tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6441809193869939312024-02-19T06:35:43.426-06:00The WhitescarversYTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-35229810644450550162013-10-17T22:40:00.002-05:002013-10-17T22:40:18.521-05:00UpdateWell, we were hoping that by the next time we posted that we would have some good news to share. Unfortunately, that is not the case.<div>
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I have honestly been putting off updating the blog simply because I had no idea what to share with everyone. Several weeks ago in one of our Monday updates we were informed that we are not to be sharing our weekly update information on any public forum, "private" blogs included. : ( </div>
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We were fully expecting to have received EP (emigration permit) approval and a court date by now, but due to reasons I am no longer able to talk about here (feel free to ask us about it in person, though) it is taking longer than originally expected. </div>
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So, our answer to the question (when are we going to be traveling to Korea) on everyone's mind: we have no idea. All I can say is, "We'll keep you posted." ;)</div>
YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-72608023660923934582013-09-04T22:59:00.000-05:002013-09-04T22:59:35.522-05:00KOREA ShirtSchool is now back in full swing, and after a very tiring first two weeks, I think we are finally getting back into our normal school routine. Well, at least I am...Mike has been working crazy overtime as Valley is in the process of going wireless.<br />
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While we're on the subject of school, one of my dear teacher friends (love ya, Sandra Trammell!) is spearheading an adoption t-shirt fundraiser for us at school. This summer Amber and I designed the shirt (see below) and a local printing company (a BIG thank you to Ginny and the crew at T-shirt Techniques!) is printing them for us. <br />
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We are super excited about this shirt--it's a light-weight, supersoft, tailored cotton blend shirt in dark heather gray, and we love, Love, LOVE the design. I don't know if you can see it or not in the picture below, but inside the outline of Korea, around the spot where Seoul is located and where our little guy currently is, the word "love" is written in red in Korean. Then, on the back of the shirt, there is a tiny heart inside the outline of Arkansas, around the spot where Valley Springs is located. <br />
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If you would like one, contact me, Mike, or my sister Amber via email or facebook. Shirts are $20. <br />
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Email: Aimee--aimeewhitescarver@hotmail.com<br />
Mike--m.whitescarver@hotmail.com<br />
Amber--amberwhittaker918@hotmail.com<br />
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FRONT:<br />
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BACK:<br />
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<br />YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-16873026670613639352013-08-06T08:57:00.003-05:002013-08-27T21:19:54.615-05:00As Promised . . . <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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. . . here's the latest picture that we received of Briton. (This post has been modified and the picture removed.)<br />
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Isn't he just the cutest little guy? Well, he's not exactly little anymore--he weighs 27 lbs. and is 34 inches tall--but he is adorable!<br />
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Yes, that is a picture of us in the picture. Those are the items from the latest care package that we sent over: a picture of us, a book from cousin Zoey, clothes from us and Granny and Granddad, and a football from Aunt Michelle. We are hoping that this will be the last care package we send because hopefully before too long we will be going to pick him up!<br />
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<br />YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-67099662425525456052013-07-30T20:32:00.002-05:002013-08-27T21:07:27.417-05:00And...It's Off!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sending off our 2nd Acceptance paperwork!</td></tr>
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About two weeks ago, we were requested to send in the paperwork for the 2nd Acceptance Packet!! <br />
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This is the paperwork that we have been waiting on for months, and it means we are getting much closer to bringing our precious little guy home. <br />
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There were a LOT of documents that had to be completed, notarized, and sent off. Some of them we were expecting and already had prepared, but others were unexpected and took a little time to get all the information. But by late last week, we were finally able to get it finalized; double, triple, & quadruple checked; and sent off. We got an email from the Holt offices in Oregon today, letting us know that everything looks good and they'll be sending it on to Korea soon. Yay!<br />
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So what does all this mean? Well, this is the paperwork needed to get Brtion's EP (emigration permit) approval, which is the key to bringing him home. Once the EP has been issued (this will probably take several weeks after the paperwork arrives in Korea), we will receive travel plans for our first trip. The time frame between our first trip for court and our second trip to bring Briton home is still uncertain. But we'll let you know when the time comes.<br />
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It's been a busy two weeks in the Whitescarver household, but we are very excited to report things are moving along<span style="color: #e06666;">! </span><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><br /></span>YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-90687479194236248692013-07-08T15:45:00.000-05:002013-07-08T15:45:00.714-05:00Summer's Slipping AwayI don't understand it, but it happens every year--I think when school is out we'll have so much more time on our hands, but ultimately we have less "free time" than during the school year. Granted, we are not grading essays (thank goodness!) or working overtime getting rid of a school-wide computer virus (double thank goodness!) or heading up the prom planning committee (triple thank goodness!), but we are working on the house (a 107-year-old farmhouse is a never-ending project), working in the garden (which I have <i>got</i> to downsize....but probably never will), helping out with church activities, getting Briton's room ready, canning or freezing all the veggies from the garden, and the list goes on and on. Now, that doesn't mean we don't find time for the things we enjoy--going to the river, Mike playing a round of golf, or Aimee reading a good book, but between it all we stay <i>busy</i>. All that to say that I am appalled at how infrequently we have been posting on the blog this summer.<br />
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In our defense (we tend toward leniency...at least where ourselves are concerned ;) we really have learned nothing new concerning the adoption since May, which makes it a little difficult because we feel like we are posting the same information each week. This isn't to say that the process isn't moving along, because we know that it is; we just aren't privy to all the specifics. Also, some of the information that we receive in our weekly emails we are not allowed to share via a public forum. However, we do expect to receive an updated well baby check (hopefully with new pictures) later this month. So, come back and visit the blog every now and then because one of these days we'll have some really good news to report!YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-86148705155906126142013-06-19T17:06:00.005-05:002013-06-19T17:06:55.364-05:00Fundraising Fun<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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With school out and a little more time on our hands, we are putting more focus on our fundraising efforts. We actually have several different projects in the works right now, which are keeping us hopping.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Table Wes made for Sat.'s auction</span></em></td></tr>
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To kick off our summer fundraising fun, Mike and I are having a yard sale this Friday and Saturday. Also on Saturday, our church is having a benefit auction for us with all the proceeds going to our Bringing Home Briton adoption fund. Local craftsmen are making and donating items, such as porch swings, cedar chests, end tables, decorative wreaths, decorative windows, and much more to be auctioned off. Then, Amber and our friend Sandra Trammell are helping us organize a t-shirt fundraiser a little later in the summer. We are pretty excited about the t-shirt design and can't wait to share it with ya'll when it's all finalized, so stay tuned :) </div>
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<u>Adoption Update</u>:</div>
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We have not heard anything new specific to our case, but we did find out this week that the very first adoptions under the new law will be finalized (meaning bringing the children home) at the end of this month. We are still waiting to be requested the second round of paperwork, but it seems that after this second round of paperwork goes through things seem to move fairly quickly.</div>
YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-82414752844955768712013-06-03T22:52:00.000-05:002013-08-27T21:04:48.674-05:00Monday Anticipation<div>
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Mike and I were laughing tonight at how in the midst of everything else going on in our lives, no matter how busy we are, no matter how much a stack of essays needs to be graded or a lab of computers needs to be fixed, no matter how many weeds have suddenly sprouted up in the garden or how quickly the grass is growing, no matter how well the Cardinals are playing or which pitcher is on the DL this week--each Monday our day is controlled by the anticipation of a single email. All day we eagerly await our Monday message, hoping, wondering if this will be the day we will be requested our Second Acceptance Packet, bringing us one step closer to us being able to get Briton. Well, today wasn't that day, but one day soon....</div>
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We have learned some new information since our last post. The most significant thing is that families will now be required to appear in Korean court, which means we will be having to make two trips to Korea. There are some definite pros and cons to this extra trip: biggest pro--we will get to meet Briton before bringing him home; biggest con--cost of an extra trip to Korea.<br />
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Please continue to keep us, Briton, and the adoption process in your prayers.</div>
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YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-18087198702986616452013-05-21T10:34:00.000-05:002013-08-27T20:51:25.188-05:00We're Back!Well, after a couple of cRazY weeks we're back! The end of the school year is always a busy and tumultuous time for us, and even though we still have a week left, things have slowed down considerably (at least for Aimee) with seniors gone and graduation over. <br />
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Even though it's been a few weeks since we've posted, we unfortunately haven't heard anything new concerning the adoption process. We do, however, know that things are starting to move on the South Korean end, but we do not know specifics. We are supposed to find more information this week from Holt, so maybe next week we'll have more specifics to pass along.<br />
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We did receive Briton's well baby check for May at the end of last week, and he is now 33.5 inches and weighs 25.4 pounds. Mike put this picture together to show how Briton has grown over the last 14 months. Isn't he a cutie? :)<br />
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(This post has been modified and the picture removed.)YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-30475862007830905522013-04-29T23:28:00.002-05:002013-08-27T21:48:30.600-05:00Another Week, Another BlessingIt's seniors' last full week at VSHS (oh, btw--we were named 6th best high school in Arkansas by U.S. News & World Report 2013!...just had to get that in there :). And since I mainly teach seniors, it's one of my busiest weeks of the year. Actually, right now I should be grading poetry notebooks instead of blogging. <br />
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Speaking of school, last week our co-workers surprised us with a shower. Since we still do not know when we are going to be able to go get Briton, we were definitely not expecting it, and they did an excellent job of keeping it a secret. It was such a pleasant surprise. We are so blessed to work with such supportive people! Valley Springs, we thank you!<br />
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As far as the adoption process goes, we found out a myriad of information today-some encouraging, some discouraging. But until we know more for certain, we are reluctant to share specifics just because there have been a few details concerning the new laws that have already changed multiple times, and we do not want to share false information.<br />
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It's easy to get frustrated--for us and for concerned family and friends--with this process. However, the thing we have to understand is that for Holt (our adoption agency), even though they have been handling adoptions out of South Korea for over 50 years, the rules have changed due to Korea's new adoption laws, and now they do not even know what to expect. Therefore, Holt has a hard time giving their families information, when they do not even know the answers themselves. One thing we do know is that Holt is actively advocating for adoptive families during this tumultuous time, and we appreciate all they do!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Please be in prayer with us this week concerning some key decisions that the Korean courts/judges will be making in the coming weeks. </span></strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Well, poetry notebooks await. Until next week . . .</span>YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-54599505014613179692013-04-22T22:29:00.000-05:002013-08-27T20:52:17.330-05:00New Briton PicsWe were very excited to receive 3 new pictures of Briton this past Monday. It's very exciting to see him growing...and of course he is as cute as ever. At 1 year old, he weighs in at <b>25 lbs</b> and is <b>33 inches</b> tall. <br />
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While the wait gets longer and longer, we realize that we aren't the only case waiting on a child. Please be in prayer with us that more international cases will be approved in the courts soon and that our case will move when that happens.</div>
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(This post has been modified and the pictures removed.)YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-47668879537988166662013-04-15T19:34:00.004-05:002013-04-15T19:34:57.199-05:00Tune in Next Week . . . . . . for new pictures of Briton!<br />
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We received a new well-baby check (with pictures!) today, but we aren't quite ready to share them, so be sure and check back next week for those. I will say that he is as handsome as ever, but he is growing so fast that Mike and I did not even recognize him.<br />
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Briton's blanket made by his GeeGee (Great-Grandma Devore) </div>
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As we wait we for Briton to come home, we continue life as normal...well, semi-normal. I am planting my summer vegetable garden and trying my hand at fruit trees; baseball season just opened, so Mike is consumed with Cardinals baseball (he's actually watching them as I type; go Cards!); and the school-year is winding down, so we are both busy with work. However, in the midst of all this normalcy, we receive daily reminders that soon our lives will be changing drastically. One such reminder came in the mail last Friday in the form of an intricately hand-crafted blanket by Grandma DeVore (isn't it just adorable!?!). It was a very pleasant surprise, and just another reminder of how blessed we are to have such supportive family and friends. We can't wait for Briton to get here to use it! </div>
YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-82465229039130941542013-04-08T23:24:00.002-05:002013-04-08T23:27:21.197-05:00Bringing Home Briton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night at church we received some much-needed encouragement.<br />
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Over the past several weeks, without having heard any news specific to our case in months and with Kim Jung Un threatening the peace on the Korean peninsula, I progressively became more and more discouraged, almost despondent concerning our adoption process. It became increasingly more difficult to make it through each day, being asked the same questions by concerned friends and family and only able to give the same uninformative, unsatisfactory answers. <br />
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However, last night during a particularly powerful service I was reminded of God's goodness. As Mike and I went up to pray for Briton, the adoption, and the political situation in Korea, the presence of God was so strong, and the doubt, worry, and discouragement began to fade away. Pastor Mike then had the entire congregation gather around us to lift us up in prayer; it was such a powerful time of prayer, and a peace that passes all understanding settled over us. God reminded us that He is in control, and He is working in our situation. We can't wait to see what God is going to do in the coming days...so stay tuned in! :)<br />
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<br />YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-40075364460710853772013-04-01T22:03:00.000-05:002013-04-01T22:03:55.077-05:00So there's no new story to report on the adoption front this week.<br />
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The week was eventful though, from an extended Spring Break due to a water pipe bursting, a rain filled Easter at the park on Saturday, then the real deal on Sunday. Easter day started off with a wonderful church service at River of Life, then we went to my mom's to celebrate with family. Of course, while there, Uncle Mike had to hide eggs for the nieces, Trinity, Alyssa, and Zoey to hunt. (love me some nieces)<br />
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Michelle also had this fun idea that we do an egg-drop on Easter. So we brought a gallon filled zip-lock baggie with a raw egg and whatever else we could come up with to prevent the egg from cracking after dropping it from the roof of the house. If you know the Whitescarver family, you know that a game isn't a game without some sort of competitive incentive. So as everyone brought their own collection of stuff in a baggie, it was decided that if your egg didn't survive the drop, you got a whip-cream pie in the face. <br />
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We had quite the assortment of ideas to pad the egg in the baggie:<br />
<i>egg wrapped in bubble wrap</i><br />
<i>egg stashed in packing peanuts</i><br />
<i>egg in a jar of peanut butter</i><br />
<i>egg covered by soft rags</i><br />
<i>egg padded by toilet paper</i><br />
<i>egg in potato chips</i><br />
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Of those that participated, Jamie and Aimee had the only eggs that didn't crack.<br />
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Everyone else...well, you get the picture.<br />
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<br />YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-83592595299849523332013-03-25T17:28:00.000-05:002013-08-27T20:54:15.316-05:00This and That<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
We were on spring break last week and took a break from blogging as well, but now we are back to school for the last two months of the school year and back to blogging our adoption journey. </div>
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Even though we don't have any new developments to report, that doesn't mean there's not a lot happening. It is our understanding that South Korea will be processing their first international adoption cases under the new laws next month, and we are hoping that things will begin to pick up after these first few cases have gone through. <br />
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Over the break we had a belated 1st birthday celebration for Briton with the grandparents. </div>
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A co-worker of Amber's made and donated the cake. Thank you, Tammy Griggs! It looked and tasted wonderful!! We were very blessed by your generosity...and your baking skills :)</div>
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YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-46635213176077785672013-03-11T21:49:00.000-05:002013-03-11T21:52:13.977-05:00Praying for the Koreas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ever since we went to South Korea in 2009 and our brother-in-law Jamie introduced us to the documentary "The Vice Guide to North Korea," I have been intrigued by all things South and North Korea. <br />
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However, other than knowing that North Korea was a dictatorship and South Korea was home to a large U.S. military base where my cousin was once stationed, my knowledge of the Koreas was embarrassingly limited.<br />
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But after that 2009 trip, I was hooked--everytime I would see a news article concerning either of the Koreas I stopped and read it; when I heard either mentioned on the news (which was fairly frequently with all the antics of the North), I perked up and listened; I even managed to incorporate the Vice Guide documentary on North Korea into my AP English Literature classroom (just think George Orwell's <u>1984</u>).<br />
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If you have been keeping up with the news the last couple of weeks, you have probably heard quite a bit about North Korea: first, with their nuclear testing violations; then, with Dennis Rodman's much-publicized visit to North Korea where he met dictator Kim Jung Un; and today, with the North's declaration to end to the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War and a 60 year truce between the North and South.<br />
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Granted, North Korea always seems to be threatening something where the United States and South Korea are concerned; however, there is clearly more tension than usual on the Korean peninsula right now, and both countries need to be lifted up in prayer.<br />
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So, we ask that as you go about your week, you will keep this situation between South and North Korea in your prayers, along with Briton, of course :).<br />
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If you were like me and your knowledge of North and South Korea is limited, I would highly recommend watching the Vice Guide to North Korea videos (<a href="http://www.vice.com/the-vice-guide-to-travel/vice-guide-to-north-korea-1-of-3">http://www.vice.com/the-vice-guide-to-travel/vice-guide-to-north-korea-1-of-3</a>). They are truly eye-opening.<br />
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<strong>'Pyongyang Scraps Armistice Amid Heightened Saber Rattling'</strong><br />
<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/11/world/asia/south-korea-military-exercises/index.html">http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/11/world/asia/south-korea-military-exercises/index.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-north-korea-armistice-20130312,0,7083664.story">http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-north-korea-armistice-20130312,0,7083664.story</a>YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-65178851661823651582013-03-04T21:10:00.000-06:002013-03-07T17:06:26.370-06:00Briton's Wishing Sky Lantern<span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition to celebrating Briton's birthday, Michelle (Mike's sister) got us a Wishing Sky Lantern to light and send off. We decided to write a few messages/wishes on the lantern before sending it on it's way.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDPRB6xdf53TQplmHzFO_aHl25SQb9PnrBFHGmP1qykab1eLBWW19jydy5JailiZNQsnJqnMsgFU6lRhzo6f95LG1R8Dbz-SYfig_Z12davVaVXKQvRWYWk7gQU9g_q-oy6xUdp0WeGUd/s320/photo2.jpg" width="240" /> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rjUBNEQXYHVlVtqYUQqu67NJ1GEdss8K8qytAnhv6dTZHUNef3rigKrNWF7l7UXjp95oiID8tpM5RjwVxIE9_XiJL2H8ugK7iq1-j19I-HaHBEXgrBsibxFK95mRwt3Pe59ul9XGQ9m8/s320/photo1.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="240" /><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">So So much for that</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;"> that silly rule about not revealing your wish for fear it won't come true</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As we lit Briton's lantern, and started to watch it fly North, we couldn't help but wonder how far it might actually travel....Bellefonte? Harrison? St. Louis? Britain??? :) Possibly even South Korea???....we can only hope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> After seeing the light get dimmer and dimmer, finally to float out of sight, the sad truth came upon us that Briton's lantern might not even make it out of Valley Springs. (we actually had a funny laugh over this)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Regardless of how far the wishing lantern goes, and whoever the lucky person is that finds it, we ask that you keep us and Briton in your prayers...that one day <u>REAL SOON</u>, we'll be able to light a wishing lantern as a family - mom, dad, and son.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sending you lots of love on your 1st birthday, Briton! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We love you,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Mom & Dad</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span>YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-16851177370145667902013-02-28T18:05:00.001-06:002013-03-03T14:35:41.559-06:00<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #e06666;">H</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">A</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">P</span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">P</span><span style="color: #e06666;">Y</span> <span style="color: #76a5af;">B</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">I</span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">R</span><span style="color: #e06666;">T</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">H</span><span style="color: #93c47d;">D</span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">A</span><span style="color: #e06666;">Y</span><span style="color: #76a5af;">,</span> <span style="color: #93c47d;">BRITON</span><span style="color: #f6b26b;">!</span></span></strong><br />
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Well, today Briton turns one, and though we wish he was here with us to celebrate, we are very thankful that he is with a foster family who can celebrate with him. South Korea has an interesting first birthday tradition (see the end of this post for details), and we hope he gets to enjoy this tradition with his foster family.<br />
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Sticking to American tradition, we sent him a birthday package with clothes and gifts from us and his granny and grandad, who have not been able to refrain from buying him clothes :). We also took some updated pics and put together another picture album to send to Briton.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Briton's Birthday Album:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Accordian Mini Photo Album from mpix.com (a site where you can order professional quality photos for a reasonable price). I would highly recommend!</span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWO9KiXBpW0Rb6ugr6rH16CBTSMB86AM5qhKgxvh91lOkkvaVt3pMS2c_5ePvwiyVSHYvKaKGziqFFDCAuy6rN9fq5uG0L1ATBp9guTWzpGgSiM5eNqdiFUh8R2TO89uScXarXrOvFuXj/s1600/ForBriton+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWO9KiXBpW0Rb6ugr6rH16CBTSMB86AM5qhKgxvh91lOkkvaVt3pMS2c_5ePvwiyVSHYvKaKGziqFFDCAuy6rN9fq5uG0L1ATBp9guTWzpGgSiM5eNqdiFUh8R2TO89uScXarXrOvFuXj/s320/ForBriton+014.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><strong>Birthday Package</strong></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH8u1yjRt9pMA7Xb6irurh-5PAEeZNyUA5wXn3yhDUntpfVX8R-THgV3ggi5LsqRWcjIx3LDZteioSpEJID_tRcW_zLiaMB_wNQ8RbXr_GXnN18snHC6umlB4RVlNilcDDkaAtX0Q8dGR/s1600/ForBriton+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcH8u1yjRt9pMA7Xb6irurh-5PAEeZNyUA5wXn3yhDUntpfVX8R-THgV3ggi5LsqRWcjIx3LDZteioSpEJID_tRcW_zLiaMB_wNQ8RbXr_GXnN18snHC6umlB4RVlNilcDDkaAtX0Q8dGR/s320/ForBriton+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Uncle Nic and Annette got him a stuffed monkey for Christmas that we are keeping here for him, but we decided to buy another one to send to him, so when he gets home he'll have a few familiar things.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIjUw7fJiGsOHzZ6vyt9OTAV0Q702O4cIohKdDX7cBepYSvpduedg-pohp683zOkovsSOvQEZX4PgWVSuP4Q9ipbDjH-6R3uA-H6bAz6rWJMooTLgXLrSkaEm_r-AAiwXz6y6jng6_Ijm/s1600/caketopper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gsa="true" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrIjUw7fJiGsOHzZ6vyt9OTAV0Q702O4cIohKdDX7cBepYSvpduedg-pohp683zOkovsSOvQEZX4PgWVSuP4Q9ipbDjH-6R3uA-H6bAz6rWJMooTLgXLrSkaEm_r-AAiwXz6y6jng6_Ijm/s200/caketopper.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong>KOREAN FIRST BIRTHDAY (dol or doljanchi - 돌 or 돌잔치)</strong><strong>:</strong> For her/his first birthday, a child is dressed in traditional Korean clothes. A boy will wear the hood that was the custom for unmarried young men, while girls wear make-up. A key part of the celebration activities is the toljabee ceremony where the child is seated before a table on which various foods (rice, rice cakes, jujube, etc.) and objects (calligraphy set, pencil, knife, book, money, thread, needle, scissors, ruler or bow and arrow) have been placed. He/she is then encouraged to pick one or two of these. According to tradition, the first or second choice foretells the infant's future. </div>
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<em>bow and arrow:</em> the child will become a warrior or have a military career<br />
<em>needle and thread:</em> the child will have a long life<br />
<em>jujube:</em> the child will have many descendants<br />
<em>book, pencil, brush:</em> the child will be a successful scholar<br />
<em>ruler, needle, scissors:</em> the child will be talented with his/her hands<br />
<em>knife:</em> the child will be a good cook<br />
<em>money or rice:</em> the child will be wealthy<br />
<em>cakes or other foods:</em> the child will be a government official<br />
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<a href="http://www.korea4expats.com/article-birthday-customs-seoul-korea.html"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://www.korea4expats.com/article-birthday-customs-seoul-korea.html</span></a>YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-72248634185795387032013-02-25T21:52:00.000-06:002013-08-27T20:55:22.975-05:00All About BritonIn honor of Briton's birthday week, we thought we would share all things Briton:<br />
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Briton is pronounced like the country Britain<br />
He weighed 6 lbs, 3 oz when he was born<br />
He currently weighs 23 lbs <br />
He was 24 inches at birth<br />
His currently is 31.8 inches (Korean babies are larger than Caucasian babies)<br />
His birthday is February 28 (Mike's is February 27)<br />
As of his October progress report, he was able to stand alone and take a few steps (so we're guessing by now he's into everything)<br />
Also, as of his October progress report, he was beginning to say a few wordsYTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-76061063607919432662013-02-18T22:34:00.002-06:002013-08-27T21:12:29.360-05:00Monday UpdatesWe have not been the most faithful bloggers; however, all of that is about to change! This is the first of our weekly adoption updates. Starting this week we will be updating the blog every Monday night...whether we have new news to report or not.<br />
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<u>Adoption Update</u>:<br />
South Korea has switched over to their newly adapted international adoption laws, and, therefore, all adoptions are moving extremely slow. We are still waiting on our case to go through the Korean courts and for Briton to be issued an emigration permit, but we have been told that we will have to send in additional paperwork (because of the new requirements under the new laws) and that until they get the kinks worked out of this new system, there will be delays. So please be praying that our paperwork will be processed quickly so our case can go before the Korea courts as soon as possible.<br />
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Last weekend our brother-in-law Wes Whittaker played at Harrison's Downtown Coffee and raised nearly $300 for the Bringing Home Briton adoption fund. Thanks, Wes!</div>
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Zoey backing up her daddy.</div>
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YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-76437107068737898092013-01-01T21:33:00.003-06:002013-08-27T20:57:45.991-05:00New Year, New Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, the first day of 2013 brings us one day closer to bringing Briton home! You see, we Whitescarvers are starting out the new year with optimism :). <br />
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No, we still have no news to report; however, we did receive our best present a few days before Christmas this year--an updated picture of Briton! I know we promised many of you that we would post the new pic right after Christmas, but due to catching that horrid funk that's going around, I am just now feeling quite the thing.<br />
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Even though we can't help but smile every time we look at this picture, it is a little bittersweet. He is changing so much, getting so big and still we wait. Please continue to pray for us and Briton as we continue on this adoption journey. For specific prayer needs, click on the "Ways You Can Help" tab. Thank you and Happy New Year!YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-5488008469263155542012-12-03T22:22:00.001-06:002012-12-03T22:22:17.103-06:00Family Pictures<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmyUkWnLWpR9Nrhmq3AjZz4BJwmks7NDgvW1rMb-xO-aKB36F7sYTxxNpy1gOnnZl624agowrGP17jC4NxGOeR-OnTVcdDZRHYsibf3E67Zvrxwa8PQCP7-r_OwCy31AC3BYLVsJBfn4C/s1600/Picture+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmyUkWnLWpR9Nrhmq3AjZz4BJwmks7NDgvW1rMb-xO-aKB36F7sYTxxNpy1gOnnZl624agowrGP17jC4NxGOeR-OnTVcdDZRHYsibf3E67Zvrxwa8PQCP7-r_OwCy31AC3BYLVsJBfn4C/s400/Picture+011.jpg" width="265" /></a>Well, last week we took our very first family pictures "with" Briton. While we would definitely rather have him here with us to take pictures, I was pretty excited how well these turned out. <br />
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This pic is one of many that we took to send to Briton. Since it may be several months still before we are able to bring Briton home, Holt encourages parents to send picture albums over for the child to look at while waiting to be brought home.<br />
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It makes my heart happy knowing he will be able to "see" us soon.<br />
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<br />YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-45474581680294133442012-11-07T00:18:00.000-06:002012-11-07T01:00:22.619-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while, a long while, since we have posted anything to our blog, but with the upcoming addition of little Briton James we figured is was time to rejoin the blogging world and keep everyone posted on our adoption process.<br />
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We are working on a complete overhaul of the blog, so it might be changing a lot over the next few weeks, but for adoption updates and pictures click on the Bringing Home Briton tab.
YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-1373975767343218182011-06-15T04:41:00.001-05:002012-12-03T22:51:57.464-06:00Thanks, Fund for Teachers!FUND FOR TEACHERS: Thank you, again, for this opportunity to learn and grow as a teacher! Check out the Fund for Teachers clip on Mike's YouTube page.<br />
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Hiking HADRIAN'S WALL<br />
This was one of our most unique experiences here in the UK. It was really special, walking where the Romans walked nearly two thousand years ago and seeing the remnants of the Roman Empire in Britain. Plus, the Northumberland countryside is spectacular!<br />
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Mike walking the wall at the famous Sycamore Gap (as seen in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves). Man, that's a good picture! <br />
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STRATFORD-UPON-AVON<br />
We are winding up our trip at the city made famous as being Shakespeare's hometown. Below is the home where the playwright was born and grew up.<br />
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To view all our videos, click on Mike's YouTube page at the top. <br />
Mike & AimeeYTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-22170714816246866792011-06-12T16:53:00.001-05:002011-06-12T16:53:45.870-05:00The Lake DistrictLAKE DISTRICT<br />While our stay in Tintern was "lovely," our schedule dictated that we move on. We drove another 4 hours on up to the Lake District (or more precisely, Windermere) and Wordsworth country. <br /><br />We soon realized that the Lake District, especially Rydal & Grasmere (the two villages just three miles apart where Wm. Wordsworth lived), is just as lovely with its thick, vibrant verdure, the moss covered stone fences, and breathtaking views of Rydal Water & Lake Grasmere. <br /><br />GRASMERE, DOVE COTTAGE<br />This is the cottage Wordsworth lived in for 8 years as a young writer and where he wrote some of his best poetry. This picture was taken from the back of the cottage in the garden. This garden slopes up a good sized hill where Wordsworth had a bench and a spectacular view of Lake Grasmere and the surrounding hills.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/12/4412.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/12/s_4412.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />RYDAL, RYDAL MOUNT<br />Aimee in part of the gardens (which were designed by Wordsworth and are quite extensive & beautifully kept) at Rydal Mount his second, larger home just a few miles down the road from Dove Cottage.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/12/4413.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/12/s_4413.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />THE COFFIN ROUTE<br />Mike climbing one of the many moss covered rock walls whilst hiking one of Wordsworth's favorite walking trails between Rydal Mount & Grasmere.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/12/4417.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/12/s_4417.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />A very large moss covered tree (everything seems to be covered with moss in Rydal & Grasmere) sprouting out the side of a steep embankment.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/12/4420.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/12/s_4420.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />HAWKSHEAD <br />This is the village where Wordsworth attended grammar school for 8 years as a boy. And as you can tell, it's raining...again.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/12/4421.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/12/s_4421.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Inside Hawshead Grammar School. I'm sitting at the same "desk" / spot where William Wordsworth sat and carved his name "W. Wordsworth" when he attended school here as a boy.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/12/4422.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/12/s_4422.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />AMBLESIDE<br />Another lakeside town (significantly larger than Rydal or Grasmere) about five miles from Rydal. Wes & Amber can come set up shop :).<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/12/4423.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/12/s_4423.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-644180919386993931.post-18470726382518801672011-06-09T16:54:00.001-05:002011-06-09T16:54:15.515-05:00WalesTintern, Wales. The beautiful, inspiring Tintern Abbey!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2955.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2955.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2957.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2957.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2958.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2958.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2959.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2959.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />I would love to attend service here every Sunday! I have to agree with C. S. Lewis when he said, "All churches should be roofless."<br /><br /><br /><br />Caerleon, Wales. The largest surviving Roman amphitheater in Britain. <br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2962.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2962.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br />Let the games begin!<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2964.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2964.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Wye River Valley from above.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2966.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2966.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2970.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2970.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br />Ready to hit the narrow roads again...Mike and our Renault have finally come to terms with one another. I think Mike may even miss it when we leave.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=11/06/09/2973.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/11/06/09/s_2973.jpg' border='0' width='281' height='210' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />YTshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09909680520694523044noreply@blogger.com1