DON'T SUCK IT UP- the passing of a Mom Blogger

When I learned of Leslies passing I was in SHOCK.

I have been reading her blog, A Blonde Ambition, on and off for a while. I knew she was having heart issues but, she DIED?

There is an instagram post from a week ago.

There are two young babies.

There is a husband.

AND SHE'S JUST GONE.

This is hitting me on so many levels.

First- I have developed heart issues. I am on heart meds and need to take better care of myself. BECAUSE I DON'T.

Second, Leslie was so grateful. In the hospital, away from her girls for weeks and months, and she was a grateful happy person. The kind of person who should be around a long time to be an example for others. She was even grateful for her health.

Leslie understood being someones cheerleader was really important:

"One of the things this little medical fiasco has also shown me is the importance of encouraging others who may be going through tough things. The emails, words of encouragement and prayer have been so appreciated, and it has been a great reminder that I need to do more of that for others. I'd love to be able to incorporate the blog into that somehow and I'm excited to explore that idea more. We could all use our own personal cheerleaders sometimes, don't you think?"

Leslie offers up a warning here in THIS POST. That if you are feeling TIRED. REALLY TIRED. And you don't really have a reason to be SO TIRED, it could be a heart problem. She was a new mom, exhausted like the rest of us. She knew she was REALLY TIRED and instead told herself to keep pushing. SUCK IT UP she told herself.

READ:

"If you are more tired than normal, if something just doesn't feel right, if you feel like you can't get enough sleep even though you technically are - SAY SOMETHING. DO SOMETHING. WAVE THE WHITE FLAG. I didn't. I just thought I was tired from chasing a toddler and caring for an 8-week-old. I thought I just needed to suck it up, drink some caffeine and stop complaining.
In reality, I was having major heart trouble."

She just had a baby months ago. They will never again get to have their Mother. This kills me. 



Donate to the girls college and wedding fund here: GO FUND ME

And read Leslies Blog and learn from her. Learn about her. Pass on what she's telling us.

And hug your babies. 

And be grateful.

And BE GOOD TO YOURSELF.  

Get your heart checked regularly. If you're TIRED and you know something is wrong...... DON'T SUCK IT UP.

Cindy Cawfords Un Retouched Photos- Sexy still? ARE WE ENOUGH?

By now you've probably seen this un retouched photo released released by Marie Claire. Marie Claire will be publishing a full spread of Cindy with no airbrushing or retouching.

What do you think? Still sexy?

I have to admit it was a shock to see this at first. My mind is so used to the perfection of models and the beauty industry, that this floored me. At first I was shocked.....and then I felt VALIDATED.

So many actresses are waltzing around Hollywood, three weeks after having their babies, wearing skinny jeans and ready to get back to work. Or their 40 and fabulous in the magazines with zero wrinkles and cellulite FREE.

I love Cindy for showing us that even a supermodel, who has access to every cream, potion and procedure, shows us this is the REALITY of AGING.

And guess what. It's NOT as bad as THE MEDIA and THE BEAUTY industry has lead us to believe! We are constantly being show that we're not good enough. Really? I'm no supermodel but I have experience, real knowledge and have been through A LOT. Two kids, one round of IVF, 52 days in the hospital with my son, one husband, three pets, and SEVEN FISH. Yes. Don't ask.

Think of this picture when you're thinking you're not aging well, not feeling sexy, and realize THIS
IS SEXY. And you're ENOUGH.

And I'M ENOUGH.

'NUFF SAID.

Super Soul Sunday- I'm Not A Stay At Home Mom!!

I love all things Oprah so it's no surprise I am loving Super Soul Sunday on Own. It's deep stuff lemme tell you!

I watched India Irie describe her total spiritual transformation after realizing she was turning into someone she didn't recognize. She walked away from the music industry until she could come back and do it her way. Brave.

Watch a clip here: OPRAH

She also spoke about how, when she put her album out, was receiving criticism for being vane and shallow. That people thought she had lightened her skin (she hadn't). The stunning revelation to her was she always hated people who were vane, shallow, sell outs in the music industry. She had major judgement against them. Then she was being accused of being one of those people! It made her understand how harshly she was judging others.

After walking away from my company and spending more time with my family I find myself nervous when people ask me: "now what?" I feel guilty for enjoying this time not working. Why? Because I have judged Mom's who don't.

Yes. That's not so fabulous is it. I have judged stay at home Mom's sometimes. I was always "busier" and "worked harder" then them, working outside the home and being a Mom. WRONG. Being a full time Mom is HARD WORK. Having the patience to do it takes everything you've got. So like Miss India Irie, I was judging them, and now am one. How's that for Karma?

I even joked with a friend who is working but has the summer off. I said now we're both stay at home Moms! She was pissed! "I'm Not A Stay At Home Mom!" 

Is Stay At Home Mom a bad word?

Why does it get people going?

This is a wild ride, this journey of self discovery I am on. I suspect I will have a million more epiphanies like this.

What do you think? Do you judge stay at home Moms? Working Moms? Has Karma come back on you? Tell me!

What Are YOU Grateful For?

Why is it so hard to be grateful?


I'll tell you why. We are some busy, crazy, people who are just trying to make it. It's really in the quiet still moments (what are those?) that you are grateful. That's why you REALLY have to make it a priority.

So here's my list.

I am grateful for a husband who is beside me, provides for me, and resides with me. In my home and heart.

I am grateful for my daughter who lights up a room and tests my patience.

I am grateful for a son who's sweetness is palpable, wonderful and heart wrenching.

I am grateful for my blond dog who keeps me safe and likes to snuggle.

I am grateful for my two cats who ask nothing and give everything.

I am grateful for a family who cares about me.

I am grateful for friends who know what's important in life and in love.

I am grateful to be working at a job I love, with people I love, and a business I love. That is passion.

And I am grateful for every single person who has read, commented, enjoyed, cried and been a fan of this blog.

LOVE YOU ALL.

What are you grateful for?

It's Not The Critic That Counts

I live by this quote. I strive to be all in embodies. My Father shared it with me long ago.

"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. 

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."

 

"Citizenship in a Republic,"
Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

The first time I read it i thought, yes. All the people who have something negative to say about your art, your dreams, your goals, they don't count. They are not out there trying. They don't get the credit. 

Later in life I read it and thought, yes. Of course people can criticize and give opinions when you fail, but these are the same people who will take credit when you succeed.

Now when I read it I think, YES. I would rather fail, while daring greatly, then never try at all.

What about you?

Note To Self

I think this is so perfect. Especially for all you busy Mom's running around out there!

Note to Self

• I am enough just as I am.
• I have NOTHING to prove to anyone.
• I don’t need to work any harder than I already do.
• It’s okay to slow down the pace of my life.
• It’s not a race to the finish.  There’s no trophy for first place.
• It is the simplest things that give the biggest pleasures in life—reading, working in the garden, cooking, spending time with family and friends… just being together.
• There is no guilt in not accomplishing everything on my to-do list.
• I don’t need to apologize for my behavior or make excuses.
• It’s safe to be ME.  To allow my TRUE self to shine.
• I don’t need anybody’s approval.
• I need only to listen to my inner guidance.
• My inner guidance is my compass, my true north.
• The rest is all ego….and can be let go.
• My walls of defense can come crumbling down.
• They are no longer needed.
• I can stand on my own two feet, secure in my knowledge that my higher self will provide all the support I ever need.
• I am free to be who I am.

Joel Osteens Declaration Of Independence!

Celebrate Your Freedom TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “You have been set free from sin...” (Romans 6:18, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Today in America, we celebrate Independence Day. July 4, 1776 was the day America declared its independence, but the battle for freedom went on until 1783 — seven years later. Even though the people declared their freedom in 1776, they had to stand and fight for many years before the British would accept and recognized the United States of America. In the same way, we have to declare our freedom and be determined to stand against the opposing forces of darkness in our lives. We have to declare our freedom from addiction, poverty, sickness and lack. We have to stand and fight until we fully experience His freedom and the peace that He has promised. I love what the early colonists did once they signed the Declaration of Independence. They read it out loud in public. They published it in the newspaper. They spread the word. They continued to declare and celebrate even though they were in the midst of the battle. Today, no matter what battle you may be facing, declare that you are free and celebrate your freedom because the victory you seek is on the way!

I love this! Happy 4th everyone!!

Texting While Driving? Texting While Dying.

My goodness. I did not want to watch the Oprah show about texting and driving. I am going to say flat out, I text when I drive. A lot. I even thought I was really good at it. I just didn't want to hear what they were going to say about it.

I AM AN IDIOT.

Guess who won't be texting and driving ANYMORE. That's right, me. I watched the show and it blew my mind. Did you know:

Texting and driving is = to having 8 drinks and driving.

Talking on the cell is = to having 4 drinks and driving.

That was clear enough for me. Then I thought about the times I have texted or talked on the phone and realized I was on the wrong side of the road, or had a close call. That is just crazy.

It was sad to see parents who had lost their children because they were texting and driving. These kids were sweet, good students, and loved their parents. How ridiculous to lose your life because of a cell phone.

I took Oprahs pledge, you can take it too here.


http://www.oprah.com/questionaire/ipledge.html?id=4

How about you? Do you text or talk and drive? Did you see the Oprah show about it? If you want to tell us anonymously you can. I know I am not alone!

Amazing Grace...

As you saw from my other post, I am a BIG fan of Philosophy's Amazing Grace. Love the smell... so fresh and clean! I was sitting in the tub the other night and read the bottle. I was shocked at the depth of meaning on my shampoo and conditioner bottles!!!.

"How you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. And so, it is with life, which for many of us becomes one gigantic test followed by one gigantic lesson. In the end, it all comes down to one word. Grace. It's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light."

Wow. That's the lesson right? There are going to be peaks and valleys on the journey but it's how you handle life that counts.


The conditioner bottle is no less amazing (a little depressing though!):

"It is not "if" we will lose the things we love, it is "when". With some, the loss comes in a major catastrophic event. For most, love is surrendered one piece at a time...first childhood, a promising romance, the passing of a loved one, and finally a child who leaves home. But, as we lose, can we not gain a deep knowing that in the presence of grace, love is eternal."

Not to be outdone...the sea salt scrub bottle (I think this one is my favorite):

"If you only had one day to live how would you spend it? Would you smile or frown? Watch the sunrise or watch TV? Take a walk or take a nap? Say I love you or show you don't care? Consider this...you aren't guaranteed tomorrow so treasure this day as if it's not your last but the best day you will ever own."

That's my little piece of wisdom for you today dears...off to buy teeny tiny diapers!!!

The Mrs.

The real meaning of being a Team

This is a wonderful true story I heard about. It will just melt your heart!!! I thought we all needed to know about it!!!

They played the oddest game in high school football history last month down in Grapevine, Texas.


It was Grapevine Faith vs. Gainesville State School and everything about it was upside down. For instance, when Gainesville came out to take the field, the Faith fans made a 40-yard spirit line for them to run through.

More than 200 Faith fans sat on the Gainesville side and kept cheering the Gainesville players on—by name.


And even though Faith walloped them 33-14, the Gainesville kids were so happy that after the game they gave head coach Mark Williams a sideline squirt-bottle shower like he'd just won state. Gotta be the first Gatorade bath in history for an 0-9 coach.


But then you saw the 12 uniformed officers escorting the 14 Gainesville players off the field. They lined the players up in groups of five—handcuffs ready in their back pockets—and marched them to the team bus. That's because Gainesville is a maximum-security correctional facility 75 miles north of Dallas.


This all started when Faith's head coach, Kris Hogan, wanted to do something kind for the Gainesville team. Faith had never played Gainesville, but he already knew the score. After all, Faith was 7-2 going into the game, Gainesville 0-8 with 2 TDs all year. Faith has 70 kids, 11 coaches, the latest equipment and involved parents.


Gainesville has a lot of kids with convictions for drugs, assault and robbery—many of whose families had disowned them—wearing seven-year-old shoulder pads and ancient helmets.


So Hogan had this idea. What if half of our fans—for one night only—cheered for the other team? He sent out an email asking the Faithful to do just that. "Here's the message I want you to send:" Hogan wrote. "You are just as valuable as any other person on planet Earth."

Some people were naturally confused. One Faith player walked into Hogan's office and asked, "Coach, why are we doing this?"

And Hogan said, "Imagine if you didn't have a home life. Imagine if everybody had pretty much given up on you. Now imagine what it would mean for hundreds of people to suddenly believe in you."

Next thing you know, the Gainesville Tornadoes were turning around on their bench to see something they never had before. Hundreds of fans. And actual cheerleaders!


"I thought maybe they were confused," said Alex, a Gainesville lineman (only first names are released by the prison). "They started yelling 'DEE-fense!' when their team had the ball. I said, 'What? Why they cheerin' for us?'"


It was a strange experience for boys who most people cross the street to avoid. "We can tell people are a little afraid of us when we come to the games," says Gerald, a lineman who will wind up doing more than three years. "You can see it in their eyes. They're lookin' at us like we're criminals. But these people, they were yellin' for us! By our names!"

Maybe it figures that Gainesville played better than it had all season, scoring the game's last two touchdowns. Of course, this might be because Hogan put his third-string nose guard at safety and his third-string cornerback at defensive end. Still.


After the game, both teams gathered in the middle of the field to pray and that's when Isaiah surprised everybody by asking to lead. "We had no idea what the kid was going to say," remembers Coach Hogan. But Isaiah said this: "Lord, I don't know how this happened, so I don't know how to say thank You, but I never would've known there was so many people in the world that cared about us."

And it was a good thing everybody's heads were bowed because they might've seen Hogan wiping away tears.


As the Tornadoes walked back to their bus under guard, they each were handed a bag for the ride home—a burger, some fries, a soda, some candy, a Bible and an encouraging letter from a Faith player.

The Gainesville coach saw Hogan, grabbed him hard by the shoulders and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know."

Isn't that the most wonderful story!!!??

Fabulous Man- Oscar De La Renta

"Good manners are not about dressing- a man can be dressed in the most unfortunate way and be a perfect gentleman - it's just a shame that we're losing a sense of decorum. People live life at such a quick pace now, but it really doesn't take any extra time to do things in a proper way. Maybe it's easier to put on sloppy pants and a sloppy shirt and a pair of shoes that haven't been cleaned. It takes effort to have your pants pressed, your shirt neat, your shoes shined. But having a wonderful life takes discipline. Once you give up on discipline, you give up on a lot of things. I always stop to ask how someone is when I talk to them on the telephone. If I get into an elevator and there are four women in it, I wait till every one passes me before I step out. I never swear-not even in private. I never yell. I don't think in 40 years of working that I've ever raised my voice to someone. A gentleman treats people well at work and at home."- Oscar

I loooove this quote. I was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and I love that manners seem to still be alive and well in the South. When we moved to New York I was excited for all the culture, but amazed by how busy everyone seemed to be. Where were all these people going? And trying to get there so fast! Soon I became one of the hurried people hustling along. Now that I am living in California, and have my own family, I purposely try and slow myself down. I enjoy Landon so much more when I'm not running my own agenda. I try to ask people how they are, make a meal for someone who needs it, and let people get in front of me when I drive. Makes me happier and the world seems to flow more easily. I can remember before I was a mother, I would see fabulously dressed moms and tots and think: "how great they look!" Now I think these mom's are HEROES! I know what it takes to keep yourself and your family and your home looking fabulous! I think part of living fabulous is taking the time for yourself, Your husband, your kids, your neighbors and the world.