tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34792519291767431422024-03-05T20:40:59.823-06:00Wings As EaglesSerena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.comBlogger560125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-11644515457449648092011-09-19T10:14:00.001-05:002011-11-19T10:17:10.973-06:00I've moved!Many things have changed since the month of May--including my blog! I've moved to a new design and new address!<br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.delightinginhim.com/">www.delightinginhim.com</a><br /><br />To stay up to date on my latest events in my life, visit me via the above link!Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-52827155913372856942011-05-15T12:53:00.002-05:002011-05-15T12:59:51.378-05:00It's been forever!But there is a reason! :)<br /><br />I know. It's been forever since I've posted anything here. I've been slightly occupied with a few others things that are involved with this event: Luke & Serena--Wedding Day--May 21, 2011.<br /><br />And it's almost here! Less than a week! I can hardly believe a year has gone by already!<br /><br />And yes, it will probably be a while before I'm back to blogging. First wedding week, then honeymoon week, then moving week. I'm looking forward to all three!!! :)Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-83659080724244846972011-04-06T23:19:00.001-05:002011-04-09T11:28:29.781-05:00I'm ready to move in!I'm soooooooo excited!!! Luke and I NOW have a house in Colorado Springs!!!!!! That was one of the super huge, major things to get accomplished before May and it's done! Found, signed, completed and finally ours!<br /><br />And.....I love it (Luke does too!!)!!!! Luke was looking for something large enough that I would have space to continue my business and hold my office, sewing room and inventory! And he found it! It even has an unfinished basement that will hold all my shelves with supplies and inventory! It's perfectly fantastically wonderful!!!!! God provided just the home for us in His perfect timing!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQkbJSmpP6MooKOkARzfVTFAZ9ik-HEfQrY79v_TgLuBH-osznTTAyfjGg5XC4r2J5DPUtJgrXxPS2uhrUmI9Ws9dMnNZ0wP5HELj8npvZFD_G3u6-cOIKl0s12H8JjsbAN7feA6J_Ps/s1600/House+032.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQkbJSmpP6MooKOkARzfVTFAZ9ik-HEfQrY79v_TgLuBH-osznTTAyfjGg5XC4r2J5DPUtJgrXxPS2uhrUmI9Ws9dMnNZ0wP5HELj8npvZFD_G3u6-cOIKl0s12H8JjsbAN7feA6J_Ps/s320/House+032.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593438931912135858" border="0" /></a>And......I can't wait to move in!!! Last week Dad and I drove out to Colorado Springs with a carload of stuff. As Dad put it, <span style="font-style: italic;">"It didn't even make a dent in my stash."</span> Hmmmm...I think it did! I have a couple empty shelves! :) Anyway, once I packed a few things, I was ready to pack up the rest of my stuff and move in!!! And in less than two months, I can do just that!!! I can't wait!!!!<br /><br />Take a quick tour with me.....:)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTuB-GN6ncNEs20NYpS3_mFiSofpQMa_iA6zzd48AwrytM2-1Pxpc1RrG0PiBT9IIBBv_F2K58d33iEUXOXHwfAlYUTXbsm7q4VJ0-ZqYLPsWZOYlLosaHI8v6_26o2SnJCkN_QzgOI0/s1600/House+002.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTuB-GN6ncNEs20NYpS3_mFiSofpQMa_iA6zzd48AwrytM2-1Pxpc1RrG0PiBT9IIBBv_F2K58d33iEUXOXHwfAlYUTXbsm7q4VJ0-ZqYLPsWZOYlLosaHI8v6_26o2SnJCkN_QzgOI0/s320/House+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593438515987131218" border="0" /></a>Walk in the front door to the living room with a vaulted ceiling--love that!!! Luke and I looked at houses similar to that layout and loved it, although I wasn't sure if we'd get a house with that! :)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0gwvheJw8uP4oVa2G_ZxoG6I6P-9OJ4aQQPIPA5xIfCP0H6y5e0h43FflAJ3xaD4L65BZVeNB1-tLBMVtHfZfrGajn-irFyvCUPbWP7PiWnCaCdia8XDzhhFdIsWI5aup63il2ZmLVc/s1600/House+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0gwvheJw8uP4oVa2G_ZxoG6I6P-9OJ4aQQPIPA5xIfCP0H6y5e0h43FflAJ3xaD4L65BZVeNB1-tLBMVtHfZfrGajn-irFyvCUPbWP7PiWnCaCdia8XDzhhFdIsWI5aup63il2ZmLVc/s320/House+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593438526625180754" border="0" /></a>Now walk from the living room to the beautiful, large kitchen & dinning room...can't wait to start filling those cabinets!!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIo6objhlepXIHUDO97Iy8yL3IzZXRfYkwvUjHagQwZUjttOJrH8dzwqISFJ6BhSkCVzo70qXwRLUvkuE6PB2N0wMzfFki-kzkmqSqa7ernCeLIkgDLkN6Zg7UgK6dPzyVQCqmDgsKaA/s1600/House+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIo6objhlepXIHUDO97Iy8yL3IzZXRfYkwvUjHagQwZUjttOJrH8dzwqISFJ6BhSkCVzo70qXwRLUvkuE6PB2N0wMzfFki-kzkmqSqa7ernCeLIkgDLkN6Zg7UgK6dPzyVQCqmDgsKaA/s320/House+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593438533604440546" border="0" /></a>And that leads to the family room right across from the kitchen<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRkq7dQy-1alKrsIP4EI_kqGH1sTcawhNaFganJOJRXmHVC0u753wbWTI6Y1zoCpfk1KDzw1QTIXolr0qteOqa3rMnbmJ7p7S2ohUpGf9Gg0Jb-3oXPqkIqcSYBH-cEE51p4h8CCB6ms/s1600/House+009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkRkq7dQy-1alKrsIP4EI_kqGH1sTcawhNaFganJOJRXmHVC0u753wbWTI6Y1zoCpfk1KDzw1QTIXolr0qteOqa3rMnbmJ7p7S2ohUpGf9Gg0Jb-3oXPqkIqcSYBH-cEE51p4h8CCB6ms/s320/House+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593437618072609794" border="0" /></a>From the family room, walk through the hallway and you'll find the one bedroom on the first floor<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYAslUWHpB8OE-pLgz8ocoix19RTG_1LbgzVxQtAihXST43RCaM3Iun-0osfld6pDZXJfj0YsfZ2noJgu08Ce49_A9v7O-JPcb0CiX2kCDszYbKfkW-LzWqbz9eoSvuqBODbhrER7ENc/s1600/House+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjYAslUWHpB8OE-pLgz8ocoix19RTG_1LbgzVxQtAihXST43RCaM3Iun-0osfld6pDZXJfj0YsfZ2noJgu08Ce49_A9v7O-JPcb0CiX2kCDszYbKfkW-LzWqbz9eoSvuqBODbhrER7ENc/s320/House+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593438517999289890" border="0" /></a>Now, let's go upstairs....:) This part I really, really love!! :) I've never ever had an "upstairs" as in second story upstairs and my sisters and I always thought that would be so fun! My Grandma insists that I'll get tired going up and down all the time and while that may be the case, I'm going to totally enjoy it once I move in!!! :)<br /></div></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg380VtmWhwuNWY_Mgkcr-x1dGSgUZdAEVY9UOtJF_wTjrpPm4lY4EMDVCxvyJD97bEASp1A8KbOx244XxxQhwhH6xcSslTk1_othztzIBx44IFezKuA_KqhGLToOn2W_9rNhO06x0eTv4/s1600/107.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg380VtmWhwuNWY_Mgkcr-x1dGSgUZdAEVY9UOtJF_wTjrpPm4lY4EMDVCxvyJD97bEASp1A8KbOx244XxxQhwhH6xcSslTk1_othztzIBx44IFezKuA_KqhGLToOn2W_9rNhO06x0eTv4/s320/107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593438509893916034" border="0" /></a>This wall I'm so excited about! I know, I know--it's just a wall! BUT, it's the stairway wall that I plan to hang a collage of photos--and yes, I already have some of those planned photos boxed and ready to move to Colorado!! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCWOheIrb-lDG_m-oBlsqk5z3E1q-k5hvnaCpEp_ZgA1HuGZ0sNX7muQQmEd2ziYcRH0HQC_wbjQ-Zphwgb_6vVJ58smno_HoD_nxWB847xTpEjlnXBNXfkjZAaUqyZv2ibCjmvzJexU/s1600/House+014.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCWOheIrb-lDG_m-oBlsqk5z3E1q-k5hvnaCpEp_ZgA1HuGZ0sNX7muQQmEd2ziYcRH0HQC_wbjQ-Zphwgb_6vVJ58smno_HoD_nxWB847xTpEjlnXBNXfkjZAaUqyZv2ibCjmvzJexU/s320/House+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593617269835329634" border="0" /></a>Once you reach the small hallway upstairs, walk into the master bedroom (which is large enough to fit in Luke's cal. king size bed....just barely!) with adjoining bathroom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eIiyZa3jskecxdymQZ0wmpBJpnnUYtsAd5vb-GXoGlkvWEsmVMH81z0NuzTfvt1793Ug1Vz6Pn3-gur7x5rXl8vx56LQcfZ4Dzwzx5QZkGSTD3mWIg-YAqFig4BJOabOm-Xabs7cXQQ/s1600/House+015.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eIiyZa3jskecxdymQZ0wmpBJpnnUYtsAd5vb-GXoGlkvWEsmVMH81z0NuzTfvt1793Ug1Vz6Pn3-gur7x5rXl8vx56LQcfZ4Dzwzx5QZkGSTD3mWIg-YAqFig4BJOabOm-Xabs7cXQQ/s320/House+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593437622302047746" border="0" /></a>And this is the ULTRA wonderful part I love---a HUGE walk-in closet!!!! :) :) And, not only is there one....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaShhhngddNPNHYpuSXVC136h-GMVc00ZWWozQVSPuZfQsIJ6f55liIrO3WY4gOVoty7FSvCB7kRnaLTVieCQVWaqIzlCYj6r5d2mAu_b3PmT9bSiYrcVgemefpjn59ehqerwBq2VdnQc/s1600/House+016.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaShhhngddNPNHYpuSXVC136h-GMVc00ZWWozQVSPuZfQsIJ6f55liIrO3WY4gOVoty7FSvCB7kRnaLTVieCQVWaqIzlCYj6r5d2mAu_b3PmT9bSiYrcVgemefpjn59ehqerwBq2VdnQc/s320/House+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593437625546615026" border="0" /></a>But, two walk-in closets!! Whoever lived here before or built this house must have had a ton of clothes!!! I have plenty, but ummmm, I know both Luke and I don't have two huge closets worth! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicR39-iuf0t_SS-uEKIox11DIzJb9YwkWX-v6XWLhQ4IYX0WlC9xveeW35sXAk95sztVtyRxvq5WRqC0qpd2dSIRqKoKPr30vghAnHet58Eaf0ClheTY1mTMR0BcjgFbpyRa4iLgoRRk/s1600/House+021.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicR39-iuf0t_SS-uEKIox11DIzJb9YwkWX-v6XWLhQ4IYX0WlC9xveeW35sXAk95sztVtyRxvq5WRqC0qpd2dSIRqKoKPr30vghAnHet58Eaf0ClheTY1mTMR0BcjgFbpyRa4iLgoRRk/s320/House+021.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593436681474943826" border="0" /></a>Walk out into the hallway to a bathroom on the left, stairs on the right and two bedrooms ahead!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNnvdVCruinMXS7MeNo3v2LgBPukMnQlySGA6H7kGlhRl8BF8J68AyYnFVPEkAd5Bcu7kEtKAWmcu0xFpSFHqj8fCiHutI5tSWoxXLLCtn9t2eoq9U_lr1qF01WrhFZoSYHPvnsZRAHo/s1600/House+023.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNnvdVCruinMXS7MeNo3v2LgBPukMnQlySGA6H7kGlhRl8BF8J68AyYnFVPEkAd5Bcu7kEtKAWmcu0xFpSFHqj8fCiHutI5tSWoxXLLCtn9t2eoq9U_lr1qF01WrhFZoSYHPvnsZRAHo/s320/House+023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593436704472654418" border="0" /></a>And then into one bedroom---all the bedrooms have huge closets!! Which in my mind, you can never have too much closet space! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTSwq2aUHAElDIR9JdMBoMZsT6UevGNBgJJjx_vZbxVmgVCiZGeRFmJyg9ecLgZvo0G_-S3tba7G_fZE395TTu8vyAZMMhV2mN0X7I-BzjmZh7GVlqUFQOKfW0kfQE2igWPwhV_LOjo8/s1600/House+025.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTSwq2aUHAElDIR9JdMBoMZsT6UevGNBgJJjx_vZbxVmgVCiZGeRFmJyg9ecLgZvo0G_-S3tba7G_fZE395TTu8vyAZMMhV2mN0X7I-BzjmZh7GVlqUFQOKfW0kfQE2igWPwhV_LOjo8/s320/House+025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593436688396591234" border="0" /></a>And then the second bedroom---just about every room has a ceiling fan! I'll put <a href="http://mountupwithwingsaseagles.blogspot.com/2011/02/dustful-of-memories.html">that long handle feather duster</a> to good use! Most Colorado homes don't have air conditioning (including this one), so there's an abundant supply of ceiling fans. Apparently it doesn't usually get warm enough to warrant air conditioning. That will be something new to me; you could never live in SW Kansas in the summer without air conditioning!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqZRtl9fOEPnViZ9-nt3Prx966OPVFQSHFapbVUIxvqho-XgSlpRV76Dq-J1Osw31iYsvX_gSIHdx3YFZ83M-plbUW464EKGYheq9yGxHm-ctf1vCn_sZENXqUW76Oow2F_eZv81xuYY/s1600/House+031.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqZRtl9fOEPnViZ9-nt3Prx966OPVFQSHFapbVUIxvqho-XgSlpRV76Dq-J1Osw31iYsvX_gSIHdx3YFZ83M-plbUW464EKGYheq9yGxHm-ctf1vCn_sZENXqUW76Oow2F_eZv81xuYY/s320/House+031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593410617506362194" border="0" /></a>Now, walk down one more hallway to the loft that is another room I love!!!<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMpTRDgLS2WZGP-pJwXXo3KaDjGiPvUN08Oa4MCKEdExdh3tZ3_Q4N2MFP0V-Qkuda2AkeSlANX3tdOorAOMLjpF-i1DAjS51XUadc4QubZE8mxHTZYlkgNQP7ezRRU4yEr-28Mvg030/s1600/House+027.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMpTRDgLS2WZGP-pJwXXo3KaDjGiPvUN08Oa4MCKEdExdh3tZ3_Q4N2MFP0V-Qkuda2AkeSlANX3tdOorAOMLjpF-i1DAjS51XUadc4QubZE8mxHTZYlkgNQP7ezRRU4yEr-28Mvg030/s320/House+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593410600386854290" border="0" /></a>That even has a window that looks out at Pikes Peak! Granted, there is a tree in the neighbor's yard that partly blocks it, but....it's still there!!! :)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV61bnxSGGPKzQOSLAyQR_lBSFguBp2qxS4WC-pIVuBDlKyHGSzi8NmLd6jZuFOwWL094aoP8Etj9DzQaupRdOM_9RA6NXx3DouVeZ9ukyYXiIHLefwoB5Qy5eGn3lRtbd1pLAZRO3AIs/s1600/House+026.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtU-OrgMvD9WK53Up6LFhq1yz-cDKuxo9NeHYYFMEzp-hXnGtDlfDEFQ5ulL1TM0xr7n-SdYZIvj7pzHVdCLeXpacOK8nU3oEF2A8gn9Smqbl3XTVjshD2tz-N93_WkE5Nb4dWdOt1iA/s1600/House+028.JPG"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLt5c9UTa8yct-1iVH3QYuScGkkF-A9jk_uTOYdcwa7vqm7juEHYZ1piuVeUzDx8Hb8adxu_2xTiZPz6uPdaxD2mMRousG4BhpK0SfhJPiuNiYXTaqRMAVcKtUzTSJXqbd-tKumL_zms/s1600/House+029.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQLt5c9UTa8yct-1iVH3QYuScGkkF-A9jk_uTOYdcwa7vqm7juEHYZ1piuVeUzDx8Hb8adxu_2xTiZPz6uPdaxD2mMRousG4BhpK0SfhJPiuNiYXTaqRMAVcKtUzTSJXqbd-tKumL_zms/s320/House+029.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593410607713898098" border="0" /></a>Look over the loft short wall to the living room and front door below!!! I soooo love this photo!!! :) Well, actually being there in person is better, but since I can't be there yet, I'll just look at the photos!! :)<br /><br />And I'm ready to drop everything, start packing and loading in Kansas and unloading in Colorado! Only two more months!!!! :) Soon!!! :)Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-52989722853094222902011-03-27T21:41:00.000-05:002011-04-07T23:19:26.405-05:00Cattle, wheat field, Oklahoma and flip flops!Such as this week.<br /><br />I was in the house all day. (yeah, I know...no big surprise there! ;)) Anyway, I took out several loads of trash out to the dumpster and noticed the cows out behind the garden on the wheat field. Dad has been running cattle out there for several weeks, so it wasn't anything new to see them there.<br /><br />I walked back in the house and proceeded to finish what I was doing and then it dawned on me. There's <span style="font-style: italic;">cattle</span> outside, <span style="font-style: italic;">behind the garden</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">on the wheat field</span>. Didn't Dad just tell me last week that he took the cattle off there and wasn't going to run them back out there???<br /><br />Maybe he changed his mind. I looked out the kitchen window only to see the temporary fence he had up at one time was down. Uh oh. And Dad? Well, he was in Oklahoma for the day. So, why did the cows choose today to get out???<br /><br />So my call to Dad went like this, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Are there supposed to be cattle on the wheat?"</span><br /><br />Dad, <span style="font-style: italic;">"No."</span><br /><br />Me, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Well, guess what? There are now! Where are you at? Are you on your way home?"</span><br /><br />Dad, <span style="font-style: italic;">"No, I'm still a couple hours away. How many? They must have gotten through some fences. You're going to have to run them back in the corral."</span><br /><br />Sure, just run them back in the corral. Most people find it hard to believe I live on a farm or that my sisters and I used to help Dad work cattle. But, it's true. Admittedly, it's been years since I've done it and as one person so accurately announced in church one Sunday morning, <span style="font-style: italic;">"There's this young lady living at Quincy's farm who doesn't help him with cattle."</span> Well, guess what? That's about to change! ;)<br /><br />I had walked outside while I was talking to Dad and Austin was in the yard (our next door neighbor) with his dog. Help was in sight!!!! I asked him if he would be able to help me round up the cows and get them in. His response, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Sure!"</span><br /><br />I went back in the house for sunglasses and shoes. I've been grilled since very young to <span style="font-style: italic;">ALWAYS</span> wear closed toe shoes when working with cattle and horses. Hmmm......shoes. I briefly debated this dilemma. I don't own tennis shoes. And I'm not wearing my good black boots out in a filthy field and corral. Soooo......it's gonna have to be flip flops!<br /><br />Austin and I walked out into the corral and discovered that the cattle had broken through a gate, which would require repair to hold them back in there once we rounded them up. Austin said he could fix it (thank goodness!), but he needed wire and a post. Ok. Another call to Dad to find out where he kept that stuff.<br /><br />Gate mended thanks to Austin. Now, to get the cattle. They happened to be clear at the opposite end of the field and I decided that we were not walking all the way out there to bring them back. Austin commented to me that now was the time he needed his horse here. Yeah, I agree. The next best thing? Dad's four wheeler! Worked splendidly!<br /><br />Thankfully Austin has worked on a farm before and is familiar with repairing fences, herding cattle and driving four wheelers. About the only thing I did was call Dad multiple times as he was explaining to me the what and where with fences, gates and cattle.<br /><br />I'm thankful I caught the cattle out there before they wondered who knows where. And so thankful Austin was here. He was just getting ready to leave when his dog came over to play with Lady and at that moment I walked outside. Perfect timing! If I would have noticed the cows out five minutes later, Austin would already have been gone! Praise God He worked through everything!<br /><br />And....the flip flops worked! I still have toes!! ;)Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-84269516955357228502011-03-22T20:41:00.002-05:002011-03-23T20:22:49.726-05:00Dustful of memories<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDk9QLCdNhZAdO8KGnnvxgSMSa82beUULiB_jj4TjkfIC1ELAWLzjiDUrMlSGKLaAiawR5xm1j4Izw4RuzKUvS-Q8hxMjG8V9sgDfq6rkOvCqUR6omq3F4oGjka6Jmi34yubrjV04DUA/s1600/FebPics_0129blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDk9QLCdNhZAdO8KGnnvxgSMSa82beUULiB_jj4TjkfIC1ELAWLzjiDUrMlSGKLaAiawR5xm1j4Izw4RuzKUvS-Q8hxMjG8V9sgDfq6rkOvCqUR6omq3F4oGjka6Jmi34yubrjV04DUA/s320/FebPics_0129blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572286495527564770" border="0" /></a>Dusting. It's a chore in any house that needs to be done. It's the one cleaning job I like and dislike at the same time.<br /><br />I like it because it's quiet. It lets me think, make mental to-do lists or organize my day while I'm doing something else. I can carry my ipod in my pocket, turn on music, a book or program and make my way from room to room with a dust cloth and dust brush. Why do I dislike it? Come on, you <span style="font-style: italic;">know</span> how I stay away from dirt and dust as much as possible!! ;)<br /><br />Nothing was different this week as I put on gloves, grabbed my dusting tools and started in the kitchen with the ceiling fan and skylight. I really, really love the dusting brush I have because it has a handle about 18" long that allows me to reach the the ceiling fan and high places <span style="font-style: italic;">(ok, I admit--I STILL end up standing on a chair in addition to that, but still...it helps!)</span> and yet the handle isn't long enough that I hit everything behind me as I'm working.<br /><br />As I'm working, one thing that crosses my mind is that I really should add this wonderful little cleaning tool to my wedding registry list. It's something I'll put to good use. I've already made note of it on my "Will Need" list when I move, but it would be a good registry item. Hmmmm...I'll have to take another look at <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?wrn=-213587720&">Bed, Bath and Beyond</a>. :)<br /><br />This particular dusting brush we've had for years and it has memories all of it's own. It was one that Grandma had given to Mom for Christmas one year at my uncle's in Denver. The funny thing is that that particular brush didn't make it home with us; it ended up staying there accidentally and Grandma ended up buying Mom another one.<br /><br />It was that same brush that us girls loved being able to dust with. Perhaps because of the pink and purple colors in it?? Mom never totally loved it like us girls did. She claimed that it was only "brushing" the dirt from one place to the next. Not dusting it up and getting rid of it. She preferred to use a dust cloth. Our dusting habits slightly differed from hers. But ultimately, the house still got dusted efficiently every week.<br /><br />The handle has been bent in half and straightened many times. It's gone behind the fridge and under the stove to collect items out of reach. It's dusted the clock high on the wall every week. And it's the very same one that dusts off the entry way hanging light that Luke constantly hits his head on every month.<br /><br />It's just a dusting brush. It's old. It's well used. It's been washed, hit against the side of the house to rid it of the dust it's gathered and had Endust sprayed on it too many times. But it holds memories in addition to the dust. Every time I pick up that brush, the thought runs through my head, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Mom didn't like this as much as a dust cloth."</span><br /><br />And every time that I dust something with it instead of a dust cloth, I can't help but think, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Mom wouldn't have dusted </span><span>this</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> with </span><span>this</span><span style="font-style: italic;">."</span><br /><br />It still collects dust. That filthy, fluttery stuff. But it's also collected memories all of its own through the years. Maybe I'll replace this one with a new one for Dad to keep and pack this old pink and purple one to take with me to Colorado. Wonderful memories that it holds!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hmmmm.....:)</span>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-72393641084155245342011-03-21T06:48:00.000-05:002011-03-21T06:48:00.411-05:00Two months....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGyR-VMuvOVb2szFsYZG12aqKSPaTHblbikrDYN8DoBQ1AEbFQ20xp1THDY59RKvWUsFXI_81tV7X7c-K4qVkpcE1n-Bu-vjfcIx4SoDsEtzAoZOVgEQ7hc1Ud4qTTzxp4Uw6DbTXCvk/s1600/181601_10150392336320694_24434895693_17310510_3875905_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGyR-VMuvOVb2szFsYZG12aqKSPaTHblbikrDYN8DoBQ1AEbFQ20xp1THDY59RKvWUsFXI_81tV7X7c-K4qVkpcE1n-Bu-vjfcIx4SoDsEtzAoZOVgEQ7hc1Ud4qTTzxp4Uw6DbTXCvk/s320/181601_10150392336320694_24434895693_17310510_3875905_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585635015986418850" border="0" /></a><br />...until I get to marry this wonderful guy that I love!<br />...until all the plans put into place over the last ten months become reality!<br />...until I'm living in Colorado permanently!<br /><br />Only <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">TWO</span> months left!! <a href="http://lukeandserena.weddingwindow.com/index.cfm?fa=blog"><span style="font-style: italic;">(See the last two months of details here...)</span></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic;">Photo credit: <a href="http://www.heartlandphotography.org/">Heartland Photography</a><br /></div>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-73031165138716515262011-03-14T20:23:00.001-05:002011-03-18T22:42:15.979-05:00A cute little helper!A while back, Erinn and I were working at the Learning Center, cutting letters, laminating posters, etc. And a little helper named Noah was there too! ;)<br /><br />To keep him busy, I started to teach him to throw away the trash. What an easy job! With only one time showing him to throw the extra paper in the trash, he knew exactly what to do. He would come over to me, do the sign language for "more" (Erinn's taught him soooo much!!!) and I would hand him the trash.<br /><br />Then he would walk over to the trash can, stretch up as high as he could and throw it in there!! What a super accomplishment for him!! Then he'd come back and sign for "more". Ahhhhh.....he's soooooo sweet!!! I love him to pieces!!! :)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvFUFPEzzolu1noZ4an_JSKreTuW0WoUrRJU-t1q4sQliBm6LGwDX2FJ1BSG0uJiESM2T0YwvxdYX-CucPIiVvIgtP3unyKFL8qxJAvz5HmdkA57x0PL01MQMXZBGymUSWr1rk0w4enQ/s1600/wedshop_0010blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvFUFPEzzolu1noZ4an_JSKreTuW0WoUrRJU-t1q4sQliBm6LGwDX2FJ1BSG0uJiESM2T0YwvxdYX-CucPIiVvIgtP3unyKFL8qxJAvz5HmdkA57x0PL01MQMXZBGymUSWr1rk0w4enQ/s320/wedshop_0010blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578932004077852146" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">"more!"</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUu3we_VXTR0eip2ImXELnZTwmFV0lH60GtXsynUCptPuNG1bOIh_Sh3BvAeHng1XDpaw25hLIVrhKE4XIhyphenhyphenr9P7b87ITlyUm31MSdXAkusuVpze5sUAjY676PxRctJv9RQ25jMyq-UE/s1600/wedshop_0011blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUu3we_VXTR0eip2ImXELnZTwmFV0lH60GtXsynUCptPuNG1bOIh_Sh3BvAeHng1XDpaw25hLIVrhKE4XIhyphenhyphenr9P7b87ITlyUm31MSdXAkusuVpze5sUAjY676PxRctJv9RQ25jMyq-UE/s320/wedshop_0011blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578932006640209954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Here's the trash; throw it away!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2EClLp4s-GqOICbV9qn1tBHxOrQbgdjJYgsDvHuyFGuFi0KXbuM3vvSdtj0PjEiVhkDFtjm25EAoJl60gGK0-LdmvsE-2Uf7qy0fmtT_7wW9cEhMAn6BdGzKNxgP1oIrqo0JV6H6-94/s1600/wedshop_0013blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB2EClLp4s-GqOICbV9qn1tBHxOrQbgdjJYgsDvHuyFGuFi0KXbuM3vvSdtj0PjEiVhkDFtjm25EAoJl60gGK0-LdmvsE-2Uf7qy0fmtT_7wW9cEhMAn6BdGzKNxgP1oIrqo0JV6H6-94/s320/wedshop_0013blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578932001893156194" border="0" /></a>Ok, this was the short trash can--we had two. The other one was taller than he was and with a swinging lid! Which he still managed to reach up and throw the paper inside! Smart little boy!!!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi5u1Jtuxu-cnqqEgm1Z6FIihnIzWhIN8rqsCv55pGsWjlwpSgL4Gaku1gyU0LpseTUhA09ZBkrvGRl93uo-9sPNW2urC9MwlAZpe2GmN8AmCR9bK8DEriOCJKc0dVVqYhJYnn9C1yaU/s1600/wedshop_0012blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi5u1Jtuxu-cnqqEgm1Z6FIihnIzWhIN8rqsCv55pGsWjlwpSgL4Gaku1gyU0LpseTUhA09ZBkrvGRl93uo-9sPNW2urC9MwlAZpe2GmN8AmCR9bK8DEriOCJKc0dVVqYhJYnn9C1yaU/s320/wedshop_0012blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578932002410378162" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Such a cutie!!! :)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kcWDOrLtCcVLFJ7y91tEqD1xart9NjLGWuJjwgHQ3xcuW9gDJ42b5UIDR2_auSw8bVrKZmtvVTqFaXyU3IULOIZX4H2GiOHCc6VK5CSOKJt6YvPii7Yq1pdQjyNjHV9SGEiwIovZt_A/s1600/wedshop_0014blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6kcWDOrLtCcVLFJ7y91tEqD1xart9NjLGWuJjwgHQ3xcuW9gDJ42b5UIDR2_auSw8bVrKZmtvVTqFaXyU3IULOIZX4H2GiOHCc6VK5CSOKJt6YvPii7Yq1pdQjyNjHV9SGEiwIovZt_A/s320/wedshop_0014blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578931994857100754" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And yes, he loves my sunglasses!</span><br /></div>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-82870956809429053912011-03-03T20:26:00.002-06:002011-03-03T20:26:00.333-06:00What's new in Dodge?!?!?!Granted, not a ton of world news happens here in western Kansas, but recently there was the grand opening of the brand new event center and convention!! Jena happened to be home that weekend and so we toured the building! Quilt the facility and very neat to see!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdR-HXu15U0g4gqZYIumLEUDIw_2Vf6qkYy8kKGz-6g_3GpHwEbBU-LGzUw94yhyphenhyphenccDR1dLRmeMzgyaQy1B0rnMtSX5O0hQJRPD85UYR8YVqxAonZlRE0wM981GMEE-lFUSeieKrSog4/s1600/image_0042blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdR-HXu15U0g4gqZYIumLEUDIw_2Vf6qkYy8kKGz-6g_3GpHwEbBU-LGzUw94yhyphenhyphenccDR1dLRmeMzgyaQy1B0rnMtSX5O0hQJRPD85UYR8YVqxAonZlRE0wM981GMEE-lFUSeieKrSog4/s320/image_0042blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578926854921336322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRw2XuZdHZJHY7qWiwwipPu3BOrs4X77ZHuS1E7FLM4RieZD6_hdHOoXPFGOCsoafktPiSI9WMZQR-ff6ZKF3EZKMcITtrYg5pThUx-qjMs3uSV5TEvJG31JSK_n6mqhGMvbA7774Wpk/s1600/image_0017blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMRw2XuZdHZJHY7qWiwwipPu3BOrs4X77ZHuS1E7FLM4RieZD6_hdHOoXPFGOCsoafktPiSI9WMZQR-ff6ZKF3EZKMcITtrYg5pThUx-qjMs3uSV5TEvJG31JSK_n6mqhGMvbA7774Wpk/s320/image_0017blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578925267380035074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhBe5X5wOiMZMLUMf77ZhlQN1wMlLTi0EQ4Vu01deb1W1tGnEHupdQ9w87CW9LACXs45IWY2RB9CbD4ii_IMipHZ7DzwqRWbsD-y0kiJcC0KbWvvCne-N2c_KTJ4mlKUBDFANP3OI7GY/s1600/image_0015blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhBe5X5wOiMZMLUMf77ZhlQN1wMlLTi0EQ4Vu01deb1W1tGnEHupdQ9w87CW9LACXs45IWY2RB9CbD4ii_IMipHZ7DzwqRWbsD-y0kiJcC0KbWvvCne-N2c_KTJ4mlKUBDFANP3OI7GY/s320/image_0015blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578925262557555122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ9OxnxHRiwevzA8GdB5Hla9IFLPwoDt5s18SAdTYSdXT-ShDkm7J9cOjgvkNgPzNT5r-k5DCbRoDHNXxPPcYDtCT50q2rDWY5oaMUnNU0ON_lk7j-ItSPKMDBBDRS1n_zVDAbCGriXI/s1600/image_0013blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZ9OxnxHRiwevzA8GdB5Hla9IFLPwoDt5s18SAdTYSdXT-ShDkm7J9cOjgvkNgPzNT5r-k5DCbRoDHNXxPPcYDtCT50q2rDWY5oaMUnNU0ON_lk7j-ItSPKMDBBDRS1n_zVDAbCGriXI/s320/image_0013blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578925263339222514" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">gotta love those camera in the mirror pics!! ;)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70SnSXnnY8K4gdGyKjeQDDRUtiJqtKcWzCpHozArn6BKIvYRVdEY4CHluQn2DCTw4FZM3TmlvXUny6GEu4Q9Us9-GCf0JWkA1v-ip-iDrlvfpinqbcEq_fE_nSZjWyBQP6cFQxEjG6kg/s1600/image_0001blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi70SnSXnnY8K4gdGyKjeQDDRUtiJqtKcWzCpHozArn6BKIvYRVdEY4CHluQn2DCTw4FZM3TmlvXUny6GEu4Q9Us9-GCf0JWkA1v-ip-iDrlvfpinqbcEq_fE_nSZjWyBQP6cFQxEjG6kg/s320/image_0001blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578925256859243746" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">quite amazing!!! </span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIod_fSVD6bZbpFtXRj2Aouvfjln3K7GmL_Qy0BWniXTXNqfxE5AU3RlWSs6azHDZ2_eGn9AL9Idfi9qxbw0EKSrTPuPzItNI0ahLuM4soCLHEofAFupTDmXMH32UlOleaoupeMOXzEw/s1600/image_0008blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjIod_fSVD6bZbpFtXRj2Aouvfjln3K7GmL_Qy0BWniXTXNqfxE5AU3RlWSs6azHDZ2_eGn9AL9Idfi9qxbw0EKSrTPuPzItNI0ahLuM4soCLHEofAFupTDmXMH32UlOleaoupeMOXzEw/s320/image_0008blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578925248725803234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn4GejOGFMx7a1ZLnOL34re-j6m4ME5IWvO7iryWsCXknk0LQ7eK6urgJ3ijrRfb8LjWVuAghawWgAObpX1VlvP-qcMfP64BE4yKuSSyE9HWWr6lOMD-xKzte765bQ7sctDbQnTkiajo/s1600/image_0038editblog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjn4GejOGFMx7a1ZLnOL34re-j6m4ME5IWvO7iryWsCXknk0LQ7eK6urgJ3ijrRfb8LjWVuAghawWgAObpX1VlvP-qcMfP64BE4yKuSSyE9HWWr6lOMD-xKzte765bQ7sctDbQnTkiajo/s320/image_0038editblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578913821851378114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">And since they were handing out free popcorn and pop,<br />we couldn't leave without our share!!! :)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ulSEee9e2qLh1MlqpB0rYoXawWxijsjohlwTm1QZoavYqm_ga0M1tuMA00pqN4vhPxLLxkwheYiELM5aBjmxFPr8Lra7pCATH_HeZlEhaIW_tnAq22-2T-1FOF6WxjCCfMhXjGKZDCs/s1600/image_0036editblog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ulSEee9e2qLh1MlqpB0rYoXawWxijsjohlwTm1QZoavYqm_ga0M1tuMA00pqN4vhPxLLxkwheYiELM5aBjmxFPr8Lra7pCATH_HeZlEhaIW_tnAq22-2T-1FOF6WxjCCfMhXjGKZDCs/s320/image_0036editblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578913815948209794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">The balcony is pretty neat too!!!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-K0pPrAVKyl6dKNe5COb-tSKVR-eQtfL1pTRXe8gSAfS_zyh566r-XSbqSvhkWyvqc1Ed5B8WfBIzErkaxn2iqfGqtIguoUAwzk4crwNUjPufZMfWmnosNWCB74gTYAe575yXDtMVyw/s1600/image_0028blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-K0pPrAVKyl6dKNe5COb-tSKVR-eQtfL1pTRXe8gSAfS_zyh566r-XSbqSvhkWyvqc1Ed5B8WfBIzErkaxn2iqfGqtIguoUAwzk4crwNUjPufZMfWmnosNWCB74gTYAe575yXDtMVyw/s320/image_0028blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578913809053997394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">ice skating!!</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi139BWFYSawSEpNCYlzCmfKDH04nXOJQAuk-3xCrPAnz3Kh-ZqMe30QHWvQfUFbCbngBCT69zI59SXvUyEQgXS75SURRTkk7xdWHqAXKdMrmVPBOs4cxuh5_-QVH4cH0Gh5eONaFA65CI/s1600/image_0025blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi139BWFYSawSEpNCYlzCmfKDH04nXOJQAuk-3xCrPAnz3Kh-ZqMe30QHWvQfUFbCbngBCT69zI59SXvUyEQgXS75SURRTkk7xdWHqAXKdMrmVPBOs4cxuh5_-QVH4cH0Gh5eONaFA65CI/s320/image_0025blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578913804958510674" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04720OTAprtTS_p45s4yAhD6jpo8JnBS0Yd0WaWRLbmqb5-0HZbpV-kLQVGzV1wan86mADlh60a0iiaOBfOgJMDAmvMVn4y84nCW27jZrQNrNuC87B7-BO7HywvIFRN3a2oWzFZpQsMg/s1600/image_0020blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04720OTAprtTS_p45s4yAhD6jpo8JnBS0Yd0WaWRLbmqb5-0HZbpV-kLQVGzV1wan86mADlh60a0iiaOBfOgJMDAmvMVn4y84nCW27jZrQNrNuC87B7-BO7HywvIFRN3a2oWzFZpQsMg/s320/image_0020blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578913805060469058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">fyi--this would be a PERFECT place for a wedding reception!!!</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">It's beautiful!!!!</span><br /></div>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-22040008536369032392011-03-01T20:36:00.002-06:002011-03-01T20:36:00.371-06:00Really?! I really thought I was losing my mind!My goal is <span style="font-style: italic;">never</span> to lose my mind. But there are times when it seems like that has happened. Like this particular moment.<br /><br />I had been walking back and forth between the kitchen and schoolroom several times, my mind on a million things running through my head when I saw this on my way out of the kitchen. I took a few steps back thinking, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Did I put that can of Mt. Dew there?"</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs1tbkG6-7jsUlfBCn_2bVtaVYKMmF_PWsB4jv6wsjRt7Q0BJ9MYcDi44MRGugXveMmjCiJicJJQKPOnQzEPWSNplKwV4giBmokiSH7cQkU6DLdS2tsHzVfO2Qxzp6OQL3TUUiiX5WLA/s1600/image_0097blog.jpg"><br /><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs1tbkG6-7jsUlfBCn_2bVtaVYKMmF_PWsB4jv6wsjRt7Q0BJ9MYcDi44MRGugXveMmjCiJicJJQKPOnQzEPWSNplKwV4giBmokiSH7cQkU6DLdS2tsHzVfO2Qxzp6OQL3TUUiiX5WLA/s1600/image_0097blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAs1tbkG6-7jsUlfBCn_2bVtaVYKMmF_PWsB4jv6wsjRt7Q0BJ9MYcDi44MRGugXveMmjCiJicJJQKPOnQzEPWSNplKwV4giBmokiSH7cQkU6DLdS2tsHzVfO2Qxzp6OQL3TUUiiX5WLA/s320/image_0097blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578596639391799282" border="0" /></a>On my last trip through the kitchen I had just opened a can of that favorite drink of mine, but I didn't do that with it, did I? And no one else in this house touches that stuff!<br /><br />I turned to look at Dad who was sitting on the couch and saw his smiling face! Ahh, ha! The culprit! He's trying out some tacky tape to hold up fabric for my wedding reception and he's testing the weight. And it's working--that can has been up there for five days and it's still in the same exact spot!<br /><br />Sometime I may question his methods of operation, but the end result is always just as I want/need it to be! So in figuring out the best way to drape fabric and lights for the reception--I'll leave it entirely up to him! He knows the effect/picture I'm trying to create and I have no doubt he'll know just how to do it!<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic;">To stay up-to-date on the latest wedding events, check out <a href="http://lukeandserena.weddingwindow.com/index.cfm?fa=blog">my wedding blog!</a><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdOoMeZ7YjqQ74QpiAMhr5ChKWBiuhcAsqbPkKg-UGUpe4De_H7YgNymS-p4_zF_LPBp_8pkdPEov3nSSE7GWuyISRAAwgTot9trVR8tpgF93O94PY5z6F3IG73dtux7Gmj-5crjY3cM/s1600/332OrgEditblog.jpg"> </a>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-20318432996823095692011-02-27T22:22:00.000-06:002011-02-27T22:53:02.313-06:00I LOVE my Sunday School kids!!!You already know I love teaching! I love working with the kids and being involved in their lives. And I love their positive, innocent outlook on life! And I couldn't help but laugh this morning!<br /><br />I was in the kitchen getting some things for class and Felicity walks in, sees me and says, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Miss Serena....I'm waiting for you!!"</span><br /><br />Lol!!! Apparently she'd been in my class room, discovered me missing and went searching to where she knew I would be!Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-78291821102394151452011-02-25T20:03:00.000-06:002011-02-26T12:29:25.734-06:00Yogurt Fruit Parfaits<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfsKvMiZRJ3ezW1LS21gULEeXY8Tg7Ri7ZCux-cA888AueR3y73YoVi7qfVRkrbNmFW-Coxabh_e4z7n7wQ6uVRWxr0-6Cw1FPqHxazxQnGrTQBdiyHDEdh5rab9dwr4-SIAoWM82CQ8/s1600/Parfait_0003blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfsKvMiZRJ3ezW1LS21gULEeXY8Tg7Ri7ZCux-cA888AueR3y73YoVi7qfVRkrbNmFW-Coxabh_e4z7n7wQ6uVRWxr0-6Cw1FPqHxazxQnGrTQBdiyHDEdh5rab9dwr4-SIAoWM82CQ8/s320/Parfait_0003blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534707620046658258" border="0" /></a>For a quick, easy and healthy breakfast treat, try these parfaits!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yogurt Fruit Parfaits</span><br /><br />vanilla yogurt<br />mixed fruit such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries<br />granola<br />small cups<br /><br />In a small punch or juice cup, layer yogurt, fruit mixture, granola, yogurt, fruit mixture and sprinkle granola on top.<br /><br />I usually use vanilla yogurt, but I've used other flavors that I've had on hand such as strawberry, cherry or blueberry. I usually buy a bag of frozen mixed berry fruit and thaw that for the fruit layer. When thawed, it creates its own juice and works perfectly with the yogurt. But you can use fresh fruit as well.<br /><br />The granola that I use is some I make, but it can be purchased granola or other yummy crunchies!<br /><br />These are best made fresh that morning and don't keep longer than 24-48 hours!Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-36093056182830240412011-02-14T20:29:00.000-06:002011-02-14T20:29:00.167-06:00Red & pink or Blue & white?!?!?!?!Those of you who know me, know that I decorate different areas of our house for each seasons. I'm a stickler on issues like this--certain decor items stay up for a certain amount of time and then they come down as the season is over. Christmas doesn't stay up until the middle of January and spring doesn't go up until the middle of March. That's just the way it is!<br /><br />However, Valentine's Day is a little bit different. It comes at a time when I already have a houseful of snowmen and snowy items up which need to stay up from January until March. February 14th is right smack in the middle of that seasonal arrangement!!<br /><br />So the question always becomes.....do I take down the snow scenes and put up red and pink hearts for a couple of weeks and then put back up the snow scenes? Or do I put away the snow stuff and leave up the red and pink decor until I put up spring? But that's leaving up all that Valentine's Day stuff for a month after the celebration day has passed!!!<br /><br />Some years I break out the all the red and pink colored hearts and some years it remains boxed up. It's a dilemma I face every year. Yeah, I know what you're thinking--what's the big deal?! True, it's not a life or death situation, but still......<br /><br />This year? A compromise. All the snowy teddy bears and trees stayed up, but just got moved around slightly to accommodate the red roses and Valentine hearts. And next week? Things will just shift slightly to remove the red and pink and go back to the blue and white. That will work!! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYimOg4c2QkwJ1BbyUItU0_T7Jjqi6zQ_zkPzGiI7DJYSsuoAQmk_s6Y8cYixaHsIJlZgTalAMOTa-sEkVy1-le_hebAPr-VUJUqRoi25OT6FSVYfc2oWg0i-y5V8j2qshQEnCEgzu4w/s1600/ValentineDecor_0009blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYimOg4c2QkwJ1BbyUItU0_T7Jjqi6zQ_zkPzGiI7DJYSsuoAQmk_s6Y8cYixaHsIJlZgTalAMOTa-sEkVy1-le_hebAPr-VUJUqRoi25OT6FSVYfc2oWg0i-y5V8j2qshQEnCEgzu4w/s320/ValentineDecor_0009blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572839367279793442" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1QFwg9zGkyXHLWVwWdCoGkJ3A56r4pX3Ftp3N_mSyw1PoQex2MaG93prad9EqfG4TrrAW4e91bB1MZn8xh-y8yyLPSgwUfN7pZ5HbcR39fKUEUy70rP3ZtBYzaB38tJNlwi2XZbZXUk/s1600/ValentineDecor_0010blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1QFwg9zGkyXHLWVwWdCoGkJ3A56r4pX3Ftp3N_mSyw1PoQex2MaG93prad9EqfG4TrrAW4e91bB1MZn8xh-y8yyLPSgwUfN7pZ5HbcR39fKUEUy70rP3ZtBYzaB38tJNlwi2XZbZXUk/s320/ValentineDecor_0010blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572839361561545586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSAwCH41TQcqB_Fq12JeBNpzthiAP-UGwjt05JK590nb2BFGdZtRDRzy8kbGujre2maGXfFoypHpok3bQk-BVMyLkKogBo-3aTcne99aEvFHL1Nns_L0MnUSxprJwYoJjCCwvVb_NHjE/s1600/ValentineDecor_0018blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSAwCH41TQcqB_Fq12JeBNpzthiAP-UGwjt05JK590nb2BFGdZtRDRzy8kbGujre2maGXfFoypHpok3bQk-BVMyLkKogBo-3aTcne99aEvFHL1Nns_L0MnUSxprJwYoJjCCwvVb_NHjE/s320/ValentineDecor_0018blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572839356113399490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O0LoC8Y7OKRJDF-lJ7v3RqRMH70G1YacHydfZepdso7PyBEZgRPpczJTc_nkCosYtzr_a1KT5igbpvWzdqlxx0aJCvrTZaXeEwiYzK24AR93yF9GLDL2Ph-6mPwDC54IckRaeI2RQEs/s1600/ValentineDecor_0019blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O0LoC8Y7OKRJDF-lJ7v3RqRMH70G1YacHydfZepdso7PyBEZgRPpczJTc_nkCosYtzr_a1KT5igbpvWzdqlxx0aJCvrTZaXeEwiYzK24AR93yF9GLDL2Ph-6mPwDC54IckRaeI2RQEs/s320/ValentineDecor_0019blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572839354219713506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWmV1qxSqZRG-cRun8c63nDW0SwMTxWeUetcXwOwQO_P7SZM3TF2hxHnbZG7f1ODEr5q5cpbS8OWdJ3CUnZ2FHTUSEbsgOZOP5Xe9B5I9VnBEP-9Pm9CO0UtfPIuev6UJaE3vm7hVzgE/s1600/ValentineDecor_0020blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWmV1qxSqZRG-cRun8c63nDW0SwMTxWeUetcXwOwQO_P7SZM3TF2hxHnbZG7f1ODEr5q5cpbS8OWdJ3CUnZ2FHTUSEbsgOZOP5Xe9B5I9VnBEP-9Pm9CO0UtfPIuev6UJaE3vm7hVzgE/s320/ValentineDecor_0020blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572839349175501970" border="0" /></a>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-36011611705762250912011-02-12T08:59:00.000-06:002011-02-12T08:59:00.432-06:00February spells C-H-E-R-R-Y C-H-E-E-S-E-C-A-K-E<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlayYtJr-toVHoPZYrRpCw2041MjRaEqm9R_9DJn-dbycGEGXCLLoeZ9YMZ6iVAXM89yo2jU-2IwllKG-yIvA8bjUPhfA3yDOfS8OQen5YO507ji1DGRyVIyQNVC7GVlIspV6jf2s88g/s1600/FebPics_0006blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlayYtJr-toVHoPZYrRpCw2041MjRaEqm9R_9DJn-dbycGEGXCLLoeZ9YMZ6iVAXM89yo2jU-2IwllKG-yIvA8bjUPhfA3yDOfS8OQen5YO507ji1DGRyVIyQNVC7GVlIspV6jf2s88g/s320/FebPics_0006blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572474489547757826" border="0" /></a>I warned you this was going to be a monthly blog feature!! ;)<br /><br />But it's true. Every year around Valentine's Day, I usually end up making cherry cheesecake. It's not something I make all the time, so it's a treat to have this month.Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-7217806554773591922011-02-11T07:41:00.000-06:002011-02-12T08:29:39.489-06:00Awwwww!!!!!Pink roses from Luke--an early Valentine's gift!!!! :) :) :) ♥ ♥ ♥<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ-G4pwZIIe28BYsOKeeIncVPobTfJxom4S-p8BIbqRKPti17qFYGe2V0uMmHMEp6pt0lhUWp_7Rv6uXa1bsQZzuyWCs2o3HZRTxudd4kvauOIvh3G9bC3XRu6Lk1jyMxwcCLVubYWOA/s1600/FebPics_0110blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZ-G4pwZIIe28BYsOKeeIncVPobTfJxom4S-p8BIbqRKPti17qFYGe2V0uMmHMEp6pt0lhUWp_7Rv6uXa1bsQZzuyWCs2o3HZRTxudd4kvauOIvh3G9bC3XRu6Lk1jyMxwcCLVubYWOA/s320/FebPics_0110blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572809991320985442" border="0" /></a>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-86795685226761885002011-02-10T07:38:00.000-06:002011-02-11T10:45:14.155-06:00A beautiful snowstorm!This is the first really significant snowstorm we've received--with really COLD temps. Like -2 with a wind chill way below that! Brrrrr!!!!! Watching the snow fall, was beautiful--they were such large, pretty flakes swirling around in the air! We ended up with six or seven inches.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR-QOH6uWJi7teswcABN6TikljZGVSGGhBvfIEJU8QqWJLHMRBRvi956892cw0WMbn-blklWGZ074-2u-jwwEI-b-S4GqnSszaMnnJmr_s9ZiGuZCazO9LfcknirfFhFxnOuSfB4dbq4/s1600/FebPics_0089blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRR-QOH6uWJi7teswcABN6TikljZGVSGGhBvfIEJU8QqWJLHMRBRvi956892cw0WMbn-blklWGZ074-2u-jwwEI-b-S4GqnSszaMnnJmr_s9ZiGuZCazO9LfcknirfFhFxnOuSfB4dbq4/s320/FebPics_0089blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572473578754138162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5M9vIYoBr2Ewn2NyoFF5Yrz4ar3lxSZ0ZUqaMczLqarJvCTNJM0H_wt6L2I8uAEz8VRMRzXV2NyznuZuNZiM1qjWmWJti6Mr_PS4xfYFe4SjQ_K1P_69Cd0ypY2uUvAEck8jLfjFsF8/s1600/FebPics_0092blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji5M9vIYoBr2Ewn2NyoFF5Yrz4ar3lxSZ0ZUqaMczLqarJvCTNJM0H_wt6L2I8uAEz8VRMRzXV2NyznuZuNZiM1qjWmWJti6Mr_PS4xfYFe4SjQ_K1P_69Cd0ypY2uUvAEck8jLfjFsF8/s320/FebPics_0092blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572473589856291538" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGGoGdlF5zu5m4R2E1v5JaC2bw0WhfTl6y6WvD_KXaf9Q0yoH4gb0jHymcJuR5rIHc-Ok-_M8f0FhlrjivMABPT_H_ioDx8B2AMuGtR-1ZO2Ov8eAtKihcyzi8tV7xsfcJ-Z6Xh-n8oQ/s1600/FebPics_0093blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGGoGdlF5zu5m4R2E1v5JaC2bw0WhfTl6y6WvD_KXaf9Q0yoH4gb0jHymcJuR5rIHc-Ok-_M8f0FhlrjivMABPT_H_ioDx8B2AMuGtR-1ZO2Ov8eAtKihcyzi8tV7xsfcJ-Z6Xh-n8oQ/s320/FebPics_0093blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572473589207600066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4rbpp_EMX4Cj7ineKLYSOkQYuYPXkdTXK8xYi8qub0xeYZmAEVS0vJZfLytjjO8c3ZE4EsUIjAvhcp2M3y31chg-IXdCgU_sX9jxhA0DneIcFPHAZNZGE5U0zOfb9RUmRGfSfPI5qgA/s1600/FebPics_0095blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4rbpp_EMX4Cj7ineKLYSOkQYuYPXkdTXK8xYi8qub0xeYZmAEVS0vJZfLytjjO8c3ZE4EsUIjAvhcp2M3y31chg-IXdCgU_sX9jxhA0DneIcFPHAZNZGE5U0zOfb9RUmRGfSfPI5qgA/s320/FebPics_0095blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572473585160232386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEnbw7_w7cXoqgfCnQKelEeWiibD76udLQe3l9a8mBBDQ2fFZrJKo8qXLUyVywbzOKLLVL4_vvUt5p-pRaCWH3n2Ev4vxslZbxKHEClG6MnsNFX2YAPacTQf74VVw2s-577DHo1Bpezg/s1600/FebPics_0096blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivEnbw7_w7cXoqgfCnQKelEeWiibD76udLQe3l9a8mBBDQ2fFZrJKo8qXLUyVywbzOKLLVL4_vvUt5p-pRaCWH3n2Ev4vxslZbxKHEClG6MnsNFX2YAPacTQf74VVw2s-577DHo1Bpezg/s320/FebPics_0096blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572473582736194850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Yep, Dad's still out there keeping an eye on cattle!</span><br /></div>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-32296508481248311122011-02-02T20:20:00.000-06:002011-02-02T20:20:00.327-06:00I couldn't resist!I'm always on the look out for various items that I find while shopping that I can incorporate into my kid's Bible teaching. The kids enjoy being involved in the Bible story lesson and being able to act out parts of it are some of their favorite times.<br /><br />In Hobby Lobby I discovered these two long skinny boxes that I couldn't resist leaving the store without.<br /><br />A coloring wall. Can't you just see Joshua and the Israelites marching around this wall once a day for six days in the battle of Jericho? And then on the seventh day marching seven times and the walls come crashing down?!?!?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYJ-kdYHvKVPtV8mG-BHIP55Yc-fSoKGPvcmueP6e1xt8ZoPio8LCRHWE-Y0u9Ka7deWSVHWBoO0cMmxAVY9rMC13LT4yi_FI5FouDSPmexKPB_M09hcbK1nRj5cVlbu9V9m3LkF_tkY/s1600/MiscStuff_0001blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYJ-kdYHvKVPtV8mG-BHIP55Yc-fSoKGPvcmueP6e1xt8ZoPio8LCRHWE-Y0u9Ka7deWSVHWBoO0cMmxAVY9rMC13LT4yi_FI5FouDSPmexKPB_M09hcbK1nRj5cVlbu9V9m3LkF_tkY/s320/MiscStuff_0001blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565578640856328658" border="0" /></a>And especially when I discovered that it was reduced to this price, then it was a must-buy! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GVFpQH4_lFsOHKLQuO0EjbUghkTsejF2xDNnAW3dEjztqySDKUs5LN2bqx0Ot9EsJO1ZTE_KPj45rME_zlmU2_qsuSecgYhf22s6yzQ4QzCTKW5X46Eg-B4ggnkKAi34GUmVyfqsQD0/s1600/MiscStuff_0002blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6GVFpQH4_lFsOHKLQuO0EjbUghkTsejF2xDNnAW3dEjztqySDKUs5LN2bqx0Ot9EsJO1ZTE_KPj45rME_zlmU2_qsuSecgYhf22s6yzQ4QzCTKW5X46Eg-B4ggnkKAi34GUmVyfqsQD0/s320/MiscStuff_0002blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565578640781462354" border="0" /></a>Then this. Noah's Ark, of course. And origami. I love it. It looks so fun! And of course one of my favorite Bible stories to teach. I won't even mention how many other Noah's Ark crafts, lessons, activities fill my closet....;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6__rzWSy3Q-IfUiPQbT4Dq_bd1I44M6woLbKKzcFtXadJWNjc4BBJ588eSsUI7luJmBvhBd1jxXDAXhxN7CkyLGUXISHwOKrXJswvI9jx5gYXoxMAkPf9mppj4kQ8h0JADQpmoTJIvA/s1600/MiscStuff_0003blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx6__rzWSy3Q-IfUiPQbT4Dq_bd1I44M6woLbKKzcFtXadJWNjc4BBJ588eSsUI7luJmBvhBd1jxXDAXhxN7CkyLGUXISHwOKrXJswvI9jx5gYXoxMAkPf9mppj4kQ8h0JADQpmoTJIvA/s320/MiscStuff_0003blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565578650738369170" border="0" /></a>But don't the characters look soooooo neat?! And fun to fold the paper and put together?? They do to me!!! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJI0FXIHsQUpj83_-d_Ng6q6cXblLpBUfU9u_YPx1qXMjzWXrbOlAbrwqsc6qKgwjLGxL-PNfywShWpa5py_ljhepKUoursfORsbPP3Q-aQRly1vyPT9us5FWT36d_V1lSgRdLBeSKCk/s1600/MiscStuff_0004blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJI0FXIHsQUpj83_-d_Ng6q6cXblLpBUfU9u_YPx1qXMjzWXrbOlAbrwqsc6qKgwjLGxL-PNfywShWpa5py_ljhepKUoursfORsbPP3Q-aQRly1vyPT9us5FWT36d_V1lSgRdLBeSKCk/s320/MiscStuff_0004blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565578659292847970" border="0" /></a>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-19472059853432265162011-01-28T20:10:00.000-06:002011-01-28T20:10:00.139-06:00Organization feels soooo good!Recently, I've been storing my greeting cards in the top drawer of what used to be Mom's desk. It's worked out fine except for the fact that they are all mixed together--birthday, sympathy, occasions, etc.<br /><br />For the last couple of months, every time I've reached in there, I have thought, <span style="font-style: italic;">"I need to sort this."</span> Well, I could stand it no longer! I emptied out the drawers, created piles of cards on the floor and started sorting!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbat6KDUBdbav1CWfu1KzJ9x0f5TOKFSLRqnlD4piEU2uqAfr0GYOiPDL5YO-Ir2glVf5KzmMv_Cmv-5mZKyEZM74kLIfTxyDwC57txgpbHWgYxX5dDhgHUmAkPtXDpSwtiVhSp5pMxg/s1600/JanMisc_0029blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbat6KDUBdbav1CWfu1KzJ9x0f5TOKFSLRqnlD4piEU2uqAfr0GYOiPDL5YO-Ir2glVf5KzmMv_Cmv-5mZKyEZM74kLIfTxyDwC57txgpbHWgYxX5dDhgHUmAkPtXDpSwtiVhSp5pMxg/s320/JanMisc_0029blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561858661457715762" border="0" /></a>The single cards are sitting upright, sorted by blank, friendship, birthdays, congrats, wedding & baby, sympathy, thinking of you and misc.<br /><br />And the bottom tote has the majority of my thank yous and little note cards. You know--the ones you get in groups of eight or ten. Love those--and they make such cute ones!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_G-GtF4j62HpY1cGaO2TGM9PclKs6cvoKL2UQOdBuyh3LzXgMOa6krn8JBjzKhlLjtoT26RSccnp_xL5knMP5X4Gj3qLxeuuY4UlXjbEepmKm1PxtH8RSap8KB6Ka-GHGC4IAqILds4/s1600/JanMisc_0036blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil_G-GtF4j62HpY1cGaO2TGM9PclKs6cvoKL2UQOdBuyh3LzXgMOa6krn8JBjzKhlLjtoT26RSccnp_xL5knMP5X4Gj3qLxeuuY4UlXjbEepmKm1PxtH8RSap8KB6Ka-GHGC4IAqILds4/s320/JanMisc_0036blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561858668272863090" border="0" /></a>Much, much nicer!! And much easier to find!! And three drawers of that desk cleaned and organized! :)<br /><br />Why the pressure to do this now???? <a href="http://mountupwithwingsaseagles.blogspot.com/2011/01/january-spells-c-l-e-n-and-o-r-g-n-i-z.html">It's just the whole January month thing!!</a> ;) lol!!!Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-2623684370976657272011-01-25T07:46:00.000-06:002011-01-25T07:46:00.240-06:00Yummy!!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPKqy8wY-5m2rEK_8Z1LLaPhO0vO7C0pvzRT9BOk5l_LVxH_qD-YC_CJILA3alOogLmjY_qE3cT6RLVdgZNjQDbu7snOo4tEvj0p5LNGMG6zcYpZOwKfReWWvDJNRV4VgYaLV7tm6h8Q/s1600/JanMisc_0001blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcPKqy8wY-5m2rEK_8Z1LLaPhO0vO7C0pvzRT9BOk5l_LVxH_qD-YC_CJILA3alOogLmjY_qE3cT6RLVdgZNjQDbu7snOo4tEvj0p5LNGMG6zcYpZOwKfReWWvDJNRV4VgYaLV7tm6h8Q/s320/JanMisc_0001blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561852258683651938" border="0" /></a>Fresh bread. Warm. Right out of the oven. Sooooo gooooood!!!!Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-40577027918044212912011-01-23T21:28:00.000-06:002011-01-23T21:28:00.836-06:00It's time for snow!!!Yep, in my Sunday School classroom. One of the things I treasure doing in addition to loving teaching, is decorating my classroom for each season or with a Biblical theme. It's fun to find the images I want to use to fit the season, find the Biblical perspective in it and develop a theme to decorate from that.<br /><br />And sooooo...I went a little bit overboard with winter this time. It's a bit more than I usually do, but I had the snowmen....and I just couldn't resist using them!! They're soooo cute!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HZpx5AfOkKYbn3B3N54Kve1mUYIpBOYYVU7F1KVxsfP8B5YdmkrPUP0m08Ym9to2wnLcp0RS91rWAdeWwfMLSYWmwLJ54R-bm8Tajb3Cf590jnfq2BcdzpUkVJZ1s_6NEffifz_x2pA/s1600/WinterSS2011_0001blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HZpx5AfOkKYbn3B3N54Kve1mUYIpBOYYVU7F1KVxsfP8B5YdmkrPUP0m08Ym9to2wnLcp0RS91rWAdeWwfMLSYWmwLJ54R-bm8Tajb3Cf590jnfq2BcdzpUkVJZ1s_6NEffifz_x2pA/s320/WinterSS2011_0001blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565579170938850834" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdEVYwTwcSgDxfVjRyzYMVvlNNPTUkMhzlJyPoZ8n6zxOuSTtDZIDzZdbXestk9_mWT6OlWOuCQcCPxyqPnzQsuqBEV0kZo0vqHbVxzkxYRIiVG_hpZYJhD21y4m7D0-VSFVb13yLydE/s1600/WinterSS2011_0001blog.jpg"><br /></a>I usually don't decorate anything but the bulletin board (photo above) and door, but I needed to take down the prayer chain I had on this wall and it seemed PERFECT for this winter snowing scene. And soon snowflakes will appear in the sky with things we are thankful for each week! :)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslswGViAWjy2xzqYlDSVf4w6qXKWLk5b5AQWcooevgHc_mmaL2-HONTanMNvIsu3TmSDmr1wtXlCE22gy_FOV7iNRcq89_qI-rb6RAuzbRNB9FtYWZtlTa15drwwTpKSbtij4na3kHUI/s1600/WinterSS2011_0002blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslswGViAWjy2xzqYlDSVf4w6qXKWLk5b5AQWcooevgHc_mmaL2-HONTanMNvIsu3TmSDmr1wtXlCE22gy_FOV7iNRcq89_qI-rb6RAuzbRNB9FtYWZtlTa15drwwTpKSbtij4na3kHUI/s320/WinterSS2011_0002blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565579163663594674" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS01GmJ5S29n2VUNGu3CDc1dZuQgwFnJjCM_VqN3zbXUOQtCAG9ErUh5mWN7DDK2RMuORm73OmQI6ITcDZ8PZTQv6CvmrSy6t1LkJ_h7a_VHzFcu0Fcv0Q1_MZOHsBx5_7BOMre1pfJJY/s1600/WinterSS2011_0005blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS01GmJ5S29n2VUNGu3CDc1dZuQgwFnJjCM_VqN3zbXUOQtCAG9ErUh5mWN7DDK2RMuORm73OmQI6ITcDZ8PZTQv6CvmrSy6t1LkJ_h7a_VHzFcu0Fcv0Q1_MZOHsBx5_7BOMre1pfJJY/s320/WinterSS2011_0005blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565579157893104946" border="0" /></a>And this?? I love! I have to smile every Sunday morning when I walk through this door! It's a reminder to me as well--I'm nothing without Jesus Christ! And do I fall apart without Him? Many times, yes!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j3a-C2YvmCoWRCOUKsoplKTRyA5QrGY_b-N_HOW0Dkb5tzdOrLRaljlM2i-JD6eAPJhcyPb0Fofx2g-ZnGPsU1cIonHk_88oSYa1IT0JVaZ-CK0V9xhP28SZ7Y1MCVwqx-T8vLRrgzY/s1600/WinterSS2011_0008blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8j3a-C2YvmCoWRCOUKsoplKTRyA5QrGY_b-N_HOW0Dkb5tzdOrLRaljlM2i-JD6eAPJhcyPb0Fofx2g-ZnGPsU1cIonHk_88oSYa1IT0JVaZ-CK0V9xhP28SZ7Y1MCVwqx-T8vLRrgzY/s320/WinterSS2011_0008blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565580865568123106" border="0" /></a>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-6354278240896266982011-01-14T20:24:00.000-06:002011-01-14T20:24:00.425-06:00January spells C-L-E-A-N and O-R-G-A-N-I-Z-E<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-KRVRDcMVw-RB3TDCI0ApQJDp1zXlFLO3HLcbFUtvSZnvjUs-dUuAdE4Y2F60pD4PoQ8YzQvneI4id6kmm8Gf0MaeVCDQNbFRP9W4LXNbYuuwqYRgIVk7YnqYQrEEfCQWPNAlvPGuKE/s1600/january.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 220px; height: 229px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-KRVRDcMVw-RB3TDCI0ApQJDp1zXlFLO3HLcbFUtvSZnvjUs-dUuAdE4Y2F60pD4PoQ8YzQvneI4id6kmm8Gf0MaeVCDQNbFRP9W4LXNbYuuwqYRgIVk7YnqYQrEEfCQWPNAlvPGuKE/s320/january.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561857969462303762" border="0" /></a><br />Yes, I know what you're thinking--where did I go to school and learn to spell?!?! ;)<br /><br />But for some reason when January hits, it automatically means it's time to clean and organize. Seriously. One look at my dresser on December 30th and as it was dusted last week, it looks fine. But when I see the same dresser on January 1, it looks like it needs to be dusted from top to bottom, drawers cleaned out and contents organized.<br /><br />Do <span style="font-style: italic;">two</span> days really make <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span> much difference?! :)<br /><br />What is it that tricks my mind into thinking that? I don't know. Maybe it's the start of a new year. New beginnings. New things to unfold. New goals to achieve. New challenges to conquer.<br /><br />Whatever it is, I'm seeing things that need to be cleaned and organized!!!<br /><br />I could go on, you know. Most months trigger something in my mind. <span style="font-style: italic;">February spells....</span>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-68258466068438278852011-01-12T21:39:00.000-06:002011-01-13T19:43:35.445-06:00Spoiled kitties!Really. Honestly. My two cats have no idea just how spoiled they really are. For a multitude of reasons--one being right now as my lap has been overtaken for one of them as I'm trying to type. ;)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRcL2cqBQVTxFjj9ZMSxmJiiiOXSZPemGWcHpkZDkiAh9YEi4JQFUaeBU-rwfwd9bxBdzyPcpKygIq65yuVKvkFhwH6yaBSZCja8GGFA6cw8eYxT7PK9sq7XLTAS2JfiOGkMGe9Xk-9A/s1600/Christmas2010_0006blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNRcL2cqBQVTxFjj9ZMSxmJiiiOXSZPemGWcHpkZDkiAh9YEi4JQFUaeBU-rwfwd9bxBdzyPcpKygIq65yuVKvkFhwH6yaBSZCja8GGFA6cw8eYxT7PK9sq7XLTAS2JfiOGkMGe9Xk-9A/s320/Christmas2010_0006blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560783814723972530" border="0" /></a>My cats have taken quite a bit of time getting used to Luke. When he's here, they aren't particularly thrilled, so <a href="http://mountupwithwingsaseagles.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-cats-jealous-can-it-be-true.html">I've started bribing them with extra canned food</a> every morning when he's here.<br /><br />So Luke bought a entire box of 32 cans of food just for them for Christmas. Told you they were spoiled! So my question to Luke was, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Are you going to be in Kansas 32 days before May?"</span> ;) lol!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZjlYkE_SXtb1VtH-3xWZpNo3Sfthd-mKBOT80EAetwbS_U3ai2LbTpL0r1sCOO2jQxTAzOxAALOS2QZ1lQP5-mqM6w8Rayodceql5bZMZmhyphenhyphen_q7BSb9NVqUjDFh5owvK81GDUoedpGs/s1600/Christmas2010_0008blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZjlYkE_SXtb1VtH-3xWZpNo3Sfthd-mKBOT80EAetwbS_U3ai2LbTpL0r1sCOO2jQxTAzOxAALOS2QZ1lQP5-mqM6w8Rayodceql5bZMZmhyphenhyphen_q7BSb9NVqUjDFh5owvK81GDUoedpGs/s320/Christmas2010_0008blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560783809879923154" border="0" /></a>They weren't too thrilled with the box until I opened it up. In addition to the 32 cans was a plastic ball and a bag of treats.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-gzhRHJPDdaJR9EM-uMsAJrHN4ZLQu85blAoB-Ci_6JVEcclOcjgnulnpKyJYSujdfYB6W0nzaVRxo0R3fqB2vXfd79sGqPeSEyeeHYRxaVDpzNRhbXJ0c2wpAwglo1RO2SIkNRzjyg/s1600/Kitties_0011blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-gzhRHJPDdaJR9EM-uMsAJrHN4ZLQu85blAoB-Ci_6JVEcclOcjgnulnpKyJYSujdfYB6W0nzaVRxo0R3fqB2vXfd79sGqPeSEyeeHYRxaVDpzNRhbXJ0c2wpAwglo1RO2SIkNRzjyg/s320/Kitties_0011blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561846888491262834" border="0" /></a>The ball they didn't really take much to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeba-x9CxINSfmtVGB1CONMgna5F82oMNiG6ZPaNlcCG90b6EhhCpFA8IgwV3QHbNx6eK80ZhZG7YBMPUz9AjlLSh6IIrF8XJXb1j67HcVaQhAYLQjqL6iwfyI5pBfHOf62vBN87Qmfc/s1600/Kitties_0024blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeba-x9CxINSfmtVGB1CONMgna5F82oMNiG6ZPaNlcCG90b6EhhCpFA8IgwV3QHbNx6eK80ZhZG7YBMPUz9AjlLSh6IIrF8XJXb1j67HcVaQhAYLQjqL6iwfyI5pBfHOf62vBN87Qmfc/s320/Kitties_0024blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561846891173320322" border="0" /></a>The bag of treats? Oh, yeah---they knew exactly what that was! You have no idea how many of those bags of treats Skittles has taken down off the shelf and eaten without my knowledge. Usually I find the bag the next morning. On the floor. Empty. Torn up. Clawed to shreds. And lacking treats.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaAXZMAFIVV500fKnGXHH8mfqwrmUah0TFvDwaQnHSwhFLOSsGFMe02ugp31dURmCVGdADsIz1OqY3z2Nj6rCuYgF1RKbCtQS0yA-Oq2Xh0K7Z0LIGlspTELDzvBkyGW7LJGcTKYxNvE/s1600/Kitties_0033blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaAXZMAFIVV500fKnGXHH8mfqwrmUah0TFvDwaQnHSwhFLOSsGFMe02ugp31dURmCVGdADsIz1OqY3z2Nj6rCuYgF1RKbCtQS0yA-Oq2Xh0K7Z0LIGlspTELDzvBkyGW7LJGcTKYxNvE/s320/Kitties_0033blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561846904443882210" border="0" /></a>However, the ball was made to put the treats in it. Then as the cats would roll it around, the treats would fall out. Ummm, hmmmm. So I showed them the treats inside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnkCT089DVXhlpYYbKKKjeg7I12DingW9qQd8MmyVBtbhnwlgEXbDxW_J3SE6JX7az3ntl1oU9Z_1XtGtt8tbwNBsxr-Ss6DL6kDpUVjCd_KdWULsduRf0sz-SJDLVtTiAD-CF070szM/s1600/Kitties_0053blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnkCT089DVXhlpYYbKKKjeg7I12DingW9qQd8MmyVBtbhnwlgEXbDxW_J3SE6JX7az3ntl1oU9Z_1XtGtt8tbwNBsxr-Ss6DL6kDpUVjCd_KdWULsduRf0sz-SJDLVtTiAD-CF070szM/s320/Kitties_0053blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561846908878397346" border="0" /></a>And then rolled the ball. The ball isn't too exciting for them. The treats they want. Skittles figured out to roll the ball, but Scamper still hasn't gotten it yet. I believe this will keep their attention for hours on end. They have yet to accomplish getting the treats out. :)Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-14714977136735836312011-01-07T08:05:00.001-06:002011-01-07T23:27:55.786-06:00What's most important this new year?When a new year starts, I mentally start taking note of what I want to accomplish. Which usually turns into a month by month list of what I hope to accomplish. Admittedly, by the time December rolls around, some items will be completed, others totally scrapped and many new ones added.<br /><br />But as I was thinking of those things I want to do this year, I was reminded last Sunday of what needs to be my first and foremost goal as 2011 starts--to glorify Christ with my words and actions. As Pastor Kirk challenged us to fight the good fight of faith, he made mention of several things which stood out to me.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Understand who you are in Jesus Christ.</span> God has created me in His image. He loves me. He knew me before I was ever born. Jesus Christ has offered a way of salvation and forgiven me. As I was writing these notes in church Sunday morning, Dad elbowed me and showed me his own scribblings. What did he write down? <span style="font-style: italic;">"Remember who you are."</span> I laughed silently and smiled. How many, many times do I remember leaving home (no matter where or when, no matter how far) and Dad telling my sisters and I, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Remember who you are. You are a child of God."</span> Ahhhh, yes. So true.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Walk in the good works that God has for you.</span> He created me to be a servant for His purposes. To serve others. To minister to others. My goal here on earth is to serve Christ. To be willing to follow what He would have me to do. As I glanced at Dad's notes, I knew I would find the second half of the phrase that Dad has continually told us girls, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Remember what your purpose is. It is to serve Christ."</span> Yes, that's exactly what he had written down. :) <span style="font-style: italic;">Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Make disciples.</span> Not only is God working and growing in my life, but I'm also supposed to pass that knowledge that He's teaching me onto others. Part of that is praying for opportunities and open doors and taking advantages of those situations that He puts in my path to share the Gospel, teaching His Word or be an encouragement in the lives of others.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Glorify God in your life.</span> Yes. In my words. In my actions. In my thoughts. In EVERYTHING I do. No matter how small or large, how simple or complex, how temporal or eternal...I'm to glorify Him. <span style="font-style: italic;">Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it <span style="font-weight: bold;">all</span> in the name of the Lord Jesus</span>..."<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Excel still more.</span> No matter where I am and what I'm currently doing or involved in, I should be pushing myself, setting goals to achieve to increase my knowledge and understanding of Jesus Christ even more. Never staying at a plateau, but aspiring to continue in the work and ministry which He's given me the ability to do.<span style="font-style: italic;"> I Thess. 4:1 - "...we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Present your life as a living sacrifice to the Lord.</span> God has richly given to me and in return, I should render myself; all I am, all I have, all I can do to Him. Keeping in mind that I am to die to sin day after day and live to righteousness more and more. Continually. <span style="font-style: italic;">Romans 12: 1-2 -</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">"...present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Deny self.</span> So easy to say and know, but oh so hard to do! My example to follow? Jesus Christ. He willingly laid down His life for me. He willingly obeyed God the Father, even when His human nature fought it. I should have a willingness to obey His commands, serve others, do what He's called me to do, follow His ways and not the ways of the world. Not just once. Daily. Hour by hour. <span style="font-style: italic;">Luke 9:23 - "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Servants of Christ.</span> I am a servant of Christ. What's the definition of a servant? One who serves. Willingly. One who exerts himself for the benefit of another. Again, who is my example? Jesus Christ. And what was Jesus Christ? A humble and willing servant. <span style="font-style: italic;">Matthew 20:28 - "</span><span class="woj" style="font-style: italic;">Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Must have a discerning spirit. </span>What I see, hear and do should be aligned with God's Word. His Word is the ultimate source of Truth and the basis of what I do should be compared with His Word. God's Word is living and powerful and needs to be in my heart and mind for It is the true discernment of truth versus falsehood.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">--Strive to become like Christ.</span> Jesus Christ is my ultimate example. My eyes should be fixed on Him. Unwavering. Unmovable. <a href="http://mountupwithwingsaseagles.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-love-driving-curved-highways-for.html">Just like driving and following that white line in the road</a>. Gluing my eyes to Him and not allowing anything to deter me from that line of sight. Nothing. <span style="font-style: italic;">Ephesians 5:1 - "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>What should be my most important goal for 2011? Exactly what is written above. In fact, I want to be reminded of that <span style="font-style: italic;">everyday</span>. I want that to be my challenge <span style="font-style: italic;">week after week</span>; all fifty-two weeks of this year. Right now this list is hanging on my mirror in my room where I see it every morning. Where as I'm getting dressed, putting on my makeup and doing my hair, God can use those words in my heart and mind to remind me what's most important in life.<br /><br />Last year brought many changes into my life that weren't on my original set of goals for 2010. And this year will bring some changes I'm planning and others that I'm unaware of, but through it all my purpose must remain the same -- to glorify Christ in whatever I do, whatever situation I'm in.<br /><br />Just like my Dad says,<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">"Remember who you are. You are a child of God. </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Remember what your purpose is. It is to serve Christ.</span><span style="font-style: italic;">"</span>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-25796463335415567312010-12-20T19:48:00.001-06:002010-12-20T19:48:00.514-06:00What Colorado Springs has that Dodge City doesn't!Right after Thanksgiving I spent five days in Colorado Springs. Why? Well, there's just quite a few things that that massive city contains that Dodge City just doesn't have!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Cold, freezing air</span> - The first thing you notice about Colorado Springs is the air. It's colder. Much colder. It's really hard to document this in a photograph, so just picture freezing and shivering. THAT'S what it looks like!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mountains</span> - Yes, those rather large hills are called mountains and I have to admit that seeing this sight while driving around takes a little bit of getting used to. The good thing?! Those mountains always tell me that that direction is west--it helps to keep my sense of direction!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3rCTb6P2PmgLxXznGcLsjFA4L_WZei6Rzk6fQEUrwW9U2YxTecMd3YGjrLLN2NrSJijCHTrsaWVncD6iEWtBye68kXBm5Jy3Ak_BE1z0ESkaIUQo3xJzi1zMkpfLVpkkGUfkelj1rts/s1600/WeddingDetailsCO11-10_0042blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO3rCTb6P2PmgLxXznGcLsjFA4L_WZei6Rzk6fQEUrwW9U2YxTecMd3YGjrLLN2NrSJijCHTrsaWVncD6iEWtBye68kXBm5Jy3Ak_BE1z0ESkaIUQo3xJzi1zMkpfLVpkkGUfkelj1rts/s320/WeddingDetailsCO11-10_0042blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550385874029817954" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Current Factory Outlet</span> - In my searching of shops for invitations, I found this store! Ohhhhhhh---I love that place already! I knew I'd love that place once I walked in the door and saw a spinning rack of stickers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtxcJKLfUan2kUU4MFHa5o6j958t4CBuKPR_VEsx9aZI_DOvm-HShYGRwOo5idgEM7YA3xCrWMnFvYIsEGB5cdvMaGmrT50nyRDAWTUb8L-VaD0tH1FjVahHakTu2Elm7DDjE92timmc/s1600/COWeddingShopping_0144blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtxcJKLfUan2kUU4MFHa5o6j958t4CBuKPR_VEsx9aZI_DOvm-HShYGRwOo5idgEM7YA3xCrWMnFvYIsEGB5cdvMaGmrT50nyRDAWTUb8L-VaD0tH1FjVahHakTu2Elm7DDjE92timmc/s320/COWeddingShopping_0144blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552803198947222866" border="0" /></a><br />My intent was to look for invites there, which I did do. But I also had to wander up and down each aisle to look at everything else as well. Paper, stickers, cardstock, notecards--all that fun stuff!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKRY23VvCGqNUZfC5GJSfwTR6fM5zwSOESuStX0PvEslIyoj6udJJC1b9JB28vtQuZIayZdFvl1JnyxR9-06CHxjwdOYU_sfGRovAsD8wvQKWS496dJwwz0OPcxY41n30sRD3OuFEGKo/s1600/COWeddingShopping_0001blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizKRY23VvCGqNUZfC5GJSfwTR6fM5zwSOESuStX0PvEslIyoj6udJJC1b9JB28vtQuZIayZdFvl1JnyxR9-06CHxjwdOYU_sfGRovAsD8wvQKWS496dJwwz0OPcxY41n30sRD3OuFEGKo/s320/COWeddingShopping_0001blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550385876885679458" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Shopping, shopping and more shopping</span> - I came to CO Springs with a list. A rather long, organized, detailed shopping list. And this city contains many more shopping opportunities than DC! And Luke and I spent a great deal of time shopping, looking and registry shopping!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGoM5A8sppjsPWJYgJlwO2jGDOipgfpBhCBzngQMb_co25SobAedq6IdRURDsA8HVhBHZO48fjF-Mt3loiGF_UY1l9woWcp8nCU9eynFRuQijLSI4S53gfxOjtpcC1CWqYvcK6wABeqo/s1600/WeddingDetailsCO11-10_0023blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGoM5A8sppjsPWJYgJlwO2jGDOipgfpBhCBzngQMb_co25SobAedq6IdRURDsA8HVhBHZO48fjF-Mt3loiGF_UY1l9woWcp8nCU9eynFRuQijLSI4S53gfxOjtpcC1CWqYvcK6wABeqo/s320/WeddingDetailsCO11-10_0023blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550385881532538738" border="0" /></a>See this cute little, itty, bitty casserole dish?! Isn't is sooooo cute?! I love it! It's the littliest thing, but it's so adorable. Granted, it was at JCPenny's which we do have here, but believe me--they don't have that.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kohls</span> - This store is neat! Especially their kitchen dept. It's filled with fun stuff. Like these cute snowman dishes. Aren't they fun?!?! Yes, you only use them once a year, but still.....I love them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqc3atMRtnp3o1fLFkxZp4EO8Owfe48iH1Q3piPli8k3FGyCR1xdGt8k6Iaj-M9zEFHpT1sf3HrqNF_yZXMVJQqHdAJtgMwJbuNwumylg2oCKNvYLOmhCXKxvTb09DO-fxeQsn18gi38/s1600/WeddingDetailsCO11-10_0032blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqc3atMRtnp3o1fLFkxZp4EO8Owfe48iH1Q3piPli8k3FGyCR1xdGt8k6Iaj-M9zEFHpT1sf3HrqNF_yZXMVJQqHdAJtgMwJbuNwumylg2oCKNvYLOmhCXKxvTb09DO-fxeQsn18gi38/s320/WeddingDetailsCO11-10_0032blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550402819165170226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Parking meters</span> - Oh yes! And then this---the parking meter! One of the places where I was looking at invitations was downtown and you had to pay for parking. And believe it or not, I have never paid for parking in my entire life. Another thing Colorado Springs has that Dodge City doesn't.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOiY2YFpfkDs9RzJdOgl16_GTBF_rSvk2YFRLYV9Yj5Ixz0mou-ZuNHq5fPw1zCjd0fLzwhwW5rntJQhjG7Y2NEPnSiDpl4dz_Pa3bbCNvaG7pBLXrmEDfWMQEK_3FM-EraJmkTsBWnE/s1600/COWeddingShopping_0066blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOiY2YFpfkDs9RzJdOgl16_GTBF_rSvk2YFRLYV9Yj5Ixz0mou-ZuNHq5fPw1zCjd0fLzwhwW5rntJQhjG7Y2NEPnSiDpl4dz_Pa3bbCNvaG7pBLXrmEDfWMQEK_3FM-EraJmkTsBWnE/s320/COWeddingShopping_0066blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550359894385758898" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Luke</span> - Perhaps the most important thing, or rather <span style="font-style: italic;">person</span> that DC doesn't contain?! Yep, that would be him!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2mFvm0wjBf3ksLE5KmfO-NCpIqwr_3Z1Un7kNLeqrjIIOBRtkgk9kYqc6ceyhxWfGKdWlWlGjBhNh7lujwtZzT-F0TRJls2s4MTDXZC69QpephKSRiaa_AmcORTnj5bjtaWnHVdNdNk/s1600/COWeddingShopping_0148blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN2mFvm0wjBf3ksLE5KmfO-NCpIqwr_3Z1Un7kNLeqrjIIOBRtkgk9kYqc6ceyhxWfGKdWlWlGjBhNh7lujwtZzT-F0TRJls2s4MTDXZC69QpephKSRiaa_AmcORTnj5bjtaWnHVdNdNk/s320/COWeddingShopping_0148blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550385884443440194" border="0" /></a>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-66036153065447630002010-12-16T20:18:00.001-06:002010-12-16T20:18:00.186-06:00Baking for Christmas!Erinn & I spent Monday baking and between the two of us we got tons accomplished!!!<br /><br />white trash candy mix<br />peanut clusters<br />chocolate haystacks<br />chocolate/caramel turtles<br />chex mix<br />chocolate chex mix (puppy chow)<br />lots of chatting! ;)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfm-nE6KuKm2rwS6r-IkQI_75QUy2XEInwS0HI73HYX77mQV2eXNXF4kcf4a1WqLSoZ9ohyphenhyphenZzTddQdVYvJRtpdBTsjHJOaiRxn_rqaDBVNgtRYU7B65gOU7PPfTFiiFtEX2ElZIOq2Ug/s1600/ChristmasBaking2010_0007blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDfm-nE6KuKm2rwS6r-IkQI_75QUy2XEInwS0HI73HYX77mQV2eXNXF4kcf4a1WqLSoZ9ohyphenhyphenZzTddQdVYvJRtpdBTsjHJOaiRxn_rqaDBVNgtRYU7B65gOU7PPfTFiiFtEX2ElZIOq2Ug/s320/ChristmasBaking2010_0007blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550356854791278882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Piles of clean dishes--they were used</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">and washed multiple times!</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NjZy6N0k893kv8-RtfNhbyEmK7pOqFr4lU0nFPaxZKYMFuOCO41RP5DRlMEGAEYfpqbhLSHAN__DK6J1Jc0RH9rS029lrUqD2_5j8RB8sobkfdqoCVV3SBF0sSVOEkaxGb6vCfcIkj8/s1600/ChristmasBaking2010_0002blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NjZy6N0k893kv8-RtfNhbyEmK7pOqFr4lU0nFPaxZKYMFuOCO41RP5DRlMEGAEYfpqbhLSHAN__DK6J1Jc0RH9rS029lrUqD2_5j8RB8sobkfdqoCVV3SBF0sSVOEkaxGb6vCfcIkj8/s320/ChristmasBaking2010_0002blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550356852193665074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Mounds of yummy snacks!!!</span><br /></div>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3479251929176743142.post-3505666619189482902010-12-12T20:53:00.002-06:002010-12-13T20:18:22.281-06:00It started out simple......and turned into a much bigger task.<br /><br />Ingredient list in hand, I started downstairs to see what I had and didn't have for the Christmas baking I was planning to do with Erinn this week. That was my sole intent--to gather up those things to bring upstairs.<br /><br />And then organization set in. It's been a while since I sorted through the freezer and shelves of "extras" and you know how one thing just leads to another? Yeah, well....that's exactly what happened.<br /><br />First I did this shelf. Then realized that the pasta boxes didn't belong on the same shelf as the breakfast mixes which were all mixed up with the cake mixes! Which in turn led to sorting the entire stack of shelves, to the freezer and then the other stack of shelves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr375w1BEERKovuQ_vO_GbxV3CrMOcShNtJLXcpnTb-i7rmz63hcyL8zbOxV_RWS4HD9-0ntPkzvKHiHO1obqChe0our7wfehSFb1vAgjlEA1h_XJDlxY7okg06BShJ33VbnbuoBCZEHM/s1600/Sorting_0014blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr375w1BEERKovuQ_vO_GbxV3CrMOcShNtJLXcpnTb-i7rmz63hcyL8zbOxV_RWS4HD9-0ntPkzvKHiHO1obqChe0our7wfehSFb1vAgjlEA1h_XJDlxY7okg06BShJ33VbnbuoBCZEHM/s320/Sorting_0014blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550355949479273250" border="0" /></a>Now? It's organized. Planned or not, I like it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwFbQER-eZb5RkaHM6MSYY5yMULYtr_iOWAgxJ64znEBbTKkVEDIw7NLqBWoOxZYz8AXHJYrxPBFPQEcvK_XmkkE32AizGQCdL9dy1esi3IBmTUXt5XF1D9R0ODINNWM1G4o0gYCI5ro/s1600/Sorting_0018blog.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwFbQER-eZb5RkaHM6MSYY5yMULYtr_iOWAgxJ64znEBbTKkVEDIw7NLqBWoOxZYz8AXHJYrxPBFPQEcvK_XmkkE32AizGQCdL9dy1esi3IBmTUXt5XF1D9R0ODINNWM1G4o0gYCI5ro/s320/Sorting_0018blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550355956974827234" border="0" /></a>Serena Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992006554970899543noreply@blogger.com0