rotten self! </div>
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Can you tell?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yTT-Zqcf2Sk/UjaLHZ2iDkI/AAAAAAAACAM/X-6olvczwI4/s640/blogger-image-2146453322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-yTT-Zqcf2Sk/UjaLHZ2iDkI/AAAAAAAACAM/X-6olvczwI4/s640/blogger-image-2146453322.jpg" /></a></div>
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She played and swam and swam </div>
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and played until she was pooped.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q3jcUuBkczI/UjaLKDrVq3I/AAAAAAAACAU/xeyNu40ULdQ/s640/blogger-image--57325899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-q3jcUuBkczI/UjaLKDrVq3I/AAAAAAAACAU/xeyNu40ULdQ/s640/blogger-image--57325899.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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I had to leash her on the ride back, </div>
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because she kept wanting to jump in the water. </div>
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<br /></div>
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We wanted a river dog and we definitely got it, I guess. </div>
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<br /></div>
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This afternoon I was able to relax on </div>
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the dock, cuddle up with a blanket and take a nap. </div>
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<br /></div>
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It was w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Waking up to this amazing sunset was even better.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L2DYGElsvIs/UjaLPpcgmfI/AAAAAAAACAk/9raFptymsv4/s640/blogger-image--342932501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L2DYGElsvIs/UjaLPpcgmfI/AAAAAAAACAk/9raFptymsv4/s320/blogger-image--342932501.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eAWXbQJt3_Q/UjaLsnHPUMI/AAAAAAAACA0/V-6U-n4Xq1Q/s640/blogger-image-478776708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eAWXbQJt3_Q/UjaLsnHPUMI/AAAAAAAACA0/V-6U-n4Xq1Q/s320/blogger-image-478776708.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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I hope you all have a great week, Blog Friends! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Love you MUCH!</div>
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<br /></div>
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=], </div>
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<br /></div>
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Gracie </div>
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<br /></div>
</i><br />
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</div>
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</div>
</div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-34376518973363081442013-09-13T22:14:00.000-05:002013-09-14T06:16:37.051-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
It's finally Friday! </div>
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<br /></div>
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Friday means the weekend is fast approaching. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The weekend means family, friends, food, and football. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Football means tailgating, watching the </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
eagle soar around Jordan-Hare Stadium, singing </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The Star Spangled Banner with 80,000 other people, </div>
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and, of course, 60 minutes of what I hope ends in a WIN! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll be getting up bright and early to head to Auburn </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to watch my Tigers play the Mississippi State Bulldogs. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love Auburn and I love Auburn football. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I also love sunsets, clouds and, really, the sky, in general. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In fact, I admit, I am quite obsessed with D.) All the above. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It amazes me how beautiful God's handiwork is. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I am literally in awe that He can paint </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a masterpiece in the sky with the brush of </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His Hand and can simply speak creation into existence. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Here's tonight's sunset.....</div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vceA9kfARg4/UjQwkfgjLxI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/BBuEENszUCQ/s640/blogger-image-707053361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-vceA9kfARg4/UjQwkfgjLxI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/BBuEENszUCQ/s320/blogger-image-707053361.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was too pretty not to share. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My Daddy's check-up went well this week. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Thankfully, his counts are good and holding steady. </div>
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<br /></div>
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He feels great. </div>
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<br /></div>
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He is playing golf 2-3 times (or more) a week, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and is just enjoying life, which is what I want him to do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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He'll continue to see Dr. Erba monthly for check-ups. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We'll take that over chemo any day. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I hope you have a great weekend, Blog Friends!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I hope your team wins. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well, that is, unless you're a Mississippi State fan.</div>
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</div>
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Or a Bama fan.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In that case.....</div>
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love you MUCH!<br />
<br />
=],<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a></div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-23465358752594115802013-09-10T21:30:00.000-05:002013-09-11T01:39:45.669-05:00D-Lish.....<br>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have to admit, I was pretty pleased with myself </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">for actually cooking something I pinned on Pinterest.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have a <s>gazillion</s> bunch of recipes </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">on my Board, but I had never fixed any of them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kinda like all the DIY projects I've yet to complete.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I feel like I should insert a disclaimer here that says</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I can cook, I just don't do it often, as I'm usually working late.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In any event, both of the recipes I tried </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">turned out great and were SUPER easy!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The first was Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-gWDFRTcUo/UjAMu85gTaI/AAAAAAAAB-4/-0MyDGTMuMs/s1600/crockpot-cheesey-chicken-spaghetti.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7-gWDFRTcUo/UjAMu85gTaI/AAAAAAAAB-4/-0MyDGTMuMs/s320/crockpot-cheesey-chicken-spaghetti.jpg" width="240"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One word.....</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">D-Lish!</span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can find the recipe </span><a href="http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/crockpot-chicken-spaghetti-with-velveeta/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> at </span><a href="http://www.reasonstoskipthehousework.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Reasons To Skip The Housework.</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My kids LOVED it!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Needless to say, even though this recipe made a ton, it didn't last long.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I also made this little gem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQoTy36-AU/UjAM-zGpHuI/AAAAAAAAB_A/8j2mCbg7Mt4/s1600/reeses.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LXQoTy36-AU/UjAM-zGpHuI/AAAAAAAAB_A/8j2mCbg7Mt4/s320/reeses.png" width="214"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are NO words to describe how heavenly this cake is, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">especially, if you are a peanut butter/chocolate lover like me.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can find the recipe </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/reeses-cup-poke-cake/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">here</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> at </span><a href="http://www.somethingswanky.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Something Swanky.</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Just so you know, I did let my cake chill overnight.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I HIGHLY recommend this with a cold glass of milk.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Both of these Blogs have some really good stuff on them.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I look forward to trying something else <s>one day</s> soon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My Daddy has an appointment with Dr. Erba tomorrow morning.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This is his scheduled monthly check-up.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For those of you who may not know, my Daddy was</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">diagnosed with AML, a form of Leukemia, in January.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He is participating in a Drug Study at UAB and now,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">after 3 rounds of chemo, is in remission and doing great.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some days, it seems like we were given his diagnosis </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">just yesterday, while other times it seems like it was ages ago.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One thing is for sure, I am thankful he is doing well.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Love you MUCH!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">=],</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;"></a></div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-90699508772268608962013-09-08T17:49:00.001-05:002013-09-08T18:43:21.646-05:00Weekend In Review.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Great day spent in Auburn yesterday with the kids. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">My beloved Tigers are off to a 2-0 start after such a terrible season last year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here's a look at our day in pictures.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We start SEC play next Saturday when we host Mississippi State. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Looking forward to another great Saturday at Jordan-Hare. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Today has been spent on the water. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Haley was on her stand-up jetski and Kylee and Hayden were on Big Mabel.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Fun times! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, a Sunday afternoon nap to get ready for next week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Love you MUCH, Blog Friends! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">=],</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Gracie</span> </div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-63278601805222188822013-09-03T13:30:00.001-05:002013-09-08T18:45:07.198-05:00New Addition.....<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet Ruby.....</div>
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The newest addition to the Family. </div>
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Ruby is an 11 week old lab/husky mix and already weighs 20lbs.</div>
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I must tell you, I have never been an animal person, but I LOVE her. </div>
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She is so smart and can already sit, shake, and lay down. </div>
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We are still working on the fetching part. </div>
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She will gladly go get whatever you decide to throw, but likes to keep it and not give it back. </div>
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Although she is an outside dog, we like to bring her inside the house a good bit, and she is completely potty trained. </div>
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She also LOVES to ride in the car with the girls.....</div>
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And we're hoping to make a river dog out of her.....</div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vlzPkbjGNf8/UiYsSc9Y41I/AAAAAAAAB6M/Twpw7eNLvi8/s640/blogger-image--700742391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vlzPkbjGNf8/UiYsSc9Y41I/AAAAAAAAB6M/Twpw7eNLvi8/s640/blogger-image--700742391.jpg" /></a></div>
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Hope your Tuesday is fabulous, Blog Friends. </div>
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Love you MUCH! </div>
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=],</div>
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Gracie </div>
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<br />Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-48779401819819259282013-09-02T17:16:00.001-05:002013-09-08T18:45:41.011-05:00Happy Labor Day!<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Labor Day!</div>
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Labor Day has been completely labor-free at my house today. </div>
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In fact, I've done absolutely nothing. </div>
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The day started at the river, but since it was raining I went home. </div>
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I have migrated back to the river this afternoon and it is PERFECT. </div>
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Not too hot, light breeze blowing, music playing. </div>
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Perfect. </div>
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Somebody asked earlier how to start a blog. </div>
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In no way do i think I am an expert in Blogging. </div>
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I'm don't and I'm not. </div>
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But, it has made me remember the reason I love blogging and why I started in the first place. </div>
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It was therapy for me. </div>
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It still is, but I have let life get in the way of blogging as often as I should. </div>
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I hope to change that. </div>
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Starting today. </div>
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In the next few days I will try to bring you up to speed in the happenings of Gracie. </div>
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You know how exciting my life is, right?</div>
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Lol. </div>
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For now, I will just share this gorgeous picture I took on the river yesterday. </div>
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I am posting from my iPod so I hope it does it justice. </div>
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'Til next time, Blog Friends. </div>
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Love you MUCH!</div>
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=],</div>
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Gracie </div>
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-83356457764680919962013-07-06T10:44:00.001-05:002013-07-06T13:09:47.216-05:00For days and daaaaaaaaays.....It has done nothing here but rain.<div><br></div><div>For days and daaaaaaaaays!</div><div><br></div><div>It may have stopped the boating, the jet skiing, and the swimming, but it hasn't stopped the spending time with friends and family, lots and lots of good food, and endless laughter. </div><div><br></div><div>We've had plenty of all of the above. </div><div><br></div><div>There is never a dull moment when us Cousins are together, but when you throw the rest of our family and our Mothers into the mix, it REALLY gets crazy. </div><div><br></div><div>A circus, of sort, but we wouldn't have it any other way. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our 4th of July spread.....</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GLliX1Rm1-c/UdhdabAKLrI/AAAAAAAAB34/P2NYa9cCSzM/s640/blogger-image-623153549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GLliX1Rm1-c/UdhdabAKLrI/AAAAAAAAB34/P2NYa9cCSzM/s640/blogger-image-623153549.jpg"></a></div></div><div> </div><div>There's one thing about it, we eat good. </div><div><br></div><div>Maybe a little too good. </div><div><br></div><div>=)</div><div><br></div><div>I am ready for some of this though.....</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X2kcB8NpKyI/UdhdX4qEImI/AAAAAAAAB3w/6qbBYfUPN64/s640/blogger-image-2132607768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X2kcB8NpKyI/UdhdX4qEImI/AAAAAAAAB3w/6qbBYfUPN64/s640/blogger-image-2132607768.jpg"></a></div></div><div> </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L65EjTy321U/UdhdVHIYfdI/AAAAAAAAB3o/c2IpkhESa8c/s640/blogger-image--1372976743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-L65EjTy321U/UdhdVHIYfdI/AAAAAAAAB3o/c2IpkhESa8c/s640/blogger-image--1372976743.jpg"></a></div></div><div> </div><div>Blue skies and sunshine. </div><div><br></div><div>I actually think I am beginning to have withdrawals. </div><div><br></div><div>My Daddy is doing well. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sRYrRbQ8QNo/UdhdOisW7fI/AAAAAAAAB3g/Vg3P5LghXGQ/s640/blogger-image-2112732365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sRYrRbQ8QNo/UdhdOisW7fI/AAAAAAAAB3g/Vg3P5LghXGQ/s640/blogger-image-2112732365.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This picture was taken a couple weeks ago prior to his last bone marrow biopsy. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We go back to Dr. Erba on the 10th of July and will get results. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We will also talk about future treatment options at that time. </span></div></div><div><br></div><div>Hopefully, I can keep you updated a little more consistently. </div><div><br></div><div>At least, I will try to. </div><div><br></div><div>I hope you and yours had a happy 4th! </div><div><br></div><div>Looks like we will be wearing rain boots instead of flip flops for a few more days. </div><div><br></div><div>Love you MUCH,</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gracie</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-65936915453979927282013-05-12T09:26:00.001-05:002013-05-12T09:42:40.664-05:00Happy Mother's Day.....<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I do realize, even though Mother's Day brings </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">me joy, it is a painful reminder to some of what</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">can't be, what was, or what is missing from their lives.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> </span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I remember, all too well, all the Mother's Days I <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">spent trying, without success, to get pregnant.</span></div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">It hurt. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Deeply. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I am blessed to still have my Mom. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">She is the strongest woman I know. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I can honestly say, there has </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">never been a time she didn't put me first. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">If I couldn't go somewhere, she </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">suddenly didn't want to go anymore. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">If there was only one piece of pie, </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">magically, she wasn't hungry anymore.</div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Funny how that works, isn't it?</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Through her example, I learned </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">what being a Mom was all about. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I now understand the sleepless nights, </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">pacing the floors, and worrying over, </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">what seemed to me at the time, nothing. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I understand the relief <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">hearing the car pull in the driveway brings.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "> </span></div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I understand loving another person </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">more than you love yourself, and being </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">willing to take on the devil himself for them. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I understand how your heart can </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">literally beat inside another's chest.</div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I understand unconditional love, and love beyond measure.</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I understand love so deep you </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">would be willing to lay down your own life. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I understand praying to take pain and </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">sickness away, and being willing to take it yourself. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I love you, Mom. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">There aren't enough words in the </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">English language to describe what you mean to me. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I know now there were hard days </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">and hard times, yet, you never let me know it. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me so many things </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">about life and about being a woman. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Not only did you teach me there were real life <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">Princesses, you taught me it was ok to be one myself. </span></div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me I could do anything I put my mind to. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me I could be anything I wanted <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">to be and what I always wanted to be was you.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "> </span></div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to love passionately and forgive freely, <span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">though, I'm still working on the forgiving freely part.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "> </span></div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me the importance of Family. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to hug, and not be afraid of human touch. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to say, "I love you" </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">and just how important those words really are.</div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me the value of hard work, and a good name. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to be a Leader and not a follower. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me plain talk is easily understood. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to speak my mind and that my opinion is valuable. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me responsibility and accountability.</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me how important it is to keep your word. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to laugh and enjoy life. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me it was ok to cry. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to adapt to change. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to take chances. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me it was ok to fail. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me it felt great to win.</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me how to lose with grace and dignity. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me beauty is on the inside. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to be nice to others. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to give of myself.</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to stand up for what </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I believe in, even if it means standing alone. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Above all, you taught me about Jesus and His Love. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me He has a plan for my life.</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me His timing is perfect. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to pray and read my Bible. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to carry my kids to church, never send them. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to take notes in Church. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to sing. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You taught me to never be ashamed of </div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; "><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Christ and the work He has done in my life. </div></span></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">You have taught me all this and more. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I'm proud to call you Mom. </div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I hope I can be half the Mom to my girls, you have been to me. </div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yt4jYPTbEf8/UY-meqJhfpI/AAAAAAAAB3I/JaMZEBnl5Ao/s640/blogger-image--1503593210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yt4jYPTbEf8/UY-meqJhfpI/AAAAAAAAB3I/JaMZEBnl5Ao/s640/blogger-image--1503593210.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I love you MUCH, Always & Forever!</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br></div></span><span style="text-align: -webkit-center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">=],</div></span><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank" style="text-align: -webkit-center; "></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="background-image: none; background-attachment: scroll; border: 0px; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat repeat; "></font></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-61619232431603357322013-03-24T21:24:00.001-05:002013-03-24T21:54:34.868-05:00The Plan For Now.....<div style="text-align: center;">
This is the first time I have attempted to post from my iPod. </div>
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I suppose we will know how well it goes in a few minutes. </div>
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My Daddy is out of the hospital after a 5 day stay for maintenance chemo. </div>
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He did really well. </div>
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He will now go to the clinic twice a week for lab work and will be transfused, as needed. </div>
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It is expected about 7-10 days, after chemo, his counts will start to drop.</div>
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It is during this time, as well, he will have to be very careful about being around anybody that's sick as his immunity will be very, very low.</div>
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They did consult the bone marrow transplant team and we were able to meet with them this week while we were there. </div>
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From every indication, he is a candidate for a transplant and a possible match has been found. </div>
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The question, at this point, is basically, do the benefits of having a transplant outweigh the risks of having a transplant. </div>
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The problem is no one can really answer that. </div>
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His best chance of survival is with a transplant. </div>
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We know that. </div>
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But, there are a lot of risks involved and it is not, by any means, a quick fix. </div>
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And, by a lot of risks, I mean a lot of risks. </div>
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We've talked about what the right answer is and he's asked me what the right answer is, but, to be honest, I just don't know. </div>
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I wish I had all the answers, but I don't. </div>
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I don't know what I would do if I was in his situation. </div>
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I selfishly want to tell him yes, I most definitely would do it, but I can't.</div>
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My heart aches for my Daddy. <br />
<br />
He is such a fighter, and wants to live so bad. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We are praying for wisdom and guidance to make the right decision.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We want the answer to be so unmistakably clear, there is no denying it is from God. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thankfully, we have a little time before that decision has to be made. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The plan is for him to be readmitted to UAB, April 15th, for a 2nd round of maintenance chemo, Clofarabine. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That is all I know for now, and yes, even those plans are subject to change. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My heart is overwhelmed. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I question why. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Yet, I know, The Creator of the Universe, who placed each and every star in the sky, is madly in love with me. </span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We trust in Him and the plan He has for us. </span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">He has good plans for our lives, even though our plan, at times, may not be His plan. </span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">His plans are far better for us.....</span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Every. </span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Single. </span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Time. </span><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><br style="text-align: -webkit-auto;" /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><em>"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11</em></span><br />
<br />
____________________________________________<br />
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"></span><br />
<em><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">2.</span><span class="text Ps-61-2" id="en-KJV-14822">From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. 3. </span><span class="text Ps-61-3" id="en-KJV-14823">For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. ~Psalms 30:2-3</span></em></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Love you MUCH!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">=],</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /><br />
<br />
</div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-64469753085522324582013-03-14T19:00:00.000-05:002013-03-14T19:00:06.150-05:00Waiting on the But.....<div align="center">
My Daddy has been out of the hospital 2 weeks now.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
His counts are up and he is regaining strength everyday.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
They repeated his bone marrow </div>
<div align="center">
biopsy last Wednesday as an outpatient. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
We got the wonderful news from </div>
<div align="center">
Dr. Erba Monday that he is in remission.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
He will be readmitted to UAB next week for consolidation </div>
<div align="center">
chemo, which is basically maintenance chemo, or preventive chemo.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
He has a really aggressive type of cancer and if </div>
<div align="center">
they don't do any additional chemo, it will come back.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
After this round of chemo, they may </div>
<div align="center">
entertain thoughts of a bone marrow transplant.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
They are already testing his siblings to see if they are a match.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
A transplant is not an quick fix and is a very harsh process.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
He is such a fighter, though and wants to live so bad.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I know that may sound cliche-ish, but he really is.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
The Daughter in me is so relieved and so thankful for this news.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
The Nurse in me is waiting on the "but."</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
You know how it goes, "Your leukemia is in remission, BUT....."</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
So far, there hasn't been a but.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
But.....</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I keep expecting it.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Keep waiting for it.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Keep anticipating it.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Now don't go all judgemental on me and </div>
<div align="center">
start thinking I am not thankful for answered prayer.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I am <em>EXTREMELY</em> thankful for his remission.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I am <em>EXTREMELY</em> thankful his counts are up.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I am <em>EXTREMELY</em> thankful he is gaining strength.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I am thankful for it all.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
BUT.....</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I am guarded.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
And just maybe, guarding my heart, mostly.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I have said all along I will be </div>
<div align="center">
thankful for what we are given.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
That is hard sometimes.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
God already knows I am waiting for the "but."</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Guess what?</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
He loves me anyway.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I will tell you that today, this </div>
<div align="center">
day, I am thankful for the remission.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I have no idea what may happen tomorrow or when the "but" </div>
<div align="center">
may come, but God does and He, as always, is in complete control.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
His mercies are new every morning.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Every. Morning.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
This isn't the first time I've reminded myself of this.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Click <a href="http://mygraciern.blogspot.com/2009/05/they-are-new-every-morning-great-is-thy.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see that post.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
What does the word mercies really mean?</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
I am soooooo glad you asked.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
=)</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
MERCY: mer·cy/ [mur-see] noun, plural mer·cies for 4, 5. </div>
<br />
1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner. <br />
<br />
2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy. <br />
<br />
3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty. <br />
<br />
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors. <br />
<br />
5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
<br />
<br />
<div align="center">
Compassion. Kindness. </div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Divine Favor.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Blessing.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Just think, they are new EVERY morning!</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Wow, I will take that any day.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Thank you for your prayers, Blog Friends.</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
Love you MUCH!</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
=],</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-33495396122961946262013-02-16T18:55:00.001-06:002013-02-16T21:13:55.761-06:00They Weren't Kidding.....They told my Daddy on Wednesday, the next 5-7 days would be his worst.
<br />
<br />
They weren't kidding.
<br />
<br />
He feels terrible.
<br />
<br />
Just terrible.
<br />
<br />
All over.
<br />
<br />
He has ran a high fever for several days now.
<br />
<br />
They have done blood cultures, a urinalysis, and chest x-ray, all of which have been normal.
<br />
<br />
It is so hard to believe we have been in the hospital 4 weeks tomorrow.
<br />
<br />
The bone marrow biopsy that was done this week shows leukemia cells are still present but are dying off.
<br />
<br />
Plan is to repeat bone marrow biopsy again next week.
<br />
<br />
Today, they did a CT of the chest to see if there is something they have missed.
<br />
<br />
We don't have those results back yet.
<br />
<br />
It really is days like this, when I feel useless, just useless.
<br />
<br />
I'm a do-er, and a fixer.
<br />
<br />
Yet, I can't fix this and there is nothing I can do to make it better.
<br />
<br />
I do have faith and I know God is able to do immeasurably more than all I can ask or even imagine, yet, I struggle.
<br />
<br />
There's something very difficult about being a Nurse and having the knowledge God gave me about the disease process, yet, praying and expecting an outcome different from what I know should happen.
<br />
<br />
Does that make sense?
<br />
<br />
Don't get me wrong, I believe in miracles.
<br />
<br />
I know God can do anything.
<br />
<br />
I'm just being honest with you here.
<br />
<br />
I know there is a plan in all of this.
<br />
<br />
I saw a sign today in the CT holding area that said....."For every obstacle and situation, God has a purpose."
<br />
<br />
There is NO doubt about that.
<br />
<br />
We have seen Him work and felt His love through every step of this journey.
<br />
<br />
That cannot be mistaken.
<br />
<br />
Thank you for your prayers.
<br />
<br />
Love you MUCH!
<br />
<br />
=],
<br />
<br />
GracieGraciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-21239691133677010542013-01-31T19:52:00.003-06:002013-01-31T19:52:42.720-06:00Chemo Started.....<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I stayed with Daddy last </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
night and he had a restless night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not sure if he was nervous about </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
starting chemo, or just not feeling well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Truth be told, it was </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
probably a combination of both.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He was pretty weak when he got up this morning.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's then, you start the process </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
of elimination to find the cause.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blood Sugar.....Perfect</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Blood Pressure.....Perfect</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pulse.....Perfect</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Temperature.....Perfect</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
O2 Sat.....Perfect</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Then, we got his labs back and found the problem.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
His Hemoglobin was 6.9.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
If it is less than 7 they transfuse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So, he got blood this afternoon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hopefully, he will be feeling better.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He did get his first dose of</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
chemo this morning and tolerated it well.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I may have told you this, but he </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
will get chemo once a day for 5 days.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I honestly can't keep it straight </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
who I've told what, so bear with me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My stories are running together like his stories.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ha!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
That made me laugh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Those of you that know him, <strong><em>KNOW</em></strong> his stories.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I wanted to share the devotion for today </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
from a book given to me Tuesday by my Sister-in Law, Gloria.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's out of a book called, "Jesus Calling."</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Each day is written as if Jesus is speaking directly to you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>January 31</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I AM YOUR STRENGTH AND SHIELD. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I plan out each day and have it ready for you, long before you arise from bed. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>I also provide the strength you need each step of the way. Instead of assessing </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>your energy level and wondering about what's on the road ahead, concentrate </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>on staying in touch with Me. My power flows freely into you through our open </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>communication. Refuse to waste energy worrying, and you will have strength to spare.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am your Shield. But unlike inanimate armor, I am always alert and active. My Presence watches over you continually, protecting you from both known and unknown dangers. Entrust yourself to My watchcare, which is the best security system available. I am with you and watch over you wherever you go.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> is my strength<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14307A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> and my shield;<br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-28-7">my heart trusts<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14307B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> in him, and he helps me.</span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-28-7">My heart leaps for joy,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14307C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-28-7">and with my song I praise him.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14307D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Psalms 28:7 (NIV)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Give your entire attention to what God is doing</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
right now, and don’t get worked up about what may </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Matthew 6:34 (The Message)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I am afraid,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14759A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> I put my trust in you.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14759B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-56-4" id="en-NIV-14760"><sup class="versenum">4 </sup><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span>In God, whose word I praise—<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup></span></span><br /><span class="text Ps-56-4">in God I trust and am not afraid.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-14760D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span><br /><span class="indent-1"><span class="indent-1-breaks"> </span><span class="text Ps-56-4">What can mere mortals do to me?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-56-4">Psalms 56:3-4 (NIV)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-56-4"></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-56-4">I am with you<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-789A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> and will watch over you<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-789B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-56-4">wherever you go,<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-789C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> and I will bring you back to this land.<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-789D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-56-4"> I will not leave you<sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-789E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> until I have done what I have promised you.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1"><span class="text Ps-56-4">Genesis 28:15 (NIV)</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I didn't read it until I got home from the hospital this afternoon.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Literally, my mouth fell open and I just shook my head.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thank you all for sharing in this journey.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I can't tell you how much we appreciate each of you.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Love you MUCH!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
=],</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/171/A105034723A01159FC6EB7C26BFC6B30.png" style="border: 0px currentColor !important;" /></a></div>
Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7619657893947018491.post-90656326925782766812013-01-30T23:30:00.000-06:002013-01-31T00:17:04.875-06:00Study Approved.....<br />
<div align="center">
Dr. Erba came in this afternoon and told us the </div>
<div align="center">
repeat bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of AML.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
I wasn't surprised or expecting anything different.</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
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He also told us Daddy was </div>
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selected to participate in the drug study.</div>
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.</div>
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The computer randomization was done </div>
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and he will receive the study drug, clofarabime.</div>
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</div>
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It is said to have less side effects than the traditional AML treatment, 7+3.</div>
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</div>
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I had already decided, in my mind, it would </div>
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be the standard treatment, 7+3, so I thought I </div>
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would try to find a Bible verse related to 7:3 that spoke to my heart.</div>
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</div>
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I searched all combinations of 7:3, 1:3-7, 3:7 and found nothing.</div>
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</div>
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Absolutely.</div>
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</div>
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Nothing.</div>
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</div>
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Now, I know why.</div>
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</div>
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God already had plans for </div>
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him to receive clofarabine not 7+3.</div>
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</div>
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So, after what seems like waiting </div>
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a lifetime, chemo starts in the morning.</div>
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</div>
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We are beyond thankful at this news.</div>
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</div>
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Without a doubt, God's timing is perfect.</div>
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</div>
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Please pray for us as we start a new part of this journey.</div>
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</div>
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We are all still trying to figure out this new "normal."</div>
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</div>
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I will update tomorrow.</div>
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</div>
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Love you MUCH!</div>
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</div>
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=],</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Graciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14396409202124562603noreply@blogger.com0