tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71763986421537314212024-03-14T03:24:05.742-05:00dwell'in every change He faithful will remain'bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.comBlogger351125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-90819691835723873382023-05-13T17:00:00.006-05:002023-05-13T17:00:00.143-05:00Gather - My thoughts at BSF Sharing Day, 5/11/23<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: times;">This year I attended Bible Study Fellowship and studied 15 books of the Old Testament. It was fascinating. The study was called "People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided," and it followed the people of Israel and Judah starting after the reign of King Solomon.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">Each week we read Bible passages on our own and answered lesson questions, then we met together for a large-group lecture and small-group discussion of the same the material . This method of Bible study is totally free, has an amazing children's program, and is available all over the world. If you're curious about God at all - you should check out a local class! (<a href="https://www.bsfinternational.org/">https://www.bsfinternational.org/</a> They also have online options.)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;">At the end of every year, the participants are invited to share something they've learned through the study. It's slightly intimidating because it includes speaking into a microphone to a couple hundred people, but this year I did it. And this is what I said...</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One thing I’ve learned about Bible study is to look for the repeated words. Repeated words are never an accident. This year, one word particularly emerged to me - GATHER. This word was repeated as we studied the books of Hosea, Isaiah, Micah, and Jeremiah. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-0a6f5c97-7fff-92b0-afc1-9a9968ecae8a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In each of these verses - God is the one speaking to his people through his prophets.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gathered</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> together, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and they shall appoint for themselves one head. </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hosea 1:11 </span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fear not, for I am with you;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will bring your offspring from the east,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and from the west I will </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gather</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you. </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah 43:5</span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a brief moment I deserted you,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but with great compassion I will </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gather</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you. </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah 54:7</span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gather</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the remnant of Israel;</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will set them together</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like sheep in a fold,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">like a flock in its pasture,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a noisy multitude of men. </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Micah 2:12</span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will be found by you, declares the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and I will restore your fortunes and </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gather</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. </span><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jeremiah 29:14</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">AND one of our lesson questions brought us to the New Testament where Jesus himself talks about gathering. Matthew 23:37-39</span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How often would I have </span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration-skip-ink: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">gathered</span><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! </span></p></span><span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These verses were clear to me. Even though this year we studied a Kingdom DIVIDED, and we came to a deeper understanding of God’s wrath as his people went into exile… God’s heart is to GATHER - his kingdom, and us. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p></span></span><span><p style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;">To me, this means my heart should grow to reflect God’s. I am challenged to ask the Holy Spirit to show me how to reflect his heart to GATHER in a world divided by sin and self-focus. The work of gathering is not always easy, but if God’s word says it’s good - then it is worth it. Praise the Lord - he is a God who gathered us! And one day, he will ultimately gather us to himself!</span></span></p><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitAlIolzKsZY2FS0M2cbPygBdMoM2UUghMX9sOdehY-imOhoAb3wTE9v-3g_XQnNe6F_dCDVyX28MTFLcc1TZog3vHzFgQYTxsNzZzLTmvwMmJrtaF-Ul7A-1BYn7h6IQZAmd0SuDW8W9cSfio4bfzquI1O2laFnFiZ6fjUCVVribAKmv1ELML0UsoPA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="792" data-original-width="1440" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEitAlIolzKsZY2FS0M2cbPygBdMoM2UUghMX9sOdehY-imOhoAb3wTE9v-3g_XQnNe6F_dCDVyX28MTFLcc1TZog3vHzFgQYTxsNzZzLTmvwMmJrtaF-Ul7A-1BYn7h6IQZAmd0SuDW8W9cSfio4bfzquI1O2laFnFiZ6fjUCVVribAKmv1ELML0UsoPA" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div></span>bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0Minnesota, USA46.729553 -94.685899818.419319163821157 -129.84214980000002 75.039786836178848 -59.5296498tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-81986121490858802632023-05-12T11:27:00.000-05:002023-05-12T11:27:32.864-05:00Homeschool Reflections, After Year 1<p> <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 36pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">As a mom who never wanted to homeschool, I am thrilled to say we survived our first year, and plan to do it again next year! Hooray!</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-79e50aa0-7fff-441d-0fa4-0820fd935ea9"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our daily homeschool set up included:</span></p><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a math session with Dad (Singapore curriculum) usually in the morning before his work meetings, and then math homework to be completed independently </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a ‘morning meeting’ including a Bible verse, hymn, and poem, which actually happened about 50% of our ‘school days.’ Seeing the kids’ excitement at picking out a poem and then taking turns reading it out loud was an unexpected highlight</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a review of memory work from our Classical Conversations curriculum, sometimes just me reviewing material, sometimes watching a youtube review guy, sometimes googling random stuff from the timeline song… you never know.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a time of reading and writing and grammar concepts - which looked different for each kid because of grade levels. For Simon: we were focusing on handwriting goals and chapter books. For Gwen: she was learning to write paragraphs and essays and diagramming sentences. Both kids had weekly spelling lists and quizzes.</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every Wednesday we gathered, 9am-3pm, with our Bloomington homeschool community, called Classical Conversations, where the kids each attended class taught by a parent tutor and 6-7 classmates. I attended their classes too, switching back and forth, helping with art projects, science projects and (Lord help me) tin whistle practicing. We all looked forward to “Community Day” each week to see our friends (Mom friends too!), get out of the house, and remember how thankful we were that we didn’t have to do this everyday like our before-lives at a private school! The memory work for the week was introduced by the tutors, so we always had new things to learn about Math, Latin, English, History, Timeline, Science, Art and Geography. The BEST thing was the curriculum is already set and given to me - so I don’t have to figure out what to teach during the week for all these subjects! The other BEST thing is that our curriculum only lasted 24 weeks and finished on April 19! So with standardized testing and tying up loose ends, our summer break started the first week of MAY! Yay!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Classical Conversations and Singapore Math were great curricula, but it didn’t take all day every day. Each week we had extra time - lots of it. What did we do with it, you ask? Here are some of the highlights:</span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Discovering our world and history through arm-fulls from the library- especially nonfiction picture books. We had lots of good times reading books on the couch together.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sewing, baking and building </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Laundry skills</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cleaning and household help</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Museums and plays and the MN zoo!</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sports with dad, soccer and baseball</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Music with mom- basic ukulele, singing harmony, rhythm, lots of listening</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Church - Wednesday night programming and Christmas Play for Gwen</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Travel (California, Florida, and lots of Kettle River)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kettle work and play - chopping wood and starting fires and building forts</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Book club (Gwen hosted her own) and bike rides (Simon takes about 3 a day in nice weather)</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cross country skiing at Wood Lake and 4 downhill ski days at Hyland</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Volunteering at CAPI food shelf and FMSC</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Piano lessons for Simon and a serious puzzle habit for Gwen</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The hardest part of homeschooling is being all the things all the time: parent, teacher, decider of the plans, referee of the fights, accountability holder, coach, and nurse. Decision fatigue and planning fatigue and being an INTROVERT were regular struggles for me. Shout out to my incredible husband who LIKES to cook dinner, reinforces respect for my role, and doesn’t get mad when he finds me exhausted and emergency-napping. My weekly Bible study group and fitness classes at Lifetime were also game-changers for me. They gave me a place to go and be myself apart from my kids. I am happy to report that my kids and I have both grown in maintaining peaceful household routines and relationships. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The second hardest part about homeschooling was the kids being at different grade levels. Enough said.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I can say with confidence that the pros outweigh the cons, and that homeschooling is our healthiest school option in this season. Praise be to God for this gift! We fall short, but we are loved, and his grace is sufficient!</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-76554758622719702792018-01-07T16:41:00.001-06:002018-01-07T16:41:39.580-06:00I did a Reading Challenge in 2017Last year my favorite reading resource, Modern Mrs Darcy, came out with two excellent reading challenge options. I did both and it was super fun. I would not recommend each and every book to all people - so stars are next to my favorites.<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Reading for FUN</u><br />
from <a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/reading-challenge-2017/" target="_blank">Modern Mrs Darcy 2017 Reading Challenge</a><br />
<br />
a book you chose for the cover:<br />
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallero*<br />
<br />
a book with a reputation for being unputdownable:<br />
Ready Player One* and The Night Circus<br />
<br />
a book set somewhere you'be never been but would like to visit:<br />
Death at La Fenice, by Donna Leon (Set in Venice)<br />
<br />
a book you've already read:<br />
Peace Like a River by Leif Enger***<br />
<br />
a juicy memoir:<br />
An American Childhood, by Annie Dillard<br />
<br />
a book about books or reading:<br />
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin*<br />
<br />
a book in a genre that you usually avoid:<br />
The Boys in the Boat ** (SPORTS!) and That Hideous Strength* (sci fi!)<br />
<br />
a book you don't want to admit you're dying to read:<br />
Cress, by Marissa Meyer*<br />
<br />
a book in the backlist of a new favorite author:<br />
Because of Winn-Dixie, by Kate DiCamillo*<br />
<br />
a book recommended by someone with great taste:<br />
The High Divide, by Lin Enger (recommended by Jill!)**<br />
<br />
a book you were excited to buy or borrow but haven't read yet:<br />
Crossing to Safety, by Wallace Stegner**<br />
<br />
a book about a topic or subject you already love:<br />
The Little Book of Hygge, by Meik Wiking<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><br /></u>
<u>Reading for GROWTH</u><br />
<div>
from <a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/reading-challenge-2017/" target="_blank">Modern Mrs Darcy 2017 Reading Challenge</a> </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A Newbery Award winner or Honor book (there are so many fun options and they are so short and easy!):</div>
<div>
The Family Under the Bridge<br />
The Tale of Despereaux*<br />
When you Reach Me*<br />
The Light at Tern Rock<br />
Ella Enchanted<br />
Mr. Popper's Penguins*<br />
Because of Winn-Dixie*<br />
Thimble Summer*<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
A book in translation:<br />
The Shadow of the Wind*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a book that's more than 600 pages:<br />
Bonhoeffer, by Eric Metaxes (which is actually only 542!)*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a book of poetry, a play or an essay collection:<br />
A Good Man is Hard to Find & Other Short Stories by Flannery O'Connor*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a book of any genre that addresses current events:<br />
Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
an immigrant story:<br />
Through My Eyes, by Tammy Wilson</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a book published before you were born:<br />
Emily of New Moon, L.M. Montgomery</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
three books by the same author:<br />
LOUISE PENNY! A Trick of the Light*; A Beautiful Mystery*; How the Light Gets In*<br />
Marissa Meyer- Scarlet; Cress; Winter</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a book by an #ownvoices or #diversebooks author (first I had to look up what this stuff means):<br />
When Dimple Met Rishi, by Sandhya Menon</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a book with an unreliable narrator or ambiguous ending:<br />
The Likeness, by Tana French</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a book nominated for an award in 2017:<br />
Lab Girl, by Hope Jahren*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
a Pulitzer prize or National Book Award winner:<br />
Breathing Lessons, by Anne Tyler*</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For 2018 I hope to try the new reading challenge by MMD. <a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/reading-challenge-2018/" target="_blank">You can find it here.</a><br />
<br /></div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-62459591878222968832017-12-07T14:56:00.001-06:002017-12-07T14:56:38.653-06:00Big Book List 2017Here are the books I read in 2017...<br />
<br />
FICTION:<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48464.A_Good_Man_is_Hard_to_Find_and_Other_Stories" title="A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories"><span style="color: #0563c1;">A
Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22694.Flannery_O_Connor"><span style="color: #0563c1;">O'Connor, Flannery</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18774964-a-man-called-ove" title="A Man Called Ove"><span style="color: #0563c1;">A Man Called Ove</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6485178.Fredrik_Backman"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Backman, Fredrik </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31181.Breathing_Lessons" title="Breathing Lessons"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Breathing Lessons</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/457.Anne_Tyler"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Tyler, Anne</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9820.Crossing_to_Safety" title="Crossing to Safety"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Crossing to Safety</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/157779.Wallace_Stegner"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stegner, Wallace</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227571.Peace_Like_a_River" title="Peace Like a River"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Peace Like a River</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13591.Leif_Enger"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Enger, Leif</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20312465-the-high-divide" title="The High Divide"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The High Divide</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/218013.Lin_Enger"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Enger, Lin</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18293427-the-storied-life-of-a-j-fikry" title="The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The
Storied Life of A.J. Fikry</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/40593.Gabrielle_Zevin"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Zevin, Gabrielle *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1232.The_Shadow_of_the_Wind" title="The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Shadow of the Wind(The Cemetery of Forgotten Books,
#1)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/815.Carlos_Ruiz_Zaf_n"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Zafón, Carlos Ruiz</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
SCIENCE FICTION:<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Ready Player One <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Cline, Ernest<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/102554.That_Hideous_Strength" title="That Hideous Strength (Space Trilogy, #3)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">That
Hideous Strength(Space Trilogy, #3)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1069006.C_S_Lewis"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Lewis, C.S.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17184.The_Invisible_Man" title="The Invisible Man"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Invisible Man</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/880695.H_G_Wells"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wells, H.G.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
MYSTERY:<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9212204-a-share-in-death" title="A Share in Death (Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James, #1)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">A Share in Death (Duncan Kincaid & Gemma
James, #1)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/43691.Deborah_Crombie"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Crombie, Deborah *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25795281-a-study-in-charlotte" title="A Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes, #1)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">A
Study in Charlotte (Charlotte Holmes, #1)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6894322.Brittany_Cavallaro"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cavallaro, Brittany *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10680329-a-trick-of-the-light" title="A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #7)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">A Trick of the Light (Chief Inspector Armand
Gamache, #7)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/194243.Louise_Penny"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Penny, Louise</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68099.Death_at_La_Fenice" title="Death at La Fenice (Commissario Brunetti, #1)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Death at La Fenice (Commissario Brunetti, #1)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16290.Donna_Leon"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Leon, Donna</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17167084-how-the-light-gets-in" title="How the Light Gets In (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #9)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">How the Light Gets In (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache,
#9)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/194243.Louise_Penny"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Penny, Louise</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16045144-the-beautiful-mystery" title="The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, #8)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Beautiful Mystery (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache,
#8)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/194243.Louise_Penny"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Penny, Louise</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1914973.The_Likeness" title="The Likeness (Dublin Murder Squad, #2)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The
Likeness (Dublin Murder Squad, #2)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/138825.Tana_French"><span style="color: #0563c1;">French, Tana*</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
NONFICTION/COOKBOOK/MEMOIR:<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
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</tbody></table>
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<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
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<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
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</td>
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<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</tbody></table>
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<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3078.Atul_Gawande"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Gawande, Atul</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7501962-bonhoeffer" title="Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Bonhoeffer:
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/32105.Eric_Metaxas"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Metaxas, Eric*</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8115615.The_Historical_Commission_of_Redondo_Beach"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Beach, The Historical Commissio</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
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</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/311054.The_Essential_Enneagram" title="The Essential Enneagram"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Essential
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/310468.David_N_Daniels"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Daniels, David N.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30045683-the-little-book-of-hygge" title="The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15217208.Meik_Wiking"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wiking, Meik</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
SPIRITUAL GROWTH:</div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76405.Calm_My_Anxious_Heart" title="Calm My Anxious Heart"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Calm My Anxious
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10571.Linda_Dillow"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Dillow, Linda*</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/918853.Praise_Her_in_the_Gates" title="Praise Her in the Gates"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Praise Her in the
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/36544.Nancy_Wilson"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wilson, Nancy</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20893347-prayer" title="Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/847789.Timothy_J_Keller"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Keller, Timothy J.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9922373-the-hidden-life-of-prayer" title="The Hidden Life of Prayer: The Lifeblood of the Christian"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Hidden Life of Prayer: The Lifeblood of the
Christian</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3911024.David_M_McIntyre"><span style="color: #0563c1;">McIntyre, David M.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3116205-the-prodigal-god" title="The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian
Faith</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/847789.Timothy_J_Keller"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Keller, Timothy J.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32759389-the-scars-that-have-shaped-me" title="The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in Suffering"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Scars That Have Shaped Me: How God Meets Us in
Suffering</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16013307.Vaneetha_Rendall_Risner"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Risner, Vaneetha Rendall</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31939293-unsupermommy" title="UnsuperMommy: Release Expectations, Embrace Imperfection, and Connect to God's Superpower"><span style="color: #0563c1;">UnsuperMommy: Release Expectations, Embrace
Imperfection, and Connect to God's Superpower</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16544526.Maggie_Combs"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Combs, Maggie *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />CHILDREN'S FICTION:</div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td><td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" valign="bottom" width="186">
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: .75in; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .75in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8252.Farmer_Boy" title="Farmer Boy (Little House, #3)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Farmer
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</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: .75in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5300.Laura_Ingalls_Wilder"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wilder, Laura Ingalls</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2282543.Gulliver_s_Travels" title="Gulliver's Travels (Great Illustrated Classics)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Gulliver's Travels</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5799.Malvina_G_Vogel"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Vogel, Malvina G.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/766917.Homer_Price" title="Homer Price"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Homer Price</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14635.Robert_McCloskey"><span style="color: #0563c1;">McCloskey, Robert</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8337.Little_House_in_the_Big_Woods" title="Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, #1)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, #1)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5300.Laura_Ingalls_Wilder"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wilder, Laura Ingalls</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61549.Mr_Popper_s_Penguins" title="Mr. Popper's Penguins"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Mr. Popper's
Penguins</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/34660.Richard_Atwater"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Atwater, Richard and Florence</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19311.The_Children_of_Noisy_Village" title="The Children of Noisy Village"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The
Children of Noisy Village</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/410653.Astrid_Lindgren"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Lindgren, Astrid</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/906543.The_Family_Under_the_Bridge" title="The Family Under the Bridge"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Family
Under the Bridge</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/199200.Natalie_Savage_Carlson"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Carlson, Natalie Savage</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37190.The_Tale_of_Despereaux" title="The Tale of Despereaux"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Tale of
Despereaux</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13663.Kate_DiCamillo"><span style="color: #0563c1;">DiCamillo, Kate </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/854764.Thimble_Summer" title="Thimble Summer"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Thimble Summer</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3420.Elizabeth_Enright"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Enright, Elizabeth</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
MIDDLE GRADE (Ages 8-12):</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/357664.Because_of_Winn_Dixie" title="Because of Winn-Dixie"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Because of
Winn-Dixie</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13663.Kate_DiCamillo"><span style="color: #0563c1;">DiCamillo, Kate *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/141372.Brian_s_Winter" title="Brian's Winter (Brian's Saga, #3)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Brian's
Winter (Brian's Saga, #3)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18.Gary_Paulsen"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Paulsen, Gary</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18769326-ella-enchanted" title="Ella Enchanted"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Ella Enchanted</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13677.Gail_Carson_Levine"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Levine, Gail Carson *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3562.Emily_of_New_Moon" title="Emily of New Moon (Emily, #1)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Emily of
New Moon(Emily, #1)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5350.L_M_Montgomery"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Montgomery, L.M.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11312.Over_Sea_Under_Stone" title="Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark Is Rising, #1)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Over Sea, Under Stone (The Dark Is Rising, #1)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7308.Susan_Cooper"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cooper, Susan *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/298070.The_Light_at_Tern_Rock" title="The Light at Tern Rock (Newbery Library, Puffin)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Light at Tern Rock</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/171845.Julia_L_Sauer"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Sauer, Julia L.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17544.The_Quiet_Little_Woman" title="The Quiet Little Woman: Tilly's Christmas, Rosa's Tale : Three Enchanting Christmas Stories"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Quiet Little Woman: Tilly's Christmas, Rosa's Tale:
Three Enchanting Christmas Stories</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1315.Louisa_May_Alcott"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Alcott, Louisa May</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/546255.The_Secret_of_Red_Gate_Farm" title="The Secret of Red Gate Farm (Nancy Drew, #6)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The
Secret of Red Gate Farm (Nancy Drew, #6)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6001.Carolyn_Keene"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Keene, Carolyn</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30653838-the-song-of-glory-and-ghost" title="The Song of Glory and Ghost (Outlaws of Time #2)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Song of Glory and Ghost (Outlaws of Time #2)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/505695.N_D_Wilson"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wilson, N.D.*</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29064387-through-my-eyes" title="Through My Eyes"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Through My Eyes</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/274932.Tammy_Wilson"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wilson, Tammy *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5310515-when-you-reach-me" title="When You Reach Me"><span style="color: #0563c1;">When You Reach Me</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/175329.Rebecca_Stead"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stead, Rebecca</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11387515-wonder" title="Wonder"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Wonder</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4859212.R_J_Palacio"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Palacio, R.J.</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td nowrap="" style="height: 21.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 2.5in;" valign="bottom" width="240"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
YOUNG ADULT:</div>
<div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -.25pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 840px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206828-cress" title="Cress (The Lunar Chronicles, #3)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cress (The
Lunar Chronicles, #3)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Meyer, Marissa *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17170557-ghost-hawk" title="Ghost Hawk"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Ghost Hawk</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7308.Susan_Cooper"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cooper, Susan *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206760-scarlet" title="Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Scarlet (The
Lunar Chronicles, #2)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Meyer, Marissa *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18295852-the-geography-of-you-and-me" title="The Geography of You and Me"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Geography
of You and Me</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/805184.Jennifer_E_Smith"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Smith, Jennifer E. *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30256105-the-last-of-august" title="The Last of August (Charlotte Holmes #2)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The
Last of August (Charlotte Holmes #2)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6894322.Brittany_Cavallaro"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cavallaro, Brittany *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9361589-the-night-circus" title="The Night Circus"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The Night Circus</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4370565.Erin_Morgenstern"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Morgenstern, Erin</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4052117-what-i-saw-and-how-i-lied" title="What I Saw and How I Lied"><span style="color: #0563c1;">What I Saw and
How I Lied</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/171517.Judy_Blundell"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Blundell, Judy</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28458598-when-dimple-met-rishi" title="When Dimple Met Rishi"><span style="color: #0563c1;">When Dimple Met
Rishi</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14834224.Sandhya_Menon"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Menon, Sandhya *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 21.0pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 233.5pt;" width="311">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24917919-winter" title="Winter (The Lunar Chronicles #4)"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Winter (The
Lunar Chronicles #4)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
<td style="background: white; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 21.0pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 139.5pt;" width="186">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4684322.Marissa_Meyer"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Meyer, Marissa *</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I would not wholeheartedly recommend each and every book listed. If you are wondering about one, please ask! It takes too long to differentiate each one in this format. Happy Reading, Book Friends!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-18468389907709551622017-12-07T11:47:00.001-06:002017-12-07T11:47:17.980-06:00Recommendations from What I Read in 2017<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are my favorite books from this year, divided by genre:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">FICTION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>The High Divide</u>, by Lin
Enger</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Absorbing family mystery and
adventure set in 1886 Minnesota. Delves into what life after the Indian Wars
truly meant for a whole family. Themes of journey, fatherhood, trust, manhood,
brothers, immigrants, abandonment, violence, racism, buffalo conservation,
small towns, guilt, forgiveness and faith. Highly recommend. Especially for
fans of Gilead, Lonesome Dove, or Peace Like a River. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>The Shadow of the Wind</u>, by Carlos
Ruiz Zafon</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Mysterious, captivating,
interconnected and dark. The perfect book to read on a flight to Spain. I wish
I could go to Barcelona and see everything in person. Couldn't stop thinking
about it until it was done!<br />
Themes of longing, fatherhood, evil, passion, and how written stories connect
us. The translation from Spanish felt masterful to me. Some moments reminded me
of One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The cultural and
reading experience of this book was wonderful. It swept over me like a
wave. Warning: it’s magical realism, aka, really weird.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Peace Like a River</u>, by Leif
Enger</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Story about a boy and his family
as they fight danger, befriend strangers, and survive winter in an airstream
trailer while looking for a lost family member.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">So good it hurts. I had read it
before but needed to remember why I loved it so much. (Swede is the best
character since Harper Lee’s Scout.) It aches with longing and faith and
adventure and asthma. Just breathe,
Beki. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Crossing to Safety</u>, by Wallace
Stegner</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">I'm so glad I finally read this
book! I knew it was a story of four friends. I didn't expect it to be
exciting... but the sailing chapter? The camping chapter? The Italy chapter?
All were exciting to me! The character development is SUPERB. The story has
drive and setting and detail. It goes deep into people's motives and ambitions
and the limitations put on them by their suffering. I really liked how attached
they were and how much they ultimately loved each other. My favorite is Sally.
If you like Louise Penny or Wendell Berry or Annie Dillard - you should try
this.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Breathing Lessons</u>, By Anne
Tyler</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">This book is about Maggie and
Ira but it's also about a million other things. I loved it and I was
uncomfortable with how real it feels, like looking too long in a magnifying
mirror. I laughed unexpectedly about every 12 minutes. But overall there is a
theme of sadness and the longing for connection. Definitely one of my best
reads this year.<br />
"Leroy's expression was cocky and triumphant. Maggie resisted the urge to
reach down and cup the complicated small bones of her knee." P. 194</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">NONFICTION<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>The Boys in the Boat</u>, by
Daniel James Brown</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">So much to learn about the
1930s. So much to ache about after you learn it. So much to admire. So
incredibly astonishing that they did it. Ahhhhhhh. My heart hurts. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy</u>, by Eric
Metaxas</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Although it took me a
LONG time, I'm thankful for this book. It means a lot to me and I'm still
figuring out all the reasons why. His book <u>Life Together</u> changed my life
in 2004 so I loved seeing his origin story to the concept of communal living.
That's one reason. Seeing WW2 from the perspective of a Christian German was
FASCINATING.... Ethical impossibilities and church struggles galore! That's a
second and third reason. I LOVED hearing about his trip to America where he was
disturbed by how black people were treated, and also made connections between
church authenticity and suffering. The stories about him and his French friend
traveling America together were awesome, because it was right after WW1 and
they were supposed to be enemies. I'm going to stop listing highlights but feel
like I could go on and on. This book was good for my brain and my heart. I feel
encouraged to worship Jesus and love others because of Bonhoeffer's
example. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Lab Girl</u>, by Hope Jahren</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One word: VOICE. Hope
Jahren has one.<br />
The science details can drag on for me, but her passion for plants and science
is very cool and sometimes sad. Her descriptions of growing up in rural MN in
the first chapters are my FAVORITE. The tone of the rest of the book is quirky
and lovable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">SPIRITUAL GROWTH<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Praise Her in the Gates: The Calling of
Christian Motherhood</u>, by Nancy Wilson</b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Took me some time to get
over the cover (and title). But the book itself was packed with unique,
practical tips, that I needed. How and why a mother could show respect to her
son! Why a clean soul should be reflected in a clean house. How and why a
mother should encourage her daughter to be domestic AND educated. Challenging
and helpful. Strongly distilled advice for a Christian mom. Fascinating. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>The Scars that have Shaped Me: How God Meets
Us in Suffering</u>, by Vaneetha Rendall Risner</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Clear and concise truth for the
dark times in life. I love how honest she is. She doesn't sugar-coat anything.
She talks about the day when she realized that she couldn't get up a sidewalk
without asking a stranger for help (because of her degenerative disease) and
she is honest about how mad she felt to lose that ability. YET she has
iron-clad hope in Christ. Deeply beautiful.<br />
"Our faith is not a facade we erect to convince ourselves and others that
pain doesn't hurt-- it is an oak tree that can withstand the storms of doubt
and pain in our lives and grow stronger through them." Page 36</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God</u>, by
Timothy Keller</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">"Adoration and thanksgiving
- God centeredness - comes first, because it heals the heart of its
self-centeredness." Page 114<br />
Also loved the metaphor on p168 about prayer and a neglected inheritance.
"You were actually rich but had been living poor."<br />
Lots to learn here! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Calm my Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to
Finding Contentment</u>, by Linda Dillow</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">There is a lot of good stuff in
here. Chapter six about greed and wealth was huge for me. I read it just as we
were remodeling our kitchen and it helped me set my heart on God and be content
in a messy process. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Unsuper Mommy: Release expectations, embrace imperfection,
and connect to God’s superpower</u>, by Maggie Combs</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Motherhood can be so
overwhelming. Questions about HOW to manage the logistics of mom life and WHO I
am as a mom are constant for me. I have struggled with unrealistic expectations
about motherhood and disappointment in myself and my baby. Instead of staying
stuck in that yuck, Maggie shows the path through the mess into the peace of
Jesus: we are imperfect and need to rest in God's perfection. Maggie's message
of freedom and hope is clear and precious. Her words have been so helpful to
me! The chapters about Free Time and Purpose in Life are my absolute
favorite.<br />
Maggie offers scripture and encouragement to both a brand-new mom and a
seasoned mom. Her words are wise and Christ-centered. I loved this book and
will revisit it soon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">YOUNG ADULT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>The Lunar Chronicles</u> (Cinder,
Scarlet, Cress, Winter), by Marissa Meyer </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Creative, suspenseful and the plot
components are so unique and familiar at the same time. I couldn’t read these fast enough. Easier than watching tv. Not deep, but fun. Technology and career <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>A Study in Charlotte</u>, by Brittany
Cavallaro </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Smart and fun sherlock spin-off with
teenagers in New England. My kind of summer pool read! </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>When You Reach Me</u>, by
Rebecca Stead</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Great YA blend of friendship,
family, city life (latchkey perspective was interesting), with a mysterious
twist of plot. Really enjoyed the audiobook. Didn't see the sci-fi element
coming but liked it. Glad I've read A Wrinkle in Time because of how the plots
wind together. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Because of Winn-Dixie</u>, by Kate DiCamillo</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">Sweet and sorrowful story of
healing and friendship. Kate DiCamillo is amazing. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Wonder</u>, by R.J. Palacio</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">I gave it 5 stars on goodreads -
it was that good. The changing
perspectives was what made this book sing for me. I really liked Auggie and his world, as hard
as it was to live in it. Made me feel like a 5th grader again! There were a
couple parts that felt too easy in family relationships, but I get that the
author is holding up an idea of family and caring parents and I can support
that. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">READING WITH GWEN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">1.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>The Children of Noisy Village</u>, by Astrid
Lindgren</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="color: #181818;">I read this with Gwen (6yo) and
it was pure fun! It's about a girl, Lisa, who lives in a little farming village
in Sweden. She has many adventures with her friends. I liked learning about the
Swedish holiday celebrations. Seeing them through Lisa's eyes was sweet and
Gwen could totally relate. I laughed so hard at the chapter about "helping
people." </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Homer Price</u>, by Robert McCloskey</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Small town stories with tons of humor
and heart. I really loved reading this to Gwen. As soon as it ended she said,
"I wanna read it again! Can we read it again?" First time I've gotten
that reaction. :) My favorite part was probably the story about the giant balls
of string. So much laughter. The chortling kind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3<b>.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]--><u>Little House in the Big Woods</u>, by Laura
Ingalls Wilder</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gwen and I loved learning about the
world of Laura and Mary… getting her first doll, playing catch with a pig
stomach, smoking meat, etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4.<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> <b>
</b></span><!--[endif]--><b><u>Mr. Popper’s Penguins</u>, by
Richard and Florence Atwater</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<span style="color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Curious how this book was
written by a married couple. The writing isn't my favorite, but the ideas are
funny. Gwen and I enjoyed it. Tobogganing down the stairs at every chance,
these aptly named penguins made me laugh. Mr. Popper is very strange. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Comprehensive book list, of what I read in 2017, coming soon!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-8671039687195772262017-01-01T14:39:00.004-06:002017-01-01T14:46:28.533-06:00Books I Read in 2016Hello! I'm here to share my bookish thoughts from 2016. <br />
<br />
My favorite books read in 2016 were:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><u>Bel Canto</u> by Ann Patchett</li>
<ul>
<li>Most unusual plot EVER but wonderfully written characters and series of events. I still miss the characters. I can almost hear the piano playing.</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Vinegar Girl</u> by Anne Tyler</li>
<ul>
<li>Bert did not sleep well while I was reading this because I stayed up late shaking with laughter and laughing into my pillow. It was so funny. It's a retelling of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. I want to re-read it/own it/give it to everyone I know.</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Station Eleven</u> by Emily St. John Mandel</li>
<ul>
<li>You figure out the plot as you go, but there is a real sense of danger and awareness of abundance that I loved about it.</li>
</ul>
<li><u>The Lake House</u> by Kate Morton</li>
<ul>
<li>Deep spiraling family mystery set in an old English house. What's not to love?</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Gilead</u> by Marilynne Robinson</li>
<ul>
<li>I will forever be laughing about the horse story. And appreciating what he said about paying attention to the beauty of water and the faces of people you love. This book made a mark on me.</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Major Pettigrew's Last Stand</u> by Helen Simonson</li>
<ul>
<li>Probably the most likeable characters (who were certainly not perfect people) that I will read all year. Major Pettigrew had endeared himself to me by the end of the first chapter and the plot moved nice and quick. It was not boring!</li>
</ul>
<li><u>Leepike Ridge</u> by N.D. Wilson</li>
<ul>
<li>Classic adventure. Stands alone (not as a part of a series but has great depth of character, and an amazing setting. I love the scene where the mom is walking through the muddy field and her boots keep getting stuck in the mud.</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
Here is my comprehensive list of books read in 2016:<br />
<br />
1. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling<br />
2. Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson<br />
3. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling<br />
4. L'Abri by Edith Schaeffer<br />
5. The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien<br />
6. Anne of Ingleside (Anne of Green Gables #6) by L.M. Montgomery<br />
7. Spurgeon's Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression by Zack Eswine<br />
8. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson<br />
9. A Fatal Grace (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #2) by Louise Penny<br />
10. The Lake House by Kate Morton<br />
11. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett<br />
12. Bossypants by Tina Fey<br />
13. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker<br />
14. West Wind by Mary Oliver<br />
15. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah<br />
16. The Two Towers (The Lord of the Rings #2) by J.R.R. Tolkien<br />
17. One Crazy Summer (Gaither Sisters #1) by Rita Williams-Garcia<br />
18. The Return of the King (The Lord of the Rings #3) by J.R.R. Tolkien<br />
19. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel<br />
20. The Cruelest Month (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #3) by Louise Penny<br />
21. A Rule Against Murder (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #4) by Louise Penny<br />
22. Kitchens of the Great Midwest by J. Ryan Stradal<br />
23. Hood (King Raven #1) by Stephen R. Lawhead<br />
24. Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter<br />
25. Silent in the Grave (Lady Julia Grey #1) by Deanna Raybourn<br />
26. Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success by Angela Duckworth<br />
27. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin<br />
28. Gilead (Gilead #1) by Marilynne Robinson<br />
29. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany<br />
30. True Beauty by Carolyn Mahaney<br />
31. The Royal We by Heather Cocks<br />
32. Wildflower by Drew Barrymore<br />
33. Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson<br />
34. The Story of My Life by Helen Keller<br />
35. Roomies by Sara Zarr<br />
36. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace<br />
37. Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler<br />
38. The Messenger of Athens by Anne Zouroudi<br />
39. The Green Ember (The Green Ember #1) by S.D. Smith<br />
40. The Forgotten Sisters (Princess Academy #3) by Shannon Hale<br />
41. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce #1) by Alan Bradley<br />
42. The Brutal Telling (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #5) by Louise Penny<br />
43. Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman<br />
44. The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonson<br />
45. Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art<br />
46. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson<br />
47. The Legend of Sam Miracle (Outlaws of Time #1) by N.D. Wilson<br />
48. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo<br />
49. Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer<br />
50. Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry<br />
51. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katrina Bivald<br />
52. Bury Your Dead (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #6) by Louise Penny<br />
<br />
PHEW! That was a lot to type out. I gave ratings and brief reviews on each of these books on my goodreads.com site, which was a good discipline for me, and might be helpful to view if you want more information on these titles. You can find me under the name of Daniel and Rebekah Eikum on goodreads. It's unfortunate that my username can't just be Beki, but alas, it's all permanently linked to amazon.com and such things can't be changed.<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>I re-read The Lord of the Rings series this year for the first time, and it was harder than I remembered it being in high school. Those books are all-encompassing for the imagination and it takes some effort to stick with the detailed sword names and genealogy lines. But there are some epic moments and really fantastic characters. I'm glad I did it, and maybe I'll try again in 10 years when my brain isn't in toddler-raising mode and has more capacity?</li>
<li>I finished my Harry Potter re-read this year. I have lots of thoughts. I wrote something about it and maybe I'll share that sometime. </li>
<li>I read eight books this year that are the #1 book in a series. It was unintentional. Some of the series I do not plan to continue: King Raven, Flavia de Luce, Gilead. Some I WILL definitely read more: Lunar Chronicles, Outlaws of Time).</li>
<li>20 of my 52 books were audiobooks. Two of my all-time favorites were audiobooks, in fact. Station Eleven and The Lake House. I loved the English Cornwall accents on the audio for The Lake House. But I want to re-read Station Eleven so I can experience it with my eyes instead of ears. So fascinating!</li>
<li>I've read a lot this year. More than past years. I think it's because I've been learning to relish books more than TV. I have always loved TV, but my husband doesn't love it as much as I do. Or rather, it makes him more tired instead of more awake. I used to just stay up late and "watch one more show." But I realized that was not good for my marriage or good for my unending desire for more TV. I'm learning the joy of finishing a book and having something in my brain that sticks longer than the plot of the next episode. Books are not the end-all of my life, but there is something special about the written word.</li>
<li>My favorite podcast this year was (not shockingly) What Should I Read Next? by Anne Bogel</li>
<li>Louise Penny! The Chief Inspector Armand Gamache books have been a wonderful part of my year, but I didn't feel like I could put a certain one as a favorite for the year. They are all interconnected and build upon each other. I really enjoy her words about regular everyday things like weather and food and personality, and I'm aware on how boring that sounds. But they aren't boring. They're thoughtful and smart and quirky and honest. And now I NEED to go visit Quebec. I've also had the unusual pleasure of reading each book at the same time of year that it's set in (ie: read the Cruelest Month in the month of April, and it's about the month of April) which has been so fun. Not many books can fully capture what a frigid winter season feels like, but these ones do. Sigh. If only I had a chocolate croissant and mug of steaming coffee in an armchair next to a roaring fire...that's the impact of Louise Penny.</li>
<li>Ben-Hur was probably my most ambitious read of the year because the language is old and takes some getting used to. It helped to listen to part of it on audiobook. Overall, I really, really liked it. It was exciting to follow an unfamiliar story through the familiar time of Christ. The details about the feast at Ben-Hur's house and the wise men meeting for Jesus's birth were super neat. The betrayals and battles with leprosy were intense. I saw the recent movie remake and it did the chariot scenes really well, but the ending was all wrong from the book. I would recommend this book to anyone feeling up for the challenge. It was good.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some of the best books read this year with my kids were:</div>
<div>
<u><br /></u></div>
<div>
<u>With Gwen (5 years old):</u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White</li>
<li>My Father's Dragon series by Ruth Stiles Gannett</li>
<li>Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl</li>
<li>The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary</li>
<li>James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl</li>
<li>Stories From Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson</li>
<li>Bink and Gollie by Kate Dicamillo</li>
<li>The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale</li>
<li>The Mercy Watson series by Kate Dicamillo</li>
<li>Charlotte's Web by E.B. White (Bert read with Gwen)</li>
<li>Stuart Little by E.B. White (Bert read with Gwen)</li>
<li>The Bears on Hemlock Mountain by Alice Dalgiesh</li>
<li>some Magic Treehouse series</li>
<li>some Cam Jensen series</li>
<li>some Boxcar Children series</li>
<li>some A to Z Mysteries series</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<u>With Simon (2-3 years old):</u></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Curious George stories in the style of H.A. Rey</li>
<li>Laura Numeroff books</li>
<ul>
<li>What Mommies/Daddies do best</li>
<li>What Grandmas/Grandpas do best</li>
<li>What Aunts/Uncles do best</li>
<li>When You Give a Mouse a Cookie</li>
<li>When You Take a Mouse to School</li>
</ul>
<li>Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too by Mo Willems</li>
<li>Little Critter books by Mercer Mayer</li>
<li>Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems</li>
<ul>
<li>There's a Bird on Your Head</li>
</ul>
<li>Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus by Mo Willems</li>
<li>Edwina: The Dinosaur who didn't know she was Extinct by Mo Willems... seeing a Mo Willems theme here!?!</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-55071636252860765212016-01-01T15:24:00.003-06:002016-01-02T19:07:27.182-06:00Books I Read in 2015<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is my second year of tracking the books I've read throughout the year. Book series have taken over 12 of my 32 books this year, so I've spent a lot of time with a few choice characters -I'm looking at you Anne, Harry and Tris. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thoughts on Anne books:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been inspired by Anne. I especially love her enjoyment of trees and her stubborn will to befriend crabby people. Listening to the first couple books on audiobook was gold, because the plots were already familiar from the movies and were filled with unexpected humor. I had to stop doing audiobooks at Anne of the Island because I didn't want the good love story parts to go too quickly, and I LOVED Anne's description of college and those uniquely diverse friendships. Each Anne book feels slow at the beginning as I try to discern what kind of story arc will come. Inevitably at the end of each book I'm so attached to the setting and characters that I'm sad it's over. I still have three books left in the series, which will definitely be a part of my 2016 reading.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thoughts on Re-reading Harry Potter:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The first time I read HP I definitely rushed to see what was going to happen, and it's really nice to take my time through interesting details and connections during this re-read. The creativity and side characters are a lot of fun. The second time through I'm finding extra affection for Hagrid and McGonagall, who are present in the movies but even more present in the books. Sigh. And Ginny in the books is so much spicier than the movie version. One more book to go here...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thoughts on Tris (from the Divergent series, Mom):</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ugh. Well. She inspired me to try the ropes course at the Mall of America. And in general, I love that she's strong and willing to face her fears. A lot of other things about these books and Tris's character were frustrating but I read them so I can be informed about the movies. I thought the movie Insurgent was actually way better than the book, and completely different than the book. So, whatever.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Last Battle, by C.S. Lewis</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex, by Nathaniel Philbrick</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Young House Love, by Sherry and John Petersik</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Chance to Die: The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael, by Elizabeth Elliot</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unbroken, by Laura Hildebrand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, by J.K. Rowling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachman</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Where'd You Go, Bernadette? by Maria Semple</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Letters to My Children, by Daniel Taylor</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Veronica Mars: Mr. Kiss and Tell, by Jennifer Graham and Rob Thomas*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Insurgent, by Veronica Roth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Allegiant, by Veronica Roth</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anne of Avonlea, by Lucy Maud Montgomery*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Daring Greatly, by Brene Brown</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Something Fresh, by P.G. Wodehouse*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Paper Towns, by John Green</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still Life, by Louise Penny*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doeer</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anne of the Island, by Lucy Maud Montgomery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anne of Windy Poplars, by Lucy Maud Montgomery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K. Rowling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Martian, by Andy Weir</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anne's House of Dreams, by Lucy Maud Montgomery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">*Audiobook through Audible</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Worst, most horrible and gross book: Gone Girl </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Best History: In the Heart of the Sea & Unbroken (lots of starving on life rafts all around!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most Delightful and Light-hearted: Caddie Woodlawn (it helps that I read it floating in the pool) and Where'd You Go Bernadette and Something Fresh (which I listened to while vacuuming the pool)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Strangest: Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most Socially Conscious: Americanah (learned about the important feeling of "choicelessness" and how American's tend to take tomorrow for granted - also the audio accents were beautiful)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Most Teeny-Bopper: Paper Towns (little too disillusioned for me) and Insurgent/Allegiant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Spiritually Encouraging: The Last Battle & A Chance to Die</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Meatiest and SO WORTH IT: All the Light We Cannot See & A Tree Grows in Brooklyn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm looking forward to more Louise Penny mystery books in the coming year, Still Life was good, but I've been told they get amazing around the 4th book in the series.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My Audible subscription supplies me with one book per month, which helps provide excitement to wash dishes, vacuum the pool and pick up the house. That's become my recharge introvert time. Another series I want to re-read is the Lord of the Rings - so the Fellowship of the Ring is my next audiobook.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other notable reading resources:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. <u>http://www.hclib.org/</u> Reserving books online, and picking them up at my library</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. <a href="http://modernmrsdarcy.com/2015-summer-reading-guide/">Modern Mrs Darcy's Summer Reading List</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. <a href="http://amongstlovelythings.com/read-aloud-revival-the-podcast/">Read-Aloud Revival Podcast</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's to enjoying books in 2016! Please comment with any recommendations!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">P.S.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our favorite TV shows of 2015 were probably:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Longmire</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Broadchurch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Parks & Rec</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Brooklyn 99</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Survivor & Amazing Race</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fixer Upper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">P.S.S.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've recently started reading chapter books out loud with Gwen before her afternoon quiet time. Our first book was Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty McDonald which made her laugh but I thought was just ok. We've also started and set aside: The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White, Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne, and Paddington by Michael Bond. Right now we're devouring My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett which is just perfect (thanks Aunt Jill!) and we will definitely finish it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some of my favorite books for Simon:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trucks, Planes, Boats, Trains all by Byron Barton *love these!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Napping House by Audrey and Don Wood</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Quiet, Loud and Big, Little by Leslie Patricelli</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Going to Bed Book and Moo, Baa, La, La, La by Sandra Boynton</span><br />
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<br />bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-6202895132791903662015-05-22T23:55:00.000-05:002015-05-22T23:55:02.873-05:00Time to MoveWhy NOT sell your house and move to Bloomington for a house with a pool?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We love living in Minneapolis! </li>
<ul>
<li>So close to beautiful Lake Nokomis, biking, Minnehaha Falls and Parkway, diverse people and food options, light rail and public transportation, museums, concerts, plays, Fort Snelling, Downtown, three parks for our kids within walking distance, library, bank, post office all in our neighborhood, quick drive to the airport to pick up friends, doesn't take long to drive anywhere outside the city.</li>
</ul>
<li>We love our house. We've made a lot of changes here like updating kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, building a sweet pergola and patio, finishing the basement etc... Even when we first moved in I often told Bert I wanted to live here forever because it's such a special house.</li>
<li>The kids are young, (four and one) and we are BUSY.</li>
<li>I've been battling the emotional roller coaster of depression these past few years. I transitioned off of medicine, thinking I was better, but have still had many days of heaviness and difficulty. I was feeling exhausted with daily life and wasn't sure this was a good time for a major life change.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
Why sell your house and move to Bloomington for a house with a pool?<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>We've always talked about the dream of having a pool one day. We often talk about our dreams for the future on date nights, and it almost always comes up. Oh the allure of the after-dinner swim on those hot July nights!</li>
<li>The kids are young. They aren't rooted in schools here yet. And it's possible we will be sending them to school in Bloomington because they have such great schools there.</li>
<li>The kids are young. They could get major, major hours of fun swimming in the pool at these young and rambunctious ages. Let's make as many memories as we can before time flies away.</li>
<li>The kids are young. In the new neighborhood they will be able to ride their bikes on the street and play around nearby Nine Mile Creek in the prime of their childhood.</li>
<li>We love new projects, and the new house is FULL of potential cosmetic changes. Nothing has been updated inside the house (avocado green kitchen sink, six rooms of outdated wallpaper), but the backyard is pristine and perfect.</li>
<li>The exterior and backyard are awesome. Huge pool. Hot tub, Eating area outside which is only steps away from the kitchen counter. Basketball half-court. New retaining walls with perennials. Front porch to sit and watch sunsets from. Nice roof and siding and windows etc.</li>
<li>All bedrooms are on the same level with two bathrooms.</li>
<li>Great for hospitality and entertaining. We can't wait to have our discipleship group and all our friends and family over to swim!</li>
<li>It would be awesome to have the house where our kids and their friends want to gather, because then we can know their friends and know they are hanging out in a good environment.</li>
<li>There is a beautiful and secluded nature trail that starts down the street and winds around a calm pond area. There is another trail that goes to Nine Mile Creek and a fantastic elementary school.</li>
<li>Well-established neighborhood that doesn't have through traffic, so the streets are calm and safe and all the neighbors know each other.</li>
<li>We agreed on our core values when we got married, and while we might need to update those since becoming parents, two of our core values are being ADVENTUROUS and HOSPITALITY. </li>
</ul>
<div>
So. All this to say. We're doing it. Putting our beloved Minneapolis house on the market and moving to Bloomington. We haven't been planning this all along, but just have felt stirred lately to look at the possibility of moving. We didn't even plan on looking that far south, but just looked at this house on a whim. Then we walked out and said, "now what?" because we realized that was the dream house and we needed to decide what we were doing. After much talking through the above points, we decided to make an offer and it was accepted.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I've been amazed to see how God has used this life change in a healing way for my mind and heart. Since making the offer on the house, I have experienced such a healing distraction and peace on my mind. You'd think I'd be more overwhelmed with the tasks before me, but I've felt much more myself and up for tackling the work ahead. I'm so excited about the future instead of dreading the upcoming days. What amazing grace. God has been answering our prayers for my healing and helping me each day to lift my heart out from under the dark cloud.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am overwhelmed by the unspeakable grace that this move is to our future life as a family. We have a lot to learn about pool care, but we are up for it. Hope you can come over and swim!</div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-4344003120584498752015-01-07T16:50:00.000-06:002015-01-07T16:50:47.686-06:002014 in Books and Misc DetailsFor the first time in my life, I tracked my reading all year long. 2014 was the year of throwing out my rule about reading nonfiction in between every fiction book. Life is too short. And winters are too long. I'm still reading some non-fiction, but not MAKING myself do it as frequently. I read mostly for enjoyment in 2014 and branched out with some new genres. It was really fun! I also let myself endeavor in multiple books at one time. Watch out world! My love for reading is totally revived.<br />
<br />
Most impactful:<br />
*Bread and Wine, by Shauna Niequist - Inspired me to try making risotto and ultimately enjoy cooking for my people so much more!<br />
*Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell - Even though it was mostly just a fun read (SO FUN), it changed how I think about what it must feel like to grow up without supportive parents. Like how she has to wash her jeans in the bathtub and exists without privacy. Eye opening about real-life poverty.<br />
*The Nesting Place, by Myquillyn Smith - Inspired me to create beauty in my home and be safe to make mistakes. It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!<br />
<br />
Most enjoyable:<br />
*Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier - Spooky! Loved it!<br />
*The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion - Out of the box for me. I love the bar-tending scene so much! Hilarious.<br />
*Parnassus on Wheels, by Christopher Morley - Short and oh so sweet.<br />
<br />
ALL BOOKS READ in 2014:<br />
Empire of Bones: Ashtown Burials #3 by N.D. Wilson<br />
Divergent, by Veronica Roth<br />
The Secret Keeper, by Kate Morton<br />
*Rebecca, by Daphne du Maurier<br />
*Bread and Wine, by Shauna Niequist<br />
*The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion<br />
Don't Make Me Count to Three, by Ginger Plowman<br />
*Eleanor and Park, by Rainbow Rowell<br />
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, by Donald Miller<br />
Lifter of My Head, by Susan McRoberts<br />
Maisie Dobbs, by Jaqueline Winspear<br />
Birds of a Feather (Maisie Dobbs #2), by Jaqueline Winspear<br />
*Parnassus on Wheels, by Christopher Morley<br />
Ender's Game, by Orson Scott Card<br />
Till We Have Faces, by C.S. Lewis<br />
Europe Through the Back Door, by Rick Steves<br />
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling<br />
The Paper Magician, by Charlie N. Homberg<br />
The Giver, by Lois Lowry<br />
*The Nesting Place, by Myquillyn Smith<br />
<br />
Unfinished:<br />
Notes from a Blue Bike, by Tsh Oxenrider<br />
The Homemade Life, by Molly Wizenberg<br />
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, by J.K. Rowling<br />
Made for More, by Hannah Anderson<br />
<br />
<br />
FAVORITE BLOGS of 2014:<br />
<a href="http://rachelschultz.com/">Rachel Schultz</a> - Not only did she teach me how to make killer pad thai, I love how she talks about faith.<br />
<a href="http://modernmrsdarcy.com/">Modern Mrs Darcy</a> - She inspires my reading life and I love her stuff on personality<br />
<a href="http://www.thenester.com/">Nesting Place</a> - I was reading her blog for a year before I read her book. Let go of perfection!<br />
<br />
FAVORITE Netflix SHOWS of 2014:<br />
Foyle's War<br />
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries<br />
Longmire<br />
<br />
FAVORITE MEALS of 2014:<br />
<a href="http://rachelschultz.com/2013/02/28/better-than-takeout-easy-pad-thai/">Pad Thai</a><br />
Risotto<br />
Slow Cooker Chicken Tostadas<br />
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<br />bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-91180895852354947122014-06-09T16:32:00.000-05:002015-12-30T11:37:50.332-06:00Our Joey's DayTwo years have passed since I held my second baby's tiny body in the palm of my hand, and a few hours later we buried him under the tree. Two years have passed since my life and faith and heart really got rocked, and God began a work in my heart which is long from finished. A longing for heaven and an acquaintance with grief. A deep knowing that this is not how it was meant to be. And a hope for the day when all things are made new. We called him Joey in part because Joseph never knew God's plan while he waited out those years in a gross Egyptian prison. He didn't know about his part in God's story. But he had a part.<br />
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And even though we don't know why, we know God is telling a good story. And Joey has a part in ours. We love you and miss you Joey!<br />
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<br />bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-7462953364446661312014-02-11T11:28:00.002-06:002014-02-11T11:28:34.179-06:00Naming SimonEveryone has their own preferences for baby naming. Exploring baby names is super fascinating to me, so I thought I would share how we came up with the name Simon Keith for our sweet boy. Boy names are much more difficult than girl names, in my opinion, because it seems like there are less options. You can't get away with random flower names or just pretty sounding names And you want it to be something that is masculine enough to put on a business card someday, just in case he wants to be a business man. <div>
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Here was our criteria (no judgement to other mindsets!):</div>
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-Easy to spell correctly upon hearing</div>
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-Obviously a boy name</div>
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-Has to exist in history, not made up</div>
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-Not in the top 100 of the social security website</div>
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-Not a long name with a short nickname, but just one name</div>
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We started assembling "the list" last summer. We had a few favorite ideas starting out but none of them seemed to make the final cuts because they were all too popular. I emptied the library shelf of baby naming books and took them to the lake the day after our gender-determining ultrasound. We read three of them cover to cover, boy names only of course. Over time we each chose our favorites and narrowed down our list through many debates.</div>
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I remember being on the dock at Dee and Barry's when I first came across Simon. Beth was sitting with me and I asked her how many Simon's she knew in her years of preschool and kindergarten teaching. She had only ever known one and he was a very cool and funny kid. </div>
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I loved a few things about the name immediately. It met all our criteria, and it is derived from the Hebrew name Simeon which means "listener" or "he listens." We hope that he grows into his name and has a soft heart to listen to God and other people. I loved that it was classic and fresh. It was also ranked at 255 so it was likely that there wouldn't be 3 other Simons in his class at school. It was a winner! Although, it took about three months for Bert and I to officially agree on it. We had a few other favorites, which I'm not going to disclose yet, just in case.</div>
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The middle name Keith is in honor of Bert's dad Keith, and it's also his middle name (Daniel Keith). I love it as a name and how it sounds with Simon. It's meaning has to do with woods, forest, and battleground. Since Bert loves working with wood and being in the forest, it seems like a good fit there too.</div>
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Yay for Simon Keith!</div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-27057416307486455062014-02-08T06:00:00.000-06:002014-02-08T06:00:00.555-06:00Simon's Birth StoryI awoke at 4:15 am on my due date (12/4/13) with serious contractions coming 7 minutes apart. I could tell these were more authentic than the random contractions I'd been experiencing the week prior. I started to get nervous about how fast labor might happen since I'd heard from many people that it goes faster the second time. I envisioned having a baby in my arms by lunch time. Unfortunately, after a few hours contractions had slowed to every 10 minutes instead of getting closer together. Then a few hours after that they were every 15 minutes, though still very intense when they occurred. My parents came over to help care for Gwen as I labored, and Bert worked from home on his computer. I was scurrying around the house packing hospital bags, Gwen's bag, rearranging furniture in our room to accommodate our old recliner and cleaning up any clutter in my path. After I felt organized enough, I finally laid down to try and rest. I knew that labor would take all my strength and I needed to ration it carefully.<br />
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My memories pick back up that evening when I was feeling bummed that things still weren't moving quickly, but tired since I continued to have hard contractions every 10-15 minutes. It was snowing heavily outside. My mother in law came and got Gwen for the night so we could focus on labor. I texted a few friends to ask for prayer that things would continue progressing and decided to try walking on the treadmill. That did the trick! My contractions got so intense when I was walking that I had to step to the side and breathe to get through each one. At this point I had to start to make low humming noises while breathing, which is a pretty clear indicator of labor progressing. I made myself go for about 30 minutes on the treadmill and went upstairs to eat a bowl of cereal. Contractions had increased to every 3-5 minutes. On my second bite of cheerios I stood up sharply and announced to Bert that it's time to leave for the hospital, now! The pressure was moving lower and the pain was changing and I did not want to have a baby in the car! I checked in with the midwife on call and we were on our way.<br />
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The ride to the hospital was extremely uncomfortable, and the roads were icy as it continued to snow. It felt like I shouldn't even be sitting down since the baby's head was so low. Thankfully we made it to St Joes, parked in the Emergency Room lot, and got taken up to the maternity floor asap. I was feeling pretty good in between contractions, but during them I had to focus completely to get through. My parents and our doula, Diedra, arrived soon after us. I had asked my mom to be in the room with me for the birth, and Dad camped out in the waiting room. Diedra started taking pictures which was such a sweet surprise since they always enhance memories for me and I didn't know she was planning to do that. She also took notes on what happened at different times - another great surprise. (Especially since I'm finally writing this out two months later.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jTDLSnd-C0ftSbFf4FPy8xoBKpgy0zznigPXAB6IC9nj5HzfE5-0g1-NLOYFzAdaMMFcDLP01o8qfj_cDRFqDkjCavr1jhaLVSq_nHV1ogwa02EO_oZE5Yn31dZe-slCT2e5L-OveT2X/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jTDLSnd-C0ftSbFf4FPy8xoBKpgy0zznigPXAB6IC9nj5HzfE5-0g1-NLOYFzAdaMMFcDLP01o8qfj_cDRFqDkjCavr1jhaLVSq_nHV1ogwa02EO_oZE5Yn31dZe-slCT2e5L-OveT2X/s1600/DSC_0111.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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My contractions continued to be really intense but seemed to be spacing out. During the minutes in between contractions I felt simultaneously impatient for things to progress and thankful for a rest from the pain. We walked the halls to keep things moving. I found lots of relief in doing low squats as I had practiced in yoga. It was fun to have Diedra and my mom there to chat and be excited with. Bert read me scripture to give me something to think about and to help calm my fears. We spent a lot of time in Psalm 33 and I was meditating on verse 4 which said that "all his work is done in faithfulness." I kept telling myself that God was being faithful even in this crazy and beautiful process of childbirth. And he was. I was fighting to believe that truth and asking for peace to receive whatever was coming for this birth experience.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidATV92r_WRNWz19Ps3Eb5xUDAvD39-mSDyPpPRNtAuHEerVEkCcPacCo4WuC3GrjixwjfUbRVYzi1PVDZVnlzHLeh_y3DoRfuYGdWVngkr2-wtABoTH459rSWxVMAslKordr3QtUoQxEf/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidATV92r_WRNWz19Ps3Eb5xUDAvD39-mSDyPpPRNtAuHEerVEkCcPacCo4WuC3GrjixwjfUbRVYzi1PVDZVnlzHLeh_y3DoRfuYGdWVngkr2-wtABoTH459rSWxVMAslKordr3QtUoQxEf/s1600/DSC_0119.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
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After I ran out of walking strength and ability, I spent time laboring in my hospital room. Being on my hands and knees was necessary. Our midwife, Kathleen, challenged me to take three contractions on the toilet which helps your hips open. It was the last thing I wanted to do. In fact I think I told her,"no way." But when she told me that would help things move along, I decided to just do it. I did a lot of soul searching during those minutes in the bathroom. The door was cracked so I could hear my mom, Diedra and Bert talking, but I felt alone with my thoughts and fears. I was really afraid of the pushing phase, blood loss, tearing, recovery, all of it. Gwen's birth was really scary for me at the end and I was afraid of those things happening again. I was also afraid of the pain. Because I'd done this before I knew how and why things might hurt. I had to prayerfully admit these fears and ask God for strength. I kept telling myself that "it's just pain." Pain does weird things to my brain, but in the end it just hurts. A person can certainly survive it. I kept thinking "if I can do this pregnancy then I can do this birth!" The pregnancy was much longer and harder than a few more hours of contractions and pushing out a baby.<br />
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After moving back into the room, I spent a few minutes admitting my fears to Bert and Diedra and asking them to pray for me. I remember being really disappointed that things weren't moving quickly as I was expecting them to, and asking them to also pray for patience to withstand the pain for longer than I hoped for.<br />
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I was also asking Bert to distract me by telling me specific memories from our Mexico vacation last year. Anything to keep my brain busy other than panicking about pain. We discussed fruity drinks by the pool, fountains, palm trees, and the sound of feet squeaking through sand. He made me laugh when he said that I was "a Superwoman ...but not a warrior mama." :) They call you Warrior Mamas all the time at yoga class and it's funny to me so this made me laugh in the moment. He also called me "president of the tough club" which is another joke because we use the "tough club" to try and get Gwen to stop crying.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzeZdbR4R-yYJYaVnWoljhuMNZq17ZLMpTqSmO6RIRUivdgrWCpKLqUoweJn-VlpEeuN9_bcS4wfGQRSs22CrZVwIuwM2omw4h6CssAlRAVkEyih65ZziK1e-dw3WSQ0knvr9JpKbhf5t/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzeZdbR4R-yYJYaVnWoljhuMNZq17ZLMpTqSmO6RIRUivdgrWCpKLqUoweJn-VlpEeuN9_bcS4wfGQRSs22CrZVwIuwM2omw4h6CssAlRAVkEyih65ZziK1e-dw3WSQ0knvr9JpKbhf5t/s1600/DSC_0131.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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At 9:45 my midwife checked me and I had progressed from a 4 to a 6 in a little less than two hours. I was hoping for a water birth and she said it would be ok for me to get in the tub at this point if I wanted to. I did! I remember sitting on the exercise ball and leaning forward onto Bert's lap while waiting for the tub to fill up. That was one of my more comfortable positions.<br />
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We walked down the hall and got in the tub. The warm water was so helpful in staying relaxed. I moved around a lot to get my body in the right position. After all that yoga practice, moving felt good and I had ideas about what "hip-openers" would look like to help this baby get out. Diedra was really encouraging during each contraction saying "you got this!" and "you know just what to do" and "you're doing great" and reminding me to keep my legs wide and relax my legs etc. She was also keeping me really well hydrated, even though I didn't want to drink anything. She is very convincing. I felt really nauseous and was clinging to the blue puking bag because I didn't know when things would come up. I was sure they would, but they never actually did. Bert was playing me music on my phone softly almost the whole time but after awhile I didn't like any of the songs playing and think I just asked him to turn it off. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo2wfSNNB2MHLvmZFRW8bIOcFCwM9cL7Ce7RHtMWTZuOpBBRc52U2Naxf74swTYlW9GZwPILEuGe_NUEkQc3cK7wyOdCV_2CpvEH2Mm5KG4qhw6q07hOkapO6NpGXbL5nJrzmUyJZssL-/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo2wfSNNB2MHLvmZFRW8bIOcFCwM9cL7Ce7RHtMWTZuOpBBRc52U2Naxf74swTYlW9GZwPILEuGe_NUEkQc3cK7wyOdCV_2CpvEH2Mm5KG4qhw6q07hOkapO6NpGXbL5nJrzmUyJZssL-/s1600/DSC_0137.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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I got out of the tub once to empty my bladder and my whole body started shaking, which made me think I was going through transition. Kathleen told me I could start pushing whenever I felt the urge to and she didn't need to check me unless I wanted her to. I decided to ask her to check me anyway because I was so nervous about pushing and it would help to have a clear green light of 10 cm before I started. I was at 8 cm. I was feeling tired and started to think an epidural sounded nice. Better than nice. Amazing. Just a break from the pain. Diedra assured me that meant I would be done soon, and encouraged me that I was doing great. Somehow I dug deep and kept going. I knew it would be more trouble than it was worth to quit and get an epidural since I was close to the finish line.<br />
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Things started getting even more intense and I was making low humming noises during each contraction, trying to keep my jaw and body loose, and breathing deeply. Bert read me Psalm 33 again. Lights were low. My mom was standing nearby but I couldn't look at anyone. I scooted around the tub as needed finding myself clinging to one side and then the other. I started flirting with little pushes and then felt a big pop of pressure. I said, "what the heck was that?!" and was told that it was my water breaking. Diedra and Kathleen cheered that it the water was clear which meant good things for the baby's health. My body started doing some serious pushing, starting from higher in my stomach than I expected, and gradually moving lower. I was laying/floating on my back with my elbows resting on the indented shelves. I couldn't stop thinking about how crazy it is that this is the way babies are born, as in they out of you-know-where. Crazy. I still think that. But it works. Even crazier.<br />
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This was the part that I think of when people ask, "how did everything go?" I think about the part where I was floating on my back and feeling my hips shake with #10 pain as I pushed with all my might to get to the end of this birth. Kathleen said to me once, "I know this is really intense, but you will need to push through the intensity before you will get to the end." I was ready for it to end, so I started pushing like it was my job. Crowning happened. Then I felt his head go back in. No!! I remember imagining his head with dark hair while I was pushing even though before I had guessed he'd be another redhead. Tissues were surrendered to meeting my baby (sigh). Burning! His head emerged and I was surprised by how it took another 2-3 contractions for me to get his body out too. People say the body is supposed to just slide out afterwards - not true! I felt like he was huge! Finally, Kathleen lifted him up and onto my chest. Simon came into the world with a huge hug. His arms were wrapped around me and he was screaming, mouth open and eyes squinted closed as he turned red. He had dark hair! And he was out! This is the moment that is impossible to describe. So much wonderfulness to hold a slippery, warm, person that I had been holding all along. I already knew him, but now he was really here!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNafLLbTK8N4oODjCNg1k8QsS6KD7E3Q1jq77_jn62F6rfBhi50vVnhLLk5516n6pbKxj8ensOXamlRyqkvdJ8CMEMAIr0oaSPk4HgSnxX2OvD91GlNnki6VfckOKP3-QOuHrdVVeWsEC/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNafLLbTK8N4oODjCNg1k8QsS6KD7E3Q1jq77_jn62F6rfBhi50vVnhLLk5516n6pbKxj8ensOXamlRyqkvdJ8CMEMAIr0oaSPk4HgSnxX2OvD91GlNnki6VfckOKP3-QOuHrdVVeWsEC/s1600/DSC_0168.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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*A note on water-birth. Babies don't breathe until they hit the air, so they don't swallow any water in the tub. They live in fluid until they are born, so being born into a tub is really natural feeling for them and not weird at all. The pressure of the water is also said to help with tearing and pain management for Moms.<br />
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Because I had problems with the placenta after Gwen (and after both miscarriages) I was still worried about stage 3 of the labor. After about ten minutes of holding Simon on my chest in the tub, many hands helped me climb out and onto the nearby hospital bed. There was a doctor on alert in case things got tricky, and I was given a shot of pitocin in the leg to help with extra hard contractions to get that thing out! My mom stood by my head and was a great comfort to me during this part. Bert was holding Simon skin-to-skin. I was scared and overwhelmed by the rush of physical pain and all the emotions of birth that I started crying and shaking. Thankfully after a couple hard pushes, and tension on the cord from Kathleen, my placenta was delivered whole and safely. I was so relieved. I even found the nerve to look at it, even though I'd never seen one before and thought I never would want to. It was so fascinating! It was bigger than I expected and I saw the huge vein pattern on it that they called "the tree of life." God is so smart. Then came the stitches which were tough because even though there was a numbing shot, I wasn't numb enough. In the end I only needed 4 stitches which was a vast improvement from Gwen's birth. The water really helped! <br />
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After stitches and a decent try at nursing, I asked the nurses to weigh Simon. He was 9 lb, 2 oz and 21" long! I felt so validated that he was a big baby since I had thought he was big when I was carrying him. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjfXLVbdk0R-WqzXlSrMjh71RcqyZhyXNodD9WKK_c4oanovkRZL1M4O09r6B_WatLQIX-skdplFzzI2IKOhAiiOzKEOoC6w0Gh3halmaeVgX9VaFgHHNGbgct91fbKd6sUmX-aMx9nyg/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjfXLVbdk0R-WqzXlSrMjh71RcqyZhyXNodD9WKK_c4oanovkRZL1M4O09r6B_WatLQIX-skdplFzzI2IKOhAiiOzKEOoC6w0Gh3halmaeVgX9VaFgHHNGbgct91fbKd6sUmX-aMx9nyg/s1600/DSC_0183.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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In the end, I am really satisfied with how Simon's birth went down. God was very gracious to give an uncomplicated birth, and even though the pushing was really hard it only lasted about 20 minutes. I felt so incredibly supported by Kathleen, the nurses, Diedra, my mom, and especially Bert through the whole thing. I loved that I never felt like anyone else was taking charge, rushing, or bossing me around. I was given the freedom and trust to birth my baby, and I was amazed to find that my body really knew exactly what to do to get him out. Even though the pain was present, there was much less stress, fear, and surprise than I experienced in Gwen's birth. And the pain had so much purpose in bringing me Simon. I am really thankful that everything went well, and for the precious people who were with me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSOZYFGqaiiB5RUSP4VVouzRnt6O2KZX7Zh-QcqnK90IDeQNEhbOpjQGAsPEaBi1Ue9KnitI_w8yc8NDBMt-AhQHaSsj_3wDF4Hme4DF6Q83XM0sVGqo_vX1Vf5Fv8UN4eF5k7Jpxfjb8/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvSOZYFGqaiiB5RUSP4VVouzRnt6O2KZX7Zh-QcqnK90IDeQNEhbOpjQGAsPEaBi1Ue9KnitI_w8yc8NDBMt-AhQHaSsj_3wDF4Hme4DF6Q83XM0sVGqo_vX1Vf5Fv8UN4eF5k7Jpxfjb8/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
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Deidra's Notes:<br />
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BABY BOY E!<br />
Midwife - Kathleen, Nurse #1 - Cathy, Nurse #2 - Sheila<br />
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7:15 pm - arrived at the hospital<br />
8:00 pm - 4 cm, 80% effaced, -1 station. You were glowing. Looked so young & beautiful!<br />
8:15 pm - walked the halls for a half hour. You still had smile on your face, but contractions quickly became more intense.<br />
8:40 pm - came back to room. Couldn't get comfortable. Tried bed (hands and knees, side-lying), and took three hard contractions on the toilet. You prefer to MOVE!<br />
9:45 pm - 6 cm, 90% effaced, 0 station YES! you can get in the tub! While waiting for it to fill you enjoyed story hour on the toilet. Stories of Mexico from Bert. "President of the tough club." "You are super woman, but not a warrior!" Feeling more comfortable on ball and resting on Bert's lap.<br />
10:30 pm - you got in the big tub and relaxed instantly<br />
11:15 pm - felt first urge to push. went to bathroom.<br />
11:30 pm - baby super low. checked in at 8 cm.<br />
12:00 am - contractions just got a lot more intense! Bert read scripture to help you stay focused.<br />
12:27 am - water broke "What the heck was that?"<br />
12:30 am - you started pushing at the peak of each contraction<br />
12:40 am - you really started pushing! "This is crazy!"<br />
1:00 am, 12/5/13 BABY BOY is here!<br />
1:13 am - placenta is out! Praise Jesus!<br />
(You never threw up. You always knew what to do. You dominated!)bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-85247158855126631332014-02-06T23:22:00.000-06:002014-02-06T23:22:58.272-06:00Pregnancy ReflectionsMy pregnancy with Simon was not easy. It will definitely be on my list of biggest life accomplishments, even though it's not like I got through it alone. God gave me lots of grace each day and I had the support of amazing family and friends through all the months of difficulty. The nausea and heartburn persisted till the bitter end. I remember laying in bed every night telling myself that someday I will feel healthy again (and be able to eat food for taste rather than function). My hip pain increased a lot in the last months so I had to be very careful about how I moved my body or my legs would slip out of place and wouldn't move without sharp pain. And the tension in my back was very difficult to relieve since I couldn't lay straight on my back, which is how I prefer to sleep normally. Everyday began and ended with such intense feelings of heaviness and weariness. With Simon's pregnancy, even more than with Gwen, there was constant strong pressure UP into my ribs and diaphragm (the muscle that helps you breathe). I would often have difficulty breathing normally while laying down, and had to fight anxiety from that. For the last months it often felt like my ribs were bruised on the inside from his strong kicking and pushing.<br />
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After experiencing frequent contractions starting around 25 weeks, I hoped that when we got past 36 weeks the baby would come quickly. We got to the safe zone for labor at the beginning of November and it felt like the baby might come any day. There are lots of lucky women out there who have babies a few weeks before their due date right? Alas, the whole month was spent waiting through one day at a time--as all months do. There were no signs of labor all month. We made the most of the month doing many special things and enjoying the fleeting days of Gwen as our only child. Some favorite memories from that month are: going to BSF (and getting lots of belly comments), getting my first real massage, buying a van, going to Panera with Mom and Grandma Lee, having a special "blessingway" celebration and prayer time, Thanksgiving at Olson's, never being cold when everyone else in MN was, breakfast at Maria's, Thanksgiving #2 at Beth's house, going to the zoo, getting a Christmas tree, decorating Beth's tree, going to Beth's kindergartner's Christmas concert, and being the biggest belly at every yoga class.<br />
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I want to reflect a bit on what life lessons I can pull away from this hard season of pregnancy. I think one of the things that will stick with me is the long-term feeling of physical weakness and what that did to me spiritually. Some might say 9 months is not very long, but it was the longest I've experienced <i>so far </i>(this I say with thankfulness). I was helped when we were studying Matthew 5 in BSF... "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." I felt poor in spirit, in that I always felt my own weakness physically and my spiritual weakness in fighting for joy in the midst of pain. Jesus calls that feeling blessed! There is a promise of receiving the kingdom of heaven (a place free from pain) and the transfer of hope to what is coming rather than what is now. There is so much in Matthew about Jesus's care and compassion for people who are physically hurting. These interactions were jumping off the page in new ways as I struggled with pain too. Pain is still pain, and it's sweet to see how much Jesus cared for the people who were hurting in various ways. He looked at them, and touched them, and called them "Daughter." I hope I remember these things when I look back on my long months of discomfort. <br />
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My other takeaway from this pregnancy (and the past two years) has been that thankfulness is survival. Even when things seem their worst. Hey! I have a comfortable bed. I have food. I have family. I have mercy from God, even though I rebelled against him. So, so many things. But also, and especially, specific things - and this is where it gets really helpful. Gwen's hair color in the sunlight. The sound of ice inside a glass of water. Warm cement on bare feet at the end of the day. Garlic in olive oil on a hot skillet. So many gifts. Receiving each and saying thank you to a creative and kind God is so life-giving. "Generous King - you give!"<br />
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Even though it was hard, obviously God was doing something amazing. A new person is here! Pregnancy hurts and costs a lot physically, but it's completely over now and I have a son. Though these words sound obvious and cliche to me, they also feel deep and true because I've lived them. I just want to remember that in many ways this season has been a battle and there are many ways God has given me the grace I needed to survive and to have joy in it. He has been faithful to his promises! And through it he's blessed me in unimaginable ways as well. There has been so much purpose in this pain.<br />
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Birth Story Coming Soon!<br />
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<br />bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-44556258783476901222014-01-15T22:16:00.000-06:002014-01-15T22:16:05.198-06:00Family Photos from December 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
All photo credit goes to <a href="http://www.ryanastadler.com/">Ryan A. Stadler</a>!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon is 1 week old here!</td></tr>
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<br />bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-44094976978282457362014-01-15T22:06:00.002-06:002014-01-15T22:06:39.627-06:00We survived the first 6 weeks!Here are some of my thoughts and reflections looking back on Simon's first 6 weeks of life outside the womb.<div>
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<ul>
<li>I'm craving routine and daily rhythms. Simon is not quite craving the same thing as I can't seem to figure out the right times for naps and night time sleep is still elusive. I'm often reminding myself that Simon is a baby, and even though Gwen and I are used to structured days he's new to all this.</li>
<li>Physically I feel great. I'm so thankful for this! After 9 months of nausea and heartburn and then a couple really intense weeks of birth recovery and serious breastfeeding pain - I feel good! Hallelujah. It's easy to focus on what's lacking (my core strength and weight to lose), but at this point I need to be celebrating good health. It's a gift! Also, by lots of God's grace, prayer, and prevention we have yet to really get the yucky illnesses that've been going around this past month. Thank you Jesus. </li>
<li>I love having a new person in our family. </li>
<li>Simon is super, super cute.</li>
<li>Simon had trouble gaining weight at the beginning and it was hard to hang in there with the doctors orders of waking him up to feed every 2 hours and pumping after feedings to increase my milk supply. We had been on a 3 hour routine, and bumping it up to 2 hours was enough to make me crazy. There were many tears shed over a baby who refused to wake up and eat no matter how hard I tried. As feeding times were increased there were new worlds of pain. His latch required constant adjustment. The pain brought imaginings of drywall knives during the latch process. I started a practice of praying during that super painful two minutes at the beginning, and it was through those prayers that I received a lot of peace. We were doing weekly weight checks at a nearby birth center and rejoicing over each blood-bought gained ounce. Then came the blocked ducts which are like flaming balls of blistered bruises underneath the skin. And the remedy? To push on them at every feeding. So fun! Then the antibiotic for the infected blocked duct that wouldn't budge after days of massaging it. Just after Simon's birth I had set a mental goal of getting him breast-milk for 6 weeks, and I'm happy to say we met that goal. But it wasn't easy. And I am so relieved to be done and SO thankful for formula. We lasted just 4 weeks with Gwen having some similar issues, and it feels good to have worked through some of those difficulties and still made the same decision. It really came down to what I wanted to do and what I could make work with my job of parenting Gwen - and I'm so glad to know Simon is growing, healthy, and getting what he needs to eat. Hallelujah!</li>
<li>I have a lot of goal-setting thoughts swirling in my mind lately. I'm excited to hammer out some of my ideas for the year as far as how I'd like to grow in faith, marriage, parenting, ministry, creativity, etc. But there's so little time and brain power these days. I think Bert and I will be re-learning how to do quality communication around a baby schedule. I miss having time to just talk things out with him. I know it will return someday.</li>
<li>Longing for sleep. Whole different ball game with two kids. Those daytime naps are so elusive. My new favorite are the 5pm crash naps on the couch because I literally can't last any further without some sleep. When Gwen was a baby she slept through the night around 2 months, but I think Simon might be trickier than she was on the sleep front. We shall see!</li>
<li>Our families are so wonderful. How could I ever thank God enough for them? Both my parents, Bert's parents, and our sisters, have been so helpful, encouraging, and loving through all of this adjustment. I don't take this for granted. I know we have it good! From my mom automatically emptying my bathroom trash when she would come over those first 3 weeks, the comfort of coffee cake in my in-laws living room. They are just so wonderful. I can't even describe it. And the way everyone loves Simon is just the best. The moments of people holding and loving him are the ones I want to remember and treasure.</li>
<li>It's so different to welcome a second child. It's easier to picture what's coming next as far as physical development. Stress in general is lower. Crying is less scary. Diapers are no big deal. Cuddling is amazing and enjoyed as much as possible. I'm careful about what habits are being developed because I've been on the other side of breaking sleep habits. So I do try to lay Simon down to sleep on his own when possible.</li>
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Well, it's time to go feed the baby. I really hope some of that made sense, even though my brain feels foggy. I'm so excited to have Simon in our family. What a precious gift. I love him so much! We all do.</div>
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bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-85810362521144317742013-11-04T21:41:00.000-06:002013-11-04T21:41:52.272-06:00Gwen's Big Girl Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Welcome to Gwen's new room!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I used to play with that antique desk too :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bert built some cool toy storage bins with chalkboard fronts. Someday we will put toys in them. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Thanks again for sending these our way Jill!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is where we do reading time before nap time or bed time.<br />(I got this chair from World Market for my own bedroom last year but it's just too big, <br />so I'm really pleased to have an even better use for it in Gwen's room. <br />It seems to match the whimsical kid mood too.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She is SO big these days!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still to come: carpet on these treacherous stairs!<br />Bert got all the squeaks out of them by tightening with tons of extra screws <br />and using a thin saw inside certain edges. <br />What a HUGE difference to not have squeaky stairs anymore!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was the same day I took the bedroom pics last week, she had arranged her animals into a "parade." </td></tr>
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Here's what we/Bert did upstairs to transform Gwen's room:<div>
<ul>
<li>relocated home office to downstairs guest room</li>
<li>removed yucky carpeting and staples, discovered neat wood floors and applied simple wax coating</li>
<li>painted trim, walls, stair railings, closet doors etc</li>
<li>hung darkening roller blinds (IKEA) and homemade fabric curtains</li>
<li>built a bed, loosely based on <a href="http://ana-white.com/2012/02/plans/fillman-platform-twin-platform-bed">these plans</a>, but we wanted a rounded headboard</li>
<li>two new ceiling light fixtures</li>
<li>dresser from craigslist, sanded and painted</li>
<li>bench seat made from wood, bench cushion (<a href="http://www.beneathmyheart.net/2013/08/diy-5-minute-window-seat-cushion/">using this plan</a>)</li>
<li>ordered area rug from target.com</li>
<li>basket for stuffed animals from IKEA, dresser lamp re-purposed from my college days</li>
<li>de-squeaked stairs</li>
<li>added railing in the closet for hanging dresses</li>
<li>And if you're interested in what brainstorming looked like, here was my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/bekidee/attic-bedroom/">pinterest board</a></li>
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Gwen seems to be fully adjusted to her new room and likes to show it to people who come to visit. Sleeping in the big girl bed went really well. She fell out a few times the first week, but since it's so low to the ground she was able to get back in. We haven't filled the room with toys and books yet because she still prefers playing downstairs in our main living room areas, and she has a history of book damage when she's feeling naughty. Overall, we're loving the new space for Gwen!</div>
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bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-5802072222897841992013-10-04T14:57:00.001-05:002013-10-04T14:57:48.700-05:00LimitationsA few more thoughts on this pregnancy keep bugging me to be blogged. Mostly for way of actual update and cataloging what this experience has been like down the road. I've already mentioned the nausea factor that dominated the first 20 or so weeks, but then the fires of Mordor, aka heartburn, started up. And the hip pain when my leg continuously slipped out of place. That was pretty much the second trimester, until yoga started, which helped hip pain tremendously.<br />
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This third trimester, so far, has been all about contractions. At first I thought they were just Braxton Hicks, the normal type that goes away when you drink enough water and rest. Those are just an exercising of the uterus getting ready for the marathon that is labor. At my 27 week appointment my midwife mentioned that they're nothing to worry about unless I'm having more than 6 an hour. And less than a week later hard contractions came rolling in every 15 minutes, and then every 10 minutes. I tried to take a nap and they woke me up. I was guzzling water and taking the prescribed bath and they still rolled on. It was unnerving. My midwife recommended "coming in" which meant a late Sunday night trip to the hospital to check things out and make sure that this wasn't real labor starting. Thankfully there was no change in my cervix from all those contractions, so preterm labor wasn't officially starting and baby was safe for now.<br />
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In the past 4 weeks I've been stuck somewhere between Braxton hicks and hard contractions that smack of preterm labor, which has been stressful. Contractions were still coming mostly in afternoons and evenings, and often would be close together and quite intense. The contractions problem is partly due to stress itself. It turns out that remodeling a room for Gwen and getting her moved into it were making me a little crazy. Labor Day weekend hit and all of a sudden it was time to stop playing summer and start preparing for baby. My brain and emotions didn't take the switch very well. The to-do list was endless and time was short. <br />
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We've spent the last two weeks making serious adjustments after getting a firm command from my midwife to "do less" and "ask for help." Thankfully it seems to be helping. I had to let go of the task list mindset and just be flexible about when the room would get done. Bert has been a superhero about absorbing more of the kitchen tasks that seem to amp up my contractions, and tasks everywhere else in the house too. He is amazing. My mom has been spending a day with Gwen most weeks of the month. Gwen and I have cut back on daily outings. And I am generally making myself sit down and rest or take a nap more than I was letting myself before. It's been a lesson in learning, and ACCEPTING, the limitations of my body and having respect for those instead of just disregarding them. That is hard to do when a cute little girl just wants you to "hold me up Mommy."<br />
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So where do we go from here? I'm still having a few evenings each week of intense contractions but thankfully they stop when I sleep for the night. My mental goal is to keep contractions at bay for the next month, and keep resting. Drinking lots of water and taking my vitamins. No walks just for fun in the fall air. No moving furniture or boxes. Limited cooking and dishes. No standing for long periods of time. We want this precious baby to be FULL TERM and super healthy. However, once we make it 36-37 weeks I'm totally going for a walk! Hopefully the sidewalks won't be icy in mid-November.<br />
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On the spiritual side of things, it's been a real challenge to humbly accept the path God's chosen for this pregnancy. It's been hard to be sick for so long and physically out of control of my body, not to mention having my activity choices potentially impact the health of my son. God has been gracious at a few different times to convict me of my complaining heart. My main weapon for joy in this situation is thankfulness. I still have SO MUCH to be thankful for. I know this, but God's been doing a work in my heart through praying for thankfulness lately. He's graciously breaking through my self-focused attitude and helped me see the eternal value of the life I'm carrying. He's reminding me that of course it's hard work to BRING A NEW PERSON INTO THE WORLD. This is an important job and it's an honor to get to do it.<br />
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This week Bert and I have officially agreed about the baby's name, and I've started to be able to pray for him by name. This has been such a sweet joy. I accidentally started crying during yoga about how special it is to pray the <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Numbers+6%3A24-26&version=NIV">Numbers 6</a> prayer for him by name, as it's a song I sing over Gwen daily. Those are the moments of thankfulness that make the contractions anxiety no big deal. My God is big and powerful, and surely he will give me the wisdom and strength I need to accept my limitations as I carry this baby. I just need to keep asking for it.<br />
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<br />bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-77090958467973056012013-09-27T08:52:00.000-05:002013-09-27T08:52:40.586-05:00Pregnancy UpdateI've spent many, many days lately with the nagging thought of, "you should write a blog today." And then resisting. Well, here goes nothing! I'm deciding to start with a pregnancy update because that's at least a concrete idea that I will appreciate looking back on someday.<div>
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Here we are at 30 weeks. 30 weeks! This is the milestone I've dreamed of for many months. Where I finally give myself permission to think differently about the near future. This is happening. A son. On the way. What?!</div>
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...desperately trying to remember how to write... about anything... feeling very rusty...</div>
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I guess I'll start at the beginning.</div>
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It was the first week of April when the second line appeared on the pregnancy test. The first trimester filled with clinging to promises of God that he would carry me through whatever was coming with this baby. I was still so raw and missing the others that my fears ranged from healing from another traumatic D&C, surviving another 3+ months of weakness and nausea, seeing another lifeless body on ultrasound, and opening my heart to another life with love and welcome. The words that I still remember now from that season of daily fighting for faith in God's goodness are: "Fear not I am with you." A phrase which is ALL OVER the Bible, but also anchors the truth-smackdown in the hymn "<a href="http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/h/f/hfirmafo.htm">How Firm a Foundation</a>." There were other words of life and hope that God used to encourage me too, but those are the ones on the chalkboard over my mantle, and the ones I can't seem to forget in hindsight.</div>
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Then the nausea. For months. Such a pleasant word for such a miserable state. There are so many thoughts here since I've spent so much time either prepping, resisting, or recovering from nasty stuff going the wrong way through my esophagus. But I will spare you those today. I will just say that I still rejoice that I haven't thrown up since 21 weeks, mid-July. Hallelujah. (Still can't quite shake the horribleness of taco salad and lemonade on their way out for the second time that summer. Motherhood is so glamorous.) </div>
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Another highlight to mention from this pregnancy was starting prenatal yoga at 25 weeks and suddenly feeling much less back pain, rib pain, digestive pain, etc. The physical effects of yoga have been sublime. The actual yoga is sometimes really difficult because I don't believe the philosophy they wholeheartedly preach (you have a goddess within you, let your inner light shine from your third eye center, you are inherently good etc). But sometimes I'll catch a yoga class that is not so preachy and those are really nice classes. Plus, a lot of people are taking that philosophy as truth, and that could be me if God hadn't yet given me the grace of the Bible and the hope of Jesus only. I need to have compassion for the people who are taking yoga as truth, and maybe that will even mean sharing my faith to a yoga mate. God, give me the grace to do that!</div>
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Back to baby... it's a boy. We are around 90% sure of the first name (which will be shared at birth). There has been much, much, much deliberation on names. I had expected to find out gender at 20 weeks, promptly choose a name, bond perfectly and beautifully with my child while still in my womb, and call the baby by name as a family from then on. Oh, expectations! How wrong you can be. I'm a little more settled for the bonding-at-first-sight plan these days, and embracing that I have much to learn about being a boy's mom. (AH!) It also can't go unsaid that I am super grateful to have a boy and feel much overwhelming grace at another chance to parent a son after losing Joey and Ezra. It feels very beautifully redemptive.</div>
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I'll close for now, though there are many more thoughts. My hope is that this blog continues to be a creative outlet for me (writing skills, what!?), a snapshot of our family, and perhaps an encouragement to others. When people see my life, I hope they see that God really is good. He really is faithful. His words really do have power in our lives to give us hope and a future. And a few chapters of my story will hopefully illustrate that. </div>
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Here are some pregnancy photos, just for the record (and the visual people):</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sick, sick, sick<br />and happy about SPRING!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sick and Tired</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not that she snuggles all the time, it's that every time she does someone grabs a camera because it's so special!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Olive Garden craving.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the new annual "sunset walk."</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overnight at St Paul Hotel for 6th anniversary</td></tr>
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bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-8489705068897435282013-07-09T16:38:00.003-05:002013-07-09T16:38:48.909-05:00March 2013 Photos<div style="text-align: center;">
Or should we title this post "Surviving A Long Winter With Toddler?"</div>
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That seems more accurate. Here goes nothing...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with watercolors</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwen loves Auntie Dee</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At a birthday party for Phil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture raises my heart rate a bit</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our landscape (for six months!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Effective technique for snow-eating</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy times</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Assisting "Baby Arleigh" in many indoor stroller rides</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to refuse looking at the camera (also pictured, the ever popular play-food picnic)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Praise the Lord for play-dough! (The thing to do when nothing sounds fun)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Window stickers with Yia Yia</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A special lunch with Papou in between trips</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was studying the Old Testament Tabernacle and tried to recreate it<br />(Don't look too close at the brazen altar, it's off centered. Oops)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When the Word comes alive...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New territory: booster seats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPgRXwadDg8/Udx8MK_3imI/AAAAAAAAF74/KK2Ki61Aa00/s1600/IMG_1265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPgRXwadDg8/Udx8MK_3imI/AAAAAAAAF74/KK2Ki61Aa00/s640/IMG_1265.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One day this became a strategy for vacuuming </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-nVYHORU1s/Udx8Nfw5VhI/AAAAAAAAF8E/tiMhZJ9bxSw/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5-nVYHORU1s/Udx8Nfw5VhI/AAAAAAAAF8E/tiMhZJ9bxSw/s640/IMG_1280.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dance. Parties.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zb0PxpMY5Ic/Udx8O4o170I/AAAAAAAAF8M/-7TPZj8eSKI/s1600/IMG_1296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zb0PxpMY5Ic/Udx8O4o170I/AAAAAAAAF8M/-7TPZj8eSKI/s640/IMG_1296.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee and Nokomis walk with our friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5KLFBUF7vUc/Udx8QbLl0FI/AAAAAAAAF8U/Q4_NhItWYlw/s1600/IMG_1299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5KLFBUF7vUc/Udx8QbLl0FI/AAAAAAAAF8U/Q4_NhItWYlw/s640/IMG_1299.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with Willa in the basement construction zone at Hincks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjBLtZ8aw4Y/Udx8R-4Fp8I/AAAAAAAAF8c/2hKTMKW7K0c/s1600/IMG_1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjBLtZ8aw4Y/Udx8R-4Fp8I/AAAAAAAAF8c/2hKTMKW7K0c/s640/IMG_1592.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pet Store! This was a highly effective place to get out the house with Gwen. <br />Buy some cat food, discuss many creepy rodents/reptiles, look at fish and we're good to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcNIr4QGwYI/Udx8TRsYLfI/AAAAAAAAF8k/N62SFGlEmeo/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JcNIr4QGwYI/Udx8TRsYLfI/AAAAAAAAF8k/N62SFGlEmeo/s640/IMG_1598.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That was fun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0iOqYFXO-Kk/Udx8VXpc09I/AAAAAAAAF8w/loFu957KLLU/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0iOqYFXO-Kk/Udx8VXpc09I/AAAAAAAAF8w/loFu957KLLU/s640/IMG_1605.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just keeping it real.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLMmpgEp3pk/Udx8WzzqXTI/AAAAAAAAF84/sMz1ydtYppc/s1600/IMG_1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SLMmpgEp3pk/Udx8WzzqXTI/AAAAAAAAF84/sMz1ydtYppc/s640/IMG_1618.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins!</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zoo time with our friends Will and Auggie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jV79L89BK0/Udx8bUYzI-I/AAAAAAAAF9M/YwNyiK-iLF0/s1600/IMG_1668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7jV79L89BK0/Udx8bUYzI-I/AAAAAAAAF9M/YwNyiK-iLF0/s640/IMG_1668.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping Bert cut some wood</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xD_b5w2LH3E/Udx8e_aOv8I/AAAAAAAAF9c/oollKrIqDjc/s1600/IMG_1707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xD_b5w2LH3E/Udx8e_aOv8I/AAAAAAAAF9c/oollKrIqDjc/s640/IMG_1707.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just reading her Bible after nap</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MN Zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uhnx3GcMlrI/Udx8g7P2EhI/AAAAAAAAF9k/vl2KPsxtgig/s1600/IMG_1717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uhnx3GcMlrI/Udx8g7P2EhI/AAAAAAAAF9k/vl2KPsxtgig/s640/IMG_1717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying something new... The second night she rolled off and UNDER the crib. I went in when she was crying and I couldn't find her because she was under the bed, back against the wall. <br />And that's when we decided on adding a bed rail. The life of a parent is all trial and error right?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abzHDKefYzk/Udx8kf9zPxI/AAAAAAAAF90/VVmC0Jgj5pQ/s1600/IMG_1739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-abzHDKefYzk/Udx8kf9zPxI/AAAAAAAAF90/VVmC0Jgj5pQ/s640/IMG_1739.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely ladies in Easter dresses</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moAzgqJ9XUQ/Udx8mNN580I/AAAAAAAAF98/ios8_mSIwDQ/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-moAzgqJ9XUQ/Udx8mNN580I/AAAAAAAAF98/ios8_mSIwDQ/s640/IMG_1754.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading with "Aunt Bef"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRWMYp1NLvU/Udx8nu0igeI/AAAAAAAAF-I/JxL92Xip4_o/s1600/IMG_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wRWMYp1NLvU/Udx8nu0igeI/AAAAAAAAF-I/JxL92Xip4_o/s640/IMG_0553.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Barry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWOeSRbkzuI/Udx8o1tx36I/AAAAAAAAF-M/HDqHHNOZ0f4/s1600/IMG_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aWOeSRbkzuI/Udx8o1tx36I/AAAAAAAAF-M/HDqHHNOZ0f4/s640/IMG_0565.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The types of things that happen when Daddy comes home from work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAA62D7_J8Y/Udx8p9NyFdI/AAAAAAAAF-U/1XDfyrC1LJA/s1600/IMG_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TAA62D7_J8Y/Udx8p9NyFdI/AAAAAAAAF-U/1XDfyrC1LJA/s640/IMG_0573.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was a fun date night!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serious toddler accomplishment</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this face</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing together</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tickling legs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Jami and Drew in Duluth for a day.<br />It was such a privilege to see where Jami works </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out to lunch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0O3UdzWJEE/Udx817UrTPI/AAAAAAAAF_U/wlqxsryMai4/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0O3UdzWJEE/Udx817UrTPI/AAAAAAAAF_U/wlqxsryMai4/s640/IMG_0693.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys were busy breaking the ice by throwing huge rocks,<br />and we were enjoying the feeling of sun on our skin!</td></tr>
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bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-33694482336786238382013-05-29T06:00:00.000-05:002013-05-29T06:00:08.866-05:00February 2013 Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--E168w6NIfk/UaUgQoFH2lI/AAAAAAAAF1w/SClPmJrnNIc/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252827%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--E168w6NIfk/UaUgQoFH2lI/AAAAAAAAF1w/SClPmJrnNIc/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252827%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of these beauties now live beside our bed. Three cheers for my husband!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h64Fqx0RCNI/UaUgRW4X5aI/AAAAAAAAF1s/t5fG7sUt7W8/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252830%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h64Fqx0RCNI/UaUgRW4X5aI/AAAAAAAAF1s/t5fG7sUt7W8/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252830%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq0AJCMHmzc/UaUgS84UtwI/AAAAAAAAF18/Qj4u5U7fRgs/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252844%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Sq0AJCMHmzc/UaUgS84UtwI/AAAAAAAAF18/Qj4u5U7fRgs/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252844%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sky getting dark at dinnertime</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FZI8ONQZ6Q/UaUgUHSWaaI/AAAAAAAAF2I/Mk73C9fBXPU/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252848%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4FZI8ONQZ6Q/UaUgUHSWaaI/AAAAAAAAF2I/Mk73C9fBXPU/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252848%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing! I was not there to witness this, so I'm glad Bert took a picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32KbjLgWe1g/UaUgUypohAI/AAAAAAAAF2E/6xcYYdYg4aE/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252851%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-32KbjLgWe1g/UaUgUypohAI/AAAAAAAAF2E/6xcYYdYg4aE/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252851%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Important new skills</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-desrYwWjwMw/UaUgVv6V7hI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/Ose3dz7pJpM/s1600/DSC09768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-desrYwWjwMw/UaUgVv6V7hI/AAAAAAAAF2Q/Ose3dz7pJpM/s640/DSC09768.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUAJOUg6Y2U/UaUgWdx1UfI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/RtyvQnYFSmE/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252854%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yUAJOUg6Y2U/UaUgWdx1UfI/AAAAAAAAF2Y/RtyvQnYFSmE/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252854%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Play table and two chairs. Go Bert!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGxoKf58FCc/UaUgYDDkxmI/AAAAAAAAF2g/osPN9HGmCmU/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252855%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XGxoKf58FCc/UaUgYDDkxmI/AAAAAAAAF2g/osPN9HGmCmU/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252855%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date night at Chevy's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfPn6yFRBB8/UaUgZncCfTI/AAAAAAAAF2o/YlBoI_eI_GU/s1600/DSC09773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfPn6yFRBB8/UaUgZncCfTI/AAAAAAAAF2o/YlBoI_eI_GU/s640/DSC09773.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Como Conservatory with new friends!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYtISQ6V0dQ/UaUgcKQ8WdI/AAAAAAAAF2w/SwC_pxYu6OQ/s1600/DSC09776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GYtISQ6V0dQ/UaUgcKQ8WdI/AAAAAAAAF2w/SwC_pxYu6OQ/s640/DSC09776.JPG" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good to witness palm trees and warm temperatures at Como</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnME6AbuYiA/UaUgdfccemI/AAAAAAAAF28/OE8aqrhpgKQ/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252861%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UnME6AbuYiA/UaUgdfccemI/AAAAAAAAF28/OE8aqrhpgKQ/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252861%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One time I fell asleep next to the fireplace (trying to warm up), and this is what happened to me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WROEU7e02EE/UaUgeVDLEtI/AAAAAAAAF3A/D6bUhpWpDxQ/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252870%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WROEU7e02EE/UaUgeVDLEtI/AAAAAAAAF3A/D6bUhpWpDxQ/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252870%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXeloePDeys/UaUgf5FcvUI/AAAAAAAAF3M/GSesaP-PhjE/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252881%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CXeloePDeys/UaUgf5FcvUI/AAAAAAAAF3M/GSesaP-PhjE/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252881%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mall of America's Sea Life on President's Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAjzy3RXP4c/UaUghBX0o7I/AAAAAAAAF3U/TmS9Tc5Lk4A/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252889%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAjzy3RXP4c/UaUghBX0o7I/AAAAAAAAF3U/TmS9Tc5Lk4A/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%252889%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American Girl store - a girl can dream can't she?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JJJz5Zumy0/UaUgh1tTbYI/AAAAAAAAF3c/jMngLi5HQAw/s1600/DSC09785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1JJJz5Zumy0/UaUgh1tTbYI/AAAAAAAAF3c/jMngLi5HQAw/s640/DSC09785.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">more Sea Life</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFLuHvdDhxI/UaUgkdex_3I/AAAAAAAAF3o/fVgb1U4Qa7U/s1600/IMG_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qFLuHvdDhxI/UaUgkdex_3I/AAAAAAAAF3o/fVgb1U4Qa7U/s640/IMG_0618.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers for the sake of mental health</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGDaK0FmRiA/UaUglVrxOCI/AAAAAAAAF3w/atb5KRb5hvU/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JGDaK0FmRiA/UaUglVrxOCI/AAAAAAAAF3w/atb5KRb5hvU/s640/IMG_0632.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time with God at the library</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gg8ySPUEUE/UaUgnSNTeKI/AAAAAAAAF38/eYIA4GaNKzo/s1600/IMG_0657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9gg8ySPUEUE/UaUgnSNTeKI/AAAAAAAAF38/eYIA4GaNKzo/s640/IMG_0657.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oakley!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0oFoJg3DdA/UaUgocPdUXI/AAAAAAAAF4E/QXtD6Xodg6o/s1600/IMG_0660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x0oFoJg3DdA/UaUgocPdUXI/AAAAAAAAF4E/QXtD6Xodg6o/s640/IMG_0660.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this ikea reading lamp, and thankful that it cuts back on our nightly disagreement about when to turn off the light!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pcdszq30Rs/UaUgpUJhOyI/AAAAAAAAF4M/AeKJcVGC6JI/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8pcdszq30Rs/UaUgpUJhOyI/AAAAAAAAF4M/AeKJcVGC6JI/s640/IMG_0665.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDb8HJ21r8M/UaUgqdt4_QI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/CyXjzYIQABw/s1600/IMG_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dDb8HJ21r8M/UaUgqdt4_QI/AAAAAAAAF4Q/CyXjzYIQABw/s640/IMG_0711.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not as normal, but she loves it</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHO2ejPuBhQ/UaUgr2CVi9I/AAAAAAAAF4c/90OHaijSz-8/s1600/IMG_0743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JHO2ejPuBhQ/UaUgr2CVi9I/AAAAAAAAF4c/90OHaijSz-8/s640/IMG_0743.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOTS OF FISHY GAME</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb4P6Wtg6nk/UaUgswUwunI/AAAAAAAAF4k/XLqp8SjRNRw/s1600/IMG_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jb4P6Wtg6nk/UaUgswUwunI/AAAAAAAAF4k/XLqp8SjRNRw/s640/IMG_0755.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love Elliot and Leah! This was at Panera after storytime together</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctIGsZHbA9M/UaUgvhjVyzI/AAAAAAAAF4w/GYqdyMg10os/s1600/IMG_0800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ctIGsZHbA9M/UaUgvhjVyzI/AAAAAAAAF4w/GYqdyMg10os/s640/IMG_0800.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new passion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOFZ87XuXeQ/UaUg0f3up6I/AAAAAAAAF5M/aLmsToiZyZI/s1600/IMG_0863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DOFZ87XuXeQ/UaUg0f3up6I/AAAAAAAAF5M/aLmsToiZyZI/s640/IMG_0863.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First ride ever at MOA, the ferris wheel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with Daddy after he gets home from work</td></tr>
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Peace Out February!</div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-83892484210987090862013-05-28T16:13:00.000-05:002013-05-28T16:13:25.522-05:00January 2013 Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Even though I am relieved winter is over, it's worth remembering the times that passed. January was a month of physical healing for me and emotional grief and fighting for faith. Even though the world seemed dark and confusing, there were a lot of good things. So here are some photos from that month.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Aunt Beth's new apartment. I can't believe how much she's improved its cuteness since this picture!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emxPuwO5A9g/UaUY6IbH6NI/AAAAAAAAFxY/-WAm1XQlACA/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-emxPuwO5A9g/UaUY6IbH6NI/AAAAAAAAFxY/-WAm1XQlACA/s640/IMG_0341.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surviving the stomach flu. Gwen and I were both down for a solid week.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing like a purring kitty to help</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downton Season 3! Shout Out!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch with Jill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6jDLq6Zhyg/UaUY_N4KUWI/AAAAAAAAFx8/QPPh82CJVb8/s1600/IMG_0382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-g6jDLq6Zhyg/UaUY_N4KUWI/AAAAAAAAFx8/QPPh82CJVb8/s640/IMG_0382.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tree looks dead, but it's not. There's something to that.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She takes this technique very seriously, even now</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading World News</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dabbling with new fashions (please disregard slippers - not a part of the finished look)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding the cat, at great lengths</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKSExPTyBE8/UaUZK9TR5pI/AAAAAAAAFzA/5jJWaGhhgSM/s1600/DSC09731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TKSExPTyBE8/UaUZK9TR5pI/AAAAAAAAFzA/5jJWaGhhgSM/s640/DSC09731.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The countdown to vacation paper chain. It helped!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun girls night at Pats</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking for beauty in winter</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BmhCZmR3lE/UaUZSQILsEI/AAAAAAAAFzw/yP_ohjx8IvM/s1600/DSC09743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8BmhCZmR3lE/UaUZSQILsEI/AAAAAAAAFzw/yP_ohjx8IvM/s640/DSC09743.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gwen's first tattoo. Worn with immense pride</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOeindXKLVk/UaUZUQskkVI/AAAAAAAAFz4/8m6WMNhpfhg/s1600/_DSC6268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOeindXKLVk/UaUZUQskkVI/AAAAAAAAFz4/8m6WMNhpfhg/s640/_DSC6268.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken by <a href="http://www.ryanastadler.com/">Ryan</a> but symbolizes a lot of how Bert spent the winter :)<br />Working with wood, making paddles, shelves, a bench etc.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IaFqVZ-ev4/UaUZWcJQyhI/AAAAAAAAF0A/3IkzgrK_mTY/s1600/IMG_0529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7IaFqVZ-ev4/UaUZWcJQyhI/AAAAAAAAF0A/3IkzgrK_mTY/s640/IMG_0529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staying alive and fed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPnWU5Vrapg/UaUZXwl-_UI/AAAAAAAAF0M/hiqHS8g6TMc/s1600/IMG_0532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MPnWU5Vrapg/UaUZXwl-_UI/AAAAAAAAF0M/hiqHS8g6TMc/s640/IMG_0532.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An OPH breakfast before the Sovereignty Seminar at church.<br />Sovereignty is a very hard and very precious doctrine, and <a href="http://sovgracemn.org/series/delighting-in-gods-absolute-sovereignty/">the teaching</a> was excellent.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgFocYK43BI/UaUZZJCjJ0I/AAAAAAAAF0Q/4hMZcJesghk/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tgFocYK43BI/UaUZZJCjJ0I/AAAAAAAAF0Q/4hMZcJesghk/s640/IMG_0549.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Snowman! Holla!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktsTBLlNH2w/UaUZavyqWGI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/yGi3AimCjz0/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktsTBLlNH2w/UaUZavyqWGI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/yGi3AimCjz0/s640/IMG_0569.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of cuddles for her baby named "Baby Arleigh"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkvI_KZix7A/UaUZb2z_FyI/AAAAAAAAF0g/kYMmD0AD4w4/s1600/IMG_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vkvI_KZix7A/UaUZb2z_FyI/AAAAAAAAF0g/kYMmD0AD4w4/s640/IMG_0600.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fort time with Papou ("paw-pooh" = greek for grandpa)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-f9qCLFGc8/UaUZeeNsPNI/AAAAAAAAF0s/aMisv9us8kE/s1600/berts_phone+%252824%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1-f9qCLFGc8/UaUZeeNsPNI/AAAAAAAAF0s/aMisv9us8kE/s640/berts_phone+%252824%2529.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bert went winter camping which is his happy place, as you can see</td></tr>
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Thankful for the daily mercies that were given in January 2013.</div>
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bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-43959066756876735822013-03-22T14:34:00.003-05:002013-03-22T14:34:58.310-05:00Simple UpdateThere have been more happy days than sad ones this month. I'm thankful for the change.<div>
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Areas to Grow In-</div>
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1. Getting my mornings into a routine that includes some time with God before Gwen wakes up</div>
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2. Parenting</div>
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3. Thinking less of myself and not worrying about all the times I know I've "said the wrong thing"</div>
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4. Continuing to surrender envy and comparing thoughts to a God who does have good for me too</div>
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Some random pictures from February for you...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smiles</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AAAIIcRjl7E/UUyxWdp2EZI/AAAAAAAAFtk/60wu_Rbd6S4/s1600/IMG_0751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AAAIIcRjl7E/UUyxWdp2EZI/AAAAAAAAFtk/60wu_Rbd6S4/s640/IMG_0751.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were desperate for entertainment. The masking-tape-on-the-floor idea worked for about 30 minutes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Trhup3txH4/UUyxXaGLzEI/AAAAAAAAFts/fxXi-Z3ULcg/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Trhup3txH4/UUyxXaGLzEI/AAAAAAAAFts/fxXi-Z3ULcg/s640/IMG_0791.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9Ko6VdMKqA/UUyxYUfl-fI/AAAAAAAAFt0/EjzUKKtmVhE/s1600/IMG_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A9Ko6VdMKqA/UUyxYUfl-fI/AAAAAAAAFt0/EjzUKKtmVhE/s640/IMG_0808.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's real easy to pick out of the line-up. I love that.</td></tr>
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<div>
<br /></div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-19076455659239970362013-03-06T22:13:00.000-06:002013-03-06T22:13:18.481-06:00Our Tropical Getaway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our favorite pool spot</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bible Study in the wind</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LrBK7v1pY4/UTgFdWEh2fI/AAAAAAAAFpE/xeSTYmbeqGs/s1600/DSC09912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4LrBK7v1pY4/UTgFdWEh2fI/AAAAAAAAFpE/xeSTYmbeqGs/s640/DSC09912.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our reading materials</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-of-2bmGW8dE/UTgE340KRcI/AAAAAAAAFnE/GfphEhBhR60/s1600/DSC09844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-of-2bmGW8dE/UTgE340KRcI/AAAAAAAAFnE/GfphEhBhR60/s640/DSC09844.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wj-ZnbcaV3M/UTgFA1k4zlI/AAAAAAAAFnU/ib9_5x4Gol4/s1600/DSC09852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wj-ZnbcaV3M/UTgFA1k4zlI/AAAAAAAAFnU/ib9_5x4Gol4/s640/DSC09852.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This felt good</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dresses for dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Personal pizza for elevensies</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crying day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soothing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf7uMr_HgzE/UTgGHA2soQI/AAAAAAAAFrc/W8FZ_FmKoos/s1600/IMG_0994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uf7uMr_HgzE/UTgGHA2soQI/AAAAAAAAFrc/W8FZ_FmKoos/s640/IMG_0994.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My husb is so brave!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_P259VGh-48/UTgF5acx3AI/AAAAAAAAFqk/gu5UoZYuUBI/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_P259VGh-48/UTgF5acx3AI/AAAAAAAAFqk/gu5UoZYuUBI/s640/IMG_0959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh the bliss of guacamole</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last night lobster</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hv-qWGSt3A/UTgGSKUPgrI/AAAAAAAAFsU/2w8ZWrbtoRs/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hv-qWGSt3A/UTgGSKUPgrI/AAAAAAAAFsU/2w8ZWrbtoRs/s640/IMG_1035.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red snapper for me - yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnibZG7KTc0/UTgGWZ_tFPI/AAAAAAAAFss/tIOqW5TZ08w/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pnibZG7KTc0/UTgGWZ_tFPI/AAAAAAAAFss/tIOqW5TZ08w/s640/IMG_1040.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to the 'Oscar Party'</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last morning pastries and coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rl0Jt_EXEq0/UTgFfKkQCQI/AAAAAAAAFpM/_m3S-IJGM9k/s1600/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%2528102%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rl0Jt_EXEq0/UTgFfKkQCQI/AAAAAAAAFpM/_m3S-IJGM9k/s640/bert_iphone_feb_2013+%2528102%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My so-excited-to-see-Gwen face</td></tr>
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Four nights of escape from daily duties. A safe place to pray, think, talk, and cry. It was a blessing. And it was warm. It reminded me that this world is not only filled with ice and blood. There's other stuff too. Like wind bending palm trees into a dance. And warm sun tingling on skin. And floating along a lazy river. It was very sweet to be there. We are thankful that we had the chance to get away. Thank you God!</div>
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P.S. We really loved reading and discussing parts of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Still-Classic-Contemporary-Readings-Problem/dp/1433511851">this book on suffering</a>. I think it's going to be a major influence in shaping how my faith survives sadness and questioning. Just wanted to give the shout out. </div>
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-8463394837909899952013-03-01T13:40:00.000-06:002013-03-01T13:40:20.931-06:00Argo and UpdateLet's break the silence with my thoughts on Argo, shall we? Ok, thanks.<br />
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Halfway through the movie Bert leaned over and commented, "Are you going to have an ulcer by the end of this?" He knows I don't enjoy suspense. I like story, but not the part where it makes you wait and wait and be at risk in violent situations. Anyways. EVEN THOUGH it is a rather suspenseful movie, I really liked it. Admittedly, I did view it through my knee tips and destroyed at least 2 cuticles during the movie, but I did like it.<br />
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Argo shows the terrifying reality of anger and hate. I mean those Iranian people really, really, really hated the Americans. Any American. No matter what they were like. They were exploding with violent anger at the sight of them. You could see on the hostages faces how horribly uncomfortable it is to be hated like that, and how much they were anticipating the violence from it. Suspense for sure. Not to mention that this is a real life situation that still takes place everyday in certain countries to varying degrees. Hate is very uncomfortable.<br />
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I'll stop beating around the bush. The reason I liked the movie is because it's about a rescue. The Jesus Storybook Bible, our family favorite, is always referring to the gospel as God's great rescue mission. Where he takes on lots of personal risk and sweeps us out of danger by taking the punishment we deserved on himself. All motivated by his love and desire for us to be in relationship with him. And that happens in the movie on a much smaller scale. There is a hero who views human life as valuable, even when other people tell him to give up because the odds are very bad. And there is great celebrating when the task is complete. I mean EVERYONE is hugging. And it's very meaningful, because these people were pretty much supposed to die at the hands of evil. But they didn't. Against all odds. I feel like the words are falling flat, but when you are brushing up next to screaming people holding machine guns, the word wrath takes on some different tones. And God's wrath is a just wrath, unlike what was going on there. We actually deserve the penalty for our sins against the maker of the world. But if we believe on Jesus and live for him, we receive life instead of death. And Argo showed me a glimpse at both wrath and rescue. Thanks for that, Mr. Affleck.<br />
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In other news, you may be wondering how I'm doing. Me too. I find myself missing Joey pretty automatically every day. He would be two months now. We'd hopefully have been breastfeeding with success. We'd be coming out of the newborn fog and enjoying life as a family of four. Cuddling as much as humanly possible. I miss him fiercely. Gwen is kissing her doll (named Baby Arleigh) instead of her little brother. It feels so wrong. And then I think, but wait there will be another baby this summer. Ezra. And then I remember that he's gone too. I am empty after a very bloody battle of losing him. And there is no baby coming. Months and months of puking and nausea for nothing. July 12 with come and go without him. He is not coming. And I picture their faces in heaven. I wonder who is holding them. How does it work up there? How does age work in heaven? Do they start as babies being held and then grow into boys? Do they know me? Do they see me? Do they know how much I ache for them every second? I know they are content and happy in God's presence and that heaven is more wonderful for them than I can every imagine. They are not losing out on anything. But I am their mother. And I wonder about them. And heaven feels very far away from the four walls of this house in the longest winter of my life.<br />
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Then there's the fact that this year will surely bring newborns (at least 3) to some of the very closest people in my life. It has already brought a newborn to a family member. And after I held him, I was a crying mess for the rest of the afternoon. And as I see my best friend's tummy swell with a baby boy's life, and the exact same timeline mine should be with Ezra, I want to crumble into a million pieces. Every time. I am left crying out to God. How could he do this in my relationships at the same time as taking my babies?<br />
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So how am I doing? Good question. I cry a lot. Particularly while driving, cooking dinner, or laying in bed during Gwen's nap time. I read good books written by people who've gone before me (aka Nancy Guthrie), and they help me wrestle with God's goodness and my grief. I hate the word "miscarriage" because why don't people just call it dead babies? That's what it is. Not a scientific emotionless medical word. A mother doesn't forget babies that lived and died inside her own body. Sorry; tangent. I am receiving precious love and encouragement by faithful friends and members of the body of Christ. I am so grateful for every hug, card, text, email, etc. But I am usually not at a capacity to respond to them. I often do my days in survival mode and struggle with the symptoms of depression. Getting dressed is a victory. Breakfast is a victory. Creative playtime with Gwen is a victory. And if I get her teeth brushed it's really a good day! Cooking dinner etc... Those things are happening, but they just take much more will power than they every used to. And by the end of the day I am spent and discouraged that another one will start soon and we'll have to do it all over again.<br />
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People say that when the hard things in life come you see what you're really made of. Well, unfortunately I see that I am really made of a lot of lack of faith. How can God really redeem all this? Each tear? Each pang of longing? How could it ever be right ever again? Something irreparable has taken place here. And that's where I see the need for faith. There is no 'seeing' or 'understanding' in this for me. It's got to be faith. It's got to be "<a href="http://bible.cc/2_timothy/1-12.htm">I know whom I have believed</a>." It has never been so clear that my faith could never work hard enough to get me to heaven. Which leaves me very, very, very thankful for the blood of Christ. His blood is the ONLY thing that could ever be enough for me. I have a mustard seed of faith and the righteousness of Christ. He will never be called not enough. He is enough to be acceptable to God. <a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/121-7.htm">He will keep my life.</a> So that's what I am. A kept, yet wilting, daughter with a handful of faith and a lot of questions. Filled with longing for two sons and a day when I can see my Savior face to face and no longer feel my unbelief.<br />
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I leave you with a quote from <i>Sleepless in Seattle</i>:<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000715/" style="color: #70579d;">Doctor Marcia Fieldstone</a></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">: What are you going to do? </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000158/" style="color: #70579d;">Sam Baldwin</a></b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">: Well, I'm gonna get out of bed every morning... breathe in and out all day long. Then, after a while I won't have to remind myself to get out of bed every morning and breathe in and out... </span><br />
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Here's to hoping for the end of this painful season. Someday, though probably not soon.bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7176398642153731421.post-90362516249842729622013-01-22T15:16:00.001-06:002013-01-22T15:16:17.356-06:00Winter Therapy<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently discovered pictures my mom took at (or around) Bert's birthday party last September. I decided winter is a good time to review them. Or bask in them. Remember when it was so warm in September? Remember when the inside of your nose didn't just hurt everyday because of the dryness, or your knuckles didn't bleed unprovoked? Well, I do. And these help me! Hope you enjoy them...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnWoJLAmJXE/UP79mZzKBaI/AAAAAAAAFfI/m4kVhlIpCOw/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CnWoJLAmJXE/UP79mZzKBaI/AAAAAAAAFfI/m4kVhlIpCOw/s640/022.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little people were more compact then</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1AdIFlHqdI/UP79ghn48DI/AAAAAAAAFew/PD4j86OVnGY/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a1AdIFlHqdI/UP79ghn48DI/AAAAAAAAFew/PD4j86OVnGY/s640/004.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at all those green and growing things... plants! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jU8FX4grC0o/UP79erex-tI/AAAAAAAAFeo/kj5DusNmlAM/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jU8FX4grC0o/UP79erex-tI/AAAAAAAAFeo/kj5DusNmlAM/s640/002.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spy my garden clogs? Or clown shoes as someone likes to call them</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWgr4TbGGGk/UP79kiQgc_I/AAAAAAAAFfA/-54hLpfRiPo/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nWgr4TbGGGk/UP79kiQgc_I/AAAAAAAAFfA/-54hLpfRiPo/s640/016.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ladder golf with Grandma</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNRX8QUgao8/UP79q3hLE8I/AAAAAAAAFfg/OccuTRkB9Rc/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNRX8QUgao8/UP79q3hLE8I/AAAAAAAAFfg/OccuTRkB9Rc/s640/025.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beth, you look glam in this one, and Gwen looks very alert in the background</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ox80mqmlHxk/UP79su50BFI/AAAAAAAAFfo/3M1-J2BNyLI/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ox80mqmlHxk/UP79su50BFI/AAAAAAAAFfo/3M1-J2BNyLI/s640/026.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am, making sure I am available to help when Gwen decides she wants to be done with this activity :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0LoAdf6XBw/UP79ubXZ4_I/AAAAAAAAFfw/w79Wgk-iBU4/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h0LoAdf6XBw/UP79ubXZ4_I/AAAAAAAAFfw/w79Wgk-iBU4/s640/027.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The birthday song...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNwj27McNsc/UP79vwqOJaI/AAAAAAAAFf4/Dak2OIquzfI/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNwj27McNsc/UP79vwqOJaI/AAAAAAAAFf4/Dak2OIquzfI/s640/028.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this thoughtful moment of Gwen's with her hands clasped. It was probably only a split-second long, but it existed</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-diy4OnjlZmk/UP79xtynlKI/AAAAAAAAFgA/bUZSEmRnzSM/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-diy4OnjlZmk/UP79xtynlKI/AAAAAAAAFgA/bUZSEmRnzSM/s640/029.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The excited hands</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNnYF3qLm-8/UP79zSCkgxI/AAAAAAAAFgI/sDz0WGseQi0/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QNnYF3qLm-8/UP79zSCkgxI/AAAAAAAAFgI/sDz0WGseQi0/s640/030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivy teasing Grandpa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ownw0uTUZ8I/UP790U3oXtI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/dVDIWiQYsJc/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ownw0uTUZ8I/UP790U3oXtI/AAAAAAAAFgQ/dVDIWiQYsJc/s640/032.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A happy bunch!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1AHVFw0ZFg/UP791922hlI/AAAAAAAAFgY/I7LR8rSUxU0/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F1AHVFw0ZFg/UP791922hlI/AAAAAAAAFgY/I7LR8rSUxU0/s640/034.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And subzero temperatures were the farthest thing from their minds. Glorious!</td></tr>
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Just for the record it's 0 degrees right now. The high today is 1 degree.</div>
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And the temperature "feels like" -13 with windchill factored in.</div>
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As Rick said on Sunday, spring ALWAYS follows winter.<br />
Hallelujah! This too shall pass. Eventually.<br />
bekihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07303994612915023591noreply@blogger.com0