A Creed to Live by!

"Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with other.
It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Don't set your goals by what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them life is meaningless.
Don't let your life slip through your fingers.
by living in the past, or for the future,
By living your life one day at a time,
you live all the days of your life.
Don't give up when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.
Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect,
It is this fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Don't be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly;
And the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
Don't dismiss your dreams
To be without dreams is to be without hope;
To be without hope is to be without purpose.
Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only
where you've been but also where you're going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey to be savored
each step
of the way."

I think this is an awesome creed. I hope you all are doing great and know the Keene's in Tennessee are great!

Good Morning!

Good Morning world! What a wonderful day. If your wondering why, there is no reason in particular. I'm just enjoying and loving life. I woke up to the sounds of Claire walking across the house and her climbing in bed with me for some snuggles. I couldn't think of a better way to start any day!

I just want to say every day is such a precious gift. It is what you make of it, so make it a glorious day! New Year resolutions are going well so far. I have something much stronger on my side this year. I am going to try and do better with my blog. Yes, yes I know I say that often but I am really going to try.

Motto for this week and well the rest of the year: Find optimism in the darkest of places.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

2011 How I like thee or Don't.

2011, How do I remember you? I remember you starting out great, many trials in the middle, and you ending fantastically! Our family went through a trial that lasted for what seemed like most of the year but honestly it may have lasted 2 days if you think of it in universe terms.

The end of the year brought many changes for our family. Mike got a new job in Tennessee, we moved and we have truly found our fit. We have truly been blessed. I have never fealt God move through our house or our souls like he has the past few months.

Let me back up for a minute. Mike nor myself have gone to church as a family. Mike had a lot of resentment from his childhood and my excuse is not great either. Well when we first decided to take the move to Jackson I began looking for preschool's for Claire. I sent several emails and the first response I received was overwhelming. The director was incredibly nice and helpful. I received others but my heart pulled me back to the first response and this lady. Wow what a nice LADY! I continued to have contact with her until we were settled in our new home. There was a little boy who was transferring with his family to a new home in North Carloina so that left a slot for Claire, right when we needed it! The first day of school for her, she walked right in, no reservations (unlike the daily struggle at her old school). Her teacher, the greeters, the staff were truly amazing! Claire was so very happy every day. I remember picking her up one day and once we were in the car I sat and cried. Not sad tears but tears of pure happiness. I had been so worried about her and moving her. I prayed and I prayed.

The preschool director told me about a pancake breakfast for the preschoolers and their parents so they could meet one another. I bought our family a ticket and informed Mike we were going to attend and told him how I fealt like we needed to go, something...something was pulling me. We went to the pancake breakfast the following Saturday. Another young couple took seat next to us at the table. THey had a little red-headed boy. We talked. The husband had the same job title as Mike and the wife is a counselor. They invited us to come to church the next day and Sunday School. Mike and I talked about it and we decided to go. Wow what an awesome decision! We have been every Sunday since with the exception of Christmas day. I have enjoyed it tremendously!

So to 2011, thank you for being you. For bringing us through the trials and to God. I find myself smiling and loving life even more. I breath instead of fussing. I love more. I have even ordered myself a Study Bible. So thank you God and West Jackson Baptist Church. What an awesome thing.

2012, you have big shoes to fill, but I KNOW you will be awesome. I know this because I have never been better. I am a strong woman, mother, wife, daughter and friend. I have plenty I need to work on within myself. So 2012 here's to us. I promise to work on me. The inside mostly. I also promise to know my God better. I will continue to be all the things I already am but I will make it better. And like our interim preacher said "It's ok to pray for yourself. Don't just pray for everyone else. It's in our Bible. It is ok." God's word, our Bible. :)