{Attitude of Gratitude} day 30

day 30:
grateful for the month of november!

i was truly reminded to have an {attitude of gratitude} for the month of november. may i remind myself daily of my blessing and be grateful for them always.

day 30: did you celebrate the month of november full of {attitude of gratitude}?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 29

day 29:
grateful for my beautiful baby girl, haleigh!

day 29: what are you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 28

day 28:

grateful for my youngest son dallin!

day 28: what are you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 27

day 27:
grateful for my oldest son austin!

today is austin's 20th birthday. i can't believe my baby is 2o!! where did all the years go? i am so grateful for him and his life. he is a TRUE example of christ. my life is eternally blessed because of him.

happy birthday austin!!

mom loves you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck. that's how much i love you!!

day 27: what are you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 26

day 26:

grateful for my son trevor!

day 26: what are you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 25

day 25:
grateful for a day to give thanks!

happy THANKSgiving to you and yours today. my gift of thanks is that you may truly count your blessing. that you can be grateful today and EVERY day for the gift of life. that you share your life and love with others. that you remember those that are less fortunate than you. that you give thanks to the lord for all of your blessing {good and bad}. i am thankful for my life, my family and my friends. love and blessing to you all. have a wonderfully, blessed day of thanks.

day 25: truly count your blessing today!

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 24

day 24:
grateful for my kids!! a true blessing.

what more can i say? i am one blessed momma!!

i may not get to share thanksgiving with them this year but that doesn't mean i am not grateful. i am blessed every day for the life i get to share with my kids. i truly don't know what i would do without them. they are my world and what a gift they are. god is so great to allow me this amaZing blessing. just being near them and feeling their sweet love is a blessing from above.

day 24: what do your kids do that bless your life?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 23

day 23:
grateful for pain. not always fun, but grateful!

tonight was a tough night for me. it's not easy raising children and many of you know that. there is no manual, no right or wrong way, just what you know. just what your heart and mind tells you to do. being from a divorced family and then a blended family i am fimiular with what my children are going through. i feel their pain. my heart aches everytime they hurt. whether it be from someone hurting them or feeling unloved. i struggle to know the right way to help them. i think back at how i was helped when i was younger. what help i wanted, the help i didn't want and what my heart really wanted.

pain isn't always the most fun but i know it is something we all must go through.

day 23: what pain are

you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 22

day 22:
grateful for clear roads.

so today i needed to take my eldest son to the ent specialist in flagstaff. the night before they had their first big snow storm. i was worried that i would have to drive on the highway with big semi trucks in the SNOW! what i didn't realize is that even though it had snowed, it hadn't snowed enough. it wasn't cold enough either for the snow to stay on the roads. the mountains had snow and there was some small patches on the side of the roads but none on the highway. YAY!! snow is so beautiful. i am grateful for it's beauty and what it gives to the earth. i don't mind it at all, as long as i don't have to drive in it.

day 22: what beauty of nature are you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 21

day 21:
grateful i was taught how to cook and bake. today a lot of this was done. 2 types of cookies, banana bread and for dinner homemade cheesy broccoli soup.

i have always loved to create and make new dishes. when i was younger i was taught the basics on how to cook and bake. now today... i have a real hard time following any recipe. i do much better make things from scratch. the only bad part...when it turns out great and everyone loved it, i don't always remember what went in it. lol. i only wish i spent more time with my grandma when she lived here having her to teach me how to make homemade pie crust. one thing i am jealous that my brother can do and i can't. oh well...at least learning the basics is what i am grateful for. maybe i will just have to make a special trip to pennsylvania just to have grandma teach me.

day 21: what favorite recipe are you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 20

day 20:
grateful for fast food.

some days i just don't want to cook!! period.

day 20: what are you grateful for, big or small and silly?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 19

day 19:
grateful for the 45 life lessons!

Written by Regina Brett,of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio .

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift!!

day 19: your life is a gift...now live it!!

i love you.

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 18

day 18:
grateful i went to cosmo school so i can save money cutting my families hair.

i can not tell you how much money i have saved over the last 20 years just by cutting my families hair. boys who need hair cuts every 6 weeks and a daughter who is always changing her mind. we have even donated haleigh's hair to locks of love. i am truly grateful that i went to cosmetology school when i was younger. this has been a blessing in my life. now if only i would go back and actually get my license...nah. ok, maybe some day.

day 18: what talent have you been blessed with that goes unnoticed?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 17

day 17:
grateful for FAFSA!! getting trevor ready for college. :)

it's hard to believe i have a child old enough to attend college! i actually have 2 of college age but just one ready to attend. what is hard to grasp is the cost for him to go. we were not fortunate to get any scholarships but were told about FAFSA. we filled out the paperwork and hope that we can get some assistance. sometimes it's just the small things in life that make you realize how grateful you truly are. trevor is excited and ready to go...i just don't know if i am. :(

day 17: what are you grateful for tOdaY?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 16

day 16:

i am grateful for Lifeshare!!

i love making and sending cards to people. in the years past i would handcraft over 100 christmas cards. yikes! now with lifeshare...i can design and personalize a card, lifeshare will address and mail it for me and all at a low cost of only $1.32. yep, only $1.32 for a folded 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 card!! not only do they do photo cards but you can also do photo books. how cool is that?!

my life has just gotten easier and less stressful all because of lifeshare! i can not thank them enough for allowing me to make a card so personal to send to anyone...just because! i can't wait to start my christmas cards now. look out friends...a card may be coming to your mail box soon.

here are just some of the cards i eNjoYed making.



would you like to know more about lifeshare? check out the link {HERE} watch the video, look around and made a free card. if you have any questions...give me a call. i would love for you to eNjoY sending smiles to your family and friends too.

day 16: have you shared a smile lately? why not make someones day by sending a card...just because?!!

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 15

day 15:
grateful for Chickadee Bead Art i received the most beautiful watch and necklace!! ♥ ♥ ♥

so after attending brave girls camp in october i fell in lOvE with chickadee bead art. maria is a brave girl and at the end of the 10.10 brave girl camp she made us all a brave girls bracelet.

such a beautiful gift and a great reminder of all the wonderful things that happens at brave girl camp. when i got home i checked out her etsy shop and went shopping! i ordered a wonderful black & silver choker and a black watch face with a red & black bracelet. don't have a picture of my watch yet. let me tell ya, i was in heaven! maria handcrafts such beautiful jewelry. you must check her etsy shop out!! {HERE} it's perfect timing too, christmas is just around the corner.

day 15: what piece of jewelry are you grateful for that you are wearing right now?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 14

day 14:
for friends that help end a weekend on a happy note! Thanks bff Deb and Frank & Nicole Di Marco. xoxo

sometimes all you need are friends. i am truly blessed to have some special people in my life.

deb and i have known each other since we were 13 and have been best friends for over 18 years. i don't know what i would do without her in my life. i love you deb!! thanks for being my friend through thick and thin.

frank & nicole are so amaZing! i was blessed to gain them as friends when i married tom. i can not tell you how much fun it is hanging out with these two. they are italian & greek and just full of fuN!! i only wished we lived closer so we could spend more time together. another reason i wish we lived closer is so that nicole could teach me how to make some greek food. love you guys and i am blessed to have you be a part of my life.

day 14: be grateful for all the people in your life and

be thankful you have friends!

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 13

day 13:
i am grateful for sleep in saturday with nothing on the schedule.


some days it's just wonderful to turn off the alarm and sleep in! my saturday was so full of excitement then all my plans were cancelled. it was great to turn off the alarm and just sleep in. sometimes the body just needs it.

day 13: what did you do for yourself that you are grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 12

day 12:
i am very grateful for my good friend Janna Keever Landis.

janna and i have been friends since 2004. we first met when i attended a scrapbook trade show, cha in dallas, texas in 2004. she was my scrapbook rep for my scrapbook store. i eventually closed my store and started working with her and her amaZing company janna gifts, etc. i was her northern arizona rep for all the scrapbook/craft stores in the area. while repping janna and i became good friends. i have many fond traveling memories with her and will cherish them forever {red vines}. we have also shared many creative escapes together as well. i just love being around her. i am so blessed that our paths crossed over 6 years ago and i am very grateful to call her my friend!

i love you janna and thanks for being my friend. i hope we continue to make many more memories.

day 12: who are you grateful for that you have fuN,

fond memories of?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 11

day 11:
grateful for those in my family who serve(d) our country in the united states military past & present. my grandfather, gilbert capron (dec) army; uncles, matt capron (ret) army, jeff wallace navy, ken wallace (ret) air force & my siblings, kelly rose air force, jeremy capron active army & jr sibble (ret) army. on veteran's day, and each day, we appreciate your service to our country.

we are so blessed to live in a country where we have freedom in almost everything we do. i am so thankful for all of my family members who have served and continue to serve this great country of ours. i am thankful for all of the brave men and women who have fought for my families freedom. who lost their lives fighting for the united states of america. for the families who support and sacrifice so much for their soldier to be serving this great country.

may we remember on this veteran's day ALL who served this country so bravely. i solute you and thank you with all my heart.

day 11: please honor those who served, do serve and will continue to serve!

{Attitude of Graditiude} day 10

day 10:
hmmmm, today is a tough one. i am grateful for technology. that will do. goodnight.

day 10: who are you grateful for today?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 9

day 9:
i am grateful for kathy rice. my hEarT is full right about now.
yep. FULL.

today i was on the receiving end of giving. can i just tell you how luCkY i am!! so yesterday i get this text that says "do you want to have lunch this week" and it's from kathy. first i start thinking oh no, what does she want. then i get a little excited. then the nerves kick in again. then my mind stops and i just smile. KATHY WANTS TO HAVE LUNCH WITH ME!! i thought to myself, wow! kathy wants to have lunch with me and i am sooooo excited!!


we scheduled it for today and can i just tell you...i love this woman! not only is she my relief society president, my visiting teacher and my neighbor she is my friend!! i feel so blessed to have her in my life. she is one amaZing lady. i don't know how she knew i need this today but, she did.


thank you kathy for being my friend. being there for me if i need anything. for loving me for mE!! i love you.

day 9: who are you grateful for today?

‎{Attitude of Gratitude} day 8

day 8:
grateful for pandora. yep. pandora!

i don't know about you but music "speaks" to me.

yep. it. does.

many times in my life i have come across a song or two that just "fits" me in my life right at that moment. when you are having a bad day you can turn up the music and sing at the top of your lungs {or dance in my case} and feel better. lovin' sara haze's version of {hey soul sister} lately. yep, singing LOUD right now and getting down in my work chair, lol. when you think of your spouse...there is usually a song that comes to mind {smile}. when friends are struggling an need some encouragement {life uncommon} you can find a song to help them get through. when your mom is your biggest fan and at times it was just the two of you {you and me against the world}. or when you just need someone to lean on {lean on me}.

whatever your taste, what ever mood you may be in...music feeds the souL!! it does, REALLY!! for me, i listen to it all. in every style of music i can find a song that fits my mood. have you noticed the music on my blog from {projectplaylist.com}. i usually add a song to my blog that goes with my blog entry. sometimes they are dedications, positive up beat reinforcements, lost of loved ones, promises to my kiddos or just pure joY of the love of a song!!

my life wouldn't be complete with out music...it's so important!

day 8: what are you grateful for tOdaY?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 7

day 7:
very grateful for a day of rest! my mind, body and soul surely needs it.

i think many times we get so busy in our lives that we truly forget about ourselves. each week we need to TRULY feed our mind, body and souls. we need to take time to rest and rejuvenate. get prepared for the week ahead and close the week behind us.

if we are busy every day of the week we are not allowing ourselves true REST. sunday is the day the lord set aside for us to do so.
"nothing is worth more than this day" ~goethe
if we are constantly giving and giving we will end up having nothing. we will have nothing to give and nothing left for ourselves.

i really enjoy the rule of the six R's from the book "a weekend to change your life" {find your authentic self after a lifetime of being all things to all people} by joan anderson.
retreat.
repair.
retrieve.
regroup.
regenerate.
return.

take time each week to REST your mind, body and soul. make sure you are giving just as much to YOU as you do for others. by doing this...you will feel true REST!

day 7: are you resting your mind,

body and soul?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 6

day 6:
grateful for my mommy!!

i am soooo, so thankful for my mommy!! she is my roCk, my heRo, my fRiend and the best mom in the world!! i have always thought i was the luckiest girl in the world to have such an amaZing mother. she has been there for me more times than i can count. the lord totally knew what he was doing when he sent me to her.

it's not always easy being a mom. sometimes {most of the times} it's the hardest job in the world. yet in the end it is the most rewarding one.

for the past 37 years of my life i have been blessed to have my mom so close to me. she is less than 5 minutes away. we have only been apart for 1 year of my life and that is when she moved to mapleton, utah for a year. i never realized the blessing you receive by having your mother so close. i am so thankful for the time we have and the moments we get to share with each other. the memories that are made and the love that continues to build. i can't imagine my life without her.

thank you mom for loving me, supporting me, guiding me, pushing me to reach my goals and picking me up when i fall. you are my inspiration!!

i love you mommy...

day 6: who are you grateful for?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 5

day 5:
i am grateful for the sun and a warm cup of carmel/apple cider with reddi whip!!

it is FIANALLY starting to feel winterish here in snowflake. usually by halloween we have already had our first snow. not so this year but our temperature is finally cooling off.

this morning it was a bit nippy but the sun was shinning. it was cold in the house and i had just gone to the grocery store a few days earlier. i remembered that i had bought apple cider, some carmel syrup and reddi whip. at brave girls camp last month, my brave girl sister, christy tomlinson made me a nice, warm, comforting drink with these ingredients. i was so yummy! so you guest it...i made one for myself today.

sometimes it's just the simple pleasures of life that makes us feel so good and appreciative. i am so grateful just for the little things sometimes.

day 5: what is your small

pleasures of gratitude?

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 4

day 4:
i am grateful for small acts of kindness.
i love being on the giving end!!

you never know when someone may just need a little "hello", a smile, a kind word, a card, a phone call, flowers, lunch or even a visit. such small acts of kindness can do so much to one's soul. it can change a day for someone who may not being having a great day. it can lift a sadden spirit, it could save a life!!

one small act!! that's it.

i have been on the receiving end of such small gestures and i can only tell you they have saved me many times. just to know that someone is thinking of me, taking time to do something for me changes my attitude. i am blessed to have so many people in my life who do this daily for me. take the time to be that someone for somebody who may need it. who knows, you may get something from it as well!

day 4: just one small act...

you can do it!!

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 3

day 3:
i am grateful for forgiveness~giving and receiving!!

so yesterday was one of those craZy, busy days. i felt as i was running around with my head cut off trying to do everything. i know you have all been there one time or another. by the time i finally got home, i was missing ingredients for dinner so out again i went. i started making dinner as it was 6:30ish and everyone was hungry. i was being asked what was for dinner, i need help with my homework, the house was a total mess and i was STRESSED!! i finally BLEW...i was telling everyone to do their chores {including tom}, get their homework done and just not a very nice person.

this morning i realized how awful i really was yesterday. how mean i was to my own family. this morning i made a point to tell my son i was sorry. that i loved him and that mom's just have bad days too. now to let tom and the rest of them know how sorry i am. that i love them with all my heart and that i hope they forgive me.

the steps in asking for forgiveness is very simple..."i am sorry". that's it! to accept it, is just as simple..."you're forgiven".

day 3: how is your attitude?

spreading some chickadee love...

everyone is always complimenting me on my

beautiful, brave girl bracelet. would you like one? you can get one {here} from chickadee bead art.

maria, {my brave girl sister} makes the most beautiful, amaZing pieces ever! you may purchase her art or she will custom design one just for YOU!!

i just ordered 3 wonderful items from her. i can not wait to check the mail next week. so stinkin' excited!! share the love and show your chickadee love. you can also check out chickadee bead art on facebook right {here}.

have a wonderful wednesday my friends.

{{hugs}}

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 2

day 2:

i am grateful for a car that runs!

i have never had the best vehicles in the world. in fact i have only had 1 brand new car ever in my entire life. i didn't even own it either...had those stinkin' monthly payments. you know the ones that kill you?! lol!! i have always had used cars. i am thankful and blessed for those used cars and for them always running. sometimes only around town but they got me to where i needed to go.

in 2008-2009 i did not have a vehicle. i had to use my mom's car for an entire year. i was grateful she had one i could use but it just wasn't mine. april 2009 i was blessed to have my van and have it paid for!! yes, it is a 1999 chevy astro van will LOADS of miles but it's all MINE!!

yesterday taking haleigh to school we were in tom's excursion and she had him pull all the way up to the fence {where all the kids where waiting for school to begin}. i asked how come i couldn't drop her off there when i take her in the van? she replied "the excursion is cool"! oh well, you can't please everyone, right? i am just blessed to have a running car...that will take me ANYWHERE!!

day 2: what are you thankful for?

Soul Restoration Online Workshop by Brave Girls Club

**PLEASE TURN OFF MY MUSIC BEFORE YOU HIT PLAY**

everyone is always asking me what brave girls camp is about.

where is it at?

how can they go?

where did the "old" me go?

they always say "i want to be brave" but don't know how.

if you have asked yourself any of these questions, please take a moment to watch this video.

if you can't make it to idaho but you want to start being B.R.A.V.E.

you want to start finding YOU!!

well, you CAN!!

online, in january, 6 whole weeks restoring Y.O.U.

it time ladies, you deserve it!!

I promise this will be one of the BEST 6 weeks of your life.

what are you waiting for?

sign up today right {HERE}.

i PROMISE you will be grateful that you did.

i LOVE you so very much and now it's time to love yourself.

now GO spread your wings and fly...

{Attitude of Gratitude} day 1

hello NOVEMBER...what??? where the heck did august, september and october go? i can't believe 2010 is almost over.

thanksgiving is this month and we all are reminded to give thanks on that day. why not do it for the entire month? one day of gratitude for each day in november. will you take this challenge with me? i promise you life will be changed.

you can take a picture, you can think of a word, person, place or whatever speaks to you that day. you can keep it private, in a journal, on your blog, facebook or make a special album. the choice is yours...i just ask of you to have a 30 day change of attitude.

day 1:
i am grateful for hot water. that's right...HOT WATER!! i spent the weekend at glamis sand dunes in california and had a great time. the only thing is...SAND EVERYWHERE!! it was so nice to come home, turn on the water spout and feel the warm water on my skin. i am grateful for being able to pay my bills that allows me this privilege of HOT water.

day 1: what are YOU thankful for?

happy 14th to my baby girl...

i can't believe that 14 years ago today i finally gave birth to my baby girl.

where have all the years gone?

i can't imagine my life without her.

she has such the best personality ever.

her sweet spirit is so full of life.

i am truly honored to be her mother and share in her life's journey.

eNjoY your day while i celebrate your life!

i love you more than words can express.

i am loving myself...are YOU loving you??

What progress, you ask,

have I made?
I have begun to

be a fRiEnD to myself.

~Hecato

one step at a time, each day bringing a new start to truly loving myself. creating who i really want to be!! try it...you may find someone who has been missing for awhile, who needs to be reminded she is loved, she it bRaVe, she is worth it and she can do ANYTHING!!

{{hugs}}

yoU have not lived a perfect day...
unless yoU have done something for someone
who will never be able to repay yoU.
~ Ruth Smeltzer

be that person to pay it forward. the reward you receive in return...pRicElesS!!

online workshop...

do you feel as though you are at the end of your rope?
does everyone always come before you?
do you struggle with finding the REAL you?
does your SOUL need restored?
do you feel like your house is just a house and NOT a home?
are you one of the many women who would LOVE

to attend a {brave girls camp}?

then melody's "soul restoration" online class is just for YOU!!

all the information you will need to clean out your house and restore your soul is right here!! you can also find out more details and register {here}.

i hope YOU will do this for YOU!!! make yourself whole, fullfilled and restored. YOU deserve to be happy with a clean home. it will be one of the best things YOU will ever do for yourself. i promise!!

{{hugs}}
connie

so much more to share...all these wonderful ladies were welcomed with open arms to this beautiful and safe place in mccall, idaho.

after we greeted them all we had a wonderful dinner waiting for them. all the meals were handmade with love {snacks & desserts included}. we then were given names of a group of ladies who we were to show to their rooms and get them settled. i was blessed to have terri and julianne.

these two ladies were riot! i captured a picture of that very first night in their room. this was just the beginning. this is where all the magic began for me.

the art that you create at brave girls camp is soulful art, self art, healing art. in every piece you make to discover a part of you that you want to forget, that you want to re~live, that you want to cultivate. in all your art you learn more about yourself, more that you like or dislike but one thing for sure...it reminds you of the magic. art truly saves and it truly does heal you!! i am blessed that melody followed her dream and together her and kathy have changed lives.

{brave girls camp part 2}...

i am still struggling with the right words to explain fully what {brave girls camp} is. you can check their {website}, {facebook} page or even their {blog} to read all the ins and outs of brave girls club. though i don't know if that would fully explain the magic.

i am going to try and put in words how i experienced brave girls camp and see if i can do it justice.

have you ever felt that you were hiding behind something? hiding yourself behind your smile?i think at one time or another we all do this. we don't want to let the world in...we don't want everyone to know what our life is REALLY like behind our walls. i have come to realize that it is OK to share my story. that it is ok when life ISN'T perfect all the time. that it's ok to let people in. even though i have been broken, even though the trust has been broken, even when i feel like i can't go one more step. i can't take anymore heartache or trials. i have to remind myself that my journey is well worth one more step forward.

at brave girls camp it is like we shed our old skin and our new skin becomes alive. our smiles are REAL, our burdens are lifted and our hearts are filled. we learn to be OK with ourselves. that there is probably someone out there that HAS walked in our shoes. who HAS experienced what we are going through and that they are a survivor. we come to understand that boundaries need to be set, that our lives are WORTH something. that we are here, right now, at this very moment...here at brave girls camp for a reason.

our stories are not always the same. our paths are not always straight. that our souls are somehow broken. yet, we begin to feel safe!

when you are picked up by the shuttle & marq {melody's amaZing husband} you start to let go. you are then greeted by melody and are welcomed to this life changing adventure. you are asked to pull out a little handmade bag that says "do not open". then you are asked to open the bag, place the bird seed in your hand and when prompted to... you are to throw the bird seed into the sky. here you are to leave your "worries for the birds" and your beautiful life changing journey begins...

more to come...

{bgc} the beginning

my heart is so full.
my heart is so happy.
my heart feels complete.
my heart is brave!


i struggle to find just the right words to express {brave girl camp}. it was the 1 year anniversary and i was blessed to come as staff. i was willing and ready to give. what i wasn't ready for, was how much i was going to gain.

all of the staff members had attended at least one {many of them had attended multiple times} of the camps. so we all knew how these ladies were going to be love, served and have a safe place to rest. i truly believe melody and kathy were directed by a higher power to bring all of these amaZing women to staff at this very sacred place. i fell in love with each and everyone of the staff gals. it's like we had been friends forever. we laughed, we cried, we worked our behinds off, we shared and we loved so deeply. i will never, ever begin to show them all how much this touched my sOuL!

my "emotional bubble bath" is over flowing right now. this will have to do until later. much <3

{{hugs}}

connie

i am sitting at the hospital in flagstaff with my mom and thinking to myself..."i don't like seeing her like this". she had to have surgery on her hip again. the hardware they put in last year came loose and she has been in pain for over 6 months.

my mom is my hero! she has always been there for me. she has been my best friend since i was born, lol. to see her in pain, to see her restless, to see her helpless just breaks my heart and makes me cry.

not only is this week a very stressful one for me, it will be a challenging one. one where i will need to find all the strength that i have to just make it through these next few days. life has given me some challenges to overcome and some decisions that were very difficult to make. though i know in the end...they will be for the best.

i know that this is just a test of my strength and courage. i know this to shall pass. i am learning that i don't always have control over situations that arise. that choices others make can interfere with my decisions. i just need to remember that they are MY choices. that i may listen to advice from others but i don't have to apply them to my life.

in the end i know that things will work out. it's just very difficult for me to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

please say a little prayer for my mom tonight. may the Lord keep her safe while i am not with her.

{{hugs}} and goodnight.

"God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow or sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears and light for the way. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it".

i was reminded on wednesday night that it's ok to stand up for what you believe in. to trust in yourself and the Lord to guide you. no matter what faith you are, if you trust in the Lord and try everyday to follow His example you will be blessed. i know i am a child of God. i know that he loves me and accepts me for WHO i am. i know that even though i have fallen off the beaten path that i will always find my way home. in time i know that to be true. for now, i will follow my heart and when I am ready...i will be whole! thank you bishop nielsen for allowing me to be me and loving me even though i am less active. by your example and love of the Lord, i know someday i will find my way back.

{{hugs}} connie

i am learning each and every day what is truly important in this life. i am taking baby steps to find ME and be the person I want to be. i can't give myself and of myself as i have in the past. i felt as though what i WAS giving, was NEVER enough or NEVER good enough. it's hard to change that after sooo very many years. it's hard to tell yourself...you ARE good! that you do have a lot to give and to offer others. i am also learning that it's ok to take time for yourself to re-organize and rejuvenate...your heart, body, mind and spirit. by doing so, you find your inner truth, the best of YOU! what i find beautiful in this life has made realize what is important in this life...family and friends!

my family is the most important, special gift that i have been blessed with. i don't know where i would be or what i would be doing without them. my kids have blessed my life for over 19 years. i have grown with them as well as grown up. they have given me trials and blessing to strengthen me. i have learned so very much from them. i was blessed to have had a man give me these 4 beautiful gifts. each one of them have such a sweet spirit.

austin has given me more than he will EVER know or understand in this life. my life has been truly enriched and touched by him. if you haven't been touched by his smile or sweet spirit, you my friend, have missed out.

trevor, my miracle baby! his talents are so incredible that a mother could not be more pleased. his heart is so full of love that very few will ever get the chance to share. i hope that one day...he will share it with the world.

dallin always was a momma's boy. he is such a go-getter. his tender heart is one that will win everyone over with. through his struggles he finds a way to work through it and sports has help a lot. something i admire in him is his determination. no mater the outcome, he just picks up the pieces and moves along.

my baby girl, haleigh! she is truly a light at the end of a dark tunnel. her sense of humor will turn any bad day to a good one. to live with three strong brothers is a good thing for her. she will ALWAYS be protected!! i have always said good things come in small packages and how this is so true to her as well. she has been such a strong girl to have been through so much in her short life.

god has truly given me the best gift ever to be a mom to these 4 amaZing children!!

a second chance at love and true happiness is such a special gift. to be loved unconditional, no matter what, is true HAPPINESS! i found my best friend in a man who knows who HE is. who excepts the good and the bad. who has taken on more than he should have. who doesn't go to bed without saying goodnight and i love you. who loves me more than i have ever been loved. who loves my children and family for WHO they are. who smiles at the simple things and laughs at the bad things and moves on. who wakes up ever day starting it new and with a clean slate. who says "good morning my love" each and every morning. who wants only the best for this life. who has found his everything and for that...i am one luCkY lady! tom, thank you for loving me everyday. for teaching me how to have fuN. for sharing your life with me and the kids. for allowing me to be ME and not somebody you want me to be. for giving me strength everyday to see what is most important. for supporting me through counseling, life retreats, family time and our time. you my love, my husband, my best friend make me smile everyday!!

my extended family...oh i wouldn't even be here without them. literally, had to have a man and women to get me here, lol. was getting too sentimental. no seriously...i have a wonderful mother, two fathers, 4 brothers, 1 sister, grandparents, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. i also have a wonderful father-in-law and mother-in-law who have taken me, my children and family into their family. what a true humble blessing.

i swear my friends are part of my family. i don't seem to have trouble making friends. i have always loved meeting new people. i do keep them really close to me and my heart. i have been blessed with so many great people in my life. some really close, some at a distant, work friends, and friends through family and friend. wow, BLESSED! i am learning as well that you can have many friends and where those friends stand in my life. how near or far they may be. that there is much to learn and gain from these friends of mine. that in time you may need to de-clutter your life and sometimes that may be friends as well. and you know what, that is OK!! i have gotten and they have received all that could be from the friendship and it's time to move on. sometimes it's really hard and sad but most of the time...it's a good thing.

this life is a true learning experience! what i have learned, what i am still learning and what i can't wait to learn... is so exciting!

peace is coming...i can feel it!

last minute cancellations for {Creative Escape}

if you have always wanted to attend...here is your chance!!

Don't miss the ultimate scrapbook indulgence hosted by Bazzill Basics Paper and Heidi Swapp, in Arizona, Aug. 26 – 28, 2010.

Bring a friend and enjoy:

* Ten classes taught by some of the industry’s greatest teachers.

* Products from fabulous scrapbooking sponsors who love the legacy of scrapbooking.

* A chance to trade projects and goodies with CE friends in the beautifully decorated Provo Craft Swap Room.

* A place for inspiration and ideas with the girls in the wild and crazy House of 3 Crop Room.

* Delicious gourmet meals and decadent surprises.

* A chance to participate in fundraising-fun with teachers past and present and the ScrapMap Cruise team… all supporting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For more information, visit creativeescapeaz.com/2010. Register now!

i am posting today as i have many thoughts in my head.

have you ever felt like you needed to just STOP and LISTEN?!

i did that and i found my heart and mind saying "check on a friend".

i stopped and took a moment to check on that friend.

as i received a response back she told me i just stopped her from doing something that might have changed her life and many others.

this post is to remind myself and others how important this LIFE is.

how special we ALL are.

that we ALL have so much to give and so much to gain in this life.

we all have struggle and challenges.

some may be very small while others are quite BIG.

it's how we deal with these challenges that makes our life what it is and what it can be.

sometimes it might be hard to take that step forward not knowing what the outcome may be.

though you never will know if you don't try.

take that one little step, let go and be BRAVE!

cause YOU my friend are loved!

{{hugs}} connie


A journey of a thousand miles

begins with a single step.
~Lao-tzu

{lovely}

i heard this song the other day while i was in the shower. i immediately had to get out and find out who was singing it.

i LOVE the lyrics and thought to myself...

yep, i AM lovely!!

so are all of you out there.

remember don't change for someone else.

you will NEVER be happy.

you will NEVER have peace.

you will NEVER be {YOU} !!

i am learning everyday to be just ME and to be ok with myself.

as for me, the rest is still unwritten...

eNjoY...

LOVELY

(Sara Haze)

I don't wanna be her
I just wanna be little old me
I shouldn't have to think
Who am I supposed to be today
And what gave you the right
To tell me who I should be
Who gave you that right

Cuz, I feel LOVELY just the way that I am
Yes, I feel LOVELY the way that I am

I know you want the best
Yeah only good things for me
But you have to realize
I can't be all these things you project on me

Cuz I'm beautiful to me
Doesn't that mean a thing?

I feel LOVELY just the way that I am
Yes I, I feel LOVELY the way that I am

I need that to be enough for you
I need that to be enough for you
Cuz it's enough for me
It's enough for me

Am I supposed to give up everything I am
Just to make you happy?
I thought I was the one you always wanted me to be
It turns out
I'm just little old me
I'm just little old me
And that's fine by me

Cuz I, I am LOVELY just the way that I am
Oh yes I am
Yes I, I am LOVELY the way that I am

I am LOVELY, LOVELY
I am LOVELY !!

missing them!!!

you never know what you have until it's gone, right? well two weeks is too long for me!! can't wait to have my fuN lovin', craZy kiddos back in my arms.

i just lOvE them to pieces!!!

mY senior boYs!!

it's hard to believe that my two oldest boys have graduated high school. where did all those years go? i can remember when they were born, when they entered kindergarten, middle school, jr high and high school. now to think that all those memorable moments have come and gone. so glad to have videos and pictures to reminisce on the memories of these special times.

austin & trevor both graduated from seminary on thursday night. seminary is a religious class through the church of jesus christ of latter day saints that they have attended for 4 years whiled attending high school. on friday, may 21, 2010 they graduated from high school.

 

what an accomplishment for both of them. to see them progress and achieve many awards, dreams and goals have been pure joy as their mother.

trevor received a second place award for 2010 high school communication contest in a video sports story at the senior award ceremony on friday. he is so talented in arts and digital media. he is also a very talented writer. i am truly inspired when i read his work. i can't stop saying, "i can't believe my son wrote that". he is such a talented kid and i hope someday everyone will known it.

austin will stay at least one more year at the high school while we get him ready for the real world. next year he will be doing a lot of job shadowing and setting goals for his life beyond high school. i am truly excited as his mom to see him reach all of these goals. i have always said "austin is not here on earth to be an academic scholar, he is here to put a smile on your face". i still believe this strongly in my heart. he has been through a lot in his life and has overcome many obstacles. he is full of determination and 

his smile is huge when he has accomplished it.

i am so thankful for all the family and friends who took the time to come and support austin & trevor. i know it meant a lot to them as it did me. they are blessed to be surrounded by many who love and support them. in the end...love truly is all that matters!

CONGRATULATIONS BOYS!!! I LOVE YOU.

2 amaZing solos!!

**PLEASE pause the music from my playlist before you watch these videos so you can have full eNjoYment**

i am so proud of my two senior boys! they each had their final concerts the first week of may and i had NO idea that they each had solos!! trevor has played the trumpet for jazz band, marching band and regular band all four years of high school. on tuesday night, may 4th he had a solo for jazz band. they played cold play's "viva la vida" in which trevor had some solo parts.

on wednesday night, may 5th austin had his choir concert. again i had NO idea he had a solo part. when his director announced he was the solo i was hurrying trying to get my camera to the video mode and i missed the very beginning. i managed to get most of it. this was a tear jerker for me. as many of you know my austin is totally blind, autistic and mentally challenged. they sang "lean on me" with him having the opening part. amaZing i say, just absolutely AMAZING!!!

way to go you two. again...another memory and proud moment for your mom!!

catching up...

it's hard to believe that i had two senior boys who went to prom this year. it was such a bitter sweet day for me.  to see my two boys ask these girls and escort them all day.  tom and i chaperoned austin and his date as these two kiddos are truly special at heart.  God made them with abilities none of us would want but these two, are amaZing!

trevor took his girlfriend kyah and they coupled with his friend patrick and his date maddi.  trevor started the day by taking the girls to my mother's and cooking them a homemade breakfast.  then they went to a movie and vegged a bit.  the girls had decided they didn't want to be all dressed for dinner.  for me...this was the fuN part of prom.  going to dinner with your date all fancied up!  though they decided to eat then get dressed for the dance.  i made arrangements with trev so i could get some pictures of his big day.  i got some cute photos of all of them before the dance.  they all looked so handsome and beautiful!!  they went to the dance and had a blast.  the only thing i think they didn't like...mom being there.  though i tried not to make it noticeable but, we live in a small town and it was in the high school gym.  all in all i think trevor had a great time.  it was his first time being let go to drive all by his self and be responsible for 3 others.  i am so proud of him!  i can't believe my little guy is all grown up.

tom and i had a blast with austin and his date cassie.  we picked her up and went bowling for a few hours.  it was such a great experience for me.  not only to share this day with austin but to see his date taking care of him.  every time it was austin's turn to bowl cassie would take him up to his lane, direct him to where to roll the ball and stand by his side until it was done.  what a true testament to me that there are and will be people out there willing to guide austin in the right direction!  then we took her home so she could get all prettied up.  we picked her up and watched the two of them exchange their flowers {with their mother's help of course}.  then all six of us headed to dinner.  that's right all six of us!  both of these kiddos parents had the privilege to share in this night with them.  we all ate dinner at eva's {our local mexican food restaurant} and enjoyed each other's company.  it was so sweet when we were finished i had austin pay for every one's meal.  what a true gentleman he is.  then we headed to the dance.  oh what a cute sight that was.  it was a masquerade ball themed prom,  so they had a promenade to introduce each couple.  soooo, soooo, cute!  they did their pictures which i can't wait to see.  not the normal pose from back in the day from my prom.  tom and i enjoyed watching these two dance the evening away.  we took cassie home before the clock struck midnight and headed home ourselves.  what a wonderful time was had by all.

i am so honored to be these two amaZing boys' mom!  i am blessed that i get to share in these important times in their lives.  they are now two boys who have become young men.  this world is a better place because of them.  if you have the chance to meet them or know them...YOU are the privileged one. 

i love you boys and i am so proud of you!!