This, That, & A 500th Post Give-Away!!!

This has been a crazy week and it is only going to get more crazy! But this is a good kind of crazy!

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My sister CJ's visit went really well! Though her visit was not symptom free, she did seem to get a lot of rest. I believe with my whole heart that laughter was her best medicine. You can not visit our home and walk away saying there was no laughter. If anyone knows my husband, you know what I'm talking about. The entire visit was for her to focus on resting. But we also had a lot of good conversation. One thing that I miss the most about my sisters who live out of state, is our conversations. When my sisters stay with me, each morning we wake to coffee and conversation at the kitchen table. It has been that way for years. When the time comes for them to leave, it takes me takes to adjust to not having them here in the morning. This visit was no different. CJ and I had the chance to work through so "issues" that had come between us years ago. In my honest opinion it was all due to misunderstandings and lack of communication. I am thankful that we are able to communicate about it now and work past it. I have missed her so much. This is first visit like this in quite a long time!

Setting all of that aside, there is still a need for prayer. There is still an uncertainty of what is going on within her body. It appears to be an adrenal disorder of some sorts but it could as be (in worst case scenario) leukemia. It is a scary place to be no matter how you size it up. My oldest sister Deb was in a similar place a few years ago when they were ruling out things like MS and Lou Gehrig's Disease. She was later diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It's been hard to see my sister go through something so scary. BUT, we are holding out faith that what she is dealing with can be managed and that she will be able to live a full life. God has all of our steps ordered and we all know that He will direct her path.

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WARNING: Mommy talk about to begin...

My little Merci-girl has decided that she is officially a "big girl" and started using the potty. I think being around other girls her age has helped spur her along. She just up and started all on her own. I am hoping that this it! She will not be 3 until September so she is already well ahead of her brother who did not get fully potty trained until a little over 3 years old. NO MORE DIAPERS!!! Mike is actually returning a whole box today that is unopened! This is such a nice thought!!

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I have been working much more than I expected. This is a good thing, but I do not want to pick up regular hours. I am working every Wednesday throughout the summer from 5:00-8:00 p.m. I have also been working evenings here and there for others who are away or on vacation. It's nice to have even just a little extra money coming in to put aside for things we would like to do or to purchase. I can honestly say that I have a WONDERFUL job. There was a time when I started there 12+ years ago that I hated it. I was young and at the bottom of the work latter. But as time progress and I gained more seniority and experience I really began to love my job. It is because of job at the library that I became interested in photography and graphics. I was the editor of the newsletter and loved learning about programs and editing. I feel so very blessed to have been asked to come back to work not just once but twice. I feel so very, very blessed and love my job.

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I knew it was coming. I've hit a creative wall. I have such a desire to work on my photography but with no real outlet. I have been hired to do a wedding in October and I am beyond thrilled. But my poor kids are so sick of my pulling out my camera. My son has actually told me "No more pictures Mom." That is the worst thing a photographer/mom wants to hear! I am hoping while my sister Deb is here next week I can find some outlet. I am, in the mean time, working on redoing my website and working new business cards and pamphlets. We will see where it goes.

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Speaking of here are just a few of the pictures I have taken recently.







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And now the big 500! I have been blogging since August of 2005. I have never really done any give aways or special celebrations...UNTIL NOW!! This post is my 500th post and to celebrate I am going to be giving away...drum roll please... A personalized custom header and matching button to place on your blog all designed by yours truly! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment (one comment per name please) with how you know me or stumbled across my blog. That's it! I will have the contest open all weekend and will close the contest on Monday June 15th at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Good luck my bloggy friends.

Until next time...TTFN.