Heroes of a different kind of battle

Sure we hear of heroes everyday. The ones who fought and died for our freedom and country. By no means am I going to put them down or talk poorly about them. I'm very thankful for those heroes. They are real heroes.

Nevertheless, I do want to speak about another kind of hero--One that fights a different battle. They are also REAL heroes.

I've never understood cancer: how it works, why it's here, even really what it is. But somehow, some way, it exists.

It's the parents of children with cancer that I look up to. How can one human be so strong during a time of tragedy and hurt? You can't do anything for your own child. Cancer isn't a monster under the bed that you can scare away and save the day. It's something, that even with all the treatments and medications, is still incurable. So to see your child go through pain and suffering, and not be able to help, is a battle itself. Anyone who can fight that battle is a hero to me.

What about siblings who have to face the fact that their brother or sister has this awful disease? It doesn't seem fair that someone you're supposed to play with and fight with and stick up for is going through something you can't fix or stand up to. Yet you try and you do your best. This is the hero.

And what about the actual child that has cancer? Can you imagine being 5, 6, 7 years old and battling something way bigger and scarier than you are but not being able to actually see or touch it? It's just something inside of you that is trying to take control. Most kids your age have to worry about cooties and adding 2+2, but you have to fight an internal physical battle of something you don't understand. These kids are TRUE heroes.

Sometimes cancer does take control of your body. Does that mean cancer wins? No! And does that mean you or your child or brother/sister lost the battle? No! They fought their hardest and did their best against this evil, confusing disease. And when anyone does their best to overcome something, then that automatically makes them a winner. Honestly, how can you be a loser when you will be where we all long to go? You're an angel in Heaven living with God for an eternity--no pain, no sadness, no depression, no anger. Just joy. You only can be a winner when you've got God on your side.

So this is my wish: that if I ever have to face this battle in my life, I will still be grateful, I will still be kind, and I will still live my life to please Jesus. This is all we can do in life anyways. Why should we change because we are faced with a physical ailment? You're right. We shouldn't.

So pray for these people. Don't just say you're going to pray but actually stop and pray. It's the least we can do for families who have to face cancer or any other internal physical battle they may be fighting. And remember they are TRUE heroes fighting REAL battles too--just a different kind of battle.

For Ella-Reid and the Mason family: They are REAL heroes.

My other family

So recently I've joined a family. Not like in laws or a church family, but another type of family--my jewelry family. Premier designs has been one heck of an honor to become a part of. Today we had a regional rally. It was amazing!! It wasn't all about money, business, and working. No, we had motivational speakers to encourage us to become better Christians, to use integrity (not only in our business but in everyday life), and how to SERVE others. We want to enrich lives. I was so touched by the awesome speakers (one who happens to be my premier momma). It's such a blessing to know you are part of a business who is all about serving others and serving God instead of about money--plus you get to play in jewelry all the time!! Who doesn't love that?! What does your job do for you?? I don't mean financially. I mean emotional and spiritually--morally. Don't let it bring you down. Let it impact your life in a positive way. And have fun doing it :)

It's more than that.

To me "working out" is more than working out. It's changing. For the good. And it's becoming healthy. Becoming not a new person, but finding someone that's been hiding within. Working out is a stress reliever. It's a time to think and reflect. It's also a time to let your anger and frustration out. It's something good for you. To me working out means being happy with yourself. It also means gaining confidence and respect. It's important to me and my life. It's a change.

Random Act of Kindness #1

I completed my first act of kindness today. It feels so good to know you are brightening someone's day. I left $1.25 in a ziplock bag on the vending machine. I hope a stranger in need felt a little blessed after receiving it.

I Can't wait to finish the other 25!!

Out With the OId, In With the New

2012 is a year of many memories for me--some good and some bad. Isn't that what every year is about though? Learning new things, losing things, gaining things.  Whether it's materialistic or irreplaceable, each year brings new joys and new heartaches. That's just it though--that's life. Some years may seem worse than others. Some years may seem better than the rest. However, everyone can look back and find at least one mishap and one bright moment.

BUT here's the best part: a new year means just that...A NEW YEAR. You gain a fresh start--a new beginning. So all those resolution that you...(WE) set last year, if you failed or didnt make it all year, that's okay you get to start over. So set yourself new goals and ridiculous resolutions. But give yourself something to look forward to. Make sure at least one of your resolution is REALLY attainable. AND dream. Give yourself a resolution that would be a dream come true. Make a list of things you want to change or accomplish for this year. It's okay.  It's all part of the New Year!

So here's my list:

--travel somewhere I've never been
--lose (some) weight
--have my own classroom
--pray more
--meet new friends
--be successful in my jewelry business
--bless a stranger...or two
--get a new (for me) vehicle
--enjoy free time
--go to a packers game
--experience something new
--exercise more

12 resolutions for 12 months. Now let's get this party started!

See ya later alligator.

Out with the old. In with the new.

Goodbye 2012. Hello 2013.

One last blog for 2012.

Hope 2013 brings happiness for everyone.

Blah

How come around the holidays is when everything seems to go wrong? I refuse to let anything get me down. Even this illness I've got going on. I'm just going to ignore it, relax, and ENJOY my last few days of break.

What seems to be your worry or problem during this holiday season? I hope nothing. But if so, remember life's about learning to dance in the rain. Find the good of the bad and roll with it.

26 Random Acts of Kindness

I love twitter and I'm basically addicted. The newest challenge or hashtag I've noticed is #26acts. What it basically stands for is the 26 victims of Sandy Hook.

Here's how it works:

You do 26 random acts of kindness in honor of each of the victims of Sandy Hook. The acts can be big or small. It's up to you. Leave a message telling about why you're doing this random act for the random stranger and challenge them to join in.

This is so moving to me!! I think it'll help show that we do have good people in this world and we can be a blessing to others.

So I challenge you to join me in #26acts. What's the worst that can happen?? You help brighten someone's day??

Help restore humanity. Help show we are a great nation and good people do still exist.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Yep. It's beautiful. It is perfect. Maybe even magical. Snow in the south is something special. I love it. Don't you??

Merry Christmas baby!!

Merry Christmas baby!!

It's almost here!!

Merry Christmas Eve y'all :)

Christmas Eve Eve

I can't believe Christmas Eve is tomorrow!! I'm so excited and can't wait to see everyone's faces as they open presents.

As I've gotten older, I've learned that it really isn't about getting but giving. It's so much more satisfying to watch others open the presents you buy them. Seeing that joy on a beloved one's face is priceless.

So this holiday season remember that God gave us his son so we could be free and could live with him in heaven forever.

That's what this holiday season is all about, right?

Cray cray fam

We had out family Christmas party last night.

Oh boy, when I say cray cray, that's a simple understatement.

It's so much fun, but to newcomers, I feel sorry for you :)

We had a blast and squeezed over 100 people in my Aunt's house--well worth it.

Do y'all have big families?? This is all I've ever known. So it's normal to me. I can't imagine having a small family.

12/21/12

Read mark 13:32.

It'll explain why in fact the world didn't end Friday.

I'm a wrapper...

And not the singing kind...

All my presents are bought and wrapped.

To some this may seem late, but for me I'm 4 days early :)

So proud of myself!!

Hopeless Romantic

"Nobody in the world makes me laugh the way you do. You're my best friend. I just wanna be with you."-- Tom, Made of Honor

"After all... I'm just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her."--Anna Scott, Notting Hill

"Destiny is something we've invented because we can't stand the fact that everything that happens is accidental."--Annie Reed, Sleepless in Seattle

"Margaret, will you marry me? Because I'd like to date you."--Andrew Paxton, The Proposal

Paige: I vow to help you love life, to always hold you with tenderness and to have the patience that love demands, to speak when words are needed and to share the silence when they are not and to live within the warmth of your heart and always call it home.
Leo: I vow to fiercely love you in all your forms, now and forever. I promise to never forget that this is a once in a lifetime love.--The Vow

"The truth is... I gave my heart away a long time ago, my whole heart... and I never really got it back."--Reese Witherspoon, Sweet Home Alabama

"If you love someone... you say it, right then, out loud. Otherwise... the moment just passes you by."--My Best Friend's Wedding

"What if someone you never met, someone you never saw, someone you never knew, was the only someone for you?"--Sleepless in Seattle

"You know what's wrong with you, Miss Whoever-you-are? You're chicken, you've got no guts. You're afraid to stick out your chin and say, "Okay, life's a fact, people do fall in love, people do belong to eachother, because that's the only chance anybody's got for real happiness." You call yourself a free spirit, a "wild thing," and you're terrified somebody's gonna stick you in a cage. Well baby, you're already in that cage. You built it yourself. And it's not bounded in the west by Tulip, Texas, or in the east by Somali-land. It's wherever you go. Because no matter where you run, you just end up running into yourself."--Breakfast at Tiffany's (my fave)

Orlando: Helen, if I'm away from you for more than an hour, I can't stop thinking about you. I carry you in my spirit. I pray for you more than I pray for myself. I've got it so bad for you I'd... I'd go to the grocery store and buy your feminine products, I swear I would.
Orlando: And see? And that... that... That smile. Helen, when you smile like that, my world... It's all right.--Diary of a Mad Black Woman

Some of my all time favorite quotes. Enjoy them :)

Yours truly,
The hopeless romantic

I'm really terrible at this "blog everyday" challenge

Well I forgot to blog again yesterday...surprised?? Me neither.

Anyways, I can't believe how close it is to Christmas!! Can y'all?? I'm so excited. However, my procrastination is coming out of course. I still have 3 people to buy for...I'm such a last minute shopper. Probably because I HATE shopping. What about you?? Do you like shopping? Are you finished buying Christmas gifts? And how excited are you about Christmas?!

A year later...

Last year on this exact day I graduated from college. Can you believe it?! Me either!!

It's been such a blessing to know I accomplished something that is so meaningful in life. Something that can be difficult to accomplish--I did it.

I'll never forget that (boring) ceremony. I've never appreciated boredom so much. Well worth it.

It's nice to look back and see what I've completed. But it's also nice to look ahead at my goals. I know I can do it no believe in myself--just like I did 5 years ago :)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

My best friend and I love to go looking at Christmas lights during the holiday season. So tonight we drove around our little town and adored all the cute little houses with dancing lights (our fave)!!

Does anyone else enjoy this Christmas tradition?!