How much do you laugh?

Our garden

When the weather begins to get cold around here, it is not uncommon to wake up to the phrase "It snowed!"

It's almost like crying wolf, only it's funny.

This morning Brett looked out our bedroom window at our garden. We planted corn this year and it is growing like crazy. He turned to me and said "The corn is this tall, holding his hand up to just over waist high." I said "Yeah right." Then he said, "It snowed!" (It has been unseasonably cold around here)

And I did just what I always do.

I laughed.

How much do you laugh?

With Brett around, I laugh every day.

Catching UP

I took a month off, what can I say?

I feel like I have to be witty when I post, and sometimes I'm plum out of wit.

And sometimes, I'm out of wisdom too.

Here are a few things we've been up to.

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Pinewood Derby Entertainment

Mid-Evening Poses

When I say "16" - WRESTLE




Sydney Shark - Leaving Her Mark

End of Year Portfolio

Sacred Days, Sacred Moments

When you experience the loss of a loved one, many days, and moments become sacred.

I remember the exact location I was sitting when I received the phone call that Azure had been in an accident. I also remember the thoughts I had leading up to her death. Many of which are sacred to me.

Today is no different.

Azure would have been 27 years old today. There are days that I miss her more than I can say. There are other days that I recognize that her mortal plan has been fulfilled and she has gone on ahead.

Azure was a lot of fun.

Recently we reminisced about a time when she lived with us. She had just gotten a job at Wendy's and had come home to get something. While at the house, she locked her keys in the car. We had to call a police officer to come and help us get the door unlocked.

There were two keys to the car. One key unlocked the doors, the other started the car.

She ran in the house and Brett thought it would be funny to lock the key in the car that drove the car and pretend that he had locked the wrong key in the car. We sat back with anticipation as she walked out of the house to leave. She went to open the door and it was locked, and the key was sitting on the driver's seat. She was LIVID. We had a good laugh, and then she called Brett a few choice words (which will be left off this post), and then she said "That key is the key that unlocks the doors." Oops....we locked the wrong key in the car. We had to call the police officer back. He was irritated, Azure was irritated, and WE couldn't stop laughing. It still makes me laugh. I don't know that I have ever seen someone so mad.

Azure could get out of every ticket. I don't know how she did it. She was pulled over more than once, and I don't think she ever got a ticket. She was lucky that way.

I look forward to the day that I can wrap my arms around my sister.

I honor her memory today, on a sacred day, in a sacred moment.

Inspirations

There are few people in life that I can actually say have been a true inspiration to me. Sure I've read stories that have touched me, and I have learned MANY lessons from people I have come in contact with, but my list of people who have actually changed me is not that long.

I'd like to introduce you to a young lady who has been an inspiration to me. Her name is Desmon. She was diagnosed with Chrohn's Disease when she was 7-years old, and as if that isn't bad enough, this past December, she was diagnosed with Leukemia, at the tender age of 11.

Desmon is a beautiful young lady with a lot of spunk. She has taught me that you can laugh, and have fun even in the worst of situations.

Desmon has taught me that it is important to give credit where credit is due. While spending time in the hospital, she threw a surprise birthday party for her mother, who spends countless hours serving her. She gave the credit where it was due.

She has taught me that it isn't about the outcome, but it's about the "climb". She knows that it's the climb, the part of the trial that is the hardest, that makes you YOU.

I look to Desmon, and her mother, and resolve to do better. To be better.

Next weekend, a fundraiser is going to be held in honor of Desmon and her brother McCoy, who was also diagnosed with Chrohn's disease while Desmon was spending time in the hospital battling leukemia.

This family needs your help! You can help by going here.

Sign up for the 1 mile or 5k fun run.

It is only $15 per person - you have that, right?

Can't Run?

Ok.

Sign up to be a Phantom Runner. Haven't you always wanted to be a Phantom? Ooohh, sounds so invisible.

Want to just be nice and donate? You can do that too.

Go ahead - Go here.

Make a difference for this family.