tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2404024612571925892024-03-19T00:09:15.392-05:00On Walnut GroveFrom one little house to anotherRebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-7528186764818108122012-07-10T11:44:00.000-05:002012-07-10T12:25:17.921-05:00Beach Fun with Family & FriendsWe got to go to the beach! It's been 4 years since Jimmy & I went to Amelia Island, Florida, where we spent our honeymoon 9 years ago. We talked about bringing our future family there one day, and our dream was fulfilled! Even though we had 3 days of rain and cloudy windy skies (thanks to Tropical Storm Debby), being wrapped up in a towel at the beach was better than enduring the blistering heat wave in Tennessee. Just a day into the trip we had a grand surprise orchestrated by my sweet husband...my parents arrived and spent an evening and one day with us! I knew they were coming to surprise the boys, but they came a night early and surprised me! What fun! I'm so glad they got to see the boys enjoying the beach and waves! In fact, they helped ease the boys into it. Aside from sand castles, shell hunting and wave jumping, we also ate some fantastic meals...Brett's Waterway Cafe, Sandy Bottoms and Townies in Fernandina. We were also blessed to drive a little way south to St. Augustine and see our dear friends who generously drove up from Orlando to see us. We love you Zakhary Family and appreicate you orgnaizing a wonderful afternoon for us! The boys made instant best friends, which we thought they would. Just glad they like each other because we hope to visit again as soon as possible! Suffice it to say, Florida is our favorite vacation spot, and getting to have Family join us, along with seeing our best long-distance Friends just put icing on the cake! Here's some photos from our trip...<br />
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Easter Sunday</div>
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(And wedding attire, they weren't in the wedding, just attended a few)</div>
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Hiking the trail behind Bud Ogle's cabin in Roaring Fork, The Great Smoky Mountains! (one of our favorite short vacation destinations) We were there for the weekend for my cousin's wedding. I don't have a picture of us all dressed up at the wedding...yet...but here we are earlier that day...out in the woods! </div>
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I plan to post wedding pictures, too. It was beautiful and so much fun!!!</div>
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Our house...a normal day just the boys and me playing outside</div>
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(No, I don't normally put the baby in a basket...it just kept him from crawling off the table so I could snap a photo.)</div>
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<br /></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-36611111161855589512012-02-04T16:19:00.000-06:002012-02-04T16:19:39.526-06:00January, Where has the time gone?Wow! January is usually a slow month, and February is usually slower as, well, for me, winter endures and we await Spring. But with this Spring-like weather...it hasn't been so bad. We have been outside so much more than usual, and had a great month, which leaves me wondering..."Where has the time gone?"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">We celebrated Carter's 3rd Birthday...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXULJy6PAlnoLluPhWJ0ugtQheyux8vLzpEzyjPAUQDAPAZfX25xWAeP-W5XK6L4hGWPS3xjp3fh0nNDHUj7DiizjOTi41gkEHzqu5hMbx_DqBGYSoG_FWebvk7PElqb9wkzHmCGXpqM/s1600/SAM_2512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXULJy6PAlnoLluPhWJ0ugtQheyux8vLzpEzyjPAUQDAPAZfX25xWAeP-W5XK6L4hGWPS3xjp3fh0nNDHUj7DiizjOTi41gkEHzqu5hMbx_DqBGYSoG_FWebvk7PElqb9wkzHmCGXpqM/s320/SAM_2512.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Carter's 3rd Birthday! Monster Trucks!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And Colby turned 5 months old...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvJLeXrbKTDy-YGD_BrpIfnE_V5XdskxjAR2Q5ffGq49oWPXGqSgn9ACYwWqt3tiCZfYloXgOW5o9gZJHAMBOswTMVMfMyuXPi_M7Yz5hTBPuV6Yulqlwr_POnIWIm3iopuN4nrrG8Vw/s1600/SAM2_2544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYvJLeXrbKTDy-YGD_BrpIfnE_V5XdskxjAR2Q5ffGq49oWPXGqSgn9ACYwWqt3tiCZfYloXgOW5o9gZJHAMBOswTMVMfMyuXPi_M7Yz5hTBPuV6Yulqlwr_POnIWIm3iopuN4nrrG8Vw/s320/SAM2_2544.JPG" width="214" /></a></div><div align="center">Rolling, sitting up and...smiling!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Around three years ago an experienced mother told me a saying that sticks with me. "The days are long, but the years are short." I tucked the thought away, but now I totally believe it! I'm living it! I can't believe it's been 3 years since Carter was our newborn baby. Now he's our big boy. I'm amazed at the things he knows and can do. He makes me proud, entertained and sometimes completely worn out. But most importantly, I've learned more about love, care and family than I ever have in my life. His love for his brother and Colby's fascination with Carter amaze me each day. I cherish those moments because I suspect it won't be long before these sweet moments turn into fighting. Haha! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But back to the the saying above, I recently read an article on Kronos time (time of day) and Chairos time (special moments) and whether or not to carpe diem (seize the day and enjoy every moment). Like the author, I've experienced a certain amount of guilt in moments I find unenjoyable and think to myself, "enjoy this because it will be gone so soon." This latter thought usually brings me back to reality to handle situtaitons with patience and tenderness. However, there are some moments (potty training) that just get my goat! I will not miss potty training at all! So I'm learning that as time is going so quickly to cherish these Chairos moments like the birthday party, Carter singing in the rain splashing in his rainboots. Colby rolling over only to greet me with the biggest grin I've ever seen in my life and falling asleep in my lap. Rocking and singing with both boys in the rocking chair or playing tractors in the floor. These moments will outshine those rough ones, and I know I'll look back on these quickly fleeting years and say, "Where has the time gone?"</div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-45511493089011248212011-12-26T13:51:00.000-06:002011-12-26T13:51:11.478-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qap-_q3dpok/TvjP3V60uDI/AAAAAAAAAIM/uzcKpjPR1ZA/s1600/ChristmasCard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qap-_q3dpok/TvjP3V60uDI/AAAAAAAAAIM/uzcKpjPR1ZA/s320/ChristmasCard.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!</span></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-35870135182708560752011-11-17T15:38:00.000-06:002011-11-17T15:38:03.653-06:003 months already!I haven't been posting very often...sorry to those who've checked. But I have been keeping up with Colby through pictures, video and jotting things down. It's just so hard to get everything done around the house and keep up with two little boys! Usually by nap time, mommy needs one, too! However I promised myself that if I hadn't posted by 3 months, then I would make a point to post an update, and here we are! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3MwNPgjLCtnvn73bTjlgMA1nriYIRKJWtsN8VDSJPu8HbF03_AtZbhK9Zgjywd4Pg6ba3FBfmbZbHt2lhM4wvJfHk-KQFHKm9d5KLhNqUtne_U5BeOTKyvuho3cY_IsKtZ0JPxMiud4/s1600/November+2011+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3MwNPgjLCtnvn73bTjlgMA1nriYIRKJWtsN8VDSJPu8HbF03_AtZbhK9Zgjywd4Pg6ba3FBfmbZbHt2lhM4wvJfHk-KQFHKm9d5KLhNqUtne_U5BeOTKyvuho3cY_IsKtZ0JPxMiud4/s320/November+2011+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's hard to believe it's been 3 months since Colby was born! We must be having fun because time is flying! He is so sweet! We've settled into our routine now. He's sleeping good, and growing like a weed. Carter loves him, and gets mad whenever someone (like Aunt Big Sister) tries to take Colby home with them. He has his moments where he wants us all to himself. That's ok, too. Pretty much everything, especially getting out has been easier this time around, probably due to the warmer weather and that I just know what I'm doing this time. I also know each stage will be so short that rather than anticipating what's next, I'm trying to thoroughly enjoy every moment because I know it will go so fast. He's already dropped a late night feeding, which means he's ready for bed around 8 p.m. most nights. Yes, that's a great thing! It's also showing me just how fast he's already growing up! I have to savor my time with him while he's awake and wants to play because each day slips by so fast. Then while he's asleep, Carter and I get time together. This stage is working out well. I must admit those first couple months were a blur. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Now we're starting to see Colby's little personality. He's a very happy baby as long as he's kept on his routine for the most part, you don't disturb him while he's playing or sleeping, and either change activities or hold him when he starts to fuss. He settles right back down, usually for a nap. He's just content, and it's wonderful! He's very curious and loves to watch his big brother, play on his playmat or listen to someone read. And he LOVES bluegrass music! (and pretty much any music, especially if you dance with him.) So to sum up since I hear one of them stirring from nap, the past 3 months have been wonderful, and I'm so thankful for my two sweet boys!</div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-21156060323519259232011-08-24T10:35:00.000-05:002011-08-24T10:35:16.046-05:00Baby Colby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXAPU0sRq3jI94S5nVJDXha81JzlFMxr9jytH50Vah4VCPXhJgRdV4GCvNzggzAl6zHctkFAyRIb4UpV_aPJKnKCtR0wrt8BzfAtvv_fqrfmdaWQwrNkEdlRIy5NvFuQA97zYw-xQt9E/s1600/SAM_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXAPU0sRq3jI94S5nVJDXha81JzlFMxr9jytH50Vah4VCPXhJgRdV4GCvNzggzAl6zHctkFAyRIb4UpV_aPJKnKCtR0wrt8BzfAtvv_fqrfmdaWQwrNkEdlRIy5NvFuQA97zYw-xQt9E/s320/SAM_1562.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Colby is one week old today! I just wanted to share a photo and let you know he's doing very well! Thanks to so many friends for the prayers, e-mails, calls and texts to check on him. Carter is also adjusting very well. He is basking in the glow of being a big brother! He wants to cuddle and talk to Colby every chance he gets, and he likes to help Mommy & Daddy because he is "the big boy" as he tells us. I hope to compose and post our delivery story soon because it was so great! Wow, just this time last week we were anxiously awaiting our new baby boy and now we can't imagine life without him! He's just as sweet and wonderful as his big brother! We couldn't have asked God for a better experience, and we thank him everyday for the blessings of the past week. Here's a picture with more news to come. Also, his jaundice is going away, and he's regaining weight and sleeping very well. Born on Aug 17, at a hefty 9 lbs 10 oz, (yes, that's why I felt so heavy!) he was down to 8 lbs 12 oz on Sunday. Yesterday he was back up to 9 lbs 3 oz with a good doctor's visit. As our sweet friend, Melanie, says, we got a "hunk-a-baby!" Love it! Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-67122104972169831362011-06-10T15:14:00.001-05:002011-06-10T16:01:24.076-05:00A Most Distinguished Honor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rnBiM1pcmENirLHa3OZc9kzIaZb8YV7WEZcGChPDfWzYHzlNfLZc6wKSHgzYlB89F_kMhSPUuusaDDmMJyIuHT-XMswUe7JEFXnErg7vTnxzcTrMTrGs6GufiGIZQpuBZI7702z_EsA/s1600/photo+%252833%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rnBiM1pcmENirLHa3OZc9kzIaZb8YV7WEZcGChPDfWzYHzlNfLZc6wKSHgzYlB89F_kMhSPUuusaDDmMJyIuHT-XMswUe7JEFXnErg7vTnxzcTrMTrGs6GufiGIZQpuBZI7702z_EsA/s320/photo+%252833%2529.JPG" t8="true" width="240" /></a></div>Ladies and Gentlemen, I have arrived! A most distinguished honor was bestowed upon me today. But first, the backstory...<br />
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Sometime in my toddlerhood, I bestowed such an honor upon my own mama. Sometime, somewhere, she enforced discipline upon my stubborn will, and I dubbed her, "The Meanest Mama in the Whole Wide World." To challenge my toddler wisdom at the time, she must have been the meanest, right? So there her title stuck. Of course, now we fondly refer to her by her special title, and I'm sure she wears it proudly for loving me enough to take the time to discipline me.<br />
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So I can't help but smile this afternoon as I listen to my toddler yell at me from his bedroom, "Mommy, You're a Mean Girl!" (He prounounces girl as /gril/.) And for me, I know exactly why he is telling me this. After listening to him and his new Diego he just got today (from the TV series) talk for 20 minutes when they are supposed to be napping, I told him I would take Diego away. They didn't get quiet, so I took away Diego for the remainder of nap. He proceeded to bestow upon me such an honor as I gave my mama not that many years ago. <br />
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I just wanted to inform you that I feel quite honored this afternoon to have such a similar title and hope I can live up to it and will wear it proudly! (Of course, I also enjoyed his debate with himself that followed... "No, she's not a mean girl. But she took Diego. Mommy, You're a Mean Girl!") I'm also looking forward to a big hug after nap. :)Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-74658600701131237122011-05-22T22:08:00.000-05:002011-05-22T22:08:51.811-05:00A Favorite Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeeS0jiwKC2yAna619hG-iTxjC13MLnOEgaNdQ9Jg3MLshr9wvLzx37JYPqtTWcOV4TdbriILcjl9h9HGUVbEg8OhgvAYeiDKM5RIx7G-YsHkXxcZIqfLgrK2qH_5vrW8oZTQPPqwu2s/s1600/photo+%252831%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWeeS0jiwKC2yAna619hG-iTxjC13MLnOEgaNdQ9Jg3MLshr9wvLzx37JYPqtTWcOV4TdbriILcjl9h9HGUVbEg8OhgvAYeiDKM5RIx7G-YsHkXxcZIqfLgrK2qH_5vrW8oZTQPPqwu2s/s320/photo+%252831%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite photos</div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-15952481139454688282011-04-26T15:03:00.017-05:002011-05-05T21:29:41.552-05:00Weekend Away & Easter Morning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9PDc4zrd5iuWjMw4CKux1yGVj_nYqEm6FA2n1iSYvcb1gGWrSio-SmEEApy9O8oiwVO0_iaPXDCwHNGPtV0uwLmAwXgmSNYH4xSWrE3DJqNFKwHdWXgnQZKuWN6ku27SGMT8YPXJuoQ/s1600/Spring+2011+139.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603423574915294898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9PDc4zrd5iuWjMw4CKux1yGVj_nYqEm6FA2n1iSYvcb1gGWrSio-SmEEApy9O8oiwVO0_iaPXDCwHNGPtV0uwLmAwXgmSNYH4xSWrE3DJqNFKwHdWXgnQZKuWN6ku27SGMT8YPXJuoQ/s320/Spring+2011+139.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Jimmy & I enjoyed a weekend away or "babymoon" as it's called if you're expecting. We went to IKEA in Atlanta in search of big boy furniture for Carter's new room. We thought we had good luck until we found out shipping is $199 for the bed we wanted. So we just ordered a different twin bed on-line from another store for less and put that shipping charge toward actual furniture. We did, however, find some cool storage pieces there for Carter's new big boy room, in progress.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>We also stayed in the same hotel where we spent the first night of our honeymoon eight years ago (May 17)! Wow, time flies! Aside from a few rennovations, it was pretty much the same and every bit as beautiful! The food is amazing there!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>We shopped just across the street at Lenox Mall. With all those new and cool stores, it's funny I had the best luck at GAP maternity and Baby Gap. Of course, we got some things for Carter, too. I guess you could say I have my favorites. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We ate at a restaurant called Davio's in Phipps Plaza. It's the upperscale mall there. The food was good. I had Lobster Ravioli, but we just got a little tickled (in this really nice restaurant) about the tray that came with the bread. On it, they served "spiced goat cheese with pimientos," olives, and some tomato mixture. Jimmy said it tasted like Mrs. Grissom's pimiento cheese, and looked like they opened a jar of olives and can of tomato mush. Not to discredit the overall experience, but it just seemed a little pretentious. Sometimes serving butter with the bread is just fine if you really don't have any great "Iron Chef" take on the items. Needless to say, we had some good jokes about eating pimiento cheese for supper. Back to the mall, the Tiffany's store was closed by vaulted doors at night. Some of the stores were Versace, Armani and an upperscale version of what looked like Pottery Barn. There was a Lambourgini parked in the middle. Jimmy enjoyed giving it a good look. You don't see those everyday.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>We're not really the type to go shopping on a weekend getaway, but it was neat to see what they have in Atlanta, and actually go in some stores, like Pottery Barn and PB Kids rather than just look at the catalogs. Yes, I realize I could have just gone to Nashville, but we wanted to incorporate a little getaway. I was surprised at how many of the stores in Lenox we actually have around here, and also reminded of how easy on-line shopping really is. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>But shopping is not all we did. We got to take advantage of the hotel pool and spa with a prenatal massage for me, which were huge treats in themselves! My hips didn't hurt for a week. That was wonderful! We enjoyed chocolate covered strawberries, complimentary desserts and fruit-infused water. (Speaking of pretentious, Jimmy was not impressed with the lemons, limes and oranges floating in the pitchers of water. Meanwhile, I loved it.) I certainly wanted to take advantage of the R & R since I know that right around the corner life is about to get pretty hectic, but certainly in a good way!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>I also wanted to share an Easter picture of Carter with the much anticipated Easter basket! Carter had a great Easter weekend and got to spend time with all 4 grandparents. Seems like we all had a special weekend! And the Easter Bunny came through because Carter got his "Alfie the Digger," too!</div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-432124966489858152011-03-30T21:30:00.006-05:002011-03-30T21:49:45.834-05:00It's a boy!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHQ64Tt87nNFCsLO6xIIX9ML0L6DEdDoTYVvsrC8SeBCQx2tiFnSLZ5qVKyWKM08G4MQVBV9g0kmjIRTDEiD8QfFLOJVviQs3g4lf4n94_jpdH8JSrpvufptnVWSfBPZnPhAkUB-ElYM/s1600/photo2+%252826%2529.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590068014329163186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHQ64Tt87nNFCsLO6xIIX9ML0L6DEdDoTYVvsrC8SeBCQx2tiFnSLZ5qVKyWKM08G4MQVBV9g0kmjIRTDEiD8QfFLOJVviQs3g4lf4n94_jpdH8JSrpvufptnVWSfBPZnPhAkUB-ElYM/s320/photo2+%252826%2529.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>We're having another boy! We're all very excited, happy and blessed to have received a good report from the doctor that our baby boy is growing normally, and this pregnancy is going well so far. Halfway into it, time is flying by! We hope to welcome him in August (24 is the due date), and also choose a name before then! I framed our ultrasound photo. For those who have a hard time making heads or tails of these types of photos: his head is to the left where you can make out an ear, he is facing downward, and his spine is along the top, which makes his little bottom to the right. His arms and legs are tucked up under him, and we saw 2 arms and 2 legs during the ultrasound. He was a very energetic and uncooperative fellow. The technician told me to tell him to behave before our next ultrasound in five weeks where they'll try to see all four chambers of the heart and get a better profile picture. I'm so excited I get to see him again in five weeks! Then we'll be on the long haul for August when we get to meet him in person! I framed this photo with a little poem that I reprinted below so it's easier to read. Hope you enjoy it as much as I have! There are lots of special little poems about boys, which make me cry they're so sweet, and some funny ones, too. This particular one is going on our bedroom wall. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheba4Vzw3PycHwpooQb7CNlzsB_hTAe64joqtYG3bFLinh43AXJAmqJYbgIiRbcBy3iMPa3540cpu_jTRkciAOuK3nIGyHapktXu76YlFBaDqxY8DZRpriCIYl3yUm3EuWL4Mpie-J24c/s1600/photo+%252826%2529.JPG"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZ3pH4PN0ul99oiS_t5th8vqZEJiTofiuHr2-W3n2BtudM2IWBWtYHOsyDhEUomKG26W86sQ8gF0e_uW4D6TZZS-WSrwZFcb_0xJs_r__Oi4Amp9oDCgKEHW4gb9DvkXtNZCFhlsLmIY/s1600/photo+%252825%2529.JPG"></a><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Little boys are treasures</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">Who are worth their weight in gold,</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">And charm everyone around them </span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;">From the time they're minutes old.</span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000066;"></span></div></div></div></div><br /><p><span style="color:#000066;">They're Mommy's little darling,</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#000066;">They're a special pal to Dad,</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#000066;">And they bring the very happiest days</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#000066;">A family's ever had.</span></p><br /><p><span style="font-size:85%;color:#000066;">~Author unknown</span></p><br /><p><span style="color:#000066;"></span></p>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-11607185902570508952011-02-24T15:15:00.006-06:002011-02-24T15:29:43.858-06:00Rain boots<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpG3pc8TNICKJ-4pxb_S-jmSUmdSDOZbIDJU9gAZlUlJnb8Bg14Ix1tWLyMB46x09Tx3nMKgpZSGLPotnJQerLppQHYhmJlHFctJ4LpMsNZrx0lbx1h7hkZJo2BvE4ZsgMMp4pQM3B0w/s1600/photo+%252819%25291.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577370883158359426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpG3pc8TNICKJ-4pxb_S-jmSUmdSDOZbIDJU9gAZlUlJnb8Bg14Ix1tWLyMB46x09Tx3nMKgpZSGLPotnJQerLppQHYhmJlHFctJ4LpMsNZrx0lbx1h7hkZJo2BvE4ZsgMMp4pQM3B0w/s200/photo+%252819%25291.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Like my new rain boots?<br /></span><div align="left"><div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;">W</span>e wanted to go outside Monday, but the ground was still a little wet and muddy. After putting on Carter's tennis shoes in the living room and getting dirt and mud all over my carpet, I decided maybe we need some rain boots. Mine have worn out, and he has out grown his! We wear them alot living in the country. Last time I wore them traipsing in the snow and water (not so long ago), my feet were soaked and COLD. Monday, we had to make a run to Wal-mart, so we decided to check out their stock. They're pretty cute, including the price tag. We got them home and tried them out even though we didn't need them by that time. Today we really needed them, and it looks like we'll need them in the near future. Carter wore his today in the rain even though we were just in town. They still helped. With Spring just around the corner, I'm looking forward to wearing out a new pair of rain boots.</div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577369195105853570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLPp-El9htSj3RSfetiVx2sdIAnn9WsrQnNSXz9mmlVBahcSn9AMrC33Ribn5ZUB7IYVwsLHvRZdYU4JUO9la2huaVTzWi6i9g7adENfCmwCMRjwjgfcKeEaqp7jd33qsjPaUMaA1o9Lc/s200/photo+%252820%2529.JPG" /></div></div></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-29152724432769127662011-02-14T14:57:00.003-06:002011-02-24T15:10:01.154-06:00So Happy for this Weather!<div>So I spared you the "snow" blog I drafted to myself one night as I lie in bed thinking that if it snowed one more time or the temps didn't start to approach 50 that I might have to pack and move to Florida! I'm not a snow baby. Well, thankfully this week is going to be amazing! We've already enjoyed a Valentine's Day picnic lunch with Daddy. He was happy to see us out and about, too. In addition to the snow and cold temps, Carter has had a rough go of it with a sinus infection and double ear infection that 2 rounds of antibiotics can't seem to knock out for most of January and all of February so far. He has run a fever again all weekend so we're headed to the doctor in the morning. After not being able to get out much, we sure were looking forward to getting out this week! I guess we'll be sticking to less crowded places until we know for sure what he has now. I'm so thankful for the backyard swing set and sunshine! Happy Valentine's Day!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577366233913389682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu2-s5yN1GlqmXvACEdw81-hx113ESNOBK3A9YFhxPTHXbzx8B_SjnWY0-Se1ZbWe8-a84h0WOulQIKviFaMnG34U6KJ7NHFrpnH3oGewxePVFyAA2OxJ5Q3pNrguLPB-XKa-9OB2hfic/s200/photo+%252818%25291.jpg" /></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-55745260983565662122011-01-03T15:08:00.001-06:002011-01-03T15:08:12.351-06:00My Review of SUN & MOON MAT<div class="hreview"><div class="item"><p><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=19229">Originally submitted at UncommonGoods</a></p><div><img src="http://images.powerreviews.com/images_products/09/93/8585835_100.jpg" class="photo" align="left" style="margin: 0 0.5em 0 0"><p style="margin-top:0">Welcome guests day or night with this cheerful mat featuring a dual image of a sun and a moon. Hand woven from all-natural coir. Coir is a durable, absorbent fiber made from real coconut husks that is naturally resistant to mold and fungus. Stenciled with permanent fade-resistant dyes. Vinyl back... </p></div><a href="http://www.uncommongoods.com/item/item.jsp?itemId=19229" style="display: none;" class="url fn"><span class="fn">SUN & MOON MAT</span></a></div><br clear="left"><p><strong class="summary">Great gift</strong></p><div>By <strong>She likes unique gifts</strong> from <strong>Murfreesboro, TN</strong> on <strong><abbr title="201113T1200-0800" class="dtreviewed" style="border: none; text-decoration: none;">1/3/2011</abbr></strong></div><p><div style="margin: 0.5em 0; height: 15px; width: 83px; background-image: url(http://images.powerreviews.com/images/stars_small.gif); background-position: 0px -180px;" class="prStars prStarsSmall"> </div></p><div style="display: none"><span class="rating">5</span>out of 5</div><p><strong>Pros: </strong>Cleans Shoes, Unique, Durable, Attractive Design</p><p><strong>Best Uses: </strong>Decoration, Side Door</p><p><strong>Describe Yourself: </strong>Midrange Shopper</p><p style="margin-top:1em" class="description">This rug was a Christmas gift for my aunt for her outdoor patio. She loved it! It arrived very timely, and the colors are vibrant. It truly made a great gift!</p><p style="margin-top:0.5em">(<a href="http://www.powerreviews.com/legal/terms_of_use.html" rel="license">legalese</a>)</p></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-7605824760938297262011-01-03T14:25:00.005-06:002011-01-03T14:32:20.414-06:00Happy Birthday Carter!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpjYxfQOkXzYTvMSS8kAKH245nrW0bda7BY8YZZui-sNtTb6niQn8PHsutd6WzNSxLVntQLkKkTfIt5tBGCQV-t_ggksvGeybNkFXCmkSqtv7Xvgjx6v-iodsC6vk9Xrbu5h_vczmOYE/s1600/Christmas+2010+286.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558058939451761650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLpjYxfQOkXzYTvMSS8kAKH245nrW0bda7BY8YZZui-sNtTb6niQn8PHsutd6WzNSxLVntQLkKkTfIt5tBGCQV-t_ggksvGeybNkFXCmkSqtv7Xvgjx6v-iodsC6vk9Xrbu5h_vczmOYE/s200/Christmas+2010+286.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Carter was born on New Year's Day two years ago! My how time flies! He had a fun 2nd birthday on Saturday with pizza, cake, balloons and gifts. We plan to continue celebrating this week with the Lewis side since it's hard to get everyone together at one time, and we figured what a better gift to him than a private audience with some of his favorite people on different days. He had a lot of fun!</div><div></div><div>Happy Birthday Carter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ3dCIzxPUB3-T6jBHifBctaZ9WLwbMjSjGRLjytw9U5KH_8acQtZI9uXcyHXksCADP29MNubv6gJKCsMS07Pu4s_2jQ-Spoj_MrsqNP1zLmD7N_xogF9XRF3nma-qCfNsCGAUfJDLhA/s1600/Christmas+2010+327.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558060101246087378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZ3dCIzxPUB3-T6jBHifBctaZ9WLwbMjSjGRLjytw9U5KH_8acQtZI9uXcyHXksCADP29MNubv6gJKCsMS07Pu4s_2jQ-Spoj_MrsqNP1zLmD7N_xogF9XRF3nma-qCfNsCGAUfJDLhA/s200/Christmas+2010+327.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>And Happy New Year!</div></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-21200178447112227242010-12-09T20:42:00.006-06:002010-12-10T17:31:44.874-06:00Carter visits Santa<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMjUg49zVB6T8bONM6a2ky4VIfcQZ9MzMEo2k5Ejyzo6Pvl8g6COxtLRb72GQDB-TxvmpAdVNYKxdyk1Ctj1b4sI8j24cvoQxe6SLeH32-fz2LUWqWUwSVXnfJhb8Y6krlJ5qrCsR-ow/s1600/IMG_0514_zoom.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 157px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548880927673119986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMjUg49zVB6T8bONM6a2ky4VIfcQZ9MzMEo2k5Ejyzo6Pvl8g6COxtLRb72GQDB-TxvmpAdVNYKxdyk1Ctj1b4sI8j24cvoQxe6SLeH32-fz2LUWqWUwSVXnfJhb8Y6krlJ5qrCsR-ow/s200/IMG_0514_zoom.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ztN81WCdo_ac2RQL5rnZD_6oX-ysfdzHuUiwMqycDlm2HsbjHbVtYStEX80cMa-rD9Z_qFsFzQrxz_p6815U3_y3Xwa1gorToQ1Qj83X3K88USVRCdSegi-rZQnWwHz12LyZCqiaxMA/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Since Monday, Carter has been like a sinner going to confession over needing to see Santa. He was scared when we saw him Sunday, so at the Co-Op on Monday, I asked when Santa would be there so we could try again. The clerk, with a momentary lapse of judgment promptly asked his coworker, when will "Joe" be here to do Santa. Really? Whatever his name, I'm sure he's a great Santa, but a 2 year old is listening! They all just laughed. Carter was not satisfied with waiting until Saturday. All the way home he chattered about needing to talk to Santa, he continued convincing me with "he not scary, nice, Thomas Train, trucks, racecars and combines." He really felt the need to tell him exactly what he wants for Christmas! He didn't stop Monday, but continued Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday...he'd talk about it when he woke up, when we ate, and when he was getting ready for bed. We have a short video clip of him reminding us of how urgently he wanted to see Santa, assuring us he would go talk to him, "not scary, Santa nice," he said.</div><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY_xngnDUtkbIAfF-FT18q2xDaXhCXBfSsUxga_RTeJziQh1dw0ohPfcGiwflc4vB7fFWqmkOmCmfaQWjmNo4hapTLoAhPgsZ6pp0M3aRAbGKHugw9UKbHdwYVwN6ooHTMTr7s8YswMI/s1600/IMG_0517_zoom.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 143px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548881509955235218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY_xngnDUtkbIAfF-FT18q2xDaXhCXBfSsUxga_RTeJziQh1dw0ohPfcGiwflc4vB7fFWqmkOmCmfaQWjmNo4hapTLoAhPgsZ6pp0M3aRAbGKHugw9UKbHdwYVwN6ooHTMTr7s8YswMI/s200/IMG_0517_zoom.jpg" /></a><br /><div>So Thursday night, off we headed to Belk. Susan said he was a good one, and she was right! He turned out to be a great Santa! First Carter stood at a distance explaining in his best details what he would like for Christmas. Santa as so attentive and patient! As Carter inched closer, Santa offered a high five, which Carter thought was cool. They ended up having a nice little chat while we snapped some pictures. He got a candy cane, and they wished each other Merry Christmas! What a great visit!</div></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-62976182519050151272010-11-20T19:20:00.006-06:002010-11-23T20:07:44.905-06:00Turkey for Thanksgiving<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFbky0gZlAi-pCi-6JUqxCk1oS1OnPAT8QDlS7QvbWh2ihh6nHR9OzxwGdyV3byY_zDj32xaNRSZx6-yYbbhc_VGCq7GJRWL4FdRYOMYm3d_omaGSVwD80yjOhtCUA34bc84LWo3QWUo/s1600/IMG_1319.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542931778108245730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPFbky0gZlAi-pCi-6JUqxCk1oS1OnPAT8QDlS7QvbWh2ihh6nHR9OzxwGdyV3byY_zDj32xaNRSZx6-yYbbhc_VGCq7GJRWL4FdRYOMYm3d_omaGSVwD80yjOhtCUA34bc84LWo3QWUo/s200/IMG_1319.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">(Carter feeding berries to the bird)<br /></span><br /><br /><div align="left">Did you ever think about what a moose eats? I didn't until Carter & I read his new book last night, <u>Turkey for Thanksgiving</u> by Eve Bunting. The general plot is moose and friends go in search of turkey for Thanksgiving. The whole time the turkey thinks he is the main meal until the last few pages when turkey (just as the reader) realizes he is an honored guest, not the main dish. They eat leaves, grass, acorns, berries, moss and bark. The illustrations are detailed and colorful. It's a really sweet little story, but I'd never really thought about what the animals eat. I just kind of thought they just eat what is outside, right? So today Carter and I searched for and gathered up some of the items from their table in our own backyard. He made a colorful little buffet on a piece of bark we found, and fed all his stuffed wildlife friends including the turkey. If you have kids, this is a fun little book to enjoy together this week! </div></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-75219912666144304292010-11-16T12:58:00.009-06:002010-11-16T13:16:36.657-06:00Haystacks and Train Tracks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CE2cmFvMTY2-Y5fT-YmKKuaQ66VnmobNxoIsxNfz1tlb-rNlRW9VM6ML4rp1MMrt4-KK7ZtL5jpil0Udf3N4bw_fj2MSJVUc4wYdtg93HAJ30me8CcO_hggr-Xrd-JtFNBWhH8-utZQ/s1600/haystacks+%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540227420010270658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CE2cmFvMTY2-Y5fT-YmKKuaQ66VnmobNxoIsxNfz1tlb-rNlRW9VM6ML4rp1MMrt4-KK7ZtL5jpil0Udf3N4bw_fj2MSJVUc4wYdtg93HAJ30me8CcO_hggr-Xrd-JtFNBWhH8-utZQ/s200/haystacks+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Wow, already mid-November! Why did it just occur to me this morning that next week is Thanksgiving? Already? I guess because Beth & I were thinking of next week's playdate when it hit us both that we'll be busy most of the week!</div><br /><div></div><div>I just wanted to share a picture of Carter from last week playing on our neighbors' haystacks and tunnels. This is what fall is all about right here! We really enjoyed being with Jimmy last week. He took the picture from on top of a haybale. He likes to take a few days off in the fall for a little work and a little play. The Clarks (our country neighbors) set up some haybales and tunnels for their church kids and grandkids and invited us to play on them, too. <div></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Carter is also crazy about Thomas the Train, so through those tunnels he would say, "Choo choo." He wakes up in the mornings asking to watch Thomas. He only has 3 plastic (like bath toys) trains, so Christmas will be super easy this year! Santa load up on some train tracks and trains for our house! </div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-43989262813962325992010-10-31T21:15:00.004-05:002010-10-31T22:00:35.546-05:00Happy Halloween!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534408196250168306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQy8AjtXyIvcvOUHreuEjuXDyBuT2qmyOtWnUDGJBRN2hyaiEzZaT0Q_pzygL9HHrOa-zQdw4RrGr5J3Cyy-gIJLZEX0UbOQsrZrbgrNrmsPy8wmCk5wSMqH3er6QZI4USpwGKjuav-SI/s200/IMG_0314.JPG" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 162px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534408856283487074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5oe8O75T92wgYpbh3JtiodsEUKnZc8xbZe59gAVxsaYY0Zc_2etsS9P4FiF8Bre0Wgr_O5tMPFrC9r4o-NOeGd8msAH60G5aRt9jJIx469rA7qgNpJ8JLleXX4eyOlNVXIpMbalJk58/s200/IMG_0327.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 116px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534410566606015026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjblpLsZkniFcw1CeHm2U-q40ylUAe08A-NDzgIyJoymAK5laNNSErqmu3-J0yh7VrxU9dP3QqCJf2dJiSYaU3tt2MrKWle1l_OJJ2FfzlzNTdu-TOWHlTt50SJHR3ThzcC0PRo2pXP1DQ/s200/IMG_0328.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-37147197956933245242010-10-28T14:46:00.010-05:002010-10-28T15:23:40.714-05:00Tractor CostumeSo last year I was way more on top of things with Carter's outfit purchased sometime in the middle of September, on a hanger in his closet so the wrinkles would fall out, and ready to go. This year, not so much. Thankfully this idea came to me slowly with still enough time to get it finished, so I wanted to share the process in case anyone else feels inspired to make a Halloween costume. (It was inexpensive. We figured less than $10!)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">It started with a picture of a dozer/digger cardboard costume on a website I saw. When Jimmy & I decided the implements were too much to handle, I searched again and tried to copy a Kubota tractor picture I found, also using Carter's toy tractors and our real one (in the background below) as inspiration.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533185956827920082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzVmz4OlXPK820aVBRFTLzcz_vSZguPQaZfzPLFy9NWTf2MEgrpyGg2sttZyv3h_yrLLXCvdT_0ZSKIBUk5KzN8_PBx8SUW8k3tY-jJXsUH7aB30KDnXTM36Y9j-PxaLLQHs2PKv85Nw/s200/photo+(7).JPG" />First some different sized boxes that came in the mail with the Birthday & Christmas gifts I ordered started to resemble a tractor when they were sitting next to each other, so I cut them and taped them together. Then I remembered Jimmy had a can of spray paint for touching up our own (real) tractor.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533186165171043410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKmJX-gSnfGX8cVkRP4q7SVhK_EjN6K_wtPnzFTQOAPP9-ys5Jjp-h3pvdFJJZqjznwCNZ8R0kMjFoSdGgk8SG23NhZuw8SM9WUPscH39TbpAEVX5gyL4LDVoJxj99vXwSVLviurCoh4/s200/photo+(10).JPG" />I used the whole can.</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533186422207247074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidM5kjz9YOhVHpdEV7XSZFrI1ELJKuUJUjFbDeMoTRD1_b9ZBOo2urXk1Cux1O53DjLKhdNgjRsHy_v_b7LHkL5NYwAzmuopDyLzAtNTYpy0Mb_Gsw7pJoloHT4JMoBOCGJQMHDIDzJxc/s200/photo+(9).JPG" />Then I painted some bowls and plates, a yellow stripe and piece for the grill on front. Jimmy bought some stickers. I added a triangle and red tail lights to the back. We found some touch lights at Wal-Mart ($1.50 for two, hard to beat!).</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCQboOV4jw7fBuB0gCSNPjEU3zH-knZOSgXWNCEJYb21Br1q6nhmweVSslesWYr0Ud4nfJTWs62SHrKdDWmO-cY5NzSBtG4xwvunfhvS1nEN6uvQpB9wVS7VWZrbydn0CbAit6vAaIx8/s1600/photo+(8).JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533186642086430578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglCQboOV4jw7fBuB0gCSNPjEU3zH-knZOSgXWNCEJYb21Br1q6nhmweVSslesWYr0Ud4nfJTWs62SHrKdDWmO-cY5NzSBtG4xwvunfhvS1nEN6uvQpB9wVS7VWZrbydn0CbAit6vAaIx8/s200/photo+(8).JPG" /></a> Then all the pieces jumped on the box and Wah-lah! Ready for one kid, insert in hole in top. Just kidding, there's really a lot of duct tape, Gorilla tape and hot glue on this little tractor! Carter loves it! It's just a little front heavy, so we're going to try clipping it to his overalls on Halloween night. Happy trick-or-treating! </div><div align="center">(Photo of Carter in his costume to come Sunday.)<br /><div><div><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-21886287136893667602010-10-27T14:13:00.005-05:002010-10-27T14:27:04.160-05:00This is Carter...<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kSwK_xXAFGOkshyphenhyphenhycEH-0iuIJ6e4dppWVSXPSDZ0lTyKe1LqxsetfzXmCsFRqb01olHSPuELk07WkRAYLAgHdusL7GhPvFEWQsKsh3JfDJL3KXBNzSqJZBC0fKLCtgFH87QWdq-7rw/s1600/September+2010+311.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532808701801722066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kSwK_xXAFGOkshyphenhyphenhycEH-0iuIJ6e4dppWVSXPSDZ0lTyKe1LqxsetfzXmCsFRqb01olHSPuELk07WkRAYLAgHdusL7GhPvFEWQsKsh3JfDJL3KXBNzSqJZBC0fKLCtgFH87QWdq-7rw/s200/September+2010+311.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>The St. Louis Zoo...it's reputation preceeds it (quite literally, read previous post). But does Carter care about all those animals, well, yes, unless there's something better. A bit determined, particulary driven by the price I paid to park there, I was going to try to see those big old hippos if it was the last thing I did! The exhibit was partially closed, but someone said they thought we could still see a few animals. So here I go pushing the stroller with a tired <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaZfLC-GTrNX1_d1Xg4L3LUDmum5Dhm4tjU6gW_RruuFWYUlvcwIFn9Hanrj1FPRCyBw5aOQWnMEe_Bi94tQ_ez34lpJJnqmkFK5rzQuYP37q8zJWqucqoCC25HmeV_Lh6SbAHWZqX6Y/s1600/September+2010+317.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532809108186145474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjaZfLC-GTrNX1_d1Xg4L3LUDmum5Dhm4tjU6gW_RruuFWYUlvcwIFn9Hanrj1FPRCyBw5aOQWnMEe_Bi94tQ_ez34lpJJnqmkFK5rzQuYP37q8zJWqucqoCC25HmeV_Lh6SbAHWZqX6Y/s200/September+2010+317.JPG" /></a>little toddler inside promising we could at least see the elephants and maybe more. We arrived at the elephant exhibit and what did we find? "A scoops!" as Carter exclaims. He jumped out of his stroller as fast as I could help him and ran over to it. People passed us & even came back down the hill, and all the while Carter was enamored with this "Scoops." He didn't want me to take a picture of him all day, but now with the "Scoops" in the background it was one "cheese" after another! This kid! This is Carter!</div></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-49792964148612298162010-10-14T15:24:00.012-05:002010-10-27T14:13:40.551-05:00St. Louis!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ns1JQtl8f_ZJSz2Ip9zz6hTaRB1XGyX_tsVcL7ltsT6YTZkskJmpzYr87JFpD7LwwGIHRJoUnwYH_Q8dii-Feldo5To4E9UEbqI64KJhBLuq5ueHUxf-_2p6VSIHkpFO1dgM8dlCaM4/s1600/September+2010+351.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532804535612286690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ns1JQtl8f_ZJSz2Ip9zz6hTaRB1XGyX_tsVcL7ltsT6YTZkskJmpzYr87JFpD7LwwGIHRJoUnwYH_Q8dii-Feldo5To4E9UEbqI64KJhBLuq5ueHUxf-_2p6VSIHkpFO1dgM8dlCaM4/s200/September+2010+351.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxujllV7KY1U5IsrdY4QY0RNueYomP7ABY9vYtiMXKWcX55aAp9kEY5eHQO_QvDSjx51zlfIo3WSYvybeUDlVvTkUdCkY-B25Przakq_om6VZ_WEh7ZWaukvvnQx7URXKOmz3lGB6hqoE/s1600/photo+(3).JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><br />Why is it when you're away from the computer or pen & paper, the best thoughts flow? Particulary when in a beautiful place! I wrote five or six great posts in my head during the days we were in St. Louis. If I hadn't been so tired at night and getting ready for the next fun-filled day to come, I would have written them. Then upon our return home (see previous post), I was a little overwhelmed by getting our "act together" as my mom often puts it, which is probably good so you were spared ALL the details...<br /><br />St. Louis has more to offer than one city should be allowed. I appreciate how kind everyone was there. I wish I had posted during that week because the thoughts seemed to flow as we had such wonderful experiences there. We accompanied Jimmy to his <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2Uq0u1J4bJHhyW03RWoa4b-PDQ30fH6SXl3I2pQJWX7hxaDQ_ISsLq6sYYpGDsWusBzDBkL6QL0Crm4vLmCFI_zJ4ynaXWb_SMxF1XEHHLahSI0xcxZk1MeWlGB2nBM0bmFy44XV2GQ/s1600/September+2010+537.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532805757945364306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2Uq0u1J4bJHhyW03RWoa4b-PDQ30fH6SXl3I2pQJWX7hxaDQ_ISsLq6sYYpGDsWusBzDBkL6QL0Crm4vLmCFI_zJ4ynaXWb_SMxF1XEHHLahSI0xcxZk1MeWlGB2nBM0bmFy44XV2GQ/s200/September+2010+537.JPG" /></a>work conference where we stayed in the historic Union Station Hotel (please Google it). It's worth your time. The hotel is a destination unto itself, which we enjoyed every night. We tried out the Whispering Arch in the hotel lobby, and it is true! You can hear a whisper across the 40-foot expanse. Our room was spacious and very well-furnished. The hotel really should have a 5-star rating. The staff is courteous and helpful above and beyond the call of duty!<br /><br />The St. Louis Zoo is incomparable. First of all, it's free! Once I figured out the parking, we were set! However, our first day there, I didn't know parking was free, too, so I made our $11 count! We saw it all! The next day was rainy, so we took our time. We spent nearly 2 hours in the children's zoo...it was that cool! Many of the toys inspired Christmas & future birthday gift ideas! One of the neatest stations was a wooden cutting food table where the food is held together with Velcro until you cut it with a knife. The table was in front of a big window where a real zoo chef prepared food for the animals and then came out to feed them! Carter enjoyed the childen's zoo the most!<br /><br />Our last day there we visited The Magic House. (Worth it if you are going to St. Louis with small children.) It is an old renovated house, with additions to expand it into this huge interactive museum. The little kids' section was really fun with a sand table, a water table, huge Lego blocks, slides, a racecar and busy town where kids could do "grown-up" things on their level, like a kid-sized kitchen and grocery store. There was a pond where you could catch a fish (fishing lure with magnet in the mouth) and take it to another pond, drop it in, and follow it downstream back to the big pond! It was really a neat place!<br /><br />We also visited the Turtle Park where you can run & play on giant concrete tur<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOx6jaYj3wOi5W6wWxwU0HMTQrbU6O77Emv9quIvGtEw-uvyODFU1uPdzR8SLvltWwETYnu5HHW7frOB2s95nOk5tarrrjnsPZckr-Cbtn2-U6QwJogVo4-uR8-alyJTZV6_oxq52sHY/s1600/September+2010+435.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532801725850713858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZOx6jaYj3wOi5W6wWxwU0HMTQrbU6O77Emv9quIvGtEw-uvyODFU1uPdzR8SLvltWwETYnu5HHW7frOB2s95nOk5tarrrjnsPZckr-Cbtn2-U6QwJogVo4-uR8-alyJTZV6_oxq52sHY/s200/September+2010+435.JPG" /></a>tles and, of course, saw the Arch. Jimmy & I can be so different at times. We got close to the Arch, took a few pictures, and he turned to go back to the car! "What?! We're not going to touch it? Are you kidding?" (That part is me.) I told him, "You know me better than that. I didn't come all this way not to go up to it, touch it, walk around it, walk past it, and get some more pictures! I'm not a look & see kind of girl. We're going over to it!" He just grinned because by now he knows it would take more time to try to talk me out of it than just humor me. It's metal, by the way. So we did! I would have loved to have spent time going into the museum, going up in it, but by this time, we were hungry & the Arch was closing for the day. St. Louis has so much history! I hope we get to go back and do more! Yes, there is a lot more to do!</div></div>Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-3950572901492723212010-09-27T21:53:00.006-05:002010-10-14T15:23:43.597-05:00Update...another episodeI owe an apology to anyone who has checked this blog within the last month! I'm sorry I have been behind on any updates. Hopefully we've talked in person so you know what we've been doing (mostly catching up from our trip, dealing with another fever (see below), planning for our next trip, getting ready for Halloween, and enjoying the beautiful weather in Tennessee!). Thank you for checking in with us! <br /><br />Carter has not climbed out of his bed again, but he has had another spell where he couldn't walk. He had a low grade fever and no symptoms; then it shot to 103.3, so they had me bring him in for an evaluation. After examining him and checking bloodwork, the doctors determined he had a virus (that was a Thurs/Fri, 2-day visits to the doctors, for whom I am so grateful.) The following Wednesday, during our hike after Wild Things, he collapsed. Not crying, but a little upset, I carried him back to the car, we had to cancel lunch plans with friends, and went home to call the doctor. She said it was another episode and just watch him closely for fever, in which case I was to bring him in immediately. Apparently he has an uncommon condition where the virus settles in his joints and keeps him from walking. He was better in 12 hours or so. Thanks to all my family members & friens who were so kind and gracious to help me out during that ordeal. It may seem small now, but it was scary at the time. You know who you are!Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-4655450264763540782010-09-08T14:57:00.007-05:002010-09-08T22:11:05.359-05:00Mr. Gimpy, Bumped & BruisedYes, I realize "Mr. Gimpy" is not the nicest thing to call your son, but he's earned it with a week of tumbles like never before. Wait. It's only Wednesday. I'm locking him up in a padded room! Monday night after eating some hot dogs by our little fire outside, Carter must have turned his ankle. We didn't see it happen, but suddenly he tried to get up and couldn't walk. He couldn't put weight on it at all, but he also wasn't crying about it. We played with him inside and put him to bed. When he woke up Tuesday morning, he still couldn't walk and just cried, "hold you." I took him in, and our doctor wanted to take Xrays since we couldn't figure out which foot or leg was hurt. Thankfully, Carter is fine with no fractures or breaks. She said a virus from when he had a little cold could have settled into his joints or he could have a mild sprain. Nothing a little rest, lunch with Daddy, and a short visit to play with Thomas the Train at Barnes & Noble couldn't cure. I thought I could hold him in the chair and let him play, but no, he wanted down and limped around the table determined to play with those trains. He seemed fine by the time we left. We just took it easy the rest of the day. (Please allow me a quick interjection of thanks to Aunt Sara "Hey"! She helped through this ordeal of Xrays, and we couldn't have gotten through them without her! I'm sorry your job hasn't started yet, but I'm super thankful you were free to go with us! Hey, just for the record, Carter doesn't hate you anymore. He wanted to call you today.)<br /><br />Then this morning he hollered for me as usual, and as I walked to his door I heard "thump!" He jumped out of his crib! He was just curled up in the floor bawling for the 2 seconds it took me to get in there! He has a huge rug burn on his forehead! Is it time for his big boy toddler bed already? No, where has my baby gone? That was too fast! We're hoping it won't happen again before we can get his bed converted. I was really hoping to wait until closer to his 2nd birthday to change his crib to a toddler bed. Maybe we'll wait and see, but I'm also scared for it to happen again. A couple of hours later, we headed to his class at the Wilderness Station. I was a little cautious about letting him run on the trail, and he did a good job staying close. Several moms asked about the knot with the scrape on his head already, so I told them. They had their own stories to share, which is why I love talking with them...surprise that their baby had grown up so fast, crib nets, locked bedroom doors and baby gates. Needless to say, after our recent ordeals, I made him hold my hand to walk down the biggest hill, but decided it would probably be ok to let go as we reentered the room. He ran ahead and...splat! Right on the concrete...what? Again? Please don't let there be any blood or missing teeth...phew...no...just more tears and another red knot right there in the center! <br /><br />Totals this week: hurt ankle...1, red knots on forehead...2, scrapes on knots...2, tired sore little boy...1, tucked in bed! He either needs a helmet and kneepads or to get back in his baby walker! Just kidding. We're thinking maybe some new tennis shoes would help, and I guess I'll just keep reminding him to slow down. His new found speed is a bit hazardous!Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-62852177285498547132010-08-19T15:28:00.006-05:002010-08-19T15:58:54.333-05:00How to Clean Your House in 10 Minutes or LessGotcha, Amy! That heading was just for you! After you said how you hate those articles, I got to thinking how much I hate them, too! Yes, it would be impossible for me to clean my house in 10 minutes. Perhaps that time frame is possible for some people, one of whom might be my sister, but it is not possible for me. And yes, Sara is home! Yay! <br /><br />The more I thought about this concept of cleaning one's house so quickly, the more I thought on how I'm not fast at all...on anything really. Maybe cleaning up from lunch takes 10 min, but the house? Phew! I have a monthly schedule for that! And I still can’t get it all in. Now Sara & my mama, on the other hand, inherited a gene called "Quick Carl." They can do just about anything quickly! I inherited my daddy's gene, which apparently is called "you think too much" because that is what she is always saying to us. O well. If there is a person who can sit and think... in my bed, in the living room chair, anywhere outside on a sunny afternoon, on the back porch, in the car. Oh yes, riding in the car is one of my much loved activities, which is akin to going on vacation. Part of the enjoyment for me is getting there. Anyway, if there's anyone who can sit and think...it's me. Well, I get it honest. It's quite a nice past time, really. In the Bible focused thinking is referred to as meditating, and many times, especially if I'm outside (which is also why I love the Smoky Mountains so much) I am meditating on God's creation. At home, I often meditate on the miracle of having a child in my care! What an amazing creation and awesome responsibility!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgica8ELHrDMLypyt8G6G5Miz3cDz1JVRUcTew7pwKG_8HfiFm8UGESLxA4SwovSb7rFhGI56M00HfEm7fkfM6cYFrRCiHgJDZd52L5Zvum1S0VnC66m8VhOAuBUjN5zO2PkNzGq2Frpks/s1600/Picture+044.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgica8ELHrDMLypyt8G6G5Miz3cDz1JVRUcTew7pwKG_8HfiFm8UGESLxA4SwovSb7rFhGI56M00HfEm7fkfM6cYFrRCiHgJDZd52L5Zvum1S0VnC66m8VhOAuBUjN5zO2PkNzGq2Frpks/s320/Picture+044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507227566163033058" /></a><br />I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psalm 143:5) <br />They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful works. (Psalm 145:5)<br /><br />Give it a try, but remember to get back to work cleaning your house because it will not get done while you're sitting and thinking!Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-240402461257192589.post-91426585929614522642010-08-09T15:11:00.006-05:002010-08-09T15:40:06.346-05:00Trains, Planes and All We're Up ToWelcome home Sara! She flies in to Nashville tonight! Tomorrow is "Hey Day" where we get to spend some time with "Hey," Carter's nickname for her.<br /><br />With school starting today, ZZ and lots of friends, both teachers & students, are on my mind. I hope everyone has had a good day, since its already dismissal time! I miss seeing them everyday, but I am thankful to be home with Carter. Being his mom & homemaker has been such a blessing in our lives. We wouldn't change a thing. Along with those thoughts, I wanted to share what we're doing. The Rutherford County school schedule seems like a good time to start Carter back into some old habits and establish some new ones. We've enjoyed being relatively unscheduled, save playdates, naps and meals. I want to take advantage of some of the free & inexpensive things Murfeesboro has to do. I never knew! We went to Barnes & Noble storytime today and met some people who we may see again on Wednesday at Barfield Crescent Park for Wild Things. Since the park is too hot (we could only take about 12 minutes today), we'll stick to classes for a while. Sports*Com and Patterson Park have some things to do, and we like going to Discovery Center, the Stones River Battlefield and visiting different places in town. We're also starting some more "sit-down" time I guess you can call it to learn shapes, colors, numbers & letters. I hope Carter enjoys it. He loves to learn new things.<br /><br />So that's what we're doing. I must add from today that Carter loved the train table at Barnes & Noble! I excitedly sent Jimmy a text: datenight at B&N is back on! B&N is one of our favorite places to go after supper on a Friday night. I think Carter will enjoy the bookstore now as much as we do, for a different reason. He didn't want to leave, and before I knew it we had been there 45 minutes! We then ran into my Uncle Jerry at Arby's for lunch. So fun to see people we know out like that. Sorry, Aunt Susie, don't be too jealous. We can meet you one day (on purpose)! So after the post office, the park, a visit to Granny's house, storytime, playing with trains, and lunch out, he almost nodded off in the shopping cart at Kroger. We made it home for naptime, and I now have a good idea on what to stock up for Christmas...trains!Rebekah Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12622690410889752148noreply@blogger.com0