Saying goodbye to Holly

Holly had a spot on my bed every night and morning. She was waiting at the door when I got home. She was one of the first things I saw each morning. She was spunky and sweet. She was stubborn and hardheaded. She ruled our roost and thought she was the BOSS. She was against our three other dogs.

  The Boss

Sleeping Peacefully on her blanket

Holly lived 17 years and really never saw herself as a dog. She thought she was a princess and lived until today. Today, April 16th, 2013, we had to put Holly to sleep. She cried out in her sleep and last night was the worst of all. She and I didn't get much sleep. She is my girl and she is now pain free!

Her favorite activity: car rides

I will miss you sweet girl!! 

A student's loss with tears

It breaks your heart. Seeing a student struggle this week broke my heart. My student's mother died over Spring break and I have no words to describe how heartbreaking that is. He came back to school on Monday and the week got worse and worse as time went on. He did okay on Monday and Tuesday but reality set in Wednesday and his behavior went down hill the rest of the week.

Who can blame him?

A first grader losing his mom unexpectedly sucks. Pure and simple. My heart aches for him, his siblings, and his family. He is so sad and I just want to cry with him.

While I don't condone his acting out, I do know that it's normal. Comforting him with a hug and embracing him is the only way I know how. Praying, by myself, is the only other resort I can give right now.

I don't know the details.

All I know is a first grader lost his mother last week and he is devastated.

It's never easy

This afternoon, I watched as my grandmother's best friend was buried. Tears were shed and it wasn't easy.

As I reflect on the life I saw her live and leave, it makes me so happy to have lived to know her. Donna was a wonderful woman who was so kind and generous to everyone.

Our connection?

I was blessed to have the opportunity to be in the same town for four years with her. Throughout those four years, I bonded with her weekly. She was my "grandmother" while I was in school and I am so grateful.


Donna will be missed but the memories, the good ones, will always be remembered.

Posted using BlogPress

Don't EVER mess with a mama bear

July 6th will be a day for one family that they will want to forget but never will. A man tried to get a better shot of a mama bear and her cubs. Grizzly kills man flashes all over news screens, online news websites, and LIVE radio talk shows. Apparently a man and his wife tried to get too close to a mama bear with her young cubs.

I hate to sound harsh, on the family, but what were you (them) thinking? Seriously? Haven't you heard that you should never mess with a MAMA BEAR while she is protecting her cubs? This death could have been prevented if the man and his wife kept their distance. You never know how a wild animal will react.

No one should EVER mess with a mama bear and her cubs!!

Heaven received an angel on June 1st

June 1st is a day I'll never forget. Nonni died on June 1st just two days out of the hospital. It's been a rough week.

Services are on June 8th. She was a fantastic grandma & is already missed.

I appreciate your prayers and thoughts. I'm doing "okay" but have my moments. It's just hard.

Obituary for Nonni

I love you, Nonni!!

Difficult

Today has been a difficult day in many ways. I have cried numerous times and have had a few good moments. I wish it was all a bad dream. I wish my pastor was still alive. I wish his family did not have to face such sorrow.

Emotions have been flying as I hear of funeral preparations. I lost it when my pastor's mother reached out and thanked the community last night for their prayers. I lost it when his daughter spoke, and I lost it thinking of a conversation I had with him.

This weekend, I was supposed to do a lot of homework. That never got done. Tonight, I get to make that up. I will be up late and rise at 6am. Lord help me!

I am ever so grateful for my friends and family who have surrounded me with love. It truly helps. It helps to know that my church family is solid and that we will get through this time. It helps to know I am not alone in this grief.

Coleman Larson

Some of you knew that I was a prayer warrior for Coleman Larson, who had childhood cancer. He died and went to be with Jesus on January 6th, 2009. He was five years old. Coleman fought so hard for 2.5 years and his family was behind him every step of the way. He has a twin brother named Caden, who was his BIGGEST supporter.

Please pray for his family, especially his parents and Caden as they struggle with the loss of a child/brother. Words can not express my deepest sympathy that goes out to this family. As Christ followers, they never gave up hope and continued through this path with a very sick child. Coleman was a joyful child and his legacy will live forever!

All things are possible

Lately, there have been troublesome events that have filled my head. From my uncle dying and me not being able to attend his funeral to baby Stellan having RSV to my sweet, NOT, nice, NOT neighbors having jam sessions...starting at 2AM. Last night was actually the worst it has been yet and I considered patrolling from 2AM to 4AM since I was awake...considered.

But I have to remember that God does has a plan for me and the little things that make up my life may or may not do anything to my future goal. In my heart, I know that Stellan will be just fine. Once the RSV is contained and eliminated...he will just fine. Prayers do make a difference as well. My uncle had a very good life and was very sick for a very long time. Prayers helped me be able to grieve and accept the fact that he is gone, but his legacy will prevail in the future. He will be missed, yes, but he will be remembered for the great man that he was.

The neighbors...well, God will see them eventually and hopefully they will clean up their act...hopefully. I also head home tomorrow and will sleep in my own bed, in my own room, and have no neighbors who make my walls vibrate. I loved my experience at the conference, but am SO ready to go home. I am ready to see my family and am ready to sleep more than four hours consecutively...silent hooray! I am also ready to just be HOME :)
***************************************************
Home is where my heart will always be...not trying to be too corny :) Home is where I can get more than four hours of sleep, mourn, and live my life. Home is what I L-O-V-E! Today I bought a magnet that states "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live your life you've imagined" (Thoreau.) I have loved being home...but I also love to live life...hour by hour...day by day and it is so WORTH IT!!!

Love and Live life

Because of you...

Today was a very difficult day to say the least. With prayers keeping me strong and little sleep to gain, I charged through the day. With water on hand and trail mix full of energy...life charged forward. Thank you for all your prayers. Unfortunately...my uncle died at 2:40pm today. Thank you for all of your prayers through this trying experience. Thank you for helping me get through this day.

As if my news could not get any better right now...I know...I have to get up at 5:30AM (4:30 my time) to prep for a presentation that was moved foward. What did I ever do to deserve this??? I know I can handle it, but seriously!!!! Now I must head to bed...

Goodnight

Wordless Wednesday

This man has meant the world in my life. He worked for my church back at home and was such an inspiration. He died yesterday and will never be forgotton. Thanks Lonnie for ALL that you did!!!!

Sour Monday, take 2

So yes, today is still sour but it is also sad too. Why you ask? My beloved sugar glider, Spice, died today. He was about 8 years old. I cried and am now sad. Yes he was a ring tail tooter (yes I said tooter), but he and I had a special bond.

Not of Spice, but looks exactly like him. Except he had a diamond shaped bald spot on his sweet head!

On top of everything else, today and this week are just not the best right now.

Hope ya'll had a better day!!!