tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61689517975168038422023-11-16T01:03:41.603-05:00Chase Your DreamsChase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-23840765550369192052013-01-27T20:32:00.000-05:002013-01-27T20:32:51.313-05:00Early Morning Flowers<br />
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I do not get up first thing in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hubby and Caramel are the early birds, leaping out of bed as soon as the alarm clock sounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Not me. </span>Only once I got some coffee in my system I will
get myself together and start breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So what, you might ask, do the girls keep themselves busy with while I
hide under the covers for another fifteen minutes?</div>
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The kitchen floor might be covered with construction paper,
markers and sticky tape, but who cares!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
love these early morning flowers! Especially in the dead of winter!</div>
Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-77672560698419193152013-01-18T21:02:00.002-05:002013-01-18T22:35:52.316-05:00Fun In The SnowThe temperature has been nose diving all afternoon yesterday and the
wind has been howling through the trees in the backyard. Enveloped in
the dark everything sounds much more ominous than it really is. The
wind was barreling like a freight train and rain hitting our windows
like little arrows. It sure sounded like a storm outside. So when we
woke up this morning and saw NO snow in the backyard we decided to trek
up the mountains to enjoy some of the fluffy white stuff that fell in
the higher elevations. <br />
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There
is a beauty all it's own to appreciate about the winter landscape in
the North Carolina Mountains. It is hard to describe and can only be
truly appreciated in person. From the glistening snowy fields, to the
diamond droplets hanging from every tree branch to the tree trunks
painted in white; it takes my breath away every time. Mysterious; mystical; a
landscape from a fairy tale.<br />
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And it affords us a whole new set of fun activities to enjoy and the girls had it all planned out. First we will go sledding; <br />
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then get some hot cocoa and then build a snow man!<br />
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The
snow was not sticking much, so our snowman looked more like a squirrel
than anything else! But we had a lot of fun and that is all that
matters! Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-77784039340669319182013-01-02T16:00:00.002-05:002013-01-02T16:07:57.924-05:00Conversation with my daughtersMom: "So, what did you like best about your trip to South Africa?"<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>View From Bea<span style="font-size: x-small;">ch House's <span style="font-size: x-small;">Upper Lanai</span> : South Africa</span></i></span></div>
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Caramel: "The beach!"<br />
<br />
Fudge: "Meeting my cousins! And I can tell what I liked the least as well."<br />
<br />
Mom: "What would that be?"<br />
<br />
Fudge: "Flying there and back!"<br />
<br />
Mom: "Could not agree more with you, my girl! Could not agree more!"<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Off To The Beach<span style="font-size: x-small;">! - South Afri<span style="font-size: x-small;">ca</span></span></i></span></div>
Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-39143716237885201682012-12-30T10:19:00.000-05:002012-12-30T14:17:53.410-05:00Stopover in ParisWe arrived in Paris at 6 AM on Friday morning and caught a taxi to go
see the Eiffel Tower. When we arrived at the tower it was still dark
and except for a few workers overhead soldering iron rods; completely
desolate in a bleak and almost eery kind of way!<br />
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So we went to look for a place to warm up and found a spot down the street to enjoy a morning snack.<br />
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We
settled in to enjoy hot cups of coffee and cocoa with croissants and
crepes covered with chocolate. Delicious! I honestly can say this was
the best croissant I've ever eaten.<br />
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After
several fruitless attempts to capture the whole Eiffel Tower from up
close I whipped out an imaginary piece of paper and started writing:<br />
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<i>"Dear Santa,</i><br />
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<i>All
I want for next Christmas is a wide angle lens! I know it is a bit
early, but I wanted to get this to you as soon as possible so you can
start work on that right away!" </i><br />
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We
stood in line for almost an hour before the ticket booth opened and
every minute we waited in line it got colder; more and more people
arrived to fall in line and the girls became more and more impossible to
deal with! A pretty fatal combination after being on a plane for 12 hours flying from Cape Town to Paris!<br />
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Several
different elevators whisked us from one level to the next, until we
finally reached the very tippy top shrouded in a mysterious, white,
poofy cloud. The wind blew hard and it was bitterly cold. I heard a gentleman behind me say to his friend "<i>The weather is terrible!</i>" And then his friend replied: "<i>Yes, but I can tick it off my bucket list! Ching!</i>"
It made me smile since I could relate. We can tick it off our bucket list
too, but I would love to come back to see more. We had to make a run
for it and arrived at the airport just in time to board a plane to
Atlanta!<br />
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<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-57118688313299271102012-12-29T15:01:00.000-05:002012-12-29T19:54:12.458-05:00Trip to South AfricaWe've just come back from a trip to South Africa and there are so many thoughts and feelings floating through my mind. Too many actually. It is overwhelming to summarize in a few short paragraphs, but it is catapulting so many plans into my head because one thing I truly am is a resourceful spirit! I love thinking through ideas and figuring out "what can I do to make this happen?" and sometimes I come up with impossible possibilities, but sometimes I come up with useful changes. <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> Table Mountain</i></span></div>
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I question things; make changes and challenge myself. I believe it absolutely necessary! <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>White Lions</i></span></div>
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It is hard to live so far away from your family. It is really, truly hard! I might be sulking a little bit over the coming days while readjusting sleeping and eating patterns. I did not even want to get out of my pajamas today. When hubby asked me if we are going to unpack all the bags by end of day I had a proverbial shot gun pointed at him with an imaginary sergeant major yelling in the background "Fire at will!"<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sunset at Beach House</i></span></div>
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Deep down I'm happy. I am privileged to have all these people in my life. Despite our differences and indifferences we need each other and spending time together is restorative. It is good for me to renew and revisit the images and experiences I share with people and places I grew up with. It grounds me. It helps keep me from floating away, which is quite easy to do living in another country!<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Knysna Forest</span></i></div>
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So here is to "not floating away" in 2013! May it be a year in which I get down to business and get those bags unpacked sooner rather than later! <br />
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<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-32924162990285115282012-12-10T07:03:00.000-05:002012-12-10T07:03:46.040-05:00Gifts From The HeartThe past few weeks the girls were working diligently in making cards
and putting together bags of treats to gift to residents at a local
nursery home. Last night they all got on a bus to do just that!<br />
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Caramel told me this lady was so frail; her hands as light as feathers, but
she was so grateful for this gift bag. She grabbed Caramel by the arms
and told her "you are the light of my life!"<br />
<br />
How wonderful. A small gesture of kindness can mean so much to those that need it!<br />
<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-59208698626433015222012-12-03T19:43:00.001-05:002012-12-03T19:48:24.595-05:00Africa, Here We Come<br />
Today Caramel ran inside the house, breathless, asking me to please come look at the tablecloth she created for Table Mountain. I decided to go take a look and came upon a scene they've put together in the dirt with holes they dug, rock arrangements, several sticks and the few flowers they could find. <br />
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"Over here is Table Mountain!" Caramel said pointing over to an arrangement of rocks with a flat top.<br />
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"And over here is the cable car which we are going to take up Table Mountain!" Fudge said pointing towards a stick balanced quite peculiarly on the side of the rock formation.<br />
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"Here I've put some rhinos representing the <i>big five</i>!" Caramel said pointing to several acorns each with a small stone stacked on top.<br />
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"And these two flowers are the king proteas we learned about!" Fudge said pointing towards two beautiful red camellia flowers.<br />
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They are meeting their cousins in South Africa in person for the first time, this holiday season. We are very excited for them too, but I have to admit I'm not looking forward to the arduous two day trek to get there!Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-86788625536430494772012-11-27T19:38:00.000-05:002012-11-27T19:41:11.991-05:00Christmas Time Is NearThe stockings are hung; the tree decorated and the Christmas village aglow - a scene that escaped straight off a Norman Rockwell!<br />
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I
regularly see the girls hovering over the miniature streets filled with
carolers and ice skaters swishing around the town rink. The excitement
in their eyes is undeniable while breaking out in spontaneous singing
"Frosty the Snowman......".<br />
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I
will sometimes just quietly enjoy these moments, realizing their
unadulterated, childlike innocence over time will make way for a more
informed, logical mindset. But my wish for them is that they will never
lose this feeling of wonder and pure happiness and that they will
stubbornly hang on to it especially in times when things are not going
so great. I know that it has kept cynicism out of my heart and I simply
refuse to let that sense of wonder go.<br />
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With
this spirit in mind, we were off to see some Christmas lights this
weekend. While tunes of the season filled the air, the girls were
hanging out the moon roof; blankets draped around their puffer jackets
all the way down to their sock covered feet firmly planted on the
console between hubby and I.<br />
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The
chilly air found it's way down the open moon roof onto my lap, but
hubby switched on our seats which kept us nice and toasty. The flask of
hot cocoa was resting against my left leg waiting to be enjoyed at a
pit stop along the way where we roasted marshmallows around a huge
bonfire. It sure did not feel like fall anymore, but the weather was
the perfect compliment to the twinkling awesomeness we all "oohed" and
"aahed" about! <br />
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<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-91378380563947758542012-11-23T13:52:00.000-05:002012-11-23T13:58:00.295-05:00ThanksgivingThanksgiving is a day we celebrate the bounty in our lives; the
family and friends around us; the wonderful gifts God has bestowed on
us.<br />
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We
say grace and we go
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We laugh, we eat, we craft, we read, we watch Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, we play board games........<br />
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we celebrate the time we get to spend together as a family!<br />
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<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-25433952244478360312012-11-14T20:31:00.002-05:002012-11-15T11:43:56.576-05:00Hard boiled eggsHard boiled eggs.<br />
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It's just one of those things we used to eat regularly growing up. It's one of the British traditions that stuck around. But I never bothered to make it for our girls; until this week!<br />
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Caramel loved it! She also enjoys the green salads with the hard boiled eggs you get ready made at grocery stores. Fudge? She almost barfed when she had it in her mouth.<br />
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New experiences............ You never know what your six year old's reaction is going to be!<br />
<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-65526967044080486102012-11-03T08:50:00.001-04:002012-11-03T17:01:02.247-04:00A Lazy Saturday MorningShe got into our bed this morning. She wormed her small little frame until under the covers and then she turned towards me. A smile enveloped her face and her eyes shone with happiness. It was the face of an angel. I looked at it thinking this is the greatest blessing I ever received.<br />
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She put her little hand on mine and we swiveled our hands together. Like leaves gliding to the earth. Her tiny little fingers were guiding mine along. She giggled and asked me "Mommy, why was I your kickboxing baby?"<br />
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"Just sometimes!" I said.<br />
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"I think I was screaming '<i>let me out of here!</i> <i> I want to get out!</i>'" She patted my tummy lightly.<br />
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Then she snuggled into the hollow of my arm and said "I just love this bed! It smells so nice!"<br />
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I folded my arms around her and gave her a kiss on the head. Her hair smelled like sweet flowers. I felt complete - complete and utter happiness. Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-30152146148384010432012-11-01T16:30:00.000-04:002012-11-01T22:08:51.149-04:00Happy Halloween !!Mwa-ha-haaaaaaa!!!!<br />
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No, this is actually not our front yard, even though I sometimes think it could be after a long, hard day! Just a decked out pit stop we came across while trick-or-treating!<br />
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Who knew keeping up with four, little monsters running all over the neighborhood to collect as much candy as humanly possible, could be so tiring?Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-45846242377906930672012-10-11T21:59:00.001-04:002012-10-11T22:39:11.596-04:00A Day At the ZooAs part of our "school" schedule we go on lots of field trips. What we decide to do is dependent on the season, the weather and in all honesty whatever we feel like! Today we went to visit one of our favorite zoos.<br />
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The girls were so excited. As soon as the car doors opened they stormed onto the lawn marveling at all the small pumpkins lying about in celebration of the season! Then they ran ahead to strike up a conversation with the owner. He loves talking to the kids. <br />
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Shortly after cajoling them into the reception area, a tour guide welcomed us and took us all around the property telling us fun and interesting facts about the animals.<br />
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Of course a big part of the fun at this zoo is interacting with the animals! Many are roaming about freely and the kids may pet, pick up and observe as they please.<br />
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The girls loved having a conversation with the macaws! And Caramel tried to pick up a baby goat and soon thereafter yelled out in disgust, because it's belly was wet (let's just leave it at that shall we)!<br />
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We also came across a cat munching on a field mouse it caught just a short while before we got there! The mouse, although dead, was thankfully still intact. They were intrigued since our cat has never munched on a mouse at home. Knight is an indoor cat and thank goodness we do not have rodents running about.<br />
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Tonight both of them told me how much they appreciate me taking them on these excursions and having so much fun. Both told me "I'm the greatest mom ever and that they love me soooooooo much!" And aren't those the sweetest words ever to roll off our children's lips?! Like honey.Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-38966822829878572512012-10-08T16:31:00.001-04:002012-10-08T21:28:47.733-04:00TadpolesThe big, bright yellow sticker on top of the FedEx box read "Open urgently!"<br />
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After pulling apart several bubble wrapped envelopes we sighed a great sigh of relief to find they were still alive! The little tadpoles finally arrived.<br />
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They are to grow into leopard frogs over the course of the next three to five months.<br />
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Every now and again two beaming little faces pop up from behind the island counter top to report on a new observation they make.<br />
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"Welcome to your new home Sarafina and Winter!"<br />
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<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-27988639358616330932012-10-06T08:38:00.001-04:002012-10-08T15:49:49.286-04:00StargazingWe've been learning about the solar system this week. So when hubby suggested we go stargazing last night we grabbed the opportunity with both hands.<br />
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A local group of amateur astronomers get together regularly to study the night sky and once in a while they invite the public to use their telescopes to marvel at the wonders found in outer space. There was nothing "amateur" about the ten or so telescopes they've setup on a concrete slab next to the observatory, though!<br />
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Staring at nebulae, double stars and next door galaxies I don't know who were more excited - us or the kids?<br />
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It is a wonderful way to teach children about the world around them!<br />
<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-60946681569798769722012-09-29T21:31:00.000-04:002012-10-06T22:56:05.697-04:00Getting Ready For HalloweenAfter a morning filled with learning we headed out just after lunch to the library. We head out to the library at least once a week and return with never less than 20 books to add to everything else we are working on.<br />
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I threw into the pile two books I found about the Halloween holidays and since both are chapter books it will provide for several occasions of reading about this wildly popular holiday in the States.<br />
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After reading a few chapters from both books we all were super excited to do something Halloweenish and decided to enter the holy grail kicking off the holiday season in our home - the attics upstairs. Every time we decide which one to open first it is always preceded with a huge debate about what items we stored away where. Then it is followed by a five minute effort to find the right key. Don't ask me why not any one of us have yet taken the one key that works off the bunch, but we have not and therefore we go through this ritual every time we have to unlock the attic doors. My excuse is that it makes it just so much more exciting, doesn't it? <br />
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It's like letting them lose in a candy store. <br />
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Fudge: "Mom, this one has the wreaths! Ah, I just love these soft feathers!"<br />
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Caramel: "Is the witch in this one?"<br />
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Mom: "No I think it is with the Christmas stuff in the other attic. Fudge, can you please go put these jack-o-lanterns outside the front door? And Caramel, please take the blow up Tigger dressed in his Halloween cape and set it up in the foyer!"<br />
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Fudge: "What are these things?" (While holding out a ball of cobweb gauze.)<br />
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Mom: "I'll show you!"<br />
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Hanging wreaths, putting out candles, draping cobweb gauze over the mantles and lighting the rooms with twinkling witch hats and orange pumpkins the excitement level grew and grew.<br />
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Once it was done we were in such a great mood we baked an apple pie. I lost count how many times they came around that oven to take a good whiff and ask "how much longer before it is done?" But with cinnamon and nutmeg filling every nook and cranny in our home who can blame them?Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-53459882358207415922012-09-27T22:09:00.002-04:002012-09-28T07:11:14.288-04:00Dinner Table Conversations<div style="text-align: center;">
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Mom: "So how was class today?"</div>
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Caramel: "It was a little bit complicated."</div>
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Mom: "How is that?"</div>
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Caramel: "Well, it was not easy. Complicated you know. Fortunately I like complicated! It just means I have to use my brain a little bit more!"</div>
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She might not know it, but inside I was beaming; smiling from ear to ear, because I know we all are so much more happy in life with a positive, determined attitude. I encountered my fair share of people telling me what they think I'm able to accomplish and what not, but fortunately those statements were like fuel rejuvenating a fire. </div>
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But I also know it is not how it always works. Even though a large part of who and what we are were decided long before it ever gets challenged, sometimes what people say, cut to the quick. And it hurts. So seeing these resilient, determined spirits sprout roots makes me happy!</div>
Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-4852502944232893702012-09-24T07:54:00.001-04:002012-09-24T07:55:25.038-04:00WeedingThis year we found weeds overtaking large patches within the shrub beds surrounding our home.<br />
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The girls and I decided to tackle the front yard this weekend.<br />
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Sure, it would be much easier to hand a few hundred dollars to a landscaping firm to do this for us. But we'll miss out on a sure fire way to help instill lifelong values in our children. So, turn the T.V. off, close the computer and get outside to teach great virtues like hard work, responsibility and being stewards of our great mother earth. Learning about critters, plants and "what makes a weed a weed?" along the way are thrown in for free! <br />
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Wow! Girl power rocks!<br />
<br />
Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-55563680722434387392012-09-21T18:31:00.000-04:002012-10-06T22:55:06.517-04:00Turtle Power<br />
Hubby found an Eastern Box Turtle stuck in a jumble of thorny bushes.<br />
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He carried it to a safe area in the backyard and we patiently waited while the turtle slowly started rocking back and forth.<br />
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<br />
Then we saw one red eye appear nervously from the safety of it's shell. Then another. Very cautiously it started to focus on it's surroundings; more and more convinced that we mean him no harm.<br />
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Once his feet hit the ground he took off at top turtle speed to the leaf covered natural vegetation surrounding the oak trees towering over the backyard.<br />
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<br />
Yes, they went back to check on him quite a few times.<br />
<br />
Learning alongside them opened my eyes. The more we see, the more we share; the more beauty springs to life within us and settle among us. I am profoundly glad I took this leap of faith.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>To see much and ponder it: this
comes next to understanding</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>-Confucius </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-32877246360867296582012-09-18T19:30:00.003-04:002012-10-06T10:52:23.278-04:00HandicraftsHandicrafts are not offered as a standard subject or as part of a standard course of
study in any of our local schools. I thought this very odd, since
some of my greatest memories attending school were making
things. Like knitting an orange cat in 3rd grade complete with a
tail, whiskers and eyes, or sewing my first wraparound skirt in 5th
grade or baking a batch of scones in home ec!<br />
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<br />
None
of these interests became a full time pursuit but most of these skills I
use; like cooking meals on a daily basis, or sewing Halloween costumes
and beautiful tulle sashes for birthday parties!<br />
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<br />
We need these skills not just to get things done and to
be more independent of others, but rather to fulfill a need that all
humans have - to create; to feel the great sense of satisfaction when
you made something with your own two hands you can use. Buying stuff can never replace the deep sense of satisfaction and confidence you get from making something yourself!<br />
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<br />
And
as parents we see it as our privilege to teach our daughters skills
that will help them experience that same sense of satisfaction and to
find opportunities every single day to create, breathe and live in the
moment with a sense of happiness you cannot buy with money.Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-2106716028407169792012-09-14T19:41:00.000-04:002012-09-14T19:44:41.174-04:00Science Class This week's science class was all about the wheel invented in
+-3,500 B.C. I thought it so wonderfully timed since we were
revisiting Mesopotamia in our social studies, learning about Sargon.<br />
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<br />
I
was on a morning jog while they were in science class and once reunited
they were talking over one another telling me about the "marble mouse"
and the pinwheel they made. You see this year they are learning about
inventors and are inspired to be inventors themselves!<br />
<br />
We've been reading about Leonardo Da Vinci and Archimedes and Alexander Graham Bell. This
evening they were running around the home with their pinwheels
screaming "I'm free! I'm souring!" And that is exactly how I want them
to feel learning about the world around them. Free! Free to think outside the box. Free to try and fail. Free to wonder "what if""!<br />
<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-37994579031217526052012-09-12T16:01:00.001-04:002012-09-12T16:01:17.015-04:00Give A Child A Stick<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>With a stick in hand, the options are endless—</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>whether it's conducting an
orchestra, painting a masterpiece, or slaying a dragon—</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>give a child a
stick and let imagination take over. </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>-A Portis </i></b><br />
<b><i> </i></b></div>
Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-20077674207322974832012-09-09T19:19:00.002-04:002012-09-09T20:34:32.453-04:00Fall Is HereI've listened and yes, the silence is noticeable. That is always
when I know the seasons have finally changed hands. When the cicadas
quiet down and you hear the crickets pipe up.<br />
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<br />
This
Sunday we woke up to cool, fresh breezes blowing outside. I came back
inside and called the girls to come feel "Fall has finally arrived".
So in their summer jammies they ran outside, breakfast in hand and
exclaimed "Oh yes! You are right. It is finally here!" They know I
love this time of year and they are looking forward to all our fall
activities. "Now we can play on the trampoline and ride our bikes and
roller skate without dying of heat stroke! Yay!!!"<br />
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<br />
Instead of swimming we went fishing this weekend! Dad prepared the hooks and made sure the worms were properly attached.<br />
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A
few times the fish managed to get the worms, but we did not catch
anything; much to the disappointment of the girls. Next time we decided
to hit the nearby piers.<br />
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<br />
Hubby
also raced his radio controlled boat. The wind was strong out on the
water and a few times Caramel anxiously exclaimed "It is going to tip
over!" But it raced around just fine. They had lots of fun playing
with the controls.<br />
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<br />
These
are the happiest times for me. Having fun with my family. I already
cry thinking these times are going to come to an end once they leave home to start their own life. Well, you know what I mean! But I'm making the most of every single little
moment I get to share with them while we are together! I love them more than words can ever express. <br />
<br />
Sigh. So now I will go and demand a kiss on each cheek since they are not yet grossed out
by that!<br />
<br />
Hope you had a fun weekend.<br />
<br />
<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-35446326294848786572012-08-30T16:58:00.000-04:002012-08-30T18:00:19.666-04:00Bold StepsI took a bold step this week. A step I've been contemplating since earlier this year and finally decided to make. I resigned from my job.<br />
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<br />
We are starting a new chapter in our life pursuing a lifelong dream. That of owning our own business and continuing to build a future that we are dreaming of together. Leaving my full time job was a huge step in the right direction!<br />
<br />
It feels like just yesterday hubby and I stepped off a plane from South Africa; for the first time setting foot on American soil. I've been thinking about all the little milestones we've accomplished since then and the huge and exciting adventure lying ahead.<br />
<br />
This year is a year filled with major changes; all of which entail huge sacrifices, but all holding the promise of huge payoffs.<br />
<br />
My daughter brought me a picture this morning and on it was written : "Follow your heart!" I thought it so appropriate, because that is exactly what we are doing. Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168951797516803842.post-12272620822126218032012-08-29T23:12:00.001-04:002012-10-07T07:57:08.011-04:00TIdesThis summer the kids learned to ride the waves with bodyboards and
although they can swim, to maintain our sanity with two kids who cannot
go deep enough into the ocean quickly enough, we insisted they wear life
jackets whenever on their bodyboards.<br />
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<br />
Good thing we did.<br />
<br />
The
third day at the beach the girls ran ahead and got into the ocean even
before we've put our bags down. I was keeping an eye on them and saw
them lying on their boards, but became a little worried when none of the
waves were carrying them back out to the beach.<br />
<br />
Hubby
saw it too and by the time they were behind the deep wave line we
realized there was a rip current pulling them into the deep sea. This
all happened within 10 to 15 seconds!<br />
<br />
Hubby and one
other man standing around in the waves sped off and they got hold of
them just before they were pulled into seriously deep waters! They were
holding onto their boards totally oblivious to the danger they were in.<br />
<br />
Caramel arrived back on the beach in a huff though, because the bodyboard was under house arrest the rest of the morning. I sat down beside her
and told her in what great danger she was and suggested she be grateful
and happy and enjoy whatever else the beach had to offer swimming in the more shallow waters. It took
awhile but she came around.<br />
<br />
By nature I deliberately stand back when they want to try adventurous,
daring things even when I'm apprehensive, because I want them to grow
up into confident girls, willing to take risks, not afraid to question
the status quo! But I realize being a parent means saying "No"
sometimes. Your kids might not like it and not understand it; even
after you explained it to them as best you can, but as parents we are
blessed with a bigger perspective and deeper understanding of what's
going on. Deciding where exactly to set the boundaries though will be a
lifelong wrestling match between letting go and pulling back, just like
the waves relentlessly racing onto the beach. <br />
<br />Chase Your Dreamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14970724972343788375noreply@blogger.com