knowing

There is an aspect of my personality that is relentless.  (Yes, to those of you know me in person I realize that statement came as no surprise to you!)  I believe relentlessness is a good quality, and possessing relentlessness has in large part brought me right where I am today.  In recent years, my life has been almost completely changed because of relentlessness.  

This relentlessness creates in me an acute sense of knowing.  Let me explain what I mean.  Once I have knowledge about something, I am unable to pretend I don't know that particular thing.  In other words, I am incapable of unknowing.  

Recently, my relentlessness has been expanding to removing any and all sources of unhealthiness from my life.  See, I started reading (knowing) more and more about issues related to nutrition, chemicals in products we consume/use, and ways to ensure that everything entering my body (not just food!) is not harmful.  And, as I already stated, now that I know what I know, I cannot unknow it!  

In the last three months, I have completely stopped drinking pop, I have eliminated the processed foods in my home and replaced them with organic and/or non-GMO foods, I have switched all (and I do mean all!) of my skin and hair care products to those that are organic and/or truly natural, and I have begun to learn how to use natural remedies and essential oils to treat common ailments, rather than relying on medications.  All of what I am learning is changing me, and I like it!  I invite you over to Pinterest to sample any of the articles I've collected there on my "All Things Healthy" board.  You do not have to have a Pinterest account to visit my board.  If you see a description that interests you, just click on the image to expand it, then click the image again to visit the original source.

I love being a work in progress, and I intend to never stop learning and expanding on all those things I cannot unknow.  

happy 12!

I wonder what he wished for!

Geoffrey has many wonderful qualities, to be sure.  But I think one of the nicest is the kind of brother he is.  Geoffrey really has a heart for his little sister!

Of all the presents, this was the "Score" gift for sure.  A combination of both of Geoffrey's interests obsessions.  Lego and Minecraft together in one building kit.  I have been trying to get this for Geoffrey for months!  I was as happy to give it to him as he was to get it.  

Geoffrey, I'm so proud of the son that you are and the young man that you are becoming.  You are a great example to me of what it looks like to be strong and courageous.  You are also my example of how to live a fun and playful life.  Keep your spark my boy!  I can't wait to see all of the places you go in this life!

Operation International Children School Supplies

Last week, my son brought home a very special school supplies list.  I know... it's March, so why is he bringing home a list of school supplies now?  Well, the supplies are to support a special organization called Operation International Children, which was co-founded by actor Gary Sinise and author Laura Hillenbrand.    According to the OIC website, the organization was created "to give concerned citizens of the world a way to reach out to children in war-stricken countries and support American troops in their efforts to assist them."

Here's some more information from the OIC website:
"Working directly with troops, OIC has delivered well over a quarter of a million school supply kits, along with more than half a million toys and thousands of blankets, backpacks, pairs of shoes, Arabic-language books, and sets of sports equipment, all of which have been distributed to children.  While we remain committed to our work in Iraq, OIC has expanded its mission, sending school supplies to Afghanistan and other nations, where American troops are distributing them to children in need.  In the future, we will continue to broaden our efforts across the world."

Here's what was on the list:

OIC SCHOOL SUPPLY KIT:

•  One pair of blunt-end scissors
•  One 12-inch ruler with metric markings
•  12 new pencils with erasers
•  One small pencil sharpener
•  One large eraser
•  One box of colored pencils (Crayons melt in the Iraqi summer heat!)
•  One package of notebook paper
•  One composition book
•  Three folders with inside pockets
•  One zippered pencil bag

Pack only the listed supplies in a 2-gallon sized zipper seal plastic bag.

So, last week we headed out to the store to purchase the items on the list.  This evening the kids each assembled a bag to donate.

In case you want to see more about Operation International Children, I found this clip:

Never Ever (The Bully Project)

Last November, I wrote about my son Geoffrey's struggles with bullies and I also shared a special video testimony from an inspirational young man who had also struggled with bullies.  Bullying is an issue that weighs on my heart in a very personal way.

I am pleased to share that I was recently invited to serve on a Task Force at my son's school to address bullying.  In the words of our vice principal, who is heading up this committee, we are striving to make our school "a more welcoming environment" for everyone.  I feel hopeful that we are already taking important action to make these necessary and important changes, and that we will actually make an effective change and make it SOON!

Tonight, I received this video in my email inbox from the vice principal.  Check it out!

A Hair Care Blog??

One of the things I've learned in my life is that I never know what I'm going to be doing next!

Today is no exception.

I said I wouldn't do it, in fact.

But today I did it.

I just launched my own hair care blog!  Check out my first post here.

My Dad, the Bird Charmer

My dad keeps lots of bird feeders fully stocked in his yard year-round.  He is what you would call a "friend to the birds."  This afternoon, he sent me this photo of a chickadee eating from his hand!  Must be that Native American heritage, huh Dad?

Welcome Home

Safe in the Father's Arms today

What a beautiful life lived

and a beautiful soul 

who loved the Lord with

all her heart.

Hail Mary, full of grace.  The Lord is with you.  

Blessed are you among women, 

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. 

 Holy Mary, Mother of God, 

pray for us sinners now

 and at the hour of death.  

Amen.