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This was the result of a driver  going 40+mph and slamming into the back of Marlon in our truck while he was at a complete stop and preparing to turn.

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This is the damage to our '87 Toyota after being thrust 3+ car lengths into the intersection (just broken lights and a shifted bumper), plus a bit of  shock and serious whiplash.

I am SOOOOOO grateful for a very diligent and helpful insurance agent.  Dear EC was so kind to track us down and ensure we didn't loose our insurance coverage in December.  Our schedules are so busy and this payment was overlooked, yet our agent was very kind to help avoid lapse in service.

I share this info because in addition to continual coverage, EC also set us up with a very comprehensive plan which included a generous amount of medical coverage.  In Marlon's no-fault accident, he is able to receive top notch medical treatment and services to help him recover over the next few weeks. This may have been a very stressful situation if we didn't have this medical coverage.


For a few weeks, Marlon had been going to the chiropractor for his lower back which was so helpful and allowed him to go to the gym and exercise 3-4 times per week.  He was doing a regimented exercise program up until the accident and now he requires therapy to get things back in order.  Aside from the shoulder, neck and head pain, Marlon is also experiencing other side effects resulting from banging his head up against the window after impact.

The moral of the story is, it really pays to have knowledgeable and reliable professionals with your interests at hand.  Many compliments to our insurance agent, EC!

 
 
I can make hundreds of excuses why I don't seem to have time for ANY extracurricular activities.  However, simple planning and determination can really create positive memories (see pics)
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It is amazing how impactive our words are on our children.

We were watching the movie, "The Help,"  and the scene with the caregiver sharing positive reinforcement to the young girl really stood out for me, (below)

I usually compliment our children regularly to help build self esteem and demonstrate my appreciation.  This scene from the movie reminded me just how important  it is to speak "life" into our growing youngsters.

In order to help me remember the adjectives from this scene, I use "K.I.S."  K=kind, I=important, S=smart. I associate K.I.S. with giving blessings or encouragement and it can prompt other words such as helpful, responsible, joyful, etc.

My question for you is: Did you K.I.S. your children today? 



 
 
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My dear friend crocheted this beautiful hat for MaYah.

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It keeps her little head warm in the winter

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I think she looks like a little Prarie Girl

 
 
This is the question (?)

Our friend managed to get about 1/4 cup of milk from our Mama Goat.  She put up a little fight at first, but eventually calmed down.  I do plan to do more research about milking goats, but I welcome any tips you may share.

 
 
After 13 years of marriage, I'm happy to announce the birth of our twins:
Their mama, "Mancha," is doing great! 

She is a first time mom and has really bonded well with her kids.  She delivered them under the RV in our backyard just before sunset.  We made it home from the theater to welcome the new arrivals.  We were able to dry them off, assist with latching on to nurse, then we stood back at a distance to admire the beautiful creation....HalleluYAH!
 
 
On Saturday, we enjoyed "Fiddler on the Roof" with friends from our Assembly:
Now that we've had this live experience, my oldest daughter goes around the house singing "Matchmaker" over and over (see clip below)....Oh My, where did the time Go?
 
 
I was organizing my box of reference material and found some gardening notes.  The notes I pulled out were taken from a book I checked out at the library a few years ago, "The Pleasure of Herbs" (Month-to-Month Guide).

This month, my notes say:
  1.  Purchase flats, pots & soil
  2. Study books & catalogs
  3. Blend egg shells & veggie peelings to add to soil

In January, I  was supposed to plan (location, size & shape) and plot the garden.  Then next month, I should begin cultivating the soil & start my seeds.


I admit, I'm a little behind schedule, but there's still hope for a bountiful garden.  Around these parts, people say hold off on direct sowing seed until the snow melts off the mountain.   Therefore, I plan to get some seeds started indoors, then harden off gradually before putting them in the ground.

I'll keep you posted.

 
 
MaYah joined our staff meeting with only one thing on her mind....
 
 
Last week, I went power walking with a friend and began feeling serious irritation/itching in my legs after the first mile. My friend suggested that I may have been forming new capillaries.  I looked into this possibility and found this info on http://www.healthcentral.com:

"Itchy skin usually occurs during exercise performed after a long period of inactivity. The itching is not on the skin, it's inside the actual limbs. There are millions of tiny capillaries and arteries inside our muscles which expand rapidly due to the demand for more blood that is brought on by exercise. When fit, these capillaries remain open allowing maximum blood passage, but when unfit and inactive they tend to collapse, allowing only minimal blood passage (which is sufficient for a sedentary person however). The rapid expansion of these vessels causes adjacent nerves to send impulses back to the brain which are interpreted as an itch. That's why after a few sessions the sensation tends to go away. Just another indication of increasing fitness levels."


The moral of my story....I need to Get a Regular Exercise Routine and Get in Shape!  ANY SUGGESTIONS for a busy mama like myself?