What doesn't kill you...Makes you stronger

What doesn't kill you...Makes you stronger ~ I have truly taken on this philosophy as an adult. However, this evening I was challenged. Not for my sake, but that of a friend's. They told me they were contemplating suicide. This person has said it before and I knowing ALL of the stories, of that is how people who are truly in need reach out, I have always been there to listen. But I have never taken their words completely seriously...until today. Today, there was something different in this person's voice. A desperation I hadn't heard before. A status that made me worried about them, but in the same sense knew (except for talking) there was nothing that I could do! I reassured this friend that if I were closer and could come over, I would - if nothing more than to give them a hug.

This whole scenario was hard for me. I mean, I have always been an empathetic person. But in the same sense I believe I have always had friends who are mentally/spiritually stronger than me.

This person believes that recent issues in their life have made it to where it is pointless to even go on. This person even went as far as denouncing God (and they are a Christian). This is where I put my foot down! I reminded them that God has given us free will and through that free will is where our worldly troubles lie~ That God does not look down upon us and spite us for the decisions that we have made.

By the time we got off the phone, there seemed to be more of a calmness on that person's end. I'm not going to say a complete calmness because I am still extremely worried about them, but enough of a calmness that I felt okay with them getting off the phone with me.

So now... I turn this back towards myself - I guess I could view this situation as one that has made me stronger???

Things I like...Things I don't

My cousin, Michelle, started this listing 3 things on her blog eariler this month - so I thought I'd try!

Things I like:
1. Sleeping in
2. Having a clean house and a well kept lawn
3. Having some "me" time


Things I don't like:
1. Forgetting to turn off the alarm clock the night before I get to sleep in
2. Having to clean the house and mow the lawn myself
3. Missing my kids like crazy when I don't have them

Unlike Michelle's list, mine are kinda related to each other - that's just how it went today. If I choose to it again, it may not be the case. (That's my disclaimer line :)

You Might be a Redneck... (part duex)

My brother, Tim, came down from Wisconsin this past weekend. He and I decided to go to SDC together - just the two of us! We had a blast riding all of the rides, especially the coasters.

When we were headed to ride the Lost River, a guy (who had just ridden the Lost River) stopped in this little encove of the entrance. He paused, looked around and then shouted, "Hell YEAH!!!" He then bent and picked up a full serving of nachos that was sitting on the ground, looked straight at us and said, "You can't beat that there with a stick!"

Tim and I just looked at each other and busted up laughing!

We did redeem my funnel cake certificate. Somehow, they just aren't as good as I remember as a kid. I, guess, you should just leave those good memories in the past. Here's a pic of us pretending to enjoy it though :)

What I've been up to....

Some of you might have started to wonder if I had fallen off the face of the Earth or something. Well...I haven't. I have just been soooo busy, sitting down to blog kinda fell by the wayside. Not that I have time now - that's SO far from the truth - but I wanted to let you know a few things that I have been up to!

Girls' Weekend 2008

Now most of this weekend is top secret because "What happens at Lake of the Ozarks, stays at Lake of the Ozarks" but I will bullet the top events for those who were there (just as a reminder) ;) And let you know that it was a GREAT time well spent by all!!!! (Tooo bad it only comes once a year!) :(

• A flashing neon sign above my head
• Add Brad to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
• Drink being bought for R.
• The Blue Room

Visit from Suz & Joe
A wonderful college friend, who I had not seen in 5 years, came down with her husband and fam this weekend. It was like we had never even skipped a beat.

That's what I really enjoy about a true friend....that there isn't hard feelings for the time that we have allowed to get away, just joy that we have this time to spend now.

They have 3 kids - 3, 5, & 7 - which were perfect playmates for my boys who are 3 & 5. Plus Joe was such a dear to allow Suz and I to go out on the town the first night while he stayed at my house with all five kids (even with Sam balling his eyes out).

Saturday we headed to Lakeside Forest Wilderness Area - This is a hiking trail located right in the heart of Branson consisting of 319 hand-laid stone steps. How I attended 4 years of college here and then lived another 10 years on top of that here and still had NO idea about this place, I will never know! Thank goodness for Suzanne's gentle prodding to get me to join them because we had a wonderful time!!

Now... the fun is gone and reality has struck. I have been heading back to my classroom to make it look all clean and fresh for a new bunch of kiddos.

Normally this time of year = excitement for the budding new school year. I guess, this summer, I just had too much fun. So... the thought of being trapped inside isn't exactly getting me all giddy inside.

Strange Coincidences

I have been noticing lots of strange occurrences this lately. I can't tell you exactly when I first started to notice them because every time I think of one...I think of another that happened earlier.


The newest one - that I discovered today - But before I tell you, let me give you some background knowledge. About a month back, Sawyer tells me that Tina and I share the same birthday. Tina is the first person that Sawyer has dated since me. I know, I know...you're thinking, "So what? Lots of people can have the same birthday." I actually wasn't excited, nor impressed, with that little fact - I mean why would I want to share the same birthday as the new girlfriend?? Anyways...today I'm am checking out my friends on my Myspace page and this is what I realize... (Okay, here it is! Are you ready?)

Sawyer and Laser have the same exact birthday!


Freaky, huh? I, mean, Laser is the first person I have dated since Sawyer and Tina is the first person Sawyer has dated and out of us all the girls share the same birthday and the guys share the same birthday.



Weird, huh?