Successful Beginning Experience Weekend

This past weekend was our Beginning Experience weekend.  I have always called it a retreat, but it is far from that.  As weekend coordinator, the week leading up the weekend is very busy making sure we have all the supplies we need.  The weekend itself is very long and tiring (late nights and very early mornings for team).    As an overall, there is a lot of walking involved.  To top it off, I couldn’t sleep Friday night…only got about 3 hours of sleep!   But the benefit far outweighs the challenges.   We had the most amazing participants this time, who were very open to the process of this amazing ministry.  I have been blessed to be a part of it and to meet so many new friends/family because of it.  

I realized on my weekend that I am the happiest and strongest I have ever been, so I have to move on.  I will continue to be a part of Beginning Experience as alumni as well as help them with fundraising so people that need the ministry but can’t afford it, can attend a weekend.  

I have always believed God has a plan for me, and part of that plan led to me to my Beginning Experience family. 

I have spent the last 1 ½ to 2 years working on inner healing.   None of us are really ever completely healed, but I am in a wonderful place spiritually and emotionally.  Now it is time to work on the physical side (hopefully it will take me far less than 2 years…LOL). 

Hugs to all!

Happy Memorial Day

As I sit here thinking of this weekend, I can't help but think of the many servicemen and women who are fighting for our country this very minute.   I am fortunate to come from a military/patriotic family.  My grandfather fought in WWII at which time my grandmother was a Rosie the Riveter.  My dad and uncles served in the military and my brother and son currently serve in the Army National Guard.  Jason has been on 3 tours to Afghanistan and Iraq and James will be going on his 2nd tour to Afghanistan in February.   I am proud to be an American!!!

I remember a television commercial from shortly after 9/11 that said..."they thought it would change our country...and it did" and goes from showing a street of row homes to each home with an American flag hanging from it. 

This Memorial Day weekend, for the 2nd year in a row, I will be spending at Bayou Country Superfest with Amanda, her BFF Arielle and Arielle's mom, Jena.  Jena's birthday is June 3rd and mine is June 4th, so we will be celebrating a little early this year. 

Have a safe and happy weekend.

Busy Weekend/Week Ahead

I usually like to relax on the weekends but will not be doing much of that this weekend!

Tonight is City Park Night for Airline Park Academy!   The kids are looking forward to the rides and I am looking forward to visiting with all the awesome moms, dads and teachers that I have become friends with at this wonderful school!  

Tomorrow, in preparation for our upcoming Beginning Experience weekend in June (the last one I will be attending as part of the team) we have a meeting for critiquing and making our banner.   Looking forward to spending time with my BE family!

Sunday I am going to LaPlace to enjoy one of my BFFs from high school's daughter's graduation party.   I haven't seen her family in quite a long time so I can't wait to be able to visit with them.

Monday is Hannah's kindergarten awards then field trip to Chuck E. Cheese.   After that I will be heading back to school for Cole's 1st grade end of school celebration.

Tuesday is Cole's 1st grade awards ceremony and Wednesday is their last day of school. 

I am tired just typing all of this!   Might have to hit Lisa up for a massage!

Hugs to all!  Have a safe weekend!

New Venture - Thirty-One Gifts

I have recently started a new venture.  I have become an Independent Consultant with Thirty-One Gifts.  I had been looking for a way to make extra money and had considered several different options.  After learning about the company (love their products) I looked into them a little more and found out it was named after Proverbs 31 regarding the virtuous woman.  Well, that sealed the deal for me as far as the company, but I prayed over whether this was the right decision before signing up.   Well, I have been blessed with wonderful friends and family who are helping me grow my business.

The annual conference is scheduled for August 1 through 4 in Atlanta so I am currently praying and discerning over whether this is something I am able to do.   I know if God thinks I should be there, he will provide for me so I am not going to stress about it.  God has a plan.

Hugs to all!

Updated Bucket List

My Bucket List

I originally created my bucket list in June, 2010 after returning from a retreat.   I have updated/clarified some of the items.

Things I want to do and places I want to see/go (in no particular order)

1. Disney World
2. Las Vegas
3. New York City
4. Hollywood
5. Rocky Mountains
6. Medjugorje
7. Greece
8. Italy (Rome)
9. Run a marathon
10. Go white water rafting
11. Go horseback riding
12. Go on a zip line
13. Go on a hot air balloon ride
14. Overcome my fear of snakes
15. Get a complete makeover
16. Learn to play guitar and/or violin
17. Learn to salsa dance
18. Take an RV trip on Route 66
19. Go swimming with dolphins
20. Learn to knit 21. Visit a waterfall
22. Go hiking in the Smoky Mountains
23. Go on a road trip to see fall foliage (preferably in the beautiful state of Maine)
24. Learn a foreign language
25. Re-learn the piano
26. Run through a meadow of wildflowers
27. Go snorkeling/scuba diving
28. Go on a romantic picnic
29. Fly in a helicopter
30. Go on a cruise 31. Visit Hawaii
32. Learn sign language
33. Go to Ireland
34. Visit Napa Valley/San Francisco
35. Go on a scenic bike ride
36. Visit Coney Island
37. Visit Yellowstone National Park
38. Visit the Grand Canyon
39. Buy a home
40.Start a craft business 41. Run the Crescent City Classic
42. Achieve ideal weight
43. Take ballroom dance lessons
44. Go on a scenic train ride
45. Serve a meal to the poor/needy
46. Sleep under the stars
47. Rent a convertible for a weekend
48. Plant a vegetable garden
49. Create a family tree
50. Sew a complete outfit (correctly)
51. Send a message in a bottle
52. Plant a tree
53. Visit a waterfall
54. Write down my goals and work toward achieving them.
55. Visit with the elderly
56. Give Christmas gifts to the poor 57. Fly first class
58. Go whale watching
59. Be financially stable

60. Go to a concert in the park 61. Give a heartfelt surprise to someone – special or a stranger
62. Make a difference in someone’s life
63. Perform a kind deed for 5 strangers
64. Write a book/memoir
65. Experience a sunrise with someone special
66. Experience a sunset with someone special
67. Go stargazing
68. Go birdwatching
69. Rescue a dog from a shelter
70. Write a letter to three of my closest friends
71. Bake a cake for someone special 72. Have a meditation/peaceful weekend all to myself. 73. Help someone in need
74. Go sailing
75. Make a recipe book
76. Become better organized
77. Put myself first
78. Feel special to someone
79. Accept that I deserve the best 80. Dress up in a great costume
81. Take classes regularly to learn something new
82. Learn wine appreciation
83. Visit a museum of art
84. Visit plantations
85. Ride a streetcar
86. Go on a river cruise
87. Get closure on all hurt, grieving, unhappiness 88. Start a monthly social gathering
89. Be a mentor to someone
90. Get naval pierced
91. Get a tattoo
92. Take up a sport
93. Find true love
94. Visit historic churches
95. Go to the beach
96. Sign up to be a bone marrow donor97. Volunteer at church 98. Spend a day doing whatever the kids want
99. Visit all 50 states
100. Have a spa day

Family and Friends

I have been blessed with the most amazing group of family and friends.  When I have a bad or sad day, there is always someone there to lift my spirits...some I may have known my whole life, others may be new friends.  I thank God every day for the blessings he has bestowed on me.  Every day is not easy, but it his plan for me and I cherish that. 

I want to thank each and every one of you for being one of my blessings!

Six weeks?????

I can't believe it has been 6 weeks since my last post.   I have been really busy with teaching Catechism, Cole and Hannah, working on my crafts, etc.  

I am looking back over the last two years and can't believe how far I have come.  When I found out about my husband's girlfriend from my sweet little Hannah I was devastated.  After all, I was still grieving the death of Dad and felt like I had let him down.  I now realize that what I tell my kids is true...when God is ready for you he takes you.   I have read two books that have helped me accept that....Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo and 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper.  

The old saying is true...that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger!   I am the strongest I have been in my whole life and try to have a positive attitude!   I also make sure to thank God every day for the blessings he has bestowed upon me, especially my children, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins and my friends, both old and new.  

Happy Easter to all!