The Journey Begins - Week One

I am so ready to put my heart into our new lives and this new chapter in mine and Demi's life.  I have been re-reading a book by Cheryl Richardson called Life Makeovers which is 52 Practical and Inspiring Ways To Improve Your Life One Week At A Time. 

I will start with my OLW or better known as the One Little Word I have chosen for 2011.  My OLW is HOPE.  When I asked Demi randomly one night she said HOPE too. 

The hope for a new start and a new life as we begin over.    


   

BiT's Updates and a New Book/Blog to Share....32nd day of giving/kindness!

I hope you had a great Tuesday.  We have been hit with that snow/ice/sleet storm and had a day off today.  We also got word we have the day off tomorrow.  I love it because I so needed it but I wish it was with pay.  That part is not so good but may give my back and legs a rest from packing and moving.  I am so ready to be done and have 2 days left before that is completed.  Where did all the stuff come from and why haven't I been better at purging?  Oddly enough today as I was channeling surfing, I heard this guy named Dave talk about his new book http://guynameddave.com/about-the-100-thing-challenge/.  Boy do I wish I had heard about this long before this past week.  I am so tempted to get here this month because I am on a mission to live simply with a NEW outlook on our lives daily.  I thought I lived simply but I realized with this move that I have been married to my house and business for many years.  Much to my surprise, I am almost relieved to be going through this transition and am looking forward to a FRESH NEW START in 2011. 

So what about you, could you live with a hundred personal items?  Not sure I can get there but I sure would love to try! 

I want to live again, be FREE and make the most of everyday.  Live life to the fullest in every way.  I want to let go of the past and FORGIVE more freely without holding on.  I want to live my life the way a Christian loves her heavenly father.  Not keeping score and living in the past.  Not being a victim of her past.  Not being bitter.  Accepting responsibility for where I am, ready to make some significant changes in every area of my life and being open to what the LORD has in store for us, our family.  So ready...heart and mind become one on this journey and being grateful for our blessings and challenges in the past and today!

Hope you have a great Wednesday and remember on this 32nd day to reach out and make someone else's day better be it your kids, husband, mom and or neighbor.  Today I was amazed at our news coverage and a good samaritan who took a four wheeler to the freeways to help stranded motorist that had been on the freeways for hours just because.  That brought a huge smile to heart today.  This week my big give is to help a non profit with clothes and furniture, the stuff I am not taking with me so they can use it in a good way.  I hope to start doing this twice a year as a way to purge and clean out the clutter.  I also would encourage you to do this because it is a good tax write off. 

BiT

Day 23 ~ Sick Child

I am sad to say that I think my lil angel may have the flu...darn it!  We just got her flu mist 9 days ago so I guess we missed the window.  The good thing is if she stays asleep she will get 12 hours which she so needs and I am off to join her as soon as I prepare for work tomorrow and also get Demi ready for school just in case.  She wasn't running a fever either so that is a good sign. 

I am also sad at how the weekend turned out.  So many emotions and lots to do with noone to really talk to...made me look at my life and how I have invested all of my time and energy into my family and when I really needed them, they were no where to be found.  Made me realize that I am going to open myself up for a move and look outside this area for a teaching position.  I have limited myself because I wanted to keep Demi by them but I am not going to be so close minded anymore.  Praying the Lord will show me where and what soon.

Go JETS....this is for my NY family....hoping they can pull it off in the next few minutes.  If not it has been a great game.  I thoroughly enjoyed my fantasy football league this year too with all my lady and scrapbooking friends all over the US.  I took 3rd place and did win some money.  Even if I didn't it is something that I enjoy so much.

So I hope that someone RAKs you tomorrow and that you in return find the time to make someone else's day better just because you could.

Happy Monday,
Diana with lots of xoxoxoxoxo

Day 22 ~ Expectations and Empathy

Expectations and Empathy......how do you describe both of these words and feelings?

I set myself up for disappointment due to expectations from family and friends this weekend regarding my move.  I get that life happens but is it too much for a few to give up an hour or two to help someone in need to get out of her home within the week?  Why does life seem to be so hard and frustrating?  I will find a way to get moved or empty my house even if I don't get it all to stoarge without the help of those I thought would help me out today.  I don't want their help now and as I sit here today am so glad that I am the type of person who doesn't need to be asked or begged for help.  When I see the need I just do it.  I have to remind myself, especially after today remind myself that not everyone is the same way.

Do you like to be validated when you are feeling a certain way?  Why is it that some just don't get that...it really doesnt mean you have to agree with any of it but isn't nice to have those you care about acknowledge your feelings good bad or indifferent.  I am so happy I dont need that often too because I would just be disappointed much more.

I am glad I am self sufficient.  Although I am worn out and ready to be done with all of this, I will find a way to survive this and move on.  I know when I look back upon this time that I will see this as a blimp on the line of life. 

Did you find time for your RAK?  I have to admit that I don't think I did today and will look to double up tomorrow, sometime, someway.  Hope you will join me.  I am still looking to hear some new and awesome ideas regarding PIFS and RAKS. 

What was amazing today was the message at church, LOVE!!  Best expression of Love is TIME.  The Best Time to Love is NOW.  So agree and after my day, so enjoyed this message.  Hoping you know you are loved and that I think you are great in all you do and are every minute of every day.

xoxoxoxo
Diana

Day 21 ~ The Journey of LIFE...

The journey of life does not always turn out as we expect. It is not what happens to us but how we respond to the daily grind of each day. I must remind myself of that every day and know that God has plans for hope and a future and that is what keeps me going. 

What do you do when you need your cup filled up??

Paying It Forward...... The gift of giving...Random Acts of Kindness....Rachel's challenge....there are so many wonderful ways to express and show others we care and God's love.  Hoping whatever you call it that you are enjoying each day and the opportunities you come across.

xoxoxo

Day 19 ~

I will just say I love what I am blessed to do these days and was taken back with the students I had today and their good manners. 

Here is to tomorrow and another day to share God's love and I must admit praying my friends did well today on their tests.

Hope you were PIFfed and or PIFfed someone else...are you filled with JOY??? 

Quick question, what makes you UNIQUE??  What LOVE LANGUAGE are you?  What brings you PURE JOY?  What DREAMS do you have and or do you have a BUCKET LIST?  Do your kids have DREAMS at their age and a BUCKET LISt, why or why not?  Are you HAPPY and or filled with JOY?  If so why?  Why not?  What are you most THANKFUL for today?  What could you live without or CHANGE?  Who are your HEROS?  Why?  Just some random questions that I plan to answer this week  along with sharing my word for '11.   

I am hoping for a great nights rest, uninterrupted sleep with dreams that make me laugh and happy.  Demi has these kinds of dreams and it makes me want to jump in and join her...would so love to know what she dreams about...I love to hear her laugh in her sleep and am thankful she is still young. 

xoxoxoxo
Diana 

Day 18 ~ Thankful Tuesday and A Special Birthday Today

Happy Birthday to my gram, she would have been 104 years old today.  What is truly amazing to me is that she lived until she was 97 years old.  She passed on my 40th birthday and it marked a very special day to me in ways that I never saw coming.  I admire my gram as I do my mom, both are incredible women for many reasons.  Our family was so blessed to have her around for so many years.  Happy Birthday Gram who taught me that every day is a gift as she thought because she meerly got up for another day!!

Thankful Tuesday Today:
1.  My faith, the bible and our salvation
2.  My family and friends
3.  My new position as a tutor
4.  My health
5.  My 5 senses
6.  Compassion
7.  Sympathy which is so different than empathy
8.  Great neighbors
9.  Prayers, Miracles and HOPE
10  Random Acts of Kindness   

No prompt for today but hoping you had a great Tuesday and that you have been able to bless someone and feel the JOY of giving to someone unexpectently....if not it is not too late!!

I did mention my word for 2011 in this post but want to give it an explanation so I will be back tomorrow to give your more details.  I am excited about my word and the fact that out of the blue my sweet, caring, intuitive 10 year old angel said that "this word" is what she would choose for me?  A God Thing....love life, this life, this moment and time in our lives of a journey that is yet to be told.  Stay tuned....Give The Gift of Giving and see if you are not more blessed to give than receive this week.   

xoxoxo
Diana

The Gift of Giving RAK!!!!!

Do you want a chance to win a shirt from the hometown of the Superbowl right here in Arlington, TX?

Starting tomorrow and going through Feb 7th, for every post you leave here regarding a RAK, your name will be entered once into a drawing.  As soon as I pick up a SS, I will take a picture and post it here so you can see what the RAK is for all your GIFTS of GIVING.  (We still need to see what teams will be in the big game in case you are wondering why I need to wait)  If you scrap about it in any way, your name will be entered again.  I have some homemade goodies that I will be throwing in as well but right now that is still a "surprise" which will be revealed in the days to come.   PLZ dont forget to link me up so I can see your creation and enjoy your gift of giving with you, thanks!!!

I hope you will join me in the fun and the only thing you have to post is that you found time to Pay It Forward.  Don't forget to ask those you PIF to PIF someone else so that the ripple effect will touch more lives okay?  I am going to make cards to give away too.  I have SMILE cards that I ordered online.

So I hope you will join me in changing in the world one person at a time and for wanting to plant seeds of HOPE. 

C U tomorrow with my word of 2011 and with some hints of things to come in the days ahead <3

xoxoxoxo
Diana

Day 17 ~ The Gift of Giving Keeps on Giving... RAKS

Something I realized today...is that the more you show kindness to others the more they start to do the same.  I had a friend make my day today with a big huge drink from Mickey Ds...it was so what I needed and it was just what I needed to get my day started.  Loved the moment and love how this is affecting my friend daily. 

Did I mention her husband is coming home this week from Afghanistan for 15 days.  She is like a kid going on a date.  It is cute and it makes me long for that feeling again.  Maybe once I get moved, I will be open to LOVE and more.  That would be awesome.  It has been so long since I have dated.

I really hope if you had to work that you had a great day and if you had the day off that you enjoyed your time off with your family/yourself. 

Love this life and am so thankful for God's continued blessings, His protection and the ENERGY I am praying for this week to get through another MAPS test and a huge move. 

Have a blessed Tuesday and I will be with my "Thankful Tuesday" and the prompt for Day 18.   I am going to list a few random ideas of RAKS and again if you have some awesome ideas I would love to hear or read them.  I will also share some stories about how some local children are making a difference by doing some really cool things.

Love and hugs from TX,
BiT  

Thank Goodness for Sunshine Today!!!

I am so thankful for sunshine today.  I need it and must have it and it's days like today that remind of that in all ways from lifting my spirits to feeding my inner soul.  I love the SUN and warmer days!!

xoxoxoxo
Diana

Day 16 - The Gift of Dinner/The Gift of Clothes

Happy Sunday to you!

Did you find time for your random act of kindness?  Are you making time to do this daily/weekly? 

Today I am so thankful the opportunity to PIF twice! 

I am so exhausted from trying to get moved out of my house that I can't see straight.  I think I am mentally drained today.  It would be so much easier to move into a new home but with us moving in with my mom, we are cleaning our and getting rid of lots of "stuff".  I wasn't actually sure how I would feel but I am really looking forward to Making Our Life as Simple as Possible!!  Looking forward to a light load and the great thing is I am able to help a friend by loaning lots of my big stuff for now.  Good for her and for me because it just means less stuff to store and a smaller storage. 

I cried tonight watching Undercover Boss.  I don't normally like to see men cry but I really loved this CEO of Belfour.  I am always so blown away by the amazing employees these companies profiled have hired for the most part.  This is my daughter and I's show every Sunday and something we really look forward to every week.  This has replaced our games but I am okay with that since we both really love this show and all the goodness that comes from it.  Did you see it?

So tomorrow we have the day off for MLK and celebrating his life and accomplishment.  He was an amazing man for his time.   Do you have the day off?  What will you do?  Will you PIF tomorrow?  Random??  Looking forward to a nice, warm weather day with hopes of having a mini garage sale.  Not sure if I can pull it off since I am nowhere being ready but I may just let the girls wing it to make some money and to sell some things. 

Enjoy your Monday and I am hoping to be back with my WORD of 2011. 

xoxoxoxo
Di

Day 15 - The Gift of Giving/Taking Pictures...

Sorry for the day late post...this is what I did for our adopted gramma and pappy.

I hope you were able to find time to PIF today.

Lots of packing and boxing here so hoping you enjoyed your Saturday!!

xoxoxox
BiT

Day 14 ~ The Gift of BEING A GREAT NEIGHBOR

I love Fridays because it represents the end of the week and the start of the weekend.  I am so ready to be FREE of everything here and ready to start making our life SIMPLE again. 

Today's prompt for the gift of giving is .BEING A GREAT NEIGHBOR.  Cook a meal, leave a nice note, put their papers on their porch, clean the snow off of their driveway, bring them some cookies and hot tea, take their trash out...you can come up with something fun today.  I got mine done early today while I was waiting to pick up an extra child for school.  Love starting my day out like that too.  Let me know if you join me today and what you did, k?  Thanks for doing your part to make the world a better place today, one person at a time, one random act of kindness at a time!!!!

So today I am going to try and focus on the good in our lives instead of the frustrating part of school for Dem and I as her mother.  Today I read the book "The Book Whisperer" by Donalynn Miller who is a 6th grade teacher here in Keller, Texas.  Love love this book.  Demi has been struggling in reading.  I think she has no confidence when it comes to this class.  I think there are many reasons but the biggest one being that for the last 2 years all the focus is on testing and testing and TAKS.  When they were younger the focus was on fluency...read read and read to see how many words you can read.  Read and Read as many books as you can and then test on those books. Well that is no longer but somewhere along the way she has lost her desire for reading books at school and therefore probably does not focus in at school.  I really felt like we had taken 2 steps forward only to take 3 back last night and today.  I totally believe her teacher is missing the boat and is more interested in teaching lessons which I think Demi already knows.  But I am not her teacher so in the meantime as her mom I am struggling to do all I can to help my daughter out and to help her find an interest in reading, any reading!!  Anyway I am just grateful the rest of her teachers are awesome and just so you know I like this other teacher but feel like no matter what I say it really doesn't matter.  I hope when her dd gets to this age that she gets it because right now I don't think it will be possible until then.

Anyway other then tutoring and this reading class, Demi is having a great year as she alwasy does.  She is a model student and I love that about her!

So tonight we are selling Girl Scout cookies at Blockbuster.  Demi loves this and really enjoys the sales process or in her sweet way talking to ALL of the people she encounters.  She doesnt have any problems asking everyone if they would like to buy some cookies.  I enjoy it but am not looking forward to doing it in freezing weather outside.  The things parents/moms do for the good of their kids, right?

And then we are off to 456 at church tonight.  A time for Demi to share Jesus with her friends both believers and non-believers and to experience worship and fellowship with some friends outside of her regular school friends.  If my truck would hold more kids, she would invite her entire grade.  Just gotta love it right.

Have I mentioned how glad I am that it was only 1/2 a day of school and work today, thank goodness with the schedule ahead.

So what plans do you have for the weekend?  Me, boxing, packing, throwing out, listing items on craiglist and staying warm.  I am going to try and get a layout made and uploaded to http://www.noelmignon.com/ and their msiting challenge.  Have you ever seen her kits?  They are jammed packed full of goodies.  I love the kits at http://www.scarletlime.com/ too.  Christy's are so full of color and life, the colors I love working with so I really miss getting the happy mail these days or in my case, years!!  Some day soon....hehe.  By the way, Christy is into ART on CANVAS these days, if you haven't seen her latest work you should venture over there to see all she has created.  It will bring a big smile!!

Have a great rest of your Friday and I hope to be back soon with some scrappy goodness.     
      

Day 13 ~ The Gift of _____________!

I hope you had a great Thursday!  Today may have been one of my easiest work days yet and guess what I was teaching today?  Well not really teaching but I was in ART today.  I love it when I am the ART Teacher and get to watch my students being creative.  I got to play too, woohoo.

So today I was able to find a couple of things to PIF.  One at the beginning of my day and one at the end and I was PIFfed too.  All in all it was a great day, very blessed and happy to be alive!!

The prompt for today is open for you to fill in with your PIF.  I know some of you like Julie are PIFfing with love on the blogs and get around every day to make so many women feel loved and special.  I am always amazed how how Julie does it every day.  I am always grateful to see her comments and smiley faces.  Thanks!!

TGIF, back in ARt tomorrow and looking forward to it.  I am hopeful it will be a great day with the younger students too and that I will get lots of packing done.  Praying my mom gets some rest because she left here feeling very sick.  So hope she feels better.  BTW, if you have any prayer requests plz let me know, I love being a prayer warrior and will gladly accept your requests with a gracious heart.

PS - So proud of my dd, she made an 86 on her MAPS test for science.  Now we are on to MATH which is another good subject.  I am hopeful that she will have another achieveable goal if that is a word and that she will be ready to go with her teacher out and her fill in gone today?  Where did all the fun go with our elementary subjects and grades?  Miss that so much <3  On a side note, how do you help your children mature in a way to be responsible for their learning and grades without adding to the pressure they already feel and get all day?  My social butterfly is my social angel and although she does very well there is the subject of reading that she dislikes because of how and what they teach at school  No interest in reading and it breaks my heart because she was the one who looked forward to reading every night since she was a toddler.  I have to keep trying and hope that she will work harder to bring her grade up to at least a B and somewhere along the way will find her interest again.  I am going to go and buy the book "The Book Whisperer" this weekend.    this is a book written by a teacher here in our area about getting children interested in reading and meeting each of them where they are...hoping I can learn something to help Demi.  Praying andpraying....thank goodness for prayers and answered prayers!!    

xoxoxoxo
Diana

Day 12 ~ The Gift of Encouragement

Happy Wednesday!  Are you expecting great things today?  I hope so!!

Today's prompt for giving is the gift of encouragment.  Here is short message from Joel Osteen's blog at http://www.joelosteen.com/ today from his message about Find Somebody to Be Good To Every Day Love is seen in our actions. This world does not need to hear another sermon nearly as much as it needs to see us being good to people.


Learn to give your time, your money, or an encouraging word. When you show love, you are showing God to the world. And don't worry if you don't get any credit. When you let somebody in traffic in front of you, you may never see that person again. When you give somebody twenty dollars because you had compassion in your heart, you may never hear back from them, but let me assure you, God is keeping the records. He's seen every time you've been good to somebody. He's heard every encouraging word you've spoken. God has seen all the times you went out of your way to help somebody but they never even said thank you. The Scripture says when you do things in secret, when you do things without getting any credit, when nobody thanks you, God sees it, and you will even receive a greater reward.


It's one thing to make a big splash and let everybody know how generous you are, but if you really want to be blessed, do something good for somebody and don't tell anybody about it. Leave some cash in an unmarked envelope on the desk of that coworker that's struggling to make ends meet. At the restaurant, buy somebody's dinner and remain anonymous. Clean up the kitchen at the office and don't tell anybody that you did it. When you do things in secret and you don't get any credit, you are sowing a seed for God to do great things in your life

 So today my challenge if you are up to it is to ENCOURAGE 3 strangers or friends/family members in a way that has meaning.  For me, I will leave 3 notecards work boxes today maybe with a bible verse that relates to their lives and specific days.  I love doing this and have found more enjoyment with hand written notes and letters lately.  
 
Enjoy your day and remember if you have any great ideas please leave them here and will use them for a prompt in the near future.  
 
Julie, what is the best way to get friends over to your blog??  Any suggestions??
 
xoxoxoxo
Diana       

Day 11 ~ The Gift of Prayer

Today's prompt for the gift of giving is PRAYER. 

I believe in the power of prayer and coudn't imagine life without it.  Praying is your conversation with God about anything and everything. 

I love the simple and daily prayers at http://www.joelosteen.com/.  If you feel you don't where to start, his and his wife's website is just one of many places you can visit.

I pray you had  a great day and remember to hug those you love topped off with "I Love You".

xoxoxoxo,
Diana

Day 10 ~ The Gift of Service

The gift of service can entail so many things.  You can volunteer at your local school in the PTA, volunteer at your church, mow a neighbors yard, babysit for FREE and or deliver meals on wheels. 

I love this idea and want to do some service work with my daughter this year along with the activities are already do.  I miss some of the things I have been serving in for years but am looking forward to some new adventures of service this year.

I know it is late for some of you but there is still time to offer your services even if you schedule these times for later. 

Have a wonderful evening and let me know if you are watching Batchelor this go round.  Demi and I got some good laughs today surrounding all the "girl" drama.  Who do you like so far?  I love the sweet and beautiful lady from NC and were those single dates out of this world??  Loved them both and loved seeing women being treated like princesses.

PS - Thankful for my brother in law Darrell for all his help with my personal situation and appreciate all that he has done to help me.  I hope and pray that he has the best trip to Disney World this week in FL with my neice who is so excited to see Mickey and Minnie.  Love that he is getting to go and at the cost especially since they have helped us out.

Hoping all the ladies at Soul Restoration at The Brave Girls Club are touched in ways they never dreamed of and see this as the start of a great week and year in life where they can be and do anything they want to if they just BELIEVE!!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MOM WHOM WE LOVE DEARLY!!  EVERY DAY WITH HER IS A GIFT FROM GOD.

GOOD LUCK TO MY SWEET DD WHO HAS A BIG STATE MAPS TEST IN SCIENCE TOMORROW.  HERE IS TO HER BEING COMMENED AND HER CLASSMATES PLACING FIRST IN THE DISTRICT THIS TIME~ THEY HAVE ONE OF THE BEST TEACHERS IN THE DISTRICT ALONG WITH HER OTHER TEACHERS.  <3

xoxoxoxo
Diana 

Day 9 - The Gift of Quality Time

Love SONdays because it is family time....next week we will get back to having "game night".  It is our way of winding down the weekend and getting ready for the next school and work week.  We have some new games from christmas and we will be in a new home so it will be a great time to start back with our games.  It seems like since we started going to church on Saturday evenings that this has become "family time with my sister/bil/neice" which has been extra sweet!!!  Love FAMILY <3

Be back with prompt 10 for today...and I am going to give you your prompts early or the night before starting today. 

xoxoxo
Diana

Pay It Forward Song To Share...PIF

For those of you who have known me for the last several years know that I love paying it forward or what I call PIFfing...I share this with yall not because I want to share the things that I do but share the importance of each of us doing what what we can do make someone else's life and the world a better place in a time that is more challenging and difficult for many.  It comes naturally for humans and today when doing some research I ran across this song.  I am hoping the youtube video link will have sound because I could not get it to work on the site. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad-tNkoRvSo

I was reading today about the ripple effect that Paying It Forward can have in communities and schools and how just 3 random acts in multiplied by 3 each time it is paid forward, so your three acts become 9 and then 27 and then 81 and so on.  It amazes me how you may have an effect on so many lives by doing simple acts without them even knowing who you are and in some cases knowing that you did that for them. 

I used to love that show 6th senses too about how you can effect the lives of so many by just crossing their paths.  I have always thought it is such a small world when you begin talking to people.  I have a love for people and feel we can learn so much from each other. 

Anyway, hope your enjoying your day.  Our snow has tapered off but I did get some cute pictures that I will post shortly.  I better get busy making mom's calendar for her present.  I hope it turns out and that she likes the homemade one since we couldn't find her a Thomas Kincade one.

xoxoxox
PIFfer

It's SNOWING Big Flakes....

Although I didn't really want it to snow today, I have to say that it is beautiful watching it snow.  I was reminded how much children love it as well and the thought of TX sledding comes alive.  As of right now we are supposed to get up to 4".  Last year we got 13 inches and it completely shut down our lil town as it often does here.  I will be back with a picture of our snowfall  and any or all the fun we have in the back at Dem's elementary where the sledding takes place at what she considers "our big hill" - hehehe.

Happy SONday to everyone,
BiT 

Photos of "Lil Miss"

It brings me so much JOY to watch both of these super cute girls and best friends together.  They get along so well and have certainly made up for the year Alyssa was gone in KY   I don't even want to think about her leaving again yet.

Here are just a few of D&A doing their thing and always making the most of every minute!!

Sorry the pictures are turned, I can't figure out why my camera started to do this?  Anyway the first 2 are of them together and this last one is of Demi going to an all boy birthday party at Laser Tag.  As I was taking this I was thinking about how grown up she is becoming and how proud of her I am for who she is today.

Be back shortly with the prompt for Day 9 of giving the gift of..................  What can you give today?

xoxoxo