tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21427439964495946722024-02-07T19:18:58.373-05:00The Collier Family BlogTartan Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17083331650519050445noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-90184581424128489962023-01-01T23:25:00.001-05:002023-01-01T23:25:56.550-05:00<p> Hello, everyone! We have our 2022 update available; it’s at our new blog location:</p><p><a href="Http://txcolliers.net">Http://txcolliers.net</a></p>Tartan Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17083331650519050445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-50088457984179568672022-02-01T18:30:00.000-05:002022-02-01T18:30:04.384-05:002021: The Year in Review<p><span style="font-size: medium;">It's 2022 already! Some things have changed and some have stayed the same. COVID has continued to be a part of all of our lives, and in December we found our household with a couple of positive tests and having to self-quarantine during the week leading up to Christmas. Fortunately, no one got really sick (all of us had at least the first two vaccine shots) and the two of us that had our booster shot experienced a few mild symptoms but never actually tested positive. So, even though it was right at the end of the year, we're ticking off the "got COVID" box on our 2021 Bingo cards.<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxOMg17CmywbJwuGR8RcqaQ5UR6ZkYVpxM-2hrK6fnFHFbvItfwdVSSx7xFqcVdteIOomb7K0Rxv9NohgvlYI-oHQdM2JZDnhtS82k-2eii4QeY5pypNDYHjlqyx-dCtl5XTKhiAEsa47boetcosUKACeCkUzNS8rIwqa-_5feHoSjJUaIprlf4pIQ=s1200" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxOMg17CmywbJwuGR8RcqaQ5UR6ZkYVpxM-2hrK6fnFHFbvItfwdVSSx7xFqcVdteIOomb7K0Rxv9NohgvlYI-oHQdM2JZDnhtS82k-2eii4QeY5pypNDYHjlqyx-dCtl5XTKhiAEsa47boetcosUKACeCkUzNS8rIwqa-_5feHoSjJUaIprlf4pIQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></span></a></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">A brief update on each of the kids:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Tartan Alex continued to teach English to elementary students in Mito, Japan, but at new schools. They have a policy of moving teachers every three years. Fortunately, the schools were still close enough to his apartment that he didn't have to move. He has signed on for a fifth year, so Tartan and I are hoping to have another chance to visit him there. In the photo above, he is holding THE Olympic torch for the 2020 games when it made an appearance at one of the schools where he teaches.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Kyrie got a promotion to story coordinator for the Netflix </span><span style="font-size: medium;">animated production of </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>High in the Clouds</i>. We are thankful that once everyone got vaccinated, she and Nick (her boyfriend) were able to visit us without having to worry about masks. They joined us for Thanksgiving, and we were even able to enjoy the Renaissance Festival again. Because of the aforementioned quarantine, we did have to celebrate "second Christmas" with Kyrie and Nick in January. Nick and Kyrie's personalities complement each other very well. They have been together for over a year now and are a sweet couple.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Aidan had an exciting year as he was able to finally make his big Alaska driving trip. Up to just a few days before his planned departure, he was not certain he'd be able to get across the Canadian border, but fortunately, with a negative COVID test, he was. He made the 8000+ mile round trip beginning around the end of August and wrapping up in the middle of October. His route took him through Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Alberta, British Columbia, Yukon, Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona, camping all along the way. He made many stops, notably in Yellowstone, Edmonton, Anchorage, Homer, Seward, Vancouver, Yosemite, Mojave National Preserve and the Grand Canyon. He made it back safe and sound, though the 2002 Sequoia returned quite travel-worn. I (Naomi) am glad for my new 2020 Hyundai Santa Fe, because Aidan has become quite attached to the Sequoia, even nicknaming it "Sakuya" (only <i>Touhou Project </i>fans will likely appreciate this).</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Abigail spent the year teaching dance (modern, ballet, pointe and tap) and dancing with the company at Magnify. She went on a mission trip with Open Sky Arts Collective to Parkersburg, West Virginia to minister to kids in a very poor and drug-ridden area. She reconnected with some kids she had seen a couple of years ago, met new ones, and sadly missed some who had moved away or in some cases were simply "gone", and she couldn't find out what had happened to them. On a different note, it has been a joy to see the relationship between her and her boyfriend, Gilbert, grow over the past year. Gilbert is a godly young man, and he also provides a "firm foundation" for the lifts and stunts that the girls do </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">in the dance company</span>.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Kayleigh finished up her sophomore year and began her junior year, so she has started taking dual credit classes at Lone Star Community College. She has also been taking dance classes at Magnify, a couple of them taught by her sister, and below is the modern piece she was in, which was choreographed by Abigail. (The full piece is nearly six minutes long, so this is only a portion. She starts on the front left of the video.) This past year, Kayleigh was also an advanced dancer for the National Youth Theater production of <b>Newsies</b>, in April. It was her first theater production and she was</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> specifically </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> sought out for her tap dancing expertise. After watching her tap solo, there's no question: Kayleigh is definitely the <i>King of New York</i>! <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwhED4cez5I2j9Z0uvqbLiNJF-felPhf8eJNogrzzHl3_Q2cbPCCJObVCsESeSw_QHqgL52RVJxvEA1b_QHHQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Tartan and I are doing well and continue to do the things we have been doing. Tartan works at ExxonMobil as the subject matter expert for all things related to Well data. He continues to lead as an elder at our church home, Creekside, and also has been playing bass guitar with the worship team on Sunday mornings. I (Naomi) oversee Kayleigh's schooling, keep the house running, help out with various things at our church, and am the treasurer for our homeschool group, Homewood. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">We went camping almost every month this past year and it was a lot of fun experiencing different parks around the state. For our anniversary in August we spent time at Big Bend Ranch State Park: camping and hiking in the desert heat, driving 4-wheel track roads until the wisdom of our years told us to turn back, and just enjoying spending time together. We plan to do more camping this year as well.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Though there have been many happy circumstances and we certainly appreciate all the blessings we have received, there are still things that weigh on our hearts. For one, January 2022 marks ten years since we last saw Aimee. To us she remains three when she could have been a firecracker of a thirteen-year-old, which I can't help but think she would have been. We miss her still. And, this year also marks the passing of my (Naomi's) dad at the end of January. He has been my earthly father for over fifty years and I am still absorbing what his loss means to me. Your prayers for my family are appreciated.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Thank you to those of you who have sent us updates on your lives and thank you to those who have clicked over here to keep in touch with what's happening with us. May your 2022 be a year of amazing blessings through the highs and lows for all of you!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Collier Family <br /></span></div>Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-79758103852133512742021-01-17T15:27:00.001-05:002021-01-17T15:27:25.205-05:00Looking back at 2020<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> 2020 - What a Year!</span></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdgShtSiaHm5erfUQZ-iEdj4n3obq7u5vGzjVtCHvumnjkRXHN0zslr4VOd6chncaY3SUcOE-IA1XkemNSQaYwYhBeCTtTEdriEXVomne3pZFP0Opdw6jvkA389tqYtPkpxekRCI_ws8/s2048/newyear2021-2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrdgShtSiaHm5erfUQZ-iEdj4n3obq7u5vGzjVtCHvumnjkRXHN0zslr4VOd6chncaY3SUcOE-IA1XkemNSQaYwYhBeCTtTEdriEXVomne3pZFP0Opdw6jvkA389tqYtPkpxekRCI_ws8/s320/newyear2021-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p>Greetings, friends and family and happy new year!<br /></p><p>What did we do last year? Stayed home A LOT! We spent a lot of time on Zoom. I'm sure most if not all of you can relate. </p><p>Tartan worked from home more often than not and Aidan was off work when the YMCA was closed for an extended time. Kayleigh and Abigail had to finish biology and anatomy, respectively, through Zoom. Kyrie was able to graduate from UT Dallas, though with no graduation ceremony, and Abigail graduated from high school with a drive-by parade-style graduation. Tartan Alex had an extended break from teaching school in Japan, but they eventually started meeting in person again. He's very much an introvert so he felt well-prepared for staying at home and social distancing. Masks are also much more common and not as big a deal in Japan as they have been here. He is staying on for another year of teaching English in Mito. Kyrie thankfully was able to get a job as production assistant for an animated adaptation of the children's book <i>High in the Clouds</i> by Paul McCartney (Netflix/Gaumont). </p><p>Kayleigh and Abigail tried teaching and participating in dance classes over Zoom in the spring, but classes were back to meeting in-person in the fall. Though they both came down with bad colds in December, we have managed to stay COVID-free. They performed at Christmas services at churches here and in Grapevine.</p><p>Tartan and I celebrated our 30th anniversary in a very low-key style. We rented a tiny cabin at "The Getaway" north of Houston for a few days and then spent a week camping at Davis Mountains State Park in west Texas, hiking, geocaching, and just being away from it all. </p><p>We did not make it out to the Renaissance Festival or make a big family trip at the end of the year. We did learn how to play Among Us with our kids online and I (Naomi) had several Zoom calls with my siblings and dad which is something we hadn't ever thought to do before. </p><p> Here are a few notable scenes from 2020: <br /></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
table.MsoTableGrid
{mso-style-name:"Table Grid";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-priority:39;
mso-style-unhide:no;
border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;
mso-border-alt:solid windowtext .5pt;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-border-insideh:.5pt solid windowtext;
mso-border-insidev:.5pt solid windowtext;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]--></p><p>
</p><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: medium none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.8pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Abi's graduation parade<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVbC_wn808WasjWx6xsH64xdb344ZlNrgLzXGcQ-BaBj1RVrCsFnQlix7-3VEMlUVJLNrX-IMJt3zczAcA0sgUHYXJz2zP5zDZdwDzu_pghE4LXUtktd8RGKDOmpV5IDXKdjJEbrX3-s/s2048/Homewood-Candids2020+%252832+of+144%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVbC_wn808WasjWx6xsH64xdb344ZlNrgLzXGcQ-BaBj1RVrCsFnQlix7-3VEMlUVJLNrX-IMJt3zczAcA0sgUHYXJz2zP5zDZdwDzu_pghE4LXUtktd8RGKDOmpV5IDXKdjJEbrX3-s/s320/Homewood-Candids2020+%252832+of+144%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.85pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;">Sisters</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXCwbO84gW2WY3TMWqRbADDvE9bbhHaGVuKFv_bV90zy9LB4CRTcUoZAT1xo6ORDoyMn91Igq9WvTwv3m4v6EUvkW6rSm8o26ol4YRI5iYKTf9qbxMZ9li4g6V5FsXb63K-GKYunHZpc/s2048/IMG_8002-edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1154" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXCwbO84gW2WY3TMWqRbADDvE9bbhHaGVuKFv_bV90zy9LB4CRTcUoZAT1xo6ORDoyMn91Igq9WvTwv3m4v6EUvkW6rSm8o26ol4YRI5iYKTf9qbxMZ9li4g6V5FsXb63K-GKYunHZpc/s320/IMG_8002-edit.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.85pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Pumpkin patch</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H_E98hm2Gq3LL2c0Qmc0WodlTI8_MQ0HYJjQE5_jRV1yhHdXC4Y1AyRnJu-K8sn50ZZrPRqEiwCd8_WokB5FlDcXDgfBVWWTe4Goor7YvAL3InO3d523XWKYg5uOfAtVpNUUI4UAhEc/s2048/IMG_8326.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9H_E98hm2Gq3LL2c0Qmc0WodlTI8_MQ0HYJjQE5_jRV1yhHdXC4Y1AyRnJu-K8sn50ZZrPRqEiwCd8_WokB5FlDcXDgfBVWWTe4Goor7YvAL3InO3d523XWKYg5uOfAtVpNUUI4UAhEc/s320/IMG_8326.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: 1pt solid windowtext; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.8pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aidan is 21</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpYmeEcYYI4G89E0onndLczNvcTAgI8MsQCrGhuKY95SfG-uE3-lf2pNW0igSM9T0MLGyfTDGbVlTPNVy2FSyzIsqDtP5DkbdiGacLovhMFEd1L2NpawC3JYSGOYtylTlzpOCOIeOmEM/s2048/Aidan-21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2041" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilpYmeEcYYI4G89E0onndLczNvcTAgI8MsQCrGhuKY95SfG-uE3-lf2pNW0igSM9T0MLGyfTDGbVlTPNVy2FSyzIsqDtP5DkbdiGacLovhMFEd1L2NpawC3JYSGOYtylTlzpOCOIeOmEM/s320/Aidan-21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.85pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">30<sup>th</sup> anniversary trip</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQBOOtJQdqOnbW9OT31Cgj0qQfYoMrmbSbfq_PZuTYyXZ2PywnpqSV_WJ5x40kRgS9S7ty7_rLXAPZltkMWHg4YnBF0J5iyw1-pF9aySJKYamoIuesM-nmmb76-gj0le61J67j-w8_CQ/s2048/ontheTrail.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1539" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQBOOtJQdqOnbW9OT31Cgj0qQfYoMrmbSbfq_PZuTYyXZ2PywnpqSV_WJ5x40kRgS9S7ty7_rLXAPZltkMWHg4YnBF0J5iyw1-pF9aySJKYamoIuesM-nmmb76-gj0le61J67j-w8_CQ/s320/ontheTrail.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><p></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-color: currentcolor windowtext windowtext currentcolor; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-style: none solid solid none; border-top: none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt; width: 155.85pt;" valign="top" width="208">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;">Naomi & her dad (just before COVID)<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9K5DKkJe4LNmCb9w0Y6HFYpWyCYV9VRJ-kNjkfwzhAU8jziSI0gDkuE2KVQpzUEJblYOkRDOtTwaSQToiO_6Ji87f89gXCQjod89F-qGVJNLcPwoW7tYefaFVpVlHz02LmYSSYGBuLk/s1903/IMG_7744-edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1455" data-original-width="1903" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9K5DKkJe4LNmCb9w0Y6HFYpWyCYV9VRJ-kNjkfwzhAU8jziSI0gDkuE2KVQpzUEJblYOkRDOtTwaSQToiO_6Ji87f89gXCQjod89F-qGVJNLcPwoW7tYefaFVpVlHz02LmYSSYGBuLk/s320/IMG_7744-edit.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><p></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal">We know that this past year has been a difficult one for many of our friends. Some have lost loved ones, others have lost jobs, and in a great many respects life has looked very different than in previous years. And yet, we continue to adapt and persevere.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">We wish all of you and your families a better, and a blessed, 2021. We know the upcoming year will have its challenges, but our prayer is that we will all approach the new year with hope, patience, and grace. May the love and peace of God be with you this year!<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Colliers<br /></p>
<p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-66261103831725257672020-01-12T21:30:00.000-05:002020-01-12T21:30:00.970-05:002019 in Review<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style>
<![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="376">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear
family and friends,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's
2020! We're looking forward to many things in 2020, but let's take a look back
at 2019.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;" summary="" title="">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; padding: 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt; width: 133.65pt;" valign="top" width="178"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwqeyKRm2q-tr5LBr8TnB7zLwDvoDUofDXft46dwFEtpU2wCRNJvrUkveR2t6h2A0_s1DtIT6MHFgBduEvBuO0KwZrBH_cF31LBQOwFXOIyNRIHolDECeHefPQY6kwvrKGw5RXKmzYco/s1600/kayleigh-PDNY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1559" data-original-width="1052" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwqeyKRm2q-tr5LBr8TnB7zLwDvoDUofDXft46dwFEtpU2wCRNJvrUkveR2t6h2A0_s1DtIT6MHFgBduEvBuO0KwZrBH_cF31LBQOwFXOIyNRIHolDECeHefPQY6kwvrKGw5RXKmzYco/s320/kayleigh-PDNY.jpg" width="215" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; padding: 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt; width: 136.65pt;" valign="top" width="182"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4Jn5N0vH82QDjG8oLfm91HZNDDeJ_kx1-wq6FI0mtaPWPvSbM5MfaJOrbp3UeoDlJFQRrMbiRY1JX3A764-dEevRidDQjZK6TEF0WHfVm8sEjupDp0fv9DLzEkSTHPFe_T7EN7UMHJU/s1600/BugandMeNY-crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1118" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4Jn5N0vH82QDjG8oLfm91HZNDDeJ_kx1-wq6FI0mtaPWPvSbM5MfaJOrbp3UeoDlJFQRrMbiRY1JX3A764-dEevRidDQjZK6TEF0WHfVm8sEjupDp0fv9DLzEkSTHPFe_T7EN7UMHJU/s320/BugandMeNY-crop.jpg" width="223" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; padding: 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt; width: 159.4pt;" valign="top" width="213"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd_cs2e8Hd-A5dfGW8xADlMZ8hyphenhyphen9vb3YuoIgXZjPoSopxKVJEdLKX3lfd5BN8BOKwJL9tgzjsGslbwTTomMFwbnMdXIGuyDsxWUWZ52EXTBCPXeeLzrKnOsaT4UuGF2rRjWfrd1yBADA/s1600/kayleigh%2526Abi-Spectacular.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="571" data-original-width="470" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd_cs2e8Hd-A5dfGW8xADlMZ8hyphenhyphen9vb3YuoIgXZjPoSopxKVJEdLKX3lfd5BN8BOKwJL9tgzjsGslbwTTomMFwbnMdXIGuyDsxWUWZ52EXTBCPXeeLzrKnOsaT4UuGF2rRjWfrd1yBADA/s320/kayleigh%2526Abi-Spectacular.jpg" width="263" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid #A3A3A3 1.0pt; padding: 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt 4.0pt; width: 145.15pt;" valign="top" width="194"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfkuoRLQ3-IkJFnDkUSjF-cvfrDHWRUEHwt7DrXPHvUuH2HhEZ25ZyjJFPfmUUVaxZ1PSDOTcAl3qvGa-NYH6hyphenhyphenkZn20U4RL-Kv3jR-Qutb_lMzKAYsGnCtfTbudJ27egQdzzq1P6H8g/s1600/blueBug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfkuoRLQ3-IkJFnDkUSjF-cvfrDHWRUEHwt7DrXPHvUuH2HhEZ25ZyjJFPfmUUVaxZ1PSDOTcAl3qvGa-NYH6hyphenhyphenkZn20U4RL-Kv3jR-Qutb_lMzKAYsGnCtfTbudJ27egQdzzq1P6H8g/s320/blueBug.jpg" width="256" /></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 189.0pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kayleigh
moved from eighth grade to her freshman year in (home school) high school. She
danced with Ballet Excelsior Trainees in the spring, going to both Project
Dance Houston and Project Dance New York. Naomi went with her on the New York
trip and though the girls got caught in pouring rain on the first night, it
otherwise went really well. Over the summer Kayleigh made a change and is now
dancing with Magnify Dance's junior company and teaching a tap class, too. She
continues to work on tap skills and keeps a connection with Excelsior by taking
a tap class there. In December, both she and Abigail danced in the Christmas
Spectacular at Champion Forest Baptist church, one of the main campuses for
Magnify. They were very busy with rehearsals in November and into December. They
performed in seven shows from a Thursday to a Sunday. The transition to high
school has been challenging but she is working her way through it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="direction: ltr;">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; direction: ltr;" summary="" title="" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.1506in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-PFxe0ObTpdnRgqsCHzg519vXWLTwyyGRIoay_21LOo06O8HIv5y9Tdp4iHde1ykDo-fR_XHB1sF7d_ZQuCrSiDBuQHuhfSnThMLFAraypgiE8oIHpiVm6u924iZYNfYHP5WjSFGv9g/s1600/abi-prom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-PFxe0ObTpdnRgqsCHzg519vXWLTwyyGRIoay_21LOo06O8HIv5y9Tdp4iHde1ykDo-fR_XHB1sF7d_ZQuCrSiDBuQHuhfSnThMLFAraypgiE8oIHpiVm6u924iZYNfYHP5WjSFGv9g/s320/abi-prom.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 1.5638in;"><div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAa3sjDOY4-NKLyotFrjGRwrtTi-4ZbT_PHimwewoDAhFt0DS8LRQIvbBHvRMlZwQLRYXIT0LP5_lQX4MyuVGF8MuqQMdesJA1jkkpLExb6Gy0lRMO5PO-r0ncG1HIrxkv3uZ4Thq9Rc/s1600/abi-gold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAa3sjDOY4-NKLyotFrjGRwrtTi-4ZbT_PHimwewoDAhFt0DS8LRQIvbBHvRMlZwQLRYXIT0LP5_lQX4MyuVGF8MuqQMdesJA1jkkpLExb6Gy0lRMO5PO-r0ncG1HIrxkv3uZ4Thq9Rc/s320/abi-gold.jpg" width="169" /></a></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.4368in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL0f4eyfzTpT3pQ0N6pUjB7ViTT_QajDJqWpw8aq1Tptsq_jK0AJ7VjU0adnAMJJK-9yDJhsgS6ODwzq6KZwXGQO3tq0D49UElQeLWb7zCO-XfX1_pypFRA34M_SSoF9cVCjnH2FGwvE/s1600/abi-opensky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="573" data-original-width="492" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizL0f4eyfzTpT3pQ0N6pUjB7ViTT_QajDJqWpw8aq1Tptsq_jK0AJ7VjU0adnAMJJK-9yDJhsgS6ODwzq6KZwXGQO3tq0D49UElQeLWb7zCO-XfX1_pypFRA34M_SSoF9cVCjnH2FGwvE/s320/abi-opensky.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.0256in;"><div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz6Sdj6j01NbY-tA6IZZZ6XE0NWSKoRR-b-AouSHkaoSPAcTGfqujpitqMHhZO8MAv269USlMOeXA3LfBLkxtI4_sHB0Indr88srerERvxsPItA1bCQD9UTqsLEvKe8dtRRc-LDhtp0I/s1600/abi-ondeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwz6Sdj6j01NbY-tA6IZZZ6XE0NWSKoRR-b-AouSHkaoSPAcTGfqujpitqMHhZO8MAv269USlMOeXA3LfBLkxtI4_sHB0Indr88srerERvxsPItA1bCQD9UTqsLEvKe8dtRRc-LDhtp0I/s320/abi-ondeck.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In March, Abigail
was offered a position as a hip hop instructor at Magnify when their current
instructor unexpectedly had to leave. It was quite a challenge to step in and
almost immediately have to create choreography for their end of year show, but
she pulled it off magnificently. In the summer she went to Parkersburg, West
Virginia with Open Sky to do a week-long children's program with a church in
the middle of a very poor area where much of the adult population struggles
with substance abuse. She came back with her heart full for all the children
she worked with. This fall she began teaching ballet and tap at Magnify and
then was asked to step in for an injured dancer for the Christmas Spectacular.
She and Kayleigh really enjoyed it though it was physically and mentally
exhausting. Abigail will be graduating from high school in May.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="direction: ltr;">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; direction: ltr;" summary="" title="" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.5909in;"><div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GscUY1H_bi1Tem2coUdXrdM46poR7J5r9kGIp8eNP2KLhFC8BE5WHKF9saqi73IB4H7eVqrQo6-ncVTyHTT9RR4sHATX7Wh-i9k7qgxqd3oMShuGyxyMEsI9iqo66iBbtR7XCn_BBF0/s1600/aidan-dallas.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="729" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8GscUY1H_bi1Tem2coUdXrdM46poR7J5r9kGIp8eNP2KLhFC8BE5WHKF9saqi73IB4H7eVqrQo6-ncVTyHTT9RR4sHATX7Wh-i9k7qgxqd3oMShuGyxyMEsI9iqo66iBbtR7XCn_BBF0/s320/aidan-dallas.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 1.6861in;"><div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaTQ1wiO12K1XwpLQBKNHMYzpmeaRBTM1975XE-KhP_GezCBU4z8tS9A2N9EB9Kf8iVaxkGOVbOh5MCUlbOrQ5hISTlEC3hzUYKgJCl4h8ImSJj-jiOuEnYvQ0D15EMAZnJYfjz5vHgI/s1600/aidan-TKD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1008" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaTQ1wiO12K1XwpLQBKNHMYzpmeaRBTM1975XE-KhP_GezCBU4z8tS9A2N9EB9Kf8iVaxkGOVbOh5MCUlbOrQ5hISTlEC3hzUYKgJCl4h8ImSJj-jiOuEnYvQ0D15EMAZnJYfjz5vHgI/s320/aidan-TKD.jpg" width="201" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><br /></td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 1.9805in;"><div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXcCb5Tn5AfosHx05JEq39aUSPz7NrRchO03W7ErCyUEgCCHVc56CuqeJpJvWY3Vit1NOG4CPOIm0GKEsq6aD5YDZbPZdEhBwZ07Au9bmNzX5btqB4bQhpoznYly4cHDP-VMweUNaqo8/s1600/aidan-astrolabe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXcCb5Tn5AfosHx05JEq39aUSPz7NrRchO03W7ErCyUEgCCHVc56CuqeJpJvWY3Vit1NOG4CPOIm0GKEsq6aD5YDZbPZdEhBwZ07Au9bmNzX5btqB4bQhpoznYly4cHDP-VMweUNaqo8/s320/aidan-astrolabe.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 1.8541in;"><div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rGQAHDdqEdEJ6AZuUvzZy7wCCKZNz33Q9dnXN0bN_mrue5QYsoktO9HhE_Rs3lUQXAfJh9sO3mNbrjkdd3vqfYUUe1NqKo8ghikfj0hN1x3Kd1Anhxz6VaN9p0lKAitIQ0tg-Ne84WY/s1600/aidan-hanging+greens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rGQAHDdqEdEJ6AZuUvzZy7wCCKZNz33Q9dnXN0bN_mrue5QYsoktO9HhE_Rs3lUQXAfJh9sO3mNbrjkdd3vqfYUUe1NqKo8ghikfj0hN1x3Kd1Anhxz6VaN9p0lKAitIQ0tg-Ne84WY/s320/aidan-hanging+greens.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aidan began taking a
couple of classes at Lone Star, managing to work around his full schedule at
the Shadowbend YMCA. He took three more courses in the fall. He keeps in
contact with his brother in Japan the most of any of us because they regularly
meet up on a gaming platform and join forces in some epic game scenario. He
also took on being a dungeon master (basically a director) for a group of
friends that he and Tartan Alex used to get together with to play D&D style
games. He loves providing unique voices for the characters that they meet in
each game. He is great at making up his own voices, but he's also a mimic. At
our new year's dinner, we were discussing the last trilogy of the Star Wars
series, and in a sudden silence as the girls were talking about Kylo Ren and
Rey, he said "Give me your hand" and we all could have sworn Kylo Ren
was at the table!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="direction: ltr;">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; direction: ltr;" summary="" title="" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.0534in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWUvKfhs1S0QF2ZZdZKUS8M4NtcCgtgDF1w1a1co__xhrnUankIuSpye6rtTAOjnu-n99lef2Ac-yjRRLJZ1xZlSIpmpAZ8SAsfSmMRJq39Wy1lpRS671onLXGCsSwciqmi3Kshr0lPI/s1600/kyrie-boardbkgrnd.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWUvKfhs1S0QF2ZZdZKUS8M4NtcCgtgDF1w1a1co__xhrnUankIuSpye6rtTAOjnu-n99lef2Ac-yjRRLJZ1xZlSIpmpAZ8SAsfSmMRJq39Wy1lpRS671onLXGCsSwciqmi3Kshr0lPI/s320/kyrie-boardbkgrnd.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.0562in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFzNKFfPkH_UWgfQsEMStvf0G-X2CzkC9ExQpgKiRdrjTYDI-iaF9LoyS8DYtxFx5lhjQ_xJtofYzAnHc_mtumJYNvP0Fxydyf6ZK4VgH3bFHJYanZ06KOnNfQIq2H6vpwXCdUS8iZXs/s1600/kyrie-premiere.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixFzNKFfPkH_UWgfQsEMStvf0G-X2CzkC9ExQpgKiRdrjTYDI-iaF9LoyS8DYtxFx5lhjQ_xJtofYzAnHc_mtumJYNvP0Fxydyf6ZK4VgH3bFHJYanZ06KOnNfQIq2H6vpwXCdUS8iZXs/s320/kyrie-premiere.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.0479in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZubsV0_ztHGIJfyZiNhtzCE1vsCuMUE_NV4zeubTZjS59oRO2rRO6MMUPdWm6QQ_t9-ADayAVJftd0xeV2ObZWvQue3j-Q4WUZpD6Y9HaUUkARq34dD9WiqKq72XSV2okBtS3Ah4gmHE/s1600/kyrie-stargazerPoster.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZubsV0_ztHGIJfyZiNhtzCE1vsCuMUE_NV4zeubTZjS59oRO2rRO6MMUPdWm6QQ_t9-ADayAVJftd0xeV2ObZWvQue3j-Q4WUZpD6Y9HaUUkARq34dD9WiqKq72XSV2okBtS3Ah4gmHE/s320/kyrie-stargazerPoster.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 1.9201in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4xvDF5prb8VjLsaluiFFBazf51kRM0fJ5TXQ5Fc04mthFHibvEn9G6_MTjgL1iWHhyphenhyphenidyxbHEhVUlUkWRe0ZN-bGfop-tgPgFD9Un31UGG3sFf14vq3D3U79yvyv4oCw2ONsYRqNsCw/s1600/kyrie-sisters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd4xvDF5prb8VjLsaluiFFBazf51kRM0fJ5TXQ5Fc04mthFHibvEn9G6_MTjgL1iWHhyphenhyphenidyxbHEhVUlUkWRe0ZN-bGfop-tgPgFD9Un31UGG3sFf14vq3D3U79yvyv4oCw2ONsYRqNsCw/s320/kyrie-sisters.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Kyrie spent this
year taking classes, working, and being producer for UTD ATEC animation lab's
short, <span style="font-style: italic;">Stargazer</span>. Animation lab is a two
semester course that incorporates the various specialties in ATEC (Arts,
Technology and Emerging Communication) into a production team somewhat like
what they would experience in the professional world. Tartan and I were able to
attend the premiere and it was superbly done. She graduates in the spring, but
she has a capstone project to complete, classes to finish, an admin job for the
research department and her volunteer work with fifth graders at her church. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="direction: ltr;">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; direction: ltr;" summary="" title="" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.234in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Egh3MkeDKRoAdIFDdf-_uFCzw7iGGn84wGlGAY04okIWXtcs3QD43BAHEXhjRWZ0JwsGT10Phx_qUxvYGBwJvJ3ymErbv5qZnaH7LPMDc7qqLpcw7BEineFoNuwH1Q8ZpHntkQQgi0/s1600/TAlex-brochure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1206" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2Egh3MkeDKRoAdIFDdf-_uFCzw7iGGn84wGlGAY04okIWXtcs3QD43BAHEXhjRWZ0JwsGT10Phx_qUxvYGBwJvJ3ymErbv5qZnaH7LPMDc7qqLpcw7BEineFoNuwH1Q8ZpHntkQQgi0/s320/TAlex-brochure.JPG" width="268" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 3.4555in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGfQwldHC6dItQIL3uHUlT8wp0mn76uBv_Yhz1L4czk-LEBMrFsMQiSq2U9IsmPpw20s_evSL9Cby436VnUdrW8TmM751ALHmfFUIrBH3Qkynm1yPHMOpNqcWxl-uvhWtluAUC-rO6pg/s1600/alex-inarischool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGfQwldHC6dItQIL3uHUlT8wp0mn76uBv_Yhz1L4czk-LEBMrFsMQiSq2U9IsmPpw20s_evSL9Cby436VnUdrW8TmM751ALHmfFUIrBH3Qkynm1yPHMOpNqcWxl-uvhWtluAUC-rO6pg/s320/alex-inarischool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 1.9027in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwomppqVa-0Gs3h8YXcE5qFJaH_jPjcrcY1EDXpPCPe1LaQ0seX5NSSQ0_p9WFhQdbSqGRB6yQzMf-pvbvmkPXAInZMA1Euz679ONIUu-SRb9ozMQN9846xjc8rvzgq5l_O-hqI89B4nk/s1600/MeandTA-kimono.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwomppqVa-0Gs3h8YXcE5qFJaH_jPjcrcY1EDXpPCPe1LaQ0seX5NSSQ0_p9WFhQdbSqGRB6yQzMf-pvbvmkPXAInZMA1Euz679ONIUu-SRb9ozMQN9846xjc8rvzgq5l_O-hqI89B4nk/s320/MeandTA-kimono.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tartan Alex was able
to spend a week home with us from Christmas to new year's day. We all were
happy to have him here and we spent time playing games, watching all eight
episodes of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Mandalorian</span>, and seeing <span style="font-style: italic;">The Rise of Skywalker</span>. He teaches English to
elementary school age children in Tomei, a rural area of Mito, Japan. He enjoys
it even though there are a few difficult children, but aren't there always?
Currently, he's planning on staying another year before coming back and doing
something new. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="direction: ltr;">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; direction: ltr;" summary="" title="" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 3.3819in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM2oijI9auHueq_7-nfFvX-ALTgLlY-AwYXfBNka2VaLgLZcHtV-i1uXhMIvCHJf7Y03t2TiyDQunRZi8lGpXb5faRbf_THsEpmiUZJEpDDmlc5yxfkz38dYNvceno5LjyR6gyNWgNgU/s1600/TandNBikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfM2oijI9auHueq_7-nfFvX-ALTgLlY-AwYXfBNka2VaLgLZcHtV-i1uXhMIvCHJf7Y03t2TiyDQunRZi8lGpXb5faRbf_THsEpmiUZJEpDDmlc5yxfkz38dYNvceno5LjyR6gyNWgNgU/s320/TandNBikes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.777in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YMsPI_0WngIvAEvgseCoPcHOuA-Syf3EC7nC3TjBO_2QvaOpby9HYU3jfvhC7BVfQM2wafiHpttDjDkYdZuoBRfczFP_AfMisch3JeEfKse2vuPF1BnJaYAF7NiUswbgI4hyphenhyphen3mryVA0/s1600/Tokyo-cousin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YMsPI_0WngIvAEvgseCoPcHOuA-Syf3EC7nC3TjBO_2QvaOpby9HYU3jfvhC7BVfQM2wafiHpttDjDkYdZuoBRfczFP_AfMisch3JeEfKse2vuPF1BnJaYAF7NiUswbgI4hyphenhyphen3mryVA0/s320/Tokyo-cousin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.8006in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-uY48iTI-fCDgU8Qy2MSNsrwxliuYEchKHLlxHY_7ORetUnl79j718QV1rnZW_Qqkq2XU3aS6puPdOd8_xCXxMmk3S-XGIGP4P0uwOyn23-KUTapSQFZnJY7fZ6IryLppOTExNpEmZM/s1600/kyotoInt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-uY48iTI-fCDgU8Qy2MSNsrwxliuYEchKHLlxHY_7ORetUnl79j718QV1rnZW_Qqkq2XU3aS6puPdOd8_xCXxMmk3S-XGIGP4P0uwOyn23-KUTapSQFZnJY7fZ6IryLppOTExNpEmZM/s320/kyotoInt.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.6083in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAA1V3wwhkaDSnCslvQOWlyOzg3zNkfaKyWgRoyY0GPE4LBv8-Y2j8G7FCmVpzllDHbO05EH6KUNvAInVZWkT6Ij0mr4bepxIkHuIMSWHlyW4K4JW7v4oPwQXQbW_8fx3uk6vj-1a_eE/s1600/tartan-Kyoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfAA1V3wwhkaDSnCslvQOWlyOzg3zNkfaKyWgRoyY0GPE4LBv8-Y2j8G7FCmVpzllDHbO05EH6KUNvAInVZWkT6Ij0mr4bepxIkHuIMSWHlyW4K4JW7v4oPwQXQbW_8fx3uk6vj-1a_eE/s320/tartan-Kyoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of Tartan
Alex, Tartan (the elder) and Naomi went to Japan in July to visit him. It was
an amazing trip. We walked around the Akihabara district of Tokyo, had dinner
with my cousin, spent a couple of days in Kyoto and saw T. Alex's cozy apartment
in Tomei. One of the highlights of the trip was being invited to visit his main
school where we sat in on one of his classes and had lunch with another class
after having a tour of the school. We got to participate in the lesson because
the children were supposed to ask one another "what do you do on {day of
the week}?" Once they found out they could ask us- they all lined up.
Another memorable experience was attending church at Kyoto International
Church. It was truly international with members from Japan, the US, Germany,
Nigeria and China, among others. We sang in Japanese and English and the pastor
spoke in Japanese while another member translated to English. It was an
"event" Sunday in that everyone was encouraged to wear a summer
kimono and they had extras for those who didn't have one. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="direction: ltr;">
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; direction: ltr;" summary="" title="" valign="top">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.8541in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikErxQVF8jYGLMs5ptSXe8NrBEk5hzfPpJtvG4bJfvpv5VkOaIN9xdCnCRS3aKBT1sAof0cLlP1ZErC5yozIpMpQpedWKERLB8wlPsmLaBvninWG8_i1lHPV0jm-py_MSVaRIhZW2JvOM/s1600/cozumelSign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikErxQVF8jYGLMs5ptSXe8NrBEk5hzfPpJtvG4bJfvpv5VkOaIN9xdCnCRS3aKBT1sAof0cLlP1ZErC5yozIpMpQpedWKERLB8wlPsmLaBvninWG8_i1lHPV0jm-py_MSVaRIhZW2JvOM/s320/cozumelSign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKh7yv-xX7Bf012YqJfpI6vE4Pll0YQXkboxHPtbptnHhxThoRBwUzA__tmAU8Ecj4o4XgK_H84-GLz3n6JTLidGzAVGRQywjTrPrMNrjWw1czzUp9cvjrzWHzTevLjK73p-Lh69qsBs/s1600/enchantmentoftheSeas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKh7yv-xX7Bf012YqJfpI6vE4Pll0YQXkboxHPtbptnHhxThoRBwUzA__tmAU8Ecj4o4XgK_H84-GLz3n6JTLidGzAVGRQywjTrPrMNrjWw1czzUp9cvjrzWHzTevLjK73p-Lh69qsBs/s320/enchantmentoftheSeas.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enchantment of the
Seas next to Symphony of the Seas</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xVaD7n0D5YqfWmIICDPotNsEixQQWotknJKI5p-OCpZMIoNrgO7gzlPzFdGkqHuyK8TsMml7tmu4gHaf4_SIGyCpOVbeACdqAtF9nEEg0VgnwApWdbE2gpRpwoxtslXRkMJ2qoSMWHo/s1600/aidanandmom-cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xVaD7n0D5YqfWmIICDPotNsEixQQWotknJKI5p-OCpZMIoNrgO7gzlPzFdGkqHuyK8TsMml7tmu4gHaf4_SIGyCpOVbeACdqAtF9nEEg0VgnwApWdbE2gpRpwoxtslXRkMJ2qoSMWHo/s320/aidanandmom-cruise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.2465in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Et2_YItpWhKyTTM7UXZCYb68O8xld8byrm_6Qx_wix_UQqyQAKMkpmEmIDOUYnAKryiWy3gpvQc4xVeR_EtAXqiD-ApuTFYOMzj-VL4_27_PWpAdcSaIBwe0dXwuSMVp1PhiMzDeVmQ/s1600/abi-cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Et2_YItpWhKyTTM7UXZCYb68O8xld8byrm_6Qx_wix_UQqyQAKMkpmEmIDOUYnAKryiWy3gpvQc4xVeR_EtAXqiD-ApuTFYOMzj-VL4_27_PWpAdcSaIBwe0dXwuSMVp1PhiMzDeVmQ/s320/abi-cruise.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT_4TCwuIaa2zLQOFTxMXE7Lk3GlSxPRVpBCHc5V4bqW7PRjCxETRsETU3gCSEQ7ISCdA2HmBnzFkrBC2OfrzFFhDtVD-uy8X0NFcmQGQnEsXOPXv7HLs8SM41h3wfAM61K_F07a0THw/s1600/kayleigh-cruise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqT_4TCwuIaa2zLQOFTxMXE7Lk3GlSxPRVpBCHc5V4bqW7PRjCxETRsETU3gCSEQ7ISCdA2HmBnzFkrBC2OfrzFFhDtVD-uy8X0NFcmQGQnEsXOPXv7HLs8SM41h3wfAM61K_F07a0THw/s320/kayleigh-cruise.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-color: #A3A3A3; border-style: solid; border-width: 1pt; padding: 4pt 4pt 4pt 4pt; vertical-align: top; width: 2.7277in;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGOUyt_L08EaKayX_vMPv-kmex1zqty_oa_mWq4GQgo7e43n4hrKrLlRpD0bZFSV-f3GNU2ghimQk3ZtMe9h4Q2HVk_Tj21HhWMs5FsKqxGLpvexOF3-4IRwmN7f21q1CD1479CQ7Ii4/s1600/sistersontheBeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGOUyt_L08EaKayX_vMPv-kmex1zqty_oa_mWq4GQgo7e43n4hrKrLlRpD0bZFSV-f3GNU2ghimQk3ZtMe9h4Q2HVk_Tj21HhWMs5FsKqxGLpvexOF3-4IRwmN7f21q1CD1479CQ7Ii4/s320/sistersontheBeach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_BIy-K4I8GAP1oYvOjXVl1y58fkT8CptGPWbzRWQdcPRRBXqF0kc_nArK3wNrnTZ3BwR1yrD4u6HzYBKcUZrt8koon50Xu10Lb4xDMPRdxkzc8X8FivHYgokIQhnkV7ZFf-Oe0Pxl-8/s1600/sandLadybug-cruise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_BIy-K4I8GAP1oYvOjXVl1y58fkT8CptGPWbzRWQdcPRRBXqF0kc_nArK3wNrnTZ3BwR1yrD4u6HzYBKcUZrt8koon50Xu10Lb4xDMPRdxkzc8X8FivHYgokIQhnkV7ZFf-Oe0Pxl-8/s320/sandLadybug-cruise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E3TFcqEVTOExtFyAOmP-WNZ9fyWiWsyx8OYLhtLzmV4ZlJ6Cj95scza4DgXaPTTCue1mOqKJfhYctnc_lNGTuihIENyMU3oSLDEcKMoFHLf7zL0ANe5IZU3bVSx9OdSDU_ufjkS-sjw/s1600/crocodileSign-cruise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7E3TFcqEVTOExtFyAOmP-WNZ9fyWiWsyx8OYLhtLzmV4ZlJ6Cj95scza4DgXaPTTCue1mOqKJfhYctnc_lNGTuihIENyMU3oSLDEcKMoFHLf7zL0ANe5IZU3bVSx9OdSDU_ufjkS-sjw/s320/crocodileSign-cruise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As we finish this
up, we just returned from our annual trip. We traveled aboard Enchantment of
the Seas to Cozumel, Mexico on a four night trip. The best part was probably
not having to do anything but show up for food. The worst part was motion
sickness for some of us on three of the evenings when there were heavy winds. I
found myself wishing we were on Symphony of the Seas, the largest passenger
ship in the world, which towered over us at dock in Cozumel. We enjoyed
listening to karaoke several nights, seeing the very talented performers in the
musical shows, and just sitting out on deck or in one of the covered locations,
reading, listening to music or just taking in the sunset. A few long naps were
also indulged in and the girls had fun at Dancing Under the Stars. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As we look forward
to all that God has in store for 2020, we hope and pray all the best for you
and yours!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Love, the Colliers</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-82578638696454296852019-01-25T13:26:00.001-05:002019-01-25T13:29:29.533-05:002018 Year in Review<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYFusjL-n6hRHEZx6cf3fK3cbxzufF5gH-0_XBiTJfsPfpIp3FIMTNdbsoaGY8lU4i3t-y9vaFNIij15mvSjXUFBeqg5VaUcYYfgoNvuaUWxGZkztX1xZkBmMNNHctgwHvI5UF2IWpWw/s1600/PC150255-edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="801" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeYFusjL-n6hRHEZx6cf3fK3cbxzufF5gH-0_XBiTJfsPfpIp3FIMTNdbsoaGY8lU4i3t-y9vaFNIij15mvSjXUFBeqg5VaUcYYfgoNvuaUWxGZkztX1xZkBmMNNHctgwHvI5UF2IWpWw/s320/PC150255-edit.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayleigh at Christmas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCP8ErOPwIMEHzgJD45-TmA51nVdHVcTRm8NmmAiZSt4Cd7P1LlbLneEC2670NVj_uzGa004lrBphVwHe8jjxpurA75PZLkC_YvBVnqo2vN4ZKTGLmo_o6pJde9IH19iRAAwbPekEv6g/s1600/HRCollier-Grad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCP8ErOPwIMEHzgJD45-TmA51nVdHVcTRm8NmmAiZSt4Cd7P1LlbLneEC2670NVj_uzGa004lrBphVwHe8jjxpurA75PZLkC_YvBVnqo2vN4ZKTGLmo_o6pJde9IH19iRAAwbPekEv6g/s320/HRCollier-Grad.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan at graduation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1104" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPr9wRRxgRU_logr-f645kcWofDmT8gZOWqJRqTAihUlgdSj6MEAF91eE5z_q3GDrPSKWHO90vD2G7J03iqph3tLz1dTBM4AqEZPNLRq4YJfQNDOCPAV4_OZKRszzj7XrVKJ376GgaA4/s320/IMG_5166.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="220" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigail from an Open Sky photo shoot</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcugah72aKJw7aAhJwSKdnKhcH1Bs9tryQJS02phDWu6DtVofrsv1E5yl_zuvZdktRctnEn-KQqF3RpgIQh1npdvFWnIAOj6cwlQKSsYIXx6xZWCi-aLv7q2sak4f-LQ8EGF54PWwhDU/s1600/IMG_2638.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcugah72aKJw7aAhJwSKdnKhcH1Bs9tryQJS02phDWu6DtVofrsv1E5yl_zuvZdktRctnEn-KQqF3RpgIQh1npdvFWnIAOj6cwlQKSsYIXx6xZWCi-aLv7q2sak4f-LQ8EGF54PWwhDU/s320/IMG_2638.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Lindsey Sterling\Evanescence concert on our anniversary</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyPr9wRRxgRU_logr-f645kcWofDmT8gZOWqJRqTAihUlgdSj6MEAF91eE5z_q3GDrPSKWHO90vD2G7J03iqph3tLz1dTBM4AqEZPNLRq4YJfQNDOCPAV4_OZKRszzj7XrVKJ376GgaA4/s1600/IMG_5166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVsV6u0_QhgzcZ5ZjgYSZw0bN70OVhrOLInGycbdbeIb2G5DVlti_mePq1e2vxuJegfwbRmPiegtn0qqBOAlRAEkh1AAcqVfBtHY1fSGuvDnzFN0eZrVb3ER2dF73x2lyTFwLGO4p_aM/s1600/IMG_7826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="758" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXVsV6u0_QhgzcZ5ZjgYSZw0bN70OVhrOLInGycbdbeIb2G5DVlti_mePq1e2vxuJegfwbRmPiegtn0qqBOAlRAEkh1AAcqVfBtHY1fSGuvDnzFN0eZrVb3ER2dF73x2lyTFwLGO4p_aM/s320/IMG_7826.JPG" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T. Alex before heading to Japan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6QFLM4NXCHmfElC6bf8nBNiO7ICWOCy34GMOe2QNWBks5-KyLKL0JlgvHqYXMg5Ut7uigB3Er57h0FRACLYspuwVYiwkqcTzUqTkHuFFYuOtxkW74Jw8Tdq0lFqTdCxAxnpfA105jfA/s1600/86d7e96a3124ab29ec7970e99b5f40e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6QFLM4NXCHmfElC6bf8nBNiO7ICWOCy34GMOe2QNWBks5-KyLKL0JlgvHqYXMg5Ut7uigB3Er57h0FRACLYspuwVYiwkqcTzUqTkHuFFYuOtxkW74Jw8Tdq0lFqTdCxAxnpfA105jfA/s320/86d7e96a3124ab29ec7970e99b5f40e1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kyrie in Tennessee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG1NpRHmdeX1iBrqNM4vuEjbW_mNsFxn6K3QQHlnCb3o00m-jILabrxN0yhFeCUPIEk9lK2D5NY7vTbjY190hyphenhyphenAygIYUcPU8KkP9yN0UUGTci_EUmsINzOKmRI3R1nhmbjpFwdmoknw8/s1600/e5789c4be6fae7d3c72d43d9127b64ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG1NpRHmdeX1iBrqNM4vuEjbW_mNsFxn6K3QQHlnCb3o00m-jILabrxN0yhFeCUPIEk9lK2D5NY7vTbjY190hyphenhyphenAygIYUcPU8KkP9yN0UUGTci_EUmsINzOKmRI3R1nhmbjpFwdmoknw8/s320/e5789c4be6fae7d3c72d43d9127b64ea.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kayleigh didn't feel left out this year!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Dear family and
friends,</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Another year has
flown by, and it’s time for yet another New Year’s missive from the Colliers.
2018 was an eventful year; here are a few of the highlights:</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
In April, Tartan
Alex moved to Mito, Japan to teach English at a couple of elementary schools in
Ibaraki Prefecture. This was a huge step, but one that Tartan Alex embraced
wholeheartedly. Between learning the area - and how to navigate on foot,
bicycle, bus and train!, putting together lesson plans, and figuring out how to
do all the basic things of life when everything is written in a different
language, he’s certainly keeping busy.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Kyrie continues to
enjoy a busy college life at UTD. She attended two conferences <span style="font-size: 11pt;">as the marketing
director for UTD TV, one in Minneapolis and one in Seattle. She applied and was
accepted as the assistant production manager for the second semester of
animation lab which produced an animated short called “Drift”. She is looking
forward to being the producer for the next two-semester animation lab. She has
also become more active at her church, volunteering with middle school girls.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
In May, Aidan
officially became a high school graduate of the Class of 2018. Congratulations,
Aidan! Since then, he has been working as a nearly-full-time lifeguard for the
YMCA, and will be taking classes at Lone Star Community College starting in the
spring of 2019. Aidan also attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference
at Indiana University in the summer, and was called out for the OA’s “Vigil
Honor” - a very prestigious accomplishment! - in October.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
In July, Abigail
went to Mongolia as part of Ballet Excelsior’s “Saviour” ballet tour. The
company danced two shows in the capital city of Ulaan-Baataar and one show in
Darkhan, accompanied by a full choir and the Mongolian Military Orchestra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like last year's trip to Bulgaria, Naomi went
along as the photographer/videographer and Tartan provided tech support for
lighting, sound, and prop construction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the fall, Abigail began dancing as an intern with Open Sky Arts
Collective, and she is absolutely loving it! In the lead up to Christmas, they
had several inspirational performances at churches, children’s hospitals, and
senior living centers.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Kayleigh continues
to dance with Excelsior in their trainee program, and had a number of
performances as well, including a busy weekend of shows just before Christmas.
She officially became a teenager in June and has grown a lot this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s taking two outside classes (writing and
science) as part of our homeschool and doing very well in them. <br />
<br />
Tartan continues work at ExxonMobil. He is also still the assistant children's supervisor at Bible Study Fellowship, where he is joined by Abigail in the senior level children's class and by Aidan, now in an adult discussion group. (Aidan also has the distinction of being the youngest "adult" in the entire BSF class!) This year, Tartan<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> started playing with the music team at church, playing the cajon for a couple of months before shifting over to play bass keyboard. Both Naomi and Tartan have been trained as facilitators for GriefShare, a grief recovery program, and are helping to host a course being offered nearby. Naomi is still the treasurer for our homeschool association, Homewood, and every year she keeps adjusting to having older children.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Our big family trip
this year was to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We stayed in a mountain cabin in
Sevierville, and made a couple of day trips into Pigeon Forge and to Cades Cove
(in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park). The rest of the time we spent watching
movies, playing games, and generally enjoying each other’s company.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
That's what the
Colliers have been up to this past year. We hope that, just as we have seen God
working in and through us, that you have been similarly blessed. Looking
forward to what 2019 holds in store!</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Love,<br />
Tartan, Naomi and the Collier Crew</div>
<br />Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-21147778957678258922018-01-07T22:06:00.000-05:002018-01-07T22:10:09.648-05:00<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
** IMPORTANT NOTE: This is the post for last year. 2018's post follows this one so don't miss it! **<br />
<br />
Greetings to our
friends and family as we head into 2017!</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Another year has
swept past and we hope it's been a blessed one for you whether in ups or downs.
</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
We headed north this
year through Missouri and on to Michigan. We drove through Oklahoma, Arkansas,
Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky. Over 3000 miles. We visited family and
friends. We ate lunch at the restaurant Tartan's mom had her first job and then
visited with extended family. In
Michigan we spent New Year's Eve with a sweet family we visited last year- in
California! And we spent a (too) short time with a friend of Naomi's from
junior high who recently moved from Houston to Michigan. (And I waited until now to get together with her!)</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Previously this
year, Tartan Alex graduated with honors from HBU with a double degree in
English and Creative Writing. He's taken a short term job as a tutor with the
Houston school district. Kyrie took
classes at Lone Star College and is preparing to transfer to The University of
Texas at Dallas in the fall. For two weeks in the summer, Kyrie, Abigail and
Tartan went to Poland and the Czech Republic with Ballet Excelsior to perform a
ballet of <span style="font-style: italic;">The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</span>
in a variety of venues including a small theatre that had never had a Christian
group perform before and where they had to turn people away because it was
completely full. Another performance was in a large square in front of a church
where many people stopped to watch.
Tartan spent his first couple of days there figuring out how to build
the "stone" table and a frame for hanging prop curtains. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Aidan has continued
with Boy Scouts and has until September to become Eagle. He completed his
project and has just a few merit badges to finish. He is making progress in
taekwondo. Though he has his black belt, there are degrees of black belt so
he's working towards the next degree. His favorite class is weapons class. They
don't fight each other with weapons but learn sequences of moves. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Kayleigh moved up to
level 5 in ballet. She's a little young for pointe shoes; that'll likely come
next year. However she danced in the annual Dance with a Purpose fundraiser for
Ballet Excelsior. She loves ballet and hip hop, but her favorite is tap. Ballet
Excelsior and the Excelsior Trainees perform in a Christmas show at Market
Street almost every year. Kyrie is in the company and Abigail is in the trainee
program. This year was special because Kayleigh got to dance with her tap class
at the beginning of the show so all three girls participated. It was an
interesting two days. The first night the temperatures were in the low 70s,
high 60s. The second night the temperature was hovering around freezing. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Naomi learned a lot
about the frustrations of gardening last spring. This year we're going to build
an enclosed walk in garden box and hope for better success. She's also enjoyed
loom knitting and plans to finish a small blanket and make a hat for Abigail
(so she'll give back the one Naomi made for herself). </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
And now the photos…</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNQUSHaVndzb65XNW1TRcwoi-E0qjJ5j5E4JzBv9V7Q5_WmnyK7tnoKO73qK514eUtrLGj6jWP3ryla61bSONOIsISY8s-Dw9qmHCGhF_MA_Y6VAvAPKw1amm1aeN_FyHOypLM8kWpqQ/s1600/IMG_2926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNQUSHaVndzb65XNW1TRcwoi-E0qjJ5j5E4JzBv9V7Q5_WmnyK7tnoKO73qK514eUtrLGj6jWP3ryla61bSONOIsISY8s-Dw9qmHCGhF_MA_Y6VAvAPKw1amm1aeN_FyHOypLM8kWpqQ/s320/IMG_2926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Tartan receives a scouting award in January</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIw-ROUMPNHpaLLL-MG-Tj_CV2Nw1uvrtBmwFDLHdUTQxQl-56gdCswtS9eMizRH_DwZCa2B4OG3bVj1stmKLkr9Y1yUgggSyPm8RD89jXFNgGY1JE2N69R19c0KcS93iuIdo3AwHaZU/s1600/IMG_3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIw-ROUMPNHpaLLL-MG-Tj_CV2Nw1uvrtBmwFDLHdUTQxQl-56gdCswtS9eMizRH_DwZCa2B4OG3bVj1stmKLkr9Y1yUgggSyPm8RD89jXFNgGY1JE2N69R19c0KcS93iuIdo3AwHaZU/s320/IMG_3007.JPG" width="134" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq15zTrwJUmxOSUZf1PSvsNk1exLbm5XG6-YngJRV9_p4hhmGjX5hCdlBBHP70SRvl8binlUIlBwCojxku3Xugv5cpCzPHUWNGfEP13YlsRD2Hmme3QL6qFNUDDbOZGPP__kapCHi0YKM/s1600/IMG_3009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq15zTrwJUmxOSUZf1PSvsNk1exLbm5XG6-YngJRV9_p4hhmGjX5hCdlBBHP70SRvl8binlUIlBwCojxku3Xugv5cpCzPHUWNGfEP13YlsRD2Hmme3QL6qFNUDDbOZGPP__kapCHi0YKM/s320/IMG_3009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
About to head to the Father Daughter Dance</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtfebob-L6oVDzGH8JkB41uXjIiYQsuV6FmpkQZesaGnDZQkR49onR0BeIQfHLFVD5PmLJ0I-r21Ffmln-7LIHzyCSoTcNUbMuvW_Yovah07KBOk3ttD8bJzU5n0Px-LhSAlJSi1EPcM/s1600/IMG_3056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtfebob-L6oVDzGH8JkB41uXjIiYQsuV6FmpkQZesaGnDZQkR49onR0BeIQfHLFVD5PmLJ0I-r21Ffmln-7LIHzyCSoTcNUbMuvW_Yovah07KBOk3ttD8bJzU5n0Px-LhSAlJSi1EPcM/s320/IMG_3056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
T. Alex enjoying the love on his birthday </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0OOJlb6YKVwpdGkqGmLn9k95cNXIVvzhCLWSicZjhfv2M7M67Lzp-TXczh8bqdvK5UrVydaXP735qE8m7V1z_cY4SSOFVBbB1hf6KwINDevqF4RWAwWZ2w92Mit8Aeo4XMTR_iIRYR0/s1600/IMG_3446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0OOJlb6YKVwpdGkqGmLn9k95cNXIVvzhCLWSicZjhfv2M7M67Lzp-TXczh8bqdvK5UrVydaXP735qE8m7V1z_cY4SSOFVBbB1hf6KwINDevqF4RWAwWZ2w92Mit8Aeo4XMTR_iIRYR0/s320/IMG_3446.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ76X1NX3GHdivqVmulWxoOqS7XvB7ZwtfU07N_zO9hHGs3xvtfoGJBnIWTFzx0eBU5gL71WVRAHPj0TXjG_XlnUkS9_ECs6lGCtn1oIHHr4uO_bHH0VxwLN_2OhqibCKHOg16EnrAY4/s1600/IMG_3448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJJ76X1NX3GHdivqVmulWxoOqS7XvB7ZwtfU07N_zO9hHGs3xvtfoGJBnIWTFzx0eBU5gL71WVRAHPj0TXjG_XlnUkS9_ECs6lGCtn1oIHHr4uO_bHH0VxwLN_2OhqibCKHOg16EnrAY4/s320/IMG_3448.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aidan officially receiving his black belt</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkHBPZ8G3fgjufRbvnGN3HXixXHKR2HGDlL1uJ1nNlg9hvLXBr9BgNZS9ha42ASx9bSiTelyDxh1l-CyxDSA3cCtq2BD0ToFGrptEF5k4EWtr5Zj6WXg3FnCU1a36Rt2nTcs2PTa6gSU/s1600/IMG_3468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkHBPZ8G3fgjufRbvnGN3HXixXHKR2HGDlL1uJ1nNlg9hvLXBr9BgNZS9ha42ASx9bSiTelyDxh1l-CyxDSA3cCtq2BD0ToFGrptEF5k4EWtr5Zj6WXg3FnCU1a36Rt2nTcs2PTa6gSU/s320/IMG_3468.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEy9lA3mzMKnFVhmV7ou7tx8gmjYU1yLtlPrCGYre97nn4UQzHxtLTnZyGaq3b2Kh32seznaEg1j8qRFo8_C2sm0-AwwDOxkcD5v8Js5LJ2l3u7e3ekwcaSjXs1edlDttzRw6tVBQNP8/s1600/IMG_3490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEy9lA3mzMKnFVhmV7ou7tx8gmjYU1yLtlPrCGYre97nn4UQzHxtLTnZyGaq3b2Kh32seznaEg1j8qRFo8_C2sm0-AwwDOxkcD5v8Js5LJ2l3u7e3ekwcaSjXs1edlDttzRw6tVBQNP8/s320/IMG_3490.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kayleigh after her grade 4 and Abi and friends after their level 7 exams</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHfOriiA7iE740FPC-dj4mR07QU92hzM45n0jRjdNYId_4oDDm_Bnj8iWp5MTJMJz0RbynTDsgOHBIfGxW-irJRbLAXSt-ZitKSSUDesaVR9YzP5uXRm9JtsheNNfDq_iepemVwbBmVs/s1600/IMG_3500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="534" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHfOriiA7iE740FPC-dj4mR07QU92hzM45n0jRjdNYId_4oDDm_Bnj8iWp5MTJMJz0RbynTDsgOHBIfGxW-irJRbLAXSt-ZitKSSUDesaVR9YzP5uXRm9JtsheNNfDq_iepemVwbBmVs/s320/IMG_3500.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kayleigh IS the fox (from the Christmas dinner scene in The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe, though this photo was in our back garden)</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0G1iGt51X2d-Ibyhyphenhyphen0sMwvRdg2Onr09mvY23M0CFRF5-7V2qy9QmxXetc031_j_car-Dy5OE7zBvDwZ3kGvp_gpLpL12hkwnq9ZliQOT7A9V0mWEL-m3zgintuv484kJE6AWwS2uX4M/s1600/IMG_3740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0G1iGt51X2d-Ibyhyphenhyphen0sMwvRdg2Onr09mvY23M0CFRF5-7V2qy9QmxXetc031_j_car-Dy5OE7zBvDwZ3kGvp_gpLpL12hkwnq9ZliQOT7A9V0mWEL-m3zgintuv484kJE6AWwS2uX4M/s320/IMG_3740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Mission trip to Poland & the Czech Republic with Ballet Excelsior</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bcmZfBDcim2n77BzfJ_uHwIDtcT2R6nzIpiha1rw5qfISuJKIeP6mV67W-KGoyArqUYp_lCZjYkFhHAQ26_c8WXnBQK9C0Wj3iLW6DaO0cyNjQVWkeQzWvPM955aoPdF548072zL22w/s1600/IMG_4743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7bcmZfBDcim2n77BzfJ_uHwIDtcT2R6nzIpiha1rw5qfISuJKIeP6mV67W-KGoyArqUYp_lCZjYkFhHAQ26_c8WXnBQK9C0Wj3iLW6DaO0cyNjQVWkeQzWvPM955aoPdF548072zL22w/s320/IMG_4743.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kyrie depicting Edmund as he makes the decision to obey the White Witch</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxKjudsDBC1WkJoSggy5a0IP6LBY0px8JIAvMdgMyA2jDRHFycXnaNdw6HdbCElztMbstoZCSVz_ysi1XihTqh_sXAQpsUVOuZRAYDFc0v8yUvGalJjpzaMIuNIl2BoG1tZYSLZzxhME/s1600/IMG_5709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxKjudsDBC1WkJoSggy5a0IP6LBY0px8JIAvMdgMyA2jDRHFycXnaNdw6HdbCElztMbstoZCSVz_ysi1XihTqh_sXAQpsUVOuZRAYDFc0v8yUvGalJjpzaMIuNIl2BoG1tZYSLZzxhME/s320/IMG_5709.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Tormented by the Queen's crones when she comes to claim Edmund</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgGO7bWKZMod-A5Jh0yq41RE1J29pKj7oBSpKGhKRxnsixcN1AEFA1lUB6u3X4JUey3hMYEUZ7izztYbqvGEYvi3U_rVa9tYjgamG9aJZ8MtftwV6VU9S8EhMrFwiVEwZNf8mdvCASaE/s1600/IMG_6296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgGO7bWKZMod-A5Jh0yq41RE1J29pKj7oBSpKGhKRxnsixcN1AEFA1lUB6u3X4JUey3hMYEUZ7izztYbqvGEYvi3U_rVa9tYjgamG9aJZ8MtftwV6VU9S8EhMrFwiVEwZNf8mdvCASaE/s320/IMG_6296.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div>
Charging into battle</div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLK3cOZI1fzhoynl0FklaZTkKCQeR506vN1dY5m0eCv8FZmllNm81tLPMFAIp60bKzzXXHIDZXqAST6akgXY5J7dsHvwNkhWZOvHCkCtyOQckeKw1OODtqz0iYjo6id14TU1uwQ0w0-k/s1600/IMG_5054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLK3cOZI1fzhoynl0FklaZTkKCQeR506vN1dY5m0eCv8FZmllNm81tLPMFAIp60bKzzXXHIDZXqAST6akgXY5J7dsHvwNkhWZOvHCkCtyOQckeKw1OODtqz0iYjo6id14TU1uwQ0w0-k/s320/IMG_5054.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEozsw5I4sRWqIJOn-0LR4BeOZeJeg0Q9-_1biVrkpoRypCPUIDOIMxb6BZdyyXZNeJ0J1U_AhWrR4gJHqkydmNYQ30z5csKRMYmElaGF42xeO6PW71nLE5jRyaPsQ4q6YQkxjfm0FU4/s1600/IMG_5134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="655" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEozsw5I4sRWqIJOn-0LR4BeOZeJeg0Q9-_1biVrkpoRypCPUIDOIMxb6BZdyyXZNeJ0J1U_AhWrR4gJHqkydmNYQ30z5csKRMYmElaGF42xeO6PW71nLE5jRyaPsQ4q6YQkxjfm0FU4/s320/IMG_5134.JPG" width="262" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: center;">Abigail IS the butterfly</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtureyhQ-wfmrlqtIPhpWKpjA-RoqaCkis6eTL1CBsoyBG6P4p3wvELKIyeFBxP5cf9fH-8xwiAL9hImgcA1Ijfactesuw0gWG4nw3z8Qzt9IP0fYNDmnLO6QaWAOvlZLXIdNEWb3yuE/s1600/IMG_4561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgtureyhQ-wfmrlqtIPhpWKpjA-RoqaCkis6eTL1CBsoyBG6P4p3wvELKIyeFBxP5cf9fH-8xwiAL9hImgcA1Ijfactesuw0gWG4nw3z8Qzt9IP0fYNDmnLO6QaWAOvlZLXIdNEWb3yuE/s320/IMG_4561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Aidan arranged for the children's wing at church to be painted for his Eagle project</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx44Ogw61rCeZ5SFHxgUJFFmqPB_NJ0pAsYYOsbb2LwwoywyYWOeItYtTGQ3gmYDHIR0GXQOs7oBnmV2-UIllvN9jY_K7RbTtvMZYmenfvZwZS-4TkB7avmODZRNmWXXRAo5uHvMmlJ4/s1600/IMG_7923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx44Ogw61rCeZ5SFHxgUJFFmqPB_NJ0pAsYYOsbb2LwwoywyYWOeItYtTGQ3gmYDHIR0GXQOs7oBnmV2-UIllvN9jY_K7RbTtvMZYmenfvZwZS-4TkB7avmODZRNmWXXRAo5uHvMmlJ4/s320/IMG_7923.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwWSMUcy_50yTy92lx-gOXuKgZW4qNqFZ6r8a8kOckd1Jr3PiUpvdLJq3yJM4gX2SfA3WB7_0X3nANzPguxYAE0UHDqf9AS6hO71P_iUIhY_jJUBtp4BENQc2PnBq0KBxoAUikQEMZ1Q/s1600/IMG_7926.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwWSMUcy_50yTy92lx-gOXuKgZW4qNqFZ6r8a8kOckd1Jr3PiUpvdLJq3yJM4gX2SfA3WB7_0X3nANzPguxYAE0UHDqf9AS6hO71P_iUIhY_jJUBtp4BENQc2PnBq0KBxoAUikQEMZ1Q/s320/IMG_7926.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our annual visit to Renaissance Festival</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-34724108176282190192018-01-04T00:50:00.000-05:002018-01-11T19:01:12.691-05:00Dear Family and Friends,<br />
<br />
I actually did have a letter for 2017 but my editor did not get back to me with whether it needed any changes, I forgot about it and then it was February! I'll post it with this one anyway, though that'll be in a couple of days. I want to post photos with that one that I don't have access to at the moment.<br />
<br />
2017 - what happened this year? The good thing about these posts is that it causes me to look back on the events of the year.<br />
<br />
In February, Kayleigh got her braces and Abigail got her driver's permit. Hopefully, she'll get her license in the next month.<br />
<br />
March brought a trip to Bulgaria for Tartan, myself, Kyrie and Abigail with Ballet Excelsior. The girls performed in an extended version of <i>The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe</i> in Sofia, Stara Zagora, and Varna. Tartan was the sound tech again and I was the photographer. Kyrie and Abigail reprised their roles as Edmund and the butterfly. Tartan also built a garden box for me. I had better success, especially since I was able to put my blueberry bush containers inside the box. My best harvest was from those!<br />
<br />
Abigail participated in the homeschool science fair for her biology class in April. She created a model of a butterfly wing and called it ”Layers of Beauty." In May we went down to Corpus Christi for a short but sweet visit with my dad and his wife that included a visit to the beach. At the beginning of June was Kyrie's last performances with Excelsior. I'm not sure how many times between rehearsals and shows she performed as Edmund but she did it each time with energy and emotion that the audience could connect with. Abigail's butterfly was graceful dancing alongside Lucy and Kayleigh's fox led a dance at the Christmas dinner.<br />
<br />
At the end of June, another child got braces! Abigail is hoping she won't have to have them for a full 18 months, but we'll just have to see. In July, Aidan traveled without us with the contingent from BSA Sam Houston Area Council to the national jamboree in West Virginia. He had a great time and brought home one of the official tents. I insisted he take pictures so he averaged about one a day that he sent to his dad. His favorite area was the OA Circle where he found his OA lodge name in the brickwork. Finding places where he could charge his electronics was a challenge but he discovered a spot outside the bathrooms near the sinks. So, he'd let his phone charge and he'd help people dump pots of water. He lived up to the Colonneh lodge motto of "cheerful service."<br />
<br />
August was a busy month! We got Kyrie settled in to her on-campus apartment, school started for everyone and the following weekend Tartan and I spent a few days in Hamilton, Texas at a vacation house for our anniversary. It was very nice and relaxing but we returned to heavy rainfall from hurricane Harvey and a very busy week helping out families in the neighborhood next to our church who got flooded. We pulled out wet furniture and household items, removed drywall and insulation, and shop-vacuumed a lot of water. Our church served meals and handed out donated clothes, food, personal items, and bottled water.<br />
<br />
September was memorable in that Aidan earned his Eagle Scout rank and turned 18! We will have his Court of Honor at the end of January. Tartan Alex was informed that he had a job in Mito, Japan in the spring. He'll be going at the end of March or early April to teach English for at least a year. In October, we visited Kyrie at UTD during Family Day, though we didn't participate in any of the official activities. Her major is Arts and Technology with a focus in Design & Production. She really enjoyed her classes and has made many new friends. She found time to become very involved with UTD TV where she became part of the production crew, doing things like set up and take down and working camera and audio. And she even had the opportunity to do some editing at the end of the<br />
semester and hopes to do more.<br />
<br />
November was busy with a lot of rehearsals for DWAP (Dance with a Purpose) and Christmas performances. Abigail is a trainee senior this year and was able to dance with the Ballet Excelsior company. Each year, Excelsior teams with Lifepointe church to do a Christmas show for the public. A dance with three small dancers was requested to perform both at the church (which had limited room) and at Market Street. Since Kayleigh is small, an intermediate level dancer and has a sister who was already going to be involved with the Christmas dances, she was asked to be one of the three. The three girls persevered through many rehearsals and did a superb job at all three performances in December. Abigail danced a duet at the church, performed in several of the dances at Market Street, and danced with company at Faith Bible church on two different weekends. It was an unusually full dance schedule this December!<br />
<br />
While two of our vehicles were getting maintenance work done at the same time, Tartan Alex volunteered to go to the ExxonMobil campus to pick up his dad. He was asked by two different security guards if he was an Uber driver and so was born an idea for a temporary career. He soon became a Lyft driver, which has been an interesting experience for him. He's helped people load and unload their groceries. He's driven very talkative passengers and some that are on their phones the entire time. He drove someone from the airport to the hospital- a sobering experience. He's even created Spotify playlists that he tries to match to different passengers. Hopefully by the time he's off to Japan he'll be so sick of driving that he won't mind not having a car in Japan.<br />
<br />
Our end of year trip was to Duck Creek Village, Utah. We rented a wonderful cabin where we just hung out together for a week. We made one day trip to Zion National Park where we hiked the Emerald Pools trail. On the way to Utah we stopped by Petrified Forest National Park which seemed like a great place to go to on another trip. Since
T. Alex will be in Japan next Christmas, this year’s trip is likely the last
time (for a while, at least) that we’ll all be together, traveling and making
memories. As a “finale” of sorts, it’s been a really good one.<br />
<br />
As always, we hope for a wonderful 2018 for you all! We don't know what the new year holds for us but we know Who holds us in everything.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89hmotbTk2JRw792p_ycty3aMPgQUCpc-Vee0yI1G81Hjb0XdK9VBEL2yNfblkLXRhB6M6B_Z1vQzJpbh34X0BP-ZQ8AJdecAHfDcJhPshlBX71P-G6nGFJgy599Q_7duqtlR0xaC0og/s1600/IMG_0198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89hmotbTk2JRw792p_ycty3aMPgQUCpc-Vee0yI1G81Hjb0XdK9VBEL2yNfblkLXRhB6M6B_Z1vQzJpbh34X0BP-ZQ8AJdecAHfDcJhPshlBX71P-G6nGFJgy599Q_7duqtlR0xaC0og/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf3xn_9TrUhl9S4UrG-zlJOjS3w_7X2WFwLSKWUu4qwPZ-qcxIFLmu9sJ8n7Y8TeHi_FqPvxJqr73tx-hs7-w_xzf8PAuTqCcF-_MJDalRMgoRHsWu6ek-RplNm5JFliDCIFFggFRlOU/s1600/IMG_0195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaf3xn_9TrUhl9S4UrG-zlJOjS3w_7X2WFwLSKWUu4qwPZ-qcxIFLmu9sJ8n7Y8TeHi_FqPvxJqr73tx-hs7-w_xzf8PAuTqCcF-_MJDalRMgoRHsWu6ek-RplNm5JFliDCIFFggFRlOU/s320/IMG_0195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6-ZS6bN6U41BEldtQOIweaqGnbuGpIxkSBfNedWub568Ujsum5qo_GITysnUsWvkRrqnYArNNP_eCguzxOlcEhInqgAgV7m0kboALmn8zWRwJFaDCBacJaTHnEDVV9JOPotHlgihLM8/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE6-ZS6bN6U41BEldtQOIweaqGnbuGpIxkSBfNedWub568Ujsum5qo_GITysnUsWvkRrqnYArNNP_eCguzxOlcEhInqgAgV7m0kboALmn8zWRwJFaDCBacJaTHnEDVV9JOPotHlgihLM8/s320/IMG_0196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-28545277749332066512017-10-21T11:37:00.000-05:002017-10-21T11:37:38.885-05:00Thoughts from a Morning Walk
<span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXkKnJ6QpJAWS30IAXveJOztxjTT3OEc9CfP6BHue8E5tKHZ1uqLFBuMfNw9phDmWfEAj20Pzi-7zusvxYdxQ3JyTnG3pM-Hua11h0jF_Uzw3zaOMtb3Y5v88VTOu9wWcdtuVS5G2yiEF/s1600/MorningSky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="193" data-original-width="993" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXkKnJ6QpJAWS30IAXveJOztxjTT3OEc9CfP6BHue8E5tKHZ1uqLFBuMfNw9phDmWfEAj20Pzi-7zusvxYdxQ3JyTnG3pM-Hua11h0jF_Uzw3zaOMtb3Y5v88VTOu9wWcdtuVS5G2yiEF/s400/MorningSky.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-en-clipboard: true;">
There is a lot wrong with this world we live in. There is the all-too-common violence of theft, assault and even murder of our fellow sojourners that we share space with on this planet. There is built-in bias in our society and our workplaces and our schools, and there are predators in Hollywood, government, and at the corner grocery store that harass and abuse those who are weaker or less advantaged that they are. There is a lack of civility that manifests itself in hate-filled posts on social media toward those who don’t hold the same political, religious, or intellectual worldview, and there are those whose lack of regard for anything other than self lead them to operate heavy, potentially lethal equipment at unsafe speeds while talking on their phones and ignoring everything else around them. We live in a world where world leaders publicly behave in childish ways, and engage in a pattern of public brinksmanship that risks the lives and futures of those they should be protecting and serving.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, despite the evident brokenness of the world around us, we can find things to be thankful for: When I woke up this morning and turned on the tap at the bathroom sink, clean and drinkable water flowed forth. When I stepped outside, I breathed fresh air and didn’t have to wear a mask like they do in some parts of the world. If I’m hungry, I have a choice of restaurants and fast food places within easy driving distance, or if I want to make my own breakfast there is a grocery store less than a mile away that has any ingredient that I might need. I can pick up my phone and be instantly connected to people I know despite the fact that they live thousands of miles away, or I can listen to whatever music, news, or commentary I feel like at the time. If I want to know something, I can “ask Alexa” and she can (sometimes) provide me with exactly what I was looking for.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am thankful for the many blessings that I experience in the midst of such a broken and flawed world. This morning, my soul resonates with the words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.”</div>
</span>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Tartan Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17083331650519050445noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-930233908383379452016-01-14T22:50:00.001-05:002016-01-14T22:50:09.143-05:00The Didn’t-Even-Make-It-Before-Epiphany 2015-2016 Letter<p> <p><font size="6" face="AR CARTER">As has been usual the past few years, our Christmas letter has become the new year’s-looking-back letter. Join us in taking a look at the past year:</font> <p><font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">January</font> <p align="left">We spent the end of 2014<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikBiqLAcrm3YB74NL4VmPuXNdkQmDxbothbTvncMUuYj1jYMwmT7Q6s3rW_d18iagr6a_ZtiTmHVyrmiODqAvcLxrW1qb3xbLfiNoFLHu0AWBkT9oiQU6TMpGVHASFcz8DTLwy7Ex0a90/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="clip_image002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" hspace="12" alt="clip_image002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnT6laJsro9h-hkv-g4LbGcAFgQ8Wc6kDvK41P1g_nYogBYd747BHkvbQbv_F8O49uAqYfTTOaI0tW8W3GFNbVaL7Xg4qBHGmhe8dBTEgct_IKLWCwRKeqPFhbt6IGgRi6gAp92KRIHjc/?imgmax=800" width="209" height="152"></a> and the beginning of 2015 in Disney World in Florida. It was a great family time. We stayed on property in our camper and visited all the parks. Meeting Hiro and Baymax was a highlight.</p> <p><font face="AR DELANEY"><font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">February</font> </font>was Dance Mission Preview by Ballet Excelsior and the dance school. This is an annual fundraiser in which dancers levels 5 and up participate. Aidan had an ecology project (Alaska tundra) and an insect project (termite) for biology class.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Nqq1QdT4M08OwipliaVjcKFJE5ztz7AHbRvs-T0i6rM78G7-QU8BnjlQVelqTeAzPX7GR0IHf7KPH30dCPxkENltR04VHp6HTi-rk2VpbDdiuRMkTDWfedRaAF0JNHaK1jXUBrfg3EA/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B4%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="clip_image002[4]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" hspace="12" alt="clip_image002[4]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtIp5azO_okZ5AxpMAvN9PkQum-EmAuGicHa2tXl8MRMLTSfXMiQ8P79ZAaJDZtc62q1BCsYI5M_gaXgyXa5CLiiD2gdWO8Ikq29yxGbABG2VUDFggJdEMjwgBgMNjf2IpD-rnEyHv08M/?imgmax=800" width="165" height="118"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM9JcF1WAaC6GA-5s-5NauUIzzJD78nmhZ3nwxDwwrF6SjRhJ3Lg-LPJvhcE_Pl7esdbvtt6fEBwKGVU5fxOnWhqKC7v8xvlVwIcQeS8OcuKjWYmDgrC2mPYeBwfaC4IEv8iMfWMUH7A/s1600-h/clip_image004%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="clip_image004" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="clip_image004" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQk5tpfNLQT5jFmZnR3bTD-ihMjj0T8b0zoMLCQJqUF3VjS0EXw9RKnKFOTMNaC_d-GGjXq8aXnO11KtHRoVxNFp0UhTYILij6jKWT-qXBEcVTLcC3iTyC5fpYtYscyMsWAVdFOZXvyLo/?imgmax=800" width="104" height="130"></a>.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvxOKUb2RnLYIKK1rPwYayF7JkflS1ZBbaSblDu9iIfpSd2Wp27uawto2kNL_YGjLiJcHUueFnqoeu4F6dkGxls7I0-Z34_ssNuODUvNQC2si23o7_wAAZjyXn0KhtTKxRCGvFyIk2C90/s1600-h/IMG_7645%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7645" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7645" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZYIgV-iXOeU3HPyAa26mSg1PQr7LE73pxENcJ25ZCFdgQlKJUr1MoBh6kipr37VSQ268jRUF9OokczpdYsHclnFiDkMXRFcc3WxmEK5HCVxax9grlx8fj-8kfdnzLpivuAQQafWjXd4/?imgmax=800" width="91" height="141"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOT6YUpNs01CMs7Xd_a87q4XH_VPK69-zlbrO2lbUaU9NEk46oTVikoL9b77eo9ASn-oJQdWmA43Z3HVa-OIsEjI5_qauZXnE90PhpeN6qEx9Xy6MDy2wykAABjfIrGgV8hnK8xliMqgQ/s1600-h/IMG_7744%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7744" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_7744" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2JJoLspNPt5lDuQokdl2ot4OZkzDxhllW3yzjriLwoCfaQg6K9X1Rb59TcZUFckk7r7WB0kuvELMzD_oa0wnwGIowswUpaYUn8bzLRVY-a6bhXXiXuJoYauodaxcPzyV_h7dizY4fPu4/?imgmax=800" width="179" height="126"></a> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo1sFk17NLAa6wpA6tf5VqH_fEe2C2vWyy-e6Ruy5X-DCsAyv3OngTxDLFq0c7pB9ijCYn9tZEzTih-En4wXTdfFytJDRhz-qp8_PQS-1ZhzKl6l7zz-d6LCDNCGIYeWgKu9Tay-PYLWg/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B6%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="clip_image002[6]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" hspace="12" alt="clip_image002[6]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9V5iSdu90WGSTokn-eeUibt2fkgmgnGlWK3BbURAn7M-_lpsd2MCMq3oG9MaF0-YI_gumGZ-PqKFnYMbs0QA0ri3-eBqurXx7fUNwf5wi3agvg1WfgE3kpFwj5R4u2OGhE6zRGpFAdc/?imgmax=800" width="86" height="125"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORTWES8XE4aPGXWI-SWs1zTaXzi_KQ8pJXcoB-QZzkUullJyYXv8RrTPi_33w4gFKaqxne4uGFl63Yp1GSosA4SQeSoGuJcgRC9zEWHKQSmA8362nvFN3mrEdiDdComVuxK2b8vpjs1k/s1600-h/clip_image004%25255B4%25255D%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="clip_image004[4]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" hspace="12" alt="clip_image004[4]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSPdcAmgSs1uwqdudpPPHXIA-5Rd5z8GspCDEjFw-RhkjJXVLnxieOF9eG6P-NEYSTnFEP0JP1EMLt-SathEZJBs5Dmc-z78pFGUmgk-JwyzbtnuoxuXiWyRdehSe3MLtoamFzGNYop0/?imgmax=800" width="175" height="124"></a>Tartan Alex turned 21 in <font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">March</font>. There was Project Dance Houston and then in <font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">April</font>, Project Dance New York. <p><font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">May</font> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkXVrfU4pViYJyNaDT2FQS7mEbo_yTTKM469lb71_J4VpLsSmfJFYD6P46bgy6Sf0GXi7MRy-vxO0idFFDAIzoLkLyouoXNcOamFCMeWvHHtiX-10qiPhBMW1evq8yAxPwJTejAApLqA/s1600-h/clip_image002%25255B8%25255D%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="clip_image002[8]" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" hspace="12" alt="clip_image002[8]" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHnWiOjfIqohPq_KdTb-bQv0c1FBXIZGPEtK9uMNfj0Jv1sdnOhNv7sPWWmZTQiD9ZOWPXzdDqled3SBWdzwKAGKW77OmW2IRI5_cR5VkbjdGhfvVxj0gQTa_UYQnv2dso2EXUZIdLYU/?imgmax=800" width="108" height="157"></a>Tartan and Naomi celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary a few months early on board the <i>Oasis of the Seas</i>. We had a wonderful time away from it all in the Caribbean. <p>Also- Kyrie graduated! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK2l5yaSBQ9XU0R4jtOrK6KBU8mV82RDmOrbhSLGbSHlOEQhKIsuoB6ddYZe8rzOGfslykI5QMiuZJQG5n81dUViD4h9WrtOi7vnQAuyBJQ7115sclFkcXHzH293WB3bvStEhNWERpOPo/s1600-h/Kyrieseniors%252520%2525281%252520of%2525201%252529-209%252520%25252842%252529%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kyrieseniors (1 of 1)-209 (42)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Kyrieseniors (1 of 1)-209 (42)" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku9cd7tq1KFFXslFF7ubfDqV28Omh7mkmeiilS671nEYuG5cYJiIPBDGC-aHZE9qsLMhJ9jmhLKvyKZK0q2O_lBI5m0jf4Ocd04uJWmaa1S4FlPLhwvuEBG1njvZdTDmZu0JnL940dCk/?imgmax=800" width="79" height="120"></a> And, she passed her level 8 exam for ballet. <p> <p><font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">June</font> was the end of year Excelsior School of Dance performance called Awaken. Kyrie danced as a company apprentice with Ballet Excelsior. <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllYaFNu_R3gJMku7LQy4NAl3xld86RGt_qIctVBQOWy5CioWeDy0jvEMIg0EPJc1Bq9UTN98lwX4x4xh7ibuJkjE0rwkY6QhkSU5YaQ6pqTwc6W0ued23LmgFcZsYWbmPFSmd86Tiyek/s1600-h/IMG_0766%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0766" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0766" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhES2_myjzwh7YJqbuht0C5FDsxCRSvV-5BuyFXAd7nsx1hoRSgF6zBg_cuMLtqlDQiS1yhh7fu_SE_g5TTiWwR_VDFbwAPSx8Qb5VKEHHIp6_K_uQeiaVOFuRl95xQUrJaRg27yjkqPX0/?imgmax=800" width="155" height="110"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7CotwS5un63xPNOWx4uJ4FH8WDNo19sCvWaQChb1JafZrCX9cWIkV86J98ymSXHxdNhFnOHfRmdqFsk9FByNhjzUaCikTb3amxDcleYbksARMjxwK3bwiYnFu5Ry39BqsnY2bYFGK4nY/s1600-h/IMG_9829%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_9829" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_9829" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8CDDTA3kDEBhtAHuZ8fxamMxOTIDyIsjgnoPtdJ3WJIXXHBBRxFuoMLolmNWvZcFd0TIUCzaS-FKpCU4BmSb6vXmIL0Dq1XCA619Kb5XMuQ4iG502lo7AL1UjOPVnp43fKeH-pp3FLQ/?imgmax=800" width="143" height="109"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4QLLEtYil0DZ1rX-QFyaVsgwn87VwANymj0F6_XMUW1SrmpwNohhamRFF3pns4Dj5EYEAamM1IxR94xtqRv4P4RxmUduGEsqOgnoNXNat2PP_eJQtJaAsxMd5mO_khcFn0PzzxWTfuo/s1600-h/IMG_0637%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0637" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_0637" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIKQapiTSZAbwX_G-1pTkFTZXswq9BRH6sTSOMqUkB2hoQUNP36kSl0Ogx6J1jeprNIfGus1zUiOJiTBfsjx3sXoxCLwVe76kp1KH93OOPoxXqZw5sKD5iic1qKaWawd0zXkSL2xCetuY/?imgmax=800" width="105" height="124"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0jPrEw69DkXN12nrc-0UEqcRlJtduYOCT8S4FIu-6a_GVsKLedWAiX5HcK8tv2ziyA5CdlSfOcKQ1vjD1Ynz7EsTzheLHnxLa484WruW2-8iXbUA7d5-AAbVaqm1v_Ua3OquNXF7Uxk/s1600-h/IMG_1007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1007" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1007" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CWcnqjLN93YdT3LUyDZJASMjTm3kkqSJeTGBap1FwY7rYz5HiF62br4YmfwM2SslfnAVYzGhJiqbevr2oxpEN5A5kpR8lZ-qe1sACVP6gr8XlJ9FnK7fwh1Iw8M1tlgSh0WJNSJF69Q/?imgmax=800" width="140" height="107"></a></p> <p>And also Bug’s 10th birthday (double digits!). She had an outdoors\camping theme. Instead of cake, we had Dutch oven crumble and s’mores! </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZcPt53TmZXDs-wpqFjt9qW79k0rHtz7WM07b6p5_yEd7S_AenRhMZZ7DaBjspCSRe2G6hPxdxUIb4XqwtiCBvKk2YzFo3UFiUyu7HykRRi59YlUXadj9YPgZ-lg38lS5T2rwMQN6EWk/s1600-h/IMG_1432%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1432" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJqB7zfa61tIvIRtkBBzZWsCYMytfpPurMIbz-8okXbTEs1MT8IOvBy3x6JglzzrejKSRxipbkHXqxenEseeeDOj3rHEVwWegLqxVve1ZqV3gxtUXSAXtCup1GdaahvQEYGKSSDsxC6c/?imgmax=800" width="111" height="79"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh5AZTcnHIw7jSSDefmv6u0aRO_VyD6RyYbX9HRcUBvh6ZyrfM5YzdhmSbKUI7Rpi-UUX0bDMJ_Bq7GXSLzQp5ZK4Dzcj_maEu1hMDD76ZN9GK93LRPp_mRLJZJyHKp9TqwzN2sz-eEX8/s1600-h/IMG_1448%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1448" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cuEEGbPQNU-rbRWaAmOfIKWVqHtjjXUTkNwBuy2PbqhD_l98wNxheFwLjtu4s_i3TgqmIm2yfRxYKXv7eYHk8qPdgnPdwMOEPDEEW0zmzIAjLWYFiMMGgi_sakwJfFP08WTpc3oi_Ms/?imgmax=800" width="109" height="78"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOOJBlv3eR-MxwMuj3fTaKLfJi3jiBg-JAEqCy1U-by_r3-fhFMl4ZFjXI6uf0txsKV3hko2UQbjq6fBO6Es8ofA8JLYad_6zupv3GaIPbXdkAoe-2IX5EqjU8-sQeld5d8NgqMK1s9A/s1600-h/IMG_1472%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1472" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1P-LMdBVgAgR2gMhRVvpey40IsxowQTks3sJ1iwyNlf2e0UwsX50bdWyW62k931yq_587xMIYiEIRHyf-YqkuP-XpmyLk5JWO19H4eKHq-GYi1eYPEZ4bDvgvknxGfNb4GD0lKEY4QVY/?imgmax=800" width="100" height="79"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitxKpwDEh4ChOJ0ZoxTqEs69j04MLzy0IRuXvEmo7HGpi4fTBefuesaqjU7t3EOXvS-ih8WKrrRqckM-8osJlRQd1hF6TCnYf4bLDod_7u-TAQ_wviPzYIY4NoRQ5yW2kI224gXKZ27gc/s1600-h/IMG_1516%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1516" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-QHvccEHkI_PjsC9ivwX8oef0LvKkkxJE0j_iLL-Q_AM49WjSSanZYBi7YMotyblx4Rzqn4lmx-VfrJ-EL0hwmVb0f26ODx9h9VxfyP5vGZ9HHE69uJFX6Br_ae0lTNMjVp8gEjF9pY/?imgmax=800" width="108" height="77"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljzSvKfNjmZsy7OB8PK1bJlKbgbhqkv_Uz65mVt8RqvoOlJJ0Y19j4pdTUCuAjfBPdIJueGn0o7VXrd3b5rgYg8yiOZ46EiXlWF2t3F7MkGxAPnC2IDmSZLtJmJvxNxqfErWCdtN7Qqk/s1600-h/IMG_1437%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1437" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1437" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFxUFw9sLaqkEUw1f5vjVQU1i3Cwk3a8wOworzEq96QTjn5eRJe9Z3ROvAmVo3Mc0OwTEO4Ncp1MvgOomr6lMDa3qTth1K43IHXSopq6SAKC3t4aZZoxqPHKhtFiQLW8gYoquEB1xV3A/?imgmax=800" width="98" height="76"></a></p> <p><font face="AR DELANEY"><font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">July</font> </font>was a trip to see Grandpa at the same time my sister was visiting on July 4th weekend.(Tartan’s birthday!)</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GISegKY6ITS2xyHVXVXiJ_aKbF_6fqlM9B8S5kuNzdJtm-y6Gc5AWm2WIBS7NzEvA5OyqrG9R1pP5JLxQe_zVnjfSIX325e-H8VyfU1Bj89YUt744a3WFWzQQsplXitJsJrkkyHOnR8/s1600-h/IMG_1583%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1583" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1583" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1ircb8GqjJShTLOh9rzJTvu4Gff9NtgrP6wEvtO6ZCJwFGkSiKd-_v21ox6f_rqN_v8C1FfEuh8rfIGgWofoTZAYUdd4lLq9PQVvTASwwd5Igu6sj6qaHyxv2G0f6ZQUvAODNCn24uc/?imgmax=800" width="154" height="109"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIsAKaZIQs9QSCaJEtPj-5xCyGWlPechD-JELJkqngG5I03w2S3z5gA2Ze4wngLraIjD6HWEvwAlAEzGBPZAJg8iqcR2EYeOS4sgWdj0-0ePcC7h_Ulz8NDUN5rbNCOJnsU60uKSZqAWE/s1600-h/IMG_1577%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1577" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1577" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRU1vSHl0_kUks5D6MSzYmbL4JPssQIOMmK0LmVhjLY8_rpxlpDnvC3WtC_-fG49h8_wjuYJtuGZ-9NCFbfCMJukMzF32aF4O1h_y_dzbZPXR1LuqlUjBfphGz9TUMJFqZNG8MON7TiyU/?imgmax=800" width="153" height="108"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rSU_wo-y20VZLvYzmMa7nl4erjK9-msim4W0j7HDJaBssE-EEEKP13U0kaPh_xYD0_LPGDiiYlqrt3f6Fz85oTLLqHTkiou_NH99Net7C2v-zRG8LBcW5XjCmuH26y-4PQ6CGbG4I7I/s1600-h/IMG_1562%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1562" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5HpOpws3hMXMapwobR-zD8OjRIb2-0_7VAXX6SNvRf-uciaHEHXIFEpEK4wW1xLsLHDI-HePeOZ-4tbeAkY4Gzd0EQAXMxdbGbVA6Hv3xddQ4RrQHzpd1B2p-36VpI0AqfZIudyyx0g/?imgmax=800" width="150" height="106"></a></p> <p><font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">August</font> and <font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">September</font> were birthday months. Kyrie turned 18 and Aidan, 16! Naomi became a year older as well.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXeOXjg2w5mhs8rdP5kFKORrYNTKzcKVxaF3ffMcKzfA2okHLhIP8R5Bi0InX4HLfgczJExa5w3HgAx-ajHEU6DoTGjE6mxxhNtyh3bmT-BL83NNSPcyxl2qOxu6FMw_5njxbFLV71GU/s1600-h/IMG_1682%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1682" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1682" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkwRC7A_0HOYn-gDFjnwzlJI7-TVqbD1Hl1UZLcjKsXHA0zqmF7-2SMnmACs6x5iNSqHSiGrK5cyXFWFu9IfVcwWYkUDGK-qo8ozuus6oTPifiCVWM9Bnrd7tPd6oPqOiNg_O7TB4rWE/?imgmax=800" width="115" height="82"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAr-nKi5q2mwwfE0BPYGxJf7qbNksok55254x77dwJA1HUabEpnAeZfvhbzQZHIMlUgOsvcj_v_S2Z3z18-KomThqbovzYZrazHmVKETl9NzEeCdM42AzxiTBQsvG7AH9l-Cnd2Kt9QoE/s1600-h/IMG_1667%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1667" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1667" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCnmSiNkYW-nziTDI6gUkOJrIkO0fELPTwzlqhjNjnqA57ZV1IjYX1WklcAoQMTl-EMieGrR1sB4wImnI_gRI0q7PlL5W3Irl3w7SouRsYF1NNLtjPgg_kzpdnwL6SBkZDlDOIRCld1E/?imgmax=800" width="115" height="82"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg83o4cxR7CZpeFBDatytp5em7TRRiWgc8rb-Rkihy5krt9k2dRVuizKGCT6WtD9jYda8CzG0n4EKav-yfzcYjS86-w6AFRLd-MvBjI26zMOp7oT33xiiw19XrV62etUJFosUsEZfjbK0/s1600-h/IMG_1695%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1695" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1695" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAwcGSXrm2t0LrWwTMurGIjSJTVzlkRVDFc99plWApA5iVP8_OmHsTZV7U4SvPE_fxXzo_88bOrLMktANDQFjteK7ySyTQtQM3Ah9jgVubE02VdrS-GTJnMfp9l1cMm8zVcVFyYlMMjP4/?imgmax=800" width="116" height="82"></a></p> <p><font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">October</font> saw another visit to Grandpa & Grandma’s. Abigail celebrated her 14th birthday at the end of the month.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh3ia3LAvJTukAJFkg4xT1fJtMy_CZJ8rPqouhURWTNduBtNzpQtbw0YXPopz1o1tGgL7K2t9gUDOuOfnCeiWrvv6A39BngU4_nsaJS90c48Uw3hAc4zGraMMR9SzvAbsqr-RAJAD-Kvw/s1600-h/IMG_1712%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1712" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1712" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXVeixV-bt5_EniYLcI1ylEJniWFg7QSqoKvYtM33Bc59kA8iP7_bVrIXj8PZegxukeHpBZ3InXVYEcqD10wvaWBU6aJZOt9xEkFbWXIYh4XAwDZKTx80lao-TCqJKAIjBeXgzDcbwNFc/?imgmax=800" width="115" height="88"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOIRbmqmMCRVI4lr2KENy9koWJLLOarfANLUij9xkL_aK8rUKIgr_Mcko-AG_7_b0bTKH5GKJlsdSO_c-lHiFXWgc7umvHTCSJjVisJYDfaiZOJqXvaa9ipg-7ieoMUliDmDUNI-OYaY/s1600-h/IMG_1832%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1832" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1832" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKncWIIHtG_cDGMCXf44cuT_0UTisJygE4Jrd1QZYTofx_wjFowCLCBmPK-LRlv2aPKVDBVAAAOTpjMnGLPikEZCtygJXAxTW4NB9u19bi7iKllqn5RBbvRNv5byWZRwQql2Lh1x7Q-14/?imgmax=800" width="124" height="88"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIXtBoDhoyPLI8GncMp6m-us3i7DvieDFQCbc8SNYn6qajDZ_9X18W82iYOYy_NVL2arbHAQeYI4U4tTuGpezt39mq4w3r0QS0H8hsfzso1kSQAo3X2YoqDOW3j_kTyQavXpDsaj0hB4/s1600-h/IMG_1857%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1857" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1857" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpiKGmWK9CzZFz4JRc3tnZE9PhfnleVuLOngxmsz7pFAfTXdzMWgGkn3VY956Au9LtoJLg1scfsB_orJJxCGW8AwvC99B1zneHuQbz5CcwO_zR0Hn6h_kBoMfHMsfnf-HpP_befKwKeQ/?imgmax=800" width="121" height="86"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOsCfGo2-olGH8AkCuBFxlFn39VaMGrOoFh2Fow6G29smwzA8R5wRv3BlpmHsyQ9PwB3vogY-2fXeFmlr6sR5_s5BSQqv2Qav4BS2Mo2mcSHM8eK9S7dDanVGM-fBs5vbOkwYz72MJp8/s1600-h/IMG_1872%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1872" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1872" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVVZ1cbrGQmd86UaiU4Bu-_wzB4F-dyXYCjPitmGenG3Dr6TCzwZaFnokX_Kcehs5SVEA2etd5PrM3fW3Lotpy7wderTDUDVHIfDq0ta1WRvvTPNzW9337mFO2B-6ew-50QJlbn3bVAM/?imgmax=800" width="76" height="116"></a></p> <p>In <font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">November</font>, there was Thanksgiving and our annual visit to Renaissance Festival the day after. We added something new this year- we went out Thursday evening and stayed in the RenFest campground in the camper trailer until Saturday morning. Tartan spent two weeks in Phoenix at a training class. Aidan joined an Order of the Arrow ceremony team this year, and Tartan finally got a picture of him as Meteu, the medicine man. Abigail performed at the Bay Area Christmas Market with BET (Ballet Excelsior Trainees).</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqTkETzwLL-CgTLga4z0zaQ-ZVijeNL8yQofO0ezk5ZESa8eZ5w1iN-98nzjL5akIuGfAXQ_VCRP4FZ4DPMz97dsCnfc8jy6EiuDE-HD83XozE3JVIFSQmvWxlArjAeouWIpO4b56Jpc/s1600-h/Aidan-Meteu%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Aidan-Meteu" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Aidan-Meteu" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN3DTDxcrca6DhnYIhsBRySMiz9xtlKKrMz-t08niqqhn1HFE3XOx-nv90fw1owdBHR-nK7_gPqwpphA2Sp7FeXDqULaSWibiGVB2hnxksgJ29Qr7msspxyKCOyT88MK3q9_v1FRLFO0/?imgmax=800" width="98" height="160"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof7sJOgYfSBRp4SaJiyEf6Y2wIjF7CQwcJ2H40dOMk7jvQvbAPQEqfyVoj2sO09EvJikndEkQZl7bb0trdUj8uDPKZtBukVojz6JXHVOjluHnJBvK5iQ1zMpf_6NZf9EAITRIsLatXaA/s1600-h/IMG_2074%25255B19%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2074" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqreQd6zeunWsIMnGDSJjteFHWH4dt3ByJ_F5v-d4Yu6cPEoHHy_hppHsmqF2VJbyHwsJ8CdR886CyKQjSpwVZTFftzl7Mbuskr2r18gjsJ9mjWRfOfLDHno10d6b4mTSUp8oInzOKBw/?imgmax=800" width="191" height="135"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8_24fCz5m7gUL8BFoadvJ3LgiAyRA6cBCeJreKVQlhyz2xtoCvhkvF2bQnciawWd2XQvIqCL5zRAgPkIAD2VZP3UKTUdNz8J7wRB-Vewc07bGAVPP8v14a6cS8FgIoXNMDZ2P3wKDls/s1600-h/IMG_2094%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2094" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2094" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBJS2vw8KdcLbqe9VMt_o63qrec7d_QnSq-kOHD6947xFz3THot67lHxBcMSr1FnQrKya4EpPI4Bpz7p4VCgpp03DpuV_cCQuBmMD3r7jGoAkA9Bl97mlC_dyXeZumZAUpWI18NkI6jk/?imgmax=800" width="193" height="136"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVIyJSEAMfmZm5xL8J-Al8H-Pl6Mggf_xgHfWo-KF3twxXz5k2sr1Zw_uAiRmgUs2XyaTO-ONZlgEfkKY1uyAQ7rjKHDcfWp-ii-jYFHway4M8-32cKSCT2IVOnz3BEoP2MJkE_vAw6k/s1600-h/IMG_2096%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2096" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2096" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKD0NVkrLgM-7o2-cR1zAMcSGyrwuAB8bZrYHswcejhJ_Ye-oLplttipN8PH5kng-wBDsLdDWAlpSZK3jj43WeWc3vPSebN2koRZCFNKfLospXTfGDu4no2itdSX1Z1hwAmNKTi13OJ4/?imgmax=800" width="137" height="104"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC2iWPHem11H-aW8SeTfNiFuTF25n7NHHkxRVvpIEpbNt7lraz-qZEw_6IK1i67_RQ3WmGon0Nn8rxWGpYq3ccGd1aTZKOMaE2mHHyLNs3MpkMTZr1mzUga04kqxpG6IiPRhOBgzWyQIw/s1600-h/IMG_2102%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2102" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8xcRk9Nr7IzE01z8DW60STV3250czUdp09SrYIVZVnZZc-DsSSD48xirTbkyYLA1bhASWFW1EWxOEH7LYWHlDJj3BPug6rQTf1E1bFjj8mPh5TYlNvJQrEu8azxgn3nk5rcLdaJNPFg/?imgmax=800" width="89" height="136"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-ktXIWBtEdtCkfh1FE26gxWTTuz28gWOkdOzF0lNewyLcFyJkAptDvL4i0OKHNQ4PShfUY5DA587JrVn2RaO0tlgUZHpn-uHo83B2_PavDOMxFGLZ6GAFEnrj0qa6grkgLWFXDEy4Xk/s1600-h/IMG_2125%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2125" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lWROqzRN_EEnDqTqi47mjGySDPzqqR8gk-TZO_BVYXIosNxzgvmskwqTFirVTzvOceJQQKgQANE9rIP7tgqI-qWFX3WjGMRqf-WYKd6uvssI7v0DvqIH4rS0Qp_QzDm4h4Qo1-viYGU/?imgmax=800" width="154" height="109"></a>(do you see the owl?)</p> <p>Finally we reach <font color="#ff0000" face="AR CHRISTY">December</font>. We spent two weeks on the road to and from California. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHf-eqg0IoX47tc_RrYDUE4tTw0RLhoCsXMg2I_D_u-BmVi-ijBSF_2wLjLt7qkq15f2_q7OdJ62d54Q4rRt3Tre-SnmamjoRpgeYjueDILt2-7KbtJvO0AYquEay5ofPKPwaCw1lF1M/s1600-h/IMG_2268%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2268" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJx5pAjPVuhlbEWIQRF5OWyHgK_YbzXlchCzDlIgSzvxfeudr7gwzhGRCDcYmSPjLsCaMjZIMDMsfjK_L63CcWT8rqwA9BpQ7GEYKUFum3DseALSMDDXpXQ3jr9HABlLiEI4k5vPF5u4/?imgmax=800" width="132" height="100"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvU52XY75hum8QZUlXbx32Ba1DuOlUG8EFoeeH154XdfZisspD5gcbDT5n27A8XYL7zeALFrNjbYJsg9YdlnvrtCvMZmQSbSVYJFKy9rLzfmQsc4x9B8aSZ14gQg0D4aQgYJnByU5mg8/s1600-h/IMG_2273%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2273" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPCETDP5ZxkAlBs85ACOs73QBwmh3KXYri5ZU_FU6ZALCTkN3mIXNTzZAT2enoZFliPNq-ri-nz48FGbAaxfMty5Dv0j39ZLEnJVLHR3nYKo_cul8jUja6WhC6Xb1HjYaA1e_JfcBp2w/?imgmax=800" width="96" height="147"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGC3m5IYe2O2uSS63B93koYMb-p_T9nw6e8myJSAylQGaBcsIrq5pYcMdBH_liND37I50c3-5aBkRBOxP5hHkaljs9MdbYv7uaYAyWUuGPQkEookq1LZeGk0vAu274aiMjg2oibzuvDaE/s1600-h/IMG_2331%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2331" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmfmddvitCOfRYngi-DaJzzf9WPjpkvPfuG9syaeCr9PwXfSrx0eqp__p4unDOgMskwAaLOwePrgVLNF_e8-OJ4c7_S4k_Kq35l8iVAg3GgkbXQx_-wL2962yZVbHCmip3gyXgTizdpA/?imgmax=800" width="143" height="101"></a></p> <p>We visited friends about to move away and just spent time hanging out, watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens and visiting the Mouse. Kyrie got emotional spending time in the place her hero, Walt Disney, actually spent a great deal of time. On the way home we visited the Grand Canyon, so now we can all say we’ve seen it! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBRT4A8jiw862B8bB_Q7DMHKzWyNBuWDsJsABGYPpsktGArRWy3obhE1L4Q5uA7WPbNsEWtgh4tsINVdxEJzFJF3y89wLV9cWwKPIoB3PDcZXaLU1P20oQU-c49nu_G93oQme2HxqJww/s1600-h/IMG_2670%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2670" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2670" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDCLHB8Hwtf8RK1dFiZTszV_SkiEAvC02_PnXHD6AWO3aKK4bgLOmrHQLs8jdcC4EFoxfjQavtYgxKMdRHqWJ3Asl_O1xqWXdWoFV-rMSNPRmamvdWWXe5hL12YcaV4nLLqcACxPcrUb0/?imgmax=800" width="128" height="99"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ntFxnt-sFY/VphsZ8qGTFI/AAAAAAAABHY/nm3p_f1ahWw/s1600-h/IMG_2733%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2733" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2733" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-X6ZDjztKdi_mVLqbmZLAAgvtxRkNRzufE_BjVFk2UH_D4dxrnTxwoUB4fM-Cv2wo6vHUEHTJDdRZfJ-EebuPInSFMrdPCJUMXFHZU0x0DB0J6qoWqegxWCEW5RFVnb7FJoAqWVEyoQ/?imgmax=800" width="162" height="115"></a></p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVnk1QPSugPV-gCTEEHYRPfL92zWfFUznjJpV2e6sM8uihFL3mkOAkarbIb7-UeH0YMicNk-9QU631iUvNfPeUB-ll78ehEv3g0mJv0cSQ0Vq5iJM6UiXsTkL9czmW3k8p6SaK_o1OBY/s1600-h/IMG_2241%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2241" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0W-4WmIDYDm3Q1UgAh1KS9-QMCJH8gJn1gJy9fUuPj-17YRA_vxVWHp2ju4WLFYfaB6qN53UJPq_JUzmVgSZtlzUgMuW9EsDN2wc2lzfDjKsJ4-g-JzjDkqapv1HbhU8vbEQe-yCODY/?imgmax=800" width="145" height="103"></a>(Christmas eve pajamas)</p> <p> </p> <p>That brings us to a new year and new adventures. Tartan Alex will be graduating from college, Kyrie will be taking college classes at Lone Star, and Kyrie and Abigail plan to go to Poland, Austria and the Czech Republic on a mission trip with Ballet Excelsior in the summer. Aidan continues on his Scouting adventures and hopefully will make progress towards Eagle and a black belt in taekwondo. Naomi hopes to have better success with her garden and Kayleigh will be a sixth grader next fall and will move up to youth group at church.</p> <p>Wishing you all much joy and happiness in 2016! God bless!</p> <p>The Colliers</p>Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-33522765022262364672015-01-17T20:26:00.000-06:002015-01-17T20:26:54.901-06:00The After Christmas, After New Year Letter for 2014<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">Dear Family and Friends, </span><div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
As has happened in the past, we're a little slow in getting the annual update out. Our excuse is that we were getting ready for a Disney World trip and then we were on the trip for the first week of January. It was a great trip and everyone had a good time. A few pictures will be posted to Facebook (if you're not on FB and really want to see those, let me know and I can send you a Dropbox link).</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
We all got a year older. We're a year closer to Aimee, as I try to remind myself. It was a good year overall.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Tartan Alex is now a junior at HBU. He was able to go to Oxford during the summer as part of a school group to take a class on British literature. They stayed in Oxford and visited various locales, including London. He was pretty chuffed to go to the pub where the Inklings used to meet and to visit the White Horse that inspired Chesterton's "Ballad of the White Horse". He continues to be able to find one class each semester in which he'll get a "B" in the midst of this "A's". He will turn 21(!) this coming March. But don't worry- he figured out he doesn't like alcohol while at the Oxford pubs. He is also the only one in the family who decided to edit his paragraph in this letter.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Kyrie is cruising through her senior year (my word, not hers). This past year she danced at Project Dance Houston and Project Dance New York with BET (Ballet Excelsior Trainees) and then in the summer she went back to New York with a group from church to participate in SpreadTruth NY. Their mission is to spread the truth of Jesus through vacation Bible schools, basketball & soccer camps, and being available to talk to people in and around Central Park. Kyrie was involved in the vacation Bible school at Brooklyn Tabernacle and found it to be an amazing experience. In the spring, she took her ballet exam for level 7 and moved into level 8. No decisions have been made about where she'll be going next year for college.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Aidan is a freshman in high school this year, though he may look at you blankly for a moment if you ask him what grade he's in. He is taking two classes outside home this year: speech and biology. He continues to be involved in his scout troop and with OA (Order of the Arrow). He was on staff for Webelos Woods (a campout where troops introduce cub scouts to boy scouts) and he was able to attend the last winter camp at Camp Strake. The campground has been sold and a new property is being worked on that is further away, but not surrounded by urban and suburban areas. He moved through several belts this year in taekwondo and is currently a red belt. Next is red tip, brown and then black. Shortly after his 15th birthday, he obtained his driver's permit so the driving lessons have commenced!</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Abigail, a seventh grader, was excited to be able to join BET this year and danced in their Christmas program in Market Street in The Woodlands the weekend before Christmas along with Kyrie. She took her ballet exam last spring for level 6 and is in level 7. She was the only one examining at that level so she had to do the exam all by herself! She of course passed with flying colors. She is also taking a couple of the level 8/9 classes this year as well as the usual slate of classes: modern, hip hop, and conditioning. The school class she is most enthused about is Japanese. She is using a program called Human Japanese to assist her in learning the language as her dream is someday to live in Japan. She is a big fan of K-Pop and just used Christmas money to order a concert hoodie of her favorite band, Exo.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Kayleigh is a fourth grader. At her recent well child exam we discovered that she is actually 50th percentile for height. This may not seem like a big deal, but for a child that has hovered between 5th and 20th percentile since she was a toddler, that's a gain. She's still pretty light weight but everything is probably going into her stretching out. She enjoys reading, watching movies, playing on the Wii or computer, and when she can arrange it, playing games with her siblings (and sometimes parents, too). One of her favorite games is any variation of the ABC game (ie. animals: the first person thinks of an "A" animal like alligator, the next person a "B" animal and so on). We've done anything mentioned in the Bible, movies, actors/actresses, characters in books or movies, cities, and I'm not sure how many more.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Tartan and I celebrated our 24th anniversary in Galveston this year. It was an incredible experience, well above what we were expecting. We stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast and Tartan tried to get us reservations at a restaurant that had been highly recommended: Rudy and Paco's. It looked like they were fully booked through the entire weekend, but we stopped by the restaurant to see if they could squeeze us in. They were closed until the evening, but then we met the owner (Paco) as we turned to leave. He treated us like we were long, lost friends! He made sure we would get seats at the bar if a table couldn't be arranged and then he personally gave us a mini-tour of the 1894 Opera House where they were setting up for a sold-out concert. We did get a table- someone had to cancel and Paco made sure that we were immediately called and given the table. The food was amazing and we enjoyed looking at all the signed photos of famous people who have been to the restaurant. We were even treated to dessert, courtesy of Paco. All that's not even the most amazing part, though. We were at one of the spots for the Art Walk that was going on when Tartan got a call- would we like to go to the concert at the Opera House? Yes, the sold-out concert. It was Aaron Neville and Dr. John. We said yes and next thing we know, we're having champagne in a box seat listening to some great music.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
Well, that's a small snapshot of our past year. We pray for you and ourselves that this coming year finds us doing what God has in mind for us and trusting Him with that. May you know the peace and joy of Jesus this year and always.</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCBB3iRWemqxRSijA9XwGLYmjHJopSctMBq5ZVcVflYeOTXoyw0dWd8dEKnqJRi6CsGaR9cJ2IV7mknrnF-ccBo6awgOxN60SlUMxJO88C84-b5P1jFSOHQZTrqUGyz_5mijL8KcOOpc/s1600/IMG_7118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCBB3iRWemqxRSijA9XwGLYmjHJopSctMBq5ZVcVflYeOTXoyw0dWd8dEKnqJRi6CsGaR9cJ2IV7mknrnF-ccBo6awgOxN60SlUMxJO88C84-b5P1jFSOHQZTrqUGyz_5mijL8KcOOpc/s1600/IMG_7118.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A Disney dinner at Teppan Edo</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; widows: 2;">
<br /></div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-54874649465465100512014-01-09T20:17:00.000-06:002014-01-09T20:30:41.932-06:00Letter for 2013<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">The joy of the Lord is our strength.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">2013
was a better year in the Collier household. Honestly, just about
anything would have been better, but God has been merciful to us this
year for which we are thankful. This letter was started before
Christmas, but somehow it didn't quite make it out until now. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Most of the changes and events in our home as usual involve the children. </span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Tartan
Alex is a sophomore at HBU. He finished his freshman year well, getting
on the Dean's list. He also won first place in the Danny Lee Lawrence
Writing Awards for creative fiction. After working over the summer at </span><span class="SpellingError SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">WalMart</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">,
he was happy to get back to school. This summer it looks like he will
be traveling to Oxford for a two-week seminar. I look forward to telling
you a little about that next year.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Kyrie
and I went to New York in the spring for her to dance in Times Square
for Project Dance with the Ballet Excelsior Trainees. She got to
experience a little of what it's like to be part of a traveling dance
group. She had to keep everything in one carry-on bag, including her
costumes. She learned to travel light which was a great precursor to
her traveling with Ballet Excelsior on their Japan tour. She didn't
dance but was part of their stage crew. It was an incredible experience
for her; take a look at the previous blog posting for some of what she
experienced. Her other big moment this year was getting her driver's
license and being able to drive what we oddly call the "Goldberry" (it's
a metallic orange color, and the name was inspired by Gus' car on the
TV show </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Psych</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">).
Her many hours of dance at the studio include ballet level 7, tap,
modern, conditioning, a couple of level 8/9 classes, and, of course,
BET, the trainee program.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Aidan
added TaeKwonDo to his schedule this year. As of December, he is an
Orange belt. In Scouts, he achieved the Star rank, and was also inducted
into the Order of the Arrow. Next he works on achieving the Life Scout
rank and then on to Eagle. Besides school at home, he is taking one
outside class: junior high science. He is doing well with that. In
September, he'll be 15 and old enough to get his driver's permit. I'm so
glad Tartan teaches that subject!</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Abigail
is twelve, not quite a teenager, but she seems to think she is one
anyway. She is dancing in level 6/7 so she has several classes with
Kyrie this year. Apparently, their teachers find their sister dynamic
really interesting (and perhaps entertaining). For school this year, she
is working on her own </span><span class="SpellingError SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Sonlight</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">
core which she is finding to be challenging. She is working on
balancing that with her busy dance schedule and her need for
"socialization". Besides ballet, she dances tap, modern and hip hop and
takes the conditioning class. She is an assistant for a couple of
beginning dance classes.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Kayleigh is a laid-back eight year old. She seems to find her school load interesting but not too time-consuming yet. Using </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Simply Music</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">, she's been learning a few songs on the piano, and </span></span><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Music Ace</span></span><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">
helps her learn music theory. She's Grade 2 in ballet, so for the
first time she has two ballet classes a week. She also continues with
tap and hip hop and has been able to take the drama class at Excelsior.
Her other interests include Build-a-Bear (including her own collection
as well as the online games), reading (the Percy Jackson series and the
Sisters Grimm series are her current faves), and recently she added loom
knitting.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">I
do often think about what Aimee would be doing now; what her interests
would be and how she felt about things. How I wish I could know, but
someday I'll get to know all about her and what we're missing now will
seem like nothing. And I can say that with confidence not because of
myself, but because of Jesus. Happy birthday, Jesus - and say happy
birthday to Aimee for us.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">We
have also finally made the first disbursement from Aimee's Memorial
Fund. Thank you again to all who contributed to it. We chose to give to
Compassion's disaster relief fund. The massive typhoon that struck the
Philippines did not severely impact the child we sponsor there, but it
did many other Compassion partner organizations and the families they
assist. We have sponsored Neil since before he could write his own
letters and now he's 16.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">We pray blessings for you all this year, whatever it may bring.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.</span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="OutlineElement Ltr SCX97942796" style="margin-left: 0px;">
<div class="Paragraph SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; color: windowtext; font-family: 'Segoe UI',Tahoma,Verdana,'Sans-Serif'; font-size: 6pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;">Love, The Collier Family</span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lQZiKMpiEv15_fWVLgum6ChnUisqLktxi8uyMQo_IoaWG35dI4aPzOOMjPJ2ThkB-IfMxlyQhoFRP-oeQvbMbQtI2_A6wIp2zD_f1fRAkarYlQ7U2_a00en4dVrtb0NqWN3_gXTX6oQ/s1600/IMG_4208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lQZiKMpiEv15_fWVLgum6ChnUisqLktxi8uyMQo_IoaWG35dI4aPzOOMjPJ2ThkB-IfMxlyQhoFRP-oeQvbMbQtI2_A6wIp2zD_f1fRAkarYlQ7U2_a00en4dVrtb0NqWN3_gXTX6oQ/s1600/IMG_4208.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: white; font-size: large;"><span class="TextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="NormalTextRun SCX97942796" style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></span></span><span class="EOP SCX97942796" style="font-family: Calibri,Sans-Serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span></div>
</div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-4059703297847145482013-08-03T13:08:00.000-05:002013-08-03T13:23:18.840-05:00My Mission Trip to Japan<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the twelve days that The Messiah Project and Ballet Excelsior were in Japan we traveled all over the island. We held concerts in Shizuoka, Ishinomaki, Fukushima and Tokyo. Normally at each performance site, we would have a day before the show to rehearse and find out where the dancers could dance without falling off the stages. Sometimes, we would get to a performance site the day of the show and would get things set up in the morning and perform in the evening. The first show performed was at Shimizu Terrsa in Shizuoka. We were being hosted by Gordon's Equipping Ministries church. On June 29<sup>th</sup>, we rehearsed both at the church and at Shimizu Terrsa's stage. June 30<sup>th</sup>, we attended Gordon's church service before going on to rehearse one more time before the performance later that evening. The morning after the dancers traveled to a local Christian School and performed a few dance numbers for them. Then everyone hopped on a bus for the eight hour journey to Ishinomaki. On July 2<sup>nd</sup> the group went to a community center in Tomariahma, Ishinomaki where we would use their gym as a stage. The community center was located right next to a beach, and some of the group got to explore around the shore. The next day we made a quick stop at Fukushima First Baptist Church to do a show that night. Right after, we traveled all night to arrive in Tokyo at two in the morning. We didn't have anywhere to be on July 4<sup>th</sup>, so we took that day to go walking around Tokyo. Some of us went souvenir shopping, walked in a Japanese garden, and had dinner at the Tokyo Tower. On July 5<sup>th</sup> we got back to work rehearsing at Household of God Church in North Tokyo for a performance the next day. Our last show was at the Christian Academy on July 7th.<sup><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span></sup>We left Japan to go home the day after. This trip was an amazing experience and I will never forget it. <br />
<br />
On our way to Ishinomaki, we passed a area that had been destroyed by the tsunami. There were buildings demolished and other buildings that had to be because they were no longer stable and safe. Beaten up, rusty cars were upturned and in lines that ran on for a very long time. I was told that the road we were traveling on had been to be covered by 45 ft of water. At Tomarihama we took a short walk down to the beach. The beach was mostly rocks and dock area. There were many mobile homes and homes that needed repair. We were walking through an area that used to be houses that had been swept right off the ground by waves of water. I didn't realize we were walking through destroyed houses until someone pointed out the tiny wall of bricks. Our hearts went out to Japan as we were told what the people had been through. They so needed to see God's love, and as I watched people's reactions toward Savior I knew God had everything planned out so that good would come out of the terror some of the people had faced. I continue to pray for the people of Japan. Praying for the pain and suffering to end. Praying that one day, Jesus will become the center of Japan.<br />
<br />
I saw God work in massive ways everywhere we went. Japan was everything I hoped and dreamed it would be, and so much more than I ever could have imagined. My love for Japan grew tremendously as I saw, met and talked with the people there. The Christians love for God was astounding. There was one church service that I attended where I was close to tears as I saw the people in the Japanese church just so overpowered by the Holy Spirit. I could only stand in the crowd with my mouth open as I was taking everything in. They were so faithful, joyful, and hopeful for God, someday, to be the center of Japan. I made so many new friends, with the people in the choir as well as the people in the churches. I was truly honored to spend time with all of them. I will never forget the kindness and love I was shown. The Messiah Project and Excelsior brought the powerful message of the gospel with great success. The last show we performed was very special for me, because I had extended family coming to see it. Even though my family didn't speak English, they brought a friend along who acted as our translator. I asked them before the show if they were Christians and they told me they were “sort of.” I prayed for them as the show went on. I hope one day they will be saved and learn who God really is.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Every show went wonderfully. Sometimes the rehearsal before the show would be very rough and we would begin to think it wouldn't be good enough, but every time the show started, God would calm and strengthen the performers. He never failed to give us everything we needed. He never failed to reassure me that I was important as well. Even though I was not performing in the show, I tried to help with preparations for the show and backstage during the show as much as I could. Some times I would start to feel like I was there for no reason, or worse, in the way. Before I could get upset, or sad, I would suddenly be told that they were glad I was with them. They kept telling me that I had a place on the trip for a reason and God had an important plan for me. They told me I was a blessing, but I was truly the blessed one to have such wonderful friends and an amazing God looking out for me. I still can't believe that I was able to go and help minister to Japan. I am very restless, feeling like I need to travel, and I couldn't think of a better way to travel the world than sharing God's gospel with Japan.</div>
</div>
<br />
>Kyrie<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy6Apf6Ei-0eu9NyQCA30co4hl9ZNPRjC0RdSVQmISKXKn66hZm8af8M1MZ61FNhRgXEFe37DgL5ULwIaI3ROIj9hg40kwkyF1P19SnD1_LldhwjRMtOm243EOvkfvL5W63Ded7Lj1dg/s1600/66712_10151512446019499_1821063204_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxy6Apf6Ei-0eu9NyQCA30co4hl9ZNPRjC0RdSVQmISKXKn66hZm8af8M1MZ61FNhRgXEFe37DgL5ULwIaI3ROIj9hg40kwkyF1P19SnD1_LldhwjRMtOm243EOvkfvL5W63Ded7Lj1dg/s320/66712_10151512446019499_1821063204_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMAfx3B9Ty1T_w8-pe3Zi3DGTaAfzJ66DFmQtGye8-asiM57677Dws8eKZo9F_evVS0s4XXj8Jh6YSWRf8vrGZUdz2LTc0R8T0T4Hc9ePy7kjAFErICPCbcDCVGdNypJs08uymdced9g/s1600/600217_524899027576379_468254002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMAfx3B9Ty1T_w8-pe3Zi3DGTaAfzJ66DFmQtGye8-asiM57677Dws8eKZo9F_evVS0s4XXj8Jh6YSWRf8vrGZUdz2LTc0R8T0T4Hc9ePy7kjAFErICPCbcDCVGdNypJs08uymdced9g/s320/600217_524899027576379_468254002_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mB4iNgy_M5tlO1Vh0CmL-UDxy2IjA1RAZQmATpNrZIvs1WLfdXQPe7fJyhWi3vnEhvaVOFu3vBcKZ3W_a-jhkEuWnqQZoaJsTUSNuLwTToV6LqddICKfRy5yE7D0y5knVN_CjzTJAQs/s1600/993312_530051583727790_541285198_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2mB4iNgy_M5tlO1Vh0CmL-UDxy2IjA1RAZQmATpNrZIvs1WLfdXQPe7fJyhWi3vnEhvaVOFu3vBcKZ3W_a-jhkEuWnqQZoaJsTUSNuLwTToV6LqddICKfRy5yE7D0y5knVN_CjzTJAQs/s320/993312_530051583727790_541285198_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwPUrWqCuL0L71eTwy4ATwbRU-0MqDQ0yBDmrf8YFCYq4z783sGgC1P5yyBOIrCk55HyYyVpOXQSqje2e2-H1v8wA4MDbxHzgSrFb5v-XH-9bY875D3AZVvL2xhMSxHLXDsiTfVzc5dk/s1600/1000410_530051200394495_766865063_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwPUrWqCuL0L71eTwy4ATwbRU-0MqDQ0yBDmrf8YFCYq4z783sGgC1P5yyBOIrCk55HyYyVpOXQSqje2e2-H1v8wA4MDbxHzgSrFb5v-XH-9bY875D3AZVvL2xhMSxHLXDsiTfVzc5dk/s320/1000410_530051200394495_766865063_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCTBSBtWpenEX08o2_TbOnrDluf1mY_RVbc9QnwQnEc2HAr7EaTzhyphenhyphenPpMB2hOGta1FcUxPebZ-9ghINOwT6Rj1y8F3OWVw6uo7_EZjAAfo5U2awlU_cM-J6GHvZsdZ9FFFv4UQ4G1zbY/s1600/1016751_523690411030574_566688760_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCTBSBtWpenEX08o2_TbOnrDluf1mY_RVbc9QnwQnEc2HAr7EaTzhyphenhyphenPpMB2hOGta1FcUxPebZ-9ghINOwT6Rj1y8F3OWVw6uo7_EZjAAfo5U2awlU_cM-J6GHvZsdZ9FFFv4UQ4G1zbY/s320/1016751_523690411030574_566688760_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUVqNtjuwUuCdTZBE24f13g3vVdpFn_zj-iN-wLWSwVlesr47puNPKM3VQ6S6zMmZCWpjlqD7q2n6nhKo_iBH6IBK1Qv_PxBdHK7uFQEdQM3LIAESzOuup20ux8kbv1BLlYmAlqFHqeA/s1600/1044278_523695814363367_1767223005_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaUVqNtjuwUuCdTZBE24f13g3vVdpFn_zj-iN-wLWSwVlesr47puNPKM3VQ6S6zMmZCWpjlqD7q2n6nhKo_iBH6IBK1Qv_PxBdHK7uFQEdQM3LIAESzOuup20ux8kbv1BLlYmAlqFHqeA/s320/1044278_523695814363367_1767223005_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTHhTIY3ammM4cKt6I0GV-SpYBFwkdQ4CheLachJmTJgLMpypWrJofaXalkH_NP25BpQJZWDETnLXvNS6P_RJcPwtUQx-33K3_6Ggql1f2jiGMer4yclQp2zu0A_DUJHvPdjEe4fwNi0/s1600/1069266_530051230394492_1249681804_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnTHhTIY3ammM4cKt6I0GV-SpYBFwkdQ4CheLachJmTJgLMpypWrJofaXalkH_NP25BpQJZWDETnLXvNS6P_RJcPwtUQx-33K3_6Ggql1f2jiGMer4yclQp2zu0A_DUJHvPdjEe4fwNi0/s320/1069266_530051230394492_1249681804_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-23533655534859407902013-05-15T10:50:00.002-05:002013-05-15T10:50:54.819-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nXm9QjTw04kJNBgJn00Nhbj8N1GWTL9pV_W61_5ksP5dzptHF1JxsOGuu52T5x5iyZjQAX5Ysk37dL-iCyMvvZFM0mrFmg7NYjEsXOIUo8dP1jvAMeoaD_WOr2XsVTRANYXNn7srZHw/s1600/359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nXm9QjTw04kJNBgJn00Nhbj8N1GWTL9pV_W61_5ksP5dzptHF1JxsOGuu52T5x5iyZjQAX5Ysk37dL-iCyMvvZFM0mrFmg7NYjEsXOIUo8dP1jvAMeoaD_WOr2XsVTRANYXNn7srZHw/s320/359.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">It's that time! Excelsior School of Dance is having their end of year performance. Awaken (Act 1) on SAT, 8 June at The Woodlands High School on Research Forest. Shows at 2pm and 7pm. (I recommend the evening performance because two of Bug's dances will be in that show. Most of the elder girls' dances will be in both shows.)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 15.454545021057129px;">If you would like me to get the tickets for you, let me know. You can also get them online with a convenience fee attached.</span>Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-66044996161194539782013-01-25T13:33:00.000-06:002013-01-25T13:33:07.183-06:00Destination Japan<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
From Kyrie</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Dance is a huge part
of my life. I use it for so many different things. It's a hobby, it's
a sport, something I do for fun and to show others what I can do. I
can express feelings and the written word with it. I use dance as a
way of telling stories and to me, most importantly, I use it to
glorify God and use the talent he has given me to praise Him.
Excelsior School of Dance has taught me proper dance technique and
strength and they have also planted in me a seed of expression and
passion that is used to give all I am to God.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
All the training
and hard work I go through comes down to the one moment when I am on
stage and just praying that God will use me and my dancing to move
the audience. I think every dancer that is part of Excelsior’s
missionary group shows an enormous amount of love for God. Their
purpose for dancing on a stage in front of so many people is not so
much for the audience to admire the beautiful choreography or the
strength of the dancers, but to show Christ and Bible stories through
them. I think that's fantastic: using something that you love to do
so much, and finding that God is using that to reach out to others.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Excelsior
company are planning to travel to Japan this year. They will be
traveling to many cities and areas of Japan, dancing the story of
<u>Praise of the Nations</u>, an original piece created by Excelsior.
There will be a dancing crew and a backstage crew, including costume,
lighting, and sound system helpers. I have been asked to serve as
part of the backstage crew this year. I will also be going to Japan
to see what it is like to travel with a ballet company.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I am so excited
that I have this amazing opportunity to travel with Excelsior and see
what they do in the foreign countries that they travel to! However,
this trip will be expensive; I am hoping to raise $1,700 to cover a
portion of the cost. I would love for you to partner with me in this
adventure, through your prayers as well as your financial support. If
you are willing to pray for me and Ballet Excelsior, especially when
we're in Japan ( June 23<sup>rd</sup> through July 6<sup>th</sup> )
please send me an e-mail at <a href="mailto:kyrie.collier@yahoo.co.uk">kyrie.collier@yahoo.co.uk</a>.
To make a donation, please send a check made out to Ballet Excelsior of Houston with
a separate note indicating it is for me. If you send me an email, I will send you the address to mail it to. I want to be where God wants
me to be. I am very nervous as well as excited to have the
opportunity to go with Excelsior. I trust in God that He will do His
will though this, and that He will provide what is needed. Thank you
for your prayerful support.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
-Kyrie Collier</div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-89753039254686821752013-01-13T17:14:00.000-06:002013-01-13T17:15:00.197-06:002012 Christmas Letter - just a little late<br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Psalm 61:4</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;">"I long to dwell in your tent forever</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> and take refuge in the shelter of your wings."</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is the Christmas letter we've not looked forward to writing. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Every year at midnight on January 1st, I always wonder what the next year will hold and 2012 was no different. I couldn't have known- and, of course, we never do, but it was the year that brought us the worst pain ever. Most of you know, and if you do not, I'm sorry for the shock. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2142743996449594672">On January 2nd</a>, our beloved daughter, Aimee, was struck by a car and went home to Jesus. She had just turned three. The first few months of the year were mostly a blur and everything has been shadowed by that event. There has been a lot of tears and a lot of talking to God. </div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
We are all healing and every day brings us closer to Home. Aimee is not behind us, but ahead. We are very thankful for all the prayers for us and for those who continue to pray for us.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
There have been joyful happenings. Alex (now presenting himself to the world as Tartan) turned eighteen and graduated from our home school. He is attending HBU (Houston Baptist University) in the Honors College. So far it seems to be a terrific experience for him. He lives on campus (no car) and only makes the occasional trip home. We went out to see him in September for Family Weekend and he came home in early November in order to vote and he was home for Thanksgiving.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Kyrie, Abigail and Kayleigh all performed in Excelsior's production of <i>Creation and Saviour</i>. It was a beautiful production (they always are) and the girls all performed wonderfully. We even had family from out of town come to see it, so that was a terrific blessing. Kyrie has moved into level 7 and was also invited to join the Ballet Excelsior Trainee program (BET). Ballet Excelsior is the professional group attached to the school. She danced in an outdoor Christmas performance and will be participating in Project Dance Houston in March as well as Project Dance New York in April. She is taking classes in ballet, pointe, modern, tap and hip hop. Next summer she will be traveling with Ballet Excelsior on their mission trip to Japan. She does not have the experience level to dance but will be a backstage hand and gofer. She will be sending out a letter soon asking for prayers and, if anyone feels so moved, financial support. She is really looking forward to this trip and is looking ahead to a day when she'll hopefully be able to dance with Excelsior on another trip. </div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);">Aidan became a first class scout this year. He has gone on many campouts, with and without his dad. He really enjoyed summer camp at El Rancho Cima, where among other things he earned a merit badge in Horsemanship. He continues to study Chinese, both on the computer and in a class. He also takes an online taekwondo class. I'm hoping to get him into an "in person" class sometime. Perhaps in the summer. He is not taking drama, but helped out the class by playing the part of Joseph for the Christmas play. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);">Abigail is in level 5, after taking exams for both grade 3 and grade 4 in the spring. She has started to dance on pointe as well, though slowly and carefully since she's still quite young. She danced in <i>Dessert with a Purpose</i>, the dance benefit for Ballet Excelsior, for the first time this year. She takes classes in ballet, pointe, modern, hip hop, and drama. For the drama class Christmas production she played the role of Mary. The dance school just announced that the ballet levels can participate in Project Dance Houston in March and so she is busily selling duct tape hair bows and bookmarks to try and raise the $200 registration fee. Thus far, she has raised a $100.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kayleigh has blossomed this year. Physically she has moved *up* to the 25% in height and 10% in weight. Those are actually big gains for her. Her reading ability starting from near the end of last school year to now has taken a big leap forward. She is on her final reader for the school</span> <i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);">year</i><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. I'll have to improvise in the spring. At the dance school, she has joined hip hop, started grade 1 ballet, and continued with tap, which is her favorite. She's already asking about joining drama next year. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
We did not get out a letter before Christmas, partly because it was a hard thing to do and partly because we went on a family California Adventure over Christmas break. We pulled the camper behind us and logged 4,500 miles to California and back again. We visited Austin (family!), San Diego (zoo!), Claremont (The Hobbit movie!) and then drove through Santa Barbara (Psych!), San Jose, San Francisco (Golden Gate bridge!) to Winters, California (family!),<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Las Vegas (the Strip at night!), stopped briefly at Hoover Dam, continuing on through Flagstaff, Albuquerque (no wrong turns!), Amarillo, Wichita Falls and onward to home.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">May 2013 be a year that finds you closer to God, trusting in Him whatever your circumstances. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Psalm 62:7-8</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
"My salvation and my honor depend on God;</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Trust in him at all times, O people;</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
pour out your hearts to him,</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
for God is our refuge."</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
Love,</div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
The Colliers</div>
</div>
Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-86295249295221662812012-08-26T14:19:00.001-05:002012-08-26T14:19:40.058-05:00Baptism<span style="font-size: large;">Last Sunday, Kayleigh, Abigail, Aidan and I were baptized along with a whole slew of brothers and sisters from our church, including my sister and her husband. The weather was not only cooperative, but perfect. It was a very special day for us.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yxqluTTaU6tU5wT2govqKo5pGzEdTAu67pI26eTI-GED8rvDH2G55iIo6A36W0XlbsGPm58_nep9ZCNbsrAw9WpqMBw8OsSQL1hAJ3eNn2_7caVz6OjvEtplyfEyYRHwS__Ll5jhcbk/s1600/P1050694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yxqluTTaU6tU5wT2govqKo5pGzEdTAu67pI26eTI-GED8rvDH2G55iIo6A36W0XlbsGPm58_nep9ZCNbsrAw9WpqMBw8OsSQL1hAJ3eNn2_7caVz6OjvEtplyfEyYRHwS__Ll5jhcbk/s320/P1050694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVCgu-e5ooLloT4BBbEHXs7nJaK2LFpJ6quWZrO46JpsrqsPbefwAunfjXM1Fr378Q3kDqE_a4uXm1cs6GEnw6iqjz1FqrCjM490w0NgMtgEPVAtJHnkV-FtJkgu7_PbrHoGtiKATwNE/s1600/P1050700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVCgu-e5ooLloT4BBbEHXs7nJaK2LFpJ6quWZrO46JpsrqsPbefwAunfjXM1Fr378Q3kDqE_a4uXm1cs6GEnw6iqjz1FqrCjM490w0NgMtgEPVAtJHnkV-FtJkgu7_PbrHoGtiKATwNE/s320/P1050700.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3pXcB54cur9pkw_YvBTi-Y-iXQY881HjZ3xhPuo-3E8yaa-HklL_Udj7Nc45Ssr6DDw2dwOUcd72YVFNyVm7ckrZGCbyHVT6UddyjfdqqII2-raJknZIFn4v49oK65U7USyKjD2CIbc/s1600/P1050707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3pXcB54cur9pkw_YvBTi-Y-iXQY881HjZ3xhPuo-3E8yaa-HklL_Udj7Nc45Ssr6DDw2dwOUcd72YVFNyVm7ckrZGCbyHVT6UddyjfdqqII2-raJknZIFn4v49oK65U7USyKjD2CIbc/s320/P1050707.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI_eFSiGARiQgs0lClLStGjsANmE46WmBZlGS1DO4n95CBhnvZzHZW4O_3Ee3cOTBv6MdNQ-msjwC-V1wvaADVDV71fjwjMX6bgNH4TDhAL2jirQoxFyslu8Sqo3PcO58yvqBSFG0jKk/s1600/P1050713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSI_eFSiGARiQgs0lClLStGjsANmE46WmBZlGS1DO4n95CBhnvZzHZW4O_3Ee3cOTBv6MdNQ-msjwC-V1wvaADVDV71fjwjMX6bgNH4TDhAL2jirQoxFyslu8Sqo3PcO58yvqBSFG0jKk/s320/P1050713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9wye4Ihi4qr4dZ_H8ZKYCXbdH11BIUDi6WG7DNY3Iymc17iPQCQhlFSaaMlqmuBy68SDcZ3IiySPNjXFP3mN7A4_DLnT2AJ7JsAdGQxxmeCuM7962wWc9OIPkdNEtr1mtTzOO3gYo1Q/s1600/P1050726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU9wye4Ihi4qr4dZ_H8ZKYCXbdH11BIUDi6WG7DNY3Iymc17iPQCQhlFSaaMlqmuBy68SDcZ3IiySPNjXFP3mN7A4_DLnT2AJ7JsAdGQxxmeCuM7962wWc9OIPkdNEtr1mtTzOO3gYo1Q/s320/P1050726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-91609062628914129772012-07-02T10:37:00.000-05:002012-07-02T10:37:33.332-05:00Six months<br />
<div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> six months. Six months since Aimee banged on our door and told me to wake up because it was "morning time!". Six months since I pulled her up into my bed and she cuddled up next to me, giving her dad a cheeky grin that said, "I'm in your spot, Daddy!"</span></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;">Six months since I pulled her up into my lap that afternoon and held her while we stared long into each other's eyes. I set her down and then let her go. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Tahoma;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Four things that will never change:</span></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. We miss Aimee. </span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. We will not see her again on this earth. </span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. She is with Jesus. </span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. We will see her again. </span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first two are the things that make me grieve and make some days harder than others. The last two are what give me hope and enable me to go on day after day with joy, and yes, even happiness.</span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);">Something else that never will change: God. He is the same God he has always been and always will be. He is holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, and all things are in His hands. He is just- which is why we need a Savior. </span>He is also gracious, loving and compassionate, which is why He sent the Savior, Jesus. He is beyond our understanding, His ways are not our ways, and yet He reveals Himself in His Word. </span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Not much else to say, except</span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will trust in Him.</span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="padding: 0px;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.00390625);"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">> Naomi for the Colliers</span></span></div>
</div>Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-35446208646480619802012-05-17T15:01:00.000-05:002012-05-17T15:01:09.781-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat-o25IDi1C9csZfDTdDyM3O9KZeA5_sMZaqRnCfcWhA5Hgsb7GwOc8wG1iBKbOQmnO7dna39cqEF9LNOxe0hD8sJl3Mxmz3uuvkad-qr6hh4ALxDPGyWnxReiRHG8QtVBC0WFvIaqnQ/s1600/248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiat-o25IDi1C9csZfDTdDyM3O9KZeA5_sMZaqRnCfcWhA5Hgsb7GwOc8wG1iBKbOQmnO7dna39cqEF9LNOxe0hD8sJl3Mxmz3uuvkad-qr6hh4ALxDPGyWnxReiRHG8QtVBC0WFvIaqnQ/s320/248.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
Our three girls will all be performing in the Saturday afternoon show. The eldest two perform in all three shows. Contact me if you want me to get tickets for you.Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-25722720484789378662012-04-29T22:20:00.001-05:002012-04-29T22:22:24.160-05:00Finally- an updateThere is a stump way in the back of our yard near the pond where I go and sit almost every day; sometimes twice in a day. It's where I go to think about Aimee and grieve. I hate that she's gone. There is healing in my heart, but I miss her so much. The children all seem to be doing well. They miss her, too, but they seem very resilient. Willing to give it to God and move on. I seem to have to hand it to God over and over again. There are so many reminders and then I also think of the things I'll never do with her or see her do. I think Tartan's experience is similar, but from a daddy perspective. <br />
<br />
I know this sounds very melancholy- but it doesn't take up most of my day anymore. We've settled into new routines and there are many things that keep me busy and happy most of the time. It's easy to think I'm perfectly fine, but I'm not fully there yet and I don't know when I will be. There are still a few things I don't do and a few that I don't do well. I'm starting to believe that I will be able to do them eventually though, whereas before I thought it would be impossible. I don't know if I'll ever be able to say I've accepted what happened, but hopefully that I can live with it until I get Home. I find that there is happiness and joy in our lives again. Amazing how God can do that. <br />
<br />
If you've been praying for us, please know God has heard those prayers and he's answering them, but there's no rushing Him. If you continue to pray, pray for comfort and reassurance. For me, pray that I can continue to trust God.<br />
<br />
We have not spoken to Elizabeth's family in a while so I have to guess at how best to pray for her. Please pray for assurance of God's love and presence in her life. Pray for healing and comfort in her heart.<br />
<br />
<br />
Trusting even when it's hard,<br />
Naomi for the ColliersNaomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-76382526540311564272012-03-16T16:02:00.000-06:002012-03-16T16:02:33.459-06:00Moving Forward<br />
<div>
<div style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I know people have been checking our blog to see how we are doing. I have wanted to post something but just have not had an inspiration of words.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">On the one hand, I can't quite bring myself to say we're better, or at least that I am. On the other, the pain is not so constant. Our counselor continues to stress (gently) that when thoughts come up or when I'm just feeling down, that that is a signal I need to grieve and so I've filled out a grief inventory to help me focus on the loss and not the circumstances. It's difficult, but apparently necessary. I'm not usually a very emotional person so these daily upheavals are wearying, and honestly, sometimes frustrating. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">I'm driving again- not a lot, but I am. I'm dropping the girls off at the dance studio a couple of times a week and I'm grocery shopping. Yesterday I had a longer drive. Longer than necessary actually because I got myself all turned around the wrong way. That cloak of melancholy still hangs over me wherever I go, too. The hardest thing now is when I'm feeling okay and then suddenly I'm not. Sometimes there's a trigger but other times it just comes out of the blue.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: white; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">A dear friend shared a verse with me from Proverbs that describes how I often am. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; color: white; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Proverbs 14:13a "Even in laughter the heart may ache"</span></span><div style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Our continued thanks for your prayers.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Trusting in the grace of Jesus,</span></span></div>
<div style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">Naomi</span></span></div>
<div style="color: white;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Tahoma; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="border-collapse: separate; color: black; font-family: Tahoma; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: white;">PS I was going to post this yesterday, but didn't get around to actually sending it in. Today Tartan took a day off and we went as a family to Main Event. We ate and bowled and had a really fun time. It felt good to have a great time together. I am reminded of God's goodness to us.</span></span></span></div>
</div>Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-4772699981428491972012-01-29T20:34:00.000-06:002012-01-29T20:34:18.610-06:00RollercoasterGod is teaching me more than I ever really wanted to know about grief. And, I'm still learning.<br />
<br />
I have learned that it does not follow a straight path or have a graceful arc to it. It's more like a rollercoaster in the dark. I have never liked rollercoasters. Our grief counselor told us last week that we, as human beings, will go to great and various lengths to go around pain and he told us what those ways were so we would avoid them. Pain is a warning system. When we feel pain, we look for the source and deal with it. We have to go through this pain and deal with it. I'm still unclear how we're supposed to do that.<br />
<br />
I've learned that grief is exhausting and stressful, both emotionally and physically. My appetite is sometimes ok and sometimes bad. I'm using a combination of ibuprofen, muscle rub and a percussion massager to try and relieve the pain in my neck, shoulders and back. I should do something more; I just don't have the energy for it. For the emotional pain, I cry, pray and/or distract. I find that there's only so much of the emotional pain that I can stand in one day before I become somewhat numb.<br />
<br />
Grief is not always an active thing. Even when I'm not thinking about anything in particular, I have what I'd call a cloak of melancholy. It just surrounds me most of the time. Occasionally I break through and enjoy a moment- I smile and laugh- and then it settles around me again.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, I've also learned that I believe what I say I do. Though I grieve, it's not a hopeless grief. Mary Beth Chapman quotes C.S. Lewis in her book <i>Choosing to See</i>. Tartan posted that quote as his Facebook status the other night.<br />
<br />
"We're not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be."<br />
<br />
His best has turned out to be very painful indeed, but as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians v 17, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." I know Paul was speaking about persecution, but any trouble we have during our life is momentary when seen from an eternal perspective. And what is unseen - Aimee blissfully enjoying her Jesus in heaven - is eternal.<br />
<br />
Still trusting,<br />
Naomi<br />
<br />Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-87397553469986057732012-01-23T09:51:00.000-06:002012-01-23T09:51:31.020-06:00Our heartfelt thanksWe want to take this opportunity to let everyone know how very deeply we appreciate all that has been done to support our family during this painful time. We have been so incredibly surrounded by thoughts and prayers, by those who sent cards, flowers, and gifts, who worked on all the funeral details, and attended the funeral. We appreciate all those who have donated to Aimee's memorial fund. We are thankful for everything that has been done for us, from providing meals, groceries and rides to staying in our home and serving us while it's been hard for us to do even the everyday things. We are particularly thankful for God's provision of dear friends and family who will continue walking with us and praying for us through this ongoing process, even when to the outside it may appear that life is returning to a semblance of "normal". As we grieve so deeply, we also are experiencing the truth of God's promise: "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:19) <br />
<br />
Tartan & NaomiNaomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-46809608082354223272012-01-11T09:01:00.000-06:002012-01-11T09:01:07.217-06:00Even a CrosswordI received an e-mail from a very good friend sharing an experience she and her family had on Friday after the funeral. It was what we refer to as a "God sighting". She related to me that the family was just sitting quietly at home after the service and her husband picked up the Friday crossword as he usually did the crossword in the Chronicle. The clue for 5 Down was "Name meaning Beloved". He asked my friend if she she could think of a possible answer. Based on a couple of clues already filled in, she asked if "Aimee" would fit. It did. They checked the solution the next day and there was her name.<br />
<br />
I don't know if the puzzle maker was aware of our story and intentionally incorporated her name. Regardless, it was one more God-filled small detail, one more reminder, that she was and is Beloved. <br />
<br />
<br />Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-15465550530754618572012-01-10T13:52:00.000-06:002012-01-10T13:52:32.467-06:00Being ComfortedIt is not my intention to write consistently to our blog, but a couple of days ago Tartan said I should write again. And when I say that I will write, I have to mention that it's often a
joint effort. I typically throw thoughts down in a mostly coherent
fashion, but Tartan then takes it and cleans it up. In the months ahead I (we) will try to write from time to time so that all those who are praying now and especially those who will continue to pray will see that God has heard them. <br />
<br />
It was one thing to know that getting past the funeral would not mean things would be instantly easier and in fact hard days would be ahead and another to experience it. Just like it's one thing to know where Aimee is, the joy and peace she has, and that really the time apart in the grand scheme of things will be short - but quite another to not be able to touch and see and hold right now. Yesterday I had posted to Facebook that it was a hard day; I had seen a number of reminders that would suddenly jump out at me. Even before I saw the responses, I had felt the calming and the peace of friends' prayers. Last night at nearly the same time, though we were not in the same room, that painful missing hit us both again. I'm not sure what it was like for Tartan, but I felt almost hollow inside. All I could do was cry to God for His mercy and comfort which I gradually received. Your prayers are being heard, and the Spirit also prays for us. "the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26<br />
<br />
There are some people who read this who will assume that I can say these things because I'm "super spiritual" or "really religious". Not so. I struggle with finding time to pray and study God's Word, I do not lead any ministries, I have not been on mission trips, I don't have a YouTube channel, I have not written books. I watch some TV and movies and play games on my iPad. I get angry and impatient with my kids. I'm not saying these things to tell you, "sure, go live your life however you want", I'm saying that it's not the things we <i>do</i>, it's Whom we have a relationship with. Tartan and I have been walking on His path for some time now; sometimes stumbling, sometimes pulling back, undoubtedly sometimes just standing still but Jesus has always been there to pick us up or push us gently along. He has given us the teaching and the people and everything else we need to be able to continue walking with Him even closer now. He can do that with you, too; He is very, very patient. Though I hope none of you ever have to go through this kind of pain, the reality is that we all will suffer to some degree at varying times until our time here ends because this is a fallen world. Let Him be there for you, accept the gift He hands out to you from the cross, give Him your life because He will hand it back to you as something so much more.<br />
<br />
In His arms,<br />
Naomi <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Naomi Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17125240257107616530noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2142743996449594672.post-88965683792122637982012-01-09T19:45:00.002-06:002012-01-10T11:12:04.216-06:00Leaves<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFKyNmlyHA8hFitgtvswysH6fihoYiH3s39DxR5T_ehj94aItGxiIKM-HNGz_g2v3ULisORMAiDDdFgcJjDGr3hfNLJ6xdog-kAmz6TMJ9aXrmy4OQS3zkVf2s5lA8QnqLTvxF9iGtn8s/s1600/aimee-leaves.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFKyNmlyHA8hFitgtvswysH6fihoYiH3s39DxR5T_ehj94aItGxiIKM-HNGz_g2v3ULisORMAiDDdFgcJjDGr3hfNLJ6xdog-kAmz6TMJ9aXrmy4OQS3zkVf2s5lA8QnqLTvxF9iGtn8s/s320/aimee-leaves.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696052201759500050" /></a><br /><p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt">Walking by the lazy Colorado River after feasting on Thanksgiving dinner at the RV park in Kerrville. Hand in hand alternately with my wife… my daughter… both of them… Watching Aimee run ahead, then drop back to grab our hands and command: "One, Two, THREE!" expecting to be lifted off her feet and propelled forward, swung by our lifted hands.</p><p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt"><br /></p> <p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt">Aimee spying a giant oak tree leaf, brown and discarded beside the path. Soon a dried oak leaf bouquet begins to form. "Here, Daddy - this one is for you!" as she holds out one particularly large leaf. I take it and put it over my heart where it stays in place, somehow magically adhering to my fleece jacket. Aimee smiling, then skipping away again - off on her quest to find more fallen leaves, more wondrous beauty hidden in plain sight.</p><p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "><br /></span></p><p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt"><span style="font-size: 11pt; "> </span></p> <p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt">As I gaze outside, at the rain and pools of water and fallen leaves littering the ground, my thoughts wander to heaven: Images of long walks beside streams of living water, gathering crisp, exquisite leaves of gold and silver on a beautiful, perfect autumn day that isn't really autumn at all; each leaf an infinite, priceless treasure extravagantly given from one heart to another.</p><p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt"><br /></p><p style="margin:0in;font-family:Calibri;font-size:11.0pt"><br /></p>Tartan Collierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17083331650519050445noreply@blogger.com5