Good Deeds

I have been wanting to write about this for a long time but just haven't had the time with school and work and all that I have going on right now.  However, I feel that this story is important to share because it gave me Hope and a realization that there are still a lot of really good people in the world.

If you don't already know, I work at a bank.  A few months ago one of our female customers who is on a fixed income and can't work due to a disability came into the bank.  One of our tellers was helping her while I was helping another man.  The lady asked the teller how much money she had in the bank for which the teller informed her that she had $8.50.  The lady then informed the teller that she would like to withdraw all but the 50 cents but wanted to make sure that wouldn't cause her account to be closed.  The teller gave her the money and the lady left.

Meanwhile, I was helping a man who happened to not even be one of our customers but was only there depositing money into an account that did belong to one of our customers.  After I completed his transaction he opened his wallet and took all of his cash out and handed it to me asking me to please make sure it got deposited into that lady's account that just left.  He said it wasn't much but was all that he had at the time. And with that he left.  He wasn't a customer so we didn't even know his name.  He was a stranger helping another stranger in need.

And with that both me and the other teller broke out into tears.  What an amazing thing to do for a stranger! What he gave me to deposit may not seem like much to him, but could mean that lady may have enough for another meal when she may have had to go without.  It was really touching!  And it renewed my faith in people.

This example reminds me of a song by Alabama "Angels Among Us".   Here are a few lyrics.  

Oh I believe there are angels among us.

Sent down to us from somewhere up above.

They come to you and me in our darkest hours.

To show us how to live, to teach us how to give.

To guide us with the light of love.

I believe that man was an angel that day!  His example makes me want to be a better person!

The Weed: Club Unicorn: In which I come out of the closet on our ten year anniversary

In this post I am linking to another blogger who writes on a very controversial subject.  It is a very good read and I recommend everyone read it.  I learned a great deal and know I will be more full of empathy, love and acceptance towards my fellow brothers and sisters in and out of the Mormon church who find themselves with these same type of attractions.

The Weed: Club Unicorn: In which I come out of the closet on our ten year anniversary

Still need to write up Part 5 of my vacation and get that posted... look for that really soon.  See ya then!

Who turns 18 years old today?

My Baby Girl

Let me get my kleenex

18 years ago today I was given the most precious gift one mother can give to another

The precious gift of adoption

Thank You KV... I love you Forever!

My life was blessed with this beautiful girl that I got to watch grow up into a wonderful young woman.  

She also graduates in a few weeks!

Life has taken us through many twists and turns, many happy and sad moments

Having you in my life, my sweet daughter, has been the most fulfilling, most rewarding, wonderful and most heart-wrenching (at times), moments in my life that I will always hold dear to me. 

I will always treasure the gift you are to me

No matter where life takes you, you will always be my daughter

And I will always be right here for you with open arms.  

My heart is filled with love for you

A love that only a mother has for her daughter

The kind of love that you will only begin to understand when you hold your own baby girl in your arms

I will love you forever and for always!

My beautiful baby girl has so much of life ahead and many adventures to look forward to 

I can't wait to see where life will take her 

Hope it's not too far away

I wish her much happiness and success.... and to feel that she is  loved.... ALWAYS.... Because she is!  

My Daughter 

You'll never really know, my dear,
Just how much you mean to me,
A mother's love, buried so deep,
That only my heart can see.

When I sit and really stare at you,
All I can do is grin,
Somewhere down deep inside,
I see myself within.

I'd never change a thing in you,
I thank God that your so fine,
Even when your at your worst,
I'm so proud that you are mine.

The roads we have traveled,
were not always that good,
I would take back all the pain you've felt,
Only if I could.

I know that I'm not perfect,
It's the best that I can do,
But everyday, I thank the lord,
For a daughter as special as you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

SHELLISE

I love you more!  

** Thanks to Kaitlyn for taking these great photos.

My Word for the Year!

I have seen several of your posts where you have chosen a word for the year that is like some sort of goal you wish to work towards for the year.  I decided that is not a bad idea and I have been tossing some ideas around in my head for several weeks.  There really is only one word that is appropriate for what I really want to work on this year and that word is.......

HEALING

Healing myself physically

Healing myself spiritually

Healing broken relationships

Physically - I just started the weight watchers program to help me make changes for a healthy lifestyle.  Along with this I have started walking regularly, well I started today!  I have had a gym membership for a while now but haven't been too faithful.  Well that is going to change.  I am planning to go to the gym at least 3 days a week (to start).  It will be easier once I get moved into my new home as the gym will just be down the street from my house (maybe a half mile). 

I have had really great results in the past with the weight watchers program and regular exercise.  In fact I lost about 65 pounds.  But then I got lazy again and gained it back!  The key is to make it a lifestyle change forever.  So I will do it again!

Spiritually - This would include creating a peaceful lifestyle while seeking out a closer relationship with my Heavenly Father.  I will do this through daily reading of the scriptures, attending the temple, praying more often, as well as regular church attendance.  

Relationships - To mend broken relationships between me and a few people that should be closest to me.  My children, my siblings, and friends.  It has been a tumultuous few years where nasty words were said, feelings hurt, and where I have pushed some of these people away. I will work on making amends for my part in creating these broken relationships.  I plan to work on forgiveness and in doing activities that will promote a more loving and open relationship with these people that I love.  

Wish me LUCK!  

My Heart Hurts

On Sunday, we lost our sweet bird, Pablo, due to an accident that caused him to die.  One second he was coming downstairs to hang out with us and the next he was just gone.  For those of you who have pets that are like your children, you will understand how this hurts. 

We keep reliving the accident over and over and then we think about all the "what-ifs".  Why did this happen?

Our home will never be the same without this sweet bird.  He was my buddy.  His personality made me happy. 

We will miss the joy he brought to our lives.  We are very sad.   Our hearts hurt! 

Rest in peace, Pablo.  You will never be forgotten. 

All About Valentine's Day - Fun Facts, Ideas, Do's & Don'ts!

What do YOU do on Valentines Day?  Do you go out or do you stay in?  What kind of Valentine's Gifts do you give your sweetheart?  

If your looking for ideas on what you can do for your sweetheart on Valentines' Day, Valentine Gift Ideas, or just want to learn about some Fun Valentine Facts and Do's & Don'ts, then you have come to the right place. 

Valentine Fun Facts

• Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period.
• About 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged in the U.S. each year. That’s the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas.
• Over $1 billion worth of chocolate is purchased for Valentine's Day in the U.S.
• Richard Cadbury produced the first box of chocolates for Valentine's Day in the late 1800's.
• Teachers will receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets.
• About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.
• California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the greater number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America.
• 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.
• In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who would be their Valentine. They would wear this name pinned onto their sleeves for one week for everyone to see. This was the origin of the expression "to wear your heart on your sleeve."
• The ancient Romans celebrated the Feast of Lupercalia on February 14th in honor of Juno, the queen of the Roman gods and goddesses. Juno was also the goddess of women and marriage.
• Every Valentine's Day, the Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet. 
• In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark, and Italy.

Valentine's Day Ideas

• Romantic Evening at Home - Cook a nice dinner together, turn on some soft romantic music, light the candles, dance, watch a romantic movie.
• Romantic Getaway - Rent a Cabin or Hotel Room - Make sure it includes a jacuzzi tub for two. 
• Visit a local Bakery - You have to admit Valentines Day is all about the sweet treats.  What a better way to pick out something you will love. 
• Go out for a Romantic Dinner - Let someone else do the cooking while you enjoy the atmosphere of the restaurant. 
• Go see a Romantic Movie at the Theater
• Plan a day trip.
• Go Stargazing - Or go to a Planetarium

Valentine Gift Ideas - Besides the usual card, flowers or chocolate 

• Message in a Bottle
• Valentine Fortune Cookies
• Handwritten Love Poems
• Spa Package (for both of you)
• Sexy Lingerie
• Gift Basket
• Stuffed Animals
• Weekend Getaway
• Jewelry
• Have a song written just for your sweetheart. 
• Name a star after your sweetheart.
• Create your a music CD with all of your favorite love songs.

Top Valentine's Day Movies

• Ghost
• You've Got Mail
• Pretty Woman

• While You Were Sleeping
• When Harry Met Sally
• Don Juan DeMarco
• Casablanca
• Titanic
• Notting Hill
• Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Message in a Bottle
• Twilight
• Sleepless in Seattle
• 50 First Dates
• Moonstruck

Valentine's Day Do's & Don'ts

• DO find a creative way to say I Love You.
• DON'T contact your ex.
• DO rent your movies or make reservations early.
• DON'T break up with your girlfriend or boyfriend on this day.
• DO plan a date that is outside of the box.
• DON'T expect your significant other to love Valentine's Day as much as you do.
• DO take the time and effort to make sure your gift is sincere or creative.
• DON'T reveal the amount you spent on your Valentine.
• DO be romantic and loving to your sweetheart not just on Valentines' but every day.

Bill and I will be celebrating at home with a Romantic Seafood Dinner, Dancing, and a Romantic Movie. There are no seafood restaurants around here and I have been just dying for some good seafood.  I found some great deals on King Crab Legs, Lobster Tails and Shrimp at the local supermarket.  So we will prepare our own Red Lobster type dinner at home, including baked potato, ceasar salad, and even garlic cheese biscuits.  Mmmmmm... can't wait! 

I wish you all a very Happy Valentine's Day! 

Thanks to some amazing friends

I have some amazing friends.  Friends that I have known for a while and friends that I have met by blogging.  To every single one you, THANK YOU.  You are amazing and I am so grateful for your kind words and thoughtful remarks that touch my heart and inspire me.  You have lifted my spirits and have helped me to see and feel that things will be okay.  The words "thank you" just doesn't express enough of how I feel about you.   I want you  to know that I know how blessed I am by your friendship.  I love you all. 

How many people does it take to make a difference?

As I watch the news and see the devastation the earthquake in Haiti has left behind, my heart becomes full of sorrow and compassion for these people.  Aerial photos of Port-au-Prince shows that most of that city has been flattened.  Video news coverage show many bodies of the dead lying everywhere you look.  The look in the eyes of these people just tear at my heart strings.  And I find myself mourning for these people who I don't even know. 

There are so many buildings and homes that have crumbled to pieces with many people inside.  And many of these buildings and homes people have not even been able to get to, to check for survivors.  Time is running out for these people that may still be alive underneath all that rubble.  It breaks my heart.

The need in Haiti is huge.  Not only do they need things like medical supplies, doctors, rescue workers, police, and military to assemble order; they are in dire need of the basic needs like food, water, clothing and shelter for these people.  I am also sure there will be many, many children who will be orphaned who will need families. They will also need many people to help them rebuild.  This could literally take years. 

I am so grateful that I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who provides humanitarian relief when calamities such as this strikes.  It also makes me feel good to know that my donation of time in making needed items such as quilts, clothing and toys are sent to people who are in need no matter where they live or what their religious beliefs are. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has once again answered the call and needs of the Haitian people.  They are sending thousands of pounds of food and water, tents, tarps and medical supplies as well as emergency supplies, including personal hygiene kits and supplies for newborns.  They are also sending a team of doctors to assist in Haiti. 

I am so blessed to be a member of this church.  And I am glad to know that my small donations of time, money or items can do some good for someone else who is in need.  If you are interested in donating to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint's Humanitarian Services you can go here for information in how to do that. 

No matter what God you serve or how you worship, it is imperitive that we take care of one another. Not only during times of great calamaties, but everyday.  "When ye are in the service of your fellow man, you are in the service of your God". (Mosiah 2:17)

There is much you and I can do to make a difference in someone's life each day.  It doesn't have to be during times of great hardship.  It could be a simple smile or a listening ear.  How many people does it take to make a difference? "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." - Josephine Billings.

Will you stop to help someone in need, or will you turn away? 

Albert Schweitzer, humanitarian, once said "I don't know what your destiny will be, but this I know: the only ones among you who will be truly happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."

I have given the subject of serving others a lot of thought lately.  I know there is so much more I can do for others around me whether they are family, neighbors, friends or people in my community.  And so I have decided that my goal for this year will be to find ways to serve others more.  And I would like to encourage you to do the same. 

What do you think?  If you would like to join me in making this your goal this year, let me know.  And let me know about ways you have given service to others or some ideas of ways I can be of service to others.

I may not be able to do something as huge as going to Haiti and volunteer my service there.  But I can definately do more here at home, in the community where I live. 

TAKING A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE

I am going to tribute today's post to my cousin, Dustin Wright, who passed away almost 2 years ago on December 13, 2007 at the age of 15 years old, in an automobile accident.  Today is his Birthday. 

Happy Birthday Dustin.  We love and miss you so much. 

And to his mother, Heather, we are thinking about you on this most difficult day.  We are sending all our love in our thoughts and prayers to you this day in hopes that it may lighten your spirit if only just a tiny bit.  We love you!