Simply Thankful

Very simply, I am thankful for my life.

 I am SO thankful for my little boy and the opportunity to be his mother.

I am thankful for my family and all the extremely kind people and forgiving people who have helped us over this very difficult year.

I am so thankful for all of my experiences to grow

I am so thankful for the amazing year and the strength that God blessed me with.

I am thankful for ability to be as silly as we want to be!

What a blessing to be a Mommy.  My gratitude journal is full of Thankfulness today.

Moving toward a Better Brighter Future

This is a perfect quote for today.  In the past, I know that I allowed myself to care for someone so much that I would overlook even the basic human "nice" qualities in order to keep yourself in that relationship.  Love is a strong emotion, and it is OK to love, it is OK to hurt over love loss.  What is not OK is to not see the true image in front of you while you are experiencing these emotions.  The past two days have brought up some difficult memories for me and for a few moments I have found myself wandering back into the past.  But I know that the past is definitely not what I want for me and my little guy.

Our future is so much brighter than the past.

Some of the memories of the past were sweet, and some of the people in my past were as sweet as they come and I am very sad that they are not a part of our lives anymore.  But I can't let my feelings towards them blur the cold hard facts of what has actually happened to us.

You only learn when you can accept what has happened and move on to a better brighter future.

I usually don't like the "Keep Calm" quotes, but this one works  for me!  For a few days now my spirit has been tried and tested.  But today I stand with a firm resolve and commitment to the goals that I believe are best for my little family.  There will always be people trying to stop you from acheiving your goals and there will be people helping you acheive your goals.  Make sure you surround yourself with the people who are helping, not hindering.  It doesn't make you a bad person to let go of negative people, it makes you a smart person.

Stay with the goal

Remember to stay with your goal AND keep your character and integrity while doing it!  It isn't impossible, just a little difficult 

Difficult times? Yes..... giving up.....No!

So here we go again. It was expected and amazingly it seems that it will be a win win for me no matter which way it goes.  Sometimes if you remain quiet a bully will say all he needs to say that actually ends up helping you.  Yes it is hard, but it will all be worth it!  

Your Choice, Hope, Healing, Joy or Darkness

I found this little quote on Hope this morning.  It always amazes me that I never looked at the word HOPE like this.  Hold On Pain Ends.  How true!

Then I found the other quote.  Healing Comes when we CHOOSE to move toward brighter things in our life! Or as my wise sister likes to say "Today, I chose Joy".  

Why wouldn't you "choose joy"?  Maybe it is difficult to let go of all the dark things in your life simply because of fear.  Fear of whats on the horizon.  Yes, sometimes change is scary, but it is a Wonderful Scary!  

I love the fact that day after day, We are building a  Brighter Happier Life and that little nemesis; "change", hoping for "change", working toward "change"  just isn't so scary anymore!

Perfect

My Gratitude Journal starts today!

I was listening to a talk show on the radio last night and the woman was discussing how to brighten up your day, every single day for the rest of your life.  Doesn't that sound interesting?  I really did think to myself, I want to brighten my day and my little guys day every single day for the rest of my life.  So I continued listening....She said, very simply.  Keep a Gratitude Journal.  Every day, every morning and every night take a few moments to write down what you are grateful for.  It can be as deep as the love that me and my little guy share or as light-hearted as someone who helped me out to my car with my little guy and my groceries.

I love this idea, what better way to make sure you smile in the morning and the night than to remind yourself just exactly how blessed you are.

Say A Prayer, Trust in God and Smile

If you knew anything about my situation you would know that there was a time in my life I could have chosen to be where I am wanting to be right now.  I don't consider it a "bad decision" I just consider it a decision that I made without being shown all the facts!  But recently I have learned that I have a really good chance of getting to change our situation!  I honestly believe that this is our chance to do what is right for us!  Positive thinking not only gives you hope, it gives you a smile, it gives your dreams a chance to flow.  In the end, it will all work out.  If it hasn't worked out yet....It isn't the end.

Stand with Grace and Dignity

One of the hardest things I am finding in dealing with an ex is not to participate in the ranting and raving, basically through Text Messaging now.  I have to remind myself to stand strong, but stand with dignity and grace.  My younger brother sent me a talk where Elder Holland reminded us: Speak the words of an Angel and act as if you were a Angel and nothing else.  

I like to remind myself, an Angel is protected, An Angel has Grace.  Whatever will happen will happen.  But how I handle this situation may help or hinder the process.  So today I am chosing no not join in, instead to keep singing a song in my head that my Grandmother loved.  

I missed the opportunity to sing this at her funeral because I was to worried about trying to fix an un-fixable relationship.  It has been hard to forgive myself for that, however, I know she knows that I was trying to the best for me and what was once my family.  I just didn't know that my family had already been ripped apart by someone else.  Had I known, I would have much rather stood in the church and sing this song as her praise.  

She and my other Grandma are the angels that I learn from and lean on now.  

Loner Smile

What a great quote!  

Think about it!  

How often do you sit alone, with yourself and just smile? 

Do you sit around smiling because the blessings that YOU ARE BLESSED with are just that great?

Next time I am alone (Which is every other weekend)  

I will make sure to take the time to smile with myself.

Something great is on the horizon

I've often wondered why I feel like just when I get ahead of things, life takes a turn and I have to fight harder and be stronger.  This quote help me realize that there are great things on the horizon and I have two choices.  I can either give up and surrender to all my trials, or I can fight harder.  I choose to fight harder.

I really want to be part of the something great on the horizon!

Today was a difficult day for me.  One year ago today I clearly remember all  the promises made to me that we're never kept.  I thought about staying home in the comforts of my home and the loving arms of my little guy, but only for a moment.  Then I realized I could do this.  This year I have overcome so many challenges and sadness.  My inner strength is now a force.  I wasn't about to let a memory stop us from moving forward.  So tonight my little guy and me made our own memories and I made promises to him that will be kept.  Change the thought; change your life. 

Moral of the story.  Get up, Get Dressed and Get Going.  Your life will never change unless you have the courage to walk through the doors you are afraid of. 

Smile Smile Smile and then Smile some more

It is so funny how quotes are sent to me by friends at the most consequential time.  I laughed when I read this one.

This is a great quote and most of the time it is tested and proved positive!  Except for yesterday.

I was sitting in my car at a red light and lo and behold my ex drives up next to me.  I know he saw me because he glanced over.  So I do what I always do when I see someone I know...I smiled and waived.  That is just me.  However I didn't get a smile or a wave back.  He looked away with a scowl on his face.  I thought to myself, someone is an unhappy camper.

Moral of the Story.  Smile at people even if they don't smile at you.  Don't let anyone take that smile away.  When you smile, your eyes shine, life shines and your heart feels better.  I know this because my little guys smile makes my life shine every single day.

People may try to knock you down from the outside, but the only person that can knock you down from the inside is yourself.  Smile at yourself, smile at others....Most of the time you will get a smile back and when you don't it will be the non-smiler missing out, not you.

A Double Fortune

Today we stopped for Chinese after swim.  The woman at the counter let my little guy pick our fortune cookie.  When we got home, we ate dinner and then cracked open our cookie.  To our surprise we had two really great fortunes inside the cookie!   

Moral to the story:

Have Patience and in the mean time, help someone who needs help.

Mommy Strong

 I think this is one of the most amazing things about Women, Mothers specifically.  Women constantly get knocked down, get back up and begin again.  I have many  friends who are going through this"beginning again" process, some from failed relationships, some from failed career paths, no matter what their story, all of these women in my life are beginning again and they are doing it beautifully.  I am blessed to have so many inspirational women in my life that I can lean on.  I hope I can be an inspiration to them as well.

Going the Distance

I often wondered why I started training to be a distance runner.  By reading the quote, I just figured out why.  God knew that I would need the strength to endure what I am going through now.  I use my running analogys alot in life.  I tell myself all the time, I have ran 2 marathons....I can handle anything!  This is a great quote that is going up on my wall.  I think I will blow it up into Poster Size.

The Struggle of Change

Today I am finding myself wondering why some days seem more difficult instead of easier.  Don't they always say "Time heals all things?"  In a way time does heal things, but it doesn't change things.  Only I can be the one who makes the change.

I think I found my answer.  Somedays seem harder because they are, because I am constantly learning and growing, everyday becoming an even better woman, a better mother, a better person.  I am changing my character.  Anyone who says they have changed, but doesn't go through the struggle of change, has not changed at all.  They are merely hiding their behavior.

The problem with that is, in time, things that are hidden, are always found.

As I allow myself to learn, grow and become stronger,  I am changing my character and that is a tough storm to make it through.  But I do know that the person I entered the storm as, is an entirely different person that is going through it now and I will be still an entirely different person when I emerge out.

That is what the storm is all about.

Woman with a Vision

Today I needed to post something that got my blood flowing, something that makes me stand just a little taller, something that puts a purpose to my step.

I have now reminded myself that I have a vision for me and my little guy.  I know what we can do, I know what we will do and I know that we will do it together.  No matter what obstacles are thrown in our way we will succeed in our own happiness.

"What If" all your dreams come true

Be Courageous;  It is such a great line to say and such a difficult thing to do.  Fear can overtake a person's spirit so quickly...but only if you allow it too!  I said once before that I started this site because each day Fear sneaks in and I get so scared about the future.  Knowing that ultimately one person will decide a large portion of my life and my little guys life is such a frightening experience.  I can only trust  that this person knows God and listens to God and always remember that I am a daughter of God.

I will stand with Dignity and Strength AND an army of angels beside me (Led by both my Grandmothers).

But today, is not unlike any other; my mind is constantly racing with thoughts of fear, of the "What if's".
So this morning I decided that the "What If's" of my life are always going to be

"What If" Something POSITIVE happens.

The moral of the story is....Why does "What If" always have to come before something negative.  

Why can't  "What If" come right before all your hopes and dreams?

A friend lost

I lost a friend today.  I do know that in a breakup eventually everyone has to choose a side.  But I was so hoping to keep some-kind of relationship with her.  She was a great friend, like a sister to me. Sad Day.

Theme of the Day: Stay Afloat or Sink...Your Choice

 Somethings require all your commitment, all your patience and all your strength just to "get through it".  Remember it is not a sign of weakness to ask for help from others.  It is actually a sign of humility that you know that you are not the superpower in the universe.  Remember even Superman was brought down with Kryptonite and without someone else always picking him up,  he is doomed.

I realized today many people are just hanging out waiting for you to ask for their help. Remember that when you are scared to ask for help or comfort, A good person doesn't like to see another person struggle.  I mean really, what kind of person likes to see another person in pain anyway?

Almost 100% of the time people will be there for you if you are humble enough to ask.

Kick the Devil Goodbye

Wow, this quote was sent to me this morning by a friend that had absolutely no idea what I have been dealing with this week.  Court preceding are beginning for Child Support and Child Custody in my life and for a few hours last night I was discouraged, disheartened and scared.  Then when I awoke bright and early at 5:30 AM to get my guy loaded up for our morning run I looked at my phone and here was his email with this quote.  It's amazing how God works sometimes, there is no way he knew about all of this and yet he still feels the "urge" as he called it to send it to me.  Yes I am scared, not of the outcome, that is in God's hands.  I know that I am prepared, I have been preparing for months for this chance.  I am scared of the unknown I guess.  But most of all I am excited for the opportunity that might be coming our way.

The Devil will always try to knock me down, it is in his nature.  What the devil doesn't understand is that when it comes to me and my guy, I posses an infinate amount of love, happiness, focus, commitment and patience.

Today Choose Bravery, Tomorrow Choose Courage, Wednesday Choose Faith

I have some things coming up in a few days that are going to require a whole lot of bravery.  I am prepared, now is the time that I will remain strong, calm and dignified.  When you do things with good intentions, people take notice.  I will be repeating a few lines I once taught my neice a long time ago.

I am beautiful inside and out, 

I am strong inside and out 

and I can handle anything!

Fearless momma

This is a great quote.  It just makes you want to get up and get things done.  

There'll always be people in your way trying to knock you down, get up, be fearless and do what you know is right.

Lucky to have Friends, Really lucky to call them Family

I spoke to one of my most bestest, favoritest (yes it's my word) most awesomest friend in the world last night!  And!,  even  more than ALL  that.  She is my cousin!

Here we are plugging away in this world with my little guy trying to stay inspired on a daily basis and then suddenly I find out...She needs me and she needs my inspiration!

All I can say girl is 

"Get to me"

Let me tell you about her.

She is an angel.

There ya go, that says it all.  When I even think about her I feel peaceful and calm.  She is the most beautiful person inside and out.  She may think she needs me, but really...somewhere out there in the universe...our ever so smart Grandma is saying...OK, Girls you were put on this earth around the same time for a reason...... This is just another one of those reasons, now is the time.  Find each other again and become whole!

Moral of this post....If you wallow in your own sadness you might miss the fact that someone needs you, someone really special needs you.  Don't miss your opportunity to heal  and grow by helping someone else.

Choices and Consequences

A little over a year ago, Before my little guy was born, I made a choice.  It turned out to be the wrong choice, I guess and today I felt a little repercussion from making that choice.  I missed a family event last night and that made me sad.  To be honest, very sad.   I felt like because of me and the choice I made my little guy is really missing out on something great and that just hurts my heart tremendously!  It is a long story, but I can honestly say, I do remember trying so hard to make the correct decision, praying over it, contemplating it not only on a daily basis but a "every second" basis.  Ultimately, the decision I made, the person I put the most faith in, turned out to be the wrong person.  But amiss my sadness, today also reminds me of something my cousin in law and very good friend said to me just about one month ago. 

When you are on the right path 

and sincerely trying to do things with good intentions, 

Even your wrong choices turn out to be good in the end.

I live that way now, everything I do and every decision I make for myself and for my little guy, I try to do with the best of Intentions. Today is one of those days in which I really have to keep saying; "Everything happens for a reason" and I am sure that one day the reason will become so apparent that I will say..."Oh, so thats why!"  That will be a great day.

Update: In my wallowing, I got tired of my wallowing....A Hymn came to mind.....


So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Stop the wallowing, count your blessings! 
 I have a lot of them, 
I have the best one 

Choose Joy, its nicer

Today's post comes from my younger brothers Facebook page (Hank Smith), which actually came from my older sister's blog!  My younger brother has such smart sisters!  I loved the way this just immediately changed my outlook on the day!  I was driving to work and as soon as it hit 8:00 AM, I get a phone call from the Hospital reminding me that I still owe them 4084.00 for my little guys birth.  (My deductible was $5000).  I told them I was paying them $75 monthly and they said that was sufficient and they kindly requested more money, I kindly denied and said "Sorry, that's all I can afford" as a Single Mother.  After a little more discussion, telling them how proud I was of myself (and how proud they should be of me) to have paid almost $1000 in less than a year on my income... I hung up and said outloud:  "I choose Joy, I choose Joy, I choose Joy....Dammit!  Then started laughing, I crack myself up sometimes!

Moral of the story....This quote saved my day. Give yourself one great positive thought every morning.

Oh and also,  Today, I choose Joy cause choosing the alternative is just, well....dumb!

Go Get Lost!

Today's post is about getting lost.  Today my little guy and I set out to find a Pumpkin Patch.  I live in a fairly rural part of Florida so I didn't think it would be difficult to find one.  I was right!  It wasn't.  We found an absolutely amazing Pumpkin Patch in Dunellon Florida.  The best part of the story happened when we got there.

I ran into some old friends (friends from my past relationship)  When they saw me there with my little guy, just the two of us, she said "So, who are you here with"?  I said "just me and my little one".  Then the next sentence was priceless!  She said "Oh" in a suprised manner and then immediately  "Oohh" in a sympathetic manner.  It was really funny.  I said,

"Oh, don't worry about us, we make our own way in this world".  
I know she didn't mean anything bad by it, in fact she is really a nice person that I miss knowing and miss talking too, but she should have stuck with the first "Oh" as in "Thats Cool" and dropped the "Thats to bad...Oh".

Moral of the story, Just get up and go somewhere.  Sitting at home thinking about how nice it would be to go do ......whatever it is you are thinking about doing.  I promise it is nicer and more fulfilling to just to get
up and go do it.

That is our motto now, whatever it is, we can do it and we can do it together.

10 Months Old and a Swimming Star

I normally do not post personal posts on this site but this is something I feel so strongly about and just by watching this you may be urged to get your little one into swimming lessons too. 

Sarah Dodge is the owner and swim instructor at Pediaquatics.  (www.pediaquatics.com).  In Homosassa Florida.  She has taught my little guy to not only swim but float on his back for 5 minutes!  He is 10 months old and swims like a champ, but if he finds himself not able to make it back to the step or can't get to my hands he knows to roll over and float to get his air. 

Sarah and her lessons save lives, I know it.  If you have the ability to enroll your little one into Survival Swim Class, please do it!

I love Mommy Hugs and Kisses

Yesterday, when my little guys daddy dropped of my guy to me I realized just how true this quote is.  He was dropped of at my work and as soon as we got inside he started smiling, hugging me and kissing me over and over again.  That's when I realized my little guy actually misses me!  He would lean over and look at me, smile and then kiss my cheek. Being 10 months old, it is hard to know what he is feeling but yesterday I got a little glimpse of what he will say once he learns how.  I felt like it was, Hi Mommy, I missed you! Kiss Kiss Kiss, Hug Hug Hug, Smile Smile Smile.  I love being a Mommy!

You already KNOW your answers, you just have to UNDERSTAND your answers

THINGS I KNOW

I know I will have hard days,

I know that it is time to forget the past, 

forgive my mistakes and focus on what is happening in our life today.

  

I know our adventure is new and just beginning.

I know the right people are being placed in our lives and the wrong ones are being removed.  

I know that old doors are closing, 

I know that new ones are opening 

I know The pruning process can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, 

This reminds me of one of the best talks ever given, 
listen to a portion of the Hugh B Brown talk, The Currant Bush)

I also know that it is for our good and the best is yet to come.

I know that when I pray, a friend listens and sometimes sends other friends my way

Thanks Karen!  This post is for you, one of those friends sent my way!

Bed Time Reading Books Undestructable

                                                              

Bendon Publishing Sesame Beginnings Board Books

I love reading time.  We do it every night before bed. 
We have our little ritual that seems to work great.  Bath Time, Bottle Time, Reading Time, Bed Time.  

These books are the best!.  They are thick cardboard with the best coloring and animation.  My little guy loves the "At the Zoo" Book, he kisses the elephant on the first page every time we read it!  The Bubbles Book he laughs and laughs along with me, The eyes nose fingers and tose in another fun book~!  it is about clapping your hands and making a sound, which he loves to do.  
The best part about these books is that you can get them at Dollar General for .99 cents.  
My little guys nick name is Mr. Destructo and he has yet been able to destruct these books.  

Highly recommended for bed time reading time!!!!