Full of hope thought for the day.

I wish to post pictures and happenings and gratitude bit about my Mom, her tender traits that are a daily blessing to me. Oh yes, her Cowgirl (and cowboy) birthday brunch too. However, for today and every available previous moment I have been trying to tackle work deadlines over the last couple of days and I wish to take time to think it through and make it worth cherishing. So for now, as I just finished work for the day and then start this blog shortly thereafter at 11:22 p.m....eeek, here is something inspiring for your day. I have had this quote below on my desk for months and just love it. It speaks to possibility and the picture, just fun.

Have a great Wednesday and find something wonderful

to dream about and then a action plan to make your dream a reality.

"One can't believe impossible things," Alice said."

I daresay you haven't had much practice,"

said the Queen.
"When I was your age, I always did it

for half an hour a day.
Why, sometimes I've believed as many as
6 impossible things before breakfast."

--From Alice in Wonderland

Image via: Ouma Clothing

Yummy Love & Peace

So, my house is pretty much white, black, dove grey and tan with the exception of one room (My niece's...Peyton Grace in pink shabby chic). So, when the budget leaves some fun money at the end of the month I might just have to indulge and get some of these pretties for her room.  Not for any reason except they make one smile and she loves whimsical. A girl can do that every now and again, can't she? Hope so, smile!
I love this fun Union Jack pillow too! Wouldn't that be fun in a very light pastel shabby chic print!

Images: via madebygirl and c&c

Good Monday Quote

When nothing is sure, everything is possible.

-- Margaret Drabble (1939-)

Image via: Anthony Burrill

Happy Birthday KBella

Happy Birthday Kelly, sister of mine. How did we go from this to 43 and 45 so very quickly! Oh me, oh my. But, lucky you, you were only without me for 2 years of your life, but God knew you needed me, so there you have that! Tee hee hee! So, if you would humor me for a minute there is much I wish to say before we are 120 and 122.

I would...

....bake you tiramisu cupcakes on your birthday and top each one with a gentle wish.

...tell you that you are so smart and use that talent as you just are a natural born entrepreneur.

...tell you that you smile through your eyes and that it is infectious in making others smile.

...tell you that you are bold and often in situations I say to myself "How would Kelly handle this?" and then proceed.

...tell you that your Mom when asked by me always says you were just beautiful.

...tell you that you are stronger than you know and that I appreciate how much you love your children.

...tell you that you never give up in trying to be the most amazing wife to R.J.

...tell you thank you for always being protective of me and dusting me off when needed.

...tell you that you were right every now and again..., smile.

...tell you that you find green things amazing and can grow them just like your Mom, as you twirl your plants around your yard until you find the prettiest and most healthy spot for them to thrive.

...tell you that I love to watch you laugh and dance at your son's football games.

...tell you that spending quality time with you is like curling into a soft quilt with many amazing colors and even sometimes like great fireworks.

Lastly, I would just come and sit beside you and tell you that I too, along with Mom think you are just beautiful and think you are pretty wonderful, or pretty and wonderful. I love that we are now great friends. Happy full of sparkly-wonder-full-of-delight, Birthday to you! Know I love you. xo, me

Do just once what others say you can't do,

and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.

-James R. Cook

Blowing Kisses to Raegan

Above - Don and Angie  -  10.04.2007 (Raegan's 1st birthday..., anyway!) - Blowing Kisses to Raegan as I know she was and is blowing kisses right back at you. Second picture is of Raegan Audry Hearn one sunny day that Angie took some fun images of her.

1 year ago today (September 17) Don and Angie's little girl quickly went to live with Jesus. I am most certain he needed her big light there. How it makes me see that time passes quickly and we need to cherish moments and live life big each second.

What I have seen since this tragedy is hope. I see this strong soul in Angie and one that is closer to God and resilient to find good in each day even though I know she misses her baby girl immensely. I see this in Don too. In talking often with Angie, I know she is grateful for the year she got to experience Raegan and really focuses on that, verses sadness. She counts her blessings daily one by one and I think really tries to live each moment knowing that Raegan would hope that for her mamma. She once stated that God had her baby now and she was going to run into his arms and find out more about the God that holds her daughter now, and she has, as I watched God wrap his arms around her and give her strength. Don mentioned this too and said that God had his full attention. When talking with him that seems true. What I see now in Angie is this woman of great faith and has shown people what God's strength looks like in a tangible way as she shows Him big to people without saying a word. She also stated that she wished to make Raegan proud and well, I have to say that Raegan is so very proud of her mamma and how she has been this positive light since Raegan's passing. Raegan I know is sending a sweet "ROAR" to Don this morning as that was their good morning ritual. I truly believe that if I were today to take a walk with God, he would say that he is mighty proud of you both and hopes you feel him smiling big on you along with Raegan by his side as she blows great kisses to you. So, close your eyes and think of this and I know you will feel both of their sweet breaths of kisses all over you today.

The sweet in all of this going forward is that Angie and Don are now finally expecting a baby this coming February.  I know because of Raegan and how she cared for Raegan as a Mom to her that she is going to be this incredible Mamma as she gets to live life with a second smile in her life. I know Don is going to be able to be a Daddy once again and find his smile and morning giggles again.  I am so very grateful that they get to experience a little heart in their arms again.  Angie and Don, I wish you to know that I am praying for your hearts big today.  I am praying for the sweetest of smile memories today for you and so grateful for the new life in you that lies ahead.  I just know if Raegan was here today she would be humming that song that Keith Urban sings Days Go By. So go and live life big today and look at each second with a smile. Raegan would wish that for you at least! Hope and Love today to you my friends Don and Angie and Raegan too.

He who finds diamonds must grapple in the mud and mire 

because diamonds (faith and hope) are not found in polished stones. 

They are made. - Henry B. Wilson

Three blessings

My two nephews and niece (Jake, Gabrielle and Zachary). Since moving to Forsyth, I now live just 15 minutes away from each of these very cool people.  You are each so unique to one another and I love watching each of you shine!  Thank you for your time, your lives and your smiles. Love each of you big!

The Magic of a Little Risk Taker

I love how the rain made her curls into a halo here.

Okay, the person taking this picture totally missed the 

castle in the background. Oh well, fun anyway.

Image of Peyton Grace and I. I didn't have the heart to edit at all, because it is just us, in the moment and any editing even in color or manipulation would take away from us just being real. So, you get what you get...smile. I love this image because she is going in for the tickle and I am having a hard time doing a picture smile because of it. Thank you PG for experiencing crazy rainy day hairdo's and making this a most fun and magical adventure along with me.

"As long as you are going to be thinking anyway, think big."
- D. Trump

This quote is all about my 7 year old niece. She and I headed on a journey last weekend and it turned into a great adventure. I just was in awe of her love of life and ease at taking risks. She showed me that meeting the height requirement to ride the crazy rides is the key to big laughter, so off we went to experience the greatest rides, Disney parades and light shows too! There is so much to learn from this little one with twinkle eyes and a smile that I adore. She is a trooper and has no fear to experience great or find great in the little things and she loves hugs.

We were fortunate to experience every park Disney had to offer even though hurricane Fay went along with us bringing much rain each afternoon! I worked every morning off-site from 4:45am - 1pm and to see her smile just made all the tired go away each day. She showed me that thanks to hurricane Fay that there is this extra ride of jumping through puddles at Disney and giggling until ones side hurts. Rain fact #1: Puddle jumps water ride is only available when it rains and is available without a height requirement at all. Rain fact #2: If you eat ice cream in the rain, although you have to eat it fast, one needs no napkin....smile. God just rinses it right off of you and makes ones hair crazy too!

The last day we were at this Disney water park "Blizzard Beach" in the afternoon. She was quick to ride the Summit Plummet. The crazy thing is 120ft in height, 55miles and hour and basically a free-fall and it did not stop her. She was giggling when she came off the ride and wished for a second go at it. Had I not seen other littles her age go, my safety issue thoughts (as I was going down the plummet in front of her to catch her at the end..eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!) would have kept her off the ride! I am proud of her because she is brave, she loves life so big and through a crazy week just went with the flow looking quickly for the next smile, thrill or even a way to encourage or bring delight to others and tell them that life is worth taking risks and she just takes hold of challenges!

She is my heart and totally amazing to me and I have learned very much through her and this week was able to see magic in the little things too and for that I owe her soooooo much. Had there not already been a Disney Park, well I think she would be just the person to create it. In watching her spirit this last week, she is truly Mulan and Pocahontas in this amazing little brave package through even the most challenging of circumstances.

To my family awaiting pictures of PGA. I promise I took some pictures of her during each day and will post soon.

100 Miles - 25 hours 37 minutes...WOW!

This image above is from a magazine article about her running and general training.

http://www.competitorse.com/features/to-atlantan-jill-floyd-a-marathon-is-just-a-warmup.html

Jill Floyd is my friend and work colleague and I think super-human. She ran a 100 mile race last weekend with only a few short 2 minute breaks. I am amazed and completely inspired as I run my 7 - 8 mile runs....HA! Okay, admittedly I have told her that our company offers a great mental insurance plan, wink-wink. But truly she has done something that not many in this world have accomplished and I don't have words as she is just takes it in stride and is quick with encouraging words to say "You can do it too." This girl continues to learn and strive for the better and well, keeps me on my new running schedule that she sends me weekly. Jill, your efforts in running are truly amazing. Thank you for inspiring and giving me/us runners-to-be hope to reach for the extra mile.