tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78421780876395539472024-03-05T13:43:49.654-06:00LillyfieldOur little urban micro-farm.Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.comBlogger145125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-80358948442746854682013-03-24T09:10:00.000-05:002013-03-24T09:10:14.500-05:00My blog has moved.Since it has been at least a year since I have updated this blog, I'm quite sure no one will care it has moved. However, if you wish to continue to follow my infrequent posts, you can do so at https://lillyfieldfarm.wordpress.com.Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-44368677294610450332012-03-23T17:34:00.002-05:002012-03-23T17:34:33.674-05:00Archer is 3 months old!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It is safe to say our sweet boy has had a rough month. He was admitted to Baptist again on March 4 for fever and respiratory distress. A wicked virus topped with pnuemonia lead to acute respiratory failure. He was on the ventilator for 5 days and in the hospital a total of 9 days. Overall, I think he recovered quite quickly, but it was really scary and exhuasting for all of us. We are unsure why he seems to be so susceptible to respiratory illnesses. Even now he is still wheezing. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day on the ventilator</td></tr>
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His illnesses haven't kept him from growing though. Archer is now 13lbs 10 oz and 24.2 in long! Everyone keeps telling me how big he is, but really he is just average--50th percentile in both length and weight. He is exclusively wearing 3-6 months clothes. I can't wait to see those chubby little legs in shorts!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">His little eyebrows turn red when he is excited or upset</td></tr>
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Archer is the happiest little baby ever. He has the sweetest personality and is quick to smile and even giggle now and then. Last night at dinner, Scott was talking and he literally burst out laughing. It caught all of us by surprise, espcially Scott, who hadn't heard him laugh yet. Soooooo cute.</div>
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He likes being held a lot. Being in the hospital hasn't helped with this and neither has the fact that I just like holding him. He does tend to get fussy if left alone for too long. Good thing he has so many people around who just love to entertain him.</div>
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<br />His favorite activity right now is sucking on his hands. His loves his binky, but when its not available, his hands will usually do the trick. He's very excited to have enough control over his arms to get them to his mouth at will ;).</div>
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My favorite thing about him is this sweet smile. His whole face lights up when he smiles. It's just the best.</div>
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</div>Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-12168682797632401602012-02-05T07:10:00.000-06:002012-02-05T07:10:03.244-06:00Archer's trip to the hospital<div class="mobile-photo">
On January 24th I took Archer to the doctor for a cough. He had been coughing for a few days but it didn't seem like a big deal. I was primarily taking him as a precaution since we were headed into the weekend. I'm so glad I did. He ended up being diagnosed with RSV, which came as a total surprise to me. We immediately put him on steroids and breathing treatments. He was doing so well, we anticipated we would be able to treat it at home with no problem. He did great the rest of Friday and Saturday. Except for his little cough he didn't seem to be sick at all. However, by Saturday night he really began to struggle. Sometime during the night he stopped eating and would wake up screaming and inconsolable. By 7 a.m. I realized that we needed to get him to the hospital. I took him to Baptist hospital here in Edmond because it is so close to where we are living. They immediately told me that he would need to be transferred and admitted to Baptist downtown. That meant an ambulance ride across town. I may have started to freak out a little at this point as lots of difficult memories started coming back. By 11 a.m. we were in our room at Baptist.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Archer on Friday after seeing the doctor</td></tr>
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By that time he was really struggling to breathe. His lungs were so tired and he was having to use all his tummy muscles to help. The doctor saw Immediately and put him on vapotherm, which is a heated and humidified high flow oxygen, hoping to help his lungs out enough to slow his respirations down. At this point I had stop trying to feed him because he was breathing so hard and fast. They put in an IV and started him on fluids.<br /><br />I could tell from the moment we arrived on the floor that our nurse wanted to get rid him as quickly as possible. He was way too little and too sick to have on the floor and she knew it. She kept hovering over him and saying "he's really working hard." We were only on the floor a couple of hours when the doctor decided that he needed to be in the PICU. He anticipated that Archer was going to get too tired to breathe on his own a would need to be intubated. This scared me to death. I was already having a hard time dealing with the fact that we had to ride over in the ambulance and that my little guy was being admitted to the same hospital where we spent so many months with Lilly. However, when we got to the PICU, I immediately had a peace about the whole situation. The doctor did not immediately intubate, to my great releif, and all the staff were friends from our Lilly days. It was so reassuring and comforting. Despite all my fears and reservations, the Lord knew the whole time that we needed to be in the PICU at Baptist. All the time knowing Archer would be strong enough to breathe on his own without additional help and only Mommy and Daddy needed the comfort and familiarity of the PICU. Only HE is big enough to turn my biggerst fear (the PICU) into my greatest comfort!!<br /><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still my happy boy!</td></tr>
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Once archer was moved to the PICU, my parents decided to go ahead and come into town. My mom and Scott stayed with him Sunday night. It was a lot of work keeping him swaddled so he wouldn't move around and would sleep as much as possible so his lungs wouldn't have to work so hard. By Monday, he had obviously made it through the scariest part. He was past the danger of being intubated even though he was still laboring pretty hard to breathe. Me, Scott, and my mom rotated in and out of the hospital so we could all take care of Archer and the girls. My dad held down the fort at home--keeping the house clean, kids fed, and helping Liberty with school so she wouldn't get behind. The doctor kept us in the PICU because they were so busy on the floor. This was such a huge huge blessing. There are obviously fewer patients in the ICU, which means we had fewer germs to contend with and Archer continued to be cared for by nurses we know and love!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still happy and waiting to be discharged</td></tr>
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By Wednesday he was almost back to normal. He was breastfeeding great and was being weaned from all the oxygen. Although he still had a cough he was doing really great and we were sent home Thursday morning.<br />
I can't believe how quickly he got sick and equally how quickly he recovered. As hospital visits go, it had to be one of the best experiences. I truly did not anticipate being in the hospital with my 6 week old, but it couldn't have gone better. I am so thankful for my parents who made it so much easier on the girls and for amazing nurses to who immediately welcomed us as old friends and put us as ease. Not to mention our dear friends who brought us food throughout the week and prayed without ceasing for our entire family. We are so grateful.Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-61731163880133278232012-01-16T17:32:00.000-06:002012-01-16T17:34:33.187-06:00Operation Potty Train Emory -- Complete!<div class="mobile-photo">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love her!</td></tr>
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On Jan. 2, against my will, we started potty training Emory. Scott has been on me about it for months but I was definitely not going to start whilst pregnant! I promised him I would start in Jan whether I wanted to or not. I don't know why, but it just seemed like such a daunting task. Thankfully God gave me Liberty. As it turns out, it's not as hard to be a mommy when one of my children is Liberty Grace. She basically potty trained Emory--taking her to the bathroom a hundred times a day for two weeks :). I was telling Scott the other day that Emory was basically trained and told him Liberty did about 80% of the work while I only did 20%. She promptly disagreed saying I only did about 1% :). I told her I get extra credit for the day I had to clean poo off the kitchen floor! She conceded. So we have one less kiddo in diapers and I'm so glad its behind us. My girls are getting so big!</div>Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-4863231668471236522012-01-15T21:06:00.002-06:002012-01-15T21:06:52.700-06:00Archer - One Month Old<div style="text-align: left;">
I cannot believe my sweet baby man is already a month old! Why is it when I'm pregnant a month seems like an eternity and once the baby is here time warps by at an unreasonable pace? </div>
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I am more in love with this little guy everyday. I still have trouble believing I actually have a BOY! So far he has been so sweet and easy. He sleeps anywhere from 2-4 hours at a time although the 4 hour stretches are still pretty rare. Typically during the day he still wants to eat every 2-3 hours. I wish I knew how much weight he's gained. He looks enormous to me already. He has almost outgrown most of his newborn clothes.</div>
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This is my favorite outfit :)</div>
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There are times when he is awake that he will sit happily and just look around. However, most of the time he prefers to be held. I actually have to wear him in his sling or front carrier to clean and cook or I would never get anything done. </div>
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Things are still pretty simple around here--eat, sleep, and change a few hundred diapers. The girls adore him, especially Emory. I can't wait for the next month when he starts to wake up more, smile, and start making all those sweet baby noises.</div>
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I am in complete awe of what a miracle Archer is. I am so thankful the Lord would trust us with another one of his precious creations. It's amazing to think before the foundation of the world the Lord already had this little guy in mind. He already knew that I would be his mommy and I'm thrilled that our fourth little blessing is this little man!</div>Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-608528618740216172012-01-14T22:06:00.000-06:002012-01-14T22:07:57.323-06:00New house...but not our houseWhen Scott and I started the process of building our new home we anticipated it to take 3-4 months tops. Now 8+ months in (counting the time it took the architects to get us a plan) we have found ourselves extremely frustrated on more than one occasion. We have to constantly remind ourselves that God's timing is better than ours and if he's telling us to put on the brakes then there must be a reason. Hmmm...someone remind me again next week when I've forgotten again :). Our situation became even more stressful when the owner of our rent house didn't extend our lease past January. We now have to be our of the rent house by the 30th and our new house is a least a month if not longer from being complete. Soooo....where are we going to live? Up until a couple of days ago, we had NO idea. Just the thought of having to move all of our stuff plus 3 kids twice is overwhelming. Not knowing where we were going was stress overload. <p>As it turns out, one of our friends has an extra house. Literally a house that is just sitting empty that they are going to let us stay in. But, that isn't even the best part. The house is fully furnished! The only things we have to move is our bed and our clothes. There are even dishes in the cabinets! That means we will only have to pack and unpack once!!! We can live in this house rent free for as long as we need and it's conveniently located in Edmond. When options like living in an RV for 30 days we're going through my mind, this is truly an amazing blessing! We looked at the house today and honestly it is so much better than even our rent house that I can't help but feel completely overwhelmed with gratitude at the generosity of our friends . Just the fact that we will have two bathrooms again is enough to make me want to do a little happy dance. So, now we are looking at the best of a bad situation.<p>Super thankful!Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-41220077429448507782012-01-07T10:03:00.000-06:002012-01-07T16:11:19.763-06:00Archer Flynn Haas<div class="mobile-photo">
Archer Flynn Haas was born December 15, 2010 at 12:15 p.m. He was 7 lbs 5 oz and 20 in long. He showed us right away that he has a set of lungs. Out of all four of our children, he definitely screamed the loudest and the longest! It was a precious sound.</div>
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Big Boy!</div>
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The labor and delivery couldn't have possibly gone any better. Although I had been having contractions off and on for 2 weeks, I didn't actually go into labor until Thursday. I had a doctor's appointment that day and was already dilated to a 4. My contractions started about 4 p.m. I called my parents to let them know about my progress and they decided to go ahead and drive to OKC rather than risk missing the delivery. I was so nervous that it was another false alarm since the contractions weren't regular yet. Fortunately about 5 a.m. Friday morning the contractions were coming fast and hard. I woke everyone up and we headed to the hospital. Since my parents and my sister were all in town, we decided to take both Liberty and Emory to the hospital. We were checked in and in our room by 7 a.m. I totally chickened out and ended up getting an epidural :). After that it was just a matter of waiting around. By the time it came to deliver Archer, Liberty had decided she would like to stay and see her brother be born. I had been trying to talk her into being in the delivery room for months but she insisted she wanted to wait with Papa in the waiting room. I was so excited when she decided to stay. So Scott, Liberty, Mom, and my sister were all there to welcome our little man into the world. My OB was in surgery, so her partner ended up delivering Archer. She was absolutely wonderful! Overall our experience at OU was great.</div>
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Archer meeting the family for the first time.</div>
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We couldn't be more excited to be adding a sweet boy to our family. It still seems so wierd to have a son! He is so sweet and, of course, all of us just adore him.</div>
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Archer is only 3 weeks old and already staring to smile. I love these first big open mouth smiles :).Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-51638443228241689702011-05-23T09:06:00.000-05:002011-05-23T09:06:08.144-05:00In Haas Family NewsThere are a couple of big things going on at the Haas house. The first is obviously the baby. This pregnancy has been a little challenging because I am SO tired. I know I was tired with the other three, but I seriously think this time its worse. Maybe I'm getting too old. I don't know, it definitely feels different. On the bright side though, I'm not as sick this time as I usually am. Although I have plenty of nausea, I'm not actually throwing up. Yay!! I'm praying that the second trimester will usher in energy and less nausea!<br />
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We also have not decided who is going to do my prenatal care. I will be 10 weeks tomorrow and it is a completely new experience for me not to have already seen an OB and have some sort of plan in place. We have narrowed the hospital down to OU and we will probably see one of the midwives there. Our first appointment with one of the Midwives was a bust. Scott really hated her and it just wasn't a good fit. Since there are now 4 midwives at OU, I'm hoping one of them will work out. It would be nice to have everything set before the end of my first trimester.<br />
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The other big thing going on right now is that we are about to start building our house. Yes, after two years of working toward this goal, it looks like it is for sure going to happen this summer! It has been seriously stressful to say the least. We have just hit one obstacle after another. Then, when everything finally did come together Scott and I have had a real challenge deciding what house we are going to build. I'm not even sure we are 100% sure yet. Nonetheless, its down to two. We are just waiting on a few last details to make the final selection. I'm just ready to go. It is has been such a long, emotional process andow that I'm pregnant, I just don't have alot of spare brain energy to devote to it!<br />
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Prayers for the baby and house are much appreciated!Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-5740969825312203412011-05-03T11:33:00.000-05:002011-05-03T11:33:40.474-05:00We're Expecting!Our newest little addition should arrive sometime in December. We are so excited. I feel like I have been praying for this sweet baby for so long. Although I realize it hasn't really been too long since Emory isn't even two yet!<br />
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Even though we have been hoping to conceive, this pregnancy truly came as a shock to me. Last Wednesday we were on our way home from church and I was complaining about how nauseated I had been feeling for the past few days. Scott and Liberty started joking with me that I was pregnant. By the time, we got back to Guthrie I was feeling so paranoid that I stopped at Walgreen's for a pregnancy test. It was about 8:30 p.m., and I took the test immediately when I got home. I really couldn't believe it was positive. It took all my will power not to take the other test immediately. Instead I waited til the next morning. Of course, the second test was positive as well :). Scott and I have never been good at keeping our baby news secret. So, even though I am only 7 weeks, the whole world gets to know :).<br />
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Liberty is very excited to be a big sister again. I am so thankful because until recently she wasn't sure she wanted us to have any more children. She didn't leave my side for a full 24 hours after we told her. I really think this is the first pregnancy that she will really remember so it should be so fun. She is also very excited that Emory will get to be a big sister now too :).<br />
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As previously stated, I am already feeling quite yucky. It isn't too terribly bad though and I'm hoping it won't get any worse. The morning sickness gets better with every pregnancy, right? Or, is it that the older I get the harder it is?<br />
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We haven't decided on prenatal care yet or where we will deliver the baby. Right now I'm leaning toward OU Midwives.<br />
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I hope you will join us in celebrating and praying for this new little life! Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-20472063163650277972011-04-22T13:29:00.000-05:002011-04-22T13:29:53.218-05:00Footloose and binky-free<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpNjf9igELxFbr6BYLFUWnIgzGUH9ips8GczQcq2ETHfeWrCjCz9DopiCSiqQ6mtjzzq-ZhBV-_u9yj41tnYcPvkgt4eibr-YZ5WE-xHmUKrc0vi2DAAPjK0BOCHz8bStsy2LUOyeDgo/s1600/628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpNjf9igELxFbr6BYLFUWnIgzGUH9ips8GczQcq2ETHfeWrCjCz9DopiCSiqQ6mtjzzq-ZhBV-_u9yj41tnYcPvkgt4eibr-YZ5WE-xHmUKrc0vi2DAAPjK0BOCHz8bStsy2LUOyeDgo/s320/628.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Well, I don't know about the footloose part, but after 1 week, we are still binky-free. I know I posted this picture last week, but I just had to post it again because I miss this binky-face :(.<br />
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Our biggest challenges are naptime and bedtime. Somehow we got out of our naptime routine where Emory sleeps in <em>her</em> bed in <em>her </em>room, so this didn't help when she no longer had her comfort object. Sooo, naptime in her bed has been extra rough.<em> </em>Bedtime, of course, is hard too, but since she sleeps with us at night, it hasn't been quite as bad.<br />
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Other than that, it has actually been much easier than I anticipated and she doesn't seem too distressed by it. It has definitely been nice not to be constantly searching for binkies ALL the time. I am hoping once we get out of the binky habit that for the first time in two years, we might actually have a baby that sleeps well...hopefully...please...that would be great :).Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-4714276565802570562011-04-20T12:16:00.000-05:002011-04-20T12:16:13.508-05:00Homeschool UpdateFor starters I have combined my homeschool blog with this blog, so they will no longer be in two different places.<br />
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It's been almost a year since I updated the homeschool blog. I hate that I haven't been great at documenting Liberty's progress. She has been doing so well and has learned so much this year. First grade has been loads more fun for both of us and I anticipate that Second grade will be even better!<br />
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We have been using My Father's World for the past two years. I orginally chose this curriculum because it is an all-inclusive curriculum with very structured and detailed lesson plans. Since I wasn't quite sure what direction we were going to go with our home education, it was a great way to dive right in without a lot of stress for either of us. Two years into it, I now have a much more research under my belt and a much clearer idea of what I want to accomplish with Liberty (and Emory) in our home education. With a more defined philosophy of education, I have decided to go with a different curriculum (more on that later).<br />
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I do want to spend just a little time discussing the positives and negatives of MFW. Since my girls are 5 years apart, it will take some serious brain power to remember what I did with Liberty when its Emory's turn. Better write it down :).<br />
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Positives....<br />
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1. Structure. It did just what I hoped it would and allowed us to get started and get a feel for home education without a lot of stress.<br />
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2. Phonics. The phonics program is absolutely the best. Slow and steady wins the race is definitely the key to this phonics program, but for us it was totally worth the mind-numbing, snail pace. We haven't had a single moments trouble with reading. I don't really know whether to attribute this to the phonics program or a natural reader. I'll give a little credit to both. We will definitely stick with the MFW phonics approach for future students!<br />
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3. Bible. The Bible Reader/Notebook was one of Liberty's favorite things and I think she really learned a lot by doing her stories this way. We are taking this concept and modifying it a little for next year.<br />
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Negatives...<br />
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1. Math. I think the expectations were too low and the program wasn't as rigorous as I had hoped it would be. Unfortunately, I think I waited a little too long, hoping it would get better. We did end up switching to Math-U-See a few months ago. That puts us behind where I was hoping we would be by now. But, that is one of the beauties of homeschool. We can go at our own pace without the pressure to perform. I have full confidence that she will be on target before long. At any rate, I think we have made a good change.<br />
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2. Science. I honestly felt like this was a complete waste of time. I think its much more beneficial for children of this age to be experiencing the world around them through a more natural approach. I wish I had had a better grasp on this concept this year. Liberty and I are both getting better and being more perceptive of the world around us.<br />
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All-in-all I have been so pleased with Liberty's progress, with the things she's learned, and the strides we have made in developing the model for <em>our </em>homeschool.Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-77256774354936024632011-04-18T13:49:00.001-05:002011-04-18T13:49:15.265-05:00Liberty Update<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TayHoKO1c3I/AAAAAAAAD2E/eMd5q9d698c/s1600-h/735%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="735" border="0" alt="735" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TayHognQ-fI/AAAAAAAAD2I/ZjrlhpqbK-U/735_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a>Oh my word, Liberty is almost 7! She is growing up to be the most wonderful young lady. I am forever surprised by her maturity, caring heart, and sensitive spirit.</p> <p>Just yesterday she and Scott were playing basketball outside. Apparently in the course of their play, Scott said something like “the most important thing is to win.” Liberty pondered this comment for a little while and came back to Scott and asked him “What does the bible say about winning.” In her little world, it only matters that no one gets their feelings hurt and that everyone has fun. Since the idea of playing to win wasn’t fully computing in her brain, she needed to verify it with a higher authority. I’m one proud mama that she chose the bible to be the deciding authority on the matter! Scott and I read her 1 Cor. 9:24-27 and explained that she should do everything to the best of her ability to honor God. These deep reflections are a constant thing with her and she has such a desire to please people and make sure she is doing the right thing. </p> <p>She is just about to finish up 1st grade and I have been so impressed with the progress she has made this year. She is a natural reader. It’s one of my favorite things. She struggles a little with the abstract concepts in math, but she is still doing great. We are a little behind in math simply because I decided to change curriculums just a couple of months ago. I’m glad I did though. She is doing great and responding really well. Like a typical child, she doesn’t always like to do her schoolwork, but she is really doesn’t give me too much trouble. She is very excited about 2nd grade. Apparently she will really be a big girl then! I’m also ready. We are changing curriculums and I couldn’t be more excited about it!</p> <p>She switched from cheer to dance this year with a little encouragement for me. It was both cheaper and closer for her to do dance here in Guthrie. It turned out to be a great thing. She absolutely loves it and seems to have a natural talent for ballet. She is also on a Jazz competition team this year. It has been a lot of fun. Her team attended the Hall of Fame Dance Challenge at Rose State College and they won High Score in the Rookie division. It was the cutest thing ever and she had a blast.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVADPRFfmKE0Jkbt2sFirxsvwxYbHbPMxcihnD202-oti15BizI9CXtQYfXEMh2om-iWWuCvTFQ1YdrAcknGgAn0bXnMM3-QoDwzlvJNBEhiWy8OrAhyphenhyphendpCuJiJuOLSm9OvC3ivmcIag/s1600-h/575%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="575" border="0" alt="575" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TayHqFmkZGI/AAAAAAAAD2Q/_L8MvCor2CI/575_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244"></a></p> <p>She also started taking piano lessons last week. She has been wanting to do this forever and for some reason or other we just haven’t started. She is so excited. I can already see that making her practice everyday is going to be a little bit of a challenge. Even so, I can tell that she is really going to enjoy it and pick it up quickly!</p> <p>A couple of weeks ago she got a new rabbit. She named her Sugar. She has been wanting a rabbit forever. I was trying to put it off until we moved, but moving just doesn’t seem to be happening right now. So, the last time we were in Texas, I let her Papa buy her the sweetest the Holland Lop ever. Liberty was insistent that her rabbit be black. Its so funny, she wouldn’t even consider having a rabbit of a different color. We ended up having to drive 2 hours and spent a lot more money on this bunny than anticipated. Her Papa couldn’t resist getting it for her though when she declared that it was exactly the rabbit she was looking for <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TayHqiMZiuI/AAAAAAAAD2U/vsnb0mzkruA/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800">.</p> <p>Interesting facts about Liberty…</p> <p>1. Favorite foods are pizza and salad.</p> <p>2. She gets embarrassed very easily</p> <p>3. She auditioned for her first musical this year and will perform May 4.</p> <p>4. She loves Barbies!</p> <p>5. She loves to wear skirts.</p> <p>6. She is still wearing a size 6 because she is super skinny.</p> <p>7. She loves jewelry, especially earrings.</p> <p>8. Her top career choices right now include such things as, ballerina, pianist, actress, and chef.</p> <p>9. She adores her baby sister and has finally decided that she would like to have more siblings</p> <p>10. She is forever making up routines for us to watch her perform. Most of these take place in our backyard.</p> <p>11. She hates vegetables. I’m proud to say that I got and entire asparagus spear down her yesterday!</p> <p>12. She is very sassy and thinks she knows everything. She is constantly correcting us.</p> <p>13. She still prefers to sleep with us although she will sleep in her room whenever we ask her too.</p> <p>14. She loves to color and draw.</p> <p>15. Her favorite color is purple.</p> <p>16. Her favorite animal is a cat.</p> <p>17. She is super excited about 2nd Grade, even though she has barely finished 1st!</p> <p>18. She loves to play board games.</p> <p>She is growing up so fast! She is such a bright, sweet, and sensitive little girl. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for such a special little person.</p> Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-4708806647456546972011-04-11T18:55:00.001-05:002011-04-11T18:55:45.306-05:00Emory Update<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU5KmSKAI/AAAAAAAAD1U/coRkd0hX8CQ/s1600-h/628%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="628" border="0" alt="628" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU5nf-ioI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/vsKgx-uzIjo/628_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a>Ok, so much for blogging in 2011. I’m only about four months behind! I’m going to try to be better—starting with this post about Emory <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU6GO0BfI/AAAAAAAAD1c/dzB1y9s7D6U/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800">.</p> <p>Emory is 21 months old now. Wow, the time is sure flying and she isn’t a baby anymore. I think I got a little spoiled since she didn’t walk until she was 17 months. I was hoping she would stay little longer. Well, not only is she walking, but she has started to run. Like everything else she does, she has her own style. When she takes off, she ducks her head down and pumps her little arms. She acts like she’s taking off in a 100m dash and its little more than a fast walk. The most super cute thing ever!!!</p> <p>One of my favorite and simultaneously most hated thing she does is twirl her hair. She’s done it since she was very small. It started out as a way to put herself to sleep, but now she does it all the time. It’s her comfort thing. It’s really cute, but the reason I also hate it is because she twirls her hair into knots. She doesn’t have a lot of hair as it is and the knots are so bad that I have to cut them out. Right now she is sporting what I like to refer to as a layered look. That’s being kind, since I pretty much just hack the knot off wherever it occurs. Thankfully her hair is so thin and wavy that it really doesn’t look that bad. I hope she stops it before her hair gets thicker and more difficult to cut!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU6-eEu-I/AAAAAAAAD1g/Eek0k6tR7wk/s1600-h/622%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="622" border="0" alt="622" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU7ZKITBI/AAAAAAAAD1k/HbZW3bb_Bew/622_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244"></a></p> <p align="center">Sleepy hair twirling</p> <p>I finally took her to the pediatrician for her 18 months well-child check. I’ve been terrible about doing this since we don’t have insurance and because I don’t vaccinate. It seemed kind of ridiculous to take her when she was perfectly healthy (and thankfully she has been remarkably healthy)! She was still doing great at 18 months, but I was a little concerned about her speech. She still isn’t talking—not a single word, no Mama, no DaDa—nothing! I have been waiting to take her because it is obvious that she isn’t delayed in any other area. She has also developed a remarkable sign language all her own and is quite capable of expressing herself and letting us know what she needs. Anyway, the pediatrician recommended she be evaluated by early intervention services (SoonerStart). I’m familiar with the services because of Lilly and I knew she would recommend we do it. After her evaluation, it was determined that she is right on target or exceeds her age in every category except expressive language. She scored around 24 months for language comprehension. Again, I had assumed this was the case, which is why I let is go for so long. She will start speech therapy this week. It will be very low key and I will be responsible for making the recommended changes. Her speech pathologist will only see her every other week. I’m great with that and definitely don’t want to do anything more intense at this time.</p> <p>Our two biggest challenges are still the binky and sleeping. Both are a result of mommy’s overindulgence! I have set her 2nd birthday as the termination date for the binky. I have to get myself geared up for it. I know it probably won’t be as bad as think. She takes great naps. She is down to one nap a day. The problem is nighttime. She is still sleeping with us. She sleeps great with us and we actually don’t mind it most of the time. Scott and I go back and forth about it and still haven’t come up with a good or consistent plan to get her sleeping on her own.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU8vdx93I/AAAAAAAAD1o/TY9pnR5hKf8/s1600-h/704%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="704" border="0" alt="704" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU9DY9rRI/AAAAAAAAD1s/2_B1T4NO_M4/704_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="183"></a></p> <p align="center">In her bed (with the cat) at naptime</p> <p>We are really beginning to see her personality develop. She is so like Liberty in a lot of ways, but at the same time very different. It will be interesting to watch them grow. She has a very affectionate and compassionate personality just like Liberty. She doesn’t like to see others hurt and is quick to comfort them. She is still very funny. I think she is definitely going to have a more care-free spirit, unlike our brooding, worrisome Liberty.</p> <p>Other interesting facts about Emory….</p> <p>1. She loves shoes. She wants to wear them all the time.</p> <p>2. She is such a show-off and desires praise from everyone. Telling her she looks beautiful is one of her favorite things.</p> <p>3. Favorite food is pizza followed closely by rice.</p> <p>4. Her favorite activity is swinging. Don’t start pushing her unless you intend to stay at awhile!</p> <p>5. She is finally able to go to her own class during church. Sweet Victory!!</p> <p>6. She is definitely going to suffer from allergies/asthma just like Liberty did. Let’s just hope she’s grows out of them like her sister did as well!</p> <p>7. The only other toys she typically plays with are blocks and plastic food. She loves to pretend to cook.</p> <p>8. Her favorite movie is High School Musical. Is that ok? Am I a bad mom?</p> <p>9. She loves books.</p> <p>10. She loves to be outside.</p> <p>11. She always reminds us to pray before dinner. She reaches for everyone’s hands and smiles really big. </p> <p>12. She has learned to unlock my iPhone. I’m just glad she didn’t learn sooner.</p> <p>13. She loves to wash her hands and brush her teeth.</p> <p>14. Her favorite game is wrestling on my bed.</p> <p>15. She’s still not the best eater, but her new favorite snacks are cereal bars and granola bars.</p> <p>16. She’s not crazy about bath time.</p> <p>17. She thinks it’s really hilarious to wear mine and Liberty’s shoes.</p> <p>18. She hates it when her hands are dirty. It’s a real pain when she eats with her hands instead of a fork because I have to wipe them off between each bite. Thankfully she is getting really good with her utensils.</p> <p>19. She loves her Nana and Papa. She is a real Papa’s girl. Funny since we don’t see them all that regularly.</p> <p>20. She has both ridden and fallen off her first horse. Very scary for mommy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU-b4I-bI/AAAAAAAAD1w/G58GoW8hzKQ/s1600-h/714%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="714" border="0" alt="714" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TaOU-04I9XI/AAAAAAAAD10/2PQhQUE1xnM/714_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="183" height="244"></a></p> <p>I just adore her. I am thrilled that God blessed us with another child and that it was her!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLX322KQtYCfyVSi9GCFHFKkVa4836M9u7Q-WQMQr5r-uFTKks5dQoOjYLbCqLtGKIWkdLPzbNNzDXHzktDjjRfxcYBPmF_qo1cwmi7IX6mE0wJ_zx7s-DLYV-vVS-OcBqVyRBNzUjm0o/s1600-h/692%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="692" border="0" alt="692" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHrDSUbNBAbgtBKl0ixVM3SH6XZ1GxU8XSXADkJc-lw5acgk3lVOJppLlfdiRuhQtWMiT9su9zWtGa51Q129rPm2Twhs6iSyqPqpazOtU_9-bFeUeiD7EpRE8XP-9tGLyOjs1ltZU0g4/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-622586990974427642011-01-05T11:30:00.001-06:002011-01-05T11:30:08.240-06:00New Year’s Eve<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqNp_wZ_I/AAAAAAAADzE/KzSbmIxsK7w/s1600-h/001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="001" border="0" alt="001" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqOB5pedI/AAAAAAAADzI/RzWYJKqqlgQ/001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>I got this great idea from a friend and was so excited to start a new Haas Family New Year’s Eve tradition. I bought 7 bags and labeled them by the hour, starting with 6 p.m. and ending at 12 a.m. Each bag was to be opened on the specified hour and contained a family activity for that hour. Not only would we have a blast, but all the activities and anticipation kept us awake until midnight! All of us had a difficult time waiting until 6 to kick off all the fun.</p> <p>At 6 p.m. we opened the first bag. It contained all the things we needed to make cookies. We had ritz crackers, peanut butter, and chocolate flavored almond bark. This ended up being a huge disaster! The cookies were a mess and looked terrible. However, they still tasted good and Liberty had a lot of fun making them.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqPZri4qI/AAAAAAAADzM/_QpHqH39pks/s1600-h/003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="003" border="0" alt="003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqQa5YwQI/AAAAAAAADzQ/rC422_DbR8E/003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqRE82ytI/AAAAAAAADzU/vv4BTXlaCVU/s1600-h/005%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqRssrOhI/AAAAAAAADzY/bsqFFGeFfjY/005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqShwpL8I/AAAAAAAADzc/wyo256rGheI/s1600-h/006%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="006" border="0" alt="006" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqS8D6LpI/AAAAAAAADzg/ko_y-tSbc1c/006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqUNECJeI/AAAAAAAADzk/SMvfDjItKAg/s1600-h/007%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="007" border="0" alt="007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqVsqC9CI/AAAAAAAADzo/p4rRXh_e5JU/007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Daddy and Emory sat in the kitchen and watched as Liberty and I made a huge mess!</p> <p align="left">After cleaning up, it was just about time to open the 7:00 bag. Now that Liberty had a better idea of what was to come, she was even more excited.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqWsb7beI/AAAAAAAADzs/s3iPlSaxmmE/s1600-h/011%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="011" border="0" alt="011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqXFGD-GI/AAAAAAAADzw/ofjy1ILNcoU/011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqYpq2eUI/AAAAAAAADz0/ZH26PP1D6sk/s1600-h/012%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="012" border="0" alt="012" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqZEuUIrI/AAAAAAAADz4/gaMo3sau0yk/012_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqbNOxM-I/AAAAAAAADz8/srjcgnhWloI/s1600-h/013%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="013" border="0" alt="013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqb_D3IxI/AAAAAAAAD0A/6SwPBvpg69Q/013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The second bag contained a family craft. I tried to think of something we would be able to save and look back on throughout the years. I came up with these ceramic tiles. Again, what seemed like a great idea turned out to be quite messy. However, after a small learning curve, we were able to produce a rectangle tile with each of the girls handprints. Later Liberty would paint and decorate them.</p> <p>I was very excited about the 8:00 bag. It contained a new game for the family. Playing games is one of Liberty’s favorites and something we do on a regular basis. The challenge is finding a game that all of us will enjoy. Liberty could sit and play games like Candyland and Hi-Ho Cheerio for hours, but Scott and I need something a little more stimulating. I finally settled on Apples to Apples. This game helps Liberty with her reading skills and is a great way to learn the meaning of words. Plus, it can be super hilarious. Even though it was a little above her reading level, she loved it and we all had a great time.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH23wVdj8kPCJkaM0Ahd-puUTu56jBeQ9s0OpMTt4NPzFJ_cM10EHLjK_4oEBtT0Q3lCvaVmP2VpKv4tx9EA4Opd6mmFTv9YgFWCUyWAnxBA4_-uSm_XOADSapwtgz-iLQL6N6isQ1ok/s1600-h/015%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="015" border="0" alt="015" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqdZSLA8I/AAAAAAAAD0I/Os6A4yqRXbU/015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqecgIa0I/AAAAAAAAD0M/i1j75RF2S6I/s1600-h/016%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="016" border="0" alt="016" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqenrF79I/AAAAAAAAD0Q/Otp7eutES2w/016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>By 9:00 I was ready for a quieter activity. I knew this wouldn’t be as exciting for Liberty as all the other gifts, but I thought it was really important. For awhile now, Scott and I have been saying scripture-based blessings over the girls before they go to sleep. I have been meaning to print them out but just never have. This was a perfect opportunity. Each girl got a sheet of paper with her name written on it. It listed the blessings that Scott and I want to speak over them this year and their scripture reference. I also chose for each girl a specific character trait that I wanted them to focus on this year. I specifically wanted Liberty to focus on not being afraid. I wrote out several scriptures that I thought would help her as she prayed through them this year. Emory was a little more difficult since she is so little and is not old enough to participate on the same level. Instead of focusing on something she needed to work on, I chose something that is already a clear gift of hers. I want to continue to encourage her to be Joyful. I listed the scriptures that support this sweet gift. After we talked about the scriptures and blessings for each girl, we watched a slide show of pictures from the past year. This was Emory’s favorite. She loved watching all the pictures. She kept blowing kisses to the tv.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqfWXXEFI/AAAAAAAAD0U/b9NDTcwxtEI/s1600-h/019%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="019" border="0" alt="019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqfzsXRFI/AAAAAAAAD0Y/Tw364AAMXzQ/019_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqg2gVbaI/AAAAAAAAD0c/vH9wGKKrQAw/s1600-h/021%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="021" border="0" alt="021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqhBWuGwI/AAAAAAAAD0g/ptmWM1hqbts/021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>At 10:00, Emory went to bed. There was no possible way she was going to make it to midnight. Liberty opened the gift by herself. It was a movie and popcorn. It was the perfect gift to get us almost all the way to the 12:00 hour.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqiEdOANI/AAAAAAAAD0k/1bQleqiKLAw/s1600-h/022%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="022" border="0" alt="022" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqioYZ2TI/AAAAAAAAD0o/xzMXiwXeW_k/022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>At 11:00, Liberty opened a bag that contained candy. I just want to mention that Scott had fallen asleep on the couch by this time and missed the opening of the 11:00 gift. We should have eaten his candy! We saved it for him though and he did wake up about 15 min later. We at the candy and finished watching our movie.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqjkj80FI/AAAAAAAAD0s/F2M5_yTbLnM/s1600-h/023%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="023" border="0" alt="023" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOqZNqsTdBmG4WJVSwfmHQlvRSKyapjdKBxL7LyutLxVpch1_WwAvpbewuR5r-cH5-C2yMoXmJyJioxOwC8E-FaKagvhlVKjdWv6aV5nYDFXS6niS_CHw_XIcqYTrJ-bl9CQFDYDe2jIg/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>The countdown begins! We opened our 12:00 bag about 10 minutes early. It, of course, contained lots of party stuff—tiaras, horns, party poppers, steamers, and balloons. Emory woke up right before midnight and was able to celebrate for a few minutes before we all headed off to bed after the best New Year’s Eve party ever!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqlsCD8HI/AAAAAAAAD00/5eeVjGesF6g/s1600-h/027%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="027" border="0" alt="027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqmOuzGqI/AAAAAAAAD04/mRWz6TNgL7U/027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqnayQtCI/AAAAAAAAD08/e38ef_FxcL4/s1600-h/029%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="029" border="0" alt="029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TSSqn0KlXtI/AAAAAAAAD1A/4HWaBFcywLI/029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">HAPPY NEW YEAR! I HOPE YOUR YEAR IS BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE!</p> Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-65418923271738065102011-01-01T15:51:00.001-06:002011-01-02T14:28:22.711-06:00The Holidays<p><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p><font color="#000000">The Haas Family has a few standard Holiday traditions and it seems each year we add a new ones and tweak old ones. We kicked off the holidays this year by heading to my parents house for Thanksgiving. Scott took the whole week off, which is really rare. We decided to drive to Dallas first. We spent the day shopping at IKEA (Scott had never been before) and then spent the night with our great friends, Mary and James. It was nice to have a break in the long drive and when we got up we were only an hour and half from Mom and Dad’s. My sister and I spent the day cooking and preparing for the feast the following day. It was so much fun and we had a blast just hanging out and playing with the kids. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hPdeZCJI/AAAAAAAADwA/-iJ4ItsCJOw/s1600-h/0073.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="007" border="0" alt="007" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hPxIt26I/AAAAAAAADwE/L0Jpiz0bzSc/007_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><font color="#000000">On Friday, we went to Rochester to decorate Lilly’s tree. Scott was able to go with us this time which we all enjoyed since he is rarely with us when we travel to TX. Plus, this was the first time he has seen the improvements that my parents made to our family plots (pouring the curbs and filling in the low spot with dirt). It really has made all the difference and looks so great now. Oddly enough, it was freezing that day so we didn’t spend a lot of time there.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">After Thanksgiving it was time to really start gearing up for Christmas. One of our Christmas traditions usually includes going to the tree farm to cut down our tree. Unfortunately this year we had to skip our annual trip to all of our dismay. We simply didn’t have the room this year to put up a big tree. We settled for a 4ft artificial tree. Since we were all a little disgruntled at having to skip one of our favorite holiday events, we put the tree up before Thanksgiving. Liberty also insisted on putting Christmas lights up in the house since we couldn’t put them up outside this year.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Something we have done for several year now is go ice skating downtown. This is Liberty’s favorite thing to do. She talks about it all year long. Again this year, it was so warm that the ice in the rink was actually melting. I was a lot more like trying to water ski on ice skates! Liberty was soaking wet within minutes. She is finally old enough that falling down isn’t all the fun it used to be. She had a lot of fun, but she didn’t argue when it was time to leave.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hQsjSEoI/AAAAAAAADwI/J3_ArF_4Irs/s1600-h/0633.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="063" border="0" alt="063" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hRPcRDgI/AAAAAAAADwM/uIZnUlJo3gQ/063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hSF4r6XI/AAAAAAAADwQ/7AB2-psEWQk/s1600-h/0663.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="066" border="0" alt="066" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeshN3XSC2GpnA_QDmTTRXD6ZgFjUdHK5O8JsX4vszTXOdlhpD_vP3nkqoL9qbSAldzd9hQ4EkYD_MpU0q7uV1Xk2JNAkuHA6H-cgprczJ7IPf0aYANCsnTKVpnPMRphHoIQOgkUeEKE/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hT6Y2tEI/AAAAAAAADwY/roH7xRw-3oI/s1600-h/0553.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="055" border="0" alt="055" align="right" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJwsuLSyJC5VAv-bSqvNUjgXjUDGphdkhbtN5LLlHfFoY7cTuXVC13iVx6a9DWiVnUGndoobxYRGWoOwRbqhbXUFdhVQ68zF562ur0XWiAlhMq0aFOwjRsrwyhwjXS1ztEjn-mSblOUo/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hW663OGI/AAAAAAAADwg/zy9JHCzSS2w/s1600-h/0573.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="057" border="0" alt="057" align="left" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKSyHokuvEmkBQtn3Ce6Ehemk1WksJi_0kY9qI-76CKj5rHFpAVKoItc_Uel9qXMxwjTy23RbRd8h8Z9qVdXuQC-b-ZTN6ynobr8kLkOlVFUwwt-eqrpSJcjTzLgfxMz2_Tzgx8Y0yjQ/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hYh5oejI/AAAAAAAADwo/EAfG64wu8EI/s1600-h/Christmas%20photo%202010%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#000000"></font></a> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"></font> </p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000">Scott has refused to skate for the past couple of years. Instead, he hung out with Emory and watched. We also attempted to visit Santa Clause the same day. This is a hit and miss tradition with us. Because we don’t actually teach the girls to believe in Santa it usually isn’t a high priority. This year, however, Liberty insisted on going. We went to North Pole City because we had been told that he was the best Santa. From what we saw it appeared to be true. However, after waiting for over an hour we gave up! This girls had fun looking around the store and riding on the train though.</font><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBzzrRf9WkfCcmuDS_gHBoQeundjSHv42Zv_VvdSbazjuzNk0WXSDm1DtQYGiXX6sFnaFOG_voljjqaHT3ZaVEfiE518JpAL1918PclNdMJh_v8BNUI9NBha4c3wd19bUky0NHu2mRRM/s1600-h/0443.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="044" border="0" alt="044" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-haTmTCaI/AAAAAAAADww/9IPHLTsHanM/044_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000">Christmas cards are my favorite part of the holidays. I love sending them and I love receiving them! We ended up taking three different Christmas pictures. Our first shoot went very badly and all the pictures turned out terrible. The second shoot was a winner. The girls looked so beautiful in their Christmas dresses. We ended up using that photo for our cards. However, when I went to address them, I realized I was 10 short. We ended up taking the third picture at church one night. It turned out so great too and we used that pic for our last 10 cards.</font></p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hbj7B1KI/AAAAAAAADw0/wB9Xhd6qxF0/s1600-h/2010-HHBC-Christmas-Photo1%5B2%5D.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="2010 HHBC Christmas Photo" border="0" alt="2010 HHBC Christmas Photo" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hcM0OXOI/AAAAAAAADw4/-w-qu0X7Qzg/2010-HHBC-Christmas-Photo1_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="163"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hYh5oejI/AAAAAAAADwo/EAfG64wu8EI/s1600-h/Christmas%20photo%202010%5B3%5D.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="Christmas photo 2010" border="0" alt="Christmas photo 2010" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hcWzVsAI/AAAAAAAADw8/urjCzOuBs8c/Christmas%20photo%202010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="193" height="244"></font></a></p> <p align="left"><font color="#000000">This year during the Territorial Christmas here in Guthrie, Liberty performed in The Nutcracker in a Half Shell with her dance studio. She was so beautiful! She did a great job with her routine and was so proud. She had two different performances and after each we gave her flowers. I think she thought this was the best part! It was her feel so special.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hdNlqefI/AAAAAAAADxA/jijjdzPPvJs/s1600-h/0153.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="015" border="0" alt="015" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hdhzMGoI/AAAAAAAADxE/xnHtSlRRTpo/015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDtZJu0kXytOP2-oZV-t-nT11nbW-HgfqHqLCU6lNSqQr_iZVn0zI7U4dYVL8sCxVlBkJDnAjsKBpNV3dA40Vs_kmOXrF_21hjV8HuCC1PEim6f0rPfg09QrtWujfygXkhPu1J9AfpKw/s1600-h/0053.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hepO6WMI/AAAAAAAADxM/IXy3hWTXj24/005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hfQJRJzI/AAAAAAAADxQ/iIABqCZSKxw/s1600-h/0343.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="034" border="0" alt="034" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hgRERWwI/AAAAAAAADxU/28Jim4Uh1r0/034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hhcWdRNI/AAAAAAAADxY/Gn4CU3A28VE/s1600-h/0233.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="023" border="0" alt="023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hh6m9GtI/AAAAAAAADxc/8TFCWjb16Z0/023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Finally, Christmas Eve! We celebrated by attending the candlelight service at our church. It was such a great kid-friendly service and Liberty really enjoyed it. When we got home we had dinner and a birthday cake for Jesus.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hjD9Z_8I/AAAAAAAADxg/UgnK_QF7b9U/s1600-h/0763.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="076" border="0" alt="076" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0GuaGEmBNu0E0jakLBccIVLexwR6sgu28TVW_w4aBc30gF-YHZ0J2yXEm-BE1uZkO40adFb1LIi0zNgbosOf0oXUuYWN6_X-H53ZMwJLf3AWYLt-8U9VlnpRuZ6CIjWrTyi-mDQtMVk/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hk7N897I/AAAAAAAADxo/lo9a84JuwK0/s1600-h/0813.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="081" border="0" alt="081" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hlZomt5I/AAAAAAAADxs/9UViiTse3gI/081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">In and effort to save time, Liberty decided we should buy a pre-made cake from the store. She thought this one was the most beautiful! She had to add her own decorations though.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">On Christmas Eve the girls always open pajamas. This year I found the cutest matching snowman PJs. They looked so cute.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hmS8o2NI/AAAAAAAADxw/DjOxEDsquM8/s1600-h/0853.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="085" border="0" alt="085" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hm6veRWI/AAAAAAAADx0/hFKj0PVL7u0/085_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Christmas morning Liberty managed to sleep unitl 8:30. Since we stayed up late the previous night, I had to wake the baby up so we could open gifts. Scott and I try very hard to keep the gifts to a minimum and make them thoughtful. This year was especially fun because Liberty had been wanting a scooter since she broke her little one this past summer. So, of course, we got her a new “big girl” scooter. I also decided to get her a sewing machine. She definitely wasn’t expecting it and was totally thrilled. Emory was easy this year. She got a baby and a little radio. She was just happy to open something.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hnj9Tt8I/AAAAAAAADx4/n8mpFC7S9pw/s1600-h/1213.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="121" border="0" alt="121" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hn48hW3I/AAAAAAAADx8/dkD6TscipBg/121_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a><font color="#000000">/</font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hpJIAmmI/AAAAAAAADyA/p4jqv4lAjsg/s1600-h/1053.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="105" border="0" alt="105" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hplgjUFI/AAAAAAAADyE/L9HmyM4W0DE/105_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOipmGUVAbKBHow2eEF60336gOeJQOoEBrFUkqE04cuxSdLHPRdCNghu2WcvGQO5rIZ63g5_B4ISCyYzqKNNonROyiyGZ-z214gEBW4wnXkRFZBI4RpCYp7XJ2tqBN-h8LXQCJm3FEHbg/s1600-h/1173.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="117" border="0" alt="117" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hrGVGqhI/AAAAAAAADyM/zGI7MnkzFec/117_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></font></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000">Liberty’s reaction to opening her sewing machine.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hsvFzWcI/AAAAAAAADyQ/nRlPBMstH0w/s1600-h/0907.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="090" border="0" alt="090" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-htIq7aaI/AAAAAAAADyU/Rjy1PPlhJmI/090_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-huuCDdQI/AAAAAAAADyY/sv8p_ThUsnk/s1600-h/1253.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="125" border="0" alt="125" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hu5BQq7I/AAAAAAAADyg/WPjai9Dxe_g/125_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hwqoQCPI/AAAAAAAADyk/VkiXWGAe21w/s1600-h/0903.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="090" border="0" alt="090" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hxp4kQLI/AAAAAAAADyo/3cJaWOwZFUM/090_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><font color="#000000">After we opened presents, we got ready and headed over to have Christmas dinner with our good friends, Ellen and Spencer. Of course, there were more presents there too. We had a great time and came home full and happy for afternoon naps.</font></p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-hy2FUiWI/AAAAAAAADys/jx97rU95zW4/s1600-h/1403.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="140" border="0" alt="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5geo-mwysDqej8YBqTpvEW8lTqSEO0FPFvlqqTaSmWIckIYKNz075GJGODGEdj_eA08bzUbsNKVrUQoGNaIvHx1a-kxfRYJSLBRzMWOZe0rLw-eh_mi_ewC0HgfPcOvVaIVDKebyagNw/?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-h0p8hoeI/AAAAAAAADy0/Ec1ZongJ4QY/s1600-h/1343.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="134" border="0" alt="134" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-h0-53xiI/AAAAAAAADy4/WFgeEw3wh4g/134_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-h2CmwVNI/AAAAAAAADy8/bKaJHJ16_74/s1600-h/1553.jpg"><font color="#000000"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="155" border="0" alt="155" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TR-h2u2XvhI/AAAAAAAADzA/uiOL9nGecSw/155_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">We had an amazing Holiday season this year. We were all so happy and so blessed.</font></p> Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-12323499559677307852010-11-08T17:17:00.001-06:002010-11-08T17:17:41.174-06:00Halloween 2010<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiEv9BQE8I/AAAAAAAADuo/PqXX8VnhFO4/s1600-h/004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="004" border="0" alt="004" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiEw-prBvI/AAAAAAAADus/qBG-LhK93mM/004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>We had a blast this year dressing up and getting candy. This year Liberty was a Barbie Musketeer. If you are unaware of what is going on in the world of Barbie, she recently starred in a movie call Barbie and the Three musketeers. This is where Liberty got the idea <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiEx40TJ-I/AAAAAAAADuw/e3eqa8xCzZc/wlEmoticon-smile%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800">. She looked unbelievably cute and no one had a costume like hers. I didn’t put a ton of effort into Emory’s costume because she still wasn’t walking and would just be riding in the stroller. Obviously she was the cutest Minnie Mouse ever! She cracked me up with those ears on. She rarely tried to take them off. They made her feel fancy <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiEx40TJ-I/AAAAAAAADuw/e3eqa8xCzZc/wlEmoticon-smile%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800">.</p> <p>We started Halloween off by going to Storybook Forest on Thursday. I am so thankful that we went early because it was packed! Scott didn’t get to go with us this year, but we still had a great time. The girls got candy and Liberty made smores by the the fire.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiEzr2M8pI/AAAAAAAADu0/aEJobT5MlzU/s1600-h/005%5B3%5D.jpg"></p><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE0N4PAYI/AAAAAAAADu4/B3j4JGbrnRU/005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> <p>On Friday, Guthrie had its annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat. All the downtown business participate. Store owners and employees dress up and pass out candy. It’s just one of the charming things about living in Guthrie. Its great for the little ones and virtually eliminates the need to go door-to-door (which we never do anyway).<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE1WI_TWI/AAAAAAAADu8/ZDhNOw3BoM4/s1600-h/075%5B3%5D.jpg"></p> <p></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE3WShtWI/AAAAAAAADvE/mZcYpebNOB0/s1600-h/028%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="028" border="0" alt="028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE361zAeI/AAAAAAAADvI/tv2Gur-lv7A/028_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>On Saturday morning we headed to Texas to celebrate my nieces birthday. We didn’t want to miss any opportunities to dress up though. We took all three girls to a Fall Festival in a nearby town. I think Emory had just as much fun as Liberty. She hung out with her Papa while I chased Liberty.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE5aIc5EI/AAAAAAAADvM/sWNd1tSeKD8/s1600-h/056%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="056" border="0" alt="056" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE6IQTJDI/AAAAAAAADvQ/rhN3WstSXBM/056_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE8p4oAVI/AAAAAAAADvU/sjhTbwyneK8/s1600-h/040%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="040" border="0" alt="040" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE9XHkNmI/AAAAAAAADvY/jua0DX-QyGk/040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>On Sunday we had Hannah’s birthday party. After the party, we took the kids to the trunck-or-treat at the Methodist Church and around the square downtown. I think its safe to say that we made the most of Halloween this year. </p> <p>Liberty’s favorite thing about Halloween this year was her costume. She absolutely loved it. She also loved that she got to spend part of Halloween with our family in Texas, which she has never gotten to do before. Emory’s favorite was that she got to have a sucker. No one loves a sucker like Emory!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE-6nNOqI/AAAAAAAADvc/kNY_9Q_ZJLY/s1600-h/079%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="079" border="0" alt="079" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE_ov7GCI/AAAAAAAADvg/23ToLxi95dg/079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiFBNCGRaI/AAAAAAAADvk/33zziL6bGpg/s1600-h/086%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="086" border="0" alt="086" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiFCIhZ2tI/AAAAAAAADvo/9bcIX1pEoTM/086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiE1WI_TWI/AAAAAAAADu8/ZDhNOw3BoM4/s1600-h/075%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="075" border="0" alt="075" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiFC0Ezi5I/AAAAAAAADvs/EC5ab1E-gfM/075_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiFELrw_JI/AAAAAAAADvw/qC1QuAwReTw/s1600-h/090%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="090" border="0" alt="090" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TNiFEm-CClI/AAAAAAAADv0/DkrHe9KxmbQ/090_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-83996014523435760892010-11-07T19:47:00.000-06:002011-04-20T14:07:31.054-05:00The culprit is sin...the solution is our SAVIORLast night at church a man was telling a group of us about a friend of his whose daughter has epilepsy. In a recent conversation this mother asked her friend, a Believer, "If God is so good, why is my daughter sick?" The question, while not surprising, broke my heart. So many suffering people find themselves asking this very same question and fail to realize that they are pointing the blame in the wrong direction. Her daughter is sick, my daugthter was sick, because of SIN! Sin has polluted the world and corrupted our hearts. Sin detroyed God's perfect creation and filled the world with death, disease, and every other known evil. <br />
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The follow up question to the, "If God is good..." is usually, "Why doesn't God do something about it or why doesn't he heal my child?" Hear me sweet friends, HE DID! He sent is Son, Jesus the Christ, who conquered death and the evil one! The victory celebration has been delayed so more people can be added to his kingdom. In the meantime, we get to play a role in his kingdom plan. "But, my child is still sick." Yes, that's true. Until Christ comes to claim his church and once and for all do away with sin, we have to live the reprecussions of The Fall. BUT, a perfect, healthy, undefiled body is waiting for any who call on His name and repent. (I personally believe this Grace is given to children, but that is more theology than I can discuss here).<br />
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Does this information make it easier when this mother watches her daughter fall to the floor, unconscientious. Maybe. Maybe not. Does it make it easier when I sit at my child's graveside? Sometimes. Knowing God has already healed my daughter doesn't make me miss her less. Knowing God has already set into motion a plan that will heal this world doesn't always make me feel better. BUT, most of the time it does! The Holy Spirit never lets me forget, for too long, what Jesus did for me.<br />
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A person who is suffering will never find healing and peace by pointing the finger at God. The culprit is sin. Let's point the finger there. Let's HATE sin. Thankfully God and his Amazing Grace has already conquered evil! How glorious the victory celebration will be when Jesus gathers together his saints. Lilly and I will be among them. I am honored to have been called to the purpose for which God has called me--to play a role in the advancement of his kingdom. It is full of pain and suffering, but it is also full of joy and grace. Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-6151684643929180702010-10-23T23:31:00.000-05:002010-10-23T23:31:18.880-05:00Emory Walking...againSince my last post about Emory walking, I've caught her testing her new skills more often. Now she will walk without our prompting when she is confident she can let go and make it to the next object in just a few steps. Tonight at church Scott and I were able to encourage her to walk a little bit further than she is normally comfortable with. I was so impressed! This video is much better than the previous and really shows off her new ability :)<br />
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Even though I am so proud of her, I have absolutely cherished the amount of time she has spent scooting. When Liberty started scooting we thought it was unique to her. We had no idea until Emory starting doing it that it was actually a Haas family trait :). I'm so glad I actually had the opportunity to enjoy this wonderfully unique characteristic this time around. I guess this is true of so many things about Emory. How precious to have my eyes truly opened to all the wonderful things I might have taken forgranted had it not been for my sweet Lilly. I cherish the opportunity to take in so much more of both of my girls because I know how special each smile, each laugh, and each milestone truly is.<br />
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Thank you Lord for all three of my girls!<br />
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<div align="center">Just in case you haven't seen Emory scoot. This is an older video though and she is much faster now!</div>Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-16503770875666250432010-10-22T17:43:00.001-05:002010-10-22T17:43:47.943-05:00The Orr Family Farm<p>Even though I hate the idea of winter, I love our Fall traditions. The girls and I always go to a pumpkin patch in the Fall. This year I wanted to go before it got too cold. It was pretty easy this year considering our unseasonably warm weather. This past Wednesday we visited the Orr Family Farm. I was certain we had been before, but when we pulled up, I realized we hadn’t. What a fun surprise. We had so much fun! The first thing we did was visit the petting zoo. Emory loved it. She wanted to kiss all the animals <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-left-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITL3nbAsI/AAAAAAAADtM/e8lx9-e3Izk/wlEmoticon-smile%5B2%5D.png?imgmax=800">.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnXdAqErKMTRw6hoe6uD98Q_uRzH34VrSJN19F9x83AB8sfcApBBopP4Q7JzEfIsCsbmW8ZbgZ_5MdnXkeuz9dH86Tg_8ZtyLaBFsMwnp_tH_EzaQnUocxz9noReUShzxIvYfmyjMUJs/s1600-h/005%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="005" border="0" alt="005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITOLEG-RI/AAAAAAAADtU/mp9ui1h94Xo/005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITPRDNroI/AAAAAAAADtY/OkTb43ueY34/s1600-h/011%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="011" border="0" alt="011" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITP_Eng6I/AAAAAAAADtc/HpRSKcsstPc/011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITRfBpeOI/AAAAAAAADtg/vpOTK5tKWuE/s1600-h/015%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="015" border="0" alt="015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITR49lheI/AAAAAAAADtk/7j20IA0bjhI/015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">Liberty was so cute and festive in her pumpkin shirt and pink boots.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITUCIyJ7I/AAAAAAAADto/I3cXsgITSpg/s1600-h/013%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="013" border="0" alt="013" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITU3j4GzI/AAAAAAAADts/YVPKon3PucE/013_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">I love this one because it looks like she is just standing beside the sheep. She is actually leaning against the stall wall. So Sweet!</p> <p>Liberty always loves the carousel. I decided to ride with Emory as well. Emory looks like such a big girl. She is growing so very fast! She thought it was very fun as long as I was standing with my arms around her. Liberty also looks like such a big girl here. </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrxcJ-3pgN2P9oBFveNwQ2IZMeWFsARsQI8kBLruM3s-RRYAOKbsNL4NYkeDqTJjm0jSD7Oo8IjcJzrD3owUycsmFefxrjRFCV7JwMoDO6AQyu5S9C65HC9eIFKrGKegrjoR2RJPR9WVA/s1600-h/023%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="023" border="0" alt="023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITWm52enI/AAAAAAAADt0/W9C-h7oarjU/023_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITXl_6dHI/AAAAAAAADt4/96rbn3ayvrY/s1600-h/026%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="026" border="0" alt="026" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITYEN0CBI/AAAAAAAADt8/p2TB7UmaGhY/026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p>Next stop—pumpkin patch. This is always one of Liberty’s favorite parts of Fall. She loves getting her pumpkin. She had in mind what the perfect pumpkin should look like. She walked over the patch and then came back to the front where there were already cut pumpkins and found exactly what she was looking for. Emory was also very excited about her little pumpkin. You can’t tell in this picture, but I found Emory a very “special” pumpkin. It is actually two little pumpkins that grew together. Liberty thought this was so cool.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITY2YKdZI/AAAAAAAADuA/j2h9fJii8jA/s1600-h/032%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="032" border="0" alt="032" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITZ6uTWiI/AAAAAAAADuE/UuQ5FKbYCJg/032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITa56UH5I/AAAAAAAADuI/WaeesvtCq5E/s1600-h/033%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="033" border="0" alt="033" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITbQ3XhtI/AAAAAAAADuM/cwMNyBwaoCg/033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a></p> <p>The jumping pillow was quite possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen. We had so much fun. All three of us jumped on it until we were too hot to jump anymore. It was a blast!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITcj1af6I/AAAAAAAADuQ/_6rYTrDoBQU/s1600-h/039%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="039" border="0" alt="039" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITdHMErrI/AAAAAAAADuU/Y-CsQB4hXcI/039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITgBPMfrI/AAAAAAAADuY/Wv0fO4ZxM1s/s1600-h/043%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="043" border="0" alt="043" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITg4b1p5I/AAAAAAAADuc/MBi_Xelwn_g/043_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITjaHcwzI/AAAAAAAADug/HaAdgcl20N8/s1600-h/042%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="042" border="0" alt="042" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TMITnN28tQI/AAAAAAAADuk/sfOnmJVCS3Q/042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p align="center">I love these beautiful girls!</p> Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-69624826821816398652010-10-22T09:05:00.000-05:002010-10-22T09:05:41.331-05:00Emory is Walking!She still isn't very good and she will only do it if we prompt her, but she CAN walk! She has been able to make it half way across our dining room. She can also stop and start going again. When we are playing with her and walking her back and forth between us, she thinks its so funny. She is still very unsure of herself and doesn't really attempt walking unless we are with her and encouraging her. Nonetheless, I am saying that at 15.7 months old Emory started walking :). This video isn't great because I was trying to video and be prepared to catch her :).<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q1lqHDpYZbw?hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q1lqHDpYZbw?hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-25178033035305915442010-10-12T17:33:00.000-05:002010-10-12T17:33:03.037-05:00Emory Ayn 15 months...ishThis update comes at a random time since Emory is 15.3 months old. However, she is doing so many cute things lately that I just had to share. One of my absolute favorites is that she has actually started trying to crawl. I just think it is so funny and cute. She actually started doing this a couple of months ago and practices randomly. She is getting better and better but always reverts back to her "crawl" when she is tired of practicing :).<br />
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So, that brings us to the fact that she isn't walking yet. I joke about it alot, but truly I am not worried at all. I know she will do it when she is ready. She is getting so much better and much more confident. Just recently she has mastered pushing her train and grocery cart around. This is quite an accomplishment since we have wood floors, which tends to make all of her toys roll much faster than she can walk. It is oh so cute!<br />
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She is still just as funny as ever. I think she really likes to hear herself laugh. She is always doing things to make us laugh. She has started playing peek-a-boo with us. It is hilarious because when she yells "boo" she actually just screams at us. Again, this leads us to the fact that she is also not talking. She communicates with gestures and grunting (and sometimes a lot of screaming). This leads me to believe she is very smart. She knows exactly what she wants and how to tell us without using words at all.<br />
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She is sleeping much better these days. She takes two naps a day and sleeps for at least an hour each time. She is also sleeping better at night. Even though she wakes up multiple times, she is usually able to put herself back to sleep and she rarely sleeps with us anymore.<br />
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She is also eating better than she has been. She is completely off baby food (pureed stuff). She refuses to eat it. She primarily eats things she can feed herself. This makes all of us happy :).<br />
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Her hair is growing so fast all of a sudden. I can pull it up in little pig tails that are just too adorable. Its almost too long for the one ponytail on top of her head. It's starting to look a little crazy :).<br />
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She is still in a copycat phase that I'm sure will last a very long time. She wants to do everything her big sister does. She has also started pretending, which is priceless.<br />
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She LOVES stuffed animals. Her favorite is a stuffed horse named Pig (I have no idea, Liberty named her).<br />
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She still LOVES her binky. I have tried to limit how often she has it, but it has been a total failure. She points and grunts for me to follow her until she has lead me to where it is and then "asks" me to get it for her. She is so smart and cute I just can't resist. I know I will pay for it later.<br />
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She is such a joy--perfect in every way :)!Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-43545095111713445812010-10-06T13:48:00.000-05:002010-10-06T13:48:14.180-05:00Who made God?This is a discussion that I have been having with Liberty lately. The most recent conversation went like this...WARNING: the following conversation contains highly intellectual and scientific content as well as deep spiritual and biblical insight!<br />
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Last night we were laying in bed and Liberty turned to me and said...<br />
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Liberty: "Mom, I'm very confused."<br />
Me: "What are you confused about?"<br />
Liberty: "Well, I just don't understand who made God. I'm mean, did someone else make him and if so, who made that person?"<br />
Me: "No one made God. He has always existed." (See, deep spiritual insight).<br />
Liberty: "That is very confusing"<br />
Me: "You're right it is confusing." (Feel free to use that one on your own children if you find yourself in a similar conversation).<br />
Liberty: "Well, I just don't understand what everything was like before the Earth was made."<br />
Me: "It was all dark and God was just hanging out by himself." (Seriously, even I'm impressed with this answer).<br />
Liberty: "I just don't understand." (You can really see that I'm truly making a difference at this point).<br />
Me: "Maybe God was just sitting in Heaven before he created everything."<br />
Liberty: "But Mom, God CREATED Heaven. The bible says so!" (Ok, so she got me there, but can I at least take credit for teaching her the story of creation in school.)<br />
Me: "You're right. You are very smart."<br />
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This seemed to be the end of the conversation because she didn't ask anymore questions and fell asleep. I would like to think it was because she was deeply satified with my enlightened responses. However, it is more likely she figured she could come up with something better on her own!<br />
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I love the my inquisitive little girl keeps me thinking and growing. I don't always have the answer (or even a good guess), but we can figure it out together.Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-76044888065478623312010-09-27T08:27:00.001-05:002010-09-27T08:27:27.901-05:00Trip to Texas<p align="left"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbdUvmIAI/AAAAAAAADrQ/d9z_xtK3evU/s1600-h/IMG_0875%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG_0875" border="0" alt="IMG_0875" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbd0L8QmI/AAAAAAAADrU/weISwjIF8Rg/IMG_0875_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>I am calling the month of September “Fall Break” due to the fact that we basically took the entire month off.  I know, most kids just started school and here I am already taking a break.  To my credit, we did start school in July, so I still think we are ahead of the game :).</p> <p align="left">This past week, the girls and I went to Texas to visit my parents.  We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the farm—probably for the last time before cold weather comes.  We spent a ton of time outdoors and the weather couldn’t have been more beautiful.  One of Liberty’s fav things to do is ride horses.  She is finally old enough to ride by herself and she thinks she is such a big girl.  Emory didn’t know whether she liked it or not.  Nonetheless, I did manage to actually get her on the horse.  In addition to riding, my Dad also has a new horse drawn cart he bought from an Amish man a few weeks ago.  It is super fun and we all thought it was great!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbeivUJFI/AAAAAAAADrY/dvKBIHtXk6k/s1600-h/IMG_0884%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0884" border="0" alt="IMG_0884" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbfC58c4I/AAAAAAAADrc/i0qsxqIPa9c/IMG_0884_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbfzSCsAI/AAAAAAAADrg/6ye9CrKqSF4/s1600-h/IMG_0901%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0901" border="0" alt="IMG_0901" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbgXTLQZI/AAAAAAAADrk/6NxhoIZT0zc/IMG_0901_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbhKNye3I/AAAAAAAADro/kaPGDOn3ufo/s1600-h/IMG_0898%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0898" border="0" alt="IMG_0898" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbhW5J4MI/AAAAAAAADrs/fZoqM11HA_w/IMG_0898_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> <p align="center"></p> Emory, Liberty, and Hannah</a> <p><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0842" border="0" alt="IMG_0842" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzQJV_9onh_xr5U-4gotuVEpsXBZMvvpkF3Sk_xcM-VIJMNduaqGgMBMqC6Xj7bXCvufNebjDBupxhV657cCIYT5LNeIUvlqn04TNP3oyiKy5gIzM03RK27h0QI7EFg_f3vOZMab8zAwo/?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></p> <p align="center">Papa’s new toy :)</p> <p align="left">We also just spent a lot of time playing on the ginormous swing set.  Emory has decided that she is big enough to slide by herself and it is absolutely priceless.  I wish I had better video of her actually going it alone, but here’s what I have.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:9a4e2aa7-c91e-45b6-883f-07e4c90166f6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="f1e795c3-15ad-4f14-8c65-3deec23370ac" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ePh78e6Gk?hl=en&fs=1" target="_new"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmlwc8tuKoQ6Tv_p8S2sYTePbCSMuf7MYQVA4DPhjCFEAAUZ88wsBaWEGl7EbvzrQicPPk6xJ_0Tecgc0-6_HBaNbP7w6n1zAfmOML6Wdlu-Eh6LqzRClZc168zuDz7FquGqAhbYIkSo/?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('f1e795c3-15ad-4f14-8c65-3deec23370ac'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/u9ePh78e6Gk?hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/u9ePh78e6Gk?hl=en&fs=1&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbkKtt3aI/AAAAAAAADr4/w9WbEhLkgxc/s1600-h/IMG_0879%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0879" border="0" alt="IMG_0879" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbkrjT5VI/AAAAAAAADr8/_dYc9nGMoo0/IMG_0879_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p align="center">Just having fun playing outside!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTGas3hmgTEdcifHNbCQCMi8-_sXUYZ8NQzkuQ7DZxGKzhRd5OQGuncQeG15BkO1ihtSNJ7l6NZfW2kTIX5ekmiUWEk_FmrHnhxOnLFDdK8QTaExZJU72nEwkkgZ9DAzBrMqgTxwJViQ/s1600-h/IMG_0886%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0886" border="0" alt="IMG_0886" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbmCLDLgI/AAAAAAAADsE/nQC9q0FlwE8/IMG_0886_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbm073qXI/AAAAAAAADsI/5qcjvntO0DE/s1600-h/IMG_0859%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0859" border="0" alt="IMG_0859" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmZ0XdPHa1_qmK2tE18Fakx8gMQl8sM7EFU4ra54HTkqaiT5OrtrzJsHFSebiYNWAi1QEIkp3kePmfZm8BCha8c2Ph6xB2zi6tO7ibIGefxKHa3smmXL6UbqHaXxZW-IP-ZhtN3Krdqc/?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a></p> <p align="center">Seriously, aren’t these the cutest babies EVER!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCboDHyJSI/AAAAAAAADsQ/Ot0Sa2bIh9Y/s1600-h/IMG_0855%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0855" border="0" alt="IMG_0855" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCboVVUpzI/AAAAAAAADsU/kiVPuoEoOHE/IMG_0855_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbpMRYLwI/AAAAAAAADsY/FXqxXlobhQs/s1600-h/IMG_0807%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0807" border="0" alt="IMG_0807" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbpnwXzbI/AAAAAAAADsc/5dLig9ppS5E/IMG_0807_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>One</p> <p>One of the major highlights for Liberty was Nana and Papa’s new kittens.  You would think she doesn’t have a kitten of her own at home.  She carried those poor little things around for 4 days.  I’m sure they are thrilled to be free at last!</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB-NQE0yz2_aLo4HbDdqkzHSA_a2pWTHAhHm0pzp0-YKmcyRrkqf4fTdcBeO0xzg4Y-kYzkdzAr4XrZDKcympN3YMSljg3yFShn1wMGohcnI9gGfIjTBvBD0qly-2Jaok7xrR_av_RB4/s1600-h/IMG_0794%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0794" border="0" alt="IMG_0794" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbqsCrUTI/AAAAAAAADsk/8l4Ul94PRng/IMG_0794_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a></p> <p>We got to spend lots of time with my sister (Amanda) and Hannah.  Hannah is such a big girl and about a million times more active than Emory (even though they are 4 months apart).  Emory was content to ride on her car while Hannah pushed her.  It was possibly the cutest thing ever.  Emory was actually being kind to Hannah at this point.  She still hasn’t worked out the whole sharing thing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbrJa6ShI/AAAAAAAADso/miGWzv6QS3M/s1600-h/IMG_0908%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0908" border="0" alt="IMG_0908" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbrt01JCI/AAAAAAAADss/Nmt0_9ZNhD0/IMG_0908_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0911" border="0" alt="IMG_0911" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbr0nhcsI/AAAAAAAADsw/GI8rsbXryRo/IMG_0911_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></p> <p align="center">Liberty and Uncle Shane playing iPhone games</p> <p align="left">On Monday, we were home alone because everyone had to work.  We decided we would go to Rochester and visit Lilly’s sign (this is what Liberty calls it).  My parents just recently had some work done at the cemetery and I was anxious to see it.  They had concrete curbs poured around our family plot and had the granite markers set on the concrete.  It looked SO nice.  We also decorated Lilly’s tree for Fall.  We always have such a great time doing this.  It’s special for all of us to have something of Lilly’s to take care of.  Obviously Emory doesn’t have any idea what we are doing, but she has fun.  She loves opening and closing the little picture frame with Lilly’s picture in it :).  She will not grow up knowing her sister, but she will grow up having all the memories of decorating that little tree in honor of her sister.</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbs40uk3I/AAAAAAAADs0/1Af374ImRz8/s1600-h/IMG_0868%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0868" border="0" alt="IMG_0868" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbtKpNhQI/AAAAAAAADs4/-rpI-s1BDn0/IMG_0868_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbuNXnvMI/AAAAAAAADs8/uDaKHP3D6dg/s1600-h/IMG_0869%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0869" border="0" alt="IMG_0869" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_XgLrPtgcDNmd6v_Y_sZXP5nx1S2IYvcxwXTdl4ddGc6tOIeUBVQIcj0tI96Und2wKNqMaoyqyIqoOQuZkSwrGVuNDDySEcixo6SblDlwk_AFhF4Q2bSQd7ORRfUAZL-XajkRNKORjA/?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGGzbDq7hUo9N8lZJF1NUguOdaiKEzyJwibtNZnDzuuHdYM96AYrb_9BhDq6EZuMJtO3ScfXvaROj2P0BV2infzrsFvxPImmUKwUJbrPtp7yzF2L2pbL0UkpyJ1fWzgHQ8n-yHKL3fU4/s1600-h/IMG_0873%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0873" border="0" alt="IMG_0873" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BsUNY20_jss/TKCbvxKFkeI/AAAAAAAADtI/l8_25eMAr2g/IMG_0873_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="236" height="176" /></a>Thus ends our “Fall Break.”  We are back to it on Monday.  So thankful for our flexible schedule!</p> Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7842178087639553947.post-14171994949452361202010-09-03T17:45:00.000-05:002010-09-03T17:45:33.607-05:00Lilly ThoughtsThe day I have been dreading since Lilly went home has finally arrived. Last week Liberty told me, "I don't really remember when we had Lilly." It's not surprising. I expected it, hence, the dread. Liberty was only 2 when Lilly got sick and 3 when she died. I knew she wouldn't be able to remember everything. I guess I was just hoping she would be able to hang on to something. The fact that she has no concrete memories of her sister doesn't distress her at all. She is perfectly content to hear my stories about Lilly. She can't be bothered with unrealistic expectations, like remembering life before the age of 4 :). She is forever my little optimist when it comes to Lilly. When I'm sad, she always reminds me that I will see her again soon and I still have pictures. When I tell her that looking at a picture isn't the same as holding her, she simply replies, "you're right, but its ok." It's always been "ok" to Liberty. She has never doubted in God's perfect plan for Lilly. She has never been angry, confused, frustrated, or too sad. She simply believes she will see her sister again and that is good enough for her. Oh how I love love Liberty. What would I do without her? I always tell her that God knew how much I needed her and that is why he made her first. It is so true!<br />
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Nonetheless, the fact that she can't remember anything really makes me sad. She had a very special relationship with her sister. I guess in my mind it also brings up the possibility that I might start to forget things as well. This, of course, is terrifying to me. What if I can't remember what it felt like to hold her little hand, or what she smelled like, or what each little scar on her body looked liked? What if I forget how it felt to hold her in my arms, or how precious it was on those rare occasions when she opened her eyes, or how wonderful it was to kiss her perfect little lips. I want to store these little treasures in my heart because they are all I have left of her.<br />
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I rarely get too down about all we have been through with our sweet girl. I know it must seem crazy, but I honestly don't feel like I have too much to be sad about. I miss Lilly terribly, but the challenges we faced and continue to face are precious to me. God has used them to stretch and grow me in ways that I didn't know were possible and might not have been otherwise. Yet, today I am sad. I am sad because Liberty doesn't remember Lilly. I am also sad because last night I sat in a room full of women who talked and shared about their amazing little ones. I am incredibly blessed to know these women. I am incredibly blessed to share in the struggles they have raising children with special needs. I love that I have the opportunity to be a part of their lives and their children's lives, but last night I sat and listened to stories and all I could think about was the fact that I don't have any new stories. Their lives are very difficult and stressful and I envied them because they still have their children. I wished I could complain about doctors, bills, insurance, lack of sleep, and the million other things that come with raising a child with special needs because that would at least mean I still had my daughter. I know, I feel horrified just writing it. It is a completely selfish thought and not one I would truly act on even if I had the power. <br />
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I know the sadness will pass. I know God is always gracious to remind me of his plan and I am so very thankful for all 3 of my girls.Amy Haashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07113125520817730616noreply@blogger.com0