tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-372109852024-03-25T17:02:37.600-07:00ConsiderUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger791125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-74395508303763852572024-03-25T17:01:00.000-07:002024-03-25T17:01:44.303-07:00The Terrible Beautiful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojUiwJbHbOqbaZpo6UFnIJG8uyuOEkubLGsQrST8WfjJfDQO_jh7CsFuC2cqIoQ1jlsm0zyN_xRTPWvUs3yfHCHhOrfT334dhjn3r7HUFpfS5-RMhDmWcMA-3sukYso1AkCUdoEkAyrgNMwbAbZE8g0lsimNWmgkMbfpWjK-SYcuNGibWhw/s4080/IMG_20240322_092036359~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojUiwJbHbOqbaZpo6UFnIJG8uyuOEkubLGsQrST8WfjJfDQO_jh7CsFuC2cqIoQ1jlsm0zyN_xRTPWvUs3yfHCHhOrfT334dhjn3r7HUFpfS5-RMhDmWcMA-3sukYso1AkCUdoEkAyrgNMwbAbZE8g0lsimNWmgkMbfpWjK-SYcuNGibWhw/s320/IMG_20240322_092036359~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchtvOQKCCCZAG821h17uuGPSFNLi_CnsfgdTjkk1GZ4xovmdzwvMnKj0I9xc-ZqRBxKz4hfMkCQLSsM81SRxcNW3WR7zByvI2AIRn7jk7lyOaeT3VtsImmk7QIiyOtV0lJM1ZN10166tOmAt7c7T-CtCMr29WxdoW40NJA0y29iNIOwwErw/s4080/IMG_20240322_095121323~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchtvOQKCCCZAG821h17uuGPSFNLi_CnsfgdTjkk1GZ4xovmdzwvMnKj0I9xc-ZqRBxKz4hfMkCQLSsM81SRxcNW3WR7zByvI2AIRn7jk7lyOaeT3VtsImmk7QIiyOtV0lJM1ZN10166tOmAt7c7T-CtCMr29WxdoW40NJA0y29iNIOwwErw/s320/IMG_20240322_095121323~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorNwW78T-pzlTJNdKFfxBsjswpuCCuXzljaWVy-qvRx9NJN20jnbgQTYiHhOm55Wv9-FAOVadg16J_Eof4O7lS2-qgl6lAq6OA-cHI2lPDEH-m7PCoFIQNoeSZU9r0-LyhGTs2ur07agu33ek5oYy8bi_Qp_0KEOc9YGajZbuTswvfMlBjQ/s4080/IMG_20240322_102146895~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorNwW78T-pzlTJNdKFfxBsjswpuCCuXzljaWVy-qvRx9NJN20jnbgQTYiHhOm55Wv9-FAOVadg16J_Eof4O7lS2-qgl6lAq6OA-cHI2lPDEH-m7PCoFIQNoeSZU9r0-LyhGTs2ur07agu33ek5oYy8bi_Qp_0KEOc9YGajZbuTswvfMlBjQ/s320/IMG_20240322_102146895~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>As I walked in to wait by the pool for the boys' swim lessons to begin, I noticed a couple walking arm in arm around the pool, exercising together. It caught my attention because of the affection and love on the man's face as he looked down on the person who was clearly his bride. I didn't immediately notice that his lady was walking with a distinct limp and that her inside arm was hanging by her side, clearly the result of some kind of injury. They walked together like this throughout my time there; he talked to her, smiled at her and led her. She was concentrating very hard on where to place her feet each step. When they got out of the pool, they came to fetch their towels near where I was sitting. He started talking with me and I told him that their love story was beautiful to watch in action. He teared up and said, "she's my bride. We've been together since we were too young to be together. Last year she had a stroke and it's hard for her to walk without tripping and falling, so we come to the pool to walk together." My heart... what a beautiful display of love, in all it's agony. The terrible beautiful. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZQ2iNLoRj6Yn9IOhBlx9tDeKyyALTIvhaAd2iRhNxVL96BgxCbjtmDcr5w0xgK0YigMn62y_c8fe02W800FLFZItpBNE_1mMxfREQJ-O6aBmb7oBBpa9o0GZJGL6HqLjML3v9xHV6AjiPVlYKmSDcubOqdvEXn793_B-rMi8gIsezUfZcQ/s4080/IMG_20240322_121939146_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZQ2iNLoRj6Yn9IOhBlx9tDeKyyALTIvhaAd2iRhNxVL96BgxCbjtmDcr5w0xgK0YigMn62y_c8fe02W800FLFZItpBNE_1mMxfREQJ-O6aBmb7oBBpa9o0GZJGL6HqLjML3v9xHV6AjiPVlYKmSDcubOqdvEXn793_B-rMi8gIsezUfZcQ/s320/IMG_20240322_121939146_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Each day is a gift. Sometimes, I think we actually realize it. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDmHV8FBpBtJnwDtA6ealBnoTNAqLR1W3mqJn3bbo0AZXUgrsPFriBOT7E7rrTxJ4XXooRqZibcUD7mcPdNOKT0Z47OjNYRRfSXuhxDmpp5n2-EGx6LBSpROawLqdZ2PdEGv8TagjvRdPEdwkXrbXzFDSX85Tk9RI82qsP4AugDzzcgsAKA/s4080/IMG_20240322_121821333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDmHV8FBpBtJnwDtA6ealBnoTNAqLR1W3mqJn3bbo0AZXUgrsPFriBOT7E7rrTxJ4XXooRqZibcUD7mcPdNOKT0Z47OjNYRRfSXuhxDmpp5n2-EGx6LBSpROawLqdZ2PdEGv8TagjvRdPEdwkXrbXzFDSX85Tk9RI82qsP4AugDzzcgsAKA/s320/IMG_20240322_121821333.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p></blockquote><p>Each morning for the past many weeks and hopefully for the next several months, we wake up to the sound of large equipment outside our house. The county has put together and is putting into action an incredibly large plan to create mitigation for the future flood waters coming off the mountain. In 2022, after the two wildfires, the natural alluvial fan in the forests above us were destroyed. Those alluvial fans had for centuries spread out the water coming off the mountains during monsoons so that by the time it got to our neighborhood downstream, it was unnoticeable. When the fire destroyed the natural fan, our neighborhood became the fan, with our property lying in the center of the main water flow. The county has been rebuilding a 40 acre alluvial fan in the forest above us. Now, they're building a huge canyon that runs from the new alluvial fan all the way to the large retention area below our neighborhood. It will run from the west end of our property to the east end. They will place a 10' culvert inside that canyon, and then cover it. The county has had to procure easements from so many property owners and it has been a fight with a few; those who were virtually unaffected by the flooding had less motivation to comply. In addition, the county is filling in our grand canyon for us and replacing it with a 2' deep, 20' wide water course that will serve as an overflow channel in case we get a storm that is larger than the capacity of the culvert. This whole project is an incredible undertaking and I cannot tell you how grateful I am that it is happening. Our future absolutely depends on it. Many of us shed tears when the first of the big equipment rolled in to begin the project. It's beauty from ashes for us. The terrible beautiful. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3KvQI7slWj0XmZXLp7lc6UU7A2xVGFJxLIm8DrwY9a71CDXIPuafW9g6TqG36ZvHth3vaK7yBK8e9mGBT6QhrHUZo1HdY0owCCQyeHarVy73Q1kf7nJrSadoJ6kX507gvblT-6S2M2lFlmLIAAZNPP19LSu09kkzxxOdD0t9JbOPOQMrSQ/s4080/IMG_20240320_163849145_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3KvQI7slWj0XmZXLp7lc6UU7A2xVGFJxLIm8DrwY9a71CDXIPuafW9g6TqG36ZvHth3vaK7yBK8e9mGBT6QhrHUZo1HdY0owCCQyeHarVy73Q1kf7nJrSadoJ6kX507gvblT-6S2M2lFlmLIAAZNPP19LSu09kkzxxOdD0t9JbOPOQMrSQ/s320/IMG_20240320_163849145_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLFGiNC4POZloh9boFYFeEPqfUFaZO0isooC3FCenAsa0gW2Y9NbEuYaKI6OiC0gtjVfM53usXHKeH8J2x-MuQ9nyKdoBCXqpcuFKwBtgOX-njCWlD8kesPaFxLZuE1RWH9E3-OnGA4MXyEnjmaHI8dwo4oiM5L2cH5jhQi7QBKYnpdpDvkA/s4080/IMG_20240320_163859157_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvbOUhkpNMUXR1kVlYncLlWIgIo_vBN9d4TiIdNan_8e-OCG66k7FUBsMXGUVV14BgUCqXV-Ez-PfPmruF29yV4VBchRE-nFDST1Fq0KuscArUtbuArhz506zOuaVTYy3jzqxjtP9A2ynI6BLIE9dp7hwKjufF7Zx938QJH9YHUwbXJyTGg/s1280/IMG_20240320_182118%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvbOUhkpNMUXR1kVlYncLlWIgIo_vBN9d4TiIdNan_8e-OCG66k7FUBsMXGUVV14BgUCqXV-Ez-PfPmruF29yV4VBchRE-nFDST1Fq0KuscArUtbuArhz506zOuaVTYy3jzqxjtP9A2ynI6BLIE9dp7hwKjufF7Zx938QJH9YHUwbXJyTGg/s320/IMG_20240320_182118%20(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>When Devany was born, I did not realize all that she would become for this family. She is not only the foal of my beloved Fancy, but she is the most delightful riding horse I have ever had. I love her curious personality, the way she talks to me all day long, how she recognizes my car(s) and nickers when she sees me, but mostly I love the way she takes care of my kids. Lochlan shows tremendous improvement when he rides the horses and we can take him from raging to laughing by just putting him on their backs. Devany is infinitely patient with him. Sometimes, when he is riding double with one of his brothers, he will kick her directly in her flank, or slide off her hind end or scream out of nowhere. She is completely unphased. She is an incredible gift that I didn't know I needed. Lochlan was not even born yet when Devany came into the world that cold Tennessee morning. I was the first one to touch her, and when I pulled the birthing sac off of her, I saw that little lighting strike mark on her forehead and I knew she was special. I just didn't know how special! How I need her! The terrible beautiful. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYJMQEQcV0Ri1BJ__aWc3YYWxLcyqHXjmc0OjwxDy51buWOdvrwKpGKyOUZHgYnBYYH-tE_7UweVkUQOg4IN6aOskYT2ooGOmJV2hJIQzSSxL1ys3cJ-o9Az8yzHEa7rHmBIVxmAfPkByO6PvVFyJcUmhyphenhyphenThTywpHAETZLXYlbdcu1zV-sw/s4080/IMG_20240312_142412446_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYJMQEQcV0Ri1BJ__aWc3YYWxLcyqHXjmc0OjwxDy51buWOdvrwKpGKyOUZHgYnBYYH-tE_7UweVkUQOg4IN6aOskYT2ooGOmJV2hJIQzSSxL1ys3cJ-o9Az8yzHEa7rHmBIVxmAfPkByO6PvVFyJcUmhyphenhyphenThTywpHAETZLXYlbdcu1zV-sw/s320/IMG_20240312_142412446_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaCd2pw6lcNnOQ0jEFSBZs6lAFfSilXQmmkKitXMuH8TuDczY0RakCLrCpgOfrxN4y-cj6whaUO6QvfuXh6iec0zO9wVn5raynmkeNmxg8uqSvW_GgGMqxBVQJwoZ4k9g_yMf1eNRTWINWURnDbiHwKeE3CQ_NYzeEd1ymHbi3fJHlt8pxA/s4080/IMG_20240312_143419264_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBaCd2pw6lcNnOQ0jEFSBZs6lAFfSilXQmmkKitXMuH8TuDczY0RakCLrCpgOfrxN4y-cj6whaUO6QvfuXh6iec0zO9wVn5raynmkeNmxg8uqSvW_GgGMqxBVQJwoZ4k9g_yMf1eNRTWINWURnDbiHwKeE3CQ_NYzeEd1ymHbi3fJHlt8pxA/s320/IMG_20240312_143419264_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuLrbADnK5XdqlLjAoVzntOZc_dVCDYiSkpjTZ1sJrm2RaGYxIyEjtx25CfZf-wFhqOOxlnbior6jVwn3mYADdPM-aK9O1eJtizAqZR-BkVLIbupnH_MqgVgg9FYfv8tvHZEhuQIGxiwY12fOn-l1drqDEU3TCxBOyHfC2q18KbPTRgHCuw/s4080/IMG_20240312_143500827_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwuLrbADnK5XdqlLjAoVzntOZc_dVCDYiSkpjTZ1sJrm2RaGYxIyEjtx25CfZf-wFhqOOxlnbior6jVwn3mYADdPM-aK9O1eJtizAqZR-BkVLIbupnH_MqgVgg9FYfv8tvHZEhuQIGxiwY12fOn-l1drqDEU3TCxBOyHfC2q18KbPTRgHCuw/s320/IMG_20240312_143500827_HDR~2.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsHGT7kIPQgw1IdJI9FhdXqMeAJ39JKX0Tl-FRV2KSAstHXCcZlMFcEqpx8YB69u8-7MY4HI__-RGJKsuhXMxdgr4spkxk7tTcyEuFJuvyDPYyCO8svwJC5JBT2ZBbVugvrXAnV4xyOIN6mFRKr5XmA6EPCf1qthfK5ZujnxhtXMuy9UJLw/s4080/IMG_20240312_143502319_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtsHGT7kIPQgw1IdJI9FhdXqMeAJ39JKX0Tl-FRV2KSAstHXCcZlMFcEqpx8YB69u8-7MY4HI__-RGJKsuhXMxdgr4spkxk7tTcyEuFJuvyDPYyCO8svwJC5JBT2ZBbVugvrXAnV4xyOIN6mFRKr5XmA6EPCf1qthfK5ZujnxhtXMuy9UJLw/s320/IMG_20240312_143502319_HDR~2.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><p>I've been watching a friend from afar navigate the incredible challenge of taking care of her parents as they age into the years when they can no longer care for themselves safely. They still expect their independence and yet to grant their independence would be cruel. It is a reality that we may face the time when our bodies become weak and our minds no longer work as they should; then, we become dependent upon others again as we were in our infancy. Losing one's independence is not unlike a person who has sight and then becomes blind. And for the caretaker, this is a whole different kind of impossible. It is love in one of it's purest forms. Again, the terrible beautiful. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm6y_ovY24cAN50KbwPmlqhDGofjPU4RtA3Y3slwlCsTB1hXP6BdbvJsP-SMDkrdV3-3gr7M1f_BXP7LZBAkUyMSDC1oMGQ-K0LaYCJs89LU3j9Fin2Dmn84QS13c9P9GBG132-DfoPj_M3rfSkjad6yiwwz3zMkF-fqkf9dGY6GjQwTlSQ/s4080/IMG_20240323_160259763_HDR~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm6y_ovY24cAN50KbwPmlqhDGofjPU4RtA3Y3slwlCsTB1hXP6BdbvJsP-SMDkrdV3-3gr7M1f_BXP7LZBAkUyMSDC1oMGQ-K0LaYCJs89LU3j9Fin2Dmn84QS13c9P9GBG132-DfoPj_M3rfSkjad6yiwwz3zMkF-fqkf9dGY6GjQwTlSQ/s320/IMG_20240323_160259763_HDR~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-81353468592680649742024-03-18T18:59:00.000-07:002024-03-18T21:59:04.774-07:00You just stand your ground<p> I stood there waving my white flag. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfjpPuA2ZYubfJaHp42i5p_fMnYtM0Eo-Tz-25JKftxSZHI__v2kRCcXNdsNYDQyDFdimIzwN9BlVVZKcItJ4L1Unn7kQmBkgSPwD2gcOgxoIk9024FYev1vg5xTbZGcq2FlH_65snqDeQKrcQAFkI-xpevqF6I6_S6rwRmyil5eKoofLyg/s4080/IMG_20240316_153927986_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfjpPuA2ZYubfJaHp42i5p_fMnYtM0Eo-Tz-25JKftxSZHI__v2kRCcXNdsNYDQyDFdimIzwN9BlVVZKcItJ4L1Unn7kQmBkgSPwD2gcOgxoIk9024FYev1vg5xTbZGcq2FlH_65snqDeQKrcQAFkI-xpevqF6I6_S6rwRmyil5eKoofLyg/s320/IMG_20240316_153927986_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>What a hellish week. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8jlCiXJGxyfo80IeTmUVrk3YD-zyRh-lxJT7jFjdrwjDKH7cY0DCCY6g5LbUcnU0flIiIqLwD7iMFPhaVEqWQQF_-NHoWppR8GnHRkL3SzeO1NxWQ98O_xy9y5ua_z3LcEIpuajb4nHc336AwSzAwEHLegX4_puaZak-yQtvG7F-iHmInA/s4080/IMG_20240316_150557361~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8jlCiXJGxyfo80IeTmUVrk3YD-zyRh-lxJT7jFjdrwjDKH7cY0DCCY6g5LbUcnU0flIiIqLwD7iMFPhaVEqWQQF_-NHoWppR8GnHRkL3SzeO1NxWQ98O_xy9y5ua_z3LcEIpuajb4nHc336AwSzAwEHLegX4_puaZak-yQtvG7F-iHmInA/s320/IMG_20240316_150557361~3.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VaKfUJeeg4kpzDkMQ8aYYizISNY2Yv0VDbEpBUMzW2Xm2ZhfXFpwbyT8OB1uFbzaWI2pNO1B7RxVkg00EnUxCUfexDBH0MMwqBAG_OdhQOPBUhAQCX0i9XXvxDDFj2N7CWBrIY_-MRhin5Ob7IZ4b_g6hqzfZRPG7jfCeUCQ_3VleZwOeA/s4080/IMG_20240316_150426180~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8VaKfUJeeg4kpzDkMQ8aYYizISNY2Yv0VDbEpBUMzW2Xm2ZhfXFpwbyT8OB1uFbzaWI2pNO1B7RxVkg00EnUxCUfexDBH0MMwqBAG_OdhQOPBUhAQCX0i9XXvxDDFj2N7CWBrIY_-MRhin5Ob7IZ4b_g6hqzfZRPG7jfCeUCQ_3VleZwOeA/s320/IMG_20240316_150426180~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We have made tremendous progress on so many fronts with Lochlan these past couple weeks - truly miraculous progress, and I rein in my hope so that my heart doesn't get broken into pieces. The hope stubbornly persists, though and it gives me wings to fly. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uuvyCCAIHufSRvSjn0mXnOn29WifYV6UEGESxGhmll86jY059meRzgifxvSx5Y9amQrjZLN4gLM3ti3qK22islUQMQMbrxg917KqUSIsOp3PsocEwyAyPZLhAJjPw8H86-625Y011Ubr1Qg972ACtfzNYu9KfNJbWDliVetpBB9K7qLNOg/s4080/IMG_20240308_175429468_HDR~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uuvyCCAIHufSRvSjn0mXnOn29WifYV6UEGESxGhmll86jY059meRzgifxvSx5Y9amQrjZLN4gLM3ti3qK22islUQMQMbrxg917KqUSIsOp3PsocEwyAyPZLhAJjPw8H86-625Y011Ubr1Qg972ACtfzNYu9KfNJbWDliVetpBB9K7qLNOg/s320/IMG_20240308_175429468_HDR~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkBIHdVidRMdqHe6d5V4ERKF4MQwfSxO8a4QwDbaVX5Gs3DxW08MDQWQ5G4Ksb5e96k4TdMxJY61FcNa_p9kaxtHFAeqstMi6Xku-mZ5pItE2rN84XGuBFb8CxuM4oiRzJswhi1z9MBycsdsyX9dStsH5B_uIND6hxxQyFKWxNnWxFp9Ocw/s4080/IMG_20240308_180852070_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkBIHdVidRMdqHe6d5V4ERKF4MQwfSxO8a4QwDbaVX5Gs3DxW08MDQWQ5G4Ksb5e96k4TdMxJY61FcNa_p9kaxtHFAeqstMi6Xku-mZ5pItE2rN84XGuBFb8CxuM4oiRzJswhi1z9MBycsdsyX9dStsH5B_uIND6hxxQyFKWxNnWxFp9Ocw/s320/IMG_20240308_180852070_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Yet, the progress is always coupled with new and unique challenges that are both unforeseeable and impossible in their own way. One evening, as the sun was setting, I left the house at something close to a full gallop, I hiked my hill but could barely see through the tears. I pushed myself much harder than I had energy to push, because I wanted to and I needed to - I knelt down next to my tree and waved my white flag... <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnox1RqdUIeLbJsgbtmelpeZx0ogvwAcY3nVCJ70kqgkEpJi5CprYpQw8uQl8BVD2h6zMxzZGBDKX38qqfW7GzLa81VmnXUX18uLSuV8_G626jC3uG7VVIPY4BHYdrchy-bSBpvRPfAxpxjz9ffuxuh5Zm5LSdedgBcbcOmGuk_lxPuwSpJQ/s4080/IMG_20240316_150325189~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnox1RqdUIeLbJsgbtmelpeZx0ogvwAcY3nVCJ70kqgkEpJi5CprYpQw8uQl8BVD2h6zMxzZGBDKX38qqfW7GzLa81VmnXUX18uLSuV8_G626jC3uG7VVIPY4BHYdrchy-bSBpvRPfAxpxjz9ffuxuh5Zm5LSdedgBcbcOmGuk_lxPuwSpJQ/s320/IMG_20240316_150325189~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qkb7F6dg5ih6tr_iaaqU4POgvyXvuseioNfMGiGMS0PZx3vBC6vx-1PGH8yGL86qsXa2ZWr7vWwGh4TS46OK4L9LN7V3uzRdgdZt52LG-NFERAyKmawmf6boDsrtbSNRkd0RKi4BXd2VGMe9CTEy2Wcupy4XWN5y2Y9ZUCHQnB9amFSPag/s4080/IMG_20240316_141444564~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Qkb7F6dg5ih6tr_iaaqU4POgvyXvuseioNfMGiGMS0PZx3vBC6vx-1PGH8yGL86qsXa2ZWr7vWwGh4TS46OK4L9LN7V3uzRdgdZt52LG-NFERAyKmawmf6boDsrtbSNRkd0RKi4BXd2VGMe9CTEy2Wcupy4XWN5y2Y9ZUCHQnB9amFSPag/s320/IMG_20240316_141444564~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I looked up and my teeny world was put into perspective for me in a very real way. I sat and absorbed as much as I could and I left with a smile in my heart. I knew there is one thing I must do: "You just stand your ground." Don't give way to the fear, discouragement, exasperation. Fight on! <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWQ4wNHAEJRSgAqt9TTrfs5-mrniQfiC1fiHioNLjaXqVAjcv8l1vz9gjtRhvGZa9qMieZYTb_eHO7H237oO0ONGNJ1VGV7pl_aOniKXWHToVYesv_eMzhmo30oCUC9W4uUf17UiNXq4fFsBPtzPSaJ6uppJ04e7m2KZuUXlKm0sSYhNtHQ/s4080/IMG_20240308_182928277~4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWQ4wNHAEJRSgAqt9TTrfs5-mrniQfiC1fiHioNLjaXqVAjcv8l1vz9gjtRhvGZa9qMieZYTb_eHO7H237oO0ONGNJ1VGV7pl_aOniKXWHToVYesv_eMzhmo30oCUC9W4uUf17UiNXq4fFsBPtzPSaJ6uppJ04e7m2KZuUXlKm0sSYhNtHQ/s320/IMG_20240308_182928277~4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje12ue_UqmKz_3CbKZopTeCYBB_1Zz7SoM1YW8NuL8ai0iwhLd7ooLcGjChFbAzLVxvOt8pHpkEK-mva787OhJtwSJiBzOu_mZvuuEJnYHY8yZxhposrq7Z5fGC7jqUF2D7QGBZjpr9gDgg_LCPGezUVdiHwP7LvKq-mgYaFo9vkIYA-80qg/s1080/IMG_20240308_212753_871.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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We endeavor to never blend in, never be average or normal. So, when swim lessons began this week, we really outdid ourselves even without Lochlan's legendary assistance. Madigan arrived to the pool fully clad in his usual attire, aside from the swimming trunks/swim shirt cleverly hidden underneath it all. Khakis, t-shirt, (barn filthy) flannel shirt, dagger holstered to his belt and of course his ragged cowboy boots. When he emerged from the locker room with his swim gear, he was still wearing his cowboy boots (and socks) and his dagger. I giggled and sheepishly chided him. He was utterly unaware of his fashion statement and the charming affect it had on the group of elderly ladies in the water yoga class. <br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrtTu6L1kXRE_g-PKuKwujYDAIyHW3zb2xUBG7V1SMWyWGfCDjm-QSsotySJYB2jKhjedy0PT99Ka4ZyI3Jn78x4tfyzARXvoioF9jL2VJN8ekvWuImHN-VFm9xumv_pgeRMcrWv0r46kp5m5WQj7BQpgEbpvfP1PMHISlkpYSojar_R_BQ/s4080/IMG_20240304_170457519_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrtTu6L1kXRE_g-PKuKwujYDAIyHW3zb2xUBG7V1SMWyWGfCDjm-QSsotySJYB2jKhjedy0PT99Ka4ZyI3Jn78x4tfyzARXvoioF9jL2VJN8ekvWuImHN-VFm9xumv_pgeRMcrWv0r46kp5m5WQj7BQpgEbpvfP1PMHISlkpYSojar_R_BQ/s320/IMG_20240304_170457519_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Lochlan stirred at 2:00 this morning. Luckily I heard him. He crept to where I was lying still, probably still assuming I was asleep. He silently bent down, placed his lips firmly upon my chin and kissed me. He hasn't kissed anything or anyone since he was 14 months old! He whispered, "I love you." I grabbed his giggly self into my arms, and with tears pouring down my face squeezed him as hard as I could. My heart... <br />We've had two school sessions at a coffee shop this week. Both times he has been agitated, but today he was much better than yesterday. We'll take improvement wherever we can! His latest fixation is on destroying things, or watching things fly: flying pencil to land upon fellow guest in the coffee shop, flying computer over the 3/4 wall in our house, flying potted plant, flying notebook, flying wooden bear figure, flying Legos (particularly inspiring if they're well built Lego creations made by his brothers), flying glass toothpaste container, etc. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJXAAQofs6jJ0ZOzhi2N_uPjwB5XyyLLEZ9oHsslv2nCc5b_zWorjP-ZS1C50caKikkWo4DuTXQLelMnfAa8v_vc2JzeWeaA7k3dE9lfm-J4LQU5t_ZSO3N_Y7emhKWq92mxuj1ZuDsZheKw17wq8jbpfzYwrcCatMZwU8lFK20b3NskmVg/s4080/IMG_20240305_172948260_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJXAAQofs6jJ0ZOzhi2N_uPjwB5XyyLLEZ9oHsslv2nCc5b_zWorjP-ZS1C50caKikkWo4DuTXQLelMnfAa8v_vc2JzeWeaA7k3dE9lfm-J4LQU5t_ZSO3N_Y7emhKWq92mxuj1ZuDsZheKw17wq8jbpfzYwrcCatMZwU8lFK20b3NskmVg/s320/IMG_20240305_172948260_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Kelton was helping me in the field tonight. We'd been picking up weeds, moving horse panels, unloading hay, and we were filthy. I looked up to find him staring at me. He said, "Mom, I love the way your face looks right now; it's how I remember you most clearly. You look happy and I love how you have taught me to work hard." My heart melted. I was happy. Hard work can be so rewarding, especially when I'm working alongside the people I love so dearly. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD71iWqs1id7Bwbv9tclwPqUVQZb-Dy8P1dZlHocsSFZfevNIPKzb4RaihAkigglpe8-0jzbzVhs-FrtbASp3crhhZoCm5L53GyZt_Dd7gPoxagLR994Qsmh5Dx_kx-Rpa-y5KxTdpZJpHOEaqPi5zwrPv5_IJsOl_KRdGxVrONgWJVmnWBw/s4080/IMG_20240222_143457756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD71iWqs1id7Bwbv9tclwPqUVQZb-Dy8P1dZlHocsSFZfevNIPKzb4RaihAkigglpe8-0jzbzVhs-FrtbASp3crhhZoCm5L53GyZt_Dd7gPoxagLR994Qsmh5Dx_kx-Rpa-y5KxTdpZJpHOEaqPi5zwrPv5_IJsOl_KRdGxVrONgWJVmnWBw/s320/IMG_20240222_143457756.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Declan made the most delicious and satisfying dinner tonight. It was entirely his own creation! My favorite part was the sweet potatoes that he diced, and sauteed in honey and butter until they were browned slightly. He wanted to surprise me with dinner and he succeeded marvelously. I love his tender heart, the way he serves quietly, never seeking recognition. He sees people when they are hurting and he genuinely rejoices when others prosper. What the world could learn from this man! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1sMGdqUI7KA2oERJOGcQmO4C6gtKe33oVjxEY3goi0m2UIM1ZfKnDuolrdEzqbkX5_FcJGz42CNxarXUG1cSyDjoM3dwoWeNMJ4-E62oaTmzVCiYE4mHs-tst9MV62ttpunbOEAZSBj8N6pAaDK9g4ZlFwXv_XHRNzTb7pAdsMFnaXLQcg/s4080/IMG_20240101_170101367~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz1sMGdqUI7KA2oERJOGcQmO4C6gtKe33oVjxEY3goi0m2UIM1ZfKnDuolrdEzqbkX5_FcJGz42CNxarXUG1cSyDjoM3dwoWeNMJ4-E62oaTmzVCiYE4mHs-tst9MV62ttpunbOEAZSBj8N6pAaDK9g4ZlFwXv_XHRNzTb7pAdsMFnaXLQcg/s320/IMG_20240101_170101367~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>You'll be happy to know that Ankie Tae blends in as well as we do. <div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqBAXY3AYjGUGmD4tDEPPXIqXBdSswFxyCF5YUGbeUeGz5nBCo7hs2zeaCXgKLFe2sjz6n4la1bMgZeue70Fv8Y_cYe2CmDxNXtdgZTJg7l6Q5dm0FAlUxxXtvxVfLISmx4k9VWatV8KJUZwaL-Ayfb7cedLInh7vYppAFdP4ZU9_IVfrsA/s1792/IMG_20240306_212819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1792" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqBAXY3AYjGUGmD4tDEPPXIqXBdSswFxyCF5YUGbeUeGz5nBCo7hs2zeaCXgKLFe2sjz6n4la1bMgZeue70Fv8Y_cYe2CmDxNXtdgZTJg7l6Q5dm0FAlUxxXtvxVfLISmx4k9VWatV8KJUZwaL-Ayfb7cedLInh7vYppAFdP4ZU9_IVfrsA/s320/IMG_20240306_212819.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCJ3GqS9xgRjum16Y2jGAS0wQRIuCQ75o5Gq_wzhZW1XTMyn8L7jmX_eZqTNOmgRN_0EiFLCbfS3zjwVps9ysPq8febc2_p-QIgb8KAkaUHww0HLF8qGrMVpvKX2uvzVvxjiZXo51L350zOmTWZaah4tsIX9dL21L1SVOxkat4l51WOt2vQ/s1792/IMG_20240306_212824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1792" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCJ3GqS9xgRjum16Y2jGAS0wQRIuCQ75o5Gq_wzhZW1XTMyn8L7jmX_eZqTNOmgRN_0EiFLCbfS3zjwVps9ysPq8febc2_p-QIgb8KAkaUHww0HLF8qGrMVpvKX2uvzVvxjiZXo51L350zOmTWZaah4tsIX9dL21L1SVOxkat4l51WOt2vQ/s320/IMG_20240306_212824.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpCAcMxL8bEF0APt3TJIN6AawMBLUofw4pJnBoZbvm3FE5mLhJ3dWcJvZ_zMPXukvpaSjIntply78A_slQ8BdTxeP7EdiTklLJZTAO9PDQETdLzgB3pWfQlZhoYNld5kTUt0Q65DFgeLcZ6INzx3iN2HBvbqos3dBwLXpLUgzMLYQk2GE9Q/s1792/IMG_20240306_212827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1792" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpCAcMxL8bEF0APt3TJIN6AawMBLUofw4pJnBoZbvm3FE5mLhJ3dWcJvZ_zMPXukvpaSjIntply78A_slQ8BdTxeP7EdiTklLJZTAO9PDQETdLzgB3pWfQlZhoYNld5kTUt0Q65DFgeLcZ6INzx3iN2HBvbqos3dBwLXpLUgzMLYQk2GE9Q/s320/IMG_20240306_212827.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>And, in summary... I feel that Bumpy reflects a lot about the animals who own us. Stoic. Unflappable. Long-suffering. Hilarious. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZH7BfbYRdbDyhFFn_9-Fy5I-42tG_PUnunhsaDwVgKG7IuX2N7u_YnC8j6TMsESUMGrqfCrLQjLvi28rzTs9SUFA0ZFpp25fiziaENJ07YCPdNxdQeDrcqHdsJwWcnCjHtnmdw6BKzoI8r7M3nCMMQGeKTYEbgUQb93mi5fT1wntFeJVyw/s1024/IMG_20240306_212738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZH7BfbYRdbDyhFFn_9-Fy5I-42tG_PUnunhsaDwVgKG7IuX2N7u_YnC8j6TMsESUMGrqfCrLQjLvi28rzTs9SUFA0ZFpp25fiziaENJ07YCPdNxdQeDrcqHdsJwWcnCjHtnmdw6BKzoI8r7M3nCMMQGeKTYEbgUQb93mi5fT1wntFeJVyw/s320/IMG_20240306_212738.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3osNP3QVUk-Y7Ll_UplGMO_iCLuKKr-nn5WoYsYjigu7PmSpkRFRmn2rj3XMUkLwV0q0oPbbjBcjx-4hvRRKU1AxWTZ54i4lBsUWOzk5wQfgJKPZc4nwrZE1DZz4aw4-eLz5gCWrt16t8BTnuWy8QR7HBmQgdjxgg9DekdvI5DWBeD5Qs_g/s800/IMG_20240306_212741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3osNP3QVUk-Y7Ll_UplGMO_iCLuKKr-nn5WoYsYjigu7PmSpkRFRmn2rj3XMUkLwV0q0oPbbjBcjx-4hvRRKU1AxWTZ54i4lBsUWOzk5wQfgJKPZc4nwrZE1DZz4aw4-eLz5gCWrt16t8BTnuWy8QR7HBmQgdjxgg9DekdvI5DWBeD5Qs_g/s320/IMG_20240306_212741.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMGAZEn5zayoz20Xd_NaXoiylqTr-PRGGMIPEotozKMiZbVHJlTGVCIWGebZgC9dCqDjJfnW023GJ-gVofzb24xm4L6Mj4Qjhqk0iJDymC18sC40iMzMraRtWchKab6Lt0fDree1KfwNqmFL0sG1CZh78tOkilsF0TAObcW0BrM8vk5o9NA/s800/IMG_20240306_212747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkMGAZEn5zayoz20Xd_NaXoiylqTr-PRGGMIPEotozKMiZbVHJlTGVCIWGebZgC9dCqDjJfnW023GJ-gVofzb24xm4L6Mj4Qjhqk0iJDymC18sC40iMzMraRtWchKab6Lt0fDree1KfwNqmFL0sG1CZh78tOkilsF0TAObcW0BrM8vk5o9NA/s320/IMG_20240306_212747.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sentiments exactly... <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0x7uMCWg87NboiX6Rg8xI1N1CcZNKeh9RVnMYv7Z2PApcQLt6hpaBqG_04G2nJeI3WRVXSZojBue3hfv7sM0V2qi-a4GfQ9MYQWT7Q3UQyqLAcgFfYbwWP_6XuBKwxQBjyYUd6KHcPZ6qApUKl-7BQeQdqHzE-PZg3NLCsa6pzClKGoq8g/s800/IMG_20240306_212713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr0x7uMCWg87NboiX6Rg8xI1N1CcZNKeh9RVnMYv7Z2PApcQLt6hpaBqG_04G2nJeI3WRVXSZojBue3hfv7sM0V2qi-a4GfQ9MYQWT7Q3UQyqLAcgFfYbwWP_6XuBKwxQBjyYUd6KHcPZ6qApUKl-7BQeQdqHzE-PZg3NLCsa6pzClKGoq8g/s320/IMG_20240306_212713.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-87517338087013733562024-03-01T13:37:00.000-08:002024-03-01T13:37:58.598-08:00Better to light a candle... It took about 24 hours. <div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cM7M951sR0JczhkHKtPMCeTwq2fln8Wu3b-Yd9hERpgZJKePdY4mSNkMSWT1_4zEjFJpQOcUsDxxAC2PuJnkx-Q8HmQ6H-RBpZxfLmo4hwJtc3OQXLzGmx_Q9pAFDoL_ISloSLeJWgRXhDxA8o1SKRrd6OEMrlVWQyCjKsptb10j7kuN_Q/s4080/IMG_20240229_161143528_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cM7M951sR0JczhkHKtPMCeTwq2fln8Wu3b-Yd9hERpgZJKePdY4mSNkMSWT1_4zEjFJpQOcUsDxxAC2PuJnkx-Q8HmQ6H-RBpZxfLmo4hwJtc3OQXLzGmx_Q9pAFDoL_ISloSLeJWgRXhDxA8o1SKRrd6OEMrlVWQyCjKsptb10j7kuN_Q/s320/IMG_20240229_161143528_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I loaded D and K into the truck and we headed to Durango for a couple of ski days with Ankie Tae. By the time we arrived, we were all tired. We tucked ourselves into the cabin we rented and put ourselves to bed early. Yesterday the three of them headed for the slopes and I wandered with my dog. We explored snow-packed trails and familiarized ourselves with the Purgatory Resort. I tried at least 8 times to sit and write out my thoughts, but my brain felt cloudy and tired. I didn't know what to do with the time I had available to me. Then, last night, I slept completely through the night - the first time in at least 6 months. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i8AfrpxHHckxGQmAJoIXSAuBNg0HQXwaGzOFPX3oCCz3SeXO3Kg8pyE_4RFPszaMu5vkVXhsy7y2Tnbr2VAiUZxCT6bEApEJ_RtMQ7GrNm4BoJxRP2HIK8o5NIgktpHpD1kaWAKDQoFf8ErnMhsRikksgK6bKhT9_XP5FiE76IsrjZNReQ/s4080/IMG_20240229_075603322_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i8AfrpxHHckxGQmAJoIXSAuBNg0HQXwaGzOFPX3oCCz3SeXO3Kg8pyE_4RFPszaMu5vkVXhsy7y2Tnbr2VAiUZxCT6bEApEJ_RtMQ7GrNm4BoJxRP2HIK8o5NIgktpHpD1kaWAKDQoFf8ErnMhsRikksgK6bKhT9_XP5FiE76IsrjZNReQ/s320/IMG_20240229_075603322_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>This morning, the bright morning light reflected my own well being. I know exactly what I want to do with the time I have available for the next couple days. Upon reflection, it is incredible how deeply weary I become day after day, week after week, month after month, without even realizing it. I am constantly "on", even in my sleep; it's my normal responsibilities and duties coupled with constantly countering Lochlan's antics, being always prepared for his night-time adventures, searching for answers (if not to his condition, then to his latest challenging activities) and the relentless toll of trying to live peaceably with his numerous challenges in a world that does not embrace or support what it does not understand. <br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WyI1Nuf7MJuJDKyXSK93k_zVZxZDlWNvNlr7L2V8NUo4oh7YxOAwMdG3zWTcbyVYlJQ5yNa6gLACucrbjSY4VOvagNdRea-NdfkuYy6j23xS0r4bdKt0THSAjsDFtYdw5JY4Pthl1rD804QOmg5DPIBUH4orpjoMU9WOytj-gL4y9mLUbg/s4080/IMG_20240229_132753681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WyI1Nuf7MJuJDKyXSK93k_zVZxZDlWNvNlr7L2V8NUo4oh7YxOAwMdG3zWTcbyVYlJQ5yNa6gLACucrbjSY4VOvagNdRea-NdfkuYy6j23xS0r4bdKt0THSAjsDFtYdw5JY4Pthl1rD804QOmg5DPIBUH4orpjoMU9WOytj-gL4y9mLUbg/s320/IMG_20240229_132753681.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTcDv10pDuv76XuTxhpuTlxRPQG1ULxjzXNn3gafQhLoFjQiozOTUjz2w3IAEYDc9ZuwdX8dt7yYYXYWGN0sL2LimYko0FAk4Yr8mcEH0EKLxBU-Idyv7lmgrce7ShMbvgwBQ7rATeOU1af92pgE7rWQeibV32fga-Lsajd7eTXnrbSwACg/s4080/IMG_20240229_132739863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTcDv10pDuv76XuTxhpuTlxRPQG1ULxjzXNn3gafQhLoFjQiozOTUjz2w3IAEYDc9ZuwdX8dt7yYYXYWGN0sL2LimYko0FAk4Yr8mcEH0EKLxBU-Idyv7lmgrce7ShMbvgwBQ7rATeOU1af92pgE7rWQeibV32fga-Lsajd7eTXnrbSwACg/s320/IMG_20240229_132739863.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJx_92pU1SneGkfEQycKv30Ux0UkrpAdYDN5TtGtYAsPG-hyMgyeOoz_tHPrFugBqsqxZ-o-v4uV-oqRe7A__nuHmvoggKJhzUxW4F7hOEfkE1wqVsPJiFK3vAK4-sZ9ak9zoANyWrt9NC_FdYXdEYdg5CqEqimQ3hfgNaUpc61piAaAX2Q/s4080/IMG_20240229_124958886~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggJx_92pU1SneGkfEQycKv30Ux0UkrpAdYDN5TtGtYAsPG-hyMgyeOoz_tHPrFugBqsqxZ-o-v4uV-oqRe7A__nuHmvoggKJhzUxW4F7hOEfkE1wqVsPJiFK3vAK4-sZ9ak9zoANyWrt9NC_FdYXdEYdg5CqEqimQ3hfgNaUpc61piAaAX2Q/s320/IMG_20240229_124958886~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjy7RrK4UHCK7WhRNqaMZHuDJ3_h0rHGYx68Swvvk8IykxOZ635FDPnzTYQ5Aa4FM4gLIJya7RQ4TXTts-3r-haGGXJPHVbvzzKqQsQxJkdDZBY1kLtDgeBMIYME4x28ECGmQ13Btlkwb_tVpZR9kapiK0FkqnvicSr_M95MIUEd4GLiHGKg/s4080/IMG_20240229_124939901~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjy7RrK4UHCK7WhRNqaMZHuDJ3_h0rHGYx68Swvvk8IykxOZ635FDPnzTYQ5Aa4FM4gLIJya7RQ4TXTts-3r-haGGXJPHVbvzzKqQsQxJkdDZBY1kLtDgeBMIYME4x28ECGmQ13Btlkwb_tVpZR9kapiK0FkqnvicSr_M95MIUEd4GLiHGKg/s320/IMG_20240229_124939901~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6c820LvpDfbQPkaSoub3qS6QgcAYRKU4CGsAnsOexG0Q8zfrRhOgPs2jRDETBNDjqPBrIP6p4wG3ezg50w_LyKVvh0-aZu6HDJE_z_T3DBYM1SHCTK-1vGUz01RQfx4tD9sg-GvxLMcKVoXPSJDtELyh8JwB-hgJ3KUafWEzuuEujTqyzw/s4080/IMG_20240229_123500698~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6c820LvpDfbQPkaSoub3qS6QgcAYRKU4CGsAnsOexG0Q8zfrRhOgPs2jRDETBNDjqPBrIP6p4wG3ezg50w_LyKVvh0-aZu6HDJE_z_T3DBYM1SHCTK-1vGUz01RQfx4tD9sg-GvxLMcKVoXPSJDtELyh8JwB-hgJ3KUafWEzuuEujTqyzw/s320/IMG_20240229_123500698~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I suppose that is why wandering in the wild places is so pivotal in my life. And even though they are brief, it is those moments of "freedom" which help restore - freedom from responsibility, from expectations, freedom for thought, freedom to absorb the beauty, to reflect upon the Creator of that beauty and even freedom to just set it all down. This season of my life is not a season of rest. It is a season of perseverance, it is a season to fight (daily) for answers for my boy who is locked up inside himself, it is season to love these incredible boys in all the wonderful and impossible ways, it is a season to yield my own hopes and dreams to the One I trust with the plan for my life. If rest (in all its facets) eludes me for the remainder of my life, so be it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will take the next step. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7revO7FrhSNzWXhNWqbyHHmpTm3s1d1wEcyi9nBRU1roOEuZW8_NNOdzlKhNIvYJDX5KiPZ-3bH7_C7xa8ZDw3i1MR4poC8OV0PTI0lXAx8oZkB3XoopAHN2gYwhDJnnPn_Q2NynvNSeKjNMYRMSlIWz7b_e2VKN3BNs_8NpDfzwHE2EJw/s4080/IMG_20240227_155933871~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7revO7FrhSNzWXhNWqbyHHmpTm3s1d1wEcyi9nBRU1roOEuZW8_NNOdzlKhNIvYJDX5KiPZ-3bH7_C7xa8ZDw3i1MR4poC8OV0PTI0lXAx8oZkB3XoopAHN2gYwhDJnnPn_Q2NynvNSeKjNMYRMSlIWz7b_e2VKN3BNs_8NpDfzwHE2EJw/s320/IMG_20240227_155933871~3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcDFZ8vWunnuxKjrvg_TRZ5rCdpCZvF_ogI_62zE7adYsnYVmaq0hR_srgb-EQg7hdw9cHcIlIioPYqwIlhLMJ5h_BBf4Rl58LQpJQXboTp-12_YSUKiBjl2FskRow4Hr63-cgEculXZKm0m1fn8LyqRvUKHhQhFn4gqojHVavehhzSFwwA/s4080/IMG_20240220_173901901_HDR~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcDFZ8vWunnuxKjrvg_TRZ5rCdpCZvF_ogI_62zE7adYsnYVmaq0hR_srgb-EQg7hdw9cHcIlIioPYqwIlhLMJ5h_BBf4Rl58LQpJQXboTp-12_YSUKiBjl2FskRow4Hr63-cgEculXZKm0m1fn8LyqRvUKHhQhFn4gqojHVavehhzSFwwA/s320/IMG_20240220_173901901_HDR~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-60570771280799951742024-02-19T20:04:00.000-08:002024-02-19T20:04:15.355-08:00Lady, get your sh** together<div><br /></div>As the notebook flew across the room, I saw several people glance our direction, but most of them were kind enough to avert their eyes or even offer me a sympathetic smile as I picked it up. Lochlan had started throwing a fit about 5 minutes earlier while Brooklyn attempted to do school with him in the coffee shop. We are so blessed that the employees all know us and love us and support us, so at least we don't have that added stress. <div><br /></div><div>We are trying to get Lochlan exposed to various situational scenarios, new environments and we are trying to give him the opportunity to encounter new things that could potentially create stress so that he can learn to successfully navigate through more in life. It comes at a cost to the rest of us, though. He was doing well until he encountered an unmet expectation which he failed to convey to us until later. By that time he had fully unraveled and we were working backwards at a gallop. </div><div><br /></div><div>At one point I had to exit him out the door to go to my car for a chat; on our way out he was frantically yelling, "HELP!!!" much to my horror. Thank goodness everyone in the shop had watched enough to know that it was indeed Brooklyn and me that needed HELP. The notebook was not the only thing he tossed and I lost track of all that he screamed. </div><div><br /></div><div>We did manage to end on a good note, which did my heart good. A couple hours later, I was in the grocery store when I recognized a man who had been sitting in the coffee shop for our full song and dance. I was holding onto Aberdeen who was navigating Lochlan quietly through the store when the man brazenly marched up to me, pointed a finger in my face, then waved it toward Lochlan and said, "Lady, you need to get your sh** together!" I crumbled. Inside. I managed to not tear up until I was through the checkout line, but I don't think I made it out the door. What I wanted to say included a great deal of profanity. </div><div><br /></div><div>First... NEVER point your finger at me if you want the conversation to be amicable. </div><div>Second... if you start out with "LADY", the conversation is dead before it starts. <br />Third... you have NO IDEA AT ALL. This kid has been through hell and back, he is fighting to be unlocked from the prison of his own mind, he has had the world throw itself against him at every turn, he has fought to learn, grow and understand; and I've been alongside him the whole dang journey. This journey has included so much fear, darkness, heartache, exasperation, hopelessness, anger, frustration, and unanswered questions. </div><div><br /></div><div>If the world understood... but it can't. I get it. <br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO4ZQjNshYP0BDQ38OgRKeLU0fKCXexZlz0c2WelqhsHhJ3faT0bZrVOSIBjpRr1HgOKqzwIY_2wgypAvLtMhpQBFC67JdI8B67jbxqF0pyGWygh_vefpkems5d73BnvtVC6lUkTBli5U-As9yffYxJfzFOJQ_rbB4bCFWYSbkyeJ0tNVsQ/s2177/IMG_20240219_173040558~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2059" data-original-width="2177" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfO4ZQjNshYP0BDQ38OgRKeLU0fKCXexZlz0c2WelqhsHhJ3faT0bZrVOSIBjpRr1HgOKqzwIY_2wgypAvLtMhpQBFC67JdI8B67jbxqF0pyGWygh_vefpkems5d73BnvtVC6lUkTBli5U-As9yffYxJfzFOJQ_rbB4bCFWYSbkyeJ0tNVsQ/s320/IMG_20240219_173040558~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-1952995825111297452024-02-14T08:48:00.000-08:002024-02-14T08:48:32.418-08:00Tears of the Forest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUVEmBGAxI-8J9Qz-1QBP-QzyzlfAXYUbNqRd6ELoUP5zasrdX_kMAMLfma2GTblzmXkdKXL6DeWZD_RYlWB_BvOay1KhGJrMyfpB2hzGmQHNNjkvNLhnxc7QlVxJrifKhyRzT-IdGmtS_Z_QPpLbhIJAf2DcEzB3Ta30maHSQG94rN_IVA/s4080/IMG_20240209_155620953_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUVEmBGAxI-8J9Qz-1QBP-QzyzlfAXYUbNqRd6ELoUP5zasrdX_kMAMLfma2GTblzmXkdKXL6DeWZD_RYlWB_BvOay1KhGJrMyfpB2hzGmQHNNjkvNLhnxc7QlVxJrifKhyRzT-IdGmtS_Z_QPpLbhIJAf2DcEzB3Ta30maHSQG94rN_IVA/s320/IMG_20240209_155620953_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Sitting in a coffee shop trying to do school with Lochlan... the agitation. Fists clenched. Deep voiced, guttural outbursts, mostly yelling specific phrases like movie titles. Eye rolling. Licking the chair. Throwing his napkin. Yelling again. Knocking over the chair next to him. Everyone is staring at us. I wither. I need to get over it. I tell myself I don't care what people think or say, or how they judge me. But, every glance, every sigh, every look of irritation, and a tiny part inside of me crumbles. I am operating on less than 3 hours of sleep from last night, and so is he; it sets our rotating world on a tilt. </p><p>We're at the coffee shop waiting on a doctor's appointment. It's a new avenue that we're pursuing, a tiny hope for changes, even if they're small ones. I couldn't sleep last night. I prayed, cried, rolled onto a different side in bed, listened to my book, prayed some more... my brain couldn't turn off, even in the moments when Lochlan was quiet. The anticipation. Trying to hold the hope at bay. Wanting to see improvement more than almost anything in the world. </p><p>This past week has been a tough one with Lochlan. He hasn't wanted to focus in school, and even when he tried to watch a movie, he could only concentrate for about 60 seconds before wanting to turn it off, or start a different movie. There have been a lot of midnight outbursts, mostly yelling out a movie title repeatedly, or screaming at the highest pitch attainable. We detoxed him from all electronic use except for the video he needs in school and took him outdoors as much as possible. The sledding seemed to help the most. He loves to sled and now awakes each morning and immediately puts on his snow gear. On several days we've just started the day on the sledding hills. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo4EMW_3_f0OPQ_mrnaf12FtV5IwwhfjuGBWIAoo6rrv6tVSlI1wsFsqfEOqagMzx203MrBpCepjUQY0AJR6EdHjYSZAscONx-wgac3zLJKtZWhoDWlgw1H8PCv39_YFxKwKQmWA2LfUaIdRplBBeRy9nAZsshSwLW5XJ7krKvuvrAYtyVA/s4080/IMG_20240209_155057993~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMo4EMW_3_f0OPQ_mrnaf12FtV5IwwhfjuGBWIAoo6rrv6tVSlI1wsFsqfEOqagMzx203MrBpCepjUQY0AJR6EdHjYSZAscONx-wgac3zLJKtZWhoDWlgw1H8PCv39_YFxKwKQmWA2LfUaIdRplBBeRy9nAZsshSwLW5XJ7krKvuvrAYtyVA/s320/IMG_20240209_155057993~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6dTpizUo8NEwITvVoVc1zH7GV_Vkdv0806db55gSTEevgFyZkjsuGO87iZAvaAtcTg0O8Etd0h1Hw3jgp7B25jPjS_YCpc5V2_LAwSOmlpTSnnZJ41IQUFimDdXE7nlvzHtSHM51pAUz_HXB6zgTVCiKcOHgfEK4l8JmQbqP4Qzm7lTPcw/s4080/IMG_20240209_154717940_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6dTpizUo8NEwITvVoVc1zH7GV_Vkdv0806db55gSTEevgFyZkjsuGO87iZAvaAtcTg0O8Etd0h1Hw3jgp7B25jPjS_YCpc5V2_LAwSOmlpTSnnZJ41IQUFimDdXE7nlvzHtSHM51pAUz_HXB6zgTVCiKcOHgfEK4l8JmQbqP4Qzm7lTPcw/s320/IMG_20240209_154717940_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j_qLBakwl7eGPtwVd0ljILZs5DE2Xt30ODp2Wqf2Tq5-N9B3M3FUWewNccdgQshnEpKYqqNYTQRjyaSTrcAXLGfpONjyREwe1aIL3DgcKkXT2hPc7V107ZNDGtbBSFpXirhs5Fltop_fOsG960RszaMnpG7U0nvIW9w6zyk7tjn7UXew4w/s4080/IMG_20240209_152843827_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j_qLBakwl7eGPtwVd0ljILZs5DE2Xt30ODp2Wqf2Tq5-N9B3M3FUWewNccdgQshnEpKYqqNYTQRjyaSTrcAXLGfpONjyREwe1aIL3DgcKkXT2hPc7V107ZNDGtbBSFpXirhs5Fltop_fOsG960RszaMnpG7U0nvIW9w6zyk7tjn7UXew4w/s320/IMG_20240209_152843827_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRzXn_K9qexHVsGPz8SCvEgkcXHEsyR2h5MoPMnDf4MrVigmbJ5_CKP1QsUnI6eCchEpabWWKEKEzKBXEaXVvY99j_ussOJJIYYo6sBLU86rKf_xYJOQOeroMOhrPjrJy1bNPokhGgZRjoC87k4ru90ape6ql3J_C3UsvMFFgDUZ8ZTRZQA/s4080/IMG_20240209_155424737_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRzXn_K9qexHVsGPz8SCvEgkcXHEsyR2h5MoPMnDf4MrVigmbJ5_CKP1QsUnI6eCchEpabWWKEKEzKBXEaXVvY99j_ussOJJIYYo6sBLU86rKf_xYJOQOeroMOhrPjrJy1bNPokhGgZRjoC87k4ru90ape6ql3J_C3UsvMFFgDUZ8ZTRZQA/s320/IMG_20240209_155424737_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBUw1BMUOtMs1dlN89IcHyoGKNr7dwUHNIcejFq6SpBYAZZ3tbvJ_0AZ2nzZvVSNwVvwc_MMGspP90Gdkuxgdmo-SYmlVxnJmydK4Kz84ZluI1NqMkDX6ZsxuED4IUlbTUqvOMXOx6AFgRwVCoHJRI9twcRMp_BpsLx7z_h0lfyXg0sMRZg/s4080/IMG_20240209_152751591_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBUw1BMUOtMs1dlN89IcHyoGKNr7dwUHNIcejFq6SpBYAZZ3tbvJ_0AZ2nzZvVSNwVvwc_MMGspP90Gdkuxgdmo-SYmlVxnJmydK4Kz84ZluI1NqMkDX6ZsxuED4IUlbTUqvOMXOx6AFgRwVCoHJRI9twcRMp_BpsLx7z_h0lfyXg0sMRZg/s320/IMG_20240209_152751591_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh172ewgb1ARWRLUY1Wv23JAeXAtlMgFwFYVw1KNLydw-grdPAMUeOFHb5ZfMfGHpBy491vEyFw9BqUDnhDMbhtLS5g7dB3bhgZ8PPFoODUdw1kQnrXQbPIu0SdnxyIu62O36EtaIFdzQ0rfDO0y5cdiH9Ad5cSfemLRtQZpJvQECPOQDATiQ/s4080/IMG_20240209_155222226~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh172ewgb1ARWRLUY1Wv23JAeXAtlMgFwFYVw1KNLydw-grdPAMUeOFHb5ZfMfGHpBy491vEyFw9BqUDnhDMbhtLS5g7dB3bhgZ8PPFoODUdw1kQnrXQbPIu0SdnxyIu62O36EtaIFdzQ0rfDO0y5cdiH9Ad5cSfemLRtQZpJvQECPOQDATiQ/s320/IMG_20240209_155222226~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Allie, Lochlan's speech therapist has worked with him for so many years now. She started with him when he was just grunting or screaming at us, if he communicated at all. She has ridden through all the fixations with us, documenting improvements and restructuring/tailoring his path forward based on the direction he is taking, mentally. His progress has been remarkable. Allie has accepted Lochlan completely, and he knows that he is safe with her. It has been so interesting to see how he responds when he thinks he is misunderstood or disrespected; he rages and cries, displaying nothing short of a broken heart. He knows that Allie loves him. She's had to work with him when he's completely checked out, making almost no eye contact and being almost completely unwilling to comply. And she's worked with him on days when he's fully engaged and surprising us with what he knows and comprehends. I'm incredibly thankful for her perseverance with Lochlan, her dedication to his improvement, her perspective and how it has encouraged me (for years now) to press on and not lose hope. </p><p>His teacher, Brooklyn, is such a gift. She patiently sifts through his antics each week and draws out the things he knows and guides him into learning the things he needs to. She waits upon his correct responses, laughs at his humor (which is present, but hard to identify sometimes), repeats the phrases that he insists that she repeat before he will move on in the process of learning. She has worked with him for over 1.5 years now and she knows WHO he is. It's so special. </p><p>So, I know that I am richly blessed, in and through the challenges and obstacles of being Lochlan's mom. I find myself drawn into the forests and up my hill to be renewed, to be reminded that my world is, well, tiny, in the grand scheme of it all. As I reached my tree, I knelt and cried, frustrations pouring down. I stood up and the phrase, "they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary... " was in my mind. I said it out loud, and looked down to where my truck was parked. Below me was a bald eagle circling the little valley I love so much. I watched it for 5 minutes and felt the change in my heart, again, as I was reminded that there is so much that is good and beautiful. I leave my tears in the forest, time and again, and I am given wings as an eagle when I think crawling may be the best I can do. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_ZBiSnSvzp7tkEai0SoAkOtdYxBNlSpHMuyYYUpmdx-oBP2NQBF6xZ5662QmOutGlt8NDjjKw3Md1wgyoSwpuCZEmfQ5U2KaUM_JbMRXJe517V7b7iNk_7tlwrCfmNYfc1TB029O5xv8CFGNx0m5ZLR0f8rasYBfHeNIrPmUmpyPLsSBqA/s4080/IMG_20240210_160013139_HDR~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_ZBiSnSvzp7tkEai0SoAkOtdYxBNlSpHMuyYYUpmdx-oBP2NQBF6xZ5662QmOutGlt8NDjjKw3Md1wgyoSwpuCZEmfQ5U2KaUM_JbMRXJe517V7b7iNk_7tlwrCfmNYfc1TB029O5xv8CFGNx0m5ZLR0f8rasYBfHeNIrPmUmpyPLsSBqA/s320/IMG_20240210_160013139_HDR~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLoLcqjfd1LtAmj447B8h_PEsCV7Igxo_txs5ucem_SrgI7EiTBKcEvCZaepWu2GfV3A2S39vATzD0cfjplbq9pPf81PjaNRsr3GI-5nXaxkjnUdaCp02sA2rhw7PNEBCHRNb5HCKomTIeZfylI5-IlLbJldVp4QFhQ0Kf3FoevB-fxrerg/s4080/IMG_20240210_155410721~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLoLcqjfd1LtAmj447B8h_PEsCV7Igxo_txs5ucem_SrgI7EiTBKcEvCZaepWu2GfV3A2S39vATzD0cfjplbq9pPf81PjaNRsr3GI-5nXaxkjnUdaCp02sA2rhw7PNEBCHRNb5HCKomTIeZfylI5-IlLbJldVp4QFhQ0Kf3FoevB-fxrerg/s320/IMG_20240210_155410721~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv5xkTL_KwQZH6mfoOsJT7xVQdLu89A6vj2OjGNL9CUx4dJvUhQYrcpoDakzaewylajjhAUFCnjl1K5odvNRVSoODKeH4qRrwakxsoP2Qb0NbQ1Q9h_x-zexCo2pDLPT64l8kIlJe5XSzxDK2baq6E1C2Pg5i7tsRP3ik2s27isi_AoBtvg/s4080/IMG_20240210_154425423_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigv5xkTL_KwQZH6mfoOsJT7xVQdLu89A6vj2OjGNL9CUx4dJvUhQYrcpoDakzaewylajjhAUFCnjl1K5odvNRVSoODKeH4qRrwakxsoP2Qb0NbQ1Q9h_x-zexCo2pDLPT64l8kIlJe5XSzxDK2baq6E1C2Pg5i7tsRP3ik2s27isi_AoBtvg/s320/IMG_20240210_154425423_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vHcNXX3WkLam_f8rEzBYiDI-rnUkiGdMPVrgF188BqNcxt6foQcE_UDjGdxWPdInGdhdwRJuiQU9cHRImv3Sxnyg-mf_tpq_WW8EeDdUfRK8VT1Vnwhqq6Vu6fHL25Z75DtgOYgRWbXJQlBZxkZ0EAADeaDrtDhTB5Kitqm7h5cOvgDucg/s4080/IMG_20240210_154015487~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2vHcNXX3WkLam_f8rEzBYiDI-rnUkiGdMPVrgF188BqNcxt6foQcE_UDjGdxWPdInGdhdwRJuiQU9cHRImv3Sxnyg-mf_tpq_WW8EeDdUfRK8VT1Vnwhqq6Vu6fHL25Z75DtgOYgRWbXJQlBZxkZ0EAADeaDrtDhTB5Kitqm7h5cOvgDucg/s320/IMG_20240210_154015487~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVI8zGDktCCMblxtCTb_eeQ9YB8ImClNf3tqLB2T1RB7cR5g7MxFWOGn6mEoJ4cyQg6BsnGZEomoRhaC1sQPUDm_25XYE5p9IJheLGTv9lQoRxTSwwUEbldDg3QmvcG2w-u92s-8pOo-_4wUwkuohOKggssBh2BXaEMuaScDA2m5e2vKv3Q/s4080/IMG_20240209_162640205_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsVI8zGDktCCMblxtCTb_eeQ9YB8ImClNf3tqLB2T1RB7cR5g7MxFWOGn6mEoJ4cyQg6BsnGZEomoRhaC1sQPUDm_25XYE5p9IJheLGTv9lQoRxTSwwUEbldDg3QmvcG2w-u92s-8pOo-_4wUwkuohOKggssBh2BXaEMuaScDA2m5e2vKv3Q/s320/IMG_20240209_162640205_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVczHR7a7TqSvTpYm8NGMG_FBstHFqIURk1THoFi2cN2GPig4-PRFf2rBiYzod1slyHR6hRwJOjZEugNJqiblLCxVe-3pV2Usjw914l4RvNHvFuQTpxnJtvKj3FeD5Eo3AukS5xJYykTcGOXqgz-Ic2l70Ns25mY_rL5Sm4YsFvCnIfcxIrQ/s3105/IMG_20240210_180745584_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1580" data-original-width="3105" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVczHR7a7TqSvTpYm8NGMG_FBstHFqIURk1THoFi2cN2GPig4-PRFf2rBiYzod1slyHR6hRwJOjZEugNJqiblLCxVe-3pV2Usjw914l4RvNHvFuQTpxnJtvKj3FeD5Eo3AukS5xJYykTcGOXqgz-Ic2l70Ns25mY_rL5Sm4YsFvCnIfcxIrQ/s320/IMG_20240210_180745584_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-52601806016275013692024-02-06T07:33:00.000-08:002024-02-06T14:52:47.078-08:00The mountains are lost<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEpfCwfSlgoKQ8_1cEg85pwR4RM9sBYLy1TjKosOX0C_zVd5vjU4PlJQ5NzJRzIt4X-0NkuzBDpWKgbmsCPNxJJJrQShyphenhyphenYf9vwA5ybXGT6QbqAKHla0R92hbl4xyOs6TUrM2BpCtasvH66Dg-GuZa1FgOmFlE_19yZnbDbCc0NCtqYQ0hOw/s4080/IMG_20240201_161101111_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEpfCwfSlgoKQ8_1cEg85pwR4RM9sBYLy1TjKosOX0C_zVd5vjU4PlJQ5NzJRzIt4X-0NkuzBDpWKgbmsCPNxJJJrQShyphenhyphenYf9vwA5ybXGT6QbqAKHla0R92hbl4xyOs6TUrM2BpCtasvH66Dg-GuZa1FgOmFlE_19yZnbDbCc0NCtqYQ0hOw/s320/IMG_20240201_161101111_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>The mountains are lost in the snow this morning. The sun is struggling to show itself through the thick winter clouds that are blowing in; I almost wondered if it was just going to opt out this day to show itself and light up our world. I woke up entirely too early as the wind howled past our little stout round house, throwing rain against my (already very dirty) windows. It was completely silent inside, except for Aberdeen snoring next to me. Everything in the creation around me shouts of the incoming storm, but inside the eight walls of this place we call home, it is warm and comforting. </p><p>There are reminders all about of the wild places I love: the lamp I built out of a stump found on my hill, the wall art of my beloved tree, the volcanic rocks lining our indoor garden, the wildflowers in the indoor garden that came from seeds I collected from my hill. I may brave the elements and go to the wild places this morning before the storm is fully upon us, just to SEE and BE. :-) <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHQb4AciFAKlhf4FSMJYoDt7-Wo8F6Sb3OvDh2h3sFqJYshAULfyI7bMKpbkPXLcpf-QrGiIRiOMCbJTLhGJhgRRI2HDex76Z_O3Uml7VK2fQLAPhuPk6GHlPFNobDKwCazT-Mqg5De8a7Pz7S9ebCQ7UmRQ7h4eIk0EYfiY87gl9miLUyQ/s4080/IMG_20240201_154432354_HDR~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHQb4AciFAKlhf4FSMJYoDt7-Wo8F6Sb3OvDh2h3sFqJYshAULfyI7bMKpbkPXLcpf-QrGiIRiOMCbJTLhGJhgRRI2HDex76Z_O3Uml7VK2fQLAPhuPk6GHlPFNobDKwCazT-Mqg5De8a7Pz7S9ebCQ7UmRQ7h4eIk0EYfiY87gl9miLUyQ/s320/IMG_20240201_154432354_HDR~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5luTzOIFGCv4f77CD8WuUvtyhU4i8tX278Joe8N3CwKqAu42PGwmyOEKiuWhUQcqgVPDMeYjGyTt5Kpz3vBwm75B-zSR2lpKDbbm43OO55DlxZXujL50KTjtqOGCigB4NjBIGeqqu5pQR8aQLOSXSlAMFkEbW38FfhSSHnJWDnmx7fD3JQ/s4080/IMG_20240201_160031993_HDR~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5luTzOIFGCv4f77CD8WuUvtyhU4i8tX278Joe8N3CwKqAu42PGwmyOEKiuWhUQcqgVPDMeYjGyTt5Kpz3vBwm75B-zSR2lpKDbbm43OO55DlxZXujL50KTjtqOGCigB4NjBIGeqqu5pQR8aQLOSXSlAMFkEbW38FfhSSHnJWDnmx7fD3JQ/s320/IMG_20240201_160031993_HDR~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We are all slowly recovering from our viral nuisance. Declan just returned on Sunday from his first solo (without brothers) ski trip with his Ankie Tae in Wyoming and yesterday we celebrated 14 years of Madigan. In the past week, the love that these boys have for each other has been so evident. While Declan was gone, Kelton and Madigan talked about him almost constantly, called him everyday to just hear his voice and told me at least 45 times how much they missed Declan. Lochlan fussed a lot and had trouble sleeping every night Declan was away. When we were planning his trip, Declan's primary concern was to make sure he was back in time to celebrate Madigan's birthday with him. </p><p>Celebrating a 14th birthday is a bittersweet event for a mom - the tiny human that was placed into my arms just yesterday (😁) is one step closer to manhood. These markers in life are important because they remind us that time is marching forward and that we are changing in step with it. How do we successfully go from holding them in our arms almost constantly, tending to their every needs, savoring their tiny humanhood in all that it represents, to standing them upon their own two feet to be all that they are intended to be? This boy/man does not belong to me though he will always hold my heart completely; my responsibility is to build into him the tools that will allow him to become whom he is to become. The love is complete from the beginning and yet it grows greater and deeper with each passing day, month, year. Another miracle that cannot be explained. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqTf0Ag6jGRKMKxR43qT1nyD0iEUBJuIwb6wmEW3-ao1JykieKYiuPbm80BOgWNFz81l3YSv3AckT6NZ79NHx38aXLRx4HO0DdurU3igbv26Ms-hMwiwjy15yzfiIVDoMDGTI7prAiQSSapk0U7psHxZX8BDSkS-RM7j6ZkyRyrnyz7FzVQ/s4080/IMG_20240204_113031026_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqTf0Ag6jGRKMKxR43qT1nyD0iEUBJuIwb6wmEW3-ao1JykieKYiuPbm80BOgWNFz81l3YSv3AckT6NZ79NHx38aXLRx4HO0DdurU3igbv26Ms-hMwiwjy15yzfiIVDoMDGTI7prAiQSSapk0U7psHxZX8BDSkS-RM7j6ZkyRyrnyz7FzVQ/s320/IMG_20240204_113031026_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a><br /><br /></div><p>So, today, I marvel and I will reflect on all that I behold. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZKyxsFrEm1YsS2lnU8iz137IeaE43-sKrQ7SmbPtF9hAcibyrkDrtYfq_t657IU3sBmbp0V1K5GVsCL-dy0WXc7Z-_K3MqDFSjniQTWqac1ouQboqPn3F-95OHEHG2qitNaozuU8kx6vadrBbwdS542hIsCp-oABZXJm6BrJe1cON7mO38Q/s3229/IMG_20240204_174545657~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocUeQG7JbjaO5FsmZExvAxKlfb-7OvtAmVa9h-py6ykbwT-iQhc0d0btTNmrMPHQFbtbyTkWTH-3vNJBpGijUf4aQ7ZQlH82oFzk0SkJ4QxJvbXt1MIoY3-2FGf2gkIwA4_t5qrW-bBf2sN9VxBsOxuM4I0L7fZFlI80lUpslpLpvAQTfJw/s320/IMG_20240201_131326929~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpy68nR61BzOD2QCVyHGqoO3khsThqJZpwStxiIxoIpt3Bt-bWZUahRw8jyH-lOVbTb6teG9O-Mog6JCMXNcGIFBfHtpmJDdqUuxzg4Q20fVTju775yXcqAgSg5ZNIpPah_iwzvDi_2pBODyX2RxIbnliUO3juEtOUWvqJtiLY2VDbU7TBHQ/s320/IMG_20240201_131714974~3.jpg" width="320" /></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-83787774609181262362024-01-21T17:54:00.000-08:002024-01-21T18:09:29.891-08:00Going Viral<p> It's like a potluck. This virus went all out for us. It took a smattering of all the worst viruses combined and made one big tossed salad of horrible for us to enjoy. Just when you're finishing one course, it's on to the next hellish surprise. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N_QScZMrhgGnH1PyXlj4-PKxQdXs2_QMbfkZ4fc1LWXGswDA_XXMiuluDS3H3OrZDZlBarQup2Lm8cu7nyasjM3-5DzqI71XNQphILZtFjRMTHdLHznkwFsl_hM2UebGAq_mA1_nrsPg71uWDvIOgFtoKgm07xxiF3X7mYngfHU4E5drbw/s4080/IMG_20240107_120028098.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6N_QScZMrhgGnH1PyXlj4-PKxQdXs2_QMbfkZ4fc1LWXGswDA_XXMiuluDS3H3OrZDZlBarQup2Lm8cu7nyasjM3-5DzqI71XNQphILZtFjRMTHdLHznkwFsl_hM2UebGAq_mA1_nrsPg71uWDvIOgFtoKgm07xxiF3X7mYngfHU4E5drbw/s320/IMG_20240107_120028098.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>My ride on this train started 9 days ago and I have a tiny hope that I might regain my energy and all the other things I've lost in the process in another few weeks. 10 days ago, I was hiking through the hills. That night, the chills started. Violent chills - the kind that shake you to pieces. Then, the aching. Four days into the aching I felt like my everything was just pulling apart. I wasn't able to sleep both because my fever was uncontrollably high, but also because the aching simply prevented anything except wishing I was no longer alive. :-) </p><p>Bumpy was an incredible nurse, never leaving my side. Several times she climbed onto me to make sure I was awake. Each time my temperature had risen dangerously high. I'm not sure how she knew, but she did. Aberdeen took care of the whole family. She dutifully worried about each of us and was available for cuddling 24/7. There's something incredibly comforting about a soft body snuggled up as close as it can get. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IxZZSNN7VCIMVK6CZgSQ4i7zFB9Ij8o2wLjOBZa6_ge3XB5dfOpVNZD_6hxYOj5KQP3MIcEaZdP1vL6Xnu-Yt1S5apKbfToIbGM2GPggPpoEcbe86tEmpOuDslqzeBZmrFvZzIxdZQYUSyxiaTG19rwqIfi9dXPAFGZ9QgY6FSs7WLmC3Q/s4080/IMG_20240120_094946327.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5IxZZSNN7VCIMVK6CZgSQ4i7zFB9Ij8o2wLjOBZa6_ge3XB5dfOpVNZD_6hxYOj5KQP3MIcEaZdP1vL6Xnu-Yt1S5apKbfToIbGM2GPggPpoEcbe86tEmpOuDslqzeBZmrFvZzIxdZQYUSyxiaTG19rwqIfi9dXPAFGZ9QgY6FSs7WLmC3Q/s320/IMG_20240120_094946327.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iFavkG5A74XdtnO0mvCAwMANPx_e81H51yLGx6RWptfhtR-dp5vtOnNLQsly-agzssq7wpbMDu1Oq1ny2fnNMLAwnAlt6VmIP4KkIT9QtEhbRNr4Q1jR6yaaIwdpagN4F83eVsNRtRe9J0lN6TUItH7wSzweDeZ1lmtx9d0vDirSCmwtRQ/s4080/IMG_20240120_094929863.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4iFavkG5A74XdtnO0mvCAwMANPx_e81H51yLGx6RWptfhtR-dp5vtOnNLQsly-agzssq7wpbMDu1Oq1ny2fnNMLAwnAlt6VmIP4KkIT9QtEhbRNr4Q1jR6yaaIwdpagN4F83eVsNRtRe9J0lN6TUItH7wSzweDeZ1lmtx9d0vDirSCmwtRQ/s320/IMG_20240120_094929863.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05j-cu9CgJAxMXXoEF-NVWXxyEpPgCG8yP124bNuUhDW_CkXsSFK5QWwHBYiHwm_ENtVW1EE4bGerWdctFT42W_0n2fCMi6J4KMhO2iWQaUDCcRJungP5_eLumCijhqR97J5tV5eVUAK0BXQ-0WVXCdhJTP6jP01QOIPKBwnYt_ydxYtXkw/s4080/IMG_20240108_203119849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05j-cu9CgJAxMXXoEF-NVWXxyEpPgCG8yP124bNuUhDW_CkXsSFK5QWwHBYiHwm_ENtVW1EE4bGerWdctFT42W_0n2fCMi6J4KMhO2iWQaUDCcRJungP5_eLumCijhqR97J5tV5eVUAK0BXQ-0WVXCdhJTP6jP01QOIPKBwnYt_ydxYtXkw/s320/IMG_20240108_203119849.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1psse-FnIRkFBRXqc4W2HsQ1JbA6w1dgX-ygIEcvHlUr6l1fVSChsNwIOV-lSdYQSX05kJ4bwVabnSQbu8u7Jck8YO9qMgGIs7GGHg7pePtYPjaraHpJdt5N8ez7nadEFKVIviM4CaYpVHvLqooK2lx-S8z9qBhgDP80NgZ-V7TP87-qBA/s4080/IMG_20240108_172948099~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1psse-FnIRkFBRXqc4W2HsQ1JbA6w1dgX-ygIEcvHlUr6l1fVSChsNwIOV-lSdYQSX05kJ4bwVabnSQbu8u7Jck8YO9qMgGIs7GGHg7pePtYPjaraHpJdt5N8ez7nadEFKVIviM4CaYpVHvLqooK2lx-S8z9qBhgDP80NgZ-V7TP87-qBA/s320/IMG_20240108_172948099~2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My parents were the unsung heroes of this story. My mom made us countless meals and it was absolutely critical. My dad helped keep the A-frame stocked in pellets for the fireplace and he even came and cleaned out our filthy horse pens before the encroaching storms arrive. I simply do not know how we would have made it through this without them. </div><p>The absolute worst part of the whole ordeal has been watching the kids suffer and being almost entirely helpless to assist them. They didn't have as severe of a case as I did, but they were suffering incredibly. Kris also got it, but his case was mild, thankfully. </p><p>After facing fevers, body aches, chills, chest congestion and subsequent coughs, diarrhea, vomiting, exhaustion, loss of appetite, taste and sense of smell, and then the loss of all energy, we are all finally, slowly turning a corner. We're not ready to take on any marathons yet, but I was able to brush my hair today. So, you know, there's that. </p><p>It's viruses like this that make us paranoid. We heard of it hitting those we love all over the country from Virginia to Oregon, but we were holding out hope that maybe just maybe we'd dodge the bullet. Alas. </p><p>Here's to goodbyes... saying goodbye to this virus will be a joyful event for each of us. We're ready to begin wandering again. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE-v3KQcjV2VMA5ODnLY2_Jq_XYJWIrPjExxA327r0XR7DMnvErPMJkrXsvdrg_kelqfd3KpjTWE3cFeCaJHnUZiI63PygeBUjgJYj8jvrKndx8vtyU12kmZzdbcFgO_5VlFofbu_3KLOLHyJ73Y0mjPScf8xLn-yPt-d6HAWdA1FI04qFQ/s4080/IMG_20240113_150449937~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE-v3KQcjV2VMA5ODnLY2_Jq_XYJWIrPjExxA327r0XR7DMnvErPMJkrXsvdrg_kelqfd3KpjTWE3cFeCaJHnUZiI63PygeBUjgJYj8jvrKndx8vtyU12kmZzdbcFgO_5VlFofbu_3KLOLHyJ73Y0mjPScf8xLn-yPt-d6HAWdA1FI04qFQ/s320/IMG_20240113_150449937~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsJcFZLwKv2huRrT5o1bQrCAuayWkwAYwi-rBLFMsequ6GuWtIKvwAjSozWpjj7F5Hi0GM_aOqAI0-x4vbTOic91nIwlLWhNAPPGVHGFc-tv6WEnNplOWYDcIkzgcb6ahVKGQrH29R0jQ9VDbgRD4QtDVlZoZHuYYfxKvJj2naM8hfSnaDQ/s4080/IMG_20240113_145043860~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsJcFZLwKv2huRrT5o1bQrCAuayWkwAYwi-rBLFMsequ6GuWtIKvwAjSozWpjj7F5Hi0GM_aOqAI0-x4vbTOic91nIwlLWhNAPPGVHGFc-tv6WEnNplOWYDcIkzgcb6ahVKGQrH29R0jQ9VDbgRD4QtDVlZoZHuYYfxKvJj2naM8hfSnaDQ/s320/IMG_20240113_145043860~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEWrwUr_dBkfVi73bV0QadA_17D4IxmXRvjyQvwVEjlfyL3LFHyWca-khwtOXarzBDCPLIFTsCkMUm3e6HNshQdKqWH7R_fb6xH0XQljpufZ17wfTQRGOn6h310sSwmZ6AKunFCItyEtfB8loeROphoKVtF6wkWsao8iMiDou82SL2Etffw/s4080/IMG_20240113_142237841~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBEWrwUr_dBkfVi73bV0QadA_17D4IxmXRvjyQvwVEjlfyL3LFHyWca-khwtOXarzBDCPLIFTsCkMUm3e6HNshQdKqWH7R_fb6xH0XQljpufZ17wfTQRGOn6h310sSwmZ6AKunFCItyEtfB8loeROphoKVtF6wkWsao8iMiDou82SL2Etffw/s320/IMG_20240113_142237841~2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-26169888476196044352024-01-01T18:16:00.000-08:002024-01-01T18:16:25.661-08:00Dog food in my trebuchet <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rdRgZ-qm5Qo9QHPFfe7U8_h8j3gtSwQ23Fts6zMruepTZjkv62YOoWQqzxNQjHUQl7acVpA3vEQHqnoOS5GBPF_jACfOtu_inkgQ1TLgPr8w9m-HSet4uc9IvHK0D4siEnlUmgGm4Elw-V44JcWKxw-jnpJpsfd7jsb6uGxXaIzR962bew/s4080/IMG_20240101_171904809_HDR~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rdRgZ-qm5Qo9QHPFfe7U8_h8j3gtSwQ23Fts6zMruepTZjkv62YOoWQqzxNQjHUQl7acVpA3vEQHqnoOS5GBPF_jACfOtu_inkgQ1TLgPr8w9m-HSet4uc9IvHK0D4siEnlUmgGm4Elw-V44JcWKxw-jnpJpsfd7jsb6uGxXaIzR962bew/w400-h225/IMG_20240101_171904809_HDR~3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeXAM5jdbNOl5J-PlYLsgec5ZmwerNJlNqe2jxPt8wYEGVUh7xzMks3qDueBGJyQ1GMQQMB26dS9MXFXtnd2yuAfExKZPpr160yYYdFn8dghkC-CX_XKWSorceIeIJnuG2x89XmcUFGLQYvpiKuCXOjhR57-0da-Zui5wJBNJ_ETj88IYcA/s4080/IMG_20240101_171739839_HDR~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOeXAM5jdbNOl5J-PlYLsgec5ZmwerNJlNqe2jxPt8wYEGVUh7xzMks3qDueBGJyQ1GMQQMB26dS9MXFXtnd2yuAfExKZPpr160yYYdFn8dghkC-CX_XKWSorceIeIJnuG2x89XmcUFGLQYvpiKuCXOjhR57-0da-Zui5wJBNJ_ETj88IYcA/w225-h400/IMG_20240101_171739839_HDR~3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>The vulnerability of motherhood begins before we even know we're pregnant. Then, throughout the pregnancy we are left to wonder - all the things. Living as a mother feels like taking out your heart and holding it out into the wide, broken world without protection and leaving it utterly vulnerable. The considerations that are most likely to keep me up in the wee-morning-worry-hours are always about my boys - these creatures I helped usher into the world. How shall I keep them alive? How to keep them healthy? How to train up their hearts in the way that they should go? How to protect them from the things that this world will throw against them? How to help them understand and be capable of love? How to help them navigate the impossible? How to guide them to be strong and courageous and simultaneously humble and kind? How to teach them to not bite each other, not eat their boogers, not pee all over the toilet seat, not be too loud, not be too rambunctious, not be dinosaurs in all the ways... </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeQSr5RuZxb5-HMXkeB44XG2q5aRRKcndBHHdJVTxTsuK_13pqUoHAgsdw7SsuRUmF8wxD4hzdGVmQO_dvKCFyivSXS2bSgtq9YaE_5oQILbafiE2y3DBRPd2pcoH0yvsoJU2MH_3LgdEGBZ4bckxR9fD1p6xdf7FgB5kt9ZqsgujsGyFaA/s4080/IMG_20240101_135256821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeQSr5RuZxb5-HMXkeB44XG2q5aRRKcndBHHdJVTxTsuK_13pqUoHAgsdw7SsuRUmF8wxD4hzdGVmQO_dvKCFyivSXS2bSgtq9YaE_5oQILbafiE2y3DBRPd2pcoH0yvsoJU2MH_3LgdEGBZ4bckxR9fD1p6xdf7FgB5kt9ZqsgujsGyFaA/s320/IMG_20240101_135256821.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnLY-YgDtWACkC7qhzlJ-treR-xgtU3_RFIBQhwHyiNdScbY-DvVRcJttrPBSHUXojl8AHnzG_ruM2kZpWJr32_lSSz0KaXSZ8J5rZsm4cLOY8tO7gDEsIoV0H6wRgsvBb388E-RgTsCKHHuZO92eyiCJ573BefVOyiMe4bIxib35zdYKFA/s4080/IMG_20240101_162745853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnLY-YgDtWACkC7qhzlJ-treR-xgtU3_RFIBQhwHyiNdScbY-DvVRcJttrPBSHUXojl8AHnzG_ruM2kZpWJr32_lSSz0KaXSZ8J5rZsm4cLOY8tO7gDEsIoV0H6wRgsvBb388E-RgTsCKHHuZO92eyiCJ573BefVOyiMe4bIxib35zdYKFA/s320/IMG_20240101_162745853.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBr2Hkfqrq4obLSrEcNQ7gCkWTQsw9DQqzux2rIL8MA2JSkmBNw7R-dJ9CiloPBTu4jKfNMw-TiV9siJkCk7bxv1ObUzvbmhiN8x5s-nbWXWlFICbhixSce_gFH07wLG_NWju4EuhNHbxCN33eFlUNBSbIFyr7qsu48hBIvm68JDXaUgF9g/s4080/IMG_20240101_170101367~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilBr2Hkfqrq4obLSrEcNQ7gCkWTQsw9DQqzux2rIL8MA2JSkmBNw7R-dJ9CiloPBTu4jKfNMw-TiV9siJkCk7bxv1ObUzvbmhiN8x5s-nbWXWlFICbhixSce_gFH07wLG_NWju4EuhNHbxCN33eFlUNBSbIFyr7qsu48hBIvm68JDXaUgF9g/s320/IMG_20240101_170101367~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Madigan made a trebuchet out of popsicle sticks and successfully launches dog food from it, much to the delight of the canines in our midst. His mind is constantly in the works, creating, improvising, improving upon and imagining projects. And his projects are without exception, remarkable. He has a lot weighing upon his heart and it is sometimes hard to know how to help him navigate it all. </p><p>Kelton woke up and came to chat with me in bed. He said, "Mom, I think I have a crush on you." Well, that won't last, but it's precious. We've been listening to books before bed every night and he makes us tea, grabs a blanket and snuggles close, leaning his head against my shoulder in utter contentment. I treasure these things in my heart. </p><p>Lochlan has been a blur of energy, whooshing about the house in his fluffy cape, often at a full canter, smile upon his face. His screaming has been replaced with laughter for the past several days, which translates into a lot of laughing all night long. Though the relentless wakefulness is slightly agonizing, the laughter is musical in it's way. Tears replaced by joy are a welcome feature. Praying for answers, always and forever. </p><p>Declan is practicing his littlest brother's patience with adept accuracy. However, it's beautiful to see their friendship blossom as it has these past several months. They (MOSTLY) set aside their ability to be the thorn in each other's side, very much due to Declan's leadership on that account. They seem to work consciously to build up one another and encourage each other. Declan is wise and discerning in so many ways and his ability to see into the hearts of others is humbling. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKC46WcHHb10Sd2uqkwGEZ0dhyRTvg5ahREqLz7WpbXdTCPjfxuFsh4AEcxmlc4LL_WwfXajr8_HKOoGHQCo1T7mHNQVmDTQVWUJo94l3DXuBRqCBiPJmm_G4fm6cQqqjg7fyg20Dxc9EvENrXthTzxSKcvtmIDuRFGsnv-CD483f9KI0ew/s3727/IMG_20240101_165733079~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2059" data-original-width="3727" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKC46WcHHb10Sd2uqkwGEZ0dhyRTvg5ahREqLz7WpbXdTCPjfxuFsh4AEcxmlc4LL_WwfXajr8_HKOoGHQCo1T7mHNQVmDTQVWUJo94l3DXuBRqCBiPJmm_G4fm6cQqqjg7fyg20Dxc9EvENrXthTzxSKcvtmIDuRFGsnv-CD483f9KI0ew/s320/IMG_20240101_165733079~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>We're off to explore again this gloomy, winter afternoon. I am thankful I have been given this day, with all that is vulnerable in it, with all that hurts, with all that has been abundantly beautiful and filled with joy. We are going to go see my tree as it silently escorts in another storm. Over the past couple of months, I put together an art project in honor of my tree and my hill to sit in our living room. On the days when we are not able to wander, we can look upon it and be thankful for the excess of what we have been given. :-) </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YgMsubAM3eKRdMAndzVHqo-safVtcCRYDJUNx0IUgFVnwso7Ly17F2V_dq_3-4IKm7s9TAXUEqkQLH088MvUjmIH6ecAAKJ7Nj0jjHiXB6Aq8waNPuuB1eGQAIrY0dTt3XF9f2aWgTWJcWD0pYshO-0HCNisSzpZJoqdU8HoSRRkU-OerA/s4080/IMG_20231231_132244122_HDR~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6YgMsubAM3eKRdMAndzVHqo-safVtcCRYDJUNx0IUgFVnwso7Ly17F2V_dq_3-4IKm7s9TAXUEqkQLH088MvUjmIH6ecAAKJ7Nj0jjHiXB6Aq8waNPuuB1eGQAIrY0dTt3XF9f2aWgTWJcWD0pYshO-0HCNisSzpZJoqdU8HoSRRkU-OerA/s320/IMG_20231231_132244122_HDR~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx35ed0ZYs7j2SKHpFeeVTccdxYxnIhWvPCrbNkFv8rvGFFobUGT8Sxg2hwVCv34gVic5bmqX0wu10kyzskqmX8JR2UvmRNyV9PRgN7tPEoopBLe5p_jSW1SntpsHLTx_Er50dbUWfshOkitTRcr7rMAPmkFHNpZAGQtSCH171XRwNPjcoFg/s4080/IMG_20231231_130246439~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx35ed0ZYs7j2SKHpFeeVTccdxYxnIhWvPCrbNkFv8rvGFFobUGT8Sxg2hwVCv34gVic5bmqX0wu10kyzskqmX8JR2UvmRNyV9PRgN7tPEoopBLe5p_jSW1SntpsHLTx_Er50dbUWfshOkitTRcr7rMAPmkFHNpZAGQtSCH171XRwNPjcoFg/s320/IMG_20231231_130246439~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexxNLN9huh_JNClSe2Cw8UgHeNx0iN197L7oiIbm7nDFhmhg_9jyYjtgRZoF4BT76aisIV9MLCoYNhrXh5jPQ6dGJ4Nabb2vQjbUMKSlhdqz3HvOCHQO44OJgZlsXQIMnutY5koTuSEyMuNFCKA155MEeheYXxjp-JNDeJZiHH524bgc4MQ/s4080/IMG_20231231_130039847~3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjexxNLN9huh_JNClSe2Cw8UgHeNx0iN197L7oiIbm7nDFhmhg_9jyYjtgRZoF4BT76aisIV9MLCoYNhrXh5jPQ6dGJ4Nabb2vQjbUMKSlhdqz3HvOCHQO44OJgZlsXQIMnutY5koTuSEyMuNFCKA155MEeheYXxjp-JNDeJZiHH524bgc4MQ/s320/IMG_20231231_130039847~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-75453078733282467162023-12-30T06:32:00.000-08:002024-01-01T18:17:36.984-08:00Seven Dogs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We have brooding sunrise skies this morning. I woke up entirely too early, but when I saw the cloud-filled sky out my window I knew the painter would be masterful with His canvas this morning and I didn't want to miss it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuBfAdh7QJwxslwYO-bnWhWPsH1DTV_Lj-b3ISEXQtOGB9OS9JwOJLexw_zn37xvHOHRCnWsJGUtrDdtGXhRdZktH4hZP6ZeoV_DKrIDnDQLVELeLBqxcsMvrZ1wPmBxZBGSUHyUZa6P5JsittS5S-eDHGw2M5Gh13aLRNSnduv7B-YOAzw/s2458/IMG_20231223_104002310_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="2458" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuBfAdh7QJwxslwYO-bnWhWPsH1DTV_Lj-b3ISEXQtOGB9OS9JwOJLexw_zn37xvHOHRCnWsJGUtrDdtGXhRdZktH4hZP6ZeoV_DKrIDnDQLVELeLBqxcsMvrZ1wPmBxZBGSUHyUZa6P5JsittS5S-eDHGw2M5Gh13aLRNSnduv7B-YOAzw/s320/IMG_20231223_104002310_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This Christmas, my parents went to Austin to spend it with Krista, and Lisa came from Austin to stay in their house and spend the holiday with us. It was a quiet time spent in much conversation and very little chaos. I loved every minute of it. We were watching Mom and Dad's animals, so we had a grand total of 7 dogs in the house, but even they seemed to resonate with the general spirit of calm. They just operated as a pack with almost no quarrels or irritations. I got to know the other three well and cherish the unique qualities each of them possess. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Snack times and meal times for the dogs were a bit of a circus and highly popular events. :-) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1nmbba_MmvM5YwEwGm1Jfoz2zMTMwOY5FyA4gabSye20boj9GzN-rFi8dILysvPqnM-HswJiWBaNvwhS1dGc4GP846_0AeR4Xtbtaag4Vuu9Er0oz-qyOEKxVL5W1OMNICpIsrlhOsczjpU5j-uIv1mPPObuhXd-_hPUoIY6-Aa9lhP9-w/s4080/IMG_20231226_190630994.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1nmbba_MmvM5YwEwGm1Jfoz2zMTMwOY5FyA4gabSye20boj9GzN-rFi8dILysvPqnM-HswJiWBaNvwhS1dGc4GP846_0AeR4Xtbtaag4Vuu9Er0oz-qyOEKxVL5W1OMNICpIsrlhOsczjpU5j-uIv1mPPObuhXd-_hPUoIY6-Aa9lhP9-w/s320/IMG_20231226_190630994.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>We haven't seen Lisa for over a year and I treasured every moment she was here. Watching her love on the boys is one of the most beautiful things I have ever beheld. I have been so deeply blessed to call her my sister these 23 years and that bond has only deepened, matured and become more profoundly treasured in my heart as time gallops by. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbANRPpiAz8x8snzjX012fM8854_DIdnSsChjleB6cWAdPF0I_yxSqctInTyeWiW7tE9SE9WwbIaLl7Jaw7Ob08e3xxLI8YkwDJ-Vdoli05GOYlaCwgp_usnWs48EGQ72hRq8P9X55Dx65A8zdSqEVKN5bFe9Wgw6DO7wj2nPDnzYd8qGBQ/s4080/IMG_20231227_123414727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbANRPpiAz8x8snzjX012fM8854_DIdnSsChjleB6cWAdPF0I_yxSqctInTyeWiW7tE9SE9WwbIaLl7Jaw7Ob08e3xxLI8YkwDJ-Vdoli05GOYlaCwgp_usnWs48EGQ72hRq8P9X55Dx65A8zdSqEVKN5bFe9Wgw6DO7wj2nPDnzYd8qGBQ/s320/IMG_20231227_123414727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWECdZWNlNmoGtELlAFV7tZWQqS_DW8-B4bqCJAChw-sSn2C1mTwfhE47QQgxKXnhmGJC0ciRJE10Gdtgg9ZgbSWWwuAhEMF19v7afvpUtKNqxVsoNM1tEf7DAF8MXY61rLM4mxn6lNhf3LNrLHdzLojWlKyb9narYQk8qWxfp0BfAmb8Cg/s4080/IMG_20231227_123441078.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiWECdZWNlNmoGtELlAFV7tZWQqS_DW8-B4bqCJAChw-sSn2C1mTwfhE47QQgxKXnhmGJC0ciRJE10Gdtgg9ZgbSWWwuAhEMF19v7afvpUtKNqxVsoNM1tEf7DAF8MXY61rLM4mxn6lNhf3LNrLHdzLojWlKyb9narYQk8qWxfp0BfAmb8Cg/s320/IMG_20231227_123441078.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p>As 2023 comes to a close, I walk forward to tomorrow, cautiously and with some great anticipation. It's confusing to feel this melding of dread and hope. Yet, above it all, there is peace in my heart, for I know that each day the sun will rise. I will cherish this borrowed breath as it is given, I will watch for the fingerprints of the Creator in all that I see around me. I will walk forward even when I grow weary because the strength is not my own. And I will hold onto these ever so quickly passing moments I treasure with the people I have been given to live alongside. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpManqt-y8TQMMjXmjHL_nnjBFnL4XeLUcAvFUGw8anenuFwjBZX9IhLiyGseKXe_aoGbM4a1mvyqd5GRZp6JcT8Mc6Z6eDidz7K3hASyXhQB5r4ngv9qMmql2Rtxe4ICY-E1wzesso6VVjzBKQytGtsqeLlcDNMkRSldOFZKiPM8sELHoA/s4080/IMG_20231225_183138866_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxpManqt-y8TQMMjXmjHL_nnjBFnL4XeLUcAvFUGw8anenuFwjBZX9IhLiyGseKXe_aoGbM4a1mvyqd5GRZp6JcT8Mc6Z6eDidz7K3hASyXhQB5r4ngv9qMmql2Rtxe4ICY-E1wzesso6VVjzBKQytGtsqeLlcDNMkRSldOFZKiPM8sELHoA/s320/IMG_20231225_183138866_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55GT8DbmxzGXQx45g8suA53N28A_h-ab3fStXay_7T7EIJfoJ7cnyjxTH8T14nITm6E6tQoEGW3uasPpKMAKtXqX3WnzAn7atMiJmi2XCKLsW3B883gg464tDhFsf7WIF0Xxtt5HNvV_etwPunWYtF6qG711CiVWlnMjOsgsPJW7_uURkwg/s4080/IMG_20231225_115147396_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNWM-Y-ALHF0GYunokTOU4tbGKKjErE770D54ma3sYQCrdtWcwiewMEkVUD16_HLYQcOHBpDU8a4TkoAZ1stKAuzsXX0Zj_yVpbpW-ttVCkpDqJNeKiIXnZWs3hZZkXwX5Oj51nRfigtewry3MDly-B0VIOmD6h-RbEVL0WorcTXasAv8_w/s320/IMG_20231222_163001940~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>And I will ride this wonderful horse every chance I get. :-) </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYCkZ7_UmnXjS9AYMGXIXXu6seCmw_wOc5SjArGcnu8Wc9YECeA11ofDunydEWh2T7RD36PwP6-YTtKIp-8BQsL7w86dhOuqNhNsPGQn1Rbi8BJvv4a9FuYsWjKuK6FBlLiDa6XGUVXoaO8a3Dmm_87yevSWGUHgqZBX2DTJyYGl_o5rs1g/s2526/IMG_20231229_151232543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1773" data-original-width="2526" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYCkZ7_UmnXjS9AYMGXIXXu6seCmw_wOc5SjArGcnu8Wc9YECeA11ofDunydEWh2T7RD36PwP6-YTtKIp-8BQsL7w86dhOuqNhNsPGQn1Rbi8BJvv4a9FuYsWjKuK6FBlLiDa6XGUVXoaO8a3Dmm_87yevSWGUHgqZBX2DTJyYGl_o5rs1g/s320/IMG_20231229_151232543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNq0k3azJt2gAPbz0zOJ8aqBZIDAXfxUlggR2cY6Jy2tKNF8YcnsSW8RpVsHTjorOHxF64TN8UKzcrJRCspJG8kd0w-dfiYzhqqtttB4DsjZmStmbvo9Ch5k0WxfGqzyAeTibUk9dr79Pp96s7rV5zBce_LQfD3245oGrSMbAqHugGvVHtQ/s320/IMG_20231229_113440042.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoaPVieZkpkQ0dXfyziS9eqJJdIY1UCWUZwq_0rgmKSqq8PFiVCjCCelOvvN7EOu8ZRRtEJMqkw73F0asWrTxVgkeQ3r1Ch0yGWBUgLWhj9Q_epwWYV1GZLMAquS3TirsyvxBf9GZWJMBNRSsh31lId4tdyEMbreH40MF5Ahw3Xjo5b_52A/s4080/IMG_20231229_112657388.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoaPVieZkpkQ0dXfyziS9eqJJdIY1UCWUZwq_0rgmKSqq8PFiVCjCCelOvvN7EOu8ZRRtEJMqkw73F0asWrTxVgkeQ3r1Ch0yGWBUgLWhj9Q_epwWYV1GZLMAquS3TirsyvxBf9GZWJMBNRSsh31lId4tdyEMbreH40MF5Ahw3Xjo5b_52A/s320/IMG_20231229_112657388.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p><br /> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-63810315724976973162023-12-21T06:33:00.000-08:002023-12-21T06:33:12.785-08:00Galloping through sand<p> Am I teachable? When I was a kid, I was always learning, my mind molding each day into something more, my heart open, and I believe my innate desire was to grow and always become more of what I should be. I watch the boys and am constantly amazed by their willingness to learn and become. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTC5RyWWgnxZmRbJcq7C0gblY1-m3swiOfAC93Nki3D3TsAn59Mp8QNOcQkL_TbbLw-jeClYa5dRMrnSX1D_L51rxvlaPc8mwa8n_wRkeGobiOJdolrp15lsOPnVq5qUhO6g-t7MbkGHJe7gpBxhStAV9J5gkYv-jzvPiTmc_w48f2nf76DA/s4080/IMG_20231220_151429910_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTC5RyWWgnxZmRbJcq7C0gblY1-m3swiOfAC93Nki3D3TsAn59Mp8QNOcQkL_TbbLw-jeClYa5dRMrnSX1D_L51rxvlaPc8mwa8n_wRkeGobiOJdolrp15lsOPnVq5qUhO6g-t7MbkGHJe7gpBxhStAV9J5gkYv-jzvPiTmc_w48f2nf76DA/s320/IMG_20231220_151429910_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Do I still see in myself a willingness to be changed, to be humbled, to be taught things I should already know? Am I willing to learn from those with less experience? Do I still have the ability to see when I have wronged someone? Do I have a heart that is soft enough to love even when I am wronged? </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6rWeqbL2CbWaWDiWWt_q9qg8s38txqXT3rf07XzfgFhu65ev40rROUkoPXEeHFq8vpO8Gd682hWVtGLuKtgWPAnP3iEyW-vM475n1gKnuneoiYmn3FXYXduF45d71r5_L5vdaS5k8pCi7WEXDv3UvoyQQFeE3KLURu6QR3IAHyXZt9kBmw/s4032/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6rWeqbL2CbWaWDiWWt_q9qg8s38txqXT3rf07XzfgFhu65ev40rROUkoPXEeHFq8vpO8Gd682hWVtGLuKtgWPAnP3iEyW-vM475n1gKnuneoiYmn3FXYXduF45d71r5_L5vdaS5k8pCi7WEXDv3UvoyQQFeE3KLURu6QR3IAHyXZt9kBmw/s320/image0.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Sometimes, I see this look of stubborn, willful determination pass across the face of one of the boys, and it is usually accompanied by an immovable spirit; and it never lasts. It is always ultimately replaced with repentance, or kindness, and almost always a willingness to alter course. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXxQ-ng1Gv2VXq2K_t1RO6ufJaE_Tp4KMCgjYKdtbsomobO-WjvJsx3rkVXoAfZHZwrQWZD9AZhICLWn0_lmC81dUJljQL5OLMSTJZlGHYwOGacoVLDy8CKuHU1zqUEMlOHB8QAQZo-XKqkBQIWrOFE1Vqbjp3zAc8lBfVyHkhuWgF79MHg/s2416/IMG_20231220_145919485_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="2220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaXxQ-ng1Gv2VXq2K_t1RO6ufJaE_Tp4KMCgjYKdtbsomobO-WjvJsx3rkVXoAfZHZwrQWZD9AZhICLWn0_lmC81dUJljQL5OLMSTJZlGHYwOGacoVLDy8CKuHU1zqUEMlOHB8QAQZo-XKqkBQIWrOFE1Vqbjp3zAc8lBfVyHkhuWgF79MHg/s320/IMG_20231220_145919485_HDR.jpg" width="294" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YOOodmuFYl6nbP2KX051Gg98hDjasGGNsaVR7elVF6xJuawnoH_ilfxKVFRqen-kIlNoTIWgPKHjTOvDMJaEPNvq2kZNOjDK9-FO0J9ganfjbWuF2d_Eb4pZe_vLALP3hzO7bg7nLFC0qa8iEYDpX2W_0xYtUhj8PYbBruN7KwpaMEsinQ/s4080/IMG_20231220_145913205_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8YOOodmuFYl6nbP2KX051Gg98hDjasGGNsaVR7elVF6xJuawnoH_ilfxKVFRqen-kIlNoTIWgPKHjTOvDMJaEPNvq2kZNOjDK9-FO0J9ganfjbWuF2d_Eb4pZe_vLALP3hzO7bg7nLFC0qa8iEYDpX2W_0xYtUhj8PYbBruN7KwpaMEsinQ/s320/IMG_20231220_145913205_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfDHe4nVhAF0a5BdsVEO8HF7Go6DEKfVIC8KcD1Wpc7K_cfKPNBZJzkKNM56DbdsYJoSn9ZCFiWiKKa5ScM-EcsjcUUQc7Vwhi2k9_ubRUwIYmk_Okkmm308NYELYogyb8EG7NhuhkF-gejDUry9via933AIduHs8L5ZSQ9xXP4rrj4H5cQ/s4080/IMG_20231220_145911612_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfDHe4nVhAF0a5BdsVEO8HF7Go6DEKfVIC8KcD1Wpc7K_cfKPNBZJzkKNM56DbdsYJoSn9ZCFiWiKKa5ScM-EcsjcUUQc7Vwhi2k9_ubRUwIYmk_Okkmm308NYELYogyb8EG7NhuhkF-gejDUry9via933AIduHs8L5ZSQ9xXP4rrj4H5cQ/s320/IMG_20231220_145911612_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTX1xEc_Rg95MgBK0YDj96DistHkht8ETeLmJAClgyOon6MahOUCt0Tf0J4DDcl2LAt5Z5Qk72mAsna-_V0nMKxHBLd0Bu1wWKm6WOX7KsuTY0FlLji4deZgHXTrJr573ZLCN-DkkqnWD56fICcrNgNCJaPfTbFmQEeUD5PgUb_I3vcJcHA/s4080/IMG_20231219_171021162_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKTX1xEc_Rg95MgBK0YDj96DistHkht8ETeLmJAClgyOon6MahOUCt0Tf0J4DDcl2LAt5Z5Qk72mAsna-_V0nMKxHBLd0Bu1wWKm6WOX7KsuTY0FlLji4deZgHXTrJr573ZLCN-DkkqnWD56fICcrNgNCJaPfTbFmQEeUD5PgUb_I3vcJcHA/s320/IMG_20231219_171021162_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>So, I find myself constantly challenged. Challenged to not be confined to a rut of thinking and acting and responding. Challenged to not allow my expectations to dictate my behavior. Challenged to see the truth that others may understand better than I do. Challenged to live justly, but walk humbly. </p><p>As I have crawled past the difficulties of these past few weeks, I have found strength and encouragement in the unexpected places. Handmade gifts from beloved friends who live too far away. A neighbor offering to bring me paper towels because I never seem to have any. A friend dropping by an entire enchilada dinner for our family as a thank you for my efforts this past year on the mitigation project for our future flooding. A precious note on my coffee cup from my much-loved baristas. Another profoundly perfect gift from my secret friend who has randomly sent me perfect gifts for over 7 years. The little soft stuffed giraffe my boys bought me because I "needed" it. The gift card to a local coffee shop that was placed on my car seat. The log chair I found at the ReStore for $25. Watching the meteor shower put on an incredible show - I saw over 55 in 30 minutes. </p><p>We spent time this week playing on a volcanic sand hill and I couldn't help but notice the correlation between life and that sand hill. We galloped down it with ease and delight but when we went to get back up it, it was one foot forward with little progress. As we persevered each time, we did make it to the top and it was so worth the effort! :-) </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hO_ghyBHeM4QwaAupxrs5HB6hNEenETDZl0d2dKua1n5tauR6Mn4VrJKKTn-PXckCACj4WkfNMLLIB4I3rwROOP0mO93F1gBaop8I2aBn8S2SH2Zo5PwoABeshKeaCeaTMAr6bHOqji4MIxXnh-3GZP0f0AnVdCCTqycX9Sp9psqHWF05w/s4080/IMG_20231220_153012952_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2hO_ghyBHeM4QwaAupxrs5HB6hNEenETDZl0d2dKua1n5tauR6Mn4VrJKKTn-PXckCACj4WkfNMLLIB4I3rwROOP0mO93F1gBaop8I2aBn8S2SH2Zo5PwoABeshKeaCeaTMAr6bHOqji4MIxXnh-3GZP0f0AnVdCCTqycX9Sp9psqHWF05w/s320/IMG_20231220_153012952_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv1fsrPM_Yh8UDlA4XYf7TsSW3Xbf8KM3uGyx9pVATrLPDcloCwoYydkL1v9P0h7dlo4UaDoHk1fYr2L0CiaYpyR4AyYtp_CnWNpmD7Uy6Jx9gZ36OMkSmqz4bjHgO7-e0mAUPi8NTa0xS9aFw0sZ9Pz6rCupcK9-JEoi-24dYIbgXh8zjg/s4080/IMG_20231220_152842046_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv1fsrPM_Yh8UDlA4XYf7TsSW3Xbf8KM3uGyx9pVATrLPDcloCwoYydkL1v9P0h7dlo4UaDoHk1fYr2L0CiaYpyR4AyYtp_CnWNpmD7Uy6Jx9gZ36OMkSmqz4bjHgO7-e0mAUPi8NTa0xS9aFw0sZ9Pz6rCupcK9-JEoi-24dYIbgXh8zjg/s320/IMG_20231220_152842046_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki693aAUdyNyhqA7c6AWaLCrFqzY4TpNY3TyMpx1AxNeN3qvI_xPJNMpg8O56o0EXmmi7KCkiRN_IkAZ5Su4f2Da76UKUspsEUIOpIM8UK7eJMVwr4dEk1PAeot_cV-v8-0P626BuIfKBJzbjLFW9FKOrXNWYfM3Mz546O4bG6eccmMV7YQ/s4032/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhki693aAUdyNyhqA7c6AWaLCrFqzY4TpNY3TyMpx1AxNeN3qvI_xPJNMpg8O56o0EXmmi7KCkiRN_IkAZ5Su4f2Da76UKUspsEUIOpIM8UK7eJMVwr4dEk1PAeot_cV-v8-0P626BuIfKBJzbjLFW9FKOrXNWYfM3Mz546O4bG6eccmMV7YQ/s320/image0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XxjdkaQ2Zfqyw4z52SCAhaKRkYATt9mHrHMtRGN8cZXBAvtbBVptJOsEafwCx-6bweuDVxIHb3238OJQve5qpLeubmdTpN97DmrT4QYyPZ8l-D8C98kTqOV7kZPNym_8-eoTXkIeYhxbjPd9u58TiqZzJUqbcsU_ES7-9BDkmBciqax6sg/s4080/IMG_20231218_084530508_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XxjdkaQ2Zfqyw4z52SCAhaKRkYATt9mHrHMtRGN8cZXBAvtbBVptJOsEafwCx-6bweuDVxIHb3238OJQve5qpLeubmdTpN97DmrT4QYyPZ8l-D8C98kTqOV7kZPNym_8-eoTXkIeYhxbjPd9u58TiqZzJUqbcsU_ES7-9BDkmBciqax6sg/s320/IMG_20231218_084530508_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2_gdhjoXSf-HIxKvxYVsMmBRrEpFkcBADNWOMFX7r_0LVUKo9aSBpAMcl7FpItQESnd8CD4PLY9atc0InUOgKR8C9G7J-hmp6AHGMJm-Qhzi2I6MCPObjwhmTH_mo6EAVStmj5weG9nzHuLqwWDFomXskXnoTe-N_j6LqCh_-vyrtxSkOw/s4080/IMG_20231216_180342235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2_gdhjoXSf-HIxKvxYVsMmBRrEpFkcBADNWOMFX7r_0LVUKo9aSBpAMcl7FpItQESnd8CD4PLY9atc0InUOgKR8C9G7J-hmp6AHGMJm-Qhzi2I6MCPObjwhmTH_mo6EAVStmj5weG9nzHuLqwWDFomXskXnoTe-N_j6LqCh_-vyrtxSkOw/s320/IMG_20231216_180342235.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0aAjXnYkaaTaqtIph8DOLZ854YxprUx4234Xm1F40EGCwlRutbe9RZ3nmaRt1iarN6y0_08T50ZtcKDkB2O9vwU52sk08AtMnb8dQbdyiPtFu7sI9ipM9scHByG8QUnCZjxi6Wtvws-ZteU_a4dSWuT5LeMVaNtSsehvew1-hU5KjwGmzg/s4080/IMG_20231216_141358360_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg0aAjXnYkaaTaqtIph8DOLZ854YxprUx4234Xm1F40EGCwlRutbe9RZ3nmaRt1iarN6y0_08T50ZtcKDkB2O9vwU52sk08AtMnb8dQbdyiPtFu7sI9ipM9scHByG8QUnCZjxi6Wtvws-ZteU_a4dSWuT5LeMVaNtSsehvew1-hU5KjwGmzg/s320/IMG_20231216_141358360_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIAZbvFIPj3ahReP68bIB3sKi2EgxuzhA8tRiKSMBbQkKrsjYN_7Q-ckA7gNN4eljrLh_EhMxlGgsp49648l-Taoo_YU5GwolbHxrazmpe188YHmY9KD0NAzQ8F5tr7n-IZkSgx-AFr49E2DJzHkuQfzoM7Tp-jssZxwTQhQrshz2BZ9LYA/s4080/IMG_20231215_170059354_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIAZbvFIPj3ahReP68bIB3sKi2EgxuzhA8tRiKSMBbQkKrsjYN_7Q-ckA7gNN4eljrLh_EhMxlGgsp49648l-Taoo_YU5GwolbHxrazmpe188YHmY9KD0NAzQ8F5tr7n-IZkSgx-AFr49E2DJzHkuQfzoM7Tp-jssZxwTQhQrshz2BZ9LYA/s320/IMG_20231215_170059354_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I pray that I am teachable enough to recognize what I have been given. Strength that is not my own. Joy that overwhelms sorrow. Hope that overcomes the burdens. Sunrises that bring dawn from darkness. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodUC7AAsleTa8F-PWEdUkSJFvKnVS6GFN4eLvhZflV5FWyXO-Ty52j22Z5O9UYEFAjN00onaW7Ksk5QcexK4gUOOZqFT5td9I_vnol4ym8VRP2aDqEgozzpURNvG4eS7jXXxbBYJ-0lNlI-QPg311lb_yv1Y0IdBDkDW9xp4xzhj-iVCbew/s4032/image0%20(2).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjodUC7AAsleTa8F-PWEdUkSJFvKnVS6GFN4eLvhZflV5FWyXO-Ty52j22Z5O9UYEFAjN00onaW7Ksk5QcexK4gUOOZqFT5td9I_vnol4ym8VRP2aDqEgozzpURNvG4eS7jXXxbBYJ-0lNlI-QPg311lb_yv1Y0IdBDkDW9xp4xzhj-iVCbew/s320/image0%20(2).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PloNUQuo1yirS2R0O0Cq_j59XZFZ6hPMcV6mpMmUywEbhNx73mH7FXsiTdtrLmDX65gFVwSvy_XgXYYyYaO-WCV-4pvCZVwsGpPMaY8_vbHCl75GWoZDf9VTuwApMyycQSeXQBRyAVliSLNDIdR-9HvemJgZ54sjAc-A7yVoMnF3Ai4r5A/s4080/IMG_20231218_071832470_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4PloNUQuo1yirS2R0O0Cq_j59XZFZ6hPMcV6mpMmUywEbhNx73mH7FXsiTdtrLmDX65gFVwSvy_XgXYYyYaO-WCV-4pvCZVwsGpPMaY8_vbHCl75GWoZDf9VTuwApMyycQSeXQBRyAVliSLNDIdR-9HvemJgZ54sjAc-A7yVoMnF3Ai4r5A/s320/IMG_20231218_071832470_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DNMAJbuKV0ni6BZ-lbG4_Sr0yyFCAxCWctD3axX2e0HR6TFM9etorzJaWL9TeXSX8h3uCW9k-fH6VqsT-gIii9PPZzGBmjtSYyeW9ul_PGOPcBiN7B-QicCI5c8WM0yCW_wg8nob1yTevgbJudWxJnwrUqRTEwolU6E4meI2ZCBEcq8M0w/s4080/IMG_20231215_172320502_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DNMAJbuKV0ni6BZ-lbG4_Sr0yyFCAxCWctD3axX2e0HR6TFM9etorzJaWL9TeXSX8h3uCW9k-fH6VqsT-gIii9PPZzGBmjtSYyeW9ul_PGOPcBiN7B-QicCI5c8WM0yCW_wg8nob1yTevgbJudWxJnwrUqRTEwolU6E4meI2ZCBEcq8M0w/s320/IMG_20231215_172320502_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-43141006971626671342023-12-14T18:02:00.000-08:002023-12-14T18:02:14.834-08:00I love you, but I'm definitely going to forget you<p>Pottery shattered. Again. Another special piece bites bites the dust. I sigh. This is not the season... </p><p>This is not the season for nice things. </p><p>This is not the season for quiet and tranquility. </p><p>This is not the season for rest. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6bQNKUtwmJt0aqw9bBckKTQr0cocOCvPxOS1cgCZYSqc0_bAcrkgD_pkuZi4_U35fwuZLY5JNOm1MVOk5Lu2L7asvYM98Uhk52QXvj_itx_IUAEyKzQOsur57ZA1_CBZpKe4QEF-eCrSPcbubZRPelYABFRFc2XRo-lQZMw16loR9idHGw/s4080/IMG_20231212_171759462_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6bQNKUtwmJt0aqw9bBckKTQr0cocOCvPxOS1cgCZYSqc0_bAcrkgD_pkuZi4_U35fwuZLY5JNOm1MVOk5Lu2L7asvYM98Uhk52QXvj_itx_IUAEyKzQOsur57ZA1_CBZpKe4QEF-eCrSPcbubZRPelYABFRFc2XRo-lQZMw16loR9idHGw/s320/IMG_20231212_171759462_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>This IS the season to work hard. </p><p>This IS the season for creativity - creativity is absolutely required in countering Lochlan's continuous string of experiments and fixations. I find myself nurturing creative projects and even though I rarely have time to bring them to fruition, the ideas don't die and I know someday I will bring many of them to life. The creation of the ideas actually gives me strength and hope when the road is impossibly hard. </p><p>This IS the season for a relentless onslaught of challenges. </p><p>This IS the season to face what is unexpected. Constantly. <br /></p><p>This IS the season of wonder - constant wonder! </p><p>This IS the season of discovery. </p><p>This IS the season for throwing breakable items (for Lochlan, at least). He doesn't do it when we're watching, but each day this past week we've lost something we value. It's hard. No, it's impossible. And frustrating. </p><p>Kris was in Boston for the past 5 days, and one evening I was taking Declan and Kelton to a kids club they go to. On the way there I asked Declan to please put a timer on my phone so that I would remember to pick them up when it was over. "I love you, but I'm definitely going to forget you" I told him. We both laughed. <br /></p><p>My boys have the greatest capacity for unconditional love I have ever encountered. They do not hold my weaknesses (which are obvious to them) against me - EVER. They forgive me when I have wronged them. They see where they can fill in the gap to help anyone and everyone and they not only fill that gap, but go the extra mile. And they build others up. Today, after a pretty long day and a lot of challenges with Lochlan, I came in from fixing another fence and I was cold and felt a bit cranky. Kelton met me at the door, opened it for me, hugged me and said, "Oh, my beautiful mom. You are so beautiful to me. I love you and I made you a cup of tea." GAME CHANGER! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRiAcINlS6cvCZw3U82FZZnYRfgMDEkZzO8015fYWnn98hgQyfzQcC8oRtRApFBr9aHH_xEZFQkwongkaj-F-jalDYsiVB1TCTP628ZEL9oB5816yG1ehyphenhyphenJmHMGlnv5WRIot124KuaZGW5wBHT5mZLVReUn_j7sR0BSWGF4mGkGnaNtZANA/s4080/original_641a4afc-02fa-4bfb-8d63-3319eb0b0b5a_IMG_20231213_151500497_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpRiAcINlS6cvCZw3U82FZZnYRfgMDEkZzO8015fYWnn98hgQyfzQcC8oRtRApFBr9aHH_xEZFQkwongkaj-F-jalDYsiVB1TCTP628ZEL9oB5816yG1ehyphenhyphenJmHMGlnv5WRIot124KuaZGW5wBHT5mZLVReUn_j7sR0BSWGF4mGkGnaNtZANA/s320/original_641a4afc-02fa-4bfb-8d63-3319eb0b0b5a_IMG_20231213_151500497_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>So, we'll get through this season, too, but it can pass in its time because it holds its crazy beauty alongside the impossible. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtkB1RS38OVtk26WzCb8Dh1r5u4eBx8REyKXeHOsf1mreO-FRmjBx_J5fCpekw7F-zCaKE-g91FvmrSbFc59d03N2HuwKgFwJ0J4q_DemEvLqKvHEO78d_SXCMZbQlJNy7Gpe2RWXM_kFdwaZ-ZvELodzkgYhTNS3KN8rIybC4neGwXUzwg/s2938/IMG_20231213_170535800_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2938" data-original-width="1815" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtkB1RS38OVtk26WzCb8Dh1r5u4eBx8REyKXeHOsf1mreO-FRmjBx_J5fCpekw7F-zCaKE-g91FvmrSbFc59d03N2HuwKgFwJ0J4q_DemEvLqKvHEO78d_SXCMZbQlJNy7Gpe2RWXM_kFdwaZ-ZvELodzkgYhTNS3KN8rIybC4neGwXUzwg/s320/IMG_20231213_170535800_HDR~2.jpg" width="198" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-74923159905256067332023-12-08T21:26:00.000-08:002023-12-08T21:34:29.725-08:00I had to accomplish something<p>I had to accomplish something. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ92uPvG2bBLd7-AxEVnTMJrE2yXPCwEz6KLfY1HsIRIB5mzDTaE2-BH_zrNJS_ftehk3WJXxITxsVztFNuhNofgBR9EwjzZJs6eFIujrV_6y9d0TT8Le7Vuu_xynN0VgzbrLVA8N99IIfhTvHaZuY5Ck7Eo2FvHumL_LfFu6H4YMBAgoEHw/s1440/-7781607547733801900.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ92uPvG2bBLd7-AxEVnTMJrE2yXPCwEz6KLfY1HsIRIB5mzDTaE2-BH_zrNJS_ftehk3WJXxITxsVztFNuhNofgBR9EwjzZJs6eFIujrV_6y9d0TT8Le7Vuu_xynN0VgzbrLVA8N99IIfhTvHaZuY5Ck7Eo2FvHumL_LfFu6H4YMBAgoEHw/s320/-7781607547733801900.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>In a week of what feels like a lot of defeat, there always seems to lurk this drive that comes from somewhere deeper than the sleepless nights and that fights its way past the distractions of my restless heart. So, I painted the pantry doors, painted the front door, painted underneath the counter top where paint had started to fleck away from too many years of use and abuse. I planted gardens inside the house using grow lights, and other experimental tools. I built shelves so that I could find a new home for my cast iron pots, I decorated for Christmas, I put together a display for a new art project I'm working on and I even tried my hand at my first-ever water color picture (so, admittedly, it looks like children's play, but it was the DOING of it that mattered :-). And, probably most impressively and importantly, I organized the freezer. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfoqZBi2uLX9qb6dDqcCAASjBgjQyna65rmoLA210Uho5TapCLmCXQ-2Q8In9nGuuWwKScYLz2T4diUAXoDxL0iHn-S6TysL1dMhvs9j3vS_ToeA2cOSHOaYs7GpebGn4PDeu3739LDfRUVBjqVZ8Fm2OIo1Kvfxlh3wvGRFFRO2dpaUY6g/s4080/IMG_20231130_084011462_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfoqZBi2uLX9qb6dDqcCAASjBgjQyna65rmoLA210Uho5TapCLmCXQ-2Q8In9nGuuWwKScYLz2T4diUAXoDxL0iHn-S6TysL1dMhvs9j3vS_ToeA2cOSHOaYs7GpebGn4PDeu3739LDfRUVBjqVZ8Fm2OIo1Kvfxlh3wvGRFFRO2dpaUY6g/s320/IMG_20231130_084011462_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBj7QB5ydtaxGn86izgOlTjAhcOHDQxCwSlH4-Ow2P2nfkdscZkky6KxqChubvV9JuHJhUT2f-LT7ySsO4xBll0K71qyRrc_cByJJj3ZBYKdjl_WhVPYdN7jl4zoMugx-8Iu9FwkcZfD8R9VAI3Rwew4vv-12XCuhkM2vxqXSxvmjZmw2lA/s4080/IMG_20231129_162615017.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsoDmKnJuxoRHNBMqw0m0ksAzNaJdh4iNTioPp8utdiyn03jhxzqAFBAVK7dEL7Dvn1yAD_-p1mRkL23EkAgNe7-izf0IYAowAeSKE2dg2SuMsGZI7O6fXURF8UWtgugOem5-3SUgdEVUTdaeU03DDq-0NUJf3oZuUQltviqCJDTWfTvj2uA/s320/IMG_20231201_193148449.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbShzD3DpHoXUBEttVRfm_4ienJ-LhGWcbDpMp0KajCglTEbeFWOVD7ZmiLr9iXNfK1yRrPUrezzqTgdYRDIFQjzB1Izr0sl4AlB2-2pRVvQqYKRzTMQlYWD7kqld76mxUkP6_VnRc1y0eXNdgGFk80BgcIY-n5Brz_47EI1myausbfoxGw/s4080/IMG_20231205_095851596_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYbShzD3DpHoXUBEttVRfm_4ienJ-LhGWcbDpMp0KajCglTEbeFWOVD7ZmiLr9iXNfK1yRrPUrezzqTgdYRDIFQjzB1Izr0sl4AlB2-2pRVvQqYKRzTMQlYWD7kqld76mxUkP6_VnRc1y0eXNdgGFk80BgcIY-n5Brz_47EI1myausbfoxGw/s320/IMG_20231205_095851596_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>We also wandered a bit, hunting for artifacts and relics of ages and people gone by. Last week, several of my most beloved finds from the past several years of wandering were stolen by some reckless and careless human from the little place in the forest where I had kept them safe underneath a little pine tree, near to where I had found them. My sadness over that loss was compounded by the ruthless butcher of that little pine tree which has held them safe all this time. Someone chopped it illegally, and carelessly, leaving a large portion of the tree behind. It was kind of incredible to me how deeply this event has hurt my heart. I like to believe I hold things with an open palm, always with the recognition that anything can be taken from me and that everything I "behold" at any point is on loan - a gift. Yet, I felt robbed, and it honestly felt a bit like a violation of sorts. I am going to go remove what remains of that beloved little tree; it feels like the right thing to do, out of respect for not only that tree, but out of respect for the beautiful forest that has given me so much life. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F9TZr7c2WIGJHfMUgcFTLEhDRJzCKlQLD4slK9nhoJA-12FByqU4Ku6HiKzFrBOz8Bp6LoA7vOlDS0ux2Ckf-zp8PmlT77a0SQQDBBLtlJ8Fxg0aGheRCIcvD4pjowiMXVol1mhrV4blq4cwfRiCwUoghOEwyD1EMwzyhhTlPhnNIVNO7g/s4080/IMG_20231208_112909542.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0F9TZr7c2WIGJHfMUgcFTLEhDRJzCKlQLD4slK9nhoJA-12FByqU4Ku6HiKzFrBOz8Bp6LoA7vOlDS0ux2Ckf-zp8PmlT77a0SQQDBBLtlJ8Fxg0aGheRCIcvD4pjowiMXVol1mhrV4blq4cwfRiCwUoghOEwyD1EMwzyhhTlPhnNIVNO7g/s320/IMG_20231208_112909542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMJqXGaeuX3QL_8jzI1lKE1U9LHpILJup-ebSzMfsCYnrIUTqb57X-tEkYXjI7EVPF-vcGAjTyze3meojkCyXbUO70X6hC1ZXve1IFdyRq4-mGqOtOcOJE5qWy4oNpyKafVbrxsiTDaBW1VeRqPLd1ay8flHLfnMJYA0ou_z2VJraZNt3cg/s4080/IMG_20231206_155721049_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMJqXGaeuX3QL_8jzI1lKE1U9LHpILJup-ebSzMfsCYnrIUTqb57X-tEkYXjI7EVPF-vcGAjTyze3meojkCyXbUO70X6hC1ZXve1IFdyRq4-mGqOtOcOJE5qWy4oNpyKafVbrxsiTDaBW1VeRqPLd1ay8flHLfnMJYA0ou_z2VJraZNt3cg/s320/IMG_20231206_155721049_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjdM4jV5gTw2O8coK_nKgv6vOcyn7sOA2zE1mgwBl2AfLpeD1AlMaBcemIl9lmrY9K-IZiDwzrok9V-lK1_dGFVpWwl5o7zCes2BxXFOe4Te9H8VLfSApDl6-3i0uZxMDnIrjg4H3GDqzuZNJQ1O7uJHeLjboR1oZ-iv_ZlHH0Mt2eF8D2g/s4080/IMG_20231206_155508685_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjdM4jV5gTw2O8coK_nKgv6vOcyn7sOA2zE1mgwBl2AfLpeD1AlMaBcemIl9lmrY9K-IZiDwzrok9V-lK1_dGFVpWwl5o7zCes2BxXFOe4Te9H8VLfSApDl6-3i0uZxMDnIrjg4H3GDqzuZNJQ1O7uJHeLjboR1oZ-iv_ZlHH0Mt2eF8D2g/s320/IMG_20231206_155508685_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>So much I am discovering in this wretched, beautiful life cannot be found through my own willpower or self-discipline. The things I am learning about the Creator, the peace that is gradually growing within me, the light that spreads itself upon the darkest path before me... it is because of this path where I am being led. I am constantly being led to the places where my strengths are irrelevant and my weaknesses are abhorrently evident. Through the barrenness of these desert marches I am coming to see more clearly what has been painted for me to see, I am learning to trust what I do not understand, and I am given the responsibility to see myself in the image that is reflected back to me through the One that has created it all. The pain of this path I will embrace and in some small way I am finding gratitude for it. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JOW3nciJi6Tc02knu1d5JOiXyZltSzbcWydsKVDUAbpJ0jvwVTaGnRMIjdaUE8Vz7edOj_VDlm_njQCUmdv_uLPpNP0qazLV5sjsYEop-l_vm2jTDknxFyptIb5x_QIppE8KHQtZvwh4amNmCc7vXYXfTyDE5pCR-8CWxjsw9EgD-CxOmA/s4080/IMG_20231202_123202641_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7JOW3nciJi6Tc02knu1d5JOiXyZltSzbcWydsKVDUAbpJ0jvwVTaGnRMIjdaUE8Vz7edOj_VDlm_njQCUmdv_uLPpNP0qazLV5sjsYEop-l_vm2jTDknxFyptIb5x_QIppE8KHQtZvwh4amNmCc7vXYXfTyDE5pCR-8CWxjsw9EgD-CxOmA/s320/IMG_20231202_123202641_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLCLQUDPcGp2-kDmj9z3oiIffMoXBHSKDwyb6R3ycl8RwQm5Zj4YRvIa8A1PaTj_dovVVS3GmiGFLUdAWQpwQ9hyDW8g9P-g2-wco216KNnKqI-pT4Fvvys8h99ZAFbYtW9EP-0uDSLqXRhcq0XYNT4hcNQe6qxIpSQnEIrQExz72tSRkTg/s4080/IMG_20231202_104112666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnewrD-ofSb00F-YTuVlK-k3OYBu7XKfLhGLmjvyv46NnuZ1tOQPYNqZJAOyvskgDxeAQMOmAZuocKCMYqHTWJkqjLRsxxLKK_wQxOdNCjHXjsJKN7yCLRQLeSgbsrVSpXEEYWpSAvHFYyHnJdErmjiXqQXU0dVu6mii1k5R1E8Z55G37jog/s4080/IMG_20231203_161830485.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnewrD-ofSb00F-YTuVlK-k3OYBu7XKfLhGLmjvyv46NnuZ1tOQPYNqZJAOyvskgDxeAQMOmAZuocKCMYqHTWJkqjLRsxxLKK_wQxOdNCjHXjsJKN7yCLRQLeSgbsrVSpXEEYWpSAvHFYyHnJdErmjiXqQXU0dVu6mii1k5R1E8Z55G37jog/s320/IMG_20231203_161830485.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZzwsZ28ofbo2GjxSOMY4p0PmU-VMevNrN7B6IqQlzXt8ziaAzfOZ5huvxl8425ZqJA8uNXctdgfy68GmrL-Qxd_0sa-SGc6YaP6fZoe8r_y1fS1QcU6UA1kkGu2IflUmsA-b7plXsZ1dJRaS2UGFTuxBGg_abE3sLqjrc2SKyxKyJBzdpg/s1541/IMG_20231205_195036_871.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1541" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZzwsZ28ofbo2GjxSOMY4p0PmU-VMevNrN7B6IqQlzXt8ziaAzfOZ5huvxl8425ZqJA8uNXctdgfy68GmrL-Qxd_0sa-SGc6YaP6fZoe8r_y1fS1QcU6UA1kkGu2IflUmsA-b7plXsZ1dJRaS2UGFTuxBGg_abE3sLqjrc2SKyxKyJBzdpg/w400-h335/IMG_20231205_195036_871.webp" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-83172945624634272162023-12-01T07:38:00.000-08:002023-12-01T07:38:06.177-08:00We're out of paper towelsWe're out of paper towels. There's dog diarrhea on the floor and I'm just staring at it because I don't want to pick it up and I don't have any more paper towels. I guess it'll just have to stay there, for now. <div><br /></div><div>Lochlan screamed and cried for several hours yesterday afternoon. He struggled through school, worked incredibly hard through speech therapy, then fell apart. We spent a lot of time cuddling most of the evening yesterday, but between cuddles he was just angry. It's impossible to console him, or distract him when he's completely unwound like that. I think he hurts, and it makes him angry. </div><div><br /></div><div>Why can't I find THE answer to help him? He has been doing so well for months, after a 90 day gut cleanse that we put him on. I was giving him restorative probiotics following the cleanse and he hasn't had any noticeable fixations for weeks. Then, he got COVID and developed a UTI, bronchial infection and sinus infection simultaneously, so we had to resort to antibiotics. Now, we're back to square one. And he's still fighting a UTI. </div><div><br /></div><div>He slept part of the night, but he's restless and active for much of the night. When I awoke for the fourth time this morning a 5:00, I just decided to stay awake because it's easier than being woken up again and again from needed sleep. I wanted to go hike my hill but it was still too dark. When the tension of what I cannot change mounts and is coupled with the lack of sleep, it feels like it could tear me apart inside. If I'm able to go my hill, I pray, cry, and somehow I'm able to let it go and find peace that passes understanding.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qtsCk-SZM6oSnjh2opTbagbN5xUvOEkuQEVLoEmcKMau-h_skp61bgnnY0YAB0iEWP1sgkqmweI11DqsOqaJa6rz3me2dUAqrEEslOGtuqhpwLmOZXliYGDEzEB8CC0ABxOQkcvqxslr9qEUENk6xA8zsURrvPHsc7BwczstJdYAxdMdZw/s4080/IMG_20230826_184457610~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qtsCk-SZM6oSnjh2opTbagbN5xUvOEkuQEVLoEmcKMau-h_skp61bgnnY0YAB0iEWP1sgkqmweI11DqsOqaJa6rz3me2dUAqrEEslOGtuqhpwLmOZXliYGDEzEB8CC0ABxOQkcvqxslr9qEUENk6xA8zsURrvPHsc7BwczstJdYAxdMdZw/s320/IMG_20230826_184457610~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>It's my burden to carry, and I cannot change it. Facing that reality time and again is what I struggle with the most. The daily grind is not what I find impossible... it's what I cannot change that I find impossible. It's not being able to take away Lochlan's pain. It's not being able to see him thrive. It's knowing there is so much locked inside of him that I don't have the key to unlock. I must keep fighting for answers, even if there are a million answers and even more ways to find them. </div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know what today will hold or what tomorrow will allow, but I know that the strength I need to face it will be given to me. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Someone sent me this sweatshirt anonymously... </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQafpc1G6OpEx5IiFCc6fOksq_aXriSEiDk5z3z50PuuwD_gspOepo50Pq9nPf57-tk9eBxZkMTxDVrD7RVdEgWzwsmdj69DrqL4HX6jXWmTEbgPy4vkHkNdxqpIUOYnYd58gy1jrbyB_CHI02Qv7wxuoLbgvwyxivtiUf8LgWhgArP5qxdQ/s4080/IMG_20231002_183251298_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQafpc1G6OpEx5IiFCc6fOksq_aXriSEiDk5z3z50PuuwD_gspOepo50Pq9nPf57-tk9eBxZkMTxDVrD7RVdEgWzwsmdj69DrqL4HX6jXWmTEbgPy4vkHkNdxqpIUOYnYd58gy1jrbyB_CHI02Qv7wxuoLbgvwyxivtiUf8LgWhgArP5qxdQ/s320/IMG_20231002_183251298_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Now...it's time to deal with that diarrhea. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8QOMFURFKbZMw5aQ6A9xgUJG36glVhB5-mM4ZuztIaksIQAQaNaGzhuHg7HcU0ssiIqq7RtEpOLa2L-7s74ML1VuTE8BbFSODKKrqqnNy0wYTw6Hm9NRSwbteqwfmmF8UZ1iO_QZSaksDCaxlZdTDPoeAcygwm9-yeb_fJ7TAmKJbz5ZNw/s4080/IMG_20230903_184757457_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU8QOMFURFKbZMw5aQ6A9xgUJG36glVhB5-mM4ZuztIaksIQAQaNaGzhuHg7HcU0ssiIqq7RtEpOLa2L-7s74ML1VuTE8BbFSODKKrqqnNy0wYTw6Hm9NRSwbteqwfmmF8UZ1iO_QZSaksDCaxlZdTDPoeAcygwm9-yeb_fJ7TAmKJbz5ZNw/s320/IMG_20230903_184757457_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-58478246653639968562023-11-28T07:30:00.000-08:002023-11-28T07:30:03.882-08:006 Yeti cups<p>I watched the patterns of that steam rise off our tea cups this cold morning with the sun as the backdrop; quite beautiful! I love getting up early each morning, making tea in 6 Yeti cups, setting out biscotti and then waking the boys to start their day. This morning, though, the miracle of those 6 cups lined up next to one another stood out to me. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_j-31QTXSvJzhdq08S_6xmIOa_xLrJmqfHaEnIYaOlMpFDqC9vqnzjRRiWXsnjB-ODGgSdYqHBB7pJ2U6486o-bBkJM2BkuSnQQYvk-WaFEXLkRqTVFfO9nV-gxqqn5xpInvrAtaPhtZ5vQVCktVVMlLzLbiw91rwXCSWn57Vzsit37OnQ/s4080/IMG_20231128_073459286_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0_j-31QTXSvJzhdq08S_6xmIOa_xLrJmqfHaEnIYaOlMpFDqC9vqnzjRRiWXsnjB-ODGgSdYqHBB7pJ2U6486o-bBkJM2BkuSnQQYvk-WaFEXLkRqTVFfO9nV-gxqqn5xpInvrAtaPhtZ5vQVCktVVMlLzLbiw91rwXCSWn57Vzsit37OnQ/s320/IMG_20231128_073459286_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I've been given these 5 people to live alongside. Everyday I am changed by that fact and I am thankful. Because we spend life together, we annoy, disappoint, and pester one another and we know exactly how to be the worst part of each other's day. Yet, we also know how to love, encourage, build up and build into each other because we know deeply about one another. </p><p>There's a little bit of crazy in this household - the chaos that isn't mastered by any kind of order. The granola bar nailed to a tree by the front door. The legos in the disposal. The constant stream of fixations that Lochlan brings to the table and our responses to them. The raft sitting in the living room "just because". The horse that periodically comes into the house. The laundry basket that is never not full. The driveway gate that refuses to stay on it's hinges. The kid who shows up for an outing with one foot fully shod and the other fully socked. The wild hair of a 9 year old who has crawled out of bed fully dressed for the day - includes morning breath! The tools scattered around the yard as the 13 year old completes another creative wooden masterpiece. The horse reins used as a belt. The kitchen sink always full of dishes. The dirt - so much dirt everywhere. The dog hair on the carpet. The disgusting "boy bathroom". "Dr. Frankenraffe" the stuffed giraffe that lives in our house and owns one of my children. <br /><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Please note that my stove has eyes and a tongue. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQF5bCvCJgTkDcTrOTbN6QjUwG8uf5PBNeV_0J4WUCTe9uz_k0pkVpnyN5J8JD9MpspF5UG6mSAZj46BBIAKtXPJnx5tVjP9Q1FHzQqOsik0jSBEaPyntRNhOD84Ao5MY6QwHcK8FIx4o2_Oi615XolL1IwmtJe_FsIprhmzE0HElRhr0WQ/s4080/IMG_20231126_150349592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQF5bCvCJgTkDcTrOTbN6QjUwG8uf5PBNeV_0J4WUCTe9uz_k0pkVpnyN5J8JD9MpspF5UG6mSAZj46BBIAKtXPJnx5tVjP9Q1FHzQqOsik0jSBEaPyntRNhOD84Ao5MY6QwHcK8FIx4o2_Oi615XolL1IwmtJe_FsIprhmzE0HElRhr0WQ/s320/IMG_20231126_150349592.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnLuoGjwVA9rR4zowS820Ek8WeyiAIZOWqBGTmUe2QCeqUZAbChV2oLVasMcbZ4Hh8XIZowuQ62r-PgPdz6qC0szNbowXDA7gSz0wlbinN_TcMbK1rvu5swVdvIgjGBuatmHbklmYn-MJFLr7QwCbuovN-03B1rJFmRQKSd2t1zOGI6512Q/s4080/IMG_20231122_145731600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxnLuoGjwVA9rR4zowS820Ek8WeyiAIZOWqBGTmUe2QCeqUZAbChV2oLVasMcbZ4Hh8XIZowuQ62r-PgPdz6qC0szNbowXDA7gSz0wlbinN_TcMbK1rvu5swVdvIgjGBuatmHbklmYn-MJFLr7QwCbuovN-03B1rJFmRQKSd2t1zOGI6512Q/s320/IMG_20231122_145731600.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRcInaDYgVblqtCacoUPHNcCfIkTguEOCfoTMwD5gY6RpBJJdcAOgWNXNvOsxWb2DfcjvRE37upeRMhleFvGd3y7fYmYgxStin9oBD1rwzd7zTgH_8pspsZhcg8xKr57fPh1JQGIewOzhSSLt3VVTmd20hrYaI0tvcfUmvycl19mJw2fHH3w/s4080/IMG_20231118_164806779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2IQ_-ozp5wsgrLGuUpxZcz1Ymr7tPWz4RxH-2mNRP_W3sRCNYULSxViyQqjQYdGC-gV-gUPqpZ5PmIao-Yz8ZmqeRMkhYBAVYBUkWAtdbIIExngbRbn_x38ckdfhDSeRw59ca80pKtURWdTG2i3fFfHXEjMMEN00OEVjyLUDTBIgFg46HQ/s2304/IMG_20231110_100103504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="1728" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX2IQ_-ozp5wsgrLGuUpxZcz1Ymr7tPWz4RxH-2mNRP_W3sRCNYULSxViyQqjQYdGC-gV-gUPqpZ5PmIao-Yz8ZmqeRMkhYBAVYBUkWAtdbIIExngbRbn_x38ckdfhDSeRw59ca80pKtURWdTG2i3fFfHXEjMMEN00OEVjyLUDTBIgFg46HQ/s320/IMG_20231110_100103504.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrID1dWfU5OcCQyJJ48FxvMPn3CBUX3N90M_AkGY0utmP7Z2AtqPxskBpfK-THQgI2AAIRnolq03_uscW-EYw2sACtkmotXHXLYzOGm8S14XR9DC2jX6bhqIXsVdaXzv7FBeNAa8Gv6LIMdQbAAdsbLL51vwbZuF7V2NXTFlisxazSgwTxA/s4080/IMG_20231106_183024339_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrID1dWfU5OcCQyJJ48FxvMPn3CBUX3N90M_AkGY0utmP7Z2AtqPxskBpfK-THQgI2AAIRnolq03_uscW-EYw2sACtkmotXHXLYzOGm8S14XR9DC2jX6bhqIXsVdaXzv7FBeNAa8Gv6LIMdQbAAdsbLL51vwbZuF7V2NXTFlisxazSgwTxA/s320/IMG_20231106_183024339_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The adventure is real. I will live in it fully, as I am able. These days will not last forever and I will not always be filling 6 cups of tea. I love those 6 cups of tea and what they represent to me. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEYuZ_TGyY-E9CWSNN_D9H3APq8sevLMs3t84_jovx_M6GH1RACaZMH3ZGIYWnUo62l5LQW6unefL6dPhqmOulFaQKNGgiiY5M88_lOFWwDgA9wieJ7Lzpl6ymLXKetAEe-Sh5CTrsOD3Ml0KRCXCRsn2oOSwnIb3Jlt_j6ZqPRnMGKCbfA/s4080/IMG_20231125_170806802_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGEYuZ_TGyY-E9CWSNN_D9H3APq8sevLMs3t84_jovx_M6GH1RACaZMH3ZGIYWnUo62l5LQW6unefL6dPhqmOulFaQKNGgiiY5M88_lOFWwDgA9wieJ7Lzpl6ymLXKetAEe-Sh5CTrsOD3Ml0KRCXCRsn2oOSwnIb3Jlt_j6ZqPRnMGKCbfA/s320/IMG_20231125_170806802_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11zyTtP7AG5mf0kHAJrTp6U6WUkPbmRk7N4IGA7cYLVEVz33sL5KAYcd9oYgWjBc5M1P20607HlclNllbFovVG_xGfigjvUr6iO-4RHlQiurUVCjuHTqZiqJaOdZeMw2wFnPp-5JN5vaR61Mr3flPAPlVbbJlQI891HIW0Eimh-u1GPsiuw/s2826/IMG_20231125_124707352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1877" data-original-width="2826" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg11zyTtP7AG5mf0kHAJrTp6U6WUkPbmRk7N4IGA7cYLVEVz33sL5KAYcd9oYgWjBc5M1P20607HlclNllbFovVG_xGfigjvUr6iO-4RHlQiurUVCjuHTqZiqJaOdZeMw2wFnPp-5JN5vaR61Mr3flPAPlVbbJlQI891HIW0Eimh-u1GPsiuw/s320/IMG_20231125_124707352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolihmg3fJQF-qt4vx-wqZ9iR0vJXyW0qH_vbszlwM08ErtHulD37bZO4ACz5_HDsrJkhgfxVOXwRxa6VdGpnxYVN9M6d96DbtyBliayTpmJ7emWIYV5kltEJC_DISmgcVlJqaKTdNDmX6NLJ4UyIM8e6855Pmrlx72J_IFezAy_X3SkXUqg/s4080/IMG_20231122_162046884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjolihmg3fJQF-qt4vx-wqZ9iR0vJXyW0qH_vbszlwM08ErtHulD37bZO4ACz5_HDsrJkhgfxVOXwRxa6VdGpnxYVN9M6d96DbtyBliayTpmJ7emWIYV5kltEJC_DISmgcVlJqaKTdNDmX6NLJ4UyIM8e6855Pmrlx72J_IFezAy_X3SkXUqg/s320/IMG_20231122_162046884.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-91830450932031466622023-11-26T06:54:00.000-08:002023-11-26T06:54:48.809-08:00R2R<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo5mVrPZ_KX1f4L17ANzk-RHhAARd-tUjlghMEj1zn40hXFYt_4UJeMmMUns4JSNBnyLsgOvctamJS1hi4O_l08MXkPYWKu1ZIwbp-l2-7hdObiN7yT0eI9945tcU4Iv8M2bWAzEBdtyKqMQf4nUsqIaw-We3Z_1NqIB4oT9urFJ5ZU4T6g/s3178/IMG_20231125_195559525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3178" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo5mVrPZ_KX1f4L17ANzk-RHhAARd-tUjlghMEj1zn40hXFYt_4UJeMmMUns4JSNBnyLsgOvctamJS1hi4O_l08MXkPYWKu1ZIwbp-l2-7hdObiN7yT0eI9945tcU4Iv8M2bWAzEBdtyKqMQf4nUsqIaw-We3Z_1NqIB4oT9urFJ5ZU4T6g/s320/IMG_20231125_195559525.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>4:00 AM. 23 degrees. I hadn't slept much that night, so in a way the early hour didn't feel that excruciating; not like trying to pull yourself out of a deep slumber. We threw on our hiking gear, forced down a snack and drove the 1 hour to the North rim trail head.<p></p><div>Krista and I had planned to do a memorial rim to rim hike for Daddy. We had both been training for it and had our hearts set on it. One week before the scheduled hike Krista developed tendonitis in her leg and her doctor strongly recommended that she not take on such a challenging hike. So, we set that dream aside for another time, and I was really sad about it, honestly. </div><div><br /></div><div>The following day I was talking with my friend, Casey, who was the barista making my coffee at my favorite coffee shop that morning. She said, "Eryn, I would love to do that hike with you!" I knew she would be the perfect hiking buddy because a short time ago, she completed a 491 mile hike in Colorado over 36 days!!! She has always wanted to do this hike as well. It was such an unexpected blessing, for both of us. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYF3agXXmyGcufHmwCXCRmkm7Ov61WaOLnIkZ37ZPJyx8zGvf512pDO4bg2SI2-MQMeO0xTB6mV7A_hA7e_vOa2S2pkDaYmcYheCiQQUuiPvK_WYQYDtWkUi7rKqCMBzK0blr2ng1mR7BzAJAmkDGsOHYqskzk3amkxCaXXuyEL58wwuWgQ/s4080/IMG_20231121_065259926_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhYF3agXXmyGcufHmwCXCRmkm7Ov61WaOLnIkZ37ZPJyx8zGvf512pDO4bg2SI2-MQMeO0xTB6mV7A_hA7e_vOa2S2pkDaYmcYheCiQQUuiPvK_WYQYDtWkUi7rKqCMBzK0blr2ng1mR7BzAJAmkDGsOHYqskzk3amkxCaXXuyEL58wwuWgQ/s320/IMG_20231121_065259926_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-pXgJsY2Jb_cHSTzDu9OKSK68oFTTqxqFUIGbP59JuAssvn9cruEPomz2P4CtrVHYwlA3Wwyv6maWtONZlpe4BGsJrBWx0vbSWb2ZTAnbxOv2o50IGVa6ymSzhtccL9hXUiIOBaZuDCLWBq0AvW1KtTmYJVsFKTIhmgS-wplQHKQW6ak1Q/s4080/IMG_20231121_065302973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-pXgJsY2Jb_cHSTzDu9OKSK68oFTTqxqFUIGbP59JuAssvn9cruEPomz2P4CtrVHYwlA3Wwyv6maWtONZlpe4BGsJrBWx0vbSWb2ZTAnbxOv2o50IGVa6ymSzhtccL9hXUiIOBaZuDCLWBq0AvW1KtTmYJVsFKTIhmgS-wplQHKQW6ak1Q/s320/IMG_20231121_065302973.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, Kris dropped us off at the trail head in the morning darkness, around 5:30. The first 1/4 mile was pretty dicey as there were patches of ice and snow, but once we dropped down a bit the trail was completely clear. In less than an hour the light was good enough to turn off our headlamps and see the canyon's glory. It was completely breathtaking in the dawn light. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWE9wlokTrHmmgggl3bEIthqEhP5Wu8lDvQL674c9PubgSe4S0-1Nact5bFZLNyYjM8E-RF_ikDwfnOist5JyPo2PxEkttONgsJY8aTihlljcjuxf8-yoOd0gmjxArmdc2ewa4hgYohHwZkoQYPL67SIQ-iLrSHfpZ6rhql2BGJ8K3SmVYA/s4080/IMG_20231121_070156376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWE9wlokTrHmmgggl3bEIthqEhP5Wu8lDvQL674c9PubgSe4S0-1Nact5bFZLNyYjM8E-RF_ikDwfnOist5JyPo2PxEkttONgsJY8aTihlljcjuxf8-yoOd0gmjxArmdc2ewa4hgYohHwZkoQYPL67SIQ-iLrSHfpZ6rhql2BGJ8K3SmVYA/s320/IMG_20231121_070156376.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfzdxXUvWJ_kbAKMpHbAMvEONjUr1xFnvGCJt94svK7kkp9uQxfFLaTy08TaOsOVxxuEhw2klPHg80xjDIVSvTYyN4sOkSgGQG7uDimawECsoFE6pDk3VFj3z2ygq2afQHMT-FksAiOCH5wEK8Sfvl7FawjDfm0EPSeuBHIZskYIhFvjz2Cg/s4080/IMG_20231121_070204100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbydCBBch67JXb-gyPO9NT3l5-KlSBOWRrEaTpoYb6oBgg-1sFfpBeZgqN-MGGAPIZkxdrs3zXwgXBmyp4rn0Q3bYlNW9zlwiHCtRXYN2u1-y3sJNUrMrpJZsV9R44v2IKSry9UuH17MFMDPMt_i2LJvRJ5rC51Z8Sxe1lhZ6589-yCyDKg/s4080/IMG_20231121_092425243_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbydCBBch67JXb-gyPO9NT3l5-KlSBOWRrEaTpoYb6oBgg-1sFfpBeZgqN-MGGAPIZkxdrs3zXwgXBmyp4rn0Q3bYlNW9zlwiHCtRXYN2u1-y3sJNUrMrpJZsV9R44v2IKSry9UuH17MFMDPMt_i2LJvRJ5rC51Z8Sxe1lhZ6589-yCyDKg/s320/IMG_20231121_092425243_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWf4RAppumpXF1c777qeV313NZ89XAvqeXKWXFhZcCL7oMYfUOUI_yIJTaXftLiVyvxFqM0aNedFvTQme_rLQFBr2-LF7MtJ_yXsv7Kl7mJVnGo26ztGDUIsPmjbaKdAgb7-yqngg4v6VHUvJPID-GtHLQdqULm3zz4ZN7lCfQA5nBD67OQ/s4080/IMG_20231121_094034125_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWf4RAppumpXF1c777qeV313NZ89XAvqeXKWXFhZcCL7oMYfUOUI_yIJTaXftLiVyvxFqM0aNedFvTQme_rLQFBr2-LF7MtJ_yXsv7Kl7mJVnGo26ztGDUIsPmjbaKdAgb7-yqngg4v6VHUvJPID-GtHLQdqULm3zz4ZN7lCfQA5nBD67OQ/s320/IMG_20231121_094034125_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>What draws people to the canyon? It's not just the absolute grandeur and magnitude of the place... it is the subtle beauty of the color in the canyon walls, the clear water that pours out of crevices and into creeks that lead to the river, it is stories that the canyon walls whisper, it is the wild animals that call it home, it is all the things that cannot be summarized with words but that fill us if we stop to listen. It is a place where we are forced to recognize our vulnerability and how finite our existence is. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCCiR4Li_deGnrLCf2tV3y0_BYTD9Va9bh5kGOiKLpYbGjiod-6YJSptjbQUp5TMoXsHsC-2GjeRcrHM0OW7ozD4H693ABv8APGsTMxdS-Py-Dok2xY_n-i3Rv5lpScheiElhzoTgdxqRMLXQPST3EccA-jRFe82GgTD7goNfxVufyYm9JQ/s4080/IMG_20231121_100407526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCCiR4Li_deGnrLCf2tV3y0_BYTD9Va9bh5kGOiKLpYbGjiod-6YJSptjbQUp5TMoXsHsC-2GjeRcrHM0OW7ozD4H693ABv8APGsTMxdS-Py-Dok2xY_n-i3Rv5lpScheiElhzoTgdxqRMLXQPST3EccA-jRFe82GgTD7goNfxVufyYm9JQ/s320/IMG_20231121_100407526.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7GWfQEE03vMzodwhzmvEaLCg04LiAzXMl_1nJsjocRKqF6YDszxHWRBvNLJgc-tyU7C9IbEROk2cTcHDJoP64xBy4YLamNvv8siF5jeKSwvqoCOQNU-h8JemY3WxYeS4kqZc-yJuO7xQK47dSoNvkUCGGoggHSDpgXkJ3MHtAo2wimu3PQQ/s4080/IMG_20231121_100502374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_H2Io9bihRirLwvliHiaErsxp-TP9hrkiGRKaaj5ahHfne6ZO5sEJLKEF30khGjlZo5WHeNpYb7SPxGGLXNSS9Vb1h324nTNwJ35d11aMa1D5kPlOVURsdzLZhIOaKcURnPvtNvCTP0VbQ0Hj5npDXAr237Opcnuzd3xoEph_HGZHvjZMwg/s320/IMG_20231121_101554127_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qxDBbYGcMW2kJElkOKjejieVz1-E8BYJekjfWwr7ys6_-t9omfrQhDjUJ7-kATCiO6kHG33RBcNFBUg7XgT4uzwqsnYNNoMWerHfIGLLft3N64zh3t6KTEOFqZhKJR7yIxCqV8p7M3k-_GwKNh3k43ihIIgXS5vMG8RHhnN1k0Jlb0vY7g/s4080/IMG_20231121_101608301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qxDBbYGcMW2kJElkOKjejieVz1-E8BYJekjfWwr7ys6_-t9omfrQhDjUJ7-kATCiO6kHG33RBcNFBUg7XgT4uzwqsnYNNoMWerHfIGLLft3N64zh3t6KTEOFqZhKJR7yIxCqV8p7M3k-_GwKNh3k43ihIIgXS5vMG8RHhnN1k0Jlb0vY7g/s320/IMG_20231121_101608301.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KlaqNHenf5tPsOygal_3XSe1uWOi59Y588UvmrTKyl0c9ntA5orNbHt1RT8Noc8xK4ZOb4x0HtxyNbPeQpq0WAG-k39dbb4jprzNv__0a7onxcb3Cb3VelnSK-9-b4KA_HAFEjo6JtgDgPPpsz6QOFanoF0CyLHIoYyRIpfDV7tlQ5H1dg/s4080/IMG_20231121_101902450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KlaqNHenf5tPsOygal_3XSe1uWOi59Y588UvmrTKyl0c9ntA5orNbHt1RT8Noc8xK4ZOb4x0HtxyNbPeQpq0WAG-k39dbb4jprzNv__0a7onxcb3Cb3VelnSK-9-b4KA_HAFEjo6JtgDgPPpsz6QOFanoF0CyLHIoYyRIpfDV7tlQ5H1dg/s320/IMG_20231121_101902450.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mountain sheep! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0Na9EIKWdPFqMHQ3DV2JvaVqWHh1UwwxzybhE8Oj1dO0eJ2pf6EdJZkijjjeTVqgTYk68CYej1lbosrLMgDz3IUBtijtl8OTxI2QAIejQs_1NDyq8PAqQGFMtYzoD4fpoGax72WqypGRcIO1RYgkMKGVAQtaQ4jZDeZdKDHa5wGEf_5EBg/s2217/IMG_20231121_103014650_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2217" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs0Na9EIKWdPFqMHQ3DV2JvaVqWHh1UwwxzybhE8Oj1dO0eJ2pf6EdJZkijjjeTVqgTYk68CYej1lbosrLMgDz3IUBtijtl8OTxI2QAIejQs_1NDyq8PAqQGFMtYzoD4fpoGax72WqypGRcIO1RYgkMKGVAQtaQ4jZDeZdKDHa5wGEf_5EBg/s320/IMG_20231121_103014650_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wee tiny deer. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvu9jc7ysb0Wf0P9N9ggApLxIqMQO918TsUVXt14Rkfgo4nXCFpgE5sBZQ-45qxfC49fhS6v6dZs_n95Cp0hSXXPYeWlQyL93_BoGKtnpwidhHgLGkiauIwVblszlmH3WkRATKZB6kAQsQouUCJUUH6dS27xgTPBWQP47SHmRi4MJBgIVdA/s4080/IMG_20231121_104808694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvu9jc7ysb0Wf0P9N9ggApLxIqMQO918TsUVXt14Rkfgo4nXCFpgE5sBZQ-45qxfC49fhS6v6dZs_n95Cp0hSXXPYeWlQyL93_BoGKtnpwidhHgLGkiauIwVblszlmH3WkRATKZB6kAQsQouUCJUUH6dS27xgTPBWQP47SHmRi4MJBgIVdA/s320/IMG_20231121_104808694.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEsusi7LS7UydYdWnT6B3NH8wBRmXgfBxzAm3DOS2Rv6pOMW8JV93nMFelmKNb45SjMe6a5bPqA39faf0O5DUuqsjMi_mBwfoT_6XL6LZceyiq_cGE6WuTbLOisLIeZ1rv9lBH5wv6B8VA2RoRwuZRbw0nRdp6G1rNdZdLAjUkMNzmaC_FQ/s4080/IMG_20231121_110023517~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEsusi7LS7UydYdWnT6B3NH8wBRmXgfBxzAm3DOS2Rv6pOMW8JV93nMFelmKNb45SjMe6a5bPqA39faf0O5DUuqsjMi_mBwfoT_6XL6LZceyiq_cGE6WuTbLOisLIeZ1rv9lBH5wv6B8VA2RoRwuZRbw0nRdp6G1rNdZdLAjUkMNzmaC_FQ/s320/IMG_20231121_110023517~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRmMgnf6dIaujql5Sc4zGnA1jBtZ0ivL22Q4CAkLKyjnHQFFgvMJmNsv1qnHVeSE8tmenZ0jn4UXSG0xzU3oD8A6zTjUP22QrPvFNqVoPiq9qp8YJOHVzkjO6tn6QOpP9Zm8BgARCTL3SWFwQbyeq3x1eeO4vbYuke7lwwHE4tQoY1_dHMA/s4080/IMG_20231121_110057708~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRmMgnf6dIaujql5Sc4zGnA1jBtZ0ivL22Q4CAkLKyjnHQFFgvMJmNsv1qnHVeSE8tmenZ0jn4UXSG0xzU3oD8A6zTjUP22QrPvFNqVoPiq9qp8YJOHVzkjO6tn6QOpP9Zm8BgARCTL3SWFwQbyeq3x1eeO4vbYuke7lwwHE4tQoY1_dHMA/s320/IMG_20231121_110057708~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz9pEK4VCK8Me4YFgKchDts6E-Q9WMtde1OtsKWFFKmp0ulWf0UBaf_K1sVecfHuDOwxQlN0Ls-lTwicq1XzW02m4Z7ad4TxjTfVTQBGHDf674tQSAl63F19wnqLy7zHxTdzmhpcbzQfOgq_J1k9K3IdrAbvdUjnUVx5e5mgxVMtBEwwCAg/s4080/IMG_20231121_110419008_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBz9pEK4VCK8Me4YFgKchDts6E-Q9WMtde1OtsKWFFKmp0ulWf0UBaf_K1sVecfHuDOwxQlN0Ls-lTwicq1XzW02m4Z7ad4TxjTfVTQBGHDf674tQSAl63F19wnqLy7zHxTdzmhpcbzQfOgq_J1k9K3IdrAbvdUjnUVx5e5mgxVMtBEwwCAg/s320/IMG_20231121_110419008_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wwryJIsSoT5t8CaJk8KPFiI58ARAMce-927pwTgWpQ2_exXQY0ctcvXS227VadY6cT6e_4tKJwSGxj7JN-O6W1b3Uo0871LcSKLnbxxPdMyEzDhN6hLtELJnfo0X0uBISYQe0HA0YymO77Z33Wdn30LP_Cjwr2UyVl6v1bO1Y3FoaFQTQw/s4080/IMG_20231121_120836620~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wwryJIsSoT5t8CaJk8KPFiI58ARAMce-927pwTgWpQ2_exXQY0ctcvXS227VadY6cT6e_4tKJwSGxj7JN-O6W1b3Uo0871LcSKLnbxxPdMyEzDhN6hLtELJnfo0X0uBISYQe0HA0YymO77Z33Wdn30LP_Cjwr2UyVl6v1bO1Y3FoaFQTQw/s320/IMG_20231121_120836620~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUkzk9hsyZLypquPO_vxYpAjMAwhvl10k7xJug-vkLEUBP2oUex2JSNy_NlauitwCHIM6zfSrP_V32j2DwYkxvWvyAEgCXzd8SJwHA4GC7rLDyOe3aFhAq3F-EhJAR-fhZ5qHVPGRXnwiejgr3pqMUmT7GE5RnAzmawmG048RrUX-IHoe3g/s4080/IMG_20231121_122054782~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUkzk9hsyZLypquPO_vxYpAjMAwhvl10k7xJug-vkLEUBP2oUex2JSNy_NlauitwCHIM6zfSrP_V32j2DwYkxvWvyAEgCXzd8SJwHA4GC7rLDyOe3aFhAq3F-EhJAR-fhZ5qHVPGRXnwiejgr3pqMUmT7GE5RnAzmawmG048RrUX-IHoe3g/s320/IMG_20231121_122054782~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvBjwjZkpk7KbzEh6WcE-75VpNA_dvIwkzC7-NZKy5VeIt6FjO-N2HSEXn5EDH0j6WyuakMjTU9cX87Wv345uChxCg1hv7dgFS5eHZYlkgAXElWtdRtqL5VfgJzop7JbKJLMYYRefjtJbGmkfwF2Q_NW6QIz43ZjPO3o8Ae0WYMkhf_GgZA/s4080/IMG_20231121_144013461_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvBjwjZkpk7KbzEh6WcE-75VpNA_dvIwkzC7-NZKy5VeIt6FjO-N2HSEXn5EDH0j6WyuakMjTU9cX87Wv345uChxCg1hv7dgFS5eHZYlkgAXElWtdRtqL5VfgJzop7JbKJLMYYRefjtJbGmkfwF2Q_NW6QIz43ZjPO3o8Ae0WYMkhf_GgZA/s320/IMG_20231121_144013461_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Casey and I hiked approximately 25 miles in 10 hours. I looked out, over the canyon so many times that day, and thought of Daddy. I know he and Mom shared a love for that place. I'm thankful that I've been given the opportunity to come to understand it, even a little. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqEkaNrLEcj_BCH81IEmNO6KlwYl47Kgy62Gs43jXmNn3Q94fLx-OYT2UJOE3Vb6ycZyn3dNhpr0b0rLniZK0pbNgunR-7MA3aNlJQqi1VBRSTEGukfgsvqg-fWNS7PCxcGQGCozbFHUIwcXXqRLflQOONbRS35rWQV-HkfkqXqHGcD5nQA/s3259/IMG_20231125_201022116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3259" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsqEkaNrLEcj_BCH81IEmNO6KlwYl47Kgy62Gs43jXmNn3Q94fLx-OYT2UJOE3Vb6ycZyn3dNhpr0b0rLniZK0pbNgunR-7MA3aNlJQqi1VBRSTEGukfgsvqg-fWNS7PCxcGQGCozbFHUIwcXXqRLflQOONbRS35rWQV-HkfkqXqHGcD5nQA/s320/IMG_20231125_201022116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MIUCLELp80BGTBWX9R0R_MLKtJY8blzeltZOjS3qesiEE9HjTmo8SR0Qzb4pdyUWfkFNgoQMBiZmfM3BUKS320EFl3HkAaidmrlBiH_2Cel-SMuMimw3HfSXojJrcM9RwwsmVVysBW31g-mJX575ECScAe1TvT9aAvkqTkkSHZqAXpwyoQ/s4080/IMG_20231121_153416040_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2MIUCLELp80BGTBWX9R0R_MLKtJY8blzeltZOjS3qesiEE9HjTmo8SR0Qzb4pdyUWfkFNgoQMBiZmfM3BUKS320EFl3HkAaidmrlBiH_2Cel-SMuMimw3HfSXojJrcM9RwwsmVVysBW31g-mJX575ECScAe1TvT9aAvkqTkkSHZqAXpwyoQ/s320/IMG_20231121_153416040_HDR~2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Our only hiccup was a blister I developed at mile 23 on my left heel. The last 2 miles were painful with each footfall and by the time we exited I had blood in my shoe. That sure didn't put a damper on our exhilaration at the top! We got out at 3:30, bought a R2R sticker in the gift shop and celebrated the wonder of a truly wonder-filled day! This memory I will treasure always. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3Cwq4jmv4urEBONXfPtazScPS05Y_i8mB_Q4zbsn6xYQYw42RmlxaEQa9gF3rNTkeEgLMjexvBpOJL6HNfTFslvyj5DQezSy50Z07bpKfQ2ipTdXLwaTKI2GOsABf41JZvkd8RVeQHdac5lOLmwCy_jnUQbeIrFEbZOoci2nZWCCZeZFuw/s4080/IMG_20231121_154339768_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3Cwq4jmv4urEBONXfPtazScPS05Y_i8mB_Q4zbsn6xYQYw42RmlxaEQa9gF3rNTkeEgLMjexvBpOJL6HNfTFslvyj5DQezSy50Z07bpKfQ2ipTdXLwaTKI2GOsABf41JZvkd8RVeQHdac5lOLmwCy_jnUQbeIrFEbZOoci2nZWCCZeZFuw/s320/IMG_20231121_154339768_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These trails that we follow... the trails of those gone before us. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKLRtkxy7PbegD5OU_GRmvQZefhP-0WuqN0xPyHf2gIXQFtSP2kMRyfZY3GZusjaNnEd4mqsP9eGbztZGZWaGxdXE7Rjs2ExLyia_a2zxON3dI5BZw4MenWr6UR7BjhBdoGvs70qfForrwlZDdhMEWuBt6IikOeyfJME83v6O2UCv3UBnNA/s4080/IMG_20231121_153546112~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKLRtkxy7PbegD5OU_GRmvQZefhP-0WuqN0xPyHf2gIXQFtSP2kMRyfZY3GZusjaNnEd4mqsP9eGbztZGZWaGxdXE7Rjs2ExLyia_a2zxON3dI5BZw4MenWr6UR7BjhBdoGvs70qfForrwlZDdhMEWuBt6IikOeyfJME83v6O2UCv3UBnNA/s320/IMG_20231121_153546112~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-30318448484501052262023-11-23T18:16:00.000-08:002023-11-23T18:23:59.292-08:00Guns in the dishwater<p>"Please do not put your guns in my dishwater!"</p><p> <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwZUXQXHHFW5P3XZ9NUKbUiWNCjexSNitWj3J2IpuBf0PkQnqbPxttzZHI3LoMglrAfCYcvWX8i4U64ia8LvGVpuscIWtEsNzbzn__4GVgEgKxIFGUFaofQ8fAwyJgWJmKwFPbkg6z8WvcPHv_nsHJpqMy_Quwe_qRSvDkJGPV6C9gDwF7g/s4080/IMG_20231122_145902199_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwZUXQXHHFW5P3XZ9NUKbUiWNCjexSNitWj3J2IpuBf0PkQnqbPxttzZHI3LoMglrAfCYcvWX8i4U64ia8LvGVpuscIWtEsNzbzn__4GVgEgKxIFGUFaofQ8fAwyJgWJmKwFPbkg6z8WvcPHv_nsHJpqMy_Quwe_qRSvDkJGPV6C9gDwF7g/s320/IMG_20231122_145902199_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p>There are so many things I never thought I would say. Back when we belonged to the DINK (dual income no kids) category, life was simply... well, simpler. For the first 9 years of marriage, we faced our fair share of challenges, but in 4 major ways, life wasn't as complicated or as full. </p><p>Today, this day of Thanksgiving, I spent the majority of the day watching - really watching - and absorbing all that was going on around me. I was in the kitchen preparing stuff for the Thanksgiving meal, but I had my eyes and ears on the smallish humans that were busy being busy about me. </p><p>Declan's puns DO NOT STOP and he just subtly drops them in response to almost everything that is said. I asked him to vacuum the floor and he took over 1 hour to do so because he was thorough and unhurried. He was listening to his audio book while he worked but it didn't distract him from doing an incredible job. At one point, I frustrated him today because I took out my frustration in a way I shouldn't have. I asked him to forgive me for being unkind and for treating him in a way that I should not have treated him. He laid his head on my shoulder and said, "Of course I forgive you. You're allowed to make mistakes." Unconditional love... it's beautiful. </p><p>Kelton has walked over at least a dozen times today to kiss me - on my shoulder, on my hand, on my cheek, or on the top of my head if I happened to be bent over to do something. He helped me make cookies, bread and even the turkey. He looked at me this evening and said, "Mom, this was a really great day. I just loved every minute of it." Happy little heart. <br /></p><p>Lochlan followed me around, taste testing everything he could. He pointed at the oven and said, "Turkey ready?" for over 3 hours. He was in a wonderful mood until I told him not to eat the chocolate pie. Then, he melted, but only for a couple moments because honestly there was just so much else to anticipate! He looked at the mountain tonight while we were outside waving goodbye to everyone after dinner. He grabbed my hand and said, "Pretty". The sky was beautiful with pinks and oranges and yellows, but his appreciation for it was extraordinary! </p><p>Madigan tackled one wood project after another wood project all day long. His mind is full of ideas and inventions and his abilities are not far behind his creative mind. It's exciting to see all that he is capable of. He was frustrated to the point of tears when he attempted to dedicate some time to teaching Declan how to properly row a raft. Declan was disinclined to acquiesce to his request. The man (Madigan) was quite put out! We talked for a while about the temptation to be bossy and in charge... he reluctantly agreed that he may have some tendencies in that direction. </p><p>It's another day; a holiday, but the magic of the ordinary filled my heart this day.<br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-aD4HFoP7qLjfSAuvgYPfYOvebFmCmC3CmSyXAtFACZeFWsdChRp32aXnxqd2xslmwm884ib3Lm0q2KYl7UGqP3JdHvjj5K2HfffMMDYoLbN4AplEtR-3Gl64Fr8pZUGhOOLw8f2WaPJVlG8KQDxVn8gs5cqeUinPP4i-w4aPK5f-_ggpw/s4080/IMG_20231122_162237550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-aD4HFoP7qLjfSAuvgYPfYOvebFmCmC3CmSyXAtFACZeFWsdChRp32aXnxqd2xslmwm884ib3Lm0q2KYl7UGqP3JdHvjj5K2HfffMMDYoLbN4AplEtR-3Gl64Fr8pZUGhOOLw8f2WaPJVlG8KQDxVn8gs5cqeUinPP4i-w4aPK5f-_ggpw/w400-h225/IMG_20231122_162237550.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczLm0VsisLQ0mFsRW30OQn0QgOiMY0BJCFoZnnX23NEHyqlcn4WP3ru9Zl-yL2dB7irV79UKoUf8IZJWOTnkfSaar8lM_J0O8-21bTtfnEzSmxkS_W1V3H7BCYLnsONrDxZcn2koTCGMaWk3LjlTNNkAWYt8FnW8chqTJh4Pdo379JK8VKw/s4080/IMG_20231118_164146490.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczLm0VsisLQ0mFsRW30OQn0QgOiMY0BJCFoZnnX23NEHyqlcn4WP3ru9Zl-yL2dB7irV79UKoUf8IZJWOTnkfSaar8lM_J0O8-21bTtfnEzSmxkS_W1V3H7BCYLnsONrDxZcn2koTCGMaWk3LjlTNNkAWYt8FnW8chqTJh4Pdo379JK8VKw/w400-h225/IMG_20231118_164146490.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIXV6K5t9TTkRmKxt3uaPu8_OkR10bUMJ5diy8odkq1gnYf0Xw_Jrlv_cCXpSYfxe1aJyrIecUmwixOsom55LI7akhPeHyxzAXzhlpTGLk-Iz7osQk3_JgpK_sARLsF1VTAFzC61kh0eI8NQ518T4SccoPM_py6sWAIcL1oOIxvbY5qSm1w/s4080/IMG_20231120_112118662.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIXV6K5t9TTkRmKxt3uaPu8_OkR10bUMJ5diy8odkq1gnYf0Xw_Jrlv_cCXpSYfxe1aJyrIecUmwixOsom55LI7akhPeHyxzAXzhlpTGLk-Iz7osQk3_JgpK_sARLsF1VTAFzC61kh0eI8NQ518T4SccoPM_py6sWAIcL1oOIxvbY5qSm1w/w400-h225/IMG_20231120_112118662.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjfN7OVy3obcftAFoQcH-mIxhNyAhnu4re5ZPhyphenhyphenfA1LL14dk-zv58DBNuBMoaQJIZyWZD8F955QlhHYOZLMWB4jueBvreekH4aqtQnCHZw9O2sn0XFv5E5O8SSk78WLgIEOvLlAwfqoKsa_GLtKSjBufqDYJroonrMuIZ9w-NuWJ60B2frg/s4080/IMG_20231116_172801306.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjfN7OVy3obcftAFoQcH-mIxhNyAhnu4re5ZPhyphenhyphenfA1LL14dk-zv58DBNuBMoaQJIZyWZD8F955QlhHYOZLMWB4jueBvreekH4aqtQnCHZw9O2sn0XFv5E5O8SSk78WLgIEOvLlAwfqoKsa_GLtKSjBufqDYJroonrMuIZ9w-NuWJ60B2frg/w400-h225/IMG_20231116_172801306.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-37439924938946450892023-11-19T06:45:00.000-08:002023-11-19T06:45:56.231-08:00I wish you were there<p>The wind is blustery and the air is bitterly cold outside. Our little round straw bale house is holding in all it's heat from yesterday's moments of sunshine. I put an extra blanket on each of the boys last night, but they didn't really need them. This morning, in the pre-dawn darkness I lit some candles so that I had light to make my tea and not wake the boys. The wind and rain unnerve me, still, but the elements of this little house bring comfort and assurance, somehow. I suppose the whispers of trauma stay with us always, though they become quieter and somehow less obtrusive. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSJh5USikz_1FMZNuadM1vvosbP6lvXDYplNKyV3sUyiHdsdYstqkjV0ZLiPG9dojRoFXk6cNmDWzdi1-bP-WfdQoCqaak3zI77XdJUw5-RIqSJW9FW5M5bOE2sSUDaW_FxZDi3c18tv1aTuna_OsEbzc407VrAxgYnlOUcIUhAAvd1bKpA/s800/IMG_20231119_070120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMSJh5USikz_1FMZNuadM1vvosbP6lvXDYplNKyV3sUyiHdsdYstqkjV0ZLiPG9dojRoFXk6cNmDWzdi1-bP-WfdQoCqaak3zI77XdJUw5-RIqSJW9FW5M5bOE2sSUDaW_FxZDi3c18tv1aTuna_OsEbzc407VrAxgYnlOUcIUhAAvd1bKpA/s320/IMG_20231119_070120.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Today marks the anniversary of Daddy's death - again. </p><p>Daddy, it would be nice if there could be a year where we could just skip November 19th. I wish it wasn't a marked date, seared into the tapestry of our lives. I wish there wasn't a memorial off I-17 marking the scene. I wish I didn't have a fallen officer plate on my car with your name on it. I wish your badge wasn't fixed to that cold, hard stone. </p><p>If only you had been there; for all the monumental happenings, and for all the tiny moments that have changed us forever. When I won "Good Hands and Seat" on my 28 year old paint horse. When I fell in love with God. When I lost Addy, my beloved goat - I thought my heart was broken into pieces. When I won my first freestyle swimming competition. When Fancy was born on that incredibly cold morning, in the darkness. When I graduated from college. When I met Kris. When I gave birth to your four incredible grandsons. When I have been surprised by joy and when my heart has broken time and again. When I am alone. When I have succeeded and when I have failed. I wish I could show you my tree and tell you all the things that I have been shown in that place. I wish you were part of it all. In a way, I guess you have been. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnT7ENcjpVRVS734A62_tGQlMXTBLXv1iZkIFUPI-r8SuK5tuZ88TZHUOz8ECIQGB_kr-WR_ZsJZDn9sxeROQk_x1o7ykcV_Be2qo1PYWZNdD9SrkTOC39J-Ja4JlrpbVesU8b_fOYYIoHFN0CW36GH4Tf6Wj1fhcMraNuVMVf8DOZEGX7A/s640/IMG_20231119_070123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnT7ENcjpVRVS734A62_tGQlMXTBLXv1iZkIFUPI-r8SuK5tuZ88TZHUOz8ECIQGB_kr-WR_ZsJZDn9sxeROQk_x1o7ykcV_Be2qo1PYWZNdD9SrkTOC39J-Ja4JlrpbVesU8b_fOYYIoHFN0CW36GH4Tf6Wj1fhcMraNuVMVf8DOZEGX7A/s320/IMG_20231119_070123.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>But, the truth is, none of those things would have happened if you had been there. The tapestry would have been completely different. One strand of a different color, added in a different sequence, or multiple strands of various colors never included, would change the entire tapestry. The whispers of trauma remain, but I can see how the great weaver has continued his weaving and made what is supposed to be. And it is beautiful. I think, if you could see it, you would be as overwhelmed by the beauty of it as I am. But, I sure miss you. Always and forever. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpun20TMXbdpo3JnxzqWcHAToXVtLXmUwyU7OrSblXD235HDWU1Sl3weZ2pFpcnvLzfsBrEdJiQRJz67iTpTuycGFkjPKbMnzOw1z-lYkpuHjtAO_i20Oel3mWs8JJZZ-h1Uui0n6XUSM5d5ptR9qhRUIzVprhI_h57Iq5nIVTPaHLbI59Cw/s640/IMG_20231119_070118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpun20TMXbdpo3JnxzqWcHAToXVtLXmUwyU7OrSblXD235HDWU1Sl3weZ2pFpcnvLzfsBrEdJiQRJz67iTpTuycGFkjPKbMnzOw1z-lYkpuHjtAO_i20Oel3mWs8JJZZ-h1Uui0n6XUSM5d5ptR9qhRUIzVprhI_h57Iq5nIVTPaHLbI59Cw/s320/IMG_20231119_070118.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweSWnFrpWXs7F7ZlOfg2xGOmRMbeKaWZ_KFUM55yIzV8osWdJBaAYIr7_fVNlrET0Plu01PurqKESn4WkY9H4EnNxkK56OSFQSUHjzLDn8T53H8qo229MInqvRHXaeMoLm9Zd6SgyEq9eBwvNh-R9kDgUdvTsNwqK4ozzlU7yKgOZ7f96PQ/s4080/IMG_20231001_173939793_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjweSWnFrpWXs7F7ZlOfg2xGOmRMbeKaWZ_KFUM55yIzV8osWdJBaAYIr7_fVNlrET0Plu01PurqKESn4WkY9H4EnNxkK56OSFQSUHjzLDn8T53H8qo229MInqvRHXaeMoLm9Zd6SgyEq9eBwvNh-R9kDgUdvTsNwqK4ozzlU7yKgOZ7f96PQ/s320/IMG_20231001_173939793_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-54186815904950430272023-11-14T21:05:00.000-08:002023-11-14T21:05:48.856-08:00To find courage<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTrRjuRgs1t1XhrOHM-1VzHipJSdRbRPIGJz78IQfzY55QqeJk9tYjdQ5zRugUldCkDt5YORQWnn2a73CkPHKMPtRLkZhUc583V0gUIT7OvOooqdGEVoLXVhwAO2fW2kIUdAXLZhMYHHCisNK-kSROe1mEZNIdRnBpa7GGxHpKQnNl9rK6w/s4080/IMG_20231103_120736639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTrRjuRgs1t1XhrOHM-1VzHipJSdRbRPIGJz78IQfzY55QqeJk9tYjdQ5zRugUldCkDt5YORQWnn2a73CkPHKMPtRLkZhUc583V0gUIT7OvOooqdGEVoLXVhwAO2fW2kIUdAXLZhMYHHCisNK-kSROe1mEZNIdRnBpa7GGxHpKQnNl9rK6w/w400-h225/IMG_20231103_120736639.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There's so much in a day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm8kkY60ETbXWd6qUniVbiNNAmRBY3Jt0TKxvn-kb9TzCQaIAG35WCSeKnA2DmhH-u7q771_tJ4YA65x5HIwsUvHRaWYkFqzay-ooaBdleSogNfKSWuPTiJIXzFwC1v_EJ5kjF8Y8VhwScTWAyBIUNq_AfI4HHzW_OtVCobR6zobyvSS27Q/s4080/IMG_20231109_103350678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAm8kkY60ETbXWd6qUniVbiNNAmRBY3Jt0TKxvn-kb9TzCQaIAG35WCSeKnA2DmhH-u7q771_tJ4YA65x5HIwsUvHRaWYkFqzay-ooaBdleSogNfKSWuPTiJIXzFwC1v_EJ5kjF8Y8VhwScTWAyBIUNq_AfI4HHzW_OtVCobR6zobyvSS27Q/s320/IMG_20231109_103350678.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">These treasured, fleeting years together... I hold onto the moments where I am able, but we cannot any of us hold them the way we wish to. I capture the memories in these tiny snippets, in photos which don't do them justice. I hold the treasures of this day, of yesterday, of yesteryear and the years before that in my heart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkml1avE2VPecQUgZYTLBWf6AEYOJw7wkLnuIjnUSyMM03exM1PBAmV09d3OiXLxzumue_v2u7o_7nz-bLx1ZmkoRjpeTtRAviod2hZridcNTFQ04KI48Dkv7bcVhXGcTN2OTLGbQxHq-ZUbSaVEOJJqCUMf3NY3IMQvAhxJe23Mh1ieSolA/s4080/IMG_20231106_183021634_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkml1avE2VPecQUgZYTLBWf6AEYOJw7wkLnuIjnUSyMM03exM1PBAmV09d3OiXLxzumue_v2u7o_7nz-bLx1ZmkoRjpeTtRAviod2hZridcNTFQ04KI48Dkv7bcVhXGcTN2OTLGbQxHq-ZUbSaVEOJJqCUMf3NY3IMQvAhxJe23Mh1ieSolA/s320/IMG_20231106_183021634_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqGH7LgGImC1x0QXJfOche07XHvTzWOpLoWAL1rvnIK9W0IzkByqSR67lNF5zCjaTVs-AC4OCM34jKjzBnDCS6EBgwORroaCmWBFm70uX5aRvXZsGf3Bhd3X9NuMBlNG06Cmq47V8JKwbPr13dGNBwbWwYyDUl72luFN_Lx7ob0s70ULoDQ/s4080/IMG_20231113_131902931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioqGH7LgGImC1x0QXJfOche07XHvTzWOpLoWAL1rvnIK9W0IzkByqSR67lNF5zCjaTVs-AC4OCM34jKjzBnDCS6EBgwORroaCmWBFm70uX5aRvXZsGf3Bhd3X9NuMBlNG06Cmq47V8JKwbPr13dGNBwbWwYyDUl72luFN_Lx7ob0s70ULoDQ/s320/IMG_20231113_131902931.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvYCOuL7Kw8h2g8vs2sbuGW3HEYvbbFstXj1KIg_WNpJDSHRgXJ5fR6RrD5D_CWmT_M62_cNnqOxPfTh_Bc9U1f85tMWm60H3WprLfHm66Mn4d-S9ZnzYlXl7JTrsaJJMlRPMotsoDZBNvMy4x-Zhn9pVYFCBsuELQclx841emcf2tse2JQ/s4080/IMG_20231114_082049798_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHvYCOuL7Kw8h2g8vs2sbuGW3HEYvbbFstXj1KIg_WNpJDSHRgXJ5fR6RrD5D_CWmT_M62_cNnqOxPfTh_Bc9U1f85tMWm60H3WprLfHm66Mn4d-S9ZnzYlXl7JTrsaJJMlRPMotsoDZBNvMy4x-Zhn9pVYFCBsuELQclx841emcf2tse2JQ/s320/IMG_20231114_082049798_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lochlan has vomited a lot this week. Disappointment has knocked hard as another dream is left unfulfilled. I feel the weight of loved ones near and far who will say goodbye to pet's they love, and the brokenness of this world places it's ugly mark yet again. Loneliness hovers. Just taking the next step sometimes feels monumental, but I know the importance of it and I will walk in obedience to do exactly that. When I am weary, it is the marked wonder of what surrounds me that I look upon and absorb. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WwYWjb7Hkq6R8D6u5tFARKTtdNbQJdaoe7DMF0pTf1WQDRdPlXKcpMREcZ-VbxmjqCWp_BWwEmWXsFouC94sjPEn7eApAtrOojJDdDMbDLAybv_MDHdH4kX1syWstRQmenB3OV170IHsyCMG9f9A_PjNy2ze2ZZ0Bcbx8jXbw3qJDIjEbQ/s4080/IMG_20231109_125951719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8WwYWjb7Hkq6R8D6u5tFARKTtdNbQJdaoe7DMF0pTf1WQDRdPlXKcpMREcZ-VbxmjqCWp_BWwEmWXsFouC94sjPEn7eApAtrOojJDdDMbDLAybv_MDHdH4kX1syWstRQmenB3OV170IHsyCMG9f9A_PjNy2ze2ZZ0Bcbx8jXbw3qJDIjEbQ/s320/IMG_20231109_125951719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUz7C9CtfyfLilZ_hZgYfch7VHhqNSsPZeRj2xKT1Vz5bQDoR4RkTLan00cJOclqT6Qo_F2C-Phb9gzWWdA0wBrJsR-ULXUYdPKkwp4eXCa87YhonEz-uLMaw9PrYX0WcVisLaHClFcT7VWqGQHClPqBcJRWOxhoJALdDnn9w1qVZRogcxQ/s320/IMG_20231104_120034069.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwfvpPbCQrxSrAUvWjxQjmn36OP7b4oG-dzP_pVtVV7I7dxyiH3HsAZvoREZhmSs-QxEl-YqnFcmv3lTEW111C5qtWnQDbvMQQ6u_K2YW7wr3ENI6lKruWFtwfUSYPz_1UQdc8kntHZr5rhEoCkJ5gB9WEPVxcNVKpLaHfKcBMDzFcgg2ew/s4080/IMG_20231104_111659153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEwfvpPbCQrxSrAUvWjxQjmn36OP7b4oG-dzP_pVtVV7I7dxyiH3HsAZvoREZhmSs-QxEl-YqnFcmv3lTEW111C5qtWnQDbvMQQ6u_K2YW7wr3ENI6lKruWFtwfUSYPz_1UQdc8kntHZr5rhEoCkJ5gB9WEPVxcNVKpLaHfKcBMDzFcgg2ew/s320/IMG_20231104_111659153.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgsYWcCYrBT6Y3B3qqvzhT-gPMQdY0Ee7tNTQrBG2kY4eBZR6r1IVqvryo4dVUvD4fQ15z9yfFR4nCgkHf7zFvYnuqItdG-LJhglImTQsNPoX2i_2zp0NRp7kPUy5bfcgcI4-go85UEtGpwTFRyfKBwner-o1mATHTyVxVPYaGxZi9-DqWQ/s4080/IMG_20231104_121035654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgsYWcCYrBT6Y3B3qqvzhT-gPMQdY0Ee7tNTQrBG2kY4eBZR6r1IVqvryo4dVUvD4fQ15z9yfFR4nCgkHf7zFvYnuqItdG-LJhglImTQsNPoX2i_2zp0NRp7kPUy5bfcgcI4-go85UEtGpwTFRyfKBwner-o1mATHTyVxVPYaGxZi9-DqWQ/s320/IMG_20231104_121035654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>I am forever reminded to take courage if it is the wilderness that I wander today. I will behold it's beauty that I might never lose the wonder. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJnyZwSGxHcrixKrj-4NuEeCsUxFM08D5TjCgyIY6k2XvLqteFBzEQqXXg7nImmpvJlZe7tyL_EhJy7y-F1KZvz34-jcBdNjhp4qvgkDqhQHWoV0Amkde7ijC3_DF90neWZmc_IbIdYopjbBJXMC2oX4bEOBDnGSK-3qKObBDU2odn8EMjA/s2296/IMG_20231114_153613_725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJnyZwSGxHcrixKrj-4NuEeCsUxFM08D5TjCgyIY6k2XvLqteFBzEQqXXg7nImmpvJlZe7tyL_EhJy7y-F1KZvz34-jcBdNjhp4qvgkDqhQHWoV0Amkde7ijC3_DF90neWZmc_IbIdYopjbBJXMC2oX4bEOBDnGSK-3qKObBDU2odn8EMjA/s320/IMG_20231114_153613_725.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-44682115557598278782023-10-26T19:43:00.000-07:002023-10-26T19:43:29.639-07:00Hover, but don't fall<p>As I reached the top of my hill tonight, my eyes caught sight of an eagle. It just hovered, in flight, not moving forward, nor getting pushed backward. It rode upon the wind with it's wings spread open wide, and I watched it for a long time. It made no forward progress, but it did not fall, either. It seemed like a strange parallel to where I find myself so often. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzi363Q2IMF8ShqHy-WYQuqKuiiPlwvQj0qutEH6RBsPax_siYgxZj7hpvaHGVrmCJbrryu9XnKLljVQp6x_5NPANZtLHYW8Dblhyphenhypheno77gdoZ6r1XT7Ywd8lbaB_YB3xhLeFpum-QQGDlLcFBft1eWVlmaXh1p0LSxXUCmaHfCyY2fCpGiGg/s4080/IMG_20231010_161340181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzi363Q2IMF8ShqHy-WYQuqKuiiPlwvQj0qutEH6RBsPax_siYgxZj7hpvaHGVrmCJbrryu9XnKLljVQp6x_5NPANZtLHYW8Dblhyphenhypheno77gdoZ6r1XT7Ywd8lbaB_YB3xhLeFpum-QQGDlLcFBft1eWVlmaXh1p0LSxXUCmaHfCyY2fCpGiGg/s320/IMG_20231010_161340181.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>Lochlan is still struggling to regain his health and the battle is painstaking. It is a lot of very long nights and for the past two days he has had bad days as well. He seems to be making mild improvements tonight after we started implementing a regimen that his doctor recommended. Right now he's marinating in a hot epsom salt bath, so he's not complaining. :-)</p><p>This kid is such a challenge, but if you take the time to know him and let him bond with you, you will find (somewhat locked up inside still) this beautiful heart. He has so much joy and when he laughs it is impossible not to feel that joy. He rages a lot, but it is obvious that it is from the pain and I also believe it is from the frustration of all that remains locked inside. He loves fiercely and he receives love openly. Watching this sickness dampen his bright spirit is absolutely brutal. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYDM66YG0hOzBOKJ-bquviZdT-nh0Q0aEThKKUfUd8J-a8-kBotoaD50c5B-6q_WeWvqXRScdDAM_ta3ZK1QatnnU9hIx3spYNVyd8Drm1ghDx5vYHuuTPiRCWaZWdeyUfKUuknv1Fc7aoNMhHCHRXxgJsG1bSQyWgMfiwsZtxm_uGJ70Bw/s4080/IMG_20231010_161337789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYDM66YG0hOzBOKJ-bquviZdT-nh0Q0aEThKKUfUd8J-a8-kBotoaD50c5B-6q_WeWvqXRScdDAM_ta3ZK1QatnnU9hIx3spYNVyd8Drm1ghDx5vYHuuTPiRCWaZWdeyUfKUuknv1Fc7aoNMhHCHRXxgJsG1bSQyWgMfiwsZtxm_uGJ70Bw/s320/IMG_20231010_161337789.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Lochlan's weak little body is so painfully thin. Kelton is almost as tall as him and weighs more than him. He's plenty tall, but his thin frame reflects a body that does not appropriately absorb the nutrients it is given. It is THE HARDEST part of motherhood for me - watching my child suffer and without any obvious remedy. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhxzXZNyALs2h-2oWKEczqp0ixSmyfUJbBe9y2YkHervl1wV8k0ARJtxn4Z2OVcYeqwWTMucy7KsEeXtnoQww80OgyyK6x4lko2pJATwZHhPUduaLjNar78zKdhl7fkRDr9DEzozGD9AmjOt-TgHHP7iyh-k-1PJD5NEF_tDHCHL9J432TQ/s4080/IMG_20231003_173341866_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhxzXZNyALs2h-2oWKEczqp0ixSmyfUJbBe9y2YkHervl1wV8k0ARJtxn4Z2OVcYeqwWTMucy7KsEeXtnoQww80OgyyK6x4lko2pJATwZHhPUduaLjNar78zKdhl7fkRDr9DEzozGD9AmjOt-TgHHP7iyh-k-1PJD5NEF_tDHCHL9J432TQ/s320/IMG_20231003_173341866_HDR~2.jpg" width="180" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p>I fight to find answers, I fight against what I can't change, I fight to make the path for him easier, I fight to understand WHY, I fight to submit to the unknown, I fight to walk forward when it is only darkness that I can see on the path ahead. </p><p>I must remember that eagle. I must hover on wings like eagles, I must run and not grow weary. And, sometimes - often - I must hover on the wind, making no clear progress in any direction, but simply waiting, watching, and not falling.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVOV66MMKj0N0D9LKGYmLJqTx_fScQ4y4Q9a6zYoAm0wwtC0tRmA_R7cYbSU5Jhf1nE6_xqZNZjYtTM0nPuxwrGYOHstuig1a9A4KnQISHf8LrTh_zoagI2F22vC3ew5OLbiVAhxFTGNVljSv7zIaxd8mRQQMM-yEHzxeJP8FDc-BC1msfw/s4080/IMG_20231026_171402860_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVOV66MMKj0N0D9LKGYmLJqTx_fScQ4y4Q9a6zYoAm0wwtC0tRmA_R7cYbSU5Jhf1nE6_xqZNZjYtTM0nPuxwrGYOHstuig1a9A4KnQISHf8LrTh_zoagI2F22vC3ew5OLbiVAhxFTGNVljSv7zIaxd8mRQQMM-yEHzxeJP8FDc-BC1msfw/s320/IMG_20231026_171402860_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlplWbjVM6bIO61mfhh0JAnAjYLcNGueJ-yPhbSzjtQeHbiFsZmc-DTWpxBCR2cuQkZZETgHCQu3GV-jm9Txei3e3H7J6YZ_Vhqs_fIi6XNvM9w6cbxoBnvlubZs-Gxhcj6dylh3V-hFh4oTCwxkMsjg713Ea8SEXq68Sbp5G-yrWX2hqAw/s4080/IMG_20231026_172403300~4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNlplWbjVM6bIO61mfhh0JAnAjYLcNGueJ-yPhbSzjtQeHbiFsZmc-DTWpxBCR2cuQkZZETgHCQu3GV-jm9Txei3e3H7J6YZ_Vhqs_fIi6XNvM9w6cbxoBnvlubZs-Gxhcj6dylh3V-hFh4oTCwxkMsjg713Ea8SEXq68Sbp5G-yrWX2hqAw/s320/IMG_20231026_172403300~4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q6ixD7NhLnjtgdVabjPY-kwJQZrY6GxAnehDzZQ0SuL1N8mHHiyntYGjs6QIgfdcdY9mTxpLJHkq4kZS85aBri5ElEEC5m_WnFEBd23FeGLPcJPm0zdgo43PEKjwGnpXOv2veqRvNLAvSkyyFpvtMaZ8Is9zGTw1ccbWvdkgjo-V76b91w/s4080/IMG_20231026_172649768_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Q6ixD7NhLnjtgdVabjPY-kwJQZrY6GxAnehDzZQ0SuL1N8mHHiyntYGjs6QIgfdcdY9mTxpLJHkq4kZS85aBri5ElEEC5m_WnFEBd23FeGLPcJPm0zdgo43PEKjwGnpXOv2veqRvNLAvSkyyFpvtMaZ8Is9zGTw1ccbWvdkgjo-V76b91w/s320/IMG_20231026_172649768_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-10012851121293824702023-10-23T18:18:00.001-07:002023-10-23T18:18:08.497-07:00Oh Gosh, no. Not again.<p>"Oh Gosh, no. Not again." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0LRE0TiNr_HESXtkiS5nKUQmOtbM09ZeSzPK8ocVaC67_fIk1KCosDND6HZWMeA_v2dh1V250G-w-fv-TmeEEfZ1TVItR-_DXs3vpvVQcWMEzEvm7roJ4NRpzaOeO6t70epDwziWtgzlqbRc_hnpHg0lTymqzBuL4DPXTBb5Y9ZK4885EA/s4080/IMG_20231016_160233788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0LRE0TiNr_HESXtkiS5nKUQmOtbM09ZeSzPK8ocVaC67_fIk1KCosDND6HZWMeA_v2dh1V250G-w-fv-TmeEEfZ1TVItR-_DXs3vpvVQcWMEzEvm7roJ4NRpzaOeO6t70epDwziWtgzlqbRc_hnpHg0lTymqzBuL4DPXTBb5Y9ZK4885EA/w225-h400/IMG_20231016_160233788.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The lights came on throughout the house, again, and soon Lochlan was rummaging through the fridge, then laughing out loud, then going to the bathroom, then back to the fridge, and finally headed outside. He has been sick for several days with COVID - we've all had it again recently, but Lochlan's immune system is so compromised that he got it with a vengeance this time. He has a deep cough, insomnia and a plethora of intestinal issues. One night was endless vomit. Another was endless diarrhea (I'm STILL amazed that I know how to spell that word), then endless coughing. The past few nights it has been insomnia coupled with diarrhea and coughing. <div><br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilKMsMt80GxaSzmCMphggOuAcEAhIa7m7tkGC5F31yq9XwGdeA89D1OLXfbDHIEHlwIDUj_wsNVf5AmNWJdpLtRtl709hz79HgkeR8ObJ7gwqxw_vymucViDEcf9eAtdBQYreCLXLHM3WlAidy6fHVelm1UByq3Suo8JsSEtIAAyYNS2nMw/s4080/IMG_20231016_160236724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilKMsMt80GxaSzmCMphggOuAcEAhIa7m7tkGC5F31yq9XwGdeA89D1OLXfbDHIEHlwIDUj_wsNVf5AmNWJdpLtRtl709hz79HgkeR8ObJ7gwqxw_vymucViDEcf9eAtdBQYreCLXLHM3WlAidy6fHVelm1UByq3Suo8JsSEtIAAyYNS2nMw/s320/IMG_20231016_160236724.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div>I can operate with less than 3 hours of sleep for about 3 days and still be functional. Day 4, 5, 6 and... I'm just less functional. As we sat with our tea for teatime this morning, tears just happened, involuntarily. I am surrounded by kindness and love from these men I call mine and I am very grateful. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the past few mornings, since I'm already awake, I've been escaping to ride my horse in the woods, before the household is fully stirred awake. It has been a sweet relief. I haven't been processing the myriad of thoughts in my cluttered head, like I usually do when I'm woods-bound. The fatigue has robbed me of that. The quiet of the woods, the golden leaves tumbling silently to the ground, and only the footfall of my horse and faithful dog following behind me... it filled my heart and restored so much that felt fractured. I wasn't any less tired for doing so, but somehow I was restored. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqfgk3gcq_EjmPdx5AS6iGvkBLzCPdtiatHZBtUyMjQVxAuZypHUKZfnkv8h9jcKlwpTBUu5jf6oQViIe-UrbhWukS-YOiQ9qAQ16HMyojSen6HQCfPk6zU0G57T5HxTyfvqhk8L3Hkr3Ub3SFTEzl_wmXMTqtmbsb-d8hXlISo84EWWjPg/s4080/IMG_20231022_141329920~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqfgk3gcq_EjmPdx5AS6iGvkBLzCPdtiatHZBtUyMjQVxAuZypHUKZfnkv8h9jcKlwpTBUu5jf6oQViIe-UrbhWukS-YOiQ9qAQ16HMyojSen6HQCfPk6zU0G57T5HxTyfvqhk8L3Hkr3Ub3SFTEzl_wmXMTqtmbsb-d8hXlISo84EWWjPg/s320/IMG_20231022_141329920~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGhwHmUxubqEpzcLyVlwTILZGp4SqkM2epEZ-SMnWGrVmxyujILxgbKJzgKl0coBeDkUfQ3uMD3kxh1RjVKG65utbkiHqcQq01FVAu-huyNRdwUoDDKI1O8Klj4dLX2Td9tu2UIPxW3MxEWqckXJ-3KBKDsECSrYElq_ijkysSsRAoeS8iw/s4080/IMG_20231021_100714017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGhwHmUxubqEpzcLyVlwTILZGp4SqkM2epEZ-SMnWGrVmxyujILxgbKJzgKl0coBeDkUfQ3uMD3kxh1RjVKG65utbkiHqcQq01FVAu-huyNRdwUoDDKI1O8Klj4dLX2Td9tu2UIPxW3MxEWqckXJ-3KBKDsECSrYElq_ijkysSsRAoeS8iw/s320/IMG_20231021_100714017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-fi03sucAHIB9CIMCMBOIeNQSHeiYsuDpAadyeaa5SwsjOocArcVEMAMPPsGyBepE2eTw7M54Rr69GtB9qfjd3BmJ0vO6G-yZDakX-Y_HQuoc4Kg70WucmStWBOm8sfFMdVOUu6ZDrd2KJTIoKrsIMrybNl_cDuTr-cvAAPeDcbYeQALYw/s4080/IMG_20231021_090449650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-fi03sucAHIB9CIMCMBOIeNQSHeiYsuDpAadyeaa5SwsjOocArcVEMAMPPsGyBepE2eTw7M54Rr69GtB9qfjd3BmJ0vO6G-yZDakX-Y_HQuoc4Kg70WucmStWBOm8sfFMdVOUu6ZDrd2KJTIoKrsIMrybNl_cDuTr-cvAAPeDcbYeQALYw/s320/IMG_20231021_090449650.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbwnI0z9v4ivvPfC2YXreyq_kf1JqMGBNchY53eF1q5ssb4BC0qgZhp2P3Y42E3O8RynyQkzXjJED6qKYSR_P68tIGgI_StNT4z-_sI30lRVKpUNcIF8EDBuagoM31cDf5HH9xPqijwgL5YzCjvUUXyd0dW7c51KDs5DoziuRZ3N57SNJQXQ/s320/IMG_20231021_085715813_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme3uuqY9rCQqo-dgWiVQYlhhIQgDDFsBbeFtI0rqLHhNSg5Mc_kkwrUxMPID0B1pjRBZBlcjKzOb6Qdc6A6sjOiYV63CvUVOQDDrfx6-hOmvtIxKbX8Gx_i0ZtIU0jKN7YKMirTAUQV4QpUk-D3GV14ysarv_TVNELP5lDjwTXipfsi5OKg/s4080/IMG_20231021_085458972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgme3uuqY9rCQqo-dgWiVQYlhhIQgDDFsBbeFtI0rqLHhNSg5Mc_kkwrUxMPID0B1pjRBZBlcjKzOb6Qdc6A6sjOiYV63CvUVOQDDrfx6-hOmvtIxKbX8Gx_i0ZtIU0jKN7YKMirTAUQV4QpUk-D3GV14ysarv_TVNELP5lDjwTXipfsi5OKg/s320/IMG_20231021_085458972.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp93kq83IRjXV94IlcklOVl3qRyQ-EjeCZsmgOqD47tw5h2Tg5zPjE-GepevkYpJGnsqPIPjm-FnwoatDaFwjPwlFZXBdYTtdZD4E2QnqkYadP6zf5EIN5F_RJg-zZPGp6kDBkZdQIU0gFE1d012wxW26e0-zk8LCrWzsZjzkUhBCVSbVe4g/s4080/IMG_20231021_085442060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp93kq83IRjXV94IlcklOVl3qRyQ-EjeCZsmgOqD47tw5h2Tg5zPjE-GepevkYpJGnsqPIPjm-FnwoatDaFwjPwlFZXBdYTtdZD4E2QnqkYadP6zf5EIN5F_RJg-zZPGp6kDBkZdQIU0gFE1d012wxW26e0-zk8LCrWzsZjzkUhBCVSbVe4g/s320/IMG_20231021_085442060.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LYNu73TxxX9e-jIWYhPaTwOPVbKZ_5Vq8vL1YHFQGUdOmmRht3vmnApGNfK7rxozbsOyuUC7xMfxF_m_crMEwtEYyV16ZZkfyxm9wVThUx-FEXtaq3QOhE5QUhS6OcAllkvMAG8lbDR_9INboOnqJZqtTv37LhEnsn-YmKvB70NfeO4qcQ/s4080/IMG_20231021_085425572_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LYNu73TxxX9e-jIWYhPaTwOPVbKZ_5Vq8vL1YHFQGUdOmmRht3vmnApGNfK7rxozbsOyuUC7xMfxF_m_crMEwtEYyV16ZZkfyxm9wVThUx-FEXtaq3QOhE5QUhS6OcAllkvMAG8lbDR_9INboOnqJZqtTv37LhEnsn-YmKvB70NfeO4qcQ/s320/IMG_20231021_085425572_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysSBD_Zj4ggpXO0MgAsXJsEE5P8Bw-Fn333tMDrHMmOdYi2uUEmOiUw35y6YEy_nyPAp9o1OPAFp1LrMEy6yc62Pl91nclpsdmHQ7UZiQawJcAhOWZzHi50l7dnXmHmoYA5UF5ssZlwt5a2_gnlPrjqMpLO834yHHtme2KJvG5hzPyd5atA/s4080/IMG_20231021_082033327_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiysSBD_Zj4ggpXO0MgAsXJsEE5P8Bw-Fn333tMDrHMmOdYi2uUEmOiUw35y6YEy_nyPAp9o1OPAFp1LrMEy6yc62Pl91nclpsdmHQ7UZiQawJcAhOWZzHi50l7dnXmHmoYA5UF5ssZlwt5a2_gnlPrjqMpLO834yHHtme2KJvG5hzPyd5atA/s320/IMG_20231021_082033327_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yesterday, my Auntie Ginger rode Devany while I walked (Fancy has a cough and wasn't really up to an outing yet). I was able to take her over by my hill and show her the wonder of all that can be seen from there. It was such a lovely time together and I'm so delighted that she was able to experience Devany. :-) </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9L-mOMd47_QCSH5uWEZyHb3gF91XYnwes5NYJ953MlBI1OuiCZrQ_pqhQ7EtvGiRmywWx0pYmI4tYjLACWuDxktfVCw5f7-EnKONHUyIsXOb7py_ko673cmBJ68dS-GD4fNl4AkdD293tv3kq7FSCw95NZ6wO3-lRUCxJM_AppoAFTckeag/s4080/IMG_20231022_140909755~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9L-mOMd47_QCSH5uWEZyHb3gF91XYnwes5NYJ953MlBI1OuiCZrQ_pqhQ7EtvGiRmywWx0pYmI4tYjLACWuDxktfVCw5f7-EnKONHUyIsXOb7py_ko673cmBJ68dS-GD4fNl4AkdD293tv3kq7FSCw95NZ6wO3-lRUCxJM_AppoAFTckeag/s320/IMG_20231022_140909755~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrSD0hqdL0Q8vGJrvNqIPeRGHbPkkN3mHrqZnAODfdbMuJkiJ2RKpnaUSxd-OgxdJMpTZf4J5Hge_m4xfECyAXUBhwdldElz4WQxhiHaqbhv2DR1ygSu3qC5VavHMDcupzXuusQ2rpL0bILh8b4J36XbSIousdYjnDZvmXLBFvbs7neUfYw/s4080/IMG_20231022_140017170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrSD0hqdL0Q8vGJrvNqIPeRGHbPkkN3mHrqZnAODfdbMuJkiJ2RKpnaUSxd-OgxdJMpTZf4J5Hge_m4xfECyAXUBhwdldElz4WQxhiHaqbhv2DR1ygSu3qC5VavHMDcupzXuusQ2rpL0bILh8b4J36XbSIousdYjnDZvmXLBFvbs7neUfYw/s320/IMG_20231022_140017170.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScUGR9va2JUcc5JWDXXwOpcIt38CCQm6YZgcp4gmkEiStspo98K2lsdFluHcqUJvGiKskqpn2joDmqgqN0OzCOfCUh3SdqO4MDwfr3JzKQVOMg1p0CuwEVvutITCCWoM3UPqbyzW0giRPdyvOAYdEnAgZVRxmM2MdQSHCz2GASTndktWL7Q/s4080/IMG_20231022_140016265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjScUGR9va2JUcc5JWDXXwOpcIt38CCQm6YZgcp4gmkEiStspo98K2lsdFluHcqUJvGiKskqpn2joDmqgqN0OzCOfCUh3SdqO4MDwfr3JzKQVOMg1p0CuwEVvutITCCWoM3UPqbyzW0giRPdyvOAYdEnAgZVRxmM2MdQSHCz2GASTndktWL7Q/s320/IMG_20231022_140016265.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuMSOGTYuC4UKhLmUQO46kukcVQTwfLewDH9quh6tDkLxN18IxHr2h84y9sjxfjJjYa0ekSdf2C1irr78gaAdghASye_uzYiUFiU6hbqzXv9ZlpgzFkivILDCollgdkop7Pb890DCozRR9txUtqAtgVC-HyNfWzDIsjE9PtT9zPtCEe3oXQ/s4080/IMG_20231022_140014209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxuMSOGTYuC4UKhLmUQO46kukcVQTwfLewDH9quh6tDkLxN18IxHr2h84y9sjxfjJjYa0ekSdf2C1irr78gaAdghASye_uzYiUFiU6hbqzXv9ZlpgzFkivILDCollgdkop7Pb890DCozRR9txUtqAtgVC-HyNfWzDIsjE9PtT9zPtCEe3oXQ/s320/IMG_20231022_140014209.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYeOiRu0TqI1l0yggMShFmBvzLljNYtS_l0ojMuaPHnvZut11b37WD-gM1277l8JSH6sBEamE8ozIecfQS5Gfd9Jz3e2FQt1JvaEn32OoGp2ubKLZtnfvMUafy2hYntVjKdp2fWE32bxyZc7R6CIlxrs_b_fAhLrHGV33K7Z1YvVKvN3b-g/s4080/IMG_20231022_135634750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYeOiRu0TqI1l0yggMShFmBvzLljNYtS_l0ojMuaPHnvZut11b37WD-gM1277l8JSH6sBEamE8ozIecfQS5Gfd9Jz3e2FQt1JvaEn32OoGp2ubKLZtnfvMUafy2hYntVjKdp2fWE32bxyZc7R6CIlxrs_b_fAhLrHGV33K7Z1YvVKvN3b-g/s320/IMG_20231022_135634750.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2FgsaRJDPXPfB5QXS9TDE44m0Xp5_TpAJ6R9Q23zMfUnLhK-NyqzwSexjb1XOsCKov5beI5LqIeMprsi17VbZ8vgSa8gLRHdChZ3vgN5navNB2CzElfhjNIO8MxOKVWFgIeVCwqHRemDXZ-LcrpC8YIiH9OKHCX-y2Y_tBI_h66IDu-_8w/s4080/IMG_20231022_144419809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2FgsaRJDPXPfB5QXS9TDE44m0Xp5_TpAJ6R9Q23zMfUnLhK-NyqzwSexjb1XOsCKov5beI5LqIeMprsi17VbZ8vgSa8gLRHdChZ3vgN5navNB2CzElfhjNIO8MxOKVWFgIeVCwqHRemDXZ-LcrpC8YIiH9OKHCX-y2Y_tBI_h66IDu-_8w/s320/IMG_20231022_144419809.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Today, we fought our way through school because Lochlan simply didn't want to skip it. I could tell his mind was foggy and he probably didn't absorb a ton of it, but he persevered and seemed quite content with just accomplishing "something". I took him on a drive to get him out of the house - just the two of us. He sat in the front seat and said, "A date?" I told him "Yes, and I'm so happy you're my date!" He smiled and changed the music to another song. Then, another song, Then, another song... after about 10 changes, he landed on one that suited him, "Rusty Cage" by Johnny Cash. Tonight, Declan headed out the door to go to leave with Dad. Lochlan, ran to the door, opened it and yelled, "Declan, I love you!" followed by the "I love you" in sign language. Declan hopped back out of the car with a huge smile and Lochlan ran to him and folded himself for a "squeeze" (a huge bear hug from Declan). You can't hold onto these moments, except deep within your heart. They are the moments that give life, though. They are the moments that are gifted to us. They are the simple moments of profound beauty that give me joy immeasurable. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFloXtUgEK40MR9yOAqyTI_ktXSruzarmYBEzPdfH04J1aI98Jt7S6-CoGRL3rcKS0ZzxP1IfgyDBV2LegTykA2bZ5Z7QuLw4Gi8pjzMYvpBMTdppI4S3hFhZ07Jkhri_H-3t1K_9O1ArGLJdL1BEAvD5seaHn1R3_Qm6GpYxUsNo3WXinQ/s4080/IMG_20231023_113434520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFloXtUgEK40MR9yOAqyTI_ktXSruzarmYBEzPdfH04J1aI98Jt7S6-CoGRL3rcKS0ZzxP1IfgyDBV2LegTykA2bZ5Z7QuLw4Gi8pjzMYvpBMTdppI4S3hFhZ07Jkhri_H-3t1K_9O1ArGLJdL1BEAvD5seaHn1R3_Qm6GpYxUsNo3WXinQ/s320/IMG_20231023_113434520.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJJIW9aRCU6NR4zeNmvAdoPVNtn-V6Hp2xa1wwyQkhADrQEkNrxRGruBAYWmt7ID263RYNv6i9Dbar0wRJAIjrCT-ynfYX2ItNc1RQ5MT5fAuX__JZ29YP4uLBLuPXgFXguoOgCt3EUFrrto2ehAN3nDFVSrb2uHghMFJ9VD49_rfQdHJgQ/s4080/IMG_20231023_113433514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJJIW9aRCU6NR4zeNmvAdoPVNtn-V6Hp2xa1wwyQkhADrQEkNrxRGruBAYWmt7ID263RYNv6i9Dbar0wRJAIjrCT-ynfYX2ItNc1RQ5MT5fAuX__JZ29YP4uLBLuPXgFXguoOgCt3EUFrrto2ehAN3nDFVSrb2uHghMFJ9VD49_rfQdHJgQ/s320/IMG_20231023_113433514.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rk4vrvth-3v6Eh733hCWZSn7UNfm0FUiMAF2dBT044U5nGm66_HVXmED3tETFppaQ_w-y-4n0LpKXO0TbXjSa9q0g4hLuWRlZ0Cfl_c_bEQBYiDgHoeItWJLPMKWAgecegh5LvwNp-lVecgIilg3vhDmf14aHHctt96iVPeB03uFmSB3aA/s4080/IMG_20231019_115821188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Rk4vrvth-3v6Eh733hCWZSn7UNfm0FUiMAF2dBT044U5nGm66_HVXmED3tETFppaQ_w-y-4n0LpKXO0TbXjSa9q0g4hLuWRlZ0Cfl_c_bEQBYiDgHoeItWJLPMKWAgecegh5LvwNp-lVecgIilg3vhDmf14aHHctt96iVPeB03uFmSB3aA/s320/IMG_20231019_115821188.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77UZ93IJBSBrNGOzwEhW6uf5pxKdGYXZ3uMY00y-YueuvDSNzOiIfgCidAld4l2rISLLeZgqv6vostGQZMbQtYCG67CePtlTEdIZNpn7Uqt7bv7dwi_qnIXXncmqeeSJs-vkVPM0YJS5FBKymoo1MTi2J2MO8cAZwKa_kG5SIIpxytJXTOQ/s320/IMG_20231018_144644033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcw_0YTfoid-xA7KVaexu1fWI9Qa7EXqSXRjNM_WoYAPGhc9qElGQWLyUXlVV8t81HvDw-Y2Id9dp61yD10lRLUwpFLmNeyoWBP3OVlQV47alKuWezt4GgpmS0n46-Gk-ZQeAkkiz2QMEVCj0K9iKf1v0wj-Fv_aWft_m59ueckML66eqeA/s4080/IMG_20231017_140907123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcw_0YTfoid-xA7KVaexu1fWI9Qa7EXqSXRjNM_WoYAPGhc9qElGQWLyUXlVV8t81HvDw-Y2Id9dp61yD10lRLUwpFLmNeyoWBP3OVlQV47alKuWezt4GgpmS0n46-Gk-ZQeAkkiz2QMEVCj0K9iKf1v0wj-Fv_aWft_m59ueckML66eqeA/s320/IMG_20231017_140907123.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFvZD-JR0Gy2i_MqmvlvEh7ZKTp-Atu0rekgFjjyJN6MWWD-bF6qjuZ9KfPzV_gsVrMFHoXNq97bq4HBkZoJh8_WCpTQlvHwyo9IDjAj9_ehPV-s2-CRy-q0Kt0jmkswg7Qhmv8JRy5FK3ixm8x6-GNr9Gk6O9aszaI9NB-4J1_XgidLjlw/s4080/IMG_20231016_160153656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFvZD-JR0Gy2i_MqmvlvEh7ZKTp-Atu0rekgFjjyJN6MWWD-bF6qjuZ9KfPzV_gsVrMFHoXNq97bq4HBkZoJh8_WCpTQlvHwyo9IDjAj9_ehPV-s2-CRy-q0Kt0jmkswg7Qhmv8JRy5FK3ixm8x6-GNr9Gk6O9aszaI9NB-4J1_XgidLjlw/s320/IMG_20231016_160153656.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>So, it may be another sleepless night, but there is beauty in winter too. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ifhv-v4zoXl-k5OcHHn9wqbq0S-R55_TUpkblke-VHxvtpqaqirNZzH0gKEYCctREKkX0K-xX7VCYhHpRhBv3lMVkNq_lpVB9SoCqhA1UwfBby-gP26mOzvxsToAT-cGPf0gAKYmMNhAaRAAvFPZeNxouwgDxdW5ZFOXrkUjIKPE4SdzSQ/s3264/IMG_20231018_151827343_PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ifhv-v4zoXl-k5OcHHn9wqbq0S-R55_TUpkblke-VHxvtpqaqirNZzH0gKEYCctREKkX0K-xX7VCYhHpRhBv3lMVkNq_lpVB9SoCqhA1UwfBby-gP26mOzvxsToAT-cGPf0gAKYmMNhAaRAAvFPZeNxouwgDxdW5ZFOXrkUjIKPE4SdzSQ/s320/IMG_20231018_151827343_PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-72026526443966004912023-10-18T19:09:00.002-07:002023-10-18T19:09:48.562-07:00Golden forests beckon us... Golden forests beckon us. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUOpspy74Fdh5VMUPoKcynRgTX9hyphenhyphenI0Jnh3jC7GTWxVs4Y_H0BekxFnQwhqNlFB86-gTJSiP56hS3_8-PTo2JdUKHSSRmM-yhsNGCaUekWycGE1ysEsbCo6RzJZsV3gQ0hiITXsqgHSXFlksD_lDRH7BrkpOiM7RVScER78HfHcRb92npTg/s4080/IMG_20231018_154555997.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdUOpspy74Fdh5VMUPoKcynRgTX9hyphenhyphenI0Jnh3jC7GTWxVs4Y_H0BekxFnQwhqNlFB86-gTJSiP56hS3_8-PTo2JdUKHSSRmM-yhsNGCaUekWycGE1ysEsbCo6RzJZsV3gQ0hiITXsqgHSXFlksD_lDRH7BrkpOiM7RVScER78HfHcRb92npTg/s320/IMG_20231018_154555997.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>We've had a difficult time ignoring the call these past many days. We rush through school and find ourselves wandering the forests of gold and green. The days have been unrealistically perfect. Oh, to bottle the memories, catch the wonder and hold it for the darker days that will find us. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_h3fjHuFUU-X_V-woohXurrHq8PDZtbiQidi_IxJO_W0vlc_V_ZAVXfWEoS26ezg0m5fK1lx-RwauUGcI53hl3f6Ba6nnxDkHAcDlQHyzzBU42lWV4-wFl3Sagsg_3M3u3PHVDcx-fDHYYNBOLL5iFanz7YIBEkpW237kVrOolsTtyP8Mg/s4080/IMG_20231018_154356881.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7_h3fjHuFUU-X_V-woohXurrHq8PDZtbiQidi_IxJO_W0vlc_V_ZAVXfWEoS26ezg0m5fK1lx-RwauUGcI53hl3f6Ba6nnxDkHAcDlQHyzzBU42lWV4-wFl3Sagsg_3M3u3PHVDcx-fDHYYNBOLL5iFanz7YIBEkpW237kVrOolsTtyP8Mg/s320/IMG_20231018_154356881.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX76gz5IcAJBPu7kkRDs1S0Q-TfqQGNMQcBKbv_QhxuRLuJxgbhpYHl1bieQu8cMKN6TxCWaSr0dGrXuJ9A2CSI3Bn7bl2GCJviJs3Jye-XW5Mo4THI1MNTsin751dg4Lj76GAjtPys7NfuguTV33xTasgc8kGKaydycL259SlsAH3Yxjtg/s4080/IMG_20231018_153800254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DS1abFzJGPqYCH8vyIxZGwKcOaLy5ubRaKI9O5CKkANPOCsAqKPbyEOF-gT3pKwtHMk1NO4LmzIEf6FDbMzirYSxGqEVYxLBg8sUvCjpxrokN_EeM8LvbFMPoHw-364bpsjWACcJV4BwreBTdTQPAIWl0b4AujXFgq_59JlGRr9gjja8fg/s4080/IMG_20231018_151414366.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DS1abFzJGPqYCH8vyIxZGwKcOaLy5ubRaKI9O5CKkANPOCsAqKPbyEOF-gT3pKwtHMk1NO4LmzIEf6FDbMzirYSxGqEVYxLBg8sUvCjpxrokN_EeM8LvbFMPoHw-364bpsjWACcJV4BwreBTdTQPAIWl0b4AujXFgq_59JlGRr9gjja8fg/s320/IMG_20231018_151414366.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFQcAz95QJXxaTa_IgCx7QVFm7mqKB3FsGR0oTqU66617N8Zj83xMrSsCdPGIA1MDy2RA9nIkz4sfdSThGpJkl9CeiLj2DardYV6KJL5LMA7C8stu6AdLpaQtOpMA6hFjzMrJQkTZEZN2CLWPXzCc9VecvwUk12wnKD-hdDrludWCU-9xIA/s4080/IMG_20231018_151218715.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaOOAYbY7hdHbHvPp0CvcqFQbS7KUDQdHU0kAs11pgo1O4DXSS5GSmr6tJG2ZO9YCOcAcYeOtpEjLcUWBe6p313YrplTSaMyuKLJpHCN22nGP-sPpuzGIeNFOqQcAr7qzZjhujJzIpT81qTGQeZeI_S4SBsJbAxRo7dEQbBiO0URvDkVR_w/s3264/IMG_20231018_150750988_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaOOAYbY7hdHbHvPp0CvcqFQbS7KUDQdHU0kAs11pgo1O4DXSS5GSmr6tJG2ZO9YCOcAcYeOtpEjLcUWBe6p313YrplTSaMyuKLJpHCN22nGP-sPpuzGIeNFOqQcAr7qzZjhujJzIpT81qTGQeZeI_S4SBsJbAxRo7dEQbBiO0URvDkVR_w/s320/IMG_20231018_150750988_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I am so thankful we are given seasons, to remind us that each season in life, too, is just that... a season. Winter does eventually have to give way to spring which captivates us with an abundance of new life. Spring must give way to summer which so often the season of adventure(s), when the new life from spring is given a chance to grow and prosper. Then, fall is upon us in golden glory and if we dare to blink it is gone as fast as it came. I find that I face winter with anticipation coupled with dread. Each season promises much and sometimes we are not prepared to face what it holds for us. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNwALhxS3BjbJGmkW0VhTXoFTQ9w3DzZhyphenhyphenJQoYFjnyKAbArQ_YwdIUb5B6k7xzuyygGVbQHLV24X9kysBP9gGSzK9clV_BiN3TnAVafuiTM5o2gCspQimGSjiC1vFTdsAGY4ORNB1e6JCTaZ5Tt1lDLiPkj_QiTYT3FTlZoxRvI3cqaemCA/s4080/IMG_20231018_150516660.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNwALhxS3BjbJGmkW0VhTXoFTQ9w3DzZhyphenhyphenJQoYFjnyKAbArQ_YwdIUb5B6k7xzuyygGVbQHLV24X9kysBP9gGSzK9clV_BiN3TnAVafuiTM5o2gCspQimGSjiC1vFTdsAGY4ORNB1e6JCTaZ5Tt1lDLiPkj_QiTYT3FTlZoxRvI3cqaemCA/w360-h640/IMG_20231018_150516660.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV7skRGLbjsx6qMCMfnvvdPZ4GT893QQDufFje-9xQW5HzZDbviU8Gmlm0WN9vT9ggy1pQ88w7PcV-ah4GpkS3xMLgbglGFm61IctFeQL_edeorbcdi-KNiRseIQqlJjYB8X7eyPDS8lntWFGNNjCtNHIIWgPvwGt7vBjQ96SqEOIj5EsQw/s4080/IMG_20231017_135704436_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV7skRGLbjsx6qMCMfnvvdPZ4GT893QQDufFje-9xQW5HzZDbviU8Gmlm0WN9vT9ggy1pQ88w7PcV-ah4GpkS3xMLgbglGFm61IctFeQL_edeorbcdi-KNiRseIQqlJjYB8X7eyPDS8lntWFGNNjCtNHIIWgPvwGt7vBjQ96SqEOIj5EsQw/s320/IMG_20231017_135704436_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ9o9iXd895y-TgLCTnfGkHKrfjyggi76x6yukl5E3vJ8uMQXRPc0yPRzndsKo3v-Vziza5BAk9iEHyXxlWq3wkLJAQC25TwzIDV70QwyqpNWjk2zBaIOOx80WtVVW4lbzeN_nXdvmA_jZaTsrq6pm4jFi2B9JV_Rxbfyk5eHs-0v4iamhA/s4080/IMG_20231017_135659514~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQ9o9iXd895y-TgLCTnfGkHKrfjyggi76x6yukl5E3vJ8uMQXRPc0yPRzndsKo3v-Vziza5BAk9iEHyXxlWq3wkLJAQC25TwzIDV70QwyqpNWjk2zBaIOOx80WtVVW4lbzeN_nXdvmA_jZaTsrq6pm4jFi2B9JV_Rxbfyk5eHs-0v4iamhA/s320/IMG_20231017_135659514~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqKscBD_nPutgEWA8FMXnD5eV1pRG-ew6QemOMzVS3paYiwun-Kj8K76iK54OE1fcMmQSTBnVAMZoYGzGOUB4Lu1w49n-4em2lKCyubfhGOKqkNYZBgypsGe7uZD5hMEk3W0bnJSV5vdqc3xdLcaFsoflIPHDh2KE0vCFtLujBkkK3O1b_g/s4080/IMG_20231017_135109516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeqKscBD_nPutgEWA8FMXnD5eV1pRG-ew6QemOMzVS3paYiwun-Kj8K76iK54OE1fcMmQSTBnVAMZoYGzGOUB4Lu1w49n-4em2lKCyubfhGOKqkNYZBgypsGe7uZD5hMEk3W0bnJSV5vdqc3xdLcaFsoflIPHDh2KE0vCFtLujBkkK3O1b_g/s320/IMG_20231017_135109516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Let me bask in the golden rays of today... </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNOLBf8eFyBoJWl1Vg7Nx1KxVrrZs4rhexITb0umQb9nDEil5OtxylKkyii0aTjznHD8OhU3KvtZYntFuHHX_H7Iso-LNHqsH-jY3WwO-8B_TwvZffbK5sjNTIXa8KIKq3OJnwCct4U8bFwBXJgzAX-S44TfXq92ND-hkhcLzvOPlV9_98A/s4080/IMG_20231018_150334128.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNOLBf8eFyBoJWl1Vg7Nx1KxVrrZs4rhexITb0umQb9nDEil5OtxylKkyii0aTjznHD8OhU3KvtZYntFuHHX_H7Iso-LNHqsH-jY3WwO-8B_TwvZffbK5sjNTIXa8KIKq3OJnwCct4U8bFwBXJgzAX-S44TfXq92ND-hkhcLzvOPlV9_98A/s320/IMG_20231018_150334128.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nVSx8S4k4Z7w4iGHf28cRhe_I7BsUTWIpzgYshg5p4qTgbq26_Mnhhyphenhyphen_DLlsX_negELoc7XjXvex19ykSG5SAFBoXhdsCQuLqYmbVryy2VOce_CyBN1ZyuYUhOvHjcYQEjsyKNnvEpscid246MSWNObS5abtLzwuZPhujsFVdfLMsHkuCA/s4080/IMG_20231017_134326785.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzZAy5D-L8f5Gb85jvIXwF9517DO-sKab2PscAbHccxbUZ3X61GQFKVtd_BoXPufdI7PFwnS_GuAhOmmNhEPLXdALIQElnNZIb7qJBuAT8jCkMjVBNu6zkhyBKhm9yTqSIO7YW5qtvMJ0ZUM8Vg-4WOsTl2udwY_qwgOYBvpA3NY1ntPA9lg/s320/IMG_20231018_125947~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-45761456185863868482023-10-05T07:00:00.000-07:002023-10-05T07:00:49.208-07:00To Welcome Tomorrow<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQjmzJp8ch5QbBttiuFcQ717oHWqYBpZP8zLW4sk85lzYiHVe3NEI4nqpKF9hkhcE7SqxaeEsVPNdavg5Qu3HUlx77fqJ0PoBfrS7XeFGicGnj-66wjAWEkqsnVK2sWMnWLsVQKVdp72ibwB8daVl96SASJN6v0VgfbIdymDtOlDX6ebisw/s4080/IMG_20230923_145210532~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQjmzJp8ch5QbBttiuFcQ717oHWqYBpZP8zLW4sk85lzYiHVe3NEI4nqpKF9hkhcE7SqxaeEsVPNdavg5Qu3HUlx77fqJ0PoBfrS7XeFGicGnj-66wjAWEkqsnVK2sWMnWLsVQKVdp72ibwB8daVl96SASJN6v0VgfbIdymDtOlDX6ebisw/w400-h225/IMG_20230923_145210532~2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>While we were wandering in the woods on our family camping trip a couple weeks ago, we found this drawing in a fallen tree. It is made by bugs! It stopped us in our tracks because we initially thought it was something carved by a person. The artists throughout this creation are abundant and their simple masterpieces are all around us. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFSkV_UbB5Lav2az7a9p45eWyx6hdvTjcy_8w_z247xUz-_97ZcocsqPW29kE9A2HuXU7cMIH48qcS8ctpd6NqgvEe9NPvtJYMIEnKa80Lwd5KzbS4MuwESyoIsJ_leasLCJgfqz01jm48v6B34Pc1-kIz8PSWDy9RGHcN1QAg4FKem6oVA/s4080/IMG_20231003_172843568~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmFSkV_UbB5Lav2az7a9p45eWyx6hdvTjcy_8w_z247xUz-_97ZcocsqPW29kE9A2HuXU7cMIH48qcS8ctpd6NqgvEe9NPvtJYMIEnKa80Lwd5KzbS4MuwESyoIsJ_leasLCJgfqz01jm48v6B34Pc1-kIz8PSWDy9RGHcN1QAg4FKem6oVA/s320/IMG_20231003_172843568~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6hkvvIb4wR2QjMCZ_tMHDA_SGjd6I8-x0jVk8SHjhiBKg8pTED5gXZ-lOAiQbvzSVOGwu2pQwgqmsYGhC7huln_WPfkFwu422SKWwo33UwA6sUWSoO_uNobtKEiz4l3dquj5l-Q7OKAOsF_3C75pxyR45GQcgdhmlpqhU0ak4c-VbrzAsg/s4080/IMG_20231003_173309799_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6hkvvIb4wR2QjMCZ_tMHDA_SGjd6I8-x0jVk8SHjhiBKg8pTED5gXZ-lOAiQbvzSVOGwu2pQwgqmsYGhC7huln_WPfkFwu422SKWwo33UwA6sUWSoO_uNobtKEiz4l3dquj5l-Q7OKAOsF_3C75pxyR45GQcgdhmlpqhU0ak4c-VbrzAsg/s320/IMG_20231003_173309799_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I've been challenged by several people recently about why I spend time wandering in the wilds. Upon reflection, here's my explanation, though not my apology. :-) As I've faced the mountains and valleys that are mine to face, I have often found myself stretched beyond recognition. The sorrow, the fatigue, and even the hopelessness can warp my perspective and sometimes just doing the next thing is about the best I can commit to. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Dg5rbiPD_3WuRe14bHUOJh6wf6EfBFhvOKnW41GDmjGPeoPmSvQxjgrE5HOkUNHeeDmD78KHv-n2MQkNzK5alTnYMFSdKHGPhvRCZ63crqO4stlF-9kK_6nrdU9bGKzquY0yWLDSGkFbCcNVAvjYCeZ1dlKDG1IZcJgIK_y5RCMkl4MdQA/s4080/IMG_20231002_063815312_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Dg5rbiPD_3WuRe14bHUOJh6wf6EfBFhvOKnW41GDmjGPeoPmSvQxjgrE5HOkUNHeeDmD78KHv-n2MQkNzK5alTnYMFSdKHGPhvRCZ63crqO4stlF-9kK_6nrdU9bGKzquY0yWLDSGkFbCcNVAvjYCeZ1dlKDG1IZcJgIK_y5RCMkl4MdQA/s320/IMG_20231002_063815312_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-dRJBeNl6WCwBhQeEeaX5jbUm8P47y0r8lx-ifqNcGyLqOfRvyLO96K3ptU2GxHcu_bISpK4vCNdddrii_h5FJyYP1sz6iadm-noGrqZC-40F7eusBgojNtiB4fg1yZeDUJu-6EpFe5i1JS8m7mrW2PM5JWOrCqFvRDI7N93L2HUBa1nig/s4080/IMG_20231001_173939793_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-dRJBeNl6WCwBhQeEeaX5jbUm8P47y0r8lx-ifqNcGyLqOfRvyLO96K3ptU2GxHcu_bISpK4vCNdddrii_h5FJyYP1sz6iadm-noGrqZC-40F7eusBgojNtiB4fg1yZeDUJu-6EpFe5i1JS8m7mrW2PM5JWOrCqFvRDI7N93L2HUBa1nig/s320/IMG_20231001_173939793_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>When I walk out into Creation the wonder and magnitude is realized (again), and the things that overwhelm me are subdued. I am reminded of how small I am and how blessed to be a part of it all. I see outside of myself and the small world I've molded by my own limitations. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYMljqLbu2gaqIxeyrZNqTN9_r6iGY0XMUzBIqrrt0D582fPFoLiU-B_Fiua0lMn1CbzXK5EzZKvZ2dFNEusmLD9-D3-i6ueh-laVye-haKHYZI0kf6ynDXocAuvKBOvbcHaYH_sp2vNPBRojFr39lpxtr3YxuHeeO9ItJlYfYv26JfuDCA/s4080/IMG_20230928_064714382_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYMljqLbu2gaqIxeyrZNqTN9_r6iGY0XMUzBIqrrt0D582fPFoLiU-B_Fiua0lMn1CbzXK5EzZKvZ2dFNEusmLD9-D3-i6ueh-laVye-haKHYZI0kf6ynDXocAuvKBOvbcHaYH_sp2vNPBRojFr39lpxtr3YxuHeeO9ItJlYfYv26JfuDCA/s320/IMG_20230928_064714382_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p>I am renewed with hope because it puts life back into perspective for me. I am given strength which has been useful in ways I could not have imagined. I am given joy because I love what I see. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I_LO0d2n85_CtIvT-TYWBBwxkSBPFzCC7yLRFazwgtW5iKRJF8la8iXhn-KyZuHgSQDzvBd4BpDWcebMps4GFydj1nBrMyz0JEk6aUYY1eRSOD-A9qnqkYxPTS8uT_Y1FZP2v0GpbQsNUM0co49QZFORe-gHFkQG6gokXM0T6Wm29v8BSw/s4080/IMG_20230917_130333967_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_I_LO0d2n85_CtIvT-TYWBBwxkSBPFzCC7yLRFazwgtW5iKRJF8la8iXhn-KyZuHgSQDzvBd4BpDWcebMps4GFydj1nBrMyz0JEk6aUYY1eRSOD-A9qnqkYxPTS8uT_Y1FZP2v0GpbQsNUM0co49QZFORe-gHFkQG6gokXM0T6Wm29v8BSw/s320/IMG_20230917_130333967_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjQmmVfRp_KKn9oGRMZG9lruXQJFWvxF5rq6Hy1vYY3KbkpKoHAfgjehVaMgvsVVtxQgxynhLyVGnfg9SftJr3kdg65LuWwmd9gQeamjYqGVfpXDKOz3e5oV1nk_7bKGADnMSPJ7995W0yLEQ6P8kyM7r8omtzdaqMyBiEyoXQUQYXPJQPQ/s4080/IMG_20230917_113742572_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjQmmVfRp_KKn9oGRMZG9lruXQJFWvxF5rq6Hy1vYY3KbkpKoHAfgjehVaMgvsVVtxQgxynhLyVGnfg9SftJr3kdg65LuWwmd9gQeamjYqGVfpXDKOz3e5oV1nk_7bKGADnMSPJ7995W0yLEQ6P8kyM7r8omtzdaqMyBiEyoXQUQYXPJQPQ/s320/IMG_20230917_113742572_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>If I face my giants today and succeed, I will rejoice and ready myself for tomorrow. And, simply put - the beauty of this day helps me welcome tomorrow. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh050ijlW9bQGKbPx8B0fm8ZrEAN51xqBq_H096rqFRS734nvrxAbxDOgAw39898xxalSAnpcyzd8H5o6bZZW1q5M4dUfVqMkXIa22dlwDLPSqEV4wlW7Rsriz4yC6Z9CL_i23tJ4lkgbmPnGCPyaMnjf6SCdID6lL4mOF9Dm4WUJaCHQNlUw/s4080/IMG_20230916_161915187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh050ijlW9bQGKbPx8B0fm8ZrEAN51xqBq_H096rqFRS734nvrxAbxDOgAw39898xxalSAnpcyzd8H5o6bZZW1q5M4dUfVqMkXIa22dlwDLPSqEV4wlW7Rsriz4yC6Z9CL_i23tJ4lkgbmPnGCPyaMnjf6SCdID6lL4mOF9Dm4WUJaCHQNlUw/s320/IMG_20230916_161915187.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwKnP2GeHqZPl7Obsdryu6W_LL77kLI8t3yqwZpkRAp8EB1Z9b_EU3mBPhPnrX7vVbIIYboIadD62q4fijj4G3K7auuNkL2MWAAbRqFfp31xxgI9Kn3dMBW8di5W7vmMBFyznhAHbmIyrRb_H9u4Sw6navMaI2e-HQk2pRQ07uBLsU6pazQ/s4080/IMG_20231001_173926935_HDR~2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwKnP2GeHqZPl7Obsdryu6W_LL77kLI8t3yqwZpkRAp8EB1Z9b_EU3mBPhPnrX7vVbIIYboIadD62q4fijj4G3K7auuNkL2MWAAbRqFfp31xxgI9Kn3dMBW8di5W7vmMBFyznhAHbmIyrRb_H9u4Sw6navMaI2e-HQk2pRQ07uBLsU6pazQ/w225-h400/IMG_20231001_173926935_HDR~2.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-1319742369615539472023-10-04T07:42:00.003-07:002023-10-04T07:53:00.840-07:00Twinning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbLqkbIln-HO2kHq_kpY44C3uT85_AGoLQ_mDoOF61KJzPyrYmGNwMUAD88KpUG8wbV3p2yYafjayLyxaOhyi5QGGiyfburYo5r-PEC9KgNHc3fm58xf7yT6jmLNhhglcRcDx7vjTZfSjCTcw69bzRxT-eYIsKuLkwPX6KJ7BlMnKn4amGA/s4032/IMG_0425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSbLqkbIln-HO2kHq_kpY44C3uT85_AGoLQ_mDoOF61KJzPyrYmGNwMUAD88KpUG8wbV3p2yYafjayLyxaOhyi5QGGiyfburYo5r-PEC9KgNHc3fm58xf7yT6jmLNhhglcRcDx7vjTZfSjCTcw69bzRxT-eYIsKuLkwPX6KJ7BlMnKn4amGA/s320/IMG_0425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>"Hey, I got us an Airbnb in Ouray for our birthday this year. Let's get away and hike all those trails we've wanted to hike, but haven't." Krista surprised me this year and it was such a special time together. We DID hike those trails we've been wanting to hike for many years but haven't had the opportunity to do so. We also found a little coffee shop 1/2 block away from the crooked little gem where we were staying and got coffee/tea and yummies every morning. We ate dinner out twice which was a particularly special treat for me as I never eat out (I even got steak!!!!!!!). We got lost in the little main street bookstore and we tried to hold onto every minute that careened past us. </p><p>The first day we drove from opposite directions for almost 6 hours and managed to arrive at the Blue Lakes trail head within 60 seconds of each other. We've done this trail before and it's like an old friend. I sat by that top lake and reflected on how we've changed and what has transpired since the last time we hiked it, over 6 years ago. I'm grateful, again, that we have been given the ability to have hindsight, but that we cannot see or know what lies ahead. In my weakness, I would have jumped ship if I could have seen some of what I would cross through; yet, reflecting back I see how the process of pain, coupled with the abundant (and so often unexpected) joy shapes and molds us. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP0-XRxcMP_W8oYY_Qym_ouidQex9vrxC5y2nnnlz4EQwk6bfeXi6sK0ONlxMz_7WvbIh_Kjj37LQ_PPJ5jZ5RFOPvSPg8nhtik3Dslr2HXl-DBjJr3Z6wqxU_uj8YDsYg7LhQU1aWxfdcBNH-7Z3fPzo1MQq6BibsJgQwQDoiY2GpJBkuw/s4080/IMG_20230907_133656882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOP0-XRxcMP_W8oYY_Qym_ouidQex9vrxC5y2nnnlz4EQwk6bfeXi6sK0ONlxMz_7WvbIh_Kjj37LQ_PPJ5jZ5RFOPvSPg8nhtik3Dslr2HXl-DBjJr3Z6wqxU_uj8YDsYg7LhQU1aWxfdcBNH-7Z3fPzo1MQq6BibsJgQwQDoiY2GpJBkuw/s320/IMG_20230907_133656882.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRZRKdjdiUKciNyT7PA7cIAbrhL_TSCyInVMiZZopzDz90PXNg3ta-y36AWB-bK-fKGY_2p9eYmktFlKgE0Ra5epxM-9AevbVzksvS2ioRYigD5uHpl-quMm5FJ3crZa4jTiZZDwpNv3s57XtyX8umwjMOQdX7NZ-KSxVmwxSPcT6_7wm7g/s3264/IMG_20230907_152537295.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJRZRKdjdiUKciNyT7PA7cIAbrhL_TSCyInVMiZZopzDz90PXNg3ta-y36AWB-bK-fKGY_2p9eYmktFlKgE0Ra5epxM-9AevbVzksvS2ioRYigD5uHpl-quMm5FJ3crZa4jTiZZDwpNv3s57XtyX8umwjMOQdX7NZ-KSxVmwxSPcT6_7wm7g/s320/IMG_20230907_152537295.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3RX4SVif7ihOnYCc6pyozKPPWvFHRj9k2CDdvk6nOlHDQA7RlJEzUv3NMN8MaboK-ev7mcpJTQMIan2jo_5CQNXoMSOIsGQ6v0wLLVFWhOnzNZdClX2dFng2jJJwZ3E957f2A6TKLjat-vu6ixPrxZ8pQiGcfY6UQQTHG6wJQpMvYCt7Ug/s3264/IMG_20230907_152554591.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3RX4SVif7ihOnYCc6pyozKPPWvFHRj9k2CDdvk6nOlHDQA7RlJEzUv3NMN8MaboK-ev7mcpJTQMIan2jo_5CQNXoMSOIsGQ6v0wLLVFWhOnzNZdClX2dFng2jJJwZ3E957f2A6TKLjat-vu6ixPrxZ8pQiGcfY6UQQTHG6wJQpMvYCt7Ug/s320/IMG_20230907_152554591.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd53okZePJ9dqAS1-yNnzTcduep1OY2tRV69XH3Wc9_irhGdwxl8CzDyJ_5gchewOgLxhjPYDOeX0vcD_rQe9Cv16b2FWkg6ZP_kTIBJ3dwrIsoY9EmMZ3FiOB6JTETnUiIv2Lb6xmvCIYwJk1MQKSGq_qHszWEg3WYBO2M-hZjytECudJeA/s4080/IMG_20230907_153730442_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd53okZePJ9dqAS1-yNnzTcduep1OY2tRV69XH3Wc9_irhGdwxl8CzDyJ_5gchewOgLxhjPYDOeX0vcD_rQe9Cv16b2FWkg6ZP_kTIBJ3dwrIsoY9EmMZ3FiOB6JTETnUiIv2Lb6xmvCIYwJk1MQKSGq_qHszWEg3WYBO2M-hZjytECudJeA/s320/IMG_20230907_153730442_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOpd41DeuP1_n_w5i-bqH-6RMPU_P59AMHVF5ArTPCm8BA8c37YevJg40PzB9pa8uIS1wD2HixP-lQ8hTA6fwa7tQRWwNTY2UUYd2Ncrb3HdjEXO2DVEBYTOHFtlVdw6shukGoHevaUIf0gi-h4kX5-BFptXQXUW43OZNcOH_eyHrnC1vzGw/s320/IMG_20230907_162457727~3.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI6bofL-1gYobXjVd4RU0acjZniAc7o2KndrxKQetMBbDYutdEQ26fJe_FoWQkcemwIHy5i2kQwwN9VWbjia4TqyDXND6r8-rOtfivMJoxDc6UfeGVnLmQTPmgCIzioZkbPm0x_KuIX_ndl85mj66YOfeC3ZMuV3JDm-oa_BQcROiwod9aQ/s4080/IMG_20230907_163842267~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjI6bofL-1gYobXjVd4RU0acjZniAc7o2KndrxKQetMBbDYutdEQ26fJe_FoWQkcemwIHy5i2kQwwN9VWbjia4TqyDXND6r8-rOtfivMJoxDc6UfeGVnLmQTPmgCIzioZkbPm0x_KuIX_ndl85mj66YOfeC3ZMuV3JDm-oa_BQcROiwod9aQ/s320/IMG_20230907_163842267~2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk880pHqkus-zLb839K8WODpnU4MTW9mr5vDo_T2sXR5v4T0s71rd-9A4OcCbmgfJIQupoiFdNQnSXaLDw94_-YlJ-duJa83PEUkMEnI7l4KgUK4u9J8DR1IeTGjMDScCHUjNR88893rXydiA8pZME6W-7mD_H0XRQveUyP4P9-i3c0SatMQ/s4080/IMG_20230907_165337787~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk880pHqkus-zLb839K8WODpnU4MTW9mr5vDo_T2sXR5v4T0s71rd-9A4OcCbmgfJIQupoiFdNQnSXaLDw94_-YlJ-duJa83PEUkMEnI7l4KgUK4u9J8DR1IeTGjMDScCHUjNR88893rXydiA8pZME6W-7mD_H0XRQveUyP4P9-i3c0SatMQ/s320/IMG_20230907_165337787~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhV5ZhzVOpGZrD4wLgQiymKlClMeTvuthLtJc6_YQ4VH8Ua53Z5JlCwXRkjB_D9jNmiybOCdrpYLBFRpPpnKlcOPr581TcTjfUVUaVAal2glqkIqOTUdvDay7JMIVcZvDIW48UhyphenhyphenloMrrTKjzxodJkOsLR9nfIzApSy-ks89znUJ-x2sBCKA/s4080/IMG_20230907_170232445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhV5ZhzVOpGZrD4wLgQiymKlClMeTvuthLtJc6_YQ4VH8Ua53Z5JlCwXRkjB_D9jNmiybOCdrpYLBFRpPpnKlcOPr581TcTjfUVUaVAal2glqkIqOTUdvDay7JMIVcZvDIW48UhyphenhyphenloMrrTKjzxodJkOsLR9nfIzApSy-ks89znUJ-x2sBCKA/s320/IMG_20230907_170232445.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdwfWyWQmFEQqDdHN7wj-Dr6AKplceKWUgY0FnWr1PhWYgrzuGSfSMEeqilGMKb2rwKDlw2GuxaHVwmfMAnYxajZHNF2g85SGSgPV748_C9G3J5pTSlqKNG4hA6aWUcrbM78K_2npAGjTZd0Tuffb1Gb_8gaJ2_s-LEZvFAdHn9W3ebbCNw/s4080/IMG_20230907_173659089_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdwfWyWQmFEQqDdHN7wj-Dr6AKplceKWUgY0FnWr1PhWYgrzuGSfSMEeqilGMKb2rwKDlw2GuxaHVwmfMAnYxajZHNF2g85SGSgPV748_C9G3J5pTSlqKNG4hA6aWUcrbM78K_2npAGjTZd0Tuffb1Gb_8gaJ2_s-LEZvFAdHn9W3ebbCNw/s320/IMG_20230907_173659089_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcROj1QMndY-ctS74mRLPkiQOydEFPjJen5F3R0AYsyGNYhuRX9kLIIJOcWm6QxOgmPmEpaBDAMhQVejAeefdPc_HHbTDjEN3DZm_syHI1Utu4KReNC114VnF8xRr9MIhOfqpBuy2f8P47A1hPjFzuKI5q5JfZFggiG-th-KW28T3hafJ-w/s4080/IMG_20230907_192107385_HDR~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHcROj1QMndY-ctS74mRLPkiQOydEFPjJen5F3R0AYsyGNYhuRX9kLIIJOcWm6QxOgmPmEpaBDAMhQVejAeefdPc_HHbTDjEN3DZm_syHI1Utu4KReNC114VnF8xRr9MIhOfqpBuy2f8P47A1hPjFzuKI5q5JfZFggiG-th-KW28T3hafJ-w/s320/IMG_20230907_192107385_HDR~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The little crooked house we stayed in was a historical house built in the 1800's, perched beside a massive boulder and I think they glued it into place. It was utterly charming. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnihRPM_CjesWTg8e6uh9ssjI_hGdI7w7eQUGSGV5GCKlGULj2mXU12qyBXStx5P6yuJHJ-ZIe-JQiRiFqsGKbKMkS_eTqHZJeWwEnIMQx9TfcwxNBQTXPsX8wXCYXmghLyhUoZXvgDFpGtYrO5P6vDFJD48Wig9YWc8aoSppi69UjlVkqQ/s4080/IMG_20230908_084055178.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnihRPM_CjesWTg8e6uh9ssjI_hGdI7w7eQUGSGV5GCKlGULj2mXU12qyBXStx5P6yuJHJ-ZIe-JQiRiFqsGKbKMkS_eTqHZJeWwEnIMQx9TfcwxNBQTXPsX8wXCYXmghLyhUoZXvgDFpGtYrO5P6vDFJD48Wig9YWc8aoSppi69UjlVkqQ/s320/IMG_20230908_084055178.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qrGH1X1lOlQfeS9mD790otI1C1lqj4ACoFuyTMbNBkUeQeavEiJkMUE6fNAWT3Qs7Xgs688Lk0Dg3tGinWSMcAWL5IBFsPIVhj_aPsASQ86IfaWf7S5Jd9L61ODa0wbFADGIMMUPBLY5iDup3yuQRIFFFZBWUcdwQkwtZdJrJMrHv2t-HA/s4080/IMG_20230908_084027399_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8qrGH1X1lOlQfeS9mD790otI1C1lqj4ACoFuyTMbNBkUeQeavEiJkMUE6fNAWT3Qs7Xgs688Lk0Dg3tGinWSMcAWL5IBFsPIVhj_aPsASQ86IfaWf7S5Jd9L61ODa0wbFADGIMMUPBLY5iDup3yuQRIFFFZBWUcdwQkwtZdJrJMrHv2t-HA/s320/IMG_20230908_084027399_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhqcDEndMNqPm62dDhSXJ4rEny3dpJPpkWHoiKUH9ksXQwmnotuB3kNewU9CCWn0xEGjtVYGcxT6vz0i4BWI5SjBaxEaepOu82jFWh6s-d1vYI1IdBgco3g4OfPTVZxnu_oIS4TNnpWhvyrpn5FGDSQtSJ__cmpgmCa_uZEX26N20RkYiGQ/s4080/IMG_20230908_084019788_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhqcDEndMNqPm62dDhSXJ4rEny3dpJPpkWHoiKUH9ksXQwmnotuB3kNewU9CCWn0xEGjtVYGcxT6vz0i4BWI5SjBaxEaepOu82jFWh6s-d1vYI1IdBgco3g4OfPTVZxnu_oIS4TNnpWhvyrpn5FGDSQtSJ__cmpgmCa_uZEX26N20RkYiGQ/s320/IMG_20230908_084019788_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJVMZYoj0g0nKtOSpq1Uty2lLQ1zbtm643fdxJiOnjyBCItVv3pqaMlW2okQ1Y-Mfjt1eC5FA8uiFlGAwn-x4-AdTP2Z5F95zfeA4G49dA1_qhDtb9k8QdHcxaMJ9TznAreAC3Uy6qxGYiE0rHQhhF3ADO9z7tEXj94COkdcVJR1jWuP6dw/s4080/IMG_20230908_083955230_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJVMZYoj0g0nKtOSpq1Uty2lLQ1zbtm643fdxJiOnjyBCItVv3pqaMlW2okQ1Y-Mfjt1eC5FA8uiFlGAwn-x4-AdTP2Z5F95zfeA4G49dA1_qhDtb9k8QdHcxaMJ9TznAreAC3Uy6qxGYiE0rHQhhF3ADO9z7tEXj94COkdcVJR1jWuP6dw/s320/IMG_20230908_083955230_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9z_Z8dLuNuxOIQW0uusx1UPRUg0TWTIl1pqdv3CUOWLJg0qdcp1xsH_DcetYWl9MwN2mXBSYcWQnf96UeSQw8BAxSdfXYv02EdZ0vClbMrU8QDhAnNpQ1S5_xdV-G8-MpLVb8H7UJcDChSeJc1GarvURnZkDdJY_u-LtzFkQDU8ju2bXCQ/s4080/IMG_20230908_083104321.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9z_Z8dLuNuxOIQW0uusx1UPRUg0TWTIl1pqdv3CUOWLJg0qdcp1xsH_DcetYWl9MwN2mXBSYcWQnf96UeSQw8BAxSdfXYv02EdZ0vClbMrU8QDhAnNpQ1S5_xdV-G8-MpLVb8H7UJcDChSeJc1GarvURnZkDdJY_u-LtzFkQDU8ju2bXCQ/s320/IMG_20230908_083104321.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk8jG4Cy7fiz5O0FumcoucUMFUytg08n5JIVG7eSMVV1clDed4At5Ps8iPJHZFySXRIoU8aoQ8WZsksz2DFqJiNapHv0xJN3n6m3G-AwFEi7hG1z9APSjzHPUEExceSNjhJyMZYSyO8x3bLiUD8_wdBzwOqj0XDgZBWt6Jrj8wPIKWWKAiA/s4080/IMG_20230908_083044565_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk8jG4Cy7fiz5O0FumcoucUMFUytg08n5JIVG7eSMVV1clDed4At5Ps8iPJHZFySXRIoU8aoQ8WZsksz2DFqJiNapHv0xJN3n6m3G-AwFEi7hG1z9APSjzHPUEExceSNjhJyMZYSyO8x3bLiUD8_wdBzwOqj0XDgZBWt6Jrj8wPIKWWKAiA/s320/IMG_20230908_083044565_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p>The second day, we decided to take on the biggest challenge and do a 17 mile loop we've been eyeing for several years. We got a much later start than we had planned, so we brought our headlamps for hiking out in the dark. :-) We went over 5000' feet in elevation. It was an incredible day and though we were definitely tired that night, we were so glad we did it. We made memories that we will both treasure forever. I forgot my camera this day, so all my photos are borrowed from Krista. :-) We completed it in 9 hours. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQPaxUYhQvSMEeq4WvWlJ7-vmkgA_I2gjC2jBQqYwU0D9bpVtotSjBK3leceBrxlcK74EFRaJGYTizhjQimKA9_uzlScZbMXbJuGsutHvVxm49QUCD674LCWcGAZObahryKarbWxFDvGEPjsWV2T-8RP-YOm2ELUnZM1kkbDSQ4TaY4jisQ/s4032/IMG_0366.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQPaxUYhQvSMEeq4WvWlJ7-vmkgA_I2gjC2jBQqYwU0D9bpVtotSjBK3leceBrxlcK74EFRaJGYTizhjQimKA9_uzlScZbMXbJuGsutHvVxm49QUCD674LCWcGAZObahryKarbWxFDvGEPjsWV2T-8RP-YOm2ELUnZM1kkbDSQ4TaY4jisQ/s320/IMG_0366.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA4z7n43zNXcWlat0eMTIEdu01UGBfe8s_SXCvduGOt7SFLQFQR7chOX4151ixqi4jP8G9SzdXDkWuC7OqbJ6PRZahRaC_RExmTk0pDFYjAnoWnfJbB2s3NkGYsDfEFs-T6CtGjf_sAvaqRV0rsMpAnTO6le4nR9f1wB3XfOFB_wkZ_aGOQ/s4032/IMG_0372.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA4z7n43zNXcWlat0eMTIEdu01UGBfe8s_SXCvduGOt7SFLQFQR7chOX4151ixqi4jP8G9SzdXDkWuC7OqbJ6PRZahRaC_RExmTk0pDFYjAnoWnfJbB2s3NkGYsDfEFs-T6CtGjf_sAvaqRV0rsMpAnTO6le4nR9f1wB3XfOFB_wkZ_aGOQ/s320/IMG_0372.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYZNp8K3_B7XLqbBx4CPr8Iw8TBXe7DAjAR1MRu0Zl9hCqbEulUOaSyfwdrAXeBmlMXtmg7AEjlj5aoHavs9cDWemm0LyrOMo9aGiTFFZXxycqiEituSehcDkRObJT20sO2WAKgvNRrZQPfSbYFTR0QpiVnCC407rY-s3qP7kjbRWQOQM_Q/s4032/IMG_0375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUYZNp8K3_B7XLqbBx4CPr8Iw8TBXe7DAjAR1MRu0Zl9hCqbEulUOaSyfwdrAXeBmlMXtmg7AEjlj5aoHavs9cDWemm0LyrOMo9aGiTFFZXxycqiEituSehcDkRObJT20sO2WAKgvNRrZQPfSbYFTR0QpiVnCC407rY-s3qP7kjbRWQOQM_Q/s320/IMG_0375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had 4.5 miles to go from this point. Time to turn the headlamps on! </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuLChII0az66cAYQ7lIFTwMEyC49k2N9B4S9Vz8xJvK7rGeA71KmMxEtVyvxmyZFHCSKUne2HIFeVRoM5VOLnmo7w-DJnsb51n2bro-qBI7uJj2BlB432JjHqGghwG-jel2f1jBYWY7DkKS-WoGcLkfgKjXtzeHt4MzejGy6ULkMYxreDEg/s4032/IMG_0464-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuLChII0az66cAYQ7lIFTwMEyC49k2N9B4S9Vz8xJvK7rGeA71KmMxEtVyvxmyZFHCSKUne2HIFeVRoM5VOLnmo7w-DJnsb51n2bro-qBI7uJj2BlB432JjHqGghwG-jel2f1jBYWY7DkKS-WoGcLkfgKjXtzeHt4MzejGy6ULkMYxreDEg/s320/IMG_0464-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The following day, our birthday, we goofed off, rested, ate a lot, and went to Gunnison to see a crazy canyon. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FNUlqx9whErZnbvrWNffj0LjP_WZCVPEGyCO05_F9KsTRVZa6oiVn3LLD8UUYa0xUiM3FQG6f4KNUbWb5KTiLvURHDhiEgJS9DPmHHV09NMGSpecPfIB6wsJ88ob7liRwicUzDnT3pKjq5GW-DzPsP47z8tCn1L0iu5dtsxxnRCpGOntEw/s4080/IMG_20230910_104618878_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_FNUlqx9whErZnbvrWNffj0LjP_WZCVPEGyCO05_F9KsTRVZa6oiVn3LLD8UUYa0xUiM3FQG6f4KNUbWb5KTiLvURHDhiEgJS9DPmHHV09NMGSpecPfIB6wsJ88ob7liRwicUzDnT3pKjq5GW-DzPsP47z8tCn1L0iu5dtsxxnRCpGOntEw/s320/IMG_20230910_104618878_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnhg3xuDW8Y5Jd4jAhDiUv0lKZHcpqnpfpUYeFfJ_QO9z-05lA98g1IP6EH1Cqd0NcgmIjToOKZBxdfvV6iRKu8ZwlpLuki5NYjWzgr3Lk7kubANd8OXiQduX8Ou85D4yRk1oKyBpDNB3svAJ9GUyAwJFdifD_P0dAxDBJw6ywsmB50y1YEA/s4080/IMG_20230910_104536708_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQPYa5zmszxvje5X1hUqk88D7ieoi3ms5iFOObriCFSZSAArCj58LaRFHlq-iseYthGqVyhw5EPGTFcnBKb6vEvpOE7Mz-qY0H0o1MszdulNC1_igrXjWjbTu6ut2i0ZyEbbx0YDYjAU_FWwBYYZJenVC0xCauxQDZBzNdZ5fPptKYEMsfA/s4080/IMG_20230909_144135061_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQPYa5zmszxvje5X1hUqk88D7ieoi3ms5iFOObriCFSZSAArCj58LaRFHlq-iseYthGqVyhw5EPGTFcnBKb6vEvpOE7Mz-qY0H0o1MszdulNC1_igrXjWjbTu6ut2i0ZyEbbx0YDYjAU_FWwBYYZJenVC0xCauxQDZBzNdZ5fPptKYEMsfA/s320/IMG_20230909_144135061_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Derek came and overlapped with us by a day, so we hiked, ate some more, grabbed coffee, played music, talked for hours and thoroughly enjoyed the ever-too-short time we all had together. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On my way home, I stopped to see one last thing. Bumpy and I hiked the 8.5 mile Ice Lakes Basin trail. I had never been before and I was completely in awe. I will be taking my boys back there someday! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQvJkEHIr5TBVkK_NzpNnLpMWcxv9AgiGNdmqGxnQFHV1v2gSypUrmTVk_NsRoIdkuR8P6IOCmVVUKg-OOxp47xbcElK6Wf2Xh0szQ_rgWWGQItNroMe35e-iZPjWqN7oBUVW3Zh-aTaTb8_tbLSia0X8i1LqsRHOS_1lCZM6T7Bsh1R96w/s4080/IMG_20230911_121431010_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJQvJkEHIr5TBVkK_NzpNnLpMWcxv9AgiGNdmqGxnQFHV1v2gSypUrmTVk_NsRoIdkuR8P6IOCmVVUKg-OOxp47xbcElK6Wf2Xh0szQ_rgWWGQItNroMe35e-iZPjWqN7oBUVW3Zh-aTaTb8_tbLSia0X8i1LqsRHOS_1lCZM6T7Bsh1R96w/s320/IMG_20230911_121431010_HDR.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhuE9fzf0wcJtvouwcaSwqfBWyaE62ibbqZX-tHoxRBNFtKagUu4gUkl4z_PTohyphenhyphenAi2QkezfaMaLM2sJoc_SmANM9lwAkuHwfUuo1-NFZwNRxqaPAG938sf9hnHdbiuxOyc5YOOF09v1odqkAWQl4NRex9J-1YLszYWc8JzxpX8PuFP_NGA/s4080/IMG_20230911_131039053_HDR.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6vtGcah8Ggbf8tRKYtNVO_ko0Fg5Odem4KhJ6v7VWEFub6GGf2IJnr8gFLDJzBv2VD66Ydpc7zlnQdlskbhSDGgnhRaJ6W1lOB0DTlg3H2unsjfE61hiUzD7F1Pvxa0qeI8Q93HGBE36Ej6GQ6K61yiSKJPjMzUeiwDwIBWnXekRxm5Dew/s4080/IMG_20230911_140026738.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6vtGcah8Ggbf8tRKYtNVO_ko0Fg5Odem4KhJ6v7VWEFub6GGf2IJnr8gFLDJzBv2VD66Ydpc7zlnQdlskbhSDGgnhRaJ6W1lOB0DTlg3H2unsjfE61hiUzD7F1Pvxa0qeI8Q93HGBE36Ej6GQ6K61yiSKJPjMzUeiwDwIBWnXekRxm5Dew/s320/IMG_20230911_140026738.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-1wqr_H9e16_7W7SJ7OYwMmZZCGrqqZZ6CgiPNK6GuuyQghyphenhyphenfoorgV5NiJfBToOgmc2fmGxsIwCJHs3QxOVa5WhbpzEJLnjv6MELc5qeWHSo2ETbZiJnqH-nA1ubCTiipaO1Y-akMfl0kIRsXuvQXLk_sKpghyv5tsgukNTbVmQfcva2Bg/s4080/IMG_20230911_140031995.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-1wqr_H9e16_7W7SJ7OYwMmZZCGrqqZZ6CgiPNK6GuuyQghyphenhyphenfoorgV5NiJfBToOgmc2fmGxsIwCJHs3QxOVa5WhbpzEJLnjv6MELc5qeWHSo2ETbZiJnqH-nA1ubCTiipaO1Y-akMfl0kIRsXuvQXLk_sKpghyv5tsgukNTbVmQfcva2Bg/s320/IMG_20230911_140031995.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7m_jRMbAUriKAezt_7oA4m5qdtzd8KG4Kyra-4sCDD7LvBxEvnTSJHOSePBvtVwOiqqKK0ukGy2KjmaFPGtCDW5TTT35QzPLqFEh767yVZ9i98N9phHJwAHhct_7gmOUnxSeh7pnMcsMCR3VpHRfnRHyg-DDY5d0F-wmi9ujVzT8Xp9mSA/s4080/IMG_20230911_140035452~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7m_jRMbAUriKAezt_7oA4m5qdtzd8KG4Kyra-4sCDD7LvBxEvnTSJHOSePBvtVwOiqqKK0ukGy2KjmaFPGtCDW5TTT35QzPLqFEh767yVZ9i98N9phHJwAHhct_7gmOUnxSeh7pnMcsMCR3VpHRfnRHyg-DDY5d0F-wmi9ujVzT8Xp9mSA/s320/IMG_20230911_140035452~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All good (Great) things must come to an end. This journey with my twin restored my soul. I will never get used to living so far from her and I savor all the minutes that we are granted to be with each other. This trip was such an incredible gift and I will hold tightly to these memories. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37210985.post-14920258607261477172023-09-27T21:37:00.001-07:002023-09-29T16:10:09.371-07:00To live reasonably<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhEcNbhWsQjz8RUaOKohevEA-ATdajTAhactqoxBUQyDoRZqtHbgEKuUJPK8fpYPQ6SMLvlnddoTJ1ca56YI68zneI-JvvVL-wARlcryOC_-9zT5leUMC0-R8WxxeTtrIhQDN0PlKvDp3SeCPL5GvM63Bv5Pms5yKC7FlZxNjpeH7qhMFdA/s4080/original_141105b0-5b00-4297-954f-252693a0ba87_IMG_20230922_125346758.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="2296" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrhEcNbhWsQjz8RUaOKohevEA-ATdajTAhactqoxBUQyDoRZqtHbgEKuUJPK8fpYPQ6SMLvlnddoTJ1ca56YI68zneI-JvvVL-wARlcryOC_-9zT5leUMC0-R8WxxeTtrIhQDN0PlKvDp3SeCPL5GvM63Bv5Pms5yKC7FlZxNjpeH7qhMFdA/w225-h400/original_141105b0-5b00-4297-954f-252693a0ba87_IMG_20230922_125346758.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p> How bizarre it is. As the minutes of screaming from Lochlan turned into hours today, I felt the energy, the hope, the raw stamina drain away, like it was being siphoned out of me. This morning, I felt energized, ready to take on the mountains of laundry, teaching the boys, managing the household, putting out the fires that creep into life, and I felt mostly prepared to continue the daily juggling act. School was a success, speech therapy was a win, and I even managed to accomplish the 387 tasks that followed. When Lochlan started screaming after lunch (there is no obvious reason - it appears to be a new fixation) and shouted the same words for almost 4 hours straight, I recognized the reprieve we've had for so many months with almost no screaming. I've, unfortunately, adapted to the reprieve. I suppose I will adapt, once again, to this new season. The very internal response was mirrored by a concrete physical response, and I forced myself to take a hike up my hill tonight as the sun was descending. I didn't feel like walking... I just wanted to curl into a tiny ball and experience the luxury of disappearing. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9T6FCBk9Xb2XkMHjFjwXjxwttDmKvfNuKk4BkiQRTFx-DKQt0CLLQ2xpZpovYhXolWLtGaP4cx3GMQ47bB9IpKupC3_uuxQlmv4XjgKjjtdpGBSyrmijSlP-aaSHl0t8Viq7jNW27Jz34wZeOv6kfooGUQZS2VVtQQ0kd99cYW6o0e6YSgg/s4080/IMG_20230923_070731141~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9T6FCBk9Xb2XkMHjFjwXjxwttDmKvfNuKk4BkiQRTFx-DKQt0CLLQ2xpZpovYhXolWLtGaP4cx3GMQ47bB9IpKupC3_uuxQlmv4XjgKjjtdpGBSyrmijSlP-aaSHl0t8Viq7jNW27Jz34wZeOv6kfooGUQZS2VVtQQ0kd99cYW6o0e6YSgg/s320/IMG_20230923_070731141~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>It's the hard things - the impossible things - that give us perspective, understanding, appreciation, and build into us strength that does not come from inside ourselves. Sometimes, the impossible forces us to grow in places that are intensely uncomfortable. It always forces us to realize our own limitations. It brings out the very best and the deplorable in each of us. As I try to cope and live reasonably in an unreasonable situation, sometimes it feels like I step away from myself and watch from the outside, like a fly on the wall. I know this is just a way that I process the agony of the moment(s), the way I resolve within myself what cannot be resolved. It's the way I find peace where peace is unattainable and grapple with the sorrow - sorrow for the suffering my boys endure, for what I cannot change, for the struggle that Lochlan faces each and every day, and sorrow for what could be and isn't. Each of us grieve and grow in our unique way(s).</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgnZNJPs8VblmkH_2YvTeU4YZHKnYBIgG6gsZpuzibTWYJSX1sjw7UdAOfugDR3cWxzKkxGxtHoFWNUEeRCh3LbWw-5jRJ1274vBqKN2kvhIWEvDXPI9tgMBeS-f4hvnp1OR8PMw9vGg6PAlDQHn65zhuiUnvH8o_ABc9L9-uTeQbEcuUsg/s4080/IMG_20230922_190112021_HDR~4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgnZNJPs8VblmkH_2YvTeU4YZHKnYBIgG6gsZpuzibTWYJSX1sjw7UdAOfugDR3cWxzKkxGxtHoFWNUEeRCh3LbWw-5jRJ1274vBqKN2kvhIWEvDXPI9tgMBeS-f4hvnp1OR8PMw9vGg6PAlDQHn65zhuiUnvH8o_ABc9L9-uTeQbEcuUsg/s320/IMG_20230922_190112021_HDR~4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This is my struggle, my battle, my "impossible". We each have our own and sometimes we feel truly alone in carrying it. But, I do not believe I'm alone - deeply I KNOW that I am not alone. Tomorrow is another day - probably a long one. And it is a day that I will choose to face with hope in my heart, with joy because it is another day that has been given to me to live. As I wandered upon my hill tonight, the Greatest Painter began yet another masterpiece. I sat below my tree and watched it come to life and I had tears of joy streaming down my face. What a gift! What a lesson in beauty. What a reminder that I see so little of the whole picture. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcSX_A5xc1qgtPpKeoA7q0bFPpgsOB64usHI3GfxJ53tPyHf0dpuJwcYOuynecwlxU2Vl8LToLvUURFOBvBCzkqreKqKOkkWko6KpFzKrfJwCHaanPOi22LD052tb_dD677lPGIhFgxe9GKOe4N2bxknCjN6BJbEgz-pFb0lNUEEUbBcORw/s4080/IMG_20230927_181224228~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkcSX_A5xc1qgtPpKeoA7q0bFPpgsOB64usHI3GfxJ53tPyHf0dpuJwcYOuynecwlxU2Vl8LToLvUURFOBvBCzkqreKqKOkkWko6KpFzKrfJwCHaanPOi22LD052tb_dD677lPGIhFgxe9GKOe4N2bxknCjN6BJbEgz-pFb0lNUEEUbBcORw/s320/IMG_20230927_181224228~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CcyoqrBlFLiz83gdGiVu06PflNrmeb94M8oz-ruSGED59_wKfyowDYzXJniQMmDUmBLthP_EtV2c2jTBt5D27Nxe8RO1izBYeSKp85zoU2FGnLE-yEH5zWp16BSeMQCymU44fko6h-g9QP68y35OfswXYXOHMmuufjSsf1n6VxZyXoBLUA/s4080/IMG_20230927_182512811~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0CcyoqrBlFLiz83gdGiVu06PflNrmeb94M8oz-ruSGED59_wKfyowDYzXJniQMmDUmBLthP_EtV2c2jTBt5D27Nxe8RO1izBYeSKp85zoU2FGnLE-yEH5zWp16BSeMQCymU44fko6h-g9QP68y35OfswXYXOHMmuufjSsf1n6VxZyXoBLUA/s320/IMG_20230927_182512811~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1OhjzFtGtaBVMwGDN7MFdglzWJM5_LGuZaIBFFG0X4I9GqmUZ0v4N63BczBDqA6kjLSiEQDckhhjUnrTls7LwIlCg_IgTauWkGKxfH99NvbukloDVGwo4uwu_1gixdLsiIx0fwZK4bmzNJi6dNlrmd8Lyq_zTVVLmDLU6RpTNqWE9Ow3pA/s4080/IMG_20230927_182242414~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU1OhjzFtGtaBVMwGDN7MFdglzWJM5_LGuZaIBFFG0X4I9GqmUZ0v4N63BczBDqA6kjLSiEQDckhhjUnrTls7LwIlCg_IgTauWkGKxfH99NvbukloDVGwo4uwu_1gixdLsiIx0fwZK4bmzNJi6dNlrmd8Lyq_zTVVLmDLU6RpTNqWE9Ow3pA/s320/IMG_20230927_182242414~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBDXMLTX5crVJiPUZ5WoTynVl4lluU86eYTknqvpBQ-skP5YtPNVMYvXufUUJ3CgDex3-3iD2kNpbeP-jp_pJKgfl2OsTtklrHxq4DuaQz7ac3OUuI6GoUsdLvKeYZ2LpD2H2INKhQNW5beU9CBVimTSBN7UPDfW6SDOvairANqEs1acOVA/s4080/IMG_20230927_182525250~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBDXMLTX5crVJiPUZ5WoTynVl4lluU86eYTknqvpBQ-skP5YtPNVMYvXufUUJ3CgDex3-3iD2kNpbeP-jp_pJKgfl2OsTtklrHxq4DuaQz7ac3OUuI6GoUsdLvKeYZ2LpD2H2INKhQNW5beU9CBVimTSBN7UPDfW6SDOvairANqEs1acOVA/s320/IMG_20230927_182525250~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ56nyLMFYKLTYR9ELGXUWsACutw_6hxuvaYwpFaAuyLaEPbCJyHHMewexci6_nRuXHC7E__1SwbJw5usNcB5rF2TAunVYVZZJefhP-URcML5BsKUqZjxLXzW1QQGB_8vz4albKWWPrVXfqflxQxpWwOkFAewWF4CI4aJU4kMqooc0YcFrQ/s4080/IMG_20230927_182537469~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQ56nyLMFYKLTYR9ELGXUWsACutw_6hxuvaYwpFaAuyLaEPbCJyHHMewexci6_nRuXHC7E__1SwbJw5usNcB5rF2TAunVYVZZJefhP-URcML5BsKUqZjxLXzW1QQGB_8vz4albKWWPrVXfqflxQxpWwOkFAewWF4CI4aJU4kMqooc0YcFrQ/s320/IMG_20230927_182537469~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPbRLYAX8tmHyygauOCVKsCwBehXW4NknL8ahOGxuKX8S6fEJ1tbezxSPUkRVRJ9qnwLckQ3doOLfrGzeGWP4ZlwWc2Le0CZrqLqAa9lTiR3Ci9MUW7Wjr2JTTFRp4LrYSaB8QFAp5Zb7Dnw8gtKBFz5q0dXE99ejbHrpCt3bg5187aGS6A/s4080/IMG_20230927_182810444~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyPbRLYAX8tmHyygauOCVKsCwBehXW4NknL8ahOGxuKX8S6fEJ1tbezxSPUkRVRJ9qnwLckQ3doOLfrGzeGWP4ZlwWc2Le0CZrqLqAa9lTiR3Ci9MUW7Wjr2JTTFRp4LrYSaB8QFAp5Zb7Dnw8gtKBFz5q0dXE99ejbHrpCt3bg5187aGS6A/s320/IMG_20230927_182810444~2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Keep my eyes open that I might see, even when I am stumbling in the darkness. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq4egJJHD0cQfIWooQDPeTOEVwv32hFs5IE6dimrRlUQPRn5_aWUlkR6ovMHEMz8Zs8gYI2AG-JglXGxo-9ufb9YCF639TflYuMNGhHXYAmMkUvSF6L1gNaqDl_tzeDlXhkBGKtllwrx7uvTlSfpUYYLBbNh49ETw7hNi1zE-kXqt5EnDeg/s4080/IMG_20230927_181542754_HDR~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="4080" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZq4egJJHD0cQfIWooQDPeTOEVwv32hFs5IE6dimrRlUQPRn5_aWUlkR6ovMHEMz8Zs8gYI2AG-JglXGxo-9ufb9YCF639TflYuMNGhHXYAmMkUvSF6L1gNaqDl_tzeDlXhkBGKtllwrx7uvTlSfpUYYLBbNh49ETw7hNi1zE-kXqt5EnDeg/w400-h225/IMG_20230927_181542754_HDR~3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0