GO USA! GO USA!

Okay, me...non-competive...I think not. Even when I cheer....my blood is pumping and I get way too involved. My husband tries to remind me that our Olympians can not hear me from Tulsa to Beijing...I beg to differ. In spirit, I know that I play a tiny part....perhaps smaller than I'd ever admit....that my heartfelt, cheering and screaming...makes it just a little better for our USA team members overseas. I can't help it. I love to cheer! I love for us to win! I want to see Phelps win his 8 golds...and for the USA to have our flags raised in as many medal ceremonies as possible.

These athletes have the biggest dedication and heart. Phelps has pretty much been living a life of sleep, eat and swim for the past 4 years to prepare him for this Olympics....how amazing the dedication. I wish I could be dedicated just 10%. I give it to them for working so hard. They give us hope, courage and drive. Thank you USA for giving us freedom...for giving us the drive....I just pray and hope that we can see the things we need to improve to make it even better! :)

Shopping in Chrissy's Closet

Oh yes, as today has been my first day just to do whatever I want to do....sigh....I decided to shop in my own closet. Yes, sounds different and cheap!!!! What the greatest thing is to me.....is that it was completely FREE! :) There are so many times in the past that I've had to buy that emergency top or outfit for an event.

My closet was color coordinated (go figure), but it needed to be more than that. I have thought time and again that I have nothing to wear. So I fixed that today by trying on almost every single article of clothing that I have. It was so much fun. I got to rediscover some of my old favorites. I matched up pants, Capri's, skirts and shorts with really cute tops that I OWN! :)

I have so many outfits now that I could probably go 2 months or longer before having to start over. So, with the newly refined wardrobe that cost me nothing more than time to get it into perspective...I will not feel the need to go shopping for a long time! I will be able to enjoy showing off my new looks. It did help that I lost 12 pounds from the surgery on June 24th...so I can fit into a lot of the clothes that haven't seen the light of day in a long time!

I am very satisfied with my accomplishment today. I encourage all of you to take a few hours to try on clothes and rediscover yourself and your wardrobe. Remember that it's something to do, free from spending more hard earned money and fun! Happy organizing!

God Shines On

God knows just when to shine brighter than ever in my life. I got to talk to Gaby, an old camp buddy, tonight on the phone. She's in Mexico and I here! It's amazing what God is doing in her life! As of right now, she is going to be a missionary...possibly going to Africa later on. She got to share her story, which is phenomenal. I met her during a time in her life where she didn't know where life was taking her, yet she had a spirit about herself. She did have a lot of bitterness, but you can't hide your soul! :)

She reminded me how important each of us is to one another through our walks in life. She met me when my faith was so strong and abundant, which I'm getting back to with each watering from God. I am far from perfect. I hope I get it right more times than I do wrong. I don't always say the right thing...or react how I should, but when it's all said and done...I could do nothing without God!

May you be still and see what God has done for you. May he lead you through your purpose in life. May you step aside to let him work. May you stop to count your blessings. May you display the fruits of the spirit! :) GOD KNOWS WHEN WE NEED TO BE LIFTED UP! PRAISE HIM ON HIGH!

Organizing never ends!

Have you ever felt that you almost have things organized....yet look deeper...and realize there's still more. I don't think it's meant for us to be completely organized in anything we do. It helps me see that I'm far from perfect...though I've never been in danger to think I was! :) I've had opportunities to visit many homes, business and misc. places. It's very interesting to find out just what level each owner is at in their life.

I have found places that are really organized to a nightmare and disaster zone. What makes us keep our home or business the way we do? I find that psychological elements come into play. For those that keep things fairly organized, perhaps you have it more together. For those that have things everywhere, perhaps you could slow down. For those that have things that you can't even identify, perhaps it's time to hire someone to help! :)

I do not keep things completely organized, but I do like to try. Some of my family members are notorious for their hoarding. This is why I try to keep up with things, because I'm naturally a hoarder. After years of working out it, I think I've come a long ways.

Organizing may never end, but I'm up for the challenge to try to keep it roped in and clean! :) Good luck to those that struggle...and for those that don't...may you not backslide! :)

Master's Degree...CHECK!

Master's Defense.....sweated...conquered...scored!
Last Course...Summer 08...online...crazy...got an A!
Completed Master's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad I decided to dust my feet off and get back into the school mode in summer 2006. It was a crazy ride with many obstacles, but I got it done....of course with the help of GOD! I'm so happy to be done.

I will miss the lectures, readings, papers and projects.....then again...I think I will manage to be without them as well! I actually get my freedom back a little. Lots of time spent away from my hubby, family and friends. It's good to have my life back...though life never stopped while I was back in school.

It was tough balancing all of it, but well worth my education and success. To all those reading this, always challenge yourself and reach higher than you feel that you can...who knows you might discover something you never knew you could do or accomplish!

Getting my Master's degree was one of my top ten things to accomplish before I turned 30....I cut it really close! :) I turned 30 on July 16th and finished school on July 25th! YEAH!

Book 4: "Don't Hex with Texas" By Shanna Swendson

Oh, what to do with a book you can't put down...one that completely dissolves the real world and turns you into the scenes, lines and characters of a fantasy world. I was totally consumed by this book. I love this series.

When I was a kid, I used to be mesmerized by books all the time. My mom and dad would catch me under the covers or in the closet with my flashlight beaming and book in hand. The Enchanted Inc. (1st book of the series) took me back to these childlike ways. I read book 3 last August while visiting my brother-in-law's family. They couldn't get me from my bedroom until I finished the book.

Shanna is very talented writer. I love the details of the scenes and characters. I like to picture myself as Katie Chandler. She's the fix it woman, which I tend to be. I hope more people will jump into these books. There's so much to say, but I think the best thing for me to say is this....GO BUY ALL 4 BOOKS AND ENJOY!

There's supposed to be a book 5, but until sales go up on 3 and 4....we don't get book 5! :( I need book 5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please pass on the series to anyone you know! You can also visit the author's website for more details about the books. Visit: http://www.shannaswendson.com/index.html

Here's the whole list of books for this amazing series:

Book 1:

Book 2:

Book 3:

Book 4:

Far from alone...

After reuniting with a dear old friend, Amy, I am so far from being alone in my quest to be a mother! I thought if I didn't talk about it...or if I did talk about it too much....it would make it all better. I was wrong. The eagerness and huge desire to be a mother has not gone away for me. I try so hard to leave it in God's hands...to just forget about it and live on...but it just doesn't work like that.

I've prayed many of a prayer for God to take this huge desire from my heart...and what does He do...He puts more energy into the fire. After hearing about pregnancy after pregnancy...shower after shower...birth after birth...and still nothing on my end....I get tired of the tears...tired of the disappointments from myself...my husband...and others.

See in my scenario after 4 years of off and on again trying....wiht no success, except fo a 8 or 9 week pregnancy...ending in miscarriage...I tried to make it my fault. I tried to make everyone else feel okay about it...even knowing that they blamed me for no baby.

After still not conceiving for over a year and a half...with one major fertility treatment...We found out that it's my husband. I don't want him to ever feel the pain I've felt when I thought it was me. I never knew how hard it would be to know that I'm not the problem...though I wish it was...because it would be easier to handle.

I know that someday, I'm going to look back at these years of struggle and laugh. BUT I'm not laughing...I'm hurting. I feel for the woman that sets up her nursery before conception or during pregnancy...to find out that the road they thought would happen right now...doesn't. I'm glad I didn't go that farin purchasing things, but I did purchase the emotional side of it all. The longing to hold my little boy or little girl...knowing that it's the greatest thing to ever experience.....but knowing that the emotional bank would be drained.

I can leave these words of wisdom with anyone out there that feels like it's never going to happen to them with this...God prepares us for our mountains....sometimes we have the equipment in the shed that we forgot and other times he hasn't given the equipment to us yet...but know that He is bigger than we will ever be. He can even move the mountains if it be in His plans. Easier said than to actually listen, but I have to remember this....or I'll go crazier than I already have let myself get! :)

Who am I to think it's never going to happen? Life will be how God has it planned for each of us. I just pray that I'm actually participating and not sitting on the sidelines. I'm tired of all the pity parties...just as I am sure everyone else is...but God gives us tears to relief the soul. Don't ever let yourself miss the opportunity to be comforted by Him.

May God be with all of us...no matter the struggles we are facing...especially with no results that we like, because we all face something that is causing us discomfort, pain or tears. Jump into His arms and know that we are each His child....He wants to make it all better!

Thanks Amy for your shared hurts and wisdom. You have made my road a lot easier without knowing you were going to! GOD is so GOOD!