tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25457451531116783822024-03-05T02:23:50.314-06:00dre of white stablesdrea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-30172560041549416682013-02-09T09:32:00.000-06:002013-02-09T09:32:39.794-06:00december 2012 & a year end summary<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">it is my goal to have our</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">christmas decorations up </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">on the first of december.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">as usual, i had an idea</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">come to me at the last minute...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">you know, when everyone else</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">has been planning this for weeks:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">advent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">instead of dollar store toys</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and candy, we had an act of</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">service written down for each day,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">in hopes of cultivating a spirit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">of giving and gratitude in the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">midst of consumerism.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">we called it "the giving tree". </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/74732_4963656048103_774863437_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the girls really seemed to enjoy it,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but the boys were a bit too young.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
***<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i set the giving tree up during the day and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> that night, we pulled out jason's grandparents'</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">old christmas records, decorated the tree, read some</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">christmas books and drank homemade hot cocoa.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there are always little squabbles between siblings,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but that night was seriously wonderful. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/30338_4964744715319_1331849194_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">on the 6th of december, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i attended my midwife's book signing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was a joy to be there </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and i am so proud of her.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Born-Deliver-Kathy-Brace/dp/0982182821">Born to Deliver</a>,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">is an incredible story of redemption</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and bringing beauty from ashes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i wouldn't recommend it if i didn't mean that.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it's awesome. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">go read it. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/12279_4995191276464_1446402228_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we continued our yearly tradition</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">of driving around to look at christmas lights.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this year, jason and i had coffee from starbucks</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and he bought the kids their own hot cocoa.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there's just something about that red cup!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">they thought it was pretty awesome. =) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/530284_10200131644712767_1816974470_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ali girl lost her first tooth</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and cried once it was gone.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">she refused to look in the mirror</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">because she was "afraid she wasn't pretty anymore".</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it breaks my heart </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that kids worry about that so young. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i think she's </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pretty darn cute either way,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and it is my prayer that she is seen </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">not only for her outer beauty,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but for her inner beauty--</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">..."the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">1 peter 3:4 </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/548563_10200133828927371_1772938155_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the girls and i spent</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">time preparing christmas gifts together.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">they made chains and turned them into </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">necklaces and rings </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/487045_10200141348235349_1631163229_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and i made scarves for their teachers and principal.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576515_10200152731919934_1543250872_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i also put together <a href="http://tipnut.com/dishcloth-crochet/">dish cloth sets</a> for my mom, mother in law</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and sisters in law and fingerless gloves for my sisters. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i have since made a few dish cloths for myself</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">because it's such a quick project and i </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">love having something to keep my mind and hands</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">busy, besides social networks! </span><br />
***<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">every year,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we each choose a new ornament</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">for the tree.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">last year, we made them...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and it was <strike>kind of</strike> a bust.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">don't ever by off brand </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sticky dots, mmkay? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">they don't work. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so this year, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we went to target instead...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">which is always a good place</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to go, if you ask me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">all sydney wanted was</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a horse ornament, but</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there were none to be found.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">luckily for sydney,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">she has a handy daddy</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that is good at making </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">things work--</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">they bought a horse figurine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">from the feed store and jason</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">drilled a hook into it at home...</span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/282522_10200146508524353_2125700518_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">voila!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a horse ornament.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i have a feeling this</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">will always be an extra special</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">one to her... </span><br />
<br />
***<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the girls received a fish tank</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as their "big" gift this year,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so jason snuck into their room</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">christmas eve night and set it up for them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/548764_10200179068578334_1638130752_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we had nice christmas with our families</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and wrapped up the year with friends.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">***</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was a really tough year.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i am thankful for this blog</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and the fact that i wrote our story</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">down, because if i hadn't, i am</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pretty sure i no longer would have</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">believed that we were led here by the lord.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we were so, so broke, so behind on bills</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and crushed in spirit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i asked jason one time if he thought</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">anyone believed us anymore or if they</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">thought we had been foolish.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i still don't know the answer to that question,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but truthfully, it doesn't matter.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in acts 21, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the lord told paul to go to jerusalem.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">others came and warned him</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">--through the spirit, even-- </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">not to go because of what would </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">happen, but he was obedient to the lord,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">KNOWING he would be bound, saying he would</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">even die so that the lord's will would be done.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so you see, the focus is on obedience</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> to the lord's will, not the opinion of others.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we had no idea what the year would hold.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we still aren't sure *why* </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we are doing what we are doing...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but it isn't necessarily for us to know,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">at least right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we walk in faith, knowing that we are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">here for a reason and search out the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">heart and will of the lord for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we've had many, many opportunities</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to have others into our home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we have had many instances of tangible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ways the lord has provided.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we have a fuller, stronger testimony</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that has blessed and encouraged others</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to keep carrying on...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and that makes it worth it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we aren't here for us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we aren't here to be comfortable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we are here for a reason</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and though it brings trials</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and suffering and tears,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there is beauty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there is depth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there is hope to carry on...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and the knowledge that this is only a season.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and for that, i am thankful. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span> </div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-5618810471722068912013-02-08T10:57:00.002-06:002013-02-08T10:57:15.220-06:00november 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my sweet boy began november by melting my heart</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">when he offered his "$5" to go to the store and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">buy new monkey slippers when i had mentioned</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that i wanted new slippers.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he is so giving and it seriously does </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my heart good. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/525760_4812673033622_2130116859_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i made my first <a href="http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/11/mocha-meringue-pie.html">mocha meringue pie</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and it was every bit as delicious as it looks. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/550274_4824199081766_1335874239_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">max decided he wanted to potty train,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/197142_4834988231488_1843643116_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">much to my <strike>despair</strike> delight,</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he turned 2</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/62273_4852805436907_1598626617_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and by doing so, i hit a milestone never</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">before reached in my childbearing years:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i was not pregnant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i did not have a newborn.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and i am proud to say i have upheld my record ever since. ;) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8455375897/" title="maxparty by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="maxparty" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8530/8455375897_6443ca4623_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sometimes i get all wistful and sad</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">thinking about how fast my babies are</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">growing up...and then we go walk trails</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and none of the children are carried or</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">pushed in a stroller...or we send them all </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">off overnight for our anniversary...and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i realize how beautiful this new chapter is.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">very different, but very good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> i really think each new phase is a gift,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">though we are not even close to teenage years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and for that i am thankful because my heart</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">is too frail and my mind is still too close to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the teenage years i had...lord, have mercy.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">***</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">moving on, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sydney lost her first </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">top tooth and forever</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">changed that grin i've </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">known for 7.5 years.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span> <img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/487055_4872776416169_977642295_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">if you can't tell, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">her eyes were still a bit red from crying.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">for some reason, her teeth are hard to get out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">daddy has had to help her every time.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we don't actually "do" santa, tooth fairy, etc,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but we will play along with it...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as in, we say the tooth fairy </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">is coming, but the kids know it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">is just a game we play and we all have </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">fun with it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i try to make it special,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so each time they lose a tooth,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i look up dollar bill origami online.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this is a pixie shoe...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">syd really didn't want to give up</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">her first top tooth, so the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"tooth fairy" gave her something</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">special in return for the tooth--</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">her shoe. =) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/598437_4873428312466_256158120_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in mid-november, the small town our kids</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">go to school in hosted a christmas tree lighting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there was free hot cocoa, kettle corn and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">lots of activities for the kids.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was such a good time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/547009_4886991451536_1843762578_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/559339_4886995131628_1037571749_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">(please ignore the fact that max looks like he's about</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to throw up everywhere. he wasn't.)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/406950_4886986131403_1363126480_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> ***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we celebrated thanksgiving with jason's family</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and had a lot of fun shooting his dad's guns.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i hadn't shot a gun since i was 18 and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i'm not sure if i had ever shot a hand gun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was great. </span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/551461_4920725254860_787991918_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i think we had 3 thanksgiving</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">celebration days in a row</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and this was max waiting to leave</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">after our last one. </span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/481688_4930065168352_917192676_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i think we all felt that way and that was just the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">start of the holiday season! </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-301776124391437772013-01-23T10:26:00.004-06:002013-01-23T10:26:54.147-06:00october 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">october marked one year in</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">our new house. almost a year</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to the day, we got a renter</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and a new chapter as landlords began.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in case you didn't know,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that warrants celebratory starbucks. <i> </i><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/527685_4707608047063_946282395_n.jpg" style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">prior to us renting our house out,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">our church family and my dad came over and helped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">repair everything that needed to be done</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">before the house was rented out.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this included paint, a new kitchen floor,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">replacing siding and faucets, etc.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the kicker?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">they paid for *all* of it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we are so blessed. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">***</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">my younger sister had her first baby,</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306569_4776359725812_1791781608_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306569_4776359725812_1791781608_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the boys and i got to watch the costume parade</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">at the girls' school, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/557780_4807296059201_1879489848_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">for some reason the picture i had of sydney disappeared.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">you can see it on my instagram feed <a href="http://instagram.com/p/Rc0_-Cvgfk/">here </a></span>, <span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but it</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">won't let me transfer it over. =( </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> sydney's fall party was in the morning</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and they don't allow siblings, so i couldn't</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">make it to hers, but i did make it to ali's fall party</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in the afternoon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i know it makes me look like an awesome mom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to not have syd's parade picture AND not make </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it to her fall party, but i *am* in her classroom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">every week to volunteer. ;)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/318843_4809084463910_1956248596_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we didn't have plans to trick or treat that evening,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but the kids were really bummed and some of our family</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">was going to a halloween alternative at our old church</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so at the last minute, they put on costumes they had from</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">home and we went.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="imageStage" id="imagestage">
<img alt="" class="fbPhotoImage img" id="fbPhotoImage" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/21697_4810208892020_103258033_n.jpg" /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the kids had a great time and it was nice to</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">see old friends as well as </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">family we haven't seen in awhile. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we were glad we went! </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-323469630653037082013-01-23T09:52:00.002-06:002013-01-23T09:53:04.606-06:00september 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">september was a tough month.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">there were plenty of good things,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but financially and emotionally,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was really tough.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i will go into more detail once i finish</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the summaries of past months,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but for now, this was our september:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a tearful goodbye to a sweet friend moving out of state,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419279_4530397696915_577560668_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a little saturday morning sleeping in,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/399164_4561548635669_581491065_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a little undressing on the way to take the girls to school,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/419352_4584891339222_1228619277_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">followed by our brakes totally going out</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">just a few minutes after this picture was taken.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we were barely able to miss being in an accident</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and are so thankful for the lord's protection (and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the emergency brake after the accident was avoided)! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i was lamenting our financial situation to jason</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">one night and the fact that i missed working on the house.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he gathered materials we already had on hand</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and put together this desk to make our mudroom</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">more functional.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he is the best at lifting my spirits. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that is where i sit typing now and 4 months later,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> i have yet to paint that thing. ha. </span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/252404_4585435472825_875632648_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i had another heart to heart with jason (i told you it</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">was a tough month) about my desire to enjoy the kids,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but the housework and self imposed guidelines of having</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it totally clean when jason got home were preventing me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">from doing so. the great guy that he is, jason told me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he would be much happier to see me playing with the boys</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and have to help me with dishes when he gets home then</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to not enjoy them and miss out on this time...so i took his</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">advice and the next morning, we went to the park. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> truthfully? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i hate going to the park...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but boys are amazing. i only had to endure equipment playing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">for about 10 minutes and the rest of the time we explored the woods, which i loved! </span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/541356_4611131795217_1894024783_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /><br />
<br />
***<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">as an early birthday present, my dad gave me his</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">record player. i have wanted one forever and i loved his.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he couldn't find one like it, so he just gave it to me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he's really great.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i think of him each time i listen to my </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">glenn miller records, especially, since we danced</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to glenn miller at my wedding.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i love this thing (and him, of course). </span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/533691_4624131760208_13665687_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we celebrated my grandma's birthday,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/222151_4630443517998_2026701329_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and i got to take my boy on a froyo (frozen yogurt) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and shopping date to spend his money from his birthday(?) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that had fallen behind the drawer i kept it in and i had</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">found again. i love it when that happens. it's like finding</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a $20 in your coat pocket from last winter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">anyway, we had an awesome time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he's hilarious--he chose 1 toy and the</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">rest were clothes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this kid loves clothes but is the epitome of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"rough and tumble" at the same time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i love him. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/404116_4638857368339_867823826_n.jpg" style="height: 548px; width: 548px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so we went out on a much better note than</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we started on!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">more updates to come... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">thanks for reading. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-61063951283170620632013-01-17T10:42:00.000-06:002013-01-17T10:42:27.632-06:00august 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">at the beginning of this month,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i was able to photograph my first birth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i was so honored to be able to share</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">such a special life event with my</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">best friend and her husband.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it was worth being up all night for!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> don't worry, nothing graphic is ahead. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8389053545/" title="parishbirth4copy by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="parishbirth4copy" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8389053545_d7999e8b63_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8389013795/" title="parishbirth2copy by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="parishbirth2copy" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8360/8389013795_e72cec6afb_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8389013133/" title="parishbirth3copy by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="parishbirth3copy" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8389013133_8920dbd9e2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">*** </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">mid-august brings back routine</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and we had such a great summer</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">playing and hosting ultimate frisbee</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">every week, that we wanted to send </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">summer off the right way.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> we set up camp at the back of our property</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and had an evening full of swimming,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">hot dog and marshmallow roasting and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we finished off the night with a movie</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in the tent. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the night was cold and the ground was</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sure hard, but when we woke up in the morning,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">jason already had a fire going outside the tent.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the hard ground was worth the memories!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/547253_4424309404774_1719736346_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/482139_4424314604904_905822071_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/190150_4424678694006_1958378314_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/432136_4424698214494_2002989490_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sydney started first grade this year</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8389018471/" title="sydney1stgrade by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="sydney1stgrade" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8331/8389018471_636b042bb5_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/539100_4443348240733_981612233_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and at the end of that week, ali started kindergarten.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8389014591/" title="alikdg by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="alikdg" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8389014591_965dc54ab2_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">go figure that this was the only </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">picture (with the pose SHE chose)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">that had a natural smile.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/255511_4451656048423_950115565_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> i had a hard time with *both* of my girls </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">being gone all day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i held it together fine on the drive home,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but once i got home i gave the boys</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a snack and that was when her presence</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">was so missed...it was silent!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i realized the very thing that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sometimes drives me crazy,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">her incessant chatter, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">was the thing i missed the most.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so i went to my room, had a good cry</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and then baked a chocolate cake.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">really, i did...and it helped.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the rest of august was spent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">getting used to having only boys</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in the house, </span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/264809_4452311464808_1349342235_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">attending a free ice cream social at the girls' school,</span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/195908_4481522835074_1956005371_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">taking rides on daddy's motorcycle,</span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/558563_4500645513129_654550095_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and playing in the rain as if we've</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">never seen it before, because let's</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">be honest, it sure felt like it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this drought has been tough!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8389017749/" title="IMG_0228 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0228" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8389017749_612c846e55_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8390102242/" title="IMG_0236 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0236" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8390102242_9b2a86a02f_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">isn't it funny how differently boys and girls</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">"play" in the water and mud? the girls were insistent</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">on their umbrellas. the boys? ha!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8390101562/" title="IMG_0283 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0283" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8496/8390101562_509841e2d3_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8389015559/" title="IMG_0288 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0288" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8389015559_50b3390539_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-60171222821025894262013-01-16T14:29:00.000-06:002013-01-16T14:29:06.994-06:00catching up<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">you never know </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">when the "blogging bug"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">will hit.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> i haven't blogged since april </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">of last year and i have been</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">okay with it, for the most part, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but i have decided that there</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">is too much that i don't want </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">to forget.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a sweet friend wrote to me</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">a few weeks ago, saying she</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">missed my blog and others echoed</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the same sentiment.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i agreed that i needed to </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">come back, but the motivation</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">wasn't quite there.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it hit me today out of nowhere,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so if you're ready, we will catch up</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">through the summer and i will do</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">august-current soon.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">grab a cup of coffee and settle in...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">this will take awhile. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">thanks for reading. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-39501506014902311332013-01-16T14:28:00.001-06:002013-01-16T14:28:25.352-06:00march 2012, continued<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in march,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386227171/" title="IMG_9793 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9793" height="359" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8386227171_818abfb380_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we snuggled through sickness,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386227099/" title="IMG_9795 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9795" height="600" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8386227099_eaecb148a2_z.jpg" width="492" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">sydney lost her first tooth,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386227041/" title="IMG_9796 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9796" height="600" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8386227041_f6c0474c7b_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386230499/" title="IMG_9858 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9858" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8386230499_0400792426_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">turned 7 and did her own hair for the occasion,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386272325/" title="IMG_0070 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0070" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8236/8386272325_33f62ff176_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">got her ears pierced as her "big" gift,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387385970/" title="IMG_9902 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9902" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8387385970_a9f1368572_z.jpg" width="369" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">celebrated with a hawaiian themed party </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386231891/" title="1stnap by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="1stnap" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8386231891_45ab194d70_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and max got to break free from the </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">confines of his crib.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-72340254561611634632013-01-16T14:27:00.003-06:002013-01-16T14:27:58.930-06:00april 2012 <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in april,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we had to say goodbye to our horses, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">amos and sarge.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386230715/" title="horse1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="horse1" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8235/8386230715_9ae98dbc47_z.jpg" width="427" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">they had been abandoned when</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we got them and they were in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">rough shape. they needed more</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">help than we could give them,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so they went to a rescue.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386231133/" title="horse2 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="horse2" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8386231133_9c7c66362b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">***</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">jason turned 28 and jax and ali</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">made him cards while syd was at school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386231841/" title="card1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="card1" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8052/8386231841_d0c91710d2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387317096/" title="card2 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="card2" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8387317096_357e78bcf1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">he really loves the petite vanilla scones</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">at starbucks, so i found a recipe and made him </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">some homemade ones. i may be biased, but</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">they are better than the bucks by far. ;)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387316902/" title="scones by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="scones" height="531" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8076/8387316902_83582f2120_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we celebrated easter with family,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387330018/" title="IMG_9935 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9935" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8387330018_7c6705f384_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386244455/" title="IMG_9939 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9939" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8351/8386244455_c4f5ea9950_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387319754/" title="IMG_9940 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9940" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8229/8387319754_4e81ba0630_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386233371/" title="IMG_9944 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9944" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8386233371_8868c9ab09_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387328912/" title="IMG_0004 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0004" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8232/8387328912_407f62a80f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">{my brother & i}</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386243595/" title="IMG_0007 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0007" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8386243595_e083bed014_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">{my youngest sister & i}</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386241881/" title="IMG_9997 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9997" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8386241881_3df1918fb8_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">{my love & i } </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386242825/" title="IMG_9979 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9979" height="600" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8086/8386242825_839b4a44aa_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386242659/" title="IMG_9987 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9987" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8092/8386242659_6f62c196ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and i spent a little too long blogging,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386235499/" title="IMG_0010 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0010" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8386235499_400e6dfbe1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">only to fall off the face of the earth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">in the same month. ;) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we had a tornado jump right over our house,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">but not before catching the top of our tree</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and uprooting others.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386236715/" title="tornado1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="tornado1" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8516/8386236715_7534c05a10_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386241735/" title="IMG_0016 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0016" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8386241735_d11f19abc7_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387325908/" title="IMG_0017 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0017" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8387325908_cc9045283f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386239471/" title="IMG_0023 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0023" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8497/8386239471_cfc9012f45_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we survived with minor damage to our property</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and livestock, but it shook them up. in fact,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">the chickens laid 5 eggs during the tornado.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8387323678/" title="IMG_0025 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0025" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8237/8387323678_9fdf278d3f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we were thankful for the lord's protection</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">and blessed by <a href="http://www.cakefacewichita.com/">cake face bake shop</a> who provided food </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">while our amazing friends, family and church family came over to help in the clean up process.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; text-align: center;">
i also joined the world of instagram
in april and consequently, my dslr camera
fell by the wayside. so the rest of april
(and the rest of the year) was only captured
by phone... </div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" height="400" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/558648_3803177996877_493959834_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" width="400" /><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/577827_3812593432257_1423121588_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-70680176792747722692013-01-16T14:27:00.001-06:002013-01-16T14:27:32.349-06:00may 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">in may,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">we spent lots of time outside,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386274105/" title="IMG_0055 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0055" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8047/8386274105_38f1687d03_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">were adopted by a friendly cat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">(actually in march, oops!) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386272967/" title="IMG_0065 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0065" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8386272967_52f1a69b80_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">who later turned crazy,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">sydney had her first school program,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/8386271983/" title="IMG_0083 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_0083" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8078/8386271983_596e1b57a8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578104_3939864573956_46918904_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">jax had his first video chat with his best friend,</span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/305598_3946335415723_309525262_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">we enjoyed pre-bedtime dance parties,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/578021_3946661463874_1102249648_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">ali turned 5,</span></div>
<a href="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/574973_4041499274760_310148547_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/150784_4027506484949_1781266590_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i dyed my hair red,</span></div>
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/574973_4041499274760_310148547_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /> <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">we made homemade butter out of milk from our goats</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/560010_4062643523353_48583612_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/526765_4062827647956_1529733745_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and unexpectedly had a baby given to us,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/544733_4071363861356_883362844_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">my sweet goose pirate,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">who followed us around</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and would sit with our friends</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">during ultimate frisbee nights.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">he is no longer with us </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">and i miss him so...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/382414_4084316105154_1319769855_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">i also had the honor of hosting</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">a surprise party for my dad's 50th birthday,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">but unfortunately i don't have any pictures of that. </span></div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-88537953225547177942013-01-16T14:26:00.002-06:002013-01-16T14:26:56.529-06:00our summer :: 2012<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/487045_4110234673102_1779439552_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
{boys will be boys}</div>
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/560350_4110270113988_367222232_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/562525_4126808087427_1925631315_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">{summer reading club}</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/306905_4131158836193_995774677_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> {wind farm}</span><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/581149_4153890124461_1697467585_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">{ceramics with mema}</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> </span><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/403467_4192958901156_1228966651_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"> {unashamed worship :: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">"i have no greater joy than to hear that my children</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">are walking in the truth"}</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">{lots of water play}</span><br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/382496_4229654578525_377867194_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555690_4229670818931_383396700_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
</div>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/555706_4245379531639_1699934680_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/396935_4295682589184_681994506_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/431841_4295692629435_1871062512_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/599371_4295779631610_1495546529_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/311645_4347202997162_1477116978_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/549659_4347224717705_1208600132_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">{jason and i celebrated 6 years of marriage and</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">get this--ALL 4 kids were gone ALL night!}</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<img alt="" class="spotlight" src="https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/599990_4331778691564_1544270220_n.jpg" style="height: 532px; width: 532px;" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">it's funny how a late night date to starbucks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">makes you feel young. ha!</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">i couldn't get all of the pictures i wanted,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">so if you want to see more, check out my instagram</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace;">feed <a href="http://instagram.com/mrsdreac/">here</a>. </span></div>
drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-43938659497764276842012-04-10T10:39:00.000-05:002012-04-10T10:39:10.549-05:00flea market finds<div style="text-align: center;">the day after jaxon's birthday</div><div style="text-align: center;">was the flea market.</div><div style="text-align: center;">my dad is awesome about watching the kids</div><div style="text-align: center;">and agreed to take them so jason and i could</div><div style="text-align: center;">have a little date that morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i found these <strike>dorky</strike> cute cut outs</div><div style="text-align: center;">for $1 and had to get them. </div><div style="text-align: center;">i knew ali would love a kitty</div><div style="text-align: center;">and lucky me, there was enough to make 4</div><div style="text-align: center;">so none of the kids felt left out. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064627047/" title="IMG_9799 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9799" height="371" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7274/7064627047_3b5a63322e_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">i sewed and stuffed them one morning</div><div style="text-align: center;">and made collars so the kids would know whose is whose.</div><div style="text-align: center;">they were a bigger hit than i thought they would be,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is always a nice surprise.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've been wanting a sugar bowl to sit next to the coffee maker</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i don't have to go get sugar </div><div style="text-align: center;">out of the big canister every time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">when i found this set for $1/ea, i couldn't pass it up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">my heart beats late 60s-early70s so this is right up my alley.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6918549582/" title="IMG_9803 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9803" height="409" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6918549582_f0aa2d8511_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've also been stalking bids on sour cream glasses on ebay.</div><div style="text-align: center;">they're sold in sets usually, and it gets expensive. </div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm really cheap, so i haven't bought any.</div><div style="text-align: center;">these "swanky swig" glasses were there so you better believe</div><div style="text-align: center;">i scooped them up for $3/ea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm fine with building a collection over time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064627173/" title="IMG_9806 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9806" height="367" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/7064627173_75f54e09b3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">these are the dorkiest things ever,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but perfect for the little touch of kitschy</div><div style="text-align: center;"> that i've been wanting to add in the kitchen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">they'll be on a serving plate like this, only on the wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064627247/" title="IMG_9813 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9813" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7275/7064627247_0b88ea67c3_z.jpg" width="452" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i was also able to add to my collection of vintage tea towels.</div><div style="text-align: center;">jason has a thing for roosters, so he picked the yellow one out.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i agreed because </div><div style="text-align: center;">1. it was from the 70s</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. it was a happy color</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064627381/" title="IMG_9815 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9815" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/7064627381_8da49e630c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">last, but certainly not least,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i picked up some vintage scarves.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6918549992/" title="IMG_9819 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9819" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5329/6918549992_be92f4fabb_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> i love, love wearing them in my hair.</div><div style="text-align: center;">the one in the middle has been my go to. </div><div style="text-align: center;">my favorite way to wear them is found <a href="http://www.keikolynn.com/2011/07/head-scarf-tutorial.html">here</a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">and jason says out of all the styles</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've ever worn, that one is his very favorite.</div><div style="text-align: center;">gotta love that!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">the next flea market is this sunday... </div><div style="text-align: center;">lots of good stuff, i can't wait!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-85029235326882538052012-04-10T10:18:00.000-05:002012-04-10T10:18:36.777-05:00jaxon turns 3<div style="text-align: center;">i am still behind, so bear with me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'll try to catch up quickly. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">march 10th kicks off our "birthday season".</div><div style="text-align: center;">from march 10th-april 8th, we celebrated </div><div style="text-align: center;">9 birthdays in our family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">for his "big gift", we decided</div><div style="text-align: center;">to kill two birds with one stone</div><div style="text-align: center;">and get him something he really</div><div style="text-align: center;">needed anyway--</div><div style="text-align: center;">a big boy bed.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064626359/" title="IMG_9735 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9735" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/7064626359_ab7e223225_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i was stupidly excited as i was</div><div style="text-align: center;">waiting for him to come in his room.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i was all geared up for his big reaction.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064626417/" title="IMG_9737 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9737" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7213/7064626417_c0cdb4fd9c_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">without a reaction at all,</div><div style="text-align: center;">he promptly climbed up onto his bed</div><div style="text-align: center;">and opened his gifts from his siblings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6918548924/" title="IMG_9738 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9738" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7201/6918548924_8706055cd7_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">he was excited about spiderman socks, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6918548974/" title="IMG_9739 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9739" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7080/6918548974_a1a9ce2876_z.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">stoked about spiderman sunglasses,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064626569/" title="IMG_9740 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9740" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/7064626569_a0cf154c90_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and even grinned over "boy chapstick".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064626631/" title="IMG_9741 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9741" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7224/7064626631_523b9b590d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">at one point, he finally stood up and yelled,</div><div style="text-align: center;">"i'm excited about my big boy bed!"</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that was about the extent of it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">a little anticlimactic, but that's ok.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064626675/" title="IMG_9745 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9745" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7064626675_26306a6e05_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6918549188/" title="IMG_9746 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9746" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5454/6918549188_7325ec2354_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6918549240/" title="IMG_9747 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9747" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7040/6918549240_66e619a9e8_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">that afternoon, we threw a small party for him. </div><div style="text-align: center;">i went all out for the kids' parties last year</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i just wasn't up to it this year...</div><div style="text-align: center;">luckily they don't care. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">he got to wear his spiderman pajamas</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he got cowboy boots, a race track,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a spiderman doll and other things that just made his day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6918549338/" title="IMG_9767 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9767" height="550" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5279/6918549338_50f661cc44_z.jpg" width="492" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">mommy made a cake from scratch and daddy decorated it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7064626973/" title="IMG_9775 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9775" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7064626973_044e4b4634_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">simple and sweet.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was a good day.</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-74242405457843557312012-04-05T07:00:00.000-05:002012-04-05T07:00:01.256-05:00better than chicken soup<div style="text-align: center;">"max, what are you doing?"<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7045302129/" title="IMG_9666 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9666" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5155/7045302129_b5536c9134_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
"me?! haha oh, nothing..." <br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7045302171/" title="IMG_9667 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9667" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7045302171_92522c6de0_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
"oh..you mean this?"<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899208364/" title="IMG_9668 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9668" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7123/6899208364_35c42f7d5a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
"nom nom nom"<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899208394/" title="IMG_9670 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9670" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7249/6899208394_cf84f811bd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
"ahem. man, this is good stuff."<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7045302305/" title="IMG_9671 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9671" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5276/7045302305_dafac9fa83_z.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
<br />
chicken soup may be good for the soul,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but nothing says utopia like cookie dough.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-2355518980669211642012-04-04T10:48:00.000-05:002012-04-04T10:48:09.886-05:00comeback kid<div style="text-align: center;">i took a completely unintended hiatus from blogging.</div><div style="text-align: center;">whoops.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">soon after my last post,</div><div style="text-align: center;">jason's grandpa passed away,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we had a gas leak on our property,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">took a few small roadtrips for the farm,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7045208243/" title="IMG_9626 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9626" height="600" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/7045208243_f0b407f3fe_z.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(they wore newborn diapers on the way home. so cute.) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899114916/" title="IMG_9662 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9662" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7215/6899114916_6c074cffb2_z.jpg" width="415" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">did lots of home improvement projects,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899114796/" title="IMG_9578 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9578" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/6899114796_6e82be1235_z.jpg" width="434" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">then jason and i spent a "romantic"</div><div style="text-align: center;">valentine's day taking turns </div><div style="text-align: center;">throwing up in the bathroom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we had multiple colds,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899115158/" title="IMG_9793 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9793" height="359" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5454/6899115158_822b71abe9_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> but fresh air and music helped lift our spirits.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899115496/" title="IMG_9822-1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9822-1" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/6899115496_02d18bbe8f_z.jpg" width="390" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899115438/" title="IMG_9844 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9844" height="600" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/6899115438_d1bd8c302d_z.jpg" width="565" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">the following weekend,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we had a bout with head lice--a downside of public school.</div><div style="text-align: center;">worst thing ever.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">we've done lots of living and sharing life, </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899114988/" title="IMG_9724 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9724" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5330/6899114988_57fe21aaa4_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(homework with daddy)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7045208745/" title="IMG_9839 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9839" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7113/7045208745_177e293d32_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">jaxon got stuck in the bathroom,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899115102/" title="IMG_9732 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9732" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/6899115102_8c4cc1100d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">sydney lost her first tooth,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7045208633/" title="IMG_9795 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9795" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7130/7045208633_9b08c71d96_z.jpg" width="492" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6899115306/" title="IMG_9796 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9796" height="600" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5032/6899115306_a45f5d9c78_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and max's crib was becoming a hazard,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so he is cage free now and happy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/7045208911/" title="1stnap by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="1stnap" height="400" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5193/7045208911_be5e455ae3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> most recently, a week ago today actually,</div><div style="text-align: center;">my husband's foot was</div><div style="text-align: center;">run over by a 1,000+ lb</div><div style="text-align: center;">electric jack at work.</div><div style="text-align: center;">as in, he looked down after it happened</div><div style="text-align: center;">and the toe of his shoe was touching his shin.</div><div style="text-align: center;">yeah...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we serve a mighty God,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a God who heals and miraculously</div><div style="text-align: center;">there were no breaks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">he goes back to the dr thursday</div><div style="text-align: center;">and will have an mri to check </div><div style="text-align: center;">for ligament and tendon damage.</div><div style="text-align: center;">for now, he is on crutches</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i have taken on a lot of </div><div style="text-align: center;">the farm care, which is fine.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was tough at first.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we're finding a new normal</div><div style="text-align: center;">to last for the next few weeks,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we are managing well.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">there were plenty of times </div><div style="text-align: center;">when i had things on my heart to share,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but now i don't remember what they were.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i should have written them down... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so although this post is completely random</div><div style="text-align: center;">and most of you have probably forgotten about my blog,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i am hoping that this helps me get back into the swing of things...</div><div style="text-align: center;">because there are always new adventures, always things on my mind...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i am finding more and more that my memory is failing me. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here's to my comeback.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-50882806445764200602012-01-14T10:57:00.000-06:002012-01-14T10:57:19.077-06:00week 2 pictures and baby goats<div style="text-align: center;">i have to confess...</div><div style="text-align: center;">i was a "spurred" slacker this week.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've been going nonstop working on the house--</div><div style="text-align: center;">filling holes, sanding, painting, "helping" with demolition...</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i had to make up a few of the days.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'll do better next week.</div><div style="text-align: center;">promise. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">without further ado,</div><div style="text-align: center;">here are week 2's prompted pictures:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 8: broken</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695433589/" title="day8 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day8" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7157/6695433589_b73582518e_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">my heart was heavy,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so the prompt was perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i love my inlaws dearly and they've had</div><div style="text-align: center;">a lot going on recently...</div><div style="text-align: center;">lots of heartache on all sides. </div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm thankful that they know where to find solace.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 9: lines</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695433809/" title="day9 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day9" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6695433809_a52c4df354_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">these are the lines hanging down from</div><div style="text-align: center;">where the wall between the kitchen</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and living room used to be.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've been so excited to take this wall</div><div style="text-align: center;">out to open up the floor plan.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 10: fluffy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695434233/" title="day10 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day10" height="454" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6695434233_4aba5071b4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">max has the softest, fluffiest chicky down feeling hair ever.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hate to cut it, because i know it will start getting coarse...</div><div style="text-align: center;">so he gets a mullet.</div><div style="text-align: center;">sorry max...i promise we'll fix it soon, really.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 11: black</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695433731/" title="day11 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day11" height="408" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6695433731_4c7d1dfd60_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">our new llama is black...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i think it matches her heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;">she's vicious.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we were told she was tame,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but when they got her here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was clear she wasn't.</div><div style="text-align: center;">guttural screaming,</div><div style="text-align: center;">teeth baring,</div><div style="text-align: center;">charging,</div><div style="text-align: center;">stomping,</div><div style="text-align: center;">spitting,</div><div style="text-align: center;">wicked llama.</div><div style="text-align: center;">she's supposedly pregnant.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i vote for keeping the baby</div><div style="text-align: center;">and <strike>shooting</strike> selling her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 12: bow</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695433925/" title="day12 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day12" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7168/6695433925_605138b55d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the kids found my bag of gift bows</div><div style="text-align: center;">and tore them apart...</div><div style="text-align: center;">or rather, repurposed them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">ali decided to make </div><div style="text-align: center;">"purse necklaces"from them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">inventive, i will give her that. </div><div style="text-align: center;">she makes me proud. ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 13: mug shot</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695433981/" title="day13 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day13" height="475" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6695433981_d04e7f821c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">i feel like the biggest dork in the world</div><div style="text-align: center;">by posting this, but i'm ok with that.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i busted out my tagging skillz for you, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and used my alias since it's pretty gangsta...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and clearly i'm not, </div><div style="text-align: center;">with my chalkboard spray paint covered hands</div><div style="text-align: center;">and aero hoodie. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm going to interrupt the week 2 pictures now</div><div style="text-align: center;">to tell you about an exciting first for us...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">jason came in the house the other evening</div><div style="text-align: center;">holding a spindly legged thing the size of a house cat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">she was crying and carrying on, and it took me a minute</div><div style="text-align: center;">to realize what it was...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">a kid....</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">as in, a baby goat.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">she was the cutest thing i've ever seen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">she looked just like her mama,</div><div style="text-align: center;">only with brown ears instead of white. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">soon, i swapped her out to meet her brother.</div><div style="text-align: center;">he is gorgeous, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is huge for us, since now we have</div><div style="text-align: center;">a milk producing mama goat and</div><div style="text-align: center;">that has been the goal all along.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">yesterday, we noticed the baby girl wasn't doing well.</div><div style="text-align: center;">her brother was up and around and nursing like a champ.</div><div style="text-align: center;">on the other hand, she still couldn't get her balance to walk</div><div style="text-align: center;">and was worn out by trying to nurse.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we wrapped her up in a towel and took her along with us</div><div style="text-align: center;">to atwoods, where we bought a colostrum shot,</div><div style="text-align: center;">milk replacement and some electrolyte supplement.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was crazy how fast she declined on the way to the store.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> she wasn't strong enough to really take the bottle, </div><div style="text-align: center;">so we let her chew on it and hand expressed some</div><div style="text-align: center;">of the milk and electrolytes into her mouth.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we let her rest, and a couple hours later,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was clear she was getting better.</div><div style="text-align: center;">color had returned to her gums,</div><div style="text-align: center;">she was more alert and wanted to eat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i snuggled her all evening and named her sparrow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">she would cry if i put her down. </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we kept her in a kennel in our room</div><div style="text-align: center;">so that i could get up in the night with her.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i ended up on the couch because she would</div><div style="text-align: center;">cry briefly every 5 minutes (seriously)...</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i fed her again an hour and a half after </div><div style="text-align: center;">we had gone to bed...</div><div style="text-align: center;">she was declining again.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i couldn't get her to stand</div><div style="text-align: center;">and she wouldn't nurse.</div><div style="text-align: center;">towards the end of the feeding,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i could barely get her to swallow.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i gently tucked her back into her bed</div><div style="text-align: center;">and laid back down.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">jason was up 2 hours later,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and because his truck was late,</div><div style="text-align: center;">he was able to stay with her for a couple hours.</div><div style="text-align: center;">he could tell she wasn't doing well...</div><div style="text-align: center;">she didn't want to wake up.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">when i got up this morning, she was gone.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>i cried.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are thankful she isn't suffering,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i>but it's hard to see that happen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*** </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are also thankful that her brother is thriving...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695434641/" title="goat2 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="goat2" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6695434641_f0fcfb59c0_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695434799/" title="goat3 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="goat3" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6695434799_bc444f8282_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695434533/" title="goat1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="goat1" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6695434533_a9f89572e7_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and this brings me to today's picture prompt...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 14: dining </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6695434401/" title="day14 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day14" height="428" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6695434401_48fc7302bc_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">next week's prompts:</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 15: team work</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 16: "don't worry, be happy"</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 17: oops</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 18: strong</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 19: fire</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 20: behind</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 21: bridge</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">feel free to jump in anytime...</div><div style="text-align: center;">even if you just want to do a week's worth,</div><div style="text-align: center;">it would be fun to see what you come up with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks for reading.</div><div style="text-align: center;">have a beautiful weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-1169920166076669862012-01-07T08:20:00.000-06:002012-01-07T08:20:23.280-06:00365 :: spurred :: week 1<div style="text-align: center;">i made it through week one</div><div style="text-align: center;">of the photo a day project i'm doing this year!</div><div style="text-align: center;">i almost forgot a couple of days...</div><div style="text-align: center;">i bet you can tell which ones,</div><div style="text-align: center;">because the pictures are grainy</div><div style="text-align: center;">from being taken at night. =p</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 1: light</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6652760425/" title="day1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day1" height="371" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6652760425_9b61198322_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">this is the last bit of light from the first day of the year.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i took this while riding home from my inlaws'.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's a couple minutes from my house.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 2: tall</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6652760389/" title="day2 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day2" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7016/6652760389_6f22bb8e6a_z.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">tall...my preferred size at starbucks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">=)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 3: switch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6652760559/" title="day3 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day3" height="377" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7001/6652760559_cc001ec491_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm really excited to make the switch</div><div style="text-align: center;">to raw goat's milk as soon as our goats</div><div style="text-align: center;">throw (give birth) in the next couple of months.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i don't even care if i don't like it at first...</div><div style="text-align: center;">especially since watching <a href="http://www.foodincmovie.com/">food, inc</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we will also be raising our own chickens</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the spring.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> no more chlorine dipped chicken for us.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 4: craft</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6652760635/" title="day4 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day4" height="431" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6652760635_7f8231a2a5_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">this is my craft room.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it isn't much to look at now,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it will be.</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the last house, i had an overcrowded</div><div style="text-align: center;">closet i stuffed my junk into,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i'm really thankful to</div><div style="text-align: center;">have a dedicated space here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 5: leftover</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6652760675/" title="day5 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day5" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7026/6652760675_12a85d96ec_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">the holidays have come and gone,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but they forgot to take my extra 7-10 lbs</div><div style="text-align: center;">with them. i'm trying to be motivated</div><div style="text-align: center;">to do something about it,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but chocolate keeps calling my name...</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i answer.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 6: up</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6652760887/" title="day6 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day6" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6652760887_022e3115df_z.jpg" width="467" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">things are looking up around here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">when we moved in, our well was almost dry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we've had an abundance of rain since, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and the only things lacking are an oven</div><div style="text-align: center;">and plumbing fixes so that i can do laundry here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are so blessed in that our church family</div><div style="text-align: center;">volunteered to come over this afternoon to</div><div style="text-align: center;">make sure those things get fixed for us.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are so humbled and thankful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 7: clear</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6652761003/" title="day7 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="day7" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6652761003_ac3457eee3_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">clear skies and blushing trees</div><div style="text-align: center;"> on a beautiful january morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;">this "winter" has been so mild...and i love it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">if i didn't love farm life and our extended family </div><div style="text-align: center;">so much, i would beg jason to move to somewhere</div><div style="text-align: center;">like florida, just for the year around warm temperatures.</div><div style="text-align: center;">but that's ok...we're having an awesome winter here so far!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here are next week's prompts:</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 8: broken</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 9: lines</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 10: fluffy</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 11: black</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 12: bow</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 13: mug shot</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 14: dining</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks for reading.</div><div style="text-align: center;">have a wonderful weekend!</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-88359414656682011752012-01-05T10:31:00.000-06:002012-01-05T10:31:56.565-06:00front porch view<div style="text-align: center;">the youngest three </div><div style="text-align: center;">had a late breakfast this morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;">watching max and ruby took precedence</div><div style="text-align: center;">over breakfast, and max slept in...</div><div style="text-align: center;">probably because he woke me up</div><div style="text-align: center;">at 5 and decided to yell my name </div><div style="text-align: center;">off and on until 6:15...</div><div style="text-align: center;">"om! om! OM!"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">after 14 months of nursing,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we are *thisclose* to being done.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's really bittersweet since he is our last,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but truth be told, i'm looking forward to</div><div style="text-align: center;">having my body back...sort of.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4 kids does a number on a body,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and at least i could forget about</div><div style="text-align: center;">part of it while i was nursing...</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you know what i mean.</div><div style="text-align: center;">sorry, dad(s).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so now, instead of my shirt being yanked on</div><div style="text-align: center;">first thing in the morning, i get to hear</div><div style="text-align: center;">"ite. ite. ite." allll day long.</div><div style="text-align: center;">the boy loves his bites.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> anyway, while they were having</div><div style="text-align: center;">breakfast, i looked out the picture window</div><div style="text-align: center;">and thought i'd share the sights:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6641704419/" title="chicken by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="chicken" height="480" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6641704419_d30c5309fe_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">a chicken almost on top of the neighbor's roof</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6641704503/" title="ella by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="ella" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6641704503_1d36aa678f_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">sweet ella, who joined me</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6641704839/" title="donkey1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="donkey1" height="423" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7014/6641704839_e183d536a9_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">and our dumb ol' donkey.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">let me tell you some things about donkeys.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">first of all, we don't have a livestock trailer yet</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he's a big boy. he wouldn't fit in the back</div><div style="text-align: center;">of the swagger wagon like the goats.</div><div style="text-align: center;">that meant jason had to <b>walk</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">him home...with the boys and i parking</div><div style="text-align: center;">on various side streets until they caught up.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was 2-3 miles...and it took us 45 minutes to get home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">they are slow. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>very slow</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we never would have gotten away with that in the city.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">second, braying is one of the worst sounds </div><div style="text-align: center;">in the world. it's loud and wakes you up at all </div><div style="text-align: center;">hours...not to mention the fact that it sounds</div><div style="text-align: center;">like he's in distress. sometimes i wonder if</div><div style="text-align: center;">i could use that as an excuse to shoot him.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">third, they eat so.stinking.much.</div><div style="text-align: center;">that means they do something else</div><div style="text-align: center;">out the other end so.stinking.much...</div><div style="text-align: center;">no pun intended. =p</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so why do we have him?</div><div style="text-align: center;">--we needed an extra guardian for the goats</div><div style="text-align: center;">who are being kept in the back corral.</div><div style="text-align: center;">--he was free.</div><div style="text-align: center;">--he is actually super, <i>super </i>sweet...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6641704051/" title="jaxandali by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="jaxandali" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6641704051_83581f04cd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6641703931/" title="alianddonkey by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="alianddonkey" height="410" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6641703931_77ca0107fc_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6641704251/" title="alianddonkey2 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="alianddonkey2" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7146/6641704251_c040eae7d4_z.jpg" width="418" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so "sweet" (protective), in fact, that he attacked one of </div><div style="text-align: center;">the goats that "got too close to ali".</div><div style="text-align: center;">when he finally let her go, she ran off </div><div style="text-align: center;">and he looked up at us with sad, pleading eyes...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a mouthful of fur.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">since he's <i>supposed</i> to be </div><div style="text-align: center;">a <b>guardian</b> to the<u><b> goats</b></u> that puts us in quite a predicament.</div><div style="text-align: center;">if i had to guess, i would guess that he will be leaving soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm only sympathetic because the kids will be sad.</div><div style="text-align: center;">sydney wants to be cowgirl jessie from toy story,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and has aptly named him bullseye.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we're all learning the livestock</div><div style="text-align: center;">and pets are two very different things...</div><div style="text-align: center;">tough lessons!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">oh, and in case you're wondering,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is what happens when mommy</div><div style="text-align: center;">leaves the table unattended to take pictures</div><div style="text-align: center;">out the front window:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6641704635/" title="max by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="max" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6641704635_1615be01c6_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">max pulls an escape act from his</div><div style="text-align: center;">highchair as soon as i look away.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> by the way...</div><div style="text-align: center;">isn't the wallpaper border lovely?</div><div style="text-align: center;">ha.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's going away very soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i have christmas money</div><div style="text-align: center;"> and a head full of ideas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">this place will start to transform</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>very, very</i> soon....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">have a happy thursday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks for reading!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-61585877635887675022012-01-02T11:45:00.001-06:002012-01-02T11:46:08.359-06:00365 :: spurred :: prompts :: week 1<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6594632839/" title="spurred by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="spurred" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6594632839_04cb521b88_z.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hey everyone, here is the list of this week's prompts:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 1: light</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 2: tall</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 3: switch</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 4: craft</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 5: leftover</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 6: up</div><div style="text-align: center;">day 7: clear</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*make sure you add a caption to the picture.</div><div style="text-align: center;">sometimes your picture only makes sense to you,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so we would love to hear the background info</div><div style="text-align: center;">on it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*i will be posting mine once a week, but</div><div style="text-align: center;">i am still taking a picture daily.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">*also, i am still awaiting moderation</div><div style="text-align: center;">on joining the flickr group.</div><div style="text-align: center;">hopefully they'll clear it soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here is the list of fellow 365 :: spurred</div><div style="text-align: center;">bloggers so far. </div><div style="text-align: center;">visit their blog!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://theparishfam.blogspot.com/">kyle</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://girlmeetscamera.com/">megan</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://365photo-sarah.blogspot.com/">sarah</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you're doing this and i don't have you listed,</div><div style="text-align: center;">let me know and i'll add you! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">good luck this week! </div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-10239417050216239472011-12-30T11:09:00.000-06:002011-12-30T11:09:16.369-06:00end of the year thoughts<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6601213655/" title="banner1 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="banner1" height="256" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6601213655_c63ec16030_z.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hadn't really planned on doing an "end of the year" post,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but an <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/sa6ul">article</a> my friend posted got me thinking. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">there is a lot of emphasis on social networking,</div><div style="text-align: center;">blog growth, and various things.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it can (and does) get time consuming.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it can seem so important when you're </div><div style="text-align: center;">in the midst of it, but i've noticed something...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">when i am busy with <b>life</b>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">whether it's sharing life with those around me,</div><div style="text-align: center;">making gifts, working on the house...</div><div style="text-align: center;">i don't miss any of this at all.</div><div style="text-align: center;">most of it is all so superficial.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">what i miss no matter what:</div><div style="text-align: center;">fellowship with our church family, </div><div style="text-align: center;">coffee dates, play dates, visits to/from our parents,</div><div style="text-align: center;">having others into our home...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>face time</b> </span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">those are the things that matter.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i encourage you to stop putting so much </div><div style="text-align: center;">value in blogs, facebook, twitter, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>your value isn't found in your number of followers.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">you are worth so much more...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and so are those around you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">they need to know it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it seems funny to post that here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">because of course i want you to read</div><div style="text-align: center;">my blog...but i want to spur you on </div><div style="text-align: center;">to impact others in real life...</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm not interested in blog growth for self.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm interested in helping others grow.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">--invest into the lives of others.</div><div style="text-align: center;">--give your time.</div><div style="text-align: center;">--share your heart.</div><div style="text-align: center;">*be real.*</div><div style="text-align: center;">--open up your home without worrying about perfection.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">--call an old friend you haven't seen in a long time </div><div style="text-align: center;">and meet them for lunch or coffee.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">--make a meal for someone going through</div><div style="text-align: center;">a hardship or who just had a baby.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">--make a new friend. =) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">--think about what you do and why you do it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">think about how it impacts those around you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">so many times we're inconsiderate and hurting</div><div style="text-align: center;">our friends without realizing it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">--make a simple gift.</div><div style="text-align: center;">--write a letter and *mail* it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">if someone is on your heart, tell them!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">show love.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">don't underestimate what it does for someone.</div><div style="text-align: center;">the world is filled with lonely, hurting people</div><div style="text-align: center;">and you'd be surprised how many are right around you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you really meant it when you asked someone, </div><div style="text-align: center;">"how are you?", </div><div style="text-align: center;">what would happen? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">take the time to listen and find out.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">now...get off of here and go share life -- love on someone!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">have a happy new year!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">**i've been told the comment section isn't working on here. i'll look into it..but if you're wanting to join the 365 spurred project, e-mail me at drecos07 at gmail dot com. we start sunday! </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-91980531972349737472011-12-29T10:20:00.000-06:002011-12-29T10:24:08.559-06:00365 :: spurred<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6594632839/" title="spurred by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="spurred" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6594632839_04cb521b88_z.jpg" width="600" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i know most of us have tried a 365 project at one time or another.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i tried it, got bored with boring daily pictures and quit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">but this one is different...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i'm excited about it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> i recently found a new blog i love through pinterest.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i visited to find out how to do this</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/2322237277383421/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="369" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/2322237277383421_Ey0IoWwE_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://saralynnpaige.com/blog/style/simple-gibson-tuck/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">saralynnpaige.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/hpotosnak/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Hilary</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">and ended up getting hooked on her <a href="http://saralynnpaige.com/blog/">blog</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i've been intrigued by her 365 project this year,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and because it was different than anything i've seen,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i considered doing it, too.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i found out it was more of a personal, smaller group project</div><div style="text-align: center;">rather than a mass one like the normal 365 blogs.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i e-mailed sara, making sure it was ok that i used the idea.</div><div style="text-align: center;">she responded right away that it was, and offered to let </div><div style="text-align: center;">me head it up this year!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">so, what is it exactly?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here is the description from the flickr group:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">"This group is for those who want to better their photography and think creatively. There is a year's worth of prompts posted; they are totally random to keep the project interesting, but most are open to interpretation. This allows you to stretch your creativity, express your mind, and practice your photography skills all at the same time.<br />
<br />
A few rules: Members submit their 365 photos with the name of the prompt either in the title or description of their photograph. Please only post one photo per prompt (although you may have as many as you want on your own stream). Also, please only upload 5 photos per day. <br />
<br />
Please, I encourage you to have discussions about photographs you post! If you don't understand how someone's photo applies to the prompt, ask! That's what I want! Some photos will have back stories to them that only make sense to the photographer, so I encourage interaction..."</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you're interested, i'll be starting on january 1st.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i will probably post my pictures on a weekly basis,</div><div style="text-align: center;">instead of daily...but i will still be taking them everyday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">you're encouraged to join the flickr <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1565882@N20/">group</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">so that we can all see what the others are doing.</div><div style="text-align: center;">leave a comment or message me to let me know you're in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i know it'll be a challenge, but for those of us wanting to grow</div><div style="text-align: center;">in creativity and photography,</div><div style="text-align: center;">this is a great way to do it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope you'll join in!</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-39417604999683290972011-12-27T11:08:00.000-06:002011-12-27T11:08:15.346-06:00our christmas season :: it went a little something like this...<div style="text-align: center;">my house looked like this before december 1.</div><div style="text-align: center;">that was a record.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582130459/" title="christmasdecor by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="christmasdecor" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7025/6582130459_4a301cf30f_z.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we had a 2 hour christmas craft party:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6581990215/" title="IMG_9069 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9069" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7158/6581990215_00e26d5afe_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6581990321/" title="IMG_9072 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9072" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7010/6581990321_7934a8d6c1_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6581990395/" title="IMG_9078 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9078" height="492" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7031/6581990395_c897f26602_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6581990569/" title="IMG_9079 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9079" height="436" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6581990569_7f36720748_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6581990681/" title="IMG_9080 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9080" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6581990681_5e95160f75_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">these are the things we made:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582127327/" title="IMG_9093 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9093" height="395" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6582127327_95283e2c3a_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/make-christmas-ornaments.html#axzz1XVNd7XvU">paper ornaments</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582127425/" title="IMG_9097 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9097" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6582127425_a410fe78cd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://inmyblessednest.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-in-jar.html">christmas in a jar </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582129861/" title="IMG_9111 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9111" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6582129861_2d5d9054f9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.iammommahearmeroar.net/2011/11/christmas-kojo-designs.html">25 names of jesus</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">mini ornaments filled with paint, tulle, feathers, sequins, fabric.... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">to hang on this tree</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582130045/" title="IMG_9117 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9117" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6582130045_2dc272be4a_z.jpg" width="485" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and read about each day</div><div style="text-align: center;">(but we weren't very good at that part.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582147463/" title="IMG_9139 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9139" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7012/6582147463_545b0e9f76_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582150135/" title="IMG_9144 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9144" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6582150135_91a8a0aa39_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582153443/" title="IMG_9146 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9146" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6582153443_7a8053a146_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we learned:</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. never buy off brand glue dots. they won't hold your pretty</div><div style="text-align: center;">paper ornaments together and you'll get mad and use the</div><div style="text-align: center;">glue gun instead.</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. mini ornaments aren't very visible in christmas in a jar,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it was a fun idea and the kids loved it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. always buy double sided paper for paper baubles.</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. what mommies of all boys have said is true--</div><div style="text-align: center;">boys really aren't that into crafts. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we decorated the tree:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582161199/" title="IMG_9156 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9156" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6582161199_7a76a2148a_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582157327/" title="IMG_9152 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9152" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6582157327_93ed0f17f8_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582164715/" title="IMG_9166 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9166" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6582164715_f9450ea07d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582168411/" title="IMG_9173 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9173" height="427" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7142/6582168411_d7611b0455_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">(reeaally tight fit!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582172477/" title="IMG_9179 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9179" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7020/6582172477_fcd7f1d3f1_z.jpg" width="427" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">had lots of these</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6505354837/" title="IMG_9304 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9304" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6505354837_1ebfcd18b5_z.jpg" width="422" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we had fun with this,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582205987/" title="buddy by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="buddy" height="640" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7021/6582205987_a9c7e8201a_z.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">even though we don't really <i>do</i> santa.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we were able to find a good balance between</div><div style="text-align: center;">truth and letting them have fun through this <a href="http://blog.marshill.com/2010/12/13/what-we-tell-our-kids-about-santa-pastor-mark-for-the-washington-post/">article</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we hosted christmas eve with my mom's family</div><div style="text-align: center;">at our house, but i didn't get any pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;">after everyone left, the kids got to open</div><div style="text-align: center;">their traditional new pajamas and we </div><div style="text-align: center;">loaded up in the swagger wagon,</div><div style="text-align: center;">bought some special drinks and</div><div style="text-align: center;">went to look at christmas lights.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i make a deal with myself each christmas...</div><div style="text-align: center;">i will take pictures because i know i </div><div style="text-align: center;">will regret it if i don't...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but only if i will stop being so uptight</div><div style="text-align: center;">about having the perfect, professional looking pictures.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i was a moron and shot in jpeg instead of RAW...</div><div style="text-align: center;">and didn't adjust the white balance accordingly</div><div style="text-align: center;">in camera ( i usually just adjust it in photoshop, but </div><div style="text-align: center;">you can only do that when shooting RAW, not jpeg)</div><div style="text-align: center;">but bad pictures are better than zero pictures,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so here is what our christmas morning looked like:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206099/" title="IMG_9348 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9348" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7015/6582206099_07627d9f1b_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206247/" title="IMG_9354 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9354" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7166/6582206247_b8a0053e75_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206341/" title="IMG_9362 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9362" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6582206341_1437bbec87_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206497/" title="IMG_9370 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9370" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7161/6582206497_94453df6f4_z.jpg" width="400" /></a>)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206573/" title="IMG_9374 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9374" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6582206573_9dc0693228_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">he's obsessed with phones </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206671/" title="IMG_9379 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9379" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7023/6582206671_d8a749c8c2_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206783/" title="IMG_9380 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9380" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7167/6582206783_53febb5cfe_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582206887/" title="IMG_9383 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9383" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6582206887_f3caf14ec6_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">papa came over after we were done,</div><div style="text-align: center;">bringing lots of gifts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i tried to talk him into dressing up as santa, but he wouldn't. </div><div style="text-align: center;">maybe next year. really, dad. it would be so fun!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582207035/" title="IMG_9386 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9386" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/6582207035_c1655f019d_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582207191/" title="IMG_9394 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9394" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6582207191_025d5870c2_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we spent the afternoon with jason's family,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and had a somewhat quiet evening at home.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">we're now paying for the busyness, because my</div><div style="text-align: center;">kids are looking like this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582213343/" title="IMG_9427 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9427" height="411" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6582213343_f20e40f4aa_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582213419/" title="IMG_9429 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9429" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7152/6582213419_ea2e70221e_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6582213583/" title="IMG_9431 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9431" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6582213583_8e1a954ecd_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i'm feeling a lot like this,</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/108227197264762416/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="623" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/108227197264762416_DF7gdqdP_c.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=crazy+lady&view=detail&id=420FEDCB3683BBF640B1F4D57FAB9091CA0F0BA7&first=0&qpvt=crazy+lady&FORM=IDFRIR" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">bing.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/rcwend/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Wendy</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">hoping it will all pass soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope you had a blessed christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks for reading--and looking at--</div><div style="text-align: center;">this picture heavy post!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-29664927367883590702011-12-15T09:07:00.000-06:002011-12-16T06:18:07.227-06:00jordyn and emma :: a mini-session<div style="text-align: center;">i had no idea it has been over two weeks </div><div style="text-align: center;">since i have posted. oops!</div><div style="text-align: center;">you take the time to come and read,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i try to keep this updated regularly...</div><div style="text-align: center;">which i wasn't at all good at with my other blog...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but let's not dwell on it, mmk? ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">***</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">since <a href="http://dreofwhitestables.blogspot.com/2011/11/photography-reclaiming-art.html">deciding</a> to build my portfolio again</div><div style="text-align: center;">with the intent of business, i've had several</div><div style="text-align: center;">inquiries, which i've been very thankful for!</div><div style="text-align: center;">however, it <i>is</i> december, and</div><div style="text-align: center;">the weather hasn't been too friendly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">every one of my shoots have been</div><div style="text-align: center;">cancelled, but gina was a trooper</div><div style="text-align: center;">and stuck it out until we could do</div><div style="text-align: center;">a mini-session for her kids yesterday!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">it actually turned out to be perfect weather.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was a great way to wrap up the season!</div><div style="text-align: center;">here are a couple of my favorites:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6515902899/" title="burnett6bw by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="burnett6bw" height="450" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6515902899_017954fd40_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">iso 200 </div><div style="text-align: center;">f/4.0</div><div style="text-align: center;">shutter speed: 1/160</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6515901783/" title="burnett2 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="burnett2" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7032/6515901783_0a102b2d79_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">iso 200</div><div style="text-align: center;">f/4.0</div><div style="text-align: center;">ss: 1/80</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><u>the deets for those of you into photography: </u></div><div style="text-align: center;">we met at 4pm to make sure we had enough light, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but i also wanted to make sure</div><div style="text-align: center;">it wasn't too high overhead.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hate dappled or harsh lighting, </div><div style="text-align: center;">but i'm also a sucker for some good back lighting.</div><div style="text-align: center;">unfortunately it was too cloudy for that, but cloudy</div><div style="text-align: center;">skies are like a big <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/soft-box">soft box </a>and they provide even lighting,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which is always, always welcome!</div><div style="text-align: center;">i set my iso at 200, knowing my camera gets noisy (grainy) </div><div style="text-align: center;">at anything higher than that. with that iso, </div><div style="text-align: center;">i was still able to close my aperture down to 4.0. </div><div style="text-align: center;">a good rule of thumb for aperture is this:</div><div style="text-align: center;">if you're shooting 2 people, f/2; 3 people, f/3, etc.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i wanted to play it safe since there was such a </div><div style="text-align: center;">difference in height, so i set mine at 4.0.</div><div style="text-align: center;">the smaller the number, the smaller</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_focal_plane">focal plane</a> you have...and i definitely</div><div style="text-align: center;">don't want out of focus pictures!</div><div style="text-align: center;">my shutter speed was great on the</div><div style="text-align: center;">first one, because the sun was in front</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i had plenty of ambient light.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was a little darker by the tree line,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i had to move it down some...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it still worked fine since my</div><div style="text-align: center;">hands are steady enough.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope this explanation helps,</div><div style="text-align: center;">thanks for reading!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">**due to unpredictable, cold weather, i will not be doing anymore sessions until spring. it's too difficult to plan family time with last minute cancellations, etc...but things will be in full swing with spring sessions! thanks for your understanding!**</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-11568437091151726942011-11-30T08:33:00.000-06:002011-11-30T08:36:17.858-06:00father and son<div style="text-align: center;">when i was pregnant with ali,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i was convinced she was a boy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">everyone was...except for jason.</div><div style="text-align: center;">at first, i was disappointed,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but only because i had convinced myself</div><div style="text-align: center;">that i was carrying a son for my husband.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">once i had two girls,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i <b>thought</b> i was perfectly fine with </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>only</i> having girls....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">but soon, before i was ever pregnant</div><div style="text-align: center;">for the third time, i began praying for a son.</div><div style="text-align: center;">a son for my husband.</div><div style="text-align: center;">a son to carry on the family name.</div><div style="text-align: center;">a son that would bless me more than i knew.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6430788765/" title="IMG_8850 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8850" height="600" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7029/6430788765_9c1d3a1687_z.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">as special as a mother and son bond is, </div><div style="text-align: center;">i can't really explain what it's like</div><div style="text-align: center;">to watch son imitate father.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">jaxon follows jason around,</div><div style="text-align: center;">doing what he does,</div><div style="text-align: center;">saying what he says,</div><div style="text-align: center;">wanting to wear what daddy wears.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6430788907/" title="IMG_8851 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8851" height="400" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7144/6430788907_e8bfa24f87_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">he catches everything, things we don't even notice.</div><div style="text-align: center;">for that, i am thankful for such a wonderful, loving example.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6430788981/" title="IMG_8852 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8852" height="400" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6031/6430788981_11007d610c_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">they fix fences, feed the goats and chickens,</div><div style="text-align: center;">wrestle, play football and run errands.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> jaxon rejoices when his daddy gets home</div><div style="text-align: center;">from work each day, his smile radiating</div><div style="text-align: center;">and eyes full of admiration.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6430789095/" title="IMG_8853 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_8853" height="429" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6430789095_d4ffe06ff5_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(this is what happens when i tell jax to smile)</span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">max is getting older,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and already i am seeing this bond develop</div><div style="text-align: center;">again between father and son,</div><div style="text-align: center;">just like it has with jason and jaxon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i never knew having boys </div><div style="text-align: center;">would melt my heart like it does. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-77891193666286559962011-11-25T10:11:00.000-06:002011-11-25T10:17:48.897-06:00i'm dreaming of a crafty christmas<div style="text-align: center;">my baby is feverish.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm used to getting up at 6,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but guess who has been up since max woke up at 5?</div><div style="text-align: center;">yes, that would be me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it's not a big deal,</div><div style="text-align: center;">i'm just very thankful that i am not</div><div style="text-align: center;">out with the crazies shopping this morning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">instead, i was guzzling coffee</div><div style="text-align: center;">and <a href="http://pinterest.com/drecos/">pinning</a> like crazy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i came across several good quotes</div><div style="text-align: center;">this morning, but one really stuck out</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i decided it needed to go on my fridge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21288673@N06/6400135013/" title="IMG_9047 by Drecos, on Flickr"><img alt="IMG_9047" height="454" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6400135013_19d98a1bec_z.jpg" width="600" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">a 10 minute "craft",</div><div style="text-align: center;">and a reminder to <i>live</i> a life of thanks,</div><div style="text-align: center;">not just <i>give </i>thanks for my blessings.<br />
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but what i'm really excited about is christmas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">we usually buy ornaments every year, but </div><div style="text-align: center;">1. most of them are cheesy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. none are one of a kind.</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. they're expensive.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">why settle, i say!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">here is what i'm thinking:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">glitter cookie cutter ornaments</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/82753711872544836/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/82753711872544836_gOrGvWtV_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2009/12/an-ornament-party/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">centsationalgirl.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/drecos/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Drea</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">christmas in a jar</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/82753711872544786/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="368" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/82753711872544786_ROPRpgiG_c.jpg" width="554" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://inmyblessednest.blogspot.com/2011/11/christmas-in-jar.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">inmyblessednest.blogspot.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/drecos/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Drea</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">snowy balloon ornaments </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/82753711872544830/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="450" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/82753711872544830_KJjecEKV_c.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/266201/snowy-balloon-ornaments?backto=true&backtourl=/photogallery/christmas-ornaments" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">marthastewart.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/drecos/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Drea</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">want more ideas? check these out:</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/82753711872544831/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/82753711872544831_ZoHBtNWq_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/09/101-handmade-ornament-tutorials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Everythingetsycom+%28EverythingEtsy.com%29" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">everythingetsy.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/drecos/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Drea</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="d6a51898-160d-67f5-c44d-0ed50c469a8f" style="height: 272px; width: 420px;"><param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf?mode=mini&backgroundColor=%23222222&documentId=101103120140-488df3cdfd5348508a2e16c75227e425" /><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" wmode="transparent" style="width:420px;height:272px" flashvars="mode=mini&backgroundColor=%23222222&documentId=101103120140-488df3cdfd5348508a2e16c75227e425" /></object></div><div style="text-align: left; width: 420px;"><a href="http://issuu.com/inspired-ideas/docs/christmas?mode=window&backgroundColor=%23222222" target="_blank">Open publication</a> - Free <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">publishing</a> - <a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=christmas" target="_blank">More christmas</a></div></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">need frugal stocking stuffer ideas for your little ones?</div><div style="text-align: center;">click <a href="http://www.passionatehomemaking.com/2011/11/10-frugal-stocking-stuffers-for-children.html">here</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">what are your ideas?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2545745153111678382.post-76054073138345559612011-11-23T08:16:00.000-06:002011-11-23T08:16:09.435-06:00thankful :: a story and a list<div style="text-align: center;">as most of you know,</div><div style="text-align: center;"> we had a lot of extra expenses </div><div style="text-align: center;">when we <a href="http://dreofwhitestables.blogspot.com/2011/10/our-story-part-2.html">closed</a> on this house a month ago.</div><div style="text-align: center;">things we were told we wouldn't have to worry about,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so we didn't have the extra money in place--</div><div style="text-align: center;">all following a really rough </div><div style="text-align: center;">summer for us financially.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i have always known that God</div><div style="text-align: center;">will provide for us...</div><div style="text-align: center;">but sometimes i get scared,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and i doubt.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">this week, we were humbled. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">in my e-mail inbox, i got a request</div><div style="text-align: center;">for a survey from the lending company.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i felt like they should be aware of what had happened,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so i went ahead and filled it out.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i wasn't hateful, but i was very honest.</div><div style="text-align: center;">i didn't think anything would come of it. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">the next day, jason got a call.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it wasn't customer service.</div><div style="text-align: center;">it was one of the owners of the company,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the largest shareholder, in fact.</div><div style="text-align: center;">he wanted to know more,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and was extremely apologetic.</div><div style="text-align: center;">at the end of it all, he wrote us a check... </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>for five</i><b><i> hundred </i></b><i>dollars.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i cried. </div><div style="text-align: center;"> if it hadn't been for the tough experience,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we would still have been out that same amount of money...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> but the lord already had it worked </div><div style="text-align: center;">out ahead of time while i've been busy fretting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">two days later, we received a check</div><div style="text-align: center;">from the title company for what was</div><div style="text-align: center;"> left over from paying the escrow...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>almost two hundred dollars.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He <i>never</i> ceases to amaze me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>how</i> do i forget these things?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>how</i> do i let myself doubt?</div><div style="text-align: center;">he is <b>always</b> faithful.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>always</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">take heart, friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;">he sees you when you don't think he does,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he loves you <i>so, so</i> much.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and now, here are some other things i am thankful for:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">--a hard working husband</div><div style="text-align: center;">--4 healthy children</div><div style="text-align: center;">--5 days home with my school aged girl</div><div style="text-align: center;">--supportive parents</div><div style="text-align: center;">--a wonderful church, whose members have become family</div><div style="text-align: center;">--a warm home</div><div style="text-align: center;">--coffee. i'm not even kidding.</div><div style="text-align: center;">--my husband's work schedule</div><div style="text-align: center;">--photography picking back up</div><div style="text-align: center;">--thoughtfulness of friends</div><div style="text-align: center;">--an extra day off this week with my husband</div><div style="text-align: center;">--feeling loved</div><div style="text-align: center;">--my own craft room</div><div style="text-align: center;">--our little farm</div><div style="text-align: center;">--sharing life with others</div><div style="text-align: center;">--loving on people</div><div style="text-align: center;">--the lord's grace and mercy</div><div style="text-align: center;">--forgiveness</div><div style="text-align: center;">--having others in our home</div><div style="text-align: center;">--time to catch up with family</div><div style="text-align: center;">over plates of delicious food.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">i hope you all have a wonderful thanksgiving this week!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>drea :: dre of white stableshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07306789733616890392noreply@blogger.com4