tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54883260215821151252024-03-14T00:48:48.158-07:00Faith, Coffee & Love Living life in Faith with a little bit of coffee and a whole lotta loveRunning in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-41898829240830191672020-11-25T14:27:00.000-08:002020-11-25T14:27:33.389-08:00The Garden. <p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Garden.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yK2HhbGUGvU/X77RnwI8RbI/AAAAAAAAEHw/T34zn9g_1zAH89Re6d6AGR-NX1m7rudTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yK2HhbGUGvU/X77RnwI8RbI/AAAAAAAAEHw/T34zn9g_1zAH89Re6d6AGR-NX1m7rudTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1493.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrots are looking good </td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Moving out here to our little farm has been challenging at times everyone has an idea of what we are supposed to do out here. They ask us what kind of animals we are going to have, are we going to have goats? Cows? Do we want horses? What about chickens? They want to know what we are going to plant and some save seeds for us or they gift us plants with the general idea that we have the room so why not plant it. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I’ve realized that out here things need to be planned or at least I need to be able to plan them. You would be surprised how much ideas change depending on how far our water hose reaches. One hundred feet doesn't get us very far out here!</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Dream.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you are from Texas or you watch HGTV at any point in the last few years you have heard of or seen Joanna Gaines. You might have even visited or wanted to go visit Waco, TX and go to the <a href="https://magnolia.com/silos/">Magnolia Market at the Silo’s</a> to either be inspired or do some shopping or like me do both. Now I wasn’t inspired go shopping for land because of the show or our many trips to the Silos but seeing what she’s done with their acreage is inspiring. I mean just look at her garden- its gorgeous. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jm4xvLZztvs/X77OaLq1t6I/AAAAAAAAEHI/jrKvPB4N1m0OVrag5vAiUtqg3a_e38pUACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jm4xvLZztvs/X77OaLq1t6I/AAAAAAAAEHI/jrKvPB4N1m0OVrag5vAiUtqg3a_e38pUACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_1496.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joanna's home garden featured in <a href="https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/gmp17850558/joanna-gaines-farmhouse-garden/">County Living</a></td></tr></tbody></table></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My latest obsession is Garden Answer ( you can find her YouTube channel <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/gardenanswer">here</a> ). Laura gives me the idea that although in south Texas acreage properties have these sweeping lawns with grass that goes on forever, maybe I can create something a little more lush. Maybe the idea of having a garden goes beyond raised beds. </span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yS2Rfyasl5U/X77VoDEoHQI/AAAAAAAAEIE/syqetTNPukUQEim7473NhB-iGXdI-XbEgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1800/94574709_3274115725953151_8062804880575692800_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yS2Rfyasl5U/X77VoDEoHQI/AAAAAAAAEIE/syqetTNPukUQEim7473NhB-iGXdI-XbEgCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/94574709_3274115725953151_8062804880575692800_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Reality.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaJSnv2Bp8U/X77Ow9fAV7I/AAAAAAAAEHY/kcGRd-NuHS49fHp0lv8FMMI3tFxbawNXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1498.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaJSnv2Bp8U/X77Ow9fAV7I/AAAAAAAAEHY/kcGRd-NuHS49fHp0lv8FMMI3tFxbawNXwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_1498.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>For now I have an idea of what I would like to do with my garden but we will just chip away at all the big luscious dreams with a few raised garden beds and the beginning of some landscaping around the house. Eventually I see a lot more raised beds and landscaping. Can you see it? I can!!</span><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lI2FvA-ch0/X77WA4VjKsI/AAAAAAAAEIM/2fmQ-uDwP0IAihFn60ci-punFlpdqoa6wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1490%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1750" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lI2FvA-ch0/X77WA4VjKsI/AAAAAAAAEIM/2fmQ-uDwP0IAihFn60ci-punFlpdqoa6wCLcBGAsYHQ/w273-h320/IMG_1490%2B3.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onions & Garlic <br />These won't be ready until the summer!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hb6PNlF1-gw/X77OHXcbePI/AAAAAAAAEG0/gkfRzzdJM0U3Xvoy1PdVdkkfF3BijUCpACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hb6PNlF1-gw/X77OHXcbePI/AAAAAAAAEG0/gkfRzzdJM0U3Xvoy1PdVdkkfF3BijUCpACLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_1492.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lettuce & Carrots<br />These will with stand colder temps<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7fN7xscSKU/X77N7eZ_qdI/AAAAAAAAEGw/O94XpqlEl6AMry6aRwgchucWt0d_XCOfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7fN7xscSKU/X77N7eZ_qdI/AAAAAAAAEGw/O94XpqlEl6AMry6aRwgchucWt0d_XCOfwCLcBGAsYHQ/w300-h400/IMG_1491.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomatoes<br />Peppers <br />Basil<br />These will go away with the cold temps</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><p></p>Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-19752762945220241722020-11-18T07:05:00.001-08:002020-11-18T07:13:57.421-08:00And now we're here.<h1 style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2e3FUVXBZOg/X7UqERGEbhI/AAAAAAAAEFc/UXHvc7gJqJ0UndZcHye5CCEGzQmIDMkLACLcBGAsYHQ/s1032/Address%2Bsign%2BDIY.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1032" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2e3FUVXBZOg/X7UqERGEbhI/AAAAAAAAEFc/UXHvc7gJqJ0UndZcHye5CCEGzQmIDMkLACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h306/Address%2Bsign%2BDIY.png" width="320" /></a></div></h1>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This weekend was low key, not much going on. That wasn’t the original plan of course but sometimes that’s just the way it goes. It all works out for the best, it gave us a chance to work on a long over due project. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It’s been a year now since we moved into our home, actually we have officially been here for a year and 19 days. Our official closing date was on October 31st of 2019 and we are the crazy couple that lined everything up so that by the end of the day one the 31st we were 90% moved into the house. It was a long and tiring day but worth the overdue wait. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">One of the challenges of building on your own land, especially one that didn’t quite exist before is that no one can find you. That is of course, not always a bad thing (said the introvert in me). As for the issue of mail, the good ole’ USPS, UPS, any furniture being delivered and let’s not forget the tried and true Amazon, still they have trouble finding us. </span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">After scouring Pinterest for ideas, I came up with a simple idea that I love and hopefully I can add to in the future. Out here bigger is sometimes better, going with a small sign by the door just wasn’t going to be enough. </span></p>
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<p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">A few weeks ago we put in the the frame just a simple two post with a 12 inch wood beam in the middle. It is treated wood so we had to let it dry out for sometime or it just won’t take the paint well. </span><span style="font-family: georgia;">And finally this weekend I was able to paint! </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmcJ6iKF46Y/X7UqZYgY7XI/AAAAAAAAEFk/AwfWSP5YWsYi9H9GJex1FhJoTcpELLq6QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_1388.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WmcJ6iKF46Y/X7UqZYgY7XI/AAAAAAAAEFk/AwfWSP5YWsYi9H9GJex1FhJoTcpELLq6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_1388.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once it was painted and dry I added some little details, I found these lights at Home Depot and I thought it would be pretty neat because once it's dark out here it's dark! So any amount of light would be nice and helpful when we have visitors. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URSAgS9X97k/X7UxcxuKQlI/AAAAAAAAEFw/bpOMeQ4een8bakAwkVBJszxJu4w2qVL4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1499/Address%2Bsign%2Bdetails.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1499" height="486" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-URSAgS9X97k/X7UxcxuKQlI/AAAAAAAAEFw/bpOMeQ4een8bakAwkVBJszxJu4w2qVL4wCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h486/Address%2Bsign%2Bdetails.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Adding the numbers was pretty easy work once I figured out my center points of the beam. I found the numbers <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZOKRA4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1">here</a> and they are floating numbers which I was excited about. Until I hammered my thumb. As it turns out - it hurts a lot. That was a first for me, I never realized how useful my thumb is until I couldn't use it! <p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD8MJncEa9k/X7U0duU2aII/AAAAAAAAEF8/gvWqNq2wN_kjF3qOYeq0VRCZDl37T90fwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/IMG_1392.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="2016" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD8MJncEa9k/X7U0duU2aII/AAAAAAAAEF8/gvWqNq2wN_kjF3qOYeq0VRCZDl37T90fwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h300/IMG_1392.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I absolutely loved how it turned out. In the spring I think I'll add some flowers around the base. Out here all of these projects take time. There is so much to do and just not enough time to get around to it all. As it turns out a year later and many lost packages after - we finally have something to help find us. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1QaGGk99uI/X7U0lmCe30I/AAAAAAAAEGA/4_SyWx-dDRsmgJ1S0ROPPV5lIj6thvTQQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1678/Address%2Bsign%2Bday%2Band%2Bnight.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1678" height="533" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v1QaGGk99uI/X7U0lmCe30I/AAAAAAAAEGA/4_SyWx-dDRsmgJ1S0ROPPV5lIj6thvTQQCLcBGAsYHQ/w640-h533/Address%2Bsign%2Bday%2Band%2Bnight.tif" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-57133295115137044102020-11-10T20:12:00.006-08:002020-11-12T06:29:58.138-08:00The little things.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEtPyOm8M4I/X6tidqaRtTI/AAAAAAAAEEo/1APi4wGhUoAL-btHh97oliBcqHoxg0mTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1444/IMG_1353.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1444" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BEtPyOm8M4I/X6tidqaRtTI/AAAAAAAAEEo/1APi4wGhUoAL-btHh97oliBcqHoxg0mTQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1353.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Well needless to say that last week was a little overwhelming. For reasons other than election day, because life moves forward even during the election. While Nevada counted votes so much happens in our everyday life. </span></div></div><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">I had a friend loose her mother last week. I had a friend loose her father last week. My kiddo had a birthday last week. I also was worried because I knew a friend of mine was in a very difficult financial situation. While another friend was taking a leap of faith. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">An ebb and flow of joy and grief. Happiness and heartache. We sprinkle a little bit of Covid and this is 2020. Our stress levels rise and fall with every day and every situation. This week my friend that was grieving her mother last week (and I know still continues to) also celebrates life, her fourth grand baby being born over the weekend. My friend that was in a financial bind has found great relief today. </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;"><br />Y’all it’s okay to be stressed and overwhelmed and it's okay to enjoy the little things too - even if the little things come in this mist of the big heavy stressful things. What do you do to help relive your stressful days? </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">This year I’ve read a lot more than I have in recent years. I’ve started to garden too and I read a book about gardening! I know next to pretty much nothing about gardening but it’s been fun to worry about peppers and tomatoes instead of politics. I love working on DIY projects and of course going for a walk works out all kinds of stress. My most favorite way to distress will always be surrounding myself with my loved ones. Taking time to celebrate my big kid will always make my heart the happiest.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-kerning: none;"></span><br /></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-font-kerning: none; font-family: georgia; font-kerning: none;">Whatever it is for you I hope you find something to ease your day. </span></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_gEzeDB1vo/X6tgp-L79dI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/0KoKM-E7DZ839MLvzXY0DxSvxhaw6g5hwCLcBGAsYHQ/s960/relax.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A_gEzeDB1vo/X6tgp-L79dI/AAAAAAAAEEQ/0KoKM-E7DZ839MLvzXY0DxSvxhaw6g5hwCLcBGAsYHQ/s16000/relax.png" /></a></div><br />Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-84616076083958106942020-10-27T19:26:00.003-07:002020-10-27T19:26:32.505-07:00A little bit of normal. <p style="text-align: left;">This year 2020, has been a rollercoaster, has it not? I mean
to be honest the last three years have been a rollercoaster, we sold a house, we built a
house, we moved twice in three months but that did not come smoothly and everything that happen in between
made it even more challenging. Now we have this crazy year full of uncertainty and
COVID and face masks but somehow we have managed to keep doing what we do. Somehow you can’t slow down the months and keep them from coming and going
although sometimes you want to just stop and wait a minute. You want to get a
better handle on things and plan things out better but nope although many claim
that we are in year five of 2020 we find ourselves at the end of month 10.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To me that means the holidays are here and jeez that was
fast. I am one that feels like, how we can be ready for the holidays if it was
just March yesterday.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="text-align: justify;">This past weekend we went to the pumpkin patch, bought a cart full of pumpkins and we carved them up. It’s a family tradition that we carve pumpkins the weekend before Halloween, partly because my dad’s birthday is on the 24</span><sup style="text-align: justify;">th</sup><span style="text-align: justify;"> and it makes for a great get together and also because it’s hot. Try carving a pumpkin any sooner and you will have mush (<i>in some cases fuzzy green mush</i>) before you make it to Halloween.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H6czXuYGV_k/X5jN8KtilBI/AAAAAAAAEAg/6qj2DMiXriIng1hQphw2EUvmDaUwnF-bQCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1226%2B2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="267" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H6czXuYGV_k/X5jN8KtilBI/AAAAAAAAEAg/6qj2DMiXriIng1hQphw2EUvmDaUwnF-bQCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1226%2B2.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">It was a touch of normal to go out to the pumpkin patch with
a side of face mask and lots of hand sanitizer but it was worth it.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0_76W_B7RA/X5jSo7T9-FI/AAAAAAAAEBM/zc487cG6SZoxr1uxUjlpkLRTySjR1bimwCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1238.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0_76W_B7RA/X5jSo7T9-FI/AAAAAAAAEBM/zc487cG6SZoxr1uxUjlpkLRTySjR1bimwCLcBGAsYHQ/w267-h400/IMG_1238.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"></p></div>Liam was so cute but like lots of toddlers he really did not
want to participate and was really a grouch when it came to smiling for the camera.
I am truly thankful for my son and his awesome skills at catching just the
right moments – in between on the crying and temper throwing that was really
going on!<div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GY1QYO9nWo0/X5jQuoXiAcI/AAAAAAAAEA0/9-Yp5DaMFykGdCyTpSs1wxLJnZ7zVbMIACLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1236.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GY1QYO9nWo0/X5jQuoXiAcI/AAAAAAAAEA0/9-Yp5DaMFykGdCyTpSs1wxLJnZ7zVbMIACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h400/IMG_1236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">He even caught some
great shots of me as a grandma – see that’s pure talent right there! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fgSHFYwW9Cg/X5jQ6cuSQ6I/AAAAAAAAEA4/2UBTNCpJUGkTS_4RMhyuTfEN9lITkkyWQCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1229.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fgSHFYwW9Cg/X5jQ6cuSQ6I/AAAAAAAAEA4/2UBTNCpJUGkTS_4RMhyuTfEN9lITkkyWQCLcBGAsYHQ/w267-h400/IMG_1229.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">From Halloween we take nose dive into birthdays for loved ones
every single weekend until Thanksgiving followed by more birthdays and then
Christmas! Somewhere in all that craziness I will do my best to decorate
accordingly and go shopping for all of it and then we can finally say good bye
2020 and hope to god that 2021 will be better. Just remember that no matter
what, the months keep rolling by and life keeps happening. Welcome back to a Weekend Rewind of sorts :)</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gKL771lpkFs/X5jTfgNoZiI/AAAAAAAAEBY/enyhHRJ0EcwPX0qyRdjX2fmDL7UroP1tgCLcBGAsYHQ/IMG_1239.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gKL771lpkFs/X5jTfgNoZiI/AAAAAAAAEBY/enyhHRJ0EcwPX0qyRdjX2fmDL7UroP1tgCLcBGAsYHQ/w267-h400/IMG_1239.JPG" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p></div></div>Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-29202508670262031082020-10-20T14:34:00.001-07:002020-10-20T14:34:39.206-07:00On the other side. <p>I’ve thought about coming back to my blog for a long time.
Each time I think about how on earth I would start it, what I would say and how
do I explain being away for so long.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’m still not sure what to say or where to start. I do know
if I don’t do it one day it just won’t happen, so here I am on the other side
of a really long break. One so long I’ll have a lot of catching up to do and
for those of you wanting to know all the details, I promise I’ll fill you in at
some point. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Today I wanted to share with you my current view. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">At this point in time my life looks dramatically different,
I’m not only a mother of two anymore, our little family of four grew to family
of six! I now have the most beautiful daughter-in-law and handsome grandbaby I
could ever ask for. My little bear is becoming a grizzly bear aka a pre-teen
(LOL I joke I joke!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My big kid is a
husband and a father (and he is really wonderful at doing both!). We have moved
from the home that holds all the most amazing memories into a home we’ve built
from scratch. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I know what you are thinking and you’re right, I am <i>way</i> too
young to be grandmother. It’s okay by me, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. After
being a young mom at the age of 17, I have always been young for a lot of what
comes my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is a memory from my past (one I <i>wasn’t</i> expecting to
share with you today). My son was in elementary about 10 years old and he
wanted a sleep over for his birthday. I invited a few boys from his class and
planned his little get together, just like any mom would. On the big day as the
kids were being dropped off one mom rang our doorbell and when I opened the
door she asked to meet my mom. At first I was confused because my mother didn’t
live with me, once I realized why she was asking for my mom, I laughed and explained
to her that I was Christian’s mom. She then did something I will never forget,
she took her son home. <o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4TFprwas1w/X49VUpHebII/AAAAAAAAD-I/19EP36tthKMVbK7iC3ZR3tEc6mKYR4nlACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j4TFprwas1w/X49VUpHebII/AAAAAAAAD-I/19EP36tthKMVbK7iC3ZR3tEc6mKYR4nlACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/IMG_1168.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Although I am not sure why this story come to mind today, on
my welcome back kinda day. I think it’s because what I’ll be sharing with you
isn’t always everyone’s cup of tea. My life hasn’t happened according to
someone else’s idea of what order life is supposed to happen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I’ll be sharing with you is our way of doing
life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing fully that this life is
not my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nor is it according to my
plans – at all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite all of that my
view is pretty amazing – not perfect but beautiful though it all. Welcome back! <br /> <o:p></o:p></p>Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-65171370639446277002017-10-09T07:53:00.001-07:002017-10-09T08:06:25.938-07:00DIY Outdoor Mat<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Happy Monday!! If you’re anything like me Monday’s are not
the death of me (although sometimes they might seem like it). It’s not that I
don’t like the challenge of a good ole’ Monday but some weekends are ride and
die kind of of weekends. We go hard and eventually make it home, when we do get
home it’s normally laundry and cleaning that awaits us. Boooooo. Either way
Monday comes and stirs us up, it drags us in and slowly we refocus on </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">work</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> and </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">plans</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> and </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">life</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> and </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">agendas</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This Monday I figured I’d bring you a quick DIY project that
I worked on not too long ago. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngh7Q8oXVdw/WduPt-a1mJI/AAAAAAAACqw/JV53v87bFFA8RNGXA8JrSXV5ffnKi3GjACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3829.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ngh7Q8oXVdw/WduPt-a1mJI/AAAAAAAACqw/JV53v87bFFA8RNGXA8JrSXV5ffnKi3GjACK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_3829.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15f017ee17eb7f82&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_BA9g17__pUin-lEhJiy5Wq6VRH4CuK8qPSXOQJh69bvfRuh7JWfbkCULHthnVBAmxHsiD_gQKDM1adw9Oz4WIvY9Bm63Vt1vo_YK-NQZgHKmrK2wC3gFBy1o&ats=1507558799256&rm=15f017ee17eb7f82&zw&sz=w1233-h915" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">For this you will need:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Out door mat (like this from <a href="https://www.target.com/p/beige-solid-doormat-1-6-x2-6-room-essentials-153/-/A-21503540?sid=1459S&ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Home+Decor+Shopping_Local&adgroup=SC_Home+Decor&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=c&location=9027840&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3a333uTj1gIVBpRpCh3ayweOEAQYASABEgL5xvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Target</a>)</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Outdoor acrylic paint</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">To make life easier a disposable brush or sponge</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Stencil with the design of your choice</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">·<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;">
</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Optional</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">
painters tape (Although it’s optional, it comes in handy)</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15f017e540212381&attid=0.5&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-2TKMuUqx3FEaEDhzQBvy40J2QRPCcnVBlJm1sY4TnZum0BcoD31louldoR6j9MyUAHLImAvjpaQSUENs6Igwjh8m2ZoeCY5JNpchWlFsBSTkdDjTor4LqtIE&ats=1507558799252&rm=15f017e540212381&zw&sz=w1233-h915" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7KVnEbbMqk/WduP3Ph5WcI/AAAAAAAACq4/12dJHWXQtnQ8mLVkOCbHGeu6omtZriBfQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2921.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_7KVnEbbMqk/WduP3Ph5WcI/AAAAAAAACq4/12dJHWXQtnQ8mLVkOCbHGeu6omtZriBfQCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2921.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wanted to make one of these for the longest time, there
are so many quirky and funny sayings you can put on these, the possibilities
are endless. A lot of people like the “Family Established” mats which is very
cute, but we are just not that kind of family - too many last names ;) . Also
there is the idea that I change my mind like a million times before I commit to
anything, finally I found this awesome outdoor sign for my entry way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MIZsH4iD5s/WduQAQ3YGDI/AAAAAAAACrA/dH-cejGMVGUan80ErK3EghcLYClSqQvkgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2930.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="321" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_MIZsH4iD5s/WduQAQ3YGDI/AAAAAAAACrA/dH-cejGMVGUan80ErK3EghcLYClSqQvkgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2930.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15f017e540212381&attid=0.9&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ_yp4vUd97WLtbwN34-yCe5mtE-_AJxbl5SO8QVfuEwoHgwD1FKTbsD2SoWZcsy5iMwEA4zK5TXdNMfzvC5J11ffgh-zTVN4mHTCLoQ3_w6SEOy6iMc0_kmz00&ats=1507558799252&rm=15f017e540212381&zw&sz=w1233-h915" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It works for my entry way since there is a long walkway to
the front door. Then I figured I could just make something to match it and that’s
was exactly what I did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cutting a stencil was the easy part, thanks to my <a href="https://www.silhouetteamerica.com/" target="_blank">SilhouetteCameo</a> and their design studio. Now getting the stencil to stick to my mat was
the tricky part to this whole project, this is where the painters tape came in
handy. Maybe duct tape would have been a better option? I’ll let you know, I want
to give this one another try with something for the holidays. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15f017e540212381&attid=0.3&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ92gSjKi02FxsCtVZFnjg5lW2ph4RbVtMVdhVPRV8N1EM8AC7dEhudP3hu9KUsi0Mhm3ZM1VGiU_-82hmva9ZcTXkWLb-D0X95o01Cx3Y9xfGJYTejhmvJd2uU&ats=1507558799251&rm=15f017e540212381&zw&sz=w1233-h915" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrJjmxJjfig/WduQFlebCpI/AAAAAAAACrI/lDweH5Zaa1YoCIc_vjMDwIu1LAiM40O8wCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2920.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZrJjmxJjfig/WduQFlebCpI/AAAAAAAACrI/lDweH5Zaa1YoCIc_vjMDwIu1LAiM40O8wCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2920.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started off with a sponge brush and then tried
a cheap little paint brush, I think the combo did well because the brush seemed
to fill in some of the spaces that the sponge brush missed. I wasn’t sure how
long this paint or this project would last, but after lots and lots of rain
(Harvey) and sun it has help up really well!</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome Home Love Birds</span></td></tr>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-78959107269647818832017-09-21T08:10:00.000-07:002017-09-21T08:10:51.704-07:00Hurricane Harvey | Relief<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What day is it?<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How many of us still feel slightly off on our days. I look
at the date several times a day and still second guess it. Sometime last week I
remember saying that it felt like one day it was August 24<sup>th</sup> and all
of a sudden its mid-September. Many people have asked if we received any damage
in our home. Thankfully we did not flood. The only water damage we did get was
in the form of a couple of leaks around the house – which still exist at this
time. We’ll get to them at some point, in the meantime please do not rain
sideways with wind at 50mph. Thanks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This statement might sound more accurate for most of us. If
you were not directly flooded by Harvey you know someone that was. There is no
6 degrees of separation –it’s more like 1 degree. There is also the knowledge
that Hurricane Harvey was the “sprint” and the recovery process is the
“marathon”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Monday August 28<sup>th</sup><o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was the worst day for our little family, we were an
island and Monday woke up relentless. It rained all day never allowing for the
water to recede, like it had in the days before. Our neighbors and I started to
come up with a game plan in the event that we might need to evacuate. I braced
myself for a long night. I went to take a shower that night and as I stood
there I realized that we were going to be okay. I was in my home, which hadn’t
lost power, internet or even cable at this point. I was in my bathroom, with
hot water and no time limit. I would be going to sleep in my bed. At this time
I knew family and friends that were not so lucky. Evacuations, shelters, hotels
and flooded out vehicles. WE were okay. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="456" id="m_332564007028240744690855B74-1590-48AC-89E8-1A0F8ACB87B2" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15ea4cc309735ae5&attid=0.1.1&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ-m2DvsPA6k-hJAjAWppWSuM5weD8u6LFRGaFoHs15H2eXnQs_em_GMu_y1uG3ulHqCX5fsxFb8N7Tu10UWaFS0Zv_KHA6WZnsGS41FAoNaGuFMi61-71hl6tU&sz=s0-l75-ft&ats=1506003401432&rm=15ea4cc309735ae5&zw&atsh=1" tabindex="0" width="640" /></span></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The Plan<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sitting at home was such a hopeless feeling. This is when I started making my way to my
craft room and designing my #TexasStrong Decal. I took an inventory and figured
I could make them and start raising money for <i>something (Hurricane Harvey Relief) </i>I am no JJ Watt but it was
something. The orders poured in and I was floored. I ordered more material and
would stay up late at night putting things together. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i>Thank you to everyone who placed orders.</i> I reached out to my
home church to find out the best way to help. At this point we had $600.00 in
orders. They asked us to help a couple in their 70’s who while gutting their
house, looters came by a stole their fridge. <i>(wait what? Who does that? Looters, looters do that.)</i> When it came
time to buy the fridge we had a choice to buy a tiny one that would need to be
replaced or get them a full-sized one. We went to the full-sized hoping that all the orders would be fulfilled and paid for. A few days later we
had $600.00 in paid orders.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" height="456" id="m_66907964201604925114520E0AD-89C7-4345-B6B0-86E4AD615473" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15ea4c5c56e52a77&attid=0.1.1&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ_cMNf-UgoVmEZ40UJ9_xASXMa23PbpDbvEzuGhw0REJZ2WQTGgwd9if4JF9zrkLa5OfAN9H9rQ4GS72lpgNIF9qthszBP1FbBiSCyWshO0sRPZ9uESyNfx7v4&sz=s0-l75-ft&ats=1506002984126&rm=15ea4c5c56e52a77&zw&atsh=1" tabindex="0" width="640" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><u>Orders, orders and more orders </u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">More orders kept coming in, it sort of blew my mind. People would
share and share my Facebook post and more orders would come in. How do you
determine someone’s needs over another’s? Everywhere we look there is need. I
just kept praying that somehow I would just know what to do and how to do it. Social
media and the news starting bringing awareness to an area not far from me.
People in this area had not received any type of relief, thanks to the continued
donations I teamed up with someone who was taking supplies to them. We bought water,
rice and toilet paper and sent it with her. I remember worrying because I knew
they had more needs, they needed tooth paste, personal hygiene products and baby
formula. That very day I sat down to talk to someone and she mentioned how her
church had an overflow of supplies <i><u>WHAT?</u>
</i>I asked if they had toothpaste – tons of toothpaste! Tons of water, lots of
personal hygiene supplies and formula too. YAY! By the end of the week so many
people were focused in that area and <i>help
was coming</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVC53nYG9dI/WcPG9zJbzPI/AAAAAAAACfs/yKjUo3F5PkMk7O_zLpHRNJQRYP5fDv9TQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3531.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XVC53nYG9dI/WcPG9zJbzPI/AAAAAAAACfs/yKjUo3F5PkMk7O_zLpHRNJQRYP5fDv9TQCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_3531.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i><u><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Texas Strong<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There isn’t a way to measure the loss everyone has been
through and currently still going through. I decided to make my decals
#TexasStrong because the devastation was wide spread so many in Texas were
displaced. Everywhere you looked you saw the same thing. The strength and
unity of everyone, race did not matter, age did not matter, and denomination did
not matter. The real Texans shined through, the weak were made strong according
the strength of the ones surrounding them. </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-63906427520096805022017-08-23T11:52:00.002-07:002017-08-23T11:54:34.392-07:00Weekend Rewind | Making More Memories <div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CdylPl6O6Q8/WZ2a6BqoFXI/AAAAAAAACdw/LNmoJnvw0qATNI0aUQMvwiHTCbGTYVn2gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CdylPl6O6Q8/WZ2a6BqoFXI/AAAAAAAACdw/LNmoJnvw0qATNI0aUQMvwiHTCbGTYVn2gCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2997.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This weekend was nice, we kicked it off with a movie
screening and we ended it with a photo shoot for little bear. Everything in between consisted of the regular fair of ordering Chinese food and catching up on our current Netflix favorite. I am working on <a href="http://abc.go.com/shows/quantico">Quantico</a>, my oldest is binge watching <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friends">Friends </a> and little bear just discovered a new one <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1734135/">Trollhunters</a>. All I can say is that thankfully I can chill and watch any of them and I am good to go! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXkvvtb7hbw/WZ2bAdfrdwI/AAAAAAAACd4/vfQ9VLCuX8URseiwtvUl3CH6-j_RrrxNwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xXkvvtb7hbw/WZ2bAdfrdwI/AAAAAAAACd4/vfQ9VLCuX8URseiwtvUl3CH6-j_RrrxNwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2995.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">One of my favorite perks in the blogging world has been
movie screenings! So after a very hectic first two days back to school, we had
a movie screening Saturday morning at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston. My
family will take any excuse in the book to make a trip into Houston, so this
one on a Saturday morning was the perfect excuse to make it a family affair. We
woke up early and made a trip to one of our favorite breakfast spots <a href="https://thebreakfastklub.com/tbk-menu/">“TheBreakfast Klub”</a> and filled our bellies. If you have never been to <a href="https://thebreakfastklub.com/tbk-menu/">“TheBreakfast Klub”</a> I suggest you do and I suggest you go early before the line
wraps it’s self around the building – because yes, it’s that good. Don’t know what
to order? Give those waffles and wings a try! Yum! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReMDmciMV3Q/WZ2bJgxgsgI/AAAAAAAACeA/nZDbs6tmSOImzlhVuT8BayupjZyKzjl-QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ReMDmciMV3Q/WZ2bJgxgsgI/AAAAAAAACeA/nZDbs6tmSOImzlhVuT8BayupjZyKzjl-QCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2996.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running into good friends at <a href="http://www.mfah.org/">MFAH</a><br />
<i><b>Do you follow <a href="http://www.independentmami.net/">Independent Mami? </a></b></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMpmYXi94Jo">Leap!</a> Was the movie we had the opportunity to screen and it
was super cute! Yes my 20yr old joined us and even he liked it. A good movie
about following your dreams against all odds and knowing that through it all it
takes hard work. There might be failure but there can always be your vision 1.0
and then 2.0 and maybe even 3.0 but if you keep trying and follow your heart
you might just learn to fly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the end of our weekend I recruited my oldest to take
little bears pictures, because Facebook reminded me of the pictures he took of
her in Kindergarten and the ones he took of her last year for First Grade and I
just couldn’t let Second Grade go by without capturing her just as she is right
now. My 7 year old (not going on 17) but very ready for year 8 to roll around.
Her sass, her own eye for fashion and her love for cartwheels and anything out
door. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J71L2OF4QnA/WZ2bUUcgkaI/AAAAAAAACeI/TcwCVVu0RZsxxamZVEYTg1bo35RnyRkmgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J71L2OF4QnA/WZ2bUUcgkaI/AAAAAAAACeI/TcwCVVu0RZsxxamZVEYTg1bo35RnyRkmgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2990.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My babies doing what they love</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How do you </span><i style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">not</i><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> make more of those cheesy Facebook memories? Ultimately
they are my memories of my beautiful crazy very imperfect family that is
whining one second because it’s too hot outside and the cracking up laughing
the next because hey that’s life! </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAGA1Ci76tU/WZ3JTqiqflI/AAAAAAAACeY/NU7Lto8nYGYItIDz8-b4IoT_zBuJ_TTgwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0735.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HAGA1Ci76tU/WZ3JTqiqflI/AAAAAAAACeY/NU7Lto8nYGYItIDz8-b4IoT_zBuJ_TTgwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_0735.jpeg" width="416" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sneak Peak of Little Bears Back to School Photo Shoot </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4gc8Y1nPJs/WZ3JawlNWdI/AAAAAAAACeg/SCujJEETkF4PVKskMkkWTeUG9EcZWDblwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_0551.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g4gc8Y1nPJs/WZ3JawlNWdI/AAAAAAAACeg/SCujJEETkF4PVKskMkkWTeUG9EcZWDblwCK4BGAYYCw/s640/IMG_0551.jpeg" width="418" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book your session with <a href="http://leximages.wixsite.com/leximages/book-online">LEX Images here.</a> </td></tr>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-52036069042966784292017-07-24T18:48:00.000-07:002017-07-25T05:55:59.664-07:00Spirit Riding Free | Giveaway<div dir="auto" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>This is a sponsored post by DreamWorks & Netflix. <br />All opinions are form a bunch of beautiful girls and my own! </i></span></td></tr>
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out there Netflix is your jam. Seriously I remember some twelve maybe even
fifteen years ago. Receiving DVD’s in the mail and sending back in anticipation
of the next. So yes Netflix and I go way back! Now we are in the times
where we binge watch a whole season in one afternoon.</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My little bear is known for doing this too, which means momma bear has to always make sure that what she is watching is good. Long gone are my days of flipping the TV to DisneyJr. and never worrying about what she watches. </span></div>
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Spirit, I wasn’t sure how she was going to like it. She has slowly drifted away
from the world of cartoons, stating that they are for little kids. Not to
mention that there are cartoons out there I don’t want her watching at all! So
finding a good in between is hard to do. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I sat down
with her to watch the first episode of Spirit and we were both pleasantly
surprised. By the next day we had finished watching the whole season! She loved
it! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the
great art work in the illustrations, to each of the personalities in the little
girls, we were drawn in. Of course Little Bear wants a horse now… with the
purchase of the land recently it might not be out of the question! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If your
kiddo hasn’t watched Spirit yet, it’s a great show to watch. Hoping for season
two to come out soon! In the meantime she has no problem re-watching it, r</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">ecently</span><span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"> my nieces came over and girls started watching it again, from the 6 year old to the 9 year old they each loved the show.</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> Even better we received some goodies for her to be entertained with and she is over the moon excited about that! The best thing, they sent me a great swag-bag to giveaway! <i>So enter below for a chance to win!</i> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A super cute kids tote by Port Authority, Spirit Poster and activity sheet, two bracelets, tattoos, chap-stick, luggage tag, hair tie, a bandanna and my favorite Spirit Riding Free "The Adventure Begins" chapter book! Little Bear's favorite part of her swag-bag!</span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="448609984" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/448609984/" id="rcwidget_4g3qn4f3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-56632757217374458042017-07-21T12:05:00.000-07:002017-07-21T12:05:15.131-07:00Go Boldly | The Planning Stage<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In my last post I had very exciting news, the hubs and I
signed off on the purchase of 3 acres. On these 3 acres there isn’t much, it
undeveloped with lots and lots of grass and a few trees. On the bright side it’s a blank slate, on the best side it's our blank slate. If you know me, you know my mind has been running around
doing back-flips with ideas as to what we are going to do with it. You can catch
a glimpse of all my crazy ideas in my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/FaithCoffeeLove/new-house/"><i><b>here</b></i></a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Last week we had the opportunity to meet with an architect, sounds impressive
right? I can’t say I <i>never</i> thought I
would sit down with an architect and plan out the design of our house, there is always <i>"someday"</i>. I would someday. Someday came for us a few weeks ago, where I could shamelessly sit down with someone and share with him all of my crazy ideas.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So today I thought I would share with you some of those crazy ideas! There are so many options when looking at dream homes. Below are a more traditional approach in home design. The idea of a huge porch out in open land is dreamy, you know the sitting out on a rocking chair with a ice cold lemonade kinda dreamy. I also love them idea of the stone and beams on elevation of the house. Here are few of the ones that caught my eye.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Then there is an idea of taking something very non-traditional and making it functional and livable and homey. So we started to look at a metal building or as some like to call it a <i>barndominium. </i>Thanks Chip and Joanne for embedding that one in our brains! Before you turn down this concept the possibilities can be pretty endless. Here are a few of my favorite ones.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Would you choose a metal building? Which one is your favorite? </span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br />In the end the truth is that we do not need something super fancy. My husband and I (and our family) are not afraid of getting our hand dirty and there is rarely something that we look at that we don't think we can make, re-do, or re-model. We are looking to build a home, something that will give us the ability to do the things that this home can no longer do. The space to build and create. A space to open up to the people we love and make a space that embraces us all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I read this not long ago, around the time we were working through the details of buying the land. Dreaming of these houses is just that a dream; my heart wants a home and that can be just about anywhere. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>An ebb and flow of grace being received and given back out - </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>what a beautiful home that would be. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>- Thirty one days of prayer for the dreamer and the doer. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I feel like this is the home I really want, truth is most days I pray I have it right here already. </span></div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-78697652119122828432017-06-06T05:23:00.000-07:002017-06-06T05:23:22.523-07:00Go Boldly | Building Dreams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Over the weekend, my husband and I finalized and signed on something big. How big? About 130,680 square feet big! We have been looking
for and praying about the possibility of buying land and Friday afternoon we
did just that! I have been beyond excited and ideas about everything we want to
do have been running around my brain like crazy. What on earth are we going to
do with all of that land?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Well it’s not a crazy amount of land, so the cattle farm we
wanted is out of the question! Just kidding no cattle farming for us, although
the idea of having more pets have crossed our minds. My husband keeps talking about little goats
and I have been teasing him about a little pet pig. Of course he probably is
thinking more along the lines of dinner options while I would be more likely to
name each one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet Paul, Ringo and John! Just kidding... these are not mine!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">For over a year we have known that our current, beautiful and
perfect to us for the since the moment we bought it home is not our forever
home. Our house is where I labored for hours while we waited for little bear to
be born, it’s the place where my son and his friends hung out and celebrated
the high school years. It’s a place for countless Friday night barbecues with
friends and family. Our house has been our beloved home for 8 yrs and we have
lived in it fully, you can tell because each room holds the proof that friends
and family have been welcomed here. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Why? Right now we know that we have out grown our space, not
the house itself but garage and outdoor surroundings. We both (husband and me)
love to work in our garage and we are constantly climbing over each other
trying to make our space work. We both may not have a clue what our house will ultimately
look like but we each have a whole workshop planned out in our minds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Timing. As we set out to look for the next place to call
home, we found what we believed to be the one more than a couple of times. We
have come across one possible lot of land or one perfect looking house after
another each time to understand that it wasn’t the one. The whole time we have
counted on one for sure thing. God’s timing, not ours. We have prayed about our
plans and we always felt that if we would found something it just fall into
place. After evenings of taking a drive aka looking for property, in our area
lots of people don’t believe in listing their land. They are old school and
they go out and put up a sign “For Sale by Owner” therefor we have seen one
beautiful sunset after another driving around to see what we could find. In the
end it was about the right conversation at the right time with the right
person. Simple no long drives or realtor apps to make it happen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">What comes next? I have no idea, really the easy answer is –
we build a house - but of course we have many steps to take before that becomes
a reality. So today I ask you to join us
as we begin to understand exactly what we have gotten ourselves into.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-58379232751570686832017-04-10T12:56:00.000-07:002017-04-10T13:13:37.072-07:00CARS 3 | Race Lane Passes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15b39f2e00a6b908&attid=0.0.1&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ-ck8EBGNOlNWuHMepSqv3cxRYGzmTul7svol-B1Fxn2XF0AQYYH01z5mavBq6OBacJ3dZjh91dmSJ-WBC2Cm31R3Rh0_opsawDyH7aHGaXR4dogfjWWoALzco&sz=w550-h488&ats=1491850338810&rm=15b39f2e00a6b908&zw&atsh=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=15b39f2e00a6b908&attid=0.0.1&disp=emb&attbid=ANGjdJ-ck8EBGNOlNWuHMepSqv3cxRYGzmTul7svol-B1Fxn2XF0AQYYH01z5mavBq6OBacJ3dZjh91dmSJ-WBC2Cm31R3Rh0_opsawDyH7aHGaXR4dogfjWWoALzco&sz=w550-h488&ats=1491850338810&rm=15b39f2e00a6b908&zw&atsh=1" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Mondays always seem to come at me way too fast! Our weekends are busy, I always find my self wondering how a mom of three or four juggles her weekends! How does she keep her kiddos busy during the weekend and how quickly does her Monday come around **Gasp** Well I'm going to give you something to help plan out your next weekend! This <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1461030353939294/">Saturday April 15th from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Memorial City Mall</a> </b>will be having a very unique CAR show, gearing up for the upcoming release of Disney Pixar's Cars 3: Road to the Races. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">You and your family can come out for free family friendly activities and the opportunity to take a picture with the stars of Cars 3 and get an exclusive sneak peek of the movie. <i>How do you sweeten a free family friendly event? </i>I am giving away a family bundle (5) Race Lane Passes, these passes will allow you and your family quick entry and skipping any existing lines at the event! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Not only do you get a free event for your kiddos, you get to be Super Mom with Race Lane Passes! How awesome is that? Maybe you even get to wear your kiddos out for a relaxing evening binge watch the Cars Movies leading up to the new <a href="http://movies.disney.com/cars-3-tour">CARS : ROAD TO THE RACES!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can you believe CARS first movie came out when my kiddo was 10 years old? He will be 21 this year!! Cars 2 came around when Little Bear was only 2 years old! She is now 7yrs old! WOW the amazing thing is that both will be ready to experience <b><u><a href="http://movies.disney.com/cars-3">CARS 3: Road to the Races</a></u></b> in a heart beat!! Don't forget to enter below for your chances to win your Race Day Passes!! </span></div>
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<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="448609983" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/448609983/" id="rcwidget_14rbinlt" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a></div>
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<br />Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-6557275244680976912017-04-04T09:53:00.000-07:002017-04-04T09:53:10.204-07:00Date Night | KURIOS <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A special date night is coming up with my hubs this Thursday
night, the beauty of it is that there isn’t a special occasion, it’s not a
birthday, or an anniversary. We do not have many of these and I get a little too excited at the idea of no kids and a cute outfit! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have the opportunity to see <a href="https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/kurios">KURIOS by Cirque du Soleil</a>
and I cannot wait! We have been major Cirque du Soleil fans for years making it
to their shows almost every year, always being taken into another world of enchantment.
With the stunning acrobatics and the elaborate costumes they have the ability
to pull you out of the daily grind into something magical. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Imagination: A wold inside of a world of wonders.<br /><i>Pictures Provided By Cirque du Soleil</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have a feeling this show will be no different, promising
to show us that anything is possible through the power of imagination. My curiosity
has been sparked and sharing it with my hubby (</span><i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and did I say no kids</i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">) has me looking
forward to this night more than ever.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Knowing us this image, makes me remember the time my husband and I went flying.<br /> One of his goals to become a pilot and me by his side someday.<br /><i>Photos Provided by Cirque du Soleil</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you have a chance to have a night out make sure to check
out <a href="https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/kurios">KURIOS – Cabinet of Curiosities</a>, April 6</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> – May 21</span><sup style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">st</sup><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
at the Sam Houston Race Park. You can follow me on Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/faith_coffee_love/">Faith_Coffee_Love</a>
and on Twiiter <a href="https://twitter.com/FaithCoffeeLove">@FaithCoffeeLove</a> to see more post on the night of the Premier! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>This is a sponsored post, we have been invited to attend the KURIOS Premier, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.</i></span></div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-85019718826802004442017-03-28T14:36:00.000-07:002017-03-29T05:41:30.032-07:00Austin, TX | Spring Break 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks to Facebook Memories, Spring Break in Austin is really like 2017, 2015, 2012 and so on. We've relied on this city to provide a great escape to us for quite some time now, it's not to far away and that makes the drive there easy. Some how to us it is just far enough to feel like we are <i>really</i> far away. So many people always ask - Why Austin? Or What's in Austin? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm not 100% sure what the answer is but I have been drawn to this city since my single and broken hearted days and now as a family of four every time we visit we end up talking about moving there. Every. Time. I can probably tell you more easily what we have not been able to do on our trips there; things that everyone always wants to do in Austin. We have not been able to get into <a href="https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool">Hamilton Pools</a>, I know this is sad but we have never had luck with that one, I can only assume there is a witching hour for getting in and we just are not making it on time. We have never stood in line at <a href="https://franklinbarbecue.com/">Franklin's BBQ</a> - We went once after <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1408353748" style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(204, 204, 204); position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">10 am</span></span> and I am pretty sure it was laughing at us as we drove by. Other than that this we have over time tried all kinds of Austin things to do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We have shopped all around and love going to <a href="https://www.timeout.com/austin/music/best-record-stores-in-austin">record stores</a> from the college side of town straight to <a href="https://www.austintexas.org/listings/south-congress-avenue-(soco)/4359/">Congress St.</a>, resale shops, antiquing and vinyl records are a must. Although H-Town is know to be a mega "Food" city, you can't really go wrong in finding a good place to catch some grub. Food trucks are a must, <a href="http://torchystacos.com/location/trailer-park/">Torchy's Tacos</a> muy beno! Pizza joints no problem try some <a href="http://via313.com/">Via 313 Pizza</a> and get your pie on. Summer time calls for some serious <a href="http://www.shavediceisland.com/">shaved ice</a> and I promise your taste buds will be happy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Although <a href="https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool">Hamilton Pools</a> is one good place to find a watering hole don't forget <a href="https://austintexas.gov/department/barton-springs-pool">Barton Springs</a> is a great watering spot and head over to <a href="http://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boat/paddlingtrails/inland/lady_bird_lake/">Lady Bird Lake</a> and go canoeing or paddle boarding. I have to say we are old school and simply enjoy <a href="https://laketravis.com/">Lake Travis</a>, we rent a Pontoon boat and a jet ski and set out to have lunch and some fun times on the lake. This year we had a change of pace and rented a small Ski Boat and we had a blast. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Our little family like to go out for an easy hike (especially with the little bear in tow) we enjoy heading over to <a href="http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls">Perdenales State Park</a>, truly there are so many parks in and around the city you can't go wrong. The city quote "Keep Austin Weird" so if you go wondering about make some "weird" stops like we did this trip and find your self at <a href="http://hopecampaign.org/hopeprojects/hope-outdoor-gallery/">"Hope Outdoor Gallery"</a>. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">So if you want to get away and keep it nice and easy find yourself in the winding roads and steep dips of Austin, TX. Go exploring and be weird! I'm sure you'll enjoy it! </span></span></div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-90435661870165646622017-01-09T18:08:00.000-08:002017-01-09T18:08:24.084-08:00Hello 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello from the other side of the New Year, 2017 has begun and while most are
talking about their resolutions, their plans to overcome and conquer, I am over
here still glad I made it to the other side and pretty dang thankful I made it
over here okay. No not great, but I am alive and I have my family and friends,
I have my home and we are truly blessed. <o:p></o:p><br />
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I know that the 2016 memes were a hot mess at the end of the
year and most people were hating on poor ole’ 2016. Many having the “welcome 2017,
now come in, sit down and shut up” attitude. All of this is understood, 2016 was rough and
I am glad it’s over but here is the thing – I’ve learned a lot from 2016. So
although I have yet to formulate a hard core list of resolutions for 2017, here
are a few things I’ve learned from 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>2017 will not end anything like you expect
it to.</b></div>
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Don’t be dismayed by that, it’ll be
okay. At the beginning of 2016 we thought we knew where we (as a family) were
headed. My son knew what school he would be attending in the fall and I knew I should
prepare myself for him to go.</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Stay focused on your plans and prepare yourself
to follow through with those plans. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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I know #1 makes it sound like #2 maybe a
waste of time but it’s not. In March we took a trip that took us from Seattle
to Sacramento, with the main objective to stop along the way and visit
Portland, Oregon. There we would meet with the school my son had set his heart
on attending for the last two years. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Roll with the punches. <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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By punches, I mean punches. I mean you
might be beat up, bruised and bloodied. Roll with it, when you can get up, get
up dust yourself off and prepare to do it again. As a parent you will make decisions that break
your heart in half. You will feel that if you can move heaven and earth to make
their dreams come true – <i>you should</i>. Then
you realize that the tough part does not come from moving the heavens and earth, it comes from deciding that the best thing you can do is nothing at all. And that
my friends’ means someone else may have a broken heart and when your son or
daughter is heartbroken you want to do everything in your power to make it all
go away. It’s a vicious cycle. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Be ready for round two, three and four.</b></div>
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By August we had enrolled for a
second year here at community college, the money we had tucked away was used to
purchase a new/used vehicle for my son after old faithful died. Good thing
we had some extra pennies in the piggy bank. We braced ourselves for the beginning
of a new school year. Then we received a
call from cancer, who decided to make it’s self at home for the time being.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></b><!--[endif]--><b>Love wins.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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By November we lost my mother’s husband to
cancer. As a daughter, to see your mom in pain is beyond words. To know there
is nothing you can do to take it away, is hard. How does love win? Without it
we would have fallen apart. Instead we held it together, during the holidays we
found healing in being with one another. At the end of 2016, we have memories
that no one can steal from us. I can look back and understand why it all
happened just the way it should have and it’s okay. We start the New Year with
hopes of a better year. I plan to stick the plans I have for 2017 so far and
brace myself for the changes that may come along the way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seattle 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">San Francisco - Golden Gate Bridge 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lake Tahoe, California 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yunUowCqBeo/WHQQqLatAYI/AAAAAAAACAI/BxMtjpMWLfk4yezEo15z7hVeiciyzaWYACK4B/s1600/IMG_8581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yunUowCqBeo/WHQQqLatAYI/AAAAAAAACAI/BxMtjpMWLfk4yezEo15z7hVeiciyzaWYACK4B/s640/IMG_8581.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Galveston, TX 2017</span></td></tr>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-75640516055653959222016-12-21T06:58:00.000-08:002016-12-21T07:16:06.806-08:005 Christmas DIY Hacks & Crafts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBTetDNnUMA/WFqKZuT3VvI/AAAAAAAAB8s/xEWrZ90N26o-EytEeCSRAfunqo5nCJ1BACK4B/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rBTetDNnUMA/WFqKZuT3VvI/AAAAAAAAB8s/xEWrZ90N26o-EytEeCSRAfunqo5nCJ1BACK4B/s400/IMG_0309.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tis' the Season, for hosting dinners, decorating and keeping kiddo's busy during the Christmas break. All of this can get a little hairy when you think about all that we take on every year, shopping, cooking and decorating can get the budget a little stretched out. I asked a few of my lovely friends and fellow bloggers if they could share with us some easy and not-so-costly ideas on how they make the holidays a little brighter. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Winter Wonderland Centerpiece : By Jihane <a href="https://onixj.com/">@ Onixj.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My parents were hosting a dinner party and they asked me to create a unique centerpiece. They asked me to include the colors gold and silver. I went for a forest inspired piece using "snow" covered tree branches and combining them with some winter evergreen pine branches. Added some sparkle with a statement golden star (also made of tree branches) small snow covered ornaments, and fake snow at the bottom of the centerpiece to complete the forest inspired arrangement. Make sure you use floral dry foam to keep all the elements in place. I finished the whole thing by adding acorns, branches and lights ❄️✨at the base.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Merry Christmas Wreath: By Connie <a href="http://www.mommaofdos.com/">@ MommaofDos.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkniiN5wccA/WFqPqaTTt0I/AAAAAAAAB9k/GORRCpsogecHDIm9VCdoYRFJ8aeCUXTfgCK4B/s1600/IMG_1036%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bkniiN5wccA/WFqPqaTTt0I/AAAAAAAAB9k/GORRCpsogecHDIm9VCdoYRFJ8aeCUXTfgCK4B/s640/IMG_1036%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">In order to create my wreath, I purchased some great Christmas decorations/ornaments and a </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">medium size green wreath. You will need some hot glue or if you have ornaments ties or ribbon </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">would also work. Creating the wreath is very simple and takes no time at all. You can have it </span><span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">done in about 30 minutes depending on how much detail you want to add.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I first make a mock arrangement of my wreath and try to imagine what I want it to look like. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once I have dreamed up my perfect Christmas wreath; I start affixing the ornaments, ribbon, and </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">bows. I purchased a pre-made bow, which is always easier, and some ribbon to tie around the </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">entire wreath. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Once I have secured all the ornaments and details to my wreath with ribbon ties or hot glue; it is </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ready to go on my front door and welcome our guest when they arrive on Noche Buena.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Santa & Rudolph Paintbrush Craft: By Lauren </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://wiferellatoboymom.blogspot.com/">@ wiferellatoboymom.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hYyTu0YvVI/WFqRW5PvAAI/AAAAAAAAB98/GaWFXbhWwhMWuc86aLm2fWdw92J9SOAWgCK4B/s1600/IMG_20161204_1.png" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7hYyTu0YvVI/WFqRW5PvAAI/AAAAAAAAB98/GaWFXbhWwhMWuc86aLm2fWdw92J9SOAWgCK4B/s640/IMG_20161204_1.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Paint the handle red for the Santa and brown for the </span><span style="color: #222222;">Rudolph</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">. Do about two or three coats so you won't see the original color. Once dry take your felt, and wrap a around half the gold plate and glue as you go (leave enough room for the eyes and nose. Than glue your eyes and nose. Add your own touch as I did with the silver embellishment on the corner of the felt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Once your </span><span style="color: #222222;">Rudolph</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;"> is done drying. Use your pipe cleaner to wrap around to make the ears. Glue your eyes and nose. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">You are done!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Rustic Christmas Wreath: By Amanda </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">@<a href="http://www.positivelybeautifullifeblog.com/"> PositivelyBeautifulBlog.com</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8TP_ic3UvA/WFqUVAQQcMI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/xcWPHS0bWwMAvd05t34xr2NNAgt8gGRuACK4B/s1600/DSC_0366.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V8TP_ic3UvA/WFqUVAQQcMI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/xcWPHS0bWwMAvd05t34xr2NNAgt8gGRuACK4B/s640/DSC_0366.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #444444; font-family: "crimson text"; font-size: 16px;">The first step is to cut up the log. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "crimson text"; font-size: 16px;">Then I hot-glued the pieces of wood together. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "crimson text"; font-size: 16px;">The next step is to decorate it. This step is the lengthiest step because your trying different things until you think it looks good. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "crimson text"; font-size: 16px;">Overall this project took my about 30-45 minutes and that’s because I couldn’t make up my mind on how to decorate the wreath. Well, having some wine might have had something to do with it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "crimson text"; font-size: 16px;"> Lol! This is a cheap and easy DIY project that I would recommend anyone to do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Upside Down Christmas Wreath: By Yvonne @faithcoffeelove.com</span></div>
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This year I'll be hosting Christmas at my house I thought about putting together a center piece for my table but truth be told, when it's dinner time around here there is no space for a center piece! So I thought outside the box and flipped my center piece upside down. I simply took and unused wreath, spruced it up, used wire, fishing line and hot glue to add some extra ornaments. </div>
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I used the wire to attache my wreath upside down on my light fixture, sometimes you might need a third hand to get this up there with out it falling on your head! Then I tied fishing line to the wreath and hung a few ornaments at different lengths.</div>
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I loved how it turned out! </div>
<br />Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-59030336506868408262016-12-19T15:34:00.000-08:002016-12-19T15:42:31.874-08:00Christmas Under the Big Top <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the season gets into to full swing, we all get carried away by the decorating and the shopping and the craziness. Every year we try to plan a Christmas outing to take our minds off the craziness and spend a little time with one another, this year we were invited to join <a href="http://www.second.org/Woodway.aspx">Second Baptist Church</a> in their beautiful Christmas show, this years show is "Christmas Under the Big Top".<br />
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During the week we were able to get a sneak peak at their preparations, the setting up of the stage, the 24 piece orchestra, the choir and lights and sound check. We were amazed at everything that happens "behind the scenes" for a production this size. My daughter was in awe of the giant floating balloons, of which they would have some 20 or so blown up and ready for the show. They told us about the ins and outs for getting ready, I could truly see their passion for providing an amazing, entertaining and Christ centered show.<br />
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From the acrobats flying from above, the live orchestra and choir, jugglers and the singers (including <a href="http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Luke_Benward">Luke Benward</a> from the Disney Channel) this is a great family show. If you have family visiting for the holidays or if you and your family want to try something new for the holidays this is going to be a big hit. The show runs till tomorrow evening and tickets start at $10.00 per person. Click <a href="http://sites.second.org/christmasunderthebigtop/tickets/">here</a> to get more information on show times.<br />
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Second Baptist is also beautifully decorated for Christmas, along with a really large display of trains.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy girls checking out the trains!</td></tr>
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This year they went all out at Second Baptist, I can't wait to see what's in store for us next year!<br />
<i>(Disclaimer: My family was given tickets to this amazing for in exchange for my honest opinion!) </i>Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-75500275118339120282016-11-30T14:10:00.000-08:002016-11-30T14:10:06.986-08:00DIY Christmas Swag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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My gosh this year has been a little bit upside down and
backwards, this holiday season has been lined with a little bit of sorrow and
it makes it just a little bit harder to get into to the <b>Spirit</b> of the season.
Very possibly for this reason I wanted to make sure we had our Christmas decorations
out and ready this year, early. I’m just like a lot of moms some years we are
on the ball and some years I’m shopping for our Christmas Tree the weekend
before Christmas – it happens.<br />
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Currently because of my insisting on getting everything out, my living room looks like it threw up Christmas all over, glitter, ribbon,
ornaments, pine needles and all kinds of seasonal décor spreads out from my
entry way through my dining room and into my living-room. It’s okay though, it’s
all finding it’s place and hopefully by this weekend it’ll all be beautiful and
my Christmas wonderland will be set up and I can focus on other things… like
shopping! <o:p></o:p></div>
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We are <i>that</i> family, the ones who want a<i> real </i>Christmas Tree
every year and when we go get our tree I always bring home with me the tree
trimmings they cut off from our tree, also if you don’t know most places keep a
pile of all trimmings that you can pick through and take home, so I always grab a
few extra just for kicks. What do you do with said trimmings… well all kinds of
stuff really? I’ve filled a tall clear glass vase with cut up branches and
Christmas lights, very pretty and easy DIY. <o:p></o:p></div>
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This year I wanted to make a Christmas Swag for my house,
here is my step by step process to make a quick and inexpensive Christmas
decoration. <o:p></o:p></div>
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First of you need tools, just a few: scissors, pliers, shears and thin wire.</div>
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Next with the shears cut down all of the branches and separate them into manageable pieces. </div>
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For the swag I wanted to create, I needed a smaller piece for the top and a larger one for the bottom. I sort through all my pieces and just play around with the arrangement until I can sort them out into the two parts I feel I'm going to need to make it work. Don't worry too much this is not the final size, you can always trim off any excess later. </div>
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Once you have both pieces tie each one with the wire to hold them in place and then tie them both together with another piece of wire to hold them both together.</div>
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I had a bow stashed away from last year that I used and I tied all three together with wire nice and tight. You can use your pliers when tightening wire because your fingertips might be to slippery.</div>
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Next I pulled out more random decorations and started to "squeeze" them into the arrangement, I ended up adding more wire to tie in some of the sparkly branches and some of the decorations had wire ends that I just worked into the branches.</div>
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Once I thought I had it figured out, I hung it out side on my front door! Ta-Da! You can see I ended up adding some more ornaments, these I tied on with some thin rope, nothing fancy. If you like to whip out your hot glue gun, you could easily glue more ornaments if you want something more elaborate than this. I like to keep it simple :) but wait, I wan't finished, I felt like it was to big and a little crazy looking, I used my shears and trimmed it down. </div>
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Now it's done! Simple and just like that a fresh DIY Christmas Swag!</div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-5045692345394404102016-10-31T16:10:00.001-07:002016-11-01T14:14:29.662-07:00Spooktacular Halloween <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hope you are having Spooktacular Halloween! Around here Halloween is like the pre-season game for the Holiday's! We all get hyped up around here and love every minute of it, I included some quick pictures of what it looks like around here tonight...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We each made foam houses to decorate the dinning room. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We carved out pumpkins! From left to right - <br />Daddy's cat, Mommy's ghost & Hailey Bear's scary Face! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Left to right- Ashley's Harry Potter & Chris's Smirking Pumpkin</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I loved how the front entry way turned out.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course my Beautiful Princess!</span></td></tr>
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What ever you find your self doing tonight, be safe, have fun and keep it Spooky!!! </div>
<br />Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-2488224906668958242016-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:002016-11-01T14:12:35.751-07:00Almost Fall <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; clear: left; color: black; float: left; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This past weekend here in Houston, TX we were visited by a little taste of fall. It slipped in on Friday and by Monday morning our forecast was best described as seasonably warm. I’m more of a warmer weathered person myself but I have to admit that I was ready for the drop in temperatures just like the rest of Houston. Maybe because the weather was going to be nice or maybe because it was going to be my dad’s birthday weekend, I decided on two very fall like things to do last weekend. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I joined my dad and Lety on a hiking adventure at Brazos Bend State Park for a “Night Hike”. The hike was described as a </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“walk in the park after dark to look and listen for things that go bump, screech, howl and squeal in the night”</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> they also included folklore, legend and myth. It ended up being a pretty awesome experience, they had a few stops along the way and talked to us about myths and legends like “La Chusa” and they debunked the idea that bats are blind, plus how they help out by eating all those pesky mosquitoes we all love around here. In between we were able to catch a beautiful October sunset and we glimpsed a few alligators along the way. They even told a tale about a “Captain Gaucho” who haunts the lakes at night! It was a little silly but the mood was right and few alligators were hanging out listening to the story with the rest of us. The alligator sightings were our favorite part of our hike, we definitely kept on the trail after dark because we kept joking around about the possibilities of a 9 foot gator lurking around close by! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful October Sunset</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Earlier in the day I decided to make a big ole’ batch of Chili for my dad, I figured it would be the perfect way to top off a beautiful fall evening and it was! It might not be your traditional type of Chili but maybe when fall really comes to Houston you might be in the mood for something warm and hearty, so I thought I would share my recipe with you. Are you ready for fall and all the yummy food that comes with this time of year? I know I am, okay so I’m never ready for colder weather but I’m always ready for some yummy grub! </span></div>
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<br />Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-56284878346027381132016-10-26T18:08:00.000-07:002016-10-27T07:32:17.743-07:00Wood Working Wednesday | Stain <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AI99S26mh5s/WBIIpzimLdI/AAAAAAAAHd4/H_8UNkwvaQws6GiZ9VaZKA8ve9JN9dMvQCLcB/s1600/14825588_10209522323008377_1392536064_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AI99S26mh5s/WBIIpzimLdI/AAAAAAAAHd4/H_8UNkwvaQws6GiZ9VaZKA8ve9JN9dMvQCLcB/s640/14825588_10209522323008377_1392536064_n.jpg" width="636" /></a></div>
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So it turns out I went on a sanding frenzy and ended up with a ton of wood that I need to stain, of course that was all part of the master plan :) I have a dozen projects I have to get a move on.</div>
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But First Stain! not quite as good as But First Coffee, but hey it makes me almost as happy! </div>
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The are a bunch of different types of stain you can use for wood, there are different brands and even homemade recipes that I'v tried but to be honest I have my fall back favorite <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Minwax-1-qt-Wood-Finish-Dark-Walnut-Oil-Based-Interior-Stain-70012/100376185">Minwax Wood Finish</a>, an oil based interior stain. I don't always play by the rules so today I'll share with you a few tips. </div>
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I mix my stains...shhhh don't tell anyone! I use 3/4 Dark Walnut and 1/4 Classic Grey. The stain has way of settling especially the grey, I find it best to mix the stains in a Mason Jar this way I can shake the jar until all the stain is mixed. It takes a while to mix - so shake shake shake!</div>
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I also like it best if I can work and then throw away most of the mess, I find it best to buy cheap paint brushes and I little cool gadget I found once <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Shur-Line-6-25-in-Trim-and-Touch-Up-Pad-01520C/100141897">"paint pads"</a> it's supposed to be used with regular paint but it works wonders with stain too. I use these thick paper towels that my husband uses in the garage they hold up really well and I can just toss them when I'm done.</div>
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After you have everything you need you should be pretty much ready to go, but first lay down a old towel, or newspaper to lay everything out on and protect your table or floor that you might be working on. Next my tip on applying stain is to apply a thick coat of stain, let it sit for a minute or two then take your towel or old rag and pull off any extra stain.<br />
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Above is a picture of a good coat of stain, below I've pulled off the extra stain with my shop towel.</div>
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You can see how the wood grain pops! This is my favorite part of this whole process, you take a piece of wood that has been cast off as trash or no good and after sanding it down and staining it, you get this beautiful grain. Now let it dry for a couple of hours, flip it over and stain the other side and let completely dry for about 24 hours. </div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-24737466399844889172016-10-19T19:53:00.000-07:002016-10-20T06:50:04.374-07:00Wood Working Wednesday | Pallet Wood <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Welcome back to “Wood Working Wednesday” this one is brought to you by something called “spare time” - Some of you know what I’m talking about. I’m talking to the moms whose spare time consist hiding in the restroom in hopes of not having a child popping in to re-cap to you how the dog just chased the cat right into the bedroom door. Not that kind of spare time. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The kind of spare time that is very truly unplanned time all to yourself. This past weekend we ran around like crazy people but not because of our plans, no, because of little bear’s plans. She went to two birthday parties Saturday and then spent the night at her cousin's house, this could have presented two scenarios: 1. I could have spent the rest of the evening at home laying on the floor enjoying the silence, I would have even played<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5Mv3WS3D-o" target="_blank"> DM</a> to make the whole evening more memorable. Or 2. I could out to dinner with grownups only. So because the last time I was able to spend my evening </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 400; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><strike><i>on the carpet, enjoying the silence</i></strike></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with grownups only was on my anniversary in May. I got dolled up a headed out for a nice night out on the town. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sunday, little bear had another party, at this point I felt like I would never get a chance to work on my projects so I asked my very nice husband if he could take apart a few pallets for me while I escorted the bear to her friends birthday party. Then something amazing happened- The little girls' mom wanted me to come back and pick her up later. Hum what? Suddenly I had two and a half hours of time- spare time, unplanned, unoccupied time. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>I almost went shopping.</b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Then I realized I had two and a half hours of wood working time without the guilt of parking little bear in front of a movie or her tablet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So while my husband helped me out by taking apart a few pallets, I cut down wood to the size I need for various projects I’m working on and began my sanding process to make these pallets smooth and workable. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I also took this as a chance to give you a little bit more info about pallets:</span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have a great friend who gets pallets for me all the time, I know that they are clean and safe because of where he works but I also know this because of the stamp on the actual pallet. This one gives me a company logo IPPC or International Plant Protection Convention. It has a registration number on it and most importantly it has "HT" stamped on it. "HT" tells me it is Heat Treated vs. Chemically treated. You can find more information <a href="http://www.1001pallets.com/pallet-safety/">here.</a> </span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Many people ask how do we take them apart, my husband uses a mallet and a pry bar and goes to town. If it's just me by myself I cheat and use a miter saw cutting around all the nails- which I don't like because I like the nails holes. I also take the time to sand it down in three steps, 180 grit sand paper, 150 grit and I finish it off to 220 grit. Basically the higher the number on the grit the finer the sandpaper and the smother finish you will get. </span></i></span><br />
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<img alt="Displaying IMG_9536.JPG" height="400" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=157dfb4ae86af482&attid=0.3&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ8_FQNQO0wyxm7HcWLXltcBHDHn38g7sUMCdSijTmA1lHvigrW51zL8nyOrRZRQP5VtEnShC4oJzUQCvIosWFKmagf8u6iWXDluotMSR60Y30f6x6Nm7pjzc64&ats=1476928680858&rm=157dfb4ae86af482&zw&sz=w1486-h923" width="298" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>Although pine is low cost and it can be rough when it comes to you as pallet wood, I don't mind working with it. The nail holes and imperfections give it texture and gives it that "rustic" look. In the end some of the most rough pieces of wood have the most character.</i></span><br />
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<img alt="Displaying IMG_9535.JPG" height="400" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=95e873dcf2&view=fimg&th=157dfb4ae86af482&attid=0.5&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ__xQTEFl7MFRtf2hpj10tYa67gQCtRTUUu5gSt39rD6bOuZiTMFim8JGn-BUu-lUJmByXCcX13sSL2Qw2YTEhtuo2lU81RgsSesGEV6diY6_eNMaZY8FfImjs&ats=1476928680858&rm=157dfb4ae86af482&zw&sz=w1486-h923" width="299" /><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></span></span><br /><i>These knots and grain are some of my favorite out this batch, I'll show you next week how beautiful these look once they have been cleaned up and stained.</i></span></span></td></tr>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-57803874233749741502016-10-12T10:20:00.001-07:002016-10-12T10:20:13.092-07:00Wood Workin’ Wednesday | Established<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I’ve been so caught up doing small crafting projects ever
since I got a Silhouette Cameo, which in a simple way is a cutting machine, it
can cut fabric, vinyl, paper and many things in between. I really went out on a
limb to get this machine because I wanted to be able to customize my wood
projects and somehow I’ve been making shirts and decals instead! <o:p></o:p></div>
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I finally refocused and went to work on a couple wood signs,
one was for a giveaway at <a href="http://www.mommaofdos.com/" target="_blank">Momma of Dos’s</a> Blogging 101 class, it was a “There is
no place like Home” wooden sign Texas style!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is no place like Home winner : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/hooverworksadminassistance/?pnref=lhc" target="_blank">Danielle from Hoover Works</a></td></tr>
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The second one I really wanted to try out, is a “Last
Name” sign, these are really popular for newlyweds and anniversaries to honor
the family name and the date the marriage was established. I <b><i><u>SO</u></i></b> wanted to make one, I just
happened to have a friend at work that has a daughter getting married this
weekend and I asked her if I could make her a sign <i>(also known as – do you mind being my genie pig?)</i> Over the weekend I
put the final touches on it and I loved the way it turned out! <o:p></o:p><br />
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<i style="text-align: center;">Okay so here is my
nerd corner: It was made from pallet wood so it has old nail holes in it, I
love the wood-grain on this one and the knots in the grain. I sanded the wood
down smooth to a 220 grit and softened the corners and edges – over kill? Maybe,
but I’d do it again –actually I cut and sanded a ton of wood this weekend and I
always do the same thing. I love using old wood and I probably take too much
time matching up pieces together making sure each sign gets something
unique.</i></div>
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I liked the challenge of the layers involved in making these even though
there were many frustrating moments and times when I wanted to throw my machine
out the window. In the background my husband is calling out to me “It’s okay
babe, that’s how you learn!” of course I’m not sure he knows I hear him in a George
Lopez voice and it just cracks me up! So I finally finished and I’m super happy
with the way they turned out! </div>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-49872435770966294632016-09-26T14:08:00.002-07:002016-09-26T14:45:27.460-07:00Are you a Woman of Influence?<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6dYJH-t-xw/V-mDflEfYeI/AAAAAAAABvc/NhUq_l_O0U8fnkFqnzKbhBapctx-xOnNACK4B/s1600/IMG_9318%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6dYJH-t-xw/V-mDflEfYeI/AAAAAAAABvc/NhUq_l_O0U8fnkFqnzKbhBapctx-xOnNACK4B/s320/IMG_9318%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a>This past weekend I was fortunate to attend a Woman’s Event
at my church, this year is was called “Woman of Influence”, and I feel as
though it was the perfect title to the stage in life that I find myself in
these days. Although truth be told, we are all in that stage in life no matter
our age. During this event they had giveaways and if you won something you were
encouraged to whoop and holler in excitement, a 92 year old women won something
and she joined in and even gave a little dance. She dressed up in a purple
flowery blouse with a purple hat and her joy of life was evident, later I glimpsed
her with her walker which was also decked out. Her personality was vibrant and all I could
think about was how she was influencing so many of us in that very moment. WOW!
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">92 years old and loving life!</td></tr>
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I struggle and have struggled as a mom so many times, I
wonder if I’ve done anything right this whole time and if I will ever get the
motherhood down or if by grace somehow I manage to be a woman of influence –
mind you with the right kind of influence. I think back to my son when he was
three years old and at the time he didn’t call me “mom” or “mommy” he called me
“Yvonne”. As I started to go to church and change my life and my priorities, one
day Chris got behind me in the crowd as we exited the church and just like that
his voice cut through the crowd and he called out to me “Mommy!” The whole
world stood still and my breath was caught. What a change in the influence my
life was having on him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guest Speaker - Pam Tebow</td></tr>
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I was able to attend this event with a couple wonderful
ladies I love very much and in the moment you realize the influence they have
on your life. Momma Rachel (my best friends mom) and anyone else’s mom if you
so need her to be or my daughters other grandmother in my case. Her influence
has impacted my life for more than 15 years showing me her unconditional love. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Connie from <a href="http://www.mommaofdos.com/" target="_blank">Momma of Dos</a>, is a woman of influence in the blogging
world leading and paving the way for so many bloggers that have followed her
footsteps. In so many ways a woman of influence showing me that hard work and consistency
pays off – follow your dreams and don’t let someone tell you it can’t be done
or that <i>(worse)</i> it’s a waste of time.
There is a good chance that she’ll take you up on that offer and show you otherwise.
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What kind of influence are you? Do you inspire, encourage and love? Maybe you are a teacher, protector and nurturer - I hope you are and I hope you realize that years from now you’ll step
into the knowledge that you have inspired someone along the way. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Women of Influence 2016</td></tr>
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Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5488326021582115125.post-87999376660986699642016-09-13T18:54:00.000-07:002016-09-14T06:34:45.583-07:00Weekend Snapshots | Jellystone Park<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRFqI9NZc1M/V9il9kr8mMI/AAAAAAAABs4/sG125XW43oQQN2kqEQhfgiRhyUP_W-QRgCK4B/s1600/IMG_9253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WRFqI9NZc1M/V9il9kr8mMI/AAAAAAAABs4/sG125XW43oQQN2kqEQhfgiRhyUP_W-QRgCK4B/s320/IMG_9253.JPG" width="320" /></a>Hello everyone and welcome to the 4<sup>th</sup> week of
school! Hallelujah we made it! I know I’ve been a little MIA but the beginning of
school is always a rough time for me at work, to add on to it we’ve had family member
in the hospital and time has been scarce. Thankfully we’ve made it through, my
family is at home recovering and the roughest time of year is settling down –
YAY!</div>
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So of course we should totally go camping right? I know,
maybe not the best time, but we did it anyway! Actually we had booked this
little trip back in June but it was rained out and moved to this past weekend.
So we packed up and headed out and let me tell you it was a welcomed chaos, to
completely detach and worry about packing, food, supplies, and clothes and
camping gear, was a total de-stressor! <o:p></o:p></div>
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We didn’t head far just an hour or so away to Waller, TX to
Jellystone Park, the perfect place to go if #1 you don’t like camping and #2 if
you have kids (or you’re a big kid yourself!). Why is it the perfect place to
go camping if you don’t like camping? You can rent a cabin! A cabin with a
bathroom, bed, kitchen, couch and a TV! See easy-peasy, we decided to use our
tent so we booked a tent camping spot, minus some of the luxuries of the cabin
the “tent camping” includes water, electrical outlet, one picnic table and a
fire ring. <b><u>Bathrooms and Showers</u></b>
are not far away and <i>super clean</i>,
believe me I have been camping all my life and I’ve seen some bathrooms and
showers that make you want to pee outside and you feel perfectly fine being
stinky so this is a major plus! <o:p></o:p></div>
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At Jellystone there is something for your kids to do all day
long, they have the swimming pool area, with kid’s slides and they have a few
grown up slides too, they have a lazy river and a splash pad. Out of the water
they have miniature golf, a playground, human fooseball, giant tetherball, a
craft center and a stocked lake for fishing. The park organizes something to do
all day, like free craft time and a train ride twice a day. You can take the
kids to meet Yogi Bear (although Hailey really didn’t know who he was!!) and
they throw in things like a Foam Party and a Fire Truck that comes out to spray
the kids down! Really you will not be bored, they also plan events all year
round for Halloween, Christmas, Easter and even Mardi Gras! </div>
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We ended up using our trip to celebrate my little bears best friend's birthday and it turned out to be awesome! Just before the trip I made some shirts for the girls to celebrate their "wild" side and they had a blast. Even my 19 year old was able to have a good time, he even ended up have a little fishing lesson with the girls and they all did so great. Hailey was able to cast her line several times but most of all she was able to bond with her big brother. This crazy weekend was just what we all needed after some very stressful weeks in the real world. Little Bear says her favorite part of the trip was spending time with her fiends and family, sound like a girl after my own heart.<br />
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Finally being able to sit down and re-cap my Weekend Snapshots feels super good, remember to check out the other ladies at <a href="http://www.3twentysix.com/2016/09/weekend-snapshots-37.html#" target="_blank">3twentysix</a> & <a href="http://www.reinventingjess.com/2016/09/weekend-snapshots-37.html" target="_blank">The Reinvention of Jessica</a> to see what they were up to this weekend! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yogi who?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWAMs6mnlMM/V9ipjQQij-I/AAAAAAAABtU/1jrIJFTE1ZMnpNnyvC4WRxkijVfB4UUzQCK4B/s1600/IMG_9153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RWAMs6mnlMM/V9ipjQQij-I/AAAAAAAABtU/1jrIJFTE1ZMnpNnyvC4WRxkijVfB4UUzQCK4B/s400/IMG_9153.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Besties having fun! </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le3Phol3o5k/V9ipsQlVJGI/AAAAAAAABtc/GJYU8eTzBbUkCpb7Q1Qb2wcHf5O73-skgCK4B/s1600/IMG_9204%2B%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Le3Phol3o5k/V9ipsQlVJGI/AAAAAAAABtc/GJYU8eTzBbUkCpb7Q1Qb2wcHf5O73-skgCK4B/s320/IMG_9204%2B%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Human Foosball! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHTWXiufix0/V9ip4Pcq4aI/AAAAAAAABtk/IrRHAGnU7-AIMk6WOg8CBGJIk7LBKo0qwCK4B/s1600/IMG_9168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qHTWXiufix0/V9ip4Pcq4aI/AAAAAAAABtk/IrRHAGnU7-AIMk6WOg8CBGJIk7LBKo0qwCK4B/s400/IMG_9168.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun in the Sun</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4LnmArIrFg/V9iqNEgnTcI/AAAAAAAABtw/zwcfJ22uzjgYnSGnZW4DIrG6S2p0-kpOACK4B/s1600/IMG_9178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r4LnmArIrFg/V9iqNEgnTcI/AAAAAAAABtw/zwcfJ22uzjgYnSGnZW4DIrG6S2p0-kpOACK4B/s400/IMG_9178.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little bear fishing! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jbm1FZAGyI/V9iqnemQJrI/AAAAAAAABuM/wOtsROPSUrsA8UeRLc6o3gfTz7q39vnZACK4B/s1600/IMG_9194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_jbm1FZAGyI/V9iqnemQJrI/AAAAAAAABuM/wOtsROPSUrsA8UeRLc6o3gfTz7q39vnZACK4B/s400/IMG_9194.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls just hanging out :)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CtGHyXRZCs/V9itWAm7GqI/AAAAAAAABu8/ycK_z0ygE2gBNI19wfkzJx-LwpMGwFB_wCK4B/s1600/IMG_9202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0CtGHyXRZCs/V9itWAm7GqI/AAAAAAAABu8/ycK_z0ygE2gBNI19wfkzJx-LwpMGwFB_wCK4B/s400/IMG_9202.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My whole world...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JO437eRVc0g/V9irhXO57oI/AAAAAAAABuY/rSFoH2yQr6UdhmSKMGD41vSuDIrzdrf0QCK4B/s1600/IMG_9231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JO437eRVc0g/V9irhXO57oI/AAAAAAAABuY/rSFoH2yQr6UdhmSKMGD41vSuDIrzdrf0QCK4B/s400/IMG_9231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The much needed group selfie!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QoRGyB-X72g/V9ir4lNLhQI/AAAAAAAABuk/TfQJx5XbLuwvPSH_KAD1riNQIdIoCaxvgCK4B/s1600/IMG_9236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QoRGyB-X72g/V9ir4lNLhQI/AAAAAAAABuk/TfQJx5XbLuwvPSH_KAD1riNQIdIoCaxvgCK4B/s400/IMG_9236.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A great feeling of accomplishment when you get the tent to fit perfectly back in its bag! </td></tr>
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</a>Running in Faith http://www.blogger.com/profile/00661541652819090585noreply@blogger.com1