tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80050643690076372712024-03-12T18:29:10.130-04:00Let It Be Glory--------There is a reason .... for every moment in our lives .... He's shaping our story .... Let it be {Glory}!-------Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-52016231411725726222017-01-18T11:36:00.003-05:002017-01-18T11:36:30.887-05:00New Blog Address! I have a new blog! Continue following my journey at: https://amberhutcheson.wordpress.com/Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-37571332875347932042016-02-24T05:30:00.000-05:002016-02-24T15:03:57.966-05:00The Day I Was Accused of Copying a CouponA few months ago I was shopping at Wal-Mart and had a cart full of groceries as well as three children in tow. (Yes, shopping with three children is a chaotic adventure that is another post in and of itself.) Before paying I handed the cashier two coupons I wanted to use. They were two of the same coupon. Low and behold they wouldn't scan. They were ones I had printed off line and I often seem to have trouble with those type. Usually stores will just type them in manually and move on.<br />
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But not this time. This time the cashier called over her manager who came in a huff, irritated to be bothered. She glanced at the coupons for a few seconds and then said, "These won't work. You copied them." I copied them? It took me a while to register what she meant and by that time I just mumbled something, asked the cashier to remove the items and got my antsy kids out of there as fast as I could. But later her accusations really started to bother me.<br />
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I copied them? Doesn't that lady know that you can print two of the same coupon from each computer and that just because I had two identical coupons it didn't mean I copied them? (I went home later that day and saw that each of the coupons had a different bar-code printed on them. Wish I would have noticed that in the store!) I have been couponing for almost 10 years. I am not an extreme couponer by ANY means. I mean, that day at Wal-Mart I had a cart packed full of groceries and only had 2 coupons. I do enjoy combining coupons with weekly sales and getting good deals but I don't stress out about using one on everything I buy. But hear me say this: Never in almost 10 years of couponing have I EVER copied a coupon! It's illegal!!<br />
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The more I thought about the manager's words, the more insulted I felt. I had done nothing wrong, I had simply tried to use coupons that I had legitimately printed off my computer yet I was so upset that she would accuse me of such a thing. Then I thought about this... Sure I've never copied a coupon, but what other tiny little sinful actions have I done? Actions that hide under the guise of an "innocent half-truth" or a "little white lie" when in reality they are just plain sin? Integrity is a character trait that I so badly want to uphold in my life and yet in my humanness I fail more often than I'd like. The world's version of honesty and integrity is far removed from God's and we need to make sure we are constantly aligning our thoughts with God's and upholding His standards (not the world's)! From coupons to completing our taxes and everything in between we need to live a life of honesty. It's not always easy to do and sometimes it seems like we could get ahead if we didn't hold such high standards. But it doesn't work. God does not honor deceit.<br />
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Copying a coupon is not the end of the world. Trust me, I know there are much bigger issues at hand in the world today. But what those coupons helped me remember is that God desires integrity from us even in the smallest details of our lives. As Christians, we should live lives that point non-believers to the Lord by our actions. Let's rise up and be different than the rest of the world. Let's be a reflection of Christ in our high standards, integrity, and honesty. It starts with the little things...like coupons.<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. </em></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Titus 2:7-8</span></b></h4>
Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-90773309784013119512016-01-22T08:47:00.001-05:002016-01-23T15:29:32.408-05:00How To Keep a Clean House in 20-30 Minutes a Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm generally an all or nothing type person. When I start a project I like to finish it as soon as I can. I don't like starting something new until I've finished up what I started earlier. This personality trait has, for all of my adult years, carried over into how I clean my house. For years my cleaning schedule has gone like this: 1.) wait until the house gets dirty enough that I can't stand it anymore (which isn't long...I'm a neat freak) 2.) spend the whole day cleaning the entire house from top to bottom 3.) crawl into bed at night exhausted with dry hands and a sore back.<br />
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That schedule worked ok for a while and I'll admit there is something so soothing about having your whole house clean at once. But, let's face it... with kids the whole house stays clean for a total of about 5 minutes before something's messy again. Plus, it was getting harder and harder for me to find a day where I could devote 5+ hours just to cleaning my house. I pay (too much) attention to detail when I clean and also end up sorting, rearranging, putting things away while I clean. That, coupled with lots of interruptions from the children, made for very long days of cleaning (yes, they do help me with cleaning but their "help" often creates more clean up for me!).<br />
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But everything has changed! You guys.... I have found a solution! I have changed my cleaning habits from a <i>project</i> into a <i>practice</i>. I've implemented THE TWO WEEK CLEANING SCHEDULE! It totally goes against my grain but I have gotten into the routine of it and I am loving it! All it takes is about 20 -30 minutes of cleaning a day. And the good thing is...my house always feels clean!<br />
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Ok so you may have seen people post before about how they clean one area of their house each day of the week and then they always have a clean house. Yea, well, that sounds good in theory... but cleaning each part of my house every week is just too much for me (honest truth). And, while some areas of the house could use a cleaning once a week, there are many areas that I think do just fine with a cleaning every two weeks. So that's what I do. I choose one area of the house to clean each day and complete the whole house over a two week period. Here's my sample schedule:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Week One:</span></b><br />
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<b>Monday:</b> Vacuum<br />
<b>Tuesday: </b>Deep clean kitchen<br />
<b>Wednesday:</b> Master bathroom<br />
<b>Thursday:</b> Guest bathroom<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Week Two:</span></b><br />
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<b>Monday:</b> Empty trash throughout house, clean windows (not all my windows but things like the slider and back door which the kids touch)<br />
<b>Tuesday:</b> Dust<br />
<b>Wednesday: </b>Sweep<br />
<b>Thursday:</b> Mop<br />
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I have chosen not to clean on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday because I like to have the weekends free and I also like to have some extra days in case one day I just can't fit in the time to clean. I also do laundry on the weekends and meal prep. But if you have a larger house or more areas to clean you can always add some or all of those days to spread out the work. Also once a month on a Friday or Saturday I do something that only needs to be done once every couple of months like windows, blinds, ceiling fans, and baseboards. As a side note, this schedule does not include things like dishes, picking up toys, putting away clothes, vacuuming or sweeping up spills and messes, etc. These are things that I do on a daily basis and don't need to add to my cleaning schedule. I will also swipe the toilet or wipe down the bathroom sink real quick if need be in between cleaning days. This list is just for the more scheduled deep cleanings, not the quick things I do daily.<br />
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The beauty of a schedule like this is you can customize it however you like! You can do a little something every day of the week or cut it down to just 3 days a week. You can clean the bathrooms once a week instead of once every two weeks if yours get dirty quicker (I'll admit they probably do need it but I just hate cleaning bathrooms so I figure once every 2 weeks is enough!). If your dog sheds and you need to vacuum every day then add vacuuming along with something else to your schedule. The only carpet we have is in our bedrooms so I don't need to vacuum as often. The key is, don't overload the schedule! If your cleaning is going to take more than 20-30 minutes you probably aren't going to get to it each and every day because it's too time consuming. You want short, quick jobs that you can accomplish quickly and that you won't be able to talk yourself out of.<br />
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I've been loving my two week cleaning schedule so far and it's taken alot of stress off of me as I know that at any given time most areas of my house are clean. What about you? What methods of cleaning work for you? What household chore do you absolutely hate to do? I'd love to hear!<br />
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<br />Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-37214636292539762192016-01-08T14:47:00.000-05:002016-01-08T15:49:49.631-05:00"If it's not a HELL YES, then it's a no"So I just realized that I didn't post any blog posts in December. Nadda. Zero. Zilch. Oh well!<br />
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December was a great month for us. Just busy! The kids are at such fun ages and it made Christmas such a magical time this year! But since they're getting older now we've also added more activities to our plate during the holiday season. Isaiah had parties at school and a basketball performance at the half time show of a local basketball game. Eloise had her first ballet recital. We saw Santa at several events. We took one last trip to SeaWorld before our season passes expired (WOW!! SeaWorld at Christmas time was AMAZING! Even though we're not buying season passes again for 2016 we're still planning to try and make it there at Christmas time again. Truly magical!). We stayed up late looking at Christmas lights in different neighborhoods. We spent one evening at Adventure Landing for WinterFest. We crammed in as many Christmas movies as we could. We moved our Elf on the Shelf ("Elfis") around the house every night while the kids were asleep and tried to come up with something creative for him to be doing the next day (man that's stressful!!).<br />
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We hung Christmas lights on the outside of our house for the first time ever (and then (after hanging up 5 strands) realized we didn't' have enough to go all the way around the house so we tried to buy more... and then found out that they were out of stock at all the stores and were being discontinued (thanks Target!)... so, since we didn't want to buy 10 completely new sets (because just 5 new ones wouldn't match the 5 we already had) and since by this time it was just a week before Christmas, we just decided to get back up on the roof and take them all down. And...the story gets better. When we took them down we put them in a garbage bag and set them in the garage (why did we do that?!?)....and then a week later accidentally threw away the garbage bag full of 5 strands of perfectly good icicle lights (bangs head on table). Yea, that was one of our Christmas adventures I'd rather not remember!). We read the Christmas story several times and and sang to lots of Christmas music. Drew and his dad spent Christmas Eve (after our Christmas Eve service) setting up the new trampoline we bought the kids so they would be surprised on Christmas day. We made a gingerbread house, Christmas cookies, crafts, and decorated the house. Not to mention buying all the gifts for friends and family which rests pretty much solely on my shoulders. We had alot of late nights and early mornings. It was a busy month for sure!<br />
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And now I'm just focusing on rest. I usually don't add too much to my plate but this holiday season I feel like I did. I'm usually good about putting up boundaries. About saying no when I need to. About declining a play date or forgoing an event if it's just too much. But as 2016 is beginning I want to refocus on this. I want to make sure that I go all in on what GOD is calling me passionately to and weed out everything else that just creates busyness. If it's not an emphatic YES, then I want to say no. Of course ministry and serving sometimes need to be done whether we feel like it or not and, if God is calling me to it, it needs to go under the emphatic YES category. I'm talking about saying no to things that I add to my plate that are simply things I want to do or even feel compelled to do. I want to say no to those things so that I can have room to say yes to more important things.<br />
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Have you ever heard of Jen Hatmaker? Oh my gosh. If you haven't you totally need to look her up. <a href="http://jenhatmaker.com/home.htm" target="_blank">Here</a> is her blog. She is an amazing woman of God and an amazing speaker. I could really listen to her for hours. She is actually speaking at the <a href="https://ifgathering.com/gather2015/austin/" target="_blank">IF Gathering</a> (if you haven't heard of that it's so awesome too. Click the link!) in February and my mom and I are going to a broadcast of it at her church while we're in Indiana visiting them later this month. I'm so excited!<br />
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Anyways, Jen posted this on her Facebook a few days ago and it exactly put into words what I want my year 2016 to be. I'll just let you read this and I'll slip out the door because, really, what more could I say?<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.6182px;">"As you move into 2016 hoping for a saner schedule that prioritizes your actual life and keeps you focused on the things that matter the most, let me share the d</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 14.6182px;">ecision-making filter my agent Curtis always gives me:</span></div>
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"If it's not a HELL YES, then it's a no."</div>
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So that medium yes, that I-feel-like-should yes, that guilty yes, that coerced yes, that I-actually-hate-this-thing yes, that I-guess-so yes, that who-else-will-do-it yes, that careless yes, that default yes, that resentful yes, that I-probably-shouldn't-but-struggle-with-boundaries yes?</div>
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NO. Nope.</div>
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No thank you. I am unable to commit to that this year. Thank you so much for asking, but any new yes I give right now means a no to my family and sanity. I am so flattered you asked and count on my prayers, but I am at my maximum bandwidth right now. I appreciate your work so much, but I've already committed my time and energy this year. I've loved being a part of this, but I am no longer able to continue. We are aggressively focused on x, y, and z this year, so as a family we've agreed on no new commitments. This is what I can give but won't be able to do more right now.</div>
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Now, the things that make your heart race, your blood pump, the fire in your belly burn, your gifts to leap to life, and keep your family and home healthy and strong...the hell yeses? ALL IN, BABY."</div>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-60304299635660845562015-11-30T10:08:00.000-05:002015-11-30T10:08:05.381-05:00Before and After: The Transformation of our House On Thanksgiving Day we celebrated one year of owning our home! On November 26th, 2014 (the day before Thanksgiving last year) we signed on the dotted line and received the keys to our very first house!<br />
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I've been trying to think of a fun post to do to honor our one year anniversary. You have all seen the house tour that I posted <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/04/house-tour.html" target="_blank">here</a> on the blog earlier in the year so I didn't want to post similar pictures again. Then, the idea hit me!<br />
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The previous owners of our house foreclosed on it. An investor bought it, flipped it, and then put it back on the market. When we bought it, it had already been completely remodeled so we never saw the house in the condition it was in before. BUT on the Zillow listing, there were old pictures of the house from when the previous owners tried to sell it. Over a year ago I downloaded and saved those pictures to my computer because the transformation was so shocking to me!<br />
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So today I thought it would be fun to post the before and after pictures of our house. Remember, we didn't do this transformation! We bought the house already completely updated. And thank goodness, because if I would have stepped foot in this house when it looked like the previous pictures I would have taken one peek in the door and said no thank you! I'm amazed that the investor saw the potential in this house and gave it some much needed love and updating. I absolutely love our house and feel so at home here. I'm so grateful it's ours!<br />
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So... here we go! (You can click on the pictures to make them larger)<br />
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The outside before:<br />
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The outside after:<br />
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The living room before:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fA18L9q_Nk4/VlpySAjwE5I/AAAAAAAAG-s/Dh5nafcVIyM/s1600/ISdsaz0zb75fm81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fA18L9q_Nk4/VlpySAjwE5I/AAAAAAAAG-s/Dh5nafcVIyM/s400/ISdsaz0zb75fm81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The living room after:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5wu8orsKeM/VlpyvAhEyOI/AAAAAAAAHCA/MLYLBLhxZkQ/s1600/ISdg5btsugj1fl1000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B5wu8orsKeM/VlpyvAhEyOI/AAAAAAAAHCA/MLYLBLhxZkQ/s400/ISdg5btsugj1fl1000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The kitchen before:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b75cq1a79sU/VlpyRTMlX2I/AAAAAAAAG-Q/q3d9xvCu6e4/s1600/IS5m8nis7zwhm81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b75cq1a79sU/VlpyRTMlX2I/AAAAAAAAG-Q/q3d9xvCu6e4/s400/IS5m8nis7zwhm81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The kitchen after:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhfrq_Y_lR0/VlpytV9droI/AAAAAAAAHAw/JpI65w8c8BI/s1600/IS1zbbcc758tel1000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhfrq_Y_lR0/VlpytV9droI/AAAAAAAAHAw/JpI65w8c8BI/s400/IS1zbbcc758tel1000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The dining room before:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEH8VeF10Zg/VlpySODKAcI/AAAAAAAAG-w/cf23o8HJevg/s1600/ISh32nz8va8qm81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GEH8VeF10Zg/VlpySODKAcI/AAAAAAAAG-w/cf23o8HJevg/s400/ISh32nz8va8qm81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The dining room after:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CK7rkN1Igc/VlpywIwrYnI/AAAAAAAAHCg/2AsVi5zwAMc/s1600/IShrk989yxah920000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CK7rkN1Igc/VlpywIwrYnI/AAAAAAAAHCg/2AsVi5zwAMc/s400/IShrk989yxah920000000000.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTP_3zpLleQ/Vlpywf3fYvI/AAAAAAAAHC0/spAi1BzhcM0/s1600/ISlm7nbzyoryel1000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTP_3zpLleQ/Vlpywf3fYvI/AAAAAAAAHC0/spAi1BzhcM0/s400/ISlm7nbzyoryel1000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The master bedroom before:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrFCTz2oOeY/VlpyTItonoI/AAAAAAAAG_k/p5GkU4TYw8c/s1600/ISxvmafz1qm9n81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrFCTz2oOeY/VlpyTItonoI/AAAAAAAAG_k/p5GkU4TYw8c/s400/ISxvmafz1qm9n81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The master bedroom after:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHzlg1OdOsU/Vlpyw24FFmI/AAAAAAAAHDI/geOcMSadS4o/s1600/ISpxyaa9isu9fl1000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHzlg1OdOsU/Vlpyw24FFmI/AAAAAAAAHDI/geOcMSadS4o/s400/ISpxyaa9isu9fl1000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The master bathroom before:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NrCW40S1Rc/VlpyRotm3RI/AAAAAAAAG-c/8thnWqL4EiQ/s1600/IS9dgawfp1yhn81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8NrCW40S1Rc/VlpyRotm3RI/AAAAAAAAG-c/8thnWqL4EiQ/s400/IS9dgawfp1yhn81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIrkn_30-ik/VlpySWWFrTI/AAAAAAAAG-0/PCx-ny0EIqE/s1600/IShjimemt96fn81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sIrkn_30-ik/VlpySWWFrTI/AAAAAAAAG-0/PCx-ny0EIqE/s400/IShjimemt96fn81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xEfmuY-TxQ4/VlpySjtSJDI/AAAAAAAAG_M/2TqaHjI8G3g/s1600/ISppkywsxhecn81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xEfmuY-TxQ4/VlpySjtSJDI/AAAAAAAAG_M/2TqaHjI8G3g/s400/ISppkywsxhecn81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Master bathroom after:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQDmtsWwHRk/VlpytS-yEeI/AAAAAAAAHAo/7DSS1-zHROE/s1600/IS1fsarp546ifl1000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQDmtsWwHRk/VlpytS-yEeI/AAAAAAAAHAo/7DSS1-zHROE/s400/IS1fsarp546ifl1000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Isaiah's room before:</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Yf3IIElvUo/VlpyRDUAGhI/AAAAAAAAG-E/3FSZeWk4LPg/s1600/IS1rxyyvmurvm81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Yf3IIElvUo/VlpyRDUAGhI/AAAAAAAAG-E/3FSZeWk4LPg/s400/IS1rxyyvmurvm81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Isaiah's room after:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3zF2PjtpQ2k/Vlp39SP1WLI/AAAAAAAAHEs/YtUNauyun_U/s1600/IMG_3978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3zF2PjtpQ2k/Vlp39SP1WLI/AAAAAAAAHEs/YtUNauyun_U/s400/IMG_3978.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fan in Isaiah's room was the only fixture in the whole house the investor didn't update! We can't figure out why. =) But it didn't matter because we put bunkbeds in his room and replaced the fan with a light anyways. We just thought it was funny!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hl2obkXKoRg/Vlp39cpyb9I/AAAAAAAAHEw/R1siPJhpV6w/s1600/IMG_3980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hl2obkXKoRg/Vlp39cpyb9I/AAAAAAAAHEw/R1siPJhpV6w/s400/IMG_3980.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The girls' room before:</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJhE3Kf0A9o/VlpyRGOxszI/AAAAAAAAG-I/ig1Lyt0RrXM/s1600/IS52pmx56yu6n81000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TJhE3Kf0A9o/VlpyRGOxszI/AAAAAAAAG-I/ig1Lyt0RrXM/s400/IS52pmx56yu6n81000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The girls' room after:</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaCjlgnCQM4/Vlpytzu_rSI/AAAAAAAAHA4/HXq-UUwd5CQ/s1600/IS5a3zamq8b4fl1000000000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PaCjlgnCQM4/Vlpytzu_rSI/AAAAAAAAHA4/HXq-UUwd5CQ/s400/IS5a3zamq8b4fl1000000000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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The guest bathroom before:</div>
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The guest bathoom after:</div>
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The playroom before:<br />
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The playroom after:</div>
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The garage before:</div>
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The garage after:</div>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-61711494979253212922015-11-23T09:45:00.000-05:002015-11-23T09:55:31.277-05:00What To Do With Leftover Stuffing (An Easy Recipe You'll Love) Thanksgiving is almost here! I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to a wonderful day with family, a day that revolves around tons of food. I love all the Thanksgiving staples - turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie, and one of my personal favs: STUFFING!<br />
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There always seems to be leftovers, doesn't there?!? Growing up we used to eat Thanksgiving dinner around 1 or 2 but the family would stick around all day until supper time. That meant that for supper we'd have leftover turkey on bread with butter which was a good way to use up some leftovers. But what to do with all the leftover stuffing? There's only so many days in a row you can eat it plain...<br />
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But never fear! I have a recipe for you. A recipe that can turn your leftover stuffing into a completely new dinner! My family loves this recipe so much that I actually buy stuffing all year long just for the purpose of making this recipe. (BTW it's like super duper easy too. Just dirties ONE dish!)<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Easy Stuffing Chicken Bake</span></b></div>
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Prep Time: 10 min<br />
Total Time: 40 min<br />
Makes: 6 servings<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Ingredients</span></b><br />
1 pkg Stove Top stuffing (or about 3-4 cups of leftover Thanksgiving stuffing)<br />
1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces<br />
1 can (10.75 oz) condensed cream of chicken OR cream of mushroom soup (I've tried both, both are good!)<br />
1/3 cup sour cream<br />
1 bag (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables thawed and drained<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Directions</span></b><br />
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If using stuffing from a box prepare stuffing as directed on the package.<br />
2. Mix chicken, soup, sour cream and vegetables in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Top with the stuffing.<br />
3. Bake 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.<br />
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That's it! Enjoy! =)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first rule of cooking is always have an adorable helper in the kitchen with you. =) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All mixed up and ready for the stuffing on top. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffing is on. Ready for the oven. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh out of the oven!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for my adorable little helper to gobble down. =) Yummy!</td></tr>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-68802052653752138802015-11-16T14:55:00.000-05:002015-11-16T14:55:34.952-05:00BOTOX!Eloise received her first Botox injection last Thursday. She did awesome! We checked in to the hospital at 9 am and Drew's dad (who works at the hospital) came around 9:30 to help me with Olive so I could focus on Eloise. I was so grateful he took time out of his day to help me as it would have been so hard to handle Olive while trying to give my full attention to Eloise. Grandpa showed her around the hospital and took her to a little play area and she had a great time. =)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing with Grandpa while big sister got her shot. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Letting the Versed kick in and waiting for the injection. </td></tr>
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Eloise had been dreading the Botox shot for days. Although she has come a long way in her trust for doctors she still has an intense fear of needles. Thankfully, shortly after we arrived the nurses gave her some Versed which made her slightly loopy and drowsy. She was acting so funny and saying hilarious things. She kept trying to get out of the hospital bed but we were able to distract her with toys and games. Also, an amazing music therapist on staff at the hospital came in with her guitar and sang songs and played games with Eloise to distract her. Between the music lady and the Versed, Ellie didn't even realize she had gotten the injection! The doctor was quick and, with the numbing cream she rubbed on before hand, the injection was pretty painless. Praise the Lord!<br />
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The songs and toys helped Eloise forget why she was in the the hospital. </div>
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We were discharged from the hospital about 30 minutes later, after a quick snack of animal crackers and apple juice provided by the hospital. They had to keep Eloise for a while to check her vitals and make sure she reacted well to the Botox but then we were free to go. When we left she was still loopy and I had to carry her out to the parking garage. She couldn't walk for a good 1-2 hours afterwards. She attempted to once when I had my back turned and she landed face down on the carpet in her bedroom. =( No injuries though! And after about 2 hours she was totally back to normal - laughing and running around. She loved the music lady so much that when we got home she asked me, "Mom, when can we do that again!?!?!" I guess that's a good sign! =)<br />
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All done! And still out of it. =) </div>
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Now we wait and see if the Botox does anything to help her foot. Her weekly physical therapy will continue and the hope is that the relaxed muscles in her leg will now allow for greater range during her sessions which could lead to more permanent change. If the Botox seems to help it could become a procedure that she gets done every 3-6 months. I was dreading the thought of that but now I don't mind if that's the case because it went much better than I could have ever expected! Thank you, Jesus!<br />
<br />Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-49101121327605729152015-10-26T15:10:00.000-04:002015-11-03T14:26:27.958-05:002015 Family PicturesWell it's that time of year again. Time for our annual family pictures! This year the lighting was excellent, the photographer was great, our outfits came together perfectly, the setting was gorgeous.....everything was perfect. Except the kids!!<br />
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Each year I have to remind myself why I take family pictures. It's to remember how my children look and act in the current year, which is usually wild and crazy. We're not a perfect family so why should I expect my family pictures to be perfect, right!?<br />
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This year I got family pictures done to document how Olive still needs either two naps or one super long afternoon nap each day - neither of which she got that day. How this made her cranky and whiny. How her cautious personality means she doesn't often smile for strangers. And how she's at the age where she just. can't. sit. still.<br />
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I got pictures taken this year to document Eloise's cheesy smile. This girl has a beautiful smile with a mouth full of tiny, perfectly straight teeth and yet she smiled like she was an old woman trying to prevent her dentures from falling out. Are you kidding me?!?<br />
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I got these pictures taken to document that Isaiah is finally at the age where he understands how to sit still and smile a great smile for the camera. He can comprehend the reward at the end of the photo shoot (I promised mini marshmallows!) and is very motivated by the promise of rewards. He understands that when we tell him to smile he needs to smile AND look at the camera (something the other two have a hard time with). He is a sweet boy and loves to grab his sister's hand even during a photo shoot.<br />
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So, guys, this is my family as it is now. A perfectly beautiful mess. As the years go by I'm hoping (praying) that family photo shoots get easier and the kids look better but for now I'm going to treasure these photos (and maybe even laugh someday).<br />
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Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.areneephotos.com/" target="_blank">Alyssa Renee Photography</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of my heart. If this was the only photo I got from the shoot I think I'd be happy! <3</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this one is probably the one that I'll blow up and hang above the fireplace...... Haha. </td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We may not have it all together. But together we have it all! </span></b></div>
Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-68377010525885392072015-10-16T05:00:00.000-04:002015-10-16T16:59:04.372-04:00No Child is an AccidentWhen we got pregnant with our first child after we'd only been married 5 months, we couldn't wait to tell the exciting news to everyone! We were so happy!!! But I'll never forget what someone said when we called to tell them. Some of the first words out of their mouth were, "Was it an ACCIDENT?"<br />
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Since then I've always had a distaste in my mouth for those words. First of all, I think it's just a really rude question to ask. It's none of your business whether someone's child was planned or unplanned. If someone wants to tell you they will, if not, don't ask.<br />
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Secondly, I don't believe that there are any accidental children. Accidental parents? Yes. But no accidental children. Many moms and dads become parents unintentionally. They weren't planning to become parents or to parent another child. It happened by accident. But that child, the child that they "accidentally" created was planned by God long long ago, before the Earth was formed. God does not make children accidentally. He knew the exact moment that child would come into existence - He was not caught off guard by an "accident"!<br />
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>For you created my inmost being;</b><b><br /></b><b>you knit me together in my mother’s womb.</b><b><br /></b><b>I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; </b><b><br /></b><b>your works are wonderful, </b><b><br /></b><b>I know that full well.</b><b><br /></b><b>My frame was not hidden from you </b><b><br /></b><b>when I was made in the secret place, </b><b><br /></b><b>when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. </b><b><br /></b><b>Your eyes saw my unformed body; </b><b><br /></b><b>all the days ordained for me were written in your book </b><b><br /></b><b>before one of them came to be.</b></span></h4>
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<span style="color: #073763; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Psalm 139:13-16</b></span></div>
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Even if one of my children was not planned, I would not refer to them as an accident. Imagine how a child growing up with this label may feel. Unwanted, an accident? That's a heavy burden to carry. You could tell your unplanned child, "God planned for you to be alive on this Earth exactly when you arrived. We were surprised but HE wasn't surprised by you - He put you in our family at exactly the right time. And we are so glad that was his plan!" or something along those lines. Don't give your child the burden of being "an accident".<br />
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Which leads me to my train of thought today...... Eloise. Today is her Gotcha Day. The day we "got her" from her orphanage. The day we brought her home. The day she ceased to be an orphan and the day she gained a family. Three years ago today we brought her little 6 month old self home and showered her with love and watched her grow and thrive into the spunky 3 1/2 year old she is today.<br />
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Eloise's biological mother got pregnant with her by accident. She became an accidental mother. But Eloise is NOT an accident. God destined her to be alive on this Earth at the very time Drew and Isaiah and Olive and I are.....so that she could be a beautiful part of our family. We cannot imagine life without her. She was not planned by her mother, but she was planned by us. It's hard to forget all the hoops we had to jump through and the steps we had to complete for her adoption. All the money and the paperwork and the tears and the frustration as we went through the process! All the waiting and the praying and the hoping. It was all for her. We didn't know it at the time but God had set aside a beautiful daughter for us, planned into existence by HIM.<br />
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Sometimes people become accidental parents and chose to end the life of their child and sometimes people become accidental parents and chose to GIVE LIFE to their child whether in their own home or the home of another. We are so so grateful God decided long ago that Eloise's first mom would accidentally became pregnant with her and would give her life so that we could have a desired, planned for, and wanted daughter.<br />
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Happy Gotcha Day, Sweet Eloise. You are not an accident and we are glad you were born.<br />
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-80550614627410335302015-10-13T20:46:00.000-04:002015-10-13T20:47:13.971-04:00Update on Eloise - Botox and E-StimYesterday Eloise had an appointment with her pediatric physiatrist. (In case you need to catch up, Eloise has dystonia in her right leg/foot which causes it to turn inward and gives her trouble walking. You can read more about our journey so far <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/02/our-new-normal.html" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/03/update-on-eloise-no-more-casts-and-what.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/06/braces-x-rays-and-kinesio-tape-update.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)<br />
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Olive has been in a funk this past week and was climbing all over the furniture and exercising her new favorite word: NO! Thankfully Isaiah was in school so I only had the two girls to worry about. And thankfully Eloise has come a LONG way with doctors this past year. She used to be absolutely terrified to even step foot in the doctors office but this last year has brought about many doctors appointments for her and she has grown more comfortable.<br />
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The doctor is pleased that Eloise's foot doesn't look any worse from the last time she saw her. We don't know what has caused her condition (possibly a brain injury during or shortly after birth) and, since we don't know the cause, it's hard to know what the outcome will be. Could it get worse? Could it spread to other parts of her body? Possibly. But things are looking good so far! She is already 3 1/2 and her condition doesn't seem to be worsening or spreading. Thank you, Jesus!<br />
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However, the doctor thinks it may be time to try a few more aggressive measures. Eloise attends weekly physical therapy sessions and wears a brace but it just doesn't seem to be correcting her foot in the way her doctor was hoping it would.<br />
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Thus, Eloise has her first Botox treatment scheduled next month. The Botox will loosen the tight muscles in her leg. This will allow those tight muscles to relax a little and give us the ability to strengthen the weak muscles in physical therapy and teach them to take over where needed. The goal is to help things "even out" by hopefully strengthening the weak muscles and weakening the tight ones. If the Botox works, it may become a regular part of our journey (maybe once every 3 or 6 months). If it doesn't seem to do anything we will look into other options.<br />
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We are also going to be doing something called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_muscle_stimulation" target="_blank">electrical muscle stimulation</a> (E-stim). We have been doing this at physical therapy but the doctor wants us to get a machine for home use and use it 3 times a week. Little sticky pads are connected to Eloise's leg and then the machine sends an electrical impulse to stimulate a muscle contraction in that muscle. This happens over and over until you disconnect the machine. When the muscle is stimulated it causes Eloise's foot to involuntarily contract and turn the correct way. Just like with exercising any muscle, this makes the muscles stronger and, over time, the hope is that it will be able to gain enough strength to turn correctly without the machine.<br />
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So, some changes coming up.... As always, we're so thankful for all the wonderful doctors and therapists that work together to help Eloise as much as possible. And, when I go to her appointments I often see children who have much more serious problems and I'm so thankful for the health that Eloise has. We have much to be grateful for!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a gorgeous view from the 19th floor!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This girl has come a long way in learning not to fear doctors!</td></tr>
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<br />Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-17966819230770514662015-10-06T23:46:00.001-04:002015-10-07T13:08:48.962-04:00Everything Was Awesome - How to Throw a Lego Birthday Party<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZCq6QDdM5w/VhRsROfBfqI/AAAAAAAAGxs/tFDWMTTeoUE/s1600/IMG_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZCq6QDdM5w/VhRsROfBfqI/AAAAAAAAGxs/tFDWMTTeoUE/s640/IMG_0243.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Alright guys, I've been working on getting all the details together of how I made everything for <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/09/isaiahs-fifth-birthday-lego-party.html" target="_blank">Isaiah's 5th birthday party</a> last week. I've included descriptions along with links where appropriate. This was probably the most fun to plan birthday party I've done for my kids so far. And it was easy and pretty cheap since I made much of the food and decorations myself! Hope this will help you throw an awesome Lego birthday party as well!<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Lego Birthday Party Invitations</b></span><br />
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There are tons of cute Lego birthday party invites available on Etsy but I was looking for something I could get for free (people just throw away the invites anyways, right!?!?). After much searching, I finally landed on <a href="http://www.make-your-own-invitations.com/lego-birthday-invitations.html" target="_blank">these invites</a>. I printed them on heavy card stock in full color, filled them out with the details of the party and glued them onto a slightly larger piece of colored (red, yellow, blue or green) card stock for a cute invite. I was happy with how they turned out and happy that I had all the supplies on hand to make them which made them FREE!! (I even had envelopes and stamps on hand!)<br />
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You can print these same invites <a href="http://www.make-your-own-invitations.com/lego-birthday-invitations.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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<b><span style="color: red;">Lego Head Marshmallow Pops</span></b><br />
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These Lego head marshmallow pops were very time consuming but not necessarily hard to make. And they turned out so cute! If you're more artistically gifted than me you could definitely make faces that better resemble actual Lego men. ;)<br />
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Here's what you'll need to make them:<br />
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 40px;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Mini marshmallows</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Regular marshmallows </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1hpDvAU" target="_blank">Yellow candy melts</a> (you can buy these at Wal-Mart, Michaels, Amazon.... pretty much anywhere!) </span></div>
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<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 40px;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 26px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1hpDIEh" target="_blank"><span style="transition-delay: initial;"></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Lollipop Sticks</span><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarmoc-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B003XX5PHE" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%;" width="1" /></a> (I bought mine at Michael's) </span></div>
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</ul>
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<ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; line-height: 28.8px; margin: 0px 0px 26px; padding: 0px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: disc; margin-left: 40px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #555555;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1Lhxoqg" target="_blank">Black decorating gel</a> </span>or <span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://amzn.to/1VCMAtb" target="_blank">Black Food Writer Marker<span id="goog_1782387048"></span><span id="goog_1782387049"></span><span style="border-color: initial !important; border-image-outset: initial !important; border-image-repeat: initial !important; border-image-slice: initial !important; border-image-source: initial !important; border-image-width: initial !important; border-width: initial !important; height: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=sarmoc-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001SH8XHG" height="1" style="border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; height: auto; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 100%;" width="1" /></span></a> (I bought mine at Wal-Mart)</span></span></li>
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Cut the mini marshmallows in half horizontally and attached them to the regular marshmallows with a drop of melted yellow candy melts. (When melting the candy melts make sure not to overheat the candy - it will become hard and unusable!)<br />
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Dip the lollipop stick in the melted candy melts and insert in to the bottom of the Lego head.<br />
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Dip the Lego heads into the candy melts and completely coat. I had to use a spoon in order to get the heads smooth with no drips.<br />
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Stick them in a piece of Styrofoam or a cookie cooler rack to dry and then add faces with the gel! Give yourself several hours (don't start at 9 at night the day before the party like me) to make these. They are very very time consuming!<br />
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To display them on party day Drew had the idea to wrap a shoebox and drill holes in the top. It worked PERFECT to keep them separated and upright!<br />
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They turned out cute AND yummy!!!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPvOzGOSzZs/VhRsQADiPnI/AAAAAAAAGxk/XKM70mt6sYI/s1600/IMG_0239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YPvOzGOSzZs/VhRsQADiPnI/AAAAAAAAGxk/XKM70mt6sYI/s400/IMG_0239.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can buy the candy melts to make these pops <a href="http://amzn.to/1hpDvAU" target="_blank">here</a>. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jWKI_7xbOk/VhRsRbtHsdI/AAAAAAAAGxw/tZU5HyeIEL0/s1600/IMG_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5jWKI_7xbOk/VhRsRbtHsdI/AAAAAAAAGxw/tZU5HyeIEL0/s400/IMG_0250.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Shoe box Lego Decorations</b></span><br />
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The week before Isaiah's party I came across some awesome deals on kids shoes at Target and ended up with all these shoe-boxes I had no use for. I had them in the recycling bin for a day and then an idea dawned on me. I could make them into giant Legos and use them as decorations!! Thus inspired a super easy and cheap way to decorate for a Lego birthday party. Just buy some red, green, yellow, or blue wrapping paper (I got mine at the dollar store!) and print off <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By6QQH8aDxHmOWFGT3Y4enB6LXc/edit" target="_blank">these handy dandy circles that already have the Lego logo on them</a> (best to print them on card stock if you can) and, wah-la! Cute, cheap, decorations!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd5dazc9T-Q/VhRsHbUZPDI/AAAAAAAAGw0/0RoRM1HhwnM/s1600/IMG_0162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bd5dazc9T-Q/VhRsHbUZPDI/AAAAAAAAGw0/0RoRM1HhwnM/s400/IMG_0162.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjvLJPi1okI/VhRsMBV3POI/AAAAAAAAGxM/VtZv6iWUICY/s1600/IMG_0171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tjvLJPi1okI/VhRsMBV3POI/AAAAAAAAGxM/VtZv6iWUICY/s400/IMG_0171.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can print these Lego circles <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By6QQH8aDxHmOWFGT3Y4enB6LXc/edit" target="_blank">here</a>. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sawCB59c4o/VhSKoHmcBiI/AAAAAAAAG0o/Wqx6D6IXJJQ/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sawCB59c4o/VhSKoHmcBiI/AAAAAAAAG0o/Wqx6D6IXJJQ/s400/IMG_0331.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Lego Brick and Lego Men Chocolates</b></span><br />
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All you need to make your own Lego chocolates are primary colored bags of <a href="http://amzn.to/1LhwMRo" target="_blank">Wilton Candy Melts</a> and Lego brick and/or Lego men molds. I bought <a href="http://amzn.to/1LhwDgQ" target="_blank">these molds</a> off of Amazon and was very happy with them!<br />
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Be VERY careful not to overheat the candy melts. I had a few batches overheat and become hard and lumpy and they ended up not looking so good. Spoon the melted candy melts into the molds and then <b>{don't skip this part!}</b> pick up and drop down the mold several times on the counter. You'll see 6 or more air bubbles come to the surface after a few bounces. This is the air that was trapped in the mold, not allowing the candy to completely fill it up. If you don't bounce it and shake it and get all the air bubbles out you will end up with chocolates that are not fully formed and have air pockets.<br />
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The candy melts only take about 15 minutes to harden up in the fridge then you can pop them out and start a new batch. I made red, green, blue, and yellow Lego bricks and Lego men over a period of several days. I set these out on the food table and also used them on top of the cupcakes on party day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S0i--p37KY/VhRsHuzAtJI/AAAAAAAAGw4/ihTMwl1DiSo/s1600/IMG_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--S0i--p37KY/VhRsHuzAtJI/AAAAAAAAGw4/ihTMwl1DiSo/s400/IMG_0159.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can buy Wilton Candy Melts <a href="http://amzn.to/1LhwMRo" target="_blank">here</a>. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVtUj3u9UDg/VhRsMcHgkiI/AAAAAAAAGxY/WrCKJnmk-kU/s1600/IMG_0170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qVtUj3u9UDg/VhRsMcHgkiI/AAAAAAAAGxY/WrCKJnmk-kU/s400/IMG_0170.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can buy this Lego brick mold <a href="http://amzn.to/1LhwDgQ" target="_blank">here</a>.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-knXWOhPxWtw/VhR2NvsKSdI/AAAAAAAAGzY/avZMDQ2giUA/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-knXWOhPxWtw/VhR2NvsKSdI/AAAAAAAAGzY/avZMDQ2giUA/s400/IMG_0247.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Personalized Lego Happy Birthday Banner</b></span><br />
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I was so excited to find a cute, personalized Lego birthday banner on Pinterest for free! I used <a href="http://halegrafx.com/printables/free-printable-lego-building-block-birthday-banner/" target="_blank">this free download</a> to print the "Happy Birthday" and the Lego men. And I used <a href="http://halegrafx.com/printables/free-printable-lego-building-block-alphabet-banner/" target="_blank">this download</a> to pick and choose the letters needed for Isaiah's name.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08cCqnMil60/VhRsW0CPjMI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/PD0AhGQoZ7Y/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08cCqnMil60/VhRsW0CPjMI/AAAAAAAAGyQ/PD0AhGQoZ7Y/s400/IMG_0274.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can print this banner<a href="http://halegrafx.com/printables/free-printable-lego-building-block-birthday-banner/" target="_blank"> here</a> and <a href="http://halegrafx.com/printables/free-printable-lego-building-block-alphabet-banner/" target="_blank">here</a>. </td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Over-sized Lego Door</b></span><br />
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Super easy and cute decoration alert!! All you need is a plastic rectangular tablecloth and some small paper plates and you can turn any door into an over-sized Lego. You could actually probably do it on a large bookcase or hutch as well. Or even just on the wall itself if you wanted!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwoe7_SsYyU/VhRsMVuTO8I/AAAAAAAAGxQ/smYCVRtwmX4/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwoe7_SsYyU/VhRsMVuTO8I/AAAAAAAAGxQ/smYCVRtwmX4/s400/IMG_0228.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Party Favor Bag Tags</b></span><br />
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I used <a href="http://persialou.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/favor-toppers.jpg" target="_blank">these</a> cute party favor bag tags to attach to snack size ziploc bags filled with candy Legos to give to the kids as party favors. I forgot to get a picture of the completed bags, though! =(<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJsoezsb_DI/VhSFO1lAdtI/AAAAAAAAG0U/OalxOV8wz_c/s1600/favor-toppers-232x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uJsoezsb_DI/VhSFO1lAdtI/AAAAAAAAG0U/OalxOV8wz_c/s400/favor-toppers-232x300.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
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You can print your own party favor bag tags <a href="http://persialou.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/favor-toppers.jpg" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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I filled the bags with <a href="http://amzn.to/1LhA0V0" target="_blank">these</a> Lego candy bricks (they sell smaller bags too). Not only were they yummy but they actually stack so you can play with them too! They were a big hit!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MQ7zjjue48/VhSF2ploQVI/AAAAAAAAG0c/OaoR93fMNeg/s1600/91I21Wcst2L._SX522_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6MQ7zjjue48/VhSF2ploQVI/AAAAAAAAG0c/OaoR93fMNeg/s400/91I21Wcst2L._SX522_.jpg" width="340" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can buy these yummy but also stack-able Lego candies <a href="http://amzn.to/1LhA0V0" target="_blank">here</a>. </td></tr>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Lego Jello Jigglers</b></span><br />
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If the thought comes into your mind to make Lego shaped jello, please just try to push it out of your mind as soon as possible. Just kidding... but seriously I'm kind of not. Lego Jello jigglers are very cute and yummy but alot of work (especially if you are using used Legos and need to wash them all very well both before and after) and a little frustrating to get out of the molds. But, here is how I did it.<br />
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Start by CLEANING all the Legos you are planning to use (or buy new). I used the kids' MegaBlocks. Then make the Jello. Make sure you follow the recipe for JELLO JIGGLERS - NOT the regular jello recipe. I made the mistake of making my first batch the regular way and it was totally not firm enough to mold into the shape of a Lego. I used red, green, yellow, and blue jello but didn't end up with very many usable red ones since that is the color in which I didn't follow the jigglers recipe.<br />
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After a few hours in the fridge I used a knife to loosen the edges and then shook them out of the Legos. Don't worry about being gentle. You'll need to use some serious force to get them out! But they come out looking just fine!<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Lego Themed Party Food</b></span></div>
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I made Lego cheese and crackers, Lego ham and pb&j sandwiches, and also had red, green, yellow, and blue fruit. Get creative. There are so many things you can make to resemble Legos or Lego themed colors!! The possibilities are endless!</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Lego Face Plates</b></span><br />
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Instead of buying fancy Lego plates I opted to buy cheap square yellow plates ($1 for a pack of 16 at the dollar store!). My plan was to draw Lego men faces on them to make Lego heads out of all of them but it turned out to be difficult to find a stencil to use to draw the faces. Since I have very little artistic ability I just ended up free handing some faces on the dessert plates and leaving the rest plain yellow. If you have more artistic ability than me you could do all sorts of different faces and expressions! I just used a non-toxic permanent marker to make the faces.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Lego Cupcakes</b></span><br />
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Every year I buy a fancy cake or fancy cupcakes for my kids for their birthday. But this year I had adorable chocolate men and Lego bricks that I had made and I decided I could easily make some super cute cupcakes on my own. Make the cupcakes with some white frosting, pour on some primary colored sprinkles and top with a Lego chocolate. Tah-dah! Awesome looking cupcakes you made yourself. (And serving them on the Lego mat from our Lego table with a border of real Legos was the perfect final touch!)<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>Lego Men Head Confetti</b></span></div>
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Instead of buying fancy confetti I printed out some <a href="http://aussiepumpkinpatch.com/uploads/pdf/LegoParty.pdf" target="_blank">Lego men heads</a> on white card stock, cut them out, and sprinkled them on the tables. It looked great and was super easy and cheap! I used some of <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By6QQH8aDxHmOWFGT3Y4enB6LXc/edit" target="_blank">these Lego circles</a> as confetti too. </div>
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You can print your own confetti <a href="http://aussiepumpkinpatch.com/uploads/pdf/LegoParty.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0By6QQH8aDxHmOWFGT3Y4enB6LXc/edit" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Isaiah's Lego birthday party was a ton of fun to do and I think this smile says it all. He enjoyed it too. =) </div>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-29126976812776551362015-09-26T20:35:00.000-04:002015-10-07T13:15:10.980-04:00Isaiah's Fifth Birthday Lego Party! So, I have some terrible news to report. It may not sound terrible to you but it's actually quite awful. My baby boy turned 5 years old. =( Yup, that's FIVE years old. I am not quite sure how it happened because it seems he was just born, but for some reason he keeps growing like a weed and he's now all grown up and stuff.<br />
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To celebrate we had some family and friends over for a LEGO birthday party. Everything was awesome!! (no pun intended) =)<br />
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I hope to get a tutorial up soon on the different decorations and food items that I made for the party but for now I'll just share some pictures from the big day. <b>{EDIT: You can find detailed instructions on how to make everything (and more!) that you see in this post <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/10/everything-was-awesome-how-to-throw.html" target="_blank">here</a>.}</b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">Happy</span> <span style="color: lime;">FIFTH</span> <span style="color: blue;">Birthday,</span> <span style="color: yellow;">Champ!!</span> <span style="color: red;">We</span> <span style="color: lime;">love</span> <span style="color: blue;">you, </span><span style="color: yellow;">Isaiah!!!</span></span></b></h2>
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<br />Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-68629455212552942192015-09-11T15:48:00.000-04:002015-09-11T15:51:36.481-04:00EASY Italian Chicken Bake - Only Five Ingredients!Lately I've been aiming for<b> quick</b>, <b>easy</b>, and<b> healthy </b>dinners. I've been making a lot of crock-pot recipes because I absolutely LOVE being able to pop something in the crock-pot in the morning and not have to start making dinner at 5 o-clock when the kids are getting cranky and I'm starting to lose my steam. Hopefully I'll be able to share some good crock-pot recipes with you soon.<br />
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But my other go-to type of recipe is the type of recipe that only takes a couple of ingredients and only requires ONE pan! The recipe below is one such gem. Enjoy!<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Easy 5 Ingredient Italian Chicken Bake</span></b></h3>
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<b>Ingredients</b><br />
3 chicken breasts, cut into small cubes<br />
2 cups potatoes, cut into pieces (I haven't tried it yet but I'm thinking sweet potatoes would work too)<br />
2 cups of green beans<br />
1 teaspoon minced garlic (optional)<br />
1/2 medium onion sliced (optional)<br />
1 packet Italian dressing seasoning<br />
1 stick of butter<br />
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<b>Directions</b><br />
Arrange cut potatoes, green beans, and chicken in a 9 x 13 baking dish. Mix in sliced onion and sprinkle garlic over chicken if desired. Sprinkle dressing over entire dish. Add sliced butter over the top. Cover with foil and bake for about 60 minutes (depends on how small you have cut everything). Make sure not to over-bake as the chicken can easily dry out! Serves 5-6.<br />
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That's it! A quick and easy dinner the whole family will enjoy!<br />
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-76036566439960177942015-08-24T12:00:00.000-04:002015-08-24T12:00:39.563-04:00Isaiah's First Day of Pre-KindergartenToday something bitter-sweet happened..... My baby boy started pre-kindergarten!!! I am both excited and miserable at the same time. =) Thankfully, Isaiah was very excited (and just a little bit nervous) this morning. He has a very out-going personality and I have no doubt he will do fine in school (sitting still is going to be his biggest hurdle!!!!).<br />
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Isaiah is attending Argyle Christian Preschool and Kindergarten this year. We are so glad to have him in a christian school and love love love the school so far! Because of the way Isaiah's birthday falls (he will be 5 September 25th) he was not allowed to start pre-K last year (in Jacksonville you must be 4 by September 1st and last September 1st he was not yet 4). So, although I am sad to see my baby growing up and starting school, I am thankful that I sort of had an "extra" year at home with him! I wouldn't trade that for anything. And, based on the class calendar I saw on the wall in his classroom, it looks like there are two other kids with birthdays even earlier in September than him so he won't even be the oldest in his class!<br />
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As a funny after-thought this morning as we were taking first day of school pictures with Isaiah, we realized that today is also Drew's first day of his next grad-school class. He takes his classes in 8 week rotations and today happens to mark the first day of his next class. So, we decided to print him off a sign too and they had fun taking pictures together. =)<br />
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Happy First Day of School to both my boys! <3<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Our neighbor was leaving for work and saw us taking pictures of Isaiah by the front door and stopped her car right in the middle of the road to get out and offer to snap a family picture of us. It was so sweet! (W</span>e didn't have time to grab Livy who was still inside finishing up breakfast.) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like he's excited about his first day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eloise cried on the way home after we dropped Isaiah off. She misses him so much already!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drew's sign says, "It's my first day of my next grad-school class! 2015"<br />Isaiah's sign says, "It's my first day of pre-kindergarten. 2015"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my boy. I LOVE having a son. <3 </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Three Amigos! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of his classroom door. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of his cubby. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for class to start!</td></tr>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-30895636416727278122015-08-13T06:30:00.000-04:002015-08-13T06:30:01.213-04:00The Day I Met Namanya Daphine <i style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">In honor of <b>{Throw Back Thursday}</b>, this Thursday I am posting from our blog <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Hutcheson Headline</a> that we used while living in Uganda from 2012-2013. The post below was originally published by me on January 25, 2013. You can view it <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/2013/01/meeting-daphine.html" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> if you'd like to see the original version.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>For many years I have been sponsoring a little Ugandan girl named Daphine through <a href="http://www.compassion.com/" target="_blank">Compassion International</a>. Let me take you back to that wonderful day when I got to meet her for the very. first. time after years of letter writing.....</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">Last week we had the amazing privilege of meeting the little girl we sponsor through Compassion! I've been sponsoring Namanya Daphine since August of 2008, before Drew and I even got married. And since we've gotten married we've been sponsoring her together.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">Daphine will be 12 years old in February and lives in a small town called Maziba, about 6-7 hours away from where we live in Kampala. Compassion gave us the option of either traveling to visit her for the day or paying for her and a companion to come to us for the day. With two small kids, 14 hours in the car didn't sound very appealing so we decided to have Daphine come to us!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">She arrived early Monday morning and my first thought was "She is SO beautiful!!" It was an incredible thing to meet her for the first time after 4 1/2 years of writing to her and only seeing/sending pictures. We were so excited! Daphine does not speak a lick of English so thankfully she had a translator with her. The translator told us that Daphine had never been out of her village and was shocked by the big city of Kampala! </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bdvFDpcWf4/UQI6NzX9TJI/AAAAAAAACkk/G-mk60393hk/s1600/IMG_8327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bdvFDpcWf4/UQI6NzX9TJI/AAAAAAAACkk/G-mk60393hk/s640/IMG_8327.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Meeting her for the first time!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkUl8Bhl8uE/UQI6IWAARpI/AAAAAAAACkU/5k5bjIMo3nc/s1600/IMG_8343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fkUl8Bhl8uE/UQI6IWAARpI/AAAAAAAACkU/5k5bjIMo3nc/s640/IMG_8343.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Isaiah was so excited about showing her all his toys, especially his magnetic cars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-a_GpT5g0g/UQI6cslYWRI/AAAAAAAAClk/Bzqk7gP5Dnk/s1600/IMG_8355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s-a_GpT5g0g/UQI6cslYWRI/AAAAAAAAClk/Bzqk7gP5Dnk/s640/IMG_8355.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Daphine brought us a sweet gift of fruit and a basket.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">After some tea and cake at our house we took Daphine to the big mall downtown and took her to see a movie in the theater! We also had Isaiah with us and it was his first time seeing a movie in the theater too. He and Daphine were both completely glued to the screen the whole time. It was awesome to see their faces!!! =)</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n47U2wEg_1c/UQI6VnQ4IBI/AAAAAAAACk8/17uJqqCyssU/s1600/IMG_8369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n47U2wEg_1c/UQI6VnQ4IBI/AAAAAAAACk8/17uJqqCyssU/s640/IMG_8369.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">We had some gifts for her as well.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Opening up her gift bag!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddpwzwHo--o/UQI6QXuW02I/AAAAAAAACks/bTxwKEWjjII/s1600/IMG_8375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddpwzwHo--o/UQI6QXuW02I/AAAAAAAACks/bTxwKEWjjII/s640/IMG_8375.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">She was so excited!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zmG9pabC_0/UQI6Tsau2uI/AAAAAAAACk0/G3iI5CVxVvc/s1600/IMG_8379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="425" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zmG9pabC_0/UQI6Tsau2uI/AAAAAAAACk0/G3iI5CVxVvc/s640/IMG_8379.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">She loved her new shirt, a hand-me-down from my sister, Adelynn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XO5ICv8phEI/UQI6WiQTJrI/AAAAAAAAClA/w7KB13PRVv4/s1600/IMG_8390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XO5ICv8phEI/UQI6WiQTJrI/AAAAAAAAClA/w7KB13PRVv4/s640/IMG_8390.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">We got her a handwriting book to help her practice writing her letters.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuK3s_LQowk/UQI6Z6dxBxI/AAAAAAAAClM/Xs0lR7an44M/s1600/IMG_8391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZuK3s_LQowk/UQI6Z6dxBxI/AAAAAAAAClM/Xs0lR7an44M/s640/IMG_8391.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">She said her favorite gift was her English dictionary!</td></tr>
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<br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">When we returned from the mall we enjoyed an African style meal that our house help prepared. Daphine had no idea how to use a fork so she used her hands! All too soon it was time to say goodbye. We really enjoyed our visit with Daphine and feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to meet her! She is a beautiful girl inside and out and we look forward to our continued communication with her now that we know her more personally!!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Here I was telling her translator to tell her how proud I was of her for being such a helpful, studious girl who loves Jesus!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Saying goodbye after a wonderful day!<br />
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If you are interested in sponsoring a child through Compassion click <a href="http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm" target="_blank">here</a> to locate waiting children. Your tax-deductible contribution of just $38 a month connects a child living in poverty with a loving, church-based Child Sponsorship Program.</div>
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Your support provides:</div>
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<ul class="standard-list" style="color: #003eb1; line-height: 1.2em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 14px 15px 20px;">
<li style="background: url(http://www.compassion.com/css/images/bullet.png) 0px 4px no-repeat; color: #464646; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 14px;"><strong>Medical checkups</strong>, which often save lives</li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.compassion.com/css/images/bullet.png) 0px 4px no-repeat; color: #464646; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 14px;"><strong>Nutritious food</strong></li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.compassion.com/css/images/bullet.png) 0px 4px no-repeat; color: #464646; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 14px;"><strong>Health and hygiene training</strong></li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.compassion.com/css/images/bullet.png) 0px 4px no-repeat; color: #464646; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 14px;"><strong>Educational assistance</strong></li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.compassion.com/css/images/bullet.png) 0px 4px no-repeat; color: #464646; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 14px;">Access to special <strong>services like surgeries and disaster relief</strong></li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.compassion.com/css/images/bullet.png) 0px 4px no-repeat; color: #464646; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 14px;"><strong>Mentoring</strong> to help children discover their incredible value as God’s children</li>
<li style="background: url(http://www.compassion.com/css/images/bullet.png) 0px 4px no-repeat; color: #464646; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 10px 14px;">Most important of all, your sponsored child will <strong>hear about Jesus Christ</strong> and be encouraged to develop a lifelong relationship with God.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div style="color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 2em; margin-top: 0em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
When you sponsor a child, you'll receive your child's photo, personal story and a child sponsorship packet by mail in approximately 10 days.</div>
<div style="color: #464646; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 2em; margin-top: 0em; padding: 0px; text-align: start;">
When children find out they've been sponsored, the joy they feel is indescribable. Just knowing that someone across the globe cares means more than you can imagine. Sponsoring a child in need will profoundly change the future for your child, and will change your own life as well.</div>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-54839219433527221082015-08-07T07:00:00.000-04:002015-08-07T07:00:06.025-04:00Six Years as Mrs. HutchesonThis post is going to be a bit sappy. But, to be fair, I hardly ever post mushy love posts and it's my anniversary so cut me some slack. =)<br />
<br />
Six years ago on August 7, 2009 I made the second best decision of my life - I married Drew (the very best decision of my life being to give it to Christ!). I had no idea how to be a wife, no idea what marriage was really like, no idea how to truly set aside my selfishness for the good of another person. But I jumped into marriage with both feet and faced the steep learning curve. Let me tell you, marriage is not for the faint of heart. Choosing to combine your life with someone for better or for worse is not an easy task considering the sinful state of human nature. But it's worth the work because marriage can be refining, healing, beautiful, and fun!<br />
<br />
God says that marriage is GOOD:<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;">He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the </span><span class="sc" style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Corbel, Verdana, sans-serif;">. Proverbs 18:22 </span></span></h2>
<br />
I'm so glad God gave me the good gift of Drew. Is he perfect? Nope. But he's perfect for me. He is weak where I'm strong and he is strong where I'm weak. He balances me out and helps me think from a different perspective. In marriage it's easy to get stuck on the little annoying things your spouse does. But a few years into our marriage I realized how silly it was to pick fights over how to squeeze the toothpaste tube (FYI: Drew and I now have our own SEPARATE tubes of toothpaste because we finally decided to just agree to disagree!!! =)). But seriously, I'd rather save up my energy to fight battles that really matter, like conquering sin with each other's help or fighting through difficult life circumstances together.<br />
<br />
We've done a lot in our six years of marriage. We've lived in two different countries, three states, and six different houses. We've had three children, completed an international adoption, and lived in Africa for a year. We have said hurtful things to each other and we have forgiven and been forgiven. We have had a blast together on numerous crazy adventures and we have laughed together till our sides hurt.<br />
<br />
Interested in a healthy marriage? Listen to this:<br />
<br />
<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;">"<span class="text Col-3-12" id="en-NLT-29490" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span class="text Col-3-13" id="en-NLT-29491" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.</span><span class="text Col-3-13" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b> </b></span></span><span class="text Col-3-14" id="en-NLT-29492" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.</span><span class="text Col-3-15" id="en-NLT-29493" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;"> </span>And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful."</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;"><span class="text Col-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="text Col-3-15" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;">Colossians 3: 12-15</span></div>
</span></h2>
<br />
That's a big pill to swallow!! But the closer to Christ we become the better we are able to love our spouse like this.... and it creates a sweet, sweet marriage.<br />
<br />
I must say that my second year of marriage was better than my first, my third year was better than my second, my fourth year was better than my fifth, and my sixth year has been better than them all combined! Our marriage just keeps getting sweeter and sweeter as we continue to learn each other in and out, as we face and overcome trials together, as we walk through valleys and as we rejoice on mountaintops together. There is no one else I would rather live this life with than my very best friend!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-ttrJsgYM4/VcFbWOaS6pI/AAAAAAAAGlY/iQqmmY66tGY/s1600/AD-660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C-ttrJsgYM4/VcFbWOaS6pI/AAAAAAAAGlY/iQqmmY66tGY/s640/AD-660.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engaged!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-HamrmzCCs/VcFbbbEUZMI/AAAAAAAAGlg/4Esb-UIsOeA/s1600/The%2BKiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T-HamrmzCCs/VcFbbbEUZMI/AAAAAAAAGlg/4Esb-UIsOeA/s640/The%2BKiss.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Married (we saved our first kiss for our wedding day!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-ypFUOFTIw/VcFbPE5dVGI/AAAAAAAAGlI/7T02oIJSQqc/s1600/fam%2Bfoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-ypFUOFTIw/VcFbPE5dVGI/AAAAAAAAGlI/7T02oIJSQqc/s640/fam%2Bfoto.jpg" width="442" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Year - Isaiah was born a month and a half after our first anniversary. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXccMz89Rlc/VcFbTJxx4gI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/otQn9Egax7Y/s1600/PrayerCard%2BPicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uXccMz89Rlc/VcFbTJxx4gI/AAAAAAAAGlQ/otQn9Egax7Y/s640/PrayerCard%2BPicture.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5-C3n3uAWM/VcFbb-bUpXI/AAAAAAAAGlo/3HoeAJOt9eI/s1600/IMG_4885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R5-C3n3uAWM/VcFbb-bUpXI/AAAAAAAAGlo/3HoeAJOt9eI/s640/IMG_4885.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Third year! Eloise joined our family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FACgG213ac/VcFbfB-dxfI/AAAAAAAAGl4/iRcdAeiHD3c/s1600/IMG_0998_4x6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--FACgG213ac/VcFbfB-dxfI/AAAAAAAAGl4/iRcdAeiHD3c/s640/IMG_0998_4x6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fourth year!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kDu6VqkXMs/VcFbeZMNhfI/AAAAAAAAGlw/P6jmNbDxl64/s1600/IMG_7261%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5kDu6VqkXMs/VcFbeZMNhfI/AAAAAAAAGlw/P6jmNbDxl64/s640/IMG_7261%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fifth year! Olive joined our family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZPZAlQT1jI/VcFbgKEtOZI/AAAAAAAAGmA/InxEIAQH5FU/s1600/IMG_9991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xZPZAlQT1jI/VcFbgKEtOZI/AAAAAAAAGmA/InxEIAQH5FU/s640/IMG_9991.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Sixth Year!</td></tr>
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I love seeing how our family has grown, our love has strengthened, and our lives have changed in these six short years. And I look forward to the next 6 (and 16 and 60 years, God willing!!).Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-68090746866391818682015-07-28T09:00:00.000-04:002015-07-28T11:16:51.725-04:00Grandma's Funeral and The Time I Almost Missed My PlaneMy blogging pattern is usually a reflection of what is going on in my life at the time. When things get quiet on the blog it usually means that my life is crazy, stressful, busy, or sad. That has been the case this past month.<br />
<br />
A couple of years ago my Grandma Luckey was diagnosed with cancer. She had chemo and things looked ok for a while. Then, a few months ago, she started to go downhill fast. My Grandma was in Michigan so my parents (who live in Indiana) kept me updated by phone. Slowly we came to the realization that my Grandma wasn't going to recover this time. On Saturday, July 11, my mom called and told me that Hospice said Grandma had probably 8-48 hours to live. On Sunday I booked a last minute plane ticket for me and Olive to fly to Michigan that Tuesday. Then I scrambled to find people to watch Isaiah and Eloise, cancelled all the doctors appointments the kids had scheduled the following week, and prepared meals for Drew to eat while I was gone. Everything fell into place and I prayed that my Grandma would still be alive when I got to Michigan so that I could say goodbye one last time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuxuQtS6cs4/Vbecxd4m-YI/AAAAAAAAGkM/LD1oISceo0A/s1600/11187327_930734276979526_6717636803042203631_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zuxuQtS6cs4/Vbecxd4m-YI/AAAAAAAAGkM/LD1oISceo0A/s400/11187327_930734276979526_6717636803042203631_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma getting chemo several months ago.</td></tr>
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On Tuesday Drew took off work early to bring me to the airport. I flew out of Orlando, about 2.5 hours away. We didn't leave much extra time for any unexpected delays in getting there as Drew couldn't take off any earlier than he did. I was nervous about cutting it so close but tried not to worry. Well, about half way into our trip I started to worry!! We suddenly ran into STAND STILL traffic on the high way. After doing some research on my phone (don't you love technology these days!??!) I found out that there was an accident ahead.... I also found out that there were miles of cars lined up in front of us. This was not going to be a short wait.<br />
<br />
As the minutes ticked by and we crawled forward little by little, I began to panic! Olive started getting antsy in the back seat which only added to my stress level. Drew and I could only wait and pray that I would make my flight. After an hour in traffic we FINALLY started to move again. And boy did we move! Let's just say that Drew went a little above the speed limit!! When we finally pulled into the airport I was nervous and shakey. And I had only THIRTY minutes before my flight was scheduled to leave. I grabbed Olive, the stroller, and my bags and rushed into the airport. Sorry, Drew, no time for a hug goodbye!<br />
<br />
There was no line at the check-in counter, praise the Lord. But the lady who checked me in was not optimistic. "I don't mean to be negative, but you're not going to make it. They close the doors 15 minutes before the plane takes off," she said as she pointed to the incredibly long line that I would have to pass through in order to get through security and to the terminals. "Well, I'm going to try," I said as I took off running. Thankfully I didn't have any bags to check or it probably would have taken just a few minute too long. I packed light and only took a carry-on!<br />
<br />
By the time I got to the security line I was sweating and shaking like a mad woman. "PLEASE, I HAVE to get on my flight. I HAVE to get to my Grandma's funeral" I sobbed as I handed the gentleman at the beginning of the security checkpoint line my boarding pass and ID (I didn't have time to explain that she hadn't passed away yet but that I was trying to make it there in time to see her alive AND to be there for her funeral....it was just too long to say...lol). The LORD was in the details because He caused the man to have compassion on me and he directed me over to a VIP line which was 10 times shorter! Praise the Lord!<br />
<br />
Have you ever flown on an airplane? You know the drill. Take off your shoes, empty your pockets, take out your baggy of liquids. I hurriedly and shakily did all this, looking down at my phone and seeing that I had 20 minutes before my flight was scheduled to depart....and FIVE minute before the lady at the check in counter had told me they would close the doors! My perfectly straightened hair was now all kinky, drenched with sweat. I felt like I was going to pass out. Drew, who was waiting to see if I would make the flight before driving home, texted me if I was good to go. I didn't have much time but texted back NO. I was so frazzled I couldn't get the stroller collapsed and for a second I seriously thought that darn thing was going to prevent me from getting on that plane. I finally just told the gentleman that I could NOT get the thing collapsed and that I was just going to have to push it through the detector instead of putting it on the belt. He took pity upon my tears and my shaky hands (and probably thought I was loony) and let me push it through. Olive was FREAKING out at my behavior and would not walk through the detector on her own. Every second of a delay made me think more and more that I wasn't going to make it.<br />
<br />
After I made it through the detector and got Olive to walk through I started putting back on our shoes and repacking my bags....and noticed that my diaper bag had been set aside for additional screening. COME ON!! "PLEASE do it quickly. I NEED to make my flight!" I told the lady (again, with tears running down my cheeks). Thankfully she did work quickly. She just did a quick check on Olive's sippie cup and when she was done I grabbed the bag and RAN!<br />
<br />
I had to take a tram after that to get to my terminal. By the grace of God a tram arrived within a few seconds and I hopped on. A man on the tram asked me if I was ok, he probably thought I needed psychiatric help!! As the tram got closer to the terminal I could SEE my plane!!!! I started to feel hopeful that I was going to make it. I got off the tram and RAN to my gate - Gate #35. Thankfully I had a stroller so I didn't have to run while holding Olive, my bag, and the diaper bag. She rolled along smoothly in the stroller!<br />
<br />
When I got to the gate my heart sank. It was closed and empty. I rested my arm on the check in counter and cried. An employee came over and asked if I was ok. "I HAVE to get on that plane. Please, let me on. I HAVE to get on" I sobbed. He smiled, "Are you heading to Chicago? You're at the wrong gate. It's gate 34 behind you and.... they're still boarding." =) I felt like kissing that man (sorry Drew!). I looked behind me and HALLELUJAH! He was right! They were still boarding MY flight! I got in the line and was the second to the last person to board. I called Drew and told him to head on home! Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus! I have never before in my life been so relived to make it on a plane. I was going to see my Grandma!!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXevBOCcD98/VbaUO6dYEkI/AAAAAAAAGjU/2ZVVTpljTts/s1600/IMG_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VXevBOCcD98/VbaUO6dYEkI/AAAAAAAAGjU/2ZVVTpljTts/s400/IMG_0627.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally on the plane! What a glorious feeling!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD9cak90Fi4/VbaUPCwzIrI/AAAAAAAAGjc/c6wknupe0r8/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CD9cak90Fi4/VbaUPCwzIrI/AAAAAAAAGjc/c6wknupe0r8/s400/IMG_0833.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was actually taken in the airport on our way BACK from Chicago. There was absolutely NO time to take pictures in the airport on the way there. Haha. =) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I arrived in Chicago safe and sound and stayed with my parents in Indiana. The next day we drove to Michigan to see my Grandma. It was truly heartbreaking to see her in the condition she was in. She was sleeping most of my visit but she did come to enough at one point to recognize that I was there and even said, "Oh, hi Amber." That alone was worth the cost of a last minute plate flight and a stressful trip. Through tears, I was able to see and touch my Grandma one last time. I was able to kiss her forehead and hold her hand one last time. One last time I was able to tell her that I love her and am thankful for all the wonderful memories we have together. I was able to say goodbye.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DcYX-yy9pI/VbauRAWm82I/AAAAAAAAGj4/jKKk4xA8T4Y/s1600/IMG_7111.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3DcYX-yy9pI/VbauRAWm82I/AAAAAAAAGj4/jKKk4xA8T4Y/s400/IMG_7111.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family had an early 80th birthday party for Grandma exactly one week before she died. This is my Grandpa and Grandma at the party. </td></tr>
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My Grandma had a strong will to live and fought hard. She held on much longer than anyone thought. I went and saw her again on Saturday but this time she didn't move or even open her eyes. We knew the end was near. And early Sunday morning, the Lord took her to Heaven. She met Jesus face to face on July 19th, 2015 - exactly one month before her 80th birthday. Oh the joy and pain mixed together in that moment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-beTD_zPGhAE/VbaUN2JgwwI/AAAAAAAAGjY/tgq74pQ07Yg/s1600/1502668_581720198935_647146481_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-beTD_zPGhAE/VbaUN2JgwwI/AAAAAAAAGjY/tgq74pQ07Yg/s640/1502668_581720198935_647146481_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was taken a year and half ago but here is Grandpa and Grandma with many (but not all!) of their grandchildren. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And several (but not ALL) of their great grandchildren!</td></tr>
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I was scheduled to come home on Wednesday but I ended up changing my flight so that I could be there a few days longer and be there for Grandma's funeral. That was a very hard and sad day but I am so glad that I could be with my family and friends during that difficult time. I come from a very close knit family. My Grandpa and Grandma got married when my Grandma was only 16 years old! They have 8 children (plus spouses), 33 grandchildren (plus some spouses), and 25 great grandchildren (with more to come)!! I love this big, beautiful Luckey family!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the Luckey family members at the burial where we said our last goodbyes to Grandma. </td></tr>
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Grandma, you have left behind a wonderful, godly legacy of men and woman who will follow the Lord behind you. It was a sad, tearful goodbye but one day we know we will rejoice again with you in Heaven. I love you, Grandma. See you later!<br />
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(Oh, and my flight back home was extremely uneventful....Praise the Lord!) =)<br />
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<b>*Grandma's obituary can be found <a href="http://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/muskegon/obituary.aspx?n=shirley-luckey&pid=175329667&fhid=21047" target="_blank">here</a>*</b></div>
Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-66327548681552609542015-06-30T16:35:00.000-04:002015-06-30T16:42:34.035-04:00Braces, X-Rays, and Kinesio Tape - An Update on EloiseI realized today I haven't written an update about Eloise in a while! So, here's some quick info on where we're at with her foot. (If you want to catch up on what's going on with her you can do so <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/02/our-new-normal.html" target="_blank">here </a>and <a href="http://amberhutcheson.blogspot.com/2015/03/update-on-eloise-no-more-casts-and-what.html" target="_blank">here</a>).<br />
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Yesterday we had an appointment with pediatric orthopedics to get some x-rays done and just confirm that nothing is wrong with Eloise's hips, knees, or feet that could be causing her right foot to turn in. The x-rays came back all normal, which means that the cause of her in-turned foot is neurological. That means that it's stemming from the brain, not from any deformity in her bone structure. This is what we were expecting as we are pretty sure her condition stems from a brain injury or disease as an infant.<br />
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The orthopedist is pretty sure she does not have cerebral palsy but a possible mild form of <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dystonia/basics/definition/con-20033527" target="_blank">dystonia </a>is still on the table. He mentioned Botox as a possible option in the future and also mentioned that in a year we can reassess if she needs to continue wearing her brace or not. He was positive and encouraging, saying that her condition is very mild and he expects it to stay that way! We have appointments to see all of her doctors (pediatric physiatrist, neurologist, orthopedist, etc) again in 6-12 months, at which time they'll reassess her condition and treatment.<br />
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In the mean time we are still doing weekly physical therapy at Wolfson's and she is supposed to be wearing a foot brace all of her waking hours. I say "supposed to" because it's a constant struggle to get her to wear it. She loves to either be barefoot or wearing her ballet shoes - neither of which she can do with her brace on. =(<br />
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When she first got her brace a few months ago, she started out with a smaller brace that just reached the ankle but her physical therapist wasn't happy with it as it didn't seem to do much to straighten out her foot. Yesterday she got a new brace, one that reaches half way up her calf and controls her leg much more. I do think her foot is pretty straight with this one on and am hoping that I can get her to wear it enough to help retrain her leg/brain how her foot is supposed to turn when she walks!<br />
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Eloise also gets something called kinesio tape at each PT visit. It's a blue tape that the therapist wraps up her leg that pulls on the muscles in her leg, teaching them to pull outward instead of inward when she walks. The tape stays on for about 5 days, then falls off, then she gets more at her next appointment.<br />
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In addition to what is going on with her foot, Eloise has been getting a rash on her face and sores on her legs and feet since she was a baby so we are trying to get to the bottom of that. We have been seeing allergists and dermatologists to try and figure out what it going on. I swear, this girl LOVES doctors! (Actually she hates them, poor thing!)<br />
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Overall we are hopeful! We don't know if her condition will worsen over time. We don't know if it will ever be corrected. We don't know if we'll ever know what is causing it. But one thing we know is that the Lord keeps giving us the strength to deal with each new development, each new doctors appointment (God knows how hard it is to take 3 kids to the doctor by myself!), and whatever each day brings. For now we are thankful for a sweet, happy girl who doesn't let a little in-turned foot keep her from much of anything! Praise Him!!!Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-34043228438961791462015-06-26T05:00:00.000-04:002015-06-26T09:37:12.999-04:00Living in a Martha Season<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<i>Today I have a very special guest on my blog! My dear friend Rebekah from <a href="http://survivingtoddlerhood.com/" target="_blank">Surviving Toddlerhood</a> has come over to share some thoughts with us! I first met Rebekah in a childbirth class in Fremont, MI when I was pregnant with Isaiah and she was pregnant with her son, Seth. Our boys were both born 3 weeks early, in the same hospital, just days apart! We have been friends ever since. =) </i></div>
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<i>Rebekah has two boys and is currently pregnant with her third baby. Although she still lives in Michigan and I've moved here, there, and everywhere, we have remained friends over the years. I know you'll enjoy what she has to share today!</i></div>
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A few days ago I noticed a status that came through my Facebook feed. A fellow momma of littles was sharing how she wanted to be spending her time like Mary, but life was getting in the way and she was having a hard time dealing with that.</div>
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It made me rather sad.</div>
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<strong>Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with being able to spend hours of your time with Jesus, listening to him, calling on him, reading the Word and journaling, but sometimes as mommas of littles it is hard to do that. And guilt sets in. Guilt over what we aren't doing.</strong></div>
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The pressure to be Mary is everywhere. Look in any Christian bookstore and you will find shelves full of books on how to be a better wife and mother. One common theme that runs through them is an early morning quiet time before anyone else rises and how to be a Mary who spends her time worshipping at her Lord's feet.</div>
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This is what my devotional schedule used to look like......</div>
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I had a whole list of things I wanted to do every time I sat down. The only problem, I have two littles who like attention and every time they interrupted me I started yelling at them for interrupting my "devotions". Not really very Christ like behavior, but I had goals and the goals<strong> needed to get done. </strong>If I didn't get all the things read that I was supposed to then I wouldn't accomplish one of my goals for the year of reading through the Bible, but how much was I teaching my boys if I was raising my voice every time they needed something and I was reading/journaling/studying?</div>
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Of course the answer must be to get up earlier right? Jesus rose early and went to spend time with his Father... But that doesn't work for me for a couple of reasons {if it works for you that is great!} 1. if I have a baby who isn't sleeping through the night yet, 2.if I have to get up a bazillion times to use the bathroom during pregnancy, 3. or if my thyroid is being crazy. <em>I have tried it but it was always driven by guilt. Guilt that I wasn't being a "good" Christian. Guilt that if I wasn't getting up early to spend time with the Lord than I couldn't be a good wife and mother.</em></div>
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<b><span style="color: orange; font-size: large;">Being Martha doesn't mean that there is not time for fellowship with God, but that we spend time with him while serving.</span></b></h2>
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There is a time to be Mary and there is also a time to be Martha. My time to be Martha is now. I am serving God by serving others. By training my sons, loving and honoring my husband, keeping my house mostly acceptable. Later when my children are grown and can take more responsibility themselves then it could be my time to be Mary. </div>
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Martha got a rebuke from Jesus not because of what she was doing but because of her attitude while she was serving. She was distracted, anxious and troubled that her sister was not helping to serve her Lord. Her sister was sitting there doing nothing to get a meal ready for this man who was the Son of God. <strong>Her heart wasn't in the right place. Her actions weren't wrong. Her attitude was.</strong></div>
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Here are some practical ways to spend time with the Father while also serving our families:</div>
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<strong>1. Find a good children's Bible and read it with your littles.</strong></div>
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We have The Jesus Storybook Bible and we LOVE it! I love how it shows the thread of Christ through the whole Bible. I learn lessons from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Every-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433884087&sr=8-1&keywords=the+jesus+storybook+bible" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">this children's Bible</a> probably more than my boys do.</div>
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<strong>2. Write out verses on blank note cards and hang them where you can read them often.</strong></div>
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On the bathroom mirror, on the window above the sink, anywhere you will see them and be reminded of the truths of God's word is the place to hang these verse cards.</div>
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<strong>3. Play Christian music in the house.</strong></div>
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We have just started pulling out our cd's again and listening to music while we clean or play. It helps me to stay focused during the day and there really are less fights and less yelling that goes on while the music is playing. It helps everyone. I do have a couple of children's praise cd's but mostly we just listen to mine. Aaron Shust, Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, Micheal W. Smith.... {I haven't bought a cd in a really long time okay? :-)}</div>
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<strong>4. Try to pray more than just at mealtimes.</strong></div>
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If there are bad attitudes happening, heart correction is easier if we rely on God's strength not our own. This is me more than my boys honestly. We have prayed about favorite lost toys, over many owies and we have thanked God for lightbulbs and trains. Teaching your child that everything matters to God is something that will never be forgotten. We are also told to pray without ceasing, so whenever you get a moment throw some thoughts heavenward .</div>
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<strong>5. Train your toddlers and preschoolers to leave you alone for ten to fifteen minutes.</strong></div>
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This gives you a chance to sit down and read a few verses, meditate on them or pray over your day. I like to throw in a movie and make a cup of coffee to sip on for a few minutes. Now I know I just said that I'm in a Martha season, so this may seem to contradict everything I have said so far, but to survive toddlerhood at my house, I do need those few quiet moments. Because I really can't do it on my own. I need to lean on Jesus.</div>
Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-11939090547098615392015-06-23T09:30:00.000-04:002015-06-23T09:48:50.456-04:00Do What Makes You Oh-So Happy (Not)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I came across this cute little sign last week while I was browsing the decorations aisle at Target (you know, because I go down that aisle every time I go to Target...). The sign says, "do what makes you oh-so happy". And as soon as I saw it, I immediately got defensive and thought, "That's not true! Life is not about doing what makes us happy!"<br />
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Even God did and does things that don't necessarily make Him happy.... sending Jesus to die on the cross comes to mind. God sent Jesus (and He went willingly) to the cross but it was not with happiness over His painful death. It was with deep sorrow that He had to do this to save His creation in the first place. Also, I think about the consequences the Lord bestows upon humans because of sin. I don't believe He punishes us with happiness but instead with sadness over our disobedience, just as I don't discipline my children with joy but with grief over the choices they've made. God does things that are just and right, not necessarily things that always make Him (or us) happy.<br />
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You see, life isn't really about happiness at all. Sure there will be plenty of happy times! God has given us {SO MANY THINGS} to bring us JOY in this life!!! And because we are children of God, I believe our Father desires happiness for us just as you and I do for our children. But the Bible surely doesn't teach Christians to do whatever makes them happy. There are many things I can think of that would be fun and would make me super happy but I know, without a doubt, would be against the Word of God. When we live our lives trying to do whatever it takes to make us "oh-so happy" we often end up oh-so miserable in a life of sin. Chasing worldly happiness eventually comes up empty. Because only living a life in obedience to Christ can bring deep, everlasting joy and happiness.<br />
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I'd rather do what honors the Lord in the long run than what make me oh-so happy in the moment. How about you?Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-30452772419675441792015-06-18T10:10:00.000-04:002015-06-18T10:10:00.133-04:00Hey Dads: A Man of Sayings for the Man of Sorrows<i style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">In honor of <b>{Throw Back Thursday}</b>, this Thursday I am posting from our blog <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Hutcheson Headline</a> that we used while living in Uganda from 2012-2013. The post below was originally published by Drew on February 27, 2012. You can view it <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/2012/02/hey-dads-man-of-sayings-for-man-of.html" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> if you'd like to see the original version.</i><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">Because Father's Day is just around the corner, I thought that this Throw Back Thursday Post should honor one of the best dad's I know - my husband! In looking through our old blog for a TBT post for today I came across this post where Drew listed some of the sayings that he lives by and teaches his kids. I can attest that Drew truly is a man of sayings. He is currently teaching the kids The Two P's - Patience and </span></span><span style="line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">Perseverance</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">. Both Isaiah and Eloise know The Two P's and what they mean!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">I am incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful man as my husband and the father of my children. I am so thankful for the time that he invests in training our children in the Lord and how he aims to leave them a godly legacy. I'm so proud of that man! </span></span></span><br />
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Hey Dads: A Man of Sayings for the Man of Sorrows</h3>
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<span style="background-color: #274e13; color: #f3f3f3; font-size: medium;">Below is my collection thus far of some quotes, one-liners, and their explanation (if need be) I have collected from others over the years and or have created from something I've learned. I want to instill these into my children.</span></div>
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<strong>"Envy is the seed of discontentment; it gives birth to chaos!" -</strong> From James 3:16</div>
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<strong>"Teach-ability is the posture of humility."</strong></div>
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<strong>"You can have the best jam in town, but if you spread it on too thin, the toast is no good."</strong> - Stewart Hamrick, on spreading yourself too thin in life.</div>
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<strong>"God will not protect you from anything he will perfect you through." </strong>- Bill Muntz on losing his toddler son to a drowning accident.</div>
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<strong>"Per-se-vere is a three syllable word. Just as 'life'." </strong>Referring to life being birth, living, and dying and that trials will come. But we're to persevere well through all 3 eras.</div>
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<strong>"Unresolved anger is like bad coffee." </strong>Referring to unresolved anger or bitterness being like coffee on the burner for too long. If you drink pop over coffee, then it's like pop that's gone flat.</div>
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<strong>"Discipline is doing what needs to be done, how it needs to be done, when it needs to be done, regardless of how you feel." </strong>- Ron Sauer, Greek Prof at Moody Bible Institute</div>
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<strong>"Cheer for the team, even in defeat." </strong>- On loyalty</div>
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<strong>"Do > Say." </strong>- On James 1, being a person of action makes for more influence than merely a person of words.</div>
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<strong>"Be offensive towards defensiveness." </strong>- Referring to being a person who takes ownership of mistakes.<br /><br /><strong>"Who cares if God doesn't?" </strong>- On learning in life what matters to the Lord.</div>
<br />Leaving a legacy our children will be proud to carry on is a more difficult feat to conquer than ever. Amidst so many distractions our world promotes today, it is more of a sheer fight to focus on what really matters most.<br /><br />You can easily look at one's Twitter or Facebook page and easily see where their priorities are. No, I'm not trying to play the role of judge nor cirtic. I just often find many disclosing things virally which are a tad weightless and vain. Do you agree? (And I myself have been victim of this.)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Having said this, one thing I have come to want to be known for by Isaiah and future children, as well as friends and family, is to be a man of sayings for the Man of sorrows. Simply meaning, I want to have several expressions, phrases, figure of speech which I collect or create which teach a life-lesson, a principal, or a token of character. They don't have to be from the Bible or even from a Christian. But, I would love for the greater portion of them to help me and those who hear me say them live life well, and in turn, reflect the work God has done in me through his cultivating grace.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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As I am a young father, I write this post with other young dads, older dads, and future ones in mind. As we're all terminal, and as life is such a blink, seemingly smoke on a mirror, it will be what we did and were known for which lives on following our passing. What is so awesome is that even our words are seeds which give birth to action in the lives of others. Hence, what we say and how we say it hold great potential in leading others in how they may live. Therefore, I want to be known not merely for the things I do, but for what I say.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: #274e13; color: #f3f3f3; font-size: large;"><strong>If you have any that you could add to the list or you say often, I'd like to know - so please share!</strong></span></div>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-7311192132115194312015-06-15T08:33:00.000-04:002015-06-15T08:33:00.369-04:00OneDay - The Super Easy Way to Create Video Memories of Your Kids I discovered a new app a few weeks ago that is incredibly easy to use and creates beautiful memories of my children (the type that I don't usually have time to create!) with minimal work.<br />
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The app is called <a href="https://www.oneday.com/" target="_blank">OneDay - Instant Movie Maker </a>and can be found in the app store. It is free!!<br />
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From the <a href="https://www.oneday.com/" target="_blank">OneDay</a> app site:<br />
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OneDay is quick and simple to use. The app prompts you what questions to ask based on the theme you have chosen, records the person's answers, and then puts them together in a fun video. The videos are not just for kids, thought that's what I mainly use the app for. They have videos for adults and holiday themes as well. They even have videos you can use for babies to record their giggle or them rolling over. It gives you a cute, funny, memorable video without the work!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the i-tunes OneDay app site.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sample of the adult videos from the app on my phone. </td></tr>
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Check out the video that I made of Isaiah. Such cute answers that I will treasure forever. I really think this app will help me take more videos of my kids. I'm often overwhelmed at trying to make cute videos of them but this takes the thought out of it!<br />
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They have several Father's Day themed ones right now that would be perfect to brighten up the day of the dad in your life. Go check them out!</div>
<br />Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-19355726163646931302015-06-11T09:09:00.000-04:002015-06-11T10:37:13.563-04:00Madness at Mandela Stadium: Happy Birthday Drew! <i style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px;">In honor of <b>{Throw Back Thursday}</b>, this Thursday I am posting from our blog <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Hutcheson Headline</a> that we used while living in Uganda from 2012-2013. The post below was originally published by Drew on June 10, 2012. You can view it <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/2012/06/madness-at-mandela-stadium.html" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> if you'd like to see the original version.</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since today's Throw Back Thursday also happens to be <b>my sweet husband's birthday</b>, I thought it'd be fitting to post one of his old posts for today. Drew wrote this post after going to his first soccer game in Uganda almost exactly 3 years ago (June 10, 2012). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I know Drew wishes he could be at a sporting event in Uganda for this birthday too. We all miss Uganda so much! But we'll celebrate here in Florida and hopefully have just as much fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Happy Birthday, Drew!! I'm so thankful for the blessing you are in my life and look forward to celebrating many more birthdays with you! </span></div>
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Madness At Mandela Stadium!</span></h2>
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This past Saturday, my father-in-law (dad), and Janae (one of Amber's little sisters) had an incredible experience: We went to a 2014 World Cup qualifier match at Mandela Stadium and watch the Uganda Cranes battle against the Senegal Lions! Some of my IJM colleagues joined us and we had an unforgettable time as it would be quite hard to forget an atmosphere as loud and electric as the below videos portray.</div>
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Jump Mzungu, jump!</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*This is the penalty kick from dad's view*</span></div>
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This was the video taken by dad (my father-in-law), Mark. Feel free to laugh as much as I do each time I watch this video.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*This is the same penalty kick, but from my view*</span></div>
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I get a kick (pun, pun) out of this video each time I watch it.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">One ticket was 25,000 UGX, which is a little less than $10 USD. Wow, a professional sports event where the seating is first come, first served and tickets are $10 - can't beat that!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">IJM Colleagues</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Colleagues and loyal Cranes fans reacting to a bad call.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpPxVBAGK0E/T9SzwgN-5aI/AAAAAAAABAs/XAWcwW5gK4M/s1600/IMG_4298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rpPxVBAGK0E/T9SzwgN-5aI/AAAAAAAABAs/XAWcwW5gK4M/s400/IMG_4298.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwYdTYZvWSQ/T9Tujd-0mVI/AAAAAAAABBg/ZRoEJpJNZaI/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LwYdTYZvWSQ/T9Tujd-0mVI/AAAAAAAABBg/ZRoEJpJNZaI/s400/IMG_4330.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">At first I thought this was the team and I came to watch radical rugby.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--67HqVdanwY/T9Sz4gYBd-I/AAAAAAAABA8/TCoZK8rs5ic/s1600/IMG_4330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--67HqVdanwY/T9Sz4gYBd-I/AAAAAAAABA8/TCoZK8rs5ic/s400/IMG_4330.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Final score! A draw is always better than a loss.</td></tr>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-74698919879539103752015-06-09T09:28:00.000-04:002015-06-26T09:56:16.482-04:00A Boy And His Old Boo<div>
Before Isaiah was born I bought him a soft and cozy blue blanket. And then, a few weeks later, I went back and bought him another of the same exact blanket, because I knew that if he ever became attached to it I'd want a back up.</div>
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And boy did he become attached to it. And boy was I thankful for that back-up!</div>
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Between 15 and 18 months old Isaiah really started to show an interest in his blanket. He started not being able to sleep without it, carrying it everywhere he went, and looping it on his finger while he sucked his thumb.</div>
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When he started being able to talk the word blanket came out as "boo". The name stuck. When he was two years old we accidentally left one of his Boos at a grocery store in Uganda. Uganda is not really known for their stellar "lost and found" and that blanket was never to be seen again. Good thing we had a back-up! The back-up wasn't quite as worn in but it satisfied him and he grew attached to it. When we got back to the U.S. we quickly got another identical blanket just in case anything should happen again. The new blanket got dubbed "New Boo" and the old blanket became "Old Boo." New Boo mainly just sits in Isaiah's bed most of the day while Old Boo gets all the love and attention! </div>
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{Just as a side note, so you don't get wierded out, Old Boo is not an "it". He is a "he"! Don't really know how that happened but we always call him by "he" or "him". He's kinda like a person in our family.}</div>
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Old Boo and Isaiah are the best of friends. Old Boo is full of rips and tears, stained with dirt, and has a big hole right in the middle (Isaiah tried to iron him and then cried and cried because he "hurt" him!). To Isaiah, Old Boo signals hundreds of wonderful memories they have made together. His smell reminds him of the many adventures they have been on. His softness calms and relaxes Isaiah, bringing him comfort. </div>
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Old Boo goes with us EVERYWHERE! He rarely gets a bath because Isaiah can't stand to part with him. He has been to Uganda, SeaWorld, and the dentist. Sometimes he eats food, sometimes he takes a nap in the car while he waits for Isaiah to get back, and sometimes he needs his own toys when playing. </div>
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I don't know how long Isaiah will carry around Old Boo. We've been talking a lot about preschool starting in the Fall and how Old Boo is going to stay in his backpack all day. We'll see how that goes! For now we're letting Isaiah enjoy being a kid, and enjoy being a kid with one of his very best friends - Old Boo. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-062-j2llAfc/VXYmeySN3gI/AAAAAAAAGa4/XNr_Tnqt75E/s1600/DSCN3589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-062-j2llAfc/VXYmeySN3gI/AAAAAAAAGa4/XNr_Tnqt75E/s400/DSCN3589.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaiah and Old Boo go way back.... back to when Isaiah was just a few days old!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUA1Dad6ZpI/VXZJjtiKIWI/AAAAAAAAGbg/dM73dAqALV4/s1600/IMG_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GUA1Dad6ZpI/VXZJjtiKIWI/AAAAAAAAGbg/dM73dAqALV4/s400/IMG_0066.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And a few months old. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN-HRcRIsi4/VXYX9UyOp3I/AAAAAAAAGY4/XWCRG7Bsm48/s1600/IMG_1977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZN-HRcRIsi4/VXYX9UyOp3I/AAAAAAAAGY4/XWCRG7Bsm48/s400/IMG_1977.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Boo has been to Mackinac Island.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85xGeufIrUg/VXYakQPg6MI/AAAAAAAAGZA/1tMjhFZmp6A/s1600/IMG_2948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-85xGeufIrUg/VXYakQPg6MI/AAAAAAAAGZA/1tMjhFZmp6A/s400/IMG_2948.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has gotten his picture taken with Gigi.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPpOmY32qTU/VXYb0XBovsI/AAAAAAAAGZI/OioN4BzrJtM/s1600/IMG_0056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPpOmY32qTU/VXYb0XBovsI/AAAAAAAAGZI/OioN4BzrJtM/s400/IMG_0056.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has snuggled with Daddy. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sosX6QtEyA/VXYcQ9vhHmI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/tmpHxEfFgnY/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6sosX6QtEyA/VXYcQ9vhHmI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/tmpHxEfFgnY/s400/IMG_0153.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has been bowling. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMAznes8FMA/VXYcyqnYgyI/AAAAAAAAGZY/vCblc3jMBf8/s1600/IMG_0375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RMAznes8FMA/VXYcyqnYgyI/AAAAAAAAGZY/vCblc3jMBf8/s400/IMG_0375.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has been to St. Augustine. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fU5PpYCQQFc/VXYdLy2USzI/AAAAAAAAGZg/asBvLm5vKvI/s1600/IMG_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fU5PpYCQQFc/VXYdLy2USzI/AAAAAAAAGZg/asBvLm5vKvI/s400/IMG_0770.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has been to the airport. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plUb6PpuMBk/VXYdhpKek_I/AAAAAAAAGZo/TD0-4OfZHZE/s1600/IMG_0795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-plUb6PpuMBk/VXYdhpKek_I/AAAAAAAAGZo/TD0-4OfZHZE/s400/IMG_0795.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And on an airplane. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkRI8r1MbIc/VXYdhTB43XI/AAAAAAAAGZs/4i_Fm6iUgTI/s1600/IMG_0806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qkRI8r1MbIc/VXYdhTB43XI/AAAAAAAAGZs/4i_Fm6iUgTI/s400/IMG_0806.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has been to London. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzv95YvvJ1U/VXZMDD1tRXI/AAAAAAAAGb0/dtLGSPuQrLc/s1600/IMG_5442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzv95YvvJ1U/VXZMDD1tRXI/AAAAAAAAGb0/dtLGSPuQrLc/s400/IMG_5442.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">And to Uganda.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kiU1UX_O5DY/VXZVjxHzM3I/AAAAAAAAGdQ/p9t9H89UhMo/s1600/469816_543795754825_1963345188_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kiU1UX_O5DY/VXZVjxHzM3I/AAAAAAAAGdQ/p9t9H89UhMo/s400/469816_543795754825_1963345188_o.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where he got very very dirty almost every single day. Can you tell which Boo is the one Isaiah was using and which one was the spare?!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6BnUerCE8M/VXZVfRq-4SI/AAAAAAAAGcg/IYN3eSOWP0M/s1600/170403_543666982885_497694365_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q6BnUerCE8M/VXZVfRq-4SI/AAAAAAAAGcg/IYN3eSOWP0M/s400/170403_543666982885_497694365_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On numerous occasions he has been a comfy pillow. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUjh-wXGngk/VXZVf_xq3KI/AAAAAAAAGcs/hXPorjZ72fI/s1600/598739_543668819205_307501091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QUjh-wXGngk/VXZVf_xq3KI/AAAAAAAAGcs/hXPorjZ72fI/s400/598739_543668819205_307501091_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21AH7nvbGxQ/VXZVgH35WOI/AAAAAAAAGdA/8GtpD42qwWI/s1600/735582_554074052035_204134813_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21AH7nvbGxQ/VXZVgH35WOI/AAAAAAAAGdA/8GtpD42qwWI/s400/735582_554074052035_204134813_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has eaten chicken on a stick. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPSBhb0620Y/VXZLIIi49BI/AAAAAAAAGbs/lDs5kRi6Pr8/s1600/IMG_5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kPSBhb0620Y/VXZLIIi49BI/AAAAAAAAGbs/lDs5kRi6Pr8/s400/IMG_5330.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And read hundreds of books with Isaiah. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTcYnNUag_I/VXZR9eRylWI/AAAAAAAAGcE/_5uGmKc81K8/s1600/IMG_6117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eTcYnNUag_I/VXZR9eRylWI/AAAAAAAAGcE/_5uGmKc81K8/s400/IMG_6117.JPG" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He was there when sweet Eloise Ann join our family. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Hi8hXgHnQ/VXZSZNt4TgI/AAAAAAAAGcM/SCC22mZGtPU/s1600/IMG_6064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r8Hi8hXgHnQ/VXZSZNt4TgI/AAAAAAAAGcM/SCC22mZGtPU/s400/IMG_6064.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isaiah even allowed her a little snuggle time with him!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvja4JaIIoA/VXYWVlO5DII/AAAAAAAAGYw/aHhgEFBj-I8/s1600/IMG_4724%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wvja4JaIIoA/VXYWVlO5DII/AAAAAAAAGYw/aHhgEFBj-I8/s400/IMG_4724%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has been in many many many family pictures. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFblfS43nu0/VXZVfFAmj3I/AAAAAAAAGcc/Ij80OQALLh4/s1600/1072475_568750156005_1705655839_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CFblfS43nu0/VXZVfFAmj3I/AAAAAAAAGcc/Ij80OQALLh4/s400/1072475_568750156005_1705655839_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Boo has been through numerous car washes. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk9UZQNYAjo/VXYeDDBXp0I/AAAAAAAAGZ4/NapZEyzTiSY/s1600/IMG_4246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nk9UZQNYAjo/VXYeDDBXp0I/AAAAAAAAGZ4/NapZEyzTiSY/s400/IMG_4246.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has even helped us cut down a Christmas tree. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RLYm36uhplE/VXYhwAKTBjI/AAAAAAAAGaE/JxlFGQC_2oc/s1600/P1250193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RLYm36uhplE/VXYhwAKTBjI/AAAAAAAAGaE/JxlFGQC_2oc/s400/P1250193.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He has watched many movies with Isaiah.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQoUj0XZPUE/VXYkk0emKSI/AAAAAAAAGaw/3KIPKDOcLYE/s1600/IMG_5731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DQoUj0XZPUE/VXYkk0emKSI/AAAAAAAAGaw/3KIPKDOcLYE/s400/IMG_5731.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Boo helped us celebrate the arrival of Baby Olive. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8A6_tUXyML0/VXZXscqK0EI/AAAAAAAAGds/eEM-5zPF81M/s1600/IMG_3021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8A6_tUXyML0/VXZXscqK0EI/AAAAAAAAGds/eEM-5zPF81M/s400/IMG_3021.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And was with us when we moved to Florida!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWh39dZ0N8A/VXYhyolqiOI/AAAAAAAAGaM/IptljLpMSiY/s1600/photo%2B%252866%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NWh39dZ0N8A/VXYhyolqiOI/AAAAAAAAGaM/IptljLpMSiY/s400/photo%2B%252866%2529.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even Olive is a fan of Old Boo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-vbZF7yN60/VXYkL5LQEYI/AAAAAAAAGac/gbt2mlWs4a4/s1600/IMG_6762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N-vbZF7yN60/VXYkL5LQEYI/AAAAAAAAGac/gbt2mlWs4a4/s400/IMG_6762.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He has been shopping with us many times - along with a purse and Jenny Dog.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL5SGnRmleE/VXYkL9Sy6uI/AAAAAAAAGaY/VjUZ40mcQYA/s1600/IMG_6721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GL5SGnRmleE/VXYkL9Sy6uI/AAAAAAAAGaY/VjUZ40mcQYA/s400/IMG_6721.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">He has helped Isaiah fall asleep in lots of random places. </td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zdiO3NnOl3A/VXYkL1VBBII/AAAAAAAAGag/JUJiPoxK1B0/s1600/IMG_6756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zdiO3NnOl3A/VXYkL1VBBII/AAAAAAAAGag/JUJiPoxK1B0/s400/IMG_6756.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Especially the car.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7a_DJlEF10/VXZXoZLcbtI/AAAAAAAAGdk/8UrzKqCpvkI/s1600/11411767_631888316625_7839924069548887120_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I7a_DJlEF10/VXZXoZLcbtI/AAAAAAAAGdk/8UrzKqCpvkI/s400/11411767_631888316625_7839924069548887120_o.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And he makes it into many pictures with friends. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuJ3cXTEYts/VXYw_XwtWSI/AAAAAAAAGbM/aZEjH_nianc/s1600/IMG_9944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NuJ3cXTEYts/VXYw_XwtWSI/AAAAAAAAGbM/aZEjH_nianc/s640/IMG_9944.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Old Boo has been through many trials and tribulations and has remained strong. </span>After almost 5 years in our family, it's safe to say that Old Boo is VERY VERY well loved!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4itLJXWpSc0/VXYw_V5Ae4I/AAAAAAAAGbI/qEpgRU5fh5o/s1600/IMG_9945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4itLJXWpSc0/VXYw_V5Ae4I/AAAAAAAAGbI/qEpgRU5fh5o/s640/IMG_9945.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's to many more years with Old Boo!!!</td></tr>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8005064369007637271.post-71063779023339241412015-06-04T08:30:00.000-04:002015-06-04T08:30:02.408-04:00Throw Back Thursday: Pictures from Uganda<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 4px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<i style="color: #888888; font-family: serif; font-size: 15.3999996185303px; line-height: 21.5599994659424px; text-align: start;">In honor of <b>{Throw Back Thursday}</b>, this Thursday I am posting from our blog <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Hutcheson Headline</a> that we used while living in Uganda from 2012-2013. The post below was originally published by Drew on January 19, 2013. You can view it <a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/2013/01/more-photos-from-field.html" style="color: #33aaff; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a> if you'd like to see the original version.</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">From 2012-2013 our family live in Kampala, Uganda where Drew served as a Church and Community Relations fellow with </span><a href="http://thehutchesonheadline.blogspot.com/p/ijm.html" style="font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;" target="_blank">International Justice Mission</a>. During this time, Drew <span style="font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">got to experience first hand the life I grew up living as a missionary kid in Africa! </span><span style="font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">The pictures below give you a little glimpse into our life while we lived in Uganda and what Drew's day to day work with </span><span style="font-size: 16.8299999237061px; line-height: 23.5620002746582px;">was like with IJM (pictures are narrated by Drew). We miss Uganda so much and can't wait to go back overseas again if God should so lead us! </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyF77eSph8k/UPp3mLF5akI/AAAAAAAACek/XXfL4B719xg/s1600/DSCN5283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #8e8e8e; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JyF77eSph8k/UPp3mLF5akI/AAAAAAAACek/XXfL4B719xg/s640/DSCN5283.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Perhaps this is not the most appealing photo to begin with, but this is what a bathroom out in the village looks like. Make sure to bring your own toilet tissue!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFxLCfLi9S4/UPp3p6euYoI/AAAAAAAACes/1pHLbflzTJc/s1600/DSCN5288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qFxLCfLi9S4/UPp3p6euYoI/AAAAAAAACes/1pHLbflzTJc/s640/DSCN5288.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">We were at a field function on this particular day. As I was heading to wash my hands after eating, I could see this black line in the distance. As I approached it, I could see it was moving! It was a herd of ants crossing the path.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klTkJSGBAr0/UPp3tDEA0rI/AAAAAAAACe0/oEjALm5_0bE/s1600/DSCN5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-klTkJSGBAr0/UPp3tDEA0rI/AAAAAAAACe0/oEjALm5_0bE/s640/DSCN5298.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">We didn't finish our work in the field until late this particular evening. On our way back, I was driving us down all of these village dirt and bumpy roads. Along the way I was trying to snap some pictures of the village nightlife and this boda guy made one of the photos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B20bdvc4B7o/UPp3xzRP43I/AAAAAAAACfE/VaNYP2mWNsM/s1600/DSCN5276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B20bdvc4B7o/UPp3xzRP43I/AAAAAAAACfE/VaNYP2mWNsM/s640/DSCN5276.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">You see a lot of cows out in the village, but usually only about one per a family. Cows are very expensive, but are one way people both feed their families and make money. <b>When I saw this guy, only one thing came to mind: A spicy chicken sandwich from Chik-fil-a.</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52BR7uxmwGk/UPp3wThh2rI/AAAAAAAACe8/4TAuGxhvZrg/s1600/DSCN5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-52BR7uxmwGk/UPp3wThh2rI/AAAAAAAACe8/4TAuGxhvZrg/s640/DSCN5299.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">The night life, even in the village, can be pretty vibrant. This was a group of people who were cooking up some fried fish to sell. We couldn't resist, so we stopped to buy some.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">This fish was delicious!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1I7-w9SzY0/UPp335c98UI/AAAAAAAACfc/IB9RgTRhmCw/s1600/DSCN5273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1I7-w9SzY0/UPp335c98UI/AAAAAAAACfc/IB9RgTRhmCw/s640/DSCN5273.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Here's part of the team I work with - some of our stellar IJM lawyers - reviewing some notes for the legal education program we were conducting this day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_yimmTsP9SU/UPp56TvDYmI/AAAAAAAAChE/n_bYVVok9TU/s1600/DSCN5341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_yimmTsP9SU/UPp56TvDYmI/AAAAAAAAChE/n_bYVVok9TU/s640/DSCN5341.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">This was at a church we were asked to speak at. On this Sunday, some of the youth did a dance a drama for the church.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpG9XLajf_o/UPp5-61nOVI/AAAAAAAAChg/BQvZ3vVEAqI/s1600/DSCN5335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bpG9XLajf_o/UPp5-61nOVI/AAAAAAAAChg/BQvZ3vVEAqI/s640/DSCN5335.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">This was at our last WMBR event for the year. Our office has team challenges each month called "WMBR" (We Measure By Results). We're on the same team for the whole year and our last challenge which would determine which team came in first place for 2012 was a couple of rounds of bowling. The team I was on came in second place. Maybe next year we'll take home the #1 ranking.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoT875128i0/UPp5vJD6IsI/AAAAAAAACg0/G8KL84DJ8CA/s1600/DSCN5330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZoT875128i0/UPp5vJD6IsI/AAAAAAAACg0/G8KL84DJ8CA/s640/DSCN5330.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">This is the team I work with everyday - great and amazing people! A couple of them were pregnant at the time and we were having an out-of-office lunch to celebrate their pregnancy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjpoUU8ZIGw/UPp5qBMqkuI/AAAAAAAACgk/5U1mNhN6oBU/s1600/DSCN5303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UjpoUU8ZIGw/UPp5qBMqkuI/AAAAAAAACgk/5U1mNhN6oBU/s640/DSCN5303.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Some more returning from the field late, more driving on Jinja Road at night. Jinja Road during the day can already make for quite the adventure while driving on. At night, it's nearly outright dangerous.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0XwblsQI8U/UPp5-yAgQAI/AAAAAAAAChY/6ZVNVMpkJF0/s1600/DSCN5345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H0XwblsQI8U/UPp5-yAgQAI/AAAAAAAAChY/6ZVNVMpkJF0/s640/DSCN5345.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">We are big believers in measuring our performance so we know if our work is making a difference. I see these graphs each day and they motivate us all the more to work hard for our clients and those we're serving. Our end results for 2012 are much higher than what you see here as this graph was made half way through the year. We well exceeded our goals for 2012!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbrTHK2XEII/UPp5-NxougI/AAAAAAAAChU/9FvPpLIqzR8/s1600/DSCN5344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xbrTHK2XEII/UPp5-NxougI/AAAAAAAAChU/9FvPpLIqzR8/s640/DSCN5344.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ausU2mhs-oQ/UPp56mKb7bI/AAAAAAAAChI/LRap56XjufI/s1600/DSCN5343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ausU2mhs-oQ/UPp56mKb7bI/AAAAAAAAChI/LRap56XjufI/s640/DSCN5343.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /> </a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Fg7Or6TehQ/UPp7LA2k4nI/AAAAAAAACis/nB2UqeY2hko/s1600/DSCN5370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2Fg7Or6TehQ/UPp7LA2k4nI/AAAAAAAACis/nB2UqeY2hko/s640/DSCN5370.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Sometimes you just never know what you'll find around the office. I walked in to the kitchen to make some tea and found our mascot, until he became someone's dinner.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ude4bj_wiM/UPp7L6mDhHI/AAAAAAAACi4/5L7IDNXMnYg/s1600/DSCN5373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ude4bj_wiM/UPp7L6mDhHI/AAAAAAAACi4/5L7IDNXMnYg/s640/DSCN5373.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Speaking of chicken for dinner, this is Uganda's best chicken! In our project area, there's a place we sometimes pass by called Namawajallo. They have several workers who cook all kinds of food and sell it for people making the long trip to Jinja. This chicken is always sauteed with salt or some seasoning and then grilled. It makes for some good and inexpensive eating.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGUwz13cNaI/UPp7QZUknJI/AAAAAAAACjE/HmkD3umTbxY/s1600/DSCN5374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hGUwz13cNaI/UPp7QZUknJI/AAAAAAAACjE/HmkD3umTbxY/s640/DSCN5374.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Coffee is one of the main crops in Uganda, it's actually their largest export. On our way to the field on this day we passed a coffee harvester who had picked the beans and was now letting them dry out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vN9KJrZDedw/UPp7QzvRI6I/AAAAAAAACjI/lSeELsEWrdE/s1600/DSCN5398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vN9KJrZDedw/UPp7QzvRI6I/AAAAAAAACjI/lSeELsEWrdE/s640/DSCN5398.JPG" style="border: none; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.4640007019043px;">Although this photo is not from the field, I couldn't resist posting this amazing checkmate setup. For Christmas I asked Amber for a chess set and board and she found this amazing hand made soap-stone one in the local craft market. Although this was one of Amber's first times playing chess, she fared well. In the end, however, my Knight and Rook conquered her King. For those who know chess notation, Am's King is on G5 (the blue lion facing right).</td></tr>
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Amber Hutchesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01429115845947007463noreply@blogger.com0