Wednesday, April 25, 2012

happy birthday trev!!!

it's hard to believe this 4 lbs 8 oz, 7 week preemie is 20 today!!
i am truly blessed to have such an amaZing son to say happy birthday to today.
you ARE my miracle baby!!
you have been such a blessing in my life.
i can't believe how you've grown into this handsome young man.
you are so caring, kind, tender hearted, giving, talented, an amaZing writer, a musician and loving.
i hope you know how much i love you!!!
i am one truly blessed momma.
happy birthday trev!

{source}

Monday, March 12, 2012

3.twelve.12

"happiness is a butterfly which,
when pursued,
is always just beyond your grasp but which,
if you sit down quietly,
may alight upon you."
                                             ~nathaniel hawthorne

Monday, February 27, 2012

oh how this life is a struggle and then some...

it's so hard to be honest and real without feeling like you will be judged or talked about.  though i have learned that when you are real...you find peace in sharing.  you may just lift another, remember that you don't have it that bad or you are not alone.  one of the hardest things though is to truly admit your raw emotions.

i always want people to see the good in me.  all that i have to offer.  the happy, smiley me, put together me.  no one really likes to show their naked self.  their raw self.  their insecure parts.


see i suffer from depression.  maybe saying it out loud and typing it then re-reading it may sink in for me.  funny right?  it's hard to share this sometimes.  most people tell you to "just get over it".  it's NOT that easy.  would you tell a cancer patient to "just get over it" or what about an alcoholic?  depression is REAL!  there are many forms of depressions.  there is also many forms of help.

i use to take medications for it.  now i am taking a natural supplement.  i have seen counselors, talked with friends and family members about it as well.  i have learned that i come from a long line of family members who have depression.  i know the signs but some days...it just hits me like a wall!

why is it a quiet diseases? 
why are we ashamed to share this? 
why are we afraid to ask for help?

i think our society has made it that way.  all the negative remarks and the "just get over it" comments really made people think twice about opening up about this.  i have said a few things here and there but this time, i'm not afraid to admit it.  i know there will be those who will hold it against me.  use it to their advantage.  those that will turn away and those that will laugh at it.  i should know...it's happened many times to me.  it's sad.  really!

it breaks my heart that i didn't get the much needed help early on in life.  i think it's because there are people that didn't want to believe it was REAL.  now as an adult i see the signs, it's just still hard to ask for help.  for me, i think i don't want to bother anyone with "my" problems, "my" life, "my" situations because it's too hard or embarrassing.  though what i am learning is I AM NOT ALONE.  there are many of us out there.  we hind behind our "mask" of smiles, happiness and the so called "perfect" life.

we all struggle.  we all have trials and challenges.  some may be harder than others but we all have pain.  our 'OWN' pain.  it HURTS! it's REAL!

the shoes i walk in everyday are so heavy loaded.  some days i can not even get out of bed.  these days may even be more than one...in bed, alone with my thoughts and tears.  it's pretty scary too.  i feel as though at times i am fighting some kind of demon.  i feel as though its too hard to win.  too hard to keep on living.  at times there are even suicidal thoughts and suicidal attempts. 

as i was pondering this post.  i felt prompted to surf through some blogs and facebook.  i know why, i was to stop dead in my tracks.  it was to read miss margie romney-aslett blog post today.  margie had just posted a post on this very same subject.  her raw, real, private self.  you can read margie's post {HERE}.  i want to publicly thank her from the bottom of my heart for sharing.  i find at times when i read about others stories...it will help me deal and heal mine.  THANK YOU miss margie.  you seriously roCk girl. 

i hope that throughout your day today and every day you won't judge.  we all are going through some kind of trouble, trial, challenge or pain.  we just don't wear signs that tell you what they are. 

take the time to send a quick text, pick up the phone, send an e-mail, go to lunch, send a card or flowers, give a hug or some king of gesture to let others know you care.  that no matter what they are going through...you will be there.

love to you all.
{hugs}
connie

Friday, January 20, 2012

*don't quit*


don't quit when the tide is lowest,
for it's just about to turn;
don't quit over doubts and questions,
for there's something you may learn.


don't quit when the night is darkest.
for it's just a while 'til dawn;
don't quit when you've run the farthest,
for the race is almost won.


don't quit when the hill is steepest,
for your goal is almost nigh;
don't quit, for you're not a failure
until you fail to try.

~jill wolf

{all photos by mE}

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

happy birthday to my baby boy

it's hard to believe that 17 years ago today I was blessed with my third son.
i remember just like it was yesterday when he was born, every little detail.
this momma's boy has truly grown into a wonderful young man.
he is caring, kind, loving, athletic, friendly, helpful, a hard worker and tender hearted.
happy birthday dallin!
so glad to have you in my life.
i'm honored to be your mom.
I love you!!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

1.12.12

its truly hard for me to believe that 12 days have gone by and i have yet to post in the new year.  these last twelve days have been very busy for me.  sometimes i don't know if i am coming or going.

i finally opened up the classroom for {one little word} yesterday and felt so overwhelmed.  i know this class is truly going to help me this year.  i know my one little word "trust" will be a great word for me to listen to as well.  just finding and making time to really work with my word has been tough.  i know that at the end of 2012 this word will be in my heart forever.  i believe in this process...i just want the time to work it!  anyone else feel the same?

i was truly inspired by ali's words in this class.  her heart is so loving that you can just feel it all the way through your own computer as you listen.  i know that each of us have a path.  each of us has a purpose.  each of us struggle.  i know that if you listen with your heart, you will know what you need to do.  i know that you will follow the right course.  i just have to remember to breathe and put one foot in front of the other. 

right now...i do not "trust" myself with my health.  i know that i need to get with the program!  i know i need to get healthy for me and my family.  i am good for a week or two and then...NOTHING!  i know that no one else can light a fire under me to get moving.  it's just nice to have someone there to start it with though. 


as i continue to "trust" this process and myself i hope to find a new improved mE. 
a person i love. 
a person who is healthy. 
a person who found her aRt again. 
a person who has forgiven herself. 
a person who is happy.
a person who can love completely.
a person who knows who SHE is.
a person who can continue to forgive.
a person who is ok with change.
a person who speaks kindly.
a person who seeks good friends.
a person who can "trust".
a person who is willing to let go.
a person who is ready to fly.
a person who is always moving forward.


poem by lao tzu

welcome twenty12...i'm "trusting" that you will be good!!

Saturday, December 31, 2011

goodbye 2011

i still can't put my head around it that 2011 will be over in a matter of hours.  that 2012 will be here in no time.  all year i kept saying "this year seems to be flying by".  now as i look back on it, it really did.  a lot has happened in 2011 and i know much of what has happened i have not accepted.  there is much i learned and a lot i didn't take advantage of in 2011.  there are a lot of things i wish to forget.  there are many of things i will NEVER forget.  as the years keep coming {faster it feels like} i want to make wiser decisions on how to remember the years gone by.  i want to make each year more meaningful to me.  i want to cherish it more, love it more, nurture it, remember it, honor it and lay it to rest. 

i am going to start 2012 with a challenge.  i am going to choose ONE LITTLE WORD to live with for the entire year.  this concept was started and created by {ali edwards}.  you can read more about one little word {HERE}.  i have struggled to pick just the right word {this is very tough}.  i don't know if it's because it's my first time, because there are so many good words or just nerves.  i have been shuffling a few words around but this one keeps coming back to me.  i. don't. know. why.  i am trying not to allow other people's words to influence me in choosing my word.  after reading ali's statement of choosing a word..."This is not your mother's word or your spouse's word or your child's word - this is YOUR word" and how some words "choose YOU" i have finally decided. 

my one little word:

trust:noun
1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence.
2. confident expectation of something; hope.

3. confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received; credit: to sell merchandise on trust.
4. a person on whom or thing on which one relies: God is my trust.


this word chose me.  it kept coming back to me.  i don't know why or how it will apply to me in 2012 but it's mY word.  as i embark on this new journey with one little word.  i hope you will join in as well. {HERE}  i am expecting 2012 to be an eventful and memorable year for me.  here are just some of the reasons why...
  •  i will turn the big 4-o
  • i will have been married for 2 years
  • i will have 2 children in their 2o's
  • i will be sharing in my little girl turning sweet 16
  • i will be watching my youngest son drive
  • i will be living my one little word
  • i will be setting some new goals
  • i will be remembering and cherishing each day
  • i will become healthier
  • i will fight my depression
  • i will run again
  • i will love deeper
  • i will fly
  • i will strengthen my friendships
  • i will cherish life
  • i will heal
  • i will take on new adventures
  • i will meet more of my extended family
  • i will listen
  • i will strengthen my marriage
  • i will learn
  • i will stand strong
  • i will allow more people in
  • i will walk with my head held high
  • i will smile more
  • i will live
  • i will be enough
  • i will be brave
  • i will make time for myself
  • i will remember...i AM a survivor
i am so blessed to be alive and learn from my past.  as i welcome 2012, i hope to live my life for me.  NOT for anyone else.  i hope to learn every day and make myself aware of that very moment.  all that it has, all that i can learn from, all that it will give me. 

i am thankful for YOU!  for you jumping in on my joyride of a journey.  for sharing with me, carrying me, teaching me and loving me.  i am blessed to have you in my life.  i am grateful to call you friend.

happy new year's eve.  may you have a safe & wonderful evening.  may 2012 become a great year!

{hugs}
connie

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

repost of sticks & stones...

{12.14.09 this time it was
 one of my children getting hurt, not me}

**special warning**
before you read this please forgive me if i may hurt anyones feelings. that is not my intention at all! i write these words to let others know how harmful it is when you say bad things to others. as we teach others, our children and ourselves please remember names DO hurt as well as sticks and stones. if you choose not to read any further, i totally understand. it's not like i would know anyways. i just feel this is what i really need to get off my mind today.

"sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me."
i often wondered why it is that someone has to put someone else down to feel good about themselves. why they have to lash out, say bad names and curse.
is this to make them feel better?
is it so they can feel powerful?
is it because they know how the other person will feel?
is it to make a point?
i'm not sure at all why one would do this. all i know is when it happens to me, i have to remember...
what someone else says or thinks of me is none of MY business.
what they feel they need to do is only to make them feel good.
it's sad, it truly is.
you know bones heal, but names haunt you. they make you doubt yourself, wonder what you may have done to deserve the name calling, it makes you wonder the truthfulness of the calling.


i know that i am only accountable for me. that it is also my job to TEACH my children how hurtful this is. to teach them that it's NOT nice to call names, make fun of others or pick fights. it's truly sad when all of this comes from adults and they feel the need to put others down.
shame on YOU!!
what a poor excuse of an example you are. may you NEVER have someone knock you down or your children. as that would be the true sadness.
words DO hurt people!

Monday, December 19, 2011

traditions...lOvE them!

one of our family traditions is to have a bake day with oma {my mom}.  we seriously bake all day making cookies, candies and breads.  then when we are done we will make goodie plates for family, friends and our neighbors.  this is something we have been doing since my kids could walk.  oh to look back at all the pictures and the wonderful memories is just AWESOME!! 

this year we did all the baking at my house.  we also invited trevor & dallin's girlfriends {kyah & adeline}.  we got a late start on saturday and had a couple not so good turn outs but accomplished much.  yet, there were no frosted sugar cookies.  so on sunday we baked some more and MORE!!  i think i finished at about um, midnight!  i left the frosting of those remaining cookies for today.


we ended up making peppermint sugar cookies {thanks heather for the recipe and the cookies}, peanut blossoms, no bakes, frosted and decorated sugar cookies, niemen marcus cookies, carmel brownies {which didn't turn out}, chocolate peanut butter fudge, white candy, toffee and 12 loaves of banana bread!  we figured out we have about 18 plates to make up and deliver today.

i think what i loved and cherished most about this tradition and weekend was just being with my family!  teaching them, watching them, sharing with them, laughing with them and loving them.  spending the time with them for 2 whole days.  teenagers and young adults may i remind you!  i loved spending the time with my mom as well.  this was SO needed.  i think for the both of us!

this is a tradition that will NEVER get old for me.  i am so blessed my mom started it so many years ago.  i only hope i may carry this wonderful tradition on with my grandchildren as she has.  {ok, now i'm crying} 

i am truly blessed!  these past few months have had there ups and downs and i can honestly say...this weekend took that all away. 
this weekend showed me what is most important to me. 
this weekend filled my heart. 
this weekend made me laugh and cry.
this weekend i remembered those who left us way too soon.
this weekend taught me so much.
this weekend i loved deeply.
this weekend i gave much.
this weekend was really special to me. 
this weekend was AWESOME.
this weekend MEMORIES were made. 
this weekend will always be PRICELESS.

i hope you all have a fuN, fabulous weekend making memories with those you love.  i am blessed every day with so much.  i am grateful for all of my trials and tribulations as they have brought me right here.  to this very place.  to this very moment.  for that i am one truly happy, brave, strong, loving girl!

what family traditions do you LOVE?

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

loving YOU

today i am filled with  loVe.

thanks for continuing to go along on this journey with me. 

i hope your day is filled with all the things you love and hold dear.

i hope to catch you all up as soon as life slows down, lol.

don't think that will happen anytime soon. 

so this is it for now...

know you are loved, yes YOU!!

{{hugs}}
connie