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Good grief!
Nov. 30, 2008
Have you ever....?
I found this on a friend's blog and decided to do it too!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
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Jun. 7, 2008
One Year
 It's been one year since our dear Nattie entered Heaven and I still miss her. I wouldn't wish her back but hearts are aching today at our loss. Even though I didn't know her well I feel a connection - we both love books, love daisies, love the color purple, and love our kids. I don't share her love for Diet Coke though! 
I leave you with a song that's meant a lot to me the last few weeks. As I grieved at the death of Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter a couple weeks ago I was reminded of all the losses I've experienced. I can grieve with hope, knowing I'll see my friends and family again someday.
With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman
This is not at all how
We thought it was supposed to be
We had so many plans for you
We had so many dreams
And now you've gone away
And left us with the memories of your smile
And nothing we can say
And nothing we can do
Can take away the pain
The pain of losing you, but ...
We can cry with hope
We can say goodbye with hope
'Cause we know our goodbye is not the end, oh no
And we can grieve with hope
'Cause we believe with hope
(There's a place by God's grace)
There's a place where we'll see your face again
We'll see your face again
And never have I known
Anything so hard to understand
And never have I questioned more
The wisdom of God's plan
But through the cloud of tears
I see the Father's smile and say well done
And I imagine you
Where you wanted most to be
Seeing all your dreams come true
'Cause now you're home
And now you're free, and ...
We have this hope as an anchor
'Cause we believe that everything
God promised us is true, so ...
We wait with hope
And we ache with hope
We hold on with hope
We let go with hope
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May. 22, 2008
Another sad day
 © 2007 Tucker Photography.
(Left to right Will Franklin, Maria, Steven, Shaoey, Mary Beth, Stevey Joy, Caleb and Emily)
NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08... At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.
I got this release and picture from SC2's website http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/
Words are few this morning as I think about this tragedy. Other news stories are reporting one of their sons was driving the SUV that struck little Maria. The grief this family is going through is unimaginable! My prayers are with this family today. May God be glorified through this.
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May. 21, 2008
FREE stuff
May. 10, 2008
What do you call it meme
Where did you grow up? I was born in Fredericksburg, VA and lived most of my life in/near Roanoke, VA. I did live for 5 years in the San Francisco Bay Area, but didn't lose my southern-ness.
WHAT DO YOU CALL…
1. A body of water, smaller than a river, contained within relatively narrow banks?
~ creek
2. Whats the thing you push around the grocery store is called?
~ cart
3. A metal container to carry a meal in?
~ lunch box
4. The thing that you cook bacon and eggs in?
~ pan or skillet
5. The piece of furniture that seats three people?
~ couch
6. The device on the outside of the house that carries rain off the roof?
~ gutter
7. The covered area outside a house where people sit in the evening?
~ porch, or patio (concrete floor)
8. Carbonated, sweetened, non-alcoholic beverages?
~ soda
9. A flat, round breakfast food served with syrup?
~ Pancakes
10. A long sandwich designed to be a whole meal in itself?
~ sub
11. The piece of clothing worn by men at the beach?
~ Swimming trunks.
12. Shoes worn for sports?
~ tennis shoes
13. Putting a room in order?
~ clean
14. A flying insect that glows in the dark?
~ Lightening bug.
15.The children’s playground equipment where one kid sits on one side and goes up while the other sits on the other side and goes down?
~ see saw
16. How do you eat your pizza?
~ Point first.
17. What’s it called when private citizens put up signs and sell their used stuff?
~ yard sale
18. What’s the evening meal?
~ supper or dinner
19. What do you call the thing that you can get water out of to drink in public places?
~ water fountain
20. What do you call the clothing covering for legs worn on the outside?
~ pants.
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Apr. 16, 2008
"We're All Hokies Today"
"Forever Changed (We're All Hokies Today)" performed by The Season
On just an ordinary day
A weapon drawn and lives forever changed
One act of violence made the world stop and watch
And on a drillfield by candlelight we prayed.
The question’s on our minds, we wonder
where the future lies.
As we look up to heaven with hope in our eyes.
Where do we go from here? Can we overcome this fear?
And find a healing for the pain and see
the sun beyond the rain
We’ve got the strength to endure and soon
we’ll feel more secure.
In a world filled with hate we’ve got to
become something great.
Oh God send your mercy this way,
For we’re all Hokies today.
And to the ones who fell that day
In our hearts your love will never fade away
Picking up the pieces to build a better tomorrow
We’ll find a joy yes to move on from the sorrow
By the colors of the leaves you know God has us on his mind.
So we look up to heaven with hope in our eyes.
Where do we go from here? Can we overcome this fear?
And find a healing for the pain and see the
sun beyond the rain
We’ve got the strength to endure and soon
we’ll feel more secure.
In a world filled with hate we’ve got to
become something great.
Oh God send your mercy this way,
For we’re all Hokies today.
The spirit lives on, don’t let it be gone.
Let it shine forever!
And through the heartbreak for the lost and their sakes
Let it bring us together.
Where do we go from here? Can we overcome this fear?
And find a healing for the pain and see the
sun beyond the rain
We’ve got the strength to endure and soon
we’ll feel more secure.
In a world filled with hate we’ve got to
become something great.
Oh God send your mercy this way,
For we’re all Hokies today.
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Apr. 16, 2008
1 year ago...
Ross Alameddine, 20, Saugus, MA
Brian Bluhm, 25, Winchester, VA
Jamie Bishop, 35, German professor
Ryan "Stack" Clark, 22, Martinez, GA (member of MV's)
Austin Cloyd, 19, Champaign, IL
Daniel Cueva, 21, Woodbridge, VA
Kevin Granata, Engineering professor
Matthew G. Gwaltney, 24, Chester, Va.
Caitlin Hammaren, 19, Watertown, N.Y.
Jeremy Herbstritt, 27, Bellefonte, PA
Rachel Hill, 18, Henrico County, VA
Emily Hilscher, 19, Woodville, VA
Jarrett Lane, 22, Narrows, VA
Partahi Lombantoruan, 34, India
Matt La Porte, 20, Bergen County, NJ
Liviu Libreascu, Engineering professor, Israel
G. V. Loganathan, 53, Engineering professor, India
Henry Lee, 20, Roanoke, VA (graduate of William Fleming)
Lauren McCain, 20, Hampton, VA
Jocelyne Couture-Nowak, French professor
Daniel O'Neil, 22, Lincoln, RI
Juan Ortiz, 26, Puerto Rico
Minal Panchal, 26, India
Erin Peterson, 18, Centreville, VA
Michael Pohle, 23, Flemington, NJ
Julia Pryde, 23, Middletown, NJ
Mary Read, 19, Annandale, VA
Reema Samaha, 18, Centreville, VA
Leslie Sherman, Springfield, VA
Maxine Turner, 22, Vienna, VA
Nicole White, 20, Smithfield, Va.
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Apr. 5, 2008
Scattergories
It's harder than it looks! Copy and paste into your own blog. Use the 1st letter of your 1st name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things - nothing made up. Try to use different answers if you have the same initial as me. You cannot use your own name for the boy/girl name.
1. What is your name? Jennifer
2. A 4 letter word: June
5. A boy's name: Jeff
6. A girl's name: Jessica
7. Alcoholic drink: J
8. An occupation: Judge
9. Something you wear: Jumper
10. A celebrity: Jennifer Anniston
11. A food: Jambalaya
12. Something found in a bathroom: Junk (in the boy's bathroom)
13. Reason for being late: car-Jacked
14. Something you shout: Jump!!
16. A body part: Jejunum (part of your intestines)
17. Word to describe yourself: Joyful (I hope)
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Apr. 3, 2008
I'm it!!
So, I've been tagged by Lisa. She listed seven random things about herself, and then "tagged" seven other people who have blogs to list seven random things about them. OK- here goes:
1. I love taking baths! They relax me and make my Braxton Hicks contractions disappear.
2. I'm having major surgery 9 weeks from today. I'll have my 4th and hopefully final c-section on June 5!
3. I love my church.
4. I'm addicted to sweet tea.
5. I'm a postpartum nurse.
6. I homeschool my kids.
7. I love raising my hands in worship to my Saviour!!
I tag whoever hasn't already done this.
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Feb. 22, 2008
Blog Makeover
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I could possibly win a makeover - not to make ME more beautiful but to make this place, my blog, more beautiful and reflective of me. I love the layouts here, but I want something that reflects who I am.
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Feb. 21, 2008
I'll follow suit...
60 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me
1. What is in the back seat of your car right now?
The very back: 2 boxes of videos and a stroller
2. When was the last time you threw up
A few weeks ago when I had a reaction to an antibiotic.
3. What's your favorite curse word?
Oh shoot!
4. Name 3 people who made you smile today?
Mikey, Annika, and the boys (I know that's 4 but I couldn't leave someone out)
5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning?
Reading a book
6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago?
Reading W@H blogs
7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now?
Cleaning the house
8. Have you ever been to a strip club?
Nope
9. What is the last thing you said aloud?
Oh, Annika - she was getting into something she shouldn't
10. What is the best ice cream flavor?
Edy's (or Dreyers depending on which side of the country you live on) Thin Mint
11.What was the last thing you had to drink?
Decaf iced tea
12. What are you wearing right now?
my blue and green plaid pj's
13. What was the last thing you ate?
Milky Way bar last night
14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week?
Just clothes for baby "Rebeka/Kaysa/Sofia"
15. When was the last time you ran?
I was running around with the boys a few days ago
16. What's the last sporting event you watched?
The Super Bowl, my first!
18. Who is the last person you emailed?
my friend Cheryl
19. Ever go camping?
in Tahoe
20. Do you have a tan?
There's no such thing as a tan on this white body - for one, I don't tan easily, and two, I don't want to die from skin cancer
24. Do you drink your soda from a straw?
Yes (if in a cup)
25. What did your last IM say?I can't remember the last IM I sent/received
26. Are you someone's best friend?
Yep
27. What are you doing tomorrow?
Having lunch at church
28. Where is your mom right now?
In Lexington at a Women's Retreat
29. Look to your left, what do you see?
My messy dresser
30. What color is your watch?
I don't have one.
31. What do you think of when you think of Australia?
G'day mate!
32. Would you consider plastic surgery?
Nope
33. What is your birthstone?
Garnet
34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru?
both
35.How many kids do you want?
The 4 I have
36. Do you have a dog?
Not yet
37. Last person you talked to on the phone?
my dad
38. Have you met anyone famous?
Alan Keyes, Kay Coles James, Ollie North, Lysa Terkheurst
39. Any plans today?
Laundry, clean living room, kitchen, family room, bathroom, possibly work 3p-7p and if not eat dinner with my dad
40. How many states have you lived in?
Three: Virginia, Ohio, California
41. Ever go to college?
Yes - graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing
42. Where are you right now?
my bedroom
43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now?
my kids when they scream/whine
44. Last song listened to?
"How Great is our God"
46. Are you allergic to anything?
Dust, trees in California, peanuts (though I eat them without any problems)
47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time?
My Crocs!
48. Are you jealous of anyone?
Yes
50. Is anyone jealous of you?
I doubt it.
51. What time is it?
9:45am
52. Do any of your friends have children?
Yes
53. Do you eat healthily?
I try to
54. What do you usually do during the day?
Clean, cook, play with the kids, read
55. Do you hate anyone right now?
No.
56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily?
Probably, if the phone rings
58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday?
35
59. Have you ever been to Six Flags?
Yes (Magic Mountain in SoCal, and the one near DC)
60. How did you get one of your scars?
My 3 c-sections
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Feb. 6, 2008
Mountain Top Experience vs. Crash
Yesterday I had a great morning in Bible Study (I go to Community Bible Study and we're studying Matthew). We discussed chapter 17 where Matthew wrote of the Transfiguration, Jesus healing an epileptic boy, and Jesus paying the temple tax. We talked about how Jesus had a "mountain top" experience (literally) then came down to settle an argument between the scribes and disciples. Isn't that how it often is? We have a mountain top experience then CRASH!
Well, as I was getting my stuff together one of the children's teachers came to me and said that Eric (5yo) had had a bad morning. So I reluctantly walked downstairs not sure of what I'd find. He was sitting outside his classroom in a chair with a huge frown on his face. I knelt down next to him and asked him what was wrong. He said, "I don't know." I asked him why he was sitting outside the classroom and he replied, "I don't know." His teacher came out and knelt down next to us. She asked him if he wanted to tell me what had happened or if he wanted her to. He refused to answer so she told me that he'd been upset all morning. He wanted to be line leader but it wasn't his turn so he refused to participate in any activities. At one point another boy and Eric got into a tussle and Eric hit the boy in the eye (when we asked him about it later he said, "It was a punch, not a hit."). Anyway, since he was unwilling to participate in the activities the teacher decided he needed to sit by himself. I talked to him for a few minutes then told him we needed to go get Alec and Annika. He would not stand up and I didn't think to threaten to call Mike so I had to carry him up 2 flights of stairs (5 months pregnant and all)! We got the other 2 with some difficulty (Eric would not walk and I had to almost pull him from one room to the other).
When we got in the van he started crying because "I didn't get my way!" Alec started screaming because he couldn't get his pb crackers open, and Annika was screaming because she needed to go to sleep. So I had 3 crying kids. I CRASHED big time!! Through it all I kept my calm and didn't scream/yell at them which is my inclination.
After we got on the road I turned on my MP3 player and heard the song below. I cried as I heard,
I'm lost without You, I need to know it's okay.
I'm lost without You, show me the right way.
I'm lost without You, it's what I live for.
Count it all joy,all that you're going through, even when you're feeling down.
Count it all joy,each moment's a gift to you, so turn it all around."
I AM lost without God. I need Him to direct. And I needed to know that God was pleased with how I'd reacted. As I was driving down the road I realized that the past 1/2 hour was a gift from God (for what purpose I don't know) and my 3 screaming kids are PRECIOUS gifts from God. I needed to count this experience as ALL JOY!!!
Count It All Joy
I'm lost without You, I need to know it's okay.
I'm lost without You, show me the right way.
I'm lost without You, it's what I live for.
Count it all joy,all that you're going through,
even when you're feeling down.
Count it all joy,each moment's a gift to you,
so turn it all around.
Verse 1:
It's hard to understand sometimes, is there a master plan;
how do I make sense of everything I'm going through?
But maybe it's not ours to know, so we have to learn to let things go,
and simply try to make the most of every day
and have the faith that somehow we will find our way.
Chorus 1:
Count it all joy, yeah, (all that you're going through),
no matter what you're going through, (even when you're feeling down).
Count it all joy, yeah, (each moment's a gift to you),
no matter what you're going through, (so turn it all around).
Even in the darkest night, (if you look hard enough),
(there's a trace of sunlight waiting there), yes, waiting there for you.
Verse 2:
Been searching everywhere to find that rainbow in the air,
whenever I came close, it just seemed to disappear.
I had to change my point of view, start looking at myself,
I can't believe I never knew, everything that I needed
was right here, yes, inside of me.
Bridge:
(I don't have to be afraid), from today, I have the faith that somehow I will find my way.
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Feb. 2, 2008
Work
I got to come home early from work tonight!! YEAH!! Thursday night we were SO busy - there were only 2 or 3 empty beds on the floor (we have 28 beds). Tonight we only had 10 or 12 patients on the floor. It was very nice to come home early and now I'm going to bed!!!
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Jan. 29, 2008
Babies!
Sunday afternoon our care group had a baby shower for a dear friend, Anne. She's from Kenya and came to the US to go to Liberty University. She and her husband got married in March 2006. They don't know what they're having which drives me crazy. I CAN'T not know what I'm having!! I'm glad they're able to be in suspense for 9 months, but I'm too curious to wait! 
Anne is due February 12, I'm due June 11, and my friend Jenn is due June 25. Our care group is very productive in regards to babies. Jenn and I were pregnant together just a year ago - her daughter Anneliese is 6 weeks older than Annika. I'm happy that this will be our last. I love my kids, but this pregnancy's been much more difficult!
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Jan. 25, 2008
Another birthday!
Last night Mike and I went out to dinner for my 34th birthday at Flat Rock Grille. Since my eyes are always bigger than my stomach when I'm pregnant I ate a small lunch so I'd be hungrier at dinner. Mike ordered steak and I had shrimp. My meal was delicious - ceasar salad, french fries, lightly fried shrimp!! The best part of Mike's meal was his baked potato. He put the garlic butter from the bread on his potato which added a great flavor!
The day ended well but didn't start out all that great. Eric had thrown up a couple times Wednesday night and once yesterday morning. We weren't sure if it was a virus or something he'd eaten so we tried to lay low. We didn't get together with my aunts and grandmother since one of my aunts was also in the midst of a stomach bug. Fortunately my friend Jenn was willing to watch the kids last night anyway.
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Jan. 20, 2008
Daily Routine
7:00am - Boys get up and watch TV
8:00am - I get up then read email and blogs while I wake up
9:30am - Annika gets up and has a bottle
10:00am - Boys play in their rooms or outside
11:30am - Lunch time
12:30pm - Annika's nap time
1:00pm - Nap time for Mommy and Alec/rest time for Eric
4:00pm - Everyone's up and energetic (except Mommy)
5:30pm - Dinner time then playing with Daddy
7:30pm - get ready for bed
8:00 - Lights out!! 
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Jan. 15, 2008
Birthday party
Annika's 1st birthday party was Sunday evening. Only Mom and Dad came since everyone else (aunts, uncles, grandmother) is either sick or recovering from surgery. It was a nice "quiet" evening with just our immediate family. Annika got a photo album, doll house, books, and some clothes from my parents. We didn't get her anything since she's only 1 and we buy stuff for her as she needs it.
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Jan. 11, 2008
The kidlets
Jan. 9, 2008
Another giveaway!
Jan. 9, 2008
Where in the World?
Colleen from Simple Kind of Life is going on a trip,
in her favorite rocket ship, zooming through the sky.
Oops, that's Little Einsteins, not Colleen! 
Go to her website and check each day for the latest clue.
If you guess the correct city and country
you could win a gift certificate to Travelocity!!
GOOD LUCK!
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W@H Blogroll
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Alec (2 3/4 yo), Eric (5 5/6 yo)
Annika (1yo)