What I learned from my son over the last 27 years

Happy Birthday J.W.
Today is my son's 27th birthday and this post is dedicated to him.

J.W,
I have learned many things from you over the years
and I thought I would share them here.

Many years ago, I was told you would not live to see this age.
Well, here you are.
I learned what man says is not necessarily true.
God is in control, not the doctors.

While you didn't hit the childhood milestones
when the doctor's thought you should,
you hit them when you hit them.
I learned to run my race from that.
It is not necessary to compete with others.

Run your race at your own pace.


I learned that it takes just as much energy to smile
as frown. As I look back, you are a smiler, and
what a charming smile you have.

You see people as people. Disabilities don't exist.
You accept people equally.
I have learned from you that all people really
are created equal.
I've learned to look through the eyes that God gave me.

I smile when I see this photo.

You gave your franc's to someone that was in need.
You kept a couple for yourself but shared what you had with someone else.
The gift was compassion and to share with those in need.


You have an incredible sense of humor.
This photo that was taken at Jeff and Dorothy's house when Jeff
was home in July says it all.

You were not well that day but carried on.
To look at this picture, you'd never know how ill you were.
A smile and a sense of humor can carry you through anything.

I am so proud of you and the young man you have become.

Happy birthday and may God bless you with many more.
We love you.

Thank you for teaching your mom so much.

It huffed and puffed

and blew the neighbor's tree down on our house.

The 2 Christmas market posts were set to run via blogger options.
Don't you love that feature? I do.
While those were up, this is what was up on our roof.
I prefer Santa.


That storm that now has pretty much run havoc on the rest of the country,
hit us on Monday evening.
It rained on and off all day but the real storm hit that night.
It was a time of prayer, I can tell ya.
This is what we saw in our yard on Tuesday morning.

Big ouch!

Many people are still without power.
I am so thankful we are O.k.
Years ago, a microburst came through during the monsoon
and my house was the lucky recipient of major damage.
It took months for all the work to be completed.

I guess we could decorate the tree for Pierre.

We are waiting for removal.
The insurance company said to leave it alone and that is what we are doing.
Tommy is a little confused though.

I pray that everyone across the country has come through with no
major problems.
We are praying for you.

Keeping the faith

What a week this has been.
Blessings and complications.

I dropped hubby off at the airport this morning for CO.
Many of you know that his mother has been fighting ovarian cancer for some time.
We try to get up there as often as possible to visit.
He took some vacation time and this visit had been planned for a while.

His younger sister has had some health problems for a while as well.
She fell and broke her wrist and ended up in the hospital.
The broken wrist was a blessing in disguise!
She has been seeing doctors for several years and they really could not find out what the problem was.
Well, they discovered she has progressive MS.
Talk about a shock!

I am holding down the fort (my son has appointments that could not be rescheduled).
I hope to fly up later this week. Time will tell.

The moral of my post......if you think there is something wrong, and a Dr can't figure it out,
Keep going, if you can. Keep going until you find the one Doctor that can put it all together.

Have a blessed Sunday.
I love you all!

Prayer Request

Most of you know that I have a seriously ill son and over the last year have asked for prayer when needed.
Well, I am asking yet one more time.

The last few days have been difficult (o.k, the last 26 years really). He is back in the hospital and not doing well at all.

Any prayers would be greatly appreciated by all of us.

I love you all!

A little prayer request

Hi everyone,

Many of you know that my precious mother-in-law is very ill. She lives in Co. and we live in AZ.
My husband will be going back up next week. We need to work the trips around his job.
I will be staying here to help my son. I know we are not given more than we can handle.
Any prayers you can send this way would be very much appreciated. Faith has been seeing us through.

You have been so supportive and I just want you to know that it really means the world to us.

hugs and more hugs,
Barb

A ride on the merry-go-round of life

It has been a while since my last post. My intention has been to post a couple times a week but life does not always allow that. Last week was a busy one. A few minor health issues or what I call "a little hiccup in the scheme of things". All is o.k and I am still smiling (hehe).

A lot of you have read my previous posts about the FDA globalization Act of 2008. While it has not been put into place, I have felt that I need to make a change. I remember many years ago when I worked for Clinique. When I started with them, ingredients were not even listed on products. No one thought that would ever become mandatory. Now it is difficult to find anyone who remembers life before ingredient listing. I have been listening to the voice inside. You know, the one you hear when you are quiet and receptive. That voice has been telling me for a while that The French Elements needs to evolve and it is evolving as we speak. I guess I needed to have a health set back to really listen and act on what was being revealed to me.

I won't go into the details here but you can read Our story on the new website. Change can be scary, but I know this is a change that I am supposed to make. The look has changed( you rock Cathy), the focus has changed and I could not be happier. It will take some time to get everything up and running.
Right now, only the policies and Our story pages are finished. I hope to have it completed by the end of next week. But if not, I am not stressing about it. Life is way too short!



Yesterday was a long one but look what came in the mail to truly make my day. Sherry had
several giveaways and I was one of the lucky winners. When I came in last night and saw the box, I was so excited. When I opened it up, oh my goodness. The picture doesn't do it justice (shaky hands-hehe). The giveaway was this beautiful cup and saucer but Sherry included the makings of my very own tea party. Miss Hailey may be over this weekend and I intend to have a tea party with her. We will be using everything! The vintage spoon and butter knife will be put to good use. The variety of teas and the cookies-oh yes. This will be a fun party.

Thank you so much Sherry. I love everything and will think of you every time I use my beautiful cup and saucer. You brightened my day!

I also wanted to ask for some extra prayers and good thoughts for both my son and my darling mother-in law. You know about my son's health problems. Please hold him up in prayer.
My dear Mother-in-law has been diagnosed with stage4 ovarian cancer. She is young, only 75.
She is undergoing chemo but it is taking a toll. Please remember her in prayer.

Well, I have rambled on long enough. I am hoping to get around to visit everyone this week. If I don't make it around, know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Many hugs to each of you.

Sorry if you were offended....

When I started my blog, I thought I would tie it into my business. Well, that lasted a very short
time. I found a great community and the blog took a different turn. I recently heard from
someone who finds my prayer requests, etc. offensive. If I have a request, I certainly ask for it.

If I feel the need to post about a family in crisis, I am going to post about it.

Today would have been a my husband rocks post but it is not. Prayer rocks!

For those of you living in Ike's path, I am offering up prayer and a whole lot of other bloggers are
too.

I have learned over the years you can't please everyone. I am not trying to please everyone. I
will continue to ask for prayer when needed. I will continue to be myself. If that is offensive,
then it is offensive.

I hope all of you that read this, have a wonderful, blessed weekend.

Stay safe.

hugs,
Barb

A New Day and Thank you, Thank you.

Thank you so much for all your kind thoughts and prayers. It is so appreciated. They made a difference and lightened the load. This has been an extremely difficult couple of weeks but knowing there were so many keeping us in thought and prayer helped tremendously.



Andrea's funeral was Tuesday and the family is on their way to North Dakota where another service and burial are planned. The service here was lovely and I know Andrea was smiling down when Jayde took the microphone and gave an amazing impromptu talk.



Jayde and Hailey are staying here for a few days while mommy and daddy are taking care of business. I have missed my blogging friends but will be making my way around to visit.

Again, my heartfelt thanks to all.

Thank you and asking for additional prayer

Thank you for your love, support and prayers. I can't believe the emails, comments, and phone calls. My youngest son is home and doing a bit better. Thank God.

We are asking for additional prayers however. Last night my darling DIL Dorothy found her mother dead when she went over to visit. I am thankful that Dorothy's best friend was with her so she was not alone at such an unbelievable time. Her mother had a massive heart attack. I know Dorothy's mom is at peace. Please continue to keep my family in your prayers.

I am at a loss for words. God bless you all.

You Know It's Hot When......

You know it's hot when:

1. Even the cactus are dead

2. The hot water heater is turned to vacation mode and you have scalding water

3. You cannot bribe Tommy to go outside to do his business

4. You take the clothes out of the washer and they are
already dry

5. You are dry when you step out of the shower.

6. Your low temperature is 90 degrees



All kidding aside, we are on a record heatwave this summer.

Please say a prayer for those that don't have a place to get out of the heat. The shelters are so crowded with those trying to get some relief. I'm very thankful that we have been blessed with what we have.

Powerful Prayers

Just a quick post to say that my son is doing much better.

He was released from the hospital (he is not a good patient) for home care.
We are waiting on the results from a few tests but overall he is much better.

God is merciful and the miracles I see always amaze me.

Thank you to those that prayed. Prayer is very powerful.

A time for Prayer

My son went into the hospital yesterday with some serious complications from Type1 diabetes.
Several years ago the Doctor said he probably would not make it to 28. He is 25.
I don't believe in numbers but I do believe in the power of prayer.

As you go through the day, please say a prayer. It is very much appreciated.