Urgent Prayer Request

Some of my dearest friends were driving to Yuma tonight for Christmas and they were in a very bad car accident. By the grace of God, their baby had already gone down to Yuma with Alba's parents so he wasn't in the car. However Alba's sister Adriana was with them.

All 3 of them were air lifted to Phoenix. Alba is doing well, however her husband (Gabe) and her sister (Adriana) are in need of serious prayers. Please stop and say a prayer for their family especially during this holiday season to have to endure such a tragic accident.

Thank you so much,

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay

Wynter Victoria

This is Wynter Victoria Guadalupe she was born on November 21, 2009. She is the most precious baby girl ever. I just adore her and love that I get to spend a lot of time with her. Something about loving on a baby makes you feel so good. She has the cutest expressions too, she will smile and make funny faces at the things we are talking about. She went home from the NICU on Wed. December 16th. She is teeny tiny, so it was  so much fun to find clothes that fits a person only 4 pounds!!

Her mommy and daddy and I met last Thanksgiving. Her baby brother died and I was their nurse. We  became close and when  they were pregnant with baby Wynter they called me up and said "We need to come see you, we need to talk to you about something." I was a little worried that something was wrong. However when they showed up, they told me they wanted to name her middle name after my middle name. It was so precious and I was so honored.

Then one day I was working in triage and I got a call from the PPA office, and they said they were sending in a patient for evaluation, because the baby didn't look so good in the office. Once they said the moms name, I told the nurse, you just tell her I am here waiting for her, and things will be ok. They showed up and we got them admitted, and we really really pushed to have the baby delivered. Well they finally decided to deliver her the next morning. I go the call they were going to do a cesarean section, I got to the hospital and was able to prep her and take her back to the operating room. It was an amazing moment when she came out and we heard her cry!! We took a TON of pictures that day, I will try to get some of them to post because they were just great!

I can't wait to watch this baby grow up! I truly have the best job in the world!

ASU Football

 

 

Do you know what happens to a man who has all girls? He raises them to enjoy sports… We have had season tickets to the ASU games forever with our Dad…. I had this collage made for his office. It was a crummy season but we had a lot of fun at the games with our Dad!!

 

Fly, Fly little wing….

As many of you know, I work as one of the bereavement counselors at work. Over the course of my 3 years I have met amazing people. I have spent time with couples who had the strength of a million men. I have spent time with couples who felt like they had no air left to breathe. I have mourned the loss of their babies with them.

These  couples then leave the hospital and go on to grieve for their babies. We talk on occasion, we get together again for them to pick up their pictures, and again we part ways. There are occasional phone calls or emails, a card mailed here and there to check up on their grief, to make sure they are taking deep breathes, and speaking their babies names…..

Tonight at work there was a candle lighting ceremony for all the babies who have died . The turn out was over whelming, but also unfortunate. It’s unfortunate that we have that many families yearning to hold their babies again some day. Their strength again, amazes me as I listen to them talk about their sweet babies.

As I looked around the room, I saw so many couples who I cared for. I looked at those tear stained faces, and I wanted to scream and cry for these couples.  Their pain, their loss is unspeakable. These people who were once strangers to me, my heart now aches for them…. 

Yet hearing them talk about their treasured pictures and mementos, seeing them moving forward in their grief, it does wonders for me. These precious precious patients and their babies don’t realize how healing they actually are for me. You see as we care for these patients, their loss becomes our loss, their grief becomes our grief. A patient recently said, I don’t know how you do this so often, and I told her, as soon as I walk out of those doors at the end of the night, my heart aches, my tears flow.

So seeing these couples strong, seeing them whether the storm. They give me the strength to come back the next day and take another couple. Many of these couples lives have intertwined with mine now, we have formed great friendships, they have subsequent pregnancies, they have other babies that I get to spend time with.

The other day as I prayed with a couple who’s baby had just died. The grandmother spoke to me, and told me “what you do is more then just your job, this is your ministry.” I will hold onto that for a lifetime, because it was what I needed to hear at the time to continue on for these families and their babies.

For those who weren't there tonight, I want you to know that your sweet babies were in my heart and in my prayers.

Below is a song that was played tonight at the ceremony….. Before you play it, be sure to scroll down and pause my music player.

Fly

Celine Dion

 

Fly, fly little wing

Fly beyond imagining

The softest cloud, the whitest dove

Upon the wind of heaven's love

Past the planets and the stars

Leave this lonely world of ours

Escape the sorrow and the pain

And fly again

Fly, fly precious one

Your endless journey has begun

Take your gentle happiness

Far too beautiful for this

Cross over to the other shore

There is peace forevermore

But hold this mem'ry bittersweet

Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear

Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear

Your heart is pure, your soul is free

Be on your way, don't wait for me

Above the universe you'll climb

On beyond the hands of time

The moon will rise, the sun will set

But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing

Fly where only angels sing

Fly away, the time is right

Go now, find the light

Random ramblings....

The past few weeks I have had someone on my mind quite a bit. Little things here and there would remind me of my ex, a certain smell, a tv program, etc. I started to have very vivid dreams about him. Usually when I dream about someone, something transpires from it. I.e. I dreamt that someone dies, and they did I dreamt someone was in trouble, and they had been in trouble etc. Well I finally decided that since I had continued to dream about him and think about him, I would send him an email to check if he was doing ok. BUT I told myself I was going to wait 24 hours before doing so. Well on Tuesday night I have a dream that him and I are dating and I have to go to the dentist for dental work (weird I know, I hate the dentist) well I was there for a few hours at the dentist and he left me there to go to the bar.... (Pretty typical in true life)



So I woke up thinking hmmm this is getting weird. Well through the grapevine I find out that the day before he had his wisdom teeth removed... Ok weird... Maybe not to you but to me after my dentist dream etc. Keep in mind I was still giving myself 24 hours before doing anything.

On my way to Globe I always do tons of thinking, soul searching, praying etc. It's hard not to do when your driving through such a beautiful place, it's so serene. So I keep praying and waiting for an answer or a sign of what to do.

On my way home, I turn on the radio and the radio program I was listening to, they had the EXACT same scenario of why I left him. The girl caught him doing something.


So there you go, there is my answer..... Every once in awhile we forget the bad things that happen to us, and in this case I had.... I forgot what it felt like to catch him in a web of deceitful lies... Listening to the girl talk on the show reminded me why I left.. And also reminded me why I wasn't sending him an email to say hello..

Boy am I glad I abided by my 24 hour rule!!

This is great!! Please do this!!

www.letssaythanks.com/Home1280.html

Please click on the above link, a card will be sent to someone in the military! It's free, so please click on it and click often!!


Thank you!!

How stunning are these ladies?

This is my mom and my sister Danielle! They were at the annual Bids for Kids fundraising auction for the Boys & Girls Club! They both look

 B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L....

I'm half tempted to tell you all how old my mom is because I bet you wouldn't believe it at all!!! But I don't want her to get mad that I told the world LOL ...

I love you both very much~

Weekend recap

The grand opening of the Chandler Boys and Girls club is tomorrow! It is a beautiful LEED Certified facility, if your not familiar with that you can get more information by clicking here, so essentially it’s a “GREEN BUILDING” . We spent some  time on Saturday in the building and it was a lot of fun, I can’t wait to go spend some time there when it is up and running with the kids! We then went and met my parents for  dinner at a restaurant in Chandler called, El Zocalo Mexican restaurant. It was very good, I have the soup, and it was delicious, as well as their margaritas were divine!!!

Today I had some errands to run to get the final touches that my sis needed for her grand opening tomorrow, then I was off to do a little shopping.

Kudo’s  to who ever designed the color coded storage totes! I started  buying them around Easter, so we packed up all our Easter stuff in  light pink, well I went today and bought orange ones for our Halloween stuff. Next year it will be so much easier to get to the bins we need!

Whenever I have a little extra cash and I’m at a store that has baby clothes, I always stop to see what clearance preemie items they have. I try to buy a few outfits or blankets for the RTS patients at work. The preemie sizes are usually great for our 32+ week losses. Walmart sometimes has outfits for as little as $1.00 up to $5.00. SO I purchased a boy and girl outfit today, well at the checkout the lady was oooing and ahhhhing at my tiny baby clothes, and wanted to know how old my babies were. I was at a loss for words, because I made the mistake before of telling someone what they were for, and ended up spending 30 minutes listening to a  mom tell me about her loss. Which was fine, but I was in a hurry that day. Anyhow, so if you are ever at a store, and have a little extra cash stop and look for any clearance items for the patients to use, you have no idea how important those precious outfits are to the families in the years to come!

Have a great  week!

Wasted time....

So I FiNaLlY got in to see the Endocrinologist (thyroid specialist) I drove 45 minutes to get to her office, I spent $30.00 for a co-pay, I sat there and filled out a 15 page packet, then was called back to the exam room to wait. The Dr. came in promptly, however she never picked up my 15 page packet of symptoms, and family history etc. She sat down with her laptop and typed away and asked me a few questions.....

I've decided I'm not a fan of the new way offices computer chart, and now I know how some patients must feel when they are trying to give birth and someone is clicking away next to them.. That is the #1 reason I NEVER chart at the bedside, I think it is the rudest thing! I digress, back to my story.....


So she says "Everything looks good, your dr. is on the right track. She is managing your care nicely".......


SO, I say "what about the labs, the nodules, the constant weight gain, fatigue, heart palpitations, excessive thirst, so on and so on. She said that with my thyroid medication is starting to work, however I will have to work hard at my weight loss etc.


She finally got up and touched my thyroid and said "Oh yes, there is something noticable sitting here on your thyroid, maybe we do need a scan." I was thinking "No kidding?"


So then she discussed a few labs she wants me to do. I have to do a 2 hour glucose test tomorrow morning BBBBLLLLLLLAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH, anyone who has had a baby knows how disgusting that is! So after palpation of my thyroid she ordered another batch of tests and wants to see me next week!

What I did!

Ok so here it was I did, I sent an email on facebook because I thought that was a safe bet. I stated the following:

"I saw on (insert mutual friends name here) site that Hana was sick with myocarditis. You and (fiance name here) must be sick with worry, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this time."

I've heard nothing in return, which is fine, I don't need a reply or any accolades from him.

However what I do need is prayers for their daughter, she was diagned with Giant Cell Myocarditis and is on the list for a heart. So please add Hana to your prayer list.

Thanks for your prayers and for your advice, I feel so much better about sending the note!

Curly Hair

So not very many of you know that I have naturally curly hair! I’ve spent the greater part of my life fighting the battle of my curly hair!! For the past 17 years I have dried it straight! I can count on 2 hands how often I have worn it curly in the past 17 years.

Well, one day I was watching Regis and Kelly and they showed a woman with curly hair like mine and she got a haircut by a lady named Ouidad, well she had an entire product line out. Well I spent the past 2 months researching the product, customer reviews, and debating back and forth if I was going to do it or not….

Today was the day, I was sick to my stomach driving to the ONLY salon in Arizona that does this special haircut and style, I sat there in the waiting area texting my bestie,  that I was shaking like a leaf, worried…. Then they made me feel completely at ease, and 2 hours later this is my result!

Gorgeous curly hair, it looks like individual ribbons of curl! It is very very soft as well, it isn't a crunchy wet look! The best part about my 2 hour appointment, everything Alberto did to my hair, he had me do it myself, down to showing him the diffusing with with blow dryer, that is why it took 2 hours to cut and style it.
In true life it will take about 15 minutes for me to style it! Before it took 2 hours to do it!!! AND I could never swim at a party with others, there was no quick shower in the middle of the day, etc.. Once I dried my hair straight, I was paranoid about getting it wet!

Well those days are over!!! Yes, every now and again I will still wear it straight......
 

(This isn’t the best picture as I have no make up on, but tomorrow before my “meeting” I will take some pictures)

a moment of uncertainty….

Remember a long time ago when I posted this link:  The DJ

Well through mutual friends I stumbled upon information that I am not sure what to do with….

You see, The DJ’s fiancé has a daughter, and she is gravely ill. She is so sick, that as I read about her illness and her treatment, I as a nurse knew the prognosis is grim, it’s really heart wrenching.

I have no idea what to do with this information. You see as I stated in that previous post, he and I saw each other through, life, death, cancer of a loved one, weddings, divorces, etc….. That’s what happens when your friends with someone for over 13 years… So now, I feel lost, do I send him an email telling him how sorry I am and that I am praying for them, or do I do nothing?

The Happiest Place on Earth……

\

Slide show of our pictures below!

New Boys & Girls club opens Nov. 16 in Chandler

New Boys & Girls club opens Nov. 16 in Chandler

by Craig Younger - Oct. 23, 2009 11:11 AM
Special for The Republic
 
 
On Nov. 16, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley and Chandler will officially dedicate the new 32,000-square-foot club that will help serve the recreational needs of Chandler youth.


The facility for the Chandler Compadre branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley is at 300 E. Chandler Blvd. It includes two gymnasiums, meeting rooms, multipurpose rooms, teen center, game room, arts room, office space and shared space for other non-profit groups and the world's largest Intel Computer Clubhouse.

The celebration is open to the public and begins at 5 p.m. A dedication ceremony will feature Chandler Mayor Boyd W. Dunn, representatives of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley and the Chandler Compadres.

The festivities, which will include entertainment presented by members of the club, tours of the facility, and food and beverages, conclude by 8 p.m.

The Compadre branch has been at its current location since 1983. The site was home to Seton Catholic High School from 1953 to 1983.

Dunn said the new club "is the culmination of years of hard work and the fulfillment of many promises to the children of Chandler. Every member of the community who has supported this organization over the years, especially those who voted to build this facility, deserve a pat on the back, and I hope they all have an opportunity to visit and see the fruits of their labor."

"The people of Chandler have built the children of their community a facility that exceeds all our hopes and dreams," said Ramon Elias, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley. "We could not succeed without the support of the city of Chandler and our partners, including the Compadres and Intel. And we are committed to using this facility to continue to build the character of the children in our care and give them the support they need to realize their own dreams."

In keeping with the city's new Green Building Program, the facility will be certified through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System.


http://www.azcentral.com/community/chandler/articles/2009/10/23/20091023cr-boysgirls1023.html#

(Please click on the link to the article and post a comment about how wonderful this is, or read the comments and comment back to the ignorant man who commented negatively about the club and kids and racist comments)

Library

My new secret obsession...... Since my  computer has been broken I have become obsessed with the LIBRARY!! And to take it a step further, reading and listening to books on CD. Yesterday I went to the library 2 times! I know it sounds crazy, but think back to being young when you were in elementary school. Do you remember when your class would go to the library and you'd be able to pick out books. It is such a great feeling!! I love to browse the titles and see what new books are there, are what classics are sitting on the shelves. The library even has a certain classic smell to it!! I just love it!!!


Even Carrie Bradshaw talks about the love of the library! The idea of the book has a whole life of it's own, someone somewhere has had this book before it's sorta cool to think about!


I just love it at the library, and I don't understand why anyone would want to BUY a book when you could go check out a book from the library for free!! I've started a new series, the in death series by J.D. Robb aka Nora Roberts. I'm obsessed with reading these books and since last Tuesday, I have now read/listened (depending on what copy the library had available) The first 4 books in the series!!  You figure, I just saved $45.00 alone in "renting" these books!!


Oh, and I have a new secret love of my life, Rourke... I know he's out there somewhere, Irish accent and all......

Man of the year

This is a picture of my father and our family (missing Bethany) after he was awarded the Man of the Year by Fresh Start Women’s Foundation. www.wehelpwomen.com

The award was given by the East Valley branch of the organization. They have an East Valley Executive Council who decided that they would like to begin a new award in the East Valley for a Man and Woman of the Year.

Their criteria included the following:
1. Resident or business is located in the East Valley
2. Has significantly contributed to helping women in the East Valley through (minimum of 2 of these criteria must be met):
a. Demonstrated outstanding leadership and vision;
b. Introduced new and innovative ways to assist women;
c. Committed significant volunteer time to a cause that supports women within the last year;
d. Provided significant monetary investment to FSWF or another cause that supports women;
e. Served as the spokesperson for helping women;
f. Instituted policy change through advocacy;
g. Created collaborative partnerships to accomplish goals.

It was a great event and thanks to Angie C. at work, I was able to attend!! :)

This is hilarious!!

OMG so I am looking up midwives in Arizona and on this website someone wrote a book and listed 101 reasons not to have a baby at a hospital, well I have to share some of the reasons with you because they totally make me laugh out loud!!

Here are just a few of the reasons not to deliver at a hospital!!

24 You don't like pain.

47 You don't want to ride in a car during labor.

57 You don't want your pubic area shaved.

58 You don't want an enema.

80 You don't want to endorse the machinery of holocaust.

81 You don't want your child to become a drug addict.

82 You don't want your child to become a criminal.

83 You don't want your child to become violent.

84 You don't want your child to become a schizophrenic.

85 You don't want your child to become a victim of child abuse.

86 You don't want your child to commit suicide.

87 You don't want your baby to die from SIDS.

90 You want to breastfeed your baby.

91 You don't want your breasts to be overdistended.

92 You don't want to have a preterm baby.

100 You don't want to eat hospital food.

101 You'd rather be shopping.

Picture perfect memories

 

(don’t forget to go to the bottom and pause my music player so you can hear this song)

Picture perfect memories scattered all around the floor, reaching for the phone cause I can't fight it anymore. And I wonder if I ever cross your mind, for me it happens all the time.

This is one of my all time favorite songs.... I listen to it a million times a day because who hasn't been there? Wondering if you ever cross someone's mind? But what I love most about this song, is it starts out "picture perfect memories" well the truth is there really aren't picture perfect memories, but somewhere in our minds when the relationship is over, what we remember are perfect memories. We some how forget the bad stuff, how? Why?

After I left the Detroit Drink, I had journaled exactly what I was feeling so that I would remember that feeling, the feeling of being completely destroyed after putting all your faith in someone, all your trust, all your love.... But the funny thing is there are still times when I miss the little things that only we shared. There are times were I have to remind myself what he did to me.

Someone else I'm close to keeps giving their ex a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th chance and I keep wondering why, but then I realize that is the way women are, they forget just how bad it was and remember how good it was.

It’s sad that we forget the bad stuff…… Perhaps it’s better that way?

Old blogging site

Thursday, 08 November 2007

Yay for good deliveries!! I had a good night at work last night, we were really busy and I had a happy healthy delivery! I actually enjoyed work last night and I worked with great people.. Well we leave in a week to Michigan! I'm anxious and excited at the same time. I need to start getting things ready so I know what to take and what not. We'll be gone for 8 days, and it will be FREEZING compared to Arizona weather.

The sleep has been so so it's still hard to adjust so we'll see what happens... My friend was discharged last week sent home on bed rest. She's doing good and so is that precious baby. They did an ultrasound when she was there, the baby is beautiful I love the new ultrasounds!

Things have been good with me and Brian, no complaints. We didn't go out on Halloween, we actually both weren't feeling to well so we took a nap and woke up and it was practically time to go back to sleep LOL.. Oh well there is always next year, I was just glad to be there spending time with him....

ASU lost on Saturday :( so sad...

Ok, so yeah, I guess this is all for my current update, I know that isn't too exciting, Brian and I are here watch Jeff Dunhum, so I will write more tomorrow when I'm alone!

Another old post from my old blog

Saturday, 13 October 2007

Amazed

Last night was a interesting night! I had a patient that was flown to our hospital from another city, the city is known for it's upperclass people who live differently, let's just say it's a very "plastic city" anyhow she was being flown to us because I was told she was drunk and contracting.

Upon admission I was told she was term (36 weeks) after an ultra sound we found out she is really only 29 weeks!! Seriously how do you think your 2 months further then you really are? She was drunk as a skunk! She smelt so bad of alcohol that I was actually gagging when she would breathe on me or talk to me... Now in Arizona the legal blood alcohol limit is 0.0 - 0.8. Well get this, her blood alcohol level was .442 yes, I said .442! Amazing, and of course this was the irst time she has ever drank alcohol before... Right!

I signed up for her because I figured, that I deal with people who are detoxing all the times at the jail. What I failed to remember was I'm in a different environment. At the jail I have standing orders to medicate the patients that have dt's, at the hospital, it doesn't work that way! She just had to suffer, my goal was to stop her contracting. However she was a maniac up and down out of the bed, trembling, dry mouth, gagging, diarrhea you name it she was doing it!

Her husband was high as a kite on something too, his pupils were pin point and his eyes were glazed over and red, and he would stumble down the hallway!

Well of course we live in wonderful Arizona and there is nothing you can do about this situation other then try to educate the family. So when she was complaining about her shaking and what not, I kindly pointed out "If you feel like this how do you think the baby feels?" It was apparent by the fetal strip the kiddo was having issues as well!

God help that baby!

So I had no problem staying up. I worked with a girl from evenings who I really like until 0200. And the "Boys" were on so that was fun. There are 2 brothers that are OR Scrub Tech's (they assist in surgery, so when Dr. says "scalpel" they hand it over etc) So we sat around and chatted it was fun. I didn't leave until after 0700. On the way home I stopped and bought Benadryl. I got home and took 2 and laid down! I slept nonstop until a little after 1400. I'm still tired I think I'm
going to lay down again!

I don't think I'll take 2 Benadryl tomorrow morning, we'll stick to just 1..

Article about my sister and father!!!

EAST VALLEY Father and daughter Live a life of community service
Boys and Girls Club Leaders Make Lasting Impact on the Community

TEMPE, Ariz– September 17, 2009 – Ramon Elias has been a staple in the non-profit community for over 37 years. He has served as the President and CEO of the East Valley Boys and Girls club for 13 of those years. During this time he and his wife, Mima has raised a family of 4 daughters, instilling an attitude of service in all of them. Eldest daughter Mindy Elias has followed in her fathers footsteps, she is the Branch Executive for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley’s Compadre Branch. Both father and daughter will be honored for their commitment to the community at two separate events.

Mindy Elias has been chosen as one of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Top 40 Under 40. The Top 40 Hispanic Leaders Under 40 Luncheon will be held Wednesday, September 23 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. The Chamber selected the top 40 key Hispanic business and community leaders for making significant contributions to the greater good of the community. These individuals best exemplify the integration of their best practices and support the community by contributing to society in ways that are an inspiration to others and use resources and creativity to enrich our community.

Elias, a former club member herself, has taken the reins at the East Valley’s largest Boys and Girls Club.

“My parents instilled a sense of service in all of us, it feels so good to work with these kids everyday and to know I’m making an impact in another person’s life. To be recognized by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber is such an honor it also gives me the opportunity to take some of the kids to the event to show them what other successful Hispanic leaders are doing in their communities”, said Elias. In addition to working in the non-profit sector, Mindy is involved with Arizona Cactus Pine Girl Scouts. She has volunteered with the House of Refuge East, Polytechnic Elementary School and Willis Junior High in Chandler and is a Young Life supporter.

Ramon Elias, President and CEO of the East Valley Boys and Girls Club be honored as Man of the Year by Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center on October 1 at 6:30 p.m. Villa Siena, 890 W. Elliot Rd. Gilbert.

Ramon was instrumental in helping Fresh Start Women’s services establish their East Valley presence. The organization is currently using the Gilbert branch of the Boys and Girls club as well as Gilbert Elementary School. The model is working well and could be expanded to include other East Valley Boys and Girls clubs. The Boys and Girls clubs are a natural fit as they are serving youth while Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center serves the mothers of those children as well as other mothers.

Ramon is also a lifetime member of the Chandler Compadres. “I am so honored to have been selected by the Fresh Start Women’s Center for their first annual award. I am also very proud of Mindy and her dedication to the youth of Chandler and her recognition from the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.”


About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley (www.clubzona.org) serves more than 30,000 children and teens annually, and continues to grow to meet the needs of today’s youth, providing a positive place for all kids and teens. Serving members in Apache Junction, Chandler, Gilbert, Guadalupe, Mesa, Tempe, Queen Creek, and the Gila River Indian Community, programs are offered after school and during the summer and provide youth and teens, ages 6 – 18, with fun and educational activities, supervised by professional staff. The organization also runs Mesa Arts Academy, a K-8 charter school. The Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley’s annual membership fee is only $20 dollars a year and financial assistance is available. No child is ever turned away if they are unable to pay the fee. www.clubzona.org

About Fresh Start
Fresh Start is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women help themselves. We do that through the work of the Jewell McFarland Lewis-Fresh Start Women’s Resource Center, the first comprehensive Center offering quality services to women seeking self-improvement.

Wedding Planning

Well we are just shy of 6 months from the wedding!! The planning has been fun, there is so much that goes into planning a wedding, well that is IF you want a nice wedding. Of course we have read hundreds MILLIONS of bride magazines and things are coming together beautifully!!

Well we’ve also watched lots of “Say yes to the dress” episodes! I NEVER could understand WHY anyone would want a dress that was thousands of dollars.. However, now I have an entirely new appreciation for the dresses that cost that much. We had a lovely experience at a swanky bridal gown place in Scottsdale. We had one on one service and the gowns were gorgeous. Then later in the afternoon we decided we’d stop into the local bridal salon that is always advertising bridal gown sales, well after waiting over45 minutes for someone to help us, we were crammed into a small corner to try on dresses along with EVERY other person in Phoenix that day! The difference between a few thousand dollars and a few hundred dollars is AMAZING!!! Remember that commercial, the touch, the feel, the fabric of our lives? LOL That is so true when it comes to the feel of a good gown! Now I no longer judge those who pay a lot of money for a fabulous gown, because now I can’t see purchasing anything less.

Well this past weekend we went to a place called Twirl and tried on bridesmaid dresses, it was a fun experience (within reason) Needless to say after trying on over 20 dresses, we found ours for the big event! They will be made and shipped within a few months, how exciting is that, our dresses will be made especially for each one of us! AND it will be a dress I will wear again some day, it is gorgeous! I wish I was allowed to put up a sneak peak to show you all, but I will make you wait the 6 months!!!

Save the dates just came in this week and the kids will be mailing those out this week!! Once those go out I can post a picture of them!

It’s getting more and more exciting as the time draws closer!

Here is the link to the precious couples website: http://www.zackandbethany.com/

Memory Monday

The back of the picture says Jan. 1978, which would make me 4 months old!

Abercrombie & Fitch pitches new trashy T-shirts to America's youth

Send an email to Abercrombie and Fitch. Ask them to pull their sexualized shirts.

Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) continues its pattern of pushing pornographic-themed material into mainstream America. Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) has just begun offering their "New College" line of T-shirts.

The first A&F t-shirt pictures a young girl opening her blouse - exposing herself. A&F titles the image: "Show the Twins".

The second picture is of a female running nude. A&F titles it: "Female streaking encouraged."

The next Abercrombie & Fitch T-shirt is entitled: "Female Students Wanted for Sexual Research"

Abercrombie & Fitch does not merely sell a popular line of clothing – they sell a lifestyle. And because A&F clothing is popular among teens and college kids, the influence of their sex-as-recreation lifestyle is widespread.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reports that Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) remain a major public health challenge in the United States. CDC estimates that approximately 19 million new infections occur each year— almost half of them among young people 15 to 24 years of age.

TAKE ACTION

Send an email to Abercrombie and Fitch. Ask them to pull their sexualized shirts.

After sending your email, call A&F at 614-283-6500 (press "0" to speak directly to a real person).

AND TO THINK WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES WOULD BE SAYING TO SCHOOL CHILDREN!!!

Faith

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Humane Humanity

I need a hero…..

On Saturday I received a talking to by my father about the type of men I date, and his take on them. Ooooohhh let me tell you how much fun it was having that talk at the age of 32. He of course feels I have never brought home anyone worthy of being in my life. Well I am sure he just feels that way because he is the dad and of course no man will ever be good enough for his girl.

However in a matter of just 2 days later I am having a conversation with a few friends at different times, and I am told that I am “PICKY” I was told that perhaps if I wasn’t so picky with the men in my life that I wouldn’t be single. I was also told that I am very intimidating to men.

So my father thinks I date just anyone or anything and my friends who know me very well think I’m picky…. Interesting……

YES, I have met some pretty great guys in my life, and yes there are 2 that I can now say I should have married when the opportunity presented instead of walking away. However I view marriage as a one time thing. I will get married only 1 time in my life, so I want it to be with the right man. I can’t see myself getting married just for the sake of getting married, I’m not desperate.

I want to marry the person who is all those things on my God List that I pray for daily. Of course it would help if he liked sports and dogs, however I’m ok waiting.

 

(Pause my music player below so you can watch the video)

Update

Some of you may remember back to my posting a few months ago click here about my thyroid issue. Well after finding multiple nodules and diagnosing me with hashimoto’s , I went to have my biopsy and as I lay on the table, the radiologist spent what felt like an eternity looking at my thyroid and said “I don’t think it looks worthy of biopsying, I think your ok.” What a sigh of relief that was back then. I truly felt the power of prayer at work that day. Something that was measuring 3cm’s and was causing crummy side effects, had almost diminished.

Well in early August I wasn’t feeling so well so I went to have more lab work. I waited patiently for 22 days for my doctor to call me back with the results. Finally I decided I was calling the lab and getting the results myself. Well boy was that a BAD idea!!! The results were less then desirable. There were 2 things that stood out, the first is a count that should be <35 and mine registered at over >1000 and the second bad one was the count that is indicative of cancer that should be <45 and mine was reading >650.

I called my doctor and sat on hold for over 1 hour, I quickly changed physicians and called to make an appointment with the new doctor, after explaining the situation, they agreed to see me at 0800 the next day! I was VERY impressed by this new group of physicians. Incidentally I met her while she was in labor, and was impressed with her coping skills so decided I would try her out.

Sorry I’m getting off track. Well I only shared this a handful of my friends and my family. Mostly because I was scared. Usually I will just joke about things like this, that is how I cope. But for the first time in my life, I was scared. I just sobbed one night, because I don’t want to be sick, I don’t want to have surgery, I didn’t want to be on someone’s prayer list. (my friend added me to their list, I am now grateful)

Since that night, I gave it to the Lord, I have left it in his hands. I have prayed and prayed and worshiped through song that this be healed yet again.

Well now we are back to waiting, we are waiting for lab results and an ultrasound report. I am being referred to an amazing endocrinologist, that comes highly recommended by MANY nurses at work.

I thought it was time to finally share where I am in my life at this point. I PROMISE I will keep you updated as things transpire.

Chicken Asparagus Bake

3 boneless chicken breasts

1 bunch of asparagus

1/2 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons chopped onion

Dash of paprika

Salt and pepper to taste



Directions:



Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Dice asparagus

Place chicken, asparagus and onions in baking pan, pour broth in pan

Season with salt and pepper


Bake for 45 minutes



Sprinkle paprika on chicken and broil for 10 minutes, just long enough to give chicken some color.



Serve with salad and a fruit.



**A "normal" chicken breast serving is 4 ounces, 1 chicken breast is 2 servings. Also this is a great meal for those on HCG.