Thankfulness, Day 2

I am very thankful for my parents. Had no idea what to do with them growing up. But I spend time appreciating them now. Right there at a time I desperately needed them. Providing a place of comfort and security and safety.

Thankfulness, Day 1

I admire people who keep up with this thankfulness journal project. I'm going to give it a try myself. I need to challenge myself to find the positive in my world.

I'm thankful for hope. Hope for Heaven. Hope that Jesus will welcome me in His arms. Hope that change is possible. Hope that we don't have to settle for just anything. Hope that there is truth. Thankful I can put my hope in Christ.

happy new year

It's not January 1 or even close. But it's a new year for me. Why can't I have a party?

My new year's adventure is getting my duck tape business up and going. I have lots of orders already. I even have a prospective business partner. She's 11. I think that's awesome. I needed a new hobby. I just decided it was going to be duck tape.

These are some of the duck tape choices I have available.

The print in the bottom right corner that is hard to see is Super Mario Brothers.

I know you are dying to know net profits and capital gain. I will be putting together an annual financial report.

Isn't capital gain when the state capital gains more money? Geez.

I'll hire a financial advisor to report about Duck Tape Creations by Lita. Or I probably won't. Because I don't think anyone is too worried about it.

May the force be with you.

Look at you out on a big trip...

I just got home from Las Vegas, New Mexico. What a great week visiting my sister and her family! As always, there is never enough time to spend with just me and my sister. She makes me laugh.

Speaking of laughing! My niece, Kaitlyn, makes me laugh the most, the loudest and the hardest! She is seriously my soul mate and mini-me! We might be twins separated at birth...and born in the wrong decades! She is such a little social bug, and she's not really afraid to try anything. That might be where we differ!

It was really a great, relaxing week. We hung out and played cards, hiked, shopped, and Sean and I got to cook dinner for the campers! Oh, and I went down the zip line on the ropes course..and played two pretty intense games of paint ball. Let's just say I have found a new love of shooting guns!

It was a whole family party! My parents, my cousin Vanessa, Sean, Devon and myself all went! Katie, Vanessa, mom and I all got airbrush tattoos. Mom, dad, Devon, Sean and I hiked up Hermit's Peak. I'm still sore from that 6 hour hike!! I did quite a nice tan from being in the sun so much. Too bad it's in the shape of my tank tops and not my swimsuit. Womp womp.

It was a much needed vacation. It was too short! I love the mountains! I love the cool air. I loved sleeping with the windows open. I loved eating fruit every day. I loved having gluten free food to eat. I loved playing cards. I loved having my sister nearby. I loved the views! I loved not dealing with humidity!

And today...now, I'm enjoying a pedicure and manicure to end the week with a real bang. My skin is so dry from being in high altitude.

It was a great week. I look forward to when my sister comes in December for Christmas!
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Just Grand

I'm sitting on the bank watching my family fish. I love being home. I love Grand Lake. I love spending time with my family.

In other news, I rediscovered my love for taking pictures outdoors. I was finally able to get my camera charged up and working again.

Taking pictures is something that recharges me. I don't have an impressive camera, but I love looking for cool angles and different colors.

What a good, good day!
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get well soon

I have a box of puffs tissue by my bed. I haven't been sick in a couple of years. Then we got a new dog a couple of weeks ago. I can't stop playing with her or holding her. Every time I do, I start sneezing. And whatever is blowing around outside is not helping either! So, now I'm fighting some kind of sinus/allergy cold. So dumb.

I haven't talked much about it but I was diagnosed with Celiac disease in March. It has been rough adjusting and understanding all of it. I'm allergic to gluten. I get very sick when I eat any food with gluten in it. I didn't have any gluten for about 3 weeks, and I felt great! So. It's tough finding food and sticking to a gluten-free diet. I have another lab appointment coming up in a couple of weeks. The Doc is going to check my blood level again and see if I'm doing better. And it might be kinda hard to get an accurate reading...mainly because I've kinda been eating stuff I shouldn't. Ugh.

And now I am going to rest. Rest is good for when you don't feel good.

Joplin

It's been very shocking and emotional to hear and see all that has gone in Joplin over the last week. I know it touches so many...of course, the ones that are current residents; but also, the many who have passed through town because of college.

It's been over 10 years since I lived in Joplin attending Ozark Christian College. My 5 years in that town was a very meaningful time. I made so many dear friends and had many great experiences. It's not my home, but that town is dear to me.

I've seen so many that I went to OCC with on facebook...praying, processing, sharing, serving. I wish I could go and help as well. My husband went for 2 days last week. He worked right by St. John's to search for 3 bodies. One was found.

It will take time to rebuild. Joplin may never be what it was. But it will be better and stronger. I pray that the many people directly affected by the tornado will be healed and stronger.