I want to give you a quick update on my lump before I continue on with the tour of the Soo Locks (hopefully I will post on that tonight).
My test results came back inconclusive. But because of that we now know what the next test will be, an ultrasound of my thyroid. I am currently waiting for the hospital to call to set that up. After the ultrasound we will hopefully know more and have a better understanding on the situation.
Since I was already getting my blood drawn for my thyroid, my Doctor decided to check my hemoglobin A1C as well. Basically it is a test that reads your sugar levels for the last 3 months. I haven't had one since shortly after having Jilli. I was a little apprehensive as to what the test would show. My last test I was a 6.0 this time it was a 5.6. A normal adult is a 4-5.6, controlled diabetic is a 5.7-6.4. To say that I was thrilled was an understatement. After I had Jilli my Doctor told me that he was sure I would be on an insulin pump by age 35. I am now 36 (I know I'm old) and my A1C shows that I am at the high side of normal! All I can say is that it was God! I had prayed against the words spoken over me by my Doctor and had claimed this body whole and healthy and God answered my prayers!
Although it is slightly frustrating to not know what is going on with my thyroid, I am praising God that I received news that another body system of mine is working according to God's plan.
So that is my update. I am resting in the palm of God's hand and continuing to trust my health to the One who created me. Thank you for your prayers and I will update again as soon as I know something!!
Blessings!!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Tour of a Lifetime
Our appointment was for 4pm. Thankfully this day was turning out to be a beautiful day, but it really didn't matter what the weather was, we were set to have a tour of a lifetime.
Several months before this appointment, I had a random conversation with a client I clean for. I was telling him how much we love camping in the UP and one of our favorite things is to go to the Soo Locks to watch the freighters go through. He told me to let him know the next time we were up there and he would arrange for us to have a tour of the Locks. He works for the government and part of his jurisdiction was the Locks.
Fast Forward to the morning we left for the UP... We were finally cleared to be able to have the tour (it took a few weeks to be cleared), my client emailed me the name of the person who would be giving us the tour, the time and place we were to meet him. Nothing like coming down to the wire!
It was 3:15pm, we were waiting to leave the campground and head up to the Locks.
3:30pm, Look what comes around the corner. Perfect timing for our tour. My client had said he hoped that a freighter would be pulling in when we were on our tour because when you are in the tunnel that goes directly under the lock you can hear the sound of the propeller.
3:40pm, everyone piles into vehicles to head on down to the Locks. The rest of our group was going to watch from the observation deck as we went on our tour.
It was just after 4pm that we were cleared at the guard station and our tour guide rode up on one of those carts that they drive around on.
We are buzzed through a gate and started walking up to the MacArthur Lock. When the doors of the lock are closed it makes the bridge to cross over. The Algolake was in the MacArthur lock heading Upbound.
We went out the other side of the Administration building to get a peek at the Mesabi Miner that was making her way into the Poe Lock. Had I reached over the railing I could have touched the side of her as she moved through. It was an amazing sight.
We went back into the Administration building for a quick lesson on the Locks. Mike (our tour guide) told us all about the Locks, the rapids and the Canadian Locks. Here he is pointing to the remaining rapids.
Then we start making our way down lots and lots of stairs. Through water tight doors.
Then into the long tunnel that took us right under the Poe Lock where the Mesabi Miner was slowly moving into. This is the tunnel that we heard the sound of the propeller. Whoow... Whoow... Whoow...
Several months before this appointment, I had a random conversation with a client I clean for. I was telling him how much we love camping in the UP and one of our favorite things is to go to the Soo Locks to watch the freighters go through. He told me to let him know the next time we were up there and he would arrange for us to have a tour of the Locks. He works for the government and part of his jurisdiction was the Locks.
Fast Forward to the morning we left for the UP... We were finally cleared to be able to have the tour (it took a few weeks to be cleared), my client emailed me the name of the person who would be giving us the tour, the time and place we were to meet him. Nothing like coming down to the wire!
It was 3:15pm, we were waiting to leave the campground and head up to the Locks.
 |
| Tyler and PopPop |
 |
| Paul getting better view |
It was just after 4pm that we were cleared at the guard station and our tour guide rode up on one of those carts that they drive around on.
We are buzzed through a gate and started walking up to the MacArthur Lock. When the doors of the lock are closed it makes the bridge to cross over. The Algolake was in the MacArthur lock heading Upbound.
 |
| Mesabi Miner just entering the Poe Lock |
We enter the Stone Administration building and was shocked at the beauty within.
We went out the other side of the Administration building to get a peek at the Mesabi Miner that was making her way into the Poe Lock. Had I reached over the railing I could have touched the side of her as she moved through. It was an amazing sight.
 |
| Look how close the Mesabi is the the rail. |
Then we start making our way down lots and lots of stairs. Through water tight doors.
Well, I am going to sign off here, otherwise this is going to be a really long post. There is so much more from this tour that I want to show you. Until next time...
Blessings!!
Friday, March 22, 2013
Blast Off!!
This past week/weekend was crazy busy for us. The kids had a lot going on with their Musical and they also had a lot going on with Aunt Laurie. On top of all that Kevin and I had a lot going on at the house. Whew, I am glad things have slowed down a little this week!
Wednesday night was the first musical performance and I FORGOT MY CAMERA! I know, I know, how could I do that, in my defense that afternoon was CRAZY! The good news is that I could take pictures at the Sunday performance, the bad news is that I didn't get any pictures of Lorelei sleeping on Kelli's lap or how she kept herself curled in a ball for the whole performance and only 15 min before we were ready to go home did she wake up enough to run around with her cousins.
Anyway, Wednesday's performance we had Uncle Jim, Aunt Kerri, Uncle Tim, Aunt Kelli, and Lorelei join us. The kids did really well, but things were a little bumpy at times. Like when Micah missed one of his lines, and started to giggle because he thought it was someone else who missed there line. Then when the director finally got his attention and he understood it was him, he rattled of his line and then his face turned all red. This "mistake" bothered him for days after. Many of the kids had to have a little help remembering their lines, Wednesday's performance was really the first time they ran through the whole thing from beginning to end, so taking that into account, they did great!
Sunday rolled around and we made our way back to church. This time we had Uncle Paul, Aunt Nadia, Babula, Donal, Aiden, Aunt Laurie, Nana, and PopPop come. Oh and I REMEMBERED MY CAMERA! Whew... Sundays performance went so much more smoothly. Micah NAILED his lines, I was holding my breath for every line and when he said his final line I breathed a sigh a relief. Micah said he was more nervous for Sunday than he was for Wednesday.
Equally as fun to watch was Donal. He was doing the hand motions and singing along to the songs. When Donal first saw me Sunday morning, he said "Look Aunt Lynny, I still have all my curls!" And he did, a head full of them... sigh... I.love.his.curls. Just last night Paul texted our family with another one of a Donal's cute quotes (said at dinner) "Everyone says that I am ordinary but I am not. I am a real Superboy." That was followed up by "Jupiter is very gasy." OK, I am getting a little sidetracked with my very spirited little nephew.
By the end of the performance Aiden looked like this... Oh and I did spot some little curls on the back of his head when he woke up. Paul calls them waves, but if you compare him to my kids, they are definitely curls.
Sunday afternoon, was the cast party. All the kids met back up at church and were taken to a trampoline park on the church bus. This was my kids first bus ride. I think they were just as excited about the bus ride than the trampoline park. When we picked them up they were all very excited about what they had experienced.
The kids wanted to know when the next musical was, even Tyler said he would do another musical again *smile*. Jilli cried herself to sleep that night because she was so upset the musical was over. She was worried that she would forget all the hand motions to all of the songs. She told me that she loved Blast Off and she didn't think she would ever love another musical like her first one again. OH..BOY.. I can't even begin to think what her teenage years are going to be like. But if anyone can understand my girl it's me.
Kevin and I went to bed that night proud as peacocks and as we laid in bed praying, we thanked God for bringing us to a church that the kids love.
Blessings!!
Anyway, Wednesday's performance we had Uncle Jim, Aunt Kerri, Uncle Tim, Aunt Kelli, and Lorelei join us. The kids did really well, but things were a little bumpy at times. Like when Micah missed one of his lines, and started to giggle because he thought it was someone else who missed there line. Then when the director finally got his attention and he understood it was him, he rattled of his line and then his face turned all red. This "mistake" bothered him for days after. Many of the kids had to have a little help remembering their lines, Wednesday's performance was really the first time they ran through the whole thing from beginning to end, so taking that into account, they did great!
Sunday rolled around and we made our way back to church. This time we had Uncle Paul, Aunt Nadia, Babula, Donal, Aiden, Aunt Laurie, Nana, and PopPop come. Oh and I REMEMBERED MY CAMERA! Whew... Sundays performance went so much more smoothly. Micah NAILED his lines, I was holding my breath for every line and when he said his final line I breathed a sigh a relief. Micah said he was more nervous for Sunday than he was for Wednesday.
Equally as fun to watch was Donal. He was doing the hand motions and singing along to the songs. When Donal first saw me Sunday morning, he said "Look Aunt Lynny, I still have all my curls!" And he did, a head full of them... sigh... I.love.his.curls. Just last night Paul texted our family with another one of a Donal's cute quotes (said at dinner) "Everyone says that I am ordinary but I am not. I am a real Superboy." That was followed up by "Jupiter is very gasy." OK, I am getting a little sidetracked with my very spirited little nephew.
By the end of the performance Aiden looked like this... Oh and I did spot some little curls on the back of his head when he woke up. Paul calls them waves, but if you compare him to my kids, they are definitely curls.
Sunday afternoon, was the cast party. All the kids met back up at church and were taken to a trampoline park on the church bus. This was my kids first bus ride. I think they were just as excited about the bus ride than the trampoline park. When we picked them up they were all very excited about what they had experienced.
The kids wanted to know when the next musical was, even Tyler said he would do another musical again *smile*. Jilli cried herself to sleep that night because she was so upset the musical was over. She was worried that she would forget all the hand motions to all of the songs. She told me that she loved Blast Off and she didn't think she would ever love another musical like her first one again. OH..BOY.. I can't even begin to think what her teenage years are going to be like. But if anyone can understand my girl it's me.
Kevin and I went to bed that night proud as peacocks and as we laid in bed praying, we thanked God for bringing us to a church that the kids love.
Blessings!!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Lyn's Little Lump
I had a post ready for today, its all about the musical this past weekend. But it will save for tomorrow. I need to share something different today.
Monday morning I discovered a mass on my neck just to the left of my esophagus. It was rather large and seemed to appear over night. Last night it got a little bigger and so I was told by my loving husband and very good friend Megan to go get it checked out.
I saw my doctor this morning, had some blood work done. Doctor says its my thyroid. My lab results will dictate the course of action.
I will need either a scan or ultrasound and most likely a biopsy because of its size (about the size of a ping pong ball). Once that is all done we will have a clearer picture of what we are dealing with.
So...I (we) covet your prayers. We are believing this is not that serious and very soon I will be back to normal. But in the meantime please pray for God's peace and for the healing of my thyroid.
Thank You...
Monday morning I discovered a mass on my neck just to the left of my esophagus. It was rather large and seemed to appear over night. Last night it got a little bigger and so I was told by my loving husband and very good friend Megan to go get it checked out.
I saw my doctor this morning, had some blood work done. Doctor says its my thyroid. My lab results will dictate the course of action.
I will need either a scan or ultrasound and most likely a biopsy because of its size (about the size of a ping pong ball). Once that is all done we will have a clearer picture of what we are dealing with.
So...I (we) covet your prayers. We are believing this is not that serious and very soon I will be back to normal. But in the meantime please pray for God's peace and for the healing of my thyroid.
Thank You...
Thursday, March 14, 2013
They're Back...
Last Sunday Kevin opened the Front door and I could've swore I heard a robin singing, I even mentioned something to Kevin about it. Monday morning I was outside working on the yard, when I heard the singing again. Audubon girl snapped to attention and I started searching for the song maker. I saw it in my neighbors yard. Then a moment later I saw another one in flight. Robins have a very distinct flying pattern. By the time I was done working I had seen a total of 4 robins. Which could only mean one thing... SPRING IS ON ITS WAY!!! Which leads me to... IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR CAMPING!!!
That's all for now.
That's all for now.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Visitors
Well, there has been a lot of chances happening over here. I hope to start sharing about them in a little while, but these changes have left me VERY busy, hence the lack of blogging lately. Hopefully, I can get into a new rhythm and blogging wont be at the bottom of my list of things to do. I still need to finish up our UP trip from October....
I thought that I would quick show you the visitors we had a week and a half ago.
It is not uncommon to have deer back here, but we have never seen a herd of deer of this size before. They hung out for awhile before getting scared and running off.
There were twelve deer all together. It was pretty fun to watch them. If you look carefully you can count all twelve in the picture.
In other news.... tonight is the first performance of the musical the kids are in. Super excited for it, can't wait to see it all put together. Micah is part of the cast, his name is Sammy Swag Saturn. Jilli has a solo and Tyler is part of the chorus. Without getting to deep into all the "why's" this is a really big reason why we switched churches. We wanted the kids to be involved with a church that has a great kids program.
OK, off to make lunches... apparently I have a child that is starving to death because it's only been 1.5 hrs since his last meal.
Blessings!!
I thought that I would quick show you the visitors we had a week and a half ago.
It is not uncommon to have deer back here, but we have never seen a herd of deer of this size before. They hung out for awhile before getting scared and running off.
There were twelve deer all together. It was pretty fun to watch them. If you look carefully you can count all twelve in the picture.
In other news.... tonight is the first performance of the musical the kids are in. Super excited for it, can't wait to see it all put together. Micah is part of the cast, his name is Sammy Swag Saturn. Jilli has a solo and Tyler is part of the chorus. Without getting to deep into all the "why's" this is a really big reason why we switched churches. We wanted the kids to be involved with a church that has a great kids program.
OK, off to make lunches... apparently I have a child that is starving to death because it's only been 1.5 hrs since his last meal.
Blessings!!
Friday, March 8, 2013
GWL 2013
The beginning of February my whole family (minus Tim and Melissa who couldn't make it) went to Great Wolf Lodge for a few nights. As always we had a great time. We were able to celebrate Aiden's Birthday while we were there and also we were able to spend some time with my Uncle Tony, his wife Gloria, and my cousin Tom.
I didn't bring my big camera up with us, I tried to take some pictures with my phone but it is really hard when the lighting is so low and the kids are moving so fast from one thing to another. I managed 1 picture of Donal and Nana in the lazy river. He probably walked 5 miles in the lazy river with all of us. He loved it. Even Aiden (who I was able to play with all by myself for awhile *smile*) loved the feel of the lazy river.
I did get a couple little video's one of Kevin coming down the yellow slide with Tyler and the other video of Donal playing on the kiddy slide. Micah would stand at the bottom and catch him. At the end of the video you can hear Donal get all excited about going back to the lazy river.
Hopefully next time Tim and Melissa can join us again, but God had a very special reason for keeping them at home. Baby Sophia was born while we were at GWL and had Tim and Melissa been with us, Melissa wouldn't have been able to be with her sister and brand new niece!
I didn't bring my big camera up with us, I tried to take some pictures with my phone but it is really hard when the lighting is so low and the kids are moving so fast from one thing to another. I managed 1 picture of Donal and Nana in the lazy river. He probably walked 5 miles in the lazy river with all of us. He loved it. Even Aiden (who I was able to play with all by myself for awhile *smile*) loved the feel of the lazy river.
I did get a couple little video's one of Kevin coming down the yellow slide with Tyler and the other video of Donal playing on the kiddy slide. Micah would stand at the bottom and catch him. At the end of the video you can hear Donal get all excited about going back to the lazy river.
Hopefully next time Tim and Melissa can join us again, but God had a very special reason for keeping them at home. Baby Sophia was born while we were at GWL and had Tim and Melissa been with us, Melissa wouldn't have been able to be with her sister and brand new niece!
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Micah's 11th Birthday Party
Really quick post of a couple of pictures from Micah's Birthday Party. I need to apologize for the subpar pictures...
Micah was getting over a cold, so instead of him blowing out the candles Aiden did.
Donal had my phone and started taking pictures, including a picture of us and his abnormally long tongue. (this pictures is very grainy, but since I love my curly head nephew, it's going on my blog).
Happy Birthday Micah!
A Little of Everything
Wow, it's been awhile, sorry about that. I will give you a quick run down on some of what has kept us busy the last few weeks.
Karate testing... Always a big day around here, the kids have them 4 times a year and it's a way for us to see what they have been learning. Of course there is always the highly anticipated board breaking...
Micah...
Karate testing... Always a big day around here, the kids have them 4 times a year and it's a way for us to see what they have been learning. Of course there is always the highly anticipated board breaking...
Micah...
Tyler... sorry his is a bit blurry, he broke it so fast I almost didn't even get this shot!
Jilli...
Then DoJaNim took a quick second to talk to his "Steve" (the name he has called Jilli since day 1).
After all the board breaking there is the changing of the belts, Tyler had a newbie that couldn't get his belt on for the longest time. His face was so red by the time he finally figured out how to tie Tyler's belt on... I guess when you are only used to tying your own belt, it's hard to do it on someone else.
My new Gold Belts...
My New Purple Deputy...
Some of the other things we did these past weeks, was visit Aunt Kelli and Lorelei. Micah played a long time with Lorelei doing all sorts of things, but one of them was creating Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head.
Jilli and Lorelei were playing salon...
Our February snow fun when Michigan finally decided to get some snow...
Daisy the Snowgirl (bet you can't guess who named her).
Snowflake the snow horse.
Our 2013 Sled Run.
On Feb. 13th Tyler got his expander.
Last week I was trying to conserve milk at dinner time (Kevin was going out of his way NOT to conserve milk). He asked if I would go to the store that night to get more milk.. I told him no. He left for volleyball and the next morning we found this in the frig...
After one of the many days Tyler and I work hard on his reading and building words he asked to take a picture of us with my phone.
Not the best of photo's, but if my buddy wants a picture with his Momma, I will not argue!
Other quick updates, Tyler sprained his ankle playing with Jilli, he had to be on crutches. He is doing much better now, even able to walk around without the crutches. His ankle is all shades of black/blue/green/yellow. He will have to be careful with it for awhile, but we are thankful that it wasn't worse than what it was... you should have heard the POP sound his ankle made when he sprained it!
My cousin's baby girl, with the heart problems, was born last night, she was pink and crying, we are waiting for more of an update so please pray for baby Sofie!
Lots more to share, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Micah
My Precious Micah,
It is hard for me to look at you and not remember the moment you were born. The scare we had when the "red button" was pushed and our room was flooded with all medical personal. Then the shock of discovering how big you were. Then in the quiet of our first night together, the realization of how much I am loved by God. For I could not imagine loving anything or anyone as much as I loved you in that moment and knowing that God loves each one of us with even more love left me breathless. It was a holy moment that I will never forget and although you were just a few short hours old, God was already using you in a mighty way.
It is kind of scary knowing that my time with you is running short. You are well on your way to adulthood. Watching you turn into a young man has been such a gift. Even at the young age of 11, you carry an aura of responsibility. You have such an intense desire to do right and not wrong. Your level of honesty and willingness to always tell the truth no matter the cost is humbling. Your ever increasing yearning to make good and Godly choices is a joy to watch unfold. Hold tight to those qualities Micah, this world will do everything to rip those virtues from you, to make you compromise on what is right. God will bless your determination to follow after Him.
I love hearing your thoughts and questions about faith and God. I love the way you are increasing in your desire to know more about Him. Many of your questions I have had to turn to others to help gain understanding and wisdom. Your questions make me want to grow more in understanding of this amazingly wonderful God we serve.
When people tell me how much you look like your Daddy, I think to myself they have no idea how much like your Daddy you really are. God has placed in you the same strength he placed in your Daddy, a strength not seen in many men these days. Micah, that is a gift, it is a blessing that God has placed on you. God will show you how to use that strength to bless others and always remember, that there isn't anything stronger than a man on his knees praying to to One who created the planets and set them into motion.
You have an amazing memory, Daddy and I wonder how on earth you remember so many things from a very young age. You have used that amazing memory to write scripture upon your heart. There are moments when we are working together on memorizing scripture that leaves me slightly jealous. You have an innate talent for placing words into your mind that you can recall very quickly. Keep hiding scripture in your heart, Micah, for no one can take that away from you.
You are my very social-people-pleasing boy who is very quickly turning into a young man. Micah, Daddy and I are so proud of who you are and who you are growing up to be. You have qualities and characteristics that are uniquely yours and that complete our family in a way that no one else could. As we enter into these next years, years of growth and change for you, I pray that God will continue to walk alongside of you, guiding you. That you will continue to ask those tough questions, the searching questions, the insightful questions. That you will stay true to that strong moral compass that God placed in you. I pray you will give Daddy and I grace, as we try to help navigate you from boyhood into manhood. This is unchartered territory for us and we will make mistakes and someday, your brother and sister will thank you for taking the brunt of our mistakes.
Micah, the verse I have chosen for you is a verse that was spoken over me earlier this week by a very good friend. It is a verse that I want you to hide away in your heart so that you can draw from it as you continue down life's journey.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go. Joshua 1:9
You are and always will be a blessing to all who know you. You have the characteristics of a great and mighty leader, use those for the glory of God. Always remember, strength is not found in possessions, money, and things of this world, it is found only in Christ.
Micah, I love you so much my growing son, I give all thanks and praise to God for placing you in my life.
Love,
Mommy
It is hard for me to look at you and not remember the moment you were born. The scare we had when the "red button" was pushed and our room was flooded with all medical personal. Then the shock of discovering how big you were. Then in the quiet of our first night together, the realization of how much I am loved by God. For I could not imagine loving anything or anyone as much as I loved you in that moment and knowing that God loves each one of us with even more love left me breathless. It was a holy moment that I will never forget and although you were just a few short hours old, God was already using you in a mighty way.
It is kind of scary knowing that my time with you is running short. You are well on your way to adulthood. Watching you turn into a young man has been such a gift. Even at the young age of 11, you carry an aura of responsibility. You have such an intense desire to do right and not wrong. Your level of honesty and willingness to always tell the truth no matter the cost is humbling. Your ever increasing yearning to make good and Godly choices is a joy to watch unfold. Hold tight to those qualities Micah, this world will do everything to rip those virtues from you, to make you compromise on what is right. God will bless your determination to follow after Him.
I love hearing your thoughts and questions about faith and God. I love the way you are increasing in your desire to know more about Him. Many of your questions I have had to turn to others to help gain understanding and wisdom. Your questions make me want to grow more in understanding of this amazingly wonderful God we serve.
When people tell me how much you look like your Daddy, I think to myself they have no idea how much like your Daddy you really are. God has placed in you the same strength he placed in your Daddy, a strength not seen in many men these days. Micah, that is a gift, it is a blessing that God has placed on you. God will show you how to use that strength to bless others and always remember, that there isn't anything stronger than a man on his knees praying to to One who created the planets and set them into motion.
You have an amazing memory, Daddy and I wonder how on earth you remember so many things from a very young age. You have used that amazing memory to write scripture upon your heart. There are moments when we are working together on memorizing scripture that leaves me slightly jealous. You have an innate talent for placing words into your mind that you can recall very quickly. Keep hiding scripture in your heart, Micah, for no one can take that away from you.
You are my very social-people-pleasing boy who is very quickly turning into a young man. Micah, Daddy and I are so proud of who you are and who you are growing up to be. You have qualities and characteristics that are uniquely yours and that complete our family in a way that no one else could. As we enter into these next years, years of growth and change for you, I pray that God will continue to walk alongside of you, guiding you. That you will continue to ask those tough questions, the searching questions, the insightful questions. That you will stay true to that strong moral compass that God placed in you. I pray you will give Daddy and I grace, as we try to help navigate you from boyhood into manhood. This is unchartered territory for us and we will make mistakes and someday, your brother and sister will thank you for taking the brunt of our mistakes.
Micah, the verse I have chosen for you is a verse that was spoken over me earlier this week by a very good friend. It is a verse that I want you to hide away in your heart so that you can draw from it as you continue down life's journey.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you where ever you go. Joshua 1:9
You are and always will be a blessing to all who know you. You have the characteristics of a great and mighty leader, use those for the glory of God. Always remember, strength is not found in possessions, money, and things of this world, it is found only in Christ.
Micah, I love you so much my growing son, I give all thanks and praise to God for placing you in my life.
Love,
Mommy
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