tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10638032138274228722024-03-04T20:19:52.227-08:00"As for me and my house..."to glorify the Savior.encourage.build upChalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.comBlogger87125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-68255338774460141672011-12-27T14:39:00.000-08:002011-12-27T15:20:37.856-08:00.:merry christmas & happy new years:.<div style="text-align: center;">.: Merry Christmas & Happy New Years!! :.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">2011<br /><br />I would have loved to get out an official letter and picture card out to all of you this year but due to finances, we had to cut that out of our budget =( I figured I would at least post an "End of the Year" recap instead.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1AaSbyo-4RTEzotyFlv2wPkrO9S5Om0YqwHaK38_IvjUlUcLBckZovJT2pskgcdnWnc37aCfzmkmSHL7izafQ8jhR8FmyamYw4sawEzDv8FYhRcZlEnc9Oq6TheDXuO5EEPFEH83qQ/s1600/LTxmas+pic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1AaSbyo-4RTEzotyFlv2wPkrO9S5Om0YqwHaK38_IvjUlUcLBckZovJT2pskgcdnWnc37aCfzmkmSHL7izafQ8jhR8FmyamYw4sawEzDv8FYhRcZlEnc9Oq6TheDXuO5EEPFEH83qQ/s400/LTxmas+pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690942296232238418" border="0" /></a><br />This year, Ryan and I have seen God do so much in our personal walks with Him as well as with our family as a whole. It's been a big year of learning how to be good stewards of the money He has given to us and really learning the truth that it is ALL God's. Even though we've been brought "low" this year, He has still richly rewarded and blessed us with fun activities, vacations and our "daily bread" - giving us all that we need =)<br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf_pjOdW2oCPISjm-2s9JW7cVBI5Ku1q21QL6yNlr1nFmKHIHLtWU9QpXFr-1IvFyAXEDvk3Zks7TRVEOmolB-CTXEt7N2ivmAZOlrkQAhVdvgZdjfw9EN-bk5LmZs-jwnUBaWmcdMw/s1600/LTxmaspic4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf_pjOdW2oCPISjm-2s9JW7cVBI5Ku1q21QL6yNlr1nFmKHIHLtWU9QpXFr-1IvFyAXEDvk3Zks7TRVEOmolB-CTXEt7N2ivmAZOlrkQAhVdvgZdjfw9EN-bk5LmZs-jwnUBaWmcdMw/s400/LTxmaspic4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690943343988683090" border="0" /></a>Ryan is still enjoying his job at eCivis working as a Customer Service Representative. He works so hard and faithfully at his job that it's hard NOT to be inspired to do the same in my role as a stay-at-home Mom =) He continues to lead one of the small groups as well as the sound team at our church and serves on the worship team as well. He has also been enjoying the opportunities to preach - yes! Preach! at our church and has seen God really directing him in that area =)<br /><br />I've been learning and growing in my time management skills as I've had to figure out how to balance being a wife, mother, apartment manager and friend this year. It has proven to be good, hard work as I learn the importance of putting the needs of my husband and kids before work and household chores. I never realized how hard it would be to put the laundry down or leave a sink full of dirty dishes so that I could play and spend quality time with my boys!<br />Most of all, God's really been showing me the importance of getting up early before my kids so that I can have a few precious moments of reading His word while sipping my coffee. I've gotta enjoy it while I can because with baby boy #3 on the way, it's going to be back to getting it when I can =)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQwi-aZQ3rghzcJlKw7voFRJBv67f1QRmpmxqegDFcgOSJfQg0uNbgT8dHqp9-DiaMrhZoJTRfSpAzFrykES4klyUq18QdBRyW3PS7kHo7_1p_1AJNGbxNxO1rrbwJq1-d4Xsg_4h4A/s1600/LTxmaspic6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEQwi-aZQ3rghzcJlKw7voFRJBv67f1QRmpmxqegDFcgOSJfQg0uNbgT8dHqp9-DiaMrhZoJTRfSpAzFrykES4klyUq18QdBRyW3PS7kHo7_1p_1AJNGbxNxO1rrbwJq1-d4Xsg_4h4A/s400/LTxmaspic6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690942297333020098" border="0" /></a>Kai-the-guy is now my big 3 year old and is talking up a storm, hamming it up with Daddy and using the potty all by himself!! He loves spending time with Daddy playing guitars, making up poo-poo jokes and then bursting out in loud sarcastic laughter. I'm enjoying watching him learn about Jesus, His work on the cross, and His word making the training well worth it.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW1BsovekxqKqeA_pcWba5IxCBOBX_r2EvnUe7k9cLjaq0qLQy_R7qlR6tpSBwlAiUtcGWJU2F-ycRUimOAJrCKpK-KibTQwavcUESK9pu8E1Q3BZGWHz4kUFQzJqxkghBGP43JnODQ/s1600/LTxmaspics8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIW1BsovekxqKqeA_pcWba5IxCBOBX_r2EvnUe7k9cLjaq0qLQy_R7qlR6tpSBwlAiUtcGWJU2F-ycRUimOAJrCKpK-KibTQwavcUESK9pu8E1Q3BZGWHz4kUFQzJqxkghBGP43JnODQ/s400/LTxmaspics8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690942559867923986" border="0" /></a>Adon is now 16 months old and STILL NOT WALKING!!! He has been such a sufficient and FAST crawler that I fear he doesn't see the need to walk. But, as I've been comforted by many, he will eventually walk and has already taken several steps on his own. He's a big momma's boy and LOVES to follow his big brother Kai and play with everything and anything that he touches. He is such a happy-spunky kid and we all are having a blast watching him become his own little personality.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7qa6f2oQTsIakEbk4imRkHJqPOa_OoEWuDRyRDdb2Huq4kjxQgvdi7gWQv4n8Mx6Y-Ny6r6pxxWL9QU2oM_iH2pgrakFs2pGQvbnO5azvdkuqJB9VOJSgsH105wtWLFWzr6f5LDBsA/s1600/LTxmaspic2.jpg"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_QSpAOWcWhyphenhyphenRmQSDHsKo94Po4qOlq3Qg10bHHpEHD9rCk9E3hQ4GxQTlCyg8bDuMSZhQWJVf9CiwsnyDAj10dBVEpmxrZ_xLd1kVPH8hQUFDpGsIAGyq59IUxdIUeY4BYvDFODNgXA/s1600/LTxmaspic9.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_QSpAOWcWhyphenhyphenRmQSDHsKo94Po4qOlq3Qg10bHHpEHD9rCk9E3hQ4GxQTlCyg8bDuMSZhQWJVf9CiwsnyDAj10dBVEpmxrZ_xLd1kVPH8hQUFDpGsIAGyq59IUxdIUeY4BYvDFODNgXA/s400/LTxmaspic9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690942557709889586" border="0" /></a><br />I am ABSOLUTELY loving all the boys in my home!!! I also love being the only girl which makes me the princess =) hee hee. Having these 3 men and one more on the way has made life so much fun and I thank God for each and every one of them!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExEMO2UbtcrM_-0CO-jLl_6nHBl2nFm8NXSpxGXwdr3N4tUNaoPthAKWubfwUKrBf7rRc7aglT6OuHRPW1KYNx2O4SlsS_GVmAcau-wJdNmcDIbEPrV6YogRDMROTvhyyQc9l36V0nQ/s1600/LTxmaspic8.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExEMO2UbtcrM_-0CO-jLl_6nHBl2nFm8NXSpxGXwdr3N4tUNaoPthAKWubfwUKrBf7rRc7aglT6OuHRPW1KYNx2O4SlsS_GVmAcau-wJdNmcDIbEPrV6YogRDMROTvhyyQc9l36V0nQ/s400/LTxmaspic8.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690950773299790450" border="0" /></a>Maybe God will bless us with a little girl some day =)<br /><br />We love you all and we're looking forward to another year of growing in the knowledge of our Savior, doing His will and living for His glory!!!<br /><br />Merry Christmas and Happy New Years to you all!!!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1AaSbyo-4RTEzotyFlv2wPkrO9S5Om0YqwHaK38_IvjUlUcLBckZovJT2pskgcdnWnc37aCfzmkmSHL7izafQ8jhR8FmyamYw4sawEzDv8FYhRcZlEnc9Oq6TheDXuO5EEPFEH83qQ/s1600/LTxmas+pic.jpg"><br /></a>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-18209835825925036732011-10-11T15:33:00.000-07:002011-10-11T15:58:32.144-07:00Encouragement for weary souls<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Romans 5: 1-5</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."</span><br /><br />Lately, I have been going through a season of "why, God?!" I have 2 kids 3 years old and under with one on the way and the daily tasks and responsibilities of changing diapers, preparing and feeding meals, constantly cleaning up, doing the same chores over and over and over and over again have left me discouraged and depressed. My thoughts have basically been "what is this for??" " WHY am I doing this again???" "Shouldn't my life have more purpose than this?"<br /><br />It does =)<br /><br />The ESV Study Bible translation of the above passage reads: "The people of God rejoice not only in future glory but in <span style="font-style: italic;">present trials and sufferings</span>, not because trials are pleasant but because they produce a step-by-step transformation that makes believers more like Christ"<br /><br />I have forgotten this!! I have forgotten about the gospel and how it applies to the mundane and every day tasks. I've lost sight of the cross and therefore have not been preaching the gospel to myself on a daily basis. I've forgotten that the whole reason I go through these so called "minor trials and sufferings" is so that I can be made more like Christ. What hope and joy I now have to face the rest of this day!!! I am changing diapers and wiping boogers and making meal after meal because it is slowly changing me into the image of Christ. <br />These little tasks that can be soooo wearisome are teaching me to endure and therefore bringing me into the step-by-step transformation process of becoming more like Christ. Laying down my life and sacrificing comfort and hobbies to the needs of my family and church brings glory to God.<br /><br />If you're reading this and you're being called by God to be in a season of work, schooling, taking care of another, waiting to be married or waiting to bear children, or maybe you think you have too many children and need encouragement, I hope this encourages you. The suffering you are enduring in what ever way has a purpose! And that purpose is to point you not to this world and the "here and now" but to point you to your loving Father and Savior who is preparing you to be His perfect and spotless bride!! He is refining your faith through these "fires" to bring you out pure as gold.<br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-22098677211277076502011-09-26T15:44:00.000-07:002011-09-26T15:49:20.542-07:00Watch 180 - a shocking documentary<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />watch <a href="http://180movie.com/">this</a><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-74927661718595831982011-07-09T20:11:00.000-07:002011-07-09T20:35:17.364-07:00.:My Hobby:.<div style="text-align: center;">Hair.<br />I love to color it, cut it, highlight it, crimp it, curl it, straighten it and tease it. It's like painting your nails but better!<br />It has been a desire and dream to get better at it so that I don't have to go to salons and spend $200 and I want to be able to bless other ladies who would like to have salon quality hair but don't have the money as well.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6-6u6PnWcqoHGKmGxz8eLDlchoq_gO7jWxRw3zL5rVf69vcMq12yyFmcFuJRb3AV82SSvv8V67y01kLNc0aWQUtoo43EFOcMo9zfFQHz9O5EuGuBLAQHgAwbMHKCIjven8FgHzWUYw/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6-6u6PnWcqoHGKmGxz8eLDlchoq_gO7jWxRw3zL5rVf69vcMq12yyFmcFuJRb3AV82SSvv8V67y01kLNc0aWQUtoo43EFOcMo9zfFQHz9O5EuGuBLAQHgAwbMHKCIjven8FgHzWUYw/s400/photo%25282%2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627556917605180690" border="0" /></a>(before)<br />I've been coloring my hair since I was 14 years old (well, my mom was the one who did it but I started to pick it up around 15 or 16). It has since grown into a hobby that I have been trying to perfect and see how salon-like I can get it. Color is pretty easy now for me but it's trying to highlight with the foils that have been tough.<br />Today, however, I think I finally have a hang of it more so than I ever have. Thanks to YouTube and my hairstylist who let's me in on some of her tricks, and MUCH prayer, I've been able to do foil highlights that don't leak out and leave a tiger-stripe design on your head.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEF9C21mYLnC_U5qy-tuXgW1EsJw48suDIpAx3IKK-BHb_qK9iZerQbBNts7Tm2YY7i8EhcTIOx1NDiuALytzq4qWqY6pl6J9GYT6XzGNFdgT2SCB1hAunV55DqsBJZVBoDWFU4-w6g/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQEF9C21mYLnC_U5qy-tuXgW1EsJw48suDIpAx3IKK-BHb_qK9iZerQbBNts7Tm2YY7i8EhcTIOx1NDiuALytzq4qWqY6pl6J9GYT6XzGNFdgT2SCB1hAunV55DqsBJZVBoDWFU4-w6g/s400/photo.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627556917756640722" border="0" /></a>(after...ahhhhhhh)<br />It's very exciting to be able to do something like this for $8 rather than an arm and a leg. Although, it is so much more relaxing and enjoyable to have that salon experience while an expert works her magic =)<br /><br />It's a silly post - I know. The praise and glory all goes to God as I couldn't do any of this without Him. Every time I sit down to do something like this to my hair or to someone else's, I always lift up a prayer asking God to bless my work and make it look pretty - as silly as a prayer it may seem, He always answers it!!! If it doesn't turn out pretty, it'll end up being a catastrophe I can learn from so that I can be better next time.<br /><br />"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"<br />1 Corinthians 10:31<br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-77838432608613978002011-05-17T19:39:00.000-07:002011-05-17T20:32:31.082-07:00a new day...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApIYpZaA1ipGHbomMLf-BJOES2OOY3moPvwpjPkGaie4JL3PrQY6EbGEScOITF3LiftP7KgpG7NGThx54wgfvsFLQ2Ip9lrv8Fkk7v1IpsmAR7BTyItE1NepUq0slUg3ky7ZPmp9Fg/s1600/shoppingfortime.jpg"><br /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Do you know that song "It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me and I'm feelin' good"? Well, it's what's on my mind right now (in particular, the version by Muse - my favorite). I'm feeling so encouraged and inspired in my walk with God these past few days.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUKW15tFIyE1E2s7IrNC5Ly4VZ_80NpdXUHlXbh5HQjn4lCyDTYNV0EyARg5N9C5enHDhv3EBGMQgBXlFN-JNGGnAxTPL1gSb1OrMTg9DQMZ52MyNqMfXgAvjdPVegdBhmZB1g9iq8Q/s1600/sunnytree.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLUKW15tFIyE1E2s7IrNC5Ly4VZ_80NpdXUHlXbh5HQjn4lCyDTYNV0EyARg5N9C5enHDhv3EBGMQgBXlFN-JNGGnAxTPL1gSb1OrMTg9DQMZ52MyNqMfXgAvjdPVegdBhmZB1g9iq8Q/s400/sunnytree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607880460878015874" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">To back up a little, I've been going through the trials of prosperity. Being in the "good times" of life most of the times, distracts me from my Savior. It's very easy for me to cling to Jesus and feel close to God when I go through the "hard times" because He's all I have in those moments. But, when the days are easy and God's provisions are abundant, instead of rejoicing in Him and living in gratefulness I find myself distracted by many things and wanting more (especially as my family grows - my "To Do" list grows as well).<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjOc04UJwBerQq67brjsfaK82FKA16kmwHy89QX8Gs-mt8NJX6FFWkSbOIVAX5icetPPOozMoriVuzcL33e3OrfmESWuX18mlms-CCF654UamS0Z51Aq6-YejSvQ2Ioe9bqUzB8LllQ/s1600/desert.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 441px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjOc04UJwBerQq67brjsfaK82FKA16kmwHy89QX8Gs-mt8NJX6FFWkSbOIVAX5icetPPOozMoriVuzcL33e3OrfmESWuX18mlms-CCF654UamS0Z51Aq6-YejSvQ2Ioe9bqUzB8LllQ/s400/desert.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607882535112261058" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">I've been feeling so dry, dull and not desiring God and being in His word as a result. My love for others has been lacking while the love of self has consumed me. God was poking me about it and then decided to really drive his big godly index finger right into my heart through my senior pastor's message on a hardened heart. God is so merciful and I LOVE that He doesn't leave you to die in the wasteland of "self". Instead, He showed me Christ! He showed me that I CAN get out of this self-absorbed pattern I've been living in.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqcG5Ka0nOewx5BYMoTilFMkQ4MZMMw6BLuwOimsHOqJ4wg2bgZHyqgd4Szb3ds_Cg3WoAdU0nvzAWYZlrsXhTp87X6Qe36E6Anzj2F-xqE_BGEDcTGSkOZ_Cl-Afr-lSVpqs3w2eag/s1600/bible.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 404px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCqcG5Ka0nOewx5BYMoTilFMkQ4MZMMw6BLuwOimsHOqJ4wg2bgZHyqgd4Szb3ds_Cg3WoAdU0nvzAWYZlrsXhTp87X6Qe36E6Anzj2F-xqE_BGEDcTGSkOZ_Cl-Afr-lSVpqs3w2eag/s400/bible.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607885414662828690" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">It's always at that moment when you've just been shown an area that needs change that you feel stuck and I have the thought "okayyy, now what? where do I go from here?". And I love how the answer is so simple. Simply come. Come to the Lord, repent and ask for help and the grace you need to change. I also love how as you draw near to the Lord, He then draws near to you and that's a promise! Every time I've come back to Him after a period of growing cold and ignoring Him, He always is faithful to meet with me and draw me back. I've found the more I read and sow into His word, the hungrier I become for His truths. I'm not satisfied to just sit for a single paragraph! I want to read it all and dive deeper!<br /><br />One of the tools that God has used to draw me back to Himself and help me realize the importance of meeting with Him in His word is this book:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApIYpZaA1ipGHbomMLf-BJOES2OOY3moPvwpjPkGaie4JL3PrQY6EbGEScOITF3LiftP7KgpG7NGThx54wgfvsFLQ2Ip9lrv8Fkk7v1IpsmAR7BTyItE1NepUq0slUg3ky7ZPmp9Fg/s1600/shoppingfortime.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHApIYpZaA1ipGHbomMLf-BJOES2OOY3moPvwpjPkGaie4JL3PrQY6EbGEScOITF3LiftP7KgpG7NGThx54wgfvsFLQ2Ip9lrv8Fkk7v1IpsmAR7BTyItE1NepUq0slUg3ky7ZPmp9Fg/s400/shoppingfortime.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607888238259015954" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:130%;">"Shopping for Time". This is a book written by Carolyn Mahaney and her daughters on how to biblically prioritize our days in whatever season we are in. They talk a great deal about the importance of meeting with God and how our relationship with Him should ALWAYS be our number one priority.<br /><br />Here is a quote that really encouraged me:<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >"As believers, we are justified - declared righteous, forgiven, and accepted by God - through grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone. We do not earn or forfeit our justification before God based on our performance. Our faithfulness to sit and listen, our diligence to seek the Lord through prayer and Scripture, our efforts to make the best use of the time - none of these is sufficient to earn God's acceptance."<br /><br />"So, if you are discouraged or condemned by your failure to sit and listen, if you are "troubled by many things", revel in this truth: we have a Savior who died for our sins and it is his 'blood and righteousness' alone that make us acceptable to God."<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">When asked what her favorite verse in the Bible was, my husbands grandmother (Grandma Baird, whom we all look up to greatly due to her love and faith in Christ) replied "</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:130%;" >Matthew 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">That's exactly what I want to do each and every day until I get to see my Savior face to face - seek HIS kingdom first!<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />I hope this encourages you. I just wanted to share this so that you would be encouraged and find direction for the renewal of your faith.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-67906402024065048642011-03-08T15:38:00.000-08:002011-03-08T17:36:00.632-08:00Wow!! The Differences...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nvBqCErQ5ptU-kOSwgtwSwJ2e-PUzX7B0-Hxm7JdDhXzl0egWpTBfRdsu_Ki7YzknzanXr0F7thw4Md3dHOrjQHQLG-68VxmJN4LMb7UsmQJJzfO2nUzQMOR9wGBQjBTpoA_MWqLCg/s1600/DSC03189.JPG"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I have really been enjoying seeing these two start to interact with each other. Kai adores Adon and Adon watches Kai like a hawk - taking in every movement and sound that his big brother makes.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUspVoTr5hAqxYXEWtyxEJFl3iAap41r6D1JhTd8p85ePmDn2qjCZ2XcgIDxp5LxNN6-bHgSJ8EAJMHmUc6bMy4XefjzuPcHP78j8k-A3x7pI3ctEm0dm6KRlOAeos2elq_l_MgMqvbw/s1600/DSC03154.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUspVoTr5hAqxYXEWtyxEJFl3iAap41r6D1JhTd8p85ePmDn2qjCZ2XcgIDxp5LxNN6-bHgSJ8EAJMHmUc6bMy4XefjzuPcHP78j8k-A3x7pI3ctEm0dm6KRlOAeos2elq_l_MgMqvbw/s400/DSC03154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581859761442152706" border="0" /></a><br />I've been getting a lot of comments about how Kai and Adon look alike and I can't help but think otherwise. I finally decided to compare pictures of the boys at around the same age.<br /><br />Here's a pic of Kai when he was about 6 months - starting his baby food eating adventure:<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3Na0rl97yNf0H-S8iPLAYfJHAhlWgzrn7FMJeC3AfhG1WmWG6-1MGx6FYlpKq9mXP_O671VNXVSh7dZciPuvoYbAmO0CShY485xSnAVUUca805lLqHCRTTHswM87B0bpclPGcOF5IA/s1600/DSC01121.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3Na0rl97yNf0H-S8iPLAYfJHAhlWgzrn7FMJeC3AfhG1WmWG6-1MGx6FYlpKq9mXP_O671VNXVSh7dZciPuvoYbAmO0CShY485xSnAVUUca805lLqHCRTTHswM87B0bpclPGcOF5IA/s400/DSC01121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581858937977382274" border="0" /></a>....and here's Adon, very different! I'm sure there's some resemblance but, for the most part, he's a completely different baby =)<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic_wNz6_D3MkQpjY5nGQ9-hD082drFZFK21ToF-qPxI6iS14XxsQ2WmZsLfkvQFAjSOe61jyOd8BAu_5RMKhBd8doDRn4e92mF9VMY_FyYAHx4hH08x8zOV_uXSkCq4lYwN-nuoC65Q/s1600/DSC03206.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic_wNz6_D3MkQpjY5nGQ9-hD082drFZFK21ToF-qPxI6iS14XxsQ2WmZsLfkvQFAjSOe61jyOd8BAu_5RMKhBd8doDRn4e92mF9VMY_FyYAHx4hH08x8zOV_uXSkCq4lYwN-nuoC65Q/s400/DSC03206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581859756880210050" border="0" /></a>Here's Kai-guy right before crawling....<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleaG7KlI_G7n3M5UU7Om5ljqNOtuo513EUP2zcqRHcLPjBpsXeqpLOOvk8NE2AK920diNzq50Gp7AwFu-MmZ4fNwGnzHwXYi8zPYnVpXc8vs_g-P5br5V5PUEt_ZdomdB0Dwnybq1eA/s1600/DSC00973.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleaG7KlI_G7n3M5UU7Om5ljqNOtuo513EUP2zcqRHcLPjBpsXeqpLOOvk8NE2AK920diNzq50Gp7AwFu-MmZ4fNwGnzHwXYi8zPYnVpXc8vs_g-P5br5V5PUEt_ZdomdB0Dwnybq1eA/s400/DSC00973.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581858947546273650" border="0" /></a><br />...and, here's Adon =)<br /></div>.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nvBqCErQ5ptU-kOSwgtwSwJ2e-PUzX7B0-Hxm7JdDhXzl0egWpTBfRdsu_Ki7YzknzanXr0F7thw4Md3dHOrjQHQLG-68VxmJN4LMb7UsmQJJzfO2nUzQMOR9wGBQjBTpoA_MWqLCg/s1600/DSC03189.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nvBqCErQ5ptU-kOSwgtwSwJ2e-PUzX7B0-Hxm7JdDhXzl0egWpTBfRdsu_Ki7YzknzanXr0F7thw4Md3dHOrjQHQLG-68VxmJN4LMb7UsmQJJzfO2nUzQMOR9wGBQjBTpoA_MWqLCg/s400/DSC03189.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581859770286375954" border="0" /></a>I love my boys!! They are so much fun!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3Na0rl97yNf0H-S8iPLAYfJHAhlWgzrn7FMJeC3AfhG1WmWG6-1MGx6FYlpKq9mXP_O671VNXVSh7dZciPuvoYbAmO0CShY485xSnAVUUca805lLqHCRTTHswM87B0bpclPGcOF5IA/s1600/DSC01121.JPG"><br /></a>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-43919219232771422622011-03-07T14:29:00.000-08:002011-03-07T14:40:10.410-08:00.:FOOOOOD!!!!:.<div style="text-align: center;">Yup! It's that time already!<br />My little Adon is LOVING food!! I could easily wean him this week if I wanted to but, I know it's better for his little body to go slowly and keep him breastfed.<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzR1pEBxjBSp2vDtD9vay-Ed1OWCU3YlFAgj3ed-By77cIJuizrhAUnd4t8Z5DldmPjfmmAe14ru-U6eoUXVYqiR5c_t7Ple3I6gPXxK_3rBdcvQuOakx10lkSyqBz6ezSqfSqDXtjw/s1600/DSC03206.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzR1pEBxjBSp2vDtD9vay-Ed1OWCU3YlFAgj3ed-By77cIJuizrhAUnd4t8Z5DldmPjfmmAe14ru-U6eoUXVYqiR5c_t7Ple3I6gPXxK_3rBdcvQuOakx10lkSyqBz6ezSqfSqDXtjw/s400/DSC03206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581469465836476290" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3nWpxGlH3cb0-73P9_5TiNr_wDnRjWzVqvNxL1Xn2JDPuPSJGj2cC0gtJYijhAO8GayayanKK4JTgSQO-RiIDTbA0rmpei4zPRAP_XaMZIR9Kfeh0KObiWIKNDInUuPunZZevbp15g/s1600/DSC03210.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3nWpxGlH3cb0-73P9_5TiNr_wDnRjWzVqvNxL1Xn2JDPuPSJGj2cC0gtJYijhAO8GayayanKK4JTgSQO-RiIDTbA0rmpei4zPRAP_XaMZIR9Kfeh0KObiWIKNDInUuPunZZevbp15g/s400/DSC03210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581469477885211330" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks to WIC (Women Infants & Children), I get about 100 jars of baby food & 4 boxes of infant oatmeal a month for FREE!! The best part is, I get to choose what kind I want so I go for the organic expensive stuff=)<br />I'm not really into cooking period so the thought of steaming and blending my own baby food was not very appealing to me. I love being able to just woop it out of the pantry, feed it and save the rest for later.<br />He's having lots of fun with it and I think he's going to be a better eater than Kai was. He already has been and that makes me excited for this new part of his life!<br /><br />Will share more soon!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhunOE6LDhyOdQEMNIg0y6ABF0HFv4YN18RvNj7hKhmzbRhhMqQ9tmn-5X1VAuOfg-W_H_8uBf7z4Mhos04hyphenhyphenVzm2yIQCiRX3H2rCwt3SKsrNGSBB28P83eTX6FvKcPZ_oG2G_lEbaBFw/s1600/DSC03210.JPG"><br /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzR1pEBxjBSp2vDtD9vay-Ed1OWCU3YlFAgj3ed-By77cIJuizrhAUnd4t8Z5DldmPjfmmAe14ru-U6eoUXVYqiR5c_t7Ple3I6gPXxK_3rBdcvQuOakx10lkSyqBz6ezSqfSqDXtjw/s1600/DSC03206.JPG"><br /></a>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-195220925600358032010-12-19T21:21:00.000-08:002010-12-19T21:34:44.783-08:00Since I last posted...<div style="text-align: center;">My biggest turned 2 years old in October!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKROANQxIloH5nIH9xTIN1LJmEZeG9Y6DGLXrwL6NmavHorHeOWf_YAakkaj27Gaknq2-sU8HeCdmwr1YvsmV6N9-tTjqSzf5GWfh3Qp8hWnsLlvRFoeS479ja6H0Ej6Vt7JrtHankw/s1600/DSC02954.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwKROANQxIloH5nIH9xTIN1LJmEZeG9Y6DGLXrwL6NmavHorHeOWf_YAakkaj27Gaknq2-sU8HeCdmwr1YvsmV6N9-tTjqSzf5GWfh3Qp8hWnsLlvRFoeS479ja6H0Ej6Vt7JrtHankw/s400/DSC02954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552631891507538994" border="0" /></a><br />My littlest turned 4 months old!!!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tHIxsosGL58YeaQXahWwICQsiEdJr-b02QWeA3OMZ1h2J2O4-0f0qqbuvC39CszcNMOXJDYbMlnHv-klxQRWD5t07S7TEO0Qis73zJYqxlRHGbf0Z-i1Lgl1dEKPckAPKKZyopJm8w/s1600/DSC03051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tHIxsosGL58YeaQXahWwICQsiEdJr-b02QWeA3OMZ1h2J2O4-0f0qqbuvC39CszcNMOXJDYbMlnHv-klxQRWD5t07S7TEO0Qis73zJYqxlRHGbf0Z-i1Lgl1dEKPckAPKKZyopJm8w/s400/DSC03051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552631922010497090" border="0" /></a><br />I died my hair...red...then brown/black...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvWUx0GbCnvdxKNktfutFKyQkrSaImj5i9A0P6mw_nP6apwznI_gZ13r8tk5Mv2XeDB8gIUwp0eALphn0_sKxgwX-Fxvk4l6K8rk6Rp6bdmBkPikkgFLnNb_d7KPLEgvR2yprQNLjEA/s1600/DSC03059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvWUx0GbCnvdxKNktfutFKyQkrSaImj5i9A0P6mw_nP6apwznI_gZ13r8tk5Mv2XeDB8gIUwp0eALphn0_sKxgwX-Fxvk4l6K8rk6Rp6bdmBkPikkgFLnNb_d7KPLEgvR2yprQNLjEA/s400/DSC03059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552631908709435778" border="0" /></a><br />Kai-guy has been walking in his Daddy's footsteps and dress up like him...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYwrQ6y7llicYG0sRFW4C0Gz2-_8u6vpD1WiUtzqPSBUbhRkW6W773UKFfYQ3cFTAoUbORSirJmMQ8x3el_FbuGi3kI7PzWt6b4n6uglJiPqdlGuHNBktoSl_pzh8wZVmklkALvlKbQ/s1600/DSC03008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaYwrQ6y7llicYG0sRFW4C0Gz2-_8u6vpD1WiUtzqPSBUbhRkW6W773UKFfYQ3cFTAoUbORSirJmMQ8x3el_FbuGi3kI7PzWt6b4n6uglJiPqdlGuHNBktoSl_pzh8wZVmklkALvlKbQ/s400/DSC03008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552631900683922482" border="0" /></a><br />Ryan & I got to get away for a marriage retreat where not only did we relax and have a wonderful time re-connecting but, I got to try my first Lobster!!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBtR5Df3-puBZtkKcqemNJZafNcAcNRYlzUQWpg2icBVuIJOPKS49p2GcvNZKs9-Gk6tEAXPEXg1Z5Zs1O64MU7zbmBDWSyFCKDlzS5uAggmIg0f4yZYFNMmVxXD_jplh1j6DOrzpRg/s1600/DSC03004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkBtR5Df3-puBZtkKcqemNJZafNcAcNRYlzUQWpg2icBVuIJOPKS49p2GcvNZKs9-Gk6tEAXPEXg1Z5Zs1O64MU7zbmBDWSyFCKDlzS5uAggmIg0f4yZYFNMmVxXD_jplh1j6DOrzpRg/s400/DSC03004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552631895912426130" border="0" /></a>We're celebrating our first Christmas as a family of 4!!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6qtPxWcfYYwx1I9jEwcNA8M7vyxWxaQQPamWiuSi7iuvL-YXqQ7E7R_1LtzxaZM7GAHa1QYH85ANz_hqptWmmFXAE45KopZkTJ_iswXKcwzZcuiZkNKdxQcKqqEZLskAVbMNNIC20A/s1600/DSC03070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6qtPxWcfYYwx1I9jEwcNA8M7vyxWxaQQPamWiuSi7iuvL-YXqQ7E7R_1LtzxaZM7GAHa1QYH85ANz_hqptWmmFXAE45KopZkTJ_iswXKcwzZcuiZkNKdxQcKqqEZLskAVbMNNIC20A/s400/DSC03070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5552632133900012274" border="0" /></a><br />Oh ya, and we moved into our new home where we have been blessed with many opportunities to have people over and practice hospitality (something we desperately need to grow in!)<br /><br />Merry Christmas everyone!!! <br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-31957606137202716192010-10-02T10:46:00.001-07:002010-10-02T15:22:44.521-07:00Friends, Family & Cookies, OH MY!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Here's what we've been up to: (I don't know how to get this "underline" function to dissapear)</span><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZakC6nbQkn5ZqS6w_yTzLC53dXHlpM9or6rKChp1XqRMLFU4vah-NwcwaqCD3-ssuMDDjBC0dDYgL3ELH3vdr3cFsnmCPX2_a_vliSjBbPOJZF4wqh36ocaiRreg3jIsPSQyKevpug/s1600/DSC02879.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ZakC6nbQkn5ZqS6w_yTzLC53dXHlpM9or6rKChp1XqRMLFU4vah-NwcwaqCD3-ssuMDDjBC0dDYgL3ELH3vdr3cFsnmCPX2_a_vliSjBbPOJZF4wqh36ocaiRreg3jIsPSQyKevpug/s400/DSC02879.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523572587153051298" border="0" /></a>Playing, playing, playing with family and friends while Daddy is away on business trips...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-OB9RMUr5UyZTvAxyhQaOVOJOwb7YJxHhg4Bn5wpSBc2XYKqa8xOcpmPJXcLbY5CB0kC7WxxZqWYHaUyNeunnOMatzeo_qyVSXkESIwzeXwAb4Map05B_ITofq56X1yem_Wrwk8t4w/s1600/DSC02873.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV-OB9RMUr5UyZTvAxyhQaOVOJOwb7YJxHhg4Bn5wpSBc2XYKqa8xOcpmPJXcLbY5CB0kC7WxxZqWYHaUyNeunnOMatzeo_qyVSXkESIwzeXwAb4Map05B_ITofq56X1yem_Wrwk8t4w/s400/DSC02873.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523572578995037538" border="0" /></a>Finding ways to cool off and have fun in this nasty humid heat...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighkUtSH1-KpCPStVWJz3U11NG6BvfM45KPnEH3doruhHBiMOZikubd4afOVMhXo-XYq8ETkXOPSSAOukBd0XNKJXvQv462hupxCLKSjZ7Ndp_6ShD_eQNwduerC0qSgZymNnNCdt8RQ/s1600/DSC02872.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighkUtSH1-KpCPStVWJz3U11NG6BvfM45KPnEH3doruhHBiMOZikubd4afOVMhXo-XYq8ETkXOPSSAOukBd0XNKJXvQv462hupxCLKSjZ7Ndp_6ShD_eQNwduerC0qSgZymNnNCdt8RQ/s400/DSC02872.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523572573976071362" border="0" /></a>learning to share.... hee hee<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7KbD1JWxLZ_SO1T0t4i3w2cTtNuO6J2JPQPDGwDxLRuEeL4NKAZn3ujqsdOIvG21rp5cDbm9gqaFc5ELRt-1Q_6Wjq6pVu-KHPEtf3X35Ell08L6CgCxMaxM2c6PxSiqEUg5ohEe3A/s1600/DSC02869.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk7KbD1JWxLZ_SO1T0t4i3w2cTtNuO6J2JPQPDGwDxLRuEeL4NKAZn3ujqsdOIvG21rp5cDbm9gqaFc5ELRt-1Q_6Wjq6pVu-KHPEtf3X35Ell08L6CgCxMaxM2c6PxSiqEUg5ohEe3A/s400/DSC02869.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523572563907339090" border="0" /></a>taking frequent naps to re-charge the batteries for more fun =)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY8PafOwSHJdL4rqWqCH2mjHcviXIHC6k_MWgXHYMbMVMgWMVmJaMqoqkPoDUXr5_yeVHefyJz7pwpJngsi5LL6esKTbLlRxVgbMJmzhi6ajw-PSshnNraOEJmeb-b8jTOrSiR2UOJA/s1600/DSC02884.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCY8PafOwSHJdL4rqWqCH2mjHcviXIHC6k_MWgXHYMbMVMgWMVmJaMqoqkPoDUXr5_yeVHefyJz7pwpJngsi5LL6esKTbLlRxVgbMJmzhi6ajw-PSshnNraOEJmeb-b8jTOrSiR2UOJA/s400/DSC02884.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523572590781528898" border="0" /></a>and eating lots of cookies!!!<br /><br />A friend of mine posted <a href="http://www.stringbeancompany.com/blogs/news/1818712-lactation-cookies">this</a> delicious recipe for all organic cookies that not only make a tasty treat but also helps to boost your milk production. However, if you're a man, a child or someone who ISN'T nursing - they're just really good for you and will NOT make you produce milk ;) <br />I hardly EVER bake - let alone from scratch - don't even mention doing anything organic so the fact that I even made these is a HUGE step for me. I had to go out & buy a lot of the organic ingredients (ie: brewer's yeast, flaxseed meal, organic oats, etc) so it cost me a pretty penny.<br />So, now I'm going to sit back, enjoy my treat and see if it helps me to produce more milk. <br /><br />PS: I'm actually doing fine on the breast milk. Ryan and I are going to a marriage retreat in about a month and I would like to leave BOTH kids behind which means that I need to have a nice stock of breast milk for Adon and I'm thinking this might save me a lot of unnecessary pumping.<br /><br />Love you & God Bless you!!<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-52500001449538972052010-09-23T20:29:00.001-07:002010-09-23T20:45:55.092-07:00.:Brothers!:.<div style="text-align: center;">Brothers!!!<br /><br />I am so excited that I get to embark on this adventure of being in a house full of boys! Though...I do pray that one day I'll get at least one girl ;) Kai is LOVING his new baby brother. This morning, I had Adon on the bed while I got dressed and Kai came in, saw him lying there and wanted to snuggle up close to him. He even made sure that Adon was well covered by the blanket. It was too cute to resist! I had to take a picture...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlgWC7-Pka0mJn04ymCYgH2rdwzfXcZOqYqBjtmTnY-TkSftAUiRIY0SBXFZwZgMFDiqT3FxnwuCFIzfZRyqSWICcwJbKwaa21lPtg0rsfQO4SKf18fCROID9tgunuALFlxTVAHKSxA/s1600/DSC02864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlgWC7-Pka0mJn04ymCYgH2rdwzfXcZOqYqBjtmTnY-TkSftAUiRIY0SBXFZwZgMFDiqT3FxnwuCFIzfZRyqSWICcwJbKwaa21lPtg0rsfQO4SKf18fCROID9tgunuALFlxTVAHKSxA/s400/DSC02864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520317282315667218" border="0" /></a><br />There are moments where Adon will be watching Kai and a big smile while appear on his face. This kid is so smiley! It took everything I had to get Kai to smile at this age but not with Adon - the minute he sees me he breaks out into a big, open-mouthed smile =) One of these days, I'll be ready with camera in hand to capture the moment.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKcj4NFshVjfNEAmAXMAd7J5xg1aWS7C88OHuNcYVfYPsjBxEwatWSIp1yd1PY3S7C1Nk8r_ZZlozTmkO3rYFu4dvtEnj7IsMlzfPW5TQpEeSixULv3a80nD0xPgk2XXpvGBc3ERlRg/s1600/DSC02863.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKcj4NFshVjfNEAmAXMAd7J5xg1aWS7C88OHuNcYVfYPsjBxEwatWSIp1yd1PY3S7C1Nk8r_ZZlozTmkO3rYFu4dvtEnj7IsMlzfPW5TQpEeSixULv3a80nD0xPgk2XXpvGBc3ERlRg/s400/DSC02863.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520317275371057698" border="0" /></a>These 2 are suckers for their binkies. I'm in the process of weaning Kai off of it but I'm not really serious yet. If he's playing happily I'll simply ask for it and put it in his crib and tell him that "happy boys don't need binkies". Anyway, I'm thinking I'll get real serious about it when I potty train him (which will probably be sometime after christmas). It might just be me but in my opinion, if you're old enough to do your dooty on your own on a big boy potty, you're too big to be sucking on a pacifier.<br /><br />Life is going farely well, I have to say. I'm finding more times for devotions which is unexpected. I was thinking that I'd have time to read only 2 verses here and there but I've been blessed with a good half hour at least during the boys' nap time. (Yes! They take naps at the same time, praise God!) Adon is still a really easy going baby - eats, sleeps, poops and only cries when he needs to do one of those 3 things or just wants to be held. He's definitely looking like his own little person and I'm seeing some serious red in his hair and green-brown in his eyes =) <br /><br />Last Friday I mailed out 23 resumes for apartment management positions here in Pasadena and as a result, we have an interview set up for next Friday for a beautiful complex in the downtown Pasadena area. I'm super excited and filled with peace that God's will is better and what ever place we end up in - it will be perfect for our family =)<br /><br />Ryan's job is going EXTREMELY well. He had his first business trip to AZ last week (yes, I stayed home with the kids and survived thanks be to God, Lynn & Terri) and is out to dinner right now with his CEO & VP!!! God answer's prayer, I'll tell ya what! We're both very thankful to God for this job and for how He is pouring out favor on Ryan with his coworkers and employers.<br /><br />That's us in a nutshell for now. I'll be keeping you all posted and will try to stay current with pictures =)<br /><br />Love you!<br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-80031352860558191082010-08-31T07:44:00.001-07:002010-08-31T20:49:42.137-07:00Introducing...<div style="text-align: center;">Adoniram Allen Baird (Adon for short)<br />August 19th, 2010 1:55pm<br />7 lbs 14 oz, 20 in. long<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQV_tA6DrH7LUHkuX7Nb8LSX7nkfa-zga5TGd4r4xBpNxHh8X2ZhPTv8zmhudRGnLeicG8yNbbqIac9rqHms-Mo0d7xNqJlhJ_n0jEEbTLYF-ny1kP48TOOr294cEMhK3jzq7E55_6w/s1600/DSC_2014ccweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQV_tA6DrH7LUHkuX7Nb8LSX7nkfa-zga5TGd4r4xBpNxHh8X2ZhPTv8zmhudRGnLeicG8yNbbqIac9rqHms-Mo0d7xNqJlhJ_n0jEEbTLYF-ny1kP48TOOr294cEMhK3jzq7E55_6w/s400/DSC_2014ccweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511585243680699858" border="0" /></a>I had an AMAZING labor & delivery!!! Thank you to everyone who prayed for us - prayer works, let me tell ya!<br />Real labor began at around 9:00am on Thursday, the 19th and I had my Doula, Gracie Davis come over with her labor gear (birth ball, heating pad, etc) to help me labor at home as long as possible. Both she, Ryan and my mom helped me through the hard contractions with massage and acupressure. By around 12:00pm, I was starting to really think about drugs and with my contractions being 2 minutes long and 3 minutes apart, I was ready to go to the hospital...<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichyphenhyphenN2UDYsWUNY3MOhB0GRp2vBCtL-HLXMXsrUDCnq2flMgi7XBi7gIHpU5zdqe4uOqoQtwTsDf64AiwNEcWtHLELGb_Oan7LFtptUYQJFThKUSYuczdxjaYneIQ6kDzghxmxd3M53cA/s1600/DSC_1850ccweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEichyphenhyphenN2UDYsWUNY3MOhB0GRp2vBCtL-HLXMXsrUDCnq2flMgi7XBi7gIHpU5zdqe4uOqoQtwTsDf64AiwNEcWtHLELGb_Oan7LFtptUYQJFThKUSYuczdxjaYneIQ6kDzghxmxd3M53cA/s400/DSC_1850ccweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511585259753130082" border="0" /></a>...We got to the hospital at around 12:30pm and they started the admission process and hooked me up to the external fetal monitor to check on Adon. I was really starting to go through the "self-doubt" phase and told the nurses that I thought I might be in transition. Sure enough, after checking me, I was 6-7 centimeters dialated...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf0R55FMbuJplEHT_DTMAJ4L3OrEj12dtWjPGW5oJZNTP7Oiho8vjENh8VsKAbJdGnVXcWPnXcA8k2eVx73CgEXr6Zh_Xc5AQT8DxOUpiA2-6ExZHJpAkmFLFJpsiXKE7tWqgLEerIg/s1600/DSC_1979ccweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsf0R55FMbuJplEHT_DTMAJ4L3OrEj12dtWjPGW5oJZNTP7Oiho8vjENh8VsKAbJdGnVXcWPnXcA8k2eVx73CgEXr6Zh_Xc5AQT8DxOUpiA2-6ExZHJpAkmFLFJpsiXKE7tWqgLEerIg/s400/DSC_1979ccweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511585253375951794" border="0" /></a>...As soon as they were done monitoring the baby, Gracie helped me get onto all fours for the rest of my labor (I was having a lot of back labor and this was how I was comfiest). As soon as I did this, things blasted off from there! I immediately dilated to 8 and my body was already pushing the baby out on it's own!!! This was the most bizarre yet AMAZING feeling EVER!!!<br />The baby was coming and there was NO amount of breathing it off to stop it!!!<br />I announced this to the world and they decided to check me again and sure enough, it was time to push =D I pushed for maybe 3-4 contractions and my little guy entered into the world.<br /><br />This was by far the most painful experience I have ever gone through but for some strange reason, I'd do it again!!! I am filled with sooo much joy and excitement as I look back on the whole process. As painful as it was, it was awe inspiring and amazing to see my body do all of the work on it's own (with God as it's comander, of course) and feel the baby move through the canal and out into the world!<br /><br />Not only was the delivery amazing but recovery has been 10 times faster and easier than it was with Kai. I didn't tear so to not have stitches down there really made recovery a lot easier =)<br />Now, I know there are other factors too like the fact that it's my 2nd baby and I was in much better shape to begin with ( I'm 7 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight already) but, I'm convinced that not having all of the drugs going through my body helped my body to get back on it's feet a lot faster.<br /><br />Needless to say, I am soooo doing this again with my next baby!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnTYH9xCUvCBzUGWfk_V7Hjn9cShBrtL6_V6y6Nro1np0AEKvxrIaWpqzO1fBMmIDVif-8CWKcmQai8SS08P-hHSc0ixVCxp9HM8vNgxhyphenhyphen9AqiHh4UDg39ApVrYQWmP3NJ1G_hLPZMw/s1600/DSC_1950ccweb.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnTYH9xCUvCBzUGWfk_V7Hjn9cShBrtL6_V6y6Nro1np0AEKvxrIaWpqzO1fBMmIDVif-8CWKcmQai8SS08P-hHSc0ixVCxp9HM8vNgxhyphenhyphen9AqiHh4UDg39ApVrYQWmP3NJ1G_hLPZMw/s400/DSC_1950ccweb.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511585262074808322" border="0" /></a><br />Here's the proud and happy big brother! It was amazing how he went from being my little guy to my big boy in just one weekend =) Kai has been doing great with little brother. He loves to give Adon his pacifier and he always makes sure that the baby has his blanket too. Those are the 2 essentials in Kai's life =) hee hee<br /><br />Will continue to keep you posted... still need to find the darn camera cord!<br /><br />Love you all! =D<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-15815260220092163272010-08-15T13:26:00.001-07:002010-08-15T13:47:05.393-07:00Comming Soon...<div style="text-align: center;">Hey everyone!<br /><br />Sorry to have not posted in a while. I lost the cord that connects my camera to our computer so, I have several pics still on my camera that I would like to post (Ryan and I's 5th year anniversary pics & the most recent belly bump pics).<br />Hopefully we'll find it soon so that I can update y'all on the life =)<br /><br />I'm 2 days away from my due date and I can't tell you enough how excited I am! My goal is to have this little one all natural - the Bradley way. I've been doing lots of studying and reading and training with my doula friend and feel as prepared as I'm ever going to be =)<br />With Kai, I had the epidural experience and, although it was pain free, I didn't like the experience as a whole. To begin with, the whole process of the epidural being administered was intense and just the thought of someone sticking a NEEDLE into my spinal column still gives me the creeps =P<br />I ended up still feeling a lot of "pressure pain" right before I started pushing for a good solid hour and then just the fact that I couldn't tell if I was even pushing when it was time because, you know, YOU'RE BASICALLY PARALYZED, I didn't like that either.<br />So, with that experience, I am REALLY motivated to try an unmedicated birth. Not only will both I and the baby benefit from this physically but, I'm also really excited to experience God in a whole new way =) <br />He has created my womanly body to perform this role and it is HIS hand alone that is making my body contract and deliver this little blessing! All of the details of the happenings of child birth are just so obviously an invisible God making things happen in a visible world and I can't wait to see Him in bigger way because of this experience.<br /><br />I probably won't be blogging again until after Adon comes (unless I find my camera cord and post some belly pics), so please pray for Ryan and I as well as for this delivery.<br />Pray that God would unite Ryan and I in a deeper way as we work together to bring this little one into the world and as a result, love each other more deeply.<br />Pray also for God's protection over Adon as he's born, that there will not be any complications and that he would be a completely healthy little boy.<br /><br />In the meantime, praise God from whom all blessings flow!<br /><br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-75216132188316655002010-07-08T19:39:00.000-07:002010-07-08T19:56:52.728-07:00~Underwood Family Farms~<div style="text-align: center;">So, due to the fact that I only have about a month and half before little brother gets here, I am jumping on every opportunity to do something fun with my Kai guy. <br /><br />Today, my friends let me crash their outing to Underwood Family Farms out in Simi Valley where the admission is CHEAP ($3!!!) and there's sooo much for kids and family to do together. With all of the farm animals, Kids Corral, train and pony rides plus a HUGE farm to go and pick whatever kind of produce you like, there was definitely NOT a dull moment!<br /><br />Here are some of my favorite shots from our expidition:<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBddIKE7K9n0dzZpiMyhqtCVdNjInaU24KAvvxjNcyxe4Cx_JAXGi01wfNUFG9mYvviB_CDuem2_nlBXAy9vclkEEweQNtsDTDPO2ITRGPFG-yS3Ou8bLFTaQD7kAFLY_tApDWW4J8_Q/s1600/DSC02664.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBddIKE7K9n0dzZpiMyhqtCVdNjInaU24KAvvxjNcyxe4Cx_JAXGi01wfNUFG9mYvviB_CDuem2_nlBXAy9vclkEEweQNtsDTDPO2ITRGPFG-yS3Ou8bLFTaQD7kAFLY_tApDWW4J8_Q/s400/DSC02664.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731598745179970" border="0" /></a>The kids LOVED this ginormous pyramid made out of hay stacks - it helped to not be so nervouse about Kai being up that high when it's nothing but hay to break his fall =)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8vrElHvVcadP0zNgZy8A5IVUY08FML56Q96D7YuPuosIwCulSNZ1NMdMHiMeZjSR-gyxy29sbtNDK_14W0l_oBHLqaP1idTfrcVwMJ-xhli9xdZ0_w40evbr4EMiQaMLPUy5mr1aHg/s1600/DSC02645.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq8vrElHvVcadP0zNgZy8A5IVUY08FML56Q96D7YuPuosIwCulSNZ1NMdMHiMeZjSR-gyxy29sbtNDK_14W0l_oBHLqaP1idTfrcVwMJ-xhli9xdZ0_w40evbr4EMiQaMLPUy5mr1aHg/s400/DSC02645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731550587074130" border="0" /></a>They also had these wagons (for free!!) that you could use for the day which was one of the favorite activities that Kai really enjoyed.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwTd5DEbyxqjoEcoOBSWy5GDo5Jnc_XZbmS6MaM8AuIyGkEAhqQYib-ysFcSR_7_cSEq3BVf9gLlEcmODPZoTfmiCoamSuFQnjs5vtel8BRv6_Bv_pUZUgEnlXOos_oGjy720agWxQg/s1600/DSC02648.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwTd5DEbyxqjoEcoOBSWy5GDo5Jnc_XZbmS6MaM8AuIyGkEAhqQYib-ysFcSR_7_cSEq3BVf9gLlEcmODPZoTfmiCoamSuFQnjs5vtel8BRv6_Bv_pUZUgEnlXOos_oGjy720agWxQg/s400/DSC02648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731567747488450" border="0" /></a>"Say what?!!"....work it girl!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iwsTtvNkf0_xrmKGFSOXDlKpVzLRUcjBJifeSj_666-E6bVZYna-vZlx6qa4llP7fRPVaqTBvOzl3KNHn7DkUePrXhT759wUQgZXyz6XSQVyjuE0pmOk5dLvJX_l30PIUmG_xRWH9g/s1600/DSC02652.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5iwsTtvNkf0_xrmKGFSOXDlKpVzLRUcjBJifeSj_666-E6bVZYna-vZlx6qa4llP7fRPVaqTBvOzl3KNHn7DkUePrXhT759wUQgZXyz6XSQVyjuE0pmOk5dLvJX_l30PIUmG_xRWH9g/s400/DSC02652.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731589578440946" border="0" /></a>They had these wooden trains and tractors everywhere that the kids can climb and play in.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9p5FZ58bL3qhSsnFQqc-c_Sqk77_hw421vkvEi8xS_fHpmQ26ODeZ4QDQ3lqmiklkMeLFZm1wwGCKPJuPt9ODN6zdXJSHApTRjWmTHlyA1gis1Z92Uerj0ti5Fw9qBJoMGjFkgreMQ/s1600/DSC02649.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9p5FZ58bL3qhSsnFQqc-c_Sqk77_hw421vkvEi8xS_fHpmQ26ODeZ4QDQ3lqmiklkMeLFZm1wwGCKPJuPt9ODN6zdXJSHApTRjWmTHlyA1gis1Z92Uerj0ti5Fw9qBJoMGjFkgreMQ/s400/DSC02649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491731581059544514" border="0" /></a>And, of course, what would a farm be without chickens!! I got lots of shots of some of the other animals but, I didn't think that'd interest you ; )<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81RjzVa152UD0MbJfF0TJBqE-v8Nntkdc2wJLq_KoWgfswCOT32vBMpe9OK9Tn9RcaHGvHsnAXZAw-XziG6dtVvUCbru4d3qHHcLGU7bylxcwppI6mD50I4UAOvBjBj3nKG1eTzcgGw/s1600/DSC02670.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi81RjzVa152UD0MbJfF0TJBqE-v8Nntkdc2wJLq_KoWgfswCOT32vBMpe9OK9Tn9RcaHGvHsnAXZAw-XziG6dtVvUCbru4d3qHHcLGU7bylxcwppI6mD50I4UAOvBjBj3nKG1eTzcgGw/s400/DSC02670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491732496785458194" border="0" /></a>My farm boy! He had sooo much fun and Ryan was super bummed that he couldn't go that I think we'll be making another trip out to Underwood Family Farms. <br /><br />I'm so excited that God's giving me these opportunities to do fun things with Kai before the baby gets here (notice how I'm not saying a name - Ryan and I are re-thinking the name we had). I know he won't remember them when he's older but, we've got some great pics to look back on and remember =)<br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-53022242888639042672010-07-01T19:18:00.000-07:002010-07-01T19:55:04.820-07:00.:2010 BAIRD FAMILY BEACH CAMPING TRIP:.<div style="text-align: center;">Whewww!! We are back from our annual Baird Family beach camping trip that we took in San Elijo, CA (it's down by Oceanside/Carlsbad area). We had sooo much fun regardless of the amount of work it took. Kai and I went down with Ryan's family on Monday and Ryan met us down there after work on Wednesday and we stayed until Sunday night.<br /><br />I so enjoyed watching Kai in his element! He LOVES being outside (like any boy does, I'm sure) so the fact that he got to be in the dirt and sand from sunrise to sunset was his biggest dream come true and was a happy camper....that is, until it was time to go to bed or take a nap =)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yVPWCKVusD2S62R7-3kGWaT3Dj5Hk7hgElIFkig9DW-pS7YF3_Ac4BEFNuOWysv1s1ZQ4BSh4Iza-BpSrjPuo88zEXyFT2QJRuMz6rQAK11Ua9lY5xBxkNj-q8USOTJuGTnRpbddBg/s1600/DSC02620.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7yVPWCKVusD2S62R7-3kGWaT3Dj5Hk7hgElIFkig9DW-pS7YF3_Ac4BEFNuOWysv1s1ZQ4BSh4Iza-BpSrjPuo88zEXyFT2QJRuMz6rQAK11Ua9lY5xBxkNj-q8USOTJuGTnRpbddBg/s400/DSC02620.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489129363113789234" border="0" /></a>(This shot was taken at Sea Port Village in San Diego - just before we got on the Carosel)<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our home-sweet-home: the tent. I wasn't sure what to expect as far as being able to sleep on a blow-up mattress being 8 months pregnant. It actually was very comfy because I brought our Postra-pedic (spelling??) mattress topper and put that on top of the air mattress and made it up into a REAL bed.<br /><br />Anywho, I love sleeping in tents at the beach because I love falling asleep and waking up to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. I DON'T, however, enjoy falling asleep to the neighboring campers and whatever parties they might be throwing so I usually try to remember to bring ear plugs. Kai slept through it all to, amazingly enough.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUxc5RJlXHCJX4f8iTGjIWuYAww0Z46nToHmGigZC7wMXa_uU6p35ARSo9q06jrqLvkRq1Dc929POwX7UtralBZAaYBZc-YvtuJPNgK68YjaGG0bU-FdxsKagwzRIlFAwOM5r3bSF7w/s1600/DSC02585.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUxc5RJlXHCJX4f8iTGjIWuYAww0Z46nToHmGigZC7wMXa_uU6p35ARSo9q06jrqLvkRq1Dc929POwX7UtralBZAaYBZc-YvtuJPNgK68YjaGG0bU-FdxsKagwzRIlFAwOM5r3bSF7w/s400/DSC02585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489128312342479282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXgLbLTLnEs1ObOoqDy3_Yi874zVMGpONRjrv6Bok0FBCa0cBsFciZhWcE4uCjiOdk0XMWuxoDdX_EoATrl6zL2YMfPLqcFv2cS_FL9jRzTKzpK77MYl0_mu03m_6XVPICedYuXuTAw/s1600/DSC02605.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXgLbLTLnEs1ObOoqDy3_Yi874zVMGpONRjrv6Bok0FBCa0cBsFciZhWcE4uCjiOdk0XMWuxoDdX_EoATrl6zL2YMfPLqcFv2cS_FL9jRzTKzpK77MYl0_mu03m_6XVPICedYuXuTAw/s400/DSC02605.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489128353680124562" border="0" /></a>Kickin' it with Grandma and Grandpa Baird and eating his favorite snack - a pickle =) That's my boy<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM5-JM2zuIbLSQoFmy3PpJTkeSb-eEzvib_5tSPdTos3KEhqunQkhDcdw5i7C9L__RZR5NDCkaIfA4eJQFlaoYtGNooc_qPlA2jtM_GTRfhFQf_Pk5t1RzMZ9V_Q5T3HdjOQafJWy3g/s1600/DSC02594.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM5-JM2zuIbLSQoFmy3PpJTkeSb-eEzvib_5tSPdTos3KEhqunQkhDcdw5i7C9L__RZR5NDCkaIfA4eJQFlaoYtGNooc_qPlA2jtM_GTRfhFQf_Pk5t1RzMZ9V_Q5T3HdjOQafJWy3g/s400/DSC02594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489128343977510434" border="0" /></a>He is a beach bum at heart - he LOVED to come over and just lay in the sun for a couple minutes...<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEDgzegpQHjtudse_vkVuFvRdHAbSc4vVil0r1tmd0GdR9iP_H1wrdX0bhdqhI5gPNRRxy6sA0vrdYHsCOgIFLcr-4_gyslnNSKd2WC2EXiLPb743Z6Q4NLsd1tifh1n2XYavkTSTIA/s1600/DSC02590.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEDgzegpQHjtudse_vkVuFvRdHAbSc4vVil0r1tmd0GdR9iP_H1wrdX0bhdqhI5gPNRRxy6sA0vrdYHsCOgIFLcr-4_gyslnNSKd2WC2EXiLPb743Z6Q4NLsd1tifh1n2XYavkTSTIA/s400/DSC02590.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489128335153250322" border="0" /></a>...then go and play in his pool and sand, and then come lay down some more. Snack, rest, play - that's what you do on vacation, right?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRpaVO2NUWLpzUNlafXs-XyaU90wFWGxhU-GPk2_Ipkn0mT9nedROQ6Wk9eW0JBmVjckY48nO5zwCDaXzLvPAw9e-uIVw6Te5aqIqElLd_6pumOQPR6vv5xI0FduGFl2p5VXgrQgx_w/s1600/DSC02607.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSRpaVO2NUWLpzUNlafXs-XyaU90wFWGxhU-GPk2_Ipkn0mT9nedROQ6Wk9eW0JBmVjckY48nO5zwCDaXzLvPAw9e-uIVw6Te5aqIqElLd_6pumOQPR6vv5xI0FduGFl2p5VXgrQgx_w/s400/DSC02607.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489133730153151250" border="0" /></a>Daddy got the idea...note: he forgot to bring a pair of sunglasses so I let him borrow mine. He's very secure in his manliness =) hee hee<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlgDULVR5Z3ooYkxLFTfisuFWAw3YcmXKjSddDe7ATKSQEzSklZEmJf2RJsyrJy3twJ4Yf2lTYhuTl12ucOtTfa6tOEzgbvM6svQeJ7wauO3PpJS35RemBVdLFru1Tkcxn6096D7paQ/s1600/DSC02586.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlgDULVR5Z3ooYkxLFTfisuFWAw3YcmXKjSddDe7ATKSQEzSklZEmJf2RJsyrJy3twJ4Yf2lTYhuTl12ucOtTfa6tOEzgbvM6svQeJ7wauO3PpJS35RemBVdLFru1Tkcxn6096D7paQ/s400/DSC02586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489128325840899890" border="0" /></a>Auntie Meghan had fun too! I had to remind her that it was Kai's pool and she needed to let HIM play in it ;) hee hee<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN0icjbV9ES-YEnTezplutgZzb_-Iva2KVYX95H4JoKMeVE_CpRUsv-yZBbWWK0gDzFfJaFa8kmDNMleLrfgIEdL3KY44iF6MvNxOWUwojN7oWBjhX7tc0Ojr0nVZ2eIttBX0deY2jA/s1600/DSC02614.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiN0icjbV9ES-YEnTezplutgZzb_-Iva2KVYX95H4JoKMeVE_CpRUsv-yZBbWWK0gDzFfJaFa8kmDNMleLrfgIEdL3KY44iF6MvNxOWUwojN7oWBjhX7tc0Ojr0nVZ2eIttBX0deY2jA/s400/DSC02614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489129388868160338" border="0" /></a>Of course, camping wouldn't be as much fun if you didn't have your cousins to play and get dirty with.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd3s_zVRFT64vofPc0AP24CJo5TKDQneBAhZyjGhLqvdUJX-yjrMtrYDIIy6Qp2D9MsNu5BbZQu44UJaKcKWJY5DMb1y2iRzllSgFhLZ4qwALroz0wNkZfUTJNeFtvpB5vaj_7ZxZQQ/s1600/DSC02612.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEd3s_zVRFT64vofPc0AP24CJo5TKDQneBAhZyjGhLqvdUJX-yjrMtrYDIIy6Qp2D9MsNu5BbZQu44UJaKcKWJY5DMb1y2iRzllSgFhLZ4qwALroz0wNkZfUTJNeFtvpB5vaj_7ZxZQQ/s400/DSC02612.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489129352819966258" border="0" /></a>Oh my!! Georgia LOVES her fruit leathers =D<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsYc5y_QBpk1UaG0eKBB8Tl2G9bxQskMVRgL3fBP7AY9kuSm8kCXTqk_CGZQlJczQ9gwmY9aTOXurwp5Kfl3X5KJEWRd3t_VwK6maPPY9DperdlXTFb0HtPe61ExpUA2T7SuT-YWfow/s1600/DSC02598.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWsYc5y_QBpk1UaG0eKBB8Tl2G9bxQskMVRgL3fBP7AY9kuSm8kCXTqk_CGZQlJczQ9gwmY9aTOXurwp5Kfl3X5KJEWRd3t_VwK6maPPY9DperdlXTFb0HtPe61ExpUA2T7SuT-YWfow/s400/DSC02598.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489129341581298066" border="0" /></a>Workin' the latest sand bucket fashion =)<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0AvtKExNu4UtqFW4w4fBvIVae_BRCFFUEN0fwbRr7kPKtpaZvHQ2fFTUugTWsjP6z-73HwBmPBMRvfBQqePkJ5ewG9DwHENbx6deYDKAoCAIHjcnW9t9zUtQnorKAZQUwv9TTk6-hg/s1600/DSC02622.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu0AvtKExNu4UtqFW4w4fBvIVae_BRCFFUEN0fwbRr7kPKtpaZvHQ2fFTUugTWsjP6z-73HwBmPBMRvfBQqePkJ5ewG9DwHENbx6deYDKAoCAIHjcnW9t9zUtQnorKAZQUwv9TTk6-hg/s400/DSC02622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489129376181041314" border="0" /></a>Givin' mommy a kiss! He's my sweet boy!<br /><br />All in all it was a great trip and wouldn't trade the memories for the world. Vacationing with small children, I've realized, IS alot of work but it's sooo worth it!!! Ryan and I really enjoyed ourselves and the time we got to spend together as a family before Adon arrives.<br /><br />I can't believe I only have 7 weeks left before Adon comes!! The month of July is going to FLY by as I just enrolled in a certification course to get my Apartment Managers Certificate. Ryan and I really want to pursue becoming apartment managers as a way to save money and be able to live in a bigger place. I'm also viewing it as a way that I can help serve my family financially and taking on this responsibility as a job that I can do from home and still be with my kids. <br /><br />Ryan's new job and position are going really well and by God's undeserved favor, he is really receiving a lot of favor from his employers and everyone has HIGH hopes and expectations for him in this company. It's exciting to see God answer our prayers through this job and I can't wait to see what will unfold =)<br /><br />My pregnancy is going well - no complications or ailments. Just the 3rd trimester trudge - no energy, restless legs at night and not being able to fall asleep as fast. Adon is an active little guy - more so than I remember Kai being in the womb - and keeps me up at night sometimes but, I'd rather have that than the opposite where I'm constantly counting movements and worried that he's not moving enough (which I did with Kai).<br /><br />There is always so much more that I could write about but, for your sake, I'll save it for the next post. You know, break it up a little ;)<br /><br />Love you and we hope you're having a WONDERFUL summer!<br /><br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-71114322635991139722010-06-15T19:44:00.001-07:002010-06-15T19:59:52.263-07:00.:Our First Beach Trip of the Summer:.<div style="text-align: center;">SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY HERE!!!...for us, anyway =) <br />Today, Kai and I got to enjoy the beautiful southern California weather at the beach with dear friends. I am so thankful to God for the friends he has given me and for placing us in such a beautiful place where we can enjoy His creation!<br /><br /><br />Here's a shot of the up and coming generation - look out!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujp69DeZreQZTf63stzh6sYBlYW0v13OR5UlE01U3e1dnFLlRtCrU4lL744OK4wGpuRoMvy_AwZZS1o5GL0OetL1ox9Xf9hsAsphRKdw7FyzdJyLsKE13MELpC9xOk7gWaLY8kSUMkA/s1600/DSC02569.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujp69DeZreQZTf63stzh6sYBlYW0v13OR5UlE01U3e1dnFLlRtCrU4lL744OK4wGpuRoMvy_AwZZS1o5GL0OetL1ox9Xf9hsAsphRKdw7FyzdJyLsKE13MELpC9xOk7gWaLY8kSUMkA/s400/DSC02569.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483197591129102002" border="0" /></a>....HERE COMES TROUBLE!!! (Kai's face says it all)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOsTGxE72ohUf3FnJcRYRRLFACh-5hYnE34MAo_W4y69J9j4fMSkMvR2ftonJlvHy7eul4Byo07S9iNy7Ouvt2wp3rD2GEtipn4eBJ1Vugt8Fc8n-IpVO_7eI18Zf5d5PCeATc2qx0g/s1600/DSC02570.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOsTGxE72ohUf3FnJcRYRRLFACh-5hYnE34MAo_W4y69J9j4fMSkMvR2ftonJlvHy7eul4Byo07S9iNy7Ouvt2wp3rD2GEtipn4eBJ1Vugt8Fc8n-IpVO_7eI18Zf5d5PCeATc2qx0g/s400/DSC02570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483197599837391554" border="0" /></a>...a shot of the camp. We were really excited about the success of bringing the kiddie pool - pathetic to bring a pool when you're at the BEACH - I know, but, it's a life saver when you have toddlers, let me tell ya!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOO6BtMMEE-4Q-5zUvgjglUSd_NK81qiPAqVzOxt-Gvwy1KW60EKdzirdzhVNZTRa8CAVDs8MxMOIwj4ZPJgsY8PTGiJY-p_x45ecnzUjjoBFO4AdY8ohJjTI1G_OJ6TOwHcGPy0eUA/s1600/DSC02571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuOO6BtMMEE-4Q-5zUvgjglUSd_NK81qiPAqVzOxt-Gvwy1KW60EKdzirdzhVNZTRa8CAVDs8MxMOIwj4ZPJgsY8PTGiJY-p_x45ecnzUjjoBFO4AdY8ohJjTI1G_OJ6TOwHcGPy0eUA/s400/DSC02571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483197610453203730" border="0" /></a>My dear sweet sis-n-law, Nicole and her littlest, Georgia (aka: Dadoo).<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQd8c7OScBAIXPPPEq7tZb7YxVOb3sSbe647GXqMR9zaVhkP1K9EhfrwjmwcfmgrMZlDh1bTF6ptk_Nq2LiR_ayzipZ9YlO0-asEHsqyL1I5dSGZ4iudiGfv_s4Fiw1SaKMamGCJhgQ/s1600/DSC02572.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQd8c7OScBAIXPPPEq7tZb7YxVOb3sSbe647GXqMR9zaVhkP1K9EhfrwjmwcfmgrMZlDh1bTF6ptk_Nq2LiR_ayzipZ9YlO0-asEHsqyL1I5dSGZ4iudiGfv_s4Fiw1SaKMamGCJhgQ/s400/DSC02572.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483197621280391794" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Kai's trying to convince his buddy to get dirty in the sand but, Ty was feeling like he needed "Mommy cuddle" time =) <br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NbDVC2HiV6P1xf-SRjqrLBxd4LrIJHogbG_lGEAKSOM2Ap-qHVLlqHvGEjXU0ML9fOgj_7lAS0mtoe4rrdUdNsq-fPhU3vE0-tNW0Lt_TkJjoxdEhwvJ5aiEtj73FeGeAmYxKBGcWg/s1600/DSC02574.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-NbDVC2HiV6P1xf-SRjqrLBxd4LrIJHogbG_lGEAKSOM2Ap-qHVLlqHvGEjXU0ML9fOgj_7lAS0mtoe4rrdUdNsq-fPhU3vE0-tNW0Lt_TkJjoxdEhwvJ5aiEtj73FeGeAmYxKBGcWg/s400/DSC02574.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483197629473158498" border="0" /></a>Thus concludes our first day at the beach and I am REALLY looking forward to the Baird Family Beach Camping trip that we're going on next week. It'll definitely be work and adventurous being almost 8 months pregnant and having an active toddler but it'll still be so much fun! Kai will be in hog heaven with being able to be outside 24/7 since we don't really have the ability to roam freely at our apartment. <br /><br />Will post more soon =) love you all!<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-59251930123725139502010-05-14T10:55:00.001-07:002010-05-14T11:14:10.228-07:00My Dream Stroller =)<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCQKnxM5zqMbCbgue6WdttmSimxWNdhIlOZWnoV1Jnlcyax1drQO1bmW-pUnHqiUDkNDWLEDR8DdaSR0ASOttM-R1-bNGOLI93IWHTM_GSpTxodshU6F1Ycg5MwtNnBCdzFKbC65bxA/s1600/Phil&TedsBlack.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 193px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCQKnxM5zqMbCbgue6WdttmSimxWNdhIlOZWnoV1Jnlcyax1drQO1bmW-pUnHqiUDkNDWLEDR8DdaSR0ASOttM-R1-bNGOLI93IWHTM_GSpTxodshU6F1Ycg5MwtNnBCdzFKbC65bxA/s400/Phil&TedsBlack.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471190583421375858" border="0" /></a><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28ajLxm6eHTXBAvMHlrqwwopI3e5kDWATusxuFvLfCB3p5t1yRVDeCzznWrN0ndQHa6IGsaWULBw2RdefWPs7w5h1dZZeSNeNGZo57h1UgTnvnciGqhuwyYNxG0RH97dTaaoeIvfyow/s1600/phil3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 297px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi28ajLxm6eHTXBAvMHlrqwwopI3e5kDWATusxuFvLfCB3p5t1yRVDeCzznWrN0ndQHa6IGsaWULBw2RdefWPs7w5h1dZZeSNeNGZo57h1UgTnvnciGqhuwyYNxG0RH97dTaaoeIvfyow/s400/phil3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471186099004859922" border="0" /></a><br />It's the Phil & Teds Sport with doubles kit - AND it's 3 STROLLERS in one!!! It's a jogging stroller, it's compact enough to take to stores or malls AND because you can convert it from a single stroller to a double, we don't have to worry about taking only one of the kids out in a massive double stroller. So it completely eliminates ANY need of having 3 separate strollers! Which for a family like us who will most likely be living in an apartment for the next 3-5 years, we need to save as much space as possible.<br /><br />After much researching and consideration, Ryan and I have come to the conclusion that we'd like to make this investment. I say "investment" because it's EXPENSIVE! A friend, however, bought one off of the website: PishPoshBaby.com and got it for a pretty good price. So, since this stroller is REALLY high quality, it should endure the next 3 kids or so and we won't have to make another stroller purchase again...At least, that's the idea ;)<br /><br />Any who, we're selling stuff that we no longer need and are saving up for this black beauty!<br />I don't normally post of about "stuff" but, I'm just totally sold and excited about the idea of owning one of these babies! I'm praying that God will provide and I have faith that He will =)<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-5658145328948053132010-04-29T15:29:00.001-07:002010-04-29T15:43:43.472-07:00.:Today's Pics:.<div style="text-align: center;">Here's some new shots from the day:<br /><br />Kai discovered a new talent and has been obsessively showing it off all day - shoving 2 "binkies" into his mouth at the same time. It was so hilarious that I had to take a pic with my phone and send it to my family =)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-y-spDe6eY5oKYRrB3sQlenXa3hr6T-T7_zPaes9QYsesm69IqBKx3VebE83dT_O-lIjveZFolSZGRo4kIoHDKmMVqbAQryU3DHRJUv9Crg-y6h44enracPvYD09LuUd1uwFE3pRqw/s1600/DSC02406.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-y-spDe6eY5oKYRrB3sQlenXa3hr6T-T7_zPaes9QYsesm69IqBKx3VebE83dT_O-lIjveZFolSZGRo4kIoHDKmMVqbAQryU3DHRJUv9Crg-y6h44enracPvYD09LuUd1uwFE3pRqw/s400/DSC02406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465690699728051186" border="0" /></a><br />We took a trip to the Dr's today because his left eye has been really red for the last 2 days and I was starting to wonder if it was Pink Eye. Thankfully, after a really cool test where they dropped yellow dye into his eye and then shone a black light on it, they discovered that he had severely scratched it. THANK YOU, GOD that it's not Pink Eye!!! (You can kind of see how red it is in this pic) So, we just got to give it time and put drops in it to prevent infection and to soothe it so that he stops rubbing at it and making it worse.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1GCXxsV0m050akeHh5Q_-CDk9ugOFJ_9vMucfMXmz588fYDff2XzqLCZOvbJ8LUdblMWCT0HIvIcwSE6Zk80fWEiK668bVSMKGnHKw_4csLxTS2u5ONRCmfM-zqGeZ9AcJzQL2-MzQ/s1600/DSC02424.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU1GCXxsV0m050akeHh5Q_-CDk9ugOFJ_9vMucfMXmz588fYDff2XzqLCZOvbJ8LUdblMWCT0HIvIcwSE6Zk80fWEiK668bVSMKGnHKw_4csLxTS2u5ONRCmfM-zqGeZ9AcJzQL2-MzQ/s400/DSC02424.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465690732202018050" border="0" /></a><br />My belly bump at 24 weeks. I feel like I'm bigger than I was with Kai.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkxlGCFIJOTL-iEpvX7Asoo5QnkHPfGSH6R0cSmgMHtWs0pQiDhm1x_IiZgg5sI_GEhReGc6GNl6th9mHqskM9R0DThcpc7NjVbf1mrv2bJy9P9SPAHQp30GTjs0Zg58yI9gaD4EURw/s1600/DSC02408.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEkxlGCFIJOTL-iEpvX7Asoo5QnkHPfGSH6R0cSmgMHtWs0pQiDhm1x_IiZgg5sI_GEhReGc6GNl6th9mHqskM9R0DThcpc7NjVbf1mrv2bJy9P9SPAHQp30GTjs0Zg58yI9gaD4EURw/s400/DSC02408.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465690710243231602" border="0" /></a><br />Kai being cute for the camera =)<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP36FLOwglllqoexPD5AkxhQniSO-iCpST9xlwU0aHMKIAgSDScwPHeopYU1RGcUreHeDnJQF9e7f6FRxG7Hj378UFyUwgVa27aCIKZR4AWO1i0phKxCF6DfM61UFrun2AEuxcqcDpQ/s1600/DSC02419.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP36FLOwglllqoexPD5AkxhQniSO-iCpST9xlwU0aHMKIAgSDScwPHeopYU1RGcUreHeDnJQF9e7f6FRxG7Hj378UFyUwgVa27aCIKZR4AWO1i0phKxCF6DfM61UFrun2AEuxcqcDpQ/s400/DSC02419.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465690723002373394" border="0" /></a><br />Life this week has been tough and is finally starting to get easier. Kai was pretty sick these last 2 days and with the eye thing plus no sleep - he and I were pretty unhappy campers. But, God was good and revealed a lot to me about my heart and where I've been finding my joy - in my circumstances! I need to constantly speak the truth to myself that Jesus has taken care of my GREATEST need by dying on the cross and through His resurrection from the grave. THAT'S where my joy needs to be - that I am saved!!! NOT in where I live or don't live, how my child is behaving, how ugly or pretty my possesions are or in maintaining a healthy weight. All those things are blessings from my Creator and are NOT to be worshiped but are to point me to the one who DOES deserve all my praise!<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-83200014252284559072010-04-22T19:20:00.000-07:002010-04-22T19:36:48.193-07:00Still Here...<div style="text-align: center;">I'm still here...<br /><br />With Ryan getting all 4 of his wisdom teeth pulled, starting his new position at work and our internet being down for about a week, I feel so out of touch with everyone and need to catch up.<br /><br />Yes, Ryan's still recovering from his surgery that he had last Friday. He's still in a lot of pain which is no wonder since they had to put in 4 stitches on each side of his cheeks on the bottom jaw on top of that, he has 4 gaping holes where his teeth used to be. Ryan has a pretty high pain tolerance and doesn't usually complain when he's not feeling well so the fact that a week later he's still really affected by the amount of pain he's in makes me wonder if somethings wrong. We have a follow-up appointment on Saturday so we'll find out if there's any infections brewing.<br /><br />On top of that, he started his new position in the Customer Service/Sales department at his job. PRAISE GOD!!!! We were really praying and asking God to provide a way for us to eventually move into a bigger apartment (we're in a 1 bedroom right now) and it's really cool to see Him provide =) His new boss has a lot of hope for him and everyone's really excited to see what he'll accomplish in the department. My hubby's ruling his dominion and playing to win! =D<br /><br />Kai is getting so big and is such a little man! He loves his Daddy and certainly takes a lot after him! He's weird, querky and spazy and super cute and makes my role as a Mom super easy (most of the time). We've been teaching him how to pray at dinner time and he thinks it's the best thing since sliced bread! All through out dinner he'll stop us, hold out his hands to us with a huge smile on his face and squeal for us to pray. That's my favorite thing right now =)<br /><br />I'm getting bigger as I come up to my 24th week (6th month) mark and Adon is kicking good and strong now. Everything is going great, my energy is back, morning sickness gone and I'm starting to make a routine of going on daily walks and eating well to keep my weight healthy this time. Housework is much more doable again and God's been giving me opportunities to serve others through out the week by watching their kids.<br /><br />Hopefully, I'll get some good pics of us soon and will post them. Don't hold your breath though, for one of me - I'm not exactly photogenic right now (or at least, not feeling it).<br /><br />love you all!<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-65228736283382063512010-03-22T19:42:00.001-07:002010-03-22T19:53:50.383-07:00.:Catchin' Up:.<div style="text-align: center;">Just realized that it's been a loooong time since I've put up some family pics. Here you go friends and family far away =)<br /><br />Kai and his best bud Ty at the park (our favorite place):<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk3jVd-iOcsTnUh6onCASiUZS-AHV5SkjTaN4AV6CohVuV3kSmqOA2aFIZHX4u1oIk-fVk1Go163urmS7WgSyWelfM3xTqZrzLjLTLOzT-h5WnPtX8Scglv1BdBBCzWOTAzcFnMkd0Q/s1600-h/DSC02212.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGk3jVd-iOcsTnUh6onCASiUZS-AHV5SkjTaN4AV6CohVuV3kSmqOA2aFIZHX4u1oIk-fVk1Go163urmS7WgSyWelfM3xTqZrzLjLTLOzT-h5WnPtX8Scglv1BdBBCzWOTAzcFnMkd0Q/s400/DSC02212.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654907893796562" border="0" /></a></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D6Xq2SQtVEbP249xYf7zwhlxg8tC7PGFVfDDs5qfsBy_L26ESghJ1deDvmvj9mr5bCNXA2vw-OUJYUKg0HydIpaC8yl66k6InAJtIzmWJddVMkImO7Dvp1xtSDZdmArFDDC5YWw0FA/s1600-h/DSC02218.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7D6Xq2SQtVEbP249xYf7zwhlxg8tC7PGFVfDDs5qfsBy_L26ESghJ1deDvmvj9mr5bCNXA2vw-OUJYUKg0HydIpaC8yl66k6InAJtIzmWJddVMkImO7Dvp1xtSDZdmArFDDC5YWw0FA/s400/DSC02218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654928120768274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkxRh9lE3knfle6Dyif0s0yAKCzuwIR1HqiYvg5lTR5IEzZDHPBjS4HEoqtufSWWUyuxnitah_iYLss8cojOpjiGiQOofCGdWSYqf3OMpNX6O4PgY41umtu7LfgHCb60dN6TmVKuM7w/s1600-h/DSC02225.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbkxRh9lE3knfle6Dyif0s0yAKCzuwIR1HqiYvg5lTR5IEzZDHPBjS4HEoqtufSWWUyuxnitah_iYLss8cojOpjiGiQOofCGdWSYqf3OMpNX6O4PgY41umtu7LfgHCb60dN6TmVKuM7w/s400/DSC02225.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654931391005266" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Us at the Rose Parade (ya, it's been a while):<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO15UDKWzFizqgYpek4KSI6V6Tgy4XKXEdt4yjdVcI049SDHh-_lrGlRctBNxR43kjqGzHLyx6Dc_YR9N1F6RZlhsSDG69BcIltKwkI7cOsxsQgVKfIUv4-oDB8nGojf2_jnLPqdsjYg/s1600-h/DSC02267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO15UDKWzFizqgYpek4KSI6V6Tgy4XKXEdt4yjdVcI049SDHh-_lrGlRctBNxR43kjqGzHLyx6Dc_YR9N1F6RZlhsSDG69BcIltKwkI7cOsxsQgVKfIUv4-oDB8nGojf2_jnLPqdsjYg/s400/DSC02267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654956337918882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth3GrDv9WZlFtursTA5VrvoPmqynz92Aqp1fGjrT0ZUiYyUW2rAoQ32zju-H9uK3yt_L-XLqlQxoOlya9GBtuDwE6Gt-eFSNMJtrWiLf0KjX6y7p3ZVKjB_WqDK0jNKiIKOe9zMYItQ/s1600-h/DSC02263.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgth3GrDv9WZlFtursTA5VrvoPmqynz92Aqp1fGjrT0ZUiYyUW2rAoQ32zju-H9uK3yt_L-XLqlQxoOlya9GBtuDwE6Gt-eFSNMJtrWiLf0KjX6y7p3ZVKjB_WqDK0jNKiIKOe9zMYItQ/s400/DSC02263.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451654941584691234" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Kai's favorite new past time is building forts out of our couch pillows - these were just taken tonight =)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7nBwHoL1e4U38oS-fbtIiRjmk6XHoVBHj9QK6WO3gOn9KW3IK-8xPL3pdqobpFf9BsxLgNnJIwVNn7r5TlQqLQ4YfemKh2pmrThOev2vj_oQoJyezK1uXFDRgJXjQqVSmJjj0TShqQ/s1600-h/DSC02332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb7nBwHoL1e4U38oS-fbtIiRjmk6XHoVBHj9QK6WO3gOn9KW3IK-8xPL3pdqobpFf9BsxLgNnJIwVNn7r5TlQqLQ4YfemKh2pmrThOev2vj_oQoJyezK1uXFDRgJXjQqVSmJjj0TShqQ/s400/DSC02332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451656388032134898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxVwrwS37vg207Fuj5Xotq36SRSxR-I2VTf_RbMBEqPCOMsrXgmPPZfVt7vCCSLAnry6Pgzj0JDjrQGrsVty_a2Vpvw7s9MVRZpPspmNxCTXSnpPIX9O8JaL3rokV7bzxX-g0iLsi8A/s1600-h/DSC02331.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxVwrwS37vg207Fuj5Xotq36SRSxR-I2VTf_RbMBEqPCOMsrXgmPPZfVt7vCCSLAnry6Pgzj0JDjrQGrsVty_a2Vpvw7s9MVRZpPspmNxCTXSnpPIX9O8JaL3rokV7bzxX-g0iLsi8A/s400/DSC02331.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451656373786593378" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Now that my camera is finally unloaded, I'll be taking more and posting more =)<br /><br />Love you all!<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-12219491694383817692010-02-28T14:09:00.000-08:002010-02-28T15:13:23.636-08:00Proverbs 31 Woman Challenge!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI4DsbI3AQrieuf3663zcmvBpNCYmKphojZL-NLlPhrbil2kySvqg8Jb2kIomACYmZUwpODylLM0QOpvBXFRIrVrf4ma0mIkivjXmTU3zZe2xeltTROjTYGuhtdmD9EPDeW0fe4GScg/s1600-h/bible.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjI4DsbI3AQrieuf3663zcmvBpNCYmKphojZL-NLlPhrbil2kySvqg8Jb2kIomACYmZUwpODylLM0QOpvBXFRIrVrf4ma0mIkivjXmTU3zZe2xeltTROjTYGuhtdmD9EPDeW0fe4GScg/s400/bible.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443420142529049714" border="0" /></a><br />For the past month or so, an idea has been brewing on my heart and mind. An idea that I hope will help grow me in my role as a woman, wife and mother and further the gospel in my home and community.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP79ZN77obdQfj-o-8lFFRvEcvGQN_qRGWV43p0IZm5SucE2KgWdcmuL2GSbFqzJGLMa3-Ni-l80KgGvORYHz1uEJY0jmF3CtNhBmX2Nwe7mkMgkHx9I6zsyXfTpY_B7lTOR6ywAF2g/s1600-h/51tggTWKCjL._SL500_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKP79ZN77obdQfj-o-8lFFRvEcvGQN_qRGWV43p0IZm5SucE2KgWdcmuL2GSbFqzJGLMa3-Ni-l80KgGvORYHz1uEJY0jmF3CtNhBmX2Nwe7mkMgkHx9I6zsyXfTpY_B7lTOR6ywAF2g/s400/51tggTWKCjL._SL500_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443424793695107442" border="0" /></a><br />This idea first showed it's beautiful face when I started reading through Mark Chanski's book, "Womanly Dominion - More Than A Gentle & Quiet Spirit". (I HIGHLY recommend reading this book by the way - no matter what season of life you're in) What has really stuck out to me so far in my reading of this book is that we as women are to cultivate a spirit of ruling the dominion God has assigned to us. Being a godly woman is more than just having a "gentle and quiet spirit" that trusts in the Lord and does not worry about tomorrow. We are to do something about the "today"! Where God has placed us TODAY, whether it be in a season of singleness and going to school, newly married or raising a family of 7 and preparing for "empty nesting", God has called us to be hard workers. We are to rule and manage what He has lovingly assigned to us in our God-given roles as men and women.<br />In light of this revelation, the Proverbs 31 Woman came to mind since this passage beautifully portrays a woman who faithfully helps and serves her husband and children through her words of encouragement and her determination to manage & keep the home - but above all, she is praised for how she is a woman who fears the Lord.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ktn5ZajI3IXPymHL4KJxoC-k9xg-oGsw-2_KJI2d66EUSyTx1okfeRfhOvda651_X-Dyk8mFSMFhy_pH5pOm15MRD-4Tk6GkqvhjrqrAJORW6SWV57KdJvGD7E2PSAKdXE6DUNHplA/s1600-h/calendar.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ktn5ZajI3IXPymHL4KJxoC-k9xg-oGsw-2_KJI2d66EUSyTx1okfeRfhOvda651_X-Dyk8mFSMFhy_pH5pOm15MRD-4Tk6GkqvhjrqrAJORW6SWV57KdJvGD7E2PSAKdXE6DUNHplA/s400/calendar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443425510085541714" border="0" /></a>So! Here's the challenge! Starting March 1st, I will be taking the Proverbs 31 Woman passage and meditating on it one verse at a time each month and seek out ways to applicably & creatively do the things mentioned in that verse. (If you like this idea, feel free to go on this journey with me and I would LOVE to hear the creative ways you put each verse into application and what God showed you through out the month).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">My first verse is Proverbs 31: 10: "An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels." </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"WHAT</span> do I do with THIS one?", I asked myself. So I did a little research and found a gal who took on the same challenge and focused on 2 areas in her life that could use a little more "excellence".<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">CHALLENGE:<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">The 2 areas that I will be focusing on this month will be:</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span><ol><li> <span style="font-weight: bold;">My Husband: </span>My #1 priority is to be an encourager and helpmeet to Ryan as well as seek to minister to him and be ministered by him before anyone else. I also really want to grow in seeking to look good for him, no matter what my day was like. Who wants to come home to a grumpy, tired sasquatch?<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Home:</span> Being on top of my daily chores so that Ryan has a peaceful and clean home to come home to as well as managing my time so that I can prepare and have a delicious meal on the table by the time my family is hungry. (Ryan and I joined the Abundant Harvest Organics and are also going vegetarian for the month of March as a body cleanse - can you believe this was RYAN's idea?! I can't wait to try out the new veggies and grow in meal planning)</li></ol>There are SOOO many other things I could work on too but, I will just get overwhelmed and discouraged by the long "to do" list so, I will keep it simple. <br /><br />I will keep you posted on what happens =) <br /><br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-76331924289069926512010-02-11T14:55:00.001-08:002010-02-11T15:03:11.920-08:00Any Advice?<div style="text-align: center;">I need help!!!<br /><br />So, how do you do it? How did YOU do it? <br />That is, getting everything done like: keeping the kitchen clean (& that's just the dishes, not to mention sweeping and moping), making it so that your living room doesn't look like a bomb of toys and clothes and diapers went off - and that's 10 minutes after you JUST cleaned it!!! Making sure your kid is fed even when the things you give to him make you want to puke, and then there's making dinner???<br /><br />I've been really struggling lately with where to draw the line between needing rest through out the day and being lazy. I've been talking to Ryan about it and he gave me some great advice about just doing it! Get up and do the things you have to do and if you find that you are exhausted - don't beat yourself up - just rest. So, that's what I've been trying to do lately. Just do it!! ....and then go sit on the couch until the next wave of energy hits me....sometimes, I feel like it checks out for the day by 2pm.<br /><br />I need your advice, mothers =) Can you share with me what your mentality was for keeping up with your God-given call as a wife and mother during the first trimester of pregnancy or even through out the whole pregnancy?<br /><br />Oh ya, and can I start to drink coffee now that I've gone 3 months with out it?<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-8158195487960301972010-01-28T19:02:00.000-08:002010-01-28T20:13:11.257-08:00Change...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC9mJGeiSmxhDaAnA0IJrW4mlmi695uJN-agX2l-1jJxu1At8MFVchqRHeKbFRWCQtQn3uLePsEzIdg_TnULTiyNz-ywXCJKh2faJZBBLoC0hDu9HwSXsAh0fTSn3xuP-qGoPeaZL3A/s1600-h/change-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 359px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAC9mJGeiSmxhDaAnA0IJrW4mlmi695uJN-agX2l-1jJxu1At8MFVchqRHeKbFRWCQtQn3uLePsEzIdg_TnULTiyNz-ywXCJKh2faJZBBLoC0hDu9HwSXsAh0fTSn3xuP-qGoPeaZL3A/s400/change-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432004306520305346" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Life is full of constant seasons of change. In fact, that's what we're called by our glorious Creator to do - change. Change by "putting off the old self" and putting on the new self, "created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness". (Galations 4:23-24)<br /><br />For me personally, the conviction of a need to change in a certain area has been growing on my heart and mind over the past few months. And that conviction is this: the need to change the way I blog (and even facebook for that matter).<br /><br />I couldn't ever quite put my finger on what was bugging me each time I went to write a post. Something kept nagging me in the back of my mind and I finally felt like maybe I just needed to ask myself a few questions: Why do I blog? Who am I seeking to honor and bring praise to? Is it to my wonderful Savior? Or to my self? Am I seeking to encourage and build up the faith in my blogging friends? Or am I selfishly trying to gain the approval and envy of those that I envy?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdCmMXy2M16VDLm9lBKBf0XF_8Xfj90GD4Q-f-8xSgh-RewcqwO_V4Q6Ljz6N2OMV8ewW2aIL_cQRAlOW9xcrciRbC1cciLtEm79RzH5fcNA-fzAWMXHlsr4a_xxLitLHzyCSWA6KEg/s1600-h/its-all-about-me.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBdCmMXy2M16VDLm9lBKBf0XF_8Xfj90GD4Q-f-8xSgh-RewcqwO_V4Q6Ljz6N2OMV8ewW2aIL_cQRAlOW9xcrciRbC1cciLtEm79RzH5fcNA-fzAWMXHlsr4a_xxLitLHzyCSWA6KEg/s400/its-all-about-me.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432004940456206210" border="0" /></a><br />Well, I can tell ya that after asking myself these questions I felt very convicted that I could better use my blog to serve others and glorify God.<br />"But, the WHOLE point of a blog is to write about yourself" I would argue to myself. Truueee....however, I think that there's a way that I can share the blessings and the stories that God brings into my life in a way that directs the focus back to Him. I need to confess that the majority of my posts have been to boast about my home, possessions, children and my husband (although, I love to praise him so I don't think that that will change ;) or to complain about the current state of my home and the amount of work that I have to do (something which also needs change). Instead of these, my desire should be to share with you the things that God is teaching me through daily life and the ways that He shows His love for me through the blessings of family and friends.<br /><br />I write this because I know that the temptations I am experiencing (even in the blogging/myspace/facebook/twitter world) are not unique to me but they are common to man. We should all be challenging and evaluating our hearts and motives in every area of life, but especially in the web world. That's where we speak the loudest and the boldest and that's where we can either be a good representative of Christ or a poor one.<br /><br />So, as it should be in all areas of my life but more specifically as it relates to my web world, from here on out, I am going to make it my aim <span style="font-style: italic;">to glorify the Savior, encourage and build up!</span><br /><br />And if you happen to come across a "me" monster of a post in the future written by yours truly, please slap me in the back of the head with THIS post and let me know =)<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-41865363045361971062010-01-14T14:44:00.000-08:002010-01-14T14:45:42.721-08:00On Vacation...<div style="text-align: center;"><br />I'm sorry for being so absent lately. The holidays + morning sickness + visiting family far away has kept me away from the computer. <br /><br />I have lots of pics to post and will post when I get home =)<br /><br />Love you all!<br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-51008017359494144042009-12-15T19:22:00.000-08:002009-12-15T19:29:08.380-08:00.:Turn Your Partner Round-n-Round:.<div style="text-align: center;"><br />Here's a funny clip of Kai rockin' out to his barnyard music - hee hee....<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxdY8-UmTOQ4HLS8JmpRCQQDSEIHoD0iy23MwaH6nEhWTQfsAuqv2mNyh0ySilQfNi6bWlyHI700v_sCad9nQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1063803213827422872.post-72680720881350080692009-12-08T14:29:00.000-08:002009-12-09T11:33:57.460-08:00.:An Early Christmas Present:.<div style="text-align: center;"><br />SURPRISE!!!<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUzbMtvXci54uzWCR6kTLfAsP6mXcuh2iI-HfxNBmEm26k7gs8-seDEkxV91Sbue5rSn3Ikn3f7SOljIVTGWbtlknQT3Eg3n4gN7fNBWiqzXpjwW2HwGSWMAntr6Jiwkpx96oFl1LXg/s1600-h/DSC02207.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUzbMtvXci54uzWCR6kTLfAsP6mXcuh2iI-HfxNBmEm26k7gs8-seDEkxV91Sbue5rSn3Ikn3f7SOljIVTGWbtlknQT3Eg3n4gN7fNBWiqzXpjwW2HwGSWMAntr6Jiwkpx96oFl1LXg/s400/DSC02207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412996509258647106" border="0" /></a><br />Soooo..... ya, we're pregnant =D (beeeaming)<br /><br />Baby # 2 has been discovered and I am so excited I can't hold it in.<br />My plan was to wait and tell Ryan and his family on Christmas morning but again, I just couldn't wait.<br />Plus, I need your prayers now - please pray that I have a good and healthy pregnancy and that nothing goes wrong.<br />Please pray for God's provision of energy and joy as I enter into this new season of motherhood and needing to care for my toddler. Please pray that God will continue to provide for our family financially and that His will be done as far as where we live.<br /><br />YAYYYY!!!! PRAISE GOD!!!! AAAAHHHHH!!!!<br /><br /></div>Chalene Bairdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06995637240281114342noreply@blogger.com1