In Honor of the Holiday, Tell Us For What You Are Thankful...

I have so many things to be thankful for. From the breathe I take to the enjoyment of tasting dark chocolate. Life provides so many things that we should be thankful about. First and foremost, I'm most thankful for a life that my God has provided me with. A life full of learning experiences, adventures, love, passion..... And I'm also thankful for:

~To know the feeling of true love. I've been blessed to of experienced it once, but I get to experience the feeling over and over again each and every day thanks to my wonderful daughter.
~My daughter and her health and happiness.
~My health (even though it's got its bumps...lol).
~Our home and food on our table and in our bellies.
~For those who are serving and has served.
~The memories we keep alive within us.
~For family and their health and happiness.
~For friends and their health and happiness (both online and home life).
~Teachers who help us to educate our children and ourselves.
~For the freedom we have in this country.
~To see the beauty all around us - in people form and in other forms.
~The sense of smell to smell all the wonderful things around us.


My list could go on forever. My reasons to be grateful are termendous. But today, these are what I'm most grateful for. I hope everyone is enjoying their Thanksgiving!!!

Self-Love Affirmations

I've been looking for some self-love affirmations, and so far here is what I've found... I will be using these for myself and I hope that others will use them as well, plus I have other plans for them but can't tell at this time.

Enjoy!

1 - I believe in myself.
2 - I am taking many steps to make my life better.
3 - I appreciate myself. I five thanks for my wonderful life.
4 - I take time for myself today and every day.
5 - I am strong and capable.
6 - I wake up full of joy. I look forward to my day.
7 - I appreciate all that I am and all that I have.
8 - I speak positive, uplifting words.
9 - I am loved. I am lovable.
10 - I have the right to choose who I want to be around.
11 - I am open to receive my soul's joy. I am full of joy.
12 - I congratulate myself often.
13 - I easily sustain a positive lifestyle.
14 - I release any negative or fearful self-images.
15 - I let go of any burdens that are not mine to carry.
16 - I appreciate often how I feel good.
17 - I am filled with light.
18 - I look more beautiful everyday.
19 - I release guilt and shame. I am perfect as I am.
20 - I am generous with my love.
21 - I keep my promises to others and myself.
22 - I am a success. I congratulate myself often.
23 - I am comfortable with my feelings.
24 - I receive love easily. Others give it to me generously.
25 - I know what I love to do and I do it.
26 - I have a wonderful, nurturing environment.
27 - I value my time and energy.
28 - I give generously to myself.
29 - I love and honor everything I create.
30 - I accept and love myself for who I am right now.
31 - I honor myself in everything I do.
32 - I am a special, unique person.
33 - I put myself in situations where I feel honored, loved, and valued.
34 - I am lovable just as I am right now.
35 - I give myself all that I need.
36 - I honor my magical child. I have fun and play.
37 - I am aware of the images I send to other people. I send them positive, confident, and loving images of who I am.
38 - I choose to live in a balanced life.
39 - I feel vibrant and alive. I love how I feel.
40 - I am confident and serene.
41 - I take good care of myself.
42 - I have the right to change my mind.
43 - I smile often.
44 - I back up my feelings with my words and actions.
45 - I have frequent feelings of well-being.
46 - I honor my deepest truth with my words, actions, and behavior.
47 - I choose to be around other people who contribute to my feelings of aliveness.
48 - I pay attention to my body's wisdom and act on its message.
49 - I release all self-pity and blame. They flow out of my body and are replaced with love.
50 - I am true to myself in all that I do.
51 - I believe in myself. I know I have an unlimited capacity to create whatever I want.
52 - I recognize my own divinity.
53 - I acknowledge and appreciate my good qualities.
54 - I release all images others hold of me. I choose my own self-image.
55 - I release power struggles with others. I choose peace.
56 - I treat myself with respect. I am a worthy being.
57 - I accept myself for who I am.
58 - I trust my future self to take right action. I now live in the present moment.
59 - Everything I give to others is a gift to myself. As I give, I receive.
60 - I feel good, calm, and at peace with myself.
61 - I honor and value my creativity and ideas.
62 - I can have what I want.
63 - I am a valuable person. My path is important.
64 - I love myself unconditionally.
65 - I am open to allow and accept good things into my life.
66 - I give myself permission to be all I can be.
67 - I forgive myself, knowing that I did the best I knew how at the time.
68 - I am in charge of my destiny. I am the builder of my life.
69 - I am pleasing to myself.
70 - Every day, I experience more love in my life.

It's My List - That's Right - MY LIST!!!

After a lot of thought, I have decided to do a list of things that I want to do within my lifetime. You know, one of those "To-Do Lifetime Lists". I think by writing down things that I want to one day accomplish, I will have a better chance of it happening. Writing things down has always gave me that push to go for something. And I want to have a full-filling life of things that I want to try and actually doing them.

My "To-Do Lifetime List" will contain anything and everything I want to try, do, learn, ect. Things I want to accomplish before my lifetime is up. A planning list of sorts, I guess you could all it. It's of things that I want to do, not what others want me to do.... It's my list...

Edith's 'To-Do Lifetime List':

1 - Learn the Spanish and french language.
2 - Travel to Greenland and Iceland.
3 - Become a better student.
4 - Experience each cultures lifestyle.
5 - Learn to dance to upbeat music.
6 - Be well educated.
7 - Fly a plane.
8 - Attend a concert of Christina Aguilera.
9 - Meet Johnny Depp in person, carry on a conversation, have my photo taken with him.
10 - Live in Maine on the ocean front.
11 - Vacation in Devon, England.
12 - Learn about fashion.
13 - Be a good example to my daughter, Devon.
14 - Own my own custom built home.
15 - Be known in other countries in a good way.
16 - Graduate collage with a duel degree.
17 - Learn to sew.
18 - Learn to meditate.
19 - Be a better mother.
20 - Understand sign language.
21 - Be more assertive.
22 - Learn to cook cultural foods well.
23 - Vacation in Mexico.
24 - Take a cruise to the Caribbeans.
25 - Learn wood carving.
26 - Visit Disney Land/World with my daughter, Devon.
27 - Build a sand castle on the beaches of Florida with my daughter, Devon.
28 - Become an Interior Designer.
29 - Build a butterfly garden.
30 - Visit a live circus with my daughter, Devon.
31 - Learn to use coupons and deals offered to save the most money.
32 - Be financially stable.
33 - See my daughter, Devon, succeed in life.
34 - Find the right man for me.
35 - Learn to create signature tags for online use.
36 - Learn photography and be good at it.
37 - Be organized.
38 - Be physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy.
39 - Be more self-sufficient.
40 - Give my daughter, Devon, a positive outlook on life.
41 - Go on a hot air balloon ride.
42 - Learn to ice skate.
43 - Go skydiving.
44 - Learn to roller skate.
45 - Be seen in a romantic-comedy movie starring Hugh Grant.
46 - To snorkeling.

As time goes by, I will add to my list, cross things off, and post my experience of each accomplishment I make. This list is my list. No anyone else's. It's what I want to do, try, learn, ect. It's my list.

Life

Life growing up was so different. I was full of life, energy. I was outspoken and unique all at the same time after I got out of school. I had fun each and every day. I hung with friends. I went to church. I was out and about each day doing something that felt good to me.

All the 'life' in me seems to of faded away. Where has it gone? My hopes and dreams have mostly faded away. My child like outlook on life has vanished, and it's something that I'm in need of to keep my sanity. It's something that I want to hold onto. Something that I want back.

Depression took hold of my life early in my teenage years, but hasn't fully let go. Things I used to love doing, I no longer feel the joy from. One day soon, I hope things change. I want to feel that joy again from doing every day things. I want to feel the hop build for another chance; another day. I want laughter to full my heart. I want my heart full of endless sunshine and warm love and laughter.

Putting a smile on my face just isn't doing it. All it's doing is covering the pain and hurt I have inside. I want a smile that's true. True to me. True to my daughter. She deserves it. I deserve it.

In time, happiness WILL prevail!!!

Setting Goals

Setting Goals

Teach your child to turn dreams into reality with the practical magic of goal setting.

Goal setting is the process of making a dream come true step-by-step. The desire to meet a challenge and succeed has been a part of many cultures throughout history. The ancient Peruvians used to draw out their goals in symbols and paint them in primitive colors on the walls of caves. The Egyptians used to create elaborate rituals to move from the state of desire to actualization. They believed that writing out a dream in advance would assure a positive outcome.

Here are a few simple steps to follow to help your child set goals successfully.

Seven Principles for Setting Goals

1. Listen First: Encourage your child to become quiet and listen to the wisdom within before setting a goal. Many goals are born out of competition or excessive striving rather than from one's own integrity. A healthy and solid goal follows listening to one's inner wisdom, rather than the reverse. Go over these vital questions before setting goals:

* Is this goal something i really want?
* Does this goal serve me in my life right now?
* What will I need to bring this dream into reality?

Once these questions have been answered to your child's satisfaction, you can begin to create a game plan.

2. Create Smart Goals: Getting clear and specific about goals will help your child to create a personal map to success. The more realistic the goal, the more likely it is to take place, as long as the goal is something that your child truly wants rather than something force-fed by a well-intentioned adult. Consider these five key questions when helping your child to set "smart" goals:

Sensible - Does it make sense to do this?
Measurable - How will I measure when I've arrived?
Attainable - Can I actually attain the now?
Realistic - Is it possible and realistic at this time?
Time line - How much time will it take me?

3. See It and Believe It: Once the goal has been set, encourage your child to begin to see it as though it had already occurred. Drawing out goals in pictures, writing the down in vivid detail, or describing the desired end result on tape are great ways to keep the energy flowing in a positive direction. Once your child has set the goals, this will be the most important step to focus on each day.

4. Set Monthly Goals: Setting one or two monthly goals is a good way to practice the principles and see results quickly. A family of four selects one main goal per month each, along with a chart for marking down their progress on the refrigerator. Each person places a start on a winning day. They don't believe in failure, and they claim that they only have two kinds of days-- "I did it" days and "Give it all you've got tomorrow" days. At the end of the month, they have a Excellence Dinner to celebrate their successes. (Usually all four of them succeed, since they enjoy keeping one another motivated.)

5. Set Yearly Goals: Make yearly goal setting a family affair. Consider creating goals for the ear in the following categories:

* Business or school
* Family and friends
* Money
* Vacation
* Learning
* Spirituality
* Physical health

Break these down into bite-sized pieces by creating goals for the month, and read over the yearly goals at least once a week.

6. Reward Your Progress: Rewards can provide a fun lift along the way. Create small weekly or monthly rewards to stay motivated, since every step along the way is a step toward success and worthy of acknowledgment! Give one another hugs, pats on the back, cheers, and encouragement. If someone slips, support that person in getting back on track.

7. Be Wiling to Let It All Go: Sometimes something unexpected appears, and sings indicated that a change is needed. Being willing to drop a goal in favor of something more timely is a mark of courage and wisdom. Encourage your child to remain open to changes, and practice the art of detachment. There is a Zen saying that offers wise counsel during times of unexpected change:

"Face change by resisting the current and perish. Move with change, resilient to the flow, and flourish."



(100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem and Teach Values by Diana Loomans with Julia Loomans)

Teaching Children a Wellness Lifestyle (Health)

Good Nutrition

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Americans are changing their eating habits for the better and teaching their children to eat fewer non-nutritious foods and more nutritionally sound meals. Red meat is being replaced by poultry, fish, bean products, nuts, and grains, and fresh produce consumption is growing rapidly across the country. The USDA's latest guidelines recommend a low-fat diet, with grains as the foundation, or at least 40 percent of one's daily food consumption. The USDA has divided foods recommended for daily intake into six food groups.

The USDA's Six Main Food Groups to Eat Each Day

1. Grains: This category includes breads, cereal, rice, and pasta. Six to eleven servings are recommended per day, depending on age and body weight. One serving is approximately one slice of bread, or one-half cup of pasta, cereal, or rice. Grains have been the dietary foundation for people living in the temperate zones of our planet for thousands of years.

2. Vegetables: When it comes to vegetables, the yellow, orange, or dark leafy green ones are the richest in nutrients. Three to five servings per day are recommended. One serving is approximately one cup of raw vegetables, or one-half cup of cooked vegetables.

3. Fruit: The USDA recommends two to four servings of fruit per day. One serving is approximately one medium-size piece of fresh fruit, or three-fourths of a cup of berries, such as cherries, blueberries, strawberries, ans so forth.

4. Protein: This category includes meat (preferably lean meat with hewer than three grams of fat per ounce), poultry, fish, dry beans, tofu, eggs, nuts, and seeds (with a caution on the high fat content of nuts). Two to three servings are recommended per day. One serving is approximately three ounces of lean meat; three-fourths of a cup of tofu, beans, or low-fat cottage cheese; or one whole egg.

5. Dairy: This includes milk, yogurt, and cheese. The USDA recommends two to three servings per day. One serving is approximately eight ounces of low-fat milk or yogurt, or one ounce of cheese. For those who prefer an alternative to dairy, substitute soy or rice products.

6. Fats: Fat is found in tow forms: saturated and unsaturated. Saturated fat is found primarily in the meat group, while unsaturated fat is found in poultry, fish, and vegetable oils. To meet the need for essential fatty acid, choose from the unsaturated group. One to three servings per day are recommended. One serving is approximately one pat of butter, one tablespoon of oil or salad dressing, or two teaspoonfuls of mayonnaise.

Eight Ways to Help Your Child Develop Healthy Eating Habits

1. Plan your meals for the week with your child, adding flavorful dishes and variety, and make nutritional eating something to look forward to.

2. Serve a balance of foods from the six food groups each day.

3. Encourage children to drink at least eight glasses of water each day, including a small glass before each meal to help prevent overeating.

4. Teach children to eat snacks that are healthy and low in fat, such as fruits, vegetables, air-popped popcorn, low-fat yogurt, bread, or low-fat crackers.

5. Encourage children to eat slowly at each meal, chewing each bite of food thoroughly and putting the fork down between bites.

6. Teach children to eat until the appetite is reasonably satisfied, rather than overeating. Research has shown that those who eat moderate amounts of food, rather than overeating, live longer, healthier lives.

7. Make desserts low-fat and healthy, and save sugar and high-fat desserts (cake, ice cream, pie, pastries, or candy) for special occasions, such as birthdays and holidays.

8. Avoid additives, pesticides, and artificial flavor whenever possible, and eat food that is made with all-natural ingredients. Buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever available.

Five Benefits of Good Nutrition for Children

1. More energy.
2. More brain power for learning and thinking.
3. Better health.
4. Fewer illnesses.
5. Higher performance levels.

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ExerciseOne hundred years ago, scrubbing clothes in a washtub for twenty minutes burned about 140 calories and toned the upper torso and arms. Today, the same task involves putting the clothes into the washer and turning it on, which takes about tow minutes and burns about 14 calories. With all of our modern conveniences, it's no wonder that so many American families are overweight. The U.S. Government's Council on Health and Fitness cites exercise as one of the most important aspects of a child's health. Here are a few ideas about how you can promote a more active lifestyle for your family.

Exercising Together

1. Walk Together: There are over seventy million walkers in the United States. Exercise walking has now become the number one fitness activity in America, with enthusiasts spanning all age brackets. When you are going on short neighborhood errands with your child, consider the benefits of walking rather than driving. A mother of a first grader began to walk her daughter to school each morning instead of driving her. "It makes such a difference in how I feel for the rest of the day, and we have a good time, too!" Taking fitness walks with your child to nature reserves, state parks, or interesting parts of town offers a fun adventure together as well as a good workout.

2. Take Up a Sport with Your Child: More and more parents are combining play and fitness with their children, teaching them how to lead active lives while having fun together. Biking, hiking, tennis, roller blading, running, playing Frisbee, swimming, baseball, basketball, or even kite flying are just a few of the ways that adults and children can keep fit and have some fun together. A mother and her sever-year-old son took up roller blading as a sport, and they now spend some time each week practicing their new skill. "I'm the only second grader with a mom who roller blades," her son Brian said, beaming. A father and his tow teenage daughters recently signed up for an aerobics class together at a local gym. "We have a lot of fun going together, and we keep one another motivated," one of his daughters said.

3. Take a Hike: Hiking is one of the best ways to do aerobic activity together, since the scenery distracts you from the vigorous workout that you and your child will get in just one hour. A single father of five-year-old twin boys takes them on a hike every Saturday morning before lunch. "It's playtime, quality time, and a workout, all rolled into one for us," he said.

Five Benefits of Regular Exercise for Children

1. More energy.
2. More motivation.
3. Better health.
4. Trim appearance.
5. Greater self-esteem.

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Managing StressChildren cope with a certain amount of stress each day, depending on their age and upon circumstances at home and at school. Two questions children often ask when they experience stress are, "How will I get through this?" and "Will it ever end?" The following list of stresses children may experience can be used as a springboard for discussion and to help offer reassurance that, with support, they will get through their stress, and at some point the stress will end.

Twenty-One Ways Children Experience Stress

Ask your child to rank the following list of twenty-one stresses, with 1 being the most stressful, and 21 being the least stressful. Note that this checklist covers only some of the most common fears and stresses that children may experience and is intended for discussion only.

* Moving to a new location and going to a new school.
* Being teased or put down by friends and classmates.
* Losing a parent through divorce or death.
* Getting poor grades in school.
* Fighting or arguing with Mom or Dad.
* Getting lost.
* Going to the doctor or dentist.
* Hearing Mom and Dad quarreling.
* Being suspected of lying.
* Fear of death.
* Being spanked.
* Being left out.
* Getting sick.
* Losing a game.
* Having nightmares.
* Being embarrassed in front of other people.
* Being yelled at.
* Fighting with friends.
* Being harassed, attacked, or molested.
* Being held back a year in school.
* Have a new brother or sister.

Twelve Ways for Children to Reduce and Manage Stress

1. Talk to an adult you can trust about your feelings.

2. Work off tension with physical play or exercise.

3. Breathe slowly and relax your whole body from head to foot when feeling tense.

4. Write about your feelings in a diary or journal each day.

5. Talk to a good friend who listens when you're having a rough time.

6. Ask for some extra attention from your family when you need it.

7. Get plenty of sleep each night, drink lots of water, and eat healthy food.

8. Have a hobby, such as drawing or playing a musical instrument, for relaxation and relief.

9. Learn to laugh at yourself when you make mistakes.

10. Get your tension and anger out in ways that don't hurt anybody -- go for a run, yell into a pillow, punch a punching bag, jump on a trampoline, or throw pillows.

11. Agree with people who tease you with it makes sense to do so. If you drop a ball, for example, say, "You're right, I did drop the ball," in a carefree voice. When the teasing or put-downs are more cruel, learn to walk away, telling yourself, "I don't have to listen to this."

12. Dont' keep secrets inside that are hurting you. Reach out to someone who can help.

Help you child to lead a lifestyle of wellness that includes good nutrition, regular exercise, and skills in managing stress by encouraging the above ideas, and by learning a healthy and active wellness lifestyle of your own.

(took from: 100 Ways to Build Self-Esteem and Teach Values by Diana Loomans with Julia Loomans)

Ten Caring Ways to Connect with Children Each Day

Ten Caring Ways to Connect with Children Each Day

1. Compassion: Honor all of your feelings, and listen with empathy to each other.

2. Clear Communication: Express your emotions simply, and speak from the heart together.

3. Creativity: Try new things, be playful, and invite the unexpected.

4. Consistency: Do what you say, and say what you mean each day.

5. Challenge: Approach problems with positive expectancy, and learn from the challenge.

6. Cheerfulness: Embrace the day with lightheartedness, and learn to enjoy life.

7. Confidence: Trust and believe in your own talents and in the abilities of others.

8. Calmness: Breathe and live from a calm center within yourself each day.

9. Clear Agreements: Create clear agreements and rules that everyone understands and feels good about.

10. Commitment: Be committed to being true to yourself and honest with others each day.

Journal Topic - Complete the following: "I love that my family is..."

There is so much that I love about my family, and there are things that I do not. But the things that I love out weighs the things that I do not. For the following sentence, I am basing it on the family that I made... So, it's just me and my daughter (not the family that I came from).....

Complete the following sentence:

"I love that my family is..."
~ happy
~ together
~ easy to get along with
~ small
~ bonded
~ caring
~ understanding
~ loving
~ honest
~ determined
~ emotional
~ trusting
~ hopeful
~ a dream come true
~ a gift
~ centered
~ spiritual
~ open-minded
~ passionate
~ full of energy
~ unique
~ full of life
~ full of laughter
~ a source of love
~ a source of pleasantness
~ eager
~ strong

The list goes on and on.... But I don't want to bore you with everything...

Affirmations

I create an atmosphere of love, peace and healing within my daily experiences of life.

I release with love, all criticism of those who have hurt me, including myself.

I am safe, my inner parent listens to my inner child each day and we have fun together.

My thoughts are like seeds of love.

I listen gently to my body and I choose to feed it nutritional food and positive affirmations.

I meditate, pray and visualise my child being reparented with love and gentleness.

I am at one with the flow of life.

I can just be me and learn to trust my higher self.

As I give thanks from deep inside me, including my inner child, I become more open and receptive to all good.

I am willing to be patient with myself, when I get off centre I allow my inner parent to comfort me in my tears.

I know what I feel and have the courage to give voice to my feelings. This helps me sense my power.

I send love before me to every situation I am going to meet today and give thanks for all good.

Each time I choose a thought of love, my inner child leaps within with delight to say yes to life.

A Journal Topic...

On a forum that I am on, the daily journal topic was "Complete this sentence - I hope my child(ren)..." I thought it was a great topic and wanted to share what I had posted there.

I hope my child....
~ I hope my child grows up to be a strong, happy women that is loving and accepting of others and of herself.
~ I hope my child continues her educations well past high school.
~ I hope my child always tells me "I love you, mommy" every single day.
~ I hope my child continues to grasp the meaning of love and shares it with everyone she comes into contact with.
~ I hope my child grows to have a balanced life of love, career, and children of her own.
~ I hope my child will strive to do her best no matter what.
~ I hope my child will never be afraid to use her imagination.
~ I hope my child will be a example to others in her life.
~ I hope my child's dreams will all come true!
~ I hope my child will always be involved with her friends and family as she grows older.
~ I hope my child will be able to travel all over the world.
~ I hope my child will have a happy marriage when she is old enough to get married.
~ I hope my child will be a success in her chosen career.
~ I hope my child will never forget where she comes from.
~ I hope my child will excel in any given situation that comes into her life.
~ I hope my child will always be as happy as she is now!!!

There is so much more that I hope my child will be or will do. I want all the best for her and I hope she gets everything she wants out of life!!!

A Love Letter To Myself!!!

My Dearest Self,

Growth is a wonderful thing. Growing with and around others and yourself is a wonderful thing. The growth that you have done over the years has provided a powerful foundation for your future. You have grown from the emotional, physical, and spiritual impact that has been put into your life. I applaud you for your determination to overcome, to move forwards when you felt you could not.

The love in your heart is unique and tremendous. I am proud of the love you have, that you share, that you give. I am proud that the pain and hurt from the past has not taken that from you. You are a strong soul. You are a strong source of love for those around you.

Strength... Oh, what I can say... The strength you carry is a special thing. You have been blessed with the strength to carry on no matter what happens, no matter what has been put on your path of life. Your strength has formed a glow around you that others can see. A strong soul and a strong heart to push forward in life.

I love you! I love your growth, love, and strength. I love your soul. I love you!!!

Love,
Yourself

100 Ways To Be Happy

I have also received this from someone. I really liked it and thought that I would post it here.

___________________________________

100 WAYS TO BE HAPPY

1. Never put yourself last.
2. Always own a pair of old, faded jeans.
3. Count your blessings every day.
4. When you extend a helping hand to one person, be careful not to kick someone else in the teeth.
5. Acknowledge your successes along with your downfalls.
6. Burn the candle that has been in storage for the last two years.
7. Strive for progress, not perfection.
8. Remember, the voice telling you that you cannot do something is always lying.
9. At least once a day sit and do nothing.
10. Don't close your heart so tightly against life's pain that you shut out life's blessings.
11. Celebrate all your birthdays no matter how old you get.
12. Examine your life for limitations and ask yourself why you put them there.
13. Plant a tree, pull weeds, or get your hands dirty.
14. Diminish your wants instead of increasing your needs.
15. Cry when you feel like it.
16. Rejoice in other people's triumphs.
17. Don't wait for someone else to laugh or express joy.
18. Forgive yourself for any mistake you make, no matter how big or small.
19. Keep good company.
20. Never take a pill for a pain you need to feel.
21. Use your enthusiasm to put yourself in forward gear and give yourself a spark to move ahead.
22. Look in the eyes of the ones you love when you are talking to them.
23. Remember that one is a whole number.
24. Walk in a summer rain shower without an umbrella.
25. Do a kind deed for someone else.
26. Keep your eyes and ears open to get the messages you need from people and events in your daily life.
27. Be patient.
28. Eat something green.
29. Change what you can and leave the rest alone.
30. Walk hand and hand with truth.
31. Make laughter and joy a greater part of your life than anger and grief.
32. Embrace solitude instead of running from it.
33. Be zealous, not jealous.
34. Forgive anyone you've been holding a grudge against.
35. Slow down and enjoy the present.
36. Walk in others' shoes before judging them.
37. Send yourself a kind message.
38. Remind yourself that the company you keep is a reflection of what you think of yourself.
39. Go on a picnic.
40. Accept your fears, no matter how crazy they seem.
41. Don't let other people's opinions shape who you are.
42. Say a prayer.
43. Never attribute your accomplishments to luck or chance.
44. Know when to say no.
45. Look at the positive side of negative situation.
46. Remember that you are a spiritual being in a physical body.
47. Avoid seeking out other people for constant approval, because it make them the master and you the slave.
48. Go fly a kite.
49. Avoid fads and bandwagons.
50. Accept the things you cannot change.
51. Look inside instead of outside yourself for answers to life's problems.
52. Remember that all feelings are okay.
53. Shield yourself from bad influences.
54. Stand up for what you believe in.
55. Respect the wishes of others when they say no.
56. Seize every moment and live it fully.
57. Give away or sell anything you haven't used in the past five years.
58. Never downgrade yourself.
59. Take responsibility for what you think, feel, and do.
60. Pamper yourself.
61. Never say or do anything abusive to a child.
62. Let yourself be God powered instead of flying solo.
63. Volunteer to help someone in need.
64. Refrain from overindulging in food, drink, and work
65. Finish unfinished business.
66. Be spontaneous.
67. Find a constructive outlet for your anger.
68. Think about abundance instead of lack, because whatever you think about expands.
69. Think of yourself as a survivor, not a victim.
70. Cuddle an animal.
71. Be open to life.
72. See success as something you already have, not something you must attain.
73. Experience the splendor and awe of a sunset.
74. When you score a base hit, don't wish it were a home run.
75. Learn to be in the present moment.
76. Instead of believing in miracles, depend on them.
77. Take a child to the circus.
78. Change your attitude and your whole life will change.
79. Never turn your power over to another person.
80. When your heart is at odds with your head, follow your heart.
81. Always remember that the past is gone forever and the future never comes.
82. Live your life according to what is right for you.
83. Acknowledge your imperfections.
84. Plant a tree and watch it grow.
85. See "friend" instead of "enemy" on the face of strangers.
86. Watch an army of ants build their houses and cities and carry food ten times their weight.
87. Believe in something bigger than yourself.
88. Let the playful child within you come out.
89. Make haste slowly.
90. Work through your problems step by step and one day at a time.
91. Accept compliments from others so you can see the truth about yourself.
92. Sit on the lawn without worrying about grass stains.
93. Don't condemn yourself for your imperfections.
94. Do a humility check periodically by loving the truth about yourself.
95. Tell someone you appreciate them.
96. Never live your life according to what is right for someone else.
97. Talk less and listen more.
98. Admit your wrongdoing and forgive yourself for it.
99. Thrive on inner peace instead of on crises.
100. Affirm all the good things about yourself.

Ways to Put a WOW in Every Tomorrow

I have received permission from the writer of this to post this. I thought it was very encouraging and helpful. I hope you like it as much as I did!

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Ways to Put a WOW in Every Tomorrow

~DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE.
Even when you are experiencing tough times, remember the blessings in your life. It's like sprinkling sunshine on a cloudy day.

~ENCOURAGE OTHERS.
When someone has a goal, most people point out the obstacles. You be the one to point out the possibilities.

~GIVE SINCERE COMPLIMENTS.
We all like to be remembered for our best moments.

~KEEP GROWING.
Walk a different path. Take a class. Read something inspiring.

~GIVE THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS.
Forgiveness is a blessing for the one who forgives as well as for the one who is forgiven.

~TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
Exercise, eat a healthy diet, sing, and dance a little bit every day.

~DO RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS.
The most fun is when the other person doesn't know who did it.

~TREASURE RELATIONSHIPS.
Eat meals together, talk walks, listen, Share laughter and tears. Make memories.

~SHARE YOUR FAITH.
You can wish someone joy and peace and happy things, but when you share your faith - you've wished them everything.

~By: Alice Gray - Inspiration conference speaker

Self Pampering

I feel that everyone needs to treat themselves with a little love each day. Do something for yourself to release the stress, to release the worries of the day. Some things may be more extravagant then other things, but we are all different and even love ourselves differently.

Treating yourself, or self pampering, doesn't have to cost you money. You can do things at home, in nature, alone, or even with family. You deserve to feel special. You deserve to feel good. You deserve to be pampered...

Here are some things that I do to self pamper:
~Cuddle up with a warm blanket with a hot cup of tea.
~Relaxing, hot, scented bubble bath with candles and relaxing music.
~Watching the sun rise.
~Watching the sun set.
~Look through old and newer photos.
~Take pictures.
~Read a inspiring book.
~Writing in a journal.
~Meditating
~Visiting with old friends.
~Talking on the phone with distant friends.
~Buying self a gift.
~Self-pleasuring
~Watch a romantic-comedy.
~Dressing up for no reason.
~Pursuing a dream.
~Act like a kid.
~Take walks.
~Writing what you feel for 20 minutes upon wakening.
~Read for 20 minutes upon wakening.
~Wear a favorite scent (perfume).
~Burn candles.
~Watch a fire.
~Turn everything off and enjoy the peace and quite.


Taking time out of our busy schedules to do something for yourself can be heaven sent. We work hard on a daily basis to support our families, clean the house, pay our bills, give attention to other family members, feed the family, and so on. We need 'us' time. We need 'me' time.

So what are you waiting for, get out there and do something to self pamper yourself!! And have a great time at it!!!

I Will Never...

I will never...

So many things to list that I have told myself that I would never do. Things that I felt would make me less as being a human or a mom. Things that was done to me as a child or teenager that I vowed I would do.

Here's a few:
~ I will never lie to my child.

~ I will never abuse my child in any way.

~ I will never turn my back on my child in what she is telling me.

~ I will never lock my child in her room.

~ I will never not feed my child.

~ I will never push my child away.

~ I will never argue in front of my child.

~ I will never not be there for my child emotionally or mentally.

~ I will never be afraid to have a open relationship with my child.

~ I will never force something upon my child.

~ I will never leave my child.

~ I will never leave my child with just anyone during times needed for babysitting.

~ I will never teach my child to cheat, steal, lie, or hate.

~ I will never turn against my child.

~ I will never live in a dirty house.

~ I will never let failure overtake me.

~ I will never abuse trust.

~ I will never misuse friendships.

~ I will never allow my daughter to do without the needed items.

~ I will never fail at being a mother.

~ I will never be an organized person...lol

~ I will never dislike someone for their life-style.

~ I will never choose a man over my child.

~ I will never knowingly allow my child to be misused, abused, pushed around, or hurt in any way.


The list goes on and on, but I will stop here. My "will never's" are something that I put into every single day and always will.

What Makes Your Heart Sing?

What makes your heart sing with love and joy? What makes your heart happy? Is it your kids? Is it something that you treasure doing?

I ran across a post in a site group that I go on that asked this very question. I thought it was good and something to really think about. Can you list some of the things that make your heart fill up with love and joy?

Here are some of the things that allow my heart to sing with love and joy:

~ Every morning I wake up and look at my daughter as she is sleeping.

~ Knowing that she is the best gift that I have ever been given from our Lord.

~ Every time my daughter comes up to me and asks for a hug and tells me that she loves me.

~ Every smile that my daughter gives me.

~ When my daughter and I just dance to the music in our hearts with each other.

~ When we talk with each other and she actually says something that deep and profound for her age (4).

The list goes on and on..... My heart sings with joy and love every single day as we learn something new and we strive to make things happen. My heart sings every day with the love I have for my daughter and knowing that she loves me just as much.

Ramblings of the Heart and Mind

Ever get in those moments where everything is running through your mind all at once? Things that you just can't help but to think about, knowing that they are going to interfere with your daily activities? And the past is catching up with you mentally?

That's been happening to me a lot lately. I feel like I've lost so much. So much mixed emotions - pain, hurt, emptiness, heartache, loss....

It's been four and a half years since my grandmother passed away. I have never really had a chance to grieve. I was pregnant at the time and so much of life was going on, I had to be strong. I had to be strong for myself, for my mom, for my dad, for the child I was carrying. Then four months later, a miracle was brought onto me - my daughter. So then, I needed to be even stronger than I was before.

Then the time comes of losing who I thought was the love of my life. I though that things were great for us. We were together - a family. But I guess he wanted more, so he went out on me and had a son with one of my family members - a cousin. He claims that the reason being that the child we had together was not a boy so he had to move on. Our daughter was only eight months old. How can someone in their right mind leave a child for that reason? But that's alright, I forgave him and moved on... But then they got married. Not once has he tried to visit, write, or call since that has happened.

My daughter does not know who her father is. She is in the same position that I was as a child. Not knowing the man that is supposed to be there to protect her from the pain. The man that is supposed to take her fishing or dancing. The man that is supposed to walk her down the aisle when she gets married. The man that she is supposed to call daddy. And how can I explain to her that he choose not to be there for her? That he choose to be a daddy to another and not to her? That he doesn't even support her financially even though he's been ordered to by court? How do you explain something like this to a four year old girl who wants to know who daddy is?

Being the strong one is not as easy as it may seem to be. Being strong for two people is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Losing someone who you have known all your life, who you were so close too, who you called your best friend and then losing who you thought to be the love of your life, who left you to fend for your own and a child all in less than a year - I was heartbroken. I had no time to grieve. I had no time to cry. I had no time to take it all in. And now, the past is catching up and it's finally taking it's toll on me.

I need to cry. I need to grieve. I need to release the hold it has on me. But I also need to be strong. I have a child who does not need to see my pain, my tears, my burdens. She needs to see me happy, loving, strong. She needs to see her mommy.

A Few Favorite Quotes

"There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again." ~Elizabeth Lawrence

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ~Carol Bishop Hipps

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." ~John Muir

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all." ~Stanley Horowitz

"The prime purpose of being four is to enjoy being four - of secondary importance is to prepare for being five." ~Jim Trelease

"Kids: They dance before they learn there is anything that isn't music." ~William Stafford

"Dancing is like dreaming with your feet." ~Constanze

"Love is like friendship caught on fire. In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce, but still only light and flickering. As love grows older, our hearts mature and our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable." ~Bruce Lee

"Hugs: That's when you put your arms around each other and squeeze until your hearts kiss." ~Lil' Ms. Devon (© 2007)

Weekend Pictures

This past weekend (September 28 - 30, 2007), Devon and I went over to my sisters. Saturday, we ended up taking the kids to the park and had lots of fun in the process.


The picture to the right is lil' Ms. Devon. At the park, they had a wood carving of a whale and I thought it would be cute with Devon standing by it. She had some purple flowers that she held over her head and then tried to pose. I didn't get the pose shot, but this is what I got. I think it's cute and very much her.






This picture to the left is Ms. Devon once again. I had her take a moment out of her busy time playing to let me take a picture of her. She loves having her picture taken, but this time she was more interested in playing and having fun.

And there she is with those flowers again. The whole time we was there, she did not want to put them down. She is very fond of flowers and loves having them and holding them.








In the picture to the right, you will see Devon again as well as her cousin Makayla. There was this cute train cutting and I thought it would be cute to take a picture of the girls sitting up there. That was the first time I ever saw anything like it and though it would be cute for Devon to look back at when she's older. Reminiscing in the old times...

The girls are only 9 or 9 1/2 months apart. Makayla being the younger one. Devon is very fond of her and loves being around her and playing together with her. They usually have a blast together, until one of them get to tired or gets hurt. But that's how it goes.




To find more pictures, you can check out my photo site at: http://s85.photobucket.com/albums/k55/devongirlandme/

Mini Update on Things Here

Well, it sure has been a while since I last posted. Sorry about that. Things have been out of control here. So much going on and not enough time for it all.

We have gotten new cabinets and window put in the kitchen and the bathroom. It looks great. In the kitchen, we also got a new sink, counter top, paint job, lighting, and garbage disposal. I'm very happy with it all. In the bathroom, we got a new sink, paint job, new ceiling (the old one caved in not long ago), lighting, and a medicine cabinet. I couldn't be happier with it all.

I have also been out job hunting. I've put in lots of applications, but I'm really hoping for one at one of the local credit unions. It would be ideal for me. It would be part time work, and when they open their new branch I would be able to transfer and train others. They would even be willing to work with me on my school hours. It's what I'm looking for and it would be a great start to a career. I'm keeping my fingers crossed with this one.

I can't believe that Fall is already upon us and that October is here. Time is flying by and it seems to keep going faster and faster. Soon enough, December will be here and then Christmas and then the new year. But I am looking forwards to the Fall season this year. Devon is growing and is really noticing things and it's all grabbing her attention. I'll be sure to take lots of fall pictures of her and the leaves and the fall decorations. She'll be going trick-or-treating this year too. I'm looking forwards to that. This year she is going as a bride. She looks adorable in the outfit.

Today, while I was cleaning things up from all the work that's been going on here, I put up some fall decorations. Some window clings to the front screen door and a wreath to the door, a purple spider web on the wall along with a scarecrow hang-up from the dollar store. Devon can home and she was so happy with it. She said "Mommy, I love the fall decorations! They are so pretty!" I was just happy that she liked it. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't of even put them up.

Tomorrow will be a busy day for me. So, I need to end this and get ready for bed and get Devon ready too as well as getting her ready for school tomorrow. Good night and sleep tight!