Two Brothers

Two Brothers
By Author Unknown


Once upon a time two brothers, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's tool box. "I'm looking for a few days' work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you."

"Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better."

"See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a fence --an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."

The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."

The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.

The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.

They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, but I have many more bridges to build.


Do you have any bridges

that you need to build?

Happy 14th Birthday Adam!!

HAPPY 14th Birthday my sweet Adam!!!
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Sometimes it seems like yesterday I was carrying you like a HUGE watermelon in my belly and now you are a TALL young man. I love you so much and interested to see where you let God take you with your life!!
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Adam's collage of his first year. Birth, 1 month, 3,6,9 and 15 months.
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One of my favorite pics of Adam when he was younger. He reminded me of Harry Potter with those glasses. :)
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Adam now. Hanging out at In and Out.
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Today the boys dad said he might take Adam somewhere.. We'll see.. Im trying to see if our church is still having our barbque at the lake or not or if I'm going to take the boys somewhere for his birthday.
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We leave Thurs am I think for Family House in San Fransisco. Adam, Noah and I have derm appts on Friday at UCSF. I'm hoping we can schedule surgery or something on Adam to get his skin cancer down. Especially the ones on his face around his eyes. He WONT cooperate so it will be a challenge. Noah wont either, but is easier than 6 ft tall Adam. We will be back Saturday I think.. Maybe Sun am.
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Well it's almost 2:30 am and I NEED to get to bed. Nathan left for the night and left his puppy here and I know she wants to go potty and will be up early to go again... uggg.. I want to sleep in. lol
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PLEASE remember to pray for everyone. Those on here and those who aren't and yet need prayer. We ALL NEED prayer no matter what right now... Love you all and praying for all.
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Blessings,
Gina Marie and boys

A lil boy gets his wings and a doctors writings....

I went to sweet lil Joshua Nelsons (pictured above) http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/joshuacalebnelson celebration service Monday. It was beautiful ( was beautiful as funerals can be). The church was FULL. Lil Joshua was so loved and cared for. It was neat hearing all the different memories of him. They called him "General" like Joshua and Caleb in the bible. :o) He definitly was a FIGHTER!! It was nice to see Vanessa, Fred, Peleke, Nathan, Angelica and Caleb again tho would have been funner under better circumstances.
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The boys started school Monday. Well they went to SOME of school on Monday then we left for the service. Noah is in 6th grade now but in same K-8th grade. So they are rotating classes btwn 6-8th. This year the 8th grade teacher USED to be the Kindergarten teacher for the past 12 yrs. Now she is 8th. lol Adam is a Freshman. Him and Caleb go to the charter school so its a lot smaller. They dont have Adam's computer classes set up yet so he is just working on Math (which he hates). lol
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We head to UCSF (San Fransisco) next week for our Derm appts. Tho the boys were suppose to be using Aldara these past 3-4 months but we just got the med this past month and haven't been able to put it on Noah each night. Adam wont let me put it on like he told them he would. Typical for Adam and his moods. He has so many skin cancers around his eyes and face also. :o(
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I'm trying to sign up for some college classes. School already started so it all depends if the instructor will let me in now IF they have room or not. I want to take a Sign Language class on Tues nights, An internet course for Microsoft Word, Excel and Access and possibly a beginners Piano which is Tues and THurs mornings. I'm not sure if I can do all those and go to church, keep all our appts, and keep up being Chairpersonand parent rep for our small schools district for our CAC (special ed). But we wil see. Most of the classes are to help my church and others (well the sign language is). The piano and sign language can help our church.
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BTW.. Yes Donna!! I DID get approved for disability!! That started last month. Which reminds me.. I need to send the lawyer a check still.. I finally dont have to fight that fight anymore!! :o)
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I know this is kinda long but I wanted you all to read this post from a friend who is a doctor and she has blogged all thru her medical school and now she is a doctor. She writes awesome stuff and a lot of have told her she should write a book.. But this one I wanted to post and I hope you see it like we did... Her name is Danielle.. Some of you know her also from her being on our other sites..
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Please Don't Make Me Sing This Song
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In some of my weaker moments, as a human being, I have gone to great lengths to avoid other people, specifically, public masses. I have, on more than one occasion, been known to go up seven flights of stairs, just to avoid the human contact on the hospital elevator. Or "Tuberculosis Express" as we used to refer to it in medical school. Crowded patient elevators at lunchtime are pretty much disgusting petri dishes of deadly germs. Don't offer to push the button, I implore you.

On the rare occasions I do choose to ride the 74 Express to The Swine Flu, I have either regretted it, or fallen madly in love with another passenger. The first occurs regularly. The later will be saved for my memoir.

Between the 8th floor and the 5th floor, I learned that my 12-year-old, spiky-haired, documentary-loving cancer patient had died, just like we told her she would. I was carrying a giant box of leftover donuts, and in rush to make it to my clinic on time. "She didn't make it to camp," he said. Which was all he needed to say, because I understood. Someone sneezed, and a stroller bumped my foot. My throat went dry, or, it was already dry and I just noticed it acutely. He pushed himself passed an obese woman wearing a tie-died t-shirt. "Shit." I said under my breath, because sometimes cursing is called for, and I had nothing else to say to him anyway. The obese woman turned around and glared at me. He lowered his head and exited the elevator. I thought about the water, and how I couldn't breathe.

As the doors started to shut, a frantic, well-manicured hand jetted in between the inevitable closure. "Hold it for me!" she said, as the stroller once again backed over my foot. I knew that voice and that hand, and just like they do on TV, I averted my eyes, held the donut box up high over my face and willed her not to look my way. Why can't my elevator encounters include Patrick Dempsey?

We made it to the 1st floor, and people slowly filed out. I pushed my way to the front, and started to walk FAST. "Daneeeyaaail!" I heard, in her pseudo-Southern drawl. It was the mother of another cancer patient. "Long time no see! Can you buh-leave we are back here again? Oh, you have to come see her! Mah whole family is up there. She's gettin' her chemo in Room 19. Come on back with me! Do you have time?"

"No. Sorry. I really don't. I am on my way to clinic..." I said, sorrily.

"Oh."

"You know what, I can be a few minutes late. I'd love to see her. Let's go."

"Great!"

But in my head I was pleading, "Please, please, PLEASE don't make me look at her." She has the same type of cancer that my little documentarian had. The chemo is rough. It does terrible things to little bodies. Please don't make me look at that right now. And I was right. She did. The baby looked absolutely horrible. What we do to kids would completely astound you. She looked like death, and I couldn't help to think that It was coming for her.

I was late to clinic, and another mother was annoyed. She had brought her healthy 6-month-old in for a check-up. I hurried the exam along, and could have been more outgoing, but I just felt weary.

Sometimes, people ask me what I want others to get out of reading these stories. One of my main goals would be for you to realize that doctors are people too. And even though the gravity of these things we go through will never, EVER compare to the personal struggles of the families we care for, the tiny twinges of pain we feel, multiple times a day, every single day, over and over and over again, eventually add up.

If your doctor is terse with you, if he doesn't take enough time to explain things, or if she seems to be constantly in a hurry, maybe sheis just a jerk. Or, maybe, she's just one elevator ride away from losing the scramble to keep her pieces together. One heartbeat away from being completely crushed.
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Well its almost 12:30 AM and I still have to make a gallon of Sweet Tea so Adam and Caleb can take some in their lunches tomorrow (Later this morning).. Hey... Dont be a stranger... Stop by and visit and say HI. :oP lol I am praying for all of you. Even if I haven't been able to stop by your sites. HUGSSSSSSSSS

Blessings,
Gina Marie

PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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AFTER 8 YEARS of working with an attorney and hard work.....

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I FINALLY GOT APPROVED FOR DISABILITY!!!!

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WITH BACK PAY!!!!!!

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It took the judge 14 months to FINALLY approve it after my 3rd hearing!! We were about to contact the head judge this week if we didn't hear a decision.

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I had heard a preacher tell us that we have an angel that is with us all the time and that we are able to send that angel to do things.. So two days ago I said, Angel, GO over to that judge and wake him up and make him realize what he is doing and get him to approve my disability!!! AND today I get my Partial Approval letter!!!! Its only partial because apparently I said I was disabled since 1994 ( I dont remember. lol) but filed in 2001. I will contact SSI tomorrow to set up the bank account.

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Oh I can't wait... Neither can my attorney's. lol They get 25%!! I am or am one of their LONGEST clients. We are going out to lunch to celebrate!! lol

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PRAISE THE LORD for my angel and answered prayer!!!

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Thanks for all YOUR PRAYERS also!!!

It's almost time for CAMP WONDER!!

Adam and Noah are SOOOO EXCITED because its ALMOST time for Camp Wonder!! Only 18 more days til they go!! We went and bought some of the the stuff they need yesterday at dollar store and Big Lots like chap stick, containers for shampoo/body wash, deodorant etc. I still need to hit the thrift stores and find Adam some turtleneck shirts since that's ALL he will wear and he only has ONE!! lol I don't think the counselors will appreciate him wearing the same shirt all week!! Right guys?

Camp Wonder is an AWESOME camp for kids with fatal skin diseases. A place for them to go and have fun and do things other kids can do without being teased, stared at or critized. They go to the resevior, swimming, rockwall climbing, rope course, baseball, at night they have casino nights, dances, pirate night, campfires, and LOTSSSSSSSS MORE!! The camp is free to the campers and their families because of all the expenses the families put out on medical bills and such. The camp is run by donors who send in donations and sponsor kids and volunteers.There are nurses and doctors there all week to help the campers along with lots of volunteers who are counselors to make sure the kids have LOTSSSSSSS of FUN and MORE FUN!! Their website is at www.csdf.org or you can go to this site and click on the video links on the right and SEE the fun the kids have http://csdf.org/support-csdf/camp-wonder-video.html. You will see my youngest (Noah) in A LOT of these videos. He is my lil red head.He is known as the "Camp Flirt" lol. I saw Adam in a few. Noah's friend Emilio is in them also. HI Emilio!!! Check out the video and see what the kids have to say about Camp Wonder!! I know the day we leave Camp Wonder, my boys are COUNTING the days til next yrs camp!!

If you know of any kids from 7 yrs and up that have a skin disease then have them contact the Childrens Skin Disease Foundation www.csdf.org and ask them about Camp Wonder. Tell Gina Marie (Adam and Noah's Mom) sent you. :o) Also if you would like to help out the kids that go to Camp Wonder, you can contact the foundation and ask how you can help. They can use all the help you can give, financially mostly. Let's help give these kids some fun this summer!!

It's Memorial Day!!

Lets remember those who have lost someone fighting for our country and our freedom!! Lets pray for those still fighting and those who have fought and are now home and dealing with the what they have been thru.
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It's not just a day to have picnics and fun with the families but a day to remember and pray for those putting THEIR lives on the line AND GIVING for OURS and those who ALREADY HAVE!!

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Lord, I ask you to bless these families and give them strength, peace, comfort during these times and not just today but everyday. Walk with them Lord. Wrap your loving arms around them and fill them with your love.
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Lord also protect those who are being held captive or prisoner. Give them comfort and a peace also. Help them to become free if its in your will.
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Lord also touch those who are now out there fighting for our freedom and are out there on the lines. Keep your hand on them and be with them. Let them be a light to others. Lord we thank you for all you are doing and are going to do. We praise you Lord in all things.In JESUS name we pray. Amen


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I hope you all remembered to put sunblock on if you were out having fun with your families today outside.
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Blessings,
Gina Marie and boys

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© 2000 George P.
Crofton

Praise Him!!

I have been so blessed lately even more than usual because the Lord is ALWAYS blessing me. Each day I live is a blessing. :o)
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My new van has been a HUGE blessing!! I can't believe I've put 3,000 miles on it already and haven't even had it 2 months!! YIKES! lol But as my brother says, At least we don't have to worry about me breaking down anywhere especially on trips. Thank you Jesus!! I even got my oil changed already.
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Then in April I was elected to be Chairperson for our CAC thru our county SELPA. Its thru our County Special Ed dept. I knew with my disability's and also disorganization I had to fix somethings and I NEEDED a desk to help get some things in order and keep track of stuff. But knew I didn't have it in my budget. BUT I prayed!! God hears our prayers. Saturday I was in the office here at the club and was just looking at their computer desks and there was two and they were slightly different. I was comparing the two. I figured one of them was like the one I would need or would work. Then Saturday night I was driving home with Adam and Noah and there on the side of the road was a computer desk and two bikes that said FREE!!! We got out and checked it out and the desk was in pretty good shape. The keyboard shelf would fall when pulled out but the cabinet doors shut great and it wasn't to scratched up. It was also still sturdy and not falling apart. BUT I didn't think I could get it in my minivan ESPECIALLY having two boys in there already and my walker.. I tried calling a few people but no one was up. I had to go home and prayed I could get that desk..
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My brother came over the next morning to fix our swamp cooler (THANK YOU JESUS)! It was suppose to be 106 on Sunday. He has a Toyota so I knew it wouldn't fit in his car. He was going to do my weed eating also but he ran out of string right after he started.. :o( By the time he left, I had enough time to get showered and get ready for church.
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Sunday night after my older boys were home, I went to go check out and see if the desk happen to still be there.. I kinda doubted it but prayed.. I drove by and THOUGHT I saw it so I did a u-turn.. I then didn't see it.. I decided to go into town even tho it was 11 pm and get me something to eat and drink. I kept telling the Lord how I NEEDED that desk or A DESK. All the way into town I kept looking for another desk.
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I stopped at 7-11 and got me a tea and donuts and headed back home since I had only had 3 hrs sleep... I kept checking the road and when I got near where the desk HAD been I drove slow again... IT WAS THERE!!!!!!!!!! I pulled right over!!! With killing my back I got it in my van by laying the seats down. I brought it home and Nathan helped get it in the house! Last night I got it all set up and my computer and my back/leg are happier to not have to sit sideways on recliner to use computer. :o) Thank you Jesus!!
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God also provided an extra financial blessing to help hold me this month. :o) He knows our needs and supplies our needs. Not always our WANTS but DOES supply our NEEDS.. It's just in HIS timing and not always OUR timing!! lol
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God is always working in our lives even when we don't know it. We don't know how many times he may have saved our lives and we didn't even know it. Maybe he had stopped a car from hitting us or someone from attacking us and we didn't even know because Him and his angels are always watching over us.
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God says if we don't praise him the rocks will cry out. I love to praise him!! He gives me breath and life and JOY!!
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Psalm 150:6 Let everything that hath breath, Praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!!

Disability Rights Action Alert for May 13 National Call Day

Disability rights groups have called a National Call-In Day for tomorrow, May 13. It's in support of the Senate Finance Committee's report on health care reform, released only yesterday.

This report offers major support for our children with disabilities. It expands the medicaid waiver programs, designed to provide the supports needed to keep our kids home with their families, eliminates the waiver program waiting lists that plague many states, eases the medical requirements for entry into the medicaid waiver programs, and increases the FMAP (Federal matching funds) by 1%.

There are other benefits for our kids, but these are the ones that, as a parent, give me the most hope for my daughter's future.

The May 13 National Call-In to the Senate has been announced by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. Disability rights groups around the country are spreading the news. The CCD has even provided an example script for call-ins, but if we are going to call as the parents of children with disabilities (and I think we need our voices heard), the script needs to be altered a bit.

Here is the entire report that was released yesterday.

The section on long-term care and the Medicaid HCBS (Home and Community Based Supports) waiver programs begins on page 49.

Please participate in tomorrow's call-in. It could have a tremendous impact on our children's future.

The procedure for tomorrow is:

When: Wednesday, May 13 (Between 8AM and 6PM EDT)
Call-In Number: 1-866-459-9232 (Toll Free)

You will be asked which state you are calling from and will be connected to your Senators’ offices.



Here is the sample script being distributed via the CCD:

Hello (state your name and where you are calling from).

I’m calling to ask the Senator to help make sure long-term services and supports are part of health care reform. Long-term services and supports are essential to the health, well-being, and community participation of individuals with disabilities and seniors. Please ensure long-term services and supports are included in legislation to reform health care. Thank you.




You might want to think about this as an alternative, to reflect our role in the discussions:

Hello my names is {...} and I'm calling from {city} in {state}.

I’m calling to ask the Senator to help make sure long-term services and supports are part of health care reform. I'm the {mother,father,grandmother,etc} of a child with disabilities, and these long-term services and supports are essential to {his/her} civil right to remain with {his/her} family. Please ensure long-term services and supports are included in legislation to reform health care. Thank you.



Here is the list of US senators, and you can sort it by state. http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Remember, it's best if you call rather than emailing or using their form online. Priority in the senate offices is always given to telephone calls, and you can use the toll free number I listed above to then get transfered to your senator's office.

(both men & women, sons & daughters -
Need to read this)

BEING A MOTHER...

After 17 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to
take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She
said, 'I love you, but I know this other woman loves
you and would love to spend some time with you.'
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The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit
was my MOTHER, who has been alone for 20 years,
but the demands of my work and my two boys had
made it possible to visit her only occasionally.
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That night I called to invite her to go out for
dinner and a movie.
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'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
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My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a
late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign
of bad news.
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'I thought it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you,' I responded. 'Just the two of us.'
She thought about it for a moment, and then said,
'I would like that very much.'
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That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her
house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous
about our date. She waited in by door. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last
birthday on November 19th.
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She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an
angels. 'I told my friends that I was going to go
out with my son, and they were impressed,' she said,
as she got into that new white van. 'They can't wait to hear about our date'.
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We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my
arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat
down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only
read large print. Half way through the entries, I
lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at
me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. 'It was I
who used to have to read the menu when you were
small,' she said. 'Then it's time that you relax and
let me return the favor,' I responded.
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During the dinner, we had an agreeable
conversation-nothing extraordinary but catching up
on recent events of each other's life. We talked so
much that we missed the movie.
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As we arrived at her house later, she said, 'I'll
go out with you again, but only if you let me invite
you.' I agreed.
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'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I
got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
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A few days later, my mother died of a massive
heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't
have a chance to do anything for her.
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Some time later, I received an envelope with a
copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place
mother and I had dined. An attached note said: 'I
paid this bill in advance. I wasn't sure that I
could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two
plates - one for you and the other for your wife.
You will never know what that night meant for me. I
love you, son.'
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At that moment, I understood the importance of
saying in time: 'I LOVE YOU' and to give our loved
ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is
more important than your family. Give them the time
they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till 'some other time.'
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Somebody said it takes about 6 weeks to get back
to normal after you've had a baby.... somebody
doesn't know that once you're a mother, 'normal' is history.
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Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by
instinct... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
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Somebody said being a mother is boring....
somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit. Somebody said if you're a' good' mother,
your child will 'turn out good'....
somebody thinks a child comes with
directions and a guarantee.
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Somebody said you don't need an education to be a
mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader
with his math.
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Somebody said you can't love the second child as
much as you love the first.... somebody doesn't have two children.
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Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother
is labor and delivery....
somebody never watched her 'baby' get on the bus
for the first day of kindergarten .
or on a plane headed for military 'boot camp.'
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Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her
child gets married.....somebody doesn't know that
marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a
mother's heartstrings.
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Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last
child leaves home....somebody never had
grandchildren.
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Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so
you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a
mother.
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Pass this along to all the 'mothers' in your life
And to everyone who ever had a mother. This isn't
just about being a mother; it's about appreciating
The people in your life while you have them....no matter who that person

SWINE FLU/ Childhood Cancer?

A man named Mr. Alfriend posted this a couple days ago. How sick does this make you?
The Swine Flu : A Crisis
It's all over the news. The Swine Flu has entered the U.S., and everyone is responding quickly. Here is what has happened already:
Over 100 schools have closed.
President Obama called on all schools with possible swine flu cases to "strongly consider temporarily closing."
Congress approved $1.5 billion in emergency funds.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan said that everyone involved in schools needs to "pitch in and do our part to prevent the spread of this flu virus."
The Department of Education and the CDC have held conferences to give updates and advice for handling the crisis.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan has raised the alert level to phase 4.
Shipments of the drug Tamiflu from the federal stockpile, enough to treat 11 million patients, have been distributed to several states.
Dr. Jesse Goodman, of the Food and Drug Administration's swine flu work said,"We're working together at 100 miles an hour."
Congress has asked Homeland Security to consider closing the Mexican border.
Here are the numbers: There have been 84 documented cases in the U.S. There has been one death, a two year old boy with underlying health issues.
Updates on the Swine Flu epidemic are all over the papers, T.V., Internet, and radio. You can't avoid it.
This is a crisis and deserves a fast response. Sick children, and the death of even one child, is a great loss. So please understand what I am about to say. I in no way wish to belittle those who have suffered from the swine flu.

I would just like to point out some comparisons.
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1) Since the outbreak in the U.S., there have been 84 cases of swine flu, and one death. Compare that to the fact that 12,600 families are told their child has cancer each year. That is 35 families every single day of the year.
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2) The media tells us that the 84 cases and one death from the swine flu is a "crisis" and "epidemic". But do a google search on childhood cancer, and you will find the media consistently refers to the 40,000 children currently with cancer, and the 2,500 annual deaths, as "very rare".
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3) To protect yourself against the swine flu, you should wash hands, not touch your nose, and cover your mouth. You can even wear gloves and a mask. But there is no protection against childhood cancers. In fact, the cause of most childhood cancers is still unknown.
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4) The swine flu produces severe flu symptoms. The effects of cancer are beyond description. So just consider this: Cancer is part of the body, so the treatment is a process of poisoning the child to the brink of death, then pulling back hoping they stabilize, then hitting them again. And again and again and again. Maybe a year, maybe 7 years. The resulting organ failures often cause more complications and deaths than the cancer itself. And then you wait and pray that it all worked. "Remission" only means they think they got. "Relapse" means they were wrong.
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5) The government has opened up it's stockpile of flu drugs to fight the crisis. But there is no stockpile of cancer drugs. In fact, it has been 30 years since a new pediatric cancer drug has been developed. A 5 year study by the National Institute of Health concluded that new drugs for pediatric and adolescent cancers are not being developed because the profit margins are too slim. Therefore mega-doses of adult chemotherapy are administered to children, using a medical assembly line system called protocols. The great need for individualized care is ignored because it is not economically sustainable.
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6) Congress has approved $1.5 billion in ADDITIONAL funding to fight the swine flu. With 84 infected people, that is $18 million per person. Childhood cancer receives a TOTAL of $30 million. That works out to $750 for each child currently fighting cancer.
So does any of this scare you more than the swine flu? It should. The emergency response to the swine flu had be great. But where is the emergency plan for childhood cancer? And where is the media attention? There is none.
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Some might say these are not a fair comparisons. Well, in one way they would be correct. The $1.5 million for the flu has been paid. The $30 million for childhood cancer was approved, but has never funded. Other issues of greater importance keep taking priority, such as $120 million to distribute free condoms in 3rd world countries (Yes, really. It's in the stimulus package).
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I am not criticizing the response to the Swine Flu. It fact, I believe it is an appropriate response. I just do not understand why our children with cancer deserve less.

Please remember:

~1 in 300 children will be diagnosed with cancer before the age of 20.

~12,600 children are diagnosed each year.

~3,000 will die of cancer each year.

~Cancer is the #1 disease killer of children ages 1-19.

~The cause of most childhood cancers is still unknown.

~Only 3% of cancer research money goes toward childhood cancers.

~There are currently 30,000-40,000 children fighting cancer in the U.S.

~The number of children diagnosed with cancer has increased every year for the past 25 years.

~Teenagers and young adults (ages 15-22) are the only age group that have flat or declining survival rates from cancer.

~In the past 35 years ONLY ONE new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use.

~Since children can handle much more chemo than adults, most treatments are little more than mega doses of adult cancer chemotherapy treatments. The result of these high doses of chemo on children is a higher rate of secondary cancers.

~For reasons not fully known, teenagers experience the highest rate of secondary cancers as a result of the high dose chemotherapy treatments.

~Teenagers have the highest cancer fatality rate of any age group under 80. Their cancers tend to be much more rare, therefore lacking established treatments. Their cancers also tend to be far more advanced when diagnosed.
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~A 5-year study at Children's Hospital Pittsburgh of UPMC recently concluded that teenage cancer survivorship is lower due in part to a lack of access to clinical trials. They concluded: "Patients who are enrolled in clinical trials offering the most advanced cancer treatments do better than patients who receive conventional treatment. Adolescents and young adults with cancer are less likely than younger children to be enrolled in clinical trials."
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Please, please raise childhood cancer awareness. Please check this website out: www.RALLYROUNDTHEGOLDRIBBON.org.
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Please pray for Brandon and Corey. They need your urgent prayers. Brandon needs a miracle and Corey has NB and has relapsed for the 2nd time. Please pray that Trey has no complications from the antibody study. Please pray that it works.
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Do you ask yourself why??? Because not enough people are standing up for our children..Please support childhood Cancer....research awareness and I hope WEAR your GOLD. GOLD stands for childhood cancer. Get a gold ribbon!

Thankful Thursday!!

Thankful Thursday to you. :o)
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Wow this week is almost over. And to think the boys school year is ALMOST over also! I think 3 more weeks! EEEKKK lol Adam graduates 8th grade on the 28th. The school should be scheduling his Transition IEP soon. I did tell his teacher last week and I also sent an email this week telling them I wanted a review IEP also because his goals aren’t working and his needs something to be done to help his grades. I met with the Special Ed director of the Charter School he will be going to high school (across the campus) and I think her and I will get along A LOT better!! I told her I’m the Parent Rep and NOW (voted in last week) Chair Person for the CAC (Community Advisory Committee) – for Special Ed and she was excited. The District Superintendant hadn’t told her about me.. So we have already discussed some things already and she gave me some moms numbers that I can contact and possibly help. She also told me she wants to be at Adam’s IEP meeting. BELIEVE ME she WILL be there!! :o) If she is also in charge of the charter elementary school, then I’m almost tempted to home school Noah and have her in charge of his special ed. Not sure if I’m that brave tho. Lol

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This weekend we are FINALLY going away for FUN! Nathan was saying since we have the new van and its my birthday that we need to go visit my mom and friends. I found out that the church we used to go to in Roseville is having a Mother/Daughter Luncheon on Saturday (my birthday) so I asked my mom if she wants to go and she does! :o) So we will go to that!! We haven’t seen my mom I THINK since Thanksgiving. I can’t wait to see her and our friends. I wish it wasn’t a quick trip but at least it’s a trip. We go down tomorrow after school and come back Sunday after morning church service so we can be back for our service at 3.

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WOW.. By the time we get back from our trip I will have already drove 2,000 miles on my van and only had it a MONTH!! On the 28th I’ve had my van a month and already drove it 2,000 miles!! I normally don’t drive that many miles.. Usually 2,000 in 2-3 months.. NOT 1 month!! I’m taking it in this coming week to get its oil changed. I don’t know when the dealership had its oil changed so I’m going to get it done now and start it out. I’m good at getting my cars oil changed every 3,000 miles. The boys just gave it a good wash today so its clean to go tho its suppose to rain tomorrow. Lol

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The boys were suppose to see the dentist this week but for some reason I didn’t have it wrote down in my brain “calendar” so I didn’t know and when they called to remind me, I had to reschedule because I didn’t have the gas or money to drive there. So its for the 20th of May which isn’t a LOT better because its still near the end of the month but at least not the LAST week. I MIGHT call back and make it after school gets out..

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This coming month is going to be crazy at least for me.. Along with turning 44. Lol

Tomorrow 1st would have been my Grandpa’s birthday (my moms dad) but sadly he isn’t with us anymore.

Saturday is my day. I used to tell people that I was my Grandpa’s birthday present. Lol :o)

Sunday we rush back to get back in time for church.

Tues the 5th Noah has field trip and then that night our CAC has their yearly Appreciation dinner. I have to help decorate during the day.

Wed 6th- Noah has ANOTHER field trip and gets back just in time to go to church that night.

Thurs 7th- is National Day of Prayer!! :o)

Fri 8th- I get another set of Epidural Injections in my back to HOPEFULLY help my back pain and electrical pain down my left leg

Sat 9th – church Youth Prayer Walk! We will have bout 200+ youth walking around Lathrop praying and passing out flyers for services

Sun 10th – Mothers Day!!!

Mon 11th – Boys have Psych appt with Dr J

Tues 12th – I have appt with Dr. J and Grad meeting at 5:30

Mon 18th – Dr. A for me (primary)

Wed 20th – Dentist for Adam and Noah

Fri 22nd – EMG test for me to check for nerve damage in legs from back

Tues 26th – Adam’s grad field trip

Thurs 28th – Adam’s Graduation

Fri 29th – Last day of school

THEN I PASS OUT!! OH NO I CANT!! Boys aren’t in school so I have to stay awake now!!! Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww ROFL. All that doesn’t include our church days on Wed and Sundays. Lets see how many miles I put on the van THIS MONTH!! lol

THEN starts JUNE!!

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HEY PLEASE pray for this baby!!http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/ She only weighed 1 lb 1 oz when she was born 3 months premature. She is now 10 months old and STILL is in the hospital. She has almost died a few times and has over come but now she had surgery April 17th and something happened which they aren’t sure which it is but part of her brain is “dead” and she isn’t fully waking up and according to the doctors she has no control of her arms, legs and brain. Her brain stem works but the middle doesn’t. Then tonight her parents got a call saying she is getting swelling of the brain. She has a brother and sister who have only seen her a few times. Her name is Kayleigh.

Thanks. She only weighs like 9 lbs.

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Well its almost midnight and my eyes wont focus anymore.. Tomorrow is a long day.

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This weekend here is Relay for Life.

Blessings,
Gina Marie

Mighty Monday

Wow have we been busy lately. Since getting the new van, I've been trying to catch up on appts we've missed and such. I've put almost 2,000 miles on the van already and barely had it a month now!! I'm taking it in next week for the first oil change. It has been SUCH A BLESSING!!! It's so nice to drive in a QUIET van and SMOOTH drive!! It gets just about or almost 300 miles to a tank of gas.

The weather has been crazy these past couple weeks. We started out last week with 97 degrees then dropped to 70's by mid week. Its been SUPER WINDY now also. I LOVE the 70's (in temps) tho!! The wind is driving my allergies NUTS. lol

Wow school is out for the boys in a month. Adam graduates 8th grade on May 28th. We had the orientation for Delta Charter school he is going to next year. Caleb will be a Senior next yr. Noah will be 6th grade and will be changing classes btwn 3 classes. That will really test out his attention and focus skills. lol I'm NOT looking forward to summer!! As much as I LOVE my boys.. I do enjoy my quiet tme during the days. lol

Church has been AWESOME!! I've been bringing my nephew and niece and her friend. My friend Debbie and her son Dylan (Noah's classmate) were baptized in the precious name of Jesus on Easter Sunday!! We have a large Youth Prayer Walk coming up on May 9th. We have about 200 youth coming to help walk the city of Lathrop and pray for the city and pass out flyers. We will have special services that Saturday and Sunday.

OMG, I made the best dinner tonight! You need 12 oz bag of brocolli coleslaw, 1/4 cup toasted almond slices (if you desire), 1/2 cup Toasted Sesame Ginger Dressing, 3 green onioins chopped, and 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken tenders and tortillas. Cook the check on a skillet. Mixed brocolli coleslaw, green onion, almonds and dressing in a bowl. Heat tortillas in skillet or microwave (i heated them in microwave while chicken was cooking.). Then I put scoop of brocolli mixture in tortilla in a line then lay a cooked chicken tender on coleslaw mixture and roll up in tortilla and serve. They are soooo GOOD!! My boys LOVED them!!

Please pray for a PRECIOUS baby named Kayleigh. She is a miracle baby. She weighed 1 lb 1 oz at birth and is 10 months old and has been in the hospital since birth. She has almost died a few times but has fought and the Lord has brought her back. She is now needing a miracle again. The biggest one yet!! Her blog is at http://kayleighannefreeman.blogspot.com/


Thanks and God Bless,
Gina Marie

My NEW BLESSING!!

THANK YOU JESUS!!!!

I just wanted to show you how God answered prayer for me yesterday!!! This was God's doing and I'm soooooooo THANKFUL for it!! I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE it!!! lol Ya do have to be careful what you pray for or HOW you pray!! I said I needed this by the end of the month and BOY does he wait til the end of the month!!! Then I said last Sunday at church when asking for prayer that I needed it by end of the week... Wellll lol "Saturday". lol BUT I'm NOT complaing!!! THANK YOU JESUS!!! :jump: I'm soooo THANKFUL for my pastor and his wife taking me around to look and get it also!
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I was thankfully pre-approved for a loan in less than 2 hrs on Friday afternoon before they closed for 8,000 with I think 5 to no more than 6.25% depending on Kelly Blue Book of van. I had checked my credit reports and scores just before I called and my scores went from 633 last yr (end of last yr) to 750 and 731 now!!
Here is my NEW BLESSING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



ME signing the contract!! My FIRST NEW CAR!!^




Me with MY NEW VAN!!! ^

I'm so THANKFUL and BLESSED!!!

NOW I can drive around SAFELY and know that I can get places and get the boys and I to our doctor appts and surgeries without worrying about the car falling apart.

Just wanted to share my blessing and praise report with you. :o) Now I need to get booking and ready for church!!

God Bless you,
Gina Marie

Giving Thanks for a Special Needs Child

An online friend posted this on a support forum I belong to and I thought it was pretty neat and I wanted to share it with people who work with the special needs and for parents and loved who are related to the special needs. Having two special needs boys, I can relate to a lot of these also. lol
Blessings,
Gina Marie

1) You never have to worry about worrying over nothing.
Let other parents obsess over the frivolous and the shallow. Your child will make sure you always have something worthy to worry about.

2) Developmental delays = more years of hugs, kisses, and little-kid sweetness.
My 13-year-old still wants to sit in my lap, give me hugs, and tell me he loves me. What mom of a sullen teen doesn't secretly wish for the same?

3) Maybe someday, Ty Pennington will come build you a house.
Hey, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition loves families of children with special needs. Your little one may be your ticket to a lavish living space.

4) Any little milestone is a cause to throw a party.
Your child works hard for every step, sit-up and syllable, giving you lots to be excited about.

5) Every day is a learning experience.
Some days it's a pop quiz, some days it's a crash course, but life with your child is always an education, for sure.

6) You have the privilege of putting several doctors' children through college.
After paying for all those appointments, you may feel like a one-family scholarship foundation. Put your child's name on some letterhead and take pride.

7) You meet a better class of parent in waiting rooms and support groups.
Your child frees you from having to hang out with those snotty parents on the playground, and gives you entry into an exclusive club of people who are sensitive, sarcastic, and sure of their priorities.

8) You have an iron-clad escape excuse for any occasion.
You'd love to stay at that boring party, crowded event, endless church service, but, you know, your child just can't tolerate it. (And if sometimes it's you who can't tolerate it -- who's to know?)

9) Coming up with new strategies every day keeps your brain sharp.
They say doing crossword puzzles helps ward off Alzheimer's. Figuring out your child's schedules and treatments and lessons and rights and restrictions must easily provide twice the protection.

10) Your blessings will always be fully counted.
Other parents may take the gifts that their children bring for granted. Not you. Not ever.

Global Food Crisis Day 3-11-09

It's been super crazy around here lately.. Adam has had two surgeries in a week and has one of his follow ups tomorrow. Caleb got his shin cut open at school the day the younger boys and I were leaving town for Adam's surgery last week and had to have stitches and got those out today. Then last Tues., Nathan was riding Noah's bike with a friend and bumped his friends bikes tire and crashed and flew over the handle bars and landed on his hands and rolled and tore up his hands and scraped up the rest of his body.. So his hand is healing and Adam and Caleb have had stitches.. SO FAR Noah and I are the only semi normal ones. lol
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I leave tomorrow for a ladies conference til Saturday. I SURE can use the days away. I can't afford the cost and not sure how I will get my powerchair IN my van but I will find away. :)
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ANYWAY!!!!
There are children that are dying and going with out food RIGHT NOW!! Did you know it only takes $13.00 to feed a child for A MONTH?? Just THIRTEEN DOLLARS!! You feed your family for more than that in one meal at a fast food!! Families in other countries just to help their children not feel so "hungry" they have to feed them "DIRT COOKIES". It is DIRT, LARD, WATER mixed to make "COOKIES". There is NO nutrition on them.. Its just to put something in their stomachs to help with the hunger because they have NO FOOD!

I told my boys "And you complain if dinners a little late or say you are "starving" if I won't give you cookies or snack or something and look at these kids who are REALLY STARVING! DIRT COOKIES people! When I heard that I started crying!! How much more do we have versus these other people in these countries!!

If you read this go to this website and do what you can to donate to Compassion website http://www.compassion.com/global-food-crisis/?referer=98493&utm_campaign=gfcradio-def-98493 .. Just $13.00 will feed a child for a month!! Lets see how many we can feed by midnight!!

Blessings,
Gina Marie

My Hi/Low Thursday!!

This post is part of "Hi/Lo Thursday" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to read everyone else's "Hi/Lo" posts and for a chance to win $100.

My Hi this week was that I got ALL my dishes washed (took 3 drainer loads and lots of sitting down breaks but got it done!!), my bathroom cleaned and mopped (even if I had to sit to do it) and I opened my computer and cleaned out all the dust and crud so it can "breath" and run better!! My BEST Hi is that Saturday is Valentines day & the Lord is my TRUE VALENTINE!! Remember that the Lord is the BEST Valentine!! He LOVED you SO MUCH that he gave his OWN LIFE FOR YOU!! How much more could he give??????

My Low this week is that I still don't have a dryer so I'm drying clothes by my woodstove which is causing me to run out of wood and I still dont have a minivan which I need by next month and its hard to stand or sit for periods of time because of pain/electrical feeling in leg. BUT I know God will provide!!

Pray for the Rigg's daughter Abby as she fights Leukemia. She is 4 yrs old and she has been in the hospital in excurciating PAIN for at least a week and at times not sure if she would make it BUT God is so awesome and she pulled thru and will possibly be going home tonight!!


I pray you all have a blessed weekend. My boys have Monday off and a short day tomorrow.

Happy Valentines day!!! Remember that the Lord is the BEST Valentine!! He LOVED you SO MUCH that he gave his OWN LIFE FOR YOU!! How much more could he give?????? He is my TRUE VALENTINE!!!

Blessings,
Gina Marie

I NEVER would have thought!!!

WOW.. Does God move in mysterious ways. lol My boys have been falling away from God. I have been praying and fasting. I have prayed "whatever it takes Lord to bring them back to you then do it." Well I figured like things like nightmares or things that would scare them back to the Lord....

lol Little did I know.. lol It is "GIRLS" that are helping bring my boys back to the Lord!! Along with LOTS of prayer!! Having a new church and Pastor and Pastors wife who are praying with me also. But I have a friend in another town and we were down there a couple weeks ago. Caleb had a bad night after his birthday and he started talking to one of these girls from the church down there about this night and she was talking to him and he was amazed at how much scripture and the word she was using.
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Then we came home and our pastor taught on Saul and Ananias. Caleb feels this girl is his Ananias and is showing him he needs to get right with the Lord and get right with God. Nathan also has cut his hair and got rid of his music and is only listening to Kirk Franklin and Gospel music (that I know of). Nathan has told his former girlfriend that he is getting back to where he needs to be and has been going to church.

Caleb also I feel is breaking down a thick wall he has built up because of bad deep hurts he has had from people who have hurt him. He has seemed afraid to let people close to him yet he has said he wants to ride with our pastor who he had NOT wanted to assiciate with since going there the past two months. He also hasnn't been listening to his hard music like he did. :o)
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Last night (Friday), we went to the Last service of Landmark aand we sat on the 3rd last pew from back. The boys saved whole pew from back from row for them and the girls and mroe. It was great. During altar call all of them went to the altar and prayed and it was great that my friend got picturs of them at the altar.


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I'm praying for Gods will with these kids. It's cute tho how my 3 boys all seem to like her three girls. lol Please pray for Caleb, Nathan, Adam and the girls and also for my youngest Noah all to draw closer to God and to do HIS WILL!!!
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Well time to go to bed and get some sleep. Love ya all more than eternity and get some rest. Love you all more than eternity and back.

I know I haven't posted in awhile. I started a few times and then something would get my attention or I couldn't word what I wanted to say in the right way.
So much has has seemed to happened but more emotionally I think.

It's so hard when trust is broken. When friendship is broken. Lying is so ugly and hurtful. So is demeaning. It's so hard because one of my learning disabilities is putting into words what is in my mind or heart. But to know someone and think they are your friend or someone you can trust and to find out they have been lying to you and have broken your trust.. Then to have someone else do it to you again a short time later.. Actually to think about it.. Its been quite a few people.. and a few of them in the church!!

I'm the type of person that loves and loves to see people smile and laugh. I do what I can to make someone smile and to be their friend. I despise demeaning. I don't even like or at my BEST try not to even call my own boys "brats" or names that will put them down. At times I might say "You are ACTING like brats" or something but not "you are a brat". There are a FEW times I have slipped because lately these boys have really been mean and hurtful to me. Tho I do apologize to them. I've seen the SHOCK on their face when I've slipped and said something hurtful to them because they know I DON'T do it.

BUT the CHURCH is suppose to be somewhere we can go for a refuge. YES I know even people in church aren't perfect. But even those people that did those things haven't apologized. The church is suppose to help it's members. If someone has a need then we pray for them and if someone is able then they should help that person. If someone needs a ride then someone can pick them up so they can be in church. If someone doesn't have food, then people can take them food. If someone has had surgery, then people in the church can get together and maybe plan some meals to take to the family to help them out or if its the wife/mother then maybe some of the ladies can get together and go clean the house or help take care of her kids so she can recover.. There is always things the church can do to help those who are in need. How about even just sending a card and saying "We are thinking of you". How about the pastor and his family? What has the church done for them? Do you realize how much load they carry? How bout taking them a meal once in a while or sending them an encouraging card? Praying with them at the altar? They carry the load of the church on their shoulders!!

Guess I got a little off track.. Guess that's my ADD kicking in lol and the boys got home from school and it distracts me. lol

But.. When trust and friendship are broken, it kinda makes you wonder if you can trust the next person or friend. Or even another church I was at the pastor had been told to leave because he was found to have been doing illegal financial stuff. :o( So then when I finally got my van running again and found a new church to go to, the devil starts throwing thoughts in my mind about "Can I trust this pastor?" "Is he going to be trustworthy?"

Then after dealing with this a lady who I thought was a friend online who I thought was dealing of multiple cancers and had a son, come to find out didn't have cancer after all and was lying to everyone, INCLUDING her own family!! I had trusted her and was posting updates about her on my other site.

One of Strongs definitions of Trust is: to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

As I've told the Lord all along and with all that's happened the past few months.. HE is the ONLY one I can FULLY trust!! I know HE is the ONLY one that will NEVER hurt me or lie to me. When I have said anything to him or strayed, he will ALWAYS be there waiting for me to run back into his arms. :o) He is my bestest friend. He is my TRUE FRIEND!!

Yet we will go on!! God is GOOD!! :o) My van is running again (for now lol). Since Sept it has broke down 3 times I think. First it was the drive line and was down for 2 months. Then got it fixed and the master cylinder finally totally gave out. My brother fixed that. Then last week it wouldn't start and my pastor at my new church came over and put new battery terminals on and tried jumping it and it wouldn't start. Then the boys dad came to take Caleb to his doc appt ( that's another story... uggg ).. but he worked on it and had to put a new battery and starter on it and NOW it runs! :o) So we are on the road again. :o)

Our CHRISTmas was good. I actually had the boys on CHRISTmas which was a first in a LONG time. They usually are with their dad. We had spent the morning here and then went to my brothers house for the day. Then the day after CHRISTmas the boys left with their dad to go to Disneyland for a few days. That was my present!! A few days of peace and quiet!! :o) lol







And here are some of the ornaments I made for the boys for a yearly tradition CHRISTmas gift..



Now the holidays are over and we are getting appts going again. Adam and Noah FINALLY see the GI specialist next week!! We've had this appt scheduled for I think 2-3 months!! They both are complaining about their stomachs tho Noah especially. He has dealt with bad stomach cramps for 1 1/2 yrs and Noah normally has a HIGH pain tolerance so for him to feel pain then he must be in pain!!! I'm still upset and frustrated that UCDavis denied them even tho they have been patients there since they have been born and Noah was a patient in GI a few years ago. YET they wont see them!! grrrrrrrrrrr

I'm working on getting Adam and my jaw cysts taken care of. I've got to see what to do about mine. Adam has CCS to help take care of his bill but with the oral surgeon we see I can't afford the $200.+ after the insurance pays to cover mine and lately my smell is doing weird things and not sure if its my cysts growing and messing with that or not.

We are going out of town this weekend!! We haven't done that in over a year!! At least I'm HOPING to! It's Caleb's birthday on Saturday also. He doesn't want to but we are working on him.

Anyway.. I think that's about it for now.. Remember to appreciate your friends, church and your pastor! PRAY for them and do things to help make their day! I pray for you all and your families. I'll try to do better at keeping up with this. lol

Blessings,
Gina Marie