C2

LEAVE THE JUDGING UP TO GOD

2011-11-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

I have a hard time with people who judge other people. Quite frankly, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. Do you like to be judged? I certainly do not and believe as a Woman of Faith that I should embrace everyone I meet without passing judgment.

Some of us are so quick to judge others for doing the same things we have done in the past. A person who seems at a low point may in fact have worked very hard to overcome hardship to even reach this level in their life. We never know what adversities a person has conquered or what trials they have been through. It is not OUR place to judge.

This does not mean we should be so open-minded that we blindly accept anyone or everything we hear. We cannot judge a person, but we can judge their actions. Even when people make mistakes, we can still see the best in them, love them, and care for them in spite of their mistakes. It is called unconditional love. We do not have to condone their actions. Not at all, but we do need to love them. Just like our children. We know their flaws, yet we love them unconditionally! Right??? :)

So before you start judging one another, think about this. Only God can truly judge a person, and His judgment is unique to the individual, not based on a formula. God knows. God sees. God honors those who honor Him.

TIME IS NOW

2011-04-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:1

It is about time. Finally!!! Time to snap out of the haze we have been in. Our mini vacations are over and it is time to hit it hardcore again with our fitness training. I asked God for balance at the beginning of the year and His answer literally knocked me on my butt. I haven’t been consistent with my workouts because I have had one nagging injury after the next BUT I truly believe this was God’s way of slowing me down and telling me that I needed to work on my spiritual side rather than my physical side. I have been waiting on His approval to start up full speed again (knowing now I need to spend more time with Him and make Him my No. 1 priority). In the last few days I finally got the affirmations I have been searching for. It is time to get back on track and hit the fitness training again. I have obeyed and am ready to follow His instructions further (now that I have His blessings). We are given one life to live and we should not waste them away. I truly believe that we need to be in tip top shape to spread the word of Christ. :)

I always find it exciting to start something new but more exhilarating to finish it. My goal is to follow through to the July 4 weekend and then re-program and re-evaluate. If you know me at all, you know I do not have lots of inches or weight to lose. This is for an overall wellness healthy conditioned body. It is about incorporating this into my life and making lifestyle changes. Kevin and I have been living a healthy lifestyle for almost 7 years now and we know what to do. There aren’t any magical pills to take, just a lot of dedication and commitment to see things through but most of all, no excuses.

So I’m ready. Kevin is ready…. Are you? :)

FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE

2011-03-23T09:19:00.000-07:00

I am a failure. I struggle. But most of all, I overcome. I get right back up and I know what I have to do. At this point in the year, I am not where I want to be PHYSICALLY due to my back injury BUT I am definitely where I want to be SPIRITUALLY. I think God has a way of knocking us on our rear when we need it the most and teaches us things we never ever expected. At the beginning of this year, I asked God to teach me balance. I was thinking more along the lines of the physical side, not the spiritual side. He, however, had other plans for me. He is teaching me all about building up my spiritual muscles. He is teaching me patience (UGH, hate that word). :)

One of my favorite verses is “This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” It reminds me that no matter how much I strive for perfection, we will never really arrive in any areas of our life this side of heaven. So we need to learn balance and celebrate the gift of living in the moment and taking care of ourselves the way God intended us to live.

I am fully ready to receive the works God has in store for me and more importantly the results that come from those works. I trust Him completely to help me find that balance I crave so that I can find peace deep down to my soul.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well.

Demanding Diva

2011-02-25T12:29:00.000-08:00

All of us have been there. Self doubt, negative thoughts, beating ourselves up when we are feeling depressed. I believe it is about time we start being a bit demanding. BUT not in the way you think. I am talking about treating ourselves with respect, value, and fortitude. We expect people to treat this way, why not from ourselves. I think it is time we DEMAND the same treatment from ourselves. Don’t you agree?

If we want to feel better about ourselves, the first thing we need do is stop being our own worst enemy. Truly….We need to stop getting down on ourselves when things do not go our way. We all are extraordinary people on an exciting journey, in the middle of creating a life that we want or have created. So why do we put up with the negative thoughts or self-bashing. I know it is easy to tear ourselves down when we gain a few pounds or make a mistake. But the path of low-esteem is not the road any of us should be on. We need to relentlessly remind ourselves that we were born for a purpose and God made us in His image. Isn’t that alone something to celebrate?

Personally, I know it is easier said than done. Self-bashing can come very easily to those who are perfectionist. But harsh thoughts and words never go away and quite frankly that is not the legacy I want to leave behind. I want people to know me as a beautiful woman, inside and out. How I let my light shine every day and that included not beating myself up over my faults or weaknesses.

So demand kindness and love from yourself. God loves each and every one of us. I remind myself everyday that God’s grace is enough because I am most in wonder of God’s grace when I am most aware of how little I deserve it … and nothing I do (whether in terms of my actions, or just beating myself up) can make me deserve that grace any more.

OH BABY

2011-02-04T13:52:00.001-08:00

Kevin's nephew Spencer
February 1, 2011

Introducing the newest member of the Coutu family, Spencer Michael. Aaaah, what a baby doll. Is it possible to love someone that you have never met? Brings tears to my eyes just thinking of him.

Congratulations to the new Mommy and Daddy, Chrissy and Mike. <3 <3

DAYS LIKE THESE

2011-02-04T13:39:00.000-08:00

Sometimes not all of us will get along with everyone we come into contact with. Although I do find myself wanting to please everyone all of the time, I have come to realize that not everyone will like me nor will I like everyone I meet.

However, when that certain person is family, it can make the situation difficult. I have found it difficult in the past to tell people how I really feel. Even if I have told someone how I really felt, the situation only changed briefly and then went back to the way it initially was. So nothing changed. The reason why nothing was changing was because I wasn't saying what I really wanted and needed to say. In essence, I was afraid that I would hurt their feelings.

I was skirting around the real issue which as we all know never creates the desired outcome. And yes, I do understand that even if I did speak my mind and say what I really wanted to say, there would be no guarantee that I would end up with the desired outcome either. It might even make the situation worse.

Let me tell you this…. Nothing is as important as the truth. If this person loves me as much as they say they do, nothing should stop me from telling them how I feel. For years I have been sacrificing my happiness just to keep this person from giving me grief.

I truly believe that in most circumstances if you say what is in your heart and lead with your heart and deliver what you have to say in a loving and respectful way, you will, more often than not, receive the outcome you desire. Of course, not everyone is receptive to your words or feelings, which means they aren’t willing or ready to take responsibility for their part. In a situation like that, I simply chose to stay in love and remain patient.

I truly believe that some people are in our life for a season and/or a reason. If things do not change over time, well, sometimes the hard decision has to be made to let that person go - depending on the severity of the circumstances, even if they are family. It isn't the best resolution but sometimes it may be the best decision in the circumstances.

Here is my test of finally letting someone go: Family is family is family but if they are toxic or abusive (verbally, emotionally or physically), you might think about letting them go......

POWER TO CHANGE.... IT IS ALL IN OUR MIND

2011-01-26T10:00:00.000-08:00

Oh that ugly word stress… why does it have to make an appearance in our life? Because first we let it and permit it to be a part of our life. And isn’t it the silliest of things that cause us anxiety? If we figure out and realize that stress is not a condition but a situation that can be fixed, only then will we figure out how to deal and respond to it. We may not always be able to control what happens in our life but we can certainly control how we react. Sometimes I truly believe it is a simple lack of faith that causes us stress. We start to feel anxious about something and BAM its out there and we lose what little control we had.

The best way to start reducing the stress in our life is to start praying, cease feeling anxious about all things and focus on a solution rather than dwelling on the issue. Instead of thinking about all the bad things that can happen, consider as many ways as possible to create an outcome that is advantageous. Starting praising God for all the good He has done in our life and for the life we have at this very moment. We all have things to be grateful for. We have the air we breathe, we have the food we eat, we have the house that shelters us, we have our health, we have our family who we adore and we have our faith, which gets us through times of stress and anxiety.

We do have the power to overcome stress, it is just finding the appropriate ways in dealing with and managing it and not freaking out over every little thing. This Bible verse is one I think all of us should have laying around, whether on our fridge, our desk or our bedside table, it is one we should memorize and know my heart. It can get you through some pretty tough times and give you the peace you so desire.

Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

LEARING TO LIVE

2011-01-12T10:45:00.000-08:00

My faith – my belief, is where my power comes from. I have a big problem with two things in my life, patience and resting. Don’t even get me started with being patient but REST is a four letter word to me. Seldom will you catch me doing absolutely nothing. I am a professional multi-tasker. Even at work, I find I rarely make time to go to the restroom let alone take a real lunch break. By the time I get home, I have a list that seems like a mile long that needs to get done and then I have my studies to do (which is an absolute must). :)

I envy those who can handle downtime. This isn’t to say that I don’t find myself dealing with times that I am tired or worn down and I NEED to take a rest. That is different. I am talking about day-to-day life. This year I promised myself that I would take it easy on myself and “learn” about balance… something I have unsuccessfully tried to accomplish in years past. This year is different. I can feel it, deep down.

The difference. It is my faith. I feel closer to God than ever before. My prayer life has picked up which has made me, shall I dare say, a bit calmer too…which believe me, is HUGE. :)

Which brings back to patience. I am NOT good at it and I am scared to ask God to give me patience. I have heard horror stories of how He has taught people patience. I don’t want to burden myself with that. :) But I do need to learn it, one day at a time.

Until I completely learn all about tolerance and patience, I will pray that Kevin & I are making the most of our time, finances, faith, abilities, responsibilities, etc. and make sure that our lives are balanced with enough time for Christ, for each other, for others, as well as rest and restoration.

Coutu 2010 Holiday Special

2010-12-14T12:44:00.001-08:00

The oven timer did its little ding and my bum vaulted over the counter. In essence, I bolted. Skipped the oven mitt for a wet dish rag next to the stove, slid that brown beauty off the rack, flipped it out of the pan, cut a thick slice (or four), buttered it generously and ate it in the most embarrassing fashion. Hunched over the counter, crumbs falling, licking my lips...it was insane--in that heavenly-nectar-of-the-gods kind of way.

If I could enter a little sound clip, it would be a choir of angels. It was of course Kevin’s homemade banana bread. Silly reaction I know… but it is the start of the Christmas season and all the magic that comes with it.

Christmas time – it is spell-binding in its own right. From here on out, our family will experience blessed madness...starting with putting up the Christmas decorations, lighting of the candles with the promise that brings the scents of home into our place, to baking all the yummy dishes, wrapping presents and, of course, asking the post office if they have any prettier stamps for the holiday mailers.

Christmas…. Aaaah, is just one of those things. Like church is to some people. Or getting tickets to their favorite sporting event. Or watching a sunset. Or drinking wine. It is one of those things that opens up my senses, creates a zone, pulls me out into this bird's eye view where, with every whoosh-whoosh of my breath, every thump-thump of my heart, every beat of my pulse...I am in deep thought. About life. Including all the negative but more importantly all the positive things in life, like all of our dreams and how to get there. And knowing if you can be with the ones you love this time of year, you have it made Baby and you can do anything.

It is magnificent, really. That I-can-do-anything feeling that comes and stays and propels you to prepare your house for the holidays, play with the dogs, bake to your heart’s content, and smile as you ponder just how fantastic you are going to make the holidays for your family and friends.

Merry Christmas Everyone

HEAVEN ON EARTH

2010-11-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

Our Hawaiian trip has come and gone and it was FANTASTIC. Best vacation we have ever had. I would go back in a heartbeat, especially to Kauai.

We saved almost 18 months for this trip... something which gave us hope during the long months of hard work. You could say we dangled the carrot of “relaxation” in front of our noses as motivation to get through the 24/7 workload that plagued us this past year, at work and at home. The last few months leading up to vacation were so exhausting we did not even think we had the energy to pack or even GO on vacation! BUT, BUT, BUT, we did.... Thank the good Lord. All the time we spent saving, planning, working for and eventually flying over to Hawaii, made it all worth it. Hawaii is absolutely amazing, gorgeous (especially Kauai) and we firmly believe we are now the official spokespersons for the Islands. If you want to see Heaven on earth, travel to Kauai. You definitely will not be disappointed.

We ate, swam, drank, toured and zip-lined our way through the Islands and took it all in. Some of our favorite places were the Koloa Rum Company (for goodness sakes we went there three times), zip-lining, helicopter ride, the rain forest (even though it rained all day), the lava tube and Waimea Canyon (which is a must see). The Canyon trip was pretty fantastic if you can deal with the altitude. Driving up the mountain and, through the trees, you get a glimpse of a canyon that equals the Grand Canyon in majesty (just happens to be a bit smaller). :)

More importantly, we got to spend time with Mom, Dad, Heather and Bryan. Memories that will forever be embedded in my heart and a song that will never be out of my head...

BANANA PHONE......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5C6X9vOEkU

ALOHA

2010-10-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah I am ready for our Hawaiian vacation, 2 weeks and counting.

I can almost feel the warm sand between my toes. The hot sun of my face. The sound of waves crashing onto the shore. I am ready to witness the wonder of the mass ocean that stretches far beyond the eye can see.

It will be the very first time we have vacationed in Hawaii and we are beyond excited. I am ready to hear the giggles of my mother-in-law when she gets tickled over something. I am ready to walk hand in hand with the guy I am madly in love with. I am ready to take pictures until I my fingers cramp.

I am ready to go hiking, swim, lay on the beach, eat yummy and different foods, not to mention try a few new drinks.

But most of all I am ready to make memories with my wonderful Coutu family, share laughs, and capture all the moments that I possibly can. I am ready to unwind and spend time bonding, sharing, and making the most of my time without worries of work, interruptions, and certain responsibilities of everyday life.

TIME MAKES YOU BOLDER.... AND A LITTLE OLDER

2010-09-29T14:11:00.000-07:00

October 4 Birthday Girls
Josie and Auntie E

Wow, the years are flying by….. Monday I will have another birthday. And I constantly ask Kevin “when will I feel like I am an adult?” J Life has been incredibly good but as with anyone it has thrown me a couple of curve balls through the years, especially when I was younger.

I have a lot of good memories from my childhood thanks to my incredible wonderful brothers. We were a baseball team in and of itself so life was always entertaining, even when we were getting lined up to get spanked for something one of us did but, of course, no one would confess to.

Sweet Aunt Mary and E

My 20′s were full of heart ache and extreme happiness. Mundane moments and life changing ones. It was spent learningwho I was and what I wanted. Where I wanted to go. It brought growing up, decisions, school, careers, marriage, miscarriages, home ownership, and one beautiful healthy son. It brought reality that plans do not always go as planned. Dreams and goals can and will change. Life isn’t easy nor fair at times, but more times than not it can bring such intense joy you simply cannot explain. It taught me that not all marriages are meant to last and God DOES forgive. It also taught me that parenting is the hardest job on the planet but its the best job too with all of its rewards.

Hubby Kevin

It brought the reality that sometimes you think you know someone when really you don’t. That when you get an opportunity to travel down a certain road, it can sometimes cause a painful space in a relationship. It also taught me that just because you think certain people will always be there for you, won’t. And people you never dreamed you would find a connection with, you do. It taught me it is okay to be open and honest and to JUST BE ME. But also, to close the door and simply let go.

I do not know what this year will bring. I do not know if it will bring me a different road to travel down, a different journey, a new job opportunity, or new people in my life. I do not have a clue and no definite plans. All I know is that I am embracing this new year and am extremely excited about my future.

And although I may not feel all grownup, as silly as that sounds, I do feel like I have arrived and I am much more happier than I ever have been. I am looking forward to what is yet to come. Above all, I am waiting on God to show me His plan. What is the old saying? “The best things come to those who wait.” Well I am waiting, praying and trusting God’s timing and perfect plan for my life. His plan might not be our plan, but it is the best plan.

I am ready for it! Let’s go! :)

Aunt Sandy and E

LIFE IS GOOD

2010-09-29T14:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever met that person who is never satisified with what they have? Regardless of whether or not that possession is material or physical? I have and it makes me sad for them. Simply because if you cannot enjoy this very moment in time…then you are truly missing out. I do not care if you are at work, at home, at the grocery store, there is always something to give thanks for. Am I saying that we should always be in a carefree grateful state of mind? Absolutely not… However, what I am saying is 90% of the time we should be grateful for our life and the things and people in it. If not, then we really need to make some adjustments in our life so we can achieve this goal.

Enjoying your life is simply a matter of the way that you feel. There is a common belief that happiness comes about as a result of having certain things, you know money, material things, relationships, etc., (all of which can be wonderful), but in all actuality, whether or not you are enjoying your life has always boiled down to the simple question of how you feel about your life.

No amount of of money will help you enjoy life if you are miserable on the inside. No relationship will define or complete you when a relationship, by definition, involves two or more people. No collection of toys and treasures will make you happy if you cannot enjoy the finer things in life… like sunsets, giggles, your own family, the here and now.

I implore you to take a step back, listen and really think about what makes you happy. I did and I have to say for the last 10 years I have been happier than I ever have been. I take God first, my family second and all other things third.

LIFE IS GOOD.

Bent Out of Shape

2010-08-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

Many times in our chase for excellence, achieving our goals and trying to live our life, we do not take the time to realize the impact our behavior has on others, both good and bad. Maybe because we are struggling in our own lives or have our own pain and frustrations to overcome, sometimes we do not put enough effort into being a blessing to others. Look, we all make mistakes, some of them good, some of them right down bad, but most of the time, we learn from them, which is the bottom line. Right?

Have you ever tried to give out advice when it wasn’t necessarily wanted or needed? And when you were told it wasn’t needed, you got your nose all bent of shape BUT when asked why you were acting a certain way (or why you have your nose so bent out of shape), you blamed it on somebody else or that you weren’t feeling well on that particular day. Did you realize that you ended up hurting that person’s feelings? Or did you even stop to think about that? The things that make me go hmmmm?

So let me ask you this. Do you treat others with kindness and respect regardless of your differences? Do you use the old saying do unto others as you would have others do unto you? Do you practice empathy and compassion when interacting with others regardless of your background? If not, perhaps you should start by praying for others’ needs and wants (instead of your own) and ask God how you can be a blessing to others. From my own experience, the rewards are greater than words can explain! It also will help you to understand and overcome struggles in your own journey each day and move you closer to your pursuit of excellence.

Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others. Be a blessing to someone today!

Crazy Busy Kind of Life

2010-08-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

Guess I should start out by saying…… Happy August one and all! Wow - can that be right? It’s really August? Already? WOWZERS.....

You may or may not have noticed that I have been posting a little less. I thought about saying I am sorry! but then I realized that I would be apologizing for living life and that would be oh so crazy! So no apologies, just know that our life is, indeed, extremely busy.

We have a to-do list a mile long and that is no exaggeration. We have been sprucing up the house, painting, re-organizing, getting rid of the old, bringing in the new and taking care of some broken bones. Yes, you heard that right broken bones…. Becher broke his foot 5 weeks ago and I broke my toe last week. Becher has been a real trooper through all of this…in fact, yesterday he was relieved from his cast and now is on “light duty.” Yeah! I, on the other hand, have a few more weeks to go before I can resume my running schedule. DRATS!

But even with broken bones and our busy lifestyle, life continues to be good. God has been doing a good work in our life over the past few years. Our heart and dreams have been expanded to broader horizons. There is so much we want to do which really leaves us little time for much else other than focusing on our future together.

Even with God’s plan, He also expects us to renew and re-energy our spirit and soul and wants us to have some downtime, which is exactly what we plan on doing. Over Labor Day, we plan on visiting with Kevin’s parents in Ohio with a group of friends and then at the end of October and the first week of November we will be heading to HAWAII. So excited about spending time with Kevin and his family for two whole weeks in paradise. :)

Planning on coming out of my “chicken-shell” and going on some adventures. :) But most of all, I am ready to make memories with my wonderful family, share laughs and capture all the moments that I can.

Until next time….. Coutu out! :)

The Love of My Life

2010-08-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

Kevin, thank you for being the best husband ever imaginable. You make my life a living fairy tale and fill my days with bliss... I love you with all that I am. I love our special inside jokes, our funny made-up words, our talks over meals, our working around the house days, the little traditions we have made along the way, our romantic evenings, and our passion for each other.

Simply put, I love us!

I am yours always and your mine forever and I am looking forward to our future together.

I love you!

My Faithful Friend

2010-06-30T11:57:00.000-07:00

Mike Harris

About a month ago, I received some dreadful news. My fitness mentor and friend had passed away unexpectedly. We were preparing to head to Canada for Kevin’s sister’s wedding when we received the news. It hit me like a ton of bricks.

It is a peculiar sensation, losing one’s mentor. It leaves a void, an appreciable emptiness where there was always an approachable and infallible resource just a phone call or e-mail away. I feel a little more alone today, a little less supported, as if an invisible safety net has been pulled out from under me.

Kevin and Mike

BUT I am better off too. You see Mike Harris gave me a lot of good advice over the years. Mike believed in me when I absolutely had no faith in myself, motivated me when I had no strength to motivate myself, and he accepted nothing less than 100% effort. He never bothered with any excuses I threw out there. He never let me settle. He made me give all I had and more.

He was uncompromising in all aspects of his life - often to extremes - but always acted only from his own core, from that internal voice which he trusted deeply…. His faith.

Tracy, E and Mike

Mike will be missed by me, but also by many in the Body for Life and fitness world. I will forever remember Mike for standing out in the crowd and touching so many of us. He made us believe in ourselves. He taught us to be excellent servants of God and he demanded nothing less than perfection from all of us.

He will be greatly missed but never, ever forgotten.

Mike, Elizabeth and Kevin
Mike doing what he did best, listening to people and giving advice

Northern Wedding

2010-06-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Sandra and Dad Coutu

Sandra and Jeremy's wedding weekend was a true Northern experience. On Friday, guests were given the opportunity to partake in good food, fellowship and a plethora of laughter. It was the perfect start to the weekend. I believe anytime folks come into contact with the Coutus, they leave with new bonds formed. I imagine some of the bonds that were made, will continue long after the weekend ended. It is just how the Coutus are. Full of hospitality and fun loving.Sandra looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress . In fact, the tears did not escape me as she walked down the aisle or when she opened up her gift from Hailey Day. Nothing makes me happier then to see two people completely in love.

E & Kevin

In a nutshell Sandra is beautiful inside and out. Confident. Fun. Loving. Compassionate. Utterly amazing. I admire her and she inspires me more then she realizes. The toasts made on behalf of Sandra and Jeremy were witty and delightful, even though Mom did make it all about Kevin, the favorite one.

I believe it was the perfect wedding (short of mine and Kevin’s) and a beautiful weekend. We love spending time with our family up North. Here’s to another beautiful wedding, bride and family! Cheers!

Wise Guys
Scott & Kevin

Tranquility

2010-04-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

Isn’t it funny, how we, as women, never allow ourselves to break down and let loose? Why is that? Is it because we are nurturing and feel as though we should take care of everyone else. As women, we are walking a tightrope, trying to balance the needs of others while attempting to care for ourselves. Women (like me) that work outside the home must come home and do the 'second shift' of cooking (although Kevin does the majority of cooking), cleaning, and nurturing. Women who stay home often feel isolated and lonely. Stay home moms very often lack the much needed companionship and support of other women.

Taking a hard look in the mirror might start to resolve some of the issues. Not always fun, I understand, but necessary. Take a few moments to examine what you see. How long has it been since you gave yourself attention? If it has been longer than you like, it is a perfect time to get your life in balance.

I state the above because last Friday, it happened and it wasn’t pretty. I cried like I never have before. All the stress that had been building up. All of the emotions that I have held in since my surgery, poured out. As I sat with my husband releasing the anxieties, the inner turmoil and the emotions, I felt like a new woman. Silly as that sounds, it is true and truly the only way to describe my feelings. I should have opened up along time ago. The things I have been putting off no longer hang over my head and tease me. There is a peaceful and joyful calm surrounding me. A small sigh of relief and pride lingers in my soul.

I will not go into what caused my inner turmoil, there were a lot of issues, but I will say this and give you all one piece of advice. Don’t hold it in. Don’t think you are bigger than what you really are. We aren’t perfect and God really is there to help you through life’s battles.

And so is Kevin. Thanks honey for always being my rock!

Giving Your Emotions A New Life

2010-04-21T07:55:00.000-07:00

At some time or another, we all face hurts, disappointments and failures. And whether on our part or the part of others, these things definitely impact us and our emotions.

The important thing is how we deal with our emotions. Do we let them rule us or do we rule them?

If there’s any one thing that can lead us down a road away from our potential, away from the awesome plan God has for us, away from the dreams we hold in our heart, I believe it’s our emotions.

I meet people all the time who tell me, “Joel, I don’t feel like God is with me. I don’t feel like I’m living in His will. I don’t feel…”

Maybe you’ve felt the same way. One day you feel like you’re living the life you’ve always dreamed of, but the next day circumstances change and you feel like you have no hope, nothing to get excited about or live for and your emotions are out of control.

It’s like your emotions take you hostage! The good news is, through the promises of His Word and the power of His spirit, God’s given you the ability to direct your emotions. And when you do, the course and quality of your life change forever.It’s not complicated but in order to see a change, I’ve discovered something years ago which I have applied to my own life: you have to base your emotions on who God says you are and not on negative feelings or circumstances.

Remember, you are created in the image of Almighty God, and you were created to be victorious and experience healthy emotions.

Make the choice today to see yourself the way that God sees you, and you’ll discover that nothing else compares to doing it God’s way.

Joel Osteen

I got this e-mail message at the perfect time in my life. We all struggle and I find it absolutely amazing how God gives us exactly what we need when we need it.

A Must Read - from Tony at Dreambodies.net

2010-04-19T09:59:00.000-07:00

If I heard it once, I heard it a thousand times. "I Just need to lose this 20 lbs for the Wedding or Reunion."

So what happens? Well, the wedding or reunion comes and goes. Yup, maybe the 20 lbs was lost in time. But what followed was so painful and horrible that is has now left you in a cycle that is crippling you emotionally and maybe even physically. In fact, you can't even go near the mall or clothing store because you can't stomach what the mirror is reflecting back. Sure, you lost the 20 lbs. But now it returned with excess pounds--many, many extra pounds. The "diet" you tried only took you back even further in your pursuit of your dream body.

Any of this sound familiar? Fast weight loss by way of a quick diet or panacea program will always result in being worse off than when you started. Do diets work? Well, yes, maybe for a short time. However, in the end, trust me you will regret BIG TIME what it did to your body and your metabolism.

In this post I don't want to address the physical and metabolic ways in which a diet can truly ruin your body, but instead take you deeper into the HOW and WHY the "diet mentality" will always fail you and why you may always seem to be running in circles around the same approach.

1. Undefined Values- This one is huge and it's the very foundation you build your life on. If your reason for getting into shape is to look good for some upcoming event, then what happens when the occasion is over? Where will you find your motivation then? Most do not find any reason and so they go back to where they were--only worse. You must build your vision for your dream body on true and meaningful values. Values such as: Being healthy inside and out. Looking and feeling young so that you can enjoy a long life with family and loved ones. Setting an example for those in your life who may look up to you. Ask yourself this, "What's most important to me about getting healthy and having a great body?" Then list those values. There is NOTHING wrong with wanting to look lean, hot and sexy. In fact, you SHOULD want that. But it must go deeper if it is to last a lifetime. Build your goals on values.

2. Afraid of Failure- I get this one all of the time. I sometimes will go back and forth with possible clients who tell me they tried everything else and failed. "So Tony, what makes your program any different than the rest?" We are afraid to fail and sometimes it can keep us in places of pain indefinitely. We don't want to keep making the same mistakes over and over again so we stop doing anything at all. But think about it, is the alternative working for you? No. Inactivity will always rob your dreams one day at a time until you can't even see them anymore. Lose fear for focus. Focus in your values and where you want to go and then set a plan down. Find a program or meal plan that aligns with those values and goals and give it all you got. Failure will always be a part of life but you can learn how to USE it and not be USED by it.

3. Fear of Being Judged- Many are scared that those around them will just beat them over the head with the endless comments. "Another fat loss program, huh?" ... "Are you going to fail that one like you did the last one?" ... "Why are you exercising so much, what's wrong with you?" ... "Keep eating chicken like that and you will turn into one." Well, cluck--cluck--cluck goes Tony. So what! If I can't live for my priorities, my body and my health, who will do it for me. Listen, everybody has something to say. Let it ride and roll past it. Explain your values and goals to those closest to you. Ask for their support. If they give it, great! If not, move on. Will you want to come to the end of your life with your fallen dreams built on this lame excuse?

4. Fighting Change- We are creatures of habit. Most people hate change. Change of schedule. Change of lifestyle. Change of meal planning. Yet, without change there is NO growth--period! As difficult as it may seem, change can and will bring about all that you ever wanted in life. Not only that, but the very things you feared can and WILL become habits...healthy habits. Embrace change. The key is to do it slowly and with your eyes wide open. Diets fail but lifestyle changes last forever. Think about it.

5. I Can Do it on My Own!- I'm sorry but no you can't. Well, at least not long term, especially if your goal is to be your absolute best. Even the best of the best need support, accountability and empowerment. Surround yourself with others who share the same goals and hold the same values. Hire a trainer or coach. Read books and enroll in courses which can influence and guide you into a healthy lifestyle.

Diets are temporary. Lifestyle changes that are built on growing goals and dreams lasts forever! Go get yours :)

One Flaw In Women

2010-04-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men...
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in..
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

with liberty and justice for all

2010-01-20T08:31:00.000-08:00

Look I am not one to write and speak up about politics. I think it goes without saying where I stand. I am a Woman of Faith first and foremost, everything else is prioritized after that.

But I will say this…….in my opinion, Obama is such a vacant slate, and has such a thin public record, that voters were forced to parse his statements, sift through his past, and examine what he really meant when he said he is/was going to do away with "conventional Washington thinking.” The only thing they had to really go by were his words. Yeah, okay. So after a year “his” policy is to do nothing!

Obama has the most powerful job in the world without much of a public record of which to speak. Yet whenever someone demanded to know a little bit more about him, they were arrogantly dismissed as engaging in "smears" and being divisive or discordant for refusing to simply take him at his word. I call BS on this. We have a right to know what is going on. After all this is OUR nation.

I am tired of sitting back and doing nothing. It is fine if you believe in Obama’s message which so far has been to do nothing but really do you think this one man is the answer to our Nation’s problems? I do not. Maybe Obama does not know how to run our country because of his lack of experience. Maybe he feels overwhelmed with being Commander In Chief. My take on it: maybe he should have thought about that before he ran for the office of the President of the United States. It is my belief, he does not even know where to begin. Have you taken a hard look at Obama lately? His hair is almost completely gray after only 1 year of being head of this great Nation. I am sure he has bitten off more than he can chew.

This Nation has a lot of issues, it needs more than HOPE, it needs a leader who has the experience, determination, tenacity and ability to embrace the notion of leading humbly, of being open to new options and eager to learn, of caretaking instead of transforming. Not just caring about being in the limelight and reading off a teleprompter.

And with that said, I say GOD BLESS AMERICA!

---------------------------------------------------------------

Note: Please if you are reading this, do not come here to bash my beliefs, after all, this is MY blog and our Nation. I have a right to defend it!

Your Choice

2010-01-06T11:52:00.000-08:00

New Year's Eve Moon
Over Western Kansas

I received this cd for Christmas and I absolutely love this song by Tim McGraw called "I'm Only Jesus."

Bobby's got a duster '79

Bottle of Jack and a 45
Points it at his head

And he starts to cry,

To proud to ask me to save his life

Billy's in a limo

On the upper east side

Playing Russian Roulette

With the long white line

His wife gets a call at 3 am

Saying billy aint never coming home again

She asks me why?

And I said, I sure wish you'd believe

That everybody's free

And I'll help you if you ask me to,

I gave every star a name

The sunshine and the rain

But I can't decide the road you choose

That's up to you

I'm only Jesus

Johnny had a good job

Rackin' it inCavier parties

With his well to do friends

Something was missing

From his perfect little life

He through in the towel

And he called me one night

Betty was an orphan
Like so many kids
They taught her in school

That I didn't exist

She had every reason not to talk to me

But every night before bed

She got down on her knees

Just to tell me hi

And I said, I'm sure glad you believe

Cause everybody's free

And I'll help you if you ask me to,

I gave every star a name

The sun shine and the rain

But I can't decide the road you choose

That's up to you

I'm only Jesus

Hey your all the same to me

Everybody's free

And I'll help you if you ask me to,

I gave every star a name

The sun shine and the rain

But I can't decide the road you choose

That's up to you

I'm only Jesus

I'm Only Jesus

Gotta have Jesus to see the light

Gotta have Jesus to hold you tight

Gotta have Jesus to talk to me

I gotta have Jesus to set me free

2010 Here We Come...

2009-12-30T10:51:00.000-08:00

Colorado Christmas (2008 visit)

Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone and 2010 is literally right around the corner. Christmas was wonderful this year. I love Christmas-time and the joy, wonder, and magic that it brings. There is nothing better in the world than having family to share this special holiday with. I hope each of you reflected over Christmas, stopped and remembered the true meaning of this holiday and celebrated a birth that changed the world forever.

I am truly thankful for 2009 and believe 2010 is going to be beyond amazing. I am humbled for many things in my life and for all the blessings God has given to me, my family and friends. I may not have all the material things in life that some people strive for, but I certainly have the most important gift that anyone could receive, I have a very special and real relationship with that child that was born on Christmas day many years ago AND this, my friends, makes me very rich indeed.

So as 2010 approaches and your mind fills with all the New Year’s resolutions you intend on conquering, be sure to trust in that child that was born so many years ago on Christmas day and remain steadfast in your faith.

A GOOD WOMAN

2009-12-23T08:53:00.000-08:00

A Good Woman

A good woman is proud.

She respects herself and others.

She is aware of who she is.

She neither seeks definition from the person she is with, nor does she expect them to read her mind.

She is quite capable of articulating her needs.

A good woman is hopeful.

She is strong enough to make all her dreams come true.

She knows love, therefore she gives love.

She recognizes that her love has great value and must be reciprocated.

If her love is taken for granted, it soon disappears.

A good woman has a dash of inspiration and a dabble of endurance.

She knows that she will at times have to inspire others to reach the potential God gave them.

A good woman knows her past, understands her present and forces toward the future.

A good woman knows God.

She knows that with God the world is her playground, but without God she will just be played with.

A good woman does not live in fear of the future because of her past.

Instead, she understands that her life experiences are merely lessons meant to bring her closer to self-knowledge and unconditional self-love...

Aaah, I am a good Woman! <3

Whine Lists - - My “To Do” “I Want” “I Need” Lists

2009-12-08T13:35:00.000-08:00

I posted today on FB that God rested so why do we feel guilty when we rest? (sigh). I am three weeks post-op and without a doubt, I am in dire need of a system restore. Just like an old computer that is dragging and overloaded and running waaaaaaaay to slow, I need some one to restore, reboot, and clean up my motivational drive. I feel guilty because I can’t do the things right now that I want to do or need to do. My “to do” list keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Even though I am crazy busy with life in general, work, and preparing for the holidays, I am still at a stand still with other things in my life. Things like working out (which I miss dearly), cleaning (which I enjoy), my hobbies (photography, reading, writing), all of which have been put on hold. Quite frankly, I am itching to get back to all of these things now. Most of this is due to my surgery and I know I need to learn patience. (Hmm, perhaps this is God’s way of teaching me patience.) The joke is on me if you will! :) However, sometimes He just wants us to be STILL (something that does not come easily for me).

Whatever God has in store for me, I am praying for peace and patience that I get through the next few months with a new determination that I never had before. I have never been one to feel sorry for myself so today I lift up a prayer – one of thanksgiving for the ability He gives each one of us to overcome. God has given us all gifts and talents to sustain us and expects us to trust Him everyday and to recognize that life is a journey filled with gates to open and trails to be cleared. I truly believe during times like this (recovery phase), He teaches us about patience, which obviously I acknowledge is not my strength, but somehow I know that perseverance, patience, and thanksgiving are the key ingredients for me.

I will continue to thank God that I can embrace with joy and thanksgiving the discipline and focus it takes to get me to a place of peace and joy. So in the end, my “whine lists” will get done and I will be able to sigh in relief. :)

No worries.

"Tis The Season

2009-12-04T10:21:00.000-08:00

Today it is cold out. I am not a fan of the cold but so long as it doesn’t sleet or we don’t get a lot of ice, I can deal with it. It got me thinking about how we react to events and things in our life. Why is it when it is cold, we want it to be warm and when it is just a bit too warm, we want it to be cold? The weather should never interfere with how we react to life in general.

So this year I implore you to do something different to keep you from sinking into the “winter blues.” For instance, start a new tradition. Life is exciting and is meant to be enjoyed. Think of something unique to your family that can be a new tradition. There is no right or wrong answer. It is your family and your tradition; that is what memories are made of. This year we are incorporating a few more “holiday” movies into our mix. Funny after 40 some years of life, I never watched the Christmas Story until Kevin introduced me to it and he never heard of It’s a Wonderful Life. :) Now Scott wants to add his favorite holiday movie. :) We are also going to be hosting Christmas dinner at our house and decided to have "Wacky Sweater Christmas."

Another thing you could incorporate into your life is volunteering your time. There is no better time than the holiday season to get active and donate your time and energy to helping others. There are many organizations that need volunteers during the holiday season. You could go visit people in the hospital who are alone or go to the animal shelter and feed the animals. Tis the season for sharing. The shelters are always needing volunteers to help prepare and serve holiday meals. The possibilities are endless.

Happy Holidays

Heavenly Birth

2009-11-13T11:42:00.000-08:00

Jonnae Taylor

Looking for an inspiring book to read. Check this book out. Denise Taylor (Jonnae's Mom) has blessed me with genuine deep heart and soul felt love and support. She is a blessing to everyone she comes into contact with. I think you will be blessed as well.

http://www.imprbooks.com/shop/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=&idproduct=1455

A Simple Truth

2009-11-13T11:30:00.000-08:00

I sit here today and am confident in who I am and what I believe. I believe in God and I trust Him with all my mind, heart and soul. When I talk to people, sometimes they tell me how hard it is to put their trust in God. Their life is in turmoil and they begin to wonder if there really is a God. They wonder is He REALLY listening? They want to believe in Him, but they find it hard to do.

I believe the more we trust in God, the more He will reward us and reveal Himself to us. But if we constantly doubt Him and question Him, we are stunting our spiritual growth. He wants us to have free will and believe in Him. However, He does not want to prove Himself or surprise us with a revelation to show us that we are wrong. He wants us to BELIEVE. It is my philosophy if you want to see God change your life, then you must first trust Him to move in your life. :) Pretty simple actually.

Many people gauge their faith by the prayers they say. Even when our prayers do not turn out like we planned, God still wants to see if we will trust Him. He is waiting for the right time to answer those prayers in attempt to help us grow in our faith.

God has His set of plans and we have ours and more than likely, they are very different. Just because God does not answer your prayers right away (or ever), does not mean He does not exist. It simply means He has a better plan and we must still believe and trust in His plan for our life.

Most of us like to control every situation but if we want God to have complete control over our life, we must let go and trust Him completely. When we truly trust the Lord with all our hearts, we finally give Him the consent and liberty to minister to us without us getting in His way.

God wants to give you a full and abundant life, but He only asks for you to believe in Him. God will then make you the person He wants you to be, a person of true faith and for me that is to be a Woman of Faith.

Be confident that He will make the right decisions for your life. :)

Coutu Residence

2009-11-13T11:26:00.000-08:00

I can hardly believe it is has been over a month since I have blogged. Crazy. If you want to see our house, you can check it out on Bing.com. Here is the link. Keep in mind this view was taken about three years ago and the house was still under construction but the exterior was almost complete. Pretty cool website. You can click on the arrows and it will give you all angles of our house. Amazing.....

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?encType=1&where1=8351+Primrose+Ln%2c+De+Soto%2c+KS+66018&FORM=MIRE

Letting Go

2009-10-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Some people drown their sorrows in alcohol and drugs when they encounter adversities in life. Some people chain-smoke to calm their nerves, while others, head straight to the pantry or refrigerator for comfort food.

Where do you go? Trust me, God has a better plan for you. Instead of drowning your sorrows, cast all your cares on Him.

My cousin sent me these cartoons today and I thought I would share them with you!

Such A Simple Chick :)

2009-09-28T10:56:00.000-07:00

I am a simple chick at heart. Nothing fancy dancy, no high maintence for me baby! I definitely like the simple things in life and I proved it this past weekend at Costco. You know how it is if you frequent Costco, they will carry a certain item and then all of a sudden it is gone, it disappears and you hope that they bring it back. Well, this Saturday IT happened. As we were walking towards the produce area, there it was, in all its splendor, sitting there waiting for me to visit.

Celery my miracle food. :)

What was hilarious about this particular scene in the day and the life of Kevin and E was simultaneously, Kevin said “hey, there is your celery” while I shouted “Ceeeeeeeeeeeeleeeeeery.” I do believed I embarrassed my poor hubby!

What can I say. I like the simple things in life...even if it does make my hubby’s ears burn a little red at times. :)

In His Glory...We All Will Run A Little Faster :)

2009-09-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

My Labor Day Weekend started with a bang and it was full of emotions. Something I never expected. For the first time in my life, I ran a 5K. I didn’t plan on it, I didn’t train for it, it just happened. On the way home one day after work, I noticed a banner that was displayed at the entrance of our subdivision for a 5K which would benefit the local Youth Ministries. I thought “I should run it, but I don’t have time.” And that is how the excuses started to flow, it is extremely EASY to make up excuses not to do something. Forgetting about it was much easier said than done.

I thought back to the beginning of the year when I said one of my goals this year was to, in fact, run in a 5K. Then I thought, well, I haven’t trained for one. Which was quickly followed up with that OTHER voice (you know the good one) in my head telling me I was in excellent shape to run it with no issues. So now what was my excuse? Well, I didn’t register in time! I finally told God if He wanted me to run in it, then to show me a sign. And that is precisely what He did, three of them in fact! :) I guess He knows how hard-headed I can be.

My first sign appeared at work when I received from our wellness coach a waist pack, which is designed for runners to use to place their keys, driver’s license, etc… in while they are out running. I thought the sign was a little weak so I said “not good enough, I need another sign.” Later that evening, I took Remy out for a walk and attached to our door was a flier with LATE registration forms for the 5K. I conceded and said “Okay, Lord if this is what you want me to do, then I will do it, BUT you are going to have to wake me up because I don’t plan on setting my alarm to go run a 5K at the crack of dawn.” Lo and behold, I woke up bright and early Saturday morning, jumped out of bed, got my running gear on, SURPRISED the heck out of Kevin, grabbed a protein bar and a bottle of water and a way I went. Headed for my first 5K EVER.

I never looked back from that point on. Game on… I always did love a challenge.

The course itself was pretty tough, a lot of hills and rough terrain. However, everytime I felt myself running low on energy, I looked up and reminded Him that He sent me out there and I immediately got another boost of energy. Was it easy? No, but I was beyond thrilled that I followed His command and ran it. The volunteers stationed throughout the course were amazing. Cheering me on when I needed it the most, especially the last grueling hill right before the finish line. That part of the race was my favorite. 100s of people lined up and cheering JUST for you! Aaah, the flood gates opened and I was full of emotion. I didn’t cry until I got home and hugged Kevin. Then the tears didn’t stop and you betcha I was planning my next run!

So as I plan my next race and the goals I want to accomplish in the future, I will evaluate my attitude, monitor my motivation, and follow the exhortation given by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:31. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

Mind, Body and Soul

2009-08-25T11:13:00.001-07:00

What do you focus more on? Strengths or weaknesses? Do you feel more like Popeye or Olive Oyl? I'm just kidding. I am talking more about your inner gifts and talents, not the size of your muscles! :)

I try to focus on my strengths rather than my weaknesses. Easier said than done, eh? We need to be earnest in our judgment of our gifts and talents. In reality, we ought to know our strengths. We ought to know our weaknesses too, after all not a one of us are perfect, even if you think you are! ;) We should not think more highly of ourselves than we ought. We should not put ourselves down either.

Often we have a strange fascination with our weaknesses instead of seeing the good in ourselves. Perhaps we pay more attention to our weaknesses because we are insecure about them. Or maybe our weaknesses are always cropping up in life and it makes us feel like a failure (which by the way we are NOT). Sometimes we focus on our weaknesses by accepting opportunities for which we are not prepared, e.g., teaching others how to swim, when we are drowning ourselves. :(

No two of us are exactly alike. None of us has every gift and ability. Our responsibility is to exercise the gifts we have, not the ones we wish we had. We need to embrace who we are, not what we aren’t and never will be.

Each of us is unique and bring different gifts and combinations of personalities and strengths and weaknesses to the table. Be yourself, not who you think other want you to be or what you think you are supposed to be.

When it comes to making decisions about your life and the direction it should take, focus on your strengths, not on your weaknesses. Know yourself. Know what you do well, and embrace it. Don’t be fearful or anxious. Go with it and thrive.

Honor the person God made you to be and live as integrated, whole and honest as possible.

Powerful Experience

2009-08-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Remy

The love of a dog is a powerful experience. Last Saturday marked a year since Stoli passed away. Stoli taught us a million things about dogs and unconditional love. To this day, I still miss that amazing dog. He will forever live in our hearts.

Remy playing "volleyball' with Brittany

But with that said, I must say Stoli’s younger brother, Remy, is the cutest thing. I have never seen a dog who loves massages as much as Remy does. Remy greets us when we come home and he is beyond excited. I do believe this, my friends, is unconditional love at its finest. The companionship of a dog is amazing. They come to you in a giving manner and are content just to be with you in the same room. All Remy cares about is pleasing us and receiving love in return. He doesn’t care or notice if our socks match or our hair is a mess or what material things we own. He just wants affection and perhaps a treat or two! :)

Remy playing his favorite game of "tug" with Brittany

Remy has such a powerful personality, he absolutely adores people and loves all the attention he can possibly get. When anyone comes to visit, he greets them at the door by sitting on his bum and then raises his paw in the air. Such a gentleman! :) Remy is pretty sharp too! We actually have to spell out words because he knows exactly what we are saying.

Remy saying "what's up, Mommy?" :)

We feel as though he is our child and we are sometimes floored and amazed at his intelligence. Remy lets us know every day how grateful he is for his food, water, and new toys we buy for him. He never fails to thank us by giving us smooches.

Sometimes he gets into trouble when he wants to dig in places he shouldn't, like Stoli's Memorial Garden. Of course, that is a huge "No-No" but then he looks up at me with those beautiful eyes as to say "who me?" and I melt... but not before I see the dirt and grass in his mouth! Silly boy! :)

Remy is one heck of a great dog and one I would hate to ever lose, and in my opinion, has a heart of gold, loves his masters, is intelligent, easy to train, an excellent companion, and one who loves people.

As we said before, Remy has so many good qualities, we could not possibly tell you about all of them. We can tell you however, that we couldn’t have asked for a better companion and we are beyond thrilled that he came into our lives.

Balance, Sweet, Sweet, Balance

2009-08-12T14:16:00.000-07:00

Because we have so many commitments in our lives, (family, friends, career and finances, personal and spiritual growth, fitness and fun), maintaining balance among them can be very tough.

Our lives become unbalanced when we give certain areas of our life more time than we should and other areas of life not enough of our time and energy. When this happens, life gets off kilter.

Balance takes some effort on our part, eh? It takes trying different things, building upon successes and learning from mistakes. It takes self-confidence, assertiveness, delegation and personal insight. But what I focus on the most is knowing my limitations. I know this is a huge issue for most of you who read this blog as well. Many of us struggle with wanting to be all things to all people. However, it is important to cultivate a clear sense of what we can and cannot do. Be realistic. We are not superheroes, superwoman or superman!

In order to have balance, we must work on taking care of ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Not everyone is going to understand our decisions or choices, especially when we limit ourselves (it is called balance) and say no.

It is our job to create balance in our lives as best we can, which in turn means we are finally acknowledging and recognizing our limits. I truly believe only then will we finally have what we are searching for.

Balance, sweet, sweet balance! :)

2009-08-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEVIN!
August 8, 2009

MY main squeeze is having a BIRTHDAY!

No we don’t live in a fairly tale. Our life is not all roses and champagne. But our life is pretty darn sweet and we have a beautiful marriage. What makes our marriage so great??? We compromise. And instead of constantly nagging each other about all the things that drive us crazy, we decided to be more conscious of all the things that we love about each other instead.

I consider myself to be pretty darn lucky to have Kevin as a husband and thank God every day for blessing me with such a wonderful man. Sometimes with our busy lives, a lot of us forget to stop and be thankful for the things and people in our lives BUT I sincerely try and not let even one day go by without showing him how much he means to me. He still makes my heart skip a beat and he constantly brings a smile to my face.

Hope you have a wonderful day honey!

You are the best in every single way!

Crossroads

2009-08-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter

and those who matter don't mind.” Dr. Seuss

Crossroads! Are you justifying a bad decision because you think it did not hurt anyone or because in the big scheme of things, you think no one will notice. Are you battling with self-conflict about some choices you are about to make or choices you already made? Our conscience is the little voice inside our head telling us to do right thing and not go down that road again.

The fact is, we all weigh what we value most, what we can let slide, what we can afford, what we need and what we enjoy doing and what we loathe doing. Ultimately we make the decision on how to live our own life accordingly.

What I find amazing is when I meet someone for the first time (perhaps after talking to them for awhile online or through a “forum” chat room), they are nothing that they represented themselves to be. It blows my mind. Why do people feel the need to lie about who they really are? It does not make sense to me except for the fact, they are insecure about who they REALLY are.

I believe you can fool most everyone in your life if you really want to. You can isolate yourself, and no one will ever know. The issue is not whether others know or not. The issue is the fact that you already know! Isn’t that enough? You already know what your self-conflicts are. The fact that you already know means you have already been caught! In my mind, I would not be able to sleep at night if I thought I was a bad person or I was continually making bad choices and definitely not if I was destroying others in the process. At some point, you need to look in the mirror and ask yourself who you really are and buck up! :)

For all the believers out there, we should be living by moral correctness dictated to us by God alone. Our actions and beliefs should be based upon the written Word of God, and we must know and uncompromisingly live by what we believe. True faith doesn’t allow any power to be given to uncertainty, despair, hopelessness, doubt or impatience. True faith does not change by public opinion or by consensus. True faith listens for the voice of God and lives by conviction. And true faith is being the person you say you are 24/7.

Look I am in no way saying I am perfect BUT I will never portray myself as being someone I am not. I am the typical “what you see is what you get” kind of person. When I say I will pray for you, you betcha, I am praying for you. When I say I will be there for you, I certainly will be there for you. I am who I say I am.

Are you?

FREEDOM TO BE WHO I TRULY AM

2009-07-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

For those who know me well, you know I don't put on pretenses. I am who I say I am. I am also a person who wants to have the freedom to be who I truly am without judgment. There are times when I want my own personal space and for the most part, people around me respect that. No one wants to have to endure judgment and criticism from somebody else who is constantly trying to make them into someone they want them to be.

Well we all know “that” person...that one person that just rubs us the wrong way. They are always saying the wrong things at the wrong time or telling untruths about someone (or even you) and it can really put a damper on your day and REALLY grate on your nerves. There are even times when people can rob years of our joy. These people may be able to attempt to ruin your day, but it is entirely up to you as to whether or not you let them. We need to give these things over to God and know that when we have done all we can and leave the rest up to Him. Forgiveness doesn't always mean reconciliation. If we have tried to restore a relationship, and the other party is not willing, that is their part, not yours. Forgiveness is a one way street. Forgiveness does not always mean that reconciliation will follow.

I also believe that there are times when it is fitting to distance ourselves from these type of toxic people, even if they are family. I am not going to sugar coat it, with some people, low dosage is the key! Some people may bring us down so much, that maybe we should not even be around them. If you have to absolutely be around them, try and make it brief. You don’t have to be rude, but yes, keep it short.

Life is brief and uncertain at best and quite frankly I am not willing to let people steal my joy! Our joy shouldn’t be dependent upon our circumstances, but on Him. And He never fails us so SMILE! :)

Don't let anyone steal your joy! Christ has given us every reason to be filled with the joy of the Lord. Go out with joy and be led forth with peace.

Let the joy of the Lord be your strength.

MY FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN.....

2009-07-14T14:48:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law and I were discussing the saying we have heard many people say, "God won't give you more than you can bear or handle." I have heard this quote referred to from time to time and I have probably said it before as well. The verse in question, 1 Corinthians 10:13, does not imply that God won’t let you be stressed beyond what you can bear or even challenged beyond your ability or even pushed beyond your threshold.

In reality, God gives you more than you can bear all the time. On purpose. It is only when you cannot bear the load that the strength of Christ kicks in…and He becomes everything you need and more and that is where the lesson kicks in! It is up to us to apply the teaching! :)

Friday I witnessed my oldest brother suffer from a diabetic coma, for the second time in less than four months. This time around though, he was in great pain and not just in a comatose state. This time, I thought for sure we were going to lose him. I was devastated and beyond upset and cried and begged the nurse and my Dad to sedate him (even more) so that he didn’t suffer or feel the pain. They obviously knew more than me and told me that they couldn’t sedate him because he needed to wake up and be alert. Not more groggy or sluggish.

When I got home, Kevin and I decided to take Remy for a walk and as we were walking I was praying for peace about my brother. God never will forsake you or leave you, especially when you need Him the most. As we came up over the hill and looked down towards our house, there it was. A rainbow. Something God has shown me many times in my times of grief or sorrow.

The rainbow has become a symbol of peace and a sign of communication between my FATHER and me. I sobbed harded than I had in years. God loves US! He wants us to know He has never ever left our side. He will be there to give us that “peace” if we only allow Him to.

So next time you feel you cannot possibly bear or handle the situation you are in, look up. God is waiting for you to give Him control. He is waiting…… :)

ANOTHER LESSON IN LIFE

2009-07-09T14:48:00.000-07:00

The truth is rarely pure and never simple.--Oscar Wilde

Many of us know a person that we question and wonder if they are manipulative. I have always been an extremely strong and independent woman and very perceptive of others. So I guess it came as no surprise the other day when I found out that several people I knew and respected have been deceitful and have lied to me. In fact, I believe these individuals have always been masters at lying and manipulating others just to get what they “want” regardless of who they hurt in the process, including their spouses and even children.

My thoughts are if you have to deal with someone like this, move on. Don't try and catch them in a lie or try to rationalize with them. Dealing with a liar is a no-win situation. You will be the only one who gets burned if you deal with them. The only thing you can do is pray for them and their souls and simply walk away from their situation.

Look as a Christian, I know that Christians are not perfect people. We make mistakes and make bad decisions at times. But we don’t go around initially trying to destroy others for the sake of our own “passion” or fulfillment. Trust me, none of us will ever be perfect in this world. We just need to do the best we can and ask God to help us with our shortcomings and failings. I confess and ask forgiveness each day because I know I am not perfect, not a by a long shot. BUT I will tell you this, I am a woman of faith and I would never personally seek to destroy anyone for my own personal gain.

The most manipulative people on this earth are those who do things for their own glory. Not God’s glory, but their own. If a person is looking for praise every time they do something nice than that is a serious red flag.

My thoughts today are if you have a bad feeling about someone then usually your “instincts” are usually God telling you something. Warning you that something isn’t right. God expects us to pray for others, He doesn’t tell us to partake in their sin.

God Bless.

SUNSHINE AND SUMMERTIME LIVING

2009-07-02T14:43:00.000-07:00

The word home causes all sorts of emotions and thoughts. They range from positive to negative, depending on one's experience. When I think of home I think of a place where I feel safe and secure to pour out my heart, a place where I feel a sense of belonging, and where I connect with those I love. Where family and friends can come over and enjoy the serenity that it brings.

This summer we have had the pleasure of having my 16 year old niece stay with us. It has been a tad bit different having a girl in the house. As you all know I have a 23 year old son and girls and boys are totally different. :) Scott is more serious but has a wicked sense of humor, whereas Brittany giggles all the time. She is full of joy and makes me smile non-stop!

During the summer months, we hope to instill some values not just by talking to her but by our example. Just watching our lifestyle and learning and understanding our values, I hope she walks away knowing how much we love her and that we will always be here to support her.

At her young age, everyday life often feels similar to a pendulum swinging between adulthood and adolescence, yet she seems to capture the beauty in just about everything she does. Whether we are walking the dog or running yet another 3 miles, she is always fun-loving, bright and cheerful. And she always greets me at the door with a huge bear hug! Aaah the simple things in life! :)

I hope that she always feels like our home is her home and comes back to visit in the years to come as she grows and becomes the successful beautiful and caring woman that God intended her to be.

ORIGINAL ANGEL

2009-06-25T13:56:00.000-07:00

I remember when I was a little girl I would watch Charlie’s Angels non-stop and dream of becoming a “for real” Charlie’s Angel. I adored that show and thought how great life would be if we all had a “Charlie” in our life, protecting us, but never showing his face (and we all do, He is called God, the greatest protector we could ever wish for).

I am sad to say that after a three year battle with cancer, Farrah Fawcett died this morning at St. John's Hospital at Santa Monica with Ryan O'Neal by her side. What a wonderful graceful woman she was!

In tough times like this I have to venture that a lot of people believe that God has a bigger better purpose for all of us and at the end of the day, we are here to support and exult one another, to make the best of what God has given for us to do, and to live each day as the “hands and feet of Jesus in the world”.

There is much to do in this lifetime, a lot we can all do to make a difference and, especially, to make wherever we are rooted the best place possible for our family, friends and ourselves.

Rest in Peace, Farrah. You will definitely be missed.

PURPOSE IN LIFE

2009-06-09T10:13:00.000-07:00

“To the world you may be one person,
but to one person you may be the world.”

Everybody in this world has a purpose in life, we are unique. We were created for something, sometimes it comes out naturally, other times you have to look for it. I have said this before and I will say it again that I believe my purpose in life is to encourage and help others. I love giving and helping others and if you think about it, it does not take a lot of effort to give back or to help out. Sometimes it is a simple smile or being there for the people you love, and as time goes by, you will see how much of a difference you make in this world.

I believe you should always treat others with kindness, generosity, honesty, and respect and our goal should not merely be to achieve goodness, but to be good for something. To have value that we offer to the world. Our purpose is the path that we choose to follow which reminds me of a broad paintbrush that colors all areas of our life. When all of our goals are aligned with our purpose here on earth, we will be genuine human beings with integrity.

I would like to remember two very important people who gave all.

Dwain Gleason

Dwain Gleason, who died on June 1, 2009. He was the silver lining of the IT Department at Kevin’s work. Dwain was loved and respected by many people and touched the lives of people he had never even met. Someone posted this comment on his obituary guestbook and I couldn’t have said it better myself:

“he was truly one of the most genuine, thoughtful, witty, and intelligent people I've been privileged to come in contact with. His impact on those around him is a testament to his inherent goodness. The world was blessed to have him and I am glad I was briefly in association with him years ago. And now it seems heaven will be the latest place to get REAL BBQ. What a wonderful soul. Peace.”

Rest in Peace Dwain. You will be greatly missed here on earth.

Jonnae Taylor

Today also marks the year anniversary of Jonnae Taylor’s death. She was an amazing angel here on earth and reminded us all that we do not have to do anything, WE GET TO! :)

END OF THIS JOURNEY

2009-05-28T10:01:00.000-07:00

Kevin & Elizabeth in Ohio

Far too often, we are quick fixing or patching up something with or within ourselves, whether it is our health, a situation from the past, the present or even our personal shortcomings. As a result, we become physically ill, emotionally drained and spiritually off balanced.

During the last 90 days I embarked on a spiritual, emotional and physical journey. Did I succeed? It is hard to say but what I revealed was the importance of taking responsibility for my own journey. I do know at the end of this journey, I was left with a sense of victory and triumph, but also an understanding that the journey continues. I also understand and have a sense of comfort through my spiritual journey that difficult times serve a purpose in our lives. They prepare us to move on to the next level of faith where we grow and ultimately enjoy the life that God has prepared for us.

I found that the few people who joined me in this journey were more focused on the physical aspects of the journey rather than the emotional or spiritual. I found the spiritual journey to be most beneficial, which to me is THE most important aspect of the entire journey. In the past, I would have gone gung-ho on the physical part and let the others trail behind, but this time around, I really concentrated on the spiritual side. And it paid off.

It is not the first time I have read the entire Bible, but is the first time that I really concentrated and studied it. And I will be honest with you, there were parts of the Bible, when reading through the genealogy that I was bored senseless, but I pushed through it. The New Testament is by far my favorite Testament. I cried more than I can ever remember. Christ’s suffering for our sins… we definitely are not worthy but I am sure glad He believes that we are. :)

The emotional journey was also wonderful. I had to come up with two things I was grateful for every single day. Now, you all are thinking that isn’t so difficult…. but you couldn’t be repetitious. I am not a person who takes things for granted. I try and focus on the ordinary moments of life that bring me joy and thankfulness. I truly believe that we are to give thanks in the good times because giving thanks makes us appreciate what we have been given. A person who is always complaining and never grateful is a person who does not know the richness of life. When we take the time to count our blessings, when we make it a point to focus on the wonderful things we have been given, we appreciate life more.

The physical journey was sub-par. I am a person who thrives on results and the last 90-days were not what I would consider my best physical journey BUT the last five weeks were pretty intense and amazing. I cleared my head and got back in the zone which will make the next phase of my physical journey better. Simply put…. I am a work in progress and the journey continues.

Little Boy All Grown Up

2009-05-19T13:21:00.001-07:00

Our little boy is growing up and the life of this puppy is oh so exhausting and tough. You know he eats, chews, poops, runs, walks, jumps, chews, eats, poops some more, and the cycle goes on and on.

When we brought him home, he was not quite 20 lbs. Today, at 7 months old, he is almost 55 lbs. He goes to the vet on Thursday to be groomed and for a checkup. I would not be surprised if he has grown even more.

Remy has brought us a lot of joy and constantly makes us laugh. Everyone who meets him just adores him and he loves them back. To date, he hasn't met a stranger.

His favorite thing to do in the evenings is to jump on the bed and roll onto his back where he proceeds to put his paws up in the air because he wants a massage. I know that he thinks he NEEDS it but really….. who does he think he is! ;) Since he is spoiled rotten, we oblige and give him his body massage. He usually falls asleep. Some day I will video tape it because it is really quite humorous. In the mornings, he wants to “snuggle” and yes, he usually gets his way! He definitely should have been a cuddle bunny instead of our puppy!

This past weekend, Remy spent a lot of time outdoors and has learned to sit and enjoy it rather than dig a hole in our garden or yard. :) He is learning, slowly but surely!

He really hasn’t barked much YET. He barks at silly things. Like helium balloons that get stuck on the fence or his own shadow but he doesn’t bark very long. I am sure in time he will, but for now we are enjoying the peace and quiet.

For a dog who didn’t know how to walk on a leash when we first got him, he sure does love his walks. He can’t wait to go on his walks. He is very patient though and will sit until we get his leash on and will wait for us to get our shoes on. He has come a long way in that regard.

And CHEESE, oh my, he loves CHEESE and will obediently go sit on his mat to get a slice of pure heaven! ;)

And did I tell you his favorite movie is Marley & Me..... :) So cute when we are watching the movie, he cocks his head to the side and stares at the television like he fully understands what is going on.

Enjoy the latest pictures.

Stunning Weekend

2009-05-19T12:59:00.000-07:00

This past weekend was a PERFECT weekend, blue skies and lots of SUNSHINE. Finally is the word that comes to mind. After weeks of rain, the sunshine was certainly a nice change. We shared a nice breakfast out on the deck with the sun shining down and warming us. We felt blessed that God gave us such a glorious weekend. We are alive, healthy and we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the weekend.

Springtime is when we get to see the gardens bursting into colour and fragrance and watching everything fill out. It sure didn’t take long for everything to become lush and green.

Raccoon wondering if it safe to come out to eat

Enjoying the time we spend together is not something we take for granted. We truly treasure the little things in life, basking in each other’s company, the pleasure we share in sharing silly moments and the happiness it brings to both of us. We embrace the life that God gave us.

We also enjoyed watching the baby raccoon play in the bush. It was looking for food and was trying to get to it up at the neighbor’s fence but the neighbor’s dogs kept scaring it off. I took several photos of it before it scampered away. Remy, of course, in his usual calm way, just sat and watched the action.

It was a gorgeous perfect weekend and yes, you betcha, we took advantage of it!

Enjoy the photos!

THE CLIMB

2009-05-05T09:10:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite song right now on the radio. Even if you aren’t a Miley Cyrus fan, the words should hit home:

The Climb

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I Am taking

Every move I make feels

Lost with no direction

My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying

Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I am gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing

The chances I'm taking

Sometimes might knock me down

But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it

But these are the moments that

I'm gonna remember most, yeah

Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong

Just keep pushing on'

Cause there's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be a uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there

Ain't about what's waiting on the other side

It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing

Keep the faith, baby

It's all about, it's all about the climb

Keep the faith, keep your faith

******************************************************************

What is your dream? Where do you see yourself tomorrow, next week, next month, 6 months from now, a year from now, 5 years from now, 10 years from now? Mind boggling if you really let yourself think about it. What I have learned through the years is that if I want something to happen, then I MUST take action and not expect things to fall into my lap. I have to plan. It is a necessity in my life. If I don’t then I set myself up to fail.

We must ensure that we do not get side-tracked or put off on a different tangent. Some of us fall into that pit and somehow easily allow ourselves to make up excuses not to achieve our dreams or goals and eventually cheat ourselves of the very best of ourselves and what life can offer if we but persist.

I remember reading somewhere one time that success usually comes to those just past the point where they would have given up. Meaning just when it starts to become difficult and you feel like giving up IS the time you shouldn’t because right on the other side of that mountain is where success is. Don’t give up.

Place your hopes and dreams in the forefront of your mind. Recommit to them every single day. Don’t be one of the people who end up in pain, defeat and despair. Be one of the few who digs deep down and be the one who doesn’t get distracted from achieving your dreams.

It truly is all about the climb! ;)

A MINOR INCONVENIENCE

2009-04-28T12:53:00.000-07:00

Love the colors of these trees

Just as I was fine tuning my running, I had a minor setback. I cannot do anything the usual way, it always has to be odd. We were cleaning up after working out in the yard on Saturday. As I was putting my shoes back on the shoe rack in the garage, I pivoted in my “fit-flops” and broke a couple of blood vessels in my right foot. Yes, the pain was excruciating and now I have this very ugly bruised foot.

Sneak Peek

But I will not let it get me down. I will accept that we all have temporary setbacks. What I will do is pick up my routine as soon as I can, which hopefully will be this coming Friday or Saturday. It isn’t the end of the world and I can still lift the weights, I just can’t run at the moment.

It doesn’t matter how often we fall, what really matters is whether or not we get back up. We all will go through successes and failures, highs and lows, steps forward and steps back, times of plenty and times of difficulty. When the dust settles and the books of life are squared away, we are doing well if we come out the other side better, stronger and happier for the experience. It is all about having a positive attitude.

So you see I will not fret or worry about not running for a few days. I know the bruise and soreness will go away. What matters is my attitude and keeping it positive.

Same picture just thought it looked "cool" posted side by side

NOTE: I would post photos of my “beautiful” foot but Kevin said it is ugly and he gave me a complex… :) so I will leave you with pictures of our lake instead. :)

NOT JUST A PRETTY FACE

2009-04-24T08:03:00.000-07:00

Aunt Mary, E and Rhonda

Have you ever woke up in the middle of the night with the most beautiful words inside your mind and thought I need to write about that tomorrow. And then get up and can’t put into words what you thought about the night before.... Honestly, there are times thoughts enter my mind with such eloquence that it literally takes my breath away but then when I sit down to write it, all I see is a HUGE jumble of words that make no sense at all. Isn't that just the most annoying thing in the world? To me, yes. The end of the world, no!

When I got home late last night from the car dealership with Scott, I had the most marvelous gift in the mail. It was from my cousin Rhonda. One of the most selfless human beings in the world. God definitely knew what he was doing when he sprinkled the angel dust on her.

I wonder how many of you know how beautiful Rhonda truly is? How she comforts you without you having to say a word… she just knows… :) She is my cousin, but my SISTER at heart. Her heart is bigger than anyone else’s I have ever met and her blue eyes are always welcoming, and her laugh is contagious. Her beauty and selflessness should be bottled and only released to those most deserving. She TRULY is that amazing…I hope for those who have never met her, do and can see first hand her amazing compassion and generosity. I have been touched by her as many others I am sure.

Which brings me to selfless people in the world….. there are selfless people, people who think they are selfless people, and selfish people who do not even bother to hide it. And there are a couple of categories thrown in between there, but I do not feel like getting into those.

The selfless people are the ones who just care. They really, sincerely care, without an ulterior motive and without trying to make people see they care so that they become appreciated. That kind of person is pretty obvious.

Anyways, yeah. Selfless people, I love them. That includes you beautiful Rhonda.

Thanks for being, well, YOU!

Cheers to you Sweets and thank you for the Faithful Journal.

IT IS ALL ABOUT BEING HEALTHY

2009-04-20T08:57:00.000-07:00

Friday night I was fortunate enough to attend the 2009 Natural Southern States Classic Figure/Fitness Competition Show in Liberty, MO. Even if you are not the biggest fitness fan or freak, you have to admire the hard work these women have endured for the last several months to get into such great shape. It all boils down to hard work, dedication and commitment and getting your head in the right state of mind. I know for years, I struggled with my weight and even today, still do, to some extent. I used to read all I could get my hands on about health, nutrition and exercise but I never seemed to be able to put it all together in a program that worked for me until I was introduced to Body For Life. Now after five years of knowing what to do, I still need that pick me up to get inspired. That is why I go to these shows, not to just support my friends competing, but to also get inspired and motivate myself to be in the best possible physical shape I can be in, even in my 40s. (side note: most of these women are in their 40s….Just sayin!).

In case I have not said this before this isn’t just about looking pretty or being vain. It is about being in the best possible health you can be in. We all have setbacks, I know I have but ultimately I know I am doing what is best for my body. My goal is to be a positive role model for all age groups and to help promote and make people aware of the infinite mental, physical and spiritual benefits of a healthy lifestyle. A lifestyle that includes a clean diet and regular exercise and one that can positively influence one's outlook on life. I also want to motivate people to continue to pursue their dreams and personal fitness goals. One of the most flattering things someone can tell me is that I inspired them.

Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed the show!

Special thanks to Dawn for tagging along and keeping me company! :)

FOGGED IN

2009-04-13T13:10:00.000-07:00

We woke up Saturday morning to this:

and this:

and eventually watching the sun rise and the last of the fog fade and the fog become history:

COME & GO

2009-04-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

You know what really gets on my nerves? People who fly up behind me while I am driving and get right up on my bumper so that I cannot even see their headlights.......It makes me sooo angry…but only for a moment. I do not let their belligerent aggressive driving ruin my day. What is the old saying? Feelings come and feelings go.

It is kind of like working out. We all have days where we feel frumpy or down on ourselves for whatever reasons. We may even doubt if all the time and effort will REALLY change our bodies. BUT we must learn to turn those emotions off. Allow your feelings to come BUT more importantly, allow them to go. When you let your emotions flow naturally and gracefully through your life, they become more valuable, useful and fulfilling. So seek to let your feelings be and then let your feelings go and fully experience life as it touches you, and you will grow richer with each moment.

AND whatever you do, do not let those crazy aggressive drivers this long holiday weekend get to you!

Oh and by the way, all that time and energy REALLY does pay off.

HOME BOY REMY

2009-04-06T11:21:00.000-07:00

This past Friday, Remy had a visit with the vet. We were getting him micro-chipped, groomed and he had the last of his puppy shots. He weighed in at a whopping 44lbs...... Schnikes boy, that means he has gained 23 lbs since we brought him home at the end of January! Life is good for Mr. Remy!

It never ceases to amaze me at how much our dogs can teach us about unconditional love, loyalty, forgiveness and just living in the moment. Stoli was a perfect example of that and now we have Remy. Each day it seems I am being taught something new and refreshing from Remy.

For instance, on our daily walks, Remy has taught me to savor the moment. I breathe in the cool Spring air and I can’t wait for what Spring brings us. New beginnings, a fresh start. I also take time to notice God’s creation all around me, whether it be the clouds in the sky or the dew on the grass.

Even when I get lost in thoughts, memories of yesterday and plans for today and tomorrow, there is that pull on the leash and I am back in the present, savoring the moment …. because Remy is constantly and totally in the present on his walk. Remy teaches me to forget about those memories for a moment and the things that might happen tomorrow, and sometimes it seems he is challenging me to look around and cherish the here and now. And to think I could have missed these exquisite moments in my life.

Remy gets it…. that LIFE is supposed to be fully enjoyed and that we should be living in it NOW.

Enjoy the pictures.

Remy patiently waiting to be let in

Kevin's Favorite

UPDATES

2009-03-31T12:33:00.000-07:00

Although my passion is to write inspirational and encouraging posts (hopefully you all feel the same way), from time to time, I do like to update you on what is going on in our personal life as well! :)

KEVIN & ELIZABETH

We have been extremely busy. I know, what is new. We decided it was about time to start the interior painting at the Coutu Residence. We started with our kitchen. Let me tell you it takes forever to tape and prepare than it takes to do the actual painting. The kitchen looks really nice. A HUGE difference then what it used to look like. When we had the house built, to keep our costs down, we had the builder paint the interior just one color. I believe the costs to paint each room a different color was approx. $500. Our house isn’t little, so it would have cost us more than we wanted to pay to have the builder do it for us. But now looking at our massive walls and all of our windows and all the prep work that we need to do to paint the rest of our house, we are thinking about hiring the work out. We are beyond exhausted and tired. The last thing I want to do when I get home from work is to paint or do clean up! We have other things to attend to! :) But life is good. Like I mentioned in the last post, we still both have our jobs and we are blessed beyond belief.

My spiritual, emotional and physical journey is going well. I am currently on Day 30 and going strong. Spiritually, I have learned tons. Reading the Bible in 90 days is definitely a challenge, but well worth it. The Old Testament has always been a struggle for me but this time around, I am “digging” it. As far as my emotional journey is going, WOW. I have learned A LOT about myself. Such as how I internalize a lot of things. I don’t like confrontation or conflicts so I usually don’t say anything. I have learned that I complain about very few things in my life but the few things I do complain about I REALLY need to work on! :) The physical part of my journey has been good, not great, but good. I am finally on fire with it although in all honesty, it has taken me awhile to get it together. No worries though, I know how to kick it up a notch or two and that is precisely what we have done. We started the P90X program and I must say if you want a challenge, buy the program! HOLY SCHNIKES, it will kick your fanny! :)

SCOTT

He is doing exceptionally well. He, of course, is ALWAYS busy. Ha, must have learned a thing or two from us. He is still in school, his last semester of school (YIPPEE) and working at Costco. His social life is insane. The young man refuses to be still for more than 15 minutes at a time. :) He definitely has grown up the last few years. Matured in more ways than I could ever describe but I must say I am very proud of him.

He recently had to make a decision about his vehicle. It is 7 years old and has well over 125,000 miles on it. To get it fixed it was going to cost him about $2500. He was on the fence about getting a new vehicle, but decided that he was going to see if he could put away a car payment each month for at least six month and if he could do that then he would be able to afford a car payment. So in six to seven months, he will be able to start looking for that new vehicle. Smart dude. :)

His choice of workouts is running! He loves it. I think it is a great stress reliever for him. Trust me he doesn’t need to lose weight, but running is good for his heart and I know he gets a lot out of running. I know he definitely can out run his lil’ ol’ Mom!

REMY

Aaah, what a little cuddle bunny he is. He is so adorable. He is now 5 months old and just a pure joy to be around. He is constantly trying to impress us and when we need a few minutes to do something by ourselves, he is more than willing to play with his toys. This Friday, we are taking him in to get micro-chipped, groomed and give him the last of his puppy shots. Does this make him officially a “dog?” I don’t think so. :) We are delighted and thrilled to have him in our family!

A NEW WAY OF THINKING

2009-03-31T11:57:00.000-07:00

While the past remains part of our lives, it doesn’t have to determine our future. With God’s wisdom and the forgiveness He offers (Ps. 130:3-4; Acts 13:38-39), we can focus on the future with hope.

So how are you doing? Really? All three of us have, thus far, held on to our jobs. We know what a blessing it is and are grateful. Blessings in our household do not go without prayers of thanksgiving.

I know in this day and age and with the economy failing us, our future can look dim. We all have periods in our lives where we face the uncertainty of our future and this puts our emotions (anger, fear and even insecurity) in high gear. Once our emotions are set in place and we allow them to take over, we find ourselves in a power struggle. This power struggle is inside us, forcing us to try and control the issues of our lives. It is how most of us survive, a survival instinct if you will. We simply have to know what is going to happen so we can be prepared. But as most of us know, life does not always work that way, now does it?

We cannot worry about what tomorrow will bring. We just can’t. We have to have hope and faith in God. As humans, we repeat what we already know. Why? Because we think it is the only way to handle situations. To change this takes conscious effort. It is easy for us to fall into the habit of the way things were, but this will lead us down the road of living in the past. We can't change what happened yesterday. We can only learn from it and apply it today and lean on God’s understanding, not our own.

The one thing you have control over is yourself. Your emotions and the way you react to those emotions is entirely in your hands. Your life will unfold according to your reaction to it. Remain focused on the emotions of today. What are they telling you? Why are they present? What happened in the past that makes you react the way you do? Does it help your situation? Chances are, the answer is no. So let it go! When you let go, you will feel better than you have in years. It took me a long time to recognize this and to embrace it but once I did, I never felt better.

The heart of your attitude brings you everything or nothing. The choice is yours. A new attitude today, means a new way of life tomorrow. Try it! ;)

ONE OF MY GOALS.... :)

2009-03-20T09:08:00.001-07:00

This is what I hope to do in 90 days, once my hardcore training is complete. I am well on my way! Trust me when I say I can barely lift my arms up to answer my phone or to even eat my yummy oatmeal in the morning.

All I have to say is ROCK ON! :)

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE

2009-03-17T13:37:00.000-07:00

Lately I have been wondering how many of us really stop and listen to what other people are saying to us. Do we even stop and take the time to hear their voice? Their pleas? Their needs? I believe we should encourage each other daily. If that means picking up the phone, or sending an email to someone just to say hi, well by golly, then that is what we need to do. We need to ask God daily, who can we encourage or reach out to today? I think it is really important during these economic times when people are feeling lower than ever before.

Now I know some of you might think “hey E, I listen to people talk and sometimes all they want to do is whine.” Trust me, I understand your annoyance with people like that and it is annoying as you know what; however, I am not talking about the office whiner or your friend who constantly makes bad decisions (knowingly) or puts themselves in predicaments that eventually make them have to face the music (and of course, then they whine about that and what people to feel sorry for them).

I am talking about your family and friends who are desperately reaching out to you. Sometimes people (including our family and friends) don’t know how to ask for help and the only way they know how to convey their problems is well …… to communicate with you. And what if you totally ignore them and blow them off? Sometimes all we need to do is STOP and LISTEN. We don’t need to give advice but perhaps fully giving them our attention would help them in more ways than we could possibly imagine.

I don’t know about you folks, but I want to make a difference. I want to go out into the world and make a contribution. But more than that I want to teach others to do the same thing. But in order to do that I need to encourage them, support them and help them to succeed without judgment.

Maybe you will get a word of thanks, perhaps you won’t. It really makes no difference because in the end, you will know in your heart that you have done the best you can and that your own personal light is shining in this big ol’ world. Something that I know you and I will most definitely see eye to eye on.

THINGS YOU MIGHT KNOW.....OR NOT! :)

2009-03-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

1. Can you cook? Yes but Kevin prefers that I don’t. :)

2. What was your dream growing up? To be a “Career” Woman.

3. What talent do you wish you had? To be able to pick out wall color! ;)

4. Favorite place? Anywhere that Kevin is.

5. Favorite vegetable? Spinach

6. What was the last book you read? A Dog Named Christmas

7. What zodiac sign are you ? Libra

8. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Yes, two. Belly button and ears.

9. Worst Habit? Who Me? I have a “worst” habit???? ME? ;)

10. What is your favorite snack? It used to be peanut butter pretzels but now plain ol’ air popped popcorn. I can’t stand the microwave stuff.

11. What is your favorite sport? Football to watch, Softball to play

12. Negative or Optimistic attitude? Definitely optimistic

13. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? Go nuts…EAH GADS!

14. Worst thing to ever happen to you? Someone I loved very much died. ;(

15. Tell me one weird fact about you: Weird??? Hmmm, can’t think of anything.

16. Do you have any pets? Yes our precious puppy Remy

17. Do you know how to do the Macarena? Of course. Will I, is another story.

18. What time is it where you are now? 4:00

19. Do you think clowns are cute or scary? Scary.

20. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? My butt

21. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? conscience

22. What color eyes do you have? Brown

23. Ever been arrested? No

24. Favorite fictional character of all time? Too many to count.

25. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it? Put it towards my mortgage

26. If you could have one superpower, what would it be? To know other people's intentions (heart)

27. What’s your favorite hangout? Home with Kevin

28. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes

29. Favorite thing to do in your spare time? Spend time with the family (besides that photography and anything fitness)

30. Do you swear a lot? No, never

31. Biggest pet peeve? Fake people (and close second, people who text while driving)

32. In one word, how would you describe yourself? Genuine

ARE YOU.........SEARCHING?

2009-03-13T11:25:00.000-07:00

Do you love your life? Or do you sometimes feel dissatisfied, certain that you would be a lot happier if you had a bigger home, better relationships, more money, more leisure time, more friends…

A lot of us keep striving for happiness, convincing ourselves that more money, going shopping, a pay raise or a vacation, will somehow bring us closer to that happiness that we crave. Many of us equate happiness with success and success with money. Trust me, a lot of rich people are not happy. They are still searching for that “something” that will fill that void.

On the other hand, you will often find people who seem to be happy, cheerful and positive against all the odds, all the time. Perhaps they know exactly what “adversity” means or perhaps they have little to no money to spare for non-essentials… but they are always smiling, and they are uplifting to be around. They are living their life to its fullest. (as we all should).

So how can YOU start loving the life you have, rather than making yourself miserable striving for one that you don’t?

I think for starters you have to stop living in the “grass is always greener on the other side” mentality. Many of us have a tendency to think that other people have it better or that our current circumstances are not as good as they were in the past. Just because your neighbors or friends LOOK like they are well-rounded, does not mean they are.

If YOU want to be happy, you have to start with yourself. Ask God for guidance in your life. Trust me, if you are humble in asking Him, He will open up a whole new life that you never knew existed. You just have to believe! :)

I know this to be true, I asked Him to guide me five years ago and my life has never been the same!

HUSTLE & BUSTLE OF LIFE & TIME CHANGE

2009-03-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

In the few free minutes I have to articulate my thoughts in writing, I stop to comment on the insane business of LIFE. I am not anywhere near the busiest person I know, at least in terms of hours of time spent "free" from the demands of work, family, finances, social causes, etc. Just this weekend, our friends were telling us about all the running around they do with their small children (baseball games, karate, etc.) which made me say the fastest prayer of thanks ever that we do NOT have any small children at home. Where would we find time to take care of them? (KIDDING). I can remember being a child and not having a whole lot of worries (although I do remember thinking I was ALWAYS a grown up) (picture attached). :)

And with that being said, I do find myself in times like these lamenting the absolute speed at which life seems to rush past me, and wishing that I could somehow step outside the clock and just live. You know, get around to doing things that most people consider frivolous indulgences like getting massages, reading fitness magazines and just plain ol’ doing nothing.

Who invented the time change, anyway? These past two days have been exhausting for me (and no I am not complaining just merely stating a fact). The time change has also been hard on Remy. He hasn’t been his usual bouncy self in the morning. He just looks at us like WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU GUYS DOING UP SO EARLY? :) (attaching a picture of Remy's 1st snow)

Well my few minutes are now up and I must return to the ceaseless bustle of my task-list existence. Perhaps when I finally find the person who invented this crazy time change schedule, I will be able to pause for reflection. That is, if I can squeeze him/her into my schedule. Woot, woot! :)

Spiritual, Emotional and Physical Challenge (90 days)

2009-02-27T13:39:00.000-08:00

Here are the simple rules (Thanks Lou):

1. NO complaining. Absolutely none. Not about the weather, the food, your health, the government. Nothing.

2. NO fantasies. No wishing to be somewhere else, be someone else, married to someone else, having a different body.

3. NO comparisons. Don't compare yourself or your situation to some one else's. Ever.

4. NO "if only" thoughts. Don't let those thoughts fill your mind. They are destructive and wasteful.

5. NO "what if" thoughts. We can't control the future. God has control over that don't get in his way.

AND (thanks Shari)

Start a journal and write down two things you are grateful for every night. Each night thereafter, read the two things you are grateful for and add two more things. But don't be repetitious. Be creative. Hopefully this will keep you in a "positive" state of mind.

I am going to start this "emotional" challenge as well as a spiritual challenge (reading the Bible in 90 days, thanks Marsha) and a new physical challenge on Monday, March 2.

All three challenges will run for 90 days.

Let me know your thoughts and if you wish to join any part of the three challenges. :)

I AM SO READY FOR THIS, question is: ARE YOU??? :)

OH YEAH, IT IS THAT TIME AGAIN

2009-02-24T10:29:00.000-08:00

Why do some people have the knack to remain calm and relaxed even in the most stressful situations? I believe that I am calm in most situations but there are a few people who push my buttons or there are situations that “crop” up that are out of my control that stress me out. Our life is full of hassles, deadlines, frustrations, and demands. But what I refuse to let happen is to let stress become such commonplace in my life that it becomes a way of life. Stress isn’t always bad. In small doses, it can help you perform under pressure and motivate you to do your best. But when you are constantly running in emergency mode, your mind and body pay the price.

If you habitually find yourself feeling weary and inundated, it is time to change your way of life and do something about it. I am a firm believer in balance. When all the things in life are in balance, you feel the best. Plus you need balance in order to protect yourself from the harmful effects of stress. First thing you need to do is take charge of your thoughts (ask for God’s guidance), your emotions, your schedule (in my case, I need to learn to say no), your environment, and the way you deal with problems (don’t let “those” people get under your skin).

Stress management involves changing the stressful situation when you can, changing your reaction when you can’t, taking care of yourself, and making time to rest and relax with those you love.

Here are a few of the things that I do when I am in the “stress” zone:

1. I ask the Lord for help. We have to realize we can’t do this on our own.

2. I ask the Lord for guidance.

3. I read and study the Word of God (Bible), this is how the Lord speaks to us and reveals things to us.

4. I don't beat myself up. We all are human so realize that. We all make mistakes. This is not an excuse to sin but if you do sin ask God to forgive you and to help you to not repeat your mistakes.

5. I forgive myself. This is probably the most difficult thing for us as Christians to do. I know it is for me. God forgives and throws your sin into the sea to never be remembered again. Unfortunately we do not forget our failures so, learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself. God is not going to hold something against you when you have asked for forgiveness.

6. I forgive others (yes sometimes over and over again). If someone has hurt you, you have to forgive them. Again, I know it is hard but it is something God has commanded us to do, just like he has forgiven us.

7. If you have the funds, time or inclination, give back and don’t expect something in return. Also, pray for those who are need your prayers.. earnestly and without ceasing. God will bless you in His own time.

I will be praying for you...

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT

2009-02-12T14:30:00.000-08:00

Recognizing What Battles to Fight by Joel Osteen

Not every battle is worth fighting. Many of the challenges that come our way are simply distractions trying to lure us from our destiny. When we have opportunities to get upset, maybe somebody is talking about us, or a competitor at work is spreading rumors, or our parents say something that they shouldn't have, we ought to stop and ask ourselves, "If I engage in this battle and spend my time and energy trying to straighten somebody out, defending myself, arguing with a family member, trying to prove that I'm right, even if I win this battle what is the prize going to be? What is this fight going to accomplish?"

You see, there are a lot of battles that come across our lives each day, but they simply aren't worth the fight. The end result is strife and disharmony.

Proverbs 20:3 says, "Avoiding a fight is mark of honor." If you want to honor God and enjoy your life, decide to be a peacemaker. Be the kind of person that will avoid an unnecessary fight.

If you'll be disciplined to fight the battles that do matter, and take the focus off of those that are less important, not only will your relationships be better and your home full of peace, but God will bless you because where there is peace and unity, God commands a blessing.

________________________

My thoughts:

I absolutely love this post and God knows exactly what messages to bring to us exactly when we need it. Life is too short to deal with people's bad attitudes and snarkiness. I will do what I do best.... I will pray for them and ask God to help me deal with them and ask that HE help ME be a better person.

Cough, Cough

2009-02-04T08:26:00.000-08:00

I am not a huge fan of taking medication, especially when I am this close to the homestretch but I am seriously thinking about caving in. This hacking is getting old real fast. I am trying to heal the old natural way and rough it like tough people do, because you all know I am cool like that. I can think of a million other things I could be doing with my time to get ready for the coming months instead of trying to see just how close I can keep my face to the humidifier without burning my face off! :)

Hopefully within the next few days I will be feeling better and hitting my workouts stronger than ever.... It is hard to suck in air on the treadmill when you can't breathe through your nose. :) Just sayin.

Okay, enough about me..... :) Remy is doing EXCELLENT. He is so eager to please and WANTS to learn new things all the time. In just a week and a half, he has learned to fetch, walk on his leash, NOT potty in the house, shake with his left paw, stay, go to his mat, sit and come to us when we call his name. :) What a smart boy he is! :) God definitely has blessed us again with a wonderful pup! We take him to the vet tomorrow for a check-up. I have some anxieties about it but am just laying it at the Cross because really God doesn't want me worrying about things like that. He will take care of us.

Here are a few updated pictures of Remy! Enjoy.

LOVE UNFLINCHING

2009-01-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

AAAH that is what Remy is to us!!! Love unflinching. He is an incredible little puppy! What is the old saying? Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies. That is sooo incredibly true.

He is already responding to his name, which just shows how willing he is to learn. He is one AMAZING little puppy! What a snuggle bunny he is too!

The trip home was great. He wanted to cuddle on my lap for awhile so who am I to say no! :) But then he started "stinkin" up the vehicle so we had to make a pit stop so he could relieve himself, which was an event in itself! ;) He was so excited that he did his business, that he preceded to step in it! Aaah the joys of puppies! :) We cleaned him up and back on the road we went..... We had him stay in the back so we could eat our lunch. He fell asleep and then when we were about about an hour from home, we let him come back up and snuggle again. :)

When we got home, we took him for a walk around our neighborhood which he thoroughly enjoyed. He was introduced to a few of the dogs in the neighborhood who were extremely excited to meet Remy! :) Once our tour of the neighborhood was completed, we headed back home and gave him the grand tour of his domain. He adjusted very well.

We are learning Puppy Lessons 101 very rapidly.... Like for instance, not leaving his water dish out overnight. We did that the first night and he peed on his new bed... but all was forgiven since it was OUR fault..... last night, we put his dish away and he didn't have any accidents. He is super sweet and smart and goes to the door when he needs to go outside (just like his Foster Mommy Heather said he would).

This morning he was excited to start his day with us although I can't say he wasn't thrilled about the treadmill but he wasn't afraid of it either! :) Just being Curious George.... :) He liked sitting on the futon, like King Remy, while we did our workout.... :)

When we left for work, we put him in his kennel and he was fine for a few minutes until he realized we were leaving and then for the first time since we brought him home, started barking.... :( Of course, it broke our hearts BUT we knew he was used to being kenneled as well. My son said he wasn't barking when he got up. So Scott (my son) let him out for awhile but when he had to leave for school, put him back in the kennel, and the barking routine started again! :)

We are hopelessly and completely in love! What a doll!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

2009-01-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

It is official. We are taking a road trip and picking up Remy tomorrow. We will spend our entire Saturday on the road but it will be well worth it!

Time sure has flown by very fast!! We received a sweet little e-mail from Remy with some pictures attached and I thought I would share them with you:

We are overjoyed and extremely excited to add Remy to our family. Here's to a lot of cuddles and a whole lot of love!

Signs, Signs, Everywhere Signs

2009-01-20T12:43:00.000-08:00

I am very emotional today. We got word yesterday that we will finally be able to pick up Remy. We are ecstatic. Truly we are. It makes me giddy thinking about it.

When Stoli died, the first thing I needed was assurance that he was alright. In order to get reassurance, I looked for signs. EVERYWHERE. And as the days passed I got them.

We REALLY want Remy but I am sad to be closing the chapter on Stoli. I know Stoli would want us to be happy but I feel as though I am shutting him off now. Am I making any sense?

Let me explain. When Stoli died, the next day I bought a leather bracelet memorializing his life, and since that day I have never taken it off. The proceeds from the sale of the bracelets went to local animal shelters. During the night, something very strange happened. The bracelet BROKE….. When I was making my bed, it was laying right next to my bed. Let me tell you, this bracelet is impossible to JUST break. It would have to be unwound and untied about six or seven different times. I know I wasn't tossing and turning that much for it to happen! :( As I stood there and looked at it, Kevin told me it was a sign from Stoli that it was time to move on and that he was happy for us! I believe that statement with all my heart. Do you believe in SIGNS? Because I sure do.

Hence my emotional state......

Tomorrow, I will be happy and giddy again, but for today, I will mourn and grieve for our boy Stoli. Just one last time. Thanks for the beautiful memories Stoli boy, you will never be forgotten, signs or no signs! :)

LETTING GO IN 2009

2009-01-14T09:49:00.000-08:00

(This was an e-mail that was sent to me today and I LOVE it sooooo, here you go)! :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let It Go
By
T.D. Jakes

There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you, let them walk. I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left.The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person. It just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth..... Let them go!!!You've got to know when it's over.

Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift. I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to...... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains.......LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you….LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge.....LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents…. LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude.....LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better.....LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him...... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship...... LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves......LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed .........LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to.....LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2009!!! LET IT GO!!!

Get Right or Get Left. Think about it, and then…. LET IT GO!!!"

The Battle is the Lord's!

Take a moment to think and appreciate God's power in your life, for doing what you know is pleasing to Him. "Yes, I love my God. He is my fountain of Life and My Savior. He keeps me going day and night. Without Him, I am no one. But with Him, I can do everything. Christ is my strength. God loves you and watches over you everyday. Be blessed.

CONFESSIONS OF THE SOUL

2009-01-12T11:28:00.000-08:00

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else -
Benjamin Franklin

Okay here is the deal! Most of us are not completely honest with ourselves in some area of our lives (no matter what you say). We let ourselves off the hook too quickly when we come up against the hard work of pushing forward toward the things we want most in our lives. In my case, it is always about fitness, about my body.

Every morning it is the same. I wage a war, in my head. I start with “I am exhausted.” “I didn’t get enough sleep last night to lift the proper weights and I might hurt myself which could cause an injury and put me out of the fitness world for awhile.” “You don’t need to lose weight.” Blah, blah, blah!!!!! (I think you get my point here!) :)

This is TOUGH for me because since I started my fitness journey I have NEVER made excuses and last year I was NOT motivated. It really didn’t matter what I had scheduled or what vacations were coming up. To me, nothing really mattered. Yes, I went through some adversities (surgery, Stoli’s death) but bottom line is I should have never used them as an excuse. I worked out but my heart was never quite in it and about 80% of my workouts were done after work, the time that I should have been spending with my hubby! None of them were good enough reasons, none of them were road blocks, they were just excuses from someone who was not fully committed to making her dreams reality. :(

As this New Year starts, I vow (for the whole world to read) to stop making excuses. To stop waging wars in my head. And to begin re-committing myself to a healthier ME! I will just do it…. After all, isn't the hardest part usually just getting started? Surely I can do that! :)

From this day forward I will remind myself that the only one who loses when I don’t workout or eat clean is me. I can either chose to be the best that I can be or suffer the consequences later. I chose to workout in the mornings so I can feel great all day long. After all, I hate the feeling of guilt... I will do anything to not feel guilty about something. :) That in itself is a true motivator! :)

From this day forward, no more excuses, I will not look back. Great people in history never made excuses and neither will I. All I see is a beautiful horizon and a bright tomorrow!

TAKE HOME REMY

2009-01-05T11:54:00.000-08:00

We have decided to get a puppy. Falling in love with Remy was entirely to easy. That little brown eye boy waddling around made us laugh and I am sure his puppy kisses are going to capture our hearts even more once he gets to come home with us permanently. He will be all ours at the end of January.

I will be quite frank. We have a lot to learn about puppies. It has been awhile since we have had one in our home. Stoli was almost 7 years old when he passed away so we have long ago forgot about the days of training AND to top everything off, Stoli was a gem. He WAS easy to train. Never pooped or peed in the house, never chewed on our shoes, never did anything that made us too angry. In fact, Stoli was such a clean dog, he really should have been a kitty! :)

We are going to try very hard NOT to compare Remy with Stoli. It just wouldn’t be fair to little ol’ Remy who has his whole life ahead of him. :)

Stoli’s life was incredible. But the last month of his life was not! Lymphoma is a cruel and nasty disease and nothing or no one should suffer the way that he did. When we knew in our hearts it was time to say goodbye to our dearest Stoli, it was human nature to try and change it, grieve it, and even deny it. I selfishly wanted Stoli with me forever and even today I miss him terribly. No one wants to say goodbye. No one wants to let go of a best friend, a confidant, a selfless companion. BUT letting go and grieving is and was part of the emotional process. It is part of the cycle and we all go through it, in one form or another. Releasing what is best for us, and embracing what is best for them, is always a choice. Knowing the answer to what that choice is, is found in the heart. When the time came for us to say goodbye to Stoli, we could have prolonged it, but that would have been just for us and not the right choice.

Each animal in our life brings lessons, challenges, and the purity of their love and spirit. What a gift we give to each other and to ourselves when we bring an animal into our life and sometimes even have to make the difficult choice to end it! :(

Now, we get to welcome a new champ into our life, Remy, and we hope to give him as much love as we did Stoli, just in a different way!

We will keep you posted on when we get to pick him up and actually bring him home! :)

A LOT TO LEARN

2008-12-28T14:56:00.000-08:00

My Sweet Mother-in-Law sent me this e-mail today and it really says a lot and speaks to my heart so I thought I would share it with you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I have learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I have learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I have learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you will miss them when they are gone from your life.

I have learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life.'

I have learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I have learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back

I have learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you

I have learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I have learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I have learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back or even a bright beautiful smile.

I have learned that you don't have to react to bad situations... take the high road... you will win everytime.

I have learned that some people don't know how to say I am sorry, BUT I forgive them all the same.

I have learned that I still have a lot to learn.

KNOW WHO YOU ARE, KNOW WHAT YOU ARE NOT

2008-12-28T14:37:00.000-08:00

I know the title of this particular post seems a bit strange but as you read it, I hope you understand what I am trying to convey.

Family traditions can be great, but they can cause some people to behave as if they have traveled back in time. Old roles get replayed, old expectations resurface, and that is not always a good thing. It was stressful enough dealing with my parents when I was sixteen. Now it is really tough even at the age of 42. Especially when you request your guests to merely take off their shoes and that small request makes the other person become hateful. It literally put him in a nasty mood all day and ruined our entire Christmas. Asking someone to take off their shoes in YOUR home is not offensive. It is simply asking someone to respect your home. We weren't singling that one person out. It is a general rule in our house regardless of what time of year it is. The last thing we expected was for someone to tell us to “shove your floors up your ass.”

As my son said “Merry Christmas to all.” Wow!!!! I guess for some of us, ‘tis the season to go emotionally haywire!

I KNOW who I am and I KNOW that I would have never been upset if someone asked me to take my shoes off (especially since it had snowed the day before and it was starting to melt). Because to me family is much more than that. Family means respecting each other, not just showing your unconditional love to them. Family means spending time with them without trying to see who can leave the fastest on such an important day! Family is spending time with each other without being hateful and grumpy! Family is LOVE and communication and without those two, well family isn’t much.

We are over our disappointment in how our Christmas Day turned out and I will leave you with this thought…. During this time of holiday magic, I wish for you snow lightly falling, friends and family abounding and an angel on your shoulder wherever you may go.

BE STILL

2008-12-23T12:39:00.000-08:00

During the holiday rush and Christmas shopping, many folks need a little time to relax and unwind. Each morning I take the time out of my busy day for devotion. Lately, my devotions have been about slowing down, not taking on to many commitments and relaxing. You think God is trying to convey a message to me? I DO! :)

I will be taking some well needed time off during the last few weeks of this year and I must say that during this time I will reflect upon this past year’s events and think about what goals I would like to accomplish in 2009. I also will share with my family the good things that happened during the year and will try and inspire them to share their thoughts as well. Really, if we look hard, our thoughts do not have to be about major events that happened but can emphasize on actions that demonstrate the blessings of the season. Things like the reason why we celebrate Christmas in the first place, words of love, gratitude, etc.

So stop what you are doing, BE STILL….. RELAX and enjoy the season. Enjoy your friends and family. Enjoy the end of the year. We have worked really hard and have earned this time of rest. In fact, we deserve it. It is time to relax and recharge because in just a few short days, we will begin a new year and it will start all over again.

All that we have left to do is wrap the rest of our gifts, prepare yummy food and open our home to host the Nichols Christmas Dinner, bake, bake and bake some more and then relax, be still and wait…. Wait for the magic that is Christmas.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU!

IT IS TIME TO CHANGE

2008-12-17T13:57:00.000-08:00

As you all know (and stated here on my blog) I love Facebook. Everyday I go on there and fill in my “status.” Sometimes it is personal and sometimes it is a statement that has significant meaning behind it and sometimes I try to think of something “quirky” to say. Today’s status states: “Elizabeth is thinking that people should quit complaining and start changing.” Hmmmm, what do I mean…. Well, let me explain…..we all know that sometimes things do not always go the way we want or expect them to go. Plan and practice as we might, sometimes things just fall apart at the seams.

When circumstances take twists and turns we don’t expect, we often feel disheartened. We then feel like we have the right to complain about our circumstances. But complaining produces a negative mindset. It forces us to unintentionally dwell on what is wrong in our lives instead of focusing on what we can change or do to make things right again.

Have you ever met a person who ALWAYS has some drama going on in their life? I don’t mean misfortune that is beyond their control. I am talking about someone who constantly brings things on themselves and then complains about it. I know a few people who can’t seem to go a day without drama happening. Personally, it would drive me up the wall to have some sort of drama going on day in and day out… but that’s just me… I live for peace and quiet… :)

I honestly believe that some people create unhappy lives for themselves because they just don’t know how to be any different; while others enjoy playing the role of victim. These type of people are ALL ABOUT THEMSELVES….. :( Do you really want things in your life to be better in some way or do you want to keep being the star in your own personal drama just for the attention? You simply cannot keep being the main character in your own misfortune if you want to have a happy and fulfilling life.

It is a simple fact of life that every one of us is going to endure suffering in some form, could be physical, emotional, or mental, but it is going to happen, if it hasn’t already. Sometimes we are quick to judge and curse God for allowing it, instead of accepting it for what it is. A stepping stone. God could stop all suffering, but He doesn’t because He told us to deny ourselves, pick up our crosses and follow Him. Life hurts sometimes but it doesn’t mean we are to give up all hope and wallow in our sorrow. We need to pray about our circumstances, embrace it, look for God’s guidance and then move on, knowing that God will help us in our times of need. I don't know about you but He has never foresaken me yet and I truly put my trust in Him.

So I guess to sum up my status, I think that if you are unhappy and don’t know what to do, you should first stop complaining and think of a way to start changing. After all, you are the only person you can control. :) Start by doing something and then observe what happens. Is the “change” happening for you? If so, you have solved your problem and changed for the better. BUT if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again and do something else. However, if you want to keep the same old problems and dreary life, then just keep complaining about it and it is sure to stay pretty much the way it is. Either way, what you think about will tend to fill your life.

With God’s help and your family and friends’ assistance, you can change for the better and have a fulfilled and meaningful life…. It is up to you! :)

It's A Beautiful Life

2008-12-12T14:56:00.000-08:00

December is here and things are in FULL swing here at our house. Organization, tackling to-do-lists, attending holiday parties, visiting friends, cleaning, and preparing for Christmas are in full force. I absolutely love it. I feel so together, so on top of things, so fruitful, and productive.

Christmas cards are signed and mailed. Our decorations are up all over the house. There is just something about turning on the Christmas lights when you get home and sitting back and relaxing. It brings me comfort….. I love love love it! And when I have time to sit back and relax, my thoughts drift to things that I am most thankful for.

It has a been a very full year for our family. Full of highs and lows, changes and lessons. A lot of those lessons have been learned and life-changing for me personally. I know I have said this before in different self-reflexive posts, but I am at such a different place, and feel like such a different person than I was just a few short years ago. And for these two facts alone, I am so happy and free and very very thankful! The difficult lessons we learned this year did not outweigh the blessings that we received.

I am thankful for the life that I live. Especially my family. All my life I have dreamt of this family which I soak up on a daily basis. I always pictured it in my mind and prayed that one day my heart would be content and full of life. I wondered what it would be like to have a life like the one I am experiencing. I am living proof that God hears our prayers and knows the desires of our hearts. My son is thriving and doing great after the loss of his father. It took him awhile but he is finally at a place in his life where he is truly at peace. (Thank you Jesus).

I married a man who knows me better than I know myself, provides all things for me and loves me unconditionally. He never complains and he does things that he knows I love without me telling him to do them. He just does what he needs to do and then some. Always supportive, positive and loving. Trust me, there are times my heart is so full, words are hard to find to describe how I feel.

Both of us are employed and we love our jobs. That isn’t something you see every day and we are thankful God gave us the opportunity and opened doors for us that we thought were closed a long time ago. We live a very content life with what we have and with the system we have going on it works for us and we are happy. Amidst the failing economy, God provides for us and gives us the wisdom to save and budget. It is a good feeling knowing we are in agreement in our marriage on the issues of money, and that it is important to both of us.

So tell me, during this holiday season, what are you truly thankful for? I hope and pray that for all of you, it is abundant.

Hustle & Bustle

2008-12-09T12:03:00.000-08:00

The holidays are an exciting time of year and we can get pretty wrapped up in all the things we have to get done before the festivities begin. During the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and discount deals, it is easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to put our safety first. We all need a gentle reminder that we need to be aware of our safety while we are out shopping. This can be a very cruel world. Be alert and aware of your surroundings AT ALL TIMES. Everyone deserves to be safe this season.

I am telling you this because last night one of my friends was robbed at Oak Park Mall. This is not a Mall in the bad part of town, this is in a highly respectable uptown neighborhood. She was out for a night of shopping and was heading up the stairs in the parking garage when from behind she was shoved to the ground. The young man who shoved her down, then tried to yank her purse from her grip (unsuccessfully I might add). Before really giving it much thought and I am sure going off of adrenaline, she swung her legs around knocking the guy off balance making him crash to the ground. She then yelled and ran up the stairs to security. The police were called but the attempted robber got away. The only thing he got away with was a few bumps and bruises all courtesy of my friend who was defending herself.

I know we are all busy and have a lot on our minds this time of year but please be ALERT. I know how easily it can be to get caught up in the moment during this holiday season. It only takes a split second for something horrific to happen.

One day last Fall, I decided to run errands over my lunch break. Yes, I was in a hurry and had to make one final stop before going back to the office. Normally, I am very aware of my surroundings and always look around. This time I did NOT! UGH! What a stupid thing to do. As I was getting into my vehicle and as I was about to shut my door, there was a lady between me and my car door! OMGoodness, was I ever scared. For JUST one stinkin moment, I was utterly paralyzed. I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, nothing. But then all of a sudden, everything I had been taught about self defense started running through my mind. I positioned my keys between my fingers, I started glancing around to see if there were other people around. Unfortunately, right next to my vehicle was a guy sitting in it. I though instantly it was her accomplice. :( In that moment, I truly thought I was a goner. But then the lady started to ask me for money (over and over again) and I told her I just spent the last few dollars I had in the store. She said well I need some cash. I told her I didn’t have any and to please move. This conversation took all but two minutes but it seemed like an eternity to me. I think she realized that she was scaring the you know what out of me because she started saying “OH MY GOD, you don’t think I’m trying to rob you do you? It isn’t for me. The money is for my friend over there.” Yeah whatever. Get out of my way so I can shut my door. She finally moved out of the way, at which point I slammed the door, locked it and called the police. She was out in the parking lot trying to solicit money from other folks when the police arrived… How scary! When I walked out of the store, I had no idea what she was doing because I didn’t look around. I could have prevented the whole scene IF I had been aware of my surroundings. I am sure I wasn’t the first person she approached. I would have known that if I had been looking around. :(

After it was all over and I was back at the office, I was REALLY angry at myself for letting it ever happen in the first place. I truly pride myself on being alert and recognizing threats and responding accordingly. You can ask my best friend in Phoenix, I am the biggest chicken S&@T in the world if it means I’ll be safe! ;)

I know no matter how alert and sensible we all try to be, this kind of thing can happen to any of us. But I believe reminding all of you can and will make it a little less likely. So I am asking that no matter how important you think that last minute gift is, your safety and your life is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more important and much more valuable. Please be aware.

LOVE YOU ALL! :)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas :)

2008-12-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I took the time to put up all of our Christmas decorations....what I didn't know was that it was going to take me 10 FULL hours.... I had no idea (or I had forgotten) that I have five trees to put up.... and before you go FIVE trees? One tree is 7ft tall and the other 4 are under 2ft so it REALLY isn't that bad until you start putting up the ornaments!!! OMGoodness, I am in dire need of a massage. Seriously! :) I guess I should have skipped my workout before starting. :)

At any rate, I am glad that the decorations are up and that the house looks festive. My son Scott really loves this time of year and commented on how nice the house looks. It took me so long because I was determined to go through each and every ornament and "declutter." I have stuff that is 20 years old which I never use anymore... no reason to keep it. Don't worry folks it wasn't any of the ornaments that Scott made for me through his childhood....those are precious memories I would never part with. Sometimes it is hard to create your own filter for what makes a worthy, keepable ornament. Trust me, if you haven't used it for over 7-10 years, get rid of it.... :)

After I finally got all of the decorations up, it was clean up time, which seemed to take more time than all that came before. However, when we were done, our house was festive, our hearts were full, and our hopes were elevated to a season that celebrates a Savior.

Now, we all can sit back, relax and wait for the festivities to begin.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

(Kevin's mom took the Christmas photos above of Kevin and Elizabeth!)

PHOTO OP

2008-12-03T07:09:00.000-08:00

For your viewing pleasure:

SUNBEAM VACATIONS

2008-12-01T13:48:00.000-08:00

Family vacations are FAMILY vacations! Ultimately family vacations are about being together as a family, deepening our relationships with each other, conversing, laughing and encouraging each other. It is about telling the same stories (even if they are a bit embellished) and laughing even harder than the last time.

Have you ever thought MAN I wish I could go to the Bahamas or Hawaii so I can have a good time? Why do you have to go so far away to have a good time. We spent our time off in Ridgedale, Missouri (right outside of Branson) and had a marvelous time. We thoroughly enjoyed our 10 days off. We spent time hiking, shopping, eating and relaxing. This vacation was about spending quality time with Kevin’s folks and that is exactly what we did. AND the weather was beautiful, temps in the low 70s. ;)

In my humble opinion, the difference between forgettable vacations and unforgettable vacations is not the location or attractions. Not at all. The difference is the company you keep and the memories being made. We made a lot of memories last week and I would never trade those memories for the world. I will be posting photos on my Facebook account soon.

Memories last a lifetime and in this season of Thanksgiving, I am forever grateful and thankful that we were able to spend this past vacation with Kevin and his folks. :)

Now, here’s to his folks and a safe journey home.

My New Interest :)

2008-11-20T14:32:00.000-08:00

Some people love MY Space, others prefer Facebook. I have to say I [heart]

Facebook. I was first introduced to Facebook by Kevin’s sisters while we were vacationing in Canada. Facebook is about real connections to real friends, so the stories coming in are of interest to the people receiving them (me), since they are important to the person creating them. It has been great catching up with old friends and staying in touch with all of my old ones.

There are some applications on there that I would never use and that are geared more for adolescents…. BUT for those of you who are wanting to stay in touch with friends, get reacquainted with old ones, I think this is the way to go.

So if you haven’t given Facebook a try, check it out. I think you will love it too!

Here’s the link to get started: http://www.facebook.com

JUST ONE OF THE REASONS.....

2008-11-17T07:23:00.000-08:00

Why I love this man...... he loves me for who I am. I can be myself, be goofy, serious, tell him what I really think and he never ever judges me.... he just stands beside me and supports me.

I am so thankful that I wake up with him each morning and that I can share my thoughts with him. And when life throws me that unwelcomed curve ball, he reminds me that there is tomorrow and I should strive to take that next step forward and to not look back.

There is always a solution to everything life places in our path, and if you keep on striving you will eventually receive rewards for your perseverance. That is what I am experiencing... I am learning something new every day, growing and focusing on what is important and it definitely keeps life interesting and I get to share that with this man.

So......thank you for the care that you show me, your smile, your support, respect, acceptance, trust and love, all of which makes me want to be a better person and wife to you. Thank you for being the best husband out there. :)

ON THIS VETERANS DAY

2008-11-11T06:24:00.000-08:00

Take time this Veterans Day to honor those service men and women who fight to defend the principles that founded this Nation. Honor not only those who are currently serving, but those who have fallen while serving our Nation. Each one of them joined the military and served faithfully and honorably. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Also remember the families of these service members. They too have given a lot as well. Thanks to all of you that have proudly served our Nation in uniform.

ARE YOU "REALLY" LISTENING?

2008-11-09T15:42:00.000-08:00

Take a few moments and reflect back to a time you were having a conversation with someone. As you talked with them, was anybody home? Meaning you knew their "lights" were on, but they weren't actually there. Sometimes this happens to me (and no it isn't with my hubby, lol)! I am talking away and all of a sudden I realize that the person I am talking to is far, far away in dreamland somewhere.

Now think back and reflect on how many times we actually do this to other people. If you think hard enough, I bet you realize you have indeed done it to others. The problem with this IS sometimes the person talking to us may really need our prayers or may really need us to hear what they are saying. What if we were the only friend that they confided in? (Now I know a lot of people say "you are the only person I am telling this to" and then you find out they told half the world. That is NOT who/what I am talking about).

And sometimes while we are listening to their experience, we start wondering about ours and want to jump in with our own experiences and thoughts in an attempt to help them. This is not listening. True listening involves allowing the person to get off their chest whatever issues they are having WITHOUT interruption or us telling them about our own personal experience. I am guilty of this sometimes. I USUALLY strive to be a better listener and wait until they tell me what is on their mind and then I give them my advice BUT only after they have gotten everything off their chest.

My advice: Be genuinely concern when a friend needs to talk to you; save all of your own experiences for another time or after they are completely finished with whatever is bothering them; PRAY for your friend without ceasing and really listen when they need an ear.

Listening sometimes can be one of the best presents we can give to our family, friends and co-workers. :)

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIFT

2008-11-09T15:37:00.001-08:00

THIS IS THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT THAT SOMEONE HAS EVER GIVEN ME..... MY VERY OWN PERSONALIZED BIBLE....... ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL????? In 42 years, I have NEVER had my own bible, let alone my own PERSONALIZED one. This is just the coolest... :)

Thank you Tracy! :)

IT'S CALLED A JOURNEY FOR A REASON...

2008-11-07T14:46:00.000-08:00

Was talking to a friend of mine today about the purpose of God in our lives. Really if we start thinking about it, because it is such a HUGE concept, it can really boggle your mind.

We must keep in mind that one of God's purpose for us is the JOURNEY, not just the DESTINATION (although I believe the destination is going to be pretty glorious). As we focus on the next obvious steps we need to take for growth, that destination will eventually take care of itself. We just have to obey and do what is in front of us. Don’t worry about what tomorrow brings, think about today. Because each step we take helps us grow into the person God intended for us to be.

Even when we go through adversity, it doesn’t mean God doesn’t love us. It took me a long time to figure that one out. Now I count them as a spiritual lesson. :) To be frank, I am still not always overjoyed to be enduring the grief and disappointment that negative circumstances usually cause and trust me sometimes I would love to play hooky and skip the lesson all together.

But as I look back at my life, it is easy to see that the times when my wisdom and understanding grew to new and higher levels (and were the times when I approached becoming the person I longed to be) were also after some pretty tough times.

So perhaps instead of fighting adversity, we need to jump in and gain the insight and wisdom to handle it. Then before we even know it, the problem is gone, and we are ready for the next lesson -- only this time around we will be stronger, both in spirit and in wisdom!

ON THIS ELECTION DAY....

2008-11-04T07:16:00.001-08:00

I only have one thing to say........

GET OUT AND VOTE.......... :)

MY LIFE IS A BALANCING ACT.... LITERALLY

2008-10-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

I have an incurable form of vertigo. If you have never heard of this before, it is the sensation of spinning or swaying while the body is actually stationary with respect to your surroundings. So you could call me a dizzy blonde, but you probably shouldn’t! :)

Everyday we make choices about balancing things in our life. Sometimes adjustments are made to set things right. We make choices on what to eat, what to wear, how to react, etc… Today, while everything around us seems to be topsy turvy, we may feel tossed into mayhem where we can’t seem to sit or stand upright. The challenge here is finding a way to right the balance in our lives without tumbling completely into a complete frenzy. We need a structure in which our equilibrium can be regained.

I find the right balance through several factors in my life… my body, mind and spirit (and not necessarily in that order). My faith and the prayers I pray are essential in my life. They give me inner peace, especially on those stress-filled days. As for my body, I believe maintaining a healthy body is one of the best means for living a balance life. A poor diet will spin you out of control and its misuse will leave you with little energy for living. If you are feeling stressed and out of balance, I would suggest a few sessions of yoga to develop a strong and powerful inner core. Without this core you can be knocked off your feet in seconds. But any physical activity will bring you in close communication with your body. You will instinctively know what your body needs and wants to sustain its best strength. There are so many fun things we can do to maintain a healthy body (and mind) besides the usual weight workouts and cardio…. We can take long walks, spend time with nature, learn new things, know and live by our values and beliefs. LAUGH. Did you know laughter is the best medicine for stress? Breathe deep and enjoy your life.

Like my vertigo, I know what triggers it. I make adjustments and move on. Sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t. And like life, I don’t know if we can live a life in true balance all the time but I do believe that we are called to live life fully. Adjustments and changes are part of life. We can’t ALWAYS have complete control over the outward circumstance of our lives but we can adjust our imbalance immediately. A healthy balance is a matter of keeping our feet on the ground and our eyes wide open. Take charge of your life, take care of it, reward it, and the balance within will divulge itself through the smile on your face and the gleam in your eyes.

STRIKING UNIVERSE

2008-10-23T09:15:00.000-07:00

What is life about, I often wondered for years, gazing out my window at the ever changing scene. I could spend hours just sitting out on our deck with all the beauty that surrounds me. We get to witness beautiful tapestry of light weaving its way into, through and around everything around us, through the trees, bouncing off the lake…..

When Kevin and I head to work each morning, we bask in the glory of God’s world. There is a melody played throughout all of His creation and we are part of that song and dance of our life. It is up to us to take the time to ENJOY it and LISTEN to it.

This morning was no exception to the wonders of nature. As I walked out into our garage and opened our door, the neighbor’s dog howled. It made me stop in my tracks and think about Stoli. Stoli used to howl at the trains. I told Kevin, Stoli was trying to say “good morning” to us. :)

As we drove further into work, we were thrilled to spot “our” beautiful deer near the rode. He walked up to the road, looked at us, waited until we were almost upon him and then trotted off into the woods. This is not the first time he has graced us with his appearance. Again, another “good morning” to us. :)

And although squirrels can be so silly, crossing the road in front of cars, this particular road brings out a lot of them, I can’t help but think they are adorable. I am always hoping that they make it across the road safely….. :) AND just the other day, there was a beaver sitting on the side of the road (in the grass area) chomping on a nut. It was the cutest thing. :)

My desire is for peace and I strive to create that in my life wherever I am even if it is on my way to work! To me each animal in our life brings lessons, challenges, and the purity of their love and spirit, whether they live under our roof or we meet them on the side of the road. What a gift we give to each other and to ourselves when we allow ourselves to enjoy the moment. :)

DANCE IN THE RAIN

2008-10-21T14:55:00.000-07:00

“Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain” Author Unknown

The bottom line is quite simple, weather affects us whether we like it or not. My sinuses are a barometer…….literally. I can usually tell when it is going to rain because, as the barometric pressure builds, my face feels more and more like it is going to explode, kind of like a migraine would feel.

When I have days like this, I usually try to sip on hot tea and take some sinus pressure medication. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Sometimes the headache won’t get any better until it actually starts raining. There are some other things I do to relieve the headache until I feel better, like sleeping (if it is possible) or working out. Sometimes that will relieve the pressure, believe it or not. :) Sometimes it takes an act of God to get me moving when the headache sets in, but once the endorphins release, it definitely is worth it.

Casting the headache aside, I love it when it rains…. the freshness, the raindrops falling down, a new slate, the beauty of it all…… makes me think of one of my favorite quotes:

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” Dolly Parton

I don’t know about you but I want to see those rainbows… reminding me of God’s promises…. :)

I WILL NOT BE MOVED

2008-10-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

Calamities are inevitable and are a normal part of life. No one is immune. Standing strong in faith when everything is going wrong, and all seems lost, is not a feeling we get, but rather an option we have to make. When we stay in God’s presence, in the midst of our adversities, we may feel some pressure, experience some pain, but in His presence we will encourage ourselves, and God will give us His strength to stand strong till victory comes.

We all can learn to prepare for the storms of life and how to withstand them when they do blow through our family. Are you going to be emotional at times? You betcha! :) But we have to hang on to the truth of His words and let that be the foundation of our home and not the “what ifs.”

Even when we don't feel God is listening or loves us, we know from His Word that He does care. When we don't feel any good can come out of our trials, we know from Romans 8:28 that all things really do "work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

If you get the chance listen to this song. It is one of my favs and I believe in its lyrics. Because I WILL NOT BE MOVED. :) (Not a coincidence my friends, this song came on the radio as I was typing this up, how awesome is our God.) :)

===============================================================
Natalie Grant - I Will Not Be Moved
(From the album Relentless)

I have been the wayward child
I have acted out
I have questioned Sovereignty
And had my share of doubt
And though sometimes my prayers feel like
They're bouncing off the sky
The hand I hold won't let me go
And is the reason why...

Chorus:

I will stumble
I will fall down
But I will not be moved
I will make mistakes
I will face heartache
But I will not be moved
On Christ the Solid Rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand
I will not be moved

Bitterness has plagued my heart
Many times before
My life has been like broken glass
And I have kept the score
Of all my shattered dreams and though it seemed
That I was far too gone
My brokenness helped me to see
It's grace I'm standing on

Chorus

And the chaos in my life
Has been a badge I've worn
Though I have been torn
I will not be moved

Chorus

WHAT'S UP???? :)

2008-10-16T07:32:00.000-07:00

1. Kev is out of town on business for the next few days and this is the first time I will be alone in the house without Stoli. Dumb thing to post on the internet. Not really, my son lives with us so I’m not “technically” alone. I just feel “alone” without Kev and now especially that Stoli has passed.

2. We are praying for all the employees at Kev’s firm. Big layoffs are coming down the pipe and he potentially could be losing his job as well. Please keep us as well as the other families in your prayers. The economy is having a huge impact on EVERYONE! :(

3. Scott and I had the BEST conversation last night. It felt like we haven’t had “quality” time in forever so it was nice just to sit back and listen to what was on his mind. He definitely has matured in so many ways.

4. Why is it that UPS always manages to damage a package? Sheeeeeeeeeesh! :(

5. I just finished reading Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems’ and want to read his other books. I have learned tons about dogs, things I THOUGHT I already knew. :)

6. Why is it the older I get, the harder I have to work out to stay in shape? Hmmph! :(

7. Kev’s parents will be here in 4 weeks and I can’t wait. We have such a great time when we are together, which isn't very often since they live in Canada. They are a hoot! ;) They will be here a week before we go on vacation together over Thanksgiving week. We aren’t going far, down to Big Cedar outside of Branson. We are trying to keep our costs low due to the economy and such. After our trip to Big Cedar, we will go down and visit Linda and Bob in Oklahoma for a few days.

Big Cedar Lodge

8. I can’t wait for the election to be over. I am sick and tired of all of the campaign drama. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and to vote for the person that falls into their category of beliefs. I, personally, am just sick of the negative ads and the “nastiness” of it all. Our country if falling apart and we have no control over it, other than to pray for better leadership. The last thing I want to hear right now is people slamming each other. Get over yourselves already. People will say anything and do anything to get elected.

9. Why is that when you buy the NHL Hockey Package, they DON’T tell you all channels are part of it? You have to pay extra for the ONE channel you really want to watch. Last year it was part of the package, this year it isn’t and we didn’t even have to pay for the entire package to get it. Of course, they won’t give us a refund and let us only pay for the one channel we want. :( Can you say RIP OFF???? Sheeeeeeeeeesh! :(

and Last But Not Least……. I saved the best for last.........

10. I woke up earlier than normal this morning (something I usually do when Kevin is out of town) and because I had such an early start to my morning, I decided to head into work. The fog was lifting up over the lake and low lying areas and the sun was shining just so. It was gorgeous (pictures attached). The song “I Can Only Imagine” came on the radio. It gave me goosebumps. Can you imagine? The world around us is a colorful tapestry. Open up your imagination and let your mind wander to a better place and let God feel your heart with His love. :)

KEEPING MY EYES ON THE COACH

2008-10-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

One of my friends shared an e-mail with me and at the bottom it had a statement which read:

Just remember ~ "When life knocks you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray!"

Don't wait until you need something from God to pray, thank him for all the blessing in your life right now. Don't think you have anything to be thankful for? Take a look around because I can guarantee you can think of a few things that are right before your eyes, such as your faith, your health, your job, your family and friends. It doesn't always have to be the material things you have to be grateful for. Be thankful that you can get out of bed each morning and have the ability to worship Him.

Bare in mind that being thankful is not only reserved for good times in our lives. Our true power comes when we give thanks for all circumstances, including tough times. The amazing grace of God is that gratitude shifts our perception. We see, feel, and experience things quite differently when we authentically and openly say, “Thank you” in tough times.

So yes pray, pray and pray some more. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving and be grateful no matter what is going on. Find the words and know the depths of appreciation that empowers you to say thanks in tough times.

I don't know about you all but I for one am going to keep my eyes on the Coach because to me there is no other way! :)

ALL WE NEED IS JUST A LITTLE.....PATIENCE

2008-10-14T14:20:00.000-07:00

Are you ever around people that grumble and whine about everything except those things that they are interested in? Unfortunately I do. This particular person complains about everything BUT should be thinking their lucky stars that they even have a job to come to every day, especially in this economy.

People will suck the life right out of you, BUT only if you allow them to do so. I don’t know about you but this is just not acceptable and I will NOT allow it around me. I think you have to always consider the source of the pessimism, especially when it is someone who spends his/her life oozing venom through every pore in their body. What kind of credit can we give to a person like that? It usually is a person who isn’t happy with their life in the first place.

A few things I contemplate when people start acting like that are, why are they acting that way? And how will I react to their negativity? While I truly believe each of us are entitled to express how we feel, we can’t sit back and act like we are on the throne. Because trust me none of us are. We all make mistakes and have bad days too. What we can do is pray for that person and hope that the person comes around in time or takes an early retirement. LOL! ;)

No matter how angry or disappointed we are with people around us who project negativity, there is always a way to handle a situation with kind words and we can always conduct OURSELVES in a brighter light than the person being negative. Negativity certainly takes way to much energy and I for one, do not have enough energy to pass around. ;)

To me, it is just another lesson that God is trying to teach me. It is called Patience. :)

BALANCED WEEKEND

2008-10-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Most of you who know us, know we live a very busy life. Our lifestyle is one that is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY. But lately we have been doing our best to simplify as many routine processes in our life as possible. It is something we can all do. Our lives don’t need to be incredibly complicated. I know I don’t want my life to be complicated.

So this weekend, we concentrated on BALANCE. Friday night, we ran all of our errands, Saturday we worked our little butts off around the house (laundry, cleaning, etc…) and were rewarded with a firework show later on in the evening. The City was having a “Blues and Jazz Festival” downtown and they set off fireworks and we were able to view them from our deck. Beautiful…… Sunday, we were able to relax and enjoy each other’s company without having tons of stuff to get done.

I think it is important to understand God’s definition of balance, which is Himself. Let me explain…. Nothing held back but never rushed, never without means, never lacking, never worried, never rushed, always sensible, always gracious, always firm and always, always merciful, gracious and kind.

As we concentrate on having more of a balance life, we also want to concentrate on having a full life. A life of passion and purpose. A life that pursues what we are created to do and that makes us come alive to bring greater good in the world around us. We truly believe that the best thing about having a full life is that when you have a full life, you will have a balanced one.

So you see it all works out in the end! :)

Stoli's Memorial Garden - At Last

2008-10-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

It was only eight weeks ago we said goodbye to our beloved dog Stoli, but it seems like yesterday. The house is lonely without him. Sometimes we “think” we hear him and then just shake our heads as to tell ourselves we are out of our minds. No matter all the comfort friends and family have tried to give us one fact remains…We miss Stoli and REALLY wish he was still here with us.

Before

After

For most of us, losing a pet means losing a family member. We realize the importance of taking the time to grieve for him. Everyone grieves differently. Some people need to keep busy and want to be surrounded by friends and family while others just want to be left alone. We decided in our time of grief to create a beautiful memorial garden for Stoli so we would always remember him. It was an act of love and one we are definitely proud of. I have attached a few pictures of the garden (before and after). I know Stoli would have loved it and would have peed all over the bushes! :)

One thing is certain, although Stoli has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge, his spirit will remain in our hearts forever.

Our Beautiful Stoli

WEEKEND GET-AWAY

2008-10-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

Every great city should have a great downtown, and Seattle has one of the best. We try to visit somewhere we haven’t been before for several days at least once a year, and this year our choice was Seattle. And although this trip was initially booked for a whole different intention, we were glad we followed through on our decision to go regardless.

BECAUSE we had THE best time. And since we were only there for 48 hours, we decided to make the most of it. What a fantastic City. Upon arriving into town, we had a driver pick us up at the airport. That was the best decision we made all weekend because there is NOOOOOOOOOO way I would want to drive in downtown Seattle. I am not even sure we would have been able to find our swank hotel if it weren’t for our driver taking us from point A to point B. :)

During our short 48 hours, we walked A LOT, took a few strolls just for coffee, did a little shopping, ate fantastically, took a tour of the Space Needle, visited Pike Place Market, and meandered down on the Pier. Let me tell you our feet took in a whole lot of miles over the weekend which was good because of the vast amount of food we ate. AND yes, I did take pictures. Lots and lots of pictures.

There were tons of people milling around all over the place and they all looked like they were just out to have a good time, even if it was raining and extremely windy out. What a beautiful, unique, interesting and all-around fun place to be.

Seattle is a really beautiful place. The diversity is wonderful and I had a sense that there were a lot of “daydreamers” around. It was fun to just “people watch.” As far as stores go, downtown has just about every high-end store you could hope to see or shop at, and there is an unbelievable variety of restaurants, from funky and elegant. We ate lots of seafood (of course) and at a Thai place called the Ginger House. YUMMOS!

And, of course, there is the famous Seattle coffee and the very FIRST Starbucks store, which we did visit. It is hard to walk more than 2 or 3 blocks without running into at least two or three coffee shops, and the coffee shops are mostly jam-packed! CRAZY! But like previously stated, it was cold, windy and rainy so people were most likely just trying to warm up! :)

It was a great way to celebrate my birthday this year and I hope that we will be able to return to Seattle to spend more than just a long weekend. :)

Appreciative View

2008-09-30T09:12:00.000-07:00

I am a person who will persevere no matter what adversities come my way. I know this for a fact because I have been through my fair share of adversities in my lifetime. During these times, I reminded myself and encouraged my family around me that God is faithful and that He is worthy of our praise regardless of what happens to us in this lifetime.

To many of us worry about the uncertainty of the economy, the bailout, the upcoming election and our future. Obviously we have a right to worry about these things but in reality, we cannot control the decisions of Congress any more than we can control the power of mother nature. What we can do is seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and leave the worrying to Him. He wants to protect us and He certainly doesn’t want us to worry. Those are His promises to us. :)

Denise Taylor told me when Stoli was battling lymphoma and, often said this when Jonnae was alive, to keep your eyes on the coach. I truly believe that. No matter what happens or what inning we are in, we must ALWAYS look towards the coach for guidance. He won’t fail us or forsake us or leave us up at the plate. He will take us all the way home. It is our job to fully trust Him.

We are so lucky to be alive and given the opportunity to be here each day. Cherish what you have, who you are and what you can do today. Concentrate on all the possibilities of your life, not the limitations. Be grateful for being you and remember to keep your eyes on the coach! :)

REFLECTIONS

2008-09-25T10:28:00.000-07:00

This morning as we were on our way to work, I felt inspired. I do not know exactly how to explain what I mean by that. There was no single event recently which led to this feeling, it just came. Upon minimal reflection, I recognize the source - it was God. Really all it took was for me to look around at his beautiful creations. The sun rising, the fog lifting, the birds chirping (yes I said the birds chirping). :) In this day and age of financial turmoil, the economy, the election, the war, there is still something to be thankful for. You just have to dig deep inside and look for it.

On this day of inspiration - I am very aware of the love that I have for my hubby Kevin. I am deeply and passionately in love with him and am so thrilled that I get to spend all the days of my life with him. He inspires me and lifts me up when I am feeling blue.

While you can never honestly seek out true inspiration because it is something given from above, I do desire it more. My prayer today is that God would reveal to me more of the Hope I have in Him, so that I am inspired to receive His love and love others the way He loves us.

Inspiration is contagious - if you walk around knowing that you are loved because of the hope God has placed in you, others sense that and God draws them to feel hope in their lives as well.

I hope you feel as blessed as I do today!