Love You Dad..

Happy Birthday Dad in Heaven!

Dear Dad, I love you..
 I understand now that all the hardships and heartaches were meant to happen,Part of the bigger plan...I hold only the good memories in my mind..Thank You for all those awesome memories!

 You always wanted me to enjoy the moment I was in..You always wanted me to be happy in my own thoughts..You always wanted me to be content in moments of silence...You always wanted me to feel nature..You always wanted me to smile..Thank You for always wanting the best for me!

I thank you for loving me sooo unconditionally! I thank you for being honest with me! I am Thankful for your love!

 I still feel protected by you..I still feel your hand on my shoulder when I need it most..I still know I am your pride and joy..I feel your nudge when I am expecting too much from my kids,I hear you say "Let them be kids"..Thank you!

 I know now its in simplicity that happiness is found..I hope you are relieved now that I get it fully!! Took me a while.. Thank You for your patience.. :-)

The love you have for me warms my heart..I see the twinkle in your eyes..Thank You for staying with me..

 I promise I will forever honor you...My life will honor you..Joe Mckennas daughter will carry on his free spirit,Your spirit lives on through me..Your spirit lives on through my children.. Thank You For Being My Father...

 Happy Birthday!

THANK YOU!

Love is patient ; Love is kind ,love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude . It does not insist on it's own way ; it is not irritable or resentful ; it does not rejoice in the wrongdoings , but rejoices in the truth . It bears all things , believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things , LOVE NEVER ENDS. I love these words!!!

For Sanni

Beautiful Soul...

Paulo Coelho

Every Warrior of the Light has felt afraid of going

into battle.

Every Warrior of the Light has, at some time in the past, lied or betrayed someone. 

Every Warrior of the Light has trodden a path that

was not his. 

Every Warrior of the Light has suffered for the most

trivial of reasons.

Every Warrior of the Light has, at least once, 

believed he was not a Warrior of the Light. 

Every Warrior of the Light has failed in his spiritual

duties. 

Every Warrior of the Light has said 'yes' when he wanted to say 'no.' 

Every Warrior of the Light has hurt someone he loved. 

That is why he is a Warrior of the Light, because he has been through all this and

yet has never lost hope of being better than he is. 

~ Paulo Coelho 

2011

I am closing out this year with a blog post to hopefully sum up what I have learned in 2011..Here goes.

 1. Loving people is natural...Not weird.. My heart seems to have a mind of its own.. I'll go with it..
:-)

 2. Forgiveness is powerful... Humility helps to be forgiven and compassion helps to forgive...

 3. Personal growth IS neverending!...

 4. I learned a loved one who has passed on can inspire me in ways I couldn't grasp when they were alive..When I listen they are being honored..

 5.Trust and love without fear of getting hurt..

 6. Things that put a smile on my face are blessings.. There for a reason.. A lifted spirit is a gift!

 7. A lifted spirit can bring healing...No amount of joy is wasted..

 8.Well I knew it all along but this year sealed the deal for me.. I am strong..I am also sensitive.. I hope I always remain the same..

 9. Every thing is as it should be..I just need to smile and keep my head up....

 10. Oh talking to the sky isn't crazy..

11. There is alot to me I dont share.. Its time to share...

Ironically this has been the most beautiful year of my life and the hardest year of my life.. No longer depending on old defenses has me forced to feeeeel alot more..
My first grey hairs came this year..I have lost my babyfat in my  face LOL!
I have learned that facing issues will put them to rest..Ignoring them will make them come back until I get it right... SIGH!

2010 was me grieving 2011 was me growing 2012 will be awesome!


(My dear dad hanging out in heaven..I Love You as always..I know your proud of me)

Today this sight was a reminder for me to keep my head up..

Perfect song..Perfect timing.. As usual..

This song I heard the moment I learned my father passed..Blessing!  I was comforted to hear it today.. 
 This picture reminds me of how he
Tried to hold onto me. Yet, he encouraged me to soar on my own,Crash on my own and stand on my own.. 
I love you Dad.Thank you for loving me.. 


LYRICS:

 Her Daddy gave her, her first pony Then taught her to ride She climbed high in that saddle Fell I don't know how many times Taught her a lesson that she learned Maybe a little too well 

Cowgirls don't cry Ride, baby, ride Lessons in life are going to show you in time Soon enough your gonna know why It's gonna hurt every now and then If you fall get back on again Cowgirls don't cry 'Cause cowgirls don't cry Ride, baby, ride

 Lessons in life are going to show you in time Soon enough your gonna know why It's gonna hurt every now and then If you fall get back on again Cowgirls don't cry

 Phone rang early one morning Her momma's voice, she'd been crying Said it's your daddy, you need to come home This is it, I think he's dying She laid the phone down by his head The last words that he said 

Cowgirls don't cry Ride, baby, ride Lessons in life show us all in time Too soon God lets you know why If you fall get right back on Good Lord calls everybody home Cowgirls don't cry

Thankful...

“Dreams are today's answers to tomorrow's questions.” ~Edgar Cayce

My pictures and a song :-)

These are pictures I have taken this year..This song is special to me...

Protection..

 One of those well timed reminders for me to have some faith.....

Dream..

I dreamt this song last night..NICE! Talking to stars pays off.. :-)

When You Wish...
"When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you
If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do
Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing
Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star.. Your dreams come true"

Thank You Nature

I was sitting on the couch..

Then I thought : 
"hmmm if I dont move from where I am sitting, how will the universe know I am available for some blessings?" ;-)


I walked outside, saw this scene and forgot to breath for a few seconds...LOL I would call that a blessing :-) Thanks Universe!


 I WILL return the favor..I promise! Every chance I get!

Coyote

A week ago tonight, I was sitting outside and a Coyote walked about ten feet from me.. We made eye contact and stared for a while..The coyote walked away..Then returned to stare with me again.. :-) I havent been able to put my thoughts to what happened until now..

There was no fear in his eyes.. I had no fear.. He was not postured in a way that looked like he was scared.. I was not either..lol...

 Animals can sense danger and fear,Its their survival mechanism..They are pros..

 My presence was not one to be frightened of.. This is probably the most beautiful compliment I have had in a long time..

 My intention was to enjoy his beauty and I am soo thankful he allowed me that...I feel Honored..

Today

Today My daughter asked me to watch her on a Jungle gym..

She said "Mom watch me"

I heard "Mommy I love you I want you to watch me and be proud"


OOOOOOHHHH Heart Melting!

Loved this...

"One forgives to the degree that one loves."


Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Faith..

"Strength is waiting for you to surrender to FAITH" 

Fear Has NO Power

"Fear has no power to overcome a heart that knows its never  alone"

No need to speak..BUT I WILL..LOL

Gina, I saw our picture today and my heart melted and a huge smile came over me.. SO I knew I needed to write about US...

 I am learning more about myself everyday the more I learn the more I realize you already knew...All the times you said I was strong..I didnt really believe...All the times you said I was "sunshiny" I didnt believe you... All the times you PROTECTED me, I thought I knew what I was doing... :-) all the times I got mad at you for not listening..LOL you were listening....

For all the crazy moments I have had and you have been there as a my Rock "I THANK YOU"

I will say sorry for a few things... LOL...

Sorry: I was allergic to cold water as a kid..Thanks for helping me...
Sorry: In 4th Grade I got scared on the night walk at camp and screamed for you..THEN we were both        scared..LOL
Sorry: I thought I could dive in your pool without bashing my face on the bottom..OOPS BLOOD!
Sorry: I  thought I could fly on a scooter and FAILED..You helped clean my wounds ..LOL
Sorry: When you were injured BADLY! I couldnt umm stay alert..WHO KNEW I PASS OUT? LOL
Sorry: I didnt know how to see creepy guys approaching me and you had to swoop in to save me..
Sorry: I get the sweet girl thing and you get the bad girl thing..WE both know I am not that sweeeet.. :-)
Sorry: I make you dance to really cheesy music in really cheesy places...
Sorry: about the whole WHITE LIGHT thing..Oops I did like him tho..Nice person.. :-)
Sorry: I made you listen to Dolly Parton as much As I did..I JUST LOVE HER!
Sorry: I never answer my phone.. UGH... BAD ME!

Sorry: I put a bottle of wine in your purse..LOL
Sorry: your dog is afraid of me..WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?!

Thank You for Bringing Kaylene back into our lifes..THAT IS HUGE!! Like a missing piece!! Our laughter together is music to my ears!

THANK YOU For being near when I needed to talk about my father and for standing back when I needed to be alone..I knew you were there..waiting for me to be ready.. Thank You for being right there for me on the day of my fathers service...That was by far one of the hardest days to keep a smile on my face.. You helped me.. I LOVE YOU!

Honestly..I dont think I am sorry..I think I am loving every moment we share and without you I would probably not be alive LOL!!!!!!! I love you..Your the sweet one..

Hope....

 I woke up to the words "you give hope"  SOOO I googled..  
:-)

“May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human enough hope to make you happy." -unknown

Hope is the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one's life.

Tons of Fun

John K. Me Nadia Gina and Kaylene

Last night we celebrated the retirement of my all time Favorite teacher, Ms.K ..


She is a teacher that touched my heart...when my heart REALLY needed it....Glad we all had some fun too... :-) Ouch in this pic I have a very hurt face from a very klutzy move..

hahah who knows!!!

Happiness

“Happiness is not the absence of problems but the ability to deal with them.”


~someone..I dont know..

Daughters Thoughts..

I asked my daughter to write a poem.. This is how it turned out and I cant be more proud of her perception.. The way she sees the world is beautiful... I highly suggest getting a kids opinion of you..Its cute!  :-)

DAD: BRIAN..
B.  Bringing Joy and laughter to our family
R. Reaching High to the sky and never giving up
I. Impossible tasks can be possible with him
A. Assisting all things needed without being asked
N. Never letting down those he promises to help

MOM:ANDREA

A. Accepting sometimes the most opposite from her with a smile and an open heart
N. Needing nothing but love, happiness, and her family
D. Daily effort after daily effort.Hard work but never gives up
R. Rethinking the unthinkable to light our path
E. Earning Honor and respect instead of money..I like her choice
A. Arranging her life and ours the best she can with love

Change..

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

~Maya Angelou

Little Girl..

Precious little girl with the world on her shoulders....

Its not easy seeing a childs playful spirit covered up with worry...

I wish I could just hold this child and let her worries melt away.....

I cant fix her life... I just want to help her smile..

Every hour she is with our family will matter to her..if not now..Someday.....

Smiling HIM! Smiling Me...

Today a man walked into my favorite :-) homeless shelter...
He said he needed : a meal,socks and a pair of shoes...
He had his head hung down.. Shame?
After he was embraced and received helped..
He lifted his head up,made eye contact and SMILED!!!!

His smile could have lit up the deepest darkest CAVE!! LOL... It hit me and I think I saw stars!!!

He is someones child.. He touched my heart... I am soo thankful I was there to see him today..

Simple needs met!!
Gracious smile...Incredibly touching.. Special special!!

Makes me look at the extra shoes sitting around my house a little different... A lot different....

Cathy-Happy Birthday Friend :-)

I was going to post on your facebook a Happy Birthday message..Then I got a little teary so I knew I needed to type it out.....

 When I met you, I was 16 years old.. I did not feel like I belonged anywhere...My home life was a mess... I pretty much never made it to school... Work was were I felt like I could relax... Odd But true..Work is where I was lucky enough to meet you... :-)

 I watched you... I was impressed with your work ethics.. I knew It was a trait I wanted for myself..

THEN 

 We started to become friends.. I learned that your dedication to your family was just as amazing as your work ethic...  Well more amazing lol...

Dedication is who you are.. its what you do... Its how you live..... You do it because you care... ALOT.. Your dedicated to your family,friends,work and umm yourself....

I also know with dedication comes adversity... I have seen you strive and succeed in the face of adversity....Its incredible what you can endure and still carry a warmth about you...

 Happy Birthday Dear Cathy.. I am just sooooo darn glad I met you.. I have you tucked in my heart forever!!!

Common Goal-Happiness...

We all live with the objective of being happy; our lives are all different and yet the same.

~Anne Frank


I always related to Anne Frank and her journaling.. I love that this is something she wrote... 

Intrigued...

Consider me fully intrigued in this moment..


 I am thankful for the moments that grab my attention and leave me thinking.....

  I feel confident that no one can change my mind..They can only enrich my mind.. If I allow it.. :-)

Bleed Red...

I love when a song says what I feel.. Sure helps :-)...

What Matters...

     I will spend my time thinking about the things that matter.
                                Not the things that bother....

Lovin this SONG!

I am incredibly addicted to this video..Lyrics,Sound, and Visual... Umm I do not understand the language he is singing in.. DOES NOT SEEM TO MATTER!!! Seems like a universal message to me.. :-)

Touching....

"All those who are unhappy in the world are so as a result of their desire for 
their own happiness.

All those who are happy in the world are so as a result of their desire for 
the happiness of others."


-Buddhist quote






Not surprised who I swiped this from ... Big heart..

Peaceful

I am not sure what keeps my feet on the ground...

My heart feels incredibly light..

My memories feel like treasures..

My interaction with people feels like a surge of energy..

My fears have all disappeared.. 

My goals seem less about tomorrow and more about right now...

My dreams come true.. 

My unhealthy ties no longer tug on me..

My love is easy to give.. 

Your love is easy for me to receive..

I see no one above me or below me..I see Eye to Eye...

I see the reason for my pain and suffering..

I see the reason for my mistakes..

I know I am presented with the things that are meant to be...

I know I am  exactly where I am suppose to be.. 

I know I am doing exactly what I should be..


I know when I use courage to overcome..I will have the strength needed..

I know I will always have just what I need.. when I need it...

I know sharing what I have is right...


I know I will be ok....

Peaceful....Easy.. Feeling......

What I learned from my Dad..

After writing about what I learned from my Mom I felt the need to write what I learned from my Dad..

Joseph McKenna.. Dad... I have learned from you...

-Dance in the middle of a crowded store..Because I can..
-Talk to strangers,Often!!
-Give my very last dime if it helps someone...
-Walk into the room with confidence and a SMILE..
-Eat balanced..SO that midnight Ice Cream now and again wont make me fat..LOL..
-Sometimes a touch can make all the difference.. Your Hand on my shoulder..Your hand on my hand... a Hug Or even a loving kick or 2..
-Random and silly acts of "showing love" can make that memory last a lifetime.. SURPRISE!!!! YOUR LOVED!!
-Homeless does not mean heart-less. People of all walks can bring a smile to your face and deserve to receive kindness..
-Nature is beautiful.
-Home is where the heart is..No "house" makes the family.. Love does...
-HAHA Men dont like to hear women complain..
-Stop at the smallest store in the middle of nowhere.. The owners will appreciate your business..
-No matter what happens..Be thankful to be alive..
-DONT worry BE happy (Ok ok ok.. I heard that song enough from you, I get it now)

I guess most of all what I learned from you is... I am special.. So are you....

My beautiful father hanging out in Heaven.. I love you...


I copied and pasted Moms response to my blog post about her... I will make up one from you to me.. LOL good thing I know you...
Here goes:


Brat,You have got it..Keep going..Keep smiling and have fun.. I love You, VERY MUCH.. :-)

Faith and Smile..

If I look back on my saddest moments. My loneliest moments.. There is no doubt in my mind NOW,That I was not alone..There was always "something" that picked me up...

A Song,Friend,Stranger,Thought or even just a sigh...

 I was always able to stand up and get smiling again.. I am thankful for whatever or whoever was there to lift my spirits and make it easier to move forward...


Hey I guess that means I  have faith.. Without religion.. Hmm..Interesting.. :-)

Music..

“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” Berthold Auerbach

Mothers Day..

My Mother taught me...

-Be patient with people..
-See the good in everyone.
-Every morning it feels better to stay in bed..Get up and get going,all will be fine..
-Dont walk by someone in need without trying to help..
-Keep smiling.
-Keep going.
-Dont blame anyone for your failures.
-Yep its gonna be hard..Suck it up and make the best out of it..
-Make time to make memories.
-Go to the places that make you happy..
-Just keep paying the Bills...
-Clean the floors in the dark...lol its cleaner then if you didnt try at all..
-Dont drive on the freeway if you can take side streets.. (apparently safer)
-Possessions do not matter..
-Save for the future
 and
Grandmas Job is to spoil the Grandkids!!

Moms response which melts my heart...

Dear Andrea, You certainly know me.......I am so accepting of people that I never analyze them. They are what they are......Love, you and thanks

Gathered Kindness!

I searched for "kindness" quotes after a long talk with my kids about showing kindness to each other.
We all want kindness to come back.. Showing Unkindness to each other only causes unkindness to come back.I have experience and its No FUN at all!!

Here are some quotes I found and loved..

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle. ~Plato

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. ~Dalai Lama

Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness. ~Seneca

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not. ~Samuel Johnson

Remember that everyone you meet is afraid of something, loves something and has lost something. ~H. Jackson Brown, J

Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns. ~Author Unknown

The more sympathy you give, the less you need. ~Malcolm S. Forbes

Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who will never find out. ~Frank A. Clark

Treat everyone with politeness, even those who are rude to you - not because they are nice, but because you are. ~Author Unknown

HAHA and If you made it to the bottom this one is one of my favorites for sure LOL..

If you step on people in this life, you're going to come back as a cockroach. ~Willie Davis

I Respect..

I respect the views of others and understand we all have our own perceptions and emotions..The statement below speaks to my heart.. I am thankful someone shared it today... Now I can move onto my next emotion.

       :-)

"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that" Martin Luther King, Jr.

LOVE THIS

My Sick Dog..

For 3 days we have been taking care of our sick dog, Chewy.He stopped eating on his own and was very lethargic... There was not a doubt in my mind he needed to go to the Vet..They kept him over night..Today is my daughters Birthday and waking up without her baby to cuddle,Is just not easy...

 I called the vet this morning, they believe once fully hydrated he will be able to come home... I knew even yesterday at my saddest and his sickest that I could handle what we were being dealt.. OH I WAS SAD!!!!!!!

This is what I learned about myself and my family...

Money means NOTHING!! we all agree.. Chewys life matters..

Redirecting worry to Positive thinking is the only way for us!!! Its up to me to make sure my family stays focused and positive..

There is no border to love..I LOVE MY DOG! My heart aches for his little sad face!! He is our family..

Geesh!

Protect the ones you love...Someday you may need protecting...
                                       And
Protect the ones you love..Because they would do the same for you..
                                    


Dont ruin someones credibility because of your confusion..

                            And

Think about the greater good with every choice you make...


LOL This is my blog it doesnt have to make sense...