Wow, it's been awhile!

So many times in the past few weeks I have wanted to get on here and blog. However, busy schedules and lack of free time have kept me from doing it. I figure, I have been on the computer all day working on stuff for the store, I may as well stay planted and write on my blog. Here I am!!

My life has been incredible in the past month pretty much in every aspect it. How lucky am I? Walking through Dollar General I was looking for markers for my store and happen to stumble across this book titled "Unlocking the Secrets to Living Your Dreams." I noticed that the two Authors were Authors in which were featured in The Secret, and decided to purchase it. There was only one there. Yep, it was obvious that I was in the right place and that book had my name ALL over it. I love that it breaks down The Secret and actually gives you questions to answer broken down in every aspect of ones life. Already I see a great improvement in most areas of my own life.

One of the ways you can achieve your dreams (without it feeling like work) is creating a team of people who want the same things as you do. Thankfully that was one thing I already had, without realizing it. All I had to do was spread the word. Erika and I have the same dream as far as our businesses go. The best thing is that we are totally on the same page, helping each other out in the areas that we are not willing or able to do well. She is now my retail buyer for the store and has taken that entire responsibility off of me. Jennifer G and I are on the same page as far as creating fundraisers to help out those in need. She also helps me come up with crop ideas and stepping up to the plate at the store when I cannot be there. Now there are lots more sharing my dream and the responsibilities of it which will be mentioned in other blogs. My 'dream team' came together before I even read this new book which stated it is the first step to being successful. How cool is that?

As well as business boosting, my personal life has improved greatly. My respect for Jeremy has totally increased. We really do get along well and thankfully parent the same way. It makes life easier since we have to live together for the time being.

Shawn and I have actually been able to spend quality time together for the first time. We went hiking at Glen Onoko Falls about an hour from Hellertown. I never realized how much I love hiking. I went once before (a long time ago) during fall, which was amazing, but this experience was different. It was nice to have someone who shares the same passions as I for nature, being outside, and taking in God's wonderful world. We could have sat there all day and just enjoyed the waterfalls. Being with Shawn is peaceful and that is the only way I can describe it in one word. He is the most humble person I have ever met.

In the spiritual aspect of my life I am totally complete. It is as if God took me by the hand and just ran with me. He has shown me a life of simplicity, peace, happiness and everlasting love. At this point in my life I could not ask for anything more. The best things in life are free.

What I am thankful for today:
every moment of my life
rainbows
sunshine
my children
my pets
The Center for Animal Health and Welfare
my store
my 'dream team'
nature
love
laughter
hugs
my church
my neighbors
my friends
creativity
time
energy
my health and the health of my loved ones
peace
hope
faith

God's Timing is Always Perfect

Last week I had a moment, ok a day, of wallowing in self pity....for less of a better phrase. I started off my day just tired and feeling very sluggish. It was a moment of trying to get myself to be positive when I really didn't feel like it. It was to me, work. Checking my email I find one from Jill who always asks me how things are. I was very honest with her although I do not like to complain, and told her I was having a rough morning. Her response was, "You have to check out this link: www.amysinsiteonlife.blogspot.com, It is very uplifting and the first couple of lines may even bring tears to your eyes." Have I mentioned how much I love this girl? I did go back and look at my blog and read my last entry. It did make me feel so much better. I am so thankful for her and her ability to snap me back into reality. I am so thankful that God brought her into my life.

Coming out of my funk, things progressively got better. More and more positive things kept coming into my life. Shelley from the Farmer's Market brought me a bouquet of flowers and a bracelet that said, You Are Love. We talked for a while and came to realize that we live very parallel lives. Another person I am so thankful for.

Erika and I came up with the idea of making her a Buyer for my store. She took off with the idea and will now be in charge of all the retail and everything that comes with it. Again, God brought someone into my life to make my life so much better. I am so thankful for Erika.

Then Jennifer G. knew that I wanted to focus on fundraisers at my store and took off with the idea. She sent out a bulk email to all of my teachers inquiring about hosting a fundraiser in August for the Animal Shelter that I volunteer at. Her ideas were amazing. And, just to know she took the time to do that for me when I never even asked.....amazing. Jennifer has been a great supporter of all I do, one of the cheerleaders that God brought to cheer me on and keep me going.

God's timing is perfect. No matter how impatient we are, there is a reason that things happen when they do. God does answer our prayers. He does bring people and circumstances into our lives that help us throughout our journey. But seriously, how many people acknowledge this? I try to look for everything good in every situation, even if I do not understand it or agree with it. I try to be aware of everything around me and all that I have to be thankful for. Jill, Shelley, Erika and Jennifer are only a few of the many cheerleaders I have in my life. And I am so thankful for each and every person that travels on my journey with me. We are here to help each other and make each others lives easier. I will support them in all they do on their journey just as they have for me.

What I am thankful for today:
the wonderful people who have been giving me donations for the shelter
friends
my cheerleaders
my children
my pets
my family
creativity
inspiration
God
patience
faith
hope
peace
love
confidence
Shawn
music
Ghost Hunters
Ghost Adventures
Losing it with Jillian
Bridezilla
the gym
my store
quality time
the power of prayer
my health
the sunshine
the beautiful flowers in my garden
my church family
signs from my loved ones who have passed away
my pets
my life

Lots to talk about

Working at the gym on Friday a woman who I only worked with once, popped her head in and said, "I have a question for you. Do you live your life by The Secret?" Puzzled, shocked, and very confused, I said, "Well, I try to..LOL!" Then I asked her why on earth she asked me that (when I hardly know her). She works the front desk which is connected to the child care and apparently she has been watching me while I am there. She said that I am always smiling, always happy, energetic and she could not help but to notice. I remember reading in The Secret that when you live this way, it is contagious. I realized that this woman was feeding off of me. The next thing to come out of her mouth was, "I want to be that way." Tomorrow, I am taking her the book to borrow. I have seriously lost count on how many people I have touched with The Secret. Yes, there are some who get annoyed with 'happy people' and that is totally ok. Where once I believed that there was no way someone could always be happy, I now completely disagree. You choose your mood. And, the best thing is that we can change it. It takes practice but it does work. And, the ratio of people that are inspired by positive people is much greater than the people who are annoyed by them.

On another note, I am getting baptized this summer. Starting a new chapter in my life, I want to start renewed in my faith. God is the soul reason for the positive changes in my life. Now that I have turned to him for everything and made him the center of my every day living, the feeling of being completely whole has consumed me. This woman at the gym did not just see me as living The Secret, she sees me living life with God. People can see God through others. After a short conversation with her and realizing that she is not far from where I was a year ago, she said, "Man, God really does bring people into our lives at just the right time." I completely agree.

So, in this new chapter my store will be doing a number of different things to come. My children and I are becoming volunteers at the SPCA once a week in which I am attending the orientation this week. My Youth Group will be engaging in some community service, outings and lots of fellowship. I m helping with Vacation Bible School this year at church. I am attending the Listen To Jesus Youth Gathering in West Chester at the end of July. My friend Jennifer and I are going to an all day concert, which I have never been to. It is called the Lillith Fair. And, I will become a member of my church as well as being re-baptized. I cannot tell you how excited I am about this wonderful time in my life. Yes, it will be busy but I know it will be all worth it.

May God bless you with his presence just as he has with me. But remember, you have to be willing to let him in. It was a very long road for me when I didn't.

What I am thankful for today:
God
the power of prayer
my youth group
my children
my friends
my family
the sunshine
the farmer's market
my store
Pastor Tricia
my church
love
laughter
positive people
inspiration
the power to change your mood
flowers
hope
music
summer
my future

Had a great day

So, today was good. The gym was crowded with kids but two of them were so amazingly cute. Logan and Jessica were fighting for my lap. Ya gotta love the affection that kids show you.

After work, I went to watch Gavin run in the Fun Run at school. It was really hot but Gavin did great. He ran it in under 8 minutes. Then my mom took Makenna and I out to lunch at Subway. While at Subway I ran into so many people that I knew, customers, people from church, friends....it was really nice.

Because I didn't get much one on one time with my children on Mother's Day, tonight was my night to do what I wanted to do with my kids. So, Jeremy and I went to the Waffle House with the kids tonight. I know it is not a huge thing to go there, but it was just being with my kids, out of the house, without any interruptions. The kids put music on the jukebox that I like and we ate a really good meal.

So happy Mother's Day to me....today. I enjoyed today so much.

What I am thankful for today:
my children
the Waffle House
my friends
my mom
the gym
good food
my store
my teachers
my Youth Group
laughter
Makenna singing
Subway
hope
peace
love