tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-252115132024-03-19T02:48:52.397-06:00The Binder MomJules: from our journeyThe Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comBlogger883125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-16651140285095013542024-02-29T13:28:00.001-06:002024-02-29T13:28:09.638-06:00God Nods | January 2024<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4uwN6mngRC0ov4nNJ2lqXnjmfegNHj1NzTKi3b5h9WoQmatt2efoVvyG_MbXr6WOM2bHrfhLYqw9TXrwv9DbF4L_7QZyPpNeHPUujrngsWcd6qifEur8k0mnPbhL87hjxubvdEW2l0bGrxnpdN4STLrSr3kVMfRYaJ9MLO8NNu0sNOKkLphZXw/s1080/Feeling%20Passionate.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB4uwN6mngRC0ov4nNJ2lqXnjmfegNHj1NzTKi3b5h9WoQmatt2efoVvyG_MbXr6WOM2bHrfhLYqw9TXrwv9DbF4L_7QZyPpNeHPUujrngsWcd6qifEur8k0mnPbhL87hjxubvdEW2l0bGrxnpdN4STLrSr3kVMfRYaJ9MLO8NNu0sNOKkLphZXw/w400-h400/Feeling%20Passionate.png" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">When I was called as the Teaching Leader for the Baton Rouge Day Women's BSF class, another sweet Teaching Leader came alongside me. She encouraged me and prayed for and with me. I can remember very early on sharing something with her, and she said, "That's what I call a God-nod." </span><p></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">God nod.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">You know, it's one of those times when the Lord ever so gently reminds you that He's with you, He sees you and He's working on your behalf. You are not forgotten. What matters to you matters to Him because you matter to Him. It's one of those moments that you might miss if you aren't intentional in looking for the Lord at work in the everyday situations of life. It's subtle. A wink. A nod. If you aren't paying attention, you won't even notice it.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I think one of the most quoted passages of Scripture at funerals is Psalm 23. I've begun to see that passage in a different light over the past couple of years. It's a Psalm about kingdom living and what abundant life in Christ here on earth looks like. The last verse of that Psalm says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." The Hebrew word translated "follow" right there is radaph. It literally means, "to pursue, to run after." Think about that. God pursues His people with His goodness and mercy. God chases His people with His goodness and mercy! That's quite a word picture right there.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I'm also reminded of the worship song, "Goodness of God." Some of the lyrics are, "Your goodness is running after, is running after me . . . All my life You have been faithful. All my life You have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able I will sing of the goodness of God." So that's what I want to do. I want to testify of God's goodness in my life. I want to remember. I want my kids to understand that the Lord is always at work in their lives, whether they see it or feel it or not. I'm going to begin recording these God nods here.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Our pastor began a new sermon series in January called, "Seven Verses." He chose a word and then preached through seven verses of the Bible on that word. I take sermon notes in a journal every Sunday. I started the current journal in the spring of 2021. Each page of the journal has a Bible verse at the top. Every verse is different. One of the words our pastor preached through in January was "purpose." When I opened my journal to the next blank page that morning so I could take notes, the verse at the top of that page was Romans 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His PURPOSE." That is not a coincidence. That is a God nod. It was also a really good sermon, probably my favorite one in this series.<br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My bestie's father was welcomed into heaven in January. It was expected yet not expected. It seemed shortly after Christmas that his time on earth was coming to an end. So we waited. I waited on that phone call everyday knowing that it might be that day. I felt so helpless, as I was here, and she was 500 miles away in Georgia. I wanted to be there for her, but it's hard to know how to do that across the miles so I did the best I could. And then "the day" came. A text was waiting for me when I woke up that morning. Even though I knew it was coming, and I was anticipating it, I didn't know what to say. But I wanted to say something. So I prayed all morning as I was getting ready for work, and the girls were getting ready for school. I asked the Lord to give me a specific verse for her. I sat down with my Bible after the girls left. I still didn't have the verse yet, and it was almost time for me to leave. I really wanted a verse! Before I had time to even open my Bible, the Lord spoke.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">1 Peter 1:3-5. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a <b>living hope</b> through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I finished up my time in the Word and then quickly texted the verse to my bestie before walking out the door. As I was backing out of my garage, my playlist automatically picked up from where it left off the day before. <b>"Living Hope"</b> began playing. That is not a coincidence. That is a God nod. I stopped in the middle of my driveway so I could text her again.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">God nods always remind me of one of my favorite passages of Scripture. Hagar was an Egyptian maidservant to Sarai. She was mistreated, hurt, afraid. So she fled. The Lord found her (Genesis 16:7). Actually, the Bible says, "the Angel of the LORD found her." Not just "an" angel but "THE" angel. Many Bible scholars believe this was actually the preincarnate Jesus Christ who came to her. Imagine it! Jesus came to this Egyptian slave girl. He spoke to her, called her by name. Hagar. After this encounter, "Hagar called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, "Have I also here seen Him who sees me?"" (Genesis 16:13). That's one of my very favorite names for God.<br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The God Who Sees.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">El Roi.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">God nods.</div>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-72361381706242915872024-01-20T22:18:00.000-06:002024-01-20T22:20:22.123-06:00My Parents | 50 Years (in 2023)<p>When I was writing my 2023 highlights post yesterday, I realized I never posted about one of my move favorite memories of 2023. On March 4, 2023, we celebrated my parents' 50th wedding anniversary!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLqDy8px3_LHbxMg1rBazutIbYD0I2n8Dg1ZUwMZq1sFwTtxih3_yuYBRTnidAOtcMmzhiTFU0a4XHPMwmrgJPz6pbbV9NvylR2NgEUCNBhYaAW7u86DFAMdaJwsQAzy7UPfyPH-t8hoDo8B68ttlwUFBJSDOHyPgCMKzniVuxp6neEj_SlcV5g/s6720/Connell-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLqDy8px3_LHbxMg1rBazutIbYD0I2n8Dg1ZUwMZq1sFwTtxih3_yuYBRTnidAOtcMmzhiTFU0a4XHPMwmrgJPz6pbbV9NvylR2NgEUCNBhYaAW7u86DFAMdaJwsQAzy7UPfyPH-t8hoDo8B68ttlwUFBJSDOHyPgCMKzniVuxp6neEj_SlcV5g/w640-h426/Connell-42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>They were married on Sunday afternoon, March 4, 1973 at Zebulon United Methodist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. Mama always says that's the only day of the year that's a command. March forth. My brother and I wanted to honor them and their marriage so we planned a surprise dinner party for them. Well, it was as much of a surprise as we could possibly make it. They knew "something" was going on, but they didn't exactly know what or where. </p><p>We had it at the Opry House in Hollonville. It's just down the road from their house. When I was growing up, it was an old abandoned barn until they fixed it up a bit and turned it into an event space for bluegrass, country and gospel music groups and weekend concerts. Now it's solely an event venue, and it was absolutely perfect for our little dinner party. I wanted it to be a beautiful and elegant event but on a budget. Once everything was done, it really exceeded my expectations.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxT08C4qJGLLM7F5J4GGrNM4MyxuRYPqFE8PY08DpqK-oDEyR5HzcmBMXG546g1cGFeLEu1L9sQ51Wiwha729_hziKdFP5FTBrNs9dU5LrlFpGTYVQXob0FuUhO3dDreoQLDQBHHyftvKqxQF0CGsp5TBH6aBq8MmHPTigX13tOyaNfOOwohPA/s6720/Connell-97.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwxT08C4qJGLLM7F5J4GGrNM4MyxuRYPqFE8PY08DpqK-oDEyR5HzcmBMXG546g1cGFeLEu1L9sQ51Wiwha729_hziKdFP5FTBrNs9dU5LrlFpGTYVQXob0FuUhO3dDreoQLDQBHHyftvKqxQF0CGsp5TBH6aBq8MmHPTigX13tOyaNfOOwohPA/w640-h426/Connell-97.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKvfbs6zA6cEaJQD704uGr3IxsvmzDek9JGG-1VOQGo4Wut0zHxg9idvt_L1PNdXWdAocQQobXu85v9bI7n4RYz6vo7RbvJ4DgdjJv8Hfr4NQAm7k1v58KdHH-YIfDnuNaDpr0wJRajDNJIhEPwVkeFoYJIr9RKcpI2r4oS7etHus2KD-Ay1rYg/s6720/Connell-91.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxKvfbs6zA6cEaJQD704uGr3IxsvmzDek9JGG-1VOQGo4Wut0zHxg9idvt_L1PNdXWdAocQQobXu85v9bI7n4RYz6vo7RbvJ4DgdjJv8Hfr4NQAm7k1v58KdHH-YIfDnuNaDpr0wJRajDNJIhEPwVkeFoYJIr9RKcpI2r4oS7etHus2KD-Ay1rYg/w640-h426/Connell-91.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Cindy did all the flowers for us. Mama used a lot of blush pink in her wedding flowers so that's what we did, too. Of course, it was all so beautiful and perfect!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4LkF_fJFiLHgQLEzl6nWeESd4TGEgH8bj3qfRRAF5kFQ8aPJ2XPrD_FFllF6QMRcszEanaPbATLDVRJ0FkZ4lTO8A60fjSqnshiYqIaSuFjRpcTc_vb6ngKcqbd8U3pfXs3ePA12xd9gcCnEC7m-Zu1Rw29Sp6TF9idp6pXPzi7DLFZsqkhsmQ/s6720/Connell-95.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4LkF_fJFiLHgQLEzl6nWeESd4TGEgH8bj3qfRRAF5kFQ8aPJ2XPrD_FFllF6QMRcszEanaPbATLDVRJ0FkZ4lTO8A60fjSqnshiYqIaSuFjRpcTc_vb6ngKcqbd8U3pfXs3ePA12xd9gcCnEC7m-Zu1Rw29Sp6TF9idp6pXPzi7DLFZsqkhsmQ/w426-h640/Connell-95.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iq2RrenK7SW6fL0Y1KrW_jBS8Ohu7RnKowii7dgyMFZJw5Z41hqhQdveAtEai1kOeiKZGwjQy_o-nhROktZ0FyDZLsBgT10Ob-8uz3mT77M-zHfYOn9s6P7Ae3HkcRTpa2-usCOaBTgFeAjAQCDDJtU6RjRIehtzBy0kBXVvOIU4lgjQ2FkEmA/s6720/Connell-96.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iq2RrenK7SW6fL0Y1KrW_jBS8Ohu7RnKowii7dgyMFZJw5Z41hqhQdveAtEai1kOeiKZGwjQy_o-nhROktZ0FyDZLsBgT10Ob-8uz3mT77M-zHfYOn9s6P7Ae3HkcRTpa2-usCOaBTgFeAjAQCDDJtU6RjRIehtzBy0kBXVvOIU4lgjQ2FkEmA/w426-h640/Connell-96.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV6LOwgjwY-AEecMnga8Uc_851gMwdfaN-7Q-mCXcP6ZrzLl4-xaIZeWsqvEJHesm410HvzS1KZNeIF2KpWeJK99TMwECmHZVATvVWpznxqVTK9c0ckfv-0j982QaYSzNOPkaHQMmGU5yoL49p-FN5GXnhyphenhyphenVUP75JtTlj3nFXFsY75oMxiuxL9A/s5112/Connell-24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5112" data-original-width="3408" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFV6LOwgjwY-AEecMnga8Uc_851gMwdfaN-7Q-mCXcP6ZrzLl4-xaIZeWsqvEJHesm410HvzS1KZNeIF2KpWeJK99TMwECmHZVATvVWpznxqVTK9c0ckfv-0j982QaYSzNOPkaHQMmGU5yoL49p-FN5GXnhyphenhyphenVUP75JtTlj3nFXFsY75oMxiuxL9A/w426-h640/Connell-24.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>A sweet, locally owned Mediterranean restaurant catered the dinner for us. We had salad, lasagna, chicken fettuccine and garlic bread. They even came and served everything for us. They were so easy to work with. If you're ever in Griffin, Georgia, I highly recommend Margo's! We had a lovely cake for dessert.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtzE9rijSTBxiLqEM5ODxeNZx7zGkTDtYPghbB6L2vKz6zJyJUzTdnvHdEK9WM761IP0Cek18FsxrR5JuwqIEFJcPNQWjpYRfAoAx8ap3LCPFK8kjxy_1QXcx-xjwh1K9YwNW5jWTHfV2B3gdwDp8Cfxgh0lO6FnvDtQnRwTBY6TndUGVT0IG0A/s4917/Connell-86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4917" data-original-width="3278" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtzE9rijSTBxiLqEM5ODxeNZx7zGkTDtYPghbB6L2vKz6zJyJUzTdnvHdEK9WM761IP0Cek18FsxrR5JuwqIEFJcPNQWjpYRfAoAx8ap3LCPFK8kjxy_1QXcx-xjwh1K9YwNW5jWTHfV2B3gdwDp8Cfxgh0lO6FnvDtQnRwTBY6TndUGVT0IG0A/w426-h640/Connell-86.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhNHVTw2Oy3HDeoVumEpVSYFTlKV0fw2gtBCzZ1RURmH9DQaIIEjftkqRf8K1p-Owd621cXeHikwVuV-yvfg90wfK-vHSIv599nx70oy2xMo3HKn0MoH1B9msL0p6-gIWi37tkBxh4JKruCr0rlNkw3uC7rI-glEpSppokSk5Leb83GsHU6-seQ/s5813/Connell-85.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3875" data-original-width="5813" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhNHVTw2Oy3HDeoVumEpVSYFTlKV0fw2gtBCzZ1RURmH9DQaIIEjftkqRf8K1p-Owd621cXeHikwVuV-yvfg90wfK-vHSIv599nx70oy2xMo3HKn0MoH1B9msL0p6-gIWi37tkBxh4JKruCr0rlNkw3uC7rI-glEpSppokSk5Leb83GsHU6-seQ/w640-h426/Connell-85.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Thanks to my sister-in-law we were able to display some of their wedding pictures, wedding book and my mama's wedding portrait.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CHFi_ylMn5I47aeEjKu5gjIA7AsWAP7B_GvzdH09ZtdhWtVAT5W9gwn72BFvucUA3N2jyBOt7ceEgJDWqAeaUZUVdUcjo_zMTJKEZ6uO_Qq3hq57je9CgekAqoqf5PB9s3U_X8cQy30_ts1cPjQnTUM4B6EMajahSlqltqMNvf1fAREmd1MoVg/s6720/Connell-94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8CHFi_ylMn5I47aeEjKu5gjIA7AsWAP7B_GvzdH09ZtdhWtVAT5W9gwn72BFvucUA3N2jyBOt7ceEgJDWqAeaUZUVdUcjo_zMTJKEZ6uO_Qq3hq57je9CgekAqoqf5PB9s3U_X8cQy30_ts1cPjQnTUM4B6EMajahSlqltqMNvf1fAREmd1MoVg/w640-h426/Connell-94.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyqZCR41F8RLspXmJsb7ZT1tprTpgx25JoXMBKIVWOeOEJ_FXbh-Q_hmB9_DvagVhxLW8edGmK1S09F4YkqW8pdRJkGd7zh4lR-wZNvoUgUvEAuVbc4XnSMc0eY69Os1z-0uSOQEjM-FnOX635_YPhSmQpqgbOA9REWkzLIKDB0C6-QTqTiPNtQ/s6720/Connell-93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyqZCR41F8RLspXmJsb7ZT1tprTpgx25JoXMBKIVWOeOEJ_FXbh-Q_hmB9_DvagVhxLW8edGmK1S09F4YkqW8pdRJkGd7zh4lR-wZNvoUgUvEAuVbc4XnSMc0eY69Os1z-0uSOQEjM-FnOX635_YPhSmQpqgbOA9REWkzLIKDB0C6-QTqTiPNtQ/w426-h640/Connell-93.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The entire evening was just so, so good. But one of my favorite moments was watching my parents walk thru the door for the first time.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS_GYYyGbN-WRTleLYqYfzyxFMSb4Njb5aLYSzkkHVXK2lvU0fMaCfo_O4luW47fsPw3rFgh_Ik8Ma54hRSUEICzBSRhgsysVN_BU56Fyd-q9qz3QKipmtJdxoTG-P8IwncL-ijVOgtKNhEDWQRU_nvxHffjJ3BYdD1PyBwefQ5Jm27wvvnLX6Q/s6720/Connell-89.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvS_GYYyGbN-WRTleLYqYfzyxFMSb4Njb5aLYSzkkHVXK2lvU0fMaCfo_O4luW47fsPw3rFgh_Ik8Ma54hRSUEICzBSRhgsysVN_BU56Fyd-q9qz3QKipmtJdxoTG-P8IwncL-ijVOgtKNhEDWQRU_nvxHffjJ3BYdD1PyBwefQ5Jm27wvvnLX6Q/w640-h426/Connell-89.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotZBQtaH3JHHdpWzlb5pIDxM7FeXevkwj39VybhpamS63C0EIgBp0VaHFegXDgN6MpQ1LD8_NGAcGAnSYCZ00RME2tctsL70aKOXF6EHmSv98bF_JCEgk-eXFbi_30ZwFA_-QFswOZci4SovJ-rlVlSQpqtpfZHroFxg_zAO7z1DRDa7Bnp8tTQ/s6155/Connell-87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4103" data-original-width="6155" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotZBQtaH3JHHdpWzlb5pIDxM7FeXevkwj39VybhpamS63C0EIgBp0VaHFegXDgN6MpQ1LD8_NGAcGAnSYCZ00RME2tctsL70aKOXF6EHmSv98bF_JCEgk-eXFbi_30ZwFA_-QFswOZci4SovJ-rlVlSQpqtpfZHroFxg_zAO7z1DRDa7Bnp8tTQ/w640-h426/Connell-87.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Another of my favorite moments was looking around the room and seeing almost everyone from both sides of my family gathered together in one place at one time. Each side gets together, but it's usually only at weddings and funerals that both sides are together. It really meant a lot to me that they came. Some of my parents' friends from church and their pastor and his family were there as well.<p></p><p>When we were planning this, I asked my brother if he would say the blessing. He's not really one to get up and talk in front of people so I told him that we could ask their pastor, but I really wanted him to do it. I also told him that I was going to welcome everyone and say a little something before he prayed. So he wanted to know what I was going to say. We were several weeks out at that point, and I had no idea what I was going to say. I told him that I didn't plan on writing anything out, and I probably wouldn't know until I actually started talking. At that point, I think he started getting nervous. He told me he couldn't do that. I kept telling him he didn't have to. If you know my brother, you know that we are very different in that regard. I don't have any trouble talking. I'll talk to anybody. I'll talk to myself. I'll talk to a tree. But you know what the problem with that is? People don't listen. They're so used to you talking that they just tune you out! It's like, "Here she goes again."</p><p>So I ended up giving part of my "marriage talk." Marriage was created by God. It was His idea. And He has the very best plan for marriage. But marriage is not easy. It is hard. It requires selflessness, patience, humility and submission. I don't know about you, but none of those things are my natural bent. I am so grateful for the example of my parents' marriage. I'm sure they'd agree that it hasn't always been easy. If you were to ask them how they made it to March 4, 2023, I'm certain they would say that it's God's grace that held them together for over 50 years.</p><p>And then it was time for my brother to pray. But he didn't just pray. He laid down the Word like I've never heard him do before! He started in Genesis, and I'm pretty sure he had some of Revelation in there, too. And you know what happened? People started listening! Because Rob is the kind of person that when he starts talking, you listen. Jennifer said it best afterwards. "Well, I have no idea what you said. But when Rob started talking, I was like let me listen to this! I've never heard him talk that much before. I even had tears in my eyes." </p><p>It was funny . . . he had asked me if there was a lecture or music stand at the Opry House. There wasn't. So he went to his church and swiped the pastor's (without asking!) so he would have something to put his Bible and notes on.</p><p>One of the best things we did was have a photographer take pictures for us. We've never had family photos made with all of us together, and I am so glad we have these.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuP_UAU2LmRQb8Oo5cl-5ZsT1XIGFVs2HeTyQrJvmlizQqz5vDMAW6VKhObeo6pQy0iadgcz9V16zRyKyyxTWdmmm7Q9c_XAU3BWeEIPXCuYLvc5UVs5qJPN24d9xrdYK6UZfpQ5maYsWZYFBQkdycRM0UM7C-cKby0utvVA2kvwXA_dbEHADaw/s6199/Connell-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4133" data-original-width="6199" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuP_UAU2LmRQb8Oo5cl-5ZsT1XIGFVs2HeTyQrJvmlizQqz5vDMAW6VKhObeo6pQy0iadgcz9V16zRyKyyxTWdmmm7Q9c_XAU3BWeEIPXCuYLvc5UVs5qJPN24d9xrdYK6UZfpQ5maYsWZYFBQkdycRM0UM7C-cKby0utvVA2kvwXA_dbEHADaw/w640-h426/Connell-82.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rkWgfdZNPaevOy315ar9gTKNKKRyJx4feHAFPh2FRn40QGBkLdrnlo8O6EQpwH9mm0OFNSwp2Y21T0P6GqQspDpIlbH9zHhs91bei8dD65TMLN95uWCprHS2i6xFIeTKuyxV8t8hCh55JiayGqqMMiMr1uTLkJBTiMFnlMhyphenhyphenUNcKOSnM7i6LNA/s6720/Connell-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rkWgfdZNPaevOy315ar9gTKNKKRyJx4feHAFPh2FRn40QGBkLdrnlo8O6EQpwH9mm0OFNSwp2Y21T0P6GqQspDpIlbH9zHhs91bei8dD65TMLN95uWCprHS2i6xFIeTKuyxV8t8hCh55JiayGqqMMiMr1uTLkJBTiMFnlMhyphenhyphenUNcKOSnM7i6LNA/w640-h426/Connell-78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOsEOQx7_AgjLZVBls3uFaoZbS4LN5bflUTFkwPdzt0G69glIXC3BkmUhqD_Dlh51SgySxi5SwWcB5wclpl_Vksy5e8yK9aCxCOWedHv63wcBl3pTTOc6wIxGlrOBGBs2SHihjjIX4KGMIMJ7_YZ0oijlKgRiT4h__zn-tFjhaQqGHa8gSBX9lw/s4561/Connell-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3041" data-original-width="4561" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOsEOQx7_AgjLZVBls3uFaoZbS4LN5bflUTFkwPdzt0G69glIXC3BkmUhqD_Dlh51SgySxi5SwWcB5wclpl_Vksy5e8yK9aCxCOWedHv63wcBl3pTTOc6wIxGlrOBGBs2SHihjjIX4KGMIMJ7_YZ0oijlKgRiT4h__zn-tFjhaQqGHa8gSBX9lw/w640-h426/Connell-75.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPyA3I-Sx8-vtk73r8_IRIJu97qwFq5YH4rWEAa7D6iVzKRYVyhFhjsyVGOUOt8QUfTlBNlH0TujEVvI0X94VykAZO8qQnjR6jrHbGfmGXd1_mRcBMNHg2LKKdfSbNwsc6U848fLH9kBRtDkEsD-D32bN9imQj1JtPsGaaTqXnHtW-REQ74E_pg/s6720/Connell-71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPyA3I-Sx8-vtk73r8_IRIJu97qwFq5YH4rWEAa7D6iVzKRYVyhFhjsyVGOUOt8QUfTlBNlH0TujEVvI0X94VykAZO8qQnjR6jrHbGfmGXd1_mRcBMNHg2LKKdfSbNwsc6U848fLH9kBRtDkEsD-D32bN9imQj1JtPsGaaTqXnHtW-REQ74E_pg/w426-h640/Connell-71.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hOP_pJONcprRAYMWAxheuCuLJwdaqZ2G7uEC4tMjQO5onPVl8SStLP6cb93chRf1TLPvJOaFuXBk285bSCun6LB1ym2T_PfE1pemTMKR1X1iIaMNun8AIc8QT_-BeTJn0iIGp90tM0t7auayL2vRtNmXHuduweHPutxCUxfoF4duGCUxdMzNVQ/s4972/Connell-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3315" data-original-width="4972" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hOP_pJONcprRAYMWAxheuCuLJwdaqZ2G7uEC4tMjQO5onPVl8SStLP6cb93chRf1TLPvJOaFuXBk285bSCun6LB1ym2T_PfE1pemTMKR1X1iIaMNun8AIc8QT_-BeTJn0iIGp90tM0t7auayL2vRtNmXHuduweHPutxCUxfoF4duGCUxdMzNVQ/w640-h426/Connell-72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTQCvpE1slukNcrUwAqEKDfk_qXdsd5iDZE7B4LeBZpFYNSvQZh4kzKujgPRl1Uky0CcUs05aD9qgN55ypbzG6SXgVXDgZUgYl-sV3gRuXzQikt_Qb-hHFTbR0SLa5xTPzLnXWgHmiTlpHR53yZC3AQBD1HCoxv_9A4-uwgQ-YloXZaD2WlsI6g/s5215/Fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3477" data-original-width="5215" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTQCvpE1slukNcrUwAqEKDfk_qXdsd5iDZE7B4LeBZpFYNSvQZh4kzKujgPRl1Uky0CcUs05aD9qgN55ypbzG6SXgVXDgZUgYl-sV3gRuXzQikt_Qb-hHFTbR0SLa5xTPzLnXWgHmiTlpHR53yZC3AQBD1HCoxv_9A4-uwgQ-YloXZaD2WlsI6g/w640-h426/Fam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I shared Colossians 1:9-17 before Rob prayed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist."</div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-42724547372331738542024-01-16T20:56:00.000-06:002024-01-16T20:57:03.251-06:002023: The Year of EPIC<p> Usually I look back over the previous year and detail that year's number of memorable events in the life of our family. So for 2023, it would be 23. But 2023 was more than just memorable. It was EPIC. That's not a word I use a lot or lightly because it carries a lot of weight and expectation. It stretches the boundaries of memorable. That's what 2023 was. Our family experienced some very significant life events, the likes of which impacted us deeply. Besides our wedding day and perhaps moving states or building a house, the years of greatest change were the ones in which we welcomed Mason, Hannah Kate and Ellie. But you know what? Nothing prepares you for the day when one of those moves into adulthood and takes the first steps away from your home. There are some day, many days, that it still seems impossible that this has happened. There is a sense of emptiness that has gotten better, but I'm not sure it will ever completely go away. I don't have 23 for 2023. I have only twelve, but some of those are so big that I don't need 23!</p><p>1. It's so appropriate that this should be number one! The year was off to a super fun start as my team <b>won the Natty</b>. Again. As in two years in a row!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MSGuUif1mh4CKOeQS67IcbnM2T92ybXHFH1KxFgp9kT8wLpD1fL55IfxW_HHrhvjFGZko4EfpO52yzVFO3ZkDT-gAiyL3bipQ0Tjn2KeMQGcSB_m5paUYJXQiZiP06P-sXaP0LOhnuEpMsfZmSoRpXJ9hn0naehrXxZQyBqcXRFmlsDVaqojEQ/s828/8B5D5052-FBD4-4095-A96E-F9BE77354DD4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="828" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MSGuUif1mh4CKOeQS67IcbnM2T92ybXHFH1KxFgp9kT8wLpD1fL55IfxW_HHrhvjFGZko4EfpO52yzVFO3ZkDT-gAiyL3bipQ0Tjn2KeMQGcSB_m5paUYJXQiZiP06P-sXaP0LOhnuEpMsfZmSoRpXJ9hn0naehrXxZQyBqcXRFmlsDVaqojEQ/w640-h636/8B5D5052-FBD4-4095-A96E-F9BE77354DD4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>2. Hannah Kate has been dancing now for almost 13 years. She made it her goal a few years ago to earn her pointe shoes, and she worked really hard and did just that. Last year the studio started <b>Ballet Company</b>, a competition team for ballet only, and she was invited to be one of the dancers for their inaugural year. She was very hesitant to accept the honor. It required her to step out of her comfort zone a lot. And, if you know Hannah Kate, you know she much prefers the coziness of her comfort zone and doesn't venture outside it very much. But, ultimately, she did. It required extra lessons and auditions and culminated with her performing her solo at the <a href="https://thebayhamfamily.blogspot.com/2023/06/hannah-kate-yagp-national-ballet.html" target="_blank">Youth America Grand Prix competition</a> in Dallas. She did very well, and it was a delight seeing her on that stage. As a matter of fact, she loved it so much that she auditioned for Ballet Company again this year, and she will be competing in both Dallas and Houston next month.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMweaPtiogAohDpkJhZspR4ibJBPOr7BVV9q6GsCrcqDWDhcW3RSJCIxU0pWwdrapJ7089kkpVcmJDg4TqVC9lFSyqaZeMyryGbl-O36IaBb-ZnLDcSOcdIp-zv0l4d4w7tGY5alP-OfPqfc8uHfElZgNggH7xDZfQLiq8GCynEY2yNifBwu7XDw/s4032/IMG_2508.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMweaPtiogAohDpkJhZspR4ibJBPOr7BVV9q6GsCrcqDWDhcW3RSJCIxU0pWwdrapJ7089kkpVcmJDg4TqVC9lFSyqaZeMyryGbl-O36IaBb-ZnLDcSOcdIp-zv0l4d4w7tGY5alP-OfPqfc8uHfElZgNggH7xDZfQLiq8GCynEY2yNifBwu7XDw/w480-h640/IMG_2508.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>3. We made a quick trip to Georgia in March to celebrate <b>my parents' 50th wedding anniversary</b>. My brother and I hosted a dinner party for them and invited our family and some of their closest friends. It was the most fun planning it for them, but the best part was watching them walk into the room and enjoy an evening just for them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPYDr4m9Nk8fXmBPlapiX1av6qW6HJUGL5eRTGoF0SPhklRyn3Pr_hyphenhyphenvyM5283LaqWwNg-JS3-IWKzt6OQqSH60WnT8pJhyQdvAfJnOQCNHMbq3a2ynhQmdRvOX_tvHUouY7Rg0C99bMRdzOEhoAm3t40QzYPv5mfpCLcOQZ5B7jFAjEPfHZshw/s6720/Connell-44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6720" data-original-width="4480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIPYDr4m9Nk8fXmBPlapiX1av6qW6HJUGL5eRTGoF0SPhklRyn3Pr_hyphenhyphenvyM5283LaqWwNg-JS3-IWKzt6OQqSH60WnT8pJhyQdvAfJnOQCNHMbq3a2ynhQmdRvOX_tvHUouY7Rg0C99bMRdzOEhoAm3t40QzYPv5mfpCLcOQZ5B7jFAjEPfHZshw/w426-h640/Connell-44.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtw8P7pRpVAJERLuyJZufyMJp1R5-upS9IcgvPU6S9h83d7mvK0bEhyphenhyphen6WW9MCfKLAOIPW9t05wn5vs6qxKG73yRjy9ZSSYlAoHbMak8dDQeI8U6y29fH3osLK6obNFajUm9TdNEffXFlHq2xLFF568Kq5LAfj3XVaoBCF3AvaUkF5fBv0qB4BSQ/s6720/Connell-42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtw8P7pRpVAJERLuyJZufyMJp1R5-upS9IcgvPU6S9h83d7mvK0bEhyphenhyphen6WW9MCfKLAOIPW9t05wn5vs6qxKG73yRjy9ZSSYlAoHbMak8dDQeI8U6y29fH3osLK6obNFajUm9TdNEffXFlHq2xLFF568Kq5LAfj3XVaoBCF3AvaUkF5fBv0qB4BSQ/w640-h426/Connell-42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3m1rZikD5X-owixOqq4ZNYGLsFdNZ1JYnYcRQ_KN5HbM389uC7IuuosE5qXITE0rRztYHUzIbYuBhfwKhie1-Q6vUIBBpY8j7pkcq6cKfsciVS1xcINS8qM2Lwc1W_d7Obr1YjcyJwjzsYOOVpz32zJgGgvMcNawb1HYpw8byEDlR67DQxtZkA/s4561/Connell-75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3041" data-original-width="4561" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie3m1rZikD5X-owixOqq4ZNYGLsFdNZ1JYnYcRQ_KN5HbM389uC7IuuosE5qXITE0rRztYHUzIbYuBhfwKhie1-Q6vUIBBpY8j7pkcq6cKfsciVS1xcINS8qM2Lwc1W_d7Obr1YjcyJwjzsYOOVpz32zJgGgvMcNawb1HYpw8byEDlR67DQxtZkA/w640-h426/Connell-75.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDJYrWSW2skphv3pPxz2aiQUj9wZw_OJFKXrCx6-aneOuIiM79U7yBPh0bkrvBHxsOOs0DE_3ukzcZHaeCRoftV4hqItvv87l34TleUm5TZW2xGt_7X8hetBfCcDoQ8ATy0KPEhNimU2wc9rgkIT_wrmcMcjCFOUlj8R2IW7W9sRzYxF5cTLesw/s6720/Connell-78.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4480" data-original-width="6720" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDJYrWSW2skphv3pPxz2aiQUj9wZw_OJFKXrCx6-aneOuIiM79U7yBPh0bkrvBHxsOOs0DE_3ukzcZHaeCRoftV4hqItvv87l34TleUm5TZW2xGt_7X8hetBfCcDoQ8ATy0KPEhNimU2wc9rgkIT_wrmcMcjCFOUlj8R2IW7W9sRzYxF5cTLesw/w640-h426/Connell-78.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4UNBbDGx7mYqYbD25qiPPO3FQ2NpFiZAoOlHfWfOHjAz-MBdOvvRs1kfSzONxPv64lq_GYYowyk8wjBm-CN5BNpnfbzTM5MobOFCPS3SKFxPk7voCFh5aMXdHZJkQwsCaEbWlEbo9x5tAcdBsq3guigj5QYu-36oMIlQwFxWux3FSI0aLXz5rQ/s6199/Connell-82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4133" data-original-width="6199" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4UNBbDGx7mYqYbD25qiPPO3FQ2NpFiZAoOlHfWfOHjAz-MBdOvvRs1kfSzONxPv64lq_GYYowyk8wjBm-CN5BNpnfbzTM5MobOFCPS3SKFxPk7voCFh5aMXdHZJkQwsCaEbWlEbo9x5tAcdBsq3guigj5QYu-36oMIlQwFxWux3FSI0aLXz5rQ/w640-h426/Connell-82.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqFy9_UjW5drl8lQxhlaCYyo7iY6MT30WBCK06tmm6wiBiOhngqROSWhjN98iCAOMQGZSgw4imANKcoFBR1jq-mm5u-J1g8A0-TbNGDA9a5S56Rab096r0gPaAcbgyoAFnctMHAsROZ3POO9b2QAHvDGi73EP0xDCMuvqmpmBOnti4eq85Fwc9Q/s5215/Fam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3477" data-original-width="5215" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqFy9_UjW5drl8lQxhlaCYyo7iY6MT30WBCK06tmm6wiBiOhngqROSWhjN98iCAOMQGZSgw4imANKcoFBR1jq-mm5u-J1g8A0-TbNGDA9a5S56Rab096r0gPaAcbgyoAFnctMHAsROZ3POO9b2QAHvDGi73EP0xDCMuvqmpmBOnti4eq85Fwc9Q/w640-h426/Fam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">4. We sure do a lot of dancing around here. Last year was memorable because <b>Ellie took the stage again</b> after a five year hiatus. She originally thought dance just wasn't "dangerous" enough for her, but she could hardly stand watching her big sister on stage year after year. She wanted to be up there in costume, too. It was a treat to see both of my girls on stage at the <a href="https://thebayhamfamily.blogspot.com/2023/08/dance-recital-2023-decade-of-dedicat10n.html" target="_blank">dance recital</a>.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPNHaEf6Quz7aeWqU_1gW7w9UC8PY_iHhiX6yY7CyWI94mOkvFIglIeCD0yNpIr8YbaHKzWXeOVUS1czj5Hb8RXR-zA2Ky6w8oM4MlWwylYHUncM9viY6KkXhT0QaRGMDVF0KYLT_Ek-pqqilC8LMw6w-1zf1b23d6erBeewM8YAFeKynOOdChg/s4032/IMG_2850.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPNHaEf6Quz7aeWqU_1gW7w9UC8PY_iHhiX6yY7CyWI94mOkvFIglIeCD0yNpIr8YbaHKzWXeOVUS1czj5Hb8RXR-zA2Ky6w8oM4MlWwylYHUncM9viY6KkXhT0QaRGMDVF0KYLT_Ek-pqqilC8LMw6w-1zf1b23d6erBeewM8YAFeKynOOdChg/w480-h640/IMG_2850.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>5. The defining event of 2023 was, no doubt, <a href="https://thebayhamfamily.blogspot.com/2023/08/class-of-2023-my-graduate.html" target="_blank">Mason's graduation</a> from high school. He worked so long and so hard. I couldn't have been more proud of him! It was absolutely surreal. It seems like just yesterday I was holding a tiny, squishy faced baby in my lap in the hospital bed. When you have a baby, it seems like they will be a child forever. While it's true they will always be your child, they won't always be a child. But, like they always say, the days are long, but the years are fast. It's so funny that way. In a sense, it seems like these last 13 years of school days have been so very long. But all of a sudden, they came to a close.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKHBDYA5leqo4T9gJ7pCleYWcNfPD-H0R5JN4NIjVlX3CPhhQjnsM6HIIit8sWjl1hyG3hG8x8Q2UchQYoT7cdV1bTSQRGweX5biTBdZu0P_ufNCtJH2aSiFqbyXD7McI4kE3i-tnjB6bEU0N_W8G6yirbHw9Fc45y-0d-HJyMahmU1TpocWr5g/s4000/IMG_2918.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKHBDYA5leqo4T9gJ7pCleYWcNfPD-H0R5JN4NIjVlX3CPhhQjnsM6HIIit8sWjl1hyG3hG8x8Q2UchQYoT7cdV1bTSQRGweX5biTBdZu0P_ufNCtJH2aSiFqbyXD7McI4kE3i-tnjB6bEU0N_W8G6yirbHw9Fc45y-0d-HJyMahmU1TpocWr5g/w640-h640/IMG_2918.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>6. I guess 2023 really was Mason's year. We celebrated his 18th birthday on July 13. I guess that means he's an adult now. Or does that not happen until 21? I don't know. Regardless, 18 is definitely a milestone birthday.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGE4T6_L-HTm3-Jz0wcLckacJEZeoX3GxyadPFjIszmbhyphenhyphenEOUXgEC0AHjCQgul0b9N3xs0HR59BgJkPP9lRykGcCZhCEsxLEXHKk9pXGUyVAYsIMXgEc3RdMUGAOZ170y7IqUpbohCv9SmWBuc6J4VB6SflnS04AHAdBwdhULiTIk6F9cQwif2Q/s4032/IMG_3152.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAGE4T6_L-HTm3-Jz0wcLckacJEZeoX3GxyadPFjIszmbhyphenhyphenEOUXgEC0AHjCQgul0b9N3xs0HR59BgJkPP9lRykGcCZhCEsxLEXHKk9pXGUyVAYsIMXgEc3RdMUGAOZ170y7IqUpbohCv9SmWBuc6J4VB6SflnS04AHAdBwdhULiTIk6F9cQwif2Q/w640-h480/IMG_3152.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">7. For the first time in 14 years, I no longer have a child in elementary school! Hannah Kate is a sophomore, and Ellie is in 6th grade this year. I'm not quite sure how I feel about that, but there are definitely some things about elementary school that I will never miss. I'm looking at you, dress up days.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxaFgZDM-N25W7qlVkcbfbmp168QBgH90r6Hj8W_V4ON8YKzdRwjK8lWOSjr_e8jU37qq33hbB5jGzpct1_g5r6vcqoy3FWq0QVSkWSan6z_nk0i3ethvfnSwPXCiSmF1P7QYuK4RBRgToJAyRLxCk3hNvky0npIciwJvJiLMwzLDfD4JM-CU_w/s4032/IMG_3336.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxxaFgZDM-N25W7qlVkcbfbmp168QBgH90r6Hj8W_V4ON8YKzdRwjK8lWOSjr_e8jU37qq33hbB5jGzpct1_g5r6vcqoy3FWq0QVSkWSan6z_nk0i3ethvfnSwPXCiSmF1P7QYuK4RBRgToJAyRLxCk3hNvky0npIciwJvJiLMwzLDfD4JM-CU_w/w480-h640/IMG_3336.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>8. Ellie got glasses this year! A note was sent home from school last year "suggesting" I have her eyes checked. She complained about not being able to see the board, and a quick vision test at school confirmed that. Ellie got not only her cross bite and crooked teeth from me but apparently my eyesight, too. Just like her, I was in 6th grade when I got my first pair of glasses. But they were nowhere near as cute as Ellie's. I didn't care. I could finally see, and that was all that mattered to me. Ellie doesn't really wear her glasses a whole lot even though she probably should. I have a feeling she'll be in contacts in a few short years.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZPe3CWZzNvzUZvGiVcqITKU9dI6o3rdHZuddDLoFlqHVneqfrgkMDgwjptvAhvKtYaLf2Ps1eRgjy-U5BDFo__zIw6X3ZgF_WIEJCL3nMtIXHjji9mRQahU9HVmbi5CKOVrdKh-Ld7yIbpcN5cl8QIyzrA39bvIDBbUFvexj344z9V_NOy9cdA/s4032/IMG_3194.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZPe3CWZzNvzUZvGiVcqITKU9dI6o3rdHZuddDLoFlqHVneqfrgkMDgwjptvAhvKtYaLf2Ps1eRgjy-U5BDFo__zIw6X3ZgF_WIEJCL3nMtIXHjji9mRQahU9HVmbi5CKOVrdKh-Ld7yIbpcN5cl8QIyzrA39bvIDBbUFvexj344z9V_NOy9cdA/w480-h640/IMG_3194.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnAQfrXFl3wkxUUjBHoDMEzt0_Ok0eSah_gaWN-l_P5SxhcEaZLjzAViPFuLBJ6CR_rWFpG6Mp8uBow2bXoX5ddKE4lD_BQEO0gxYsIl1eqbOCuSSF96fqaSTjCWCwtSJGnBGYiZs2BHOCe9Xxa5gtU4O7s3ThY4eeJ1Q8267dq_clU2dXFvjxQ/s4032/IMG_3196.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnAQfrXFl3wkxUUjBHoDMEzt0_Ok0eSah_gaWN-l_P5SxhcEaZLjzAViPFuLBJ6CR_rWFpG6Mp8uBow2bXoX5ddKE4lD_BQEO0gxYsIl1eqbOCuSSF96fqaSTjCWCwtSJGnBGYiZs2BHOCe9Xxa5gtU4O7s3ThY4eeJ1Q8267dq_clU2dXFvjxQ/w480-h640/IMG_3196.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZD67Eisr15ZOerb2K8NcP-GTOX4uDGS5nEWdUXy3pnsAcjqWYToMKSR2vZtHMm9RFCyiHBqpMzXQ5GnWa1I4lF4Bj3LoMRWGexQqUodWtHoJHYJnpbEvXQqWiiCSk8PMyb6vQQkH0_YHemmK9uJeZYJlSV3GBlB27CvbZjV_k-5Dt0v99oOCzQ/s4032/IMG_3198.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZD67Eisr15ZOerb2K8NcP-GTOX4uDGS5nEWdUXy3pnsAcjqWYToMKSR2vZtHMm9RFCyiHBqpMzXQ5GnWa1I4lF4Bj3LoMRWGexQqUodWtHoJHYJnpbEvXQqWiiCSk8PMyb6vQQkH0_YHemmK9uJeZYJlSV3GBlB27CvbZjV_k-5Dt0v99oOCzQ/w480-h640/IMG_3198.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>9. On August 24, Seth, Mason and I made the three and a half hour trip up to Ruston. But only Seth and I came back home. There was absolutely nothing that could've prepared me to watch Mason walk away from us across the parking lot and back up to his dorm room.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaJykUen2x0HgKW52u_DB6CLQKz-7dhNbtlTIHmkzJ8i0wPar288Cnem-5LatqHFqeClpqWHLgj80Hczo4csU2cHeo0qcVw8GrBMFNnv8I2ukOig6M7IKBKNSx32pjWZDkTJHOszHABvHWuBdQWODPwIN850nrPX_4gylZpmu0ul6kqUjFxbkow/s4032/IMG_3408.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaJykUen2x0HgKW52u_DB6CLQKz-7dhNbtlTIHmkzJ8i0wPar288Cnem-5LatqHFqeClpqWHLgj80Hczo4csU2cHeo0qcVw8GrBMFNnv8I2ukOig6M7IKBKNSx32pjWZDkTJHOszHABvHWuBdQWODPwIN850nrPX_4gylZpmu0ul6kqUjFxbkow/w480-h640/IMG_3408.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br />I've heard it said that watching your children is like your heart walking around outside of you. If that's the case, watching your child walk away to his new home away from home is like your heart being ripped out of your chest. I spent days, weeks and months dreading that day. Part of me thought, "It's going to be bad. Really bad. But because I think it's going to be really bad, maybe it won't be quite that bad." As 2023 dawned in January, I felt like I was on a speeding train. As we sped closer and closer to graduation, I felt like I was going to fall off at any moment. By the time August came around, the train was absolutely out of control, and I was literally holding my breath waiting on it to crash. Well, it crashed, and it crashed hard. The drive back home that day was most definitely the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I wasn't worried about Mason. I was totally convinced that he was ready and that he would be absolutely fine. I was excited for him. So excited! But this excitement coexisted with deep sadness. I was sad for us, for me, Seth, Hannah Kate and Ellie. The house seemed so empty without him. His chair was empty every night at the supper table. His room was empty. His seat in the truck was empty. We became a "table for 4." <div><br /></div><div>By the time Labor Day weekend rolled around, Seth called him and told him to come home. But no one told me. I had taken Hannah Kate to something, I don't even remember what, and crashed on the couch when I got home. Then Mason walked around the corner, and I nearly died. He turned off Life360 for the drive down and even left his truck somewhere else so I wouldn't see it. It was a good weekend, but then he left. I was barely functioning. I was numb. The sadness lingered so much longer than I realized it would. There are thousands of books about becoming a parent and how to be a parent and parenting through the baby and toddler years. There are books about teenagers. But I totally missed the book about sending your child off to college. If there's not one, someone needs to write one. By October I was desperate. I mean, we would watch LA Tech's home football games hoping that we would see Mason in the student section! And we did! And we recorded it and took pictures! Because that's the only way we could "see" him! It was truly hilarious. He was actually smiling and chanting along with the band and having a good time (he's in the gray sweatshirt and white cap)! If you know Mason, well, you know.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Bfy2Lwz6dygJhUKtwqEc8k2fHHMwNVydddAj9BwEnhl1O5fp27_-ghPPfw8zDMqMyNcsEW-tCbVuL4e_B1yV4cYT-rVl7Yel6HgN55xWKT149Ujxk5_nUKFQpowOo4q60DBVArV_TDPLeQpq3ZLuMndZ692pOsi3-B2QkIFNxl9c07EuoFK7aw/s1440/359CC2DA-33B6-4AE0-98A3-1BBF8180B978.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Bfy2Lwz6dygJhUKtwqEc8k2fHHMwNVydddAj9BwEnhl1O5fp27_-ghPPfw8zDMqMyNcsEW-tCbVuL4e_B1yV4cYT-rVl7Yel6HgN55xWKT149Ujxk5_nUKFQpowOo4q60DBVArV_TDPLeQpq3ZLuMndZ692pOsi3-B2QkIFNxl9c07EuoFK7aw/w640-h640/359CC2DA-33B6-4AE0-98A3-1BBF8180B978.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>He settled in and has done very well. He really likes Ruston and Tech. He reconnected with a buddy from our homeschool days, and that has been a tremendous blessing, as he didn't think he knew anyone going to Tech this year. His dorm and roommate situation has worked out so well even though he didn't know his roommate going into it. His classes are hard, and he has to study a lot. It's definitely not easy for him, nor will it be easy. But he's used to that. I'm so very grateful that he's doing so well. I didn't know if we would make it to winter quarter, but we did. It has gotten a little bit easier, but there's still some emptiness and quiet that I don't think I'll ever get used to.</div><div><br /></div><div>10. One of the biggest blessings in my life has been Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). I walked into my class in 2011 hungry and desperate for God's Word. I didn't know it at the time, but I was also desperate for connection. I had not idea what the Lord had in store for me. After a couple of years of being in BSF, I was invited into leadership. The Lord called me to serve as a Children's Leader. Those were some of the sweetest days of my life. Tuesday mornings were my absolute favorite because it was Leaders' Meeting day. The Lord eventually called me to serve as the Children's Supervisor and then as Teaching Leader. When He called me to that, I thought it would be for "forever." But after a year, the Lord pressed on my heart that it was "for such a time as this." He graciously let me know that my time would be shorter than I thought. That was four years ago. In 2023 He called me out of leadership, out of my sweet, sweet Baton Rouge class that I'd been a part of for 12 years, and into a different role as Area Personnel for eight Louisiana BSF classes. I have no doubt of the Lord's calling on my life, but it was a very difficult transition, especially as it happened simultaneously with Mason moving to Ruston. I felt two great losses at the same time, and that resulted in great grief. But the Lord didn't take away with giving something else. He gave me a partner, and she has quickly become one of my dearest friends. We travel together to visit our classes, and we have the best time!</div><div><br /></div><div>11. We celebrated another milestone birthday in 2023. Hannah Kate turned 16 on December 4. This most introverted daughter of mine planned a sleepover and invited 17 of her friends! Between sickness and a busy December, we hosted seven of them. You know who eats more than teenage boys?! Teenage girls!! You know what sounds like 17 teenage girls?! Seven teenage girls!! When Hannah Kate was younger, I prayed faithfully that the Lord would give her a best friend like He gave me in Lauren. He answered that prayer 17 and more times over! I love Hannah Kate's sweet girlfriends.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierSn84h0qenrhoFMHDWKjrnDnAJ2JpNUhUIN8mEhIvKEJ9DZilZw35z_ltc7rv9ed02moBDGbhJWytdna3rTC4h5M1cMjZ539o97vmBV0_g5Hvidu2a1u66IIENEUDvT2YWm6Qut8_Bsle4GV27hahMybTdGzZnivELlvsCUrqC_KvovUmb0OUg/s4032/IMG_3851.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierSn84h0qenrhoFMHDWKjrnDnAJ2JpNUhUIN8mEhIvKEJ9DZilZw35z_ltc7rv9ed02moBDGbhJWytdna3rTC4h5M1cMjZ539o97vmBV0_g5Hvidu2a1u66IIENEUDvT2YWm6Qut8_Bsle4GV27hahMybTdGzZnivELlvsCUrqC_KvovUmb0OUg/w480-h640/IMG_3851.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hEo93Uq6tFXU7-AsZWV-2yjeSSbTKmZqg6RArtdaR-DzOeTnsUtoDZinfjAqbLS6vmQGWb_LaI4izmtgMNZPrg3S51xApPUkUex7zS4UgTyWitcnVufso3baonE6cLDaHdWIr3vkRIPF0Uktg7et-E0VkszikJ45lbi6Bu5kqW0P8UKweQoj8w/s4032/IMG_3856.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9hEo93Uq6tFXU7-AsZWV-2yjeSSbTKmZqg6RArtdaR-DzOeTnsUtoDZinfjAqbLS6vmQGWb_LaI4izmtgMNZPrg3S51xApPUkUex7zS4UgTyWitcnVufso3baonE6cLDaHdWIr3vkRIPF0Uktg7et-E0VkszikJ45lbi6Bu5kqW0P8UKweQoj8w/w480-h640/IMG_3856.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNlTiV5HB6FiCtTrcHnN62Svxi9y3a2HqeGdPzSCPVWmmBNE4pCLFDWDve02iMaAiY4kpNrDuvhgDpU6qyx1hGvbClIY5QnDOscjy_J2ae3st2XPtVAxdvCjQN52pzQdiuapCXr0iG16dYTPg_zylL7wQn_9MhuKkO6Lm3D9Tv2vPTTMkfdIdKw/s4032/IMG_5610.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNlTiV5HB6FiCtTrcHnN62Svxi9y3a2HqeGdPzSCPVWmmBNE4pCLFDWDve02iMaAiY4kpNrDuvhgDpU6qyx1hGvbClIY5QnDOscjy_J2ae3st2XPtVAxdvCjQN52pzQdiuapCXr0iG16dYTPg_zylL7wQn_9MhuKkO6Lm3D9Tv2vPTTMkfdIdKw/w480-h640/IMG_5610.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz288RREY3_2yYvcGl3_rb6j2ibu_BHNhDLiCiD6oGs-BHwFAiBtx125OsUsbDc2d97MkRn2VOiEGIkMd7lEZLwIse_8xo2ZmRbmdOE_4ONRHh42CLsmD6l0nrxJ424xW87BrXylP8RKJkX5EHO8dBv99_vRGy8iQhehnjU70Rbdeg8WaMwYYlCA/s4032/IMG_5623.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz288RREY3_2yYvcGl3_rb6j2ibu_BHNhDLiCiD6oGs-BHwFAiBtx125OsUsbDc2d97MkRn2VOiEGIkMd7lEZLwIse_8xo2ZmRbmdOE_4ONRHh42CLsmD6l0nrxJ424xW87BrXylP8RKJkX5EHO8dBv99_vRGy8iQhehnjU70Rbdeg8WaMwYYlCA/w480-h640/IMG_5623.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>And, of course, she finally finished driver's ed and got her license. THAT has been quite a process. I thought that because I'd already taught one child to drive, it would be a lot easier the second time around, and I would be a little more chill. That was definitely NOT my experience. Seth had to ultimately take over the driving lessons. Up until November, I didn't think she would be ready to drive when she turned 16. But here we are. And I won't even get into the adventure this was, but we surprised her with a car during Christmas break. Honestly, it's more for me than it is for her! It means I'll get a break from carpool and, eventually, dance taxi! She will drive to school by herself for the first time later this week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU3HOGCms5o0WWhttkoDHP7QL0iCy09CUCP7ploxRjsi9KryZcD56XU_lN4Lj3fpZNZV2-ktqgBSX3X-9S-w2LgIH7TcTCQDpwh99fKmpoAL8mD99jw8Jg8eLOBPB1j0t1maldzdVwobbpiPdnyvbmrBC82YECesVjNLOeGMmOkBmVg7PDe8JQQ/s4032/IMG_6106.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitU3HOGCms5o0WWhttkoDHP7QL0iCy09CUCP7ploxRjsi9KryZcD56XU_lN4Lj3fpZNZV2-ktqgBSX3X-9S-w2LgIH7TcTCQDpwh99fKmpoAL8mD99jw8Jg8eLOBPB1j0t1maldzdVwobbpiPdnyvbmrBC82YECesVjNLOeGMmOkBmVg7PDe8JQQ/w480-h640/IMG_6106.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>12. If you think 18 and 16 are milestone birthdays, I have one even better for you. We also celebrated MawMaw Mac's (Seth's grandmother) 100th birthday on December 10. Yes. One hundred years old.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRyS7U_727ZO0MTdGT9qJ6UR3hzeYPScOhNS7U7wBZfP8_De1v-pohhRY2MKuqOIOE94titwyEiftKFDUWnSV7-6ozN0lFTsYAlkB6xaYnx06BNQGo74wGGiJX4_GOWtqCQTRafIrdGw6XGMUTi3y7_735bTVHmVAovJLhk6qRaZFqoAQNMuquw/s4032/IMG_6183.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRyS7U_727ZO0MTdGT9qJ6UR3hzeYPScOhNS7U7wBZfP8_De1v-pohhRY2MKuqOIOE94titwyEiftKFDUWnSV7-6ozN0lFTsYAlkB6xaYnx06BNQGo74wGGiJX4_GOWtqCQTRafIrdGw6XGMUTi3y7_735bTVHmVAovJLhk6qRaZFqoAQNMuquw/w480-h640/IMG_6183.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6LHwKLycHpXDoFsQgXji6k9tsn_9rYWHX3TVjNhSXYAOoBul0KCSnRhA-uNUKU3f-6T6iFEp1gWmIHw_UUvLmcEEowvaeOaSWXrD4Y0MiqhzfDLGP7nqo9nfL2VrKe57rMGb4Oz7H_f8u2FdI23JN_y-6-FcvZrwHpz1AZQb6ZeZheZcZGvQBw/s4032/IMG_6181.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6LHwKLycHpXDoFsQgXji6k9tsn_9rYWHX3TVjNhSXYAOoBul0KCSnRhA-uNUKU3f-6T6iFEp1gWmIHw_UUvLmcEEowvaeOaSWXrD4Y0MiqhzfDLGP7nqo9nfL2VrKe57rMGb4Oz7H_f8u2FdI23JN_y-6-FcvZrwHpz1AZQb6ZeZheZcZGvQBw/w480-h640/IMG_6181.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div>2023 was a lot of things. It was hard. I think it was one of the hardest years of my life. But there were also a lot of really sweet things, too. It was epic, and it was the year of <a href="https://thebayhamfamily.blogspot.com/2023/12/rescue.html#more" target="_blank">rescue</a>.</div>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-75663978035270397322023-12-31T22:07:00.001-06:002023-12-31T22:07:26.058-06:00Rescue<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's been a minute. A hot minute. Months. A couple of years even.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Silence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There are a lot of reasons for that. It all started when the kids returned to a more traditional school setting, and I went back to work. My days begin early, and I usually don't get home until late. In between is carpool lines, traffic, work, meal planning and preparing meals, church and a thousand other things that add up to very full days. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I first started this blog for my parents. It seemed the easiest way across 500 miles for them to watch Mason grow and keep up with his milestones and adventures. Then came Hannah Kate. Although I was still blogging for my parents, I was also blogging for my children. I wanted them to have not only pictures but words to look back on that documented their lives and the life of our family, something they could one day share with their future spouses and children. It was for me, too. I wanted them to know and understand their story, our story. I wanted to remember the days and details, the extraordinary and the mundane.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I love putting words on a page. I once had a dream to write and publish a book. I'm not sure why. It's not like anyone would read it. I've missed writing. Earlier today I was looking back through my planners and journals from the last couple of years. There are so many common themes, one of which is to write more. But I haven't.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Silence.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not because of a lack of words or nothing to say. I don't typically have that problem. But writing has to be real and honest and from the heart. The problem became that real and honest and heart-felt words had come to the point that they were raw. And I couldn't do that. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was easy to hide. I had some really good excuses. The one I hid behind the most was Mason's senior year. But what do you do when it's not his senior year anymore? You move on to the next one. For me it was Mason moving to Ruston to begin his freshman year at LA Tech. Then what do you do when there really aren't anymore excuses?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">By the time September of this year rolled around, I'd been battling a constant state of depression for about 18 months. It originally started after Hannah Kate was born. By the time she was six months old, I had to reach out to my doctor for help. I tried to pray my way out of it. I tried to Bible study my way out of it. I tried to live in a constant state of gratitude my way out of it. My doctor helped me understand a bit of how the brain functions and the chemicals in our brain. So for the next eight months, I took medicine to balance the chemicals in my brain. I was then able to come off the medicine. My doctor watched me very closely after Ellie was born. We expected it would happen again, but it didn't. By 2016, it was back again. I reached out to a new doctor in 2017, but that didn't go very well. I wasn't willing to follow her recommendations so she essentially told me she couldn't help me, and I walked out of her office, never to walk in there again. Since 2016 it would come and go, but it came and stayed with a vengeance the last two years. And then came the anxiety. That was new, and it was brutal. For two months I lived in a cycle of anxiety that was almost debilitating.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, yet, no one knew. I think maybe a few people around me figured it out, but most did not. Again, it was easy to hide behind Mason's senior year and then moving to Ruston. I kept showing up everyday, but I dreaded waking up, and I couldn't wait to walk in the door every night and close it behind me. I did all the things as best I could. I was absolutely exhausted. I did all the things, but I didn't want to. The only exception was Sunday mornings. I lived for Sunday mornings behind that big grand piano during rehearsals and worship services. It was those mornings - the songs, the Scripture, the prayer - that made it possible for me to get up the next day and start all over again. There were so many Sundays, especially in June, September and October that tears flowed the whole morning. I think there are three people who noticed week after week, but they were so gracious in not saying anything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was around this same time that I realized something else. I'd inadvertently and unintentionally pulled away from my people. I wasn't investing in them, keeping up with them, reaching out to them. My bestie made a comment about my hair and how long it had been since we'd seen each other. That made me sad. So sad. I knew then it was time. I was desperate. So desperate.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had prayed to the Lord for a long time - years - to bring healing. I'd begun to think this was my "thorn in the flesh." Maybe the Lord wouldn't bring healing. If He didn't, I knew that He would continue to sustain me. But I wasn't going to stop asking. Begging. By October I was desperate. I needed rescue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And rescue came! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">October 20.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Lord brought me to Psalm 40 that morning.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps." ~Psalm 40:1-2</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In that moment, the anxiety was gone. I can't even describe the weight that was lifted off my shoulders. I felt it. Literally felt it being lifted. It had been so heavy. So very heavy. Getting up and walking was so much easier. I'd forgotten what that felt like.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">October 21.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I was in Psalm 40 again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"He has put a new song in my mouth - Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, and will trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered . . . I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O LORD, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly." ~Psalm 40:3-5, 9-10</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In that moment, I knew it was time. God was calling me to tell someone. He was calling me back to words on a page. Real words. Raw words. I couldn't do it by myself so I asked Him to show me how. Two days later a friend called "out of the blue" and asked how I was doing. I couldn't say, "Fine" anymore. So I didn't. And she didn't hesitate. That night after work and kids and homemaking and all the things, she came over to my house and spent two hours listening to me and praying over me while Seth took the girls to dance. Over the next three days, three more friends reached out "out of the blue" and asked how I was doing. So I told them.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">My friend who dropped everything to come to my house to pray over me then helped me find a new doctor. So I saw him at the end of November. That was another day of a lot of raw words, but he listened to every last one of them. When I was done, his next question was simple. How are you sleeping? Sleep?! I haven't slept good since 2005. That's the honest truth. So he said the first thing we needed to do was address that. He also order lots of lab work. Part of me was hoping we would find something that would "explain" the last two years. I guess it wouldn't seem so bad if there was a "something." A "something" seems much more palatable than depression and anxiety. But you know what? There was NOTHING. Besides a lack of sleep, the only other thing we were able to figure out is that I have a major B12 deficiency that's due to something that starts with an "h" and is impossible to pronounce. I know I should be grateful. And I am. In the meantime, we are addressing the lack of sleep and vitamin B deficiency with a vengeance!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our BSF study this year is John's gospel. Going into it, I just knew it would be a soft spot to land after the last couple of years. And I was right.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was LIFE, and the life was the LIGHT of men." ~John 1:1-4</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I circled those two words: LIFE and LIGHT. Those are two powerful themes that are woven throughout the book of John. As I continued walking through Psalm 40 over the next few days in October, I realized something. I think most people would describe depression as dark. For a lot of people, it absolutely is. It is. But that's not what it's been for me. It was deep. It was all-encompassing. It means vacations were cancelled and invitations were declined. It meant some days were absolutely numb and void of any kind of feeling. It was grief and loneliness. But it was never dark. It was full of light and hope. The Lord sustained me. He carried me. That such deep loneliness and sadness and light and hope could all coexist together is something that only the Lord could do.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Psalm 34 was my battle cry for 18 months.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, dear the LORD, you his saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing . . . the righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." ~Psalm 34:1-10, 17-19</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">But then I landed in Psalm 40.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God." ~Psalm 40:17</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Eight years is a long time. The last two years . . . have been a very long two years. But I can say with all certainty that God did NOT delay. He didn't. He sustained me until He brought me up and out. He delivered me. He rescued me.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rescue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The past few years, I've gotten into the habit of choosing a "word of the year" instead of a New Year's resolution. The word I started with at the beginning of 2023 was "still." I wanted it to be rest, but that seemed too simple a word. So I landed on still.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." ~Psalm 46:10</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I know why I chose that word. I was tired. I was done. I didn't want to do anything anymore. Literally. I didn't want to go anywhere anymore. Let's just say that 2023 was anything but still! It was a year that brought about significant change to our family. I haven't thought about that word since January!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Today is the last of 2023. I often think of life as a journey. There are stops and starts, twists and turns, mountains and valleys, crooked places and smooth paths. I also think of life as a book. There are words and sentences, pages and chapters. I don't know that a new year is necessarily the beginning of a new chapter. I think the last two years have been one continuous chapter for me, and I'm hopeful that I'm turning the page, and 2024 is the beginning of a new one. But, if not, if it's simply just a new paragraph in the same chapter, I'm certain that today is a period on the last two years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rescue.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">That was my real word for 2023. </span></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-10207808960135634682023-08-09T12:19:00.001-06:002023-08-09T12:19:28.816-06:00Dance Recital 2023 | A Decade of Dedicat10n<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Four nights a week at the dance studio, fighting traffic to get there, prepping meals on weekends and early mornings at 5:00AM so we can squeeze in a home-cooked meal around the table each weeknight and hours and hours and HOURS of parking lot sitting are absolutely worth it every single year when dance recital day comes. I absolutely LOVE watching my girl on stage doing what she most loves to do. This year was extra special because I once again got to watch BOTH of my girls on the big stage. It was so much fun to see Ellie back on the stage after taking a little break for several years.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_Z2wBZs8EqfuRSkA6hMKjzkyZsgbPQOx5UDFzAca8E_ScfLMN3LBonqqKq_uYKljq-u-Suw-b9dsygp6Sc56Gqm8GtM0BMfXjR2WKHRDLM9N4K_nIjH5M9cMUcVr_sL-cCs4kUMV2EDYv-B7TKRHDArwVnbNlv5uA6crklAVDXmaaAa1otkGYw/s4032/IMG_2838.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_Z2wBZs8EqfuRSkA6hMKjzkyZsgbPQOx5UDFzAca8E_ScfLMN3LBonqqKq_uYKljq-u-Suw-b9dsygp6Sc56Gqm8GtM0BMfXjR2WKHRDLM9N4K_nIjH5M9cMUcVr_sL-cCs4kUMV2EDYv-B7TKRHDArwVnbNlv5uA6crklAVDXmaaAa1otkGYw/w480-h640/IMG_2838.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was Hannah Kate's 12th year of dancing. I say this every year. Her costumes were some of my most favorite she's ever worn, and her dances were especially memorable. It's impossible to pick a favorite, but if I had to, I think it would have to be the Star Wars piece. Yes, Star Wars. Her advanced II ballet class danced to the Star Wars theme. Yes, ballet and Star Wars really do go together. I mean, just look at this costume!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v1JMjer5IyPEV6E_-RbZ6b1L0psrUf0pFv_eOKOPTY2bcnQhJlYJjrs1v3KmjxWSC1sOs-EXOd6Iu-AnOVS-DRPoMToW2yApRzjAvKoMrfL-lz6m60FZf8ch7F--nS-ONHWklhIEyQmFT13zTJ05jEG3ijLRJxXjvuiKvtswS85u5IZAH30wzQ/s2048/346300602_3491099997846491_6908897826274990104_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v1JMjer5IyPEV6E_-RbZ6b1L0psrUf0pFv_eOKOPTY2bcnQhJlYJjrs1v3KmjxWSC1sOs-EXOd6Iu-AnOVS-DRPoMToW2yApRzjAvKoMrfL-lz6m60FZf8ch7F--nS-ONHWklhIEyQmFT13zTJ05jEG3ijLRJxXjvuiKvtswS85u5IZAH30wzQ/w640-h426/346300602_3491099997846491_6908897826274990104_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Miss Katherine totally knocked it out of the park this year with choreography. I mean, she always does, but this year was special. There were so many different themes and genres of music across all the ballet classes. Her pointe dance was super fun, and Hannah Kate really shined on stage.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_ad8Mvy4IcXAV-wZr9lm-OAzBHzlUqiky_G8wYhaovHqKg1pgzmzah3uTCaYWNi1ymBRXr6RPX1TK9vzEOfnhBDrjYbbQATcArNFOdMgAxzsFarjOFKXp47kfKenosv4UzIqFTMv1uBtsbx0c7CHYLfSjXt91PnQmtbiRKUpA6EPwhJLUaS03A/s1440/346828426_791129352365295_6576768160081085204_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_ad8Mvy4IcXAV-wZr9lm-OAzBHzlUqiky_G8wYhaovHqKg1pgzmzah3uTCaYWNi1ymBRXr6RPX1TK9vzEOfnhBDrjYbbQATcArNFOdMgAxzsFarjOFKXp47kfKenosv4UzIqFTMv1uBtsbx0c7CHYLfSjXt91PnQmtbiRKUpA6EPwhJLUaS03A/w640-h480/346828426_791129352365295_6576768160081085204_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7F0VT_tks-MpSX_Jur9HFcQEF1iiUBPcWLke6CZ1ejscTidb7q4aXAHmgo1OQlGSw9NVTIqCRWYN5qa_1q7LDs0u6efYWUHL404qkCtZ2ZNsoLGRZMnWaHtT3DrLFcjvsuj1qptgQUcWdD08gbQEP1H4B3F-H6IUAG2Lb0CAMHlSduSXeuJJNw/s1440/346293422_551253607162030_8673650972699578651_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7F0VT_tks-MpSX_Jur9HFcQEF1iiUBPcWLke6CZ1ejscTidb7q4aXAHmgo1OQlGSw9NVTIqCRWYN5qa_1q7LDs0u6efYWUHL404qkCtZ2ZNsoLGRZMnWaHtT3DrLFcjvsuj1qptgQUcWdD08gbQEP1H4B3F-H6IUAG2Lb0CAMHlSduSXeuJJNw/w640-h640/346293422_551253607162030_8673650972699578651_n-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmJhtYtlQegDwJoJhYS8vSBXpi18wIMGBbil29wYT1_F8Vr4TmI-AHX00zxIFAsPdzjimji4XIbNPgAo2kGlbMWpPc7pajU3ueKWkctcR0GXYwCLjSJlsuZASCeQ9_ng8z0PFk1DoFtcossrusUz8ilrzof-UgtOE73TjnMY3RXBLkqdsYAGeKA/s4032/IMG_2847.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmJhtYtlQegDwJoJhYS8vSBXpi18wIMGBbil29wYT1_F8Vr4TmI-AHX00zxIFAsPdzjimji4XIbNPgAo2kGlbMWpPc7pajU3ueKWkctcR0GXYwCLjSJlsuZASCeQ9_ng8z0PFk1DoFtcossrusUz8ilrzof-UgtOE73TjnMY3RXBLkqdsYAGeKA/w640-h480/IMG_2847.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Her jazz dance was a roaring 1920s flapper party, and she danced to "Hotel California" for contemporary. She was in opening number again, and all of her dances were performed in both recitals so it will a full day of dance.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">This was Ellie's third year of dance. Let's be real. She danced when she was 2 and 3 years old. Does that count? It probably depends on who you ask. At the time, it was a little too "slow" for her. (Because a 3 year old knows all things). But after 2020 dashed her dream of becoming a gymnast when our gym closed and then watching Hannah Kate on stage year after year, she finally decided she might be ready to go back. She took a few private lessons with Miss Katherine last summer to prepare her, and that's when Ellie declared that "Miss Katherine's ballet isn't near as slow as what she had before. It's kinda hard." She got to sparkle and shine on the stage, too.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJrx_9uCJ6HUVG4Y-MLJVI-5lAGR2v16qo-QWmGulpHTpqyvgMXm0xyH5AiG_VPDMZ5OTrA9x8_M5kDdwLOmFvSkdR4UKy7_zJx3YoAHdzLdld_qyoC0IsH64Q58QUfZdzcGbTQimo-zspuKofwi2SdY2gJNCJoQjGBlDJKxQ5kUfqGjKFDfLSg/s4032/IMG_2850.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuJrx_9uCJ6HUVG4Y-MLJVI-5lAGR2v16qo-QWmGulpHTpqyvgMXm0xyH5AiG_VPDMZ5OTrA9x8_M5kDdwLOmFvSkdR4UKy7_zJx3YoAHdzLdld_qyoC0IsH64Q58QUfZdzcGbTQimo-zspuKofwi2SdY2gJNCJoQjGBlDJKxQ5kUfqGjKFDfLSg/w480-h640/IMG_2850.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And she's definitely not one to be outdone. Somehow she ended up closing out her jazz dance with some kind of back walk-over solo thing. Miss Alyse is so sweet to let a 10 year old tell her how to choreograph her dance! Look closely, and you'll see her. She's the only one upside down.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTdgIxGeo5qJML5MYYcOkvkKXpW6a2VQ1mxsMBZQx0alfhsv2RaQl3hciNaJYGSYN5I854HUakpE4VgFVw_DNYaBh00u_-roJrVazKNQZvObRUw2IVAnjpaEuZk1HQhDScRDdWxc-as3gifjVLywUrQI30NQ0MI6j6ErsZ28ViixfZ_LHzqo2YA/s2973/IMG_2860.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1939" data-original-width="2973" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTdgIxGeo5qJML5MYYcOkvkKXpW6a2VQ1mxsMBZQx0alfhsv2RaQl3hciNaJYGSYN5I854HUakpE4VgFVw_DNYaBh00u_-roJrVazKNQZvObRUw2IVAnjpaEuZk1HQhDScRDdWxc-as3gifjVLywUrQI30NQ0MI6j6ErsZ28ViixfZ_LHzqo2YA/w640-h418/IMG_2860.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Dance begins again in a week and a half . . . back to four nights a week at the studio, fighting traffic to get there, weekend and super early morning supper prep, hours and hours and hours sitting in the parking lot . . . I can't wait to do it all over again! And I have two lovely ballerinas who agree!</span></div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-7761910142229828592023-08-06T20:59:00.000-06:002023-08-06T20:59:36.802-06:00Class of 2023: My Graduate<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">On Thursday evening, May 18, Mason walked across the stage and was presented with his high school diploma. He is now a graduate of the class of 2023.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE48M1eXO2nz7KjC2yMpRgY41cjhMuTJfcXIcz5wFBccMXPmkRcUpvfg2ENqzi-ioXrFcbe2LfnR9WZx0PNizvt7jnv5CmHxHcXVgGQDP65HV94koRN8iMQ0QznwkFoNcLdXNNTkhZBB_7xWLKTY7QC0949Sk9Jex5k7wc3_ThG6FmL5gL8mlGQ/s4032/IMG_2881.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE48M1eXO2nz7KjC2yMpRgY41cjhMuTJfcXIcz5wFBccMXPmkRcUpvfg2ENqzi-ioXrFcbe2LfnR9WZx0PNizvt7jnv5CmHxHcXVgGQDP65HV94koRN8iMQ0QznwkFoNcLdXNNTkhZBB_7xWLKTY7QC0949Sk9Jex5k7wc3_ThG6FmL5gL8mlGQ/w480-h640/IMG_2881.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not that I didn't think he would graduate. I just didn't know what that would look like. I learned a long time ago that I had to let go of what I thought it would be and accept what the Lord wanted it to be. For many, many years, that was a much different picture. I never ever would've chosen Mason's path for any child, much less my child. But we didn't get to choose the path. We just got to choose how we would walk that path. Now that we are on the other side of it (and especially now that he's graduated), I would tell my mom of a 2nd grader struggling to read and be successful in school self that it's okay, it's going to be okay and it's not as big of a deal as I thought it all was. I NEVER would've believed that for a second. But I know it to be true now. That doesn't mean the days weren't long and difficult. That doesn't mean for a second that it got any easier. That doesn't mean it just all of a sudden one day went away. That doesn't mean we didn't have to do some really hard things. That just means that we dug in and did the really hard things, and it was worth it. It was all worth it. And, of course, he graduated.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJWYRLEVqGlVbIIEho-GFTbHvOdQWzI2D37o2u1qbHDcZ4f6rugKEmQIW4AFx85xmJaiOsWEU1vyuGkdSExpTxc4exLtxyTWfQE28PPOto0AGnARfwSDUeQr6uTwP__m0_l3O0qe0W3n6AqhiPPEJo3hd5DFICRLN7s0cIL6ReYGu-ejm67C3Rw/s4032/IMG_2784.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJWYRLEVqGlVbIIEho-GFTbHvOdQWzI2D37o2u1qbHDcZ4f6rugKEmQIW4AFx85xmJaiOsWEU1vyuGkdSExpTxc4exLtxyTWfQE28PPOto0AGnARfwSDUeQr6uTwP__m0_l3O0qe0W3n6AqhiPPEJo3hd5DFICRLN7s0cIL6ReYGu-ejm67C3Rw/w480-h640/IMG_2784.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">There were so many days, years even, that it was so hard to imagine Mason graduating. I certainly didn't imagine it would come with honor cords or honors classes or a dual enrollment class. But it did. I had to really prepare my heart for his senior awards ceremony. I knew names would be called, followed by lists of scholarships, academic achievements and awards. I wanted to be genuinely happy for those seniors. They worked hard. They deserved it. They earned it. But then there's the kids who work hard. So hard. Their name is called, but the list is short. Or maybe there isn't even a list at all. I had prepared my heart for Mason's name to be called but without a list. That's the way it's pretty much always been. But if you could see all the hard work and all the accomplishments that aren't lauded with certificates, scholarship money and cords, you would be absolutely amazed at how strong, resilient and smart these kids are that don't have the lists. Mason's name was called that night, and he even had a list. It was a short list, but it was a list nonetheless that I didn't see coming. It was a good night. But you know what? Even if there had been no list at all, it still would've been a good night!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLK9OSXMWTGSC6uRXFpExMwMSNJxH47JbQ7ZXrPetccNB1kPdJrbm_SQj-aELcREWvYS8hzdstGmKSCJPvRRMZ3kbq_3eNvzOC2Q39H1c7lqW4L5Q2QxrMw-f7XfzCpvfdwMNKMKZilbIngbf2qNaxFtLk-jhxIfZf9zLB8PdZ68o9ZEZ1kwIbQ/s4032/IMG_2819.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLK9OSXMWTGSC6uRXFpExMwMSNJxH47JbQ7ZXrPetccNB1kPdJrbm_SQj-aELcREWvYS8hzdstGmKSCJPvRRMZ3kbq_3eNvzOC2Q39H1c7lqW4L5Q2QxrMw-f7XfzCpvfdwMNKMKZilbIngbf2qNaxFtLk-jhxIfZf9zLB8PdZ68o9ZEZ1kwIbQ/w480-h640/IMG_2819.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The night before the last day of school, I joked with Hannah Kate that I wanted to fill Mason's truck with balloons, but I figured she would be more embarrassed than him if they opened the doors in the school parking lot at dismissal and balloons came out everywhere. To my surprise, she encouraged me to do it. I quickly dismissed the idea because we don't have an extra set of keys to his truck, and I wouldn't be able to get in without him knowing. She's like, "Mason doesn't lock his door at school." I'm sorry. What?!? Well, then, you just invited your mom to make your last day of school! I parked in another lot and watched him walk out and open his door before I started running across the parking lot yelling at him. It was great fun. I've been very intentional in not embarrassing my children at school. But you ask for it when you don't keep your vehicle locked. And then he nearly refused a picture and flat out refused to take the balloons out. But that's fine. </span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpep1U88-Fw-HLMNx6gIZzFPjZdybXFtf_34TexpeftuT2nX9BruwqKp7bcZ56T-tsXlhrNzGqtdWXwiw4ZjFekz5M59AuNYWjBOmPxgoFfdTcmgBNDOpTjlIYsQ4RlAzJd_TDqgn_f9bUbu-DZDlwcYTvhH8EL_qeGflbyBpPWUF1UiGhxVNUZQ/s4032/IMG_2818.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpep1U88-Fw-HLMNx6gIZzFPjZdybXFtf_34TexpeftuT2nX9BruwqKp7bcZ56T-tsXlhrNzGqtdWXwiw4ZjFekz5M59AuNYWjBOmPxgoFfdTcmgBNDOpTjlIYsQ4RlAzJd_TDqgn_f9bUbu-DZDlwcYTvhH8EL_qeGflbyBpPWUF1UiGhxVNUZQ/w480-h640/IMG_2818.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I don't know. The days were long. So very long. But it seems like we got here so very quickly.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFd7EVlZU60Prp2Jz-Xaazs3oh-DjAlp4_HdZpXoWjdhWWKermlUY_5SXEIM6Cj5YHnoYV7eKOzjVBCi4DrvaBWd-_PUyZrh7mUS8RsMilv9oaOhm-DEFUAp3DSq_XQ2zsMsGasWBw9nFzovUng_bcYQ3k0t72bbJvv8yLarCSDhK4Nua2x8qcA/s4000/IMG_2824.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFd7EVlZU60Prp2Jz-Xaazs3oh-DjAlp4_HdZpXoWjdhWWKermlUY_5SXEIM6Cj5YHnoYV7eKOzjVBCi4DrvaBWd-_PUyZrh7mUS8RsMilv9oaOhm-DEFUAp3DSq_XQ2zsMsGasWBw9nFzovUng_bcYQ3k0t72bbJvv8yLarCSDhK4Nua2x8qcA/w640-h640/IMG_2824.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Everyone kept asking me all senior year long if Mason was excited about graduating. He was. But I think it was a different kind of excitement. The elementary years were so bad that even though it eventually got better - and a lot better - the bad just continued to overshadow the good that finally came. It's almost like you can't really move on and enjoy the good until you completely finish the chapter. Mason was just ready to be done and turn the page to a new chapter. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">There were several defining moments through the years. The one that kept coming back to me over and over as graduation day approached was a meeting I was attending when he was in 2nd grade. We were supposed to be discussing his intervention plan. The principle was trying to hide her phone underneath the table, but it was very obvious that she was texting. The SAT Coordinator finally looked at me and suggested that Mason go to the "other school" across town because "this school" just isn't for everyone, and the "other" one isn't as rigorous. I think, for me, that's the day everything changed. I was mad. So mad. And I stayed mad for a very long time. My goal from that day forward was simple. I was determined to prove her wrong. I've tried to forget about that day, and I did for awhile, but it came roaring back with a vengeance this spring, and I thought about it a lot. I also thought about it as Mason's name was called to receive his diploma. I didn't have to prove her wrong. Mason took care of it. And he did it even better than I ever could've imagined!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k3mN2oYzISklLlNb-nuQ5NEeHniu9z5EjS2H-d33_xElmMM-IA2ZD0XHYMMkvLCcS70Llu5Hzxayd39zOOsLaMsUdFU0_7en9Rx0ptv136lTMytVZRPhBUxWgCdRbiyAIClCV4PYKtIXOwYA-luEvWnyempu3l-gEEsJJ6VHyRpyKWxpt0mdqw/s4032/IMG_2891.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-k3mN2oYzISklLlNb-nuQ5NEeHniu9z5EjS2H-d33_xElmMM-IA2ZD0XHYMMkvLCcS70Llu5Hzxayd39zOOsLaMsUdFU0_7en9Rx0ptv136lTMytVZRPhBUxWgCdRbiyAIClCV4PYKtIXOwYA-luEvWnyempu3l-gEEsJJ6VHyRpyKWxpt0mdqw/w480-h640/IMG_2891.jpeg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLCFAq8fLuhRvVBMJhhxEco8QL8khwEjbDn-jufG8phVIfHuhJFKqAaoNfj-oMmqwTLanSIj33_mc9eRCz-stqcM50OMysd3JeXuUHyWNqAJ5xqXSQT2fyC0I_ba8lcIcfYWve2zI0-PD-SWIpIxUKkEy79_8Q7Nn2BNOpNuy_S55WyykIQvf9g/s4032/IMG_2893.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLCFAq8fLuhRvVBMJhhxEco8QL8khwEjbDn-jufG8phVIfHuhJFKqAaoNfj-oMmqwTLanSIj33_mc9eRCz-stqcM50OMysd3JeXuUHyWNqAJ5xqXSQT2fyC0I_ba8lcIcfYWve2zI0-PD-SWIpIxUKkEy79_8Q7Nn2BNOpNuy_S55WyykIQvf9g/w480-h640/IMG_2893.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIiTjo9t8mvmrnNW6JliRBxUtFN1WUuDmp3HPW46lskZdWQ2HnkVba5LyKn7OrB3Yv-hAnkvynP0O4Pl2s8BU9DZ0xdfKA0To5CncSSVqrtFN4l1ceVwihEWuTRdqGaAw9NPCAosiK5jGDGK9qFGjsfqgsoWgxHAQmP08zFqJousEilteKpe_TA/s4032/IMG_2899.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdIiTjo9t8mvmrnNW6JliRBxUtFN1WUuDmp3HPW46lskZdWQ2HnkVba5LyKn7OrB3Yv-hAnkvynP0O4Pl2s8BU9DZ0xdfKA0To5CncSSVqrtFN4l1ceVwihEWuTRdqGaAw9NPCAosiK5jGDGK9qFGjsfqgsoWgxHAQmP08zFqJousEilteKpe_TA/w480-h640/IMG_2899.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ReCQn2txYiogrI7q_MLqXuTmo1fbcx368AXhTObnPc6l5YF6TNk14O1zEyWAQl5SxdM0PCcLGK65cTvoptPgmz9tONuXClEvLnRJYDar5IrTs7PddAM4kFq8EH86mkcJNQoacO8DUxCTDzt-4FvtBsjMT5944Ec8mwgjFhBLZgTnsBm6HLQK-w/s4032/IMG_2903.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ReCQn2txYiogrI7q_MLqXuTmo1fbcx368AXhTObnPc6l5YF6TNk14O1zEyWAQl5SxdM0PCcLGK65cTvoptPgmz9tONuXClEvLnRJYDar5IrTs7PddAM4kFq8EH86mkcJNQoacO8DUxCTDzt-4FvtBsjMT5944Ec8mwgjFhBLZgTnsBm6HLQK-w/w480-h640/IMG_2903.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In this case, a picture is worth a thousand million words! As Mason walked across that stage on May 18, I thought of so many things . . . but what I thought about the most was the people who prayed over him so faithfully and diligently for the past 13 years. They prayed him to and across that stage. And I thought about how good God is. Every step of the way, He chased us with His goodness. His provision was always right there, and He always put us in the right place at the right time to have the right conversation or the right teacher or the right class. I have story after story of the Lord doing what only the Lord could do on behalf of Mason. <a href="https://thebayhamfamily.blogspot.com/2021/05/skipping-10th-grade.html">This</a> post recounts a lot of that.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpEKasRK0GSlDY8G1nJL0Qy9_lNnBAZEhQMdXhNVE-6hMRJBGT4fuQSUTZx9IZNOgxANhhkgxjnkKEXanZChN_lcdEU46nJ5L1-56VJfZ4AjHwwCIxwl64IKWlwleU2FUrROS_BDgrgVJROrAlfoaSieFgyi8qExAPbV5m3JV_sIOPtuopdVONA/s4032/IMG_2929.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpEKasRK0GSlDY8G1nJL0Qy9_lNnBAZEhQMdXhNVE-6hMRJBGT4fuQSUTZx9IZNOgxANhhkgxjnkKEXanZChN_lcdEU46nJ5L1-56VJfZ4AjHwwCIxwl64IKWlwleU2FUrROS_BDgrgVJROrAlfoaSieFgyi8qExAPbV5m3JV_sIOPtuopdVONA/w640-h480/IMG_2929.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We had a small party for Mason, and family both near and far (Texas and Georgia) came to celebrate him. We had a taco bar and his favorites - root beer floats and cookie cakes. But that's pretty much the only picture I have of that day.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mason really wasn't into all the senior things, and that's okay. I almost gave up on senior pictures but decided at the last minute that I would really regret that decision. And when I say last minute, I mean LAST MINUTE. A sweet, sweet photographer from our church spent some time with him a couple of weeks before graduation. I asked for one picture. That's it. But she gave me a little more than that. Mason hates pictures. I don't know what Mrs. Cathy did that day, but she was so kind and understanding, and she really connected with him. We spent an hour with her, and I couldn't have asked for better. Well, maybe a haircut, but that's another story.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsPIUKji-q6W5k8qEbgpKR5uSHRnwD_Tut6_KVvsjE5R5XhFqqb3DjQEBZxicwn-Nc0NMuVxXq1C9nV6UCPjBx0TGlWe44zc8zNAaP76dB_vMIoc2bhnT9gYdRAaK1F-Pk7eTExd2uPR57rahWxd6nY95XlHR2gBTxJWG5-JOSDocZlxs7gCTUA/s7521/_CS_7498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7521" data-original-width="5016" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIsPIUKji-q6W5k8qEbgpKR5uSHRnwD_Tut6_KVvsjE5R5XhFqqb3DjQEBZxicwn-Nc0NMuVxXq1C9nV6UCPjBx0TGlWe44zc8zNAaP76dB_vMIoc2bhnT9gYdRAaK1F-Pk7eTExd2uPR57rahWxd6nY95XlHR2gBTxJWG5-JOSDocZlxs7gCTUA/w426-h640/_CS_7498.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOslWz50qyDXbKb5llUXF0Oy5EUj7SdeOkkDnNJXS9fCldwCyOKmHSu88Oh2w7WC8w6aA3W-asVm5_OoHNvC4ZCzoB0yRartZH0ejtkLXKrSpzeifWRX2jvBGcvBuRqkXOzb47frjsySdG1atw9a0fg46OLDzcdRV4dGC5XqPwzPfh_phSf18oNA/s7659/_CS_7511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7659" data-original-width="5108" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOslWz50qyDXbKb5llUXF0Oy5EUj7SdeOkkDnNJXS9fCldwCyOKmHSu88Oh2w7WC8w6aA3W-asVm5_OoHNvC4ZCzoB0yRartZH0ejtkLXKrSpzeifWRX2jvBGcvBuRqkXOzb47frjsySdG1atw9a0fg46OLDzcdRV4dGC5XqPwzPfh_phSf18oNA/w426-h640/_CS_7511.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /></div></span><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgurBIfIixHmUV8gQxHCATVZJRzBQ35ldfgV6xrQxpJJd5NfktcaM_inzXkVI2evST-hZ8mujhL6MPpKTmMwd0jL96zjdD9AeWVnguERqqNR1AA-cmXW5Ic1mHu8ZhypH1Jfo8xLXpxe4siuAYizsU56CFRi4vGof1jyfUJoAp_S3Yp6e1yp434Q/s7230/_CS_7520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="7230" data-original-width="4822" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgurBIfIixHmUV8gQxHCATVZJRzBQ35ldfgV6xrQxpJJd5NfktcaM_inzXkVI2evST-hZ8mujhL6MPpKTmMwd0jL96zjdD9AeWVnguERqqNR1AA-cmXW5Ic1mHu8ZhypH1Jfo8xLXpxe4siuAYizsU56CFRi4vGof1jyfUJoAp_S3Yp6e1yp434Q/w426-h640/_CS_7520.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXqPcgTdYYqvp_Xx5rtGj_uPn1qWh4l-jRbt59Hc0M8ZQuwvvLLMnvwlmPpAHhpiWkRrEh3IHhrRB3bbRdmCLw-DHc94xU8m4M1MxzfvY1FzirwwkMAo8MePkeFUj_WzOs6n52huHkZZ7OMm5ZeWbO1UEIZ_iTwjNv7ZJ6OgZjwliUJFgVd4O0g/s8502/_CS_7621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5668" data-original-width="8502" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXqPcgTdYYqvp_Xx5rtGj_uPn1qWh4l-jRbt59Hc0M8ZQuwvvLLMnvwlmPpAHhpiWkRrEh3IHhrRB3bbRdmCLw-DHc94xU8m4M1MxzfvY1FzirwwkMAo8MePkeFUj_WzOs6n52huHkZZ7OMm5ZeWbO1UEIZ_iTwjNv7ZJ6OgZjwliUJFgVd4O0g/w640-h426/_CS_7621.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwezE4aLNC6aSnDJt62G1VZvudzhKOgaIdoz6j24vqfcdu-55DsrrFvI0cLmoIAPcpyEJ7cWOsE1cL-YskI8FU9hkHaVXqLpsRctMrmzEaPcOQkK5XT-5MtuAOqrc2extOUJH-H9n45PsSJQ5WfmOFqPr5Zb-dgPO09SYRYu7ta3SnYmfLQ5iuEw/s8192/_CS_7663.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5464" data-original-width="8192" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwezE4aLNC6aSnDJt62G1VZvudzhKOgaIdoz6j24vqfcdu-55DsrrFvI0cLmoIAPcpyEJ7cWOsE1cL-YskI8FU9hkHaVXqLpsRctMrmzEaPcOQkK5XT-5MtuAOqrc2extOUJH-H9n45PsSJQ5WfmOFqPr5Zb-dgPO09SYRYu7ta3SnYmfLQ5iuEw/w640-h426/_CS_7663.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh97RbeJdWjQ-hOOYv-EkeDmUutI5biQLDNlgLV6FEWZBFMBz5O0lyBwFnDjXkWeca7Fq_cwlNiAZHdf7B8WPsTNiqRULWMsoALiOFOJlGIEtoFdhU_Gu5wkB7Xw_5chH2Ueii1e_h7HBqiyp3WMA84RYI0QJq3riCjDO9Cv2vUstJWfooitbKQ/s6187/_CS_7667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6187" data-original-width="4127" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh97RbeJdWjQ-hOOYv-EkeDmUutI5biQLDNlgLV6FEWZBFMBz5O0lyBwFnDjXkWeca7Fq_cwlNiAZHdf7B8WPsTNiqRULWMsoALiOFOJlGIEtoFdhU_Gu5wkB7Xw_5chH2Ueii1e_h7HBqiyp3WMA84RYI0QJq3riCjDO9Cv2vUstJWfooitbKQ/w426-h640/_CS_7667.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>And so, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my graduate. Class of 2023.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD . . .</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~Jeremiah 29:11</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"To Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think . . ."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~Ephesians 3:20</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">~Psalm 126:3</span></div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-42768577662164880052023-06-25T14:26:00.003-06:002023-06-25T14:26:55.984-06:00Hannah Kate | YAGP National Ballet Competition<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hannah Kate has been dancing for 12 years, but never has she danced competitively. Last fall she was given the opportunity by her ballet teacher and dance studio to participate in a new ballet company program at the studio, culminating with a solo dance at a national ballet competition. If you know Hannah Kate, you know this is way outside of her comfort zone. She has most definitely found "her thing" in her pointe shoes, but, like she always says, she prefers to be on the back row. That's her sweet spot and where she's most comfortable. When Miss Katherine presented this opportunity to us last fall, I had no idea what to expect. I've never been the parent that "made" my children do a particular extracurricular activity. If they "want" to do something, we'll figure it out. But, ultimately, they have to want to do it. In usual Hannah Kate fashion, she didn't immediately give an answer so I told her to pray about it for a few days, and then we would talk again. I did trust the Lord to give her the answer. I was just really hoping He would say, "Yes," and she would say, "Yes." And, if she didn't, I knew it would be really hard for me to accept her "no."</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br />I was honestly so shocked when she told me she wanted to do it. I just wasn't expecting that at all. Hannah Kate is already at the dance studio four nights a week, but we added private lessons with Miss Katherine. Competition was scheduled for February. She also had to audition for two summer intensives. But she got a new costume out of it so that probably had something to do with her "yes."</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigVLLP53XVWvpG63QWHfgSqBPHLVXP-llfKspkDPhOfzuqWPW3AEceLchZFBeqW4UM1TCTu8d46hq2nYok6Fj-pZghcv7WtiBfXt-2yeBcnpAC79JFvgLwTwRae_cyk81wz6adjvhPoZPJJw2UcoipZX8tifRCr7BWirFqIZvvpAVIIBm2iRQ_g/s4032/D59248E1-DC20-4AF8-89C6-E80A09B69737.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigVLLP53XVWvpG63QWHfgSqBPHLVXP-llfKspkDPhOfzuqWPW3AEceLchZFBeqW4UM1TCTu8d46hq2nYok6Fj-pZghcv7WtiBfXt-2yeBcnpAC79JFvgLwTwRae_cyk81wz6adjvhPoZPJJw2UcoipZX8tifRCr7BWirFqIZvvpAVIIBm2iRQ_g/w480-h640/D59248E1-DC20-4AF8-89C6-E80A09B69737.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The summer intensive auditions were in January at another dance studio. Both were on a Sunday afternoon so I took her both times after church. I honestly didn't think I was going to get her out of the truck when we arrived for the first audition. She had never done anything like that before, had no idea what to expect, was in a brand new to her studio and didn't know anyone (or so she thought). Just that morning, one of my friends on praise team had shared with me about her daughter's recent piano recital. She was so nervous and nearly refused to walk up to the piano, but she finally did when her mom walked with her. And then she did absolutely fine. So I shared this story with Hannah Kate, and she finally agreed it was time to go in. I went in with her, and we had no idea what we were doing, but we managed to figure it out. And then she saw a familiar face. One of her friends from our days at Sequitur was there. At that point, I went outside to wait the next two hours in the truck. Looking back, I was probably more nervous for her than she was. But she came out smiling and said it wasn't nearly as bad as she had imagined it might be. It was a very positive experience for her, and I think that afternoon was probably a defining moment for her. The next audition went just as well. This time two of her friends from our studio auditioned with her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN7bcr3JuWRQ8XY8yfAjOCxLzeuVovnpTTUdViCjlbRPcb-AGxXjYq-o6PJt4K3UKdkFBw7hU8htmOjXxdf-jn2G30eayOxAJ8-_P2Os5rf-IzNnNZ2f5Y-jzO4HG6YtT4lJTxF0FP8o9EItO9n90OVPHJ2hFxrAQyvVlUQtD5-mJBQuWJ-RBvg/s4032/A8EC2775-2E21-4FCA-BA44-5020E13EC984.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuN7bcr3JuWRQ8XY8yfAjOCxLzeuVovnpTTUdViCjlbRPcb-AGxXjYq-o6PJt4K3UKdkFBw7hU8htmOjXxdf-jn2G30eayOxAJ8-_P2Os5rf-IzNnNZ2f5Y-jzO4HG6YtT4lJTxF0FP8o9EItO9n90OVPHJ2hFxrAQyvVlUQtD5-mJBQuWJ-RBvg/w480-h640/A8EC2775-2E21-4FCA-BA44-5020E13EC984.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqrNqVV-3VPMXQckNg8hjkdtRMiDAfVRLrD1G4IXowUpNa3cpvklsFEPy92KZK-u3LEL_XUrNZiNPzIGvFZKsvCFFbm2K5eWLEcT7FIrX40F5hBEf_NCfhlkELEQrUs4oN0GxO0ipDpk9JPbkcNfkxCpWEEGZgu-BnFFFdxwukkGESdAvsvyHFg/s4032/46C22285-D944-4704-8AE1-B043AB779028.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqrNqVV-3VPMXQckNg8hjkdtRMiDAfVRLrD1G4IXowUpNa3cpvklsFEPy92KZK-u3LEL_XUrNZiNPzIGvFZKsvCFFbm2K5eWLEcT7FIrX40F5hBEf_NCfhlkELEQrUs4oN0GxO0ipDpk9JPbkcNfkxCpWEEGZgu-BnFFFdxwukkGESdAvsvyHFg/w640-h480/46C22285-D944-4704-8AE1-B043AB779028.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hannah Kate received invitations to participate in the summer intensive programs at both the Patel Conservatory in Tampa and the Nashville Ballet. At that point, we reached her "no." But she still has a few years left so maybe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her next stop was the Youth America Grand Prix national competition in Dallas. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeAtX5t-Ow9NfMUnr-yNNMMJGJkJkrZfkqIW9Mtd2g0MvGoCDkLiKmpscmqfMBqx26A8jCELE8Bodzcxwij88wY71sjBQct3GtFAkxOtWdhv5OPDFV2YBVfNb-FM0zKDlddRys4dpTIauWQ-fDBxiIU6kshawjrd97sxPn-CkRZQ2kB5FQrgfsw/s4032/5410C6C4-E618-4CC6-8A48-018EB069C1E2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeAtX5t-Ow9NfMUnr-yNNMMJGJkJkrZfkqIW9Mtd2g0MvGoCDkLiKmpscmqfMBqx26A8jCELE8Bodzcxwij88wY71sjBQct3GtFAkxOtWdhv5OPDFV2YBVfNb-FM0zKDlddRys4dpTIauWQ-fDBxiIU6kshawjrd97sxPn-CkRZQ2kB5FQrgfsw/w480-h640/5410C6C4-E618-4CC6-8A48-018EB069C1E2.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">She even had a little cheering section. Troy and April were visiting Avery and Abigail that weekend, and they came to watch her take the stage for her solo. Her Aunt April said that she's never seen Hannah Kate look so happy or smile more than she did on that stage and when she came out to meet us afterwards.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRwyrQ8bXAtB_e3FNxx1SXBvoDd4HZNjSK8ob89YkyU-k06NCe2nwHPdkndQiDAgKFhZWAtunARKh2G2IK32Yd1M8WJ0AwV86glv7Vo3PgPEC1F60xAf9tODsMTBDg_xYqrCFYniqT4IrUvXzzrkzZb8GTPX4VViC9pJOP-Nz6qXo4T_hdELQGg/s4032/C9CFFAB8-2A08-405B-965C-7C7DCBC795D0_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRRwyrQ8bXAtB_e3FNxx1SXBvoDd4HZNjSK8ob89YkyU-k06NCe2nwHPdkndQiDAgKFhZWAtunARKh2G2IK32Yd1M8WJ0AwV86glv7Vo3PgPEC1F60xAf9tODsMTBDg_xYqrCFYniqT4IrUvXzzrkzZb8GTPX4VViC9pJOP-Nz6qXo4T_hdELQGg/w480-h640/C9CFFAB8-2A08-405B-965C-7C7DCBC795D0_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn9gMMAuqyGox8FeBlWu5u49YhWnW70otcIuZ9_CACR5yHQWPw5B_q_X4jyuLflDIhh1ZK2e1yhX8T4bKxOODQTSsiypqaPVy3w3sDBAEun44i6UZTTnS1kBAh66Evufyx0_VCZkLgLcnf6wKDWJM2ZQCJq_BekyYGkoaEr-JKJE4KmBbHXfD3w/s4032/9EFA1F1B-303A-40D8-B3D6-B1BD76D0DA9D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn9gMMAuqyGox8FeBlWu5u49YhWnW70otcIuZ9_CACR5yHQWPw5B_q_X4jyuLflDIhh1ZK2e1yhX8T4bKxOODQTSsiypqaPVy3w3sDBAEun44i6UZTTnS1kBAh66Evufyx0_VCZkLgLcnf6wKDWJM2ZQCJq_BekyYGkoaEr-JKJE4KmBbHXfD3w/w640-h480/9EFA1F1B-303A-40D8-B3D6-B1BD76D0DA9D.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It took my breath away watching her on stage that afternoon. It always does, and I've been watching her on stage for 12 years now. But this was different. She conquered fear that day. She finally realized that she can do hard things. But, most of all, she had fun. She gave it her all, and she had fun. They say to dance like no one is watching, and that's what she did. She walked off that stage feeling like a winner, and she smiled all the way home. I'm so proud and so grateful for the gift she is to us. When we got home, her brother asked her how much money she won. She just smiled and said, "I have no idea."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here she is warming up before going on stage. She right under the logo in the back. Of course.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0K8Ku4pbifaPuUpFiYeTLEjgH9gINX_BY4mX5e37Dkf3ffpTtNmVzj5hsytx2itYjCK0nmubUU6FY6aFYOgC5Kxf__e7gi-XuSB2LocPk_rJFONukzjYyXwGXqdGy2nhUBJyXhM0uvk3AruNzQzXs6GV19qXqRJqJOnr8_7KqHLlGf4DRE9JOQ/s4032/7C34E172-A843-4B79-BB0B-6EB8DD6067D4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi0K8Ku4pbifaPuUpFiYeTLEjgH9gINX_BY4mX5e37Dkf3ffpTtNmVzj5hsytx2itYjCK0nmubUU6FY6aFYOgC5Kxf__e7gi-XuSB2LocPk_rJFONukzjYyXwGXqdGy2nhUBJyXhM0uvk3AruNzQzXs6GV19qXqRJqJOnr8_7KqHLlGf4DRE9JOQ/w640-h480/7C34E172-A843-4B79-BB0B-6EB8DD6067D4.heic" width="640" /></a></div>None of this would've been possible without Miss Katherine. I am so grateful for how she continues pouring into Hannah Kate (and now Ellie). She expects nothing less than excellence, and she pushes Hannah Kate to the front row. This experience definitely exceeded my expectations, and I think it did the same for Hannah Kate. Miss Katherine and Machita Dance Company made something possible that was so much more than learning a new dance and performing in a ballet competition. Hannah Kate has learned life lessons and how to approach challenges with poise and strength. She is not the loudest one in the room, and you probably wouldn't even notice her. But she's there, and she's fierce, and she's giving it her all. She is beautiful and graceful and elegant. She's also kinda hilarious. But that's another post for another day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_Ld7LdSz6iSkh8KHVmh-4Xa0UQjM9_uKmr7GSXhHDeUMMrI194C8iJat2EGCMqG1gKCKULXsZpCYzI9wuZdoV-PwfNn33Mg43RbzI910JYLXyLlI8uZrzVldmMxv-9fr1L75qphYUEYJ4WHQooZTtid-nkNUHeb4YZlksceYYbJRfso1l3fKJw/s4032/82329AD0-836A-40F3-9EFA-F013E1DB512A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_Ld7LdSz6iSkh8KHVmh-4Xa0UQjM9_uKmr7GSXhHDeUMMrI194C8iJat2EGCMqG1gKCKULXsZpCYzI9wuZdoV-PwfNn33Mg43RbzI910JYLXyLlI8uZrzVldmMxv-9fr1L75qphYUEYJ4WHQooZTtid-nkNUHeb4YZlksceYYbJRfso1l3fKJw/w480-h640/82329AD0-836A-40F3-9EFA-F013E1DB512A.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi775f9RXN33pL_DpUvNr21nmu0zLYcVujlvR81jv8zASK5goqc44LFnfMO3v2Ng_mBZg8mki1d9YqYZRkF99CJYIVb-bPvmWS1veDWvcMWRBiyUk6gTKRJrfWA-8nwVRKL0p4_BzEIUn9Mlh3NWkpVHAywVFAY7NRMySBdHy_QD6-1_1tS8YAmKw/s1792/C7BE3844-0F60-41A4-9042-AD0807C448B8_1_102_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi775f9RXN33pL_DpUvNr21nmu0zLYcVujlvR81jv8zASK5goqc44LFnfMO3v2Ng_mBZg8mki1d9YqYZRkF99CJYIVb-bPvmWS1veDWvcMWRBiyUk6gTKRJrfWA-8nwVRKL0p4_BzEIUn9Mlh3NWkpVHAywVFAY7NRMySBdHy_QD6-1_1tS8YAmKw/w296-h640/C7BE3844-0F60-41A4-9042-AD0807C448B8_1_102_o.jpeg" width="296" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLchdVwHnVghw0vwZHuP-bGvvhsg0jX7nE_XpxeR_e9JvJTMArWDxv2f5al1aSAgfMHzNPaYivMjgJwEg6TGAQniXX644k1t_yCFiteMHEkTX0icKFQbXbooof9FgPrYKC1dD5kWoQeMR851uX5rJUdQ3ckT_okdL0daqVqiEJcwb3pa6vNx-CsQ/s1792/8B4E884F-2749-46F0-A39B-07A983B2010B_1_102_o.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLchdVwHnVghw0vwZHuP-bGvvhsg0jX7nE_XpxeR_e9JvJTMArWDxv2f5al1aSAgfMHzNPaYivMjgJwEg6TGAQniXX644k1t_yCFiteMHEkTX0icKFQbXbooof9FgPrYKC1dD5kWoQeMR851uX5rJUdQ3ckT_okdL0daqVqiEJcwb3pa6vNx-CsQ/w296-h640/8B4E884F-2749-46F0-A39B-07A983B2010B_1_102_o.jpeg" width="296" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I wasn't sure what to expect when it was all said and done. But Hannah Kate didn't hesitate. She wants to do it again.</span><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-27124398350945158512023-06-20T18:27:00.003-06:002023-06-20T18:32:18.995-06:00Summer Road Trip 2022 | Part 4: Chicago Day 2 and St. Louis<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Yes, I realize it's summer 2023. But we're still talking summer 2022.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We had such a good first day in Chicago, but I might've loved the second day even more. We got an early start and took a little subway ride to the north. I have to admit I was so proud of myself! I never got the hang of the subway system last time I was in NYC and had to depend on my bestie to figure it out for us. But it was so easy in Chicago! I managed to get us on the right line going in the right direction. My people weren't necessarily excited, and this was definitely outside of their comfort zone. But when you grew up riding MARTA every time you went to the ATL, you bust up in the Chicago subway like it's nothing.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherLAUiLkcLzHq_OWdumF42L9n40YX_PAXNJrTDtkp2cAtgqTL3WmS3hjRtDaHU3fkc28IkVoWChtC85UUFhdwXWaU0T1RYzBYZLyKAn1vPU00487_AjWOjuXpQwy2Fvto-nenagmpoHSnj4hBJNbL0YgEFDerCbFqVvq3odBtjL4Pb3kA0_HTSA/s4032/IMG_1450.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEherLAUiLkcLzHq_OWdumF42L9n40YX_PAXNJrTDtkp2cAtgqTL3WmS3hjRtDaHU3fkc28IkVoWChtC85UUFhdwXWaU0T1RYzBYZLyKAn1vPU00487_AjWOjuXpQwy2Fvto-nenagmpoHSnj4hBJNbL0YgEFDerCbFqVvq3odBtjL4Pb3kA0_HTSA/w640-h480/IMG_1450.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Besides, it was absolutely worth it. We toured Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs and second oldest ballpark in the states. I grew up watching the Atlanta Braves and loved baseball. But that's not really a thing in Louisiana, and Seth isn't a baseball fan outside of LSU baseball so I haven't kept up with them the past 20 years. I have to say that even though we don't follow baseball and aren't big baseball fans, we all absolutely enjoyed our morning at Wrigley Field! It was so very interesting. The Braves played at the Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium when I was growing up. Then they built Turner Field for the 1996 Olympics, and the Braves moved in the following year. I can remember how much bigger and better and fancier it was than its predecessor. And now they're at Truist Park, which probably puts Turner Field to shame and has the latest and greatest of everything a modern baseball park could possibly have. I haven't been to a game at Truist yet. But here's the thing. Wrigley Field is iconic. It's just the real deal. It's everything you imagine a summertime baseball game to be.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXN-kYJhGiF_2yE6emvrW89GR1j1U4fmE12jGwA9nqbXjAngOemawp-nCFrcs-xdL0nm6Rm3audJAj_DPWnBMg_JlWBT3mOmGXdOoyZo-JtZ8eP8lJOsY9IoniHRK8o0AO-_PX6EGMA0W5eGIis6KMFqn7eyE4-M_hi7Zb7qjVSkfX88eL3RWCA/s4032/IMG_1454.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXN-kYJhGiF_2yE6emvrW89GR1j1U4fmE12jGwA9nqbXjAngOemawp-nCFrcs-xdL0nm6Rm3audJAj_DPWnBMg_JlWBT3mOmGXdOoyZo-JtZ8eP8lJOsY9IoniHRK8o0AO-_PX6EGMA0W5eGIis6KMFqn7eyE4-M_hi7Zb7qjVSkfX88eL3RWCA/w640-h480/IMG_1454.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80Qb__RqtSp0gwnKxa_HsfC-aJuD3RlqP_IsLw7Jq3anrTCaYSHYLjxGt4qD54UcTkgTokdW3Mpu9OBqoVAlxx_zqCC6GHdj2Onk8KaGHEASysRYr6jbmUtd_t9fnemj7bi2u17kc1u_yUchrEnI0J_bR3KbhKtns32mcVLrKuJXtuoxmuumTiw/s4032/IMG_1455.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80Qb__RqtSp0gwnKxa_HsfC-aJuD3RlqP_IsLw7Jq3anrTCaYSHYLjxGt4qD54UcTkgTokdW3Mpu9OBqoVAlxx_zqCC6GHdj2Onk8KaGHEASysRYr6jbmUtd_t9fnemj7bi2u17kc1u_yUchrEnI0J_bR3KbhKtns32mcVLrKuJXtuoxmuumTiw/w480-h640/IMG_1455.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrJSnia5eXpV7fFL0BNRDJbnX9AttSuid1HpBUKpMUlcC_R8pnPQ2uka5Kv_ylu7TnGo_hqxt5kZ7BhIj8FGr4UyYcSCUlpsNk_DctFs-KHUytHSFIHZKsdW8RdbR5HK0YQpVm1A6omAA-0PZ2pHn8M6gUizBrWSceDTur0TrKH8DePRfY7iOjg/s4032/IMG_1457.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbrJSnia5eXpV7fFL0BNRDJbnX9AttSuid1HpBUKpMUlcC_R8pnPQ2uka5Kv_ylu7TnGo_hqxt5kZ7BhIj8FGr4UyYcSCUlpsNk_DctFs-KHUytHSFIHZKsdW8RdbR5HK0YQpVm1A6omAA-0PZ2pHn8M6gUizBrWSceDTur0TrKH8DePRfY7iOjg/w480-h640/IMG_1457.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeFhpSYcARTmYSOQh2eYc8EaTLzOTt_0EID8DBjsIf_bLa7dBFGLX9M5ESghXVRkMdhcp4CZeY39n_quJgqVeCMPKc5Es8avr75hguiYeXoEWQr_BzXZ-87MNAzV5iVMljr2kF_RxYAwhg-wyybA8gQSl64wj26ozKMSRFZrcJ2-ap2DLNFRK4g/s4032/IMG_1468.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeFhpSYcARTmYSOQh2eYc8EaTLzOTt_0EID8DBjsIf_bLa7dBFGLX9M5ESghXVRkMdhcp4CZeY39n_quJgqVeCMPKc5Es8avr75hguiYeXoEWQr_BzXZ-87MNAzV5iVMljr2kF_RxYAwhg-wyybA8gQSl64wj26ozKMSRFZrcJ2-ap2DLNFRK4g/w480-h640/IMG_1468.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVM4d2qIuxD26t17d0tWuCtb2AKTINdLgRkdxamq9zwR9G1-3FDcyrvCotF7IKpEyXWzCihSFsJlf570k2K5GTuRV2Xt7DvYxfzCQVT8Ak7hHLGSB6kaqBDLDUIPfOYBx7muC0O5FRzYK8C_hNYlv_Zc7LP0KqZk5Q45bj9VAxiSMYsRGybzXjg/s4032/IMG_1469.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVM4d2qIuxD26t17d0tWuCtb2AKTINdLgRkdxamq9zwR9G1-3FDcyrvCotF7IKpEyXWzCihSFsJlf570k2K5GTuRV2Xt7DvYxfzCQVT8Ak7hHLGSB6kaqBDLDUIPfOYBx7muC0O5FRzYK8C_hNYlv_Zc7LP0KqZk5Q45bj9VAxiSMYsRGybzXjg/w480-h640/IMG_1469.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMZPFlj5gAHYmW8Rh46XFtxZeiWzVFIHwmQBRfV6zUaEyTyuC9_gvHUjfUaEhBYabvW4QN8JWDVYib6vtyODj0836jiqyob1ovOtM4rS3oOCrBYGcjK1rC5WXjopkMvux8Q4FP-vrNa2AheryUFUPfyYUAlmVV3v6DuxpXac2f4VF6hIdNT8Ycg/s4032/IMG_1472.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFMZPFlj5gAHYmW8Rh46XFtxZeiWzVFIHwmQBRfV6zUaEyTyuC9_gvHUjfUaEhBYabvW4QN8JWDVYib6vtyODj0836jiqyob1ovOtM4rS3oOCrBYGcjK1rC5WXjopkMvux8Q4FP-vrNa2AheryUFUPfyYUAlmVV3v6DuxpXac2f4VF6hIdNT8Ycg/w480-h640/IMG_1472.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzx39KpzLJKiUknulBvtOSU45kcL_vMYfQ1jU4sIIJ74n55LOeZIImYsmKpsM4L-xtgKLMO4AZL3riU6jgEDtrmDNO5ybQ94iiTulPr_A920rKJZQy7m9IEGuDQdxcQuML7ssh9HGCBfjnguEdhizdz0rk5HyoK-_F9LDJlP-4ShrnAK5rQlWxA/s4032/IMG_1476.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzx39KpzLJKiUknulBvtOSU45kcL_vMYfQ1jU4sIIJ74n55LOeZIImYsmKpsM4L-xtgKLMO4AZL3riU6jgEDtrmDNO5ybQ94iiTulPr_A920rKJZQy7m9IEGuDQdxcQuML7ssh9HGCBfjnguEdhizdz0rk5HyoK-_F9LDJlP-4ShrnAK5rQlWxA/w640-h480/IMG_1476.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79rsRhKjkiMJW24wZ1tktdaSAUdkl8vaxVtfwaC5xyhBPFLAyuxmfBKefDprVEvR6nchYpVcD9TAivk_lRKHQBx957ZUbmQ-tIzhlH0Ep83T4FUGD2WHMrlEgdU75fqCiMnvs5gtey0NUDi03PhyPZ3qPjA6if-gxtLo78b5ubLjLKYZqfHgg5A/s4032/IMG_1478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79rsRhKjkiMJW24wZ1tktdaSAUdkl8vaxVtfwaC5xyhBPFLAyuxmfBKefDprVEvR6nchYpVcD9TAivk_lRKHQBx957ZUbmQ-tIzhlH0Ep83T4FUGD2WHMrlEgdU75fqCiMnvs5gtey0NUDi03PhyPZ3qPjA6if-gxtLo78b5ubLjLKYZqfHgg5A/w640-h480/IMG_1478.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's at this point that we made quite possibly one of our worst parenting decisions ever. Somehow Mason ended up with a 23 jersey. I can remember feeling sick to my stomach that day. I like even numbers. The only odd numbers I like are multiples of five. I was never thrilled that Mason would graduate class of '23. A few weeks after we got back home, I connected some dots. A 23 jersey . . . class of '23. And I'm okay with it. Actually, I'm pretty glad about it now. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We took the subway back to downtown, and it was time for lunch. We had Chicago pizza the day before. Now it was time for a Chicago hotdog. We went to the iconic Portillo's. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg8nS_UmfvuGzWs7h7meEnf26uxnzpWhLrIHU_1PsMYipoMXgw1WUTrIbcu1a2glI_Y643EfEZG3qWTuRI_PwqmRlT6deu6KdhlqTo09Nmv8-yUuImq-d3dmtWlKj5ckTF8uPCug3Z47azjYexkkhTKb-WMZ9fisr4hjmY4vETT-A9BCkOFp6IA/s4032/IMG_1488.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXg8nS_UmfvuGzWs7h7meEnf26uxnzpWhLrIHU_1PsMYipoMXgw1WUTrIbcu1a2glI_Y643EfEZG3qWTuRI_PwqmRlT6deu6KdhlqTo09Nmv8-yUuImq-d3dmtWlKj5ckTF8uPCug3Z47azjYexkkhTKb-WMZ9fisr4hjmY4vETT-A9BCkOFp6IA/w640-h480/IMG_1488.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not a hotdog fan (or a fan of any meat for that matter). But a Chicago dog? Yes, please! It's like a salad on top. And the onion rings!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJwLWNCf3dDQxJAOELKyB2nFFhK4h49UNXdnuHn4xLjY3_vY6MkK981d4IAnJdvYWJxRGcNq-NlFss4PP87_CouLWTbboM2F9tmUWibnTg25FvYWslYUEhZOtWF09P0QjdAkUhQPj-YNkmE4ernicAwlzP1QY0_OKN3_jlFdOo-X9L9Mw9PhIPg/s4032/IMG_1482.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJwLWNCf3dDQxJAOELKyB2nFFhK4h49UNXdnuHn4xLjY3_vY6MkK981d4IAnJdvYWJxRGcNq-NlFss4PP87_CouLWTbboM2F9tmUWibnTg25FvYWslYUEhZOtWF09P0QjdAkUhQPj-YNkmE4ernicAwlzP1QY0_OKN3_jlFdOo-X9L9Mw9PhIPg/w640-h480/IMG_1482.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtl-NgGEW45DJ5GZswQuny6rcSx-RK3RbFYjkso5xuRyiwD9lNPx2nlq4027_8-nnG2ElvLCO8Dr-r9ZDa77P_DDdVogFtBrik-ZEW-0RfDiENrTXNHTT7inboHSaZL_KumbfuV6ynom8wjr6FSka0y-8xS9rSqnCcg12B-JsMHamJi-g6yJDejw/s4032/IMG_1487.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtl-NgGEW45DJ5GZswQuny6rcSx-RK3RbFYjkso5xuRyiwD9lNPx2nlq4027_8-nnG2ElvLCO8Dr-r9ZDa77P_DDdVogFtBrik-ZEW-0RfDiENrTXNHTT7inboHSaZL_KumbfuV6ynom8wjr6FSka0y-8xS9rSqnCcg12B-JsMHamJi-g6yJDejw/w640-h480/IMG_1487.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I knew that by this point we'd need a break from so much walking so I had already scheduled an architecture river cruise on the Chicago River. None of us care about architecture, but the cruise was so very interesting and gave great views of the city. But let's be honest. It was nice to sit down for awhile.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyjqsrDslaKsOTOhba9LzmBa8pT9M4VP3-UPtj-HIg76Y6Un7svinPSyf5I2WdV_Mxxe_G33hvTIj1hc5H8rgJtgAcZYywxZHMo_fgvtLLeF2dKOsb4th0ylE7fLGJgNMU8dVxJLpkal15JXtvYBNDqzE9KngbawxBgwjVmY1lyHGG3ev4I2fkw/s4032/IMG_1506.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyjqsrDslaKsOTOhba9LzmBa8pT9M4VP3-UPtj-HIg76Y6Un7svinPSyf5I2WdV_Mxxe_G33hvTIj1hc5H8rgJtgAcZYywxZHMo_fgvtLLeF2dKOsb4th0ylE7fLGJgNMU8dVxJLpkal15JXtvYBNDqzE9KngbawxBgwjVmY1lyHGG3ev4I2fkw/w480-h640/IMG_1506.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pEwbwrU0CE48DrpslS2UQTYXhs6kxgCfU4t4SUS-6n8CBQrnSHL5orvUxKJEGzzIWBqE8ggxPctz9SV-lQnXzku7kJ9sM7ga2CyKCtOTRmxQpWyyJUlipxV1Hzu_MRbxAb73Xs5bp8nGx566qL8-YoFMOdOaoOEvh60_Tap6XS-GPjX8frj57A/s4032/IMG_1502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-pEwbwrU0CE48DrpslS2UQTYXhs6kxgCfU4t4SUS-6n8CBQrnSHL5orvUxKJEGzzIWBqE8ggxPctz9SV-lQnXzku7kJ9sM7ga2CyKCtOTRmxQpWyyJUlipxV1Hzu_MRbxAb73Xs5bp8nGx566qL8-YoFMOdOaoOEvh60_Tap6XS-GPjX8frj57A/w640-h480/IMG_1502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC8GfeKfKZF2Ru9AcEXGU35UICL5CkHkDE7BUrg3WJWFsRCpDUw7y_f_R160XZmFksueAgqVOzDF-irSqbAI3I0IomlebqB9rVtcTX99i7UZ9LCkBnFj2lz8iP56jRfe9gYTPbCsMdm38KIVPlzTNZXxChePmeBD0GMAtTOw2tsFdfA3Da43gVQ/s4032/IMG_1497.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC8GfeKfKZF2Ru9AcEXGU35UICL5CkHkDE7BUrg3WJWFsRCpDUw7y_f_R160XZmFksueAgqVOzDF-irSqbAI3I0IomlebqB9rVtcTX99i7UZ9LCkBnFj2lz8iP56jRfe9gYTPbCsMdm38KIVPlzTNZXxChePmeBD0GMAtTOw2tsFdfA3Da43gVQ/w640-h480/IMG_1497.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYMs7uDgMR25616vZryLc8Xs6L00m4P5MoeSKBCS--UQaYvFIVSiuEZbAPlEUdAsDAROFjpcyzqIKmD9A8vR5Ht-W7R9BVFODr8_I301V3CX4DCEESJ_YB-rCcG_I_o7ckfAUTE35bBAk2nY36-v82bw6My81Qh9I6x7h26Jsne1ItfQgCVZesQ/s4032/IMG_1496.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYMs7uDgMR25616vZryLc8Xs6L00m4P5MoeSKBCS--UQaYvFIVSiuEZbAPlEUdAsDAROFjpcyzqIKmD9A8vR5Ht-W7R9BVFODr8_I301V3CX4DCEESJ_YB-rCcG_I_o7ckfAUTE35bBAk2nY36-v82bw6My81Qh9I6x7h26Jsne1ItfQgCVZesQ/w480-h640/IMG_1496.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And then it was time for more walking. Again, the river views throughout the city are amazing. The buildings are beautiful. I made sure to pass by the Chicago Theater. I'd love to see a show there. Maybe next time. And it's not just a concrete jungle. There are beautiful flowers all throughout.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T2wu24nG-6cwqk2QbShEGZXMe4eFmeL1wK0W79yviel-acwT78-iV2bbTMr0C3MvDj6s9nwtv5hAWBZPHaMPjV8PukMVMtT7eMGTr7Vr7fg791-Iflb2pyhAZHrzMr5r_wdfSTW2k9mfk7n83R9O6_AQmCM-EZoq2wDHIsTGPfAwTvpJ5AElIw/s4032/IMG_1532.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9T2wu24nG-6cwqk2QbShEGZXMe4eFmeL1wK0W79yviel-acwT78-iV2bbTMr0C3MvDj6s9nwtv5hAWBZPHaMPjV8PukMVMtT7eMGTr7Vr7fg791-Iflb2pyhAZHrzMr5r_wdfSTW2k9mfk7n83R9O6_AQmCM-EZoq2wDHIsTGPfAwTvpJ5AElIw/w480-h640/IMG_1532.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk-BC5OMne32FfFPhhohhEY9cGPBhiIVhO1FdVkL-nCHhREas0fcduPOXBVboSEVRVOuOUmFKkp5wFvH0-yX7USH3rt44XuoPDUSpes0XPsqeLBgNGgVE51SNCe-bUI1flqsIMItsc9XEogVrqQZq-1jGrtp2QfgBnDcy0v3BYr9Uvm3QY4Orbw/s4032/IMG_1531.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtk-BC5OMne32FfFPhhohhEY9cGPBhiIVhO1FdVkL-nCHhREas0fcduPOXBVboSEVRVOuOUmFKkp5wFvH0-yX7USH3rt44XuoPDUSpes0XPsqeLBgNGgVE51SNCe-bUI1flqsIMItsc9XEogVrqQZq-1jGrtp2QfgBnDcy0v3BYr9Uvm3QY4Orbw/w480-h640/IMG_1531.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4fnFEzW6VAPHUtCYudavv1m8XDjPZyMBOWn5TwIj5dcLKkO8R8lqOpyl817Hh3nYpeWpWbTFVkwYC4_J1_Dsl4l9KAEvojpTwRBX4gumpNIPAR07_kNvvBp2z0NEEnO5tO5qu6f7urc8NjSgr4P2YVcDgcSXOECZI2HJK3aRu_VFk8xl1Rp1vQ/s4032/IMG_1517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY4fnFEzW6VAPHUtCYudavv1m8XDjPZyMBOWn5TwIj5dcLKkO8R8lqOpyl817Hh3nYpeWpWbTFVkwYC4_J1_Dsl4l9KAEvojpTwRBX4gumpNIPAR07_kNvvBp2z0NEEnO5tO5qu6f7urc8NjSgr4P2YVcDgcSXOECZI2HJK3aRu_VFk8xl1Rp1vQ/w480-h640/IMG_1517.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDx7Go520giYKVmdUyXLjy0kOcV1LrhQpqQH6Hd8K73B8Sn9uHyQ-FHkHETmJrXl21f8bBAOrV9vgas_8RRGiyYkEccwc_4KJ3dP7o1kAXlNw-14cA0gPysnnTNdGhPs71s4gwydlUpmncMgO4Csm5Kghie3qrDv0GhHsUppbjXbqxCUqJIhvLA/s4032/IMG_1516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDx7Go520giYKVmdUyXLjy0kOcV1LrhQpqQH6Hd8K73B8Sn9uHyQ-FHkHETmJrXl21f8bBAOrV9vgas_8RRGiyYkEccwc_4KJ3dP7o1kAXlNw-14cA0gPysnnTNdGhPs71s4gwydlUpmncMgO4Csm5Kghie3qrDv0GhHsUppbjXbqxCUqJIhvLA/w640-h480/IMG_1516.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0kFSYFPbvvoEa4-aJQYkwsF4sMLMiMycNL21AqAbNaVNsOIRPUlWdRyr_x-yqEc0Njl3YJiS1MKNjrKWGUrhmRnY7YR_T1NOhzyTKFZpZxsb6GAKAB_1TfUF26CNPc1NdIVdj1wV8Q2mKX5TDy12hYxKUMZMNtJxSLj2k6bgpoJAovWdPKwXAw/s4032/IMG_1514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx0kFSYFPbvvoEa4-aJQYkwsF4sMLMiMycNL21AqAbNaVNsOIRPUlWdRyr_x-yqEc0Njl3YJiS1MKNjrKWGUrhmRnY7YR_T1NOhzyTKFZpZxsb6GAKAB_1TfUF26CNPc1NdIVdj1wV8Q2mKX5TDy12hYxKUMZMNtJxSLj2k6bgpoJAovWdPKwXAw/w480-h640/IMG_1514.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And then it was time to eat again. Well, maybe not, but we did anyway. We couldn't decide between the two most recommended pizza places in the city so we decided to go to both. Thus, it was pizza again for supper, this time at Lou Malnati's.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C64GvIHAMNgucErCgLfYOj7Yv5xz0zjcYFKa2Kug5Mhfh7jGB48HDMT5kQFw7ECTio8bwP8VfAV_-D5SgI3Qw3mQ24twDhac4A9bx_I3m0MyUgLyIPpDvHactMaKZPa070cMl5mtS36hjCF9dW7CfQiHIwMLgsMT6-hDUlZp_G6aCRrLFy-ynw/s4032/IMG_1520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1C64GvIHAMNgucErCgLfYOj7Yv5xz0zjcYFKa2Kug5Mhfh7jGB48HDMT5kQFw7ECTio8bwP8VfAV_-D5SgI3Qw3mQ24twDhac4A9bx_I3m0MyUgLyIPpDvHactMaKZPa070cMl5mtS36hjCF9dW7CfQiHIwMLgsMT6-hDUlZp_G6aCRrLFy-ynw/w480-h640/IMG_1520.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>After supper was, yep, more walking. I really wanted to see the Chicago Water Tower. It was one of the only structures to survive the great Chicago fire of 1871. The entire area around it burned to the ground.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcXPFXaRKu7ETicrOo76EZN_jYa-5u6XlBYbRN2FVr5B_X5MP7RXEjG9rKbbUel1mMmoPGToFczWvYNfFKxHvTvInPZRT_dCWqm6tGfbQ11gdq4qrJEb-ZJHLoJUaAI-2qFCYdoyi9rERuRYdncZ_upkLWus_i044nbG8OCTJpexVMp5pYU6D6A/s4032/IMG_1529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYcXPFXaRKu7ETicrOo76EZN_jYa-5u6XlBYbRN2FVr5B_X5MP7RXEjG9rKbbUel1mMmoPGToFczWvYNfFKxHvTvInPZRT_dCWqm6tGfbQ11gdq4qrJEb-ZJHLoJUaAI-2qFCYdoyi9rERuRYdncZ_upkLWus_i044nbG8OCTJpexVMp5pYU6D6A/w480-h640/IMG_1529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpddPOLzh5qSnspVbkpPJopO2ZWGu-wErxrtDupyxUACb6QmUIWNUB37ZHpnvwCVqkWrXKkzbItqW5U_y-5ky6PCdfTt36ZF6E7Be2JPcHGpDxllYym9CiFBoWO4k6KJGMgAeaPTs5PYCQoS-wiSHwda9gkk589Dskq5SVlI8MjWSK20jg6gtuKg/s4032/IMG_1525.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpddPOLzh5qSnspVbkpPJopO2ZWGu-wErxrtDupyxUACb6QmUIWNUB37ZHpnvwCVqkWrXKkzbItqW5U_y-5ky6PCdfTt36ZF6E7Be2JPcHGpDxllYym9CiFBoWO4k6KJGMgAeaPTs5PYCQoS-wiSHwda9gkk589Dskq5SVlI8MjWSK20jg6gtuKg/w640-h480/IMG_1525.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSBtbQIOjLDYRZ4peTnhRg5GSi3EcPgx_2GjFFKioGujr1gf_Mpgg_VTxia5NLT0BsnrZsMKnNmnCbYKqYmHIahyCdIAyEc2KSrLOCtJ6DurUvlR4_6fvVUu8xkmYrR5GA7zzkPXH1hdYpnXcBpbAmNQPqTgAfn_lZpZS_Sa5Zi2lHjAvZYvC6g/s4032/IMG_1524.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSBtbQIOjLDYRZ4peTnhRg5GSi3EcPgx_2GjFFKioGujr1gf_Mpgg_VTxia5NLT0BsnrZsMKnNmnCbYKqYmHIahyCdIAyEc2KSrLOCtJ6DurUvlR4_6fvVUu8xkmYrR5GA7zzkPXH1hdYpnXcBpbAmNQPqTgAfn_lZpZS_Sa5Zi2lHjAvZYvC6g/w640-h480/IMG_1524.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We strolled back to the hotel and woke up the next morning to begin the long drive back home. But we had one more stop. St. Louis. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMIausNRSicuXKWUkx_taIj0oQVpTOWwFfVizN2cHPMbdLXLeESJTuuciNZlerTiRnyOAZtLbNdHl0IQGYyYM7EDY2GNN6P_Uwg-Hsps4MtTbZwUOvJJ711JbUsDAoFr3OzgnLk37Ai5kOXm4GI-MzHn0cH07SVDbtHb0vU2UxV-_hZp_tIMr0g/s4032/IMG_1536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMIausNRSicuXKWUkx_taIj0oQVpTOWwFfVizN2cHPMbdLXLeESJTuuciNZlerTiRnyOAZtLbNdHl0IQGYyYM7EDY2GNN6P_Uwg-Hsps4MtTbZwUOvJJ711JbUsDAoFr3OzgnLk37Ai5kOXm4GI-MzHn0cH07SVDbtHb0vU2UxV-_hZp_tIMr0g/w640-h480/IMG_1536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm not sure what I was expecting, but we very quickly decided we didn't want to spend any more time in this city than we had to. We came. We saw. We left. I'm so glad we did though. This was another bucket list item we got to check off.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDVcvdHlH1TnTrwe9G3Z1-spYrFdQFHZ7bgenbibWHvjbOv6A4-ElrXJKTayyfwxUlq5YnSQ8JwIK_IoM4-DpFPCL7r3fPLasak081giHUyCU4KDr9f4Y6z61aB1xNYXiESbjw4u0SE6WbCwOIZzx7OpJU8tzmX7YVG0xLTUUHzFxeH8cJ56GRQ/s4032/IMG_1548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaDVcvdHlH1TnTrwe9G3Z1-spYrFdQFHZ7bgenbibWHvjbOv6A4-ElrXJKTayyfwxUlq5YnSQ8JwIK_IoM4-DpFPCL7r3fPLasak081giHUyCU4KDr9f4Y6z61aB1xNYXiESbjw4u0SE6WbCwOIZzx7OpJU8tzmX7YVG0xLTUUHzFxeH8cJ56GRQ/w640-h480/IMG_1548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDe5lj--FVq0-isCCZlLHdeQOjkbTk7pgAzTfqZ3ScI5TVfmgbHde3d2bW-vUJAW5luW2H0sE0oQb9hVhnM2HfXAMLw8mhr6yH1851ppEWUgoLZF4Hv8tX5bqq51CHj3tV3D0JsYC0GV4hfDx-nCo_uLolqh7OMk-TskAzQVXZlSpOtu7crD3eg/s4032/IMG_1544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDe5lj--FVq0-isCCZlLHdeQOjkbTk7pgAzTfqZ3ScI5TVfmgbHde3d2bW-vUJAW5luW2H0sE0oQb9hVhnM2HfXAMLw8mhr6yH1851ppEWUgoLZF4Hv8tX5bqq51CHj3tV3D0JsYC0GV4hfDx-nCo_uLolqh7OMk-TskAzQVXZlSpOtu7crD3eg/w480-h640/IMG_1544.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIloRPdk-vT4YLPzqKusE4KlHGdwVNQRObon6Zjj_IvL0vMM5YQGyZBgRdfd6NHMMIEmIoS0joPrHPUix32NoG3ySBm_ogtehhXUAMEkkmBkN9dCrQM4AsteVg1n3DFzodBqUAEgS59z2PpiLFnQf6m2NIV0TxsYzZP1v94FFSyx0ZH-KfRUgXg/s4032/IMG_1538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyIloRPdk-vT4YLPzqKusE4KlHGdwVNQRObon6Zjj_IvL0vMM5YQGyZBgRdfd6NHMMIEmIoS0joPrHPUix32NoG3ySBm_ogtehhXUAMEkkmBkN9dCrQM4AsteVg1n3DFzodBqUAEgS59z2PpiLFnQf6m2NIV0TxsYzZP1v94FFSyx0ZH-KfRUgXg/w640-h480/IMG_1538.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I said from the very beginning that I wasn't sure how our "tour of cities" vacation would go. I think my people were glad to get back to the country. But they enjoyed the city and have already asked to go back. This summer road trip was definitely one to remember. It was better than I imagined it would be!<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All said and done, we walked over 47,000 steps in Chicago and almost 20 miles. We drove over 2,500 miles the entire road trip.</div></div></div></span></div>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-84096548381585547262023-04-23T20:38:00.000-06:002023-04-23T20:38:39.451-06:00Summer Road Trip 2022 | Part 3: Chicago Day 1<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We spent the next two days in the Windy City. Chicago had been on my list for a long time. I wasn't sure about this part of the trip. It took a lot for me to convince my people that we should spend our vacation time in a big city. They aren't exactly city people. We've always gone to the beach, mountains and national parks, but I've never taken them to a big city (besides the ATL). I loved Chicago, and I hope to go back one day. They actually enjoyed the city, too. It really was a super fun couple of days. We walked and walked and walked and explored as much of the city as we possibly could while we were there.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw-LrKJrxdfWHl8zSuRjmqX2upkIsBy3ul-j6f_kbzE-e1TRDaiPtyd0yqasKQPIKdr8VGmh-JtThx9M5wSmolYiMiMwpU26_eIFuk8tUk3yPwrR3Ng-VzPmXjalyYng4mbOzEcpObktCUM9XcIDXkCV2SFhEknhDuFWJnRn5thJAQKz3gMw/s4032/IMG_1348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaw-LrKJrxdfWHl8zSuRjmqX2upkIsBy3ul-j6f_kbzE-e1TRDaiPtyd0yqasKQPIKdr8VGmh-JtThx9M5wSmolYiMiMwpU26_eIFuk8tUk3yPwrR3Ng-VzPmXjalyYng4mbOzEcpObktCUM9XcIDXkCV2SFhEknhDuFWJnRn5thJAQKz3gMw/w640-h480/IMG_1348.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our first full day began with a walk from our hotel down Mag Mile to Millennium Park. Chicago is a beautiful city with lots of eye candy to enjoy.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP9j1GJqfmJhzOytcAWPGzlXuc32F2KL8ylI59ReAdPLlIaBtDhGUjxX2EGsqSmHEgRNFrNVqM5b2LgjW2LbYYcyi41XzM8KfSLcPcdOU7pBZtXyT69UKtdHYx0HloUCWEDPy19GP0JPUu_HrbUyX0znEJk9NIQ07spO54LUEBBZ31wrTJr0/s4032/IMG_1295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP9j1GJqfmJhzOytcAWPGzlXuc32F2KL8ylI59ReAdPLlIaBtDhGUjxX2EGsqSmHEgRNFrNVqM5b2LgjW2LbYYcyi41XzM8KfSLcPcdOU7pBZtXyT69UKtdHYx0HloUCWEDPy19GP0JPUu_HrbUyX0znEJk9NIQ07spO54LUEBBZ31wrTJr0/w640-h480/IMG_1295.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zPERamn8uCmLJeD-XzEEw4sI_bLM4IuqavJJ_N6QfSlcC9pgdh6sPeCgBwLczkF_R3VxZCEV7Airi2uquljuhfdQsXL3dEtoMm5TQ13VIiF-mLa5hMZHHn5ap0utrVQpqQzoThVde-hoQ0uSPy_eBGinzLCLW3FA3NNEv1p0ZwqW44yLJiA/s4032/IMG_1297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zPERamn8uCmLJeD-XzEEw4sI_bLM4IuqavJJ_N6QfSlcC9pgdh6sPeCgBwLczkF_R3VxZCEV7Airi2uquljuhfdQsXL3dEtoMm5TQ13VIiF-mLa5hMZHHn5ap0utrVQpqQzoThVde-hoQ0uSPy_eBGinzLCLW3FA3NNEv1p0ZwqW44yLJiA/w480-h640/IMG_1297.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1ELQNYKskH7nUakOs56UoxLDD7Y11OfNobNy3YjO9i3S-SYwQl1muv4AoXAUA8dNkSyL88mklpF7lVacb9i3fr3AWN6yqgE3l4kJulCCuWVEWtsXRP6IBCIkkOUHPgqZeD_IvIMgqrjIkWXpss9HMsntbV6gRq8fYxn3-HN8q9c2kVyNMks/s4032/IMG_1298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1ELQNYKskH7nUakOs56UoxLDD7Y11OfNobNy3YjO9i3S-SYwQl1muv4AoXAUA8dNkSyL88mklpF7lVacb9i3fr3AWN6yqgE3l4kJulCCuWVEWtsXRP6IBCIkkOUHPgqZeD_IvIMgqrjIkWXpss9HMsntbV6gRq8fYxn3-HN8q9c2kVyNMks/w480-h640/IMG_1298.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWYNox7k2uKMOXx8FgdRpL6YrVQm8hhXdx10hznRuKAZxIp7kDdhZVcf3mJVUEHoua57bTv2r4W6vnCmZpwE-F7dD2iEB_ZmZcZOWKBI7_4QFOa8oehQIxim_dLyYcOOuhySd4v_XqwcRW8fO5zhPjPXqyFHH8eb7-A3gIrKGQmgVhp9Vxqw/s4032/IMG_1310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWYNox7k2uKMOXx8FgdRpL6YrVQm8hhXdx10hznRuKAZxIp7kDdhZVcf3mJVUEHoua57bTv2r4W6vnCmZpwE-F7dD2iEB_ZmZcZOWKBI7_4QFOa8oehQIxim_dLyYcOOuhySd4v_XqwcRW8fO5zhPjPXqyFHH8eb7-A3gIrKGQmgVhp9Vxqw/w480-h640/IMG_1310.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's the coolest thing that the Chicago River runs through the city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI4nl9VXXTzhbjBwuuROjA8xMetU82OKimn8QhaH75LrJdPLe0UQEM3tj4zmNvxw7mcITFoPHjBfnBubvY_FSsSLWKTnydcCgdg37YJVc2Bi7EWZUqDDfotszqWhjiUc1JrIojHSdLX54VeojxGPicyQwfWkWSd72U-WCo7s4pXyGAfdE7Jk/s4032/IMG_1312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI4nl9VXXTzhbjBwuuROjA8xMetU82OKimn8QhaH75LrJdPLe0UQEM3tj4zmNvxw7mcITFoPHjBfnBubvY_FSsSLWKTnydcCgdg37YJVc2Bi7EWZUqDDfotszqWhjiUc1JrIojHSdLX54VeojxGPicyQwfWkWSd72U-WCo7s4pXyGAfdE7Jk/w640-h480/IMG_1312.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We spent awhile exploring Millennium Park.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAn6FyOuEEnl3hu-Oq00tV0ZhiTTgy4rQdAy777frsMHjSNWCJEWSG6Qvi9W0siipWGaPr1S7KIRPUS--cRp0URqnjr56h4_F5KTJ1EkDyBWlV9JJkKiFdHOZTpcCNO7_yn9jgNJXz2bzT8BZNi88Dh1DVUKctoamT_YhQmkbnzZkeEtSlKSU/s4032/IMG_1330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAn6FyOuEEnl3hu-Oq00tV0ZhiTTgy4rQdAy777frsMHjSNWCJEWSG6Qvi9W0siipWGaPr1S7KIRPUS--cRp0URqnjr56h4_F5KTJ1EkDyBWlV9JJkKiFdHOZTpcCNO7_yn9jgNJXz2bzT8BZNi88Dh1DVUKctoamT_YhQmkbnzZkeEtSlKSU/w640-h480/IMG_1330.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The Cloud Gate sculpture, or the bean, is fascinating. I'm not a big fan of selfies, but sometimes you just don't have a choice.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj408VRJ4QPmzENgPm4xgH8r3jOZ9PEzJKDP58l_jGY-O3ji5SZ4b3fHGxQBSC-FJa1F9ZGCRdn0PZdGMfW8q3oZsDUhyoD1-P_Z0Q_kJ7FnnBhikx5r44l89K_SsmoXxF0yY8jVjNWwizT7j-epVsmRZqzGYqHUq73nEr_83_LCtu9yHSJdKY/s4032/IMG_1321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj408VRJ4QPmzENgPm4xgH8r3jOZ9PEzJKDP58l_jGY-O3ji5SZ4b3fHGxQBSC-FJa1F9ZGCRdn0PZdGMfW8q3oZsDUhyoD1-P_Z0Q_kJ7FnnBhikx5r44l89K_SsmoXxF0yY8jVjNWwizT7j-epVsmRZqzGYqHUq73nEr_83_LCtu9yHSJdKY/w640-h480/IMG_1321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtnilFwEfTYh6lnMlI2l91b8c1y6K19AhYeZ1BjDxwUt5ZU_OydeX00Z7dHtcHCzTE_36pdOS1uTsC5zQAsaTldiMTd08bZ3qIREG_2VA7zcn5XcAto_Omln2qUZEFW7n6sMlMb5LDf1yq8BTvd5LLrqOm6QQobthWv9f-sYht-9qltClTQM/s4032/IMG_1319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtnilFwEfTYh6lnMlI2l91b8c1y6K19AhYeZ1BjDxwUt5ZU_OydeX00Z7dHtcHCzTE_36pdOS1uTsC5zQAsaTldiMTd08bZ3qIREG_2VA7zcn5XcAto_Omln2qUZEFW7n6sMlMb5LDf1yq8BTvd5LLrqOm6QQobthWv9f-sYht-9qltClTQM/w640-h480/IMG_1319.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NjkiUT8slTiASXivhvY7SpOYKogeJyqSh8pIy_n50ckXHfTsrbVV_LUOTiliYLgioooKWECe8397cReaJE5UiWtQeE9X4GwVNMq1ZnYnM2uFsY1ZSODiGJiBHypbEsJdlniYeWmCZ1M9c0i7Gn5kmzYDNDNAPZqsvehS3ueOqJY0TD8_rZQ/s4032/IMG_1317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NjkiUT8slTiASXivhvY7SpOYKogeJyqSh8pIy_n50ckXHfTsrbVV_LUOTiliYLgioooKWECe8397cReaJE5UiWtQeE9X4GwVNMq1ZnYnM2uFsY1ZSODiGJiBHypbEsJdlniYeWmCZ1M9c0i7Gn5kmzYDNDNAPZqsvehS3ueOqJY0TD8_rZQ/w640-h480/IMG_1317.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>And, of course, it was a hoot watching the Crown Fountain and waiting on it to spit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOaW_8vIagmrMeygWqgRx9PvNbPVegGZqDbr0QpygBeqvKag8cTegIuoubOX0iyU1yjhUXR0LUJWaqLjQPxOFqK4g_Hesh2TyJXhv8gYBHqt05fpDXEAL1b1Nbj3VUGryRqPYVzTqwuUMekq32kkFgUdl9e_aLCbqTrnhYVyitsPufCJAPMk/s4032/IMG_1332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOaW_8vIagmrMeygWqgRx9PvNbPVegGZqDbr0QpygBeqvKag8cTegIuoubOX0iyU1yjhUXR0LUJWaqLjQPxOFqK4g_Hesh2TyJXhv8gYBHqt05fpDXEAL1b1Nbj3VUGryRqPYVzTqwuUMekq32kkFgUdl9e_aLCbqTrnhYVyitsPufCJAPMk/w480-h640/IMG_1332.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilszrX4Hr4L6P2TpV9nyNxkLt2LRq7TWIUodEO3nTB4IJ54roIXUWjZRpCIMznnnMPrkFB9nCtBsLup5xL8Os-XuQFVaC26AIvQaQ_gP-lS4vYw9tjI6Gf903uaiMXpwiQhQlfmgv65Td98FTVxE41qwRr-LtARz3UouYMFN83IHq0Qm_JuEQ/s4032/IMG_1334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilszrX4Hr4L6P2TpV9nyNxkLt2LRq7TWIUodEO3nTB4IJ54roIXUWjZRpCIMznnnMPrkFB9nCtBsLup5xL8Os-XuQFVaC26AIvQaQ_gP-lS4vYw9tjI6Gf903uaiMXpwiQhQlfmgv65Td98FTVxE41qwRr-LtARz3UouYMFN83IHq0Qm_JuEQ/w480-h640/IMG_1334.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2r2JR8tI3WQWhSATbmdiFKxTGlwqniMLrT_FfkvqZrpw9PWH5PgusGvdTTHp9kN8-VWzDOyU67fNDdceJjuPccNHLfs8L79RaEIQLDn4TRCcOvA0lLWXbgOp8wgusVu6HTyjn1KUCJ_Rodqa4bPVydnfFql-sRbAFsPHBkmvk5N66j2uRuf8/s4032/IMG_1343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2r2JR8tI3WQWhSATbmdiFKxTGlwqniMLrT_FfkvqZrpw9PWH5PgusGvdTTHp9kN8-VWzDOyU67fNDdceJjuPccNHLfs8L79RaEIQLDn4TRCcOvA0lLWXbgOp8wgusVu6HTyjn1KUCJ_Rodqa4bPVydnfFql-sRbAFsPHBkmvk5N66j2uRuf8/w480-h640/IMG_1343.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Then we walked some more. There are so many beautiful buildings in Chicago, including the Public Library of the City of Chicago . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjil1rHMrtQLeBBePh-2bvVwCe5cFKPF3J-wqJ32mbhAjmWUCwnpfgx8aywBgtHAFcfz3egvN4XiXwDdXe7btmQy4HsloXsJKvE4YlveMk8SsbwmGSPAGIc40EUd4RJ2VtXnXup5V5lAKlXOagByyrYj4xYtniaeINoTedcgFn91hI2IqjQFgc/s4032/IMG_1315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjil1rHMrtQLeBBePh-2bvVwCe5cFKPF3J-wqJ32mbhAjmWUCwnpfgx8aywBgtHAFcfz3egvN4XiXwDdXe7btmQy4HsloXsJKvE4YlveMk8SsbwmGSPAGIc40EUd4RJ2VtXnXup5V5lAKlXOagByyrYj4xYtniaeINoTedcgFn91hI2IqjQFgc/w640-h480/IMG_1315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>and The Art Institute of Chicago. We didn't go inside because I knew my people wouldn't appreciate that, but it's on my list for the next trip.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC_qF3SBx0FcOCzUjjkuvwgEzEagELtouqzDhh41_K79YFP7M6P87N62IXMI4e6VNFDFTrXFuhNINn-WgurXAlma02jAn_TZ9YZkSmxz7r4SGDw2G6CY0SXo6sP5gUsSKpFdWJ0Pl37wTwSXpzDVCVd9M_p8GuhFc4f1_2q6KZkI0ZITz9k0/s4032/IMG_1344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC_qF3SBx0FcOCzUjjkuvwgEzEagELtouqzDhh41_K79YFP7M6P87N62IXMI4e6VNFDFTrXFuhNINn-WgurXAlma02jAn_TZ9YZkSmxz7r4SGDw2G6CY0SXo6sP5gUsSKpFdWJ0Pl37wTwSXpzDVCVd9M_p8GuhFc4f1_2q6KZkI0ZITz9k0/w640-h480/IMG_1344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our next stop was the Willis Tower. I've always known it as the Sears Tower. It was the world's tallest building when it opened. We went up to the Skydeck observation deck.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlaK_en0spwpf93HOg6YxBOakafe-RcTMQo4XYei4gTraRoqYacAhlTUVEluIIvtUNF7DnSbRxgRhINtKMjHMycQfJHKZGCIRLOMNGAYZ0kkp8ShnXIz-VymhwnYIbEOz4vVj4Xt9VY3cMOF5XP6lVqVzzOb_wrT4Eg01GE2ml1IPyftbq8Y/s4032/IMG_1347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVlaK_en0spwpf93HOg6YxBOakafe-RcTMQo4XYei4gTraRoqYacAhlTUVEluIIvtUNF7DnSbRxgRhINtKMjHMycQfJHKZGCIRLOMNGAYZ0kkp8ShnXIz-VymhwnYIbEOz4vVj4Xt9VY3cMOF5XP6lVqVzzOb_wrT4Eg01GE2ml1IPyftbq8Y/w480-h640/IMG_1347.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCVjMQZ9VBpxzjLs_claYKQXK9FEfdiEKdfPAxTh-eg2le2SgsEyJ77alawWxK2HKtOKy5THKswEVh2ZLGYN3chp0WdhpvpnxofD_XT6x9n6IaRhT522vng9TMaxgHo8qSnlfxKVOtonL5KQ6HkFwUZOLSxP3FXB1B7krME3tnUaQYH6FSUA/s4032/IMG_1353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCVjMQZ9VBpxzjLs_claYKQXK9FEfdiEKdfPAxTh-eg2le2SgsEyJ77alawWxK2HKtOKy5THKswEVh2ZLGYN3chp0WdhpvpnxofD_XT6x9n6IaRhT522vng9TMaxgHo8qSnlfxKVOtonL5KQ6HkFwUZOLSxP3FXB1B7krME3tnUaQYH6FSUA/w640-h480/IMG_1353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCg3xdcrUf6xtkfW3k-_jmASI8HjOHNjSliGkUc2OXXtzoWwFQv9MeQQupjEW9UKCY2RFpLPUbxG8DxcPzNW4pktqCg7wj7t-dXUOLT4m4mfDxBnh0s2qlOznAAylsqOudOv0bF39JD1Vnja3ZjjlX1vNL_yNMV5PN4494EzpaKTIuoFG1zg/s4032/IMG_1357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdCg3xdcrUf6xtkfW3k-_jmASI8HjOHNjSliGkUc2OXXtzoWwFQv9MeQQupjEW9UKCY2RFpLPUbxG8DxcPzNW4pktqCg7wj7t-dXUOLT4m4mfDxBnh0s2qlOznAAylsqOudOv0bF39JD1Vnja3ZjjlX1vNL_yNMV5PN4494EzpaKTIuoFG1zg/w480-h640/IMG_1357.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOwJHk2RJsKDv3LS8WA4OPs4nMuLKp54K3-1fEBfumbixh9fpwMQTqOUEQ1l66ccWhmIImJNjWnfiOBzCOff1377wXGmWAwZ99t-nvHOjoD-6vBXNwTUilg2bUwIclwSimRK-DDdHvSguUrS7FT6RHBfQddrLhZbcNsM2g4wS2-rcBWc-3CA/s4032/IMG_1371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGOwJHk2RJsKDv3LS8WA4OPs4nMuLKp54K3-1fEBfumbixh9fpwMQTqOUEQ1l66ccWhmIImJNjWnfiOBzCOff1377wXGmWAwZ99t-nvHOjoD-6vBXNwTUilg2bUwIclwSimRK-DDdHvSguUrS7FT6RHBfQddrLhZbcNsM2g4wS2-rcBWc-3CA/w480-h640/IMG_1371.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We left the tower and kept walking. We saw more beautiful buildings, including the Chicago Board of Trade and the Central Standard Building.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEYgol5qVZjfO5FcR1aqseqEp1SomgDpM1EfKnVWjFo8n2EFmKK1Yfim9KJehWGY6B9c8sXiUJlBSIfs_tGlazVX_D9hjFLoEcTNXP-QRU2lwocXraRWDZ7HaMAUFf6QRULCJNTxxChyEVSSd7a8g2YnMsDScoxBwoSGUqQpQDutMEiF4oTs/s4032/IMG_1378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioEYgol5qVZjfO5FcR1aqseqEp1SomgDpM1EfKnVWjFo8n2EFmKK1Yfim9KJehWGY6B9c8sXiUJlBSIfs_tGlazVX_D9hjFLoEcTNXP-QRU2lwocXraRWDZ7HaMAUFf6QRULCJNTxxChyEVSSd7a8g2YnMsDScoxBwoSGUqQpQDutMEiF4oTs/w640-h480/IMG_1378.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We also saw the flamingo sculpture in the Federal Building plaza.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9Fvhs4PUYSLkNXZ2zBv3MDsTiQeHoLUhrnKM7zyN7t9qYFr98h7VmYEF8evE3v9XqtliMI02l3lXTaoffbwtUMPRJQn2cYNfPbuiqk8dJXmWyn0pu8HahzZ6lnbmPHeXtwOhq6GUuaXTD_MnPz9nvG2pSDRMrTnaXWpLihrbbK5TLD1XCPo/s4032/IMG_1379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9Fvhs4PUYSLkNXZ2zBv3MDsTiQeHoLUhrnKM7zyN7t9qYFr98h7VmYEF8evE3v9XqtliMI02l3lXTaoffbwtUMPRJQn2cYNfPbuiqk8dJXmWyn0pu8HahzZ6lnbmPHeXtwOhq6GUuaXTD_MnPz9nvG2pSDRMrTnaXWpLihrbbK5TLD1XCPo/w640-h480/IMG_1379.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our next stop was Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears. I have never seen a football stadium like this one.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw84a5oLGZWTXFieU1Y-5WVNJyZ4CfQqaeiHIqQfUExW48VLsKhtnvhnUFdvVMw9mxJAIG2Q939Q1gh6UHAXurtcmLxm7wUhtWllaCgenynUJQvLCc70f7BYMyrUP6LJdmRT7h1T6QOnRIFpXVz790WFzQCc7OR4vueHuzGud_bmWawh6IiB8/s4032/IMG_1387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw84a5oLGZWTXFieU1Y-5WVNJyZ4CfQqaeiHIqQfUExW48VLsKhtnvhnUFdvVMw9mxJAIG2Q939Q1gh6UHAXurtcmLxm7wUhtWllaCgenynUJQvLCc70f7BYMyrUP6LJdmRT7h1T6QOnRIFpXVz790WFzQCc7OR4vueHuzGud_bmWawh6IiB8/w640-h480/IMG_1387.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd5EQ-QLRMR-8IVPIUFtDfbk0L5gWBE0_LiLOzNhiH438SdEfYL9OtY1HzACZqoDFlgdYw4D5IC3tL3nIMO-KzBSEl3vHFnq4Yyn_PkPepuSj6W0_94cCfcJtjJ9xc-B9CLryMeMiW2p7Jdrasrhv7yz9Ixpc43IfC__9udZDrmdsHHlJkQQ/s4032/IMG_1382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd5EQ-QLRMR-8IVPIUFtDfbk0L5gWBE0_LiLOzNhiH438SdEfYL9OtY1HzACZqoDFlgdYw4D5IC3tL3nIMO-KzBSEl3vHFnq4Yyn_PkPepuSj6W0_94cCfcJtjJ9xc-B9CLryMeMiW2p7Jdrasrhv7yz9Ixpc43IfC__9udZDrmdsHHlJkQQ/w640-h480/IMG_1382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFdK-afjddTsSCZUU92prJAnqyFtisLhqNGSj7HCHjDz8Dzp1veLMsKWj5HDO7G7uXU8kehcNrgjqIPVK57m-5Mv9mVgThKRQs-HFFDSLtWoXjR9zLm8qruCvMnFZnLdVccVkNQ0HnqMKnIUyAXpa1qlWOvdrSNPNriPJTgSXI1kMQIqlOoQ/s4032/IMG_1380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGFdK-afjddTsSCZUU92prJAnqyFtisLhqNGSj7HCHjDz8Dzp1veLMsKWj5HDO7G7uXU8kehcNrgjqIPVK57m-5Mv9mVgThKRQs-HFFDSLtWoXjR9zLm8qruCvMnFZnLdVccVkNQ0HnqMKnIUyAXpa1qlWOvdrSNPNriPJTgSXI1kMQIqlOoQ/w640-h480/IMG_1380.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>By this time, all the people were a bit tired of walking. So we started making our way back towards the hotel. We passed through museum row. I would've absolutely loved to spend some time in these museums, but my people don't really appreciate a museum, and I knew I'd really be pushing my luck. So, next time. Museum row gives you a great spot to look out over the water front and Lake Michigan. So we took our time walking back and really enjoyed the water front area.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe-_k5stVLEFPLoA4jIzZVjCzXs5hn-xs8TtsPxMJwYhgRIBhwAFGq2kf7d-hHxxSZcr62reM3yYyIbG-3kXr1k9rjrGunov5pXPtxuDdkree02HEr-5DzSJ6cDBo6fMjyRNYUjMV2Bs_b_ZmT_UAuKfN08lmJLcuriP4nzVnlU1TvTG8c10/s4032/IMG_1393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXe-_k5stVLEFPLoA4jIzZVjCzXs5hn-xs8TtsPxMJwYhgRIBhwAFGq2kf7d-hHxxSZcr62reM3yYyIbG-3kXr1k9rjrGunov5pXPtxuDdkree02HEr-5DzSJ6cDBo6fMjyRNYUjMV2Bs_b_ZmT_UAuKfN08lmJLcuriP4nzVnlU1TvTG8c10/w640-h480/IMG_1393.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FXwYuOq-UvZv_DtZ8aY2jGyfiAcdbdIYkhqbaIp-q27Y5GkA-iRT6B0SaIE0jaBHhUQnVVIWYAOxApiqYb82Jut9pPiTaLRD0Jc_bzMZEfe1-IX3zZL7gqYvCCLBQsDFnDD6JkiFpfCEcKRyd9Mf2xWl7U8LCRIeljYMs0R-2a6HpnIGW2w/s4032/IMG_1390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FXwYuOq-UvZv_DtZ8aY2jGyfiAcdbdIYkhqbaIp-q27Y5GkA-iRT6B0SaIE0jaBHhUQnVVIWYAOxApiqYb82Jut9pPiTaLRD0Jc_bzMZEfe1-IX3zZL7gqYvCCLBQsDFnDD6JkiFpfCEcKRyd9Mf2xWl7U8LCRIeljYMs0R-2a6HpnIGW2w/w640-h480/IMG_1390.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C0VmZN7-H6cTGHEBGNEQXrHYpKqASBgv3OWXSPWX18h0V46Jqy00PurW0EBslS-LRFkLg7vYRVVQOQn9WWjfUEKVYuE5SKXkidKa6rdcnyXyys6TDA8Kx1Tt5S29Ia6ZVApDZRZkCFQM0ii_kQoIDx93K4e6fx7I62eYGIxnZgMcOAahD_I/s4032/IMG_1389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9C0VmZN7-H6cTGHEBGNEQXrHYpKqASBgv3OWXSPWX18h0V46Jqy00PurW0EBslS-LRFkLg7vYRVVQOQn9WWjfUEKVYuE5SKXkidKa6rdcnyXyys6TDA8Kx1Tt5S29Ia6ZVApDZRZkCFQM0ii_kQoIDx93K4e6fx7I62eYGIxnZgMcOAahD_I/w640-h480/IMG_1389.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlj5LMBiLedCBVEWHWgVZvHK9cCESacjvbKZpM1G_9c-Dbdjls8GG4lIcMrrZvPigqgMQL8gvNgO4zU4dDWmZlLDhROhFrVWsFSvTRss-gKECGPKioeipuh2rYW99waB_pvtHQwuasV1lGyV5O-fGqoNDvfKcgQv3vs7PGej1WQycghRoXek/s4032/IMG_1404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlj5LMBiLedCBVEWHWgVZvHK9cCESacjvbKZpM1G_9c-Dbdjls8GG4lIcMrrZvPigqgMQL8gvNgO4zU4dDWmZlLDhROhFrVWsFSvTRss-gKECGPKioeipuh2rYW99waB_pvtHQwuasV1lGyV5O-fGqoNDvfKcgQv3vs7PGej1WQycghRoXek/w640-h480/IMG_1404.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7d6jPCWnd6oL4IlSCZFyIZ2NlAILLNf2XM-T5dKC9ECJ3RbKya2u8Uy3wMPUdA9HgGPx527wEl0bdjOsB6M7-A2ezU5QVP8dJLbA06iJ8LbwwTyP_bmTb8BxUHkycChAsr0bcbimei-3kaWgwO86bRwxCPpWWrj3AvhxkGI2rqGxQkYOgyE/s4032/IMG_1409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7d6jPCWnd6oL4IlSCZFyIZ2NlAILLNf2XM-T5dKC9ECJ3RbKya2u8Uy3wMPUdA9HgGPx527wEl0bdjOsB6M7-A2ezU5QVP8dJLbA06iJ8LbwwTyP_bmTb8BxUHkycChAsr0bcbimei-3kaWgwO86bRwxCPpWWrj3AvhxkGI2rqGxQkYOgyE/w640-h480/IMG_1409.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMwm5ANA_MilEBouFC3rbdlZy0IkrhW3aDE26yoj7bPrJkN5-9SNDmUMWmkYdCnQ9jyRf7bT63KrSGkv4WRun68cyixKkkljMEGwUDa5F-SXp627c8L-NrhQnQTusen2gaIKThhI0pGz40Q1XsQBZf7HTvynldrpH1S-ENceFC050KqZlosI/s4032/IMG_1411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMwm5ANA_MilEBouFC3rbdlZy0IkrhW3aDE26yoj7bPrJkN5-9SNDmUMWmkYdCnQ9jyRf7bT63KrSGkv4WRun68cyixKkkljMEGwUDa5F-SXp627c8L-NrhQnQTusen2gaIKThhI0pGz40Q1XsQBZf7HTvynldrpH1S-ENceFC050KqZlosI/w640-h480/IMG_1411.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUkZuQw-brqYkyugEQIzOUL4dTIkVJGqWO0jA7QjNa-5R_zALRlTkCKdcOXedX01zI3p61T37IY8P2eqn1pSYGfFBAQlCkQBIZp-mxDFduTd908fYd2famCfQKCE3vJJpMQXn0Hp69stZg2dUuN1kJlJrCwUx00BNfb2CbNNRfROO1S8ndls/s4032/IMG_1415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhUkZuQw-brqYkyugEQIzOUL4dTIkVJGqWO0jA7QjNa-5R_zALRlTkCKdcOXedX01zI3p61T37IY8P2eqn1pSYGfFBAQlCkQBIZp-mxDFduTd908fYd2famCfQKCE3vJJpMQXn0Hp69stZg2dUuN1kJlJrCwUx00BNfb2CbNNRfROO1S8ndls/w640-h480/IMG_1415.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">By this time, everyone was starving. We'd spent a lot of time before our trip researching where to eat. When in Chicago, deep dish is a must. We decided to go to Giordano's.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWw34tecj_Ppa0BZ6JEioAxi1nNZ4PnM84WSVBdww-7LQYKnl5b7MnLUVViArNOgd-WPLeYYhHaBT7ndGsJFVaMXf4ioeIdMUJAudvwAJ0h7P0E950iFM7g7vLiHmZDw65dvbCc-78T4F2UF6egxGkF1IZyJzKDG11M4mBk_TW8qoHv3skb4/s4032/IMG_1429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWw34tecj_Ppa0BZ6JEioAxi1nNZ4PnM84WSVBdww-7LQYKnl5b7MnLUVViArNOgd-WPLeYYhHaBT7ndGsJFVaMXf4ioeIdMUJAudvwAJ0h7P0E950iFM7g7vLiHmZDw65dvbCc-78T4F2UF6egxGkF1IZyJzKDG11M4mBk_TW8qoHv3skb4/w640-h480/IMG_1429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vO7wKFclWDncarpirfLsa_II4qvGv75YVbsd0C52aEgUyMgdaTYzeXCL5_4rXkESFb10JWhibDZ0YSkaPI__WwPjQDcoYmU8GZSj01IXd0Cf9X6lMHPuQs12uY3RkfiGwqXGv7DW5v4UF9Nk5Z27NpmJ2Riar6YTowcIoO6z7G6kwxJCp6Q/s4032/IMG_1430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4vO7wKFclWDncarpirfLsa_II4qvGv75YVbsd0C52aEgUyMgdaTYzeXCL5_4rXkESFb10JWhibDZ0YSkaPI__WwPjQDcoYmU8GZSj01IXd0Cf9X6lMHPuQs12uY3RkfiGwqXGv7DW5v4UF9Nk5Z27NpmJ2Riar6YTowcIoO6z7G6kwxJCp6Q/w640-h480/IMG_1430.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was everything I thought it would be and more. I mean, just look at that cheese pull!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhSklMaumW6I6QVHqtBvSgnJ39VGnc431lAu7w3agNjPz2knULKZ-qSgzAhK7z4-zb_Xm69umkjr1G46v1CWqskRlip5x40-15zsf9zvnboQKxJGRGYFGFwZv0uZ2p_I_F9gBDQpYALNYzOZqtPaIdowF3Iuy_5Cr2OSGclRG8qWy79b9e7A/s4032/IMG_1435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhSklMaumW6I6QVHqtBvSgnJ39VGnc431lAu7w3agNjPz2knULKZ-qSgzAhK7z4-zb_Xm69umkjr1G46v1CWqskRlip5x40-15zsf9zvnboQKxJGRGYFGFwZv0uZ2p_I_F9gBDQpYALNYzOZqtPaIdowF3Iuy_5Cr2OSGclRG8qWy79b9e7A/w640-h480/IMG_1435.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36msHDkW3Or8PEMPtGFiQQCqmo1J_vi_zUJWG62JON7GoxW5exiKPbgJcV9-9HjHueFIy5ovFIPikOlfJ_ksEpi2GoqXfTzanuD1MdmG42StzItAqkRZj_LirxXQN7hzlUmYdDzxz182cVHVO0Tsc-RVFz0FgJMReLKE_9wzkPjkPLBmurK0/s4032/IMG_1434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36msHDkW3Or8PEMPtGFiQQCqmo1J_vi_zUJWG62JON7GoxW5exiKPbgJcV9-9HjHueFIy5ovFIPikOlfJ_ksEpi2GoqXfTzanuD1MdmG42StzItAqkRZj_LirxXQN7hzlUmYdDzxz182cVHVO0Tsc-RVFz0FgJMReLKE_9wzkPjkPLBmurK0/w480-h640/IMG_1434.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It was so good. So so good. Last fall Seth found out that one of his vendors was from Chicago. He mentioned how much we enjoyed the pizza at Giordano's. Come Christmas, three deep dish pizzas from Giordano's showed up at our door. We held on to them as long as we could and ate the last one a couple of weeks ago. We've been known to take a road trip just to get the food. We all agree we'd go back to Chicago just for the pizza!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvm1KTqKLXkQQ4pVlLLCH8bK9508irJTwjVLH8dVhP2blowuZt9hrIGHmiRZo_tLg1iL_gWbJRWQGzuGPGLxQFEFimQAm-7664Y4wPaGJ7QR8AIcMKmOPqH5pz56Ul_QtPin-vSc92BqJcw7prpli_mQG3LwI2a0Dt6DiRJGwzzomIMtgot8/s4032/IMG_1442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWvm1KTqKLXkQQ4pVlLLCH8bK9508irJTwjVLH8dVhP2blowuZt9hrIGHmiRZo_tLg1iL_gWbJRWQGzuGPGLxQFEFimQAm-7664Y4wPaGJ7QR8AIcMKmOPqH5pz56Ul_QtPin-vSc92BqJcw7prpli_mQG3LwI2a0Dt6DiRJGwzzomIMtgot8/w640-h480/IMG_1442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After supper we took a slow walk back to the hotel. The view never disappoints no matter where you are.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9azCDLvZuuiH9rw8IGpU1Y57rS3uxRXrQlsm9C2c5xCf3z1eymjMTEcJvXmzQSRAWkzoM-8mE-eFbPQt0jx14bMjfR-3DdTB0eN1Z2VG1MOzOu8J4u9KBHJzOonQogTEIK0R9i2OHJEiGKWpYoUrW0PG4QL2tjN9ibcyvfSuPAoTVVPd_xsU/s4032/IMG_1448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9azCDLvZuuiH9rw8IGpU1Y57rS3uxRXrQlsm9C2c5xCf3z1eymjMTEcJvXmzQSRAWkzoM-8mE-eFbPQt0jx14bMjfR-3DdTB0eN1Z2VG1MOzOu8J4u9KBHJzOonQogTEIK0R9i2OHJEiGKWpYoUrW0PG4QL2tjN9ibcyvfSuPAoTVVPd_xsU/w480-h640/IMG_1448.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI831uD6MTwRaoW4_jWWLzDxRlbeJ-lPH8cZhxQkDyHkFAElUYO_JGR4pFHI1kATbuD8fY_Wi2dyRE6s3oYY3mgeil_uS2qq-j0NzzVLkFNBhDO167_-1w1grbAHPucM52RwTtRhX0h3eoD6MDmIawxFFVqlMR5yM5--ZyOY6uI2M9w2PStY8/s4032/IMG_1446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI831uD6MTwRaoW4_jWWLzDxRlbeJ-lPH8cZhxQkDyHkFAElUYO_JGR4pFHI1kATbuD8fY_Wi2dyRE6s3oYY3mgeil_uS2qq-j0NzzVLkFNBhDO167_-1w1grbAHPucM52RwTtRhX0h3eoD6MDmIawxFFVqlMR5yM5--ZyOY6uI2M9w2PStY8/w480-h640/IMG_1446.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It was such a great day in the Windy City! When it was all said and done, we walked 25,037 steps and nearly 10 miles! We all slept really good that night and woke up the next morning ready to do it again.<br /></div></div></span></div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-57732411983315040952023-04-22T22:48:00.004-06:002023-04-22T22:53:08.907-06:00Summer Road Trip 2022 | Part 2: Oklahoma, Kansas & Iowa<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next morning after Avery's wedding, we drove to Oklahoma. I have two special memories tied to the state, even though I'd never been there. My childhood penpal lives in Oklahoma. We started writing letters back and forth when we were in elementary school and kept up until we both graduated high school. We later reconnected on social media. Although we've still not yet met in person, Kori is a dear friend. The other is Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical, Oklahoma! I have no idea how many times we watched it in Sara Beth's choir class over the years of middle and high school, but it was a lot!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Since we crossed a new-to-us state line, we had to stop at the welcome sign for a picture. They are thrilled every time we do this. Can't you tell?!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjT3nLziKbdyz8fp3DlHrgExWi4MW3IFJQJyfqaGAZZWdmiZzeJGecaPexM4mkQnMVq2QocC-BpL5RMTxvW3zPgqZqwlJwwtpjeJEtSuaNUYgHgxMZWOrFAxMlsNm1pLIk6QuuF7-Plc19bTc4l4aa009Xnuzr9UdTThDPvvaaXivnT8ZHx4/s4032/IMG_1128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjT3nLziKbdyz8fp3DlHrgExWi4MW3IFJQJyfqaGAZZWdmiZzeJGecaPexM4mkQnMVq2QocC-BpL5RMTxvW3zPgqZqwlJwwtpjeJEtSuaNUYgHgxMZWOrFAxMlsNm1pLIk6QuuF7-Plc19bTc4l4aa009Xnuzr9UdTThDPvvaaXivnT8ZHx4/w640-h480/IMG_1128.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ51KbqLFCQvpB_9XHTLKX8vOZsYmn0FrCM8EKC21rVdIVuUeUhA7Oid0z5dmbiB-6rpdGQT6sEFVEl68QNVwWFNsgh1e3KSjySiKXfUBf8NIuFi0R2CV1IBT4v3x_yKPfNgODFiH4QkJTzyzxZUf1Xk_SikON0guFQkANKSM4aTcANc9IAc/s4032/IMG_1135.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ51KbqLFCQvpB_9XHTLKX8vOZsYmn0FrCM8EKC21rVdIVuUeUhA7Oid0z5dmbiB-6rpdGQT6sEFVEl68QNVwWFNsgh1e3KSjySiKXfUBf8NIuFi0R2CV1IBT4v3x_yKPfNgODFiH4QkJTzyzxZUf1Xk_SikON0guFQkANKSM4aTcANc9IAc/w640-h480/IMG_1135.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We spent the rest of the afternoon and evening exploring Oklahoma City. Our first stop was at OKC Riversport. It's an outdoor adventure park with adventure courses, zip lines, kayaking and a man-made white water rafting experience. I'd never seen anything like it before. We did the white water rafting, and everyone really enjoyed it.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">We went to the Skydance Pedestrian Bridge. The design was inspired by Oklahoma's state bird, the scissor-tailed fly catcher. There was also a pretty park in the area with nice views of the city skyline.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPFXs8051UpXahyr8KVIcnDhfuECW2zGnNRBKOY00K5DLy4rnWklwGFC17SDejUYnFVfCPZm09KsVv1-dpoD63ysK_BEe5kqJmRCV9-StliQD3gf3hYND6NuWvPQw_5zFu5XrbPzPEDywiphgNyhNrzRUuwYzm-OE15l_gCi6aFGHbbf5S4k/s4032/IMG_1149.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPFXs8051UpXahyr8KVIcnDhfuECW2zGnNRBKOY00K5DLy4rnWklwGFC17SDejUYnFVfCPZm09KsVv1-dpoD63ysK_BEe5kqJmRCV9-StliQD3gf3hYND6NuWvPQw_5zFu5XrbPzPEDywiphgNyhNrzRUuwYzm-OE15l_gCi6aFGHbbf5S4k/w480-h640/IMG_1149.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTOqQ79DIWFQnntVXIjvsm9xSvcejySi140wqUYEf2SeKmPuVWuY0QWkT-EstKY2qAU9Ojt3HPzPZNI3HhYX_sCP8u5xK1QFvPq4QizToMgNdtW9PtjLOJJWeAQ449g1JKoSZHtfBTaKDZPD1tP3BjdnuCR4jWZKPvxi3ePN-yEOa_31Kmbo/s4032/IMG_1151.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTOqQ79DIWFQnntVXIjvsm9xSvcejySi140wqUYEf2SeKmPuVWuY0QWkT-EstKY2qAU9Ojt3HPzPZNI3HhYX_sCP8u5xK1QFvPq4QizToMgNdtW9PtjLOJJWeAQ449g1JKoSZHtfBTaKDZPD1tP3BjdnuCR4jWZKPvxi3ePN-yEOa_31Kmbo/w480-h640/IMG_1151.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YZT2J0z8YbIGpjs8IzTZJhVdQu_rhgBkJ_1WA7SI2BoCqyBy0E9oPniFcexgbxw_wZgbt5do4LsD7s49OHai3L843JA_08hvITn1kc5if1Cgll5ElK7LzT2oseJL4VKRmhejenKCmSxtdfnActZrLgGtWJCmJzPs4sJcuVDVRKpJuURwpI4/s4032/IMG_1153.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_YZT2J0z8YbIGpjs8IzTZJhVdQu_rhgBkJ_1WA7SI2BoCqyBy0E9oPniFcexgbxw_wZgbt5do4LsD7s49OHai3L843JA_08hvITn1kc5if1Cgll5ElK7LzT2oseJL4VKRmhejenKCmSxtdfnActZrLgGtWJCmJzPs4sJcuVDVRKpJuURwpI4/w480-h640/IMG_1153.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Hk_QiKmslDuhA1UqySZgYZkGW3_8XEGiWveL5WXivPUp3EYOWkSY1Vql_6ARwPB_Dc0hCjJM8WZElXFcWx6CswEpC-OcDsSYIWRyRpCnOmIvxC7l9YlVc4PtNQzv0UCbgBQ0KkWUAkZ-aNt5RxRiTHIoKRbyL3qbxMRUayS7gfVIWHK5yM/s4032/IMG_1155.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-Hk_QiKmslDuhA1UqySZgYZkGW3_8XEGiWveL5WXivPUp3EYOWkSY1Vql_6ARwPB_Dc0hCjJM8WZElXFcWx6CswEpC-OcDsSYIWRyRpCnOmIvxC7l9YlVc4PtNQzv0UCbgBQ0KkWUAkZ-aNt5RxRiTHIoKRbyL3qbxMRUayS7gfVIWHK5yM/w480-h640/IMG_1155.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiQpiHVHG6WSiXulCPhfIt4csO9Ayy69PIr_VGPDfJOKi6gRPKlfN_vOWzwf1045WJJOSuTE0GTD5lrTdMb5mGc3sfbz0qBYHYZI00qHuy7DwCyKYglWBcQChXAmTDaztGezwUfEvVY7L8u5F2zQ02jd26aKimIe9gYEgsgX7Gb8WpAzfLNI/s4032/IMG_1157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiQpiHVHG6WSiXulCPhfIt4csO9Ayy69PIr_VGPDfJOKi6gRPKlfN_vOWzwf1045WJJOSuTE0GTD5lrTdMb5mGc3sfbz0qBYHYZI00qHuy7DwCyKYglWBcQChXAmTDaztGezwUfEvVY7L8u5F2zQ02jd26aKimIe9gYEgsgX7Gb8WpAzfLNI/w480-h640/IMG_1157.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our next stop was the infamous OKC sign and the Wheeler Ferris Wheel. The Ferris wheel used to be located at the Santa Monica Pier before it was moved to Oklahoma City. When in Santa Monica, it was featured in many movies, including "Titanic" and "Forrest Gump."<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoV-q7MjuBMPl8gXa-BfS4aRoe4KKX7COT5lzRVuoT2EHUJFkGJj84bzQ4hrEMjzW2ZNLJ0YmTtArzCpwXQ-7MsuzbbDGACtqkq_lEPspQHS4-UfduuscpRm-Y5-awsa4iuVqGGhDf_rXj8aDXo4lBb-pNNIhnlvnXIkajgBKjUaphO0ayaU/s4032/IMG_1167.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoV-q7MjuBMPl8gXa-BfS4aRoe4KKX7COT5lzRVuoT2EHUJFkGJj84bzQ4hrEMjzW2ZNLJ0YmTtArzCpwXQ-7MsuzbbDGACtqkq_lEPspQHS4-UfduuscpRm-Y5-awsa4iuVqGGhDf_rXj8aDXo4lBb-pNNIhnlvnXIkajgBKjUaphO0ayaU/w640-h480/IMG_1167.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGAg4ZRav0MtwOGKAfmF4ANPUqmJPWQOUOdG8GzZofAwgt3rHa-k5it_zENKzLWHRWbIwcSmpRyhFygk3zOpgfQWMSNV1PBLMExKOg1uhqnWjf8UvRtA4oz0H7_SPBdeeCWZ0Caoz0Tp7QqaqMc92dezMy_jXghi0GpVR_o21NEl1QgBsl2M/s4032/IMG_1161.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqGAg4ZRav0MtwOGKAfmF4ANPUqmJPWQOUOdG8GzZofAwgt3rHa-k5it_zENKzLWHRWbIwcSmpRyhFygk3zOpgfQWMSNV1PBLMExKOg1uhqnWjf8UvRtA4oz0H7_SPBdeeCWZ0Caoz0Tp7QqaqMc92dezMy_jXghi0GpVR_o21NEl1QgBsl2M/w640-h480/IMG_1161.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We were super tired by the end of the day so we went to the Brockton District to eat supper before going to our hotel. Speaking of a hotel, this girl lives her best life in hotels!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZxrZu9u4DdTMLkGN38ofQHiw3QhNNgNO2iN6w1vONCbyYeUcZMTzWq-IObaegPvqHdbVmKapdJlTnd6xv3NJPuECjQIDsjMFDUuMjtuS88D2FdQwhapoHzp8ha3rCwWSVH7zHvIsO7Tbsp8QhLnUKAV5WEipS4vu4KHCTzzHgB5sV_zIpFE/s4032/IMG_1169.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZxrZu9u4DdTMLkGN38ofQHiw3QhNNgNO2iN6w1vONCbyYeUcZMTzWq-IObaegPvqHdbVmKapdJlTnd6xv3NJPuECjQIDsjMFDUuMjtuS88D2FdQwhapoHzp8ha3rCwWSVH7zHvIsO7Tbsp8QhLnUKAV5WEipS4vu4KHCTzzHgB5sV_zIpFE/w640-h480/IMG_1169.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next morning, we visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial before leaving the city. I very clearly remember the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. It's my first clear memory of the horror of domestic terrorism. The memorial is stunning! It is absolutely beautiful, but it's also very somber. It reminded me of my experience a few years ago at the 9/11 Memorial. I really enjoyed our time here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8BMUlu5MsQuwPaT3sZFHnnHISvLe0LW59Z2S9qdUQetOUaor0fW-fQKZtSI415JqI1kuRZWNRHM1EkQm_yxb10se0z-hvLtWH-EEMtv37CJr6INvyvehdtUmtEAQTEMM9TT1-bP6uygFoDUb3Wf81s7Z_NmkSDpcyhpZFG05e98YducPxGI/s4032/IMG_1172.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT8BMUlu5MsQuwPaT3sZFHnnHISvLe0LW59Z2S9qdUQetOUaor0fW-fQKZtSI415JqI1kuRZWNRHM1EkQm_yxb10se0z-hvLtWH-EEMtv37CJr6INvyvehdtUmtEAQTEMM9TT1-bP6uygFoDUb3Wf81s7Z_NmkSDpcyhpZFG05e98YducPxGI/w640-h480/IMG_1172.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are twin bronze gates leading into the memorial grounds. The gates are time-stamped with the last minute of peace, the first minute of destruction and the first moments of recovery. The inscription reads, "We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. May all who leave here know the impact of violence. May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace, hope and serenity."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwBxlZRhJ00k4m8dvxB7kk_V9sRlaBD7Ieb64QaJ3xiGrU84FTxaDXG43afS3R5JgERiSg2PtXs0kCIJM0l7p2MiTSBuPi4pzxWTWxwewcpfyvHUBYpvQhOukc3r38DQQWG__8HJvjCjmHfUK10S0sIUieYLeuWUNxPlT6Bzh1NC1Q2GFmqE/s4032/IMG_1185.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvwBxlZRhJ00k4m8dvxB7kk_V9sRlaBD7Ieb64QaJ3xiGrU84FTxaDXG43afS3R5JgERiSg2PtXs0kCIJM0l7p2MiTSBuPi4pzxWTWxwewcpfyvHUBYpvQhOukc3r38DQQWG__8HJvjCjmHfUK10S0sIUieYLeuWUNxPlT6Bzh1NC1Q2GFmqE/w480-h640/IMG_1185.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHizIVIOFlNsgRA4ixW54H032YK_fuMik6FQHjorRaDqc-xDsC2nbyw2a1JivNCrjkPJoeClU0YoXx6JuMNG2O5LcDTkuVMr3Bf9K6zdTGP421jum94JOzCsLMCvU27g4cCiZO0i0quMZa7u5lQGnOovwTZwj-x89qi33QqSdZdfGlpkwdBMg/s4032/IMG_1199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHizIVIOFlNsgRA4ixW54H032YK_fuMik6FQHjorRaDqc-xDsC2nbyw2a1JivNCrjkPJoeClU0YoXx6JuMNG2O5LcDTkuVMr3Bf9K6zdTGP421jum94JOzCsLMCvU27g4cCiZO0i0quMZa7u5lQGnOovwTZwj-x89qi33QqSdZdfGlpkwdBMg/w480-h640/IMG_1199.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iuu33i6PqGkKychdXpcOOhGSPhNsUJoMMj1MdNZRSOiNPNwmITvvwWKNk23ee7Cc4vpuBFc-KGZpvYKuC59-3GHrZTs1_QNg6MaA8hV24zbzyBvwHU1th7TsBxEKVFVq0dgW9bp0b1o6f1iyqRt7xhcrb9ILNxMQEurJ6AnUzHG7cB7pMkk/s4032/IMG_1187.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8iuu33i6PqGkKychdXpcOOhGSPhNsUJoMMj1MdNZRSOiNPNwmITvvwWKNk23ee7Cc4vpuBFc-KGZpvYKuC59-3GHrZTs1_QNg6MaA8hV24zbzyBvwHU1th7TsBxEKVFVq0dgW9bp0b1o6f1iyqRt7xhcrb9ILNxMQEurJ6AnUzHG7cB7pMkk/w640-h480/IMG_1187.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3IeRxozHYQRSKSwADdfa5Ts4mdZmuSteehV7qdqZVKxSp-jMPTp7VFnXYymzix34LFm48sRdPUXYHfVmKnH7XqfEqDbL0fzR0XLj4Dd6BJFTZ-3SiQUAqMEod4nPCkv6Bc--6AsvjWk_tljCt_fJtPRL72aGu86A7fYlgZ63HBluWZ3Kvsc/s4032/IMG_1174.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3IeRxozHYQRSKSwADdfa5Ts4mdZmuSteehV7qdqZVKxSp-jMPTp7VFnXYymzix34LFm48sRdPUXYHfVmKnH7XqfEqDbL0fzR0XLj4Dd6BJFTZ-3SiQUAqMEod4nPCkv6Bc--6AsvjWk_tljCt_fJtPRL72aGu86A7fYlgZ63HBluWZ3Kvsc/w640-h480/IMG_1174.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The Field of Empty Chairs is definitely the most sobering part of the park. There are 168 empty chairs crafted of glass, bronze and stone. Each one represents a life lost that day, and each name is etched in the glass. The chairs are arranged in nine rows to symbolize the nine floors of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, and each person's chair is on the row/floor they were on when the bomb exploded. There are 19 chairs that are smaller than all the rest. Those were the children.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HPww3X36DRvml0cvaVN0276fnrvktVJQYjigd4B1pum7sKVhQkF9OXAqVwvz6rfjarvTMFVup_Ow8pZFgm0dGeJAS3s0i-1g2wYi0Dz1VCtGzsoQELbCnb3yWA5vR_CqHyWCLOXba9xgQLfzLUrv2nT7tKqAM_R-O6aiYOZgYj3Xk5T01DI/s4032/IMG_1175.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7HPww3X36DRvml0cvaVN0276fnrvktVJQYjigd4B1pum7sKVhQkF9OXAqVwvz6rfjarvTMFVup_Ow8pZFgm0dGeJAS3s0i-1g2wYi0Dz1VCtGzsoQELbCnb3yWA5vR_CqHyWCLOXba9xgQLfzLUrv2nT7tKqAM_R-O6aiYOZgYj3Xk5T01DI/w640-h480/IMG_1175.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you look very carefully, you can see several men on their knees. They are carefully trimming the grass by hand around the base of each chair. We watched them for several minutes. I couldn't help but wonder how often they do this.</div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4RUKDky_nyM89EDBOO02fpae4FehdKMeqAXnRXnk0FEB9B-UlYwaGvItJCsCZkd3jWUO-4EUBViPAsaS-Ye8DHlxqC1umW1GYnf9ehrg2-uogt7U9TCGp3Qd-S1CjFIH9WhgI9zk5HhFSo9OQ2wZjuiD4k6yPRN5TmaSi6smzrF9QYGFX6k/s4032/IMG_1191.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz4RUKDky_nyM89EDBOO02fpae4FehdKMeqAXnRXnk0FEB9B-UlYwaGvItJCsCZkd3jWUO-4EUBViPAsaS-Ye8DHlxqC1umW1GYnf9ehrg2-uogt7U9TCGp3Qd-S1CjFIH9WhgI9zk5HhFSo9OQ2wZjuiD4k6yPRN5TmaSi6smzrF9QYGFX6k/w640-h480/IMG_1191.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKqN3HcCH58dSmVsPVQy1VrDUhKjZKPG0CqUasRP_EZADgL3e6qLZZ08u5k-5Gd5R-VhOT6wAbbvz8UHXfefUEP6OjbRcWA1v4CRw0JmgeSt6Gbali5oo6NtGt3cFpmT_DYIRVe_5rYTYM24vNhWwMkMDe21emsx3avkmLYGwp3lLvDGkhZY/s4032/IMG_1198.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKqN3HcCH58dSmVsPVQy1VrDUhKjZKPG0CqUasRP_EZADgL3e6qLZZ08u5k-5Gd5R-VhOT6wAbbvz8UHXfefUEP6OjbRcWA1v4CRw0JmgeSt6Gbali5oo6NtGt3cFpmT_DYIRVe_5rYTYM24vNhWwMkMDe21emsx3avkmLYGwp3lLvDGkhZY/w640-h480/IMG_1198.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_HAHzmkm2HBBGB2JQIUAAYKj3tuPEC_es7DxF2evPG6l-8rPIeyh3URDHrdDPpVZ0DpG1UXx4ubAmzCBqvD2ENSFQLXSDsshVqDYhmifxSesitJMPBghZYRXLpqs400JbXBZdl4J_pmffaUx4TJ-swkCh9KGmwVUaRVJd6b8fV7d3QoWXYA/s4032/IMG_1180.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim_HAHzmkm2HBBGB2JQIUAAYKj3tuPEC_es7DxF2evPG6l-8rPIeyh3URDHrdDPpVZ0DpG1UXx4ubAmzCBqvD2ENSFQLXSDsshVqDYhmifxSesitJMPBghZYRXLpqs400JbXBZdl4J_pmffaUx4TJ-swkCh9KGmwVUaRVJd6b8fV7d3QoWXYA/w640-h480/IMG_1180.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvADnR82a11MXEzcQ6B7lio3-xQdHe57lX1TcBWyiiaBoCUqUZkVBMU-8TB5CDHtVx3m5zlowMl1bEHG2c_BnZM2JTxyeT8sxZxt0fkERoZr-QZm3KNtqNU1HaFO4uxF3Le3vu3h024c04CvkumvnTa-pbG10pWZSHfa6_vvRYYQF2qAM1hs/s4032/IMG_1182.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMvADnR82a11MXEzcQ6B7lio3-xQdHe57lX1TcBWyiiaBoCUqUZkVBMU-8TB5CDHtVx3m5zlowMl1bEHG2c_BnZM2JTxyeT8sxZxt0fkERoZr-QZm3KNtqNU1HaFO4uxF3Le3vu3h024c04CvkumvnTa-pbG10pWZSHfa6_vvRYYQF2qAM1hs/w640-h480/IMG_1182.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When in Oklahoma, a stop in Pawhuska is a must! It's a good thing Pioneer Woman put this tiny town on the map. Otherwise, it wouldn't be. We didn't realize until we passed it that we were at her place. So, of course, I made Seth turn around and go back for a picture.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAsg36bsHm7zJClbbfnvZkRhe_rM41mBsQcE7pQNOlH_ezWCZkDDitaNdJCLuaIR84y8WNg6DAYp6BbL0GKiw_4ILU37I99ewt0ZEY5PgGFOhnLFiR9HwHMF5CG6JgAcAOqOuSWlJAqJ22EQn2fPUI3Qc21q2qOoGJ84CmMJDsdiH2UVhtsY/s4032/IMG_1201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbAsg36bsHm7zJClbbfnvZkRhe_rM41mBsQcE7pQNOlH_ezWCZkDDitaNdJCLuaIR84y8WNg6DAYp6BbL0GKiw_4ILU37I99ewt0ZEY5PgGFOhnLFiR9HwHMF5CG6JgAcAOqOuSWlJAqJ22EQn2fPUI3Qc21q2qOoGJ84CmMJDsdiH2UVhtsY/w480-h640/IMG_1201.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>And, of course, we spent some time at The Mercantile.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqerJUodEkOTLdL5fVAcLCrZqWkM_IdYB5Act8COHBd7tuGa5cicJj9QMGk1CBUhE7vokRVn7U1F1MAVYhDztzdyHYKSdQuNkssW6UONfL2jJFixm_chPBnp34IQfAVOZ-zqg7GZwf3PHq8YN5MbGVX8yEbg2YAG9krkz1xrFk85QzCOrnBY/s4032/IMG_1203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqerJUodEkOTLdL5fVAcLCrZqWkM_IdYB5Act8COHBd7tuGa5cicJj9QMGk1CBUhE7vokRVn7U1F1MAVYhDztzdyHYKSdQuNkssW6UONfL2jJFixm_chPBnp34IQfAVOZ-zqg7GZwf3PHq8YN5MbGVX8yEbg2YAG9krkz1xrFk85QzCOrnBY/w480-h640/IMG_1203.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfQU-lZYNV_yOdHY7Hx0nMr5hNhAQhD0vR_RG_DSjfvRpnfy-fFJRgQ2z2GOehNcwPuQDFWbihwhtt_yOK1qPSLBefUmP9qtX87tkASUA2sEwjcFynx6MHUmKlQ_u5C-2rm1r8ldmnvD5WZqnXa9qpCCTEvvV2QEwmFE8Eyjvq-OgTXrMtuw/s4032/IMG_1224.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfQU-lZYNV_yOdHY7Hx0nMr5hNhAQhD0vR_RG_DSjfvRpnfy-fFJRgQ2z2GOehNcwPuQDFWbihwhtt_yOK1qPSLBefUmP9qtX87tkASUA2sEwjcFynx6MHUmKlQ_u5C-2rm1r8ldmnvD5WZqnXa9qpCCTEvvV2QEwmFE8Eyjvq-OgTXrMtuw/w480-h640/IMG_1224.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div>The kids each picked out a treat from the bakery. And I had the most insanely delicious coffee drink of my dreams! The Spicy Cowgirl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXv7nvleykwOTqdbBhfGM2LE69govSeNmaJA5g5_tEMpcSB-spy9097nDOuIqeKzD4IjIGvf5AvvslU841qKs6BE8xF5H8SQdtFAhpX1ZFuzD2QSUO1SVo33hESc-ksiJif3FTcuCkvzqJV4CQ26zJLXbU8V4BdH5M9y7GTVjhMyN5AYBiEc/s4032/IMG_1210.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXv7nvleykwOTqdbBhfGM2LE69govSeNmaJA5g5_tEMpcSB-spy9097nDOuIqeKzD4IjIGvf5AvvslU841qKs6BE8xF5H8SQdtFAhpX1ZFuzD2QSUO1SVo33hESc-ksiJif3FTcuCkvzqJV4CQ26zJLXbU8V4BdH5M9y7GTVjhMyN5AYBiEc/w640-h480/IMG_1210.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHsJi0tVkQx_ynJGHTyu_YgvizwIuirKiBjnWWogs8m6mqDYSml3Lq5_VS0duaVlQEOm22bA1u5ICxT_y9LZjpfU4kTHbY1tTpCt87NQk6UqNXu1RUL1dcJn64jKpAt_-AsiRorlmqgY9Gm4rWo4LiTP9croXUZiP5RqPx6J_cth9jbn0KVo/s4032/IMG_1221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHsJi0tVkQx_ynJGHTyu_YgvizwIuirKiBjnWWogs8m6mqDYSml3Lq5_VS0duaVlQEOm22bA1u5ICxT_y9LZjpfU4kTHbY1tTpCt87NQk6UqNXu1RUL1dcJn64jKpAt_-AsiRorlmqgY9Gm4rWo4LiTP9croXUZiP5RqPx6J_cth9jbn0KVo/w480-h640/IMG_1221.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We then headed on into Kansas. There was no big welcome sign to take a picture in front of. As a matter of fact, nothing told us we were even in Kansas. We were on a two lane road in the absolute middle of nowhere with fields and fields and far as the eye could see. Our next stop was Kansas City. We made sure to spend the night on the Kansas side so would could put a pin in our map! And, of course, when in Kansas City . . .<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6PisAKmPUXaElCqUPNNCngri2tiM7mhEYHeYtScAkcRpakg48oxdpo9NJcefoe0BDR8sksQ_mnWed6iNr4fu2eizlMzt-jOjm9CtKYvrs3Oy76ZbGP0UsJ1giGA5VPAos8yfta4bRVA9gTTq-nROjFwi_naL0HacAjE4-Fk9FuvBwbfwNPE/s4032/IMG_1226.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6PisAKmPUXaElCqUPNNCngri2tiM7mhEYHeYtScAkcRpakg48oxdpo9NJcefoe0BDR8sksQ_mnWed6iNr4fu2eizlMzt-jOjm9CtKYvrs3Oy76ZbGP0UsJ1giGA5VPAos8yfta4bRVA9gTTq-nROjFwi_naL0HacAjE4-Fk9FuvBwbfwNPE/w640-h480/IMG_1226.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I found a salad. And it was delicious! I also tried their version of Brunswick stew. Let's just say it wasn't the Brunswick stew that I know. It was more along the lines of a beef stew.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPi0fAWvkGATMgFqcyG7ENf5zk6H-UYstOOpXz4CHZL29h0S0ek3EqFMUCBmKNkfRQkXfNtlji0LEXN8SrMBYCBRuk50zda6j6WPzwYQSdNnVFq9muNIz6u_0E8E-LZhpXdWXu84gvXkXRqvN06l1RPm9WNnx66k5jtqGuOfI3ZFJKL-TfII/s4032/IMG_1227.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtPi0fAWvkGATMgFqcyG7ENf5zk6H-UYstOOpXz4CHZL29h0S0ek3EqFMUCBmKNkfRQkXfNtlji0LEXN8SrMBYCBRuk50zda6j6WPzwYQSdNnVFq9muNIz6u_0E8E-LZhpXdWXu84gvXkXRqvN06l1RPm9WNnx66k5jtqGuOfI3ZFJKL-TfII/w640-h480/IMG_1227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was Hannah Kate's BBQ Mac n cheese.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aI7PlLIBXA6cdmXXK8aK9RKMQbLxY4NwuW1xotDZjqHmG3BOSc1G8BXGo0Yjpn3z0sRcFNFMwe8y04_m99Hneg8aj1jNyoIfujYdngGLVoOtGry_dFLyWGfn8TYV4AZbEBF4PlTblu5pnBknZcSIhDQr-bu1kToGhKS_m193wBp1Blxi7l4/s4032/IMG_1229.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aI7PlLIBXA6cdmXXK8aK9RKMQbLxY4NwuW1xotDZjqHmG3BOSc1G8BXGo0Yjpn3z0sRcFNFMwe8y04_m99Hneg8aj1jNyoIfujYdngGLVoOtGry_dFLyWGfn8TYV4AZbEBF4PlTblu5pnBknZcSIhDQr-bu1kToGhKS_m193wBp1Blxi7l4/w640-h480/IMG_1229.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next morning we stopped by the Kansas City Public Library. I found this little gem online, and it was a must-see for Hannah Kate and me. The side of the building is painted like a bookshelf! The book spines represent 22 titles that were suggested by book lovers in Kansas City and chosen by the Kansas City Library Board of Trustees. The kids enjoyed identifying which titles they'd read and were familiar with.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F7Wec5CUVRvixe9xCAbQHQS_tL9MeCjJv3T-E_H_n8hjZO_4CwG98cxSDmBh8b28HDuSbZlUzv5kKeRB-eJqDWGlmQ-FxxNwLpKAI2DiV-jeBG-nLKYEX763psmIlUFvb1l10gLs0HLyX9BBeO7_xyPs0-Z6Sw0irfg9g4K9ugTTj5hBa-A/s4032/IMG_1253.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3F7Wec5CUVRvixe9xCAbQHQS_tL9MeCjJv3T-E_H_n8hjZO_4CwG98cxSDmBh8b28HDuSbZlUzv5kKeRB-eJqDWGlmQ-FxxNwLpKAI2DiV-jeBG-nLKYEX763psmIlUFvb1l10gLs0HLyX9BBeO7_xyPs0-Z6Sw0irfg9g4K9ugTTj5hBa-A/w640-h480/IMG_1253.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTiRN1mAR5lPnwpRpMqyS14XE70pS_X8YL7azN-WhjrpuaOfExfcO6s4fv6KPuBHxU516UwWL2BIcciN40vQ_DwmUQx_WHWUcWeKfCRySpYc66cOge2wq78_EVibX9pRM0gsfqwFDK8y4bozLSXzucqIDiQDnTPqx90WMlxTwA7zdUQP-fE4/s4032/IMG_1231.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTiRN1mAR5lPnwpRpMqyS14XE70pS_X8YL7azN-WhjrpuaOfExfcO6s4fv6KPuBHxU516UwWL2BIcciN40vQ_DwmUQx_WHWUcWeKfCRySpYc66cOge2wq78_EVibX9pRM0gsfqwFDK8y4bozLSXzucqIDiQDnTPqx90WMlxTwA7zdUQP-fE4/w480-h640/IMG_1231.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJZOakAQj1-LdWMR7DMbYCoasDgXhGTOnZUw47D8SoUcQdjC0TErBVCWQvDeItzFlSFj0JfRC3v6jcqHsVZ1IhYM7dDsU_mGsQS2hbSPZA2Zw0KhgBXqgP5Cpv2I-b2llBp1UsdIU3mhgYPFmkSyWjbP_SWKgkZpPxKUHTvrYWfeT5yTwEUM/s4032/IMG_1234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWJZOakAQj1-LdWMR7DMbYCoasDgXhGTOnZUw47D8SoUcQdjC0TErBVCWQvDeItzFlSFj0JfRC3v6jcqHsVZ1IhYM7dDsU_mGsQS2hbSPZA2Zw0KhgBXqgP5Cpv2I-b2llBp1UsdIU3mhgYPFmkSyWjbP_SWKgkZpPxKUHTvrYWfeT5yTwEUM/w640-h480/IMG_1234.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwuOA-XH27uw_7Kk7zcRVXGRdI-34tl7XKjc6CS1tqSREsc-SKGfWyISspvFRjtxhBsEN3YKhJ9mIuZK1d3BLG1CTHux36Pp-XVHBvbYAikKHvywZKrBaTFuIDXSDQvWVQ-h5YUuQImIER1R2XV6QJCK15ipEGWZCXnKyDUnWLy8XdDBgDQg/s4032/IMG_1236.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuwuOA-XH27uw_7Kk7zcRVXGRdI-34tl7XKjc6CS1tqSREsc-SKGfWyISspvFRjtxhBsEN3YKhJ9mIuZK1d3BLG1CTHux36Pp-XVHBvbYAikKHvywZKrBaTFuIDXSDQvWVQ-h5YUuQImIER1R2XV6QJCK15ipEGWZCXnKyDUnWLy8XdDBgDQg/w640-h480/IMG_1236.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0uSpzdnMKSL-uwuHPeJUp8MuaxWDfGJQSZRkE9-PkC1D0Ob8y-AG5U9LFfdOJXnLlnq--4CpsCP-HFU5vvkxZkUhrj7Tmmy9xFrPmxo3DOAh2KyXSJQuB9K8CxyrUsEtNhSCk3WYc8k4aFelkxgySFDDQtE5K52bfPPHLwUhUiabxYnQTUA/s4032/IMG_1239.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0uSpzdnMKSL-uwuHPeJUp8MuaxWDfGJQSZRkE9-PkC1D0Ob8y-AG5U9LFfdOJXnLlnq--4CpsCP-HFU5vvkxZkUhrj7Tmmy9xFrPmxo3DOAh2KyXSJQuB9K8CxyrUsEtNhSCk3WYc8k4aFelkxgySFDDQtE5K52bfPPHLwUhUiabxYnQTUA/w480-h640/IMG_1239.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4nQOIJ5nKBAVT_H6XOjacvikvDmMzxqo93ZprF-DZBBW_eVRmVTrfe_WJV5SXYPeIp9vb9hk-fD-KWllgICOUZ2TEokWum4Fa10rAGotZAWSH5ty88aFx3KcdkXwM4lEVfwreVGSbJ16naeRjtgzwXOnUKC9m-7xRDVA9LmnVJtsXHqvtdY/s4032/IMG_1240.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ4nQOIJ5nKBAVT_H6XOjacvikvDmMzxqo93ZprF-DZBBW_eVRmVTrfe_WJV5SXYPeIp9vb9hk-fD-KWllgICOUZ2TEokWum4Fa10rAGotZAWSH5ty88aFx3KcdkXwM4lEVfwreVGSbJ16naeRjtgzwXOnUKC9m-7xRDVA9LmnVJtsXHqvtdY/w640-h480/IMG_1240.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay2q56VXD7aVcbbtj61wTSjbRzp8dqpjTwz1FnKS1AeJDeSulyd5ezAUd3Nms9U1LAZcaGiYaosEQgNWxO4-4xp5qjjBo8vJZXk7iyRggrv8kbnGYNz3Ic0_Ttv8SzFDNDATA9tdVydXhU9KLh9wMI26pXvyy1LBo_VDxmeZZnuWYxrY_Wi4/s4032/IMG_1241.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiay2q56VXD7aVcbbtj61wTSjbRzp8dqpjTwz1FnKS1AeJDeSulyd5ezAUd3Nms9U1LAZcaGiYaosEQgNWxO4-4xp5qjjBo8vJZXk7iyRggrv8kbnGYNz3Ic0_Ttv8SzFDNDATA9tdVydXhU9KLh9wMI26pXvyy1LBo_VDxmeZZnuWYxrY_Wi4/w640-h480/IMG_1241.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We left Kansas City and crossed over into Iowa, another new-to-us state. This was the best we could do for a welcome sign.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCtISbTwb0g9kXJWC86HlCKbAbSydb0cYRfUwQfLvAMA0VVsCPmFZJmD9HQGOwphEeHjl66zITVgcTqE2pw77iHJlpTB8ZHDuj_UNEFKlegu0WDMYsipmUEs1lFJHFWzBHgA0xw_XiE4IoP_HkTyASGqo2mdrQPHoClF0tvFSDcZypOBbcxw/s4032/IMG_1254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrCtISbTwb0g9kXJWC86HlCKbAbSydb0cYRfUwQfLvAMA0VVsCPmFZJmD9HQGOwphEeHjl66zITVgcTqE2pw77iHJlpTB8ZHDuj_UNEFKlegu0WDMYsipmUEs1lFJHFWzBHgA0xw_XiE4IoP_HkTyASGqo2mdrQPHoClF0tvFSDcZypOBbcxw/w480-h640/IMG_1254.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>We stopped in Des Moines and toured the state capitol building. We love us a good state capitol building. The gold dome on this one reminded me of the dome on the Georgia state capitol building.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0p5yq-t5u99LIUjTwmcfqlMboMXSO6TmxLtWGt0WH4sONYxRIW3DNA5M4qFDS27iVHTi1N-LEYaPXp_-df05QNkoL4DFyaX6_9xmyFso2we-Ml9frtIsIBwSrCZ_PjmX9KgP3qKgVCL9qFUI8Wu8cFO7l6GhZajHL7RoFbx_7iyd7mBo48w/s4032/IMG_1256.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN0p5yq-t5u99LIUjTwmcfqlMboMXSO6TmxLtWGt0WH4sONYxRIW3DNA5M4qFDS27iVHTi1N-LEYaPXp_-df05QNkoL4DFyaX6_9xmyFso2we-Ml9frtIsIBwSrCZ_PjmX9KgP3qKgVCL9qFUI8Wu8cFO7l6GhZajHL7RoFbx_7iyd7mBo48w/w640-h480/IMG_1256.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1O0rgGGEDFxSy6Nxm4GmZmFepCwddsZj0qNe3vrijSkltMTnFola3H4Sqh6S0xofTEZXQv1abdG1MqaU_0CpAyA3i3L4r1g59dcq4mMd072OO4JrF7dKCsQoUWMR1BVnB9F8tHvGwZSu9Sgl_wVn53m-2L4Sy79wqVxtJYWolvR-X_Is0iQ/s4032/IMG_1265.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1O0rgGGEDFxSy6Nxm4GmZmFepCwddsZj0qNe3vrijSkltMTnFola3H4Sqh6S0xofTEZXQv1abdG1MqaU_0CpAyA3i3L4r1g59dcq4mMd072OO4JrF7dKCsQoUWMR1BVnB9F8tHvGwZSu9Sgl_wVn53m-2L4Sy79wqVxtJYWolvR-X_Is0iQ/w640-h480/IMG_1265.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The was the view looking out over the city from the front steps of the capitol building.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMTw6cuhXjxGwjd8S8fwmAa0SZbbMF6ouzDc-F7lR0ylac32QuXR4TsIb5VzVQiZiD3BM_5jjbNSzv0J0XFSqN0qdaL2j9fdKZ7K73oCy1wG4rfLBrwnO6Ya4xiL-O4NFTPkYLDOcbWB-_w2I05EgBNeGEaoNWWUmFFfOz1BPqO2hHyzd0Fo/s4032/IMG_1258.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMTw6cuhXjxGwjd8S8fwmAa0SZbbMF6ouzDc-F7lR0ylac32QuXR4TsIb5VzVQiZiD3BM_5jjbNSzv0J0XFSqN0qdaL2j9fdKZ7K73oCy1wG4rfLBrwnO6Ya4xiL-O4NFTPkYLDOcbWB-_w2I05EgBNeGEaoNWWUmFFfOz1BPqO2hHyzd0Fo/w640-h480/IMG_1258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our favorite part of the building was the . . . wait for it . . . library!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsQA9Z1LA47J1LLC5SLKRrSDNil2GHYfenWsEbZcxbS3IxKO4fzPsKZUF1wQXoKzq03ko349kLwprp8_RJzKOphxBTt8MnWGjfzLEQy7EgN-D2aUYhez1sfJzwUtcqE3eTFF8xlnBOICeFnDEsY7bQbXhE_9Zqoa5iTHThkS6Q152xWV2Snw/s4032/IMG_1271.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsQA9Z1LA47J1LLC5SLKRrSDNil2GHYfenWsEbZcxbS3IxKO4fzPsKZUF1wQXoKzq03ko349kLwprp8_RJzKOphxBTt8MnWGjfzLEQy7EgN-D2aUYhez1sfJzwUtcqE3eTFF8xlnBOICeFnDEsY7bQbXhE_9Zqoa5iTHThkS6Q152xWV2Snw/w480-h640/IMG_1271.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I had to explain to Ellie what a card catalog is and how to find books with the cards. I'm afraid this has become a lost art these days. Everything is digital.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJjQHMyc2J6N7t2LtBHiJfoeIV2yN4zO9cSdRuFTpJKdMtjmMb9kskUBmEsjwubqlaDngPqQGkacCvnO2sWmTbl8rk-rdNr6TduzU6Cfhg5sVeMdOgOCMaV2unaOsZm7BUSHfICXcUjiv17CQPDKandy1P8_hz2SEGubQuEUPLeIhcbr9yDE/s4032/IMG_1272.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgJjQHMyc2J6N7t2LtBHiJfoeIV2yN4zO9cSdRuFTpJKdMtjmMb9kskUBmEsjwubqlaDngPqQGkacCvnO2sWmTbl8rk-rdNr6TduzU6Cfhg5sVeMdOgOCMaV2unaOsZm7BUSHfICXcUjiv17CQPDKandy1P8_hz2SEGubQuEUPLeIhcbr9yDE/w480-h640/IMG_1272.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>The card catalog is special. But what makes this library so amazing is the spiral staircase! It's gorgeous!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK7RIrHG2d36qI0yAIXbXPFmeTc6ES7dG8KJZExs4rMz_dk9PQXO6DLyOr9CTir7cr_E7misH6fOBMf8YfbQWaQeI98N7r_Fv4hp57a9ebP-p7wPzBswHnbzugr2B15ScV2-00PbrFMrOxzEHy22W3JQLN0G5Xd7cq7IcDtwNa1TzjNfXYIU/s4032/IMG_1280.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxK7RIrHG2d36qI0yAIXbXPFmeTc6ES7dG8KJZExs4rMz_dk9PQXO6DLyOr9CTir7cr_E7misH6fOBMf8YfbQWaQeI98N7r_Fv4hp57a9ebP-p7wPzBswHnbzugr2B15ScV2-00PbrFMrOxzEHy22W3JQLN0G5Xd7cq7IcDtwNa1TzjNfXYIU/w480-h640/IMG_1280.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm37O1AoPli9WIMwdoPMcM7EG8O2HtvTsoX3EHpuZm8FshzTWdGzRP0Rkv9B7ROS6POeYieiwg6tt0yNA4Athn3q0N3lXC5MKzvgkHg1pL3YNNKd4ElI9ggcaWGzJ7xU1fxyfLgMDuEP6Sn2i9NZL1ZikoF8wJRjO9lCWM2EMAww3fSi5p-WM/s4032/IMG_1275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm37O1AoPli9WIMwdoPMcM7EG8O2HtvTsoX3EHpuZm8FshzTWdGzRP0Rkv9B7ROS6POeYieiwg6tt0yNA4Athn3q0N3lXC5MKzvgkHg1pL3YNNKd4ElI9ggcaWGzJ7xU1fxyfLgMDuEP6Sn2i9NZL1ZikoF8wJRjO9lCWM2EMAww3fSi5p-WM/w480-h640/IMG_1275.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This one loved it the most. I'm certain she felt like Belle in "Beauty and the Beast!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNfx_xorAmT6GEGmIuWRRzdrSOBJPultVQtsSPmce-zqwMGnerW4EVA6e06Ohep23A6XaUgEAowDL6nqEHOYAthirUznuE1IxvJNOtV3C3RhSbhQF6isJU2Rcx7bgY79DZ9oySMVaJQD3Dux8SVuidt_7BQ7EOWnWYupE_1vy_B8HAogxYo0/s4032/IMG_1276.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNfx_xorAmT6GEGmIuWRRzdrSOBJPultVQtsSPmce-zqwMGnerW4EVA6e06Ohep23A6XaUgEAowDL6nqEHOYAthirUznuE1IxvJNOtV3C3RhSbhQF6isJU2Rcx7bgY79DZ9oySMVaJQD3Dux8SVuidt_7BQ7EOWnWYupE_1vy_B8HAogxYo0/w480-h640/IMG_1276.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7NHc-c6jmB6MaG8upAQZZlhHD5DA9il2BnyuQMmdkSLxKQoAMqeSlhdfterQ1pTy3XlpekRtvLJddmqaq32M87i_SnoPFbdQ7qFVQGzJ_F5ytePewEN1Z5s4uIMiL1x_5QNUInUmXlPnhk1vBxzHIpKVIbJ9gSAY19ZrXhbyoW5Hg-JnXB8/s4032/IMG_1277.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7NHc-c6jmB6MaG8upAQZZlhHD5DA9il2BnyuQMmdkSLxKQoAMqeSlhdfterQ1pTy3XlpekRtvLJddmqaq32M87i_SnoPFbdQ7qFVQGzJ_F5ytePewEN1Z5s4uIMiL1x_5QNUInUmXlPnhk1vBxzHIpKVIbJ9gSAY19ZrXhbyoW5Hg-JnXB8/w480-h640/IMG_1277.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>After our visit to the capitol, we started driving again. We saw a lot of this. For miles and miles and miles.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJTBmLXR85ZfwaPkEigi1jL-m4zRM6rCyAD5iHSyWDUBwqBBg3UvvMhXpVX0fRzg32y3AdRofblOE3apAJTeAiUYR2p1tyIq3GKIC-zdR1lzhV1DSbkBdqBTjdWaLMwNVdXidG8rxfRgkSnis6ZWlXAEnFFShsWZaRDEBaW5KpcJG5aRjKaw/s4032/IMG_1285.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJTBmLXR85ZfwaPkEigi1jL-m4zRM6rCyAD5iHSyWDUBwqBBg3UvvMhXpVX0fRzg32y3AdRofblOE3apAJTeAiUYR2p1tyIq3GKIC-zdR1lzhV1DSbkBdqBTjdWaLMwNVdXidG8rxfRgkSnis6ZWlXAEnFFShsWZaRDEBaW5KpcJG5aRjKaw/w640-h480/IMG_1285.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhjBbY6LKT18XbVk3HhyJcSZCKMNkamAgMJ3I4EInyjOtSC6MNLxiWGyuBjlT9aOvkOe_cVrqPMKyVv01PFnvNILJhRTn1F6eqNF3GJjZGvuDRP_ckONda0czZz-b2iexEZhh8uJeC-k16xyHk0T7IF434jpee_gpuKOFNoJ8JwLmmrDqSg4/s4032/IMG_1288.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhjBbY6LKT18XbVk3HhyJcSZCKMNkamAgMJ3I4EInyjOtSC6MNLxiWGyuBjlT9aOvkOe_cVrqPMKyVv01PFnvNILJhRTn1F6eqNF3GJjZGvuDRP_ckONda0czZz-b2iexEZhh8uJeC-k16xyHk0T7IF434jpee_gpuKOFNoJ8JwLmmrDqSg4/w640-h480/IMG_1288.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We finally had a change of scenery as we approached our next stop . . .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazjLyPvG3vCP7U2ETGkGeKbNpg1Lbzd1uyvyjvyRbObsKGaC4UPKBq8fIqr1QcXL3W1exh1Rb2rW_Hg6rgJ9YAwaMSC6tWVky2oLhp7lWS7NWFyKFcCOgDXmda8kxto9rzzq-jBQtTOGxDWT8M-NS8COozlqIBrM5S7yjpRrm8OPUjH7O9NY/s4032/IMG_1289.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazjLyPvG3vCP7U2ETGkGeKbNpg1Lbzd1uyvyjvyRbObsKGaC4UPKBq8fIqr1QcXL3W1exh1Rb2rW_Hg6rgJ9YAwaMSC6tWVky2oLhp7lWS7NWFyKFcCOgDXmda8kxto9rzzq-jBQtTOGxDWT8M-NS8COozlqIBrM5S7yjpRrm8OPUjH7O9NY/w640-h480/IMG_1289.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div></div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-34151238765353773212023-04-21T20:43:00.006-06:002023-04-22T22:51:28.369-06:00Summer Road Trip 2022 | Part I: A Wedding<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When our nephew got engaged last year and planned a summer wedding in Ft. Worth, we decided to change our vacation plans. We really wanted to visit some of the New England states, but our ultimate goal was to visit some states we'd not yet been to so we could add some pins to our map. We pulled the map out again and planned several routes out of Ft. Worth. Some of us don't necessarily love long road trips with stops in multiple cities, and that wasn't really the original intent. But that's exactly what happened. When I realized I could check a city off my bucket list, I immediately started trying to convince everyone why we should just do it. And we did. By the time we got back home, we'd driven over 2,500 miles.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our first stop was in Ft. Worth for the sweetest wedding ever.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_URIV-cZL6lWVJIzADSDTRSbAaUzcz0neY6uBLRHwJPQGSipZBaAHRbjVDI2jILqMZ8cPhF8PXPxYX5k4nK4EGtFaAG3oYqisXGz5IyBA79zOTeQLy_WB7H624Hy6gFOfc75EzwvtikR2ST3cO4K_LiIf0RWv70iR_Ewoo4K621towBcoLII/s4032/CF9BFE11-55A0-4B13-B93C-E546860CD501.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_URIV-cZL6lWVJIzADSDTRSbAaUzcz0neY6uBLRHwJPQGSipZBaAHRbjVDI2jILqMZ8cPhF8PXPxYX5k4nK4EGtFaAG3oYqisXGz5IyBA79zOTeQLy_WB7H624Hy6gFOfc75EzwvtikR2ST3cO4K_LiIf0RWv70iR_Ewoo4K621towBcoLII/w480-h640/CF9BFE11-55A0-4B13-B93C-E546860CD501.heic" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But first. While in Ft. Worth, the Stockyard is a must. We made a quick visit, ate some BBQ and watched the long horns walk through.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGrkLmM8-LINlclTerVVdohk7moHICVPpw-u89Q_qx1C-WmgKxBkt7vEn_GVH08cGgHlk6U545d74cOajFYNBbPZqsjoTvBSQCKO4Pu9RlMRdVvN1hOdnVQXOUEfQ44fjjXYAKJY5nsmAERwib3SqkVgFSGaek5G_TS5CQaYMdzgwTxDxkXU/s4032/B96A4FFD-E562-4E05-9EA1-818336B84978.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTGrkLmM8-LINlclTerVVdohk7moHICVPpw-u89Q_qx1C-WmgKxBkt7vEn_GVH08cGgHlk6U545d74cOajFYNBbPZqsjoTvBSQCKO4Pu9RlMRdVvN1hOdnVQXOUEfQ44fjjXYAKJY5nsmAERwib3SqkVgFSGaek5G_TS5CQaYMdzgwTxDxkXU/w480-h640/B96A4FFD-E562-4E05-9EA1-818336B84978.heic" width="480" /></a></div>And then it was wedding time. The first Bayham grand married his bride. Avery and Abigail are the cutest, and their wedding was such a special time. The wedding ceremony was beautiful. They were married in an open air wedding chapel. Seth's dad was their officiant.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESsKGoYWEo0QRSYKj8Zs1iY3Q53aZybZwRqt-qH_P4Fav19gwnaVV9WOjeFIbLmRl82-mCo8TplxI8GT5ib564XljcZCudOH11r56w9MT-94ccQPnmZcNcUj3u9_JrV1vBhKlrs0ABRX4_ohc1wXLFiCe2LYXxIEZ1MtUjSdWyiYy4jQi6b0/s4032/IMG_1049.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESsKGoYWEo0QRSYKj8Zs1iY3Q53aZybZwRqt-qH_P4Fav19gwnaVV9WOjeFIbLmRl82-mCo8TplxI8GT5ib564XljcZCudOH11r56w9MT-94ccQPnmZcNcUj3u9_JrV1vBhKlrs0ABRX4_ohc1wXLFiCe2LYXxIEZ1MtUjSdWyiYy4jQi6b0/w480-h640/IMG_1049.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt4HlU21xJj2fsEdnn8ja6j3UNzAyTrX5u1ZtwCuxUtzHwbcMhk10_5hglo22JDIFSf0HQWiHihYT89eYvw3EXN5OQv39dihq7Tfpu97UjEdGPXn6f8Zg7dk0dSALMhMYUSm7Qyz3AjmNAvqf-eKLz-FpmLvlJfMP0nL2k5uZKKyROnW1gHA/s4032/IMG_1056.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMt4HlU21xJj2fsEdnn8ja6j3UNzAyTrX5u1ZtwCuxUtzHwbcMhk10_5hglo22JDIFSf0HQWiHihYT89eYvw3EXN5OQv39dihq7Tfpu97UjEdGPXn6f8Zg7dk0dSALMhMYUSm7Qyz3AjmNAvqf-eKLz-FpmLvlJfMP0nL2k5uZKKyROnW1gHA/w480-h640/IMG_1056.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIM92oLMGOD1GIENnM35u9q0xNvjYTEBhJyoUhaBAStmZ0l6uDO1Q1uvNMArQyI-DICu4g9mYeKB4yRmFg9iYKagvZ8Q8CIEuVKCEDKeBVWRjO5gLr3EvbYPjzAfPcU3Jejb_aO2Bfn2k329390G59kbjcCY34RV4plaZotjlNiAK8NFpn6U/s4032/008793BF-2C90-44FB-9EE3-96CC723C759C.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQIM92oLMGOD1GIENnM35u9q0xNvjYTEBhJyoUhaBAStmZ0l6uDO1Q1uvNMArQyI-DICu4g9mYeKB4yRmFg9iYKagvZ8Q8CIEuVKCEDKeBVWRjO5gLr3EvbYPjzAfPcU3Jejb_aO2Bfn2k329390G59kbjcCY34RV4plaZotjlNiAK8NFpn6U/w640-h480/008793BF-2C90-44FB-9EE3-96CC723C759C.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After the wedding was dinner and dancing. Of course, Texas BBQ was served. I managed to make a salad and veggie plate. But my favorite was the pie! Yes, pie. I'm not a cake kind of girl, but I love me some key lime pie. They had all different kinds.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpj30ETLsg64B-QKTWIioBkE8GE-rMUjt9nO1o9_UrS7vxFVv2nc9LD72fwqoCQUCERVrqf5FJ2bzVYgHPsbGOubnAxRug4jvVVTNGv6lmhv_oaM29syUwxpFYXY6cmtTvpYv2ldDgAC6MMD66qMpbBOK3jYCA7kM_d9zbGNhZWCgdjFWSLY/s4032/IMG_1062.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifpj30ETLsg64B-QKTWIioBkE8GE-rMUjt9nO1o9_UrS7vxFVv2nc9LD72fwqoCQUCERVrqf5FJ2bzVYgHPsbGOubnAxRug4jvVVTNGv6lmhv_oaM29syUwxpFYXY6cmtTvpYv2ldDgAC6MMD66qMpbBOK3jYCA7kM_d9zbGNhZWCgdjFWSLY/w640-h480/IMG_1062.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>If you ask the kids, their favorite was the latte bar. I'm not going to argue with that either.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO_YlYn4zCDevP71i5flHuHBs36IcWtY_R1QiFcLqr1odwPBZafGV1tEuvqood5hr9uC8EwvdrbxtlWcDfF43MdIEQuH72_6VQn8vzbmDJSYy2R9pFd2hus3DauOMCF5uLH-PKEYP-7inKBlUpz3oHmumpVZBVZjpeORJd2Q5ktWD9b4PeRI/s4032/IMG_1065.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigO_YlYn4zCDevP71i5flHuHBs36IcWtY_R1QiFcLqr1odwPBZafGV1tEuvqood5hr9uC8EwvdrbxtlWcDfF43MdIEQuH72_6VQn8vzbmDJSYy2R9pFd2hus3DauOMCF5uLH-PKEYP-7inKBlUpz3oHmumpVZBVZjpeORJd2Q5ktWD9b4PeRI/w640-h480/IMG_1065.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOzOGE03oT8-Uwnl-mMxORTgYXbHUTqldlSTqRZRJEyRcyAlvZWcWGcj-AzAVnnZxdjXmlbDDk7H6hzgeVSthYN0xFq00ArDAUjM0Lpwqfrk610q4EXmZxHd7fiDOyLm2gKCp2dMQLoInoN4D7ofcVKV8AmPw0ZcHBTjweT5xV8FAyJF_Rt4/s4032/IMG_1067.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOzOGE03oT8-Uwnl-mMxORTgYXbHUTqldlSTqRZRJEyRcyAlvZWcWGcj-AzAVnnZxdjXmlbDDk7H6hzgeVSthYN0xFq00ArDAUjM0Lpwqfrk610q4EXmZxHd7fiDOyLm2gKCp2dMQLoInoN4D7ofcVKV8AmPw0ZcHBTjweT5xV8FAyJF_Rt4/w480-h640/IMG_1067.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>But the real winner was this right here.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq659erd6ThFvRO-hVXpLFScY4Wvj6mi6dyJ-uE27jh8S-4EpIflwsLt0CI19Kiki86dTfIE_sLAjGj4f-F9_p5KIF6l_BTleiXn77r6dL3XF9FvbBVglSW1bgjDHQAKh0AS6Orl3MMhg-eU09n3sBGQyHa6Gi7c3MDlAN-6dqKzIwCLyt_0/s4032/IMG_1103.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQq659erd6ThFvRO-hVXpLFScY4Wvj6mi6dyJ-uE27jh8S-4EpIflwsLt0CI19Kiki86dTfIE_sLAjGj4f-F9_p5KIF6l_BTleiXn77r6dL3XF9FvbBVglSW1bgjDHQAKh0AS6Orl3MMhg-eU09n3sBGQyHa6Gi7c3MDlAN-6dqKzIwCLyt_0/w480-h640/IMG_1103.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>So, yeah, the wedding food (and drinks) were a huge hit! And then they started dancing. And danced. And danced. And danced.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kz90b_cXlJoeLMW8mSjwPQ6Esm792vd52s8D7Vyr9Czs61zMsDF6e7WzaTwr94Pd19YYmboJEOGrEQU6n5ikLmLsAQ_czn6TR3yAAp8QlnxSDjjpnk91OqJtQ_XwHF2neGV04HTc4eAKTotrro4vex7gJC996YTXGKRQEHw_IqnfhX4gCj4/s4032/IMG_1088.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kz90b_cXlJoeLMW8mSjwPQ6Esm792vd52s8D7Vyr9Czs61zMsDF6e7WzaTwr94Pd19YYmboJEOGrEQU6n5ikLmLsAQ_czn6TR3yAAp8QlnxSDjjpnk91OqJtQ_XwHF2neGV04HTc4eAKTotrro4vex7gJC996YTXGKRQEHw_IqnfhX4gCj4/w480-h640/IMG_1088.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcB5b04I0KIfJ9azv4fJJsXKj7OkcIIGTcNFstcKlyPs1OSitvNcyDtVFPlLKtuVcOn3Iz18WCrr9Jd27dZ-O4et8udCBhldn_5EUE4qmTnEJPopLFw6QC4R_GoEjt7YVXXr-IpA2th9FhvU7ZUrNJtja3SVGefC4EHF6OYanNjDdHXTGee0/s4032/IMG_1089.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlcB5b04I0KIfJ9azv4fJJsXKj7OkcIIGTcNFstcKlyPs1OSitvNcyDtVFPlLKtuVcOn3Iz18WCrr9Jd27dZ-O4et8udCBhldn_5EUE4qmTnEJPopLFw6QC4R_GoEjt7YVXXr-IpA2th9FhvU7ZUrNJtja3SVGefC4EHF6OYanNjDdHXTGee0/w480-h640/IMG_1089.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>But when PawPaw hit the dance floor, they didn't know what to think! There was lots of smiles and laughs all night.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna5wpodJ5LYAy0qDJtKTHphnnzvlbGbLSQYYGv3GUUjFqd5OTztpd26wAfCZYU_37tmScBYDuZcIEY2MqSVsVAEOQ2mviE63EiGW4QvvG8ISaTYQUJqg1y1uqSlTB-OvUXuk1BkRjKUo9IFGOrcWxAhtxPgFR2MI5IilC_YtuKpuJXmDTzdU/s4032/IMG_1110.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgna5wpodJ5LYAy0qDJtKTHphnnzvlbGbLSQYYGv3GUUjFqd5OTztpd26wAfCZYU_37tmScBYDuZcIEY2MqSVsVAEOQ2mviE63EiGW4QvvG8ISaTYQUJqg1y1uqSlTB-OvUXuk1BkRjKUo9IFGOrcWxAhtxPgFR2MI5IilC_YtuKpuJXmDTzdU/w480-h640/IMG_1110.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div>And then Uncle Troy gave Ellie some dance lessons. I'm not sure which of them enjoyed it more.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViGRhFnbLr88wQNc7EuVngs3VEviQ82NX5RR0LD8CVRGOL54jhmpiOYbgThJqqHt1uqfrYPQBV8S3LNFawzwHrZXnE46kkoP7t1j0KYti8CTZ8UyV-cLpeeTH16Pg3sGfKl2-hdDCZv0RAMwFEDkJb5RYhlNTjzTH2r3j_oPw_Th1Phje_28/s4032/IMG_1137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViGRhFnbLr88wQNc7EuVngs3VEviQ82NX5RR0LD8CVRGOL54jhmpiOYbgThJqqHt1uqfrYPQBV8S3LNFawzwHrZXnE46kkoP7t1j0KYti8CTZ8UyV-cLpeeTH16Pg3sGfKl2-hdDCZv0RAMwFEDkJb5RYhlNTjzTH2r3j_oPw_Th1Phje_28/w480-h640/IMG_1137.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div>But this is what he thought about it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WllOBhKROJpCn3wxG5d2Fw6sTDaSGpRbFFXKw2jAXt9z-FStp0UVBTAG-woktFENJsu54iuUpidrTpsP3wIQBeDDi9RUh0JUyk68W_g2WxPB3WnyWTblBNtoi6xaQwx0SA_sjv5YKyvr6fJuw51LKnJjRcD4QThn1D-x-qjT8KyUgtV8Kbs/s4032/IMG_1096.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WllOBhKROJpCn3wxG5d2Fw6sTDaSGpRbFFXKw2jAXt9z-FStp0UVBTAG-woktFENJsu54iuUpidrTpsP3wIQBeDDi9RUh0JUyk68W_g2WxPB3WnyWTblBNtoi6xaQwx0SA_sjv5YKyvr6fJuw51LKnJjRcD4QThn1D-x-qjT8KyUgtV8Kbs/w480-h640/IMG_1096.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODZHhfvACadugQky3vlM1WaAlukLZSdbPxEgXdrA81K2kl3Y7aFUMSI3HJCfPIDMc1EAXuEf7C5p2b_dhRysma3TQwU5Nt4DUGXARJDyUmkqigcS-RfnZCR4z_hHh3IG7RtV_8epIuykIxtU4n4-pDvW3JZWC4-pEWsCSqve2tV3omGYbrT0/s4032/IMG_1104.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODZHhfvACadugQky3vlM1WaAlukLZSdbPxEgXdrA81K2kl3Y7aFUMSI3HJCfPIDMc1EAXuEf7C5p2b_dhRysma3TQwU5Nt4DUGXARJDyUmkqigcS-RfnZCR4z_hHh3IG7RtV_8epIuykIxtU4n4-pDvW3JZWC4-pEWsCSqve2tV3omGYbrT0/w480-h640/IMG_1104.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div>He kept this chair warm all night. I did finally convince him to dance with me towards the end of the night. You'll just have to trust me on that one. I also got to dance with my forever wedding date. We hadn't done that in . . . years.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qkCEceMm1Kmu2jA-XxFkb6EZ48mZdcQKxmWfbcKczrWC200aTNvHAVWJsWGY9__UIjL7GQtYqbO5_fkE3b3QUahhGht6GEHzfPc2U1uykecvfOK3QdJW1yGwWG4NDIBzi8QPU_UPQDKHl-8dXKsVn9qUVoJv5bmMgSyVR50wdhq2-wXQWJg/s4032/IMG_1098.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1qkCEceMm1Kmu2jA-XxFkb6EZ48mZdcQKxmWfbcKczrWC200aTNvHAVWJsWGY9__UIjL7GQtYqbO5_fkE3b3QUahhGht6GEHzfPc2U1uykecvfOK3QdJW1yGwWG4NDIBzi8QPU_UPQDKHl-8dXKsVn9qUVoJv5bmMgSyVR50wdhq2-wXQWJg/w480-h640/IMG_1098.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>It was just the best night. I don't think it could've been more perfect, and I'm sure Avery and Abigail agree.The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-88422575368731934432023-02-26T22:28:00.000-06:002023-02-26T22:29:05.242-06:00Christmas 2022<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's pretty much March, which means it's practically almost Christmas. So why not talk about last Christmas? Last Christmas was a time of great unrest for me. I was in the midst of a big decision and felt all the days long like I was just holding my breath and waiting to see what was about to happen. My days are so busy and so full that I feel like I don't even have time to breathe. I didn't think the decorations would go up. Somehow they did. I didn't think I could pull off all the traditions. Somehow I did.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4anDP7vU0b0oO6mxY-AuaHJupE5KgnQkFFVwrkHgvB2qzGNtcwf0qiIaZfFOGOROi5QEKTu87re1FFr-Pt31qX57FWDJLBHQwlmCxHUjZuyBQjW30spe9TlXJM7xrd30lYB4565XS6tSkbvCQoLsuQWzXhWcnqfDVdO92drWfhak5zkkwfZ8/s4032/C0A4C925-5D6D-477F-8E1A-76264D495801.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4anDP7vU0b0oO6mxY-AuaHJupE5KgnQkFFVwrkHgvB2qzGNtcwf0qiIaZfFOGOROi5QEKTu87re1FFr-Pt31qX57FWDJLBHQwlmCxHUjZuyBQjW30spe9TlXJM7xrd30lYB4565XS6tSkbvCQoLsuQWzXhWcnqfDVdO92drWfhak5zkkwfZ8/w480-h640/C0A4C925-5D6D-477F-8E1A-76264D495801.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's that time of year again . . . the time when we light the candles. I almost didn't put them out this year. "Maybe they're over it," I thought. "Maybe they're tired of doing the same thing advent after advent." But then Ellie told me I had to. And . . . she was right.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mary and Joseph, the manger, the angels' gloria, the shepherds and magi, the Babe in a manger. It's all so . . . familiar. There's never been a time in my 40+ years that I didn't know it. There's also never been a time in all those years of knowing it that I didn't believe it, didn't question it. Because it IS. Just like He is the I AM.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, yet, as familiar as it is . . . the same thing year after year . . . as soon as the first candle is lit . . . it seems so brand new all over again. I don't think I've ever been filled with such awe, wonder, humility and gratitude as I've experienced this year.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">For the first time, I am struck with the simple fact that this is IMPOSSIBLE . . . a baby being born of a virgin . . . impossible! Yet, I've never questioned this impossibility, never doubted it. Ever. In 40+ years never. I mean, it doesn't even sound impossible at all because it. is. God. And. that's. Who. God. is. He does the impossible and makes all things possible.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I've never questioned or doubted God-in-the-flesh. So why would I question or doubt anything else God has promised? Why would I question or doubt that God is at work in that really hard place, that impossible situation in my life . . . that He is working to make it POSSIBLE?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I took the above picture the second Friday night in December. It was the only night in the middle of almost four weeks that no one had to be anywhere else. I told Ellie we needed to leave the candles lit for just awhile longer.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Blessed is she who BELIEVED, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord." ~Luke 1:45</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_m4kFY1rrBh_i3wFb3cGgkcYz5tPAupQa8dKsRG3Mq6yPekbhFDpuqHr2-Nybvc6iq_Nu-eCz17QuECBG1E_QClzjk-zR_JCoq57ys9TGgYke_CHCnteDV7XOxsCQOUBr-F6AnPHan6_B5_Zyv0IzUf2Uq3VZKm5klM6vNWmBYc7FUigveM/s4032/CAC0D783-6482-451D-B678-00AA7EA62592_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_m4kFY1rrBh_i3wFb3cGgkcYz5tPAupQa8dKsRG3Mq6yPekbhFDpuqHr2-Nybvc6iq_Nu-eCz17QuECBG1E_QClzjk-zR_JCoq57ys9TGgYke_CHCnteDV7XOxsCQOUBr-F6AnPHan6_B5_Zyv0IzUf2Uq3VZKm5klM6vNWmBYc7FUigveM/w480-h640/CAC0D783-6482-451D-B678-00AA7EA62592_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We got together in May to listen to music for the Christmas program at church. When I saw this one on the list, I held my breath fast. (That happens a lot). It had been awhile.</span><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Circa 1994. We sang this at our Christmas concerts. When we started our church tour the following spring, everyone begged us to include it in our concerts. So we did. Every time . . . it didn't matter how many times we'd already sun it . . . Joe sang the high part on "He is God's Son," and people would stand to their feet, hands would raise high in the air.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">But now . . . it brings me to my knees. There's a blank page in my Bible between the last verse of the Old Testament and the first verse of the New Testament. That blank page represents 400 years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of silence.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">For 400 years, there was no new word from God, no new prophecy. They were simply waiting on Him to do what He'd already promised to do. They were waiting on the Messiah to come, the One who would save us from our sins. I've often thought about how dark that silence must've been.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then . . . the people who were walking in darkness got to see a great light . . . Jesus, the promised Messiah, was born. I'd like to think the entire earth exploded with a ball of light once Jesus took His first earthly breath.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because it had been so dark for so long. And then . . . light. I think the only "explosion" into that darkness was the heavenly host of angels that made the grand announcement to a group of lowly shepherds.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The darkest of ages are DONE. For the Savior of heaven has COME! In our waiting, we should be watching with great anticipation and expectation, in our waiting and watching, we should be worshipping . . . He is coming again one day. What hope, what joy!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speaking of light and candles, we worshipped together as a family again this year at one of our favorite candlelight service.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHL-RHHA-5Mz2ufBGclv0FZ2sKkEIRBachjIbjyP5ko-Xxe3VGFLQmLkcjV3Nz-G4w0k9_C1y0TfxboA2MEkXTuPFB77VTvIQOcc8E_yHYdMjxE8rfhS4wcX59_XPnGduLt0fnsMvXRS6tD1QkdLZrfL3zAxLYJmZrHCKgeK99Sa9KHgTZQw/s4032/CA028DBE-DEE2-4D51-BE0C-628E468AB9D4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHL-RHHA-5Mz2ufBGclv0FZ2sKkEIRBachjIbjyP5ko-Xxe3VGFLQmLkcjV3Nz-G4w0k9_C1y0TfxboA2MEkXTuPFB77VTvIQOcc8E_yHYdMjxE8rfhS4wcX59_XPnGduLt0fnsMvXRS6tD1QkdLZrfL3zAxLYJmZrHCKgeK99Sa9KHgTZQw/w640-h480/CA028DBE-DEE2-4D51-BE0C-628E468AB9D4.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then we worshipped at our home church's Christmas Eve candlelight service. My view was from the piano.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2GWU6cK7td7X7zzz1C8IJqLmrQG-4ODqMwmqRSF2petHSZxJRHngKPxsem4YNOJZsZot2dQ_Xe6qJd_onPERqBFuagf9kJQKaF6QzLgbEIJQbr7B2FJr2uuL32WF_g_bZ-w-zfDAs1E9_v9mwJQ-9OZQ2DoPzQ-rysevIHtS_jg9r5LzGMM/s4032/758FECE7-97E6-4E2F-8311-47D79FF3335B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2GWU6cK7td7X7zzz1C8IJqLmrQG-4ODqMwmqRSF2petHSZxJRHngKPxsem4YNOJZsZot2dQ_Xe6qJd_onPERqBFuagf9kJQKaF6QzLgbEIJQbr7B2FJr2uuL32WF_g_bZ-w-zfDAs1E9_v9mwJQ-9OZQ2DoPzQ-rysevIHtS_jg9r5LzGMM/w640-h480/758FECE7-97E6-4E2F-8311-47D79FF3335B.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The 2022 holiday season was very different for me, as we didn't have the opportunity to travel to Georgia to spend time with my family. There was a bit of sadness about that. But I did host a brunch at my house. I love me a festive place setting and fresh flowers.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLG9efALLQnUvwYYpCRl6j_iy9xDaUt--zRY6VpuXuMoDAUA6OiTJDwI14wRTC2IvIxP7WNkssTyn7GHdJamf7ptfhSch8Ej9HK3ifHuzgRVUO8L3PZ7DyTSZ9dgVnIsBGhmo2qnY2ucEzTpiT9hiY-QkMpeR990VKQxrkYvj13qLYEaOjrh8/s4032/16708E19-1B7B-4F93-BF6B-836AA25CDBD2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLG9efALLQnUvwYYpCRl6j_iy9xDaUt--zRY6VpuXuMoDAUA6OiTJDwI14wRTC2IvIxP7WNkssTyn7GHdJamf7ptfhSch8Ej9HK3ifHuzgRVUO8L3PZ7DyTSZ9dgVnIsBGhmo2qnY2ucEzTpiT9hiY-QkMpeR990VKQxrkYvj13qLYEaOjrh8/w480-h640/16708E19-1B7B-4F93-BF6B-836AA25CDBD2.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVoguO5VOtKvU60DfrwVGWM2s7jHXQpV_Q8SPCzQ56I0kHgCSbYZWF1P84iO3ZAl7Csqd2eu5sNuvmNIQyrOSag4UHmpZCTh7SoRwwHclxJUpfLo7Knvyi-Cyqja0d9qxE9D8a632GxvEitbhJ96J6pMybAW3FG38y-IrSTjTmhO6AxVbog0/s4032/AB3C36A4-2067-4D06-B6B4-32BADAC843AB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVoguO5VOtKvU60DfrwVGWM2s7jHXQpV_Q8SPCzQ56I0kHgCSbYZWF1P84iO3ZAl7Csqd2eu5sNuvmNIQyrOSag4UHmpZCTh7SoRwwHclxJUpfLo7Knvyi-Cyqja0d9qxE9D8a632GxvEitbhJ96J6pMybAW3FG38y-IrSTjTmhO6AxVbog0/w640-h480/AB3C36A4-2067-4D06-B6B4-32BADAC843AB.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We added a few new ornaments to our tree this year. Two of them represent a couple of the cities we visited last year during our summer road trip. And, of course, each of the kids got a new ornament representing something about them from the year. It's not hard to guess what belongs to who. And, yes, the tree was deader than dead by the time I took these pictures.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzR-9o2BRPcVDGspZkufSZGo45fAZ8tLnmYQnZNS_CSudwKyXYKVt7Jv2UOh6wgemvArlaxHZuWPe09B1bqzlYJkFZIAWuwQdVAHyDSfskQjgd635T3asbEqxV62mx8fQpg8IKz_6rhojTrKN6H5sgJ9WTMr-BkXHQm2P_yUzdoX2NLFaNuc/s4032/D6F3BDE1-B074-490B-922F-F4D156EAAC0E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzR-9o2BRPcVDGspZkufSZGo45fAZ8tLnmYQnZNS_CSudwKyXYKVt7Jv2UOh6wgemvArlaxHZuWPe09B1bqzlYJkFZIAWuwQdVAHyDSfskQjgd635T3asbEqxV62mx8fQpg8IKz_6rhojTrKN6H5sgJ9WTMr-BkXHQm2P_yUzdoX2NLFaNuc/w480-h640/D6F3BDE1-B074-490B-922F-F4D156EAAC0E.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mvSKGncZkFonSSe834d_C_QRAZiL7aPWpMnrV1rJnO_qkQ4ZnCE0BvaDnf9SdfaU7K37Zq8G6nfuSKat0BKdFM9fgNOzReIMqdny4C9wrTgskFuvuFUDWVCNn_ZNgzndDdjNNalDUSK7OZdA98DWm8YkZgnsWTidg_Fx2uAmYdU9rAh4vls/s4032/E13E448B-68C0-4949-BED7-DBC7CC6D869D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mvSKGncZkFonSSe834d_C_QRAZiL7aPWpMnrV1rJnO_qkQ4ZnCE0BvaDnf9SdfaU7K37Zq8G6nfuSKat0BKdFM9fgNOzReIMqdny4C9wrTgskFuvuFUDWVCNn_ZNgzndDdjNNalDUSK7OZdA98DWm8YkZgnsWTidg_Fx2uAmYdU9rAh4vls/w480-h640/E13E448B-68C0-4949-BED7-DBC7CC6D869D.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzOa2Ow41Y9WctKKIFo5Ly0XrdG0wV_Hic_7R_59iNwEzZCb6cEPrCQ6LOjLJ6l7F-IJj38JqEeW_xWXDEu4K4Zw1i-IzDrV1XV8DdjF-aw2EnEnbXIANrOMBVoQC8TOpfu1zDMYBQGWiG9jBkQRqWUJkT2kLSqJZlBVp1ik178CIUjbo24Q/s4032/3845146C-8663-4028-89A3-007EED79BAEB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzOa2Ow41Y9WctKKIFo5Ly0XrdG0wV_Hic_7R_59iNwEzZCb6cEPrCQ6LOjLJ6l7F-IJj38JqEeW_xWXDEu4K4Zw1i-IzDrV1XV8DdjF-aw2EnEnbXIANrOMBVoQC8TOpfu1zDMYBQGWiG9jBkQRqWUJkT2kLSqJZlBVp1ik178CIUjbo24Q/w480-h640/3845146C-8663-4028-89A3-007EED79BAEB.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZc8UhDMKqN_rl9d5KRWi5crgRF2zIv8Ie4bRbEbh7L8MXEAteOhe1j8YWD5DGrByViLaGx_28mZdkRwpRb8XVy5EO7FOcrQ-JUXzOdYFkZG1Xs29piDUhKE0csC3ayUFxIcpToXp3qIG7jQroUdI_ib05mFv68Rjk_jnlJZyyo2As2-ZfHM/s4032/1ACD7A0B-F088-4DD5-B066-4AEEAACEB632.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGZc8UhDMKqN_rl9d5KRWi5crgRF2zIv8Ie4bRbEbh7L8MXEAteOhe1j8YWD5DGrByViLaGx_28mZdkRwpRb8XVy5EO7FOcrQ-JUXzOdYFkZG1Xs29piDUhKE0csC3ayUFxIcpToXp3qIG7jQroUdI_ib05mFv68Rjk_jnlJZyyo2As2-ZfHM/w480-h640/1ACD7A0B-F088-4DD5-B066-4AEEAACEB632.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jg6G3B4CQMeH5G6p8lUJOuu4VuHTO1oFZrEGlC_SfiHVvBtA_Et8OSCLhC-NvkBVq6A8HEfiO2pLaJRzuEyKAaDSU61raINSeeODBsdwDKa_sZVvhLiNC2Tlw0qAeU6iXFYtSogHoj9HqoBRmtxXXKawr4VpQ4X7HQHyu5WTxSVXvZPV0Oo/s4032/D0C2AF71-B24A-442F-B3A0-9ECEBAF603D1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Jg6G3B4CQMeH5G6p8lUJOuu4VuHTO1oFZrEGlC_SfiHVvBtA_Et8OSCLhC-NvkBVq6A8HEfiO2pLaJRzuEyKAaDSU61raINSeeODBsdwDKa_sZVvhLiNC2Tlw0qAeU6iXFYtSogHoj9HqoBRmtxXXKawr4VpQ4X7HQHyu5WTxSVXvZPV0Oo/w480-h640/D0C2AF71-B24A-442F-B3A0-9ECEBAF603D1.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Here are some of my favorite memories:</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8IkAVN2FCv9PuqfAGOCTFSuPY-4a55sm8bg2MiJicUX2QwjpT_ywgjDA3nD2z1s18sDMRCWcl-HPx3w1CFMdUCwKRkIyWSzsVCayRPa9GsUuhmjItomOLOUyTkJpnrd-FjBCLKSeYktmRIEUfZoOXZ8Bv0LbDzZE7TsKiDjjI4_Wge8Kz9w/s4032/EBAE9D58-E080-461D-873F-6B2F0898B089.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd8IkAVN2FCv9PuqfAGOCTFSuPY-4a55sm8bg2MiJicUX2QwjpT_ywgjDA3nD2z1s18sDMRCWcl-HPx3w1CFMdUCwKRkIyWSzsVCayRPa9GsUuhmjItomOLOUyTkJpnrd-FjBCLKSeYktmRIEUfZoOXZ8Bv0LbDzZE7TsKiDjjI4_Wge8Kz9w/w480-h640/EBAE9D58-E080-461D-873F-6B2F0898B089.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV96GXH25H8tsgEPBP0qGSJJ1ViYolffRcWJEmBoV_lOfitIOF2dIXmA14euPknedMzUHJgERbfsSfnxwCKhoVFZZ1OrJOmOeJ9_nedmzrv81uLyI5c5j1guma67TSU8btucIkwFOqI9ieTiTMXA9nvaXLYLUa28QhXkM7lMYrja_SbJFo45g/s4032/33DF897B-0BCE-4BCD-97C4-B4AD941B340F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV96GXH25H8tsgEPBP0qGSJJ1ViYolffRcWJEmBoV_lOfitIOF2dIXmA14euPknedMzUHJgERbfsSfnxwCKhoVFZZ1OrJOmOeJ9_nedmzrv81uLyI5c5j1guma67TSU8btucIkwFOqI9ieTiTMXA9nvaXLYLUa28QhXkM7lMYrja_SbJFo45g/w480-h640/33DF897B-0BCE-4BCD-97C4-B4AD941B340F.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZSHpT-tai_QrfMDhcIEko5BFvK-rZjJZe6iCCjlRk_HAe9eIjaffUcBoWFX1hC8Bdd7Qnp7mx0uOmskVTNUVg4c75D_d_Ke4SALNzmuaKhhR3xH5Ck2v120QCkk4JA5nQ2CQr22uqLsdOqPkvlx5MkrDZF57I8M2NZKaVHCNGXRjHVM3mxk/s4032/700C39C0-0872-4247-9597-A61D60A07F42.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZSHpT-tai_QrfMDhcIEko5BFvK-rZjJZe6iCCjlRk_HAe9eIjaffUcBoWFX1hC8Bdd7Qnp7mx0uOmskVTNUVg4c75D_d_Ke4SALNzmuaKhhR3xH5Ck2v120QCkk4JA5nQ2CQr22uqLsdOqPkvlx5MkrDZF57I8M2NZKaVHCNGXRjHVM3mxk/w480-h640/700C39C0-0872-4247-9597-A61D60A07F42.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc6rt1J1l_G4sJdtdVrhXjG8L1C8APBM3BX4Uh7yJEgNtL4P5kGlKBq9pngHJAGzzTgsfFyow4sGxcqz_fBQl89HK2620qcpEKCSklFUb3EAK47KTEyPRe_6rhY7uUCLbsodPg-GwAkhnYg1QE45lGg40jO8pXsE5TZf0bB5K_Q4e3BhkHoE/s4032/2011FFDA-7293-4E51-BBDC-7FEBDD106B5D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMc6rt1J1l_G4sJdtdVrhXjG8L1C8APBM3BX4Uh7yJEgNtL4P5kGlKBq9pngHJAGzzTgsfFyow4sGxcqz_fBQl89HK2620qcpEKCSklFUb3EAK47KTEyPRe_6rhY7uUCLbsodPg-GwAkhnYg1QE45lGg40jO8pXsE5TZf0bB5K_Q4e3BhkHoE/w480-h640/2011FFDA-7293-4E51-BBDC-7FEBDD106B5D.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqYLLghWZrML91heCzKEJMv9AMUxA9XtAycWp1h482X7YonfuAAaCTjibOXe5jyACeD9YsxSRV6hYd5vdIO8iIMvMpQNwZ00CoDqOStIMR6QUZS7lW35CALzH21wbbgtzdXIHDMiTZCyQS7PnZ09AtKR74sipsElCdmpBDo--INzfGm6KP6k/s4032/04872C21-0F9D-45DC-AA26-8F71D1798065.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqYLLghWZrML91heCzKEJMv9AMUxA9XtAycWp1h482X7YonfuAAaCTjibOXe5jyACeD9YsxSRV6hYd5vdIO8iIMvMpQNwZ00CoDqOStIMR6QUZS7lW35CALzH21wbbgtzdXIHDMiTZCyQS7PnZ09AtKR74sipsElCdmpBDo--INzfGm6KP6k/w640-h480/04872C21-0F9D-45DC-AA26-8F71D1798065.heic" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58ErM9A-tgREYioXq8gJKx6yGzjaJSEgh2kqlUXxFO6LvZAWapkbhnZhiyXlXODcYbtUyTlTmym_Ceric8daDJ6QKHUCwhEdotLSwjK74FlXmvcY6ABDEHswj1I2ElamydF35EIHY0WLqP03empKtAr2rz1ESAABNTpIqkOrnwJ6l5Nthi8U/s4032/9761AAFD-55B4-46CD-9F0D-3DC58167774A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58ErM9A-tgREYioXq8gJKx6yGzjaJSEgh2kqlUXxFO6LvZAWapkbhnZhiyXlXODcYbtUyTlTmym_Ceric8daDJ6QKHUCwhEdotLSwjK74FlXmvcY6ABDEHswj1I2ElamydF35EIHY0WLqP03empKtAr2rz1ESAABNTpIqkOrnwJ6l5Nthi8U/w480-h640/9761AAFD-55B4-46CD-9F0D-3DC58167774A.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jdxqkIVQth9Zb1SOirRQfzgtOXcGDgKCbCDRdtnviA2SzIQOsTyIK2VV2fVxh7CrHG5Ex5nGTB72PB8JBzVccUJkV4OpwmlC1LkKCe6SQCP5uILAVG9volfRnm2CEi_I6WNcp0ra6g8J4_s_hx-vAiQ5aUhhcBrOdcB27h0Rgha5_cJXgtE/s4032/B63B16B1-14F8-46C1-A37C-228D92653C02.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1jdxqkIVQth9Zb1SOirRQfzgtOXcGDgKCbCDRdtnviA2SzIQOsTyIK2VV2fVxh7CrHG5Ex5nGTB72PB8JBzVccUJkV4OpwmlC1LkKCe6SQCP5uILAVG9volfRnm2CEi_I6WNcp0ra6g8J4_s_hx-vAiQ5aUhhcBrOdcB27h0Rgha5_cJXgtE/w480-h640/B63B16B1-14F8-46C1-A37C-228D92653C02.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGQoVMEXKwg3U_yXzdaX3fvvDGJqxn548AWT8Phol38AOp5h-heLcGcr7Vwfpsv3QQCxR_aR3iftQb9WxhQ03qoy8BYS6IL-ExoOsLBCUxQSqO3uP52dmUvpk_8tmjHGyp4uGabq4juts1P_mBvR0eW85I4CAzP_VB-RwhuhRdNMPA1XVVnE/s4032/F649A9BB-F7B9-403F-B32A-86966954C975.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPGQoVMEXKwg3U_yXzdaX3fvvDGJqxn548AWT8Phol38AOp5h-heLcGcr7Vwfpsv3QQCxR_aR3iftQb9WxhQ03qoy8BYS6IL-ExoOsLBCUxQSqO3uP52dmUvpk_8tmjHGyp4uGabq4juts1P_mBvR0eW85I4CAzP_VB-RwhuhRdNMPA1XVVnE/w480-h640/F649A9BB-F7B9-403F-B32A-86966954C975.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1zpsTMSU7DzOdlHY73UjkujLyo_4j5QSX8fj-vo-9trVaijLNX0tCDEB5BfzvfUyHPg5v99T29GUJhg10-5wndqzSff1rqzP-U_349qhnZmb_YPmXd54UHuq-Z1manewhl_DkFMnAWKiI91GV6Tj7ssUQZpxqeARnWUxmQvO-7qLNXZ0dFU/s4032/FBCEFB40-77E4-468C-8F4B-857DBB9AABE5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1zpsTMSU7DzOdlHY73UjkujLyo_4j5QSX8fj-vo-9trVaijLNX0tCDEB5BfzvfUyHPg5v99T29GUJhg10-5wndqzSff1rqzP-U_349qhnZmb_YPmXd54UHuq-Z1manewhl_DkFMnAWKiI91GV6Tj7ssUQZpxqeARnWUxmQvO-7qLNXZ0dFU/w480-h640/FBCEFB40-77E4-468C-8F4B-857DBB9AABE5.heic" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not often that Seth surprises me. I think the last time was several years ago when he got me a reservation to a cooking class with one of my favorite local chefs. I'm still not sure how he thought of that. Nor am I sure how he thought of this. I cried. So now he thinks my love language is getting gifts. I was just very overwhelmed with the gifts that he and my parents gave me.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK24-fTOwJKZNbVhFTS4YRPFrQbtXxOo6qVjd8n2MUAW75_zg5A2zcvSNd8ducl6VDqKs73aIutgbGKA1y4aoPYOt5sMhMhtJxtbIIcvowdHRPTbWhW9PWSjl_IJbs_gfjhfVoomcoTgoc-NM3bsr6stnA4EpW9kHA9uxhbaXUCwqVz8d56s/s4032/IMG_2217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihK24-fTOwJKZNbVhFTS4YRPFrQbtXxOo6qVjd8n2MUAW75_zg5A2zcvSNd8ducl6VDqKs73aIutgbGKA1y4aoPYOt5sMhMhtJxtbIIcvowdHRPTbWhW9PWSjl_IJbs_gfjhfVoomcoTgoc-NM3bsr6stnA4EpW9kHA9uxhbaXUCwqVz8d56s/w480-h640/IMG_2217.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And then, just like that, it was time to take it all down and put it all away. But just for a little while. I have a feeling that when it all comes back out in a few months, it will seem all brand new again.</span></div></div>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-81327865047282781022023-01-07T20:03:00.002-06:002023-01-07T20:10:54.262-06:00Homecoming 2022 (and another Ellie-ism)<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was homecoming (yes, last October, but better late than never). I wasn't really expecting Mason to go this year, as he isn't one to fill his social calendar, much less "dress up." And it never even crossed my mind that Hannah Kate would go. I keep forgetting that she is in high school now. Anyway, they went.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmSTTtDjiyuSQCy7OffrE6yCqUqq8LFaZJC_URbUi_omvRIXX8nxYZySNNoddUPfUdUbMwQhXd2N1kgiFTrMdg5PENkDTHnWGstjky7JUV2-JCY73BnuViDZ1pqUGWZwj1h9rrokmDlzvoZ03LaJ5Dj2Yx_T9VNkiIh8zedSMo8Cn3cc0i4w/s4000/97C85454-676E-4188-8E51-233B3C4A2100.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="4000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmSTTtDjiyuSQCy7OffrE6yCqUqq8LFaZJC_URbUi_omvRIXX8nxYZySNNoddUPfUdUbMwQhXd2N1kgiFTrMdg5PENkDTHnWGstjky7JUV2-JCY73BnuViDZ1pqUGWZwj1h9rrokmDlzvoZ03LaJ5Dj2Yx_T9VNkiIh8zedSMo8Cn3cc0i4w/w640-h640/97C85454-676E-4188-8E51-233B3C4A2100.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Thankfully, Mason just grabbed something already in his closet. I took Hannah Kate dress shopping. She had a very specific idea of what she wanted. Meanwhile, I'm reminding her that she is only a freshman and still has three years left to find the "perfect" dress so let's not set our sights too high. I do not enjoy clothes shopping for or with Hannah Kate (just being honest). I always tell her that she needs to be a fashion designer because what she has her mind set on just doesn't exist. Besides, have you been shopping for a teenage girl lately? They need to add a few inches to the tops and skirts. I'm not sure why everything is cropped and shorter than a tennis skirt but whatever. Anyway. Besides the fact that everyone was looking for a hoco dress that day, it actually went much better than I anticipated. We even came home with a dress. And then she decided about 30 minutes later that she regretted her decision and should've order the OTHER dress in her size since they didn't have it in the store. Sigh. But it all worked out. I was unexpectedly back at the store a few weeks later and decided to stroll through the dresses, totally not expecting them to have it in her size. But they did! So she ended up with the dress she really wanted. She did her own hair and makeup so that was easy enough.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I think she had a good time. She enjoyed taking pictures and hanging out with her little friend group.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR00s6yAmEcalCWC0jih3HK0LTW4J6ESE8oKeH5DJLHRAuXLmQojwLdnH_IrAR4kUE53bbk7EgcKdXg8UonV-kcrgdTtsaXr0A99VTb6uewh3yzXVF2-d2Mj0ZJ0q0lVMt8MSzBnMDtfZCgN2q77xGqeLYUQo3i9hGMlc6P0MWoPWatvvyjo/s1440/83ED3F2D-CC55-4C51-9782-CFABE747269C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLR00s6yAmEcalCWC0jih3HK0LTW4J6ESE8oKeH5DJLHRAuXLmQojwLdnH_IrAR4kUE53bbk7EgcKdXg8UonV-kcrgdTtsaXr0A99VTb6uewh3yzXVF2-d2Mj0ZJ0q0lVMt8MSzBnMDtfZCgN2q77xGqeLYUQo3i9hGMlc6P0MWoPWatvvyjo/w640-h640/83ED3F2D-CC55-4C51-9782-CFABE747269C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Since she didn't have a "date," her daddy knocked on the door and presented her corsage to her. Turn the volume up and listen carefully when a certain little sister comes barging through the door, tennis shoe in hand.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9ID4PMtFVIU" width="320" youtube-src-id="9ID4PMtFVIU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>That night when we were getting ready for bed, Seth told me he couldn't find his toothbrush. He had been working out of town that week so I asked him if he had unpacked it from his bag. He said he did. I asked him if he couldn't put it in a different drawer (because, you know, it happens). He said not. I asked him if he double checked. He said he did. I really didn't think much about it because it's happened before. It's always either in his bag or in another drawer. I didn't check behind him, but I was certain that's where it was. In the meantime, I told him I had plenty of brand new toothbrushes and to grab one.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next night we were in Ellie's room tucking her into bed. Ellie's room is nothing short of a disaster. I'm embarrassed to even tell you what it looks like, much less post a picture. The carpet is many different colors thanks to hair chalk, paint, ink and who knows what else. No, she isn't allowed to have any of those things in her room. She has peeled the paint off her wall in a couple of spots. Her furniture is discolored from tape, stickers and markers. No, she isn't allowed to write on her furniture. There is garbage underneath her bed and dresser and in the bins in her closet. Yes, she has a trash can in her room. It doesn't matter how many times we tell her to clean her room. There are piles of stuff in every corner and nothing ever really makes it back to where it belongs. It's been a battle for years, and it's one I've chosen, for the most part, not to fight anymore. I can hardly even go in her room because it gives me such anxiety. Besides, it usually results in an argument. So, anyway, we were in her room.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I leaned over to give her a hug, my foot touched something underneath her bed. In exasperation I reminded her that she was supposed to have cleaned out from under her bed that day. She quickly jumped up with some excuse about why and how something was left under her bed. And then she pulled out . . . a toothbrush. I thought absolutely nothing of it. If you know Ellie, you would totally expect a toothbrush to be under her bed. But then Seth says, "That's my toothbrush."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">No longer did I get "Why do you have your dad's toothbrush under your bed?!" out of my mouth than I realized . . .</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">If you heard her in the video ("Mom, look at my shoe."), she's running outside to show me her converse that she is so proud she has just cleaned. The soles are white again. Yep. You guessed it. She used her daddy's toothbrush to clean the soles of her converse! I don't even bother asking her, "Why?!" It's completely pointless. Again, if you know Ellie, well . . . you know it makes perfect sense to clean your tennis shoes with your daddy's toothbrush!</span></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-53616092087922202682023-01-03T21:18:00.001-06:002023-01-03T21:19:00.852-06:00Louisiana Tech Bound<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">October 6, 2022 wasn't just another day. It was an EXTRAordinary day, an Ephesians 3:20 kind of day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b>"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory . . ."</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I hadn't been home from work for very long. I was sitting on the couch trying to make myself get up to do the next thing when Mason came running down the stairs with his phone in his hand. Before I realize what's going on, he's literally throwing it at me.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYGYXfSQYBS0Y9J0EbHrAqd8nuL69l5hpy208ZfL3AYS97_5M1Npa4ADAoeRH70GKSyfawvGjnA2afREbeEUpkzWj5lAut4wHwIAQmITbCw9rEq0wdmKxS3YBSuUVlAARVlpRM-mmX6UIsQI8ghXCSI7WZ6DUn5UyeLm3xBhXRsrqxFZWKdU/s1440/BB7DDD49-B0B8-48B4-8E27-98846B148D30.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYGYXfSQYBS0Y9J0EbHrAqd8nuL69l5hpy208ZfL3AYS97_5M1Npa4ADAoeRH70GKSyfawvGjnA2afREbeEUpkzWj5lAut4wHwIAQmITbCw9rEq0wdmKxS3YBSuUVlAARVlpRM-mmX6UIsQI8ghXCSI7WZ6DUn5UyeLm3xBhXRsrqxFZWKdU/w400-h400/BB7DDD49-B0B8-48B4-8E27-98846B148D30.jpeg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Honestly . . . my first thought? "So this is how they do it. An email. Nothing pretty in the mail that I can save for him or take a picture of. Bummer." And then I rolled my eyes. When I told my boss at work the next day that we received Mason's acceptance by email, he laughed and said, "You're just disappointed that you don't have something to frame. Or at least laminate." He's probably right. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next day I came home with treats, and we had a little mini-party.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaN2y6meZd9j3dc2zMstmuhFggDRCzuzQXynqvWHd920ULnEJysLFHJqYlM6xpV0ui1khaehLqHhHwa-5g-PTYWgwEtpP8MmU52pEGzayINAWmS7MIgy5OQmvnjZdjunRiclix2xY6EMJ8N4fHWkRF1ynGgwm44RNXanEdv--ADR20_SBNG9I/s4032/775D65C1-098E-45F2-99AD-5F3BA9CE9A5E.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaN2y6meZd9j3dc2zMstmuhFggDRCzuzQXynqvWHd920ULnEJysLFHJqYlM6xpV0ui1khaehLqHhHwa-5g-PTYWgwEtpP8MmU52pEGzayINAWmS7MIgy5OQmvnjZdjunRiclix2xY6EMJ8N4fHWkRF1ynGgwm44RNXanEdv--ADR20_SBNG9I/w480-h640/775D65C1-098E-45F2-99AD-5F3BA9CE9A5E.heic" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Two weeks later I checked the mailbox to unexpectedly find this!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8hNTiYxHvOvXYfEmrETQubyQxFtLDhTBtJ4dIfEa07pPdBXqVrou8j0XYx9YIjVqe9yiZQQ6juQzNCUcLjZxvIzYK3YAX0Y8m-3hQl7LqN5ArP1lIfhom1Is08uGUOe9t3Vhkp4iL45d2HgVfzqJ-UvGIOB-vh_vJ8YyDtw-ScEFGjaQuqs/s4032/2DFB26FC-F663-4566-866B-7B01FDE53E47_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8hNTiYxHvOvXYfEmrETQubyQxFtLDhTBtJ4dIfEa07pPdBXqVrou8j0XYx9YIjVqe9yiZQQ6juQzNCUcLjZxvIzYK3YAX0Y8m-3hQl7LqN5ArP1lIfhom1Is08uGUOe9t3Vhkp4iL45d2HgVfzqJ-UvGIOB-vh_vJ8YyDtw-ScEFGjaQuqs/w480-h640/2DFB26FC-F663-4566-866B-7B01FDE53E47_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD1mRy29GA9wJtLSJ8si3gqremFwCdwx_CPbJhrnLsK4eLA6SHYJva5Tg9GjkG5J-WVNW0AakFIYzrw7fZw0g4Tat3Uw_hg-LdS6c8CdjDRyDiG6u_YjzWnA1ZSXSGd4PQK-JxZ4BHz9grAuzZ7nctpUDUZgHA8XWiRxJrKbB0RnOmNcJtu8/s4032/72FC6FE3-6FD6-4350-B1A1-C8FB9D6867B8.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaD1mRy29GA9wJtLSJ8si3gqremFwCdwx_CPbJhrnLsK4eLA6SHYJva5Tg9GjkG5J-WVNW0AakFIYzrw7fZw0g4Tat3Uw_hg-LdS6c8CdjDRyDiG6u_YjzWnA1ZSXSGd4PQK-JxZ4BHz9grAuzZ7nctpUDUZgHA8XWiRxJrKbB0RnOmNcJtu8/w480-h640/72FC6FE3-6FD6-4350-B1A1-C8FB9D6867B8.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFqs0qyHNYmktYpM0G7XjC0zk3KZwQMkGTJF17dl_seGKovaup4FEUPd_urEBsq9PMabOvpH6njBkUoBnTq395CaYdloffTU8rWPfWs485JAuifWybTJYQe3-Dve8ND5geCmBO-frRM2WHt59Qt8ThI-M4Iptri4IoDRAnPvnIey6IukHELY/s4032/6A52FA00-379C-414B-A93C-5D58A003D9BD.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYFqs0qyHNYmktYpM0G7XjC0zk3KZwQMkGTJF17dl_seGKovaup4FEUPd_urEBsq9PMabOvpH6njBkUoBnTq395CaYdloffTU8rWPfWs485JAuifWybTJYQe3-Dve8ND5geCmBO-frRM2WHt59Qt8ThI-M4Iptri4IoDRAnPvnIey6IukHELY/w480-h640/6A52FA00-379C-414B-A93C-5D58A003D9BD.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1I01Ih5P8Z4EDXRAxjacqxvz1gwbaG9v1-QDnesO8g0iBrITs-KI8-XUxfiC9lOVoEezC2oFhEOKK0QCg8Hl99zJb9J_dvZclhGejhQlpYBpbY8O_Py7Vvry1dJEqEeoKv8wyDoEEuHxX3z8HszaK5TPopCdSmPqKZpKe48984AR0ycYBk8/s4032/7507B3B9-8CCD-4789-86FC-4C30C5EE2A61.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1I01Ih5P8Z4EDXRAxjacqxvz1gwbaG9v1-QDnesO8g0iBrITs-KI8-XUxfiC9lOVoEezC2oFhEOKK0QCg8Hl99zJb9J_dvZclhGejhQlpYBpbY8O_Py7Vvry1dJEqEeoKv8wyDoEEuHxX3z8HszaK5TPopCdSmPqKZpKe48984AR0ycYBk8/w480-h640/7507B3B9-8CCD-4789-86FC-4C30C5EE2A61.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MW9t4GSy0ldDkMWlbva2G9T5pDuqiy-UxeQ_mvPzbuhsu49obWWQntDI0eB8hCLkZuP5T6LERk_FAVK6CP9e6A8lJ1sDdraSn3bCyvgDb1En53gY3NQJNF6ugR_x6qhEIWvZL-a8py6i3iIlkjWu-PuoghQJrxdPLTnqkCJKrpYSLXjFtF0/s4032/4F43FB5B-4B29-420D-BCA7-F4D698F70EDF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MW9t4GSy0ldDkMWlbva2G9T5pDuqiy-UxeQ_mvPzbuhsu49obWWQntDI0eB8hCLkZuP5T6LERk_FAVK6CP9e6A8lJ1sDdraSn3bCyvgDb1En53gY3NQJNF6ugR_x6qhEIWvZL-a8py6i3iIlkjWu-PuoghQJrxdPLTnqkCJKrpYSLXjFtF0/w480-h640/4F43FB5B-4B29-420D-BCA7-F4D698F70EDF.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've spent the last thirteen pushing this kid of mine to believe and know and understand that he can do anything he wants to do, and he can be anything he wants to be. He will have to work harder than most to get there, but he can do it! I truly believed every single word of everything I ever told him. But then he comes up with this idea of going to Louisiana Tech to major in electrical engineering, and I am at a loss for words (yes, it happens). For the first time in those thirteen years, I had a difficult time pushing him to pursue this dream because it seemed like we'd finally gotten to the thing that was outside the realm of possible. I mean, shoot for the stars and all, but electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech seemed galaxies away. That stopped me in my tracks, and I didn't know what to do with it. I don't know why. I don't know why I had such a hard time believing he can actually do this thing. I don't know why, after all the years of cheering him on and watching him do some really amazing things academically that I never thought he'd do, that I thought we'd arrived at "impossible," the thing he couldn't do. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I didn't push anymore. And I didn't say a word. I didn't discourage him but I didn't encourage him either. I remained silent, and he remained adamant. He wasn't even interested in visiting many colleges last summer, and he applied for admission to only one. Louisiana Tech. I gently suggested he apply to others, not necessarily as a "back up plan" but just because you can apply for as many as you want to, and why not, but he refused. He's stubborn, that one. And, of course, he gave me "the look" after I read his email. You know, the one that says, "I told you so."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I was thinking about over the last thirteen years later that same night, I landed for awhile on his 2nd grade year. Gosh, that was a really, really hard one. That was the worst one. Even though we're years removed from that now, I still can't think about it too much. I will never forget "the meeting." I expected it to be the one that would finally result in positive steps forward, the one that would result in him getting the extra support and services he needed to be successful in the classroom, the one that would result in a real partnership between us, his teacher and the administrators at his school. Instead it was the one where the principle wasn't paying attention and was instead constantly texting on her phone under the table. I'm not sure why she thought I couldn't see her. And then one of the administrators whispered to me afterwards, thinking she was doing me a huge favor, "You know, this school isn't the right fit for everybody. You should probably go ahead and send him to the other school down the road that isn't as rigorous as this one." I walked away from that meeting sad and mad. Sad for Mason and mad for that principle and administrator. Looking back, I was definitely more mad than sad, and I stayed mad for a good long while. Both that principle and administrator left two years later. If I'm being honest, I sure would love to see that administrator again and show her Mason's acceptance letter into Louisiana Tech. Honestly, it's probably a lot because of her. I was so mad that all I could think to do was prove her wrong, and that's what kept pushing me forward the next two and a half years after that as we fought through evaluations and therapies and homework and some really long days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But, really and truly, this kid is the one who dug his heels in and did the hard work without giving up. One of his classes this year is a dual enrollment so he'll graduate high school with some college credit. He was just awarded the platinum scholar award (4.0 GPA) for the first semester of his senior year. He's been tutoring a student in algebra and making $20/hour doing so. I NEVER would've believed this would be possible, much less reality, when he was in 1st and 2nd grade. Never.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But God is faithful. He has a plan for Mason. He has gone before us every single step of the way and provided in ways both big and small. He has given us access to some amazing resources and orchestrated divine encounters exactly when we needed it. <b>All glory is His</b> for Mason's college acceptance letter!</div></span><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-22382446232003879932022-12-30T20:12:00.001-06:002022-12-30T20:50:57.317-06:00Hannah Kate | 15 years old<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Finally.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycxFYj1tulKEY8j2GsGLqqEaSAzGcq7uEe1ZmdvcalDLE06H8FBaDych0OKj4NEH8M7Om64nyNGMhyIcUQkyby1gYL5pa0wpWbnl7l8yDdxQmrtu-9F1U_pOFrbHIViPyhVzj9o3rqtTNXIuqbTmTfMqVQFKmmcIt_nz_qy7tw0mAd4Anxuw/s4032/014918DD-7486-4DA8-A415-D4C797D111E7.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycxFYj1tulKEY8j2GsGLqqEaSAzGcq7uEe1ZmdvcalDLE06H8FBaDych0OKj4NEH8M7Om64nyNGMhyIcUQkyby1gYL5pa0wpWbnl7l8yDdxQmrtu-9F1U_pOFrbHIViPyhVzj9o3rqtTNXIuqbTmTfMqVQFKmmcIt_nz_qy7tw0mAd4Anxuw/w480-h640/014918DD-7486-4DA8-A415-D4C797D111E7.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The day she's waited on for what seems like forever.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">15 years old.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9DWugY9rWuy_u3mkhyHPFIhqDovl2EAEFf-nb66rODRC3ho1XJIbRJ-BVqWqh_YBOvaf1P8oiOrqIP1-IZwQZ6UH1l2KnOGk58DGIKYC4HklkRSidwJr7EGlhC-MdZV7PTJ1Z3RVkukA3F2eSS4V8tnzwe6fAlGpb_gax-pFN5dEzD34kfY/s4032/6B2120E9-22FE-4F86-9614-06B40885123A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9DWugY9rWuy_u3mkhyHPFIhqDovl2EAEFf-nb66rODRC3ho1XJIbRJ-BVqWqh_YBOvaf1P8oiOrqIP1-IZwQZ6UH1l2KnOGk58DGIKYC4HklkRSidwJr7EGlhC-MdZV7PTJ1Z3RVkukA3F2eSS4V8tnzwe6fAlGpb_gax-pFN5dEzD34kfY/w480-h640/6B2120E9-22FE-4F86-9614-06B40885123A.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">In our house, that's the day you get your very first smart phone. It doesn't matter that you are now old enough for driver's ed and will begin driving. She hasn't looked forward to getting her license. She's only looked forward to getting a phone. Because, you know, she's the ONLY 9th grader (8th grader, 7th grader, 14 year old, 13 year old and on and on and on . . . you get the point) who doesn't have a phone. Last year on her birthday she created a beautiful power point presentation outlining why she should be allowed to have a phone that she emailed to me. It was very organized, very well written. I even saved it. But she didn't get her phone until this year's birthday. She doesn't have social media. She can essentially talk, text and FaceTime, and that's pretty much it. But that's all she wanted to do anyway. Her friends were setting up google meets everyday to talk to her after school. That makes me giggle, and I'm sure she'll look back on that one day and smile. But those days are over now.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQR1OIx5rJtgVriwq_UMxF8yi008q4cY1ZB2bD5VNzjpj8HkLdf7fLkCYR81XHUEIzMw4-24HeAQi9AtuzZSuIVw9dHTqY9qfu0gyOjdUSFwNhN5L2iT4gLMESiIpAvUpjZGw8lhHV0ehW2o9ORt9uKgUNJU4pOExMM412vRzYYhNo81eZUM/s4032/F0F779AA-C821-4087-AB18-3B3179894814.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQR1OIx5rJtgVriwq_UMxF8yi008q4cY1ZB2bD5VNzjpj8HkLdf7fLkCYR81XHUEIzMw4-24HeAQi9AtuzZSuIVw9dHTqY9qfu0gyOjdUSFwNhN5L2iT4gLMESiIpAvUpjZGw8lhHV0ehW2o9ORt9uKgUNJU4pOExMM412vRzYYhNo81eZUM/w480-h640/F0F779AA-C821-4087-AB18-3B3179894814.heic" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's not like she didn't know what she was getting for her birthday. It's not like she was going to be too terribly surprised. Because let's be honest. She knew exactly what she was getting. But watching her open her phone, you never would've guessed it wasn't a surprise. She was positively giddy. And, yes, we even popped confetti over her as she opened it.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEWAI6_wCYyczq5VByDK7hWS45NdltCk-lnBLu3bax-y92T3GtmQ04hj7B-iv3lA6f3s0GnjnPWkF2svoXXUzsrnmtY9M2ZdIlq-QwaWAqwxQEdHBVFAa-8XFgoZwOWWIfeXqwqoe5vmMgPFg3xKMrvgyHzyUVRJwqnInQ9ZEEm2PXnrMsH4/s3520/4DF285EF-7479-4E69-9279-53C9B9870E8E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEWAI6_wCYyczq5VByDK7hWS45NdltCk-lnBLu3bax-y92T3GtmQ04hj7B-iv3lA6f3s0GnjnPWkF2svoXXUzsrnmtY9M2ZdIlq-QwaWAqwxQEdHBVFAa-8XFgoZwOWWIfeXqwqoe5vmMgPFg3xKMrvgyHzyUVRJwqnInQ9ZEEm2PXnrMsH4/w360-h640/4DF285EF-7479-4E69-9279-53C9B9870E8E.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdL67enWji6uwZ1q6x2c2_yr5a8F1n14r8tbegGZYldhPhh9O7R9vo8V0QYOmfeb9_d2LoQpvmiDLZkZ5nMBXf4LC2GxQmEDFqWhh72BTP9oR-W9QmZwOhJ1-QWVjPLzw_S41c6pl51hqzlEKlHnfRpzpcufUW4tGbZbnJwy5qFFcGZTtdRY/w360-h640/DB305846-5020-494F-9678-68C97DF1F171.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt16Sz4w-R_5bKrPAQRYZjSjKfurNFgDP7HVhBr5xX6s16G9OzDgFC4GPDIXKY6C-R_iJhckZFr4hoiiL3Xp8hnSWHP3aRYNj4p7k-N71Lt_s8ritCeotkE0fJqL82hBRwrf7UjxbH_2-fResmv4djxLwmsDjvCHr-DfwKaQvYM1n4RfZ2HCA/s3520/7D60D85E-AFC3-4C55-8699-8B06D8A6A67A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt16Sz4w-R_5bKrPAQRYZjSjKfurNFgDP7HVhBr5xX6s16G9OzDgFC4GPDIXKY6C-R_iJhckZFr4hoiiL3Xp8hnSWHP3aRYNj4p7k-N71Lt_s8ritCeotkE0fJqL82hBRwrf7UjxbH_2-fResmv4djxLwmsDjvCHr-DfwKaQvYM1n4RfZ2HCA/w360-h640/7D60D85E-AFC3-4C55-8699-8B06D8A6A67A.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUVU4YNQdpK9fmDbZ76F143fS_RNEfoNSjf6qKf5BndIQ97bMxWVWy_TX-oLrgefW3Jtpx8lbzmf7T9QF7xWDS7t9yGTNGlfMT8qABXXNjQAwgH07H_Jgy6CXHPymKKe7NlV26433qTz9842tw3CTsQvz3dJVXrEJ65UsWUGiheo8-uHtsSo/s3520/6287F7F5-92A3-43EF-BB18-2E2847464C35.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUVU4YNQdpK9fmDbZ76F143fS_RNEfoNSjf6qKf5BndIQ97bMxWVWy_TX-oLrgefW3Jtpx8lbzmf7T9QF7xWDS7t9yGTNGlfMT8qABXXNjQAwgH07H_Jgy6CXHPymKKe7NlV26433qTz9842tw3CTsQvz3dJVXrEJ65UsWUGiheo8-uHtsSo/w360-h640/6287F7F5-92A3-43EF-BB18-2E2847464C35.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_gZHno-LpIWcSheHQPDO_FSS8TLd25VXiCmW1imjZHSOLB-YXmtMpe8Cibfh6jIIQzFXXFQal1hjNcTWhDAtcekUUaF03DBdYdv4DVl7eYMAPvCTJGRxmvC6bK_vbesAGen3SvVYs9RGwnm6PIbJRXft2v0JokIGhvOkbtCKTv2L3h2Qm7M/s3520/6887B5D3-5BF7-49BC-BB14-14A0D9456520.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_gZHno-LpIWcSheHQPDO_FSS8TLd25VXiCmW1imjZHSOLB-YXmtMpe8Cibfh6jIIQzFXXFQal1hjNcTWhDAtcekUUaF03DBdYdv4DVl7eYMAPvCTJGRxmvC6bK_vbesAGen3SvVYs9RGwnm6PIbJRXft2v0JokIGhvOkbtCKTv2L3h2Qm7M/w360-h640/6887B5D3-5BF7-49BC-BB14-14A0D9456520.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy2hBtGYkvc8llWQ2koQxN7sMP9yGaCTN5PyIwaRq2yvGXMV_C3BS7Ff4Yr1_TyOXu1U0je41CVXeQcU9PC4g1XEwcc3gVs0zpiw17SqgJi65_Cvi_n-vRPtxd3X0O7UMZnHIq2MZJmSq-wd4WuqgZATNMQJrMAzJds9mtdph1ISUzEzkk8k/s3520/53C267A1-5021-4FDE-9B0D-CA154F607A0E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3520" data-original-width="1980" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDy2hBtGYkvc8llWQ2koQxN7sMP9yGaCTN5PyIwaRq2yvGXMV_C3BS7Ff4Yr1_TyOXu1U0je41CVXeQcU9PC4g1XEwcc3gVs0zpiw17SqgJi65_Cvi_n-vRPtxd3X0O7UMZnHIq2MZJmSq-wd4WuqgZATNMQJrMAzJds9mtdph1ISUzEzkk8k/w360-h640/53C267A1-5021-4FDE-9B0D-CA154F607A0E.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">That's definitely what she'll always remember most about her 15th birthday, but we had cake and candles, too.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLjtxvXXvx_Vo__Gh5nwMeSM2AQA7u0eSj6gWRtbIdjiukq9ip1Wc4NUNLdA3nLmsB9FjkggCidVylycfvuTufkW1z8Dv5Q73QwdRrNGzXWKoFPkeY41_QgZDS525lex4gBaFMCIB-NkdHB4lUtApMo1F2jOxwlOeFJskVF1cLWxlEhjLy4M/s4032/BBF57585-79B9-4EFF-BA9C-A0EBE9257E3A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLjtxvXXvx_Vo__Gh5nwMeSM2AQA7u0eSj6gWRtbIdjiukq9ip1Wc4NUNLdA3nLmsB9FjkggCidVylycfvuTufkW1z8Dv5Q73QwdRrNGzXWKoFPkeY41_QgZDS525lex4gBaFMCIB-NkdHB4lUtApMo1F2jOxwlOeFJskVF1cLWxlEhjLy4M/w640-h480/BBF57585-79B9-4EFF-BA9C-A0EBE9257E3A.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">She asked for sushi so we made that happen, too.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G1rxo2XGE8EQYN26Xkdms_QNf_EpWXKtkjEkppEJl4Dy2VjhBn4z9Ybn6lNuIveYok8K6dp1_PkydYBz0e59R8Repk6HqFMBSJHu9lYS75M4jribSGvHmdnrODhL39kjO99OHdTaKXSy5_IH1nzccKdJQo8T0XGdm64Wij6-iUIBMpoWPng/s4032/69EBF199-4207-4D67-90CF-9CBB8751B98D_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G1rxo2XGE8EQYN26Xkdms_QNf_EpWXKtkjEkppEJl4Dy2VjhBn4z9Ybn6lNuIveYok8K6dp1_PkydYBz0e59R8Repk6HqFMBSJHu9lYS75M4jribSGvHmdnrODhL39kjO99OHdTaKXSy5_IH1nzccKdJQo8T0XGdm64Wij6-iUIBMpoWPng/w640-h480/69EBF199-4207-4D67-90CF-9CBB8751B98D_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was a really sweet birthday for a very sweet girl. Hannah Kate has always been the child I can just sit back and watch. She is an amazing watercolor artist. Her sketch book is full of gorgeous paintings. That's what she does everyday when she gets home from school. She reads books. Big books. All the time. She's read over 60 books this year and just finished another 600-pager in three days. She loves avocado toast and making fried rice. She also enjoys baking chocolate chip cookies and snickerdoodles. And, of course, she dances. She is beautiful and graceful. She also hasn't embraced her full potential yet. I know that. Her dance teachers are constantly reminding her of that. But she doesn't know it yet. She has agreed to do something that is miles and away outside her comfort zone and will be competing in a ballet competition in Dallas in February. She is brave. She just doesn't know that yet either. She is quiet and thoughtful, opinionated and fierce. She is a loyal friend and sister. She is her daddy's girl. I'm just thrilled that I get to be here for all of it.</span></div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-69240823439682208452022-09-04T05:00:00.001-06:002022-12-31T21:39:45.885-06:00First Day of School (and some lasts)<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">August 9, 2022 was an Ephesians 3:20 day.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Now to Him who is able to do EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, TO HIM BE GLORY."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was Mason's last first day of school. I promise he was a lot more excited than he looks!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73JgNDx_WBmaqCYlpynV7FWDSdW_BbpVefS34Pv23pvgDQoJspS1tR9to8DheJCq6auRgJT9uyH-OIT5WOinpMetpHOicz9BDQI6zOlQ3JP1K1SiK4GzRMfwiAA2HqlRvhUNtbCylvYq7ZN8xdPNw77qNSUiM810Vw3rD7HIQu-LG_zqCPmY/s4032/ACC975D3-680D-46E3-8CBE-CEC129A4B89A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73JgNDx_WBmaqCYlpynV7FWDSdW_BbpVefS34Pv23pvgDQoJspS1tR9to8DheJCq6auRgJT9uyH-OIT5WOinpMetpHOicz9BDQI6zOlQ3JP1K1SiK4GzRMfwiAA2HqlRvhUNtbCylvYq7ZN8xdPNw77qNSUiM810Vw3rD7HIQu-LG_zqCPmY/w480-h640/ACC975D3-680D-46E3-8CBE-CEC129A4B89A.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was also the first day of school for the girls. Let's just say they weren't quite as excited as the Senior.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was the first day of high school for this one.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_3YgyaONRi3RTq2pVnlMjsSq_cTsIeqthExJjBt0_Gf2DqjAgVXxaEEoANRgP0mqVFvEPjGcF7_UQgHAMBmGRm4BjoSwzbO_0wUmzJT8qlHwJ7iTpWbYNajeLRQG3FZ_6OQeFPMj-RURXJ58PN00B-VAGnJx6Lg9VZtIuygbfp4oB3oqm6U/s4032/19EDF106-528F-4E80-8253-049A7FB65294.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2_3YgyaONRi3RTq2pVnlMjsSq_cTsIeqthExJjBt0_Gf2DqjAgVXxaEEoANRgP0mqVFvEPjGcF7_UQgHAMBmGRm4BjoSwzbO_0wUmzJT8qlHwJ7iTpWbYNajeLRQG3FZ_6OQeFPMj-RURXJ58PN00B-VAGnJx6Lg9VZtIuygbfp4oB3oqm6U/w480-h640/19EDF106-528F-4E80-8253-049A7FB65294.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And it was the last first day of elementary school for this one. That also means, that after 12 years, it's the last year I'll have one in elementary school.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1FH18BCO3DWc-j_lMukHDFBfYMq-64TMmh6jPFiQ6_P4rU1kccKByKeEzz56sl8I20vQEdAUlWedHyWKP_JAo-2kUItD-aNginzPiWC-R5sJalfxL5G5yuDJ21Eu1t-7uO3cWtLsNkSvAR5QXajvDhgfOWt4LcQdRuEQP7WjSmGBRvsuA0M/s4032/BA0EDB02-C36E-4284-ACE7-188C2E4BB5B4.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1FH18BCO3DWc-j_lMukHDFBfYMq-64TMmh6jPFiQ6_P4rU1kccKByKeEzz56sl8I20vQEdAUlWedHyWKP_JAo-2kUItD-aNginzPiWC-R5sJalfxL5G5yuDJ21Eu1t-7uO3cWtLsNkSvAR5QXajvDhgfOWt4LcQdRuEQP7WjSmGBRvsuA0M/w480-h640/BA0EDB02-C36E-4284-ACE7-188C2E4BB5B4.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's been a good beginning to the new school year. Mason is taking a Dual Enrollment class through Louisiana Tech so I'm excited for that opportunity for him. Hannah Kate is taking Spanish this year and walks around with flash cards so she can memorize her words. I told her I'm going to bring her to work one day so she can have a conversation with my coworker from Cuba who is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese. Ellie was so very sad when she found out she wasn't in the same class with her two friends from last year, but she absolutely loves her teachers, and she quickly made three new friends on the first day. Mason drives everyone to school this year so I only have to do afternoon carpool. That's been a game-changer for sure.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It's going to be a good year. A really good year!</span></p><p></p><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-69994722919360446682022-09-03T05:00:00.016-06:002022-12-31T21:20:55.261-06:0022 Years and Half My Life<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">July 29, 2000.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhHCVrGvU9PEqDtJUKPYGKGSLHqbn1MPm3QmJvL8yxjfvY4rBxF9EcC8VvlJwt73iQHj-xZiiBYme6a6aNaM8e-3qpEQZ9QmDj27wxSpE1R3wrn2grG7fdSSM9uWgPislq0TRrJtYHX2kaxJlJt9JZHDGuRzacq16xIl0RllFCPVhZHLshrI/s1440/AACDB4CC-128D-40B1-99C1-779049C80A9C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhHCVrGvU9PEqDtJUKPYGKGSLHqbn1MPm3QmJvL8yxjfvY4rBxF9EcC8VvlJwt73iQHj-xZiiBYme6a6aNaM8e-3qpEQZ9QmDj27wxSpE1R3wrn2grG7fdSSM9uWgPislq0TRrJtYHX2kaxJlJt9JZHDGuRzacq16xIl0RllFCPVhZHLshrI/w640-h640/AACDB4CC-128D-40B1-99C1-779049C80A9C.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">July 29, 2022.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOkokwdzSC61UmlfBVHSVIjje4qJcjncGkrqW8lwI-LKehw3WIAx9Tq-wgoXw5XqroNqx4JBcR4j5D67aUrYib5WMl3B5EE9tXiFrxX8Z7ZQ-wFpwmPaDFxYWydGaw486_g2T5JcdgUBiyb3rtOeKh-5_ho7eTldAy0zTPjAecHIomAsR8Tc/s1440/89F42462-65A1-462E-BDE3-B2649F699028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOkokwdzSC61UmlfBVHSVIjje4qJcjncGkrqW8lwI-LKehw3WIAx9Tq-wgoXw5XqroNqx4JBcR4j5D67aUrYib5WMl3B5EE9tXiFrxX8Z7ZQ-wFpwmPaDFxYWydGaw486_g2T5JcdgUBiyb3rtOeKh-5_ho7eTldAy0zTPjAecHIomAsR8Tc/w640-h640/89F42462-65A1-462E-BDE3-B2649F699028.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">22 years.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Half my life married to him. But the best part is I get to be married to him for the rest of my life, too!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">He prays with me and for me. He leaves me notes in random places. He stalks the life360 app so he can call me when he knows I'm driving. He texts me. He listens. He's compassionate. He protects me. He encourages me. He shows me Jesus. He makes me laugh. At the end of the day, he makes it all better.</span></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-64406334752711840292022-09-02T05:00:00.025-06:002022-12-31T20:15:01.557-06:00Ellie | Double Digits<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Ten years old.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqmUpEhCzIM4NPJJDAWi6y1o1FTZLlLfZumK_1B1XOIVAxKL7kDEKRvxenm47CJnSKNV_v6wp8CNaBFqWUN37YSJRiPMOY-m5ld4Uv_QmKwMQ2YiN27lc9CNeXLl3xaQL8NfPHIzza6nICK54eXvziJlXcrqKqMYwj9F685oBCFEuT_L4o8Q/s4032/IMG_1010.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqmUpEhCzIM4NPJJDAWi6y1o1FTZLlLfZumK_1B1XOIVAxKL7kDEKRvxenm47CJnSKNV_v6wp8CNaBFqWUN37YSJRiPMOY-m5ld4Uv_QmKwMQ2YiN27lc9CNeXLl3xaQL8NfPHIzza6nICK54eXvziJlXcrqKqMYwj9F685oBCFEuT_L4o8Q/w640-h480/IMG_1010.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Double digits.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">A whole decade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And if she just isn't the cutest thing, I don't know what is! She asked for Converse for her birthday. And she was pretty excited about her new suitcase.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAisO5IR9g02eLIn8xexeeBYHR-X29jbyNj36XPzLvXb5vvFUFUQwYXlllkaGJlG5LhfE37X78eNEj5owZWeBhNnLetGhLxl6Hqo3yt-jKOjz_9uoeOrGOj68x80AOV9W1gh960L0oI_EYH-LNk89kE4_tJCq5dVUxt7oNwtyQq6msgyLK4IE/s4032/IMG_1015.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAisO5IR9g02eLIn8xexeeBYHR-X29jbyNj36XPzLvXb5vvFUFUQwYXlllkaGJlG5LhfE37X78eNEj5owZWeBhNnLetGhLxl6Hqo3yt-jKOjz_9uoeOrGOj68x80AOV9W1gh960L0oI_EYH-LNk89kE4_tJCq5dVUxt7oNwtyQq6msgyLK4IE/w480-h640/IMG_1015.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She still keeps us on our toes. Within 12 days of her birthday, she jumped out of a 15-feet tall deer stand, asked to go to the Bone and Joint Clinic to get her foot wrapped and got caught opening one of her birthday gifts early. I'm beginning to learn that she isn't necessarily messy . . . just creative. She isn't necessarily sneaky . . . just a problem solver. She isn't necessarily stubborn . . . just determined. Life with her really is one big, fat, joy-filled adventure, and I'm here for all of it!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgM-UDFlIKUuzckbPviDacgSL9yYnQOTo24SKWujCYr8AQkKShypKgN6I2O9XmOXZUgP3B6BdSr-iyd16Vg1n795HDYMa2yPlg_r2fPAQeS8Ij6Gv1wqz_H2_nw2ehFro8WTDI8tDjXUO3f-mgppzNimjeHxmHI-oiZzZht7mHk0YXgx7PSw/s4032/IMG_0956.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgM-UDFlIKUuzckbPviDacgSL9yYnQOTo24SKWujCYr8AQkKShypKgN6I2O9XmOXZUgP3B6BdSr-iyd16Vg1n795HDYMa2yPlg_r2fPAQeS8Ij6Gv1wqz_H2_nw2ehFro8WTDI8tDjXUO3f-mgppzNimjeHxmHI-oiZzZht7mHk0YXgx7PSw/w480-h640/IMG_0956.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-30251177007311226152022-09-01T12:15:00.000-06:002022-12-31T19:57:39.780-06:00Mason | 17 Years Old<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">17 years old.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I just keep thinking . . . this is it. This is our "last" year. Yes, he'll always be my son, and I'll always be his mom. Our days of guiding and teaching and discipling are certainly not over and never will be over. It'll just be different. He'll be an adult and no longer our "child." Are you considered an adult at the age of 18? Or 21? I think it's 18. So. This is it. Next year when July 13 rolls around, we'll have an adult son.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">When your birthday is the same time as Youth VBS, you get two cakes. One at VBS (which he was totally aggravated about because I surprised him) . . .</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-3bmtccgVxEEBZI2sCAIKrA58Jjd4bzRGTPFsiKukjyFV6-hC6YIlqhlc5y5hH8YjBF4iK1YESm7Ojj5Szk7JUtIxfYVx1kyUbioDmrr9hvBjYliw_8WCSyDUOG0H2wCGseJsK4Cy0YQA_j4__-pFFDV1xymGMXCQfnZaCohPWGZMV_Uiow/s4032/4068E17A-4E0F-42C7-97BD-CDB2857D6E07_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-3bmtccgVxEEBZI2sCAIKrA58Jjd4bzRGTPFsiKukjyFV6-hC6YIlqhlc5y5hH8YjBF4iK1YESm7Ojj5Szk7JUtIxfYVx1kyUbioDmrr9hvBjYliw_8WCSyDUOG0H2wCGseJsK4Cy0YQA_j4__-pFFDV1xymGMXCQfnZaCohPWGZMV_Uiow/w640-h480/4068E17A-4E0F-42C7-97BD-CDB2857D6E07_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">And the other was his "real" cake.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU81xWpELfd7wpqTyc7UbIBY24upyoNN2j6t-5IyyrXYDithQ6KirjMJn-lJAIFGM42aoilR_KtcSovzZNwA8sVGD0cAUu4QBE635zdry1CRT46k7WF7WG4HpNVLvAHpX_ePx6cBp2Bn-923BofE52FTooNb4VF3g4moY6wGNxBF1LCUZNFwE/s4032/ED1C3475-BE7E-4EFC-B67E-3CD7E5E1A01F_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU81xWpELfd7wpqTyc7UbIBY24upyoNN2j6t-5IyyrXYDithQ6KirjMJn-lJAIFGM42aoilR_KtcSovzZNwA8sVGD0cAUu4QBE635zdry1CRT46k7WF7WG4HpNVLvAHpX_ePx6cBp2Bn-923BofE52FTooNb4VF3g4moY6wGNxBF1LCUZNFwE/w480-h640/ED1C3475-BE7E-4EFC-B67E-3CD7E5E1A01F_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: georgia;">He never asks for much, if anything at all. So this year he asked for one thing. I know absolutely nothing about this, except that he only wears them on bright and sunny days with zero chance of rain. And he doesn't bend his ankles when he walks so he, in turn, won't bend the toe of the shoe. I can't tell you what kind they are, only that they have something to do with Michael Jordan. And he was pretty happy.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mt2bQe0JRnbWHdPZg0HMdbbpBB0PMjLr-DF34JlhZ9ZioOKh_EcIb24aVoeWyzZTh4V9_8QQr-EogtBaPoEJpmaMbT2PRjFZ4wiinQ80JUCDHcigpswQjAqMNF1kF49Rqyyai_XTD87k3fZo_EDxgH0oBtddMwiFJyEW1faW_M740t3JCLM/s4032/IMG_0977.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Mt2bQe0JRnbWHdPZg0HMdbbpBB0PMjLr-DF34JlhZ9ZioOKh_EcIb24aVoeWyzZTh4V9_8QQr-EogtBaPoEJpmaMbT2PRjFZ4wiinQ80JUCDHcigpswQjAqMNF1kF49Rqyyai_XTD87k3fZo_EDxgH0oBtddMwiFJyEW1faW_M740t3JCLM/w480-h640/IMG_0977.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought that meant the ugly Adidas that used to be white but are now some sort of gray color would hit the road. But remember when I said he doesn't wear Jordans if it might rain? Did you know that it has rained EVERYDAY here for the last 45 days? So, if you're doing the math, that means he's still wearing the dirty Adidas everyday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0hd1gmno3B1NgtlmEuTVddahmvT7Ip4S3s3YY7-wFOGXM7vRfEE4m_zQKbvU79mnJPE_maBPJ4Quu8WYn97p9pnIi9lwhqM4wtOUN6ZgwrPzx8uGKTW_Rvn_r0jI56qkYi6DQkUxFaVgGCL7-FJvlzqLhiTNUNxyrIbEmtSxgtDa4LO895U/s4032/IMG_0979.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0hd1gmno3B1NgtlmEuTVddahmvT7Ip4S3s3YY7-wFOGXM7vRfEE4m_zQKbvU79mnJPE_maBPJ4Quu8WYn97p9pnIi9lwhqM4wtOUN6ZgwrPzx8uGKTW_Rvn_r0jI56qkYi6DQkUxFaVgGCL7-FJvlzqLhiTNUNxyrIbEmtSxgtDa4LO895U/w640-h480/IMG_0979.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div>The other thing he asked for . . . well, not necessarily asked for but mentioned a few months back . . . he forgot about. So this one was a surprise to him, hence the bigger smile. An air fryer. Yes. An air fryer. I guess he's adulting now.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu1TkWKcosfU8ilygdx1P2I7ZTKl8yl2HFj9KtNP9GGI55yoH-GmeGINdgdIh3ZUhRpuUnZQyOZ-0fo2NIL6oCcgjWFxlJx4ecjctrdal1To3S0OGsaaRVDtsHXEaYcd9kk72leHf6jZBIia9s9GGcKk2ZxW1NLFeVRNZCSO0a7dm6Cq6zsI/s4032/IMG_0982.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzu1TkWKcosfU8ilygdx1P2I7ZTKl8yl2HFj9KtNP9GGI55yoH-GmeGINdgdIh3ZUhRpuUnZQyOZ-0fo2NIL6oCcgjWFxlJx4ecjctrdal1To3S0OGsaaRVDtsHXEaYcd9kk72leHf6jZBIia9s9GGcKk2ZxW1NLFeVRNZCSO0a7dm6Cq6zsI/w480-h640/IMG_0982.HEIC" width="480" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Several people have asked me if I'm sad. No. No, I'm not. I have never been more excited for my boy than I am right now! A senior in high school, college campus visits . . . this is going to be his best year yet . . . and the best is still yet to come! I've had a front row seat for 16 years. He's proven that he's ready now, and I can sit back a little bit. But here's what he needs to know. I'll always be on the front row, and I'll always be his loudest cheerleader and biggest fan. It's an honor to be this kid's mom, and I'm so proud of him! I'm positively giddy because I know the Lord's plan for him is GOOD.</span><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-59613788346103653182022-08-18T05:00:00.001-06:002022-12-31T21:40:06.246-06:00Summer 2022 | College Campus Visits<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">How are we even here? This summer found us touring a couple of college campuses. Our first visit was to Louisiana Tech.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XSrdF7hEQvc9BloJV3nU_vW8jsoMEVqC7JKjhTBba6pBqhBC7m9HVoVNd0HLbcnA8Lj6PI6JV71VcuNmKsh6Wd_0RS5_wg1LYbIZ9JInTBRKylpZBizZ9C7Uh6HsqbaM2c3a9zjux3mZEX247ZwW03qKccRX7HmQ7nRgjQgsVzyRStZnafk/s4032/814862FF-EF60-4B04-9518-AAF03D373DEC.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-XSrdF7hEQvc9BloJV3nU_vW8jsoMEVqC7JKjhTBba6pBqhBC7m9HVoVNd0HLbcnA8Lj6PI6JV71VcuNmKsh6Wd_0RS5_wg1LYbIZ9JInTBRKylpZBizZ9C7Uh6HsqbaM2c3a9zjux3mZEX247ZwW03qKccRX7HmQ7nRgjQgsVzyRStZnafk/w640-h480/814862FF-EF60-4B04-9518-AAF03D373DEC.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I drove to Ruston with Mason and Hannah Kate after work one afternoon, and Seth drove over from kids' camp and met us the next morning. I had never been to LA Tech nor Ruston, but we'd heard such good things about the campus and the community. It didn't disappoint!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztM_vnfp7729dpsdkiq0WI2U5CCT6C4DM8ytbtF-Ls843b2US-9RCjuz0afFG6ROge2zWrlWrDCJMzyg4PPb7cQrTzzVQOWAEawuz3vUVQJCwO8yDYNtMg6abrNO6EJVGxkN2YaQ6ENk0uiGjmVOmLapN7cB5YQ7njMnkkB7Fhpq7ddHegrY/s4032/B5AE3C22-A891-4051-BB22-85543F4D3946.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztM_vnfp7729dpsdkiq0WI2U5CCT6C4DM8ytbtF-Ls843b2US-9RCjuz0afFG6ROge2zWrlWrDCJMzyg4PPb7cQrTzzVQOWAEawuz3vUVQJCwO8yDYNtMg6abrNO6EJVGxkN2YaQ6ENk0uiGjmVOmLapN7cB5YQ7njMnkkB7Fhpq7ddHegrY/w480-h640/B5AE3C22-A891-4051-BB22-85543F4D3946.heic" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We had the best day! LA Tech definitely knows how to do a campus tour and visit. The campus is so pretty, and the engineering buildings are quite impressive. We learned a lot about the campus, the major and what Mason could expect as a Freshman. There are so many things about this university and this town that Seth and I think would be so good for Mason. We would be absolutely thrilled should he choose to go here, even though it's a three hour drive away.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo1mwHSsQXJ0AL1XN0bYbe9E6M8NsVUBLXYyQAPwzT0arLRGG2wnZmHw_XRCbjfNjZ7DmG9a_zvE5j3-I1pcSBUGx0QnZzC0CJXXVVoyZCisucHapTU-F4fjEQwgaqDc84Oa02mhFZU6yeFbQ9BEm3WPGHQAtuWVcNHzfRnRI8_ICiOZ3yUA/s4032/A7BF2755-66FF-4E03-8729-FFEB468F201C.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHo1mwHSsQXJ0AL1XN0bYbe9E6M8NsVUBLXYyQAPwzT0arLRGG2wnZmHw_XRCbjfNjZ7DmG9a_zvE5j3-I1pcSBUGx0QnZzC0CJXXVVoyZCisucHapTU-F4fjEQwgaqDc84Oa02mhFZU6yeFbQ9BEm3WPGHQAtuWVcNHzfRnRI8_ICiOZ3yUA/w480-h640/A7BF2755-66FF-4E03-8729-FFEB468F201C.heic" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">After our morning at Tech, we went downtown for lunch. Ruston has the most adorable downtown area! I'm already looking for a reason to go back up there so I can go shopping.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uCXhyPcm9OwHll1V1fE6mRSiXjuYOhgE-Az6TU76C0bkP6eqUCZ25xmrPGQoSUfPIgonlvnhqeRZ3CAt3wIR8b8wJJ9yvJuBgC6mD-Zccb2LvoCaknPRmHfuiXrlwzURzP5v1qNWDaUFoCmPCI4QFy1cjD4YPe3o5I-9yO2L4Bekpy7Uauo/s4032/D0323DF4-4DA3-44EE-8875-DA1C061E4C21.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2uCXhyPcm9OwHll1V1fE6mRSiXjuYOhgE-Az6TU76C0bkP6eqUCZ25xmrPGQoSUfPIgonlvnhqeRZ3CAt3wIR8b8wJJ9yvJuBgC6mD-Zccb2LvoCaknPRmHfuiXrlwzURzP5v1qNWDaUFoCmPCI4QFy1cjD4YPe3o5I-9yO2L4Bekpy7Uauo/w640-h480/D0323DF4-4DA3-44EE-8875-DA1C061E4C21.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Our next college campus visit a couple of weeks later was at Southeastern Louisiana University, Seth's alma mater. Besides the fact we sweated our faces off, we had a great visit.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCDkNZWQTv3nGo9c8MKjYio--X2TdLqIdj2LfAl1bGZmUcWCUnbCZwzncqx1oK5GbtGlwu4bPlosG8edoq0DRNviBtj974YhRrIcZ88MlrlH9TtZ9iRWdkt3simz6B6ywarzXYEvbOVRu4oLaBv9Ecc2bvmHk-36Po8Ijz7JbdB2cO1lsGuw/s1440/3CBC297F-4AFA-4D1A-9766-F50882C22F7F.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1354" data-original-width="1440" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCDkNZWQTv3nGo9c8MKjYio--X2TdLqIdj2LfAl1bGZmUcWCUnbCZwzncqx1oK5GbtGlwu4bPlosG8edoq0DRNviBtj974YhRrIcZ88MlrlH9TtZ9iRWdkt3simz6B6ywarzXYEvbOVRu4oLaBv9Ecc2bvmHk-36Po8Ijz7JbdB2cO1lsGuw/w640-h602/3CBC297F-4AFA-4D1A-9766-F50882C22F7F.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD4voBTFnsrAyT1sN9MTU8zKIVQvbMp4HkVpFeYKCE8xVj2V--HfSyD1BRm0GniRdUwD-T40OS4HHKmagbyUOZ5gIVGu4OMeC1pzFppbX4RqmyC1EwoJPYUpErtXsoHhCtfhvUVoFFU3fIrI4YtnEgkJ9dk1ruk5rES-tJtZRpmUYkzPUFSw/s1440/F4AAD66A-1302-4B99-98C9-F072FFA19741.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1356" data-original-width="1440" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipD4voBTFnsrAyT1sN9MTU8zKIVQvbMp4HkVpFeYKCE8xVj2V--HfSyD1BRm0GniRdUwD-T40OS4HHKmagbyUOZ5gIVGu4OMeC1pzFppbX4RqmyC1EwoJPYUpErtXsoHhCtfhvUVoFFU3fIrI4YtnEgkJ9dk1ruk5rES-tJtZRpmUYkzPUFSw/w640-h602/F4AAD66A-1302-4B99-98C9-F072FFA19741.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I offered to schedule a visit at the other university (the purple and gold one) just up the road, but Mason wasn't interested. That's fine by me! But if he wanted to, I totally would.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next step is to complete college applications. Now we're just waiting to see if he'll be a Bulldog or a Lion.</span></div>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-73292014679304319262022-08-17T05:00:00.001-06:002023-01-01T16:07:46.948-06:00Summer 2022<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was (and still is!) a HOT summer. It was a busy summer. It was a fast summer. But it was such a good, good summer. There were six weeks in a row where the five of us were not at home together because someone was at camp or out of town for some reason or at a friend's house. I said I wasn't going to do that to us this year, but I did. And I'm glad I did! I think this was definitely one of the best summers we've ever had! We packed so much into a short time, and we had a lot of new and exciting adventures. Here's a peek.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">The summer began with one of my favorite weeks of the year. VBS! I absolutely loved our theme this year and had the best time decorating.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxJdgwNxjAOhRiZuMHGnM6Xg8j5iPn3U-OpJy2mj3Sjojtx1xBOL2ACZ-prXMP3eHe2p8MP9NrEQ8HesAEbjBRYNY5sv9y3hgy39Kis975va5Wg8l3L7RzCzi-GnyZoXXzxqFvh9EES6am0jMUl-NqXq9sQIFgNlV_-VFoJ5yPDb2FgAPjPk/s4032/060B6A76-86FD-46C4-83B6-3C1D26D9ED5B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxJdgwNxjAOhRiZuMHGnM6Xg8j5iPn3U-OpJy2mj3Sjojtx1xBOL2ACZ-prXMP3eHe2p8MP9NrEQ8HesAEbjBRYNY5sv9y3hgy39Kis975va5Wg8l3L7RzCzi-GnyZoXXzxqFvh9EES6am0jMUl-NqXq9sQIFgNlV_-VFoJ5yPDb2FgAPjPk/w480-h640/060B6A76-86FD-46C4-83B6-3C1D26D9ED5B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPSKj81p7ujqCBVUTRdFOvQ7sfJvTLp2eQuTaxqsq1CT9uUJvMG3w2RxAaERWWGzaFJqPpuOePJDoRZUcanTb9TIaxU3ybmaCGLBi1WKyIZQsEK6z_h_yZA86Q0EU8nmGX7uQyqaMqFPwKGJTvHlRsWqTt8pHDD8-5RfNw9f4RCxCDqRp2hA/s4032/5531EB2B-5285-49CB-B3B1-062766935110.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPSKj81p7ujqCBVUTRdFOvQ7sfJvTLp2eQuTaxqsq1CT9uUJvMG3w2RxAaERWWGzaFJqPpuOePJDoRZUcanTb9TIaxU3ybmaCGLBi1WKyIZQsEK6z_h_yZA86Q0EU8nmGX7uQyqaMqFPwKGJTvHlRsWqTt8pHDD8-5RfNw9f4RCxCDqRp2hA/w640-h480/5531EB2B-5285-49CB-B3B1-062766935110.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I taught 2nd grade again this year and loved it! It's definitely my favorite grade to teach. One of the sweetest parts of this year was that Hannah Kate was one of my youth helpers. I loved watching her interact with and serve the kids. I had the best teaching team, and it was such a fun week. Mason was a youth helper in one of the 4th grade classes, and, of course, Ellie was in a class, too.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn6sdAAueb-wmAbn_-Rb62dhpMgK5B-lbwloFOaLGxjorR4sYJhqV1BzzMJfhxp9o0Asa9r4YbAFzOtmwOvN7Mr_2M60dc0ZLVrNBKZymT1ftUSCz7LLe3msFgFoZthpvXlZuN5YJFuFciPSplYsbdhLIW2rbMSYX00dmU2mzAQOcKTkSyiQ/s4032/8EB0BD31-BA60-4EB4-8689-2A842F0D6865.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYn6sdAAueb-wmAbn_-Rb62dhpMgK5B-lbwloFOaLGxjorR4sYJhqV1BzzMJfhxp9o0Asa9r4YbAFzOtmwOvN7Mr_2M60dc0ZLVrNBKZymT1ftUSCz7LLe3msFgFoZthpvXlZuN5YJFuFciPSplYsbdhLIW2rbMSYX00dmU2mzAQOcKTkSyiQ/w640-h480/8EB0BD31-BA60-4EB4-8689-2A842F0D6865.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjoPG8qKSWij6EjjS7N-ZyAa3ZaE5mEhneNWxmpHBJyt-5PcSGVglUYcLE18ATU551DyLaX7k28GIJfovYJGdi4GrE43sKbiCXH23ZG-iorpZJof_a_vTyGrS1zkHvhvPmeL_tLH9kamC_je9CZa5OGj0Cxi22xrqsDPQq6uelTkHR0_ie5Q/s4032/ED5782D9-8333-49C4-8EBA-0833BE24D57F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAjoPG8qKSWij6EjjS7N-ZyAa3ZaE5mEhneNWxmpHBJyt-5PcSGVglUYcLE18ATU551DyLaX7k28GIJfovYJGdi4GrE43sKbiCXH23ZG-iorpZJof_a_vTyGrS1zkHvhvPmeL_tLH9kamC_je9CZa5OGj0Cxi22xrqsDPQq6uelTkHR0_ie5Q/w640-h480/ED5782D9-8333-49C4-8EBA-0833BE24D57F.heic" width="640" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDuXprgvZAgWeEXgsc4_gkM_X9P74ShbWGhJMNZ-n5OOBA5ZWWP5_6rDFfzbpHUnxgHj0QUsuMgyUxB_8RLPidSKdMMcxyZEYENHOI6r6QeutEYd0Rb7_Ec8A78kz47RxVFvXDxsDf_igO2jJPbSRuppPb_UTdhOCgjWNFJcwXPRooWPOzgg/s4032/708C59E9-309A-43C8-A376-CD8DFB6F0735.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUDuXprgvZAgWeEXgsc4_gkM_X9P74ShbWGhJMNZ-n5OOBA5ZWWP5_6rDFfzbpHUnxgHj0QUsuMgyUxB_8RLPidSKdMMcxyZEYENHOI6r6QeutEYd0Rb7_Ec8A78kz47RxVFvXDxsDf_igO2jJPbSRuppPb_UTdhOCgjWNFJcwXPRooWPOzgg/w480-h640/708C59E9-309A-43C8-A376-CD8DFB6F0735.heic" width="480" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHGiY1lk6NyIJdkKdqsDOFJAnDT-O4QHT4Rd8eA-fUMtSc5-OUVMPsQSSeje2wQkXg3vpM7lG1968buhOCJfWjzErfEKxdpP8FfHnXVdbHoHNZh48MuFIpwMt73QYAU7ow4V_NBHi17lbDrPwu8HenZN0B3nyy5ZrpsbJtGBmq3p29xfsvck/s4032/4EA7CC25-F9D6-4FB2-AAFE-798714B76DD6_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHGiY1lk6NyIJdkKdqsDOFJAnDT-O4QHT4Rd8eA-fUMtSc5-OUVMPsQSSeje2wQkXg3vpM7lG1968buhOCJfWjzErfEKxdpP8FfHnXVdbHoHNZh48MuFIpwMt73QYAU7ow4V_NBHi17lbDrPwu8HenZN0B3nyy5ZrpsbJtGBmq3p29xfsvck/w480-h640/4EA7CC25-F9D6-4FB2-AAFE-798714B76DD6_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hBjvELlZvYvOjoekyXbTmKY9-EwgRWgia9MgEH1mzjkKp4nDxh7Sn-tzDU1OKFq9BLopAVoPD1w9R3vOzdDrRp8FPL6MbH99PqftR6lrHNBLRcfkwwtRjc4gJj_SEOB82qes5Dbdd4zoEMJj-3ebRhkNVy72azCSGeoTNBnfL-tMGRMJbA8/s960/FE9C4964-CAD6-45FA-8A9C-7F07520F2125.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0hBjvELlZvYvOjoekyXbTmKY9-EwgRWgia9MgEH1mzjkKp4nDxh7Sn-tzDU1OKFq9BLopAVoPD1w9R3vOzdDrRp8FPL6MbH99PqftR6lrHNBLRcfkwwtRjc4gJj_SEOB82qes5Dbdd4zoEMJj-3ebRhkNVy72azCSGeoTNBnfL-tMGRMJbA8/w640-h480/FE9C4964-CAD6-45FA-8A9C-7F07520F2125.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">The very next week my big kids left for Youth Camp in Tennessee. A 3:30AM call time means I have zero pictures of the send-off. It was early. And it was dark. They had such a good time, as usual. I am so very grateful for this community of friends the Lord has surrounded them with.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8bXlbZOFHpNIqsJzZsBejv7NwS7DwiTlq0UJTGJAf9Ga4tNhbXHNtYEvP3Aa4lrvEhnUzQbRRzHV_HOa9eL2D05tQZK_0i9TREYhZI5g8Fj7HJ6ahRnsHTUldVcHesEnrzYiS5QwxUdR0Jy-qetyJp3DX2CgGeXeZP5TC1igfKRdGiNiiw8/s4032/32C6E41E-1A77-43BA-9991-A11AC9546955.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8bXlbZOFHpNIqsJzZsBejv7NwS7DwiTlq0UJTGJAf9Ga4tNhbXHNtYEvP3Aa4lrvEhnUzQbRRzHV_HOa9eL2D05tQZK_0i9TREYhZI5g8Fj7HJ6ahRnsHTUldVcHesEnrzYiS5QwxUdR0Jy-qetyJp3DX2CgGeXeZP5TC1igfKRdGiNiiw8/w480-h640/32C6E41E-1A77-43BA-9991-A11AC9546955.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P_UOyZy1WI5FiiZEt8W389cG1ij16aPaDD5IAEnMVxva6L5y_vT4Z46biFfTdtnL0OO9pGixepwk9Heb5qI7QLqjNVrMwg5tas2z2oFeaYlvtCEMOrKzEy564usP43-6w36n0ode7sN7Gie8NzP8NqqEQOWtjIf6lX_gmeUwveVuOrr7tl4/s4032/68A212B9-7086-4EBE-9576-03AD34AB73C7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8P_UOyZy1WI5FiiZEt8W389cG1ij16aPaDD5IAEnMVxva6L5y_vT4Z46biFfTdtnL0OO9pGixepwk9Heb5qI7QLqjNVrMwg5tas2z2oFeaYlvtCEMOrKzEy564usP43-6w36n0ode7sN7Gie8NzP8NqqEQOWtjIf6lX_gmeUwveVuOrr7tl4/w640-h480/68A212B9-7086-4EBE-9576-03AD34AB73C7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_DWox4ZYyr_ctj_81AUgbcEq1mB2W-RuQCmV84fyUV1KAgyrAqaaMNARO7VmGvj2Hu5qKCtZ2pdXVXvrXn5_U6FKr-z-nXBvOs7QQwlDmDawlnjWZWhz8Eubg3tXFVW-lUgMg8D1Mqn1le8S6wG7rfgzxAI5yYjnQ2u195OlIrQ51vxgic0/s4032/4458EFB7-7803-42A3-B5AF-0CDAF6EF2C3A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_DWox4ZYyr_ctj_81AUgbcEq1mB2W-RuQCmV84fyUV1KAgyrAqaaMNARO7VmGvj2Hu5qKCtZ2pdXVXvrXn5_U6FKr-z-nXBvOs7QQwlDmDawlnjWZWhz8Eubg3tXFVW-lUgMg8D1Mqn1le8S6wG7rfgzxAI5yYjnQ2u195OlIrQ51vxgic0/w640-h480/4458EFB7-7803-42A3-B5AF-0CDAF6EF2C3A.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bMMGY3E6NXNy0yYcg2fNmbjOD9Nc5T86boaxRQewZZ9knQQFXLvuBmrEoy6QKicDEpXRFZCbdpIYUB6OMXIhWrV4j2RpzHm6nRSc_1DSyNlt7WIf4ytIyFT8f1nYUuP-L6_nVQnp7Ro3T6P9rWZ2KINhILd70RsBVhMQzL2WluILdm41XkE/s4032/B2A693D8-3C2F-41E2-A871-B080DE7FED31.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3bMMGY3E6NXNy0yYcg2fNmbjOD9Nc5T86boaxRQewZZ9knQQFXLvuBmrEoy6QKicDEpXRFZCbdpIYUB6OMXIhWrV4j2RpzHm6nRSc_1DSyNlt7WIf4ytIyFT8f1nYUuP-L6_nVQnp7Ro3T6P9rWZ2KINhILd70RsBVhMQzL2WluILdm41XkE/w640-h480/B2A693D8-3C2F-41E2-A871-B080DE7FED31.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT78rIcK4FM72e4KQpnOZxAQAdjzYDVYGfb_RuIXukMOhCp38ULP3JWQxxU4bvuA3fDj7mPZeQPhcj5cLt_YGA10tlh6GDX6w0bRuUMqQvUuEE7yRZ5sXKbyfrLvsrtEWa3JmMdtkszcXAcMWjsxxWeqNZlvkDH8p9IBGpydtzCgHR-jUSW0/s4032/B714C9CE-377B-4D28-9F46-F9763316D2FB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhT78rIcK4FM72e4KQpnOZxAQAdjzYDVYGfb_RuIXukMOhCp38ULP3JWQxxU4bvuA3fDj7mPZeQPhcj5cLt_YGA10tlh6GDX6w0bRuUMqQvUuEE7yRZ5sXKbyfrLvsrtEWa3JmMdtkszcXAcMWjsxxWeqNZlvkDH8p9IBGpydtzCgHR-jUSW0/w640-h480/B714C9CE-377B-4D28-9F46-F9763316D2FB.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">They weren't home yet when I left for a long weekend in Dallas with 2,000 fellow BSF Teaching Leaders from all around the globe. It was such a life-giving weekend and so much was poured into me. After three years of serving as a TL, I finally got to be with other TLs in person. We even took a little field trip to the Dallas Cowboys stadium and got to stand on the star (tho most of us could care less!).<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-bWVXGwaGY2WNdoqhVxE2V8gbgHmLWvd-n-d-6pLVBezAdfMMrrmNL-HzciSIoA-B-vnAlhG_FNlAzS3vkS97z_qsC92Rb83XWbWVRqaTD9CttGl2Ka0CiDCbSFvP_GWtMuZItBKUYPPuCAVDMoN5fjBZ3XBr60vIM_FRk8EwYrQrPL2rlQ/s1440/85BF7ED1-752A-45AA-9E64-01F474303D43.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-bWVXGwaGY2WNdoqhVxE2V8gbgHmLWvd-n-d-6pLVBezAdfMMrrmNL-HzciSIoA-B-vnAlhG_FNlAzS3vkS97z_qsC92Rb83XWbWVRqaTD9CttGl2Ka0CiDCbSFvP_GWtMuZItBKUYPPuCAVDMoN5fjBZ3XBr60vIM_FRk8EwYrQrPL2rlQ/w640-h640/85BF7ED1-752A-45AA-9E64-01F474303D43.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGAs_3bmJaSapBSQoltPRa3fFO7W7vDRstLCmRhXTSUCg5ujU83l8AI_kB-RSeX-grZAVjeyz6sdHr59Ko2x-hELqUUiNXgbnu52fs0XQUPb8hlcikTcN1QRT-fl5wNbqw_zV4rsHHAVP6O_t6du00Xvj9qqeQLlIe2qWgpAiXoPEfDenWU0/s4032/B53DE720-22D4-4AA6-A17D-BFA918181A6B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOGAs_3bmJaSapBSQoltPRa3fFO7W7vDRstLCmRhXTSUCg5ujU83l8AI_kB-RSeX-grZAVjeyz6sdHr59Ko2x-hELqUUiNXgbnu52fs0XQUPb8hlcikTcN1QRT-fl5wNbqw_zV4rsHHAVP6O_t6du00Xvj9qqeQLlIe2qWgpAiXoPEfDenWU0/w640-h480/B53DE720-22D4-4AA6-A17D-BFA918181A6B.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CTR5sY-jpUGFrSfB8yCG9atwv8JIEUoMl9gUtBmlnJMZ2ibXwb1pe7Ljp2GHqVgvZqUSW-_cvSRP4qZLGoO_ZeEe-860js-RLfwr7J4YOuN8rrWK-5nREGSCib7XxjAfVy---RiBv0omGmsZWJ5EmEVkQswgYlLWaSHvbZBg9Tb_XAA9zJQ/s1440/23C3862B-917A-4D01-99D9-C73D909B9105.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-CTR5sY-jpUGFrSfB8yCG9atwv8JIEUoMl9gUtBmlnJMZ2ibXwb1pe7Ljp2GHqVgvZqUSW-_cvSRP4qZLGoO_ZeEe-860js-RLfwr7J4YOuN8rrWK-5nREGSCib7XxjAfVy---RiBv0omGmsZWJ5EmEVkQswgYlLWaSHvbZBg9Tb_XAA9zJQ/w640-h640/23C3862B-917A-4D01-99D9-C73D909B9105.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">When I got home, I had less than 24 hours to wash a week's worth of the teenagers' camp clothes and get the littlest one packed up for kids' camp the following day. But, to my surprise, my sweet, sweet husband, who was also leaving as a chaperone for kids' camp (another very last minute situation) had already washed, dried AND folded ALL of the laundry.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">So, that afternoon, instead of doing laundry, I had to throw a couple of tie dye shirts together for camp. Besides the fact that one of them is clearly the wrong colors, I'd say they turned out pretty good! I was actually pretty impressed. This also isn't typically a project I'd enjoy. But I did. And Ellie did a fantastic job with her shirt!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu9LuKqUYJeSyHnRRfcUSqje0NNH6EwBFHevrATIZ1cge2fJcYc7EM53m83tE-5RvvBRS2cFvOrvqBBW1LX4mNwRrFpvVj6ZnIIDQ0Xons13k-n2Wz4XZ5agm81WNGdeA1jd0JTZ8wXhGF05rqWOhplCd4Lx-PKZrshTqN-y__KxJ1YFyXTk/s4032/49FF66A2-C84C-4BDC-8D79-CC116084E04F_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu9LuKqUYJeSyHnRRfcUSqje0NNH6EwBFHevrATIZ1cge2fJcYc7EM53m83tE-5RvvBRS2cFvOrvqBBW1LX4mNwRrFpvVj6ZnIIDQ0Xons13k-n2Wz4XZ5agm81WNGdeA1jd0JTZ8wXhGF05rqWOhplCd4Lx-PKZrshTqN-y__KxJ1YFyXTk/w640-h480/49FF66A2-C84C-4BDC-8D79-CC116084E04F_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWN2zyYQLn881xlx8AyKfPWyUDJKpiike3tJ6ccnciV3LitVK8J66ztVtU6rKTd5Ig9KeKqtdKTJgtSwUEdKk-XXzQjjCe1fmceKyAUG_8zXJXfFyixAY9P9bvuukx5uE0R9vUHbQY3AcskxaOAXqHkOZ0YlYX1U2F7QqVuBuiX4nBRqmnAo/s4032/BEE5857B-C965-4DAB-9CF5-96F8A17461DF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhWN2zyYQLn881xlx8AyKfPWyUDJKpiike3tJ6ccnciV3LitVK8J66ztVtU6rKTd5Ig9KeKqtdKTJgtSwUEdKk-XXzQjjCe1fmceKyAUG_8zXJXfFyixAY9P9bvuukx5uE0R9vUHbQY3AcskxaOAXqHkOZ0YlYX1U2F7QqVuBuiX4nBRqmnAo/w480-h640/BEE5857B-C965-4DAB-9CF5-96F8A17461DF.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJlirHqUGSbXkahjlcaIU3FiOgYy_ixPz4-V2wsLeJ6G_LnwFuSWy9DPMJyLM1tIKWK-lEobdLva7NmmEIsT4Slp9pKXdkaY5qXZMmUpMozSFCblvQ0YBkC6ielfuFhUUHxhqC8A-Mnn2lqDRAwGgjdRToJmP0-u4GPmIOIO35xpY2leGij0/s4032/6621196A-31E0-453E-8A25-F1109CE1C01D.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJlirHqUGSbXkahjlcaIU3FiOgYy_ixPz4-V2wsLeJ6G_LnwFuSWy9DPMJyLM1tIKWK-lEobdLva7NmmEIsT4Slp9pKXdkaY5qXZMmUpMozSFCblvQ0YBkC6ielfuFhUUHxhqC8A-Mnn2lqDRAwGgjdRToJmP0-u4GPmIOIO35xpY2leGij0/w480-h640/6621196A-31E0-453E-8A25-F1109CE1C01D.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkheamG4EHH59QBwYot5DX5OP-ixO_D8qsxj5fXWRck74Y3Jo2iwKhjU51BtDCkbU7-0SLhF_g4PpfOcp1PGb_mnngrry21SBYoR7vAyy78Mw9DlWVOiFzjKVG5Ob5HH_elOdpmo6FuEGp8BCBYCaEqj2x4PKKpaSU35iNS4ppU2-pOwBgeBY/s4032/5F9A0D9C-A2E2-482F-939B-764CD878BC06.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkheamG4EHH59QBwYot5DX5OP-ixO_D8qsxj5fXWRck74Y3Jo2iwKhjU51BtDCkbU7-0SLhF_g4PpfOcp1PGb_mnngrry21SBYoR7vAyy78Mw9DlWVOiFzjKVG5Ob5HH_elOdpmo6FuEGp8BCBYCaEqj2x4PKKpaSU35iNS4ppU2-pOwBgeBY/w640-h480/5F9A0D9C-A2E2-482F-939B-764CD878BC06.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NhJ7162KTCcVPVhGm-OnwSImBxVguu_aqJnGIx7R25TgARw2LezwvaPaTDOgJ2sjjb3aDyGq_lyaKU2uL863RWECYBLVtxjWfrvQ5kByuDzNHRYBrNxjl8jfETROJHCHk1X9858djFJ22J1gAMIVNuMZqf-6GFd3TIu_-AusQ8q8TGbdhsc/s4032/975992B1-8189-4C08-942F-A3FBB174D5DB_1_102_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NhJ7162KTCcVPVhGm-OnwSImBxVguu_aqJnGIx7R25TgARw2LezwvaPaTDOgJ2sjjb3aDyGq_lyaKU2uL863RWECYBLVtxjWfrvQ5kByuDzNHRYBrNxjl8jfETROJHCHk1X9858djFJ22J1gAMIVNuMZqf-6GFd3TIu_-AusQ8q8TGbdhsc/w480-h640/975992B1-8189-4C08-942F-A3FBB174D5DB_1_102_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then it was off to kids' camp. I mean, she clearly had no fun at all. None.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_m6WinOGolpEbAGjoWwbf2An_BidnZ5ayXJHW5qkHe1FcGZAOsBmfs3o6_BRUqfcvk4QRCRWGodD_zUFXXh1b9sV9ZM8gHNhSC042oJ8-q6UWjSl4P4ma6HDrzciOtJYUV75AkOj4U8OPrg8WS7RlthllA6ZKoW4UGz1ZOhTNeqmHDdPLaY/s4032/0D826678-7271-4F5D-813C-8D744044FF5E_1_102_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_m6WinOGolpEbAGjoWwbf2An_BidnZ5ayXJHW5qkHe1FcGZAOsBmfs3o6_BRUqfcvk4QRCRWGodD_zUFXXh1b9sV9ZM8gHNhSC042oJ8-q6UWjSl4P4ma6HDrzciOtJYUV75AkOj4U8OPrg8WS7RlthllA6ZKoW4UGz1ZOhTNeqmHDdPLaY/w480-h640/0D826678-7271-4F5D-813C-8D744044FF5E_1_102_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vnXPPiXkGeVRTFE9nu5LkqioVM14npM_oik1GW3JVa48zmRFJxXIfIZGRc69ZenW_Irbnitt4WTncyCn4S4573U5pTYom1Wws0Ey4Iv49RnVqt1jn2a9rosOMRmLYxlrzgmCAUxMxg25xko7QkMRJ7Jx4Fo2UG2iDlNWZdv-q35iSPDlD5o/s960/F8E26326-F121-4FCE-8BD5-484739EEEE08.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vnXPPiXkGeVRTFE9nu5LkqioVM14npM_oik1GW3JVa48zmRFJxXIfIZGRc69ZenW_Irbnitt4WTncyCn4S4573U5pTYom1Wws0Ey4Iv49RnVqt1jn2a9rosOMRmLYxlrzgmCAUxMxg25xko7QkMRJ7Jx4Fo2UG2iDlNWZdv-q35iSPDlD5o/w480-h640/F8E26326-F121-4FCE-8BD5-484739EEEE08.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m9S_rLcIqHBs7NYy7-VTnUza3SBcVyC7R0wpvzm-6ecHJBdffejJV6tOqaECG333-NLsnf1m8N461t0hgXfXVOjkLinff8oiRL8-OxfdwJOdXg1fpinrVt4rKSXBnp_2Kv6o85sDp3zOoggv0oeQiQoSY2OU7xqJOz_3HhW4lmjrEKwJw_o/s1600/C875DB05-B67F-47C0-9121-26FC19C84C12.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2m9S_rLcIqHBs7NYy7-VTnUza3SBcVyC7R0wpvzm-6ecHJBdffejJV6tOqaECG333-NLsnf1m8N461t0hgXfXVOjkLinff8oiRL8-OxfdwJOdXg1fpinrVt4rKSXBnp_2Kv6o85sDp3zOoggv0oeQiQoSY2OU7xqJOz_3HhW4lmjrEKwJw_o/w640-h480/C875DB05-B67F-47C0-9121-26FC19C84C12.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFnEtf54bgPZOeHDvnvTgFCMGAZvfZTVLjNwHSAuT_01JfMtMWa9BTlQ6trmJHKztWZGmkPJGuWt3yIOWFhjwF10eD_kSwiK29XP25fHVtfVTej1XwyGRPjCQVPQIP5B4ypRrlYNhqISLj6XUOULx2dhTcO4oynqoGSr97jFAon48jBzLfdk/w480-h640/8DAAB8CD-65E8-49B2-BE01-51926C78B0C4.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT7nR27OFjYAFOlWg83ggGQ6Z_rlPxRdqXBZtIPgAB8MvCutdjimND756DkdKZy1U69dGQSdj9aUtr5D6y_1O9HR-vZwXTEOzZNIzNMZYfUKg4kzuyREe3VGAJSZyDh1GMRVbfsZgnAaAWjqEhvdy-IGk2JKqLOixR3ZfV3M_MzPDwhTozKo/s960/518FD476-80D1-425D-BD13-F0EF8B929DF9.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoT7nR27OFjYAFOlWg83ggGQ6Z_rlPxRdqXBZtIPgAB8MvCutdjimND756DkdKZy1U69dGQSdj9aUtr5D6y_1O9HR-vZwXTEOzZNIzNMZYfUKg4kzuyREe3VGAJSZyDh1GMRVbfsZgnAaAWjqEhvdy-IGk2JKqLOixR3ZfV3M_MzPDwhTozKo/w360-h640/518FD476-80D1-425D-BD13-F0EF8B929DF9.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRStqtCQeIyZ8oQh49KnL4IK0U1pJwXbJyoZk8dDtCfG3a5c1a-Ui4tk8V3zmTC59Y4yB25mvcgMNl3fClo4F-oz7mPKFlCN4XLh4sabxU-iTROXPMjsqGAdhV8-Vm9vzV-_GUQ4FG9nB523btfHTgGxC1r8dv7chBVkvFKKwxNnVscg7Bp-o/s960/6A02E1F4-0CBE-4174-8C2F-F5A2AD091F31.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="721" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRStqtCQeIyZ8oQh49KnL4IK0U1pJwXbJyoZk8dDtCfG3a5c1a-Ui4tk8V3zmTC59Y4yB25mvcgMNl3fClo4F-oz7mPKFlCN4XLh4sabxU-iTROXPMjsqGAdhV8-Vm9vzV-_GUQ4FG9nB523btfHTgGxC1r8dv7chBVkvFKKwxNnVscg7Bp-o/w480-h640/6A02E1F4-0CBE-4174-8C2F-F5A2AD091F31.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYHNves94KbfcBzhx8qZ2WtLbbe_zGZkrTPu0tNnl9Og5rJbObg-DkHfa1DE5RAGFXgl7SKr3_u9MqzrDbqVORQM4LK-zL5WLtEuV0kwT2x64H_LF8pA6Lirq_rDdFb57TM11SRo9C4_W-veQwh1xLToMvlKtder_j2Wji76YpfSDmkiGI6g/s4032/D2C57187-DC5B-4C3A-8039-6EC52FEF70B0.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoYHNves94KbfcBzhx8qZ2WtLbbe_zGZkrTPu0tNnl9Og5rJbObg-DkHfa1DE5RAGFXgl7SKr3_u9MqzrDbqVORQM4LK-zL5WLtEuV0kwT2x64H_LF8pA6Lirq_rDdFb57TM11SRo9C4_W-veQwh1xLToMvlKtder_j2Wji76YpfSDmkiGI6g/w480-h640/D2C57187-DC5B-4C3A-8039-6EC52FEF70B0.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjrR6n1eH3kaCxdbxRoiDvU1mV1OJd8CMibvMi5wVUJVXwixavOKK885NzuvnCDKfVMQOKoAGMa_kvau4lyuhFdTbhnBb7tQtVYP-zgrBqulk1SpocOFm9cK4UFqkirheS66-3FmsiZABUMR7MNSYMNb7SYsv5-UsBBIv9RmaRTbMDwcejyo/s960/9CA847C9-FF16-4C67-AFCF-D6B5A0B79304.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjrR6n1eH3kaCxdbxRoiDvU1mV1OJd8CMibvMi5wVUJVXwixavOKK885NzuvnCDKfVMQOKoAGMa_kvau4lyuhFdTbhnBb7tQtVYP-zgrBqulk1SpocOFm9cK4UFqkirheS66-3FmsiZABUMR7MNSYMNb7SYsv5-UsBBIv9RmaRTbMDwcejyo/w640-h480/9CA847C9-FF16-4C67-AFCF-D6B5A0B79304.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Then it was July 4th weekend. I was in charge of fireworks this year. Let's just say it was quite a daunting task. And then we had to haul all of it 500 miles across the south east. We left Sunday after church, drove halfway, drove the rest of the way Monday morning, went to the Connell family reunion and fireworks' spectacular that evening and then drove all the way back on Tuesday. It was exhausting, but it was worth every second of the almost 20 hours we spent in Georgia.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHbuQH_nQO90zsiK1T1gJS-_0tJ21P-lft00FmShApEwX3d2RyQIj0p4pC0yVtkGqSD3M5JXv0OV2MceCDIlt5_S0Xn9lOnmwFUQbCyNJeJBpTxlGun5jutChqMNNIDXFm9yebJW2MEuiqrEIQDUXO0dZiLwLucxRhb_kbi_qLnyNqj3TeuE/s4032/F040BB98-5637-4B69-91CB-917E88E30C4F_1_102_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHbuQH_nQO90zsiK1T1gJS-_0tJ21P-lft00FmShApEwX3d2RyQIj0p4pC0yVtkGqSD3M5JXv0OV2MceCDIlt5_S0Xn9lOnmwFUQbCyNJeJBpTxlGun5jutChqMNNIDXFm9yebJW2MEuiqrEIQDUXO0dZiLwLucxRhb_kbi_qLnyNqj3TeuE/w640-h480/F040BB98-5637-4B69-91CB-917E88E30C4F_1_102_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPNdoQd78O-ddIcxKXgyX7_5ZMjneg6C0bSACOM4YPzLxvMQNwpGXzKNZPvCA7oD5UaqevEQS2KmhUTrBKqP1yj-w6KMoRYIzB9hAO7zThI2htKZmElMo2ScGDVZ4e6yqAmn8mWqdO8lwyn57ALnsBQGSNSc9HupB2jElBKNLaKe354rYFIk/s2048/29458292-409B-4BBA-B2D5-7640CD2A1DB8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPNdoQd78O-ddIcxKXgyX7_5ZMjneg6C0bSACOM4YPzLxvMQNwpGXzKNZPvCA7oD5UaqevEQS2KmhUTrBKqP1yj-w6KMoRYIzB9hAO7zThI2htKZmElMo2ScGDVZ4e6yqAmn8mWqdO8lwyn57ALnsBQGSNSc9HupB2jElBKNLaKe354rYFIk/w640-h480/29458292-409B-4BBA-B2D5-7640CD2A1DB8.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18WViJlerCrDMxLV09l9pUeZR1XdPyF0E7071xKRrqNp_B7WJnk252jIfdG2dDM-aQOOVgC2FkHKF47hfqBQuprj5DPn7O8bmQOLHE0UHN1ZTKf2DXM6XlnPnYSOVkU-i7NCGr4VHD33nEMztjOqkR8jKiQItmi2lLUG9ji2m-9FovbgPPcA/s2000/C47B8EF3-27BD-42D5-B45D-709C0B5BF1E2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="2000" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg18WViJlerCrDMxLV09l9pUeZR1XdPyF0E7071xKRrqNp_B7WJnk252jIfdG2dDM-aQOOVgC2FkHKF47hfqBQuprj5DPn7O8bmQOLHE0UHN1ZTKf2DXM6XlnPnYSOVkU-i7NCGr4VHD33nEMztjOqkR8jKiQItmi2lLUG9ji2m-9FovbgPPcA/w640-h432/C47B8EF3-27BD-42D5-B45D-709C0B5BF1E2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: georgia;">I also had a garden. My tomatoes did the best ever. Everything else, not so much. But I did get most all colors of the rainbow.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW_9HMjqHGZFlBh3JblzdBAFmFVmtSOY19Zxlec7ifwMs8k9mOvFYrYDOci_WkPzKiatDtopB4kwtagkdU3wmKESt9FKotD18TjazmQKxKyhDtpvMcFucsCDec4da3en_EU5YCjyOsxxADlUH_J8b-SLqL2cYvj1wgmmRpHKxHLv41CvwBXA/s4032/F332E11B-112D-4AC6-B5BE-495FC5D812BF.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAW_9HMjqHGZFlBh3JblzdBAFmFVmtSOY19Zxlec7ifwMs8k9mOvFYrYDOci_WkPzKiatDtopB4kwtagkdU3wmKESt9FKotD18TjazmQKxKyhDtpvMcFucsCDec4da3en_EU5YCjyOsxxADlUH_J8b-SLqL2cYvj1wgmmRpHKxHLv41CvwBXA/w480-h640/F332E11B-112D-4AC6-B5BE-495FC5D812BF.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggj8U2RoW9954z1p9gn-jQe6MosRrGScV1NF30tBjjcdqiS9lqk3G06aHWC8e4OZxHtp_t7y6gKYGICqUf6jlHqHCLQo8IrBThUVGP808FoH630goUT1_-KgKxtiKBmC84osDdhLg2xMLilKU66jAEh_iJSsaLaeyeWi8TRB_FXWptErv8uKg/s4032/8EDF22F8-77E5-40C7-9B5F-49E81B68484A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggj8U2RoW9954z1p9gn-jQe6MosRrGScV1NF30tBjjcdqiS9lqk3G06aHWC8e4OZxHtp_t7y6gKYGICqUf6jlHqHCLQo8IrBThUVGP808FoH630goUT1_-KgKxtiKBmC84osDdhLg2xMLilKU66jAEh_iJSsaLaeyeWi8TRB_FXWptErv8uKg/w480-h640/8EDF22F8-77E5-40C7-9B5F-49E81B68484A.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRAcutv_ZaZfBehXsEGbrgmFd-TDSiGlulryfzqcwRsb_wZIO8_5ojmzuJaM4Pc8EfXIFM-tWu6l96YABLI0aJzsE4vMW56x7YH-vVIOtxbGlJjHucHjuu9nX7dK6_FAvMGCJIFTioY1UofuHUVlueQZk_TPle5zo30DbtjJdOK_bO-AgB-c/s4032/58B475A0-D124-4BD5-8498-F5E5DC1F1C75_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgRAcutv_ZaZfBehXsEGbrgmFd-TDSiGlulryfzqcwRsb_wZIO8_5ojmzuJaM4Pc8EfXIFM-tWu6l96YABLI0aJzsE4vMW56x7YH-vVIOtxbGlJjHucHjuu9nX7dK6_FAvMGCJIFTioY1UofuHUVlueQZk_TPle5zo30DbtjJdOK_bO-AgB-c/w480-h640/58B475A0-D124-4BD5-8498-F5E5DC1F1C75_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKpCVz2zk3B70SM66Pw1Lr0AsS899GNsCpm8ifxMRRxskIgaM3SFuN3-aODNEIuVMRaqBfr09Lrh6K-kcV-ED7Oun67gmXJXeuyDzdYVPvKTWZalBIZi6Ny_v30PMIlSPw2AlktRdW8bTmMcQTS1nw5b4MD6xQjPgL7MDwi7rhbDy_xdv9Kg/s4032/E8125C0C-7E38-43C8-A8C2-DA589DD073F1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKpCVz2zk3B70SM66Pw1Lr0AsS899GNsCpm8ifxMRRxskIgaM3SFuN3-aODNEIuVMRaqBfr09Lrh6K-kcV-ED7Oun67gmXJXeuyDzdYVPvKTWZalBIZi6Ny_v30PMIlSPw2AlktRdW8bTmMcQTS1nw5b4MD6xQjPgL7MDwi7rhbDy_xdv9Kg/w480-h640/E8125C0C-7E38-43C8-A8C2-DA589DD073F1.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByN24sJGM44GB-aTexnfRdf9M5FXqNSRhME0_YCVjPjZdYlWVIk6YBavtS6zWaVbqRu6BnzUqOpIHnbfzWQb-6zlUX8_QumsNuueOhXsHymZNmJ6VHBS-9Z9evYI_AoVkPr04kP-EPGuC7Adq9CQmRq3BkV4L3O1FvDCPUWP6jjVR5hEvCmU/s4032/678FA838-E26C-46D6-8095-1E9D0DF6FE9A_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByN24sJGM44GB-aTexnfRdf9M5FXqNSRhME0_YCVjPjZdYlWVIk6YBavtS6zWaVbqRu6BnzUqOpIHnbfzWQb-6zlUX8_QumsNuueOhXsHymZNmJ6VHBS-9Z9evYI_AoVkPr04kP-EPGuC7Adq9CQmRq3BkV4L3O1FvDCPUWP6jjVR5hEvCmU/w640-h480/678FA838-E26C-46D6-8095-1E9D0DF6FE9A_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk3ofA3OIpjLJXHggJI64gFxo6QycNwK2y23UbKQixZvOXk7J3sJE7S34XEKeX4Oc2bAihyqRzutScQzIShTSI-YPB-Zw6Hhk2Bd57-9A55DYrDwRgwq3RSMF-K95x6jov89E8gkYO1HLoeF016IsXW0vhEFiYrsKOefJrRuQrPA8xW7jmXc/s4032/3AFED05C-D0BF-4500-8435-4FB01B4E8B21_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOk3ofA3OIpjLJXHggJI64gFxo6QycNwK2y23UbKQixZvOXk7J3sJE7S34XEKeX4Oc2bAihyqRzutScQzIShTSI-YPB-Zw6Hhk2Bd57-9A55DYrDwRgwq3RSMF-K95x6jov89E8gkYO1HLoeF016IsXW0vhEFiYrsKOefJrRuQrPA8xW7jmXc/w480-h640/3AFED05C-D0BF-4500-8435-4FB01B4E8B21_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYDbQrzGrcp4snOpmE1otMv4h_3b_EpUUw4MlbA21BxZSe3oFeEQTu90p7Wxb5s4-DkaRJgidvfqbZLb2PGhkoX5mpoJCKdkUIOpUPZUoT4_aBw6qUTgI9KE3z0EbbdBXdxuCkXgAepPfbt4c2HNFcUmiVLEe4lSFVHr0NMwDYW_UkjpJgpA/s4032/06DF3554-B864-4217-A04E-5B23095B73C5_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYDbQrzGrcp4snOpmE1otMv4h_3b_EpUUw4MlbA21BxZSe3oFeEQTu90p7Wxb5s4-DkaRJgidvfqbZLb2PGhkoX5mpoJCKdkUIOpUPZUoT4_aBw6qUTgI9KE3z0EbbdBXdxuCkXgAepPfbt4c2HNFcUmiVLEe4lSFVHr0NMwDYW_UkjpJgpA/w480-h640/06DF3554-B864-4217-A04E-5B23095B73C5_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that's not all! After we got back from Georgia, we celebrated two birthdays, an anniversary, a wedding and a 2,600 mile road trip. We also had a couple of college campus visits in between. So there's lots more to come!</div></span></div>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-12285139349992922312022-08-16T05:00:00.001-06:002022-12-31T21:40:19.732-06:00End of School Awards 2022<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Of all of us this year, Ellie probably had the biggest adjustment to a brand new schooling situation. She had never been in a traditional school environment before with all-day classes everyday and more than ten kids in her class. She worked hard, and she got 4th grade done!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">She was awarded A/B Honor Roll, the Harmonious Hula Hooping Award (who knew there was even such a thing?!) and the Archery Award (she made sure to let me know she was the ONLY GIRL who received this award). Yes. Archery. We all know the LAST person who needs to be encouraged in any type of weaponry is Elizabeth Susanne Bayham. I mean . . . apparently I have an Annie Oakley on my hands.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12_j49isswaVCnqEubfZRiyKatLuzeIYUU4qj1hvENt3bGEf6ikaneq4sTYiO_CKUMULAJzvgUBMoIWA0YAVsHDupNaieA193LyKwcPQxMeu7oyAIHk1tP_jCavQGPQ-mhhQa6VeY5gKDuA2nLIbPSu5WhiFqHUyNv5gkJdWeWggDJaltdME/s4032/BA5C04B2-9A2F-4227-80F6-68C83ED2F7CE_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12_j49isswaVCnqEubfZRiyKatLuzeIYUU4qj1hvENt3bGEf6ikaneq4sTYiO_CKUMULAJzvgUBMoIWA0YAVsHDupNaieA193LyKwcPQxMeu7oyAIHk1tP_jCavQGPQ-mhhQa6VeY5gKDuA2nLIbPSu5WhiFqHUyNv5gkJdWeWggDJaltdME/w480-h640/BA5C04B2-9A2F-4227-80F6-68C83ED2F7CE_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">She was also honored as the 4th grade Student of the Week at the end of the school year. Well done, my girl!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyyghT2kHuOpFpR6soXStyd7w3ti6MK5oHbmyD7YNqOaZ1kgOsbMTFSf0wsYQXLMEh9JtT5AvIGEwIvLi3q_eta76ITlTyCCpgQnmdRq7wu3zgEKn-8Un6UAIe9Ufsjr15ThrVTG2MAc-1UaYBD5vIgamUnx8ACyuxi76HU-0T5XHbYFAZcI/s480/7694E5D1-0145-4014-ACD2-48C61FCCE52A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyyghT2kHuOpFpR6soXStyd7w3ti6MK5oHbmyD7YNqOaZ1kgOsbMTFSf0wsYQXLMEh9JtT5AvIGEwIvLi3q_eta76ITlTyCCpgQnmdRq7wu3zgEKn-8Un6UAIe9Ufsjr15ThrVTG2MAc-1UaYBD5vIgamUnx8ACyuxi76HU-0T5XHbYFAZcI/w640-h640/7694E5D1-0145-4014-ACD2-48C61FCCE52A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">I'm not sure what leaves me more speechless . . . that Hannah Kate is officially in high school now or that she has only four years left! At the end of 8th grade, she was honored with the Gold Scholar award for maintaining a 4.0 GPA, the highest achiever award in 8th grade English Language Arts and the highest achiever award in 8th grade math. She shines bright, this one!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsB8WIaVS12M6UmLTWfHLZv1pe-m3zwPqBV4WIfS94mWj4wXqJ3gsGIrc5r35AOqAm_LpEDtvr3S6tJL_R4OHJ9GHTBuZ5Lt_YQEdrSkm2bpztfnNyb1gyGL1m-UjXsrJCXWRqcjILYQNvVdVGrMoSN4f3g8vNAU1NCK4cjax98yy8Yp3Upk/s4032/4ADDB454-3323-40AC-BEE9-1692D49B8218_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsB8WIaVS12M6UmLTWfHLZv1pe-m3zwPqBV4WIfS94mWj4wXqJ3gsGIrc5r35AOqAm_LpEDtvr3S6tJL_R4OHJ9GHTBuZ5Lt_YQEdrSkm2bpztfnNyb1gyGL1m-UjXsrJCXWRqcjILYQNvVdVGrMoSN4f3g8vNAU1NCK4cjax98yy8Yp3Upk/w480-h640/4ADDB454-3323-40AC-BEE9-1692D49B8218_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">She also had a Crossover Ceremony to knight her for High School (their mascot is the Knights). Yes, that's a big sword.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1ixaQt9_pmkSSUy3G9CTDgMP9NK-vWZmu-15TIzzUVcoj3HCvoDAU6sLwKTEY-IrPnSwLtofzyatc4Tb1GoqyPKQZoOpLhXTs1-MBoliBfBa6whJvKwToJ5HVzn56ZT897WFZKo4TuLHdsDW21-m-S2degwRlmVbrRKMRDEi06oLgC4nEYY/s4032/E0651727-90EC-4156-A762-CCAFC4FEE405.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1ixaQt9_pmkSSUy3G9CTDgMP9NK-vWZmu-15TIzzUVcoj3HCvoDAU6sLwKTEY-IrPnSwLtofzyatc4Tb1GoqyPKQZoOpLhXTs1-MBoliBfBa6whJvKwToJ5HVzn56ZT897WFZKo4TuLHdsDW21-m-S2degwRlmVbrRKMRDEi06oLgC4nEYY/w480-h640/E0651727-90EC-4156-A762-CCAFC4FEE405.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And, finally, this one. When I saw his schedule at the beginning of the school year, I held my breath.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"Why are you in an AP class?" I asked.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Because those are not letters we are used to seeing or expect to see. My question went unanswered until the last day of school. He finished his JUNIOR YEAR as a silver scholar maintaining a 3.00-3.74 GPA. AP class, Chemistry, Algebra II, English III and all!</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAoX6yFAQhjJWG8mK_mFuQ8iL7pAoqJBRyjLPjUYFceISgKVP-CTfdp4LAum7VnQrfdnSCg2Dv62HZgIPdAIBPBZvMx1VXmEMvl1gpGgUsUR8hcMfPEcryFWxq9Ys0NqvzjvVZfZC_CIwyrgKAjKlnudztDuCfxliYvHdN5whYyAkrzSgW54/s4032/4869145A-9E9A-4282-BDCE-19E5F30AFB96_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAoX6yFAQhjJWG8mK_mFuQ8iL7pAoqJBRyjLPjUYFceISgKVP-CTfdp4LAum7VnQrfdnSCg2Dv62HZgIPdAIBPBZvMx1VXmEMvl1gpGgUsUR8hcMfPEcryFWxq9Ys0NqvzjvVZfZC_CIwyrgKAjKlnudztDuCfxliYvHdN5whYyAkrzSgW54/w480-h640/4869145A-9E9A-4282-BDCE-19E5F30AFB96_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And now . . . he's a SENIOR. I have so. many. words. But too many for this space right now. They will come in the days ahead, I'm sure.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In the meantime, mark your calendar.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">May 18, 2023.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Graduation Day!</span></div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-83963031001227327692022-08-15T05:00:00.001-06:002022-12-30T20:50:57.326-06:00Dance Recital 2022 | When I Grow Up<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Hannah Kate celebrated 11 years of dancing on what is always one of our favorite days of the year. This year we were finally able to return to the River Center Theater after almost three years of renovations. The theater is beautiful, there recital was beautiful and my dancer is stunning on stage, as always!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKynPNpqmkChjRtI1wNeEdi4NIe6ju70MjYZh7FMEXVd5OKxRch_E4z1_OU8vnf2KzrQKXVZdpe05xwq4sMWmEiX0MQuMoNnuBZszWB1-3wpRlnY_ViJ-Ts8RS44VWR9bTsYJHZ-fcDMLrkeb3f5-pm1DrunmYjkx3Cl_Qd-WDvDPUJeSS2M/s1457/07CFB3CC-2578-4CE8-BA89-8217C0D85555.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKynPNpqmkChjRtI1wNeEdi4NIe6ju70MjYZh7FMEXVd5OKxRch_E4z1_OU8vnf2KzrQKXVZdpe05xwq4sMWmEiX0MQuMoNnuBZszWB1-3wpRlnY_ViJ-Ts8RS44VWR9bTsYJHZ-fcDMLrkeb3f5-pm1DrunmYjkx3Cl_Qd-WDvDPUJeSS2M/w632-h640/07CFB3CC-2578-4CE8-BA89-8217C0D85555.jpeg" width="632" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">This year Hannah Kate performed in both recitals and the opening number. The highlight of this year was probably taking the stage in pointe for the very first time. She's worked so hard to get here.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3nyb8-O1vwyBPwemspmPwIBNulC9waLFe_WnlvytkdeoakRkgO2wENaN7FHBBWhWK3GzAZfrlqFzTTobm-53sntRivRHhavTYKy1HdZCFVRtCEdDftp9qFtVfv3_QlqEI4aXZGe4DvBFJhDSgluwZwV4P3oRY835QnlsGdBXJCynt3djaVg/s1800/09517DFE-DA0F-4F8B-9822-0E25864CC8FB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3nyb8-O1vwyBPwemspmPwIBNulC9waLFe_WnlvytkdeoakRkgO2wENaN7FHBBWhWK3GzAZfrlqFzTTobm-53sntRivRHhavTYKy1HdZCFVRtCEdDftp9qFtVfv3_QlqEI4aXZGe4DvBFJhDSgluwZwV4P3oRY835QnlsGdBXJCynt3djaVg/w512-h640/09517DFE-DA0F-4F8B-9822-0E25864CC8FB.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPyFsRVD9S8GEfB7XD-KVJpm64F31GJNsfd-69xLgI2tUAKoVxVgVN4WOyofwD4vEt4rFOD8SmV-QDAsjCgzPjotAVnzPZO0u-SAekI_ULZfZ_YOJaGw0G26mqwmpb8AboP59u3GAjSpYke38w0mNnIWg8f2bx73PFeRf_G1ABPrxMrSOuzk/s1800/6CDC25BC-6033-44E0-92D1-29A6199A7CE5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPyFsRVD9S8GEfB7XD-KVJpm64F31GJNsfd-69xLgI2tUAKoVxVgVN4WOyofwD4vEt4rFOD8SmV-QDAsjCgzPjotAVnzPZO0u-SAekI_ULZfZ_YOJaGw0G26mqwmpb8AboP59u3GAjSpYke38w0mNnIWg8f2bx73PFeRf_G1ABPrxMrSOuzk/w512-h640/6CDC25BC-6033-44E0-92D1-29A6199A7CE5.jpeg" width="512" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeGSqwnIakjQ4dyUSBBG5CpfCQxjgolsrcS3peqkjodOXhI6yzD_XTWcWAZhO8oznhAKyO8GWX1enrY17CmQbSi6iLvWvfQ0eYvdbBRJNPe-Shwqco3AB-d7d2-ygwDYJFJTvJJEnuD4YHkIhTn0tQiZeU_VezTPvBK1ncbfTvS9FWnZeT6g/s1457/1FBB5561-63ED-4D29-9E42-94694DA0A8DF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeGSqwnIakjQ4dyUSBBG5CpfCQxjgolsrcS3peqkjodOXhI6yzD_XTWcWAZhO8oznhAKyO8GWX1enrY17CmQbSi6iLvWvfQ0eYvdbBRJNPe-Shwqco3AB-d7d2-ygwDYJFJTvJJEnuD4YHkIhTn0tQiZeU_VezTPvBK1ncbfTvS9FWnZeT6g/w632-h640/1FBB5561-63ED-4D29-9E42-94694DA0A8DF.jpeg" width="632" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WfTV9oGvSTZHGJkDGdYxeBaR7qu5aRJONwZb9Om-xluX8M2Ye0n3b8uxYnm-fLk7omfnryoEHvgKK_N_RWK_M4s1BqT6hTqVn6x51adeUXDxx6K7ge4MC6dxITHOd1Ue9Dou3X1SbybKQqH1YfQ5IB1EDmKLu3NFSSkFVh2j7e2ZnFmJwDY/s4032/86FEDD06-74A3-468A-AE8E-5C3328D9F17B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WfTV9oGvSTZHGJkDGdYxeBaR7qu5aRJONwZb9Om-xluX8M2Ye0n3b8uxYnm-fLk7omfnryoEHvgKK_N_RWK_M4s1BqT6hTqVn6x51adeUXDxx6K7ge4MC6dxITHOd1Ue9Dou3X1SbybKQqH1YfQ5IB1EDmKLu3NFSSkFVh2j7e2ZnFmJwDY/w480-h640/86FEDD06-74A3-468A-AE8E-5C3328D9F17B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Sweet family and even her bestie from school came to watch her perform.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuUXlSmw6FKrszNimaEyyAfiyCgaN_dr6oa1a-VnaIUPJGjUIKFdmJiNOD3-7u2UtQwhRn2iKZEyqLwnwAEzlNeNsvoXN3U4vC0sMsyNVZbm7-hVOaSNywxMusRSSfqKx_itvx_aOHI2_P2FUF77tvTRSVIaQnOW6ofwSdZWQyxaK-V6IUnE/s1454/004ED121-9F22-43FE-A5CE-FAD50C14E923.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuUXlSmw6FKrszNimaEyyAfiyCgaN_dr6oa1a-VnaIUPJGjUIKFdmJiNOD3-7u2UtQwhRn2iKZEyqLwnwAEzlNeNsvoXN3U4vC0sMsyNVZbm7-hVOaSNywxMusRSSfqKx_itvx_aOHI2_P2FUF77tvTRSVIaQnOW6ofwSdZWQyxaK-V6IUnE/w634-h640/004ED121-9F22-43FE-A5CE-FAD50C14E923.jpeg" width="634" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bNhMxDbKjhGWVyMj7LHhOc2WEdEcSE9L6gh0LOOvLSXvd-fSzATAgC07Gkq5aGAYhDpAuGzQg0ofRmS0TmyInVt2870cFYmKA5i2xFh3W5csTiq919n2Z-WqWFJw2t2XTwQILdR6R2PKFQWLvQt34RHZrLRYlzEvAlfjumcq7v8iGfmn_ho/s1454/379DED9C-EB70-4405-B64F-15DD06985732.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bNhMxDbKjhGWVyMj7LHhOc2WEdEcSE9L6gh0LOOvLSXvd-fSzATAgC07Gkq5aGAYhDpAuGzQg0ofRmS0TmyInVt2870cFYmKA5i2xFh3W5csTiq919n2Z-WqWFJw2t2XTwQILdR6R2PKFQWLvQt34RHZrLRYlzEvAlfjumcq7v8iGfmn_ho/w634-h640/379DED9C-EB70-4405-B64F-15DD06985732.jpeg" width="634" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">It was so very strange dancing without Abbie this year, but she came to cheer Hannah Kate on.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JmtTIEkqdegyB94xX7mDQXlJrVienC1wjDqfcz0fi-bAVOD1_ku6qd4fDvoYck9KS1lJK0engc1vygEXKQ0E5fYAMNSZ5E_cwwOABJuGN-HshqBsW2vCYhokVVJ7D2ai35_ZNlK7Bm3Rw7y-AqQQtaJZ4Wcp6KUydTFt_4PzCfAKImC-6pg/s1454/04054F98-E7CC-4CD1-BD68-B1B519C74D80.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1454" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JmtTIEkqdegyB94xX7mDQXlJrVienC1wjDqfcz0fi-bAVOD1_ku6qd4fDvoYck9KS1lJK0engc1vygEXKQ0E5fYAMNSZ5E_cwwOABJuGN-HshqBsW2vCYhokVVJ7D2ai35_ZNlK7Bm3Rw7y-AqQQtaJZ4Wcp6KUydTFt_4PzCfAKImC-6pg/w634-h640/04054F98-E7CC-4CD1-BD68-B1B519C74D80.jpeg" width="634" /></a></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">Seth and I gifted Hannah Kate with this beautiful painting for her room.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5DeRmRoZwXGY0Izn2wItaJzaKw_mi5wFYavpBcKRQ7gU0XBxINFTlZ3UOZ4nBgkQpc4KTVLZcIWsRuRTTiGJErJhDGFeh20tp6f-pp3OCrWWWC511Po6_ZPhZ5QBELHK03hyCUebghoGlCbRQQ0UYZveJAK-9z4U9zBAYc20xNOnMwY8B3A/s4032/3FB21BE7-67CF-4BA3-888C-DC0E66A28342_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5DeRmRoZwXGY0Izn2wItaJzaKw_mi5wFYavpBcKRQ7gU0XBxINFTlZ3UOZ4nBgkQpc4KTVLZcIWsRuRTTiGJErJhDGFeh20tp6f-pp3OCrWWWC511Po6_ZPhZ5QBELHK03hyCUebghoGlCbRQQ0UYZveJAK-9z4U9zBAYc20xNOnMwY8B3A/w480-h640/3FB21BE7-67CF-4BA3-888C-DC0E66A28342_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">About six years ago, I met Gail Lloyd at BSF. We served together as Children's Leaders. She had homeschooled and graduated her four kids and was very encouraging to me as I was in the trenches homeschooling my own. It wasn't until a little bit later that I found out Gail is an artist. I immediately admired her beautiful, thoughtful work. About a year after that, the Lord gave her the opportunity to pursue her art full-time. So then we just kept up on social media.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Several weeks before the recital, Gail's art studio was hosting an Open House. She posted a picture of her studio space with some of her pieces on display. In the center of the room was a painting of a ballerina. I knew immediately that I HAD to have that painting. Everything about it was perfectly Hannah Kate! I texted Gail and asked her if she could hold it for me if it hadn't already been purchased. Two weeks later, I stopped by the studio and met her to pick up my art. She gave me a tour of the studio and introduced me to several of the other artists.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The painting sat in my office until I gifted it to Hannah Kate on recital day. She was so surprised and delighted when she opened it. I'm so honored to finally have a Gail Lloyd Art original in my house now! Gail named this piece "Choose Joy." And that's exactly what I feel every time I watch my beautiful ballerina take the big stage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Joy.</span></div><br />The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-39734229929907181332022-08-14T13:51:00.005-06:002022-12-31T21:39:01.478-06:00Spring Break 2022<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">We decided to take a very last minute trip to the beach during spring break.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaXzMdJi4y-wVB_kdyVQeYF0138qMWqyIza3qjFkt1ARc99pT4SjzsUX6uX1Q2nWNeWjLOGMRX-zD72bU32fIRsJcgu18mMWjyv0W_d_8Vr5BznqvQm-5Uerz-NXf5BpTbZ770qXQvPZDONxPQc4QxPDd-1JXdzwmQIsgfo_fWKQ6a-L3T1E/s4032/AABECEDF-42C9-45ED-A910-B2FC32DBDFF9.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaXzMdJi4y-wVB_kdyVQeYF0138qMWqyIza3qjFkt1ARc99pT4SjzsUX6uX1Q2nWNeWjLOGMRX-zD72bU32fIRsJcgu18mMWjyv0W_d_8Vr5BznqvQm-5Uerz-NXf5BpTbZ770qXQvPZDONxPQc4QxPDd-1JXdzwmQIsgfo_fWKQ6a-L3T1E/w640-h480/AABECEDF-42C9-45ED-A910-B2FC32DBDFF9.heic" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia;">We slept, went to the beach and ate. That was it. It was very windy and a little bit chilly, but the waves were so nice this trip. It was perfect and restful and relaxing.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoTqu5rsA15YVuStcK6AgIifS8RoO1WxIZVwhG6OGgg14HRWSNfHbHbBV27k6-b9B37_DXgokBmBSztdLvu3gZbSXTkPR44pc7OongMzStqThMiqY_VCXKCXo5rOp2_7NPCV7wjMYB_uInI7p_oK2YwZcHKGinM6-JPRNs_MX22t4ylSyyzA/s4032/F453F831-4DEC-4C75-8276-1FB08527CEC5.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoTqu5rsA15YVuStcK6AgIifS8RoO1WxIZVwhG6OGgg14HRWSNfHbHbBV27k6-b9B37_DXgokBmBSztdLvu3gZbSXTkPR44pc7OongMzStqThMiqY_VCXKCXo5rOp2_7NPCV7wjMYB_uInI7p_oK2YwZcHKGinM6-JPRNs_MX22t4ylSyyzA/w640-h480/F453F831-4DEC-4C75-8276-1FB08527CEC5.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcetCZXL4YaG_l4Q0-2ucsBo8KMtlH2u0dL7aHMJhGONay4g0l-6ab_9rox1nPbhHeNC7I2YAKBy6nO0j-JXSh6VfYD-l6TdIofNfHB0b_eJ2AYecNvRsugDcYnUcwDxLlvGZg_dScu05DUKoBN-wJHci73n4PgVwXsnGvghAXy6BHyWb3f8/s4032/8B9F2481-B1B3-4332-A8A2-099A67139BB0.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHcetCZXL4YaG_l4Q0-2ucsBo8KMtlH2u0dL7aHMJhGONay4g0l-6ab_9rox1nPbhHeNC7I2YAKBy6nO0j-JXSh6VfYD-l6TdIofNfHB0b_eJ2AYecNvRsugDcYnUcwDxLlvGZg_dScu05DUKoBN-wJHci73n4PgVwXsnGvghAXy6BHyWb3f8/w640-h480/8B9F2481-B1B3-4332-A8A2-099A67139BB0.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENk3c10xcheJLDU6QDpR4G6dvgO0GiGfAPGnN5P0q85julDMqsOx3DzoCo2Xoyq0ovAf0H5lG9HjZK4mLODoJ1_aF_arWwLJuspGjrbnkwfUrceO-1yTQFWduWoW0pLVzLOKS9Qb28D2FdNrS6PpnPeLDtEnuPUn-hVp_U0gmLpSwvN2gNyA/s4032/3D3A0E05-0B43-4976-AD05-112AC6711DE1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENk3c10xcheJLDU6QDpR4G6dvgO0GiGfAPGnN5P0q85julDMqsOx3DzoCo2Xoyq0ovAf0H5lG9HjZK4mLODoJ1_aF_arWwLJuspGjrbnkwfUrceO-1yTQFWduWoW0pLVzLOKS9Qb28D2FdNrS6PpnPeLDtEnuPUn-hVp_U0gmLpSwvN2gNyA/w480-h640/3D3A0E05-0B43-4976-AD05-112AC6711DE1.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOSY1ZYO3vkNmuelDAG0LSaTAo3NZ8jNSc7bSRSuAcvCiAh_BKLF4GFuU0Ma2q8xcbWdAx__PuaQl6yS91RlJ5VZbc19wUHEYxRm0lNgdAaYKY80DrJhJVkvKpyTFAbtENle9r28KVr3hxvFHuc-RhQihLJ0AtAOlPwWs8tc7QvGsYQXy394/s4032/DEE7D2AC-2F02-4DFD-A8E2-592E7BF4A1B9.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOSY1ZYO3vkNmuelDAG0LSaTAo3NZ8jNSc7bSRSuAcvCiAh_BKLF4GFuU0Ma2q8xcbWdAx__PuaQl6yS91RlJ5VZbc19wUHEYxRm0lNgdAaYKY80DrJhJVkvKpyTFAbtENle9r28KVr3hxvFHuc-RhQihLJ0AtAOlPwWs8tc7QvGsYQXy394/w640-h480/DEE7D2AC-2F02-4DFD-A8E2-592E7BF4A1B9.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0gIG-me1taFVxQXnsO-lVDy6gkPKPDF1wx7o8C4Qo8upUceD_Hh_D00VEXofAAi8gVDJq6uL6RRDDFzGcGbVyAPVyg-enlSs4pAMazHaQ1l7lS2gCv2Jaqtkg9RgbwylwmrSKI_3R6J8QiCr-arXxDhrPFFSAzjkPcogq29jbRINV1EfSEM/s4032/87C4B8D0-3145-4FE7-8750-B645FDCDD2F1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0gIG-me1taFVxQXnsO-lVDy6gkPKPDF1wx7o8C4Qo8upUceD_Hh_D00VEXofAAi8gVDJq6uL6RRDDFzGcGbVyAPVyg-enlSs4pAMazHaQ1l7lS2gCv2Jaqtkg9RgbwylwmrSKI_3R6J8QiCr-arXxDhrPFFSAzjkPcogq29jbRINV1EfSEM/w480-h640/87C4B8D0-3145-4FE7-8750-B645FDCDD2F1.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6ff0ZL4fKzYRDe8R34mAIQ6rgfDkG_ruLGbbLCbv8Gqvl0FnBB6xnzP3QOkuGuemzcqJCBscUc-93x7yQaQIu8jxON24ao6xOL_mt84qu-jvPa_bMy5eKQ9xB5LkttJ7-aPob14tW5qNz72Oetaqrfif3kyMFt8XgkB0KxdRASgnYhQP8QI/s4032/6D177DCA-E657-4F7C-9124-AAE3C4490BA2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6ff0ZL4fKzYRDe8R34mAIQ6rgfDkG_ruLGbbLCbv8Gqvl0FnBB6xnzP3QOkuGuemzcqJCBscUc-93x7yQaQIu8jxON24ao6xOL_mt84qu-jvPa_bMy5eKQ9xB5LkttJ7-aPob14tW5qNz72Oetaqrfif3kyMFt8XgkB0KxdRASgnYhQP8QI/w640-h480/6D177DCA-E657-4F7C-9124-AAE3C4490BA2.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkqK7swAUYbvuzP4TcAKdeQJgwPhhcW44UMAkPRf28GtfBzrIptO0vQeBv4_kxuSfY4zlal5mAb24mySOki9HWEJHDZ36m8ADYrLCZSti0ne4vBH2pd6lx7UWss_te3Rw3kQY7zwYmeHzaovrXVqAOQKBOkqlXoh1SVDQku8DrGm_O3f9jqM/s4032/DA48C177-AC39-46E3-92CF-6D867E7B2AF6.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSkqK7swAUYbvuzP4TcAKdeQJgwPhhcW44UMAkPRf28GtfBzrIptO0vQeBv4_kxuSfY4zlal5mAb24mySOki9HWEJHDZ36m8ADYrLCZSti0ne4vBH2pd6lx7UWss_te3Rw3kQY7zwYmeHzaovrXVqAOQKBOkqlXoh1SVDQku8DrGm_O3f9jqM/w480-h640/DA48C177-AC39-46E3-92CF-6D867E7B2AF6.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi261nA-apLAkK5Mj3Xj-0EFCjN6nkD1v2f2cAYuuwjbV3QZZWcfmKfBf7t6CVlQm-RzZxNJ0pdBBpaKkwNNIzb4FdZbcdITToRUIsL8ycD3K0-3vwph6MI8O48f2oyMyKt50VQTOhQwXG4zJc89ewPGjGoQp39q28Ky8SfdduFNsAxqamQSLs/s4032/F6E145D0-79DB-4CF0-B3C7-6B81D96C5765.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi261nA-apLAkK5Mj3Xj-0EFCjN6nkD1v2f2cAYuuwjbV3QZZWcfmKfBf7t6CVlQm-RzZxNJ0pdBBpaKkwNNIzb4FdZbcdITToRUIsL8ycD3K0-3vwph6MI8O48f2oyMyKt50VQTOhQwXG4zJc89ewPGjGoQp39q28Ky8SfdduFNsAxqamQSLs/w640-h480/F6E145D0-79DB-4CF0-B3C7-6B81D96C5765.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25211513.post-3357369807199585642022-04-23T05:00:00.001-06:002022-12-30T20:50:57.313-06:00Hannah Kate's New Smile<p><span style="font-family: georgia;">Speaking of orthodontics . . . all three Bayham children have had braces, and it seems like we've always had them two at a time (speaking of which, if you'd like to donate to the Bayham Children Orthodontia Fund . . .).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n-u31T2b559heJRMsqLN1E55iJJtp2uqNtq2PRolBetos9qcVx9Sio6xmRA-mNMRCVXmCofJz0Wd0R9A6Rt-sO_NtWGJitqNA4OQM-6_fn7RWV44Rt1xlqNRxdS1DqFja243aYtevuP7gKcB1PHtQlYgENm5EDBNzKR9fmOtqRxJBpAlBWo/s4032/74020D5D-3641-4EB0-91A7-5071DD9F60FA_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5n-u31T2b559heJRMsqLN1E55iJJtp2uqNtq2PRolBetos9qcVx9Sio6xmRA-mNMRCVXmCofJz0Wd0R9A6Rt-sO_NtWGJitqNA4OQM-6_fn7RWV44Rt1xlqNRxdS1DqFja243aYtevuP7gKcB1PHtQlYgENm5EDBNzKR9fmOtqRxJBpAlBWo/w480-h640/74020D5D-3641-4EB0-91A7-5071DD9F60FA_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">An appointment was made in December for Hannah Kate to get her braces off on March 22. When then rezlized two weeks before the appointment that dance pictures were scheduled TWO DAYS BEFORE said date. So then you beg your mom to change your appointment. And because your mom is so awesome (as is your orthodontist), you end up with a brand new smile a week earlier than you thought!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDawWWZTHhLAPptVGjzEPJ74A44sBGGBNurW_GEWNshDcJqOwtAKaeq7ILyEfFijahKeRN0Ldn4MBfYZp2cDylJ7kfh52U1S-BDp6RWO4Xz3RWw1LNk6pzbU5QTVSdVatOihSVeYh1jobSSyOtAHFB_BLKtIlWvxZHVUD4_AnoEPVq-c90TE/s4032/70AF0FB9-ED9E-4C1A-BB68-1DFEA0D4D920.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDawWWZTHhLAPptVGjzEPJ74A44sBGGBNurW_GEWNshDcJqOwtAKaeq7ILyEfFijahKeRN0Ldn4MBfYZp2cDylJ7kfh52U1S-BDp6RWO4Xz3RWw1LNk6pzbU5QTVSdVatOihSVeYh1jobSSyOtAHFB_BLKtIlWvxZHVUD4_AnoEPVq-c90TE/w480-h640/70AF0FB9-ED9E-4C1A-BB68-1DFEA0D4D920.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Y--Aki_lZxjeQFMYXxcKggaiIcgcwKK7gbZyG4I55BH1_L4AQczP1Qx1HnBQub8b1cpSfa-FrtlUurmWfZ6mRFAGz5WhqIvClVwC-X7EshJHveL9uwpKrmKydWwbrbp2Ji_-E2Yl1H-UfcU6xiqVcoJ6KbMKbP6cWsQ01Ec_HiyK_ifgr4/s4032/EFDEC974-FD7F-4524-AE8D-9AE44491B1B1_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4Y--Aki_lZxjeQFMYXxcKggaiIcgcwKK7gbZyG4I55BH1_L4AQczP1Qx1HnBQub8b1cpSfa-FrtlUurmWfZ6mRFAGz5WhqIvClVwC-X7EshJHveL9uwpKrmKydWwbrbp2Ji_-E2Yl1H-UfcU6xiqVcoJ6KbMKbP6cWsQ01Ec_HiyK_ifgr4/w480-h640/EFDEC974-FD7F-4524-AE8D-9AE44491B1B1_1_201_a.heic" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia;">So. Two down. One to finish.</span></p>The Binder Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11630233012350373856noreply@blogger.com