Next Vacation

Here it is midweek and I am already longing for the next vacation. I am hoping to do something special for our 10 year anniversary. I admire the people I know who take a vacation every year. I hope our family can do that all the time in the near future. I would love to experience the sights, sounds, and foreign food. The only sunset I have seen outside of Texas was in Laguna Beach. Talk about a vacation. The people we met all seemed to be spiritual, wealthy, and lovers of life. Being there looked just like the movies only better. I loved how everyone there seemed to be open minded. Typical conversations were about following your path and understanding life experiences. I felt at home there. I didn't see a church on every corner like I see here, but the presence of God was still there. Like the beach, the skyline, dolphins, and beautiful people who seemed happy and serene.

Sweet Memories

I miss my relatives from Thailand. Especially, my sweet aunt who favored me always wanted the best for me. She desired success for my future. She is a professor at a prestige college in Thailand. I remember when I talked to her on the phone, and told her I was pregnant (as a teen) she sighed... oh no! I knew she was disappointed but she quickly recovered and made the comment of I was strong and I can still finish school. Though I didn't believe her, I agreed and said I would finish school. As we continue to grow and learn who we are, I look back on the sweet memories of promises and affirmations I said I would do. To be true to yourself is to accomplish things you know you can or cannot do. As I remember the good memories, I realized I have already taken such steps to be who I wanted to be as a kid. I wanted to be a nurse or doctor, a counselor, a Sunday school teacher, a nun, a princess who marries the prince, a mother, and a leader in church.
Its funny, I am going to school for nursing and ministry. I have done the Sunday school teacher and Chaplaincy program. I have a wonderful husband who calls me the queen of the house, and really smart kids (smart ass too). I have the experience of most of these except the degree, and acting as a church leader. I do plan to get a Ph.D in the long run. I just chose to take the really long way. So in honor of my Aunt from Thailand, I pray for your happiness and say Thank You for how you have loved me.
(This pic is of me as a 4 yr old celebrating with my Aunt receiving her Doctrine degree.)

Letting Go

I took the day off to see the children off to their first day back to school. I was both excited and saddened at the same time. I spent the day keeping myself busy to keep my mind off of things. I have been more open with who I am to others, but some do not accept you as you are or who you are to become. I know the challenges I face are part of my growth but when it comes to saying goodbye its never really easy. I hope my children are better able to handle and tolerate issues of acceptance better than I was. I hope they will always accept others for who they are and I hope they will not change for others (unless its to better themselves). For me, staying in the spiritual closet caused me weight gain and depression. So when I finally moved forward I had to decide if being accepted by others was more important than being true to myself. I am glad I have come forward. I have met so many great spiritual teachers, witnessed miracles, and learned from spiritual leaders of our time. And I look forward to meeting more, as I continue to go forth and help others.
I pray... "God, thank you for supporting me and guiding me to be a great helper to others. I work for You to serve others, and You continue to reward me well. Please give my children a million times more then You have given me, I understand the importance of tithing, and I love nothing more than to give to others who are in need. Thank you for teaching me the importance of unconditional love, nonjudgement, and continue to bestow blessings for those who come and go from my life. Amen."

Sunday Gratitude

I missed church today because I slept in. Instead of hitting the snooze button, I accidently turned off the alarm. Oops. I felt guilty for not going to church, so I started to pray and I felt serenity. During meditation, the message I received was "get more sleep". That is so true! All last week I was getting at least 5-6 hours of sleep. If this goes on much longer it may possibly affect my health. I'm too young to have issues. I am already being tested for my thyroid. But I know everything will be great if I take good care of myself.

Sunday's Gratitude: I am grateful for my "true" spiritual friends who believe in me and support me. Friends who I can be myself with, the ones that never let me down, and who never give up on pushing me back up when I fall. Though I have many friends, I only have a handful of the "true spiritual " supportive friends. And for those friends I pray...

"Thank you God for my dear friends who never give up on me. I ask that my friends be blessed with prosperity, youthfulness, romance, protection, laughter, peace and joy. I ask that they have the strength and courage to follow their dreams, and may their children have even better. I know that every prayer is answered and I ask that you answer my prayer now. Amen." -Thank you God.

(The pic above is a Peace Garden with a statue of St.Francis. A saint who had a special connection with animals and was a devoted friend.)

A Child's Happiness

I went to work early this morning feeling like I didn't get enough sleep.

I made it through a busy morning with a smile on my face. Lovely couples coming into the hospital excited about possibly delivering their new baby today. It made me reminese about how excited I was each time I was expecting. I thought to myself, I would love to have more children if I were rich. Right now, I want my children to have all the things I never had. A variety of foods, a devoted father, name brand shoes, truthful spiritual teachings, and more importantly, a good education! I have sacrificied 2/3 of all the income I have earned from the past few years to pay tuition for schools I believed were the best for their growth. And as I have grown from Roman Catholic to Liberal Catholic, my children have also moved from strict Catholic school to Charter school. I used to pray and pray that I wanted the best for my children, and I have received an answer... their happiness. When I look back, I saw my children being taught how to be "right", to fit in, and to go by the book in the correct order. From point A to point B, not going forth to take a chance on something that could be daring (or what would others think.) But now, they have opinions, they sing, they dance, they read novels that expand their minds, they laugh at their mistakes, and they are realizing that their uniqueness is what makes them who they are.

I am amazed that these children who have big dreams and have surpassed many accomplishments being as young as they are, came through me... sent from Heaven by God. I say this from the bottom of my heart, Thank You God for you are indeed a Miracle worker! I know all that I have now in this moment is more than enough for me to enjoy life. My children's happiness is an important necessity in this lifetime. I am truly rich!

Make the best memories you possibly can for your children. Let go of the small stuff, let them be who they are, and ENJOY their presence.

(The pic above represents an answered prayer. It represents miracles no matter how small, are part of something bigger. God wants us to be happy and live the life He gave us. The same way we wish for our own children to be happy with this life.)

Summer's Over?

Today begins the last weekend of the summer (for me). We have had a wonderful summer! Alot of pool parties, fun birthday parties, Independence Day, my brothers' birthdays, summer weddings, gambling in Shreveport, reuniting with childhood friends, taking a Spanish course, kids in Karate class, MeiLing's baptismal, Romance Parties, spending quality time with my nieces, nephews, and "baby" cousins, and the best celebration of the summer, my sister returns home safely from Iraq. I am so joyous and blessed!

After school starts our next big family event will be in September. A quince for my baby cousin. Everytime I look at her I still see a 10 year old! And my oldest is eleven! I am amazed. I really did (and still do)enjoy every bit of time being a mom. I am blessed with the sweetest memories... with so much more coming my way!

(The pic above is a great looking family celebrating their July 4th together, and coincidently, all share summer birthdays.)

The challenge of TRUST

Well the week is almost over. And lately, I have been getting plenty of signs to go outside. I know I should take time out for some fresh air now and again but I just haven't found the time. I have been so focused on work and I have been distancing myself from drama. It seems like alot of my friends are going through some tough times. So I just hope the best for them and pray that maybe some day soon they will come to their senses and make positive changes. My life has been really peaceful for the past few years. I remember when my life was all about the drama... and I thought drama was important! Time has taught me so much, and today I still continue to learn and grow. I think my toughest challenge right now is Trust. I am learning to trust were I am being guided. Lately, the message has been to move forward. I am learning to release people and things that are no longer good for my higher self. What a challenge! How do you let go of things you have always known? It does hurt me inside to know that some of the people I care about choose to stay in the same disturbing situations. And I don't understand how they continue to live this way when they are role models to others. I guess it comes down to this... it's in God's hands, not mine! But sometimes, its hard to step back and watch people make mistakes. I have to just let them live their lives (with my mouth shut). I have not the kind of person to put my beliefs on others. I do believe everyone's faith is the correct one. But my challenge of just "accepting" is tough! Until, I learn to perfect this, I will keep my distance from drama. I just have to practice to learn Trust!
Dear God, help me to Trust. Amen.

(I love this pic above from Hayhouse. I admire this picture because it represents Trust in God (in my opinion). This angel fully trusts her Creator.)

Surgery Cancelled

My sweet goddaughter was scheduled to have her first surgery this morning. I came into work thinking I'd go visit her in the hospital during lunch since its across the street. I called her mother (my sis) before I left and she said her surgery was cancelled and has not been rescheduled yet. I wonder why? My sis has the impression it was the doc's mistake for not scheduling a preop before hand. Should this be true, I am grateful it has been cancelled. When preparing for any kind of surgery the staff and surgeon should be fully prepared! Especially when it comes to my goddaughter. When I leave work to go home I know my children will be excited when I tell them. I just have to trust that God know what He's doing. I am so good good at providing comfort, guidance, and advice to friends, coworkers, and acquaintances BUT when it concerns me or my family I easily worry, feel insecure with not having control of the situation, and question my faith. Today I will not do that! I know we all have our angels to help us get through tough situations. I know everyone has a purpose or mission to fulfill, including sweet babies like my goddaughter. So I will seek comfort in knowing that her Entourage of Angels are with her giving her comfort to get through this next challenge.

(I love the pic above. It gives me reassurance that everything is in Divine Order and we are never alone...especially children.)

School Supplies

I am so grateful that my children attend a charter school. I feel fortunate that my children are receiving an awesome education. And the kids are much happier at charter school, before charter school it was Catholic school. Now that my youngest starts kindergarten this will be a new experience for her. She too, just finished a preschool program at a Catholic school, which in my opinion is the best Catholic school in the DFW area, St.George. Before that, I was very happy when my older kids were in different Catholic school (until my son was diagnosed with ADHD which can be a problem for the school's reputation if my son didn't take his prescibed medication). (I will not say what Catholic school that was, because if you can't say something nice then don't say nothing at all.) I refused to put my son on Ridilin so I asked for guidance. Answered prayers sent me a wonderful charter school for them to attend, what a blessing! We have a week left before school starts and we are almost ready except for the one thing I dread the most... buying school supplies. Back when my kids were in Catholic school all we did was pay a fee and the school supplies were taking care of. But its not like that for the charter school... the list is scary. For just one child I will have to go to 3 different stores just met the needs of the supply list. I am overwhelmed with the list for 3 kids, one in kindergarten, one in the 5th grade, and one for the 6th grade. Yikes! Last year I spent $150 on school supplies. I was hoping it wouldn't be anymore than that but this list is alot scarier that last years list. God help me.
(The pic above is of my youngest 5yr old who Simpsonized herself.)
www.simpsonizeme.com

2007-2008

Its another new school year for the kids including myself. Time to get back into the prereqs sciences that are mandatory for my degree. I have to be balanced and disciplined for home, school, and work. We will take it one semester at a time. My children are excited about this school year, and my youngest starts kindergarten. I am grateful I have accomplished so many feats at the young age of 29. Last year, I was guided to start journaling and I put it off. Today, I continue to get the same message from the universe to start journaling... so here I am.

(The pic above is a beautiful angel, to me represents, a prayer that I have asked for continued magical blessings to be bestowed upon me and my family.)