Sunday, May 9, 2010
Enjoying the Small Things
1.She has amazing pictures! She is a professional photographer, so her photos are breath taking.
2. She is an amazing writer, and I find myself wishing I had written some of her entries, because her language is so beautiful, and because I agree with her so much!
3. She is a mom and loves being a mom. She is laid back and has the best attitude. She keeps it real.
4. Perhaps my favorite thing about her...she has a daughter with Down syndrome. If you don't know me well, you might think that is a strange thing to like about somebody. But those who do know me, I mean really know me, know that I have an unexplainable strong bond to Down syndrome. I love this blogger's outlook on life. Read her daughter's birth story HERE.
Enough of me describing the blog, you should just check it out instead. I'm telling you, every single post she writes is amazing. I sit and take it all in after I'm done, and then usually look at all the gorgeous pics again.
Oh, and here is something she wrote that really struck me, and I've gone back to it and re-read it, because I think it is so true..."I find it refreshing in this day and age that women are talking about their short-comings, their fears, their insecurities and maybe, just by doing so, we are empowering each other a little more. Accepting that we all do these things, feel these things, say these things and moving on together to overcome them. We are not perfect. We are messy and complicated and creative and good and we try our best at so many different endeavors. And it's this brew of wonderfulness that is indeed what makes us perfect."
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
New Journal...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Sun in the sky, you know how I feel...
People I have mentioned this to have already started asking questions. Here is how I have answered them so far...
1. "Why?" Well, why not? God calls on us to open out hearts and reach out to the poor and needy, and specifically orphans. We have the ability to help.
2. "Can you not have your own kids?" We might be able to, we might not...we don't know that yet. But we are not considering adoption because we can't have our own...we just know that there are already living breathing babies and children in the world who need a home.
3. "Why not adopt from America...aren't there kids here who need a home?" I have nothing against anyone who chooses to adopt domestically. I applaud all people who choose to adopt. I just personally believe that kids who are not adopted in third world countries have much Much MUCH harder lives than kids in America who are not adopted. Obviously foster care is not ideal for a permanent placement, but our country has a system set up that ensures that children do have homes, food, and schooling. Other countries do not have that, and these kids face much graver conditions. Also, Ethiopia is heavy on my heart. I feel drawn to it. I want to help. We don't really see situations like this one in Texas:
It started out as a small idea, but honestly, with each day that goes by, I feel more and more called to adopt. Lately though, it has not just been an internal thing, it seems everywhere I look I am seeing and hearing about Ethiopian adoption. PLEASE check out Katie and Courtney's blogs...I could not have worded them better myself. I was moved to tears. I literally had to get up and go get a kleenex and get myself together before I could start typing this. I'm not sure if it was the material I saw, or just the fact that things are really starting to click inside of me, and each day it seems to be more of a reality than just an idea. I am scared but excited, feel overwhelmed, yet determined. I can't wait to see how the Lord uses me and Zac, and what He has in store for our future and our family! :)
PS-Y'all know I LOVED the movie Seven Pounds. I watched it again this weekend with my cousins and I loved it just as much the second time. (Even though it's kinda like Sixth Sense, and after you have seen it once and know the end, it's not quite the same, but it's still good!) When I saw that movie in the theater, there was a song that stood out to me. I had never heard it before the movie but it was such a powerful piece in the film that I had to go home and google it. Well, the soundtrack to Seven Pounds is just the orchestra stuff, and none of the songs with words, but luckily my internet skills helped me find the song elsewhere. Well, the song has been stuck in my head since I watched it again on Saturday, and I have been singing it all day. It's beautiful and emotional and all the good stuff. Well, how funny that tonight when I sat down to watch American Idol, my favorite guy Adam sang that song!!!
"It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life...and I'm feeling good!"
(The song is called "Feeling Good" by Muse. Originally it was by Nina Simone, so obviously it is a remake. Michael Buble also has remade it, and I like his version too.)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Colorectal Cancer
You know that Colon Cancer Awareness is a cause that is very near and dear to my heart. It does not get near the publicity that breast cancer or heart disease gets, even though it is a huge problem. This month is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and I want to do my part to raise awareness! Did you know...
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States.
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older.
If everybody aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.
A colonoscopy is a simple, short procedure. I have had like 15, and that was back when you had to drink 4 liters of pure nastiness the night before! Now days, you can drink like 8 ounces, or even opt for a pill...so simple! NO EXCUSES!!!
To learn more about Colon Cancer, or to spread the word, please see these sites:
CDC site for Colorectal Cancer (This is actually REALLY informative and easy to navigate.)
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (I have been a member of this since I was 15!)
Thursday, February 26, 2009
I'm Good!
I have always thought that being an organ donor is something everyone should do. You don't need those organs when you are dead...why not give them to someone and potentially save their life? I have always wanted to be an organ donor and have always meant to sign up, but just never got around to it. I don't know what made me do it today, but I just finally looked it up online and signed up. I have to sign something when it comes to my house, but everything else is already taken care of. It took about 30 seconds. If you are interested in being an organ donor, and you live in Texas, please go to this website! :)
This has nothing to do with organ donation, but I was just watching TV and I saw a commercial that literally made me laugh out loud. I always DVR everything (anything I watch is previously recorded, then I fast forward the commercials), so I usually never see commercials. Well, I just turned the tv on to fold some clothes, and saw THIS commercial. It might be old, but I really did laugh out loud. Molly looked at me like I was crazy. I usually don't think this type of humor is that funny, but I guess I just happened to watch it when I was in the right mood. :)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Ike-A-Saurus
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Sad Chimp Story and Fun Music
On a lighter note, I have some fun music stuff to check out, if you so desire...
I like this mash-up of Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics and PokerFace by Lady Gaga. Sweet Dreams is one of my all-time favorite pop songs. I have been to four Ashlee Simpson concerts (all in the span of one year...several years ago), and the absolute highlight of all of those was when she did a cover of Sweet Dreams. It was amazing. I have video of it on my other computer (which I don't feel like getting out) but here is a clip I found on YouTube of her doing it in another city.
Pop music fans...listen/watch this song "Eat You Up" Eli introduced me to. I swear...it is so cute and fun. She is kinda like an Asian, grungy Christina Aguilera. :) Her name is BoA, which I just found out means Best of Asia. ;) Remember not that long ago when I was saying we need more Asian singers and entertainers? Well, ask and you shall receive. Thanks Eli! :)
Friday, February 13, 2009
Happy Friday!
into THIS...

which will be my new header image after Valentine's day. (I thought I would leave up the wedding pic until after V-day.) I miss having photoshop, and my old computer (that needs to go to the shop, because its not quite functioning) has it, but my new one doesn't. Picnik is free and fun and easy. I adjusted the saturation, temperature, and contrast, then cropped it, added text and stickers, and I should not admit this, but I whitened my teeth. :)
LINKS (I told you...I'm bored!)
This is one of my fave cheer dances on all of YouTube. I love the music, the choreography, and the girls are so sharp. Ramsi and I made a mix of music (similar to this) to teach our girls a dance to perform at a basketball game, but we decided not to torture ourselves by taking on another project. I kindof wish we had, but then again, I know it would have been a huge (ongoing) headache!
This video about Boston Terriers has enough cuteness to last you at least a week! It is also kindof funny, starting around 2:30. It is so true too, haha! If you love me, you will watch this quick video...it explains everything I love about Molly! ;) It's just too bad they didn't use her, she really is cuter than all the BT's in their video! And I am not just being biased, she really does have perfect markings! Just look at her...
My friend Katie blogged about this website she found, and I loved it! A woman found a baby coyote and decided to raise it...sounds rediculous and crazy, but if you just see the pictures, it is SO sweet!
Okay, I think I am finally starting to get sleepy. I guess I will go lay down and try again. Enjoy my 3am madness, Happy Friday, and in case I don't post again until after Saturday...
Glitter Graphics Maker & MySpace Layouts
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wordle
Thanks to my brother-in-law Scott for showing me this cool new website www.wordle.net!! You can copy and paste text (or type your own) and it makes a cool graphic for you with the key words. You can change the font and colors and layout and all sorts of neat stuff. It is really fun to play with. Check it out! :)
(Once you go to the site from the link I provided, click CREATE, then enter the words you want, then it will show you an image...click on the top choices to edit font, color, etc.)
Also, since I am talking fun websites that you can spend way too much time on, have y'all tried Picnik yet? It is free photo editing software. Love it!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Yay!
Both Ellie and Madeline got pink cell phones for Christmas. Here are my pink little cuties...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Election week wrap-up
If you like Lil' Wayne's song "A Milli" you have to listen to this Obama Remix. It is hilarious...just take it tongue-in-cheek. (Is that the right phrase?)
Beautiful pictures from Tuesday Night in Grant Park.
And here are pictures of happy people from around the Globe! As you all know, pretty much the entire rest of the world (our UN allies in particular) wanted Obama to be elected...I feel like the rest of the world can finally like us again!
This video clip comes from Fox News, the most conservative media, and it discloses stuff about Sarah Palin, such as the fact she did not know Africa was a continent, and did not know which countries were a part of NAFTA. Haha, I know both of those, maybe I should run for VP. :)
This probably seems random, but I thought it was funny. Will Smith's reaction to the election.
How amazing was McCain's Concedence Speech? I know we all watched it Tuesday night, but I had to watch it again, just to take it all in. My favorite quote was at the end when he said "I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America."
I have always known that Obama was an amazing speaker, but on this night, the words were twice as sweet! I loved the entire speech, but I had some favorite quotes:
-"It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, democrats and republicans, black, white, hispanic, asian, native american, gay, straight, disabled and not-disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals, or a collection of red states and blue states. We are and always will be THE UNITED STATES of America!"
-"This victory alone is not the change we seek...it is only the chance for us to make that change!"
-"So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other."
-"And to all those who have wondered if Americas beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope."
I could go on and on, as I loved his entire speech, but I will leave you with just one more thought, in the words of Barack Obama...
-"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:Yes We Can!"
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Pink October

Take this QUIZ to learn more about Breast Cancer, and Purina Cat Chow will donate a dollar to Komen for the Cure. It's easy, and interesting! You can also do it in honor or memory of someone. I did mine in honor of Mickey Little, my great aunt, who was the first person I knew to have breast cancer. Also, click on this SITE to help donate a free mammogram to someone in need!
If you did not follow my blog this time last year, I wore pink everyday in the month of October, and raised over $500 for the Komen Foundation. The blog I used is still online and can be found at http://pinkoctober.blog.com/ Please feel free to check it out, look around, etc...
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Got kids?
StarFall.com- This website has cute audio and great visuals. This site is great for all ages, as it has activities for all different levels from learning the alphabet to knowing how to read. (The levels are in order from 1-4, 1 being the easiest, so just see which your kid needs.) One person in my class said that her TWO year old loves the "ABC" part of this site.
RIF.org (Reading is Fundamental) This website also has activites and tips for all different ages. Literally, there are pages for kids 0-2, 3-5, on up. And they are NEAT sites!
I can't say enough good things about these sites, you will just have to go ch-ch-check them out yourself.
Honorable Mentions:
http://helpmeread.org/
http://www.funbrain.com/