GinaMarie's Lounge \___

I'm writing lenses on Squidoo and would love you to join me

2011-08-27T23:53:00.000-07:00

I'm writing lenses on Squidoo and would love you to join me. I've got one of my Squidoo pages going and going to work on more. It can be a business, hobby or just a blog you like to talk about. :) Join, have fun and earn money. Now doesn't that sound like a plan? :)
Blessings,
Gina Marie

Shop, Earn money for your charity AND MAKE MONEY!

2011-03-23T23:56:00.000-07:00

I just joined Blastoff Network, and now a donation is made to the charity of my choice when I shop at my favorite stores. I even get cash back and great deals like this one: $25 off $30 at Shoes.com. Join now and shop for your cause! http://www.blastoffnetwork.com/ginamarieh

Vani Marshall's Testimony

2010-12-14T00:22:00.000-08:00

Wow is this a testimony to listen to! Sis Vani Marshall has a testimony and the Lord has really brought her thru a lot and delivered her. She can really sing also. :) I would love to hear her speak in person.
God is so able to touch, heal and save. At the mention of His name, every demon has to leave. All you have to do is just call on His name. Are you going thru some trials? Do you need healing? Do you have family that needs healing? Financial situations? Personal issues? Just call on his name and he is right there! His word says he will never leave us or forsake us. I've learned to THANK HIM BEFORE it actually happens. That is FAITH in action! Thank Him for what He is going to do! BELIEVE IT! CLAIM IT!
I'm praying for you. Do you need prayer? Leave your prayer request on here and I will be sure to pray for your needs and God says when TWO or THREE are gathered in his name there HE is in the midst of them. So with us praying, HE is there and He WILL DO IT! I BELIEVE IT!
Blessings,
Gina Marie

Another Semester almost complete!

2010-12-11T01:10:00.001-08:00

Well I didn't realize it has been so long since I have been on!! WOW.. I'm sorry.. It's been a busy year with going to school and STILL trying to get this remodeling done with the bathroom and house, and other stuff.
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After next Thurs this semester will be DONE! :) Most of my Final's are DONE. I've finished my Piano class and finished with an "A" :). I finished my Powerpoint class and received a "B". My Adapted PE class will be an "A". The only class I'm waiting on is my ASL (American Sign Language class) and I took my first part of my Final last night (Thurs) and will take my second part next Thurs. I was told I did EXCELLENT on my presentation last night (Thank you Jesus). Next week the Intermediate class present (in front of class) and we have to write down thier sentences. Then she will grade those and average our grades. I'm HOPING and PRAYING for an "A" in that class also.
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Next semester I'm registered for Piano again, Adapted PE, Dream weaver Web Design and College Study Skills class. :)
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Caleb my second oldest has been in college with me. He has been doing well also. :) I'm glad he is in college also.
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God has been blessing me soooooooooo much!! Even this semester at school he blessed me and ALL semester I got parking in front EVERYDAY EXACTLY where I wanted it!! It only rained I think 2 days the WHOLE semester! He has helped me with my schooling and blessed me in my Piano class with a classmate to help take notes for me. :) Thanks Heather. :) That is just a fraction of what is has done for me. It's almost 1:30 am and it's hard for me to think right now. lol
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I've started some online businesses and I know he is helping those get going so I can start earning money on my own since SSI doesn't pay much since the government doesn't have money or know how to budget their money. lol These businesses are great and if you want to start them also you can asking me how. :)

Check out my sites:
http://www.christianfinancialbooks.com/gmarie/
http://www.blastoffnetwork.com/ginamarieh

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I have 5 kittens that NEED homes ASAP! 2 Red tabbies (males), 2 Tortiseshells (females) these 4 are about 6 wks old. I have a Gray beautiful kitten that is about 3-4 months old who is soooooo loveable! She LOVES to sit in your lap or lay with you ALL the time! They were abandoned here at my house and I can't afford to feed all these cats. I also have MY cat which is 17 yrs old and a kitten that is about 9 months old that is a beautiful LONG HAIR Tortise shell that can also use a home. She might be part MaineCoone. Here is a pic of the first 5. I told my boys we are NOT decorating for CHRISTmas til these kittens are GONE.

WOW this year has FLOWN by faster than I can believe! Each year goes by faster than the one before!
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Well that's it for now.
Have a MERRY CHRISTmas and Remember, HE (JESUS) is the Reason for the Season!

Footprints In The Sand-Leona Lewis Cover- Tecia Clifford

2010-07-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

The Drinking Song

2010-07-02T10:55:00.000-07:00

2010-02-25T21:47:00.000-08:00

The Knots Prayer
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Dear God
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Please untie the knots
that are in my mind,
my heart and my life.
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Remove the have nots,
the can nots and the do nots that I have in my mind.
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Erase the will nots,
may nots,
might nots that may find
a home in my heart.
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Release me from
the could nots,
would nots and
should nots that
obstruct my life.
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And most of all,
Dear God,
I ask that you
remove from my mind,
my heart and my life
all of the 'am nots'
that I have allowed
to hold me back,
especially the thought that I am not good enough.
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AMEN
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Author Known To God

Time...

2010-02-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

With sincere appreciation for your time------------

To all my family & friends I want to THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ONCE YOU READ THIS YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way.

In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.

There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son.

He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night. The funeral is Wednesday."

Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral,"Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown.

Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.

"The box is gone, he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside.. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died. Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr.

Harold Belser" it read.. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter.

His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

"Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.

"Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.

"I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away,"

Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep..

5. You mean the world to someone.

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look:

you most likely turned your back on the world.

11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.

13 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

Send this letter to all the people you care about, if you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and might change their perspective on life...for the better.

To everyone I sent this to " Thanks for your time".

GoodSearch site

2010-01-03T10:22:00.000-08:00

Here's a new easy way to raise money for your favorite cause. Just start using Yahoo! powered GoodSearch.com as your search engine and they'll donate about a penny to your favorite cause every time you do a search!

In addition, do all of your shopping through their online shopping mall, GoodShop.com, where you can shop at more than 900 top online retailers and a percentage of your purchases will go to the charity or school of your choice. You pay the same price as you normally would, but a donation goes to your cause!

Here's the web site — http://www.goodsearch.com. You can also read about GoodSearch in the NY Times, Oprah Magazine, CNN, ABC News and the Wall Street Journal.

Two Brothers

2009-12-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

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!!

2009-08-22T02:18:00.000-07:00

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....

2009-08-20T00:47:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!

2009-06-17T21:07:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-06-03T01:42:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-05-25T15:09:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-05-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

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!!
*
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
*
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.
*
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!!
*
Psalm 150:6 Let everything that hath breath, Praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!!

2009-05-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

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.

2009-05-09T10:26:00.000-07:00

(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.'
* * *
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.
* * *
That night I called to invite her to go out for
dinner and a movie.
* * *
'What's wrong, aren't you well,' she asked?
* * *
My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a
late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign
of bad news.
* * *
'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.'
* * *
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.
* * *
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'.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.
* * *
'How was your dinner date ?' asked my wife when I
got home.
'Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,' I answered.
* * *
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.
* * *
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.'
* * *
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.'
* * *
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.
* * *
Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by
instinct... somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.
* * *
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.
* * *
Somebody said you don't need an education to be a
mother.... somebody never helped a fourth grader
with his math.
* * *
Somebody said you can't love the second child as
much as you love the first.... somebody doesn't have two children.
* * *
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.'
* * *
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.
* * *
Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last
child leaves home....somebody never had
grandchildren.
* * *
Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so
you don't need to tell her.... somebody isn't a
mother.
* * *
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?

2009-05-05T07:12:00.000-07:00

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.
*
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.
*
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".
*
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.
*
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.
*
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.
*
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.
*
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).
*
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.
*
~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."
*
Please, please raise childhood cancer awareness. Please check this website out: www.RALLYROUNDTHEGOLDRIBBON.org.
*
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.
*
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!!

2009-05-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

Thankful Thursday to you. :o)
*

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

*

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.

*

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

*

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..

*

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!!

*

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.

*

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

*

This weekend here is Relay for Life.

Blessings,
Gina Marie

Mighty Monday

2009-04-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

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!!

2009-03-29T09:05:00.000-07:00

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!
*

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

2009-03-22T11:56:00.000-07:00

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

2009-03-11T20:28:00.000-07:00

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
*
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. :)
*
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!!

2009-02-12T10:12:00.000-08:00

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!!!

2009-01-31T22:18:00.000-08:00

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.

2009-01-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

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

God Lives Under the Bed

2008-11-30T03:41:00.000-08:00

This was sent to me by email and I loved it and the message so I wanted to pass it on. I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.
Gina Marie

GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED

I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.

He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.

His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth or power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.

It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.

It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap . I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

What are you Thankful for?

2008-11-23T00:05:00.000-08:00

This being the week of Thanksgiving, I just thought I would talk about being Thankful. I have SOO MUCH to be thankful for. I have a house over my head (needs so much repair but its standing) :o). I have food to eat.

Thankful for my four miracle sons (even tho right now I'm gaining gray hair daily from them) HEY doesnt the bible say you get more and more PATIENCE thru TRIALS?... NO WONDER I have so much PATIENCE!!! All the TRIALS they put me thru. lol Thank you Lord for the Patience but... NO MORE PLEASE!!! lol

Thankful for my pets.. THO sadly I have lost TWO of them this past three weeks. One, Ashley, my pet cockatiel of 21 YEARS passed away. I had him longer than my kids, my house, EVEN my marriage!! He has been thru EVERYTHING with me. He was my buddy! Here is a picture of Ashley and my big male cat "Baby". It looks like they are talking about something... lol Also a picture of Adam and Ashley together.

The other pet I lost was my precious German Shepard Pup "Grace". She didn't die tho. We gave her away. She just got so strong and big for me. She was VERY smart and needed more training than I could give her. We rescued her and helped bring her thru Parvo and parasites and worked with her for 10 months. Now was time to find her a better home where she could play outside and get a lot more exercise. I miss her and Ashley so much. I still when I get up to go to another room or the bathroom still think Grace is going to get up to follow me but she doesn't because she isnt here. She is living with Nathans (my oldest) girlfriends family. They have a chihuaha and a dog park right up the street.
Here are some pics of Grace first when we got her all sick and skinny and then on her birthday 8 months later..

And here is Grace on the last day here laying by me while I sorted books. Looks like she was picking out a book and then I put a picture of her and Nathan on his bed.

Now we are down to 2 cats and a kitten that a youth that stayed with us left here when he left and Nathan's pet mouse. I had thought of getting another bird but cockatiels can live up to 25+ yrs.. that would put me at about or almost 70 YEARS old when the bird could pass on and I dont know if I will live that long!! lol I think I will stick with my cats. lol My oldest cat right now is about 14 (Myacis) and I dont know how much longer she has.

I'm also thankful for my disease and sicknesses. I have met a lot of precious people and children thru it and online and without it I wouldn't have met them or been able to help them.

I'm thankful for Camp Wonder!! It's an AWESOME camp for kids with skin diseases to go for a week and be "normal". It's full of activities for the kids like swimming, baseball, boating, camping, rockwall, date night, festival and LOTS more. My two youngest sons Adam and Noah go to this camp and I tell you!! The day they are leaving camp they are already counting the days til the next camp (a year away). Today they were saying "Mom, 7 months til camp!! I cant wait til camp mom!!" Camp Wonder can use all the donations and sponsors they can get to help sponsor a child to go to camp. It doesn't cost the campers ANYTHING because of all the cost of their medical care all thru the year. Their site is at http://www.csdf.org/ . If you can help sponsor a kid. IF You know any kids with a skin disease (EB, BCCNS, etc) contact CSDF and they will do what they can to help you.

Im also thankful for our soldiers who are fighting for freedom and a lot of them are away from their families. They are risking THEIR lives so that WE can have ours. I salute our military!!! THANK YOU for all you do!!! HUGSSSSSSSSSSS

Im thankful for the freedom to be able to serve the Lord and go to church!! We dont have to hide our bibles or be afraid for our lives (at least not at this point) to talk about the Lord.

And MOST OF ALL!!!! Im soooooooooo THANKFUL for the LORD!!! THANKFUL for ALL he has done for US!! Thankful for calvary and salvation!! Thankful for ONE LORD, ONE FAITH and ONE BAPTISM!!! The Lord Jesus is my BESTEST, MOST FAVORITE FRIEND!!! I couldn't make it thru all these trials without the Lord holding my hand and walking by my side!!!

So what do you have to be thankful for? We live in a country that is so full of everything including blessings!! I want to post more but my eyes keep closing.. Maybe tomorrow btwn church (which Im thankful I can go with a rental car because of my van being broke down for 2 months). Think this week on all the things you are thankful for and REMEMBER to Thank the LORD for them all. ALSO I've learned to THANK HIM for the bad things also.

Blessings and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
Gina Marie

Happy Vetrans Day!!

2008-11-11T13:21:00.000-08:00

HAPPY VETRANS DAY!!

I want to salute our vetrans (serving now, retired and those who have gave their lives)!! I want to thank you for ALL you have done for our country. You have gave everything you have. You have put your lives on the line and many have GAVE their lives. So many of you like those who served during Vietnam came back to people spitting on you and critism. THAT was WRONG!!

I hear so many people talk about how this war is wrong and how we should pull out.. BUT I have seen and heard the GOOD we have done there THRU our military. YOU (our military) see the smiles on the childrens faces and the people there that thank you for giving them their freedom. You are helping keep OUR freedom!! I cry when I hear people talk bad about the war and how how we shouldn't be there and the negative about our military.. I give you HONOR and PRAY for you all!!!

Again.. THANK YOU TO OUR MILITARY FOR ALL YOU DO!!! Lord protect our military and bring them back safe to their families!!!

Here is a beautiful story someone sent that I want to put here. I hope it touches you like it did me. :o)

The Sack Lunches

A tribute to the virtues which have made our country great! The Sack Lunches I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought. Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation. 'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me. 'Chicago - to Great Lakes Base. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Iraq. '

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached Chicago, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the ti me. As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to Chicago .' His friend agreed. I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.' Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?' 'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars. Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm. When we landed in Chicago I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars! Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.' Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a praye r for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check Made payable to 'The United States of America ' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in This country who no longer understand it.' All too often we just send jokes, either off color or clean and we forget to send the ones that mean so much. God Bless.

"...pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."James 5:14

Fall and God's Creations

2008-11-08T16:00:00.000-08:00

Well here we are almost in the middle of November already. Fall is here. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away. :o) This is the most beautiful season to me. All God's beautiful colors come out in Fall. In Spring there are beautiful colors also but Fall seems to be my favorite season. I love the fall colors. I'm so thankful for so many things. God has done so much for me.
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One of my favorite things to do is take pictures. I love to do photography of all kinds of things but I really love taking pictures of what I call "God's Art Work". His Creations (flowers, birds, sky, clouds, anything He has created). And the color of it all.
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I created a slideshow of of some of the pictures I have taken of his beauty! MOST of these pictures were taken from my front yard. ALL the flowers EXCEPT the Hibiscus was taken of rosebushes and flowers from my front yard. Even the sparrow was on one of my rosebushes. The sunset was from my front yard. The lake is right in front of my house just across the one lane road. If you have any questions, just leave them on the comments. :o)http://s57.photobucket.com/albums/g210/GinaMarieH/?action=view¤t=6d58e6fe.pbw
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I hope you enjoy the slideshow. I will add to it as I find my other CREATION pics. I have more on my memory cards and on the other computer. I have some GORGEOUS sunset pics I need to find!! I THINK the birds in the lake are pelicans or some kind of crane.
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I want to put a slideshow together also of our pets we've had. Not sure if that will be as pretty as God's creation but it will be cute. lol
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Still trying to get rid of my broken van and get the money to pay it off and still trying to buy another van so I can get to our doc appts that are so backed up and surgeries that are put off etc. AND get to CHURCH!! I MISS being in God's house!!
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BOY its hard to type when you have a 10+ cat in your lap sleeping and the keyboard is balanced on knee and armrest. lol
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Have a great rest of weekend.
Love ya more than eternity,
Gina Marie

2008-11-03T19:14:00.000-08:00

This may seem minimal to some but to me and my boys, its hard... I found my cockatiel dead tonight. I have had him for 20+ yrs. :o( Longer than any of my kids and ANY of my pets and actually LONGER than my marraige. He was special to me. His name was Ashley (because he was gray like ashes.). I've cried so hard when I found him. Right now he is cradled in my sweat shirt with me til I can find a box to put him in. Boy our pets sure are like our kids.. even if they are birds.. Ashley liked to talk. He said lots of things like "Ashley's a pretty bird" "birdy birdy birdy birdy", Good Morning Ashley" and so forth..

I attached a piture of Ashley with our big male cat "Baby". Baby was on Ashley's cage and it looked like they were talking to each other.

Thanks,

Gina Marie

2008-10-29T15:40:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Wednesday to everyone. :o)
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I'm so proud of myself. Noah and I changed the back tire of his bike today. Well we started last night but didn't have an air pump so finished it today. We borrowed one from our neighbor today and finished our project. Now I can EASILY change the FRONT tire.. BUT the back tire of a MULTI-GEAR BIKE is a challenge!! BUT we DID IT!! NOW Noah is off happily riding his bike (WITH sunblock of course)! :o)
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Adam and Noah are suppose to be going with their dad this weekend. As much as I LOVE them, I will ENJOY the break!! Their dad is allowed to have them every other weekend but he usually wont take them overnight. He cant handle them. He will take them for a few hours or a day but not very often will take them overnight. Sometimes will take ONE but not more than one. NOW to take ALL of them would be nice.. HA.. He WILL be taking ALL FOUR for a week or so to Disneyland in Dec IF he still has money (or child support doesnt catch up with him). He usually takes them at Christmas time. THAT is MY vacation time. My ONE time of the year for a break from all of them UNLESS I go in the hospital. lol.
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I've THOUGHT of going out of town this weekend. I REALLY NEED to get away. I have NOT been out of town and NOT been to Roseville in over a YEAR. I would love to go see our friends down there and even my MOM. I'd like to go to church there also. We went to church there for 12 yrs before we moved here. BUT it all depends on money and if I have to rent a car or have the money to rent a car AND what I will do with Grace (our 1 yr old German Shepard pup). I really cant trust my 18 and 16 yr old to take care of her and they would probably love to come with me since they haven't been there to see our friends either. OH how I wish I had my van so I could just go there and not have to pay out to rent a car. I HATE not having transportation!!
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Time to change our clocks back this weekend! We get (or are suppose to get) one hour EXTRA sleep Saturday night IF you live in California or the states that fall back. :o) It's kinda funny and NICE for those who forget and show up to church an hour EARLY!! SO many are LATE to church and nice to see some EARLY to church. ALSO remember to change the battery in your SMOKE DETECTORS!
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Since the holidays are coming up so fast.. What do you like best to eat for the holidays? Turkey? Potatoes? Pies? Do you cook and eat at home, eat out or go to families? What are some Traditions you like to do?
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I love Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for! I love the Lord soo much!! He always makes sure we have food to eat and a house to live in. When I am down he comforts me. I have my beautiful (oooppss I mean HANDSOME) sons! YES, they push me beyond my limits a lot but the Lord has shown me that it could be worse and Im thankful I HAVE THEM!! I have so much to be thankful for that it would be to much to list on here. I might bore the few that actually read this. lol But I know my Lord knows. I thank Him always. :o) Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE Holiday!!
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I think Christmas would be my second but not because of all the stuff the world thinks of Christmas but because its the Lords BIRTHDAY!! I hate that each year I WANT to plan and do a birthday party for Him and dont. Usually it was because we were usually going to my dads or someones house for the holidays.. I think I want to start decorating my house for a birthday party for him each year for a tradition. My boys are gone sometimes at Christmas with their dad but we can still do a birthday party when they get back! I want to start doing THAT as my tradition. I just have to start doing it. lol We always make a thing of our own kids birthdays but what about the ONE who CREATED BIRTHDAYS? We should celebrate HIS BIRTHDAY!!
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ANYWAY.. I hope I have given you somethings to think about.. MAYBE to comment about. I hope the rest of your week goes smoothly and God blesses you.

2008-10-21T12:40:00.000-07:00

Today has been a day of praying and crying out to God. Searching him and asking for answers. I know He is with me. I can feel Him. I just need to listen more for that precious sweet voice. Oh so many questions and wishing for so many answers. Some time soon..

I've also been doing a lot of cleaning. I know I will and am starting to regret it with my back and leg but it has to be done. I'm so tired of my house being the way it has been. It has taken me hours just to pick up the living room floor and vaccum it and not it didnt have THAT much on it. I just cant move as fast as some of you with my back and my vaccum also had a broken belt. BUT now my couch and recliners are all FULL of stuff. THO my dishes are also done. :o) lol It's always AFTER I have done a project that I think of doing before and after pictures.. Can't do BEFORE pics now. lol

Can you believe that this Saturday, Christmas will be TWO MONTHS away!! YIKES!!!!!!!!! AND Thanksgiving will be ONE month away!!!

What are you doing for the Holidays? I dont know what we are doing yet. Since my dad moved to Montana it changed all our traditions. The boys have been going with their dad to Disneyland around Christmas for about a week. We'll see if that happens this year. I guess it depends if Child Support catches up with him by then. I need to start new traditions with them now. What are some of your traditions? Nathan LOVES to deck the house out with lights. Have you even started your shopping yet? I have a few things. Not much tho.

Well better get back to cleaning before the boys get home from school and try to mess up what I've done. You would think with having TEENS now that things would be easier.. HAAAAAAAAAAAAA...

Remember to leave comments about your holiday traditions and stuff. I'd like to hear about them. Who knows.. Maybe I will learn some new ones to use with the boys.

Love ya more than eternity,
Gina Marie

Trust..

2008-10-15T06:43:00.000-07:00

With all I've gone thru with seperation of my marriage (lying and abuse), dealing with my teens , some "friends"(who dont now seem like TRUE friends), and now a "pastor" who wronged our church and was told to leave and might be facing legal charges, it seems hard to have trust in people. Sometimes just when you think you have a good friend and you can share feelings, you might find they are someone you actually can't trust but I know that isnt always the case, just sometimes.. It's just what has happened in the past few years..

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Psalm 9:10

What is TRUST? What does it mean?

In the Merriam-Webster dictionary it says..

Main Entry: 1.trust
Pronunciation: \ˈtrəst\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse traust trust; akin to Old English trēowe faithful — more at true
Date: 13th century
1 a: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b: one in which confidence is placed
2 a: dependence on something future or contingent : hope b: reliance on future payment for property (as merchandise) delivered

Im sooooo THANKFUL I can put all my trust in the Lord Jesus!! He is my BESTEST friend!! I KNOW He will NEVER hurt me, lie to me, steal from me, mistreat me, or cause me in ANY WAY to not trust Him!!! He has ALWAYS been there for me. I know at times I wonder WHEN will he answer something I've been praying for but as he said things are in HIS time and not ours.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.2 Samuel 22:31

I do thank him tho for the trials and tests I go thru because it makes me a stronger person. Thru these tests I have gone thru lately I have learned to have a stronger backbone and to stand up for myself more. I have learned to put my foot down at times when I need to and not let people walk on me like a doormat.

'Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence. Perseverence must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' 'Blessed is the man who preseveres under trial. because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him,' James 1: 2 - 4 & 12.

O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: Psalm 7:1

The Lord tells us no at times, just like we have to tell our kids when they ask for this and for that. Sometimes we get mixed up about what we WANT and what we NEED. I'm always trying to explain to my boys the difference between NEEDS and WANTS. At times we go to the Lord and are saying Lord I want this and Lord give me this.. And our precious Lord will say, "My child, No, not this time. You dont NEED it" or he might just say No. Then at times he also does say Yes. :o) He is such an awesome God. He DOES ALWAYS provide our needs!

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

I love this verse!! Tho the word "WAIT".. It can mean so many things.. I USED to think of "wait" like sitting and waiting. In Merriam-Websters Dictionary it defines Wait as a few things BUT it also has a definition for "Wait Upon"..

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wait

Main Entry:
1wait
Pronunciation:
\ˈwāt\
Function:
verb
Etymology:
Middle English, from Anglo-French waiter, guaiter to watch over, await, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German wahta watch, Old English wæccan to watch — more at wake
Date:
14th century
transitive verb1: to stay in place in expectation of : await 2: to delay serving (a meal)3: to serve as waiter for intransitive verb1 a: to remain stationary in readiness or expectation b: to pause for another to catch up —usually used with up2 a: to look forward expectantly b: to hold back expectantly 3: to serve at meals —usually used in such phrases as wait on tables or wait on table4 a: to be ready and available b: to remain temporarily neglected or unrealized
— wait on also wait upon
1 a: to attend as a servant b: to supply the wants of : serve2: to make a formal call on3: to wait for
— wait up
: to delay going to bed : stay up

So we are to SERVE the Lord as we "wait" on him. To do his will and to go spread the gospel and win souls as we wait for his call. He has done so much for us that we should WANT to show others and bring them INTO this marvelous work. It ISN'T the waiting I THOUGHT of as just sitting around like in a waiting room of a doctors office and just doing nothing but sitting there and waiting for our name to be called.. Its DOING something!!

My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust. Isaiah 51:5

I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in him.Isaiah 8:17

Sooo.. As I wait (serve) the Lord and learn to trust him more, he helps me grow and learn how to trust others in new ways. It takes time. I teach my boys that to trust someone they have to earn it. If you break that trust, it takes time to earn it back. I do have a few precious friends I can trust and talk to. Tho I am more careful about what I tell people. I'm getting to where I only tell my precious Lord my most deep thoughts.

If you have ever felt there is no one you can trust or you have no friends, just remember you have a friend in Jesus!! He will NEVER leave you. He is with you ALWAYS. When you cry he is there with you crying also and wanting to comfort you. He is reaching for you and wanting you to reach out to him. He is the father to the fatherless. The friend to those who need a friend. He is the great physician!! The master comforter!

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.Psalm 18:2

...and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:20

Some of this was a release to me but I hope it was of some help or teaching to you.

Blessings,
Gina Marie

Welcome.. Did you know?...

2008-10-05T00:52:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my lounge. Pull up a seat, grab a cup of hot chocolate or your favorite drink and relax. I'm starting this so I can write down my feelings, happenings or just whatever. lol. HOPEFULLY with all the sites I keep up with, my boys and all our doctor appts, I won't forget to keep up with this one. lol

Hard to believe this is October already. The holidays are coming up upon us. Fall is HERE. :o) I love the cooler weather. I love seeing the leaves change color. We had our first rain last night of the season. Someone said its the first rain since Feb. We NEEDED it. So much to be thankful for. I love seeing God's beautiful artwork with nature. He has the best use of colors. :o)

Wow, if I had known raising teenagers would be so hard... Right now I have 4 miracle boys and they are 18, 16, 13, and 11 (thinking he is a teenager) lol. I wasn't even suppose to be able to have children or at least 4 in a row like I did. I did lose my first baby then God loaned me these four boys. Tho they sure are testing me to my limits. But I am thankful for them. They keep me going. :o)

My two youngest have my rare disease, Basal Cell Carcinoma Nevi Syndrome (BCCNS) also known as Gorlin Syndrome. http://www.bccns.org/ also at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/archive/20061212/mesh/jablonski/cgi/jablonski/syndrome_cgif602.html.
They have it worse than I have it. But God is helping us thru it or is helping me to help them. I keep a site on thier or our medical stuff at www.caringbridge.org/visit/noahhaugh

It's interesting this month EVERYTHING you see is pink for Breast Cancer Awareness month YET.. Last month (Sept) was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we didn't see anything about it (GOLD Ribbons). Our children deserve just as much attention as anyone else to help them live thru this disease. Childhood Cancer - Petition to Raise Awareness and Funding for a CURE!

Sept. is Child Cancer Awareness Month.. Pray for all those children dealing with cancer and those families whose children whose kids have passed on.. Childhood Cancer is THE #1 disease killer of our children!! It actually causes more deaths each year than diabetes, cystic fibrosis, asthma and AIDS - COMBINED! It’s the 2nd leading cause of death overall – second only to accidents. Would you believe that current levels of federal funding for pediatric cancer research has decreased in each of the last 5 years. Funding has leveled off at about $26 million per year. Compare that to federal funding for AIDS research at over $250 million in 2006 and over $575 million for breast cancer the same year. FYI – the passing of the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act has greatly increased our odds at securing more (up to double) funding next year. Let’s pray that happens! However $60 million is still vastly below the funding awarded to other diseases. Is the #1 disease killer of our children not worth enough attention?? Just one of the questions that boggles my mind!! There are currently over 40,000 precious children fighting for their lives because of this disease and 1 in 5 of them will not win that battle. 3 out of 5 will be left with lifelong complications from these harsh, painstaking treatments.

Childhood Cancer Facts
• Each school day, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer.
• One in 330 children will develop cancer by age 20.
• Although the 5 year survival rate is steadily increasing,
one quarter of children will die 5 years from the time of
diagnosis.
• Cancer remains the number one disease killer of America's
children - more than Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy,
Asthma and AIDS combined.

“Being Aware Means You Care”

Cure Childhood Cancer - Another Inconvenient Truth

There is a petition that father of a young 14 yr old boy named AJ, who lost his life to cancer, is running.. It''s to raise awareness and funding for Childhood Cancer. They NEED 1 million signatures but only have little over 15,000. PLEASE go to this site and sign and lets do our part to help in the fight for Childhood Cancer. Lets help our kids..
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/CureChildhoodCancer

Even my boys Adam and Noah will appreciate it while they fight thier skin cancer. They are also high risk for all other cancers with our disease.

That’s just a little glimpse into the world of childhood cancer and the terror within.

I'm so glad to have God in my life. He is my bestest friend. He is my strong tower. I couldn't go thru this disease or raise these boys without Him.

Well thank you for hanging out with me and I hope you come again.

Blessings,
Gina Marie