AWKWARD!!!

So...for Christmas we invited my son and daughter-in-law, our family friend, and the kid's dad. So you have to understand with the divorce in progress, this was a kind of touchy situation and one that I really wanted to go well. I mean, it is about three weeks from the divorce being final so it was a little strained but it was actually going well.

Dawson decided to be "Santa" and read the tags and hand out the gifts. God bless phonics! He was doing well until he came to the gift I bought for Ed. Out of the mouth of our darling six year old came:

"Ga Ga...this is a gift from your old husband"

Now...what I normally due with awkward situations is laugh...and laugh....and laugh.....and that is exactly what Linz and I did...and we were the only ones laughing so I can only assume that either others had great control or they didn't hear anything. I will go with the second choice because my family is all about awkward situations, i.e.: falling in manholes, dispersing grandma's ashes only to have her fly everywhere with a big gust of wind... or drying the cat....IT WAS AN ACCIDENT FOLKS!

Bill and a Request for Prayer this Christmas!

I want to tell you a story. It is a true story about a guy named Bill.

Shy Bill

Bill was a very shy boy and didn't have a lot of friends in school. His early years did not involve a relationship with his dad due to long trips in the trucking industry.

Being so shy, he didn't have a lot of friends and as a teenager, he was too shy to ask a girl out. In high school, he finally mustered up the courage to approach a girl at her locker. When he asked her out, she slapped him across the face. His lack of relationship with his father and his parents marriage problems did not help his tendency to withdraw and be by himself to deal with life.

A first love

After high school, he worked for a friend up the alley from the house and there he found a trade in tool and die work. It was during this time he met his soon to be wife. They were married and lived in a very modest, low-rent apartment complex. They soon found their way to home ownership. His wife had severe diabetes and they had many medical bills due to her condition.

A new life

They finally learned that they were to have a baby. Their entire family was so excited as it would be the first grandchild on both sides. After showers and room preparation, they waited with excitement to the day for the C-Section as doctors felt with her diabetes, this might be the best for both mother and child. A week before the scheduled surgery, she felt that something was terribly wrong as the baby had stopped moving. An emergency delivery was decided upon. Sadly, the small little boy was still born and the mourning began.

Another try

Bill got a different job in the iron workers field and he did so well that he also taught the trade. She found out that once again they were expecting. They were so careful and cautious so that this child would make it. Alas, once again, at the six month stage, she went into premature labor and they did a C-Section only to find that the little girl had died one hour earlier. Once again they mourned.

Number three
After that, it was decided that possibly children were not in the plan for them but a surprise pregnancy and a finally successful delivery produced a healthy daughter. They joined a church and became teachers and leaders in the congregation. They did everything to help out. Bill really felt a calling and decided to take a mail order course with Jerry Falwell in Lynchburg Virginia studying the bible. He completed two years of study and was very intent to saving his family and leading them to a relationship with Jesus.

. Grief once again

A fourth pregnancy went very well that is until a week before the scheduled surgery. This time they felt they had identified the problem so they rushed her to surgery and a beautiful little boy was born. He was having a lot of problems and the doctors weren't sure that he would make it but Bill held tight to the little guy. Six hours later, the weaknesses and problems overtook the little guy and he passed away quietly and once again...this family buried an infant along side a brother and a sister.

The stranger

One Sunday the pastor of the church announced that there was a homeless man that turned to the church for help and he needed a place to live. Bill and his wife offered shelter to the man in their home. After a couple of months of the man trying to get back on his feet, Bill's wife announced that the guest in their home had become the target of her love and devotion and she left Bill taking his daughter with her. The daughter had severe learning disabilities and so Bill allowed his exwife to have the main custody through the divorce. Bill was alone and depressed and layed off the iron workers force due to no work in the area.

Not under her influence

He was alone for years and then his second wife came on the scene. She was very young and they knew each other for a very short time and then married. Shortly after the wedding, he discovered that she had habits that he knew nothing about. She was a drug user and after requests for her to stop and the fact that she refused to, he divorced her.

A wolf in sheep's clothing

Alone again, he started working at Notre Dame and secured housing for himself. It was many years later that he met her. She came into his life like a breath of fresh air. His entire family took to her and embraced their relationship. Bill was on top of the world. He lost a lot of weight and seemed happier then anyone had seen him. Due to the years of stress of being overweight, his knees simply gave out. He had a knee replacement and while in the hospital, a nurse came in with a sealed envelope. Inside was a confession that the woman that he married and his family embraced had fraudulently signed his name to several credit cards, run them to their max limits and was leaving for good only leaving behind her cat. She disappeared into thin air and could not be found so during the divorce it was determined that there was no way to prove that it was not his signature and that both names were on the accounts which made him responsible for the debt and the court and lawyer expenses.

The Sinking Ship

Deep in financial trouble, his depression and medical issues escalated including heart surgery, shoulder replacement, and deteriorating back discs. Too large to fit on x-ray tables due to weight restrictions and too much of a risk for back surgery he was soon unable to do his job, exercise, and he became depressed and withdrawn. His bills began to mount and he became more and more desperate to make ends meet and to stay in his rented home. After two years of trying to get a settlement from his employer, he is at the point of destitution sometimes not having anything in the house to eat. So extremely overweight, in pain, no hope of a decision by his last employer, and at the mercy of life.

A father's answered prayer

His 87 year old father still lives alone and every day, Bill drives over and refills his medication containers, helps him with household chores, shopping, and keeping him company. Life has dealt Bill an unbelievable life of challenges and heartache but at no time has he ever blamed God for any of it. Instead, he still trys to lead others to the Lord by sharing the Truth with them.

Reality

I spent some time with Bill today. His knowledge of the bible and the events within was astounding. Not only that but in his loneliness he created several cantatas using hours of music and narration done by himself. He is deep, gifted, and a fan of humanity.

Who is Bill

I know all this because Bill is my brother and we all love him very much. During this Christmas time of family and blessings, I ask that everyone that reads this say a prayer for Bill. A true heart and honest soul that has endured years of disappointment, stress, and heartache. May your thoughts and prayers join together and help Bill find a bit of happiness and peace of mind in 2008.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Beatle Revolution / Revolution for Jesus

'At the moment The Beatles are bigger than Jesus Christ. They're not building Jesus enough; they ought to do more.'

This is an excerpt from an interview about comments made by the famous foursome years ago when the Beatles first took music and the world by storm. Our church is doing a series of messages that is matched with lyrics made popular by the Beatles. Tonight......Revolution. After the music...I found myself drifting to this statement and to the present Christmas season and these are some of my thoughts.

Kohls invited me, JC Penney's invited me as well as Old Navy, Sears, Walmart, Meijer, Target, Martins, Kroger, K-Mart all on TV, Radio, and coupons, coupons, coupons. Not once did I see on TV or hear on the radio anything about an invite to get to know Jesus.

We get bombarded by the commercialism yet we complain and continue to buy, buy, buy, watch the commercials, get up at unearthly hours to save three dollars on a toaster, and heaven forbid someone should get in your way as you run over people getting to the over promised and under delivered electronic devices.

Do we stand up against what we so passionately complain about ? We smile and embrace each other on December 25th and the rest of the year we demonstrate impatience, belittling remarks, knowing the rules and feeling it is ok to break them at the expense of someone else.

So what John was trying to say when the Beatle insanity started was that the world should be more insane about Jesus and Heaven instead of "stuff".

Christians need to start a revolution and make it as much of a well known message as the two for one sale at the local department store. We need to be just as driven to get up and save our souls as we are to save that three dollars on a stupid toaster. When asked "what's in your wallet", maybe we should ask back, "what is your plan for eternity?".

My brother had a wonderful idea. He said that Christmas should be a two day holiday. The first day should be the day you attend church, reflect, pray and then get together with your family and friends on the second. This way, we are putting Christ first and then allowing the other traditions to follow the most important reason for the season.

May you find Christ in Christmas this season.

Understanding the Season of Giving

Just when I think I can't be surprised or amazed by my grandson, Dawson says or does something that ignites my heart, challenges my thoughts, and magnifies my love for that little guy.

Linz was getting ready to go out so Dawson and I put a puzzle together while she finished with those finishing touches and as she passed by Dawson on the floor, he said: "Mommy, you look beautiful". What a wonderful thing for a mom to hear from the little guy in her life. Linz said her goodnights and left so Dawson and I finished up watching Frosty and without a reminder, he cut the wrapping paper and wrapped his Christmas party gift for tomorrow and put it by the door just as his mom had asked.

He asked me to read to him so I let him pick two books. One was the "night before Christmas" which he so enjoys trying to say the words along with me as I read and the other one was one "santa" had brought him last year about the comparison of Santa and Jesus and how they both love children and do wonderful things.

I had just finished reading and Dawson said he has Santa all figured out. Gulping, I was expecting some very touchy questions that I didn't want to be the one to answer. Instead, he layed back down and put his hands behind his head and staring up at the ceiling said that because Jesus is so good and Santa is too, that "Santa must really be Jesus".

His heart is amazing as a child.....stay tuned for his heart as a man.

ONE TREE....three experiences

How can one tree have different stripes of color? It is amazing....it has one common trunk....and yet....it changes and displays different colors. My friend Bob said it's like the trinity....so that really started the thinking process.

The Father, Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit..... One....three experiences.....hmmmmmmmmm.

Symbolism is amazing as God provides us with all kinds of examples of his Love, Hope, and Devotion to us, His people. Finding God in the most unusual place is a treasure....We should all be on the constant lookout for the treasures He provides....and isn't that what treasure is? You have to LOOK for it....

"Leaf it to a six year old"

Sometimes...even when you are having pain in the shoulder.....one must take care of responsibilities such as leaf pickup in your yard. I am going to the Dr. tomorrow but I figured Dawson and I could do some of it prior to me being told not to.

I had no help because Lindsay is in San Francisco on business and well, we won't go into why I get no other help. Dawson was a big helper due to the big reward being dangled in front of him. Jumping in the ginormous leaf pile was certainly worthy of the work to get to that point. Once we were ready......he climbed on top of the big rock in the front and jumped several times while I tried to capture the jumps midstream. Poor thing had to jump several times.....and then we buried him in the leaves. Here are some pictorial highlights of leaf pickup, 2007.

Little D in the leaves

Look at that little face.....reminds me of E.T. in the toy pile...lol

Get ready....set....

Jump!!!!!

I didn't know there was a book on the subject!

This is a book I HAVE to read......it sounds awfully familiar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you’ve never encountered a jerk or a bully at the office, you should consider yourself one of the lucky few. According to Stanford University professor Robert I. Sutton in his book “The No Asshole Rule: Building a Civilized Workplace and Surviving One That Isn’t,” workplace jerks are everywhere, and most people will encounter one of these people over the course of their professional life.

Based on an article he wrote for the Harvard Business Review, “The No Asshole Rule” is Sutton’s tell-it-like-it-is guide to dealing with the individuals who demean their fellow workers while undermining a company’s performance. Simply put, no office should put up with jerks.

The characters in question are typically the people often referred to as bullies, creeps, jerks, tormentors, despots, backstabbers, egomaniacs and the like. For Sutton, however, no other term sums up the fear and loathing these people stir up better than a**hole. Their behavior in so many of today’s workplaces can be damaging to not only fellow workers and the companies that employ them, but themselves as well.

“If you display contempt,” he writes in chapter four, “others will respond in much the same way, igniting a vicious circle that can turn everyone around you into a mean-spirited monster just like you.”

Unfortunately, many workplaces today ignore, forgive or even encourage nastiness.

So great was the outpouring of reader reactions to Sutton’s article, he decided to turn it into a full-fledged book, which he hopes will serve to both comfort the many workers who must work with these jerks and help organizations eliminate these personalities.
Among the topics the book covers:

How to differentiate one of these people from someone who simply annoys you (One indication: After talking to the alleged offender, one feels oppressed, humiliated, de-energized or belittled).
10 steps for enforcing the rule (Step four: Treat certified a**holes as incompetent employees).
Everyday actions of workplace bullies, including rude interruptions and invading one’s “personal territory.”

A comprehensive self-test to see if you are the office jerk

(Two signs: You are quick to point out others’ mistakes, and you secretly enjoy watching other people suffer and squirm).

Sutton backs up his claims by offering statistics about the detrimental effects of psychological abuse and bullying. And the most impressive points? The hilarious anecdotes Sutton provides from his own experiences and those of others.

Choices

Life is all about choices. God gives us free reign to pick and choose any pathway, roadway, or avenue we so choose. He gives us warning signs....detour advice....and tries to "block" the road when there is imminent danger or bad choices ahead. WE must open our eyes to see all of His advice. So....if you:

stay in a relationship where one half is llieing to you, cheating on you, deceiving you when you aren't looking....then you will have to deal with a life of uncertainty, stress, and horrible insecurity. It is YOUR CHOICE to put up with that!!!!! (wake up)

allow adult children to berate you, insult you, judge you, and use you...then all you will get are those children when they need or want something. That isn't love or respect at all. If you accept that, it is your CHOICE.

squander your money and waste it when you could be putting it away for emergencies, and abusing what you are lucky enough to have then you deserve the collectors and phone calls and the strife that accompanies being bad at your finances. It is a CHOICE to live that way.

if you are a bad friend and use people only to get ahead or if you are a kiss up at work because it is the way to get ahead in your job, then it is your CHOICE to be that way and to treat others that way, but don't cry when you are left alone because no one trusts you or has faith in you.

It is all about choices. I made choices along the way simply for my children to live in a loving home. It was my choice to do that. It is my choice now to live a life that is filled with friends, my family that has supported, encouraged, and stood by me with respect and love, and to have a job that I find to be satisfying and in line with who I am as a believer in Christ.

This is MY choice. Thank you God for guiding me and helping me see the right path.

Ax-ually No Splitting Hairs Here!

Our neighbors are awesome. They are just a part of the family now. Yesterday...we were preparing for our bon-fire and Lindsay ended up swinging an axe at Josh's house. Now..she doesn't look like it but she can swing a mean ax and she "hits" her target every time. Enjoy pictures of the "Ax" event. By the way, we enjoyed all that firewood with our friends as we sat around the fire, laughed, told stories, and ate "weenies" and made s'mores and "pudgy pies". Josh was the master of the "pies". They were awesome..... we even melted coke cans in the fire. It was an amazingly fun and relaxing time.

Splitting wood the "hard way"

Lindsay swinging the ax

Family Weekend

My son EJ came home with a friend to utilize my ND/Boston College tickets and attend the game enjoying the type of "fall" we have here. We all met at Bob Evans this morning for breakfast. It was good to get my EJ bear hug I always get and to spend time with the whole family.

I enjoyed my hour with Ej and the family!

Ej opening up a gift from Dawson

Uncle Ej and Dawson

We are blessed to have Grandpa with us. He enjoyed seeing his grandson!

Lindsay and Dawson

My daughterinlaw Elena and son Jon

Bye Bye Fly!

Part of my job is to train and teach associates in my territory how to do things and how to find things. So I am sitting with two owners and we are at a desk around a computer. I was side to side with one and the other one was behind me. The one behind me is a card...and comes out with quips all the time. I am attempting to show them where something was located and he said one of his little gag lines and I, without looking, swiped my hand back and smacked him on his forearm. He didn't say anything so the other owner and I turned to him and there it was. I had killed a fly on his arm when I smacked it... All of us were sitting there with our mouths open for the longest time and then hysterics broke out and all was lost in the concentration.

I couldn't look at him without him breaking into laughter.

It was just a funny, funny visit. Who would have thought that a random swat could be a dead on target to a fly. Go Figure!

Opening your heart and mind

Picture this: You are driving down a road going in the direction you wish to go in and you know you are going the exact right way even though signs along the way tell you to detour...take another route....turn around....or change your chosen path but you know you are heading in the right direction so you ignore all of the signs. Then all of a sudden you are faced with despair as the road you chose has a dead end that all those signs talked about along the way. You chose to forge ahead even after reading all the signs. Then all of a sudden....you believe the change in direction and you go with it. You all of a sudden experience forward movement in a roundabout way and you see things you haven't seen before and you experience great accomplishments because you decided to go with "it" instead of "against" it.

This has been my past month at work and I can tell you that the new direction and path is much more satisfying and definitely more productive. Life is good!

A Forward Statement

At a leadership event, I had some pretty amazing revelations. I can't go into them here because it is information that I can't share with everyone so let's just say that my first sentence really covers it. Some surprised me....some enlightened me.....and some alarmed me.

With respect to these revelations I wanted to share something I heard the other day. I heard some lyrics that were quite powerful. They come from a surprising source, High School Musical Two, and it is within a song sung by two teens who have not only found each other but have found talents within them that they never were able to act on. The lyrics that caught my attention goes something like this:

"I don't know where this is all headed, but it starts where you are right now".

Looking back on any situation is only a good thing if you can reflect on better execution, better ways of handling it, more character, accomplishing something because of it, or sharing to inspire. Otherwise, it is simply wallowing.

Are you using the past as a vehicle to go forward.? Are you basing your worth on how many people you can demean, squash, or ridicule? Are you leading with love and empathy or are you caught up with power as a power? Are you a good spouse and or friend? Are you wanting always it to be about you? Are your values where they need to be?

These are all questions that every person should ask themselves. Everyone of us leads someone, whether it's kids, friends, or co workers. Leadership looks different depending on who is wearing the jacket.

People are always watching you. What do you look like to others?

Zoo Crew

What a wonderful day to visit the Brookfield Zoo in the Chicago suburbs. It is a huge place filled with animals and sea life and a place where they really strive to create a natural habitat for their animals. We took a picnic and enjoyed the sights and sounds of animals from every corner of the world. We were especially tickled at the huge black rhino that was inside playing with a barrel on a rope hanging from the ceiling. He would charge it...ram it....then it would fly up and boot him in the behind which would make him gallop around his area....only to repeat the process. It was amazing to be that close to it as it played and put on a show. It seemed to be more energetic the more the crowd responded. We had a front row seat and Linz even video taped it for a bit. Dawson was in stitches as the rhino played as if it was a little guy. They had washed the floor that morning and it was still damp and at one point after flying around the pole, the rhino slipped and down he went. He got right back up.

Another high point was the Rain Forest where large silver back gorillas kept us entertained for a while. You could tell the hierarchy of the clan with the daddy of all gorillas watching over everyone. He was huge and lay ed back as the rest went about their business eating and playing. At one point he sat with his hand over his forehead as if to indicate a migraine.

The bears were playful and the mom and twin tigers all were out entertaining their guests.

What a privilege it is to witness these beautiful animals that God created. I am thankful that they are well cared for. Even in the animal world is there diversity. One of the displays had a seahorse that had been disabled. It couldn't move like the others but the zoo kept it and are caring for it. A sign with an explanation is posted to explain the lack of movement. They could have disposed of it but with love and care, this little guy continues to live and grow and educate those looking in on his world.

This picture does not come close to showing how huge this bear was.

Lunch - Bear style

Probably my favorite Zoo pic..... harmony!

I don't know who was more entertaining...these guys or Dawson watching them!

This was obviously the clan leader of the Silver Backs

When we say "cheese" , he means it!

Oh my....little boys. I asked Dawson how he was going to smile for his pictures at school and this is what I got.

Such a silly boy!

Child's Play

You know a child is totally engaged in what they are watching when they can play along and totally get into the story.

My kids would always love watching the Neverending Story because it was about a little boy that could imagine himself in the storyline.

It is fun watching Dawson do the same thing.

How Wide Open Are Your Eyes?

People are guilty of ruling their lives with their emotions. They are used to using their eyes to see what they want to see and not what really is there to see.

Here are some little tests you can do. Squint your eyes so that you are barely seeing what is straight ahead. This is a great example of how we look at most situations especially when our hearts are involved. We can see a little but our mind fills in all the blanks and makes the picture look like what their hearts want it to look like. Now, stare at something for a while....do your eyes start watering? This is what we do when things aren't the way they should be and we think if we can analyze it to death, we can somehow justify why it doesn't look the way it should look. Now close your eyes tightly. This is the only way you can form a picture based on the actuals. You see, you can't make something be something if it isn't something to begin with.

So instead of wasting your time on what might be, what might develop, what you think it should be, or by what you wish so much it to be...take a good look inside and be true to the facts.

If it isn't a good job and you are miserable, change! If you are in a relationship that is pretty much one sided...leave. If you are hoping that someone will commit and be an adult but yet they are getting older and older and haven't grown up yet....you better run fast. If someone has cheated on you before and is still cheating on you, get out and find someone who will love and appreciate you for always. If friends have betrayed you before....then you need to find new friends....

IF YOU DO WHAT YOU HAVE ALWAYS DONE, YOU WILL ALWAYS GET THE SAME RESULTS........ change the pattern and not only respect yourself but...SEE THINGS AS THEY REALLY ARE! Open your eyes wide. It is all right there for you to see!

Allison ties the knot!!!!!

Late this afternoon, finally, after two years of planning, Allison and Michael exchanged vows at Clay United Methodist Church. I was at an event all day and got back just in time to walk in and see my hairdresser walk down the isle. We have spent the past two years talking about her plans and dreams for her big day during my many hairstyle changes and colors.

It all came together and I will admit, there were tears in my eyes as I listened to the Minister talk about her mom looking down from heaven seeing how beautiful her daughter looked. It was an amazing wedding and the words spoken and exchanged were powerful and meaningful. I am so happy for them both and wish them the best as they head off to Jamaica for a much needed rest.

Congrats my friend and may love keep you happy, strong, and connected throughout your lives.

Dawg Days of Summer

Events are so much fun to attend in my job. This one today went to the dogs. Dawg Days of Summer happened today in North Webster. The character to the left is just one of the dogs competing for Best of Show. She got my vote. All of the attending dogs were well behaved and my company was represented by the mascot and many fun giveaways.

There was a discipline and agility presentation from a gentleman that has been on Animal Planet frequently. Some of his students brought their dogs to demonstrate.

I thought it was fascinating that all commands were in either French or German.

The Joys of Speaking

How wonderful it is when you are given the opportunity to talk about something you are passionate about, something you love, something that means so much to you, and to share that with people you care deeply about.

I was given such an opportunity at a recent meeting. Not only was I able to talk about Disney but also the company I work for. What an honor that both parallel each other and that I got to spend a half a day expressing that.

Off to Vegas

My brain is tired. My limbs are tired. My eyes are tired. Let's just say I am TIRED! I am so looking forward to getting on that plane and flying and relaxing for a couple of days with my best bud. I am not taking a huge suitcase like when we go to Florida but if I were to take a big one...you bet I would stuff my son in there too and take him with. He is a lot of fun. He makes me giggle.

I have always wanted to see Celine Dion in concert. Her voice is phenomenal. Her gig at Caesar's will end in December after a two year run so it was now or never to see her.

Sightseeing, sitting by the pool, and well, yeah, this big spender will be playing the one cent machines.... I have been very successful with the penny machines...don't laugh. Anyways, it is fun and silly and well, it will be a great break for me as my job is really getting fun, busy, and exciting so this little break will energize me for the coming weeks.

Then.....it will be cruise time. Oh I love vacations!

I will fill you all in upon my return. I am not taking technology with me as that is the whole point of a "break" and if it is with me...I will work...trust me.

Blessings!

Light Light Baby...

Remember the song "Lightening Striking Again"? Well, that is sort of an appropriate little diddy to be singing when you have surround sound storms going on. At 10:15 PM I was heading home from an awesome evening training session in Niles. A storm started about 9:00 but we just continued. We had a lot to cover and I had a very enthusiastic and attentive crew to teach everything about what we do in four hours. The crew left and then I met with the managers and we covered a few more things before it was time for me to finally head home after a long day that began at seven this morning.

I am on my way home and all of a sudden there are shards of lightening coming down from every direction. It is raining so hard that the lines on the street were so covered with water that they have disappeared leaving no guidelines in the torrential downpour. As my eyes are jetting around me and in front of me, I actually saw two strikes and whole neighborhoods go black. The wind then picked up and so now blowing rain, fogging windows, and wipers that are no where near taking care of the windshield totally removed any chance of seeing where I was going. I couldn't pull off because I couldn't see t0 the side to see where there were curbs or the way off the street. It was a very scary ride.

I have never been so glad to be in my own little dry house.

Nature is beautiful and magnificent but sometimes also looks demonic when you are driving through a severe lightening storm. I loved the light show but frankly...I prefer Disney's Fireworks where I am not dodging sheets of water and shards of electrical energy that potentially would give me a permanent perm.

Nice Mice

What happens when

Mouseatouie meets Ratatouie?



You get this!

What Kind of Leader Am I?

I volunteered today at Church for the last day of the Leadership Summit at GCC. Its been a long while since I have been able to help out. I helped out in guest services but also was privileged to listen to Jimmy Carter, who I have had some very mixed feelings about (politically, not humanitarian wise). His gentle nature came through in the interview and the media's view of former President Carter was proven wrong by this treat of hearing him "in his own words".

I also saw the most heart wrenching story about a young man born without eyes or the ability to stretch out his arms and to use his legs. This little guy started playing the piano at one and they shared footage of him picking out the notes and playing songs. He grew up with music and his father, who not only helped him accomplish things even though he had so many barriers to do so, but also went to class with him daily and worked the midnight shift at UPS. The boy, now being high school age, has taken up the trumpet so that he can march with his school's band. He sits in his wheelchair and his dad maneuvers him around the formations each and every day. The father demonstrates unselfish love and is totally devoted to his child. Amazing. Thanks to satellite, we were able to hear him sing and play for the leadership summit. I know that the love and support I give my kids is criticized because "they need to just be off by themselves". I love that my grown children are also my closest, dearest friends. My children all have their own lives, friends, relationships, and interests but we have our times together as well. Those that criticize might want to see if maybe their criticism stems from maybe wanting that kind of precious relationship with someone they love. Hmmmm ... something to think about. I will never apologize for my relationships with those that God entrusted me to guide, love, and raise. Why should that stop when they reach a certain age? The guiding is now by their choice and the raising is done leaving only love and the relationship built around all of those things over the years.

I started thinking about my own leadership skills. Jimmy Carter still leads today even though people tore him apart and expected traditional perfection. He had his own style and people genuinely respond to his style. I am very relational. I think this is why my teams that I work with out in the field respond to me not with "I have to do this" but "I want to do this and she will be proud of me because I am doing the right thing and treating people the right way". I get that feedback a lot. Though its a business world, I take pride in good old fashioned relationship building to help others feel great about themselves due to improvement, or success, or accomplishment. It is when we build others up that we find the greatest return and response. We have all had leaders that are so caught up in their own importance that they forget about being relational which is what breeds team success, not fear. Life is not about perfection but about doing the right thing towards each other which gives you the results that businesses need to succeed. Isn't it better to do something to please then to do something out of fear with a bad attitude. Teams crumble and fail because disdain breeds discontent and detachment. Wouldn't it be great to daily be told what we are doing right and less about why we didn't dot an I or cross a T? Wouldn't it be great to look at the whole picture to see how much and far we have come instead of looking at today and not being good enough? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could brag about our leadership in our work no matter what work we are in, as we strive to use them as a positive example instead of looking to them as what not to be like? I feel I am not a perfect leader and I embrace opportunities to constantly grow and learn and improve, but God gives me chance after chance to try to be the best I can be. I never have to fear that God will fire me because I didn't send out a perfect memo. As long as I am lifting and helping others to be the best they can be, God shows me I am doing a good job as a leader. Wouldn't it be great to have that kind of affirmation every day at work?

By the way, our new series at church deals with the work place. May we all listen and learn about that place we call "work" and turn that into a workshop using God's strategies for success instead of our own. Success would belong to us all!

ANTICIPATION

This is the picture that advanced to the last round of the photo contest. I was so excited to get the notification. It will also be included in a coffee table photography collection book. To me, this is very exciting. I guess the final results will be decided in September so until then, I will enjoy being a finalist and whatever happens, happens. It won't change the "proud" and the satisfaction either way. I give props to the advice given on many websites to help me learn to take good pictures. I especially love the advice I get from Lindsay as she has a great eye when it comes to photography and takes a lot of the photos at her work for different things. She learned a lot about "white space" running and directing cameras both at Fox 28 and at Granger Community Church and lends that expertise to me so I can learn. "Thanks Linz".

Expressions.....

Our little artist doesn't just draw trees or houses...but colonies of Pokemon critters, their homes, and intertwined relationships between the little good critters and the bad critters.... (yeah, I don't know much about Pokemon stuff). He really uses a lot of details and can sit with you and explain every one of them.

I love his little drawings. He is so expressive and uses a lot of different means to express what he thinks and feels.

He also takes great pictures for a little guy. Give him a point and shoot and he lines up pictures really well. I am proud of his desire to try and to understand new tasks and opportunities and already has a sense of right from wrong and is disciplined enough to trust us when we deam something as bad.

**On a side note, I entered one of my pictures I took at the beach this summer in a photo contest and got word today that my picture was selected for the final round of competition. I am very new at this photography challenge so I was very thrilled to get this news.

If the Lyrics fit...then HUMMMMMM!

I love Kelly Clarkson. Linz always plays this song in the car and of course I saw Kelly perform it during the American Idol finale' but it wasn't until today that I actually looked up the lyrics and read them. Wow. How many times have we wanted to have the words to say to someone and we search and search and we can't seem to find a group of them to be powerful enough to get the message out...I can think of a few instances that friends of mine have really wanted to put into words their feelings. So it is with a laugh and chuckle that I list the lyrics. I wonder how many will read them, gulp, and know it is for them? Have fun...and props to Kelly for such a catchy song. Now I can sing rather than hum.

I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green

I hope when your in bed with her, you think of me

I would never wish bad things, but I don't wish you well

Could you tell, by the flames that burned your words

I never read your letter'

Cos I knew what you'd say

Give me that Sunday school answer

Try and make it all OK

[Chorus]Does it hurt to know I'll never be there

Bet it sucks, to see my face everywhere

It was you, who chose to end it like you didI was the last to know

You knew exactly what you would do

And don't say, you simply lost your way

She may believe you but I never will

Never againIf she really knows the truth, she deserves you

A trophy wife, oh how cute

Ignorance is bliss

But when your day comes, and he's through with you

And he'll be through with you

You'll die together but alone

You wrote me in a letter

You couldn't say it right to my face

Give me that Sunday school answer

Repent yourself away

[Chorus]Does it hurt to know I'll never be there

Bet it sucks, to see my face everywhere

It was you, who chose to end it like you did

I was the last to know

You knew exactly what you would do

And don't say, you simply lost your way

They may believe you but I never will

Never again

[Bridge]Never again will I hear you

Never again will I miss you

Never again will I fall to you

NeverNever again will I kiss you

Never again will I want to

Never again will I love you

Never

[Chorus]Does it hurt to know I'll never be there

Bet it sucks, to see my face everywhere

It was you, who chose to end it like you did

I was the last to know

You knew exactly what you would do

And don't say, you simply lost your way

They may believe you but I never will

I never will

I never will

Never again

What's My Line...What planet are you from?

I really pay attention to all of my young friends as they are dating and having relationships and some are quite serious. Some are ready to take the leap and they are stewing because they aren't sure. This and other things I have heard have really sent my red flags flying. Some are quite humorous that anyone would believe some of the "lines" that are floating around. It also connects with the book, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. You say one thing..but mean another so if you are in a relationship, beginning one, ending one, restarting one, then pay attention. You might just recognize a few things. Here is a collection of them...and from both genders. We will start with the guys:

• "I want to take things slowly so it happens naturally"....(what he really means is that he isn't done messing around yet)
  
• "I didn't lie...I swear...I just left some stuff out".... (watch it girls...this one is a liar through and through and will lead you to heartache)
  
• "I want to develop a friendship and get to know you before I commit." (In most cases this is good because you want to be friends....however, if he is "talking" to girls at work, girls to meet for lunch, girls to email and text and instant message along with you....then you have some problems and how do you know who he is talking to and who he isn't? Is he a techy kind of guy that spends his time "talking" to others...honey...he ain't talking...he is playing)
  
• "I don't want people to think I am wishy washy so we should keep this hush hush for a while.." or
• "I don't want people to think I am jumping from one girl to another so we can see each other and when the time is right, we can let others know" (girls, he is messing around on you and doesn't want you to cramp his style)
  
• "I really care about you but I don't want to commit unless I am absolutely sure. "(Do you know for sure he isn't messing around with and kissing on someone else?)
  
• "I am so confused right now....be patient. " (all the while he is having a good old time telling his other "girls" the same story that you have just heard.
  If he was "confused" once and dumped you or cheated on you while he was confused....are you ever going to be sure you can trust him ever again? (once a cheater and liar....always a cheater and liar)
  

Ok ladies...now your turn...Guys beware:

I was really hurt..so I need to be alone (all the while she is out at Fever having a great time dancing with anything in pants)

I am very social (look out guys...she likes to be out there)

I have a guy friend that is my best friend (watch it so that the best friend isn't a cozy cuddle up friend too)

I trust you (don't count on it)

I love you but I am not ready to committ (yeah....still not done with the social scene)

I just need some time.... (how is she spending her time?)
Here is the thing. Two people can be attracted to each other and may want to explore the possibilities. That is awesome. People shouldn't "play" on each other and do things behind each other's backs.

If a relationship is good...it shouldn't be hidden. If there is respect, there should never be cheating, if there is real love, you shouldn't have to wonder if the other person is "talking" to someone as "friends".

Forever is a long time. Don't settle for anyone who is an idiot and cheats on you. You are worth more than that.....DON'T BE AFRAID TO WALK AWAY ....God doesn't make junk but some take what they have and turn it into junk......

THATS RIGHT....I WATCH DR. PHIL.....I HAVE THEM ALL RECORDED.....THIS IS STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH....

Love Change

Dawson is very excited about saving his money for his cruise vacation this fall. He has a Disney container that he has saved every bit of his Birthday money in plus odds and ends of change that he has managed to find. There is one source though, that has generously and lovingly saved their change for Dawson. Little envelopes of change come his way from the heart of this person.

Lori decided that since he was being so good about saving and not spending, that she would save her bits of change for Dawson's Cruise Fund. He is pictured receiving one of those envelopes. Dawson helped me count and so far he has $19.00 in change plus a bunch of pennies we didn't even count. I think Dawson will take his pennies to the Muscular Dystrophy Association over Labor Day so he feels he gave as well as received. I have been saving pennies all year so I will donate mine as well to his "giving" fund.

What a sweet little boy that has been taught to care and appreciate by his awesome mom. He will grow up to be a respectful, caring, and giving man. I hope I am here to see the transformation. I love that little guy so much.

Thank you, Lori, for your love of this little guy and your generosity.

Makes you wanna go...AH!

What can you say about a view like this? Sunset at the campground.

Oh the wonder of fairs and festivals. I was able to share my sister's birthday with her this weekend. I haven't been able to do that for a very long time. We hit two different festivals as a family and then enjoyed camping at Muskegon State Park which I have written about before. My mentor told me I should visit water every chance I can and believe me, this summer, I took her advice and ran with it.

Clogging Superstars

What do you say about a sister that you can remember being the best sister in the world. She is six years older and when I was little, she was like a second mom. She hovered over and protected me but most important, she always included me with her friends and always made me feel welcome. I love my sister.

My wonderful big sis







If I were inclined to get a dog....I would consider a bull mastiff.

They are better known as gentle giants but they are just adorable.

This puppy intrigued me.

St. Joe County 4-H Fair

Summer isn't complete unless you attend the annual 4-H Fairs. Last week we saw and met Taylor Hicks at Elkhart's fair. This week it was St. Joe's fair. The sights and sounds are the best as the carnival rides, food stands, and animals fill the senses with the best of what summer offers.

We took in the grandstand show which was absolutely fantastic. A tribute band called American English reproduced the Beatles with an eerie realism that if you closed your eyes, they were there and you were back in the 60's. I was a very devoted Beatle Fan. I was such a fan that after I graduated high school, I worked three jobs to earn enough to travel to England, St. Johns Wood to be exact and I met Sir Paul McCartney and his wife, Linda, and their daughter, Mary along with their romping dogs at his home. Sounds outlandish, but I promise you, the experience happened and I was very blessed to be able to tell someone I admired growing up how much they meant to me. My teen years were plagued with a lot of family problems and Paul and his music were my escape, my solitude, and my safe place. Being able to share my art with him and to tell him meant a lot to me, especially when everyone doubted me even getting near him. Linda was gracious and made a special trip back out of the house to tell me to have a great holiday. Sitting there watching my daughter and grandson enjoy the music of my youth was great as they loved it as much as I did.

You have to know that with anything I do...there has to be an "event". This was no exception. Intermission brought an Elvis impersonator to the stage. There truly is only one Elvis impersonator that actually has ever captured Elvis with reverence and dead on accuracy. Doug Church has, does, and always will be the only one that Elvis himself would have been proud of. So, this impersonator jumps from the stage and proceeds to "shmooze" the ladies and he went up to one and proceeded to plop down on her lap....unfortunately, fair chairs are rather, um, cheap and the woman went crashing down..... He laughed about it until he saw the woman running down the isle to leave due to humiliation, tears, and so "Elvis" goes running down the isle after her....talking her into coming back not to her seat as hers is flatter than a pancake. Then he proceeded to smooch her all over her face. Meantime, a lady behind us is yelling "suspicious eyes" as her song request. The title is Suspicious Minds and we all around her could hardly hold it in. I just didn't have the heart to correct her but each time she yelled it, I seriously thought my sides were going to split.

After watching more of the American English, we left to let Dawson ride the rides and he had a blast as rides were one ticket each so he tackled four alone and then one with his mom. We bought a police memorial book for my son, Jon, on the way out to help support their quest to put our fallen policemen's names on a national memorial. Two of the policemen were Jon's friends, so I am sure he will love the tribute to his friends. It was a great night. Family, laughter, and great food, music, and old fashioned fun.

My silly little Dawson waiting for the concert to begin.

Lindsay and her boy

The family enjoying the evening together.

Lindsay shared a ride with Dawson

American English....Beatle tribute band....FANTASTIC!

Taylor Hicks - Do I Make You Proud....YES!!!!!

American Idol is a mainstay in this household as well as with the rest of the family. Avid watchers, we have voted, screamed at the voting, and cheered on most of the idols. We voted for Kelly, Clay, Diana, Taylor, Carrie, and Jordan. We have seen most in concert at this point and last night, we added another to our list. Taylor Hicks (Dawson's fave from the audition stage) solo who appeared at the Elkhart County 4-H Fair. We were fortunate to see Idols on Tour where he and the entire top ten appeared. We had track seats and were able to get many good pics of Taylor. What a ball of energy. Some artists look and sound different in person but not Taylor. The one big surprise was his loss of weight since the show and his new dancing abilities. That boy can keep an audience entertained. You never knew whether he was going to sing, play the harmonica, or break out the guitar. Afterwards we were going to leave but noticed that some had gathered on the side of the stage where the singer's buses were. We had a clue that possibly with the small group remaining that Taylor might stop out for some autographs. The crowd grew as we waited but luckily we had front spots just in case. Sure enough after a refreshing shower, Taylor came out. The rules were, no pics with him but you were welcome to snap away. He quickly made his way down the line rarely looking up until......he came to our little group. He stopped, looked up and discussed the show with us paying close attention to Dawson and what his mom was saying to him. After a while he moved on but not without little after smiles to the group and finally a personalized wave to us as he left the area. It was definitely one of "those moments" you will remember. All I can say is that we thought he was very good looking before the evening but after our up, close, and personal encounter with him, I can say with confidence that...no words can describe his looks and how incredibly nice he was. He signed Dawson's shirt..pictured.... What an awesome evening with the "Soul Patrol".

Taylor Encounter pics

On our way to the concert!

Awaiting the concert! Dawson was in the same row but with his Dad.

Courtney and Lindsay waiting for the music to begin!

Taylor with his famous harmonica

Taylor gettin' down

Can you tell he works hard for the money?

See the lightbulb? Linz got the idea to wait after the concert.

Taylor as he came out to meet the fans.

"The" first (well, not mine...I was holding the camera) eye to eye encounter!

Listening to Dawson telling him his history of being his fan!

Signing Dawson's shirt as he stood on a chair.

The famous "Signature" on D's shirt!

"I JUST MET TAYLOR HICKS"