tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60128479653331608112024-02-19T03:20:12.413-08:00Adventures of the Bledsoe FamilyMichelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.comBlogger89125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-14479047968211817122011-07-10T22:43:00.000-07:002011-07-10T22:51:49.051-07:00New Blog AddressI have decided it long past time to change my blog address, since this address misrepresents the number of children I have. If you would like to continue to follow, you may do so at <a href="http://bledsoeadventures.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #0b5394;">http://bledsoeadventures.blogspot.com/</span></a> . I will leave this blog up for a little while, but I will no longer be posting at this address. I have transferred all the old posts from this blog to the new one, so it's all the greatness of the old blog with a new and improved address.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-53135894423025180912011-07-08T10:04:00.000-07:002011-07-09T14:29:48.745-07:00"Someday"The posts from Holt's blog are often moving to me, but I am especially moved by the posts from the Waiting Child staff. Maybe because both of our girls were waiting children. Everytime I read about a featured child, I want so desperatly to find that child a home. How many times I have heard people say how wonderful they think adoption is, or how they'd "really like to do that "someday". I wonder if maybe you're reading this blog, and thinking that very thing. I think that is great. However, there are children around the world and right here in the USA waiting for "someday". I was moved today by the story of a 13 year old girl from China. If a family does not come forward to adopt her very soon, she may never have her "someday". She will age out of the adoption system at age 14. I hope you will take the time to read her story (click on the link below) and pass it along to any friends who have talked about adopting an older child "someday".<br /><br /><a href="http://holtinternational.org/blog/2011/07/all-she-hopes-for-is-a-family/#more-3807"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><strong>All She Hopes for is a Family</strong></span></a>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-70728380574384057542011-07-05T17:44:00.000-07:002011-07-05T18:43:22.413-07:00Summer FunSorry I've been away for so long. Mostly, my boys have been hogging my computer all summer, and I haven't had much time to post. I kicked them outside for a while, so I could have a turn.<br /><br />We've had quite the fun summer so far. We started it off with a trip to Phoenix, Arizona to visit Ken's sister, her husband, and my new baby niece.<br /><br /><br /><div>Eliza is a Huge fan of baby cousin</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaXUsooi1oY4eGE5X5Y50MfjMTKbUZ3rYxj-XimTKWBkZJ8YY9izqRu0zt3NNWrQBg8oxuYPQwGqLBEjypvMGYBsZ4ZHYxhNUM405CKiRTXvQ4h4r8dZIrLbNVTF7lo6cyXtCKnxpNdM/s1600/1compsummer+2011+%252834%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042640549130194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaXUsooi1oY4eGE5X5Y50MfjMTKbUZ3rYxj-XimTKWBkZJ8YY9izqRu0zt3NNWrQBg8oxuYPQwGqLBEjypvMGYBsZ4ZHYxhNUM405CKiRTXvQ4h4r8dZIrLbNVTF7lo6cyXtCKnxpNdM/s320/1compsummer+2011+%252834%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div>All the kids together and smiling. It may never happen again.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4GbAiHYUGtQV8_P8z4F2YGzZeL21h98y-I_k5oTMy7Xbw_Ab3-SdCTiI0z6oSiPQEKvbSWv-jEy8-zxalr7V9Bm6pEkHyGmJO6snvEUlzkVq_acSnQOQV5gj5zQD5Z7SBzqo_WCC8Y/s1600/1comp+summer+2011.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042626046978322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLN4GbAiHYUGtQV8_P8z4F2YGzZeL21h98y-I_k5oTMy7Xbw_Ab3-SdCTiI0z6oSiPQEKvbSWv-jEy8-zxalr7V9Bm6pEkHyGmJO6snvEUlzkVq_acSnQOQV5gj5zQD5Z7SBzqo_WCC8Y/s320/1comp+summer+2011.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Oh the baby love.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnJ2LrWFFmLXrkIlfXP9GCSg73rejmCZGLI7rqHzIB6vetGAgDZrGEWuqgE_C6xR4R1nYKPoKOKOrgSNSwR8-vPlUXI-XFHi5fQFT3zDd8oSJtdJfxpikeHluXMlzUR52xwH2vCx34Xc/s1600/1comp+summer+2011+%252829%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042620825345794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnJ2LrWFFmLXrkIlfXP9GCSg73rejmCZGLI7rqHzIB6vetGAgDZrGEWuqgE_C6xR4R1nYKPoKOKOrgSNSwR8-vPlUXI-XFHi5fQFT3zDd8oSJtdJfxpikeHluXMlzUR52xwH2vCx34Xc/s320/1comp+summer+2011+%252829%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>The Chocolate Factory - Yummmmy</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_uHQH7ByEIQSt5UieBJPBochfdGMrlt4nBwguc-oS9X4hYyy3nKomqnLG1SAODCCdnpiaenTJ4Bbm7NcaUpJIdOcOUsPGEaPVsYPFE4KlwhreWWaMfNVn4E6gFi-FdiVr8DQv3bVi6E/s1600/1comp+summer+2011+%252850%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042647100343266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_uHQH7ByEIQSt5UieBJPBochfdGMrlt4nBwguc-oS9X4hYyy3nKomqnLG1SAODCCdnpiaenTJ4Bbm7NcaUpJIdOcOUsPGEaPVsYPFE4KlwhreWWaMfNVn4E6gFi-FdiVr8DQv3bVi6E/s320/1comp+summer+2011+%252850%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Making Chocolate Pizzas<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub8rpovZRGqtqx_5Au9PuD04ZbcIl5P1K0xZ3UFM4LHWGxIXScn9IHG0XatITl6XBcMrvyFhz-FY6GJh0gfwlIflQo4xOmkMC2Adu3jISUBlLCLTv-pB9jIipzugXRGhgv86lAEdIWb4/s1600/1comp+summer+2011+%252864%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626042648493802914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjub8rpovZRGqtqx_5Au9PuD04ZbcIl5P1K0xZ3UFM4LHWGxIXScn9IHG0XatITl6XBcMrvyFhz-FY6GJh0gfwlIflQo4xOmkMC2Adu3jISUBlLCLTv-pB9jIipzugXRGhgv86lAEdIWb4/s320/1comp+summer+2011+%252864%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0fQREiHRcCR8nj1DSS0jICcFzanEypzd9-suciK82j9u_VKwcz6aYkIrwRZFl0kWJPNiUnHqF7H1sRiBcWqpcTXCCkQbmbtzlI-tS_juFRSwx_7ABtyRw4RkBHE3b5OfdahW7aWcHV4/s1600/1comp+summer+2011+%252871%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626045006232313938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0fQREiHRcCR8nj1DSS0jICcFzanEypzd9-suciK82j9u_VKwcz6aYkIrwRZFl0kWJPNiUnHqF7H1sRiBcWqpcTXCCkQbmbtzlI-tS_juFRSwx_7ABtyRw4RkBHE3b5OfdahW7aWcHV4/s320/1comp+summer+2011+%252871%2529.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We've been swimming and slip-n-siding. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAGH49oop0hX0yN_CE52b2aJA7EPl9KWE2vNNBMOdPvrJoBSohcDw1UOIRpS2FQwOPQbPMX69GXjow6Nwk9DOO_S92Pp8MsB8OYCv0GV2gGPPlUkRL4o9eumLgKrEhto7BIHyhR8U9ZI/s1600/1comp+summer+2011+%252881%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626045010901444802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAGH49oop0hX0yN_CE52b2aJA7EPl9KWE2vNNBMOdPvrJoBSohcDw1UOIRpS2FQwOPQbPMX69GXjow6Nwk9DOO_S92Pp8MsB8OYCv0GV2gGPPlUkRL4o9eumLgKrEhto7BIHyhR8U9ZI/s320/1comp+summer+2011+%252881%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAOodinJSLR22zVbMIwW4IPBmBUhaysL1A8DWhCqylL53JC1eL7s6FIm5cTthMai1cFH4oLJlbNyX5-qxeIfmEw8blhyphenhyphenzXr_zc2eR1Hbc7DURGWGPqrJGGYyJytzUGK83OjiTgdEfm8g/s1600/1comp+summer+2011+%252888%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626045024729321698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAOodinJSLR22zVbMIwW4IPBmBUhaysL1A8DWhCqylL53JC1eL7s6FIm5cTthMai1cFH4oLJlbNyX5-qxeIfmEw8blhyphenhyphenzXr_zc2eR1Hbc7DURGWGPqrJGGYyJytzUGK83OjiTgdEfm8g/s320/1comp+summer+2011+%252888%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX7xtyQ85KeKpU57RJeNjsOw9VIc-upqsFlN8vr3Tx3-j0ey4H_WXKocrOsgBJCw4CvpEkItOdiyoWvChIlkwCUnxBfSVq2XgqzPg2Y6dBaQtY6gthuo5alJ16JF26akRRildLtQ5nn8/s1600/1comp+2011-06-30+15.33.18.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626045031324186866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuX7xtyQ85KeKpU57RJeNjsOw9VIc-upqsFlN8vr3Tx3-j0ey4H_WXKocrOsgBJCw4CvpEkItOdiyoWvChIlkwCUnxBfSVq2XgqzPg2Y6dBaQtY6gthuo5alJ16JF26akRRildLtQ5nn8/s320/1comp+2011-06-30+15.33.18.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><br />And celebrating Independence Day.</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZBND1BAAd5-y3sfYb7CgBfLrwtTYGp6vO4bVfm8DAMpyg30gBAzP37FKd73RnU8JG_RlYmtmqnyI6MDn7BUt8j9iRE3gaGFz7XezOFGAY1seWEuwOpMjcWf8sIQ6jvtHbECXtvxPX8Y/s1600/1comp+2011-07-04+22.24.17.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626045061277552322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZBND1BAAd5-y3sfYb7CgBfLrwtTYGp6vO4bVfm8DAMpyg30gBAzP37FKd73RnU8JG_RlYmtmqnyI6MDn7BUt8j9iRE3gaGFz7XezOFGAY1seWEuwOpMjcWf8sIQ6jvtHbECXtvxPX8Y/s320/1comp+2011-07-04+22.24.17.jpg" /></a></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-46754747290060035972011-06-03T11:09:00.000-07:002011-06-10T17:19:44.168-07:00Good News!We received word today that our dossier has been approved by CARA, and the NOC has been issued! Thank you for all that prayed this week for our adoption progress. We are now one step closer to briniging our little girl home. I am over the moon today.<br /><br />The next step is for our case to go to court. Please pray for a quick court process. Once the courts grant us guardianship, we can travel!!! We are getting close.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-60815476426260321202011-05-27T21:32:00.000-07:002011-05-27T22:15:46.290-07:00Prayers for ProgressTonight I am writing to ask you all to please pray for progress in our adoption process. I have attempted to be patient these long 9 months, but I must admit, I am very weary of this wait. I am so ready to meet and hold and love on my little girl. And to see her playing and laughing with her brothers and sister. <br /><br />We have hit a small road block in the process. About a month ago, the suitability of our family was called into question. This is primarily due to the size of our family, and I am told it is fairly common for this to happen to large families. We had to send in extra documentation and explanation as to why we are a good family for Vishakha. We are still waiting to hear that we've been approved, and that our NOC (non-objection certificate) has been issued. Once we have that NOC, our case can be submitted to the courts, so we can be granted guardianship. Then we can travel to India and bring Vishakha home.<br /><br />The courts in India have been shut down for the past several weeks for the summer recess, but they will reopen on June 6th. My hope is that we will have our approval prior to the courts reopenning to avoid any additional delay in our case.<br /><br />Would you please pray with me that the people examining our documents will recognize how much we love Vishakha, that they would agree that we will be an excellent family for her, and that the NOC will be issued.<br /><br />Thank you so much.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-70699351549293014102011-04-26T13:50:00.000-07:002011-04-26T16:56:38.740-07:00Easter in St. LouisThis year we spent Easter with Ken's family in St. Louis. We attended a very interesting Easter eve service. The church was narrowly missed the night before by the same tornado that hit the St. Louis airport, and the power was out. They had several generators running minimal lights and sound equipment. It was very humid inside, but there were still many families there to celebrate our risen savior. I actually missed most of the service, because Eliza was running around, getting overheated, and eventually puking all over the carpet in a dimly lit hallway. (Every bit as much fun as it sounds). <br /><br />Easter morning, we had yummies from the local Korean bakery, followed by smiling children eating WAY too much candy. Then we were off to spend the day at Grandma Bev's family's winery. The kids had a blast exploring the 60 acre farm, feeding horses, egg hunting, and eating lots of yummy food. It was so much fun!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC9iVPGN7hn2weTYdaNeX8jzfx5Q8rn8gow4AhGt3UzVkI8POXrPxOr3UiCu-pdHpy3p_MR_Z0niUqXEqPyE6OAOPB0677EmBirtaI5oefsOefR70iroSspA9YTvJeiJEq1Yl4cn3TiY/s1600/comp+DSCF6038.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSC9iVPGN7hn2weTYdaNeX8jzfx5Q8rn8gow4AhGt3UzVkI8POXrPxOr3UiCu-pdHpy3p_MR_Z0niUqXEqPyE6OAOPB0677EmBirtaI5oefsOefR70iroSspA9YTvJeiJEq1Yl4cn3TiY/s320/comp+DSCF6038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600013606075598258" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHF49kYHTPm9zahqhkpYbHwqQEtAOs0qDn1c1cvNCAIiYa_3VFAviT0cVPUV3oA3XrmEV5GRj4ey1nQcNUsyNwrCjU8Rg0SuMqrTLZM4BmvW7KJFZR80E1uTxu0MghpleF0V8N1R9rtYs/s1600/comp+DSCF6031.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHF49kYHTPm9zahqhkpYbHwqQEtAOs0qDn1c1cvNCAIiYa_3VFAviT0cVPUV3oA3XrmEV5GRj4ey1nQcNUsyNwrCjU8Rg0SuMqrTLZM4BmvW7KJFZR80E1uTxu0MghpleF0V8N1R9rtYs/s320/comp+DSCF6031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600013600607433666" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dnm2ZKLJqHFiyHLvUFb6nidZmq69-RUzelRxCIntNua8yCvVDR3ljtrM0cuL5wf1EhF34QomPXihweJyEGpZ3fJK3QTBHPptMrTpn61RXOUI91bOgoVA9mkQDywcMDcz8dnNTSJyErE/s1600/comp+DSCF6022.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dnm2ZKLJqHFiyHLvUFb6nidZmq69-RUzelRxCIntNua8yCvVDR3ljtrM0cuL5wf1EhF34QomPXihweJyEGpZ3fJK3QTBHPptMrTpn61RXOUI91bOgoVA9mkQDywcMDcz8dnNTSJyErE/s320/comp+DSCF6022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600013596679144242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4kekZEq-SCgER2QCamwYQt3xKGbcXu0eFPltxJlRaCbEffV5uyiznLzbstimHtAw84xjwqrtf12t1VO3pAXqmUvbX5oLwIyfVdGdp9WyoMmVDtVMbTtSaQumt5J1l2E4YV7w4pM-dEo/s1600/comp+DSCF6019.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4kekZEq-SCgER2QCamwYQt3xKGbcXu0eFPltxJlRaCbEffV5uyiznLzbstimHtAw84xjwqrtf12t1VO3pAXqmUvbX5oLwIyfVdGdp9WyoMmVDtVMbTtSaQumt5J1l2E4YV7w4pM-dEo/s320/comp+DSCF6019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5600013595809994066" /></a>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-62725973069965594602011-04-22T13:53:00.000-07:002011-04-22T14:00:13.915-07:00Eliza Warrior PrincessPart girly-girl, part battle-ready warrior. Her favorite color is pink, and her toy of choice today is a sword and shield. This is what happens when you put one little girl in a house full of rowdy boys.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNaX7ortRJOqT0LLVoJ2xjh7DLn3OF37PGiRy2Seq91Qf9GIud64DQtE_auNbIyCwDAZo_-bnB1WITy9jMzraZXljZHlROFRDwpEe25SAcb5-xmhU9iLk4fMasVDUXXjFPgnH7uJiQmg/s1600/DSCF6006.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsNaX7ortRJOqT0LLVoJ2xjh7DLn3OF37PGiRy2Seq91Qf9GIud64DQtE_auNbIyCwDAZo_-bnB1WITy9jMzraZXljZHlROFRDwpEe25SAcb5-xmhU9iLk4fMasVDUXXjFPgnH7uJiQmg/s320/DSCF6006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598514457595718290" /></a>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-64608830235395395902011-04-08T09:58:00.000-07:002011-04-08T10:04:26.810-07:00She's 6 todayHappy Birthday to my sweet Vishakha. Even though she's half a world away, we celebrate her, because we are her family, and that's what families do. Since Ken is working tonight, we actually celebrated last night (which was today in India, so it totally counts). We had chocolate cake and the boys all wished for V to come home soon before blowing out all the candles. Then we watched videos of V that my friend took at BSSK this week (she was there picking up her son, yay). The only thing missing was the birthday girl.<br /><br /><a href="http://s357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/kenandmichele/?action=view&current=DSCF6029.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i357.photobucket.com/albums/oo12/kenandmichele/DSCF6029.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-3885684830811731002011-04-07T14:17:00.000-07:002011-05-27T21:32:16.398-07:00Eliza's "Adopted" photoFor those of you who don't know, Third Day (just about the most awesome band ever) is promoting adoption. You can read about it on their <a href="http://www.thirdday.com/adopted"><strong><span style="color:#660000;">website</span></strong></a>. They are also compiling photos of adopted kids/families in order to make a slideshow to play during their concerts. So here is Miss Eliza's "Adopted" photo submission. So who wants to go see a Third Day concert? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EkO59J10h7xNQwNZERES7MJxZ4SIWDTZUVpalxTFj3ql7_zcVCnyXtvFmn34BCnVQf3w6BWkHBK_CVnaKLuQDnkmG7HkafVIGMayORmGXJuQOzX-4wJwjnujWqKQM08npG66VCDHkG4/s1600/comp+adopted.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592955739781146994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EkO59J10h7xNQwNZERES7MJxZ4SIWDTZUVpalxTFj3ql7_zcVCnyXtvFmn34BCnVQf3w6BWkHBK_CVnaKLuQDnkmG7HkafVIGMayORmGXJuQOzX-4wJwjnujWqKQM08npG66VCDHkG4/s320/comp+adopted.jpg" /></a> <span style="color:#660000;"></span>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-22267661296933515292011-03-10T06:22:00.000-08:002011-03-10T06:39:19.988-08:00A special Diwali celebrationMy bloggy friend just sent me a link to a hotel blog from Pune, India. They had a Diwali celebration for all the kids at institution where Vishakha lives. Click <a href="http://royalorchidhotels.wordpress.com/2010/11/15/royal-orchid-central-pune-illuminating-lives-this-diwali-makes-the-festival-a-special-one-for-special-children/"><strong><span style="color:#336666;">HERE</span></strong></a> to read their blog post about the celebration & see pictures.<br /><br />PS: our sweet girl is in the 2nd photo. She's in the front row wearing the red and white outfit.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-22143330393175156282011-03-02T15:16:00.000-08:002011-05-27T21:25:12.670-07:008396 Miles Away8396 miles away...there is a precious 5 year old little girl living in an orphanage.<br /><br /><br /><br />8396 miles away...her 2 best friends found out this week that they will soon have a family, and they will be leaving to come to the USA.<br /><br /><br /><br />8396 miles away...she knows nothing of the mommy and daddy that love her, and cannot wait to meet her, hold her, and call her <em>mulgi </em>(daughter).<br /><br /><br /><br />8396 miles away...God is with this precious child. He also loves her. He also calls her <em>mulgi. </em>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-4735544555647203822011-02-04T10:34:00.000-08:002011-02-04T11:30:03.608-08:00One Step CloserToday, finally, our dossier and acceptance paperwork is on it's way to India! YIPPPEEE! <br /><br />There is still much more to be done before we get to bring our sweet girl home. Our docs must now be processed, scrutinized and reviewed by the gov't and courts in India, but today I celebrate progress and the fact that we are one step closer to bringing Vishakha home. <br /><br />A quick update on Vishakha: Her recent progress reports are good. She is still very small (she's almost 6 but closer to the size of a 4 year old), but she's growing and healthy, and continues to make good progress with her speech and physical therapies. She is going to English school, and getting good grades. I have even been able to find a few of the US families who are adopting her good friends at the orphanage, so maybe they can be penpals once they all get to the US. How awesome is that!Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-69552783574594981102011-01-14T06:05:00.000-08:002011-01-29T07:29:17.448-08:00Snow DayRecently we had a perfect day of snowy fun. Lots of snow, and not too cold. It has since then gotten WAY too cold, but we had one great day of winter wonderland fun. Notice there is no sled at the end of the video. Phillip actually popped the sled trying to jump it off the concrete wall. Thankfully he wasn't hurt. After that they decided they didn't need a sled anyway. They could just dive down the hill on their bellies.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfcTn-E0FC9pc2bL_hzubd72zVQnl5h7fRx0GztjEbEIY0VkRePbRxtTB9-mZEt1tWj-1FHdUiF9jX79LytVfbhFFspjY-ou_IvX0DQxf9UI1nYqJoKjtXVejl3yZhO3zz9z9w5O-zmE/s1600/snow+day+%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562044726244974018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLfcTn-E0FC9pc2bL_hzubd72zVQnl5h7fRx0GztjEbEIY0VkRePbRxtTB9-mZEt1tWj-1FHdUiF9jX79LytVfbhFFspjY-ou_IvX0DQxf9UI1nYqJoKjtXVejl3yZhO3zz9z9w5O-zmE/s320/snow+day+%25282%2529.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw575Y_MKKXjH_0nvajA5LYeZxBFA8tKc5PDyK3p5FUkHm5Pnwts5prmslE3exsSuB5RkpAyTgykZ9_Hv8OsCm3tNdF_XlWyjySsA-PRJMIClIBh20jCJW2_Df8t2UXnxTPAd1kETc1ws/s1600/snow+day.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562044708433883762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw575Y_MKKXjH_0nvajA5LYeZxBFA8tKc5PDyK3p5FUkHm5Pnwts5prmslE3exsSuB5RkpAyTgykZ9_Hv8OsCm3tNdF_XlWyjySsA-PRJMIClIBh20jCJW2_Df8t2UXnxTPAd1kETc1ws/s320/snow+day.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyaixGIn9dT0e0ghopK06lBJ4g-k4whLxkmOgYLBMlcWuoHqvmy-hSyyk9lfd6drqfqjvirffpK5lIrK11w0A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-9258594392644323132011-01-11T17:59:00.000-08:002011-01-11T19:03:40.053-08:00Some words to live byI so admire the beautiful life lived by Mother Teresa. I know we can all learn many lessons from her life of faith, love and service to the poor. I came across this quote from her and thought it was worthy of sharing.<br /><br /><em>People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.<br /><br />If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.<br /><br />If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.<br /><br />If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.<br /><br />What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.<br /><br />If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.<br /><br />The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.<br /><br />Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.<br /><br />In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway<br /><br />---Mother Teresa</em>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-69913924735468716242010-12-01T17:42:00.000-08:002011-01-04T07:24:29.899-08:00The Spirit of the SeasonWhen I think about the Christmas season, I think, of course, about God's greatest gift to the world, His son, Jesus. I also think about how easy it is to get caught up in the world's commercialization and greed of the season. Every year we hear about someone being trampled during the Black Friday frenzy. For what? To save a few bucks on a stupid TV? Is this really why God sent his Son to the earth? So we could have hi-def at a low cost? I think God intended Christmas to be so much more.<br /><br /><span style="color:#336666;"><em>Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27</em><br /><br /></span>As my passion lies with serving the orphaned and poverty stricken children of the world, I have decided to post about the importance of Child Sponsorship. Consider the cost of caring for a healthy child (orphanage staff or foster parents, clothing, medical checkups, immunizations, school supplies, diapers, formula, food...etc). Now consider the cost of the many not so healthy children. This would include my daughters (Eliza was 10 weeks premature and spent 2 months in the NICU. Vishakha has been in care for 5 years and has cerebral palsy).<br /><br />Holt strives to insure that the children in their care receive excellent medical care, for which I am very grateful, but that medical care is expensive. Please consider all God has blessed you with this holiday season, and consider being a blessing to a child in need.<br /><br />Watch the video below, and then click <a href="http://www.holtinternational.org/cgi/sponsorship/index.cgi">HERE</a> to sign up to sponsor a child.<br /><br /><iframe height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vA5ZDXqM464?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="480"></iframe>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-43234791571725138432010-11-29T14:24:00.001-08:002010-12-01T15:46:41.598-08:00Go Chiefs!!Miss Eliza is quite the football fan. She screams " Go! Go! Go!" at the TV on Sunday afternoons right along with the rest of us. Her being the natural born cheerleader, I think these pics are long overdue. She sure does look good in Chiefs' red!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj79QkCaBW5usy7-vRzJxIbd5AQRTst1zqI5cH-BpZIItRr00Q1MNIaMne4kUA3fx5yXkvNEOBDHVqfKonTyqmMg0rg-2RmOaAF0cznRAczgWeb1-yFFD21NwFCgCXR38ZcMXAt28bec/s1600/Cheerleader+Eliza+comp.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 286px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545105888066904082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGj79QkCaBW5usy7-vRzJxIbd5AQRTst1zqI5cH-BpZIItRr00Q1MNIaMne4kUA3fx5yXkvNEOBDHVqfKonTyqmMg0rg-2RmOaAF0cznRAczgWeb1-yFFD21NwFCgCXR38ZcMXAt28bec/s400/Cheerleader+Eliza+comp.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh6lG_qlG6gaKo7IvuCaFv61ZvcdQ-SilZm9y37B6eP2MATKsCH859q36Fk1gviSEo4sdvMWAnpgkH9dMs-1NW5OA1TuNjOjs1g714t874bmjuiqKGm_tGevwvESsEpHcrfJ1BfAR0Qs/s1600/cheerleader+%25286%2529+comp.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545105883517454466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeh6lG_qlG6gaKo7IvuCaFv61ZvcdQ-SilZm9y37B6eP2MATKsCH859q36Fk1gviSEo4sdvMWAnpgkH9dMs-1NW5OA1TuNjOjs1g714t874bmjuiqKGm_tGevwvESsEpHcrfJ1BfAR0Qs/s400/cheerleader+%25286%2529+comp.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQHOJC2exKJ8-daOhX_V6qRkK0LS_Z9UtNOpD1KMuHeF__pyc0T4yF70xvezNnd7-JMZIyMlNpFSY7Ez_U8bgVegKwjCIpVH4TOJRDTQBvVrf0szFEINiUo6m4joboZN_5aAt4fhL2LI/s1600/cheerleader+%25288%2529comp.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5545105875680496338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRQHOJC2exKJ8-daOhX_V6qRkK0LS_Z9UtNOpD1KMuHeF__pyc0T4yF70xvezNnd7-JMZIyMlNpFSY7Ez_U8bgVegKwjCIpVH4TOJRDTQBvVrf0szFEINiUo6m4joboZN_5aAt4fhL2LI/s400/cheerleader+%25288%2529comp.JPG" /></a> </div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-41858462334687066142010-10-28T12:59:00.000-07:002010-11-16T19:15:19.364-08:00Understanding God's Heart for Adoption<div> </div><div>November is National Adoption Awareness Month. For obvious reasons, I am very passionate about adoption. I cannot say I always have been. I have never been against adoption, in fact I've always considered it a great way to build a family. But the kind of deep passion that moves you into action and makes you want to change the world came more recently. </div><div> </div><div>It was 4 years ago when we decided to adopt a little girl. Initially we started the process because we felt called by God to adopt a child. Beyond that, we were mostly driven by the desire for the daughter we did not have biologically. It was May 2009 when I first saw a photo of my daughter, and my heart began to change. </div><div></div><br /><div>I have to say that I think since adopting Eliza, my love for all my children is different, because through adoption God has opened my heart to a deeper kind of love - the kind of love my heavenly Father feels for His adopted children.</div><div></div><br /><div><em><span style="font-size:130%;">Ephesians 1:5 says he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.</span></em></div><br /><div></div><div>He feels a love born out of choosing us and waiting and longing for us to choose Him in return. It is easy to love a child that accepts you, relies on you and loves you back, but it can be heartwrenching to love a child that pushes you away. This is why there is great rejoicing in heaven every time one person comes to faith. This is the love God has for each of his children.</div><br /><div>Am I saying if you want to experience God's love on a deeper level, you should adopt a child? I shamelessly say YES! If you're thinking about it, why not check into it a little bit more. Yes, it's a huge responsibility; Yes, it could be one of the hardest things you ever do; and Yes, it could be one of the greatest blessings of your life.</div><br /><div>Just look at one of the blessings I could have missed out on.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNUy9EOBb-JNgx0EHMynRCYF_yDaG1WYbnu9LZriNdrR2BmnyvftGXfqKDk7NZPQ4tmrbA5nJFZuRDUXjF6DsK0IcocRTuWVHn55pTUS90q4dDkFvC7JawU2jK5eD4zR3tC8IekM8Xzw/s1600/DSCF6088.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540349375319621682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNUy9EOBb-JNgx0EHMynRCYF_yDaG1WYbnu9LZriNdrR2BmnyvftGXfqKDk7NZPQ4tmrbA5nJFZuRDUXjF6DsK0IcocRTuWVHn55pTUS90q4dDkFvC7JawU2jK5eD4zR3tC8IekM8Xzw/s400/DSCF6088.JPG" /></a>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-79203580614054419622010-10-17T21:17:00.000-07:002010-10-17T21:37:03.788-07:00Eliza's Birthday (better late than never)These pics are a long time coming. Our sweet girl turned 2 last month, but I forgot to bring my camera to her birthday party, so thank you very much Grandpa Wayne for sending us some pictures from that special day. Oh how much Miss Eliza has grown since her <a href="http://kenandmicheleplus5.blogspot.com/2009/09/happy-birthday-eliza-inae.html">1st Birthday</a> (sniff-sniff).<br /><br />Opening presents...unlike the boys, she loves to get clothes. (or in this case, super cute halloween pj's)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYhfrsXiEkP_QtlKSg4Jk6Ru9TxcVibtGYQoePobHasIyUTv9IJoq-hBlWdL3GIG4Rsq7GHM1Y_-G2IpPeytCjTkrEjmL9G5eiupplVEfapqJ4sH47XeNZMnP_l13PfprP7Sd9iwfn38/s1600/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529238107742444354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYhfrsXiEkP_QtlKSg4Jk6Ru9TxcVibtGYQoePobHasIyUTv9IJoq-hBlWdL3GIG4Rsq7GHM1Y_-G2IpPeytCjTkrEjmL9G5eiupplVEfapqJ4sH47XeNZMnP_l13PfprP7Sd9iwfn38/s400/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+011.jpg" /></a><br /><br />So grown up with her purse and cell phone. (sigh)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1zeMAE3PxnHgGFGk3aVLoG_zCqVjAztEXe-at2ZFtUhxm7jWxKygaZ3tsD3Fcks4DyaZKKBIhVNBpt7VOQcG5iNbqQPiMtklojYkwBvqLiNPeoxrGx964QxmKi-m3LbEybz-lFfJiyQ/s1600/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+038.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529238104267201858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI1zeMAE3PxnHgGFGk3aVLoG_zCqVjAztEXe-at2ZFtUhxm7jWxKygaZ3tsD3Fcks4DyaZKKBIhVNBpt7VOQcG5iNbqQPiMtklojYkwBvqLiNPeoxrGx964QxmKi-m3LbEybz-lFfJiyQ/s400/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+038.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Oh Aunt Jennifer, how we wish you could have made the birthday cake. It would have looked SO much better than mommy's attempt.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm4Y2dGrBzlEEabTZr7S5BN3k3too_E4Y3YaAQdO-dgkcbRpTKhhRRDLU8u6fMCMLLRIRk04HBWdDGBJ_4_ekupM1gNFKtw6XtsuHEaKH5SB4LiUr4wNRygJXAy1ddvisvntLFvzK7kk/s1600/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+053.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529238095548255554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm4Y2dGrBzlEEabTZr7S5BN3k3too_E4Y3YaAQdO-dgkcbRpTKhhRRDLU8u6fMCMLLRIRk04HBWdDGBJ_4_ekupM1gNFKtw6XtsuHEaKH5SB4LiUr4wNRygJXAy1ddvisvntLFvzK7kk/s400/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+053.jpg" /></a><br /><br />This year, she used a fork to eat her cake instead of the faceplant technique.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcQNXxIV-E9BydAXyWPnKmB-SaLaqHRbjTUQVesRmNjwA31G5XE4s94t2ihKLlTgCaPNFGT7Kl4cCEYlqNQOKfbbCMfIZKREkPSc99SjrzLTy4GRDOw6wTBGiqTV9EruLXO7TRA8UElQ/s1600/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+054.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529238089355217186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcQNXxIV-E9BydAXyWPnKmB-SaLaqHRbjTUQVesRmNjwA31G5XE4s94t2ihKLlTgCaPNFGT7Kl4cCEYlqNQOKfbbCMfIZKREkPSc99SjrzLTy4GRDOw6wTBGiqTV9EruLXO7TRA8UElQ/s400/comp+Eliza+2nd+Bday+054.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-4632753654574213542010-10-14T14:21:00.000-07:002010-10-14T14:42:31.586-07:00Scout Family CampoutThis past weekend was the annual Cub Scout Family Campout for our district. We had such a fun time playing games with all our scouting friends. It got a little bit cold for my taste on Friday night, but Saturday was a perfect autumn day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BOjTGmwljeXWeSgpiEdGAkDtHghyphenhyphenO3dxYbyFghgh7KNF2rSWzjAFFzQFfs7asShLZjWP3w00-AubHBjvjhBJpm2dq3SQl1yc7UgIO1ndIfDj85x4QK8i1MvOZrMB9cd73NP7oHess8U/s1600/4+compressed.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528020138417604658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BOjTGmwljeXWeSgpiEdGAkDtHghyphenhyphenO3dxYbyFghgh7KNF2rSWzjAFFzQFfs7asShLZjWP3w00-AubHBjvjhBJpm2dq3SQl1yc7UgIO1ndIfDj85x4QK8i1MvOZrMB9cd73NP7oHess8U/s400/4+compressed.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG43_0f0zPKx4QvgiQm4LU74sCmObk8AIMUPRb08900Y0TcMURldhfCwkgL2LoPMoQ_rRUh3slG-BfZuRZpOngDcOD29xT0VkraMcUjUVeNtVDTgLwgE15blDRdP2p0YC-z9T4Yry-qw/s1600/1+compressed.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528015456818929858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOG43_0f0zPKx4QvgiQm4LU74sCmObk8AIMUPRb08900Y0TcMURldhfCwkgL2LoPMoQ_rRUh3slG-BfZuRZpOngDcOD29xT0VkraMcUjUVeNtVDTgLwgE15blDRdP2p0YC-z9T4Yry-qw/s400/1+compressed.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFbKGJIadIlVZogA3r52pVy5pjZ4qXm6VrVn98oVRh8VxCLi1VEqk_uaq04udHKTASwKIcoeMlcq-CPbmFrSyUp-zXoKJaxiFmuOmGnZJAo_-9FcAqv98bPMsQF9GeWF_4pJc7SL8kkE/s1600/2+compressed.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528015450829146834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRFbKGJIadIlVZogA3r52pVy5pjZ4qXm6VrVn98oVRh8VxCLi1VEqk_uaq04udHKTASwKIcoeMlcq-CPbmFrSyUp-zXoKJaxiFmuOmGnZJAo_-9FcAqv98bPMsQF9GeWF_4pJc7SL8kkE/s400/2+compressed.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNTOQYSCp0HVNh3k9x-5CZpznDZUcCoIeQS4v_V06FTtJLigAYrfwqsWUDR6nHD7CoyUybKrMiMT-LZGvbpiZekpe24KsthRU6t7NaFnH09fAxFezp1V2thLvNpcqhyphenhyphenEgZWu-0N4q-J8/s1600/3+compressed.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5528015445013302770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQNTOQYSCp0HVNh3k9x-5CZpznDZUcCoIeQS4v_V06FTtJLigAYrfwqsWUDR6nHD7CoyUybKrMiMT-LZGvbpiZekpe24KsthRU6t7NaFnH09fAxFezp1V2thLvNpcqhyphenhyphenEgZWu-0N4q-J8/s400/3+compressed.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-86357877849636049392010-10-03T18:59:00.000-07:002010-10-03T20:22:50.078-07:00On my soapbox today...enjoy<p>As I was diligently working to put together our adoption dossier (which is almost done!), I came across this video on another blog and had to share it. I have been thinking so much more about the issue of what happens to young girls who are orphaned or in poverty since begining our adoption of an older child. I suppose when we adopted Eliza, I didn't think much of it, because the truth is that she was an infant girl (infant girls are adopted much more than older children or infant boys). Even though she was labeled as special needs, her needs were not severe and I knew she would have been adopted by another family if we had not chosen to adopt her. With Vishakha, it is different. She is already 5 and has a special need. She has been in an orphanage since birth, and no family has chosen her until now. I often think of what life is like for girls like Vishakha who are not chosen by families. What happens to them when they age out of the system??? It's a horrifying thing to think about. Watch this video, and if you'd like to learn more, visit <a href="http://thegirleffect.org/">The Girl Effect</a> website. This is such an important problem in the world, and definitely not spoken of or acted upon often enough. We who have so so much, can do something or give something that is so small to us, and it could change the life of not just one little girl, but generations. </p><p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/1e8xgF0JtVg/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1e8xgF0JtVg?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1e8xgF0JtVg?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p> </p>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-70236151466687734382010-09-11T16:09:00.001-07:002010-09-11T19:05:42.505-07:00Random CutenessThis one melts my heart. So sweet.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oR8nV6S_VFQyNooEcVcNbn4sHsWAR-IWez5soILPBc0-6YlYXO_h1vxf7z48eeFw7-n0evSfP-3scUnYqdj0UAT3lubiiP_mJsVi-T7R_Nlh4aMm7TGRQEq7CoprpcCOGSnD1Kxr6IQ/s1600/1comp+isaac+eliza.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515805429832472946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9oR8nV6S_VFQyNooEcVcNbn4sHsWAR-IWez5soILPBc0-6YlYXO_h1vxf7z48eeFw7-n0evSfP-3scUnYqdj0UAT3lubiiP_mJsVi-T7R_Nlh4aMm7TGRQEq7CoprpcCOGSnD1Kxr6IQ/s400/1comp+isaac+eliza.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />Isaac Playing in the Fountains at Crown Center<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6V_hiTr-MnbT8NY4fLwxeRN1Kuqu14bd3SYDOppdVBC-d05lwfUCQ0JQg8g9Z3V7bjXQukAlazX4vJcvWpQSm-TNqDch72_6MomZJWmRViH2tcLKE3eo3mh7wiIZfrYd99upA1YfTvQg/s1600/1comp+isaac+fountain.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515805423790751666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6V_hiTr-MnbT8NY4fLwxeRN1Kuqu14bd3SYDOppdVBC-d05lwfUCQ0JQg8g9Z3V7bjXQukAlazX4vJcvWpQSm-TNqDch72_6MomZJWmRViH2tcLKE3eo3mh7wiIZfrYd99upA1YfTvQg/s400/1comp+isaac+fountain.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Chocolate Covered Cheesecake on a Stick= YUMMMM!<br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXX7vsFRk31rJ59tsPJQLqlsXJkGzALf7uqkv9mvjDhaziZTgZWFvDkL8snWyqnhwVIe8oa_Zxy01SMA5C9WbN0j_JffE2bZadbviLCXpzeirtZE0-yI4IjnUE8Ytr4plf01nGl0zhy_I/s1600/1comp+cheesecake.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 274px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515804641712426242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXX7vsFRk31rJ59tsPJQLqlsXJkGzALf7uqkv9mvjDhaziZTgZWFvDkL8snWyqnhwVIe8oa_Zxy01SMA5C9WbN0j_JffE2bZadbviLCXpzeirtZE0-yI4IjnUE8Ytr4plf01nGl0zhy_I/s320/1comp+cheesecake.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSAWm1fq0m4v6mOsJ7uXYTv6PWndQYkKGy3EIfIWmXSEpq22FiMre9ej4wPxxhnk7e5GSHlr03uwyavy7jZ1a0Vj5twsFtJGuKOoteDz2cnK8kgwWp5VGGS1EIGlJp7FBHhjTpO8hDvI/s1600/1comp+cheesecake+2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 280px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515804646263469074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSAWm1fq0m4v6mOsJ7uXYTv6PWndQYkKGy3EIfIWmXSEpq22FiMre9ej4wPxxhnk7e5GSHlr03uwyavy7jZ1a0Vj5twsFtJGuKOoteDz2cnK8kgwWp5VGGS1EIGlJp7FBHhjTpO8hDvI/s320/1comp+cheesecake+2.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><div>The T-Rex Cafe</div><div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePJU2SQAYdWqQNStay9LwEp3wf9mtIGz8C_TVUQ8G4h813YDIyrbqS9O5Jk10-n47Le2RHf62_ArBlrGw7wBSjSQkM1D5K3qJT_aKt4zMRd-99qc6wdK_FZH2TUxEC0OQ1VFiIEoVlKA/s1600/1comp+trex+phillip.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515803930811225394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePJU2SQAYdWqQNStay9LwEp3wf9mtIGz8C_TVUQ8G4h813YDIyrbqS9O5Jk10-n47Le2RHf62_ArBlrGw7wBSjSQkM1D5K3qJT_aKt4zMRd-99qc6wdK_FZH2TUxEC0OQ1VFiIEoVlKA/s320/1comp+trex+phillip.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1XiUrwaDq7d4UfuQjnFjVd8mvz2Ttea7izZ0PiIwCAUOsb2yogFUg4swjGhRHnVseh86FghMXUJEQpr6uDW9XVqzaT-OXw2ejh3uWy-YScsgqWTQuNRZcz4XVFy2OhCKjAAGzanTIKA/s1600/1comp+trex.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 214px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515803926985958114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ1XiUrwaDq7d4UfuQjnFjVd8mvz2Ttea7izZ0PiIwCAUOsb2yogFUg4swjGhRHnVseh86FghMXUJEQpr6uDW9XVqzaT-OXw2ejh3uWy-YScsgqWTQuNRZcz4XVFy2OhCKjAAGzanTIKA/s320/1comp+trex.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Fun in the Pool </div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmSpisrLwfxdNVouHGa3Q0FQ6ehCfCYaQVj8zKzQsPet_ygrxv-To1W-3XsO8QWyWJIQYHrbTpWSA-pRwMkczsNLB3w-v7Hqvt_h-n6D45O0Cob2AMfjK-AL_P0yg5KH4Uff_9N3ft7o/s1600/1comp+pool3.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515803334277170754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmSpisrLwfxdNVouHGa3Q0FQ6ehCfCYaQVj8zKzQsPet_ygrxv-To1W-3XsO8QWyWJIQYHrbTpWSA-pRwMkczsNLB3w-v7Hqvt_h-n6D45O0Cob2AMfjK-AL_P0yg5KH4Uff_9N3ft7o/s200/1comp+pool3.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp_HI5J3wUKYAzGCbta4p7QKB-eN8AXsN7Xwu3y96uYP2gzlqFhVHbrcs6nZKIncH7KVFhzd1Ivp0bz0WOHu1Zw69ZvTX9pQVj4KCz3_wrSSvcSrcaz4OfcDv-nIgMK_4AxjEp0jSu0E/s1600/1comp+pool.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 236px; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515803316780868162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxp_HI5J3wUKYAzGCbta4p7QKB-eN8AXsN7Xwu3y96uYP2gzlqFhVHbrcs6nZKIncH7KVFhzd1Ivp0bz0WOHu1Zw69ZvTX9pQVj4KCz3_wrSSvcSrcaz4OfcDv-nIgMK_4AxjEp0jSu0E/s200/1comp+pool.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUK3TsOFQTkXQVzvc14FN0lFJ0XcSnCna3K6Ga-3_gtbJJDhNonUKZnT2N-OZaOVEDYaR7UYWz4ltmIGjxzKXbc5I1kvuAYmKNwmPz1e0KlQoL6MDEkGPSmFcR45pPYNJApn-euNIVeOI/s1600/1comp+pool2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 150px; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5515803327136822626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUK3TsOFQTkXQVzvc14FN0lFJ0XcSnCna3K6Ga-3_gtbJJDhNonUKZnT2N-OZaOVEDYaR7UYWz4ltmIGjxzKXbc5I1kvuAYmKNwmPz1e0KlQoL6MDEkGPSmFcR45pPYNJApn-euNIVeOI/s200/1comp+pool2.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div>And my favorite...can you tell I keep my cell phone in my back pocket?</div><div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3y83QYgFfYxBgS64EowPyFBR2IB39EWfCUnYWZM69T55ch7NIySOUrYUo5Fp_--QBZ6SHeWzauWW-QTbX2Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div></div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-55258479128617795372010-08-31T05:41:00.000-07:002010-08-31T05:53:09.114-07:00One year ago...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi1VMaEp9_EOHB7aNFk2yl5lIQEy0oW590-n4NpraAX9oMzKSLMzBAL52mQVioWMCufEIehwerdgE5hzyd2SuIlIhhjnAY_2xqzztJJ0JYF-nbZ8ao7YiVzE-UXfzethIRgMakp1neU4/s1600/DSCF3098.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXs_7RDgvPKbFGYOHgpACLX11smv9F0-tMiHZF4mj_6PHOlEbvQuviFhFyz6-59ImIRC7zrv3EQIQ9FGYiqGm3u1SIwpDD-IRr3OIRRTBYIY17dTagtI6GX3ugjss6Z0E1d4AFwHnQ0Y/s1600/P1070597.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511554134227465746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXs_7RDgvPKbFGYOHgpACLX11smv9F0-tMiHZF4mj_6PHOlEbvQuviFhFyz6-59ImIRC7zrv3EQIQ9FGYiqGm3u1SIwpDD-IRr3OIRRTBYIY17dTagtI6GX3ugjss6Z0E1d4AFwHnQ0Y/s400/P1070597.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:180%;">We met our precious daughter</span>. Click <a href="http://kenandmicheleplus5.blogspot.com/2009/08/day-4-seoul.html">here</a> to read more about that very special day.</span></div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-63697030569180785742010-08-25T19:29:00.000-07:002010-08-25T20:24:55.282-07:00Plans to Prosper, Not to Harm<em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#000000;"></span></em><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><em><span style="font-size:180%;">For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11</span></em> </span><br /><br />This has long been one of my favorite bible verses. It is so <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">reassuring</span> and full of hope, especially when times are hard. For those who've been following along with the saga of our old house vs. new house. You might guess that I have been holding tight to this verse these past few months. Turning over control and anxiety about the vacant nightmare was an almost daily task. Trusting in God, and trying to be willing to accept His plan, His timing, and His will over my own seemed like an endless process.<br /><br />Waiting for the unknown outcome gave me a big push to fill up my soul with more of Jesus. It was either that or sit around eating chocolate and feeling sorry for myself (which I also did a time or two). The more I filled up my life with thoughts of Him, the less room there was for anxiety, and peace began to prevail.<br /><br />As I let go of control and trusted God more, I also began to feel gratitude instead of self-pity. I began to look at all God has given me, instead of wonder what He might take away. I began to remember that I have so much, and it is all because of Him. By all logical standards, we should not have the house we built. It is WAY nicer and bigger than we should be able to afford, but God in His grace paved the winding road that made it possible.<br /><br />So, I began to think.....If God, in His infinite wisdom, saw fit to give us this house, perhaps it was not just to pamper his spoiled kid. Perhaps He had a purpose all along for us having this house. And so I started praying and seeking God's wisdom. I started asking Him how we could use this gift to serve His kingdom.<br /><br />It was so obvious once I asked. The empty spare bedroom become like an eyesore. It was like it cried out to be filled. I knew that God intended for us to adopt again. To be a family to another child who needs a home. We certainly had room in our hearts and our home to be mommy and daddy to one more. And that brings us to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vishakha</span>.<br /><br />We probably had no business requesting her file, since, at that time, we still had a vacant rental house eating up every last dime of our income. But after seeing her and reading her profile, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I bugged Ken until he caved in and let me request her file. And after reading through the file, I was so ready to bring her home. (I know...surprise). Ken was very unsure, but God (with very little nagging from me which was not easy) slowly brought him to realize what my heart already knew...We could no more leave her in India than we could abandon one of our children. That's because God already knew that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Vishakha</span> was to be our own.<br /><br />So we decided we wanted to adopt her. We would wait for the rental house to either sell or get rented out again, then we would call the agency to proceed with her adoption. And we didn't have to wait long. I believe it was the same day that I got a call from a somewhat frantic man. His family had just moved here from across the country. They had a house all lined up, but when they got here it was full of toxic mold. They were living in a motel and they needed a house to rent yesterday. They came and looked at the house and moved in right away.<br /><br />So, it would appear that all this time I was not waiting on God like I thought, but God was waiting on me. Waiting on me to listen and obey and receive another blessing beyond what I asked or imagined. Praise the Lord.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-72545972244057204512010-08-20T15:40:00.000-07:002010-08-20T16:14:26.895-07:00Here We Grow AgainIt's finally time to let out this HUGE secret I've been holding in for months. We are so excited to announce that we have been approved to adopt a precious little one in India. Her name is Vishakha, and she is five years old. She is currently living in an orphanage in Pune, India which is about 75 miles from Mumbai. <br /><br />We first saw Vishakha's face in the Holt magazine. She was one of 4 waiting children highlighted in the spring issue. When I read her description, I thought, wow, her needs sound very managable. Ken and I had talked about adopting again, as we certainly have the room in our home and in our hearts for one more, but I don't think either of us thought it would be this soon. After discussing it for at least a month, we decided to request her file. <br /><br />We knew after reading her file that we could be her family. Only one thing stood in the way. That darn vacant house that still remained unsold/unrented. Within days of decided that we wanted to pursue the adoption of Vishakha, a family came and looked at the house and moved in the next day. So, we have renters again, but yeah, no more vacant house.<br /><br />Then we let the agency know that we wanted to be her family. I thought it would be a slam dunk, and they'd just assign us, but it was a little more complicated than that. Since we have a large family already, and we'd be adopting an older child out of birth order, the agency was hesitant to refer her to us. We were determined to fight for her anyway, and I guess that paid off, because yesterday our family was presented to a committee, and after reading through our file and interview notes, they decided to grant us another daughter. <br /><br />We are now in the beginning stages of compiling the massive amounts of paperwork required to bring our sweet daughter home. This could take several months to a year to get processed, but eventually, we will be travelling to India to bring her home. <br /><br />On a side note, if you happened to see a crazy person dancing in the Target parking lot yesterday afternoon, it might have been me. That's where I was when I got the call.<br /><br />Sorry no picture. India won't allow me to post a picture until we get her home, but trust me, she's adorable.Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6012847965333160811.post-39475993651183550932010-08-17T15:38:00.000-07:002010-08-17T16:02:31.498-07:00Ian is Eight!Wow! Time is flying by this summer. We celebrated both Nathan and Ian's birthdays by going to the T-Rex cafe. The boys had so much fun, and I got some great pictures. Unfortunately, my memory card reader is messed up, so I'll have to post them another time. Until then, here are some recent pics of my big boy, Ian.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg-O5rwur9Pkv8wAM0XeBer1sFuM47WyIVzjbfQtEhcJZeYu4a0WfKXMnQeWsvTYgUOcF9Q4Is_0_e1WC0F1nUWAW-TsVJt27GVMBfiIRnoFttdntQv6tXmRPJz6HUjCsw5D5jU3cUdo/s1600/scouts+(11).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506517747346323490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmg-O5rwur9Pkv8wAM0XeBer1sFuM47WyIVzjbfQtEhcJZeYu4a0WfKXMnQeWsvTYgUOcF9Q4Is_0_e1WC0F1nUWAW-TsVJt27GVMBfiIRnoFttdntQv6tXmRPJz6HUjCsw5D5jU3cUdo/s400/scouts+(11).JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJRAxy57VuWzY_bVIJf8n7yW8vDT0s0Ip9ZqWCT_GK4ta0YFxqCdK2GQGrzCKbjwoE5TR5EDfdiYN6PAsagt1tE7H8ubDsMIVEpvIzTqVfTENsod1877b7wtp17xSGyFGKkz-ShX1NGg/s1600/DSCF4425.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506513888791465186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJRAxy57VuWzY_bVIJf8n7yW8vDT0s0Ip9ZqWCT_GK4ta0YFxqCdK2GQGrzCKbjwoE5TR5EDfdiYN6PAsagt1tE7H8ubDsMIVEpvIzTqVfTENsod1877b7wtp17xSGyFGKkz-ShX1NGg/s400/DSCF4425.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX2PcdltRRLgn6wN32-zT-7cTtj0fwMZv-xBoD4Nl2j-UpxmsSXNf5_LysJ5lgBxglbW41ZqErg-Bz-aRjlhueId2KZJDQ4RHiDlYG3l9KMfBsme7-RpD5I6ebLNtoQ-ccV8U4oXn9iY/s1600/DSCF4340.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506513882720080818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieX2PcdltRRLgn6wN32-zT-7cTtj0fwMZv-xBoD4Nl2j-UpxmsSXNf5_LysJ5lgBxglbW41ZqErg-Bz-aRjlhueId2KZJDQ4RHiDlYG3l9KMfBsme7-RpD5I6ebLNtoQ-ccV8U4oXn9iY/s400/DSCF4340.JPG" /></a>\<br /><br /><br /><div></div>Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07287062710823330693noreply@blogger.com0