I had the privilege of gathering at Olive Garden with a small group of women to honor our good friend, Lisa, on her fiftieth birthday!

Lisa makes any age look good! And she always dresses stylishly.

Lisa is such an amazing woman that just knowing her challenges me to be a better person. I am happy to call her friend. Lisa’s love for the Lord and her eternal optimism make her a great encourager. Despite the struggles that come with being a single mom and the complications that she has to face due to her post-polio health issues, she is not one to EVER complain. She’s truly a great example to follow. Lisa always has a grateful spirit and a cheery dispostion.

Lisa was given a prune plant! There are individually wrapped prunes all over! Very cute!

Karen and I were initiated into the Sisterhood Of The Secret Cell! Apparently, women at a certain age begin to carry their cell phones in their bras. It’s quite quirky and rather practical!

Lots of laughs were had over the butt crack behind Milly!

I’ll leave you with that! Hehe!!! Happy Birthday, Lisa!

We are knee deep in this decision. Persist, persist, persist!! It is exhausting and at times I feel like I’m going to lose it, but that’s life isn’t it?

It takes a great deal of effort to raise children and teach them to think of others before themselves. We want our daughters to grow into kind and generous young adults. It’s hard to imagine with all the fighting that goes on! I had no idea how hard raising children would be! Nothing can prepare you for that responsibility!

We want to have an extraordinary marriage – way above and beyond ordinary. What a task! We’ve committed nearly nineteen years to our marriage! The energy level it takes to continually be students of one another is a great challenge! Love, respect and selflessness are not always easy things to demonstrate, especially when we are tired and stressed.

Our desire is to prosper financially through a healthy, thriving business. That kind of persistence leaves James with dark circles around his eyes! He is working so hard right now in this area that I believe at least 85 percent of his waking hours are devoted to this cause. He is constantly studying and working. That’s what it takes to build a strong, successful, prosperous business.

We will persist without exception and it’s worth it every day! When one of the girls chooses to do something kind for their sister, I smile really big inside. PERSIST! When James and I get some time alone and share our hearts with one another and cheer each other on, it’s worth it! PERSIST! Every week when James is able to make payroll and more work is coming – the future is bright because he is increasing his knowledge of business and it will pay off BIG someday! PERSIST! We will persist without exception! We will never, never, never give up!

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My hubby and my daddy. Daddy always does the Marine look for pictures.

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I took it as a major compliment a few weeks ago when my friends Heather and Tori gave me a special t-shirt they made just for me! The thought of two teens spending an afternoon creating something silly for me made me feel quite special! The front says, “MY NAME IS JULIE. . .” and the back says, “AND I’M HOT!” They signed their names and painted on some flames. They gave it to me at church. Of course, I had to try it on immediately!

Silly girls!

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My dad was quite shocked when he opened his grill! A big mama squirrel jumped out leaving behind the cutest bunch of liitle baby squirrels in a nest made out of a charcoal bag!

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My Man Of Action

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I love shopping with Anjelia, especially when she does something cute like strapping her bunny to the grocery cart!

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Over the past year, I had the great fortune to read Andy Andrews‘ book, The Traveler’s Gift. Andy began his early adult life homeless and hopeless, until he discovered biographies at the local library. He began consuming them, reading two to three hundred biographies during the first couple of years. He has since read many more and interviewed many accomplished people from all over the world, including four presidents, as well as reading hundreds of letters. He became a student of the accomplished and found seven common principles that were embodied by each person. In his fictional book, The Traveler’s Gift, Andy introduces seven real, historical characters. Each character exudes one of these principles that Andy calls, The Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success. I have decided over the next seven days to post each decision. I have a cd that I listen to each day of Andy reading the seven decisions. We are so bombarded with negativity each day. I believe we need  to choose to fill ourselves with optimism and wisdom. I also highly recommend his dvd, The Seven Decisions. The butterfly effect will blow you away! I give you decision number one:

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