TOLERANCE

I climbed a mountain a few days ago. My brother and I hiked good and hard for 12 hours straight. All the way up and then all the way down. I'm not sure which direction is harder. It was an exercise in drive and determination. We REALLY wanted to summit and we just kept moving until we got there.

On the way down we talked about how it's not really very fun to climb mountains. It's work! You have to be pretty mentally tough about getting up there and you can't quit. I'm still pretty sore from the whole thing but I learned something...

If you want to, you can do anything. Physically, you can keep going for a loooonnngg time even if you think you are exhausted. If you are motivated and brave enough to try...you can do it. The effort is always worth it.

Thank you, Jaren, for suffering with me.

PERSPECTIVE

Look at these clear, fresh faced babies! Since I started working full-time at a Dermatologists office I have learned some things about skin issues and let me tell you...be grateful for new, healthy, non-itchy, non-puss-filled, non viral-warty, soft-and-smooth-as-a-babies-bottom, skin. No molluscum contagiosa. No occular psoriasis. No seborheic keratenosis. No nothing! Just fabulous, amazing, maybe a tiny little bit freckly, skin.

My job is great! I'm growing... alot. To be honest, things are a little hectic. I mean, I cry sometimes when I get home because I've missed them. They are beautiful and I smother their smudged but otherwise clean faces with kisses.

But, I'm trying to be positive and today I'm grateful for their health.

SUPERWOMAN

I'm not, superwoman. I'm trying to figure it out. Is it even possible to work, love your babes, cook for everyone & have a clean house?

I was able to actually put some grub on the table a few times lately but steer clear of the laun_ry rooms & the bathrooms. They look like something blew up in there.

As you can see I'm still missing a letter...it's kin_ of like a metaphor for my life. I've got some of it in or_er but there's just something missing & it looks a little funny.

I will progress. It will get easier, right? RIGHT?

WOW!

Too much to complete, too little time.


yikes!

IN_EPEN_ ANCE _AY!

Wow. I just realize_ something. But I have to insert a warning here. Not about what I just realize_ but about my computer. I have a key that _oesn't work all of the su__en. Guess which one it is. _ang it! Anyhoo, I have to tell you something. Well, tell me something so that I can always remember it.

Here it is.

I've been feeling sorry for myself. All worke_ up over going to work an leaving my ki_s home an_ losing my workout time an_ my leisure space an_ other stuff...etc. In short, I've been a big baby about having to grow up an I'm not, I'm not, I'm not happy about it. Actually, I'm excite_ about the job I was very blesse_ to get but haven't been able to wrap my hea_ aroun_ all the change.

BUT!

Lately, I've become "in the know" about a few people's lives who are struggling, an_ reaching out, an_ telling me stuff. I've ha_ the opportunity to insert my very small amount of wis_om with the issues they are _ealing with. So, this morning I thought to myself. "Wow, I'm really helping these people." I got a little puffe_ up but then very quickly it struck me that the whole reason for this strange situation is two-fol_ . One, because these people have really nee_e_ something right now an_ I was able to give it to them. Two, I nee_e_ to realize that while there is a lot going on right now, I HAVE learne_, an_ I HAVE grown, an_ I HAVE been blesse_ in the trials I've face_ over the years an_ my life coul_ be 100 times har_er. I might just make it through this one, too.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.