Fundraiser for Lincoln Elementary School

Today was such a blast. I got to scrapbook all day with a bunch of amazing ladies. Believe it or not, I have never gone anywhere for an all day crop. I have attended the ones at my store, but never anywhere else. The food was amazing, they had great prizes and the people were so nice. I cannot believe I lasted 10 hours! We are hoping that this fundraiser was a success for Lincoln Elementary. Anything our store can do to help, we will.

Here is what I got done:

What I am thankful for today:
time to enjoy scrappin with my friends
fundraisers
my pets
my children
my friends
my family
creativity
inspiration
the sunshine
quality time
a fun day tomorrow
my store
my customers
being surrounded by confident, positive people
the gym
scrapbook challenges
The Secret
the gift certificate I won to Melt (totally making that a girls night out!)
love
laughter
Shawn
flowers
rainbows
signs from above
confidence
peace

Ramblings for the Day

Yesterday at the Gem,  Mineral and Jewelry show Chuck from Lost River Caverns asked me how I was. Knowing the twists and turns that has taken in the last month, I really didn't know at first how to answer. So I said, "I am good, no sense complaining." He answered with, "Someone always has it worse." He is totally right.

God wants us to go through these obstacles to learn things. And, I have come to realize that we always end up better in the end. I am blessed to have such wonderful friends and family who make sure I know that I am not alone. My mom reminded me of a passage that was actually in The Secret; "We are always exactly where we are supposed to be at every moment." Although the moment may make us feel bad, it will end. I try telling my son that. But, he has not acquired that positivity yet. Hopefully it will not take him long to learn the power of positive thoughts. His counselor mentioned to him that a lot of people get crabby on rainy days. Then she asked him what good the rain does for us. When he answered, "It makes the grass grow, the flowers grow and gives us water" she said, "If everyone would focus on the good of the rain, their day would not be so bad." To me, a rainy day makes us appreciate the sunshine even more. I try to focus on the good of every situation but sometimes when there is so much going on that is negative it is hard. My friends try help turn my thoughts around and point out the good. And, they are so good at it.

Things at the gym are looking up, my store is still going strong. Working and spending time with a bunch of Christian women is very uplifting. I absolutely love 'my happy place'. Now all I have to wrap my head around is the issues with Gavin. I am very thankful that I am able to relate to him and what he is going through. Although going through the experience was tough, because of it I can be more patient and understanding as he goes through this. I feel his pain and sadness. It is something he has to learn from. I know in my heart that he will get through this and be a stronger child.

What I am thankful for today:
the sunshine
the power of positive thoughts
The Secret
my mom
my friends
Cassie (who is going home today. I will miss her.)
The Gem Show
the new cross pendant I bought.
my pets
strength
confidence
The Healing Place
blooming flowers
a busy day today at the store
Marker Club....YAY!
my teachers
my customers
hot showers
energy
good food last night at Red Robin
quality time with my family
Bryce and Clara
laughter
coffee
a clean house
compliments (thank you Heather)
God
love

Good News with a Side of Confidence

Today I found out that Gavin is going to the number one child counselor in the Lehigh Valley. And, Craig's insurance will cover the cost of 60 visits with a $20 copay. It made me feel really good that he is willing to get Gavin the help he needs. This counselor was recommended by a friend of my moms who has grandchildren that have benefited from this counselor, greatly. I am so thankful that my mom passed the referral. With a Healing Place appointment on Thursday and this new counselor, I know Gavin will be on his way to a better life.

I was actually inspired by my mom to write today. Little does she know it but her compliment overwhelmed me with happiness and peacefulness. My mom and Aunt took my kids and my niece and nephew to Chuck E Cheese on Saturday while I was at work. I love that my family is so willing to spend so much quality time with my children. I think my Aunt and my mom look forward to Chuck E Cheese just as much as the kids. LOL! After spending the day with the kids my my sent me a facebook message. She wrote that she is very proud of me and how I am raising my children. She said that they are both such wonderful and well behaved kids. It made me feel really good. My mom has been so gracious lately in telling me how proud she is of me. She constantly says she loves me now and offers to take my children more because of how much I am working. It feels nice not to have to ask someone to watch my kids. It feels nice to have your mom tell you how she feels even at 36 years old. I tell my kids all the time that I love them. My mom was not one to voice it all that much when we were kids.

I believe that if you tell your children that you are proud of them, at any age, it gives them a sense of self confidence. I can say I have more confidence now than I did as a child or teenager. I can clearly see that my kids are confident, especially Makenna. My kids are my world. If I can be confident about myself and work hard for what I want, it will be instilled in my children. My father was a work-aholic. And, his work ethic was definitely instilled in me. Meaning, that no matter how much you are making at a job, you work your hardest and do your best at it. Poor Heather isn't lucky enough to have found a staff that has much of a work ethic anymore. Everyone has lots of expectations and feel that they are 'above' their job at the gym. So, if they do not feel they are getting paid what they are worth, they will not fully do their job. Heather and I were raised the same way. If she did not have Zachary, we both agree that she would live at the gym. It may not be the healthiest way to live...to work until you are ready to collapse, but we both agree that we work for every cent of our income. If only others were the same way our jobs would be a lot easier.

Today, I am proud of who I am. I am proud of the mother I have become and I am proud of the hard worker that I am. I feel good about myself. If my mom can see all the good that I am instilling in my children, than I must be doing something right. If my boss/best friend can rely on me to do jobs that most men would not do, than I will pat myself on the back. Confidence is not something you are born with, it is something you acquire. Thank you to all of my friends, family, and my children for showing me that I am a strong confident woman who is on the way to becoming a very successful person in every aspect of her life.

What I am thankful for today:
love
laughter
confidence
Cassie
Chinese food
Brent who constantly makes me laugh
spring
music
time to sit down and blog
the store looking really good, thanks Erika
coffee
flavored creamer
rainbows
a long walk today with the pups
my friends
family
compliments
my kitties
the Center with Christine on Thursday night
strength
Zumba and therapy on Wednesday with Jennifer
Shawn's new line of 'green' jewelry
the April 2nd Crop
Being in charge of the small group orientations at The Center
getting more hours at the gym (bigger pay checks!)
budding flowers
Makenna's upcoming 5th birthday!!
having the best neighbors in the world
my PartyLite catalog show this month
Rachel who makes me laugh until my stomach hurts
Shawn
faith
God
hope
feeling complete and content with my life

Change Although Difficult is a Good Thing in the End

Know one knows why things happen. Know one really knows what a person may be going through in their personal life. Know one knows what it feels like to be someone else. What we do know is that there are so many emotions that come with any change in our lives and the lives of those we love. How we deal with it is what matters.

There is so much negativity at the gym right now that you can feel it when you walk in the doors. Our 'sunshine' is no longer with us and we have yet to find a replacement. Members are asking questions, Heather is extremely stressed out and things are very different. People used to think I was crazy that I actually enjoyed going to the gym to clean and watch children. But the reason I loved it was because of the people. Hopefully this transition will be over soon and the 'sun' will shine once again. For now, we have to make the best of it.

Gavin is my biggest concern right now. These stomach aches which are now only happening when he has school have me thinking back to a darker time in my own life when I felt the same way. Thankfully there are so many more options for him and Craig and I, that we are bound to find something to help him cope with his emotions...eventually. Linda from The Healing Place is going to work with him to see if there is anything she can do. Craig is also very busy looking into therapy for him and Gavin.

I am so thankful that Craig is willing to help me and willing to do whatever it takes for the benefit of our son. I see parents all the time thinking that things will get better on their own and they end up getting worse as time goes on. I see this in adults too. There are so many who continue to walk the same path waiting for something to change but it has to come from within. You have to search your heart and ask God to lead you to where you should be. It is then that the answers will come. Search, ask, communicate with others. Take a risk or even a 'leap of faith'. Nicole at the shelter reminded me of a fortune cookie that I once received that said "If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten." To me it means if you are unhappy, stop complaining about it and change the situation. If you continue to live life the way you have, nothing will change. Life will be a HUGE circle of events which may be different but you will end up feeling the same way. Step out of your life and take a look inside. Do you see a pattern?

I pray for Brad and I pray for Gavin every single day. I want Brad to find what his heart desires in hopes that it leads him back to the people who care about him most. I pray that he gets the help he needs so that his pattern in life does not continue. I want him to be truly happy. I pray that Gavin learns the skills that he lacks to cope with stress and anxiety. I pray he finds peace within. I want him to be a kid....a happy kid. One that finds joy in the little things in life as his sister does. I pray that God gives Craig and I the education and the patience that we lack to cope with Gavin during this time.

I have seen many people change their ways for the better, me included. Shawn has never been so positive and motivated like he is now. I am so thankful for his sister and the relationship we have created over the past two years. Although she continues to thank me for Shawn's complete turn around, I know that Shawn had to find himself again on his own. My prayers have been answered.

What I am thankful for today:
God as my rock
my friends who continue to support me and love me for who I am
my family
my children
my pets
The Center
Linda and her gift of healing
patience
the power of prayer
time to myself (which is extremely rare but well appreciated!)
the power to change into someone better than who I was
the energy to exercise
smiles
Shawn who continues to amaze me every single day
strength and courage to try new things and take 'leaps of faith'
the power of a positive mind
Dwayne for always smiling and making me realize that life is good
therapy (which some people do not admit they need but I wish they would LOL!)
the sunshine
flowers starting to bud!! WHAA HOO!
my mom for expressing her love for me and how proud she is of who I have become.
my dad for teaching me my work ethic and my love for helping others.
coffee
cheesecake
dinner with Linda and Bob on Sunday
time with my niece and nephew
Clara telling me every time she sees me that she loves me.
KNECT
running, which I have actually grown to love
PartyLite candles
sleep
my health
the health of my loved ones
my store
creativity
my teachers
my customers
the simple things in life
laughter
love