In my life my testimony and my faith has continually been strengthened by those around me. I suppose that is why we are counseled to surround ourselves with good people. The people that have strengthened me range in age, some are young, some are older. Some are lifelong friends and some are complete strangers. Yet their stories and their lives have touch me. And have caused me to grow. And reflect on my life.

Within this last month my testimony has certainly been strengthened. And it's a direct result of one of my best friends and the beautiful baby boy she is carrying. She is 24 weeks pregnant, he has yet to take a breathe in this mortal life, but he has already taught me so much. He is a fighter. And I know it's because his mama is a fighter. Juliann is one of a kind. She is beautiful and funny and she is kind. She is an amazing mother, and a wonderful friend. Her strength continually has me in awe. I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he sent that precious little boy to her.

I pray for them daily.
I miss them.

AND I am so blessed to have them both in my life.

I love you two...

This little letter was given to me courtesy of one

Johanna Shepherd...

it's a crazy letter from a crazy person...

but I laughed!!!

My name is Megloaf and I am DRAMA! I love turkey drumsticks and flaming pears glazed with alcohol free bourbon. I stand face to face with danger, there isn't a fire alarm available that can make me run from a building, fire or not!!! Run from me fire, extinguish yourself, spare yourself. I am a pear, to fill out britches is my specialty. Do massages work? Not on narrow shoulders, birdlike shoulder blades. CAW. These make up me, Megloaf Extraordinaire who favors flip flops to show off my shorty toes.

Race For the Cure 2011

I run for hope

I run to feel

I run for the truth for all that is real

I run for MY MOTHER

your sister

you wife

I run for you and me my friend

I RUN FOR LIFE!!!

Those words sum up why every year I choose to participate in the Race for the Cure.

And why I will continue to do so.

(check out the song here...... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgiwrvEX8wY )

Every year I am reminded just how lucky I am to have my mom. It seems that every year someone touches my heart in a different way. This year it was a little girl who could not have been much older than Allysa. She was sitting in a wagon playing with a doll. On the side of her wagon was a sign that read "I race in loving memory of my Grandma". I realized how easily Allysa could be participating in memory of rather than in celebration of her Nonnie.

So hug those around you a little tighter,

speak words of kindness,

find and experience love, and once you do...don't let go of, don't be afraid of it,

Forgive those that have hurt you,

let those you love know just how much you love them.

Because tomorrow is guaranteed for no one.

I'm so blessed to have my mom in my life.
She is the ultimate example of love, and strength and faith.

Here are some pictures from the Race

I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place,

when they can fly anywhere on Earth.

And then I ask myself the same question.

from my diary....

I know God has not forgotten me nor has he forgotten the desires of my heart. I know that when Mr. Right comes into my life, all the tears I've cried, all the lonely nights, all the struggles and times I have wanted to give up will no longer matter. Nothing prior to him will matter, only him and us, and our life together.

"be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10

these 8 words bring peace like few others can.

they humble me.

and remind me to be patient.

they are words from a loving Heavenly Father.

given to remind us that he knows what is best for us.

he knows what we can handle.

and what we can't.

he must have a lot of faith in me because lately I feel as though I am not handling life well.

I feel anxious.

and very impatient.

but every time I read these words I am comforted.

and I'm grateful.

Every now and then life hands us a friendship that is so unexpected that it literally humbles us to the core.

My friendship with my brother has been that for me.

It's safe to say that growing up we weren't very close. I think I had big sister syndrome, also known as jealousy. Kevin was and still is the baby of the family. He was great kid, I was a rebel. I realize that now, but then I didn't. So I was a jerk. I used to beat him up, and I can still vividly remember the day he punched me back and it hurt. He got in trouble for that one. My past relationship definitely put a strain on our friendship as well. It's an extremely hard thing to witness someone you love and care about be treated poorly. There came a point that to stand by and watch me hurt and do nothing was too much for him. It's not that he threw the towel in on me but it was just too much, too painful to watch. And I get that. Looking back on those choices, that relationship, I realize how much pain I must have put my family through. It's something at times I wish I could take back, something I could fix. But life doesn't allow for that.

The relationship that my brother and I have now is an amazing one. He is without a doubt one of my best friends. It's the type of relationship that I longed for for many years. It's the kind that I want my children to have. I know that day or night he would be there for me, and that he's one of my biggest cheerleaders. Even though he's my little brother I feel that he cares for me the way an older protective brother would. He's not shy to tell me that a particular guy doesn't deserve me, which let's face it I need all the help I can get in that area.

But one of my favorite things about Kev is that he's real. He's not afraid to show emotion. He laughs, he cries. He tells those around him how he feels. He's the best uncle my kids could have and I have no doubt that when the day comes he will be the best father around. I'm beyond blessed to have Kevin in my life and I just wanted him to know.

~After a girl is grown, her little brother- now her protector-

seems like a big brother~

Truth for Mature Humans

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an

argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't

want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is a great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you suppose to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they

told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't

at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes

a moment at work when you know that you just

aren't going to do anything productive

for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after

Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection....again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes made to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. Do not machine wash or tumble drys" means I will never wash this....ever.

15. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (hello? hello?, just crap!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail. What did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so i know not to answer when they call.

18. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

19. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any

given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with

Miller Light than with Kay.

20. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

21. Sometimes, I'll watch a movie that I watched when I was younger and suddenly realize I had no idea what the heck was going on when I first saw it. The movie Contact, yep.

22. I would rather try to carry 10 over-loaded plastic bags in each hand than take 2 trips to bring my groceries in.

23. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text.

24. I have a hard time deciphering the find line between boredom and hunger.

25. How many times is it appropriate to say "what"? before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

26. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at front.

Stay strong, brothers and sisters.

27. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever.

28. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber and dumber every year?

29. There's no worse felling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

30. As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate bicyclists.

31. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

32. Ever under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey, but I'd bet my *** everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time.

I found the following pieces of advice while searching for something for a friend, and thought they were great reminders not only to myself but to any woman at any point in her life.

***

Go for the guy that makes you feel like you are more important to him then the air in his lungs and the stars in his sky; the guy who makes you feel on top of the world is the one who will keep you there.

***

11 Things Every Girl Should Hold Out For

1. A guy who can make you smile...Some things in life are not funny. Can he make you at least chuckle when the chips are down?

2. A guy who will laugh at your jokes and "get" you...He might not understand you perfectly on the first date, but if you think you're funny at tall, I hope he gets that and appreciates it about you.

3. A guy who will attend your lame "things"...Adult dance recital, Mom's birthday party? Find the guy who will go to something boring even though he will get nothing out of it- he'll go for you.

4. A guy who will do nothing with you...And I mean nothing, if you're feeling low-energy, anti-social, or blah, can he sit and do nothing with you or does he always leave you on the couch and go party with the guys? And could you two entertain each other on a deserted island or while stuck in traffic.

5. A guy who will give you a thoughtful gift or card...not every time, obviously, but I would hope he would have his moments of showing you he has thought about you.

6. A guy who will say he loves you...I do not care about his made-up theory that love is just a social construct or what have you. Hold out for someone who can and will say it. Also, he shouldn't say it just because you want him to; he should say it because it feels good to say it.

7. A guy you respect...Does he have a good head on his shoulders? Does he like his job? Is he proud of himself?

8. A guy you have good chemistry with...He doesn't have to be Jude Law, but you should be attracted enough so that every time you have an argument, you will be motivated (by your underlying desire for him)to work it out.

9. A guy who agrees with you about travel...If you have wanderlust and he never wants to leave his hometown, don't compromise by staying with him long-term and staying home. It's fine to be a homebody, but if you're interested in exploring, find a guy with the travel bug. Otherwise, you'll look back one day when you're too old, tired or broke and you'll wish you had seen the world.

10. A guy with similar family goals...Don't compromise on whether or not you'll have kids. If you want them, find a guy who does.

*and the most important one*

11. Wait for a guy who sees you the way you want to be seen...He thinks you're smart, funny, beautiful, and powerful-ALWAYS. Even on days when you can't believe any of that about yourself.

***

Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or will stay awake just to watch you sleep...wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have you....the one who will turn to his friend and say "that's her".

***

so 10 years ago I graduated highschool.
I was headed to college to play soccer and become a nurse.

I was 17.

still just a girl.

and I planned to take on the world.

...

I'm now 27.

I'm a mother (similar to a nurse without a paycheck).
I sit on the side lines of my son's soccer games.

I'm a woman...

however I still plan to take on the world.

...

This last weekend was my 10 year highschool reunion.

Cougars

(as in the animal not old prowling women)

came from all over the country to celebrate

our youth, our friendships and SLHS.

...

sometimes growing up in a small town was hard.

especially when you were somewhat of a "rebel"...

but I do love that many of the people I graduated Kindergarten with are the ones I graduated Highschool with.

And they are the ones that I was able to reconnect with Saturday.

Some are moms.

others are dads.
there are teachers.

and

lawyers.

Mr. Cook is going to soon be Dr. Cook.

Yet the thing that we all have in common is where we grew up.

It's a family of sorts.

And I kind of love it.

...

Then... Now....

Things I learned from my weekend with the Burkes....

* We are grazers.

* Regardless of how great we

think we are at Rock Band we should not quit our day jobs,

except for Ry he can sing.

* Billy missed his calling as a runway model.

* Nana loves Kevin more than me.

* I am too old to stay up till 4 am two nights in a row.

*Patrick has reflexes like a cat, all nimbly bimbly, jumping in the pool after Ally.

*Ryan has a smile that lights up the room...I realized I miss our summers together, but am so happy to have those memories.

*Nana doesn't currently, nor has she ever liked Bananas.

* Nikole is an amazing girl, seriously world watch out!
* Although we may not cut it as rock stars there is hope for us as a family circus.

* That some people shouldn't talk about dinosaurs when they have had too much to drink.

* Friendship is a beautiful thing....seeing my Nana hug her best friend Joy and hearing her say "I thought I'd never see you again" was such a special moment.

*Cody and Kohl are buds.

* My brother is an excellent stalker.

*I'm blessed to be the only granddaughter surrounded by some of the most amazing men.

*I will never get tired of having my Nana sing "Daddy's little girl" for me.

* My dad could be a hairy, slightly bigger, Steve Erwin
*Old family photos=hours of laughter.

* C-walk (or C-whack according to my mom) is a bowling shark, Frisbee shark, underwater swimming shark, ping-pong shark etc...

**ringer**

*Fire Hydrants can do damage to your cars' bumper.

*Zack and Linds are like the cutest couple ever.

*When Nana said her "gentlemen friend" was a SOB for not coming to her party I almost died.

*Kevin's got a sick 6-pack, too bad it rubbed off because it was 115 outside.

*In my mother's eyes is a beautiful song, especially when sung by my Aunt Pat to my Nana.

*We are winners, similar to Charlie Sheen,

but with more tiger blood.

***Most of all I realized that I am blessed beyond measure. I have an amazing and loving family. It's an awesome thing to walk into a room full of people and know that they love you and support you. As I've gotten older I've realized how special and rare that is. It's how family should be, but far too often it's not. My family has taught me so much....they've taught me to treat people like family, to not know a stranger. They've taught me to laugh. And that it's ok to cry. They've taught me to believe in myself. But most of all they have taught me love.

And love is a beautiful thing.

LiTtLe MiSs SaSsY pAnTs TuRnS 2!!!

So although her symptoms

(tantrums, saying NO a million times, not listening, spitting...yes spitting, so gross right?, saying shu-up, etc...) started several months ago...

Allysa has now officially turn 2!

We celebrated her birthday several weeks ago, and were surrounded once again by many family and friends. I love birthdays, it's such a good reminder as to how blessed the kids and I are. We have the most amazing family and friends in the world.

Ally's party also helped me to realize just how much I love parties! Someday when my dream man sweeps me off my feet I think Is shall start a party planning business...until then Kohl and Ally will have the bestest parties around!

Here's some pictures from her party:

...MoThErHoOd...

So mornings at our house are similar to tornadoes...it's madness. Sometimes I feel as though I'm a chicken with it's head cut off. This morning was no exception. However I came across a scene that caused me to pause and reflect on how precious Motherhood is...

From the time I was little the one thing I knew I wanted to be was a mother. Don't get me wrong like other little girls I also dreamed of being a nurse, a teacher, an astronaut at one point even. But regardless of what career path I choose I knew I wanted to be a Mom while doing it.

Watching Ally this morning put a diaper on her sock monkey melted my heart. She's already motherly, maybe not when she chokes the dog, but it's there. I see it. And I love it.

Motherhood is such a blessing, it's something that I don't think has or will ever get the credit it deserves. It's the hardest job one could have, but with the greatest of rewards. Paychecks come in the form of kisses and I love yous.

Sadly the world doesn't seem to put value in motherhood.

It seems that society today frowns on a woman who chooses to stay home and raise a family, I long for those days. I daydream of them, while I'm selling cable to this person or internet to that person. I dream of staying home and taking care of my babies, of cooking dinner for my family. I dream of a hot, hot husband (it's my dream he might as well be hot right?) to come home from work happy to see me, and our rug rats. One day I hope to have it.

I'm grateful for the women and the mothers in my life that have been amazing examples. That have cherished motherhood. It's an amazing gift, one that I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for.

-word to your mother!-

---my happy lines---

So for the past couple of weeks, possibly even months I have been noticing lines, dare I say wrinkles when I smile.

Up until this morning my thoughts have gone something like this: I'm 27, I'm entirely way too young to have wrinkles. Granted I'm a single mom with 2 kids, I work full time, go to school part time....(should I continue??), I get it my plate is kind of full so maybe it's aged me some, but still I'm only 27,wrinkles really???

Needless to say I have not been excited about these little buggers.

But while examining them in the mirror this morning I realized that they aren't wrinkles caused by my full plate but they are my "happy" lines. They only appear when I smile. And when I realized that I thought back to this last year and found that I am happy.

I'm happier than I have been in years, and I mean years (lots and lots of years). I feel like at 27 I'm finally beginning to realize who I am and who I have the potential to become, and that, my friends, is a great feeling.

2010 was an amazing year! I hiked Havasupai, jumped out of an airplane with my best friend, moved out on my own (Hallelujah!), Allysa turned 1, Kohl was baptized. It was truly a great year. I'm beyond blessed. And it's because I'm surrounded by the best of friends, along with a wonderful and supporting family.

Let me just add that 2011 isn't looking too shabby either.

I guess the moral of this post is that at first glance one may just see wrinkles, but upon further examination one couldn't help but see them as happy lines.

Here's wishing you all lots and lots of "happy lines".