tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1883190407420987812024-03-13T10:12:55.962-06:00What Lis ThinksLishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-91368642356500924482020-03-27T10:10:00.000-06:002020-03-27T10:10:54.497-06:00Words of Encouragement The world is in corona-chaos right now. People are panicking, having anxiety attacks, and suffering in multiple ways. It's not fun and it doesn't seem fair. But who said life had to be fair? A five year old said life had to be fair. As adults we know life isn't fair. Bad things happen to good people, good things happen to bad people. People lose their faith in God, in themselves, in humanity. I choose to keep my faith. <br />
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I keep my faith in God, in myself, and in humanity. As there will always be terrible people, there will also always be amazing people. Seek out the amazing people- the helpers, the optimistic, the truth tellers, the kind, the patient, the funny, the encouragers, the givers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." To this day, especially in times of "disaster," I remember my mother's words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers - so many caring people in this world." -Mr Rogers</td></tr>
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I echo the sentiments that you've been hearing lately because we all need gentle reminders of goodness, hope, and peace.<br />
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Be kind to yourself. You don't need to bake bread because everyone else is doing it. You don't need to follow a schedule because everyone else is doing it. You don't need to be anyone else except yourself.<br />
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Be kind to others. You can never truly know everything in someone's life. <br />
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Be prepared. Don't hide your head under the blanket and watch Netflix all day without first getting the supplies you need and getting news from reliable sources.<br />
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Be generous. You don't have to give away everything you prepared, but if you can spare a 6 pack of toilet paper to someone who has none, then do it. <br />
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Eat as healthy as you can. <a href="https://content.omadahealth.com/s3/44-Fruits-Veggies-that-Stay-Fresh-Longer" target="_blank">Since people are taking less frequent trips to the grocery store, click here for a list of produce that will stay fresh longer.</a><br />
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Keep positive thoughts in your head to balance out the negative. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=236195374203519&id=253922098016209" target="_blank">Here's a catchy song to keep you going the next few weeks.</a><br />
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-33111102776743308332020-03-23T15:50:00.000-06:002020-03-27T10:12:24.440-06:00Been There, Done ThatSo has the corona-chaos quarantine descended on your home as well? My kids are doing okay. We've been through something similar before, as have lots of families with cancer.<br />
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My daughter has been dealing with cancer for the last four years, and while we were doing chemo we were on semi-lock down. Husband still went to work but lots of sanitizer and hand washing, no shoes in the house, very limited visitors (only those who were not sick and no one in their household was sick either), wearing masks if we were sick to not pass it on to our chemo ridden daughter, trick-or-treating bedroom door to bedroom door in our three bedroom apartment, only one parent goes to the grocery store, taking daughter out for doctor appointments, and multiple hospital stays.<br />
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But, this is a big but, my kids look back fondly on the time spent in that small apartment. Many times when we drive by, they point it out and say they want to go back. We worked hard to make it the best we could under the circumstances. So between administering shots to our daughter, home-nurse visits, and medicine, we had lots of treats, play time, fun and love. We spent time together playing, watching lots of tv, reading books, and eating more treats.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from more than what you tell them. They don't remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are." - Jim Henson</td></tr>
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Teach your kids to find fun, find joy, find peace, find laughter, find themselves. They will appreciate the time you spend together if you appreciate it first. It doesn't mean it will always be easy or there will be no fighting, but the more good there is, the more good they will remember.<br />
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<br />Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-15458711172224386222017-12-21T16:04:00.000-07:002017-12-21T16:04:20.450-07:00Is Everything Going To Be Okay?A friend posted the following question on facebook: When you are going through something hard how do you know it will be ok in the end?<br />
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I replied: Honestly, you don't necessarily know it will be okay in the end, but you have to hope it is. At least okay in the earthly mortal sense of okay, in the eternal sense it will definitely all be okay if you keep doing what's right the best you can.<br />
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I have to remind myself, "I can do hard things." If you look back at everything you've already been through, how many have you gotten through? All of them. You'll get through this too. When things don't go as planned, you can learn to look for the good- love and support from family and friends, learning about compassion, learning about being more sensitive to others.<br />
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Whatever happens, you're always finding a 'new normal' for your life, adapting to the situation, and learning. Sometimes you have to let others have the faith for you so that you can plan for the worst so you are prepared if it happens and pleasantly surprised if it doesn't. Everything turns out the for best or you make the best of the way things turn out.<br />
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I've often heard that God won't give you anything you can't handle. My husband said that actually he will give you more than you can handle. If you could get through life on your own with things you could handle, then why would you need help from him or family or friends or professionals? If he gives you things you can't handle, then it forces you to turn to him or to others for help, forging lasting bonds of love and friendship.<br />
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If it takes a village to raise a child, it definitely takes a village to get through life.Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-56696896019308795642017-10-13T09:44:00.002-06:002017-10-13T09:44:34.026-06:00How To Have A Good DayEverybody wants to have a good day today, but how do you do it? Summed up in one word: choose.<br />
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You have to choose everyday, sometimes every hour, to be happy. You have to work at it. You can get yourself out of a bad mood or panic mode by pure will. I'm talking everyday bad moods, not depression or severe anxiety. There are definitely times when you need therapy and/or medication. I'm talking in generalities here, though these techniques may help to refocus your thoughts regardless of what you are dealing with.<br />
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I've definitely had/have a good portion of trials, like we all have, so I say it is possible despite many bad circumstances.<br />
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When I'm in a bad mood sometimes I just want to stew in the badness of it. Just go over every bad thing because it almost feels good and justified, I deserve to be in a bad mood. But honestly it doesn't make me feel good, and it usually doesn't solve any problems.<br />
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Just this morning I was thinking about the future and literally felt sick to my stomach with worry that things would be so bad we would never be happy. But I stopped myself and looked at the big black cloud of worry and trouble (said in a deep scary voice) and encircled it with a silver lining (said in a fairy voice). It's not that I make the big black cloud go away, I can't, but I can put a silver lining on it and focus on that.<br />
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It's not ignoring my problems, but choosing to look at the situation from a different perspective. Look at it from a perspective of hope and happiness. Knowing that even if the big black cloud is always there, I have a silver lining around it. I can do hard things.<br />
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I CAN DO HARD THINGS! Remember that statement and tell yourself you can because it's true. Look back on your life and how many hard days you've gone through in the past. How many of those hard days are still around? None, because you survived them and made it to a new day. You can beat hard days. You can do hard things. Telling yourself you can do hard things helps empower you to succeed, even if just for an hour.<br />
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Find some humor or beauty in life, even if it's just how beautiful the moon looks, or telling yourself your favorite joke that always cracks you up (even if you're the only one laughing). Laughing and smiling releases tension and gets you back in a positive frame of mind. When you're in a positive frame of mind then you can look at a problem with fresh eyes and focused concentration.<br />
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Serve others. You don't have to do anything big, but lots of little good things add together to be a powerful force. Smile and say hi to people. Pay for someone else's lunch. Invite some friends/family/neighbors over for dinner and games. Talk to someone first instead of waiting for others to talk to you. Call or text someone to catch up on how their life is going. Bake a double batch of cookies and give some to others. Volunteer in an elementary, a library, a retirement home, with foster children, on a clean up project, at the homeless shelter. Listen to understand what people are saying. Open a door for someone. You can think of one small service project that would be good for you, and then just do it.<br />
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Surround yourself with positivity. Post inspirational quotes where you can see them. Have beautiful pictures on hand to look at. Find positive memes that make you feel good. Talk positively with others, lifting them up as well as yourself. Read about people that inspire you.<br />
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Lastly, it's okay and normal to feel all sorts of emotions. It would be weird if you never were sad or mad or revengeful. But don't stay there! Experience the emotion, try to understand it, then try to resolve it so you can be happy. It doesn't mean you won't be mad about the same thing again, but that you can resolve the mad emotion in the moment so it doesn't overtake your brain and life.<br />
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Choose to have a good day.Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-84715776488038372762017-05-01T10:29:00.001-06:002017-05-01T10:38:56.808-06:00Live One More Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some days we wake up and feel awesome! Other days it's feels like...<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"Another heartbreak day </span><br />
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Feels like you’re miles away<br />
Don’t even need no shade<br />
When your sun don’t shine...</div>
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Too many passin’ dreams<br />
Roll by like limousines<br />
It’s hard to keep believin’<br />
When they pass you by and by</div>
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I know your heart been broke again<br />
I know your prayers ain’t been answered yet<br />
I know you’re feeling like you got nothing left<br />
<b>Well, lift your head, it ain’t over yet</b>..."* </div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">"‘Cause I know this is not</span><br />
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Anything like you thought<br />
The story of your life was gonna be<br />
And it feels like the end has started closing in on you<br />
But it’s just not true<br />
<b>There’s so much of the story that’s still yet to unfold</b><b>And this is going to be a glorious unfolding</b></div>
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<b>Just you wait and see and you will be amazed<br />You’ve just got to believe the story is so far from over<br />So hold on to every promise</b>..."**</div>
When minutes seem like hours and hours seem like days, think back on your life and how fast the years have gone by. You've accomplished so much by just living through every day. And you can make each day worth it by not taking it for granted.<br />
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You are alive, you have people who love you, you have the internet if you're reading this, you have a purpose in life. So go live purposefully and watch the glorious unfolding!<br />
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*TobyMac - Move (Keep Walkin')</div>
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**Steven Curtis Chapman - Glorious Unfolding</div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-85547004381880030762016-12-22T16:35:00.000-07:002016-12-22T16:35:02.069-07:00ThankfulBefore Thanksgiving, the newspaper asked for stories from the community about what people were thankful for. I noticed it for several days and finally decided to write a piece for them. They published some of the stories in the newspaper on Thanksgiving day, mine included, and posted all of them online. It was nice to see my words in print, but I was more grateful for the chance to share my thoughts on what I was thankful for. Here's my story: <div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">My husband and I received some staggering news just over six years ago. Five months into our first pregnancy</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> I had to be induced to save my life. I had HELLP Syndrome and the baby and I would both have died if they had not induced labor. Our little boy</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> was stillborn the night before my 26</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 8.5pt;"><sup>th</sup></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> birthday. It is a never ending road to deal with the loss of a child. But the love and support we received from family, friends,</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11pt;"> and neighbors was amazing. W</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-size: 11pt;">e were so grateful for monetary help, meals, cards, momentos, and prayers in our behalf. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">It seems in times of tragedy that love pours out in equal amounts to help assuage the pain. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We went through two more difficult pregnancies. People we didn't even know </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">were</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> praying for us and keeping up to date on our progress. It was amazing to us, and we were thankful for every good thought sent our way. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We had</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> two beautiful girls and thought the worst was behind us. Life was going pretty well and we were excited about my husband's new job and moving to a new home so</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">on. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Then our younger daughter </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">started falling</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. She was twenty </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">months</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> old and had been walking well. W</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">e took her to</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> the doctor</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> and he</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">diagnosed a double ear infection. Th</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">e infection cleared up but her walking got worse. She was to the point where she wouldn't walk and hardly wanted to crawl. After more doctor trips to her pediatrician, an ENT, a couple MRIs, and blood and urine tests, we learned she had neuroblastoma cancer along with OMA </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">syndrome. The tumor had also grown into her lower spinal column</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">complicating the situation. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">From the moment we found out, the doctors and nurses showed both us and our daughters such compassion and understanding. The staff at Primary </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Children's</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> hospital has been amazing the last nine months. Generous </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">donations to the hospital have helped make our daughter's multiple hospital stays better with handmade blankets, stuffed animals, toys, books, and more. The Ronald McDonald room and the groups who make meal</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">s for those away from home help relieve the burden of extended stays. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">From the moment we told our family and friends, we were overwhelmed with love and prayers</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. Our closest friends, as well as people we hadn't seen for years flooded us with support, mostly online. But we also</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">received cards and meals</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, gift cards and care packages</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, and many offers of babysitting.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Throughout this </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">hard</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">time</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> we have been the </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">reci</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">pients</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> of much love and service, all due to the devastating diagnosis of the</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">life alter</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">ing disease</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> our daughter has. Most of the support was at the initial time of diagnosis, but those who have supported us during this whole long journey are much loved by us.</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">We are forever thankful to all those who take the time to look </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">beyon</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">d</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> their busy lives to help us in our time of great need. </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: windowtext;"><span lang="en-US" style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">In the words of Fred Rogers, "Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me."</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-20317442881833138562016-12-04T16:09:00.002-07:002016-12-04T16:09:41.595-07:00The Sound Of Silence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"...disturb the sound of silence..."<br />
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Music disturbs the sound of silence and touches the soul.<br />
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To fully feel emotions, sometimes we need music to take us to the deeper parts of our soul.<br />
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This version of this song seems to channel my feelings lately. I've listened to it over and over.<br />
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Les Miserables is a musical that disturbs the sound of silence as well. Full of passion- love, anger, pride, war, longing, sadness, desire. It has been my good friend.<br />
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We all need cathartic music to help us deal with our emotions.<br />
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Find your songs. Feel your emotions.Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-27189745880693650912016-10-31T17:13:00.001-06:002016-10-31T17:13:43.934-06:00Empty And FullChemotherapy is a beast. Watching your toddler go through chemo is a different kind of hell. It is draining, to say the least. She has a calendar of her own to keep track of her multiple medications, appointments, and blood counts. We go through a lot of hand sanitizer and soap. We miss our families and friends and watch too much tv. We've cut our daughter's hair shorter and shorter in an attempt to mask the thinning but it's coming to a point where we will just need to shave it off.<br />
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Each time I have to hold down my screaming child while she gets poked tears off a little part of my soul. Each time I have to give my terrified child a shot myself tears off a big part.<br />
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It is lonely. It is hard. It is painful. It takes a toll on the whole family. My other daughter complains the screams are "breaking her ears".<br />
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The nausea, picky appetite, gloves for diaper changes, multiple Sharps containers, bags and boxes of medical supplies, confinement away from potential sickness, missed activities and parties, checking for fevers, the hospital stays. <br />
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She has a good prognosis and this should all be a distant bad memory one day. That's what keeps me going. But that's not the case for everyone dealing with cancer, and it wrenches my heart to think of those families.<br />
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The hospital staff and home health care nurses are wonderful. They care for the patient and the family. They never tire of my many questions and concerns. They are available for anything around the clock.<br />
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Family and friends pour out their love, prayers, and concern on facebook and through texts and phone calls. People rearrange their schedules to babysit last minute. Those who aren't sick and don't have anyone sick in their household stop by for visits. There is support from all around.<br />
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But with the love and support comes the dreaded question- "What can I do for you?"<br />
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Don't ask, I don't know what to say. Do I <i>need</i> you to do anything, probably not, so it's hard to answer the question.<br />
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Here are some better things to say or do.<br />
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"Would tonight or tomorrow be better for me to bring you a meal? I'm going to do it, so just pick."<br />
"I'm going to bring you a freezer meal. Will you be home for me to drop it off tonight?"<br />
"We're all healthy at my house and it's clean, can I take your other kids for a play date tomorrow?"<br />
"What night would be the best for me to come babysit your kids so you can have date night?"<br />
Give gift cards for restaurants, gas, and groceries.<br />
Make a care package.<br />
Send cards with a personal message.<br />
Keep sending love and support even if they don't always reply back to your message.<br />
Remember it's a long road, keep showing up.<br />
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<a href="https://becauseisaidiwould.com/promisequotes/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">quote</span></a></div>
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You don't have to show up in person, just show up in genuine love and support. Thank you to all those who have made your love felt though you are miles away, and thank you to those who show up on our doorstep with open hearts.Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-72143144186994160042016-08-13T05:00:00.000-06:002016-08-13T05:00:30.833-06:00Saturday Laughs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> sources unknown</span></div>
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<br />Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-22384253165906159092016-08-06T05:00:00.000-06:002016-08-06T05:00:02.458-06:00Saturday Laughs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">sources unknown</span></div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-9327258286166944012016-08-02T05:00:00.000-06:002016-08-02T05:00:13.484-06:00Put Good Out Into The World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It seems as if the flags will fly at half mast forever more. Each week there is news of devastation in the world: war, terrorism, random mass killings, politics, famine, disease, and natural calamities. It seems as if the world is in a downward spiral of chaos and darkness. So what can you do to stop it? Probably nothing. It's true. But you can put good out into the world. You can put out light, happiness, kindness, laughter, and joy.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"So much darkness. Offer whatever light you can."</span></div>
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You may think you won't make a difference, and you probably won't make global newspaper headlines, but each good thought you think, each good deed you do has unknown far reaching effects.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Not a day goes by that the world still doesn't quake with your impact--</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> the ground beneath me will always shake because of you."</span></div>
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A smile and a hug may change the course of another's day, potentially shifting their actions from bad to good, thus affecting more lives in return because of your kindness. You will never know it in this life, but in the next life you will see the far reaching consequences of your actions, good and bad. The more good you put out now, the easier it will be to watch your life in review and own up to all you accomplished.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">but </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">of ordinary </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love."</span></div>
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We get so caught up in our own lives, so ego-centric, by natural design of self preservation. But the more we reach outside of ourselves, the more we learn about ourselves and come to love ourselves and others.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"We are here to awaken from our illusion of seperateness (sic)."</span></div>
<br />
<br />
When we look for good in the universe, we find it. When we put out good in the universe, it finds us in return.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"I've found that focusing on the good or bad in a </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">person</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> tends to cause those attributes to grow."</span></div>
<br />
Seek out the light and success of others, and let if fuel your fire to shine brighter. We're not here to just compete, we're here on a team. The best race is the human race.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnyIfBymzQc/V5k-hHnc37I/AAAAAAAAF-o/Jq8DZVMCA9c3WrV1HC-jrKWFEPvXLCNAwCEw/s1600/aaaaa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnyIfBymzQc/V5k-hHnc37I/AAAAAAAAF-o/Jq8DZVMCA9c3WrV1HC-jrKWFEPvXLCNAwCEw/s400/aaaaa.png" width="343" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Call me crazy but I love to see people happy and </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">succeeding. Life is a journey, not a competition."</span></div>
<br />
"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen." Make it happen, put good out into the world. Be the light in the darkness that gives hope to others. Do it now and always.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq7QUxwAfi0/V5k-guhhPWI/AAAAAAAAF-o/F6fN1ig7ovcjgxsPtvZwvAhCJs7yoU1LgCEw/s1600/aa.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Yq7QUxwAfi0/V5k-guhhPWI/AAAAAAAAF-o/F6fN1ig7ovcjgxsPtvZwvAhCJs7yoU1LgCEw/s400/aa.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(unless noted in picture, sources unknown)</span></div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-39977063073748173502016-07-30T05:00:00.000-06:002016-07-30T05:00:06.386-06:00Saturday Laughs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLG_dLeYvIk/V5k6fIqNnWI/AAAAAAAAF9I/GpWiJTEkDrAQalefzGGSOP2QqCxauC-WACLcB/s1600/bbbbbb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jLG_dLeYvIk/V5k6fIqNnWI/AAAAAAAAF9I/GpWiJTEkDrAQalefzGGSOP2QqCxauC-WACLcB/s320/bbbbbb.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">sources unknown</span></div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-33933294925036399032016-07-27T17:00:00.001-06:002016-07-27T17:00:25.673-06:00Family Is Everything<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWcVd14yjks/V5k70MdEaHI/AAAAAAAAF9k/d1MX7T1cFksXRZBRUiHHF9ZOdP4MGS4tgCLcB/s1600/c.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TWcVd14yjks/V5k70MdEaHI/AAAAAAAAF9k/d1MX7T1cFksXRZBRUiHHF9ZOdP4MGS4tgCLcB/s320/c.png" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">source unknown</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's easy to dwell on what is wrong in your life and even easier to forget your blessings. But "No matter how poor you think you are. If you have a family, you have everything."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Family is biological and chosen. It's birth, adoption, and friends. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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Some days, months, and even years will be hard but focusing on love in a family will help ease the troubles of you life.</div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-73425044724400749752016-06-25T08:55:00.003-06:002016-06-25T08:55:57.409-06:00You Know You're A Parent When<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qStPTmH8ggk/V26bbWhGi1I/AAAAAAAAF8c/Yl27VSDl6e8nIKNHSODLbLiRN1CeNANJgCLcB/s1600/Drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qStPTmH8ggk/V26bbWhGi1I/AAAAAAAAF8c/Yl27VSDl6e8nIKNHSODLbLiRN1CeNANJgCLcB/s320/Drawing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
You know you are a parent or around kids a lot when ...<br />
<br />
When your fridge is more full of your kid's art and fingerprints than food inside.<br />
<br />
When you find random photos or texts on your phone. <br />
<br />
When you try everything to get your kid to eat, then finally
resort to eating it yourself, and as soon as you take the last bite they
want it and are upset you ate it.<br />
<br />
When you find your kid without a
diaper, and wonder how many places their little butt has been.<br />
<br />
When you
finally get mad at your kid, and then they cry and come
to you for comfort because you're their parent, and they still love you
even when you're mad at them, breaks your heart.<br />
<br />
When you're really
sick and you still have to take care of someone else.<br />
<br />
When you end up
cleaning the whole house looking for something your toddler hid.<br />
<br />
When
you know the theme songs for all the cartoons.<br />
<br />
When you find yourself
watching cartoons even after the kids have left the room to go play.<br />
<br />
When you don't have any energy and are dead tired but still have to get
up three times in the middle of the night and somehow you can do it.<br />
<br />
When
you don't mind eating something your kid has licked.<br />
<br />
When you have all
sorts of bodily fluid on you, and it doesn't bother you too much.<br />
<br />
When
you walk around unknowingly with a sticker on you all day.<br />
<br />
When you
wear a shirt with a stain, and if someone says something you pretend it
just happened.<br />
<br />
When you ask where the 'potty' is or say the food is 'yummy' to another adult.<br />
<br />
When you reference kid's shows in adult conversation. <br />
<br />
When you rock as you stand even if you're not holding a
baby.<br />
<br />
When you feel like an interpreter for your little kid's way of talking.<br />
<br />
When you're just about had enough and your kid hugs you and says they love you- makes it all worth it.Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-46453478967908358742016-06-05T18:41:00.003-06:002016-06-05T18:41:47.032-06:00The Scariest ThingsWhat are the scariest things to humans? Fear of the unknown and pain. People have stayed in misery because it's their known misery, they've grown accustomed to it, almost comfortable because it's understood or at least expected. People survive instead of thrive because they aren't sure how to change, or what will happen when they change. Will it actually be worth it? What happens if there is failure? What if I don't know what to do?<br />
<br />
People won't truly change until they are ready for it, until they are in a place where they can make the change mentally and physically. How many people set goals or lifestyle changes only to fall back into their old habits. Some people make it through- drastic weight loss that stays off, change in eating and exercise habits that stays, complete change of personality, finally going for the dream instead of always planning.<br />
<br />
It's hard, it hurts, there is failure, there are new and unexpected challenges, but moving to a higher plane is worth it every time, usually it's just a matter of time.<br />
<br />
This weekend I went to lift a box I thought would be light but was actually quite heavy, and I was lifting improperly and felt something move in my lower back. According to the chiropractor my hip popped backwards out of place. If this has never happened to you, I greatly hope it never will.<br />
<br />
My husband told me I was walking like a 90 year old woman, and I was because I was trying so hard to not feel the stabbing pain in my lower back. The spasms of the ligaments and muscles trying to protect the injured area made me want to just not move and hope it got better on its own. But of course that was unrealistic.<br />
<br />
I went to a chiropractor and thought he helped but it still wasn't great. Then after a nap, I could hardly move without feeling the pain. I knew I couldn't stay on the bed and that I had to get up, but every move produced pain. I finally pushed myself through pain that hurt like hell and got myself to a sitting position then realized I couldn't move. I was crying, sweating, and breathing so hard. I yelled out to my husband and he helped me stand up and I took tiny baby steps to a chair where I cried some more.<br />
<br />
My husband found a different chiropractor that would come into the office on a Saturday evening luckily, and I shuffled sideways to the car. The chiropractor was so patient and understanding of my reluctance to move, my crying, my mini break down, my fear. He took the time to figure out what was wrong and how to help me, but wouldn't proceed until I was ready. He managed to pop the hip back into place but let me know that I would still be in pain and couldn't really do anything for the next little while. He showed me how to sit down, sit up, lay down, move without too much pain. He also told me it will hurt to do normal things like brush my teeth, laugh, and even breathe sometimes.<br />
<br />
It still hurts a lot, and I have to be careful but knowing how to take care of myself correctly, and mostly knowing that this too will pass helps. I know in a little while that I'll be able to cook, do the laundry, and more importantly, pick up my children when they want to be held. I'll be able to hug my husband without worrying about pain, and I'll remember to lift correctly. <br />
<br />
My point with this long story? Sometimes you have to push through pain that hurts like hell and just trust that someday it will get better. Find someone that can help you deal with your pain correctly and follow their advice. Let others take care of you when you need it so that you can take of them when you feel better. Don't let fear of the unknown and pain hold you back from getting to a better place. Give yourself time for your wounds to heal. Just breathe, breathe deeply. Mostly, be thankful for misfortune that skips you, and grateful for what you do have in your life.Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-69519009391801018772016-06-02T12:18:00.001-06:002016-06-02T12:18:58.994-06:00Wanted: A Little Humility<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiCKL-KuZ78/V1Bu-J0JtoI/AAAAAAAAF7g/R0hYp1A-8nIOvTgVzsgsuXWU0n2HtzKygCLcB/s1600/13346964_10205938178683775_6615669623930765255_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MiCKL-KuZ78/V1Bu-J0JtoI/AAAAAAAAF7g/R0hYp1A-8nIOvTgVzsgsuXWU0n2HtzKygCLcB/s320/13346964_10205938178683775_6615669623930765255_n.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">source unknown</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Someone posted this picture in a mom's group on facebook. Many of the answers were the same: hatred, violence, evil, mean people, greed, pride. My first thought was war, probably inspired by watching Mockingjay recently. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are so many bad things that happen every day- why? Because people have traveled down paths, little by little, that led them to do horrendous things. Nobody wakes up and decides to abuse, kill, or harm another person without first traveling a path that led them there. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We all have bad thoughts occasionally, it's human nature. But each time we entertain the thought, it puts down a stone on that path. We can easily turn around and start a different path, but the more stones we put down, each bad thought we muse on, leads us farther down a path. The further you go, the harder it is to take another path. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">People think the strong people are the bullies, the vicious, the loud; but truly they are the weak ones hiding behind a facade. You see true strength in humility. Stories of forgiveness, turning the other cheek, reaching out to the enemy, and dealing with hard issues. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's easy to make a snide remark for the laughs, it's hard to not retaliate and walk away. It's easy to be with your friends, it's hard to reach out to others. It's easy to make an anonymous mean comment online, it's hard to let the mean comments go. It's easy to get road rage, it's hard to let the anger go. It's easy to yell at someone's mistake, it's hard to stay calm and work to fix the issue with love. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">A little humility goes a long way in having a peaceful life. When you realize that answering with love not anger helps solve the problem, that people are mean as a defense to their pain not as a personal attack, that everyone has their strengths and weakness, that their accomplishments do not take away from your hard work, that we need to let people make mistakes, that we need to let ourselves make mistakes. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Humility isn't being a pushover, being weak, or having low self confidence. </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Humility is understanding your great individual worth without thinking you are better than others.</span></span> Humility is understanding that people aren't perfect and overlooking the small things. </span></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Humility is having the strength to control your emotions and your actions, to act not react. </span></span>Humility is appreciating your blessings and looking for the good in your life and in people. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If more people acted with humility, there would be less anger, less fighting and wars, less abuse, less evil. People would be happier and have more peaceful lives. People would be more productive, really listening and trying to understand others. The world would be a better place. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Next time try a little humility. :)</span></span></div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-42509171603452121322016-05-11T10:57:00.001-06:002016-05-11T10:57:18.121-06:00How Do I Say This?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kLZ2sLnY3nc/VzNkKNk2VyI/AAAAAAAAF7I/Fv5Zqx3796katZwuV1fZ3RZXD7Phz6OYgCLcB/s1600/strong.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kLZ2sLnY3nc/VzNkKNk2VyI/AAAAAAAAF7I/Fv5Zqx3796katZwuV1fZ3RZXD7Phz6OYgCLcB/s400/strong.jpeg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
When you have something big to announce it can be fun to plan a big surprise if it's happy. But if it's bad news, you almost don't want to tell anyone because every time you say it, it becomes more real, it sinks in even more.<br />
<br />
When we lost our first child, we made a general announcement on facebook after letting close family and friends know. But there were still people that we had to call because we knew they would want to know. I just couldn't make the phone calls, so my poor husband took the task. Every phone call was so hard.<br />
<br />
Well, we have other big bad news. Our second daughter has neuroblastoma cancer and ataxia. It took about a month to officially diagnose from the first symptoms. It was a shock to hear the doctor say our daughter has cancer, but it was a little bit of a relief to finally know what the cause was, but still mostly a very depressing moment.<br />
<br />
She's since had surgery to remove most of her tumor, and they'll be keeping a close eye on her to see if the remaining tumor grows again. We've also been treating her ataxia, helping her to walk better. She's at a point right now where her surgery wounds are healed enough, and her ataxia medication is working well enough that she's walking so fast. It's amazing to see her go from crawling because she couldn't walk anymore to almost running!<br />
<br />
It has been really hard, but I've seen many people with worse problems. Every time I get too depressed, I hear about someone else's problems and I am thankful I'm not going through that trial. People fleeing from war and trying to make a new home as a refugee in another country, houses burning to the ground or being destroyed by earthquakes, deadly car accidents, and even people whose cancer is much more aggressive and advanced than our daughters.<br />
<br />
If all goes well with our daughter, which the doctors are optimistic, then this could hopefully all be a bad memory. Not to say that there isn't a rough road ahead, because there still is much that needs to be done with our daughter, but the outlook is hopeful.<br />
<br />
We don't know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice we have.Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-61125113043241867912015-11-29T05:00:00.000-07:002015-11-29T13:04:34.622-07:00Faith Verses Logic<span style="font-family: times, 'times new roman', serif;">There are a lot of commandments that don't make sense: the conflicting commandments to Adam and Eve to not eat of the tree of knowledge but to multiply and replenish the earth, or Nephi being commanded to kill Laban and lie about being him when that would be breaking two of the ten big commandments. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmxW-qOAyfY/VlNA1KpjPmI/AAAAAAAAFyA/x9LsDtmo_cI/s1600/matthew_19_26_bible_verse1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CmxW-qOAyfY/VlNA1KpjPmI/AAAAAAAAFyA/x9LsDtmo_cI/s400/matthew_19_26_bible_verse1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">Commandment aren't about logic, they're about faith. Not blind faith, but conversing with God faith.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">Andrew Whittle gave the following insight on a quote: "President Henry B. Eyring: 'Human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. We need revelation from God.' This really spoke to me because I am a logical thinker and have struggled with certain things because it did not make logical sense. I have learned to increase my faith so I can one day understand things I may not know now. [Someone] asked ... what the opposite of faith was. ... The opposite of faith is logic."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">My friend, Jackie wrote a blog post about it as well: <a href="http://seejacwrite.blogspot.com/2015/11/lessons-about-god-from-parenting.html?showComment=1448294381036#c4109425332530263667" target="_blank">Jackie's Pos</a>t. She gave a great example of how sometimes your kids do something and you get mad at them without letting them explain what they were doing. Then later after you've calmed down, you go back and ask them what happened and they give a reasonable explanation that makes you feel bad for not listening before. You know your kids are good kids and next time something out of the ordinary happens, talking with them is probably the best solution.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">When God, not a church and not some guys in charge, but when God decides to make a commandment, there's a good reason behind it which will only be found by talking to Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif;">Faith is something that cannot be logically explained. It's something inside you which comes from an outside heavenly source. It's believing without seeing the whole picture, but knowing it's a good picture. It's opening up your heart and mind to something beyond yourself and the world you see around you. It starts small and grows. Faith defies logic.</span>Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-55650064001725444392015-11-23T05:30:00.000-07:002015-11-23T05:30:01.098-07:00Thanksgiving Leftovers RemadeThanksgiving is full of wonderful foods: turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, rolls, veggies, and lots of pie. But the magic wears off after having the same dinner all week, so here are some Thanksgiving leftovers remade. (Pictures from <a href="http://bettycrocker.com/">BettyCrocker.com</a>, thanks.)<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-40cm_CrPtH8/Vi6mf-_wwhI/AAAAAAAAFi4/jZRT9p97BPw/s1600/gravy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ngcMqt27LI/Vi6miDRo0OI/AAAAAAAAFi0/TDN68lRTCZE/s200/turkey.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Cubed or shredded turkey + gravy + cook the carrots and celery from </div>
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the veggie tray or any cooked veggies + pie crust = pot pie</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxPLNv-_Opc/Vi6mglrXnhI/AAAAAAAAFiI/d89XUWf5168/s1600/pot%2Bpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxPLNv-_Opc/Vi6mglrXnhI/AAAAAAAAFiI/d89XUWf5168/s400/pot%2Bpie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z33uT1GwZLk/Vi6mfwgFvXI/AAAAAAAAFi8/7zt-wNU95Hg/s1600/mashed%2Bpotatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z33uT1GwZLk/Vi6mfwgFvXI/AAAAAAAAFi8/7zt-wNU95Hg/s200/mashed%2Bpotatoes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFtbncMLXR4/Vi6mf75qHtI/AAAAAAAAFh8/t0XksLPRFno/s1600/green%2Bbeans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VFtbncMLXR4/Vi6mf75qHtI/AAAAAAAAFh8/t0XksLPRFno/s200/green%2Bbeans.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Green beans or any other cooked veggies + can tomato soup + cooked ground beef + mashed potatoes on top (can sprinkle cheese on top of potatoes for more deliciousness) = shepherd's pie</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QLvVmlW6bQ/Vi6mg_RMUYI/AAAAAAAAFiw/u6jE7oZOkJg/s1600/shepherd%2527s%2Bpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QLvVmlW6bQ/Vi6mg_RMUYI/AAAAAAAAFiw/u6jE7oZOkJg/s400/shepherd%2527s%2Bpie.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3Lz5NbFok0/Vi6mhfq0l3I/AAAAAAAAFig/axTdcHy3EUM/s1600/stuffing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e3Lz5NbFok0/Vi6mhfq0l3I/AAAAAAAAFig/axTdcHy3EUM/s200/stuffing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Turkey + cream of chicken + sour cream+ stuffing over the top = </div>
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turkey casserole, can add green beans too</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcK2I4efals/Vi6mhiPYzjI/AAAAAAAAFik/lof0IUU11MY/s1600/turkey%2Bstuffing%2Bcasserole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QcK2I4efals/Vi6mhiPYzjI/AAAAAAAAFik/lof0IUU11MY/s400/turkey%2Bstuffing%2Bcasserole.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PBrkuxwTns/Vi6mh9Pj85I/AAAAAAAAFis/PLjypfN62Zg/s1600/turkey%2Bstuffing%2Bgreen%2Bbean%2Bcasserole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_PBrkuxwTns/Vi6mh9Pj85I/AAAAAAAAFis/PLjypfN62Zg/s400/turkey%2Bstuffing%2Bgreen%2Bbean%2Bcasserole.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Mashed potatoes + hot dogs + cheese on top = hot dog surprise </div>
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(also known as weenie boats if you do them in individual portions) </div>
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Leftover rolls can be turned into breadcrumbs. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ngcMqt27LI/Vi6miDRo0OI/AAAAAAAAFi0/TDN68lRTCZE/s1600/turkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1ngcMqt27LI/Vi6miDRo0OI/AAAAAAAAFi0/TDN68lRTCZE/s320/turkey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Turkey can be put in a roll for a sandwich (dip in gravy), put in salads, wraps, casseroles, </div>
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soups, stir fry- pretty much any recipe that calls for chicken can be substituted with turkey.</div>
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Gobble gobble! </div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-84394451682477900262015-11-21T15:21:00.000-07:002015-11-21T15:21:28.480-07:00Good Book And Good Movie DayLibraries are great for browsing, trying books and movies you don't necessarily want to pay for in case you don't like it. You can even browse your library's collection on ereaders too. <div>
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I was looking in the comedy section for anything that looked remotely entertaining but that we could also watch in front of the kids. This movie, Mom's Night Out, caught my eye, and my husband and I actually watched it twice before we returned it.</div>
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It was fun and funny and very relatable if you have kids or take care of kids. The part where all she sees is salmonella all over the counter is totally me. Check it out and enjoy a fun movie night laughing about the follies of parenting and trying to get a night out.</div>
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If you're in the mood for a sweet story about being a parent through out your life, check out <i>I Will Hold You 'Til You Sleep</i> by Linda Zuckerman, illustrated by Jon J Muth.</div>
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My daughter picked it out at the library, and I'm glad she did because I might have looked right over it. She called it 'the mommy book'. I read it to her a couple times then decided I had to buy it. It's a sweet reminder that a parent's love lasts a lifetime.</div>
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To everyone who isn't a parent- you still make a big difference in the lives of everyone around you and are very loved and appreciated for just being who you are right now.</div>
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To all the parents out there reading this blog- hang in there! At the end of the day, the month, the year, what a child will cherish the most is every moment you loved them.</div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-71192765278978494772015-11-09T05:30:00.000-07:002015-11-09T05:30:00.228-07:00Blessings Part TwoIf you have a blessing, if you have a miracle then appreciate it,
hold it close, marvel that you were given it and do not take it for
granted that it will always be around but enjoy the moment. <br />
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Blessings are things we have and appreciate. Usually something we have that others do not have, which makes it more special.<br />
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People say they are so blessed to have certain things. Why are they blessed to have it and not someone else? Did they earn it, win it, deserve it? I haven't figured out the rule for blessings yet.<br />
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Why are some blessed with sight while others are not? Why are some blessed with children when others are not? Why are some blessed to live in prosperity while others are not? Why are some children born into loving and safe homes while others are not? There seems to be no rhyme or reason other than God's will, pure luck, or random chance.<br />
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Miracles fall in the same category. It's a miracle he survived the car accident, survived the war, survived cancer, survived all sorts or tragedies. But why him? Why not her? It's almost more a miracle to have a miracle than the actual happenings.<br />
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So many lose their children, spouses, houses, jobs, pets, and health with no miracle. It's not a lack of faith or knowledge, a matter of choices or desire. It seems to be a matter of happenstance or unknown God's plan. <br />
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So if you have a miracle, if you have a blessing then appreciate it, hold it close, marvel that you were given it and do not take it for granted that it will always be around but enjoy the moment. Hug your children, your spouse, your cat, your car, or yourself because life is a gift. Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-29030553302220198542015-11-02T05:30:00.000-07:002015-11-02T05:30:00.155-07:00Blessings Part OneWe're told to not compare ourselves with those that are prettier, richer, smarter, have more possessions or friends, or are more successful because you usually feel worse if you don't live up to them. We're supposed to count our blessings instead.<br />
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The funny thing about counting blessings is that it's like comparing yourself to those less fortunate than yourselves. But I guess that's okay because you feel better about yourself after. :)<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Wolfgang Staudt</span></div>
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Rarely do we hear people saying they give thanks for being the third planet from the sun so that mankind can survive at the right temperature, or giving thanks for the right mix of nitrogen, oxygen and other things that make up the air we breathe. That's because every single person, animal, and plant on Earth has this.<br />
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You do frequently hear people give thanks for the country, city, or house they live in because there are many people who do not live in that country, city, or house. You do frequently hear people complain about the bad air, but give thanks that at least it's not as bad as in other countries.<br />
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It's a funny thing, but as long as it's done in the right attitude it's fine. A humble attitude, not proud. A caring attitude for those less fortunate.<br />
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I think the best thing to compare yourself to is yourself. I'm wiser than I was in the past because of my life experiences. I'm more beautiful now because I've learned to be myself and love myself. I have a deeper level of love because I have a husband and children. I am thankful for the health I have now because I've been sick and broken in the past. I'm thankful for all these blessings because I know what it is to be without them.<br />
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Count your many blessings and give thanks. Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-40579824561480330412015-10-31T05:30:00.000-06:002015-10-31T09:26:02.174-06:00Saturday Laughs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #e69138;">H</span>app<span style="color: #e69138;">y</span></span> Ha<span style="color: black;">llow</span>een<span style="color: black;">!</span></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://lizclimo.tumblr.com/">http://lizclimo.tumblr.com/</a></div>
Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-20467959278782170942015-10-26T15:35:00.002-06:002015-10-26T15:35:19.931-06:00Guest Post: The Potential Of Your LifeMy husband and I were talking last night and he had some great things to say, so I had him write a post.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_CC4GbpnUQ/Vi6b_RtFZLI/AAAAAAAAFhg/TtXrhsxEhCA/s1600/Jer%2Bquote%2Bcopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_CC4GbpnUQ/Vi6b_RtFZLI/AAAAAAAAFhg/TtXrhsxEhCA/s400/Jer%2Bquote%2Bcopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">I believe that there's more to this life than just living and dying on Earth. We have more potential than that. The only answer I can think of to explain it now is God. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">You look at a child and how fast they learn and just imagine all the things they can do. It just seems like such a waste of a perfectly good life to watch someone grow like that then just die. You can even consider some of the great accomplishments specific individuals have made in the world, their talents and abilities. To say that is all gone just because their physical body couldn't contain their spirit anymore, again it just seems like such a waste. </span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Everybody has potential, it's just a matter of the choices they make in life that may or may not show their potential. It's a matter of if you value your life or squander it.</span>Lishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00131557809343518213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-188319040742098781.post-37026387942158862152015-10-24T05:00:00.000-06:002015-10-24T05:00:00.856-06:00Saturday Laughs<div style="text-align: center;">
I was cleaning up my computer and found these goodies that still make me laugh out loud! </div>
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I don't know where they all come from, but probably from some comic geniuses!</div>
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