tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27929728404833118662024-03-21T16:30:47.777-04:00FatherEd™Lessons and learnings on... fatherhood, parenting, and kids.
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After more than 30 years, I discovered my true passion...Fatherhood. Here are my stories, insights, and occassional rants on my experiences raising twin boys.Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-67790242890648019522013-06-28T11:24:00.000-04:002013-06-28T11:31:49.488-04:00Fathers Day 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just was playing around with some video/photo software and created a photo slide-show of the awesome Fathers Day I had. Always wonder how the boys are going to out-do the year before and they never let me down.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Yh9IsCvRFts18XEO5FobFof2lm1JSRzabNmR-yloBg3VO3FujVwEGCmqux_b2nvf9yVLs6ByWS0T8idyjbN98P19nBGg5kf2NpoNrfdsqLN6rwajMB1LVHASKAXBQrLGHhREClIVtc/s1600/IMG_2228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK7Yh9IsCvRFts18XEO5FobFof2lm1JSRzabNmR-yloBg3VO3FujVwEGCmqux_b2nvf9yVLs6ByWS0T8idyjbN98P19nBGg5kf2NpoNrfdsqLN6rwajMB1LVHASKAXBQrLGHhREClIVtc/s320/IMG_2228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyJ12V6AGk2GBGiRgaklwjrhN7j43lB_3v5NXVxIZy-IzhQofoJjWWIQk131OaMuDo6WuylDN2UPSFgO2fnHw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Thanks for an awesome Fathers Day boys!<br />
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Love Daddy!<br />
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Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-89573175390573907502013-04-10T07:00:00.000-04:002013-04-10T10:49:03.574-04:00A year later.... :An open letter to my boys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My dearest boys,<br />
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Hey boys! It's been a while. Oh how I miss this.... writing here on this blog nearly everyday. Writing about you, for you and to you. Of course it was all so easy before daddy went back to work full-time. A blog entry was part of my normal daily routine. Sitting down at the end of everyday sharing with the world whatever great adventures or experiences may have unfolded.<br />
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As we approach the year anniversary of me going <a href="http://www.father-ed.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-beginning-ii-open-letter-to-my-boys.html">back to work full-time</a>. I just wanted to take a minute to write you and let you know first , how proud I am of you on how you've adjusted. It wasn't easy but you did it. You adapted and adjusted as best as (at the time) any 3 yr. old could. Watching you grow and develop and matriculate and progress through pre-school has also made me proud. Not being with you nearly everyday as I was when I was not working has given me a greater appreciation for your uniqueness and individuality. You are two distinctly different but remarkable human beings. I still find myself utterly amazed sometimes that I'm part responsible for two amazing boys.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsvG3z1FzDZnOoFHu6dcSbqF-Q9M1t3dqnlJjvfKCh4w085J_gGowvq8tCBzxreXlpLj9J-r9VeKFMpCzqkYHLTtsnL3QSzlLlbqPfcXM_DO5DveXAp38Vmil4VjUlrlNKDhIVpaz6Lc/s1600/Anderson-20120412-00780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwsvG3z1FzDZnOoFHu6dcSbqF-Q9M1t3dqnlJjvfKCh4w085J_gGowvq8tCBzxreXlpLj9J-r9VeKFMpCzqkYHLTtsnL3QSzlLlbqPfcXM_DO5DveXAp38Vmil4VjUlrlNKDhIVpaz6Lc/s200/Anderson-20120412-00780.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last Target Weds lunch.... Oh the memories</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Secondly, I'm also thankful. Thankful for your patience, resilience, and gratitude. For the better part of the first three years of your life it was particularly challenging for us all as I wasn't working full-time and it made things very difficult. In every way.... emotionally and financially. But you boys hung in there, never complained and never gave up on daddy.</span><span style="text-align: left;">For that I will always be grateful. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I tell you... this first year back to work hasn't been easy. I enjoy working with other families and helping them protect themselves and their children's futures. But, what I don't like is the grueling hours my job demands and the time it takes me away from you. I feel like I've missed so much of you. I do my best to try to keep up with your development, and health and welfare as well as what's going on at school. But I still feel like I'm missing so much.</span></div>
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You wont believe this but for the first few weeks when I started working I would go eat lunch at Target on Weds just like we used to every week when daddy got his unemployment check. I miss that. I miss so much.... I miss our weekly trips to Target, morning walks, and park visits. I miss cooking breakfast and making lunch.... I miss rocking you to sleep and even I miss changing those stinky diapers. Being with you boys during that time was some of the most amazing times in my life. Moments I'll treasure forever. I am thankful everyday for the opportunity I got to spend that time with you. I do believe it was meant to be.<br />
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I can't say that I'll be doing what I do forever. But do know I will always dedicate myself and do everything I can to provide for you now and your future. I want you to have most of the things you need and a few of the things you want. I have to work TWICE as hard of course because twins aren't cheap.<br />
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I know a lot of the things I promised didn't happen as fast as I'd have liked them to, if at all. I realize I need to re-shift my focus, dig deep and find a way to make those things happen. I want to be able to do more for you , but I also need to be able to spend more time with you. These years are so critical and it's important that I spend more time with you and give you the nurturing, guidance, and love a father should.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE9qGIW63Zno453HJyM4FRZPXSLrFuUmdOinfmz-wHRQxBk1-kAgt32Nnq8mZmoU0YoHMG2BbOTvXeWxJ68e8dEh5tygBXIqyRr4UL2YJOA3Wi45w14lyNH1aBR0oeXvMaseTam7WODY/s1600/DSCN4251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLE9qGIW63Zno453HJyM4FRZPXSLrFuUmdOinfmz-wHRQxBk1-kAgt32Nnq8mZmoU0YoHMG2BbOTvXeWxJ68e8dEh5tygBXIqyRr4UL2YJOA3Wi45w14lyNH1aBR0oeXvMaseTam7WODY/s200/DSCN4251.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast time.... </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrKPxfbFBhE/TjS20im681I/AAAAAAAABYA/Md0aEJZbGFw/s1600/DSCN5706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VrKPxfbFBhE/TjS20im681I/AAAAAAAABYA/Md0aEJZbGFw/s200/DSCN5706.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh what a life.... </td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvUJbfZRRmc/TjS3ARLhB9I/AAAAAAAABYs/qFydmhlVO6g/s1600/DSCN5677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qvUJbfZRRmc/TjS3ARLhB9I/AAAAAAAABYs/qFydmhlVO6g/s200/DSCN5677.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Please know that when daddy isn't with you , I'm working hard FOR you. I'm always thinking about you. You are my drive and determination every day. I'm learning this is a marathon and not a sprint. We are going to get to our goals... I promise. It may take a little bit longer and it may not happen like I had it planned. But it will I promise.<br />
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Don't give up and I won't either. I can guarantee that. Of course you know how much I love you. In a few months you will be embarking on an educational journey as you start kindergarten. I have the utmost confidence you will do well. It's going to be a time period in your life that is exciting and amazing. You will learn so much during these years. I'll be learning with you too.<br />
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So I close in simply saying.. . Thank you WiMi, thank you so much for the honor, and privilege of sharing the many joys from the times we've spent together and most importantly for being able to be your father.
Remember what I tell you each and ever day about looking out and protecting each other. Always thinking about you.<br />
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With much love,<br />
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Daddy</div>
Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-67001479195585951962012-07-11T05:00:00.000-04:002012-07-11T05:00:03.898-04:00Here we are... Year 4: An open birthday letter to my beautiful boys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Well if you've been following FatherEd for sometime you'll know that I will use my blog as a platform to acknowledge major milestones not just in my sons lives but in our lives as in everything we do effects us all as a family. Some of you know that we have experienced some major changes since <a href="http://father-ed.blogspot.com/2011/07/wonderful-3-yr-journey-open-birthday.html">WiMi turning 3 last year</a>. We had our challenges but we were able to overcome them and are still striving.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">So here I write my thoughts, reflections, and vision as we look back over the past year and face forward for the many years to come. Please feel honored, privileged , and blessed in reading.... Thanks </span><br />
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Happy 4th Birthday to you my dear boys!<br />
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4 years.... that's high-school for most and a college degree for some. But in this educating journey I have only matriculated as I am continuing to learn, discover and find out new things about you , parenting, and even myself everyday. I could go on another 30 years and probably still not know all there is to parenting. But I will say this is one lesson that I have certainly enjoyed learning. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDIPv4GIL8xODFCzw0TuQQex23_4Lw2dMgERqun4lAXYA35HpDiHhQjbZEjPFFC2cNHmnkoXDNqYFMxCWOXluaLNPPg688fs0UNpoPXln12ezu58C2BxfokqCD-3Gy7eubGvxo-uWzhg/s1600/HPIM0543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDIPv4GIL8xODFCzw0TuQQex23_4Lw2dMgERqun4lAXYA35HpDiHhQjbZEjPFFC2cNHmnkoXDNqYFMxCWOXluaLNPPg688fs0UNpoPXln12ezu58C2BxfokqCD-3Gy7eubGvxo-uWzhg/s320/HPIM0543.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I wish I could still hold you like this..... </td></tr>
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A year ago this time... I recall getting a bit choked up and not being able to sleep as you were about to begin pre-school. I really didn't know what to think and was concerned as to how you would adapt since for the most part had been with me up until that point. But I will say you surpassed and exceeded any and every expectation I had. Of course I knew you would do well... it's in your DNA. But the way you've advanced socially, emotionally, and academically simply amazes me. The things you know at 3 yrs old.... I could never imagine. I'm so proud of you. I suppose this is just a glimpse of the perennial honor-roll students you will be as you progress through grade, and middle-school, then high-school. <br />
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This past year presented us with some big time challenges , major changes and sometimes even set-backs. But each and every-time.... you boys didn't buckle, or crumble. Your resiliency is unmatched. I can't say "when you get knocked down you get back up" Because you never let anything , anyone knock you down. It is you boys who I draw my strength from. So many times I felt like giving up.... but knew I couldn't , not so much because I knew you were depending on me. But because I knew you hadn't given up on me. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglICKK6fvbPO-nEoatMdQ1lp_OGxu4VVHw_pLj8YmSrMxuQzvzVfda6o8f3U7ffzi4DS6eYKxoy6Ukqio7HX2ryqrj3thXrf_M_jGXRgfUwV0IQH2pLetoJbS4k3qtBDYYCr50D3sLkc/s1600/20090325_05.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglICKK6fvbPO-nEoatMdQ1lp_OGxu4VVHw_pLj8YmSrMxuQzvzVfda6o8f3U7ffzi4DS6eYKxoy6Ukqio7HX2ryqrj3thXrf_M_jGXRgfUwV0IQH2pLetoJbS4k3qtBDYYCr50D3sLkc/s320/20090325_05.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the biggest changes I've watched you boys adjust to is my going back to work full-time. As much as I know I needed to go back to work , you don't know how concerned I was as to how this big change would affect you. I think at times you have handled it better than I. Don't think for a moment , I have forgotten all the good times we had. Those are years, days, and moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life. I think I said it to you once before in a previous note... I may not have riches, power, or a kingdom... but I have lived the lives of a thousand kings. Its weird these days walking around at 2:30 in the afternoon in a suit and tie ..... seems not so long ago it was us guys taking on whatever adventure came our way. So may memories and no one can ever take those away. <br />
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Know that when I'm working.... you are still always my first and foremost priority and everything I do , I'm doing for you. Helping provide for you now, and your future. I only want the best for you and will always give my best to you. It may seem at times like daddy has forgot about you or something else is more important but that is never the case. Thank you for your patience for the past three years and thank you for being so patient as we all continue to adjust to this major change.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcsTmiL37Gp_8bD2dhwrez7DiTWO08Tc2HEgu1VcrASuipYkBr3YZY1RN6NT3UWRRwakH3Wap5jtCsptL_ooEQ1HWGsWsni8hUtptVyhNX8Sov2LUMT0lq2PZHHb_CAjp9V-kh-FPqMk/s1600/DSCN4657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJcsTmiL37Gp_8bD2dhwrez7DiTWO08Tc2HEgu1VcrASuipYkBr3YZY1RN6NT3UWRRwakH3Wap5jtCsptL_ooEQ1HWGsWsni8hUtptVyhNX8Sov2LUMT0lq2PZHHb_CAjp9V-kh-FPqMk/s200/DSCN4657.JPG" width="200" /></a>Looking forward as, I give so much thanks to God above for you and your health and life I'm so excited to continue this journey as you continue to grow.... as I continue to grow. As I said last year... I expect great things from you boys. Know that I am always there for you and will do my best to provide for your every need, and some wants. Lets make the most of this fascinating journey as its just getting started.<br />
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Once in a movie(As Good as it Gets) an actor you may someday come to like; Jack Nicholson said "You make me want to be a better man" Well you boys actually MAKE me a better man. Thank you boys for a wonderful, fascinating , and rewarding 4 years. Here's to 400 more if they are all this good.<br />
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Happy Birthday,<br />
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Love Dad<br />
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LuMaW! </div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-17069678144972804122012-05-23T07:00:00.000-04:002012-05-23T07:00:04.196-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-29654095908071479962012-05-09T07:00:00.000-04:002012-05-09T07:00:11.151-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-10701723662002486602012-04-25T10:00:00.000-04:002012-04-25T10:00:00.883-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-42810106596157564852012-04-18T20:54:00.001-04:002012-04-18T20:54:08.925-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-18088800390224470862012-04-16T06:00:00.000-04:002012-04-16T06:00:02.757-04:00A New Beginning II- an open letter to my boys.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
On Monday April 16th after more than 3 yrs down-sized, I return to the work-force. Here I store my thoughts, reflections and hopes for my boys to someday read....<br />
<br />
Dearest WiMi,<br />
<br />
Over the past three years there were times I never thought this day would come. But here we are. I say "we", because without you, I would have never made it this far. You've been my rock, my support, my drive. You are why I never gave up. I knew I could never give up on you because you didn't give up on me.<br />
<br />
Looking back over these past three years we've had some wonderful and fascinating times. I've watched you grow in ways many fathers if any parents get to witness. I'm so proud of you. You've been resilient, patient and faithful. I couldn't have asked for two more perfect sons, you embody what family is truly about.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel like we traveled the world all over, and in actuality, very few times did we ever leave the state. So many wonderful things we saw and places we went. I'll always cherish the things that became so endeared or special over the course of time. The land of Sodor will always be one of my favorite places... morning walks.... geese feeding at the parks, and of course who could forget weekly Target visits.<br />
<br />
While we may have had a lot of good times I wont tell you boys that it was an easy road or it was all fun and games. We took some hits..... got knocked to the ground. But we got back up and dusted ourselves off and kept moving. Sometimes I'm still in utter amazement when I think..."how did we make it?" There were many times when daddy didn't know week to week how we were going to make it the NEXT. There were times I barely had $2 in my pocket but you made me feel like I had a million. Only you two could go in a Target and come out smiling after sharing a pretzel. You are truly humble and grateful and I do admire that about you. <br />
<br />
If I could turn back time I'm not sure if I would have done things differently. Working at McDonalds just so I could put you in day-care wasn't going to make you better boys nor make me a better father as did the experience I had with you two boys at home.<br />
<br />
As I go back to work.... know that daddy is going to work hard everyday.... trying and doing my best so that I can provide for you now and for your future. I tell you many times I know you will do great things... Well know that I will do everything in my power to make sure you have the best opportunity to.<br />
<br />
I want to thank you boys so much for what you have given me over these past 3 years. But not just what you've given me but what you've given up. I will spend everyday doing what I can to make it up to you. I love you much and I'll think about you everyday at work. Now that I wont be there I expect you to take care and protect each other like I've been instilling in you. I've watched you two develop into best friends and its important that you always see to it the other is doing well. I'm counting on you for that.<br />
<br />
Well okay there's so much more I could say... I couldn't possibly surmise three years in 8 paragraphs. I just want you to know how much I love and appreciate you. God willing we will never have to go through a trial like that.... but if we did... I already know we'd make it. There's nothing we can't handle.. <br />
<br />
You boys be blessed and say your prayers everyday, even when I'm not there and remember the quote I've been teaching you... "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.... our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure" (Marianne Williamson)<br />
<br />
LuMaW!<br />
<br />
Daddy.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-4398518167931025762012-04-11T10:05:00.002-04:002012-04-11T10:05:25.695-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-26182068981898845512012-04-04T11:24:00.000-04:002012-04-04T11:24:10.853-04:00Wordless Wednesday!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-33157464826254612352012-03-21T07:00:00.000-04:002012-03-21T07:00:00.679-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-70282814569785426642012-03-14T11:41:00.000-04:002012-03-14T11:41:36.970-04:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgTQe4LubkSKfZ25GrlJPLOE8Q3EhvEzWv-cX2H80yct_WVd4OlD9armM8Yyi_mgVWdNrEuPIyC3yCdFTZuH4jM2iAWSpeb4Kji0gM1hyunlj1FzCVDytma2xvtDyltiQcO2KfKfyyis/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMzA5LTAwNDMzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-707286"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5719778060466202386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgTQe4LubkSKfZ25GrlJPLOE8Q3EhvEzWv-cX2H80yct_WVd4OlD9armM8Yyi_mgVWdNrEuPIyC3yCdFTZuH4jM2iAWSpeb4Kji0gM1hyunlj1FzCVDytma2xvtDyltiQcO2KfKfyyis/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMzA5LTAwNDMzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-707286" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-85316774813831007992012-03-07T14:15:00.000-05:002012-03-07T14:15:31.996-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeC2EypnbYIwhVRpkGPmfXiOKHAMKLoHgkgksD784HYGuyyD60S5VcRCRRQ7pLm047S4I_0eOWTq12-S9SBT0vcJQWCpKB5B6JawrpZcMGcoK7hV7xJZG2YXw5NDbNYfvscsK03L1sZY/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMzAxLTAwMzc5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-760062"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717175539055990722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeC2EypnbYIwhVRpkGPmfXiOKHAMKLoHgkgksD784HYGuyyD60S5VcRCRRQ7pLm047S4I_0eOWTq12-S9SBT0vcJQWCpKB5B6JawrpZcMGcoK7hV7xJZG2YXw5NDbNYfvscsK03L1sZY/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMzAxLTAwMzc5LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-760062" /></a></div>
</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-82513390594150265702012-02-29T13:03:00.000-05:002012-02-29T13:03:18.521-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-55863888277735823332012-02-22T11:22:00.000-05:002012-02-22T11:22:26.377-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-22002901713447678552012-02-15T08:04:00.001-05:002012-02-15T08:04:25.064-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlKGbhHnvFqK3Q3k-frt48IR9RkTc5Yc6vFLryBojELbuuIZvhL4ccfkiztYX7VWUW9KtD4amJPLi1ZcIk3gvxBX9mmJlWxjzySCwGtS2cqGHf58opzf94p1TUALBQlZ_s2qHG4k0pMk/s1600/2012-02-02+001+2012-02-02+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlKGbhHnvFqK3Q3k-frt48IR9RkTc5Yc6vFLryBojELbuuIZvhL4ccfkiztYX7VWUW9KtD4amJPLi1ZcIk3gvxBX9mmJlWxjzySCwGtS2cqGHf58opzf94p1TUALBQlZ_s2qHG4k0pMk/s400/2012-02-02+001+2012-02-02+019.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-55099897409381720482012-02-08T07:00:00.000-05:002012-02-08T07:00:03.322-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-72134167179343177282012-02-07T11:28:00.000-05:002012-02-07T11:28:16.536-05:00Birthdays.... for celebrating and being celebrated.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
I'm not quite sure what year it was …..
but there came a certain point when I dreaded my birthday coming. I
use it as a self-assessment and kind of take inventory as to where I
was in life and compare to my peers or other family members or
friends my age. Say for instance... who owns a house at a certain
age or who's married and how many kids... things like that. As every
birthday approached, I found myself more and more depressed.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhActxncLCDY0zzM-eveffdYIoM3_Ov3ZNKXAT_FbIQoL-FXGniPpNDDSWevd1RoqxP87CV7_AktBlC0IlnG9XYcxIm6DU9Y-jkHxqroPErHiQcEkfYS2oEjd8ZSflc32QlICRL085wkiU/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMjA0LTAwMTI1LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-794762" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706426243349924402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhActxncLCDY0zzM-eveffdYIoM3_Ov3ZNKXAT_FbIQoL-FXGniPpNDDSWevd1RoqxP87CV7_AktBlC0IlnG9XYcxIm6DU9Y-jkHxqroPErHiQcEkfYS2oEjd8ZSflc32QlICRL085wkiU/s320/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMjA0LTAwMTI1LmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-794762" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you ever too "old" for Chuck E Cheese's?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Then something happened that changed
everything... I had two wonderful beings come into my life... that
being my sons. They gave me a whole new outlook and perspective on
things.. No longer was I so quick to look at what I didn't have or
had not accomplished, but I focused a little more on what I had and
what I had accomplished.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0D4dAiaxX4bGVkkdkLMazNhsGpI-GsMjARL3YAD31ci6y463giQ_xJpP72j8Vc9vXYVRpfLbS-owGeZlz0MyHjwWij4hRUQlnGE1MRNVObnzGSiA0bAwhFwJPg25UIUA-u0t_WDcIbE/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMjA0LTAwMTMzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-759271" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706426520273470098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-0D4dAiaxX4bGVkkdkLMazNhsGpI-GsMjARL3YAD31ci6y463giQ_xJpP72j8Vc9vXYVRpfLbS-owGeZlz0MyHjwWij4hRUQlnGE1MRNVObnzGSiA0bAwhFwJPg25UIUA-u0t_WDcIbE/s200/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMjA0LTAwMTMzLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-759271" width="200" /></a>This past weekend (Feb. 4) I celebrated
another b-day. This was my 4<sup>th</sup> birthday with my boys ….
There is the joy of celebrating and then there is the joy of being
celebrated. Now that WiMi isapproaching 4, they have some what of
an idea about birthdays and what they mean. To them at least it
means cake and ice-cream. They got some help from their mother , but
they picked out an awesome cake and they also “took” me to Chuck
E Cheeses' as well. Of course it was actually me taking them as for
the past few years I've found some fun way we could all enjoy my
birthday. That's how I look at it now... I see it as a new
beginning... a blessing.... an opportunity to rise up to the
challenges of a “new” year and try to accomplish more than the
year before.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEu399wBLRwYIarfl0WYuk_CPHd9yXtja4oOwk4WRBkQRgJVt9rATddtv9qsoj1PiT4w-3D9hp6ZuGnO84r7LC1eu7brwovZvSqHn07esbiuAAa7z1g1F5_Sfv5kgudlJb7fLolfkQ2Gg/s1600/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMjA0LTAwMTgxLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-727455" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706427243938530114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEu399wBLRwYIarfl0WYuk_CPHd9yXtja4oOwk4WRBkQRgJVt9rATddtv9qsoj1PiT4w-3D9hp6ZuGnO84r7LC1eu7brwovZvSqHn07esbiuAAa7z1g1F5_Sfv5kgudlJb7fLolfkQ2Gg/s200/%253D%253Futf-8%253FB%253FSU1HLTIwMTIwMjA0LTAwMTgxLmpwZw%253D%253D%253F%253D-727455" width="200" /></a>Some dads out there will tell you what
a thankless job being a father can be.... We only get two days a
year if we're lucky that we are revered and celebrated ...that's our
birthday and Father's day. It is a great feeling and I don't feel bad
saying so. So my advice to dad's out there is take advantage of it.
Don't look at the negatives of getting older, grayer, slower... but
becoming wiser as a parent... gaining another year of knowledge and
understanding, another year of such a rewarding experience. </div>
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In closing... I'm taking this
opportunity to thank you WiMi for the best birthday yet... I often
wonder how you are going to do it... but each year you out do
yourselves and top the year before. I'm already looking forward to
the next birthday. Until then …. we will just enjoy and savor
this one. Thank you and thank you for the greatest gift... You!</div>
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Thanks for reading</div>
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FatherEd</div>
</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-54506786651985428382012-02-01T06:00:00.000-05:002012-02-01T06:00:15.832-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNotRIRjGhtCKrHOIUuafaIY4dMH6ItIP6SRg6oxfAvqFGt8qYO8IJDjthbFzCOfcke36jPbDcWkP64bGfmSqYKzxrIjhpwkyK8xbYAwvXLQ99aKYT6L4pC-bqtAqU7l32AdzV-fRVbs/s1600/2012-01-12+002+2012-01-12+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNotRIRjGhtCKrHOIUuafaIY4dMH6ItIP6SRg6oxfAvqFGt8qYO8IJDjthbFzCOfcke36jPbDcWkP64bGfmSqYKzxrIjhpwkyK8xbYAwvXLQ99aKYT6L4pC-bqtAqU7l32AdzV-fRVbs/s400/2012-01-12+002+2012-01-12+060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-62651693080147725102012-01-25T14:20:00.003-05:002012-01-25T14:20:43.048-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO98Xo6l6k9co99hWz-1pBkcR25N3J_gvl0S1xW3COKfHpDde3vLj2E52YgVVowZVZE9y1MoTZcynft8BS9pUT30OI8T3NII8um6xisWtT67orITS2PxmGCOuUWWnQsskcS3WKlex8sDI/s1600/2012-01-12+002+2012-01-12+047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO98Xo6l6k9co99hWz-1pBkcR25N3J_gvl0S1xW3COKfHpDde3vLj2E52YgVVowZVZE9y1MoTZcynft8BS9pUT30OI8T3NII8um6xisWtT67orITS2PxmGCOuUWWnQsskcS3WKlex8sDI/s400/2012-01-12+002+2012-01-12+047.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-79298834415797738752012-01-18T07:00:00.000-05:002012-01-18T07:00:14.015-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0Z8ZKSq4GlIsFfymwCnamNN0gzYWlAtt2-G_42TW7AMNJRlRZsbfRt2d7-Dv3cdpPq8PDWkQM_9GctiN6BuY-eDwN9AJ38QdzjneH4mlAgcbWl0egg5_rGMKobwfsXB7PvQbJsIUG8M/s1600/2012-01-12+001+2012-01-12+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv0Z8ZKSq4GlIsFfymwCnamNN0gzYWlAtt2-G_42TW7AMNJRlRZsbfRt2d7-Dv3cdpPq8PDWkQM_9GctiN6BuY-eDwN9AJ38QdzjneH4mlAgcbWl0egg5_rGMKobwfsXB7PvQbJsIUG8M/s400/2012-01-12+001+2012-01-12+006.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-66718370459042220602012-01-17T22:39:00.000-05:002012-02-02T22:47:57.466-05:00A Happy Birthday tribute to my "Mommy"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So often on my blog I talk about parenting from the perspective of a father.... being a daddy. But I'd be remiss if I didn't speak on what has been one of my biggest influencers.... and why I am in part the parent I am today...my mom. Today is her birthday and I want to the whole world to know how thankful I am for her. <br />
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My mom is one remarkable woman....ageless. I won't publicize her age , but she looks great for someone whose been through nine pregnancies and raised 7 kids. Albeit all of us are grown and some raising our own families, she has not stopped being a mom. So selfless, dedicated and so determined and concerned that all her children and grandchildren are doing well. It is paramount to nothing else. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTcKauupsQiE1CgdZwmNu_m1DgihCEqTOkqkXMZ1fhxBudH2BtAAH1sb_ZiT2zpB8HIr91iM_kvKcBEQIr1e7OB6Jdh3MwAfgHYGOEiJFIA0zde_CGmrgX7BZdUZfckTw0s70h4BqEBk/s1600/DSCN0888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTcKauupsQiE1CgdZwmNu_m1DgihCEqTOkqkXMZ1fhxBudH2BtAAH1sb_ZiT2zpB8HIr91iM_kvKcBEQIr1e7OB6Jdh3MwAfgHYGOEiJFIA0zde_CGmrgX7BZdUZfckTw0s70h4BqEBk/s320/DSCN0888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I once stated in an earlier post that I wanted my boys to have the experience of having a stay-at-home parent because I did. Being home with the boys for the majority of the past three years... my mom certainly has been a tremendous guide and source of support for the time I've spent with my boys. Simply a guide...never overbearing or meddlesome. But always there for consult if needed.<br />
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One of the most remarkable characteristics about my mom is that no matter the circumstances or how bad someone has treated my mom, she has always remained the bigger person. Her motto- "let God deal with them" I suppose that is one thing I've inherited from her.... at times I think of it as a "flaw" or weakness but when I look at my mother I see it as a virtue. Many times when speaking on one having their values, faith, or morals tested ....they ask the age old question... "What would Jesus do?" Well I do believe in Jesus, but I don't even have to go that high when questioning what is the right thing to do. I simply ask... "What would Mother do" A great of example takes me back to two weeks ago when the mother of my children apparently had an ER visit with one of my sons that I sadly had to hear about from him and not her when she took him. When I prompted her for information regarding my son's ER visit, (i.e. the facility, the attending physician, and diagnosis) she was non-responsive. Mind you aside from being a co-parent, I do pay child-support which if nothing else should afford me being privy to said info. Fast-forward two weeks to the day.... the phone rings and it's my sons' mother and she wants to know if I can take one of the boys to the ER because they've been throwing up all night and she can't do it because she has to work. Now a lesser man and (maybe justified) would have recalled the incident two weeks prior and said "screw you... you take him" and hung up the phone. But without pause.... going back to the values my mom has instilled in me, I knew it was about the greater good and that was my son's health. I responded that I'd be right over to take my son to the ER. That is what my mom would've done.... that is what she would have wanted me to do.<br />
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It is said that a woman can't teach a boy to be a man. I don't know about that. But I will say she can certainly instill the values and provide to guidance to help him raise his own boys into men. She certainly has been a guide, a resource and a source of support over these three years without ever making me feel less of a parent or challenging me. I think this comes for the self-confidence in that she knows she taught me well. <br />
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Happy Birthday Mother.... I feel forever blessed for having you and can never do enough to express my gratefulness for all that you've done for me. Thank you .... you selfless, caring, beautiful women. Thank you.<br />
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Love<br />
<br />
Edward</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-84286510249241418302012-01-16T03:00:00.000-05:002012-01-16T03:00:12.973-05:00Living "The Dream" An MLK Day Tribute<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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" 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tBHCTzpe1qBA4YHoB5DYUphMR3bfC+/hzoGT9I2/fTWfGBRZRQTyZk/IyL42I6j/ADq+YrtnEMCRQYb4kREDSSErZRYsVAFyfC9ZBgIyxLE0tiBvQWLjLtIxGPgSKTQoRi/wArqJAChhe229vWqZrtvzpUPuRRRCRQGjxRFORPq51HEUoklA9P31IYbLIzAZpJALF1spBZWUAqGS9/ivYHyPhUGZ6SZvOgsj8Qx4aQnChWJV0EjA3UFlZGANrONJ386rk0rMdRNySST4k7knzNEvXAUGscHdp7QZbFhMPEDiUdxrcXjWJ2LhrA3ZrsRbblTmHNJRJ3s7GRjzYnp5DovkKyfLMxaCVZF5qfqOoPrUhn/Ez4lja6p+jfc+FyKDdOGs0ixveMrFlicIR9gtpDXB6jmPapbM3JGnpyA6b1TuxPAGPLppWNlmlGgeUS6WPuzEfs1Yps0BcDnvf+FAzk4ERlLEm53qvfzd+LSeh+6tKGZKE9qq8ia2aS/oPGgnMlwwjjCjoKZ5lGJTppnh80Y3VQfeozF5rJDdnXnyoGub8PLqCoLubj1qOxnAThL2udzU3wRmX5RipS/RQF9Te5/CtPXCKV3AoPMiYQl9Nje9rW61acBwIZBd1K+otV6l4QjTHNIACGANugPWrSsCLa9qDIv9VyeJrq2DQngK6g8liMdW/wC9KCXay7UkIxzJ9AOfvQGTytQLNP8A5/woyYi1Nr/SjUDwY2jfyibWFv31Hmi3oHMkpO96RIvQWoKCQikAUb/50jNijyt70zdjfajxYi3OgMBSjT9Pvoksq9KS1XoOIriLUoqUmxoEjQ2o2ih00BLUZUvU9w3wNjMe3+zQM63sZD8MS+rtt9L1rnCv+j7Clnx0pmb+qiusQ9X+Z/8A+aDC8Hlssz6IY3lb9FFZm+iitC4f7CcbNZsQyYROdn+OX2RTt7kV6Dy7KIMLGEgijhUbWRQv1PMnzNcz396Co5dkYgw8OFVyViTTqsBqNySxA5EkmpfBZDH1UE+NSDYGO/IjzBrtLLyF/LrQNZ8lUnbl4UeLJowLaRTP+dMQm7hiUkPIMCL+hOxHpU/By8aCAgyRVkLW50hxHkCSxEWF7bHwqfxhtUbmeLCxMSeQJoIngbh1I49dhqOxNWuVtIqvcG5wskAYHYsduvO1T0zXoG7Ya5v18ah88fSOfvU+r1TeOJHZVjjBLSOFBHSgL/KI/ra6m3+rSX+vP0FdQeeSKAmjGiGgFRXFqLeuvQDqoypQIaEvQC9cy2oVYdaJK16BM0U06weAkmdY4keR25KilmawubAeQJ9qsEHZjmLcsG6jxdkT/qIoKrpoRtUxmXCc+Hk7uVVRrXtrRv8ApNqLFkp5sw9BQRizVK4ThfEzIZFgcR/1jfChPgC3P2vRDgAvK1bF2RYAT4RjJ8ZDMovvYDkB4UFN4b7IHnCmbFRwq24CKZGI+4D760vI+xzLsPZij4lxveZvgv8A8NbA+96e5llIi2T4R+FWLKGAiW5vtzoH0DhFAACgCwUABQPAAcqWXEjpUZicSp2BFMsDmiiQqWFxvzoH2e5h3YXzJphh82U9aje0qKSTCa8P8UkR16RzdLfEB4kWFZNlnHzDYtYg7g7EUG5vjbkRqfjYE+ijYtb3pSPBSLa0pbr8XxbfdWQcc8byRRQyYaRo5GVDrWwIAuGFiN+a0lw/27YkvDHiBFvJGJJgCrGO++ocr8txbrQbJ/QYlAwMc6K2zDS4VgbWB+ybiovIJMdG8iYmNCoYmOSMgq8ZJtqHNWAtzFZ7jez/ADPD4hswy9lHesZTDG9mKsS1tLfBIpBvbnvVhyLtkj1dzmEbYaXkSyMq3HirfL7E+1BfdJbnSGKy0OLEU/w06SKGRgykXBU3BHK4I2I50M8gAJ8KCv8A8iaPzdl8hyp9hGbkedV3DdqGBZ3XvlUoSp1bA22JBO1TGT8Rw4gXhdXHiu9BJEWFNFhGoPbdeVOJ8SOXI0XDyf4NBE/z5w39dF/eFdTz+amC/wDs8N/yV/hXUHk8g0Ug0oBQkUCWmi2pYLRGoCWoLUe1BagC1cKGhtQPcpzN8PNFPGbNE6uPOx3B8iLj3r0YM+TFQB4WHxqCt97ahex63FeZ1rROybNnJkw4Nyqs6j9UfNb050FfzrDzyYl+8bUwJBP7h5Uc8KYgR6+laBLw13kxkO196HFT92wSw00GQsJA1iDerPwXx5LlzMhTWj76b8m8RVqz7L8O67AK9rgjxqI4Q4aWXEr3lmC7/wAKBXPu1LEyn4YyinlsTRcu7RsXYLew5XI3rYo+H8OVC90lv7IpPEcJYYD80g9FAoKVlvE4IvqLP18z7VDDFztjC5DKOVhe1qUxk0WX48KfkexF996nc14pwypdWW9uQoHBz8RuNbc7eNVnjvN8MYyO6RmbqFCsPO43NQ2J4jEze9Qed4YySqAbhmA+tAtlMDYpVgIuAfgJvdL+fUVdoOxb/ZnUYgB5NN7x6lBU3BU/MPOp7hbg1cOivzaw6Vcka4tegwhMxzPJJSkc2tDva5kiIH6jbqfS1XPKe13B5gnc5nhYweRa2pPUavjT2q65nkkLqdaqSfIX+tY5xbw5DHOqldId1UMNrXIF/Og1rJ80yvA91FFiYlDghAZdR0lmYAsTsLk2B8afcacUw4HDrLKGZWdYwqsBqJ5ksdrAXJrHuLuz45cBisI5xMKgo/eRqe71bAsvJ0NyL22JFUDEZzNJGkckrtHHcIpYlVB56R7UG/YLhTJszKTRwqjRlWZF+AOB8VpFHwsu+5G58avEYhiIVYxHttpQAW8NhYV54DTYZsM2HR20RggxAtr1r8zovOx18/CtI4Wz3HxYUNil7+PQDGEUnFFrgBJVJsp9Pegt/EODfEIBh5VWVTcA8n/VY/Z23qEOJxGGS8yMSOYvf76g+MmaTDtjMNAZdTRtLHeZZYSqEaiqtqRhcjWvMeIqtt2tyP3QaN/yfQEkUkvIjgn+lDmxcEW2NBdP5/r+gfvoKpP8p4D/APIj/kyf/GuoM1BAoVWihaGRvCgCUjpSareuG9KNsKAgNDprlWj2oEtNDRqAigJUhwxnzYPGQ4hb/wBG4JH6ScnX0Kkio+k3NB6L4kxAhAdN0kUOjdCjDUDf0NZ3js7sSTV57N3XMslEEh/pMMWhB6gW1RH0sdP7FSOF7J4Ui+P43tck8vYUGOTZ/c7nrWkcF5QpUSX3IBBqj8e8PQ4df6M735XHMVPcFcS2gRDsRbf91BpuGwzqfm29KNNHITsdqjMPmLMBvTx8z0rQULifhsy4xXk3UfwqtZjkJnmMeHF9J+6rvmuZyTK6Qxl2N9/Ck+zTLXiaQzLZievvfego0vBONQ/+HZv7IvSb8P4yMrJLAyopBv4WNehoMUhHO5HOmGelHiZdtwfvFqCEwecFsOrDwFdg85J2FyfSm3CuUEQafAsLeV9qmsugSA/FYXPWw+80D7CYAtZmJ9Kr/aLwScXhz3W0qfGh8SOh+lXaKQEbUWScJzoMpyHjCVdCYuNo2e6fEtgzJsw35gix96Jxd2XxY2PvcFFHFNqBYatELoQb2G4V725WHOprtNzXDHBuGVmIsU0D4kcH5genvVe4U45C4WPWxdrsoFxsF+0frQI8N5LmGAadZsC2LgdUR2hlAZo47lTHYhj8x2FjsKt/D0WAxYf8nZ1ktpkiJeKddrHvIydzb7YHvT7KeKtdibGn2cZHhsfbUpEq7pPGdE0XhpkHn0NxQUbO4p8rlWaGSYx7R2lcuvdj7HeHptyNTGKz/L3hjxEmDBik+F5okVu6kH2ZoxvY7/FS+OzLF4AiLEoczw7qbOsYGIjVSARKlikmx6WJtSnDWQ4KXvpcBLeGYaZsPvaN+hCN8UTc9jt4WoIn8p4d/Tg/5Mn/AMaGif6sMR/WR/3RXUGGAaR60ix3o0suo28KHTtQcooDuaOwtQRrQHUUDClLUQ0BKA0JopoCmiSClDRGoLLwBxhNgZXEW6yBdadG0XI9DufrWzwdrEU8YRFZZWFiGtZfQisV7No1OYwB11Ke8DDy7tr1pGZcM4cSK0baCSNh60D/ABPD8M73kFz50eLgWN427q6kcj4VYm4d0xhgxvYc+tSfDiL3fqTegyvB59LhHaKaM3Xb28R41LYafEY0jREUiB3Y3F/IDnWi4vJ4ZZFLorFeV1BtTyaJVQ6QBYeHIUEBkWWpGpsLHrSMiguwBFjcenpTdMwALXaw3qKkzqISWVwSSW28ulBNQZUF+0bHmSd6BMnCAkOTfoTfr51HnMjK1xc+lMs6z/RExAuQPvoLxk8AVAB50y4u4d/KoWjVipPJhzB8ahOA+I5J4AzixBI9RfnU9i880/ZJoB4dyFsLGFMzSkdW/dS3EMReB1BsSCAfDao7A508zctIHTxp1meJvZb86CL4PyQDDhZrOd7lhfa/nWP9pMLYXNZQECxHQYtIAUpoW9rdb3vWscXZ2cJh7rsx2Hr6VlGdY6TFxlJmDG+oNbdW5XB6L5UEtwpmLSEFN79PCtKwuJMI1FwPEEjpvXnsvicDJoOpCQGB5BkIuGU9QRU9w5iZce8kbYhYyAGvI+lTuFIF9r7ig9FZZmCYmFZFIIa49Cpsd/UGsa4zjmwmZPMjGGUtqSROTp5jkw2sVPhWkcC4MYXCJAZNZVnLNy3Zix/Go/tQy5cRhO8QqXw5Lkde7IswHvY0FL/1u4/9PDf8o/xrqqPdD9H766gqqLRlFBegkbpQCzXNLIlIRJenbmgKaTNHJohoCmgoxotAD0lalWFE00EvkGKfDN3wQliGVNuWrZj9NvrT/wDndIHUsGuGBPpfeojA5pLh2DqVt1VgGU+RBqzYvGQ4lElCKhZfjQcg4ve3kedBs2RcbYbEwrplUtaxW/xA25WpUzaVbSbc7Wrzzl+YCDEBgORvblWi4vjiEw312a3K+58qCUx3HzYSXU3xgcxfe3lUZxB26B4ymHhcFhYsxtp9B1rNc/4hOIawFh+NQ8ZoJXHcT4iS95Dv4Grh2OxiXESq41MFVlJ5De1j4XqgJCWNhuTVz4XlnyuTvjCXVxpYbjbmN6DSc34fnWUdwyhXILBucfoOtPp8hWGB2kOo6SzE+QvVFh7U5ZsXEWXuoQSCvU6thc8tqs/abxQiZfIEcFpAqAAgmzW1Hby/GgpvC/aVHCuhwbXNj5Xq+5LxJFihdGBrzu1O8szqSA3jYig9OYFRqsvOpVMlQsGYXI5VWuy0vJg45pTdpAWH9m+34U/414+gy1A0l2ZjZUW2o2FyfAD1oKn222SGCxsTIdvIKf4istgxHwgjnS/HPG8mZSB7FI0BCLcHnuSfOoHAYrpQXbAZ3DLCMPiohKq/mrjdQeaBhuvsetVvPcHDBilKwyQpoZtDDVdhfSLPzQmwO/Im1EZzsR61ce1eVcRgcvnXcoGib0cXX743+tBN8HZ1J+VQq/fnCygJGzqvdqzDWgMgA7w/Y5/ZpTM8xfGTYnLpkOEmLB8OAfgxCL9hj9omxYfTpUVwvmAxeT9yGCy4VlIbf4NL60ksNyLfCfSrnxjkSY7Bh7t30VjHLGLujDe+25XyG+9Bm38y8V/UT/Q/woaW/nPnX9cv95f4UNBmxoJOddXUCkFLSc6GuoCGimgrqDjQV1dQFNAvOurqA+IpxlHMe/766uoE8V+dFJ43pXV1A0i50onOurqCVyL8+n9ofjWwcRfmU9RXV1Bnk351veh4z/Nw+g/GurqCmy9aRWurqD1F2V/+V4X/AIf7zWa/6QX/AIjD/wBiT8Urq6gzXDfJRMv+c11dQTJ+U+hqb4h/8sT/APT/ANctdXUA9mP/ANb/AME/+6tr4B/MD9n/ANNKGuoHVdXV1B//2Q==" /></a><span style="text-align: left;">Martin Luther King would've been 83 this year. If there is one individual I feel deprived of never having the opportunity to meet, hear speak he ranks up there with </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ" style="text-align: left;">Jesus Christ </a><span style="text-align: left;">and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurgood_Marshall" style="text-align: left;">Thurgood Marshall</a><span style="text-align: left;">. Dr. King may have had his flaws... but his dream and vision is one that is parallel with mine and from that the same ideas and values I try to instill in my boys. We aren't quite there.... but we have progressed since as Dr. King passed... and when I say we... I don't mean black people.... that in </span>and of itself would go against everything MLK "dreamed" about. But I mean as a nation. I wonder what Dr. King would think about his dream today. I am truly grateful for Dr. King and so many others who fought and gave so much so that I could be a part of that dream.... live that dream and pass that dream on to my own children. Happy Birthday Dr. King.... I wish I'd got to know you. </div>
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I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.<br />
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Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.</div>
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But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.</div>
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In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.</div>
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It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.</div>
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It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.</div>
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But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.</div>
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We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.</div>
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As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.</div>
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I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.</div>
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Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.</div>
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I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.</div>
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I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."</div>
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I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.</div>
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I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.</div>
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I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.</div>
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I have a dream today.</div>
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I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.</div>
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I have a dream today.</div>
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I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.</div>
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This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.</div>
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This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."</div>
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And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!</div>
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Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!</div>
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Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!</div>
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But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!</div>
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Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!</div>
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Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.</div>
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And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"</div>
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Thanks for reading....</div>
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Teddy</div>
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</div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-68382654535342071842012-01-11T07:00:00.000-05:002012-01-11T07:00:08.862-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /></div>Teddyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04105293424492603972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2792972840483311866.post-44207937444756657682012-01-04T14:52:00.000-05:002012-01-04T14:52:10.812-05:00Wordless Wednesday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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