tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86035032499338288132024-03-13T11:54:14.347-07:00In Spite Of Myself(the blog formerly know as - Life Without Ellie)Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-89190106319989837812011-07-21T06:02:00.000-07:002011-07-21T06:03:44.386-07:00VBS Songs from Sunday's service<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z3n9QvQMy9Y?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vmX6rRIYMuM?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WfS_Ar8__Xw?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-51242039840203248002010-12-23T04:31:00.000-08:002010-12-23T04:32:07.904-08:00<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TRNBP9km01I/AAAAAAAABX4/dtYSuUMfAM0/s1600/design_image_1656986.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553854507959898962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TRNBP9km01I/AAAAAAAABX4/dtYSuUMfAM0/s400/design_image_1656986.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-66329920956556218822010-10-22T12:08:00.000-07:002010-10-22T12:35:35.560-07:00A quiet dayFinally - after what seems like forever I've got a quiet day where I'm not running around trying to get 15 projects done at the same time. No, the work isn't completed, but at least there is no pressing deadline today. Makes for a nice way to ease into the weekend.<br /><br />I've been thinking about so many things lately. They rattle around in my brain and that's about as far as they get.<br /><br />Even after all this time and all of the good things that have happened in my life since January 2008 - I still get that twinge when I hear stories about babies born at 24 weeks who thrive and go on to be wonderful, normal, happy little babies. Of course I'm happy that they survived and are able to grow up - but it makes me wonder why my little girl didn't get the same chance.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-31082494981827690412010-10-17T09:06:00.000-07:002010-10-17T09:07:33.740-07:00All the hard work was worth it...One blue ribbon....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TLsfIld_R5I/AAAAAAAABXY/gqHeAgaUgfo/s1600/IMG00119-20101016-1852.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529047199884724114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TLsfIld_R5I/AAAAAAAABXY/gqHeAgaUgfo/s400/IMG00119-20101016-1852.jpg" /></a>And one red ribbon...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TLsfIgdubbI/AAAAAAAABXQ/CaUxsKN4R0c/s1600/IMG00120-20101016-1853.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529047198541442482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TLsfIgdubbI/AAAAAAAABXQ/CaUxsKN4R0c/s400/IMG00120-20101016-1853.jpg" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-34772012612053335702010-10-12T04:38:00.000-07:002010-10-12T04:39:42.366-07:00Done!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TLRI_0qV7EI/AAAAAAAABXI/OmMXELBx_LQ/s1600/IMG00727-20101011-0827-782367.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TLRI_0qV7EI/AAAAAAAABXI/OmMXELBx_LQ/s320/IMG00727-20101011-0827-782367.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527122903995640898" /></a></p><!-- Converted from text/plain format --> <P><FONT SIZE=2>Yes - I know it seems like this one took forever. But it is done and delivered for judging.<BR> <BR> It's kind of cool to have something entered in the state fair.<BR> <BR> I also entered a version of the birthday cake hat in a category for self designed projects.<BR> </FONT> </P> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-22868332865600066952010-10-08T05:02:00.001-07:002010-10-08T05:02:49.871-07:00Knitting is done!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TK8IagFo4rI/AAAAAAAABXA/Wn9jTA5bJ10/s1600/IMG00597-20101008-0807-769872.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TK8IagFo4rI/AAAAAAAABXA/Wn9jTA5bJ10/s320/IMG00597-20101008-0807-769872.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525644519190094514" /></a></p><!-- Converted from text/plain format --> <P><FONT SIZE=2>Now I just need to figure out how to make the petals lay flat...</FONT> </P> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-64732376965870540202010-10-04T10:12:00.000-07:002010-10-04T10:14:38.702-07:00Three layers done!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKoLf8dqK6I/AAAAAAAABW4/1fPPc2u3Vr0/s1600/IMG00591-20101004-1317-778703.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKoLf8dqK6I/AAAAAAAABW4/1fPPc2u3Vr0/s320/IMG00591-20101004-1317-778703.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524240536357710754" /></a></p><!-- Converted from text/plain format --> <P><FONT SIZE=2>I didn't make much progress on the hat over the weekend - but I did get the third layer done last night... I'm really liking the color transitions. I was a little worried about them looking odd. </FONT></P> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-21594049033243629612010-10-02T06:00:00.001-07:002010-10-02T06:00:43.925-07:00Grapefruit Tree<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKcs_L07OZI/AAAAAAAABWg/HBqHWpx5BY0/s1600/DSC02937a-743926.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKcs_L07OZI/AAAAAAAABWg/HBqHWpx5BY0/s320/DSC02937a-743926.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523432932011358610" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKcs_YpYnuI/AAAAAAAABWo/54QcqMcVOPs/s1600/DSC02938a-744884.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKcs_YpYnuI/AAAAAAAABWo/54QcqMcVOPs/s320/DSC02938a-744884.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523432935452614370" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKcs_j33Q1I/AAAAAAAABWw/0WOMvrUqYKk/s1600/DSC02939a-746603.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKcs_j33Q1I/AAAAAAAABWw/0WOMvrUqYKk/s320/DSC02939a-746603.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523432938466132818" /></a></p><DIV dir=ltr id=idOWAReplyText64845>This is a grapefruit tree that my Grandmother started from seeds about 5 yrs ago. My aunt and uncle planted it in their yard and it's just taken off.</DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr>I still miss her terribly. But seeing this makes me smile. It's exactly what she would have wanted. </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr>She took on any orphan plant and nursed it back to life. Everything she grew she started from seeds in little cups on her kitchen table. They were her babies.</DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr> </DIV>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-9513652481165664402010-10-01T05:40:00.000-07:002010-10-01T05:41:48.854-07:00Big curled up mess...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKXXDr3gNWI/AAAAAAAABWY/RnScl0SXY0Y/s1600/IMG00590-20101001-0842-708855.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKXXDr3gNWI/AAAAAAAABWY/RnScl0SXY0Y/s320/IMG00590-20101001-0842-708855.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523056976354882914" /></a></p><!-- Converted from text/plain format --> <P><FONT SIZE=2>I managed to re-knit both sections and get them joined last night! <BR> <BR> This morning I'm rubbing my eyes and clutching my coffee wondering what I was thinking.<BR> <BR> For all my excitement, the hat so far just looks like a big curled up mess. I hope it gets better once I get the rest of the layers.<BR> </FONT> </P> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-66374558226751766942010-09-30T06:08:00.000-07:002010-09-30T06:09:39.663-07:00The progress that is soon to be gone....<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKSMFEKx3DI/AAAAAAAABWQ/lYBeIWmIFu8/s1600/IMG00589-20100930-0907-779665.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKSMFEKx3DI/AAAAAAAABWQ/lYBeIWmIFu8/s320/IMG00589-20100930-0907-779665.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522693061709257778" /></a></p><!-- Converted from text/plain format --> <P><FONT SIZE=2>I hate to think of ripping out both of these beautiful little sections - but I know I must or forever know that I did a half-assed job of making this hat that I love....<BR> </FONT> </P> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-7046617565028875472010-09-29T13:36:00.000-07:002010-09-30T05:59:15.291-07:00What have I gotten myself into?<p class="mobile-photo">Sorry for the mystery post... I took the picture with my blackberry yesterday and then e-mailed it to the blog intending to edit and add the description last night... yeah, that didn't happen...</p><p class="mobile-photo">So here it is...</p><p class="mobile-photo">A good friend of mine who make incredible gingerbread houses and the most amazing cakes has convinced me to make something to enter at the state fair.</p><p class="mobile-photo">So I chose this pattern - called <a href="http://www.knitwhits.com/online_store/cotton_hats/flore.php">Flore</a>. I am using my favorite <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/sublime-yarns-extra-fine-merino-wool-dk">yarn</a> from Sublime.</p><p class="mobile-photo">I had taken the picture to show my progress and was going to post another one today. But then I realized as I was about to join the first two sections that I had done the decreases completely wrong... so what was my progress picture for today is no more...</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKOkAvy68dI/AAAAAAAABWI/OLOoYqgFrGg/s1600/IMG00588-20100929-1620-769577.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522437900823359954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TKOkAvy68dI/AAAAAAAABWI/OLOoYqgFrGg/s320/IMG00588-20100929-1620-769577.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"> </p>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-5905853943761417512010-09-27T05:48:00.000-07:002010-09-27T05:48:43.034-07:00Flooding<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i4.ytimg.com/vi/oLiVnSGiKWU/hqdefault.jpg)" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oLiVnSGiKWU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oLiVnSGiKWU?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p>This is a video of the recent flooding in the town where I grew up and my family still lives. I've never seen water like this - and it is still rising.</p>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-24904612704559453182010-09-08T06:01:00.000-07:002010-09-08T06:07:14.893-07:00ParisSomehow I managed to survive the whirlwind trip to Paris... It is as wonderful as I remebered...<br /><br />Didn't really get to do much outside of work stuff - but it's still fabulous just being in such an amazing city. <br /><br />We stayed at a wonderful little hotel called <a href="http://relais-du-louvre-paris.com/fr/">Le Relais Du Louvre</a>. LOVED IT!!! It was literally across the street from the Louvre and a block away from the <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/place?rlz=1T4GGLL_enUS374US375&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=pont+neuf+bridge+in+paris&fb=1&gl=us&hq=pont+neuf+bridge&hnear=Paris,+France&cid=12336845786966964585">Pont Nuef </a>bridge.<br /><br />I took a couple of pictures with my phone - just have to get them downloaded.<br /><br />One huge casualty of my trip is the nursing.... I took my pump but between the plane rides and the long work days - my milk production is almost nothing... Poor little Eli might be getting a crash course in weaning if it doesn't work it's way back to where I was when I left.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-39566871134563597412010-09-02T06:11:00.001-07:002010-09-02T07:58:29.010-07:00Pea Pod Hats<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TH-ii31DMGI/AAAAAAAABVw/-Q3MJRZLDDA/s1600/Pink+%26+Purple+Pea+Pod-799792.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512303188910485602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TH-ii31DMGI/AAAAAAAABVw/-Q3MJRZLDDA/s320/Pink+%26+Purple+Pea+Pod-799792.JPG" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TH-ijWg0yiI/AAAAAAAABV4/dnnDtB2jPwE/s1600/Pink+Pea+Pod+2-701410.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512303197147154978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TH-ijWg0yiI/AAAAAAAABV4/dnnDtB2jPwE/s320/Pink+Pea+Pod+2-701410.JPG" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TH-ijrYMZ6I/AAAAAAAABWA/eUv_VO1naPE/s1600/Purple+Pea+Pod-702861.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512303202748098466" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TH-ijrYMZ6I/AAAAAAAABWA/eUv_VO1naPE/s320/Purple+Pea+Pod-702861.JPG" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">I did these two adorable little hats by special request for a woman with twin girls! They turned out much, much better than I thought they would.</p>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-9770494367870035832010-08-30T12:54:00.001-07:002010-08-30T12:54:24.133-07:00Just for fun<p align="center"><img src="http://www.flarn.com/~warlock/tarot/winged/3.jpg"></p><br /><h2 align="center"><font face="Verdana"><b>You are The Empress</b></font></h2><br /><P align="center"><font face="Verdana">Beauty, happiness, pleasure, success, luxury, dissipation.</font></P><br /><p align="center"><font face="Verdana">The Empress is associated with Venus, the feminine planet, so it represents, <br />beauty, charm, pleasure, luxury, and delight. You may be good at home <br />decorating, art or anything to do with making things beautiful.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font face="Verdana">The Empress is a creator, be it creation of life, of romance, of art or business. While the Magician is the primal spark, the idea made real, and the High Priestess is the one who gives the idea a form, the Empress is the womb where it gestates and grows till it is ready to be born. This is why her symbol is Venus, goddess of beautiful things as well as love. Even so, the Empress is more Demeter, goddess of abundance, then sensual Venus. She is the giver of Earthly gifts, yet at the same time, she can, in anger withhold, as Demeter did when her daughter, Persephone, was kidnapped. In fury and grief, she kept the Earth barren till her child was returned to her.</font></p><br /><p align="center"><font size="2" face="Verdana"><b>What Tarot Card are You?</b><br><a href="http://www.flarn.com/~warlock/tarot">Take the Test to Find Out.</a></font></p>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-7424009042349216252010-08-25T10:38:00.001-07:002010-08-25T10:41:29.235-07:00Baby, We Were Meant For Each OtherJust heard about (and bought) this book written by NPR's Scott Simon.... <br /><br />There are two NPR stories - <a href="http://www.wbur.org/npr/129301982/meant-for-each-other-scott-simons-adoption-story">HERE</a> and <a href="http://www.wbur.org/npr/129375629">HERE</a><br /><br />I read the first few pages. It is powerful stuff.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-1657824971438764312010-08-22T18:30:00.000-07:002010-08-22T18:43:15.166-07:005am - airport #1... before we knew what the day had in store for us... 2 hours later we found out our flight was canceled and we would have to drive to another airport.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQ7Y4e4qI/AAAAAAAABVI/RoKp2Id77Bk/s1600/DSC05663.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508413537961042594" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQ7Y4e4qI/AAAAAAAABVI/RoKp2Id77Bk/s400/DSC05663.JPG" /></a> 11am - after a 2 1/2 hour drive (and a detour back to my parents house for our cars keys) - airport #2<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQ7NjbQII/AAAAAAAABVA/1Zk85-80Msk/s1600/DSC05665.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508413534919934082" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQ7NjbQII/AAAAAAAABVA/1Zk85-80Msk/s400/DSC05665.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQ6JareYI/AAAAAAAABUw/i40QhdnLJlQ/s1600/DSC05668.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508413516629637506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQ6JareYI/AAAAAAAABUw/i40QhdnLJlQ/s400/DSC05668.JPG" /></a>3pm - still at airport #2, still waiting for our flight... at least we were all still smiling!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQHN4jmOI/AAAAAAAABUo/vIleFn9alzw/s1600/DSC05669.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508412641655363810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQHN4jmOI/AAAAAAAABUo/vIleFn9alzw/s400/DSC05669.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQGtOHBbI/AAAAAAAABUg/NdX2N81aTpo/s1600/DSC05670.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508412632887395762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQGtOHBbI/AAAAAAAABUg/NdX2N81aTpo/s400/DSC05670.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQGVHRIKI/AAAAAAAABUY/gUb595BKY0g/s1600/DSC05675.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508412626416246946" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQGVHRIKI/AAAAAAAABUY/gUb595BKY0g/s400/DSC05675.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQGGA5xjI/AAAAAAAABUQ/nSezEfVVZGo/s1600/DSC05680.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508412622363018802" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQGGA5xjI/AAAAAAAABUQ/nSezEfVVZGo/s400/DSC05680.JPG" /></a>8pm - finally at airport #3 - almost home!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQFmm3GXI/AAAAAAAABUI/KCTNStauNk8/s1600/DSC05686.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508412613932292466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/THHQFmm3GXI/AAAAAAAABUI/KCTNStauNk8/s400/DSC05686.JPG" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-6267868939764403372010-08-22T09:46:00.000-07:002010-08-22T09:51:28.898-07:00Home again, home again...What was supposed to be an early flight back home turned into an all day affair. We left the house at 4am for a 6am flight and ended up on a flight that left at 4pm. We figured out that we could have made the 18 hour drive in the time it took us to get home by plane. Amazingly we all made it through the day in one piece and a suprisingly good mood. On the last flight both kids fell asleep in my arms - one on each side. It was a very sweet moment.<br /><br />We had a great week with Grandma and Grandpa and the rest of the family. It's always sad to leave - but nice to get back home.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-70630300062284259542010-08-16T13:53:00.000-07:002010-08-16T13:56:14.400-07:00CousinsHere is a picture of all the cousins... sitting on the bench by Ellie's tree.<br /><br />If Ellie were here with us she would have been 9 months younger than Lindsey (center).<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TGmlX54BQ6I/AAAAAAAABUA/vTgWU7BpfDk/s1600/DSC05463crop1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 397px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506113849528501154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TGmlX54BQ6I/AAAAAAAABUA/vTgWU7BpfDk/s400/DSC05463crop1.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-1382850258021289032010-08-12T10:01:00.000-07:002010-08-12T10:04:01.062-07:00We have teeth!Little man finally has teeth!!!!! The first on poked through last night and the second one was there this morning.<br /><br />I hope this will relieve his discomfort a little bit.<br /><br />I tried to take a picture - but he won't let anyone see them yet.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-91839760568227624982010-08-10T07:12:00.001-07:002010-08-10T07:12:36.639-07:00A few more questions<div class=WordSection1> <p class=MsoNormal>I need more help – (as always!)<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>Little man has a few good nights here and there where he will sleep through the night. But mostly he wakes up 2 – 3 times a night to eat. Sometimes I can just rub his back and he will go back to sleep – but usually he won’t go back to sleep until he’s had his “snack”.<o:p></o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class=MsoNormal>I don’t mind doing it – but am I doing something wrong by letting him eat? Should I just try to get him to go back to sleep so he will learn to sleep through the night?<o:p></o:p></p> </div> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-65443145100020163072010-08-06T05:59:00.000-07:002010-08-06T06:02:15.440-07:00While looking for a cute winter hat to knit for YaYa I came across the perfect pattern..<br /><br /><a href="http://www.spudandchloe.com/blog/2010/02/tcs-cozy-hat-free-pattern/comment-page-1/#comment-7607">TC's Cozy Hat from Susan Anderson</a><br /><br />And guess what else - the chair she's sitting in is covered in fabric I designed!!! How cool is that...<br /><br />It always takes me by suprise to see things I did in real life.<br /><br />Now I have to make the hat.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-81277812624134763502010-08-04T19:06:00.000-07:002010-08-04T19:13:48.053-07:00The Red Thread - Ann HoodI just finished another fabulous book! This one is called The Red Thread by Ann Hood.<br /><br />It is about a group of families getting ready to adopt babies from China. We didn't adopt from China but there were just so many of the same emotions in the course of our process that reading this brought it all back.<br /><br />If Yaya wasn't asleep right now I'd sit her down and retell every detail of our trip to pick her up.<br /><br />The buying and packing and list making... and then that moment when you see your beautiful child for the first time...<br /><br />And back up even further to the first time we saw her picture... It was February 12th. I was sitting at my desk and there she was - 8 days old wearing a funny little green sweater peacefully sleeping... Even now, it still brings tears to my eyes.<br /><br />I am so happy that we get to be her parents.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-51889355544108161622010-08-03T09:04:00.000-07:002010-08-03T09:05:07.799-07:00Sleepy Boy<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TFg-NLtbx8I/AAAAAAAABTw/9qr5rT_x7yQ/s1600/P8030972-707801.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TFg-NLtbx8I/AAAAAAAABTw/9qr5rT_x7yQ/s320/P8030972-707801.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501215341035636674" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TFg-Nm7tT0I/AAAAAAAABT4/2oQC3CTGS3M/s1600/P8030973-709788.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2sPPMJ_Js9o/TFg-Nm7tT0I/AAAAAAAABT4/2oQC3CTGS3M/s320/P8030973-709788.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501215348343263042" /></a></p><div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#1F497D'>Now that Little Man is completely mobile w</span><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif"; color:#1F497D'>e started using a baby gate in the door of </span><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#1F497D'>hi</span><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif";color:#1F497D'>s room to keep him safe and give him room to roam…Here’s what happened this morning after about an hour playing by himself.</span><span style='font-family:"Cambria","serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p> </div> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8603503249933828813.post-52624919507671676652010-08-02T11:52:00.000-07:002010-08-02T11:53:03.455-07:00<div class=WordSection1> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>He was playing according to the way the late afternoon sunlight came smiling across the barroom floor… <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>borrowed from Michelle Shocked</span><o:p></o:p></p> </div> Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05054869953538170225noreply@blogger.com1