Happy, happy 4th birthday sweet Jilli-Bean!! Mimi loves you with all her heart & soul!!!! xoxoxoxo
Friday, November 19, 2010
4 years ago today . . .
Happy, happy 4th birthday sweet Jilli-Bean!! Mimi loves you with all her heart & soul!!!! xoxoxoxo
Friday, November 05, 2010
Good grief . . .
I cannot believe how long it's been since I updated my blog!!!! April???? Seriously??? Shame on me!!
So much has happened since April that I have no clue where to begin! So I won't! LOL!!
I'll just try to keep everyone updated from this day forward!!
Tomorrow is Jilli's 4th birthday bash, so maybe I'll have a few (thousand - LOL!!) photos to share in the next couple of days!!
Hope ya'll are doing GREAT!!!! Talk soon????
Peace, love & HOPE!!!!
So much has happened since April that I have no clue where to begin! So I won't! LOL!!
I'll just try to keep everyone updated from this day forward!!
Tomorrow is Jilli's 4th birthday bash, so maybe I'll have a few (thousand - LOL!!) photos to share in the next couple of days!!
Hope ya'll are doing GREAT!!!! Talk soon????
Peace, love & HOPE!!!!
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Jilli & her Tutu . . .
I think the photos speak for themselves. :-) As always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
What I learned (or re-learned) . . .
I attended a motivational/inspirational seminar in Tampa yesterday that was absolutely AMAZING!!! I got to see & listen to some very influential people who I have admired & respected for a long time. Lou Holtz, Rudy Giuliani, Colin Powell, John Walsh, Apolo Ohno, Tony Dungy, & Zig Ziglar. Someone I had never heard of before was Tamara Lowe & I was VERY inspired by her & her story! My hands hurt from clapping & my throat hurts from "whoohooing" all of these truly inspirational people!! ;-) Here are some things I learned or some things that I already knew & my feelings & emotions were validated by hearing what these amazing people had to say:
* That we can do NOTHING without God in our lives. That as long as we listen to God - truly listen to Him & His word - we're so on the right track!
* That our government isn't going to fix what's wrong in our world. That it's up to each of us to fix what's wrong in our own world. That everyone needs to stop blaming our government for all our problems & step up to the plate to take responsibility for our own messes. We can't expect our government to do that for us. That we need to respect the government we have & everyone needs to work in unity to make sure our nation remains strong & united!
* That your past is your past & needs to be left there. That you will get nowhere in life if you keep looking in the rear view mirror & not out the windshield!! That if you spend all your time looking in that rear view mirror, you are not experiencing the present nor can you see what's up ahead!
* That if you go to bed drunk, chances are good that you'll wake up sober (maybe a little hungover, but sober nonetheless), but if you go to bed ugly, you'll wake up ugly. It's not the outward ugly they're talking about. It's the inner ugly. If you go to bed filled with hatred, bitterness & ugliness . . . that's how you're going to wake up. Your ugliness isn't going to be magically removed while you sleep! You need to remove it yourself!
* Do what's right, do your best & always show people you care!!!
* Do what you love & love what you do! Live your life with passion, love, hope & belief! NEVER stop dreaming & remember that attitude is everything!!
* Get out of debt!!! Debt wreaks havoc on your mind, body & soul!!!
* Lift & you will be lifted. Push down & you'll be pushed down!!
* That NOBODY can make you feel anything about yourself that you don't already feel about yourself!! That people who try to bring negativity into your world or treat you with negativity are not worth the time of day! Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people & make sure you are the same!!
* Read, read & read some more!!!
* Give, give, & give some more!!!
* Listen to what other people have to say!!
* Always find time for laughter in your world!!
* This is more a personal request than something inspirational or motivational. John Walsh (WOW! If you ever get the opportunity to listen to this man talk about what happened to Adam & all they endured as a family, please do so) met with President Obama. He said it's always scary meeting with a new President because you never know if they'll have the same passion & commitment you have for your cause. He said he didn't need to worry about President Obama, who is one of the most kind, caring & compassionate people he has met & that President Obama followed through on a promise he made to John Walsh within 2 days of meeting with him!! John Walsh said that President Obama did his part & that now it's up to all of us to make sure we contact all of our representatives requesting that the Adam Walsh Acts be enacted!! If you could please do that, I would appreciate it & I know that the Walsh family would certainly appreciate it!
I was so inspired by all of these people yesterday & I also felt good about myself because I pretty much had a lot of these thoughts, feelings & emotions in myself. It just felt really uplifting to receive validation from people who are far more incredible than I could hope or imagine to be!! Thanks for letting me share my enthusiasm!!
As always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!
* That we can do NOTHING without God in our lives. That as long as we listen to God - truly listen to Him & His word - we're so on the right track!
* That our government isn't going to fix what's wrong in our world. That it's up to each of us to fix what's wrong in our own world. That everyone needs to stop blaming our government for all our problems & step up to the plate to take responsibility for our own messes. We can't expect our government to do that for us. That we need to respect the government we have & everyone needs to work in unity to make sure our nation remains strong & united!
* That your past is your past & needs to be left there. That you will get nowhere in life if you keep looking in the rear view mirror & not out the windshield!! That if you spend all your time looking in that rear view mirror, you are not experiencing the present nor can you see what's up ahead!
* That if you go to bed drunk, chances are good that you'll wake up sober (maybe a little hungover, but sober nonetheless), but if you go to bed ugly, you'll wake up ugly. It's not the outward ugly they're talking about. It's the inner ugly. If you go to bed filled with hatred, bitterness & ugliness . . . that's how you're going to wake up. Your ugliness isn't going to be magically removed while you sleep! You need to remove it yourself!
* Do what's right, do your best & always show people you care!!!
* Do what you love & love what you do! Live your life with passion, love, hope & belief! NEVER stop dreaming & remember that attitude is everything!!
* Get out of debt!!! Debt wreaks havoc on your mind, body & soul!!!
* Lift & you will be lifted. Push down & you'll be pushed down!!
* That NOBODY can make you feel anything about yourself that you don't already feel about yourself!! That people who try to bring negativity into your world or treat you with negativity are not worth the time of day! Surround yourself with positive, uplifting people & make sure you are the same!!
* Read, read & read some more!!!
* Give, give, & give some more!!!
* Listen to what other people have to say!!
* Always find time for laughter in your world!!
* This is more a personal request than something inspirational or motivational. John Walsh (WOW! If you ever get the opportunity to listen to this man talk about what happened to Adam & all they endured as a family, please do so) met with President Obama. He said it's always scary meeting with a new President because you never know if they'll have the same passion & commitment you have for your cause. He said he didn't need to worry about President Obama, who is one of the most kind, caring & compassionate people he has met & that President Obama followed through on a promise he made to John Walsh within 2 days of meeting with him!! John Walsh said that President Obama did his part & that now it's up to all of us to make sure we contact all of our representatives requesting that the Adam Walsh Acts be enacted!! If you could please do that, I would appreciate it & I know that the Walsh family would certainly appreciate it!
I was so inspired by all of these people yesterday & I also felt good about myself because I pretty much had a lot of these thoughts, feelings & emotions in myself. It just felt really uplifting to receive validation from people who are far more incredible than I could hope or imagine to be!! Thanks for letting me share my enthusiasm!!
As always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Two Years Ago Today . . .
Our precious Jilli was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. She is such an amazingly happy, loving, smart, funny little girl who is also incredibly brave & courageous. We've all come such a long way in two years & I imagine I'll say pretty much the same thing every year. I was looking back at what I posted one year ago today - the one year anniversary of Jilli's diagnosis & it pretty much sums up what I'm still feeling today. So, I thought I'd share it again on Jilli's #2 . . .
One year ago today Jillian was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At times it doesn’t seem that long, but other times it seems like forever. I don’t know if I’ll ever forget one single second of that day & how scared all of us were. How horrible it was to see our precious, precious girl so limp & lethargic. To see the fear & tears in my child’s eyes. We’ve come such a long, long way since April 22nd, 2008. We’ve learned so much. So much I wish we’d never had to learn, but we have. I think it’s made us stronger as a family & connected us in a way that’s very difficult to describe. Words cannot express how PROUD I am of my family. How very, very much I LOVE my family & how appreciative I am of all the support my family gives to my kids.
I wish I could express how PROUD I am of Tyler & how he has handled all of this. He’s had to take a back seat to his baby sister this past year & he hasn’t resented it for even one single second. He has shown nothing but love & compassion to his baby sister. He shows such care & concern for Jilli. He's protective & so very loving. He's everything a big brother should be & then some! He will never, ever in a million years know how much I adore & love him! How proud he makes all of us & how blessed we are to have him in our world!! Jilli is so fortunate to have YOU as her big brother, Ty!! So, very, very fortunate & lucky!!
And Jillian. Wow! What can I possibly say about our precious Jillian & all that she has endured this past year?? How courageous she is. How she remains so sweet, so loving, so absolutely adorable. How a little piece of my heart breaks every time she pleads for “No ‘jections, Mimi. Pweeeeeeeeeeze!” How a part of me wants to just say, “The heck with it – you got it, Jilli! No injections today!” But, thankfully, another part of me knows that she needs those injections to survive. So, I draw up the insulin & take her precious little arms or thighs in my hands & I inject. Another piece of my heart breaks. Every single time. Then we give each other a great big hug & kiss & go on with our day! A day filled with all the things a typical 2 year old goes through. To a degree. A typical 2 year old doesn’t have to have her blood sugar level checked before each meal & at bedtime. A typical 2 year old doesn’t have to watch every single gram of sugar & every single gram of carbohydrate they put in their body. A typical 2 year old can have cake, ice cream, cookies, juice, snacks of pretty much any kind. Not a 2 year old with Type 1 Diabetes. But our precious Jilli has learned to accept the word “no!” She knows what she can & can’t eat/drink & is wise beyond her years. She’s smart, she’s funny & she’s adjusting to her world the best way she knows how! She’s an inspiration to all of us & we all need to learn from her!I love you, my sweet, precious granddaughter. With every ounce of my being. I'm so proud of you, even though that doesn't seem like a big enough word . . .
I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I have for my daughter & my son (AKA as my son-in-law). What an absolute amazing job they have done with what they, as parents, have been dealt. This isn’t just a matter of the heart – it changed every single aspect of their lives. Physically, mentally, financially. Everything. I know how much their hearts hurt & how brave & strong both of them are. Oh, my children, I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo VERY proud of both of you!!! Jillian is so very lucky & so very blessed to have you as her parents!! I love both of you with all my heart & soul!!
And you know what?? I'm proud of me. I'm deathly afraid of needles. Almost to the point of passing out when I see one. Having to do sugar checks & give injections far exceeds any expectations I had for myself. When Jilli was diagnosed, I knew there was NO POSSIBLE WAY I was ever going to be able to do those 2 things. Especially to my precious, baby granddaughter!! But, here I am a year later drawing insulin, giving sugar checks & giving injections like I've been doing it all my life. I won't lie - it's the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life & it hurts my heart every single time, but I do it!! Because I have no choice!! I do it for Jilli. It's not about me & my fears & phobias - it's ALL ABOUT Jilli!!!
So, it’s been year full of tears & of laughter. It’s been a year filled with ups & downs. It’s been a year full of learning & helping, & most of all loving. Loving each other & loving this precious baby girl who God blessed us with.
Thank you, my faithful blog readers, for all the support you have shown this past year. I’m sure I’ll be asking for more throughout this next year & the years to follow. It does my heart good knowing that each of you will be there. Just as I’ll be there for each of you! As always . . . peace & love.
Thanks for being here for yet another year, my blog readers. Thanks so very much for your love, support, donations . . . just everything! As always . . . peace, love, & HOPE!!!!!
One year ago today Jillian was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. At times it doesn’t seem that long, but other times it seems like forever. I don’t know if I’ll ever forget one single second of that day & how scared all of us were. How horrible it was to see our precious, precious girl so limp & lethargic. To see the fear & tears in my child’s eyes. We’ve come such a long, long way since April 22nd, 2008. We’ve learned so much. So much I wish we’d never had to learn, but we have. I think it’s made us stronger as a family & connected us in a way that’s very difficult to describe. Words cannot express how PROUD I am of my family. How very, very much I LOVE my family & how appreciative I am of all the support my family gives to my kids.
I wish I could express how PROUD I am of Tyler & how he has handled all of this. He’s had to take a back seat to his baby sister this past year & he hasn’t resented it for even one single second. He has shown nothing but love & compassion to his baby sister. He shows such care & concern for Jilli. He's protective & so very loving. He's everything a big brother should be & then some! He will never, ever in a million years know how much I adore & love him! How proud he makes all of us & how blessed we are to have him in our world!! Jilli is so fortunate to have YOU as her big brother, Ty!! So, very, very fortunate & lucky!!
And Jillian. Wow! What can I possibly say about our precious Jillian & all that she has endured this past year?? How courageous she is. How she remains so sweet, so loving, so absolutely adorable. How a little piece of my heart breaks every time she pleads for “No ‘jections, Mimi. Pweeeeeeeeeeze!” How a part of me wants to just say, “The heck with it – you got it, Jilli! No injections today!” But, thankfully, another part of me knows that she needs those injections to survive. So, I draw up the insulin & take her precious little arms or thighs in my hands & I inject. Another piece of my heart breaks. Every single time. Then we give each other a great big hug & kiss & go on with our day! A day filled with all the things a typical 2 year old goes through. To a degree. A typical 2 year old doesn’t have to have her blood sugar level checked before each meal & at bedtime. A typical 2 year old doesn’t have to watch every single gram of sugar & every single gram of carbohydrate they put in their body. A typical 2 year old can have cake, ice cream, cookies, juice, snacks of pretty much any kind. Not a 2 year old with Type 1 Diabetes. But our precious Jilli has learned to accept the word “no!” She knows what she can & can’t eat/drink & is wise beyond her years. She’s smart, she’s funny & she’s adjusting to her world the best way she knows how! She’s an inspiration to all of us & we all need to learn from her!I love you, my sweet, precious granddaughter. With every ounce of my being. I'm so proud of you, even though that doesn't seem like a big enough word . . .
I cannot even begin to describe the feelings I have for my daughter & my son (AKA as my son-in-law). What an absolute amazing job they have done with what they, as parents, have been dealt. This isn’t just a matter of the heart – it changed every single aspect of their lives. Physically, mentally, financially. Everything. I know how much their hearts hurt & how brave & strong both of them are. Oh, my children, I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo VERY proud of both of you!!! Jillian is so very lucky & so very blessed to have you as her parents!! I love both of you with all my heart & soul!!
And you know what?? I'm proud of me. I'm deathly afraid of needles. Almost to the point of passing out when I see one. Having to do sugar checks & give injections far exceeds any expectations I had for myself. When Jilli was diagnosed, I knew there was NO POSSIBLE WAY I was ever going to be able to do those 2 things. Especially to my precious, baby granddaughter!! But, here I am a year later drawing insulin, giving sugar checks & giving injections like I've been doing it all my life. I won't lie - it's the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life & it hurts my heart every single time, but I do it!! Because I have no choice!! I do it for Jilli. It's not about me & my fears & phobias - it's ALL ABOUT Jilli!!!
So, it’s been year full of tears & of laughter. It’s been a year filled with ups & downs. It’s been a year full of learning & helping, & most of all loving. Loving each other & loving this precious baby girl who God blessed us with.
Thank you, my faithful blog readers, for all the support you have shown this past year. I’m sure I’ll be asking for more throughout this next year & the years to follow. It does my heart good knowing that each of you will be there. Just as I’ll be there for each of you! As always . . . peace & love.
Thanks for being here for yet another year, my blog readers. Thanks so very much for your love, support, donations . . . just everything! As always . . . peace, love, & HOPE!!!!!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Another layout . . .
Jilli had her very first soccer team solo photos taken Friday night & I was lucky enough to stand right behind the photographer & take photos of my own! ;-. Isn't she a cutie????
Thanks so much for stopping by & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
Thanks so much for stopping by & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
I SCRAPPED!!!!!
I know. Not such a big deal to most people but to me this is HUGE!!! I haven't scrapped in months & I finally made myself sit down & finish 2 layouts that have been on my desk for months now!! I have had absolutely no scrapping mojo whatsoever & just finishing these 2 layouts has made feel that maybe it's not gone for good!! Maybe I can actually start a brand new layout sometime in the near future & actually finish it in a timely manner!!
Cute story about this layout. Like I said it's been on my desk for months. I pulled it out the other day & was looking at it when Jilli came into my scrappy room. She got up onto my lap & asked who the people in the picture were. I explained that was Pa & his Mommy & Daddy. She said that wasn't her Pa - that man didn't have glasses & he had hair above his mouth. I explained to her that Pa was much younger in this photo & that he didn't have glasses then & yes, he had had a mustache back then. She did a cute little head-cock & said "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . ." She was silent for a few moments & then asked if she was still going to have the Pa she loved. Was her Pa with the glasses going to come home from work? I reassured her that yes, the Pa she loved was indeed the one who would be coming home from work. That little girl just never ceases to melt my heart. :-)
This layout is of my parents on our family cruise where we celebrated their 80th birthdays!! So, so grateful that we could celebrate that milestone all together like that & also that we're lucky enough to have them with us for 80 birthdays!!! Looking forward to celebrating many more with them!!
Thanks so much for stopping by & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
Cute story about this layout. Like I said it's been on my desk for months. I pulled it out the other day & was looking at it when Jilli came into my scrappy room. She got up onto my lap & asked who the people in the picture were. I explained that was Pa & his Mommy & Daddy. She said that wasn't her Pa - that man didn't have glasses & he had hair above his mouth. I explained to her that Pa was much younger in this photo & that he didn't have glasses then & yes, he had had a mustache back then. She did a cute little head-cock & said "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm . . ." She was silent for a few moments & then asked if she was still going to have the Pa she loved. Was her Pa with the glasses going to come home from work? I reassured her that yes, the Pa she loved was indeed the one who would be coming home from work. That little girl just never ceases to melt my heart. :-)
This layout is of my parents on our family cruise where we celebrated their 80th birthdays!! So, so grateful that we could celebrate that milestone all together like that & also that we're lucky enough to have them with us for 80 birthdays!!! Looking forward to celebrating many more with them!!
Thanks so much for stopping by & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
Monday, April 05, 2010
Monday, Monday . . .
Had a very fun 4 days! Ken took Thursday & Friday off, so we had a 4 day weekend! YAY! Gotta love those for sure!! Thursday we just hung out together. We finally had some beautiful weather & we were able to take a scooter ride down to the water to enjoy the peacefulness & look for fish! Did a little shopping & then just relaxed! It was a *really* nice day!!
On Friday we went to Busch Gardens & had a BLAST!! I added all the photos on my Facebook. Hopefully, you can see them here: Busch Gardens photos.
Saturday my Mom, sister, daughter & I worked the Tamps JDRF walk. We had to be in Tampa by 7:15am which means we had to leave here by 6:30! Believe me after the loooooooooooooong day at Busch Gardens the day before I DID NOT want to get out of bed at 4:15 on Saturday morning, but for JDRF, I did!!! We worked in the accounting room & got to count all the money people brought to the walk! There was over $42,000 counted that morning!! YAY!!!!!
Yesterday we went to church, then out to lunch with my Mom & Dad. After lunch we went back to my parents house for a bit so I could set up the wireless internet on their new laptop! After that I came home to get some laundry done as I have Jilli here for the next couple of days!
Oh, speaking of JDRF, the deadline for donations is quickly approaching & I am only $25 short of my $1000 goal!!! Anyone wanna help a poor girl out to meet her goal??? Please, please, pretty please!! With a cherry on top . . . ;-) If you'd like to help, her is my link: Terri's JDRF Donation Page! Thanks!!!!!
Hope ya'll had a GREAT weekend & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!!
On Friday we went to Busch Gardens & had a BLAST!! I added all the photos on my Facebook. Hopefully, you can see them here: Busch Gardens photos.
Saturday my Mom, sister, daughter & I worked the Tamps JDRF walk. We had to be in Tampa by 7:15am which means we had to leave here by 6:30! Believe me after the loooooooooooooong day at Busch Gardens the day before I DID NOT want to get out of bed at 4:15 on Saturday morning, but for JDRF, I did!!! We worked in the accounting room & got to count all the money people brought to the walk! There was over $42,000 counted that morning!! YAY!!!!!
Yesterday we went to church, then out to lunch with my Mom & Dad. After lunch we went back to my parents house for a bit so I could set up the wireless internet on their new laptop! After that I came home to get some laundry done as I have Jilli here for the next couple of days!
Oh, speaking of JDRF, the deadline for donations is quickly approaching & I am only $25 short of my $1000 goal!!! Anyone wanna help a poor girl out to meet her goal??? Please, please, pretty please!! With a cherry on top . . . ;-) If you'd like to help, her is my link: Terri's JDRF Donation Page! Thanks!!!!!
Hope ya'll had a GREAT weekend & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Charlie Kimball . . .
The Grand Prix was here in St. Pete this weekend. In fact, it's still here because we got almost 4" of rain yesterday that ended up postponing the main race until today. We all were VERY inspired by Charlie Kimball - the only Indy race car driver to EVER race with Type 1 Diabetes!! My son-in-law, Buddy, was fortunate enough to actually meet him yesterday & he couldn't say enough good things about him!! He showed him how his car is outfitted for his glucometer & how he not only has water but orange juice (in case his sugar goes too low) ready to flow through his helmet during the races! He signed some goodies for Jilli & was VERY interested in hearing all about her! So, we have become Charlie Kimball fans & hope you'll check him & cheer him on! You can learn more about him & see some pretty awesome photos of his car & how it's set up for him at his site: Charlie Kimball.
As always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
As always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Jilli & Uncle Steve . . .
It has taken Jilli over 3 years to warm up to her Great Uncle Steve, but she finally did it!! These were taken Tuesday night at Team Jilli-Bean's Quiznos fund raising night & I was lucky enough to be there to capture these precious, precious moments on film! I just *love* these photos of the 2 of them!!!
Hope you do, too & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!!
Hope you do, too & as always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Jilli Plays Soccer . . .
Jilli's 1st soccer game was Friday night & let me tell you - TOO FUN!!! I highly recommend that you find where the 3-5 year olds play soccer wherever it is you live & go watch them!! My body literally ached from laughing so hard!! What fun these kids had & what fun they brought to our world!! We cannot wait until Friday night to see more of the Mighty Ducks play soccer!!! ;-)
As always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
As always . . . peace, love & HOPE!!!!!
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