I Believe

I Believe...

To my family and friends this is so true.........
A Birth Certificate shows that we were born.
A Death Certificate shows that we died.
Pictures show that we lived!
Have a seat . . . relax . . . and read this slowly.

I Believe... that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do love each other.
I Believe...that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I Believe....that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I Believe...that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I Believe... that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I Believe....that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I Believe...that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them!!!
I Believe.... that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I Believe....that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I Believe...That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I Believe...That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I Believe...that money is a lousy way of keeping score!
I Believe....that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I Believe....that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.
I Believe...that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I Believe....that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I Believe....that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I Believe...that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I Believe....that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I Believe...that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I Believe....two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I Believe...that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I Believe...that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.
I Believe...that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being!
I Believe...that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon!!!!!!!!!!!!
I Believe that the happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything.
Thank you, God, for all the wonderful people who help us throughout the journey of life.

Live with Intention

I was saddened to hear that a friend of mine from Toyota passed away last week. Vince was an inspiration to me and I can't think of him without a big smile coming to my face. I always looked forward to my weekly quotes and poems from Vince and wanted to include my favorite:

"Live with intention.
Walk to the edge.
Listen hard.
Practice wellness.
Play with abandon.
Laugh.
Choose with no regret.
Continue to learn.
Appreciate your friends.
Do what you love.
Live as if this is all there is."

-Mary Anne Radmacher

5 Years Later

Had to post our reenactment

My Prayer For Lindsay

Dearest Lindsay,

As you turn 5 today, here is my prayer for you......today and always.

I pray you'll be my eyes
And watch her where she goes
And help her to be wise
Help me to let go

Every mother's prayer
Every child knows
Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe

I pray she finds your light
And holds it in her heart
As darkness falls each night
Remind her where you are

Every mother's prayer
Every child knows
Need to find a place
Guide her with your grace
Give her faith so she'll be safe

Lead her to a place
Guide her with your grace
To a place where she'll be safe

Love, Mom

Happy 5th Birthday Lindsay!

I am amazed as I think back to 5 years ago today at 12:10pm when my precious Lindsay at 8 lbs, 4 oz was born. It was the first day of the Summer Olympics and she cartwheeled out like a gymnast on 3 pushes. My fear of a lengthy and tough labor like I experienced with Ry did not come to fruition.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. I woke up in pain and knew it must be the day (even though I was dreading the delivery part). I took a shower (not sure why - not like I was going to a beauty pageant or anything) and called my doctor to inform him that I was in labor. All the while, Steve and Ry were sleeping away. I calmly woke up Steve and asked him to take a shower, not informing him that right after we would be off to the hospital. As he got to the washing his hair part, I remember the contractions getting so strong that I told him he better hurry up as I was in labor. From that point it was the quickest shower I have ever seen him take. I remember the drive to the hospital with Ryan all smiles as he kept saying "I am going to have my sister today". Two hours later, Lindsay Niccole Bridges made her grand entrance.

I can't properly put into words the love I have for Lindsay. I am so thankful that I have been given both a wonderful son and daughter to love and cherish.

Happy 5th Birthday Lindsay!!!

Happy 16th Birthday Muffy!

I am so pleased to say that my Muffy turned 16 years young today! She truly is an amazing gal. If you had asked me if she would make it to her 16th birthday last year, I sadly would have said no.

This year has been a tough one for Muffers but she truly has taken on all of her challenges. Almost overnight a growth appeared on her ear that had to be removed. The surgeon advised me that there was a great chance that she would not make it through the surgery but strong-willed Muffy handled it with ease and amazed the surgeon. Friends and neighbors laughed at me for the $1900 expense to have the growth removed and most stated that I should just put her down but that was never an option to me. Muffers is our longest living animal and I would do anything for her.

In February, Muffers decided to go on an adventure by herself which had her MIA for 72 hours. I truly thought that she had left to find her own resting spot. Boy was I wrong when my neighbor heard a yelp from his neighbor's yard which turned out to be Muffy. She had trapped herself in a corner behind a bunch of pots and couldn't get out. That reunion was an awesome one for me!

In May, Muffy's vision was completely lost. So, she is now blind and deaf and has acquired the new nickname "Helen", short for Helen Keller.

I truly thank Muffy for her unconditional love and am amazed by her.

Happy Birthday Muffy!

"I Need To Be Challenged Mom"

I know that I am delinquent in posting this but needed to put it in writing.

A couple of weeks ago, Lindsay woke me up and informed me "I need to be challenged Mom". Straggling out of bed I found my glasses (not sure how) and ventured downstairs for a workbook that I had picked up for her. She had followed me down the stairs and when I handed her the workbook she stated "that is exactly what I need Mom". She then went on to tell me that "I miss getting homework" and "When does kindergarten start". Needless to say, my little 4 year old soon to be 5 is a little sponge and loves to learn. I guess I know where she gets it from but not so sure that I was telling my Mom that I wanted to be challenged back when I was 4. She is truly one AMAZING precious girl!

Can It Be?

I am sitting here trying to figure out how my sweetie pie could be turning 5 in just 5 days. Why?