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~