Life Is A Beautiful Rainbow

"Every cloud has a silver lining and every rainy day leaves behind a special gift.... a rainbow."

Today would have been my Grandmother’s 93rd Birthday. As many of you know, I was very close to my Grandmother and had a hard time when she passed away. For a period of time, I was grief-stricken and couldn’t seem to focus on anything but her passing UNTIL………..one day I said a prayer and asked God to give me comfort and peace over her death. I knew she was in a better place, I was just being selfish because I missed her so. On that particular day, I went into our kitchen and looked outside and lo’ and behold there was the most gorgeous rainbow in the sky. I’m talking about a full blown arc with all of its magnificent colors. From that moment on I felt peace with her death. Yes, I miss her and think about her all the time. She was a beautiful woman it would be hard not to, but I know she is in a better place now.

Recently, Kevin and I went to Canada and drove over 2500 miles. We always ask God to protect us during our journey. During the trip, we reflected on how beautiful God's country was and at the end of our journey as we drove into our subdivision, there was a full rainbow in the sky! Coincidence? I don’t think so. We believe it was the rainbow representing His promises! I immediately thought of the time God gave me peace when I mourned for my Grandmother and knew He had sent the rainbow just for us.

People all over the world have different beliefs and different ways of looking at and understanding the same thing. We can be sure when a rainbow appears everyone is struck by its magic and its beauty. There is no doubt about that. What is the real meaning of the rainbow? Go look at one and you will know. Without words, without pictures, with a feeling inside you. Yes, there are things we just know and those are the important things in our life. The things that do not need words.

To me, a rainbow is a sign of God's promise that He will guide us through any storm and He will ease all our troubles no matter what their form.

Moments Captured and Cherished

Camp Crew 2007

Time together and the making of memories before your very eyes. That is what we experienced last week when we were in Canada with Kevin’s family! Hours upon hours of laughter, silliness, conversation and the most scrumptious meals. I think there was even a Penguin sighting! You rock Joel! :-) We enjoyed our time with everyone but we were especially thankful to have gotten to spend time with our niece Gabriella. What an adorable gem she is. We also had a great time with Marilee celebrating her last week of being 39 (hee, hee). Hippy 40th Barthday Sweets! Once we get our pictures downloaded, we will post them.

We were back in town as of Sunday night full of many new memories but also feeling very ill. Sore throats and a severe sinus infection. UGH! I think I fell ill because of the drastic change in the temps. It was nice and cool in Canada and not so much in Kansas. So for the past week, I have been trying to get rid of the crud and feel better. Antibiotics seem to be doing the trick. No workouts until it all clears up, which really bums me out!

Speaking of workouts, Kevin and I have decided to start a new fitness challenge on Monday. He thinks he will beat me BUT I think otherwise. One reason, I have a very strong willpower and he doesn’t. :-)

My recipe for willpower:

*1 cup of desire

*1 quart of determination
*1 tsp. of common sense
*1 Tbsp. of stick-to-itiveness
*1 dash of foresight
*1 cup of energy

EDIT: Kevin wanted to add and 1 lb of CHEESE! :)

Stay tuned to find out who the champion will be……………….. :-)

Coutu Family 2007

OPERATION RELAXATION - OH YEAH :-)

Anticipating something still has the power to make my smile a permanent fixture, make my stomach turn endless cartwheels and put a little shimmy in my shake. Don’t you love that title? We sure do. We are about ready to go on a very relaxing vacation. Nothing but good times and laughter. My friend from Phoenix is flying in on Wednesday night, which equals guaranteed good times! Then we will hit the road to Canada where we will spend 10 glorious days doing absolutely nothing. :-) Well, maybe some boating, fishing, sun-bathing, lounging, reading and spending quality time with Kevin’s family.

This will be the first year that Scott will not be joining us. He starts school on August 16 and he didn't want to miss his first week. I guess it is a sign of maturity on his part which makes me feel good but I still worry about leaving him home by himself only for the fact that something could go wrong and we will be at a place where we cannot be reached. I can’t worry about those things though or else it will drive me insane.

I know any time I start to worry about Scott, I need to turn to God in prayer and bring all my concerns to Him. This verse always comes to mind when I begin to worry: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”(Philippians 4:6) It always eases my mind and makes me feel a lot better. So for now, I will turn my attention towards our upcoming vacation and focus only on the good times ahead and prepare for OPERATION RELAXATION.

Have to shout out to my hubby…….. tomorrow is Kevin’s Birthday!

Kevin thanks for being such a wonderful husband. The evening is one of my favorite times of day with you because it is a time we can look back, take stock, and reflect on the events of our day with no interuptions. Thanks for being YOU! Happy Birthday Babe!

I AM................

Finish this sentence: "I am ________."

You can only use one word. Hmmm, if I can only use one word, I think the word that would best described me would be “compassionate.” I am very sympathetic to others' distress but I also desire to lessen their dilemma, whatever it may be. Just the other day, a co-worker took me aside and said “once again, you have inspired me.” (I had recently started her on a new weight loss program) I was like “wow, okay, how have I inspired you?” She said you are a very compassionate person and I want to strive to become more like you. WOW! :-)

Being compassionate means practicing patience. Working in the legal field, I meet and know a lot of folks who are tired, stressed, irritated, anxious, or worn down from the demands of life, and sometimes it causes them to act more harshly or less graciously than they otherwise would. Although it is far too easy for us who do not see the reasons behind their behavior to respond in kind, which would only give them additional ammunition to be hostile and continue the cycle of bad feelings and anger, I try and not judge them. I always try the gentle reply first, even in the face of provocation because usually it can turn aside antagonism and prevent it from perpetuating itself. In my experience, usually 8 out of 10 times, the person who is upset will usually respond favorably when being approached with compassion rather than aggression. Being a compassion person definitely encourages me to take all mitigating factors into account before I react.

Most of us, when we see somebody who seems very different from ourselves, will turn away. We barely give them a second chance and deprive ourselves a peek inside their minds and hearts. But when we have compassion, we can accept the differences in others. And then, we can come to enjoy the differences, and be enriched by them. I have met many of my friends this way! They seemed very unapproachable at first and we seemed worlds apart, but we became the best of friends over time. :-)

As humans, we all have a strong drive to contribute, to make some kind of positive difference in the world. I believe I make a difference to those around me, in the most gentle and silent of ways. I walk the walk and talk the talk! What you see is what you get so to speak! I truly believe others take notice in my actions and for the first time in a long while I feel I have direction, clarity and purpose. I have created a compassionate path and I think I will be taking a walk down its winding ways for a very long time to come.

Personal: I wanted to wish my hubby a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY tomorrow. You are truly top notch honey. Thanks for all the wonderful laughs through the years. I love you bunches Babe! :-) I've attached one of my favorite pictures of him taken by one our friends. (Thanks Suz!)