tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549915067574506502024-03-13T00:08:26.071-07:00The Phillips FamilyA look at the life of Tom, Nicolette, Trent, Brayden, and Jackson.Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-76613913852621628832009-06-23T19:25:00.000-07:002009-06-25T19:56:28.827-07:00Ukraine Day 4Our ride back from Luntsk lasted until the wee hours of Sunday morning. We basically got a lengthy nap before getting up to lead praise and worship for Victor's church, Buccha Baptist Church. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6tKH5e97GnMfWUdmn6Jnm_9wKgJny4BuqzhZ6t1XvTGX1xlF1ubbNxxbPueDZ4TAjv6ay06N5OgQRunCTFxIiZBmAVjpm0yRcISf3K6ns2P6jW79UGM9xFOVgaW-er1t6bprxX66Qpnp/s1600-h/DSCN1658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp6tKH5e97GnMfWUdmn6Jnm_9wKgJny4BuqzhZ6t1XvTGX1xlF1ubbNxxbPueDZ4TAjv6ay06N5OgQRunCTFxIiZBmAVjpm0yRcISf3K6ns2P6jW79UGM9xFOVgaW-er1t6bprxX66Qpnp/s320/DSCN1658.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350717414762682946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qQJiyvWiZT-zPGYyvQTHvNm2yB557lQkH2Va4IV63vhXMSpRR6mvs-YW8CjlY2CP1zk3rvkJzoJ3NBFdk25RxE8A4VsS7W9OtqaC_sgKqZw9uxFYd0DLASU92qCdntSNumV9kidYg2W4/s1600-h/DSCN1530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_qQJiyvWiZT-zPGYyvQTHvNm2yB557lQkH2Va4IV63vhXMSpRR6mvs-YW8CjlY2CP1zk3rvkJzoJ3NBFdk25RxE8A4VsS7W9OtqaC_sgKqZw9uxFYd0DLASU92qCdntSNumV9kidYg2W4/s320/DSCN1530.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350717406268827106" /></a><br />We were up early and ready to head over for breakfast. The walk from our camp to the church was about a 5 minute walk. It went down a street filled with small houses combined with very large houses. One thing we noticed about the houses in Ukraine was that each house was surrounded by a wall you might see here in America around a compound. When we asked about it we were told that in Soviet Union times all possessions were considered to be owned by everyone so people would just walk over to another house to take the lawn mower or anything else they needed. So walls were needed and now they are normal. It was a nice walk each day and got our blood moving. <br /><br />Sunday morning we led Victor's church in worship. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxylh5urgMKKj8Kaj0FrR6dm6aAKPom04D4CRGeQ-jr8M6TcKKr7jbZNJQ4W42ezCdKzcIreieoTDNEFMFAmMOJZFPsRMzqR_23EqOjjchwblZyRcH8-HLjUUEopIvZRQOij9eZovoHh7/s1600-h/DSCN1683.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxylh5urgMKKj8Kaj0FrR6dm6aAKPom04D4CRGeQ-jr8M6TcKKr7jbZNJQ4W42ezCdKzcIreieoTDNEFMFAmMOJZFPsRMzqR_23EqOjjchwblZyRcH8-HLjUUEopIvZRQOij9eZovoHh7/s320/DSCN1683.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351460033686898034" /></a> <br />I say led, I don't actually mean led. I mean for the most part we sang and they watched us. There were some people in the crowd who sang every word with us but most of them just smiled as we sang. After each song their church does not applaud but instead they speak words of thanks and blessings to those who sing. That was very interesting. There were several other things that stood out. First was the fact that there were two speakers. Victor told us that in time of the Soviet Union, they were not allowed to have Sunday School or any type of function outside of their Sunday morning church service. So in order to fit in as much doctrine as possible they would have 2 or more speakers each service. We also enjoyed communion that morning. Sasha and his wife Natasha translated for us and they were quick to warn us that the wine was real wine so be prepared. Since my Yaya's church uses real wine in their communion I thought I was prepared. What I didn't realize was that this wine was homemade by a couple in the church. When we took it it burned all the way down and there was a good bit of sediment in the bottom of my cup. Yes, we all felt it! But all of us realized the symbolism of taking communion halfway around the world, in a country where we couldn't understand a thing, yet we were bonded together with fellow believers through communion. (even if it did burn on the way down!)<br /><br />After church Victor took us all to eat at a restaurant that could only be labeled as the Ukrainian Cracker Barrel. It was filled with all sorts of interesting paraphernalia.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnWcy3ETQOevLE2Ki7GrQVHKJ76D5PqN1IFy6_0JbIvacXSPTX4KKWu__kpdKRFA9wQ-FWoyEjk7Vq28YTgqWe5lvb7M80bRiP9C67nVX4IxqN4ECpnXJyO7MmFIU4BNyPjRUJHPfNAx1/s1600-h/DSCN1659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnWcy3ETQOevLE2Ki7GrQVHKJ76D5PqN1IFy6_0JbIvacXSPTX4KKWu__kpdKRFA9wQ-FWoyEjk7Vq28YTgqWe5lvb7M80bRiP9C67nVX4IxqN4ECpnXJyO7MmFIU4BNyPjRUJHPfNAx1/s320/DSCN1659.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351460777814451810" /></a><br /><br />It was a great time together even if it did take about 2 hours to get done. One of the interesting things was trying Soul. This looks and somewhat tastes like garlic butter until someone tells you that it is actually lard. Yes, I tried it. It wasn't too bad but I couldn't bring myself to eat more than one cracker with it on there. The last one shows some of the guys with a little bowl of Soul. Their faces say it all.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tWOuFhFhXF12hKxoOO_li0Xmn1YYNdcu7wtbxdLDSohMqwMwEuh0M6iyWd1kI2Z7UNW66o0qveBEhNYzXk7hGfrtRzf-fo56_f6S2tUbILNP5xKphw7mHMabtPnQNUo-SQMHemGeCpdV/s1600-h/DSCN1666.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8tWOuFhFhXF12hKxoOO_li0Xmn1YYNdcu7wtbxdLDSohMqwMwEuh0M6iyWd1kI2Z7UNW66o0qveBEhNYzXk7hGfrtRzf-fo56_f6S2tUbILNP5xKphw7mHMabtPnQNUo-SQMHemGeCpdV/s320/DSCN1666.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351461856811352882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPtDmzlVYpMMwAUzes49N7bRitB1Gtn3dBPvbY9a8UipZjmoIYMtw1TMNiRVK1LEHz4KcMSNcpNzxnpa-oMxEn2u6TMR6uNpt9iLaMSv59tJTZAl-YxA7BXBInhmM_K02ZhDt9xhZgJpM/s1600-h/DSCN1665.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihPtDmzlVYpMMwAUzes49N7bRitB1Gtn3dBPvbY9a8UipZjmoIYMtw1TMNiRVK1LEHz4KcMSNcpNzxnpa-oMxEn2u6TMR6uNpt9iLaMSv59tJTZAl-YxA7BXBInhmM_K02ZhDt9xhZgJpM/s320/DSCN1665.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351461851999897714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGBFSfosl590ZfTOy4kSJ1ATKdceWiXPPzZ8VQTMRjQ_JIdp_8Di1-Coo1O7RgwuqTtJ115m-tXRMNIzGV4F8d9wDpkKLXKpblL_yBVD1xdupn4oUzaEeEXKWpkJPqfHFVOR4-Ksggp72/s1600-h/DSCN1664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGBFSfosl590ZfTOy4kSJ1ATKdceWiXPPzZ8VQTMRjQ_JIdp_8Di1-Coo1O7RgwuqTtJ115m-tXRMNIzGV4F8d9wDpkKLXKpblL_yBVD1xdupn4oUzaEeEXKWpkJPqfHFVOR4-Ksggp72/s320/DSCN1664.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351461848532676802" /></a><br /><br />That night we sang at a youth service where very few in attendance were considered youth. There were several babushkas who come everytime the doors were open. This service was the one service I think all of us looked back on as a favorite moment on the trip. The church put the words to our songs on slides and we sang in English as they all sang in Ukrainian. I had to stop to take a breath in the middle to keep from crying as I realized the awesomeness of our God. A God who doesn't speak English or Ukrainian. A God who hears our praises no matter what language we sing in and who sees our hearts no matter what our nationality. That was a moment I will never forget.<br /><br />We were given headphones that night to listen as Natasha translated from a translator booth upstairs. I took this picture actually during the service from across the auditorium when it struck me how we all looked. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ3qFfKUppZxJE5G-vVTNwdskDEvWJ99Zqg-AQodSg-bArToRSlg7eDaI95rPg1W_CHLOJ-wFfXeTeo9CBBKc6N4un45EDdiTAPR5xyWDrWwNO4mMlpiH0YCX9nL_5ytE72AIJFD0Fh94/s1600-h/DSCN1682.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQ3qFfKUppZxJE5G-vVTNwdskDEvWJ99Zqg-AQodSg-bArToRSlg7eDaI95rPg1W_CHLOJ-wFfXeTeo9CBBKc6N4un45EDdiTAPR5xyWDrWwNO4mMlpiH0YCX9nL_5ytE72AIJFD0Fh94/s320/DSCN1682.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5351463557547590658" /></a><br /><br />All in all today was a great day. All of us got a brief glimpse at how Heaven would be. Believers of every race and tongue praising our Heavenly Father with one heart. Just the beginning of a great week.Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-57025954228397334282009-06-18T18:55:00.000-07:002009-06-18T19:54:12.691-07:00Ukraine - Day 2 and 3We got up refreshed and started the day with breakfast and Bible study. There is a church member who is cooking for us for the week. Breakfast had salami sandwiches with real butter (always a treat!), cereal (looked vaguely like ours) and cool milk out of a box. It wasn't too bad since the basement of the church is underground and stays pretty cool- so the milk was pretty cool. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GKOzS32lFcBJ0iYA-71KQl-YC3SJiuy0iihQblv2euhYFn3Iw4dVpfijwwgpRk6uuer9yOqTNIRGCKGFfXlXoiJ4szzWCG47Qy2RgUWxGxTP-P4hirHpwnBd9HInHGFsfjcJgVExg4ol/s1600-h/DSCN1527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GKOzS32lFcBJ0iYA-71KQl-YC3SJiuy0iihQblv2euhYFn3Iw4dVpfijwwgpRk6uuer9yOqTNIRGCKGFfXlXoiJ4szzWCG47Qy2RgUWxGxTP-P4hirHpwnBd9HInHGFsfjcJgVExg4ol/s320/DSCN1527.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348866244971431746" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcFeGhCfHe_KFtUdnzjLAUfdt5-lDsBxtBbl3Fxmj-PH58wb2-sF0ayA58VYJQgUeNOLENGZt4C3es2SG2NzoiBnKk781uUOtnBPu0UvEhrBAp5i5NywuKeyXQALxaSq8r5E_geD828aP/s1600-h/DSCN1515.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTcFeGhCfHe_KFtUdnzjLAUfdt5-lDsBxtBbl3Fxmj-PH58wb2-sF0ayA58VYJQgUeNOLENGZt4C3es2SG2NzoiBnKk781uUOtnBPu0UvEhrBAp5i5NywuKeyXQALxaSq8r5E_geD828aP/s320/DSCN1515.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348852191290308722" /></a><br /><br />We went upstairs to start rehearsing. The church is the Buccha Baptist Church and it was beautiful inside. The wooden pews and accents were amazing.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3LsO7XWipMKiViYVijV00jN058VLQXW1B091H4ytiIxT-KiB3Diwb3IbWDk9XM_D8TsthmXGBAEsqKoeFkCTKwWDhbnSv9KtPZEl6WDdQuI3BeWylRGON7JTObvykN-iDtbn2bWsAYXK/s1600-h/DSCN1530.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3LsO7XWipMKiViYVijV00jN058VLQXW1B091H4ytiIxT-KiB3Diwb3IbWDk9XM_D8TsthmXGBAEsqKoeFkCTKwWDhbnSv9KtPZEl6WDdQuI3BeWylRGON7JTObvykN-iDtbn2bWsAYXK/s320/DSCN1530.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348852656621458690" /></a><br />The day started off cold and rainy and since we new we would be performing outside we spent time praying for the Lord to change the weather. Our short 4 minute drive to the town square was quick and when we got there the sun broke through and the temperature warmed up. Many people were curious and sat watching us set up. I was amazed at even the old women with "bobushkas" (scarves) stayed to listen. By the time we started there were probably around 200 people there. Not bad for a public square<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGGfPfcFr9lKDlNYvOeOO-FwlXTYHIPe-VnSqTZkQWXN-40EQZVN4Z4HAp2R8m7dEFlbsLSAdYEIzbp82iMAMa9xcNFT607TEGL16mM3oSgxhhb7bIAcImCFrR9VapzgQ7et_a58xUbjk/s1600-h/DSCN1554.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGGfPfcFr9lKDlNYvOeOO-FwlXTYHIPe-VnSqTZkQWXN-40EQZVN4Z4HAp2R8m7dEFlbsLSAdYEIzbp82iMAMa9xcNFT607TEGL16mM3oSgxhhb7bIAcImCFrR9VapzgQ7et_a58xUbjk/s320/DSCN1554.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348853971515763314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyic2jrrTq4JTtDUvmwPv3V32aylUzkslvWTi1Z7uCXtzJG2SmfD90ksZ6iBMYj1k75QIhGxDsFtYHpC126BA0Za-feAQGrKtbXmwxxWcjOhHVuTq8_zOktS0IXxIMRazhj6CxKvJfvgX/s1600-h/DSCN1538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzyic2jrrTq4JTtDUvmwPv3V32aylUzkslvWTi1Z7uCXtzJG2SmfD90ksZ6iBMYj1k75QIhGxDsFtYHpC126BA0Za-feAQGrKtbXmwxxWcjOhHVuTq8_zOktS0IXxIMRazhj6CxKvJfvgX/s320/DSCN1538.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348853962185414034" /></a><br />We had several kids come up asking for our autograph before we even started! We sang several songs, I gave a testimony (I was very nervous!) and our driver Anatolli interpreted for me, and the drama team did a couple skits before a local pastor stood to present the gospel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BKwYpIQcQ36hwdcgc9GNj_cd4BvaFoHYmzeO8HyOXQ8lUF4ooWLPFTCoeTLbWvY8RX0uR86PBb2vRofmxlGR30Pg4LBumVH2XAYHVPS69hU6JYfg_QeF1DooLXh02vMZFN4iSHQNDAOZ/s1600-h/DSCN1599.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BKwYpIQcQ36hwdcgc9GNj_cd4BvaFoHYmzeO8HyOXQ8lUF4ooWLPFTCoeTLbWvY8RX0uR86PBb2vRofmxlGR30Pg4LBumVH2XAYHVPS69hU6JYfg_QeF1DooLXh02vMZFN4iSHQNDAOZ/s320/DSCN1599.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348854993314740594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo3dlDWaVkZ7Z8ubvmPux3UezxmMpePWFHaPZJDe3X9IfbFk8Fc5AdK-r8Z9Hg7V2NH0S3FTyuKBOIz1cjRmLDViplyFItXEjV0E46H3s3-62BGgfBw1LcVirHnfMi0nN9AJfhp4aJqqR/s1600-h/DSCN1589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo3dlDWaVkZ7Z8ubvmPux3UezxmMpePWFHaPZJDe3X9IfbFk8Fc5AdK-r8Z9Hg7V2NH0S3FTyuKBOIz1cjRmLDViplyFItXEjV0E46H3s3-62BGgfBw1LcVirHnfMi0nN9AJfhp4aJqqR/s320/DSCN1589.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348854985295029970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWd02Xh2iukHbWHUXGAwNnN1RxIE6R5aUATN_YZuRiwTgB9_G1rUEO5cDYIb66z5H1JYyk3GSZxhGN8JBBJF_5xUvvIdyzGsqIh9OnTmbODA7fGF9AYLKWia5FY1pwBIxKqj46qFudblq/s1600-h/DSCN1565.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWd02Xh2iukHbWHUXGAwNnN1RxIE6R5aUATN_YZuRiwTgB9_G1rUEO5cDYIb66z5H1JYyk3GSZxhGN8JBBJF_5xUvvIdyzGsqIh9OnTmbODA7fGF9AYLKWia5FY1pwBIxKqj46qFudblq/s320/DSCN1565.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348854976775053202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXR-75qxCAsQks6rIBBsG66g8CfLoXquXTGOa9y9tj6wi56BDvnYXnuOZM1PC9Dr4Yi-jIqF2hM24EVM3xXdPZat6xOe4aIizmlV9PyA5MvH1JoqM7h_PPEPHyqRwDNRzztEqxSQJ3URF/s1600-h/DSCN1568.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXR-75qxCAsQks6rIBBsG66g8CfLoXquXTGOa9y9tj6wi56BDvnYXnuOZM1PC9Dr4Yi-jIqF2hM24EVM3xXdPZat6xOe4aIizmlV9PyA5MvH1JoqM7h_PPEPHyqRwDNRzztEqxSQJ3URF/s320/DSCN1568.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348854976121784194" /></a><br /><br />Overall it was a great experience and we enjoyed playing at the town square. It was one of our favorite venues of the trip. <br /><br />The next day was Saturday and we knew coming in that it was supposed to be the longest day of the trip since we were going to be traveling about 4-5 hours to a town in western Ukraine called Luntsk. What we didn't know was exactly how long of a day it was going to be. This was the day that we realized that Sasha, Victor's son who was in charge of our entire trip, had trouble estimating how long things would take. :0) Here is a picture of Sasha (on the right ) and our team leader Jon. They are probably discussing the fact that we spent longer on the bus to and from Luntsk than we did flying to Ukraine!! <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gJ0RhriEmum6mueAvLh-p5k9qDqIphm0uHePptltOiFD3Q1U1ExVhRuhbnUGa08dDT735cxDXnUP1mDGyUApcwTINVkf3XTJO8RZDjIv7_nrb4Ga1KQp61isXT4VTYjv02aRPpHQdHC0/s1600-h/DSCN1643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3gJ0RhriEmum6mueAvLh-p5k9qDqIphm0uHePptltOiFD3Q1U1ExVhRuhbnUGa08dDT735cxDXnUP1mDGyUApcwTINVkf3XTJO8RZDjIv7_nrb4Ga1KQp61isXT4VTYjv02aRPpHQdHC0/s320/DSCN1643.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348856482351498962" /></a><br /> Don't get me wrong we love Sasha dearly, however, our 4-5 hour drive turned into 7 hours each way. It was something we came to call "Ukrainian time". Whatever Sasha said, planon 2 hours more! We didn't have time to stop for lunch so we ate at a gas station that had a "restaurant" called "A la Minute" inside. Yes, a French fast food place deep in the Ukraine was a surprise to me too. We used the time in the bus to learn how to play UNO...Ukrainian style. I must say they have some crazy rules but it was alot of fun and really helped bond our group with the drama team.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNX2xzgxVPE1FTU8CEMum3HROWKZg2X0JnuzCH_Mkxd-l2dTCt8zDvZyCY7BamPIBaHM9VxfuuTGMBqN1zc4tDJNPEeNFLmO7z4lb8RAdRbM1D2TVCOGb5HFpMo0qWpH-RgszfV7Uiqux/s1600-h/DSCN1604.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNX2xzgxVPE1FTU8CEMum3HROWKZg2X0JnuzCH_Mkxd-l2dTCt8zDvZyCY7BamPIBaHM9VxfuuTGMBqN1zc4tDJNPEeNFLmO7z4lb8RAdRbM1D2TVCOGb5HFpMo0qWpH-RgszfV7Uiqux/s320/DSCN1604.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348857395915815090" /></a><br />When we arrived in Luntsk we quickly found the old Soviet sports complex where the Christian basketball camp was being held. We also realized that we couldn't ever plan on a set starting time because usually things were running behind...everywhere! We set up amidst flying soccer balls because it was also being used to finish up an indoor soccer tournament<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1_9l3YurnyJTcUzDJ_HuARXfPqkcUnZ8QK8AXWdClj0c8X3OGGH0yYr_TUK2qupCiVc48sJ-FdgqNlM4FzNYOvkDHMr1nK5GpqWBNqr9gVdhn5oRcpwhiIdMlrAPPTlkdO12BWR4o0oi/s1600-h/DSCN1625.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR1_9l3YurnyJTcUzDJ_HuARXfPqkcUnZ8QK8AXWdClj0c8X3OGGH0yYr_TUK2qupCiVc48sJ-FdgqNlM4FzNYOvkDHMr1nK5GpqWBNqr9gVdhn5oRcpwhiIdMlrAPPTlkdO12BWR4o0oi/s320/DSCN1625.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348857976734571522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxyASN8iD3dvozhQk-uX5tPPy23OmZB3BPn_-Ck28sumpjVs_NbIJOoAT5NtW85p5_4bELvQIdC4M_Ysl-Lp2-rf6xikl6RmVn5NforydM0hsYUMjy0U7NhJwBqzmdJ8zaxa027BFM05p/s1600-h/DSCN1624.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxyASN8iD3dvozhQk-uX5tPPy23OmZB3BPn_-Ck28sumpjVs_NbIJOoAT5NtW85p5_4bELvQIdC4M_Ysl-Lp2-rf6xikl6RmVn5NforydM0hsYUMjy0U7NhJwBqzmdJ8zaxa027BFM05p/s320/DSCN1624.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348857970762902802" /></a><br />We also found out that everybody has a twin. We discovered Ashton Kutcher working the camp as a counselor. Here is a picture of Ashton (aka Paul) and my friend Josh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDxuT-dcudclOGb20LSkKHfPzdCrzmxAEOvW9ilHGFucaOgp3Lk-dQLCq3JkQSTXIf5Ah16z9tqpfDmlURpqvzXPKEd38xrhkMxEeOdAWmkAAY2M0zLuNI4CTCMsx8IO831lVNRXJy0b2/s1600-h/DSCN1649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBDxuT-dcudclOGb20LSkKHfPzdCrzmxAEOvW9ilHGFucaOgp3Lk-dQLCq3JkQSTXIf5Ah16z9tqpfDmlURpqvzXPKEd38xrhkMxEeOdAWmkAAY2M0zLuNI4CTCMsx8IO831lVNRXJy0b2/s320/DSCN1649.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348858354685075586" /></a><br />To our great joy, the journey home gave us another thrilling stop at "A la Minute" when we couldn't find anything else to eat. We just couldn't get enough of it!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD84kTDFRt0XcjJ8w0ttQYkrPcQd9XounDkW4QMjEaoZLz9lbpMzSZ0ixzjYwaWOD7IuaYjUsRm_BBIqvP5DTyfd7bH6CcsmPp-5xoygMXt_WbvSrWtmFYT2E_Pa3Qz4rM7NKVMschjKRk/s1600-h/DSCN1656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD84kTDFRt0XcjJ8w0ttQYkrPcQd9XounDkW4QMjEaoZLz9lbpMzSZ0ixzjYwaWOD7IuaYjUsRm_BBIqvP5DTyfd7bH6CcsmPp-5xoygMXt_WbvSrWtmFYT2E_Pa3Qz4rM7NKVMschjKRk/s320/DSCN1656.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348860448627056722" /></a><br /><br />It was a very long day and we were exhausted as we fell into bed that night. It was a short night since we had to lead worship in Victor's church the next day. I really wish I could clearly present a picture to you of the Ukrainian countryside as we spent so much of our day looking at it! There were hundreds of fields that people had bought and were out working in them as we drove by. Not a field with their houses on it. Their houses would be in the next village but they would drive out to their gardens to work everyday for their families.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxL4mMRDq7gGX6fw5AFbxh8SahFqxtyV83-uFo3D3gKLfFdA2wgRE4SMcHfRKUEva7JydQIOYgJbTOKmLQDMWqmR1nZ1cLznRNY93q1xAgs4GzKjTFWn_t8IGYgCowXg_GL0wMABchl9K/s1600-h/DSCN1608.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxL4mMRDq7gGX6fw5AFbxh8SahFqxtyV83-uFo3D3gKLfFdA2wgRE4SMcHfRKUEva7JydQIOYgJbTOKmLQDMWqmR1nZ1cLznRNY93q1xAgs4GzKjTFWn_t8IGYgCowXg_GL0wMABchl9K/s320/DSCN1608.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348859271262288818" /></a><br />I tried to take pictures as we sped down the road so I apologize for the bad quality. I was also amazed at how we would drive through such a poor area with small run down homes and then you would see a gold dome of an orthodox church rising out of the countryside. All of them gleaming white and beautiful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW4Zgap-JDzdcB2l8fCP_xqsE4G9-MbK5N_WkcQFcESNsQnDcVOtxquC6TBDBNmjaz0tTPt_FYz6C5_wFOnqBpyLYJ9IYx6KrzaZ0_Yp12S7se6sopUKldBGS9n-OAnX5p0QHO3RHbSkv/s1600-h/DSCN1612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW4Zgap-JDzdcB2l8fCP_xqsE4G9-MbK5N_WkcQFcESNsQnDcVOtxquC6TBDBNmjaz0tTPt_FYz6C5_wFOnqBpyLYJ9IYx6KrzaZ0_Yp12S7se6sopUKldBGS9n-OAnX5p0QHO3RHbSkv/s320/DSCN1612.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348859982479233298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL_DaV24Z3LfcEmlQDWZRMPx1-aVVw6jeR5LT22HEDHcUSqnHyiPi04CSAwV2lfd-o9F5XL8vrQPlxQ1xNUwB7SshFdN0-UAPw89QmasERhUTkY25DhyU32qJafLWZi6a0UEDpmsGprSO/s1600-h/DSCN1613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidL_DaV24Z3LfcEmlQDWZRMPx1-aVVw6jeR5LT22HEDHcUSqnHyiPi04CSAwV2lfd-o9F5XL8vrQPlxQ1xNUwB7SshFdN0-UAPw89QmasERhUTkY25DhyU32qJafLWZi6a0UEDpmsGprSO/s320/DSCN1613.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348859977685897890" /></a><br />It was the beginning insight about these people we would be ministering to for the next week. They are hard working and diligent, yet there is a peace about them. We have seen that they love to have fun and laugh too! The drama team has taught us that. You will hear more about them in the next few days. But it was the people of Ukraine that I was drawn to and looked forward to learning more about in the next week.Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-90306196683031808852009-06-17T19:56:00.001-07:002009-06-17T20:27:06.016-07:00Ukraine Missions Trip - Day 1<p>The past two weeks have been one of those moments that you know you will always remember. Not just the moments but the sights, sounds, smells (lots of smells!) too. I left June 3rd on a missions trip to Ukraine. And just so you know it isn't THE Ukraine, it's just Ukraine. Didn't know that until right before I left. Anyway, I thought I was going to be able to blog while I was there but we were left with only a couple chances to send brief emails instead, so I thought I would try to blog it now. It was a long trip and was filled with many things so this will probably be broken up into several blogs. </p><br /><p>We left at 5 am on the 3rd. The 2 1/2 hour drive to Jacksonville seemed to take forever. It probably didn't help that I was VERY anxious about traveling over the Atlantic ocean at 35000 feet. Not at all on my list of things to do in my lifetime. Anywhoo, we finally got there and made it through security with enough time to grab something to eat and time for my friend Cara and I to buy a kooshy pillow for the trip. </p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8zw4Yt5rMtO4mfCgrVaQb_HFs1RerJc6iE97f6Ly8GzAqDVes_g654_TZWbzCZocL0yyimz48HFGQ3EkL6k3dhVjfCdfuQdUinvH6SwSNC-leSldFjKEuto7NY7cP2StTKgLVotY6OKT/s1600-h/DSCN1484.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja8zw4Yt5rMtO4mfCgrVaQb_HFs1RerJc6iE97f6Ly8GzAqDVes_g654_TZWbzCZocL0yyimz48HFGQ3EkL6k3dhVjfCdfuQdUinvH6SwSNC-leSldFjKEuto7NY7cP2StTKgLVotY6OKT/s320/DSCN1484.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348502065265067490" /></a><br /><br /><p>The flight wasn't too bad once we were airborne. We made some short stops in Atlanta and New York and then we were off for Kiev. I didn't think it was too bad until I took a nap and woke up only to realize we weren't even off the coast of Canada!! Then we watched as our plane seemed to just sit off the coast of Greenland for hours!! Apparently the head winds were up to 70 mph making our progress slow. As my friend Forrest termed it, we were in a "timeless abyss". </p><br /><p>Finally we landed in Kiev 21 hours after our journey started. It was a little strange to see several airport personnel with masks on as we desembarked! These pictures were the last ones I took before a uniformed woman informed me "no photos" to which I kindly obliged. (notice the smiles. They disappeared when she came up!)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvB__LfSViwAf76i3Ml2zp4QJa_Tvw69_smySOraf3DYHDxRVk-nYEZukvUz0OYm3KzIqmxJ9YJ04fqVNlmLaYMrsgwVsM6cNOwSrfC_67E6sxNe_1TuzWnWBAa2ODqklb714ydsF6CE4/s1600-h/DSCN1492.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvB__LfSViwAf76i3Ml2zp4QJa_Tvw69_smySOraf3DYHDxRVk-nYEZukvUz0OYm3KzIqmxJ9YJ04fqVNlmLaYMrsgwVsM6cNOwSrfC_67E6sxNe_1TuzWnWBAa2ODqklb714ydsF6CE4/s320/DSCN1492.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348502356220002818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNugUFBT6nc_Xoqw9FysyL64jYmK4Pb3VAN0WKP4caHifaXByVF-5gwSWzsuQrvTQPBL1org8Etj0P8vPYqyWjUI6oIM0-ViB84ZKUgn5_TNujNfMV-d33FlBhxhlF13K85dI8wznrcfI/s1600-h/DSCN1490.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNugUFBT6nc_Xoqw9FysyL64jYmK4Pb3VAN0WKP4caHifaXByVF-5gwSWzsuQrvTQPBL1org8Etj0P8vPYqyWjUI6oIM0-ViB84ZKUgn5_TNujNfMV-d33FlBhxhlF13K85dI8wznrcfI/s320/DSCN1490.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348502348611143186" /></a><br /><br /> We very quickly realized that we weren't in Kansas anymore. We couldn't read, hear, or understand anything at all. I was a joy to recognize a coke bottle in the vending machine but strange to see that it was side by side with a beer bottle!</p><br /><br /><br /><p>We headed into to Kiev to meet with Victor Kulbrich, the pastor of the church we would be working with. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShs6Iwfbok7Y1e1aUW9xnvBTVhGEUa-BSOoqi0oTubi57-P91lQirkKDaFj4Ew5a0kS_oQ2UfeIYUK7HoSi2uBSnoN-Ycz262SxzJG2225e4cFEnCw7gOdIISkb34WYgJg0BqFpx9rSNB/s1600-h/DSCN1502.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShs6Iwfbok7Y1e1aUW9xnvBTVhGEUa-BSOoqi0oTubi57-P91lQirkKDaFj4Ew5a0kS_oQ2UfeIYUK7HoSi2uBSnoN-Ycz262SxzJG2225e4cFEnCw7gOdIISkb34WYgJg0BqFpx9rSNB/s320/DSCN1502.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348502737179383266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt52zKIETvFf1Ayaqp1DvJDYrT2SUHK6e2HgWomRQVTj-lvTX049l68BsZGuxB7qNb3noRFc6OwrxRe2QgivlWuHB6Q1Z5uoi8_leOr3ZhSjVSk6AdZfdDola-j_2Re56P1GXzOwaQTbD/s1600-h/DSCN1501.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt52zKIETvFf1Ayaqp1DvJDYrT2SUHK6e2HgWomRQVTj-lvTX049l68BsZGuxB7qNb3noRFc6OwrxRe2QgivlWuHB6Q1Z5uoi8_leOr3ZhSjVSk6AdZfdDola-j_2Re56P1GXzOwaQTbD/s320/DSCN1501.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348502731905303058" /></a><br /> Victor shared with us the vision that he sees for Ukraine and although none of us could see straight, we were very humbled that he had asked us to be part of reaching his country for Christ. </p><br /><p>Our next stop was a restaurant named Big Belly's. It was sort of a stressful Golden Corral buffet style place. It was lunch hour and we didn't recognize anything and no one spoke English. I finally pointed and said "chicken?". When she nodded I took it, along with a bottle of the ever friendly bottle of coke and was done. We all tasted some different things that day and I must say, not my favorite meal. If anyone from Ukraine ever asks you to try buckwheat...just say no! (unless you enjoy crushed up moth balls!)</p><br /><p>We finally got to the camp we would be staying at and took a much needed nap before heading to the church for dinner and to meet the drama team we would be working with for the next week and a half. </p><br /><p>I must say that dinner was great. Actually the Big Belly meal was the only meal we didn't like. We did get used to chicken and potatoes in many different ways.</p><br /><p>There were several things I noticed that day as just an introduction to this country that very soon would be endeared to my heart. Here are some observations:</p><br /><p>1. The water had a metallic smell.</p><br /><p>2. The toilet paper was very much like our brown paper towels or sometimes we discovered like party streamers!</p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_H1O9tQgHFdUlurzH6k3ZWh9slfaY2GL25gdOngTLab9d1fW19P9pyG3vFGVj8FPU2i3tm2iTxoDQhHDPQy9U7WgpqJJhXHiIgwuVVOqOnD0YYBpzG-PgGZ8qt9eg9vLyAHC21nX4thG/s1600-h/DSCN1522.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs_H1O9tQgHFdUlurzH6k3ZWh9slfaY2GL25gdOngTLab9d1fW19P9pyG3vFGVj8FPU2i3tm2iTxoDQhHDPQy9U7WgpqJJhXHiIgwuVVOqOnD0YYBpzG-PgGZ8qt9eg9vLyAHC21nX4thG/s320/DSCN1522.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348503470782380002" /></a><br /><br /><p>3. We were given our towel for our stay. Yes, I said towel in singular and no I did not mention a washcloth.</p><br /><p>4. They do not use shower curtains. Look out getting out on that floor!</p><br /><p>5. We quickly realized that no, they did not have ice, and no, we would not be seeing it anytime soon!</p><br /><br />As our heads hit the pillows that night we were all out very quickly and we all couldn't wait to see what was in store for us on Friday!<br /><p></p><br /><p><img style="margin: 5px; float: right" alt="" src="file:////Users/nicolettephillips/Pictures/iPhoto%20Library/Originals/2009/Ukraine%20trip/DSCN1484.JPG" /></p><br /><p style="color:#008;text-align:right;"><small><em>Powered by</em> <a href="http://www.qumana.com/">Qumana</a></small></p>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-5069539284533813562009-03-28T18:33:00.000-07:002009-03-28T19:05:23.435-07:00I'm Baaaack!Hello out there. You may not remember me. I am the sort of blogging sister of the Mother of all Bloggers, my Greek Grits sister. Anywhoo, for all 5 of my readers you probably have noticed that I have fallen off the face of the earth for the past few months. It has been an interesting time for the Phillips family. On February 10th, our home was broken into and everything of monetary value was taken. Yes, even my old computer with my pictures on it. Thankfully, my wonderful father in law had just moved most of our things onto an external hard drive over Christmas...thanks, Dad! We have spent the past couple months getting our lives back together. The Lord has truly been speaking to us in many ways of this time. We both realized that we weren't worried by the things that were taken. They were simply that...things. We also have learned that God provides for his people. We have been truly blessed by others and their kindness and generosity. Our church family truly blessed us and so many people have offered their services and other things. I can't say how much a home-cooked meal given to us the day after this happened meant to us. We felt as if our world had been turned upside down and someone knew that the best thing they could do for us was to give us the normalcy that at that time seemed out of our reach. The boys took a few weeks to get back to normal and even now they make sure that the new alarm is set and the doors are locked. We have all lost something but I know that we have truly seen the provision of the Lord. Thank you for your prayers.<br /><br />On another topic, life itself has not stopped for us. The biggest thing that has been going on has been the Elementary school play that I direct each year. This year was exciting because Trent was finally old enough to be in it. The play was called "Twinderella" and it was a hysterical comedy about Cinderella and her twin brother Bob who lives in another part of the kingdom with his Evil stepfamily. It was great! Trent got the part of Lou the UPS guy. He did great. I am sad to say that I was so busy directing there was no time to take "mommy pictures". I have had several parents send me some of theirs and I am grateful for that. We had two performances this year and it's a good thing, for opening night found several kinks that needed to be worked out. But Friday night went just as it should have. My sister Tonya got to come down for the performance which was great. I will leave you now with some pictures of the performance. Check out that handsome UPS guy. He might have a future!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) href{}"="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBOLUoVE0cAHxpKthSIvHoANRu44FjJ9wURRVm_SjUddrhWZdtkRkwRyIAtL81qsPbIJUqgxoiIDEZrcG3cIeLjiBj3Xngg_PT9nuGy4KuRJNI7jdnLWfMIK82ei6yAjGiIZpD6WqTnJf/s1600-h/IMG_2356.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaBOLUoVE0cAHxpKthSIvHoANRu44FjJ9wURRVm_SjUddrhWZdtkRkwRyIAtL81qsPbIJUqgxoiIDEZrcG3cIeLjiBj3Xngg_PT9nuGy4KuRJNI7jdnLWfMIK82ei6yAjGiIZpD6WqTnJf/s320/IMG_2356.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318423564130528370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuzlf6wGu4-j0UYWb6fSCZpL7HXxZ0GbtRELQAs62v6hyphenhyphenWoeQzIFzV7ZLDIhI3Hm62-ed95evYVYI5pZc-c9PPQssdX9i36ND_N_bBiwg87gebejnQg00i5mThYTdOQnAb9tq37GWT8C1/s1600-h/DSCN0790.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHuzlf6wGu4-j0UYWb6fSCZpL7HXxZ0GbtRELQAs62v6hyphenhyphenWoeQzIFzV7ZLDIhI3Hm62-ed95evYVYI5pZc-c9PPQssdX9i36ND_N_bBiwg87gebejnQg00i5mThYTdOQnAb9tq37GWT8C1/s320/DSCN0790.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318423550256534626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUMRvyVJ2D1qiHg87Xh6RyEhG_s8ozrKWI3x_T7AU5OXO6U4rE7wj041BW8Sc_fyv7UKDjvDpgV6m6S3HUCMvkw2vCCok26KrzWdxDmcLCzmWNAsKVdI5pXUrAZkGpZbawht_rAgykj79/s1600-h/DSCN0778.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUMRvyVJ2D1qiHg87Xh6RyEhG_s8ozrKWI3x_T7AU5OXO6U4rE7wj041BW8Sc_fyv7UKDjvDpgV6m6S3HUCMvkw2vCCok26KrzWdxDmcLCzmWNAsKVdI5pXUrAZkGpZbawht_rAgykj79/s320/DSCN0778.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5318423543901818082" /></a>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-56892623819665454872009-01-01T12:04:00.001-08:002009-01-01T12:04:16.746-08:00Christmas - In a nutshell<p> I think it is safe to say that Christmas is our family's favorite time of the year.  All of us!  We love everything about it.  The lights, the food, the tree, the food, the stockings, the food, even the craziness of everything, and of course, the food.  This Christmas was fun for us due to the fact that as I've posted earlier Trent was old enough to take part in many different Christmas events. The last one is definitely my favorite.  The third grade always is in charge of the Christmas chapel. This year Trent was chosen to play the role of Joseph.  It didn't involve much acting but he did sing a solo about what Joseph must have been thinking that night in Bethlehem.  I have to admit, seeing my little boy, dressed as Joseph, singing such an amazing song, I did have to blink away the tears as I took these pictures. Mary was played by his lifelong friend, and cutey-patootey, Ansley Moore.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hmX9WFeI/AAAAAAAAAUE/X-cZXVd_eNA/s1600-h/December%202008%20009%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="December 2008 009" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hncLGqpI/AAAAAAAAAUI/liII5GuRzes/December%202008%20009_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" align="left" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hnteNcfI/AAAAAAAAAUM/XmY8E22ycNM/s1600-h/December%202008%20011%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="December 2008 011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hovjLoBI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/tMh0YovYIHk/December%202008%20011_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hpJzxRJI/AAAAAAAAAUU/g3UopINneEg/s1600-h/December%202008%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="December 2008 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hpa2RzTI/AAAAAAAAAUY/t7Y6d3T2YAg/December%202008%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a></p> <p>We also got to enjoy spending Christmas morning at my mom's house.  This was the first year in a long time that all of us were at her house for Christmas morning.  My brother and his wife flew in from South Korea where he is stationed to be there.  The kids loved being around all the cousins and there was plenty of Wii playing by all.  Here are a few pictures to mark the occasion.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hpuLsOgI/AAAAAAAAAUc/7eO4YVHAaFU/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%20501%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Christmas 2008 501" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hqICf04I/AAAAAAAAAUg/6XHW4fZG9jw/Christmas%202008%20501_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> The Grandkids all together</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hqjSSEYI/AAAAAAAAAUk/L06dyZ9GOhk/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%20485%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Christmas 2008 485" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hrcLDtoI/AAAAAAAAAUo/NcUHa0Udfng/Christmas%202008%20485_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> Everybody!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hrhFnq0I/AAAAAAAAAUs/6jQjxOYshU4/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%20504%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Christmas 2008 504" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hsZvXeII/AAAAAAAAAUw/H4xgBjWLG2c/Christmas%202008%20504_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> A little Wii playing...</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0htHpX0iI/AAAAAAAAAU0/GtRlSphbwq8/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%20372%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Christmas 2008 372" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0htcwI86I/AAAAAAAAAU4/Lol65HDB-z0/Christmas%202008%20372_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> And a rocket launching.</p> <p>We have also been celebrating the last half of this vacation with Tom's family.  We received Rock Band 2 and have been practicing that.  Trent also spent his fist New Year's Eve staying up until midnight to welcome in 2009.  </p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0ht0GC8EI/AAAAAAAAAU8/fb82vJotwtQ/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%20423%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Christmas 2008 423" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0huA5MYwI/AAAAAAAAAVA/vvBMvKIajP8/Christmas%202008%20423_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> Grandpa and Jackson with Jackson's new rocking horse<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hug-H8eI/AAAAAAAAAVE/bNJgMY-JoeE/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%20465%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Christmas 2008 465" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hu4nsX4I/AAAAAAAAAVI/E6K6QTlBtIY/Christmas%202008%20465_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> Brayden and Aunt Caroline playing Rock Band</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hvc9nm0I/AAAAAAAAAVM/oivwowTR_k8/s1600-h/Christmas%202008%20481%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="Christmas 2008 481" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SV0hwOnLg7I/AAAAAAAAAVQ/g_bv0DDyTqg/Christmas%202008%20481_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> Happy New Year!</p> </blockquote> <p>We have had a very blessed Christmas and we are looking forward to all the things that 2009 holds in store for us!  May the Lord bless you and your family this year!</p> Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-43236600971948538912008-12-15T19:34:00.001-08:002008-12-15T19:34:40.175-08:00Christmas Decorating - Kid Style<p>Not much time for blogging but had to put this in. The boys were very enthusiastic about helping with the tree this year.  I am definitely taking advantage of that while it lasts.  Jackson would have been happy leaving with just the lights but the older two were all about getting it decorated. Trent was very methodical and careful while Brayden wanted to see how many could hang from one branch. The result...</p> <p>The 3 in anticipation!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchwMKKB7I/AAAAAAAAATc/Bv6tOdqTmwQ/s1600-h/November2008%20051%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="200" alt="November2008 051" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchw53FmfI/AAAAAAAAATg/PgPFEHtcee8/November2008%20051_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" border="0" /></a> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchxJjKWhI/AAAAAAAAATk/kes2aNLbloA/s1600-h/November2008%20058%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="November2008 058" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchxQtR-6I/AAAAAAAAATo/7fFTnv7-Jeo/November2008%20058_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Brayden so proud of how many he squeezed in there!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchx8PNJbI/AAAAAAAAATs/gVxgqb_xn8I/s1600-h/November2008%20059%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="November2008 059" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchyPrOtxI/AAAAAAAAATw/cJ9RZNRn1U8/November2008%20059_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>When they got done and went off to other things, I had to tweak it just a little...</p> <p>The Final Result.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchyTykISI/AAAAAAAAAT0/3L1Rucokd_8/s1600-h/November2008%20073%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="November2008 073" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchy2zTitI/AAAAAAAAAT4/mt1ThQ_42tU/November2008%20073_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Other decorations.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchzDLdWTI/AAAAAAAAAT8/OCb4mYz_wpY/s1600-h/November2008%20062%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="November2008 062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUchzmeJ8LI/AAAAAAAAAUA/0y_BTuFRyw4/November2008%20062_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>So I guess it's safe to say bring on the Holly!!!</p> Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-78392190125623282722008-12-15T19:24:00.001-08:002008-12-15T19:24:37.524-08:00On With the Show!<p>It has been a busy week here in the Phillips' household.  With Christmas coming we have been bombarded with church and school programs.  This is the first year Trent has been old enough to take part in the choir.  Last week they had their Christmas concert. I was flooded with memories as he stood so straight and tall and sang the Christmas carols, ending with the Hallelujah chorus.  Isn't he the cutest thing in his tux?</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUcfW7HkAkI/AAAAAAAAATE/AfHlNtHUmB0/s1600-h/November2008%20082%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="November2008 082" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUcfXBnC_nI/AAAAAAAAATI/lTdz8oDMM_o/November2008%20082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Tonight was Trent's first piano recital.  He has only been taking since September but has been doing great.  I am finally understanding what my mom went through trying to get all  4 of us to practice.  Such fun!  But tonight we saw it all come together. I was so proud of him as he overcame his nerves to play "Jingle Bells" with his teacher Mrs. Cokely.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUcfXSw1OXI/AAAAAAAAATM/BrrHq7bfUNk/s1600-h/November2008%20090%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="184" alt="November2008 090" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUcfXiL3DsI/AAAAAAAAATQ/80PDK_6yWHo/November2008%20090_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>He did great and was thrilled when it was over.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUcfX2eTHaI/AAAAAAAAATU/So8IGX8nvDA/s1600-h/November2008%20094%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="November2008 094" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SUcfYK87d_I/AAAAAAAAATY/9dPDk8WuCTw/November2008%20094_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>And this is not the end.  Stay tuned for the next entertainment installment of the Phillips' family!</p> Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-73457359990706239212008-11-29T19:13:00.000-08:002008-11-29T19:29:05.820-08:00Most Wonderful Time of the Year!Well, the day has come that I have been waiting for. No, it was not the wonderful Thanksgiving feast we shared with my sister and her family. No, it was not the craziness we shared getting up early on Friday to get an early start (and I do mean early!) on our Christmas shopping. No, I am talking about the fact that today was the day that the Alabama Crimson Tide played their arch rivals the Auburn Tigers. And I am telling you that they came to play. Can you say SHUT-OUT? We came, we played, we shut them up!! No more talk of fingers and wins to add on. Since the last time we won was before my 5 year old was born I was definitely ready for this and it was worth it! <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO86nrMuan09ae_yOe29nXMVTINRFsBJirdj-TESd-J7IIHEOZPfX2a3_6BMbC_fj8Yuyc9481q3lGSYiW1DMAFvIf6qzYd7knS2ks9MjWpBaBfHX4fsSNdU5o1fPZGjizalkMPjKOoxDR/s1600-h/bama.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 269px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO86nrMuan09ae_yOe29nXMVTINRFsBJirdj-TESd-J7IIHEOZPfX2a3_6BMbC_fj8Yuyc9481q3lGSYiW1DMAFvIf6qzYd7knS2ks9MjWpBaBfHX4fsSNdU5o1fPZGjizalkMPjKOoxDR/s320/bama.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274287342957147810" /></a><br /><strong>Alabama</strong> <strong>36</strong> <strong>Auburn</strong> <strong>0</strong><br /><strong>ROLL TIDE!!!!</strong>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-67840086160834067072008-10-30T18:24:00.001-07:002008-10-30T18:25:39.679-07:00A Bird, A Plane, No It's...<p>Just the Phillips' family on the next day of Homecoming week--Hero Day!!  I must say that while Decade Day was very exciting for Tom and I, the kids had been waiting for this day.  We discussed different heroes, fictional vs. real, cartoon vs. human.  The boys decided that they wanted to go full out Super Hero so we went and chose the perfect costumes.  The choices...</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQpeKzIty3I/AAAAAAAAAPk/T5aBeY-32TY/s1600-h/October%202008%20003%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="October 2008 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQpeLEA66qI/AAAAAAAAAPo/vjDoJFjFHH4/October%202008%20003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQpeL4JW8sI/AAAAAAAAAPs/9VpgZYhMrYw/s1600-h/October%202008%20004%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="October 2008 004" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQpeMXTJciI/AAAAAAAAAPw/EcjW9KfzSHs/October%202008%20004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Of course, Trent had to have Batman and Brayden had to have the white Power Ranger which turns out to be a hero (we don't watch them so I wasn't sure).  </p> <p>Hero Day turned out to be a little more challenging for me.  I did not want to spend money on a costume and was all spent out on fresh ideas.  So the answer...</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQpeMgkY6KI/AAAAAAAAAP0/NnizLgJL3B0/s1600-h/October%202008%20006%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="177" alt="October 2008 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQpeM5GedXI/AAAAAAAAAP4/jxgYFVdZ0cI/October%202008%20006_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>It turns out I had an old cheerleading shirt when the theme of our camp was Heroes.  So you want Hero Day?  I gave them just what they asked for.  I did have a good time teaching Spiderman and quite a few Batmans spelling and history today.</p> <p>It really has been a fun week, but I must admit I will be glad just to have plain, ol' kids in my classroom again.  And I will be thrilled to go back to picking out my khakis and solid colored shirts!</p>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-80784802072971500032008-10-29T19:08:00.001-07:002008-10-29T19:08:06.277-07:00Everybody Cut Footloose!<blockquote> <p>Today might have been the most anticipated day of the week so far...at least for the grown ups in the household!  Today was Decade Day and the chosen decade for our family was the eighties.  Trent and Brayden went total punk rocker on us, complete with tattoo sleeves (thanks to my sister Tammy for the idea and the dollar store for the supplies!) and colored mohawks.  I was doubtful about whether the boys' hair would stay in the mohawk all day, but thanks to a wonderful product found at Wal-mart named Super Spikes, we were able to stay mohawk-ish all the way through until church (which thankfully was Wacky Wednesday so we killed two birds with one stone!).</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQkXA04j-bI/AAAAAAAAAPU/GsfyPIi5juw/s1600-h/October%202008%20002%5B13%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="304" alt="October 2008 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQkXA2ATVcI/AAAAAAAAAPY/dUdXgJYqI-U/October%202008%20002_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="207" border="0" /></a> </p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Tom and I were very excited about eighties day and we spent much time putting together our outfits.  Believe it or not I actually found the leg warmers and tights at Target.  Apparently they are back in style - woohoo!  Tom brought back the great two shirt look.  We had lots of fun,  but we are definitely appreciative that we have moved on to a more stable wardrobe!! </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQkXBC4N9tI/AAAAAAAAAPc/GlDeVezO4ww/s1600-h/October%202008%20003%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="325" alt="October 2008 003" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_oC6cbakuT28/SQkXBbMuT6I/AAAAAAAAAPg/dwApncBqqSA/October%202008%20003_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="197" border="0" /></a></p> <p>Well, a trip back in time is always fun but it's back to good ol' 2008 for now!</p></blockquote> Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-28388982188185983692008-10-28T18:26:00.001-07:002008-10-28T18:26:56.316-07:00A Pirate Says "Argh!"<p>Day number two of NFC Homecoming Week brought us to...Pirate Day!  I must admit that this day threw me for a loop at first, but after a trip to the local Goodwill I was forced to get a little creative.  I arrived to find that Goodwill was extremely busy and was thrilled to find out the reason why.  Mondays is half of all clothing!!  My lucky day!!  I found two pair of black pants and after giving up a search for a child's vest or brightly colored shirt I found two small women's sleeveless shirts.  I took the items home, washed them (I hope that was assumed by all), and cut them into two little boy pirate outfits.  I think I did pretty well for my first time costume making.  The final product...two of the cutest little "land lubbers" you ever did see.  Check it out! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQe71w-FNZI/AAAAAAAAAO8/P_f4QPtIM7A/s1600-h/October%202008%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="October 2008 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQe72QD5xHI/AAAAAAAAAPA/c4dAIFrv8hI/October%202008%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQe72th8sRI/AAAAAAAAAPE/ks1H9nAIPrA/s1600-h/October%202008%20002%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="October 2008 002" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQe73b-99sI/AAAAAAAAAPI/jUYbQ6Utr_k/October%202008%20002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQe73ZduxbI/AAAAAAAAAPM/E7Ur4rBNJDU/s1600-h/October%202008%20003%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="197" alt="October 2008 003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQe73-NNMPI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/x40_6et6kYI/October%202008%20003_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>Don't be fooled by the look on Brayden's face, he is loving every minute of this week!!  Can't wait until tomorrow!!  </p> Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-76480743764135233972008-10-27T18:30:00.000-07:002008-10-27T18:32:30.519-07:00Homecoming Week at NFC<p>Today marked the beginning of one of our favorite weeks in education - Homecoming!!  It is a week that the students look forward to and the teachers look forward to it ending!  Well, the Phillips' family went all out this year preparing and we feel that we are ready to meet this week head on.  The first day was established as Nerd Day.  Being one of the cool kids my entire life this day presented a great challenge for me, but I went forward with great gusto!!  We searched high and low for just the right look and found that most of it was available in our own closets.  The final result.....</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQZrpBW8uHI/AAAAAAAAAOk/AD2eaVvcEMA/s1600-h/October%202008%20014%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="188" alt="October 2008 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQZrpxzeEbI/AAAAAAAAAOo/aVwA3RQMH9g/October%202008%20014_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="277" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>The Super Cool Phillips' Nerds!!</p> <p>We even convinced Dad and Jackson to get in on the act!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQZrqNyUHhI/AAAAAAAAAOs/omgrzAanpJw/s1600-h/October%202008%20015%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="244" alt="October 2008 015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQZrqqTE3wI/AAAAAAAAAOw/J8Ax5Ookqik/October%202008%20015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" border="0" /></a>    <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQZrqxmRoEI/AAAAAAAAAO0/Hju52O3xydI/s1600-h/October%202008%20016%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="164" alt="October 2008 016" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SQZrrYYEaKI/AAAAAAAAAO4/uvP12MAjBkQ/October%202008%20016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" border="0" /></a> </p> <p>We definitely made Nerd Day a success.  Just stay tuned for our next exciting adventure as NFC Homecoming 2008 continues!</p> Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-18020159636799032552008-10-22T12:22:00.000-07:002008-10-22T12:27:25.987-07:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0RTV-w2l_GUqC4RiFnTVDntzeb0w7kP1Tx_59Hg2gSX7cSqyvvFpOhIrcZlKQzV6fbLm_iw_SFgYXGgoZbWWxKdTHUTMEaql1hpkIM0JdUwTGGsqtDLWJjegyNBIYjRoM_yHNggBPixe/s1600-h/super+heroes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0RTV-w2l_GUqC4RiFnTVDntzeb0w7kP1Tx_59Hg2gSX7cSqyvvFpOhIrcZlKQzV6fbLm_iw_SFgYXGgoZbWWxKdTHUTMEaql1hpkIM0JdUwTGGsqtDLWJjegyNBIYjRoM_yHNggBPixe/s400/super+heroes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260062066277749218" /></a>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-10488808705557032472008-10-22T07:41:00.000-07:002008-10-22T12:22:02.065-07:00You Ought to Be in PicturesOK, I saw this on my sister Tammy's blog and thought I had to jump on in and do it. Too much fun!<br /><br /><strong>How old are you?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m0UCPcAFoS6DYxgrj4RbYyQtxO30X1Y32HEjNYkBpSK39mn32zaOzki618epvPOlEnfVhxg-Y5z78P80IS-B0GRodJFyxls8LSccHBwwlT1mAK6wzSvwJJkBuhLvjJ3agkcMn5VFsvox/s1600-h/number_36.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-m0UCPcAFoS6DYxgrj4RbYyQtxO30X1Y32HEjNYkBpSK39mn32zaOzki618epvPOlEnfVhxg-Y5z78P80IS-B0GRodJFyxls8LSccHBwwlT1mAK6wzSvwJJkBuhLvjJ3agkcMn5VFsvox/s320/number_36.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259988893342126498" /></a><br /><br /><strong>What is your middle name?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv4pLAeuvy_a8yheJOdOM5YDSmlCYDR8U4uPq0gjTseJFVgppXpOVbQpKLn0Jr4HoXou_7WOq90dCDkm5ZKTOYVg_dxO-dqFePyAbj0c0Fl9tJBpcdOJvluOISBNvWne5IPKuj8PSUMv3/s1600-h/Maria_and_Elmo_Termine.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilv4pLAeuvy_a8yheJOdOM5YDSmlCYDR8U4uPq0gjTseJFVgppXpOVbQpKLn0Jr4HoXou_7WOq90dCDkm5ZKTOYVg_dxO-dqFePyAbj0c0Fl9tJBpcdOJvluOISBNvWne5IPKuj8PSUMv3/s320/Maria_and_Elmo_Termine.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259989283557038050" /></a>(focus on the person, not the puppet!)<br /><br /><strong>Where is your dream vacation?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENQEp8tI2MLRxsAK94ZtwHbBkdpIcFNu0Mth3dIsvNbKoOXxJOHs0S-q4UwxT2OwOhS062CbLHWjz3gOEaKhXv0kSeKnZlOoFssxa9qAUOxIQTpf56A7n7Uob8x-h6hX8yjS9GWmIFngG/s1600-h/Cruise_Ship.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENQEp8tI2MLRxsAK94ZtwHbBkdpIcFNu0Mth3dIsvNbKoOXxJOHs0S-q4UwxT2OwOhS062CbLHWjz3gOEaKhXv0kSeKnZlOoFssxa9qAUOxIQTpf56A7n7Uob8x-h6hX8yjS9GWmIFngG/s320/Cruise_Ship.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259989540642124146" /></a>(anywhere on a ride like that!)<br /><br /><strong>Where were you born?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLdrpETcdB7ttTmRotbM7vrbT2O2cMWQ_7yx3cJXJrs5eGDUWj8v4xGeCx1JzSRdaQCvO5BkWqOT0I0y26WTcmEIkKpqnXvTwY0gBaZrDXmSnQSBUOmxfl6W7Mvzpa3r_Rb8WnFzZ-mhs/s1600-h/Alabama_Sign.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLdrpETcdB7ttTmRotbM7vrbT2O2cMWQ_7yx3cJXJrs5eGDUWj8v4xGeCx1JzSRdaQCvO5BkWqOT0I0y26WTcmEIkKpqnXvTwY0gBaZrDXmSnQSBUOmxfl6W7Mvzpa3r_Rb8WnFzZ-mhs/s320/Alabama_Sign.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259989738494074866" /></a><br /><br /><strong>What is your favorite color?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze1ecx3Ia1CcQQCLHyrkLTDSkbrgjn6RL7MZ69AJNH8GvCV036q9Ym9cvp8O367q4v1PijCd7YR7T1QPm2BmNA3l3bJXgRCbCR0FCDEaYy03rJzFr_uGMh3dIuUHYEQrl47XnJUn229Bq/s1600-h/blue+flower.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjze1ecx3Ia1CcQQCLHyrkLTDSkbrgjn6RL7MZ69AJNH8GvCV036q9Ym9cvp8O367q4v1PijCd7YR7T1QPm2BmNA3l3bJXgRCbCR0FCDEaYy03rJzFr_uGMh3dIuUHYEQrl47XnJUn229Bq/s320/blue+flower.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259989898294704882" /></a><br /><br /><strong>What is your favorite drink?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNm_u2pc0D4abt4_evoq-dpF-gZGWqsi1qyO0Awv4MSULQhpv_xXEwXk6LNYZ-rd4tE695Ix3yuW6s2GJZ-eAKN-yvszIBBJRIvHTcpy4EYb-n1gnu8fmBkVBWiP6k11m0Ti8yX8pDAje/s1600-h/CocaColaPoster.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcNm_u2pc0D4abt4_evoq-dpF-gZGWqsi1qyO0Awv4MSULQhpv_xXEwXk6LNYZ-rd4tE695Ix3yuW6s2GJZ-eAKN-yvszIBBJRIvHTcpy4EYb-n1gnu8fmBkVBWiP6k11m0Ti8yX8pDAje/s320/CocaColaPoster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259990058759883682" /></a><br /><br /><strong>What is your favorite cartoon?</strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIqqBki2YUU_54VL9RU4_tPSVFim9Rcy7Jo1v7N3Y01tA32rAlVJENdl9lpSDNf5ESxwd-9Ac_Wo0fnWQQZft_yZuW9XUaWKCSMH2de4fkZT8vc_vW9Ba5woYSYS1F0IVIrLwMAP7RiZ-/s1600-h/tom+and+jerry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIqqBki2YUU_54VL9RU4_tPSVFim9Rcy7Jo1v7N3Y01tA32rAlVJENdl9lpSDNf5ESxwd-9Ac_Wo0fnWQQZft_yZuW9XUaWKCSMH2de4fkZT8vc_vW9Ba5woYSYS1F0IVIrLwMAP7RiZ-/s320/tom+and+jerry.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5259990255353127330" /></a>(shout out to my brother on this one!)<br /><br />Well, this was alot of fun! I'll have to join in the blogging fun more oftenn!!Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-73615999904012072452008-10-15T19:45:00.001-07:002008-10-15T19:47:09.256-07:00With a Capital "P"<p>Last week we had Grandparents' Day at our school.  Brayden was chosen to hold the prime slot in the welcome assembly.  He had to stand in the middle of the platform waiting for the assembly to begin.  It seemed as if he stood there for 10 minutes or longer but with a huge smile on his face.  When his moment finally came he did a great job holding up the "Capital P" on the song "I am a Promise". He is such a little show man and we were so proud of him.  "He is a great, big, bundle of...potentiality!"</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SPaqs_l5TVI/AAAAAAAAANc/xAlc5-JldFA/s1600-h/capital%20p%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-bottom: 0px" height="484" alt="capital p" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/tomnic94/SPaqtErfjgI/AAAAAAAAANg/0oQLbwi0c-A/capital%20p_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="324" border="0" /></a></p> Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-75215001788808427022008-10-05T19:30:00.000-07:002008-10-05T20:02:34.010-07:00Mommy MomentI thoroughly enjoy Mommy moments like, playing on the trampoline, baking cookies, etc... However, this Friday we had a Mommy moment I would like to forget. Since we were out of school I got a grand idea to take the boys to the park and have a picnic. Tom met us and we got busy swinging and sliding and having a great time. After we ate the boys wanted to walk down to the pond. As I was taking this picture... <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZivZOlWVNcUTYI-CxY-T0I7t9GG35g45OPIgWAfNa3MrOE510utRGmEXfUzwu_Xc4V9oIlRmvq04fuBw2vVDuqEszgDfhjAwY99ahl_XYjO-7-8Lz0FjwIQPfWJXD3mBP8rWlXK-khbsw/s1600-h/September+2008+013.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253865799245727714 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZivZOlWVNcUTYI-CxY-T0I7t9GG35g45OPIgWAfNa3MrOE510utRGmEXfUzwu_Xc4V9oIlRmvq04fuBw2vVDuqEszgDfhjAwY99ahl_XYjO-7-8Lz0FjwIQPfWJXD3mBP8rWlXK-khbsw/s320/September+2008+013.JPG" border=0></A> Jackson took off for the water. I pulled him back with the hand I was holding. As he picked up his feet to drop to the ground, I felt a pop. I told Tom and we watched him and realized that he wasn't moving his arm. He tried to suck his thumb but let his arm fall to his side. When my hard core thumb sucker doesn't suck his thumb I knew something is up. We went straight to the doctor where we were diagnosed with "nursemaid's elbow" (a dislocated elbow). Needless to say I was horrified and in tears. The doctor said it happens all the time. She gently put it back in its place and we were done. It took about 5 minutes for him to try the thumb again but by the time we got home we were back to normal. He had to wear a sling for the next few days...not that it stopped him from anything but we wore it like we were supposed to. <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJQEJA1so6d3Kp8qdM3dyD8kQ6fDy-SyTIprgJg0kj67dJOVJl1LBKAeZlzgZP9-Yz1gTGmljPfb-jo_-jr7Ol_Typ2HkZWuhJtNB3bUZqq9fxUrqaVJkSsQ8Ya-37oMMeOj4jzHbq3Z2/s1600-h/September+2008+017.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253865803518490914 style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJQEJA1so6d3Kp8qdM3dyD8kQ6fDy-SyTIprgJg0kj67dJOVJl1LBKAeZlzgZP9-Yz1gTGmljPfb-jo_-jr7Ol_Typ2HkZWuhJtNB3bUZqq9fxUrqaVJkSsQ8Ya-37oMMeOj4jzHbq3Z2/s320/September+2008+017.JPG" border=0></A> He is a trooper though by that night he was back to football, sling and all!<br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-fe993a2ab69f4cdd height=266 width=320 contentId="fe993a2ab69f4cdd"></OBJECT>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-2649139571717391992008-10-05T19:19:00.000-07:002008-10-05T19:30:27.635-07:00From Babies to BoysAs the mother of three boys I know what the difference one haircut can make. With Trent and Brayden they both had their haircut at 9 and 10 months old. Since Jackson's hair hasn't been nearly as long I have gone as long as I could without cutting it. I did trim the bangs a little once to get it out of his eyes but as far as cutting it...I wanted to wait as long as possible. Well, we finally decided it had gone from cute to unruly and I sat him down in his high chair for the big moment. I was expecting the same thing I had experienced with the other two. Screams, kicks, and fits. Jackson just sat and watched. It is far from professional but it turned out OK. I felt so sad to see how grown up he looked but it happens every time. My last little guy is growing up!<br />Before...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSjKftqb1HSx-hlJPJR1xXI0-su3-_jl50l43beNMRSwQe6BdeR3bxp0AccG8MO5OiryFVx0nSkwhY0qSkaIWEa65dScShhYuZl6Wiq0qgvsuB8eZKuYkvwFGbgDhJf1HnGake9MlALqD/s1600-h/summer+2008+073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGSjKftqb1HSx-hlJPJR1xXI0-su3-_jl50l43beNMRSwQe6BdeR3bxp0AccG8MO5OiryFVx0nSkwhY0qSkaIWEa65dScShhYuZl6Wiq0qgvsuB8eZKuYkvwFGbgDhJf1HnGake9MlALqD/s320/summer+2008+073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253862019065932882" /></a><br /><br /><br />After...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT-GRDuZgd2yBGn6WndX-K0gCGIpCx6vQzI204LAQT6NotIHcv6AxEezHt6PTiR3-lR2l1A4evH-4M2-oRnu15BFP8jW1TIfZl7l6RHxVao9RUt2kddFd7YGbbtMdH7dzdzCKDRZLoggr/s1600-h/September+2008+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWT-GRDuZgd2yBGn6WndX-K0gCGIpCx6vQzI204LAQT6NotIHcv6AxEezHt6PTiR3-lR2l1A4evH-4M2-oRnu15BFP8jW1TIfZl7l6RHxVao9RUt2kddFd7YGbbtMdH7dzdzCKDRZLoggr/s320/September+2008+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253861774337610738" /></a>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-66244527373560250232008-09-13T19:09:00.000-07:002008-09-13T19:16:47.546-07:00Family Heirlooms<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv8OIWCrAE4794wl25Q57C-QUq-cTUeMkqWoLMww32A1jOSDttGyz0hhrPSXuJAOrLkxgjv3N2o2GbSeJYfzaMVSyuMgxoTK5k3nZ5W6kbOPk8D1AlFAcu8cx3MxYEsOHKaKp_uR6SswB/s1600-h/September+2008+003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv8OIWCrAE4794wl25Q57C-QUq-cTUeMkqWoLMww32A1jOSDttGyz0hhrPSXuJAOrLkxgjv3N2o2GbSeJYfzaMVSyuMgxoTK5k3nZ5W6kbOPk8D1AlFAcu8cx3MxYEsOHKaKp_uR6SswB/s320/September+2008+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245694675669428322" /></a><br />When I was little my Yaya (Greek grandmother) gave me a small chair that had belonged to my dad when he was little. If I remember correctly this chair was from Greece and she wanted me to have it. It survived being used for many different things and has since been used by each of my boys. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZFmUw97BlBFhI5DbAppA2kaCFBzj7SouuZontcYDq2PMpOSwKhaVWVQjc3OD8azXGl7POZGbTh6fVBjIVis1x7Ovf-EhZCyXVMR4P-oz83jamMBfpW3ji_XIbeHhihUjw-oXl1GsHSKq/s1600-h/September+2008+004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSZFmUw97BlBFhI5DbAppA2kaCFBzj7SouuZontcYDq2PMpOSwKhaVWVQjc3OD8azXGl7POZGbTh6fVBjIVis1x7Ovf-EhZCyXVMR4P-oz83jamMBfpW3ji_XIbeHhihUjw-oXl1GsHSKq/s320/September+2008+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245694680462757874" /></a><br />Well, now it is in the room of Jackson Nicholas (named after said father) and he has taken to dragging it around the house for many different reasons. He occasionally sits in it but mainly I have found him using it to access a number of things too high for him to reach. The funny thing is I really believe that is exactly what my father probably used it for too!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55XjzjrUQTFgUqAI7VZ0qU4vGlu0EVFh5OCK1hvJfZiqTfkWIiyTavIEkbgNiuNT2XzkRGZPDI6RqruzncKYktrAzOYqWPMNecroeGlrDoZV0xFRgO8gGQ-DP3dQ7BO0zOiVvn_x-SbpM/s1600-h/September+2008+001.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj55XjzjrUQTFgUqAI7VZ0qU4vGlu0EVFh5OCK1hvJfZiqTfkWIiyTavIEkbgNiuNT2XzkRGZPDI6RqruzncKYktrAzOYqWPMNecroeGlrDoZV0xFRgO8gGQ-DP3dQ7BO0zOiVvn_x-SbpM/s320/September+2008+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245694682883457506" /></a>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-20619181965233548322008-09-13T18:54:00.000-07:002008-09-13T19:07:40.221-07:00Look out Coach Saban...Here come the Phillips' brothers. The University of Alabama has been blessed in the past with many brothers that have all put on the Crimson and White. You may well remember the Goodes, the Castilles, and others. Well, we here at the Phillips' household are doing our part to continue the winning tradition of Alabama football. It may be a few years and we have a little bit to learn but as you can see, we are on our way!!<br /><OBJECT class=BLOG_video_class id=BLOG_video-6594ffa339dff348 height=266 width=320 contentId="6594ffa339dff348"></OBJECT>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-78185318941662596632008-09-07T18:53:00.001-07:002008-09-07T19:13:43.832-07:00First Day of SchoolAnd once again it begins again. The school year is underway and another year is flying by. Trent is enjoying his year so far in third grade with Mrs. Roberts as his teacher. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuRmz8hf-hwmviJd4QBex6131DXVFlUcNXTdhDxwAIxiYEXymBz7Ax7MaA6FafZbxbbBuytWDWOoXiIU2lvVwBGC-J4MtW2EpyK_SyKwLHBxKD3Y2NJjfkELsM5g2wh4WZgE0rVLOCG4C/s1600-h/summer+2008+065.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuRmz8hf-hwmviJd4QBex6131DXVFlUcNXTdhDxwAIxiYEXymBz7Ax7MaA6FafZbxbbBuytWDWOoXiIU2lvVwBGC-J4MtW2EpyK_SyKwLHBxKD3Y2NJjfkELsM5g2wh4WZgE0rVLOCG4C/s320/summer+2008+065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243465803621831042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1cNuIxz4EHBs1eluJSnH-ILqUolV7k-Gddb7z21BXVBjnkcEInw6qoH2CtS1BAf9Pj5kenKTzzHbyN_VcbYDY1bX_uE_2-kboMAM8uJ8Grk6QAQKpUQaK2DGR6k8R6XYxfCLsOLVgJBV/s1600-h/summer+2008+066.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1cNuIxz4EHBs1eluJSnH-ILqUolV7k-Gddb7z21BXVBjnkcEInw6qoH2CtS1BAf9Pj5kenKTzzHbyN_VcbYDY1bX_uE_2-kboMAM8uJ8Grk6QAQKpUQaK2DGR6k8R6XYxfCLsOLVgJBV/s320/summer+2008+066.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243465812945384642" /></a><br /><br />We are working on multiplication tables already and I am having flashbacks of sitting in our living room in Birmingham with Mom telling me, "I see you counting on those fingers, you better stop that!". Well, Mom, I don't have to use those fingers anymore! Thanks! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFSNHPGePV5a_JLV-34HCLoddDHU5-GscvWCzHdWpnMXMWHru7U1G3LC4tIi95ImFZyr4Y9KWXfGGoj6z69zPLSkeCPzeA4O63YTD3hiFUTCmGzwOiPGi3cWMD39j9SEJxp-nxKUtXaZl/s1600-h/summer+2008+068.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFSNHPGePV5a_JLV-34HCLoddDHU5-GscvWCzHdWpnMXMWHru7U1G3LC4tIi95ImFZyr4Y9KWXfGGoj6z69zPLSkeCPzeA4O63YTD3hiFUTCmGzwOiPGi3cWMD39j9SEJxp-nxKUtXaZl/s320/summer+2008+068.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243465818336725634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZziqm9iF5qG9agTREsquAgQ1IfUg9HVt_MxyDF3A5CCQjmPjR6LrbUVpFmHzByv17apbCjUf_py1ZoYa3O-qDVrgM-dEKnMeeHa7cQY2VtOaTQCS61vHUo9g7ppIr5sAUWs27CHpoJUo/s1600-h/summer+2008+067.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZziqm9iF5qG9agTREsquAgQ1IfUg9HVt_MxyDF3A5CCQjmPjR6LrbUVpFmHzByv17apbCjUf_py1ZoYa3O-qDVrgM-dEKnMeeHa7cQY2VtOaTQCS61vHUo9g7ppIr5sAUWs27CHpoJUo/s320/summer+2008+067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243465830171244722" /></a><br />Brayden is loving kindergarten in Mrs. Strickland's room (or as Brayden says, Mrs. Strick-a-lin). He is learning his blends and has already been star of the day.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwIRzVk1lTOn0WXHirXma7CKXXrj8IEpGNIx3k1mc870F9Qeioprzaep6Tol09lef4Av9YEBJURxI_EbCE6dZagg28myeQUvAz37AVWZQ0caRMEm32iaLUAqiW9-dkaZR6JIi-3ICiQqV/s1600-h/summer+2008+073.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwIRzVk1lTOn0WXHirXma7CKXXrj8IEpGNIx3k1mc870F9Qeioprzaep6Tol09lef4Av9YEBJURxI_EbCE6dZagg28myeQUvAz37AVWZQ0caRMEm32iaLUAqiW9-dkaZR6JIi-3ICiQqV/s320/summer+2008+073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243466927753256690" /></a><br /><br />Jackson is still at Mimi's but has been learning how to climb on furniture, mainly to get closer to the light switches. His little personality is shining through and he is a little ham. The idea that at least one of our kids would be a quiet one is long gone! Jackson loves to be outside and would stay out there all day if we would let him.<br /><br />As far as my class goes, we are still adjusting to each other but they seem to be a great group of kids. I am looking forward to watching them bond and grow as the year goes by.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUs7WhRaijSzDGdXAbzynm-ziLP0Jy1mk3hmOk-k-RvrUoopWJx3I-nZFgZBusZzRW4ExmaLrDE4cMDvcNzLHbmISJzXeircjrS86k5JVowBHYsStVAd3qrVw8TOHCnrYrK6seyQFogiH/s1600-h/summer+2008+056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUs7WhRaijSzDGdXAbzynm-ziLP0Jy1mk3hmOk-k-RvrUoopWJx3I-nZFgZBusZzRW4ExmaLrDE4cMDvcNzLHbmISJzXeircjrS86k5JVowBHYsStVAd3qrVw8TOHCnrYrK6seyQFogiH/s320/summer+2008+056.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243466350368651234" /></a><br /><br />I think as a teacher I see how quickly time goes by so it makes me dread a new year a little. But it is so fun to see the boys growing and learning.Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-15666011199642683032008-08-11T20:08:00.000-07:002008-08-11T20:15:38.932-07:00Every Four Years<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_We1sejMm4WN4DvTCKabZmV-S3LE2RLBcv_WTjXcusPkax-yIa902r07Bn_pyCxBCJdg9t4psNBJyLPuW2MZ5K5uuO5ol833XKccUORQWzUwx8-AoATtzRm-g8C5XsTcjbiw-ZTuZfOVN/s1600-h/Olympic%2520Rings.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_We1sejMm4WN4DvTCKabZmV-S3LE2RLBcv_WTjXcusPkax-yIa902r07Bn_pyCxBCJdg9t4psNBJyLPuW2MZ5K5uuO5ol833XKccUORQWzUwx8-AoATtzRm-g8C5XsTcjbiw-ZTuZfOVN/s320/Olympic%2520Rings.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233464577814040690" /></a><br />It is now 11:09 pm and I have to be at work tomorrow. However, I find myself still up and glued to my television. This happens to me occasionally, to be specific, every four years. I am drawn to sports that normally wouldn't interest me if I were to happen across them any other day. But as I type Michael Phelps is stepping up on the blocks and I can't wait to see him go. I get so excited about every event and can't wait to cheer my country on. My classroom has an olympic theme this year and the entire room is red, white, and blue. I love it! Well, the race is over and once again Michael Phelps has blown everyone away!! I must now go to bed and awake tomorrow for another day waiting for Primetime Olympic coverage!! Go USA!!Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-49869104315395284542008-08-11T20:02:00.001-07:002008-08-11T20:08:19.494-07:00It had to end!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PbVvh1AxrPWTaqG971Qz1Ozintmir-KjW5UybjgKMC7eBPrZZHvDbOlE_-3RYQ9Y0YVhIHoWujKW7ps2U5bGdxfSrjavk5luJMORTzg3nebZ0iq7vNKJzI-IoWOAkmBXuyzKY1hW_D-1/s1600-h/boys+at+the+beach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PbVvh1AxrPWTaqG971Qz1Ozintmir-KjW5UybjgKMC7eBPrZZHvDbOlE_-3RYQ9Y0YVhIHoWujKW7ps2U5bGdxfSrjavk5luJMORTzg3nebZ0iq7vNKJzI-IoWOAkmBXuyzKY1hW_D-1/s320/boys+at+the+beach.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233462451589660946" /></a><br />Well, this summer has been quite busy for the Phillips' family. We've been to the beach...twice, visited family, and spent as much time as we could in the pool. As far as successfull goes, I did complete my list that I set out at the beginning of the summer so I am happy. The boys are thrilled because they have been allowed to stay up late (not that they sleep in late!) and haven't had to get their hair cut. But, alas, all good things must come to an end and this Friday we will begin our journey into kindergarten and third grade. It's hard to believe that we've come so far from our bottles and potty training days but the bookbags are packed and the lunches are ready to be packed. Trent is thrilled with the thought of seeing his friends every day again but Brayden (who has a different outlook on life) is upset that he will have to get a shower every day. Ahh, well, back to our 9 month routine again!! The summer is just a memory!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwP4DiV1YZtZ-6hVGFursBL0PD4Uf0ZJUEvyJyXzz5C2HVZVWE2MzQ4tZL7wZSxoqM_qkLYpHjPpDM0dJMYCa5hYx0shnSYcaLQx-jKU8Kl5CtJzxO8MJmH07m4wtjy2GtQMIhw4kYJI2/s1600-h/boys+at+the+beach5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwP4DiV1YZtZ-6hVGFursBL0PD4Uf0ZJUEvyJyXzz5C2HVZVWE2MzQ4tZL7wZSxoqM_qkLYpHjPpDM0dJMYCa5hYx0shnSYcaLQx-jKU8Kl5CtJzxO8MJmH07m4wtjy2GtQMIhw4kYJI2/s320/boys+at+the+beach5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233462458905424546" /></a>Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-61566985164245420512008-07-09T10:50:00.000-07:002008-07-09T11:17:52.515-07:0014 Years Ago Today<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj8iirGfoaeksvsUQBrepxkKCyPA5IingHmcAy06sy89o_qGPMDB6jnkgCorJi7rqr1yXMUGM8HVBPME1r2u5l4mrCxB_eizYgpymD46Ho6RhiZsOb0OoQ1Gg30Z5IKQI6bldutMyEcaz/s1600-h/summer+2008+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsj8iirGfoaeksvsUQBrepxkKCyPA5IingHmcAy06sy89o_qGPMDB6jnkgCorJi7rqr1yXMUGM8HVBPME1r2u5l4mrCxB_eizYgpymD46Ho6RhiZsOb0OoQ1Gg30Z5IKQI6bldutMyEcaz/s320/summer+2008+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221079519598670642" /></a><br /><br />It was 14 years ago today that I began what is the second greatest journey of my life. Second only to my relationship with Christ is my relationship with my husband. Tom and I were married on July 9, 1994. Looking back at these pictures we laugh about how young we look and how we have grown over the years.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0aD3PCO9fXR5e9_K2ObTbSKHoCE_g-cb5_wyXidPM5XcJZC_k8Q3DM09xrz2lO6eOd64kjwClTniiZNXH0_Rsogq-v2fSjYvNePP3-95JmWcpKSkcEiq9Le_X2pSO1xh8EBIux-1bWPt/s1600-h/summer+2008+009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0aD3PCO9fXR5e9_K2ObTbSKHoCE_g-cb5_wyXidPM5XcJZC_k8Q3DM09xrz2lO6eOd64kjwClTniiZNXH0_Rsogq-v2fSjYvNePP3-95JmWcpKSkcEiq9Le_X2pSO1xh8EBIux-1bWPt/s320/summer+2008+009.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221079525059541266" /></a><br /><br />Who would have guessed the journey we have started and the one that is still waiting for us. We have had many opportunities to laugh and to cry but through it all the Lord has bonded us together and given us an awesome family.<br /><br />Looking back at these kids, we had no idea what was ahead, only eyes for each other and the idea that we could conquer the world. <br /><br /><br />Who knew that our family would grow....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdsuuNcCXYHwv5iey_T3Py6MZW-wk6QSLVGHQef7mSIXoyHJYcMHrnE90UxRtSPcB7E_7vspPAaTGoHdIvgLwpVUB750tWiYbsQW3Q5SP5tQo0t3Ribpoyu6-0ijF5eTmtbYBp7QcfMW5/s1600-h/summer+2008+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVdsuuNcCXYHwv5iey_T3Py6MZW-wk6QSLVGHQef7mSIXoyHJYcMHrnE90UxRtSPcB7E_7vspPAaTGoHdIvgLwpVUB750tWiYbsQW3Q5SP5tQo0t3Ribpoyu6-0ijF5eTmtbYBp7QcfMW5/s320/summer+2008+010.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221079534935655618" /></a><br /><br /><br />and grow.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUVDCN9dw3IW-i7SYqiqx8T2Q0wUANqELzUN3ShOU-q422ZyvAjLPawhbYlyQKihl3PYU5rfqUtC1-uk4nwGBzkOL_eC5OItFubjqkM3xksK55yQjrkXnczW-WcC2R1KRhh1JlN8MhT2c/s1600-h/summer+2008+011.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUVDCN9dw3IW-i7SYqiqx8T2Q0wUANqELzUN3ShOU-q422ZyvAjLPawhbYlyQKihl3PYU5rfqUtC1-uk4nwGBzkOL_eC5OItFubjqkM3xksK55yQjrkXnczW-WcC2R1KRhh1JlN8MhT2c/s320/summer+2008+011.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221079541572502450" /></a><br /><br />and grow.....<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YgNeAka0H6dbSBXnuLEUKXzbpu0XcdXo8pDRh-4k7Tt_AT-lAYYGDBQTSGAnkD8OMh4m4TtiiBNSbER-cz444fiopoACAPP9A3WLlHF5vrSAYtfcTwswsZndwVLrQ-5sFmFt0oRhpnFb/s1600-h/March+2008+034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YgNeAka0H6dbSBXnuLEUKXzbpu0XcdXo8pDRh-4k7Tt_AT-lAYYGDBQTSGAnkD8OMh4m4TtiiBNSbER-cz444fiopoACAPP9A3WLlHF5vrSAYtfcTwswsZndwVLrQ-5sFmFt0oRhpnFb/s320/March+2008+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221079547520089602" /></a><br /><br />And that ladies and gentlemen is the final Phillips' family picture...three boys and no more! <br /><br />Happy Anniversary, Tom! Thank you for loving me through all my faults and shortcomings and for making me a better and complete person. I can't wait to see what the next 14 years have in store for us! I love you!Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-35984247073041964802008-07-08T15:55:00.001-07:002008-07-08T16:05:37.788-07:00Chore Time!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6libcHwFdfn42tyGNlHi0JPPOC6SvsFogeGLR1SM77n6RtRxJklCHe_zdgIyGXO8seCKtK0TDjhAS9fM_rJO5A5hIJf8t5qFHypyLXfr_4EdBAw_WpkZeppgxWoLMP6v4HoVhj0geLvTA/s1600-h/summer+2008+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6libcHwFdfn42tyGNlHi0JPPOC6SvsFogeGLR1SM77n6RtRxJklCHe_zdgIyGXO8seCKtK0TDjhAS9fM_rJO5A5hIJf8t5qFHypyLXfr_4EdBAw_WpkZeppgxWoLMP6v4HoVhj0geLvTA/s320/summer+2008+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220781469054340802" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Kvut5qUBXVBtWQG5mb3b_Te1Q1V_z20SbQngJRVueKCH12e_oLDTp78Hsu-fIJG_ekNFRS9-Uw-UVp4tGBlmodqBYvP_w_Drm_JviELFCFcK_XlE2uAiixEohfvDr_VSdKSuQ3ljdVHI/s1600-h/summer+2008+007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Kvut5qUBXVBtWQG5mb3b_Te1Q1V_z20SbQngJRVueKCH12e_oLDTp78Hsu-fIJG_ekNFRS9-Uw-UVp4tGBlmodqBYvP_w_Drm_JviELFCFcK_XlE2uAiixEohfvDr_VSdKSuQ3ljdVHI/s320/summer+2008+007.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220781477154240386" /></a><br />This summer one of our goals has been to get the boys into a routine of doing certain chores each week. To help them with this I found a cute site to help me create and personalize their own chore chart to hang on the fridge and keep up with their chores through out the week. I found it at www.dltk-cards.com/chart/ . Well, today was our first day and they really enjoyed checking off their chores and I really enjoyed their help cleaning up the kitchen after dinner! I know the novelty will wear off eventually but for now life is good!Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-454991506757450650.post-32309801599014039842008-07-06T12:17:00.000-07:002008-07-06T14:29:04.774-07:00Family VacationEach summer I make a list of things around the house I would like to accomplish before the summer is out. The usual, cleaning out closets, organizing drawers, etc... The month of June was dedicated to checking off my list. I told my sister that I would be blogging my brain out this summer and that is the one thing on my list that I have failed to do. With our vacation last week I am now working on keeping my promise.<br /><br />Each summer we head out with my husband's family to a destination for a week and plan on just chillin'. At least as much as we can with the three boys. Our destination this year was Panama City, Florida. So with everyone in tow we headed out to the cabin we rented right off of Tyndall Air Force Base. With my father-in-law being retired military we get a great rate at the many military vacation spots all over the country. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77KeJ1FQB7-m9TPrXFTY3263DQVkC86coUMXo4ZeFr6qabc8W2_-u62QKMEweezNfNUFM3LGk2P1SZkCHUq7Ie-baSBWAtqd7rYfTGXNSvkRAPvrc-Lon2swGEFOtb_HEFS1YDFs0f8oC/s1600-h/summer+2008+029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77KeJ1FQB7-m9TPrXFTY3263DQVkC86coUMXo4ZeFr6qabc8W2_-u62QKMEweezNfNUFM3LGk2P1SZkCHUq7Ie-baSBWAtqd7rYfTGXNSvkRAPvrc-Lon2swGEFOtb_HEFS1YDFs0f8oC/s320/summer+2008+029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219987651024852562" /></a><br /> We got settled in our cabin and stepped out onto the beach just in time for the thunder and lightening to start. Which was just fine with Jackson because he was not enjoying the sand or the surf! <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P-rNXOanzMc29okRM5RmR8ZEP8mAQbdlT36PnDQB4jAIUS6tUaWt-_fDnNxxqO2TdgxrycY7eqW61VsaC__mXmxws402CtzmX4vG5iYeQ_GmVqiG3vkw7EKAT5pP0dyjE_wm-UkedT6l/s1600-h/summer+2008+019.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P-rNXOanzMc29okRM5RmR8ZEP8mAQbdlT36PnDQB4jAIUS6tUaWt-_fDnNxxqO2TdgxrycY7eqW61VsaC__mXmxws402CtzmX4vG5iYeQ_GmVqiG3vkw7EKAT5pP0dyjE_wm-UkedT6l/s320/summer+2008+019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219984875246820242" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeCdHF7-urgp3mxdqMw3S1pOJ6Xe_M4up1VJypTq9PJ7V6aTxrqxYc3VZFTTTcBFWiWs5OKa5A4ih2vtTVAefQxlJ5_SWyA3QJoZoYHHrVxQhrB3tGLc15cL_vCs9thRi-NqnRCn9fSc1/s1600-h/summer+2008+022.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeCdHF7-urgp3mxdqMw3S1pOJ6Xe_M4up1VJypTq9PJ7V6aTxrqxYc3VZFTTTcBFWiWs5OKa5A4ih2vtTVAefQxlJ5_SWyA3QJoZoYHHrVxQhrB3tGLc15cL_vCs9thRi-NqnRCn9fSc1/s320/summer+2008+022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219984884083534578" /></a><br /><br /> So for the first day it was movies and the mall. Just what the boys had hoped for. The rest of the week however was perfect vacation weather.<br /><br />We first hit the water park, Shipwreck Island. I am sad to say that the camera was left behind that day but I can assure you we had a fun-filled day in the sun. We even survived Trent losing his tube on the Ragin' River Rapids and vowing never to go on that ride again! We did enjoy the family water slide and Jackson even overcame his uncertainty of the water and loved stomping around and making eyes at the ladies!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtREM5Eq4BmHGBahY6fsnZhAEO5RgObw0U0p4lkrYwYRzefvuBNYEYqXytPkU3ZkBnFGXTydxCtFTuwF_2PlobE2j4WnrBnpi0HtxabKgiQsr1acQmvxndxhQntRYQ2vngq5l7rekaT5m0/s1600-h/summer+2008+075.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtREM5Eq4BmHGBahY6fsnZhAEO5RgObw0U0p4lkrYwYRzefvuBNYEYqXytPkU3ZkBnFGXTydxCtFTuwF_2PlobE2j4WnrBnpi0HtxabKgiQsr1acQmvxndxhQntRYQ2vngq5l7rekaT5m0/s320/summer+2008+075.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219987678027161714" /></a><br /><br />The rest of the week we enjoyed the beach and the pool. But we mostly enjoyed not having anywhere to be or anything to do. It was exactly what a vacation should be about. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFHOPQsy3FdPa4lEzxU2Z6giT-gyTuRDdxi3-mPAUFzemSLf6UsWNtkaiBwxGzaT4kfL2CSs__g5RShCjBVDNCajn0oq-oZLSXS66_31ypZ8ShYud3CqmV4cH_EvWhclOvql0xqnc2cIm/s1600-h/summer+2008+034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbFHOPQsy3FdPa4lEzxU2Z6giT-gyTuRDdxi3-mPAUFzemSLf6UsWNtkaiBwxGzaT4kfL2CSs__g5RShCjBVDNCajn0oq-oZLSXS66_31ypZ8ShYud3CqmV4cH_EvWhclOvql0xqnc2cIm/s320/summer+2008+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219987660745105298" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucg741xCE8nv0fr7USV22r2_JlO-2JwdAMo2udldJ0dwjFvb6yHY3mk48y4fEXUuj8FBch2bMNAsjdO-w1tXh5e0mFVLhkhKU4-NqyWJ33hzVV-tEPloVJ-RiPzUyYLw7Gyk0pPNBJ2KB/s1600-h/summer+2008+055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucg741xCE8nv0fr7USV22r2_JlO-2JwdAMo2udldJ0dwjFvb6yHY3mk48y4fEXUuj8FBch2bMNAsjdO-w1tXh5e0mFVLhkhKU4-NqyWJ33hzVV-tEPloVJ-RiPzUyYLw7Gyk0pPNBJ2KB/s320/summer+2008+055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220014748408700130" /></a><br /><br /><br />I do always enjoy being on a military base and seeing the life these men and women and their families lead. We enjoyed free bowling, swimming, hot dogs and hamburgers on the Fourth of July. It was great and it was neat to laugh with some of men and women of the Air Force and their families at the bowling alley that day. There were some wives there that were with only their children and you had to wonder if their husbands were overseas. It makes their sacrifice seem so real and opens my heart to the service that they provide so that we can enjoy a weekend like we had. <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iNv_D2BiqeIKhN-5CvOgybkWBoVqSRYKzk0Yro6n9Okx_SFtsKdpJHPeHb5bLs0dKoqNvtUB3hxQbbjtZbP-YZqZqx6PgjTaqZIF3o2_5e_YNER90oNBLlaZdFLb9p24YTYeH5hwtHUr/s1600-h/summer+2008+040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3iNv_D2BiqeIKhN-5CvOgybkWBoVqSRYKzk0Yro6n9Okx_SFtsKdpJHPeHb5bLs0dKoqNvtUB3hxQbbjtZbP-YZqZqx6PgjTaqZIF3o2_5e_YNER90oNBLlaZdFLb9p24YTYeH5hwtHUr/s320/summer+2008+040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219987662792829698" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDnhpi1S3mcprnJTsyxzPfz2MxuySCTrHZDrs9SFiSQNvjxTV3nmpOQPLtJfbzJqEMraXJ8TWwjCMkJIOGzyHYeaDvwNJVcgT7HYQkyjrHoD410G3eJQwqXIb_7j5dA86ISwZj_yrQV7R/s1600-h/summer+2008+052.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDnhpi1S3mcprnJTsyxzPfz2MxuySCTrHZDrs9SFiSQNvjxTV3nmpOQPLtJfbzJqEMraXJ8TWwjCMkJIOGzyHYeaDvwNJVcgT7HYQkyjrHoD410G3eJQwqXIb_7j5dA86ISwZj_yrQV7R/s320/summer+2008+052.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219987672252759794" /></a><br /><br />Finally we enjoyed a great fireworks show at Mexico Beach. It is a quaint little town with a wonderful beach and a family atmosphere. We sat right under the fireworks and actually were hit by a couple pieces of ash! Awesome!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2pf4rQOaeOph4fu__pn0a8XxEIn393wx5UcKeeXOLzpV_iBSIQ6X85Oc2_ihuFJZPmkyvwEYsB3FRLe8q7V6ruyPJPWl_fbyIA4IUVFACY-nj9tVc-PsZrxPxcGub3msrx9wCYq2_XSp/s1600-h/summer+2008+101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu2pf4rQOaeOph4fu__pn0a8XxEIn393wx5UcKeeXOLzpV_iBSIQ6X85Oc2_ihuFJZPmkyvwEYsB3FRLe8q7V6ruyPJPWl_fbyIA4IUVFACY-nj9tVc-PsZrxPxcGub3msrx9wCYq2_XSp/s320/summer+2008+101.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219990379065323570" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonZbiy5TRz8WHWEHRQ0uuJOU0iLLQ2P_elfgoNf367tErYlb1Rf1g0n-OEoORxswAtonKpnIQudtpze5Y2SCwCsuZf2JNcqGW5qHgqzTZrv6Lu2JpVU35SHI72VG7p76on_VeN4U7jCij/s1600-h/summer+2008+084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonZbiy5TRz8WHWEHRQ0uuJOU0iLLQ2P_elfgoNf367tErYlb1Rf1g0n-OEoORxswAtonKpnIQudtpze5Y2SCwCsuZf2JNcqGW5qHgqzTZrv6Lu2JpVU35SHI72VG7p76on_VeN4U7jCij/s320/summer+2008+084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220015894842843570" /></a><br /><br /><br /> I say "we" enjoyed it but I really mean everyone but Jackson. He didn't make it through the families shooting off their own fireworks before the big show. So we settled down and slept through the whole thing! Oh the life!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4q7Ly0pkIlvDluVjlO6ef0abmPLaa6esylcGeMepc2pcJt1NfE0lQCz-2AJDCTt1eOHdE-7waecA7So239PqbAL4fJqkvKmV69-uH_7ShDAzrkU-srFhYISEg3puBW_cjfEmUEeUiIyK/s1600-h/summer+2008+102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM4q7Ly0pkIlvDluVjlO6ef0abmPLaa6esylcGeMepc2pcJt1NfE0lQCz-2AJDCTt1eOHdE-7waecA7So239PqbAL4fJqkvKmV69-uH_7ShDAzrkU-srFhYISEg3puBW_cjfEmUEeUiIyK/s320/summer+2008+102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5220015898979811442" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, the fourth always reminds me that the summer is halfway over and another school year is on its way. But, as Scarlett said, "I'll think about that tomorrow!"Nicolettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13642758890196838348noreply@blogger.com3