As I sit at home this Christmas Eve, I just tucked my babies into their beds. They are so eager for Santa to visit tonight.
But tonight is different for me. . .
My girls have been with their Dad for the past week. This is the longest that I have ever been away from them. And throughout the past week, I realized just how incredible my life is.
I sat and wondered what I really did with my time, prior to having these two angels in my life. I realized that at the end of the day, trying as they may be, I truly have so so much to be grateful for! There are times as a single mom, that I pray for just 10 silent minutes to myself..... or the ability to go grocery shopping alone..... or just a Mommy time out! And after a week without my babies, I will most definitely take the trials and triumphs of my life.... for being Kaylee and Kelcee's mom is more rewarding then anything else I have ever done to this point!
I realized that the "Mommy, I sure do love you" or the "Mommy, you're the best Mommy in all the land" comments are so precious and I must cherish each and every single one of them. I realized that lately I have been sooooo soooo busy with work, with life, with buying a house, moving, changing jobs, and all of the other stresses in life that I have taken some of these occurences for granted.
But after a week of silence, 2 clean little girls rooms, and only 2 loads of laundry..... life would be quite boring without my princesses!!!
Wishing each and every one of you amazing BraveHeart Women a Very Merry Christmas!!!
Share the JOY.... CHERISH the MOMENT..... LOVE like there is no tomorrow.... And DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING!!!!!!
This past weekend I had the great pleasure of going to visit my friends in the town I moved from in June.
I must say as I was leaving on Sunday morning it was a bitter sweet feeling for a moment or two. I had thoughts running through my head. My ego was going crazy!!!
As I was driving down the highway, the thoughts began.... I shouldn't have moved... why didn't I realize how good it was.... AND THEN SUDDENLY I THOUGHT TO MYSELF HOW RIDICULOUS THIS WAS!!!
I so to say, snapped out of it. I took myself to a place of gratitude.... I allowed myself to remember that everything happens exactly as it is supposed too! That this is yet another lesson, to appreciate, to find the good in every situation in my life. And to TRUST the process!
I know that I was supposed to move when I did, and with that I also have increased my appreciation. I like to call my transition periods 'growth spurts' This is not the first time I have moved and uprooted and essentially started over in a new community. Yes times can be tough in the beginning, yet it pays off ten fold every time. I personally grow so much in the first few months. I take leaps and bounds that I never would have imagined myself doing.
This time is no different!! I am on the right journey... and it's perfect just the way it is!
Last week I took a few items to the dry cleaners. Received my claim ticket, and was told they would be ready for pickup on Monday.
For some reason, I was very careful to keep my claim ticket, (which I don't normally do) and when I returned on Monday to pick up my items, I was told they didn't know where they went.
They didn't know if my items had been lost... handed out to the wrong person... or mis-tagged.
So they asked me to return at the end of the week.
And today being Friday, I went back. I was told that they really didn't know what happened. My 3 items were nowhere to be found. This entire time I have been dealing with the owner, but today her husband came out and began to ask me questions.
He asked me to describe the sweater that I dropped off. As I began to describe it you could tell he was getting riled up too. And he began describing my sweater, better than I had. After a lengthy discussion in another language with his wife, she buried her head in her hands and he began telling me that the new girl that they had just fired yesterday was wearing that sweater at work just a couple days ago. He said he remembered it because it was unique, and she hadn't ever dressed like that before.
So as the discussion grew, they told me that the former employee had stolen my dirty dry cleaning!!!
I was frustrated.... but as I thought about it... I realized that in some strange way this could be perceived as a compliment. I must have good taste in order for her to steal 3 pieces of my dirty clothing!!!!
So I still don't have any resolution... or clothes back.... but they said they are working on it, and they do have insurance for this type of thing!
But I figured it was a good enough lesson in grounding myself.... and truly searching for the good in every situation!
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.
However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.' After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer. The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.' Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today. Tomorrow. Just 'do it'.
Random acts of kindness, I think they call it! Believe in Angels, then return the favor.
As I sat at home with 2 sick babies today, I took phone calls, made calls, and finalized a few of the logistics for tomorrow............
WHEN I BECOME A FIRST TIME HOMEOWNER!!!!
What a process it has been! I have learned so much, starting with the fact I found a For Sale By Owner, and between myself and them, we have done it all ourselves.
Right down to learning some the realities of being a homeowner... such as, "Oh we haven't had the sprinkler lines blown out yet, or turned off the outside water!"
I'll post some pictures soon!!!
Thanks for your support along this journey!! It has been fun, not to mention educational!!
I still have not managed to post my experience about RISE.
Now let me share with you just a quick history of the events leading up to the wonderful event.
The weekend before RISE, my girls went to see their Dad, whom they hadn't seen since May, so they were gone for about 4 days with him. They came home for just 2 days, and I left out of town.
I left them with my amazing Mom! (Thanks so much Mom, I love You!!!)
I headed to Portland to take a two day intensive seminar about Taxes. I am in Commercial Banking and my employer sent me to this workshop. We literally spent two days, doing nothing but analyzing tax returns.
While in Portland, I really did not sleep, and I surely got a brain workout! But I knew that once I survived that I was on my way on Thursday evening to RISE!!! And that would be my prize.
So I hustled out of my seminar on Thurs, made my way through traffic to the Portland Airport, and got to the ticket counter. I was greeted by an attendant who informed me that I missed the baggage cutoff by 10 min, and therefore would have to wait 2 1/2 hours to take the later flight to LAX.
So I decided, I'm not going to let this get me down!! I headed to the restaurant, ordered some sushi and a martini and relaxed!
I finally arrived in Los Angeles around 10 pm. I was so excited for the event that was about to take place!
And on Friday morning, I saw that room and the setup. I knew it was going to be great!
Throughout Friday and Saturday there was so much going on, I connected with so many amazing Women. I learned so much from so many of the incredible women (and a couple of men!) who shared their stories, ideas, and thoughts.
Some of my highlights: The prosperity round table discussing the use of debt towards the right tools to move you forward.
Loved the S Factor!! I've been telling women for a few years now to move their hips!!!
Truly enjoyed the amazing vocalists we had! Each and every one of them were amazing!
Now on Saturday afternoon, my intuition told me to check on my outbound flight.... So I called.... and I was informed that my flight had been cancelled. I ended up spending the next hour on the phone to get a flight that would get me home on Sunday, because I had to work on Monday morning at 8am!! I finally got one, but learned that I would have to leave earlier than planned.
After a fabulous star studded event on Saturday night, I was absolutely exhausted.
Come Sunday morning, I was so excited to get home to see my babies! And to sleep in my own bed! I really enjoyed all that was discussed and the amazing guests that were there. But I knew that I had physically, mentally and emotionally reached a point that I required some sleep, and cuddles from my girls!
And to my incredible BraveHeart Sisters that I may not have had the opportunity to connect with I truly look forward to connecting with you at a RELEASE event in the very near future!! I know I gave a testimony at RISE, but I must just say again, Dr Sugar's Retreat is the best gift any woman can give herself! Before I went to Ellie's Retreat I really was struggling in every day life, I had created a picture perfect world from the outside looking in, but it was eating me up to live up to it daily. Once I experienced the Retreat, I was able to be ME again! It really reminds me of on an airplane... they tell you to put your own oxygen mask on first.... Ladies, we must do this in our lives as well!! Take time for YOU! And Dr. Sugar's Retreat will have the same incredible effects for you!
I did make it home around 11:30pm on Sunday, and was at work by 8 am Mon morning! So I have done some tremendous catching up this past week! Not to mention that I am preparing to move in about 10 days!!!
I would like to extend a huge heartfelt THANK YOU, to Ellie, Dr Sugar and the entire BraveHeart Team! What an incredible, inspirational, and memorable event!
I read a blog this morning that stirred up some past emotion and or experience for me. I feel it is a story worth sharing, as it is something that I'm sure many teenage girls are dealing with.
When I was in high school, I typically hung out with the "cool crowd" I attended a failry small school of about 500 students.
Looking back I now know that it was jealousy fueling the issues, but at the time I really thought it WAS ALL ABOUT ME. I truly believed that there was SOMETHING WRONG WITH ME.
The group of girls which I was so-called friends with, turned on me, overnight.
I felt as if I came to school one day and suddenly had 8 or 9 absolute worst enemies. They spread like wild fire, telling everyone in the school how awful and how terrible of a person I was. Creating and fabricating story after story about me.
These hateful, awful words grew into actions. They began to harass me, they began to vandalize my car, they egged my car numerous times, they even went so far as to attempt to "ruin" a going away party I hosted at my home for someone else by filling super soakers with bleach water.
I did everything possible to do damage control, but it did no good. By this point there were so many of them telling the story no one dared believe me.
At this point I actually moved out of my home, away from my family and transferred schools, to a new high school about 20 miles away. Not even this stopped them. One winter morning I walked out to my car to go to school, as I sat down inside the car I realized that my entire car windshield had been bashed in with a hammer.
The police finally agreed to get involved at this point, but we still had no evidence that proved it to be any one of these girls.
No resolution ever came, but after they were one by one pulled out of class to speak to the police they finally stopped.
So....... now fast forward 10+ years later........ I sign up for the social networking sites........ haven't seen or talked to any of these people in the past 10 yrs. And suddenly I begin to receive messages from a few of the girls.
Let me tell you, by this point I have grown enough as a person that I fully and completely accept every single challenge, and appreciate the lessons I learned. I have forgiven these people for the things they did, and I also fully appreciate that I am a much stronger, more confident woman because of these challenges.
But as these girls find me, I start receiving appologies.......... TEN YEARS LATER!!! They felt the need to apologize, now that was excellent to hear that they had carried this, for a lack of better words, "regret or shame" and they actually had grown enough themselves to apologize.
This was a defining moment for me! I knew that I had let it go long before, and I also learned that letting it go makes so much space in your life for things that fulfill you, and things that make you a better person! But most importantly, I truly learned from this experience, that we must evaluate the challenges we face....... We must really analzye these situations and look to find the lesson to be learned!
I learned courage, I learned perserverance, I learned forgiveness, I learned trust in myself, and I learned strength to be ME!
If you know of any teenage girl who is struggling with a similar situation please take it seriously. The police wouldn't help, the parents of all of these girls looked the other way, and I felt had no other option but to move out of my family's home and change school districts from the one which I had attended K through 10th grade to get away. Take action now!!!
I am in the process of purchasing my first home. I am very fortunate that I live in an area that has not been the least bit affected by the economic challenges that a large portion of the country has faced.
With that said, home have been flying off the market.... some home lasting just one day!
I found a for sale by owner home that I just knew was "the one"..... So I put in an offer on Sunday.... and the waiting began. Since it was a for sale by owner both myself and the seller were figuring out the exact process! As the days began to pass I was getting a little anxious to hear back. Everything had been agreed upon verbally, but the legal lingo seemed to be the hold-up.
Well I finally received the signed purchase and sale agreement back on Wednesday evening!
I took it to my loan officer first thing Thursday morning........ and WOW!!!!!
RATES HAD DROPPED!!! I was able to lock my rate at 5.0%!!!! Absolutely incredible!!!
I see that it is proven again..... PATIENCE PAYS OFF!!!
Trusting the Process to first time home ownership - Crystal
A few months back, I decided that I wanted to attend one of Dr Sugar's Amazing Women's Retreats.
I didn't know what it entailed, what we would be doing, talking about, or covering...... But my intuition said GO!!
All I knew was the airport that I was flying into. I had no idea where I was actually going. So as I waited for the limo to pick me up I met a few of the other ladies attending. When I asked where we were going, I was told Pagosa Springs. I had never heard of this place!
We arrive in the driveway of this amazing estate in the Colorado mountains. And down the sidewalk comes Dr Sugar, and another amazing woman.
At this point I had only met Dr Sugar once before at an event. She came and gave me a giant hug!
And next I got a big hug from Lisa. Lisa Collins is Dr. Sugar's Amazing Executive Assistant.
Instantly I felt like I really knew both of these women. They both had incredible energy, and such kind, welcoming spirits.
As the weekend went on, it felt as if I had known these two women my entire life. We danced, we sang, we laughed, we cried, we bonded.
I knew instantly that these two incredible, amazing, fun, energetic women were going to be essential elements to my life forever.
I am so honored to have these two incredible women in my life, to have created such amazing bonds with both of them, and so quickly. I never really understood what a "Soul Sister" was until I met two in the same day!!!!
I love you both, and I thank you both for being such an asset to my life!!!!!
And here's to the many memories we have yet to create!!!!!!!
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I headed to the restaurant, ordered some sushi and a martini and relaxed! 
Absolutely incredible!!! 
