tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65565245293729160672024-03-12T23:11:51.696-04:00Meadows' Family NewsTraciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-49409480747584316132011-12-01T10:25:00.001-05:002011-12-01T10:32:40.742-05:00December 1<div style="text-align: center;">
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I am having a very hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that Christmas is in just a few short weeks. I feel like November flew by and even Thanksgiving was a blur. The night before Thanksgiving I told Mark I really couldn't believe we were going to be cooking a turkey that next day. I felt like it was the beginning of the month. It doesn't help that it was such a warm day.</div>
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Temperatures have dipped and the bus stop walk has been cold the past two days! This morning I made the kids put on their warm coats and Liam said, "I hate this coat. It makes me feel like a barge!" It was really hard not to laugh, but I told him he had to wear it to stay warm. I don't think anyone really likes wearing bulky winter coats, but I definitely appreciate mine when it's below freezing!<br />
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We decorated the house the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. The nativity sets are out, the stockings are up, and the s'more ornament tree is up. We won't get our live tree for another few weeks. We are late tree people, for sure! <br />
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I love this time of year, not for the great shopping deals or the time with family. Those things are nice, but I love reflecting on Christ's birth, thinking about Him coming as a tiny helpless infant. God incarnate, God with us....it's staggering to think that the Creator of the world came and walked in flesh so that we could know Him. I love that we can have a meaningful relationship with Him because He came. That is why I celebrate!Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-31242522179921339892011-10-24T08:25:00.001-04:002011-10-24T08:25:28.174-04:00Pumpkin Patch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My mom, brother, and I took the kids to the pumpkin patch on Columbus Day. We went early in the morning because we had a lunch date with my grandma later that day. I couldn't believe how many other people had the same idea! The patch was so crowded. We got on one of the first tractors that went out to the field and were in and out in about an hour. We had 5 really lovely pumpkins that we brought home and put on our front porch. The plan was to carve them before Halloween, but just a few days later someone smashed three of them. The kids were so upset. I was angry that someone had the nerve to come onto my porch in the middle of the night and throw my pumpkins hard enough to shatter them all over our sidewalk. How mean! We moved the surviving two pumpkins into the house and won't be putting them out on the steps again.Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-5515186675911539032011-09-05T17:01:00.001-04:002011-09-05T17:08:53.846-04:00Liam is 5<div style="text-align: center;">
I cannot believe my baby is 5 years old. We celebrated his birthday at the beach this year. He wanted to go to the zoo, so we planned a trip to the Norfolk Zoo. We were making pancakes that morning when the power went out, so we had a surprise IHOP trip that day too! The zoo was really nice and we loved seeing elephants, red pandas, and a baboon with a colorful behind! </div>
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Meadows house rule: gum is allowed when you are 5 - Liam's birthday gum</div>
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Trick candles are not funny, mama!</div>
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We had Liam's cake made by the Lady of Cakes. I loved being able to order it and pick it up, instead of dragging cake making stuff on vacation. The only snafoo was that we didn't have candles. I went to Walgreen's to look and all they had were trick candles......Liam was NOT amused! Now we are preparing for the next milestone....kindergarten begins tomorrow.</div>
Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-46658647596141843512011-09-02T10:15:00.002-04:002011-09-02T10:18:06.490-04:00More Pool Pictures<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ueS7iaELbIM/TmDlZjxXtMI/AAAAAAAAB7M/4RnxL0UzgOY/s1600/pool12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ueS7iaELbIM/TmDlZjxXtMI/AAAAAAAAB7M/4RnxL0UzgOY/s400/pool12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647766159984407746" border="0" /></a>
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa6KnSLjZfc/TmDlMOC0hfI/AAAAAAAAB60/McNoW3F87y8/s1600/pool10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa6KnSLjZfc/TmDlMOC0hfI/AAAAAAAAB60/McNoW3F87y8/s400/pool10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647765930813720050" border="0" /></a>I love taking pictures of the family flying through the air. I have about 100 or more pictures of us in the pool from our beach vacation. I will spare you and just post these!
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<br />Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-19368337811536766052011-09-01T08:28:00.003-04:002011-09-01T08:32:05.952-04:00The Pool is Awesome!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvSLOwCqfXA/Tl96wi9kt-I/AAAAAAAAB58/pWXDiiX1LZM/s1600/pool4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NvSLOwCqfXA/Tl96wi9kt-I/AAAAAAAAB58/pWXDiiX1LZM/s400/pool4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647367432183265250" border="0" /></a>
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<br />We swam in the pool every day we were at the beach. I really love taking pictures of the kids leaping into the pool. They were learning how to do cannonballs and can openers this year! Mark was happy to model how to do them!
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<br />More pictures to come.
<br />Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-85202466212130133242011-08-30T17:55:00.002-04:002011-08-30T18:01:10.957-04:00We went to Sandbridge again this year for vacation. We were there while Hurricane Irene was brewing so we kept an eye on the weather channel. We were supposed to stay through Saturday, August 27th, but a mandatory evacuation was put into place for August 26th. We decided to leave late in the evening on August 25th to beat the traffic. We had no trouble getting home and made it late Thursday. The hurricane hit near us on Saturday and we ended up losing power from 12:30 Saturday through 2pm Tuesday! It was an adventure for sure.
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<br />We did most of our activities wearing headlamps. I told the kids it was like camping but without bugs! Some places in the metro area are still without power, but we are so grateful to have things back to normal. Here are some pictures of the kids on the beach. No fear of the waves at all this year. They loved being in the water.
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<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pj_Z6lhIROs/Tl1coFtzyaI/AAAAAAAAB5c/TDgW4JpJOCY/s1600/sandbridge3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pj_Z6lhIROs/Tl1coFtzyaI/AAAAAAAAB5c/TDgW4JpJOCY/s400/sandbridge3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646771351591307682" border="0" /></a>Mark loves playing in the sand too!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh42L275Q6U/Tl1ceZdr0KI/AAAAAAAAB5M/8vKHecocS98/s1600/sandbridge1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kh42L275Q6U/Tl1ceZdr0KI/AAAAAAAAB5M/8vKHecocS98/s400/sandbridge1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646771185093693602" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-63516206085462825882011-08-27T10:26:00.004-04:002011-08-27T10:28:42.196-04:00A day on the James River<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7o98zfCm-hs/Tlj_BXW229I/AAAAAAAAB4c/OUd9llhYWGI/s1600/ponypastures3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7o98zfCm-hs/Tlj_BXW229I/AAAAAAAAB4c/OUd9llhYWGI/s400/ponypastures3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645542531823754194" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMlWmZ_VOiU/Tlj_BV_YKOI/AAAAAAAAB4U/Qb7AwB1Mvg8/s1600/ponypastures2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EMlWmZ_VOiU/Tlj_BV_YKOI/AAAAAAAAB4U/Qb7AwB1Mvg8/s400/ponypastures2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645542531456837858" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vd1sfQk5gM/Tlj_BGrIanI/AAAAAAAAB4M/Ce0Equ4P-4s/s1600/ponypastures.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7vd1sfQk5gM/Tlj_BGrIanI/AAAAAAAAB4M/Ce0Equ4P-4s/s400/ponypastures.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645542527345388146" border="0" /></a>
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3H8t8V-Oic/Tlj_Busg5aI/AAAAAAAAB4k/VHy9vcMHNsU/s1600/ponypastures4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-K3H8t8V-Oic/Tlj_Busg5aI/AAAAAAAAB4k/VHy9vcMHNsU/s400/ponypastures4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645542538088605090" border="0" /></a>
<br />Earlier this month we took the kids down to the James River for a picnic and to wade around the rocks. We stopped at a place called Pony Pastures. There were tons of rocks to climb on and to jump off into the water. The weather was so mild that day and it was a great day to play outside!
<br />Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-69949116876450596742011-08-02T12:00:00.003-04:002011-08-02T12:09:05.647-04:00Happy birthday, Peyton<div style="text-align: center;">Peyton had her 7th birthday on July 30. It seems like just yesterday that I was holding her in my arms and she was brand new.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hAvikQCrOBM/Tjgfmxdoh6I/AAAAAAAAB3k/4CY-j8wGk3Q/s1600/pbirthday1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hAvikQCrOBM/Tjgfmxdoh6I/AAAAAAAAB3k/4CY-j8wGk3Q/s400/pbirthday1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636289684627294114" border="0" /></a><br />Peyton, we love your sweet smile, your sense of humor, and your desire to be such a helper. You are so independent and smart. I am amazed at how you have blossomed into such a sweet and wonderful young lady. I hope you know just how much your mama and dad love you!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFrM_mDp3mg/Tjgfncwxd-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/mFEl8vVHErg/s1600/pbirthday2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mFrM_mDp3mg/Tjgfncwxd-I/AAAAAAAAB3s/mFEl8vVHErg/s400/pbirthday2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636289696250296290" border="0" /></a>We kept the birthday low key this year. On her actual birthday we were in Fredericksburg celebrating her great-uncle's 80th birthday, so we celebrated on the 29th. We baked a cake from scratch and then iced and decorated it. Peyton did most of the work and her results were impressive!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRbTYkiev24/TjgfnxfsalI/AAAAAAAAB30/FBCEAmftal4/s1600/pbirthday3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRbTYkiev24/TjgfnxfsalI/AAAAAAAAB30/FBCEAmftal4/s400/pbirthday3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636289701815806546" border="0" /></a><br />When she woke up on the 29th, we had balloons and a happy birthday sign on her chair. She ate cake with her breakfast and then she and Liam went to the last day of vacation Bible school. We let her open her gift that evening after dinner.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2G02TInT3U/TjgfoJdDM-I/AAAAAAAAB38/Newh8A8RR3M/s1600/pbirthday4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d2G02TInT3U/TjgfoJdDM-I/AAAAAAAAB38/Newh8A8RR3M/s400/pbirthday4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636289708247167970" border="0" /></a><br />A digital camera! Peyton has been asking for one and we told her as long as she takes care of it, we'll let her use it as she wants. She has spent a lot of time taking pictures of everything, her dolls, her brother, her dog! <br /><br />Really, Peyton had a birthday week. She celebrated with her Nonna and then celebrated with her Granna, Grandad, and cousins. And now this week we have one more birthday thing to do, a movie and lunch with some friends from church. I think I'll take my cues from her and have a birthday week too!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPcW1fAHOZU/TjgfoYtRtZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/gPUreid0k_k/s1600/pbirthday5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CPcW1fAHOZU/TjgfoYtRtZI/AAAAAAAAB4E/gPUreid0k_k/s400/pbirthday5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636289712341759378" border="0" /></a></div>Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-15315887838055679192011-07-06T15:19:00.004-04:002011-07-06T15:37:23.156-04:00Flying Squirrels....or how we spent our July 4th<div style="text-align: center;">The first inning - Richmond Squirrels v. Trenton Thunder<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJnzGwCT_R4/ThS48vTn_WI/AAAAAAAAB3U/dnbilfmcB1w/s1600/squirrels2.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCcZKQfUXkE/ThS47hq9FQI/AAAAAAAAB3E/Qym1FGwgCig/s1600/squirrels4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kCcZKQfUXkE/ThS47hq9FQI/AAAAAAAAB3E/Qym1FGwgCig/s400/squirrels4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626325167282918658" border="0" /></a><br />Our kids with Nutsy<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6gh6X1Rd_k/ThS47yNFI_I/AAAAAAAAB3M/7P4g9ZdR6vs/s1600/squirrels3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J6gh6X1Rd_k/ThS47yNFI_I/AAAAAAAAB3M/7P4g9ZdR6vs/s400/squirrels3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626325171721020402" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Lots and lots of rain</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJnzGwCT_R4/ThS48vTn_WI/AAAAAAAAB3U/dnbilfmcB1w/s1600/squirrels2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJnzGwCT_R4/ThS48vTn_WI/AAAAAAAAB3U/dnbilfmcB1w/s400/squirrels2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626325188123032930" border="0" /></a><br />Just before the game was cancelled<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tEC7Zp-7Zyk/ThS49QQM1fI/AAAAAAAAB3c/X3PJuRBJ4dc/s1600/squirrels.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tEC7Zp-7Zyk/ThS49QQM1fI/AAAAAAAAB3c/X3PJuRBJ4dc/s400/squirrels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626325196967040498" border="0" /></a><br />Mark and I took our children to a Richmond Squirrels baseball game on the 4th of July. I was so excited to take them because the after game fireworks are always awesome. We bought tickets through our church and saw some faces we knew and we met some new friends too. As we left for the baseball diamond, the clouds were building and the weather report was pretty ominous, but we hoped it would be a quick storm and that we would be able to see the whole game. Well.....after an inning and a half, they called a rain delay.<br /><br />We took the kids to the concession area and got some junk food (really isn't that the best part of county fairs and ball games)! We found a dry place and tried to stay warm. The wind was blowing rain all over the place and it was cold. Our poor kids were freezing. The power also went out briefly. We could see the road and the cars were driving through lots of puddles. It was a pretty intense storm. We roamed around and ate more junk, dessert this time, and waited for the officials to either cancel or to continue to the delay. They finally canceled so we left for home. We found out later that they ended up doing the fireworks, but really really late.<br /><br />Liam and Peyton were such great sports. They thought it was a great adventure and not one complaint was spoken. I was so proud of them for being so flexible and for making it fun, in spite of a really bad storm. We are planning to go back later this season to catch a game and fireworks!Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-54464742659042918042011-06-14T12:49:00.003-04:002011-06-14T12:54:25.896-04:00Fun in the Sprinklers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgMcIKMSNwo/TfeRfJPysiI/AAAAAAAAB20/ZjQq368g4W8/s1600/sprinklerfun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cgMcIKMSNwo/TfeRfJPysiI/AAAAAAAAB20/ZjQq368g4W8/s400/sprinklerfun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618119024412111394" border="0" /></a><br />One of the features of our new house is the built-in sprinkler system. We have never had one before and didn't think we would use it to water the grass. But last week when we had temperatures in the 100's, Mark found a great way to cool off our kids! They loved running around the yard through the sprinklers and we didn't have to haul out the hose!<br /><br />Peyton is done with school in 4 more days and we are so excited for the end! I am ready to sleep in past 5am and to not have to rush around in the mornings. Liam has already done his kindergarten orientation and is ready to join his sister on the bus in the fall. I think the nicest thing will be having both kids on the same schedule. It will be nice to not be running one over to the preschool and having to get there for noon pickup. I get sad about them growing up, but there are nice things too.<br /><br />I'll post our summer list of things we're hoping to do later this week!Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-84235373704688657562011-05-11T09:59:00.003-04:002011-05-11T10:05:59.573-04:00JMU<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXZdmWyvWUA/TcqWhzXc8HI/AAAAAAAAB2o/SOLaSp07qR0/s1600/jmu1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yXZdmWyvWUA/TcqWhzXc8HI/AAAAAAAAB2o/SOLaSp07qR0/s400/jmu1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605458193684426866" border="0" /></a>New sidewalk leading under S Main St to the new performing arts center<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F82HO3nKtCY/TcqWhUUJZCI/AAAAAAAAB2g/lyWA8SnVMIU/s1600/jmu2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F82HO3nKtCY/TcqWhUUJZCI/AAAAAAAAB2g/lyWA8SnVMIU/s400/jmu2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605458185349063714" border="0" /></a><br />Kissing rock<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KUCfzrXxgg/TcqWhcgzjCI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/6Q1ZdZemzAA/s1600/jmu3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4KUCfzrXxgg/TcqWhcgzjCI/AAAAAAAAB2Y/6Q1ZdZemzAA/s400/jmu3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605458187549641762" border="0" /></a><br />Portrait by Peyton<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GvwyYfEP9w/TcqWg0qEUHI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/stIAgzWVGpM/s1600/jmu4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_GvwyYfEP9w/TcqWg0qEUHI/AAAAAAAAB2Q/stIAgzWVGpM/s400/jmu4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605458176851071090" border="0" /></a><br />Our kids always want to sit on the Duke Dog<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zMW1osVcUo/TcqWg851NHI/AAAAAAAAB2I/q9w2iZD7_zU/s1600/jmu5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zMW1osVcUo/TcqWg851NHI/AAAAAAAAB2I/q9w2iZD7_zU/s400/jmu5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605458179064673394" border="0" /></a>We went back to JMU to visit in April. It was awesome to see how JMU has changed since we left in September. We walked around in the performing arts center and took a peek backstage too. It was an amazing space. I still miss Harrisonburg, but this trip back was easier. I didn't feel awful this time when we left to drive back to Richmond. It felt better to be leaving knowing that Richmond is starting to feel like home.Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-90475809895655758812011-04-20T10:16:00.003-04:002011-04-20T10:29:38.663-04:00Richmond Metro Zoo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWoEEfUft-k/Ta7tSOqv4vI/AAAAAAAAB2A/wv9xJnxH6wQ/s1600/zoo2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mWoEEfUft-k/Ta7tSOqv4vI/AAAAAAAAB2A/wv9xJnxH6wQ/s400/zoo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597672284298928882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtrPLL8cVMk/Ta7tLXUbvvI/AAAAAAAAB14/7gOBfMqmwkY/s1600/zoo1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HtrPLL8cVMk/Ta7tLXUbvvI/AAAAAAAAB14/7gOBfMqmwkY/s400/zoo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597672166362169074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJBmuO6YKWM/Ta7tLNtdP8I/AAAAAAAAB1w/cGTQ-GuUrTw/s1600/zoo3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJBmuO6YKWM/Ta7tLNtdP8I/AAAAAAAAB1w/cGTQ-GuUrTw/s400/zoo3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597672163782770626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zkOkDL-OPnE/Ta7tLD4m15I/AAAAAAAAB1o/YotRBTozc6w/s1600/zoo5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zkOkDL-OPnE/Ta7tLD4m15I/AAAAAAAAB1o/YotRBTozc6w/s400/zoo5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597672161145182098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjbM0obK3bQ/Ta7tK_Gyc9I/AAAAAAAAB1g/rMXUKTNcOt4/s1600/zoo6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XjbM0obK3bQ/Ta7tK_Gyc9I/AAAAAAAAB1g/rMXUKTNcOt4/s400/zoo6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597672159862485970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hJk4LpWM-c/Ta7tK4bhOBI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/ETNU8pMrohc/s1600/zoo7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8hJk4LpWM-c/Ta7tK4bhOBI/AAAAAAAAB1Y/ETNU8pMrohc/s400/zoo7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597672158070388754" border="0" /></a>We are trying to do some fun things over spring break, not just regular weekly routine stuff. Yesterday we went to the Richmond Metro Zoo. I love seeing all of the unique animals. We also saw a few wild black snakes and got to touch one. I'm reminded of God's incredible design and His sense of humor too. Seriously, the giraffe is a funny looking creature, and so is the vulture!Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-70841565031318090132011-04-06T07:55:00.003-04:002011-04-06T08:04:31.068-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwkpkLg_xa4/TZxU-6ZnMOI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/ngXe1GrUSGo/s1600/rainbowcake3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vwkpkLg_xa4/TZxU-6ZnMOI/AAAAAAAAB1Q/ngXe1GrUSGo/s400/rainbowcake3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592438277092618466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Su9N3yvN5yw/TZxU-lbzrHI/AAAAAAAAB1I/Yicx07aaiHk/s1600/rainbowcake2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Su9N3yvN5yw/TZxU-lbzrHI/AAAAAAAAB1I/Yicx07aaiHk/s400/rainbowcake2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592438271464680562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIALw-_f8H8/TZxU-lUxQcI/AAAAAAAAB1A/zqzU8H9be7o/s1600/rainbowcake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIALw-_f8H8/TZxU-lUxQcI/AAAAAAAAB1A/zqzU8H9be7o/s400/rainbowcake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592438271435162050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYiU6SNPy_U/TZxU-Qg8w9I/AAAAAAAAB04/essJpR9Zsl4/s1600/peytoncake.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QYiU6SNPy_U/TZxU-Qg8w9I/AAAAAAAAB04/essJpR9Zsl4/s400/peytoncake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592438265849103314" border="0" /></a>There are tons of blogs that have documented this cake. You can google rainbow layer cake and find it. I saw it months ago and wanted to make it as part of our April Fool's Day dinner, but I couldn't keep this one hidden from Peyton and Liam. They saw all of the batter sitting on the counter after it was colored and watched the layers cooking in the oven. It was fun to cut the cake and see all of the layers. The only negative thing about this cake was all the frosting. We are a family that really doesn't like frosting. I kept the frosting between the layers really thin, but it was still really sweet. I need to find a homemade frosting that isn't terribly sweet.Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-30417245709297792672011-04-04T14:48:00.004-04:002011-04-04T14:56:36.500-04:00Cupfakes - April Fool's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wp6JS3yXuHI/TZoTJRvUZFI/AAAAAAAAB0w/zbymRa2aExg/s1600/cupfakes3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wp6JS3yXuHI/TZoTJRvUZFI/AAAAAAAAB0w/zbymRa2aExg/s400/cupfakes3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591802937435513938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obSkAyrX96o/TZoTJPJs7AI/AAAAAAAAB0o/-g85wYE3iFs/s1600/cupfakes2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-obSkAyrX96o/TZoTJPJs7AI/AAAAAAAAB0o/-g85wYE3iFs/s400/cupfakes2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591802936740867074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ymHsTiKxYI/TZoTIwTr7jI/AAAAAAAAB0g/j5vzbY7YDWg/s1600/cupfakes.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8ymHsTiKxYI/TZoTIwTr7jI/AAAAAAAAB0g/j5vzbY7YDWg/s400/cupfakes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591802928461246002" border="0" /></a><br />Last year we made fakin' and eggs for April Fool's Day. This year I made cupfakes, which looked exactly like cupcakes, but they were meatloaf with mashed potato "frosting." Mark had to work, so I invited my mom for dinner. I was really hoping Peyton and Liam would be faked out, but as we sat down to dinner, Liam took a lick of the frosting and said, "This is mashed potatoes!" They were delicious and it was fun, even though the kids weren't all that surprised!<br /><br />We are enjoying some gorgeous spring weather. This past weekend was weird. We went to the park Saturday and had to dodge rain and hail, but Sunday was awesome. A girl at church was talking about planting that day, prepping her garden, etc. and I got the bug to plant. The kids and I went to the Great Big Greenhouse and Meadows Farm and picked up a van full of stuff, coneflowers, black eyed susans, forsythia, mint, and some basil. Liam and Peyton also picked a few other perennials that I can't remember. We spent all of Sunday afternoon outside planting and digging in the dirt. The front yard looks pretty good, but our backyard needs WORK! It's tough to get it done when Mark is working so many weekends, but we are slowly making progress.Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-55915155681721499232011-03-31T11:14:00.003-04:002011-03-31T11:20:38.089-04:00I won something<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flheEV_QPrE/TZSa75Oy6mI/AAAAAAAAB0I/skxWW71SfK0/s1600/soap-spitter.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-flheEV_QPrE/TZSa75Oy6mI/AAAAAAAAB0I/skxWW71SfK0/s400/soap-spitter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590263391239465570" border="0" /></a>Several weeks ago I entered a giveaway on the <a href="http://www.danielleburkleo.com/">Take Heart</a> blog for a soap spitter. These soap dispensers are so fun and whimsical and they're made by <a href="http://www.close2myart.com/shoppingcart/">Close 2 My Art.</a> I actually won! I was so excited, probably more excited than the rest of my family, but hey, a sock monkey soap dispenser....what's not to be excited about! I love it. We have it in the downstairs bathroom and I think it is incredibly fun. I wanted to thank Danielle for this giveaway too and for making me aware of another place to buy unique, handmade gifts.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CROiR7d0e08/TZSa7yJb53I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/IVXVYbeaKRg/s1600/sweet-portrait.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CROiR7d0e08/TZSa7yJb53I/AAAAAAAAB0Q/IVXVYbeaKRg/s400/sweet-portrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590263389337937778" border="0" /></a>I took this picture of my precious kids last week. Aren't they so sweet................... (just look below for their favorite pose!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rSlzlSBvAw/TZSa8GmY30I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/_RTg65BJGWo/s1600/not-so-sweet-portrait.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1rSlzlSBvAw/TZSa8GmY30I/AAAAAAAAB0Y/_RTg65BJGWo/s400/not-so-sweet-portrait.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590263394828083010" border="0" /></a>They love to make faces for their mama's camera, followed immediately by, "Can we see the picture!"Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-11947553104668401002011-03-23T15:56:00.001-04:002011-03-23T15:57:17.675-04:00Green!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zokxoNKdnOs/TYpQf8gj00I/AAAAAAAAB0A/2_S2MWcOfRI/s1600/green1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 357px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zokxoNKdnOs/TYpQf8gj00I/AAAAAAAAB0A/2_S2MWcOfRI/s400/green1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587366797455381314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nohwkrZE02E/TYpQf7HMeLI/AAAAAAAABz4/x7fexSuKSOw/s1600/green2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nohwkrZE02E/TYpQf7HMeLI/AAAAAAAABz4/x7fexSuKSOw/s400/green2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587366797080557746" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qsv7fXVn_9k/TYpQfpOVEEI/AAAAAAAABzw/NSThLR7qCsY/s1600/green3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qsv7fXVn_9k/TYpQfpOVEEI/AAAAAAAABzw/NSThLR7qCsY/s400/green3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587366792278642754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCh18CuRiek/TYpQfn2BHyI/AAAAAAAABzo/6kqRAtGpYZ8/s1600/green4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fCh18CuRiek/TYpQfn2BHyI/AAAAAAAABzo/6kqRAtGpYZ8/s400/green4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587366791908237090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8KRIsa_r84/TYpQfRzOcGI/AAAAAAAABzg/dAAquDgjnnk/s1600/green5.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d8KRIsa_r84/TYpQfRzOcGI/AAAAAAAABzg/dAAquDgjnnk/s400/green5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587366785990946914" border="0" /></a>Lots of green in our house, inside and out! I am so excited to see the signs of spring.Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-84330334223616236492011-03-17T11:05:00.002-04:002011-03-17T11:06:30.539-04:00How deep the Father's love for usI love this song so much. We sang it at First Presbyterian Church in Harrisonburg and it is really one of my favorites. It's also a beautiful reminder of His sacrifice for us, especially as we move toward Easter.<br /><br /><br />How deep the Father's love for us,<br />How vast beyond all measure<br />That He should give His only Son<br />To make a wretch His treasure<br /><br />How great the pain of searing loss,<br />The Father turns His face away<br />As wounds which mar the chosen One,<br />Bring many sons to glory<br /><br />Behold the Man upon a cross,<br />My sin upon His shoulders<br />Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,<br />Call out among the scoffers<br /><br />It was my sin that held Him there<br />Until it was accomplished<br />His dying breath has brought me life<br />I know that it is finished<br /><br />I will not boast in anything<br />No gifts, no power, no wisdom<br />But I will boast in Jesus Christ<br />His death and resurrection<br /><br />Why should I gain from His reward?<br />I cannot give an answer<br />But this I know with all my heart<br />His wounds have paid my ransomTraciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-20887126257468174452011-03-09T15:21:00.004-05:002011-03-09T15:38:34.604-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3l3dC-34PNY/TXfkvzKw-iI/AAAAAAAABzY/wvbjbqNr_34/s1600/buds.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3l3dC-34PNY/TXfkvzKw-iI/AAAAAAAABzY/wvbjbqNr_34/s400/buds.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582181772989364770" border="0" /></a><br /><p>From the MSG, Eph. 2:8-9:</p> <p>"Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving."</p><p>I read this verse today on a blog called <a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/">A Holy Experience</a> as the writer spoke about her reasons for doing Lent. Her post made me think about Lent more than usual. We attend a Presbyterian church and Presbyterians don't really do Lent. I decided, however, to do Lent this year. I'm not using it to give up something like sugar or caffeine, to struggle for 40 days and then take it back up at the end. I am using Lent this year to pray for believers around the world who are being persecuted for their faith. I doing Lent to think about being more intentional about how I spend our money, to be a better steward of what God has given our family. And I am working to weed out some junk from my life. I love to read blogs. I have many that I read every day, but so many of them are not filling me with things that are glorifying to God. So, I have been on a search for blogs about faith and about loving Jesus. I found a site this week called <a href="http://www.faithblogs.net/">Faith Blogs</a>, that features writers doing just that, writing about faith, family, about crafts, photography, and home too. Thing I love to read about and things that inspire me and a focus on their relationships with God and their struggles. I found A Holy Experience by way of Faith Blogs today.<br /></p><p>So back to Lent. I want to really use this time to grow deeper in my relationship with Jesus. There are believers all over the world who are willing to die for their faith, who are willing to struggle and be persecuted because they believe their Jesus is worth it. Do I? Do I have what it takes to be in the world, but not to be overcome by it? That's what I'm thinking about this Lenten season.<br /></p>Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-33356555503597892872011-03-08T07:55:00.005-05:002011-03-08T08:01:40.897-05:00Building is so much fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJt9dQcOcDQ/TXYnknOkbaI/AAAAAAAABy4/nd2krFmEbtg/s1600/buildingfun.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oJt9dQcOcDQ/TXYnknOkbaI/AAAAAAAABy4/nd2krFmEbtg/s400/buildingfun.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581692298131172770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4T8fdB8CBk/TXYnkkT35AI/AAAAAAAAByw/ZsnYo5apr-E/s1600/buildingfun2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j4T8fdB8CBk/TXYnkkT35AI/AAAAAAAAByw/ZsnYo5apr-E/s400/buildingfun2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581692297348113410" border="0" /></a><br />Mark, Peyton, and Liam spent some time this weekend creating stuff in the garage. He let them nail pieces of wood together to create things like a dragon and a spaceship. Liam told me, "Dad drilled pilot holes and then I nailed the wood together." Mark is picking Liam up from preschool today and Liam told me they are going to build something together. When I asked what he was going to do with all of these wooden sculptures he is making, he said, "We'll just put them in the attic."<br /><br />I'm off to the church for Bible study. We have been digging into the book of Esther and it has been a really incredible thing to study one book in depth, something I have not done before. I'm enjoying the homework and the discussion with my small group. And I'm looking forward this week to the sunshine and the signs of spring!Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-44490563637845040162011-03-04T07:22:00.004-05:002011-03-04T07:28:44.847-05:00Spring is coming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iJxg_BPLPY/TXDaqukCK-I/AAAAAAAAByo/CWSCWvlyvS8/s1600/springblossoms.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--iJxg_BPLPY/TXDaqukCK-I/AAAAAAAAByo/CWSCWvlyvS8/s400/springblossoms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580200365900573666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYnXSt9cWvo/TXDaqljkeVI/AAAAAAAAByg/UWQAtp2NAO0/s1600/amaryllis.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FYnXSt9cWvo/TXDaqljkeVI/AAAAAAAAByg/UWQAtp2NAO0/s400/amaryllis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580200363482708306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejbU-1myTdM/TXDaqa-jbTI/AAAAAAAAByY/AgSRjsvOA64/s1600/liamandamary.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ejbU-1myTdM/TXDaqa-jbTI/AAAAAAAAByY/AgSRjsvOA64/s400/liamandamary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580200360643095858" border="0" /></a><br />"The faithful love of the Lord never ends. His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulnes; his mercies begin afresh each morning." Lamentations 3:22-23<br /><br />I love this verse, especially now that spring is slowly beginning to show itself. We have lots of buds on our tress and all kinds of things poking up out of the ground. It will be interesting to see what grows here at our Richmond house. I do miss my daffodils and my rosebushes in Harrisonburg, but I also look forward to planting some new things here. Just a few short weeks until the official first day of spring. I am looking forward to warmer weather and to being able to play outside without my coat!<br /><br />Mark's grandma gave us an amaryllis for Christmas this year and it is the most lush and beautiful one I have ever seen. It has grown so tall that we had to stake it with a tomato stake. It's taller than Liam now!Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-63155824048649547752011-02-07T16:05:00.002-05:002011-02-07T16:08:43.615-05:00A reminder<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TVBesn3TDTI/AAAAAAAAByI/Osoad_CEbXs/s1600/do-not-be.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TVBesn3TDTI/AAAAAAAAByI/Osoad_CEbXs/s400/do-not-be.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571056859765476658" border="0" /> </a>Just a reminder that when we feel out of control and anxious, the first thing we should do is pray. I love that when we pray, He provides us with peace. Not just any peace, but peace that doesn't make sense, it transcends our understanding. <br /><br />I am feeling lots of God given peace lately. I feel content with where I am and what I'm doing. I don't always love my life, but I feel content that I am where God wants me to be.Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-22008056803324046262011-01-14T07:38:00.003-05:002011-01-14T07:43:25.699-05:00Building is fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TTBE4z9tLZI/AAAAAAAABx8/3OT5YBeZ2xI/s1600/keva3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TTBE4z9tLZI/AAAAAAAABx8/3OT5YBeZ2xI/s400/keva3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562021282614947218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TTBE4qH4WBI/AAAAAAAABx0/EOpmnBFTiG8/s1600/keva2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TTBE4qH4WBI/AAAAAAAABx0/EOpmnBFTiG8/s400/keva2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562021279973267474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TTBE4obhaaI/AAAAAAAABxs/CiW6mGG7Xus/s1600/keva1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 309px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TTBE4obhaaI/AAAAAAAABxs/CiW6mGG7Xus/s400/keva1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562021279518779810" border="0" /></a><br />Liam loves to build. He loves Legos, Keva planks, Construx, etc. He got some blocks called Citiblocks for Christmas and they have quickly become the favorite toy. Even Peyton loves to play with them. They build towers and temples and houses. He can entertain himself for quite a while building. He used to play with a similar toy at the children's museum and told me last year that Mark really needed some Keva planks for his birthday! He just finished breakfast and went over to the family room to start the day's building.Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-13670062625559546102010-12-22T07:59:00.002-05:002010-12-22T08:06:29.528-05:00Celebrating Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TRH2Y3GysNI/AAAAAAAABxU/HCvVTwl0h4o/s1600/snowdec.jpg"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TRH2Y3GysNI/AAAAAAAABxU/HCvVTwl0h4o/s400/snowdec.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553490722494263506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TRH2Y5_OfHI/AAAAAAAABxM/JzzZfxWPfrM/s1600/gingerbread.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TRH2Y5_OfHI/AAAAAAAABxM/JzzZfxWPfrM/s400/gingerbread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553490723267837042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TRH2YjSPcwI/AAAAAAAABxE/1u_Fj02XHlU/s1600/lincoln.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TRH2YjSPcwI/AAAAAAAABxE/1u_Fj02XHlU/s400/lincoln.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553490717173576450" border="0" /></a>We are enjoying the holiday season, but we're also taking it relaxed and slow. We decorated a gingerbread house with the kids during one of their snow days. Peyton had two days off of school due to snow. I can't remember the last time we had snow in December, but both kids were thrilled. They got out their new snow saucers and did some sledding in our back yard. Mama tried once and hit the fence....and that was the end of her sledding adventures! We have been hiding our elf, Lincoln, each day and the kids enjoy searching for him each morning. <br /><br />We have finally decided on which church to attend and have been looking forward to becoming more settled there and getting to know people. It's been nice to be able to hear more than one sermon in a series. We visited so many churches that there was no consistency. It's good to be able to think about starting Sunday school and getting the kids into a better routine. Today is Mark's last day of work until the new year. He has been feeling nasty and went to see the doctor yesterday. No definitive diagnosis, but hopefully antibiotics will help and he'll feel better by Christmas.<br /><br />Only 3 more sleeps.....Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-69904014144819411872010-12-10T08:28:00.001-05:002010-12-10T08:29:23.134-05:00That is not my house!The new header is not my house, but a house near Peyton's bus stop. There are 3 pretty awesome houses in our neighborhood that we can see from the second floor of our house! We are working on our lights, but we lost our extension cords (or maybe we just didn't have many). I'm going to grab some today so we can light up our own house tonight!Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6556524529372916067.post-38029368770843237712010-11-22T08:27:00.001-05:002010-11-22T08:28:56.768-05:00Even super heroes have to do their homework<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TOpv3DdBfsI/AAAAAAAABw0/kz4pW4wA4ok/s1600/supergirl.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 277px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KbCv89d9Xew/TOpv3DdBfsI/AAAAAAAABw0/kz4pW4wA4ok/s400/supergirl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542365283043344066" border="0" /></a>Traciehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08832067330122792620noreply@blogger.com1