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.
have a wonderful day my friends! make today a good one as you never know if it might be your last. love to you all! oh and big {{{hugs}}} too.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
thank you for being a friend!
have you ever taken a second {from your crazy life} and thought about the people in your life. not just your kiddos, family and extended family but the people. how did you meet them? when did you meet? what do you have in common? are you still in touch with them? what do you gain from knowing them? what have you learned through them?
well today one of my friends is having a lumpectomy. she has learned she has breast cancer {yes, another one with cancer}. i stopped for a bit to think of her today. her husband, her kids, her family. sending good vibes to them all, that things will go well.
so as i thought of the many people in my life i had to blog. i am truly BLESSED! i can say i have friends from elementary school, can you? there are even friends that i have lost touched with but, know if i needed them...they would be there. i even have friends that i have never met. friends through this funny thing called "blogging", lol.
all these many people i have met have touched my life in one form or another. i have learned so much from them. some are there to comfort me, others to make me laugh. there are those that stretched their arms out to tell me to stay strong or things will be alright. many have made me cry. oh but the good kinda cry. lots of laughter...it is the best medicine you know. some have hurt my feelings as i know i have hurt theirs too. to love and be loved as well. i have shared some really special moments with these friends as they have had struggles too. a father who passed away from cancer, a child with special needs, a divorce, abandonment issues, family trials, a death of a sister, a loss of a child and my list could go on.
we all have a story. not sure if you read that.
WE ALL HAVE A STORY!!
we all have trials but, allowing ourselves to share in these special times with our friends is a gift.
people will continue to come in and out of my life but, by doing so have left precious footprints on my heaRt. no matter where you are, near or far, YOU are a gift to me. you never really know why they came into your life but, i tell you one thing... i don't want them to leave. so "thank you" to all of my friends. as our paths have crossed for one reason or another or we have not met yet..."thank you". i hope you know that no matter what, "you CAN always count on me...cause that's what friends are for".
well today one of my friends is having a lumpectomy. she has learned she has breast cancer {yes, another one with cancer}. i stopped for a bit to think of her today. her husband, her kids, her family. sending good vibes to them all, that things will go well.
so as i thought of the many people in my life i had to blog. i am truly BLESSED! i can say i have friends from elementary school, can you? there are even friends that i have lost touched with but, know if i needed them...they would be there. i even have friends that i have never met. friends through this funny thing called "blogging", lol.
all these many people i have met have touched my life in one form or another. i have learned so much from them. some are there to comfort me, others to make me laugh. there are those that stretched their arms out to tell me to stay strong or things will be alright. many have made me cry. oh but the good kinda cry. lots of laughter...it is the best medicine you know. some have hurt my feelings as i know i have hurt theirs too. to love and be loved as well. i have shared some really special moments with these friends as they have had struggles too. a father who passed away from cancer, a child with special needs, a divorce, abandonment issues, family trials, a death of a sister, a loss of a child and my list could go on.
we all have a story. not sure if you read that.
WE ALL HAVE A STORY!!
we all have trials but, allowing ourselves to share in these special times with our friends is a gift.
people will continue to come in and out of my life but, by doing so have left precious footprints on my heaRt. no matter where you are, near or far, YOU are a gift to me. you never really know why they came into your life but, i tell you one thing... i don't want them to leave. so "thank you" to all of my friends. as our paths have crossed for one reason or another or we have not met yet..."thank you". i hope you know that no matter what, "you CAN always count on me...cause that's what friends are for".
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,
while loving someone deeply gives you courage".
~lao tzu
Monday, August 31, 2009
{i love you}
as i came home from {creative escape} totally exhausted yet inspired, i had to share a quick note. this years ce was filled with passion, strength, friendship, inspiration, charity, humility and lOvE. as tradition, ce always end with a wonderful dinner {where we eat dessert first!!}, prizes, raffles, silent auction and closing speaker, again i was truly amaZed! creative escape attendants, volunteers, teachers and staff raised $50,000 for the leukemia and lymphoma society. as i sat there silently with tears streaming down my face, i looked at my camera. the first pictures on my camera were pictures of my aunt cindy in the hospital. my most precious picture is of me in bed with her. 
i then turned to the thought of my uncle matt {who was born 10 years later on aunt cindy's birthday}. these two members of mY family are the two i spoke of in a previous blog who have been diagnosed with cancer. one a rare form of stomach and the other throat. i realized how lucky i am to be touched by their sweet spirits. how lucky i am to have many fond memories with them. how lucky i am that they are strong people who know how precious life is. how lucky i am to love them! i just wanted to let them know they are always in my thoughts and forever in my prayers. i love you aunt cindy & uncle matt!! thank you for sharing your love and life with me. i am truly blessed and the luCky one. {{hugs}}
i then turned to the thought of my uncle matt {who was born 10 years later on aunt cindy's birthday}. these two members of mY family are the two i spoke of in a previous blog who have been diagnosed with cancer. one a rare form of stomach and the other throat. i realized how lucky i am to be touched by their sweet spirits. how lucky i am to have many fond memories with them. how lucky i am that they are strong people who know how precious life is. how lucky i am to love them! i just wanted to let them know they are always in my thoughts and forever in my prayers. i love you aunt cindy & uncle matt!! thank you for sharing your love and life with me. i am truly blessed and the luCky one. {{hugs}}
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
{sleep}
i find myself wide awake at 1 am {now 1:30}. tomorrow is a busy day and i know how important a good nights rest is. i need to find some way to unwind in the evening. i need to try and go to bed earlier as i still get up at 6 am no matter what time the eyes close. then it's trying to STAY asleep... anyone out there struggle with this?
i have so many thoughts going through my mind right now that i wish to blog. i just don't think i would get it all out right even if i tried. listening to my blog music is relaxing...though i have shed a few tears, i must find time to sleep. close my thoughts, shut my mind off...clear it!
ok, a quick quote....
bebrilliant.
do more than exist,
LIVE.
do more than touch,
FEEL.
do more than look,
OBSERVE.
do more than read,
ABSORB.
do more than hear,
LISTEN.
do more than listen,
UNDERSTAND.
do more than think,
PONDER.
do more than talk,
SAY SOMETHING.
~john h. rhoades
night all...i hope. {{hugs}}
i have so many thoughts going through my mind right now that i wish to blog. i just don't think i would get it all out right even if i tried. listening to my blog music is relaxing...though i have shed a few tears, i must find time to sleep. close my thoughts, shut my mind off...clear it!
ok, a quick quote....
bebrilliant.
do more than exist,
LIVE.
do more than touch,
FEEL.
do more than look,
OBSERVE.
do more than read,
ABSORB.
do more than hear,
LISTEN.
do more than listen,
UNDERSTAND.
do more than think,
PONDER.
do more than talk,
SAY SOMETHING.
~john h. rhoades
night all...i hope. {{hugs}}
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
{SERIOUSLY}
as i struggle to blog today i am so mixed with emotions. i just got off the phone with my mother and she told me some not so good news. my uncle matt was just diagnosed with throat cancer. c'mon...i don't get it. what is going on? in 2003 my mom developed some sort of neurological disorder that has made her disabled. 2005 we lost my aunt cathy with heart problems. the beginning of this year my aunt was diagnosed with a rare form of esophagus/stomach cancer. as of today she has had chemo, radiation and her stomach completely removed. now today, my uncle matt. oh and that's not all, my brother is off to iraq at the end of the month. all of these relatives are on my mom's side.
seriously, SERIOUSLY?! i can't even begin to think of words to say. i know i need to stay positive, i know i need to for my mom but...C'MON!! i want to cry, yell, scream, be angry and so much more. i don't know what to do, i don't know what to say. i just have that burning question...WHY?
i know right now i need strength. i know i need to stay positive. i know my family needs positive thoughts and loads of prayers.
i just want it all to go away...
seriously, SERIOUSLY?! i can't even begin to think of words to say. i know i need to stay positive, i know i need to for my mom but...C'MON!! i want to cry, yell, scream, be angry and so much more. i don't know what to do, i don't know what to say. i just have that burning question...WHY?
i know right now i need strength. i know i need to stay positive. i know my family needs positive thoughts and loads of prayers.
i just want it all to go away...
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
cherish every day...
just received this email from my friend stacie and had to share it. i hope we all remember how this life is a gift, a true blessing. may we live each day as if it were our last and eNjoy it!! hugs
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 pay check.
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 and everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give it 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.
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 pay check.
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 and everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give it 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.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
some summer fuN!
my kiddos and i took a little mini vacation. it was just here in arizona but, we made the most of it. we went swimming our first night and had a bbq with friends. the next day we swam at a resort and our final day was at the lake. we loVe water!! here are a few pictures of our fuN!
we had to cut our vacation short because my two middle boys had ball games. they play for our church team and as of right now...they are undefeated! hope to take them for a few more days to have a little more fuN before school starts. which is just around the corner, YIKES!! we have to get school supplies and all our shopping done in a few weeks. i will have 3 high school boys and my baby girl in jr high. WOW, where did the time go?!
you'll want to stop by and check out piggy tales' blog {HERE}. the cha trade show is just around the corner and they came out with some gReaT collections to exhibit!! i so can't wait to get my hands on theses lines and do some scrappin'. if you post on their blog you could have a chance to win the entire summer collection! you can't beat that...just let them know what you think and you're entered. i can't wait to get back to teaching. we had a nice summer break but i always miss mY piggy tales students.
i know this blog was short but, it's all that time allows. gotta get ready to go to another ball game. GO SNOWFLAKE 5TH!! have a terrific thursday. {{hugs}}
Thursday, July 9, 2009
thanks dianna!
"Live life fully while you're here.
Experience everything.
Take care of yourself and your friends.
Have fun, be crazy, be weird.
Go out and screw up!
You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process.
Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes:
find the cause of your problem and eliminate it.
Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human."
~Anthony Robbins
while reading my friend dianna's blog i came across this quote. i know she won't mind me bloglifting it. i needed this tonight. i have had off days these last few days and this reminded me that i am human. good or bad...i am NOT PERFECT {nor do i intend to be}! NO ONE on earth is and you know what...that's ok with me.
Experience everything.
Take care of yourself and your friends.
Have fun, be crazy, be weird.
Go out and screw up!
You're going to anyway, so you might as well enjoy the process.
Take the opportunity to learn from your mistakes:
find the cause of your problem and eliminate it.
Don't try to be perfect; just be an excellent example of being human."
~Anthony Robbins
while reading my friend dianna's blog i came across this quote. i know she won't mind me bloglifting it. i needed this tonight. i have had off days these last few days and this reminded me that i am human. good or bad...i am NOT PERFECT {nor do i intend to be}! NO ONE on earth is and you know what...that's ok with me.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
{spreading the word}
i am so very excited to share this news with you. my very good friend joann has started her own photography business... Just B You Photography. {just click on just b you photography and it will take you right to her site} this is a true dream come true for her. please check out her website and call for an appointment! she is a very talented scrapbooker and an amaZing photographer. i am so blessed to call her my friend! i am so excited that not only does she get to eNjoY her dream job but, i get to eNjoY her love of it as well. congratulations joann!! thanks for sharing your talent. oh and your photo of yourself...BEAUTIFUL just like you!!
i'm jumping on my bed again...{wink, wink}
i'm jumping on my bed again...{wink, wink}
Saturday, July 4, 2009
{haPpY 4th of juLy}
thank you to my brothers jeremy & jr, my sister kelly and the rest of my family members and friends who have served on my behalf. thanks to all of those men and women serving now. most of all...those who have lost their lives defending this great country of ours. those men & women who have served all those years ago who proudly did so. THANK YOU!!! you are remembered and NEVER FORGOTTEN!! i am so proud to be an AMERICAN!!
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