Cheering for the "other" team. . .

I received this in an email on Friday at work. I watched it and I cried. I watched it again today and I cried. I think that I could watch it everyday and cry. But as the tears were streaming down my face, my heart was smiling. This is what compassion is and this is what we are put on this earth to do. As I wake up each morning, it's this selfless compassion that I hope to remember and portray. Every child, every person, deserves a chance to prove themselves. Sometimes, as christians, its up to us to cheer for the other team.

Here's to hoping we all remember to cheer for the "other" team!

A Shopping Trip. . .

Guess what I did today after work today? I went School Shopping! Yep, that's right. I have finally taken the plunge and am heading back to school. If all goes as planned I will be starting classes tomorrow to begin work on my Masters. I am getting my masters in Special Education with emphasis in MD (mental disabilities) and ED (emotional disabilities). I am excited and nervous all at the same time! Why in the world is a 31 year old nervous about starting school?! After all, of the 31 years I have been on this earth 16 have been spent in school (so what's another year and a half!) If you have a minute, say a little prayer that all goes well!

The Year is Coming to an End. . .

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone and in just a few more days it will be 2009! Christmas around here was great - spending time with family and friends is always a blessing in itself. My younger brother came home for a week (which is a long time for him to stay - we usually only see him for a few days) and I got a chance to visit with him while he was here. He got a new puppy for Christmas, a 6 week old boxer. Absolutely adorable - mom said her house is awfully quiet now that they have returned to Virginia. I hope that each of you had a great Christmas and got to spend it with those you love. I like the fact that a new year is starting - a new year with new hopes, new dreams and new goals. For some reason, a new year just seams like a new start. Here's hoping that 2009 brings new adventures for you and yours!


(These are my two dogs - Charlie and Molly)

A Great Getaway. . .

Shane and I just returned from a 3 day trip to the mountains of TN. Although I am a "beach junky" (give me warm weather and sand any day!) I have to admit that I had a wonderful time. It was nice to get away. We, along with another couple, rented a cabin on the TOP of the mountain. Did I mention that I like flat land and I am not terribly fond of heights?!? We were about 3.5 miles up the side of the mountain. The views were beautiful and were worth the not-so-fun drive up (you can't really tell from the picture but that is looking over the entire town of Pigeon Forge - that's how high up we were!).



We woke up to about 3 inches of snow on Friday morning.



Once you got about halfway down the mountain there was no snow. Guess that's what they mean when they say "snow in the high elevations".

It was a great getaway, especially during this very busy time of year. Being up that high was amazing and, as was mentioned more than once, gave you the feeling that you could reach up and touch heaven. Here's hoping that sometime over this Christmas Holiday you get a glimpse of heaven!

In case I don't blog again in the next week or so, Merry Christmas from our house to yours!

Today. . .

I am thankful that today was a beautiful day.
I am thankful that today I got to spend time with family and friends.
I am thankful that today I was reminded so many times the ways that I have been blessed.
I am thankful that today I was able to see my God in ways that I've never seen before.
Today, as every day, I am thankful.



Here's to hoping that today you gave thanks and to hoping that, even as the day draws to an end, we remember that everyday is a day to give thanks.

Still Here. . .

For those of you that do still check in once in a while, I'm still here! Things sure have been hectic around here lately. I have done several craft shows / home shows and am finally done with all of those. I hope that means that I am going to have a little bit of extra time (wait a minute, when do I ever have "extra time"?!?). I hope to be adding some new items to my Etsy shop in the next few days so keep a look out for those. There will be some cute, smaller items (such as key fobs, tissue holder, earrings, etc.) that would make great teacher and coworker gifts.

Anyway. . .

I didn't need this on this particular day, but I must admit that there are many days when I do need to read this.


ANYWAY

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, People may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight.
Build anyway.

The good you do today people will often be forgetten tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.

Author: Dr. Kent Keith

(I originally read this on a blog I frequent - Angelica Grace Designs - the link is on the right)