tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47759380608505997912024-03-13T09:11:04.580-05:00The Miracle of the MomentCharlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.comBlogger237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-17393089525143731182014-12-25T17:03:00.002-06:002014-12-25T17:03:23.982-06:00Christmas 2014<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJB13HHmD-c/VJx1m_6y-xI/AAAAAAAAFKA/gXFargy36h0/s1600/IMG_5446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJB13HHmD-c/VJx1m_6y-xI/AAAAAAAAFKA/gXFargy36h0/s1600/IMG_5446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"> </a><br />
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Merry Christmas!</div>
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Here's a photo recap our our last month.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCIq5gxGF0M/VJx1jMOUSyI/AAAAAAAAFJM/nvZ5kjegtRg/s1600/IMG_5389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rCIq5gxGF0M/VJx1jMOUSyI/AAAAAAAAFJM/nvZ5kjegtRg/s1600/IMG_5389.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4-H Jr. Leader Tacky Christmas sweater--WINNER!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvuGSCuV88s/VJx1iWKonaI/AAAAAAAAFJE/QBjt701Q42E/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GvuGSCuV88s/VJx1iWKonaI/AAAAAAAAFJE/QBjt701Q42E/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls at Aunt Susie's</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4-H Jr. Leader Christmas caroling at Emeritus</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNe-YcYtf6s/VJx1lLT68nI/AAAAAAAAFJo/Ng2jWYG4Bbg/s1600/IMG_5433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BNe-YcYtf6s/VJx1lLT68nI/AAAAAAAAFJo/Ng2jWYG4Bbg/s1600/IMG_5433.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating at Pizza Village after caroling</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaoey and dad--how cute!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdEjz2XKz9U/VJx1aWRqRDI/AAAAAAAAFHU/dKQMAzjRekY/s1600/DSC02185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kdEjz2XKz9U/VJx1aWRqRDI/AAAAAAAAFHU/dKQMAzjRekY/s1600/DSC02185.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking pics for dad's Christmas gift</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PY5zOahAXp8/VJx1aUXBABI/AAAAAAAAFHY/zp5xtjY9K_I/s1600/DSC02207%2B-%2BVersion%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PY5zOahAXp8/VJx1aUXBABI/AAAAAAAAFHY/zp5xtjY9K_I/s1600/DSC02207%2B-%2BVersion%2B2.JPG" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And we have a winner!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad's Christmas gift</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My poor tree may have seen it's last Christmas…This was my view this morning….</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQELJdSh6EY/VJx1lYvgrCI/AAAAAAAAFJk/bewbYhC8OQU/s1600/IMG_5443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YQELJdSh6EY/VJx1lYvgrCI/AAAAAAAAFJk/bewbYhC8OQU/s1600/IMG_5443.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actually this was! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqfdNjaXY-w/VJx1adXzXgI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/9rr4LPSecL8/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqfdNjaXY-w/VJx1adXzXgI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/9rr4LPSecL8/s1600/IMG_0213.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace was so excited to get a wrap it up addition game like Shaoey's multiplication one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dvdgL8VeYvg/VJx1bQ2deJI/AAAAAAAAFHo/hgt7yUbhiZw/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dvdgL8VeYvg/VJx1bQ2deJI/AAAAAAAAFHo/hgt7yUbhiZw/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A 1POUND candy bar! He has to share with Jacob and Jacob has to share his two 1/2 pound reese's peanut butter cups.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vx4mSKWESM/VJx1dHwemoI/AAAAAAAAFH0/h-plu83sh84/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_vx4mSKWESM/VJx1dHwemoI/AAAAAAAAFH0/h-plu83sh84/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte LOVES doing puzzles.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMpIW1-qZzc/VJx1cdfTMaI/AAAAAAAAFHs/MPq7A5HqwY0/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fMpIW1-qZzc/VJx1cdfTMaI/AAAAAAAAFHs/MPq7A5HqwY0/s1600/IMG_0224.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte found Jacob some nail/logic puzzles. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MnMWa7vDXZ0/VJx1c-onPaI/AAAAAAAAFIA/pwk8QIb05Qs/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MnMWa7vDXZ0/VJx1c-onPaI/AAAAAAAAFIA/pwk8QIb05Qs/s1600/IMG_0225.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace opening her present from Shaoey----</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRjXdfJ5HWA/VJx1ddCizSI/AAAAAAAAFH4/2sQonJqUNWA/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iRjXdfJ5HWA/VJx1ddCizSI/AAAAAAAAFH4/2sQonJqUNWA/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And it is….</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monster loom...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making for one VERY happy little girl!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm….</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What could they be?</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjxxmD8rAUo/VJx1iLGuwGI/AAAAAAAAFI8/qpxSkx-HrxE/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjxxmD8rAUo/VJx1iLGuwGI/AAAAAAAAFI8/qpxSkx-HrxE/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plasma cars to replace the ones they have plum worn the wheels off!</td></tr>
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And the girls big present of the year? Kinect with Dance 4 and 2015!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxe8ZJildelQ04KZt8in4FEaCA5LnC6XHbng4nBljOcgdXeilRwcP5sBzZaYmf2APc_XIf3jxBtK4yaqf_y0w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">From this...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">to this! We're so excited we were able to completely raise our own turkey this year, from chick to plate. Well, almost all of us were excited. Shaoey actually didn't handle it well. It was sort of her pet. It followed her and hung out at the playset when they were out there. She refused to eat any. Poor girl...</td></tr>
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<br />Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-53703748293044958162014-02-21T07:36:00.001-06:002014-02-21T07:36:04.143-06:00...at night his song is with me<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life." (Psalm42:8). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For years now I have heard songs in the night, always appropriate, always a relevant message. Just a snippet, a few lines, heard over and over until I awaken and rush to write it down so I'll remember it in the morning. Sadly, the past year my heart has been distracted and wayward, left reeling, feeling alone both spiritually (God) and physically (friends)… Left wondering where God was and asking the age old question of "why, God?" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A few friends and I are doing the Gideon bible study by Priscilla Shirer. Last week at our study I specifically asked the women to pray for me because it had been so long since I heard Him in the night. That I missed it so, that I NEEDED it. I am blown away to state that over the past week, I am hearing Him again!! I have received three songs in the night and they spot on! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(‘Cause) All You've ever wanted, all You've ever wanted</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>All You've ever wanted was my heart</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(All You've Ever Wanted--Casting Crown)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Oh - we bring the Kingdom come</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Oh - with every act of love</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Jesus help us carry You</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Alive in us, Your light shines through</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>With every act of love</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>We bring the Kingdom come</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(With Ever Act of Love--Jason Gray)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Hallelujah what</span><span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"> a Savior</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Jesus You are higher</i></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">My soul's deepest desire</span></div>
</span><span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Hallelujah You are Savior</span></div>
</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 15px; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>(What a Savior--Laura Story)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;">I know I have a long way to go to regain the territory I gave up, but at least I'm moving forward again, I'm in the battle.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 15px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="orphans: 2; text-align: center; widows: 2;">
<span style="line-height: 15px;">Do any of you experience these…visits?</span></div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-26467365090846770552013-12-17T19:21:00.000-06:002013-12-17T19:21:13.743-06:00Time4Learning review<div style="text-align: center;">
I've been wanting to try <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/" target="_blank">Time4Learning</a> for quite a while now, but I kept putting it off. A few weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to try <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/" target="_blank">Time4Learning</a> free in exchange for a review. That was an offer I couldn't pass up!</div>
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I initially signed all the kids up. After exploring it a bit and letting Shaoey do a few lessons, I realized that for Connor (10th), Jacob (8th), Shaoey (2nd/3rd), and Grace (1st) it probably wasn't the best avenue for them. We have used a literature based style for years and it works well for us </div>
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Eliana (age 8, adopted last year) is a different story. Eliana came home with a couple of known special needs--hydrocephalus and scoliosis. After meeting her, we realized there were other significant special needs. We have spent the past year doing testing and evaluations. We have learned that she has cerebral atrophy, corpus callosum issues, auditory processing disorder, some sensory issues, and a few other suspected issues. With these issues, a literature based style doesn't seem to be working. Her listening/retaining/responding skills seem low even on good days when her bridge (callosum) is working well. We've both been frustrated and seemed to be at a standstill. </div>
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Enter <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/" target="_blank">Time4Learning</a>. When we traveled to SFCV and adopted Eliana, she took us to the computer room, turned on the computer, went to the internet--straight to her game site, and started playing. That should have told me something. I have Eliana working on kindergarden level skills. She has been doing some abc lessons and math/pattern skills. When we work with her face to face, she has to take in our language, transfer it to where it needs to go. With callosal issues and auditory processing disorder, the message gets bounced around many times before it gets to it's destination. By the time it gets there, it is often distorted. She then has to process it and form a response which gets bounced around on the way out…. She often freezes up when we ask questions and try to get responses from us. Think fight or flight, blank… She seems to be doing really well with Time4Learning and is less frustrated and more likely to complete the task--meaning forward progress!!</div>
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I am excited to continue with <a href="http://www.time4learning.com/" target="_blank">Time4Learning</a>, excited to see what progress we can make. The lessons are short and entertaining, with good prompts to help her know what to do next (ex. the arrow lights up when she needs to press it to continue). There is also a quiz at the end of the lesson to help us evaluate if she's understanding the information. I also read today that people have been able to use it on tablets and Kindle Fires. I'm anxious to try that to allow her to work while we're working and possibly take it with us to some doctor appointments, etc. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(The opinions in this review are mine and do not from Time4Learning.)</span></div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-33516820587748453622013-12-10T19:10:00.002-06:002013-12-10T19:10:23.695-06:00CHRISTMAS SALE--One Day at Shepherds Field Children's Village coffee table book!!<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm excited to share this book again</div>
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AND</div>
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it's on SALE!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6pkbRk-i_E/Tgyd_JPvJGI/AAAAAAAADL4/cl6W5_aw7YE/s1600/SCAN0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s6pkbRk-i_E/Tgyd_JPvJGI/AAAAAAAADL4/cl6W5_aw7YE/s400/SCAN0009.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><u>One Day at Shephards Field Children's Village</u> coffee table book!</span></td></tr>
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This book is beyond <b>fantastic</b>. It is hardback, 11.5" x 9", and has high quality glossy pages with photos and narrative about the lives of the children and staff at <a href="http://chinaorphans.org/">SFCV</a>. </div>
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Take a look inside and you'll see:</div>
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the children and the wide variety of special needs represented there</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--OwGm81VFbY/TgyeGBFOFAI/AAAAAAAADL8/dRncV7ck5X8/s1600/SCAN0010.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--OwGm81VFbY/TgyeGBFOFAI/AAAAAAAADL8/dRncV7ck5X8/s400/SCAN0010.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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and an incredible photo journal of a day in the life of <a href="http://chinaorphans.org/">SFCV</a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast time</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">School time</td></tr>
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There are many more amazing pages of life at <a href="http://chinaorphans.org/">SFCV</a>---the buildings, playtime, mealtime, school time, napping, therapy, the medical clinic, bathing, etc. There's the arrival of new children and the adoption of others. And of course the precious CHILDREN--pages and pages of beautiful children. (The photos were mainly taken in the summer of 2009.)</div>
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As many of you know, sadly, there are children who will not be adopted, who will never know the love and care of their own family. When a child turns 14, they are no longer eligible to be adopted. What happens to them? Many older children/young adults are either turned out of an orphanage to fend for themselves or are put in an adult social welfare institution. This a more certain fate for the older orphan with special needs. <a href="http://chinaorphans.org/">SFCV</a> is working to change that for the children they care for. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7X_F3ZgqUw/TgykZj6Mj8I/AAAAAAAADMU/0ZFHYuT6Cq0/s1600/SCAN0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U7X_F3ZgqUw/TgykZj6Mj8I/AAAAAAAADMU/0ZFHYuT6Cq0/s400/SCAN0013.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
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They are building a Vocational Center-- a place for these young people to learn a trade, to learn to care for themselves, to support themselves...to live a full life. There will be training rooms, small apartments, and even long term care for those that need it. It will truly be a life saver for many orphans. It will be 4 stories high. </div>
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So how do you get one of these phenomenal books and bring hope to the orphan? This book is a limited edition. There are only 150 of them. For a donation of $50, you will receive one of these books <b>and</b> also have your name engraved on the sponsor plaque on the Vocational Center!</div>
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ALL proceeds from this book go directly to <a href="http://chinaorphans.org/">SFCV</a>. </div>
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Just email me at troyandcharlene93@yahoo.com and I'll give you the payment information.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Shipping & handling is $5, shipped media mail. You may choose another method if you prefer.)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In closing, this book is truly a treasure. Grace (known as Vira or ShuangShuang at SFCV) LOVES to look through it and see "her" China. It is beautifully done and a touching testimony to the love and care that the children get at <a href="http://chinaorphans.org/">SFCV</a>. </span></span></div>
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<div class="blogpress_location">
Location:<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Broussard,%20LA%4028.643601%2C-81.438232&z=10">Broussard, LA</a></div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-86102794834851506392013-11-09T23:08:00.001-06:002013-11-09T23:08:21.080-06:00Last chance to get this amazing ebook bundle!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Time is almost up to snatch up this awesome deal on a fantastic bundle!</div>
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<a href="https://us154.infusionsoft.com/go/geteducated/a562/" target="_blank">Ultimate Healthy Living Bundle</a></div>
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<a href="https://us154.infusionsoft.com/go/authors/a562" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ubgraphics/buy-now-button-RED.png" /></a></div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-59307872081385126892013-11-05T16:24:00.002-06:002013-11-05T16:33:47.470-06:00The Ultimate Healthy Living bundle!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I cannot wait to dig into this!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's full of so much wonderful information and encouragement. </span></div>
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<a href="https://us154.infusionsoft.com/go/authors/a562" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/ubgraphics/big-bundle-bookshelf.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">1 interactive 12 week conference</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">9 free bonuses (worth over $150)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">All for $29.97</span></div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-58841832922460442882013-11-05T08:36:00.002-06:002013-11-05T08:39:06.742-06:00I'm so excited to try Time4Learning!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">This came at the perfect time! TingTing has many areas of difficulty--hydrocephalus, cerebral brain atrophy, thinning corpus callosum, and auditory processing disorder to name a few. Homeschooling her has been very hit or miss as we try to figure out how to help her learn and remember things. I've been looking at Time4Learning the past few </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">weeks and was tickled to receive an email from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;">I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a </span><a href="http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum.htm?ref=Review+Referring"><span style="color: blue;">homeschool curriculum</span></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;">, for </span><a href="http://www.time4learning.com/curriculum/afterschool.html?ref=Review+Referring" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383658143886_6227" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #196ad4; font-family: Arial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.time4learning.com/curriculum/afterschool.html?ref=Review+Referring
CTRL + Click to follow link">afterschool enrichment</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"> and for </span><a href="http://www.time4learning.com/summer-school.shtml?ref=Review+Referring" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383658143886_6226" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #196ad4; font-family: Arial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="http://www.time4learning.com/summer-school.shtml?ref=Review+Referring
CTRL + Click to follow link">summer skill sharpening</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;">. Find out how to write your own </span><a href="http://www.time4learning.com/homeschool-curriculum-review.shtml?ref=Review+Referring" id="yui_3_13_0_1_1383658143886_6225" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #196ad4; font-family: Arial; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">curriculum review</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"> for Time4Learning.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial;">Check back in December!</span></span></div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-3998328770888016332013-10-30T19:24:00.000-05:002013-10-30T19:24:33.233-05:00Ahhh, growth, life....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5V2tW81wD4/US5r2jnZh_I/AAAAAAAAE5w/lPkjvQuZ0B0/s1600/DSC01560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u5V2tW81wD4/US5r2jnZh_I/AAAAAAAAE5w/lPkjvQuZ0B0/s400/DSC01560.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXBYdg1mfOg/US5r3WFWY9I/AAAAAAAAE54/cgLgqa7tnlA/s1600/DSC01561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXBYdg1mfOg/US5r3WFWY9I/AAAAAAAAE54/cgLgqa7tnlA/s400/DSC01561.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our new hens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chicks are here!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sprouting tray</td></tr>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-21931778612146650052013-10-19T20:05:00.000-05:002013-10-19T20:05:17.057-05:00Happy birthday, Gracie girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our Grace is 7! That sounds so much older than 6... She is growing into such an amazing young lady--sweet, loving, cuddly, kind, and FULL of personality! Grace and I did a photo shoot of sorts today. I tried, but I just couldn't narrow it down anymore (trust me this isn't all of them!). I hope you enjoy getting to know our Grace through these pictures. They truly show what a precious girl she is to us.</div>
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We love you, Grace FuShuang!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls have a birthday tradition--a gigantic balloon of their choice. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one just makes my heart smile!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the personality in this one--Miss Confident!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best sisters in the world. They love each other so much; they can't bear to be apart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy girls!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Life is fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday girl got to choose a new bike today. We loved this one with longer handles, it helps her to not have to reach so far. It works GREAT with pokey arm!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a WONDERFUL birthday party with our friends. We celebrated Caroline and Grace's birthdays together.--2 very special young ladies!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What great friends! </td></tr>
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<br />Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-47511395257252048982013-09-12T15:56:00.001-05:002013-09-12T15:56:36.919-05:00Psalm 139<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow...awesome drive it home skit!</div>
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" class="wistia_embed" frameborder="0" height="320" name="wistia_embed" scrolling="no" src="http://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/1jhv84lxlw?version=v1&videoWidth=620&videoHeight=348&volumeControl=true&fullscreenButton=false&controlsVisibleOnLoad=true&playerColor=535f61&plugin%5Bsocialbar-v1%5D%5Bbuttons%5D=facebook-twitter-embed-email-tumblr-googlePlus&plugin%5Bsocialbar-v1%5D%5Blogo%5D=true&plugin%5Bsocialbar-v1%5D%5BtweetText%5D=Watch%2Bthe%2Bvideo%2B'Psalm%2B139'%2Bfrom%2B%40skitguys%3A&plugin%5Bsocialbar-v1%5D%5BbadgeUrl%5D=http%3A%2F%2Fskitguys.com&plugin%5Bsocialbar-v1%5D%5BbadgeImage%5D=http%3A%2F%2Fembed.wistia.com%2Fdeliveries%2F4005815ea999a80f58ccdd45444828a7b9fa600f.jpg%3Fimage_resize%3D100&plugin%5Bsocialbar-v1%5D%5BpageUrl%5D=http%3A%2F%2Fskitguys.com%2Fvideos%2Fitem%2Fpsalm-139&plugin%5BrequireEmail-v1%5D%5BtopText%5D=Enter%2Byour%2Bemail%2Bfor%2BSkit%2BGuys%2Bvideo%2Bupdates&plugin%5BrequireEmail-v1%5D%5BbottomText%5D=We%2Bpromise%2Bnot%2Bto%2Bsell%2Bor%2Bdistribute%2Byour%2Bemail!&plugin%5BrequireEmail-v1%5D%5Btime%5D=end&plugin%5BrequireEmail-v1%5D%5Bprovider%5D=mailchimp&plugin%5BrequireEmail-v1%5D%5Blist%5D=1f8e8a4026&plugin%5Bwistiafollows%5D%5BpostRoll%5D%5BscreenName%5D=skitguys&plugin%5Bwistiafollows%5D%5BpostRoll%5D%5BshowScreenName%5D=true&plugin%5Bwistiafollows%5D%5Bpeople%5D%5B0%5D%5BscreenName%5D=skitguys&plugin%5Bwistiafollows%5D%5Bpeople%5D%5B1%5D%5Bstart%5D=10&plugin%5Bwistiafollows%5D%5Bpeople%5D%5B2%5D%5Bend%5D=20&plugin%5Bwistiafollows%5D%5Bsrc%5D=http%3A%2F%2Ffast.wistia.com%2Flabs%2Ftwitter-follows%2Fwistia-follows.js&canonicalUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fskitguys.com%2Fvideos%2Fitem%2Fpsalm-139&canonicalTitle=Psalm%2B139%2BVideo%2B%C2%AB%2BThe%2BSkit%2BGuys" width="480"></iframe></div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-61906336124721104222013-07-20T23:34:00.000-05:002013-10-30T19:23:43.963-05:00Kids are suppose to feel pain! <br />
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(warning--graphic photo of her incisions farther down this post)</div>
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TingTing had 7 or so vials of blood drawn, then she had to do her pulmonary function test. Part of that included an arterial blood gas baseline. This involved the technician drawing blood from the artery in her wrist. She spent about 3 minutes trying to get hit the artery on Ting's left wrist. When that didn't work, she moved to the right wrist. After a couple <b>minutes</b>, she hit it. </div>
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TingTing did not cry, did not squirm, and did not need me to hold her AT ALL. She sat there with her arm out. Just sat there.</div>
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She didn't cry or fuss in the hospital. </div>
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Today is day 4 post op and she only took 5 cc of Lortab at bedtime tonight. And she didn't really ask for it, just a simple statement that her back hurt just a little so I gave her a low dose to make sure she could sleep.</div>
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Think for a moment if your child had these things done. Do you think he/she would cry? Need you to hold them down to get bloodwork? Lay there and let them cath her with no sound or movement and no one holding her down?</div>
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If so, why is it so brave of TingTing to not need someone?</div>
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The number of times we heard how brave she was, how tough she was, what a big girl she was...</div>
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She's not, well she may be, but more than likely this is due to 2 things:</div>
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1. A learned response--It's not unusual for orphans to learn early on that it doesn't matter. Crying doesn't elicit the response God created it to get. Hey, I need someone. No one comes. They learn it's a waste of effort to cry. It won't matter.</div>
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2. It is also related to <a href="http://www.spdfoundation.net/about-sensory-processing-disorder.html">Sensory Integration Disorder (SID)</a>. Some individuals don't register sensory input in a neurotypical fashion. Some are hypersensitive to sensory input (loud noises, bright lights, touch, pain... send them into a tizzy). Others are hyposensitive--they need more intense input to register what a neurotypical person registers with normal input. This would include pain. We did a neuro-reorganization evaluation the week before surgery and the therapist noted that she seems to have rather low response to pain. This also shows up in being able to empathize with others. Example when a cat has gone missing or we find a chicken dead, she smiles and laughs, and wants to keep talking about it all day. If she can't feel pain, she can't empathize and respond appropriately. If it doesn't hurt her, it doesn't hurt anyone.</div>
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So... all that to say. Kids are suppose to feel pain. It's not "normal" for them not to. I feel God gave us pain to protect us from more serious damage. We need to feel pain.</div>
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We've got occupational therapy, speech/language therapy, and our newest addition neuro-reorganization therapy going on to help TingTing become better regulated and function at her best.</div>
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There's so much more I want to share about TingTing, but I need to figure out how much to tell and what.... (I'd love advice on how you know how much to share about your child's issues and needs.)</div>
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Oh yeah, here's the photos I warned about:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJAzEnCgSvg/UethubI20RI/AAAAAAAAE_k/Wz7bd4TBtQ8/s1600/Eliana+spine+series+december+2012_2_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJAzEnCgSvg/UethubI20RI/AAAAAAAAE_k/Wz7bd4TBtQ8/s320/Eliana+spine+series+december+2012_2_1.jpg" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This spine X-ray was done in December. It had gotten SIGNIFICANTLY worse since then. It was about 40 or so degrees here. The most recent one was about 65 degrees curvature. (The main curve, there was a secondary above it, but it was smaller.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4g3vVMwfrhk/UetgonCVRQI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/seOnk5eYSfM/s1600/IMG_0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4g3vVMwfrhk/UetgonCVRQI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/seOnk5eYSfM/s400/IMG_0340.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spine x-ray the day after surgery. They believe they got it down to about 30 degrees and the upper curve is starting to straighten itself.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's her incision sites on Friday morning before they discharged us.</td></tr>
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Here's a video of TingTing walking today. Her right shoulder is so much lower... and we're noticing the leg length difference more. When she takes a step with her left leg, she lifts her body up to where her right foot almost doesn't touch the ground. You can't see it as much in this video... I'll try to get better tomorrow.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz3hIDJk-aI_j643bWNSe_fhNQvwZZphIrfAcL9pwTOHyrLlTd2inUZ6QEYpwcVCmtHBeT37M4q5hv_PDBMxA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-12009855036340951302013-07-20T19:42:00.004-05:002013-10-30T19:23:56.468-05:00Attachment issues...<div style="text-align: center;">
I knew being gone this week would stir up attachment issues and it didn't fail to deliver. Grace was rotten yesterday. Just wild, disobedient, and downright annoying. </div>
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At dinner I passed a comment to her that it seemed like she was trying to be disobedient in order to get me to go away to prove to something to herself. After dinner we went have a pow-wow. She started by telling me that what I said at dinner was right. She said her heart felt like it was half and half. She said (with adorable hand gestures), "This half loves you and this half wants to make you go away." She said Satan was trying to get her to feel that I didn't love her. She knew I loved her, but he was telling her I didn't. I was so proud of her for putting her feelings into words and being able to talk about how to handle these feelings in the future, as it will happen again. That she is in control of her feelings, that we have to go on what we know, not what we feel. </div>
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Btw, this is a common adoption scenario (and NOT just international either!)... Attachment is not an "is" or "isn't" issue--it is a sliding scale that is always adjusting and changing, which is why I try to have my radar up to watch for these issues and try to parent in view of attachment. Often times these behaviors can fly just under the radar unless you know to look for it. It would have been so easy to just chalk it up to hunger, being tired, any number of excuses. </div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-65528522427063626252013-06-08T17:35:00.002-05:002013-10-30T19:24:06.208-05:00Beach time!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Wow, I didn't realize I haven't posted here since February! Where has the time gone? Oh yeah, doctor and therapist appointments, but that's not what this post is about. Maybe I'll post on the other stuff soon, just processing it.</div>
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We all needed some getaway R&R. We left the house and animals in capable hands and headed to one of our favorite beach spots--Sandestin. We are blessed this trip to be able to spend time with 2 special families. Today we got to see Dawn and her family. We have been friends since we adopted our first daughters about the same time 6+ years ago. We unexpectedly found that they were staying 45 minutes from us and they came play on the beach today. We got to meet Levi and they got to meet Eliana. </div>
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Here are some pictures from our first night and our reunion:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our balcony</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These 2 are the sweetest of sisters...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaoey and Grace watching the sunset over the bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad & Shaoey at Roberto's </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor & Jacob</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaoey is such a beach princess--she adores it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the China kids--Levi, Bekah, Shaoey (she's not really that short, she's standing in a hole), Grace, Leah, and Eliana</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor volunteered to be buried and they jumped at the chance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leah and Grace jumping waves</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special moments</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaoey looks like she belongs on a beach in Hawaii riding the waves!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Gracie was wiped out! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn & I<br />
Thanks for coming hang with us today--what a blessing!</td></tr>
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<br />Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-26934796099777371942013-02-01T22:17:00.002-06:002013-10-30T19:24:46.514-05:00Prayers and fasting for SFCV--Friday/Saturday<br />
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Thank you for praying with us this week! Amazing things happen with His people bow their knees united and call on His name. </div>
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Today I'd like to pray for those who are hurting in this situation. In some ways I think I know where they're coming from. The disappointment, the fierce love, the point where expections meet reality. It is not a comfortable place to be. I know. They are grieving and and angry and hurting. They want answers they may never get on this side of Heaven. They need our love and prayers. But even more than that they need the One who can heal body and soul, the One who knows everything and has a plan. The one who loves their child even more than they do. Pray for God to hear their cries and to comfort them. Pray for their hearts to be softened, for them to be open to working together to improve the lives of orphans, not risk throwing it all away in grief. </div>
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Thanks again for joining with us this week. I spoke with Dr. Ana and have been emailing Tim and they say they feel our prayers, there's peace. I hope that in the coming weeks, you will continue to lift up this situation and SFCV. This isn't the end....</div>
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God bless!</div>
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Charlene</div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-57695345551756065152013-01-31T20:35:00.000-06:002013-01-31T20:35:49.460-06:00We interrupt this program to bring you this special news bulletin<br />
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I'm sorry. I feel very burdened tonight to interrupt our prayers for SFCV to ask you to pray for ALL the NGO/foster care situations in China, specifically Henan province and any NGO that has children from Henan (which includes SFCV!). The situation there continues to deteriorate. </div>
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I posted a link earlier to a story about the LWB Healing Home in Henan. The short version is that a Chinese woman was housing 18 children/youth. She left to take some of the children to school. While she was gone, a fire broke out and 7 children were killed. The government has asked officials to make inspections of foster care homes. It seems that even though these homes were given excellent reviews, the provincial government has ordered all the children to be returned to their original orphanage. These are all special needs orphans. This fire had NOTHING to do with NGOs.... totally separate.</div>
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As I posted in Wednesday's prayers, the Chinese culture (on a whole, not individually) has a different take on persons with disabilities and special needs. </div>
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Please pray for these children that are being sent back to their orphanages. Pray for their safety. Pray for their hearts, this is another break in their attachment story.... each break makes it harder for future attachments. Pray that their medical needs are met. Pray that no more children will be ordered back to their original orphanage. (As far as I know, SF has not had to return any children to their orphanage.) And please pray that this is only temporary that they will soon be returned to their loving homes and reunited with their caretakers. </div>
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Continue to pray for a hedge of protection around SFCV. Pray for eyes to be opened, hearts to be changed and made new, and for the believers to stand firm in unity.</div>
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God bless!</div>
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Charlene</div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-44664822453905638662013-01-30T20:31:00.000-06:002013-01-31T20:31:52.701-06:00Prayer and fasting for SFCV--Wednesday<br />
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<strong>Spirit of unity </strong>Pray for a spirit of unity among everyone at SFCV as they work together and with other ministry partners.</div>
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<em>Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another according to Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).</em></div>
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<strong>Resist temptation </strong>Pray for missionaries to be quick to take the escape God provides when temptation sneaks up on them. </div>
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<em>God is faithful and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it (1 Corinthians 10:13b).</em></div>
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As we pray, we need to be aware of some of the factors that oppose missionaries and can lead to their discouragement and make doing their calling challengine. Here are 3 areas we can pray for SFCV.</div>
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<li>Living in an alien culture.</li>
<li>Working among an unresponsive or hostile people. </li>
<li>Shortage of personnel leading to work overload.</li>
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Chinese culture, in general, view children, especially those with special needs differently than we would. Pray that the Chinese staff will be responsive to hearing any changes that need to be made, that they would see every child as deserving of their best love and care, that there would be an abundance of God honoring and loving workers to carry on this work.</div>
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Thanks for sticking with us. Be sure to share any encouragement or word you receive as your praying. </div>
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God bless!</div>
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Charlene</div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-81866092702342731032013-01-29T20:29:00.000-06:002013-01-31T20:30:20.513-06:00Prayer and fasting for SFCV--Tuesday<br />
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Thanks for joining us in praying for SFCV this week. I love that we have believers around the world joined together in prayer for the orphan. What a blessing to be surrounded by all the amazing friends I have met through SFCV that share our Lord's heart for the orphan. Thank you! </div>
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Don't forget to share any revelation or inspiration you receive throughout the week. </div>
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<strong>Purity </strong>Pray for the leaders, staff, and volunteers to be so renewed by God’s Word that no sin will have dominion over them.</div>
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<em>Make my steps steady through Your promise; don’t let sin dominate me (Psalm 119:133)</em></div>
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<strong>Give glory to God </strong>Ask God to empower them to point people to Jesus and not seek undue recognition for themselves.</div>
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<em>In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).</em></div>
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<strong>Dependence on God </strong>Pray for SFCV to model a life of dependence on God.</div>
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<em>Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and he will guide you on the right paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).</em></div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-76514747711624458782013-01-28T20:29:00.000-06:002013-01-31T20:29:22.182-06:00Prayer and Fasting for SFCV--Monday (a little long, I promise they won't all be like this!)<br />
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As many of you know, SFCV needs our prayers. I believe any place that cares for orphans needs our prayer. There is a spiritual battle going on for the least of these. Caring for orphans is God's heart. Satan will do all he can to sabotage those who want what God wants and care for what God cares for. </div>
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I had an interesting and timely vision this week. As I was preregistering at the hospital on Thursday (as all this was going on on the internet), on the wall behind the worker was a poster of the Great Wall of China. It read "Teamwork: Many hands. Many minds. One goal." I just sat there reading it over and over and felt God speaking to me. We need to stand together for the orphan and those who care for them. "A house divided against itself cannot stand."</div>
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With that in mind, I tried to think of what we could do to help from around the world. </div>
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<em>...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. </em><em>Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:6-8</em></div>
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Prayer (and fasting) and thanksgiving and thinking on what is lovely!</div>
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On prayer and fasting:</div>
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I researched and came across a prayer list for missionaries. A few didn't seem to quite fit, so I went through them and picked the ones that seemed appropriate. I plan on fasting and praying on Monday, then continuing my prayers over the week. Each day I will post a few more items to pray over. Some will be more general and scriptural, some may be more practical. I would love for all of you to come along side of us and pray for SFCV--the Bakers, the staff, the volunteers, adoptive families, and most importantly the children--those still there and those who have been adopted and need healing. </div>
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Please use this however the Lord is leading you. If He is leading you to fast, great! Don't feel that you need to fast on the same day as me. I think having people fasting throughout the week is awesome too. I know some of you may be new to fasting and may be fearful of it. A few thoughts (and I am not a pro!)--it can be food, but it does not have to be food! Is there some other area God is asking you to fast? Internet? Shopping? TV? If you do choose a food fast, there are different kinds--liquid, Daniel, partial, full... I tend to do a combination. I usually do liquids throughout the day and then around 6-7 pm I will have a small, plain meal. Sort of a liquid/Daniel mix (no meat or sweets, nothing fancy). The real goal isn't to be legalistic about it. The goal is to replace that item/time with prayer time, that's what's important. Don't get caught up in the how to, get caught up in the who--God!</div>
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On thinking on what it lovely: lets share success stories! </div>
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Ok, now that that's out of the way let's get to the praying! Here are a few that I thought would be a good start to the week:</div>
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<strong>1. Focus on God </strong>Pray for the leadership of SFCV to stay focused on God and His plans above all else.</div>
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<em>But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you (Matthew 6:33).</em></div>
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<strong>2. Confession and repentance </strong>Pray for them to regularly seek examination by God and to repent from any errors that have crept into their lives. </div>
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<em>Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24).</em></div>
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<strong>3. Humility </strong>Pray for them to have a spirit of humility and to willingly ask God for wisdom in carrying out their assignment.</div>
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<em>Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him (James 1:5).</em></div>
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Thanks for joining us in this time of prayer and fasting. I can't wait to hear the victory stories!</div>
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<em>(This is my first time organizing a prayer and fasting. I am new to some of this, so if you see an area I am incorrect or unscriptural/theologically off, please message me and let me know. And I'm open to suggestions.)</em></div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-54532546990873129422012-12-18T12:51:00.002-06:002012-12-18T12:51:34.303-06:00Language frustrations....<div style="text-align: center;">
I don't know which is worse--coming to us with no English or coming to us with some and not wanting to speak any Chinese. I know it's my mindset and expectations, but it still leads to MAJOR frustrations. </div>
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Eliana wants NOTHING to do with Chinese and I think she has lost most of it already. I also don't think she's progressed much in her English since coming to us so we seem to be at an impasse most days. She has officially been home 3 months and I honestly don't feel that she understands us any more than day 1 home. She gets the basic 2-3 year old stuff--eat, bathe, time to go bye-bye; but if we try to explain things to her, like why she was moved out of the girls room for waking them up and that she'll get to move back in when she shows us she's not going to keep waking them up, we get the blank stare or resaying what she thinks she heard which is totally wrong! A funny one, I told her that one when she could prove to me that she wouldn't wake them up, she said "in one day I'll go back." NO! We did NOT just move your whole bed for one day. Or she'll say ok like she understands us but when asked to execute whatever she was told--nothing. She has refused to listen to someone speak Chinese to her. I was counting on that as a life line to communicate with her....that I could have someone explain the deeper things to her in her language. </div>
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Today I read aloud 2 kid books for history. When I finished she asked me, "mama, now do school?" Huh? I've been reading for 45 minutes! That was school. We do things like picture study (following Charlotte Mason). It consists of the kids looking at a piece of artwork and telling me what they see. She just stares. She can't seem to tell me anything that's in the picture--and I'd take just about anything. Tell me there's a girl, tell me a tree, just give me some indication you have looked at the picture! All the others go first and then her, so she's heard 4 other students give their narration. Nothing. </div>
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I'm not sure how to proceed. We're a verbal family--with 7 of us there's always talking. She's surrounded by talking, playing, music, TONS of read aloud--I read aloud about 2 hours a day and baba reads books before bed. Interesting...she will only listen to the book she picks out, she wanders off when Troy reads a book that Shaoey or Grace chose...hmmm. When should I be concerned? When should I consider taking her for an eval? We're all frustrated.</div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-56150589736467696142012-12-15T22:18:00.003-06:002012-12-15T22:18:52.961-06:00Christmas fundraiser<div style="text-align: center;">
Need a Christmas gift? How about one that helps others? </div>
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All proceeds from this Christmas fundraiser go to:</div>
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<a href="http://www.chinaorphans.org/">SFCV</a></div>
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and</div>
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<a href="http://www.agapeflh.org/">Agape House</a></div>
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Both organizations care for special needs orphans in China. We have been to both homes and met the wonderful, precious children there and the amazing families that have given their lives to care for these children. By Christmas shopping here, you will be helping children on the other side of the world.</div>
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THANK YOU!</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AleOr1sl7AU/UM1DTpgiXLI/AAAAAAAAE2M/EJw7JKkR5Vs/s1600/DSC01217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AleOr1sl7AU/UM1DTpgiXLI/AAAAAAAAE2M/EJw7JKkR5Vs/s400/DSC01217.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mirrors $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzfsUF3uK40/UM1DWmOmsVI/AAAAAAAAE2U/_XPNku7y8oQ/s1600/DSC01218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AzfsUF3uK40/UM1DWmOmsVI/AAAAAAAAE2U/_XPNku7y8oQ/s400/DSC01218.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bookmarks $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ6lj8z4iRE/UM1Dadmt5vI/AAAAAAAAE2c/VcdBfFkX3zo/s1600/DSC01219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJ6lj8z4iRE/UM1Dadmt5vI/AAAAAAAAE2c/VcdBfFkX3zo/s400/DSC01219.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Scripture $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrYmQ1YgHYQ/UM1DeOMkgTI/AAAAAAAAE2k/qJ4X2n5K4JE/s1600/DSC01220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KrYmQ1YgHYQ/UM1DeOMkgTI/AAAAAAAAE2k/qJ4X2n5K4JE/s400/DSC01220.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Scripture $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zP8NM5tCmVU/UM1DptteWwI/AAAAAAAAE28/jSq414XsEw4/s1600/DSC01223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zP8NM5tCmVU/UM1DptteWwI/AAAAAAAAE28/jSq414XsEw4/s400/DSC01223.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Scripture $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-XIotruezY/UM1DhyMNYkI/AAAAAAAAE2s/cqbtpCxz25I/s1600/DSC01221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U-XIotruezY/UM1DhyMNYkI/AAAAAAAAE2s/cqbtpCxz25I/s400/DSC01221.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chopsticks $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A_QdqvykAOM/UM1Dl7tLgRI/AAAAAAAAE20/BOf6AqUaJX4/s1600/DSC01222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A_QdqvykAOM/UM1Dl7tLgRI/AAAAAAAAE20/BOf6AqUaJX4/s400/DSC01222.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small trinket box $5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQBUJbhFFGU/UM1DtXXYWkI/AAAAAAAAE3E/gJhrqmJGeZY/s1600/DSC01224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AQBUJbhFFGU/UM1DtXXYWkI/AAAAAAAAE3E/gJhrqmJGeZY/s400/DSC01224.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood carving $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGh2PvCUksM/UM1DxMTXH5I/AAAAAAAAE3M/ktg6trizFJQ/s1600/DSC01225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGh2PvCUksM/UM1DxMTXH5I/AAAAAAAAE3M/ktg6trizFJQ/s400/DSC01225.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood carving $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hymCRD6enQ/UM1D2nlH-oI/AAAAAAAAE3U/RWYscPIatSU/s1600/DSC01226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hymCRD6enQ/UM1D2nlH-oI/AAAAAAAAE3U/RWYscPIatSU/s400/DSC01226.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woven purses $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHCaY_JShUA/UM1D6Qx7grI/AAAAAAAAE3c/xN5pjQb5XYs/s1600/DSC01227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tHCaY_JShUA/UM1D6Qx7grI/AAAAAAAAE3c/xN5pjQb5XYs/s400/DSC01227.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallets $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaQ3u-3qw0Y/UM1D-eVFmSI/AAAAAAAAE3k/qUs6e9WkWwA/s1600/DSC01230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QaQ3u-3qw0Y/UM1D-eVFmSI/AAAAAAAAE3k/qUs6e9WkWwA/s400/DSC01230.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wallets $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9EsemftqkY/UM1ECXTYPrI/AAAAAAAAE3s/NNlos3r4gmY/s1600/DSC01231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W9EsemftqkY/UM1ECXTYPrI/AAAAAAAAE3s/NNlos3r4gmY/s400/DSC01231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">purses $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktrkf1-93DM/UM1EGd-t-VI/AAAAAAAAE30/HQNUFpjV7IY/s1600/DSC01232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ktrkf1-93DM/UM1EGd-t-VI/AAAAAAAAE30/HQNUFpjV7IY/s400/DSC01232.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Journal $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUhTsDO3XUo/UM1EI1ePj6I/AAAAAAAAE38/Yli4xM-q6XI/s1600/DSC01233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZUhTsDO3XUo/UM1EI1ePj6I/AAAAAAAAE38/Yli4xM-q6XI/s400/DSC01233.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside journal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI14Nvcsqiw/UM1ENFSlvqI/AAAAAAAAE4E/Mw5qYNroHRM/s1600/DSC01234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZI14Nvcsqiw/UM1ENFSlvqI/AAAAAAAAE4E/Mw5qYNroHRM/s400/DSC01234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coin purse $5</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHycXBGhzSQ/UM1EP4d-JeI/AAAAAAAAE4M/IWg5vVYKJmk/s1600/DSC01235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AHycXBGhzSQ/UM1EP4d-JeI/AAAAAAAAE4M/IWg5vVYKJmk/s400/DSC01235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelets picture 1<br />$10 each</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qhL27DVLWU/UM1ETHOr3iI/AAAAAAAAE4U/3jVGdbd08d0/s1600/DSC01236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3qhL27DVLWU/UM1ETHOr3iI/AAAAAAAAE4U/3jVGdbd08d0/s400/DSC01236.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelet photo 2<br />$10 each</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_YOFyRbShY/UM1EZpIfccI/AAAAAAAAE4k/evX519phx3A/s1600/DSC01238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6_YOFyRbShY/UM1EZpIfccI/AAAAAAAAE4k/evX519phx3A/s400/DSC01238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelet photo 3<br />$10 each</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8jtpkHXtoU/UM1EWQtaw4I/AAAAAAAAE4c/limISsewjDY/s1600/DSC01237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8jtpkHXtoU/UM1EWQtaw4I/AAAAAAAAE4c/limISsewjDY/s400/DSC01237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelet photo 4<br />$10 each</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DOHZ-gxjqw/UM1EhfoiwGI/AAAAAAAAE40/0vZKJGtbREw/s1600/DSC01240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DOHZ-gxjqw/UM1EhfoiwGI/AAAAAAAAE40/0vZKJGtbREw/s400/DSC01240.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small jewelry boxes $15</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GsFqeGYXcY/UM1EduNgsbI/AAAAAAAAE4s/zVqd6OAmQqo/s1600/DSC01239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3GsFqeGYXcY/UM1EduNgsbI/AAAAAAAAE4s/zVqd6OAmQqo/s400/DSC01239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwKpidm2WD0/UM1Els-gcHI/AAAAAAAAE48/oSmDtzaYoPU/s1600/DSC01241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwKpidm2WD0/UM1Els-gcHI/AAAAAAAAE48/oSmDtzaYoPU/s400/DSC01241.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cell/ipod purse $10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHy7XYXnLAs/UM1Eo_xQORI/AAAAAAAAE5E/ZfCs292o4nY/s1600/DSC01242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CHy7XYXnLAs/UM1Eo_xQORI/AAAAAAAAE5E/ZfCs292o4nY/s400/DSC01242.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chess set $20</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzKrb601rKE/UM1EsYbOFII/AAAAAAAAE5M/MnBp0Td3do0/s1600/DSC01243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WzKrb601rKE/UM1EsYbOFII/AAAAAAAAE5M/MnBp0Td3do0/s400/DSC01243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pashmina scarves $20/each</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-20957084695672887372012-12-13T10:31:00.004-06:002012-12-13T10:33:55.686-06:00A life lesson...<br />
<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<h3 style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">If Your Brother Sins Against You</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="passage version-ESV result-text-style-normal text-html " style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<div style="font-size: 16px;">
<i><span class="text Matt-18-15"><span class="woj">“If your brother sins against you, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23740B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23740C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup>gained your brother.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-18-16" id="en-ESV-23741"><span class="woj">But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23741D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup>by the evidence of two or three witnesses.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-18-17" id="en-ESV-23742"><span class="woj">If he refuses to listen to them, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23742E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup>tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23742F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>let him be to you as <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23742G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup>a Gentile and <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-23742H" title="See cross-reference H">H</a>)"></sup>a tax collector. Matthew 18:15-17</span></span></i></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<h3 style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
</span></h3>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
Today's WWIII gave me a tangible way to show the children how the church is like a family and our family is like a church. </div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
As I talked to Shaoey and Grace about how we don't want this separation to be permanent, how we wanted it to bring about a change in Eliana, I found myself thinking of church discipline and family. I had an aha moment of the similarities between church and family. </div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
Eliana sinned against the girls by continuing to wake them and bother them during sleep time and against us by disobeyed Troy and I. The girls immediately would tell her to stop, that they didn't like being woken up by her. Shaoey and Grace came to us and we talked to her about it. When she refused to listen (and change behavior), we had no choice but to remove her from the fellowship of the girls bedroom into a temporary bedroom. </div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<i><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;"> </sup><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30207A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-30207B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11</i></div>
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I was able to talk to all the kids about how we handle conflict, how we strive for repentance and reconciliation.</div>
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<i>As for you, you meant evil against me, but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 0.65em;"><sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-1527A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup></span>God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span>should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 50:20</i></div>
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<i>And we know that for those who love God all things work together <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28129A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>for good, for <sup class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; line-height: normal; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-28129B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28</i></div>
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Praise God for allowing His word to come to mind to use this ugly, uncomfortable situation this morning to teach our children and me a valuable lesson in what discipline looks like at home and at church. </div>
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And a wonderful word of wisdom from a FB friend:<br />
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Sometimes being a good mother means feeling in the moment like worst mother in the world.</div>
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I know I needed to hear that this morning, maybe someone else probably does too.<br />
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God bless!</div>
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Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-17266167084670486182012-12-13T07:34:00.001-06:002013-10-30T19:26:10.163-05:00...For he gives to his beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2<div style="text-align: center;">
Oh how I HATE to do this & it's not permanent, but Shaoey & Grace are SO tired of being woken up. </div>
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It's time for Eliana to move to a separate bedroom. </div>
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We have told her, fussed her, discussed it with her, but she just keeps waking them up. She gives us the usual "I'm sorry" which we don't put much stock in. This has gone on since coming home, actually even in China she was doing this. </div>
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Examples:</div>
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Poking Shaoey to ask her what time it is. (She has a watch and there's a clock in their bedroom, AND she knows how to tell time.)</div>
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Waking Shaoey up to ask where Grace is. (Like she'd know...she was ASLEEP!!)</div>
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Waking Shaoey by announcing that Grace is not in the room. (Like she cared, she was ASLEEP!)</div>
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Going up to Grace's bed and lifting her blanket off her to see if she's in bed.</div>
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I GET the common thread, she wants to know sisters are in the room with her. I KNOW she was kind of like little mama in her room at SFCV. We have talked with her time and again that she does not have to have that role in our home, I am the mama. It is not her place to keep tabs on the girls. She has been warned that if it continues, she will be moved to another room for a while. </div>
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Well, that time has come and it's not a time I relish. I WANT them in the same room. I think siblings sharing a room is a great bonding thing, a slumber party every night; they're the ones you whisper secrets to, share giggles with, fight with--ok, not the last one, but figuring out the ins and outs of living with someone is part of it. Maybe that's why I feel like a failure on this one, but it's taking it's toll on their becoming sisters and friends. Shaoey and Grace are frustrated at her from the moment they get up, because she woke them. I need to break that cycle. </div>
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Pray with me that this can be a short time of separation that will lead to a closer sister relationship. </div>
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I'm also open to ideas....</div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-81238887978068761882012-12-09T20:00:00.000-06:002012-12-09T19:51:29.186-06:00SIgh....discouraged/update<div style="text-align: center;">
While we were in Texas for Thanksgiving our amazing house/pet sitters texted me. They woke to find (what we thought were) all the chickens dead. Somehow three managed to escape and came home to roost in the following days. We came home and fixed the fence. On Monday, I purchased 6 more chickens from a local farm. On Wednesday, I got a phone call from our neighbor across the street asking if our chickens were ok. Hmmm, warning bells went off. I hadn't been out yet, so I didn't know... I walked out to find all but 2 dead and those 2 were suffering with huge gashes and broken legs. My precious Jacob learned a huge lesson is being a man and an animal owner. He had to make the decision (with my help) to put down the last 2 chickens. I am proud of him, I know it was hard, but he manned up and did the hard thing. I know his heart breaks. </div>
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We know it's the german shepherds across the street. No pics or anything, but the fur on the shredded fence, the pile of chicken feathers in front of their house, the fact that she called me because she knew her dogs had gotten out. This isn't the first time. They killed our first batch of chicks. We think they killed a couple others and we KNOW they killed Feather Legs (our partridge cochin). We now suspect they may have killed the chickens over Thanksgiving. Sigh....</div>
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Now we're left trying to decide what to do. We really enjoy raising chickens. We love the eggs, love having a place to throw our food scraps instead of the garbage, and it's kind of relaxing having them in the yard. Jacob and I would love to add a cow and a donkey. The girls would love to add a horse. Jacob and Grace and I are just worn down from having our hearts broken and I'm not sure how much more we can handle. This (loss after loss) can't be the norm...can it? At some point you wonder if God's trying to tell you something or prepare you for something or teach you something. But what? How can raising chickens and animals not be right? Just trying to work out my thoughts....<br />
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Update--Troy spoke with our neighbor today and, with much angst, he told Troy that they had the dog put down. While I am glad to tell my children that the dog won't bother any future chickens, it makes me sad for them. We are impressed with their integrity and compassion. Please pray for them to have peace in their decision, I know how difficult it must have been. </div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-38764152699233687262012-12-08T20:59:00.000-06:002012-12-08T20:59:01.658-06:00Adoption training<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you looking for a great resource to help you understand your new child? Need Hague hours for your homestudy? This is the best one that we have gone through: <a href="http://www.heartofthematterseminars.com/">Because They Waited</a>. I cannot say enough good things about them. I love how they empower you as the parent to know what's best for your child. They help you to meet your child where they are and work with them to heal. </div>
Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4775938060850599791.post-43124325864939673672012-12-08T15:20:00.004-06:002012-12-08T15:20:47.050-06:00Visit with the Bakers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I posted our Thanksgiving post without putting in our photos from our visit with the Tim and Pam! That was the reason we spent the night in San Antonio. We met up with them at the Starbucks (while our tire was being fixed...) and got to spend time visiting and catching up. I don't have a picture of the boys at the other end of the table, but I love how they just pick back up and can hang out together.</div>
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We also invited another friend to meet up with us as she knew both Grace and Eliana at SFCV.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> She's the woman in the photo with 2 of my girls! Hi, Pamela!</td></tr>
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<br />Charlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11267907848471068163noreply@blogger.com0